A family which planned a "nice weekend away" at a holiday camp left after one night because of the "filthy" state of their accommodation.

Teresa Barbato, 21, from Port Talbot went to Brean Sands in Somerset on Friday, February 28, for a three-night stay along with her partner, mother, grandmother and grandmother's partner. They had paid 130 for two apartments.

Teresa received an email from Pontins shortly before the break to offer the family a free upgrade to a higher standard of apartment, called a Club Apartment, which they accepted.

When they arrived, they found that one of the rooms had children's bunk beds in and they claim there was mould in the bedrooms, faulty electronics, and what they thought was faeces on a pull-out sofa bed.

"As soon as we opened the door we found problems. We couldn't believe they expected elderly, disabled people to sleep on bunk beds," said Teresa.

"Also, my mother and I have fibromyalgia and my partner is 6ft 3ins tall so it wasn't appropriate for any of us.

"They ask the age and other details for people before they stay to 'allow the allocation of appropriate accommodation,' which this wasn't."

Teresa's grandmother, Mary John, 68, and her grandmother's partner, Douglas Hookins, 73, both have disabilities.

"We thought a weekend away would be nice and let everyone forget about their problems for a bit.

"After seeing the state of the rooms, we said we'd make the best of a bad situation and just use the rooms as base but by the Saturday morning we'd had enough, we packed up and went home," added Teresa.

On Saturday, Teresa, who has asthma, says she woke up with a tight chest.

"I got out of bed on Saturday and stood right in a puddle of water, there was mould on the walls which must be what set off my asthma," she said.

Her mother, Rebecca Barbato, was staying in the one bedroom chalet opposite and had problems of her own.

"There was a pool of water in the shower that must have been there for days because it had dead flies and spiders in it and there were black stains in the toilet," said Teresa.

"There were also exposed wires in the bathroom and my partner said 'imagine if a child touched those'.

"My mother pulled out the sofa bed and there was what looked like faeces on it."

Shortly after arriving on Friday, Teresa had been to the reception at Brean Sands and said the manager offered her a downgrade to standard apartments, but was told she would have to pay for electricity in the rooms if they decided to move.

She added that a cleaner was sent to their rooms as well but "all they did was let the water out of the shower basin and flush the toilet".

The family decided against the offered downgrade and made the two-hour drive back to Port Talbot on Saturday morning.

Teresa added that she made a complaint on the Pontins Facebook page, but the post had since been deleted and her profile has been blocked.

She said that the family had often gone to Brean Sands for holidays in her childhood but that they had "no intention of going there again".

Pontins has been approached for comment.

Go here to read the rest:
Family leave Pontins holiday early because of 'mould, dead flies and exposed wires' in their rooms - Wales Online

Issued on: 02/03/2020 - 22:40

Los Angeles (AFP)

James Lipton, the US actor-turned-academic who for decades interviewed Hollywood's biggest A-listers as host of "Inside the Actors Studio," has died at 93, the show's network said Monday.

Lipton hosted the influential show for nearly 25 years, conducting hour-long interviews with silver-screen legends from Paul Newman and Dennis Hopper to Julia Roberts and Scarlett Johansson.

"Beloved Inside the #ActorsStudio host James Lipton has died at 93," tweeted Ovation TV, an arts network that acquired the show last year when Lipton retired.

Lipton passed away Monday at his New York home following a battle with bladder cancer, his wife Kedakai Mercedes Lipton told The Hollywood Reporter and The New York Times.

The show was conceived as part of a program for drama students at the New School in Manhattan, but the Bravo cable channel picked up the television rights.

Lipton focused on the craft of filmmaking and avoided straying into celebrity gossip.

Nominated for 21 Emmys, the show was praised for its stellar lineup and in-depth discussions, but drew criticism for an approach labeled sycophantic by some viewers.

Born in Detroit in 1926, Lipton embarked on an acting career in the 1940s, and later moved into writing and producing.

During a 2013 interview, Lipton described a brief period in his youth when he had worked as a pimp in Paris.

"We'll miss him dearly, but we wish him peace as he arrives at those pearly gates. #RestInPeace" wrote Ovation TV.

Lipton would finish his interviews by asking each famous guest to answer a series of identical questions, borrowed from French TV host Bernard Pivot.

"If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?" was among the questions.

2020 AFP

Continue reading here:
'Inside the Actors Studio' host James Lipton dies aged 93 - RFI

Dear Smiley: Many years ago I had a big black Lab named Brutus. Just before the teal hunting season, I would take him along the jogging trail on Lake Pontchartrain in Kenner.

