As the dust settled on Barack Obama’s Greek visit after he had left the country demonstrators young and old marched in Athens on the 43rd anniversary of the student uprising in 1973, carrying a flag soaked in the blood of some of the at least 24 victims killed.
The young generation back then, fought for public and free education. For the same reasons we fight today.Protester
Since 1967 a military dictatorship had run Greece, and a crowd of thousands demonstrated outside the US embassy. In the height of the cold war, the US and West wanted a south-eastern bulwark against Communism, and supported the junta.
Some 17000 gathered in Athens, a far cry from the crowd for the first anniversary.
Yet after all this time it is still bitterly resented by many, especially as Democracy would return to Greece barely six months later.
“I brought my kid here to learn the truth about what happened then and not what others may try to tell him. To see for himself where the students stood and where the army tanks tried to stop them,” said one parent.
“The young generation back then, fought for public and free education. For the same reasons we fight today. We fight for the rights they try to take away from us,” said another demonstrator.
Downtown Athens had 3000 extra police on duty. Another 8000 people took to the streets of Thessaloniki. Folded into the demonstration were protests against the government’s austerity policies. Some 1000 members of the governing Syriza party took part.
“It has become something of a tradition to turn the commemoration of the 1973 student uprising into a protest against the policies of the government of the day. And it is apparent that the protesters are making no exception for the Syriza party of the radical left that has been ruling Greece for nearly two years now,” reports euronews’ Stamatis Giannisis, in Athens.


Simple number or constant.
Action that involves two numbers (i.e. 6+2).
Action that requires one number (i.e. 40%).
Gives a result.
Actions about the calculator or the tape.
Number formating actions fractions and scientific notation.
You can use the label button to insert labels or notes to your calculations. The labels will appear on the tape. You can click on your labels and edit them at any time.
You can use the print button to print out the tape.
Clear button clears the last number.
All clear button clears the calculator, tape, and resets any functions.
Memory clear button clears the memory.
Backspace button clears the last digit on the display field and on the tape.
Memory recall button retrieves the number you have in memory and places it in the display field.
Memory plus button adds the number displayed to the contents of the memory.
Memory minus button subtracts the number displayed from the contents of the memory.
Square root button is used to calculate the square root of a number. Enter a number, then click square root button.
Percent button is used to find the percentage of a number. When you press the % button, on the display and tape the percentage will automatically convert to it's decimal form. i.e. 6% changes to .6. Enter the number you want the percentage of, then click the multiplication function, enter the percentage amount, then click the % button, and then click equals. i.e. 125 x 20% = 25 where 25 is 20% of 125. Note: The percent function will also work if you enter the percentage you want first and then the number i.e. 20% x 125 = 25.


1912 – Harry Hawker wins the British Empire Michelin Cup for endurance and Altitude . He flies for 8 hours and 23 minutes in a Burgess-Wright airplane.
1919 – Birth of Frank Piasecki, American engineer and helicopter aviation pioneer; he later pioneers tandem rotor helicopter designs and creates the compound helicopter concept of vectored thrust using a ducted propeller.
1942 – The daylight bombing attack on Italy is mounted by the Royal Air Force when 88 Avro Lancasters of No.5 Group are sent to Milan.
1944 – U.S. Navy pilot David McCampbell (shown above), in a Grumman F6F Hellcat, scores nine victories against the Japanese after shooting down five Mitsubishi A6M Zekes and a pair each of A6M3 Hamps and Nakajima Ki-43 Oscars; he is the only American becoming twice an “ace in a day,” setting a U.S. single mission aerial combat record.
2000 – First flight of the Lockheed Martin X-35A, an American experimental aircraft for the Joint Strike Fighter Program; it is the predecessor of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
2010 – Death of Franciszek Jarecki, a pilot in the Polish Air Force who became famous for having escaped Soviet-controlled Poland in a Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15 jet.


The occurrence of stones within the salivary glands (sialolithiasis) involves the submandibular and parotid glands with the majority (up to 90%) in the submandibular gland. Usually stones are radiopaque, composed of calcium phosphate, are solitary and can be asymptomatic. Up to 22% will have multiple calculi. Bilateral stones may occur but are rare (2%). The propensity for occurrence in the submandibular gland is thought to be due to the nature of its secretions, which are thicker, and more mucous. Additionally, greater alkalinity and concentration of hydroxyapatite and phosphatase are contributing factors. The anatomy of Wharton's duct contributes to stone formation, as it assumes an uphill course and its orifice is smaller than the overall ductal caliber. 85% of stones occur within Wharton's duct with 30% located near the ostium. Despite the prescence of stones, the flow of saliva can continue unabated due to the duct's generous caliber and the potential for pseudodiverticula to form. Obstructing stones may result in gland atrophy and/or abscess and predispose to stricture formation. The only systemic disease known to cause sialolithiasis is gout, with uric acid stones being generated. Sjogren's is more commonly associated with sialadenitis. Non contrast CT is the test of choice for radiologic evaluation although up 80% of stones can be seen on plain films. Stones may be massaged out of Wharton's duct. If this is unsuccessful, transoral ductotomy or gland and duct excision may be necessary. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has been used with mixed success.
Click here for more information about Applied Radiology Online.
Appl Radiol Online. 2004;3(7) © 2004 Anderson Publishing, Ltd.
Cite this: Fever, Right Jaw Pain and Swelling - Medscape - Jul 01, 2004.


Weaver Wednesday : Bocage's Weaver2013-10-02 (425)
The Bocage's Weaver Ploceus temporalis is very similar to the Cape Weaver and has even been considered to be a subspecies of the latter. The The Bocage's Weaver breeding male has a pale eye and olive-brown face mask, and olive-brown throat patch. The female has an olive-green olive-green face patch, and brown eye; it is darker and greener than other weavers in its range. Non-breeding males resemble females but have white eyes. Bocage's Weaver differs from the Cape Weaver in having a short stout bill.
The Bocage's Weaver is found in central and north-east Angola, southern DRCongo and north-west Zambia (see map left based on Birds of Africa). No subspecies are recognised in this little-known species.
It inhabits bushes and trees near water, usually in dambos, also in rank grassland and tall forbs alongside streams and at the edges of marshes. It forages in flocks of up to 50 birds. Its diet is insects, including beetles, grasshoppers and caterpillars. Spiders have been found in the stomach of a chick.
The Bocage's Weaver is probably polygynous. It is a colonial species and colonies of more than 30 nests at one site and up to 20 in one tree have been recorded. The nest is ovoid, and the entrance below may have a short entrance tunnel. The nest is loosely woven from grass stems or strips of grass blades and palm leaves. The nest has a ceiling made of leaf blades and grass heads. Grass seedheads are used as lining. The nest is suspended from a branch over water or in elephant grass next to rivers.
The clutch is 2 eggs, and they are plain sky-blue, similar to Cape Weaver eggs. There is no information on incubation and nestling periods. Brood parasitism by the Diederik Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius has been recorded in Zambia.
The Bocage's Weaver has one photographic PHOWN record from Zambia and 9 Nest Record Cards from Angola (see also PHOWN summary) and many more are needed. Submit any weaver nest records to PHOWN (PHOtos of Weaver Nests) via the Virtual Museum upload site.
PHOWN summary Previous Wedn: Chestnut-mantled Sparrow-Weaver Full weaver species list


Harriet Bouslog exhibited a flair for theatrics and a hint of bravado in any role she played during her long and illustrious career as Hawai‘i’s first female labor and civil rights lawyer. She was outspoken, fearless, unabashed by criticism, and always ready to confront the predominantly male members of the local bar association, with whom she often disagreed. She never wavered from her belief that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were the cornerstones of American democracy, and that everyone—even those who could not pay—deserved legal representation in upholding these rights. —Lawyer, Risk Taker, and Champion of the Underdog by Esther K. Arinaga
Harriet Bouslog played a big role in moving Hawaii from a near-feudal society dominated by powerful landowners to a fair and democratic state. She was “a feisty advocate for working people at a time when it was unpopular and unpolitic.” Learn more
In Her Own Words
Harriet gives us a glimpse into the past as she shares her life with the International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union and the landmark decisions that changed history. Learn more
An Advocate For All Hawaii
Harriet Bouslog’s biography is more than the “larger than life” tale of a dramatic, intelligent person whose worldview demanded the full expression of constitutional rights for all. Read Teresa Bill’s biography of Harriet Bouslog.
Re-live history and remember Harriet in this extensive photo collection that includes her childhood, her campaign, newspaper clippings and courtroom action. View the photo gallery
Inspiring documentary by PBS Hawaii and the Center for Biographical Research combines interviews with family, friends, and commentary by legal historians shares the life of Harriet Bouslog. Purchase the DVD here


