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EIF Deputy Director Annette Ssemuwemba speaks at the "Islamic Development Bank Focus: Supporting economic diversification and empowerment" on 3 July 2019 at the Aid for Trade Global Review 2019.
© WTO/Jay Louvion
To learn more, visit our website www.enhancedif.org
The companies in this year’s class represent the ever-growing and diversifying entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our companies come from all over the country and bring unique skills, background and expertise to Boulder this summer. While individually different, they are all fueled by an unquenchable desire to improve the world by solving big problems.
This year’s class includes companies that are focused on helping brides get the dress they dream of (while staying within their budget) to enabling any child to make music to wearables that notify a loved one if you feel unsafe to helping home buyers/sellers save money and many more. These 10 companies stood out for their drive and passion to do something great and it’s a true honor and privilege to work with them.
We’re very excited to introduce the Techstars Boulder 2015 class:
adHawk: A mobile app that provides a bird’s eye view of all your digital marketing data in one place.
Blazing DB: An SQL database at supercomputer speeds that’s incredibly easy to use.
Edify: Empower every kid in the world to make their own music.
Flytedesk: A platform for buying and selling uncollected media, starting with college newspapers.
HobbyDB: The definitive database for collectors and hobbyists to manage and monetize their collections.
MadKudu: Data science that helps sales and support teams fight customer churn.
Revolar: The world’s smartest personal safety wearable device keeps you safe anytime, anywhere.
Stryd: The world’s first running power meter that helps runners improve their performance.
TRELORA: A commission-free real estate company, replacing percentage-based commissions with one flat fee.
Photography by 23rd Studios Boulder - for permissions please contact www.23rdstudios.com - info@23rdstudios.com
Diversify on KeyboardPlease feel free to use this image that I've created on your website or blog. If you do, I'd greatly appreciate a link back to my blog as the source: CreditDebitPro.com
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Mike Lawrence
In order to restore biodiversity and to diversify the income of women, Birds, Bees & Business introduces beekeeping to women. In this way, women do not solely depend on shea for their income, but they can also sell honey. The bees are also very important to pollinate trees and flowers, and thus in restoring the landscape.
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In the Birds, Bees & Business programme, Cordaid works on nature restoration and market opportunities in the shea value chain for 22,000 women in Burkina Faso. More information: www.cordaid.org/en/news/birds-bees-business-creating-oppo...
Engaging youth from diversified background is essential to the National Building. Today our team has been organized VIP- Volunteer_Innovate_Participate orientation workshop for the students at Govt. Muslim Higher Secondary School, Vellore. Students from higher secondary classes were participated and learned about importance of Youth Volunteerism and National building.
In order to restore biodiversity and to diversify the income of women, Birds, Bees & Business introduces beekeeping to women. In this way, women do not solely depend on shea for their income, but they can also sell honey. The bees are also very important to pollinate trees and flowers, and thus in restoring the landscape.
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In the Birds, Bees & Business programme, Cordaid works on nature restoration and market opportunities in the shea value chain for 22,000 women in Burkina Faso. More information: www.cordaid.org/en/news/birds-bees-business-creating-oppo...
In order to restore biodiversity and to diversify the income of women, Birds, Bees & Business introduces beekeeping to women. In this way, women do not solely depend on shea for their income, but they can also sell honey. The bees are also very important to pollinate trees and flowers, and thus in restoring the landscape.
---
In the Birds, Bees & Business programme, Cordaid works on nature restoration and market opportunities in the shea value chain for 22,000 women in Burkina Faso. More information: www.cordaid.org/en/news/birds-bees-business-creating-oppo...
The companies in this year’s class represent the ever-growing and diversifying entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our companies come from all over the country and bring unique skills, background and expertise to Boulder this summer. While individually different, they are all fueled by an unquenchable desire to improve the world by solving big problems.
This year’s class includes companies that are focused on helping brides get the dress they dream of (while staying within their budget) to enabling any child to make music to wearables that notify a loved one if you feel unsafe to helping home buyers/sellers save money and many more. These 10 companies stood out for their drive and passion to do something great and it’s a true honor and privilege to work with them.
We’re very excited to introduce the Techstars Boulder 2015 class:
adHawk: A mobile app that provides a bird’s eye view of all your digital marketing data in one place.
Blazing DB: An SQL database at supercomputer speeds that’s incredibly easy to use.
Edify: Empower every kid in the world to make their own music.
Flytedesk: A platform for buying and selling uncollected media, starting with college newspapers.
HobbyDB: The definitive database for collectors and hobbyists to manage and monetize their collections.
MadKudu: Data science that helps sales and support teams fight customer churn.
Revolar: The world’s smartest personal safety wearable device keeps you safe anytime, anywhere.
Stryd: The world’s first running power meter that helps runners improve their performance.
TRELORA: A commission-free real estate company, replacing percentage-based commissions with one flat fee.
Photography by 23rd Studios Boulder - for permissions please contact www.23rdstudios.com - info@23rdstudios.com
The companies in this year’s class represent the ever-growing and diversifying entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our companies come from all over the country and bring unique skills, background and expertise to Boulder this summer. While individually different, they are all fueled by an unquenchable desire to improve the world by solving big problems.
