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Lugdunum: Roman naval base and fortified military granary at the estuary of the river Rhine, modern Katwijk in the Netherlands
Lugdunum was a naval base and fortified military granary at the estuary of the river Rhine. It was probably the location of one of the strangest incidents from ancient history. In 40, the emperor Caligula arrived at the beach with many soldiers, probably belonging to the newly recruited Twenty-second legion Primigenia. What happened next, is told by his biographer Suetonius.
Finally, as if resolved to make war in earnest, he drew up a line of battle on the shore of the ocean, placed his ballistas and other artillery, and, no one knowing or able to imagine what he was going to do, he all of a sudden commanded they gather sea shells and fill their helmets and pockets with them [...]. As a monument of this victory, he erected a lofty tower, from which lights were to shine at night to guide the course of ships, as from the lighthouse of Alexandria.note[Suetonius, Life of Caligula 46; tr. J. Gavorse.]
This farce must have taken place on the beach near modern Katwijk, because we know for certain that Caligula was present in 40. In the preceding winter, a military base was constructed at nearby Valkenburg. It was called Praetorium Agrippinae; the first element of this name means "headquarters", the second is a reference to the emperor's mother Agrippina. The presence of the emperor at the mouth of the Rhine is certain, because a barrel has been found that once contained wine from the emperor's personal vineyards. As late as the sixteenth century, fishermen from Katwijk called a group of underwater ruins "the tower of Kalla". Because there has been continuous human occupation at the mouth of the Rhine, it is tempting to think that the site of the lighthouse was still been remembered.
Apart from these stories, Lugdunum is only known to us from drawings from the sixteenth and seventeenth century, when the ruins of the ancient settlement (not the lighthouse) became visible on the beach. The precise location of the Brittenburg, however, is still hotly debated.
The drawing by Abraham Ortelius, one of the most famous cartographers of all ages, shows a building that can probably be identified with a horreum or military granary. The heavy walls with round towers suggest a date in the fourth century.
The ruins of the Brittenburg were probably sighted for the last time in the last days of October (or the first days of November) 1954. Unfortunately, nobody has recorded their precise location. Modern archaeologists have been unable to trace the ruins of the 'Brittenburg', which have become one of the most famous and romantic mysteries of Dutch archaeology. The violence of the sea has probably destroyed the remains of the castle beyond recovery.
The Renaissance expression "Lugdunum Batavorum" to describe the nearby town of Leiden is erroneous. In Antiquity, Leiden was called Matilo.
- D. Parleviet, "De Brittenburg voorgoed verloren" in Westerheem 51/3 (2002)
- Simon Wynia, "Gaius was here. The Emperor Gaius' Preparations for the Invasion of Britannia: New Evidence" in: H. Sarfatij, W.J.H. Verwers, P.J. Woltering (eds.), In Discussion with the Past. Archaeological studies presented to W.A. van Es (1999 Amersfoort) |
There is no use denying the fact that philosophy is an integral part of our society, Thought all the history of humanity people have been trying to cognize a great number of various objects and phenomena and philosophy was chosen as the main instrument of cognition. Scientists and thinkers created treatises in which they explained their points of view and tried to convince readers of the correctness of the given version. Very often various artistic devices and unexpected proposals and endings helped to create the needed effect and convince a reader. Being one of the most famous scientists and philosophers of his age, Descartes also created several works in which he tried to explain his own thoughts with the help of various tools.
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Descartes is known for his great contribution to the development of various sciences, such as mathematics and geometry. However, he also introduced a certain religious discourse trying to proof the existence of God in his own especial way (Newman, 2014). The fact is that having an outstanding intellect, he managed to suggest a great number of various concepts and ideas that his contemporaries were not able to refute. That is why, a great number of his works are devoted to cogitations about the nature of cognition, though and the existence of God. The following reading selection is not an exception as it introduces the philosophers thoughts about the nature of various phenomena in the universe.
The given reading selection starts with the Descartes meditations about the universe and truth. Resting on the first lines of the given reading, one could suggest that these cogitations will lead a reader to a certain thought connected with the nature of cognition. Thus, continuing reading, it is possible to assure that the author goes deep into his own mental process, formulating the famous dogma “I am thinking therefore I exist” (Descartes, 1637, p. 15). That is why, a reader realizes the fact that the given work revolves around various aspects and concepts of cognition, its nature and the impact it has on a person. However, in the middle of the reading selection the author switches to the new line of talk, saying that a person is not able to think about the nature of the universe or perfectness without the help of some higher and perfect creature.
In terms of the given paper this shift seems rather unexpected as a reader awaits the continuation of the cogitation about the nature of things and cognition. However, the authors idea that thoughts of this kind appear in a persons head under the influence of God shifts the priorities and a reader starts to follow Descartes in his attempts to prove the existence of good with the help of tools and thoughts available to him. It is possible to say that the author manages to surprise a reader with the help of this shift and arouse interest for his further words. A reader is not able to stop reading, wanting to understand the main idea and reach the end of the given reading.
Besides, it should also be said that if a person knows the main Descartes ideas and theories, he/she could expect the above-mentioned shift from the nature of cognition towards the existence of God. However, Descartes managed to create the reading that could surprise and generate interest among readers even nowadays.
Descartes. R. (1637). Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting one’s Reason and Seeking Truth in the Sciences. Web.
Newman, L. (2014). Descartes’ Epistemology. Web. |
Problem Solving: Find the time for the second bus to catch up
A bus leaves a station at 8:00 a.m. and averages 30 mi/h. Another bus leaves the same station following the same route two hours after the first and averages 50 mi/h. When will the second bus catch up to the first?
Answer STEP 1:
We are given that the first bus leaves a station at a rate of 30 mi/h at 8.00 am and that the second bus leaves the same station two hours later at a rate of 50mi/h. Assume a variable for the time taken by the first bus to travel, say, t
Recall the formula:
In this case, the distances are the same, so we just need to set the rate × time
equal for both the cases.STEP 3:
We can see that 50 is distributed over the difference t – 2
. To remove the parentheses
in this expression, first multiply 50
by t – 2
. To remove the parentheses in this expression, first multiply t
. We get 50t
. Multiply 50
next. The result that you get is 30t = 50t – 100
Now, we have to isolate the variable terms on one side and the constant terms on the other side.
from both sides of the obtained expression and simplify
Isolate the variable t
, by dividing both sides of the obtained expression by -20
This is the time of travel for the first bus till the second bus catches up with it. STEP 6:
Now you have to find the time at which the second bus catch up to the first bus. We know that the first bus leaves the station at 8 00 am. So we have to add 5 hrs to the starting time of the first bus:
8.00 am + 5 hours = 1.00 pm
The second bus catches up to the first by 1.00 pm. |
Safe, clean potable water is a basic necessity for a healthy life and community. It is vitally important to our daily life that we have a consistent supply of safe water to our homes, businesses and schools. In the US, the vast majority of households get their water from public water supplies, usually a city our county entity. As of 2015, over 85% of all households received public supply water. Producing clean, safe water is a challenging problem that can be compounded by changes in the source supply variations (surface water, ground water) and also seasonal variations such as runoff or drought conditions.
Public water supplies are regulated in the US by the EPA, and must meet stringent standards for contaminants and purity under the Safe Water Drinking Act (SWDA). Many states have established even more stringent regulations and guidelines and these standards are then enforced by each individual state. The standards specify acceptable levels of contaminants, testing frequency, and methods along with the procedures and methods allowed to treat public water supplies.
A reliable and efficient analytical support system is a critical component of the public water supply. Frequent, accurate analytical results ensure that the treatment protocols are functioning as specified, and that the water supply is safe to the public. Many analytical water labs also service rural customers with private wells to make sure that their water supplies are safe and within public guidelines. These laboratories often have dedicated water analyzers to provide rapid service to these customers.
Unity Scientific has several automated analytical solutions designed to accurately analyze drinking water samples for many contaminants, using EPA or Standard methods. These solutions have high throughput and can analyze many samples by operators with minimal training. These solutions come ready to use with approved methods and can help ensure that the the water supply is meeting or exceeding regulatory requirements while saving employee time, testing costs and disposal fees. |
People with 'AB' and women with 'B' were more likely to suffer a stroke than people with 'O' blood group, according to Brigham's Dr. Lu Qi.
The observational study looked at 90,000 men and women over 20-years. It was seen that men and women with AB had a 26% higher risk of stroke compared to those with type O. Women but not men with B group had a 15% greater risk compared to those with O.
Proteins on the surface of red blood cells (RBC's) determine a person's blood group. Certain blood types may make the RBC's more likely to clump together and stick to the lining of blood vessels, which could be the possible reason for the blood
clot and hence the stroke.
The study was presented at the American Heart Association conference. |
High School Earth Science/Formation of Minerals< High School Earth Science
Minerals are all around you. They are used to make your house, your computer, even the buttons on your jeans. But, where do minerals come from? There are many types of minerals, and they do not all form in the same way. Some minerals form when salt water on Earth's surface evaporates. Others form from water mixtures that are seeping through rocks far below your feet. Still others form when mixtures of really hot molten rock cool.
- Describe how melted rock produces minerals.
- Explain how minerals form from solutions.
Formation from Magma and LavaEdit
You are on vacation at the beach. You take your flip-flops off to go swimming because it is one of the hottest days of the summer. The sand is so hot it hurts your feet, so you have to run to the water. Imagine if it were hot enough for the sand to melt. Some minerals start out in liquids that are that hot.
There are places inside Earth where rock will melt. Melted rock inside the Earth is also called molten rock, or magma. Magma is a molten mixture of substances that can be hotter than 1,000°C. Magma moves up through Earth's crust, but it does not always reach the surface. When magma erupts onto Earth’s surface, it is known as lava. As lava flows from volcanoes it starts to cool, as Figure 3.19 shows. Minerals form when magma and lava cool.
Rocks from MagmaEdit
Magma cools slowly as it rises towards Earth’s surface. It can take thousands to millions of years to become solid when it is trapped inside Earth. As the magma cools, solid rocks form. Rocks are mixtures of minerals. Granite, shown in Figure 3.20, is a common rock that forms when magma cools. Granite contains the minerals quartz, plagioclase feldspar, and potassium feldspar. The different colored speckles in the granite are the crystals of the different minerals. The mineral crystals are large enough to see because the magma cools slowly, which gives the crystals time to grow.
The magma mixture changes over time as different minerals crystallize out of the magma. A very small amount of water is mixed in with the magma. The last part of the magma to solidify contains more water than the magma that first formed rocks. It also contains rare chemical elements. The minerals formed from this type of magma are often valuable because they have concentrations of rare chemical elements. When magma cools very slowly, very large crystals can grow. These mineral deposits are good sources of crystals that are used to make jewelry. For example, magma can form large topaz crystals.
Minerals from LavaEdit
Lava is on the Earth's surface so it cools quickly compared to magma in Earth. As a result, rocks form quickly and mineral crystals are very small. Rhyolite is one type of rock that is formed when lava cools. It contains similar minerals to granite. However, as you can see in Figure 3.21, the mineral crystals are much smaller than the crystals in the granite shown in Figure 3.20. Sometimes, lava cools so fast that crystals cannot form at all, forming a black glass called obsidian. Because obsidian is not crystalline, it is not a mineral.
Formation from SolutionsEdit
Minerals also form when minerals are mixed in water. Most water on Earth, like the water in the oceans, contains minerals. The minerals are mixed evenly throughout the water to make a solution. The mineral particles in water are so small that they will not come out when you filter the water. But, there are ways to get the minerals in water to form solid mineral deposits.
Minerals from Salt WaterEdit
Tap water and bottled water contain small amounts of dissolved minerals. For minerals to crystallize, the water needs to contain a large amount of dissolved minerals. Seawater and the water in some lakes, such as Mono Lake in California or Utah's Great Salt Lake, are salty enough for minerals to "precipitate out" as solids.
When water evaporates, it leaves behind a solid "precipitate" of minerals, which do not evaporate, as the Figure 3.22 shows. After the water evaporates, the amount of mineral left is the same as was in the water.
Water can only hold a certain amount of dissolved minerals and salts. When the amount is too great to stay dissolved in the water, the particles come together to form mineral solids and sink to the bottom. Salt (halite) easily precipitates out of water, as does calcite, as the Figure 3.23 shows.
Minerals from Hot Underground WaterEdit
Cooling magma is not the only source for underground mineral formations. When magma heats nearby underground water, the heated water moves through cracks below Earth's surface.
Hot water can hold more dissolved particles than cold water. The hot, salty solution reacts with the rocks around it and picks up more dissolved particles. As it flows through open spaces in rocks, it deposits solid minerals. The mineral deposits that form when a mineral fills cracks in rocks are called veins. Figure 3.24 shows white quartz veins. When the minerals are deposited in open spaces, large crystals can form. These special rocks are called geodes. Figure 3.25 shows a geode that was formed when amethyst crystals grew in an open space in a rock.
- Mineral crystals that form when magma cools are usually larger than crystals that form when lava cools.
- Minerals are deposited from salty water solutions on Earth's surface and underground.
- How does magma differ from lava?
- What are two differences between granite and rhyolite?
- What happens to the mineral particles in salt water when the water evaporates?
- Explain how mineral veins form.
- Molten rock that has reached the Earth's surface.
- Molten rock deep inside the Earth.
- Mixtures of minerals.
Points to ConsiderEdit
- When most minerals form, they combine with other minerals to form rocks. How can these minerals be used?
- The same mineral can be formed by different processes. How can the way a mineral forms affect how the mineral is used? |
Lifetime Risk is the risk of developing a given medical condition sometime during one's life. Average lifetime risk is calculated for a population group (such as Caucasians of European ancestry); your own personal lifetime risk may be calculated by applying your odds/risk ratios (based on your genotypes) to the average for the population you belong to. Incidentally, average lifetime risk for a population should specify which birth year/cohorts it applies to.
Often, however, population statistics are a bit hard to come by, and furthermore, the more interesting "personal genomics" statistic might be residual lifetime risk in light of your own genome and your current age ... but there isn't enough medical and epidemiological data to actually calculate this yet for any complex disease, despite what the marketing departments of various genetic testing companies might imply.
For Caucasian populations, a sampling of average lifetime risk for various medical conditions listed in SNPedia follows:
|Medical Condition||Average Lifetime Risk||Reference|
|Age related macular degeneration||8%|
|Atrial fibrillation||24%||[PMID 15313941]|
|Cancer (any invasive)||37% women, 45% men|||
|Death (any cause)||100%|||
|Diabetes (Type-1 and -2)||35%||[PMID 14532317]|
|Gallstone disease (symptomatic)||~10%||[PMID 8363172]|
|Restless legs syndrome||10%| |
Increasing public concern over declining ozone levels and the resultant ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the earth has brought about a need to communicate daily information on UV radiation level to the public in a credible and understandable manner. The purpose of this standard is to provide such a standardized scale.
This standard establishes a quantitative index for reporting the level of harmful ambient solar ultraviolet radiation reaching the surface of the earth to the general public. The Global Solar UV Index quantifies the exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation. It is the best estimate of the UV level given a realistic atmosphere: clouds, pollutants, etc. are included in any prediction.
This International Standard has been approved by the CIE National Committees. It is readily available from the CIE Webshop or from the National Committees of the CIE. |
Electric Vehicle Conversion/Powertrain
Note the presence of hazardous materials and conditions that must be approached with proper precautions and procedures to avoid damaging, injurious, or even fatal consequences.
DC motors will usually include an internal fan on the driveshaft end to move air through the motor from the commutator end. This will usually be sufficient for most vehicles. When such a motor is placed within a rear drive that is enclosed (such as a Volkswagen Type 3 with battery boxes around the motor), this can lead to overheating since the warm air is exhausted in the forward part of the motor compartment and so may be recycled through the motor. In this case, some form of partitioning and venting (perhaps using a motorized fan) is required.
As the motor is cooled by an internal fan attached to the mainshaft the motor should not be placed in neutral to coast downhill after an uphill run.
Motor to transmission installation
This is one of the key elements in creating a successful EV conversion. A poorly made adapter plate will quickly wear the transmission's front bearing, which will produce most of the driveline noise and which may lead to oil seal and/or gear failure.
The adaptation of the electric motor to the transmission uses two elements, a stationary adapter plate to connect the motor housing to the transmission housing and a rotating coupler to connect the motor shaft to the flywheel/clutch plate/pressure plate assembly (manual transmission) or the flex plate/torque converter assembly (automatic transmission).
The adapter plate
The adapter plate provides the union between the electric motor and the transmission. Some installations such as for the Volkswagen Beetle and similar use such a simple machined adapter that it is easily obtained at low cost from a commercial supplier. Adapters for more complex or less popular vehicles may be quite expensive. It is possible for the builder to construct such a plate using simple tools as outlined below, but a great precision in layout and fabrication is required. For this reason most converters purchase an adapter plate and coupling as a package from a specialty converter or have the plate fabricated by a professional machinist. If a flat plate is used, some means of properly spacing it must be employed, typically by using hollow tubular or billet stand-offs. More common will be the use of a stack of flat plates, forming an adaption between the large diameter of the flywheel and the smaller diameter of the motor, with interior volume to accommodate any projection of the flywheel forward of the face of the transmission (or bell housing if a separate unit is used).
There are only a few critical dimensions in an adapter plate. The overall length (the distance between the motor aft face and the transmission forward face should be accurate to within 0.25 millimeter. This is less critical than some other dimensions but the proper distance is required so that the clutch will operate correctly and so that the pilot shaft will enter but not bind on the pilot bearing. The most critical dimensions are those that determine the alignment of the transmission center to the electric motor/flywheel center. The error here should be no more than 0.001 inch.
For some installations, such as an early Volkswagen or Porsche, the adapter can be made as a very simple lathe turning with a few precision holes for mounting bolts, while other vehicles such as the Volkswagen Rabbit may use a single thickness of low cost aluminum plate.
For other more typical vehicles a more complex adapter is required A few specialty manufactures will manufacture a motor to transmission adapter plate by using a numerically controlled milling machine to carve an adapter from a thick billet of aluminum. Owing to a high materials cost and extensive milling time the purchase of a plate will be a substantial portion of the cost of materials for a conversion.
Fabricating from scratch, using two or three flat plates with spacer blocks
By careful layout and simple machining an adapter plate may be fabricated at relatively low cost compared to milling a thick plate. By using multiple plates with spacers a substantial reduction in materials and milling expense can be obtained. This method is suitable for a person with machinist's layout skills and with access to a substantial drill press. As an alternative to the layout method shown below it is also possible to have a machine shop properly locate the center and to mill the motor locator hole using precision mill equipment. To do this a machine shop will require an empty transmission forepiece or bell housing.
Note: this method requires manipulation of the transmission and so it should be first drained of oil. Since residual oil will drain out through the tailshaft seal the end of the transmission should be bagged.
Some of the components may require either a lathe or mill, and this work can be performed at modest expense by a machine shop. The most difficult operations to do without a lathe are the fabrication of uniform and accurate spacer blocks and the boring of the motor locator hole. Most of the remaining tasks can be done with a drill press and a bandsaw or sabre saw, often obtainable at low cost as used equipment. If a used drill press is to be used the condition of the quill bearing will be critical to the accuracy of the machine, and so also to the accuracy of the resulting adapter plate.
The exact design will be determined by the specific bolt patterns of the motor and transmission and the distance between the motor and transmission. This latter distance will typically be in the range of 75 to 100 mm.
The design described below uses three plates that are spaced by simple cylindrical spacers cut from one innch (25mm) round stock. These must have parallel faces and perpendicular holes some of which carry the alignment dowels while others carry simple bolts.
Three aluminum plates are used. The material should be a high strength alloy such as 6061.
- Motor locator plate - this has a locating hole (typically about 100 mm) or so diameter and 4 mounting holes for bolts that fit into threaded holes in the motor body. A 5mm thickness is appropriate for this plate as it is not highly stressed.
- Transfer plate - this is between the motor plate and the transmission plate and has bolt patterns of both the motor plate and the transmission plate. It should be sufficiently thick to not flex under stresses between the motor and transmission, with 6mm being appropriate and this must be made from a good alloy.
- Transmission locator plate - this has the bolt pattern drilled that matches the transmission. This should be about 2.5 mm thick for stability under milling or drilling operations, and if milled (and thin) should be clamped below the transfer plate, If made from stock that is too thick then the locator dowels will not protrude enough on each side to locate the transmission and the corresponding spacer.
These plates are separated by aluminum spacer blocks milled or cut to a precise dimension from a billet of square or rectanglular solid stock. Alternatively. the sides of the adapter may built up from strips of plate but this will be more difficult to fabricate to high precision unless a "sandwich" of multiple cut-out plates is used - a process that can consume a great amount of material while producing a large amount of scrap.
The motor in an ICE vehicle is typically kept in precise alignment with the transmission by two hollow dowel pins through which two of the mounting bolts are passed. These are usually press fitted into the motor block. It is the accurate locations of these dowel pins and the motor locator hole that are critical to the accuracy of the motor adapter plate. New hollow dowel pins (a set of four, rather than the two usually used in the ICE vehicle) are obtained from the parts department of the automobile dealer and are used to ensure precision alignment, both when drilling the matching pieces and when the components are assembled to the transmission.
Only the turning and boring of the cylindrical spacers and the fly-cutting or CNC milling of the motor mounting hole need be done using professional shop services; the remaining work may be done using simple but accurate machinist layout methods and a substantial drill press. Only the brave, cautious, patient, skillful and otherwise unemployed should consider making the motor hole to conform to an accurately scribed line using basic hand tools (this is possible, but not practical for most people).
This fabrication requires the ability to accurately lay out and drill various holes. This layout is done by coating the portion to be marked with machinist's blue, which is then scribed with a pointed tool. (If no machinist's blue is available, candle smoke or whiteboard pen may be used if the resultant powder is "fixed" with a light lacquer such as common hair spray. The principle layout tools required are a good quality straightedge, a scribe, a divider, and either a large divider or a trammel scribe (a bar with a fixed pivot point and an adjustable scribe. These tools need not be purchased as they may be made by the constructor. They do not require accuracy, but rather rigidity, adjustability, and the ability to hold a setting. A good machinist's scale can be useful but is not required.
There are only a few critical points of layout and cutting and drilling. These are the relative distance between the dowel pin receivers and the position relative to these of the central point. This central point must be aligned with the design center of the transmission drive shaft. This shaft is an extension of the transmission mainshaft that mounts about half of the gears within the transmission. The forward extension of this shaft carries the clutch drive splines and also has a small cylindrical protrusion called the pilot shaft that normally fits into a bearing carried in a receiver hole in the ICE crankshaft.
It is often the case that with a used transmission that the transmission drive shaft will have some play or wobble due to bearing wear, which is a good reason to replace this bearing or to have it replaced if it is practical to do so, along with the front bearing seal which should always be replaced when the transmission is out of the vehicle. Note that much of the noise produced by an electric vehicle conversion will come from this front transmission bearing and the transmission gears. A newly rebuilt transmission is recommended to obtain a quiet installation.
It will be best if the three critical points are laid out using the manufacture's design dimensions. If these cannot be obtained then the following procedure may be used:
First the approximate location of the three critical points are determined. The location of these relative to the stock used to make the plate is not critical, but the locations should allow the transmission plate to have some extra material on all sides of the transmission face.
An approximate location for a clearance hole for the transmission drive shaft may be determined by simple measurement from the dowel pin holes. Using a simple hole saw a clearance hole for the shaft is made, but only in the plate marked for the transmission. If the pilot shaft extends beyond the transmission face this hole will allow the pilot shaft to protrude when the transmission plate is against the transmission face. If the pilot shaft does not extend beyond the transmission face this will allow the pilot shaft to be viewed through the hole.
Determine an appropriate orientation for the plate, center the pilot shaft in the hole, and securely clamp the plate to the transmission with some C clamps.
Place some scrap wood pieces on a bench (if required for clearance of the protruding pilot shaft) and place the transmission with the clamped plate tailshaft up on on the bench. Using some spray machinist's bluing, lightly spray into the holes that carry the dowels. This is now an approximate marking for these holes. After the bluing dries, unclamp the transmission and set it aside. If you have not got a reasonable impression of the location of the dowel pin holes, clean the workpiece and repeat the procedure.
Scribe a line joining and crossing the centers of the two dowel pin locations scribe a perpendicular line across the center of one of one of the holes. Centerpunch this location.
The next scribe and punch mark establish a critical dimension requiring high accuracy. If not done accurately the transmission will not fit properly on the dowel pins that are to go into the holes determined by this mark. Place the dowel pins into the transmission. These pins will usually be beveled on their rim. Determine an appropriate reference place to measure on the pins Place a machinist's scale across the pins and determine the extreme distance D1 between the outer edges of the pins and the smaller distance D2 between the pins. Be sure to use the same concentric reference line relative to the pin - these may be the extreme measurements on the inside hole of the pin for example. The average of these measurements (D1 + D2)/2 is the distance between the centers of the dowel pin holes. Transfer this measurement to the workpiece and scribe the location of the second hole. Do not centerpunch at this time.
Place the two workpieces together, with the transmission side of the transmission plate upward. Clamp at several places. With the drill press drill a pilot hole for one of the holes through both workpieces. Redrill with the proper size for a press fit of the dowel pin. Mark the outside of the second workpiece (the surface facing down) as "motor side". Unclamp and separate the pieces. Carefully press the dowel into the "transmission side" workpiece from the transmission side, allowing it to protrude through both sides. Placing this on the bench with the spacers you may now place the transmission on the plate with the dowel mating and the pilot shaft through the hole. You may then pivot the transmission on the plate to bring the second punch mark main scribe line to the center of the second dowel pin hole. The intersection of the scribe marks should be in the exact center of this hole. If not, rescribe as necessary and recheck. Now centerpunch the second hole. Clamp the work pieces with inside faces together , being sure that the dowel pin is engaged in both pieces. Pilot and finish drill for the second dowel and insert as with the first. The joined workpieces should now mount cleanly on the transmission using the dowel pins. If not, consider re-doing the second hole with a 90 degree re-orientation of the workpiece.
Next: Laying out the center.
Blue an area along the center of the transmission plate face from edge to edge on both sides and around the pilot shaft hole on the inside face. Erect a perpendicular to the base line joining the dowel pin holes. This may be done from reference punch marks offset the same distance from each dowel pin on the base line. Strike several sets of arcs with the trammel or a large divider. Join the intersections of these pairs with a scribed line. Transfer this scribed line to the inside face of the transmission face. Alterntatively, you could drill a small (1.6 mm or smaller) hole at each of the two punch marks and scribe only on the inside face.
The goal is to find the center for the large motor locator hole on the motor side workpiece. This will be done indirectly by layout from the inside face of the transmission plate. To do this most easily prepare a fixture to hold the transmission vertically, or place it into a large box with blocking. (The transmission should first be drained of oil.) Spray or brush machinist's blue around pilot shaft hole on the inside face of the transmission plate. Place the transmission plate, inside face up, on the transmission, aligning with the dowel pins. You should observe that the pilot pin center lies very close to the scribed centerline. As previously noted, there will be some wobble in the transmission drive shaft, so in the following it is important that the shaft is biased consistently for each scribe by applying the same pressure in each of several appropriate directions. Note that the front oil seal (especially since it is new) may apply a spring force before the bearing limit is obtained. We want to be working against the bearing limit, and so must first override any seal force. The end of the pilot shaft will have a small conical center hole, used to align the shaft as it was initially cut on a lathe when it was manufactured and when the splines were milled or broached. This center hole will form the reference for one leg of the dividers used to make the scribe marks. Now it may be that the point of the divider may be pushed or pulled to one side or the other of this hole. As with the wobble, it is important that all scribes be made consistently by pulling the scribe to the side of the hole toward which the pilot shaft is pulled. We will assume here that this is in the direction of the scribe line.
Set the dividers to a fixed distance of a few centimeters.
Pressing the pilot shaft, and puling the dividers, strike an arc at each of the cardinal directions - up, down, left, and right All scribe marks must use the same setting of the dividers. Remove the workpiece from the transmission. Lightly punch the intersection of the up and down arcs with the center line.
Blue the motor face of the motor mount plate at the center and let dry.
Now we will establish the center point on the motor mount plate. This will be done with the plate order reversed but not flipping the plates. The normal order would be to have the transmission face of the transmission plate down, the motor face of the motor plate up. Orienting the plates this way with the dowel pin holes aligned, shuffle the plates, aligning on the dowel pins and secure the plates with clamps. What is now seen is the inside face of the transmission plate its centerline and the pilot shaft scribe marks made in the preceding steps. Through the central pilot shaft hole is seen the unmarked center of the motor plate, recently blued. Set the dividers a bit longer than was used to scribe from the pilot shaft but not so much as to prevent the following scribing. From each of the light punch marks on the transmission plate scribe and arc on the motor plate through the hole. Separate the plates and mark a straight line across the intersections of the arcs. Reassemble and extend this line across the transmission plate to where it intercepts the left and right pilot shaft arcs. Lightly punch the intersection of these arcs with the line and from these punch marks scribe a pair of arcs onto he motor plate. Disassemble and join these arc intersections with a straight line. The intersection of the two lines is the desired motor center. Centerpunch this location.
Quality check: The motor center location should be consistently centered on the centerline scribe marks of the transmission plate when that plate is flipped, provided the transmission line center points are accurate.
This will form the center point for a flycutter or a simple CNC milling operation. You may want to have this work done at a machine shop. The other work that you may want to have done at a machine shop is lathe cutting of the spacer blocks.
Before cutting the motor hole, layout the bolt pattern for the attachment bolts. A typical motor will use four such bolts. The holes for the bolts may be of lesser precision that that for the main motor hole but should not bind against the bolts. The bolt pattern must be aligned properly so that the motor cabling is presentable in the proper orientation. Typically a square pattern (relative to up) is used, not a diamond pattern. With this layout complete you may drill the mounting holes or this may be postponed until after the major hole is machined.
The motor mount hole must be cut to a precise diameter to fit the alignment boss on the motor. If it comes out undersize it will be necessary to enlarge it while retaining its accurate positioning, which can be diffiicult. If it comes out oversize this may be corrected by appropriate precision shims which are a nuisance to maintain in position. Obviously it is far better to get it right the first time.
Before cutting the center motor hole, it is now appropriate to drill the remaining transmission mount holes in both plates. Be sure to mate the two plates in the proper orientation, to each other. You may want to mount the plates to the transmission, bolting at the dowel pins and clamping elsewhere. You may then scribe inside the holes or use a cut and sharpened shoulder bolt, twirled to make a small circle. Removing the plates, clamp them together and through pilot drill and finish drill with the drill press. Remount and check clearance by inserting shoulder bolts in every hole.
Upon completion of the motor hole this may be used to scribe a hole mark on the transmission plate. This may then be rough cut on the outside of the line using a sabre saw. The purpose of this hole is for clearance around the coupling. You may want to make this hole substantially larger as it will facilitate access to the motor attachment bolts. The outline of the transmission face may be marked on the appropriate side of the transmission plate and the excess metal removed, largely for appearance. This removal may be required in only a few specific locations. A similar removal may be performed on the motor side plate
(More detailed procedure is to be provided here)
For this type of adapter plate there will be open space between the stand-offs. To keep gravel, water, and mud from the clutch this area is closed off by selecting plastic buckets of appropriate size and cutting rings to fit in between the plates.
Upon completion of the face plates and the spacer billets the bluing may be cleaned off and the plates assembled to the transmission using bolts. A thin adhesive such as cyanoacrilate (CA, or "super glue") may be flowed between the spacers and the face plates to hold everything in place (do not glue the transmission to the adapter). When the bolts are removed the entire adapter will hold together in one piece - a convenience when assembling the motor-adapter-transmission unit.
If the motor with the coupler mounted may now be mated to the adapter plate. Then the flywheel and clutch assembly is attached to the adapter. If the clutch plate has been out of the assembly it must be aligned using a pilot shaft tool to alight the plate when the pressure plate is bolted to the flywheel. This is required so that the pilot shaft and splines will properly engage the clutch center splnes when the transmission is inserted. The transmission may now be mounted - it may be necessary still to slightly rotate the flywheel to obtain engagement of the clutch splines. The transmission may now be bolted up against the adapter using bolts of appropriate length plane washers and lock washers on both sides.
After mounting the transmission, do not forget to replace the oil!
The coupling and pilot bearing
The coupling transmits the motor torque to the flywheel or to the automatic transmission flex plate. This must be strong and accurate and is almost always purchased complete or made by a professional machinist rather than fabricated by the builder. Most couplings do not provide a pilot shaft bearing since this is usually incorporated into the flywheel. While some clutchless adapters have been designed without a transmission pilot shaft bearing, this bearing is critical to long transmission life and should always be included, either as part of the coupling or as an adapter that is part of the coupling assembly.
The pilot bearing in an ICE vehicle is usually a needle bearing, as this must take many turns as the engine idles. In the electric conversion, this bearing may be made of lubricated brass or bronze, since there is far less relative motion between the flywheel and the transmission input shaft.
For vehicles using a manual transmission, the motor drives a flywheel, a large disk. For the electric vehicle conversion the flywheel is needed only to mount the clutch, if a cluch is used at all. The outer rim of this disk will have a gear ring shrunk or welded on, intended to be driven by the starter gear. The after face of the flywheel mounts the clutch and forms one face of the two surfaces driving the clutch disk. The flywheel will have substantial weight to allow the ICE motor to idle smothly at low speed. Rarely, this flywheel may have been balanced as a unit with the crankshaft, in which case it may be considerably out of balance for this new application. The extra weight required for ICE smoothness reduces acceleration and the energy to spin it cannot be easily recovered, adding to brake wear. For these reasons it is appropriate to lighten and balance the flywheel, which is done with specialized tools at an automotive machine shop. This may be lighted considerably more than is the case for ICE performance enhancement. Further, the starter ring is no longer used so it may be removed for a further weight saving except where this contributes to flywheel strength. Do not remove so much material that the flywheel becomes weak. Weight removed at the periphery will be more effective in enhancing performance and will also reduce loading on the inner portion, which may be made correspondingly light. If the outer portion that contains the treads for the pressure plate mounting screws is thinned excessively it will be necessary to use nuts to secure the bolts that hold the pressure plate to the flywheel. In this case it must be possible to access these nuts in some way in order to complete the assembly of the components. An appropriate access port in the forward face of the central transfer plate should be provided, or an access from the side via a penetration of the cylindrical dust shrouds.
Some electric vehicles do not use clutches with their manual transmissions. Such installations offer greater acceleration, lacking the rotational inertia of the clutch disk, pressure plate, and the flywheel mounting the pressure plate. Such systems require accurate shifting to avoid damage to the transmission and are not recommended for a casual use vehicle.
The clutch should have sufficient closing spring force to avoid slippage in normal operation. It should be practical in most cases to use a stock clutch and springs. Other considerations apply to a high performance vehicle for racing, some employing triple copper plate racing clutches.
Using an automatic transmission
An unmodified transmission is usually not recommended for an EV conversion owing to the inefficiencies and rotational mass associated with the torque converter and a missmatch between the normal operating speeds of an ICE engine and the replacement electric motor. Furthermore, automatic transmissions typically depend on the engine's idling rotation to maintain the transmission in a ready state. Older automatic transmissions will use a considerable amount of energy to operate the transmission's oil pump. This pump produces pressure to operate hydraulic pistons that engage the clutch bands around the planetary gearsets. Some automatic transmissions have been converted by using a properly machined splined spool to replace the torque converter, in effect forming a permanent converter lock-up condition. A particular advantage to using an automatic transmission is the presence of a parking pawl, which prevents vehicle motion when the vehicle is not operating, as a supplement to the parking brake. Shifting should be performed manually at reduced throttle since there is no longer the cushioning effect of the torque converter.
The motor mount
The motor must be securely fastened to the frame. Depending upon the original mounting configuration it may be possible to use or adapt the existing mount supports to the motor support band. It is not necessary to use the highly flexible mountings that were used with the ICE as the electric motor does not produce the periodic vibrations prevalent in an ICE. On the other hand, hard mounting a DC motor can transmit transmission noises to the frame which may be effectively absorbed by a softer mounting. Note that the transmission can produce high twisting forces and so some portion of the motor-transmission unit must be secured against rotation. This may require a separate torque arm or a mounting using extensions on the adapter plate.
See also: powertrain |
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Use of Group Names
On this web site, we will use the following system:
• Iranian Zoroastrians are Zoroastrians in Iran or those with recent origins in Iran (Persia), and
• Indian Zoroastrians are Zoroastrians in India (who ancestrally had migrated from Iran to India) or those with recent origins in India.
Amongst the Zoroastrians who made India their home are:
• Parsis or Parsees (meaning Persians) are Zoroastrians who came with the first migration wave to India 1,300 to 1,000 years ago, and
• Iranis or Irani Zoroastrians are Zoroastrians who migrated to India in the last three hundred or so years, in large part from the Iranian provinces of Yazd and Kerman. In population statistics, Irani Zoroastrians are frequently counted as Parsees. (Note the difference between Irani Zoroastrians here and Iranian Zoroastrians above.) Also see Irani Zoroastrians of India.
Migrations & Diaspora
Zoroastrians have been on the move from their original Central Asia homeland for thousands of years. Three thousand years ago the history became aware of the Persians and Media in the north-western corner of present day Iran. In the period from 800 - 700 BCE, the Persians migrated south and east into the area surrounding modern-day Pars (Fars) province in Iran.
For a thousand years from 700 BCE to 640 CE, the Persian empire became the home of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrians did not actively proselytize or engage in the forcible conversion of peoples of other religions. The Persians and Persian monarchs were for the main part accepting of other religious traditions co-existing throughout the empire. As such, Zoroastrianism did not spread in the manner of other world religions - it remained primarily a religion of people of Aryan or Iranian descent. This does not mean there was any attempt at exclusivity and it is widely reported that there were pockets of local Chinese and other ethnic groups throughout areas of Aryan influence and trade who were Zoroastrians. There is a possibility that Zoroastrian migrants also intermarried with locals to some extent and that these intermarried spouses and their children became part of the Zoroastrian family. The Zoroastrian population at the height of the Persian empire and during the Sassanian era in Iran (220-650 CE) must have numbered in the millions. For a few centuries after the Arab defeat the Sassanian king of Iran, the Zoroastrians of Iran were still substantial in number. In a presentation to the North American Zoroastrian Congress in 1996, Dr. Daryoush Jahanian cites Jean Chardin, a French traveller who visited Iran in medieval times who wrote that 40% of Iranians were Zoroastrians. That would put the number of Iranian Zoroastrians during the fifteenth century CE as between three and five million. Short of active proselytization, through what process Zoroastrians grew to a population numbered in the millions is not known.
In the centuries after the Arab invasion around 640 CE, a small groups of Zoroastrians migrated from Iran to India. The Zoroastrians who remained in Iran lived mainly in the provinces of Yazd and Kerman.
According to tradition, one of the conditions for permitting the Zoroastrian refugees to settle in India, was that they would not convert Hindus to Zoroastrianism. For the Zoroastrians who remained in Iran, any attempt at converting a Muslim would have resulted in certain death. These conditions combined with the emancipation of Zoroastrians, marriages late in life and fewer births than deaths, resulted in a declining population that reached levels of around 130,000 people worldwide in the 1960s. This number makes Zoroastrians one of the smallest religious minorities in the world.
In the late 1700s, the Zoroastrian migrants to India, the Parsis, started to re-establish their historic trade links with China and in doing so set up a settlement in China. In the 1830s and 1840s, Parsis expanded their trade links to colonies in the British empire including Aden, East Africa, and Britain. After 1870, the Parsis settled in significant numbers in East Africa, especially Nairobi and Mombasa. With the relaxation of immigration rules to Britain, Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand in the 1960s, Zoroastrians from India, the former British colonies and Iran, began to migrate once again - this time to the New World, if we may be permitted to use this name for lands that were home to their Aboriginal peoples.
The major Zoroastrian population centres in the world today are Mumbai and Pune in India; Los Angeles, US; Toronto, Canada, and London, England.
Danger of Extinction
|Parsi population decline (India)|
The following points illustrate the dangers faced by Zoroastrianism:
• Guinness Book of World Records lists Zoroastrianism the "major religion nearest extinction."
• Youth under 18 years of age account for 18% of the Zoroastrian population.
• Adults over 60 years of age constitute 31% of the Zoroastrian population, the highest for an ethnic group anywhere in the world.
• By 2008, the birth-to-death ratio was 1:5 - 200 births per year to 1,000 deaths (The Guardian 2008-06-28).
• The literacy rate amongst Zoroastrians is the highest in India (or anywhere in the world) at 97.9%.
• Despite the above, statistics to the contrary are beginning to emerge. For instance, The World Almanac And Book Of facts distributed by St Martin's Press and printed in the US, lists the current Zoroastrian population world wide is 2,728,000.
Worldwide Population Figures
All rounded figures are approximate.
|Country or Region||1855 1||1941||1976 2||19903
|Pakistan|| || ||5,000||2,800||2,100||1,800|
|Singapore|| || || || || ||4,500|
|Hong Kong|| || || ||150|| ||200|
|Kenya & Africa|| || || ||80|| ||? 100|
|Afghanistan|| || || || || ||10,000|
|Azerbaijan|| || || || || ||2,000|
|Persian Gulf|| || || || || ||2,200|
|USA|| || || ||6,500||10,800||11,000|
|Canada|| || || ||4,500||5,300||6,000|
|Britain|| || ||2,000||5,000||5,000||6,500|
|Australia|| || ||75||300||2,500||2,700|
|New Zealand|| || || ||45||840||1,000|
1. Maneckji Limji Hataria
2. The Eliade Guide to World Religions 1991
3. Coward, Hinnells, Williams and other sources
4. Laurie Goodstein at New York Times and other sources.
Iranian Zoroastrian Demographics
About a hundred years ago, Zoroastrians from Yazd constituted the largest number of Iranian Zoroastrians. Today, most of Iran's Zoroastrian population is concentrated in the capital, Tehran.
|City||1855 1||1903 2||1917 3||1966 4 & 5||1971 6||1975 7||1986 8|
|Yazd & vicinity||6,658||8,000 - 8,500||10,000||?||5,000||4,000||4,685|
|Kashan|| ||45|| || || || || |
|Shiraz||"handful"||42|| || || || || |
|Isfahan, Qom|| ||18|| || || || ||5,794|
|Mazandaran|| || || || || ||1,417|
|Gilan|| || || || || ||5,008|
|Khorasan|| || || || || ||10,575|
|Kurdistan|| || || || || ||1,007|
1. Maneckji Limji Hataria
2. A. V. Williams Jackson
3. D. L. Lorimer
4. Eckehard Kulke
5. 1966 Iranian Census
6. Michael Fischer
7. G. Windfuhr
8. 1986 Iranian Census
* Some (cf. Mobed Firouzgary) have suggested that this dramatic increase in the number of Iranian Zoroastrians is due to Baha'is listing themselves as Zoroastrians since their religion is banned in Islamic Iran.
While by 1975, Tehran had become the centre of Iranian Zoroastrians in the last hundred years, the Zoroastrians of Tehran had for the main part migrated there from Yazd, Kerman and the other districts. Due to migrations to North America, by the mid 1980s, the number of Zoroastrians in Iran had declined to 20,000 with few Zoroastrians left in Kerman.
According to the Iranian census. in 1956 the percentage of Zoroastrians living in villages was 42 percent, while in 1986, that figure had fallen to 15 percent.
Michael Fischer reports that in 1971, the population of the orthodox Zoroastrian village of Sharifabad in Yazd was quickly declining. Later reports state that since the village was entirely abandoned with most of its inhabitants having moved to Tehran. Other villages, such as Astarabad (Gorgan) and Sadrabad, have also been vacated. However, we have seen recent reports concerning the Yazd pilgrimage sites which indicate that many of the Yazdi villages have a small but aging Zoroastrian population.
