
Sur la baie de Minamata, au Japon, une usine chimique a déversé pendant plus de 30 ans des liquides contenant de très fortes concentrations de méthylmercure. Le mercure s’est accumulé chez les poissons entraînant une intoxication des populations locales et de graves maladies chez l’homme. Cette catastrophe a sensibilisé la communauté scientifique à la nocivité du mercure, désormais classé par l'OMS (Organisation Mondiale de la Santé) parmi les dix substances chimiques les plus préoccupantes pour la santé publique.
 
Dans ce dixième épisode de Sciences Ouvertes (https://recherche.univ-pau.fr/fr/science-et-societe/podcast.html), Luisa Ronga, maîtresse de conférences à l’IPREM - Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (https://iprem.univ-pau.fr/fr/index.html), présente les résultats de son travail de recherche sur l'utilisation de peptides à base de sélénium pour capter et détoxifier le mercure, tant dans l’environnement que chez l’homme. Ses travaux s’insèrent dans la mission interdisciplinaire de recherche de l’Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour : « Concilier développement, environnement sécurisé et biodiversité préservée (https://recherche.univ-pau.fr/fr/accueil/concilier-developpement-environnement-securise-et-biodiversite-preservee.html) ».
 
Basée sur le campus de Pau de l’Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, dans un des laboratoires de l’IPREM localisé sur la Technopole Hélioparc (https://helioparc.fr/), Luisa Ronga est spécialisée dans la chimie des biomolécules. Elle conçoit, synthétise et caractérise de nouvelles molécules bioactives, et développe des méthodes d’analyse avancées de ces biomolécules.
Par l’intermédiaire de la spectrométrie de masse à haute résolution, elle étudie les interactions de métaux d'intérêt thérapeutique et environnemental avec les biomolécules, que sont les peptides, les protéines, et les acides nucléiques. Ses recherches visent à comprendre les mécanismes d'action de potentiels nouveaux médicaments à base de métaux, mais aussi les mécanismes de toxicité de métaux polluants tels que le mercure.
Les objectifs de ses travaux de recherche sont doubles :
-        Développer de nouvelles metallodrogues (médicaments à contenant des composés métalliques) à visée anticancéreuse ou antibacterienne
-        Concevoir des molécules capables de piéger les métaux lourds, comme le mercure.
 
Ce podcast met en lumière la découverte majeure de Luisa Ronga et de son équipe, qui ont ouvert la voie pour le développement de peptides permettant de détoxifier le mercure, tant chez l’homme que dans l’eau.
 
Ce podcast a été réalisé par Stéphanie Savariaud, avec la participation de Luisa Ronga (https://iprem.univ-pau.fr/fr/iprem/membres/cv_-lronga100p-fr.html), maîtresse de conférences à l’IPREM - Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (https://iprem.univ-pau.fr/fr/index.html), basée sur le campus Pau (64) de l’UPPA.
Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Une nouvelle approche prometteuse pour détoxifier le mercure

What makes the Frankfurt University MBA unique and how can you get in?
Get free school selection help at http://touchmba.com

Ann-Marie Stephenson and Colleen McLister, Senior Recruitment Manager and Admissions Manager of MBA Programmes at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, discuss the Frankfurt School MBA’s admissions criteria, admissions process, scholarships and more. After listening to this episode, you will have a thorough and nuanced understanding of how to submit your strongest application to the Frankfurt School.

Topics
Introducing Ann-Marie Stephenson & Colleen McLister (0:00)
What about the Frankfurt School MBA Surprises International Students? (4:00)
How much German do Frankfurt MBA Students Need to Thrive? (8:45)
Frankfurt School MBA’s Admissions Criteria & Process (11:30)
Scholarships – How to Improve Your Chances? (24:30)
Advice on Recommendations, Case-Study Essays, Career Goals (35:00)
Final Tips for Applicants (46:15)

About Our Guests
Ann-Marie Stephenson is Senior Recruitment Manager of MBA Programmes at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. She has worked as a marketing manager and consultant in many industries including education, health care, and fashion. Ann-Marie got her Bachelors in Marketing & Business and Masters of Science in Marketing from the University of Hull.

