The plague could be coming! Global warming to blame

When people hear “global warming,” they usually think melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and superstorms. But did you know that global warming also makes it easier for diseases to spread? That’s right - the next plague could be looming on the horizon. And the last one took millions of lives!

Bacteria and parasites thrive in warmer temperatures, making them somewhat seasonal in a certain parts of the world. But not anymore. Longer summers mean longer lifespans. More contagious diseases. And “there [are] A LOT of diseases,” stresses Sonia Altizer, an associate professor at the University of Georgia. “Especially in natural systems, where there as a pretty clear signal that either the prevalence or severity of those diseases has increased in response to climate change.”

Altizer is co-author of a recently published study on climate trends over the last decade.  She continues:

“So in the arctic, there are parasitic worms that affect muskox and reindeer that are developing faster and becoming more prevalent and expanding their ranges. And then in tropical oceans, like Caribbean coral reefs, there’s a large amount of evidence that has mounted that shows that warming interferes with the symbiosis of corals – makes them more vulnerable to disease and at the same time increases the growth rate of some lethal bacteria.”

So no matter where you live – in a warm climate, or chilly – no one is safe from bacteria. Thankfully, we have studies like Altizer’s to help us prepare for the future.

“Knowing why different pathogens respond differently to climate change is what’s needed to help us predict and ultimately manage disease outbreaks in people and animals and plants,” she says.

Some continents are much more equipped to handle the next plague than others, like North America and Europe, who have “surveillance, vector control, modern sanitation, drugs, and vaccines. [They] can be deployed to prevent outbreaks of a lot of diseases, especially vector borne disease or diarrheal disease that are much more problematic in the developing world. And so these can counter the effects of climate change and make it hard to detect increases in those pathogens,” says Altizer.

“Controlling vectors” refers to controlling parasites like ticks and mosquitos, which have been known to transmit yellow fever and malaria.

In developing countries, a pathogenic outbreak could destroy the agricultural economy. Lost crops. Dead cattle. The livelihoods of farmers and their families are at stake.

How concerned should we be? Well, according to Altizer, the answer isn’t exactly black and white.

“It really depends on the location. Where, when and what pathogen? So I think we’re at a stage now where in the next five to ten years scientists will be able to move towards a predictive framework that will be able to answer questions about where in the world and what pathogens are responding and will continue to respond most strongly to climate change.”

The effects of global warming are unfolding slowly, and should stretch decades, making it crucial to document and analyze data. 

[ global warming, Sonia Altizer, Ana shell, Ana Shell NRGLab, ana shell sh-box, Anastasia Samoylova, NRGlab, NRGLab Pte Ltd, sh-box nrglab ]

DJ Contest. $200 Grand Prize

The territory of "Shell" is full of treasures, and in the hearts of each of its members resides love, conviction, and faith in family. "Shell" is a territory full of hopes and dreams for a bright future; it’s like vision, creativity, and all of the other God-given gifts of nature; it’s devotion to country, culture, and religion; it’s a friendship and brotherhood of its members, intolerant of racial and religious persecution, injustice and dishonesty. As Roman Philosopher Seneca once said: "We should strive not to live a pleasurable life, but to live the right one.”

Members of the territory of "Shell" clearly understand the importance of its formation and are free to choose the extent of their involvement. Each member agrees to behave honestly, simply, and modestly, and to act honestly and morally. He or she is confident that the reason for the territory of "Shell’s" formation is the disappearance of the phenomenon known as Globalization, both in terms of material trade and spiritual culture.

The aim of the members of the territory is to consistently educate others on the current economic crisis, and that it stems from liberal “Western” dogmas that constitute the basis of our modern socio-economic environment. Each member firmly understands that if we do not protect traditional values the world will delve into total depravity. Moreover, if we do not fill the ideological vacuum with something constructive, it will be consumed by itself, or quite possibly be filled by extremely destructive and dangerous ideas for the future. Like it says in the Gospel of Matthew: "A bad tree cannot bare good fruit.”

