Many people are surprised to learn what counts as a “drink”. The amount of liquid in your glass, can, or bottle does not necessarily match up to how much alcohol is actually in your drink. Even before the United States federal government withdrew from regulating alcohol, the conversation, and degree of agreement and attitude, remains remarkably regionally specific:
“…LIGHT + DESIGN was developed to introduce architects, lighting designers, design engineers, interior designers, and other lighting professionals to the principles of quality lighting design. These principles; related to visual performance, energy, and economics; and aesthetics; can be applied to a wide range of interior and exterior spaces to aid designers in providing high-quality lighting to their projects.
Stakeholders: Architects, interior designers, lighting practitioners, building owners/operators, engineers, the general public, luminaire manufacturers. This standard focuses on design principles and defines key technical terms and includes technical background to aid understanding for the designer as well as the client about the quality of the lighted environment. Quality lighting enhances our ability to see and interpret the world around us, supporting our sense of well-being, and improving our capability to communicate with each other….”
Illumination technologies run about 30 percent of the energy load in a building and require significant human resources at the workpoint — facility managers, shop foremen, front-line operations and maintenance personnel, design engineers and sustainability specialists. The IES has one of the easier platforms for user-interest participation:
Because the number of electrotechnology standards run in the thousands and are in continual motion* we need an estimate of user-interest in any title before we formally request a redline because the cost of obtaining one in time to make meaningful contributions will run into hundreds of US dollars; apart from the cost of obtaining a current copy.
We maintain the IES catalog on the standing agendas of our Electrical, Illumination and Energy colloquia. Additionally, we collaborate with experts active in the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee which meets online 4 times monthly in European and American time zones; all colloquia online and open to everyone. Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page to join us.
The heating and cooling requirements of K-12 schools, college and university educational, medical research and healthcare delivery campuses are a large market for boiler pressure vessel manufacturers, installers, maintenance personnel and inspectors. The demand for building new, and upgrading existing boilers — either single building boilers, regional boilers or central district energy boilers — presents a large market for professional engineering firms also. A large research university, for example, will have dozens, if not well over 100 boilers that heat and cool square footage in all climates throughout the year. The same boilers provide heating and cooling for data centers, laundry operations, kitchen steam tables in hospitals and dormitories.
“…The International Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code establishes rules of safety — relating only to pressure integrity — governing the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers and pressure vessels, and nuclear power plant components during construction. The objective of the rules is to provide a margin for deterioration in service. Advancements in design and material and the evidence of experience are constantly being added…”
Many state and local governments incorporate the BPVC by reference into public safety regulations and have established boiler safety agencies. Boiler explosions are fairly common, as a simple internet search on the term “school boiler explosion” will reveal. We linked one such incident at the bottom of this page.
University of Michigan Central Heating Plant
The 2023 Edition of the BPVC is the current edition; though the document is divided into many sections that change quickly.
Two characteristics of the ASME standards development process are noteworthy:
Only the proposed changes to the BPVC are published. The context surrounding a given change may be lost or not seen unless access to previous version is available. Knowledgeable experts who contribute to the development of the BPVC usually have a previous version, however. Newcomers to the process may not.
The BPVC has several breakout committees; owing to its longer history in the US standards system and the gathering pace of complexity in this technology.
We unpack the ASME bibliography primarily during our Mechanical, Plumbing and Energy colloquia; and also during our coverage of large central laundry and food preparation (Kitchens 100) colloquia. See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting, open to everyone.
After moonlighting in several underground Detroit bands as a drummer, Jack White founded the White Stripes with fellow Detroit native and then-wife Meg White in 1997. He graduated from Cass Tech High School and attended Wayne State University as a dramatic arts student; thereafter receiving an honorary degree; and since awarded eight Grammy Awards, among them, for his work on the soundtrack of “Cold Mountain”.
“Seven Nation Army” is one of the most iconic and popular songs of the early 21st century and is routinely performed at athletic events at all levels in the United States. Its view count on YouTube is closing in on 1 billion. Several factors contributed to the song’s popularity:
Memorable Guitar Riff: The song is instantly recognizable for its distinctive and powerful guitar riff played by Jack White. The riff, created using a semi-acoustic guitar and an octave pedal, became an anthem for many music enthusiasts.
Catchy Chorus: The song features a catchy and memorable chorus with the repeated lyrics, “I’m gonna fight ’em off, a seven nation army couldn’t hold me back.” This repetition and simplicity added to its appeal and made it easy for listeners to sing along.
Sports and Pop Culture: “Seven Nation Army” transcended the music scene and found its way into various aspects of popular culture. The song became a favorite at sports events around the world, particularly in stadiums and arenas. Its use in sports contexts, such as football chants, contributed to its widespread recognition.
Critical Acclaim: The song received critical acclaim for its raw energy, innovative sound, and Jack White’s distinctive vocals. It won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 2004 and became a defining track for The White Stripes.
Cover Versions and Remixes: The song’s popularity was further fueled by numerous cover versions and remixes by various artists across different genres. This contributed to its longevity and continued relevance in diverse musical contexts.
As a result of these factors, “Seven Nation Army” has endured as a cultural phenomenon, maintaining its popularity long after its initial release.
