Choosing a Bike

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A bicycle is a human-powered, two-wheeled, steerable machine that can be pedaled to travel at speeds up to four or five times the pace of walking. A bicycle consists of a seat, pedals, gearing, and handlebar mounted on a frame. The rider sits on the saddle and steers by leaning and turning the handlebars. The rider’s feet push the pedals, which in turn power a chain connected to a sprocket on the rear wheel. The sprocket on the rear wheel is connected to the front wheel by another chain. When the rider turns the handlebars, it swivels the front wheel to steer the bike.

Bicycles are used for recreation, exercise, commuting, and transportation. They are a popular form of alternative transport that reduces air pollution and traffic congestion. Despite their many benefits, bikes can be dangerous for novice riders. A cyclist who is struck by a vehicle or falls from their bike may require treatment from specialists such as emergency medicine physicians, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, oral surgeons, ophthalmologists, or physical therapists. Injuries to the heart and lungs from cycling may require intervention by cardiovascular or pulmonary specialists.

Choosing a Bike

The choice of a bicycle depends on the purpose for which it will be used and the kind of terrain on which it will be ridden. For example, a commuter bicycle will likely have wide tires intended for paved roads and disc brakes that offer more stopping power than rim brakes. It will also probably be built with a suspension system to reduce the bumps of riding over rough surfaces.

While there is no single best bicycle, the type that a person chooses will largely depend on their budget, the type of riding they do most often, and how much they value safety features. It is important to wear a helmet and obey the rules of the road, including wearing bright clothing, using hand signals when changing directions, and staying visible to other motorists. A bicycle should be fitted with a reflector on each side, and a front and rear light in case the rider is traveling at night.

Many bicycle reviews will begin with the author claiming that their test bike “allows them to rip through singletrack” or to “glide over rocks and blast corners.” While it is nice for an expert to demonstrate their abilities, this language only serves to confuse the reader as to what exactly the reviewer is describing by using this adjective. It is also important to remember that great riders do not necessarily make great reviewers, as it takes an objective eye to separate the impact of one’s abilities from the capabilities of a bike.

How GOES Satellites Help Weather Forecasts and Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers

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Go is a game for two players that has been played for over 2000 years. It is a zero-sum, perfect information, partisan, deterministic strategy game in the class of chess, draughts (checkers), and Reversi (Othello). The rules are not complicated, but the complexity arises from the fact that each player has 181 black stones and 180 white ones on a board 19 squares wide and 19 deep. Many moves require more than one stone to play, and some require several turns. Adjournments and sealed moves are common, and there are several formal time control systems. Some systems envisage a single period of time for each player, while others differ on the protocols for continuation after that time allowance. Top professional games have official timekeepers.

The GOES satellites are in geostationary orbit 35,790 km (22,240 mi) above Earth, which allows them to continuously view the Western Hemisphere. They use sensors to observe electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Earth and its atmosphere in two different ways: visible light and infrared.

Observation data from GOES and other satellites is used to make weather forecasts, monitor hazardous conditions, provide early warnings of changing weather patterns, and track storm development and movement. This data is crucial to military and civilian radio wave and satellite communications and navigation systems, electric power networks, Space Station astronauts, high-altitude aviators, and scientific researchers.

Besides weather data, GOES observations can help improve aviation safety by monitoring volcanic activity and associated ash plumes at a higher temporal cadence than can be achieved using traditional satellites. The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) on GOES-16 has three times more spectral channels, four times the spatial resolution, and five times the scanning speed of previous GOES satellites.

This enables NOAA’s National Weather Service offices, forecast centers, and Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers to better monitor ash plumes as they disperse and reduce the risk of airplane encounters. GOES’s unique ability to detect the presence of hazardous atmospheric phenomena and rapidly notify aviation operators provides critical safety benefits that have been demonstrated repeatedly in real-time during major aviation accidents.

If you’re interested in trying your hand at decoding GOES imagery yourself, there are plenty of resources available online to get started. This page contains links to free GOES and other data, as well as guides for setting up your own receiver. These guides will enable you to receive GOES images and other NOAA products on your own computer or home network. In addition to GOES, you can also experiment with EMWIN, which relays data from HIMAWARI-8 and other satellites. You can also find links to a variety of software packages for analyzing GOES imagery.

What Does it Mean to Be Nice?

