Ghana’s Rabbit Industry

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Ghana’s Rabbit Industry

August 1, 2026
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Like many folk traditions of saying “Rabbit, rabbit” to your colleagues on the first day of the month has an unclear origin and has several variations and interpretations.  We use it a reason to explore university research into food sources; the proper business of education communities everywhere.  In one version of the tradition, saying “Rabbit, rabbit” or “White rabbit” as the first words upon waking on the first day of the month is believed to bring good luck for the rest of that month. It is thought to ensure good fortune, happiness, and general positivity throughout the coming weeks.

The specific origins and reasons behind this tradition are difficult to trace, as superstitions often evolve and are passed down through generations. It’s worth noting that this practice is not universally known or followed, and its popularity may vary among different regions and communities.  Ultimately, the saying “Rabbit, rabbit” on the first day of the month is an example of a charming and whimsical superstition that some individuals enjoy participating in as a fun way to start the month on a positive note.

Codex Alimentarius

Investigating Augmented Reality Animals as Companions

August 1, 2026
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“A Friend in Need” 1903 Cassius Marcellus Coolidge

Investigating Augmented Reality Animals as Companions

 

Nahal Norouzi – Gerd Bruder – Greg Welch

University of Central Florida

Jeremy Bailenson

Stanford University

 

ABSTRACT.  Human-animal interaction has been studied in a variety of settings and for a range of populations, with some findings pointing towards its benefits for physical, mental and social human health. Technological advances opened up new opportunities for researchers to replicate human-animal interactions with robotic and graphical animals, and to investigate human-animal relationships for different applications such as mental health and education. Although graphical animals have been studied in the past in the physical health and education domains, most of the time, their realizations were bound to computer screens, limiting their full potential, especially in terms of companionship and the provision of support. In this work, we describe past research efforts investigating influences of human-animal interaction on mental health and different realization of such animals. We discuss the idea that augmented reality could offer potential for human-animal interaction in terms of mental and social health, and propose several aspects of augmented reality animals that warrant further research for such interactions.

CLICK HERE to order complete article

 

 

 

Blessings in a Backpack

July 31, 2026
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Blessings in a Backpack | Louisville KY

In 2005 in Louisville, Kentucky, a volunteer discovered that many elementary school children relied on school meals and faced hunger over the weekend. While the organization serves children of every background and partners with public schools nationwide, its name reflects a simple faith-inspired conviction: caring for one’s neighbor through practical acts of compassion.

Local volunteers, congregations, civic groups and businesses work together to place child-friendly food into students’ backpacks each Friday, helping ensure they return to school on Monday nourished, ready to learn and reminded that their community has not forgotten them.

In 2012 the Royal Oak Rotary Club launched a branch in Michigan Oakland County Michigan.

“Children at Lunch” 1857 Benjamin Vautier

Child Nutrition Programs News from the Michigan Department of Education

Necessary but Not Sufficient: The Role of Policy for Advancing Programs of School, Family, and Community Partnerships

School Influences on Parents’ Role Beliefs

Crockett Elementary School Kitchen and Cafeteria Addition

Relata:

Squeezed

S. 2609 Universal School Meals Act

S. 4578: Summer Meals and Learning Act

How to Make Baby Food

Who Gets Rich From School Lunch

H.R. 8364: Protecting Kids, Protecting Lunches Act

S. 876 School Lunch Facility Improvement Finance

Model School Food Standard

Kitchens 100

Watersport

July 31, 2026
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Athletic Competition Timing Standards

Today we update our understanding of best practice catalogs for outdoor and indoor watersport; primarily swimming and rowing.  Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

Summer Sport

 

Natatoriums 300: Advanced Topics

Sapienza – Università di Roma

USA Swimming and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Swimming are two distinct organizations that oversee different aspects of competitive swimming in the United States. USA Swimming governs competitive swimming in the United States across all age groups and skill levels, while NCAA Swimming specifically focuses on collegiate-level swimming and diving competitions within the NCAA framework. Both organizations play crucial roles in the development and promotion of swimming in the United States.

Governing Body:

USA Swimming is the national governing body for the sport of swimming in the United States. It is responsible for overseeing competitive swimming at all levels, from grassroots programs to elite national and international competitions.
NCAA Swimming: NCAA Swimming is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which governs intercollegiate sports in the United States. NCAA Swimming specifically deals with collegiate-level swimming competitions among universities and colleges.

Scope:

USA Swimming is responsible for organizing and regulating competitive swimming for all age groups and skill levels, from youth swimmers to Masters swimmers (adults). It oversees swim clubs, hosts competitions, and develops national teams for international events.
NCAA Swimming: NCAA Swimming focuses exclusively on college-level swimming and diving competitions. It sets the rules and guidelines for swimming and diving programs at NCAA member institutions.