This year’s class includes companies that are focused on helping brides get the dress they dream of (while staying within their budget) to enabling any child to make music to wearables that notify a loved one if you feel unsafe to helping home buyers/sellers save money and many more. These 10 companies stood out for their drive and passion to do something great and it’s a true honor and privilege to work with them.
We’re very excited to introduce the Techstars Boulder 2015 class:
adHawk: A mobile app that provides a bird’s eye view of all your digital marketing data in one place.
Blazing DB: An SQL database at supercomputer speeds that’s incredibly easy to use.
Edify: Empower every kid in the world to make their own music.
Flytedesk: A platform for buying and selling uncollected media, starting with college newspapers.
HobbyDB: The definitive database for collectors and hobbyists to manage and monetize their collections.
MadKudu: Data science that helps sales and support teams fight customer churn.
Revolar: The world’s smartest personal safety wearable device keeps you safe anytime, anywhere.
Stryd: The world’s first running power meter that helps runners improve their performance.
TRELORA: A commission-free real estate company, replacing percentage-based commissions with one flat fee.
Photography by 23rd Studios Boulder - for permissions please contact www.23rdstudios.com - info@23rdstudios.com
The companies in this year’s class represent the ever-growing and diversifying entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our companies come from all over the country and bring unique skills, background and expertise to Boulder this summer. While individually different, they are all fueled by an unquenchable desire to improve the world by solving big problems.
This year’s class includes companies that are focused on helping brides get the dress they dream of (while staying within their budget) to enabling any child to make music to wearables that notify a loved one if you feel unsafe to helping home buyers/sellers save money and many more. These 10 companies stood out for their drive and passion to do something great and it’s a true honor and privilege to work with them.
We’re very excited to introduce the Techstars Boulder 2015 class:
adHawk: A mobile app that provides a bird’s eye view of all your digital marketing data in one place.
Blazing DB: An SQL database at supercomputer speeds that’s incredibly easy to use.
Edify: Empower every kid in the world to make their own music.
Flytedesk: A platform for buying and selling uncollected media, starting with college newspapers.
HobbyDB: The definitive database for collectors and hobbyists to manage and monetize their collections.
MadKudu: Data science that helps sales and support teams fight customer churn.
Revolar: The world’s smartest personal safety wearable device keeps you safe anytime, anywhere.
Stryd: The world’s first running power meter that helps runners improve their performance.
TRELORA: A commission-free real estate company, replacing percentage-based commissions with one flat fee.
Photography by 23rd Studios Boulder - for permissions please contact www.23rdstudios.com - info@23rdstudios.com
Diversified Transportation 5855 is a 2024 Prevost X3-45, operating on the Parks Canada Lake Louise shuttle.
Photo taken on Lake Louise Dr at Lake Louise Lakeshore in Lake Louise, AB.
The companies in this year’s class represent the ever-growing and diversifying entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our companies come from all over the country and bring unique skills, background and expertise to Boulder this summer. While individually different, they are all fueled by an unquenchable desire to improve the world by solving big problems.
This year’s class includes companies that are focused on helping brides get the dress they dream of (while staying within their budget) to enabling any child to make music to wearables that notify a loved one if you feel unsafe to helping home buyers/sellers save money and many more. These 10 companies stood out for their drive and passion to do something great and it’s a true honor and privilege to work with them.
We’re very excited to introduce the Techstars Boulder 2015 class:
adHawk: A mobile app that provides a bird’s eye view of all your digital marketing data in one place.
Blazing DB: An SQL database at supercomputer speeds that’s incredibly easy to use.
Edify: Empower every kid in the world to make their own music.
Flytedesk: A platform for buying and selling uncollected media, starting with college newspapers.
HobbyDB: The definitive database for collectors and hobbyists to manage and monetize their collections.
MadKudu: Data science that helps sales and support teams fight customer churn.
Revolar: The world’s smartest personal safety wearable device keeps you safe anytime, anywhere.
Stryd: The world’s first running power meter that helps runners improve their performance.
TRELORA: A commission-free real estate company, replacing percentage-based commissions with one flat fee.
Photography by 23rd Studios Boulder - for permissions please contact www.23rdstudios.com - info@23rdstudios.com
Diversified Transportation 5849 is a 2024 Prevost X3-45, operating on the Parks Canada Lake Louise shuttle.
Photo taken at Lake Louise Lakeshore in Lake Louise, AB.
The companies in this year’s class represent the ever-growing and diversifying entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our companies come from all over the country and bring unique skills, background and expertise to Boulder this summer. While individually different, they are all fueled by an unquenchable desire to improve the world by solving big problems.
This year’s class includes companies that are focused on helping brides get the dress they dream of (while staying within their budget) to enabling any child to make music to wearables that notify a loved one if you feel unsafe to helping home buyers/sellers save money and many more. These 10 companies stood out for their drive and passion to do something great and it’s a true honor and privilege to work with them.
We’re very excited to introduce the Techstars Boulder 2015 class:
adHawk: A mobile app that provides a bird’s eye view of all your digital marketing data in one place.
Blazing DB: An SQL database at supercomputer speeds that’s incredibly easy to use.
Edify: Empower every kid in the world to make their own music.
Flytedesk: A platform for buying and selling uncollected media, starting with college newspapers.
HobbyDB: The definitive database for collectors and hobbyists to manage and monetize their collections.