I would throw a training dummy in the lake and send him after it.

The lake was choppy, it was a really hot day and he had already made several retrieves. He was dog-tired.

I threw the dummy in the lake one last time and he just laid down and wouldn't go after it. So, not wanting to lose the training dummy, I took my shoes and shirt off and went in after it.

As I was swimming back with the dummy I saw a jogger approaching. As I got out of the water he said, "How long did it take that dog to teach you to retrieve that thing?"

I said, "Not long!" and we had a good laugh.

BYRON ANDERSON

LaPlace

Dear Smiley: I was introduced to Charley, my mixed black Lab, over 10 years ago on the steps of my LSU laboratory.

He had been seen all across campus with no collar before he wandered up to one of my assistants.

Across the street were the campus police and animal control. I was called outside and made a quick decision. I told them the young Lab was going home with me.

One day, a few years later, utility workers were outside my house repairing our electrical service as a result of a fallen tree limb.

The supervisor on the ground kept reminding the lineman to make sure the wires were reconnected correctly.

Suddenly, the supervisor heard Charley start barking like crazy. He knew something must be wrong, because neither of my dogs had uttered a peep prior to that.

He ran to the fence and saw smoke pouring from my ridge vents. He screamed at the lineman to disconnect everything. My attic wiring was fried, just shy of setting my 50-year-old house on fire.

At over 11 years old, Charley remains my special hero. When he barks, I listen.

MARY H. MANHEIN

Baton Rouge

Dear Smiley: My older brother has a friend who is a retired plumber. He tells the story of how a lady called him and said her toilet would not flush.

He went to the home, and using some form of rotor device tried to dislodge the clog. Each time he tried, he struck something hard that left a small piece of pink substance on the device.

Calling the homeowner into the bathroom, he inquired about what it could possibly be. She sheepishly admitted that after a party several nights before she had lost her dentures while bending over the facility.

He advised her that he could save the teeth, but it would require him to break the toilet and replace it with a new one.

The deed was done, and she was so thankful that he had recovered her teeth that after cleaning them and putting them in her mouth, she reached out to kiss him on his way out of the house.

He promptly turned a cheek to her and held his breath!

TONY FALTERMAN

Napoleonville

Dear Smiley: Reading some of the cat funeral stories prompted me to write and tell my tale:

As young children, aged 5 and 7, my sister and I found a dead cat beside the sidewalk.

Feeling sorry for the cat, we decided to bring it home and try to find a way to bring it back to life.

My sister took the back legs and I took the front legs and we carried it home. It was long dead and stiff as a board.

We knew that we had to find a place to hide it from our mother until we could figure out how to revive it.

So we put it in the refrigerator. We thought this would keep it as fresh as it did the food.

I think the screams that came out of our mother can still be heard 60 years later.

COOKIE PECQUET

Metairie

Write Smiley at Smiley@theadvocate.com. He can also be reached by mail at P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821. Follow Smiley Anders on Twitter, @SmileyAndersAdv.

Original post:
Smiley: Humans are so hard to train... | Smiley Anders - The Advocate

Automotive Engine Wiring Harness Market primary data collection was achieved by interviewing the retailers and the consumers. The interviews were conducted through one to one structured questionnaire supervision.

Global Automotive Engine Wiring Harness Market report provides an in-depth analysis of all market dynamics including drivers and restraints, and trends and opportunities. Important factors supporting growth across various is also provided. Using the industrial figures, the market finds growth figures between the forecast timespan.

In order to present an executive-level model of the market and its future perspectives, Automotive Engine Wiring Harness Market report presents a clear segmentation based on different parameters. The factors that affect these segments are also discussed in detail in the report.

Request Exclusive Free Sample PDF Of This Report At https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/85689

Major Players included in this report are as follows company 1company 2company 3company 4company 5company 6company 7company 8company 9

Automotive Engine Wiring Harness Market can be segmented into Product Types as Type 1Type 2Type 3

Automotive Engine Wiring Harness Market can be segmented into Applications as Application 1Application 2Application 3

Automotive Engine Wiring Harness Market: Regional analysis includes:Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia)Europe (Turkey, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.)North America (United States, Mexico, and Canada.)South America (Brazil etc.)The Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries and Egypt.)