Ah, dogs. They're known as man's best friend, and for good reason — their loyalty, playfulness, and boundless energy make them the perfect companions for humans. But like any other living creature, dogs have their quirks. One particularly strange behavior is their love of eating rocks.
Yes, you read that correctly. Some dogs will eat rocks, leading many pet owners to scratch their heads in confusion. You might wonder, "Why on earth would they do that?" Well, fret not!
In this article, we'll explore the surprising reasons behind this peculiar canine habit and offer advice on handling it.
Why Is It Bad for Dogs To Eat Rocks?
While a dog's rock-eating behavior may seem perplexing, it's crucial to understand the potential dangers associated with this habit. Consuming rocks can pose serious health risks for our furry friends.
Here are some reasons why eating rocks can be harmful to dogs:
Choking and Blockages
Rocks can vary in size, and if a dog swallows a large or jagged rock, it can become lodged in their throat or digestive tract, leading to choking or blockages. This can be a life-threatening situation that requires immediate veterinary intervention.
Gnawing on rocks can cause significant dental problems. Dogs may fracture their teeth or wear down their enamel, leading to pain, discomfort, and the need for dental procedures.
The sharp edges of rocks can cause lacerations or tears in the delicate tissues of the gastrointestinal tract. This can result in internal bleeding, infection, and severe abdominal pain.
Some rocks may contain harmful substances or be contaminated with toxins. If a dog ingests a toxic rock, such as one previously sprayed with pesticides, it can lead to poisoning and have detrimental effects on their overall health.
Even if a dog manages to pass a rock without obstruction, it can still cause irritation and inflammation in the digestive system. This can lead to scary symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and loss of appetite.
Why Do Dogs Eat Rocks?
Dogs are natural scavengers, and their curiosity can lead them to explore and chew on various objects, including rocks. But why do they feel the need to eat them?
Let's explore some possible explanations:
Dogs, especially those with high energy levels, are always looking for ways to entertain themselves. When left without proper mental and physical stimulation, they may resort to unconventional behaviors — like rock-eating — to alleviate boredom.
Another possible reason why dogs eat rocks is due to a nutrient deficiency. Dogs who are lacking in certain vitamins or minerals may be drawn to objects that contain those nutrients.
For example, some rocks contain trace amounts of iron, which dogs may crave if they have an iron deficiency. If you suspect that your pooch is eating rocks due to a nutrient deficiency, consider swapping their kibble for premium food like A Pup Above.
Made with 100% human-grade ingredients and absolutely nothing artificial, our vet-approved fresh dog food recipes are packed with essential vitamins and minerals to help your pup stay happy, healthy, and nourished.
Just like human babies, puppies go through a teething process. As their adult teeth come in, they may be tempted to chew on objects — including rocks — to soothe the discomfort of swollen gums.
Fortunately, teething is only a temporary phase, and puppies will usually outgrow it by the time they're six to eight months old.
Some dogs have a condition called pica, which involves an abnormal craving for non-food items. Rocks can be one of the objects they find appealing.
Pica can stem from various factors, including anxiety, stress, or underlying medical conditions. Identifying and addressing the root cause is crucial to curbing this behavior.
Dogs are clever animals and quickly learn which behaviors attract our attention. If they notice that eating rocks grabs our immediate concern and intervention, they may continue doing it to gain our focus and interaction.
Believe it or not, the inclination to chew on rocks may have ancestral roots. In the wild, canines may have gnawed on rocks to keep their teeth clean, sharpen them, or even aid in the digestion of bones and other prey.
Anxiety and Stress
Eating rocks may also be a sign of anxiety or stress. Rocks are solid and durable, so dogs may find comfort in chewing on them when they feel overwhelmed or scared.
How Do I Stop My Dog from Eating Rocks?
If your pup has a penchant for rock-eating, there are steps you can take to discourage the behavior. Here are some useful tips and tricks to keep in mind:
Supervise and Redirect
Keep a close watchful eye on your dog when they are outdoors or in environments with access to rocks. If you catch them approaching a rock with the intention to eat it, redirect their attention to a more appropriate chew toy or engage them in a game of fetch.
Reward them with praise and treats — or a handful of their favorite dog food — when they choose the desired object instead of rocks.
Increase Mental and Physical Stimulation
Since boredom and lack of mental and physical stimulation can contribute to destructive behaviors like rock-eating, it's important to ensure your dog gets enough exercise to release pent-up energy.
Engage them in interactive games, provide puzzle toys, and go for regular walks to keep their mind stimulated and their body active.
Train the "Leave It" Command
Teach your pup the "leave it" command, which can be invaluable in preventing them from picking up and ingesting rocks. Start by offering them a treat in a closed hand and saying, "Leave it."
When they stop trying to get the treat, reward them with a different treat and praise. Repeat this training exercise regularly, gradually progressing to using objects that resemble rocks until they can reliably respond to the command.
Use Bitter Spray or Deterrents
Dogs often dislike the taste of bitter substances. Consider using a pet-safe bitter spray or deterrent specifically designed to discourage chewing behaviors.
Apply the spray on rocks or other objects your dog may be tempted to eat. The unpleasant taste will discourage them from approaching and consuming rocks.
If your pup is snacking on rocks as a way of confronting anxiety or stress, it's important to look for ways to calm and comfort them. Talk to your vet about possible solutions — such as medications or supplements — that may help reduce their anxious behavior.
You could also try aromatherapy, playing calming music, or providing them with a cozy spot to relax and feel safe.
Create a Safe and Stimulating Environment
Ensure your dog's environment is free from rocks or other objects they might be tempted to eat. Regularly inspect your yard or the areas where your dog spends time, and remove any potential hazards.
Provide plenty of chew toys, bones, and interactive puzzles to keep them engaged and satisfied.
Practice Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement training can be highly effective in redirecting your dog's behavior. Whenever you see your dog showing no interest in rocks or choosing an appropriate alternative, praise and reward them with treats or verbal affirmations.
Positive reinforcement helps reinforce the desired behavior and encourages your dog to repeat it.
Leash Training and Close Monitoring
If your dog has a habit of seeking out and eating rocks during walks or outings, keep them on a leash and closely monitor their behavior. This allows you to intervene quickly and redirect their attention whenever they attempt to pick up rocks.
Gradually, with consistent training and monitoring, your dog will learn to ignore rocks and focus on more appropriate activities.
Consult a Vet
If your dog's rock-eating behavior persists despite your best efforts, it's crucial to seek advice from a veterinarian. They can assess your dog's health and provide further guidance or recommend any necessary tests to rule out underlying medical conditions.
A Final Word
While the phenomenon of dogs eating rocks may puzzle us at times, it's important to approach it with a mix of curiosity and concern for our four-legged friends. By understanding the reasons behind this questionable behavior and taking proactive steps to address it, we can keep our dogs happy, healthy, and rock-free.
So, the next time you catch Fido eyeing a pebble with a cheeky look in their eyes, remember to redirect their attention, provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation, and always keep an eye out for any potential hazards. You've got this!
Here at A Pup Above, we understand how important a healthy and happy pup is for pet parents. That's why we curated our human-grade dog food with only the best of the best ingredients. Whether you have a rock eater or not, you can trust that A Pup Above will always provide your best furry friend with the nutrition they deserve.