Colleen McLister is Admissions Manager of MBA Programmes at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Prior to joining the Frankfurt School, Colleen worked as a Travel Advisor & Sales Specialist. Colleen graduated from Radford University with a Bachelors in Music Studies and Vocal Performance.

Go to https://touchmba.com/frankfurt-school-mba-admissions-recruitment-insights-ann-marie-stephenson-colleen-mclister/ for a full breakdown of the program's key advantages and fast facts about admissions, financing, and careers at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management MBA program.

Inside the Frankfurt School Full-Time MBA: Admissions & Recruitment Insights with Ann-Marie Stephenson & Colleen McLister


Low-code, IA et agents : comment John Cockerill accélère sa transformation digitale


Le low-code et l’intelligence artificielle changent la donne dans l’industrie. Mais comment ces technologies sont-elles réellement utilisées en entreprise ?


Dans cet épisode, je reçois Julien Bonsangue, Head of Digitalization, Data &amp; Analytics chez John Cockerill. Il nous explique comment son équipe développe et déploie des applications en un temps record grâce au low-code, et comment l’IA générative transforme la prise de décision sur le terrain.


🛠️ Ce que vous allez apprendre :
Comment développer rapidement des applications métiers avec le low-code
L’impact de l’IA générative et des agents intelligents sur le travail des équipes
Les défis concrets de la digitalisation industrielle
Pourquoi l’automatisation ne remplace pas l’humain, mais lui simplifie la vie


Un épisode pour celles et ceux qui s’intéressent à la transformation digitale, aux outils d’IA et à l’évolution des métiers face aux nouvelles technologies.


🎧 Disponible sur toutes les plateformes de podcast !
Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

#15 Julien Bonsangue (John Cockerill) : Low-Code, IA et Agents

Hello everyone, and welcome back to AI Tech News Today! I am your host, Aurora, and today is February seventh, 2025. Let’s dive into some of the most interesting developments in Artificial Intelligence making headlines this week.

Anthropic bans AI in job applications. In a surprising move, the AI company Anthropic has decided to prevent candidates from using AI in their resumes and cover letters. They believe that job applicants should demonstrate genuine writing skills instead of relying on AI-generated content. This raises an interesting question—should applicants in the AI field be allowed to use AI in their applications? We leave that for you to ponder.

Google bets big on ‘thinking’ AI. Google has released a new batch of Gemini models, aiming to compete with DeepSeek's recently unveiled R1 system. These models come with a significant two million token context window, allowing them to process large datasets or entire books in one go. They boast improved reasoning capabilities and factual accuracy, making them a strong contender in the AI landscape. However, whether this upgrade truly closes the gap with competitors or merely adds a fresh coat of paint to existing technology is still up for debate.

Google loosens AI ethics—again. Remember when Google proudly touted its ethical AI principles back in 2018? Well, it seems those have quietly faded away. Now, the focus has shifted towards advocating for "responsible oversight" and compliance with international laws instead of outright prohibiting harmful applications. This change could indicate a worrying trend where AI companies align more closely with national security interests, raising concerns about accountability and transparency.

OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT to five hundred thousand students. OpenAI is setting the stage in the education sector as the California State University system deploys ChatGPT Edu across all its campuses. This initiative provides students and faculty with AI-powered learning tools, making AI literacy as crucial as coding or spreadsheet skills. ChatGPT Edu will act as a virtual tutor, automate lesson planning, and even offer AI training and certifications, solidifying OpenAI's dominance in AI-based education.

And finally, for those looking for practical AI tools, have you heard of Ping AI Tasklist? This innovative to-do list software automatically extracts deadlines and reminders from your emails and voice commands. With pricing starting at free for unlimited tasks, it proposes a pretty handy assistant on your productivity journey.

Thanks for tuning in to AI Tech News Today! We’ll keep you updated on more exciting AI developments every week. Stay curious, and see you next time!

Anthropic Bans AI in Job Applications, Google Unveils Powerful New Models, and OpenAI Expands ChatGPT to Universities

Catch up on information you might have missed during the week.