Buy This Report with Full Access & Complete ToC At https://www.upmarketresearch.com/buy/automotive-engine-wiring-harness-market-2019

The research provides answers to the following key questions: What is the global (North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, China, Japan) production, production value, consumption, consumption value, import and export of Automotive Engine Wiring Harness? Who are the global key manufacturers of Automotive Engine Wiring Harness industry? How are their operating situation (capacity, production, price, cost, gross and revenue)? What are the types and applications of Automotive Engine Wiring Harness? What is the market share of each type and application? What are the upstream raw materials and manufacturing equipment of Automotive Engine Wiring Harness? What is the manufacturing process of Automotive Engine Wiring Harness? Economic impact on Automotive Engine Wiring Harness industry and development trend of Automotive Engine Wiring Harness industry. What will the Automotive Engine Wiring Harness market size and the growth rate be in 2025? What are the key factors driving the global Automotive Engine Wiring Harness industry? What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Automotive Engine Wiring Harness market? What is the Automotive Engine Wiring Harness market challenges to market growth? What are the Automotive Engine Wiring Harness market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global Automotive Engine Wiring Harness market?

For More Information on this report, Request Inquiry At https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/85689

Automotive Engine Wiring Harness Market track and analyse competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, research and developments, with respect to the current market size and future prospective.

For Best Discount on purchasing this report, Visit https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/request_for_discount/85689

About UpMarketResearch:Up Market Research (https://www.upmarketresearch.com) is a leading distributor of market research report with more than 800+ global clients. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.

Contact Info UpMarketResearchName Alex MathewsEmail [emailprotected]Organization UpMarketResearchAddress 500 East E Street, Ontario, CA 91764, United States.

Read more from the original source:
Automotive Engine Wiring Harness Market 2019 Global Analysis, Research, Review, Applications and Forecast to 2025 Dagoretti News - Dagoretti News

Scientists have found a new way to home in on the proteins covering a particular cells surface. The feat offers insight into how brain cells form intricate networks during development.

As if casting a tiny net, a new technique has rounded up all the proteins on the surface of neurons in the brains of fruit flies. The roundup uncovered 20 new molecules involved in wiring the developing brain.

The find furthers scientists understanding of how neurons in the brain form complex networks, researchers report January 16, 2020, in the journal Cell. And it demonstrates for the first time that this protein-finding method actually works in intact brain tissues not just cells grown in the lab, says study coauthor and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Liqun Luo.

Thats important because the tissue environment is crucial for cells development, and lab cell cultures cant replicate it. Until now, scientists had no way to monitor all the proteins on cell surfaces in complex tissues like the brain. The new approach provides a way to survey this previously mysterious landscape.

What really blew me away was the biological follow-up, says biochemist Matthias Mann of the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry. Luos team was able to find a trove of proteins whose biological role was previously unknown, says Mann, who was not involved with the work.

Cell surfaces are incredibly dynamic places, especially for cellular communication, says Luo, a neurobiologist at Stanford University. In the nervous system, proteins on the surfaces of nerve cells help the cells find each other and link up. Luos team wanted a complete view of the proteins that direct connections in the developing fly brain. The researchers focused on proteins involved in forming olfactory networks, which control a flys sense of smell.

Luo, along with his doctoral student Jiefu Li and collaborators at Stanford and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, modified a method pioneered by study coauthor Alice Ting. In this method, called proximity labeling, researchers use an enzyme to add a molecular tag to a particular protein of interest, plus all the neighboring proteins. Researchers can then identify the tagged proteins using a chemical analysis called mass spectrometry.

Luos team added a new twist to the technique. They made the enzyme target proteins on fruit fly olfactory neurons at a particular point in brain development: when neurons are making decisions about which connections to form. The team compared the proteins present in adult cells with those present in the developing brain. The difference is actually very striking, Luo says.

The team identified 20 proteins that were more abundant on the surfaces of developing neurons and knocked them down one by one to see if their absence had an effect on brain wiring. Surprising even to the researchers, all 20 were involved in wiring the fly olfactory network. Whats more, many of the proteins they found hadnt even been known to play a role in neural development.

Luo and Li hope their approach will be useful for researchers in other fields as well. Li says it could be applied to immunology as well as to understanding how organs develop or modeling disease. For example, he adds, cell surface proteins are altered in cancer cells, so profiling those proteins could help scientists understand how cancer cells behave within tissues.