The winter holiday season is teeming with mysterious figures shrouded in myth, like Saint Nicholas, who became Santa Claus; the mysterious Frauen of German tradition; and Befana, the old witch of Italy who sweeps away the Old Year at Epiphany. One of my favorites of these numinous characters is St. Lucy or Santa Lucia, who appears at the moment of greatest darkness (her feast day is December 13) to bring light back to the northern hemisphere.
She is especially beloved in the Scandinavian countries, where nights are truly long (six hours of sunlight on her day in Oslo and in Stockholm). The oldest—or sometimes the youngest—daughter of the house will get up before dawn on December 13, dress all in white with a crown of candles on her head, and appear in the bedrooms of her other family members, like an apparition or a goddess, bearing a tray of hot pastries and warm beverages. St. Lucy also appears in processions, marching through the streets wearing her crown of candles and preceded by “star boys” wearing white, conical hats and carrying lanterns. The special saffron buns she serves are called Lucy cats and suggest a connection with Freya, the Norse goddess of abundance, who flew through the night skies (somewhat like Santa Claus) in a chariot pulled by cats.
Odd as it may seem the legend of St. Lucy came to Scandinavia by way of Italy. Lucy is one of the earliest Christian martyrs, her name known mostly from an inscription on a tomb in the Catacombs of St. John in Syracuse. But stories have gathered around her name about how she plucked out her eyes when a suitor admired them, about how she arrived on a ship full of grain during a famine. Some scholars speculate that these legends belonged to an older goddess, a goddess of light named Lucina (lux is the Latin word for light), perhaps an aspect of Juno as goddess of light and childbirth. She was often depicted holding a tray with two cakes on it (later misinterpreted as eyeballs).
St. Lucy’s feast day was celebrated in Sicily in the past with bonfires and torchlight processions. Special foods are served in her honor. Sicilians don’t eat wheat on her day in honor of her gift of wheat during a famine. Instead they eat arancini, which are deep-fried croquettes; fritters made of garbanzo bean flour; and cuccìa, a pudding made with wheat berries. Food historian Carol Field believes the whole grains represent seeds, promising abundance for the next harvest.
In Italian homes, Santa Lucia has some of the characteristics of Father Christmas or Santa Claus. She travels on a donkey on the eve of December 13, and children leave out bowls of milk and bundles of carrots or hay for the hungry donkey. In Bergamo, children get all of their gifts from Santa Lucia, who leaves these in their shoes, as Saint Nicholas does on December 5 in the Netherlands. In northeastern Italy, presents are opened on December 13, not on Christmas Day. And in Verona children receive special cookies shaped like ponies or piglets or flowers from Santa Lucia on her day.
If you are looking for more information on St. Lucy, you might enjoy the article “Who Is Santa Lucia?” by Joanna Powell Colbert, who has sponsored a fabulous Lucia party for many years.
Waverly Fitzgerald is a writer, teacher, and calendar priestess who has studied the lore of holidays and the secrets of time for decades. She shares her research and her thoughts on her Living in Season website and in her book, Slow Time. She is currently working on a series of essays about looking for nature in the city and blogs for the Seattle PI as the “Urban Naturalist.”


( ) 1. Li Hong _____ TV for two hours every evening.
A. watch B. watches C. watched
( ) 2. --- _________ is he? --- He is ten.
A. What B. Who C. How old
( ) 3. Kate and Jane _______ my good friends.
A. is B. am C. are
( ) 4. --- Where ________ he from?
--- He _______ from China.
A. is; come B. is; comes C. does; is
( ) 5. --- Where is my pencil?
--- I can’t ______ it.
A. look at B. find C. look for
( ) 6. We’re going to stay here tomorrow. What ____ you?
A. about B. besides C. with
( ) 7. That blue jacket is beautiful.
A. fine B. very nice C. well
( ) 8. --- _____ are these? --- They are red pencils.
A. What B. Where C. What colour
( ) 9. My mother _______ three shelves.
A. have B. has C. is
( ) 10. The man over there is ________.
A. Miss White B. Mrs White C. Mr White
( ) 11. --- _______ kitchen is clean? ---- Mary’s.
A. Who’s B. Whose C. Who
( ) 12. --- _______ grade are you in? --- Grade Five.
A. Whose B. Which C. Where
( ) 13. --- _______ on the river? ---- There’re some ducks.
A. What B. Which C. What’s
( ) 14. That girl is my friend. ______ name is May.
A. His B. Her C. Its
( ) 15. Helen is behind me. I am ______ Helen.
A. behind B. in front of C. beside
1. Peter’s father often ______ (take) a bus to go to work.
2. Look! They _______ (play) happily in the playground.
3. Tom likes _______ (swim) in summer.
4. Who can _____ (speak) English well in your family?
5. Tim and Tom _____ (read) in the library. Let’s _____ (join) them.
6. We will ______ (go) for a picnic tomorrow. We ______ (get) ready for it now.
7. Mary, ________ (not talk) with each other. _______ (be) quite, please.
8. _________ (be) there any water in the bottle?
9. Do you like _______ (watch) TV?
10. Don’t _______ (wash) your shirts now.
Tom is a little boy, and he is only seven years old. One day he went to the cinema. It is the first time for him to do that. He bought a ticket and then went in. But after two or three minutes he came out, bought a second ticket and went in again. After a few minutes he came out again and bought a third ticket. Two or three minutes late he came out and asked for another ticket. Then the girl in the ticket office asked him, “Why do you buy so many tickets? How many friends do you meet?” Tom answered, “No, I have no friend here. But a big boy always stops me at the door and tears(撕) my ticket to pieces.”
( ) 1. Tom is _______ years old.
A. seven B. six C. nine D. eleven
( ) 2. It was ________ for Tom to go to the cinema alone.
A. the second time B. the third time C. the first time D. the last time ( ) 3. Tom bought _______ before the girl asked him.
A. one ticket B. two tickets C. three tickets D. five tickets
( ) 4. Tom met _______ that day.
A. three friends B. his parents C. many classmates D. no friend of his
( ) 5. The big boy was _______ in the cinema. A. a doctor B. a teacher C. a worker D. a policeman
When Mr Smith retired(退休), he bought a small and hoped to live a quiet life in this house.
But to his great surprise, many tourists came to see his house in summer holidays, for it was the most building in the village. From morning to night there outside the house. They kept looking into the rooms through the windows them even went into Mr Smith’s garden. This was too much for Mr Smith. He decided to ask the visitors to put a notice on the window. The notice said, “If you wantyour curiosity(好奇心)，come in and look round. Price: twenty dollars.” Mr Smith was sure that the visitors wouldbut he was wrong. More and more visitors came and Mr Smith had to every day showing them around his house.“I came here to not to work as a guide（导游）,”he said angrily. In the end, he sold the house and moved away.
36.A. garden B. shop C. house D. school
37. A. liked B. hated C. sold D. built
38. A. big B. interesting C. small D. clean
39. A. children B. students C. parents D. tourists
40. A. no 41. A. come 42. A. to satisfy 43. A. go on 44. A. take 45. A. play B. none B. leave B. satisfy B. stop B. cost B. work C. many C. stay C. to satisfying C. continue C. spend C. watch D. much D. play D. satisfying D. not D. pay D. retire


Father Christmas or Santa Claus - the jolly, rotund, white bearded old man who wears a fur trimmed red outfit easily comes to mind when thinking of Christmas and the time of gift giving. Not many may know however that this Father Christmas character is actually based on a real person: the 4th century Nicholaos of Myra.
Nikolaos was a Bishop in the town of Myra, in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Orphaned at a young age, he inherited a large sum of money which enabled him to do his good works. His generosity to those less fortunate than himself led to his canonisation, earning him the more recognisable title of Saint Nicholas.
In his most infamous deed, Nicholas helped an impoverished man who had three daughters. This man was so penniless that he could not provide dowries meaning that the girls would remain unmarried and in the absence of employment would most likely become prostitutes. Hearing of this predicament, Nicholas decided to assist the family in secret. As the story goes, under the cover of darkness, he threw three purses full of gold coins through the window of the house- one for each girl. Another version of the story relates that the purses were thrown over the course of three nights; another version tells of the three purses being thrown over three years. In each version, the father becomes curious, wanting to know who their benefactor was and lies in wait. Nicholas foils his plan and tosses the third purse down the chimney and into the drying stocking of one of the daughters. This gave rise to his legendary reputation of secret gift giving, and also made him the patron saint of brides because of his generous donation of dowries to poor girls.
This year, if you are looking for an extra special present for someone's Christmas stocking, with over 2,700 unique and hand crafted pieces of jewellery, give the gift of history with an ancient, antique or vintage jewel from our extensive collection.


Digital Tutors - Replicating an Italian Renaissance Era Temple in Rhino 5
4h 16m | Video: AVC (.mp4) 1280x720 15fps | Audio: AAC 32KHz 2ch | 2.15GB
Genre: eLearning | Project Files Included
Throughout these Rhino tutorials we'll utilize different tools, techniques and processes that are useful to architects and designers in Rhino.
The goal of this tutorial will be to not only teach the tools, concepts and workflows necessary to succeed in Rhino, but to break them down so that they are easily understood. We'll explore multiple approaches to create a similar object, and you'll be provided with a solid foundation in creating objects of this type.
By the end of this Rhino training, you'll not only understand how to create this type of historical piece of architecture, but will have also developed good working habits in Rhino.


