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#Wittels-

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  1. A leucistic Adélie penguin rests on the sea ice with other normal-colored penguins at Cape Crozier, Antarctica. Antarctica's Cape Crozier is not a place that tourists, or even scientists, tend to go. To protect one of the largest Adélie penguin colonies on Earth, the area requires a special visiting permit. By some estimates, up to 600,000 of these 10-pound flightless birds congregate on this desolate coastline, with Mount Terror looming high in the sky. And yet, earlier this winter, on a National Geographic tourist expedition, photographer Jeff Mauritzen captured images of a penguin unlike any other: a pale animal whose black feathers seemed to have been robbed of their color. (You could see this cute photo gallery of Antarctic Penguins) A non-albino leucistic penguin "Yes, it is an Elizabethan or leucistic penguin," P. Dee Boersma, a penguin expert at the University of Washington in Seattle, USA, confirms by email. "The penguin looks faded or bleached. It's a genetic mutation," explains Boersma, a National Geographic explorer. Unlike albinism, which occurs when the body of a person or animal does not produce melanin, or pigment, leucism occurs when those pigments are prevented from distributing to all parts of the body. Elizabethan or leucistic is sometimes used interchangeably to describe the pale brown or blond coloration of penguins with this condition. Surprisingly, this is not the first time Mauritzen has encountered a leucistic penguin. "I've seen millions of penguins," says Mauritzen, who leads National Geographic photo tours. "But now I've seen two of these." In 2019, Mauritzen photographed a leucistic king penguin on South Georgia Island, which is more than 1,200 miles from the tip of South America. The strangest colored species Leucistic penguins are rare, but not unknown. In fact, penguins with this condition have been identified in several species, including chinstraps, katydids, and macaroni penguins. What's more, a 2000 study revealed that some penguin species are more likely to show leucism than others. "Adélie penguins were among the most common," says Boersma, who has also witnessed leucism in this species. Overall, gentoo penguins were the most likely to be leucistic, with an occurrence rate of 1 in 20,000. They are followed by Adélie penguins, with 1 in 114,000 animals with leucistic traits, and chinstraps, with 1 in 146,000 individuals. According to scientists, penguins with leucism lead a normal life and are not rejected by their peers or targeted by predators to a greater extent. "Nature never ceases to amaze us. For someone like me, who has been to many, many places and had many incredible wildlife encounters, seeing something like this is still so exciting and amazing," reflects Mauritzen. Link: https://www.nationalgeographicla.com/animales/2023/03/mira-a-este-insolito-pinguino-rubio-encontrado-en-la-antartida
  2. Synthetic gasoline is presented as an unbeatable option in the fight against carbon dioxide emissions. Although motorcycles are exempt from the ban on the sale of vehicles with combustion engines as of January 1, 2035 in the European Union, the sector is working on increasingly cleaner alternatives. Europe will continue to allow the sale of combustion motorcycles, mopeds and tricycles, since the Union understands that the contribution of total polluting emissions from road traffic is not relevant. In addition, according to Anesdor, the employers' association in Spain in the two-wheel sector, manufacturers are already immersed in the decarbonization process with new motorcycles complying with the demanding European anti-emissions regulation Euro 5 (in force, since 2021). , which will be complemented by the entry of Euro 5+ in 2024. biofuels for motorcycles Even so, new paths are being investigated, such as the use of synthetic fuels for motorcycles. Gasoline, kerosene and diesel obtained by thermochemical processes from coal, natural gas or biomass are known as such. Synthetic fuels are not a real invention as much as it might seem. We must thank the German scientist Friedrich Bergius, who devised them in 1927. Four years later they would be awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry by the Royal Swedish Academy. The biggest advantage that biofuels provide, compared to current fuels, is that they are carbon neutral, since they emit the same (or less) carbon than was previously collected during their manufacture. For its part, the great disadvantage is that economically, today, they are very expensive to acquire. On the other hand, with regard to its performance, one of the variables that generated the most doubts, it is showing that they are not only comparable to 98 octane gasoline, but better. This is one of the conclusions reached by the German magazine Motorrad after an exhaustive test with two BMW R 1250 GS with the same equipment and with the same driving mode. One was obtained with e-fuel and the other with 98 gasoline. 'E-fuel' vs. a 98 SuperPlus For the test, select a drive of more than 300 kilometers with five scenarios or conditions: urban areas, secondary roads at moderate speed, secondary roads at a fast pace, highway driving at a constant speed, and finally, driving at maximum speed ( allowed on some sections of the German Autobahn). Regarding consumption and performance, the bike that used the biofuel was victorious by a small margin. The bike with SuperPlus fuel used 18.53 liters to complete the 305-kilometer circuit, while the one that used biofuel consumed 18.08 liters. Thus, the average costs per 100 kilometers were, respectively, 6.08 liters and 5.93 liters. To prevent the pilot from interfering with the measurements, a second test was carried out on a dyno. For this, only one of the motorcycles was used, to which the two types of fuel were added. The performance of the biofuel bike again took the win, also achieving superior performance and better torque. The result is very enlightening, since synthetic gasoline performs somewhat better than traditional gasoline, and this is very remarkable for facing the future of this type of fuel. Also, anecdotally, the authors of the test found that the biofuel smells better as it is free of all impurities, such as long-chain hydrocarbons. Link: https://motor.elpais.com/motos/son-los-combustibles-sinteticos-el-futuro-para-las-motos/
  3. Everything you need to know about King Karim! Karim Benzema is a French professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Real Madrid. He was born on December 19, 1987 in Lyon, France, and began his football career at a young age. Benzema is of Algerian descent and his parents are soon from Algeria. Benzema began his professional career at Lyon, where he quickly established himself as one of the young promises of French football. He helped Lyon win the Ligue 1 title four times in a row (2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08) and was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year in 2008. In 2009, Benzema moved to Real Madrid in an operation valued at around 35 million euros, where he has since become one of the most successful and iconic players in the club's history. Throughout his career, Benzema has been known for his impressive goal-scoring abilities, technical skills, ability to drop deeper and link up with midfielders and physique. He is an excellent dribbler and is capable of creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Benzema has won numerous national and international titles with Real Madrid, including five UEFA Champions League titles and four La Liga titles. He is currently the second top scorer in the history of Real Madrid, with 342 goals, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo. In addition to his success at club level, Benzema had also been a key player for the French national team. He has represented France at several major international tournaments, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008 and 2021, scoring 37 goals for his country. He announced his retirement from the national team after the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Off the pitch, Benzema is known for his reserved and calm personality. He rarely speaks to the media and prefers to keep his private life out of the public eye. Benzema is a devout Muslim and observes Ramadan, and has been involved in various charitable causes over the years, including children's education and cancer research. Benzema has also faced controversy throughout his career. In 2015, he was embroiled in a blackmail scandal that led to his being banned from the French national team for several years. However, he was eventually reinstated to the team in 2021. Benzema is generally highly regarded as one of the best soccer players of his generation and a true icon of the sport. The fastest goal in the history of the Clásico During Real Madrid's record-breaking 2011-12 season, in which they won the league with 100 points and 121 goals, Benzema was responsible for another record. The then 23-year-old scored the opening goal 21 seconds after kick-off, which became the fastest goal ever scored in a Clásico, a record that still stands today. I could have played for the Algerian national team Benzema was born to Hafid Benzema and Wahida Djebbara, who were French citizens of Algerian descent. Given his Argentine roots, the Argentine Football Federation tried to convince Benzema to represent the Algerian national team, but his heart leaned towards representing Les Bleus. "It is the country of my parents, it is in my heart," said the Frenchman in an interview with RMC in 2006. But hey, from a sporting point of view, it is true that I will play for the French team. He will always be available for the French team. "It's more on the sporting side, because Algeria is my country, you see, my parents are from there. France, on the other hand... it's more of a sporting thing, that's all." Benzema was a ball boy at Lyon When he was just eight years old, Benzema started playing soccer for his local club, Bron Terraillon. When he scored twice against the Lyon Youth Academy in an Under-10 game, he began to attract the attention of Lyon club officials. Lyon officials visited