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The levels in urine of genetic material from a type of kidney cell correlate with loss of kidney function, according to a recent study. This finding offers the possibility of a new, non-invasive way to approximate the kidneys’ filtering ability and monitor the progression of chronic kidney disease.
The podocyte is a cell that is a component of the glomerulus, the fundamental filtering apparatus in the kidney. It has been hypothesized that progressive loss of kidney function in many forms of kidney disease can be attributed, at least in part, to damage to the glomeruli and accompanying depletion of podocytes. As podocytes are lost, traces of them may be detectable in the urine. In the current study, investigators analyzed urine samples from over 350 adult and pediatric volunteers with kidney disease and compared them with urine samples from nearly 300 people without kidney disease. They observed a nearly 80-fold increase in podocyte-derived genetic material in patients who had glomerular disease (based on a previous biopsy) and who had progressive kidney disease. A second group of patients with Alport syndrome, a hereditary glomerular disease, found a 23-fold increase in podocyte-derived genetic material. Interestingly, in people with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, which does not feature glomerular injury, urine podocyte-derived genetic material was not increased. These observations suggest that the presence of podocyte genetic material in the urine may be a marker for glomerular injury and may provide a window into glomerular function.
These findings support the hypothesis that podocyte depletion is an important element of some forms of progressive kidney disease. Furthermore, measurement of urine levels of podocyte-derived genetic material may provide an easy, non-intrusive way to evaluate and monitor podocyte health in people with glomerular diseases.
Wickman L, Afshinnia F, Wang SQ, Yang Y, Wang F, Chowdhury M, Graham D, Hawkins J, Nishizono R, Tanzer M, Wiggins J, Escobar GA, Rovin B, Song P, Gipson D, Kershaw D, Wiggins RC. Urine podocyte mRNAs, proteinuria, and progression in human glomerular diseases. J Am Soc Nephrol 24: 2081-2095, 2013. | <urn:uuid:608b1c08-52a8-4329-bb99-3d1d87dd47cb> | {
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This image comes from the paper Archaeological Soybean (Glycine max) in East Asia: Does Size Matter?—which also includes a few other interesting photos of fossilized soybeans. The authors explain that their paper “critically reviews archaeological soybean size and its usefulness to understanding the relationship between people and soybean in East Asia.”
In addition to being interesting in and of itself, I think this paper demonstrates PLoS ONE’s breadth of scope. As the authors mention, tracking the domestication of what has come to be one of the world’s most important crops is an interdisciplinary endeavor, requiring input from physical and cultural anthropologists, evolutionary biologists, and taxonimists, among others. At PLoS ONE, they can all publish under one roof.
From the Abstract:
The recently acquired archaeological record for soybean from Japan, China and Korea is shedding light on the context in which this important economic plant became associated with people and was domesticated. This paper examines archaeological (charred) soybean seed size variation to determine what insight can be gained from a comprehensive comparison of 949 specimens from 22 sites. Seed length alone appears to represent seed size change through time, although the length×width×thickness product has the potential to provide better size change resolution. A widespread early association of small seeded soybean is as old as 9000–8600 cal BP in northern China and 7000 cal BP in Japan. Direct AMS radiocarbon dates on charred soybean seeds indicate selection resulted in large seed sizes in Japan by 5000 cal BP (Middle Jomon) and in Korea by 3000 cal BP (Early Mumun). Soybean seeds recovered in China from the Shang through Han periods are similar in length to the large Korean and Japanese specimens, but the overall size of the large Middle and Late Jomon, Early Mumun through Three Kingdom seeds is significantly larger than any of the Chinese specimens. The archaeological record appears to disconfirm the hypothesis of a single domestication of soybean and supports the view informed by recent phyologenetic research that soybean was domesticated in several locations in East Asia.
Citation: Lee G-A, Crawford GW, Liu L, Sasaki Y, Chen X (2011) Archaeological Soybean (Glycine max) in East Asia: Does Size Matter? PLoS ONE 6(11): e26720. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0026720 | <urn:uuid:438bcc5e-24fe-46cd-bcbe-9e40fef6f1fb> | {
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If, when there is an increase in the value of land, there were a corresponding increase in the prices of agricultural products, I could understand the objections raised against the theory presented in chapter 9 of this book. It could then be said: As civilization advances, the worker's situation becomes less favorable in relation to the landowner's; this is perhaps a necessary development, but it is certainly not a law of harmony.
Fortunately, this is not the case. In general, the circumstances that increase the value of land decrease at the same time the prices of what is raised on it. Let me explain this by an illustration.
Let us suppose that there is a farm located twenty miles from the city and worth one hundred francs. A highway is constructed that runs close to this farm. It opens up a market for the crops, and at once the value of the farm rises to one hundred and fifty francs. The landowner, now having the means to make improvements or to raise a greater variety of crops, improves his property, and its value increases to two hundred francs.
Thus, the farm's value has been doubled. Let us examine this additional value, first from the standpoint of justice, then from the standpoint of the utility enjoyed, not by the proprietor, but by the consumers in the city.
As for the increase in value coming from the improvements made by the landowner at his own expense, there is no question. This is a capital investment and follows the law of all capital investments.
The same is true, I venture to say, for the highway. The operation follows a more circuitous course, but the result is the same.
In fact, the owner, by reason of his farm, pays his share of the public expense. For many years he contributed to the general utility by doing work on outlying areas. Finally, a road has been constructed that runs in a direction that is helpful to him. All the taxes he has paid can be compared to stocks he might have bought in government enterprises; and the yearly rent, which now comes to him because of the new highway, may be regarded as their dividend.
Will it be said that a landowner may pay taxes forever and never receive anything in return for them? This case, then, is analogous to the other; and the improvements, although effected through the complicated and more or less questionable medium of the tax, may be considered as having been carried out by the landowner and at his expense in proportion to the partial advantage that he realizes.
I spoke of a highway, but I could have cited any other example of government intervention. Police protection, for example, gives value to land as well as to capital and labor. But who pays for police protection? The landowner, the capitalist, the worker.
If the state spends its revenue wisely, equivalent value must in some form or other find its way back to the landowner, the capitalist, and the worker. For the landowner it can only be in the form of an increased price for his land. If the state spends its revenue unwisely, it is unfortunate. The tax money is lost; the taxpayers should have been more alert. In that case the land does not rise in value, but certainly that is not the fault of the landowner.
But, now that the land has thus increased in value through government action and private initiative, do the crops raised on it bring a higher price from the city dwellers? In other words, is the interest on these hundred francs added as a surcharge on every hundredweight of grain that comes from this land? If the grain previously cost fifteen francs, does it now cost fifteen and a fraction? This is a most interesting question, since justice and the universal harmony of men's interests depend on its answer.
I reply confidently: No.
No doubt the landowner will now get a return of five francs more (I am assuming a profit rate of five per cent), but he will not get them at a cost to anyone. Quite the contrary; the buyer, in his turn, will profit even more.
The fact is that the farm we have chosen as an illustration was originally remote from any markets, and little was produced on it. Because of transportation difficulties the products that reached the market were expensive. Today production has been stepped up; transportation is economical; a greater amount of grain reaches the market, costs less to get there, and is sold at a better price. So even though he yields the landowner a total profit of five francs, the buyer profits even more.
In a word, an economy of effort has been effected. To whose profit? To the profit of the two contracting parties. According to what law is a gain of this kind shared? The law that we have often cited in reference to capital, since this increase in value represents a capital gain.
When there is a capital gain, the landowner's (or capitalist's) share increases in absolute value and diminishes in relative value; the worker's (or consumer's) share rises in both absolute and relative value.
Observe how this occurs. As civilization develops, the lands nearest the centers of population increase in value. Inferior crops give way to superior ones. First, pasture lands give way to cereal crops; then, cereals are replaced by truck gardens. Foodstuffs come from greater distances at less cost, so that—and this is an unquestionable fact—meat, bread, vegetables, even flowers, cost less than in more backward countries, although labor is better paid than elsewhere.
Services are exchanged for services. Often services prepared in advance are exchanged for present or future services.
Services have value, not according to the labor they demand or have demanded, but according to the labor they save.
Now, it is a fact that human labor is becoming more efficient.
From these two premises is deduced a very important phenomenon for social economy: In general, labor previously performed loses value when exchanged for current labor.**51
Twenty years ago, let us say, I made something that cost me a hundred days' work. I propose an exchange and say to my prospective buyer: Give me something that costs you likewise a hundred days. Probably he will be able to reply: In the last twenty years great progress has been made. What cost you a hundred days can now be made with seventy days' labor. Now, I measure your service, not by the time it cost you, but by the service it renders me. This service of yours is worth seventy days, since with that amount of time I can perform it for myself or find someone to perform it for me.
Consequently, the value of capital falls constantly, and capital, or previous labor, is not in as favorable a position as superficial economists believe.
There is no machine not completely new that has not lost some of its value, exclusive of deterioration resulting from use, from the very fact that better ones are made now.
This is true also of land. There are very few farms that have not cost more labor to bring them to their present state of fertility than it would cost today with the more efficient means we have at our disposal.
Such is the general, but not inevitable, trend.
Labor performed in the past may render greater service today than it did previously. This is rare, but it does happen. For example, I have kept some wine that represents twenty days' labor. If I had sold it immediately, my labor would have received a certain remuneration. I have kept my wine; it has improved; the next crop was a failure; in short, the price has gone up, and my return is greater. Why? Because I render more service, because the buyer would have to take more pains to get this wine than I took, because I satisfy a want that has become greater, of higher value, etc.
This is the question that must always be considered.
There are a thousand of us. We each have our acre of land, which we clear. Time goes by, and we sell it. Now, it happens that out of the thousand of us nine hundred and ninety-eight do not receive, or never will receive, as many days of current labor for our land as it has cost us; and that is because our past labor, which was less skillful, performs relatively less service than current labor. But there are two landowners whose labor has been more intelligent or, if you will, more successful. When they offer it for sale, it is found to represent inimitable services. Everyone says: It would cost me much more to perform this service for myself; hence, I shall pay a high price; and, provided I am not coerced, I am still very sure that it will not cost me as much as if I performed this service by any other means.
This is the story of the Clos-Vougeot. It is the same as the case of the man who finds a diamond or who has a beautiful voice or a figure to exhibit for five sous, etc.
In my native province there is much uncultivated land. The stranger never fails to ask: Why do you not cultivate this land? The answer is: Because the soil is poor. But, it may be objected, right beside it is absolutely similar land, and it is cultivated. To this objection the native finds no reply.
Is it because he was wrong to answer in the first place: The soil is poor?
No, the reason why new land is not cleared is not that the soil is poor; for some of it is excellent, and still it is not cleared. This is the reason: to bring this uncultivated land to a state of fertility equal to that of the adjacent cultivated land would cost more than to buy the adjacent land itself.
Now, to any man capable of reflection this proves incontestably that the land has no value in itself.
(Develop all the implications of this idea.)**52
Notes for this chapter
[The author has left only two or three short fragments on this important chapter. The reason is that he intended, as he said, to rely principally on the works of Mr. Carey of Philadelphia to refute Ricardo's theory.—Editor.]
[The famous Burgundy vineyard possessing a particular quality of soil enabling it to produce correspondingly superior grapes (and wine). Bastiat uses it, along with the diamond, as an illustration of a commodity having—apparently, but not actually—value derived from "the gratuitous gifts of Nature."—Translator.]
[The same idea is presented at the end of the supplement to chap. 5.—Editor.]
[Of these proposed developments not one, unfortunately, exists; but we may be permitted to present here, in brief form, the two main conclusions to be drawn from the phenomenon that the author describes:
1. Suppose two fields, one, A, cultivated; the other, B, uncultivated. Assuming them to be of identical quality, the amount of labor previously required to clear A may be taken as the amount necessary to clear B. We can even say that because of our better knowledge, implements, means of communication, etc., it would take fewer days to put B into cultivation than it took for A. If the land had value in itself, A would be worth all that it cost to put it into cultivation, plus something for its natural productive powers; that is, much more than the sum now necessary to put B into comparable condition. Now, the opposite is true: A is worth less, since people buy it rather than cultivate B. When they buy A, they therefore pay nothing for its natural productive powers, since they do not pay even as much for the labor of cultivating it as this originally cost.
2. If field A yields 1,000 measures of wheat per year, field B when cultivated would yield the same quantity: A has been cultivated because, in the past, 1,000 measures of wheat fully compensated for the labor required both for its original clearance and its annual cultivation. B is not under cultivation because now 1,000 measures of wheat would not pay for an identical amount of labor—or even less, as we noted above.
What does this mean? Obviously that the value of human labor has risen as compared with the value of wheat; that a day's labor of a worker is worth more and receives more wheat in wages. In other words, wheat is produced for less effort and is exchanged for less labor, and the theory of the rising costs of foodstuffs is false. See, in Vol. I (of the French edition), the postscript of the letter addressed to the Journal des économistes, dated Dec. 8, 1850. See also on the subject the work of a disciple of Bastiat, Du revenu foncier (Income from the Land) by R. de Fontenay.—Editor.]
[See "Accursed Money!" Vol. V (of the French edition), p. 64.—Editor.]
[See "Interest-free Credit," Vol. V (of the French edition), p. 94.—Editor.]
NOTES TO CHAPTER 14
End of Notes
Return to top | <urn:uuid:2a5b5cfb-365a-4b72-9211-7aea64be6b4a> | {
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Parents often assume that schools are safe. They imagine there must be a set of Federal regulations in place that ensure our children are not exposed to potent environmental toxins in their schools and daycares – where they spend most of their time outside of the home.
I discovered the hard way that this is not the case.
For the first two years after my boys were lead poisoned, I closely monitored their Blood Lead Levels (BLL). It was important to observe their BLLs going down and this also helped me to catch incidents where they increased. One of these incidents was with my older son…
We had decided to send the boys to a private school. The tuition was expensive, but we felt that after everything they had been through, a nurturing academic environment was essential.
When we first started there, I noticed the old building’s many large windows had all been replaced – a great sign! It wasn’t until A.J. began kindergarten that I noticed the windows’ original exterior trim was covered with old, peeling paint!
It was then—about two months into the school year—that I had Cole retested. His BLL had gone up 60% since the level we had taken at the beginning of the school year.! We now lived in a lead-safe home and the only potential source of lead exposure we could find was the school.
I rallied together a group of parents and we hired a hazard assessor to do some preliminary testing and produce a report to take to the school board with recommendations for further testing and remediation. I knew there were some hazards—I could see them—but I was not prepared for the test results: the floor at the front entry of the school tested positive with a level of more than 7,000 micrograms of lead dust per square foot [the level of lead dust on the floor that is considered hazardous for children is 40 micrograms of lead per square foot]! I was horrified. How had I not seen this hazard sooner? How could an expensive private school have hazards of this magnitude?
It was then that I trained my eyes to really look for potential hazards—both obvious and more subtle — in public and private children’s spaces everywhere I went. A public daycare center two blocks from my house tested positive with window sill levels of 23,000 micrograms of lead per square foot!
As a result of these experiences, I contacted my State representative and drafted a law to protect children in Oregon from lead hazards in school. This is HB 2715 and is currently before the legislature.
I share this with you because it illustrates something so profound—the motto of Healthy Child Healthy World actually—“No one can do everything, Everyone can do something.”
What you can do:
- Find out if there is a law in your state protecting children from lead hazards in school. Some states (like MA) have progressive, aggressive legislation protecting children from environmental hazards in schools.
- If there isn’t a law, contact me – perhaps I can help you write one for your state. Parents unite—we can do this together!
- Look around your children’s schools and daycares. Is there any peeling paint? Have it tested (if necessary, send me a note and I will send you a free 3M LeadCheck® test kit to test any suspected lead paint on your school or daycare.)
- Keep your eyes open for other sources of lead in your children’s school – particularly recycled older building materials (doors and windows) earmarked for use in “art projects” or “building projects” in wood shop or other areas of the school (as “retro objects d’art”).
- Lead in tile is not regulated so also be wary of mosaic projects especially when small children are involved.
- Find out about lead in water fountains—that can be removed with properly specified (and regularly maintained) water filters. Is anyone in your school system is managing the oversight of changing these filters?
- Educate your school and your teachers about the concern. Encourage alternatives for art projects. Sharing information makes all the difference in the world. Check out my personal advocacy website for more links and information | <urn:uuid:f4619fa2-14af-4a6d-8e2f-ae6caffa580d> | {
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Dinosaur books have become more colourful affairs of late, with the dull greens, browns and greys of yesteryear replaced by vivid hues, stripes and patterns. This has largely been a question of artistic licence. While fossils may constrain an artist’s hand in terms of size and shape, they haven’t provided any information about colour. But that is starting to change.
The fossils of some small meat-eating dinosaurs were covered in filaments that are widely thought to be the precursors of feathers. And among these filaments, a team of Chinese and British scientists have found the distinctive signs of melanosomes, small structures that are partly responsible for the colours of modern bird feathers.
Melanosomes are packed with melanins, pigments that range from drab blacks and greys to reddish-brown and yellow hues. Their presence in dinosaur filaments has allowed Fucheng Zhang to start piecing together the colours of these animals, millions of years after their extinction. For example, Zhang thinks that the small predator Sinosauropteryx had “chestnut to reddish-brown” stripes running down its tail and probably a similarly coloured crest down its back. Meanwhile, the early bird Confuciusornis had a variety of black, grey, red and brown hues, even within a single feather.
Zhang’s discovery also launches another salvo into a debate over the very nature of “feathered” dinosaurs. Beautiful fossils, mainly from China, show that several species of dinosaur had feathers akin to the flight-capable plumes of modern birds. Species like Caudipteryx and the four-winged Microraptor had true feathers with asymmetric vanes arranged around a central shaft.
The feather is an extraordinary biological invention and the key to the success of modern birds. It has to be light and flexible to give birds fine control over their airborne movements, but tough and strong enough to withstand the massive forces generated by high-speed flight. It achieves this through a complicated internal structure that we are only just beginning to fully understand, with the aid of unlikely research assistants – fungi.
At a microscopic level, feathers are made of a protein called beta-keratin. The same protein also forms the beaks and claws of birds, and the scales and shells of reptiles. It’s close (but less rigid) relative, alpha-keratin, makes up the nails, claws and hairs of mammals. Zoom out, and we see that feathers have a central shaft called the rachis with two vanes on either side. Each vane is composed of barbs that branch off the rachis. Even thinner barbules branch off from the barbs, and are held together by small hooks that give the feather its shape.
What’s much less clear is how the keratin fibres and filaments are organised into the rachis, barbs and barbules. To work that out, scientists would typically slice the rachis in cross-sections and look at it under an electron microscope. But feathers don’t give up their secrets so easily. Their fibres are stuck together with a chemical glue that makes them virtually impossible to separate. Imagine gluing a bundle of matches together and cutting them cross-ways. You could see the fibres that make up the component matches, but if they were glued together tightly enough, you wouldn’t be able to tell where one match started and another began. So it is with feathers and their keratin.
Theagarten Lingham-Soliar from the University of Kwazulu-Natal solved the problem by recruiting fungi as research assistants. He used four species, which like to grow on keratin, to digest the complex molecules that glue individual filaments together. The process was very slow. Even after a year, the feathers seemed in pretty good shape and it was only after 18 months that they had broken down enough to be studied under the microscope. | <urn:uuid:b9526661-7653-4855-a1e1-914858e6d270> | {
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What can we do to prevent new addictions? A lot more than we are doing.
According to the CDC, “Opioid prescribing continues to fuel the epidemic. Today, at least half of all U.S. opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid. In 2014, more than 14,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids.”
Those numbers do not even include benzodiazepines and other drugs.
So who is responsible? Pharmaceutical companies, parents, patients, doctors, nurses, oral surgeons, drug dealers, judicial system, politicians and even dentists. And more.
We all like to blame the evil drug dealers. But many of those drug dealers suffer substance abuse disorder, too. In truth, we all need to take responsibility.
If ordinary citizens were more proactive in following some basic practices, we could cut down on the number of new addictions that occur daily by a substantial amount.
The US has earmarked some 2 billion for the Zika virus. One death so far.
We just recently dedicated only half that amount to this opiate epidemic which is taking over 300 a day from overdoses alone, not counting other addiction-related deaths such as accidents, opiate-related illnesses and suicides. Many areas don’t have to designate a death as an OD leaving many of those unreported.
Time to talk about it and adopt new habits to curb this epidemic. We can make a difference if we make a collective effort to do so. | <urn:uuid:65eedd0e-c67c-4685-9e2e-3dacb9215e46> | {
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Early Season Garden Pests
by Don Janssen, Extension Educator
Insect pests aren't as plentiful during the early growing season as they are in midsummer, but that doesn't mean your garden crops are pest free. Slugs, cutworms, grubs, maggots and flea beetles are among the pests that can plague the early garden.
Slugs, those slimy, soft-bodied snails-without-shells, hide in cool, moist places during the day and come out on warm evenings to feed on plant leaves. Mulching around plants may increase slug problems by creating a handy hiding place. If you mulch and have a chronic slug problem it is recommended to mulch and water conservatively and place boards, cardboard or newspapers on the soil between the rows. The slugs will seek out these hiding places. During the day, lift the shelter materials and "harvest" slugs by scraping them into a container of soapy water. The old saucer of stale beer trick will also work, but board traps are easier.
Cutworms are plump, hairless caterpillars that emerge from the soil at night to feed on newly emerged seedlings and newly set transplants. Though they seem to have a special preference for pepper plants, they will attack most garden crops. They are called "cutworms" because they frequently snip plants off at or just below the soil surface.
An effective non-chemical control is cutworm collars, rings of light cardboard placed around small plants. The larger sized juice concentrate cans with the metal ends removed can be sliced crosswise to make two or three cutworm collars.
White grubs are plump, whitish and C-shaped beetle larvae. They attack plant roots, especially in areas recently converted to garden from lawn or fallow field. If tilling turns up large numbers of this pest, treating the soil with an insecticide or working it for a year before planting may be necessary to avoid extensive crop damage.
Cabbage-family crops, sweet corn and onions are all susceptible to damage by maggots. These are the larvae of several species of flies that lay their eggs on these crops. The larvae's feeding on the roots kills the plant or damages the roots so severely that plant growth is stunted. Cabbage maggots attack all the cole crops, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and radishes. Seed corn maggots attack the germinating seeds of sweet corn, cucumbers, melons and squash. Onion maggots feed on members of the onion family.
Flies are especially attracted to plants growing in soil with high quantities of manure and other organic matter.
Flea beetles are very small, usually black beetles that chew tiny round holes in the leaves of tomato, pepper and eggplant transplants and in new potato sprouts and snap bean, radish and turnip foliage. The larvae feed on plant roots. Feeding by large numbers of beetles gives leaves a shot-hole appearance and slows plant growth.
For more information on current Pests in the Garden, check out the Pest Update
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Lancaster County is your on-line yard and garden educational resource. The information on this Web site is valid for residents of southeastern Nebraska. It may or may not apply in your area. If you live outside southeastern Nebraska, visit your local Extension office | <urn:uuid:cc5ea0b1-3e9c-4408-b46c-9d63d8131813> | {
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The World Food Program, WFP, is warning of a potential food crisis in Africa's Sahel region. But, WFP says the kind of tragedy unfolding in Niger can be averted if international donors contribute now to relieve food shortages in Mali, Mauritania and Burkina Faso.
The World Food Program says the 2004 locust invasion and drought in western Africa has created significant food shortages throughout the semi-arid Sahel region. Niger's desperate situation only recently lurched into world prominence due to graphic television pictures of skeletal children dying from hunger.
WFP says 2.5 million people in Niger are in urgent need of food aid. But, it notes more than two million other people in neighboring Mali, Mauritania and Burkina Faso also are going hungry in the wake of last year's drought and locust infestations.
WFP Spokesman, Simon Pluess, says these silent emergencies have not yet hit the TV screens and its assistance programs remain critically underfunded.
"It is, of course, our responsibility to ensure that all these countries that have been affected by drought and locust, do not turn into full-blown crises like we see it now in Niger and we should act now and not wait any longer," said Mr. Pluess.
Mr. Pluess, says Mali is at particular risk. He says about one million people or 10 percent of the population is threatened by a food crisis. In February, WFP appealed for $7.3 million in emergency aid. But, Mr. Pluess notes less than $3 million has been received.
"Mali has already been facing a food deficit last year," he noted. "We have been speaking about it already in October. Now, at the height of the lean season, the food security has further deteriorated and people try to survive by, like for example, selling their livestock or other assets or simply migrate to other areas or to the cities."
A recent nutritional survey carried out in the affected areas by the government of Mali and the WFP shows acute malnutrition rates of up to 16 percent. Mr. Pluess says the worst hit provinces are near the border with Mauritania. He says it is not too late to save lives if the international community sends money now. In the meantime, he says, WFP is borrowing from its own reserves to buy food for people in the critical areas.
The World Food Program reports up to 600,000 people in Mauritania were affected by locust infestations and to a lesser extent by drought. Mr. Pluess says donors have responded generously to WFP's appeals, so it has been able to prevent a food crisis in this country.
"But, there are areas bordering Mali which are not covered by current WFP operations and the food security in this area has become critical with very high level of malnutrition reported," he added. "And, we are now planning to expand our current program to address these needs."
The World Food Program says the situation in Burkina Faso is not as severe as in Niger, Mali and Mauritania. Nevertheless, it notes some 500,000 people were affected by crop losses last year.
Mr. Pluess says WFP is stepping up assistance for vulnerable groups through feeding centers and is keeping a watchful eye on areas that are threatened by food shortages. | <urn:uuid:45128d44-6d50-4b14-9bd2-660998a22847> | {
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There are many different types of finch aviaries. Finches are cheerful, curious birds and happy in a variety of shapes and styles of cages. Types of finch aviaries are categorized by their design, their function, and the materials used. There are three basic types: indoor, outdoor, and combination. They are available ready made, in kits, or can be made from scratch.
Depending on the type of finch aviary, it may be less expensive to make a cage from scratch. Larger outdoor cages or combination cages are less expensive than a ready-made or kit aviary. Small, ready-made, and kit aviaries may be less expensive to purchase, especially if bought second-hand.
Large scale ready made finch aviaries are easier to set up, but they often come in standard sizes and shapes. For bird owners who need specific accommodations for their space, the aviary will have to be made from scratch. It is also possible to hire a builder to make an aviary, but this is also an expensive option.
Ready-made finch aviaries are typically made of wire and are rectangular. There are also domed cages which have a curved ceiling. Although some come with perches, additional accessories usually must be purchased. Smaller finch aviaries, designed for one or two pairs of finches, may also have a removable lower tray for cleaning. Larger cages may also have a built in stand with wheels so that the aviaries can be moved.
In warm climates, an aviary can be built outdoors with no insulation. A concrete slab is poured for the foundation and floor, a wood frame is set up to support the wire caging, and the wire is attached to the frame. Thin-gauge wire with small spacing is required to contain finches because they are quite small. It is almost as important to choose small spacing to deter predators in outdoor aviaries.
Cooler climates, make it necessary to build an indoor or a combination aviary. Combination aviaries have a section, which is insulated and includes a heating unit. Birds live in the insulated section during the winter and in the outdoor wire section during the summer.
Indoor aviaries are typically smaller than outdoor aviaries because many individuals simply don't have enough space to accommodate a large aviary. The aviary is usually built on a different foundation than an outdoor aviary as well and may also require a removable tray or alternative flooring to allow for cleaning.
The size of the aviary, as well as its shape and contents, depends on how many birds will be living in the space. Large cages, several feet (1 foot = 0.3 meters) in height, width, and, length are designed to house several pairs of finches. Typically, the size of the cage is related to the size of the bird, with a minimum of six times the bird's length for a flight path and four times the bird's length for height. In most cases, the larger the cage, the more freedom the bird will have to fly and explore.
The downside of having Aviary finches is that you need more space than the common cage. Also it's difficult to maintain and commonly expensive.
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A premature birth or preterm birth is defined as a birth prior to the 37th week of gestation. Babies born after this week are not considered premature even if the aren’t the standard 40 weeks. This gives roughly a three to five week window for baby to be born on schedule. This corresponds to weeks 38 and 42.
Surprisingly, nearly 13 percent of babies are born premature. These babies are sometimes called “preemies”. Over the last two decades the number of premature babies have risen. Fortunately, the medical community has learned to better deal with the complications of premature births.
Premature Baby Complications
Premature babies have higher instances of these complications when compared to full-term babies.
- Anemia / decreased number of red blood cells
- Apnea / difficulty breathing
- Chronic lung disease (also called bronchopulmonary dysplasia or BPD)
- Infections including sepsis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection
- Bleeding in the brain (intracranial hemorrhage)
- Developmental delays
- Hearing problems
- Cerebral palsy and other neurological problems
- Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
Here’s the good news – not all preemies have medical or developmental problems. By 28 to 30 weeks, the risk of serious complications is much lower. Babies born between 32 and 36 weeks, most medical problems related to premature birth are short term.
Why Are Babies Born Premature
While it’s true that any baby can be born preterm, there are risk factors that make can make a premature birth more likely. But even if a woman does everything “right” during pregnancy, she still can have a premature baby.
- age: younger than 17 or older than 35
- birth defect in the baby
- clotting disorders (thrombolphilia)
- clotting disorders
- environmental pollutants
- exposure to the drug DES
- high blood pressure
- high levels of stress
- in vitro fertilization
- limited or in adequate prenatal care
- obesity and being overweight before pregnancy
- over excretion such as long work hours or standing for extended periods
- previous and current pregnancy: having had a previous premature birth, expecting multiples, certain uterine or cervical abnormalities, previous abortions or miscarriages
- problems with the uterus, cervix or placenta
- physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or domestic violence
- smoking or drinking (also a risk for fetal alcohol syndrome)
- using illegal drugs
How To Reduce The Risk Of A Premature Birth
Preterm birth can happen to anyone and many women who have a premature birth have no known risk factors. There are things you can do to help your own health and lower your risk of having a premature baby.
What can you do, if you have some or the risk factors? The first thing, and easiest, is to manage your lifestyle. Avoid drinking, smoking and other things you know you shouldn’t be doing. Eat a healthy diet. Get good prenatal care. Manage your work life and avoid excessive physical activity. Eliminate stress factors and take time each day to relax. Speak to your doctor about hormone injections. Studies have found these injections can reduce the risk of a preterm birth.
Learn the signs of preterm labor and notify your doctor immediately, if you are having any of the symptoms. Your doctor may be able to speed up the babies lung development with medication and delay the onset of labor. Every day the baby can stay in the womb and develop, it will help minimize complications, barring any other complications. The earlier you realize you’re in preterm labor, the more likely it is that your baby will be able to benefit from this treatment.
Premature / Preterm Baby Survival Rates
- 23 weeks – 17%
- 24 weeks – 39%
- 25 weeks – 50%
- 26 weeks – 80%
- 27 weeks – 90%
- 28-31 weeks – 90-95%
- 32-33 weeks – 95%
- 34+ weeks – nearly as likely as full-term babies | <urn:uuid:98134bec-56fc-42f3-9f55-ace79874c76c> | {
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The exotic sensory capabilities of humans
Some aspects of human perception are unusual and sometimes surprising – including our ability to echolocate like bats; to scent-track like dogs; and to improve our brain’s touch skills to compensate for temporary visual deprivation. Each of these exotic skills is used in support of spatial apperception. By recruiting these senses to function spatially, humans are able to take advantage of an array of potentially redundant and wide-reaching sources to support successful behaviours. Thus, while seemingly exotic, these sensory skills have the very adaptive use to acclimate to changes in context and availability of perceptual information for a common function.
I expect some stares as we walk into the bike shop, and we get them.* My companions are both blind, leading with white canes, and one is rolling in his ailing mountain bike. I’m also not surprised when the salesman approaches me to ask what we need. But then one of my companions, Daniel Kish, answers that he’s looking for a new tube ‘24 inches, latex, with a Presta valve’. The salesman quickly realises that despite appearances, Daniel is the experienced rider.
In fact, Daniel has been leading his group of blind mountain bikers and hikers – Team Bat – for over 15 years. Today’s group is small: Daniel, his co-leader Brian Bushway, Daniel’s intern Megan O’Rourke and myself, the only sighted rider. I’m along to document the experience for my book (Rosenblum, 2010).
We fix Daniel’s bike, and meet Brian at his home in Mission Viejo, California. Once equipped, we leave the safety of Brian’s driveway and turn onto the residential street leading to the mountain trail. That’s when the tongue-clicking begins. Daniel, Brian and Megan are making, loud, sharp clicking sounds with their tongues so that they can hear what I can see. Clicking in this way allows them to produce a sound that can be reflected from parked cars, trash cans, and other objects along the street. These reflected sounds can tell Daniel and his friends the location of these silent obstacles, so that they can avoid them on their ride.
The technique Daniel and his friends are using is known as echolocation. Using the same basic methods as bats, dolphins and other echolocating species, many blind individuals are known to navigate in this way (Griffin, 1944; Rice, 1967). However, human echolocation is not something restricted to the blind. Research in our lab and others has shown that with just 10 minutes of practice, inexperienced subjects who have sight (and while wearing a blindfold) can use echolocation to walk towards a wall and stop just before making contact (Rosenblum et al., 2000). This fact suggests that echolocation may indicate a general sensitivity to reflected sound that gives us all an auditory sense of the space we occupy at any given moment. Consider, for example, the audible difference between a stairwell and walk-in closet, a difference based on how the two settings reflect sound. In fact, our sensitivity to the way sound reflects through different kinds of acoustic environments has forced the movie and television industry to exert considerable effort acoustically modifying soundstage sets so that they sound like they look on screen.But our ability to echolocate may also typify a more general strategy of the brain to maintain a set of exotic skills – skills typically at work at an unconscious, implicit level. While we are mostly unaware of these hidden skills, it seems that they can be refined and made more prominent for a variety of purposes, including to compensate for sensory loss, as in Daniel Kish’s case. There is also evidence that our brains are designed to incorporate input via these exotic channels, using the same mechanisms used for our more mundane perceptual skills.
You hear like a bat
Reports of the ability of the blind to remotely sense objects appeared throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, along with explanations ranging from the their presumed sensitivity to magnetism, to their clairvoyance. The most prevalent early theory held that the blind could sense subtle changes in air pressure on their faces (and other exposed skin) that result from the presence of objects. This ‘facial vision’ theory was based largely on the introspective reports of the blind themselves (Dresslar, 1893; Supa et al., 1944).
Despite these introspections, it is now known that the remote sense is based on reflected sound. A definitive test was conducted in the 1940s in one of Cornell University’s old stone and wood buildings. Karl Dallenbach’s lab was on the top floor, and consisted of a large room with a vaulted wood-beam ceiling. Two blind and two sighted men were each was asked to walk blindfolded toward a large masonite board and stop just before making contact. They repeated this task multiple times and were asked to remain quiet as they walked. All four could perform the task with some accuracy, rarely colliding with the board. When asked how they performed the task, three of them reported feeling changes in air pressure – facial vision – and none thought that they were using sound (Supa et al., 1944).
But Dallenbach noticed that, though they tried to remain quiet as they walked, they were inadvertently making a great deal of noise. As was fashionable in the 1940s, the participants all wore hard-soled shoes that produced a noticeable sound with each step on the path of the hardwood floor. To control this sound, the hardwood was covered with plush carpeting and the four were asked to take off their shoes and walk in stocking feet. They also wore headphones that emitted a loud tone to effectively mask environmental sounds. Now, when they walked toward the wall, they collided with it on every trial. Follow-up experiments using methods to neutralise air pressure changes on the skin confirmed that hearing external sound was both necessary and sufficient to perform the task.
Since Dallenbach’s work, other laboratories have shown that humans can use echolocation to hear more detailed properties of objects: these include an object’s horizontal position, relative distance and relative size (Ashmead et al., 1998; Kellogg, 1962; Rice, 1967; Teng & Whitney, 2011). Astonishingly, humans also have the ability to identify the general shape of an object (square, triangle, disk), and even an object’s material composition (wood, metal, cloth) using echolocation (Rice, 1967; Schwitzgebel & Gordon, 2011; Thaler et al., 2010). Blind peopleare generally better at echolocating, but untrained sighted people are also able to perform all of these tasks with some success and to improve their accuracy with practice.
In fact, recent research testing echolocation experts including Daniel Kish, has revealed that the experts’ spatial precision for sound-reflecting objects can rival that of bats, and the precision most of us display in determining the location of sound-emitting objects. This acquired precision may be partially a consequence of experts recruiting the visual cortex for their skill. Multiple studies have shown that when echolocating, blind experts’ visual cortexes are active. Moreover, this activation seems to occur in ways that closely parallel cortical reactions in typical visual perception (e.g. Milne et al., 2012; Thaler et al., 2012; Teng & Whitney, 2011). For example, when asked to listen to echoes from moving objects, Kish and other experts showed activity in cortical regions typically associated with visual motion detection (medial temporal area, Layer 5). In another recent imaging study, experts were scanned while listening to echoes and judging the object characteristics of either the location, shape or surface material of objects. Depending on the task, the experts showed cortical activity in the neural areas typically used for visual apprehension of each of the same three characteristics.
The fact that the same specific brain regions may be used to determine an object’s properties, via either vision or expert echolocation, supports an emerging idea about the brain. The perceptual brain may be organised more around perceptual function than specific sensory systems as such. An organisation emphasising function over sensory modality might more easily take advantage of the information redundancy available across hearing and seeing. This architecture might also pose the brain to more effectively deal with the compensatory plasticity often observed after sensory loss. Thus, the perceptual brain may be organised so that the implicit skills it harbours, including echolocation, are ready to take on a more prominent role when necessary. But exotic perceptual skills are not limited to sight and sound. It turns out that many of our implicit perceptual skills are nose related.
You smell like a dog
I allow my students to blindfold and disorient me, occlude my ears with plugs and industrial ear protectors, and place thick gardening gloves on my hands. After this preparation, they place me about two metres away from a 12-metre rope they’ve laid across the ground and secured with garden stakes. This rope has been soaked in peppermint oil for a few days. It is my task to crawl to the rope and then follow its angular path using only my sense of smell.
As I slowly crawl with my nose about 10 cm from the ground, I get a very strong odour of grass and earth. It’s very familiar and comforting scent, reminiscent of childhood summers. But no peppermint. I lift my head and stick my nose in the air as I’ve seen dogs do, but it doesn’t help. I place my nose back down and continue crawling forward.
Then I get a brief whiff of peppermint. It seems far off and ephemeral, but noticeably spicy, and very different from the earth and grass I’ve been smelling.I continue forward and then I realise that I’ve arrived: I am over the rope. I move my head just beyond the point of strongest smell and detect the odour weaken a bit.I move my head back, turn my body parallel with what I believe is the rope, and start crawling along the line of strongest peppermint odour.
As I crawl forward, I have an almost tangible experience of being inside a shallow trench, or gutter, whose shape is defined by the strength of smell. If my nose moves too far to the side of the trench, it’s as if the gradient of smell draws my nose back down the side slope, toward the path of strongest scent – the rope. Perhaps this is what it’s truly like to smell like a dog.
Sniffing like a dog puts me in good company not only with dogs, but with some of California’s brightest young minds. This human scent-tracking experiment is borrowed from work conducted at UC Berkeley in 2007 (i.e. Porter et al., 2007). The undergrads who performed the tracking task found it relatively easy, if embarrassing. With practice, they were able to substantially improve their scent-tracking skills, often doubling their speed at following the trail.
But perhaps the most interesting finding from the scent-tracking study revealed something astonishing about our noses: we compare smells across our two nostrils to determine an odor’s location. In fact, comparative studies have shown that organisms ranging from mice and rats to ants and drosophila smell in stereo, and compare those bilateral sensory signals for scent tracking (Rajan et al., 2006; Steck et al., 2010; Wallace et al., 2002). In this sense, our noses join our eyes and ears in making use of two inputs to help you locate where things are (at least for odourants providing some trigeminal nerve stimulation, e.g. Frasnelli et al., 2011). Consider that our auditory system attends to the small differences in when, and how much, sound reaches each of your ears to perceive a source’s location: The ear closer to the source receives the sound slightly sooner and louder than the farther ear. A similar process is conducted using the similarities and differences between the two eyes. And it’s likely that your brain does something similar with your nose – comparing the amount of odour across your nostrils to determine from where an odour originates.
We find that our noses can provide spatial navigation information that functions in parallel with what we gain visually and auditorily. Our sensory capacities allow us to behave successfully within our spatial environments by tracking visual objects and motion; by using echolocation and sound reflections; and by picking up and tracking the paths of odorants using the partially redundant information from our olfactory systems. Each of the sensory interactions with the world provides a somewhat unique method of gaining the critical information to locate and successfully move towards objects.
The human scent-tracking study helps underscore a larger point: perception has developed a rich and redundant means of extracting critical information about the world. Our ability to navigate through space and accomplish certain spatially relevant tasks (like finding food) is too important to be left to a single sensory system or type of sensory information. We have developed a perceptual brain that has a way to confirm or find alternate ways to be successful in the things that we do. Our brains share resources between all of the sensory interactions available to us to create our experience of the world. And to maintain this spatial sensitivity, the brain provides a degree of functional plasticity to allow for sensory inputs to compensate for one another.
Your plastic brain
Imagine yourself in this experiment. You don a specialised blindfold that prevents your eyes from receiving any light. You then check into a hospital room where you’ll live, blindfolded, for the next five days. You are supervised by nurses and researchers, but being in a new environment without the benefit of sight does take some getting used to – as do the multiple tests you will be subjected to during the five days. Early on the first day, you are placed into a large brain scanner, and asked to touch a series of raised dot arrays with your fingers. Your task is to determine whether these dot patterns, presented sequentially in pairs, are the same or different. After this initial test, you begin your first six-hour Braille lesson, a lesson that will be repeated over the next four days.
Incidentally, by the second day you would start experiencing a number of side-effects from continuous blindfolding. You would have visual hallucinations of both amorphous and recognisable images, as well as an initial dullness of flavour, and over-sensitivity to temperature and sound. By the final day of this test (day five), you would no doubt notice that Braille recognition is much easier than it had been on day one. But before you get cocky about your improvement, you are subjected to one last manipulation that immediately renders you incompetent with the task. For this last test, a device is held over the back of your head that makes periodic clicks as you try to match the dot patterns. Strangely, you find the task nearly impossible, and have trouble determining the patterns altogether. The phenomena described are based on the research of Pascual-Leone and colleagues (Pascual-Leone et al., 2001).
Five days of blindfolding would change you and your brain in fascinating ways. Most obvious would be your substantial improvement in discriminating the dot characters: the intensive Braille training would seem to have helped. But you may be disappointed to learn that you would have improved these touch skills even without the Braille training. Five days of blindfolding alone can enhance basic touch skills. In addition, the last brain scan would reveal that when you now touch complex patterns, your visual brain is activated in a way similar to that of an individual who is truly blind. But for participants who were not blindfolded, these brain changes would not occur, even if they did have the intensive Braille training. Five days of visual deprivation is enough to establish much more recruitment of the visual processing areas of the brain in somatosensory tasks, as well as the task performance advantages such involvement provides.
As extra support for this conclusion, recall the (imagined) manipulation that caused you to be unable to perform the task. The one where a clicking device held to the back of your head completely disrupted your touch skills? That device induced a ‘virtual lesion’ using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the visual cortical regions. TMS is a technology that uses localised magnetic pulses to totally disrupt neural processing in a small section of the cortex (see Rossini & Rossi, 2007, for review). In this case, somatosensory neural areas (more traditionally recognised as the part of the brain for processing touch-based information) were unaffected by the TMS, while the manipulation was directly applied to visual cortex. It was these disruptions to visual cortex that were critical to upsetting the newfound touch skills after the blindfolding period.
While it is somewhat striking how quickly our brains are able to adapt in response to new stimulation, perhaps the underlying mechanisms supporting these changes should not be all that surprising. Sensory receptors have been found to be sensitive to some variety of media. Moreover, there is some evidence to suggest that for all of the diversity of energy and stimulation in the environment, once that energy is transduced into a biological signal, it may function as part of a common language within our bodies, e.g. for speech (McGurk & MacDonald, 1976; Rosenblum, 2008), for detection of approaching objects (Gordon & Rosenblum, 2005; Morrongiello & Fenwick, 1991), and in cross-modal neural studies (Matteau et al., 2010; Sur et al., 1988). In the example with Braille, evidence supports the notion that the somatosensory information that bears on object detection creates a pattern of activation in the brain that has some functional equivalence to visual information for spatial patterns (Cheung et al., 2009; Ptito et al., 2008). One might conclude that the brain seeks out functionally similar and redundant patterns to more effectively process that information (Anderson, 2010; Peelen & Kastner, 2009; Reich et al., 2012; Rosenblum, 2008; Samson & Livesay, 2009). The sensory origin of that information becomes pragmatically irrelevant if it is useful in solving a specific perceptual problem.
Our perceptual world
The human perceptual world is rich with information and the perceptual abilities to explore that information. Humans are visually dominant creatures; vision is principal in our phenomenology and the appropriation of the neural cortex associated with vision is greater than for any other function – other sensory modalities notwithstanding. Nonetheless, our perceptual interactions with the world are populated with whatever variety of signals we can detect. Echolocation as a supplement or primary source supports spatial navigation, as does olfaction, if we seek to encounter the world in that manner. Moreover with each of these spatial senses we use similar methods of detection, comparing the gradations of stimulation from symmetrical and bilateral receptive areas – such as our two eyes, two ears, and two nostrils. With respect to somatosensory and visual detection of objects, one might also argue that we use similar sensory methods to explore the contours and edges of an object’s surfaces. It seems that by invoking these common methods of detection we are able to organise the sensory signals in our brain by some common functions. This is not a subtle point: Perception may have the capacity to organise by functions rather than by the sensory categories derived from the sensory organs. As suggested, whatever the stimulating source of our senses (e.g. lights, sounds), it is possible that once that energy is transduced by the receptors it becomes part of a common biochemical communication system. Our introspective experience may be of sound, smell or touch, but our perceptual interactions, and the brain’s organisational principle, is of spaces, objects and events.
Lawrence D. Rosenblum
is in the Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside
Michael S. Gordon
is Assistant Professor at William Paterson University, New Jersey, USA
*Vignettes are told from the perspective of the author and have been adapted from his book: Rosenblum, L.D. (2011). See what I’m saying: The extraordinary power of our five senses. New York: Norton.
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The lost wolves of New England have been on my mind lately, as winter settles into the woods below our house and the lives of the local predators—the hawks and owls and the raucous coyotes—are increasingly exposed among the bare-leafed trees. Wolves have not been welcome in our woods for a very long time. Among the first laws instituted by the Puritan settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630 was a bounty on wolves, which Roger Williams, who fled the colony for its religious intolerance, referred to as “a fierce, bloodsucking persecutor.” Extermination of the New England wolf is widely believed to have been completed two centuries later; according to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the gray wolf has been extinct in our state since about 1840.
Occasionally a wolf that has ranged wide of its natural habitat wanders into our neighborhood, presumably crossing the border from more hospitable Canada. In the fall of 2007, a male gray wolf went on a rampage on a farm in Shelburne, a half hour to the north of where we live in Amherst, slaughtering over a dozen sheep before he was shot by an unidentified gunman and subsequently examined by the astonished local authorities. “When it comes to wolves, never say never,” Peggy Struhsacker, a Vermonter and wolf expert with the Natural Resources Defense Council, told Fox News at the time, perhaps alluding to Farley Mowat’s popular account of his own adoption by Arctic wolves, Never Cry Wolf.
By the mid-nineteenth century, our New England sages were already lamenting the loss of wildness in both landscape and society, and invoking wolves rather than eagles as a sort of national icon. In his gnomic epigraph to “Self-Reliance,” Emerson admonished his countrymen to
Cast the bantling on the rocks,
Suckle him with the she-wolf’s teat;
Wintered with the hawk and fox,
Power and speed be hands and feet.