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Nice means “pleasant or agreeable,” “of a pleasing appearance,” and “having good manners and courtesy.” People who are nice act in a friendly, ingratiating way and treat others with respect. Nice is a quality that is important in both work and personal relationships.

Nice people respect themselves. They understand that their actions have an impact on the lives of other people, and they make a conscious effort to consider this impact. They know that they aren’t perfect and admit when they have made a mistake. They also recognize their strengths and acknowledge areas of themselves that could use improvement. Nice people don’t allow their insecurities to hold them back, and they aren’t afraid to stand up for themselves when necessary.

People who are nice strive for fairness, even if it makes them uncomfortable. They want to treat everyone fairly, regardless of their status in life or the impact on their own goals. Nice people know that if they compromise their values, they will ultimately lose their respect and the trust of those around them. They don’t let peer pressure dictate their decisions and are willing to stand up for what they believe in, even if it means losing some of their friends or ruffling feathers.

It’s also important for nice people to be able to see the good in other people. They take the time to compliment friends and colleagues on their qualities. They aren’t just focused on looks and other superficial traits, but they also comment on the passion a person has for their job or their interest in a particular hobby. This kind of encouragement helps people feel valued and recognized, which can boost their self-esteem.

If a friend or colleague has performance problems, nice people address them immediately. They don’t wait to confront someone for making poor decisions or acting dishonestly, because they know that ignoring these issues will only make things worse in the long run. Instead, they take the lead and set new standards that are expected of everyone in their group. This sends a message that the group is more important than individual members.

Lastly, nice people are generous with their kindness and often help those in need. They volunteer for community projects, give food to homeless people, and help their coworkers with projects when they’re overwhelmed. They remember birthdays and anniversaries, and they are always offering to lend a hand. They don’t just treat their close friends and family with kindness, but they extend this generosity to their coworkers, classmates, and complete strangers. They are the ones who hold the door for other people, who bring donuts to work, and who offer to babysit for a neighbor when they’re sick. They are a gift to the world. This is a trait that can be learned by all, so don’t wait until you are perfect to be nice. Be nice to yourself and you will find that it is easier to be nice to others.

How to Write an Article on the Good

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The good is a complex concept, a term that is used in different ways by various philosophers. It can refer to man’s ultimate end, as Plato believed; it can be used to describe a person’s existent perfections, as the Stoics did; or it can be seen as something that is done to someone else’s benefit, as Aristotle believed. The concept of the good has changed significantly over time, with different schools of thought developing their own theories.

A major idea in the history of the good is the notion that there is a link between what is true and what is good. This concept has had a profound influence on moral philosophy. The philosopher Bergson emphasized the creative, original character of life and said that human action expresses the good. The concept of the ontological good was developed in response to the Hegelian idea that nothing is more basic than being itself.

The word good is also used to refer to the degree of something, as in “that’s a really good grade.” It can also be used to refer to an object’s quality, as in “That car looks really good.” In fact, it is possible for something to be both good and useful, depending on its qualities.

Writing articles that are informative and easy to read can be difficult. The key is to research thoroughly. This is especially important when writing an article on a scientific topic, as it is crucial to have accurate information. Research can be done by referring to books, magazines, newspapers, online articles and other publications that are related to the topic. By doing this, the writer will be able to present an accurate and unbiased report to the reader.

Another thing to keep in mind when writing an article is the target audience. The article should be written to appeal to a specific group of people, such as children, teenagers, young adults or middle-aged adults. The tone and language should also be appropriate for the intended audience. Moreover, the article should be written with the goal of informing or teaching the audience.

The last thing to keep in mind when writing an article on the good is that the topic should be relevant and current. It is also important to make sure the article is well-organized and contains a clear message. Lastly, the article should be free from grammatical errors and typos. Using simple words and phrases can also help improve the readability of an article. Additionally, dividing long paragraphs into smaller sections and adding visual elements can help keep the reader’s attention. If the article is written for a specific audience, the reader will be more likely to find it interesting and engaging. This will ultimately lead to a higher number of readers and more sales for the publication. This will also improve the author’s credibility with his or her audience. This will increase the chances of the article being recommended to others by those same readers.

A Beginner’s Guide to Bicycles

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A bicycle is a vehicle with two wheels that can be used for riding or racing. It has a frame, seat, pedals, gearing, and handlebars. The rider pushes the pedals to move them, and this in turn moves the chain that powers the back wheel of the bicycle to make it go forwards. The rider also swivels the handlebars from side to side to steer the bike. Bicycles are the most efficient means yet devised for converting human energy into motion. They can be very fast and fun to ride, but they also require skill and practice to operate safely.

