Constructing biological tissues, such as skin, muscle, or bone, in customized shapes is now one step closer. Researchers at EMBL have succeeded in guiding the folding and thus shape of tissues with optogenetics: a technique to control protein activity with light. Nature Communications publishes their results, with implications for regenerative medicine, on 18 June.
The changing of tissue shapes in an embryo is essential for healthy development. Stefano De Renzis and his group members at EMBL are interested in the mechanisms behind these shape transitions, also called morphogenesis. They use optogenetics - a technique providing precise light-mediated control of protein activity - to study changes in tissue shapes.
Uncoupling the link between shape and function
In the current paper, Emiliano Izquierdo, Theresa Quinkler, and Stefano De Renzis used optogenetics to reconstruct epithelial folding: a fundamental process during development, where cells move inwards and fold into the embryo, eventually giving rise to internal tissues like muscles, for example. Remarkably, they achieved this in cells that normally do not undergo this process. De Renzis, who led the study: "We've uncoupled the link between the shape and function of a cell. This allows us to, for the first time, built tissues in certain shape without affecting the cell's expertise."
Image 1. Three examples of the tissue shapes the team created. The black and white square, circle and triangle on the left correspond to the cells that were illuminated. On the right, three fruit fly embryos are shown in cyan, magenta and yellow, demonstrating how the illuminated cells folded inwards after the light-activation.
"The great thing about using optogenetics to guide morphogenesis is that it is a very precise technique", says Emiliano Izquierdo, first author of the study. "We were able to define various shapes, and by alternating the timing and strength of illumination, we could control how far the cells folded inwards."
Image 2. Example of optogenetics-guided tissue folding. The top image shows an embryo 10 minutes after illumination , and the bottom one 13 minutes afterwards: light-activated cells have folded inwards and thus moved downwards, creating a furrow.
From fruit fly to the clinic?
The research was done in developing fruit flies, but since epithelial folding is a conserved process across evolution, De Renzis expects these methods to also be applicable in other organisms and ex vivo stem cell culture systems. In that case, optogenetics could be an ideal technique for reconstructing and directing tissue development, which could be used to (re)build artificial tissues in regenerative medicine.
Video about optogenetics and how the technique is used at EMBL.


Tips to Keep Elders Safe Over Winter
Date: 08 Dec 2017
Wintertime in the UK means darker evenings, and enjoying more cosy moments with family and friends indoors. But the shorter days and freezing temperatures can pose challenges and perils, especially for older adults. Whether staying indoors or venturing outside, you can help your elderly loved ones mitigate risks and ensure a safe Winter by following these suggestions.
Seniors generally produce less body heat than younger people, so to keep body temperature up, make sure they eat hot, nourishing meals and drink warm beverages throughout the day.
Layering clothing and bedding is a tried-and-tested way to stay warm and comfortable. Nothing beats long underwear to maintain core heat. A hat, earmuffs, scarf, gloves, warm socks, and waterproof, insulated boots are “musts” in fluctuating temperatures and conditions.
Look Out for the Warning Signs of Hypothermia
As body temperature drops, older adults tend to shiver less or not at all, so look for other signs. Cold skin that appears ashy, weakness, sleepiness, and confusion are all indications that body temperature has dipped dangerously low.
When outside, cover up all extremities. Frostbite usually affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes — and people with heart disease and other circulation problems are especially susceptible. Skin that turns red or dark or starts hurting is a sure-fire sign that it’s time to go inside right away. Should frostbite occur (signs are skin that feels numb and hard or waxy), place affected areas in warm water and seek medical help.
Get a Flu Jab
Flu can be especially severe for seniors. It can worsen existing health problems and be life threatening for those with heart disease and diabetes. The NHS offers a free flu jab to anyone aged 65 and over.
Prepare for Emergencies
During winter months, stock water stored in clean containers and food that needs no cooking or refrigeration. Also keep handy an up-to-date emergency kit that includes first-aid supplies and a battery-operated radio and flashlights.
