School Shootings

Interactive map of school shootings around the world.

Cases are negligible in Lebanon

Internet Society Supports United Nations Human Rights Day's Spotlight on Inclusion and Participation

The open Internet can give voice to the voiceless

[Geneva, Switzerland – 10 December 2012] – The Internet Society joined world-wide celebrations of the United Nations Human Rights Day and welcomed its focus on inclusion and the right of all people to participate in public life and make their voices heard.

The Internet, in just a few years, has emerged as a major platform for communication and expression, amplifying the voices of more than two billion people around the world. The open and global network offers the potential for greater inclusion in public issues and provides a platform for individuals to influence the decisions that shape their communities.

“The open and unencumbered Internet has become a key means by which people can share, receive, and impart information across frontiers,” stated Markus Kummer, Vice President of Public Policy, Internet Society.  “The Internet can play a major role in empowering people to have their voices heard. The inclusion of citizens in public life is central to the functioning of a vibrant democratic society.”

Responses by more than 10,000 people around the world to the Internet Society's Global Internet Survey confirmed that people view the Internet as an essential channel for sharing and expressing their views:

* 89 percent agreed or agreed strongly that Internet access allows freedom of expression on all subjects, and 86 percent agreed or agreed strongly that freedom of expression should be guaranteed on the Internet.

* 60 percent of respondents agreed or agreed strongly that Internet access has contributed significantly to civil action and political awareness in their country.

The development and continued evolution of the Internet is also defined by and dependent on open and participatory processes. Users are empowered to innovate without permission because of the bottom-up approach used in Internet technical standards development, such as those undertaken by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

Kummer commented, “The open and inclusive model of Internet standards development means that anyone can build upon the work of those that went before them. The Internet model empowers users and provides them with the right to participate in the development of the Internet, a right we are celebrating today.”

Inclusion is particularly meaningful for persons with disabilities, such as hearing or visual impairments. The W3C has developed standards – the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – that enable persons with disabilities to access websites and help them to find information on the Web more quickly.

Kummer noted, “The Internet gives persons with disabilities the means to participate actively within their community on a more equitable and inclusive basis, in a manner that was previously not possible.”

Shortly after Human Rights Day, the Internet Society will publish the preliminary version of a discussion paper that looks specifically at the fundamental processes that make the Internet a success, and how those standards and protocol development processes map with the processes by which human rights standards are developed.

For more information on the United Nations Human Rights Day 2012 (OHCHR): http://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/

For more information on the Internet Society’s engagement on Human Rights Day, visit:

http://www.internetsociety.org/humanrights/human-rights-day-your-voice-counts

Nuclear Chain Reaction

In December 1942, Italian-born physicist Enrico Fermi started up the world's first nuclear reactor:

Chain reaction: Collisions between neutrons and uranium nuclei initiate the process of nuclear fission, during which new neutrons are released. In turn, these neutrons lead to the fission of more and more nuclei.

Creating energy through nuclear fission: During nuclear fission, the energy that binds particles together in the nucleus is released. This process creates lighter nuclei (such as barium and krypton).

Interaction between neutrons and nuclei: When a free neutron approaches the nucleus of an isotope, there are three possible outcomes:
1- fission
2- capture
3- dispersion

The nature of the reaction: The reaction can be
1- attenuated to be stable
2- or brought to the
3- critical point that
produces an explosion.
The main factors regulating the reaction at a nuclear power plant are: the size of the reactor core and the degree to which control rods are inserted in it.

Reactor core: The reactor core is a tank filled with water, which serves as a moderator, into which uranium fuel rods are inserted, along with beryllium absorber rods used to control the reaction.

Absorbers: Due to their regular and rigid molecular structure, control (absorber) rods are able to capture free neutrons.

The efficiency of nuclear fuel as an energy source: From the point of view of energy, the fission of every atom in a single gram is equivalent to burning 2.5 metric tons of oil or three metric tons of coal.