The migration from villages to Tehran is also causing a profound change in the way Iranian Zoroastrian understand and practice Zoroastrianism. Sharifabad and other Yazdi villages were the seat of Zoroastrian orthodoxy. Even the Parsees of India sent delegations or representatives to Yazd with questions on Zoroastrian practice and customs. They even faithfully followed the Qadimi calendar. The Tehrani Zoroastrians have a tendency to an ultra modern interpretation of Zoroastrianism.
Indian Zoroastrian Demographics
Alternative figures that we have found are for 1901: 94,359, 1911: 1,00,096, 1921: 1,01,778. See below.
Shahenshahi (Shenshai) / Qadimi (Kadmi) Figures
|Rest of Bombay Presidency||29,838||1,770|
|Rest of Bombay Presidency||24,001||548|
India's Zoroastrian Population - 1911 Census
|1911 Census of Zoroastrians in India Part I|
|1911 Census of Zoroastrians in India Part II|
|1911 Major Cities Population|
India's Zoroastrian Population - 1921 Census
Comments by L. J. Sedgwick, Bombay's Census superintendent: "The case of Zoroastrians is most noticeable. The survival value of the Parsees is very high. It was found when studying the Bombay city population that whereas in the city population as a whole the Zoroastrian percentage is 4.4, in the age groups 55 and over it is 8.8 and in the age groups 65 and over it is 17. The Parsee community has been gradually changing in age distribution during several decades.
|male||46,109||6,255|| ||42,986||27,948|| ||102|
|female||42,355||7,059|| ||40,033||24,286|| ||64|
|total||88,464||49,414|| ||83,019||52,234|| ||166|
But though the survival value is high and though number of Zoroastrians increased at this census, yet the value of the lowest age groups distinctly suggests a danger ahead. The age distribution for all European countries is given at pg 63 of the report of the 1911 census of England and Wales. From the figures there given it will be seen that the Parsee age distribution (even assuming that the deficiency in group 0-5 is temporary only) is more unfavourable in the lower age groups than that of any European country except France. So long as the community holds its own as it did at this census it is all right. But the point of equilibrium might be passed some day, and the community may begin to diminish in numbers."
In 1921, despite the longevity of Parsees (this designation probably includes all Zoroastrians, both Parsees and Iranis), Sedgwick raised the alarm about "the value of the lowest age groups distinctly suggests a danger ahead."
Source: Parsee Prakash Vol. VI - Part I as quoted in parsis.net.in
Indian Zoroastrian Marriage Rate 1921
The Census Commissioner for India, J. P. Marten commented on the 1921 census that, "The census also indicates that fewer Parsees per cent are married than members of other communities. Whereas 61% of Hindus and 56% Mahomedans are married only 40% Parsees are married, while the proportion of widows 8% is greater than all other communities."
Source: Parsee Prakash Vol. VI - Part I as quoted in parsis.net.in
|Parsi Mortality Rates|
|Under 1 Year||2|
|Between 11-15 years||1|
|Between 16-18 years||1|
|Between 19-24 years||1|
|Between 25-30 years||2|
|Between 31-40 years||6|
|Between 41-50 years||27|
|Between 51-60 years||81|
|Between 61-70 years||201|
|Between 71-80 years||468|
|Between 81-90 years||471|
|Between 91-100 years||123|
|Over 100 years||6|
|Total Deaths|| 1399|
Indian Zoroastrian Longevity Rates 1921
Regarding the longevity of Parsees i.e. Zoroastrians: while the percentage of Parsees in the total population was 4.5 percent, in the age group of 55 and over it rises to 8.8 percent, and in age groups 65 and over it rises still further to 17 percent. In other words, while in 1921, one in every 22 or 23 persons in Bombay was a Parsi, in the age group of persons over 65 years of age, one in every six individuals was a Parsi i.e. Zoroastrian.
Indian Zoroastrian Mortality Rates
The mortality rate in India for Parsi (probably including Irani) Zoroastrians as reported in the 2001 census conducted by the Government of India shows that approximately 90 percent of mortality occurs at age 61 and above - a significant difference from the rest of the Indian population.
Indian Zoroastrian Literacy Rates
The literacy rate of Indian Zoroastrians in 2001 was 97.9%, the highest for any Indian community (the national average was 64.8%). In 2001, 96.1% of Parsees (probably including Iranis) resided in urban areas while the national average is 27.8%.
Zoroastrian literary rates, including university education rates are amongst the highest of any ethnic group in India or foe that matter anywhere in the world.
Indian and Iranian Zoroastrian literacy rates grew substantially in the 1800s. Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy played a significant role in the growth of Indian-Zoroastrian Literacy, while Maneckji Limji Hataria played a similar role in Iran.
The first Indian schools for Zoroastrian children were built by the Parsi Benevolent Fund established with a Rs. 300,000 donation by Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy in 1849. Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy was reportedly very concerned about 'the hopeless ignorance' in which Zoroastrian children were growing up.
In 1901, the number of literate (the ability to read and write in any language) Indian Zoroastrians in the Bombay Presidency including the native states was stated as 51,000 out of 78,552 (65%). The 65% literacy rate of the Zoroastrian population
compares with 29% for Christians, 27% for Jains, 6% for Hindus and 4% for Muslims. It is interesting to note that out of 4,946 literate Zoroastrian-Parsees in Baroda, 2367 were male while 2579 were female - a slightly greater number for female Zoroastrians. In no other religious group was the percentage literate women so high. Indeed, despite Zoroastrians being a very small minority of the total population in Baroda, Zoroastrian women constituted about 33% of the total population of literate women in Baroda.
Of the 51,000 literate Zoroastrians noted above, 20,252 were literate in English - that is, approximately 40% of literate Zoroastrians were literate in English in the Bombay Presidency. Amongst the various groups in the Bombay Presidency, of those literate in English, 26% were Zoroastrians, 1% were Jains, 0.4% were Hindus and 0.2% were Muslims. We are not told who made up the balance of the population literate in English.
In 1911, literacy rate for Indian Zoroastrians in the Bombay Presidency including the native states was stated as 60,005 in 83,565 (72%).Of the 60,005 literate Zoroastrians noted above, 20,252 were literate in English (40%)
In 1901-1911, the Parsees were responsible for making Gujarati the principle Indian language of commerce in Bombay. The Gujarati local press was mostly in the hands of Parsees. Furdunji Murzbanji started the first native language newspaper in Bombay.
Mumbai (Bombay), India, Zoroastrian Population Figures
Mumbai (Bombay) Zoroastrian Population 1851
| 1851 Mumbai Zoroastrian Pop.|
|Under 2 years of age||2,900|
|From 2 to 6 years of age||6,996|
|From 7 to 13 years of age||9,509|
|From 14 to 24 years of age||16,542|
|From 25 to 34 years of age||20,366|
|From 35 to 44 years of age||19,484|
|From 45 to 54 years of age||18,000|
|From 55 to 64 years of age||9,037|
|From 65 to 74 years of age||5,967|
|From 75 and above||1,743|
| 1851 Mumbai Zian Pop.|
We have a set of figures for the population of Bombay according to the August 20, 1851 census which show the Parsi population of Bombay at 110,544 and as quoted by Dosabhoy Framjee in Parsees, Their History, Manners, Customs, and Religion.
These figures seem at variance with the figures in the graph above and were questioned as being too high by the Parsees of that time. Other than an error, one explanation could be that between 1851 and 1881, a large number of Parsees moved away from Bombay.
Mumbai (Bombay) Zoroastrian Population Decline 1970-2001
In 1971, approx. 70,000 Zoroastrians lived in Greater Bombay (more than half the worldwide Zoroastrian population). The total Indian population was 91,266.
In 1981, 68,676 Zoroastrians lived in Greater Bombay. The total Indian population was 71,630. (2,954 lived elsewhere in India.)
In 2001, 46,557 Zoroastrians lived in Greater Bombay.
Despite a fast declining population, as a city, Bombay / Mumbai, India, has the largest concentration of Zoroastrians anywhere in the world. These Zoroastrians include Zoroastrians known as Parsees (from Parsi meaning Persian), the earlier Zoroastrian migrants to India, and Iranis, the later Zoroastrian migrants to India.
Zoroastrian Interfaith Marriages in Mumbai (Bombay) 2008-10
Percentage of Zoroastrian Interfaith Marriages in Mumbai:
2008 - 44%
2009 - 31%
2010 - 38%
Source: Hindustan Times quoting Parsiana who have gathered records of Parsi marriages from the Bombay high court and the Registrar of Marriages at Bandra and Fort since 1989.
Zoroastrian Non-Marriage in Mumbai (Bombay) Early 2000s
In the Greater Mumbai area approx. 10% of Parsi females and 20% of Parsi males do not marry (Roy & Unisa 2004, pp. 18, 19).
Zoroastrian Demographics Elsewhere in the World
Pakistan's Zoroastrian Population
According to John Hinnells in The Zoroastrian Diaspora, the population of Zoroastrian in Karachi, the principle commercial centre and port of Pakistan, the Zoroastrian population exceeded 2,000 people in 1911. by the time of the first census held by independent Pakistan in 1951, the Zoroastrian Karachi population was 5,018 individuals. That figure dropped to 4,685 by the 1961 census.
According to a 1995 census conducted by the Zarthoshti Banu Mandal in Karachi, the population of Pakistani Zoroastrians had dropped to 2,831. In September 2004, the population had further declined to 2,121. In 2009-2010, Toxy Cowasjee placed the figure at 1,766.
Hong Kong's Zoroastrian Population
According to John Hinnells in The Zoroastrian Diaspora, Hong Kong, had about 120 Zoroastrians in the 1980s. The population may stand at around 200 in 2010.
Britain's Zoroastrian Population
|Tata family mausoleums in the Parsee section of Brookwood Cemetery,|
England is considered to be the home of the oldest Zoroastrian community in the West. One indication of the age of the community is the Zoroastrian (Parsi) section of the Brookwood Cemetery established in November 1862. Brookwood Cemetery is about 4 miles west of Woking in Surrey. Zoroastrian / Parsi immigrants to Britain would have long preceded that date. The Tata family have mausoleums in the Parsee section.
The 1980 population of British Zoroastrians was estimated as 2,000 by John Hinnells in Zoroastrians in Britain.
The 2001 British census counted 3,738 Zoroastrians in England and Wales.
The 2004(?) figure was estimated as 5,000 by Rusi Dalal in a FEZANA Winter 2004 article titled Demographics of Great Britain.
2010 estimates indicate that the Zoroastrian population of Britain might have grown to between 6,000 and 7,000.
|Parsee Section of the Brookwood Cemetery Wikimedia|
US Zoroastrian Population
According to Roshan Rivetna in 2004, there were 9,158 enumerated Zoroastrians in the US and accounting for those not part of the enumeration process, an estimated maximum of 10,794 individuals.
Canada's Zoroastrian Population
The Canadian census of 1991 stated 3,185 self-identified Zoroastrians. This figure may not be entirely reliable since the identification required self-notification.
According to Roshan Rivetna in 2004, there were 5,341 Zoroastrians. Together with the US figure, this gives a North American total of about 15,000 to 16,000 Zoroastrians.
Australia's Zoroastrian Population
There are no precise numbers for Zoroastrians in Australia. Estimates can be constructed based on the membership in local Zoroastrian associations.
In the 1970s there were an estimated 75 Zoroastrians in Australia.
By 1999 The number may have increased to about 1000 individuals with about 850 residing in Sydney (Hinnells, The Zoroastrian Diaspora, p. 555, based on the Sydney's Australian Zoroastrian association directory).
In 2004, the Australian Zoroastrian population is estimated to have increased to between 2,000 and 3,500 individuals.
New Zealand's Zoroastrian Population
We found these notes on the web at jamejamshedonline and have included them as they show some interesting trends:
"The first known Zoroastrian to come to New Zealand was Hormuzji Ratanjee Shroff, a businessman with a Master of Arts degree from Oxford University, England. He migrated in 1877 with his wife and three children and set up a hardware supply business, Shroff and Sons, in Auckland which is still being run by his descendants.
"In 1986 there were said to be just about 17 Zoroastrians in the country. By 1990 the number increased to approximately 45 and by February 2000 the community numbered 300.
"The demographics of the Zoroastrian community in New Zealand, as compiled by former ZANZ (Zoroastrian Association of New Zealand) president Tehmus Mistry from 2003 data, sets the total figure at 840 individuals. Adult males number 331, and adult females 302. Comprising 349 families, 75 have one child, 120 have two children and 12 have three and over. About 142 families are unaccounted for in terms of their children and presumably are couples or single member households. The majority - 90 percent - live in Auckland, four percent in Wellington and two percent in Christchurch. The majority of new migrants were originally from Bombay, but the Middle East, Pakistan, Canada and the US have also contributed to the growing community.
"New Zealand now has a Zoroastrian population of over a thousand and still growing."
Contrary Assertions Showing Dramatic Growth
David A. Barrett, editor of the World Christian Encyclopedia, 2001 states that the Zoroastrian population had by 2000 grown to 2,543,950. It is unclear where David Barrett obtained these figures. If true, the figures make Zoroastrianism the world's fastest growing religions on a percentage basis. The reason he gives for this dramatic rise is the number of individuals who declared that they were Zoroastrian in the Aryan home countries - primarily Iran:
Barrett further predicts that the Zoroastrian population in 2025 will be 4,439,930, and in 2050 it will has risen to 6,964,700!
It has been reported anecdotally, that there are a number of closet Zoroastrians in the Aryan home countries (Iran, Afghanistan, Northern Iraq, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and neighbouring lands) who are outwardly Muslim but who are secretly Zoroastrian. This is for reasons of persecution and a denial of opportunity to non-Muslims, especially Zoroastrians. We are unable to confirm this phenomenon.
* Another report on the internet has Tajikistan's Zoroastrian population at 20,000.
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Kids will learn trap shooting skills and terms through hands on experience!
Shotgun Shooting Fundamentals
Shotgun shooting is learned, not an inborn gift. Six fundamental form concepts must be learned and practiced before they can be put together effectively: stance, gun-ready position, mounting the gun, swing to the target, trigger pull and follow through. Each of them involves a number of skills important to good shotgun shooting. We will develop them one at a time before trying to put all of them together.
Participating youth and adults will:
1. Successfully shoot a moving target using the fundamentals of shotgun shooting.
2. Practice fundamental shotgun shooting skills in a ball and dummy exercise.
3. Demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skill and mental attitudes for safety firing shotguns at moving targets.
4. Operate a spring-powered trap.
5. Have fun while learning. |
- Short report
- Open Access
Kinetics of rabies antibodies as a strategy for canine active immunization
Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases volume 20, Article number: 37 (2014)
Rabies, a zoonosis found throughout the globe, is caused by a virus of the Lyssavirus genus. The disease is transmitted to humans through the inoculation of the virus present in the saliva of infected mammals. Since its prognosis is usually fatal for humans, nationwide public campaigns to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies aim to break the epidemiological link between the virus and its reservoirs in Brazil.
During 12 months we evaluated the active immunity of dogs first vaccinated (booster shot at 30 days after first vaccination) against rabies using the Fuenzalida-Palácios modified vaccine in the urban area of Botucatu city, São Pauto state, Brazil. Of the analyzed dogs, 54.7% maintained protective titers (≥0.5 IU/mL) for 360 days after the first vaccination whereas 51.5% during all the study period.
The present results suggest a new vaccination schedule for dogs that have never been vaccinated. In addition to the first dose of vaccine, two others are recommended: the second at 30 days after the first and the third dose at 180 days after the first for the maintenance of protective titers during 12 months.
Half of the world population (3.5 billion people) lives in areas where there is an increase of dogs, cats and rodents, and therefore the frequency of zoonoses transmitted by these animals is also augmented. Globally, rabies provokes 40,000 to 70,000 deaths per year and approximately 15 million people receive post-exposure rabies treatment[2–4]. This means that rabies kills one person every minute worldwide. Rabid dogs are responsible for 99% of these deaths and 92% of post-exposure treatments. In Brazil, 140 people died due to rabies between 2001 and 2010, in 40% of these cases the disease was contracted from dogs, in 1.43% from cats, in 53.57% from bats and in 5% of the cases from other animals. The protection of humans against urban rabies is achieved mainly by prophylactic measures applied to dogs and cats, which include vaccines that induce minimum antibody titers (≥0.5 IU/L). In Brazil, vaccination against rabies in dogs and cats is mandatory. However, in mass vaccination campaigns, numerous animals do not achieve protective antibody titers after vaccinated with Fuenzalida-Palácios modified vaccine (Institute of Technology of Paraná, TECPAR®)[8–10]. The present study aimed to evaluate during 12 months the kinetics of antibodies in dogs that were first vaccinated against rabies.
The study was conducted in 2009 during the annual vaccination campaign against rabies in dogs and cats in the urban area of Botucatu (22° 88’ 83’ S, 48° 44’ 5” W). A confidence interval of 95% and an estimation error of 10% associated with the casual participation of an animal (50% of positive responses for participation) were considered for the determination of the sample size. In Brazil, the first vaccine shot is administered at three months of age and the booster dose should be given 30–45 days after the initial one, with subsequent annual revaccination.
The present study involved 576 dogs older than three months of age, which had never been vaccinated against rabies, regardless of breed, age or sex and randomly selected for blood collection. Samples were collected at five moments of the study period. The first blood sample was taken during the annual vaccination campaign against rabies and the others on home visits, by venipuncture of the cephalic vein, saphenous or jugular (with a 3-mL syringe and 30 × 7 mm needle) and placed in sterile test tubes without anticoagulant. The days of blood collection were labeled as follows: 0 (on the day of the first vaccine dose), 1 [30 days after first vaccination (dafv) and the same day as the second dose of vaccine], 2 (60 dafv), 3 (180 dafv) and 4 (360 dafv).
Thirty days after the first immunization (moment 1), dogs received the booster dose with the same type of vaccine (Figure 1). This study was characterized as longitudinal and was composed of a single experimental group, since a control group was not allowed (unvaccinated animals in a mass campaign against rabies) according to a city's law. The vaccine employed in this study was from lot number 187/08, each 2-mL dose was subcutaneously injected (between scapulae), the batch was manufactured on December 16, 2008, sent to Lanagro on December 27, 2008 and released on March 6, 2008, titration (National Institutes of Health method) was 3.06 IU/dose. Determination of serum neutralizing antibodies to rabies virus was performed at the Laboratory of Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases of the Center for Zoonosis Control of São Paulo by means of the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) according to Smith et al., modified by Zalan et al.. A protective titer was considered when neutralizing antibodies ≥ 0.5 IU/mL. In order to quantify the occurrence of protective titers, the frequency distribution of responses and the percentage of vaccine response among sampling periods were considered in relation to the initial moment, taking into account the loss of dogs during the study (207 died).
Of the 576 studied animals, none showed any evidence of protective antibody titers (<0.5 IU/mL) at moment 0. One of the biggest obstacles of this research was the loss of animals, since numerous dogs run away during the study period or were killed by cars. According to reports from the owners 207 dogs (35.9%) were lost.
Table 1 shows that 89.1% of the animals reached protective titers, indicating a growth of 12% due to the second vaccine shot. From the second moment on, the animals demonstrated a reduction in antibody titers. After 360 dafv, only 54.7% of the dogs had protective titers. The ratios between the number of protected animals and those unprotected during the study were: 8.2:1 at the first moment, 478:1 at the second moment, 7.7:1 at the third moment and 1.2:1 at the fourth moment (Table 1). Of the 576 dogs, 207 either died or run away. Then, of the remaining 369 animals, none was protected at the first moment, 27 (7.3% out of 369) were protected at moments 1 and 2, 109 (29.5%) had protective titers in the period between moments 1 and 3, 13 dogs (3.5%) were protected only in moment 2, 17 (4.6%) in moments 2 and 3, 12 dogs (3.3%) had protective titers between moments 2 and 4, one dog (0.3%) did not reach any protective level and 190 (51.5%) animals maintained protective titers during the 360 days.
The low concentration of antibody titers in dogs vaccinated against rabies has been previously reported[16–19]. Similarly, the immune response of dogs vaccinated only one time has already been evaluated and the results showed a rapid drop of antibody titers, which suggests that several animals are unprotected among vaccination campaigns[10, 20].
According to the Pasteur Institute, titers below 0.5 IU/mL do not protect animals against rabies. In the present study, 45.3% of the dogs that received the first dose followed by booster shot (30 dafv) did not present protective antibody concentrations after 12 months (Table 1), which is not an expected result.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that 75% of the canine population of any country should be vaccinated. However, the program for rabies control of São Paulo state recommends a coverage of at least 80%[11, 22]. In the 2009 vaccination campaign in Botucatu city, SP, the immunization coverage reached 81.36% of the animals. However, only 54.7% of the first vaccinated animals showed protective levels one year after the initial dose (Table 1).
In a study by Hirayama et al. the same vaccine used in the current work was administered to animals without the booster doses. The authors found that the titers declined 120 dafv, therefore 40% of the animals did not have protective titers. In the present study, however, the drop of serum antibody titers (<0.5 IU/mL) in dogs occurred after the third time (180 dafv) (Table 1).
In Brazil, vaccination campaigns against rabies are annual and booster doses are recommended 30 to 45 days after the first shot. However, the booster dose is voluntary and the owner must take the animal to a health surveillance center to receive it. In the present research, we found that after the third dose (180 dafv), 88.5% of the dogs remained protected against rabies virus (titer ≥ 0.5 IU/mL) (Table 1). This value was a greater value than that found by Shimazaki et al., who evaluated the immune response in unvaccinated dogs and in animals vaccinated with a single dose of Fuenzalida- Palácios modified vaccine.
Soares et al. observed that 120 days after vaccination, only 58% of the studied canine population, which received the vaccine for the first time, had antibody serum titers considered protective. They also reported that 30 days after the first shot, 91.2% of the dogs had protective titers whereas Almeida et al. described only 27.4%. In the current study, at the fourth moment (360 dafv), 54.7% of the dogs had protective antibody titers, a higher value than that found by Soares et al. who obtained 35.3% and by Almeida et al. who found 18.3% in animals that did not receive the booster dose. When they discussed the determinants for the decline in antibody concentration after vaccination, it was hypothesized that the nutritional status, health status, and genetic ancestry may influence the immune response, the antibody induction and the maintenance of antibody titers in dogs.
Our present findings showed that after the first vaccination, 51.5% of the dogs had protective titers during the five study periods. After a year of this first shot, only 54.7% of the animals maintained protective antibody levels against rabies. Therefore, in order to improve protective titers against rabies for 12 months, we suggest a third dose of vaccine at 180 days after the first one.
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Parviz S, Chotani R, MacCormick J, Fisher-Hoch S, Luby S: Rabies deaths in Pakistan: results of ineffective post-exposure treatment. Int J Infect Dis 2004, 8(6):346–352. 10.1016/j.ijid.2004.02.008
Goswani A, Plun-Favreau J, Nicoloyannis N, Sampath G, Siddiqui MN, Zinsou JA: The real cost of rabies post-exposure treatments. Vaccine 2005, 23(23):2970–2976. 10.1016/j.vaccine.2004.12.008
Chulasugandha P, Khawplod P, Havanond P, Wilde H: Cost comparison of rabies pre-exposure vaccination with post-exposure treatment in Thai children. Vaccine 2006, 24(9):1478–1482. 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.03.059
Coleman PG, Fèvre EM, Cleaveland S: Estimating the public health impact of rabies. Emerg Infect Dis 2004, 10(1):140–142. 10.3201/eid1001.020774
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The authors would like to thank the citizens of Botucatu city for their constant collaboration, and the team of the Laboratory of Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases, Center for the Control of Zoonosis of São Paulo City, for its assistance with the serological tests.
This work was supported by the State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), project number 2009-09098-8.
Ethics committee approval
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Use (CEUA), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, UNESP, Botucatu, under protocol n. 64/2009. The work was carried out in accordance with the EU Directive 2010/63/EU for animal experiments http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/lab_animals/legislation_en.htm.
The authors declare that there are no competing interests.
SDB, HFC, and JRM designed the study. SDB and HFC collected biological samples. LFAM and APAGK performed serology tests. CRP analyzed the data. SDB, HFC, CV and JRM drafted the manuscript, and all authors read and approved the final version of it.
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Babboni, S.D., da Costa, H.F., Martorelli, L.d.F.A. et al. Kinetics of rabies antibodies as a strategy for canine active immunization. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 20, 37 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/1678-9199-20-37
- Annual vaccination campaign |
This article was co-authored by Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA Stephanie Wong Ken is a writer based in Canada. The first decision that you'll have to make is deciding what subject you'll choose to write about. You may select any literary piece that you really want however attempt to choose one that you simply needed to learn at school if this is for an English class. Select one that you just discover attention-grabbing and one that you have read thoroughly.
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IMAP (Internet Messages Access Protocol): originally developed in 1986 by Mark Crispin, it’s a client/server protocol.
It is an email protocol that is used to access email messages in a remote web server from a local client, it is an application layer email protocol. Its well-known port address is 143.
The emails messages that are received are kept by the internet server, it can work on a slow connection.
IMAP Protocol is one of the two most used protocols used to retrieve information from the mail server, almost every mail clients and mail server support IMAP and POP3.
IMAP allows you to access, read, organize and sort your email messages without having to download it first. As a result; IMAP is very fast and efficient as whenever you check your mailbox it connects to the server and it’s possible to check your email from different devices without missing a thing.
The easiest way to understand how IMAP works is by thinking of it as an intermediary between your email client and your email server.
Email servers are always used when sending and receiving email messages. With IMAP, though, they remain on the server unless you explicitly delete them from it. When you sign into an email client like Microsoft Outlook, it contacts the email server using IMAP. The headers of all of your email messages are then displayed. If you choose to read a message, it is quickly downloaded so that you can see it – emails are not downloaded unless you need to open them.
There are several advantages to using IMAP:
1. It allows you to access your messages from anywhere via all devices you want.
2. It only downloads message when you click on it.
3. Attachments are not automatically downloaded
4. IMAP can be used offline (like POP) |
Review by Logaine Navascués
Tundra Books, Penguin Random House Canada, 4 August 2020
40 pages, hardcover, $21.99 CAD, 978-0-73526-688-9
Ages 4-8, Grades Pre K-3
How to draw something that feels invisible? Cécile Metzger’s light and airy watercolour illustrations for The Invisible Bear manage to do just that: engulf the reader in invisible feelings and emotions, which are materialized through tender images.
In Metzger’s story, a bear feels invisible in his gray and lonely world until an unexpected neighbour arrives and shows him how colourful life can be. The sparse text is written in short and descriptive sentences that interact perfectly with the images. Metzger’s blurry, grayscale images that represent the bear’s feelings contrast with the exuberant, organic forms that fill the page when we see cheery and lively Madame Odette and her blooming garden. The clever use of white background makes the bear appear and disappear into the image: his figure either merges, producing the effect of invisibility, or is outlined and highlighted by the contrast created by the other colourful illustrations.
The poetic and ethereal images create a reflection of the abstract nature of the text, and the reader must fill in many gaps to arrive at their own conclusions and interpretations. The heartwarming pictures and thought-provoking words result in a profound reading, both for the mind and the heart. This book is a must-have in any library and personal collection, and would make a great addition to a classroom activity exploring friendship, empathy, cultural differences and identity.
The Invisible Bear will hit the shelves on August 4th, 2020!
Logaine Navascués is a Peruvian artist, writer, creative director, teacher and book maker, currently living in Vancouver. She is the proud mother of a beautiful daughter and two artist’s books. You can find her reading, collecting picture books and eating chocolate while pursuing her MA in Children’s Literature at UBC. |
Unit 4: Animal Structure and Function
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Describe hypersensitivity
- Define autoimmunity
A functioning immune system is essential for survival, but even the sophisticated cellular and molecular defenses of the mammalian immune response can be defeated by pathogens at virtually every step. In the competition between immune protection and pathogen evasion, pathogens have the advantage of more rapid evolution because of their shorter generation time, large population sizes and often higher mutation rates. Thus pathogens have evolved a diverse array of immune escape mechanisms. For instance, Streptococcus pneumoniae (the bacterium that causes pneumonia and meningitis) surrounds itself with a capsule that inhibits phagocytes from engulfing it and displaying antigens to the adaptive immune system. Staphylococcus aureus (the bacterium that can cause skin infections, abscesses, and meningitis) synthesizes a toxin called leukocidin that kills phagocytes after they engulf the bacterium. Other pathogens can also hinder the adaptive immune system. HIV infects TH cells using their CD4 surface molecules, gradually depleting the number of TH cells in the body (Figure 12.21); this inhibits the adaptive immune system’s capacity to generate sufficient responses to infection or tumors. As a result, HIV-infected individuals often suffer from infections that would not cause illness in people with healthy immune systems but which can cause devastating illness to immune-compromised individuals.
Inappropriate responses of immune cells and molecules themselves can also disrupt the proper functioning of the entire system, leading to host-cell damage that can become fatal.
Immunodeficiency is a failure, insufficiency, or delay in the response of the immune system, which may be acquired or inherited. Immunodeficiency can allow pathogens or tumor cells to gain a foothold and replicate or proliferate to high enough levels so that the immune system becomes overwhelmed. Immunodeficiency can be acquired as a result of infection with certain pathogens that attack the cells of the immune system itself (such as HIV), chemical exposure (including certain medical treatments such as chemotherapy), malnutrition, or extreme stress. For instance, radiation exposure can destroy populations of lymphocytes and elevate an individual’s susceptibility to infections and cancer. Rarely, primary immunodeficiencies that are present from birth may also occur. For example, severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) is a condition in which children are born without functioning B or T cells.
A maladaptive immune response toward harmless foreign substances or self-antigens that occur after tissue sensitization is termed a hypersensitivity. Types of hypersensitivities include immediate, delayed, and autoimmune. A large proportion of the human population is affected by one or more types of hypersensitivity.
The immune reaction that results from immediate hypersensitivities in which an antibody-mediated immune response occurs within minutes of exposure to a usually harmless antigen is called an allergy. In the United States, 20 percent of the population exhibits symptoms of allergy or asthma, whereas 55 percent test positive against one or more allergens. On initial exposure to a potential allergen, an allergic individual synthesizes antibodies through the typical process of APCs presenting processed antigen to TH cells that stimulate B cells to produce the antibodies. The antibody molecules interact with mast cells embedded in connective tissues. This process primes, or sensitizes, the tissue. On subsequent exposure to the same allergen, antibody molecules on mast cells bind the antigen and stimulate the mast cell to release histamine and other inflammatory chemicals; these chemical mediators then recruit eosinophils (a type of white blood cell), which also appear to be adapted to responding to parasitic worms (Figure 12.22). Eosinophils release factors that enhance the inflammatory response and the secretions of mast cells. The effects of an allergic reaction range from mild symptoms like sneezing and itchy, watery eyes to more severe or even life-threatening reactions involving intensely itchy welts or hives, airway constriction with severe respiratory distress, and plummeting blood pressure caused by dilating blood vessels and fluid loss from the circulatory system. This extreme reaction, typically in response to an allergen introduced to the circulatory system, is known as anaphylactic shock. Antihistamines are an insufficient counter to anaphylactic shock and if not treated with epinephrine to counter the blood pressure and breathing effects, this condition can be fatal.
Delayed hypersensitivity is a cell-mediated immune response that takes approximately one to two days after secondary exposure for a maximal reaction. This type of hypersensitivity involves the TH1 cytokine-mediated inflammatory response and may cause local tissue lesions or contact dermatitis (rash or skin irritation). Delayed hypersensitivity occurs in some individuals in response to contact with certain types of jewelry or cosmetics. Delayed hypersensitivity facilitates the immune response to poison ivy and is also the reason why the skin test for tuberculosis results in a small region of inflammation on individuals who were previously exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the organism that causes tuberculosis.
Concept in Action
Try your hand at diagnosing an allergic reaction by selecting one of the interactive case studies at the World Allergy Organization website.
Autoimmunity is a type of hypersensitivity to self-antigens that affects approximately five percent of the population. Most types of autoimmunity involve the humoral immune response. An antibody that inappropriately marks self-components as foreign is termed an autoantibody. In patients with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease, muscle-cell receptors that induce contraction in response to acetylcholine are targeted by antibodies. The result is muscle weakness that may include marked difficultly with fine or gross motor functions. In systemic lupus erythematosus, a diffuse autoantibody response to the individual’s own DNA and proteins results in various systemic diseases (Figure 12.23). Systemic lupus erythematosus may affect the heart, joints, lungs, skin, kidneys, central nervous system, or other tissues, causing tissue damage through antibody binding, complement recruitment, lysis, and inflammation.
Autoimmunity can develop with time and its causes may be rooted in molecular mimicry, a situation in which one molecule is similar enough in shape to another molecule that it binds the same immune receptors. Antibodies and T-cell receptors may bind self-antigens that are structurally similar to pathogen antigens. As an example, infection with Streptococcus pyogenes (the bacterium that causes strep throat) may generate antibodies or T cells that react with heart muscle, which has a similar structure to the surface of S. pyogenes. These antibodies can damage heart muscle with autoimmune attacks, leading to rheumatic fever. Insulin-dependent (Type 1) diabetes mellitus arises from a destructive inflammatory TH1 response against insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Patients with this autoimmunity must be treated with regular insulin injections.
Immune disruptions may involve insufficient immune responses or inappropriate immune responses. Immunodeficiency increases an individual’s susceptibility to infections and cancers. Hypersensitivities are misdirected responses either to harmless foreign particles, as in the case of allergies, or to the individual’s own tissues, as in the case of autoimmunity. Reactions to self-components may be the result of molecular mimicry.
- Allergy to pollen is classified as ________.
- an autoimmune reaction
- delayed hypersensitivity
- immediate hypersensitivity
- A potential cause of acquired autoimmunity is ________.
- tissue hypersensitivity
- molecular mimicry
- histamine release
- radiation exposure
- Autoantibodies are probably involved in ________
- reactions to poison ivy
- pollen allergies
- systemic lupus erythematosus
- Some photographers develop a sensitivity to certain film developing chemicals leading to severe rashes on their hands such that they are unable to work with them. Explain what is probably happening.
- This is probably a delayed sensitivity reaction to one or more chemicals in the developer. An initial exposure would have sensitized the individual to the chemical and then subsequent exposures will induce a delayed inflammation reaction a day or two after exposure. |
A stye in medical terms ‘hordeolum’ develops when an oil gland at the tip of an eyelid becomes infected. Resembling the pimple on the eyelid, a stye can develop on the inside or outside of the lid.
6 Things to Know About an Eye Stye
Here are few points to know about eye styes:
1. The first signs are redness, pain, swelling &tenderness.
After symptoms develop, a small pimple can develop in the affected area. Typically this is supplemented by swollen eyes. Sometimes just the next area is swollen; at other times, the whole eyelid swells. Read more How to treat Sunken Eyes
2. Styes typically do not cause vision difficulties.
A stye should not attack your ability to see well at either near or distance.
3. Staphylococcal bacteria cause a stye.
This bacterium has found in the nose & is carried quickly to the eye when you rub the nose than the eye.
Styes also spelled as sties or stys are not usually harmful to the vision and heal within a few days.
Styes are not typically detrimental to vision & improve within a few days.
4. Styes are contagious or spreading
Almost everyone has this stye letting bacteria in their body. We all, at any age, have the possible to develop a stye without outside contamination.
Still, if anyone have a stye, you do not want the bacteria within to come into contact with someone else’s eye. It might inevitably cause them to develop the stye or other infection as well. So keep the eyes & hands clean, and do not share pillowcases, washcloths, bedsheets, or towels with others. Read on 8 Steps Guide To Glamours Smokey Eyes
5. Most styes fix on their own within a few days.
one can encourage this process by using hot compresses for 10 -15 minutes, 3 or 4 times per day, over the course of many days.
It will ease the pain & bring the stye to a head, much like a pimple. In most cases, the stye can then breaks, bleed and heal without further interference.
6. Never “pop” a stye.
You should not pop a style like how you would have a pimple. Let the stye rupture on its own.
A stye that works inside the eyelid, called as an internal hordeolum might not rupture & heal on its own. Because this kind of stye can be more dangerous, the eye doctor may require opening & draining it.
If you have recurring styes, the eye doctor may expect to prescribe an antibiotic ointment to prevent the recurrence. He or she also might suggest using the pre-moistened eyelid cleansing pads for daily lid hygiene, to decrease the risk of styes & blepharitis. Read on 6 Best Foods For Healthy Eyes
How To Treat and Prevent a Stye in Your Eye
A stye is an infected swelling on an eyelid that can be so painful & difficult to deal with. Once a stye explodes, you might have to take oral medications & eye drops to relieve the pain & irritation. And if it does not recede on its own, a minor surgical procedure can be needed to get rid of the eye pimple. One can avoid all these annoyances if you follow these tricks & take care of the eyes.
Avoid touching or rubbing the eyes:
If you have the habit of frequently rubbing the eyes or touching them, it will only get you more prone to catching a stye because of the germs or bacteria the eyes could come in contact. Consciously, try to keep the hands away from the eyes. Also, remember to clean your hands before making any contact with the eyes or eyelids.
Get your eyes checked:
If you have noticed the child always rubbing his eyes, it could be as of blurred vision & not using specs. In such case, make sure to address immediately the uncorrected eye number by visiting the ophthalmologist before he/she develops a stye. A common cause of styes is always rubbing one’s eyes enough to blurred vision.
Get rid of dandruff:
Believe it or not, but also, the eyelashes will have dandruff if you are already suffering from dandruff on the scalp. It makes is simple for bacteria to penetrate the eyelids & cause swelling & inflammation. Consult the dermatologist to find an efficient way to tackle dandruff. Read more 10 Effective Home Remedies for Eye Flu
Do not let stress get to you:
Students lead to suffering from styes around the time their exams begin due to tremendous stress levels. Even adults had inclined to styes due to stress, so practice meditation or any other recreation methods like exercising or choosing up a new hobby to keep the stress levels under check.
Diabetes should have tested in elderly people:
If the elderly get repetitive styes, it is a sign of diabetes. By controlling your diabetes, one can prevent a stye formation.
Consult the dermatologist if you have the oily skin or recurrent acne as this could make you more inclined to styes than those who have regular to dry skin. Read more 10 Effective Home Remedies for Eye Flu
Always exclude eye make-up before sleeping:
By going to sleep with the make-up on, one could cause damage to the skin & also eyelids due to clogged pores that lead to pimples & skin irritation.
Don’t share eye makeup products:
Avoid sharing the eyeliner, kajal & eye lashes curlers with others. The bacteria that causes eye pimples or styes could quickly spread through these products.
Avoid using cheap or inferior eye make-up:
While one might be influenced to buy a kajal that costs one-third the price of the favourite cosmetic product, think twice since certain chemicals applied in these cheap cosmetics could trigger an infection in the eyelids.
Use a warm compress:
If are inclined to irritation or swelling around the eyelids, apply a hot /warm compress once a week every month for a minimum five minutes in morning & night before going to bed to prevent the growth of oil or dirt on the eyelids.
Have a well-balanced diet:
Assure that the immunity has protected by having a balanced diet with sufficient dairy products & green vegetables to keep yourself safe from any recurrence of an eye pimple or styes. |
Yale School of Medicine researchers have isolated a gene that helps protect newborns from the most common respiratory cause of infant death in the United Statesórespiratory distress syndrome.
This gene, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), also helps fetal lungs develop, the researchers report this month in the Journal of Immunology.
The overt cause of respiratory distress syndrome is underdeveloped lungsóthe more premature the newborns, the more likely they are to have a loss of lung volume caused by air space collapse and poorly developed capillaries. Infants with the syndrome often require mechanical ventilation within the first hours of life.
The Yale team wanted to pinpoint the molecular events leading to respiratory distress syndrome because, despite advances in treatment, survivors often develop chronic lung disease and are at higher risk of developing asthma.
†"The finding is important because prematurity is not only the most common respiratory cause of infant mortality in the U.S., it also tends to be a more serious problem in inner city neighborhoods," said Richard Bucala, M.D., professor of medicine and pathology, professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health, and senior author of the study.
The research team studied premature mouse pups bred to be deficient in MIF and found that the lungs of these mice were less developed. The mice also had lower levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and corticosteroneótwo factors that promote lung development.
In addition to its role in fetal lung development, the MIF gene also regulates the innate immune response and has been implicated in a number of inflammatory disorders, such as sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome in adults, asthma, and autoimmune diseases.
"Because relationships exist between the known human variants of MIF and the severity of other respiratory diseases such as asthma and cystic fibrosis, we are very interested to know whether MIF variants might be associated with a higher risk for developing respiratory distress syndrome or chronic lung disease in premature infants," said Alia Bazzy-Asaad, chief of the pediatric pulmonary section at Yale School of Medicine and co-author of the study. "We hope to pursue this in future studies."
Source: YALE University |
In early grade classes (Nursery, prep, Grade 1 – 5), maths practice worksheets are printed and used in the classrooms for kid’s basic maths practice. Teachers from around the globe adapt this technique to practice addition and subtraction for their students. These math worksheets does a great job for them. Kids find it fun and interesting and gets engaged in the education.
It is however a repetitive task to print unique sheets for different students and check their results one by one. Particularly for a teacher who is dealing a class of around 20+ students.
(Math worksheets) is an app that serves as a modern solution for math practice worksheets. It caters for addition and subtraction practice for 4-10 years of kids. Besides having some excellent features, it is far more convenient, accurate and eco-friendly as compared to the traditional printed papers.
The app is split in multiple levels (L1 – L7) ranging for very early graders to fairly expert students (4-10 years). Levels are programmed to automatically progressed and recessed along with the kid’s success. Alternatively any level can be chosen manually and can also be locked from progression or recession for practicing on a specific level. This is facilitated to avoid playing a higher level accidentally and to keep the young ones motivated.
The questions are generated randomly so that the kids almost always find a different question except for the first level which is limited to initial digits. The question matrix starts from easy 2 digit calculation and grows up to a grid of 5×7 (5 columns & 7 rows).
Several controls are provided in the settings to suit the needs for the most. These controls can be easily accessible and can be changed on the go. Here are some key features.
– Level Lock : Specify any level your kid’s practice– Make Carry forward Compulsory or optional– Hint to highlight the mistake: The answer can be marked wrong as a whole or highlight the mistake– Native and studio quality motivational voiceovers– Available in 5 languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian).– White vs Colourful & Animated background (psychologically involves the kids in the education)– 3 Background Music with volume control to control the ambience in various situations.– Greyscale vs Colourful input buttons– Last used settings are saved automatically.
* All the Levels can be unlocked by attaining the coins mentioned within the app *
It is the best maths practice app available for teachers and parents to teach the addition and subtraction to the kids. The interface is neat, clean and very less distracting. In fact, at the time of writing this, it is the ONLY app for maths practice sheets that can be used in the classroom.
The app is primarily targeted for Nursery to 2nd grade kids and it is very useful app to be practiced in these (nursery, prep, grade1 & grade2 classes).
The app is highly recommended for the education of two age groups (4 – 6 years & 6 – 8 years aged kids). Optionally the 8-10 years age group kids can also get benefit to fasten their calculation speed. The app testing shows that even senior students tends to challenge themselves using this app.
The kids can get used to of the app with the help of very little or no help at all.
Download on iOS (iPhone & iPad) and Google Play (Android based phones and tablets) |
Basic Logic Circuits
What is Logic Circuit?