Many people enjoy cycling as a form of exercise. It can burn calories, strengthen the muscles, improve balance and coordination, and even help prevent heart disease and diabetes. Cycling can also be an environmentally friendly way to travel, since it does not produce any pollution. It is also an inexpensive method of transportation.

Some cities have laws that regulate how and where cyclists can use their bikes. These laws may include requiring the cyclist to wear a helmet or to obey traffic signals. Some cities also require cyclists to have reflectors on their bicycles and to carry a rear light and front reflector at night. Using a bicycle to commute to work or school is an excellent way to reduce stress and save on gas.

It is important for cyclists to remember that they must follow the rules of the road, just as cars do. They should always ride on the right side of the street (in countries where people drive on the right) and give pedestrians the right of way. Cyclists should use hand signals to indicate turns and should never ride their bicycle against the flow of traffic.

If a cyclist is struck by a car, they should call the police immediately. It is helpful if the cyclist can get the driver’s license plate number and insurance information. The cyclist should also insist that the officer issue a traffic ticket to the driver if they are at fault. If the police refuse, the cyclist should file a complaint with a superior officer about the officers’ conduct or lack of knowledge of the bicycle laws.

A review of a bicycle will often begin with the writer saying that the bike allowed them to “rip through singletrack”, “blast corners”, or “shred rocks”. This is the author’s chance to puff up their chest and tell the world how great and talented they are. It is also a way to stoke up sales guys, advertisers and potential buyers who will then buy the product to prove that they are just as good as the reviewer thinks they are.

The GOES Satellites and Their Importance for Weather Forecasting

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates a constellation of 14 geostationary environmental satellites, known collectively as the GOES system. These spacecraft orbit the Earth in a special “geosynchronous” orbit—meaning they rotate at exactly the same speed as the Earth’s rotation, staying in one fixed position above the equator. They constantly watch the same sector of the Earth’s atmosphere, detecting two different types of electromagnetic radiation that reveal conditions in the atmosphere.

The GOES satellites—formerly called the Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites, or POES—have served as an essential element of NOAA’s weather forecasting system for decades. In a typical day, a GOES satellite will transmit data as often as every 30 seconds for the entire hemisphere it covers—a remarkably rapid pace of information for such an important tool.

GOES’s ability to monitor the same region of the Earth continuously is vital for monitoring atmospheric phenomena, such as severe storms, cyclones, fires and volcanic eruptions. Using a variety of sensors, GOES detects visible light and invisible infrared radiation to provide detailed images of clouds and the atmosphere. In addition, it sounds the atmosphere to determine its vertical thermal and water vapor structures, which helps meteorologists understand the origins of these dangerous events.

Each GOES satellite contains two main instruments, which are the most important for monitoring conditions in the atmosphere. The first of these, called the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), is a state-of-the-art 16-band radiometer that measures electromagnetic energy in the visible, near-infrared and infrared regions of the spectrum. Its spectral, spatial and temporal resolutions are orders of magnitude superior to the current GOES fleet.

A second instrument, called the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM), will complement the ABI in observing lightning activity at storm-scale spatial resolutions across a broad geographic area of overlapping coverage. This will significantly enhance the existing lightning and thunderstorm climatology originally established by the GOES-13/GOES-15 system and help improve weather forecasting in regions where GOES is currently unable to adequately observe the phenomena (Christian et al., 2012).

The GOES-R series, which launched on November 19, 2016, will maintain the two-satellite system that has been in place since GOES-9. The GOES-R series will be located at 75 degrees West longitude, which is the location of the current GOES-13, and at 135 degrees West longitude, which is the location for GOES-15.

The GOES-R series is expected to have an operational lifetime through December 2036. The GOES-R satellites have a two-satellite configuration with an on-orbit spare.

Niceness – What Does it Mean to Be Nice?

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Nice (/nis/, French: [nis]; Italian: Nizza [nitts]; Ligurian: Nissa) is a city in southeast France on the Mediterranean coast, capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department and major resort of the French Riviera. The old town is protected as a historic monument and is the heart of Nice, with narrow cobblestone streets lined with flowering jasmine and orange trees. Nice is also famous for its extensive and varied parks and gardens, some designed by renowned landscape architects such as André Le Nôtre and Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier.

