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BSP

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is a national political party in founded on 14 April 1984 by , a former government employee and activist, explicitly on the birth anniversary of to symbolize its commitment to Dalit emancipation and broader social reform. The party was established to politically organize and empower the "Bahujans," a term Kanshi Ram used to denote the demographic majority purportedly comprising 85% of 's population, including Scheduled Castes (), Scheduled Tribes (), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and religious minorities, through mobilization against upper-caste dominance and advocacy for equitable resource distribution. Under the leadership of , who succeeded following his death in 2006 and has served as national president since, the BSP expanded its influence primarily in , achieving landmark electoral victories that enabled it to form state governments in 1995, 1997, 2002–2003, and most notably in 2007 when it secured an absolute majority in the —the first such feat for a party centered on leadership. During its 2007–2012 tenure, the BSP implemented infrastructure projects, welfare schemes targeting marginalized groups, and a "rainbow coalition" strategy to broaden appeal beyond core Jatav voters, though empirical data shows its vote base remained disproportionately reliant on SC communities, with limited penetration among OBCs or minorities. The party's symbol, the , underscores its emphasis on strength and memory of historical oppression, while its ideology draws from Ambedkarite principles of and economic for the oppressed. Despite these milestones, the BSP has encountered significant setbacks, including a sharp decline in electoral performance post-2012—failing to win any seats in Uttar Pradesh's assembly elections—and persistent controversies over governance, such as disproportionate public spending on memorials and statues honoring icons amid allegations of financial irregularities during Mayawati's administrations. Recent internal developments, including Mayawati's appointment of her nephew Akash Anand as national convenor in 2025, have raised questions about dynastic succession in a party originally framed as anti-elitist. These factors, coupled with competition from caste-based rivals and broader shifts toward national parties, have constrained its national footprint, though it retains a committed base in northern focused on identity-driven over programmatic socialism.

Finance

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

The (BSP) is the of the of the , responsible for formulating and implementing to ensure . It was established on July 3, 1993, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7653, known as the New Central Bank Act of 1993, which restructured the previous Central Bank of the Philippines—originally created on January 3, 1949, under Republic Act No. 265—to enhance independence and accountability in central banking operations. The BSP's formation aligned with the 1987 Philippine Constitution's provisions for a central monetary authority aimed at fostering and sustainable growth. The BSP's primary mandate is to maintain conducive to balanced and sustainable and employment, primarily through an inflation-targeting framework that guides decisions and . Core functions include issuing and managing currency, serving as to eligible financial institutions, supervising banks and quasi-banking entities to mitigate systemic risks, administering , and overseeing an efficient payments and settlements system to support secure fund transfers. These responsibilities are executed with a focus on , including institutions and enforcing prudential regulations to prevent crises, as evidenced by the BSP's role in navigating post-1997 Asian reforms. Governance of the BSP centers on the Monetary Board, which serves as its policy-making body, chaired by the and comprising five full-time members from the and one ex-officio member, ensuring a blend of expertise and oversight. The current , Eli M. Remolona Jr., assumed office on July 3, 2023, following his appointment by Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and has led efforts in adjustments amid global inflationary pressures as of 2025. The institution operates through specialized sectors, including Monetary and Economics for policy formulation, Financial Supervision for regulatory compliance, and for operational efficiency, with a staff structured to handle economic research, , and security services. This framework promotes operational autonomy while maintaining transparency through regular reporting to and public disclosure of key rates and reserves data.