MadKudu: Data science that helps sales and support teams fight customer churn.
Revolar: The world’s smartest personal safety wearable device keeps you safe anytime, anywhere.
Stryd: The world’s first running power meter that helps runners improve their performance.
TRELORA: A commission-free real estate company, replacing percentage-based commissions with one flat fee.
Photography by 23rd Studios Boulder - for permissions please contact www.23rdstudios.com - info@23rdstudios.com
In order to restore biodiversity and to diversify the income of women, Birds, Bees & Business introduces beekeeping to women. In this way, women do not solely depend on shea for their income, but they can also sell honey. The bees are also very important to pollinate trees and flowers, and thus in restoring the landscape.
---
In the Birds, Bees & Business programme, Cordaid works on nature restoration and market opportunities in the shea value chain for 22,000 women in Burkina Faso. More information: www.cordaid.org/en/news/birds-bees-business-creating-oppo...
Geetha Tharmaratnam of Aleyo Capital speaks at the "Diversifying Exports in Fragile LDCs: Action for Peace and Poverty Reduction" session on 3 July 2019 at the Aid for Trade Global Review 2019.
© WTO/Jay Louvion
To learn more, visit our website www.enhancedif.org
The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a venomous snake endemic to Asia. The sole member of the genus Ophiophagus, it is not taxonomically a true cobra, despite its common name and some resemblance. With an average length of 3.18 to 4 m (10.4 to 13.1 ft) and a record length of 5.85 m (19.2 ft), it is the world's longest venomous snake. The species has diversified colouration across habitats, from black with white stripes to unbroken brownish grey. The king cobra is widely distributed albeit not commonly seen, with a range spanning from the Indian Subcontinent through Southeastern Asia to Southern China. It preys chiefly on other snakes, including those of its own kind. This is the only ophidian that constructs an above-ground nest for its eggs, which are purposefully and meticulously gathered and protected by the female throughout the incubation period.
The threat display of this elapid includes spreading its neck-flap, raising its head upright, making eye contact, puffing, hissing and occasionally charging. Given the size of the snake, it is capable of striking at a considerable range and height, sometimes sustaining a bite. Envenomation from this species is medically significant and may result in a rapid fatality unless antivenom is administered in time. Despite the species' fearsome reputation, altercations usually only arise from an individual inadvertently exposing itself or being cornered.
Threatened by habitat destruction, it has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2010. Regarded as the national reptile of India, it has an eminent position in the mythology and folk traditions of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Taxonomy
The king cobra is also referred to by the common name "hamadryad", especially in older literature. Hamadryas hannah was the scientific name used by Danish naturalist Theodore Edward Cantor in 1836 who described four king cobra specimens, three captured in the Sundarbans and one in the vicinity of Kolkata. Naja bungarus was proposed by Hermann Schlegel in 1837 who described a king cobra zoological specimen from Java. In 1838, Cantor proposed the name Hamadryas ophiophagus for the king cobra and explained that it has dental features intermediate between the genera Naja and Bungarus. Naia vittata proposed by Walter Elliot in 1840 was a king cobra caught offshore near Chennai that was floating in a basket. Hamadryas elaps proposed by Albert Günther in 1858 were king cobra specimens from the Philippines and Borneo. Günther considered both N. bungarus and N. vittata a variety of H. elaps. The genus Ophiophagus was proposed by Günther in 1864. The name is derived from its propensity to eat snakes.
Naja ingens proposed by Alexander Willem Michiel van Hasselt in 1882 was a king cobra captured near Tebing Tinggi in northern Sumatra.
Ophiophagus hannah was accepted as the valid name for the king cobra by Charles Mitchill Bogert in 1945 who argued that it differs significantly from Naja species. A genetic analysis using cytochrome b, and a multigene analysis showed that the king cobra was an early offshoot of a genetic lineage giving rise to the mambas, rather than the Naja cobras.
A phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA showed that specimens from Surattani and Nakhon Si Thammarat Provinces in southern Thailand form a deeply divergent clade from those from northern Thailand, which grouped with specimens from Myanmar and Guangdong in southern China.
Description
Scales of the king cobra
A baby king cobra showing its chevron pattern on the back
The king cobra's skin is olive green with black and white bands on the trunk that converge to the head. The head is covered by 15 drab coloured and black edged shields. The muzzle is rounded, and the tongue black. It has two fangs and 3–5 maxillar teeth in the upper jaw, and two rows of teeth in the lower jaw. The nostrils are between two shields. The large eyes have a golden iris and round pupils. Its hood is oval shaped and covered with olive green smooth scales and two black spots between the two lowest scales. Its cylindrical tail is yellowish green above and marked with black. It has a pair of large occipital scales on top of the head, 17 to 19 rows of smooth oblique scales on the neck, and 15 rows on the body. Juveniles are black with chevron shaped white, yellow or buff bars that point towards the head. Adult king cobras are 3.18 to 4 m (10.4 to 13.1 ft) long. The longest known individual measured 5.85 m (19.2 ft). Ventral scales are uniformly oval shaped. Dorsal scales are placed in an oblique arrangement.