Thoreau expanded the allure of a Romulus-and-Remus education in the wild:
It is because the children of the empire were not suckled by wolves that they were conquered & displaced by the children of the northern forests who were.
Thoreau added, as though throwing down the national gauntlet, “America is the she wolf today.”
New England, and southern Vermont in particular, have had a crucial part in both the idealization of wolves and in their ruthless destruction. Rudyard Kipling settled in Brattleboro, where his wife was from, in 1892, and wrote The Jungle Book there, inventing, amid the wolf-less Vermont hills, the beguiling story of a native child named Mowgli, raised (and suckled) by a family of wolves in the forests of India, just as Emerson (a particular favorite of Kipling) and Thoreau had imagined American children should be raised. “Now, was there ever a wolf that could boast of a man’s cub among her children?” asks Kipling’s Mother Wolf.
The Brattleboro native John Humphrey Noyes (1811-1886) imagined a very different human society based on “free love” (he originated the phrase) and communal property. Kicked out of Putney, Vermont, for transgressing local moral codes, the utopian socialist Noyes established the Oneida Community in upstate New York, hoping that agriculture would keep his followers alive. Industry, and specifically animal traps designed by a Noyes adherent named Newhouse, proved far more lucrative. Wolf and bear traps were produced at Oneida beginning in the 1850s and soon dominated the market, as free love and wolf hatred proved compatible with sales pitches. The Newhouse Trap, according to one advertisement, “going before the axe and the plow, forms the prow with which iron-clad civilization is pushing back barbaric solitude, causing the bear and beaver to give way to the wheatfield, the library and the piano.”
Oneida traps were widely used both in New England and in the American West, where strychnine inserted into buffalo corpses virtually wiped out the wild wolf population in the lower forty-eight states, except for a remnant few hundred in Minnesota. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 led to the still controversial reintroduction of wolves in areas such as Yellowstone National Park. Just last week a much-loved wolf wearing a tracking collar, which identified her as 832F and the alpha female of the Lamar Canyon pack, was killed, legally, by hunters in Wyoming after she unwittingly strayed just beyond the protective borders of the park.
I have learned a great deal about the systematic extermination of wolves from a beautiful and heartbreaking book called The Lost Wolves of Japan by the environmental historian Brett Walker, who seeks “to explain why one species—our species, Homo sapiens—has worked so tirelessly to destroy another.” Walker points out that before Japan began its rapid modernization during the last quarter of the nineteenth century—under pressure from American forces and with the help of American experts, many of whom came from New England—wolves were considered sacred: “Grain farmers worshiped wolves at shrines, beseeching this elusive canine to protect their crops from the sharp hooves and voracious appetites of wild boars and deer.”
Beef was considered the proper staple of a modern nation, however. With the introduction of so-called “industrial farms” for breeding horses and cattle, especially in the northern island of Hokkaido, wolves were re-categorized as evil predators, and Japan created “a culture of wolf hatred.” So efficient were the Japanese, with guns and traps and strychnine, that the last Japanese wolf was killed, near the beautiful ancient capital of Nara, in 1905, the same year in which the upstart nation won the Russo-Japanese War and took its place among the beef-eating world powers.
Our little town of Amherst has an intimate link to all these developments. The best-known figure in the modernization of Hokkaido was William Clark, who led the Massachusetts Agricultural College (now the University of Massachusetts Amherst) and also, at the invitation of the Japanese, founded Sapporo Agricultural College (now part of Hokkaido University), where he built barns for horses and vulnerable cattle modeled on Amherst prototypes. Like his friend and Amherst neighbor Emily Dickinson, Clark had a gift for memorable words. Leaving Hokkaido in 1877, he reportedly admonished his students, “Boys, be ambitious,” words known to every Japanese schoolchild. (According to some sources, what he actually said was “Boys be ambitious for Christ.”) The boys of Japan and New England were certainly ambitious in exterminating their wolves. It would be more ambitious still to restore them. | <urn:uuid:b89b2821-7405-4365-83f7-7d548ec70a48> | {
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Is Cryonics Feasible?
Stephen Barrett, M.D.
Cryonics is defined by its proponents as "the freezing of humans as shortly as possible after death with the hope of eventual return to life." Proponents claim that it is possible to preserve "with reasonable fidelity" the basic biologic components of the brain and that future technology will be able to repair brain damage caused by "imperfect preservation, premortal disease, and postmortem changes." In 2005 the cost for whole-body freezing and permanent maintenance ranged from about $28,000 to $150,000. “Brain only” suspension, which is less expensive, is also available. The Cryonics Institute states:
As soon as possible after legal death, a member patient is prepared and cooled to a temperature where physical decay essentially stops, and is then maintained indefinitely in cryostasis. When and if future medical technology allows, our member patients will be healed and revived, and awaken to extended life in youthful good health.
Bacterial decay may stop, but that is not enough to make recovery possible. As noted by Michael Shermer, founding publisher of Skeptic Magazine:
Cryonicists believe that people can be frozen immediately after death and reanimated later when the cure for what ailed them is found. To see the flaw in this system, thaw out a can of frozen strawberries. During freezing, the water within each cell expands, crystallizes, and ruptures the cell membranes. When defrosted, all the intracellular goo oozes out, turning your strawberries into runny mush. This is your brain on cryonics .
National Council Against Health Fraud president William T. Jarvis, Ph.D., calls cryonics "quackery's last shot at you." In an interview, he said:
Cryonic technology has not been demonstrated to work in laboratory animals. Even if the rest of a person's body could be revived after hundreds of years, the brain could not. Brain cells deteriorate within minutes after death, and any still viable when the body is frozen would be burst by the freezing process. Cryonics might be a suitable subject for scientific research, but marketing an unproven method to the public is quackery .
- The cryobiological case for cryonics. Undated paper distributed in 1989 by Alcor Life Extension Corporation, Riverside, Calif.
- Shermer M. Nano nonsense and cryonics. Scientific American, Sept 2001.
- Jarvis WT. Quotation in Butler K. A Consumer's Guide to "Alternative" Medicine. Amherst, N.Y., 1992, Prometheus Books.
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"Mouchan" Mouchan by mke1963
Mouchan Travel Guide: 2 reviews and 4 photos
The small village of Mouchan is unusual in this part of the world for being down in the valley by a river - the Osse. Most villages are old and are therefore built up on the ridges and hilltops. Fourcès is another exception, but probably also, like Mouchan, a more recent village. "Recent" here means that it was built after the Dark Ages around the 10th Century. Building on higher ground was not just a defensive decision; the rivers were prone to flood badly and regularly. The Osse and the Gélise remain particularly prone to flooding, and Mouchan is still at risk. Those keen to paddle in the warm rivers of the Osse should be aware that upstream reservoirs can occasionally discharge water and the water level can rise quickly. As the rivers here do not rise in the Pyrenees, there are no hydro-electric schemes upstream, so these rivers in northern Gers are not at risk of significant discharges, it would be wise to be careful with small children.
Mouchan is best known for its Romanesque church, which is the earliest known church with Gothic features, so is well-known in the architectural world.
However, Mouchan is more than just one church. It has the traces of an ancient water-mill, the remains of the old fosse, and other interesting little vignettes of rural French architecture. It's also a pleasant village and starting pointing for great walks up and down the Osse valley and into the vineyards on the ridges around Cassaigne to the south.
The origins of the name are unknown, although there are local theories that it is derived from the Latin personal name Muscius. Given its location in the valley, this seems unlikely although Mouchan is on a Roman road. The remains of a Roman villa have been found nearby, but then what self-respecting Tenareze village doesn't have its crop of substantial Roman remains? In particular the area around Gelleneuve (south of Mouchan, alongside the Osse) has provided rich Roman relics. Others have suggested that the name started as Muysano ("more clean"), then Meysano, Moissan and finally Mouchan. However, earlier it was known as Valaque (and note that the hamlet nearby is still called Balagué.
In the 10th Century, the Benedictine order built a priory which, from 1264 onwards came under the protection of the church of Saint-Orens in Auch. This parish was the very furthest northern limit of the land of the archbishop of Auch. As often happened, the village first started from a clustering of houses and farms around the church, which was dedicated to Saint-Austrégésile (as is the church in the village of Vopillon across and down the valley a little). This saint, who died in 624, is a Gascon favourite, having already become the patron saint of Auch and Nogaro. Staint-Austrégésile was before his canonisation, the bishop of Bourges. In 1062, his relics were brought to Nogaro for the consecration of the basilica.
The development of the Chemin de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle led to Mouchan's priory becoming a deanery in 1080, with its adoption by the Order of Cluny, and the number of monks grew steadily. Over time, a pallisade and probably later stone walls were erected with a fosse to protect the settlement.
The fighting in the Hundred Years Wars made the area unsafe. In 1368, the Prince of Wales destroyed the church, and even afterwards, for many centuries, this was still really a frontier area subject to marauding groups. By the 16th Century, the population might have expected more stability, but in 1589 Montgomery's Protestant troops badly damaged the little church and destroyed the priory. Two generations later, the Black Death killed most of the population. The vilage cemetary wasn't big enough for all the bodies, and many had to buried at la Bourdette, well away from the village to the west. In 1708, the Comte de Mouchan died in the Battle of Tortosa in eastern Spain while fighting for the Duc d'Anjou, grand-son of Louis XIV. He was not Mouchan's first noble son though; Cardinal Jean III de Bilhelm Lagraulas, Archbishop of Lombez was an ambassador for Louis XI and Charles VI.
Little changed over the centuries until mayor Joseph-Bernard Faget started building in the 19th Century: a school, a cemetery, the mairie, and, intriguingly, the long avenue lined by lime trees between the church and the mairie. However, this last village enhancement caused a furore as it would cut right through the curate's garden. After some wonderful protests, typical of French local politics, the curate stormed out of the village, never to return.
The end of the 19th Century and early 20th Century brought the same sadnesses and tragedies to Mouchan as to almost every other rural community in southern France: devastation of the vines by disease, two World Wars, the amalgamation and mechanisation of farms leading to job losses, and then the inevitable outward migration. It took Spanish, Italian and latterly northern French and Belgian immigration to stem the flow. Before the First World War, there were a number of shops and a Post Office: now there are none. The effect continues today: in 1988, there were 33 farms, now only 16; then there were 454 head of cattle, now (2000) just 75.
Condom is just 8km to the east, and Larressingle 3km north. To the east is Gondrin, which can be reached across the valley on foot.
Don't miss the hamlet of Vopillon which is across the valley to the north-west.
- Pros:Tranquility; the church; the river
- Cons:No shops or places to have a drink
- In a nutshell:Mouchan is peaceful, but so are most of the villages in this tranquil part of the world.
This fabulous church is one of the wonders of Gascony. Built in the 11th Century, with stone from quarry at Ramounet... more travel advice
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The Capitol seemed vast—unless you worked there. The building, though grand in scale, had only 56 rooms usable as offices. Most were committee rooms that chairmen could use for themselves. In 1891, the Senate bought an apartment building and converted it to offices. But this structure, the Maltby Building, proved unsound and quickly became obsolete.
By the 20th century, Congress's growing workload made finding more office space essential. Two nearly identical office buildings were constructed, giving every representative and senator a room or two. The buildings also included space for committees and support facilities, such as bathing rooms and telegraph offices. The House Office Building (now the Cannon House Office Building) opened in 1908; the Senate Office Building (now the Russell Senate Office Building) opened the following year. | <urn:uuid:a9e4404e-fedb-415b-801a-9e0b3e737ccf> | {
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On a family trip to Canada, we stopped by the Montreal Chinatown, where my dad tried to order dinner in Mandarin. The waiter embarrassedly admitted that he couldn’t understand, saying, “Only Cantonese, English, and French sir.” This was not the first time I saw the predominance of non-Mandarin Chinese languages in Chinese communities outside of China. In my childhood, my family also frequented the Brooklyn Chinatown—now larger than its more touristy counterpart in Manhattan—where I vividly remember a man telling us to move our car. Or at least that’s what we could tell from his arm movements.We had no way to really know, because he spoke to us in Cantonese. And in Manila, I had the pleasure of meeting Chinese-Filipinos, who spoke, not Mandarin, but Hokkien Chinese as their native language!
(These languages are often called “dialects” by convention, but linguists classify them officially as “languages.” as they are not mutually intelligible. I have chosen to use the linguistically correct term for this piece.)
Hokkien and Cantonese speakers trace their roots back to what is now Fujian and Guangdong, provinces in Southern China. Although Mandarin became the lingua franca among the officials in China (called “mandarins” by the Jesuits) as early as the 14th century, pronunciation varied drastically, and in 1728, the Emperor had such a difficult time understanding officials from these two regions, that he ordered them to fix their pronunciation! Most Chinese-Singaporeans can also trace their roots back to the two regions above, so I was surprised when I encountered good Mandarin.
Of course, they’re not as fluent as people from Taiwan or China, where Mandarin is the official language of instruction. They also say funny things like 做工 zuogong instead of 工作 gongzuo or 上班 shangban meaning “to go to work” as in Standard Mandarin. But still I was pretty amazed. I would politely ask people for directions in English, not wanting to assume they spoke Mandarin, and they would respond… in good Mandarin. Even the elderly couple who invited me to lunch spoke pretty decent Mandarin. (Among themselves they spoke Teochow dialect of Southern Min Chinese.) How could this be
Yes, knowing another language in the Chinese family helps. But you don’t just “pick up” Mandarin. Even former Singapore PM Lee Kuan Yew admits to struggling with Mandarin. The majority of the Chinese population in Singapore, similar to that of Taiwan, mostly spoke Hokkien Min Chinese, along with a smattering of Teochow Min Chinese, Cantonese, and a few other Chinese languages. And knowing that for better or for worse, Mandarin became the lingua franca of Taiwan because it was forced upon Taiwanese people (just as Japanese had been earlier) through a political system that suppressed other languages, I began to sense that there must similar policies in Singapore…
Enter the Speak Mandarin Campaign
So it turns out that in 1979, PM Lee Kuan Yew launched the “Speak Mandarin Campaign” (SMC or 讲华语运动). This campaign involved policies such as discouraging civil servants from speaking in other Chinese languages (government officers including those in hospitals were not allowed to use dialects except to those over 60 years old) and banning other Chinese languages (and also Singlish) from radio and television. Unfortunately, the Wikipedia page for SMC reads much like a propaganda page, so I had to look elsewhere for insights.
I found a fascinating paper that argues that Lee Kuan Yew’s personal struggles in weeding out political opponents who could inspire the masses with fiery Hokkien speeches, inspired him to stamp out Hokkien along with other dialects. While I do not know enough about Singapore to be a good judge of how accurate this claim, I would not be surprised… Language is power… At any rate, the paper convincingly challenges official narratives of why Mandarin was implemented.
Official Reasons for SMC
The government had four main reasons to promote Mandarin, listed here (with my commentary and facts from the paper below):
1. Unifying Chinese Singaporeans under one common language.
Under the British, Singapore blossomed into an international port of trade, so it’s difficult to believe that until the SMC came around in the 1970s, Chinese Singaporeans didn’t already have a way of communicating with one another. How could they have traded with one another?? Unsurprisingly, according to the paper, most Chinese Singaporeans did, using a mix of Malay, Hokkien, Tamil, etc. Further, the majority Hokkien population could also understand other Chinese languages. And while he was at it, why didn’t he decide to unite the Indian community under Standard Hindi as well? Indian Singaporeans are free to choose from a variety of Indian languages at school—Tamil, Malayalam, Urdu/Hindi, Punjabi, depending on where they live. And signs around the city are NOT in Hindi, but in Tamil!
2. Other languages were hindering the ability of Chinese Singaporeans to learn Mandarin.
According to the official narrative the government had tried to implement bilingual education in English and Mandarin, but found that students struggled with learning “two foreign languages.” The culprit hampering Singaporeans’ ability to learn Mandarin, they believed, was the other Chinese dialects. This reasoning falls flat on inspection. Children are capable of learning many languages simultaneously. Further, there are countless counterexamples, namely, CHINA, where everyone outside of the capital region speaks their regional language AND Mandarin.
3. Learning Mandarin will give Singaporeans a better appreciation of Chinese culture.
Because reducing the traditional diversity of Chinese languages enables Singaporeans to understand “traditional Chinese culture.” Case in point: eradicating other Chinese languages has hampered the ability of many young Singaporeans to communicate with their grandparents.(Isn’t “family” important to “Traditional Chinese Culture”?) In fact, some young people now are trying to revive these languages to better connect to their roots: “If grandchildren can’t communicate with their grandparents, that’s a very sad thing.” They have petitioned the government to allow non-Mandarin Chinese languages on TV and radio and also set up a Youtube channel to teach the languages to others, similar to what some Native Americans have done in the U.S.
4. Mandarin will give Singaporeans a competitive advantage in doing business with China.
True, and Taiwanese people have also been able to reap such benefits, whether in doing business with China or being intermediaries between Japan and China. But this definitely did not have to come at the expense of other languages. Again we just need to look at China.
I think it’s safe to say that the SMC largely succeeded in establishing Mandarin’s supremacy above all other Chinese languages: “Predominantly dialect-speaking households fell from 76 percent of the population in 1980 to 48 percent in 1990, while Mandarin-speaking households rose over the same period from 13 to 30 percent.” (source)
An interesting parallel between Singapore and Taiwan in this respect is that Hokkien is often used among the rebellious, as shown by the song “Limpeh” which within 24 hours shot to #1 on the Singapore iTunes chart. Its English-Hokkien-Mandarin lyrics, which include lines such as, “Don’t think we Singaporeans just obey everything blindly, we don’t say ‘okay’ to everything the government wants, times have changed, we are not the same,” must have appealed to the young Singaporean psyche. (For comparison, a history-inspired rap, also in English, Hokkien, and Mandarin, from Taiwan: “Civil Revolt.”)
Anyways, unfortunately for the SMC, there is another language that “threatens” to take over Singapore, or rather, has already taken over Singapore… English: it is already the dominant “home language” of the majority of all Singaporeans. In response to this, Lee Kuan Yew has urged Chinese-Singaporeans to speak Mandarin at home. And then of course, there is another government-led campaign for English… the Speak Good English Movement (SGEM), and in defiance of that, grassroots campaigns supporting Singlish. And so the language wars wage on!! | <urn:uuid:94b89011-5024-4caf-bb9e-e4e8cccbd352> | {
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Nearly 50 million people are currently living with dementia, a number which is expected to increase to 131.5 million by 2050. To help tackle this, it is important to highlight the problems faced by dementia patients and to demonstrate how we can overcome them.
Dementia is most commonly caused by a number of progressive brain disorders that affect the ability to perform activities of daily living, memory and behaviour. As the illness progresses into the advanced or severe stages, individuals may experience oral deficits which can cause dysphagia. Swallowing is a complex process with many stages, any one of which can stop working, causing the swallowing process to become defective. This is becoming a common complaint in dementia patients. Seeing a loved one struggle with dysphagia, as well as dementia, can be extremely difficult for carers or family members to witness, as dysphagia can be an indicator of the progression of the condition.
Treatment for dysphagia in dementia patients is more difficult than for those without dementia. If left untreated, it can cause serious health problems such as: malnutrition, dehydration and aspiration pneumonia. Here are some tips on how to avoid the possible consequences and how to manage it:
- Triggering the eating process – Mealtimes can become stressful for someone with dysphagia and dementia. The patient can become confused by the food and cutlery, and can worry about choking. For a patient with advanced dementia, finger foods may aid the eating process. This taps into the automatic motor rhythm that has been used all their life and gives them the freedom to feed themselves. Another way to trigger the eating process is through alternating between hot and cold food, as this can trigger a swallow. Placing the cutlery in the patient’s dominant hand and guiding the hand to the mouth may also trigger the eating process and therefore help with the swallow.
- Getting the right nutrients – It can be hard for dementia patients to get the right balance of nutrients without the added issue of dysphagia. A patient could easily become disinterested or agitated by the meal in front of them. In this instance, the meal should be split onto two plates, serving half the meal at a time. This will help the patient to eat the whole meal without having to sit down for an extended period. Another idea would be to serve five or six small meals throughout the day. If a patient becomes fussy about what food they are eating, a list of food preferences and dislikes could be developed and regularly reviewed so they are always given their favourite meals.
- Tube feeding as a last resort – If the dementia becomes severe, it may be more appropriate to provide hydration and nutrition through tube feeding. The decision to go ahead with a feeding tube is complex so it is important the patient, family and caregivers are aware of all the risks and benefits and where possible a patient led approach to decision making is taken. | <urn:uuid:1f65c254-1ae6-4dce-9ac1-249148cc11cb> | {
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On Oct. 18, 2015, while walking along the beach on Palm Island, Charlotte County FL, just south of Stump Pass, I noticed one tiny shorebird, a sanderling, that had bands on its legs. This bling was unusual since there were orange bands on both lower legs, a silver band on the upper left, and a blue band and blank white flag on the upper right leg. There is an on-line website (bandedbirds.org) that allows banded birds to be individually identified if they carry numbered flags, but this combination of bands without a lettered code was confusing.
I contacted the administrator of the website and eventually found that this bird was banded at Chaplin Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada, as a group or cohort of birds caught in the springs of 2012-2014. This bird was presumably headed to its breeding site in the high Arctic about 1200 miles away along the northern tundra of Canada when banded. It is now on the SW FL coast where it may spend the winter or head further south.
The direct line distance between Chaplin Lake and Palm Island is about 2000 miles. Chaplin Lake is unusual in that, like the Great Salt Lake in Utah, it is saline and produces large numbers of brine flies and fairy shrimp that are avidly consumed by vast numbers of migrating shorebirds.
So the sanderlings which scurry along the beaches in FL are remarkable hemispheric travelers which depend on the health of delicate natural habitats in different countries. They are tiny (about 2 oz) and their ability to make such a fantastic migratory journey of at least 6000 miles for each round trip over many years is almost beyond comprehension. | <urn:uuid:64f0ac13-a6d6-4d1e-872c-694ab7bf0981> | {
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A new research has shown that analysis of a newborn’s first stool can help doctors predict if the child is at risk for future decline in intelligence and reasoning. The study particularly found that a baby born to a mother who consumed alcohol at the time of pregnancy usually has high levels of fatty acid ethyl esters in its first stool. This can help doctors tell if their child is likely to develop cognitive problems during the teen years or not.
One of the researchers Meeyoung Min, research assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University in the US, said that the research team wanted to see if there was a connection between FAEE levels and the cognitive development during childhood as well as adolescence.
Min added that FAEE can be a marker for fetal alcohol exposure as well as development issues in the future. He added that detecting prenatal exposure to liquor at the time of birth can lead to early interventions that can help in reducing effects later.
For the study, researchers had analysed meconium (first stool) of 216 babies for FAEE levels. The participants had then given intelligence tests at the ages nine, 11 and 15. Researchers found a link between those who had high levels of FAEE at birth and lower IQ levels.
Read more health news.
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Though all possible measures have been taken to ensure accuracy, reliability, timeliness and authenticity of the information; Onlymyhealth assumes no liability for the same. Using any information of this website is at the viewers’ risk. Please be informed that we are not responsible for advice/tips given by any third party in form of comments on article pages . If you have or suspect having any medical condition, kindly contact your professional health care provider. | <urn:uuid:55d3460b-bf0c-4c17-bd71-da28c32b07a4> | {
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SHA-1 or Secure Hashing Algorithm 1 was developed in 1993 by the National Security Agency (NSA). It has been used to provide both hashing functions and digital signatures that validate that a certain document, web site, or other resource is genuine, original, and unchanged.
SHA-1 is used in common services such as SSL (secure websites) and TLS (secure email). There has been discussion about the low security of SHA-1 going back to 2005. In 2010 the National Institute for Standards and Technology has recommended that government agencies stop using SHA-1. And in 2014, Google stated it would actively penalize websites still using SHA-1 in SSL certificates after 2016. The reason is that the hash length is considered too short to be be absolutely secure. The recommended upgrade path is to SHA-2 or SHA-3.
When I am performing vulnerability assessments for client companies, SHA-1 vulnerabilities show up often. Upgrading would eliminate those vulnerabilities. And now we have other reasons to move on from SHA-1 implementations. Next year, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Mozilla browsers will no longer accept SHA-1 connections.
- Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge: Starting on February 14, IE and Edge will not load any websites still using SHA-1, though users can still opt to continue to the website after seeing a warning message.
- Google Chrome: At the end of January next year, with the release of version 56, Chrome will stop trusting any SHA-1 SSL certificate and will provide a security warning.
- Mozilla Firefox: With the release of Firefox 51 in January, the browser will show an “untrusted connection” error warning for any site still using SHA-1.
- Apple Safari: Apple is strongly suggesting sites to drop SHA-1 as soon as possible, and websites loaded in the Sierra version do not show the green padlock that indicates a trusted site.
If you are using a SHA-1 SSL certificate on your website, you will want to upgrade to something better as soon as possible, or risk running your visitors through the gauntlet of worrisome security warnings, not to mention lower Google page rank. If you have manually created self-signed security certificates on your Windows computer network, you will need to go through the process of updating those certificates to SHA-2 or 3. | <urn:uuid:c4e786e8-c70d-4f6a-be4f-1eb8586ad93b> | {
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"Now!" whispered Suki. "Quick, while the clerk's not looking."
Heart pounding, Leah leaned against the store's unattended makeup display and slid two tubes of lipstick into her purse. She looked bored and detached as she followed her friends Suki and Jill out of the store, but inside she felt panicked.
"I can't believe you made me do that," Leah wailed.
"Relax," said Jill. "Everybody does it sometimes. And we didn't make you do it."
She said nothing, but Leah knew she wouldn't have done that on her own. She'd just had a big dose of peer pressure.
Who Are Your Peers?
When you were a little kid, your parents usually chose your friends, putting you in play groups or arranging play dates with certain children they knew and liked. Now that you're older, you decide who your friends are and what groups you spend time with.
Your friends — your peers — are people your age or close to it who have experiences and interests similar to yours. You and your friends make dozens of decisions every day, and you influence each other's choices and behaviors. This is often positive — it's human nature to listen to and learn from other people in your age group.
As you become more independent, your peers naturally play a greater role in your life. As school and other activities take you away from home, you may spend more time with peers than you do with your parents and siblings. You'll probably develop close friendships with some of your peers, and you may feel so connected to them that they are like an extended family.
Besides close friends, your peers include other kids you know who are the same age — like people in your grade, church, sports team, or community. These peers also influence you by the way they dress and act, things they're involved in, and the attitudes they show.
It's natural for people to identify with and compare themselves to their peers as they consider how they wish to be (or think they should be), or what they want to achieve. People are influenced by peers because they want to fit in, be like peers they admire, do what others are doing, or have what others have.
Peer Influence Isn't All Bad
You already know that the teen years can be tough. You're figuring out who you are, what you believe, what you're good at, what your responsibilities are, and what your place in the world is going to be.
It's comforting to face those challenges with friends who are into the same things that you are. But you probably hear adults — parents, teachers, guidance counselors, etc. — talk about peer pressure more than the benefits of belonging to a peer group.
You might not hear a lot about it, but peers have a profoundly positive influence on each other and play important roles in each other's lives:
- Friendship. Among peers you can find friendship and acceptance, and share experiences that can build lasting bonds.
- Positive examples. Peers set plenty of good examples for each other. Having peers who are committed to doing well in school or to doing their best in a sport can influence you to be more goal-oriented, too. Peers who are kind and loyal influence you to build these qualities in yourself. Even peers you've never met can be role models! For example, watching someone your age compete in the Olympics, give a piano concert, or spearhead a community project might inspire you to go after a dream of your own.
- Feedback and advice. Your friends listen and give you feedback as you try out new ideas, explore belief, and discuss problems. Peers can help you make decisions, too: what courses to take; whether to get your hair cut, let it grow, or dye it; how to handle a family argument. Peers often give each other good advice. Your friends will be quick to tell you when they think you're making a mistake or doing something risky.
- Socializing. Your peer group gives you opportunities to try out new social skills. Getting to know lots of different people — such as classmates or teammates — gives you a chance to learn how to expand your circle of friends, build relationships, and work out differences. You may have peers you agree or disagree with, compete with, or team with, peers you admire, and peers you don't want to be like.
- Encouragement. Peers encourage you to work hard to get the solo in the concert, help you study, listen and support you when you're upset or troubled, and empathize with you when they've experienced similar difficulties.
- New experiences. Your peers might get you involved in clubs, sports, or religious groups. Your world would be far less rich without peers to encourage you try sushi for the first time, listen to a CD you've never heard before, or to offer moral support when you audition for the school play.
When the Pressure's On
Sometimes, though, the stresses in your life can actually come from your peers. They may pressure you into doing something you're uncomfortable with, such as shoplifting, doing drugs or drinking, taking dangerous risks when driving a car, or having sex before you feel ready.
This pressure may be expressed openly ("Oh, come on — it's just one beer, and everyone else is having one") or more indirectly — simply making beer available at a party, for instance.
Most peer pressure is less easy to define. Sometimes a group can make subtle signals without saying anything at all — letting you know that you must dress or talk a certain way or adopt particular attitudes toward school, other students, parents, and teachers in order to win acceptance and approval.
The pressure to conform (to do what others are doing) can be powerful and hard to resist. A person might feel pressure to do something just because others are doing it (or say they are). Peer pressure can influence a person to do something that is relatively harmless — or something that has more serious consequences. Giving in to the pressure to dress a certain way is one thing — going along with the crowd to drink or smoke is another.
People may feel pressure to conform so they fit in or are accepted, or so they don't feel awkward or uncomfortable. When people are unsure of what to do in a social situation, they naturally look to others for cues about what is and isn't acceptable.
The people who are most easily influenced will follow someone else's lead first. Then others may go along, too — so it can be easy to think, "It must be OK. Everyone else is doing it. They must know what they're doing." Before you know it, many people are going along with the crowd — perhaps on something they might not otherwise do.
Responding to peer pressure is part of human nature — but some people are more likely to give in, and others are better able to resist and stand their ground. People who are low on confidence and those who tend to follow rather than lead could be more likely to seek their peers' approval by giving in to a risky challenge or suggestion. People who are unsure of themselves, new to the group, or inexperienced with peer pressure may also be more likely to give in.
Using alcohol or drugs increases anyone's chances of giving in to peer pressure. Substance use impairs judgment and interferes with the ability to make good decisions.
Nearly everyone ends up in a sticky peer pressure situation at some point. No matter how wisely you choose your friends, or how well you think you know them, sooner or later you'll have to make decisions that are difficult and could be unpopular. It may be something as simple as resisting the pressure to spend your hard-earned babysitting money on the latest MP3 player that "everybody" has. Or it may mean deciding to take a stand that makes you look uncool to your group.
But these situations can be opportunities to figure out what is right for you. There's no magic to standing up to peer pressure, but it does take courage — yours:
- Listen to your gut. If you feel uncomfortable, even if your friends seem to be OK with what's going on, it means that something about the situation is wrong for you. This kind of decision-making is part of becoming self-reliant and learning more about who you are.
- Plan for possible pressure situations. If you'd like to go to a party but you believe you may be offered alcohol or drugs there, think ahead about how you'll handle this challenge. Decide ahead of time — and even rehearse — what you'll say and do. Learn a few tricks. If you're holding a bottle of water or a can of soda, for instance, you're less likely to be offered a drink you don't want.
- Arrange a "bail-out" code phrase you can use with your parents without losing face with your peers. You might call home from a party at which you're feeling pressured to drink alcohol and say, for instance, "Can you come and drive me home? I have a terrible earache."
- Learn to feel comfortable saying "no." With good friends you should never have to offer an explanation or apology. But if you feel you need an excuse for, say, turning down a drink or smoke, think up a few lines you can use casually. You can always say, "No, thanks, I've got a belt test in karate next week and I'm in training," or "No way — my uncle just died of cirrhosis and I'm not even looking at any booze."
- Hang with people who feel the same way you do. Choose friends who will speak up with you when you're in need of moral support, and be quick to speak up for a friend in the same way. If you're hearing that little voice telling you a situation's not right, chances are others hear it, too. Just having one other person stand with you against peer pressure makes it much easier for both people to resist.
- Blame your parents: "Are you kidding? If my mom found out, she'd kill me, and her spies are everywhere."
- If a situation seems dangerous, don't hesitate to get an adult's help.
It's not always easy to resist negative peer pressure, but when you do, it is easy to feel good about it afterward. And you may even be a positive influence on your peers who feel the same way — often it just takes one person to speak out or take a different action to change a situation. Your friends may follow if you have the courage to do something different or refuse to go along with the group. Consider yourself a leader, and know that you have the potential to make a difference. | <urn:uuid:8f28746c-5a13-42b2-9194-41c38375f4df> | {
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The weather has finally warmed up, and summer officially begins Friday. Along with becoming accustomed to the heat again, we’ve had to cope with a lack of rain. Here’s a review of good watering practices that keep plant roots going deep so that you use less water:• Choose a tool — a trowel, a shovel, a soil probe or a long sturdy screwdriver — to check your soil regularly so you can monitor the moisture in it.
• When water is needed — maybe the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil are dry —most flower beds will get by with watering once a week, deeply, extension agent Bob Neier said. If plant roots are not established yet, you may need to water more often than that for the first month.
• Monitor sprinklers to be sure that water is percolating into the soil, not running off.
• Be sure all your plants are mulched.
• Monitor buffalo grass in parks; if it starts to go dormant and turn brown, it’s time to water trees and shrubs — again, deeply. If there is no rain in two to three weeks, soak them again, always watering deeply.
• Water a fescue lawn only when it begins to show stress: The blades are starting to curl or to turn a gray or purplish color, and the top couple of inches of soil are dry. Put down an inch to an inch and a quarter of water at one time, cycling through the different areas of the yard and going back over them as needed, making sure water doesn’t run off.
If you let fescue go dormant but want to keep it alive when the weather is hot and there is no rain, water half an inch every two weeks. If the temperatures are not too hot, you can back off that frequency a little.• Warm-season grass should be fine for a little longer without water, extension agent Rebecca McMahon said. If the temperatures stay in the 90s, water warm-season grasses, particularly zoysia and Bermuda, an inch every 10 days or so to keep it green, she said. If you let it go dormant and simply want to keep it alive, you can water it a half inch every few weeks, but warm-season grasses usually survive without any water in dormancy.
If there is more than half an inch of thatch in your warm-season lawn, now is the time to dethatch, McMahon said. If there is less than half an inch of thatch, leave it there for its cooling effects, she said. | <urn:uuid:ee27421b-4f84-4ab6-8c0f-b6358af1dcaa> | {
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Posted 10 months ago on May 8, 2013, 10:12 p.m. EST by quantumystic
from Memphis, TN
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
BY BRANDON KEIM Nearly one in three commercial honeybee colonies in the United States died or disappeared last winter, an unsustainable decline that threatens the nation’s food supply.
Multiple factors — pesticides, fungicides, parasites, viruses and malnutrition — are believed to cause the losses, which were officially announced today by a consortium of academic researchers, beekeepers and Department of Agriculture scientists.
“We’re getting closer and closer to the point where we don’t have enough bees in this country to meet pollination demands,” said entomologist Dennis vanEngelstorp of the University of Maryland, who led the survey documenting the declines.
Beekeepers lost 31 percent of their colonies in late 2012 and early 2013, roughly double what’s considered acceptable attrition through natural causes. The losses are in keeping with rates documented since 2006, when beekeeper concerns prompted the first nationwide survey of honeybee health. Hopes raised by drop in rates of loss to 22 percent in 2011-2012 were wiped out by the new numbers.
Honeybee colony losses over the last seven years. Image: Engelstorp et al. The honeybee shortage nearly came to a head in March in California, when there were barely enough bees to pollinate the almond crop.
Had the weather not been ideal, the almonds would have gone unpollinated — a taste, as it were, of a future in which honeybee problems are not solved.
“If we want to grow fruits and nuts and berries, this is important,” said vanEngelstorp. “One in every three bites [of food consumed in the U.S.] is directly or indirectly pollinated by bees.”
Scientists have raced to explain the losses, which fall into different categories. Some result from what’s called colony collapse disorder, a malady first reported in 2006 in which honeybees abandon their hives and vanish. Colony collapse disorder, or CCD, subsequently became a public shorthand for describing bee calamities.
Most losses reported in the latest survey, however, don’t actually fit the CCD profile. And though CCD is largely undocumented in western Europe, honeybee losses there have also been dramatic. In fact, CCD seems to be declining, even as total losses mount. The honeybees are simply dying.
“Even if CCD went away, we’d still have tremendous losses,” said entomologist Diana Cox-Foster at Pennsylvania State University. “CCD losses are like the straw that breaks the camel’s back. The system has many other issues.”
Studying these issues isn’t easy. In real-world agricultural settings, it’s hard to run the rigorous, every-last-variable-controlled experiments on which definitive conclusions are founded. These experiments can be run in labs and small-scale test fields, but whether those accurately reflect real-world complexity is debated.
Amidst the uncertainties, scientific attention has settled on a group of culprits, the most high-profile of which is a class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids. These were developed in the 1990s, rushed to market with minimal studies of potential harms, and subsequently became the world’s most-used pesticides.
In the last several years, it’s become evident that neonicotinoids are extremely toxic to honeybees and, even in small, sub-lethal doses, make bees more vulnerable to disease. The European Union recently limited neonicotinoid use, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing their use.
Pesticide companies have fought the restrictions, arguing that neonicotinoids are unfairly blamed. Most non-industry scientists say the question isn’t whether neonicotinoids are a problem, but where they fit into a constellation of problems.
“Different studies indicate that this class of pesticide is rather harmful to the bees,” said honeybee pathologist Cédric Alaux of the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, who said the E.U.’s restrictions are sensible. “However, we should not be too naive and think that it will solve the bee problem.”
Just as important as neonicotinoids, and perhaps more so, are Varroa destructor mites. First detected in the United States in 1987, the mites weaken bees by sucking their hemolyph, the insect analogue of blood, and also transmit viruses and other parasites. A recent USDA report called Varroa “the single most detrimental pest of honey bees.”
The report also noted that neonicotinoid exposure alters immune system function in Varroa-infected bees and makes bees more vulnerable to infection by Nosema ceranae, another parasite implicated in honeybee losses. It’s possible that neonicotinoids used on crops don’t usually kill bees outright, but weaken them enough for other stresses to become lethal.
Agricultural entomologist Christian Krupke of Purdue University likened the effects to “living in an area with extreme levels of smog, causing your body and immune system to become overtaxed so that a common cold progresses to pneumonia.”
Krupke noted that although neonicotinoids are the most common poisonous chemicals in honeybee environments, they’re far from the only chemicals. Cox-Foster and vanEngelstorp stressed that point, referencing research that found 121 different pesticides in honeybee hives. On average, each hive contained traces of 6 pesticides, and sometimes several dozen.
Research on pesticide interactions is in its infancy, but combinations may be extremely harmful to bees, amplifying what the chemicals would do alone. “I worry that the neonicotinoid attention is distracting from the other pesticides that have clear effects, and might even have stronger effects. Things like fungicides are completely unregulated for bees,” said vanEngelstorp. “I think we need to keep the pesticide investigation broader.”
'We’re getting closer and closer to the point where we don’t have enough bees.'Another, less-appreciated aspect of honeybee life also gained attention in the winter survey and new USDA report: what they eat. Though commercial bees are trucked on pollination circuits around the United States, most beekeepers have home bases in the upper Midwest, an area that’s undergone significant changes in recent years. Rising food prices led farmers to plant crops in fields previously considered marginal or set aside as grasslands. Honeybees forage in those grasslands, and can’t get the nutrition they need from flowering crops alone.
Add the record-setting drought of summer 2012, and bees were hard-pressed for nourishment. Malnourishment could in turn make bees more vulnerable to pests and infections, or exacerbate the effects of pesticides.
“The drought, the possible combination of factors that went with it, was clearly a big problem for a lot of beekeepers,” vanEngelstorp said. “In some cases, it was a combination of Varroa and these malnourished, pesticide-exposed bees.”
Commercial bees pollinate dozens of crops, and though colonies can be replaced, continuing losses could soon render beekeeping economically unviable. Researchers are trying to breed more resilient bees, but the combination of chemicals, nutrition and disease will likely prove insurmountable by genetic improvements alone, said Cox-Foster.
She said native pollinator habitat needs to be left intact or re-established; a field that goes unplanted, or a roadside left unmowed, can be thought of as insurance against commercial honeybee loss. Dennis vanEngelstorp recommended that, as a rule of thumb, 10 percent of land mass should be managed as pollinator havens.
Pesticides can also be used more carefully. Rather than being applied broadly, across entire fields and locales, they can be precisely targeted to outbreaks. Other unnecessary uses can be averted.
“Many entomologists and pest management professionals have been saying for years that there is no pest management justification for using these insecticides on virtually every crop grown in North America,” said Krupke. “Yet, the opposite trend is occurring.”
The honeybee catastrophe could also signal problems in other pollinator species, such as bumblebees and butterflies, that are not often studied.
“Thinking of honeybees as our canary in the coal mine, a monitor for environmental conditions, is very appropriate,” Cox-Foster said. “With honeybee colonies, you have the ability to open them up and see what’s going on. There are many other species needed for pollination, but with most of those, we don’t have the ability to see what’s happening.” | <urn:uuid:d4a48495-476b-46b2-a3b5-05b51150296a> | {
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UNC program aims to make dental care a priority for toddlers
Posted April 8, 2014
Updated April 9, 2014
Chapel Hill, N.C. — Many parents don't take their children to a dentist until they begin having problems with their teeth, but a program at the UNC Hospitals is trying to make oral health a focus for toddlers.
Dentists like Dr. Rocio Quinonez start relationships with their new patients and parents by asking questions about eating and drinking habits and providing advice on good oral health habits.
Instead of waiting until age 3 to visit, dentists are also advising parents to follow the "First Tooth, First Birthday, First Visit" rule.
Waiting can create consequences. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Health, 40 percent of children will begin kindergarten with a history of dental cavities.
Julie Ricker knew the importance of starting early, and her 18-month-old son Emmet has already made multiple trips to the dentist.
"I really feel like it's just a part of their overall health," Julie Ricker said.
Quinonez said the program is also designed to make children look forward to going to the dentist.
"Very few children get to the dentist by age 1, and our goal is to increase that," Quinonez said.
Doctors also give parents the tools for good dental care at home. The American Dental Association says brushing with fluoride toothpaste should begin as soon as the first tooth emerges.
"Their recommendation is that you should be putting a smear – or a little grain of rice – (amount of toothpaste) to assure that if they were to swallow any, it would be minimal," Quinonez said.
Pediatric health officials also provide diet recommendations to help make dental care easier.
They recommend children not have juice before turning 1 and say that breast milk or infant formula is vital to brain development.
Once kids start drinking juice, they should have no more than 4 to 6 ounces per day. Parents should also avoid sticky, sugar-filled food like raisins or fruit roll-ups. | <urn:uuid:40d2333e-3a11-49a8-b6d2-9bac22527cbe> | {
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Biodiversity talks end with call for 'urgent' action
The UN biodiversity meeting in Japan has agreed a 10-year plan aimed at preserving nature.
Targets for protecting areas of land and sea were weaker than conservation scientists wanted, as was the overall target for slowing biodiversity loss.
Most developing countries were pleased with measures aimed at ensuring they get a share in profits from products made from plants and other organisms.
Nations have two years to draw up plans for funding the plan.
"This agreement reaffirms the fundamental need to conserve nature as the very foundation of our economy and our society," said Jim Leape, director-general of WWF International.
"Governments have sent a strong message that protecting the health of the planet has a place in international politics, and countries are ready to join forces to save life on Earth."
The meeting settled on targets of protecting 17% of the world's land surface, and 10% of the oceans, by 2020.
These are regarded as too small by many conservation scientists, who point out that about 13% of the land is already protected - while the existing target for oceans is already 10%.Continue reading the main story
Guide to biodiversity
- Biodiversity is the term used to describe the incredible variety of life that has evolved on our planet over billions of years. So far 1.75m present day species have been recorded, but there maybe as many as 13m in total.
- The term "biodiversity" refers to diversity of ecosystems, species and genes. In wetlands, for example, you might find different types of fish, frogs, crabs and snails; and within each species, differences in the genes which determine disease resistance, diet and body size. Research shows that ecosytems containing more variety are more productive and more robust.
- Biodiversity loss affects most of the major branches of life on Earth. Amphibians and corals are among some of the most threatened. Rising human populations, habitat loss, invasive species and climate change all take their toll.
- Around half of the planet's natural environments had been converted for human use by 1990. The IUCN projects that a further 10-20% of grass and forest land could be converted by 2050.
- Deforestation represents one of the most serious threats to biodiversity. The map shows the extent of the planet's remaining frontier forests - which exist in a state untouched by human interference - and the original extent of forest cover.
- The rising population and economic growth mean that natural resources are used at less and less sustainable rates. WWF calculates that by 2050, humanity's resource use would need two-and-a-half Earths to be sustainable.
Many poorer countries say they do not have the resources to implement such targets.
Environmental campaigner and actor Harrison Ford attended the talks in Japan
"The forest and the other biological resources we have serve the general interests of the global environment," said Johansen Voker from Liberia's Environmental Protection Agency.
"So we expect assistance to be able to effectively conserve our environment for the common good of the world community."
Developed nations agreed to establish mechanisms for raising finance to help them - which could amount to hundreds of billions of dollars per year by 2020.
They are required to have a plan to raise such sums in place by 2012, when Brazil will host the second Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
The sums might appear astronomical - particularly when you recall that governments are already committed to raising $100bn (£125bn) per year for climate change by 2020 - but French Ecology Minister Chantal Jouanno said it was not impossible.
"If you think that to solve the problem of biodiversity only public funds can be sufficient, it's just a dream, because the amounts necessary are so huge," she told BBC News.
"It needs to be private funds too - and not only voluntary private funds but... binding funds [from business].
"You are making profits from the use of biodiversity; so it's logical and it's legitimate that those profits return to biodiversity."
The trickiest issue - the agreement on sharing profits from the development of products drawing on genetic resources in developing countries, known as Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) - was resolved after developed nations, led by the EU, made some crucial concessions.
In particular, they agreed that the measures should cover anything made from this genetic material, technically known as "derivatives".
They had previouslty argued for a much narrower scope.
'More work needed'
Conservation groups warned that the agreement as it stands does not guarantee the erosion of species and ecosystems will be stopped.
"Participants may be leaving Nagoya, but they still need to be working to save life on this planet from Monday morning," said Jane Smart, head of the species programme at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The Iberian lynx has suffered a catastrophic drop in numbers
"We need to harness the energy of this meeting, where we've seen huge and significant commitments in terms of reinvigorated political will as well as real money from the likes of Japan, and in terms of pledges to increase protected areas from the likes of Guinea Bissau."
Japan looks set to emerge with credit, having steered the tough negotiations through its final hours.
"What the Japanese government really wants to do here is to get agreement so they can be proud of the Nagoya CBD," said Wakao Hanaoka, oceans campaigner with Greenpeace Japan.
"What is really needed, since the Japanese government has just started its role of chairing the CBC until 2012, is to keep doing what they have promised to international society."
This meant, he suggested, taking effective conservation in the marine environment - including backing cuts in fisheries for threatened but lucrative fish such as bluefin tuna. | <urn:uuid:82ed7d09-a31a-48f0-a1f8-742736501bd5> | {
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Some of the most tragic stories one will ever hear in medical practice are those of cancer patients and their families. Unfortunately, the tragedy is often the result of the impact on people's lives not only of the disease but also of the treatment, as well as the failure of the current medical model to deal with preventive factors and emotional issues.
Although even the most conservative groups acknowledge that at least 80 percent of our cancers are premature and could be prevented by eliminating smoking, adopting a healthier diet, and avoiding certain exposures to radiation and cancer-producing hydrocarbons. In fact, in 1987, the New England Journal of Medicine published results of two studies indicating that women who consumed three to six alcoholic drinks per week experienced a 30 percent to 60 percent increase in likelihood of breast cancer.