This week's programme features:
•	National Assistance Board’s Senior Recreational Activities.
•	Coastal Hazards and Earthquake Smart Month

This week In Case You Missed It Opportunities – (February 26 – March 4):
Vacancies:
•	Visit the Ministry of Labour’s social media pages to see available positions on the Princess Cruise Liner https://www.instagram.com/p/DGWST1sPw91/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

•	Vacancies at the Barbados Community College. See attached for details.

Tender Notices: 
•	The Ministry of Tourism and International Transport is seeking transportation for staff of the Barbados Air Traffic Navigation Services Department and Officers of the Meteorological Department: https://gov-bb.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities 
Education: 
•	Enrol at the Barbados Community College. See attached for details or visit www.bcc.edu.bb (click apply now)
Other:
For information on Seasonal Liquor Licenses go to https://www.instagram.com/p/DGeSsENRQ4Q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 

To download a copy of these opportunities, go to https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/download/in-case-you-missed-it-feb-26-mar-4-2025/


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT FEB 26 - MAR 4

This episode will highlight the top takeaways from Innovation Summit, specifically as they relate to the future of applications of AI in the enterprise. 

The AI Revolution: Key Takeaways from Workday Innovation Summit - Future of Work Podcast

Je décortique la dernière arnaque IA, "la chute de Builder.AI" ou grosse affaire d'AI washing comme on dit... Une manière de s'interroger sur notre regard parfois trop émerveillé sur ces solutions qui sont finalement trop belles pour être vraies

Builder.AI la méga arnaque qui fait grand bruit

Recorded, edited, mixed & mastered on 12 Jun 2025 by Jim Lemanowicz at Blissville Electro-Magnetic Laboratories of Massapequa, USA. 

Synths, drum machine, effects

Photography/Art - Jim Lemanowicz, 26 Jun 2015, St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, Mulberry St, NYC, USA & 12 Jun 2025.

©2015, 2025 Jim Lemanowicz

---

This original version of “The Fierce Alignment  Of Apple Globule Soup” was submitted as part of Disquiet Junto Project 0702: Chain of Applications . The Assignment: Make music by misusing a piece of music software.

More on the Disquiet Junto at: disquiet.com/junto/

More on the 702nd weekly Disquiet Junto project, Chain of Applications — The Assignment: Make music by misusing a piece of music software — at https://disquiet.com/0702/

The Fierce Alignment  Of Apple Globule Soup (disquiet0702)

Recorded, edited, mixed & mastered on 04 Apr 2019 & 14/16/19 Jun 2025 by Jim Lemanowicz at Blissville Electro-Magnetic Laboratories of Massapequa, USA. 

Synths, drum machine, effects

Photography/Art - Jim Lemanowicz, 26 Jun 2015, St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, Mulberry St, NYC, USA & 12 Jun 2025.

©2015, 2025 Jim Lemanowicz

---

This original version of “Twenty-Four Hour Water-Bug” was submitted as part of Disquiet Junto Project 0703: That’s How You Got Killed Before. The Assignment: Revisit something that you just couldn’t get to work last time.

More on the Disquiet Junto at: disquiet.com/junto/

More on the 703rd weekly Disquiet Junto project, That’s How You Got Killed Before — The Assignment: Revisit something that you just couldn’t get to work last time — at https://disquiet.com/0703/

Twenty-Four Hour Water-Bug (disquiet0703)

"Run here, my towhead grandchillen, and let this geezer dandle you upon his knee." - Lester Bangs

Recorded, edited, mixed & mastered on 04 & 05 Jul 2025 by Jim Lemanowicz at Blissville Electro-Magnetic Laboratories of Massapequa, USA. 

Synths, effects

The first sentence in Lester Bangs' posthumous collection "Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung" is also the first sentence in the essay with the same title. While ostensibly a record review of the Count Five, it's more accurately a work of fiction. Since the early '90s, I haven't read many complete books beyond instructional ones—instead, I graze for inspiration and create my own works. So I pulled out a Kindle app, scrolled until I found a past favorite and here I am.