The territory of "Shell" is proud to announce a new DJ remix contest for Ana Shell’s hit song “Killers.” The contest supports the creative initiatives of territory members - from big cities all the way to small villages. Hopefully, this contest will stimulate territory members to begin exchanging ideas on energy, the environment, and how we can ensure a better future for all . Remember - you can never have too much creative thinking. For more information, visit http://anashell.com/newsandevents.html 

[ DJ Contest, ana shell, ana shell music, ana shell song, ana shell killers, ana shell nrglab, ana shell sh-box, Ana Shell Singapore, Anastasia Samoylova, NRGlab, NRGLab Pte Ltd, nrglab singapore, NRGLab Сингапур ]

Must read story. Part 2

As I promised before, here is the rest of my story about Andrew - the friend of mine from Cyprus (http://anashell.blogspot.sg/2013/05/must-read-story.html):

Andrew visited several banks in Singapore over three days. He wanted to get a personal consultation about his options for transferring money out of Cyprus into a local bank. He was hoping to find out more about the security he could expect under Singaporean laws, but he could never find out anything of material value for his new strategy. The main conclusion Andrew reached after his meetings with bankers was a general one that the global system of offshore havens is becoming a thing of the past. He talked a lot  about the coming abrupt deterioration in the global financial system, which was why the operation to eliminate offshore zones was speeded up a little. The naïve Andrew was outraged that authorities were putting together a database of offshore zone clients and that it would be complete some time in early 2014.

It was both funny and sad to watch Andrew and his brother because they were both expecting a quick recovery from the ongoing financial crisis. They are still refusing to see that the hunt for other people’s money started in Cyprus precisely because the financial crisis was and is still in full swing. Andrew’s clients were lucky to have only lost some of their money, because they could have lost their life or freedom. A somewhat civilized version of high street robbery has come to the market. After the events in Cyprus, anybody who has eyes can see the horrible truth about this civilization’s banking system: all the “first-world” Western countries are bankrupt and perfectly capable of robbing their own citizens and foreign nationals alike.

To put the sad situation with Andrew, his clients, and other ordinary people into perspective, one only needs to look at the gold scam that showcases how severe the current bankruptcy of Civilization is. It transpired in 2012 that trade in counterfeit gold bullion was rampant on the world market, with tungsten ingots coated in gold masquerading as pure gold. Suspicions arose that the vaults of central banks and national treasuries contain hoards of tungsten. US member of Congress Ron Paul successfully argued for selective testing of bullion stored in the vaults of Fort Knox and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Germany demanded that the US return the gold from the Bundesbank’s international reserves held in the NY Fed vault, meeting insurmountable resistance from the US Treasury and Federal Reserve System.

I told Andrew that the topic of central banks’ gold was going to get an even higher profile in 2013. Thus, everyone is anxiously awaiting the release of results of selective physical tests on gold bullion stored in the US Treasury. The US authorities promised to announce the results in early 2013. Everyone is also tense in anticipation of Germany’s reaction to Bernanke’s statement on mysterious disappearance of the German government’s gold.

As an illustration, I quoted the thoughts of Amartya Sen (Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences Laureate and board member of ECAAR-USA), who wrote more than 10 years ago in the International Herald Tribune on 14 July 2001 that equality between and within nations is the fundamental issue of Civilization. Relative inequality includes non-uniform distribution of wealth as well as a huge asymmetry in political, social and economic power. Distribution of globalization’s potential benefits between rich and poor nations, as well as among different groups within nations (countries), is a major issue. Amartya Sen wrote that the rich were getting richer, and the poor only poorer.