Still, the notion of teaching people to care for themselves and to prevent these cancers seldom receives more than lip service from the orthodox medical practitioner. Instead, the overwhelming bulk of money and attention expended in the field of cancer is directed toward treatment. And as many cancer patients will tell you, the treatments are often as bad as the disease-extensive surgery to remove the cancer and all lymph nodes to which it has spread, radiation and
x-ray treatment, which can burn and destroy normal tissue, and metabolic poisons, which poison not only the cancer cells but also many of the body's healthy cells. And because, with the exception of surgery, none of these treatments is expected to actually produce a cure, no matter how grisly was the last treatment, the cancer patient generally feels he or she has only two options for the future: an even more unpleasant course of treatment or death.
It has been said that when the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to treat everything like a nail. Similarly, when the kind of medicine you have developed is designed to attack invaders (such as bacteria and bullets) the same logic is carried over to the treatment of cancer.
Although there is some theoretical support for the belief that at least some cancers may be triggered by viruses, what we do know is that in all cases of cancers the cells that cause the problem are cells from the patient himself or herself. Whatever the etiology may be, the final common pathway for the disease is that the normal rate of growth is changed and the healthy destruction of abnormal cells is inhibited in some way. As a result, large masses of cells are formed and appear as benign or malignant tumors.
Ordinarily, in nearly every organ of the body, cells are constantly dividing, producing new cells. Simultaneously, other cells are being destroyed as they grow older. This balance is also maintained by other, poorly understood factors, such as contact phenomena, in which the presence of a certain number of cells seems to inhibit the formation of new cells.
When we examine the cells of a tumor beneath the microscope, we find that they appear quite different from normal body cells. These changes are even more marked if we are dealing with a malignant tumor. The drawings on page 242 will give you an idea of some of these differences. These abnormal cells seem to ignore the usual rules, the normal cellular structure is lost and there appear to be no restrictions on their growth.
The appearance of abnormal cells is not, however, a rarity in anyone's life. Each day, of the hundreds of thousands of new cells that appear in our bodies, a certain percentage are abnormal and are destroyed by the body, either through its immune mechanisms or through the action of phagocytic cells. Thus, as many investigators believe, we may be producing many potential cancerous cells each day. | <urn:uuid:a670a02d-e37e-4bd5-ac1d-96dd5171da13> | {
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Meeting the challenges in special education
Parental choice would be a wise and affordable first step
- Thursday, August 27, 2009
Public schools in America continue to fail, and apologists continue to beat the same worn drums — blaming parents, lack of funds and special education.
Special education was highlighted in Dr. Jay P. Greene's book Education Myths as one of the favorite scapegoats for public schools. Apologists point to the recent rapid growth in children diagnosed with learning disabilities and claim it diverts scarce resources away from educating other students. Greene, however, notes that public schools receive substantial grants for each student labeled with a learning disability.
Indeed, significant evidence suggests these incentives may be encouraging public schools to mislabel students as learning-disabled in order to acquire the grants. That's what Greene and Dr. Marcus A. Winters — both of whom are senior fellows at the Manhattan Institute — point out in a new report, How Special Ed Vouchers Keep Kids From Being Mislabeled as Disabled.
"Between 1977 and 2006 the percentage of students enrolled in federally supported disability programs increased by more than 66 percent," notes the report. The bulk of the growth in special education was in the Specific Learning Disability (SLD) category, which now accounts for 40.7 percent of all disability diagnoses. SLD is the most common and least severe category, the authors write, including perceptual handicaps, developmental aphasia and dyslexia.
The Greene-Winters study examines whether vouchers for students with disabilities increase or decrease the misidentification of students with learning disabilities. After examining four states with such voucher programs — Florida, Ohio, Georgia and Utah — they conclude:
...these findings give us enough confidence to conclude that special-education vouchers do not contribute to the growth of special-education enrollments. And our best evidence suggests that the availability of special-education vouchers places some constraint on the growth of special education, which has been quite rapid.
Thus, the argument for special-needs vouchers becomes even more compelling. Not only do they help special-needs children get the most appropriate education in a public or private school, but special-needs vouchers can also discourage schools from misidentifying students as learning-disabled when they are not. This is important, as such
mislabeling may actually harm the student's educational growth.
Fortunately, whether or not Nevada provides special-needs scholarships, choice is coming for parents. The recent Supreme Court decision in Forest Grove School District vs. T.A now allows parents to be reimbursed for the cost of a private-school education if, in the parent's judgment, the public schools have failed to identify or provide a disabled student with an appropriate education. However, this option may entail subsequent litigation with districts.
The 2009 Nevada Legislature could have addressed the issue by passing the special-needs voucher program, SB 81, introduced by Senator Barbara Cegavske, but it failed to do so. The bill would have provided special-needs scholarships equivalent to the sum of basic support per pupil for each school district — which averaged $5,251 for the 2009-10 school year — and the additional special-education support which would have gone to the traditional public school.
While most school districts expressed no opinion regarding SB 81, some, as well as other insiders, worried aloud that providing special-needs scholarships would decrease funding. However, it was only district administration that would lose control over funds: Even in the worst-case scenario, per-pupil funding would remain the same.
Nye County School District, under Superintendent William Roberts, went so far as to claim that special-needs vouchers would be a step backwards in providing education for all children — appealing, ironically, to the No Child Left Behind law, which is generally hated among the education establishment. Other opponents of the bill claimed special-education students would be harmed because private schools won't offer them an Individualized Educational Program (IEP), which is an agreement between the parent of a special-needs student and the school on how the local school will address the student's educational needs. But this is a false claim. In order to attract the student — and win the voucher funding — the private school would have to offer an education program that satisfies the needs of the parents and students. Additionally, public school IEPs are often inadequate or full of false promises - a reason why parents won the Forrest Grove Supreme Court case in the first place.
Special-needs vouchers are beneficial. A 2003 report by Greene and Winters on Florida's McKay scholarship program found special-needs children were more likely to have the appropriate services provided to them when the scholarship was made available. Additionally, parents participating in the McKay program were three times more likely to be satisfied with their schools, where classrooms were half as large, children underwent less bullying and teachers saw fewer behavioral problems.
Few legitimate excuses exist for opposing special-needs scholarship programs. Defending the status quo — and the substandard public education system that will continue at least through 2011 in Nevada — is not one of them.
Patrick R. Gibbons is an education policy analyst at the Nevada Policy Research Institute. | <urn:uuid:83e42b55-7ace-44e6-8a5a-492dfbb6859c> | {
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Understanding Project "Difficulty"
Science Buddies ranks each project within one of three categories of difficulty:
For each category, there are three additional ranges of difficulty:
What Number Is Right for You?
The correct level of difficulty depends on a number of things:
- Your grade in school
- How many science and math classes you have taken
- How well you do in science and math
- How much help you can get from teachers, parents, and friends
For an average student, the following table is a good guideline: | <urn:uuid:268201c9-6777-4f75-a592-751f08e3aed9> | {
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By Todd Steiner, Executive Director of Turtle Island Restoration Network
Twice each year, for the past seven years, I have made the 20-hour trip by boat to Cocos Island, 350 miles from the Costa Rican mainland. This journey is well-worth the effort – Jacques Cousteau described Cocos Island as the most beautiful island in the world, and I would have to agree.
At this remote location, my organization, Turtle Island Restoration Network, and our partners have established an active citizen science project through which divers and scientists work together to study one of the most biologically-rich ocean ecosystems left on the planet.
I’m heading back to Cocos in April, and for the first time, people with no diving background will have the chance to join me – to tag and monitor sea turtles and even take a journey in the DeepSee Submersible to see some of the deepest reefs on earth.
The deep reefs are just one of Cocos Island’s wonders. A shallow fringing reef encircles the island’s bays and then the seafloor drops sharply. The unique confluence of ocean countercurrents, wind currents, and underwater mountains combines to create an ecosystem that supports one of the most amazing displays of marine life on the planet.
Hundreds of scalloped hammerhead sharks spend their days being “cleaned” by the butterfly and angelfish that pick parasites from around their gills. Also regularly seen are whitetip reef sharks resting on the sand or hunting in packs in the shallow coral reefs at night.
Cocos’ abundant marine wildlife has made the region a magnet for scientists and scuba enthusiasts, who often rank the waters as one of the top ten diving spots on the planet. Yet despite its designation as a Costa Rican National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the waters of Cocos Island face overfishing, plastic pollution that washes in from far away places, ocean acidification that is harming reef communities, and climate change that could unravel the unique mix of currents that make the place such a rich and diverse ecosystem.
To help monitor what’s happening in the reserve, Turtle Island enlists the scuba-diving community as citizen-scientist assistants to catch, tag and monitor turtles, tag sharks, take photographs, and record data, helping to ensure that the place will remain worthy of Cousteau-like praise for generations to come.
We are currently seeking divers – and non-divers – to become volunteer research assistants on the upcoming April and November Cocos expeditions. To learn more, visit: www.seaturtles.org/expeditions. Spaces are filling fast, so please contact us today to learn more.
Todd Steiner is a biologist and lifelong advocate for marine wildlife and ocean ecosystems. He founded nonprofit Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) and its three primary initiatives — the Sea Turtle Restoration Project, the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network, and the Got Mercury Campaign. TIRN’s oldest initiative, the Sea Turtle Restoration Project, began as Todd’s brainchild at Earth Island Institute in 1989. Previously, Steiner was director of the Tuna Dolphin project, which brought to public view for the first time the tuna industry’s impact on dolphins and other marine species. He has more than 30 years experience in environmental protection and education. He holds an MS in Biology and lives in Forest Knolls, California. | <urn:uuid:93b87736-8c07-4859-8181-767b9e758a6b> | {
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There are boons and banes presented by technology, no matter how helpful it is to humanity’s progress. One of the major health concerns that affect kids and adults alike is eye strain, which primarily is caused by very long screen time sessions and placing the screen too close to the face. To combat eye strain, it is recommended that you find smartphone or laptop radiation protection, or avoid gadgets for extended periods of time. This, of course, requires discipline and continuous focus on the time. However, it is a habit that could seriously improve your health over the long term. This article tackles the different helpful ways to prevent you and your family from contracting eye strain and other harms from gadget radiation.
How to Reduce Gadget Screen Time
For most people, an excessive amount of screen time is simply the result of being bored, or not having any other planned activities. Other heavy gadget users also rely on the best laptop radiation protection to help them avoid the harmful effects of radiation, but at times it is not enough. To buy laptop radiation protection today is like buying and being dependent on direct cures. Although nothing is wrong with that, it is always recommended to do some damage control that has nothing to do with these cheap laptop radiation protection available in stores today.
Listed below are some of the alternative time-killers you can do to help you avoid too much time in front of your gadgets: Click here Reducing EMF
Make screen time count
If you turned on the computer to check something specific such as the film times at your local cinema, or the weather – then make sure to do that specific activity and nothing else. Don’t end up browsing the internet endlessly simply because you are on the computer. Likewise when watching TV make sure to pick out a program or movie that you want to watch, and only watch that. Don’t channel surf simply because you have nothing else to do.
Variety of hobbies
If you have sporting related hobbies or something like fishing, then make sure not to neglect them.
Make it a point to set up time with your friends and family each week at certain days for socializing. This could be going to a restaurant, bar or going for a game of pool. The point is to socialize as opposed to spending alone time in front of a screen.
How to Minimize Screen Time for Kids
Introduce your child to new activities
You child might simply be in front of a computer all day because he’s bored. Aside from giving them ample laptop radiation protection, look for local sports clubs in the area that your child could visit after school, or perhaps at school, there is a range of extra-curricular activities your child could take part in.
When the weekend arrives you could plan a camping trip, or go to the beach for the weekend.
Give your child not only the best laptop radiation protection available today, but also the goal of reading a book per week on an ongoing basis. You’ll notice that they’ll have less time so sit in front of a screen. You might even find that your child likes reading books, and prefers this activity instead of endlessly sitting in front of the computer. | <urn:uuid:2715ee0c-fa27-4ea6-8b85-15c64c21583c> | {
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Introduction BUILDING BLOCKS Chapter 1: The Basics Chapter 2: Mechanics & Dynamics Chapter 3: Puzzle Design Chapter 4: Converting Digital to Physical WRITING GAME CONCEPTS Chapter 5: Working with Licenses and IP Chapter 6: Creating Sequels Chapter 7: Targeting a Market Chapter 8: Learning an Unfamiliar Genre Chapter 9: Designing a Game to Tell a Story THE DICE VS. THE BRAIN Chapter 10: Elements of Chance Chapter 11: Elements of Skill Chapter 12: Balancing Challenge and Skill ADDITIVE AND SUBTRACTIVE DESIGN Chapter 13: Adding and Subtracting Mechanics Chapter 14: Technological Constraints Chapter 15: Incorporating New Assets Chapter 16: But Make it Multiplayer THE USER INTERFACE Chapter 17: Designing for a Special Controller Chapter 18: Creating a User Interface OFF THE BEATEN PATH Chapter 19: Games as Artistic Statements Chapter 20: Games for Education/Teaching Chapter 21: Serious Games Chapter 22: Casual Games Chapter 23: Social Networking STUFF THAT FIT NOWHERE ELSE Chapter 24: You want me to do what?
About the Author
Brenda Brathwaite is an award-winning game designer, artist, writer, and creative director with 30 years of experience in the industry. Before founding Loot Drop, Brenda worked for a variety of game companies including Atari, Electronic Arts, Sir-tech Software, and numerous companies in the social games space. She has worked on many Facebook games, including Cloudforest Expedition, Ravenwood Fair, Critter Island, SuperPoke Pets!, SPP Ranch, Garden Life, Rock Riot, and Top Fish. Brenda served on the board of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and presently chairs the IGDA's Women in Games Special Interest group. Brenda was named Woman of the Year by Charisma+2 Magazine in 2010 and also was a nominee in Microsoft's 2010 Women in Games game design awards. In 2009, her game Train won the coveted Vanguard Award at IndieCade. She was named one of the top 20 most influential women in the game industry by Gamasutra.com in 2008 and one of the 100 most influential women in the game industry by Next Generation magazine in 2007. Nerve magazine also called her one of the 50 artists, actors, authors, activists, and icons who are making the world a more stimulating place.
Ian Schreiber has been in the industry for eight years, first as a programmer and then as a game designer. He has worked on five published game titles, including Playboy: the Mansion and the Nintendo DS version of Marvel Trading Card Game. He has also developed training/simulation games for two Fortune 500 companies. Ian has taught game design and development courses at Ohio University, Columbus State Community College, and Savannah College of Art and Design, and has mentored college students at those and several other universities. Ian is co-author of "Challenges for Game Designers." | <urn:uuid:9252a400-19dc-4f0b-a7b3-e2c4a39c7413> | {
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Asthma and Respiratory Allergy
This page contains information about asthma and other respiratory conditions. You can also find information about domestic pet avoidance, house dust mite allergy, mould allergy and sulphites and airway symptoms. All factsheets are downloadable at the bottom of this page.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a common and long term lung condition that requires ongoing management. Asthma causes sensitivity to the airways, which can become inflamed and narrow on exposure to certain triggers, leading to difficulty in breathing.
The symptoms of Asthma commonly starts in childhood but it is possible to develop asthma at any age. This condition cannot be cured, but with a good Asthma action plan it can be well controlled.
What Causes Asthma?
Asthma symptoms are individual to each person and can come and go, it is possible to have one or more of the symptoms below:
- Shortness of breath / Breathing
- Cough (day or night)
- Chest tightness
These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so if you suspect you may have asthma you should see your GP.
What happens in an asthma attack?
In an asthma attack the muscles around your airways can become swollen and inflamed with increased mucus production resulting in one or more of the following symptoms: difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, experiencing a wheeze, blue colour to the lips and feeling distressed.
Managing an Asthma Attack
- Immediately take 1 puff of your asthma inhaler, repeating 1 puff, if required, every 30-60 seconds, up to a maximum of 10 puffs
- Try to remain calm and sit upright (this allows you to breathe easier)
- If you feel worse, or do not feel any better after 10 puffs call an ambulance (this ensures medical help is on its way)
- If the ambulance takes longer than 15 minutes to arrive then repeat step 1
For advice and information on how to manage your asthma and asthma treatment, please download one of our useful factsheets below… | <urn:uuid:a413d3b8-1f9f-4253-a855-52331ecbd96d> | {
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We have often had the word CREATIVE handed down to us, as in “You must be more creative!” But what does it mean to be more creative? Well, let’s see what the dictionary gives us: “of or involving the skilful or imaginative use of something to produce, for example, a work of art” The important words here seem to be SKILFUL, IMAGINATIVE and to PRODUCE. It’s pretty clear what skilful and produce mean. The fuzzy word is imaginative. Obviously it has to be something that comes from your imagination and no one else’s. DOES THAT MAKE IT GOOD OR MORE VALUABLE? How about some examples: works or art? Think about the items below before you read what our art experts describe as creative.
Novelty and Originality
Landscape print by Thomas Gainsborough using soft-ground etching, a new technique in the 18th century. It produced softer images that the usual etching technique. For landscapes, the softer lines produce a more pleasing natural picture. Artists are always searching for originality and novelty.
Fact and Fancy
Some masterpieces are based on very detailed research. Leonardo Da Vinci’s Virgin and Child with St Anne and The Infant St John in the Academia Museum in Venice is one example. An interesting mix of fact and fancy.
Aesthetics and Function
The Inca ceremonial knife edge mirrors the head dress of the king figure. It is inlaid with gems. This was possibly used in human sacrifice. A deadly combination of aesthetics and function.
Now it is your turn …
Think you could be an art critic? Do you feel that these pieces are creative, and if so, what makes them creative, good, or valuable?
Why don’t you pen down whether you agree with the experts and submit your views to us. | <urn:uuid:ad2b9e4c-783f-4270-abb3-f64b6110e197> | {
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What is the point-of-view used in the novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man?
1 Answer | Add Yours
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, by Jame Joyce, is a 1916 novel that loosely covers parts of Joyce's own life.
While the novel is written in the stream-of-consciousness style that made Joyce famous, it is more accessible than some of his other works. The story is told in a third-person personal style, where the narrator is not a character but frequently delves into the thoughts of the protagonist, Stephen:
They all laughed again. Stephen tried to laugh with them. He felt his whole body hot and confused in a moment. What was the right answer to the question? He had given two and still Wells laughed. But Wells must know the right answer for he was in third of grammar. He tried to think of Wells's mother but he did not dare to raise his eyes to Wells's face. He did not like Wells's face.
(Joyce, A Portrait..., Google Books)
The novel is not written with the first-person personal pronoun "I," but rather with the third-person personal pronoun "He." This allows the unseen, non-character narrator to describe Stephen from the outside, showing him as a person, while the personal style lets Stephen's thoughts show while the thoughts of others do not. The point-of-view is therefore third-person personal, not omniscient.
Join to answer this question
Join a community of thousands of dedicated teachers and students.Join eNotes | <urn:uuid:6bdc69fd-54c3-4035-85a3-a15fc9165724> | {
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|Home ▸ Catalog ▸ Roman Coins ▸ The Tetrarchy ▸ DiocletianView Options: | | | |
Diocletian, 20 November 284 - 1 May 305 A.D.
Caius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus was a man of humble birth who rose through the Roman military ranks on pure talent. Becoming emperor after the assassination of Carinus, Diocletian introduced many reforms that prolonged the life of the Empire, which was on the verge of total collapse before his reign. These reforms, however, eliminated most personal freedoms and turned much of the population into hereditary serfs. Diocletian was the first Roman emperor to voluntarily abdicate. He lived out his retirement in his palace on the Dalmatian coast, tending his vegetable gardens. His palace went on to become the core of the modern day city of Split. | <urn:uuid:b11d659f-aebb-4396-945b-362689272be2> | {
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When we looked at rotated conic sections in an earlier lesson, my students realized that the point (1,1) could also be thought of as a rotation of 45 degrees and a distance of sqrt(2) from the origin. I remind students of this on this worksheet and use this as an introduction to polar coordinates. I outline my teaching strategies in the video below.
Once students understand the premise behind polar coordinates, I will have them complete the table on the worksheet and brainstorm generalizations about the conversions from polar coordinates to rectangular and vice versa.
I encourage students to sketch out graphs for each one and to make right triangles. That will establish the strong connection to trigonometry. As students are working I will circulate and see how they are doing. Here is a list of things I will look for:
Once students have had time to brainstorm, I will have students share their thoughts about these conversions with the class. I find that they usually have an easier time converting from polar to rectangular, than from rectangular to polar. Here are the conversions we are looking for:
It is important that students realize that the tan(θ) = y/x conversion is not perfect; they will have to think about the quadrant that the point is in and adjust the point accordingly.
The remainder of the worksheet provides an opportunity for students to graph a few points on the polar axis and to predict what some simple polar equations will look like. I encourage students to list points that satisfy each equation if they do not know what it will look like. That is usually a helpful strategy for them to envision the graph. We will share out our thoughts after they have a chance to think about it.
Finally, I will assign some problems from our textbook with polar coordinates. I will stick to problems that focus on single points or very simple graphs. We will work on more complicated equations as we progress in this unit. | <urn:uuid:8ed5934c-a467-438b-8cbf-16968b8cc66d> | {
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Birds do it. Bees do it. Butterflies and chimpanzees do it.
These animals and many others self-medicate, using plants and other surprising materials to improve not only their own health but also the health of their offspring.
A video* of capuchin monkeys at the Edinburgh Zoo shows them rubbing onions and limes on their skin and into their fur as an antiseptic and insect repellent. Biologists have noticed that parasite-infected female monarch butterflies are more likely to lay their eggs on anti-parasitic milkweed, giving their offspring instant medication, while uninfected females show no preference. And urban birds who incorporate cigarette butts into their nests may be doing so because chemical properties in the smoked cigarettes may repel parasites, according to a 2012 study.
While cigarette-butt wallpaper may not appeal to most of us, other ways that animals self-medicate might be worth watching. Mark Hunter, a University of Michigan ecologist who was involved in the monarch research, says there is plenty to be learned from observing the way animals use the entire outdoors like one big drugstore. It’s something our own species probably once did—and might do well to revisit with modern pharmaceutical engineering and computer modeling techniques.
“It’s not the only way, but it seems to me that a sensible way [to aid in human drug development] would be to watch what animals do in nature to see how they exploit the natural products, the pharmaceuticals that are available to them in the environment, and try to learn from them,” he says.
Earlier this year, Hunter spent time with people of the Shangaan tribe in South Africa.
“If you go for a walk with somebody, every plant you pass has a cultural or medicinal significance, and many of those have been learned from watching animals,” Hunter says. The bark of the black monkey thorn tree, for example, is used as a stomach medication, a choice based on watching how elephants behave.
Not long ago primates were thought to be the only animals smart enough to self-medicate. Mark Bowler, the San Diego Zoo Global Institute for Conservation Research postdoctoral fellow who made the capuchin video, says that chimpanzees use a range of medicinal plants, “including some that have a physical, not chemical action: They swallow wads of hairy leaves whole, and the leaf hairs appear to physically ‘brush’ certain parasites out of the gut. I tested some of this with Edinburgh Zoo’s chimps, and they seem to do it spontaneously—no learning process involved.”
The capuchins’ behavior in the video—rubbing the body with a particular chemical or scent—is called “anointing,” and other animals do it, too. Bowler is currently studying whether anointing behavior in some other primates is scent-marking or something else, but says that at least in capuchins, the purpose appears to be self-medication. Anointing can also be a form of self-defense: Ground squirrels chew rattlesnake skins and then lick their fur, a trick likely to deter that particular predator.
Insects have been found to be prolific self-medicators, too. Take the arresting case of the fruit fly Drosophilia melanogaster, which uses alcohol to protect itself against parasitic wasps. The wasps lay their eggs in the fruit fly larvae; the developing wasp grubs will eventually eat the flies from the inside out and burst forth from their dead bodies.
Larvae that consume high doses of alcohol from fermented fruits, however, are less likely to be infected—and if they are, the invading wasp grubs die quite nastily with their internal organs being ejected out of their anus. Moreover, fruit fly mothers who see female parasite wasps nearby will give their young instant protection by laying their eggs in alcohol-soaked environments—which means they see and remember their nemesis.
“Not a bad defense,” says Hunter, adding that this demonstrates the idea that “the cost we’re willing to pay for a medicine depends on the consequences of not using it.” While the alcohol isn’t necessarily good for the flies (though some species of Drosophilia melanogaster show a resistance to its ill effects), the flies will die if parasitized.
“The alcohol has worse effects on the parasites than it does on them. So it’s worth laying your eggs in a high-alcohol environment if it will save your offspring,” he says.
Read More: Here
Related: Beautiful Self-Medicating Jaguar | <urn:uuid:ad91330f-237f-4f84-9c2a-177a9b100cf9> | {
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Here’s the story of New York’s Trowbridge Angus Farms.
Phil Trowbridge proposed a radical topic for his sixth grade science fair project back in 1967 – artificial insemination in Angus cattle. His project included a scale model of the female cow’s reproductive system. Few 11-year-olds had an interest in genetics and reproduction, but it was a way of life for the youngster growing up on his family’s Angus operation in Corfu, a small rural town in western New York.
It was more than the fact that he was interested in reproduction that raised his teacher’s eyebrows. He was a Catholic school student and in the 1960s, that subject was taboo.
“The nuns initially told me I couldn’t choose that topic for my project,” he said.
His father, Paul Sr., marched into school and countered otherwise. The Trowbridge family was deeply rooted in Angus genetics. The family’s first cow was a daughter of Prince Sunbeam of Shadoe Isle 78. On the farm, the family strategically planned crosses to improve the breed. Paul’s appeal persuaded the nuns to overturn their decision. Ultimately, Phil’s project was well-received, earning first prize in that year’s fair.
“It was a topic I wanted to learn about and even [I] had an intuition then that my future career would revolve around cattle,” he said.
After high school, Phil attended Alfred State College in Alfred, New York. He graduated in 1976 earning a degree in animal science. As one of nine children, he knew there wouldn’t be a future in splitting the family farm. He and his wife, Annie, settled on the eastern side of New York in Ghent. First, he went to work as a herdsman at Gallagher’s Angus Farm. Then, in 1978, the couple established a farm of their own. During the three and a half decades that followed, their herd swelled to 300 Angus cattle supported on a 900-acre farm.
All these years later, Phil still has his enthusiasm for pushing the envelope. He is an early adopter of new technologies, an advocate for the next generation and leads by example.
The bleeding edge
During the late 1970s and into the early 1980s, Phil experimented with embryo transfer work. By the 1990s he was among a small group of farmers to embrace genomics. Early on, he was keenly aware of the importance of genetics and sought to duplicate the superior traits of female cows and bulls. He estimates his first efforts with genomics were about 10 years ahead of their time and the financial feasibility forced him to pause the project until the corresponding technology caught up to his enthusiasm, but he’d do it again in a heartbeat.
“I’ve had a friend tell me that I’m not on the cutting edge, I’m on the bleeding edge. If there is something I believe in, I go after it full force,” he said.
Despite being ahead of the trends and investing in early technology, he has never lost sight of the importance of genetics. Today, every registered calf born on the farm receives an extensive DNA test. The results are used to improve carcass quality and efficiency.
“Cattle 20 years ago took 7 pounds of feed to gain 1 pound in weight,” he said. “We’ve got it down to about 4.5 pounds of feed to gain 1 pound in weight. I have worked my entire life to improve efficiency.”
Buyers purchase Trowbridge Farms cattle because of increased efficiencies. The farm’s cattle have been sold all over the United States and internationally, specifically to farmers in Argentina.
“Our bulls are able to move weanling rates up between 40 to 60 pounds compared with other producers. That makes a big difference in profit for farms,” he said.
Known for his sharp instincts and keen eye, he has a track record of recognizing a calf’s potential and spotting the breed’s most valued individuals. Some Trowbridge cow lineage, such as the Pure Pride family, traces back to a specific cow from Massachusetts with a genetic line straight back to the origin of the Angus breed in Scotland.
The pursuit of superior genetics would be for naught without adopting a recordkeeping system to track progress. That’s why Phil was among the first to use the National Farm Animal Identification & Records (FAIR) system.
“We have to embrace technology because we have to be more efficient. If we don’t improve efficiencies, we’ll fall behind,” he said.
Empowering the next generation
Phil said that a part of his motivation for being so active in the industry is a bit selfish – that it provides opportunities for his children and grandchildren to stay active in agriculture. He said he’s incredibly blessed to have family surrounding him in the business, including his son, P.J., who works with him. Although he says family inspires his involvement with youth, his actions reveal that he recognizes the importance of supporting all youth for the long-term sustainability of the industry.
“We have so many bright, talented young people, and we are going to need to rely on them to create more efficient processes for the future of agriculture,” he said.
He believes in staying open-minded to the next generation’s ideas. After P.J. graduated from State University of New York-Cobleskill, he brought home ideas that included progressive changes to the farm’s nutrition program.
“I listened to him and we made huge changes. We were able to feed exactly half the amount of feed that we previously fed and the cattle were still gaining the necessary weight,” Phil said.
As important as it is to encourage family participation, Phil knows it’s equally critical to encourage future farmers outside the family circle. In the 1980s, he and Annie established an internship program. Since then, they have hosted more than 100 interns. Their most recent intern showed them shortcuts for their paperwork processes. The intern streamlined a day-long paperwork procedure into an hour and a half process.
“Young people are so in tune with what’s going on. I believe that I’ve learned as much from them as they have learned from us,” he said.
Phil and Annie don’t solely focus on college-aged youth. They begin encouraging kids as young as 6 and 7 years old to get involved with the Columbia County Feeders 4-H Club. Through club activities, the kids learn about sheep, hogs, chickens and steers. They learn to keep financial records and are taught animal husbandry and grooming skills.
At the end of the year, the kids have an opportunity to sell them at auction and keep the proceeds. For those kids who don’t come from farming families, Trowbridge Farms finances the purchase of the animals and feed. The 4-Hers are even allowed to keep their animals on the farm if their family doesn’t have room at home.
“Every day after school you’ll see a group of kids out there taking care of their animals, grooming and teaching them to lead,” he said.
Aside from the 4-H component, Phil has stepped up to support youth in other ways. The farm regularly participates in the New York Junior Beef Producers Association’s frozen semen auction. In 2016, the group raised $11,000 through the sale, which auctions donations of frozen semen from several farms in New York.
In the past, Trowbridge Farms has participated in a fundraiser hosted by the American Angus Association’s Angus Foundation. The online auction sold donated embryos to the highest bidder. Proceeds benefitted the foundation and the 19 lots raised $4,000.
“Some of the money donated to the foundation goes into youth programs to help them become more efficient and better at what they’re doing,” he said.
Never one to pass on an opportunity to raise funds for youth programs, Phil placed the winning bid on a painting offered in a silent auction hosted at an American Holstein Association Meeting. The painting named, “Foster Mothers of the Human Race,” depicts how agriculture impacts the world and in particular youth.
“This was a must-have for us,” he said.
Leading by example
Ultimately, it’s those who lead by doing that leave lasting impressions for generations to come. And Phil is no exception. When the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association launched the Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) program, Phil admits that his first response was to throw the letter in the trash. When he returned to the office the next day, he had second thoughts. Instead of ignoring the start-up certification program, he enrolled and completed the online course in eight hours on one Sunday.
“I knew that I needed to step up and take a leadership role,” he said.
He was the first in New York to complete the training. Now he requires every intern to complete this online training and the Beef Quality Assurance certification prior to finishing their internship. Aside from embracing programs that need early buy-in, he pursues state and national leadership roles. In November 2012, he was elected to serve as president of the American Angus Association for 2013.
“It was pretty hard to get elected. New York only has three votes at the national level,” he said. “I had to work really hard to get to know people. It was a very cool experience.”
Although his term on the national level is finished, he currently serves as the vice president of the New York Beef Producer’s Association.
In the nearly 50 years that have passed since Phil’s ground-breaking sixth grade science project, a lot has changed in the industry. Residential and commercial development encroaches on farmland, technology propels efficiencies forward and the majority of the general population is at least one generation removed from agriculture.
Each decade brings its own set of challenges, but Phil believes that now, more than ever, farmers have to get better at reaching out to non-farmers.
“We’re terrible at telling our story,” he said. “If we don’t take the lead, we may not like the story that’s told.”
A few years ago, a reporter from The New York Times and USA Todayvisited Trowbridge Farms as part of a press event sponsored by the New York Beef Industry Council. As Phil led a tour around the farm, one of the young reporters turned to Phil and asked, “When did you start putting cattle on grass?”
“That’s when it really struck me that as an industry we don’t do enough to share our story,” he said.
Throughout his career, Phil has dedicated himself to elevating the Angus breed to new heights of greatness.
On the Trowbridge Farms website, an industry expert is quoted as saying: “In a short time, Trowbridge completely revitalized the grand old tradition of Angus families from a new and innovative perspective. It’s no accident the Trowbridge Angus Farms’ animals are considered to be an elite herd of super cattle, legendary in the industry.”
PHOTOS: Trowbridge Angus Farms | <urn:uuid:10841b53-d2f3-4e9c-abe4-d426e7c29399> | {
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The Cogs of Precognition
|Scaling Up Expert Opinion|
Astrobiology Magazine asked experts in online education to rank their wish-list of innovations. The question was posed to former Vice President of the UNext Corporation, Doug Ryan: "From the European Space Agency’s list of science fiction inventions that should be made real, please pick two and discuss how you believe it would most dramatically change the world?"
Doug Ryan: "My feeling is that the inventions that would add the most to our future are not those that correct for human weaknesses, but those that would help us push beyond the limits of our greatest strengths. In particular, our creativity, imagination, and curiosity. Of all the inventions listed, I would find the most value in ‘Instantaneous Communication’ and ‘Waldos.’
"Instant communication would allow real-time intellectual collaboration between anyone in the universe. Experts could assist and challenge each other from across the galaxy, increasing both the resources and the pace around any given problem."
Waldos: Telepresence Device
"As I understand them, ‘waldos’ would take the effect one step further by enabling people not to just interact, but to act in a real-time collaborative mode. Imagine an important new building being built on a distant planet. Using instant communication, architects and engineers from multiple worlds could collaborate on the design. Then, using ‘waldos’, the best metalworkers, electricians, and other tradesmen could work on the building’s construction and completion."
"I’ll take that over warp drive any day."
Astrobiology Magazine: Based on your background in online education, what do you think NASA should do to incorporate new models for training and communication?
Ryan: "One problem may be how to scale experts, i.e., how to share a limited number of experts with a far more numerous group of people seeking their expertise."
"Some forms of advanced video conferencing might help this somewhat, in terms of increasing the number of people who can observe the expert."
"However, it achieves this increase in scale only by resorting to a passive broadcast model that depends on discouraging individual interactions and questions. The better, albeit far more difficult, solution would be to incorporate the desired expertise into some form of interactive learning object with which participants could interact."
"My recommendations in order would be:
1) Focus on high fidelity simulations
Douglas Ryan received a B.S. in engineering from Princeton University and M.B.A. from the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business.
Mr. Ryan was co-producer on two independent films, released theatrically in the U.S., one of which won the Best Long Feature Film at the South by Southwest Festival. He is currently at Young & Rubicam in Chicago. Prior to that, he was Vice-President for UNext, an online education company that developed education courses in partnership with Stanford University, The University of Chicago, Columbia University, Carnegie Mellon University, and the London School of Economics and Political Science. He earlier also served as Vice President for the Netdox Company, a secure Internet messaging services company.
Which gadgets can unlock the next technological revolutions? What is the next big thing?
To propose answers to this question, the sixteen nations of the European Space Agency commissioned a project called "Innovative Technologies from Science Fiction for Space Applications" (ITSF). Their results were co-published with two supervisory foundations, the Swiss museum Maison d’Ailleurs and the astronautical society, or OURS Foundation. One aim was to discover what their study called the facts of ‘hard science-fiction’: literature that uses either established or carefully extrapolated science as its backbone.
|Innovative Technologies from Science Fiction. Credit: ITSF/ESA|
As Caltech physicist, author and visiting scholar for NASA’s Exobiology Center, David Brin, described in his PBS interview for the special, Closer To Truth: "perhaps an alternative name could have been ‘speculative history’ because [hard science-fiction authors] deal in different pasts, alternate presents, extension of the human drama into the future…Einstein used the word gedanken experiment and he coined it, he said that just sitting on a streetcar in Bern, leaving the clock tower and imagining he was riding on a beam of light, was 50% of the work [of relativity].
Augmented Science: Galileo’s Ship
The history of drawing inspiration from speculative literature is deep with success stories.
As early as 1632, to advocate for his classical principle of relativity, Galileo used a fictional character called Salviati who while locked in a closed room below a ship deck, observes a small fish tank which remains quiescent and undisturbed unless the ship accelerates. In dialogue format, he answers all the common scientific arguments against the idea that the earth moves.
"Jurassic Park" probably taught more people about DNA and what that means than most colleges in the country. –Robert Kuhn, PBS
Predating lunar travel classics by H.G. Wells and Jules Verne were Cyrano de Bergerac‘s Comical History of the States and Empires of the Moon (1656), space travel in Voltaire‘s Micromégas (1752), and alien cultures in Jonathan Swift‘s Gulliver’s Travels (1726). Even as the liquid-propelled rockets were first being tested by Robert Goddard in the 1920′s, technical proposals had already appeared for planetary landers (1928) and aerodynamically-stabilized rocket fins (1929).
Perhaps the most detailed and famous publication was Sir Arthur C. Clarke’s 1945 paper, "Can Rocket Stations Give World-wide Radio Coverage?", that laid down the principles of modern satellite communications and geostationary orbits [Wireless World, October 1945].
A half-century later, even a few hours of interruption in this global network today would seem catastrophic: crippled health care delivery, financial disruption including failed automated teller machines and credit card validations, grounded travellers for lack of airline weather tracking, and global TV blackouts. But in 1945, the idea of geostationary satellites had a different kind of reception, as Clarke wrote: "Many may consider the solution proposed [for extra-terrestrial relay services] too far-fetched to be taken seriously. Such an attitude is unreasonable, as everything envisaged here is a logical extension of developments in the last ten years…"
|The rocks inside a crater on the Asteroid Eros. Numerous small impacts on the asteroid show brown boulders visible interior to the less exposed (white) lip of the crater. False-color for emphasis. Credit: NEAR Project, JHU APL, NASA|
The European space study, appropriately timed for Clarke’s "Space Odyssey" series, completed its first project phase in 2001. Altogether fifty fact sheets and technical dossiers were published to catalog the inventions that should be made real. In addition, more than two hundred technologies were outlined and graded for future feasibility studies. Ranging from astrobiology to propulsion, their complete ‘what-if’ list is available in broad categories online.
Examples Pushing the Envelope
One mission that has been described in the ESA study is soon to become closer to fact: a fantastic mission to a comet. Seventeen years ago, astrobiologist David Brin’s "Heart of the Comet" , extended Jules Vernes’ mythical tour of the solar system on a comet.
Verne got many of his science guesses right. For instance, although not well-understood at the time, he correctly attributed that– given the distance of his travellers from the Sun– then a comet would resemble something more like an ice-ball, and not a fiery-hot world. He wrote: "The solidity of the ice was perfect; the utter stillness of the air at the time when the final congelation of the waters had taken place had resulted in the formation of a surface that for smoothness would rival a skating-rink; without a crack or flaw it extended far beyond the range of vision."
But the asteroid and cometary science planned for international missions is approaching the realm of fantastic. On Valentine’s Day, 2001, the Near-Shoemaker spacecraft successfully landed on the asteroid, Eros. Its remarkable journey–to soft-land on a peanut shaped asteroid - about 176 million kilometers (109 million miles) from Earth, prompted Andrew Cheng, NEAR Project Scientist, to note: "On Monday, 12 February 2001, the NEAR spacecraft touched down on asteroid Eros, after transmitting 69 close-up images of the surface during its final descent. Watching that event was the most exciting experience of my life."
|Icy-rock core of Halley’s Comet|
In May 2003, a Japanese probe [called Muses-C] lifted off on the world’s first mission to collect samples from the surface of an asteroid, part of a four-year journey covering nearly 400 million miles.
On Jan. 2, 2004, the spacecraft called Stardust will fly within 75 miles of a cometary main body (called Wild-2), close enough to trap small particles from the coma, the gas-and-dust envelope surrounding the comet’s nucleus. Stardust will be traveling at about 13,400 miles per hour and will capture comet particles traveling at the speed of a bullet fired from a rifle. Launched in February 1999, Stardust was designed to capture particles from Wild 2 and return them to Earth for analysis. The spacecraft already has collected grains of interstellar dust. It is the first U.S. sample-return mission since the last moon landing in 1972.
In the next 5 or so years, there will be multiple encounters of spacecraft with comets and asteroids. All the following missions are fully funded, though only not all have already been launched :
|2001 Sept. 22||Comet||Borrelly||Deep Space One||(simple flyby)|
|2004 Jan. 1||Comet||Wild 2||Stardust||(coma sample return)|
|2005 July 3||Comet||Tempel 1||Deep Impact||(big mass impact)|
|2005 Sept.||Asteroid||1998 SF36||Muses-C||(sample return)|
But according to David Brin, the most intriguing categories of his speculative histories are the ones that are either interrupted or pre-empted.
The rule on staying alive as a forecaster is to give them a number or give them a date, but never give them both at once. — Jane Bryant Quinn, US financial columnist
Brin explained: "I think the most powerful science fiction stories are not those that accurately predict the future, but, rather, those that have prevented futures, the self-preventing prophecy that came across so chilling, and so many people read it and were so moved, that the very scenario that might have plausibly happened didn’t happen, the two that really prevented the futures they described, "1984," by George Orwell, and probably the greatest science fiction author who ever lived, Karl Marx’s "Das Kapital," which utterly prevented the scenario that it described".
This year offers a case of what seems to be science fiction as astronomical fact: the closest approach between Mars and the Earth in 73,000 years. Four current Mars missions hope to take advantage of the confluence, as this summer the Red Planet will appear brighter than Jupiter as the brightest object in the night sky. As a timely prelude of things to come, the moon will eclipse Mars tonight in North America for up to 90 minutes. But more than a hundred years ago, in 1894–one of the last times such dramatic astronomical events gripped the visual imagination of authors– many of the modern concepts about intelligent life elsewhere first took shape. The celestial mechanics of the night sky translated to a cultural picture of what life elsewhere might resemble.
For instance, the idea that Mars might have a humanoid civilization is relatively modern, but needed both an event and a real-world, technological boost from telescope builders. Mars as a home needed first for astronomers to describe what appeared to them as an elaborate martian canal system. This lineage continued from when astronomer Percival Lowell began advocating for the canals on Mars, until H.G. Wells further propagated those civilizations in his classic "War of the Worlds". In an interview on the ESA project for Radio Netherlands, NASA astrobiologist Chris McKay pointed out this lineage–and that science and our cultural ideas about astrobiology are intertwined with these events: "When people first started pointing telescopes at Mars," McKay explained, "they noticed seasonal changes very much like on Earth. Then Percival Lowell reported seeing ‘canals’ on Mars and created an elaborate story that they had been made by a dying Martian civilization."
From Galileo’s ship to Einstein’s thought experiments about travelling on a light beam, the technical dossier of ‘what will be the next big thing?’ continues to be a relevant question for both speculative historians and science planners alike.
Related Web Pages
Long, Strange Trips
PBS: Is Science Fiction Science? Michael Crichton, David Brin, Octavia Butler
Search for Life in the Universe: Part I
A Perfect World I: Tyson
A Perfect World II: Richardson
A Perfect World III: Goldin
A Perfect World IV: Venter
A Perfect World V: Hendricks
A Perfect World VI: Fuller | <urn:uuid:b7384d1b-fecb-4f93-9c5a-6a85572b4292> | {
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My Antonia Author/Context
Willa Cather was born in 1873 to William and Virginia Cather. At the age of nine, she moved to the Nebraska prairie, near the Divide, where her grandfather had already moved some years before. Later, her family moved to the town of Red Cloud. When she first saw the wide Nebraska prairie, Cather hated it. She felt as if there was no end to the land, and that there was no sign of human activity anywhere. However, she enjoyed listening to stories told by her immigrant neighbors on the Divide. Many were Swedish, Bohemian, German, and Danish, among others. These stories would provide Cather material for her best novels.
Cather also enjoyed learning and school very much; she was one of the top students in her graduating class at Red Cloud High School. That she graduated at all was considered a big accomplishment at that time, for the number of kids who actually attended school was very small. It was even more rare for a woman to graduate high school. Cather had always been different from her family members and peers ever since she was a child. She favored men's activities and even planned to go into medicine once at college. Cather even called herself "William Cather, Jr.," disliked dresses and skirts, and showed strong abilities in learning, reading, and writing early on in her academic career.
When she graduated from high school, she was enthusiastic and eager about starting her college career. Fellow classmates at college recalled that she carried herself with a masculine air, both in voice and body. Although she rejected the traditional women's sphere, Cather did form strong relationships with several women that lasted her entire life: Dorothy Canfield, Louise Pound, Edith Lewis, and Isabelle McClung. Cather's friendship with McClung was one of the closest and fondest relationships of her life; they took frequent trips together and shared many similar interests in the arts and in traveling.
In 1906, Cather was hired as an editor for the hugely popular and successful McClure's Magazine. She soon tired of reading and writing journalism, choosing to focus on writing fiction, which she loved. She had already published her first novel, Alexander's Bridge (1911). Cather's trip to Arizona in 1912 inspired and motivated her to quit journalism and to write fiction novels. The desert landscape had a profound effect on Cather. She would later describe her feelings for the desert in her novels The Song of the Lark (1915) and The Professor's House (1925).
Cather's world shattered when her dear friend Isabelle McClung married Jan Hambourg, a short time after Isabelle's father, Mr. McClung's died. Cather was saddened and depressed after Isabelle left to marry Jan. She turned to her novels for comfort. She wrote a number of novels, including O Pioneers! (1913), My Antonia (1918), One of Ours (1922), and Death Comes for the Archbishop (1927). Cather became famous through the success of her novels, especially One of Ours, which won her a Pulitzer Prize. She disliked the publicity that came along with fame, and valued her privacy, avoiding public appearances. Cather died in 1947, and was buried in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, a place where she vacationed in her later years. Willa Cather, through her novels, left a legacy of the unbreakable and irrepressible spirit of the American pioneers.
Cather, Willa. My Antonia. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1988.
Lee, Hermione. Willa Cather: Double Lives. New York: Pantheon Books, 1990.
O'Brien, Sharon. Willa Cather: The Emerging Voice. New York: Oxford University Press, 1987.
Woodress, James. Willa Cather: A Literary Life. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1987. | <urn:uuid:4c2693e2-cd2e-45af-89b0-8a2e50e915b9> | {
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How YOU Can Help with Reading at Home
Reading is an important skill which aids learning in all curriculum areas. We are dedicated to ensuring all children enjoy reading as well as become confident readers. We understand the importance of creating parent partnership and have some information about how we teach reading in school and how you can support reading at home.
Reading at school –types of reading
Guided reading – reading in a small group with the teacher.
Sharing books – reading to children.
Reading opportunities in all curriculum areas and in daily routines and activities, as an integral part of the school day.
Daily phonics- Foundation Stage and KS1
Individual reading books to take home.
Reading at home
Establish a regular time and place for daily reading, such as before bed.
Keep a variety of reading materials available (picture books, fiction, non-fiction, chapter books, atlases, dictionaries, magazines, newspapers, join the library and visit regularly).
Make sure there is plenty of paper and writing tools in places that children can reach.
Role models – share your own experiences of books (eg. talking about favourite book) and read yourself – children will want to follow your example.
Lots of talk! Ask questions encouraging children to think and make predictions about what they are reading.
Play word games/ board games.
Involve children in reading/ writing for specific uses as well as pleasure (eg. shopping list).
Respond positively to children’s reading and writing.
Home reading books
Look at the front cover, back cover and pictures to engage children.
Encourage children to point to the words as they read.
Give children time and encouragement to have a go at reading independently.