I’m gonna fight ’em off
A seven nation army couldn’t hold me back
They’re gonna rip it off
Taking their time right behind my back
And I’m talking to myself at night
Because I can’t forget
Back and forth through my mind
Behind a cigarette
And the message coming from my eyes
Says “Leave it alone”
Don’t want to hear about it
Every single one’s got a story to tell
Everyone knows about it
From the Queen of England to the Hounds of Hell
And if I catch it coming back my way
I’m gonna serve it to you
And that ain’t what you want to hear
But that’s what I’ll do
And the feeling coming from my bones
Says “Find a home”
I’m going to Wichita
Far from this opera forevermore
I’m gonna work the straw
Make the sweat drip out of every pore
And I’m bleeding, and I’m bleeding, and I’m bleeding
Right before the Lord
All the words are gonna bleed from me
And I will sing no more
And the stains coming from my blood
Tell me “Go back home”
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Joseph Sutton-Holcomb from The Seattle Times writes that author Daniel James Brown got the idea to write this book when his neighbor Judy Willman said that her father, Joe Rantz, was a fan of his works and wanted to have a conversation with the author. That conversation with Joe Rantz about life during the Great Depression led to an in-depth chat about his time as a rower at the University of Washington.
Dr. Gisela Olias, Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, TUM
In some Christian traditions, especially among Catholics who observe dietary restrictions during Lent, chicory root has been used as a caffeine-free substitute for coffee. It’s commonly consumed in Louisiana and parts of Europe.
The term “Muckefuck” (pronounced “Mook-eh-fook”) is a traditional German word for coffee substitutes, particularly those made from roasted chicory root, barley, or other grains. No joke! “Muckefuck” is a real historical term in Germany, and while it may sound funny to English speakers, it has nothing to do with profanity.
The word likely comes from a mix of French and German dialects. One theory is that it originates from the French phrase “mocca faux”, meaning “fake coffee” (literally, “false mocha”).
Over time, German pronunciation altered it into “Muckefuck”, referring to coffee substitutes made from chicory, barley, or other roasted grains.
It was commonly used in Prussia, Bavaria, and other German-speaking areas, especially during times of war or economic hardship when real coffee was unavailable.
While the word may raise eyebrows for English speakers, it’s completely innocent in German! If you prefer, you can simply ask for “Chicorée Kaffee” or “Malzkaffee” in Munich to avoid any awkward moments.
January 25th Joint Meeting of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and FERC: Docket No. AD06-6-000. Given the close coupling of electric and natural gas supply with respect to power reliability, the mind boggles at the hostility of the Biden Administration to natural gas anywhere on earth. Natural gas is critical to generation plant black start capabilities and hospitals, among others.
A selection of the presentations:
“Long Term Reliability Assessment” – Presented by Mark Lauby, Senior Vice President and Chief Engineer, NERC
“Grid Reliability Overview & Updates” – Presented by David Ortiz, Director of the Office of Electric Reliability
“Status of Standards and Implementation for Cold Weather Preparedness and Applicability to Nuclear Plants” – Presented by David Huff, Electrical Engineer, Office of Electric Reliability
“Gas-Electric Coordination Since Winter Storm Uri” – Presented by Heather Polzin, Reliability Enforcement Counsel, Office of Enforcement
“Overview of Power Reactor Activities” – Presented by Andrea Kock, Deputy Office Director for Engineering, NRR
“Grid Reliability Updates” – Presented by Jason Paige, Chief, Long-Term Operations and Modernization Branch, Division of Engineering and External Hazards, NRR
“Road to Versailles at Louveciennes” 1869 Camille Pissarro
Heat tracing is a process used to maintain or raise the temperature of pipes and vessels in order to prevent freezing, maintain process temperature, or ensure that products remain fluid and flow through the system properly. Without electric heat tracing; much of the earth would be uninhabitable.
Heat tracing works by using an electric heating cable or tape that is wrapped around the pipe or vessel, and then insulated to help retain the heat. The heating cable is connected to a power source and temperature control system that maintains the desired temperature by regulating the amount of heat output from the cable. Heat tracing is commonly used in industrial applications where temperature control is critical, such as in chemical plants, refineries, and oil and gas facilities.
There are several types of heat tracing, including electric heat tracing, steam tracing, and hot water tracing, each of which have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. The selection of the appropriate type of heat tracing depends on the specific application and the required temperature range, as well as factors such as cost, maintenance, and safety considerations.
It is a surprisingly large domain with market-makers in every dimension of safety and sustainability; all of whom are bound by state and federal regulations.
Join us at 16:00 UTC with the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.
— The Catholic University of America (@CatholicUniv) January 14, 2025
There have been several recent innovations that have made it possible for construction activity to continue through cold winter months. Some of the most notable ones include:
Heated Job Site Trailers: These trailers are equipped with heating systems that keep workers warm and comfortable while they take breaks or work on plans. This helps to keep morale up and prevent cold-related health issues.
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs): ICFs are prefabricated blocks made of foam insulation that are stacked together to form the walls of a building. The foam insulation provides an extra layer of insulation to keep the building warm during cold winter months.
Warm-Mix Asphalt (WMA): WMA is a type of asphalt that is designed to be used in colder temperatures than traditional hot-mix asphalt. This allows road construction crews to work through the winter months without having to worry about the asphalt cooling and becoming unusable.
Pneumatic Heaters: These heaters are used to warm up the ground before concrete is poured. This helps to prevent the concrete from freezing and becoming damaged during the winter months.
Electrically Heated Mats: These mats are placed on the ground to prevent snow and ice from accumulating. This helps to make the job site safer and easier to work on during the winter months.
Overall, these innovations have made it possible for construction crews to work through the winter months more comfortably and safely, which has helped to keep projects on schedule and minimize delays.
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwBpic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