it personally and convinced Bron Terraillon to sell it. Serge Santa Cruz, the club's then president, refused to sell it. The deal was finalized after Lyon representatives spoke with Benzema's parents. And that was the time when Benzema worked as a ball boy in Lyon's senior team matches. Without fear of expressing his opinion in front of Lyon's referents Benzema had to communicate with the Lyon first team players who were already established when he was promoted to the first team. Early squad players Lyon had at that time included Florent Malouda, Sylvian Wiltord, Eric Abidal and Michael Essien, among others. Benzema was the butt of jokes when he first met these players, which he did not find very amusing. He then declared, "Don't laugh, I'm here to take your place." And he kept his word. Benzema made 148 appearances for Les Gones, scoring 66 goals and helping Lyon continue their dominance in France at the time. Record an assist on his Lyon debut Benzema made his debut with the Lyon first team on January 15, 2005, in a Ligue 1 match against Metz. The then 17-year-old came on in the 77th minute for Pierre-Alain Frau, with the tie yet to be broken. After Juninho opened the scoring in the 84th minute, Benzema gave Bryan Bergougnoux a push, who made it 2-0 in the 86th minute. Coincidentally, both Bergougnoux and Benzema came off the bench at the same time. Scored on his debut for France On November 9, 2006, Raymond Domenech granted Benzema his first call-up with the senior team for the next friendly match against Greece, which would be played on November 15. However, an injury while playing for Lyon forced him to withdraw from the squad. He had to wait more than four months for his France debut, which came against Austria during their UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. Benzema started the match as a substitute. At half-time, the striker came on for Djibril Cissé and scored the only goal of the game, from a free kick by Samir Nasri. Two of his brothers were also soccer players. Benzema, the third youngest child, grew up in Bron, an eastern suburb of Lyon, with eight other siblings. Gressy and Sabri, his younger brothers, were soccer players. While Gressy was forced to leave football due to injuries in 2012, Sabri was reported to have a similar playing style to Karim and could have made a name for himself had he made the leap from semi-pro football rather than resign. Zinedine Zidane advised Benzema to lose weight Upon his return to Real Madrid as sports director for the 2011-12 season, Zidane and Laurent Blanc advised Benzema to lose weight. He traveled to Merano, Italy, to a high performance clinic where he received weight loss therapy. The clinic stage was finally successful because the striker weighed eight kilos less when he showed up for the preseason. Benzema carried out physical exercise to increase his muscle mass during his stay at the clinic. In preseason, the striker was impressive, scoring eight goals in seven games. For his pre-season exploits, José Mourinho selected him as the team's first striker. Mourinho was later given credit for Benzema's transformation, but he refused to take full ownership, instead crediting the front. "Karim now sees football the way I see football," said the Portuguese coach before the start of the season. Second oldest player to win the Ballon d'Or. Following his exploits in the 2021-22 season, where he won the Pichichi Trophy and was the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League, as well as winning both La Liga and the UCL, Benzema was awarded the 2022 Ballon d'Or on October 17, 2022. That made him the first Frenchman since Zidane (1998) to win this individual award. In doing so, he became the oldest player since Stanley Matthews to win the Ballon d'Or. Matthews won the award at the first Ballon d'Or ceremony in 1956, at the age of 41 years and 10 months. When Benzema won the award, he was 34 years and 302 days old. Oldest player to score a Champions League hat-trick When Real Madrid visited Stamford Bridge on 6 April 2022 to face Chelsea in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, Benzema scored a hat-trick to become the oldest player to score a treble in the most specific club competition in Europe. 34 years and 108 days. Most assists in the history of Real Madrid Benzema is already the second top scorer in the history of Real Madrid, with 342 goals in 634 games. However, according to Transfermarkt, he also has 164 assists, more than any other player in the club's history. Coincidentally, while Ronaldo is the top scorer with 450 goals in 438 games, he trails Benzema on the assists list with 130. Most appearances for Real Madrid by a non-Spanish player. With 634 appearances, Benzema is the record for Real Madrid appearances as a foreigner. They are followed by Marcelo and Roberto Carlos, with 546 and 527 appearances, respectively. Most goals scored by a French player in history. Benzema is one of the best, if not the best, French player to ever set foot on a soccer field. However, when he does hang up his boots, he will be recorded as the greatest French goalscorer of all time, ahead of Thierry Henry. The 35-year-old has scored 445 senior goals in 879 appearances, 66 of those goals for Lyon, 342 for Real Madrid and 37 for France. His name is in the Guinness Book of World Records. Benzema holds the Guinness World Record for scoring in 18 consecutive seasons in the UEFA Champions League, starting with the 2005-06 season. Lionel Messi is the other player with whom he shares a record. Among the very few players who have worn the numbers 9, 10 and 11 Before Benzema arrived at Real Madrid, he wore the number 10 on his back at Lyon. When he joined Los Blancos in 2009, he was given number 11 as Ronaldo played under number 9. However, when club legend Raúl left the club the next summer, Cristiano chose his preferred number 7, after which Benzema got number 9. The French striker has been Real Madrid's number 9, both figuratively and literally ever since. Benzema has not yet had surgery on his injured finger During a La Liga match against Real Betis on 13 January 2019, Benzema was on the receiving end of a collision with Betis defender Marc Bartra. The incident resulted in Benzema breaking the little finger on his right hand and he was advised to undergo surgery. However, he was also told that there would be a two-month recovery period. Faced with Real Madrid's problems during the 2018-19 season, Benzema decided not to have surgery to continue playing. The Frenchman underwent surgery after the end of 2018-19, but did not finish his rehabilitation, which prevented his finger from healing completely. “Yes, they operated on me, but when they operate you have to be off work for two months,” he said at a press conference in October 2021. "I hurt [my finger] again, but I don't have time to stop and have another operation, so I wear the bandage when I play." Benzema plays with the blindfold on to this day, and many believe it to be a good luck charm. Link: https://www.goal.com/es-co/listados/17-curiosidades-sobre-karim-benzema/bltc8d559c4cf369fae#cs5bb5fbe14f13b95d
  4. Many of the applications and services that they use on a daily basis have hidden functions that provide enormous added value. For example, Telegram has a bunch of tricks to use the app in ways you may not have even thought of, one of them being a "hidden" translator. A few days ago the 9.4 update to Telegram arrived, which added, among other functions and improvements, an automatic translator for chats. This is great, but it is an exclusive feature for premium users. Of course, do not worry because the Telegram translator that we show you now is not automatic, but it is free and very easy to use. Before translating texts, you will have to navigate a little through the menus to activate the option that the translator appeared. All you have to do is follow these steps: On the main Telegram screen, click on the three lines on the top right and go to 'Settings'. You scroll a bit and select the 'Language' section. Here you can change the language of the app, obviously, but what we are interested in is activating the 'Show translate button' button. Once this is done, in 'Do not translate' you select your native language (why do you want to translate your own language into your language?). Done, with this you will have activated the translator option in Telegram. Now, all you have to do is copy a text in another language in a private chat or start talking to people of another language and click on the message. The typical options to respond, copy, fix and, in addition, to translate will appear. You select it and that's it, the translation appears in your language. From what we have been testing, it is quite faithful, so you will have no problem understanding what is said to you in another language. Now, what happens if what you want is to send messages in another language? Here who is going to help you is Google's own keyboard, the Gboard. All you have to do is: On the keyboard, click on the three options dots at the top right to display a menu of actions. You click on 'Translate'. You can let it detect the language and select the language you want to translate the message into. You write... and that's it, you already have the converted message ready to send. In this case I think the translation is worse, but I don't think the person on the other side of the chat will have trouble understanding you. So, you see, two super-easy options to use Telegram as if it were a translation application that, to tell you the truth, was very useful to me a few months ago on a trip to Italy. Link: https://hoyentec.com/tecnologia/telegram-demuestra-sus-intenciones-de-competir-con-google-translate/