Number of nuclear reactors worldwide: According to the latest report from the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), there are currently 435 nuclear reactors in operation.

Portable ATM Machine on Android Systems

Few days ago, I run out of money in the middle of nowhere in [Choueifat-LB], It was a rainy day and I didn't have the chance to get to an ATM machine, so I asked myself: Why don't we have an application that can be downloaded on mobile phones [in addition to a hardware configuration that can be done on any new smartphone].It is like a built-in ATM machine that uses your bank account to withdraw [print] money from your mobile. Tab Y NOT ?!

How it works?

The application is an automated, consumer self-serve machine that quickly performs banking operations directly from mobile phones for cash. The process takes just a few minutes to complete.

Currently, Banking companies are competing for the best application for their clients. However, all you can do is [Transfer money] or [Check you account balance.]

First, you have to get approval from the central bank for issuing a unified money system for this process.

Second, high speed special [micro]printing technique is done using advanced technology that is not INVENTED yet!

Finally, Fraudulent activities will be controlled by specialized protocols.

PS: Future generations .. Please Feel free to use my ideas and change things around! 

The Beirut Souk Portraitist

There are hundreds of art galleries in our lovely town and its suburbs. There are more than 5000 well-known active artists and equal numbers are producing music, design, architecture, theater, film, photography and other forms of art in Lebanon.

Best of 2012

Happy Independence Day !!

Anonymous:

Even if they are a bunch of childish "hacktivists" group that uses traditional ways of spamming / hacking systems, at the end, they are influencing their societies / governments .. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression

Real men ..

.. Bake like this!

Act Now For Lebanon

On October 18, 2012, ISOC Lebanon members and Internauts gathered at L'atelier - Berytech to enjoy a jovial atmosphere and network with Internet decision makers, stakeholders, activists and talents.

Participants discussed the ISOC’s programs, plans and activities:
The Internet advancement in Lebanon (Implementing IPv6, PayPal issue,  ...),
the launch of IPv6 in June 6, 2012 [on this day, thousands of Internet services such as Google, Facebook, and YouTube moved to IPv6], DNSSEC and Internet QOS work groups ..
At the end, ISOC University Clubs program was released.

"ISOC Lebanon provides leadership in Internet related issues and facilitate and support the technical evolution of the internet as a research, education and business enabling infrastructure."

MP Nicolas Sehnaoui supporting ISOC programs

What is IPv6? It is a system promoting Internet Address based on 128-bit and provides more than 340 trillion domain names compared to the 32-bit system with 4 billion IPv4 domains. IPv6 is the future of Internet!

The "IPv6 Taskforce Lebanon" is a comprehensive project which begins to raise the level of awareness about IPv6, through access to Internet service providers, banks, government agencies, senior institutions and industries.

"شايف حالك"

شايفين حالكم كيف بتصفّوا .. عماتش برشلونة - ريال مدريد

Bliss Street - Beirut, during a match for Barca vs. Real 7/10/2012

General assembly 2012-13

The Secular Club at AUB organised its first general assembly meeting last week. Students spoke about incoming events and activities for the year 2012-13. As a previous member and supporter, I believe that this year we have the most active cabinet and influential members in the club's history!

My ultimate goal is to keep a strong relationship between the club and off campus affiliations.



Fall 12-13: The club is proud to present the hilarious stand-up comedy act of Mazen Abdallah who will be performing live at AUB's West Hall Bathish Auditorium on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are sold at 10,000 LL and can be bought at stands just on West Hall this week. Non-students and alumni are welcome!

Some tests you're better off not doing yourself

This is a recon­struc­tion of a crash involv­ing a sta­tion­ary Ford Fal­con XT sedan being struck in the driver’s door by another vehi­cle trav­el­ling at 50 km/h [30 mph].

Car Crash Test

0 mil­lisec­onds — An exter­nal object touches the driver’s door.

1 ms — The car’s door pres­sure sen­sor detects a pres­sure wave.

2 ms — An accel­er­a­tion sen­sor in the C-pillar behind the rear door also detects a crash event.