The king cobra is sexually dimorphic, with males being larger and paler in particular during the breeding season. Males captured in Kerala measured up to 3.75 m (12.3 ft) and weighed up to 10 kg (22 lb). Females captured had a maximum length of 2.75 m (9 ft 0 in) and a weight of 5 kg (11 lb). The largest known king cobra was 5.59 m (18 ft 4 in) long and captured in Thailand. It differs from other cobra species by size and hood. It is larger, has a narrower and longer stripe on the neck.
Distribution and habitat
The king cobra has a wide distribution in South and Southeast Asia. It occurs up to an elevation of 2,000 m (6,600 ft) from the Terai in India and southern Nepal to the Brahmaputra River basin in Bhutan and northeast India, Bangladesh and to Myanmar, southern China, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.
In northern India, it has been recorded in Garhwal and Kumaon, and in the Shivalik and terai regions of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. In northeast India, the king cobra has been recorded in northern West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. In the Eastern Ghats, it occurs from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to coastal Odisha, and also in Bihar and southern West Bengal, especially the Sundarbans. In the Western Ghats, it was recorded in Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra, and also in Gujarat. It also occurs on Baratang Island in the Great Andaman chain.
Behaviour and ecology
Captive king cobras with their hoods extended
Like other snakes, a king cobra receives chemical information via its forked tongue, which picks up scent particles and transfers them to a sensory receptor (Jacobson's organ) located in the roof of its mouth. When it detects the scent of prey, it flicks its tongue to gauge the prey's location, with the twin forks of the tongue acting in stereo. It senses earth-borne vibration and detects moving prey almost 100 m (330 ft) away.
Following envenomation, it swallows its prey whole. Because of its flexible jaws, it can swallow prey much larger than its head. It is considered diurnal because it hunts during the day, but has also been seen at night, rarely.
Diet
King cobra in Pune
King cobra in Pune, India
The king cobra is an apex predator and dominant over all other snakes except large pythons. Its diet consists primarily of other snakes and lizards, including Indian cobra, banded krait, rat snake, pythons, green whip snake, keelback, banded wolf snake and Blyth's reticulated snake. It also hunts Malabar pit viper and hump-nosed pit viper by following their odour trails. In Singapore, one was observed swallowing a clouded monitor. When food is scarce, it also feeds on other small vertebrates, such as birds, and lizards. In some cases, the cobra constricts its prey using its muscular body, though this is uncommon. After a large meal, it lives for many months without another one because of its slow metabolic rate.
Defence
A king cobra in its defensive posture (mounted specimen at the Royal Ontario Museum)
The king cobra is not considered aggressive. It usually avoids humans and slinks off when disturbed, but is known to aggressively defend incubating eggs and attack intruders rapidly. When alarmed, it raises the front part of its body, extends the hood, shows the fangs and hisses loudly. Wild king cobras encountered in Singapore appeared to be placid, but reared up and struck in self defense when cornered.
The king cobra can be easily irritated by closely approaching objects or sudden movements. When raising its body, the king cobra can still move forward to strike with a long distance, and people may misjudge the safe zone. It can deliver multiple bites in a single attack.
Growling hiss
The hiss of the king cobra is a much lower pitch than many other snakes and many people thus liken its call to a "growl" rather than a hiss. While the hisses of most snakes are of a broad-frequency span ranging from roughly 3,000 to 13,000 Hz with a dominant frequency near 7,500 Hz, king cobra growls consist solely of frequencies below 2,500 Hz, with a dominant frequency near 600 Hz, a much lower-sounding frequency closer to that of a human voice. Comparative anatomical morphometric analysis has led to a discovery of tracheal diverticula that function as low-frequency resonating chambers in king cobra and its prey, the rat snake, both of which can make similar growls.
Reproduction
A captive juvenile king cobra in its defensive posture
The female is gravid for 50 to 59 days.The king cobra is the only snake that builds a nest using dry leaf litter, starting from late March to late May. Most nests are located at the base of trees, are up to 55 cm (22 in) high in the centre and 140 cm (55 in) wide at the base. They consist of several layers and have mostly one chamber, into which the female lays eggs. Clutch size ranges from 7 to 43 eggs, with 6 to 38 eggs hatching after incubation periods of 66 to 105 days. Temperature inside nests is not steady but varies depending on elevation from 13.5 to 37.4 °C (56.3 to 99.3 °F). Females stay by their nests between two and 77 days. Hatchlings are between 37.5 and 58.5 cm (14.8 and 23.0 in) long and weigh 9 to 38 g (0.32 to 1.34 oz).
The venom of hatchlings is as potent as that of the adults. They may be brightly marked, but these colours often fade as they mature. They are alert and nervous, being highly aggressive if disturbed.
The average lifespan of a wild king cobra is about 20 years.
Venom
Venom of the king cobra, produced by the postorbital venom glands, consists primarily of three-finger toxins (3FTx) and snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs).
Of all the 3FTx, alpha-neurotoxins are the predominant and most lethal components when cytotoxins and beta-cardiotoxins also exhibit toxicological activities. It is reported that cytotoxicity of its venom varies significantly, depending upon the age and locality of an individual. Clinical cardiotoxicity is not widely observed, nor is nephrotoxicity present among patients bitten by this species, presumably due to the low abundance of the toxins.