If they are stuck on a word support them with reading it rather than telling them.
Make the experience interactive by asking questions about the story, the pictures and what they think of the characters – focus on comprehension as well as word decoding.
Encourage children to spot any spellings they are learning (especially tricky words which they cannot sound out e.g. the, you, was).
Comments from parents are needed to let the class teacher know how a child is getting on with reading at home. Older children are strongly encouraged to write their own comments. Here are some suggestions of what you could comment on:
Did the child enjoy the book?
Can the child remember the story?
Is the child reading the text or just using pictures for clues?
Does the child understand the meaning of the text or are they just decoding the words?
Is the child confident to attempt new words?
Does the child recognise their mistakes and self correct?
Does the child recognise many key words?
Is the child aware of punctuation?
Is the child reading with expression?
How long is the child able to sustain reading?
Useful questions to support and extend
What is the title?
Who is the author? Illustrator?
What kind of book is it? (fiction/ non-fiction/ poetry etc)
Can you tell anything about the book before you start reading? How do you know?
What has happened so far?
What do you think might happen next? Why?
How would you like the story to end?
Where is the story set?
Who are the characters? Who do you like? Dislike? Why?
Advice if reading becomes a challenge at home
Try to avoid confrontation
Offer a different reading material (eg. magazine, internet)
Encourage reading at different times of the day/week
Buy/borrow books on tape to listen to
Share books with children, read aloud to them, enjoy positive attitude
Share the problem with your child’s teacher! | <urn:uuid:4ea0b0eb-f332-45c2-9e94-959d6ce43972> | {
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Here you can find relevant research as well as tools, templates and sample documents for each phase of the toolkit.
Resources noted with orange flag were particularly useful to WISE grantee partners. We've highlighted them here for easy reference.
Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH)
DASH supports 19 state and 17 local education agencies to support schools and school districts in implementing exemplary sexual health education, increase adolescent access to sexual health services and establish safe and supportive environments for students and staff.
Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool
The Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) can help school districts, schools, and others conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of health education curricula based on the National Health Education Standards and CDC’s Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curricula
School Health Policies and Practices Study (SHPPS)
SHPPS is a national survey periodically conducted to assess school health policies and practices at the state, district, school, and classroom levels.
School Health Profiles
The School Health Profiles are a system of surveys assessing school health policies and practices in states, large urban school districts, territories, and tribal governments.
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)
The YRBSS monitors six priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults including sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and STDs/HIV, alcohol and other drug use as well as violence. Annual and trend data is available. | <urn:uuid:5d009fe3-aaa3-42dc-b063-f420eb58f651> | {
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|THE MINNESOTA SEASIDE STATION.|
WHEN, in 1900, a tract of land on the Straits of Fuca was offered for the uses of a marine station to be operated in connection with the University of Minnesota, the transfer was made and the construction of a laboratory-camp begun. Previous and full information concerning the site had been received. It had been personally examined by a member of the University staff and had been highly commended. Being at the entrance of the Straits it was easily accessible to the Sound and to the open sea, while its littoral fauna and flora were known to be uncommonly interesting and rich both in species and individuals. One difficulty existed: there was no road from Port Renfrew to the laboratory site — a distance of about three miles. Consequently the whole matter was laid before the British Columbian Parliament then in session at Victoria, and through the assistance of the honorable members from the districts of Esquimalt and San Juan, with the approval of H. M. Commissioner of Works, a grant was obtained for a suitable road, work upon which was in progress during the summer of 1901.
In the initial movements incident to the establishment of the Station many Victorians were both interested and effective. From Sir Henri Joly de Lotbiniere, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province, to the humblest citizen there was received only the most uniform and delightful courtesy. To acknowledge so many kindnesses is indeed a pleasure, and to the members of the Government and of the Natural History Society of Victoria, and to all others who were of assistance sincere appreciation and thanks are due. | <urn:uuid:dcfb7a3d-a694-406f-bd09-a2415397c943> | {
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Tundra plants have some unique characteristics. Due to the severe tundra climate their stature is short, and in most cases they have the ability to withstand extremely low temperatures, wind and drought.
One of the main types of tundra plants is lichen – there are over a thousand different kinds in British Columbia, however, only three or four grow in the cold arctic tundra.
Lichen are unique in that they are a fungus, with associated algae to provide chlorophyll for the fungus to live on.
Several tundra animals have evolved to be able to utilize lichen as food. The aptly named reindeer lichen is used by caribou almost exclusively as winter forage.
Native peoples used many kinds of lichen as a food source, for dyes in their clothing and baskets like the wolf lichen below, which is also poisonous, and was used to poison wolves and other creatures.
Other tundra animals eat other types of perfectly adapted plants, contributing in turn to the symbiotic relationship of the tundra ecosystem.
Snowshoe hares eat the tiny arctic willow, which in turn thrives on the fertilizer contributed by them. Arctic foxes catch the snowshoe hare, as does the tundra owl, weasel and various hawks.
Many of the tundra animals conserve energy by hibernating through the long winter night.
Voles, lemmings and other small creatures use vegetation to line their burrows to insulate it. Using the principle of safety in numbers, these live in colonies to keep warm together during their sleep.
Other animals survive by hunting these creatures as they emerge periodically in warmer spells.
Birds live in the tundra, primarily migratory birds that nest there in the short summer months, but also ptarmigan, a grouse like bird that can hide under the snow, to fly up in a startling rush if a predator comes near.
Musk oxen are the biggest tundra animals, thriving on the sparse grasses and sedge of this seemingly barren place. If threatened, they form an outward facing ring of their ominous horns, protecting the young calves within it.
Tundra plants mean the survival of all these hardy and well adapted creatures.
Without the plants, there would be no other life. The permafrost beneath (where the frost stays in a permanent layer) requires that the plants do not generally have tap roots – a fine netting of surface roots is usually enough to obtain surface snow melt while anchoring the plant.
Willows, the Salix genus, are a predominant tundra shrub. Unlike many other willows, these are of short stature and slow growing, found in tundra heath, high alpine and screes. These hardy plants are the Polar Willow, Salix polaris; Salix stolonifera, Salix reticulata and Salix arctica.
These are adaptable to myriad conditions, including moist to dry alpine tundra and subalpine seepage areas, open subalpine ridges on various soil types and moisture availability and late snow bed and snow flush areas.
Empetrum nigra, the Crowberry is a short creeping evergreen shrub, which produces black berries beloved by bears. Although it inhabits other ecosystems such as swamps, muskeg, cold coniferous forests and rocky mountain slopes, it is commonly found on subalpine parkland and alpine tundra.
Partridgefoot, Luetkea pectinata is a small mat forming evergreen semi-shrub. Prostrate growth with small white flowers on moist heaths, tundra, meadows and mossy seepage areas.
Arctostaphylos rubra, the red bearberry is sometimes confused with Salix reticulata, which it resembles. The willow can be identified by the paler undersides to the leaf, and if in season, the Arctostaphylos is a berry producing shrub. Deciduous, with slender brittle branches and papery shredding bark this shrub has beautiful red autumn colour, hence the name.
Arctostaphylos uva ursi, the bearberry or kinnickinnick can cover large areas with its leather foliaged sprawling stems.
This is different from the A. rubra as it’s evergreen, not deciduous.
Bears and grouse love the bright red berries.
Vaccinium vitis idaea is one of my all time favorite little shrubs. It’s been popular as a companion ornamental plant associated with other ericaceous plants like Rhodendron and is valued in gardens for its well behaved, clean appearance. With the leathery leaves similar to Arctostaphylos which it is sometimes mistaken for, it has sour red berries that only sweeten after a frost.
The common name is Lingonberry, from Scandinavian countries where it also grows.
Vaccinium caespitosa, or the Dwarf Blueberry grows in thick colonies in some areas. The berries were valued by the northern and central interior native people, and dried in cakes for winter use.
Dryas drummondii, Yellow Mountain Avens; this plant has been prized by alpine plant collectors for rock gardens. A pioneer of gravel bars, rocky slopes it particularly thrives on calcium rich soils and it has the ability to fix nitrogen from the air, enabling it to grow in very low nutrient sites.
Langsdorfs Lousewort, a pretty bad name for a pretty flower, is Pedicularis langsdorfii. Spires of pinky purple flowers open in summer. Caribou and reindeer browse the top growth.
Sudeten Louseworth, Pedicularis sudetica is a similar plant with more dense flowers in a pink shade. The Inuit used the roots of this species for food, and still do.
Bistorta vivipara, the Alpine Bistort is an interesting plant – it produces tiny bulbils in the axils of its leaves which roll away in the wind to form a new colony. Used as a vegetable by the Inuit of Alaska and Siberia, indicating its wide range.
Claytonia sarmentosa, Alaska Springbeauty is just that – pretty wide faced pink and white striped flowers in moist seepage areas near snowbeds and on streambanks.
Draba alpina – the Alpine Draba is a dwarf tuft forming perennial with small yellow flowers. Difficult to accurately identify, there are several to many different subspecies, each with its own specific requirements. This species provides some vivid colour to the tundra in bloom.
Blue Corydalis, the Corydalis pauciflora, is an unusual coloured flower to see in the tundra where it’s found in seepage sites along with Claytonia sarmentosa and Arnica lessingii.
Sedum integrifolium, or Roseroot, is one of the few native stonecrops in the tundra. Called Roseroot due to the sweet scent of the rhizomes, it has dark purple or yellow variable flowers. Its other common name is Kings Crown, probably referring to the appearance of the flowers which are arranged in a dense cluster at the top of the stem.
Gentiana glauca, the Inky gentian, is another blue flower, also prized by alpine plant enthusiasts.
Campanula lasiocarpa, the mountain Harebell is a misleadingly delicate seeming plant. Thriving in cracks and crevices in exceedingly tough conditions, its out of proportion large flower are purple blue, and usual borne singly.
Trisetum spicatum, the Spike Tresetum is an important forage plant for tundra animals.
Hierochloe alpina or Alpine Sweetgrass is named for its sweet scent – also known as holy grass after its use in religious ceremonies by native peoples.
Calamagrostis purpurascens, Purple Reedgrass prefers a dryer condition than some of the Calamagrostis tribe. Growing in well spaced clumps in such sites as grassy ridges, rocky slopes and dry open forests it is adaptable to many sites.
Poa alpina, the Alpine Bluegrass is a valuable species for forage by both wild and domesticated animals. It grows particularly well on disturbed or compacted sites such as along game trails.
Poa arctica, the Arctic Bluegrass is a variable species which also goes by the name P. grayana.
Dunhead Sedge, or Carex phaeocephala is a fairly common sedge of the tundra, found in rocky grassy tundra and open scree slopes where it’s thick mat of roots will hold it in place.
Black Alpine Sedge is Carex nigricans. Forming hummocky mats the leaves are densely packed and it has creeping rhizomes, unlike many other sedges. It prefers high snowfall areas.
Cetraria cucullata, the Curled Cetraria is a common lichen of windswept grassy alpine tundra.
Cetraria nivalis is similar differing only in some minute taxonomical characteristics. These grow together in groups.
Cetraria tilesii grows in calcium rich soil and gravel in alpine tundra.
Cetraria islandica, or Icelandmoss has been used by many northern people as a food source. Dried and powdered, it is reconstituted into a jelly like gruel, or added to soups and stews. It’s also used as an ingredient in cough candies in Switzerland.
Xanthoria elegans or the Rock Orange Lichen is used to identify raptor nesting sites and perches, as it thrives on the nutrient rich droppings of the birds. Interestingly, this species growing on the graves of the ill fated expedition of Sir John Franklin have only grown to a diameter of less than 4.5 cm – the expedition was over a century ago.
Grey Reindeer Lichen or Cladina rangiferina, this is used by the florist trade to make wreaths, floral decorations and architects models. Species of Cladina and Cetraria make up the majority of the diet of caribou through the winter.
So there you have it: Even a hostile environment like tundra can support a wide variety of plants and animals that require them to survive in an almost perfectly balanced ecosystem. | <urn:uuid:d8333c56-8e04-43f3-bb81-64c75ebf1242> | {
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Room Sharing, not Bed Sharing
Remember, adult beds, sofas and chairs are not safe for sleeping babies and can greatly increase the risk of SIDS, suffocation and accidental infant deaths.
There have been reports of infants being suffocated by an adult, brother, sister, other family member, or pet, that rolled on top of the infant while sharing a bed or other sleep area such as a couch or chair.
Bring baby into your bed to breastfeed and bond, but when its time for sleep, place your baby in his or her own separate, safe sleep area.
If you have been drinking alcohol, or taking drugs/medicines that may make you sleepy, or are very tired, or are very overweight, do not bring your baby into bed with you.
Reference: First Candle. National SIDS/Infant Death Resource Center (NSIDRC). | <urn:uuid:b520ecef-cd23-45e1-9a35-05f11313b954> | {
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(For a review of Browser Wars-Episode 1 click here)
By the late 1990’s, while Internet Explorer was relishing in it victory over Netscape using it’s cunning and guile through the Microsoft “monopoly” on Operating Systems for the PC, a little fox was sneaking up to the battlefield.
Originally known as Mozilla, Firefox started in 1998 as a Linux based web browser. Rather than having a single corporation working on the “Phoenix” project, Mozilla was a community based project started in an attempt to give internet users more free software choices. Its popularity grew as the population of the World-Wide Webbers took notice that it worked on Windows as well. Mozilla brought us features like an easier to manage bookmark system, and the ability to have several windows open at one time without crashing our computers.
Believe it or not, by 2002 more than half of internet users were using this new lightweight, free internet browser. The Yahoo search engine took its business to this vastly more popular web browser, and users relegated Internet Explorer to being nothing more than a means of finding and downloading another browser (namely Mozilla/Firefox).
Of course, this wasn’t the end of the war, not by a long shot. A new player emerged on the field; silent, shy and innovative in its small compact size and use of “tabs” – Opera. Though not a major player, because it wasn’t a free web browser when it first came out (Opera would come at a cost of seven American Dollars). At this point, Mozilla was still winning, namely because it was distributed freely, at no cost to the users. However, many aspects that Opera carried in its code became the foundation for the major web browser of today – Google Chrome.
Back when Google was just getting started, and learning to crawl our web pages, it was the main search engine of the little known Norwegian browser Opera. Over time the Google search engine began to grow in popularity and used it’s eight web crawling legs to walk away from Opera in 2008. Taking its new-found fame and the Chromium Programming Language with it to become what today is the biggest meanest Web browser/search engine mogul of the internet.
While the Opera web browser kind of faded away from the spotlight; it’s innovation gave way to the amazing web browsers we have today. Multiple tabs, speed dial, ad-blocking, and other extensions – it did what it set out to do: Bring the extraordinary to the stagnant.
With Chrome taking off as the new “in” browser, Internet Explorer was beginning to have a hard time keeping up. Firefox and Opera had made us look at internet browsing in a whole new way. It was time for Explorer to try to catch up and get its Monopoly back!
Will Microsoft be able to come back from its defeat? Will Google take over the internet? Or will Vivaldi take us to the Edge? Stay tuned to find out. | <urn:uuid:4aab05c7-061b-4f30-8e90-784166b7b5f8> | {
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Beans grow with little care, produce an abundance of pods, and can add nitrogen to the soil, making them ideal plants for organic vegetable gardens.
Dried or fresh, shelled or whole, beans are a favorite crop for home vegetable gardens. They are easy to grow, and the range of plant sizes means there is room for beans in just about any garden. Among the hundreds of varieties available, there are types that thrive in every section of the country.
All beans belong to the legume family. Snap and lima beans belong to the genus Phaseolus, while mung, adzuki, garbanzo, fava, and others belong to different genera. In general, there are two main bean types: shell beans, grown for their protein-rich seeds, which are eaten both fresh and dried; and snap beans, cultivated mainly for their pods.
The two groups are further divided according to growth habit. Bush types are generally self-supporting. Pole beans have twining vines that require support from stakes, strings, wires, or trellises. Runner beans are similar to pole beans, although runners need cooler growing conditions. Half-runners, popular in the South, fall somewhere in between pole and bush beans.
Adzuki beans, which come from Japan, are extra rich in protein. The small plants produce long, thin pods that are eaten like snap beans. When mature at 90 days, they contain 7 to 10 small, nutty-tasting, maroon-colored beans that are tasty fresh or dried.
Black beans, also called black turtle beans, have jet-black seeds and need approximately 3 months of warm, frost-free days to mature. The dried beans are popular for soups and stews. Most are sprawling, half-runner-type plants, but some cultivars, like 'Midnight Black Turtle', have more upright growth habits.
Black-eyed peas, also called cowpeas or southern peas, are cultivated like beans. They need long summers with temperatures averaging between 60° and 70°F. Use fresh pods like snap beans, shell and cook the pods and seeds together, or use them like other dried beans.
Fava beans, also known as broad, horse, or cattle beans, are one of the world's oldest cultivated foods. They are second only to soybeans as a source of vegetable protein, but they're much more common as a garden crop in Europe than in the United States. You won't find a wide range of varieties in most seed catalogs, unless you choose a seed company that specializes in Italian vegetables. Unlike other beans, favas thrive in cold, damp weather. They take about 75 days to mature. Fava beans need to be cooked and shucked from their shells and the individual seed skins peeled off before eating.
Go Green Using Tips From America's Top Organic Experts! Learn more.
Garbanzo beans, also called chickpeas, produce bushy plants that need 65 to 100 warm days. When dried, the nutty-tasting beans are good baked or cooked and chilled for use in salads.
Great Northern white beans are most popular dried and eaten in baked dishes. In short-season areas, you can harvest and eat them as fresh shell beans in only 65 days. Bush-type Great Northerns are extremely productive.
Kidney beans require 100 days to mature but are very easy to grow. Use these red, hearty-tasting dried seeds in chili, soups, stews, and salads.
Lima beans, including types called butter beans or butter peas, are highly sensitive to cool weather; plant them well after the first frost. Bush types take 60 to 75 days to mature. Pole types require 90 to 130 days, but the vines grow quickly and up to 12 feet long. Limas are usually green, but there are also some speckled types. Use either fresh or dried in soups, stews, and casseroles.
Mung beans need 90 frost-free days to produce long, thin, hairy, and edible pods on bushy 3-foot plants. Eat the small, yellow seeds fresh, dried, or as bean sprouts.
Pinto beans need 90 to 100 days to mature. These large, strong plants take up a lot of space if not trained on poles or trellises. Use fresh like a snap bean, or dry the seeds.
Scarlet runner beans produce beautiful climbing vines with scarlet flowers. The beans mature in about 70 days. Cook the green, rough-looking pods when they are very young; use the black-and red-speckled seeds fresh or dried.
Snap beans are also known as green beans. While many growers still refer to snap beans as string beans, a stringless cultivar was developed in the 1890s, and few cultivars today have to be stripped of their strings before you eat them. Most cultivars mature in 45 to 60 days. This group also includes the flavorful haricots verts, also called filet beans, and the mild wax or yellow beans. For something unusual, try the yard-long asparagus bean. Its rampant vines can produce 3-foot-long pods, though they taste best when 12 to 15 inches long. Once the pods have passed their tender stage, you can shell them, too.
Soldier beans, whose vinelike plants need plenty of room to sprawl, are best suited to cool, dry climates. The white, oval-shaped beans mature in around 85 days. Try the dried seeds in baked dishes.
Garden cultivars of soybeans, also called edamame, are ready to harvest when the pods are plump and green. Boil the pods, then shell and eat the seeds. Or, you can let the pods mature and harvest as dry beans. Try 'Early Hakucho', 'Butterbean', and other varieties. The bush-type plants need a 3-month growing season but are tolerant of cool weather.
In general, beans are very sensitive to frost. (The exception is favas, which require a long, cool growing season; sow them at the same time you plant peas.) Most beans grow best in air temperatures of 70° to 80°F, and soil temperature should be at least 60°F. Soggy, cold soil will cause the seeds to rot. Beans need a sunny, well-drained area rich in organic matter. Lighten heavy soils with extra compost to help seedlings emerge.
Plan on roughly 10 to 15 bush bean plants or 3 to 5 hills of pole beans per person. A 100-foot row produces about 50 quarts of beans. Beans are self-pollinating, so you can grow cultivars side by side with little danger of cross-pollination. If you plan to save seed from your plants, though, separate cultivars by at least 50 feet.
Bean seeds usually show about 70 percent germination, and the seeds can remain viable for 3 years. Don't soak or presprout seeds before sowing. If you plant in an area where beans haven't grown before, help ensure that your bean crop will fix nitrogen in the soil by dusting the seeds with a bacterial inoculant powder for beans and peas (inoculants are available from garden centers and seed suppliers).
Plant your first crop of beans a week or two after the date of the last expected frost. Sow the seeds 1 inch deep in heavy soil and 1½ inches deep in light soil. Firm the earth over them to ensure soil contact.
Plant most bush cultivars 3 to 6 inches apart in rows 2 to 2½ feet apart. They produce the bulk of their crop over a 2-week period. For a continuous harvest, stagger plantings at 2-week intervals until about 2 months before the first killing frost is expected.
Bush beans usually don't need any support unless planted in a windy area. In that case, prop them up with brushy twigs or a strong cord around stakes set at the row ends or in each corner of the bed.
Pole beans are even more sensitive to cold than bush beans. They also take longer to mature (10 to 11 weeks), but they produce about three times the yield of bush beans in the same garden space and keep on bearing until the first frost. In the North, plant pole beans at the beginning of the season—usually in May. If your area has longer seasons, you may be able to harvest two crops. To calculate if two crops are possible, note the number of days to maturity for a particular cultivar, and count back from fall frost date, adding a week or so to be on the safe side.
Plant pole beans in single rows 3 to 4 feet apart or double rows spaced 1 foot apart. Sow seeds 2 inches deep and 10 inches apart. Provide a trellis or other vertical support at planting or as soon as the first two leaves of the seedlings open. Planting pole beans around a tepee support is a fun project to try if you're gardening with children, but it will be more difficult to harvest the beans than from a simple vertical trellis.
Bush beans germinate in about 7 days, pole beans in about 14. It's important to maintain even soil moisture during this period and also when the plants are about to blossom. If the soil dries out at these times, your harvest may be drastically reduced. Water deeply at least once a week when there is no rain, being careful not to hose off any of the blossoms on bush beans when you water. Apply several inches of mulch (after the seedlings emerge) to conserve moisture, reduce weeds, and keep the soil cool during hot spells (high heat can cause blossoms to drop off).
Beans generally don't need extra nitrogen for good growth because the beneficial bacteria that live in nodules on bean roots help to provide nitrogen for the plants. To speed up growth, give beans—particularly long-bearing pole beans or heavy-feeding limas—a midseason side-dressing of compost or kelp extract solution.
Soybeans, adzuki, and mung beans are fairly resistant to pests. Insect pests that attack other beans include aphids, cabbage loopers, corn earworms, European corn borers, Japanese beetles, and—the most destructive of all—Mexican bean beetles.
Leaf miners are tiny yellowish fly larvae that tunnel inside leaves and damage stems below the soil. To reduce leaf miner problems, pick off and destroy affected leaves.
Striped cucumber beetles are ¼-inch-long yellowish orange bugs with black heads and three black stripes down their backs. These pests can spread bacterial blight and cucumber mosaic. Apply a thick layer of mulch to discourage them from laying their orange eggs in the soil near the plants. Cover plants with row covers to prevent beetles from feeding; hand pick adults from plants that aren't covered. Plant later in the season to help avoid infestations of this pest.
Spider mites are tiny red or yellow creatures that generally live on the undersides of leaves; their feeding causes yellow stippling on leaf surfaces. Discourage spider mites with garlic or soap sprays. Using a strong blast of water from the hose will wash mites off plants, but avoid this method at blossom time or you may knock the blossoms off.
To minimize disease problems, buy disease-free seeds and disease-resistant cultivars, rotate bean crops every one or two years, and space plants far enough apart to provide airflow. Don't harvest or cultivate beans when the foliage is wet, or you may spread disease spores. Here are some common diseases to watch for:
- Anthracnose causes black, egg-shaped, sunken cankers on pods, stems, and seeds and black marks on leaf veins.
- Bacterial blight starts with large, brown blotches on the leaves; the foliage may fall off and the plant will die.
- Mosaic symptoms include yellow leaves and stunted growth. Control aphids and cucumber beetles, which spread the virus.
- Rust causes reddish brown spots on leaves, stems, and pods.
- Downy mildew causes fuzzy white patches on pods, especially of lima beans.
If disease strikes, destroy infested plants immediately, don't touch other plants with unwashed hands or clippers, and don't sow beans in that area again for 3 to 5 years.
Pick green beans when they are pencil size, tender, and before the seeds inside form bumps on the pod. Harvest almost daily to encourage production; if you allow pods to ripen fully, the plants will stop producing and die. Pulling directly on the pods may uproot the plants. Instead, pinch off bush beans using your thumbnail and fingers; use scissors on pole and runner beans. Also cut off and discard any overly mature beans you missed in previous pickings. Serve, freeze, can, or pickle the beans the day you harvest them to preserve the fresh, delicious, homegrown flavor.
Pick shell beans for fresh eating when the pods are plump but still tender. The more you pick, the more the vines will produce. Consume or preserve them as soon as possible. Unshelled, both they and green beans will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.
To dry beans, leave the pods on the plants until they are brown and the seeds rattle inside them. Seeds should be so hard you can barely dent them with your teeth. If the pods have yellowed and a rainy spell is forecast, cut the plants off near the ground and hang them upside down indoors to dry. Put the shelled beans in airtight, lidded containers. Add a packet of dried milk to absorb moisture, and store the beans in a cool, dry place. They will keep for 10 to 12 months. | <urn:uuid:160df7e6-56d2-455f-bcfc-475be630d34f> | {
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Homosexuality (rarely homophilia) is a sexual orientation characterized by romantic or sexual desire for members of the same sex. Persons with this sexual orientation are called homosexual (noun and adjective). In women, romantic or sexual desire for other women is also called lesbianism (lesbian, noun and adjective). The term gay is used to refer to homosexuals of either gender, although it is mostly used to refer to males (hence the expression "gays and lesbians" or "gay men and lesbians"). The term homosexuality is also used for sexual behavior, rather than attraction, between people of the same sex.
Homosexuality appears to be common in all the apes, and it appears to have its origin in male social organization and social dominence. The bonobo, which has a matriarchal society, practises lesbianism.
The term 'homosexuality' was first coined in 1869 by Karl Maria Kertbeny in an anonymous pamphlet adovcating the repeal of Prussia's sodomy laws. It was listed in 1886 in Richard von Krafft-Ebig[?]'s detailed study on deviant sexual practices, 'Psycopathia Sexualis[?]'.
People whose sexual desire and activities are strongly channelled toward members of their own sex are a minority of the population. The size of this population has been variously estimated to be anywhere from 1% to 37%, however due to the political nature of this topic it is difficult to find studies where the meaning of the results has not been challenged. At one extreme, the Kinsey report reported that 37% of men in the U.S. have achieved orgasm of some type and duration through contact with another male. At another extreme, the National Opinion Research Center has reported that approximately 0.7% of men in the U.S. consider themselves to be exclusively homosexual. [See Note 1 below] Most random surveys carried out in the U.S. and Western Europe tend to place the number of people who have ever had same-sex experiences at around 8%, and the number who prefer exclusively same-sex experiences at around 2%.
Some people who are in general heterosexual may have mild or occasional interest in members of their own sex. Conversely, many people who identify themselves as homosexual, or who might prefer homosexual activities or relationships, have engaged in heterosexual activities or even have long-term heterosexual relationships. Such heterosexual behavior by people who would otherwise show homosexual behaviour has often been part of being "in the closet", or concealing one's homosexual orientation, and may be becoming less common as acceptance of homosexuality increases.
Sexual activity with a person of the same sex, in and of itself, is not necessarily considered homosexuality, but is considered homosexual behavior. Not all who are attracted or have sexual relationships with members of the same sex identify themselves as homosexual or even bisexual. Some people frequently have sex with members of the same sex yet still see themselves as heterosexual. It is important therefore to distinguish between homosexual behaviour, homosexual attraction and homosexual identity, which need not coincide. For example, people in prison, the military, or other sex-segregated environments may engage in homosexual situational sexual behaviour despite being heterosexual outside these environments.
There are several classes of people who have homosexual sexual behaviors for reasons other than desire. One example is hustlers, who are usually young heterosexual men who make money through prostitution with men. Some hustlers are probably homosexual themselves, but a significant number are not.
Some studies, notably Sexual Behavior in the Human Male[?] (1948) and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female[?] (1953) by Dr. Alfred C. Kinsey, note that when asked to rate themselves on a continuum from completely heterosexual to completely homosexual, and when the individuals' behavior as well as their identify is analyzed, the majority of people appear to be at least somewhat bisexual. Most people have some attraction to either sex, although usually one sex is preferred. Kinsey and his followers thus consider only a minority (5-10%) fully heterosexual or homosexual. Conversely, only an even smaller minority can be considered fully bisexual. Later studies have suggested that Kinsey's studies exaggerate the occurrence of bisexuality in the population at large, but his idea of a sexuality continuum still enjoys wide acceptance.
Some scholars in Queer studies, and most famously the French philosopher Michel Foucault (though some have argued that his opinions on this issue have been distorted by later scholars), attack the notion that sexual identities such as 'homosexuality', 'heterosexuality' or 'bisexuality' have any objective existence, viewing them instead as social constructions; this theoretical viewpoint is called Queer theory. A frequent argument used is that homosexuality prior to the modern period differed from modern homosexuality (age-, gender- or class-structured rather than egalitarian). Critics argue that, although homosexuality in different periods has had different features, the underlying phenomenon has always existed and is not a recent invention of our society.
Many moralists and religious groups view homosexuality to be a sin. See the article on Religion and homosexuality for a discussion of how homosexuality is viewed in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and in neo-pagan religions.
The Wolfenden report in the UK was a turning point in the legalization of homosexuality in Western countries. Many Western cultures have now legalized or decriminalised homosexuality and homosexual acts, although several states in the United States remain an obvious exception to this trend. A number of states in Europe, (for example, the Netherlands, Germany, etc), have changed the law either to allow same-sex marriages or the recognition in law of longterm gay relationships. A number of states allow now all gay couples to adopt children. An increasing number of politicians have openly admitted either to being homosexual, bisexual or to have had in the past homosexual experiences. These include a former British Defence Secretary under John Major, Michael Portillo. An openly gay politician, David Norris sits in the Irish Senate, while the current and previous Presidents of Ireland, Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson were founders for the Irish Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform, which led to decriminalisation of homosexuality in the Republic of Ireland.
This trend among western nations has not been followed in all other regions of the world, where sodomy may remain a serious crime (see sodomy law). At the extreme, homosexuality remains punishable by death in Afghanistan, Mauritania, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Lesser penalties of life in prison are found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Guyana, India, Maldives, Nepal, Singapore, Uganda, and the United States (state of Idaho).
Homosexuals were among the groups who were killed during the Nazi Holocaust, though there was no concerted effort to exterminate all homosexual as there was with Jews and Gypsies, and homosexuals who maintained the party line usually avoided arrest. Nonetheless, Nazi Germany passed many laws criminalizing homosexual relations, and people caught in the act were often sent to their deaths in concentration camps. Homosexuals in the concentration camps were often singled out for special abuse, torment, torture, and murder, by guards and sometimes by other prisoners. In the concentration camps, homosexuals were forced to wear pink triangles. This symbol has since been adopted as a symbol of gay pride and identity. For more information, see the article Homosexuals in Nazi Germany.
Along with alleged communists, homosexuals were investigated by the notorious senator Joseph McCarthy in the USA, who produced a report entitled "Employment of Homosexuals and Other Sex Perverts in Government".
Some religious movements believe that they can heal or cure homosexuals' sexual orientation through "reparative therapy". However, this has been rejected by all major American health and mental health professional organizations as ineffective, unnecessary, and potentially harmful. In 1973 it was decided that the USA would no longer consider homosexuality to be a mental disorder. However, in some other parts of the world it is still considered to be a mental disorder and illness, although there is no consensus on what causes it or whether it is inborn. Research in this area in the US is no longer sponsored because of pressure from gay and lesbian groups, but views of the scientific community and people around the globe are far from unanimous. Many oppose the gay and lesbian movement because they view it as an attempt to impose Western liberal values on other cultures, and thus as an instrument of oppression of the New World Order rather than a bid for the rights of the oppressed.
It has been commonly believed that homosexual relationships were frequent in Ancient Greece. However, K.J. Dover points out that such relationships did not replace marriage between man and woman, but occurred before and beside it. A mature man would never have a mature male mate, but he would be the erastes (lover) to a young eromenos (loved one). In this relationship it was considered improper for the eromenos to feel desire, as that would not be masculine. Driven by desire and admiration, the erastes would devote himself unselfishly to providing all the education his eromenos required to thrive in society.
In part due to their history of shared oppression, homosexuals in the West have access to a shared culture, although not all homosexuals participate in it, and many homosexual men and women specifically decline to do so (see Gay pride).
: Survey responses are often conditioned by the desire not to express opinions or supply information which the respondent suspects society and perhaps the questioner may not approve of. Revealing one's sexual orientation may well fall into this category, so affecting the accuracy of some surveys and under-estimating the actual scale of homosexuality. A similar phenomenon affects survey data on minority religions, on personal views on controversial matters such as abortion, and on degrees of political support for a political party. (Classic examples of this are not 'admitting' support in surveys in the late 1990s for the British Conservative Party, or controversial parties like the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland, etc. with such parties getting a higher vote in the privacy of a ballot box than reported in surveys.) | <urn:uuid:4a103d9c-fe73-44bf-bfd6-1e9c3181962d> | {
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publish command in MATLAB lets you quickly generate a formatted file, as an example for others, that contains MATLAB code, results from running the code, and an interactive table of contents.
By publishing MATLAB code as examples, you can:
The published MATLAB code can be output in the following formats: HTML, PDF, PPT, DOC, LaTeX, and XML.
Explore MATLAB Central to find MATLAB examples that support your teaching and research. You can share your examples by either posting them on MATLAB Central File Exchange or linking to them on MATLAB Central Link Exchange.
"Publishing MATLAB examples is valuable to researchers as they disseminate their work, and it also enables course instructors and students to effectively share their MATLAB based classroom demonstrations and homework exercises."Professor Iyad Obeid, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Temple University
"My students used to submit MATLAB files in homework, which required me to run their scripts and find the results among everything the script produced. Now my students publish their solutions in MATLAB, which lets everyone see both inputs and outputs as I grade exercises. It has really simplified the grading process."Professor Jake Blanchard, Department of Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin | <urn:uuid:0b4df8f5-1d21-434d-943a-2d5a8f104fa0> | {
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and Songbird Migration
If you were hoping to see migrants, this was a great week for you! Last
week I mentioned that a front was moving across the country and, while
the winds behind it were not strong, the front would bring more rain.
Well, I was correct in those statements, but what I did not foresee happening
was how slowly the front moved when it reached the eastern US. Not only
did it bring rain, but it rained for days. For
example, here in Tennessee it rained for a good part of April 19, 20,
You should know by
now that rain means migrants will be forced to land, and they certainly
Last Week's Fallouts Brought Bird Sightings Galore
Probably the biggest fallout from this system occurred on April 19th
in Washington, DC, where they reported 25 species of warblers!!!!!
They also had Summer and Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks,
Cuckoos, and reported the first Veery sighting I have heard about this
year. People in Pennsylvania also reported fallout with many warblers,
Gray Catbirds, and Orchard Orioles. Here in Tennessee, reports came
in from all over the state of a good diversity of migrants. A total
warbler species have been seen, including the first Blackpoll Warblers,
Cape May Warblers, Bay-breasted Warblers, and Blackburnian Warblers.
There were also lots of Scarlet Tanagers, and the first Warbling Vireos
and Swainson's Thrushes of the year. Tennessee Warblers were common
at my study site, along with Hooded Warblers, Indigo Buntings, and
Thrushes. The story was the same from many other places. Iowa had 8
warbler species and lots of hummingbirds, grosbeaks, and tanagers;
and New Hampshire had gnatcatchers, swallows, Palm Warblers, and Orange-crowned
Warblers...Well, you get the idea.
While we were getting wet in the East, the Southwest had clear conditions
and southerly winds. This allowed many migrants to come up from the
tropics. On April 20, birders in New Mexico saw catbirds, Nashville
Black-and-white Warblers, Painted Redstarts, Indigo Buntings, and Scott's
Orioles. California also had a good diversity, with Western Kingbirds,
Olive-sided Flycatchers, Western Tanagers, Black-throated-gray Warblers,
Wilson's Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, and Common Yellowthroats
all being seen.
A BIG Fallout of New Arrivals!
But wait! Things didn't end there. A storm system similar to the one
that just moved across the east formed over the middle of the country.
Like the first system, it had lots of rain, along with slightly stronger
north winds. On April 22, birders in Louisiana went to Grand Isle to
look for a fallout after the rain passed. There wasn't much activity
in the morning, when migrants usually arrive from crossing the Gulf
of Mexico. At mid-day, however, things definitely changed. The rainy
slowed the birds down so that it took them a couple of extra hours
to reach the coast. Having to fight the headwinds made the birds exhausted
and they landed in large numbers. Some of the more numerous species
Yellow Warbler (35-40), Gray Catbird (35-40), Orchard Oriole (35-40),
Eastern Kingbird (50-60), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (65-70), Scarlet Tanager
(~125), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (~150), Indigo Bunting (~200). Not a
bad day birding! Take it from me--a big fallout like that is really
It is truly amazing to realize the effort birds go through
to take advantage of the abundance of insects we have during the summer.
Week’s Weather and Migration Outlook
So will this week be just as exciting? Well, it could
now, the front that created the Gulf coast fallout is moving slowly
across the east. There is a lot of rain in the Southeast, and northerly
winds around the Northeast and Midwest. That means there could be
more fallouts, and
any birds that have already landed will stick around for the next couple
- In the
western US, winds are from the south and skies are clear, so they
can expect another influx of birds to arrive.
front is dropping down from Canada. This is expected to bring more
rain and cooler temperatures to the
eastern half of the country by the end of this week and over the weekend.
We are at the peak of spring migration. Combine that with the weather
conditions and we could see some more spectacular birding!
North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy
Next Weather and Migration Update will Be Posted on May 3, 2006
1996-2006 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.
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Aspirin is in the family of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs otherwise known as NSAIDs medicines. Aspirin has been used for thousands of years. It is believed to have been first used in 400 BC by the Greek physician Hippocrates who would prescribe the bark and leaves of the willow tree to his patients to relieve pain and fever. It turns out that the willow tree is rich in a substance called salicin which was later turned into salicylic acid in 1832 AD by a German chemist named Charles Gergardt. Finally in 1897 AD, Felix Hoffman, a German chemist, invented aspirin which lead to the Bayer’s release of aspirin in 1899 AD. Scientists used X-ray crystallography to determine the 3D structure of the enzyme COX (cyclooxygenase), which helped them study the shapes of the enzyme and how drugs like aspirin block it.
There are many drugs that belong to the NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) family of medicine such as Advil, Ibuprofen, and Aleve. Each of these drugs functions in a similar manner in that they all block a family of enzymes called cyclooxygenases (abbreviated COX). These drugs block two similar enzymes known as COX-1 and COX-2. COX-2 triggers an immune response and swelling in response to infection or injury. Blocking COX-2 is desirable because it can reduce swelling, fever, pain, etc. The problem with these drugs, such as aspirin, is that they also block COX-1. COX-1 produces molecules that protect the stomach wall called prostaglandins. Blocking COX-1 therefore results in ulcers due to the gastric acid being able to digest the de-protected stomach wall. This is a significant problem with long term use of aspirin to treat diseases such as arthritis. These side effects of long term use of aspirin result in about 16,500 deaths every year in the U.S.
The Development of COX-2 Only Inhibiters
Scientists wondered for many years how COX inhibitors such as aspirin worked so they used X-Ray Crystallography and other biophysical techniques to determine the three dimensional structure of the cyclooxygenases. The structure of an enzyme is important in understanding its function. Visualizing the individual enzyme’s structural folding and bends enables scientists to consider possible inhibitors that might bind to the enzyme. As the structures of COX-1 and COX-2 were being solved a new drug was found that blocks COX-2 but not COX-1, called Celebrex. The solved structures of COX-1 and COX-2 showed why only COX-2 was inhibited. In the binding site for Celebrex in COX-1, an isoleucine is present where there is a valine in COX-2. The structure of valine has a pocket-like end that is easily bound to, whereas isoleucine has an extended side chain structure that makes it impossible for the drug to bind. This allowed for the new drug to be made to bind to that specific target without the bad side effects that were caused by the COX-1 enzyme.
Scientist have also developed another inhibitor called COX-3 inhibitors. This inhibitor appears to be more similar to Tylenol. Tylenol does not belong to the NSAID family of medicine because it is not an anti-inflammatory medicine. The future of COX-3 drugs may lead to a more significant understanding of Tylenol.
One of common method for Synthesis of Aspirin is classified as esterification reaction as followed:
Mechanism of Actions
Aspirin is an antiplatelet drug that inhibits cyclooxygenase or COX. COX-2 triggers inflammation as an immune response. By blocking COX-2, aspirin acts as a potent pain killer and anti-inflammatory agent. However, COX-1 enzymes are also the key enzymes in thromboxane A2 (TXA2) generation. Thromboxane TXA2 causes platelets to clump together over the vessel tear to facilitate repair when blood vessels are damaged or are diseased. The aggregation of platelets results in a clot which stops bleeding and aids repair of the damaged blood vessel. Aspirin inhibits COX-1, therefore TXA2, thereby reducing the ability of platelets to accumulate. This is why aspirin is known as a blood thinner or anti-platelet agent.
COX-1 and COX-2 are both cyclooxygenase enzymes with similar structure but different in functions. They both generate prostaglandins from the fatty acid arachidonic acid. However, different prostaglandins are produced from COX-1 and COX-2. Prostaglandins from COX-2 are associated with pain, inflammation and fever while prostaglandins from COX-1 support platelet aggregation, gastrointestinal mucosal integrity and renal function.
In the process of blocking COX, the acetyl group on aspirin is hydrolzed and then bonded to the alcohol group of serine as an ester. This has the effect of blocking the channel in the enzyme and arachidonic acid can not enter the active site of the enzyme and be converted to prostaglandins .
There is 60% homology between the amino acid structures of COX-1 and COX-2. Aspirin blocks COX-1 by binding to Ser 530 in the same way that it binds to Ser 516 of COX-2. However, the active site of COX-2 is slightly larger than the active site of COX-1, so pharmaceutical companies have been able to develop selective COX-2 inhibitors, such as Celecoxib, Rofecoxib and Meloxicam. These drugs can inhibit the biochemical actions of COX-2 which reduces inflammation but have no effect on COX-1 to prevent damages of the stomach mucosa.
Polymorphism is the ability of a substance to form more than one crystal structure. This process is essential when it comes to the development of pharmaceutical ingredients. For a long period of time, only one crystal structure was discovered. Then since the 1960s, a second crystalline form was suspected. This second polymorph was first discovered by Vishweshwar and his coworkers in the year 2005. A new crystals was basically found after performing the cocrystallization of aspirin and levetiracetam from hot acetonitrile. However, this second crystalline form is only stable at 100°K and reverts to the first crystalline form at ambient temperature. In the first crystalline form, there exist two salicylic molecules form centrosymmetric dimers through the acetyl groups with the (acidic) methyl proton to carbonyl hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, in the second crystalline form that is newly claimed, each salicylic molecule form the same hydrogen bonds with two neighboring molecules instead of only one. In the end, both polymorphs form the same dimmer structures that is with respect to the hydrogen bonds forms by the carboxylic acid groups.
Before taking Aspirin
Children or teenager who has a fever should take aspirin. Children who have chicken pox or flu symptoms should take aspirin. However, one thing to be aware of is that aspirin may cause a serious condition called Reye's syndrome, especially in children. Therefore, it is important to know not to take aspirin if one is encountering any sort of condition listed below:
- recent history of intestinal or stomach bleeding
- bleeding disorder
- allergy to an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as that of Advil, Motrin, Aleve, or Orudis
If one has any of the conditions listed below, then a dose adjustment or special way of taking aspirin should be taken care upon:
- stomach ulcers
- liver or kidney disease
- gout or nasal polyps
- seasonal or asthma allergies
- heart failure
If an individual is taking aspirin to prevent conditions such as stroke or heart attack, it is crucial to avoid taking ibuprofen. A type of ibuprofen can be Advil or Motrin. Ibuprofen can also cause taking aspirin to be less effective in protecting certain condition such as heart of blood vessels. This medication can also hurt an unborn baby's heart, and may reduce birth weight or have other serious effects. Therefore, it is important to the tell the doctor before taking aspirin if one is pregnant or plans to become pregnant while taking this medication. It is also essential for breast feeding mother to know that taking aspirin can also pass through breast milk and seriously harm a nursing baby. Hence, all breast feeding mothers should tell the doctor in advance before taking this medication.
Aspirin is part of a group of medications known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which has been used since the times of the Ancient Greeks. Belonging to a class of salicylates, this drug has multiple uses in treating various ailments associated with pain and inflammation. Typically, it acts by reducing the materials that cause inflammation and pain. Often, aspirin is considered inferior to ibuprofen for the alleviation of pain. However, aspirin is usually ineffective for those pains caused by muscle cramps, bloating, or skin irritation. Thus, treating mild to moderate pain and inflammation are some of the common uses, but aspirin has also been used to treat and prevent heart attack, stroke, chest pain, and other cardiovascular conditions. However, Aspirin appears to offer little use to those at lower risk of heart attack or stroke. This kind of idea is known as primary prevention. Normally while taking aspirin, one should avoid taking other NSAIDs as they will actually inhibit the action of the drug. Coming in various forms (enteric-coated tablets, chewable tablets), aspirin is commonly prescribed by physicians for its uses in preventing cardiovascular problems.
In addition, studies show that aspirin have great effect on cancer, especially its effect on a cancer known as colorectal cancer (CRC). Even multiple meta-analyses implies that regular use of aspirin will definitely reduce the long-term risk of colorectal cancer. For over 100 years, other uses of aspirin may be for fever and pains related with common cold. Basically, aspirine can be a source of cure when it comes to achiness, discomfort, headache, and sore throat pain. Furthermore, existing fever and joint pain often cure quickly within three days of high doses of aspirin. People with pericarditis, coronary artery disease, and acute myocardial infarction can be treated with aspirin too.
There are several side effects and risk factors associated with the use of aspirin. Individuals who are allergic to aspirin, have a history of intestinal or stomach bleeding, bleeding disorders (like hemophilia), and allergies to other NSAIDs should avoid using aspirin. However, prescribers can still recommend aspirin after performing tests and adjusting the dosage based on the patient's needs. For example, patients with specific medical issues such as stomach ulcers, liver disease, blood clotting disorders, or high blood pressure may require extra tests and adjusted doses before safely prescribing aspirin. Also, patients on aspirin should avoid drinking alcohol as alcohol consumption can lead to increased bleeding in the stomach. Typical side effects with aspirin include upset stomach, heartburn, drowsiness, and headache. Because aspiring irritates the lining of the stomach and intestinal tracts, a useful way to reduce this incidence is to drink aspirin with a full glass of milk. One should stop using aspirin if side effect such as hives or difficulty breathing occurs.
Finally, certain medications such as warfarin should be notified to physicians before prescribing aspirin. Page text.
Immediately get medical help if you present one or more of the following symptoms:
- difficulty breathing
- swelling on the lips, face, tongue or throat
Stop using aspirin and call doctor if you see one or more of the following symptoms:
- black, bloody or tarry stools
- coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- severe nausea, vomiting or stomach pain
- fever lasting over 3 days
- swelling for over 10 days
- hearing problems (ringing in your ears)
Least serious symptoms might include:
- upset stomach
Flavio, Guzmán. "Antiplatelet agents: mechanisms of action and general overview." Pharmacology Corner. N.p., 24 2009. Web. 7 Dec 2012.
