Updated on 7 June 2013
Chinese researchers have developed the world’s first ever vaccine against a strain of enterovirus that can cause hand, foot and mouth disease
Singapore: The world's first vaccine against a strain of enterovirus has now been developed by Chinese researchers. The enterovirus that can cause hand, foot and mouth disease, especially in small children can also lead to deadly infections of the brain and spinal cord membranes.
The disease can be caused by several different germs, including a group called enterovirus and a specific form of this virus called the enterovirus71 (EV71). EV71 can cause sever disease in children that causes fever, blisters around the hands, feet and mouth and is transmitted by contact with fecal matter, blisters or saliva of an infected person. It sometimes leads to potentially fatalmeningitis and encephalitis.
First published in The Lancet, the research shows that the new vaccine protects against EV71. The study involved 10,245 children aged between six and 35 months who lived in four different places in China. Half were given two doses of the vaccine and half were given a placebo.
"During active surveillance, vaccine efficacy was 90 percent against EV71-associated hand, foot and mouth disease and 80.4 percent against EV71-associated disease," the researchers said in their paper.
The vaccine also demonstrated 100 percent efficacy against EV71-associated hospitalization, further suggesting, "It could have a significant impact on public health by preventing severe outcomes of EV71 infection," the authors added.


Boxing: A Jewish Sport
Jews' participation in professional boxing in the interwar period is not as surprising as it might seem to be.
When Jewish sports fans are asked to name Jewish boxers, invariably they will mention Benny Leonard and Barney Ross, the famous champions. Sometimes Ruby Goldstein, a contender, will be added, and more infrequently "Slapsie" Maxie Rosenbloom, a great light-heavyweight champion. And there it ends.
Even knowledgeable sports fans have no notion that there were many outstanding Jewish champions and contenders, and thousands of Jewish boxers in the twenties, thirties, and even forties. "How was it possible?" they will ask. "It is so contrary to Jewish tradition and culture. It is astounding."
In fact, Jews entered the ranks of American boxing in large numbers and by 1928, were the dominant nationality in professional prizefighting, followed by the Italians and the Irish. Ten years later, Jews sank to third place, preceded by the Italians and the Irish.
When World War II ended and the G.I. Bill of Rights and other avenues of advancement became available, boxing was no longer attractive to the Jews as participants. By 1950, there were virtually no Jewish boxers, and their number has been minuscule ever since. A similar decline occurred among Jewish trainers, but Jewish managers, promoters, and matchmakers continue to maintain a presence.
On the surface, it seems unlikely that Jews ever participated in such a brutal sport. It is assumed that Jewish pursuits were traditionally more cerebral and that education played an overriding role in the Jewish culture. Who would box when he could go to college and become a professional?
But going to college and becoming a professional were not necessarily options for the vast majority of Jewish youths in the 1920s and 1930s. When that choice as well as other economic opportunities became possible, after the Second World War, Jewish boxing rapidly disintegrated.
Jews in Proportion
During the years 1910-1940, there were twenty-six Jewish world champions. This was an impressive achievement, particularly in an era when there were only eight weight classes, instead of the myriad that exist today (to say nothing of the multiplicity of sanctioning bodies).
But this success must be viewed in the context of overall Jewish participation in boxing. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s approximately 16 percent of the champions were Jewish, but nearly one-third of the fighters were also Jewish. While there were indeed Jewish champions, Jews did not excel out of proportion to their number of participants and were, in fact, underrepresented at the championship level. In boxing, at least, Jews could be average, a possibility that was not available in other sports such as baseball.
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The fascia is mounted at the point where the roof meets the outer walls of the house and is often called the ROOFLINE. However most people refer to it by the name of the main board that carries the gutter – the fascia or fascias.
Unfortunately, not many people are familiar with these terms, so we thought you might appreciate a few words of explanation.
The fascia board is the long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof. The fascia is fixed directly to the roof trusses and usually does all the work of supporting the bottom row of tiles and carrying all the guttering.
This is no mean feat, especially when it is raining hard. In a downpour the roof of a 3-bed semi could be washing several gallons of water per second into its gutters.
This is the board that is used on the gable end of a house. The condition of the bargeboard can often make or break the look of a house, and over the years it has evolved into some very attractive shapes.
The soffit board is tucked away under the fascia board. It is usually the board that you see most of from street level. The soffit can be ventilated to allow the flow of air into the roof area. Alternatively, ventilation can be provided over the top of the fascia board. Many people prefer the latter solution these days. Without adequate ventilation, condensation will form in the roof void increasing the risk of timber decay.
The Box End is a work of art, accommodating as it does the many different angles, planes and heights of the fascia, soffit and bargeboard at each corner of the house where there is a gable end.


Computer Weaving From Laurel Software
A computer weaving program, called Video Loom II, has been released by Laurel Software. With Video Loom II and an Apple II + personal computer, a weaver can simulte a handloom design and see a high resolution color picture of the resultant textile in seconds.
The program is easy to use. No computer experience is required. The computer, via a TV screen, asks the weaver for information about how the "loom" is to be set up, what colors are to be used, yarn sizes, treadling order, etc. The weaver responds by typing answers on an ordinary typewriter keyboard.
Once the loom is "warped" and the weaving sequence established, the computer draws a full color television picture of the design. The designs can be saved on small, inexpensive (and reusable) magnetic diskettes. The design images can easily be photographed if color slides or polaroid pictures are desired.
Sixteen Harness Diamond Twill
Englarged View of a Four Harness Twill
Four Harness Overshot Pattern
The original Video Loom program, released in early 1979, was the subject of a special exhibit at the 1979 Conference of Northern California Handweavers' Guilds. At the Lawrence Hall of Science, in Berkeley, California, it was used to introduce teachers, textile hobbyists and designers to the principles of computer aided design. For more than three years it has been enabling weavers to preview their designs before going through the time consuming process of warping and creating samples.
The new version features fast machine language routines for weaving and drawing, and a foolproof screen editor for setting up the loom. This means that weaving is 20 to 30 times faster than with the original program and that designs can be changed more easily than ever.
Video Loom II simulates a 32 harness loom with 64 treadles. The loom can be instantly changed from rising to sinking shed. Designs can be displayed in up to six colors (including black and white).
In addition to choosing a threading draft, tieup and treadling, the program allows the weaver to vary warp and weft colors, thicknesses and the spacing between threads. This makes it possible to create design images that look very much like photographs of woven textiles. Alternatively, by using very thick threads and wide spaces, a "magnified" view of a textile can be created. This feature can be used by teachers to realistically display and compare the structures of different kinds of weaves.
The program has a mode that permits the weaver to use the computer's keyboard keys as treadles. In this way, a design can be developed one weft at a time, just as if a real loom were being used.
During a weaving session, all, or only some, of the design elements can be saved on reusable, magnetic diskettes. Any design element that has been saved can be recalled at any time. This permits, for example, the tieup or treadling from one pattern to be combined with the threading draft from another, without typing in any new data.
Hardcopy printouts of the draft, tieup, treadling and all other design elements are available. If the computer is equipped with the proper accessories, a graphics printout of the design images can be obtained at the touch of a key.
Video Loom II requires a 48K Apple II + (or an Apple II with Applesoft in ROM or a Language Card) and one disk drive. It comes on a DOS 3.3 diskette with complete, easy to follow instructions.
The cost is $59.95 plus $4.00 for postage and handling. Overseas orders should be paid in US currency and require $10.00 for postage and handling.
A brochure can be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
1310 College Avenue
Boulder, Colorado 80302


