Record Corporate Profits - NYTimes.com

NOVEMBER 29, 2012, 3:00 PM

Record Corporate Profits

By CATHERINE RAMPELL

United States corporate profits reached a record high in the third quarter of this year, even adjusted for inflation, according to a report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The increase from the second quarter was entirely a result of stronger business at home. Profits received from American-owned businesses abroad fell slightly in the third quarter, which may not be surprising given the recession in Europe and the slowdown in China.

Additionally, all of the growth in domestic corporate profits was accounted for by the financial sector.

Domestic profits of financial corporations rose $71.3 billion in the third quarter, after falling $39.7 billion in the second. Domestic profits of nonfinancial corporations, on the other hand, decreased $1 billion in the third quarter, after rising $27.8 billion in the second quarter.

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Harvesting H20 From Air | Earthtechling

Self-Filling Water Bottle Concept Harvests H20 From Air

by Beth Buczynski 

Did you know that there are more than three quadrillion gallons of water just floating around in the air? Climate change has made it abundantly clear that water will become an even more precious resource in the coming decades. Although the freshwater rivers and lakes from which we source drinking water may dry up, scientists hope that advanced technology will allow them to harvest this atmospheric water as a new supply.

We’ve already reported on a wind turbine concept that plucks water from desert air, but that’s hardly a practical investment for your average individual. Now, new developments from a company called NBD Nano suggests this technology may be in our hands sooner than previously thought. The company has pioneered a water bottle that can refill itself with drinkable water harvested from the air.

Image via Muffet/Flickr

Like many of the most innovative clean tech companies, NBD Nano’s amazing water bottle concept was inspired by Mother Nature. The company’s founders noticed that the Namib Desert Beetle is able to thrive in the extremely dry environments because it’s capable of absorbing water from the air.

“Every morning this beetle climbs to the top of a sand dune, sticks its back to the wind, and drinks 12 percent of its weight in water,” said NBD cofounder Deckard Sorensen in an interview with PRI. “We use nanotechnology to mimic this beetle’s back so that we too can pull water from the air.” In the novel design, the water bottle’s surface is coated with hydrophilic and hydrophobic coatings, and then a fan is used to pass air over the surface. The water condenses on the surface and, eventually, the water bottle refills itself. The design could operate using a rechargeable battery or solar cell to speed-up accumulation and filter the water.

Obviously, this technology could have a huge impact, especially in developing nations where other types of water filtration are hampered by a lack of infrastructure. NBD hopes to bring this off-grid water bottle to market by 2014.

Wind Turbine Plucks Clean Water From Desert Air

As climate change continues to become more apparent, scientists say we are in for lots more hot, very dry weather in some regions of the world. Since it’s highly likely that many fresh water supplies will continue to disappear, it’s essential that new water producing technologies are developed—and quickly.

Plants and animals living in the desert have evolved to utilize even tiny bits of moisture in their quest for survival. The ability to capitalize on natural condensation inspired a French technology startup to develop a wind turbine with similar traits. Eole Water is working on a wind turbine that can produce hundreds of liters of water every day, using nothing but dry desert air.

image via Eole

The Eole WMS 1000 wind turbine features a 13-meter diameter rotor with a 12-metric-ton nacelle housing a direct-drive permanent-magnet generator protected by sand-shutters. It starts by drawing wind through air regulators. The moisture in the air is then transformed into steam by heat from the turbine’s generator. The steam is then compressed, the moisture condenses, and the resulting water droplets flow down pipes within the turbine and into stainless steel tanks for purification. According to one report, Eole CEO Marc Parent, an engineer, got the idea for this amazing turbine back in the 1990s, when he began reducing his bottled water costs by siphoning the condensation from his air conditioner.

Early tests show that the device is capable of creating 500-800 liters of clean water every day through the process of condensation. And that’s in the arid climate of the United Arab Emirates where the prototype is being tested. Eole hopes that installing the turbine offshore or near the coast where there are higher humidity and wind conditions could produce even more

When Floodwaters Rise, Floating Solar Boats School Kids | Earthtechling

When Floodwaters Rise, Floating Solar Boats School Kids by Susan DeFreitas In most parts of the world, flooding is a rare natural disaster. But in Bangladesh, it’s an annual occurrence, as monsoon rains typically bring on such a deluge that hundreds of schools are forced to shut down. How to keep kids on track with their studies when the world is a wet, muddy mess? Non-profit organization Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha has created a solution withsolar-powered boat schools that provide education for kids year round, rain or shine.