Id love to use [this technique], says Joshua Sanes, a neuroscientist at Harvard University who was not involved in the research. Like Luo, Sanes (who is a member of HHMIs Scientific Review Board) is interested in how neurons form the precise patterns of connections that lead to all the complex neural circuitry underlying behavior. But he studies the brains of mammals, not flies. So, first, Sanes says, the method will have to be optimized for mammalian cells a goal that has so far been elusive.

###

Citation

Jiefu Li et al. Cell-Surface Proteomic Profiling in the Fly Brain Uncovers New Wiring Regulators. Cell. Published online January 16, 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.12.029

Read more here:
Surveying All the Proteins on a Neuron's Surface - Howard Hughes Medical Institute

What are some of the common issues found in older properties, and can they still be good investments?

Fix and flip investors often acquire older properties, which can bring a host of their own issues.

These properties can have a lot of character but also underlying problems the investor will need to tackle. Older properties might have been built to different building standards, make use of hazardous materials or have ageing infrastructure dangerous to occupants.

These problems can have a significant effect on the length and cost of the flip, but with the right approach, they can be overcome.

Pipes and Wiring

The most common issues found in older homes are related to plumbing and electrical work. Many of the properties built pre-1970s made use of galvanized pipes for plumbing at the time, but these have been found to corrode quickly and need replacing often. Fix and flip investors who find galvanized pipes in their property are highly recommended to replace it with a modern solution like copper or PVC which is more long-lasting. Electrical issues are also common, and will likely need to be brought back up to code prior to selling the home.

Outdated wiring is a dangerous fire hazard, and also typically not compatible with the appliances found in the home today. For this reason, its best to have an electrician inspect the property and make suggestions.

Hazardous Materials

Certain building materials used in the past have since been exposed as unsafe for human contact. Hidden throughout an older property there may be lead paint, asbestos flooring, popcorn ceilings and other lurking dangers. If these materials are disturbed during the renovation process, it can quickly become hazardous to contractors and occupants. Fix and flip investors can test for some of these materials themselves and use a professional to detect or remove the rest.

Removing these materials from the property can be pricey removing asbestos materials alone can cost between $200 to $700 per hour. However, the cost is an essential part of your investment for such a property and peace of mind.

Questionable Building Standards

Older properties, having had more owners, are likely to have had previous renovations done. If the property has been maintained well, only basic fixing may be needed. However, with changing building standards over the years, it can be difficult to establish the quality of previous renovations. Its best to have a property inspector review the property to identify anything not up to modern standards and advise next steps.

Fix and flip investors should also put aside a contingency fund up to 20% to tackle these issues.

Sourcing Materials

Properties constructed in previous decades may have made use of materials not commonly found today. This can be challenging for investors who want to restore these materials rather than replacing them. To keep the character of these features, investors should try checking centers that offer reused materials or consult with local remodeling professionals to source them. This method can be expensive, and investors can also turn to modern replicas of the original features for the same effect.

For example, wooden floors can be replaced with laminate that looks similar but is more affordable. Its best to compare the costs of both solutions before deciding on a final plan of action.

Older properties make great fix and flip investments, but its also expected that some hard-to-deal-with issues will come up. Some properties built a few decades ago have safety hazards lurking under the surface which need to be addressed. Fix and flip investors will come across dubious building standards and should budget accordingly for the cost of these surprises. Investors targeting older homes get to benefit from lower acquiring costs, and with the right approach, the investment property can bring good profits, no matter its original age.

New Silver is a tech-first non-bank loan originator, with a vision of making the private lending process easy for the borrower. New Silvers technology allows borrowers to get approved for a loan online, in under 10 minutes, and close within 7 days. Technology and strong customer relationships give New Silver an edge in addressing the $70bn per year fix and flip real estate-backed lending space, with a focus on single-family residential and small balance commercial investment properties located on the East Coast of the United States. Visit newsilver.com for more information.

Follow this link:
Renovation Issues in Older Homes - Think Realty

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The global neoprene market size is poised to grow by 122 thousand tons during the period 2019-2023, according to the latest market research report by Technavio. Request a free sample report

The growing construction industry is expected to increase the demand for neoprene during the forecast period. Neoprene is a rubber material that exhibits superior heat and electrical resistance, ozone resistance, and anti-weathering properties and is used in the construction industry for fire-proof insulation, electrical wiring, and expansion joints in civil engineering applications. It is suitable for construction applications due to its ability to withstand extreme climatic conditions. Urbanization is a key driver for the construction market and has led to the development of smart cities. In countries such as China and India, the increase in government spending on construction for industrial and public infrastructure will augment the consumption of neoprene during the forecast period.