Entitled “Ethics of Human Enhancement: 25 Questions & Answers,” the 50-page report serves as a convenient and accessible starting point for both public and classroom discussions, such as in bioethics seminars.
Some comments: Society will come up with multiple answers (or default lack of answers) and there will be different situations and rules by state, region and country.
From the introduction:
Forget about Pocket PCs, mobile phones, GPS devices, and other portable gadgets; we might soon be able to communicate and access those capabilities without having to carry any external device, thus raising our productivity, efficiency, response time, and other desirable measures—in short, enabling us to even better survive our world.
I disagree with that aspect. How convenient, powerful and easy the wearable, portable or just usable/commandable machines, services and technology that is at someones disposal does matter as does the context of technological society at the time. If there non-harmful to health of the user steroids that were ten times more effective, would not make that big a difference for 99% of the jobs in the developed world. Labor-related work has already been mostly replaced with people driving and using machines.
– Physically enhanced lumberjack versus tree clearing machines
– exoskeletons versus physical enhancement
– Physically enhanced supersoldier versus rapid fire recoilless rifle firing grenade rounds, wide area taser devices, tanks, planes, UAVs etc…
The more powerful technology and the one which will have a larger impact on society and control are early adopter/developers of molecular nanotechnology and nuclear fusion [or breakthrough energy technology that is over 20 times cheaper – both also provide access and control of space based resources] and the best supercomputers and AI. It will be similar to position of the earlier explorers and colonist of North America, except there is the potential for far greater advantages to those with advanced technology. Control of space has massive military and security implications as asteroid bombardment is more powerful than nuclear weapons.
There is world and solar system shaping technology. An early situation of this is the ability for a billionaire or large company to develop and deploy climate engineering technology. This already has been happening for decades via those who operate coal plants. Particulates and air pollution (smog) and CO2 effect the health of millions around coal plants. The weather is effected. Soon those who would deploy technology to create articificial volcano cooling effects will be performing reverse climate alteration.
However, the questions and answers in the report are still interesting within the scope of what they are addressing.
These are the 25 questions addressed in the report:
Definition & Distinctions
1. What is human enhancement?
2. Is the natural/artificial distinction morally significant in this debate?
3. Is the internal/external distinction morally significant in this debate?
4. Is the therapy/enhancement distinction morally significant in this debate?
Contexts & Scenarios
5. Why would contexts matter in the ethics of human enhancement?
6. What are some examples of enhancement for cognitive performance?
7. What are some examples of enhancement for physical performance?
8. Should a non-therapeutic procedure that provides no net benefit be called an “enhancement”?
Freedom & Autonomy
9. Could we justify human enhancement technologies by appealing to our right to be free?
10. Could we justify enhancing humans if it harms no one other than perhaps the individual?
Fairness & Equity
11. Does human enhancement raise issues of fairness, access, and equity?
12. Will it matter if there is an “enhancement divide”?
13. What kind of societal disruptions might arise from human enhancement?
14. Are societal disruptions reason enough to restrict human enhancement?
15. If individuals are enhanced differently, will communication be more difficult or impossible?
Human Dignity & The Good Life
16. Does the notion of human dignity suffer with human enhancements?
17. Will we need to rethink the notion of a “good life”?
Rights & Obligations
18. Is there a right to be enhanced?
19. Could human enhancement give us greater or fewer rights?
20. Is there an obligation in some circumstance to be enhanced?
21. Should children be enhanced?
Policy & Law
22. What are the policy implications of human enhancement?
23. Should there be limits on enhancements allowed, e.g., for military purposes?
24. Might enhanced humans count as someone’s intellectual property?
25. Will we need to rethink ethics itself?
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.


How signals get inside cancer cells and spur aggressive growth
A surprising finding explains how a crucial cancer gene impacts cell signaling to drive aggressive cancer growth
MICHIGAN MEDICINE - UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
ANN ARBOR, Michigan -- The outside of a cancer cell is bombarded by signals. They come from the immune system, supporting tissues and other structures. But how do those signals impact cancer?
A new study provides a surprising model of the process by which those signals enter and influence the cell. The finding could open up a potential new avenue to pursue new therapies against cancer.
"How those signals enter the inside of the cell influences major aspects of what makes a cell a cancer cell: its responses and its ability to respond by proliferating and moving. We have found a connection between the cancer cell 'swallowing' certain molecules and its ability to activate tumor suppressor genes," says study author Sofia Merajver, M.D., Ph.D., professor of internal medicine and epidemiology at the University of Michigan.
Merajver's lab at the Rogel Cancer Center worked with a Michigan Engineering team led by Allen Liu, Ph.D., and postdoctoral researcher Luciana Rosselli-Murai, Ph.D. They focused on a protein called clathrin, which impacts how metabolites, hormones and other proteins enter into a cell. Clathrin-coated pits form little indentations inwards on the surface of cells that fold in on themselves and internalize these molecules.
In this study, published in the Journal of Cell Science, researchers looked at breast cancer cells that did not express PTEN, a protein known to be mutated or deleted in about a third of breast cancers. They found PTEN played a role in the dynamics of clathrin-coated pits. Changing these dynamics by deleting PTEN resulted in shorter-lived pits.
"The clathrin-coated pits that don't live longer than 20 seconds have historically been thought to be non-important. But we found that those are the ones important for bringing signals from outside the cell into the cell," says study author Joel Yates, Ph.D., a research scientist in Merajver's lab.
Many cancers develop because of cell signaling problems. Signals must get from outside the cell into its nucleus to produce proteins. If the signal is altered, it alters what the cell makes, which then alters how the cell grows. This study finds that the short-lived clathrin-coated pits are used to help control the signals that enter the cell. Additionally, PTEN alters the signaling of the clathrin-coated pits that make cancer more aggressive.
"Our work provides evidence that challenges the current paradigm that short-lived clathrin-coated pits are abortive structures, finding that instead they can be capable of driving signaling," says Liu, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering at U-M.
PTEN and other tumor suppressor genes are desirable targets for cancer therapy, but they have proven elusive: no drugs have yet been found to restore function of these mutated or deleted genes. The researchers hope that by understanding the role of PTEN at a mechanistic level - what are the steps that cause PTEN to modulate how cancer cells communicate with the outside - it could provide a new approach to targeting the consequences of decreased function of this critical tumor suppressor.
"This finding opens a new view to the potential role of PTEN on how cancers modulate the outside world and how aggressive they get. It potentially opens new lines of thinking about how to attack the cancer and prevent it from becoming more aggressive," Merajver says.
The researchers plan to look at the signaling in other types of cancer where PTEN plays a role to gain a better understanding of the signaling impact.
Additional authors: Luciana K. Rosselli-Murai, Sei Yoshida, Julia Bourg, Kenneth K.Y. Ho, Megan White, Julia Prisby, Xinyu Tan, Megan Altemus, Liwei Bao, Zhi-Fen Wu, Sarah Veatch, Joel Swanson
Funding: University of Michigan MCubed, Elsa U. Pardee Foundation, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Metavivor Foundation, National Institutes of Health grants GM-110215 and P30 CA046592
Reference: Journal of Cell Science, doi: 10.1242/jcs.208926
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, http://www.
Michigan Engineering, http://www.
Michigan Health Lab, http://www.
Michigan Medicine Cancer AnswerLine, 800-865-1125


We are a part of the digital world where we cannot imagine our lives without the internet and electronic devices. Kids and teens are more addicted to cell phones and the internet more than most adults. The technology has certainly made our lives easier. However, along with the good, the internet has also brought some bad as well.
Our kids and teens, in particular, are on the receiving end of the bad as they are constantly being succumbed to online threats and dangers that lurk in social media and other online platforms. For this very reason, parents want to use monitoring and parental control apps such as the Android spy app to protect their kids from anything harmful on the internet.
Surely, there are several other ways to ensure your kid’s safety on the internet. Some parents enable privacy settings on their kids’ devices and set up built-in parental controls on them. By doing this, they can block and filter inappropriate apps and sites so their kids cannot access them.
In case, parents want to use advanced filtering and monitoring features to protect their kids on the internet, they can use third-party parental control and monitoring apps. Before you can use them, it’s important to identify and know everything about the potential dangers and threats that your kid might face on the internet. Let’s take a look at them:
Online predators lurk on social media and gaming platforms, looking for innocent kids who can be easily manipulated. Since these sexual predators are way more than experienced and clever, it’s easy for them to locate innocent and vulnerable kids on the internet.
They target young and innocent kids online, try to become friends with them by talking about things that would interest the kid. Once they realize they have done enough to impress kids, they lure them into meeting them somewhere outside or demand inappropriate pictures and videos from them.
When predators get hands on such intimate stuff belonging to kids, they can misuse the content by blackmailing kids and their families or they can sell the content to the dark internet for a good price. This sort of experience can damage the kid’s reputation for a lifetime.
If you think bullying is something that was only confined to schools and educational institutes, you are thinking it wrong. Bullying has gotten even worse over time because cyberbullying has now come to life with the advent of technology.
Cyberbullying can ruin your kid’s life in much more devastating ways than you could ever imagine, scarring your kid for life. Instead of targeting and bullying a kid at a certain place, bullies can now target them online 24/7. Kids and teens receive insulting, embarrassing, and threatening messages on the internet, especially on social media platforms. No matter how hard they try, they cannot escape bullying.
Cyberbullying pushes kids and teens to their absolute limits and when they can’t find a way to escape the suffering, they plan on taking their own lives. The advent of social media and gaming platforms has made cyberbullying a permanent part of the internet.
If you do not want your kids to get exposed to this dangerous online threat, you must get help from monitoring and parental control apps because only they can let you monitor your kid’s online interactions.
When you can read their online conversations, you can spot if someone is trying to bully or harass them online and you can protect your kid before any serious damage is incurred.
Pornography and Sexting
Another two major internet dangers that are plaguing the young minds of kids are pornography and sexting. Because kids and teens have easy access to the internet these days, they can get familiar with porn and sexting at a young age which only leads to damage their personality.
They start watching sexually explicit videos and exchange sext messages with otherson a regular basis. Before they know it, they become indulged in these dangers and become addicted to it. Porn and sexting addiction is a huge problem for kids these days. If kids are not brought out of these dangerous habits, their lives can be negatively affected by it.
The only way to find out whether or not your kids are watching porn videos and exchanging sext messages with others is to install the best free hidden spy apps for Android and iPhone (depending on your kid’s device) and then monitor their web browsing history and instant chat messages and text messages.
By recommending parental control and monitoring apps, we are not trying to provide you with cliched solutions. Instead, we are letting you know about the best way to monitor your kid’s online activity. With the help of monitoring apps, you can keep track of your kid’s text messages, chat logs, social media activity, web browsing history, location, as well as the apps they have installed on their mobile phones.
When you have all of this vital information about your kids at your disposal, you can keep them safe from potential online threats and dangers. Protect your kids in the internet world before it’s too late.