  5. The initiative will promote the placement of one million credit operations for po[CENSORED]r productive sectors. content The Ministry of Finance today launched the "CREO, a credit to get to know each other" strategy, which seeks to promote the access of the po[CENSORED]r economy to formal financing, promoting this sector and replacing the 'drop by drop'. Also read: Entrepreneur, this is how you fulfill your dreams with a grant of up to $93 million The initiative, designed with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), was presented at the Po[CENSORED]r Economy Credit Innovation and Inclusion Forum. The Minister of Finance and Public Credit, José Antonio Ocampo, described the strategy as inclusive, aiming to "close historical inequalities and generate accessible and flexible financing." "As a key lever to promote the generation of capacities, financial well-being and the transformation of the living conditions of the po[CENSORED]r economy," said Minister Ocampo. What does the strategy consist of? "It aims to meet the financing needs of small-scale productive units, traditionally neglected, throughout the country and in all sectors of the economy, and to replace the onerous informal sources that prevail," said a statement from the Ministry of Finance. The credit inclusion strategy of the po[CENSORED]r economy (EP) "CREO, a credit to get to know each other", has the objective of offering a solution to the financing needs of micro-businesses, which use informal sources to request money loans. According to the DANE Microbusiness Survey (EMICRON), presented by the Ministry of Finance, at the end of 2022, of the 5.3 million microbusinesses in the country, only 30% have formal financing. According to the data presented, one in four micro-businesses that applied for a loan did so through the 'drop by drop', this number has been growing since the pandemic. “Itinerant businesses, shopkeepers, recyclers and low-income agricultural producers need access to financing and develop financial capacities to grow their businesses or productive projects. Many of them are at the mercy of the 'drop by drop'. For this reason, we seek to offer different alternatives that become the gateway to the financial system,” said Paola Arias, director of Banca de las Oportunidades. What is a microbusiness? According to DANE, they are an "economic unit with a maximum of 9 employed persons who carry out a productive activity of goods or services, in order to obtain an income, acting as owner or lessee of the means of production." Some of its characteristics are that they are owners or holders of the raw materials, tools, equipment, machinery, vehicles, manufactured products, and facilities, with which they carry out their business. In addition to being responsible for getting their customers, they can be operators by a single person and are responsible for the debt or obligation contracted in the process of production, sale or provision of the service that generates income. "The economic activities carried out by micro-businesses range from small neighborhood shops to specialized consulting services, including the liberal professions, street vendors, and clothing inside the home," details DANE. Therefore, your economic activity can be carried out from any place, home, premises, door-to-door, etc. You are interested in: National Development Plan: axes of the road map of the Petro Government Pillars of the initiative "CREO, a credit to know each other" The initiative is headed by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit; the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism; the Bicentennial Group; and the Bank of Opportunities. "I BELIEVE, a credit to know each other" is consolidated by means of four columns or central axes: Opportunities to access credit for those who have traditionally been underserved. Provide access to credit to those who have not participated in the financial system, promoting their inclusion and giving them visibility. For this, the entities of the Bicentennial Group will offer: Silent guarantees aimed at improving risk management. Concessional financing, whose purpose is to promote operational innovations that promote access to resources under favorable conditions. An incentive for good payment, which promotes healthy and responsible financial habits among the beneficiaries. "Throughout this first year, the progressive implementation of incentives will be carried out in 100,000 credit operations," explains the Ministry of Finance in a statement. Promotion of group and associative financing methodologies. Promotes the financing of po[CENSORED]r groups as a key element to access resources that enhance the productive activities of the po[CENSORED]r economy, fostering relations between communities or groups that share common interests and objectives. Management and accompaniment in the territory of the po[CENSORED]tion: Links the po[CENSORED]tion with the supply of financial service providers. "To this end, the Government hopes to launch the po[CENSORED]r economy fairs in April, which bring together the supply of products and services and provide advice and economic support to Colombians who live in the most remote areas of the country," the statement said. Generation of financial capacities of the po[CENSORED]r economy: "The Bicentennial Group will launch an awareness program to promote formal credit and publicize the disadvantages of informal financing mechanisms," he describes. As well as the benefits of having credits from the formal financial system, and the new products or services that will serve to promote the inclusion of the po[CENSORED]r economy. financing models “The cornerstone of the strategy is public banking, which is part of the Bicentennial Group. Bancóldex, Finagro-FAG and FNG, in an articulated and coordinated manner, will activate a package of financial and non-financial services to leverage po[CENSORED]r productive credits”, he points out. According to Minister Ocampo's presentation at the Forum, the aim is to promote three financing models: Individual: facilitates the entry into the financial system for the first time of microentrepreneurs who have not had access to formal credit. Associative: granted by a cooperative or other association of merchants or producers, which encourages the cooperativeness of small entrepreneurs, promoting their development. Group credit: small producers that create associations for credit fines, despite not having a formal association as a cooperative. Link: https://www.canalinstitucional.tv/te-interesa/gobierno-lanza-estrategia-creditos-economia-po[CENSORED]r
  6. In the po[CENSORED]r Latin American, Caribbean and other latitudes musical chronicle, the love and prominence of animals as companions on the road, as friends and as a source of inspiration is absolutely visible. In the po[CENSORED]r Latin American, Caribbean and other latitudes musical chronicle, the love and prominence of animals as companions on the road, as friends and as a source of inspiration is absolutely visible. Even the human being often assumes names of animals as names and this speaks of a deep relationship of affection with those companions, and although abusers and people who abandon their pets when they know they are sick or when they no longer care for them have also been known. They are useful, or they kill animals to be photographed with their corpses, (especially monarchs and hierarchs) they are not the majority. There are legal rights for animals and almost all countries have laws to protect free and deep fauna, with special attention to wildlife and domestic animals. In these times there is a greater awareness of the animal issue. Defense and protection organizations, rescue groups, promoters of vegetarianism and veganism, institutions to attend to their needs, the prohibition of fights (where humans always intervene), cockfights, dogs and bullfights in numerous nations, all of this speaks of an encouraging and a better view of it. Affection is also visible in literature and at these moments one could evoke Los Motivos del Lobo, by Rubén Darío, Platero y yo, by Juan Ramón Jiménez, El Ruiseñor y la Rosa, by Oscar Wilde, the deep and true story of Modoc, the Elephant, by Ralph Helfer, The Man Who Loved Dogs, by Leonardo Paduro, The Steppenwolf, by Hermann Hesse, The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, The Elephant's Journey, by José Saramago or The Raven, by Edgar Allan Poe. Among others. It cannot be forgotten that several of the most traditional Venezuelan stories are those of Tio Tigre and Tio Conejo without forgetting that the Venezuelan State publishing house is called El Perro y la Rana. All of this speaks of the sensitivity of the creators who combine the trade with social duty and the sobering metaphor that tries to tell us a thousand times that they are fellow travelers with rights on the planet we share, a planet that is dying not for them but for us. . In short, we have the responsibility (since we have the fifth finger, reasoning, sensitivity and soul) to watch over them from love and solidarity. In many po[CENSORED]r neighborhoods and areas throughout Latin America, there is, for example, the figure of the community dog. They arrive in an inhabited area, are fed and cared for by all the neighbors (including sterilization) and become collective and vigilant pets that alert us to the arrival of strangers. In the same way there is the figure of the community cat. Parrots, macaws, huge iguanas, Cristofué and azulejos, little dirty-faced birds and vultures, traveling free. They don't need a passport. They have not fallen into the trap... visualizing music There are themes, songs that name or cite an animal in their title. There are children, there are in genres like Salsa, and in the Son montuno, there are blows from Lara in Venezuela, and oriental amusements, and joropos from the plains, there are boleros and Guarani airs, in the ranchera song, in the zamba and in the joint, in ballads and meringues and even in habaneras and chachachá. We share some titles and examples. the death of the animal This is a song by the doctor and composer, as well as an excellent guitarist and arranger, Henry Martínez, from Venezuela. From a very young age, he leaned towards the strings in his native Maracay and fortunately found himself in the bosom of a family that knew how to instill music. Henry Martínez met the singer Lilia Vera through the great creator Luis Laguna. This song was composed in 1983 for Lilia Vera to interpret it. "Don't kill that animal/ because they kill writing/ songs/ painting, poems and love/ It is the one that defeated the breeze/ the night, the rain, the moon and the sun" like the cicada It is a song written and composed by the Argentinean María Elena Walsh. The song was first released in 1973 and became an iconic anthem for democracy and freedom. The piece has also been linked to the performance by Mercedes Sosa, who first recorded it in 1978. "So many times they erased me/So many times I disappeared/I went alone and crying to my own funeral/I tied a knot in my handkerchief but then I forgot It wasn't the only time/ and I kept singing/ singing to the sun like a cicada after a year underground/ like a survivor/ coming back from the war" Link: https://www.telesurtv.net/telesuragenda/musica-animales-protagonismos-20230328-0022.html