What I tried to do is capture all sorts of miscommunication—be it literally Lester imagining himself a grandfather (something I don't believe he ever became), or the way he writes in a slang he probably did not speak, in character. Or my own generation (X) trying to figure out the noise of the generation prior ("who cares about Woodstock when there was Love, garage punks, Pet Sounds and the VU?" was my way of thinking at approximately 20). Or how some of this has not aged well since Lester wrote it, and I know he, being of some conscience and allowing himself revisions and growth might approach it differently now. In the same book, read “The White Noise Supremacists” to experience him struggling with it an emerging skinhead culture. Then, perhaps, how people younger or otherwise different than myself would react to this writer.

The title is an obvious nod at Lester’s character's stolen vernacular and also a reference to an anonymous woman long ago who left a message on an answering machine of my co-improviser where the outgoing message was a snippet of some improv we’d done. She left a message that it was “ugly music.” 

The synths I used here are; Cherry Audio's ARP 2600 & Minimoog emulations; Arturia's DX7; Korg's M1; and the Puremagnetik Klome through a Moogerfooger filter and other things for the textural, almost percussive stuff.

Photography/Art - Jim Lemanowicz, 31 Jan 2015, Marjorie Post Park, Massapequa, NY, USA

Music & art © 2015, 2025 Jim Lemanowicz

---

This original version of “You Some Ugly Child” was submitted as part of Disquiet Junto Project 0705: Book Start. The Assignment: Let the beginning of a book help you begin a new piece of music.

More on the Disquiet Junto at: disquiet.com/junto/

More on the 705th weekly Disquiet Junto project, Book Start — The Assignment: Let the beginning of a book help you begin a new piece of music — at https://disquiet.com/0705/. This week’s project was proposed by Neil Stringfellow.

You Some Ugly Child (disquiet0705)

Pure Storage’s foundational approach to product engineering is guided by 15 architectural decisions that were established at the company’s inception and have shaped both the technical and user experience across its product lines. These architectural choices were not made arbitrarily—they stem from a deliberate focus on simplicity, efficiency, and scalability, ensuring Pure could deliver storage solutions that break away from legacy complexity and enable continuous innovation without compromise.

This series will guide viewers through all of the 15 principles, helping you understand why certain choices were made, how they impact your operations, and how they compare to other industry features and products.  Join Pure Report podcast hosts Rob Ludeman, Andrew Miller, and J.D Wallace for this fun technical retrospective on Pure Storage.  Episode one centers around Pure's simplicity in design and capabilities to scale effortlessly.

15 Architectural Decisions Series: Simplicity and Scale

This episode of the Pure Report podcast welcomes back Jon Owings, a long-time Puritan and expert in Kubernetes and data management, to demystify the rapidly evolving world of containerization and AI. We dive deep  into why over 96% of enterprises are adopting Kubernetes, exploring the latest trends like containers as VM alternatives and the advantages of Kubernetes deployments in AI environments. We also shed light on the crucial role of Platform Engineering, helping listeners understand who these professionals are and what they do.

Jon shares insights from his work with Portworx, revealing where they're seeing the most success and why their offering stands out from the competition. Get ready for some "Hot Takes" in a rapid-fire segment covering overlooked industry shifts and even a favorite customer "screwup" story with a successful resolution. Tune in for practical advice on adopting Kubernetes and don't miss the inaugural "Storage Confessions" segment, where Jon shares a memorable challenge and its resolution.


Portworx Revealed: Container Storage Solutions for Kubernetes and AI

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with AAC Librarian Natalie Siciliano to chat about a fascinating part of the American Alpine Club’s history: the days when you used to have to apply to be a member of the Club. The application membership system lasted for nearly 90 years–which means we have extensive records in our archives that feature the climbing resumes and recommendation letters from thousands of climbing's most fascinating characters. In this episode, we dive into the how and why of this application system, why it got dismantled, and what membership at the Club looks like now. Plus, we take a look at some highlights from the applications of legends like Lynn Hill, Yvon Chouinard, Ichiro Yoshizawa, and more.