Biewer Terrier Therapy Dogs are dogs that are trained to provide comfort and support to people in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and disaster areas.
These dogs are not considered service animals and are not protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Instead, they are trained to provide emotional support and comfort to a wide range of people, regardless of whether they have a disability.
Biewer Terrier Therapy Dogs are typically owned by individuals who take them to visit different locations and interact with people in need of support. The presence of a therapy dog can bring joy and comfort to people who are suffering from a wide range of physical and emotional conditions. Studies have shown that interacting with therapy dogs can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and improve overall well-being. Therapy Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and any breed of dog can potentially become a therapy dog.
It’s important for Biewer Terrier Therapy Dogs to be well-behaved and comfortable around a wide range of people and environments.
In order to become a therapy Biewer, your dog must undergo extensive training and be certified by a therapy dog organization. Training typically involves basic obedience training, as well as training specific to the role of a therapy dog. Therapy dogs must also be up to date on all vaccinations and must pass a temperament test to ensure that they are suitable for therapy work.
Biewer Terrier Therapy Dogs can provide invaluable support and comfort to people in need.
Whether they are visiting patients in a hospital or providing support to students in a school, these special dogs have the ability to bring joy and happiness to those around them. Biewer Terrier Therapy Dogs
There are three main categories of dogs that serve this purpose:
- therapy dogs
- service dogs
- emotional support dogs.
While all three types of dogs can provide therapeutic benefits, they serve different purposes and have different roles and responsibilities.
Biewer Terrier Therapy Dogs can be trained to work with people in private practice such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and mental health professionals, visiting people in their homes, clinics, and rehab facilities.
- Hospitals: Therapy dogs can be used to visit patients in hospitals, helping to lift their spirits and reduce their stress and anxiety.
- Nursing homes: Therapy dogs can be used to visit residents in nursing homes, providing companionship and helping to improve their overall well-being.
- Schools: Therapy dogs can be used to help children with special needs or those who are struggling with reading or other academic challenges.
- Rehabilitation centers: Therapy dogs can be used to visit patients undergoing physical, occupational, or speech therapy, helping to lift their spirits and improve their overall well-being.
- Mental health facilities: Therapy dogs can be used to visit patients in mental health facilities, providing comfort and support.
- Airports, train and bus stations: Therapy dogs can be used to provide emotional support for travelers who may be experiencing stress or anxiety during their journey.
- Disaster or crisis areas: Therapy dogs can be used to provide emotional support to people affected by natural disasters, accidents or traumatic events.
Biewer Terrier Therapy Dogs are trained by professional dog trainers or by the dogs’ owners with the help of a professional. The specific training for therapy dogs will vary depending on the organization and the setting in which the dog will be working, but most therapy dog programs will require the dog to pass a basic obedience test and a temperament test, as well as regular veterinary check-ups and vaccinations.
Biewer Terrier Therapy Dogs often have to be certified by a certifying organization such as Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Pet Partners, or Therapy Dogs International, these groups have strict guidelines and evaluation processes to ensure the dogs are well trained and comfortable with people, and the training program is designed to teach the dog how to interact with people in a therapeutic setting. The certification usually requires a certain number of volunteer hours in different settings and a certain number of continuing education units, as well as annual recertification.
Additionally, many Biewer Terrier Therapy Dogs are trained in basic obedience, and manners and are socialized with a variety of people, places, and situations before starting their volunteer work.
This training helps the dog to be comfortable and confident in a variety of settings and to be able to handle distractions and unexpected occurrences.


I was receiving a prescription generic medication and was having no problems with it. With my last refill, I received another company’s brand. After taking the medication for a couple of doses, it felt as though I received some gluten. I checked with the drug manufacturer and was told that they do not use any gluten in the manufacturing of that medication. Both my previous brand and the current brand have similar fillers, including some cornstarch. Is it possible that there was some cross-contamination that occurred in the new drug?
There is no standard for gluten levels in medications like there are in food. If a drug company did test its products, the lowest level of detection is 3 parts per million (ppm), and it is known that people can adversely react to gluten with levels as low as 1 ppm. As you are aware, the standard for the food industry is <20 ppm. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that wheat, barley or rye are rarely, if ever, used in drug products. It has further stated that if any cross-contamination did occur, it would likely be undetectable. Does this mean that there was no gluten in the new medication? The answer is no; there could be a miniscule amount, and there would be no way to detect that small amount. When you compare this information to what is available for food, you can see that even guaranteed gluten-free food could have levels of gluten high enough to cause an unwanted reaction. Since your medication contained cornstarch, there is a small chance of gluten contamination. Products that contain no grain derivatives lower that chance even further.
What kind of precautions do drug companies employ to minimize the chance of cross-contamination when manufacturing their medications?
There are several engineering controls that drug manufacturers employ, and these apply to drugs manufactured both in the United States and manufacturing facilities in foreign countries that sell their drugs in the U.S. market. They are required to employ systems that minimize the degree of cross-contamination, with building and facilities designed so that the operations performed within do not contribute to an actual or potential contamination. These pharmaceutical drug manufacturers have very defined cleaning procedures that remove any contaminants between batch runs to ensure quality.
Besides my celiac disease, I also have a lactose intolerance. Is there lactose in prescription medications?
Lactose is commonly used as a filler in many drug products. The amount depends on both the type of the drugs and the size of the tablet or capsule. Larger-sized drug products could easily have as much as 120 mg per tablet, the same amount of lactose as in approximately 2 ounces of cheddar cheese. If you don’t have issues with low levels of lactose-containing foods, you are unlikely to have any issues with certain lactose-containing medications.
Steve Plogsted, a pharmacist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, is an expert on gluten in medications. His website, glutenfreedrugs.com, is widely recognized as the most reliable source of information on gluten-free prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Have a question about gluten and medications? Send it to [email protected].


So what kind of medicine do we practice? It may be helpful to define some terms found on our website to help you better understand our medical philosophy.
Types of Veterinary Medicine
- Conventional medicine refers to using pharmaceuticals and surgery to treat health conditions. This is the kind of veterinary care that many of us are accustomed and the foundation for a typical veterinary education. Conventional medicine can be both invasive and effective. In some critical and emergency situations, conventional medicine may very well be the optimal treatment option.
- Alternative medicine refers to therapies that are excluded by conventional medicine and include hundreds of old and new practices including acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbs. Alternative therapies are typically less invasive, more natural and some are scientifically proven while others are not.
- Complementary medicine is a term used when alternative therapies are used in conjunction with conventional medicine. For example, Dr. Brett uses herbs during surgery to reduced bleeding and promote faster healing.
- Integrative medicine utilizes all three of these types of medicine to provide the most effective treatment plan for each individual animal. In addition, integrative medicine considers the whole pet including their history, environment, behavior and diet.
Dr. Brett practices integrative medicine and works with each animal to understand their unique health story and partners with pet caretakers to develop a health plan that is best for the pet which may include conventional, alternative, and/or complementary medicine. This health plan not only includes the treatment of disease, but preventative and healthy pet care as well.


Brain function deteriorates rapidly when it is deprived of oxygen. This can occur at extremely high altitudes or during acute head trauma encountered in sports like football, Alpine skiing and soccer. Creatine supplements protect the brain from low oxygen environments— according to a study by a research team from New Zealand. Researchers subjected healthy adults to 10 percent oxygen for 90 minutes, which severely impaired brain function. Normal oxygen levels are slightly less than 21 percent. Pretreatment with creatine for seven days protected the brain against the effects of low oxygen. It is unknown whether creatine would be a good supplement for preventing brain injury in athletes.
Source: Journal Neuroscience, 35: 1773-1780, 2015