To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR30033

As per Technavio, the innovations in neoprene will have a positive impact on the market and contribute to its growth significantly over the forecast period. This research report also analyzes other important trends and market drivers that will affect market growth over 2019-2023.

Neoprene Market: Innovations in neoprene

The neoprene market has been witnessing consistent innovations over the years. One such emerging trend is the development of noble gas-infused neoprene closed-cell foams for achieving ultra-low thermal conductivity. Closed-cell foams are widely used for insulation and thermal management of protective garments for extreme environments. Technological advances focusing on the combination of noble gases into neoprene foam cells improve the insulation properties of neoprene foam. Noble gases infused into the neoprene foam cells act as blowing agents and result in excellent foam insulation. Thus, innovations in neoprene will have a positive impact on the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Other factors such as the increasing demand for medical gloves, and the expansion of chloroprene production capacities will have a positive impact on the growth of the neoprene market during the forecast period, says a senior analyst at Technavio.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

Neoprene Market: Segmentation Analysis

This market research report segments the neoprene market by application (technical rubber, adhesive industry, and latex industry), by end-user (automotive, manufacturing, consumer goods, and medical), and geographical regions (APAC, EMEA, and Americas).

The APAC region held the largest share of the market in 2018, followed by the Americas and EMEA respectively. During the forecast period, the APAC is expected to maintain its dominance as well as register the highest incremental growth owing to the thriving automotive and infrastructure industries and the increasing urban population and disposal income in the region.

Technavios sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Request a free sample report

Some of the key topics covered in the report include:

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation

Geographical Segmentation

Market Drivers

Market Challenges

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavios report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavios comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

See the original post:
Global Neoprene Market 2019-2023 | 6% CAGR Projection Over the Next Five Years | Technavio - Business Wire

With just their input cables, human neurons can perform difficult logic calculations previously only seen in entire neural networks. To restate: human neurons are far more powerful devices than originally thought. And if deep learning algorithmsthe AI method loosely based on the brain thats taken our world by stormtake note, they can be too.

Those are unconventional, fighting words.

For 70 years, neurons were considered the basic computational unit of the brain. Yet according to a new study published this month in Science, the neurons in our cortex, the outermost crust of our brain, seem to have uniquely evolved to sustain incredibly complex computations in their input cables. Its as if someone finally obtained proof that your computers electrical wiring is actually made up of mini-processors, each performing calculations before sending results to a CPU.

Its weird. Its controversial. But it has also just been seen for the first time in human neurons.

As the authors conclude: we long assumed that a neuron could only operate logical functions such as AND and OR, whereas more complex computations required entire networks. We find that activity in a neurons input cables can support complex logical operations using completely different rules than a single neuron.

So why should we care? Fundamentally, it has to do with intelligencewhy we stand out among the animal kingdom, and how we can potentially replicate that intelligence with AI.

Like the Earths crust, the cortex is also made up of multiple layers, with distinctive wiring patterns that link up neurons within layers and among different ones. Neuroscientists have long thought that our enormously intricate cortex contributes to our intellectual capabilitiesin fact, deep learning was inspired by computations embedded within cortical neurons.

But the new results, recorded from surgically-removed brain chunks from patients with brain tumors and epilepsy, suggest that current deep learning methods are only scratching the surface of replicating our brains computations. If AI systems can incorporate these newly discovered algorithms, they could potentially become far more powerful.

A textbook neuron looks like a leafless tree: massive roots, called dendrites, lead to a sturdy, bulbous basethe body. Like water and nutrients, incoming electrical signals shoot up dendritic roots into the body, where a hump-like structure synthesizes all the information. If the stimulation is sufficiently strong, it gets passed down a singular tree trunkthe output cable called an axonthen transmitted to another neuron by way of bubbles filled with chemical messengers or with electricity. If the input signals are too weak, the neuron kills the data. Its why neuroscientists often call single neurons binary or digital: they either fire or dont.

Simple, no?

Wellnot quite. For decades, a question nagged at the back of neuroscientists minds: why are dendritic trees, compared to a single lonely axon, so much more intricate?

By recording from single neurons in rodent brains, scientists recently began figuring out that dendritic trees arent just simple passive cables. Rather, theyre extremely active components underlying a hidden layer of neural computation. Some dendritic trees, for example, can generate electrical spikes five times larger and more frequently than classic neuronal firing. Just in rats, the discovery of active dendrites mean that the brain could have 100 times more processing capacity than previously thought.

