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.

The Importance of Being Nice

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Nice is the French term for “pleasant” or “friendly.” People who are nice act in a friendly, ingratiating way towards others. They try to please others, and they may go out of their way to do so. They might treat everyone the same and make an effort to avoid discrimination on the basis of race, age, gender, sexuality, or religion. They often try to help people who are in need. They might offer to give someone directions or help them with their luggage. They might say hello to everyone they meet, even total strangers on the street. Nice people are polite and courteous, and they never say anything mean or hurtful to other people.

The word nice also has several other meanings, including “foolish” or “stupid.” The history of the word shows that its semantic development is quite varied, and any attempt to insist on a single sense as the only correct one would be difficult to sustain.

Generally, being nice requires a lot of empathy and selflessness. Nice people try to understand the world through the eyes of other people, and they are interested in other cultures. They are empathetic to people who are sad or sick, and they try to be helpful to them. They do not gossip or judge other people, and they try to resolve conflicts peacefully. They are aware of the importance of establishing healthy boundaries, and they set limits on their behavior to prevent exploitation.

In addition to being a kind person, it is important for nice people to be punctual. They respect other people’s time, and they try to arrive on time for meetings and appointments. They also try to be courteous, and they use phrases like “nice of you to come” when they receive a compliment. People who are nice often take the trouble to do small acts of kindness, such as helping someone cross the road or holding the door for them. They might even do things for strangers, such as buying them a coffee or sending them a card.

It is also important for nice people to be able to listen attentively and respectfully to other people’s opinions. They try to avoid interrupting or rushing into conversations, and they try to stay focused on the topic at hand. They also try to avoid judging other people, and they always treat everybody equally.

Being nice can have its downsides, however. If people are trying to be nice all the time, they can end up repressing their true feelings, which might explode in an emotional outburst at some point. In addition, if they are only being nice to certain people, it might seem artificial or hypocritical. They might also miss opportunities to be nice, because they are afraid of displeasing other people.

The Meaning of Good in Philosophy and Morality

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Good is a general term used to recommend or express approval in many contexts, such as:

In philosophy and morality, “good” may refer to:

The good is the object of ethical, philosophical, religious, and scientific inquiry and study. It is also the subject of an extensive range of social, political, and cultural beliefs, values, and practices. The good is usually contrasted with evil. It is a central concept in most religions and, more generally, a key part of ethics, morality, philosophy, and theology.

Several theories of good have been advanced, including utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and natural law. A basic idea is that the good is something that a person can seek and achieve, while evil is something that a person cannot. The good is a rational goal for human life, and the way to it involves the cultivation of certain virtues.

For Plato, the good is a particular synthesis of the virtues, elaborated as a pattern through reason. It is a standard or norm that defines the right course of action in any situation. For Aristotle, the good is that for which all actions are directed. It may be identified as the ultimate end of an activity, or it may be a less specific and lower good, such as pleasure or wealth. It must, however, transcend lower goods, and be distinct from a mere product of an activity.

Aristotle distinguishes between intrinsic goods — things that are valuable for their own sakes — and extrinsic goods — things that have value only in relation to something else. He also identifies an intermediate good, which may be desired for its own sake or as a means to other ends. He argues that man can only be certain of the existence and nature of the ultimate good by revelation.

In contemporary English, the use of “good” is generally restricted to positive or desirable aspects of a person or thing, and to expressing satisfaction, praise, commendation, or approval. It is frequently used in the idioms, colloquialisms, and metaphors of everyday speech, and is more informal than the word well (which is a common alternative).

When an article or statement makes a strong case, the phrase that is “a good point” is often employed to stress its significance. Alternatively, the phrase that is “a great good point” can be used to emphasize its importance and relevance.

It is important to remember that writing a good article involves more than just presenting accurate information and using logical language. The process of creating a good article includes identifying and addressing reader needs, making the topic accessible to all readers, and adding an emotional dimension to the piece. The best way to do this is by using idioms, colloquialisms, analogies, and metaphors that your audience will recognize and understand. They will also help to make the article more personal, allowing your audience to connect with the material on a deeper level.

The Basics of a Bicycle

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A bicycle is a two-wheeled device that can be steered by the rider, who stands on the seat and pushes on the pedals. Millions of people worldwide use bicycles for fun, exercise and transportation, as well as for sport (called cycling).