Membership:

Individuals, swim clubs, and teams can become members of USA Swimming, allowing them to participate in USA Swimming-sanctioned events, access coaching resources, and benefit from the organization’s development programs.
NCAA Swimming: NCAA Swimming is composed of collegiate athletes who compete for their respective universities and colleges. Athletes are typically student-athletes who represent their schools in NCAA-sanctioned competitions.

Competition Format:

USA Swimming hosts a wide range of competitions, including local, regional, and national meets, as well as Olympic Trials and international events. Swimmers compete as individuals, representing their swim clubs or teams.
NCAA Swimming: NCAA Swimming primarily consists of dual meets, invitational meets, and conference championships at the collegiate level. Swimmers represent their respective universities or colleges, earning points for their teams in dual meets and competing for conference and national titles.

Scholarships:

USA Swimming itself does not offer scholarships. Scholarships for competitive swimmers are typically awarded by colleges and universities based on an athlete’s performance and potential.
NCAA Swimming: NCAA member institutions offer scholarships to talented student-athletes in various sports, including swimming. These scholarships can cover tuition, room, board, and other expenses, making NCAA swimming an avenue for athletes to receive financial support for their education.

 


 

Swimming, Water Polo and Diving Lighting

Beyond the Stopwatch

Computer-vision drowning detection

Burk-Bergman Boathouse

July 31, 2026
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Standards Pennsylvania | Summer Watersport

Painting by Ed Ryder

The Burk-Bergman Boathouse is one of the oldest and most distinguished collegiate rowing facilities in the United States. Located at 11 Kelly Drive on Philadelphia’s historic Boathouse Row, it serves as the home of the University of Pennsylvania’s men’s heavyweight, men’s lightweight, and women’s varsity rowing programs. It is also the only collegiate boathouse on Boathouse Row; the remaining boathouses belong to rowing clubs and other organizations.

 

Burk-Bergman Boathouse, University of Pennsylvania | Athletic Business

 

Penn rowing traces its origins to 1854, but the present boathouse was constructed in 1875–1876 for the University’s College Boat Club, making it among the oldest surviving collegiate boathouses in America. Over the next century, successive additions responded to growing participation, but the resulting building became a patchwork of spaces with limited accessibility and aging infrastructure.  In 2022, following a comprehensive restoration and expansion, the facility was renamed the Burk-Bergman Boathouse in honor of legendary Penn rowing coaches Joe Burk and Stan Bergman, whose combined coaching careers span much of the twentieth century and produced national champions, Olympians, and Ivy League titles.

 

Relata:

NCAA USA Rowing Host Operations Manual

Maths and Sport

Bulletin Board

July 31, 2026
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“Labor omnia vicit improbus” (trans. ‘Steady, unyielding labor conquered all things’)

Georgics, Book I — Publius Vergilius Maro

Standards exist to sustain the ordinary rhythms of civilization.  Behind every meal, classroom, laboratory, concert, hospital, farm, playing field and family home stands a network of standards that quietly enables daily life. Our work is to understand, improve and explain those standards in service to the educational settlements they support.  

NIST | USPTO | ANSI | IEEE | ICC | ASTM | ASHRAE | UL | TIA | ASME | ASCE | AGA

Michigan Standards Developers : NSF | ACI | NETA | ASABE | HL7 | RIA | JCSEE | BIFMA | PJRFSI | SAE

Global: SA | BSA | NSAI | CSA | CEN & CENELEC | ISO & IEC*

 

APPA was founded at the University of Michigan| See our ABOUT

 

 

* ISO and IEC have opted out of the X-social media platforms.  FYI: X is 13 times the size of BlueSky in terms of scale and reach.

Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa & Hot Tub Code

July 31, 2026
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water

“The Bathing Pool” / Hubert Robert (French, 1733–1808) / Gift of J.P. Morgan

2024 Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code

READ-ONLY ACCESS

The IAPMO code development process is one of the best in the land.  Its Read-Only Access — needed for light research — is also the best in the land; unlike other ANSI accredited standards developers (who shall be un-named).   The current edition is dated 2024, with the 2027 revision accepted public input until March 3, 2025 according the schedule linked below:

2027 USPSHTC Code Development Calendar

Related:

What are Plumbing Codes?

Uniform Plumbing Code

Coronavirus in Plumbing Systems

Water and Electricity

July 31, 2026
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Supporting swimming pools with electricity involves various essential functions such as filtration, heating, lighting, and sanitation. Ensuring safety and energy efficiency is crucial, and pool owners can take steps to minimize electricity costs and environmental impact. Key points:

Filtration and Circulation: Swimming pools rely on electric pumps to circulate water through filters, removing debris and maintaining water quality.

Heating: Electric heaters or heat pumps are used to regulate water temperature for comfort, especially in colder seasons.

Lighting: Underwater and pool area lighting enhance safety and aesthetics, typically powered by electricity.

Chlorination and Sanitation: Electric chlorinators or ozone generators help maintain water cleanliness and hygiene.