Keep in Touch
Communication is key to ensuring safety and warding off loneliness. Before heading out, seniors should notify a friend or relative of their proposed route and expected time of arrival and return home. And setting up a system of daily check-ins with caregivers, neighbours, and friends should be an imperative.Staying aware and being prepared for what winter can bring will get elders through the season in good form — whether bracing the elements or getting cosy until spring arrives!


- International competitiveness is the degree to which a country can, under free and fair market conditions, meet the test of international markets, while simultaneously maintaining and expanding the real incomes of its citizens.
- A nation’s competitiveness depends primarily on keeping productivity growth rates equal to or greater than those of its major competitors. Productivity growth rate is directly related to a nation’s rate of investment on innovation (i.e. R & D).
Measuring International Competitiveness
1.Relative Export Prices
If a country’s exports become more expensive than other countries, this is a decline in competitiveness. To determine this we can use the following method:
index of Export Prices
index of Import Prices
2. Productivity and Unit Costs of Production
If there is an increase in relative productivity, meaning industry can produce more with lower costs then UK will become more competitive.
3.Current account / Balance Of Payments
This is a rough guide to international competitiveness. If the current account improves then the value of exports has increased faster than imports, suggesting an improvement in competitiveness.
The persistent UK current account deficit, suggests a decline in competitiveness.
However, the current account is also affected by the demand for imports.
Factors that determine international competitiveness.
1. Relative Inflation
If the inflation rate is relatively lower than other countries, then over time that country becomes more competitive because its goods will be increasing at a slower rate. For example, in the post war period Japan and Germany had relatively lower inflation rates than major competitors, this helped them to become more competitive.
Productivity is a measure of output per input. The most common measure would be labour productivity. For example, with improved technology and education, a country can enjoy higher labour productivity and…


AND THE TEMPLE OF KEDAR MINISTRIES
(The Original Kedar-Rite of the Karaim)
THE ORIGINAL TORAH
(AN ABROGATED AND NOW FORGOTTEN
WE ARE NOW IN THE QURANIC DISPENSATION
The Original Torah was not a widely circulated publication and during the time of the Prophet Muhammad it was solely preserved in the custody of the Kohen Israelite Tribe of Medina known as Banu-Quraiza. When the Holy Quran was first revealed, the Original Torah held the status of an abrogated communication (as most of its laws pertained to a functioning Israelite nation with a functionig Temple and Priesthood.) When the Caliph Omar conquered the Levant his Priestly Israelite companion Kab Al-Ahbar hid the original Torah in the vast Mountains of Syria and thus it declined further into its present status as a Hidden ot Forgotten Communication.
According to the Israiliyat, the Mahdi will be Guided to a place in the vast mountains of Syria where he will bring forth the Original Torah, the Original Injeel and the Ark of the Covenant.
The Holy Quran demonstrated the abrogated status of the Original Torah in the following:
And how do they make you a judge and they have the Taurat wherein is Allah's judgment? Yet they turn back after that, and these are not the believers.
The above mentioned Quranic verse demonstrates the fact that the Torah which was Given as a Book of Judgment during the dispensation of the Israelite Nation was no longer capable of Judging in the Quranic dispensation. In this regard many Israelites sought out the Prophet Muhammad to act as an arbitrating or ruling Judge in matters of time relevant issues of which the Torah could not resolve.Therefore the Quran rhetorically asks the following:
HOW DO THEY MAKE THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD A JUDGE WHEN THEY SUPPOSEDLY HAVE A BOOK OF JUDGMENT THAT WAS REVEALED BY ALLAH?
The answer is the Torah was abrogated outside the Israelite dispensation and was not equipped to adequately Judge or defend monotheism during the Quranic dispensation.It was now time to shift to the Quran as the sole authoritative scripture.
Whatever communications We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or like it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?