[ Ana shell, Ana Shell NRGLab, ana shell sh-box, Ana Shell Singapore, Anastasia Samoylova, crisis Cyprus, Cyprus, NRGlab, nrglab singapore, NRGLab Сингапур, NRGLab Pte Ltd ]

Automotive Industry Development Trend

         Internal combustion engines (ICEs) came into existence quite a long time ago; their efficiency factor, however, hasn’t changed much since. To date, the efficiency factor of a gasoline ICE is 25-30%, while a diesel ICE is 40-45%.

         From a physics standpoint, the operational principles of gasoline and diesel engines are not all that different. From a mechanical standpoint, gasoline ICEs have a higher rotation speed and lower torque. Diesel ICEs, on the other hand, have a lower rotation speed and a higher torque. This is exactly why gasoline engines are used predominately in passenger cars, while diesel engines are more common in trucks and tractors.

         Substantial loses in ICE-produced energy can be observed during the mechanical transfer of torque to the wheels. For example, transmission loss can reach 10-20% of the engine’s overall power, depending on gear ratio and vehicle speed.

         An uneven load during ICE operation can contribute to a drop in efficiency (up to 50%). Auto manufacturers cover these losses by applying different fuel-usage models for city and freeway driving. For city driving, acceleration and braking is very typical, which leads to higher fuel consumption (which may double in some cases).

         As a result, the actual efficiency of a gasoline ICE is 16.6-20%, while a diesel ICE registers between 26.6-30%. The rest is smoke, heat, noise, and odor.

         The battle against transmission loss and uneven ICE performance was won when the hybrid engine car was invented. In essence, the engineering solution they provide is an ICE onboard computer that not only works under constant load, but also rotates electrical generators. Motors mounted on the wheels take electrical energy from the generator and battery. When a vehicle is going uphill, energy is taken from the batteries and evenly distributed to the wheels. When a vehicle is going downhill, momentum is transferred back to the batteries. Think of it as a complex, yet natural, recharging process. Ultimately, however, everything relates back to ICE efficiency.

         Turbine ICEs are a little different from piston ICEs. The engine is essentially the same, but the compressor, combustion chamber, and energy converter are three completely different devices. In a piston engine, all operations occur in one place. In a turbine engine, efficiency is heavily dependent upon the turbine’s power capacity. Based on experimental data and calculations, the following unofficial recommendation is made: for power generation up to 800 kWs, use a piston ICE; for higher capacities, use a gas turbine unit (GTU).

         Theoretically, a GTU can be installed in any car. The unit is small and light, and there’s no need for cooling. However, there are some significant disadvantages (perhaps even more than ICEs have):

1)  A lower efficiency factor (15-25%)

2)  High rotation speed and low torque, all leading to larger transmission losses

3)  Low motor power potential

4)  Higher costs

5)  Lower range of power control

         Because of these disadvantages, GTUs in cars never caught on. A few prototypes were created – mass production was even attempted – but the idea was never widely accepted.

         NRGLab Pte Ltd, along with an Israeli group of scientists, has developed a new GTU concept.  The main difference between our GTU and a traditional GTU is its efficiency of 75%! Speed rotation is almost as high as observed in gasoline engines, i.e. 3,000-3,600 rpms. Among the disadvantages of the new GTU are an absence of power control and restrictions in fuel consumption. Possible fuels that can be used are methane, propane-butane, and methanol.

Measure	Gasoline car	Hybrid car with GTU
Consumption, liter/100 km	10	5
Kind of fuel	non-leaden gasoline	methanol
Cost of fuel	$1.00	$0.40
Motor potential, h	35,000	100,000
Engine power, kW	100	100
Engine weight, kg	100	25
Cost of engine	$1,000	$1,000

         From an engineering standpoint, such GTUs can be used in hybrid cars. This way, fuel consumption per mile is reduced. Consider the above example of a conventional gasoline engine versus a proposed hybrid with one of our new GTUs:

         The new GTU (unlike the traditional GTU) needs a radiator. As it so happens, so does the gasoline engine. The table above gives an example of using methanol versus gasoline. The same results will be produced if liquefied natural gas (LNG) is used, too. When converting natural gas into cubic meters, the rate is 3 m³ for every 100 km.  All values are conditional, and were taken based on average car parameters.  