Automation: Electric control systems enable pool owners to manage filtration, heating, and lighting remotely for convenience and energy efficiency.

Energy Efficiency: Pool owners can invest in energy-efficient equipment, like variable-speed pumps and LED lighting, to reduce electricity consumption and operating costs.

Operations and Maintenance: Regular electrical maintenance ensures safe and reliable pool operation, preventing electrical faults and hazards.  The electricity cost for pool operation can be significant, so pool owners should consider energy-efficient practices and equipment to reduce expenses.

https://standardsmichigan.com/australia/

Education communities present one of the largest installed bases of artificially created bodies of water; the most abundance resource on earth.  These bodies vary in size, purpose, and design but are all created by human intervention to serve specific needs, whether practical, recreational, or aesthetic.  Safe and sustainable management of them in the Unite States are informed by best practice found in Article 680 of the National Electrical Code with scope statement below:

Construction and installation of electrical wiring for, and equipment in or adjacent to, all swimming, wading, therapeutic, and decorative pools; fountains; hot tubs; spas; and hydromassage bathtubs, whether permanently installed or storable, and to metallic auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, filters, and similar equipment.

Consultation on the First Draft of the 2026 revision closes August 24, 2024.

2026 National Electrical Code Workspace

Related:

Pool, Fountain, Agriculture & Water Infrastructure Electrical Safety

https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/08/15/michael-phelps-poses-bottom-university-michigan-pool-2005

Marina & Boatyard Electrical Safety

A History of Ballooning in America

July 30, 2026
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Faculty & Student Standards Research Grants

July 30, 2026
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ANSI Essential Requirements: Due Process Requirements for American National Standards

Saugatuck High School | Allegan County Michigan @ Detroit Institute of Arts | Michigan West

The American voluntary consensus standards system depends upon the steady participation of universities. To encourage that participation, many standards developers offer research grants, scholarships, travel stipends, student paper competitions, and postgraduate fellowships for faculty members, graduate students, and emerging professionals.

These programs help offset the costs of research, conference attendance, committee meetings, and publication while introducing new generations of scholars to the consensus process. 

The investment benefits both the standards community and higher education. Universities contribute fresh research, analytical methods, and technical expertise, while students gain firsthand experience with the development of engineering, scientific, accounting, safety, and building standards that influence practice throughout the world.

Student Research Grants, Scholarships & Travel Support

ANSI — Student Paper Competition, standards education programs, internships, university outreach, and free standards-related learning resources.  (From Classrooms to Competitions: How ANSI and its Members are Opening Standards to Students)

ASTM International — Academic Outreach Program featuring student memberships, scholarships, research grants, travel assistance, student chapters, and opportunities to participate directly in standards committees. (Student Members)

ASHRAE — Society scholarships, Graduate Student Grant-in-Aid research awards, undergraduate equipment grants, and conference travel assistance.

ASCE — Undergraduate and graduate scholarships, Student Chapter awards, and discipline-specific fellowships.

ASME — Scholarships and fellowships through the ASME Foundation together with student paper competitions and travel assistance.

IEEE — Scholarships, fellowships, travel grants, Foundation awards, and Society-sponsored student programs.  Most grants originate at the society, region and section level.  Example: Education & Healthcare Facilities  

ICC — Student chapters, scholarships, educational partnerships, and workforce development initiatives.

NFPA Research Foundation — Sponsored university research and academic partnerships advancing fire, electrical, and life safety.

NIST — Graduate student research opportunities, laboratory collaborations, and financial assistance for visiting scientists. 

(Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship) | Summer 2026 Abstract Book

(Professional Research Experience Program)

(Summer High School Intern Program)

SAE International — Engineering scholarships supporting students in automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and mobility disciplines.

FASB / GASB — The Postgraduate Technical Assistant Program and the Gilbert W. Crain Memorial Research Grant support the next generation of accounting standards professionals.

Relata:

Evaluation of Electrical Feeder and Branch Circuit Loading: Phase I (January 2017)

Development of Human Factors and Automotive Standards Curricula Materials for the University of Michigan and Beyond (Final Report, December 2018)

2025-2026 Student Paper Competition

Image Credit: Michael Tompsett

International Standards Development Opportunities

Organization Opportunity
ISO ISO Young Professionals Programme — Annual leadership and standards development program sponsored through ISO member bodies.
ISO ISO DEVCO — Capacity-building initiatives, technical assistance, education, and participation support for developing countries.
IEC IEC Young Professionals Programme — International leadership development and participation in electrotechnical standards activities.
IEC IEC Academy — Standards education, webinars, technical training, and professional development resources.
ITU ITU Academia Programme — Membership and engagement opportunities for universities participating in international telecommunications standards development.
ITU ITU Fellowships Programme — Travel assistance and fellowships enabling qualified participants to attend ITU standards meetings and conferences.
ITU-R ITU-R Fellowships — Support for participation in Radiocommunication Sector meetings and technical study groups.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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