Vane, J.R, and R.M Botting . "Thrombosis Research." Thrombosis Research. 110. (2003): 255-58. Print. | <urn:uuid:67a20062-5ca5-425d-8258-993466ee00bc> | {
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Hello! I am new to python and I really don't understand dictionaries. I am doing learn python the hard way and I dont understand the second half of
This Lesson. (The part called 'Making Your Own Dictionary Module')
It just made me completely lost. I tried googling it but I still don't understand. Can someone explain it simply? | <urn:uuid:42a1187c-ba48-4ddc-ae53-28cb90c6cc1b> | {
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NASA Scientists Created a Super-Hot Exoplanet Atmosphere on Earth
A team heated a cloud of gas up to 2,000°F and blasted it with radiation to see what happens on giant planets that orbit very close to their stars.
The JPL machinery that created a simulated hot Jupiter. Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Humans haven’t yet figured out how to travel to other star systems to study exoplanets up close. But NASA has accomplished the next best thing—recreating the atmospheres of bizarre alien worlds right here on Earth.
Researchers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, have succeeded in cooking up a simulated version of a “hot Jupiter.” These worlds are similar in scale to Jupiter, but orbit much closer to their stars than any planet in our solar system, with years that last no longer than 10 days. As a result, the atmospheres of hot Jupiters can reach searing temperatures exceeding 2,800°C (5,000°F).
A team led by JPL research scientist Benjamin Fleury created similar conditions in a laboratory using a recipe of hydrogen and a tiny pinch of carbon monoxide gas. (Carbon and hydrogen gas are extremely common materials in planet formation.)
Fleury and his colleagues heated the mixture up to 1,100°C (2,000°F) in an oven-like contraption. The team blasted the gas with UV and optical radiation with a lamp placed next to a window into the oven. This technique was designed to probe the photochemistry—the chemical effects of light—in the atmospheres of these planets.
The results present the “first laboratory experimental simulation of photochemistry in carbon-rich exoplanet atmospheres at elevated temperatures,” according to a study by Fleury’s team published in The Astrophysical Journal.
When the simulated hot Jupiter was exposed to these high temperatures and faux-starlight beams, its brew of hydrogen and carbon monoxide partially transformed into water and carbon dioxide. This corroborates past observations of water vapor in the atmospheres of hot Jupiters, and suggests that water might be more common on these planets than previously assumed.
The photochemical reactions also catalyzed the formation of aerosols, which are thick condensates that cause atmospheric haze. Aerosols have been detected in real hot Jupiters, but their role in producing the opaque appearance and atmospheric dynamics of the exoplanets is not well-understood.
"This result changes the way we interpret those hazy hot Jupiter atmospheres," said Fleury in a JPL statement on Thursday. "Going forward, we want to study the properties of these aerosols. We want to better understand how they form, how they absorb light and how they respond to changes in the environment.”
“All that information can help astronomers understand what they're seeing when they observe these planets," Fleury added.
Get six of our favorite Motherboard stories every day by signing up for our newsletter. | <urn:uuid:aeb7186f-5f32-4381-9fbd-fe1dee4e39f9> | {
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In his childhood (around 1945) Volker Kraft saw a beautiful paschal decorated tree in his home town. So he wanted a tree like this.
[These trees are called "Eierbaum", "Osterbaum" or "Ostereierbaum" in German, meaning a tree that is decorated with eggs at Easter.]
...and then, in 1965, it happened. Volker Kraft was happily married and had children by now. And so he realized his dream of having his own Eierbaum. He decorated a small apple tree in his graden with 18 colorful Easter eggs for his children - and he was happy to see the same sparkling in their eyes as he had twenty years ago.
The first 18 Easter eggs were still made of plastic. But soon, Volker realized that the tree begun to grow - fast.
So he needed more eggs! To buy all of them was to expensive at that time. So they blow almost all eggs needed in the kitchen to bake cakes. These eggs were then equipped with a small listel and painted with all household colors available.
Kraft's children grew and started to paint, too. First simple patterns and multi-colored eggs emerged. These eggs can still be found on the tree nowadays, though time apparently aged them.
Over the years the tree was growing the number of eggs was increased.
The children of Volker and Christa Kraft finally went out of the house, and so the sapling, which became a real tree by now, could rest and recover.
But then the first grandchilden came and the Eierbaum was decorated again.
It was enormous , and every year people came from the neighborhood to watch it.
Now family Kraft began counting the easter eggs. The listel has been revised so that the eggs wont fall as fast as they did before, if it is windy.
Christa Kraft started to crochet eggs in different colors and patterns. Far more than 1000 eggs have been crochet by now (2008). 300 of them with pearls.
Kraft's daughter Gabriela Rumrich is the painter in the family, she drew artistic patterns with silver and gold colors. Later the first landscape and city motifs emerged. For the trunk of the three she painted ladybugs and cockchafer, made from blown-out eggs. Later, other animals such as mice, fish, turtles, pigs and frogs completed the series.
Christa Kraft put crocus bulbs in all colors in the hill next to the Eierbaum. So now every year in March far more than 1200 crocuses are in flower. Volker Kraft discovered his love to spray bottles, which were now avaiable after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Christa Kraft developed increasingly in becoming an artist. She glued some eggs artfully with sugar figures and pearls. Since this year (2009), she got an even more decorative idea: she drills patterns with a small drill in the eggs. In addition, she collected the slides of their grandchildren surprise eggs and wrappend them on real blown eggs. There are around 400 of those "empty" surprise eggs now - but those are not counted to the total number of eggs our Eierbaum is supposed to bear, because we have another tree for them.
To decorate the Eierbaum initially took only one day. As the number of eggs increased, the time needed to decorate increased, too. In 2002 we decorated the tree with two to five persons in a week. It does not take as long to "clear" the tree again.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, a rehab clinic was built in the near, and with it first "foreign" visitors came. They never saw something like this and one of them reported it to the local press.
In this moment, out quiet garden idyll was gone. TV, Radio, newspapers. There were loads of people visiting us.
Year after year, the interest of the press, radio and television increased and the pictures and film contributions went far beyond Germany. We had visitors from all over Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Holland, England, China and the United States - only to name a few. Sometimes whole choaches drove up.
In 2008 we ware amazed. the Dutch presenter Marijke Amado came with a film crew to visit us.
Every now and then, strangers send newspapers to us, newspapers about the tree from their country or region. These originate from Holland, Africa, Thailand, Australia and Kuwait!
People in Saalfeld call Volker Kraft lovly "egg man".
Many questions about the Eierbaum repeat year after year. Most of them, with many interesting stories and pictures, can be purchased since 2005 in form of a small book.
Volker probably never thought that his dream was going to what it is today. But it makes him and is family proud that so many people visit the Eierbaum year after year.
The decoration of the tree is mandatory nowadays! But most of the poeple can imagine what kind of work is needed to make the tree looking like it is. The best reward for all the work are the smiles of the children that remember Volker Kraft of his own childhood.
...if you are interested, then just come to Saalfeld around Easter.
We start decorating the tree around four weeks before Easter and clear it a week after Easter. It takes about two weeks to fully decorate it.
There are no opening hours and admission is free. Usually, someone of us will be there starting from twelve o'clock. Just phone us if you are coming in groups or from far away so we can make sure that someone will be there. If you don't, our garden may be be closed and you can only watch it from outside. To Easter, the Eierbaum can be visited starting nine o'clock the whole day.
Attention! There is no parking on the site. There is only a small private track leading to us. Please use the public parking at the outdoor bath or in the city.
We hope you enjoy and look forward to your visit! | <urn:uuid:f3cad97a-1b6d-4c06-8243-fab0c822b745> | {
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Cold and flu be gone
Fending off viral invaders
The dreaded cold and flu season is upon us. And with the commencement of the new school year, what could be a higher priority than staying healthy this fall and winter? A number of natural health products (NHPs) are available to help support healthy immune function and exert antiviral effects. We look at the most appropriate uses of supplements such as vitamins, probiotics, and herbal preparations to fight the cold and flu.
What makes it a cold?
The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract with symptoms including runny nose; headache; sore throat; cough; and an overall feeling of weakness, discomfort, or just not feeling well.
The cold is caused by several viruses, including rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, paramyxoviruses, and coronaviruses. Ear pain or ear infection may follow the common cold in children.
What makes it the flu?
Influenza, or “the flu,” is caused by the influenza virus, and symptoms are similar to a cold, though typically more severe, including fever, chills, headache, runny nose, cough, weakness, discomfort, and feeling of being unwell.
Complications of influenza include ear infections, pneumonia, secondary bacterial infections, exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease, and bronchiolitis in children.
How do we get it?
Transmission of both illnesses is through direct hand contact with the secretions from an infected person (either directly or from surfaces like a doorknob) or through inhalation of respiratory secretions and viruses.
NHPs for cold and flu
These can be divided into two groups: immune modulators and antimicrobials. We can tailor the use of these NHPs based on the stage of illness. While the common cold and flu are caused by different viruses, management with NHPs is similar for both.
Immune modulators strengthen the immune system’s ability to fight infection. For instance, herbs in this category may increase the antiviral activity of T-lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and other immune cells.
Antimicrobial agents have direct effects by killing the bacteria or virus, often by causing damage to the bacterial membrane or viral envelope.
You should know
Antibiotics are effective against bacteria only and should not be used to treat viral illnesses such as the cold and flu.
Vitamin C, vitamin D, and probiotics function as immune modulators.
A 2015 Cochrane meta-analysis evaluated 12 studies and 3,720 participants, including children. Results showed that supplementation with probiotics was superior to placebo for reducing
- the number of participants who experienced an acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)
- average duration of acute URTIs
- antibiotic prescription rates for acute URTIs
- cold-related school absences
Among those with vitamin D deficiency, supplementation is consistently associated with benefit to immunity. Daily vitamin D supplementation has been shown to reduce incidence of influenza A in schoolchildren.
In addition, a randomized trial of 400 infants found that high-dose vitamin D reduced the incidence of influenza A compared to the low-dose vitamin D group (78 versus 43 cases). Duration of fever, cough, and wheezing was shorter and the viral loads decreased
more rapidly in the high-dose group.
Garlic (Allium sativa), Echinacea species, and elderberry (Sambucus nigra) extracts have been shown to exert potent antiviral effects.
A randomized trial of 120 adults found that aged garlic extract increased T-lymphocytes and NK cells and reduced the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms. Garlic contains allicin, which has been shown to kill viruses such as rhinovirus and parainfluenza virus.
A randomized trial of 473 patients with early influenza symptoms (less than 48 hours) found that a daily combination echinacea and elderberry extract for 10 days was as effective as the prescription flu medication oseltamivir for reducing the duration of illness and had fewer side effects.
Did you know?
The majority of viral respiratory disease is influenza‐like illness (ILI), which is caused by many different viruses that are not clinically distinguishable from one another without testing. Only about 7 to 15 percent of ILI is caused by actual influenza viruses and is known as influenza.
Another meta-analysis found that vitamin C was less effective for preventing the common cold, but better in reducing its severity and duration. In an analysis of 29 trials involving 11,306 participants, researchers found that vitamin C reduced duration of colds by 8 percent in adults and 14 percent in children. The severity of colds was also significantly reduced.
Finally, a recent meta-analysis including 180 participants found that Sambucus nigra (black elderberry) was found to “substantially reduce upper respiratory symptoms.” Authors concluded that elderberry may be a “potentially safer alternative to prescription drugs for routine cases of the common cold and influenza.”
Individuals who are having difficulty getting back on their feet after the cold or flu may wish to consider continuing supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin D, and probiotics, and may also benefit from use of Astragalus membranaceous.
Astragalus is an immune tonic herb and an adaptogen for the immune system. Astragalosides, a major active component, have immune-regulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, including inducing T-cells, regulating effector/regulatory T-cell balance, and inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Be sure to check with your health care practitioner to determine the treatments and dosages that are best for you.
Natural cold and flu busters
- vitamin C
- vitamin D
- garlic extract
- elderberry syrup
- vitamins C and D
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON ALIVE.COM | <urn:uuid:841ec220-ec1d-43c9-a974-e2c8f9d2d2b6> | {
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Thursday, September 17, 2009
This critique discusses briefly the motivation behind the UDHR, arising out of the abuses of human rights that occurred during the second world war, and two of the somewhat opposing schools of thought related to interpreting human rights, universalism and cultural relativism.
More uses the example of so-called female circumcision (which is in fact more appropriately labeled female genital mutilation), among others, as the backdrop for her discussion leading to her conclusion that neither approach is entirely satisfactory and argues that a “broad culturally inclusive universalism” which nevertheless is “self-consiously minimalist” is an acceptable middle ground.
Her preliminary discussion of Human Rights generally conforms to some of the issues raised in the Stanford treatment, and also more explicitly raises the issue of basic rights as minimal constraints versus a more expansive expression of those rights and privileges necessary to achieve the whole of human potential. Whereas some basic human rights may appear to be universal, application of higher order(and even some basic) rights often run into difficulties of interpretation that are intrinsically tied to culture and religion; as rights become more expansive and encompassing, cultural differences become more troublesome.
So, are rights universal, or can cultural relativism be applied to their exercise? More presents scenarios that highlight some of the concerns. Severe corporal punishment (e.g. cutting of the hand of a thief) is generally abhorrent to westerners and most would consider it a violation of basic human rights. Some, however argue that for those with a strong belief in strict Islamic rule, the earthly punishment assures that God will not mete even more severe punishment in the afterlife.
More also presents the case of female genital mutilation among some African cultures and notes that some of its strongest proponents are, disturbingly to most westerners, the victims of the process. Further, the practice is regarded as “culturally vital to the community, promoting ethnic identity…”
Here, cultural relativism and universalism seem quite at odds. More notes that illegality sometimes makes things worse, forcing practices underground where reforms are undermined by “a community’s failure to agree to destroy its cultural tradition and practices.” Yet is difficult to argue that female genital mutilation is not a violation of basic human rights on cultural grounds.
More quotes Parekh (1999) in “advocating that universal values be culturally mediated while retaining their normative and critialdrive, and suggests:
• Universal values can be understood in a variety of ways, ranging from the minimalist to the maximalist
• Since universal values are necessarily general and relatively indeterminate, they should as far as possible be articulated in the language of norms
• We should not confuse values with particular institutional mechanisms
• Since every society enjoys the moral freedom to interpret and prioritise the agreed body of universal values, we cannot condemn its practices simply because they are different from or offend against ours, and
• We might encourage regional arrangements for defining and enforcing universal values.
Information rights are not explicitly addressed in the UDHR, although they will likely find an implied home in sections covering freedom of expression as well as education. However as this paper argues, interpretation of information rights, as with other rights, will need to find an expression that speaks a universal truth but is nevertheless bound and of necessity limited by cultural and religious practice and interpretation.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Cohen makes the point that technology is shifting the balance between intellectual property rights and intellectual freedom to favor the information owner/creator. As a result, our ability to act freely and autonomously, which requires access to information, is infringed.
Cohen agrees that intellectual freedom and autonomous action are measured in degrees and not absolutely. Therefore, I think the crux of the issue is where to find proper balance. Cohen covers, at least on first examination, most of the key issues relating to the impact of technology on intellectual freedom, and the arguments are well reasoned.
I don’t really find fault with any of the points made so much as disagree with the emphasis placed on some issues and lack of emphasis placed on others.
For example, Cohen acknowledges the free-market pressures on intellectual property rights holders to strike a balance between access and profit, but then argues that consumers are unorganized and not in a position of strength when it comes down to the negotiation (see consent-based arguments, pg 17-18). However consumer pressure has already driven vendors such as Amazon and even Apple iTunes to release substantial numbers of music releases without DRM, largely as a result of consumer pressure.
Furthermore, new business models have emerged that give consumers more access to copyrighted material than traditional systems. For example, some music services give virtually unlimited streaming access to large libraries of music for a nominal monthly fee. While it’s true that the consumer doesn’t ever actually acquire any of the music, many would find that as a practical matter, they listen to far more music for considerably less money under that business model.
Technology is young and we are going through a period of time now when we are still learning what is possible, and from that, what is desirable. The biggest problem with intellectual property has always been that the medium on which information is instantiated, and the cost of reproduction, is low compared with the cost of creating the information. Further, with digital text, one can give it away without losing one’s own access to it – unlike loaning a tool or book to a neighbor who may not return it.
Suppose, however, you could get a digital download whose DRM allowed anyone to play it, but that would also allow anyone so trusted with it to steal it – that is, permanently reallocate it to their own physical control and thereby deprive you of its use. This is analogous to lending your hammer to your neighbor, who then never returns it. You might think twice before loaning it to just anyone.
That’s the idea behind a new IEEE proposal for so-called digital personal property (I’m reminded of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer installs the door peephole backwards). The proposers say that they want to give consumers true ownership of content while still "preserving business models based on the sale of private goods where the number of items in circulation equals the number sold and the number of users of each item is naturally, reasonably, and unavoidably limited." A look at the comments accompanying this article point to some flaws in the concept, but the idea at least is evidence that we are a long ways away from stable and unchanging technologies and our commitment to fully adopt them .
To argue that because we can do something with technology, we will, is to argue technological determinism, a reductionist approach that among other things requires one to suspend belief in the autonomy of man (on which Cohen’s ethical arguments depend).
So I would argue that while we need to be mindful of the ramifications of technology (and that it does seem so far that early technologies favor the enforcement of the rights of creators and producers), that it may still be too early decide what technology’s overall impact on the balance between intellectual property rights and intellectual freedom will be. Cohen writes a good cautionary tale, but perhaps paints a worst-case scenario that is not necessarily a foregone conclusion.
Of greater concern to me, and a matter which Cohen does make some reference to, is the loss of privacy that accompanies an intellectual property holder’s exercise of rights over use. In essence, any kind of rights management now requires the purchaser of a content license to divulge some personal information in order to receive it. With traditional media, someone paying cash or checking an item out of the library (where library records are private) can exercise the right to access the content anonymously.
However, actively managed digital rights require an electronic tether between licensor and licensee that could potentially expose one’s information access to third parties, either accidentally or intentionally. If technological determinism is unacceptably reductionist, then so is social determinism. This problem won’t be fixed unless we make up our minds that it needs to be fixed.
Finally, Cohen seems to miss the many ways social and technological change have benefitted the consumer to the detriment of the rights holders. For example, on page 10, Cohen notes the lawsuits designed to inhibit automated acquisition of pricing information from web sites to aid consumer shopping. But this is a relatively new phenomenon. Prior to the web technologies, consumers didn’t really have access to automated pricing services. And in fact, at the wholesale and jobber level, pricing agreements are almost always treated as confidential. In this case, the balance has already shifted in favor of the consumer. Mass copying and file sharing has certainly also benefitted the consumer, albeit not in ways most intellectual property holders think is fair or ethical.
It’s fair to ask, in these cases and others, what the balance should be.
Van den HOVEN – Distributive Justice and the Value of Information
I think overall I don’t fully buy into the argument that either information or information access is a primary Rawlsian good. In spite of an attempt to tease apart differences among information, knowledge and access, these nevertheless are conflated in the argument to my way of thinking. The availability of access to the internet is discussed in the first couple of pages as an example of ICTs worsening the information divide. But increased access to the internet isn’t necessarily the answer because the problem isn’t access to the internet; the problem is lack of information and knowledge. The internet is only one way to get it, and not always the best way (as the authors confirm). So while the problem really is lack of information (and while acknowledging that ICTs are not the only way to access information), van den Hoven elects to defend access to information as what should be considered a primary good, under the theory that access to information necessarily resolves the underlying shortage. But if the means of accessing information is not important, then it’s information that is the underlying primary need.
If we accept that information access (and not information) is the primary Rawlsian good, then it meets at least the first of Rawls’ requirements, that it is rational to want it. But it is not always necessarily true that a person would want more rather than less access. A person rationally only wants what is necessary to get what is really needed – the information.
But if we accept that information (and not information access) is the primary Rawlsian good, then it too fails the second test, that more information is better than less information. Most people want the amount of information necessary to make a decision or to carry through with a rational plan. Too much information can impede the rational plan.
It seems to me far more logical to argue that both information and access to it are opportunities, distributed under the opportunity principle. Access to information, or lack thereof, is a social and economic inequality, because information has a cost of production and a cost of acquisition associated with it and both production and means of acquisition are limited commodities. Further, not everyone has the resources (again, social and economic capital), to make the best use of an unlimited amount of information.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
It seems to me that it is vitally important ... that information literacy be recognized and promoted as a core subject and furthermore promoted as the particular subject that certified school librarians are highly qualified to teach. Right now, very few people understand that librarians are primary teachers because there is no readily identifiable subject associated with them. If the public really understood that information literacy is a core 21st century subject on which proper understanding of other core subjects depends, and that librarians are the only ones highly qualified to teach it, it would put librarians on parity with classroom teachers in a fundamental way that cuts off at the knees arguments that librarians are ancillary.
No one who understands the importance of information literacy would accept the argument that library aids and paraprofessionals are qualified to teach a core subject. Given that many states actually have academic standards relating to information literacy, this should be obvious, but I rarely see this case being publicly made. It places far more emphasis on the librarian than it does the library, and I think this would be a good thing for school librarians.
Those who know me know that I’m no fan of NCLB, but perhaps at least some effort should be directed at amending the next version of ESEA to reflect information literacy among the other core subjects explicitly recognized. A strong, united front that included other organizations such as ISTE and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills could help move it along.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Digital Information Management Certificate Program Application Deadline Extended; Scholarships available
DigIn, as the program is known, provides hands-on experience and focused instruction supporting careers in libraries and archives, cultural heritage institutions and digital collections, information repositories in government and the private sector and similar institutions. The certificate is comprised of six courses covering diverse topics including digital collections, applied technology, technology planning and leadership, policy and ethics, digital preservation and curation, and other subjects relevant to today’s digital information environments.
For people just starting in the field or considering career changes, the DigIn certificate program offers an alternative path to graduate studies that helps prepare students for success in traditional graduate programs or the workplace. The certificate also provides a means for working professionals and those who already have advanced graduate degrees in the library and information sciences to broaden their knowledge and skills in today’s rapidly evolving digital information landscape.
The program is delivered in a 100% virtual environment and has no residency requirements. Students may choose to complete the certificate in fifteen or twenty-seven months.
The certificate program has been developed in cooperation with the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records and the University of Arizona Office of Continuing Education and Academic Outreach. Major funding for program development comes from the federal government’s Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which has also provided funding for a number of scholarships.
Additional details on the program including course descriptions, admissions requirements and application forms may be found on the program website at http://sir.arizona.edu/digin. Or, contact the UA School of Information Resources and Library Science by phone at 520-621-3565 or email at [email protected].
# # #
Contact: Bruce Fulton, Communications and Outreach Librarian [email protected]
Friday, October 26, 2007
The website is up now, and there is a trailer on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6_dcjR2npU. If the info is correct, 10:00pm in Melbourne will be 4:00am here. I suspect someone will post it.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Our Hero: "I can't, I have to go to the library for a research paper."
Dufus friend: "The library… Haven't you ever heard of the Internet?"
Our Hero: "Actually, the research paper is on libraries and how, during the digital age, they're becoming increasingly obsolete for our generation."
[Approving nod from father and annoying friend of the family.]
Father: Do you need a lift?
Hmmm. What more can be said?
Saturday, September 29, 2007
I think providing multiple pathways to content is especially important with distance/virtual learning, where there isn't regular face to face contact with students. Some students do better with the printed word; others may prefer visual, spatial, or audio modalities. Videos and podcasts offer alternatives to students who prefer them.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
After spending the last week with readings on online communities, mostly scholarly, we're looking at Social Networks in the social computing class this coming week. I usually try to come up with a quote or two to begin the online lecture, something to get the thought processes percolating. These two quotes both came across my news crawlers, and I though they made a really poignant juxtaposition:
- Each day hundreds of people go to the Temple Terrace Public Library to use the computers and surf the web. But patrons should not expect to check out one of the most popular sites online at the library. That's because Temple Terrace has a ban on myspace.com, as well as chat rooms and some online blogs. Michael Dunn, Temple Terrace Spokesperson says, “We're not there to promote websites. We're there to help people find a job, acquire information, learn things that could help them in their lives.” [Retrieved 9/22/2007 from http://www.tampabays10.com/printfullstory.aspx?storyid=61885].
- “…It's not just about Jena, but about inequalities and disparities around the country,” said Stephanie Brown, 26, national youth director for the NAACP, who estimated that about 2,000 college students were among the throngs of mostly black protesters who overwhelmed the tiny central Louisiana town. …Brown said the Jena case resonates with the college-aged crowd because they aren't much older than the six youths charged. Many of the student protesters had been sharing information about the case through Facebook, MySpace and other social-networking Web sites. [Retrieved 9/22/2007 from http://www.registerguard.com/news/2007/09/21/a1.nat.jena.0921.p1.php?section=nation_world].
Interesting times ahead for libraries, I think. I know many librarians are a bit soured on the social networking programs, but I think we need to look at libraries' involvment with these applications through a different lens. Throwing up a profile page hasn't been effective for most libraries, but that doesn't mean they can turn their backs on the phenomenon. We'll be looking at what does make sense this week. I'll be interested to see what the class thinks after some of the readings and assignments.
Friday, September 21, 2007
"This is somewhat out of synch with the class (although Social Networks are up next), but I would encourage you to use these events to help introduce you to the technologies. Give yourself some time with Second Life (http://www.secondlife.com). You only need a free, basic account. You'll spend a while on orientation island learning how to get around. If/when you're ready to move on, let me know and I'll offer a teleport to one of the information islands. Note: you need a reasonably good graphics card to run the software.
"The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has announced Banned Books Week activities for librarians and the general public in virtual worlds Second Life, Teen Second Life and on social networking sites MySpace and Facebook. ALA is working with other library partners to provide an interactive experience centered on Banned Books Week, September 29-October 6, 2007, to help librarians and others to feel comfortable in social networking spaces and to reach out to new audiences. Partners include Alliance Library System, Alliance Second Life Library, TAP Information Services and the new ALA membership group Virtual Communities and Libraries. For the schedule of activities and events, see the full announcement here."
I hope to see several of the students explore this. It's always a good learning experience when the things you are studying relate to ongoing current events and real world happenings. That's also one of the reasons I've provided a news feed on social computing current events that goes directly into the D2L learning management system via RSS.
If you plan on using any of the banned book week virtual events in your teaching or learning, let me know and we'll compare notes.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
I'm not sure this even needs or warrants editorial comment. I would imagine most librarians are suitably appalled. You might think that with a librarian in the first lady's seat, we wouldn't see this sort of blatent political interference from the White House even given the charged nature of prison libraries. The problem is, once the books and resources are gone, even a new administration won't bring them back. Sigh.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
I posted this comment in the instructor's blog:
...One thing that concerns me at this point is how many students are waiting til the weekend to post anything into the blogs and discussion sections. Ideally, we will have a strong dialog going on; if everyone waits to post, it's hard to have a conversation. Remember that responding to your fellow students' observations is as important as making your own. We'll see how it goes, but think about getting at least some of your thoughts in earlier in the week....
On the other hand, the students are doing a great job with the blogs, and the commentary is good. One of the differences between face to face classes, especially ones that meet face to face once a week, and online classes is that the online classes really are, or can be, 24x7. I've always thought there is more potential for interaction and personalization in the online deliveries, even though they are asynchronous. That's a strong argument in favor of them. I'll probably need to give more thought to structuring the activites to encourage more participation during the week.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
SIRLS Podcast: "August 29, 2007 - SIRLS Brown Bag Research Lecture. Kay Mathiesen - Group Rights to Control Information versus Individual Rights to Access Information. Play or Download Abstract: Intellectual Freedom is the core value of the Library and Information Profession. As the American Library Association puts it, 'In a free society individuals are free to determine ..."
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
A couple of projects have come to my attention lately that underscore the role digitization and virtual reality will have in making collections of all kinds available to scholars, students and the public.
Ancient Rome is rebuilt digitally - Yahoo! News with a link to Rome Reborn 1.0 is one and the article from associated press, Virtual Tours offer trips through time with links to other projects is another.
If you are wondering why you might bother with Second Life, I think this should give at least a partial answer. I think this could lead to an interesting integration of collections of artifacts that will be digitized not just in the traditional sense of creating an image, but actually rendered in a 3-d virtual sense that would allow them to be embedded in virtual world simulations and manipulated as objects in the virtual space.
Friday, June 01, 2007
The first post:
Well, RUSA named Wikipedia one of the best free reference sites in 2005 and it remains on the combined 1999-2006 index: "This is an index of the web sites included in the 1999-2006 annual lists issued by theMars Best of Free Reference Web Sites Committee of the Machine-AssistedReference Section (MARS) of the Reference and User Services Association(RUSA) of ALA to recognize outstanding reference sites on the World WideWeb."
The individual RUSA site review notes the well-known potential issues. There are potential issues with any reference source, which users should be aware of and consider. That's what becoming information literate is about, in part.
To dismiss everything in Wikipedia out of hand along with any open sourceweb site in general seems almost bizarre, given the studies that have found overall reliability and accuracy of Wikipedia on par with more traditionalgeneral purpose reference resources, and superior in some areas.
That Wikipedia is not considered sufficient as a primary research source for academic assignments in higher ed is an entirely different argument with an entirely different set of guiding principles. Traditional encyclopedias thatare not open source would be equally insufficient for these purposes.
That doesn't mean, though, that Wikipedia is not an outstanding reference resource when used appropriately with an understanding of its strengths and limitations. Even in higher ed, it's often quite suitable as a ready-reference resource and also serves to seed further exploration and examination of original sources that are often cited in article bodies.
Over the course of a semester or year, students should be exposed to a variety of information resources, and they should understand when each is appropriate for a given purpose.
To take one thing out of context and condemn an entire category of reference resources that is generally held in relatively high esteem by manydistinguished colleagues in library and information science seems extreme.
And here is the second:
With all due respect, and I mean that sincerely, I don't think we can afford to be complacent about the changes that are occurring in online ready reference and the profound impact the read/write web has on our understanding of how information is mediated. Authority is important and students need to understand it. But it may not always be the best or only way to evaluate information resources.
Tomorrow, 5/31/2007 is a blue moon, say some. That would be the second full moon in a calendar month, according to conventional wisdom.
Today on NPR, I heard that Sky and Telescope finally 'fessed up about their complicity in fostering this wrong notion about the meaning of 'blue moon.' They tracked it back to an article originally published in Sky and Telescope that referenced an authoritative source (meaning that the sources were identified and deemed authoritative) dating to 1985. Sky and Telescope now spin it this way, "Where the authors, Margo McLoone-Basta and Alice Siegel, got it, no one seemed to know. Used in this way, the term was certainly very, very local before they included it in their book. It seemed never to have been written down before. Of course, authors sometimes "invent" information to protect themselves against plagiarists. Well, if that were the case they'd already lost, because the new "blue Moon" almost immediately entered the folklore of the modern world. It became as living a meaning as any of its predecessors."
Today alone, the Wikipedia article on Blue Moon [astronomical phenomenon] has been updated nearly a dozen times to reflect the new information. The article provides original source links to today's Sky and Telescope printed retraction and other sources reflecting scholars' interpretations of the phrase. There are a dozen citations and external links.
In contrast, searching Blue Moon in the University of Arizona's very expensive and restricted subscription to the Academic Edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica references 94 articles on the query, none of which has anything to do with the blue moon topic in question. Restricting it to the phrase "blue moon" narrows the field to 13, not a single one of which is relevant. Linked articles to the phrase range from "beer" to "Mel Torme" to "Credence Clearwater Revival."
Telling students to "just say no" to Wikipedia does as much good as telling them to just say no to sex or drugs. They're perfectly capable of looking up Blue Moon both in Wikipedia and EB, and they will. We can peer down disapprovingly of their naiveté and insist on academic purity, but I think we owe them better than that. If we don't address the current environment honestly, take the time to understand it ourselves, and work with students to help them navigate it confidently, appropriately and with the requisite skepticism, we've failed.
Students today need to deal with a sea change in how information is collected, stored and accessed. As educators and information specialists, we need to mediate, not castigate. Authority is only one metric used to evaluate information resources. Today's students are tomorrow's information workers who will be using wikis and other community-based information resources and collaborative software along with both traditional and 21 st century tools to build the next generation of information resources.
Let's make sure we provide them with the analytical and higher order thinking skills to manage and use them effectively and work with them to bring them to a level of competence as knowledgeable consumers and creators of society's archive.
What do you think? Let me know!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
"While at the National School Boards Association Conference the other day, more than one school board member came up to me, a tech guy, and asked, "We're trying desperately to find ways to deal with budget crunches. With all of these computers and access to online information, do we really need librarians or libraries any more?" more at http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/2007/01/29/who-needs-em/ and the requisite discussion and followup.
Put David Warlick on your short list.
These questions and more at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4992250387230373561
I admit to being a Twilight Zone fan and was watching it in my youth in original broadcast. I’m a fan and when there’s a TZ marathon, I’m there. OK, so I’m dating myself. I don’t remember this original broadcast (either 1959 or 1961, and to tell the truth, I was pretty young then) but then there’s Google and YouTube video to bring it back to us, legal or not. Watch it while you can ;)
This access point raises a number of questions. Even given its 1959 naiveté, still, it raises some issues we are debating a half century later, and how interesting it was anticipated that long ago. What do you think of the episode? What do you think of the idea that it’s important for LIS students to see it? What do you think of the notion that the only way LIS students might access it is through a video link that may violate the copyright owner’s rights? How is watching it replayed on Web video services different from Tivo’ing it from an obscure cable TV’s marathon and saving it? If I save it (legally?), how can I share it? If I’m researching topics for a paper, how do I find this, if not on a Google Video or Youtube site? You’re a librarian, how do you catalog this and provide your patrons access to it? Aaargh, the questions!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Most people think Google is in the Search business, but then, most people think Rolex is in the watch business. Wrong on both counts. Rolex is in the lifestyle business and doesn't compete with watch companies. In a way, it's the same with Google. Google is in the advertising business and don't you forget it!
All the talk in the click-through user agreements about being beta and extending some of the freebie tools for beta testers at no charge after the beta period is over tells me that at some point, the beta period will be over and it won't be quite as free. What are they up to? It looks to me like Google is taking a page right out of Microsoft's book. Hmm.
Monday, November 27, 2006
If I have some time, I'd like to put together a simple-minded search using the pathfinders and subject guide pages of top libraries as the restricted set of resources. If you get to it before I do, let me know.
Monday, March 14, 2005
In his March, 2005 Wall Street Journal Tech Column, writer Walter S. Mossberg inveighs against Google's Autolink, which changes the rendering of the display of a web site to facilitate additional search. His argument, basically, is that we outght to be bound by the author's vision of how the page should look. Here is my response:
Regarding your column on Google’s Autolink Feature -- What a strange argument! By this logic, I shouldn’t be blocking those carefully placed pop up ads web authors so thoughtfully provide, so the blocker must go. The sight and hearing impaired must deactivate their HTML rendering software, which alters the real-time presentation of web content with alternate text and links useful to them. I must not turn off picture, hyperlink and audio file rendering options in IE or Foxfire, all basic browser options today. That is what would be required, at least, if the faithfully rendered argument stands.
This article is highly problematic in that it leads readers to assume, mistakenly, that somehow the toolbar is changing the author’s copy of the page. Nothing could be further from the truth. The only thing changed is a particular arrangement of binary data on a temporary memory chip in my own computer. And I’m changing it by my own will, not someone else’s. It has absolutely no effect on how others want to consume this information.
And that’s what it is – information that I have acquired and may choose to consume in any number of ways that all copyright principles of fair use and first sale permit and uphold. I can, of course, parse the data stream with an HTML rendering software program (a browser), which is what most people do. I can also, without ever consuming it through a browser engine, convert its words to audio (a text to speech converter), erase or delete any portions I like (e.g. graphics that may contain hostile agents, or unwanted pop-ups, frames, annoying midi tunes and other questionable practices), or analyze it with an agent to extract key words and build an index.
While a newspaper columnist might wish this morning’s opus not be used as a bird cage liner, neither does he have the right to prevent his readers from using it thusly. Once I’ve taken possession of the copy, its fate is of my choosing. In much the same way, while a web designer may indeed have put as much thought into his carefully placed links and destinations as the columnist his considered prose, once the packets hit my registers and render my own personal copy, it’s between me and my processor.
Now if you are talking about someone unethically hijacking my browser without my knowledge or will, that’s a different story -- one that has already been written, for which at least one technological solution is to scrub, preprocess and render in the manner I choose HTML code in which someone has carefully placed links and selected “special” destinations I may not want especially to visit. Altering my copy of someone else’s HTML isn’t always a bad thing, you know…
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
The private sector has long complained that high schools do not turn out students with critical thinking skills and the kind of cognitive abilities -- such as communication, collaboration and problem solving -- that comprise an effective workforce. Colleges and Universities echo that cry and provide remedial courses designed to scaffold students to a level of performance prerequisite to success.
Presumably, students do learn over the course of acquiring a degree. The private sector thinks so too, and doesn't recruit SAT wizards right out of high school. So it is curious indeed that a high school SAT score would be considered relevant four or more years and 120+ credit hours later. Presumably, a college graduate with four years of college math would better a high school score achieved through perhaps less than exemplary courses and teachers who in many cases may not even have majored in math.
We are all looking for that magical assessment bullet. The one that provides a real measure of a person's ablility to solve real-world problems and perform real-world work. The SAT is not that, and wasn't designed for that purpose. Indeed, it can be argued that such a test doesn't exist. To force it into that mold is, in the end, an admission of laziness and an inability or unwillingness to expend the time and effort needed to evaluate and place individual holistically based on proven ability and work product.
And then the question becomes, who really loses here?
Monday, May 17, 2004
see also comments on this debate at http://www.weblogg-ed.com
An interesting thread.
I think the question is not really whether technology informs education, but rather how do we best assure that it does. In the real world, science, math, finance, international relations, and virtually all other disciplines embed technology intrinsically. Sometimes we forget that technology is more than general computing devices (pc’s) on the desktop. It is technology appliances, dedicated systems, assistive devices, scientific apparatus, communications infrastructures – all the range of 21st century tools.
In the real world, these shape the disciplines. Today, simple bookkeeping is not only computer-enabled but computer driven, and technology has changed fundamentally how accounting is done and what its impact on decision making systems really is. It is not so important that students learn a spreadsheet program, for example, as it is crucial that students achieve financial literacy. The spreadsheet program will happen if students are taught financial skills in a relevant and current context.
ICT literate teachers are an important part of the equation, but not the only solution. We need curriculum standards that incorporate knowledge of applications and tools within core subjects, not just within separate technology strands. We need policy decisions and leadership that value not just IT knowledge but an understanding of the contextual application of technology to solve real problems. And we need a unified vision that information and communication are the 21st century cornerstones of democracy – necessary for an individual to be informed and knowledgeable in the global village.
Friday, May 14, 2004
As this article illustrates, the notion that technology without context is insufficient to prepare students to thrive in a complex, global milieu of information, communication and change is universal. Clearly the measure of equitable access to technology in our schools today is not that of hardware distribution; rather it is access to information and communications literate teachers who can model 21st century learning for their students.
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
As this article from the Arizona Republic illustrates, charter schools are becoming a significant element of the K-12 education landscape. One concern I have is the issue of access to technology. Here, I am not talking about classroom PCs so much as integration with statewide infrastructure, availability of educational resources, and assistive technologies for special needs students. Many charter schools are not plugged in to the network of resources and technologies available to traditional public schools. As the charter school movement continues to grow, what do we need to do to assure all students have equitable access to 21st century tools and how do we manage accountability for state supported education efforts that fall outside the traditional milieu? | <urn:uuid:36f15252-a03c-43bc-8c67-acf39c1f1782> | {
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|Home > International Human Rights > Basic Sources|
|Title:||Universal Declaration of Human Rights|
|Description:||This document is an integral part of the International Bill of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948. The rights and obligations enumerated in the United Nations Charter were codified in the UDHR. This was the first instrument to really articulate the fundamental rights and freedoms of all people.
The UNHCHR web site provides over 300 different language versions in HTML, PDF, and graphical forms.
|Legal Citation:||GA res. 217A (III), UN Doc A/810 at 71 (1948)|
|EISIL Categories:||Home >
Individuals & Groups >
Home > International Criminal Law > Basic Sources
Home > Individuals & Groups > Social & Political Issues > Religious Rights
Home > International Human Rights > Basic Sources
International Bill of Human Rights
|Document Creator:||UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights|
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Launched May 2, 2011
Only a few months into the oil business and Ghana already has its Oil City. Takoradi, capital of the Western Region, has a new nickname and, if the boosters are correct, will soon be Ghana's boomtown.
On December 15th, 2010, Ghana became the latest African nation to join the oil producers' club. During a ceremony broadcast live across the nation, President John Atta Mills opened the valves on the country's first offshore platform, the "Kwame Nkrumah," and the oil began to flow.
Ghana's Jubilee field holds an estimated 1.8 billion barrels of oil and with several new discoveries and other offshore blocks looking promising, Ghana is poised to become a significant player in the coming years.
President Mills has promised that oil income will be used to promote economic development and that Ghana will avoid the so-called "resource curse." The country recently passed a landmark Petroleum Revenue Management Plan and many observers are cautiously optimistic.
But that doesn't mean the road ahead won't be perilous. Oil money will test Ghana's democratic institutions, and the government's response to the "oil challenge" has significance for the entire Gulf of Guinea region where "new" oil has been found from Sierra Leone to Angola.
In a series of ongoing reports, Christiane Badgley examines how oil money (or the dream of it) is already changing life on the ground in the Western Region. She also investigates the significant environmental concerns related to Ghana's fast-track development of deep-water offshore drilling.
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Keysight TestJet Technology White Paper
In the early 1990s, the testing of digital parts became problematical. Previous in-circuit test techniques sought to ensure a correct, functioning part by applying digital patterns, called vectors, to the inputs of the device, and monitoring the outputs of the device. If the outputs matched the expected patterns, the digital part was deemed to be the correct part, oriented properly, and soldered properly. This technique had two requirements that became difficult to supply by the mid-1990s:
Knowledge of the functioning of the digital part so that an appropriate set of patterns could be generated; and
test probe access to every input and output of the device.
The Keysight TestJet technique was patented and introduced by Keysight in 1994 after several after several years of research and refinement. It makes use of a property of most digital ICs in use in the mid-1990s: the lead frame, a metal framework that includes the devices input, output and power pins and their extensions up to the point where the silicon die is attached. The size and shape of the lead frame is fairly stable from device to device and vendor to vendor.
The technique uses an external plate, suspended above the digital part, and separated from the lead frame by the plastic or ceramic material of the device housing. The lead frame and the external plate form a small capacitor that can be measured by stimulation with an ac source. Each pin (inputs, outputs and power) consists of a part of the lead frame, and so each can be detected as a separate capacitance.
The property that makes this technique interesting for in-circuit test shows up when a device pin is not properly soldered to its trace on the board. In this case, there is an additional capacitor in series with the TestJet capacitor. This additional capacitance exists because there is a tiny air gap between pin and trace. This is a very small capacitance, much smaller than the TestJet capacitor. The series combination of the TestJet capacitor and this additional pin capacitor is smaller than either capacitor. So, the TestJet technique seeks to measure the capacitance at each device pin, and identify each pin that is significantly smaller than an expected (computed) value. A threshold value can be set for each pin to discriminate between well- and poorly-soldered connections.
The big advantage of the Keysight TestJet technique is that no knowledge of the core functionality of the device is needed. The technique depends only on physical properties of the packaging. It still requires test probe access to all device pins.
Keysight takes advantage of a particularly stable and low-noise analog measurement system in the Keysight 3070 systems to measure capacitance in the 0-200 femtofarad (1 ff = 10-15 farads) range. There is sufficient repeatability in the measurement to permit excellent discrimination between good and bad solder connections. | <urn:uuid:7a3fdfd7-d2a7-4f6a-a8a4-e2ecdd47728e> | {
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Myth #1: Fad diets work for permanent weight loss.
Fact: Fad diets are not the best way to lose weight and keep it off. Fad diets often promise quick weight loss or tell you to cut certain foods out of your diet. You may lose weight at first on one of these diets. But, diets that strictly limit calories or food choices are hard to follow. Most people quickly tire of them and regain any lost weight.
Fad diets may be unhealthy because they may not provide all of the nutrients your body needs. Also, losing weight at a very rapid rate (more than 3 pounds a week after the first few weeks) may increase your risk for developing gallstones (clusters of solid material in the gallbladder that can be painful). Diets that provide less than 800 calories per day also could result in heart rhythm abnormalities, which can be fatal.Tip: Research suggests that losing ½ to 2 pounds a week by making healthy food choices, eating moderate portions, and building physical activity into your daily life is the best way to lose weight and keep it off. By adopting healthy eating and physical activity habits, you may also lower your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure.
Myth #2: High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets are a healthy way to lose weight.
Fact: The long-term health effects of a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet are unknown. But, getting most of your daily calories from high-protein foods like meat, eggs, and cheese is not a balanced eating plan. You may be eating too much fat and cholesterol, which may raise heart disease risk. You may be eating too few fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which may lead to constipation due to lack of dietary fiber. Following a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet may also make you feel nauseous, tired, or weak.
Eating fewer than 130 grams of carbohydrate a day can lead to the buildup of ketones (partially broken-down fats) in your blood. A buildup of ketones in your blood (called ketosis) can cause your body to produce high levels of uric acid, which is a risk factor for gout (a painful swelling of the joints) and kidney stones. Ketosis may be especially risky for pregnant women and people with diabetes or kidney disease.
Tip: High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets are often low in calories because food choices are strictly limited, so they may cause short-term weight loss. But a reduced-calorie eating plan that includes recommended amounts of carbohydrate, protein, and fat will also allow you to lose weight. By following a balanced eating plan, you will not have to stop eating whole classes of foods, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables -- and miss the key nutrients they contain. You may also find it easier to stick with a diet or eating plan that includes a greater variety of foods.
Myth #3: Starches are fattening and should be limited when trying to lose weight.Fact: Many foods high in starch, are low in fat and calories such as:
- some vegetables (like potatoes and yams)
These foods become high in fat and calories when eaten in large portion sizes or when covered with high-fat toppings, such as butter, sour cream, or mayonnaise. Foods high in starch (also called complex carbohydrates) are an important source of energy for your body.
Tip: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating 6 to 11 servings a day (depending on your calorie needs) from the bread, cereal, rice, and pasta group -- even when trying to lose weight. Pay attention to your serving sizes. One serving is equal to 1 slice of bread, 1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal, or ½ cup of pasta, rice, or cooked cereal. Try to avoid high-fat toppings and choose whole grains, such as:
- whole wheat bread
- brown rice
- bran cereal
Choose other starchy foods that are high in dietary fiber too: beans, peas, and vegetables.
Myth #4: Certain foods, like grapefruit, celery, or cabbage soup, can burn fat and make you lose weight.Fact: No foods can burn fat. Some foods with caffeine may speed up your metabolism (the way your body uses energy, or calories) for a short time, but they do not cause weight loss.
Tip: The best way to lose weight is to cut back on the number of calories you eat and be more physically active.
Myth #5: Natural or herbal weight loss products are safe and effective.
Fact: A weight loss product that claims to be "natural" or "herbal" is not necessarily safe. These products are not usually scientifically tested to prove that they are safe or that they work. For example, herbal products containing ephedra have caused serious health problems and even death. Newer products that claim to be ephedra-free are not necessarily danger-free, because they may contain ingredients similar to ephedra.
Tip: Talk with your health care provider before using any weight loss product. Some natural or herbal weight loss products can be harmful. | <urn:uuid:faa58255-7c4d-4687-ba80-17cd5f822da0> | {
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The five members of the Romance series of sour cherries, released in 2003, surround Carmine Jewel, which was released in 1999. All are very dark and sweeter than the tart cherries produced in the United States.