There is always buzz about what is the right amount of carbs for a healthy diet. Add in weightlifting and fat burning goals, and there is enough confusion to make a nutritionist’s head spin. With the right knowledge, you can use carb cycling to manage your metabolism, meet your goals, and stay healthy along the way.
At the most basic level, carbohydrates are sugar. Our mind doesn’t equate the two, but eating either a bowl of rice or a spoon of sugar both produce glucose.
When both are processed in the body, the final result is the same – they’re broken into glucose, which is the body’s best source of energy.
The only energy source for the brain and nervous system is glucose, unlike the muscular and skeletal systems. Also, carbohydrates (glucose) are the body’s most immediate energy source and have a 30-50% faster rate of breakdown compared to fat.
Anaerobic exercise relies exclusively on carbohydrates through glycolysis. Carbohydrates also have a protein-sparing effect, which keeps the body from breaking down protein for energy.
Along with proper nutrition, exercise is also an important component of your overall health. If you are looking for an exercise routine, look no further. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, and more.
Different Forms of Carbohydrates
Essentially, carbohydrates come in two forms, simple and complex. Simple carbs are mono and disaccharides which are “sugars.” Fructose, the naturally occurring sugar in fruit, sucrose (table sugar), and lactose (the naturally occurring sugar in dairy products) are some examples of simple forms. Complex carbs are things like rice, potatoes, pasta, and bread. These carbohydrates are polysaccharides or “starch.” They contain long chains of more than 3,000 glucose molecules linked together.
Now that the chemists and biologists are satisfied, let’s look at how these different carbs affect the body. Regardless of the form (except for fiber), the body converts carbohydrates into energy which is glucose.
The main difference between simple and complex carbs is the amount of time it takes the body to convert them into glucose.
Complex carbs tend to give a more gradual and sustained energy release. Simple carbs give an immediate energy release usually accompanied by a sharp decline in energy as well.
For this reason, it would be best to have more complex carbohydrates earlier in the day to provide a more prolonged energy supply. Have simple carbs after your workouts and exercise sessions for quick glycogen replenishment. Remember to keep in mind the glycemic index and load of the food sources.
One thing to realize is that once the carbs you have eaten have been converted to glucose, what is not used to fuel body functions and replenish muscle glycogen is shuttled into fat stores. Unused carbohydrates will, essentially, cause you to gain body fat. Your main goal with carbohydrates is to provide enough energy to fuel body functions and muscle activity each day and ‘no more.’ Therefore, the variable is carbohydrates if protein and fat intake remain the same each day.
What Is Carb Cycling?
Carbohydrate cycling is a diet strategy that many fitness competitors and bodybuilders use in order to prepare for a show. This tactic can also be used by anyone wanting a fat-blasting bodybuilding workout plan. When your intake of carbohydrates is low, your body is forced to use stored body fat for energy. Also, when your body has been given plenty of carbs, it uses them rather than fat as the energy source.
The body does require a certain amount of carbohydrates to carry out basic processes – such as brain function and the nervous system. We wouldn’t recommend going much lower than 120 grams of carbohydrates per day for this reason.
If your diet is too low in carbohydrates, your workouts and training are going to suffer. Anaerobic activity is fueled by carbohydrates. Also, you can fall into a state of ‘ketosis.’
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What Is Ketosis?
Ketosis is a state of carbohydrate deprivation and should be avoided. Ketone bodies are the product of incomplete burning of fats. When these are present in the blood, your body doesn’t have enough carbohydrates available in order to properly metabolize body fat. In other words, you need carbs to burn body fat! The body can use ketone bodies instead of glycogen for energy production, but they are nowhere near as efficient in fueling exercise.
When you are in a state of ketosis, you become irritable, sluggish, and may become dehydrated. Without carbohydrates available in the body, your body breaks down protein for additional energy (a catabolic state). Your body will actually metabolize muscle tissue for energy at about the same rate as fat if you don’t have enough protein intake. Your hard-earned muscle will be metabolized.
This is obviously counterproductive for someone trying to build or maintain lean muscle mass. When considering a muscle-building strategy, the last thing you want to do is jeopardize your efforts with the possibility of the strategy backfiring. Make sure you watch out for the effects of ketosis when carb cycling.
The correct way to carb cycle is to make sure you are taking an adequate amount of protein and not limiting your carbohydrates to the point of ketosis. Ketosis can be monitored by using ketosis strips.
These strips can be found at many pharmacies and contain a special chemical that will change color in the presence of ketones in the urine. The container will have a scale on the label, with blocks of color to compare to the strip. You check for ketosis by passing the strip through your urine. The ketosis strip will turn a certain color after about 15-20 seconds.
Low and High Carb Amounts
The best way to carb cycle is to follow a plan that consists of three low-carb days and one high-carb day as part of a low carb, high protein diet. You continue to cycle the days until you reach your desired goal. The high-carb days are important for a few reasons.
Firstly, it throws your metabolism off and tricks your body into thinking it has come off the diet. If you continue to have low-carb days, your body will eventually adapt to this and slow its metabolism down to compensate for the lower caloric intake. This is known as homeostasis, your body trying to maintain a balance.
Having a high-carb day “fools” the body. But, after a longer period of time, your body will adapt to the three low-carb days and one high-carb day as well.
Another reason to have high-carb days is to replenish glycogen stores. Glycogen is the body’s storage form of carbohydrates found in the liver and muscles.
Since glycogen is combined together with water, the extra volume in the muscle cells causes the muscles to appear larger. Muscles deprived of glycogen are small and flat whereas muscles full of glycogen are big and full.
The final reason to have high-carb days comes from a health standpoint. After following a strict low-carb diet for three days in a row, you can become mentally and physically drained. For this reason, you should give your body a break from the routine every fourth day. After the high-carb day, you will again feel full of energy, more alert and ready to go into the next three days.
Check Your Progress
After doing the carb cycling for 4-6 weeks, you should reevaluate what progress you have made. If you’re getting close to your desired body fat, you may want to cut back to two low-carb days and one high-carb day.
This will prevent your body from adapting and slowing down its metabolism. You could even cycle low, moderate, and high carbohydrate days to “throw” your body off.
When you have reached your desired body fat level, you can alternate low-carb and high-carb days, or even have ‘moderate’ carb days all week long.
The best measure of progress is how you look in the mirror and how you are feeling. The scale, tape measure, and your body fat percentage can only say so much.
We have outlined a sample low and high carb day that can be used. The high-carb day also incorporates higher glycemic index carb sources. If you get hungry in the middle of the night on the low-carb days, we’d recommend having a scoop of protein to keep you going until the morning. When it comes to fat loss, carbohydrates are the variable. After you have reached your desired goal, you can follow more general guidelines that will become a part of your everyday lifestyle.
Meal 1: 5 egg whites, 2 yolks. 4oz. turkey burger, 8 strawberries or a pear.
Meal 2: 6oz. chicken breast, half cup of oatmeal.
Meal 3: (Post-workout) 2 scoops of whey protein, half tbsp lecithin granules.
Meal 4: 6oz. chicken breast, 2-3 cups of mixed green salad, 1tbsp olive oil and vinegar.
Meal 5: 6oz. chicken breast, 1 cup of broccoli or green beans.
Meal 6: 4oz. turkey burger, 5 egg whites, 1 cup of vegetables for the omelet.
Meal 7: 1-2 scoops of casein protein, 1 tbsp flaxseed oil.
Meal 1: 9 egg whites, 1 cup of oatmeal, half cup of raisins.
Meal 2: 6oz. chicken breast, 1 cup of oatmeal, 1 banana.
Meal 3: (post-workout) 2 scoops of whey protein, half tbsp lecithin granules.
Meal 4: 6oz. chicken breast, 1 cup of brown rice, 1 cup of broccoli or green beans.
Meal 5: 6oz. chicken breast,6oz. baked potato, 1 cup of mixed green salad, 1 tbsp olive oil and vinegar.
Meal 6: 4oz. turkey burger, 5 egg whites, 1 apple or pear.
Meal 7: 1-2 scoops of casein protein, 1 tbsp flaxseed oil.
Sample Weekly Carb-Cycling Plan
When used correctly, carb cycling can be a very effective way of losing body fat while preserving your muscle mass.
Those taking their muscle-toning and fat-burning to the next level should consider carb cycling and this sample meal plan to reach their goals. Weight training is never dependent on one secret strategy. Carb cycling is one element of a successful fitness lifestyle, but it should be accompanied by overall healthy eating and weightlifting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many calories should I eat?
How many calories you should eat depends on a number of factors. To get a rough estimate, check out this article.
What is bulking? What is cutting?
Bulking and cutting are techniques used by bodybuilders to grow muscle and shed fat. Bulking requires eating in a surplus while weight training in order to build muscle. Cutting requires eating in a caloric deficit to shed body fat in order to “expose” the muscle built during the bulking phase.
Do I have to bulk? Do I have to cut?
No. Unless you are a professional bodybuilder, you do not have to bulk or cut to lead a healthy, happy lifestyle.
Get motivation for your fitness lifestyle with our workout plans, workout logging, and forums. Sign up for a PRO plan now to start reaching your goals.


Two of the key differences between bees, wasps and hornets is in the way they feed their larvae, as well as their nest structures.
However, some bees can be mistaken for wasps, or even hornets, or vice versa, for example....
Nomad bees (like this one pictured left) have a very waspish appearance, both in their colouring and slender bodies, not at all like the cuddly image we may have of bees.
carder bee (pictured right) has markings very similar to the German wasp.
And in my experience, during talks about bees, audience members frequently mis-identify honey bees, believing them to be wasps.
A short while ago, I received this photograph below from a contact in the USA.
The question was:
‘what kind of bee is this?’
It is actually not a bee, but a bald faced hornet!
Now, for those who think that this should be obvious because 'all bees should only be yellow and black or orange striped', this really is not necessarily the case. For example,
Arguably, at first glance it's not surprising we might get confused......especially when we throw in a few exotic species, like the Orchid Bee..
The general consensus is that wasps and hornets are more aggressive than bees.
But there other differences. That said, it is also true that there is great variation between species of bee ans wasp.
However, bees, wasps and hornets belong to the insect order, Hymenoptera (having biting mouthparts).
This insect order is divided into further groups, including Aculeata (hymenopterans where the females have a ‘modified ovi-positor’ which may be used for egg-laying, stinging, sawing, or piercing).
The larvae of Aculeata are
usually grub-like. At this stage, the group still includes bees, wasps and
hornets. In this respect then, bees are similar to wasps and hornets.
then divided into further groups, but eventually, bees are in a separate group from wasps and hornets.
A very key difference between hornets, wasps and bees is in the diet fed to the young.
Whereas wasps and hornets provide a carnivorous diet to their offspring (in the form of other insects), bees feed their offspring on nectar and pollen. Bees basically therefore, have a vegetarian diet. According to 'Bees Of The World', an exception to this is a small group of meliponine bees of the genus Trigona, which also feed their young on other insects instead of pollen.
There is tremendous variety between nest building habits and structures, and indeed, parasitic species tend to inhabit the nests of their hosts.
Bumblebees create roundish wax cells under or over ground. Hornets and some species of wasps may create nest structures from shavings of wood, whilst other wasps may use mud. Honey bees are known for nesting in tree trunk or cave cavities if not domesticated (where they will otherwise occupy a bee hive), whilst solitary bees have a variety of different methods and constructing their nests.
It really depends on the country in which you live, and therefore the species of wasp, bee and hornet in your region. But suffice to say, it appears that hornets are larger than the bee species found in their regions.
In comparison with bees in the UK, a hornet queen is larger than bee species found in that region, perhaps reaching about 3.5cm, in comparison with say the larger of the queen bumblebee species reaching up to 2.5cm).
However, the Indonesian resin bee may reach 3.9cm in length – but then it should also be noted that the Asian Giant Hornet, the world’s largest is hornet is around 5cm in length.
Wasps and hornets do have hair, although bees are usually considered to be hairier, but both wasps and hornets are pollinators. Read more on my page Do Wasps Pollinate Flowers?
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Learn how to perform a basic fetal pig dissection! This guide includes cutting instructions for the oral, thoracic, and abdominal cavities, and descriptions of both external and internal anatomy. Labeled color photos show all the major internal organs. (Urogenital, circulatory, and nervous systems are not covered in detail.) 8 pages.
This dissection guide was revised October 2014 with improved instructions and color images for a better dissection and easier identification of internal and external anatomy.
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My Science Perks is FREE! Just place your order while logged in to your Home Science Tools account and you'll automatically earn up to 6% back when your order ships!Learn More


