Sheds Summer Houses In Sheffield - Shed World
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OXFORD, England, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- The advent of the jaw among vertebrates was quite a moment -- essential, really. The jaw, the hinge-operated vault of the mouth, opened up a wide world of possibilities for creatures looking to satisfy those ceaseless hunger pangs.
The jaw proved so popular among animals, it can be seen today throughout the Animal Kingdom, from tigers to crocodiles, from sharks to humans.
Now, researchers at Oxford University in England suggest a tiny, ancient fish fossil discovered in Siberia could explain the jaw's evolutionary origin. The 415-million-year-old fish skull was unearthed in the 1970s, but researchers are only just now coming to realize its paleontological importance.
The fish (Janusiscus schultzei) is named for the Roman god Janus and for Hans-Peter Schultze, the University of Kansas researcher who first described the specimen in 1977. Schultze and his colleagues determined that the ancient skull belonged to a bony fish. In the beginning, fish were the first vertebrates to sport jaws, and there were two kinds, those with bones and those with cartilage.
But scientists have yet to ascertain exactly when and where to the two kinds diverged on the evolutionary timeline.
"There are over 60,000 species of living jawed vertebrates, and they encompass pretty much everything you can think of [with a backbone] that lives on land or in the sea," lead researcher Sam Giles, a paleobiology doctoral candidate at Oxford, told Live Science. "But we don't really know what they looked like when they split."
Analysis by Giles and his colleagues, however, revealed that the ancient skull exhibits characteristics of both bony fish and those with cartilage -- suggesting Janusiscus schultzei was one of the two groups' shared ancestors.
"I think it is a highly significant discovery, as the origin and diversification of modern bony-jawed fishes is still shrouded in mystery," said John Long, an paleontologist who wasnt' involved in the study. "But Janiusiscus takes us a big step closer to really understanding this major evolutionary transition, from primitive jawed fishes to the beginning of the modern jawed fish fauna."
The new research was published this week in the journal Nature.
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Ancient tiny fish fossil sheds light on evolution of jawed vertebrates
Audi's Q7 update for 2016 loses weight, then adds fuel economy and significant tech features. Josh Miller/CNET
DETROIT -- When Audi tackled its update to the Q7 SUV, it improved the car from top to bottom, reducing weight, improving fuel economy, increasing interior space while reducing overall dimensions, adding advanced driver assistant features and completely redesigning the cabin electronics interface.
The 2016 Q7 takes advantage of Audi's multiple technology initiatives, giving it the most cutting edge features in the line-up.
The new Q7 shows up in five- and seven-seat configurations contained in a body measuring slightly shorter and narrower than the outgoing model. At the same time, Audi increased the interior space for passengers and cargo. The body design loses some curves from the previous model, adding angles for an aggressive appearance. The grille takes on a more flat, hexagonal shape, adding to the styling.
The reengineered body and chassis, making use of more aluminum than previously, helps the Q7 lose more than 700 pounds, bringing total weight for the Q7 TDI version down to 4,398 pounds, pretty low for an SUV of this size.
That weight loss means improved fuel economy. Audi notes that the Q7 TDI should get an average of 41.3 mpg, but that number is likely to come in lower with EPA testing.
The Q7 TDI relies on a turbocharged diesel 3-liter V-6 engine producing 255 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. Audi will also offer the Q7 with a turbocharged 3-liter V-6 gasoline engine and a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, this latter configuration expected to get 138 mpg equivalent fuel economy and boast the most power in the line-up.
Underneath the new Q7 Audi completely reengineered the suspension, changing front and rear components from double wishbone to a multi-link architecture, suggesting that will lead to a more comfortable and agile ride. An air suspension will also be available, adding comfort and adjustable ride height.
Taking advantage of Audi's Piloted Driving initiative, the Q7 gets adds a traffic jam assist feature to adaptive cruise control. This feature will actually take over the steering, keeping the car in its lane, at speeds up to 41 mph. Automated parallel and perpendicular parking is another available assistance feature.
Audi takes a big step forward with the Q7's cabin, fitting it with a similar Virtual Cockpit interface that first came out in the new TT. This interface puts a large LCD in place of the instrument cluster, capable of showing the navigation system map overlaid with virtual gauges for speed and tach. Unlike the TT, the Q7 also features a rectangular LCD that rises up from the dashboard, showing a semi-circular menu with navigation, media, phone and driving data.
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New Audi Q7 diesel sheds pounds, aims for over 40 mpg average
Method devised by UC Riverside scientists isolates new chemicals that could be exploited to control pest species
By Iqbal Pittalwala on January 13, 2015
Most insects, such as the Argentine ant seen here, are covered with a thin layer of hydrocarbon molecules as a waterproofing barrier. Photo credit: Mike Lewis, CISR, UC Riverside.