By Zeev Drori

[ Ana shell, Ana Shell NRGLab, ana shell sh-box, Ana Shell Singapore, Anastasia Samoylova, nrglab company, NRGLab Pte Ltd, nrglab singapore, NRGLab Сингапур, SH-box] 

Check out what NRGLab is up to

Check out how NRGLab is revolutionizing the way the world looks at energy by visiting our website at nrglab.asia. Did you know that agricultural waste, biomass, and natural gas can be utilized as low-emission fuel?  Well, it’s true!

We’re recycling coal in Indonesia, engine sludge in Malaysia, and rice husks in Malaysia into eco-friendly diesel fuel. In Singapore, for example, NRGLab is able to recycle 2,000 tons of waste into an average of 700 m3 of fuel on a daily basis. Plus, we’ve strategically partnered with Viscoil Holdings (www.viscoil.com) to service all of South East Asia, ensuring that the future of recycling is a bright one no matter where you live!

Our innovative Gasification Program has been proven to operate at a reduced cost compared to conventional gasification methods, while providing a source of clean, reliable, and affordable green-energy for developed, or developing countries.

But that’s not all NRGLab has to offer. We’re currently demonstrating to a number of governmental bodies that oil, coal, and gas are 3 times more expensive to produce than NRGLab’s carbon-free SH Boxes. By converting energy from geothermal heat, you could be paying as little as $0.03 per kW with one of our electrical generators!

In other science news, NRGLab has developed the patent-pending “Eco-SV” Method for increasing the efficiency of gas turbine generators. Performance tests have proven conclusively that we can boost electrical efficiency levels by 20-30%!

So stop wasting money. Stop wasting energy. Stop contributing to the staggering level of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Join NRGLab in the impending energy revolution!

Truly yours,

Ana Shell

[ Ana shell, Ana Shell NRGLab, ana shell sh-box, Ana Shell Singapore, Anastasia Samoylova, NRGlab, NRGLab auction, nrglab company, NRGLab Pte Ltd, nrglab singapore, NRGLab Сингапур ]

Masih Berjuang untuk Minyak Bumi yang Melimpah?

Tidak percaya jika masih ada para politisi di luar sana yang berhutang budi pada perusahaan-perusahaan minyak raksasa? Cobalah ditelaah kembali. Senat Amerika Serikat akhirnya menyelesaikan anggaran federal 2014 minggu ini. Para senator mengajukan ratusan amandemen untuk dipertimbangkan; dan seperti biasa, para pemimpin konservatif secara khusus mengajukan amandemen yang melemahkan kebijakan-kebijakan tentang iklim secara drastis. Alih-alih melindungi kepentingan umum dan memperjuangkan energi ramah lingkungan, mereka justru lebih memilih untuk melindungi kepentingan mereka sendiri.

Berikut ini adalah 7 amandemen yang sangat mengerikan, dan TIDAK dimasukkan ke dalam anggaran, tapi andaikan saja disetujui dalam proses pembahasannya, bukan tidak mungkin akan masuk dalam anggaran.