SVMPs are the second most protein family isolated from the king cobra's venom, accounting from 11.9% to 24.4% of total venom proteins. The abundance is much higher than that of most cobras which is usually less than 1%. This protein family includes principal toxins responsible for vasculature damage and interference with haemostasis, contributing to bleeding and coagulopathy caused by envenomation of vipers. While there are such haemorrhagins isolated from the king cobra's venom, they only induce species-sensitive haemorrhagic and lethal activities on rabbits and hares, but with minimal effects on mice. Clinical pathophysiology of the king cobra's SVMPs has yet to be well studied, although its substantial quantity suggests involvement in tissue damage and necrosis as a result of inflammatory and proteolytic activities, which are instrumental for foraging and digestive purposes.
Ohanin, a minor vespryn protein component specific to this species, causes hypolocomotion and hyperalgesia in experimental mice. It is believed that it contributes to neurotoxicity on the central nervous system of the victim.
Clinical Management
King cobra's envenomation may result in a rapid fatality, as soon as 30 minutes following a bite. Local symptoms include dusky discolouration of skin, edema and pain; in severe cases swelling extends proximally with necrosis and tissue sloughing that may require amputation. Onset of general symptoms follows while the venom is targeting the victim's central nervous system, resulting in blurred vision, vertigo, drowsiness, and eventually paralysis. If not treated promptly, it may progress to cardiovascular collapse and subsequently coma. Death soon follows due to respiratory failure.
Polyvalent antivenom of equine origin is produced by Haffkine Institute and King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research in India. A polyvalent antivenom produced by the Thai Red Cross Society can effectively neutralise venom of the king cobra. In Thailand, a concoction of turmeric root has been clinically shown to create a strong resilience against the venom of the king cobra when ingested. Proper and immediate treatments are critical to avoid death. Successful precedents include a client who recovered and was discharged in 10 days after being treated by accurate antivenom and inpatient care.
It can deliver up to 420 mg venom in dry weight (400–600 mg overall) per bite, with a LD50 toxicity in mice of 1.28 mg/kg through intravenous injection, 1.5 to 1.7 mg/kg through subcutaneous injection, and 1.644 mg/kg through intraperitoneal injection. For research purposes, up to 1 g of venom was obtained through milking
Threats
In Southeast Asia, the king cobra is threatened foremost by habitat destruction owing to deforestation and expansion of agricultural land. It is also threatened by poaching for its meat, skin and for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Conservation
The king cobra is listed in CITES Appendix II. It is protected in China and Vietnam. In India, it is placed under Schedule II of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Killing a king cobra is punished with imprisonment of up to six years. In the Philippines, king cobras (locally known as banakon) are included under the list of threatened species in the country. It is protected under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (Republic Act No. 9147), which criminalises the killing, trade, and consumption of threatened species with certain exceptions (like indigenous subsistence hunting or immediate threats to human life), with a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and a fine of ₱20,000.
Cultural significance
The king cobra has an eminent position in the mythology and folklore of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. A ritual in Myanmar involves a king cobra and a female snake charmer. The charmer is a priestess who is usually tattooed with three pictograms and kisses the snake on the top of its head at the end of the ritual. Members of the Pakokku clan tattoo themselves with ink mixed with cobra venom on their upper bodies in a weekly inoculation that they believe would protect them from the snake, though no scientific evidence supports this.
It is regarded as the national reptile of India.
Chuck Redman, Director of the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University Dale Jensen, Entrepreneur and General Partner of the AZ Diamondbacks; Ed Fox, VP & Chief Sustainability Officer, APS-Pinnacle West; Dave Thompson, Chairman and CEO, Diversified Energy; Diane Brossart, President of Valley Forward, Arizona's leading organization for sustainability awareness
Chuck Redman, Director of the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University Dale Jensen, Entrepreneur and General Partner of the AZ Diamondbacks; Ed Fox, VP & Chief Sustainability Officer, APS-Pinnacle West; Dave Thompson, Chairman and CEO, Diversified Energy; Diane Brossart, President of Valley Forward, Arizona's leading organization for sustainability awareness
An inaugural meeting between mentors from four federal government departments in BC and 11 skilled new Canadians marked the start of a ground-breaking mentoring program led by the Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IEC-BC).
Canadian Heritage, along with Passport Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and Western Economic Diversification Canada are all participating in the first program phase.
Over the next four months, immigrant professionals will work with their Canadian peers to learn about local business practices, increase their understanding of the BC workplace culture, access professional networks, and boost their cross-cultural communication and career-search skills.
Venue provided by Department of Canadian Heritage. Orientations facilitated and supported by Chris Mara and Astarte Sands from Mosaic BC, Laurie Sing from ISSofBC, and representatives from S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Full Story: tapintotalent.ca/about-us/news-and-events/federal-governm...
Immigrant Employment Council of BC
Tap Into Talent
Twitter: @IEC_BC www.twitter.com/iec_bc
Chuck Redman, Director of the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University Dale Jensen, Entrepreneur and General Partner of the AZ Diamondbacks; Ed Fox, VP & Chief Sustainability Officer, APS-Pinnacle West; Dave Thompson, Chairman and CEO, Diversified Energy; Diane Brossart, President of Valley Forward, Arizona's leading organization for sustainability awareness
Sims Crane works with Diversified Environmental Services, lifting their oil diaster response boats and barges in and out of the Port of Tampa for training.
The companies in this year’s class represent the ever-growing and diversifying entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our companies come from all over the country and bring unique skills, background and expertise to Boulder this summer. While individually different, they are all fueled by an unquenchable desire to improve the world by solving big problems.