Flashback to the Era of AAC Member Applications

The Pure Report welcomes Shawn Rosemarin, VP R&D, Customer Engineering at Pure Storage, to explore the critical topic of workflow optimization in today's IT landscape. Shawn shares his unique perspective on how the industry is moving beyond a product-centric view to embrace a platform mindset, emphasizing the profound impact this shift has on people and processes. Drawing on decades of experience, he highlights how true value is derived when technology actively evolves the way companies operate, making life better for IT professionals and streamlining essential business functions.

Our conversation dives deep into the "death by a thousand cuts" phenomenon, where seemingly minor inefficiencies in IT workflows accumulate into major productivity drains and significant risks. Shawn breaks down key areas such as provisioning and resource allocation, performance management and monitoring, and refresh cycles, illustrating how traditional approaches often lead to wasted time, increased costs, and security vulnerabilities. He uses compelling analogies, from ride-hailing apps to airplane checklists, to underscore the need for automated, consistent, and intelligent solutions that simplify complex tasks and minimize human error.

We ultimately arrive at a discussion around an autonomous operating environment, where human ingenuity is augmented by machine intelligence to proactively identify and resolve issues, reduce risk, and accelerate time to market. Thought the episode we link to how Pure’s platform approach, including innovations like Pure 1 and Evergreen//One, is transforming the way customers manage their data estate, enabling centralized policy controls, self-service upgrades, and seamless cloud integration. 

The Platform Mindset: Driving Workflow Efficiency in the Data Center

How can you stand out from thousands of MBA applicants with impressive CVs?

Darren sits down with Ellin Lolis, Founder and President of Ellin Lolis Consulting and one of the top ranked MBA admissions consultants on Poets & Quants, to learn how she helps MBA applicants craft powerful personal narratives. With a near 99% success rate, Ellen shares the process she uses to transform an applicant’s collection of achievements into a cohesive and compelling personal narrative.

Topics
Introduction (0:00)
How Ellin Fell into Admissions Consulting (2:37)
The Importance of Narrative: Why Data and CVs Aren’t Memorable (3:37)
What’s Your Career Goal & Career Purpose? (10:20)
Finding the Golden Thread of Your Personal Narrative (22:20)
Dealing with “My Story Isn’t that Interesting” (40:12)
How to Differentiate Yourself when You Have a Common Career Goal (39:55)
The Power of Vulnerability (45:23)
Darren’s Hot Dog Story – How Mundane Moments Can Make for a Memorable Story (47:19)
How MBA programs are Evolving with AI (50:07) 
Using AI in Your MBA Applications (52:54) 
Video Essay Tips (59:28) 
About Our Guest
Ellin Lolis is founder and president of Ellin Lolis Consulting, which has helped 98.9% of their clients get accepted to at least one program of their choice. Ellin and her team have spent over a decade helping MBA applicants craft their story and build their careers. Prior to starting her admissions consulting firm, Ellin worked in marketing and communications.

Ellin graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelors in International Cultural Studies, and is a member of the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC).

Need school selection help? Get a free expert profile review at http://touchmba.com.

Crafting a Personal Narrative that Stands Out with Ellin Lolis

What makes the IESE MBA unique and how can you get in?
Get free school selection help at http://touchmba.com

What does IESE look for in MBA applicants? How do they evaluate your academic aptitude, post-MBA career goals, leadership potential and fit? In this episode, IESE MBA Admissions Director Patrik Wallen shares candid insights into what makes candidates stand out — and what makes IESE’s two-year MBA unique.

Topics
Program Highlights – What Makes the IESE MBA Unique?

Introduction (0:00)
What Makes the IESE MBA Unique? (3:30)
IESE’s Reputation with Employers (11:30)
IESE MBA’s Two-Year Course Structure (14:27)
Living, Studying & Working in Barcelona, Spain (18:37)
The Importance of Speaking the Local Language: Spanish (25:10)
IESE MBA Admissions & Scholarships – How to Improve Your Chances? 

