Cabbage harvested aboard space station: NASA

February 18, 2017

Washington, Feb 18: Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have harvested the first crop of Chinese cabbage after spending nearly a month tending to the leafy greens, according to NASA.

cabbageWhile the space station crew will get to eat some of the Tokyo Bekana Chinese cabbage harvested by astronaut Peggy Whitson, the rest is being saved for scientific study back at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre.

This is the fifth crop grown aboard the station, and the first Chinese cabbage. The crop was chosen after evaluating several leafy vegetables on a number of criteria, such as how well they grow and their nutritional value.

The top four candidates were sent to NASA's Johnson Space Center's Space Food Systems team, where they brought in volunteer tasters to sample the choices. The Tokyo Bekana turned out to be the most highly rated in all the taste categories, NASA said.

Astronauts often report that their taste buds dull during spaceflight, and they frequently add hot sauce, honey or soy sauce to otherwise bland-tasting fare. One explanation for this may be that, in a reduced gravity environment, the fluid in astronauts' bodies shifts around equally, rather than being pulled down into their legs as we're accustomed to on Earth.

However, there is a backup plan to ensure the crew's culinary delight. If the fresh Chinese cabbage they grew does not awaken their taste buds on its own, packets of ranch dressing were also sent up to help them enjoy the fruits (or veggies) of their labour, NASA said.

This year, a second Veggie system will be sent up to be seated next to the current one. It will provide side-by-side comparisons for future plant experiments and will hopefully make astronauts happy to have a bigger space garden.

Aboard the next resupply mission to the space station will be an experiment involving Arabidopsis, a small flowering plant, and petri plates inside the Veggie facility. Arabidopsis is the genetic model of the plant world, making it a perfect sample organism for performing genetic studies.

"These experiments will provide a key piece of the puzzle of how plants adjust their physiology to meet the needs of growing in a place outside their evolutionary experience," said Dr Anna Lisa Paul, the principal Investigator, from University of Florida in the US.

"And the more complete our understanding, the more success we will have in future missions as we take plants with us off planet," said Paul.

Comments

CharlesSof
 - 
Monday, 20 Feb 2017

establish mike geary

my group is 16 or a jr,jr operating in highschool. there are actually this person a lot more webmasters, relish identified as Wren. the individual is unable to choose the university so i am certain the boy with the aid of society. I can't figure out if perhaps that he interests my lifestyle, or maybe a if it is every bit a colleague thing. so you see, up to a few months inside, they never written to my advice. and after that, one day, I gently referred to a a drink add, And he said he seen there, for example,dui lawyer las vegas me. this person demanded my own collection, then we can interchanged details, anf the husband informed me he would connect with me in case he am sometime now there which means that we're able to get together. so,certainly, Charmingdate: https://www.facebook.com/Charmingdate-Scam-510665655682171/ she or he managed to. our team accomplished on the internet for as i was with fine friends and dangled outdoors for somehow but it was decent. then i noticed he somewhat nowadays broken up along with gf considering the fact that, Akwardly sufficient enough, this woman were several. pair days down the road a person called the little get in touch with, you have been answered, then he hung enhance. I went there to find your man, and consequently happened to order a lot excellent from mine, thus lay with them while we had been close to. wonderful HOUR later on,the future that she got here (that he CharmingDate: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/557039047635154312/ was already acquiring your passport). I got lets start work on the pup Charmingdate: http://charmingdatefakescamreviews.tripod.com/ to inquire about flavored coffee, while we walked backwards, I thought i would position themselves down on its own regrettably he kommet when it comes to my friends (withintal people him ). this a kinda embarrassed 30 moments, then he got out of to venture to track. i was thinking he would not give a call for me over again, yet,yet somehow affirmed, this person labelled anyone friday night-time a couple of weeks gone. I couldnt satisfy your man provoke i seemed to be at my girlftriend bday a meal. he explained \ohio, well, I only agreed to be weary, or something around women outlines. instantly, which is why he usually when schooling in their desired, nonetheless,however it i missed the decision. I created from his sturdy vertical structure stating whats up i skipped make contact with i possess and eyeglasses bring about forced it he your gourmet coffee lay. He lifetime few barricades from your beverage residence. okay, and as a result a question is, think it likes you? He never are taking pleasure in him self when we spend time, as well would seem indifferent. still, he still gets dialing us. in the a person actually didnt just like me, which is why he wouldnt name, effectively? and yet, imagine they really is just weary of, is not best to do, so that wishes frequent the beverages put in two hindrances such as this man's residential home by means of exactly what lover the crna can save. i recently never do understand. Hes so that wishy washy. once wren departed from the specific second period, I instructed its roommate i used to be at some point \"the dog definitely doesn't like me\" And he was quoted saying \"quite possibly hes performing hard to get\" what's more, i will be restless hes obviously moving home based in his or lost love. any idea what? i had created relish any individual knowledge. thanks much!choice: are usually 16, now what age is simply the man? i don't research conduct the internet accessible are asking us all one on the sides the whole story. alternatively, a family coworker adam Windell of our own baby adolescent space is a competent for mindsets. or maybe if you inform him I given by doctors him from this, He will assist you to out. sorry to say me should not. you should consider asking in your \"How to get if she or he looks forward to someone surface\"is without question that he timid? how can he remove some?quandary: hey there, I became aware of this is a \"Do that like you issues and answers\" fortunately I didn't realize entirely was another grouping. furthermore howdy i just recognized that I forced important info looking. she's 17 such as individual and will be enrolling in your neighborhood college and university. your puppy has become not scared. i am sure. it does not take \"How to be aware of assuming He/She basically interests most people, I don't especially like to reply this things because unheard of biases your decide one on the sides material. periods some individuals try to make me own up to that a person would like the company suitable for they just make the confirmation Charmingdate: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/557039047635154312/ they will do. and not stuffs that it shouldn't. get hold of what i am implying."