Logic Circuit and Design is a tool for Computer Engineers, Electrical, Electronic Communication engineers and to those who wants to learn logic circuit design. Learning Logic Circuits and design should learn first the basic of it and this is the Function and symbols and all its individual characteristics. Logic Circuit can be use to evaluate complex database design into more effective and simple design. Truth table is one of the associated tools that is being used together with the logic design some of its associated tools are the “Boolean Algebra” or “Mathematical Logic“, “Karnaugh Map” or “K-Map” these are some of the tools that you can use, later we will discussed all about it. Logic is represented by a Binary Digits “1″ and “0″ corresponding to “True” and “False”, A “True” is a fact or reality and the “False” is its opposite. The Binary Digits can be represented by True or False, since that a machine can only understand a machine code (a system of instructions and data executed directly by a computer‘s central processing unit.), A True or False is the best way to represent binary. A True or Logic One is nearly equivalent to positive Five Volts DC(+5V), or simply called a Digital Signal. Table 1 shows the symbols and basic functions of a logic gate.
And the table 2:
The Above tables shows each gate symbols and its Truth table. The AND gate, function as when one of its input is a Logic Zero “Low” the resulting output is always a zero. The Logic Zero or “Low” is nearly equivalent to zero volt. The OR Gate is conversely equivalent of AND Gate, Since that when one of its input is Logic one “high” the resulting output is always a Logic one “high” no matter what are the values of the other input thus it can purposely assume the result as “high”. The NOT gate or an inverter takes only one input and as well as one output and its function is always a negation to the input. When the input is high the output is low and vice versa. The Gates in table 1 are special Logic Symbols, the NAND Gate negates the output of an AND gate, and also the NOR Gate negates the output of an OR gate, meaning it inverts that’s why there is an inverter at the end of its symbol. The Most especial of them all are the XOR or (Exclusive OR) the function is if the two input of an gate are not the same (Zero and the other is one) the result is always “high” and if the two input are the same logic one the result is Logic one ‘High”, thus if the input are both zero the output is zero. That’s why this logic gate makes a very special gate. In XNOR Gate (Exclusive Not OR gate) if the input are the same may it be zero or logic one the output is always logic one “high” and if it is not the same the result is zero. All the function of each gate can be evaluated in a truth table as shown in the table 1 and table 2.
Basic Logic Circuits, |
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Auto immune diseases represent a situation where the immune system has detected a protein that is part of the body and has failed to recognize that this protein is supposed to be present. When the immune system detects foreign proteins it's normal response is to try to eliminate it. When it "forgets" what proteins are normal major problems can occur. In effect the body is trying to "reject" part of itself.
Pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus erythematosus and pemphigus vegetans. There are several related immune mediated skin disorders called pemphigus complex. These have a common mechanism of action in which the body produces antibodies against the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). Pemphigus foliaceus is the most common of these diseases in the dog. It is seen more often in Akitas, chow chows, dachsund, bearded collies, Doberman pinscher, schipperke, Finnish spitz and Newfoundland dogs. Pemphigus erythematosus is second most common and may just be a milder form of pemphigus foliaceus. It is seen more commonly in collies, Shetland sheepdogs and German shepherds. Cats are also susceptible to phemphigus disorders. These diseases look exactly alike except that pemphigus erythematosus usually only affects the head and feet. The more common forms of pemphigus produce scaling skin, scabbiness and sometimes pustules (pus filled sores that look like pimples). Early in pemphigus foliaceus the disease may be confined to the head and feet, making it hard to distinquish from pemphigus erythematosus. Later it spreads to more of the body. Careful examination of the skin may reveal the presence of blisters, which are very indicative of these diseases. The blisters rupture quickly and may not be seen. If the sores become infected it is possible for severe illness to develop but this is not a common complication. Pemphigus vulgaris is the most severe form of the disease. In this disorder, there is severe ulceration of the skin, usually where "normal" skin meets "specialized" skin --- around the mouth, anus, prepuce, nose and vagina. The mouth is almost always affected. Secondary complications are more common with pemphigus vulgaris than other forms of pemphigus and can be very severe. Pemphigus vegetans may be a less severe form of pemphigus vulgaris but it does look different. In this form of pemphigus there are warty growths that may ulcerate. There are a lot of diseases that can look like pemphigus disorders. Drug eruptions (skin reaction to administered medications) are probably the most common "look alike" disorder but systemic lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus and skin cancers are other fairly common diseases that may be confused with pemphigus. Diagnosis of pemphigus is best done by skin biopsy. Sometimes specialized testing must be done on the biopsy samples -- which often means doing them again. Treatment of pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus can be pretty frustrating. Usually it is necessary to use prednisone (a corticosteroid) for the life of the dog to control the symptoms of skin scabs and scaling for pemphigus foliaceous and ulceration of skin around mucous membranes (the more "specialized" skin). Prednisone often will not work alone, though. It is usually necessary to use a second immune suppressive medication like azathioprine or chemotherapeutic agents to get complete control of the disease. Treatment of pemphigus erythematosus and pemphigus vegetans may not be necessary or is usually possible with topical corticosteroids or low to medium dosages of prednisone. Due to the serious immunosuppressive tendencies of the medications used to treat pemphigus diseases it is usually necessary to closely monitor the health of pets under treatment. To succeed in keeping a dog comfortable when affected by the more severe pemphigus diseases takes close cooperation between the client and veterinarian. Teamwork is important in treating pemphigus.
We appreciate the use of information taken from other sites on the web. Much of this information was taken from a page at VetInfo.com |
Rabies is a viral disease that is spread most often from the bite of a rabid animal to another animal or to a human.
The rabies virus affects the central nervous system including the brain and spinal cord of humans and animals. During the incubation period, the time between exposure to the virus and the appearance of symptoms, the virus travels along nerves towards the brain. This process takes at least 10 days and usually takes about 30 to 50 days. The infection causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord that can lead to encephalopathy and later, death. Encephalopathy is any type of disease that changes the brain's function or structure.
The rabies virus has two forms that cause different behaviours in affected animals. The forms of the virus are called furious and dumb. If an animal has the furious form of rabies, it is easily provoked, distressed, and aggressive. Some wild animals may do things that are uncharacteristic for their species when infected with the furious form of the virus. For example, bats may come out during the day, or a wild animal may be friendlier than normal towards humans. With the dumb form of rabies, some or all of the wild animal's body is usually paralyzed.
The bite of a rabid animal is the most common cause of rabies. The virus is carried in the saliva of the rabid animal and is able to enter the body through an opening in the skin, such as a bite wound. Although it is possible to get rabies from a non-bite exposure, this is very rare. For example, non-bite exposures include inhalation of aerosol particles of the virus, or by a rabid animal licking a person's eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin.
High -risk animals include:
Domestic animals like cats, dogs, and cattle can become rabid if bitten, so it is important to vaccinate them against rabies. Recently, steps have been taken in some countries to immunize wildlife populations using oral baits containing vaccines. This is dramatically reducing the spread to domestic populations of animals.
From the point where the rabies virus entered the body, the virus moves towards the brain along the nerves. A person may show the first signs of rabies 10 to 50 days after the virus enters the body. The first symptoms of the disease in humans include:
As the virus begins to multiply in the spinal cord or brain, neurological symptoms that appear include:
Spasms affecting the muscles in the throat and pain or difficulty swallowing are often seen as the disease progresses. Eventually, a person infected with the rabies virus can slip into a coma and die. Death is usually caused by breathing failure. It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible after the initial contact with the infected animal. Treatment must be started before the symptoms develop or it is highly unlikely to be effective in preventing death from the virus.
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It's that time again — as soon as the calendar flips to October, it starts appearing in drugstores and a whole lot of radio ads. Nope, not Halloween — the flu shot, which health professionals are saying could be more important for 2017 than ever.
Following a particularly bad flu season in Australia, which saw the worst outbreak on record in the country, there are scientifically-founded concerns a similar strain could hit North America as winter approaches.
The Canadian flu season generally runs from November to March, peaking at the end of December, as this chart showing the percentage of visits to doctors for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) for the latter part of 2017, shows.
Of the flu strains that can affect people, it's the H3N2 virus that is particularly in the spotlight, thanks to its higher mortality rate. It also tends to affect populations at risk to a greater degree, such as older people, as well as babies and pregnant women.
The symptoms for H3N2, however, aren't all that different from the "regular" flu, so stay vigilant: fever, headaches, fatigues, aches and pains, coughing and sore throat can all be signs that you have the flu.
All Canadians aged six months and older are urged to get the flu shot
According to Health Canada, the availability of the flu shot depends on the province (you can find more indivdualized information here), a message echoed by Shoppers Drug Mart, which has locations across the nation. B.C., Manitoba, and N.B. have all already gone live, a Shoppers rep tells HuffPost Canada, with N.S., P.E.I. starting Oct. 10.
All Canadians aged six months and older are urged to get the flu shot, though children between six months and four years must go to a primary health care provider's office, and can't get it done in a pharmacy.
More from HuffPost Canada:
And while these warnings come every year, it can't be emphasized enough that the flu is serious business. While there is some debate as to the number of actual deaths per year, there's no question that it knocks you out of commission for a solid few days — and is highly contagious before that. And for those people with weakened immune systems, that can be the difference between life and death.
The flu vaccine, which is developed by scientists predicting which flu strains will be spread during that particular season, is far from a perfect answer to the problem, but it can at least help prevent some illnesses.
Also on HuffPost: |
The armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external and internal aggressors. In broad usage, the terms "armed forces" and "military" are often treated synonymously, although in technical usage a distinction is sometimes made in which a country's armed forces may include both its military and other paramilitary forces. Armed force is the use of armed forces to achieve political objectives.
The study of the use of armed forces is called military science. Broadly speaking, this involves considering offense and defense at three "levels": strategy, operational art, and tactics. All three levels study the application of the use of force in order to achieve a desired objective.
The obvious benefit to a country in maintaining armed forces is in providing protection from foreign threats and from internal conflict. In recent decades armed forces personnel have also been used as emergency civil support roles in post-disaster situations. On the other hand, they may also harm a society by engaging in counter-productive (or merely unsuccessful) warfare. Expenditure on science and technology to develop weapons and systems sometimes produces side benefits, although some claim that greater benefits could come from targeting the money directly. |
托福独立写作难点话题思路解读和高分范文赏析：artists’ contribution or scientists’ contribution
托福独立写作难点话题思路解读和高分范文赏析：should students evaluate their teachers
Artists’ contribution or scientists’ contribution, which is more valuable?
It is generally agreed that society benefits from the work of its members. Compare the contributions of artists to society with the contributions of scientists to society. Which type of contribution do you think is valued more by your society? Give specific reasons to support your answer.
Art and science are essentially a strange coupling. Yet more often than not, they are considered as divergent rather than consistent with each other. The artist employs image and metaphor; the scientist uses number and equation. By casual juxtaposition, these two fields seem to have little in common: there are few, if any, references to art in any standard textbook of science; art historians rarely interpret an artist’s work in light of the conceptual framework of science. Despite what appear to be irreconcilable differences, however, they do have at least one thing in common—both of them have significant contribution to the society, but through probably distinctive way. The development of science and technology has always accompanied the progress of the society. The invention of the steam engine brought a new era of thrift of world economy; the employment of electricity has multiplied the productivity and virtually reproduced limited resources on the Earth; the innovation of computer technologies has made the Earth a little village and connected distant countries as a single market. While sometimes the progress of science and technology, such as that of human cloning, cause troubles or originate dilemmas, it seems always undeniable that in a broad sense, the development of science has provided people a much higher standard of living than that of their counterparts in any phrase of the history. Visualization and fascination have been the major power of any form of art. For example, any’ religion in this world cannot exist without music, which helps realize the faith of the church to an astonishing extent. Each and every revolution on this earth was accompanied by numerous corresponding art productions, because the artists sense the circumstances, and then reflect their sensations with sophisticated techniques in their production, which can be easily perceived by the public through powerful empathy. Nobody could evaluate art as correct or not standard, needless to say the public, they simply feel it is good or not, therefore art has always had magic influence on the public and society in general. However, it’s been said that there is no science without fancy and no art without facts. Science fictions have long been functioning as a major vehicle for the public dissemination of science; scientists share parallel view of space, time and light, etc. with artists. Not only are art and science interrelated with each other but they also contribute to each other in various way. Therefore, it is hard to compare the contributions of art and science, it is simply partial to say that either one contributes more to the society than another does.
托福独立写作难点话题思路解读和高分范文赏析：working by hand or using machines |
February 16, 2016
Precision Optics Manufactured by ZYGO Enable Scientists to Confirm Detection of Gravitational Waves
MIDDLEFIELD, CT - Zygo Corporation congratulates the LIGO Scientific Collaboration for its successful detection of gravitational waves and thereby confirming one of the major predictions of Albert Einstein's 1915 General Theory of Relativity. That confirmation was enabled, in part, by interferometric measurements that employed extremely high-precision optics manufactured by ZYGO.
The LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) Scientific Collaboration is a group of more than 1,000 scientists from across the United States and fourteen other countries who worked together over a period of decades to open what is widely considered an unprecedented new window onto the cosmos.
The scientific team announced its discovery on February 11, 2016, following the detection of gravitational waves on September 14, 2015 by twin LIGO detectors located in Livingston, LA, and Hanford, WA. The advanced LIGO detectors that observed the gravitational waves are described by David Shoemaker of MIT and project leader for Advanced LIGO as a "tour de force of science and technology, made possible by a truly exceptional international team of technicians, engineers and scientists."
"We at ZYGO, first of all, acknowledge the tremendous achievement made by this outstanding team of international scientists, who devoted significant portions of their lives to the pursuit of this elusive discovery, which literally extends the boundaries of our knowledge of the universe," comments Marc Tricard, Divisional Vice President for ZYGO's Optics Business Segment.
"We are proud that ZYGO was selected to participate, albeit in a small way, in enabling the success of this global scientific project."
"A number of high-end physics programs, such as LIGO, are designed to use very high-precision optical components to achieve the extreme sensitivity required to detect gravitational waves. The optics must be fabricated from high-purity materials to sub-nanometer tolerances, requiring very demanding manufacturing and metrology techniques," he adds.
"The demanding level of precision and quality required by the advanced gravitational wave detector was both an exciting and challenging project for the ZYGO team. We are especially proud of our colleagues for delivering some of the most-precise optics ever manufactured to the LIGO team and helping them make this astounding discovery a scientific reality."
Zygo Corporation, a unit of AMETEK Ultra Precision Technologies Division, is a leading provider of optical metrology solutions, high-precision optics, and optical assemblies used in a wide range of scientific, industrial, and medical applications.
AMETEK, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with 2014 annual sales of $4.0 billion. For more information, contact ZYGO, 21 Laurel Brook Rd., Middlefield, CT 06455-1291 USA. Telephone: +1-860-347-8506. E-mail |
It was tasked with evolving the technical basis for the reduction mechanisms that may form part of a future IMO regime to control greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping, and a draft of the actual reduction mechanisms themselves, for further consideration by Amos Marine Environment Protection Committee (MOPE) Ballast water Ballast water discharges by ships can have a negative impact on the marine environment.
Cruise ships, large tankers, and bulk cargo carriers use a huge amount of ballast water, which is often taken on in the coastal waters in one region after ships discharge wastewater or unload cargo, and discharged at he next port of call, wherever more cargo is loaded. Ballast water discharge typically contains a variety of biological materials, including plants, animals, viruses, and bacteria. These materials often include non-native, nuisance, invasive, exotic species that can cause extensive ecological and economic damage to aquatic ecosystems along with serious human health problems.
Sound pollution Noise pollution caused by shipping and other human enterprises has increased in recent history. The noise produced by ships can travel long distances, and marine species who may rely on sound for their orientation, immunization, and feeding, can be harmed by this sound pollution The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species has identified ocean noise as a potential threat to marine life. Wildlife collisions Marine mammals, such a whales and manatees, risk being struck by ships, causing injury and death.
For example, if a ship is traveling at a speed of only 15 knots, there is a 79 percent chance of a collision being lethal to a whale. One notable example of the impact of ship collisions is the endangered North Atlantic right whale, of which 400 or less remain. The greatest danger to the North Atlantic right whale is injury sustained from ship strikes. Between 1970 and 1999, 35. 5 percent of recorded deaths Were attributed to collisions. [l O] During 1 999 to 2003, incidents of mortality and serious injury attributed to ship strikes averaged one per year.
In 2004 to 2006, that number increased to 2. 6. Deaths from collisions has become an extinction threat. [1 2] Atmospheric pollution Exhaust gases from ships are considered to be a significant source of air pollution, both for conventional pollutants and greenhouse gases. There is a perception that cargo transport by ship is low in air pollutants, because for equal weight and distance it is the most efficient transport method, according to shipping researcher Amy Bows-Larkin. 1 3] This is particularly true in comparison to air freight; however, because sea shipment accounts for far more annual tonnage and the distances are often large, shipping’s emissions are globally substantial. [1 3] A difficulty is that the year-on-year increasing amount shipping evenness gains in efficiency, such as from slow-steaming or the use of kites. The growth in tone-kilometers of sea shipment has averaged 4 perceptually since the sass. and it has grown by a factor of 5 since the sass. 3] There are now over 100,000 transport ships at sea, of which about 6,000 are large container ships. General requirements for pollution prevention in the marine environment Most international regulations on marine pollution come from the 1 973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (AMORAL), which was updated in 1978. AMORAL was developed by the International Maritime Organization (l MO) and is aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships – both accidental and from routine operations.
There have been a number Of amendments to the Convention since it was first produced, and AMORAL now has six technical annexes covering marine pollution by: oil noxious liquid substances carried in bulk harmful substances carried in packaged form sewage from ships garbage from ships air pollution from ships Prevention of marine pollution by garbage and sewage The disposal of garbage and sewage from ships is a major environmental issue, and Annexes IV and V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships were developed to address this.
Within the KICK, Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage) Regulations 1 998 were developed to address this and were updated in 2008 to reflect changes add to the system internationally. You can [download MGM 385 (M+F) Guidance on the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage and Garbage from Ships) Regulations 2008(HTTPS://www. Gob. Westernmost/ publications/ MGM n -385-prevention-of-pollution-by-sewage-and-garbage-from- ships-regulations-2008) under these Regulations: every ship of 12 meters or more must display placards informing crew and passengers about disposal ARQ reorients for garbage every ship of 400 gross tones or certificated for 1 5 passengers or more must have a garbage management plan and maintain a garbage record book The Regulations also pacify that vessels covered by the regulations must have at least one of the following: a sewage treatment plant which complies with the Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 1 999 a sewage commuting and disinfecting system, with facilities for temporary storage of sewage a holding tank for the retention of sewage which has sufficient capacity and has a visual indicator of the amount of its contents Air pollution and ozone-depleting substances Air pollution from ships, and in particular the emission of sulfur and nitrogen compounds (SOX and Knox) and ozone-depleting substances (ODDS) is trickily controlled by regulations that implement the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (AMORAL) and its various annexes and protocols. AMORAL Annex VI, which is specifically about air pollution, has 19 separate regulations, as well as a Code for controlling nitrogen oxide emissions. |
Wireless technologies work out of sight to allow people to carry out rich communications with peace of mind. For example, wireless technologies are used in most communication devices around us, including mobile phones, TV sets, radios, and GPS devices. Further, satellite communications and mobile phones are the most essential as means of communication in places such as mountainous areas and islands, where optical cables are difficult to be laid, and in times of disaster.
The Wireless Networks Research Center of the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) conducts research and development of wireless communication and wireless network technology to allow people and things to flexibly and reliably communicate under any kinds of situations through the effective use of frequency and energy resources.
News & Topics
- 29 Jan 2019
- NICT has published a white paper about the requirements for the application of wireless communications at manufacturing sites.
- 11 Dec 2018
- NICT will hold the Wireless Technology Park (WTP) 2019 from 29th to 31st May 2019 in Tokyo Big Sight, Japan.
- 11 Dec 2018
- M. Toyoshima, the director of Space Communications Laboratory, received the Satellite Communications Distinguished Service Award by the IEEE Communications Society in IEEE GLOBECOM 2018.
- 2 Dec 2018
- M. Moriyama, a researcher of Wireless Systems Laboratory, received the best paper award in WPMC 2018.
- 11 Oct 2018
- An introductory movie of the space communications laboratory has been released on YouTube. |
An innovative computer program could be a big help for food safety professionals working to keep production facilities free of food-borne pathogens. Cornell University scientists have developed a computer program, Environmental Monitoring With an Agent-Based Model of Listeria (EnABLe), to simulate the most likely locations in a processing facility where the deadly food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes might be found. Food safety managers may then test those areas for the bacteria's presence, adding an important tool to prevent food contamination and human exposure to the pathogen through tainted food. The computer model, which is described in the Jan. 24 issue of Scientific Reports, has the potential to be modified for a wide range of microbes and locations. "The goal is to build a decision-support tool for control of any pathogen in any complex environment," said Renata Ivanek, associate professor in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences and senior author of the paper. The study was funded by the Frozen Food Foundation through a grant to Martin Wiedmann, professor of food science, who is also a co-author of the paper. The researchers, including first author Claire Zoellner, a postdoctoral research associate in Ivanek's lab, want to eventually apply the framework to identifying contamination from pathogens that cause hospital-acquired infections in veterinary hospitals or E. coli bacteria in fruit and vegetable processing plants. Food safety professionals at processing facilities keep regular schedules for pathogen testing. They rely on their own expertise and knowledge of the building to determine where to swab for samples. "Whenever we have an environment that is complex, we always have to rely on expert opinion and general rules for this system, or this company, but what we're trying to offer is a way to make this more quantitative and systematic by creating this digital reality," Ivanek said. For the system to work, Zoellner, Ivanek and colleagues entered all relevant data into the model - including historical perspectives, expert feedback, details of the equipment used and its cleaning schedule, the jobs people do, and materials and people who enter from outside the facility. "A computer model like EnABLe connects those data to help answer questions related to changes in contamination risks, potential sources of contamination and approaches for risk mitigation and management," Zoellner said. "A single person could never keep track of all that information, but if we run this model on a computer, we can have in one iteration a distribution of Listeria across equipment after one week. And every time you run it, it will be different and collectively predict a range of possible outcomes," Ivanek said. The paper describes a model system that traces Listeria species on equipment and surfaces in a cold-smoked salmon facility. Simulations revealed contamination dynamics and risks for Listeria contamination on equipment surfaces. Furthermore, the insights gained from seeing patterns in the areas where Listeria is predicted can inform the design of food processing plants and Listeria-monitoring programs. In the future, the model will be applied to frozen food facilities.
The Internet of Things Collaborative (IoTC), a partnership between Case Western Reserve and Cleveland State universities, is bringing together industrial, governmental, educational, neighborhood and non-profit entities in the region to harness IoT's vast potential. To continue building on the IoTC's early successes, the Cleveland Foundation has awarded another $2.2 million, one-year grant to the collaborative, which was created in 2017 to position Cleveland as a leader in digital innovation. The new funding follows $2 million in grants the foundation awarded the previous two years to help establish the IoTC and attract top academicians and create research labs for the initiative. The Internet of Things refers to the massive interconnected network of devices and serves as the technology framework for blockchain and other future digital innovations. The IoTC is focusing especially on four sectors in Northeast Ohio: manufacturing, health, energy and municipal infrastructure. According to some industry estimates, the number of IoT-related devices is expected to exceed 30 billion by 2020, and the economic impact of related projects is predicted to reach as much as $6 trillion worldwide within five years. "Our continued support of the IoT Collaborative is indicative of the first-year success of the unprecedented partnership between Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University," said Leon Wilson, the Cleveland Foundation's chief of digital innovation and chief information officer. "Investing in our research universities to drive Cleveland's future in the digital economy is a proven model for economic transformation and makes it possible for our public sector to embrace technology in ways that enhance quality of life for Cleveland residents." Late last year, the IoTC awarded five pilot grants to research teams at both universities as seed money for wide-ranging projects. Separately, CWRU and CSU have also funded additional IoT pilot projects from internal sources.Such financial support has allowed the IoTC to:（1）Launch a bimonthly thought leadership series to examine industry innovations in IoT.（2）Influence the research and development of an "Industrial IoT Roadmap" by Team NEO (funded by the Burton D. Morgan Foundation), designed to help manufacturers deploy and integrate "smart manufacturing"--also known as "Industry 4.0"-- technologies, including addressing talent development. （3）Work on two neighborhood-based demonstration projects. （4）Add faculty, staff--including those with industry experience--and consultants to the IoTC team. Included were two new faculty members and three new staff members to support CWRU's Institute for Smart Secure and Connected Systems (ISAACS), the body coordinating CWRU's involvement in the IoTC. CSU is recruiting two new faculty members and two staff members to support its Center for IoT Innovation (CITI). （5）Leverage the foundation's investment by raising $6.6 million in additional philanthropic awards for ISSACS and CITI. CWRU has designated 10 endowed chairs for ISSACS-associated faculty, representing more than $20 million in endowments, which generates more than $800,000 annually for faculty to use for students, equipment, conferences and other expenses.
FAO统计了2017年世界各个国家/地区的羊肉总产量，项目选择为Meat, goat和Meat, sheep，部分数据见下表，全部数据请参见全文。
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
Biologists, chemists, and physicists are collaborating to develop highly sensitive and specific biosensors for pathogen detection in the food, healthcare, and environmental sectors. Those novel biosensors allow quick detection and are thus expected to solve the issues of the emergence of highly virulent or antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This article reviews different types of biosensors used for pathogen detection, classified based on the type of transducer used. Optical biosensors integrate labeled means, e.g., fluorophores, quantum dots, and carbon dots to overcome photobleaching. Surface plasmon resonance is also used for enhanced sensitivity. Mechanical biosensors with piezoelectric crystals and cantilevers are adapted for the detection of food pathogens without sample preparation or labels. Conventional methods using electrodes for the measurement of electrochemical changes with differential pulse voltammetry or impedance spectroscopy are fast and highly sensitive. Immunosensors are developed for pathogen detection at trace levels using sample enrichment, signal amplification, and new visual detection techniques.
[学术文献] Sensing Technologies for Precision Phenotyping in Vegetable Crops: Current Status and Future Challenges 进入全文
Increasing the ability to investigate plant functions and structure through non-invasive methods with high accuracy has become a major target in plant breeding and precision agriculture. Emerging approaches in plant phenotyping play a key role in unraveling quantitative traits responsible for growth, production, quality, and resistance to various stresses. Beyond fully automatic phenotyping systems, several promising technologies can help accurately characterize a wide range of plant traits at affordable costs and with high-throughput. In this review, we revisit the principles of proximal and remote sensing, describing the application of non-invasive devices for precision phenotyping applied to the protected horticulture. Potentiality and constraints of big data management and integration with "omics" disciplines will also be discussed. |
Wisdom teeth are a common problem that affects a large percentage of people. They usually appear between the ages of 16 and 25. Some people get them even before while in others they may be delayed for years. In some people, wisdom teeth never appear at all.
Wisdom teeth cause trouble when the jaw is already occupied by other teeth. In such cases, they can stand to the side or to the other teeth. This condition is known as impacted teeth. Surgical removal becomes important in cases where the teeth to cause infection, inflammation or pain. You can find wisdom teeth & dental implants service from various online sources.
The only solution to tooth impaction is a surgical extraction. They cannot be corrected by other means. In certain cases, the teeth appear only partially. Only one part of the tooth may be beyond the gum line. Other parts remain below the gum line, forming a flap over it.
Image Source: Google
Food particles may get stuck in the flap and lead to bacterial infection. Pain can also be experienced during a bite in the case. The only permanent solution, in this case, is to surgically remove wisdom teeth under question.
Elimination of wisdom teeth is always done under anaesthesia. Certain dentist prefers local anaesthesia over general anaesthesia. This type of anaesthesia that the dentist will use will depend on the conditions and the level of impaction.
Local anaesthesia is preferred by most dentists either Xylocaine. For general anaesthesia, nitrous oxide is commonly used. There are also other anaesthetics are administered through the intravenous route or orally in pill form.
After anaesthesia, the dentist will expose the affected tooth cutting into the gum line. Then, the dentist will extract the tooth. In some cases, there may be damage to the roots during extraction. In such cases, the extraction procedure can take quite a long time. |
Gaps, Spaces, and Silences
In 1951, John Cage entered the anechoic chamber at Harvard University, expecting to hear silence. Instead, as he later wrote, “I heard two sounds, one high and one low. When I described them to the engineer in charge, he informed me that the high one was my nervous system in operation, the low one my blood in circulation.” This experience led to 4’33”, Cage’s famous three-movement composition in which the musicians are explicitly instructed not to play their instruments. The result is perhaps not music (arguable!); the result is also, marvelously, not silence. The gaps in a text—the pauses, rests, caesurae, silences—are empty of words, but they’re full of resonance, the vacuum filled instantly by the reader’s swift comprehension. During this workshop, we’ll be questioning various examples of white space, elisions, pauses, negations and things left unsaid. Texts provided in-class will include those by Marguerite Duras, William Faulkner, Georges Perec, and Jenny Offill, among others. We will also consider ways to open up our own work to white spaces and silences. |
CFW shops do not distribute antiretroviral drugs. The long war comes home. & Bartone, P.A. Lester, P. & Bursch, B. 7-38). History. Français 2 277 000+ articles. Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent health. Taylor & Francis Group: Florida. What is a Vertebral Subluxation? Family Help and Wellness 9h Sandhill Center is a residential treatment center that helps ages 5 to 13, with a variety of diagnoses. Luthar, S. S. (2006). With input from the positive psychology field, a program to increase the physical and psychological health of service members was implemented in 2009. References. Our magazine is content rich, with minimal advertising. One of the common factors associated with successful adaptation and coping is identified as resilience of individual family members. For family resilience specifically, McCubbin & McCubbin have posited that "family resilience includes the characteristics, dimensions, and properties of families which help families to be resilient to disruption in the face of change and adaptive in the face of crisis situations". This risk can be lowered through protective mechanisms, increasing the potential for positive outcomes, or heightened through vulnerabilities that pile up to increase the potential for negative outcomes. These could include physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral health. While the term Wellness is defined as the state in which a person is able to realize their own abilities and can cop⦠Resiliency in families: The role of family schema and appraisal in family adaptation to crisis. Resilience can be generally defined as the ability to "bounce back" to healthy functioning when faced with significant stressors and events. Family resilience is a strengths-oriented approach that tends to emphasize positive outcomes at the overall family system level, within family systems, in individual family members, and in the family-ecosystem fit and recognize the subjective meanings families bring to understanding risk, protection, and adaptation.. Português 1 049 000+ ⦠McCubbin, H. I. and Patterson, J. M., (1983). Patterson (eds. Family vacation Expert tips. Read More.. What is Wellness? Wellness - the state of being healthy. The survey provides state and national information for India on fertility, infant and child mortality, the practice of family planning, maternal and child health, reproductive ⦠Examples of such approaches are to inoculate against risk (or expose families to low levels of risk in preparation for potential greater risks), reducing risk, increasing resources, or changing meanings to make them more manageable, according to Henry et a. Protective factors that can be quantitatively measured include: celebrations, hardiness, time together, routines, traditions, communication, financial management, and health. What is Wellness? Thus, family resilience involves the application of concepts such as resilience, adaptation and coping to a significant stressor or adversity from a family systems perspective. Family Wellness Center, Inc. Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia, created and edited by volunteers around the world and hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation. (2011). Wellness Hotels Cross-country skiing Hotels Tobogganing Snowshoe hiking Advertisement. Apart from this, it also helps to abate the transmission of sexually transmitted infections and diseases, including HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). The Department of Defense has collaborated with positive psychology scientists to create the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program for members of the Army. Mental is about how people think and feel. The primary purpose of family planning is to eliminate unwanted pregnancies and arrive at the optimum number of children for any family through contraception and treatment of involuntary infertility. Currently, researchers are focused on specific interventions to increase resilience in the family unit, while considering related genetic and environmental factors. Well adjusted Parents, Grandparents and Kids! Current franchise locations are concentrated in Kenya, but goals are to set up franchises all over Africa. It recognizes the strength of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and how much we can accomplish by working together. The Centre is a model of integrated service delivery and develops meaningful, effective programs that ⦠normative or non-normative). In the field of family therapy the families as systems approach to family resilience is often used based on the assumption that significant risk, protective mechanisms, and positive adaptation occur at multiple interrelated system levels (individual, subsystem, system, or ecosystem). ), Developmental psychopathology: Risk, disorder, and adaptation (pp. The franchise is run by locally trained health care entrepreneurs. Most of the stores have a trained nurse on staff. These factors have been most important when starting to understand the protective factors of resilience, versus the recovery factors, which are employed when the crisis or challenge has already occurred and the family needs to adapt. Because mental health and physical health are linked, problems in one area can impact the other. Initial results from pilot studies show that those who are resilient can better cope with stressors and are less likely to suffer from depression or alcohol use.. Promoting Holistic Community-based Wellness Activities. Breathtaking scenery with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. ; Aztec. MacDermid, S., Samper, R., Schwarz, R., Nishida, J., & Nyaronga, D. (2008). External links. In September 2004, I founded Lane Family Chiropractic and have treated patients in the Carrollwood area ever since. CFW is a typical example of using franchising as a social tool. But as a teenager, there are some things you should pay special attention to. The problem with a nebulous definition of family resilience is that it is difficult to measure without a concrete definition. Wellness definition is - the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal. Friedl, K. E. & Penetar, D. M. (2008). In C.B. Online Wellness Services; Family Wellness Camp; Media & Awards; Blogs; Resort Policies; Offers; How to Reach Us; Gallery; The Wellness Times; Mulshi Resort/Retreats; Contact us; Change Website Language - (Russian) Russian . In the February 2015 special issue of Family Relations (journal) on individual and family resilience, authors provide a variety of definitions of family resilience. UM St Louis. Español 1 646 000+ artículos. English 6 207 000+ articles. Recovery factors include: coping, social support, family support, esteem building, optimism, recreation, control, organization, flexibility, and hope. African-American families. Mission Indradhanush / Intensified Misson Indradhanush; Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan ⦠Once thought of as simply a personality trait, resilience has become known as a dynamic process with many related factors that can change throughout an individual's life. æ¥æ¬èª 1 243 000+ è¨äº. In D. Cicchetti & D. J. Cohen (Eds. Child and Family Wellness shops (CFW Shops) is a social entrepreneurship project to deliver franchise pharmacy chains to developing countries. The Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program in the U.S. Army is the first of its kind. Family resilience emerged as scholars incorporated together ideas from general systems theory perspectives on families, family stress theory, and psychological resilience perspectives. With the current wars across the world, more military members are being deployed and are struggling with various issues such as: mental illness, substance abuse, difficulty with transitions, changes in roles, and ensuring their family is safe and healthy. It was initially touted as a breakthrough technology company, with claims of having devised blood tests that required only very small amounts of blood and could be performed very rapidly using small automated devices the company had developed. One can also measure all of the attributes and antecedents of family resilience individually to attempt to capture what it means to be resilient at a certain phase of a family developmental cycle. , Professionals who work with families may employ a variety of educational, therapeutic, or community-based approaches to helping protect families against adversity or facilitate the abilities of families to mobilize their strengths or gain new resources to successfully rebound from adversity (i.e., demonstrate resilience). The families of these military members are not immune to these stressors. Wellness may refer to: Health; Well-being, psychological wellness; Wellness (alternative medicine) Workplace wellness; Wellness tourism; Eudaimonia, wellness in Ancient Philosophy; Other uses. Ixtlilton, god of medicine. Three rounds of the survey have been conducted since the first survey in 1992-93. The franchise is run by locally trained health care entrepreneurs. Resilience and survival in extreme environments. Parenting or child rearing is the process of promoting and supporting the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development of a child from infancy to adulthood. (1993). (pp. , There are diverse definitions of what resilience and/or family resilience is. McCubbin, H., McCubbin, M., McCubbin, A., & Futrell, J. McCubbin, H. I.; Marilyn A. McCubbin; & Thompson, A. I. In contrast, individual factors that foster resilience include flexibility, use of social support, rebounding, high expectations, humor, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. CFW shops was created in response to a publication that 25000 children die each day in the world due to lack of access to medication. Family factors consist of stress management, emotion regulation skills, collaborative goal setting and problem solving. List of health deities African. (2015).. The word wellness pops up regularly in our lives, but what does this concept really mean? Thus, assessing resilience requires consideration of which component(s) the researcher is addressing. 740-795). In keeping with the biomedical perspective, early definitions of health focused on the theme of the body's ability to function; health was seen as a state of normal function that could be disrupted from time to time by disease.An example of such a definition of health is: "a state characterized by anatomic, physiologic, and psychological integrity; ability to ⦠CFW distribution system of franchising established strict rules of consistency and quality in an effort to boycott the counterfeit medication market. The CFW franchisee is for profit while the franchisor a not-for-profit organization funded by charitable donations. An important part of the heritage of family resilience is the concept of individual psychological resilience which originates from work with children focusing on what helped them become resilient in the face of adversity. Danielson, B. Hansel-Bissel, & P. Winstead-Fry. The term resilience gradually changed definitions and meanings, from a personality trait to a dynamic process of families, individuals, and communities.. The franchisee is self-motivated to run the business with a goal to serve the poor. Telephone: +91 20 66766666 Watch full video. ; Patecatl, god of Pulque ⦠Events. Food produced by farmers or gardeners can be changed by industrial processes (the food industry).Processed food usually contains several natural ingredients and food additives (such as preservatives, antioxidants, emulsifiers, flavor enhancers).For example, bread is processed food. Christenson Family Centre for Sport and Wellness From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's notability guidelines for companies and organizations. The Family Skills Component of this program is meant to assist military spouses and family members to also increase their levels of resilience. Family relations: Challenges for the future. 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Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the hot topics, every tech giant and even startups are working on. It’s a very broad topic ranging from basic mathematics, self-steering technology to self-aware robots that can radically change the future. To bring all these concepts on pratical aspect , need programming languages . We have to choose the right language among different programming languages for AI.
If you are an AI aspirant or wants to be, but confused on which coding language to select for your Artificial intelligence work. Below we’ve shown which programming language is best for Artificial intelligence.
Top 5 programming language for AI
A high-level, event-driven, interpreted programming language that is mostly used to make web pages interactive and creating online programs, including games.
Convent.JS: A library for implementing deep learning – train convolutional neural network in the browser. It supports fully connected layers as well as nonlinear neural network modules, classification and regression cost functions.
Generally, preferred by the web developers.
(4) Java :
Java can also be considered as a good choice for AI development. Artificial intelligence has a lot to do with search algorithms, artificial neural networks, and genetic programming. Java provides many benefits: easy use, debugging ease, package services, simplified work with large-scale projects, the graphical representation of data and better user interaction.
The best thing about Java language is its Java Virtual Machine technology that enables you to create a single app version, which will run on all Java-supported platforms. Its strengths are transparency, maintainability, and portability.
Some of the well-known applications developed in Java are
- WEKA machine learning suite, which is dedicated to machine learning and data mining.
- JOONE neural engine for designing, training and testing neural networks.
Generally, Java is preferred by programmers who have Java experience. Surely not a good choice for beginners.
(3) Prolog and Lisp:
For the third position, we have 2 languages which are a bit similar to each other, are the oldest programming language used for Artificial intelligence. Lisp is developed by Dr. John MaCarthy in (1960) and Prolog is developed by Alain Colmerauer with Philippe Roussel.
Prolog is a Language for Logic Programming and Symbolic Computation. This language stays alongside Lisp when we talk about development in the AI field.
It has a flexible and powerful framework that is widely used for theorem proving, non-numerical programming, natural language processing and AI in general. The features provided by it include efficient pattern matching, tree-based data structuring, and automatic backtracking.
Lisp uses a very simple notation in which operations and their operands are given in a parenthesized list. For example, (+ a (* bc)) stands for a + b*c. Although this appears awkward, the notation works well for computers.
LISP also uses the list structure to represent data, and, because programs and data use the same structure, it is easy for a LISP program to operate on other programs as data. It has the capability of processing the symbolic information effectively and was originally developed for Lambda Calculus computation, and since its inception, it has evolved a lot.
R is one of the most effective language and environment for analyzing and manipulating the data for statistical purposes. Using R, we can easily produce a well-designed publication-quality plot, including mathematical symbols and formulae where needed. Apart from being a general purpose language, R has numerous packages like RODBC, Gmodels, Class, and Tm which are used in the field of machine learning. These packages make the implementation of machine learning algorithms easy, for cracking the business associated problems.
Generally, R is preferred by statisticians.
And the last but the most important one among all is Python, is considered to be in the first place in the list of all AI development languages due to the simplicity. The syntaxes belonging to python are very simple and can be easily learned. Therefore, many AI algorithms can be easily implemented in it.
Python supports object-oriented, functional as well as procedure oriented styles of programming. There are plenty of libraries in python,
- and many more
which make our tasks easier. If you are a beginner then my suggestion is to go with Python. And I assure you that will be your finest decision you ever.
Other AI programming options
A few years ago, Lua was riding high in the world of artificial intelligence. With the Torch framework, But with the arrival of frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch, the use of Lua has dropped off considerably.
Julia is a high-performance programming language that is focused on numerical computing, which makes it a good fit in the math-heavy world of AI. |
Turns out looks and personality still count in online learning.
That’s the finding of a study on how people’s perception and performance in online training is affected by the appearance and communication style of online learning “helpers,” or virtual agents that pop up on a screen and guide people through a program.
Some of the earliest uses of such programs have been with younger students. One program used an online helper named Herman to help students identify different types of plants, says the study’s lead author, Tara Behrend, an assistant professor of organizational sciences at George Washington University. She says online helpers typically serve as coaches or mentors, urging a participant through a program, rather than as an instructor.
Her study, which is forthcoming in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, involved 257 people who encountered different kinds of helpers. They reported being more engaged by online helpers that resembled them—in race and gender—than by ones that did not. Participants also learned more from helpers that measured success the same way they did. Some people judge their performance compared to the rest of a group (top 10 percent, for example), while others judge against their own previous performance (better than the last time). In the study, matching those styles resulted in better learning.
The study findings suggest that organizations using online helpers would serve learners better by personalizing the appearance and communication style of the helpers to match individual users, Ms. Behrend says.
“It’s important to remember that one size doesn’t fit all,” she says.
Effective helpers can also make the experience more social, says the forthcoming article’s coauthor, Lori Foster Thompson, an associate professor of psychology at North Carolina State University.
“That is one of the issues with online learning, that it can be kind of lonely,” she says. “If these agents are designed well, it can be a way to mitigate that.”
Improving the experience of users is important, she says, because online training programs, such as those used by companies to introduce their employees to new computer programs, often have low completion rates.
A related study by the researchers, whose results are not yet published, indicates that people liked and learned more from online trainers when given the chance to design them. And in yet another study, whose results are also unpublished, the researchers found that the attractiveness of avatars, virtual stand-ins for real people, had an impact on hiring decisions during virtual interviews.Return to Top |
Editor’s note: Lalo Munoz is director of El Centro, a community resource center that helps low-income families. In this essay, he suggests Brown v. Board was only one step in ensuring equal access to the American dream.
Brown v. Board sought to right the wrong of racial segregation in classrooms by decree of law. In that act was re-established a promise that all children would receive an equal education, and most importantly that all individuals would receive equal opportunity to achieve their American dream. Today we find ourselves at a precarious moment in our nation’s history. Economic woes from the Great Recession continue to trouble families, national politics are beholden to the biggest spender, and issues of common concern are increasingly divided along partisan lines.
For Americans and the world abroad, America has always stood as a place of dreams and opportunity. We were a country where upward mobility was possible, where the only requisite for achieving the American dream was hard work and determination.
That dream was a reality for a generation of families, from the 1940s through the 1970s. Prosperity for one meant prosperity for all. It was possible for one income to support an entire family and still have enough left over to spend and stimulate our economy. It was a symbiotic relationship that proved an incredibly successful formula for families, businesses and the U.S. economy.