Bank Settlement Plan

The Bank Settlement Plan, now officially known as the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP), is an electronic system developed by the (IATA) to streamline the billing, reporting, and financial settlement processes between accredited travel agents and participating airlines. Launched in 1971, it initially operated under the name Bank Settlement Plan due to the involvement of appointed clearing banks in each participating country, evolving into a centralized mechanism that reduces administrative burdens by consolidating multiple agent transactions into single reports and remittances. Under the BSP, IATA-accredited agents generate a unified report detailing ticket issuances and remit a single payment to a designated central clearing point, typically managed through IATA's infrastructure or local banks; airlines, in turn, receive aggregated settlements covering from all agents in a given territory, minimizing individual reconciliations. This process is supported by tools like BSPlink, a web-based platform for transaction reporting, payment management, and real-time data exchange, which also integrates with modern standards such as New Distribution Capability (NDC) for handling direct airline content . Operations occur on a periodic basis—often bi-weekly—with agents required to report and settle within strict deadlines to maintain , and the system enforces credit limits and fraud controls to mitigate risks. The BSP functions in over 207 countries and territories, supporting more than 59,000 brands and over 400 airlines, including both IATA members and non-members via general sales agents (GSAs) or air handling agents (AHAs). In 2023, it processed transactions exceeding $240 billion, achieving a 99.999% on-time settlement rate, demonstrating high reliability in global fund distribution. For 2024, IATA waived processing and settlement fees for member airlines, enhancing cost efficiency amid competitive pressures in the sector. Key benefits include centralized revenue tracking for airlines, reduced collection costs, and simplified compliance for agents, though participation requires IATA accreditation and adherence to local regulatory reporting, such as tax withholdings in jurisdictions like the Philippines where BSP data informs revenue calculations. The system's evolution has incorporated digital enhancements for virtual cards and cash equivalents, distinguishing between immediate fund access (BSP Cash) and deferred reconciliation (virtual cards) to optimize liquidity. Despite its scale, challenges persist in reconciling discrepancies, prompting specialized software for audit trails and error resolution to ensure financial integrity.

Politics

Bahujan Samaj Party

The (BSP) is an Indian national political party founded on April 14, 1984, by to advance social transformation and economic emancipation for Bahujans, defined as the demographic majority encompassing Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and religious minorities. The party's ideology emphasizes empowerment of these groups through , equality, and opposition to caste-based discrimination, drawing primary inspiration from B.R. Ambedkar's advocacy for , organization, and agitation among the oppressed. It positions itself against policies perceived to undermine reservations or , such as the Citizenship Amendment Act and . Kanshi Ram, a Dalit activist born in 1934 who entered politics after exposure to Ambedkar's writings in the 1960s, built the BSP from earlier movements like the , focusing on independent political assertion rather than reliance on upper-caste-dominated parties. He designated as his political successor in 2001, and she assumed the role of national president on September 18, 2003, following his retirement due to health issues; she remains president as of August 27, 2024. Under 's leadership, the BSP expanded its base beyond core voters by forging alliances and broadening appeals to other marginalized groups, though its electoral strength has concentrated in . The party's most notable electoral success occurred in , where served as four times: briefly in June 1995, for six months in 1997 via coalition, from 2002 to 2003 in another short coalition, and for a full five-year term from May 13, 2007, to March 2012 after the BSP secured a legislative with 206 seats in the 403-member assembly. During the 2007–2012 tenure, the government prioritized like highways and memorials, alongside schemes for marginalized communities, though it faced for high spending on statues and allegations. Nationally, the BSP has held national party status but saw its representation peak at 21 seats in before declining; in the elections, it won 10 seats, mostly in . Electoral fortunes waned post-2012, with the BSP failing to win assembly elections in 2017 and 2022, and in the 2024 polls, it secured zero seats despite contesting all 80 constituencies independently and polling 9.39% of votes there, as votes fragmented toward rivals like the Azad Samaj Party. In October 2025, organized a large rally in on Kanshi Ram's death anniversary, announcing the BSP's intent to contest the 2027 assembly elections solo without coalitions, citing past alliances' failures to complete terms. The party has also engaged in limited state-level alliances, such as with the for the 2024 assembly elections. Despite declines, the BSP maintains a cadre-based emphasizing grassroots mobilization among , though internal critiques highlight over-reliance on 's personality and failure to adapt to splintering dynamics.