RIVERSIDE, Calif. Most insects are covered with a thin layer of hydrocarbon molecules as a waterproofing barrier. Embedded in this layer are compounds that the insects use as chemical signals for a wide variety of functions such as communicating species and sex. In insects such as ants that live in colonies, they also differentiate the different castes (e.g., workers, queens, and drones).
But isolating these chemicals and determining their absolute configuration and functions has been a challenge because the chemicals occur in complex mixtures which are hard to separate.
Now a team of entomologists and chemists at the University of California, Riverside has devised a straightforward method for purifying these compounds that could result in new green methods of controlling pest species, like ants, by disrupting the organization of their colonies.
The researchers devised a technique that combined known fractionation methods with reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography powerful tools in analysis. Specifically, they used their method to isolate 36 pure hydrocarbon molecules from the complex blends of 20 randomly chosen species in nine insect orders, so that these compounds could be conclusively identified, and the effects of the individual chemicals could be tested.
Jocelyn Millar is a professor of entomology and chemistry at UC Riverside. Photo credit: Millar Lab, UC Riverside.
In so-called social insects that live in large colonies, such as ants and bees, these chemicals have additional functions, explained Jocelyn G. Millar, a professor of entomology and chemistry, whose lab led the research team. The queen in these colonies, for example, uses the chemicals to preventher workers from laying eggs of their own, ensuring that she remains the only reproducing female in the colony.
The efforts of his research team were complicated by the fact that these chemicals can occur in right-handed (R) or left-handed (known as S, from sinistro, the Latin word for left) forms. Moreover, Millar and his colleagues did not know whether some insects produce the R form and others produce the S, or whether they all produced one form.
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Study Sheds Light on Chemicals That Insects Use to Communicate and Survive
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A doctor's harsh comments about being overweight spurred a Royston mum to shed six stone in time for her wedding.
Catherine Beetles, of Tannery Drift, says she was repeatedly referred to as too fat by a doctor while pregnant with her first child Lauren, 13 months.
But, one year on from joining Slimming World at Royston Evangelical Church, the 28-year-old now believes she has the tools to keep the weight off for good.
She said: I ballooned during my pregnancy at 35 weeks I was 22 stone but was in denial about how much weight I had actually put on.
There was a doctor who really upset me. Every other sentence she would say because youre so fat.
She said I would have a terrible labour because of my weight. After the appointment I was really upset and cried for nearly three days.
But, Catherine admitted some of her pregnancy cravings were on the unhealthy side.
The former dental nurse said: My one big craving was Fanta and it had to be Fanta, not any other fizzy orange. I would only drink normal and not diet.
I also love burgers and I worked near Burger King at The Grafton which did not help.
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Royston mum sheds 6 stone in time for wedding
Canada's dollar and its benchmark stock exchange both sagged Monday, each dragged lower by oil prices that keep sliding with no end in sight.
The S&P/TSXcomposite index closed down 119.91 points, as oil companies and other commodities sold off heavily.
The catalyst, again, was oil. The price of a barrel of benchmark North American crude oil lost almost $2 to settle at $46.46 US in the afternoon. That's a continuation of a multi-week theme, as oil has gone from $105 a barrel in the summer to less than half of that because of oversupply.
"I think we're going to see plenty more volatility in the coming days as pressure mounts on oil producers to scale back production before prices get dangerously low," said Craig Erlam, market analyst at Alpari.
"The speed has been breathtaking," said David Wolf, portfolio manager and co-manager of Fidelity Canadian Asset Allocation Fund.
"And I think one of the reasons that equity markets are struggling with this is because it is a bit reminiscent of what happened in late 2008, so the surrounding memories of that are an economy in freefall."
Oil market watchers are already expecting that, as Goldman Sachs slashed its forecast for price for this year and next. It said the benchmark New York rate would average $50.40 a barrel this year, far below its previous forecast of $83.75.
That was bad news for the loonie, which lost over two-thirds of a cent to close at 83.56.
But it wasn't just oil dragging the TSX lower, as mining companies and banks usually the bastion of Canadian stocks were also lower, in part because of fears of how exposed their books are to loans in the oil patch that may turn out badly.
Gold was a source of strength, up 3.5 per cent as the February bullion contractgained $10 to $1,226.10 US an ounce.
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Loonie sheds half a cent and TSX closes down 120 points as oil flirts with $46
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 13, 2015
Konnect Public Relations, a full-service PR firm specializing in custom campaigns for consumer brands, started the new year with the opening of a new agency location in Austin, Texas and a completely redesigned website. The PR agency has experienced significant expansion since its founding in 2009, growing from four employees to over 30, with more than 470 percent growth in revenue, and these next steps further exemplify the success of the companys dynamic and disruptive approach to public relations.
Now open in SoLa (South Lamar), a hotbed for creative and business industries, Konnect PRs Austin office will continue to service food and beverage brands, baby and childrens products and franchise concepts. The office will represent many clients already in the area, while expanding its reach to the multitude of dynamic consumer brands in the region.