Bicycles have a frame with handlebars for steering, a seat and two pedals. The cranks (arms) are connected to the back wheel by a chain, and when the rider presses on the pedals, the back wheel turns, moving the bicycle forward. The bicycle is a great way to get around, and it is also a work of mechanical art.

The first modern bicycles appeared in the 19th century. The inventor, German-born Karl Drais (1785-1851) created a wooden prototype called a draisine in 1817. In France, blacksmiths made metal versions of the draisine with a front wheel up to 60 inches (152.4 cm) in diameter. They were known as boneshakers because of their harsh ride.

In the 1860s, James Starley of Coventry improved the design of the French bicycle with the use of tangent spokes and a larger front wheel. This improved the ride and allowed for faster speeds. During this time the bicycle became popular in America, and a large number of small manufacturers started operations to meet demand. Inventors experimented with different methods of transmitting power from the rider’s legs to the bicycle, but none could match the efficiency and cost of the chain drive.

Inventors also worked to improve the comfort of bicycles by adding ball bearings and a solid rubber tire. Those improvements, combined with the chain drive, led to the development of the modern bicycle as we know it today.

In recent decades, the popularity of bicycles has surged in many countries, especially in developing nations. This has been largely due to their effectiveness as a means of both transportation and recreation. A bicycle can travel much farther than a human can walk or run in the same amount of time, and it requires less energy to operate than a motor vehicle. In addition, a bicycle provides an excellent form of exercise, which strengthens muscles and increases cardiovascular fitness.

If a news story mentions a bicycle, it is usually in the context of a negative event or act. For example, if a person is caught dropping litter or stealing a bike, the reporter will probably make sure to include a picture of the offending bicycle in the article. This is done to imply that the bicycle was somehow responsible for the crime.

A bicycle is the most popular mode of mechanized transport in the world. In China, the country’s largest manufacturer of bicycles is called Flying Pigeon, and a bicycle in the home is considered an indicator of prosperity. Deng Xiaoping, the Chinese leader who launched economic reforms in the 1970s, once claimed that a bicycle in every household is one of the keys to economic success. However, there is a downside to bicycles: they are not environmentally friendly and can lead to health problems such as obesity and muscle injuries.

GOES-T Launched to Earth’s Geostationary Orbit

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GOES, or Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites, are NOAA spacecraft that continuously provide imagery and data on atmospheric conditions and solar activity (space weather). They aid in search and rescue operations and help forecasters predict the development of severe localized weather events such as storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and fog.

Located in geostationary orbit 35,790 km (22,240 mi) above Earth, GOES provides continuous, near real-time observations of the entire continental United States and adjacent oceans. These observations are a vital part of the nation’s weather, ocean and climate system, providing a unique view of the dynamic weather that affects all areas of our lives.

The GOES series of satellites, built by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, include the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), the Magnetometer, the Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensor (EXIS) and the Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS). All are controlled from the Satellite Operations Control Center in Suitland, Maryland.

Since 1975, the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) have provided continuous imagery and data on atmospheric conditions and solar activity. These observations have contributed to more accurate and timely weather forecasts, aided in the search and rescue of people in distress, and improved our understanding of long-term climate conditions.

GOES-13, formerly called the GEOS-5 satellite, was lost in a space debris collision in 2006 and is no longer operational. GOES-15, formerly known as GEOS-6, was made operational in 2007. GOES-16 and GOES-17 are currently operating in a full-time capacity.

The launch of GOES-18 is scheduled for April 29, 2020. The satellite will be positioned over the CONUS and is expected to reach its operational declaration in early 2021. Until then, ABI data files will be available with the caveat GOES-18 Preliminary, Non-Operational Data.

The GOES-T launch will mark the third time ULA has delivered a GOES satellite to orbit. The Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, which inherited the heritage of NASA’s original GOES satellites when ULA was formed 15 years ago, have launched every GOES satellite ever launched.

The Go-Go’s were a girl band that was a major influence on the punk rock movement. It was a style of music that rejected corporate radio and the Svengalis who tried to mold it. The Go-Go’s did it their own way, which was a big part of why their songs spoke to so many young people. We’re thrilled that the GOES-T mission will be powered by the Atlas V and Delta IV, our heritage launch vehicles. Those rockets have a long record of success and continue to demonstrate their value in the challenging environment of commercial satellite launches. We look forward to the opportunity to work with the GOES-T team and its partners to deliver this critically important new technology to our customers.