  7. The Kawasaki ZX-R4 and ZX-4RR represent much more than two mid-displacement sportbikes. It is the revival of an old era but full of mythical motorcycles: the era of 400 cc four-cylinder sports cars that were born in Japan and spread among young (and not so young) bikers in the '90s. It has not yet reached our streets or circuits but there is already expectation for the return of a myth, a symbol. Disappoint or succeed, now we had not seen more than the brushstrokes of the presentation ... We needed to see it run and scream with that four-cylinder rusting up to the rev limit that we now know what it is. Capable of marking a 100 to 200 km/h in just over 13 seconds The Asian market will be the first to taste the new ZX-4R and ZX-4RR. In fact, some local dealerships are already delivering the first units there. In the United States they are ready to disembark... And meanwhile, in Europe we still don't have a specific arrival date, although according to Kawasaki it would be after the summer. There are only a few months left, but now we can go a step further and see the 400cc sports car roaring on the track. The merit is not small: it is the only Japanese motorcycle with four cylinders and less than 500 cc that only China stands up to with its Kove 400 RR. Let's remember that the Ninja's engine is newly built: four cylinders in line, double overhead camshaft, liquid cooling and a maximum power of 77 CV. Thanks to the Ram-Air air pressurization system, it is capable of reaching up to 80 CV when going at high speed. It is limited to the A2 license (and the ZX-4RR too). The brand has said that it exceeds 15,000 rpm, but has not specified the range. It will come in two versions: the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R SE and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR. The first differs by having the colors of the WSBK Kawasaki Racing Team, preload adjustment on the front fork, dual KQS semi-automatic gearbox, smoked screen and USB power socket. The second gets all of that plus a Showa BFRC-lite rear shock, the same one that's mounted on the ZX-10R. And yes, it is confirmed: it will spin up to more than 15,000 rpm! In the latest video published by the Akashi brand we can see not only the maximum speed or top speed that the ZX-4R reaches, but also the maximum revs it reaches. On the other hand, it is capable of reaching 253 km/h. The ZX-4R is capable of 100 to 200 km/h in 15.6 seconds. A very decent speed considering that rivals like the Yamaha R7 reach 227 km/h. He only needed to put fifth gear and reach the cut on the straight of the Sentul circuit to prove it. Link: https://www.motorpasionmoto.com/deportivas/sinfonico-asi-rapido-corren-chillan-nuevas-kawasaki-zx-4r-zx-4rr-a-253-km-h-quinta
  8. Chambers of Tourism, hotels and restaurants are also seeking dialogue to lift the sector affected by the pandemic, strikes and crime outbreak. On the carnival and Easter holidays, a VAT reduction from 12% to 8% was applied. For the sector, this measure has not been enough. His proposal is a 0% rate for national and international tourists. Comply with credits offered and the refinancing of arrears with the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS) and the Internal Revenue Service (SRI), as well as that the value added tax (VAT) be 0% for tourists, are part of the requests made directly to President Guillermo Lasso by the tourism sector after three years that considering an ordeal, due to two violent national strikes and the pandemic, to which is added the criminal outbreak, all of which has caused economic damage worse than the effects of the three wars together in 1941, 1981 and 1995. They also ask for a reprogramming of credits with public and private banks for ten years. "The pandemic devastated the sector's cash flow and then uncontrolled insecurity as of October 2021, beginning with the massacres and loss of control of the country's prisons: (this) caused demand to fall in the middle of the recovery period . The violent strike of June 2022, with criminal actions never seen before, does nothing more than attack what little will remain of tourist businesses”, indicate the representatives of the chambers of tourism, hotels and restaurants in a letter addressed to the president. The consequences have been to reduce operations, close stores, terminate labor relations with collaborators and fall into very low levels of liquidity without being able to meet costs and liabilities. That the public force effectively protects and defends, as is its constitutional duty, the life, assets and activities of companies in the sector and their clients. That it has the highest permanent foreign advisory services, in terms of security, that its troops be increased, even if it is contracting the private sector for this purpose, while the selection and training processes manage to complete the number of uniformed personnel. That the credits offered by the Government be delivered as working capital and salvage, campaign proposal. The tourism sector indicates that during 2020 and 2021 it lost $4.5 billion and calculates that unemployment and criminal outbreaks have meant at least $250 million more in losses. “It is unthinkable that the sector does not have direct preferential credit for its recovery. The small percentage of companies that have managed to access them are paying rates of 11% to 16%“. Require the SRI, IESS and other State institutions that, without restrictions, complied with the provisions of the promotion law issued in November 2021 and refinance the arrears of the years 2020 and 2021, and that the range of dates be extended to include the first half of 2022. Carry out a national and international communication campaign through the Ministry of Tourism to recover the image of the destination, now devastated. The current tourism promotion budget for all markets is in the mid seven figures, less than what most of the 50 largest companies in the country spend on national advertising. The rescheduling of credits with public and private banks, and other amounts owed to state institutions, for no less than ten years, a time in which they hope that the sector will recover from the three worst years in its history. That 0% VAT be decreed for all foreign tourists and for nationals, in their consumption and purchases, including restaurants, hotels and tourist packages. “The emergency that the sector is experiencing must be considered, which has faced economic losses (...), without receiving any help from the government sector, but rather the increase in taxes on its clients and its operations. The letter is signed by the president of the Hotel Federation of Ecuador (Ahotec), André Obiol; the president of the National Federation of Provincial Chambers (Fenacaptur), Holbach Muñeton, and the vice president in charge of the Guayas Restaurant Association (Asorest), Carla Colombara. In the letter, sent on July 11, they also request an appointment with the president and the competent authorities to personally expose the situation, but as of July 20 they have not received a response. Link: https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/economia/iva-del-0-para-todos-los-turistas-uno-de-los-seis-pedidos-que-hace-sector-turistico-al-presidente-guillermo-lasso-nota/
  9. An investigation based on the study of the fossilized inner ears of the ancestors of mammals suggests that endothermy in this type of vertebrate could have originated in the late Triassic, about 233 million years ago The poet Jesús Lizano said in one of his most po[CENSORED]r poems that, wherever he looked, they only saw mammals. Mammals, the animal class to which we belong to Homo sapiens, respond to the description of being vertebrate animals; amniotes, that is, in whose embryonic development 4 envelopes are developed that protect the embryo; they have milk-producing mammary glands with which they feed the young; and perhaps that characteristic that has guaranteed mammals high rates of evolutionary success: endothermy. In simple terms, endothermy is the ability of some animals to maintain their body temperature without resorting to an outside heat source. That is, endothermic animals can maintain a high body temperature, between 31°C and 45°C, as a product of their metabolism. In contrast, ectotherms, or cold-blooded animals, rely on ambient temperatures to regulate their temperature. Thus, compared to ectothermic animals, endothermy has allowed mammals to have a more active behavior, in addition to a greater aerobic capacity, to travel greater distances or reach higher speeds, albeit at the expense of higher energy costs. Consequently, mammals and birds have been able to occupy a wide variety of ecological niches for which other vertebrates do not have the ability to compete, so in a certain way, endothermy has been one of the guarantors of the evolutionary success of mammals after the extinction of the dinosaurs. However, both the emergence and evolution of endothermy remains, to this day, one of the great unsolved mysteries of paleontology. Now, however, to try to find out when the jump occurred in which mammals began to regulate their body temperature autonomously, the team of scientists led by the researcher from the University of Lisbon, Ricardo Araújo, has studied the ear internal of various ancestors of modern mammals. The ear canals contain a fluid called endolymph, whose viscosity changes depending on the animal's temperature, and which is essential for motor coordination, navigation and spatial awareness. As the authors explain, the increase in body temperature during the ectothermic-endothermic transition of the ancestors of mammals would have decreased the viscosity of the endolymph, which would negatively affect the biomechanics of the semicircular canals, causing this mechanism to have maintained a similar performance, these conduits were to increase in size. In Araújo's words "to maintain optimal functionality during this transition, morphological changes in the membranous ducts and oscillating bone canals would have been necessary". Thus, to track these changes, the authors developed an indicator based on the morphology of the bone canal, which they refer to as the thermomotility index, and which they studied in 56 extinct species of sipnapsids, the group of reptiles from which the first mammals would evolve. The results suggest that endothermy evolved abruptly during the late Triassic period in early mammalomorphic reptiles, accompanied by a sharp increase in body temperature of between 5 °C and 9 °C, as well as an improvement in aerobic and anaerobic capacities. Link: https://www.nationalgeographic.com.es/naturaleza/cuando-se-convirtieron-mamiferos-animales-sangre-caliente_18554