1. Blunt  Nomor 261 akan merintangi UU mendatang mengenai pengenaan pajak karbon untuk mengurangi polusi industri. Amandemen ini akan memungkinkan setiap pengenaan pajak karbon akan ditolak oleh tiga per lima suara. Namun, dua tahun terakhir ini dampak pemanasan global telah dirasakan secara teratur. Pada tahun 2011 dan 2012, Amerika Serikat mengalami 25 bencana alam yang berhubungan dengan iklim, seperti badai topan, gelombang panas, kekeringan, banjir, dan kebakaran hutan, telah mengakibatkan kerugian  yang diperkirakan mencapai $188 milyar.
2. Inhofe Nomor 359 akan mencegah Badan Perlindungan Lingkungan Amerika Serikat (EPA) menegakan UU Udara Bersih, yang mengatur emisi polutan. EPA mengusulkan standar karbon untuk pembangkit listrik yang baru di tahun 2012 silam, karena dua per lima dari polusi karbon di Amerika Serikat berasal dari pembangkit listrik.
3. Murkowski Nomor 370 akan “meningkatkan produksi minyak dan gas alam di lahan dan perairan federal”, meskipun produksi minyak mencapai tingkat tertinggi dalam beberapa dekade.  Di samping meningkatnya kegiatan pemompaan di lahan nonfederal,  Layanan Penelitian Kongres (Congressional Research Service) mencatat bahwa produksi minyak di lahan federal meningkat dari tahun 2008. Lalu apa yang menjadi masalahnya? Pemompaan berpotensi mencemarkan sumur, meracuni ternak, dan menciptakan sejumlah masalah ekologi yang tidak terduga.
4. Cruz  Nomor 470 akan membatasi jumlah kepemilikan tanah federal di setiap negara bagian, sebuah upaya konservatif untuk menyerahkan properti ke pihak swasta dalam rangka memperluas kegiatan pengeboran minyak. Pemerintah saat ini menguasai 500 juta acre lahan publik yang menyediakan dua juta pekerjaan dan stimulus ekonomi lebih dari $300 miliar.
5. Coats Nomor  514  Akan membuat pemotongan pada perlindungan khusus yang dijamin oleh UU Udara Bersih dengan memberikan wewenang kepada presiden untuk membebaskan setiap perusahaan dari kewajiban mematuhi standar polusi udara berbahaya selama dua tahun.  Amandemen ini pada pokoknya akan memberi peluang bagi pembangkit listrik tenaga batu bara untuk tetap bisa beroperasi. Hal terburuk apa yang dapat terjadi?  Metil-merkuri yang berasal dari polusi batu bara yang meningkat dalam ikan dapat meracuni wanita hamil. Hal ini dapat mengganggu perkembangan otak anak-anak, termasuk memori, bahasa, dan kemampuan berkonsentrasi. Dengan menjaga pembangkit listrik batu bara untuk selalu mengikuti perkembangan terbaru dan  berdasarkan undang-undang, diperkirakan bahwa UU Udara Bersih dapat mencegah hingga 17.000 kematian prematur setiap tahun. EPA menyimpulkan bahwa "nilai (kehidupan) ini akan setara  dengan  $ 37-90 milyar per tahun."
6. Alexander Nomor 516 akan mencabut kredit pajak untuk produksi listrik tenaga angin. Padahal kredit sebesar 2.2 sen/KWH listrik mendorong orang untuk berinvestasi di bidang energi angin. Selama satu abad terakhir, perusahaan minyak besar telah menerima $80 untuk membantu setiap $1 alternatif energi terbarukan.
7. Vitter Nomor 544 akan mencabut wewenang presiden untuk melindungi mercu tanda (landmarks) sejarah bangsa Amerika berdasarkan UU Zaman Kuno. sejak UU ini diberlakukan pada tahun 1906, UU Zaman Kuno telah melindungi situs-situs seperti Patung Liberty, Grand Canyon, Muir Woods, Acadia, dan Zion.

Pandangan dunia atas pemanasan global pun mulai berubah. Namun, jika Anda hanya menunggu para pemimpin Anda berbuat sesuatu untuk Anda, maka Anda hanya akan menunggu lama.  Ambil sikap untuk menentang penggunaan minyak bumi dalam skala besar. Berjuanglah untuk energi bersih. Berjuanglah untuk masa depan. Kunjungi nrglab.asia untuk informasi lengkap tentang bagaimana Anda dapat menjadi bagian dari gerakan untuk perubahan.