Top 5 Attractions to Visit on China's Ancient Silk Road
The Silk Road is referred to as the ancient commercial trade route, starting from China and linking Asia, Africa, and Europe. The Silk Road on the land arose out of Changan, the capital city of the West Han Dynasty. The Silk Road was an important road containing the interchange of economic, political, and cultural between the east and the west.
In the very first period, the function of the road is to transport the silk produced in ancient China. Along with the business trade, different politics and cultures also carried on the road to the other countries. Thanks to the Silk Road, Islam and Buddhism were introduced to China. Nowadays, some big relics of these religions are unfolded before visitors’ eyes. Meanwhile, Chinese ancient culture was known by some Islamic areas and some European countries.
No. 1 Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xi’an
The Silk Road was started from Xi'an, the traditional starting city. As the old walled city in ancient China, Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is an alive example of the combining of the old and new China. In the modernized Xi’an city, noise and excitement always exist around the ancient, winding lanes of the Old Area. Visitors also can see old men smoking pipes while butchers pull their carts fully loaded with pork and beef and vendors sell their goods.
The Terracotta Warriors and Horses is a must-see in Xi’an. The purpose of the foundation of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is to bury the Qin Shihuang and is known as the largest scale military museum under the ground. The thousands of Terracotta Warriors and Houses were dug out when peasants were digging a well in 1974.
The six feet tall warrior stands straight and each one has its own individual features and characteristics. Some stand with a shield on one hand and crossbow and longbow, on the other hand, some hold spears, daggers, and axes in their hands at the ready attitude. They are equipped with dozens of horse-drawn carriages and enormous horses. Visitors can see most of the warriors standing in their muddy graves which are uncovered and some others still submerged in the ground.
Location: Qinling County, Lintong District, Xian
Admission Fee: Peak Season (from 1 March to late Nov.): 90 Yuan; off-season (the rest of the year): 65 Yuan. Students with a student identity card: 45 yuan
Opening Hours: 7:30am-17:30pm (from 16 March to 14 Nov.); 8:00am-17:00pm (from 15 Nov. to 15 March)
How to get there: Take NO. 306 bus (5.5Yuan per person, through expressway) and NO. 307 bus (5Yuan per person), the buses run from 7:00 to 18:00 at 10 mins interval.
No. 2 Mogao Caves in Dunhuang
Located near the west area of the Hexi Corridor, Gansu Province is neighboring Xinjiang. As one of the stops in Silk Road, Dunhuang has a military history included in the Silk Road trade history. In Dunhuang, there is another stopover point on the Silk Road. Margao Grottoes are the top attraction here. Mogao Grottos is one of the most magnificent Buddhist grottos in China. The grottos are located on the mountainous towering sand dunes.
The Mogao Caves, also known as the Thousand Buddhist Grottos, are famous for the Chinese saying, "a glittering pearl that adorns the Silk Road". Dating from 366AD, the Mogao Caves are 1,000 meters long and are filled with magnificent Buddhist art. Visitors can appreciate the elaborate 45,000 square meters of frescos in the caves. The life of the Buddha is recorded in the colorful picture in the nearly 500 caves.
Location: West of Hexi Corridor, Dunhuang 736200, China
Admission Fee: 240 Yuan/Person
Opening Hours: From 8:10 AM to 6:00 PM, daily.
How to get there: A shuttle bus service is available between the caves and the digital exhibition center.
No. 3 Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark
Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark is a museum showing the geology of the Yardang. It is located around 180 km northwest of Dunhuang, Gansu Province, covering 398 square km. It experienced a formation of 700,000 years’ development.
The area is also called Ghost City because some buildings in the area look like ancient castles. There is a building called Aisikexiaer Castel, which means “unique city” in the Uyghur language. The park shows the most special and magnificent sight on the Silk Road and as the largest natural landmark on the Silk Road, it is the largest Yardang formation in China.
Yardang landform is typically eroded by the wind. In the Uyghur language, Yardang implies steep hills. Yardang landform is formed in several big deserts in the world, including Que Tunisia Stan desert and Mojave, but Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark is the most famous and typical one. Visitors can see local renowned specialties in the area includes “Mongolian Bao”, “Camel”, “Stone Bird”, “Peacock”, “The Golden Lion Welcoming His Guests” etc.
Location: northwest of Yumen Pass, Dunhuang 736200, China
Admission Fee: 80Yuan/Person
Opening Hours: all day long
How to get there: Visitors can take a special bus or take a taxi to the place.
Best time to visit: March to October is the best time to visit the park
No. 4 Jiaohe Ancient City in Turpan
The Jiaohe Ancient City was the capital of the former Cheshi State. There is an Indian proverb, 'Intelligence is bound to exist where two rivers meet. In Chinese, Jiaohe means a place located at the meeting of two rivers. According to historical records, it used to be the home to 700 households, 6500 residents, and 865 soldiers.
Jiaohe Ancient City does not have the common characteristic to the other ancient cities. There are three reasons listed as follows: The Jiaohe Ancient City only has two city gates as the main gate of the city is destroyed for an unknown reasons. Another reason is that thanks to the location of the city, it is not necessary to build the extra city wall to protect the city from the enemy because the city faces cliffs on three sides. Visitors rarely see the other ancient city built by stones and wood but can see in Jiaohe Ancient City.
Location: Jianggelemaisi Village, Ya'er Country, Turpan 838000, China
Admission Fee: 40Yuan/Person
Opening Hours: 10：00 to 21：00
How to get there: Visitors can take the No.1 bus in Turpan city and get off at Ya’er country government, then take a minibus and get off again at the big slope just before Jiaohe, walk another ten minutes to the scenic spot.
No. 5 Sunday Markets in Kashgar
The best place to experience the authentic culture of the Uygur minority is by visiting a grand bazaar. Bazaar in Uygur language refers to market. Kashgar is a bustling market town on the Silk Road. Every Sunday, traders come from all over the city and get together to sell their livestock and thousands of different varieties of produce. Being in Kashgar, there will be a large number of majorities of Uygur people, which seems that you have been in another country.
Visitors spending their Sunday at the markets can watch the traders dressed in their best waistcoats and all to sell their sheep carried on their donkey cart from miles away. Visitors can buy varieties of souvenirs in different sections of the market, such as hats, spices, kitchenware, carpets, musical instruments richly decorated, clothing and tailors, and almost any other products and so on.
In Kashgar, the Fragrant Concubines tomb is also a highlight worth to be visited with the Idkah Mosque. The Fragrant Concubine is a woman in Chinese legend to make a consort by the Qianlong Emperor during the 18th century. Kashgar was the center of the Great Game staged between Britain and Russia in their attempts to secure the Central Asian states.