For more families, working hard no longer means they will have the opportunity to reach their dreams. A father or mother earning $7.25 an hour earns roughly $13,920 in a year. What incentive does this create for our future workers if their hard fought effort doesn’t allow them to provide for their loved ones?
As the most developed country in the world, we have a growing imbalance in income earnings among workers. Not since the 1920s have we been witness to such glaring inequalities. This growing inequality threatens a central tenet of what America stands for: that everyone can get ahead with hard work.
Founding father John Adams wrote: “Liberty is not built on the doctrine that a few nobles have the right to inherit the earth. It stands on this principle that the meanest and lowest of the people are by the unalterable indefeasible laws of God and nature as well entitled to the benefit of air to breath, light to see, food to eat and clothes to wear as the nobles or the King. That is liberty, and Liberty will reign in America!”
To our founding fathers, liberty is intertwined with our right to breathe, see, eat and be clothed. When our society ignores the many unable to make ends meet despite working hard, it strikes at the principles America was founded on.
The greatness of our country is weaved together with the least among us. Only by ensuring that opportunity still exists for all individuals and families in our economy can we ensure opportunity exists for us all. There is abundance enough for all in our society to prosper; history has shown it is possible.
In the spirit of Brown v. Board, let us rededicate our efforts to ensuring that hard work will provide opportunity for all families, and in doing so, reconnect to what makes America the greatest country in the world. |
Stated Aims Edit
Founded in 1984, the Society for Visual Anthropology aims to promote both the use and study of visual representation and media. According to their website, this subsection hopes to advocate the use of images for “the description, analysis, communication and interpretation of human (and sometimes nonhuman) behavior”. Aspects of visual anthropology include many depictions of culture, such as art, architecture, dance, and body motion communication. All forms of media are encouraged, but primarily dealt with are still photography and film. The SVA helps brings together anthropologists and media makers to support them in their professional pursuits (SVA 2008).
Wider Role in the AAA Edit
The SVA are tasked with appraising the significance of visual media as academic contributions to the discipline, to teaching, scholarly research, and applied anthropology. Members of the SVA “examine how aspects of culture can be visually interpreted and expressed, and how images can be understood as artifacts of culture”. This does not only include the making of new film and photography, but also the studying of historical photographs, which as a source of ethnographic data provide horizons “beyond the reach of memory culture” (SVA 2008). These pieces are judged based on their addition to the historical and/or ethnographic record, their use to further current analysis, contributions they make to theoretical debates and development, innovation, publication possibilities, and benefit they create for a particular community, government, or business (Buckley 2008).
Visual Anthropology first began with the development of still photography. Anthropologists have been taking pictures in the field since the 1880's. Eventually, motion picture recording devices were developed, and sound recording soon followed. As the technology became more portable and less expensive, it's use in anthropology increased dramatically. The first use of motion picture film by an anthropologist was by Alfred C. Haddon, during his Torres Straits expedition in 1898 (SVA 2008). According to Karl Heider, board member for the SVA, the next example of an ethnographic like film was made in 1901, when Baldwin Spencer shot footage of Australian Aborigines performing a Kangaroo Dance and Rain Ceremony. Another big step in this sub-field occurred in 1922, with Robert Flaherty's Eskimo film, "Nanook of the North". This film was the first example of ethnography to explain visual acts without using words. While not an anthropologist or ethnographer by trade,Falherty did much work in the field studying interaction and preparing. He also got reactions from and collaborated with his subjects while making the film. Flaherty continued to travel and make films, as well as teach his techniques to young ethnographers (Heider 1976). Then, in 1936, Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson started their research in Bali, where they took about 25,000 photographs and shot 22,000 feet of motion picture film. From their research they coauthored the photographic ethnography 'Balinese Character: A Photographic Analysis', which was published published in 1942 (Society for Visual Anthropology 2008). Both continued to experiment with the visual aspect of anthropology, and also analyzed popular culture motion pictures from different parts of the world. Mead eventually compiled a number of visual anthropology studies, and in 1953, published them in the co-edited work "The Study of Culture at a Distance" (Hockings 1975). With the invention of the portable synchronous-sound camera in 1960, which recorded in color and had live sound, ethnographic film-making really took off. Mead continued to advocate for visual anthropology, complaining that anthropology had "come to depend on words, and words and words..."(Society for Visual Anthropology 2008). In 1965 ethnographic film reviews became a regular feature in the journal 'American Anthropologist'. In 1966 the AAA began to include ethnographic film sessions in its annual meetings program, and the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research provided the funds necessary to create the first professional organization devoted to ethnographic visual media. Harald Prins states that in 1970, Mead helped organize an interdisciplinary gathering of scholars and practitioners interested visual ethnography at the Smithsonian Institution, which eventually become known as the National Human Studies Film Center. This groups' main goal was to use visual data to preserve vanishing tribal cultures. Then, in 1972 the Society for the Anthropology of Visual Communication (SAVICOM) was founded. They became a section member of the AAA and began publishing the journal 'Studies in the Anthropology of Visual Communication'. A Commission on Visual Anthropology was formed in 1973 as part of the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences. This Commission now sponsors the international journal 'Visual Anthropology'. Finally, in 984, the Society for Visual Anthropology was created and replaced SAVICOM. The SVA was admitted as a constituent section of the AAA that year, and it launched the journal 'Visual Anthropology Review' (Prins 2008).
Prominent Members Edit
(All information presented here was gathered from the Society for Visual Anthropology website).
- Mary Strong: 2009 president of the SVA, professor at the City University of New York and review editor for the journal 'Visual Anthropology'. Specializes on craftspeople of Latin America and the U.S.
- Karl G. Heider: 2009 President Elect, serves on the Nominations and VAR Editorial committees. Also a professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of South Carolina. His specific focus is on emotions and sexuality.
- Alice Apley: Head of the Film Festival Committee, and Senior Research Associate at RMC Research Corporation.
- Jonathan Marion: Serves on the Nominations and Special Projects committees.
- Nancy Marie Mithlo: SVA Programs Co-editor and professor in the departments of Art History and American Indian Studies at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
- Howard Morphy: Serves on the Special Projects committee and teaches at the Research School of Humanities and Australian National University in Canberra.
- Liam Buckley: A VAR Co-editor, and professor of Sociology and Anthropology at James Madison University.
- Joanna Cohan Scherer: Serves on the Visual Research Conference Committee and works in the Department of Anthropology at the Smithsonian Institution.
- Kate Hennessy: Serves on the Web Committee and works as an assistant professor specializing in media at Simon Fraser University's School of Interactive Arts and Technology
- Peter Biella: A Film Festival Committee member and professor in the Department of Anthropology at San Francisco State University.
- Pamela Blakely: SVA Secretary and member of the Social Sciences Division at the Reading Area Community College in Reading, PA
- Joyce Hammond: Film Festival Submissions Manager, and professor of Anthropology at Western Washington University.
- Laura Lewis: VAR Co-editor, and member of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at James Madison University.
- Stephanie Takaragawa: SVA Treasurer and member of the Department of Sociology at Chapman University.
- Anne Zeller: Member of the Visual Research Conference committee and professor of Anthropology at the University of Waterloo.
Membership in the SVA is open to any AAA member who supports the the stated purpose of the SVA (SVA 2008). All members have an oppurtunity to hold elected or appointed offices as well as vote in the electing of officers of the SVA.
The SVA is run by a General Board and an Executive Committee. The General Board is made up of 14 voting members, which includes elected Board members, a President, and a President-elect or a Past-President. These elected officials serve a three year term, with the exception of the President and President-elect. The General Board may appoint additional ex officio members if they are needed. These General Board Members are required to attend the Annual Meeting of the General Board, as well as any other meetings approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. They can be removed if they miss the meetings (SVA 2008).
The General Board has the power to govern the SVA, make all elective appointments in the event that something unfortunate should happen to a board member, appoint committees, and define their powers, though they have to do so within the provision of their written by laws (SVA 2008).
The Executive Committee is comprised of the four officers of the Board and any additional members they might appoint from the General Board. The Executive Committee is responsible for SVA affairs during the period between Annual Meetings, but is also subject to the instructions of the General Board and the provisions of the By-Laws (SVA 2008).
The SVA has four officers: a President, a President-elect or a Past-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The President and President elect are selected through popular vote which is open to all members of the SVA. The term of the President lasts two years, and the term of the President elect lasts one, but they switch back and forth in a way that extends their serving period to four years, simply with different technical positions. The Secretary and Treasurer are appointed by the SVA General Board in consultation with the President, and the positions have a term of two years, though they can be reappointed if they maintain membership on the General Board. If they are not member of the general board however, they can still become ex-officio appointees. Any officer, elected or appointed, can be removed by a two-thirds majority vote by SVA members (SVA 2008).
Visual Anthropology Review Edit
The official publication of the Society for Visual Anthropology is the 'Visual Anthropology Review'. The Review is run mainly by the co-editors Liam Buckley and Laura Lewis, the film reviewer Anita Kumar, and the book review editor Laura Mentore. The 'Visual Anthropology Review' states that it "promotes the discussion of visual studies, broadly conceived...[which includes] within its breadth...both the study of visual aspects of human behavior and the use of visual media in anthropological research, representation and teaching" (Buckley 2008). The journal features articles, reviews and commentary on the use of multimedia, still photography, film, video and non-camera generated images, "as well as on visual ideologies, indigenous media, applied visual anthropology, art, dance, gesture, sign language, human movement, museology, architecture and material culture" (Buckley 2008).
McDougal tells in his book "The Corporal Image" of a heated debate between Mead and Bateson on the methodology behind filming. According to McDougal, they were known to argue about whether the camera trained on one point would be more or less useful than carrying the camera with while all activities are performed. Mead was of the mind that using a tripod and fixing the camera on one location not only allows for better quality of picture due to lack of blurring and other mess ups from excessive motion, but also because it could present small details in greater focus that would otherwise have been missed. Bateson on the other hand supported a first hand perspective from the camera, having it carried with at all times, as he believed this revealed more and was a greater experience for the audience. These two methods are still both used and both debated over today (McDougal 2006).
There is also the controversial aspect of using visual methods to skew the truth. A picture can reveal many truths, but taken without further information or context, it can be used to reveal only what some one wants to be shown (Heider 1976). Vision is subjective, and one must keep that in mind when viewing visual ethnographical works.
Outreach Activities Edit
Each year, the SVA hosts the Film, Video and Interactive Media Festival. This festival involves members of the SVA screening work by students, professional anthropologists, and professional filmmakers at the American Anthropological Association’s annual conference. The Festival has a jury, made up of anthropologists and film scholars. This jury, prior to the festival, screens submissions and selects work to be included in the Festival on the basis of anthropological relevance and production qualities. Length and budget are not a factor in the judging process, simply merit. Awards are given to outstanding ethnographical films each year, including the Joan S. Williams Award of Excellence. Other awards include Awards of Commendation, Best Student Work, Best Short Work, and possibly awards for a few special categories (SVA 2008).
This year, the SVA is hosting The Consortium on Human Rights and Expressive Culture. The purpose of this consortium is to evaluate and assess the impact visual anthropology might have in activating social change and resolving human rights issues and international conflicts. This consortium will also address the struggle with ethical concerns many anthropologists deal with today.
There is the theory in visual anthropology that pictures and films as well as other visual media capture a moment in time, and better preserve certain aspects of culture.
Visual note taking is a form of raw data. It helps to give credit to what an anthropologist might write about, it is a form of proof. It can be useful on it's own, or as a complementary part of a written work (Heider 1976). Visual works are a useful research technique as well as a field of study, a teaching tool, and a different approach to obtaining anthropological knowledge (McDougal 1998). The process of transfering knowledge though a visual media is also much quicker. They can also be used to give and reflect a more "native" point of view. Not only that, but photography and film can be used to illuminate hidden issues. They can be used to give people without a voice a chance to speak out, to demonstrate or reveal something of importance (Fischer 2003). Visual anthropology provides both meaning and experience.
Visual anthropology also adds to the anthropologists attempt at a holistic research method. When researching another culture, utilizing as many of the senses as possible will help in an analysis. Not only that, but the use of visual media evokes thoughts of other senses. A picture of a blanket might make one think of the feeling of it's warmth, the smell of it's worn cloth, and so on. Photographing an object that we otherwise might see as discrete and unimportant can help widen the objects social and cultural contexts, "thereby deepening our comprehension of their significance" (Browne 1991). Visual media gives greater comprehension as well through simply showing something different exists. It makes things never seen by a particular person real and tangible (Griffiths 2002).
There are also certain notions within culture that cannot easily be expressed with words. Facial expressions, gestures, dancing, and other visual coding can only be fully grasped in a visual aspect, not described though words (Fischer 2003). There is also the thought that a camera can continue to film long after an anthropolgist has left the area, or gone to sleep. Recording information soley through writing can be more tedious and tiring (Collier 1986).
Despite the possible subjectivity of visual anthropology, there is also an undeniable objective view that it can bring. Writing down something you think you have seen, and taking a photograph of the same event can result in two very different observations. Photography and film thus add to research and synthesis in that they reveal a different side of things, or make an anthropologist think more about notes they have taken in supplement to their visual recordings (Griffiths 2002).
Browne, Pat and Ray Browne.
1991 Digging Into Popular Culture. Bowling Green: Bowling Green State University Press.
Buckley, Liam and Laura Lewis
2008 Visual Anthropology Review. Electronic Document
- http://people.virginia.edu/~ds8s/VAR/, Accessed April 30.
1986 Visual Anthropology. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.
Devereaux, Leslie and Roger Hillman.
1995 Fields of Vision. Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Fischer, Michael M.J.
2003 Emergent Forms of Life and the Anthropological Voice. London: Durham University Press.
2002 Wondrous Difference: Cinema, Anthropology, and Turn of the Century Visual Culture. New York: Columbia University Press.
Heider, Karl G.
1976 Ethnographic Film. Austin: University of Texas Press.
1975 Principles of Visual Anthropology. Paris: Mouton Publishers.
1998 Transcultural Cinema. Princeton, University of Princeton Press.
2006 The Corporeal Image. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
1999 The Society for Visual Anthropology. Electronic Document,
- http://www.indiana.edu/~wanthro/saquick.htm, Accessed April 29.
Worth, Sol and John Adair
1997 Through Navajo Eyes. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. |
A Reflection on Israel/Palestine and Hong Kong
Being a faithful witness to the Lord in our lives is an often discussed topic among the Christian faithful. Individual believers who follow the teachings of the Lord and glorifies Him through their daily deeds should be commended and encouraged indeed. At the same time, congregations, denominations and faith-based organizations may also engage in various social dialogue, and drive or oppose the implementation of government policies in order to bring about justice and peace. While being different in aspects, both types of actions can be considered “expressions of faith”, witnesses to the world by believing individuals or communities.
Meanwhile, the founding of the modern State of Israel in 1948 is considered by many believers to be a divine intervention, a validation of Biblical prophecies, or even a sign of the End Times. However, those who understand the historical background are few and far between, even though the event was arguably driven by “expressions of faith”.
The mass murder of Jews in the Holocaust under the Nazi German rule had its roots in the long history of European anti-Semitism. For example, in 1475, a “ritual murder” happened in Trento, Italy: A boy named Simon was found dead, and the few Jewish families living there were framed for it and tortured by the religious-political leaders. They were forced to confess that they killed Simon to fulfill their ritual requirements, and as a result were either executed or incarcerated. Though the Roman Curia was suspicious of the authenticity of this “blood libel” case as we call it now, for various reasons, Little Simon was canonized as a Saint nonetheless. Only in 1965, after almost 500 years, was Simon removed from the Roman Martyology by Pope John Paul VI. And Little Simon was not the only blood libel case during all those years. Throughout the history of Europe, the Jewish people were negatively portrayed and persecuted since the time of Jesus’ death, in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, Martin Luther’s On the Jews and Their Lies, the Spanish Inquisition, the Black Death, the Crusades, to name a few. Being a foreign minority in Europe, the Jews became a convenient scapegoat of the power and people whenever problems arose.
Sadly, these racial discrimination incidents were accepted, supported, or even initiated by “Christians”. It was a popular value back then and considered by many to be part of the “Christian faith”, with prominent and influential religious and political leaders supporting it. The anti-Semitism among European Christian countries, being an example of “expressions of faith”, contributed to the founding of the State of Israel as it caused the Jewish diaspora felt unwelcome and fearful in their places of residence. Unfortunately, it is a notorious example. When faith or the Bible is abused or misused, the result could be disastrous: 6 of the 17 million killed in the Nazi Holocaust were Jews, meaning that only one out of every four European Jews survived. Nevertheless, it was not the only negative example of “expressions of faith” in the Christian history related to the Jewish people.
Around the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century, a Christian ideology began to emerge in Great Britain: The Jews should return to the land God promised to Abraham in order to fulfill Biblical prophecies. Though the Jews at the time were skeptical or even hostile to this idea, the proponents of this ideology, then named Christian Zionism, succeeded in “expressing their faith”. The movement prospered, they even have their own reference Bible, and theologians who developed it into a fairly complete and comprehensive theology called dispensationalism, which gained considerable popularity in the British and American churches. Consequently, in many Hong Kong churches who’re influenced by their British and American counterparts, it was and still is treated as a Biblical truth and proclaimed on the pulpits.
Christian Zionism encouraged and supported the rise of secular Zionism, and was influential in shaping the policies of the British government who controlled Palestine after the first World War. A large number of Jews, escaping from European anti-Semitism, emigrated to Palestine legally or illegally. After the second World War, with the knowledge of the horrific Holocaust became known to the world, the modern State of Israel was established in Palestine in 1948. However, what would be a positive historical event for the persecuted European Jews turned out to be a disaster for the seventy to eighty thousands indigenous Arabs who were driven away from their homes. Later on, Christian Zionism continued to gain ground among the American evangelicals, who with the Jewish lobby influenced the US government, by its actions or inactions, into prolonging this contemporary tragedy and protracting the Israeli-Palestinian issue. As such, because of the “faith” expressed by the Christian Zionists, another tragedy related to the Jewish people was produced, causing the Arabs and the Jews fighting each other time and again in the past century amid tense relationship.
Nevertheless, there were also beautiful Christian testimonies during these tumultuous times in “the land flowing with milk and honey”. Today in Bethlehem, not far from the separation wall, and opposite the Azza refugee camp lies the Bethlehem Bible College which has served the local community faithfully in the past decades. One Arab Christian woman, who demonstrated in utmost difficulties that “expressions of faith” can build up oneself and others, was catalyst in the founding of this institution. This lady who was born in Palestine at the end of the first World War has lived through the tearful contemporary Palestinian history: Her father passed away when she was seven, leaving her mother to raise her and her two little brothers by herself. She married at the age of 21 and gave birth to 8 children, of which 7 became grown-ups. Unfortunately, only after 11 years of blissful time, her husband was innocently killed in Jerusalem when the first Arab-Israeli war broke out in 1948.
What could a woman do in such a situation? Unlike today’s Hong Kong, women there did not have much social standings and protection. The elderly among us may have some ideas, because many of our parents or grandparents were refugees from other parts of mainland China. They have experienced wars or the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, and so may be more sympathetic to this woman. Also because of these experiences, their deep wish for a peaceful society is sometimes not easy for the younger generations to understand. Similarly, those who have faced the Cultural Revolution or the leftist riots of 1967 may also have a very different perspective on the stability of Hong Kong from the youth.
Thankfully, this woman did not give up. The widow who has lost her home strove to raise her 7 children, all the while studying at the same time to become a nurse herself. In the next two decades, she travelled and worked at different hospitals in the Holy Land, treating and helping the sick. In 1967, when the Six-Day War broke out, she once again caught up in war, this time in Bethlehem. Amid all difficulties, she insisted to look forward and refused to be seized by pains and revenge. She overcame the challenges of life with her obedience and faith in the Lord, and left behind a beautiful testimony. Her admirable example also rubbed off on her children, one of them became the founder of the Bethlehem Bible College, another established a non-violent study centre. And yet another one, after becoming a US citizen, chose to return to his birthplace to serve. He also recorded his mother’s touching story in a book, capturing not only their familial story but also their fellow people’s story.
Some may say, since her son is part of the community on one side of the conflict, his words must be partial and cannot be trusted. Frankly, it would be an exaggeration to say that the book is totally fair and neutral. On the other hand, compared to the mainstream narrative regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue in the British, American and Chinese churches, this book is fairly balanced and more historically sound. More importantly, in conflict situations, we should hear the voices of both sides instead of taking sides with prejudice. Else, it would be like trying to understand Sino-Hong Kong relationship by only watching TVB and reading Global Times, or, by only reading Apple Daily and Passion Times, for sure one will only obtain a very biased perception and incomplete understanding. Reflecting on the words of Timothy Keller, “if your god never disagrees with you, you might just be worshipping an idealised version of yourself.”
Truly, to those who strive to follow Jesus diligently and wholeheartedly, faith is not something that would only be expressed on Sundays. Instead, it should be incorporated into our daily lives. In other words, our faith should be our reality. In fact, it could be even larger than the realities we can normally experience, just like we believe Jesus has resurrected and overcame Death. The question is, when believing individuals and communities express their “faith”, what kind of “faith” is it? Is it based on hatred, with which the churches in the past persecuted the Jews? Is it based on a biased and selective reading of the Bible to support one’s ideology, like the supporters of Christian Zionism and dispensationalism? Or, is it like the woman mentioned above, who faced the challenges realities brought upon her with faith, hope, and love, and be a faithful witness to the Lord?
The Hong Kong churches which grew up under the British colonial government have not faced much difficulties nor oppression. Instead, they were supported and nourished by the authorities. And so, churches and believers in Hong Kong tend to be simple-minded in some aspects, and take certain things for granted. However, when these “certain things” have changed, they became paralysed, or keep trying to understand the present situation using past experiences, even when the underlying facts have become fundamentally different, leading to wrong judgements. As such, the Christian community in Hong Kong has a pressing need to re-think her own place in the society, and to find a proper balance acceptable to the Lord on how to engage the secular world, not manipulated nor controlled by any ideology, earthly power or action strategy.
In the blink of an eye, the State of Israel has “taken back” Judea and Samaria, or, the Palestinians’ West Bank has “become occupied” for 50 years already. From a secular point of view, it’s quite inconceivable that the Arab-Israeli or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would ever end. However, friends and enemies on earth, or even country boundaries and social systems, are things that may change over time or because of varying interests. More importantly, since our Lord has come and broken down hostility, we shall follow Him and become peacemakers ourselves, and bear in mind that, in Him, all things are possible. On the other hand, believers and churches should be careful not to substitute God’s Justice and Love with one’s own rules or confined perspectives, becoming hypocritical Pharisees. Nor should we replace spiritual convictions with earthly things that are made, becoming idolaters. And neither should we ignore societal matters concerning justice and people’s livelihood for our own safety or profit, or even worse, to swear black is white, shifted from the Gospels and damaging our testimonies.
Hong Kong has changed hands for 20 years already, where are we now? And what will become of it in 30 years? How will the believers and churches in this land express their faith in the coming days? Is the foundation of our faith strong enough, so that we can change the world for the better, instead of being encroached by the daily difficulties? What will be the testimonies each of us and the whole community bear to the society? Which societal issues will we concern ourselves with? Can we walk with Christ in Justice, Charity and Peace on this road which may not always be wide and easy? Can we under the guidance of the Lord respond to the need of our times, to become salt of the earth and light of the world? Can we fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ who have different opinions with tolerance and patience? Can we once again receive humbly the Lord’s visions, be renewed and poured on by the Holy Spirit, and continue to turn the world upside down with Jesus’ love?
Thus says the LORD:
Stand at the crossroads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way lies; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
– Jeremiah 6:16a
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
– Psalm 37:3
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
– Romans 12:2
Adapted from the sharing for Palestinian Memories (Chinese Edition) in the 2017 Hong Kong Book Fair. Also available in traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese on Christian Times (behind a paywall). |
Scientists at Liverpool University and engineers at car giants Ford have developed a new ignition system which uses focused beams of laser light to ignite the fuel.
The researchers claim the technology is more reliable and efficient than current spark plug technology and will enable cars to start more easily in cold and damp conditions.
It is understood that Ford, the world's fourth largest car manufacturer, hopes to put the laser ignition system into their top of the range vehicles within the next couple of years before making it more widely available.
Dr Tom Shenton, a reader in engineering at Liverpool University who is leading the project, said: "We are running engines everyday in our laboratory with this system now and our ultimate objective is have it inside cars driven by consumers.
"Lasers can be focused and split into multiple beams to give multiple ignition points, which means it can give a far better chance of ignition.
"This can really improve the performance of the engine when it is cold, as this is the time when around 80 per cent of the exhaust emissions are produced and the engine is at is least efficient.
"The laser also produces more stable combustion so you need to put less fuel into the cylinder."
In current engines spark plugs are positioned at the top or bottom of a cylinder and they can often fail to ignite fuel effectively if the petrol is not in the right position in the cylinder.
In the new system the spark plug is replaced by a laser powered by the car battery which is sent along thin optical fibres into the engine's cylinders where lenses focus the beam into an intense pinprick of light.
When fuel is injected into the engine, the laser is fired, producing enough heat to ignite the fuel and power the engine.
The researchers claim that the laser, which will need to fire more than 50 times per second to produce 3000 RPM, will require less power than traditional spark plugs.
Some of the laser can be reflected back from inside the cylinder to provide information for the car on the type of fuel being used and the level of ignition, allowing the car to adjust the quantities of air and fuel automatically to optimise the performance.
This raises the prospect of mixed fuel cars which can run on a number of different biofuels while ensuring they still run efficiently.
A spokesman for Ford said: "Ford, like all vehicle manufacturers, is obliged by European legislation to reduce emissions and our work in this area is led by Ford's UK R&D centre in Essex.
"This collaboration with the University of Liverpool is part of that effort, with Ford contributing in kind, with engineering time and equipment use, as well as financially."
The project has now been awarded a £200,000 grant by the Carbon Trust to help develop the system further. Transport accounts for 25 per cent of carbon emissions and it is hoped new ignition systems can help to cut this level of pollution.
Robert Trezona, Head of Research & Development at the Carbon Trust, said: "Laser ignition is attractive in a number of ways.
"It has a real potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the future by improving the ignition and combustion of fuel, particularly in engines starting from cold, but it can also be used in mixed fuel engines such as biofuels." |
Firstly, there is the segregation problem: a practical computational problem of how brains segregate elements in complex patterns of sensory input so that they are allocated to discrete "objects". In other words, when looking at a blue square and a yellow circle, what neural mechanisms ensure that the square is perceived as blue and the circle as yellow, and not vice versa? The segregation problem is sometimes called BP1.
Secondly, there is the combination problem: the problem of how objects, background and abstract or emotional features are combined into a single experience. The combination problem is sometimes called BP2.
However, the difference between these two problems is not always clear. Moreover, the historical literature is often ambiguous as to whether it is addressing the segregation or the combination problem.
The segregation problem
The segregation problem is the problem of how brains segregate elements in complex patterns of sensory input so that they are allocated to discrete "objects".
Smythies defined BP1 in these terms: "How is the representation of information built up in the neural networks that there is one single object 'out there' and not a mere collection of separate shapes, colours and movements?" Revonsuo refers to this as the problem of "stimulus-related binding" – of sorting stimuli. Although usually referred to as a problem of binding, the computational problem is arguably one of discrimination. Thus, in the words of Canales et al.: "to bind together all the features of one object and segregate them from features of other objects and the background". Bartels and Zeki describe it as "determining that it is the same (or a different) stimulus which is activating different cells in a given visual area or in different visual areas".
Most experimental work is on vision, where it is known that humans and other mammals process different aspects of perception by separating information about those aspects and processing them in distinct regions of the brain. For example, Bartels and Zeki have shown that different areas in the visual cortex specialize in processing the different aspects of colour, motion, and shape. This type of modular coding has been claimed to yield a potential for ambiguity. When humans view a scene containing a blue square and a yellow circle, some neurons signal in response to blue, others signal in response to yellow, still others to a square shape or a circle shape. Here, the binding problem is the issue of how the brain correctly pairs colour and shape, i.e. indicates that blue goes with square, rather than yellow.
A popular hypothesis perhaps first suggested by Milner has been that features of individual objects are bound/segregated via synchronisation of the activity of different neurons in the cortex. Empirical testing of the idea was given impetus when von der Malsburg proposed that feature binding posed a special problem that could not be covered simply by cellular firing rates. A number of studies suggested that there is indeed a relationship between rhythmic synchronous firing and feature binding. This rhythmic firing appears to be linked to intrinsic oscillations in neuronal somatic potentials, typically in the gamma range close to 40 Hz. However, Thiele and Stoner found that perceptual binding of two moving patterns had no effect on synchronisation of the neurons responding to the two patterns. In the primary visual cortex, Dong et al. found that whether two neurons were responding to contours of the same shape or different shapes had no effect on neural synchrony. Revonsuo reports similar negative findings.
The positive arguments for a role for rhythmic synchrony in resolving the segregational object-feature binding problem (BP1) have been summarized by Singer. There is certainly extensive evidence for synchronization of neural firing as part of responses to visual stimuli. However, there is inconsistency between findings from different laboratories. Moreover, a number of recent reviewers, including Shadlen and Movshon and Merker have raised concerns.
Shadlen and Movshon, raise a series of doubts about both the theoretical and the empirical basis for the idea of segregational binding by temporal synchrony. Firstly, it is not clear that binding does pose a special computational problem of the sort proposed by von der Malsburg. Secondly, it is unclear how synchrony would come to play a distinct role in terms of local computational logic. Thirdly, it is difficult to envisage a situation in which pre-synaptic firing rate and synchrony could be usefully interpreted independently by a post-synaptic cell, since the two are interdependent over plausible time scales.
Another point that has been raised is that within standard time frames for neuronal firing very few distinct phases of synchrony would be distinguishable even under optimal conditions. However, this would only be significant if the same pathways are potentially fed spike (signal) trains in multiple phases. In contrast, Seth describes an artificial brain-based robot that demonstrates multiple, separate, widely distributed neural circuits, firing at different phases, suggesting that synchrony may assist the establishment of discrete object-related re-entrant circuits in a system exposed to randomly timed stimuli.
Goldfarb and Treisman point out that a logical problem appears to arise for binding solely via synchrony if there are several objects that share some of their features and not others. When viewing a display of variously coloured letters, internal representation of a red X, a green O, a red O and a green X cannot be accounted for purely by synchrony of signals for red and X shape, for instance. At best synchrony can facilitate segregation supported by other means (as von der Malsburg acknowledges).
A number of neuropsychological studies suggest that the association of colour, shape and movement as "features of an object" is not simply a matter of linking or "binding". Purves and Lotto give extensive evidence for top-down feedback signals that ensure that sensory data are handled as features of (sometimes wrongly) postulated objects early in processing. In many illusions data appear as if pre-consciously adjusted in accordance with object expectations. Pylyshyn has also emphasized the way the brain seems to pre-conceive objects to which features are to be allocated and which are attributed continuing existence even if features, like colour, change.
Feature integration theory
In her feature integration theory, Treisman suggested that binding between features is mediated by the features' links to a common location. Psychophysical demonstrations of binding failures under conditions of full attention provide support for the idea that binding is accomplished through common location tags.
An implication of these approaches is that sensory data such as colour or motion may not normally exist in "unallocated" form. For Merker: "The 'red' of a red ball does not float disembodied in an abstract color space in V4." If colour information allocated to a point in the visual field is converted directly, via the instantiation of some form of propositional logic (analogous to that used in computer design) into colour information allocated to an "object identity" postulated by a top-down signal as suggested by Purves and Lotto, (e.g. There is blue here + Object 1 is here = Object 1 is blue) no special computational task of "binding together" by means such as synchrony may exist. (Although Von der Malsburg poses the problem in terms of binding "propositions" such as "triangle" and "top", these, in isolation, are not propositional.)
How signals in the brain come to have propositional content, or meaning, is a much larger issue. However, both Marr and Barlow suggested, on the basis of what was known about neural connectivity in the 1970s that the final integration of features into a percept would be expected to resemble the way words operate in sentences.
The role of synchrony in segregational binding remains controversial. Merker has recently suggested that synchrony may be a feature of areas of activation in the brain that relates to an "infrastructural" feature of the computational system analogous to increased oxygen demand indicated via MRI. Apparent specific correlations with segregational tasks may be explainable on the basis of interconnectivity of the areas involved. As a possible manifestation of a need to balance excitation and inhibition over time it might be expected to be associated with reciprocal re-entrant circuits as in the model of Seth et al. (Merker gives the analogy of the whistle from an audio amplifier receiving its own output.)
If it transpires that synchronized activity plays at most an infrastructural role in segregative computational "binding", the question arises as to whether we need another explanation. The implication both of Shadlen and Movshon's and of Merker's analyses seems to be that there may be no special binding problem in this sense. The problem may be merely an integral part of the more general problem of the computational logic used by neurons, or what is often referred to as the "neural code". In particular it may be inappropriate to analyse binding in perception without taking into account the way features are bound in memory, as addressed by Zimmer and colleagues, and how that informs the way the brain pre-conceives objects.
The combination problem
Smythies defines BP2 as "How do the brain mechanisms actually construct the phenomenal object?". Revonsuo equates this to "consciousness-related binding", emphasizing the entailment of a phenomenal aspect. As Revonsuo explores in 2006, there are nuances of difference beyond the basic BP1:BP2 division. Smythies speaks of constructing a phenomenal object ("local unity" for Revonsuo) but philosophers such as Descartes, Leibniz, Kant and James (see Brook and Raymont) have typically been concerned with the broader unity of a phenomenal experience ("global unity" for Revonsuo) – which, as Bayne illustrates may involve features as diverse as seeing a book, hearing a tune and feeling an emotion. Further discussion will focus on this more general problem of how sensory data that may have been segregated into, for instance, "blue square" and "yellow circle" are to be re-combined into a single phenomenal experience of a blue square next to a yellow circle, plus all other features of their context. There are a wide range of views on just how real this "unity" is, but the existence of medical conditions in which it appears to be subjectively impaired, or at least restricted, suggests that it is not entirely illusory.
Early scientists such as Descartes and Leibniz noted that the apparent unity of our experience is an all-or-none qualitative characteristic that does not appear to have an equivalent in the known quantitative features, like proximity or cohesion, of composite matter. William James, in the nineteenth century, considered the ways the unity of consciousness might be explained by known physics and found no satisfactory answer. He coined the term "combination problem", in the specific context of a "mind-dust theory" in which it is proposed that a full human conscious experience is built up from proto- or micro-experiences in the way that matter is built up from atoms. James claimed that such a theory was incoherent, since no causal physical account could be given of how distributed proto-experiences would "combine". He favoured instead a concept of "co-consciousness" in which there is one "experience of A, B and C" rather than combined experiences. A detailed discussion of subsequent philosophical positions is given by Brook and Raymont (see 26). However, these do not generally include physical interpretations. James remained concerned about the absence of a "single physical thing", other than an atom, that could be co-conscious (of A, B and C), echoing Leibniz.
Whitehead proposed a fundamental ontological basis for a relation consistent with James's idea of co-consciousness, in which many causal elements are co-available or "compresent" in a single event or "occasion" that constitutes a unified experience. Whitehead did not give physical specifics but the idea of compresence is framed in terms of causal convergence in a local interaction consistent with physics. Where Whitehead goes beyond anything formally recognized in physics is in the "chunking" of causal relations into complex but discrete "occasions". Even if such occasions can be defined, Whitehead's approach still leaves James's difficulty with finding a site, or sites, of causal convergence that would make neurobiological sense for "co-consciousness". Sites of signal convergence do clearly exist throughout the brain but there is a concern to avoid re-inventing what Dennett calls a Cartesian Theater or single central site of convergence of the form that Descartes proposed.
Descartes's central "soul" is now rejected because neural activity closely correlated with conscious perception is widely distributed throughout the cortex. The remaining choices appear to be either separate involvement of multiple distributed causally convergent events or a model that does not tie a phenomenal experience to any specific local physical event but rather to some overall "functional" capacity. Whichever interpretation is taken, as Revonsuo indicates, there is no consensus on what structural level we are dealing with – whether the cellular level, that of cellular groups as "nodes", "complexes" or "assemblies" or that of widely distributed networks. There is probably only general agreement that it is not the level of the whole brain, since there is evidence that signals in certain primary sensory areas, such as the V1 region of the visual cortex (in addition to motor areas and cerebellum), do not contribute directly to phenomenal experience.
Dennett has proposed that our sense that our experiences are single events is illusory and that, instead, at any one time there are "multiple drafts" of sensory patterns at multiple sites. Each would only cover a fragment of what we think we experience. Arguably, Dennett is claiming that consciousness is not unified and there is no phenomenal binding problem. Most philosophers have difficulty with this position (see Bayne). Dennett's view might be in keeping with evidence from recall experiments and change blindness purporting to show that our experiences are much less rich than we sense them to be – what has been called the Grand Illusion. However, few, if any, other authors suggest the existence of multiple partial "drafts". Moreover, also on the basis of recall experiments, Lamme has challenged the idea that richness is illusory, emphasizing that phenomenal content cannot be equated with content to which there is cognitive access.
Dennett does not tie drafts to biophysical events. Multiple sites of causal convergence are invoked in specific biophysical terms by Edwards and Sevush. In this view the sensory signals to be combined in phenomenal experience are available, in full, at each of multiple sites. To avoid non-causal combination each site/event is placed within an individual neuronal dendritic tree. The advantage is that "compresence" is invoked just where convergence occurs neuro-anatomically. The disadvantage, as for Dennett, is the counter-intuitive concept of multiple "copies" of experience. The precise nature of an experiential event or "occasion", even if local, also remains uncertain.
The majority of theoretical frameworks for the unified richness of phenomenal experience adhere to the intuitive idea that experience exists as a single copy, and draw on "functional" descriptions of distributed networks of cells. Baars has suggested that certain signals, encoding what we experience, enter a "Global Workspace" within which they are "broadcast" to many sites in the cortex for parallel processing. Dehaene, Changeux and colleagues have developed a detailed neuro-anatomical version of such a workspace. Tononi and colleagues have suggested that the level of richness of an experience is determined by the narrowest information interface "bottleneck" in the largest sub-network or "complex" that acts as an integrated functional unit. Lamme has suggested that networks supporting reciprocal signaling rather than those merely involved in feed-forward signaling support experience. Edelman and colleagues have also emphasized the importance of re-entrant signaling. Cleeremans emphasizes meta-representation as the functional signature of signals contributing to consciousness.
In general, such network-based theories are not explicitly theories of how consciousness is unified, or "bound" but rather theories of functional domains within which signals contribute to unified conscious experience. A concern about functional domains is what Rosenberg has called the boundary problem; it is hard to find a unique account of what is to be included and what excluded. Nevertheless, this is, if anything is, the consensus approach.
Within the network context, a role for synchrony has been invoked as a solution to the phenomenal binding problem as well as the computational one. In his book, The Astonishing Hypothesis, Crick appears to be offering a solution to BP2 as much as BP1. Even von der Malsburg, introduces detailed computational arguments about object feature binding with remarks about a "psychological moment". The Singer group also appear to be interested as much in the role of synchrony in phenomenal awareness as in computational segregation.
The apparent incompatibility of using synchrony to both segregate and unify might be explained by sequential roles. However, Merker points out what appears to be a contradiction in attempts to solve the phenomenal unification problem (BP2) in terms of a functional (effectively meaning computational) rather than a local biophysical, domain, in the context of synchrony.
Functional arguments for a role for synchrony are in fact underpinned by analysis of local biophysical events. However, Merker points out that the explanatory work is done by the downstream integration of synchronized signals in post-synaptic neurons: "It is, however, by no means clear what is to be understood by 'binding by synchrony' other than the threshold advantage conferred by synchrony at, and only at, sites of axonal convergence onto single dendritic trees..." In other words, although synchrony is proposed as a way of explaining binding on a distributed, rather than a convergent, basis the justification rests on what happens at convergence. Signals for two features are proposed as bound by synchrony because synchrony effects downstream convergent interaction. Any theory of phenomenal binding based on this sort of computational function would seem to follow the same principle. The phenomenality would entail convergence, if the computational function does.
Although BP1 and BP2 are different, this need not invalidate the assumption, implicit in many of the quoted models, that computational and phenomenal events, at least at some point in the sequence of events, parallel each other in some way. The difficulty remains in identifying what that way might be. Merker's analysis suggests that either (1) both computational and phenomenal aspects of binding are determined by convergence of signals on neuronal dendritic trees, or (2) that our intuitive ideas about the need for "binding" in a "holding together" sense in both computational and phenomenal contexts are misconceived. We may be looking for something extra that is not needed. Merker, for instance, argues that the homotopic connectivity of sensory pathways does the necessary work.
The nature of, and solution to, BP2 remains a matter of controversy.
- Feature integration theory
- Frame problem
- Hard problem of consciousness
- Philosophy of perception
- Symbol grounding
- Binding neuron
- Neural coding
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- Balduzzi D, Tononi G. (2008) Integrated information in discrete dynamical systems: motivation and theoretical framework. PLoS Comput Biol. 4(6):e1000091. doi: 10.1371/ journal.pcbi.1000091
- Cleeremans, A. (2011) The radical plasticity thesis. Frontiers in Psychology 2, Article 86 doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00086
- Rosenberg, G. (2004) A Place for Consciousness. Oxford, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-516814-3.
- Crick, F. (1995) The Astonishing Hypothesis. Scribner Paperback ISBN 0-684-80158-2 ISBN 978-0684801582
- Zimmer, H. D. (Hubert D.); Mecklinger, Axel.; Lindenberger, Ulman. (2006). Handbook of binding and memory : perspectives from cognitive neuroscienc. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-852967-5. OCLC 63702616. |
There are 8 public computers available (2 Macs and 6 PCS). One is located in the Teen Room. Our computers have high speed internet and Microsoft Office Suite.
We have three iPads that are for in library use only. They can be borrowed for 2 hours at a time. One is intended for children and is loaded with child friendly apps. Two are loaded with apps meant for adults such as a newspaper apps, and chess.
We believe sometimes it is better to test drive something before you buy it. They are also great to take on trip if you don’t want to lug heavy hard covers on a plane!
We have two Kindle Fires available as well as two regular Kindles. These can be borrowed for two weeks and we can help patrons choose content from Overdrive to load onto the devices.
We also have a Nook touch available.
The Teens have a special Kindle paper white that is loaded with some of the Isinglass and Flume Teen Read Award books.
Check out our StarBlast telescope and see spectacular views of the night sky! The telescope can be borrowed for 7 days. The New Hampshire Astronomical Society has graciously helped us maintain our telescope.
Kill A Watt Detector:
Take the first step to lower your electric bill and emit a smaller carbon footprint by borrowing our Kill A Watt Energy Detector. You can find out exactly how much electricity each device you have is using.
**The following Makerspace items are not available to borrow. They are used only during Tinker Times and other programming.**
LEGO Mindstorms: You can code these LEGO robots to perform commands, follow a pattern, or simply walk and talk. Or, use the remote control to take one for a spin.
Ozobots: These tiny robots use colors and patterns to tell them what to do. You can use markers to code their paths and also use fun iPad apps to learn how to code!
littleBits: littleBits use color coded bits that snap together to create circuits. You can make things like a robot car and voice activated bubble wand!
Snap Circuits: Snap Circuits makes learning electronics easy and fun! Just follow the colorful pictures in the manual and build exciting projects, such as FM radios, digital voice recorders, burglar alarms, door bells and much more! All parts easily snap together on a plastic board to create your circuits.
3D Doodlers: This pen draws in 3D with plastic filament. It's really fun to create charms, 3D models of your favorite animals, or anything else you can think of!
