USB Floppy Disk by Charles Mangin

It is work of Charles Mangin, and he had to stack components of two old 3.5″ floppies so there would be enough height to accommodate the storage of the USB connector, so the drive itself looks like a stack of business cards.

Crab flare | Comet Elenin | The test that tells you how long you'll live

Dark matter detector

The problem of dark matter came about when astronomers began to study galaxies, like our own Milky Way. If we look at the structure of the galaxy as it would ­appear from the outside, most of the Milky Way's 100 billion-plus stars lie in the galactic disk. Most of the stars are concentrated near the center of the dis­k around the nucleus and galactic bulge. Above and below the plane of the disk are a few hundred scattered globular clusters and a large, dim, round region called the halo.

Experiments can be divided into two classes: direct detection experiments, which search for the scattering of dark matter particles off atomic nuclei within a detector; and indirect detection, which look for the products of WIMP annihilations.

NASA/Photo courtesy Ned Wright

Our home galaxy, the Milky Way

Symptoms and spread of HIV and AIDS

FCS

Purpose

Field Change Sheets [FCS] are prepared if a major change is desired, in order to obtain regulatory and/or programmatic approvals of a significant change in project scope, limits or cost.  Field Change Sheets require significant design effort and provide significant information to the Contractor. Examples of circumstances that may require Field Change Sheets:

Changes in structure type

Extension of contract limits

Reducing or adding traffic lanes

Significant changes in alignment

Pavement reconstruction instead of rehabilitation

The installation of a traffic signal instead of an un-signalized intersection

The addition of large retaining walls in lieu of cut slopes

Changes that require a SEQRA or NEPA re-evaluation

Changes requiring the acquisition of additional right of way

Major additional work that was not in the original contract documents

 

Field Revision Sheets are prepared for significant changes to contract plans.  The definition of a significant change will vary depending on the nature of the project, nature and scope of proposed change, design intent, and other relevant factors. Examples of changes requiring a field revision sheet include, but are not limited to:

Changes that decrease the clear zone as shown in the plans

Reduction in the length, changing the type, or eliminating guiderail

Changes to typical sections such as pavement thickness, lane or shoulder width, cross slope

Changes to plan vertical alignment, horizontal alignment, or super-elevation

Changes to closed drainage systems, such as elimination of catch basins, decreasing pipe size, changes to invert or top of frame elevations, or tying in existing drainage not shown on plans

Any changes to structural steel not shown on approved shop drawings

Significant changes in bar reinforcement or structural concrete dimensions

Significant changes to Traffic Control Plans, such as changing phases or sequencing

Changes to pavement markings as shown in the plans

Changes to signal pole type, foundation, or location

Changes that decrease the vertical clearance with respect to any overhead structure

Participants

Project Manager (PM), Designer, Design Associate (DA), Regional Design Engineer (RDE), Engineer-In-Charge (EIC), Construction Area Supervisor (CAS) and Regional Construction Engineer (RCE). 

Field Change Sheet
 The process to prepare a Field Change Sheet is as follows:

The Construction Area Supervisor coordinates with the Design Associate the preparation of the field change sheet. 

The Project Manager in consultation with the Engineer-in-Charge has the field change sheet prepared.  Every sheet must bear the seal and signature of the professional responsible for its production.-  The Regional Design Engineer or designee signs the field change sheet as “Recommended by”.  Include additional recommendation signatures, as necessary, by other regional group directors.  The field change sheet is then sent to the Regional Construction Engineer for approval.

The Regional Construction Engineer signs the field change sheet as “Approved By”, and has the sheet approved by the appropriate Main Office groups and FHWA, if necessary.  A signature block for each recommendation/approval will be provided on the field change sheet.  The Regional Construction Group then processes the related order-on-contract.  The signature of the Deputy Chief Engineer (Construction) on the OOC will signify concurrence of the Office of Construction. All field change sheets must be incorporated into the contract by an OOC. The sheet is then sent to Design Quality Assurance Bureau for printing and distribution. 

When revisions are made to a field change sheet, the Construction Division will revise the order-on-contract as necessary.

Field change sheets become part of the Contract Documents.  It is essential that field change sheets be prepared in the same manner as an original contract plan sheet.  Each sheet should be standard contract plan size and format utilized in original contract.  The plans should be drafted in accordance with applicable CADD standards. 
 Preparation of a Field Change Sheet:
 The following should be reviewed relative to each field change sheet:

Title box should be filled in completely including the field change sheet number. 

The words 'FIELD CHANGE SHEET” should be shown on each new or revised sheet.