The new study asks: does the same hold true for humans?

Compared to rodent brains, the multi-layered human cortex is much thicker and denser. Layers 2 and 3 (L2/3) especially stand out for their elaborate and densely-packed dendritic forests. Compared to other speciesor even the rest of the human brainthese layers contain a disproportionate amount of neuronal matter. The root cause of this strange thickening lies in our genes, which encode a brain development program to guide the characteristic. Some even believe that its fundamental to what makes us human.

If dendrite inputs help shape our neurons computationand our intelligencethen L2/3 is where we should be able to observe them, the authors reasoned.

Measuring electrical activity from dendrites, each 100 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair, is much easier said than done. Its partly why these enormously powerful calculations have been hard to capture using electrodes even in animalsthe process is similar to gently sucking on an ants back with a Roman column-sized straw without hurting the ant.

Rather than recording from a living, intact human brain, the team opted to look at fresh slices of the cortex removed due to epilepsy or tumors. Its a smart strategy: slices are much easier to examine using traditional neuroscience methodsfor example, something called a patch clamp that records directly from neuronal components. Slices can also be examined under the microscope using fluorescent dyes that glow during activity. Using brain tissue from two different types of patients can then help weed out signals unique to each brain disease to get to the root of human dendritic computations.

A bizarre signal immediately emerged. Human dendrites sparked with activity, but the electrical spikes quickly dissipated as they traveled towards the cell body. In contrast, a standard neural signal doesnt taper down as it gallops along the output cable towards its next destination. Even weirder, the dendritic signals relied strictly on calcium ions to generate their electricity, which massively differs from classic neural signaling.

Its like suddenly discovering a new species that consumes carbon dioxide, rather than oxygen, to sustain its activityexcept that species is part of you. These signals, dubbed dCaAPs, have never been observed in cortical cells from any mammals previously, the authors said.

There was a eureka moment when we saw the dendritic action potentials for the first time, said study co-author Dr. Matthew Larkum at Humboldt University of Berlin. The experiments were very challenging, so to push the questions past just repeating what has been done in rodents already was very satisfying.

But it gets weirder. Unlike a neurons all-or-none firing, human dendrites seem to go analogue. That is, their response is graded, but in an unintuitive way: the stronger their stimuli, the lower their response. This is in stark contrast to other neuronal computations, where stronger input, even from multiple sources, usually leads to stronger output. And while these dendritic spikes arent loners per sea few dCaAPs helped change the firing of its neuronmany of the dendrites electrical activity seemed to do their own thing.

Cataloging the secret lives of human dendrites is already interesting, but the authors went a step further to ask what it all means.

Using computational modeling, they recreated dCaAPs unique firing pattern and challenged it to solve a logic function called XOR. It compares two inputs, and if the bits are the same, the result is 0. If theyre different, it results in 1. Unlike the simpler AND and OR functions, XOR normally requires an entire neural network to perform.

However, human dendrites strange behavior, where one input only leads to one output, allowed them to effectively compute the XOR operation, the authors said. When stacked together with a neurons normal AND and OR functions, its then possible to condense entire network functions into that of a single neuron. However, for now the idea remains theoreticalthe authors werent able to model an entire neuron along with dendritic computations.

But keep your eye out for updates. The results, if validated in intact human brains, hold enormous possibilities for improving deep learning algorithms. For now, deep learning uses individual artificial neurons that link into multi-layered networkssimilar to our previous understanding of human brains. Adding dendritic computations could in theory massively expand deep learning capabilities. In a way, AI is now neurosciences theoretical playground, a collaboration made in heaven.

Regardless, the results peel back another onion layer towards understanding and replicating our intelligence. Dendrites make up 95 percent of the surface area of pyramidal cells in the cortex, but have remained unexplored territory in the human brain, said Dr. Michael Husser at University College London, who was not involved in the study. By hunting for similar signals in rodent brains, we may be able to determine whether the special electrical properties of human dendrites play a key role in making human brains special, he said.

Image Credit: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Follow this link:
Scientists Discovered 'Mini-Computers' in Human Neuronsand That's Great News for AI - Singularity Hub

Photograph Source: U.S. Government Public Domain

On January 17, 2020, the Irregulators will appear before the U.S. District Court in Washington, DC, to argue that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has facilitated one of the largest accounting scandals in American history.