MaKey MaKey: Everyday objects become much more than they appear with MaKey MaKey. Make a banan piano or play a video game with play dough! These small circuit boards allow you to create many fun activities!
Nintendo Wii: Typically used during Teen Nights and during school vacations! We have 4 controllers and some fun games. We have even been known to do a Mario Kart competition! |
A Google+ community is a forum where people with common interests come together to interact on the Web. This would be an ideal tool for schools who use Google Apps in Education. Every student or teacher in your school can set up a Google+ account (Google’s version of Facebook) and join your learning community.
Features of Your Class/School Google+ Community
- Make your community private
- Invite your students and other teachers to your class/school community
- You can start a Google Hangout with your students or colleagues
- Edit your community information, provide a description, and include different classroom categories (ex. discussions, homework, projects, etc.)
- Community Feed: Post discussion topics or share content with classmates
- You can share any site that has a Google+ button onto your class’s feed
Check out my EdTech Google+ community to see an example! |
More and more people are looking for ways to avoid consuming plastic products and adding to the growing amount of plastic waste ending up in our landfill and oceans, like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
While some people are going the zero waste route, others are looking for eco-friendly plastic alternatives for everyday products. One of those alternatives is products made out of biodegradable or compostable materials.
Although biodegradable plastics and biobased compostable plastics are not new alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics, there still seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding “greener” plastic products.
Much like the education needed to properly sort recyclables (which let’s face it, can STILL be rather confusing) here are a few things you should know about compostable plastics that can help you pick the right products and dispose of them properly.
1. Biodegradable Plastic DOES NOT EQUAL Compostable Plastic
And the difference does matter.
Biodegradable refers to a material breaking down with the help of microorganisms. To be labelled a biodegradable plastic, there is no time limit set on when the product breaks down and these plastics CAN leave behind toxic residue.
Compostable refers to a material capable of breaking down into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass at the same rate as cellulose. Compostable plastic must also disintegrate and become indistinguishable in the compost and CANNOT leave any toxic material behind.
That means compostable plastic breaks down to a point that it can help in the support of plant growth. Pretty awesome, right? #thecircleoflife
2. Compostable plastic WILL NOT biodegrade in a landfill
Throwing a “green” plastic product into a landfill defeats the purpose of creating and consuming biodegradable and compostable plastics in the first place.
Many people think, oh well, it’ll at least break down eventually...but...well actually, no it probably won’t.
These special plastics need air, moisture and sunlight to break down properly and unfortunately, landfills tend to entomb waste and deprives it from these necessary elements.
If you buy compostable plastics it’s up to YOU to make sure it ends up in a composting environment.
Hint: this is not a compost friendly environment.
3. Biodegradable and compostable plastics DO NOT mix with recyclable plastics
Now we already gave you the “don’t throw compostable plastic in the garbage” lecture but remember that goes for the blue bin too. This can create a wasteful extra step for the recycling plant to sort out bioplastics from recyclable plastics or contaminate the recycled materials in the process which again, defeats the whole purpose of both environmentally friendly initiatives.
This is why clear labelling is so crucial: compost your compostables!
4. Not all biodegradable and bioplastics are free of pthalates or bisphenol A (BPA)
Most people see the word bio and think “natural” and associate it with safe. But safe or non-toxic plastics are determined by further testing to ensure a bioplastic is free of harmful chemicals like lead, cadmium, BPA and pthalates.
This is another instance where reading the fine print is important.
Some compostable plastics will break down in a home composting environment
While certifications tend to let you know if a compostable plastic meets the standards (like US ASTM-6400-99) for an industrial composting facility, there are bioplastics out there that will also break down in a home composting environment.
The main difference is timing. In an industrial composting environment, materials can break down faster because they often grind the materials, consistently turn the piles over and reach higher temperatures. The rate at which a compostable plastic also depends on the thickness of the product aka a compostable takeout container will not breakdown at the same rate a compostable utensil.
Have more questions about compostable plastics? Feel free to ask us anything at [email protected].
Sources Used for this Article
Pela Cases are 100% COMPOSTABLE and free of lead, cadmium, BPA and phthalates. Our cases are made of a proprietary blend of Terratek Flex and Canadian Prairie flax shive. Pela Case is designed to protect your phone and formulated to reduce waste on our planet. SHOP NOW |
The birch species are generally small to medium-size trees or shrubs. They are mostly found in northern temperate climates. The leaves are simple and may be toothed or pointed. The fruit is a small samara, although the wings may be obscure in some species. The bark of all birches is characteristically marked with long historical lenticels and often separates into thin papery plates. The plant is practically imperishable because of the resinous oil that it contains. Its decided color gives the plant the common names Red, White, Black, Silver, and Yellow to different species. The buds of the tree form early and are full grown by midsummer. The branch is prolonged by the upper bud. The wood of all the species is close-grained and has a satiny texture that is capable of taking a fine polish. The leaves of the different species vary little.
The flowers of the birch plant are monoecious, and open with or before the leaves. They are borne on three-flowered clusters. The staminate aments are pendulous, and clustered or solitary in the axils of the last leaves of the branch of the year. They form in early autumn and remain rigid during the winter. The scales of the staminate aments are broadly ovate, rounded, and yellow or orange in color when mature. Each scale has two bractlets and three sterile flowers. These scales bear two or three fertile flowers. Each flower consists of a bare ovary. The ovary is compresed, two-celled, and grouped with two slender styles. The ovule is solitary. The ripenened pistillate ament bears tiny winged nuts, packed in the protecting curve of each brown and woody scale. These nuts are pale chestnut brown and compressed. The seed fills the cavity of the nut. All of the birch species are easily grown from seed.
Birch bark tea was used by Native Americans to relieve headaches. Some people also used this tea, which was made from the leaves and bark, for fevers and abdominal cramps.
The properties that birch bark possesses allow it to help to heal burns and wound. It also is able to cleanse the blood. Birch bark also contains a glycoside that decomposes to methyl salicylate. This is a remedy for rheumatism that is used both in Canada and in the United States. A decoction of birch leaves is also recommended for baldness. Additionally, this herb works as a mild sedative for insomnia.
The bark and leaves of the birch plant are used to provide anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, astringent, blood purifier, diaphoretic, diuretic, and stimulant properties. The primary nutrients found in this herb are calcium, chlorine, copper, fluoride, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, sodium, and vitamins A, C, E, B1, and B2. Primarily, birch is extremely beneficial in dealing with blood impurities, eczema, pain, rheumatism, and urinary problems.
Additionally, this herb is very helpful in treating canker sores, cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, fevers, gout, and bleeding gums. One should consult their health care provider before considering supplementing with any medications. This will insure that a person obtains the best results possible. For more information on the many benefits provided by birch, please feel free to consult a representative from your local health food store with more questions.
More information on birch is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/
Photo Credit: Curlsdiva
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com |
The Blind Spot is very knowledgeable about Window Covering Energy Efficiency. We have participated with Excel Energy and other partners in the Excel Energy Makeover Contests for eight years now. We have many contacts in the Energy Audit field, HVAC, Windows, Ducts & Insulation. Let us help you with your next Energy Upgrade. See below how we feel that a home works as a system when it comes to energy.
Window Energy Theory
- Windows provide FREE light
- A house with good window design is much more efficient than one with no windows at all
- WINDOW COVERINGS greatly enhance the energy benefit of windows
- HEAT is transferred three ways: CONDUCTION, CONVECTION AND RADIATION
- These processes follow a basic law of nature: heat energy tends to move from warmer areas to colder areas . There is no way to get around this fundamental principle; all we can do is slow the processes down.
Conduction – Conduction is the movement of heat through a solid material. Touch a hot skillet and you’ll feel heat conducted from the electric coil trough the pan. Heat flows through the glass, spacers (metal strips that separate the panes of glass), and frame of a window in much the same way. Heat will flow from inside your home through the window to the outside. Interrupt the pathway with a less conductive material and you impede the flow of heat. Less conductive materials like insulation do this by trapping dead air between the solid fibers of insulation. Multiple-glazed windows do this by trapping low-conductance gas like argon and krypton in the space between the panes of glass. Thermally resistant spacers and window frames reduce conduction too.
Now add window coverings and you have yet one more barrier to the flow of heat through your windows, as long as the window coverings are installed correctly.
Convection - Convection is another way that heat moves through windows. In a cold climate, heated indoor air rubs against the interior surface of the window glass. The air is cooled, becomes more dense, and drops to the floor. As this stream of air drops to the floor, more warm air rushes to take its place at the glass surface. The cycle, called a convective loop, is self-perpetuating. The cold glass surface methodically strips heat from the indoor air. Sitting on a sofa, you recognize this convective movement as a cold draft and raise the thermostat. Unfortunately, each 1-degree increase in a thermostat setting, increases energy use by 2%! Instead, raise the temperature of the glass. Choose multiple glazings with low-conductance gas fillings, warm-edge spacers and thermally-resistant frames. They raise inboard glass temperatures, slow convection and improve comfort.
Or add properly installed window coverings to impede this process. Properly installed means that you have the “tightest fit possible” inside your window jamb so air cannot easily flow around the sides of your window coverings or down through the top. Additionally, have the bottom rail sit flush on the sill. If it does not reach the sill, the convection above takes place. You can actually feel the draft off your windows if you lift the rail from the sill. Place the rail on the sill and you can noticeably feel less draft (on cold windows).
If your windows coverings are installed outside your jamb, on the trim or on the wall, you can also reduce this convection process by covering the top with a board mounted valance, or cornice that impedes the loss of heat through the top.
Radiation - Radiant transfer is the movement of heat from a warmer body to a cooler body through energy waves. A good absorber is a good emitter. Most wood stoves are black for a good reason. Black absorbs and emits radiation best. You can feel a stove’s radiant heat on your face across a room. In turn, your face feels cool when it radiates (emits) its heat to a cold sheet of window glass. This uncomfortable sensation, like convection, persuades you to boost the thermostat. Radiant heat loss is more than a perception: Clear glass absorbs heat and dumps it outdoors. Absorption and emission potentials of glass can be greatly reduced by placing coatings on glass that reflect specific wavelengths of energy. Low-“E” coatings emit less long-wave heat energy. In cold climates, more heat stays in the house. In hot climates, the heat stays outdoors. Low-E coatings improve the insulating value of window roughly the same as adding an additional pane of glass to a unit. So a double-glazed low-E window works as good as a triple-glazed clear window.
Now add window coverings to the equation and you have another absorber/reflector of the radiation gain. In our Colorado sun, we want to reflect back the sun to the outside in the Summer and use the solar gain from the sun in the Winter.
Seeing is Believing
This house was photographed during the winter using thermal photography, a process which exposes higher temperature zones as indicated by the color transitions. You will notice that the areas around the windows are particularly ‘hot’, proving that a significant amount of interior heat is escaping from these portions of the home.
The Most Energy Efficient Window Coverings
- Architella® Honeycomb Shades
- Thermally Lined Draperies
- Window Quilts
- Single Cell Honeycomb Shades
- Other products
Air and moisture-tight fabric along with the 4-sided seal dramatically increases the insulating value! Five layers in design: Lining, high density fiber batting, internal reflective polyethylene moisture vapor barrier, high density fiber batting, and fabric cover.
Shading coeff: .23 – .14
Draperies & Roman Shades – R-value: 3.0 – 5.0
Honeycomb Shades – R-value: 2.0 – 4.8, Shading Coefficient: .44 -.21
from Hunter Douglas
Duette® Honeycomb Shades has earned the highest energy-efficiency rating in the industry and ranks as the nation’s best-selling honeycomb shade due to their single, double or triple thickness air-trapping construction. For French and sliding doors, Duette® with Vertiglide® provides the same honeycomb construction with the shade’s pleats oriented vertically.
Don’t forget to cover the Skylights! There are several options for Duette® Shades for covering skylights, which are a big source of heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. This includes the new Duette® PowerRise For Skylights options, which is far more affordable than previous motorized skylight shades and are installed with no wiring at all.
Other Window Covering Products – R-value: 2.6 – 3.9, Shading Coefficient: .35 – .21
|Hardwood ShuttersR-value: 2.77Shading Coeff: .21||Vignette® Modern Roman® Shade R-value: 2.63Shading Coeff: .32|
|Wood Blinds R-value: 3.17
Shading Coeff: .35 |
Australia: Research on AIDS-Affected Women Neglected, Activists Say
July 23, 2007
The unique medical needs of women with HIV are under-researched, some activists and health experts said today at the 4th International AIDS Society Conference in Sydney. They called for a comprehensive research plan that specifically addresses women's health.
During unprotected heterosexual sex, women are eight times more likely to contract HIV than men, said Francoise Barre-Sinoussi, a director in the virology department at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. Scientists say women are also more susceptible to contracting STDs - diseases that enhance the possibility of HIV infection.
Attendees also heard calls for more research on how AIDS drugs work in the bodies of women. "HIV medications can affect women differently than men," said Sharon Walmsley, professor of medicine at the University of Toronto. Differences in body size, fat composition, and hormones can lead to different reactions to treatment. And because half of all pregnancies are unplanned, women of child-bearing age should be given drugs that are appropriate for use during pregnancy, Walmsley said.
Among the HIV-infected, some studies have found depression affects more women than men.
In some settings, women's needs are basic and stark. "Many women in Kenya and other countries in Africa do not have the necessary food and water to take the trial medications as prescribed," said Josephine Okumu, a Kenyan with HIV.
7.23.2007; Anindita Ramaswamy
This article was provided by CDC National Prevention Information Network. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update. |
Dec 18, 2013 The Brain, Learning, and Reflection
A century ago, John Dewey emphasized the importance of engaging learners in reflection. He believed that our experiences shape us, and when reflective practice is part of the learning, meaning and relevancy is created, initiating further growth and change (Dewey, 1933). Reflection is a key tenet of experiential education philosophy.
As I mentioned in Monday’s post the modern day field of educational neuroscience reinforces this tenet of experiential education by showing us that we are indeed shaped by our experiences and continue to be throughout our lives. Educational neuroscientists emphasize that intentional engagement in reflective practice is key to “cementing” learning and enhancing application, transfer, retention, and recall. It does so by facilitating patterning and meaning making, creating multiple pathways to learning, and providing a forum for feedback.
Patterning is the word neuroscientists use to describe how the brain searches for patterns to construct meaning from input received. Learning takes place when the brain uses these patterns and attaches meaning to them. Brain researchers are finding that knowledge increases through pattern recognition and by matching new information to memories. This creates more extensive neural networks. We tend to remember things if we think we have seen them before. When new information is recognized as related to prior knowledge, learning extends beyond the domain in which it occurred—transferring to new learning and problem-solving situations (Willis, 2010). Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans show that when people are given new information their brains activate the stored memory banks. When these connections are made long-term memory is enhanced.
When learners retrieve or reflect upon experiences they are activating neurons helping more dendrites to grow and interconnect increasing long-term memory storage. Memory is enhanced when learners understand the connections and relationships between prior learning experiences and new learning experiences. Reflection enhances this process by allowing learners to explore the patterns that connect the experience with real life application, context, personal meaning and relevancy. This creates stronger and more numerous neuronal connections or “pathways” to learning.
Multiple-pathways to learning: Powerful experiences, ongoing practice, and varied stimuli enhance multiple-pathways to learning. The more ways a learner reflects upon and applies the information learned i.e. through movement, artwork, writing, social-interaction etc. and the more “personal” the learning experience is, the stronger the neuronal connections and the more pathways to storing and recalling the information are created.
Relevancy and Meaning: Our brains search for meaning and relevancy in lessons. We pay attention to and remember information that is relevant to our survival, interesting to us, and useful in promoting our success. Meaning creates important structure around detail. When we have association or context to a lesson—an emotional connection and sense of relevancy in regards to learning—we are more likely to remember it than we are random facts. Reflection and metacognition (thinking about thinking) enhance this process of meaning making by intentionally helping learners explore the patterns that connect the experience with real life application, context, personal meaning, and relevancy. Reflection helps learners understand HOW information is relevant to them and specific ways they will apply the information learned in the future. Reflective practice fosters an emotional connection to the material being learned. Reflection also provides a forum for the ongoing feedback emphasized by educational neuroscientists as key to learning.
Feedback: Educational neuroscientists such as Dr. Judy Willis emphasize the importance of ongoing feedback throughout educational experiences to promote strengthening of neural networks. When learners can see their progression and receive ongoing feedback about what they did well and what they need to do to improve, intrinsic motivation is increased because they see the work as what Dr. Willis calls an “achievable challenge” (Willis, 2011). According to Dr. Willis when learners see that they have progressed through a challenge-even if it is not complete, they experience a pleasurable dopamine response and increased intrinsic motivation to continue learning. Ongoing reflective practice is a vehicle for providing this feedback and support to promote buy in, ownership over learning, and a positive view of learning.
As a proponent of reflective practice in education and group work, I am excited about the research on the brain and learning that helps us understand WHY reflection is such a key ingredient to learning. For more reading on this subject check out these valuable resources on the brain and learning:
Medina, John. (2008). Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home and School. Seattle, WA: Pear Press.
Willis, Judy. (2006). Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.www.radteach.com (Judy Willis’ website)
Wang, Sam and Aamodt, Sandra. Welcome to Your Brain (2008)
Wang, Sam & Aamodt, Sandra. (2011) Welcome to Your Child’s Brain. Bloomsbury Publishing. Their website also has great resources:
Dewey, J. (1933). How We Think: A Restatement of the Relation of Reflective Thinking to the Educative Process. Boston: D.C. Heath.
Dewey, John. (1938) Experience and Education. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co.
Willis, Judy (2010) ASCD Edge “Want Children to Pay Attention? Make Their Brain’s Curious. www.radteach.com (Judy Willis’ website) |
I originally posted the following information and commentary onto my Facebook wall…
What Really Happened at the First Thanksgiving? The Wampanoag Side of the Tale:
When you hear about the Pilgrims and “the Indians” harmoniously sharing the “first Thanksgiving” meal in 1621, the Indians referred to so generically are the ancestors of the contemporary members of the Wampanoag Nation. As the story commonly goes, the Pilgrims who sailed from England on the Mayflower and landed at what became Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620 had a good harvest the next year. So Plymouth Gov. William Bradford organized a feast to celebrate the harvest and invited a group of “Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit” to the party. The feast lasted three days and, according to chronicler Edward Winslow, Bradford sent four men on a “fowling mission” to prepare for the feast and the Wampanoag guests brought five deer to the party. And ever since then, the story goes, Americans have celebrated Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. Not exactly, Ramona Peters, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s Tribal Historic Preservation Officer told Indian Country Today Media Network in a conversation on the day before Thanksgiving 2012—391 years since that mythological “first Thanksgiving.”
My Commentary: Care to add a slice of history to your Thanksgiving plate? |
Common Applications Of Impedance Analyzer
Impedance analyzers have a wide range of applications including material analysis, device characterization, component testing and bioimpedance
It measures impedance parameters such as capacitance, inductance and resistance, which can be achieved by measuring the phase-to-voltage ratio. This ratio gives the basic impedance values, such as absolute impedance and phase, as well as the real and imaginary parts of the impedance.
It not only has this function, but also has the function of scanning the frequency and graphically displaying the acquired impedance parameters. |
Definition of Religion is the opiate of the masses
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Religion is the opiate of the masses Definition from Language, Idioms & Slang Dictionaries & Glossaries
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Religion is the opiate of the masses Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries
Wikipedia English - The Free Encyclopedia
"Religion is the opium of the people" is one of the most frequently paraphrased statements of German economist Karl Marx. It was translated from the German original, "Die Religion ... ist das Opium des Volkes" and is often referred to as "the religion... is the opiate of the masses." The quotation originates from the introduction of his proposed work A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right; this work was never written, but the introduction (written in 1843) was published in 1844 in Marx's own journal Deutsch-Französische Jahrbücher, a collaboration with Arnold Ruge. The phrase "This opium you feed your people" appeared in 1797 in Marquis de Sade's text L'Histoire de Juliette and Novalis's "[R]eligion acts merely as an opiate" around the same time. The full quote from Karl Marx is: "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people".
|See more at Wikipedia.org...| |
The theoretical possibility of the use of electromagnetic generators to power our homes and businesses has been studied for a very long time. One name that is familiar to many people and closely associated with the study of electromagnetism is that of Nikola Tesla. He was born in 1856 and passed away in New York City in 1943, so these ideas have been around for decades, but they had never been fully developed until recently. Now, you can find the plans for building electromagnetic generators online, and when you read what people who are using them have to say, it is clear that they are very effective and easy to construct.
When you look around at the earth, the solar system, and the galaxy, you see that electromagnetic energy is the driving force behind all of the motion that we see, and of course in our system the solar magnetic field is the most powerful force. The magnetic field of the moon is what causes the tides to ebb and flow, and indeed, the magnetic poles of the earth create a magnetic field around the planet itself. It seems as though the universe is powered by an organic electromagnetic generator of sorts, so it is only natural that we would eventually tap into this force and use it to get our own free electricity.
Most people are surprised to to find out that the United States gets around 67% percent of its electricity through the consumption of coal and natural gas. These fossil fuels, particularly coal, do not burn clean, and this takes an enormous toll on the environment. And beyond that, they are finite resources, so we will run out of them eventually, and the cost of these fuels will rise as they become more scarce. Electromagnetic generators are a viable alternative, and we can all start to build our own energy independence by simply obtaining the plans and the materials and taking action.
One of the best reasons to consider using electromagnetic generators to provide you with power rather than buying it from the big energy monopolies is purely economic. When the economy is slow, it has a snowball effect that has far reaching impact, and it is hard to turn that momentum around. A lack of economic growth results in high unemployment, and when a lot of people are out there looking for jobs, those that have them need to be looking over their shoulders. It’s hard to demand a raise when there are so many job seekers in the marketplace, so these days it’s hard to anticipate a lot of wage growth.
So the best way to free up some extra money is to get rid of some expenses, and electromagnetic generators can save you thousand of dollars over the course of the year, and that can make a big impact on your finances. Depending on your average electric bill, the use of electromagnetic generators can save you as much four or five hundred dollars a month. That’s cold hard cash in your pocket, and if you got a hundred dollar a week raise at work you would surely be celebrating, so this is nothing to sneeze at.
One of the very appealing things about electromagnetic generators is that they are very simple to construct using easy to follow directions that you can find online. The cost to get started is very low as well, so this free energy power resource is within reach of the everyday consumer who is working with a tight budget.
The money that you save using electromagnetic generators is significant, but there are other advantages to going off grid as well. When you use a free energy generator you are doing no harm to the environment, and you are making sure that you will have electricity even if the power lines go down due to some sort of natural disaster or other emergency. If you want to continue to enjoy a decent degree of economic freedom during tough times reducing your expenses is key, and use of electromagnetic generators is an ideal way to trim the economic fat.
When you think about what you would need in the event of some sort of disaster or civil emergency, one of the most important things is electricity, and this reality is spurring an increasing interest in electromagnetic generators. When you look at the government’s responses to some of the situations that have occurred in recent years, it becomes painfully clear that you really can’t count on anyone to make sure that your needs are met other than yourself. Some people are angered by this, but the best way to use that emotion is as inspiration to take control of your own life and build an energy generator.
There is an unlimited store of free power available to all of us through the harnessing of electromagnetic energy, and this was known all the way back in the late 1800s when Nikola Tesla was making his research public. Simply put, magnets have the power to move things, and that movement can be used to power a magnetic generator. The magnetic motor free energy generators that are out there use very finely placed magnets to turn plates or rotors, and that rotation is the source of the power. These electromagnetic generators really work, and if you are skeptical at all, you can actually find video of them in action on the Internet if you do a search.
If you don’t want to be at the mercy of the government and the power monopolies, electromagnetic generators are the ideal solution to give you total autonomy. This is some incredible peace of mind to have in the event of an emergency, but even when the grid is up and running it is far better to generate your own free energy rather than paying the corporations to provide it to you. Emergency preparation is a serious matter in these turbulent and uncertain times, and electromagnetic generators are a very good way to make sure that you are prepared in the event of an energy outage or shutdown of any kind.
The cost of the power that we buy from the big corporate energy monopolies is steadily on the rise, and this fact of life has a lot of people looking into alternative solutions such as electromagnetic generators. There was a time when the principles of electromagnetism that lie at the root of magnetic generator technology had not been fully developed into a workable device, but now, electromagnetic generators are available to everyone, and the use of these free generators is increasing dramatically by the day. We no longer have to rely on the electricity companies for power, and it is so easy to get started using an electromagnetic generator you will be truly amazed.
There are some companies already offering magnetic motor free energy generators, but the most cost effective and efficient way to tap into the the power of electromagnetic energy is to build your own energy generator. It has been widely theorized that the plans for building electromagnetic generators have existed for decades but been have been suppressed by the powers that be who don’t want people to be able to generate free electricity. These days, however, due to the freedom that world wide web affords us, this suppression can no longer take place, and the instructions for building your own electromagnetic generator can be easily accessed by anyone who has a computer and an Internet connection.
For many people the thought of getting off the grid and using an electromagnetic generator to power their homes sounds like a fantastic idea, but a luxury rather than a necessity. However, the fossil fuels that are presently used to provide most of our electricity are a limited resource, and as it gets more difficult to extract them prices will skyrocket. So, the use of electromagnetic generators may not be a luxury at all–they may become a necessity when you can no longer afford the high cost of staying on the corporate power grid. Everyone should do their research and consider converting to magnetic energy generation, both to save money in the near term and protect themselves from the inevitable price increases that loom over the horizon as fossil fuels become more scarce.
There are some very legitimate concerns about the long term viability of burning fossil fuels as our primary source of power, and electromagnetic generators are the obvious solution to this impending problem. Many people don’t realize that some 67% of the electricity that we use here in the United States is generated through the burning of coal (46%), natural gas (20%), and petroleum (1%). These resources are costly to extract, and they do not exist in unlimited quantities, plus, they pollute the environment (claims about “clean coal” notwithstanding). The use of electromagnetic generators would eliminate the need for these expensive, finite and environmentally harmful fossil fuels.
When you consider the science behind electromagnetic generators you immediately realize that they are one of the most efficient alternative energy solutions available today. The way the electromagnetic generator works is that very strong magnets are placed in just the right way to spin a rotor, and this rotor powers the generator. It is as simple as that, and electromagnetic generators are now on the market, but if you prefer to do it yourself, you can get plans online that spell out exactly how to build one of these free energy generators for yourself.
The key to making sure that you are prepared for the future as fossil fuel availability continues to dwindle is to get busy building alternatives as soon as possible. What do you think is going to happen as it gets harder and harder to extract fossil fuels from the ground? Of course, prices will steadily rise, and before you know it you may be paying so much for power that you have virtually no discretionary income. Electromagnetic generators are the wise choice for people who can see over the horizon, and there is really no time to waste if you want to be prepared for the changing times ahead. |
The BOLD AND FULL feature for today is Rebecca West (21 December 1892 – 15 March 1983), a British journalist and author.
Rebecca West was born in 1892 in Kerry, Ireland. Born with the name Cicely Isabel Fairfield, she changed her name to Rebecca West after a rebellious heroin in the play Rosmerholm. Rebecca had a love for words and HUSTLED her way to fame as an author and journalist. She wrote the first World War I novel by a woman and was known as one of the best reporters and writers of her time. Rebecca RADIATED when she spoke about politics and often gave lectures on equal rights. “I myself have never been able to find out precisely what a feminist is. I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.”
In 1948 she received the Women’s Press Club Award for Journalism from President Truman, who named her the “World’s Best Reporter”. She continued to have success in all she did by CREATING the life she dreamed, and paved the way for women throughout the 20th Century. Rebecca died on March 15, 1983, but her words will last forever.
Get Rebecca's Braxton Beaded Elongated Diamond Earrings. |
Free Fatty Acids in Feed Kill Cod Larvae, According to Research02 August 2012
NORWAY - The researchers wanted to investigate whether forfordøyd (hydrolysed) fat in the diet would increase the utilisation of fat and lead to increased growth and development in farmed cod in the first phase of life. The results of the study, now published in the British Journal of Nutrition, showed the opposite."We found a strong correlation between the increased amount of free fatty acids and mortality in cod larvae. Even small amounts can be deadly," says a researcher at NIFES, Øystein Blessed.
Free fatty acids are the chemical form of fat gets after the original molecular structures are broken down during digestion. The fat can be digested artificially by means of hydro stabilization before adding food.
"The discovery means that one must be very careful that the contents of free fatty acids in the feed for farmed cod is as low as possible. There is no margin of safety," says Blessed.
A common assumption has been that it is oxidation of free fatty acids that cause toxic food for cod. NIFES study disprove this theory. The researchers tested the relevant genetic markers of stress, but found no effect.
In the experiments, groups of cod larvae fed for 30 days with six diets with different amounts forfordøyd (hydrolysed) fat. After just a few days the larvae had problems. Mortality increased with the amount of free fatty acids in the feed.
"We thought the fine would cope with the lowest values. But they did not. On the contrary, we saw that after a short time and small amounts of free fatty acids was fatal damage to the intestine. Finally, the cell walls of the intestine in the resolution," said Blessed.
Now we hope he and the research team at NIFES to have the opportunity to do model studies in zebrafish. This way they can get more general knowledge about how the free fatty acids affect the organisms. This knowledge may eventually be relevant for human medicine.
"There is little research before in this field. An older study in piglets suggest that the mechanisms in the intestines of mammals are very similar to those found in fish. But this is too early to say anything substantial about," says Blessed.
TheFishSite News Desk |
Feature Articles: Food, Fitness and Cooking and Produce
Sooty Blotch in Apples Not a Health Concern
Janet Hackert, CPD, Nutrition and Health
Education Specialist in Harrison County, University of
This year the apple harvest has been bountiful! But some of those beautiful apples show blemishes caused by sooty blotch. Although they may not look nice, these apples “do not pose a health risk,” says Dr Michael Ellis from the Department of Plant Pathology at Ohio State University.
An apple with sooty blotch has brown-to-dull black spots. The spots do not have clear-cut edges, but rather have an indefinite outline. The spots may be confined to one small area or may cover most of the fruit’s surface. Most commonly this problem occurs with Golden Delicious or Grimes apples, but may show up on any variety.
Sooty blotch is caused by a fungal infection. It is particularly prevalent later in a season when May and June were cool and wet and July and August were hot and dry – much like we have had in many parts of northwest Missouri this year.
The good news is that sooty blotch is only ‘skin deep.’ Because it is confined to the surface of the fruit, it is easy to remove it. As Dr. Ellis reports, “Removal of the fungus by washing, rubbing or peeling the fruit results in fruit that is acceptable for cooking or eating fresh.” Whether the process is to remove sooty blotch or any number of potentially dangerous microorganisms, washing and rubbing any type of fruit is recommended to keep that food safe to eat.
Keep apples at 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal long-term storage. Apples at this temperature last far longer than apples kept at room temperature. Temperatures in a garage or basement may be cool and will prolong the shelf life of apples. Even better would be to use a spare refrigerator where apples would be kept at a constant temperature. For apples with sooty blotch, the same storage conditions are recommended. Even after being held in cold storage, “sooty blotch could increase, but not be a health risk,” says Dr. Ellis.
Last update: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 |
India is not producing enough doctors. The country faces a shortage of 5 lakh doctors. The World Health Organisation (WHO) prescribes a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:1,000.
India has a doctor-patient ratio of 1:1,596. This means for every 1,000 people seeking medical treatment there is less than one doctor (0.62). The situation is worse in rural areas.
The Narendra Modi government hopes the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill will bridge this gap and give a fillip to the healthcare system in the country. But the bill is being opposed by practising doctors.
The NMC bill was passed Parliament, with the Rajya Sabha approving the legislation on Thursday.
The NMC bill, after getting approval from the President, will replace the Indian Medical Council Act of 1956. It will also replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body called the National Medical Commission.
The call to revamp health administration started arising when the MCI was hit by a huge corruption scandal leading to arrest of its chief Ketan Desai in 2010 and dissolution of the medical body.
It was recreated in 2013 and dissolved again in 2018. Currently, a board of governors regulates the entire health infrastructure of the medical bodies under the MCI.
This will change with the formation of the 25-member NMC. The MCI set standards of medical education, regulated admission to medical colleges and oversaw registration of doctors.
The NMC will regulate fees for half of the sets in medical colleges at both MBBS and postgraduate level in all private and deemed universities. It will also review seat distribution arrangements in various medical colleges to bring uniformity as far as possible.
The government argues that this provision will make medical education affordable even to poor people. The Indian Medical Association, the largest body of doctors in India, does not agree. It said the NMC bill is pro-private management and will lead to corruption hampering the chances of aspirants from poor financial background.
The NMC bill proposes to set a single graduation examination for MBBS degree, eligibility to get admission in the postgraduate course and licence to practice.
This will be called NEXT or the National Exit Test. This will also be the screening test for foreign students aspiring to get medical education in India. India does not have provision for a uniform screening test for a foreigner to get admission in one of the medical colleges in India.
Combining with NEET or the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), NEXT will be the basis for all admissions in the medical colleges including in those of national importance such AIIMS, which was created by a separate law passed by Parliament.
This provision has been opposed by resident doctors of AIIMS who allege that the independence of the premier medical institute will be compromised.
However, the most contentious provision of the NMC bill is Section 32, which allows nearly 2.5 lakh community health providers (CHP) in the villages to prescribe drugs to patients. Protesting doctors and Opposition leaders say the government is practically authorising quacks to play with the life of unsuspecting patients in remote villages.
The government, however, says that the community health providers will play the role of game-changer if they are recognised following a proper registration process. Similar experiments in Assam and Chhattisgarh have lifted the quality of medical healthcare in the villages of these two states. A national rural health mission report said the medical services provided by such community health providers in villages are as good as MBBS doctors.
The NMC bill aims at creating a competitive environment among the medical colleges by introducing an annual ranking system. The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) will be set up to conduct assessment of the medical colleges and put in place a system for ranking medical institutes.
The MARB will be the topmost body to sanction opening of new medical colleges, adding a postgraduate course in an existing MBBS college and the number of seats in each of these institutes.
Recommendations for replacing MCI with a new body or two separate bodies for regulation of medical education and medical practice were made 10 years ago by the Yashpal Committee and the National Knowledge Commission.
The NMC bill does not reflect a structure as suggested by these panels but it incorporated some of the changes suggested by a standing committee of Parliament and Niti Aayog in 2016. |
Chemical classification systems attempt to classify as elements or compounds according to certain chemical functional or structural properties. Where as the structural properties are largely intrinsic, functional properties and the derived classifications depend to a certain degree on the type of chemical interaction partners on which the function is exerted. Sometimes other criteria like purely physical ones (e.g. molecular weight) or - on the other hand - functional properties above the chemical level are also used for building chemical taxonomies.
Some systems mix the various levels, resulting in hierarchies where the domains are slightly confused, for example having structural and functional aspects end up on the same level. Whereas chemical function is closely dependent on chemical structure, the situation becomes more involved when e.g. pharmacological function is integrated, because the QSAR can usually not be directly computed from structural qualities.
- by molecular weight
- by electrical charge: uncharged, positively, negatively, partially charged
- pH value
See also: biological activity
- Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
- Chemical Entities of Biological Interest |
The incidence of stroke is increasing in this country as more Americans are diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, all of which are risk factors for this devastating disease. Fortunately, the risk of stroke can be reduced significantly by keeping high blood pressure under better control. Although blood pressure medications play an important role in doing this, there’s another simple dietary change that may not only lower blood pressure, but also reduce stroke risk. Surprisingly, reducing stroke risk may be as simple as increasing potassium in the diet.
Potassium to Reduce Stroke Risk: What Do Studies Show?
Several studies have demonstrated the role potassium plays in controlling blood pressure and reducing the risk of stroke. A study published in the American Journal of Hypertension showed that adults who had low levels of potassium were at increased risk of stroke, while another showed that a diet high in potassium from natural sources could reduce the risk of stroke by up to forty percent.
Why is It So Important to Reduce Stroke Risk?
Reducing stroke risk is particularly important for those with hypertension. The risk of stroke is higher in those with elevated blood pressure, particularly when blood pressure is poorly controlled. The consequences of a stroke can be devastating. Stroke not only has a high mortality rate, but it can result in long term physical and mental disability. Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and the third most common cause of mortality in the United States. The reality is that twenty-five percent of all stroke victims either die soon after the event or require long-term, specialized care.
How Much Potassium is Needed Each Day?
The good news is to reduce stroke risk it may be necessary to add only a few additional servings of potassium-rich foods to the diet on a daily basis. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables are among the best for increasing potassium levels; and most experts recommend around 3500 mg of dietary potassium each day. Some exceptionally good sources of potassium are raisin, potatoes, bananas, lima beans, spinach, and orange juice. Whole grain foods are other excellent sources of potassium and also contain magnesium which helps to control blood pressure and indirectly reduces the incidence of stroke. Complete lists of potassium-rich foods can be found by searching the internet.
A Word of Caution
Although increasing potassium in the diet is an effective way to reduce stroke risk, large quantities of potassium can be dangerous for those with kidney disease since high levels can build up and lead to irregularities in heart rhythm. Potassium supplements should never be taken without blood tests and close monitoring. Increasing potassium by eating fresh fruits and vegetables is the safest way to get the benefits of this important mineral.
The Bottom Line on Potassium to Reduce Stroke Risk
Adding more natural sources of potassium to the diet can be an excellent way to help control blood pressure and decrease stroke risk. Just one more reason to eat those fruits and veggies. |
The Florida rock crabs are a shellfish found mainly in the eastern North Atlantic, between Cuba and also Texas, along with in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, and also the East Shore of America. They can also be located around salt marshes in South Carolina and also Georgia. They are extensively eaten for sporting activity. The meat from this varieties is utilized as fish lure. Though not critically endangered yet, they are taken into consideration by the majority of researchers to be overfished as well as their populations are rapid decreasing. Though there have actually been extremely few documents of the Florida rock crabs in the wild, they prevail in captivity. They prefer a range of environments – both marine and freshwater. Their all-natural habitats tend to overlap in particular locations. They are located in hectic streams, springs, bays, tidewaters, along the coasts, mangroves and along beaches. They have a tendency to be solitary animals, although a couple of pairs endeavor out right into the open to feed. Florida rock crabs are shipped across the world annually from a few pick locations. They are typically collected off virgin bays as well as coastal locations. They are mainly harvested throughout the warmer months of the year. During the winter, when temperature levels are cooler, they are relocated deeper into the waters. Their shells are very carefully cleaned up, dried and then returned to the sea where they hatch. These pets are located to inhabit the swamps and also marshy areas of Florida. Their all-natural environments tend to overlap with those of guy. They can expand large claws and also utilize them to get, climb and maneuver through the Everglades. As they make their method right into the Everglades, they frequently ruin the eco-system that sustains the native pet populations. In Florida, they are harvested readily for their durable capacity to hold up against cool temperatures and the risks of delivery. During the harvesting process, which may use up to 3 days, the animals are delicately given the watercraft. Once in the water, they are placed on either sides of a huge steel web. The primary trouble faced is their lack of ability to swim out into the bays, once they get to the open waters, they will swiftly remove in the direction of the sea. The harvesting of these exotic animals is done mostly by government certificate. The breeding of these lovely creatures is also done on a smaller sized range at hatcheries that lie in Florida. All-natural breeding grounds do not position any type of danger to the public’s health and wellness, as the animals are reproduced as well as raised in stringent control. |
The Museums of Nevsehir and Cappadocia Underground Cities,
The first steps to establish a museum in Nevsehir, which is in the Central Anatolian region of Cappadocia and the site of the Rock Churches, were taken when archaeological and ethnographic works were stored in the Damad Ibrahim Pasha Library. Later on, in 1965 the Imaret (soup kitchen) building of the Damad Ibrahim Pasha Kulliye was repaired and turned into a museum which was opened to the public in 1967.
The Nevsehir Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum is housed in the Imaret building which was built by Sadrazam Damad Ibrahim Pasha at the beginning of the XVIII century. It has three rooms which are arranged as follows.
The room I: This room contains photographs of architectural works and clothing from the XVIII century, miniatures depicting scenes from palace life, manuscript books, and writing sets.
The Room II: This room contains archaeological works. These include prehistoric axes and earthenware dishes, Hittite pottery, Phrygian fibulas and ornaments, Byzantine bracelets and mother of pearl pictures of Jesus, and various objects from the Roman period.
The Room III: This room contains ethnographic works and examples of hand craftsmanship. Among them are porcelain and tiles, dishes, console gas lamps, clothing from the Ottoman period, bows and arrows, weapons, kitchen utensils, and jewelry. Exhibited in the garden of the Museum are large water jars from the Byzantine period, mill stones and inscriptions, grave steles, sacrificial altars and building stones from various periods.
Archaeological and ethnographic works from the region of Urgup were at first exhibited in the Peoples Library from 1965 until 1971 when the new museum building constructed in Urgup was opened and the works exhibited there. The works in the museum can be divided into two groups: One archaeological containing Prehistoric ceramics, and dishes, figurines, lamps, steles, statues, metal and glass objects and ornaments from the Hittite, Phrygian, Roman, and Byzantine periods, and one group ethnographical containing clothes, embroidery, tapestries, jewelry, manuscripts, and weapons. Stone works and clay water jars are exhibited in the Museum garden.
Cappadocia Underground Cities:
During the incursions of the Moslem Arabs which began in the VII century during the Byzantine period, the Christians living in Cappadocia were from time to time obliged to hide in underground dwellings. The most important of these underground cities were opened up after 1965, cleaned out, lit up and opened as museums. The most important of these are those at Kaymakli 201km. south of Nevsehir, and at Derinkuyu 48 km. from Nevsehir. Both of them have rooms on five levels linked by labyrinthine paths. There are also underground cities at Avanos, Ozkonak, Cardak, Karacaoren, and Mucur. |
A new study is one of the first to explore and demonstrate the impact of electronic record systems on quality of medical care in a developing country. This study is conducted by researchers from the Regenstrief Institute and the schools of medicine at Indiana University and Moi University.
In a paper published in the March 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
, Martin Chieng Were, M.D., M.S., assistant professor of medicine at the IU School of Medicine and a Regenstrief Institute investigator, and colleagues report that computer-generated reminders about overdue tests yielded nearly a 50 percent increase in the appropriate ordering of CD4 blood tests. CD4 counts are critical to monitoring the health of patients with HIV and guide treatment decisions.
The research evaluating impact of just-in-time clinician support (implemented within electronic medical records) on health care provider behavior and quality of care was conducted in clinics in Eldoret, Kenya. The comparative study, which is one of the first to use computer-generated clinical reminders in sub-Saharan Africa, found that clinical summaries with computer-generated reminders significantly improved clinician adherence to CD4 testing guidelines.
This work is particularly significant because of the many medical errors that occur in settings where too few skilled health-care providers deal with a large patient population with critical illnesses. In developed countries, patients with HIV are often seen by infectious disease specialists for their HIV care. In contrast, a large number of HIV-positive patients in resource-limited countries like Kenya are taken care of by clinical officers whose level of training is similar to that of nurse practitioners. The combination of overworked staff with limited training, increasingly busy clinics, the challenges of providing chronic disease management, and the difficulty of keeping up-to-date often results in suboptimal patient care.
"We need to improve quality of care in the developing world at a time when funding for HIV and other diseases is stagnating or decreasing - which means we will have to do it with fewer personnel as the number of patients increases. Finding innovative ways to improve care within these constraints is critical. This study shows how electronic medical record systems with clinical decision support capabilities can help fill this need," said Dr. Were. In a previous study, Dr. Were and colleagues reported on approaches that can be used to successfully implement computerized clinical decision support systems in resource-limited environments.
The Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) clinics in the study employOpenMRS, an open source electronic medical record system widely used in the developing world. AMPATH, which cares for more than 120,000 HIV-infected adults and children at 25 main clinical sites in Western Kenya, is one of Africa's largest, most comprehensive and effective HIV/AIDS control systems. |
Genus: Vadasaurus BEVER & NORELL, 2017
Etymology: Latin, vadare, "to go forth," which is also the root of 'to wade'-referes to the taxon's hypothesize phylogenetic position ear the proximal end of a terrestrial-to-marine transformation series that produced the aquatic pleurosaurs-and Greek, sauros, "lizard."
Species: herzogi BEVER & NORELL, 2017
Etymology: In honor of the Bavarian film-make Werner Herzog for his continuing exploration of the relationships between life and time.
Holotype: AMNH FARB 32768
Locality: Solnhofen, Bayern (Bavaria) State, Germany.
Horizon: Lithographic, Solnhofen.
Biostratigraphy: Ulmense subzone, Hybonotum zone, Rebouletianum Horizon.
Age: Uppemrost Kimmeridgian Stage, Upper Malm Epoch, Late Jurassic.
Material: Skull and skeleton. |
About 8.1 million diabetes cases go undiagnosed. Individuals with diabetes should take some steps to control their blood sugar levels.
Since 29.1 million people of the US population have diabetes, Joy Bauer, the nutrition expert has given out few tips to monitor blood sugar levels.
Bauer suggested to start with incorporating some of the simple lifestyle changes, like monitoring blood glucose levels, taking medication as directed by doctors, maintaining a healthy weight, aiming for at least 30 minutes of activity most days of the week, keeping a food record, quitting smoking and moderating alcohol consumption.
She also recommended few simple swaps to your diet that can help you fight diabetes, like croutons on salad for toasted walnuts, ranch salad dressing for vinaigrette dressing and breadcrumbs for rolled oats in your meatballs. |
The question in the title of this post is worth asking for at least two reasons: (1) many Americans will celebrate Patrick’s holiday next week and (2) most of those Americans won’t have the foggiest idea of anything remotely historical about Patrick.
And he’s worth knowing something about.
The holiday also gives me the occasion to recommend one of my favorite history books. It’s not a page turner, but I learned something on every page. Actually, I learned something with almost every paragraph. The book is The Barbarian Conversion: From Paganism to Christianity by Richard Fletcher. For a readable, scholarly treatment on the long, slow, amazing transition in Europe from paganism to Christianity there is simply no better book.
So what does Fletcher say about Patrick?
Well, first you need to know what Patrick did not do.
He did not expel snakes from Ireland: the snakelessness of Ireland had been noted by the Roman geographer Solinus in the third century. He did not compose that wonderful hymn known as ‘Saint Patrick’s Breastplate': its language postdates him by about three centuries. He did not drive a chariot three times over his sister Lupait to punish her unchastity. . . . He did not use the leaves of the shamrock to illustrate the Persons of the Trinity for his converts: true, he might have done; but it is not until the seventeenth century that we are told that he did. (82)
Determining fact from fiction for Patrick is difficult, in part because his writings were not always passed along reliably. More important, Patrick wrote in particularly poor Latin. He received little education and did not handle Latin well. Fletcher says his Latin is “simple, awkward, laborious, sometimes ambiguous, occasionally unintelligible” (83). This makes it hard to know too much for certain.
But here’s what most scholars agree on: Patrick–whose adult life falls in the fifth century–was actually British, not Irish. He was born into a Christian family with priests and deacons for relatives, but by his own admission, he was not a good Christian growing up. As a teenager he was carried by Irish raiders into slavery in Ireland. His faith deepened during this six year ordeal. Upon escaping Ireland he went back home to Britain. While with his family he received a dream in which God called him to go back to Ireland to convert the Irish pagans to Christianity.
In his Confessio Patrick writes movingly about his burden to evangelize the Irish. He explicitly links his vocation to the commands of Scripture. Biblical allusions like “the nations will come to you from the ends of the earth” and “I have put you as a light among the nations” and “I shall make you fishers of men” flow from his pen. Seeing his life’s work through the lens of Matthew 28 and Acts 1, Patrick prayed that God would “never allow me to be separated from His people whom He has won in the end of the earth.” For Patrick, the ends of the earth was Ireland.
Over decades, Patrick made “many thousands of converts.” He evangelized in cities and in the countryside. He encouraged the monastic way of life, ordained priests, and planted churches.
Patrick, says Fletcher, “was soaked in the Bible.” This was commendable, but not completely unusual. What was new was Patrick’s embrace of the missionary mandate to lead the nations to Christ.
Patrick’s originality was that no one within western Christendom had thought such thoughts as these before, had ever previously been possessed by such convictions. As far as our evidence goes, he was the first person in Christian history to take the scriptural injunctions literally; to grasp that teaching all nations meant teaching even barbarians who lived beyond the border of the frontiers of the Roman Empire. (86)
Sounds like a man deserving of his own holiday. It’s too bad today the forefather of western missions is chiefly celebrated by drinking beer and dreaming of leprechauns. We don’t know much for certain about Patrick. But what we know of his ambition and ministry should be enough to make all of us a little green with envy. |
Invented around 1974 and patented in 1980 by English watchmaker George Daniels, master watchmaker, the Co-axial escapement is a modification of the lever escapement with some features of the detent escapement. Considered by some to be one of the most significant horological advancements since the invention of the lever escapement, the co-axial escapement functions with a system of 3 pallets that separates the locking function from the impulse, avoiding the sliding friction of the lever escapement. This makes lubrication of the pallets unnecessary and thereby eliminates one of the shortcomings of the traditional lever escapement.
The critical virtue of the Daniels Escapement is the virtual elimination of the sliding friction component; i.e., the sliding of the pallet stones over the teeth of the escape wheel. What little sliding friction remains is due to the impossibility of maintaining an exact tangential geometry throughout the duration of an impulse.
Radial friction vs. sliding friction
By utilizing radial friction instead of sliding friction at the impulse surfaces the co-axial escapement significantly reduces friction, theoretically resulting in longer service intervals and greater accuracy over time.
The escapement was commercialized in 1999 by Omega SA when it introduced the first mass-produced watch incorporating the technology. When it first came to the market as the Caliber 2500, it had an oscillation rate of 28,800 bph (8 bt/s), considered a "hi-beat" movement. But the rate was reduced to 25,200 bph (7 bt/s) in the Caliber 2500C. "While Daniels has recognized the advantages of higher beat movements, he has also noted that they aggravate the problem of sliding friction in the escapement (at the escape teeth and pallets). Higher beat movements produce increased speed and pressure at these critical surfaces."
- Daniels, George. "About George Daniels". Daniels London. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
- Thompson, Curtis (2001). "Where George Daniels shopped the Co-Axial...". Chuck Maddox home page. Retrieved 2008-06-12. 17 June 2001 Addendum
- Nicolet, J.C. (1999). "Could you explain the mechanism of the coaxial watch?". Questions in Time. Europa star online. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
- Odets, Walt (1999). "The Omega Coaxial: An impressive achievement". The Horologium. TimeZone.com. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
- Woodward, P., Performance of the Daniels Coaxial Escapement, Horological Journal, August 2004, pages 283-285, at page 283
- Zbinden, H., Zbinden, H., Of Larger Balances, High Beat and Important Oils, TZ Classics No. 1591,Timezone, Dec. 26, 2000, quoting Odets, W.
- Description and animation of Omega's co-axial escapement
- The Omega Co-axial:An Impressive Achievement by Walt Odets
- Performance of the Daniels Coaxial Escapement by Phillip Woodward
- Questions in Time column about the history leading to the co-axial escapement by Professor J.C. Nicolet
- Clear images, and an animation, of the co-axial escapement by Siméon Lapinbleu
- line drawing animation of the daniels co-axial escapement Mark Headrick's Horology Page |
Experiments with Carrots (for Kids!)
What can kids learn from experimenting with a carrot? Try these simple experiments.
Main Sections: The root - Absorption - Cross Section - Hunkins Experiment
Carrot Imprint - Make a Carrot Battery - Magic - Plant fun - Giant Carrot - Veins
What Floats? - Make a pump - Carrot in a bottle - Make Carrot Paper - A Carrot Submarine
Some colouring-in sheets here.
Also, you must try Mr Carrot Head - Make a unique face to keep! Click here.
See the Carrot Toys page here. Kids Craft items here.
More games and tricks on the Fun page here.
Origami Carrot instructions - here.
(a) Windowsill Carrot Plant - Cut the top off a carrot leaving about 1/2 inch of the orange part and the same amount of green stems if the carrot has already started sprouting from the top. Press the carrot piece into damp sand or soil in a saucer or bowl. Just put a little water into the dish if sand/soil are not available. Soon pretty leaves could appear and hey presto you have a nice plant to keep at a window in bright light. The root will not regenerate itself, but if there is enough of the root left, it is possible to plant it and get some foliage from it. It is impossible to grow another carrot from the vestige of an existing root. Some plants have adventitious roots, carrot is not one of them. It is a taproot. It's an internet myth spread by, amongst others , the Daily Telegraph!! - After a few days, you will observe small fern like leaves, just like the carrot plant.
More information on the Cultivation page here.
(b) - A Touch
harder - Cut off the stems in the same way, but remove only 2 inches
from the tip of the carrot itself. Now hollow out the carrot. You may need
help with this, and the next part which gets the carrot ready for hanging
down. Stick three strong pins into the carrot bottom to attach string to
each. Attach the three strings so that you can hang the carrot from where
they are tied together. Keep the hollowed out carrot filled with water. Soon
the stem will start to grow from the bottom. Very soon they will curl up
around the carrot to make a ferny hanging plant. Great fun for kids.
(c) The Hanging Carrot Garden
For this you need: Large carrot, Knife , Absorbent cotton, Water, Dish, Wooden skewer , Potato peeler, Thread.
Cut a section about 2 inches from the top of the carrot. Leave any leaves or stalks attached. Stand the cut end in a dish of water on top of the absorbent cotton.
Once shoots have sprouted, remove and scoop a hollow bowl into the end of he carrot using a potato peeler. Push the wooden skewer through the top half of the carrot. Tie the same size length of thread for each side of the skewer. Hang the carrot up in a sunny window and fill the inside "bowl" with water. The shoots will grow up to the light, and you will soon have a hanging garden!
B. Experiments with Carrot Roots
Experiment No1 - Get to the root
What You Need:
3 Carrots; Sharp knife; Cutting board; Glass; Water; Red food colouring
What You Do:
1. Fill a glass half full with water.
2. Cut the end tip off of a carrot. Ask an adult to help you!
3. Put the carrot in the glass of water.
4. Put the glass near a window that lets in sunshine.
5. Watch the carrot for a few days.
What Is Happening
The carrot itself is really what we call a "taproot." This is a big and main root that grows straight down into the ground. Along its sides, little roots grow, too. Some trees, plants and bushes have a major taproot; others do not. Roots are really important! They hold a plant in place when it is windy. They keep soil around the plant . And most of all, roots conduct water from the soil up to the plant.
Experiment No 2 - Root Fun No 2 - absorption
1. Repeat the first experiment with a new carrot, but this time put 10 drops of red food colouring into the glass of water.
2. Put the carrot in the water for several days.
3. Put the carrot on the cutting board and with the help of an adult, cut the carrot in half. Look inside. You will see red colouring in the tubes of the carrot that go from the bottom to the top of it. This shows you that water was being absorbed by the bottom or tip of the carrot and travelling up the inside of the carrot. This is how plants and trees get water from their roots.
Experiment No 3 - Root cross section
Repeat this same experiment as above but this time cut the carrot in a cross section. Then you can look at how the carrot is structured from that point of view.
What Is Happening?
Radishes, beets, turnips and parsnips are also taproots. You might want to get some of these and cut them to see how they are made. It also is interesting that we eat many taproots!
Try steaming, baking or eating these taproots raw! As you think about plants that we eat, check out which veggies we eat that are the stem parts, the leaves, or the flowering part of the plant. Some plants, stems, roots, taproots and flowers are delicious!
A clear glass or plastic cup; A small carrot that will fit inside the cup; A clear plastic straw; Four toothpicks; A candle; A few drops of ink or food colouring (optional)
What To Do:
1. Scoop the leafy top out of the end of the carrot, making a small hollow.
2. Cut a 5 cm length off the end of the plastic straw.
3. Push the piece of straw into the hollowed-out end of the carrot.
4. Light the candle and use melted candle wax to seal the piece of straw onto the carrot.
5. Push the toothpicks into the top of the carrot, spacing them evenly.
6. Fill the cup with tap water, almost to the rim.
7. Suspend the carrot in water, resting the toothpicks on the rim of the cup.
8. Leave for a day or two and watch what happens.
Can you guess what's going On?
When a carrot grows in the ground, its cells transfer the water in the ground up to the stalks and leaves above ground by a process called osmosis. You can see osmosis at work in this activity. Osmotic pressure has pushed water up into the straw. Osmotic pressure is a kind of pump for plants, helping water to move across cell walls.
Sensitized photosensitive persons, of which there are quite a few in the world!! may get an exact reproduction of the carrot leaf by placing it on the skin for awhile, followed by exposure to sunshine. Try it and let us know.
Carrot in a bottle - There are lots of instructions on line, try this one - http://homesteadlifestyle.com/how-to-grow-carrots-in-a-soda-bottle/
How to grow a giant carrot
You should always "dig in" any giant vegetable deep with lots of organic matter, take extra care over feeding, watering and pest control and, if showing, harvest at the very last moment for freshness.
Fill a 6 inch-wide 4 foot long drainpipe with clean fine sand. (Always be optimistic). Make a hole in the sand with a long pole and fill it with good potting compost. Sow three seeds in the compost and thin to the best one when they have germinated.
Water from the top for the first two months and thereafter from the bottom to encourage the roots to seek out moisture. At harvest time wash out as much sand as possible using a hosepipe before very gently pulling up the carrot. If you pull too hard you may damage the long tapering root.
Here is an example of Hunkins fine work. For more examples see the web site. Click here.
This activity uses a common carrot and
two different metals to make a enough electricity to run a small digital
Materials: Two Large Raw Carrots; 2 Pennies; 2 Large Galvanized Nails; 3 pieces of 6" long wire; Small Digital Clock (Tandy (Radio Shack) or Maplin - "Stick-on Timer" £3.50/ $4.99.
The digital clock can be extracted from an inexpensive alarm clock or it can be purchased from an electronics store.
Slice of about 1 inch from each carrot and discard. Place the remaining pieces next to each other, flat face down on a plate.
Strip off about 2 inches of insulation from both ends of each wire.
Wrap one end of one wire around one of the nails. Press the nail into one of the carrots pieces.
Wrap one end of another wire around one of the pennies. Do this by first laying the penny across the exposed wire. Position the penny so it is centered on the wire and almost touching where the wire insulation begins. Fold the end of the exposed wire over the top of the penny. Pinch the penny and wire between your index finger and thumb on one hand and pinch the overlapping wire with the other hand. Twist the penny until the wire tightens around the penny. Press the edge of the penny about half way into the other carrot. You could drill holes in the pennies to make it easier to attach the wires.
Attach one end of the third wire to the nail and the other end to the penny. (see photo below)
Insert the nail into the carrot that already has the penny stuck into it then stick the penny into the carrot that already has the nail stuck into it.
Pop the back off the timer and remove the button battery
Connect the two wires coming from the potato battery to the contact on the battery holder. If the clock does not illuminate the polarity (+ / -) might be incorrect. Touch the wires to the opposite contacts on the timer's battery holder.
How does it work?
The carrot contains phosphoric acid. This acid causes chemical reactions to occur at each of the electrodes (galvanized nail and copper penny). The reaction at the copper electrode strips electrons from the copper and attaches them to the Hydrogen ions (2H+) in the phosphoric acid. This depletes the electrons on the copper electrode which makes if "hungry" for more. The process creates Hydrogen gas.
The galvanized nail provides the Zinc needed for the other reaction. The reaction at the galvanized nail dissolves the Zinc. The dissolving process strips electrons from the Zinc atoms. The liberated electrons stay on the electrode and the resulting Zinc ions (Zn++) migrate into the acidic juices of the potato. This results in an excess of electrons on the Zinc electrode. If a wire is connected between the Zinc nail and the copper penny, electrons will flow. This flow of electrons is the electrical voltage.
When the battery was to an oscilloscope and measured a voltage of 0.5 Volts. Several carrot batteries can be connected in series to generate a higher voltage. The experiment also works (better!) with potato.
Swallow a Goldfish (trick)
Swallowing a Live Goldfish! (The Secret).
You're not going to believe the method.
It's so ridiculous, but it works! What you need:
One carrot. One goldfish bowl nearby. Cut up the carrot and carve out a small fish-shaped piece about an inch-and-a-half long.
Really. (Yeah, that's how it's done!) Place the carrot-fish in your coat pocket and wait for an appropriate moment.
The Performance: It's all a gag, really. Just ham this up... When the right "moment" presents itself, palm the carrot in your hand. Since no one has a clue what you are preparing to do, don't try to make a "move" of this, please.
Then, roll up the sleeve, plunge the hand into the gold fish bowl, pull out the "fish" by the tail, hold it up and wiggle it, pop it into your mouth and partake of the "meal". (Expect some very unusual reactions to this stunt.) Then, just step over the bodies of those who've fainted as you dab the corners of your mouth with a napkin!
Please note: If you plan to do this, please do it wisely. This is a very powerful gag and may sicken some persons in the room. Also, be sure that it's not a tank of piranha that have been fed some goldfish that are just waiting to be eaten!
Which floats Carrot or Apple?
Carrot Magic for
Perform a little science magic with this simple experiment. You will need a large bowl of water, a carrot and an apple. First, ask the children what they think will happen when an apple or a carrot is put in the bowl. Place the carrot in the bowl first; then remove it and place the apple in the bowl.
What happens? Why?
Explain to the children that foods like carrots and apples vary greatly in the amount of air they contain. Carrot matter is packed very tightly and is very heavy, making the carrot sink. The apple is not packed as tightly and has many air spaces, which allow it to float.
Try slicing the apple and carrot for more observation. Then add salt to the water and observe the outcome.
The American Chemical Society develops materials for elementary school age
children to spark their interest in science and teach developmentally
appropriate chemistry concepts. The Activities for Children collection includes
hands-on activities, articles, puzzles, and games on topics related to
children’s everyday experiences. See more about the carrot
floating experiments and
the science here
(American Chemical Society)
History Wild Carrot
History Wild Carrot Today Nutrition Cultivation Recipes Trivia Links HomeContact - SITE SEARCH |
New Amphibian Aircrafts to Enhance Migratory Bird Survey Missions
July 30, 2010, Oshkosh, WI...The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) Migratory Bird Management program will announce the receipt of nine new Kodiak float planes during the annual EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, WI, July 30, 2010. A presentation will take place today near the Federal Pavilion at 9:30 a.m. CDT.
These amphibious aircraft are vitally important to the Service’s mission to monitor and manage waterfowl and other migratory bird populations. In addition, the aircraft can be used to conduct aerial damage assessments due to environmental disasters such as hurricanes, and enable remote sensing and survey work in portions of the continent previously inaccessible using older, limited-range aircraft.
“The Fish and Wildlife Service’s aviation program fulfills a major role in wildlife management,” said Rowan Gould, Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Migratory birds are some of nature’s most magnificent resources and serve as a useful barometer of the health of the environment, while providing economic and cultural benefits as well. These planes will have a significant impact in helping us conserve and manage migratory birds for present and future generations.”
For over 50 years, teams of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service pilot-biologists have taken to the skies each spring to survey North America's waterfowl breeding grounds, conducting in cooperation with the Canadian Wildlife Service the largest and most reliable wildlife survey in the world. Flying more than 80,000 miles and crisscrossing the country just above the treetops, they and observers on the ground record the number of ducks, geese and swans, and assess the quality and quantity of more than 2 million square miles of waterfowl breeding habitats. From the wide-open bays and wetlands of the eastern shores of North America to northern regions of Canada and Alaska, they are documenting an important part of our wild heritage. The results of these surveys determine the status of North America's waterfowl populations; play a significant role in setting waterfowl hunting regulations; and continue to guide the decisions of waterfowl managers throughout North America.
The mission of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Migratory Bird Program is to ensure long-term ecological sustainability of migratory bird populations and their habitats for future generations, through careful monitoring, effective management, and by supporting national and international partnerships that conserve habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. For more information about the planes, visit: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/dmbmdbhc.html.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. |
by Stephanie Heckman
Global development has struggled to live up to expectations and has failed to meet the needs of millions of people living in poverty. Economic growth historically defines objectives and ultimately leads us down a path towards climate crisis and unsustainability. As the gap between rich and poor widens, conflict and violence continue, and a lack of access to basic resources that sustain life prevails, we now ask ourselves if we are capable of creating a better world. If so, it seems something needs to change.
The recently launched UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a multidimensional view to creating a better world. These goals can be viewed as our new list of ingredients for wellbeing. The list is updated, however the concept of a better world is still being defined by the economists and politicians. We are left to accept assumptions made on what it means to live well and ignore the systemic causes that brought us to this point.
Here is an opportunity for philosophers to step in. As global development broadens definitions and introduces terms such as “results-based” and “values-driven” work, philosophy can help, 1) define a better world, and 2) inspire individuals to act. In other words, philosophers can help clarify what we are trying to achieve, how we can get there, and why we are morally responsible to do so.
Just over a year ago, a friend handed me a copy of Will MacAskill’s book, Doing Good Better. Philosophers not only have something to say on the matter, they are actively building a movement that challenges the traditional approach to global development. Most simply stated, effective altruism states that individuals ought to act in a way that promotes the most good. Heavily influenced by Peter Singer’s Practical Ethics, most good, in this context, can be defined as “alleviating the most suffering”. Already, we can see the challenges of trying to achieve this with merely a “to-do” list of sustainable development goals. The SDGs do not provide information on what approaches are successful, which issues are the priority, or how goals can be met efficiently and effectively.
Effective altruists challenge us to make decisions that will ensure we get the biggest bang for our buck. The rewards of this are immense. If we each act in this way, we can ultimately solve some of today’s biggest challenges. The Center for Effective Altruism also offers evidence-based information on which are the most effective and efficient humanitarian organizations within the aforementioned categories. This is certainly a worthy endeavour and my wish is to see the movement evolve and succeed beyond expectations. So how do we make sure that effective altruism doesn’t repeat some of the same mistakes of the past? Are reason and evidence of past success enough?
By acting in a way that alleviates the most suffering, we may conflictingly bring about unintended, or at least unforeseen consequences, that will contribute to long-term harm. For example, if we focus on saving as many lives as possible, this could come at the cost of overpopulation, climate crisis, and a widening gap between the rich and poor. Many of the consequences of our actions may be experienced by individuals who are not even alive yet. Whether or not we are morally obligated to act in their best interests is a separate conversation.
Valerie Tiberius argues that value- fulfillment theories of wellbeing can contribute to creating a better world. Drawing from Aristotle’s virtue ethics, values play a significant role in defining what we mean by a life well-lived and this can have repercussions on how we prioritize global development goals. Wellbeing theory can enrich the outcomes of applying the utilitarian principle of doing the most good. Not only will we seek to alleviate suffering, we can seek to promote wellbeing.
Value-fulfillment theory states that we live a better life when we do the things that matter to us. This differs from the idea of satisfying our wants and desires. I might desire cake and eating it may make me happy, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say I value eating cake and it adds to my wellbeing. A few things I value in my life are; my children’s safety, relationships, and good health. So, it follows that if I can act in a way that contributes to the realization of these things, my wellbeing will increase. This is true also for a friend living in poverty in rural Uganda. Give her the opportunity to realize the things in her life that she values, not merely wants and desires, and her wellbeing will improve.
By applying wellbeing to effective altruism, we needn’t abandon consequentialist principles. This hybrid approach to creating a better world answers our two earlier questions with a little more depth:
- What are we trying to do? Act in a way (based on reason and evidence) that creates a better world.
- How are we trying to do this? Promote the greatest amount of wellbeing and alleviate the most suffering.
There are a couple of practical implications from shifting the definition to include value-fulfillment and wellbeing. Programs could be assessed more closely on how they are implemented, and not merely on quantitative results. An effective altruist could also look at how the organization works, does it work to promote value-fulfillment, or does it reduce the opportunity for value fulfillment? This prioritises programs that have respect for the values of individuals affected, and that promote quality of life – not solely in economic terms or in the alleviation of suffering.
This could explain the success of recent progressive approaches in philanthropy, such as Give Directly. This effective altruist endorsed organization funds individuals living in poverty directly; no restrictions, straight cash grants. The results so far, show that when individuals have autonomy over their own lives, there is more chance they will build a pathway out of poverty. In other words, perhaps funds have a more effective impact if individuals can choose to focus on what matters to them: value-fulfillment.
Compassion and Empathy
The final implication of this hybrid model to global development is motivation. If we think of our emotions as motivators for moral action (Nussbaum), it offers an explanation as to what can inspire us to act for the moral good. Recent charitable reports on philanthropic giving highlight that the less rich are often more generous , per percentage of income, than the more wealthy. Why is this? Perhaps compassion and empathy are better motivators than pity and guilt for acts of altruism. By speaking to our common values, effective altruists will encourage emotions (motivations) of compassion and empathy. So not only will funds be better spent; more lives will be well-lived, suffering will be reduced, and thousands will be inspired to join us in making the world a better place to live.
Effective altruism can provide the inspiration to create a better world and the know-how to do it well.
I certainly hope so.
Stephanie Heckman obtained a Master of Arts in Philosophy and Psychology (2:1 hons) and a Master of Sciences in International & European Politics from the University of Edinburgh. She is currently a post-graduate research student in Philosophy (Wellbeing and Philanthropy) at the University of Edinburgh and the West Coast Director for Epic Foundation. Epic Foundation bridges the gap between a new generation of philanthropists and organizations supporting children and youth globally. For the last fifteen years, Stephanie has been building effective partnerships to create a better world.
If you have an idea for the APA blog, pitch us here! |
Modern Guwahati dates back to the British occupation of Assam in 1826 and it is from this date the city came to have due importance. Except few temples, an earthen fort and tanks, there are hardly any medieval remnants and ruins in Guwahati.
How agree the kettle and the earthen pot together?
The system of fortification by wall and towers may be made safest by the addition of earthen ramparts .
Ah! where shall weary man take sanctuary,where live his little span of life secure?and 'scape of Heav'n serene th' indignant stormsthat launch their thunders at us earthen worms?sir richard francis burton |
Counting The Days 'Til Kindergarten
Counting the Days Calendar
12 months of learning activities for the year before your child begins kindergarten.
Parents are a child's first teachers. Help prepare your child to be successful in kindergarten, first grade and beyond with ideas from the interactive Counting the Days `til Kindergarten Calendar.
The Counting the Days ‘til Kindergarten Calendar can help caregivers to better understand the six early literacy practices. Use the calendar as a guide to incorporate early learning activities into daily routine to help your child get ready for kindergarten. The six practices are talking, singing, reading, writing, playing and counting.
Use six simple and powerful practices every day to help your child get ready for kindergarten. The six practices are talking, singing, reading, writing, playing and counting.
Brought to you by the West Bloomfield Township Public Library as part of its Grow Up Reading™ initiative.
The West Bloomfield Township Public Library has a great assortment of board books and picture books for young children. We have also created a list perfect for reading to young children. The list provides an impeccable assortment of picture books, board books, nursery rhymes and easy to read, colorful books perfect for your child. Visit the library for The Counting the Days ‘til Kindergarten book list. |
Originally published in The Atlantic on April 11, 2018.
When West Virginia teachers initiated a nine-day labor strike this past winter, they secured national attention and a 5 percent pay raise. Oklahoma and Kentucky educators followed suit, with Arizona teachers threatening to do the same. Amid all this organizing was another strike threat, not previously reported, last week in California: between teachers in online classrooms and the organization that employs them.
Students enrolled in virtual schools (sometimes called “cyber schools” or “virtual academies”) take their classes online. It’s a small phenomenon, representing less than 1 percent of students, but a fast-growing one. According to the National Education Policy Center, about 279,000 students enrolled in virtual schools in 2016, up from roughly 200,000 in 2012. Education experts have been concerned by the growth of virtual K-12 education, especially virtual charter schools, which are publicly funded and privately managed. U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has touted virtual charter schooling as a particularly ripe area for expansion, emphasizing its flexibility and potential to offer courses that a student’s traditional school might not have. But, in practice, virtual schools, especially charters, have tended to deliver significantly lower academic results than brick-and-mortar ones. “Academic benefits from online charter schools are currently the exception rather than the rule,” wrote the authors of a 2015 report from the Stanford Center for Research on Education Outcomes.
While some teachers gravitate to virtual charters because of the flexibility it offers, salaries can be low, and class sizes are, on average, much larger than in brick-and-mortar charter schools or traditional public schools. (Though virtual teachers don’t have to manage physical classrooms, large class sizes still equate to a heavier workload.) The overwhelming majority of virtual teachers are not unionized. But in 2014, educators at California Virtual Academies (CAVA), California’s largest network of online charter schools with more than 10,000 students and about 450 teachers, decided to create a union, California Virtual Educators United, under the umbrella of the California Teachers Association. After two years of legal battles, CAVA recognized the teachers’ union, and starting in September 2016, the parties began negotiating their first contract over salaries, class sizes, and other issues.
The negotiations represent an important test case of how educators might wield power in a future where online education becomes even more common. According to Brianna Carroll, a high-school social-science teacher in Livermore, California, and president of the teachers’ union, bargaining had been slow-going, especially in recent weeks, when negotiators hit an impasse over class size. Educators said the number of students under their supervision had spiraled out of control, with some teachers stuck overseeing virtual classrooms exceeding forty students, and demanded class sizes be capped. “Either you have teachers who are burning themselves out because they’re trying to meet the needs of everyone, or you aren’t meeting the needs of everyone,” Carroll told me. “It’s really one or the other.”
April Warren, CAVA’s head of schools, declined to comment on many details of the negotiations. “CAVA is dedicated to working together with CVEU to reach a fair and equitable settlement so that we may continue to build upon CAVA’s unique and special achievements in support of the students and families across California,” she told me in an email.
While virtual schools across the country face some of the same struggles roiling traditional public schools, namely decreased state funding per pupil even after local economies have rebounded since the recession, virtual teachers also have to reckon with a newer threat: the involvement of for-profit companies that seek to deliver profits to their investors. CAVA, for instance, is a nonprofit network, but its operations are deeply intertwined with K12 Inc., a publicly traded company based in Virginia. K12, founded in 2000 by William Bennett, the education secretary under Ronald Reagan, and Ronald Packard, a former Goldman Sachs banker, is the nation’s largest supplier of management services and curriculum for virtual charters. The company, according to Education Week, has built a powerful lobbying operation in more than 20 states.
While CAVA describes its schools as independent, Jessica Calefati of San Jose’s The Mercury News, who investigated the arrangement back in 2016, found tax records showing that K12 employees themselves had established more than a dozen online schools in California. CAVA contracts with K12 for all sorts of services: The company provides the schools’ curricula, oversees their budgets, trains teachers, offers technical assistance, and even handles media communications. Calefati wrote, “Accountants and financial analysts interviewed by this newspaper, including several who specialize in school finance, say they’ve never seen anything quite like the arrangement between K12 and the public online academies.” (A CAVA official called The Mercury News investigation a “gross mischaracterization” of the organization’s work.)
CAVA teachers say they organized a union in part to push back on K12’s corporate influence over their schools. “For so long it’s been focused on how to use this charter-school concept to turn a dollar, rather than how to use online tools to support more students,” said Carroll, the union president. “We’re really using the union to push CAVA to have different goals.”
The virtual charter network might benefit from some new goals. In 2016, then-state Attorney General Kamala Harris alleged that K12 and CAVA had used false advertising and inflated their student-attendance numbers to collect extra state funds. Harris also alleged that K12 had trapped the network in debt by saddling cava with an unfair contract. CAVA and K12 agreed that year to settle with the state for $168.5 million. K12 emphasized it had admitted no wrongdoing, and said the attorney general “grossly mischaracterized the value of the settlement just as it did with regard to the issues it investigated.” In an email to The Atlantic, the K12 spokesperson Michael Kraft disputed the AG’s characterization of the schools as indebted. Also in 2016, The Mercury News reported that fewer than half of CAVA’s high-schoolers earned diplomas, and almost none were qualified to attend the state’s public universities. (K12 disputes this, noting the state does not always have reliable data for nontraditional schools with higher student mobility rates.) CAVA was also hit with a nearly $2 million fine in 2017 after California’s Department of Education found continued issues with attendance reporting and other practices. (CAVA disputed this, releasing a statement that CAVA schools “demonstrated they were consistently operating in full compliance with all state laws and regulations” and planned to appeal the financial penalty.)
Last fall, faced with a stalemate with CAVA over salaries, workday length, and class size, the teachers authorized a strike: More than 90 percent of the 450-member union voted to back their bargaining team if it called for walking off the job. Shortly after that, CAVA administrators tentatively agreed to some new concessions, according to copies of signed agreements provided by the union: a pay raise, a shorter work year, and fewer employment duties, among others.
Still, the fight around class size remained unresolved. CAVA teachers argued that class-size limits would improve academic quality. Carroll said the charter network maintained during negotiations that caps would hinder their needed flexibility. (CAVA declined to comment on its position on class sizes.) When they were still unable to reach an agreement, following a two-day fact-finding mediation last week, union leaders announced they were preparing for a first-of-its-kind strike. A virtual-charter strike would have meant that all online classes would be canceled, and teachers would meet in person to picket at locations such as the CAVA offices in Simi Valley. The strike was to be held in late April or early May.
But the day after the teachers’ strike announcement, April Warren, CAVA’s head of schools, proposed a compromise resolution: Classrooms could be capped at about 30 students, according to a copy of the signed agreement provided by the union, and if a classroom were to exceed that threshold, the teacher would be compensated accordingly. The teachers agreed. “I think the strike played a huge role in helping us resolve this, because that’s what CAVA was constantly saying—‘well, we don’t want a strike,’” Carroll said. Warren declined to comment on the strike threat, but on Monday, she confirmed the parties had reached a tentative agreement and were “working on a timeline for full ratification.” A spokesman for K12 declined to comment.
Carroll says teachers at other virtual charter networks have been reaching out to her, intrigued by her and her colleagues’ union work. While the West Virginia and Oklahoma teacher strikes demonstrate how educators at traditional public schools can still assert formidable collective power, just 11 percent of charters in the United States are currently unionized, and among virtual charters, that number stands at 9 percent. There are several reasons for this: Most charter-school backers and funders take a relatively anti-union stance, asserting that unions will impede a school’s flexibility, and therefore its ability to deliver the best education possible for students. Unions have also been slow to organize charter-school teachers, long viewing them as scabs who threaten their livelihoods. Labor groups have softened their stance towards charter teachers in recent years, but tensions remain as unions continue to work politically to halt charter-school growth.
A successful contract negotiation for cava teachers, though, could help ignite similar efforts elsewhere. The anything-goes approach to virtual education has made it alluring to operators trying to cut costs or make a buck. But if their workers have any say in the matter, online charters’ freewheeling days may be numbered. That would be good not just for educators but for the students entrusted to them. |
One of the ways we can start to develop more intentional acts of kindness and compassion toward our body is to create rituals for our daily life that remind us about our body.
- is a set of activities
- includes gestures, words, or objects,
- is done in a particular place,
- follows a set sequence.
We’re already doing rituals
We perform rituals in everyday life, without even thinking about it. It might be appealing to take on rituals from other cultures because they seem more special than our own, but, a beautiful way to value-add our existing daily life is to recognize the ritual already in our daily movements and to use ritual to support self-care.
All of us have some forms of self-compassion rituals. These might be as simple as recognizing that that headache has just reached a state we can no longer simply ignore and making our way to the medicine cabinet to select the right headache tablet, tipping a few onto our hand, making our way to the kitchen to pour a glass of water, and making sure we drink enough to wash down the tablets. All of that can be considered a ritual, especially when we intentionally decide to think about it as a ritual. As described in Tehya Sky‘s book A Ceremony Called Life: When Your Morning Coffee Is as Sacred as Holy Water, we can imbue our everyday existence with ritual just by bringing our awareness to those things that nurture us, that we do regularly, that we can potentially slow down to appreciate even more.
Ritual to value-add
Value adding is a cottage industry term that means we are increasing something’s value by transforming it. Value-adding strawberries might be making strawberry jam. Value-adding cucumbers might be to make pickles. We can use this same concept in considering some of our daily activities anew as self-care rituals.
There is a teaching in Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing community that invites us into ritual with every daily task. He invites us to “wash the dishes to wash the dishes,” rather than washing the dishes in a distracted way in order to get past the activity of washing the dishes. We
- reframe this every day activity as something of value rather than something that is getting in the way of our happiness; and then we
- value-add this ordinary activity by
- using it as an opportunity to practice mindfulness,
- savoring the physical sensations involved, and
- practicing gratitude for the invitation into relative stillness during our busy and intellectual day.
This is affectionate awareness in action – being in the moment rather than wanting to rush through to the next moment.
Ritual to Motivate
“I begin each day of my life with a ritual; I wake up at 5:30 A.M., put on my workout clothes, my leg warmers, my sweatshirts, and my hat. I walk outside my Manhattan home, hail a taxi, and tell the driver to take me to the Pumping Iron gym at 91st street and First Avenue, where I workout for two hours. The ritual is not the stretching and weight training I put my body through each morning at the gym; the ritual is the cab. The moment I tell the driver where to go I have completed the ritual.
It’s a simple act, but doing it the same way each morning habitualizes it — makes it repeatable, easy to do. It reduces the chance that I would skip it or do it differently. It is … one less thing to think about.”
You might like to add something to a daily activity to help you consider it as a ritual. For example, at a retreat center I worked at there was a little figure of the Buddha sitting on the kitchen sink, an unusual place for a Buddha statue, but a very sweet reminder to slow down, breathe, and center. I’ve taken to having a Kuan Yin statue on my kitchen sink as a way to remind me of sacredness, even while washing the dishes.
Chris Germer says, “A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the course of your life.” Adding in just one extra moment of self-compassion by doing a self-compassion ritual can change your day. And when you’ve added in one, maybe you’ll want to add in another, and another.
Invitation to ritualize
I invite you to think about something in your daily life as a ritual and notice how different it feels when you do this. For example, how does it feel to consider your morning coffee as a ritual? Or your evening bed-time routine? Or your getting ready for the gym routine? Or your preparing a meal routine? How is it to slow down just one thing in your daily life and consider that as special, as an act of self-compassion and self-care? How is it to mark that thing in your day as self-compassion and self-care practice?
If you’d like to explore ritual further, we explore this aspect of practice in Somatic Self-Compassion Online and in the Finding Your Self-Compassion Practice Path program. We’d love to see you there!
- A Ceremony Called Life: When Your Morning Coffee Is as Sacred as Holy Water by Tehya Sky
- Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey
- Ritual: Power, Healing and Community by Malidoma Patrice Some
- The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp
- Podcast Episode 7: Self-Care as the Shit Hits the Fan - January 6, 2021
- Podcast Episode 6: Highly Sensitive Person’s Guide to Anxiety, Isolation, and Quarantine - January 5, 2021
- Somatic Self-Compassion Week 1 Practice Cycle: What is Somatic Self-Compassion? - January 4, 2021
- Somatic Self-Compassion New Year Practice Cycle - December 28, 2020
- Podcast Episode 5: Tending to Isolation and Loneliness During the Pandemic - December 26, 2020 |
Researchers studying the effects of prenatal exposure to the phthalate DiNP have found that it was linked with shorter anogenital distance (AGD) in Swedish boys at the age of 21 months, raising concerns as shorter AGD has been linked with male genital birth defects and impaired reproductive function in adult males even as the levels of DiNP metabolites in humans are on the rise globally.
Phthalates are used as plasticizers in soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and found in a large number of commonly used consumer products. Due to reported health risk, di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP) has been introduced as a replacement for diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) as a plasticizer in soft PVC. This raises concerns since animal data suggest that DiNP may have anti-androgenic properties similar to DEHP. In addition, biomonitoring data show that human DiNP metabolite levels are rapidly increasing globally.
The anogenital distance (AGD) - the distance from the anus to the genitals - is a marker that has been used in animal studies to assess reproductive toxicity. While several studies have examined phthalates such as DBP, DEHP and AGD in humans, none has included DiNP.
What have we done?
The purpose of the current study have been to examine the relationship between 1st trimester urinary metabolite concentrations (week 9-11) of DEP, DBP, DEHP, BBzP as well as DiNP in relation to AGD in 196 Swedish boys at 21 months of age. Analyzes of the mothers urine, identified all phthalate metabolites in all samples. Anogenital distance was measured by two pediatric nurses at County Council of Värmland, Sweden. The measured phthalate levels and AGD were comparable with data from two pregnancy cohort studies in USA.What did we find?
Most of the phthalate metabolites were associated with a shorter AGD, however, not all associations reached significance. The strongest and significant associations were found between a shorter AGD and DiNP metabolites.What does it mean?
These findings call into question the safety of the recent substitution of DiNP for DEHP in soft PVC, particularly since a shorter male AGD has been shown to be related to male genital birth defects in children (such as hypospadias and undescended testis) and impaired reproductive function in adult males (such as decreased fertility, impaired semen quality and lower serum testosterone levels) and the fact that human levels of DiNP are rapidly increasing globally, says Carl-Gustaf Bornehag, professor in Public Health Sciences at Karlstad University and responsible for the current study. |
The other day Glenn Fleishman suggested what would have happened if the creation of public electrical utilities had been attacked in the same way that municipal broadband solutions are these days. His imaginary Previous Millennium Research Council (PMRC) uses similar arguments:
The PMRC also takes the stand that installing electricity in every home would drain tax coffers, and expects that once projects are begun, the revenue from them might never cover the immense cost of such service. “One might imagine a city building an electrical network that could provide any amount of service at any time of day or not, rather than at particular times that are most advantageous for power generation,” the report states.
Businesses are also not interested in electricity, the PMRC states, noting that horses, railroads, coal, and the Irish are the driving forces of the economy. “Providing universal access to electrical power is not a leading consideration in business development,” the report says. While certain businesses require electricity, such as theaters or carnivals, business conditions are best improved by well-honed service provided by a single company in each field which reduces the chances of disruption.
Today Michael Geist uses a similar analogy. He suggests that access to the internet could be considered a public good:
The providers argue that municipalities are ill-equipped to offer broadband services, ignoring the fact that many municipalities already provide a host of sophisticated services such as electricity, education, public transportation, libraries, and waste disposal.
Many of these services are viewed as public goods that are best provided to the community by the community. In an age where Internet connectivity is increasingly a prerequisite for banking, health care information, government services, and personal communications, ensuring that an entire community enjoys affordable access is a necessity, not a luxury.
In fact, in some communities, the existing public utilities have begun to provide internet access, made easier by the fact that in many cases they own distribution lines and networks, as well as rights of way. These are “for profit” businesses. And in some cases they are more competitive that the larger telecom providers.
For example, I currently live in Waterloo, Canada. Fibretech, the local utility provider, offers WiFi locally for $4.95 per hour. Rogers Communications, one of the two largest telecom companies in Canada, just announced their WiFi service for $9 per hour – almost twice the price.
Either we define the internet as a public good and build local utilities to provide it at breakeven cost, or we allow real competition. Either way, the choice should not be dictated by a single telecom company. Residents of a city are more than capable of making decisions regarding how their city provide such a service. |
How To Use Highlighters in JTextComponents
Project: Syntax Highlighting
Java provides an incredibly sophisticated extensible text-editing system via its JTextComponent and Document classes. These are, respectively, the controller and model of a model/view/controller pattern. For plain documents, such as JTextField and JTextArea, the controller is also the view. For styled components that allow formatting, such as JEditorPane, there is a separate view portion, not surprisingly called View (in the java.swing.text package), but it's really complicated. So we'll start with something a bit simpler: highlighting.