On September 4th 2012, two Birds Koreans (Ms. Lee Jung-Kyu and NM) and several staff from the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Secretariat (EAAF P) visited Yubu Island in the Geum Estuary (Republic of Korea). Yubu Island is a well-known Ramsar site, supporting probably the nationâ€™s largest remaining shorebird roost (approximately 16,000 shorebirds counted there by NM on August 31st). We arrived at 5AM, timing our visit to coincide with high tide, with the aim of observing Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpipers Eurynorhynchus pygmeus either at roost or on the falling tide (at least six have been found by Birds Korea research at this site since late August).
Our joint visit was not motivated simply by the desire to see one of the Worldâ€™s most charismatic and threatened bird species. Birds Korea has been the Republic of Koreaâ€™s Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force team member since 2004, and the same Task Force was formally endorsed by the EAAF P in 2010. Both organisations highlighted the need for this speciesâ€™ conservation at a press conference in Seoul on September 3rd (http://www.birdskoreablog.org/?p=5809). And the EAAF P Secretariat is also working with local government to help improve conservation opportunities for shorebirds at Yubu and in the Geum Estuary â€“ an EAAF P shorebird site.
While waiting for sunrise, we were passed by two men pulling a small wheelbarrow. They flushed many hundreds of birds in the near-dark â€“ but soon after many returned, as the beach was the only area of land remaining above the tide. At 0630, it was light enough to find a roosting Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Within 20m, we also saw a Sanderling Calidris alba with a broken leg and behind it a near-moribund globally Vulnerable Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris.
Increasingly concerned, at about 0700 we moved down the beach, and less than 200m away found two long mist nets and three people extracting shorebirds from the nets. Birds were being placed into approximately ten nylon mesh bags. On closer inspection, some of the bags contained ten to twenty shorebirds, piled up one on top of the other, with many birds showing obvious signs of distress. Several shorebirds were also still tangled-up in the nets.
We approached the trappers. They would not tell us their names, but instead explained that they worked for a department of the Ministry of Agriculture, and were there to take blood samples from â€ścommon speciesâ€ť of shorebird in order to test them for avian influenza (AI). One stated that he would be willing to release any rare or protected species, but was unable to identify correctly a shorebird in one of the bags that he was shown.
Against the protests of the trappers, we therefore took the unilateral decision to release the birds as they were being held in such obviously poor conditions. Species contained in the bags that I helped to empty included a globally Vulnerable Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis, a globally Vulnerable Great Knot, single Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii, Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus and Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, and several dozen other shorebirds made up largely of Dunlin Calidris alpina, Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus, Mongolian Plover Charadrius mongolus, Sanderling, Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis and Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus.
In one bag we found a dead Terek Sandpiper and a Dunlin that was wet and bleeding on its back and under both wings. Although the majority of birds were able to fly shortly after release, some had difficulty moving.
Yubu Island, September 4th, 2012, © Lee Jung-Kyu
Together with Chief Millington of the EAAFP Secretariat, several of us then attempted to remove some of the shorebirds that had been left tangled up in the nets. While one Kentish Plover was removed safely, a Mongolian Plover was less fortunate: it was bleeding, and appeared likely to die soon after.
Birds Korea are appalled at the lack of skill and judgement shown by the trappers. We are especially concerned that inexperienced trappers, trapping in a Ramsar site used by thousands of birds, caused excessive disturbance and injury to some birds, including globally-threatened species. A coarse estimate suggests that between 5% and 10% of captured birds were deeply distressed or injured in some way on September 4th. As noted by Chief Millington of the EAAF P Secretariat, â€śdespite our best efforts, a number of birds suffered injuries that certainly will result in their death, either through injury or subsequent predation.â€ť
Both personally and as someone working for a bird conservation organisation, it is easy to appreciate the need for research on diseases in birds, including AI. In 2006, I was part of a Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) mission to investigate an AI outbreak in the ROK (CMC 2006). Following extensive coverage of AI issues on the Birds Korea websites (see: http://www.birdskorea.org/Our_Work/H5N1/BK-H5-Poultry-Flu.shtml), I was also invited to present on public perceptions of the disease to an expert meeting of the Ramsar Convention Science and Technical Review Panel in 2007. As an organisation, we recognise (of course) that AI can cause death in some bird species, and that it has also caused massive economic damage to the poultry industry and some mortality in people that have come into close contact with infected birds. However, while shorebirds often carry Low Pathogenic AI, it is also important to note here that â€śshorebirds do not appear to transmit or spread H5N1â€ť (FAO 2007) â€“ the AI virus which has been the main focus of much recent research.
To this background, Birds Korea is deeply concerned that government workers ignored existing guidance provided by leading specialist agencies and AI experts. Of particular note:
AI viruses in shorebirds can be identified using a much less intrusive methodology than trapping. Two-thirds of 21,000 samples tested for AI in Australian waterbirds (including shorebirds) were collected from faeces (Hansbro et al. 2010). Such a research approach can generate a large number of samples without causing undue disturbance or injury.
If birds are to be caught in nets then only highly-experienced researchers should take part. The EAAF P has already supported training programs for AI researchers in Mongolia (see: â€śBuilding capacity for shorebird research and conservation in Mongolia â€“ the 2012 workshop and expeditionâ€ť (at: http://www.eaaflyway.net/partnership-news.php).
Moreover, the FAO provides clear guidance on how to catch and process birds. This guidance emphasizes that â€śThe health and well-being of the birds should be the primary concern during all phases of captureâ€ť (FAO 2007).
These FAO guidelines (especially on pp. 40-66) highlight:
That â€śIt is essential that the number of nets be limited to that which the field crew can effectively deal with should a large number of birds be caughtâ€ť. The trappers admitted to us that there were too many birds for them to handle.
There should â€śAlways (be) a sufficient number of experienced personnel (at least four) available before undertaking any capture operationâ€ť and â€śAn open mist net should never be left unattended for more than a few minutes, under normal conditions 15-20 minutes maximum.â€ť Only three trappers were present. At least two of these arrived after more than an hour after high tide (when most of the birds would have been trapped), and some birds were still hanging in nets more than two hours after high tide when they were likely first caught.
The need to â€śMonitor weather forecasts prior to conducting capture efforts to ensure birds are not captured during extreme climatic conditions when they may be at increased risk of hypothermia or hyperthermiaâ€ť and the warning to â€śNever use mist nets in the rain. Birds netted in rainy conditions are vulnerable to hypothermiaâ€ť. Heavy rain had been forecast for later that morning (on both television and on the Korean Meteorological Association website), and had started to fall even when birds remained in the open in bags and in nets. There was no dry shelter for birds to be held in.
â€śAI disease surveillance involves the handling of bird species known or suspected of being H5N1 virus carriers; thus appropriate precautions should be taken to avoid the mechanical transmission of pathogens between birds and sampling sites (consult FAO 2006).â€ť Moreover, â€śThe use of personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for the level of risk is strongly advised even when clinical signs of disease are not evident in birds in the region (consult FAO 2006).â€ť None of the three trappers wore gloves, and several shorebird species were held in â€śmixed bagsâ€ť. There appeared to be multiple ways in which pathogens could have been transmitted between birds, and also between birds and people (and through their equipment, potentially to other sites).
â€śPreferably an appropriately trained veterinary clinician will be available to examine and treat any injured or distressed bird, but, at the very minimum, a basic first aid kit should be included in the equipment list of every field study involving the handling of wild birdsâ€ť (FAO 2007, p.66). No bird was treated for injuries and there was no evidence that the trappers had any first aid kit or any knowledge of how to treat injured birds.
In addition to physical injury, â€śThe signs of shock and inertia are generally similar; birds become unresponsive to external stimuli to the point that they appear â€śfrozenâ€ť. We observed several birds that were unresponsive and â€śfrozenâ€ť.
â€śHypothermia can occur in cold conditions when feathers become wet and lose their insulating propertiesâ€¦Birds suffering from hypothermia should be dried and placed near a heat sourceâ€ť. The trappers had no heat source with them â€“ and at least one Dunlin showed obvious signs of hypothermia. If we had not intervened all trapped birds would have been exposed to heavy rain.
In light of the above, it is clearly unreasonable and untrue to suggest that no harm was caused to the birds (see: http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/environment/550176.html), or even that the trapping was undertaken by skilled researchers. The trappers did not follow published FAO guidelines and showed very little concern for the welfare of the birds they were handling.
It is clear too therefore that a set of guidelines should be produced (e.g. by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture) to be followed by researchers from all ministries and universities, so that best data can be gathered and animal welfare maintained.
Furthermore, Birds Korea also proposes that, in addition to the need for much more extensive training and robust monitoring of those involved in handling birds, trapping of birds should not be permitted:
At large shorebird roosts;
Within protected areas or Ramsar sites;
In areas known to support globally-threatened species (unless individual globally-threatened species are the focus of a special targeted research program).
Please share the above information widely (while citing source and maintaining copyright of the images). We welcome your comments.
- CMC 2006. CMC MISSION REPORT. Understanding the potential role of wild birds in the epidemiology of the current HPAI outbreaks in the Republic of Korea 13-21 December 2006. FAO special mission to the Republic of Korea.
- FAO. 2007. Wild Birds and Avian Influenza: an introduction to applied field research and disease sampling techniques. Edited by D. Whitworth, S.H. Newman, T. Mundkur and P. Harris. FAO Animal Production and Health Manual, No. 5. Rome. (also available at www.fao.org/avianflu) Downloaded on September 5th 2012 from ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/010/a1521e/a1521e.pdf
For full text, also go to: http://www.birdskorea.org/Our_Work/H5N1/Downloads/FAO-Manual_5-Wild_Birds_and_AI.pdf
- Hansbro, P., Warner, S., Tracey, J., Arzey, K., Selleck, P., Oâ€™Reilly, K., Beckett, E., Bunn, C., Kirkland, P., Vijaykrishna, D., Olsen, B. & A. Hurt. 2010. Surveillance and Analysis of Avian Influenza Viruses, Australia.
- Emerging Infectious Diseases. www.cdc.gov/eif. Vol 16, No. 12, Dec. 2010.