Much like the public relations agency itself, the newly launched website illustrates the agencys passion for meaningful client relations and distinct culture, while showcasing the companys unrivaled results. With a sleek parallax design that features animations that come to life with each scroll, the new website offers visitors information about how Konnect PR continues to challenge the typical notion of public relations. Konnect PRs new website includes in-depth information about the PR agency, its ROI-driven approach, industry awards and accolades, its team of dedicated publicists as well as testimonies from clients such as Menchies, Fatburger, Rhythm Superfoods, Sky Zone Trampoline Park, KRAVE Jerky, Nuna and more.
2015 is already shaping up to be a banner year for Konnect PR with the opening of our second office and a website that really personifies our team and the experience we provide for clients, said Konnect PR CEO Sabina Gault. Konnect PR is dedicated to inspiring the discovery of the extraordinary in the brands we work with and we believe these two new additions are our way of doing just that.
For more information on Konnect PR please visit http://www.konnect-pr.com.
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About Konnect PR Konnect Public Relations is a full service agency located in Los Angeles. The public relations firm specializes in food and beverage, baby and childrens products, franchise and lifestyle clients. Since its start in 2009, this dedicated team of publicists has made it their goal to create ROI-driven campaigns, land strategic media placement opportunities and deliver results that cater to the specific needs of each client. For more information about Konnect PR, please visit http://www.konnect-pr.com.
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Konnect Public Relations Kicks Off 2015 With A Second Location And New Website
17:25 13 January 2015
Premier Basics Collection, Achica.com. PA Photo/Handout
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With spring on the horizon (almost!), and designers launching their latest bed linen collections, there couldnt be a better time to give your bedroom a little bit of love and attention.
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After all, its the most intimate room in the house, where we go to unwind and relax and, if were lucky enough, where we spend a third of our lives sleeping.
A haven of tranquility with plenty of scope for personal touches, simple pleasures such as soft cotton sheets, a boudoir cushion and a throw can evoke a feeling of wellbeing, enhance your space, and be an open invitation to come to bed.
Fresh and elegant
For a fresh, elegant look for spring bedrooms, white or champagne tones are timeless, romantic and naturally calming, making the perfect antidote to a busy day, says Julie Hall, head of design at Bedeck.
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Interiors: How to upgrade your bedroom with touches of luxury
A Delhi court on Tuesday framed charges against the driver of U.S.-based cab service provider Uber for alleged rape and kidnapping, amid some drama by him inside the court room.
Additional Sessions Judge Kaveri Baweja framed charges against Shiv Kumar Yadav, accused of raping a 25-year-old woman executive, for offences under sections 376(2)(m) (while committing rape causing grievous bodily harm or endangering life of a woman), 366 (kidnapping or abducting woman with an intent to compel her for marriage), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code.
The judge also ordered trial on day-to-day basis in the case from January 15.
The court framed charges against 32-year-old Yadav after he pleaded not guilty.
Yadav created a bit of a drama by initially refusing to sign on the charge order and arguing with the judge, while alleging that arguments on charges were not advanced in his presence and claiming that he was not given a chance to engage a lawyer for himself.
Later, after being assured by the judge that nothing wrong was being done to him and all legal procedures were being followed by the court, he agreed and gave it in writing that he was signing the order on charge at his own will.
The police had filed the charge sheet 19 days after the incident on the night of December 5 last year when the victim, who worked for a finance company in Gurgaon, was headed back home in Delhis Inderlok area.
During the last hearing on January 9, the court had reserved its order on framing of charge after hearing arguments, during which the police asserted that scientific, medical and other evidence showed beyond doubt that Yadav had raped the woman passenger.
The counsel appearing for Yadav, however, had claimed that as per the victims medical report no injury was found on her body and she was tutored before recording her statement under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) before a magistrate.
The metropolitan magistrate, on January 5, had taken cognizance of the charge sheet filed by the Delhi Police and committed it to the sessions court for further proceedings.
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Uber rape case: Court frames charges against cab driver
Salt Restaurant Shiraz in southern Iran was inspired by salt caves Architects claim the mineral cleansesthebuilding of cooking smells Walls, bar, tables and chairs are all made from locally-sourced salt
By Anucyia Victor for MailOnline
Published: 09:45 EST, 12 January 2015 | Updated: 10:39 EST, 12 January 2015
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If you like a sprinkle of salt or two on your food, then this is definitely the restaurant for you.
The walls, bar, tables, and chairs of Salt Restaurant Shiraz are made entirely from the mineral, and even the stairs have a smooth, salty coating.
Inspired by salt caves, the architects of the eatery in southern Iran claim their building material cleanses the two-storey bistro of cooking smells and creates positive ions in the atmosphere.
The two-storey restaurant in Shiraz, southern Iran, is made entirely from locally sourced salt
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Inside Iran's Salt Restaurant Shiraz made entirely out of SALT