we have membrane potential down, what
do we know that’s most important?
Potassium is very important for
resting membrane potential.
Let’s manipulate it a little bit
because you won’t always have the
same potassium concentrations, right?
There are times when you
have high potassium,
there’s times when you
have low potassium.
How does that change
So if we have our cell here at minus 70,
it’s normally leaking out some potassium.
That’s very normal, sodium-potassium
pump rotates some of it back in.
If you are in a
meaning there’s now low potassium
in the extracellular space,
so that’s the interstitial fluid and
the plasma, have low potassium.
How does this change
More potassium will want to leave the
cell because the concentration gradient
is higher, that hyper polarizes the
cell and makes it more negative.
You can see the more negative
here within oscilloscope tracing.
So what you’re doing is moving
more potassium out of the cell.
It’s getting closer to
this minus 90 value.
If you actually measure it, you
can get all the way to minus 90
in a hypokalemic environment.
What if you start with a membrane
potential that’s normally about minus 70,
you have the normal potassium
leak out of the cell,
and now, instead of hypokalemia,
we’re in hyperkalemia.
We have a high amount of
potassium outside the cell.
This could be for many
It could be because other cells in the body
are pushing its potassium out of the cell,
which sometimes happens
during an acidosis.
It could also be that you have dietarily
intaked more potassium than you need.
So if you’re in a
membrane potential rises.
It becomes less negative.
There is less of a driving force for
potassium to want to lead the cell.
It’s inhibited because the driving
force is not there to the same extent.
So we call that movement from minus
70 to minus 50 a depolarization.
If you haven’t reached
threshold yet, that’s okay.
That’s an action potential.
We’ll get to that soon.
But what you’re doing
If you go from minus 70 to a lower
number, we are hyperpolarizing.
It’s easy to think of these two
values if you look at them on a graph
that uses membrane potential.
Going up is depolarization, going
down is hyperpolarization.
Having a different concentration isn’t the
only thing that affects membrane potential.
Currents can also change
For example, once you open up
channels that were initially closed.
So what we have
We had sodium channels closed,
calcium channels were close,
chloride channels were closed.
What happens if
you open them up?
Membrane potential changes.
So here, this is showing you an example
of opening up a sodium channel
and you can see a large
change in membrane potential
as there’s an inward
flux of sodium.
So sodium influx allows
for a depolarization.
Why? Because it’s Nernst equation
value was around 61 millivolts.
So as it travels in,
membrane potential rises.
How about potassium?
If you opened up even more potassium
channels than what are open at rest,
how would that change
In this case, you would
have a loss of potassium
so that would hyperpolarize
The conductance moves out,
but the voltage goes down.
So you can see how currents
change this whole process.


French may quit Bosnia in July
Wednesday 24 May 1995
France's Prime Minister, Alain Juppe, said yesterday that France - and implicitly also Britain - would pull their troops out of the Balkans unless Serbia rapidly recognised Bosnia in its pre-war borders.
France has privately warned the UN that unless its conditions are met, it will stop replacing troops in July. The idea is to make a smooth withdrawal rather than a mass evacuation that could cause soldiers to be killed or taken hostage.
Serbia's President, Slobodan Milosevic, refused yesterday to give the explicit promise on recognition that the West wants, increasing the possibility of a British and French withdrawal.
Although recognition of Bosnia by Belgrade would alter little on the ground, it would bring pressure on the Bosnian Serbs to return to the bargaining table.
Mr Juppe's statement marked the first time that France has linked its involvement in the United Nations operation to a specific diplomatic measure, and it underlined warnings from Paris that it is serious about removing its troops if there is no progress towards a settlement.
A French withdrawal would almost certainly mean an end to Britain's peace- keeping presence in Bosnia, but would not necessarily result in a complete UN pull-out. France and Britain are the largest contributors to the UN Protection Force (Unprofor) operation, but their troops could be replaced by other states. Mr Juppe did not mention Britain, but France and Britain are co-ordinating policies on Bosnia. It appears Britain is happy to let France take the lead in presenting the case for withdrawal.
In his first policy speech since President Jacques Chirac appointed him last week, Mr Juppe told the National Assembly that the five-nation "Contact Group", comprising Britain, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, was trying to persuade Serbia to recognise Bosnia. He added: "If these efforts proved to be in vain, France and its partners could not keep its peace-keepers for long in an Unprofor whose impotent presence would have lost all reason to exist."
Nato has plans to remove UN peace-keepers from Bosnia, but the French method of not replacing troops as they return home may avert the need for Nato involvement. France has almost 5,000 soldiers in Bosnia, and 37 have been killed there.
Mr Milosevic has hinted that he may recognise Bosnia. But yesterday the US envoy, Robert Frasure, returned from Belgrade without a firm commitment from him. Diplomats said Mr Milosevic wanted a guarantee that UN sanctions, to be suspended if he recognises Bosnia, would not be reimposed.
The offer which Mr Frasure presented to Mr Milosevic kept in place certain measures, such as the denial of access to foreign credit, until the achievement of a general peace.
- 1 Alan Rickman admits editing 'terrible' script with friends in Pizza Hut behind backs of writers on Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
- 2 18th century sex toy found in 'toilet of sword fighting school' in Poland
- 3 US? China? India? The 10 biggest economies in 2030 will be...
- 4 'I wish my teacher knew...': Young students share their 'heartbreaking' worries in notes
- 5 Rebecca Francis accuses Ricky Gervais of using 'influence' to target female hunters after receiving barrage of death threats
The only black face in the Ukip manifesto is on the page about overseas aid
If I’m being racially abused I don’t need a stranger with a saviour complex to rescue me
Ukip is the only main political party to not address LGBT rights in its manifesto
Food banks: One million Britons will soon be using them, according to Trussell Trust
BBC election debate: The one photo that summed up the whole 90-minute leaders debate
Religion isn't growing, it is becoming vigorous in its demise, says philosopher AC Grayling
£18000 - £23000 per annum: Recruitment Genius: They work with major vehicle ma...
£16500 per annum: Recruitment Genius: A Chiropractic Assistant is needed in a ...
£18000 - £26000 per annum: Recruitment Genius: They work with major vehicle ma...
£28000 - £30000 per annum: Recruitment Genius: This company provides coaching ...