Computing

Binary Space Partitioning

(BSP) is a partitioning method that recursively subdivides a into two convex half-spaces using hyperplanes as dividing elements, producing a known as a BSP tree where each node represents a partitioning plane and leaf nodes contain spatial subsets or object fragments. This structure enables efficient spatial queries by leveraging the tree's hierarchical organization to classify points, rays, or objects relative to the partitions. The technique originated in 1969 with Schumacker et al.'s work on hidden surface removal for displays, where it addressed the challenge of rendering complex scenes by preprocessing to determine orders. Subsequent advancements, such as et al.'s 1980 , enabled interactive frame rates by constructing BSP trees from polyhedral scenes and traversing them for back-to-front rendering via a painter's algorithm variant, avoiding depth-buffer overhead in resource-constrained systems. In 1993, applied BSP to video games in Doom, using it to static levels into convex sectors for rapid culling and portal-based rendering, which dramatically improved performance on 1990s hardware by precomputing occlusion and draw orders. To construct a BSP , an initial is selected—often from an object's surface to minimize fragmentation—dividing the space and classifying all objects: those entirely on one side recurse to the corresponding child, those on the stay at the , and intersecting objects are split into fragments assigned to both children, repeating until subspaces meet termination criteria like minimal object count or size. For rendering, traversal starts at the with the viewpoint; subtrees behind the partitioning relative to the viewer are drawn first (back-to-front) or deferred (front-to-back), ensuring correct depth ordering without per-pixel tests for static . Selection heuristics, such as splitting or surface heuristics, influence tree balance and fragment count, with worst-case quadratic size due to repeated splits. In , BSP excels at hidden surface removal and visibility determination for polyhedral scenes, as the tree encodes a partial order of fragments solvable during traversal. It supports tracing by accelerating tests through culling and (CSG) operations in CAD by representing polyhedra as tree unions or differences. For , the tree facilitates broad-phase queries by pruning irrelevant subspaces before fine-grained checks. In games, post-Doom engines like extended it to full with dynamic lighting, though modern usage favors hybrid approaches due to BSP's static assumptions. Advantages include preprocessing efficiency for static environments, enabling constant-time visibility per frame after O(n log n) to O(n^2) build time, and adaptability to painter's or z-buffer rendering without full scene sorts. It reduces overdraw by culling hidden fragments early, conserving fill rate on low-end GPUs. Drawbacks encompass high preprocessing costs for complex scenes, sensitivity to partition choice yielding unbalanced trees or excessive fragmentation, and invalidation by dynamic objects requiring costly rebuilds or approximations like bounding volume hierarchies. Thus, BSP suits precomputed levels but less so open-world or deformable geometry, where alternatives like octrees or k-d trees offer better dynamism.

BSP file format

The BSP file format encodes 3D scene geometry using a binary space partitioning (BSP) tree data structure, primarily for efficient rendering in video games by organizing space into convex subspaces separated by hyperplanes (planes in 3D). This allows the engine to quickly determine visible surfaces from a given viewpoint through tree traversal, culling occluded geometry without full scene processing. The format stores map data such as vertices, edges, faces, textures, lighting, and entities in a compiled binary file with the .bsp extension, optimized for real-time performance on 1990s hardware. Developed by , the format debuted in (released June 22, 1996) as 29, where maps are compiled from brush-based level editors like QuakeEd into self-contained BSP files containing all rendering data. 's BSP29 header is 12 bytes: a 4-byte identifier ("BSP\0" in little-endian), a 4-byte integer (29), and an 8-byte lump entry for the first of 15 lumps, with subsequent lumps following contiguously. Each lump entry specifies an offset (int32), length (int32), and (in later s) lump version; lumps include:
  • Lump 0: Entities (null-terminated strings defining objects like lights and spawns).
  • Lump 1: Planes (up to 32,000, each with and distance for partitioning).
  • Lump 2: Textures (MIPmapped surfaces).
  • Lump 5: Nodes (internal BSP tree nodes referencing planes).
  • Lump 6: Leaves (terminal regions with lists and ambient sounds).
  • Lump 10: Models (submodels for brushes).
  • Others for vertices (up to ), (PVS bitsets for potentially visible sets), and .
The core BSP tree divides space recursively: root nodes split along planes derived from map faces, with child subtrees representing front/back half-spaces; leaves link to face clusters for rendering. This supports techniques like portal rendering for indoor levels, precomputing visibility to reduce overdraw. (1997) advanced to version 38, expanding lump counts to 18, adding support for 65,536 vertices, curved surfaces via bezier patches (lump 14), and enhanced lighting with style variations. Quake III Arena (1999) introduced the IBSP format (versions 42 for Q3, 43 for Team Arena), shifting the header identifier to "IBSP" and increasing lumps to 20+, incorporating shaders (lump 7), megatextures, and brush models with arbitrary polygons rather than convex hulls. Derivatives appear in engines like Source (Valve, 2004), which packs additional data like displacements and world models into BSP versions 19-20, maintaining the lump-based structure for legacy compatibility. While effective for , brush-built environments, the format's reliance on planar partitions limits handling of or geometry without excessive fragmentation, contributing to its decline in favor of vertex/ buffer streaming and occlusion queries in modern APIs like and . Tools like QBSP (id's compiler) generate BSP files from sources, with reverse-engineering efforts documented in developer communities for .