Switzerland is a landlocked European country with a population of nearly 8 million. The land area of Switzerland is 41,285 square kilometers. The federal republic of Switzerland has 26 cantons (similar to "states"), and Bern is where the federal government is located. The two economic capitals of Switzerland are Zurich and Geneva. The per capita gross domestic product in Switzerland is a very high $67,384, and Zurich and Geneva both rate very highly on quality of life scales. The top three in order, as determined by the Mercer Quality of Living Survey for 2009 are: Vienna, Austria; Zurich, Switzerland; and Geneva, Switzerland.
The countries surrounding Switzerland are (going clockwise), Germany to the north, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, Italy to the south, and France to the west. Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, and it has not been at war with another country since 1815. The four languages spoken in Switerland are German, Romansh, Italian, and French. The country traces its establishment back to the first of August, 1291. Every year on this date, the Swiss celebrate Swiss National Day.
It is not easy to narrow down the "best" things to see and do in Switzerland, because there are so many. Following is a list of some, but by no means all of the great things to do or see here.
Old City, Bern. The "Old City" section of Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was founded in the 11th century on a peninsular hill skirted by the Aare River. It is a model of sound urban planning. The structures in the Old City include fountains from the 16th century, and arcades from the 15th century. Berne suffered a major fire in 1405, and afterwards much of the town was reconstructed in sandstone. While much of Berne underwent restoration in the 18th century, it has retained much of its original beauty. Some sites that standout even in this remarkable part of town include Munster Cathedral with the largest bell tower and bell in Europe, the Zytglogge medieval clock tower built 1218 to 1220, and the Untertorbrücke, the oldest bridge still in existence in Bern, dating from 1461.
Canton Ticino. This is the only canton in Switzerland with Italian is the only official language. It surrounds a tiny Italian enclave called Campione d'Italia, and is a seat of banking and financial activity with close ties with Italy. In Ticino there are four Italian daily newspapers, and the Ticino city of Locarno hosts the Locarno International Film Festival. The festival started in 1946 with the main event being the screening in Piazza Grande where more than 8,000 spectators can see the screened film. The top prize of the Locarno International Film Festival is the Golden Leopard.
Old Town/Niederdorf Area (Zurich). This is the place to play at night in Zurich. Niederdorfstrasse is the pedestrian-only epicenter for bars in this part of Zurich. Popular clubs include Corazon, a small-ish bar and cafe that is great for staying a while to watch the people go by. Isebahali is one of the oldest bars in Zurich, and the Bierhalle Wolfe feels like Oktoberfest in Munich with a live band, drinking songs, and giant beer mugs with German food. If you venture to the Limmat Quai by the river, you'll find several hot dance spots, including Forecast, which has Euro-style music, Zuri Smack, a very hip bar, and the 01 Bar, with great music and a lively crowd. The Niederdorf Area is where you'll find students, tourists, and bankers cutting loose on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
Cathédrale St-Pierre, Geneva. Dating from 1160, this former cathedral was changed into a Protestant church in 1536. Here you'll see several architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, and Neoclassical. It is located at Place St. Pierre, the highest point in the Old Town section. When the Calvinists took over, they destroyed pretty much everything but the bare architecture and even whitewashed the murals. However, several stained glass windows survived, as well as some 15th century choir stalls that weren't in St. Pierre when the conversion to Protestantism was made, but were relocated from a destroyed chapel. While you can certainly appreciate the pastiche of architectural styles, you can definitely enjoy the stunning panoramic view of the city from the north tower. You have to climb 157 narrow steps in a winding staircase, but the view is quite worth the effort.
Switzerland, surrounded by most of the countries people think of when they think of Western Europe, picks up the best from all of them. Switzerland has amazing history, architecture, and it's got a great nightlife, too. Many travelers touring Europe for the first time will point to Switzerland as their favorite country, and it is little wonder why with all it has to offer.


The development of Content Management Systems (“CMS”) has enabled the most inexperienced of new users to develop and publish their own blog or website. What are CMS Systems and how are CMS Systems being used by hackers to stage a cybercrime?
The WikiPedia definition of a CMS is “a computer application that supports the creation and modification of digital content. It is often used to support multiple users working in a collaborative environment.”
Simply put, a CMS is a set of tools and applications that are used to build and manage electronic text. They are available as point and press development tools for non-IT literate users to develop their own websites and blogs.
The WordPress CMS generator accounts for about 27% of all websites and a CMS market share of around 60%. It claims to allow a complete novice to have a fully‑fledged CMS up and running in less than ten minutes.
As a consequence many developers do not have the background to understand the need for good security hygiene, and do not build fully-tested security systems and features into the design and implementation of their blogs and websites.
All CMS development platforms include a section on what to do following deployment to make your implementation more secure. Usually this involves removing installation files and changing access rights to operational code libraries. In the excitement of the moment, most novices do not follow these instructions through, leaving their sites open to hackers.
Bear in mind though that the novice user usually uses a hosted platform to host their blog or website and it is up to the host to ensure that their part of the deal is secure. As can be seen from the footnotes, one exploit was successful because a host was lax in the application of up to date security patches.
That is why they are ripe for plunder by hackers.
How CMS Systems are being used to stage a cybercrime
Who are the hackers and what do they want? They range from geeks looking for boasting credits, to criminals stealing personal information for later sale, to businesses carrying out industrial espionage and spies and terrorists looking for classified information. CMS attackers tend to be geeks or outright criminals.
At first glance there are two main threats – infection with malware and ransomware. But it must be remembered that CMS attacks are not limited to these two malware variants.
Where organisations use cloud technologies to host a CMS platform, there is the potential for data extraction, leading to identity theft and other criminal acts. CMS does not need new malware. It is a new platform for malware, which because most CMS sites are developed by inexperienced users, do not have appropriate security features in place.
To distribute malware, hackers seed a CMS website or blogging platform with malware so that unsuspecting users download it when visiting the site, and subsequently seed the other blogs and websites they visit. It’s not just the malware protection software. It is also very important to keep the CMS software up to date with patches and version upgrades to ensure that all potential threats are recognised and countered.
An example of where neglecting patch management caused problems is the SoakSoak attack in late 2014 on WordPress CMS sites. The exploit infected over 100,000 sites with malware. Google blacklisted over 11,000 domains.
Sucuri reported that “ “Our analysis is showing impacts in the order of 100’s of thousands of WordPress specific websites. We cannot confirm the exact vector, but preliminary analysis is showing correlation with the Revslider vulnerability we reported a few months back.” states the post. “The impact seems to be affecting most hosts across the WordPress hosting spectrum. Quick breakdown of the decoding process is available via our PHP Decoder.” ”
The effect of SoakSoak was to redirect unsuspecting users to SoakSoak.ru webpages, where further malicious malware was downloaded to the user computer.
Ransomware is a relatively new phenomenon that is rapidly heading to a Billion dollar a year turnover according to the FBI. Basically it involves encoding or encrypting a user’s systems and or data. The user is asked to pay for a decryption key to return the data to a usable format. Formerly targeted only at large corporate sites able to pay a large ransom to have their systems returned, it is now diversifying to smaller individual personal sites holding family picture and video albums. Most individuals will pay out to have their precious memories returned to them.
It’s not just WordPress. Both Joomla and Drupal, two top CMS platforms have also been targeted. Open systems users shouldn’t feel complacent. Linux based CMS systems have also been attacked in this way.
It is important to remember that security is not an event, it is a continuous process. Risk can never be reduced to zero, security programmes are more about risk reduction than elimination.
Today, if one looks at HackDig the war between the hacker and the CMS platform developer rages on. New vulnerabilities are being uncovered and patched at the time of writing.
How to prevent hackers using your CMS as a platform for cybercrime is to adopt the same protocols as any other IT platform. Practice good cyber hygiene. Like most criminals, hackers tend to be opportunistic by nature, and will attack the low-hanging fruit first. Prepare and implement a good security framework for your organisation. If you are a novice user, please implement the bits you forgot about or ignored when developing your CMS. Harass your hosting service provider to keep up to date with all relevant security patches.