The current " Torah " known as the Chumash or 5 Books of Moses is not the original Torah but is a Book of scattered writings based on various Torah teachings and other written and orally taught materials.
Who revealed the Book which Musa brought, a light and a guidance to men, WHICH YOU MAKE INTO SCATTERED WRITINGS which you show while you conceal much? And you were taught what you did not know, (neither) you nor your fathers. Say: Allah then leave them sporting in their vain discourses.
' Woe then to those who WRITE the BOOK with their hands and say:this is from Allah....'
'O' Followers of the Book(Jews)why do you confound truth with falsehood and hide the truth while you know it'
ORIGINAL TORAH REFERENCES:
The Quran references detailed descriptions from the Original Torah that cannot be found anywhere in the So-called 5 Books of Moses:
...you will see them bowing down, prostrating themselves, seeking grace from Allah and pleasure; THEIR MARKS ARE IN THEIR FACES BECAUSE OF THE EFFECT OF PROSTRATION THAT IS THEIR DESCRIPTION IN THE TAURAT(TORAH).
This is a direct description of the loyal and committed believer from the Original Torah. This description is not found anywhere in the 5 Books of Moses.
Since the Chumash does contain much information that was divinely revealed and accordingly has much truth in it we as Muslims must respect it. However its content must be judged in relation to the Quran which is the only authorized communication for this dispensation known to the Rabbis as the Ishmaelite Exile.
DENYING THE QURANIC DISPENSATION IS THE EQUIVALENT OF DYING IN THE WILDERNESS OF ISHMAEL.


In simple terms, biasing in BJTs may be defined as a process in which a BJT is activated or switched ON by applying a smaller magnitude of DC is across its base/emitter terminals so that its is able to conduct a relatively larger magnitude of DC across its collector emitter terminals.
The working of a Bipolar transistor or BJTs at DC levels is governed by several factors, that includes a range of operating points over the characteristics of the devices.
Under the section 4.2 explained in this article we will check the details regarding this range of operating points for BJT amplifiers. Once the specified DC supplies are calculated, a circuit design may be created for determining the required operating point.
A variety of such configurations are examined within this article. Every single model discussed will in addition identify the stability of the approach, meaning, exactly how sensitive the system could be to a given parameter.
Although numerous networks are examined within this section, they have one fundamental similarity between the assessments of each configuration, because of the following repeated use of the crucial fundamental relationship:
In the majority of situations the base current IB happens to be the very first quantity that needs to be established. Once IB is identified, the relationships of Eqs. (4.1) via (4.3) could be implemented to obtain the rest of the quantities in question.
The resemblances in evaluations are going to be quickly apparent as we advance with the subsequent sections.
The equations for IB are so very identical for many of the designs that one formula could be derived from the other one by simply removing or inserting an element or two.
The principal objective of this chapter is to establish a degree of understanding of the BJT transistor which would enable you to implement a DC analysis of just about any circuit having the BJT amplifier as an element.
4.2 OPERATING POINT
The word biasing showing up in the title of this article is an in-depth term which signifies implementation of DC voltages, and to determine a fixed level of current and voltage in BJTs.
For BJT amplifiers the resulting dc current and voltage create an operating point on the characteristics that establish the region which becomes ideal for the required amplification of the applied signal. Because the operating point happens to be a predetermined point upon the characteristics, it can also be referred to as quiescent point (abbreviated as Q-point).
"Quiescent" by definition signifies silence, stillness, sedentary. Figure 4.1 demonstrates a standard output characteristic of a BJT having 4 operating points. The biasing circuit could be developed to establish the BJT across one of these points or others inside the active region.
The maximum ratings are pointed out on the characteristics of Fig. 4.1 through a horizontal line for the highest collector current ICmax and a perpendicular line on the highest collector-to-emitter voltage VCEmax.
The maximum power limitation is identified from the curve PCmax in the same figure. On the bottom end of the graph we can see the cutoff region, identified by IB ≤ 0μ, and the saturation region, identified by VCE ≤ VCEsat.