2.5 ms - A sen­sor in the car’s cen­tre detects crash vibrations.

5 ms — Car’s crash com­puter checks for insignif­i­cant crash events, such as a shop­ping trol­ley impact or inci­den­tal con­tact. It is still work­ing out the sever­ity of the crash. Door intru­sion struc­ture begins to absorb energy.

6.5 ms — Door pres­sure sen­sor reg­is­ters peak pressures.

7 ms — Crash com­puter con­firms a seri­ous crash and cal­cu­lates its actions.

8 ms — Com­puter sends a “fire” sig­nal to side airbag. Mean­while, B-pillar begins to crum­ple inwards and energy begins to trans­fer into cross-car load path beneath the occupant.

8.5 ms — Side airbag sys­tem fires.

15 ms — Roof begins to absorb part of the impact. Airbag bursts through seat foam and begins to fill.

17 ms — Cross-car load path and struc­ture under rear seat reach max­i­mum load.
Airbag cov­ers occupant’s chest and begins to push the shoul­der away from impact zone.

20 ms — Door and B-pillar begin to push on front seat. Airbag begins to push occupant’s chest away from the impact.

27 ms — Impact veloc­ity has halved from 50 km/h to 23.5 km/h. A “pusher block” in the seat moves occupant’s pelvis away from impact zone. Airbag starts con­trolled deflation.

30 ms — The Fal­con has absorbed all crash energy. Airbag remains in place. For a brief moment, occu­pant expe­ri­ences max­i­mum force equal to 12 times the force of gravity.

45 ms — Occu­pant and airbag move together with deform­ing side structure.

50 ms — Crash com­puter unlocks car’s doors. Pas­sen­ger safety cell begins to rebound, push­ing doors away from occupant.

70 ms — Airbag con­tin­ues to deflate. Occu­pant moves back towards mid­dle of car. Engi­neers clas­sify crash as “complete”.

150–300 ms — Occu­pant becomes aware of collision.

Choose [ONE] .. Seriously ?!

I found this poll on one of the Lebanese websites:

Peace.

Development of the Internet ! ^_^

1958: The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) is established following an initiative by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

1961: The principle of the transmission of data in small portions, or packets, emerges. This principle further simplifies the transfer of data within a computer network.

1965: The first wide-area computer network appears. Lawrence G. Roberts and Thomas Merill connected Two Computer located in Massachusets and California with a telephone line.

1969: ARPA launches the ARPANET computer network.

1971: An electronic mail system is developed.

1974: The word Internet, an abbreviation of internetworking, is used for the first time.

1976: Ethernet, the first local area network, is developed.

1982: TCP/IP, the basic communication language or protocol of the internet, is created.

1989: I was born ! ... the world changed again, Oopz. 

1991: The technology of hypertext documents, called the World Wide Web (or WWW), is developed. The first computer viruses distributed through the Internet appear.

1993: The first Internet browser and the first search engine are created. The first radio broadcasts made over the internet.

1994: The first online shops, virtual banks and advertising banners appear.

2010: The crew of the International Space Station  receives direct access to the Internet.

2011: The total number of websites exceeds 375 million (according to Netcraft data as of July 2011)

Today: The number of websites exceeds 620 million websites (September 2012 web server survey)

Ref. Rionovosti 2012

How to properly observe the moon

Observing the moon is a fascinating form of space travel, which the observer can carry out without leaving home !!

Average distance between the Earth and the moon: 384,000 Kilometers

What can you see on the moon ?

1- Lunar seas and inland areas, large craters: 8X Magnification [BINOCULARS]

2- Small craters, faults, fractures: 100X Magnification [AMATEUR TELESCOPE]

3- Relatively small surface features: 400-600X Magnification [PROFESSIONAL TELESCOPE]

The following can interfere with observations:

Thick clouds

Precipitation, especially dew

Heat waves in the air [from boilers, heaters, etc..]