Marketplace, a daily economics news program heard on National Public Radio, featured a story on August 14, 2001 about teenagers' retail habits during the months preceding the 2001 school year.
"Retailers always salivate when teenagers need to suit up for the new school year. But as reporter Sarah Gardner found, some industry leaders think students might be getting thrifty in the slowing economy." Now we need to determine why they are making this choice.
In this lesson you will:
- Reflect on your own spending habits while recognizing that all choices involve cost and benefits.
- Identify and develop effective promotions and advertisements
Reflect on your own "back-to-school" spending habits while recognizing that all choices involve costs and benefits.
- What purchases did you make to get ready for going back-to-school this fall? Include supplies, clothes, electronic equipment, etc., in your examples?
- How much did each item cost?
- Where was each item purchased?
- Why was that particular item purchased?
- Where did the money come from to purchase these things? Could other things be purchased?
As you collect this information, enter it into a table. A table is provided for you to use. Click on this link to get it: Back to School Spending Report Chart.
Now listen to the Marketplace audio segment titled Back-to-School Retail , either as a whole class or in small groups. (Play from 7:38 through 10:37)
As you listen to the segment, answer the following questions to gather information for later analysis (you may listen to the segment several times if necessary):
- What percentage of girls say that the "number one cure for boredom" is shopping?
- Of retail purchases, what percentage are made by teens?
- What does Teen Magazine estimate the average teen will spend on back-to-school products in 2001?
- What does the National Retail Federation estimate that the average household will spend on back-to-school products in 2001?
- What does the National Retail Federation estimate that the average household spent on back-to-school products in 2000?
Analyze the information gathered from the Marketplace segment by answering the following questions. First, reflect individually in writing for 5 minutes. Then, have discuss your ideas in small groups. Finally, have each group report some ideas to the entire class.
- According to the 2000 census, there are approximately 275,000,000 people in the United States. If 50,000,000 of those people are teenagers, what percentage of the population do teens comprise? Therefore, what percentage of shopping mall retail sales would you expect teenagers?
- According to the Marketplace segment, what percentage of shopping mall retail sales do teenagers make? How might this affect retail advertising and marketing?
- What does the change in the National Retail Federation's "average household back-to-school purchases" from the year 2000 to the year 2001 suggest about the economy or consumer perception of the economy?
- What may be the cause of the discrepancy between Teen Magazine's back-to-school purchase figures and the National Retail Federation's back-to-school purchase figures?
After analyzing the data from the Marketplace segment, reflect on your own purchasing habits, comparing to the national averages. Answer these questions:
- Were your own purchases above or below the national average according to Teen Magazine?
- Were your own purchases above or below the national average according to the National Retail Federation?
- Were your purchases more than or less than last years' purchases?
- Did advertising or promotions affect what purchases you made? If so, how?
- Did advertising or promotions affect where your purchases were made? If so, how?
In the preceding activities, you should have demonstrated an understanding of how to develop and use a budget, create an effective advertisement and recognize that all choices involve costs and benefits. To reinforce this understanding, complete the activity in the Evaluation section below.
Now determine your monthly "salaries" (from allowances, part-time jobs, etc.).You should then create a budget for your spending in the following categories:
- utilities (phone, Internet, etc.)
- transportation (bus fare, gasoline, etc.)
- entertainment (movies, CDs, concerts, etc.)
You should compare your budget and then determine the percentage of money spent in each category. Remember that your percentages should add up to 100%.
The following are suggested activities to reinforce concepts and content from this lesson.
You should now search online and in print and television advertising to find at least one example of a promotional campaign like the ones discussed in the Marketplace segment. You should then plan your own promotional campaign to sell one back-to-school item of their choice. As you work you should also consider questions such as:
- What giveaways might attract your target market to your product?
- What type of slogan or jingle would appeal to your market?
- What media will you use to "get the word out" about your promotion?


All you need to know about the New English Art Club, (NEAC).
Some history of the NEAC.
The New English Art Club (NEAC) was founded in London in 1885 as an alternative venue to the Royal Academy. It began as an exhibiting society by artists influenced by impressionism and whose work was rejected by the conservative Royal Academy.
It was the young English artists returning from studying art in Paris who mounted the first exhibition in April 1886. Some of these early artists were Thomas Cooper Gotch, Frank Bramley, John Singer Sargent, Philip Wilson Steer, George Clausen and Stanhope Forbes. Early exhibitions were held in the Egyptian Hall.
The Impressionist style was well represented at the NEAC, in comparison to the old-school academic art shown at the Royal Academy. For a time, the NEAC was seen as a stepping-stone to Royal Academy membership.
How has the NEAC changed in this time?
Over the last century or so , the visual art world has seen great change. It was only after World War Two that the focus of the art world has shifted from Paris, which up until this time was considered the centre of the art world. Since the War, New York has become a giant, and London has even more recently greatly increased in importance. Along with this, London has witnessed a large increase in the number of public and commercial galleries.
Today the New English continues in a figurative style, while the Royal Academy is seen to have been drawn to more abstract and conceptual art. It represents the best of contemporary British figurative painters. Figurative painting is based on nature, and is a representation of the visual world. It is one of the most influencial exhibiting art societies.
The Drawing School
At the New English there is a thriving centre of excellence for drawing and painting and is at the heart of what it represents. It is staffed entirely by members of the NEAC, and offers a thorough and sound approach to drawing in its many forms, with small classes to ensure a personal and individual tutor/student relationship.
Courses are run at various venues, mainly in London, on drawing, sketching and working from drawing to painting.
“Anyone can draw'”, is a key principle at the Drawing School. You are not required to be either a member or a Friend of the NEAC. It also offers the option just to ‘drop in’ to any of the courses, rather than sign up for a full course, which provides a flexible approach which many find encouraging.
The Annual Open Exhibition 2015.
For the first time, the date of the Open Exhibition at the Mall Galleries, was moved from its usual November date to an early summer slot in June. Artists submitted over 1000 entries into this years exhibition, from these 300 were selected for further scrutiny by the selection committee, with 94 pieces selected for hanging in the Mall Galleries.
The 2015 Exhibition is now closed, however some of the unsold work is still on sale and can be viewed on the NEAC website.
Who’s Who at the New English?
The Patron of the NEAC is HRH The Prince of Wales.
The NEAC President, Richard Pikesley, will be the guest artist on a painting holiday to Puglia, in Southern Italy in July 2016.
There are currently around seventy members , of which half are female artists.Members are leading contemporary UK artists producing fine original art. The New English Art Club website offers an opportunity to view the work of many of the finest British figurative artists. Here you can view their art and find out about their work and lives. Some works can be found at the NEAC Trading Company shop for sale.
For a sneak preview of our 2016 instructional and ‘work alongside’ painting trips with these and other artists, please click here.
The Friends are members of the public who support the aims of the Club. They are the Club’s primary audience and they give great help, both financial and moral. They are a highly valued part of the New English family. There are about 300 Friends at present.
As a Friend, you will:
* be invited to all of the New English exhibitions, where you will be able to meet many of the artists who are members of the Club.
* receive a newsletter, and you will be invited to at least one studio visit.
* receive discounts on all classes and courses run by the NEAC Drawing School
The annual subscription is only £30.