  10. At the beginning of the sixties Derbi oriented its future towards the sports world and the youngest segment Bike of the day: Derbi 74 Gran Sport MOTORCYCLE OF THE DAY: DERBI 74 GRAN SPORT At the beginning of the sixties Derbi oriented its future towards the sports world and the youngest segment 0   7/20/2022   MIGUEL SÁNCHEZ   50 TO 124 CC, CLASSICS, DERBY, BIKE OF THE DAY 1 A- Decrease the font size. A Reset font size. A+Increase font size. READING TIME: 4 MIN. Lately we have talked a lot about how Montesa and Bultaco adapted to the paradigm shift produced in the motorcycle market from 1957. All this from the presentation with financing and demolition prices of the SEAT 600. However, there were also more brands that managed to survive those years of change. In addition, without the need to resort to the foray into the North American market. In that sense, Derbi was one of the most symbolic examples, with the Derbi 74 Gran Sport as the main reference in this process. The mount with which the Catalan brand was able to combine sportsmanship with a young audience. But let's go by parts. To begin with, Derbi entered the world of mopeds in 1949. The year in which the SRS moped began a long journey based on making po[CENSORED]r low displacement models with daily mobility in mind. In fact, the truth is that beyond this there were not many business possibilities in the Spain of the autarky. In fact, the highest segments were covered by Lube and, those found just below, by the founded Montesa. Beyond this was a wide range of small manufacturers - often dependent on Hispano-Villiers engines - with practical mounts ranging up to eighth of a litre. However, as the economy of the Franco regime was opening up to the rhythm dictated by the alliance with the North Americans, the possibilities of consumption exercised by the new middle classes were changing the face of the country. Not only in the environment such as the exodus from towns to cities, but also in everything related to mobility. Thus, by the early 1960s the motorcycle was no longer the only possible transport option for millions of workers as it was a simple whim for the young or for the weekend. A vehicle related not to necessity, but to the pure pleasure of sportsmanship and leisure on two wheels. Derbi 74 Gran Sport, changing course At the beginning of the sixties Derbi already began to glimpse the situation, aware that only brands capable of adapting to these new market niches marked by sportsmanship would survive. In this way, in 1961 it began to launch models with engines of up to 74 cubic centimeters defined by lightness – frames with a single central tube were used – and sporty character – the driving position was arranged much more prone than expected in the cars. models designed for comfort on trips or day to day – . However, it was necessary to go a step further. Why? Well, because the only way to stand out in the field of access sports is to show a radical character with which to counteract the lack of vigorous mechanics. In other words: if I don't have a high-performance engine because I'm moving in the most po[CENSORED]r ranges, the only way to offer sportiness is to increase the level of sensations by going to a pure type of driving. No add-ons. In this way, before the middle of the sixties, the Derbi 74 Gran Sport was presented, where everything had been eliminated to create a frame that, more than muscle, what it shows is pure nerve. Regarding the mechanics, a single-cylinder two-stroke with 64 cubic centimeters capable of delivering up to 5 CV was chosen, which was later raised to 8 CV by the 75 Gran Sport. All this without counting the countless tricks carried out by the youngsters with pilot fickleness who represented the horrible public buyer in the history of the Derbi 74 Gran Sport. A perfect breeding ground for Derbi to finally set out to create its own racing department. An event that occurred in 1962, beginning not only with the creation of an official team but also with that of a workshop where a multitude of motorcycles were prepared in short series to supply the pilot-customer. A way of working that perfectly illustrated the manufacturing of the Derbi 49 races-customer. Protagonist of a text that is about to fall on our head, although for now we are left with the memory of that mount with which the brand finally united sportsmanship and the young market to fully position itself in a new and successful commercial route. The Derby 74 Gran Sport. Link: https://motos.espirituracer.com/motodeldia/moto-del-dia-derbi-74-gran-sport/
  11. Hispanic confidence in the US economy plummeted in the second quarter of the year, falling from 92% to 78.3%, largely due to "rising inflation," according to a Florida Atlantic University survey. (FAU) disclosed this Monday. This deterioration in the economic outlook is due to "fears of escalating inflation and an impending recession," according to the Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Survey Initiative (FAU BEPI) at the FAU School of Business. . "Hispanic consumers have remained relatively optimistic about their financial situation, despite continued inflation, but patience is beginning to wear thin," said Mónica Escaleras, director of FAU BEPI. For Escaleras, it is evident that "the high inflation of four decades and the constant predictions of an imminent recession are damaged by the opinion of Hispanics about their personal finances and the US economy in general." When it comes to Hispanics' views on their personal finances, only 56% said they are better off financially than a year ago, down from 65% in the first quarter and 59% in the fourth quarter of 2021. Additionally, 71% "expect to be more optimistic about their financial situation in a year," compared to 73% in Q1, 70% in Q2 2021, and 74% in Q2 2021. Only 37% think this is a good time to buy big-ticket items, down from 50% in the first quarter and 53% in the fourth quarter of 2021. And just 43% said they expect the country to experience good business conditions in 2023, compared to 55% in the first quarter and 51% in the fourth and second quarters of 2021. Regarding the long-term economic outlook, 51% expect business conditions to be favorable in five years, compared to 61% in the first quarter, 53% in the fourth of 2021 and 59% in the same quarter of last year. The consumer price index rose 9.1% last June from a year earlier, meaning inflation rose at a rate not seen since 1981, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last week. . . The FAU survey is based on a sample of Hispanic adults collected between April 1 and June 30. The margin of error was +/- 4.41 percentage points. EFE (I) Link: https://www.larepublica.ec/blog/2022/07/18/confianza-hispanos-economia-eeuu-cae-notablemente-inflacion/
  12. More massive and robust, the new species of tardigrade found in Kyrgyzstan confirms the tolerance to adverse environments that these microscopic animals have. Viewed under a microscope, tardigrades are plump creatures with 4 rows of short legs. Because of the way they move—almost clumsily—the scientific community refers to them colloquially as 'water bears'. depending on the species, its body is between 0.05 and 1.2 mm long, at most. Despite their minuscule dimensions, the more than 300 species of tardigrades recorded on the planet have one characteristic in common. All have proven to be strongly resistant to drought, lack of food and cosmic radiation. Recently, one more species was added to the list: they were called Cornechiniscus mystacinus, a much more robust genus than the others, native to the highest peaks of Central Asia. What are tardigrades and where do they live? Colored scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a water bear, or tardigrade (phylum Tardigrada) / Getty Images Tardigrades are segmented microscopic animals that inhabit aquatic environments and humid environments. Some of their favorite places to live are mosses and lichens, for example. They are also known as 'extremophiles', due to their extraordinary ability to survive in precarious conditions for many years. On average, explains Science News, a tardigrade can live up to 60 years. It can go half its life without food or water, and it will still function properly. And what's more: they are capable of withstanding 1000 times more radiation than any other living being on Earth, including human beings. For this reason, they have been the subject of scientific study for long-term space travel. Recently, a research team from the Department of Invertebrate Evolution at the Jagiellonian University in Poland found a new species of tardigrade, never before analyzed in history. Larger and more robust, their appearance confirms the multiplicity of genera that the species currently has. How are tardigrades found in Central Asia? The new species of tardigrade was named Cornechiniscus mystacinus. Researchers at the university in Poland say that they are "mainly found in the mountains surrounding Tashkömür in the Jalalabat region of northern Kyrgyzstan," according to a statement. The study was published. In addition to documenting the existence of Cornechiniscus mystacinus, this finding sheds new light on the hypothesis that the genus originates from Central Asia. It appears that the species is sexually dimorphic, with females being smaller while males are slimmer. Like other tardigrade species, they live on lichens and mosses exposed to prolonged periods of drought, the authors explain. Also, it may be found on every continent except Australasia and Antarctica. Link: https://www.ngenespanol.com/animales/encuentran-una-nueva-especie-de-tardigrado-en-kirguistan/