Biology

Bone Sialoprotein

Bone sialoprotein (BSP), also known as integrin-binding sialoprotein (IBSP), is a phosphorylated and sulfated that constitutes a major non-collagenous component of the in mineralized tissues, including , dentin, cementum, and calcified . It has a molecular weight of approximately 34-62 kDa, depending on post-translational modifications such as , , and sulfation, which account for about 50% of its mass. The IBSP is located on human chromosome 4q22.1 and encodes a protein with a characteristic RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) motif that facilitates binding to receptors on cells. BSP expression is primarily restricted to cells involved in mineralization, such as osteoblasts during bone formation and osteoclasts during resorption, with lower levels in hypertrophic chondrocytes and odontoblasts. In bone, it is synthesized and secreted by osteoblasts, becoming incorporated into the matrix where it localizes to sites of active mineralization. Studies in transgenic mice demonstrate that BSP promoter activity is tightly regulated by factors like and homeodomain proteins, ensuring tissue-specific expression in mineralizing connective tissues. Functionally, BSP serves as a nucleator for crystal formation, promoting the initial stages of bone mineralization by binding calcium and ions through its and stretches. It enhances adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation via integrin-mediated signaling, while also supporting attachment and activity, thus balancing formation and resorption. Genetic ablation of BSP in mice results in delayed , reduced trabecular volume, and impaired mineralization, with no compensatory increase in other sialoproteins, underscoring its non-redundant role in skeletal development. Overexpression, conversely, accelerates mineralized nodule formation . In , elevated circulating BSP levels serve as a for turnover and resorption, correlating with conditions like and Paget's disease. High BSP expression in cells is linked to osteotropism and , as it facilitates tumor cell adhesion to the bone matrix via RGD-integrin interactions. Mutations or disruptions in the RGD domain, as modeled in knock-in mice, impair cementum formation, alveolar mineralization, and periodontal ligament integrity, leading to dental and skeletal defects. Recent studies confirm BSP's role in , where it promotes osteogenic cell recruitment and matrix deposition post-injury.