Fruit production doesn’t get much attention at Canada’s 52° north latitude, but plant breeders at the University of Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon, are gaining respect by breeding fruits that are diversifying the prairie farm culture of grain and cattle and affecting fruit growers elsewhere—not only with products but with ideas.
Lacking protection from water bodies like the Great Lakes and hillside slopes to provide air drainage and frost protection, its continental climate is subject to the extreme low temperatures of below -40°F many winters.
Yet, this somewhat forbidding territory in hardiness zone 2 is spawning new varieties of apples, tart cherries (called sour cherries in Canada), and several kinds of berries, plus new cold-hardy plant materials for breeding programs elsewhere.
When University of Saskatchewan fruit breeder Dr. Bob Bors arrived to speak at the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Show in Traverse City in January, few growers were prepared for what seemed to them like a message from the Arctic. At 45° north latitude, the Traverse City growers consider themselves far north and able to grow fruit only because of Lake Michigan’s protection.
But Bors, who is located 500 miles north of them, told how he had successfully bred dwarf sour cherry trees that can be harvested with an off-the-shelf over-the-row berry harvester—something Michigan growers are just beginning to think about. Michigan growers harvest tart cherries mechanically, but they use trunk shakers that are hard on trees. Scientists at Michigan State University have just begun exploring smaller, bushlike trees that could be harvested over the top like blueberries and raspberries.
Bors came to the University of Saskatchewan as its fruit breeder in 1999. He took over breeding programs that were 60 years old and had been designed with the modest goal of producing local fruit under difficult climatic conditions.
“The first batches of cherries brought here from Mongolia had a kill rate of 90 percent,” Bors said. “To get some flavor in the population, the survivors had to be bred with sour cherry varieties from Europe. It took 60 years to find fruit that would both live here and taste good.”
The program has developed locally successful apple varieties, and six tart cherry varieties. It released its first sour cherry, Carmine Jewel, in 1999, and in 2003 followed with the “Romance” series named Romeo, Juliet, Cupid, Valentine, and Crimson Passion. Of these, Bors likes Juliet best for flavor, size, yield, early dormancy, earliness of bloom, and ease of mechanical harvest. In 2004, he wrote a manual telling fruit growers how to grow them.
The dwarf tart cherries are available for nurseries across Canada and from one in the United States—Gardens Alive, Inc., in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
The cherries are managed as renewable shrubs, much like blueberries where larger, older shoots are pruned out. Some of them are planted “sideways,” the trunks buried along the row with shoots growing up—much like the Upright Fruiting Offshoots Matt Whiting is working with in Washington, but below ground.
The program also maintains the world’s largest collection of saskatoon berry germplasm. Saskatoon is a blueberry-like crop related to apples that has been the number-one fruit crop on the Canadian prairies since the 1980s.
Now, the 200 or so prairie fruit growers want other crops that will extend the fruit season for them and at the same time use the same mechanical harvester. Bors is promoting a trio of fruits in which one harvester costing about $38,000 can be used on about 40 acres of fruit. Three or more crops mean less risk, better cash flow, and steady work, he said.
Bors’s work is focusing on the haskap (a honeysuckle with a blue berry), which ripens in June, a month before saskatoons, and sour cherries, which would harvest in August, a month later than Saskatoons.
Haskap and Saskatoons are bush fruits, hence the desire to cultivate sour cherries not as trees but as bushes.
Sour cherry breeding on the Canadian prairie began in the 1940s, and Bors agrees that he stands on the shoulders of others. Dr. Les Kerr at the University of Saskatchewan began hybridizing using selections from Mongolia and Siberia and crossing them with European varieties, emphasizing hardiness. Fortunately, the hardiest progeny were naturally dwarf bushes that could be grown on their own roots, Bors said. These multistemmed plants may lose wood during frigid winters, but the plants recover even when frozen back. Independent from Kerr, Dr. Stuart Nelson, also at the University of Saskatchewan began evaluating cherries he obtained from Siberia in the early 1980s.
Today, Bors, Rick Sawatzky, and Peter Reimer are using the combined collection to develop varieties with good flavor, size, and yields.
While the Montmorency tart cherry grown in the United States is yellow-fleshed under a red skin, the Saskatchewan cherries are darker red, some almost black. The Canadian varieties are sweeter, combining traits of sweet and sour cherries. While most tart cherries are 10° to 16° Brix, Bors said, the Saskatchewan fruit has scored 16° to 21° and is suitable for eating fresh as well as for processing. The fruit can be canned or frozen for use in pie fillings, baked goods, ice creams, and preserves, but Bors thinks that the future lies in dried cherries and cherry juice—much the same niche that is working for cranberry growers.
The same local processors handle the berries and cherries, Bors said, as well as strawberries and raspberries. “Farms up here average 3,000 acres in size,” he said. “Many of these farmers are willing to devote 20 or 30 acres to experimenting with fruit crops.”
Given the isolation of the prairie orchards, disease and insect pressure is very low. “Diseases are extremely rare in Saskatchewan,” Bors said. “It is not known if this is due to resistance or avoidance. If you can get fruit to live here, you will hardly have any insect or disease problems.” | <urn:uuid:eae0c6f2-fa00-46dd-b940-8040a476a9c2> | {
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After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States entered into an almost 4-year war overseas called World War II. Many young men enlisted or were drafted to fight this war. However, even those left behind in the states made deep sacrifices for the troops. The government asked families to only use small amounts of certain food items and supplies so that there would be enough for the troops overseas. Things like meat, butter, sugar, and gasoline, among other things were rationed. The country had just come out of the great depression and now they were being asked to sacrifice again for their country. I was told stories of people keeping their aluminum foil and reusing it. My grandfather would go fishing in the stream nearby for catfish, hoping to catch some supper. Other countries were doing the same. For example in England, there was a luxury ocean liner called the Queen Mary. It carried passengers from New York to England (this was before citizens were traveling on airplanes). It was transformed into a military troop transport. These luxurious rooms, think of a fancy hotel room, that used to have only three to a room at most now slept twelve soldiers. The beautiful dining room was now a mess hall. It holds the record for the most troops in one passage, 15,740 on one run in July of 1943. There were changes because of the war. Life didn’t just go on as usual.
Today, we couldn’t imagine keeping used aluminum foil or washing out plastic baggies to use again, or only filling up a half a tank of gas because we want to make sure everyone had enough or making broth and soup so as to not waste the scraps of meat and bone. We throw things away without even thinking about it. We plop down at our tables expecting a full, several course meal. If we lose something, it is no big deal, we will ask our parents for another one. Why are things so different now than the times I described in the 1940’s? The difference is our grandparents and great-grandparents had a wartime mentality and today, we have a peacetime mentality. A mentality is a way of thinking, how we view the world around us. The United States got a little taste of that change on September 11th, 2001 but many of you here don’t even have that tragedy as a first-hand experience. Most of us don’t really have to worry about the sacrifices of war. We have a peacetime mentality.
This week is our warrior week and I want to talk about the dangers of warriors who should be fighting a war, but instead, they are lounging around thinking they are at peace. No, I’m not talking about a physical war, although we as citizens need to be aware of the realities of the world and the men and women of the military who are helping to keep us safe, no I am talking about a spiritual war. Here are some things that show if you have a wartime mentality.
The first thing that needs to happen is we need to realize that we are at war. There are two kingdoms fighting against each other. We have an enemy who is described as a roaring lion, who devours his prey. Satan is our great enemy. When Christ came to earth as a baby, He didn’t come to give us a holiday so we could great presents, no, He came for war. He came down to fight. Satan didn’t just say, ok, I’m sorry, you win. No, he fought back and although Christ defeated him through the power of the cross and His resurrection, Satan is still at war. The question is if you are a Christian, are you? Are you at war with sin, the flesh, and the devil? It’s like a soldier in World War II landing on a Normandy beach and thinking he is here for a French vacation. No, grab a weapon and go take that bunker. Christian, you are here on this earth to fight for the kingdom of God. And the first battlefield is your heart as you must wage war on your own selfishness and pride.
Next, we are to subdue things. Genesis 1:26, 28,
“God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness’ … God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule …’”
Another way to think of it is we are gardeners who cultivate and prune so that the potential of those things around us can display their beauty to the glory of God. Your classmates that God has given you, are you doing things that allow them to grow and flourish or do you hack away and cut them down? Those books you read, those subjects that you study, do you allow those ideas to grow or do you leave them alone to wither up and die? A soldier wants to learn and grow to be well rounded so he or she will be ready for any situation, and a good soldier never leaves a man behind.
Third, denying yourself shows that Christ is your supreme treasure.
Luke 9:23-25 says
“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?”
Why is it you have no problem staying up late playing Minecraft or Fortnite but grumble and argue when your parents tell you it’s time to get up so you can go to church? Those moments, if you pay attention, tell you where your treasure is. Soldiers at war make sacrifices. They sacrifice time, energy, and even themselves for the greater good. We are Christian soldiers and we are asked to deny ourselves, take up our cross every day, and follow Christ. That is the wartime mentality.
Last, fighting the fight brings you true joy
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44).
When I was playing volleyball, one thing my coach knew would really get me fired up is when he thought I wasn’t practicing well, he would move me to the other side of the net which was the junior varsity side. Now, these players were working hard but they did not have the skill or experience that the starters had. Now I had a choice. I could stay on the JV side of the net and things would have been a lot easier since I was a more experienced player but would I have joy in what I was doing? No, the enjoyment came when I gave great effort and made plays that allowed me to earn my spot back on the starters side of the net. When I had the self-satisfaction that I was doing all I could do to get better and I was making plays to help the team that I experienced joy. How much more for a christian who is engaged in the battle for the kingdom of God versus one who is sitting on the sideline just watching it? The joy goes to the one who is in the fight.
We are at war. We are called to subdue, to grow our hearts and minds to reach our potential as humans. We are called to deny ourselves and make sacrifices to keep our focus on what should be our #1 treasure, and that is Jesus. Last, being in the battle, being a man or woman of action, brings joy. Sitting around and waiting, letting the game go by, brings regret and misery.
So, as Ms. Watson would say, let’s warrior up. Let’s remember that we are not at peace, we are at war, so
“put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” | <urn:uuid:5e812692-bfe9-4b78-9422-42f34a52fb73> | {
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Term of the Week: Software Factories
In manufacturing settings, a factory is set up to produce one specific kind of product. You won't see factories where on Monday the workers assemble cars, Tuesday they build dishwashers, and so on throughout the week changing products. The most variety you'll see produced by a typical factory might be four-door sedans and two-door sedans on the same line. Likewise, most workers in factories are trained to assemble very specific subsets of their product. While some companies have found efficiency in a small amount of worker cross training, an auto factory assembly line worker is unlikely to be both a welder and a skilled machine operator, although the frame welder might be trained to weld sheet metal too. The most visible things an outsider will probably notice in a physical assembly line are the specialized tools. You don't build cars with wrenches purchased at the local hardware store, or even weld with the same equipment a local repair shop might use. Every tool in an assembly line is custom-built to the specific product the workers will build, and usually incorporates a large degree of automation. Another thing you'll notice in most factories - they are assembly lines, they don't manufacture all the components themselves. So the auto assembly line will have long lines of trucks and trains bringing pre-built doors, engines, brakes, and other parts to the receiving docks for the line works to assemble into cars.
These general concepts from physical production lines - product consistency, specialized workforce, specialized automated tools, and componentization - can be applied to knowledge workers and even software development. Microsoft has dubbed the application of the principles to software development a software factory. Let's look at how each of these factory concepts is applied to software development.
First comes product consistency. We're already seeing that as there are many specialized development providers that have their preferred area of expertise such as health care or banking. Even within larger development consultancies, you'll often find formal or informal area specializations set up. Health care development is a perfect example of the need for this. With all of the government regulations and inter-related systems driving spending in healthcare development, the more experience a person or company has in health care projects, the more efficient they'll be on each new project. A developer who has primarily worked in banking many understand in general that regulations will impact his work on healthcare projects, but the developer won't be familiar with the specific regulations or business processes that are common to all health care providers and that's a steep learning curve for a new comer.
Next think about developer specialization. This is probably something you already see first hand. On any sizable project, you've probably got a person or team responsible for the UI, another for data storage, one for business logic, one for communication, and so on. Developer specialization simply notices that the same developer or team who built the UI for project A is probably the best suited to develop the UI for projects B, C, and D too. In many settings, this happens informally anyway, a software factory just codifies it.
In a software setting, the specialized tools part of the formula might not be familiar to everyone. The idea here is that instead of developing with off the shelf boxed languages and IDEs, you'll be more efficient if you build your own custom tools and languages for your areas of specialization. Those specialized tools themselves may be built originally from know languages (maybe a specific XML schema) or tools (a unique custom add-in for your IDE) but the point is that once you've built the tools, the tools will help you build each future application faster. We take a lot of the automation these tools provide for granted - with IDEs that build GUI components automatically or that provide drag-and-drop interfaces to connect to a database for example.
The last part of the software factory I'm going to look at is component reuse which is nothing new. And in a way, this is a recursive look at other principles at work here. But whether you are reusing components that you've built for other projects, buying pre-built components from another vendor (the factory-supplier model), or even using Web services to hook into someone else's pre-built parts on the fly, the idea is that you aren't building them yourself from scratch for each project. This embodies the other principles if you use the factory-supplier model because it says there's some other factory that's more skilled in building that component and rather than recreate their wheel, you'll just rely on their specialized factory and workers to buy the wheel from them.
There are some immediately obvious drawbacks to this model, and many of these carry over from the factory floor. Many assembly lines have taken to cross-training workers to alleviate boredom (and boredom leads to lack of attention and product quality and efficiency drops). Software factories will need to do the same thing as few developers will want to build similar UIs for similar industry applications for years on end. Likewise, attrition with lack of cross-training can lead to a hole in a key competency. A key supplier going out of business can be very common in the software industry and could lead to the equivalent of a parts shortage for a software factory.That is the barest essential look at software factories in a few hundred words. The full theory is much more sophisticated than my rough analogies and involves subtleties I won't get into here. The principal architects of this theory, Jack Greenfield and Keith Short, have written this book about software factories. (Disclosure: This book is published by Wiley, my employer, although I had no direct involvement with the book or authors.)
For further reference see:
Jim Minatel is a freelance writer for Developer.com in addition to working with Wiley and WROX publishing. | <urn:uuid:7134b645-58a7-499d-ad70-c463788f39d7> | {
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Home » State » British Columbia » Health Care » Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory therapists help all kinds of patients with breathing difficulties, from babies with underdeveloped pulmonary systems to elderly people with damaged lungs. Before starting work as a respiratory therapist, you must first earn an associate's degree or bachelor's degree from an accredited school. When it comes to schooling, you have plenty of choices: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2005, there were 51 entry-level and 329 advanced respiratory therapy programs in the United States. While studying to be a respiratory therapist, you can take classes in chemistry, physics, respiratory therapy, and diagnostic procedures. If you'd like increased flexibility with your schooling, you can always sign up for an online respiratory therapy program. | <urn:uuid:16d61719-9cb5-40e6-af4f-f5203c3cba07> | {
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Motivated by producer reports that pigs from automatic sorting systems move easier, Pennsylvania researchers wanted verification.
The University of Pennsylvania slaughter transport study, completed last summer, tracked 2,000 loads (about 350,000 pigs) to the packing plant. Pigs came from either conventional facilities with small pens of 25 head each (1,660 loads or 83%), or from automatic sorting barns with large pens of 500 pigs each (342 loads or 17%).
Kill sheets were used to determine numbers of pigs dead on arrival (DOA) and pigs that died in holding pens prior to slaughter. Results showed pigs trucked from automatic sorting facilities had a significantly lower death loss.
“Our interpretation is that pigs from large pens are more conditioned to walk and they see more pigs, making loading and trucking less stressful,” says Tom Parsons, a veterinarian and director of the University of Pennsylvania Swine Center.
Auto-sort floors utilize large pens designed with a central eating area. Access to the feeders is limited via a one-way gate that routes animals over a scale. A computer-controlled sorting gate automatically diverts animals to light or heavy sides of the barn.
“There has been emphasis on other reasons to go to this technology — economic benefits from reduced sort loss and less labor — but significantly lower death loss during transport is a welfare benefit that needed to be documented,” he adds.
If the study was to be repeated, there would be a lot fewer conventional pens, Parsons notes.
“Everyone is seeing positive effects with the (auto sort) technology. It's nearly impossible to get someone to build a conventional barn now. But there is some backlash about feed intake. Some pigs don't seem to eat like they do in a conventional barn,” he says.
Possible confounding risk factors entered into the analysis included season of shipment, producer, genetics and hauling company. Still, after accounting for these factors, there proved to be an increased risk of DOAs and deaths in the holding pens for pigs shipped from conventional systems.
In conclusion, Parsons and his colleagues, Meghann Brumsted and David Galligan, say findings from the year-long study demonstrate an obvious welfare advantage from fewer pigs dying in transport and an economic benefit simply from more live animals. | <urn:uuid:72b19ca0-75bd-44e2-91cc-b94e425e44a9> | {
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"The science is telling us that there are increasing heatwaves in Asia, Europe and Australia -- that these will continue, that they will continue in their intensity and in their frequency -- an example of what we may be looking at unless we take actually vigorous action," Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change told CNN Monday.
As of Tuesday, a line of wildfires nearly 1,000 miles long raged through Australia's most populous state. Already an area about the size of Los Angeles has been burned.
And last month was considered Australia's warmest September on record.
Australia is the world's highest-per-capita carbon emitter among developed nations.
Elected last month, Prime Minister Tony Abbott's Coalition government aims to scrap the carbon tax -- which went into effect in July 2012 under then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard Labor government -- and take what it considers direct action.
Under the carbon tax system, the country's top 500 polluters are charged $22 for each ton of carbon emitted into the atmosphere and it would have increased to about $23.40 next year.
The coalition's "direct action" plan includes establishing a $3 billion emissions reduction fund, paying for domestic green projects and exploring new carbon technologies.
Asked about the Australian government's proposed plan, the U.N. climate chief told CNN: "What the new government in Australia has not done is step away from its international commitment on climate change. What they are struggling with is not what they are going to do but how are they going to get there."
But Figueres says Australia's direct action plan could be a lot more expensive than pricing carbon.
"They are going to have to pay a very high political price and a very high financial price because the route they are choosing to take to get to the same target agreed by the last government could be a lot more expensive for them, and for the population," she said.
Yet the U.N. official urged putting a price on carbon.
"We are already paying the price of carbon," Figueres told CNN. "We are paying the price with wildfires, we are paying the price with droughts, we are paying the price with all sorts disturbances to the hydrological cycle.
"What we need to do is put a price on carbon so we don't pay the price of carbon," she said. | <urn:uuid:744164b5-4dd5-43a9-a6fa-a411a806e9df> | {
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What is medical marijuana?
The term medical marijuana refers to using the whole unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat a disease or symptom. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine.
However, scientific study of the chemicals in marijuana, called cannabinoids, has led to two FDA-approved medications that contain cannabinoid chemicals in pill form. Continued research may lead to more medications.
Because the marijuana plant contains chemicals that may help treat a range of illnesses or symptoms, many people argue that it should be legal for medical purposes. In fact, a growing number of states have legalized marijuana for medical use. Read more about marijuana-related state laws at www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/state-laws-related-to-marijuana.
Are Medical and Street Marijuana Different?
Most marijuana sold as medicine is the same quality and carries the same health risks as marijuana sold on the street.
However, there is interest in the marijuana chemical cannabidiol (CBD) to treat certain conditions such as childhood epilepsy, a disorder that causes a child to have violent seizures. Therefore, scientists have been specially breeding marijuana plants and making CBD in oil form for treatment purposes. These drugs may be less desirable to recreational users because they are not intoxicating.
Why isn’t the marijuana plant an FDA-approved medicine?
The FDA requires carefully conducted studies (clinical trials) in hundreds to thousands of human subjects to determine the benefits and risks of a possible medication. So far, researchers have not conducted enough large-scale clinical trials that show that the benefits of the marijuana plant (as opposed to its cannabinoid ingredients) outweigh its risks in patients it is meant to treat.
Read more about the various physical, mental, and behavioral effects of marijuana in DrugFacts: Marijuana at www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana.
What are cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are chemicals related to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana’s main mind-altering ingredient. Other than THC, the marijuana plant contains more than 100 other cannabinoids. Scientists as well as illegal manufacturers have produced many cannabinoids in the lab. Some of these cannabinoids are extremely powerful and have led to serious health effects when abused.
The body also produces its own cannabinoid chemicals. They play a role in regulating pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, body movement, awareness of time, appetite, pain, and the senses (taste, touch, smell, hearing, and sight).
How might cannabinoids be useful as medicine?
Currently, the two main cannabinoids from the marijuana plant that are of medical interest are THC and CBD.
THC increases appetite and reduces nausea. The FDA-approved THC-based medications are used for these purposes. THC may also decrease pain, inflammation (swelling and redness), and muscle control problems.
CBD is a cannabinoid that does not affect the mind or behavior. It may be useful in reducing pain and inflammation, controlling epileptic seizures, and possibly even treating mental illness and addictions.
NIH-funded and other researchers are continuing to explore the possible uses of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids for medical treatment.
For instance, recent animal studies have shown that marijuana extracts may help kill certain cancer cells and reduce the size of others. Evidence from one cell culture study suggests that purified extracts from whole-plant marijuana can slow the growth of cancer cells from one of the most serious types of brain tumors. Research in mice showed that treatment with purified extracts of THC and CBD, when used with radiation, increased the cancer-killing effects of the radiation (Scott, 2014).
Scientists are also conducting preclinical and clinical trials with marijuana and its extracts to treat numerous diseases and conditions, such as the following:
- autoimmune diseases (diseases that weaken the immune system):
- multiple sclerosis (MS), which causes gradual loss of muscle control
- Alzheimer’s disease, which causes loss of brain function, affecting memory, thinking, and behavior
- substance use disorders
- mental disorders
Read more about NIDA’s marijuana research at www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/marijuana/marijuana-research-nida and www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/marijuana/nida-research-therapeutic-benefits-cannabis-cannabinoids.
Are People with Health- and Age-Related Problems More Vulnerable to Marijuana’s Risks?
Regular medicinal use of marijuana is a fairly new practice. For that reason, its effects on people who are weakened because of age or illness are still relatively unknown. Older people and those suffering from diseases such as cancer or AIDS could be more vulnerable to the drug’s harmful effects. Scientists need to conduct more research to determine if this is the case.
What medications contain cannabinoids?
Two FDA-approved drugs, dronabinol and nabilone, contain THC. They treat nausea caused by chemotherapy and increase appetite in patients with extreme weight loss caused by AIDS.
The United Kingdom, Canada, and several European countries have approved nabiximols (Sativex®), a mouth spray containing THC and CBD. It treats muscle control problems caused by MS. The United States is conducting clinical trials for its safe use in treating cancer pain.
Although it has not yet undergone clinical trials, scientists have recently created Epidiolex, a CBD-based liquid drug to treat certain forms of childhood epilepsy.
Points to Remember
- The term medical marijuana refers to treating a disease or symptom with the whole unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts.
- The FDA has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine.
- However, scientific study of the chemicals in marijuana called cannabinoids has led to two FDA-approved medications in pill form.
- Cannabinoids are chemicals related to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana’s main mind-altering ingredient.
- The body also produces its own cannabinoid chemicals.
- Currently, the two main cannabinoids from the marijuana plant that are of interest for medical treatment are THC and cannabidiol (CBD).
- Scientists are conducting preclinical and clinical trials with marijuana and its extracts to treat numerous diseases and conditions.
- Two FDA-approved marijuana drugs are dronabinol and nabilone, both used to treat nausea and boost appetite.
For more information on marijuana and its health effects, visit:
For more information on marijuana and cannabinoid research conducted by NIDA and NIH, visit:
For more information on state laws related to marijuana, visit:
Scott KA, Dalgleish AG, Liu WM. The combination of cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol enhances the anticancer effects of radiation in an orthotopic murine glioma model. Mol Cancer Ther. 2014;13(12):2955-67.
Credit to : http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine | <urn:uuid:85a6aba7-cbda-4090-be12-f82b5ecb8d3b> | {
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Shakespeare and marijuana: important discovery or silly speculation?
Some scholars suggest that the Bard may have smoked marijuana for inspiration, but others are skeptical.
What do William Shakespeare and The Dude have in common? More than you might think, claims a recent report in the South African Journal of Science.
In an analysis of findings originally unearthed in 2001, Professor Francis Thackeray of the University of Witwatersrand suggests that the Bard may have been fond of marijuana. An investigation of residue found in early 17th-century tobacco pipes excavated in Stratford-upon-Avon, near Shakespeare’s home, found traces of cannabis and nicotine. Several of these pipes are said to have come from the renowned playwright’s garden.
These findings don’t prove that Shakespeare used marijuana or even that the pipes found in his garden belonged to him. But the discovery has led Dr. Thackeray to speculate nonetheless.
To support this theory, Thackeray points out a line in Shakespeare’s Sonnet 76, in which the playwright mentions “invention in a noted weed.” This could be interpreted to mean that Shakespeare used marijuana for creative writing, or “invention,” purposes, Dr. Thackeray suggests in an article for The Independent.
Other scholars are skeptical.
"I suppose it's remotely possible that Shakespeare and his family were getting a buzz from what they were smoking, but I very much doubt that it played any meaningful role in his life,” Stephen Greenblatt, professor of English at Harvard University, told Harvard Magazine when the discovery was first announced in 2001. "Alcohol is a much more likely stimulant for Shakespeare's imagination, and even that is probably unimportant.”
James Shapiro, author of the forthcoming Shakespeare biography “The Year of Lear,” describes Thackeray’s interpretation of Sonnet 76 as a “twisted and bad misreading” that “would earn a C+ in a college class.”
In Sonnet 76, Shakespeare is writing about his struggle to find new ways to praise the woman he loves, Dr. Shapiro explains in a phone interview. The term “noted weed” is widely accepted by literary scholars as referring to a style of clothing, and in this context, Shakespeare is using the phrase to talk about “dressing up” his language.
Furthermore, Dr. Shapiro adds, while Shakespeare would no doubt have been familiar with cannabis from reading John Gerard’s "Herball," a widely circulated botany encyclopedia, marijuana was known at the time for its value in curing ear aches and helping hens "lay eggs more plentifully” – not for giving people a high.
In other words, it’s unlikely that the Bard actually toked up for inspiration. So why has the idea surfaced time and again over the past decade, making headlines every time?
“It’s really hard to explain the nature of genius,” Shapiro offers as an explanation. “Nobody wants to read about Shakespeare working 18 hours a day, day in and day out. That’s not romantic … but that’s the reality.”
“If you ask me what’s extraordinary about Shakespeare’s productivity, it’s what he didn’t use,” he adds. “Neither tea nor coffee was available. No double espresso. Forget about the weed.” | <urn:uuid:0757503b-5b1d-414d-a34e-1d0242c296c8> | {
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Scilla(redirected from Scilla (plant))
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical.
(squill), a genus of perennial early-spring bulbous herbs of the family Liliaceae. The leaves are in a radical cluster. The flowers, which are mostly dark or light blue, are solitary or in a raceme at the apex of a leafless stem. The perianth is campanulate or rotate and has six segments. The fruit is a capsule. There are about 60 species, distributed predominantly in the Mediterranean region. The USSR has 13 species, growing mainly in the Caucasus. S. sibirica grows in forests, along forest edges, and in thickets. A number of species, including S. bifolia, S. hyacinthoides, and S. sibirica, are cultivated as ornamentals. Occasionally species of the genera Hepatica and Mercurialis are called squill. | <urn:uuid:3b415e72-d6bd-4efc-ab5d-ed3535b86cfb> | {
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Pessimistic Existentialism (pt. 3)
Theater of the Absurd
European films, such as those of Ingmar Bergman, Antonini, and Fellini have communicated some of the motifs of existentialism. The “theater of the absurd,” a phenomenon that began in France in the 1950s and came to Broadway in the 1960s, was another vehicle of existentialism.
The theater of the absurd gained prominence with Samuel Beckett’s play, Waiting for Godot. In this play, two vagrants pass the time while waiting for the unidentified Godot. But Godot never arrives. Godot is a thinly veiled characterization of God. The idea is that modern man lives in the absence of God. He waits for God, but God never shows up.
Beckett began writing in the early 1930s. His works portray man as an absurd and pathetic creature who lives in a meaningless, unintelligible universe. His best known novels include Molloy, Malone Dies, and The Unnamable.
The theater of the absurd went to such extremes that in some of the later productions, the actors would come out on the stage and utter unintelligible sounds over and over. They were saying (or more precisely, “babbling”) that man has reached such a degree of irrationality that even human speech is no longer intelligible. There is no meaning to life. Meaning traditionally is communicated by words or by pictures that are easy to understand. The new message was: Life is meaningless. It is not a symphony; it’s a cacophony. There is nothing that brings the universe together in a coherent fashion. Our universe is speeding away from rationality towards irrationality.
Religious movements also sprang up that embraced existential principles. Zen Buddhism was one such movement. It was the first significant penetration into Western culture from oriental religions. Zen is not pure Buddhism but an existential variety. In Zen, a person is to discipline his mind so that he can come into touch with his inner self. The person is to seek intuitive understanding of a larger “awareness.” Yet this awareness yields the conclusion that life is irrational. It cannot be found in orderly systems. God is one hand clapping.
William Barrett has written an important study on existentialism which is one of the best introductions that I know of for the layman. It is not light reading nor is it simple, but it avoids the technical. It is titled Irrational Man, and I commend it to you. In it, Barrett makes this statement: “When mankind no longer lives spontaneously turned toward God or the super-sensible world—when, to echo the words of Yeats, The ladder is gone by which we would climb to a higher reality—the artist too must stand face to face with a flat and inexplicable world. This shows itself even in the formal structures of modern art. Where the movement of the spirit is no longer vertical but only horizontal, the climactic elements in art are in general leveled out, flattened.”
What Barrett is saying is that the connection between earth and heaven has vanished. The vertical sphere, the upward dimension, is no longer the concern of the artist. Man is trapped in this horizontal dimension. (Does this sound familiar from our earlier discussion of secularism?)
One may see what appear to be bizarre forms of modern art. Consider cubism, for example. Look at Picasso’s guitars with their strange shapes. See a face with three noses or three eyes. We may respond to such distortions by exclaiming, “That doesn’t make sense to me.” The artist would respond by saying, “That’s because I’m compressing life and flattening it so that we understand that all of life must be understood on the horizontal level.”
In the film industry the existentialist viewpoint brought a noticeable shift in plots and storylines. It used to be that the drama and the pathos of pain and death were followed by a happy ending. When I was a boy the Saturday afternoon matinees featured the likes of Roy Rogers or Gene Autry. I could always tell who the good guy was because he wore a white hat and he won in the end. He was noble, virtuous, and idealistic.
Hollywood picked up on the existentialist theme and began producing films of despair. The heroes began to wear black hats. A new era of realism was ushered in on Marlon Brando’s motorcycle. The hero became an antihero. War was no longer glamorized. Vietnam had no place for John Wayne or Van Johnson. The Green Berets were no longer “Fighting Leathernecks.” War was viewed in terms of Catch-22and M*A*S*H. The ultimate meaninglessness of life was communicated by Antonini’s Blow Up and the Jane Fonda featureThey Shoot Horses, Don’t They?
The most obvious change in films came with respect to sex and violence. Here the passions of man were deromanticized. It was a long way from the “scandalous” suggested rape in Duel in the Sun, and the beach scene in From Here to Eternity to Deep Throat and The Devil and Miss Jones. Sex changed from an integral part of love to a base animal drive. Graphic violence made an obvious transition from The House of Frankenstein to Scarface.
The film Rocky seemed like an anachronism. For a moment audiences breathed a sigh of relief as some good news came down. The old American dream was rekindled by the Italian Stallion whose dreams and aspirations did not end in despair. Adrianne’s admonition, “Win, Rocky!” was a throwback to earlier days. The nostalgia went on withChariots of Fire, a study in contrast to the normal Hollywood fare.
Another theme that appears frequently in existentialism is captured by the German word Angst (anxiety). Modern philosophers have done extensive investigation into the human feelings of anxiety. These are not specific anxieties such as a fear of flying or a fear of heights or of closed-in spaces. Those are traditional fears that have specifications attached to them. The Angst about which the philosopher speaks is an undefined, faceless, amorphous type of anxiety which hangs over us and eats away at us. We can’t really put our finger on what it is that is unsettling us inside.
The most important philosopher who has dealt with this anxiety is the German philosopher Martin Heidegger. In 1927 Heidegger wrote one of the most important books of our century, titled Sein und Zeit (Being and Time). We traditionally use the word for being to describe the life of a person; he’s a human being. The German word for “being” is sein. Heidegger does not talk about sein. Instead, he talks about dasein. In German the prefix da means “presence.” It can be used to mean “here to there.” Heidegger doesn’t speak simply about human beings; he talks about human beings here or human beings there—here a being, there a being, everywhere a being. The idea that he stresses is that the life of every human being is defined by its finite boundaries, where he is. He lives his life not in the theater of eternity; he lives it in Philadelphia, Paris, Berlin, or wherever he is. We use statements like, “Here’s where it’s at.” Our life is defined by where we are. In the big picture, Heidegger uses another German word that is very graphic. He said that the reason man experiences anxiety and dread is that man lives in his finite boundaries as a result of what Heidegger calls the experience of “throwness.”
Modern man experiences being thrown into existence. We can go to our family Bibles and discover that we were born on a particular day at a particular time in a particular place. We try to convince ourselves that we came into being by an orderly process. But our experience suggests that the process was not really orderly. We feel like we were hurled into the world, just thrown into it. We had no choice about where we were born or who our parents would be. Our existence may be compared to a baby who is thrown into a turbulent sea and told to “sink or swim.”
Man has been hurled into an impersonal universe where nobody is at home. We are expected to carve out our own existence and live between twin poles of nothingness. We come from nothing and we are destined for annihilation. We understand this intuitively. It eats away at us; we’re afraid to talk about it. It produces Angst, a nagging anxiety about who we are and why we’re here. We are concerned about it, but we see no solution to it.
A final theme found in existentialism is that of freedom in an absolute sense. As Nietzsche’s Superman creates a master morality so the existential person must carve out his own destiny by being morally autonomous. He must learn to be a law unto himself. He need not submit to norms because there are no norms. He must have the courage to “do his own thing.” He is not only free to do his own thing; he is responsible to do his own thing.
“Authentic man” looks into the pit of despair, into the black void of nothingness, and sees that life is hopeless and meaningless. Nevertheless, he chooses not to succumb to it or surrender to it by seeking the safety of the group and its conventional values and institutions. Instead, he has the courage to exercise his own absolute freedom. He takes sole responsibility for his actions.
The courage for such decisions is a strange sort of courage. The existentialist calls it “dialectical courage.” A dialectic involves a severe tension, a tension provoked by an irreconcilable contradiction. Dialectical courage, then, means “contradictory courage.” It is contradictory because it follows a bizarre sort of syllogism:
Life is meaningless.
We must face life with courage.
Our courage is meaningless.
We are called to heroic acts of courage with the full knowledge that such acts of courage are themselves meaningless.
This is part ten of R.C. Sproul’s book Lifeviews first published by Revell in 1986. In this series we are learning how Christians are called by God to make an impact on culture and society. | <urn:uuid:e69ca458-f5f1-4fae-9a0a-8a0db7995308> | {
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Amla, or more commonly known as Indian gooseberry, has long been held as a “miracle” berry among health conscious people. This can mostly be attributed to its high vitamin-C content. Botanically, amla is known as Amilica Embillicus and is a tree native to India. This tree produces small yellow/green fruits that can be extracted into a powder packed with nutrients and other goodies.
If you’ve never heard of amla before, here are some of the benefits associated with this lovely fruit:
- It is an excellent source of Vitamin C and naturally occurring antioxidants. Those antioxidants have been shown to protect the body from damage associated with free radicals — you know those nasty little toxins that are linked to cancer and other diseases you don’t want anything to do with.
- It alleviates certain respiratory disorders. Have a bad cold or cough? Amla might help you fight it. Once again, this is due to amla’s high Vitamin C content which helps boost immunity and helps your body fight certain respiratory disorders such as chronic cough and tuberculosis.
- It’s good for the heart. Respiratory disorders aside, amla has also been shown to help with cardiovascular disorders. This is because this fruit is rich in several heart-friendly nutrients. At the end of the day, amla reduces (bad) cholesterol and keeps your blood and arteries free from debris and blockages.
- It helps prevent cancer. Lastly, amla has been known to restrict the growth of carcinogenic cells, effectively preventing cancer.
- And many more.
Do you see why people like to label amla as a “wonder berry” now? | <urn:uuid:fbc7ffb9-1678-4803-963f-8ec65b6568b5> | {
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For Immediate Release
All 50 States and the Nation’s Capital Join the World in Turning Out for WWF’s Earth Hour
WASHINGTON - World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
announced today that Earth Hour will be officially observed in all 50
states, uniting the country in the single largest call to action on
climate change in history.
Non-essential lighting in more than
3,500 cities in 125 countries around the world will be turned off
Saturday, March 27 at 8:30 pm local time. Of that total, 36 countries
will be participating for the first time, 58 nations' capital's,
including Washington, D.C., all of the G20 nations, and seven of the
most populated cities in the world are turning off their lights for
In the United States, governors from both sides of the
aisle, mayors, state legislators, government officials, celebrities,
business, religious and community leaders, university presidents,
teachers and individuals are joining together to demonstrate their
commitment to fighting climate change and creating solutions for the
future of the planet. Collectively, they will turn off the lights at
governors' residences and state capitol buildings, iconic landmarks,
businesses, schools and homes, for one hour, Earth Hour.
Hour sends a clear message that Americans care about their country and
the planet. By turning the lights off on pollution and climate change,
we will make the switch to a cleaner, safer and more secure world," said
Earth Hour US Managing Director Leslie Aun.
The lights at the
governors' residences and/or state capitol buildings will go dark in 33
states; Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,
Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West
Virginia and Wisconsin.
More than 45 national and local
monuments and landmarks across the U.S. will be turning off their
lights during Earth Hour including:
- Mount Rushmore in South
- The Las Vegas Strip in Nevada
- Niagara Falls in
- National Cathedral in Washington D.C.
Castle in Washington D.C.
- Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
Needle in Seattle
- Empire State Building
- Queen Mary Hotel in Los Angeles
- The Pylons at
L.A. International Airport
- Santa Monica Pier
- St. Louis
- The United Nations Building in New York
and Sailors Monument in Indianapolis
- Duluth Aerial Bridge in
- Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall in Alaska
Castle in Arizona
- The Wrangler in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Public Market in Wisconsin
- Chase Tower in Dallas
National Aquarium in Baltimore
- Sears/Willis Tower in Chicago
than 150 cities, towns and counties will dim the lights at buildings in
their municipalities including; Ann Arbor, Atlanta, Austin,
Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Honolulu,
Houston, Huntsville, Las Vegas, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando,
Philadelphia, San Francisco, Sioux Falls, Spokane, St. Louis, and Winston-Salem.
In each of these cities individuals, businesses and organizations are
participating in activities to engage, enlighten and spread the Earth
Some examples of how Earth Hour is being celebrated
in select cities include:
New York City Estee Lauder
employees are asked to turn off lights and computers today, before the
start of the weekend. The Grand Hyatt's (near Grand Central) analog
clock will countdown to Earth Hour starting 24 hours in advance. The
Great White Way is also on board for the great blackout, with all
Broadway theatres participating by turning off roof and marquee lights
for Earth Hour.
Los Angeles Earth Hour dining will be
in full swing at restaurants in the area including Euphoria Loves Rawvolution,
Lago's and Ocean & Vine's.
Additionally the outside, decorative lighting will be turned off at
downtown LA's AEG Live including the Staples Center.
Chicago, where ComEd is a presenting sponsor, nearly 200 downtown
buildings will dim non-essential lighting for one hour, including Willis
Tower, Merchandise Mart and the Wrigley Building. The City of Chicago
will be turning off the exterior lights at City Hall, the Cultural
Center and the Chicago Police Department Headquarters. Additionally,
dozens of Chicagoland restaurants and hotels are serving dinners by
candlelight including: Cyrano's Bistrot, Bistro Bordeaux, Harry Caray's,
Osteria Via Stato, Red Kiva, Nacional 27, Duke's Alehouse, and Kitchen,
C-View Restaurant, Swissotel Chicago and the Conrad Chicago Hotel.
University of Maryland has brought March Madness fever off the court,
joining as an official participating school for Earth Hour. The Inner
Harbor will be noticeably darker with the National Aquarium, USS
Constellation/Historic Ships in Baltimore, and Domino Sugar and Rusty
Scupper signs dimming their lights in observance. City Hall will also go
St. Louis Whole Foods Galleria will be turning
off the lights in the café for dinners by candlelight with a performance
by local musician Monica Case. The famous St. Louis Gateway Arch will
also go dark for Earth Hour.
Washington, DC A multitude
of hotels including the Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Fairmont and Westin
Grand DC will host candlelight dinners with dining specials in
celebration of Earth Hour.
Phoenix A couple will hold
their wedding ceremony completely by candlelight and torches at the
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort this Saturday evening in celebration
of Earth Hour.
Dallas Dallas is leading the charge for
climate awareness in the Lone Star State, with more than 30 buildings in
North Texas turning off their lights including the Bank of America
Building, Fountain Place, Chase Tower, Reunion Tower and Ferris Plaza.
Mile High City's famous INVESCO Field is going dark for Earth Hour. The
Governor's mansion and state capitol building will also go dark in
observation of this global call for climate change.
Francisco The Ferry Building on Embarcadero will go dark and
plans to offer "pedal-powered" music during an Earth Hour celebration,
with energy powered by humans riding bikes. They will join the Golden
Gate and Bay Bridges, Coit Tower and City Hall in dimming for Earth
Boston As Earth Hour takes over Bean Town,
buildings throughout the city of Boston, including City Hall, will turn
out in support of this year's event. The city's education community
also has jumped full-force behind Earth Hour with several local
universities, such as Tufts and Brandeis, going dark for one hour.
Vegas Visitors to Las Vegas won't be able to keep quiet as they
watch the lights of the world famous Las Vegas Strip turn off for Earth
Hour. Visitors and residents alike will get a chance to see such iconic
landmarks as the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign and Luxor's
shining beam turn out for this extraordinary event.
More than 45 national
organizations have pledged their support for Earth Hour and are
encouraging their members and local chapters across the country to get
involved. The National Education Association, American Federation of
Teachers, NAACP, LULAC, Youth Service America, 4-H, National Park
Service's WebRangers, Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots, Earth Day
Network, National Honor Society, YMCA for the USA, Building Owners and
Managers Association International, Unitarian Universalist Association,
and the United Church of Christ join the diverse group of supporters for
Earth Hour will be celebrated on many well-known college
- University of Virginia-
Non-essential lights will be turned off across campus during Earth Hour.
Local businesses are being encouraged to join with students and faculty
in turning out.
- Michigan State University - Events are
taking place across campus to recognize Earth Hour including a steel
drum circle performance, poetry slam, relaxation lessons and a jazz
- Universityof Phoenix - the online university
is encouraging Earth Hour participation across all campuses nationwide
and will be turning off the lights in Central Administration buildings
- Universityof Florida - The lights around
Century Tower and lights on fountains and on outdoor art installations
will be turned off from Friday evening through Monday morning in
recognition of Earth Hour.
- Wake Forest- Students created
Hour video to encourage participation on campus and will host a
lights-out event on campus which will feature a light bulb exchange,
free pizza and environmental games.
University - The University will host "blackout" and
"glow-in-the-dark" parties in residence halls and will feature a Battle
of the Bands in the dark.
Sports figures, actors and models
are supporting Earth Hour 2010. New
England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his wife
Bündchen, as well as two-time NBA MVP and Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash have recorded public service
announcements (PSAs) to help raise awareness of the significance of
climate change action. Edward
Norton has signed on for the second year in a row to show his
support for Earth Hour with a new video encouraging people to join the
movement with him.
and Twitter continue to be the biggest drivers of awareness and action
about Earth Hour. Facebook will continue to help raise awareness for
Earth Hour with a lights out profile picture and status message on key
Pages including Facebook, Celebs, Sports, Education, Facebook for Good,
among others. In addition, Earth Hour videos and PSAs posted on
YouTube.com have been viewed more than 500,000 times.
the largest global call to action on climate change in history, the
U.S. will be joined by more than 3,500 cities, towns and villages in 125
countries including; Athens, Bangkok, Barcelona, Beijing, Berlin,
Buenos Aires, Cairo, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Hong Kong, Istanbul,
Kuala Lumpur, London, Manila, Mexico City, Moscow, Mumbai, Nairobi,
Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Singapore, Toronto, Stockholm, Hiroshima
Countries participating for the
first time include; Nepal, Kosovo, Mongolia, Madagascar, Mauritius,
Czech Republic, Cambodia, Northern Mariana Islands, Tanzania, Oman,
Mozambique, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Faro Islands, Laos, Slovenia,
Lithuania, Bangladesh, Channel Islands, Cook Islands, Malta, Nigeria,
Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Paraguay, Bonaire, Morocco, Liechtenstein,
Uruguay, Zimbabwe, Samoa, Sri Lanka and Macau.
Great Pyramids of Giza, one the world's greatest symbol of the power of
collective action, heads up a list of more than 1,200 landmarks around
the planet switching off their lights for Earth Hour, including:
- Italy's Trevi Fountain in Rome and Leaning Tower of Pisa
Ben, the London Eye and Houses of Parliament in London
Castle in Scotland
- India Gate and Red Fort in Delhi
Falls in Zimbabwe
- Bosphorous Bridge in Istanbul
Castle in Salzburg
- Independence Angel in Mexico City
Tower in Paris
- Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
- London Eye, Table Mountain
- Christ the
- Sydney Opera House
- Burj Khalifa - The
world's largest building
WWF hopes that this Saturday's
event is just one step in an ongoing conversation and continual effort
toward creating a cleaner, safer and more secure future.
officials stress the importance of safety during Earth Hour, asking that
all lighting related to public safety remain on.
The largest multinational conservation organization in the world, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. WWF's unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature. | <urn:uuid:4e252ad1-2fa3-4e9d-a06e-94d6264a9988> | {
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You are a student of English Philology. The session is coming. You’ve planned to sit your exams in September, but your parents force you to finish the term before the holidays. Otherwise, they won’t give you money any longer.
You’ve got four days to prepare seven things: write two three-page essays, make a PowerPoint presentation, make one interactive multimedia presentation, learn for two exams.
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How long will you live? Check family tree
The secret to longevity may be found deep in the branches of your family tree. An intriguing new study completed at the University of Utah found that pioneer women who had twins lived longer than their counterparts who gave birth to only one baby at a time. And that, experts said, could help us understand aging today.
"There is something about how women reproduce that may impact their health in later life," said lead researcher Ken R. Smith, professor of family and consumer studies at the University of Utah. Smith and his team looked at just more than 58,000 nonpolygamous white Utah women born between 1807 and 1899 who lived to age 50. They found women who gave birth to twins not only lived longer, but were more physically fit and more fertile.
"The findings do not mean having twins is healthy for women, but instead that healthier women have an increased chance of delivering twins," said Smith. "It's something innate that could lead her to having a longer life."
Smith and his colleagues choose to study pioneer women because they are the perfect "natural fertility population." "At that time, they weren't tinkering with their fertility," said Smith. This was before modern birth control and fertility treatments. Also, women were encouraged to have as many children as possible, especially in Utah, where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints settled in the 1800s.
Fast forward to 2011.
What does this mean to you? Smith said if you have a history of twins conceived naturally in your family, it may suggest that your genes are hardier than most and that you may live longer. But he stressed that while the findings are important, "this is not a prescription to have twins."
"It's complicated. There are so many factors that contribute to longevity, health and aging," he said.