A brief description of the change should be shown on each sheet in the form of a NOTE.  Example:  NOTE:  THIS FIELD CHANGE SHEET DEPICTS THE ADDITION OF A CROSS CULVERT ATQSTATION XX+XX.

Where appropriate, the change should be denoted by being encircled in a 'revision cloud'.

Field Change Sheets may be either replacement, supplemental, or new sheets.  One of the following notes shall be shown on each sheet, as applicable:

For a replacement sheet, use: ATHIS SHEET SUPERSEDES SHEET __@

For a supplemental sheet, use: ATHIS SHEET SUPPLEMENTS SHEET_  @

For a new sheet, use: ATHIS SHEET DOES NOT SUPERSEDE OR SUPPLEMENT ANY SHEET.@

To replace or supplement plan sheet 42, a single Field Change Sheet should be numbered 42F1.  Multiple sheets to replace sheet 42, should be numbered 42F1, 42F2, etc. If a new sheet is added to the contract that does not change any existing sheet, the designer will select an appropriate sheet in the contract to place the new sheet next to and number it by adding a F1 to the original sheet number.

Field Change Sheets should be prepared and professionally sealed, as required, in the same manner as the original contract plan sheets. The Regional Design Engineer or designee signs the field change sheet as “Recommended by”, additional recommendation signatures, by other regional group directors, as necessary.  In the case of a field change with multiple sheets, place the approval signature block on the lowest numbered sheet with a note “THIS SIGNATURE IS FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING SHEETS (list sheet numbers).  On each sheet of the field change show note “SEE SHEET NUMBER ---- FOR APPROVAL”.

Reference:

EB 09-14:https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/pls/portal/mexis_app.pa_ei_eb_admin_app.show_pdf?id=6930(external users:  you may need to copy this link and paste it into your browser address bar)


MURK Part 1A Contract Administration Manual (CAM):
Office of Construction IntraDOT Page, Manuals, Guidance and Computer Applications \ Section  91 - Field Revisions

 

Using remaining power of Old Batteries [3 Nos]

R Battery has three slots to hold AA and AAA batteries that are past their prime and into the graveyard. Near-dead batteries do have some charge in them and the good ole’ R here uses their juice to spike up as one big cell.

What a Certificate IV in Business can do for you ?

It's not commonly known that you can get your own business qualifications which can lead to tertiary education and degrees. The Certificate IV in Business, for example, is a good all round qualification which provides multiple academic options.

Certificate studies have become extremely popular in Australia because of this versatility. They’re also now being recognized as providing particularly useful skills for the new generation of New Economy businesspeople, many of whom have other qualifications, but lack business training.

Career pathways with Certificate IV in Business

Generally speaking, Certificate IV in Business is a study option for anybody with high school qualifications. It's also one of the very useful "catchall" qualifications which provides an easier entry option for people seeking university entrance qualifications. The Certificate IV is also particularly useful for mature age people seeking career change qualifications.

The basic pathways for Certificate IV are:

• Diploma of Business
• Diploma in Business Marketing
• Diploma of Management

These diplomas are nationally recognized qualifications for university entrance in their respective fields. The Certificate IV and the diplomas are also both acceptable qualifications for job applications in these areas.

Doing a Certificate IV is easy and productive

The Certificate IV studies take approximately 7 months. This course includes all the basics of business:

• Business administration
• Fundamental accountancy
• Market research
• Financial activity reports
• Product and service promotion
• Risk management

These studies include practical, hands-on work. This type of study is invaluable when it is directly connected to your own job. You can benefit both through your studies and through your work by being able to apply what you learn in your Certificate IV in training on the job.

The Certificate IV and career goals

Another great advantage of the Certificate IV in Business is that it allows you to set multiple career goals from one qualification. If, for example, your career goal is to become a marketing manager, Certificate IV allows you to do both the Diploma in Business Marketing and the Diploma in Management! That's good value for one qualification.

For the New Economy businesspeople, the Certificate IV supports their career goals in another, quite invaluable way. Certificate IV in Business teaches the, concepts and methods of proper business administration and management. This training also helps people like freelancers in media, independent professionals and other skilled people learn the “language” of business and to understand the issues affecting their clients.

When setting career goals, Certificate IV can act as a very useful key, unlocking career possibilities quickly and cheaply. In seven months, a student can go from being completely unqualified to holding a nationally recognized certificate with the option to pursue careers in three different fields of business. That's a big jump from a dead-end, go-nowhere job.

Certificate IV in Business can take you anywhere you want to go in all these different areas. If you're looking for a qualification which will always be useful, Certificate IV deserves to be considered first when you're looking at your qualifications options.

Massive Attack - Angel