The Irregulators is an independent, expert Telecom Team comprised of senior telecom experts, analysts, forensic auditors, and lawyers ,including former FCC officials.They will be represented byW.Scott McCollough, Esq., a former Texas Assistant Attorney General.McCollough acknowledges, We paid for fiber-to-the-home and we are getting 5G.

On April 15, 2019, theIrregulators submitted legal briefs to the Washington District Court seeking standing.Standing isa requirement under Article III of the Constitution, the capacity of a party to bring suit in court.To bring suit signifies the ability of a party to demonstrate that s/he had sufficient connection to and was harmed by an action being challenged.The FCC declined to challenge the Irregulators standing claim and, on June 6th, the Court formally ruled that the Irregulators had standing and the case against the FCC could proceed.

The Irregulators argument is simple:

Over the last decade, we uncovered a massive financial cross-subsidy scheme and it is being done by manipulating the FCCs cost accounting rules that are being applied to the state-wired telecommunications public utilities revenues and expenses controlled mostly by AT&T, Verizon and Centurylink.

They are accusing the FCCof freezing its cost-accounting rules 19 years ago, thusallowing the nations telecommunications companies the telecom trust to engage in a bookkeeping slight-of-hand practices that costs telecom users, states and taxpayers across the country an estimated $50-$60 billion a year over the last decade and,over the last decade, totaling an estimated $500 billion and $1 trillion since 2000.

The Irregulators challenge to the FCC is based on an acknowledgement that the different lines of business offered by a telecom e.g., Verizons FiOS or wireless to pay their expenses based on formulas set by FCC accounting rules set in 2000, 20 years ago. The case will show how, for example, Verizon was able to make all of its state utility networks appear unprofitable by using these FCC rules.

The expenses Verizon and other telecoms paid in 2019 are based on the same percentage as 2000.However, local (orintrastate)service i.e., the basic copper-based phone service provided was the majority of revenues in 2000 for most telecoms and paid the majority of expenses.For example, in 2019, Verizon NY Local Service accounted for only 21 percent of its reported revenues but is accounting for 60+ percent of its expenses. The FCCs policies amount to a cross-subsidy practice in which traditional wireline services help pay for wireless services.

One consequence of this accounting policy is that all of the other lines of business are paying a fraction of the actual expenses that they incur.Thus, for example, wireless in New York State pays a fraction of the construction expenses while local service paid the majority even though the infrastructure wiring hasnt been upgraded or maintained.In addition, the telecoms receivedtax benefits and users saw their basic phone rates rise.

The case is about more thanan accounting shell-game.It concerns the very future of the countrys telecommunications services, including of 5G the proposed next generation of telecom service as well as the Digital Divide, fiber-to-the-home and net neutrality.Bruce Kushnick, Irreglators team lead, is emphatic: Irregulators vs. FCCexposes all of the financial hanky-panky that has been going on for over a decade. We took this case to stop these abuses at the federal and state level.

At the heart of the Irregulators case is a call for federal and state officials and ordinary telecom users to remember that phone services arestate regulated public telecommunications utilities.The infrastructure consists of the existing copper wires as well as the fiber optic wires that facilitate wireless and broadband services as well as what is known as Business Data Services (i.e., backhaul or special access).

The case will be adjudicated by the Court over the next few months.Ever optimistic, the Irregulators anticipate a number of possible outcomes to the case:

+ The Court could require the FCC to fix its rules to stop cross-subsidies.This will result in returning billions of dollars to states to building-out or upgrade the infrastructure and lowering rates on most services.

+ The Court could decide that the FCC rules are no longer required, thus forcing the FCC to give up control over the infrastructure to the states and get back the billions gained from the cross-subsidies.

+ The Court could leave things as they are, thus enabling the status quo to get worse.The consequences of this decision could be considerable: the cross-subsidies will continue; the questionable 5G deployments will proceed; telecom competition will further shrink; higher service fees will only increase; and new made-up fees and government subsidies will continue.

The outcome of the case could have significant consequences, especially for the FCC.The worst-case outcome, the Courts decision could strengthen the hand the FCC.

Like other federal agencies, the FCC is a corporate-industry captured government agency that has stopped working for the publics best interests.The current U.S. Attorney General, William Barr, got his political start serving as General Counsel forGTE Corporation, a telco that merged with Bell Atlantic to form Verizon.He worked closely with former FCC Chairman Michael Powell, a Pres. Clinton appointee, to establish the new accounting procedures. In addition, the current FCC chair,Ajit Pai, who formerly served as VerizonsAssociate General Counsel, pushes ever-greater deregulations and limited accountability of the telecoms.