The BJT unit could possibly be biased outside these indicated maximum limits, but the consequence of such process would result in being significant deterioration of the life of the device or total breakdown of the device.
Restricting the values between the indicated active region, one may pick out a variety of operating areas or points. The selected Q-point usually is dependent on the intended specification of the circuit.
Yet, we can certainly take into account a few distinctions among the number of points illustrated in Fig. 4.1 to provide a few fundamental recommendations regarding the operating point, and therefore, the bias circuit.
If no bias were being applied, the device would at first remain entirely switched OFF, causing a Q-point to be at A - that is, zero current via the device (and 0V across it). Because it is essential to bias a BJT to enable it to react for the full range of a given input signal, point A may not look appropriate.
For point B, when a signal is connected to the circuit, the device will show a variation in current and voltage through the operating point, enabling the device to respond to (and perhaps amplify) both the positive and negative applications of the input signal.
When the input signal is optimally used, the voltage and current of the BJT will probably change..... however may be not sufficiently enough to activate the device into cut-off or saturation.
Point C might help certain positive and negative deviation of the output signal, but the peak-to-peak magnitude might be restricted to the proximity of VCE = 0V/IC = 0 mA.
Working at point C likewise may cause little worry with regards to the non-linearities due to the fact that the gap between IB curves could be altering quickly at this particular area.
Generally speaking, it is far better to operate the device in which the gain of the device is rather consistent (or linear), to guarantee that the amplification on the overall swing of input signal remains uniform.
Point B is a region exhibiting higher linear spacing and for that reason greater linear activity, as indicated in Fig. 4.1.
Point D establishes the device operating point close to the highest voltage and power levels. The output voltage swing at the positive limit is thus restricted when the maximum voltage is not supposed to be exceeded.
Point B as a result looks the perfect operating point with regards to linear gain and biggest possible voltage and current variations.
We will describe this in the ideally for small-signal amplifiers (Chapter 8) however, not always for power amplifiers, ....we'll talk about this later.
Within this discourse, I will be focusing mainly on biasing the transistor with regard to small-signal amplification function.
There's another extremely crucial biasing factor that needs to be looked at. Having determined and biased the BJT with an ideal operating point, the effects of temperature should also be evaluated.
Heat range will cause the device boundaries like the transistor current gain (ac) and the transistor leakage current (ICEO) to deviate. Increased temperature ranges will cause greater leakage currents in the BJT, and thus will modify the operating specification established by the biasing network.
This implies that the network pattern also needs to facilitate a level of temperature stability to ensure that temperature variations impacts are with minimal shifts in the operating point. This upkeep of the operating point could be stipulated with a stability factor, S, that signifies the level of deviations in operating point caused by a temperature change.
An optimally stabilized circuit is advisable, and the stable feature of several essential bias circuits will be evaluated here. For the BJT to be biased inside linear or effective operating region the below given points must be satisfied:
1. The base-emitter junction should be forward-biased (p-region voltage strongly positive), enabling forward-bias voltage of around 0.6 to 0.7 V.
2. The base-collector junction has to be reverse-biased (n-region strongly positive), with the reverse-bias voltage staying at some value inside the maximum limits of the BJT.
[ Remember that for forward bias the voltage across the p-n junction will be p-positive, and for reverse bias it is reversed having n-positive. This focus on the first letter should give you a way to easily remember the essential voltage polarity.]
Operation in the cut-off, saturation, and linear areas of the BJT characteristic are usually presented as explained below:
1. Linear-region operation:
Base-emitter junction forward biased
Base-collector junction reverse biased
2. Cutoff-region operation:
Base-emitter junction reverse biased
3. Saturation-region operation:
Base-emitter junction forward biased
Base-collector junction forward biased
4.3 FIXED-BIAS CIRCUIT
The fixed-bias circuit of Fig. 4.2 is designed with a fairly simple and uncomplicated overview of transistor dc bias analysis.