When grocery shopping, most people just want to eat the best quality, healthiest options that fit into their budget. Unfortunately, some companies are preying on that desire by increasing prices on products that have undergone no other changes than a spruced up label with the word “natural” on them. That is why it is important for consumers to know the real difference between natural and organic.
For a product to be certified organic, farmers and manufacturers must meet specific guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA-certified organic meat, dairy and egg products must come from animals raised without antibiotics or growth hormones and fed a diet free of animal by-products, fertilizers, pesticides and genetically engineered food. USDA-certified organic produce must be grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically modified seeds for at least three years. Processed foods must contain 95% certified organic ingredients for a manufacturer to be able use the USDA organic label. All certifications are verified by an independent agency.
Although the natural or all natural label is used often on a variety of different foods, it is essential a meaningless term. The USDA allows meat and chicken to be labeled as natural as long as nothing, such as flavoring or coloring, has been added after slaughter, but even this meek standard is not third-party verified. The USDA and the FDA do not regulate the term natural for any other food or personal care products. Therefore, anyone can use the natural label without having to meet any type of verifiable standard.
A recent survey by the Shelton Group, an advertising agency, found that the majority of consumers believe the term natural to be federally regulated. In fact, respondents had more trust in the natural label, than the term organic, which they believed to be “a fancy way of saying expensive.” Many companies today are taking advantage of this misconception by using the term natural as a marketing ploy. These companies are not just duping customers, but they are undermining the organic industry. Foods labeled natural tend to cost less than organic food. Consumers, thinking they are getting better food for their money, opt for the natural label thus directing money toward crafty packaging rather than actual greener, healthier foods.
The only way to stop this “greenwashing” is to become better informed consumers. Read labels carefully and know which are truly greener options.


I have enrolled in a degree that requires maths involving calculus but i did not do mathematics B in high school, so i am looking for the best resources to reach a level that satisfies a high school maths b understanding.
What would be the best way to achieve this (book? online?...) Can anyone refer me to some online tutorials or books?
Would a wikibook be a worthy learning resource for these outcomes?
Calculus - Wikibooks, collection of open-content textbooks
The course has the following description and learning outcomes:
The course revises and extends basic integral and differential calculus of one variable, introduces partial derivatives and basic vector algebra in two and three dimensions. It provides a foundation for later studies in mathematics and science.
Prior Assumed: A grade of SA over 4 semesters in Mathematics B (Qld high school subject), or equivalent study over 4 semesters of a high school subject that includes the study of differential and integral calculus.
1 Manipulate 2D and 3D vectors and use vector addition and subtraction as well as the dot and
cross product of vectors. Use these ideas in problems involving geometric, force and velocity
2 Know and use the standard addition formulas for sin, cos and tan. To be able to prove some
of the simpler trig addition formulas To understand and use the inverse trigonometric functions.
3 Define and evaluate reasonably straightforward limits and be able to use and interpret the limit definition of the derivative.
4 Calculate derivatives using the sum, product, quotient and chain rule and to know the derivatives of the functions xn, ex, sin(x), cos(x), tan(x), loge(x), sin-1(x) and tan-1(x).
5 Identify the local maxima, minima and points of inflection of straightforward functions and use this information to sketch the graphs of these functions.
6 State and use the small change formula appropriately.
7 Convert word problems into mathematics and analyze these using calculus.
8 Be able to state and calculate Taylor approximations to standard functions.
9 Be able to state and use líHopitalís rule to evaluate 0/0 limits.
10 Understand the definition of integrals using Riemann sums and be able to provide a variety of situations in which the integral is used besides areas under curves.
11 Be able to state the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and use anti-derivatives appropriately to evaluate definite and indefinite integrals.
12 Be able to use straightforward substitutions to evaluate integrals.
13 Use definite integrals to calculate areas, mean values and some related applications such as centroids, masses or straightforward volumes.
14 Understand the geometric meaning and the analytic definition of partial derivatives. be able to calculate the first and second derivatives of straightforward functions and be able to apply the small change formula for functions of several variables.


The first edition of the manual "Introduction to tropical fish stock assessment" was prepared by the FAO/DANIDA project "Training in fish stock assessment and fisheries research planning" (GCP/INT/392/DEN) for use in a series of regional and national training courses on fish stock assessment.
In 1984 the author, Per Sparre, was asked to write it on the basis of lecture notes and case studies prepared by the team of lecturers engaged in the courses. The first edition was printed in July 1985 in Manila, the Philippines, and distributed by the project through the Network of Tropical Fisheries Scientists of the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) and training courses.
In 1989 the manual underwent a thorough revision by Mr. P. Sparre, Dr. E. Ursin, former Director of the Danish Institute for Fisheries and Marine Research, and Mr. S.C. Venema. This version was published in 1989 as FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 306.1 (Manual) and 306.2 (Exercises).
In 1991, when the stock was nearly exhausted, it was decided to undertake another thorough revision, placing emphasis on didactical aspects, correction of errors and at the same time, cross referencing with the computer program FiSAT (FAO/ICLARM Stock Assessment Tools) that had been developed in the meantime.
In 1994 Dr. Ursin prepared new texts to replace sections that had proven to be inadequate and partly to add new examples and some extensions to the methods contained in the manual. These new texts can be found in Section 2.6: Bhattacharya method, Section 3.4: Comparison of growth curves, phi prime, Section 5.2: Cohort analysis with several fleets, Section 6.2: Estimation of gill net selection, Section 8.3: Mean age and size in the yield, Section 8.6: Short and long-term prediction and parts of Section 8.7: Length-based Thompson and Bell model.
The opportunity was used to revise the documents again, at the same time correcting errors pointed out by translators and users, whose contributions are gratefully acknowledged.
It should be noted that new figures, tables and formulas have been assigned new unique numbers, which do not overlap with any of the deleted numbers used in previous versions. The figures were partly revised in Chile by Messrs. P. Arana and A. Nuñez. Typing and word processing was taken care of by Ms. Jane Ugilt in Denmark.
Similar versions have already appeared in Portuguese and Spanish and will appear in Indonesian and Thai.
Earlier versions have been translated into Chinese, French and Vietnamese.
Sparre, P.; Venema, S.C.
In Part 1, Manual, a selection of methods on fish stock assessment is described in detail, with examples of calculations. Special emphasis is placed on methods based on the analysis of length-frequencies. After a short introduction to statistics, it covers the estimation of growth parameters and mortality rates, virtual population methods, including age-based and length-based cohort analysis, gear selectivity, sampling, prediction models, including Beverton and Holt's yield per recruit model and Thompson and Bell's model, surplus production models, multispecies and multifleet problems, the assessment of migratory stocks, a discussion on stock/recruitment relationships and demersal trawl surveys, including the swept-area method. The manual is completed with a review of stock assessment, where an indication is given of methods to be applied at different levels of availability of input data, a review of relevant computer programs produced by or in cooperation with FAO, and a list of references, including material for further reading.
In Part 2, Exercises, a number of exercises is given with solutions. The exercises are directly related to the various chapters and sections of the manual.
Participants at courses on Fish Stock Assessment organized by projects GCP/INT/392/DEN and GCP/INT/575/DEN
New members of ICLARM's Network of Tropical Fisheries Scientists
Institutes specialised in Tropical Fish Stock Assessment
Institutes of Fisheries Education
Marine and Inland Selectors
FAO Regional Offices and Representatives