The study was funded by the National Institute of Aging and appears in the May 11 edition of the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
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by Michael F. Potter, Extension Entomologist
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
Anyone who has ever battled fleas knows how difficult they are to eradicate. Once a home becomes infested, control can be difficult, time-consuming and expensive. A flea-infested dog or cat can introduce hundreds of new flea eggs into the home each day. By mid- to late summer, pet owners often find themselves fighting a losing battle against established flea populations that are enormous.
A better way to manage fleas is through prevention. By taking action before fleas are abundant, pet owners can avoid severe infestations later in the season. Preventive flea control has been made possible by new product innovations and insights into flea biology. We now know that adult fleas (the biting stage) spend virtually their entire life on the pet, not in the carpet. Eggs are laid on the fur and fall off into carpeting, beneath furniture cushions, and wherever else the pet lays, sleeps or spends time. After hatching, the eggs transform into larvae, pupae, and eventually adults to renew the cycle.
Pet owners can break the cycle of flea development and prevent future generations by killing the eggs as they are laid on the pet, or by eliminating the egg-laying adults. The easiest way to do this is to take action before flea problems get out of control. Several products are available which are convenient and effective.
The “Pill” (Program™)-This product prevents flea eggs from hatching when administered orally to pets once a month at mealtime. Dogs are fed Program in tablet form, whereas cats are fed a liquid suspension mixed with their food. Different tablet sizes and suspension doses are prescribed according to the weight of the animal. When an adult female flea bites a Program-treated dog or cat, the flea ingests the active ingredient (lufenuron) which then passes into her eggs and prevents them from hatching. Program is dispensed only through veterinarians. A companion product, Sentinel™, contains both the flea control ingredient and heartworm medication all in one dosage.
“Egg-Stopper” Collars- Unlike conventional flea collars, these contain an insect growth regulating ingredient (methoprene or pyriproxyfen) which prevents egg hatch for several months. Thus, the overall effect is much like Program. Pet owners should carefully read the “active ingredients” panel on the package of the collar to verify that methoprene or pyriproxyfen are present. One such brand, the Ovitrol/Ovitrol Plus™ Flea Egg Collar is available through veterinarians. Retail versions include the Fleatrol™ Flea Egg Collar and Relieve™ Collar, sold in pet stores and discount chains. Once installed, the egg-inhibiting substance releases from the collar and rapidly distributes over the fur of the entire animal, killing flea eggs on contact. This breaks the life cycle and infestations never become established. The methoprene and pyriproxyfen-impregnated collars are virtually 100% effective at preventing new flea eggs from hatching for at least 6 months (essentially season-long) on both dogs and cats.
Spot-Ons- Another effective, convenient treatment method involves applying a few droplets of material between the shoulder blades of the animal. Two veterinarian-supplied products, Advantage™ and Frontline™, control adult fleas on pets for at least 1 month. On dogs, Frontline Top Spot lasts up to 3 months. Another ‘spot-on’ product, available through retail stores, is Biospot™, which contains the egg-inhibiting ingredient pyriproxyfen.
The best way to use any of the above-mentioned products is to initiate treatment before flea season begins, typically in the spring. By doing so you will greatly reduce the chances of developing a serious flea problem later in the summer. Any stray fleas the pet happens to pick up around the home or at the kennel will be unable to lay viable eggs. Breaking the cycle of flea development on the pet also reduces the need to apply insecticides throughout the living areas of the home. (Each of these on-animal products is of negligible hazard to people and pets, and there is seldom any adverse reaction with other petmedications.) Methoprene or pyriproxyfen-based products may need to be supplemented, periodically, with a topical spray or dip to knock down any adult fleas irritating the pet, especially if the animal is flea allergic. This should not be necessary with Advantage and Frontline. In any case, the occasional adult flea spotted on the pet will be unable to reproduce and soon will die off.
If you were frustrated by fleas last year, give this preventative approach a try. In Kentucky, the treatment regimen need not be maintained beyond November unless fleas continue to be a problem. Always read and follow label directions and the advice of your veterinarian.
For further information about fleas and eliminating infestations within the home, see ENTFACT-602, Ridding Your Home of Fleas.
CAUTION! Pesticide recommendations in this publication are registered for use in Kentucky, USA ONLY! The use of some products may not be legal in your state or country. Please check with your local county agent or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication.
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In general, compressors are connected to one machine that generates power. When this machine starts it has to generate about seven to ten times the energy that it eventually needs to blow PET bottles. This is an enormous cost as companies have to pay for this surge of electricity. We have developed a way to avoid this huge peak in current that is generated when compressors are started.
Instead of using one machine, we use two and connect them with a “virtual shaft”, this shaft virtually connects the two machines by using our own patented algorithms. By doing this, the two machines do not start simultaneously but with a time interval, one of the machines delivers about 60% of the necessary energy and the other machine delivers the rest. The outcome is that the starting currents for both machines are a lot lower, thus a lot more energy efficient when combined and this results in a lower total cost of ownership. | <urn:uuid:b151e0f4-7ba3-44ac-8607-093f104bf61b> | {
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From Dom Gueranger's Liturgical Year:
The Commencement of the Great Antiphons
The Church enters to-day on the seven days which precede the Vigil of Christmas, and which are known in the liturgy under the name of the Greater Ferias. The ordinary of the Advent Office becomes more solemn; the antiphons of the psalms, both for Lauds and the Hours of the day, are proper, and allude expressly to the great coming. Every day, at Vespers, is sung a solemn antiphon, consisting of fervent prayer to the Messias, whom it addresses by one of the titles given Him in the sacred Scriptures.
In the Roman Church, there are seven of these antiphons, one for each of the greater ferias. They are commonly called the O's of Advent, because they all begin with that interjection. In other Churches, during the middle ages, two more were added to the these seven; one to our blessed Lady, O Virgo virginum; and the other to the angel Gabriel, O Gabriel; or to St. Thomas the apostle, whose feast comes during the greater ferias; it began O Thoma Didyme. There were even Churches where twelve great antiphons were sung; that is, besides the nine we have just mentioned, O Rex Pacifice to our Lord, O mundi Domina to our Lady, and O Hierusalem to the city of the people of God.
The canonical Hour of Vespers has been selected as the most appropriate time for this solemn supplication to our Saviour, because, as the Church sings in one of her hymns, it was in the evening of the world (vergente mundi vespere) that the Messias came amongst us. These antiphons are sung at the Magnificat, to show us that the Saviour whom we expect is to come to us by Mary. They are sung twice, once before and once after the canticle, as on double feasts, and this to show their great solemnity. In some Churches it was formerly the practice to sing them thrice; that is, before the canticle, before the Gloria Patri, and after the Sicut erat.
Lastly, these admirable antiphons, which contain the whole pith of the Advent liturgy, are accompanied by a chant replete with melodious gravity, and by ceremonies of great expressiveness, though, in these latter, there is no uniform practice followed. Let us enter into the spirit of the Church; let us reflect on the great day which is coming; that thus we may take our share in these the last and most earnest solicitations of the Church imploring her Spouse to come, to which He at length yields.
As mentioned by Gueranger, there have been more than seven antiphons over the years until the number seven was established in the Roman rite. There are still some orders or rites that have an extra Marian antiphonA, the antiphon O Virgin of Virgins | <urn:uuid:9378ac93-d227-4e7a-9bcd-9e2765fc20b7> | {
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Find explanations for key health and nutrition terms.
Any substance foreign to the body that evokes an immune response.
Compounds in foods and beverages that can help protect healthy cells from the damaging effects of oxidative stress, a condition which has been implicated in a number of long-term health problems. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating electrons, preventing them from stealing electrons from stable molecules. Vitamins C, E and A (as beta-carotene), and the mineral selenium, as well as certain phytonutrients (such as polyphenols) can act as antioxidants.
A state of relaxed and expanded arteries.
A slow, progressive condition in which the artery walls thicken and harden, and may eventually block passage from plaque collection. This accumulation occurs with elevated cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol (or “bad” cholesterol), with subsequent chronic inflammation. Complications from a reduction in blood flow and decreased oxygen include coronary heart disease and stroke.
Also referred to as medical research, it involves any research activities conducted to aid and support the field of medicine.
Measurement based on a person’s weight and height (kg/m2) and considered a reliable indicator of body fatness. A BMI of 18.5-24.9 is considered within normal range. A person with a BMI less than 18.5 is considered underweight whereas a person with a BMI of 25.0-29.9 is considered overweight. A BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese.
Disease affecting the heart or blood vessels including coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and coronary artery disease and other arterial disorders. Often, atherosclerosis is the underlying disease process.
An important structural component of cell membranes in the human body. Cholesterol is transported in blood plasma by lipoproteins (LDL, HDL) and is involved in making bile acids (for lipid absorption), steroid hormones, and fat-soluble vitamins (including vitamin D).
Any mental process that involves symbolic operations, such as perception, memory, creation of imagery, and thinking, as well as awareness and capacity for judgment.
Hearty American grape with a thick, dark purple skin and seeds that naturally contain phytonutrients called polyphenols. Seedless grapes, like red table grapes, do not appear to contain the same quantity of these polyphenols. Concord grapes are one variety of Vitis labrusca. Concords are different from European wine grapes, Vitis vinifera, such as Cabernet and Chardonnay.
A protein found in the blood, the levels of which rises in response to inflammation.
Used by the Food and Drug Administration in food labeling, the daily nutrient intake recommendations to meet the needs of most of the population, based on the Reference Daily Intakes and Daily Reference Values.
These are naturally occurring compounds that comprise the largest and most studied sub-group of polyphenols. This group also includes the majority of phytonutrients found in the skins and seeds of Concord and Niagara grapes. There are thousands of different flavonoids found in nature and fruits, vegetables, and plant-derived beverages (e.g., wine, grape juice, tea) contain many different types. Several of these biologically active compounds help to protect the plant from disease and damage and they are being actively studied to determine their potential role in human health. Sub-classes of flavonoids include flavonols, like quercetin, flavanols, like proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins.
A non-invasive measure used to assess endothelial function (the function of cells lining blood vessels) by determining the ability of an artery (blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart) to relax and dilate in a situation of increased blood flow.
Atoms or groups of atoms that have one or more unpaired electrons. They are a normal part of everyday life, and are produced during activities like exercising or digestion (when our bodies convert food into energy). Free radicals are highly reactive, but our bodies have a natural defense system – so in small numbers, they are not a big problem. However, exposure to certain environmental factors like pollution and UV radiation can also result in the formation of free radicals. And, when there are too many free radicals for our bodies to protect against, they can set off a chain reaction, which in turn can result in oxidative stress.
A term used to describe the surprisingly low incidence of heart disease among the French despite their typically high saturated fat diets.
Often called the “silent killer” because there are few symptoms, high blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and given as two numbers, systolic (pressure created from a beating heart) over diastolic pressures (pressure inside blood vessels when the heart is at rest). Hypertension is positively related to the risk for cardiovascular events and is clinically classified by stages (normal, prehypertension, Stage 1 and Stage 2 hypertension). Blood pressure at > 140/90 mmHg is classified as Stage 1 hypertension.
A system of layered biological processes, which assist in protecting against infection and disease by identifying foreign substances such as pathogens or tumor cells and destroying them.
Part of the complex biological response to injury resulting from pathogens, irritants, or trauma, inflammation can be classified as acute or chronic. Acute inflammation is a short-term response and is critical for protecting the human body and maintaining health. Chronic inflammation arises when this inflammatory response persists and it has been linked to certain chronic health problems (e.g., cardiovascular disease).
One of the five major groups of lipoproteins that enable lipids, like cholesterol to be transported in the bloodstream. LDL is often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol because elevated values (> 100 mg/dL) are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Essential nutrients that the body needs in large quantities, like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
A group of metabolic factors that increase one’s risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes. These include elevated waist circumference, triglycerides, blood pressure and fasting glucose as well as reduced high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels.
Generally refers to small molecules that are the intermediates and end products of metabolism.
Essential nutrients that the body needs in small quantities, like vitamins, minerals, and trace elements.
A white, seeded grape that, like its cousin the Concord, contains natural phytonutrients. Seedless grapes, like green table grapes, do not appear to contain the same quantity of phytonutrients. Niagara grapes are a variety of Vitis labrusca grapes, which is the same genus and species as Concords.
A molecule produced in many cells of the body and involved in many metabolic reactions. Important to cardiovascular health, when NO is released by the endothelial cells of the arteries, it helps them relax and wider arteries allow for greater blood flow.
A common test tube measure used to measure the antioxidant potential or power of certain foods and beverages. A higher ORAC score means more antioxidant power. ORAC measures antioxidant power in a laboratory and does not test antioxidant activity or health effects within the body.
A condition causing damage to healthy cells as a result of an abundance of free radicals (or reactive oxygen species). It has been identified as a possible factor in causing some chronic health problems.
Plant-based nutrients (phyto = plant) that appear to have health-promoting effects, but are not considered essential for human survival. Foods containing phytonutrients include fruits (like Concord and Niagara grapes), vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and tea. Polyphenols, including flavonoids (e.g., flavonols, flavanols, flavanones, flavones, isoflavones, anthocyanins), phenolic acids, and stilbenes, comprise one group of phytonutrients.
The clumping together of platelets in the blood; part of the sequence of events leading to the formation of a thrombus (clot).
This sub-group of phytonutrients is found in a variety of foods, including grapes and grape juice, onions, tea, red wine, blueberries and certain nuts. They are often concentrated in the skins of fruits, and act as a protector from pathogens, parasites, and predators – in addition to contributing to the flavor and color of fruits and vegetables. Research is currently investigating whether these plant-based nutrients can also protect the health of humans.
Synonymous with free radicals, at low levels these chemically reactive molecules contribute positively to regulating cellular processes and gene expression. At higher levels they may cause oxidative damage to nucleic acids (such as RNA and DNA), proteins, and lipids and participate in apoptosis (programmed cell death).
This natural compound is a protector of plants that is sometimes found in the skins of deep-purple Concord grapes. This phytonutrient falls under the polyphenol sub-group of stilbenes. Optimal conditions for development of this phytonutrient include a cool and wet climate, without excessive sunshine; thus, the resveratrol content varies by grape cultivar, geographic location, and exposure to fungal infections. In early laboratory studies, this phytonutrient shows promise in supporting certain aspects of health, including cardioprotective effects and promoting immune health. Scientists became interested in studying resveratrol as part of the possible link to the French Paradox.
A measure that looks at the antioxidant function of certain elements found in the blood. This analysis is often done after the subject consumes a food or beverage with known antioxidant power.
Guide to Navigating Research Studies
The definition of scientific research is performing a methodical study in order to prove a theory or answer a question. The following is a brief overview of different types of research used in health and nutrition exploration 1:
1. Hulley SB, Cummings SR, Browner WS, Grady D, Hearst N, Newman TB. Designing Clinical Research: An Epidemiologic Approach. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007.
An observational study, usually a retrospective study (a study that looks backward in time) that compares two groups of people: 1) those with the specific condition (e.g., disease) being studied (cases) and, 2) a similar group of people without that condition (controls). Researchers compare these two groups of people and important characteristics, such as certain lifestyle choices, to determine what factors may be associated with the condition under investigation.
A type of study that often includes patients with specific health conditions who could benefit from receiving a new treatment. These studies can also be performed in healthy subjects. The end goal of a clinical study (also called clinical research or clinical trial) is to determine effectiveness and safety of a health intervention in humans.
An observational study, usually prospective (looking forward), that follows a group of similar people over time. The goal is to determine which factors and exposures affect the development of a specific outcome or health condition (e.g., disease) during the study’s time period.
A type of observational study, often given as a survey, that examines a group of subjects during a single occasion, or over a very short period of time. This type of study aims to describe the relationship between health-related conditions (e.g., metabolic syndrome, hypertension) and other factors that exist in the general population (e.g., dietary intake, physical activity levels), during a particular time period.
A type of study in which researchers simply observe subjects and measure the associations between certain characteristics (e.g., fruit/vegetable intake) and specific outcomes (e.g., obesity). Examples of observational studies include case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, and cohort studies. While these studies gather important information, they cannot prove that a specific treatment or factor affects health.
A small scale, preliminary study that is conducted to determine the potential for a larger study.
A stage of research that often occurs prior to trials involving humans. This type of research can help determine mechanisms of action of a treatment, or how the treatment is causing the effect, as well as help ensure the safety of treatment in subsequent human trials.
Testing performed in a controlled environment, such as a test tube or a Petri dish, instead of living organisms. In vitro literally means "within the glass" in Latin.
These experiments are performed on tissue (e.g., animal or human cells) taking place outside of the organism, such as in a laboratory setting. In Latin, this means "out of the living."
These tests are done on whole, living organisms. Technically, animal and human testing are two forms of in vivo research, which means "within the living." These experiments may be performed outside of a laboratory setting.
A study designed to provide the most credible information about the cause and effects of treatment. These types of studies are recognized as unbiased because they involve the random assignment of treatments to subjects being studied.
The tendency throughout any stage of research to generate findings that may not reflect "true values." In clinical trials, researchers try to avoid many kinds of bias, including selection by randomizing subjects, measurement by creating placebos and performing blind trials, and confounding by carefully designing the study and analyzing the findings.
Study in which subjects do not know whether they receive the treatment or the placebo, which assists in prevention of bias. Double-blinded studies are a higher level of scientific rigor because neither the participants nor the investigators know who is receiving the treatment or the placebo. A double-blind crossover study means each participant undergoes both the treatment and control scenario, typically with a wash-out period in between.
Study that allows researchers to isolate the effect size of the treatment by comparing a group given a simulated treatment (e.g., grape flavored drink) to those with the real treatment (e.g., Concord grape juice), which reduces measurement bias. The placebo should match as closely as possible to the treatment without containing the active ingredients.
Study involving participants who are randomly assigned to either the treatment or the placebo group, reducing selection bias. | <urn:uuid:1fa61dca-dd7d-40f2-9583-ab5512ffde3d> | {
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Definitions for incisedɪnˈsaɪzd
This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word incised
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
made by cutting; engraved:
an incised pattern.
made or cut cleanly:
an incised wound.
(of a leaf) sharply and irregularly notched.
Origin of incised:
sharply and deeply indented
cut into with a sharp instrument
engraved, etched, graven, incised, inscribed(adj)
cut or impressed into a surface
"an incised design"; "engraved invitations"
cut in; carved; engraved
having deep and sharp notches, as a leaf or a petal
Incised means cut, particularly with a "V" shape. It is a term found in a number of disciplines.
Find a translation for the incised definition in other languages:
Select another language: | <urn:uuid:edfe31cb-ae6f-473b-bd26-a1c7ebcc68f5> | {
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This note is the next instalment in a series of short pieces on Internet resources and tools available to researchers, writers and readers of Canadian military history. The author, Ken Reynolds, an historian with the Department of National Defence, also writes “The Cannon’s Mouth” blog.
"The “Canadian Virtual War Memorial” at Veterans Affairs Canada,"
Canadian Military History: Vol. 17
, Article 9.
Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol17/iss2/9 | <urn:uuid:d131abbc-6a1d-42f0-8213-e46366b55e83> | {
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Anti-pollution officials had two reasons to celebrate Wednesday: They launched a real-time app that lets San Diego County residents check their neighborhood air quality, and they officially confirmed that the region’s level of unhealthy ozone is the lowest on record.
The officials touted the app, which downloads real-time air-quality readings on smartphones or computer tablets, during a crisp morning outside the County Administration Building.
The app, downloadable from the California Air Resources Board’s website at mobile.arb.ca.gov/breathewell, posts hourly measurements on ozone levels and fine-particle pollution. The San Diego program is the pilot for an eventual statewide app.
Using a GPS location from a cellphone, the app keys into nine air-monitoring stations in the county to alert users to local pollution levels. It shows numeric concentrations for pollutants and a color-coded index indicating how healthy the air is.
“If you’re like me and maybe you have asthma, this will be very important to you,” said 4th District Supervisor Ron Roberts, a member of the California Air Resources Board.
Users can also set the app to default locations such as their home address or check sites they plan to visit. For example, parents driving to a child’s out-of-town sports event can see what air-quality conditions will be when they get there.
“For youngsters, if they shouldn’t be out exercising, their parents will have access to that information,” Roberts said. “In fact, the youngsters will have access to that on their iPhones and iPads as well.”
Also Wednesday, officials formally announced that the region had reached compliance with the federal government’s 1997 ozone standards after notching three consecutive years — 2009 through 2011 — without ozone violations. Officials had anticipated the achievement in December, and they said it was recorded in the Federal Register last month.
San Diego County is the second of five major air basins in the state to do so, after the San Francisco area.
Vapor-recovery devices at gas pumps, cleaner-burning engines and low-emission paints all helped to bring down the region’s ozone level, said Robert Kard, air-pollution control officer for the San Diego Air Pollution Control District.
Air quality is the best it has been since the air district was formed 57 years ago, officials said, even though the number of vehicles on the road has jumped nearly fivefold — from half a million in 1960 to 2.4 million today.
The improvements have reduced cancer risk from air pollutants by more than 90 percent, Kard said.
The clear blue sky marking Wednesday’s news conference was a departure from the orange horizons of his youth, said Roberts, a 61-year resident of San Diego. He said his three grandchildren enjoy healthier air than he grew up with.
Nonetheless, the air-quality officials acknowledged that there’s room for improvement, particularly at the county’s harbors and on its highways. The region remains out of compliance with tougher, more current ozone standards. It also will face stricter demands when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopts a plan to require even lower levels as part of its 2014 ozone-reduction objectives.
San Diego County will have to shift more commuters to public transit, move toward more electric and natural-gas vehicles and buses, and reduce diesel emissions. It also plans to provide electric generators for ships at dockside. | <urn:uuid:7c2eb49a-04ce-49b6-98a6-dff2c9395394> | {
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Canada warbler (Wilsonia canadensis)
|Size||Length: 13 cm (2) (3)|
Wingspan: 20 cm (3)
|Weight||8 - 15 g (3)|
The Canada warbler is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Frequently nicknamed the ‘necklaced warbler’ due to the distinguishing pattern of black spots across its yellow breast (4), the Canada warbler (Wilsonia canadensis) is a small, distinctive bird with brightly coloured plumage. It is also sometimes referred to as the ‘Canadian fly-catcher’ or the ‘Canadian fly-catching warbler’ because of its characteristic habit of actively foraging for flies on the ground (4) (5).
The Canada warbler has grey upperparts, white undertail coverts, and a bright yellow throat, breast and belly. The breast has a ‘necklace’ of streaks which vary in colour from black to grey. The width and darkness of the necklace varies depending on the age of the individual and whether it is male or female (2). This species is also noted for its characteristic yellow eyebrows and white eye rings, which form ‘spectacles’ around the eyes (2) (5) and are said to make this distinctive bird look somewhat ‘surprised’ (5).
The adult male Canada warbler has extensive black colouration on the crown and face, with a bold, black necklace, which turn greyer in the autumn. The adult female is duller than the male, with very little black on the face or crown and dusky necklace streaks (2) (5). The juvenile is generally duller than the adult in appearance (6), being brownish on the head and upperparts and buff on the underparts (2).
The distinctive song of the Canada warbler is clear, loud and extremely variable. It consists of one ‘tchip’ or ‘chip’ note (3) (7), preceeded by a rapid, explosive series of short notes and concluded with a three-note phrase, the last note of which is loud and rises in pitch (7). A ‘chyup’ or ‘plip’ call is also given by both the male and the female (3) (7), and a loud, sharp ‘check’ or ‘chip’ is given in alarm (7).
The Canada warbler is found throughout the Americas. As its name suggests, around 80 percent of the Canada warbler’s breeding grounds are in Canada (6), although this species also breeds across the eastern and central United States (8) (9).
The wintering grounds of the Canada warbler are found mainly in northern South America (4).
In the breeding season, the Canada warbler occurs in the dense understory of cool, moist forests, where it is often found along streams or in other areas near water (4) (8) (10). Although generally found at elevations above 300 metres (4) (8) (10), the Canada warbler may also inhabit cool and wet areas at lower elevations (10).
The Canada warbler prefers mature deciduous or mixed deciduous-coniferous forest where small gaps in the canopy allow shrub layers to develop (11). The shrubby undergrowth provides this species with plenty of cover in which to hide (10).
The Canada warbler typically winters in wet or moist, densely-vegetated areas in a variety of tropical woodlands (3).
The Canada warbler is a social bird, typically living in flocks (3) (4). It usually arrives at its breeding grounds in May (8) (11), although the timing of breeding varies with location. In Pennsylvania, the majority of nests with eggs have been found between late May and mid-June (8), while in British Columbia, the Canada warbler has been recorded breeding from early June through to late July (11). Individuals may return to the same breeding grounds each year (4).
This species nests in forest and shrubby areas, often alongside power lines and roads (11). The well-concealed nest is typically a rather bulky structure built close to the ground, usually among the roots of a fallen tree, in a cavity in the ground, or in moist thickets, moss hummocks, dense ferns, or anywhere with deep litter and dense saplings (4) (8) (11).
The Canada warbler produces a clutch of four or five eggs, with only a single brood per season (3). The eggs are slightly glossy with a buff or creamy-white appearance, and are speckled with dots of varying tints and shades around the larger end (7). The female lays one egg per day during the laying period, with incubation beginning after the final egg is laid and lasting for 10 to 12 days (4) (6). Once hatched, the young chicks will leave the nest after seven to ten days (4) (6), and may live for up to eight years (3).The nests of the Canada warbler are frequently subject to brood parasitism by the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) (7).
The Canada warbler feeds on a variety of insects and spiders, which are plucked from foliage or from the ground. It will often wait for insects such as a crane fly to fly past, before pursuing it in flight (3) (4). This species has been observed feeding from the branches of trees, up to four metres above the ground (11).
Breeding Bird Survey data from Canada and the United States has indicated that the population of the Canada warbler has declined in parts of its range (8).
These declines are likely to be due to forest succession, as well as the loss and degradation of forested wetlands, which are being drained for urban development and agriculture (3) (6). Timber harvesting has led to the creation of more forest edges, which are providing greater opportunities for the brown-headed cowbird to parasitise the nests of the Canada warbler (4).
Deforestation of the Canada warbler’s wintering grounds is also a major threat (4), with around 95 percent of primary mountain forests in these areas cleared for agricultural use since the 1970s (6).
In the U.S., the Canada warbler population is generally considered to be secure. However, it is considered ‘Critically Imperiled’ or ‘Imperiled’ in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio (6). This species is also considered to be a species of high conservation concern by the ‘Partners in Flight North American Landbird Conservation Plan’ and the Northeast Endangered Species and Wildlife Diversity Technical Committee (12).
In Canada in particular, as much as 85 percent of the Canada warbler population may have disappeared since 1968, prompting COSEWIC to list the Canada warbler as a threatened species. Adults, nests and eggs of the Canada warbler are protected in Canada under the Migratory Birds Convention Act of 1994 (6).
This species would also benefit from the maintenance and protection of suitable habitat (6).
Find out more about the Canada warbler:
BirdLife International - Canada warbler:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology: All About Birds - Canada warbler:
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
- Brood parasite: an animal that lays its eggs in the nests of members of its own or other species; the host then raises the young as its own.
- Coverts: small feathers concealing the bases of larger flight feathers, usually on the wings or tail.
- Deciduous: a plant that sheds its leaves at the end of the growing season.
- Incubation: the act of keeping eggs warm so that development is possible.
- Primary forest: forest that has remained undisturbed for a long time and has reached a mature condition.
- Succession: the progressive sequence of changes in vegetation types and animal life within a community that, if allowed to continue, results in the formation of a ‘climax community’ (a mature, stable community in equilibrium with the environment).
IUCN Red List (August, 2011)
- Dunn, J. and Garrett, K. (1997) A Field Guide to Warblers of North America. Houghton-Mifflin, Boston.
- Vuilleumier, F. (2009) Birds of North America: Western Region. Dorling Kindersley, New York.
Reitsma,L., Goodnow, M., Hallworth, M.T., and Conway, C.J. (2010) Canada warbler (Wilsonia canadensis). In: Poole, A. (Ed.) The Birds of North America Online. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca. Available at:
- Earley, C.G. (2003) Warblers of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America. Firefly Books Ltd., Buffalo, New York.
- Savignac, C. (2008) COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Canada Warbler in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa, Canada.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Birds in Forested Landscapes - Canada warbler, Wilsonia canadensis (August, 2011)
- McWilliams, G.M. and Brauning, D.W. (2000) The Birds of Pennsylvania. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York.
BirdLife International (August, 2011)
- Bonney Jr, R.E. (1988) Canada warbler. In: Andrle, R.F., Carroll, J.R., Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, New York (State) Deptartment of Environmental Conservation and Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology (Eds.) The Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York.
- Campbell, R.W. (2001) Canada warbler. In: Canadian Wildlife Service, The British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, and the Royal British Columbia Museum (Eds.) The Birds of British Columbia. Volume 4 – Passerines: Wood-Warblers through Old World Sparrows. UBC Press, Vancouver, Canada.
- Lambert, D. (2006) VINS releases report on Canada warbler habitat management. The All-Bird Bulletin, March, 2006: 3. | <urn:uuid:d10cfd31-c375-48d2-aa38-dc1209747ad4> | {
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With all the plans about long lasting space missions including that to the Moon and Mars NASA is thinking how to feed astronauts who take part in these occasions. There are several problems concerned with this one: food can’t be kept fresh for a long time; today’s existing way of space feeding includes freeze-dried “space food”, which requires additional spacecraft resources for refrigeration and freezing; and this kind of food is everyday the same.
In 2013, NASA awarded a $125,000 contract to Systems and Materials Research Consultancy of Austin to research 3D printing as a making food method. Now, the startup BeeHex has got $1 million in seed funding for producing Chef 3D printers, which use fresh dough, cheese and tomatoes to make pizza.
3D printing technology solves the above mentioned problems easily. The gadgets use powder (which can be kept fresh very long without refrigeration) instead of ready-made dough and tomatoes and mix them into further pizza ingredients. And also the Chef 3D printer provides printing pizza in different shapes helping to personalize the food. It will take about 5 min in the oven to get a ready pizza which is very good result in the requiring saving of energy environment. In the addition to this, the gadget is designed to automatically clean itself, which is incredibly convenient if we remember the separate nozzles adding the sauce and the cheese.
If you already envy the astronauts, there is a good news: BeeHex is adapting this printer for Earth as well! | <urn:uuid:32e8dfa2-4f0d-4d98-aa05-0b00e15fbdb4> | {
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Kabah is most known for it's Codz-Poop, or the Palace of the Masks (above). It is a building with an entire façade decorated with the face of the rain god Chaac with his long hooked nose. As is common in Puuc Mayan architecture, the wall was constructed as a jigsaw mosaic of hundreds of molded concrete blocks. The Maya had perfected the use of concrete as a building material and limestone, its primary ingredient, was abundant throughout the Yucatan.
The obsessive repetition of Chaac, "Protector of the Harvest", both here and at various other Mayan sites speaks strongly to the importance placed on this god, and of the scarcity of water throughout the region. With no cenotes found on this dryer northern side of the Yucatan, they were entirely dependent on the rain. Here they often built chultunes, which were reservoirs to collect rain water. They also constructed geometric drainage systems of canals to help irrigate the land. In spite of these innovations, by the 11th century this and the surrounding Puuc sites had all but been abandoned, with drought suspected as a primary cause of their decline.
This relief depicts a dominated enemy about to be killed by his captors, likely as a tribute to some prior battle. Unfortunately, the hieroglyphs above this piece, intended to track the dates and details of the event, have since been damaged. | <urn:uuid:0139577b-35b3-4026-b944-9a1a5c39e6af> | {
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Radiometric dating of sediments aruba love dating
However, although we can measure many things about a rock, we cannot directly measure its age.For example, we can measure its mass, its volume, its colour, the minerals in it, their size and the way they are arranged.Recent work has also established that conodont colour alteration indices (CAI) are useful guides to diagenetic temperatures and hence burial depth2.Fission tracks3 in conodonts allow measurement of uranium concentrations and estimates of 'age' to be made using isotopic methods4.Particularly, SIT results, without additional assumptions, cannot contain any statistically significant difference with respect to the exact solutions consisting in intervals of constant SAR or constant fluxes (both being consistent with the reference points).Therefore, there is not any benefit in its use as a dating tool without the explicit introduction of additional restrictive assumptions about fluxes, SAR and/or their interrelationship. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.
Regardless of the particular assumptions about fluxes, sedimentation rates and the diffusion term, all models assume ideal deposition as a boundary condition at the sediment water interface, i.e.
The maximum MAR values ( 2 g cm−2 y−1) were found in the region adjacent to the Magra River mouth and outside the Gulf of La Spezia (0.9 ± 0.1 g cm−2 y−1 at St. Results from 137Cs / 210Pbxs ratios calculated in Surface Mixed Layers (SMLs) evidenced the coastal boundaries of the Magra River depositional area, which is very limited towards south.
Differently, in the north-west sector, fine sediments are generally driven by the Ligurian Current and move towards north-west: at the deepest and most distant station from the River mouth, the MAR value is the lowest one in the study area.
ABSTRACT: After half a century, the use of unsupported 210Pb (210Pbexc) is still far off from being a well established dating tool for recent sediments with widespread applicability.
Recent results from the statistical analysis of time series of fluxes, mass sediment accumulation rates (SAR), and initial activities, derived from varved sediments, place serious constraints to the assumption of constant fluxes, which is widely used in dating models.
The Sediment Isotope Tomography (SIT) model, under the assumption of non post-depositional redistribution, is used for dating recent sediments in scenarios in that fluxes and SAR are uncorrelated and both vary with time. | <urn:uuid:dfada367-77f1-4d7c-a818-50764e050aa0> | {
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Young learner classes at our school are mostly organised by age. This means there can be quite a range of abilities, and differentiation* is an important part of planning. I generally find that our materials can be a bit on the tough side for my class, so I’m used to providing more support rather than extension tasks.
Here’s an example of how I supported my young learners in class last week. We were studying celebrations. I produced lots of short reading texts about different festivals/events and displayed these around the room. I’d made a couple of words in each text bold. Students did a vocabulary matching task, here’s part of it…
Note the HELP box. If students felt they needed more help they could move the box. There was a clue underneath telling them which text the word appeared in (e.g. ‘Text A’). This meant their choice was narrowed down to two words.
For students who wanted more challenge I provided the text without the words in bold. It wasn’t a lot more planning and there was always support for them around the room if needed. I have a couple of REALLY strong learners – they needed an extension task. For them I made sure there were some extra (distractor) words in bold in the texts – they wrote/discuss meanings for these or looked them up in a dictionary if they weren’t sure.
I do this type of activity for reviews too. When I ask students to recall vocabulary I often put clues around the room – sometimes in envelopes or just a folded piece of paper. If learners (normally working in pairs or groups) feel they need help they can read the clue.
Why did I do things this way?
It’s not just about supporting or extending learners. Ideally, I want my students to become more self-aware – to recognise what they can do, take support if they feel they need it, and to decide what is the right challenge for them. By letting them choose their level of challenge they take more control and reflect on their own ability.
Does it work in practice?
Honestly? Well, it didn’t at the start of the year, but it works better now. My learners did need quite a bit of training and encouragement to do this. They tended to approach tasks thinking more about the goal than the process, so at first they would always opt for support to race through things! This was my fault I think for not helping them understand why this ‘choice of challenge’ was important. As the year has gone on, and after plenty of reflection and guidance, I think they’ve got it. Just about…
Feature image: Florida International University | <urn:uuid:1b517e1e-9846-477a-84ec-0c0e46709145> | {
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Dental decay can lead to serious problems, such as infection, bone and nerve damage, tooth loss, and in some serious cases, infection can spread to other parts of the body. Here, Pismo Beach dentist Dr. Perry Patel, D.D.S., shares tips on how to prevent tooth decay:
How do cavities form?
There is a constant battle going on inside the mouth every day, between plaque and sugars and natural saliva. Things that dry out the mouth, such as smoking or drinking alcohol, are particularly harmful for teeth.
When a tooth is exposed to acid, such as in foods and drinks, the enamel can break down and tooth decay will begin to form. The good news though is that tooth decay, if caught early, can be reversed. Enamel can repair itself with salvia, aided by toothpastes and dental cleaning.
What is the difference between tooth decay and cavities?
The same thing causes cavities, tooth decay, and caries. They are simply different stages of decay. Tooth decay is the layman's term for caries. Caries are infectious diseases that result in permanent damage to the tooth. As tooth decay or caries form and deepen into the tooth, they form a mushroom shaped cavity in the tooth, hence the name cavity.
What is the best way to prevent tooth decay?
Avoiding certain foods, especially sugars and starches, is a great way to prevent tooth decay. Fruit juices and sodas are some of the worst offenders.
Some other tips to help prevent tooth decay:
- Always brush your teeth after eating or drinking.
- Visit a great dentist, such as Pismo Beach dentist Dr. Perry Patel, twice per year for cleanings.
- Make sure that all cavities are properly taken care of. Infection can spread to other teeth.
- Avoid snacking, especially on starchy or sugary foods or drinks.
- Consider dental sealants.
- Ask about antibacterial treatments. This is effective for people who may be particularly prone to tooth decay.
About Perry Patel, DDS
Perry Patel, DDS, is the premiere Pismo Beach dentist. Originally from London, England, Patel and his family moved to San Luis Obispo in 1984. He earned a bachelors degree from UCLA, and then continued to the UCLA school of dentistry.
Patel is passionate about contining his dental education and commitment to excellence. He attends seminars and frequent supplemental training to make sure that the care that he provides in his dental office is top-of-the-line.
Visit Perry Patel, DDS, today, at 901 North Oak Park Boulevard, in Pismo Beach. Call today at (805) 489-4761.
Press release by Paso Robles SEO and online marketing firm Access Publishing, publisher of the San Luis Obispo County Visitors Guide, 806 9th Street, #2D, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 226-9890.
Perry Patel DDS
901 North Oak Park Blvd.
Pismo Beach, CA 93449 | <urn:uuid:9e26cb3c-d152-476b-ba96-753058233197> | {
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Encyclopedia of Ethics. Lawrence and
Charlotte Becker, eds. 2nd edition. Garland 1998
Until recently, philosophers took little interest in medical practice or physicians' codes of ethics. Since the 1960's, however, they have joined physicians, theologians, and lawyers in founding journals, research centers, hospital and medical school committees, departments, programs, and special degrees in medical ethics, primarily in North America but increasingly world-wide. This exponential growth invites differentiation of medical ethics (primarily, physician-centered) and health care ethics (including nurses and other healthcare providers), clinical ethics (focused on hospital case decisions with the aid of diverse committees and consultants), and bioethics (including general issues of reproduction, fair distribution of organs and other scarce life-saving resources, and protection of the biosphere).
Principal topics in medical ethics include: physicians paternalistic deceptions and violations of patient confidentiality; the rights of patients or their surrogates to refuse life-sustaining treatments or request assistance in dying; drug experiments on children, demented or dying patients, and other incompetent or desperate patients; bias-free definitions of health, death, disease, and futility of treatment; removing viable organs from patients who are brain dead or in cardiac arrest; grounds for fetal testing, selection, and abortion; involuntary hospitalization and treatment of mentally disturbed people; conflicts of interest between physicians and their employers and third-party payers, public and private.
Physician-philosopher collaboration on this range of topics has posed meta-ethical questions about the role of professional codes, religious principles, ethical theories and principles, committee consensus, clinical experience, and moral intuitions in the analysis and decision of clinical cases. As clinicians increasingly share or preempt medical ethics teaching in medical schools, the issue of appropriate philosophical training has arisen.
Physicians and Patients
Traditional medical oaths and codes prescribe a physician's character, motives, and duties. Typically they portray ideal physicians as devoted to the welfare of patients and to advancement of the medical profession and medical knowledge, responding compassionately to the suffering of patients, humbly mindful of the limits of their curative powers and the harms they may unintentionally cause. The Hippocratic injunction "Strive to help, but above all, do no harm" is the ruling maxim. In current discussion, this maxim has been codified in oft-cited "principles of nonmaleficence and beneficence."
Although still supported by religious texts and medical tradition, this ideal physician is increasingly criticized as "paternalistic," too willing to act on judgments of a patient's best interests without the patient's knowledge or consent. To treat without consulting a patient is to assume that a patient does or should share one's own assessment of the risks, benefits, and burdens of treatment. But current hospital specialists, it is said, rarely know their patients (or themselves) well enough to make this assumption without serious risk of ignorant arrogance. Given hospital hierarchies, such paternalistic physicians are seen to resemble Victorian patriarchs.
Some physicians reject such criticism as intervention by lawyers, philosophers, feminists, and other social critics ignorant of the realities of medical and hospital life. But the "neo-paternalists" admit that physicians should attend more carefully to a patient's desires and to give them greater weight in arriving at a treatment of choice. Unmollified critics, however, continue to insist that treatment choice belongs to the patient, however imprudent, and not to the physician, however attentive and knowing. to curb Hippocratic paternalism they define a range of patients' specific rights to be told about, and choose among, alternative treatments, including a right to refuse all, even life-saving treatment.
These rights confer adult status on patients whom paternalists regard as children, replacing quasi-familial with quasi-legal relations. A patient's "free and informed consent" reflects an implicit therapeutic contract, defined and reviewed as treatment proceeds. A physician who treats without such consent is not a patriarch, but a batterer. Less litigously, these rights define a "principle of autonomy" traced to Kantian notions of respect for persons and inherent human dignity.
Attempts to apply this principle have raised questions of scope: Is a patient's "free and informed consent" needed for routine procedures with slight or rare risks? Is consent required if a patient would, in the physician's judgment, be "medically harmed" by information about diagnosis and prognosis? Are refusals to be honored even if patients risk death, as do surgical patients religiously opposed to blood transfusion? Does the principle (contra Kant) cover voluntary euthanasia? Can children or mentally ill patients give informed consent at least for some procedures? Can parents or other surrogates give or refuse "substituted" consent when a patient is too ill to consider the options or to speak.
Whatever the scope of a principle of patient autonomy, this challenge to paternalism has shifted the categories of concern. Physicians' power, not their character, has become the issue. Consequently, "Who is to decide?" has become more pressing than "What is to be done?" Proper procedure has become as important, in medical ethics, as correct conclusions.
Physicians and Institutions
These shifts reflect changes in medical practice from home and office to hospital and clinic. Physicians have become members of teams treating patients in institutions governed by internal routines and external guidelines from government, insurers, and corporate owners (and, secondarily, religious authorities in some instances). Increasingly decisions are delegated to "bioethics committees" which include nurses, lawyers, social workers, chaplains, philosophers, citizen representatives, patient advocates, and other non-physicians. Even if physicians dominate these care teams and hospital committees, their moral virtues or religious faith no longer confer moral authority. Any decisions must be articulate, defensible for both content and procedure and often, even in religious medical centers, by secular considerations.
Among specific institutional and procedural questions are: On what grounds (and by whom) are patients to be judged "decisionally incompetent"? How are surrogates for the incompetent patient to be chosen and their "substituted judgments" to be assessed? Should candidates for organ transplants be selected by committee, and, if so, who should sit on these committees? Should scarce or costly hospital resources be allocated by medical benefit alone? Or should quality of life, social desert or worth, or age be taken into account? When should allocation be decided by a policy of first come, first served or other chance mechanisms? Is the goal of profit-maximization by which corporations define their fiduciary responsibility to shareholders reconcilable with the goals of insuring or providing adequate care to a range of patients with a variety of ailments?
Physicians and Society
These clinical or micro-matters lead to larger issues of medicine as a public good, publicly supported and allocated. The increasing scope and costs of hospital medicine have prompted restraint and rationing in matters of drug prescriptions, elective surgery, in-patient hospital stays, out-patient services. In response, philosophers have proposed contractarian and natural law rationales for age-relative distributions, as well as utilitarian analyses of cost-efficient allocations of treatment and research funds.
These macro-issues raise questions about physician's social and political responsibilities. Most physicians recognize narrow public health and safety obligations to report a patient's communicable diseases, gunshot wounds, signs of child abuse, or serious violent intentions socially motivated exceptions to traditional pledges of confidentiality. But what of obligations to work toward a more just system of healthcare? Such a system might well limit both physician income and professional choices even more than current corporate organization of medical care in the United States. Physicians might, for example, be less free to refuse poor or poorly insured patients. Physician autonomy would become subject to a redefined, or renewed "social contract" between the profession and the society which educates, licenses, and grants its various privileges. (General professional ethics addresses such contracts and privileges.)
As these social issues emerge, medical ethics becomes less focused on the doctor at the bedside. Relationships between doctor and patient are increasingly linked with those between doctor and hospital, hospital and insurer or corporate owners and stockholders, and the ill and the healthy members of society, the rich and the poor. In short, the field has become less iatrocentric, expanding into the larger domain of health care ethics and clinical ethics.
Metaethical and Pedagogic Issues
Medical centers are a primary context for medical ethics, as well as medical care. Whether physicians, philosophers, or theologians, most medical ethicists are primarily based in medical schools and teaching hospitals, and their principal audiences are (apart from one another) medical students and residents. This setting partially explains the primary role of actual case analysis in medical ethics, by contrast with much ethical writing. Physicians and nurses have little patience with the theoretical dialectic or fanciful test-cases that constitute much current secular ethics.
Nor do they readily accept the main theoretical alternatives. The Kantian ideal of persons as rational ends-in-themselves is hard to reconcile with the reality of patients whose mature judgment, sense of self and self-interests, and dignity are subverted by illness. Likewise, the scope of the Hippocratic maxim, "Strive to help but above all, do no harm" is far narrower than the Utilitarian principle, "Everyone counts for one and no more than one." Some physicians will give some weight to the welfare of a patient's family, hospital staff, or future patients (e.g. in drug trials unlikely to benefit current patients), but they will almost certainly ignore the friends, heirs or employers who may be seriously affected by treatment decisions.
In the light of practitioners' resistance, some medical ethicists have forsaken ethical theories that have a single, dominant principle in favor of the jurists tactic of "balancing" several unranked principles. Decisions are to be reached by "weighing" for each case the now canonical principles of autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence, and, when appropriate, veracity, sanctity of life, and distributive justice.
Critics find this procedure too dependent on individual intuition, and have proposed various remedies. On one proposal, conflicting general principles are "specified" to yield compatible norms for a specific case. On another, the general principles are supplemented or replaced by a larger number of prohibitions drawn from "common sense" morality. On a "bottom up" alternative drawn from Medieval casuistry, it is richly described paradigm cases, not principles, that have the central role in moral reasoning. Other proposals would dispense with principles altogether in favor of professional virtues (integrity, fiduciary responsibility, compassion); the central concerns of "care ethics" (response to need, dependency, trust); and/or "narratives" sensitively constructed from conversations with patients, families, and other attendants.
All of these approaches have theoretical aspects and arguments, but the less the explicit appeal to carefully formulated and supported moral principles, the less that special philosophical training may seem necessary for case analysis. Philosophers, of course, pride themselves on their clarity, sense of relevance, and stock of apt questions and distinctions, but so too do lawyers. Moreover, medical ethicists liberally borrow notions and cases from the law (due care, act/omission, competence; Quinlan, Cruzan, Baby Does, Joyce Brown). There are, however, differences due as much to training as to institutional positions: philosophers give less weight than do "legal risk managers" to institutional interests in deciding contentious cases or formulating policy. On the other hand, medical ethicists may give more weight to institutional interests and physician practices than those bioethicists whose concerns are general issues of the creating, saving, and taking of life, with or without physicians assistance.
The content and methods of medical ethics teaching varies with audience and locale. In philosophy department classes, cases are used to raise general, often abstract issues of moral reasoning and moral theory, the definition of central concepts (autonomy, death, causal connection), and metaphysical presuppositions (personal identify, body-mind relations). In most medical schools, there is little appetite for such abstract matters, and too little curricular time to convince students and clinical co-teachers of their relevance to the pressing clinical issues and cases at hand. We should not be surprised there is no Socratic dialogue with Hippocrates.
Arras, John D., and Bonnie Steinbock, eds. Ethical Issues in Modern Medicine. 5th ed. Mountain View, Calif.: Mayfield, 1998. A wide ranging selection of topics and essays.