  13. It only won one race, but it was the fundamental one to consolidate the image of the performance CB750 in America. A race. A victory. A stellar moment. With this presentation card holder, many fans remember the 1970 Honda CR750 Daytona. One of the most important motorcycles for the projection of the Japanese brand in the North American market, it is also an advertising lesson even with the doubts and reservations put by the Japanese directive in the development of the project. Thus, it is best to start at the beginning, understanding step by step the basic milestones that defined this competition motorcycle capable of winning what, at the time, was the most recognized and mediatic race of the entire North American calendar. Let's go to them. First of all we have to place ourselves in the mid-1960s. Moment in which Honda has already become the largest manufacturer of mopeds and motorcycles in the world market, growing exponentially in places with consolidated mechanical industries. In this way, the urban plots -but also sports and recreational- of the Japanese company manage to be hegemonic in the United Kingdom and even the United States. Something really striking, since both countries had absolutely consolidated motorcycling brands and traditions. At this point, the question was clear. How they did it? Well, the truth is that answering this question would not spill rivers of ink totally inappropriate for the brief texts that characterize this section, dominated by wanting to offer an accessible and general tour of historical motorcycling. However, we can summarize it in the sum of several factors, among which the excellent quality/price ratio of the Honda frames stands out, as well as the commitment to the new urban and daily segments. In addition, an ambitious advertising strategy was carried out in which these motorcycles appeared as reliable, well-executed and extremely pleasant and even friendly options. A trend that could no longer be the only one from 1968, when the launch of the powerful and powerful CB750 fully launched a Honda into the exclusive commercial niche of superbikes. Honda CR750 Daytona 1970, an ephemeral history We'll see. Although a manufacturer can move in the most performance segments without paying any attention to racing, this is still a minority. In fact, to illustrate this with a well-known brand, we have to leave motorcycling to enter motorsport. There we find a Lamborghini, which has never wanted to enter the most recognized competitions despite basing its activity on the manufacture of supercars. A vision that Honda did not share during the sixties, at least in Europe. After all, since the beginning of the decade, the Japanese manufacturer had beaten the copper in the most prestigious European circuits. But what happened to America? After all, there his sales grew exponentially. However, Honda did not see it clear to enter the very special North American competitions, being able to allow it since, in any case, its range was far from performance. However, when the CB750 appeared in 1968 with its four cylinders and more than sporty behavior, things had to change, necessarily. In this way, by 1969 the race director – highly specialized in making small private teams win against the official ones – Bob Hansen began to press Honda to enter the North American calendar with a model based on the new and successful Honda superbike. the brand. And well, he had so much persuasive power that he finally succeeded. Of course, it should be under the leadership of Honda Europe, which would move a team of pilots and technicians to the United States to take charge of everything. In fact, the inclusion of a local driver among the four planned was the maximum concession given by Honda to Bob Hansen. That pilot's name was Dick Mann. One of the most experienced and successful motorcyclists in the country, who a priori could not do much against the youngest and most energetic British assisted by Japanese mechanics. And yes, let's underline the "a priori". Because when we arrived at the 1970 Daytona race – a goal set since winning here would generate an unparalleled publicity impact – it was Dick Mann himself who managed to cross the finish line first after an agonizing race in which the mounts were pushed to the limit of the break. All this with live fights between Bob Hansen and the Japanese technicians, interpreting an insubordination that, finally, would cost him the dismissal as soon as the day was over despite having been a key part in the victory. Victory that totally consolidated the image of the Honda CB750 thanks to these circuit derivatives baptized as Honda CR750 Daytona. Apparently similar to the street version, although lightened to the extreme thanks to the use of experimental alloys. Thus giving more vigor to its mechanics, which moved between 86 CV and 92 CV since each machine had different definitions. An engineering that we will deal with another day in more detail, although it would have been useless without the courage and character of Dick Mann and Bob Hansen. Link: https://motos.espirituracer.com/motodeldia/moto-del-dia-honda-cr750-daytona/
  14. Restrictions and real estate problems weigh down the world's second economy The Chinese economy contracted sharply in the second quarter, reflecting the huge toll on activity from the widespread lockdowns linked to the Chinese government's Covid-zero policy. The figures, a 2.6% quarter-on-quarter contraction, add to an increasingly bleak global growth picture. The figure is well below the 1.4% growth forecast by analysts. And they arrive at a time of fear of a global recession in the face of widespread increases in interest rates to curb inflation that is already punishing private consumption around the world. In year-on-year terms, GDP for the April-June quarter grew a tepid 0.4%, below expectations for a 1.0% increase, according to a Reuters poll of analysts. "The Chinese economy has been on the verge of falling into stagflation, although the worst has passed since the May-June period. The possibility of a recession can be ruled out," Toru Nishihama, chief economist at the Dai Research Institute, told Reuters. - ichi Life in Tokyo. "Given weak growth, the Chinese government is likely to use stimulus measures, but the hurdles are high for the PBOC to cut interest rates further." Full or partial lockdowns were imposed in the country's main hubs in March and April in March and April, including the commercial capital Shanghai, which brought down a 13.7% year-on-year contraction in GDP in the latest quarter. Although many of those closures have since been lifted, and June data offers signs of improvement, analysts are not expecting a quick economic recovery. China maintains its strict Covid-zero policy, the country's real estate market is in a deep slump, and the outlook for the global outlook is negative. The imposition of further lockdowns in some cities and the arrival of the highly contagious BA.5 variant have put pressure on businesses and consumers to worry about a prolonged period of uncertainty. Bounce in June? Analysts believe the central bank's room to ease policy further could be limited by concerns about capital outflows, as the US Federal Reserve, and other economies, aggressively raise interest rates. interest to fight rising inflation. Rising consumer prices in China, while not as sharp as elsewhere, may also help limit monetary policy easing- June activity data, also released on Friday, showed China's industrial production grew 3.9% in June from a year earlier, accelerating from 0.7% in May, though down 4, 1% expected. Meanwhile, June retail sales rose 3.1% from a year earlier and marked the fastest growth in 4 months, after authorities lifted a two-month lockdown in Shanghai. The growth in retail trade indicates that the lockdown has been the main drag on demand, which clearly recovered once Shanghai and other major cities emerged from lockdowns, analysts say. The weak recovery in China's capital-starved real estate sector is coming under pressure from a growing number of home buyers protesting delays in off-plan purchases. Data on Friday showed home prices fell 0.5% from a year ago. Real estate investment fell 9.4% in June, worsening May's 7.8% decline, while property sales extended their decline by another 18.3%. Link: https://cincodias.elpais.com/cincodias/2022/07/15/economia/1657865030_979156.html
  15. American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) at the Sutton Avian Research Centre. There are 40 different species of raven. From jackdaws breaking the shell of a nut by throwing it on the ground, to sparrows blocking the sensors of supermarket doors to steal food or blue tits opening the milk cans that the delivery man leaves at the doors of the houses. Even with brains the size of a nut, these animals achieved behaviors and learning that have been studied for decades. Among birds, ravens are considered the most intelligent animals in the world, surpassing even some children and primates. In fact, various studies have found in recent years that ravens make and use tools or solve puzzles, and other species, such as parrots, have a very diverse vocabulary. Science has already proven that these birds make good use of their brain cavities and, in fact, have more neurons than many mammals. But what then makes some animals smarter than others? (Related: They show that the intelligence of crows is comparable to that of chimpanzees) Years ago it was believed that intelligence was related to brain size. This theory, called the encephalization theory, argues that the 'extra' brain tissue of a larger brain allows more neurons to be dedicated to cognitive tasks, according to researchers from the Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF). However, until now no scientific evidence was available due, in part, to the difficulty of accounting for neuronal density in different animal species. Do animals have the capacity to innovate? Now, new work