Diterjemahkan dari Bahasa Inggris. Artikel asli diterbitkan pada 27 Maret 2013 di http://anashell.blogspot.sg/2013/03/still-fighting-for-big-oil.html

[ affordable energy, Ana shell, Ana Shell NRGLab, Anastasia Samoylova, Ana Shell Singapore, krisis ekonomi, NRGLab Pte Ltd, nrglab singapore, NRGLab Сингапур ]

我们在全球经济危机中所起的作用

全球经济危机，是时候用其正确的名字称呼它了——死亡。这听起来可能有些刺耳，却是为了传递一种观点。作为NRGLab（www.nrglab.asia）公司的管理者和科学家团队，我们不禁自问：“我们要怎样才能逃脱死亡呢？“我们希望向着建立在高成本效益能源之上的稳定前进。我们邀请我们的客户加入我们，共同建设这种稳定，收获个人幸福。我们为他们提供了一个以尽可能低的价格购买能源的机会，其中无需第三方的参与。

现在，全世界都必须为人们享有的美好生活付出代价。我们肆意地浪费购买的非可再生能源，现在我们需要偿还因此产生的欠债。我们曾陶醉在幸福中，自认为教会了全世界“正确”的生活方式。拒绝遵守我们规则的都遭到了扼杀。我们曾希望随时随地从各处谋利，从老百姓和我们的邻居身上，甚至从陌生遥远国家的公民身上。贪婪是其中主要的动力。然后，一切都将结束，没有幸福，也没有能源。这是谁的过错？

我相信我们每个人都难辞其咎。人类与生俱来的不安全感是产生贪婪（或者称之为“进步”）的根源。人类身体孱弱，但他自己想象中却非常强大。人类是愚蠢的，但他的自傲告诉自己他是个天才。人类是残忍的，但他说服了自己他所做的一切决定都是合理的。人类是无助的，但他将自己看成英雄。人类需要能源，因为能源让他感觉幸福。他冷了，需要能源取暖。他害怕黑暗——因此，他追寻着光亮，把它作为避难所。他智力匮乏——因此，他发明了个人电脑。当今社会，能源主要指木材、煤炭、石油、天然气、铀，等等。人们肆意掠夺大自然的资源，以便将能源出借给他人。因为每个人都需要能源来获得幸福感，所以人们愿意为能源买单——即使他们必须因此而借贷。

放贷者们掠夺自然资源，转卖能源，变得越来越富有。他们试图愚弄他人，只为了加快其“快速致富”计划的实现。他们通过威胁、恐吓勒索、发动战争、杀戮和侵犯人权等手段，让人们购买更多能源。更多！这些放贷者用人权主张和崇高的目标为自己的行为辩护，但事实上，他们所作的一切与抢劫毫无差别。他们一边承诺着“进步”，一边逐渐摧毁着整个世界。

贪婪就是这么简单。这是一种执着的信念，让你觉得总会获得一些东西。而且总会有更多。将一美元变成十亿美元；一个人的义务扩大成整个国家的债务。因此，缺少盈利被视为罪恶。整个西方文明都建立在这些信念之上。债权人有其自己的体制，即引导人们消耗更多的能源，同时大肆宣扬物质财富。我们的经济体制基于无限地投入能源和金钱，不断提高产量和生产能力，持续增长供需关系水平，等等。

现在，是时候说够了！停！今天，我们哭喊着说“不！”，试图阻止这场能源累积竞赛。这时，NRGLab公司为世界带来了高成本效益的能源。我们希望且有能力为人们和各国供应足够的能源，如此一来，他们将不再需要借贷能源。

从英文版翻译而来。 原文于2013年2月8日发表在http://anashell.blogspot.sg/2013/03/our-role-in-global-economical-crisis.html

[ Ana shell, Ana Shell Singapore, Anastasia Samoylova, global economical crisis, NRGlab, nrglab singapore, NRGLab Сингапур, 全球经济危机 ]