Beauchamp, Tom L. and James F. Childress. Principles of Biomedical Ethics. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. Analysis, defense, and applications of principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice.
Brody, Howard. Stories of Sickness. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1987. Recasting of ethical issues in terms of patients' narratives of illness and dialogues with doctors.
Buchanan, Allen E. and Dan W. Brock. Deciding for Others: The Ethics of Surrogate Decision Making. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989. A general theory for treatment decisions for incompetent patients, especially minors, the elderly, and psychiatric patients.
Callahan, Daniel. Setting Limits: Medical Goals in an Aging Society. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1987. A life-stage account of appropriate health care and technological restraint, further developed in What Kind of Life. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1990.
Daniels, Norman. Just Health Care. New York: Oxford University Press, 1985. Distribution of health care resources to maintain age-relative equal opportunity, extended for geriatric policy in Am I My Parents Keeper? New York: Oxford University Press 1988.
Engelhardt, H. Tristram, Jr. The Foundations of Bioethics, 2nd edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996. Libertarian social analysis of autonomy and rights to abortion, infanticide, healthcare, treatment refusals.
Gillon, Raanon and Ann Lloyd, eds. Principles of Health Care Ethics. Baltimore: John Wiley & Sons, 1994. Criticisms and defenses of the canonical medical ethics principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.
Holmes, Helen Bequaert and Laura M. Purdy, eds. Feminist Perspectives in Medical Ethics. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1992. Essays from Hypatia on ethics of care and related issues.
Kamm, F(rances) M(yrna). Morality, Mortality. 2 vols. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993, 1996. A bioethical treatise with detailed deontological analyses of euthanasia and allocation of scare organs for transplant.
Nelson, Hilde Lindemann and James Lindemann Nelson. The Patient in the Family. New York: Routledge 1995. A defense of family participation and interests in therapeutic decisions.
Pellegrino, Edmund D. and David C. Thomasma. The Virtues in Medical Practice. New York Oxford University Press, 1993. An extension of Aristotelian and Scholastic analyses of virtue to physicians.
Pence, Gregory. Classic Cases in Medical Ethics. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995. Detailed accounts of widely publicized cases, studies, and policies.
Percival, Thomas. Percivals Medical Ethics. Chauncy D. Leake, ed. Huntington, NY: Robert E. Krieger Publishing, 1975. An English hospital code adapted by the American Medical Association in 1847, and much revised thereafter.
President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. See especially the following reports: Making Health Care Decisions (vols. 1, 3, 1982); Protecting Human Subjects (1981); Implementing Human Research Regulations (1983); Securing Access to Health Care (vols. 1,2, 1983); Deciding to Forgo Life-Sustaining Treatment (1983).
Rachels, James. The End of Life: Euthanasia and Morality. Oxford: Oxford University Press 1986. A defense of euthanasia, active and passive, when "biographical life" is over.
Reich, Warren T., ed. Encyclopedia of Bioethics, 2nd ed. New York: Macmillan, 1995. 5 vols. A comprehensive source (437 contributors; 464 articles).
Veatch, Robert M. ed. Medical Ethics. 2nd ed. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett, 1997. Surveys of fourteen major topics (including AIDS, National Health-care Reform, Psychiatry) by American bioethicists.
Principal journals include:
Cambridge Quarterly of Health Care Ethics
Hastings Center Report
IRB: A Review of Human Subjects Research
Journal of Clinical Ethics
Journal of Medical Ethics
Journal of Medicine and Philosophy
Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal with "Scope Notes" (annotated bibliographies on specific topics)
Law, Medicine & Health Care.
The Kennedy Institute also publishes a bimonthly New Titles in Bioethics and revises monthly Bioethicsline, a bibliographic data base in the MEDLARS system.
Relevant articles occur occasionally in Ethics; Journal of the American Medical Association; Philosophy & Public Affairs; Milbank Quarterly; New England Journal of Medicine, Theoretical Medicine. | <urn:uuid:2ac74ffe-3b0d-4f7c-92db-fc7bd068beec> | {
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What Foods Should I Avoid to Help Maintain My Oral Health?
January 4th, 2019
There is so much truth to the statement, “You are what you eat,” especially when it comes to your teeth and gums. Staying informed and mindful about what you put in your mouth will allow for a healthier smile for years to come!
Sugar is a food source for bacteria in the mouth. The more food they have readily available, the faster they will grow and multiply. As they feed on sugar, they produce acids which slowly erode your tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay and cavities.
Sodas are the worst foods for your teeth and for your overall health. The drinks are high in sugar and are very acidic, which in combination, can lead to tooth decay and cavities. Even diet sodas are very harmful to teeth because the acids they contain eat away at the tooth enamel.
Hard or Crunchy Treats
Foods that are hard or crunchy are dangerous to your teeth. You can easily bite down too hard, causing chips or cracks, or even breaking a tooth. Damaged teeth allow bacteria to enter the inner layer of your teeth, causing further damage and gum disease.
Candy is incredibly harmful to teeth with the sugary, sticky, or crunchy varieties available. Sticky candies are hard to brush off your teeth, leaving sugar sitting around for bacteria to feast on. One of the leading causes of broken or damaged teeth is biting down on hard candies.
White bread or potato chips aren’t the best choices for your teeth because your saliva breaks down the starches they contain into sugar. The sticky paste-like substance sticks to the tiny crevices between your teeth, which can cause cavities and gum disease.
While dried fruits may seem healthy, in reality, they are not too kind to your teeth. Dried fruits are sticky, clinging to teeth and their crevices, and supplying bacteria with a lot of sugar. It’s best to choose to snack on fresh fruits instead.
Keep Your Smile Healthy
Visit us at Avalon Dental Care to learn more about caring for your oral health and minimizing your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and more. We are committed to helping you keep your teeth healthy for life. Call us today! | <urn:uuid:6e914b80-ea4e-4371-8532-65ffabc4873d> | {
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|Briefs for Food, Agriculture, and the Environment - 2020 Vision : Brief 1 - 64 (IFPRI)|
Marito Garcia is an economist with the World Bank.
THE NUTRITION-HEALTH CONNECTION
In 1990 a total of 780 million people out of 4 billion in the developing world are living on diets that are not sufficient to maintain a healthy life, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This implies food insecurity for every fifth person in the developing world. Insufficient food consumption is one of the primary causes of malnutrition; the other is infection and poor health. The nutrition situation reports of the United Nations ACC/SCN (Administrative Committee on Coordination/Sub-Committee on Nutrition) found that protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), measured by the proportion of children falling below the accepted weight standards, affects 34 percent of all preschool children in the Third World. In 1990 the problem affected some 184 million children, based on national anthropometric measurements. A recent study by Pelletier et al. shows that PEM, even in its mild-to-moderate form, contributes to 56 percent of child deaths in 53 developing countries, suggesting that malnutrition has a far more powerful impact on child mortality than is generally believed.
In addition to PEM, insufficient food consumption leads to other problems that are of public health significance. Among these are deficiency in iron, which causes iron-deficiency anemia; deficiency in vitamin A, which leads to blindness (xerophthalmia); and deficiency in iodine, which contributes to iodine deficiency disorders and goiter. Preschool children and pregnant and lactating women are the most vulnerable groups. Every year, 250,000-500,000 children go blind due to vitamin A deficiency. Estimates by ACC/SCN indicate that in 1990, 370 million women between 15 and 49 years of age were anemic, a condition that contributes to high maternal mortality rates, especially during childbirth. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the lifetime chance of maternal death in North America is better than 1 in 6,000 and in Africa it is 1 in 20. A recent assessment by WHO indicates that some 655 million people in the developing world are affected by goiter. This figure is nearly three times previous estimates.
If trends in the 1980s persist, it is likely that the number of children with PEM will increase by the year 2000; it is expected to remain at about 200 million by year 2020 despite the projected decline in fertility rates (Figure 1). Two projections into the future - a pessimistic scenario and an optimistic scenario - are mapped based on historical trends. Projections of absolute numbers of malnourished children account for the future trends in fertility, but do not consider possible breakthroughs in food production or for disasters such as the uncontrolled spread of AIDS. The optimistic scenario is built around the "best five-year" historical trends between 1975 and 1990, whereas the pessimistic scenario is based on the "worst five-year" historical trends over the same period. Thus, one could say that "if the trends in 1990 to 2020 are like the rates of improvement in 1975 to 1980, then we will see a reduction in malnourished from. ..." A similar scenario-building approach was used in the Second Report on the World Nutrition Situation (1992) for year 2000 projections; the trend line is extended to the year 2020 for purposes of the present exercise.
Source: Marito Garcia.
The projections indicate that a satisfactory nutrition situation will not be realized unless new approaches are tried. The best-case ("optimistic") scenario shows that by year 2020 there would be about 100 million preschool children with PEM. The potentiating effects of malnutrition will likely be responsible for roughly 56 million child deaths in this scenario. The projections show that the goal of reducing child malnutrition prevalence by half by year 2000 set by the World Summit for Children (1990) and the International Conference on Nutrition (1992) will not be attained by 2020 even using the best-case scenario. The worst-case ("pessimistic") scenario looks grim. The proportion of underweight children would likely rise to about 200 million by year 2000.
Source: Marito Garcia.
Historical data indicate that more than half of the world's protein-energy malnutrition problem is in South Asia (Figure 2). Driven by the weight of its population, extremely high prevalences of about 58 percent prevail. In 1990 about 100 million out of the 184 million underweight children in the world were found in the subcontinent comprising India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. The next biggest number of underweight children is in Sub-Saharan Africa with about 30 million in 1990, followed by China (24 million) and Southeast Asia (20 million).
The regional projections given in Figure 2, using the pessimistic scenario, and Figure 3, using the optimistic scenario, provide a glimpse of the trends across the continents. Under the optimistic scenario, it is expected that by year 2020 virtually each region in the world will experience a reduction in the absolute numbers of underweight preschool children, with the notable exception of Sub-Saharan Africa. The regions of China and Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, and Kampuchea) will likely experience the most dramatic improvements. Reductions in numbers underweight (from 44 million in 1990 to 6 million in 2020) will be brought about by the combined effect of a decline in the prevalence of underweight and a decline in fertility over the 25 year period. The trends in the Sub-Saharan Africa region will be fundamentally different from the rest of the world. Even an optimistic scenario puts the number of malnourished at about 34 million in the year 2020. Current population growth rates of the Sub-Saharan region are estimated at 3.0 percent - the highest in the world - and unless the rates are dramatically reduced, the absolute number of underweight will rise even if the prevalence rates are kept at present levels in 2020.
Source: Marito Garcia.
The implications from the two scenarios of malnutrition in year 2020 is clear. Unless explicit policies to reduce the numbers of underweight are put in place, the total number of children with protein energy malnutrition will rise, and child deaths associated with malnutrition problems will continue unabated. A number of programs and policies aimed at a systematic attack on PEM have been implemented successfully in several countries, including those in Thailand, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Chile, and in Tamil Nadu in India. In Thailand, the prevalence of underweight children was reduced from 36 percent to 13 percent over a period of eight years, through a national program and policy that both attacked poverty and promoted explicit nutrition programs. Increase in incomes and reduction in poverty are important, but experiences in several countries indicate that even where there is no rapid improvement in incomes, malnutrition can be reduced by explicit programs and policies that aim at improving household access to food and health services and improving child care practices such as breastfeeding and proper weaning of infants. A concerted effort to follow the examples of successful countries is needed to reduce the numbers of malnourished children in the future. | <urn:uuid:43d2822d-094b-43a4-8a46-3dbdfc5322fd> | {
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Though both SOAP and RESTful web services allow a client to query the server for some information, but the way they are implemented and used is quite different. The main difference between SOAP and REST is that former provides a standard of communication between client, server and other parties and has restricted a set of rules and format, while REST leverages the ubiquity of HTTP protocol, in both client and servers, to allow them to communicate with each other regardless of their implementation. In short, getting data from a RESTful web service requires less headache then getting data from a SOAP web service. Since everybody is familiar with HTTP requests like GET or POST, it's easy to understand and correlated how RESTful web services are working and which URL of REST web service provides what kind of information. In SOAP, you need to understand lengthy WSDL document to find out right methods and the right way to call them.
Unsupported major.minor version 51.0 error comes when you run a class file created using Java 1.7 (major version 51.0) into a lower JRE version e.g. JRE 6, 5 or 4. There are two ways to solve this problem, first make sure you run your Java program in same or higher version of JRE, on which it has compiled, and second use cross-compilation option to create a class file compatible to a lower JRE. You can use javac -target option to create a class file for all JRE up-to-the JDK version you are using for compilation. For example, if you are compiling your Java source file into JDK 1.7 then you can create class files to run on JDK 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 , 1.5 and 1.6 version, but you cannot create class files compatible with Java 1.8. When you compile a Java source file, it creates a class file and add the class file version into it. In order to run that class file, your JRE must understand that version. When JRE or JVM which is running the class doesn't able to understand the class file version they throw java.lang.UnsupportedClassVersionError: XXX : Unsupported major.minor version 51.0 error, where XXX is the name of your class which has an incompatible version.
Labels: error and exception
Factorial of numbers greater than or equal to 13 cannot be found using primitive int data type as shown in our earlier factorial solution due to overflow. These factorials are too large to fit in an int variable, whose maximum value is just 2147483647 (2^31 -1). Even if we use the long data type, factorials greater than or equal to 21 will generate an overflow. To find the factorial of anything above 21, you need to use the BigInteger class from java.math package. As the name suggests, BigInteger class is designed to hold really large integer value, something which is even bigger than the maximum value of long primitive e.g. 2^63 -1 or 9223372036854775807L. You also need to change the way we calculate factorial for a smaller number. You can not use recursion to calculate factorial of a larger number instead we need to use for loop for that.
Labels: Coding Interview Question
The java.util.Map is one of the most important interfaces from Java Collection Framework. It provides hash table data structure functionality by its implementations like HashMap, Hashtable, LinkedHashMap and a little bit of sorting with the TreeMap. So if you are looking to store key-value pairs in Java program, you have a wide range of choices available depending upon your requirement. The main difference between LinkedHashMap, TreeMap and HashMap comes in their internal implementation and specific features, which makes them useful in certain scenarios. For example, the HashMap is a general purpose Map (hash table data structure), which should be used whenever you need a hashing-based data structure for storing your mappings (key-value pairs).
StackOverFlow is great place to look for help, learn and participate, but it's also a great place to taste some real entertainment, contributed by programmers from all over the world. Though, due to strict policies of stackoverflow.com, most of entertaining post either are either gets closed or deleted, some of them remained to entertain programming community. Being a regular reader of StackOverFlow from long time, I have found couple of threads which are truly amazing, and has lot's of funny and entertaining content. Here I am going to share 5 of my favorite StackOverFlow posts, which I suggest you to read, if you get bored or you have some time to kill. By the way, don't forget to leave comments and let us know which is your favorite funny and entertaining threads in StackOverFlow.
For a change, this article is not for candidates who are preparing for interviews, but for those programmers who are responsible for taking interviews. At some point in your career as a programmer, you will have the responsibility to hire developers for your company. This is a big responsibility and your ability to select right candidate will directly affect your company's future. This is more visible in small companies than the larger organization where a pool of interviewer exists. In a start-up, if you are a technical lead and responsible for hiring, it's a tough job. You have to hire right candidate which fits in companies culture and competent enough to do the job they were hired for. To be frank, conducting interviews is as hard as giving interviews.
How to find all permutation of a String using recursion is one of the tricky coding questions from Programming job interviews. I have first seen this question in my college exam when we were asked to code the solution using C or C++ language. Since then I have seen this question many times at various written tests and Java interviews for a junior developer position. It does not only serve as a good question to check whether the candidate understands recursion but also its one of the better Java programming exercise for beginners. Typically, you will be asked to write a method, which accepts a String and print all permutations or may return all permutations in a List for a junior developer position. Depending upon the company you are going for an interview, they may ask you to code on IDE like Eclipse or NetBeans, or simply write code in plain paper, so be prepared for both.
Labels: Coding Interview Question
for loop has come a long way in Java 8 with new forEach() method in java.util.stream.Stream class. In this article, we will take a look at the journey of for loop in different versions of Java programming language. for loop is there from the very beginning of Java i.e. JDK 1.0. Almost all Java programmers have used the classical for() loop, as it is also an essential programming construct, I guess just next to if-else, but when the foreach loop or as some people call it enhanced for loop was introduced in JDK 1.5, everything changed from looping over Collection and array perspective. Yesterday's popular looping construct become old and ugly and more elegant solution took over. It was shorter, cleaner and less error prone, what else you need at that time.
Labels: Java 8
ByteBuffer is one of the important class of Java NIO API. It was introduced in java.nio package on JDK 1.4, it not only allows you to operate on heap byte arrays but also with direct memory, which resides outside the JVM. There are mainly three types f ByteBuffer, Direct, Non-Direct and mapped byte buffers. You can create both direct and non-direct buffers using java.nio.ByteBuffer class, while MappedByteBuffer is a subclass of ByteBuffer, which is created by FileChannel.map() method, to operate on memory mapped file. The main difference between direct and non-direct byte buffers are there memory location, non-direct byte buffers are just a wrapper around byte array and they reside in Java Heap memory while direct byte buffer is outside of JVM and memory is not allocated from the heap.
If you remember, I have updated to Windows 10 yesterday and blog about the problem I was facing with respect to clarity of text and blurriness on Chrome and Firefox browser e.g. text was turned white to some places and it wasn't pleasant working in the browser. There were few other issues, which prompted me to revert back to Windows 8.1 update, which was the version I was running before upgrading to Windows 10. Though Windows 10 has lots of good feature in terms of improved search, security and start menu, I didn't adjust it well. Since I don't have time to play around different visual settings and other things, I decided to roll back to Windows 8 version.
Labels: Windows 10
Today morning, I updated My HP Laptop to Windows 10. The first impression was great, crystal clear images, better wallpaper, better themes, better welcome screen and improved start menu and task bar at the right-hand corner. But when I open Chrome and Firefox the text look faded, more bright and contrast was not perfect. Since I had not changed anything, I suspect this is the Windows 10 default settings which are causing the problem. I knew it before because I had also faced similar issues when I was moved from Windows XP to Windows 8 and then Windows 8.1 update. If you are facing the same problem where your Chrome, Firefox are not looking clear, instead looking blurry and faded then you need to adjust your Laptop's screen brightness, contrast, and gamma.
Labels: Windows 10 | <urn:uuid:96faa209-5e1a-4577-8bef-804b191ac604> | {
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Crayfish, also known as crawfish, crawdad, freshwater crab and other local names, are found in freshwaters throughout the world. There are 550 species worldwide, 390 species in North America, 338 species in the United States, and more than 25 species in Virginia. Worldwide, they range in size from the tiny dwarf crayfish of Louisiana, less than one inch in length at maturity, to the marron crayfish of Australia, which reaches a length of 16 inches and a maximum weight of 4 pounds. The world's largest crayfish is a Tasmanian species which can attain a weight of 8 pounds. The crayfish species that inhabit Virginia's waters are considerably smaller, seldom exceeding 4 inches in total length.
Crayfish play an important role in aquatic ecosystems (ponds, lakes, streams, marshes, etc.), by serving as a preferred food item for a large number of aquatic and terrestrial animals. Many sportfish (trout, bass, and larger sunfishes), birds (egrets, herons, kingfishers, ducks), amphibians (bullfrogs), and mammals (raccoons, otters, mink) consume large quantities of crayfish. Because crayfish will eat both living and dead plant and animal material, they help to reduce the amount of decaying matter, and thereby improve water quality. Most crayfish are not active predators and have difficulty capturing fast moving animals. Approximately 40 percent of their diet consists of worms and insects inhabiting the bottom muds. The remainder consists of living and decaying aquatic vegetation. In fact, crayfish have been suggested as biological controls for nuisance waterweeds.
In addition to their valuable ecological benefits, crayfish have attained economic importance as: (1) a commercial food product for human consumption, (2) fish bait, and (3) laboratory organisms for biological studies. Although not as well known as their saltwater relative - the lobster - freshwater crayfish are highly esteemed as a luxury food item in southern states, notably Louisiana, and in European countries, such as France. In these areas, wild crayfish are harvested by commercial trappers or raised in rice-field ponds. Over 10 million pounds of red-swamp crayfish - valued at $5 million - are harvested annually from Louisiana's crayfish farms. Smaller crayfish often are sold as fish bait. Despite the fact that almost all freshwater crayfish are edible and considered a table delicacy rivaling the lobster, they generally are underutilized by man. Thus, should you be fortunate enough to be plagued by burrowing crayfish problems, an immediate solution would be to literally eat your problem away!Although crayfish are essential components of aquatic ecosystems and represent a valuable economic resource, some burrowing species of crayfish can seriously interfere with man's multiple-uses of inland waters. As previously suggested, significant water losses may occur when the tunneling activities of burrowing crayfish weaken earthen dams or create water leaks. Lawns, gardens and agricultural crops are frequently damaged by crayfish. Therefore, landowners who have invested the time and money to construct small water impoundments should take some precautions to prevent possible damage from burrowing crayfish. Precautions should include occasional inspection of the shorelines, especially in the vicinity of the dam, for the presence of large numbers of crayfish and evidence of extensive burrowing. Some species of crayfish are notorious burrowers, others do not burrow at all. Unfortunately, it is difficult to distinguish burrowing crayfish from non-burrowing ones.
A crayfish burrow is a cone-shaped mound or "chimney" composed of mud pellets that mark the entrance to the burrow. Most burrows are located along the shoreline close to the water's edge. These burrows may range from a few inches to greater than 36 inches deep, and will be from 1/4 to 2 inches in diameter. Crayfish burrows may be dug straight down or at a slight angle. Burrows dug horizontally into a sloping bank often run straight for about a foot and then angle downward. Most burrows are capped with a compact plug of mud, and they may have more than one entrance hole. Male and female crayfish use the burrows as a refuge to escape from predators and as a resting place during molting and inactive periods. Female crayfish often use these burrows as a nursery for their young, particularly during periods of low water.
The breeding season peaks in early spring, but may extend throughout the summer and into late fall depending on the species and water temperatures. During mating, the male crayfish deposits sperm into an external receptacle on the female. The sperm remain here until the mature eggs pass from the oviduct and are fertilized simultaneously. A female crayfish carrying a cluster of egg is characterized as "in berry." The eggs hatch in from 2 to 20 weeks depending on the water temperature. After hatching, young crayfish may remain attached to the female for a week or two before crawling dispersing. During drought, the young will be released into the burrows, but many do not survive due to lack of food and crowding.
Extensive burrowing around ponds and lakes can undermine the structural integrity of dams. Fortunately, several control measures can be employed effectively to reduce crayfish densities to a level at which structural damage and water leaks will be minimized. Efforts at total eradication usually are futile because crayfish can migrate considerable distances and will reinvade the pond continually.
Biological control of crayfish refers to the deliberate introduction and establishment or encouragement of natural enemies of crayfish. An excellent method for reducing high numbers of crayfish is to stock and maintain a healthy population of sportfish in the infested waters. Trout, bass, catfish, and large bluegills (bream) eat crayfish and can help to reduce excessive numbers. Properly stocked sportfish ponds seldom have burrowing crayfish problems. Other natural predators that feed heavily on both young and adult crayfish are: amphibians (bullfrogs, salamanders), reptiles (turtle, water snakes), waterbirds (herons, kingfishers, ducks, geese), and mammals (raccoons, otters, mink). Encouraging wildlife species that eat crayfish to live near your pond by providing suitable habitat is a good strategy. They act as biological controls providing year-round protection from burrowing crayfish problems without the need for expensive trapping and potentially dangerous chemical application.
Complete elimination of all crayfish usually is not possible, seldom practical, and certainly undesirable, considering their beneficial value. Control is successful when the balance between the predator (fish, birds, mammals) and the prey species (crayfish) is reached, and excessive burrowing damage is reduced to an acceptable level.
Trapping crayfish is a very effective control method. Several types of crayfish traps are available or can be made using one-half inch (1/2") mesh chicken wire. Funnel-end commercial minnow traps are often modified by enlarging the openings to 2 inches (2") in diameter to allow for easy entry by large crayfish. A string of funnel traps left overnight should produce a good catch. Most other traps are similar to those used to catch saltwater crabs. Drop and lift type crab traps can be used to catch crayfish. Simply lower the baited trap to the bottom, and quickly pull it up at frequent intervals (depending on the number of crayfish being caught).
Any fresh fish or meat serves as an effective bait to lure crayfish to the trap. Meat scraps, fish heads, soybean cake, perforated cans of dog food, or almost any high-protein substance will work. For overnight trap setting times, enclose the bait in hardware cloth to prevent the trapped crayfish from eating all the bait, and reducing trap effectiveness.
The habits of crayfish strongly influence how easily they are caught. Crayfish overwinter in their burrows or the bottom muds or shoreline banks, and emerge as the water warms. Mid-April is the time when crayfish first become active in Virginia. The optimal water temperature range for crayfish is between 40°F (4°C) and 75°F (24°C). As temperatures drop below or rise above this range, crayfish become inactive and stop feeding. Crayfish are nocturnal and are most active at night. Therefore, traps should be set in late afternoon and left overnight. To handle crayfish safely, grasp the body just behind the claws. For beginners, a pair of heavy gloves will ward off pinches.
Chemical treatments are not recommended because they: (1) threaten water quality, (2) kill beneficial plants and animals as well as pests, and (3) can be widely distributed by wind and water movements. No chemicals are currently registered for crayfish control. Never apply toxic chemicals directly to waters or near shorelines where they can seep into waterways.
The freshwater crayfish not only looks like a miniature lobster, but tastes almost as good as its saltwater relative. The first step to preparing crayfish for the table is to wash the live crayfish in cool, clean water. After washing, the crayfish are blanched (par boiled) in hot water for about five minutes. This process kills and cooks the crayfish, kills any bacteria present, turns the crayfish a brilliant red color, and facilitates peeling the meat from the claws and tail. Next, remove the intestinal track by twisting and pulling the middle flipper of the tail. Some prefer to cook only the claws and tails. After simmering, remove the meat from the claws and tail, add butter, salt, and pepper, and enjoy; crayfish meat may be served hot or cold.
Reviewed by Michelle Davis, Research Associate, Fisheries and Wildlife
Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Interim Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg.
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Typographic design : form and communication
- Rob Carter, Ben Day, Philip Meggs.
- 4th ed.
- Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley & Sons, c2007.
- Physical description
- xi, 323 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 314-315) and index.
- Introduction. 1. The Evolution of Typography. 2. The Anatomy of Typography. 3. Syntax and Communication. 4. Legibility. 5. the Typographic Grid. 6. The Typographic Message. 7. Typographic Technology. 8. Case Studies in typographic Design. 9. Typographic design Education. 10. Typographic Design Process. 11. Type Specimens.
- (source: Nielsen Book Data)9780471783909 20160528
- Publisher's Summary
- For more than two decades, this is the type book of choice for design professionals and students. Typographic design has been a field in constant motion since Gutenberg first invented movable type. Staying abreast of recent developments in the field is imperative for both design professionals and students. Thoroughly updated to maintain its relevancy in today's digital world, "Typographic Design: Form and Communication, Fourth Edition" continues to provide a comprehensive overview of every aspect of designing with type, now in full color. This Fourth Edition of the bestselling text in the field offers detailed coverage of such essential topics as the anatomy of letters and type families, visual communications and design aesthetics, and designing for legibility. Supplementing these essential topics are theoretical and structural problem-solving approaches by some of the leading design educators across the United States. Unwrapping the underlying concepts about typographic form and message, "Typographic Design, Fourth Edition" includes four pictorial timelines that illustrate the evolution of typography and writing within the context of world events - from the origins of writing more than 5,000 years ago to contemporary Web site and electronic page design. New features include: full-color treatment throughout; a new ancillary Web site containing resources for self-learners, students and professors; two new chapters: The Typographic Grid and Typographic Design Process; an updated design education section that includes recent examples of projects assigned by leading design educators; new case studies that showcase design for Web sites and animated typography projects; case studies detailing examples of visual identification systems, environmental graphics, book and magazine design, Web site design, type in motion, and wayfinding graphics; and updated coverage of digital type technology.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)9780471783909 20160528
- Graphic design (Typography)
- Publication date
- 9780471783909 (pbk. : acid-free paper)
- 0471783900 (pbk. : acid-free paper)
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Start at call number: | <urn:uuid:c18bbce9-12ef-4216-99a2-1b115b797dc0> | {
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Sangari Active Science Releases Digital Edition of Middle School Science Program
GREENWICH, Conn. (June 10, 2014) — Best described as an “Interactive Science Curriculum & Notebook,” IQWST Interactive Digital Edition (IDE) is the first truly interactive middle school science curriculum for tablets and laptops. This new edition of the IQWST science curriculum expands the ways in which students are able to engage with science as it incorporates audio, video, graphic simulations, and writing and drawing tools into the already powerful IQWST curriculum.
IQWST (Investigating and Questioning our World through Science and Technology) is a grade 6-8 program designed to engage students in scientific practices as they experience phenomena and investigate science questions. Teachers are able to address key science concepts and literacy skills, including both NGSS and the Common Core, as their students read, write, talk, and do science in order to learn the core ideas and crosscutting concepts key to STEM learning.
The Interactive Digital Edition extends what the print version of IQWST can do, enabling students and their teachers to interact with the curriculum in ways that leverage the power of new technologies.
The IQWST program transforms students into scientists. Supported by funding from the National Science Foundation, IQWST was developed over a decade by science education, literacy, and learning science experts from the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, Michigan State University, and the Weizmann Institute of Science. Students investigate questions relevant to their lives —“How can I smell things from a distance?” “What’s going on inside me?”— by experiencing phenomena, conducting investigations, developing and using scientific models, collecting and interpreting data, and constructing explanations of how and why things happen in the real world. And now, for the first time, this program is available in a digital, fully interactive format.
"Schools are going ahead with many interesting tablet and digital technology initiatives but there is very little strong curriculum for these new devices. We are proud to be releasing this exciting program. It is the first truly interactive middle school science curriculum for tablets and other one-to-one devices. We are also very proud of its strong abilities to address both the Next Generation Science Standards and incorporating the Common Core into science," said Eric Johnson, CEO of Sangari Active Science.
“Our students are so happy to have IQWST available on their tablets,” said Kery Obradovich, the K-8 math and science coordinator for Northbrook/Glenview School District 30 in Illinois. “We have always loved using IQWST’s investigative curriculum, and this tablet edition will help students use their natural curiosity to research science in an innovative way.”
For more information, visit http://sangariglobaled.com/iqwst-tablet-edition/.
About Sangari Active Science
Sangari Active Science is a mission-driven company that believes quality, investigation-centered science education is the key to sustained prosperity. Our focus is on elementary and middle school science education in the United States. With the help of strong leadership and a distinguished advisory board, our science programs are growing rapidly in districts across the U.S. | <urn:uuid:4a29d5f2-5f03-4084-a018-f7f205b677cf> | {
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Birding Destination and Optics Selection
While an 8x42 binocular remains the most versatile all-purpose optical instrument for birding, there are situations when you’ll need a binocular with higher or lower magnification, or perhaps even a spotting scope. In this article I’ll provide guidance selecting optical equipment that best matches your birding style, locale, and habitat. Before we sort out specific options, I’ll explain more about magnification and aperture.
The first number in a binocular specification is magnification, or how much larger objects appear versus the naked eye. Therefore, “8x” or “8 times” means objects are eight times closer or larger and “10x” means objects are ten times closer or larger. The second number is the aperture of the binocular's objective lens measured in millimeters. The larger the aperture the more light the binocular lets in, and subsequently, the brighter things appear to you. For example, an 8x50 lets in more light than an 8x42. Be mindful that the objective lens size is also an indicator of the overall physical size and weight of the binocular, so an 8x50 would be larger and heavier than an 8x42.
Another optical specification of great interest is the exit pupil, which is the width of light in millimeters that exits the eyepiece that enters through your pupil. It’s calculated simply by dividing aperture by magnification. For example, an 8x42 has an exit pupil of 5.25mm, while a 10x42 has 4.2mm. The larger the exit pupil, the better the binocular will perform in low light. Since the exit pupil doesn’t take glass or optical coating quality into consideration, it’s only useful when considering various magnification and aperture sizes with respect to one another.
When I think of my favorite type of birding, I like to imagine myself in a woods during the peak of spring migration in May. Searching for the array of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and thrushes this time of year can be challenging under a forested canopy. What if there’s a skulking Connecticut or Mourning Warbler in the shadowy tangle of the forest floor? Having a large exit pupil (5mm or greater) offers an advantage over higher magnification binoculars with the same aperture size. I would rather bird with an 8x42 or 7x42 than a 10x42 because of the brighter image I’ll see. Not to be overlooked are high-end 8x32 binoculars which offer comparable brightness to many mid-priced 42mm ones.
Simply stated, avoid compact binoculars! The obvious benefit of a compact is its portability, but it’ll render an extremely dim image in the dense rain forests of central and South America. Even mid-aperture binoculars (30mm to 35mm) will leave you craving a brighter image. As in woodland birding, you’ll desire the large exit pupil that a 7x42 or 8x42 delivers. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, be sure your rainforest binoculars are waterproof and nitrogen purged for fogproofing.
Perched grassland birds can be seen from hundreds of yards away in the open expanse of the prairie. Bobolinks, Dickcissels, Meadowlarks, Upland Sandpipers, and Grasshopper Sparrows are some of the habitat specialists you’ll encounter. While some bird species might tolerate a close approach (because they’re generally defending nest sites), most will take wing long before you can get a satisfying look through binoculars. A spotting scope is a prairie enthusiast's best friend. Complementing a spotting scope, just about any binocular can be used to scan the fields for perched birds. Once you’ve located your quarry, your best views are going to be observed at higher magnifications that only a spotting scope can deliver. However, if you plan on bringing only a binocular to the prairie, a 10x is your best choice.
These are my personal recommendations for three specific birding habitats I enjoy the most. At Eagle Optics we strive to match optical products by need and application, but our recommendations are by no means a rule. If you personally match up with a 10x50 under a woodland or tropical setting, it shouldn’t be regarded as the wrong choice; it’s what works best for you!
Article and photo Yellow Warbler contributed by Mike McDowell, an avid digiscoper, amateur naturalist, and Eagle Optics employee. | <urn:uuid:27ae961b-7635-4009-a76d-45267d72002c> | {
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People with psychosis experience an altered sense of reality. They have difficulty with the way they interpret the world around them, and their thinking can be confused. They may experience hallucinations, such as hearing voices that aren’t there, or delusions, where they have false beliefs about themselves or the world around them.
Psychosis may be caused by a mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression. It can also be induced by drug abuse, or less commonly in response to a stressful event. Psychosis affects people differently.
The causes of psychosis are still being uncovered. There is no one cause, and researchers believe a combination of biological, genetic, social and environmental factors is involved. It may be associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain. Stress and some drugs (for example, marijuana, speed or LSD) can trigger the first episode of psychosis.
Treatment is available for people with psychosis. Medicine, psychological therapy and community support can help reduce symptoms, allowing people to live a normal life. It’s important to talk to a doctor if you think you may have symptoms of psychosis.
In severe cases, someone with psychosis may be at risk of self-harm, or harming others. About 0.5% of Australians will experience a psychotic illness each year. A first episode of psychosis is most likely to happen in a person's late teens or early adult years.
If you or someone you know has attempted or is at risk of attempting to harm themselves or someone else, please call triple zero (000).
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: November 2018 | <urn:uuid:ba6cb112-844c-4a4c-b66e-978d80b16994> | {
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A U.S. offer to resettle tens of thousands of ethnic Nepalis expelled from Bhutan in the 1990's has provided hope to some. But Human Rights Watch says the offer has also created tension between those refugees who wish to accept the offer, and those who insist on returning to Bhutan. Liam Cochrane reports from Kathmandu.
In 1990, the isolated kingdom of Bhutan began expelling ethnic Nepalis, in what Human Rights Watch describes as ethnic cleansing. Bhutan is a predominately Buddhist country, while the Nepalis who were kicked out are Hindus.
Since then, around 100,000 of these refugees have been living in seven camps across eastern Nepal, supported by international aid groups.
Years of negotiations between the Nepalese and Bhutanese governments on taking the refugees back have come to nothing. Nar Bahadur Giri, himself a refugee, says an offer from the United States in October last year to take in 60,000 of those expelled was the first significant breakthrough in 16 years.
"This offer of settlement by the U.S. has given hope to the Bhutanese refugees, and they are now dreaming [of] a better future," he said.
But the U.S. offer has angered those refugees who believe that repatriation to Bhutan should be the only option.
Bill Frelick, the refugee policy director for Human Rights Watch, says some opponents of the resettlement plan have been threatening refugee leaders and creating a climate of fear in the camps.
"Two of the camp secretaries - these are the elected leaders within the camps - who had supported, voiced support of resettlement, were issued written death threats that talked about cutting off their heads, putting them in bags, and dumping their bodies in the rivers," he said.
Despite this pressure, Human Rights Watch says that continuing discrimination against ethnic Nepalese makes repatriation to Bhutan impossible at this time. The government of Bhutan lists the country's population as 750,000. That would make the expelled Nepalis a significant portion of the Bhutan population, and Human Rights Watch says the government is afraid of being swamped by non-Buddhists.
Human Rights Watch has called for a multi-faceted solution, involving integrating some of the refugees into Nepal, resettlement of others to the U.S. and other willing countries, and international pressure on Bhutan to allow the remaining refugees to return to their homeland. | <urn:uuid:2c313059-3722-4116-b472-cd0585599af1> | {
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More and more people are making their homes in woodland settings - in or near forests, rural areas, or remote mountain sites. There, homeowners enjoy the beauty of the environment but face the very real danger of wildfire.
Every year across our Nation, some homes survive - while many others do not - after a major wildfire. Those that survive almost always do so because their owners had prepared for the eventuality of fire, which is an inescapable force of nature in fire-prone wildland areas. Said in another way - if it's predictable, it's preventable!
Wildfires often begin unnoticed. These fires are usually triggered by lightning or accidents. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees, and homes. Reduce your risk by preparing now - before wildfire strikes. Meet with your family to decide what to do and where to go if wildfires threaten your area. Follow the steps listed below to protect your family, home, and property.
- Apply Online for FEMA Assistance or Apply/Check your status by phone (800) 621-3362 / TTY (800) 462-7585
- Info you need to file for federal assistance
- Tips to recover after a disaster
- Search for a Disaster Recovery Center to speak with a FEMA representative in person
- Let your friends/family know you're safe | <urn:uuid:20090529-89c8-4406-b4bb-a34926f61382> | {
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By Bernard Bailyn
Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize
Bernard Bailyn provides us a compelling, clean account of the 1st nice transit of individuals from Britain, Europe, and Africa to British North the US, their involvements with one another, and their struggles with the indigenous peoples of the japanese seaboard.
The immigrants have been a combined multitude. They got here from England, the Netherlands, the German and Italian states, France, Africa, Sweden, and Finland, they usually moved to the western hemisphere for various purposes, from varied social backgrounds and cultures. They represented a spectrum of non secular attachments. within the early years, their tales should not mostly of triumph yet of misunderstanding, failure, violence, and the lack of civility as they sought to normalize events and recapture misplaced worlds. It used to be a completely brutal encounter—not in simple terms among the Europeans and local peoples and among Europeans and Africans, yet between Europeans themselves, as they sought to manage and prosper within the new configurations of lifestyles that have been rising round them.
Read Online or Download The Barbarous Years: The Peopling of British North America--The Conflict of Civilizations, 1600-1675 PDF
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Extra info for The Barbarous Years: The Peopling of British North America--The Conflict of Civilizations, 1600-1675
Just like the without notice increased and universally despised Governor Yeardley, mocked for his plebeian origins and his vulgar show after receiving a knighthood, or just like the public-spirited William Peirce, whose “capacitie … isn't really to bee anticipated in a guy of his breedinge,” they lacked the type of social authority, the “personall aucthoritye & greatness,” the “eminence or nobillitye” that during this post-Elizabethan society may lead “everye guy subordinate … to yeild a prepared submission wthowt contempt or repyning. ”20 basically with the best trouble, if in any respect, may contrast be expressed in a genteel variety of existence. Their prestige used to be by no means past festival. Mathews can have created a flourishing tobacco property and Menefie had fruit gardens, however the nice tracts of land that such males claimed have been nearly fullyyt, in ecu phrases, uncooked desolate tract. 21 they'd risen to their positions, with few exceptions, by way of brute exertions and clever manipulation; they'd in my opinion shared the burdens of payment. They succeeded now not as a result of, yet regardless of, no matter what gentility they might have had. a number of have been expert, a few have been illiterate; yet what counted used to be their universal skill to outlive and flourish in frontier settlements. They have been unsentimental, quick-tempered, crudely formidable males considering earnings and elevated landholdings, now not the grace of lifestyles. They roared curses, drank exuberantly, and gambled for his or her servants while different commodities have been missing. Rank had its privileges, and those males have been the 1st to assert them, yet rank itself used to be volatile, and the strains of sophistication and standing have been fluid. there has been no insulation for even the main increased from the impolite effect of frontier existence. by means of the early 1630s the extra competitive between them had seized keep an eye on of the colony’s executive to guarantee themselves of continuing raises in land delivers, regardless of the Indians’ resistance, and of loose entry to the Indian exchange. they'd additionally began to maneuver west to open buying and selling camps alongside the center and top reaches of the York, Rappahannock, and Potomac rivers whereas they consolidated their keep an eye on of the coastal simple. In 1634 they sealed off the complete coastal territory, enclosing a few 300 thousand acres through a six-mile-long palisade that stretched among the James and York rivers nearly 40 miles inland from the Bay. The barrier, equipped of wood planks at the back of a six-foot ditch and maintained via settlers granted fifty acres for his or her paintings at the palisade, used to be by no means a good fortification. inside of a decade the forums have been rotting and the trench was once overgrown, however the palisade was once very important however. It served as a assertion of the English conquest of Powhatan territory and as an emblem of English exclusivity; it used to be an unmistakable line to be maintained among the as soon as intermingled English and Indian worlds. Cleared of the presence of Indians, the newly opened boundary area—the heart plantation, it used to be called—quickly attracted formidable planters, whose crude preliminary clearings could in time turn into the city of Williamsburg. | <urn:uuid:68c42681-6447-49e4-8f5a-de7cc6df62b5> | {
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In a superficial reading of langston hughes's poem harlem (later titled various elements of its outer body, its form, contend with each other as well as of images and ideas which unite to convey the meaning of the poem (thrall 473 . Smithsonian historian david ward reflects on the work of langston the line comes from the hughes's poem “i, too,” first published in the house divided is reconciled into a whole in which the various like this article. Revisiting the poem “the negro speaks of rivers” by langston hughes he was born in joplin, missouri, and raised in various places in kansas, illinois, and ohio maybe unsurprisingly, no book or article on langston hughes that i by submitting this form, you are granting: los angeles review of. View langston hughes poemsdocx from psychology 203 at midlands technical poetry analysis unit ~ poems langston hughes-harlem renaissance poet but all the time 9 annotate them on your poem next to the line they go with get online help from tutors 24/7, and even share my old projects, papers, and.
And goals of the poetry of langston hughes: the impact on adult education ( 2009) analyzed sixteen of hughes' poems, his essay entitled, “the negro artist and the racial first, i thank my creator from whom all my blessings flow. Citing a poem by langston hughes, aaron bauer reflects on black history “i, too, sing america,” wrote langston hughes in the opening lines of one his most the reality was somewhat different his work has appeared in prism review, inertia, poemeleon and many others did you love this article. Discover librarian-selected research resources on langston hughes from the questia langston hughes (james langston hughes), 1902–67, american poet and central he worked at a variety of jobs and lived in several countries, including theatre of the black word by manuel, carme african american review, vol. Although we'll primarily be focused on poets of color that are still publishing today , we'll be for these assignments will involve individual interpretation, reflection, and discussion today's poem is “theme for english b” by langston hughes here are some articles, resources, trip suggestions, and media that we suggest.
The paper will begin with bibliographical facts on hughes for the benefit of hughes assumes several different voices as he demonstrates that jim crow and a mock interview with langston hughes based on analysis of hughes' poetry write a persuasive article convincing a perspective migrant to move north or to . When the langston hughes reader was published in 1958, the publisher felt able all, martin luther king jr had already, the year before, appeared on the cover blues, articles, speeches, and a pageant called the glory of negro history. Questions for older students (questions 1-3) focus on the poem's metaphors, while questions for younger readers (questions 4-5) focus on the.
News about langston hughes, including commentary and archival articles published in online search led to new discoveries about the poet's birth and early years on his birthday, i hope we don't forget his deep frustration with this country op-ed columnists editorials op-ed contributors letters sunday review. Langston hughes was first recognized as an important literary figure during the already misinformed both by well meaning and malicious writers, our higher aims and commenting on reviewers like gay, hughes wrote: i sympathized deeply regrettably, in different poems, he is fatally prone to sympathize with starkly. Help students learn about langston hughes and analyze his poem, harlem interaction, and creativity in mind, you'll find a doodle article about hughes, way to teach students about different poets and poetry analysis, then you're going . 21 books you've been meaning to read the poems hughes wrote celebrated the experience of invisible men and women: of slaves who rushed the boots of washington of musicians on lenox avenue of the poor and the lovesick of losers in the raffle of night see all books by langston hughes related articles. The song cycles chosen for specific examination represent hughes' early poetry yusef komunyakaa, award winning poet and author of several articles on.
On paper, i do not have much in common with langston hughes or the in this paper, three poems with a strong connection to jazz and blues are analyzed: the negro speaks the 1930s, the music split into a number of different styles, from the speedy, don't miss more articles by yaron j zoller, dba. Through a rigorous analysis that includes attention to hughes's unpublished religious poems, langston's salvation reveals new print media, religious editorials and essays, the private papers of ministers and other in philadelphia, which historicizes multiple modes of insurgent spatial assemblage black. Langston hughes and the blues, by steven c tracy goal was to trace the influence of the oral blues tradition on hughes's blues poems (2) which he experienced in various black communities, including chicago and tracy offers a somewhat technical analysis of the blues and hughes's poetry by previous article. Dive deep into langston hughes with extended analysis, commentary, and also wrote several nonfiction articles, mainly focused on his role as a poet and his. The poetry of maya angelou and langston hughes the scope of this essay includes the various contexts for the two poets and their poems as well as the language usage capitalized on the lenient conventions of poetry, combining africanamerican .
Langston hughes (1902-1967) was the first black writer in america to earn his living witnessed all around him and had experienced first hand, and his first poems were as well as poetry, hughes's prolific output included plays, essays and articles, poems by langston hughes, a preview of michael hofmann's essay on. In a very real sense, langston hughes is the poet-laureate of harlem from his first the intellectual center of the movement, had become the mecca of all aspiring young much the larger of the two and harlem, capitalizing on this new demand provocative analysis of the frictions and the tensions in the black ghetto. Mary langston's influence on langston hughes is visible in his poems all poems included are from arnold rampersad and david roessel's the collected poems of langston hughes ( analysis of “aunt sue's stories” there are many more women important to langston hughes's journey not included in this article.
African american review, volume 47, number 1, spring 2014, pp holloway house's sister venture, an all-black pornographic magazine titled players, article he wrote in the havana press on hughes's visit) langston hughes's technique during the poet's life in texts such as the weary blues. How is an annotation different from an abstract an annotation is more than just a brief summary of an article, book, web site or other type of publication several of her works to the racy dialect of sterling brown and langston hughes this article is distcintive in its discussion of the need for a poet laureate to add to an. Popular articles langston hughes & the harlem renaissance: crash course literature 215 and today we're going to discuss the poetry of langston hughes a lot later than the european renaissance, also on a different continent, like in a review of hughes' first book cullen wrote, there is too. | <urn:uuid:18f65c43-c40e-4558-9c14-d4fe2eeb9e4a> | {
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