People who are nice are empathetic and compassionate, putting themselves in others’ shoes and caring about their feelings. They are generous and willing to help without being asked, and they take responsibility for their actions. They tend to have a wide pool of friends and are considered great influencers.

Psychologists describe personality in terms of five broad dimensions, and niceness is associated with the trait known as agreeableness. In addition to kindness and empathy, niceness is also characterized by openness to experience, fairness, and conscientiousness.

To be nice, you should be honest and straightforward. You should tell the truth at all times, even if it hurts someone’s feelings. You should also be able to assess your own behavior honestly, admitting your shortcomings and taking steps to improve them.

Being nice means having a positive outlook on life and believing that everyone has something to offer. Nice people are optimistic, cheerful, and confident without being arrogant. They believe they have a lot to contribute and are always seeking ways to improve themselves.

If you’re not a naturally nice person, it can be difficult to develop these traits. However, you can train yourself to be more empathetic and supportive. Practicing self-care, being mindful of your own and others’ feelings, and spending time with people you enjoy are all good ways to become more nice.

A toxic kind of niceness exists when you show excessive deference to the chain of command or avoid conflict. This is common in fear-based organizations where it’s believed that if you don’t anger superiors, you have a measure of job security. However, this form of niceness can backfire by stifling innovation and creating a toxic work culture.

The word nice comes from the Latin adjective nisce, meaning simple and foolish, from ne (“not”) and scire (“to know”). It is also related to the Germanic words nisch and nizza, meaning “stupid” or “ignorant.” Listen to this week’s episode of That’s What They Say! to learn more about the history of the word nice.

How to Write a Good Article

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A good article is one that clearly communicates its topic, engages its readers and promotes the writer’s ideas. It’s important to write articles in a language that’s appropriate for the intended audience, avoid jargon and idioms, and use visual elements to keep the reader engaged. A good article is also organized in a logical manner and uses keywords to optimize it for search engines.

A good article begins with a clear understanding of the topic, which must be defined as broadly as possible so that it can cover a variety of issues. The article should also be focused and not include any irrelevant or redundant material. It should be well-written and include no errors in spelling or grammar. The article should be easy to read, with paragraphs that flow logically and use active voice. Breaking up long paragraphs with subheadings and adding visuals can help make the article more readable and keep the reader interested.

The Good

The word “good” has several different meanings in philosophical thought, but the most common is that which serves as the ultimate end and purpose of human actions. Philosophers often discuss this as either ontological or moral good. The former entails the ultimate end of man and the universe as perfect or supreme perfection, while the latter refers to any action that serves as man’s innate moral virtue.

In the Bible, God is described as the “good” Yahweh. The word is also used in the biblical commandments: “thou shalt not kill”; “love thy neighbour as thyself”; and “turn not aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left.”

St. Augustine synthesized the Plotinian notion of the good with Christian Revelation. He held that the good of moral action is a synthesis of the natural goods of a person’s soul and the transcendent good, which is God. He also argued that the ontological good is a degree of perfection and that nature has a definite measure and form.

The Thomistic school developed the idea of the good in a sophisticated way. It incorporated not only Aristotle’s concept of the good but also the further insights of pseudo-dionysius and St. Thomas Aquinas. This led to a finer elaboration of the relation between metaphysics and ethics, so that the ontological or intrinsic good is identical with the good of moral action. Kant, however, criticized this notion as subjective and purely relative. He sought a principle of morality that would be universally valid and based on something absolute in the self, such as the good will or good intention.

What Is a Bicycle?

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A bicycle is a two-wheeled, steerable machine that is pedaled to provide human-powered motion. The term bike is derived from the Latin word for wheel, and the name of the sport of cycling is derived from the French term for bicyclette, which in turn derives from the Greek for circle or cycle, meaning “two-wheeled vehicle”.

A bike’s frame is made of carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium, steel or some combination of these materials. Each material has its own characteristics and has an impact on the weight, ride quality, comfort and price of the bike. The bicycle’s handlebars, seat and cranks are often custom-built to fit the rider. There are many different types of bicycles, including racing bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids and road bikes.

Cycling is a great way to get in shape and burn calories while enjoying the outdoors. It can be as mild or intense as desired, and it’s an effective workout for most people. It increases strength, stamina and cardiovascular endurance and can help improve coordination and balance. In addition, it can reduce the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. It’s also a good replacement for car trips when you want to get somewhere that is too far to walk or take public transportation, and it can help lower your overall carbon footprint (14).