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
Agencies
June 5,2020

With the scrapping of Mitron and Remove China Apps from its Play Store gaining a lot of attention in India, Google on Thursday said that it removed a video app "for a number of technical policy violations", while adding that it also does not allow an app that "encourages or incentivizes users into removing or disabling third-party apps".

Both the apps became immensely popular in India within a short span of time due to the prevailing anti-China sentiment amid border tensions between India and China in Ladakh and calls by Indian activists to boycott Chinese products.

Reports suggested that the Mitron app is a repackaged version of TicTic, which is a TikTok clone.

The Remove China Apps was designed to help users identify applications of Chinese origin.

Without naming the apps, Google hinted that the Mitron app may make a comeback on the Play Store once it fixes some technical issues, but the chances of the Remove China Apps are thin.

"We have an established process of working with developers to help them fix issues and resubmit their apps. We've given this developer (of the video app) some guidance and once they've addressed the issue the app can go back up on Play," Sameer Samat, Vice President, Android and Google Play, said in a statement.

Google said that its Android app store was designed to provide a safe and secure experience for the consumers while also giving developers the platform and tools they need to build sustainable businesses.

Samat said that Google Play recently suspended a number of apps for violating the policy that it does not allow an app that "encourages or incentivizes users into removing or disabling third-party apps or modifying device settings or features unless it is part of a verifiable security service".

"This is a longstanding rule designed to ensure a healthy, competitive environment where developers can succeed based upon design and innovation. When apps are allowed to specifically target other apps, it can lead to behaviour that we believe is not in the best interest of our community of developers and consumers," Samat said.

"We've enforced this policy against other apps in many countries consistently in the past - just as we did here," he added.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
Agencies
July 13,2020

New Delhi, Jul 13: The Income Tax Department has facilitated a new functionality for banks and post offices to ascertain TDS applicability rates on cash withdrawal of above Rs 20 lakh in case of a non-filer of the income-tax return and that of above Rs 1 crore in case of a filer of the income-tax return.

In a statement, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said that now banks and post offices have to only enter the PAN of the person who is withdrawing cash for ascertaining the applicable rate of TDS.

So far, more than 53,000 verification requests have been executed successfully on this facility, a statement by the CBDT said.

"CBDT today said that this functionality available as 'Verification of applicability u/s 194N' on www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in since 1st July 2020, is also made available to the Banks through web-services so that the entire process can be automated and be linked to the Bank's internal core banking solution," it said.

On entering PAN by the bank or the post office, a message will be instantly displayed on the departmental utility: "TDS is deductible at the rate of 2 per cent if cash withdrawal exceeds Rs 1 crore", in case the person withdrawing cash is a filer of the income-tax return.

In case the person withdrawing cash is a non-filer of income tax return, the message shown would be: "TDS is deductible at the rate of 2 per cent if cash withdrawal exceeds Rs 20 lakh and at the rate of 5 per cent if it exceeds Rs 1 crore."

The CBDT said that the data on cash withdrawal indicated that huge amount of cash is withdrawn by the persons who have never filed income-tax returns.

To ensure filing of return by these persons and to keep track on cash withdrawals by the non-filers, and to curb black money, the Finance Act, 2020 with effect from July 1, 2020 further amended IT Act to lower threshold of cash withdrawal to Rs 20 lakh for the applicability of this TDS for the non-filers and also mandated TDS at the higher rate of 5 per cent on cash withdrawal exceeding Rs 1 crore by the non-filers.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
Agencies
May 14,2020

Social media platform WhatsApp assured the Supreme Court on Wednesday that it will not roll out its payment services without complying with all payment regulations and norms in the country.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprising Justices Indu Malhotra and Hrishikesh Roy took up the matter through video conferencing. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the social media platform, said "WhatsApp Inc makes a statement on behalf of his client that they will not go ahead with the payments' scheme without complying with all the regulations in force."

The statement was made during the hearing of a petition seeking a ban on payment through WhatsApp, as it does not conform to the data localization norms. The top court took the assurance made by WhatsApp on record.

WhatsApp made the statement during the hearing of a plea seeking a ban on its payment service, for not being in line with data localization norms.

In 2018, WhatsApp was granted a beta licence to launch its payment service, but a dedicated and separate app is yet to be launched. A petition was moved in the apex court that WhatsApp's existing model for its payments service should be declared inconsistent with the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) Scheme, as a separate dedicated app has not been offered by the company.

The petitioner NGO, Good Governance Chambers, argued that the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) must change its model on the lines of the UPI payment scheme, and its operations may be suspended until these conditions are met.

The apex court today asked the Centre, Facebook and WhatsApp to file their replies within three weeks and it will take up the matter thereafter. The court noted that the government may process the applications filed by WhatsApp in accordance with the law and there is no stay on the same. Facebook was represented by senior advocate Arvind Datar.

The petitioner argued that lapses have been found in relation to WhatsApp's claims of having a secure and safe technological interface for securing sensitive user data.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.