published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution shows, for the first time, that a higher number of neurons is related to one of the main forms of intelligence: the ability to innovate. In turn, this number of neurons is related to a larger brain, both relative to the body and in absolute terms. "Our results suggest that in corvids and parrots the accumulation of neurons in the pallium is the result of lengthening the time that the chicken needs to develop, once hatched", says Daniel Sol, a scientist at the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC). ) ) and CREAF. THE INCREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE OF NEW CALEDONIAN CROWS New Caledonian crows are known to use sticks to lure prey out of hiding. However, a recent study suggests that ravens can create better tools with those sticks. These ravens have developed the habit of carving a hook at the end of a branch to better reach their prey. The scientists tested whether the birds distinguished a straight branch from a hooked one. They found that the hook limb is up to 10 times more effective than the straight limb. Ravens not only modify and improve their designs, they probably share their knowledge with other ravens. Therefore, these results show that the number of neurons in the pallium - an area of the brain that corresponds to higher functions such as learning, different types of memory, intelligence, emotions, language, etc. - are a fine predictor of cognitive ability. of a kind. That is, a greater number of neurons in the pallium implies a greater capacity for innovation. "These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the accumulation of neurons in the pallium takes place in late phases of development," says Sol. “In turn, the accumulation of neurons in the pallium causes the brain to grow both in absolute and relative terms. Thus, among all the species and lineages studied, the scientists highlight that corvids and parrots are the birds that have a larger brain in relation to the body and also more neurons in the pallium. They are also the ones that have a longer maturation time”, they explain. (Related: This Amusement Park Uses Disturbance Jackdaws to Pick Up Trash) On the other hand, “in groups such as pheasants and pigeons, the stage of postnatal development is shorter, which does not allow them to accumulate as many neurons in the pallium. This may explain why they have relatively small brains and are less innovative in their behavior." Towards a new evolutionary model Also, both corvids and parrots have a longer lifespan. "Living longer increases the value of solving problems through innovation because the time you spend learning a new behavior is offset if the behavior offers benefits for longer." Until now, there was controversy about whether the size of the brain was more important in absolute terms or in relative terms. "Elephants have a larger brain than humans in absolute terms," says Louis Lefebvre, a psychologist at McGill University (Montreal, Canada) and co-leader of the study; “Does this mean that they are more intelligent than humans? However, what matters most is the relative size of the brain. The human brain contains more neurons in the pallium, making it larger in proportion to our size than that of elephants." Link: https://www.nationalgeographic.es/animales/2022/07/por-que-algunos-animales-son-mas-inteligentes-que-otros
  16. Starting with a Monster 1100 engine, the craftsmen at Revival Cycles have made this project costing around $500,000. The project, in a way, is a continuation of the Ducati J63 that Revival Cycles had made in 2015. A tubular steel assembly was chosen for the chassis, to which the V-twin from Ducati and spoked wheels were added. One of the most worked parts of the 1100 Fuse is the mechanized swingarm built with a numerical control machine. We encourage you to take a good look at it because it is, to say the least, different. The bodywork is a single piece, that is, both the tank and the seat are part of the same unit and it is another of the most characteristic features of the 1100 Fuse. Building the bodywork was a technical challenge, as it was handcrafted from a single piece of aluminium. It is painted red on both sides and has a central chrome band. The contrast between the color and the silver tone of the chrome is, we think, spectacular. The creators of the project assured that the most difficult thing to manufacture was the steering stem and the handlebar, because they actually form a unit. Something we can't remember ever seeing before. What would be the pineapples are housed in the leather cuffs. In the Jay Leno's Garage program it was possible to see the Ducati 1100 Fuse that, how could it be otherwise, has conquered the famous American presenter, owner of one of the largest collections of cars (and some motorcycles) in the world. Link: https://www.moto1pro.com/actualidad/moto-de-ensueno-ducati-1100-fuse-de-medio-millon-de-dolares
  17. The remarks in a session come against the background of a promise by Yi Gang, Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC, for its acronym in English), to maintain an expansionary monetary policy to support economic recovery. The central bank will maintain reasonably ample liquidity and push financial institutions to lower financing costs for businesses, said Zou Lan, head of its monetary policy department. China will step up its policy to support the economy, central bank officials said, adding that the overall debt level is expected to rise amid efforts to revive the economy. The remarks in a session come against the background of a promise by Yi Gang, Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC, for its acronym in English), to maintain an expansionary monetary policy to support economic recovery. "We will use various monetary policy tools in a timely and flexible manner, give more play to the dual functions of aggregate and structural tools, and boost support for the real economy," said Ruan Jianhong, head of the statistics department. The central bank will maintain reasonably ample liquidity and push financial institutions to lower financing costs for companies, said Zou Lan, head of its monetary policy department. “In the second half of the year, the economic performance continues to face great uncertainty and instability. We have to work hard to stabilize the economy and pay attention to changes in the inflation situation." Analysts polled by Reuters estimated that China's economic growth is likely to have slowed sharply to 1% in the second quarter from 4.8% in the January-March period, suggesting policymakers may need to do more. to stimulate growth. In June, the interest rate on new loans to companies stood at 4.16%, 34 basis points less than a year earlier, while the interest rate on new fixed-term deposits was 2.5%, 16 basis points less. than in the previous period, Ruan said. New bank lending in China soared in June, rising more than expected, while overall credit growth accelerated as the central bank stepped up efforts to revive the pandemic-hit economy. Link: https://gestion.pe/economia/empresas/citgo-brazo-refinador-de-venezuela-al-borde-de-una-nueva-reorganizacion-de-poder-noticia/
  18. Gophers (or pocket rats) fertilize and harvest underground root fields. Some considering this to be a form of agriculture. A gopher from the southeast finds a place to dig soil while digging. The roots that these moles find while digging do not provide them with enough food. But by harvesting root crops over time, he gained enough energy to keep digging and survive underground. Humans are not the only animals that practice agriculture. Leafcutter ants, for example, painstakingly carry leaves back to their nest to grow a fungus on which they feed. Some beetles also breed fungus inside rotting trees. Damsel fish take care of the areas where their favorite algae grow and eliminate the undesirable ones. Now researchers have found evidence that small mammals called pocket gophers - a mole-like rodent that inhabits North America - also manage, fertilize and harvest roots for food. This fits the definition of agriculture, according to researchers in a study published July 11 in Current Biology. "The gophers are shaping the plants as well as the soil," says Francis (Jack) Putz, a professor of biology at the University of Florida (United States) and a researcher on this project. "So they're managing crops. If agriculture is managing crops, that's what they're doing." While more work needs to be done to definitively show that this behavior amounts to a type of farming or "farming," the finding raises fascinating questions about the ecological role of these creatures and suggests that plant-animal interactions are often much more complex than expected. what was thought It also shows that pocket rats (Geomys), more than pests, are ecological engineers. underground specialists Southeastern gophers (Geomys pinetis) spend most of their lives alone, burrowing underground. Although they are common in the prairies of North and Central America, it is unlikely that you will see one: their presence is only noticed thanks to the mounds of sandy soil they leave after excavating underground tunnel systems that extend more than 150 meters, usually at about 127 centimeters below the ground. Their anatomy is adapted to this type of life: they can close their mouths behind their incisors and use their teeth to dig without swallowing dirt. Fur-lined pockets on either side of the face carry seeds and plant material as they plow. Recent research has found that they also glow in the dark, another ability that comes in handy when they live in the deep, perhaps for communication or evading predators. Until now it was expected that these rodents fed mainly by chewing on the roots they encountered while building new tunnel systems. However, digging tunnels is energetically expensive (up to 300 to 3,000 more tiring than walking on the surface) and researchers show that eating only the roots found while digging does not compensate for the energy expenditure. "If you were to dig a meter and find that many roots in that meter, would you get enough energy from those roots to offset the cost of digging that meter?" asks Veronica Selden, the University of Florida student