We'll demonstrate it with a component that highlights matching parentheses, braces, or brackets (I'll call them all "parentheses" here for simplicity), similar to the parenthesis matcher in Emacs. Whenever you put your cursor next to a closing parenthesis, it highlights both that character and the matching parenthesis. If they match correctly, it uses a soothing cyan (see Figure 1); if they don't, it uses a warning magenta. This is incredibly handy for a language like Java or C, to help ensure that your parentheses match properly, and spot the error if they don't. It's absolutely critical in a language like Lisp, which scatters parentheses around the way Java and C scatter semicolons.
Figure 1 Emacs parenthesis matching.
This article is about the Java text components, not about parsing, so I'm not going to take into account quotes or comments. Parsing those out without spending a long time at it (remember, we're trying to fit the highlighting in between keystrokes) is a challenge for another day. |
The death of Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez has prompted many questions about the significance of his life, reign and legacy. Chávez, who fashioned himself a socialist revolutionary in the vein of Latin American independence crusader Simon Bolivar, was an economic and ideological pest to the United States for nearly 20 years.
Below is a selection of the best news reports and commentary from around the web that document the Venezuelan leader's rise, ruling and demise.
Chávez rose from poor farm boy to international leftist figurehead
The Guardian's Rory Carroll explored Chávez's life, from his aspirations to play professional baseball in America to his prolonged and public battle with cancer. Carroll's piece notes Chávez's rise through the Venezuelan military academy as a turning point in the young soldier's political consciousness.
Chávez came to political pre-eminence after a failed coup
Chávez was catapulted into the national spotlight in Venezuela after a failed 1992 coup on then-president Carlos Andrés Pérez. Chávez and co-conspirators formed the Revolutionary Bolivarian Movement a decade prior to the coup to combat the rampant economic inequality in Venezuela. This BBC Online piece provides a good synopsis of the RBM's 1992 coup attempt.
Chávez was traditional socialist anti-American caudillo
After six years leading grassroots political movements, Chávez was elected to the Venezuelan presidency in 1998. Chávez immediately allied himself with Fidel Castro, initiating an old-school cold war bond to oppose United States influence. Chávez was known for his ferocious rhetorical assaults on the United States and George W Bush. This Observer article from 2007 recalls Chávez evoking cries of "gringo go home" to protest a George Bush tour of Latin America.
And the unwelcoming atmosphere in Venezuela that greeted Bush might have been justified, as this Observer piece links a 2007 coup attempt to oust Chávez to the Bush administration.
This Slate piece contextualizes why the US and Chávez hated each other so much.
Economic battles with United States only strengthened Chávez's ego
This Forbes article explains how the US State Department's sanctions on oil-rich Venezuela were only a demonstration of power that gave Chávez more reasons to lambast the US.
The ruler's death and legacy in context
Coming back to present day, the triumphs and shortcomings of Chávez's regime have been discussed widely on the web. This Salon piece by David Sirota recaps the accomplishments of Chávez's presidency. It explains how Chávez tackled poverty and improved literacy rates.
And when we look at the current state of Latin American and US relations optimistically, as the Guardian's Simon Tisdall does, the death of Hugo Chávez could usher in a new era of rapprochement between the Obama administration and Latin America. |
The cope (known in Latin as pluviale 'rain coat' or cappa 'cape') is a liturgical vestment, more precisely a long mantle or cloak, open in front and fastened at the breast with a band or clasp. It may be of any liturgical colour.
A cope may be worn by any rank of the clergy, and also by lay ministers in certain circumstances. If worn by a bishop, it is generally accompanied by a mitre. The clasp, which is often highly ornamented, is called a morse. In art, angels are often shown wearing copes, especially in Early Netherlandish painting.
There has been little change in the character of the vestment from the earliest ages. Then as now it was made of a piece of silk or other cloth of semicircular shape, which distinguished it from the earlier form of chasuble, as a chasuble had straight edges sewn together in front. Both are similar in form and origin to the Orthodox phelonion.
The only noticeable modification which the cope has undergone lies in the disappearance of the hood. Some early examples feature a triangular hood, which was intended to be of practical utility in covering the head in processions, etc., but over time the hood became merely ornamental, and is commonly represented by a sort of shield of embroidery, sometimes adorned with a fringe or tassel. The fact that in many early chasubles, as depicted in the drawings of the eighth and ninth centuries, we see clear traces of a primitive hood, strongly confirms the view that in their origin cope and chasuble were identical, the chasuble being only a cope with its edges sewn together.
The earliest mention of a cappa is by St. Gregory of Tours, and in the Miracula of St. Furseus where it seems to mean a cloak with a hood. So from a letter written in 787 by Theodemar, Benedictine Abbot of Monte Cassino, in answer to a question of Charlemagne about the dress of the monk we learn that what in Gaul was styled cuculla (cowl) was known to the Cassinese monks as cappa. Moreover, the word occurs more than once in Alcuin's correspondence, apparently as denoting a garment for everyday wear. When Alcuin twice observes about a casula which was sent him, that he meant to wear it always at Mass, we may probably infer that such garments at this date were not distinctively liturgical owing to anything in their material or construction, but that they were set aside for the use of the altar at the choice of the owner, who might equally well have used them as part of his ordinary attire. In the case of the chasuble the process of liturgical specialization, was completed at a comparatively early date, and before the end of the ninth century the maker of a casula probably knew quite well in most cases whether he intended his handiwork for a Mass vestment or for an everyday outer garment. But in the case of a cappa or cope, this period of specialization seems to have been delayed until much later. The two hundred cappae or copes which appear in a Saint-Riquier inventory in the year 801, a number increased to 377 by the year 831, were thought to be mere cloaks, for the most part of rude material and destined for common wear. It may be that their use in choir was believed to add to the decorum and solemnity of the Divine Office, especially in the winter season. In 831 one of the Saint-Riquier copes is specially mentioned as being of chestnut colour and embroidered with gold. This, no doubt, implies use by a dignitary, but it does not prove that it was as yet regarded as a sacred vestment. In fact, according to the conclusions of Edmund Bishop, who was the first to sift the evidence thoroughly, it was not until the twelfth century that the cope, made of rich material, was in general use in the ceremonies of the Church, at which time it had come to be regarded as the special vestment of cantors. Still, an ornamental cope was even then considered a vestment that might be used by any member of the clergy from the highest to the lowest, in fact even by one who was only about to be tonsured.
Amongst monks it was the practice to vest the whole community, except the celebrant and the sacred ministers who assisted the celebrant, in copes at High Mass on the greatest festivals, whereas on feasts of somewhat lower grade, the community were usually vested in albs. In this movement the Netherlands, France, and Germany had taken the lead, as we learn from extant inventories. For example, already in 870, in the Abbey of Saint Trond we find "thirty-three precious copes of silk" as against only twelve chasubles, and it was clearly the Cluny practice in the latter part of the tenth century to vest all the monks in copes during high Mass on the great feasts, though in England the regulations of Saint Dunstan and Saint Aethelwold show no signs of any such observance. The custom spread to the secular canons of such cathedrals as Rouen, and cantors nearly everywhere used copes of silk as their own peculiar adornment in the exercise of their functions.
Meanwhile, the old cappa nigra (black cape), or cappa choralis, a choir cape of black material, open or partly open in front, and commonly provided with a functioning hood, still continued in use. While the cope was a liturgical vestment, made of rich, colorful fabric and often highly decorated, the cappa nigra was a practical garment, made of heavy plain black wool and designed to provide warmth in cold weather. Whereas the cope's hood had long since become a non-functional decorative item, the hood of the cappa nigra remained functional. The cappa nigra (black cape) was worn at the Divine Office by the clergy of cathedral and collegiate churches and also by many religious, as, for example, it is retained by the Dominicans during the winter months down to the present day. No doubt the "copes" of the friars, to which so many references in the Wycliffite literature and in the writings of Chaucer and Langland are found, designate their open mantles, which were, we may say, part of their full dress, though not always black in colour. On the other hand, it is worth a note that the cappa clausa, or close cope, was simply a cope or cape sewn up in front for common outdoor use. "The wearing of this", says Bishop, "instead of the cappa scissa, the same cope not sewn up, is again and again enjoined on the clergy by synods and statutes during the late Middle Ages."
Roman Catholic Church
Under all these different forms the cope has not substantially changed its character or shape. The cope is a vestment for processions worn by all ranks of the clergy when assisting at a liturgical function, but it is never worn by the priest and his sacred ministers in celebrating the Mass. At a Pontifical High Mass the cope was worn by the "assistant priest," a priest who assists the bishop who is the actual celebrant. In the Sarum Rite, the Cope was also prescribed for members of the choir at various times.
It is now the vestment assigned to the celebrant, whether priest or bishop, for almost all functions except the Mass when the celebrant wears the chasuble instead. The cope is used, for example, in processions, in the greater blessings and consecrations, at the solemnly celebrated Liturgy of the Hours, in giving Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and the celebration of other sacraments outside of Mass. For most of these the celebrant may instead wear simply cassock and surplice or alb, both with the stole, for simpler celebrations. The chasuble, which is properly only worn for Mass, may also be worn during processions and other ceremonies that occur directly before or after Mass, such as the absolutions and burial of the dead, at the Asperges before Mass, and at the blessing and imposition of the ashes on Ash Wednesday, to avoid the need for the celebrant to change vestments.
The Cæremoniale Episcoporum envisages its use by a bishop if presiding at but not celebrating Mass, for the Liturgy of the Hours, for processions, at the special ceremonies on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Lenten gatherings modelled on the "stations" in Rome, Palm Sunday and Corpus Christi. The bishop may use a cope when celebrating outside of Mass the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, matrimony, penance in solemn form, ordination (if not concelebrating), and anointing of the sick. The list in the index of the Cæremoniale Episcoporum continues with several more cases.
As regards liturgical colours, the cope usually follows the color assigned to that day in the liturgical calendar, although white may always be worn for celebrations of a joyful character or before the Blessed Sacrament, and violet may always be worn for celebrations of a penitential character. It may be made of any rich or becoming material, including cloth of gold (which may be used in place of any colour except violet or black). Owing to its ample dimensions and unvarying shape, ancient copes are preserved to us in proportionately greater numbers than other vestments and provide the finest specimens of medieval embroidery we possess. Among these the "Syon Cope" in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and the "Ascoli Cope" in the Pinacoteca Civica, Ascoli Piceno, are remarkable as representing the highest excellence of that specially English thirteenth-century embroidery known as the opus anglicanum ('English work'). We are also indebted to the use of copes for some magnificent specimens of the jeweller's craft. The brooch or clasp, meant to fasten the cope in front, and variously called morse, pectoral, bottone, etc., was an object often in the highest degree precious and costly. The work which was the foundation of all the fortunes of Benvenuto Cellini was the magnificent morse which he made for Pope Clement VII. Some admirable examples of these morses still survive.
The mantum or papal mantle differs little from an ordinary cope except that it is somewhat longer, and is fastened in the front by an elaborate morse. In earlier centuries it was red in colour; red, at the time being the papal colour rather than white. In the eleventh and twelfth centuries the immantatio, or bestowal of the mantum on the newly elected pope, was regarded as specially symbolical of investiture with papal authority: Investio te de papatu romano ut praesis urbi et orbi, "I invest you with the Roman papacy, that you may rule over the city and the world" were the words used in conferring it at the Papal coronation. After the Second Vatican Council and the pontificate of Pope Paul VI, the longer mantum fell out of use. His successors have instead used a cope in its place. Some old mantums were converted to copes by being shortened, such as during the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI.
The cappa magna (literally, "great cape"), a form of mantle, is a voluminous ecclesiastical vestment with a long train, proper to cardinals, bishops, and certain other honorary prelates. It is however a jurisdictional garment.
The cappa magna is not strictly a liturgical vestment, but only a glorified cappa choralis, or choir cope. That is to say, it is not used when vested as a celebrant at a liturgical service. It is worn in processions or "in choir" (i.e., attending but not celebrating services). Its colour for cardinals is ordinarily red and for bishops violet. Cardinals and papal nuncios are entitled to wear a cappa magna of watered silk.
The cappa magna is ample in volume and provided with a long train and a disproportionately large hood, the lining of the hood is ermine in winter and silk in summer, and was made in such a way as to completely cover not only the back, but also the breast and shoulders. The hood is functional and in earlier times was often placed on the head and covered with the galero. This used to be the custom when the pope created a new cardinal at a consistory. Nowadays, the hood is normally worn over the head only during penitential rites. Previously, cardinals who were members of specific religious orders would wear a cappa magna in the color of their order. Nowadays, all cardinals wear red.
The motu proprio Valde solliciti of 30 November 1952 ordered that the train of the cappa magna should be shortened by about half (from 15 metres to 7). The 1969 Instruction on the Dress, Titles and Coats-of-arms of Cardinals, Bishops and Lesser Prelates laid down that:
The cappa magna, always without ermine, is no longer obligatory; it can be used only outside of Rome, in circumstances of very special solemnity. (§ 12)
Since then, the cappa magna is hardly ever used except in celebrations according to the pre-1969 liturgical books, as it was used for the ordination of deacons of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in 2009.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem still uses the ermine-lined winter cappa, because he is bound by the complex and unalterable rules of the Status quo, an 1852 Ottoman firman which regulates the delicate relations between the various religious groups that care for the religious sites in the Holy Land. This anomaly is most evident at the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem.
Use in the Church of England and Anglican Communion
The earliest post-Reformation prayer books of the Church of England contemplated the continued use of the cope, with the 1549 Prayer Book specifying that the Priest during Divine Liturgy should wear "a vestment or cope". It was common, particularly in English cathedrals for the Priest or Bishop to wear a cope for the Divine Liturgy from the Restoration. In the contemporary Church of England and the Anglican Communion as a whole, the cope is worn as a non-Eucharistic vestment, in the same manner as that of the Roman Catholic Church. It is also an Anglican tradition for clergy to wear copes on diocesan occasions.
In the Church of England itself, the cope is worn by the Archbishop of Canterbury during the coronation of the Sovereign. Prior to her coronation in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II presented a set of ornate copes to the Canons of Westminster Abbey as a gift.
Use in Lutheran churches
The cope is usually worn only for processions and services of the Divine Office (morning and evening prayers) in most Lutheran denominations. In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which is similar to the churches of the Anglican Communion, the cope is usually worn by the bishop when not serving as the presiding minister at Holy Communion. In the Church of Norway and the Danish National Church the cope is reserved for use by bishops. It is infrequently worn by clerics in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod or other Lutheran denominations, although its use has increased in recent decades.
Use in universities
As part of academic dress, the University of Cambridge uses a cope known as a cappa clausa which is made of scarlet superfine cloth with the cowl lined and the cape opening edged with white fur and is closed with clasps. This was once the Congregation dress of DDs but has now come to be the Vice-Chancellor's (or their deputies') official congregation dress when conferring degrees. Praelectors presenting candidates for higher doctoral degrees also wear the cope.
The only other place that still uses the cope is the University of the South in America where it is also the official dress of the vice-chancellor. The only difference from the Cambridge cope is that the cape hem is also edged in fur.
Sources and references
- Thurston, Herbert (1908), "Cope", The Catholic Encyclopedia IV, New York: Robert Appleton Company, retrieved 2007-07-26
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cope.|
- Pinacoteca Ascoli Piceno - wikipedia.it Italy Ascoli Cope |
It's your child's first visit to the dentist. For many parents, this can be a major struggle since most children are afraid of going to that doctor who pokes into their mouths. But this can be a worthwhile experience for you and your child if you follow these practical tips.
Take your child to the dentist as early as possible
Bring your child to the dentist when the first tooth appears. The idea is that the earlier you bring your child, the less scared he/she would be and the bigger the chance of preventing dental problems is. If your kid becomes comfortable in the dental clinic, it wouldn't be a problem to return there anytime soon. The trauma usually occurs when the parent brings the child to the dental clinic when there is already a problem like a very painful toothache. If the first visit of the child is about that, and worse if his/her tooth is extracted because of this, that's when the trauma starts and for a long time, he'll be fussing about trips to the dentist.
Be positive about your child's first visit
Don't let your child hear horror stories about going to the dentist or watch movies where kids scream their lungs out inside the dental clinic. Don't even mention anything about being afraid of the dental visit. If you tell your kid not to be afraid of the dentist, unconsciously he would begin to wonder why you would mention that if there is really nothing to be afraid of. Instead, be positive about it and treat it like an ordinary task to be done.
Encourage your child to ask questions
Your child is probably curious about the dentist, the clinic, and everything that goes on in there so he/she might have questions about it. Encourage him/her to ask away and answer in a nice way every query, so that he/she would know what to expect.
Choose the right timing
Timing can be everything when bringing your child to his/her first dental visit. Don't pick the time when he/she's tired, sick, or not feeling in the mood. It would be the best time when he/she's feeling great so that he/she can associate the positive feeling with the dental visit.
Establish proper dental care
Along with bringing your child to the dentist, you also need to establish proper dental care routine as early as now. Teach your child how to brush his/her teeth correctly every after mealtime. Encourage him/her to avoid sugary snacks that can cause tooth decay. It's okay to eat them once in a while but excessive snacking on sweet items is not only harmful to his/her dental health but also the overall health. |
Bases conceituais da teoria histórico-cultural : implicações nas práticas pedagógicas
González, Abel Gustavo Garay
MetadataShow full item record
The intention of this research was to analyze and clarify the conceptual foundations of the Historical-Cultural Theory, based on the Historical-Dialectical Materialism by Marx, and their direct implications for the pedagogical practices, specifically on the processes of teaching and learning, in order to contribute to the Brazilian Basic Education, in the search to understand and overcome the problems related to the difficulties of teaching and student learning. The Historical-Cultural Theory is based on the Historical-Dialectical Materialism by Marx and has its methodological foundation founded in the microgenetic analysis. The Marxist theoretical presumptions assists Vigotsky s analysis with the discussion of humans being not only a biological structure, but rather a consequence of the historical-cultural relation, having work as the main mediator. Vigotsky and collaborators present important theoretical and practical contributions to the understanding of the dialectical relations between Teaching and Learning. Vigotsky s microgenetic analysis shows us how to overcome this dilemma between the processes of teaching and learning. From Vigotsky s point of view, the pedagogical processes are intentional, deliberate, and the school is the place where the intentional pedagogical intervention triggers the learning and quality teaching processes. The research is of a bibliographic nature and uses two sources: the primary ones, pieces of work of authors from the Historical-Cultural Theory, and the secondary ones, pieces of work of authors who interpret the primary pieces of work. The question that guided the research was: What are the core concepts of the Historical-Cultural Theory, based on the Marxist theory and its implications for the pedagogical practices? The objectives outlined to answer this theme were: to analyze, in the writings of the Marxist philosophy, the major theoretical points of the Historical-Dialectical Materialism that assist the Historical-Cultural Theory; to clarify the contributions to the Historical- Cultural Theory to the understanding of the dialectical relations in the processes developed in the pedagogical practices. The results clearly show the necessity of overcoming the biological paradigm of Education and presenting an educative model oriented around the viewpoint of society, of human being and of knowledge as highly social, as well as the conceptions of teaching and learning as processes of human activity mediated by human relations and of nature itself. An educative model oriented around the teacher s mediated activity in students zone of proximal development. The work intended to contribute to the advancement of pedagogical practices and in-depth academic discussion about the mediated activity and the zone of proximal development, as focuses of teachers performance, towards school teaching and learning problems. |
Middle-class pupils do better because parents and schools put more effort into their education, according to a study published today.
Researchers found that children from poorer backgrounds were not predisposed to work less hard, but parents' attitudes were most important, making more of a difference than schools themselves.
But schools also put more effort in with pupils from better-off homes, perhaps because of the pressure exerted by pushy middle-class parents, the team from the universities of Leicester and Leeds said.
They said the findings suggested that policies aimed at improving parental effort could be effective in increasing children's educational attainment.
The research, Must Try Harder, used the National Child Development Study, which follows individuals born in a given week in 1958 throughout their lives.
Effort was measured using indicators of a student's attitude, such as the answers given by 16-year-olds to questions including whether they think school is a "waste of time'', and teachers' views about students' laziness.
Other factors studied were the parents' interest in their children's education, measured by, for example, whether they read to their children or attended meetings with teachers.
Variables studied for schools in the research, which is published in the Review of Economics and Statistics, included the extent of parental involvement initiated by the school and whether 16-year-olds were offered career guidance.
Professor Gianni De Fraja, head of economics at Leicester, said: "Parents from a more advantaged environment exert more effort, and this influences positively the educational attainment of their children.
"The parents' background also increases the school's effort, which increases the school achievement. Why schools work harder where parents are from a more privileged background we do not know. It might be because middle-class parents are more vocal in demanding that the school work hard. Influencing parental effort is certainly something that is much easier than modifying their social background."
A separate study, commissioned by the then Department for Children, Schools and Families, and released on Wednesday, found that modern languages were compulsory for 14-year-olds in fewer than a fifth of English schools last year, with the numbers much lower among schools with the highest number of pupils from poor backgrounds.
Researchers found that studying a language at GCSE was merely optional at more than two thirds (69%) of the 1,100 schools surveyed. At 11%, languages were compulsory for some but not all, and at 18% they were compulsory for no one.
At higher-achieving schools and those with low proportions of pupils on free school meals, languages were more likely to be compulsory.
Among those in the 20% with the highest numbers of children getting free meals, fewer than one in 10 ruled that pupils had to take a language at GCSE. In schools in the 20% with the lowest numbers on free meals, the figure was more than 50%. |
Understanding the ASVAB
Did you know that there are three different versions of the ASVAB? Each one has different benefits. The following will give you some insight into choosing the ASVAB version that best fits your needs.
Student ASVAB (SASVAB)
A popular version is the student ASVAB, referred to by some as the SASVAB, which is used for career exploration for high school and college students. This pen and paper test version is given in an institutional setting such as a high school, college, or vocational school. It is approximately 3 hours and is composed of 8 subtests. Test results are sent to your school for you and your counselor to explore careers (this is called a post-test interpretation). You will also be given an interest inventory (Find Your Interests). Your ASVAB test results and "Find Your Interests" are tools for you to explore different occupations, identify a college major, and find out about your personality. Your Armed Forces Qualification Test score is reflected on your test results and can be used to enlist in any of the military services.
ASVAB at MET
Another version of the ASVAB is given at a MET (mobile examination test) site. This test is used solely for enlistment into one of the military services. Test sites are located in different cities of your state-you will need to be referred by a recruiter. This version is somewhat longer, about 3 ½ hours. Assembling Objects has been added for research purposes, for a total of 9 subtests. Since it is a pen and paper test, answers can be changed. Completely erase all changes you make--the answer sheet is run through a scanner that is very sensitive to erasures.
The third version of the test is the CAT-ASVAB (computer-adaptive test). This version is taken on a computer and can be taken in as little as 1 ½ hours. This test is given at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and is used for enlistment purposes only. This test is self-paced, but once an answer is selected it cannot be changed. If a correct answer is chosen, you are given a harder question. If an incorrect answer is chosen, an easier question is given. You don’t have to know how to use a computer to take the CAT-ASVAB.
Remember, if you don’t know the answer, guess. An incorrect answer does not count against you! Answers can be changed on the pen and paper version, but not on the CAT-ASVAB. If you are running out of time on a particular subtest, quickly guess at the remaining questions before time runs out. ASVAB scores are good for two years.
It's never too early to start preparing for the ASVAB! Get started by taking free practice tests at ACE the ASVAB.
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About the Author
Barclay J. Brumley served as the ASVAB Program Manager for 18 years and has worked directly with students on career exploration using the ASVAB. Prior to that she was an education counselor for a large military installation, helping soldiers and their families further their formal education. Her career in federal civil service expanded 36 years. As an Army spouse Barclay accompanied her husband, a retired Command Sergeant Major, on several stateside and overseas assignments.
All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com. |
Ultrasound on 20 week of pregnancy: what show?
To the 20 week of pregnancy the child in the womb has already been formed with the main important systems and organs (nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, musculoskeletal, reproductive, etc.). At this period a woman pregnant for the first time, feels the first movement of the child. When the pregnancy this occurs usually two weeks before.
20 weeks is an important period in which with the help of ultrasonic examination the doctor can diagnose major congenital malformations, to determine compliance with the size of the fetus in pregnancy and to determine the sex of the baby.
The plan of the survey
In the scheme of examination at 20 weeks of pregnancy includes:
- Measure the main dimensions of the fetus (fetometry)
- Detection of defects and anomalies
- The status of provisory organs
- The condition of the uterus
Basic biometric parameters of the fetus
The size of the fetus at 20 weeks of pregnancy are an important diagnostic indicator of proper development. In addition to size, the doctor will be able to calculate the approximate weight of the child, on average, during this period he is from 270 to 315 grams.
Table 1. Biometric parameters of the fetus at 20 weeks of pregnancy.
|Normal value (mm)|
250 — 270
Biparietal head size (measured between the parietal bones of the skull)
43 — 51
Fronto-occipital size (greatest distance between the outer surfaces of the frontal and occipital bones)
56 — 68
|Head circumference (measured at the level of the thalamus)||
154 — 186
Abdominal circumference (measured at the level of the stomach)
124 — 164
25 — 34
29 — 37
|Length of the humerus||
26 — 34
|Length of forearm||
22 — 29
5,7 – 8,3
Examination of the organs of the fetus, detection of anomalies
The second screening ultrasound at 20 weeks of pregnancy is the most important for diagnosis of malformation and chromosomal anomalies. If during this examination the ultrasound shows abnormalities incompatible with the life of a child, this is the last opportunity to terminate the pregnancy (which is the period of 20 -21 week doing artificial birth with the purpose of abortion).
During an ultrasound around the already formed system of a child. The doctor can assess the development of a baby’s heart, it already has the correct structure and four cameras. Blood flow in cardiac cavities estimate Doppler. Parents will offer to listen to the heart of the child. An important indicator of comfort for the baby is to heart rate, on term of 20 weeks, the figure is 130 — 160 beats per minute.
Will assess during the study and the structure of the kidney, brain, spine, extremities, the distance between the eyeballs and the number of fingers on the hands and feet.
Markers anomalies specialists are divided into «hard» and «soft». Hard symptoms sure evidence of serious anomalies development of the fetus, on such problems, the doctors immediately after the study and informed parents. These include severe heart disease, neck area, hydrocephalus, chromosomal abnormalities such as down syndrome.
In case of detection of hard anomalies, ultrasound will be administered again in a few days. Perhaps during the study will be present just a few specialists (the Council).
And, of course, before you make a decision about the future of the pregnancy, the patient will report that you need to pass a blood test. Currently successfully developed diagnosis of chromosomal (genetic) abnormalities in the blood test.
Sometimes, to confirm genetic defects, certain after the ultrasound requires the analysis of amniotic fluid (amniocentesis). In this case, a special syringe with a long needle there is a collection of amniotic fluid.
Soft signs include finds that are a deviation from the norm, they can repair themselves before the birth. As a rule, if there was one soft sign, which can be restored after the twentieth week, her parents did not report it. If there are signs of a lot, then that is the risk of having an affected child and parents are informed about the findings immediately after the ultrasound. Soft signs include a single cyst in the kidney or the brain, the discrepancy of the distances between the toes, etc.
The sex of the child is reported to parents at their request, for the term of 20 weeks it can be determined with an accuracy of 95%. But there are cases when the fetus is positioned so that the floor cannot be determined, then you have to wait for a third screening ultrasound after 32 naledi.
The status of provisory organs
Provisory organs are organs that are formed in the mother’s body temporarily, during pregnancy. These include the placenta and the umbilical cord. During the inspection of provisional organs also make assessment of amniotic fluid.
The importance of the place of attachment of the placenta. In most cases it is located on the rear wall of the uterus, but in some cases there are other options for the location. Deserves the attention of physicians placenta previa when it is fully or partially covers the cervical OS of the uterus.
This situation of the placenta carries a risk of bleeding and placental abruption, as well as when it is fully breech presentation, delivery is possible only by caesarean section.
Assess the condition and thickness of the placenta, and at other locations. Dangerous signs are the sections of the detachment and discoloration of the placenta. They require observation of the patient and, possibly, hospitalization. After examination, the doctor will prescribe a blood test to verify the blood loss. May need to donate blood as hormonal mother.
The umbilical cord
During the inspection of the umbilical cord, assess the condition of its vessels, the three of them (two arteries and one vein), but there are options rules, when only two vessels (artery and Vienna). In this case, the specialist after the ultrasound will also draw this to the attention of the obstetrician to not miss the condition of the child when it lacks nutrients. Probably will also need to take blood for analysis.
For special operating tables, the doctor will assess the depth of amniotic fluid after the examination in order to diagnose oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios.
The condition of the uterus
During the ultrasound the doctor assesses the condition and (the tone) of the uterus and its neck (thickness and condition of the internal OS). Normal internal throat must be tightly closed.
Deviations in the condition of the uterus could be a threat of premature interruption of pregnancy and requires careful observation of specialists and medication.
An ultrasound during the 20th week plays an important role in the diagnosis of genetic disease, and even if the woman decided that will give birth to a child, despite all possible variations, the ultrasound will help to diagnose and even in half of the cases cured before birth. Moreover, it will avoid the pathology in the child, associated with disruption of the provisory organs or the condition of the uterus. |
Wealthy nations should establish a fund that could spend $100 billion a year helping the world's poorest countries to tackle climate change, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Friday.
Calling for the fund to be in place by 2020, Brown said that wealthier nations would be able to raise funds through the expansion of international carbon trading market - in which carbon reductions achieved by one company can be sold to another - and existing development aid.
Environment ministers from industrialized nations first discussed proposals for the creation of such a fund at a conference in Denmark last month. Campaigners praised Brown for drawing further attention to the scale of assistance the developing world is likely to need to make reductions to greenhouse gas emissions.
Brown's comments followed a report issued Thursday by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency which said developing countries are now emitting more than half of the world's carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas blamed for climate change.
"We must help the developing countries adapt to the changes in climate which are already now occurring and which over the next few decades, however much we cut emissions, we cannot now avoid," Brown said, delivering a speech at the London Zoo.
Brown said the U.N. climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December must bring a new global pact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He called for all nations to agree to cut theirs to 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
"There are very few moments in history when nations are summoned to common decisions that will reshape the lives of every man, woman and child on the planet for generations to come," Brown said. "Copenhagen must be the moment we do so."
He said developed countries will likely need to reduce their emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050, in order to achieve an overall global target of 50 percent.
"If we act now, if we act together, if we act with vision and resolve, success at Copenhagen is within reach. But if we falter, the earth itself will be at risk," Brown said.
Leaders hope to use the Copenhagen summit to negotiate a new global climate treaty to succeed the 1997Kyoto treaty, which expires in 2012. That treaty called on 37 countries to cut carbon emissions by a total of 5 percent from 1990 levels by 2012. The U.S. rejected Kyoto, arguing it failed to make demands on rapidly expanding developing countries.
Nations are expected to agree in Copenhagen to make carbon emissions a global commodity, with a universally accepted price.
Representatives from the Maldives, Rwanda and Bangladesh - countries likely to rely on any climate change fund - attended Brown's speech, the British leader's office said.
British charity Oxfam praised Brown's decision to call for the new fund, and urged leaders of the Group of Eight industrialized nation to discuss specifics at a meeting being held in Italy later this month.
"By becoming the first major leader to put a figure on how much money is needed, he has shown signs of leadership on climate change that have so far been sorely lacking," Doug Parr, chief scientist at environmental charity Greenpeace, said in a statement. |
Battle of Malatitze
The Battle of Molyatichi (Swedish: Malatitze), also known as the Battle of Dobroye, took place on August 31, 1708 at Molyatichi (present-day Belarus near the Russian border) during the Great Northern War. The Russian army of Peter the Great under the command of Mikhail Golitsyn successfully attacked the avatgarde of the Swedish Army of Charles XII under Carl Gustaf Roos. The fighting occurred in the swamp between the rivers Belaya Natopa and Chernaya Natopa. The Swedish forces were surprised by the Russian attack in the morning fog and withdrew to the main Swedish army. The swampy landscape prevented the Russian cavalry to cut off the Swedish way of retreat. Since the attack of the main body of the Swedish army was not part of the Russian intentions at that moment, the Russians pulled back. The Swede chronists noted the grown fighting skills of the Russians. Together with the following Battle of Lesnaya, the battle of Malatitze caused Charles XII to abort his advance to Central Russia.
- Clodfelter, Micheal (2002). Warfare and Armed Conflict (in English). McFarland. pp. 94, 97.
- Peter From, Katastrofen vid Poltava (2007), Lund, Historiska media. pp. 196.
|This article about a battle in Swedish history is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.|
|This article about a battle in Russian history is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.| |
Even when its not May, our journey to educate you on the many benefits of a meatless diet will continue year round! As you may know, one of the central beliefs of ISF is that EVERYTHING is interconnected--the environment, the animals that live among us, and of course, us humans! That being said, having a meat-FULL diet doesn’t just affect animals, it affects those who partake, as well as the environment.
The Welfare of Mother Earth’s Creatures
A lot of the animals that are consumed for food are raised on factory farms and most animals living on factory farms are raised in confinement, regardless of how this may affect the animals, physically or mentally. They are exposed to high levels of toxins found in manure, thus disease spreads easily. To prevent disease, they are consistently given low doses of antibiotics, and are sometimes given hormones, for the sole purpose of increased productivity. These animals are often fed a diet that is unnatural to them, and are often kept in crates too small to allow them room to move around, explore, or be social. Many mother pigs are kept in confinement their entire life, or kept in a stall too narrow to even allow them to turn around. Studies have shown that this confinement causes them to “behave abnormally and to become depressed and unreactive to stimuli which would normally elicit a response.”
Commonly, animals suffer from lung damage and pneumonia, due to the poor ventilation of where they are held. Many factory farms use artificial light to prevent animals from sleeping, which causes them to eat, therefore grow quicker. Living in confines with continuous lighting can cause physiological stress, and increased leg problems. 1
Dairy cows are usually pushed to produce 10-20 times more milk than what is needed to feed their calves. Subsequently, their life span is cut short. They are often forced to live in too small of confines so they are unable to exercise their natural movement and instincts. Many cows develop infections and can have problems walking, as well as back problems. They are often fed high intensity feeds and grains to boost their milk production, which can cause digestive upset. Commonly, calves are separated from their mothers within twenty-four hours of birth, and weaned from milk within only eight weeks. By doing this, they do not receive any immunities through the milk causing them to be more vulnerable to disease.
How a Meat-full Diet Can Impact Human Health
Some of the risks from eating excessive amounts of meat include heart disease and cancer. Studies have shown that people who eat too much meat are twenty percent more likely to develop cancer, (pancreatic cancer is specifically mentioned) especially if it’s red meat. Meat also contains saturated fat and cholesterol, which is linked to heart disease. Processed meats, (such as hot dogs) can contain nitrate, which can become carcinogenic when heated.
Part of your kidneys’ job is to remove excess protein from your body. By eating too much, they can become stressed, thus creating the potential for kidney damage. Also, high levels of protein in your body may cause it to excrete more calcium, which can contribute to osteoporosis.2
And What About Mother Earth Herself?
Animals that are raised for human consumption generate more greenhouse gas emissions than all of the cars, trucks, trains, and airplanes in the world combined; over fifty percent of human-caused greenhouse gases can be linked back to livestock and their by-product.
There are approximately 500,000 factory farms in the United States; they produce an estimated 130 times more waste than the human population. The waste from livestock, feedlots, chicken, and hog farms are major contributors to water pollution. As it enters waterways, the waste can both ruin aquatic ecosystems and make water unsafe for consumption. Cattle emit methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide, which are three of the four gases responsible for trapping solar heat.
Think about this: it takes roughly 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef and approximately 815 gallons of water to produce one pound of chicken.
ISF depends on your support to continue to provide education and programs in support of Creatures, the Environment and Youth. Please consider donating today. |
Common Transitions - Writers Digest UniversityLearn how to teach the use of transition words and phrases to make your fictional and expository writing fit together.Participants will be mentored by two published authors through three rounds of revisions and receive additional feedback from our literary agent mentor on their first five pages and their pitch.You can also ease in and out by reusing a word, object, or concept that appears in the previous sentence or paragraph in the beginning of the next paragraph.Online Writing Lab Transitions One of the best ways to improve any essay is by incorporating transitions.Transition words and phrases help an essayist make the writing flow, providing the reader with smooth reading.
Transitional words and phrases provide the glue that holds ideas together in writing.Reply Delete Adventures in YA Publishing March 27, 2012 at 9:06 PM Hey, Natalie.Transitional words and phrases describe the shift using references to time passing, location shifting, etc.
Transitions: quiet links that help your writing’s logicPlease, sir, may I have some more: From Orphaned Book to Multi-Book Contract by Kaitlin Bevis.We use the income from this and from sidebar advertising to help defray the costs of postage for mailing books to giveaway winners.
Writing a high school essay is an important basic skill that you will need to succeed in high school, college, and in the workplace.They should be short and smooth, and there are many different types that connect different elements of a story.
How to Use Paragraph Transitions - WhiteSmokeShare book reviews and ratings with Martina, and even join a book club on Goodreads.Instead of treating paragraphs as separate ideas, transitions can help.
In action: She spent an hour picking out her dress and two hours in front of the mirror, and when it was time for the date, she was ready to make the boy swallow his tongue.The Blueprint for Writing a Novel from the First Five Pages to the End.Young Adult Fiction, YA Book Giveaways, Advice from Young Adult Authors, Plus Writing Tips, Publishing Information, and Insider Tidbits.
Using Transitional Words in an Argumentative EssayHas your writing been called choppy, lacking in logic or flow, ideas disconnected or unrelated.
LAKE OF DESTINY by MARTINA BOONE Mayfair Publishing A magical story about men in kilts, destiny, and the sometimes twisted path to love.Craft of Writing: Embrace Your Childhood Writing Experience by Ann Stampler.I myself am a constant work in progress, and thanks to amazing posts like this, I have plenty of material to learn from.Using transitional words and phrases helps papers read more smoothly, and at the same time allows the.
Transition Words/Phrases for Narrative Writing
Reply Delete Replies Adventures in YA Publishing March 28, 2012 at 11:33 PM LOL.
Transitions (ESL) - The Writing Center at UNC-Chapel Hill
Writing - Transition Words - Pinterest
She raced through the empty street, the slap of her footsteps on the asphalt echoing off the darkened buildings reminding her that she was too alone and vulnerable.Fix those issues by learning how to write effective transitions.The characters in Book A face a moral dilemma, a contested inheritance.Win a box of books for a classroom, school, shelter, or underfunded library.
Definition and Examples of Transitional ParagraphsA Southern Gothic romance steeped in mystery, mayhem, Spanish moss, and a bit of magic.SENTENCE TRANSITIONS Problem Transitions are tools to create coherence and consistency.Hugs, Martina Delete Reply Gwen Ellery March 28, 2012 at 1:57 PM Wonderful post.Transitional chains, to use in separating sections of a paragraph which is arranged chronologically.Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to illustrate, in other words, in particular, specifically, such as.However, these words all have different meanings, nuances, and connotations.
What's a good transition word for a conclusion of aGet common recommendations as to how to get the greatest essay ever Find out.In description: When it was time for the date, she was dressed in black to match her mood.Inclusion of a book on the site does not imply an endorsement unless the individual who authored the post specifically states that they have personally read the book or believes the product or service mentioned will add value to our readers.In exposition: When it was time for the date, she had been waiting at the bar so long, she knew the name of the bartender and the lifestory of all his kids.For example, for instance, to illustrate, thus, in other words, as an illustration, in particular.
When it was time for my date with Alden, I was ready for some drama of my own.To avoid lulling the reader out of the story, we need to make sure that our narrative is never plain vanilla.Good transitions for writing: Rating: 88 / 100 All: 369 |
- Find the best workout music at jog.fm Find the songs with BPMs to match your running, walking, cycling or spinning pace.
- Returning to our musical example of \Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", we may translate the musical notation into statements about the physical waves that make up the sound. The rst and last notes of the example are \A above middle C", which refers to the pitch of the note, a musical term for the frequency of the sound wave.
Frequency to Note Calculator ... Note: Offset (cents): Save this page on your computer so you can do the calculation without having to connect to the internet.
and the rest of the notes with . Traditionally, the modulation is studied with the aid of the cycle of fifths, where the keys are sorted according to their key signatures. On its own, the Harmonic Wheel is a much more complete representation than a cycle of fifths, since it gives a panoramic view of chords and keys, as
Note Durations. Using a set of symbols called notes the pitch and duration of musical sounds are written (notated) on the musical staff. The most basic note is an oval (called a whole-note). The whole note becomes a half note when a stem is added. Adding the stem changes the duration or time that the note is sounded.
Musical Scale Finder and Key Finder Enter some of the notes you want or even a chord or two. This tool will find the scales compatible with your inputs. Use them to find the right scales for soloing or to complete your melody, harmony or chord progression.
- What are the frequencies of musical notes, and how are they calculated? In this video we will study how frequencies of musical notes increase as we go up to ...
- An online music calculator that includes formulas and tables for bpm, hertz, keyboard notes and quality factor calculations.
- Music Emoji. Music Emoji List, with music notes, musical instruments and musical devices for you to use on your blogs and social pages like facebook, Google+, twitter etc.. You can copy-paste music emojis anywhere you like, or you can use their Unicode values, within your HTML and other programming codes.
- Dec 28, 2007 · The following link provides a complete frequency chart of all the musical notes. The Dinshah Spectro-Chrome color therapy book also includes information on the use of specific Roscolene color filter s to work in tandem with certain musicl notes that can have a therapeutic effect on the body and its organ systems.
- Scale JGuitar's scale calculator will draw scale diagrams showing the fretboard with notes in the selected scale highlighted. Adjust the "start fret" option to further highlight a finger pattern for playing the selected scale in a different position on the fretboard. Hit "Go" to see the result.
- Oct 02, 2015 · Calculate Size of Inverter for following Electrical Load .Calculate Size of Battery Bank and decide Connection of Battery. Electrical Load detail: 2 No of 60W,230V, 0.8 P.F Fan. 1 No of 200W,230V, 0.8 P.F Computer. 2 No of 30W,230V, 0.8 P.F Tube Light.
scale, the frequency of note C# is around 277.187329377. The frequency of the note D is C# times 1.05946309436, or about 293.669745699. If you calculate the frequency of the note D using Just Intonation, That is close to the Equal Tempered D, but not exactly the same note.
Please note: Not all pieces have transpositions available. You may, however, request a transposition by contacting our Customer Support team. To transpose your sheet music to another available key, simply tap the "Transpose" button and a list of available keys will be displayed.
Counting the meter of your music manually is a drag. This BPM tapping counter tool is especially useful for musicians and dancers who want to measure tempo for mp3 file id3 tags in programs such as iTunes. The BPM tapper is also effective in medical situations to quickly calculate Heartbeats Per Minute, heart rate, or Resting Pulse.
The proctor will check all calculators before the exam starts. You can bring up to 2 permitted calculators to the exam. Be sure to bring calculators that you’re familiar with and that are in good working order. You don’t need to clear your calculators’ memories before or after the exam. Exam day rules:
- With that in mind, we have DIY calculators for all musical notes or for specific scales such as the pentatonic or the C9 Chord. You select the metal and the tubing size (ID and OD) and the calculator will provide the correct length and hang point for each note.