This article is a non-direct continuation of the “What is a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)?” found on the Petri IT Knowledgebase.
Public-Key Cryptography and One-Way Functions
As written in previous articles, Public-Key cryptography (as opposed to symmetric key cryptography) relies on one-way functions, which are functions that are easy to calculate but hard to invert or reverse without prior knowledge. Public-key cryptography exploits this asymmetry of effort to create one-way functions: functions where anyone can perform one operation (encryption or verification of signature), but it is extremely difficult to invert the operation (which might be the decryption or creation of signature) without having full information.
This is accomplished cryptographically through the use of two related, but different keys – also known as a key pair. These keys are created at the same time and are mathematically related to each other. The private key is required to invert operations performed with the public key, and vice versa. The public key is widely distributed, but the private key kept private. This is called a many to one function, i.e. anyone can use the public key to perform cryptographic operations, but only the person holding the private key can invert it. But this mechanism also allows for a one-to-many function in which the person holding the private key can perform an operation, and anyone holding the public key can invert. These two functions are used for encryption (many people can encrypt, only one can decrypt), and signature (only one can sign, many people can verify signature).
Symmetric algorithms are the most common type of encryption algorithm. The reason why they are known as symmetric is because the same key is used for both encryption and decryption. Unlike the keys used with public-key algorithms, symmetric keys are frequently changed. For this reason, they are referred to here as session keys.
When compared to public-key algorithms, symmetric algorithms are very fast and require less CPU-intensive calculations. That is why they are preferred when encrypting large amounts of data. Some of the more common symmetric algorithms are RC4, and the Data Encryption Standard (DES).
Many modern cryptographic protocols use a combination of public-key cryptography and symmetric cryptography to obtain the benefits of both: public-key algorithms to exchange a symmetric key, and then use symmetric algorithms to quickly encrypt or decrypt data. Such encryption protocols include TLS, SSL, IPSec, EFS, S/MIME and others.
Encryption and Decryption
When using data encryption, a plaintext message can be encoded so it appears like random gibberish and is very difficult to transform back to the original message without a secret key. The plaintext message can consist of ASCII text, a database file, or any data you want to store or transmit securely.
Note: Plaintext is used to refer to data that has not been encrypted, while cipher text refers to data that has.
Once a message has been encrypted, it can be stored on any non-secure media or transmitted on a non-secure network, and still remain secret. Later, the message can be decrypted into its original form.
When a message is encrypted, an encryption key (or public key) is used. The encryption key is analogous to the physical key that is used to lock a padlock. To decrypt the message, the corresponding decryption key (or private key) must be used. It is very important to properly restrict access to the decryption key, because anyone who possesses it will be able to decrypt all messages that were encrypted with the matching encryption key.
The interesting thing about using this type of encryption is not the data encryption/decryption process itself – that is pretty straightforward – but how to keep the keys safe, and how to transmit them securely to other users.
Hashing, Digital Signatures, and Verification
Unlike encryption which prevents the message from being read by anyone besides the holder of the private key, digital signatures can be used when you have a message that you plan to distribute in plaintext form, and you want the recipients to be able to verify that the message comes from you and that it hasn’t been tampered with since it left your mailbox. Signing a message does not alter the message, it simply generates a digital signature string you can bundle with the message or transmit separately.
Digital signatures are generated using public-key signature algorithms. A private key is used to generate the signature, and the corresponding public key is used to validate the signature.
Digital signatures allow users to verify that a document came from the holder of a private key, and hasn’t changed since signature. The document may or may not be encrypted in addition to being signed.
Note: Good cryptographic procedure is always to sign before encrypting – that way you know what’s being signed. Imagine signing an envelope without knowing what’s inside!
Digital signatures are created by encrypting a hash of the document with a private key. The hash of the document is basically a miniature fingerprint of the document. The hashing functions used are similar to the hashing functions in use throughout computer science – functions that take a large data input and return a smaller output of fixed size.
Hashing functions should be as “one- way” as possible: if you know the value of a hash (and potentially the original document), it should be very difficult to create another document with the same hash value. It should be especially difficult (ideally impossible) to modify the original document by a character here or there and obtain the same hash value.
A digital signature is hash encrypted with a private signature key. Verifying a digital signature is done by decrypting the signature using the public signature key, and matching the result against a hash of the original document.
Note: Good cryptographic procedure recommends using a different key specifically for signature, rather than a general purpose key for both encryption or key exchange and signature.
The strength of a signature is dependent on the quality of the one-way hash function, and the strength of the encryption of that hash. If the one-way hash function can be subverted, than the original document might be changed. If the encryption isn’t sufficiently strong, then the document might have come from someone other than the holder of the private key.
So far, we are able to encrypt and decrypt documents, and sign and verify their signatures. However, both of these functions require our ability to distribute public keys and match them to the holder of the private key, which turns out to be one of the biggest issues with encryption.
- If Alice wants to send Bob some encrypted data, she needs to know his public key.
- If Bob wants to verify the digital signature on a document as coming from Alice, he needs to know her public key.
So, how does someone know that the public key they’ve just been handed does indeed belong to the person they claim they are? What if you were handed a public key and were told that this was the public key for your bank, would you believe it? One very appropriate answer to this question might be “Who told me?” or “who vouches for the credibility of this public key?”
Certificates, Certificate Authorities (CAs) and Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs)
Certificates are the ones that help answer the above questions. Basically, certificates are signed documents which match public keys to other information, such as a name or e-mail address. Certificates are signed by certificate authorities (CAs), which issue certificates. In essence, a certificate authority is a commonly trusted third-party, who is relied upon to verify the matching of public keys to identity, e-mail name, or other such information (e.g. issuance of credit, access privileges).
The benefit of certificates and CAs is that if two people both trust the same CA, then by exchanging certificates signed by the CA, they can learn each other’s public keys, and use them to encrypt data and send it to one another or to verify the signatures on document.
Certificate creation is straightforward, and has six steps:
- Key generation: the individual requesting certification (the applicant) (not the CA) generates key pairs of public and private keys.
- Matching of policy information: the applicant packages up the additional information necessary for the CA to issue the certificate (e.g. proof of identity, e-mail address and so on). The precise definition of this information is up to the CA.
- Sending of public keys and information: the applicant sends the public keys and information (often encrypted using the CA’s public key) to the CA.
- Verification of information: the CA applies whatever policy rules it might require to verify that the applicant should receive a certificate. Usually, you will pay more in order to reach a higher level of authenticity.
- Certificate creation: the CA creates a digital document with the appropriate information (public keys, expiration date, other data) and signs it using the CA’s private key.
- Sending/posting of certificate: The CA may send the certificate to the applicant, and/or post it publicly as appropriate.
To verify a certificate, all that is necessary is the public key of the CA (plus a possible check against a revocation list). Certificates and CA’s reduce the public-key distribution problem from verifying and trusting one (or more) public keys per individual to verifying and trusting the CA’s public key and relying on that to allow verification of others.
Multi-Level Certificate Authorities
Certificate authorities can also certify sub-authorities, also known as subordinate CAs, who can issue their own certificates. This allows “trees of trust” which among other things reduces the burden on a centralized server. For example, imagine a large corporation with 4 divisions. The main CA would certify four sub-CAs (one per division), which would issue certificates for everyone in each division. Cross-divisional certification works so long as everyone has the public key of the main CA, which it can use to verify the credential of the sub-CA.
The Life of a Certificate
Certificates have a limited life. They are requested, often paid for, created, and then either are revoked (if compromised) or expire. Expiration is important, as advances in computing power, and the potential for the discovery of holes in algorithms or protocols may make certificates unreliable. Revocation is important if private keys are compromised, or there has been a change in status or policy (e.g. a Certificate indicating that TomC is an employee of The Firm should be revoked if he leaves The Firm).
Revocation of a certificate uses a Certificate Revocation List (CRL). A CA might want to revoke a certificate in case of inappropriate use, frauds, CA compromise and so on, and in order to let all the potential users that might need to use the specific certificate, it publishes the certificate in a CRL.
It is possible to configure the applications using the certificate to check against a CRL to ensure validity of the certificate.
Protocols and Examples
A cryptographic protocol is a combination of the basic cryptographic elements of encryption/decryption, hashing, signature, signature verification, certificate issuance, checking and revocation to accomplish some desired goal. For example:
- Key Exchange protocols, where two parties who want to communicate, but don’t already have each others’ public keys or access to certificates, can exchange keys;
- Secure Channel protocols (such as SSL), where two parties want private, authenticated communications over a public network.
Measures of Strength
The strength of the operations depends on a number of things. All public-key cryptographic operations and protocols require that the private keys be kept private. Here’s a summary of some of the additional measures:
- Public-key encryption: depends on the strength of the algorithm used (e.g. RSA), and the length of the keys used.
- Symmetric-key encryption: depends on the strength of the algorithm used (e.g. DES, RC4) and the length of the keys used.
- Hashes: depends upon the hash algorithm used.
- Digital signature: depends on the hash algorithm used, the encryption algorithm used to sign the hash, and the length of the keys used.
- Certificate: depends on the choice and implementation of policy by the CA, on the digital signature algorithms used, on the revocation policy used, and the availability and use of CRLs.
Recent Security Forum threads
Got a question? Post it on our Security Forums!


The monsoon gives our country much-needed respite from the unrelenting summer sun and the water we need to recharge the lakes, and rivers that hydrate our cities, towns, factories, and fields. While it has largely been a force for good, there’s no denying that the monsoon has also proven to be one of the biggest threats to people’s personal safety, causing hundreds if not thousands of deaths both directly and indirectly each year. It’s for these reasons that the monsoon season stretches the emergency ambulance services overstretched very brink and the emergency phone numbers in India such as ZHL’s are flooded with calls on a regular basis. While the emergency ambulance services are always prepared to deal with major incidents, there are several steps people can take at an individual level to mitigate the consequences of excessive rainfall. Here are just some of the many calamities that accompany an Indian monsoon to look out for:
Flooding is the most obvious consequence of heavy rainfall, and an unfortunate reality in many Indian cities, particularly Mumbai. Most cities in India suffer from out-dated drainage and sewer systems some of which are over a century old, meaning rainwater accumulates faster than it can be dissipated. Floods cost hundreds of crores of property damage each year, as well several deaths due to drowning in open manholes and from falling trees and debris. Here’s how to act if you’re ever faced with a flood:
· If you’re at work, school, or any place offering adequate shelter, stay there until the situation deescalates. Do not attempt to venture out during a flood.
· Always walk in the middle of the road, sidewalks tend to be littered with open manholes.
· Carry a stick or branch to feel for potholes, manholes, and stones on the road.
While floods are far more dramatic, the diseases that accompany Indian monsoons are the biggest killers. These include malaria, jaundice, typhoid, and dysentery, in addition to several other seasonal bacterial and viral infections, which wreak havoc, particularly on the young, the old, and the weak. Here are some simple habits to follow that will lower your chances of contracting an infectious disease:
· Wash your hands before you eat.
· Avoid eating out, especially street food which tends to be prepared in unhygienic conditions.
· Close your windows at night and spray your home for mosquitoes regularly.
· Purify and/or boil all the water you drink.
· Avoid public transport i.e. buses and trains whenever possible.
While many consider lightning strikes to be a rarity, in India they’re actually a deadly killer. Each year over 2,000 people die from lightning strikes, while Bangalore alone saw 104 deaths in the period between June 1st and June 10th in 2018 due to pre-monsoon showers. Lightning strike are avoidable to some degree provided one takes the following precautions:
· Seek shelter in case of a storm; especially if you’re in an open field. Lightning always strikes the highest point. Houses, sheds, and even vehicles are all safer than being directly exposed to the elements.
· Never seek shelter under a tree, falling branches and fire are as big a threat as the lightning itself.
· Stay away from large metallic structures i.e. towers, telephone poles, and streetlights, as well as water bodies, as they act lightning conductors and significantly increase your chances of being struck.
· Do not use your mobile phone during a storm.
The monsoon is a season of extremes, it gives life, and it takes it away. But it’s not our place to judge the actions of nature, and merely accept the cards with which we’ve been dealt, knowing full well that even if things go badly, no matter where in the country you may happen to be, the emergency services, especially ZHL’s emergency ambulance services are always there to help. If you ever find yourself or a stranger in a situation beyond your control that warrants immediate medical attention, be sure to dial 108 or 1298 for assistance.