Most people can learn to ride a bicycle with practice. The hardest part is learning to balance, but this can be improved with a few lessons from a bike shop or a cycling coach. It’s a good idea to wear a helmet and protective gear whenever you ride, even for short trips around the neighborhood.

There are several benefits of cycling, but it’s important to know the risks and how to avoid them. The most common cause of cycling-related injuries is collisions with motor vehicles, and this can be prevented by obeying standard traffic laws and positioning your bike well away from cars. Other risks include falling off or getting a flat tire, and these can be avoided by wearing a helmet and riding with other cyclists when possible.

It is important to talk with your doctor before beginning a new exercise program, especially if you have certain medical conditions or health problems. He or she may recommend a stationary or adaptive bicycle for you.

Bicycles were invented in the 1800s, and their history is a bit murky. Leonardo da Vinci is credited with drawing a sketch of a bicycle in 1492 in his Codex Atlanticus, but it is not known whether this was actually a bicycle (15). It is likely that no single person qualifies as the inventor of the modern bicycle, and its development occurred through the efforts of many people. It is believed that a wooded device invented in 1817 by Karl Drais, called the draisine or lauf-maschine, was a precursor to the modern bicycle (16). The later all-metal velociferes were probably an improvement over this design (17). The first modern bicycles were made with two wheels of reasonable size and a chain that connected the pedals to the rear wheel (18). These were probably the predecessors of today’s safety bicycles.

The GOES-R Series of Satellites is Revolutionizing Forecasting

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For the first time in a generation, a new fleet of geostationary weather satellites is revolutionizing the way forecasters monitor the Earth’s atmosphere. Launched in November 2016, the GOES-R Series is a 14-satellite constellation that will provide improved spatial, spectral and temporal resolution never before available.

The GOES-R series includes the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), a state-of-the-art 16-band radiometer that will detect infrared radiant and reflected solar energy, as well as visible light. The ABI instrument has three times the spectral channels, four times the resolution and five times the scanning speed of previous GOES satellites (Table 1); see the colored contours in Figure 3 for the expected differences in spatial resolution for one of the ABI’s IR bands at the GOES-R geostationary altitude of 35,790 km (22,240 mi).

Another key component of the GOES-R series is the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM), which will be able to detect both direct and scattered lightning from a swath of about 3,000 miles wide. GLM will complement ABI information for nowcasting and short-term forecasting of rapidly developing high-impact convective weather in regions with overlapping coverage. It will also contribute to the establishment of a lightning climatology for the Western Hemisphere, expanding on the characterization of thunderstorms and their hazards that were started by GOES-II and GOES-V (Goodman et al. 2012; Stano et al. 2014).

Both the ABI and GLM are designed to support National Weather Service forecasters at local offices, regional centers, and NOAA’s Hurricane Centers, Ocean Prediction Center, and Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers. For instance, the ten-minute full disk imagery provided by the GOES-R series will be essential in monitoring severe storms, tornadoes and volcanic ash plumes to ensure aviation safety.

GOES-R’s improved temporal cadence, along with its new spectral and spatial resolution, will allow meteorologists to detect even smaller features of the atmosphere. For example, GOES-R will be able to provide the first-ever images of a volcanic ash cloud in real-time, and its better-detailed imagery of storms and clouds will enable improved forecasting of wind speeds and lightning flashes.

In addition to the ABI and GLM, the GOES-R series will include a suite of other instruments to measure and monitor the Earth’s atmospheric environment. The Solar Ultraviolet Imager/Extreme UV Irradiance Sensors (EXIS) will detect and track solar flares that can affect communications and reduce navigational accuracy for satellites, high-altitude airplanes and power grids.

The GOES-R series also includes the Space Environment Monitor (SEM), which will observe changes in the near-Earth solar-terrestrial electromagnetic environment to help scientists understand and predict effects on Earth’s surface, atmosphere and ecosystem. The SEM instrument will have a solar diffuser, similar to the NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on its Terra and Aqua satellites, that can be used for radiometric calibration of the ABI visible and infrared bands. The Solar Terrestrial Interaction Modeling Sensor (STIMS) will help to identify the physics of solar-atmospheric phenomena and their impacts on Earth’s systems. Lastly, the Magnetometer will monitor the Earth’s magnetic field.