This year’s class includes companies that are focused on helping brides get the dress they dream of (while staying within their budget) to enabling any child to make music to wearables that notify a loved one if you feel unsafe to helping home buyers/sellers save money and many more. These 10 companies stood out for their drive and passion to do something great and it’s a true honor and privilege to work with them.
We’re very excited to introduce the Techstars Boulder 2015 class:
adHawk: A mobile app that provides a bird’s eye view of all your digital marketing data in one place.
Blazing DB: An SQL database at supercomputer speeds that’s incredibly easy to use.
Edify: Empower every kid in the world to make their own music.
Flytedesk: A platform for buying and selling uncollected media, starting with college newspapers.
HobbyDB: The definitive database for collectors and hobbyists to manage and monetize their collections.
MadKudu: Data science that helps sales and support teams fight customer churn.
Revolar: The world’s smartest personal safety wearable device keeps you safe anytime, anywhere.
Stryd: The world’s first running power meter that helps runners improve their performance.
TRELORA: A commission-free real estate company, replacing percentage-based commissions with one flat fee.
Photography by 23rd Studios Boulder - for permissions please contact www.23rdstudios.com - info@23rdstudios.com
1. Crop diversification: Opportunities and benefits for smallholders
Chair: Fenton Beed, Regional Director, East & Southeast Asia, Oceania, World Vegetable Center
Soth Sithon, Department Director of Economic Development, Ministry of Woman Affairs, Cambodia
Ryan Roth, CEO, Kabu & Co
Offshore company formation is the core of a global business model that takes advantage of labor diversification, asset protection and global banking.
Goldline International Corporation is comprised of diversified businesses with deep roots in North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa & CIS.
Diversified Transportation 5860 is a 2024 Prevost X3-45, operating on the Parks Canada Lake Louise shuttle.
Photo taken at Lake Louise Lakeshore in Lake Louise, AB.
Diversifieds Champ, a 1992 chestnut gelding by Diversified and out of Nancy Jane Step by Big Step, competes in amateur tie-down roping July 6 at Battle in the Saddle in Oklahoma City with owner Mike Bendele of Bendele Quarter Horses in Chandler, Oklahoma.
The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a venomous snake endemic to Asia. The sole member of the genus Ophiophagus, it is not taxonomically a true cobra, despite its common name and some resemblance. With an average length of 3.18 to 4 m (10.4 to 13.1 ft) and a record length of 5.85 m (19.2 ft), it is the world's longest venomous snake. The species has diversified colouration across habitats, from black with white stripes to unbroken brownish grey. The king cobra is widely distributed albeit not commonly seen, with a range spanning from the Indian Subcontinent through Southeastern Asia to Southern China. It preys chiefly on other snakes, including those of its own kind. This is the only ophidian that constructs an above-ground nest for its eggs, which are purposefully and meticulously gathered and protected by the female throughout the incubation period.
The threat display of this elapid includes spreading its neck-flap, raising its head upright, making eye contact, puffing, hissing and occasionally charging. Given the size of the snake, it is capable of striking at a considerable range and height, sometimes sustaining a bite. Envenomation from this species is medically significant and may result in a rapid fatality unless antivenom is administered in time. Despite the species' fearsome reputation, altercations usually only arise from an individual inadvertently exposing itself or being cornered.
Threatened by habitat destruction, it has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2010. Regarded as the national reptile of India, it has an eminent position in the mythology and folk traditions of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Taxonomy
The king cobra is also referred to by the common name "hamadryad", especially in older literature. Hamadryas hannah was the scientific name used by Danish naturalist Theodore Edward Cantor in 1836 who described four king cobra specimens, three captured in the Sundarbans and one in the vicinity of Kolkata. Naja bungarus was proposed by Hermann Schlegel in 1837 who described a king cobra zoological specimen from Java. In 1838, Cantor proposed the name Hamadryas ophiophagus for the king cobra and explained that it has dental features intermediate between the genera Naja and Bungarus. Naia vittata proposed by Walter Elliot in 1840 was a king cobra caught offshore near Chennai that was floating in a basket. Hamadryas elaps proposed by Albert Günther in 1858 were king cobra specimens from the Philippines and Borneo. Günther considered both N. bungarus and N. vittata a variety of H. elaps. The genus Ophiophagus was proposed by Günther in 1864. The name is derived from its propensity to eat snakes.
Naja ingens proposed by Alexander Willem Michiel van Hasselt in 1882 was a king cobra captured near Tebing Tinggi in northern Sumatra.
Ophiophagus hannah was accepted as the valid name for the king cobra by Charles Mitchill Bogert in 1945 who argued that it differs significantly from Naja species. A genetic analysis using cytochrome b, and a multigene analysis showed that the king cobra was an early offshoot of a genetic lineage giving rise to the mambas, rather than the Naja cobras.
A phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA showed that specimens from Surattani and Nakhon Si Thammarat Provinces in southern Thailand form a deeply divergent clade from those from northern Thailand, which grouped with specimens from Myanmar and Guangdong in southern China.