What IESE MBA Looks for When Building a Class (28:00)
Patrik’s Thoughts on Post-MBA Goals (37:00)
GMAT/GRE Scores & GPA (41:45)
Resumes (48:00)
Written Essays & Video Essays (52:45)
Letters of Recommendation (55:35)
Interviews & IESE MBA’s Assessment Day (57:45)
How IESE MBA Admissions Views Scholarships & How Applicants Can Win Funding (1:03:35)
Career Opportunities at IESE – What to Know & How to Prepare

Has AI Affected Recruiting for Consulting? (1:10:55)
IESE MBA’s Grading System (1:17:30)
What Applicants Need to Know about Landing Jobs in Spain & Europe (1:20:05)
Structured Recruiting & Unstructured Recruiting: What Applicants Can Expect from IESE’s Career Services (1:27:45)
About Our Guest

Patrik Wallen is the MBA Admissions Director at IESE Business School. Previously, he was Director of IESE’s Career Development Center. Before joining IESE, Patrik worked as a general manager in hospitality, founded a fish importing business and worked as a software consultant. Patrik got his Masters in Science in Computer Science from KTH Royal Institute of Technology and his MBA from IESE in 2007.

Go to https://touchmba.com/iese-mba-admissions-insights-patrik-wallen/ for a full breakdown of the program's key advantages and fast facts about admissions, financing, and careers at the IESE MBA program.

IESE MBA Admissions Insights with Patrik Wallen

This is my latest promo mix for the up coming festival season! If you like please comment and share!

For bookings please DM on insta @blackskratch https://www.instagram.com/blackskratch/

Promo Mix!! BlackSkratch

The American Alpine Club Podcast is your guide to the climbing community. We're not your typical training podcast. Instead, we're covering the advocacy issues facing climbers, diving into forgotten and niche stories from climbing history, discovering undercover crushers, analyzing trends in climbing accidents, hearing from SAR professionals, and exploring the biggest cultural ideas in climbing with some of climbing's top athletes.

L'Université de Pau et des pays de l'Adour fait partie des universités françaises labellisées I-SITE, Initiatives Science Innovation, Territoires, Économie. Pluridisciplinaire et multisite, l’UPPA bénéficie d'un environnement de travail exceptionnel sur 5 campus à taille humaine : Pau, Bayonne, Anglet, Mont-de-Marsan et Tarbes.

My music asks listeners to be like dreamers uncovering hidden patterns in passing clouds. Support me @ patreon.com/blisterpop

Workday is the AI platform for managing people, money, and agents. The Workday platform is built with AI at the core to help customers elevate people, supercharge work, and move their business forever forward. 

Workday is used by more than 11,000 organizations around the world and across industries– from medium-sized businesses to more than 60% of the Fortune 500. For more information about Workday, visit workday.com.

BlackSkratch is a Dj who has been tearing it up behind the decks for a few years now. Originally from Toronto, Ontario he is eager to continue his sound and high energy in the Halifax dance scene. Having played his first festival in the Maritimes at Electric Pines in 2023 and his Future Forest Debut in 2024; BlackSkratch continues to grow a strong name and evolve his style to thrive in the maritime dance scene. BlackSkratch brings with him a positive vibe and grooving beats that keeps his crowd lively, euphoric and dancing non stop. BlackSkratch started a mix series about 7 years ago on SoundCloud titled "Skratch Sessions" and is sitting strong at 93 episodes and counting and has gained a strong following from his Skratch Session series. BlackSkratch spins a range of music from Tech House, Bass house, Trance & UKG

Get an inside look at how top business schools assess MBA applicants. Interviews with MBA Admissions Directors and students from the world's top-ranked MBA programs. Strategies and tips on how to craft a successful MBA application and best present yourself. Straight talk on how to get accepted to MBA programs like Wharton, MIT Sloan, Insead, London Business School, and many, many more.

Hosted by Darren Joe, a former MBA Admissions Director. Join hundreds of applicants getting free school selection help at http://touchmba.com.

Bringing you direct access to Pure Storage thought leaders, technology experts, alliance partners, customer insights, and our latest product news.

The Barbados Government Information Service has been established since 1958 as the Barbados Government's public relations and information arm.   This dynamic channel profiles Barbadian people, places and programmes which make up this Caribbean island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.  We hope you enjoy and feel free to comment.  We want to hear from you.

New tracks tagged #applications