Inhabitat reports that the organization was in fact founded for that purpose back in 2002, and now, when floodwaters inundate schools (often up to four months out of the year), children can continue their studies via these solar-powered boats, which can serve around 30 students. Of course, the model only works if kids make it to class, which we imagine can be more of a challenge during the annual deluge. To meet that challenge, the non-profit developed a unique incentive program.

image via Inhabitat

Poorer Bangledeshi families tend to lack electricity, so for those students who attend class on a regular basis, Shidhulai provides small solar lanterns. These lanterns are available free of charge, and can serve the household not only by only by allowing the student to study after dark, but by allowing the adults in the household to develop crafts that will contribute to the household economy. Further family favor is curried for the non-profit’s floating classroom model by making these solar-powered boats available as workshop space for parents, with classes in agriculture, finance, health and hygiene available after school hours.

image via Inhabitat

Constructed simply out of  locally-sourced natural materials, each boat is equipped with rooftop solar panels, a small library with electronic resources, and a laptop with internet connectivity.  These floating classrooms are equipped to provide for the educational needs of students up to the fourth grade level.

...such a great solution.

Finger control your gloves for touch screens...

Turn Your Favorite Mitts Into Gadget-Compatible Manipulators
Four steps to texting without freezing.
By Taylor KubotaPosted

Magic Touch Greg Maxson
Winter gloves and gadgets don’t mix. Most touchscreens use capacitive sensing to complete a weak electrical circuit through skin and locate our tapping. And while wool, cotton, and leather gloves insulate hands from the cold, they block the body’s ability to shuttle electrons. Strategic stitching with conductive thread, however, can prevent essential electronics from becoming unresponsive bricks the moment you bundle up.
1. Order silver-plated nylon thread (silver conducts electricity). This can be difficult to find in stores, but major online retailers carry it.
2. Pick a pair of gloves to modify. Although leather works, it’s harder to push a needle through.
3. Stitch the figure of a star or other solid shape onto the glove’s index finger with the thread, making sure it will contact both the touchscreen and your skin.
4. Bundle up and tap away.

~ note Nov 27, 2012

Re: Change is the Order of my Universe...
"I believe that the key to changing any problem (situation) is to change the beliefs that caused it originally. I am constantly learning more about beliefs and how they affect my own life – this is an ongoing process which will continue throughout my life. Using our minds to heal ourselves requires mental focus that supports, facilitates, and in some cases, activates healing. Our thoughts have been shown to alter our neurochemistry.

The placebo effect (positive outcomes from positive expectations) and nocebo effect (negative outcomes from negative expectations) are well-documented, and in some cases, have even shown more dramatic results than the so-called "active" drugs.

So with that, here are seven ways to heal with the mind:

1. Dream

I believe all change starts with a dream.

Dreaming our way to health may sound unrealistic, yet the realm of the subconscious is accessed by dreaming, and that's where a lot of our bodily functions reside.

The dreaming phase is mind-expanding, and your special way of accessing a world of imagination and possibility.

Dream your way to wellness.

2. Intention

Create a vision of healing for yourself in your mind's eye.

Visualization (guided imagery) techniques work because the mind thinks in pictures.
Intend for the healing to manifest in your life. Intention is powerful – it propels you forward in your journey, and creates a clear and powerful goal. Intention stimulates desire.

3. Desire

Sustained positive emotions are integral to healing. Desire is an emotional trigger to keep you on your journey. The stronger the desire, the more potent is the force of will that will keep you going even when times get tough.

4. Mindfulness

Mental focus removes other barriers that distract you. It brings the fullness of your energy into the present moment. Focusing your attention on one thing will enable you to bring all your resources to its achievement.

Meditate on transforming yourself via sacred healing.

To learn how to master some of the most powerful mind-healing meditation exercises, click here.

5. Believe

You can change any aspect of your health through changing your belief about it.

To stimulate healing, it helps to believe you are worthy of being healed. It's essential to believe you can be healed. What other beliefs can you create to help you to heal?

6. Hope

Hope sustains you even in the darkest hour. When it seems all is lost, we cling to hope.

7. Tap into the soul

Healing is accessing our spiritual nature, nurturing grace, and the deepest aspect of surrendering within our souls. Healing engenders peace no matter our situation – a pure acceptance of our challenges with our blessings.

Surrender to a Higher Love. Relax away all stressful thoughts and doubts.

Tap into the Universe ask it to assist you in your healing.

Call on your angels to protect you.

When we heal, a dimension is activated beyond what we can see with the eyes. It requires us to surrender what we wish to become. Our ability to heal is far beyond what most people believe. Reprogramming beliefs is a deep, constant, and mystical path requiring full immersion, dedication and commitment."

borrowed but true.

Galaxy Song by Monte Python

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