Description
Scales of the king cobra
A baby king cobra showing its chevron pattern on the back
The king cobra's skin is olive green with black and white bands on the trunk that converge to the head. The head is covered by 15 drab coloured and black edged shields. The muzzle is rounded, and the tongue black. It has two fangs and 3–5 maxillar teeth in the upper jaw, and two rows of teeth in the lower jaw. The nostrils are between two shields. The large eyes have a golden iris and round pupils. Its hood is oval shaped and covered with olive green smooth scales and two black spots between the two lowest scales. Its cylindrical tail is yellowish green above and marked with black. It has a pair of large occipital scales on top of the head, 17 to 19 rows of smooth oblique scales on the neck, and 15 rows on the body. Juveniles are black with chevron shaped white, yellow or buff bars that point towards the head. Adult king cobras are 3.18 to 4 m (10.4 to 13.1 ft) long. The longest known individual measured 5.85 m (19.2 ft). Ventral scales are uniformly oval shaped. Dorsal scales are placed in an oblique arrangement.
The king cobra is sexually dimorphic, with males being larger and paler in particular during the breeding season. Males captured in Kerala measured up to 3.75 m (12.3 ft) and weighed up to 10 kg (22 lb). Females captured had a maximum length of 2.75 m (9 ft 0 in) and a weight of 5 kg (11 lb). The largest known king cobra was 5.59 m (18 ft 4 in) long and captured in Thailand. It differs from other cobra species by size and hood. It is larger, has a narrower and longer stripe on the neck.
Distribution and habitat
The king cobra has a wide distribution in South and Southeast Asia. It occurs up to an elevation of 2,000 m (6,600 ft) from the Terai in India and southern Nepal to the Brahmaputra River basin in Bhutan and northeast India, Bangladesh and to Myanmar, southern China, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.
In northern India, it has been recorded in Garhwal and Kumaon, and in the Shivalik and terai regions of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. In northeast India, the king cobra has been recorded in northern West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. In the Eastern Ghats, it occurs from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to coastal Odisha, and also in Bihar and southern West Bengal, especially the Sundarbans. In the Western Ghats, it was recorded in Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra, and also in Gujarat. It also occurs on Baratang Island in the Great Andaman chain.
Behaviour and ecology
Captive king cobras with their hoods extended
Like other snakes, a king cobra receives chemical information via its forked tongue, which picks up scent particles and transfers them to a sensory receptor (Jacobson's organ) located in the roof of its mouth. When it detects the scent of prey, it flicks its tongue to gauge the prey's location, with the twin forks of the tongue acting in stereo. It senses earth-borne vibration and detects moving prey almost 100 m (330 ft) away.
Following envenomation, it swallows its prey whole. Because of its flexible jaws, it can swallow prey much larger than its head. It is considered diurnal because it hunts during the day, but has also been seen at night, rarely.
Diet
King cobra in Pune
King cobra in Pune, India
The king cobra is an apex predator and dominant over all other snakes except large pythons. Its diet consists primarily of other snakes and lizards, including Indian cobra, banded krait, rat snake, pythons, green whip snake, keelback, banded wolf snake and Blyth's reticulated snake. It also hunts Malabar pit viper and hump-nosed pit viper by following their odour trails. In Singapore, one was observed swallowing a clouded monitor. When food is scarce, it also feeds on other small vertebrates, such as birds, and lizards. In some cases, the cobra constricts its prey using its muscular body, though this is uncommon. After a large meal, it lives for many months without another one because of its slow metabolic rate.
Defence
A king cobra in its defensive posture (mounted specimen at the Royal Ontario Museum)
The king cobra is not considered aggressive. It usually avoids humans and slinks off when disturbed, but is known to aggressively defend incubating eggs and attack intruders rapidly. When alarmed, it raises the front part of its body, extends the hood, shows the fangs and hisses loudly. Wild king cobras encountered in Singapore appeared to be placid, but reared up and struck in self defense when cornered.
The king cobra can be easily irritated by closely approaching objects or sudden movements. When raising its body, the king cobra can still move forward to strike with a long distance, and people may misjudge the safe zone. It can deliver multiple bites in a single attack.
Growling hiss
The hiss of the king cobra is a much lower pitch than many other snakes and many people thus liken its call to a "growl" rather than a hiss. While the hisses of most snakes are of a broad-frequency span ranging from roughly 3,000 to 13,000 Hz with a dominant frequency near 7,500 Hz, king cobra growls consist solely of frequencies below 2,500 Hz, with a dominant frequency near 600 Hz, a much lower-sounding frequency closer to that of a human voice. Comparative anatomical morphometric analysis has led to a discovery of tracheal diverticula that function as low-frequency resonating chambers in king cobra and its prey, the rat snake, both of which can make similar growls.
Reproduction
A captive juvenile king cobra in its defensive posture
The female is gravid for 50 to 59 days.The king cobra is the only snake that builds a nest using dry leaf litter, starting from late March to late May. Most nests are located at the base of trees, are up to 55 cm (22 in) high in the centre and 140 cm (55 in) wide at the base. They consist of several layers and have mostly one chamber, into which the female lays eggs. Clutch size ranges from 7 to 43 eggs, with 6 to 38 eggs hatching after incubation periods of 66 to 105 days. Temperature inside nests is not steady but varies depending on elevation from 13.5 to 37.4 °C (56.3 to 99.3 °F). Females stay by their nests between two and 77 days. Hatchlings are between 37.5 and 58.5 cm (14.8 and 23.0 in) long and weigh 9 to 38 g (0.32 to 1.34 oz).