Vibration [e.g. from trains passing nearby]

It is helpful to have a map of the moon on hand in order to identify surface elements

In some cases, amateur observers can be of value to scientists: for example, by recording video of meteorites striking the moon.

G.K.G.

Gibran Khalil Gibran, one of the greatest Lebanese artists, is particularly known for his book The Prophet (1923), which has been translated into more than twenty different languages. Several contemporary Lebanese writers have also achieved international success; including Elias Khoury, Amin Maalouf, Hanan al-Shaykh, and George Schehadé.

[Beirut Waterfront] Welcoming Pope Benedict XVI

Lebanese Soldiers set up roadblocks and patrolled streets in downtown Beirut before Pope Benedict XVI arrived for an open-air Mass.

The main reason behind this public event of a three-day visit to Lebanon is to press for peace and reconciliation between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East. The Pope has been appealing for peace, tolerance and religious freedom.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims from across the region are expected to attend Today's Mass on the Lebanese capital's waterfront.

At a meeting with young people (coming from different countries) Saturday evening, the pope said he admired the courage of Syrian youth and that he did not forget their suffering.

The invention of air conditioners

There are many inventions which have very interesting history behind them. Archimedes Principle being the most famous. Air conditioners also have an interesting story about their invention.

It was in 1901 that Willis Haviland Carrier, joined a publishing company, Buffalo Forge. High temperatures in the print shop caused innumerable printing problems. Carrier was assigned the job of reducing the temperature. Carrier found the solution to keep the printing machines cool and run without interruptions.

The name air conditioner to this solution was given much later by a textile engineer, Stuart H. Cramer.
The first modern air conditioner was installed in 1924 in a departmental store. Its application in cinemas and theatres provided cool comfort to the masses. It is since 1950 that air conditioners were widely accepted for use in homes, offices and shops. It was initially considered a luxury; now it is a necessity.

Air-conditioning is one of the most important and developing product of the global commerce today. We can classify air-conditioners into two types, industrial and individual. Industrial air- conditioners are used in large buildings such as hotels and factories. Individual air conditioners are used in houses, small offices and shops.

A wide range of different models such as window air conditioners, portable air conditioners and split air conditioners are available to suit your need and wallet.

Do you imagine yourself living in the [Sahara] without AC !

[Law174] It is Okay, But we need more Laws .. Don't we ?!

Few hours separate us from lunching the new Law prohibiting smoking in closed public spaces in Lebanon. This compaign was organized by IndyACT, Tobacco Free Initiative - TFI and in collaboration with AUB -Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG) at the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Smoking ban will be implemented in many public places including but not limited to: governmental buildings, schools, universities, hospitals, clinics, workplaces, banks, private businesses, malls, airport and public transport & the hospitality sector : Restaurants, Cafes, Hotels (20% of total number of rooms can be used by smokers), Bars, Clubs, theaters.

Ban selling and serving tobacco products to underage youth such as cigarettes, electronics cigarettes and hooka pipe etc… [as if it was allowed to buy and sell tobacco products for people under 18 !  #WhoCares]

The inclusion of a "No Smoking" sign:
Smoke free signs with specific specifications are to be included in highly visible locations in rooms, entrances, receptions, cafeterias, bathrooms as well as public transportation [Sure, It is easy also to include a Non-Smoking sign in your living room #NotaBigDeal]

Promotions and Advertising logos, brands and trademarks of Tobacco Products [TV/Radio, Internet, Media, ...], not to forget sponsorship ban (a complete ban on any forms of sponsorship by tobacco industries such as: cultural, sports and business events etc…). And then, we start a new war against people working in the Tobacco Industries #BroadenYourThinking

Health warning to cover 40% of tobacco packaging:
A health warning should cover 40% of both sides of cigarette packs and packaging. This also applies to all locally or imported tobacco products. Ban of all tobacco products with misleading messages (a year after bylaws) 
The removal of products from the market which include misleading messages such as: light, super light, mild, color coded etc… 

At the end, I think nobody is against any project that will improve national health system. However, many things could have been done in the past without the need of creating a new law. Also, we could have created new laws related to Drugs, Guns, Sexual abuse, Criminal Acts, Right of workers... and other laws [we really need] and that should enhance the life of every Lebanese citizen !