Engineering

British Standard Pipe

British Standard Pipe (BSP) refers to a family of standards developed for interconnecting and sealing pipes, tubes, and fittings, primarily in , hydraulic, and pneumatic systems. These threads follow the Whitworth form, characterized by a 55-degree included , with truncated roots and crests for enhanced strength and sealing. BSP threads are designated by nominal pipe sizes in inches, ranging from 1/8" to 6" or larger, and are widely used in the , Commonwealth countries, and regions influenced by British engineering practices. The origins trace to Sir Joseph Whitworth's 1841 standardization of uniform screw threads to resolve incompatibility issues in British manufacturing. Pipe-specific threads evolved into the designation under BS 21, first formalized in the early and revised through 1985 to include dimensions while retaining sizing. BS 21 specified pressure-tight joints made directly on the threads, covering sizes from 1/16" to 6" with threads per inch (TPI) decreasing as size increases—for example, 28 TPI for 1/8" and 11 TPI for 6". This standard emphasized tapered threads for self-sealing via thread interference, though parallel variants were also defined. BSP threads comprise two primary types: (BSPP, denoted "") and tapered (BSPT, denoted "" for external or "" for internal). BSPP features straight, cylindrical threads that do not seal on the threads themselves, requiring additional sealing methods such as O-rings, washers, or bonded seals to prevent leakage; the taper angle is zero, with sealing achieved at the mating face. In contrast, BSPT employs a 1:16 taper (approximately 1.789° per side), enabling pressure-tight joints through radial interference as the male thread advances into the female counterpart, compressing the thread flanks without needing supplementary seals. Female BSPT threads are often parallel internally but accept the tapered male for sealing. These distinctions ensure BSPT's suitability for high-pressure applications, while BSPP excels in reusable connections.
Nominal Size (inches)TPIMajor Diameter (Male, mm) - BSPTPitch (mm)
1/8289.730.907
1/41913.161.337
1/21420.991.814
11133.252.309
21159.612.309
This table illustrates sample dimensions for BSPT external threads, derived from BS 21 specifications; actual measurements vary slightly by tolerance class, with effective diameters adjusted for taper. BS 21 was withdrawn following harmonization with international standards, with tapered BSP now equivalent to ISO 7 (for pressure-tight threads) and parallel BSP to ISO 228-1 (for non-pressure-tight joints with face sealing). These ISO adoptions maintain the profile but incorporate metric tolerances, facilitating global interoperability while preserving BSP's nomenclature in practice. Compatibility with NPT threads is limited due to the 60-degree NPT angle versus BSP's degrees, risking leaks or damage if interchanged without adapters.

Organizations

Boy Scouts of the Philippines

The (BSP) is the statutory national organization of the , chartered as a by Commonwealth Act No. 111, enacted in 1936 under President . activities in the originated earlier under influence, with the first recorded troop—the Lorillard Spencer Troop—formed on November 15, 1914, in Zamboanga by U.S. Navy Lieutenant Sherman Kiser, comprising 26 Filipino boys sponsored by Caroline S. Spencer. Initial efforts were affiliated with the , introduced in in 1910 by YMCA director Elwood Brown, but the BSP achieved independence as a distinct entity to align with national development goals during the era. The BSP promotes character building, citizenship training, and practical skills through structured programs including the , Senior Scout, and sections, emphasizing outdoor activities, leadership, and community service. It maintains affiliation with the World Organization of the Scout Movement, participating in international events and adhering to global principles adapted to local contexts such as environmental conservation and disaster preparedness. Governance involves a National Executive Board appointed by the , with regional councils overseeing local troops primarily hosted in schools and communities. As of 2018, BSP membership stood at approximately 2.6 million, with organizational targets to expand to 2.8 million that year through school-based recruitment and annual growth rates of at least 3 percent per new unit. The organization is noted for its scale as the largest uniformed youth group in the , fostering and among participants. Notable recognitions include national awards such as the Conference for leadership excellence and the Ten Outstanding program, which honors exemplary members for sustained contributions.

Other uses

British Sea Power

Sea Power, formerly known as British Sea Power, is an English band formed in 2000 by brothers Yan Scott Wilkinson (vocals and guitar) and Neil Hamilton Wilkinson (, stage name Hamilton), along with school friend Matthew Wood (drums) and guitarist Martin Noble (stage name Noble). The band originated from in the but relocated to , where they developed a distinctive sound blending , , and experimental elements, often incorporating maritime and natural themes. Their debut album, The Decline of British Sea Power, released on 26 January 2003 by , received critical acclaim for its energetic tracks like "Remember Me" and established their reputation for live performances featuring eclectic props such as trees and animals. The band expanded their lineup in the mid-2000s, adding violinist and violist Abi Fry in and multi-instrumentalist Phil Sumner (keyboards and trumpet) around the same period, enhancing their orchestral textures on albums such as Do You Like Rock Music? (), which peaked at number 10 on the , and Valhalla Dancehall (2011). They earned a nomination for Do You Like Rock Music? and later won a BAFTA for their soundtrack contributions to the Disco Elysium in 2020. In August 2021, the group shortened their name to , stating the change was to distance from connotations of "antagonistic " linked to the "" amid shifting cultural contexts. This rebranding coincided with continued activity, including the curation of the annual Krankenhaus Festival on the Isle of Skye, emphasizing their commitment to immersive, thematic live experiences.