The venom of hatchlings is as potent as that of the adults. They may be brightly marked, but these colours often fade as they mature. They are alert and nervous, being highly aggressive if disturbed.
The average lifespan of a wild king cobra is about 20 years.
Venom
Venom of the king cobra, produced by the postorbital venom glands, consists primarily of three-finger toxins (3FTx) and snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs).
Of all the 3FTx, alpha-neurotoxins are the predominant and most lethal components when cytotoxins and beta-cardiotoxins also exhibit toxicological activities. It is reported that cytotoxicity of its venom varies significantly, depending upon the age and locality of an individual. Clinical cardiotoxicity is not widely observed, nor is nephrotoxicity present among patients bitten by this species, presumably due to the low abundance of the toxins.
SVMPs are the second most protein family isolated from the king cobra's venom, accounting from 11.9% to 24.4% of total venom proteins. The abundance is much higher than that of most cobras which is usually less than 1%. This protein family includes principal toxins responsible for vasculature damage and interference with haemostasis, contributing to bleeding and coagulopathy caused by envenomation of vipers. While there are such haemorrhagins isolated from the king cobra's venom, they only induce species-sensitive haemorrhagic and lethal activities on rabbits and hares, but with minimal effects on mice. Clinical pathophysiology of the king cobra's SVMPs has yet to be well studied, although its substantial quantity suggests involvement in tissue damage and necrosis as a result of inflammatory and proteolytic activities, which are instrumental for foraging and digestive purposes.
Ohanin, a minor vespryn protein component specific to this species, causes hypolocomotion and hyperalgesia in experimental mice. It is believed that it contributes to neurotoxicity on the central nervous system of the victim.
Clinical Management
King cobra's envenomation may result in a rapid fatality, as soon as 30 minutes following a bite. Local symptoms include dusky discolouration of skin, edema and pain; in severe cases swelling extends proximally with necrosis and tissue sloughing that may require amputation. Onset of general symptoms follows while the venom is targeting the victim's central nervous system, resulting in blurred vision, vertigo, drowsiness, and eventually paralysis. If not treated promptly, it may progress to cardiovascular collapse and subsequently coma. Death soon follows due to respiratory failure.
Polyvalent antivenom of equine origin is produced by Haffkine Institute and King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research in India. A polyvalent antivenom produced by the Thai Red Cross Society can effectively neutralise venom of the king cobra. In Thailand, a concoction of turmeric root has been clinically shown to create a strong resilience against the venom of the king cobra when ingested. Proper and immediate treatments are critical to avoid death. Successful precedents include a client who recovered and was discharged in 10 days after being treated by accurate antivenom and inpatient care.
It can deliver up to 420 mg venom in dry weight (400–600 mg overall) per bite, with a LD50 toxicity in mice of 1.28 mg/kg through intravenous injection, 1.5 to 1.7 mg/kg through subcutaneous injection, and 1.644 mg/kg through intraperitoneal injection. For research purposes, up to 1 g of venom was obtained through milking
Threats
In Southeast Asia, the king cobra is threatened foremost by habitat destruction owing to deforestation and expansion of agricultural land. It is also threatened by poaching for its meat, skin and for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Conservation
The king cobra is listed in CITES Appendix II. It is protected in China and Vietnam. In India, it is placed under Schedule II of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Killing a king cobra is punished with imprisonment of up to six years. In the Philippines, king cobras (locally known as banakon) are included under the list of threatened species in the country. It is protected under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (Republic Act No. 9147), which criminalises the killing, trade, and consumption of threatened species with certain exceptions (like indigenous subsistence hunting or immediate threats to human life), with a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and a fine of ₱20,000.
Cultural significance
The king cobra has an eminent position in the mythology and folklore of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. A ritual in Myanmar involves a king cobra and a female snake charmer. The charmer is a priestess who is usually tattooed with three pictograms and kisses the snake on the top of its head at the end of the ritual. Members of the Pakokku clan tattoo themselves with ink mixed with cobra venom on their upper bodies in a weekly inoculation that they believe would protect them from the snake, though no scientific evidence supports this.
It is regarded as the national reptile of India.
Engaging youth from diversified background is essential to the National Building. Today our team has been organized VIP- Volunteer_Innovate_Participate orientation workshop for the students at Govt. Muslim Higher Secondary School, Vellore. Students from higher secondary classes were participated and learned about importance of Youth Volunteerism and National building.
Sims Crane works with Diversified Environmental Services, lifting their oil diaster response boats and barges in and out of the Port of Tampa for training.
Taken AUG 22, 2009 in Springtown, TX .
Child Nutrition and Book Depository
A curious combination of services
Zoarisoa, female head of household with six children and 13 grandchildren, who benefited from FAO’s PRO-ACTING project.
Photo credits must be given to: ©FAO/Volantiana Raharinaivo. Editorial use only. Copyright FAO.
Chuck Redman, Director of the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University Dale Jensen, Entrepreneur and General Partner of the AZ Diamondbacks; Ed Fox, VP & Chief Sustainability Officer, APS-Pinnacle West; Dave Thompson, Chairman and CEO, Diversified Energy; Diane Brossart, President of Valley Forward, Arizona's leading organization for sustainability awareness