researcher behind this study. . "In all but one of the cases we looked at, the answer is no." Research on these rodents To understand how else these mammals gain access to enough roots to survive, Putz and Selden observed the behavior of moles in a North Florida longleaf pine savanna. The researchers manually excluded moles from parts of their tunnel systems using an open barrel during a small dam, cutting off access to parts of their home for varying amounts of time. They observed that, in the dark and moist underground tunnels that the tozas had dug, new soft and digestible roots grew as stalactites and stalagmites that covered the surfaces. Scientists say that pocket rats seem to care for the roots to ensure their growth. By maintaining and defending these long tunnel networks, gophers are creating the perfect moist environment for roots to thrive, and causing soil aeration by loosening the soil in which the plants grow in the first place. In addition, moles spread and distribute their feces and urine through the tunnels. These residues fertilize the soil and the roots, says Selden. This is quite different from other mole species, which often have designated wishing areas, and from other surface herbivores that may incidentally fertilize patches of grass or brush with their droppings. "Gophers appear to employ a version of a food production system by providing this optimal space for roots to grow," says Selden. By nibbling on the roots, gophers also appear to be encouraging new growth. "You are a small mammal and you find yourself with a large root, and death, but it is not very digestible because it has a lot of lignin or cellulose, it is tough, it is hard," says Putz. "But in response to being mowed down, that root will make a lot of little roots, and those will be really tasty and more digestible." The study found that the moles' daily root crop can supply between 21 and 62 percent of their caloric needs, accounting for the rest of the calories the animals need to continue digging tunnel systems. "They have these long tunnels that [can't] be explained. Tunneling is risky... energetically expensive," says Putz. So why do it? If not to "grow food," he says, "I can't think of any other reason." The debate on "farming "He often thought of gophers as 'farmers,'" says Brittany Brito, a habitat biologist with the Wyoming Department of Fish and Game, who was not involved in the study. "I think this [is] a compelling argument that pocket rats might prefer farmer because they aerate the soil, increase nutrient mineralization, and fertilize the soil. Those activities are, in a sense, crops [that they] eat." But other researchers question whether "farming" is an appropriate term for these rodents' activities. "I'm not sure if they're actively 'caring' or just actively harvesting for the effect of stimulating growth. It's a subtle difference," says James Demastes, a biology professor at the University of Northern Iowa who studies pocket gophers but did not participate in the work. He notes that the observations of fertilization are interesting and "definitely unusual" for this family of animals, but the idea that these small rodents could be practicing agriculture resonates with what is known about gophers in general. "I think it's very interesting," says Demastes. However, the gophers are not seeding or clearing their crops, two items traditionally considered necessary for agriculture and thought to be done by other "farming" animals such as ants and fungus inoculating beetles. "Describing gopher activity as farming seems like an exaggeration," says Kimberly Asmus Hersey, Mammal Conservation Coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, who was not involved in the study. "I don't see it as that different from a lot of other plant-herbivore interactions." Add that there are many instances where grazing can stimulate plant productivity, so you don't find this much different than a deer can a bush. It is controversial to say that these rodents farm because people have different definitions of the term agriculture, according to Putz. "They are definitely agricultural engineers because they do everything they can to improve crop growth." Of course, the researchers point out that there are other ways that gophers might meet their energy needs that have yet to be fully explored. These rodents could search for food in areas with more roots than those analyzed; could rely heavily on tubers for nutrition, in addition to roots; or they might occasionally eat above ground as well, or pull plants underground by their roots and eat them whole. Although gophers are normally thought of as pests, studies have shown that they are often highly valuable ecosystem engineers for the habitats they inhabit. For example, they have been shown to help maintain grasslands and mountain meadows by keeping out large numbers of tree seedlings, and even helped colonizing plants gain a foothold in the arid landscape that followed the eruption of Mount Santa Helena, in Washington state, in May 1980. “Knowing that gophers themselves are farmers … flipping the narrative from them being agricultural pests to being agricultural partners that we can learn from,” says Selden. Link: https://www.nationalgeographic.es/animales/2022/07/y-si-ciertos-animales-descubrieron-la-agricultura-antes-que-los-humanos
  19. A range of 161 km, a power of 175 hp and a charging time of 20 minutes delivered the British manufacturer's TE-1 zero-emission prototype. Exceeding all expectations, Triumph Motorcycles closed the fourth and final phase of testing with its first electric motorcycle prototype. Among other parameters, the experimental unit offered a range of 161 km, a power of 175 hp and a charging time of 20 minutes for 80% of its battery pack. The tests in real conditions delivered "incredible results" and later "new standards for the sector", according to the British manufacturer. Born with the aim of creating innovative developments in specialized engineering for high-performance electric motorcycles and the design of integrated technologies, the initiative was supported by Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain Ltd and the University of Warwick, while its funding came from the Innovate UK public agency. The Triumph Motorcycles prototype exceeded much of the actual range of electric motorcycles available today, thanks to its range of 100 miles (161 km), based on actual testing and official calculations and projections. Its regenerative braking system was implemented with and still has room for further optimization in the future in terms of increased generator and transmission efficiency, which would further improve range for future Triumph electric motorcycles. The TE-1 exhibited a level of performance similar to that of the current Triumoh Speed Triple 1200, with a maximum power of 175 hp (130 kW) and a maximum torque of 109 Nm, which translates into an instant response, with a Smooth power control throughout the rev range. The official acceleration tests showed marks of 3.72 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h; 3.6 seconds from 0 to 96.5 km/h and 6.2 seconds from 0 to 160 km/h. Thanks to its more refined electronics, especially in the traction control and front wheel lift control systems, the project team anticipated that performance could be further improved by harnessing the torque potential to deliver more agile acceleration. Daytona 200 200 Mile champion Brandon Paasch participated in the final phase of testing, both evaluating engine performance and track testing for final prototype tuning. “Throttle response on the TE-1 is incredible. It's got plenty of torque and when you first hit the throttle it's instant power, which I love as a speedster. It was a great experience. I had to test this machine from 0% to 100% and it is incredibly fast”, he analyzed. changing the rules of the game Technological advances in batteries and depleted charging times during the development of the Triumph TE-1 project resulted in a revolutionary charging time of just 20 minutes from 0% to 80%). With a total weight of 220 kg, the prototype is up to 25% lighter than other equivalent electric motorcycles, which translates into an incredible power-to-weight ratio. Comparable in size and scale to a Street Triple, but with the ergonomics, geometries and mass distribution of a Speed Triple, the TE-1 offers an exhilarating ride, while also being confident, agile and compact. . Brandon Paasch added, “It would be a really nice bike for the street, just because of how nimble it is and how light it feels. I wish I would have had it at Daytona, with that acceleration in this chassis and how it goes into the corners. With power and torque delivery maps drawn directly from the Speed Triple 1200 RS, track testing and dynamic evaluations confirmed a level of handling that matches the current sportier models within Triumph's Roadster range with three-cylinder combustion engines. Triumph's new electric sound The sound of the Triumph TE-1 prototype is distinctive and is based on its primary transmission with helical gears. With sound levels tested at Mira's independent noise measurement facilities, the prototype successfully exceeded all the standards established in the R41 homologation tests, both in maximum acceleration and in urban and road traffic rhythms. Immediately recognizable as a Triumph, the muscular stance of the TE-1 Concept stands out for its iconic design cues found on the latest models in the Roadster range, while clearly embodying it as a motorcycle of the future. Dressed in the definitive bodywork and paint scheme, the demo prototype boasts 100% Triumph styling and presence, with all of the brand's signature design DNA, from its aluminum chassis to its unmistakable twin headlights and attitude and balanced. Link: https://www.diariosustentable.com/2022/07/triumph-motorcycles-finaliza-pruebas-de-su-moto-electrica-superando-todas-las-expectativas-de-desempeno/

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CsBlackDevil Community [www.csblackdevil.com], a virtual world from May 1, 2012, which continues to grow in the gaming world. CSBD has over 70k members in continuous expansion, coming from different parts of the world.

 

 

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