For more information, check out the following...

Tobacco Free Initiative

AUB Tobacco Control Research Group

Important Changes to Microsoft Services Agreement and Communication Preferences‏

We've updated the Microsoft Services Agreement, which governs many of our online services - including your Microsoft account and many of our online products and services for consumers, such as Hotmail, SkyDrive, Bing, MSN, Office.com, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Mail Desktop, and Windows Writer. Please read over the new Microsoft Services Agreement here to familiarize yourself with the changes we've made.

The updated agreement will take effect on October 19, 2012. If you continue to use our services after October 19th, you agree to the terms of the new agreement or, of course you can cancel your service at any time.

We have modified the agreement to make it easier to read and understand, including using a question and answer format that we believe makes the terms much clearer. We also clarified how Microsoft uses your content to better protect consumers and improve our products, including aligning our usage to the way we're designing our cloud services to be highly integrated across many Microsoft products. We realize you may have personal conversations and store personal files using our products, and we want you to know that we prioritize your privacy.

Finally, we have added a binding arbitration clause and class action waiver that affects how disputes with Microsoft will be resolved in the United States.

Thank you for using Microsoft products and services!

A near miss from asteroid

Earth is set for an astronomical near-miss from a passing asteroid this November – when a rock measuring almost a quarter of a mile in diameter will come closer to the Earth than the moon is. The asteroid, officially named 2005 YU 55, will approach the earth at 0.85 lunar distances – around 200,000 miles – making it the closest object to have passed by Earth since 1976.

Although the rock has been designated a “potentially hazardous asteroid” by the Minor Planet Centre in Massachusetts, David Moore of Astronomy Ireland says the asteroid should be seen as a mere reminder of how Earth is in a “shooting gallery” for asteroids. Though the distance of 200,000 miles might seem close.

In 2029, Apophis will come within 20,000 miles, which is only a couple of earth diameters away.That’s even closer to Earth than the geostationary satellites that give us satellite TV, telephones and the likes. But because Apophis still has “billions of miles to travel” before it reaches proximity with earth, trying to pin down exactly where it will travel is difficult – particularly because the gravitational fields of other objects could swerve its path.

There’s one particular sweet spot that it might pass through – and if it passes through that spot in 2029, it’s going to come back and hit us in 2036. And with Apophis being “about the size of Croke Park”, the impact would result in what could only be described as “major devastation”.

The earthquakes that would follow would devastate any larger area, while the volume of dust raised by it would block out the sun for months. Thankfully the chances of Apophis passing the gravitational ‘sweet spot’ are around 1-in-100,000.

There are comets coming from way beyond the planets, from halfway to the nearest star, and we get no warning of those because of their great distance – we might only get a few months’ warning that they’re coming.

Le Plus Beau Lyrics de l'epoque, C'est un rêve !

Céline Dion, La Reine !

Je voudrais oublier le temps Pour un soupir, 

pour un instant Une parenthèse après la course 

Et partir où mon cœur me pousse. 

Je voudrais retrouver mes traces 

Où est ma vie, où est ma place 

Et garder l’or de mon passé 

Au chaud dans mon jardin secret. 

Je voudrais passer l’océan 

Croiser le vol d’un goéland 

Penser à tout ce que j’ai vu

Ou bien aller vers l’inconnu. 

Je voudrais décrocher la lune 

Je voudrais même sauver la terre 

Mais avant tout, Je voudrais parler à mon père, Parler à mon père. 

Je voudrais choisir un bateau 

Pas le plus grand ni le plus beau 

Je le remplirais des images 

Et des parfums de mes voyages. 

Je voudrais freiner pour m’asseoir 

Trouver au creux de ma mémoire 

Les voix de ceux qui m’ont appris 

Qu’il n’y a pas de rêve interdit. 