- (Note that while clocks start at 1 and end on 12, modular arithmetic always (re)starts with zero.) Conversely, when counting down [“10, 9, 8, …”], we follow 0 with 11. While we are used to thinking of numbers on an infinite line, modular thinking wraps them into a finite number, generally represented by a circle.
- If you put 2 eighth notes (quavers) next to each other, instead of writing 2 separate notes with 2 tails you join the tails together to make a beam. So, all the notes in the score below are the same length…. You can do the same with 2 sixteenth notes (semiquavers) by joining both the pairs of tails together to make 2 beams…. |
Doctors now have an easy test for determining your heart health, according to European researchers. Anyone can take the test - just need access to staircases and wear comfortable sneakers or shoes. The test: time it takes to climb 4 flights of stairs or 60 steps.
According to the researchers, the best is being able to climb the stairs at a fast pace, without stopping, in 45 seconds or less (heart health!). A sign of poorer ("suboptimal") heart health is taking 1 1/2 minutes or more to do it. The researchers go on to discuss how heart health is linked to risk of death over the next ten years.
From Science Daily: Test your heart health by climbing stairs
Climbing four flights of stairs in less than a minute indicates good heart health, according to research presented at EACVI -- Best of Imaging 2020, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
"The stairs test is an easy way to check your heart health," said study author Dr. Jesús Peteiro, a cardiologist at University Hospital A Coruña, Spain. "If it takes you more than one-and-a-half minutes to ascend four flights of stairs, your health is suboptimal, and it would be a good idea to consult a doctor."
This study was conducted to examine the relationship between a daily activity -- i.e. climbing stairs -- and the results obtained from exercise testing in a laboratory. "The idea was to find a simple and inexpensive method of assessing heart health," said Dr. Peteiro. "This can help physicians triage patients for more extensive examinations."
The study included 165 symptomatic patients referred for exercise testing because of known or suspected coronary artery disease. Symptoms included chest pain or shortness of breath during exertion. Participants walked or ran on a treadmill, gradually increasing the intensity, and continuing until exhaustion. Exercise capacity was measured as metabolic equivalents (METs). After resting for 15 to 20 minutes, patients were asked to climb four flights of stairs (60 stairs) at a fast pace without stopping, but also without running, and the time was recorded.
The researchers analysed the relationship between METs achieved during exercise testing and the time it took to climb four flights of stairs. Patients who climbed the stairs in less than 40-45 seconds achieved more than 9-10 METs. Previous studies have shown that 10 METs during an exercise test is linked with a low mortality rate (1% or less per year, or 10% in 10 years). In contrast, patients who took 1.5 minutes or longer to climb the stairs achieved less than 8 METs, which translates to a mortality rate of 2-4% per year, or 30% in 10 years.
During the treadmill test, the researchers also generated images of the heart to assess its function during exercise -- if the heart works normally during exercise this indicates a low likelihood of coronary artery disease. They then compared these findings to the results of the stair climb. Some 58% of patients who completed the stair climb in more than 1.5 minutes had abnormal heart function during the treadmill examination. In contrast, just 32% of those who climbed the stairs in less than one minute had abnormal heart function during the treadmill examination.
Dr. Peteiro noted that the correlation between the stairs time and exercise capacity (i.e. METs) would be similar in the general population. But the corresponding mortality rates and heart function by imaging would be more favourable than for patients with symptoms and suspected or confirmed coronary artery disease. |
Learn more about the conflict in Rwanda between the Hutu and the Tutsis with this short history on the Rwandan genocide.
A Summary of the Rwandan Genocide - Polytechnic SchoolIn the book, Strasser depicts an experiment conducted by a history teacher.The other soldiers are part of the rebel group and consists mainly of non-Arab Zaghwa and masalit groups.The United Nations have groups of troops called Peacekeepers.
Many people have become homeless and seek protection in refugee camps in Chad.Anywhere from 800,000 to one million people were killed (McKenzie).
I am not saying that they did not help at all because they did have 270 soldiers in Rwanda, but instead of increasing that number, they took more soldiers out.Although it is sometimes viewed that major players in the international community did not get involved in the conflict between the Hutus and the Tutsis I argue that in some form or fashion they did.The situation in Darfur, Sudan is known as Genocide, Genocide is defined as a systematic extermination or attempt at exterminating a national, political, racial or cultural group.The Armenians were almost completely eradicated by the Turks from the Ottoman Empire.
The Relief International group stationed many health outposts throughout Darfur and South Sudan.Like the Holocaust, this event is was a genocide and it took place at Rwanda in 1994.The Universal Declaration of Human Rights defines the liberties set for everyone in the World.It lasted 100 days starting on April 6, 1994 and ending on July 16, 1994.
Hotel rwanda essay - Writing Custom Research PapersThere were many ways to solve it but they chose the hard way.It all happened during the Ottoman Empire, present-day Turkey, where 2 million Armenians lived.This broke out to be a civil war against their two major ethnic groups.
Rwanda Civil War - topics.revolvy.com
The Rwandan Genocide: A case of Ethnic ConflictThere are many examples of genocide in the world but the most recognizable is that of the Holocaust and how the German powers that be sought and attempted to kill all Jews.
Rwanda Genocide - Essay by Knowles07 - Anti EssaysFrom April to October, 1918 approximately 1.8 million Armenian Turks were murdered by their fellow Turks.Rwanda term papers available at Planet Papers.com, the largest free term paper community.
That is more than 68 percent of the current population of Rwanda.That is equivalent to the entire population of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.In 1914, the Turks confiscated the weapons of the Armenian Turkish troops and put them through hard labor and were used as human pack animals.It is also important because people need to know what is happening in the world, as of today.
102 best images about Rwanda on Pinterest | RwandaThe book, Left to Tell, by Immaculee Ilibagiza, it is hard to hear the heart-wrenching stories that she had been through.Then you will co operate with santastyle red letters masson and cons essay in rwanda, text presents a difference.Between 1961 and the outbreak of genocide in 1994 many Tutsis fled the regime due to its discriminatory practices and anti-Tutsi policies.
In Darfur, families are being murdered, raped, and starved by the thousands.Some were also told that they could keep any land of the Tutsi they killed.
The legal restrictions, which denied equal treatment of the Armenians such as discriminatory taxes and restricted participation in the Ottoman government implanted raging anger in Armenians.Rwanda essay: Rating: 98 / 100 All: 246 |
What country has not been touched by COVID-19? All over the world, nearly every government had to implement movement restrictions and strict quarantines, and worked with medical, private humanitarian organizations, communities, among others to respond to the pandemic.
With projects in over 70 countries around the world, Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) opened dedicated COVID-19 projects, while maintaining its essential healthcare programs. Throughout the pandemic, MSF worked to protect the most vulnerable: the elderly, the homeless, the refugees, those living with other illnesses such as HIV and tuberculosis. But how is this pandemic affecting children?
Amid travel restrictions and strict quarantine protocols, many children have stopped going to school, and have been forced to remain at home. Many children have not been able to play with friends or visit relatives in months. Playgrounds and pools and parks have been closed.
How can children be made to understand this pandemic, and the measures that must be taken to remain safe from COVID-19?
Pondering the pandemic with puzzles
On December 12, 2020, MSF is launching What Can You Do About COVID-19?, a children’s activity book. With activities ranging from crossword puzzles and mazes, the activity book helps explain the newly discovered coronavirus, and how to protect from the disease. The illustrations are in black and white, so that children can color in all the pages.
The activities in What Can You Do About COVID-19? are designed for children aged five to nine years old. Children can learn about masks and how to wear them, the tools used by healthcare workers, and what they can do if they’re worried about the pandemic. Parents are encouraged to go through the book and do the activities with their kids. To help adults talk about the pandemic with children, What Can You Do About COVID-19? also has a short guide for how to talk about COVID-19.
Paul McPhun, South East and East Asia-Pacific (SEEAP) Head of Project, says, “MSF knows very well that healthcare really starts at home, and helping families take care of each other is just as important as having access to clinics and hospitals. We hope that this activity book does just that. We want to help parents and their children help themselves to stay safe and healthy, as we all face the risks of COVID-19. But we also want the learning process to be fun, so that it is passed on to help as many people in our communities as possible!”
With translations in Filipino, Bahasa Indonesia and Malay, the activity book will be available for free download on the MSF Southeast Asia website. Parents can download the activity book and print it at home.
The launch event on December 12 will also include a panel discussion about the impact of the pandemic on children’s mental health.
Responding to COVID-19 in Southeast Asia
The activity book is just one of the ways MSF is supporting COVID-19 response in the region.
In Indonesia, MSF teams have been conducting workshops, training and health education sessions related to COVID-19 for community health workers and assisted communities in Banten and Jakarta provinces. As of October 2020, the MSF team in Banten conducted two training sessions on IPC and contact tracing. In Jakarta, MSF completed health education sessions and training of trainers sessions. There is also a psychosocial component focused on healthcare workers.
In Manila, Philippines, the team supports health workers who carry out contact tracing and COVID-19 prevention activities at community level. In three different health facilities providing care for COVID-19 patients, the team helps build tents for triage, seeks to improve IPC and provides PPE for the health workers. Since early July, MSF teams have distributed quarantine kits – including hygiene materials – to COVID-19 patients and their close contacts. MSF also provided support to the COVID-19 ward and the hospital laboratory at San Lazaro Hospital. In Marawi, the team monitors COVID-19 surveillance and contact tracing in Marawi City and supports health promotion in one quarantine facility.
In Penang, Malaysia, MSF is providing COVID-19 health education in different languages, including Rohingya and Burmese, and translations in hospitals. Based on input from the community, MSF has started a COVID-19 health promotion campaign with R-vision, an online Rohingya news network. Our advocacy has focused on a more inclusive COVID-19 response, calling on the government to halt targeting migrants and refugees in immigration raids, which could risk further spread of COVID-19 in detention centers.
To learn more about how MSF is responding to COVID-19 around the world, visit msf-seasia.org/COVID-19. (PR) |
Dysert O'Dea Monastery
The faces found on the outer arch of the doorway
|Location||near Corofin, County Clare, Ireland|
Dysert O'Dea Church near Corofin in County Clare, Ireland stands on the site of an early Christian monastery which was reportedly founded by St. Tola in the 8th century. Most of the present structures are from the 12th century.
The church stands on the site of the original monastery, reportedly founded by St. Tola in the 8th century. The ruined Romanesque structure visible today mainly dates to the 12th century and is over 30 metres long. The lancet windows in the east gable were additions from the early 13th century. The stone arch, showing twelve human and seven animal heads, also dates to the 13th century. Inside the church is the grave of Joan O'Dea, wife of the last clan chieftain, Michael O'Dea (dating to 1684).
The late 11th century round tower was converted into a fortification in the 16th century. It was severely damaged by artillery fire by Cromwellian troops in 1651. Of an estimated original height of around 30 metres, only about a third still remains. An old bronze bell discovered in 1790 was taken to Corofin and sold to pay for the current church bell. In the 1850s, Edward Synge, the local landlord, made repairs to the tower.
St. Tola's Well is a pre-Christian well that was the site of an annual pilgrimage on 30 March. In the 1860s the landlord had the well paved over but it was reopened in 1986.
A High Cross, the so-called "St. Tola's Cross", is located in a field to the east of the church. It dates to the 12th century. The upper part shows the crucifixion, while on the shaft is the figure of a bishop, with the back and sides showing Irish interlacing work. The cross was knocked over by the Cromwellian soldiers but repaired by Michael O'Dea in 1683. Since he used stones from the church to set up the pedestal, the church building must have fallen into disuse by then. The Synge family again restored the cross in 1871. In 1960, the cross was temporarily dismantled and shipped to Barcelona for an exhibition on Irish art.
This monastic site is part of the Dysert O'Dea Archaeological Trail. There are many more historical sites in the immediate vicinity including O'Dea Castle, two ring forts, the remains of a fulacht fiadh, and the ruins of a stone Victorian house dating from 1861.
"Synge's Lodge" is a ruined guest house, originally built in the Georgian style not far from the church ruins. The Synge coat of arms with the motto "Caelesta canimes" remains over the door. The Synge's local agent lived in nearby "Mollaneen House", built c. 1780. This had a walled garden and orchard.
The Battle of Dysert O'Dea of 1318 took place near the monastic site.
- Cronin, Richard (1989). Dysert O'Dea - A history trail - Guide and Map. Dysert Development Association.
- "Clare County Library: Churches with Round Towers in Northern Clare by Thomas Johnson Westropp". Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- O'Dea: Ua Deághaidh: The Story of a Rebel Clan, by Risteárd Ua Cróinín (Richard Cronin), Ballinakella Press, Whitegate, Co. Clare, Ireland, 1992. ISBN 0-946538-07-7.
|This article related to the geography of County Clare, Ireland is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.|
|This article relating to archaeology in Ireland is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.| |
Rhyming picture books
9 November 2016Add to My Folder
Rhyming picture books are always firm favourites in Early Years settings. Take a look at these fantastic activities and resources for some great ideas for working rhyming fun into your weekly routines.
One of the best-known pioneers of using rhyming text was Theodor Geisel Seuss who was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1904. His birthday is on 2nd March. Known as Dr. Seuss, he wrote books for young children with an inimitable visual text, which is of immense help to the early reader and also great fun. He told the most ingenious stories of imaginative characters, well suited to the minds of children who are always prepared to accept and delight in fantasy creatures without questioning either their reality, or the improbability of the situation or setting.
- Playing with rhyming sounds
- More rhyming picture books
- A love of characters
- Visual texts
- Rhyming text
- There’s a dragon in a wagon
Playing with rhyming sounds
- Read the book, discussing the illustrations and the various characters.
- Select small sections of the story asking children to listen carefully to hear which words sound the same. Then read again, emphasizing the rhyming words and asking the children to join in with you.
- Children love playing with word sounds. Encourage them to ‘say and play’ with one set of rhymes from the book each day, listening to the sounds and adding more with the same sound. (Take a look at the Rhyming words from The Cat in the Hat activity sheet for more on this.)
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| ECECHERIA (Ekekheria) The female personification of truce.
ECHIDNA (1) (Ekhidna) A deadly she-dragon with the upper form of a beautiful nymph, and the tail of a writhing serpent in place of legs. She mated with the hundred-headed giant Typhon and spawned a brood of terrible monsters.
ECHIDNA (2) (Ekhidna) An Arcadian she-dragon slain by the hero Argos Panoptes.
ECHIDNADES (Ekhidnades) A serpent-footed ally of the Titans slain by Ares in the Titan-War.
ECHO (Ekho) An Oread attendant of Hera who distracted the goddess with endless chatter while her husband Zeus was having affairs with other women. Hera caught onto the ruse and took away the nymph's voice, cursing her to repeat the last words of others. Echo later fell in love with the boy Narcissus, but was spurned and in her grief, wasted away until only her echoing voice was left..
EIDOTHEA (1) A sea-nymph daughter of the seal-herder Proteus who helped Menelaus capture the prophetic old sea-god.
EIDOTHEA (2) A nymph of Mount Othrys in the Greek region of Malis loved by the god Poseidon.
EIDYIA The Oceanid nymph wife of King Aeetes of Colchis.
EILEITHYIA The Greek goddess of childbirth, a daughter of Zeus and Hera.
EIRENE The goddess of peace, one of the three Horae (Seasons).
ELAPHOI CHRYSOCEROI (Elaphoi Khrysokeroi) Five golden-horned deer sacred to the goddess Artemis. Four of them drew her chariot while the fifth, known as the Cerynitian Hind, roamed free.
ELATREUS One of the metal-working Cyclop giants.
ELECTRA (1) (Elektra) The Oceanid of the amber sun-lit rim of breaking storm clouds, wife of the wondrous sea-god Thaumas and mother of the rainbow Iris and the gusty Harpies.
ELECTRA (2) (Elektra) A Pleiad nymph who was the mother of Dardanus, ancestor of the kings of Troy, by Zeus.
ELETE The eighth of the twelve goddesses of the hours (Horae), who presided over the hour of mid-afternoon.
ELEUS (Eleos) The female personification of mercy.
ELEUSIS The eponymous nymph of Eleusis and the wife of the town's first king. She was one of the attendants of Demeter in the Mysteries.
ELPIS The female personification of hope, the only spirit to remain trapped inside Pandora's box.
EMPUSA (Empousa) An underworld she-daemon with flaming hair, a leg of brass, and the leg of an ass who terrorized men in the dark of night.
ENCELADUS (Enkelados) A Gigante crushed by Athena beneath the island of Sicily during the Giant War. His restless turnings fed the fires of volcanic Mount Etna.
ENDEIS A Nymph daughter of the centaur Chiron who some say was the mother of the hero Peleus.
ENDYMION A young shepherd loved by the moon-goddess Selene who granted his wish for immortality in a state of eternal slumber.
ENYALIUS (Enyalios) A minor daemon of war, one of the sons of Ares.
ENYO (1) The goddess of war, a battlefield companion of Ares.
ENYO (2) One of the Graeae, old hags who shared one eye and one tooth amongst them.
EOS The Greek goddess of the dawn who was cursed by Aphrodite with an insatiable appetite for men, falling in love with one after another - Cephalus, Tithonus, Phaethon and Orion.
EOSPHORUS (Eosphoros) The divinity of the morning star (Venus), herald of the dawn.
EPHIALTES (1) A Gigante shot in both eyes by Apollo and Heracles with arrows during the Giant War.
EPHIALTES (2) A giant son of Poseidon who with his twin brother Otus tried to storm the heavens by piling three mountains one upon the other, until they were destroyed by Apollo and Artemis.
EPHYRA The eponymous Oceanid nymph of the town of Ephyra (Corinth), in the south of Greece.
EPIALES The underworld daemon of nightmares.
EPIDOTES The daemon of the rites of purification. She was an attendant of Apollo at the Greek shrine Delphi who molified the wrath of the Furies.
EPIMELIDES Rustic nymphs responsible for protecting sheep flocks and apple orchards.
EPIMETHEUS The Titan-god of afterthought who foolishly accepted the first woman, Pandora, from the godswith her box of evils.
EPIONE The goddess of the soothing of pain, wife of the divine physician Asclepius.
EPIPHRON The Greek personification of shrewdness and careful consideration.
ERASINUS (Erasinos) A river of Argos in southern Greece and its watery spirit.
ERATO (1) The Muse of love poetry.
ERATO (2) An Arcadian Dryad nymph and prophetess of Pan who became the wife of the Arcadian king Arcas.
EREBUS (Erebos) The primordial spirit of darkness, consort of Night, and father of Day and Light..
ERIDANUS (Eridanos) A river of northern Europe or Italy and its fish-tailed deity.
ERINYES The three serpent-haired goddesses of vengeance and punishment which were born of the blood of the castrated Heaven (Uranus).
ERIS The goddess of strife and discored who stalked the battlefield. She helped the Trojan War by casting a golden apple addresed "to the fairest" amongst the company of goddesses.
ERITES The twin personifications of strife. The good Eris was represented competitive rivalry while the bad was the spirit of hateful discord.
EROS (1) The protogenos (primordial deity) of sexual desire and procreation. He was one of the first to emerge at creation.
EROS (2) The winged godling of love who struck down men with his love-tipped arrows.
EROTES The winged, child-like gods of love, also known as Cupids.
ERSA (Herse) The goddess of the dew.
ERYMANTHIAN BOAR (Hus Erymanthios) A giant boar which Heracles was sent to fetch as one of his twelve labours.
EUBOEA (1) (Euboia) A Naiad daughter of the river Asopus who was abducted by Poseidon to the Greek island of Euboea.
EUBOEA (2) (Euboia) A Naiad daughter of the river Asterion in the Argive region of southern Greece, who with sisters Acraea and Prosymna, nursed the infantHera.
EUBOLUS (Euboulos) The daemon of the ploughing of the earth, a minor deity of the Eleusinian Mysteries.
EUCLEIA (Eukleia) The goddess of good repute, patron of the young bride..
EUDAEMONIA (Eudaimonia) The goddess of happiness, prosperity and opulence. She was one of the younger Charites (Graces) and a companion of the goddess Aphrodite.
EUDORA One of the five starry nymphs known as the Hyades.
EUNOMIA One of the three Horae (Seasons), and goddess of good order and the spring pastures. She was also an attendant of the goddess Aphrodite.
EUNOSTOS (Eunostus) The goddess of the flour mill.
EUPHEME (1) The spirit of eloquence, nurse of the nine Muses and a love of the goat-horned Pan
EUPHEME (2) The personification of eloquence, one of the younger Charites (Graces).
EUPHRATES The deity of the Assyrian River Euphrates.
EUPHROSYNE The ancient Greek goddess of mirth and merriment, one of the three Graces (Charites).
EUPORIA One of the Horae or Seasons, and the goddess of agricultural abundance.
EUPRAXIA The female personification of good conduct.
EUROPA An Oceanid who gave her name to the continent of Europe.
EUROTAS A river in the Greek region of Laconia and its ancient divnity who fathered the first of the kings of Sparta.
EURUS (Euros) The Greek god of the east wind.
EURYALE One of the immortal Gorgons, a sister of Medusa.
EURYALUS (Euryalos) A one-eyed, metal-working Cyclops giant.
EURYBIA The ancient goddess of the power of the sea, wife of the Titan Crius.
EURYMEDON One of the Cabeiri gods.
EURYNOME (1) The Titan goddess of the water pasture, and mother of the Charites (Graces) by Zeus.
EURYNOME (2) A Queen of the Titans, wife of King Ophion. She and her husband were deposed by Cronus and Rhea and cast down from heaven into the Ocean-stream.
EURYNOMUS (Eurynomos) A black-blue skinned daemon of the underworld which devoured the flesh of the dead.
EURYTION (1) A Thessalian centaur who tried to carry off the bride of king Peirithous on her wedding day, sparking a war between the Lapiths and the centaurs.
EURYTION (2) A Peloponnesian centaur killed by Heracles when it came demanding the hand of Mnesimache, princess of Olenus, in marriage.
EURYTUS (Eurytos) A Gigante slain by Dionysus in the Giant War.
EUSEBIA The female personification of piety and filial respect. Her husband was Nomus, the spirit of law.
EUTERPE The Muse of lyric poetry.
EUTHEMIA A nymph of the Greek island of Cos who was struck down by the arrows of Artemis when she refused to honour the goddess.
EUTHENIA The goddess of prosperity, one of the younger Charites, daughters of Hephaestus.
EUTYCHIA The spirit of good fortune.
EVADNE (Euadne) A Aaiad daughter of the river Strymon wed to Argus, the first king of the Argive region in southern Greece.
EVENUS (Euenos) A river of Aetolia in the west of Greece and its divinity.
FATES (Moirai) The three goddesses of fate.
FURIES (Erinyes) The three serpent-haired goddesses of vengeance called Erinyes.
For other Greek names beginning with F look under Ph (eg Phaethon for Faethon, Phorcys for Forcus)
GAAEUS (Gaaeus) One of the fish-tailed marine gods, a herder of the fish of the sea.
GAEA (Gaia) The primordial goddess (protogenia) of the earth, mother of both gods and men. In the ancient tale of divine succession, she first conspired to have her husband Uranus deposed, and afterwards for her son Cronus to be supplanted in turn by Zeus.
GALATEA (Galateia) One of the fifty Nereids, Galatea was wooed by the Cyclops Polyphemus.
GALENE The Nereid nymph of calm seas.
GANYMEDES A handsome prince of Troy abducted to Olympus by Zeus to become the cup-bearer of the gods.
GEGENEES A tribe of six-armed Mysian giants slain by the Argonauts.
GELUS (Gelos) The happy god of laughter.
GERAS The wrinkled, shrunken old daemon of old age.
GERYON A giant, three-bodied man who possessed a fabulous herd of red-skinned cattle on the Sunset Isle. Heracles slew him when sent to fetch these as his tenth labour.
GIGANTES (1) The giants of Greek myth which included beings like the Gigantes who waged war on the gods, the Aloedae, Typhon, Antaeus, Charybdis, Orion, Tityus, the Cyclopes, and the Hecatoncheires.
GIGANTES (2), HECA- (Heka-Gigantes) A hundred Giants born of Tartarus and Gaea which were incited by their mother to wage war on the gods. They were slaughtered in the furious battle which ensued.
GLAUCIA (Glaukia) A Naiad daughter of the river Scamander of Troy who fell in love with one of the companions of Heracles.
GLAUCUS (Glaukos) A Greek fisherman transformed into a fish-tailed sea-god after tasting a magical herb.
GORGO The primal Gorgon slain by Zeus who crafted the aegis-shield from its skin.
GORGONS (Gorgones) Three monstrous winged she-daemones with snakes for hair, broad, flat noses, wide-staring eyes, protruding tusks and lolling tongues. They had claws of bronze and golden wings and a gaze which would turn man or beast to stone.
GORGYRA A nymph of the underworld, wife of the river of pain, Acheron.
GRACES (Kharites) Goddesses of beauty, joy and happiness called the Charites.
GRAEAE (Graiai) Female daemones of the white froth of the sea, born grey-haired and aged who shared but one and tooth amongst them. Perseus stole these from them to demand they show him the path to the Gorgons.
GRATION A Gigante slain by Artemis with her bow in the Giant War.
GRENICUS (Grenikos) A river of Troy and its deity.
GRIFFINS (Grypes) A fabulous creature with the fore-quarters of an eagle and the rear-part of a horse.
GYES One of the three hundred-handed, fifty-headed Hecatoncheir giants.
GYGE (Gygaie) A lake of Lydia and its watery spirit.
GYMNASTICA (Gymnastika) The fourth of the twelve goddesses of the hours (Horae), who presided over the morning hour set aside for gymnastics. |
From the eia article The United States installed more wind turbine capacity in 2020 than in any other year by Richard Bowers and Owen Comstock (3/32021):
In both 2019 and 2020, project developers in the United States installed more wind power capacity than any other generating technology. According to data recently published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory, annual wind turbine capacity additions in the United States set a record in 2020, totaling 14.2 gigawatts (GW) and surpassing the previous record of 13.2 GW added in 2012. After this record year for wind turbine capacity additions, total wind turbine capacity in the United States is now 118 GW.
There are two other graphs in the article and an answer to the question of which state generates the most wind power. There are also links to the data. |
Camera lenses go flat and skinny
Like much of Hollywood
Researchers in Quebec have developed a new lens which is extremely flat and five times thinner than a sheet of paper, that they claim will revolutionise photography. With the new technology, even the smallest of cameras would be able to take perfectly clear pictures, and even get close up to their subjects with none of the distortion associated with digital zoom.
Tigran Galstian, an engineer and physicist at Laval University, says that the research could drastically improve the quality of pictures taken by small cameras, like those in cell phones, according to a Canadian Press report.
The researchers added a small amount of a light-sensitive monomer to the liquid crystal in a conventional electro-optic cell. When the liquid crystal is stimulated by a laser, the monomers are stimulated to form a polymer network, with a density proportional to the amount of light falling on the surface. This also affects the orientation of the liquid crystals, and the refractive index of the cell.
By precisely controlling the laser profile, the researchers are able to make the cell act like a lens. Varying the voltage across the lens, the researchers could change the focal length of the lens, because this alters its refractive index. By increasing the applied voltage from 1.5 to 4.5 volts, the team was able to vary the focal length by a factor of five.
Galstian has patented his invention, and is now looking for industry support to develop the technology into a working product. He told Canadian Press: "Right now we're guessing what industry needs and we'd love to work with them on what they really want."
Galstian and his team believe the technology could be decent competition to the liquid lens research currently underway in France. ®
Sponsored: Today’s most dangerous security threats |
Flowers in an electron microscope field
Noorduin's sensitive structures can be further controlled by manipulating factors such as the temperature or acidity of the water as they grow. "Just taking off the lid of the beaker (which allows more CO2to enter it), adding a drop of acid, or mixing in some kitchen salt, can already give completely different shapes, " he told Crave. "We can apply these modulations continuously while the structures are growing so that you can, for instance, make precise patterns."
Photo by: Wim Noorduin
To create structures with different components, Noorduin says he first grows a structure, like a stem, and then places it in a new solution to get a different structure - like petals - to attach to it. "This new solution can contain completely different chemical conditions such that we can radically change the shape and at the same time control where we grow the new structure, " he told Crave. "As a result we can, for instance, first grow a vase and subsequently place a stem inside this vase and open it into a flower so that you make a micro bouquet."
A rose by any other size
When the super-small structures are first created, they are made with colorless materials, according to Noorduin. "We can, however, make colored structures by adding dye molecules to the reaction solution that get built into the structure while they grow, " he explained. By switching solutions several times, he can dye different parts of the structure different colors - red petals on a green stem, for example.
Black, white, and brainlike
When creating the images of his microarchitecture, Noorduin uses electron microscopy, which only produces black and white images. To get the images looking like the actual structures, he colors them after they are taken, mimicking the dyeing process that happens in the crystals at the nanoscale.
"For three years now, I've been looking at these very strange white stripes on plates that are maybe only an inch long or so, " Noorduin told The Creators Project, which made a documentary about his work. "And every time I'm amazed that it's a complete sort of coral reef that you're diving into as soon as you look under the microscope, " he said. "I notice quite often that I simply forget to make photos because I just want to look further (at) the samples and discover new structures and then get lost. These small samples really contain their own world."
Fortunately for us, he does remember to snap a photo every now and then!
Are these from 'Avatar'?
This might look like a field of flowers - perhaps a kind familiar to the Na'vi in "Avatar" - growing on a tabletop, but in reality the structures could fit inside the width of a human hair.
How does your garden grow?
The Creators Project also spoke to Harvard chemistry professor Joanna Aizenberg, in whose group Noorduin works. Of Noorduin's work she said, "Basic science is critical. We do need to understand how and why things assemble. How and why the emergence of form leads to certain structures. Without this basic understanding, we won't be ever able to professionally design the structures, materials, and complex systems that we can use in the future devices."
About the reaction to his work, Noorduin told The Creators Project: "The feedback is very broad. Of course, there are many scientists that find this work interesting, but also just people from all over the world who are intrigued by the shapes; especially when you consider that these images were for about three years only on my computer, and then suddenly in one day they are all over the Internet - that is very strange to me." |
While it can be easy to get students to comment on each others’ work, it is not always easy to get them to leave thoughtful, quality comments. Frequently, the student commenters mean well and they try to be encouraging, but their feedback to each other is lacking real substance. They might simply leave a comment like: “nice job, Mike!” or “Interesting post, Debbie!” but add no real value to the discussion.
On this blog, we get bombarded with spam comments every day. They are always nice and usually very generic. Here are a few actual spam comment from this week:
Your blogs usually include a lot of really up to date info. Where do you come up with this? Just declaring you are very imaginative. Thanks again
~Random Spammer selling watches
Thanks for writing this. I really feel as though I know so much more about this than I did before. Your blog really brought some things to light that I never would have thought about before reading it. You should continue this, Im sure most people would agree youve got a gift.
~Random Spammer selling who knows what
Image source: https://bibbornemdigigids.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/spam5.jpg
Spammers write comments like these so they can post them on any blog about any topic. There is no real connection to the post itself, just fluff. Often, our student-to-student comments are just as generic as the comments left by spammers. They are nice enough, but very light on substance and lacking any evidence that the course content was absorbed. So how do we create an environment where student comments add value to the conversations in our courses?
One solution would be to make class participation a much larger percentage of the grade. Typically, participation is a minor portion of a student’s grade; maybe 5 or 10 percent. What if participation replaced some of our traditional, formal assessments and made up 70 or 80 percent of their grade? If students were given a rubric explaining the difference between quality and spam and they knew their grade depended on quality interaction, based on deep reading, understanding, research and feedback would that help?
Now, no one who reads this post is going to be graded, but this could be a great opportunity to model quality comments for your students. Are you up to the challenge of leaving a quality comment that adds value to this conversation? Try modeling what you want your students to do below in our comment section. We’d love to know some of your strategies for improving the discourse around your content! |
Photographs from around the turn of the 20th century on the Asian island of Ceylon show sometimes remarkable parallels to other aspects of the Ringling Museum of Art.
Images of "devil dancers" are painted on the ceiling of the ballroom at Cà d'Zan, reflecting the integration of Ceylonese acts into the circus. Elephants, of course, also reflect the circus. And the giant bamboo, dwarfing a man sitting beside it in one photo, seems as if it could be growing on the Ringling's grounds.
"Picturing Ceylon," a collection of about 40 images selected from the planned gift of hundreds of Asian photographs and art objects by Helga Wall-Apelt, fills part of the space in the Ulla R. and Arthur S. Searing Wing until January. Dr. Benita Stambler, Asian art coordinator for the museum, curated the show.
Narrowing the field on the photographs, taken from about 800 in Wall-Spelt's collection, was a bit of a treasure hunt for Stambler, who has visited Ceylon, known since 1972 as Sri Lanka, twice in recent years on trips funded by grants from the American Institute of Sri Lankan Studies.
She has chosen images from the late 19th and early 20th centuries to show not so much what life was like on the island at that time, but what commercial photography companies thought was saleable to tourists. Some are labeled with the name of the nation, or the name of the photography company, which helped Stambler in her research.
The turn of the 20th century was a time of great interest in ethnography and world cultures as people of means began to travel to "exotic" lands. Ceylon, off the southeastern coast of India, was a popular exotic destination, visited by Mark Twain, Anton Chekhov and Andrew Carnegie, among others. Because tourists of the era didn't carry cameras, too cumbersome and bulky, photography companies sprang up to fill the need for souvenir images.
Hence, the exhibition includes photographs of Ceylon royalty in ceremonial dress, of the Buddhist shrines and the Temple of the Tooth, where the Buddha's tooth resides, of exotic flora, of snake charmers.
"Local firms took pictures and then would sell them to people, and the firms specialized in things people would have been interested in as tourists," said Stambler.
One of the firms, A.W. Plate and Co., was founded in 1890 and is yet in business. On Stambler's second visit to Sri Lanka, she was able to spend a couple of weeks documenting images for the company.
In the late 1890s, Plate and Co. sold half a million postcards a year, sending their negatives to Europe where the postcards were produced.
"They lost a lot of their originals, and what they're doing now is trying to buy back their images," said Stambler. "When I was researching the photographs, I had made a list of all the places that had these images of Ceylon, because they were very useful to me when I was trying to figure out the dates."
She also met with the foremost authority on photographs of Ceylon, Ismeth Raheem, with whom she maintains correspondence.
"Ismeth just wrote to me this week and he's challenging me," said Stambler. "I found a different view of a scene and he said you can tell the date by, and I'm just not that good at this, see how the fronts of the stores in the buildings are raised above the street? This was before they had sewer lines in the city. They ran the sewer lines up here and raised the streets to cover them."
The presence of carts or trolleys versus automobiles and the way people dress also provide clues to the date of a photograph, but Stambler said she's not good at it ferreting out such details. "I'm still working on it," she said.
Her interest in Asian art came unexpectedly when she was a college student, studying American studies and English literature, invited to spend a semester in India.
"It had nothing to do with anything but it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down," she said. "Ever since then I've been fascinated by India. I've just always been attracted to the art. I particularly like dance as well, so that's why this has been a double pleasure because of the photographs of dance as well. We have such a broad collection here and I've learned so much over the last several years just by examining individual objects. From the individual objects you can get a pretty good understanding of the culture."
The 40 photographs are be complemented by quotations about Ceylon from some of those famous early visitors, a map to help visitors understand the country's geography and regions, and photo albums in cases. One album contains a photograph of the Duke of Edinborough relaxing on the steps of the temple in Kandy, the northern province of Ceylon that was the last to be colonized by the British.
"People were as taken with the royal family as they are now," said Stambler. "It helps a lot with the dating because we know exactly when he was there."
The duke's 1870 visit to Ceylon marks the earliest of the photos, which extend through the early part of the 20th century.
The Wall-Apelt collection of Asian photographs is one of the largest public collections in the United States, said Stambler. The Smithsonian Institute, the University of Southern California and the University of California at Santa Barbara have large collections as well. |
The following are three sources which refer to Skenderbej as albanian, and not serb or greek. I recognize there are some who may claim his mom was serb; even if that was true, the father counts more.
WHY WOULD SKENDERBEJ FIGHT FOR ALBANIA IF HE WAS GREEK OR SERB?????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Source 1: Encyclopedia Britannica Online www.eb.com
byname of George Kastrioti, or Castriota, Albanian Gjergj Kastrioti
born 1405, northern Albania
died Jan. 17, 1468, Lezhë, Albania
national hero of the Albanians.
A son of John (Gjon) Kastrioti, prince of Emathia, George was early given as hostage to the Turkish sultan. Converted to Islam and educated at Edirne, Turkey, he was given the name Iskanderafter Alexander the Greatand the rank of bey (hence Skanderbeg) by Sultan Murad II. During the defeat of the Turks at Ni (1443), in Serbia, Skanderbeg abandoned the Turkish service and joined his Albanian countrymen against the forces of Islam. He embraced Christianity, reclaimed his family possessions, and in 1444 organized a league of Albanian princes, over which he was appointed commander in chief.
In the period 144466 he effectively repulsed 13 Turkish invasions, his successful resistance to the armies of Murad II in 1450 making him a hero throughout the Western world. Through the years he elicited some support from Naples, Venice, and the papacy and was named by Pope Calixtus III captain general of the Holy See. In 1463 he secured an alliance with Venice that helped launch a new offensive against the Turks. Until the end of his life he continued to resist successfully all Turkish invasions. Within a few years of his death, however, his citadel at Krujë had fallen (1478), and Albania passed into several centuries of obscurity under Turkish rule.
Source 2: www.wikipedia.com
He was born in Krujë, Albania; his father was an Albanian nobleman, Gjon Kastrioti (Giovanni Castriota), lord of Middle Albania, and his mother was Vojsava. The Kastrioti family are from the Northern Alps of Albania. The region is made up of five smaller regions, Hoti, Gruda, Kelmendi (Chlementini), Kastrati, Shkreli. The Malcor, as the people of that region are called, came from the northern Albanian Alps and settled near the Mati River, the Adriatic sea and the small towns of the region. Gjon was a descendent of the Kastrati region. The people of Malcia e Madhe still possess many of the fields of the estate of Kastrioti (Kastrati) family and have kept many of the features that distinguish them from the region, such as the dialect, traditional clothes and costumes. (http://www.sardimpex.com/FILES/CASTRIOTA%20E%20BRANAI.htm
Obliged by the Ottomans to pay tribute to the Empire, and to ensure the fidelity of local rulers, Gjon Kastrioti's sons were taken by the Sultan to his court as hostages. In 1423, Gjergj Kastrioti and his three brothers were taken by the Turks. He attended military school and led many battles for the Ottoman Empire. He was awarded for his military victories with the title Iskander Bey (Albanian transliteration: Skënderbeu, English transliteration: Skanderbeg). In Turkish this title means Lord or Prince Alexander (in honor of Alexander the Great). Skanderbeg soon switched sides and came back to his native land to successfully defended Albania against the Ottoman Empire until his death.
Source 3: www.encyclopedia.com
(both: skãn´derbĕg) or Skanderbeg , c.1404-1468, Albanian national hero. His original name was George Castriota or Kastriotes, but the Ottomans called him Iskender Bey, and this was corrupted into Scanderbeg. The son of a prince of N Albania, he was educated in the Muslim faith as a hostage at the court of Sultan Murad II . The sultan showered favors on him and gave him the title bey and an army command. In 1443, when the Ottomans indicated they would attack Albania, Scanderbeg escaped to his homeland, abjured Islam, and formed a league of princes among the Albanian chieftains. He proclaimed himself prince of Albania. To resist the Ottomans under Sultan Muhammad II , Scanderbeg received aid at various times from Venice, Naples, Hungary, and the pope. He had success in these wars partly because of the rugged Albanian terrain and partly because he employed a mobile defense force using guerrilla methods. He withstood repeated attacks and forced the sultan to conclude a 10-year truce in 1461. Scanderbeg broke the truce in 1463 when Pope Pius II called for a new crusade. The pope's death (1464) forced abandonment of the crusade; Scanderbeg, left without allies, had to retreat to his fortress of Kroia. After his death the league dissolved, resistance collapsed, and Albania fell to the Ottomans. Scanderbeg's life is the source of many Albanian tales.
Cut the stupidities about him being Serb or Greek.
Long live Albania. |
Yes - obesity, defined as an excess of body weight of 20% or more, is the most common
nutritional disease of domestic cats. Although the frequency varies from one country to the next,
known about the detrimental effects of obesity on feline health. Obesity in cats humans, obesity
mellitus, certain types of cancer, impaired mobility and arthritis, high blood pressure, heart
disease, and other illnesses. Recent studies suggest that heart disease also occurs in obese cats!
More research is needed to evaluate this and to determine what other detrimental effects obesity
has on cats.
Finally, obesity in cats is associated with hepatic lipidosis. This is a severe form of liver failure
in cats. It typically occurs in cats that are obese and have undergone a brief period of “stress”
which causes anorexia. The “stress” may be as simple as a change of house or a change in diet.
Hepatic lipidosis previously was an almost universally fatal disease in cats. Fortunately, with
improved, aggressive and prolonged therapy about 80% of affected cats can now be successfully
treated. However, because of the risk for this potentially fatal disease, the treatment of feline
obesity needs to be done cautiously and always under the care of a veterinarian.
What causes obesity in cats and how should it be treated?
Many factors contribute to obesity in cats, and not all of them are clearly understood. Some are
probably genetic, while others are clearly related to diet and environment. It is important for the
cat owner and veterinarian to keep these factors in mind when treating the obese feline patient.
Prevention is better than treatment, but this is not always easy. Indoor cats are more prone to
obesity, perhaps because they eat more out of boredom, but also because they have less
opportunity to stay trim through exercise. Remember that everybody should run and play,
Once a cat becomes obese, the challenge for owner and veterinarian is to safely promote weight
loss and maintain optimum weight. In the long run it is better to set realistic goals for weight
reduction rather than attempting to force the cat down to a “normal” weight. Usually a 15-20%
reduction in weight is a good target that can easily be achieved! Rapid weight loss should be
avoided, since it puts the cat at risk for development of severe liver disease. Weight that is lost
slowly is more likely to stay lost! There are no drugs or magic pills that can be used safely or
effectively. Commercial “low-calorie” diets are available from veterinarians and provide the
basis for a successful weight loss program. However, they are more effective when combined
with additional exercise. This also has the advantage of providing more time for interaction
between the cat and the family, which we know provides enjoyment and is beneficial for the
health of both. With some patience and extra care, obese cats can be treated safely and
effectively, with the ultimate goal of prolonging a healthy happy life!
This client information sheet is based on material written by Ernest E. Ward Jr., DVM.
© Copyright 2002 Lifelearn Inc. Used with permission under license. September 30, 2009.
Animal Clinic, PA |
At nearly ten inches long, this is the largest jadeite pendant in the form of a hand axe known from ancient Costa Rica. Holes drilled in from the sides meet in the center so that a cord could be strung through it and the pendant worn around the neck. Costa Rican stone sculptures of men show them wearing large necklaces; probably this piece was worn by an especially important man.
Few such large pieces of jadeite exist because it is a very rare mineral; there are only nine sources of it in the world. Jadeite was highly prized in the ancient Americas. It is tougher than steel and cannot be carved but must be slowly and painstakingly abraded to wear the surface away. Sand, slightly harder than jadeite, ground into the surface with wooden saws will gradually alter the shape. Experiments show that it would have taken over 250 hours of abrading simply to create the overall shape of this pendant. Obviously not only was the material valuable, but the time devoted to working it added to the wearer’s prestige.
One aspect of the piece’s meaning was its overall shape, that of a hand-held axe, a tool to chop vegetation. Yet it is too large and not sharp enough to cut anything, and was an item of jewelry. Therefore, the wearing of a very high status version of a tool, rendered non-functional through its transformation into an art object, symbolizes that the wearer has power over both land and those who work it using actual tools. |
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