A favorable Court decision could return oversight of the telecom networks to state utilities and likely end cross-subsidies and customer overcharging.This could force the giant telecoms to deliver on their repeated broadband commitments, including providingfiber-to-the-home instead of the inferior (and some say harmful) 5G telecom service.This would be an invaluable step in ending the Digital Divide and facilitating net neutrality rather than the further privatization of a public utility.

Read the original:
The Irregulators vs. FCC: the Trial Begins - CounterPunch

In the consumer electronics world, you will often hear about watts, power handling, and power output. The terms are used interchangeably to refer to two values, that is, root mean square (RMS) and peak power rating. Power rating is among the essential factors that contribute to an ideal sound system. It is, therefore, important to know what these two values refer to whether youre searching for speakers, amplifiers, or subwoofers.

When looking to build a high-performance entertainment system, most people tend to shop for audio and sound equipment based on the one that has the highest power rating. However, this may prove difficult for starters who don't understand the difference between RMS and peak watts. Also, some may choose to ignore the ratings and go for brands, but this will affect the final outcome in one way or another.

So, if youre going to spend your hard cash on a surround-sound speaker, subwoofer, or even an amplifier, you'll need to have basic information on power ratings. This comprehensive guide will help you understand these two values to assist in you assembling a decent sound system.

RMS Watts Explained

Root mean square or simply RMS watts refers to continuous power handling of a speaker or a subwoofer or how much continuous power an amplifier can output. RMS values are usually lower than peak watts ratings, but they represent what a unit is truly capable of handling. Think of RMS power as the average power that a speaker can handle on a daily basis without compromising sound quality or experiencing any distortion.

Peak Watts Explained

The peak power handling is the highest power level that a speaker or a subwoofer can handle in a short burst without blowing. The same holds for amplifiers as the absolute highest amount of power they can put out before failing or without resulting in distortion.

We can think of peak watts as the number atop of your car's speedometer. For example, you can drive for maybe 180km/h, but you can't sustain that speed for long without causing mechanical or thermal damage to the car. In the same way, the peak power level can only be maintained for a fraction of a second, although theres no clear definition of how long.

If the unit is subjected to constant peak power, the wires may overheat, which could quickly damage the voice coils.

RMS Power vs. Peak Power

When shopping around, you'll notice that some manufacturers rate their products' power-handling capabilities using either the peak watts rating or RMS rating, while most use both values. For example, a unit can be rated at 150 W while another brand may be advertised at 75 W.

At first glance, one might be tempted to think that the former is better because its rated at a higher power level than the latter. However, upon a closer look, you may notice that the first product is rated for peak watts while the second one is advertising RMS watts. Typically, a units peak power handling is double the RMS power handling, which basically means that the above products are actually rated the same: 150 W peak/75 W RMS.

Most audio equipment manufacturers, though, prefer to stress more on the peak power rating to make the products look like they deliver more power than theyre capable of. While this may sound convincing, utilizing peak power not only disturbs your neighbors, but also makes your sound equipment depreciate in value, requiring you to replace some parts or buy a new unit altogether. As such, if you want to your speaker to last for years, the figure to look out for is the RMS wattage, the power input at which you should be enjoying your music.

However, when it comes to these technical details, don't get confused by speaker power ratings and amplifier specifications. Amplifiers generate power in an audio system, which is not the case with speakers and subwoofers. Therefore, speaker power ratings refer to the amount of power your speakers can handle from an amplifier. The specifications on the amp, on the other hand, refer to how much power it can produce for maximum audio performance.

Conclusion

Both RMS and peak watts play an important role in your sound system, and theyre vital when comparing your speakers with amplifiers or subwoofers. When matching speakers or subwoofers to amplifiers, you should compare either two RMS values or two peak ratings.

Therefore, one should not get confused when comparing peak and RMS ratings. This will ensure that you'll get the best out of each component. If the power outputs arent correctly matched, the components can overheat and create a couple of other issues. However, its important to stress that you should always use RMS ratingsnot peak wattagewhen matching and comparing gear.

David M. Foster is Head of Content at SpeakerChampion.

Read the rest here:
Metamaterials Boost MRI Performance without Increased Magnetic Field - Electronic Design