Others want to prevent diabetes because they’ve made some choices that have put them at risk.
We all want to change things before we have that daunting conversation with our doctors.
Whatever has caused you to start thinking about diabetes, one thing is constant across the board – if you’re reading this article, you’re ready to find natural, healthy ways to prevent diabetes.
You probably know that you need to lose weight. You may even be working on that, already.
But what about other factors besides weight? Are there other steps you can take to help turn back the tide, or perhaps prevent diabetes completely?
There are! And they’re even surprisingly easy, common sense steps.
So let’s take a look at the five easiest ways to prevent diabetes –
1. Watch Your Diet, Not Just Your Weight
Losing weight is a key component in preventing diabetes. But it’s important to remember to watch what you eat as well as what you don’t eat. As important as cutting calories is, when it comes to preventing diabetes, it’s equally as important to get your calories from the right places.
Carbohydrates aren’t necessarily a no-no when you’re trying to prevent diabetes. You just need to choose wisely. Make sure you’re getting plenty of whole grain carbohydrates. See, processed carbohydrates – especially white flour products – can cause your blood sugar to spike.
But whole grains can actually work with your body to keep your blood sugar levels in a normal range. So much so that in several studies women who eat two to three servings of whole grains per day are significantly less likely to develop diabetes than women who eat fewer whole grains.
More generally, remember that “good” fats – the kind from fish, nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil – are, well, good for you, and avoid the trans fats found in margarine and other packaged foods. Skipping sodas, but adding coffee or tea to your day can help prevent diabetes. And of course, load up on your vegetables.
2. Move Every Day
Not only will moving every day help you lose weight, it helps prevent diabetes in its own right too. When you exercise, you work your muscles, which improves how they use insulin and manage glucose.
And while you can get into an intense workout if you want, you don’t have to. There’s at least one study that indicates 30-40 minutes of walking is enough to help you prevent diabetes, even if you don’t lose weight.
Plus, moving – if it’s walking, stretching, or something more intense – will help reduce stress. Which is good because…
3. You Need to Find a Way to Relax
Stress itself can contribute to diabetes. When you get stressed, your body floods its system with adrenaline – and spikes blood sugar levels. Technically, it’s a survival technique to ensure you have all the energy you need to face the emergency.
But modern life presents you with stressors that aren’t about survival – your body just doesn’t realize that, so it responds as if each stressful situation is a full-on, life-threatening emergency.
Stress hormones also cause blood sugar levels to rise. So when you’re stressed, you’re raising your blood sugar levels on a couple of different levels.
The more this happens, the more glucose gets stored in your blood. But, if you can control your stress and relax, your body won’t cause your blood sugar to spike.
If you’re too busy, cut back on your obligations. Consider finding a yoga class, or learning to meditate. Even just taking a few deep breaths from your diaphragm before any activity or decision can help prevent diabetes by reducing your stress levels.
4. Enjoy the Occasional Drink
Being an adult means being able to indulge every now and then – and preventing diabetes doesn’t have to stop that completely. You may know that a nightly glass of wine is good for your heart.
Studies are beginning to show that that same glass of wine may also help prevent diabetes. A glass of wine (or two, for men) appears to help the body deal with insulin more efficiently, helping keep your blood sugar levels balanced.
If you don’t drink, you don’t have to start. But if you do, you don’t have to give up your occasional glass of wine just to help prevent diabetes.
5. Remember, Adults Need Sleep Too
Children aren’t the only ones who can benefit from a good night’s sleep. Not sleeping well can contribute to diabetes and prediabetes on two levels.
First, not getting a good night’s sleep can hamper weight loss efforts. Secondly, if you’re sleep deprived, your body doesn’t use insulin as efficiently, thus increasing your risk of diabetes.
So how much is enough sleep? According to some studies, there’s a sleep sweet spot. People who get less than six hours or sleep or more than eight hours increase their risk of diabetes. So aim for six to eight hours of sleep, and maximize your sleep benefits.
And those five steps are how you start to prevent diabetes.
No crazy, fad diets. No expensive retreat centers. Just easy changes you can incorporate into your daily life that can help you prevent diabetes, naturally.


04/09/2020 0 Comments
Loss is the term used when business income is less than business expenses.
Many businesses make a loss in the first year of trading due to a number of factors.
Any start up costs and pre trade expenses are added to the first year of trading.
This can date back up to 6 years for sole-traders.
This might include, marketing, stationary, tools, equipment, machinery, textiles, materials and more.
When a business starts it will likely already be at a loss.
HMRC advises to register self employed when more than £1,000 have been earned.
However, registration can be done at any point and any loss carried forward, backward or offset against other taxable income.
Submitting a loss has its advantages.
* Reduce tax to pay from other income
* Reduce future tax payable on business income
* Can be carried back to offset against previous tax years
* Reports that the business is officially open for business, and a UTR is issued.
It might seem strange when a loss is made, but ensuring to record all expenses, will mean only tax due is paid and no more.
It takes time to grow a business. It doesn’t happen over night.
Nobody sets out to make a loss but everyone should understand it is part of the process.
Having a strategic business plan will help ensure that any losses during business operations are budgeted for.
A good bookkeeper or accountant can help business owners plan and prepare for every eventuality.


Diver Dan is collecting shells and exploring the coral reef. He counts the amounts of different shells and partitions the number into tens and ones to help with his collecting. He also partitions amounts of seahorses into tens and ones to help with his counting.
More resources for Autumn Block 4 Step 3.
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Discussion points for teachers
1. How many ones does he have?
Discuss how many shells there are in a bag. Discuss how many ones are left over and count to check.
2. How many bags of ten does he have?
Discuss how many shells there are in a bag. Discuss how many ones there are and what should be added to the ones to make the correct number.
3. How many ones does he need to collect?
Discuss how many shells there are in a bag. Discuss the amount that Dan wants to collect and count on to check. Discuss how many ones are needed to make the correct amount.
4. How many tens are there? How many ones?
Discuss how many seahorses can fit on one piece of coral. Discuss how many full pieces of coral there are and how many ones are on the other piece of coral.
1 ten and 9 ones
5. How many seahorses are on the coral now?
Discuss how many seahorses have swam away. Discuss how many tens there are and how many ones there are. Discuss counting the amount of seahorses to check the new total.
6. How many other numbers can you make by placing seahorses on the coral? You do not have to use them all!
Discuss the different ways of organising the seahorses on the empty piece of coral to create different numbers. Discuss how many sea horses are on the full piece of coral. This question is open-ended for the children to explore.
Various answers, for example: 1 ten + 1 one = 11
Optional discussion points:
How else could he represent the animals in tens and ones? What else could be counted on the seabed?
National Curriculum Objectives
Mathematics Year 1: (1N2c) Read and write numbers from 1 to 20 in numerals and words
Mathematics Year 1: (1N4) Identify and represent numbers using objects and pictorial representations including the number line, and use the language of: equal to, more than, less than (fewer), most, least
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The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory flew over Hurricane Arthur five times between July 1 and July 5, 2014. Arthur is the first tropical cyclone of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season.
GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The Core Observatory was launched Feb. 27 from Japan and began its prime mission on May 29, just in time for the hurricane season.
The five GPM passes over Arthur are the first time a precipitation-measuring satellite has been able to follow a hurricane through its full life cycle with high-resolution measurements of rain and ice. In the July 3 image, Arthur was just off the coast of South Carolina. GPM data showed that the hurricane was asymmetrical, with spiral arms, called rain bands, on the eastern side of the storm but not on the western side.
Arthur was born as the first 2014 Atlantic tropical depression on June 30. It strengthened into a tropical storm on July 1 and reached maximum intensity as a Category 2 hurricane on July 4. The storm moved up the U.S. East Coast and made landfall on July 3 at 11:15 p.m. EDT over the Shackleford Banks between Cape Lookout and Beaufort, North Carolina, before swinging northeast over the ocean toward Greenland, where it became an extra-tropical storm on July 5.
“With these new observations we are able to see fine scale structures of precipitation to about 1,000 feet vertically and 3 miles horizontally. This allows us to measure precipitation regionally and to improve weather forecasting models,” said Gail Skofronick-Jackson, GPM project scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt Maryland.
The GPM Core Observatory’s observations of storms like Arthur will also help scientists decipher some of the thorniest questions about hurricanes, such as how and why they intensify. Hurricane intensity is one of the most difficult aspects to predict and is an area of active research that GPM's observations will contribute to, said NASA Goddard hurricane researcher Scott Braun.
The spacecraft carries two instruments that show the location and intensity of the rain, which defines a crucial part of the storm structure. The GPM Microwave Imager sees through the tops of clouds to observe how much and where precipitation occurs, and the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar observes precise details of precipitation in three dimensions.
With the added capability and higher resolution on the new instruments, "hurricane features pop out more. They're sharper, there's more clarity to the structures," said Braun. "Being able to see the structures more clearly may allow for better determination of the structure of the eye wall and rainbands, thereby providing clues about the likelihood of a storm intensifying or weakening.”
For forecasters, GPM's radiometer and radar data are part of the toolbox of satellite data that they use to monitor tropical cyclones and hurricanes. This toolbox includes data from other low Earth orbit and geostationary satellites.
"The whole idea here is to use these tools to understand the initial genesis of the tropical cyclone, then to monitor its location, eye structure and intensity as it evolves, and to use that along with our numerical model forecast to generate a five- to seven-day forecast every six hours," said Jeff Hawkins, head of the Satellite Meteorological Applications Section for the Naval Research Laboratory in Monterey, California. His group is an early adopter of GPM data and monitors near-real time tropical cyclones worldwide. They distribute satellite products generated from multiple satellites' data to operational and research users, including the Navy and Air Force's Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Hawaii and the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Florida.
The addition of GPM data to the current suite of satellite data is timely. Its predecessor precipitation satellite, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, is in the17th year of its operation. GPM's new high-resolution microwave imager data and the unique radar data ensure that forecasters and modelers won't have a gap in coverage.
All GPM data products will be released to the public by Sept. 2, 2014. Current and future data sets are available to registered users from NASA Goddard's Precipitation Processing Center website at: http://pps.gsfc.nasa.gov/
GPM Mission - http://www.nasa.gov/gpm
Hurricane Arthur Updates - http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/arthur-atlantic/
Naval Research Laboratory Tropical Cyclones Page: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/TC.html
SVS link to the animation - http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/goto?4186
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