Although the network implements an NPN transistor, the formulas and calculations could work equally effectively with a PNP transistor setup simply by re-configuring the current flow paths and voltage polarities.
The current directions of Fig. 4.2 are the genuine current directions, and the voltages are identified by the universal double-subscript annotations.
For the dc analysis the design may be separated from the mentioned AC levels simply by swapping out the capacitors with an open circuit equivalent.
Moreover, the dc supply VCC could be split up into a couple of separate supplies (only for carrying out the evaluation) as proven in Fig. 4.3 just to allow a break up of input and output circuits.
What this does is minimizes the link between the two with the base current IB. The parting is unquestionably legitimate, as shown in Fig. 4.3 where VCC is hooked up straight to RB and RC just as in Fig. 4.2.
Forward Bias of Base–Emitter
Let's first analyze the base-emitter circuit loop shown above in Fig. 4.4. If we implement Kirchhoff’s voltage equation in the clockwise direction for the loop, we derive the following equation:
We can see that the polarity of the voltage drop across RB as determined through the direction of the current IB. Solving the equation for the current IB provides us with the following result:
Equation (4.4) is definitely an equation which can be easily memorized, simply by remembering that the base current here becomes the current passing through RB, and by applying Ohm’s law according to which current is equal to the voltage across RB divided by the resistance RB.
The voltage across RB is the applied voltage VCC at one end less the drop across the base-to-emitter junction (VBE).
Also, due to the fact that supply VCC and the base-emitter voltage VBE are fixed quantities, the choice of the resistor RB at the base establishes the amount of base current for the switching level.
The figure 4.5 shows the collector emitter circuit stage, where the direction of the current IC and the corresponding polarity across RC have been presented.
The value of the collector current can be seen to be directly related to IB through the equation:
You may find it interesting to see that since the base current is dependent on the quantities of RB, and IC is linked with IB through a constant β, the magnitude of IC isn't a function of the resistance RC.
Adjusting RC to some other value won't produce any effect on the level of IB or even IC, for so long as the active region of the BJT is maintained.
That said, you will find that the magnitude of VCE is determined by the RC level, and this may be a crucial thing to consider.
If we use Kirchhoff’s voltage law in the clockwise direction across the shown closed loop in fig 4.5, it produces the following two equations:
This indicates that the voltage across the collector emitter of the BJT within a fixed bias circuit is the supply voltage equivalent to the drop formed across RC
To have a quick glance of single and double subscript notation recall that:
VCE = VC - VE --------(4.7)
where VCE indicates the voltage flowing from collector to emitter, VC and VE are the voltages passing from collector and emitter towards ground respectively. But here, since VE = 0 V, we have
VCE = VC --------(4.8)
Also because we have,
VBE = VB - VE --------(4.9)
and because VE = 0, we finally get:
VBE = VB --------(4.10)
Please remember the following points:
While measuring the voltage levels like VCE, make sure to put the red probe of the voltmeter on the collector pin and black probe on the emitter pin as shown in the following figure.
VC signifies the voltage passing from collector to ground and its measuring procedure is also as given in the following figure.
In the present case both the above readings will be similar, but for different circuit networks it could show varying results.
This implies that this difference in the readings between the two measurements could prove crucial while diagnosing a possible fault in a BJT network.
Solving a Practical BJT Biasing Example
Evaluate the following for the fixed-bias configuration of Fig. 4.7.
(a) IBQ and ICQ.
(c) VB and VC.
In the next chapter we will learn about BJT Saturation.


The protestant reformation is probably one of the most notable christian moments that the world has ever seen. Take part in the quiz below and see how much you know about the reformation.
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Question 1 of 15
What was the protestant reformation? (select all which are true)
Regarding the Reformation a historian once said,“…The noon of the papacy was the midnight of the world.”
Question 2 of 15
What does sola fide mean?
Question 3 of 15
What does sola scriptura mean?