We live in a time of inspiration
but without motivation our dreams will never be made real
I used to use the words inspiration and motivation interchangably. After some pondering I realized that they are related to one another— but are quite different from one another.
- So often we are inspired to do something either by something we hear or witness. This is the spark that makes us realize that something is a possibility and that we could actually do it. I am inspired many times by the posts that I read to write a post myself.
- No matter what others may say— you cannot truly motivate someone. You can teach them to be responsible and self reliant— but motivation comes from within. We are all self-motivated in that we choose to do what we intend to do when we choose to do it.
All of us can be inspirational to others— but we never know if we inspired anyone. Being an educator we were told that you may be an inspiration to your students, but you may never know who you inspired or to what degree. Perhaps a student may come back and tell you that you inspired them to become what they are— but that is usually rare.
What may be even more rare is that your inspiration actually motivated someone to do something. I know that many people indicated in my recent post about Warm Milk that they would try making it. I am now curious as to if they were motivated enough to go through with their inspired intentions and made it.
Yesterday many were inspired by the speech made by our now 44th president at his inauguration. We now have to motivate ourselves to follow through with our inspirations and make those inspirations real.


The State Finally Acquires the Mile Bridge
HAMPTON: A CENTURY OF TOWN AND BEACH, 1888-1988
Back to previous section -- Forward to next section -- Return to Table of Contents
Chapter 2 -- Part 2
The wooden decking was ideal for catching discarded cigarettes, which fell into cracks, often smoldering into flames. In 1935, for example, between June 23 and September 3, the town report indicates firefighters were called 14 times for bridge fires. The Union suggests the total was nearer 200 times, and Hampton firemen recall old timers saying they were often called to the bridge several times a day during the summer. The State finally placed a fireproof filler between the planks, and by 1937 bridge fires were down to just a few each summer.
Of more concern to the Beach by the 1930s, perhaps, was the matter of paying tolls on a privately owned bridge. Businesspeople felt that motorists were balking at paying tolls and were staying south of Hampton to avoid the fees. When the bridge was first opened to the public, pedestrians and bicyclists paid 5 cents each; a horse attached to a carriage was 5 cents, and the same amount was charged for passengers; carriages with two or more horses were 10 cents, as were loaded wagons; but cattle, sheep, or pigs were only 1 cent. Trolley passengers traveled free as part of their fare.
In 1907, when the street railway began to have financial troubles, there was local lobbying for the State to take over the bridge from the Granite State Land Company. Instead, the company agreed to end tolls during the winter months. In 1916, led by motorist groups and local businesspeople, there was another push for state ownership of the bridge when proponents called for the coastal route to become a state boulevard. While the railway was proving to be financially unsuccessful, the bridge was making money. In 1915, 5,000 autos crossed the bridge during Carnival Week alone, and the tolls amounted to $11,000, with less than half of that spent for expenses. Reluctant to sell the bridge, the company set a price of $75,000, approximately the original cost, though critics estimated the bridge needed some $50,000 in repairs. The State refused the offer, but local demands continued, especially after the trolleys ceased operations in 1930 and the company ran the bridge as a profit-making venture, earning more with the bridge than it had made when running the whole street railway.
The situation became serious in 1930, when the Massachusetts Northeastern Street Railway went into receivership. Since the receivers were apparently making a 90 percent return on investment (the bridge was netting $25,000 annually), the attorney general ordered the tolls to be lowered and the State Supreme Court ruled that the Public Service Commission could set bridge rates. The court determined that 10 cents per car was fair, while the receivers wanted 5 cents per car and 5 cents per passenger. The company appealed to the United States Supreme Court, which upheld the New Hampshire court, and the receivers decided to sell. In October 1933, the governor and the council approved the purchase of the bridge for $140,000, about half the receivers' original asking price.
Realizing it had made a wise purchase, the State decided to collect tolls all year, instead of dropping the winter tolls as the railroad had done. In 1935, tolls were increased for the Hampton and Dover Point bridges. The old toll of 10 cents, with five tickets for 35 cents, was changed to 15 cents and fifteen tickets for $1.00, a move to help regular bridge users and also to make each bridge self-supporting.
Although the bridge was usually a serious subject, it figured into one of Hampton's most unusual election bets. In 1932, while chatting with a group of locals in Fred Lorenz's Market at the southern junction of the boulevard and Ashworth (then Marsh) Avenue, Bill Dow of Seabrook predicted that Herbert Hoover would win reelection over challenger Franklin D. Roosevelt. Captain George Everett Knowles and others disagreed. After deciding that money was too scarce to bet, the men determined that the loser would have to walk backward across the bridge from Seabrook to Hampton. In December, after the election, accompanied by 3,000 people and preceded by a 10-person German marching band hired by Lorenz, the 255-pound Dow made his long backward walk in 23 minutes, "which is considered remarkable." Dow carried a sign saying, "I voted for Hoover," while Lorenz carried a sign proclaiming, "I did not." On reaching Lorenz's, there was an impromptu celebration that lasted the rest of the afternoon.
Election bets aside, however, the condition of the bridge was worsening and its narrow width resulted in a number of accidents. By the late 1930s, it was evident that a new bridge was needed. In 1939, the Legislature passed a $35,000 appropriation for a new bridge, assuming that federal funds would also be available. America was worried about war at this time, so federal public works money for the bridge was not made available. In early 1941, nevertheless, the Legislature passed a $650,000 bill to provide funds for bridge construction for a new seawall extending from Haverhill Street to the Ashworth.
World War II--with its demands on steel, concrete, and construction workers--doomed the new bridge project, although a new bypass was built on the Seabrook side of the old bridge, replacing 600 feet of the structure with a gravel road. The old timbers were used to repair the rest of the bridge, and so it remained until after the war. The $212,000 seawall construction began in July 1946, with the 3,500-foot barrier with boardwalk completed in the summer of 1947. In September 1946, the State accepted a bid of $577,860 for the substructure of the 1,300-foot bridge.
The bridge substructure was built by T. Stuart & Son of Watertown, Massachusetts, and the superstructure was constructed by Phoenix Bridge Company of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. About half of the 65 men who worked on the bridge were local. On December 15, 1949 -- almost a year behind schedule because of delays in steel delivery--the new bridge opened with no ceremony. The toll collectors simply moved from the old collection booths on the Seabrook side of the bridge to the new booths.
In April 1953, the bridge was named for Lieutenant Neil R. Underwood, an army pilot and Hampton Beach resident who was lost in World War II.
The shifting sands of Hampton River caused many problems with the old bridge, but the new one was thought to be safe until one day in May 1957 when a section of the bridge dropped 5 inches. One of the supporting tiers was damaged and the bridge was closed for a few weeks while temporary repairs were made with $50,000 approved by the governor and the council.
In October 1964, during a small ceremony, Hampton's John Gambole paid the last toll on the bridge as the State declared that tolls had raised enough money to retire the bonds issued to build the bridge.
With the 10-cent toll removed from the bridge, traffic increased dramatically. In July 1964, there were 307,918 toll payers; with free passage in July 1965, 441,000 vehicles crossed the bridge. In 1984-85, some $2.5 million was spent to give the bridge a new deck and railings, a modern bridge house for the draw operators, and a complete coat of paint. At that time, the State rejected ideas for a new wider bridge, predicting the cost at some $10 million.