Je voudrais trouver les couleurs 

Du tableau que j’ai dans le cœur 

De ce décor aux lignes pures 

Où je vous vois, qui me rassure. 

Je voudrais décrocher la lune 

Je voudrais même sauver la terre 

Mais avant tout, Je voudrais parler à mon père, Parler à mon père. 

Je voudrais oublier le temps 

Pour un soupir, pour un instant 

Une parenthèse après la course 

Et partir où mon cœur me pousse. 

Je voudrais retrouver mes traces 

Où est ma vie, où est ma place 

Et garder l’or de mon passé 

Au chaud dans mon jardin secret. 

Je voudrais partir avec toi 

Je voudrais rêver avec toi 

Toujours chercher l’inaccessible, Toujours espérer l’impossible. 

Je voudrais décrocher la lune 

Et pourquoi pas sauver la terre 

Mais avant tout, Je voudrais parler à mon père, Parler à mon père.

A Tool for Studying the Ecology of Hydrosystems

The hyporheic zone is defined as an area where water and matter exchange through the sand, gravel, sediments and other permeable soils under and beside streams. Its impact on the hydro-system function is determined by the proportion of subsurface biogeochemical reactions and the fluxes of water exchanging with the hyporheic zone and flowing through the porous sediments.

The objective of our study is to develop and to apply a directly coupled model of hydraulic, transport and transformation that can be used for studying eco-hydrology of large river systems.

D. Peyrard¹ , Ph. Vervier¹ , S. Sauvage¹ , J.M. Sánchez-Pérez¹ , and M. Quintard^2
1 Laboratoire d’Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes, Toulouse
² Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse

Schematic representation of flow-transport interactions in a meandering stretch of a stream 

"Sometimes It is good to think inside the Box" - TI


TI: a Trapped Insect

FYI

وفي بيروت نشأت بين الماغوط والشاعر بدر شاكر السياب صداقة حميمة فكان السياب صديق التسكّع على أرصفة بيروت، وفي بيروت أيضاً تعرّف الماغوط في بيت أدونيس على الشاعرة سنية صالح (التي غدت في ما بعد زوجته)، وهي شقيقة خالدة سعيد زوجة أدونيس، وكان التعارف سببه تنافس على جائزة جريدة «النهار» لأحسن قصيدة نثر.

Sometimes, LOLing makes you feel good

Best Recipe Ever [In case of fire]

Landing Sequence of the Curiosity Mars Rover: Step-by-Step !

In order to land the Mars rover, NASA developed a new, never before used technology known as the Sky Crane. It is worth remembering here that the director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab at Caltech is Dr. Charles Elaachi [Lebanese]. He oversees the space exploration program such as the Mars Rovers.

Elaachi’s careful management of the Rover program, wrote the US News and World Report, was a key piece of its success. And Elaachi gives equal credit to some extraordinary luck.

Curiosity Mars Rover	NASA
Launch	11/26/2011
Landing on Mars	08/06/2012
Expected Length of the Mission	> 686 Days
Main Objective	To determine whether Mars was ever habitable

Details of Landing:

Description	Time until Landing, Seconds	Speed of the module, m/sec
Cruise Stage Separation	1016 sec.
Cruise Balance devices separation	896 sec.
Entry into the atmosphere	416 sec.	5900 m/s
Peak Heating
Peak Deceleration
Hypersonic aero-maneuvering
Parachute Deploy	162 sec.	405 m/s
Heat Shield separation	138 sec.	125 m/s
Radar Data Collection
Back Shell Separation
Powered Descent	80 sec.	52 m/s
Engaging of the Sky crane, separation of the rover from the sky crane	16 sec.	0.75 m/s
Start of descent
Landing	0 sec.	0.75 m/s
Crane Flyway
Done !! :)

While people of earth, especially our area, are so busy [fighting, killing, raping ...] each other, Elaachi and his team decided to salute them from Mars !

Peace.