Question 4 of 15
Who were the Waldenses?
This movement began well before the 16th century reformation
Question 5 of 15
Who nailed the 95 thesis to the doors of Wittenburg church triggering the beginning of the reformation in Germany?
Question 6 of 15
The sale of indulgences is one of the main key points that Martin Luther disagreed with. What is the selling of indulgences?
Question 7 of 15
What key event in the protestant reformation happened October 31, 1517?
Question 8 of 15
In the 16th century, What was the diet of worms?
Worms is a city in Germany
Question 9 of 15
Is this statement accurately found in the Bible, “We walk by faith and not by sight”
2 Corinthians 5:7
Question 10 of 15
Since we can have faith in what Christ has done for us, it means we no longer need the law of God.
See Romans 3:31
Question 11 of 15
Where in the Bible are these words found:
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous . For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.“
Question 12 of 15
In which century did the Protestant Reformation most widely spread across Europe?
Question 13 of 15
Who was the forerunner of the reformation in Scotland?
Question 14 of 15
Which theologian/Oxford lecturer became a critic of the Catholic church and played a role in translating the bible into the modern English at that time?
He spent a good portion of his life in Lutterworth, United Kingdom.
Question 15 of 15
Which church said these words:
“No one can merit the initial grace which is at the origin of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we can merit for ourselves and for others all the grace needed to attain eternal life, as well as necessary temporal goods.”
Share this quiz about the reformation with your friends and let them test themselves too. If you’re interesting in learning more about the protestant reformation you can try this post.
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1.4 Where necessary, the paper updates assumptions and measurements to reflect changes in the structure of the economy.
1.5 The ABS compiles the national accounts within the framework of the Australian System of National Accounts (ASNA). The ASNA, with limited exceptions, accords with the recommendations contained in the latest international national accounting guidelines, the 2008 System of National Accounts (2008 SNA). One of the main objectives in compiling the national accounts is to produce aggregate estimates of production, income, consumption, wealth and investment.
1.6 To do so accurately requires constructing estimates of classes of economic transactions that are difficult to measure including the NOE. The NOE is economic transactions absent from the basic data used to compile the national accounts because they are "underground, illegal, informal, contribute production for own use or are missed due to deficiencies in data collection". Statistical agencies are guided in measuring the NOE by an OECD publication titled Measuring the Non–Observed Economy: A Handbook, (the Handbook).
1.7 The Handbook draws on 2008 SNA definitions to define the NOE and promote a common nomenclature by outlining five components as presented in Table 1.
TABLE 1: COMPONENTS OF THE NON–OBSERVED ECONOMY
1.8 Using the approaches outlined in this paper, the analysis indicates that the combined adjustments to the official GDP estimates for the five components of the non–observed economy are unlikely to be greater than 3% in total. Currently, the ABS only includes estimates of underground production and household production for own final use within aggregate national accounts statistics.
1.9 In 2003, the ABS released an information paper on the underground economy detailing the data sources, methodology and adjustments made to income data. A summary of the findings of this work was published in the October 2003 issue of Australian Economic Indicators (cat. no. 1350.0). The ABS has subsequently reviewed this methodology and, where possible, derived updated outputs using current data.
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE CURRENT STUDY
1.10 This paper aims to improve national accounts estimates. As such, the paper does not generate estimates of such concepts as "the cash economy", "tax evasion" or "illegal activity". However, the research does provide insight into these concepts, as they are closely related to the components of the NOE.
1.11 By its very nature, the NOE cannot be directly measured. Therefore, estimates of NOE activity must rely on limited indicative information and a variety of indirect methods – all of which can be regarded as contentious. It is likely that an unknown proportion of underground production is already captured in the observable data, owing to the data sources used and the estimation methods employed in collecting the observable data. For example, expenditure data captures the use of income that was generated from unobserved underground transactions.
1.12 In conducting the review, the ABS has sought to use the best research methods suitable for improving the quality of the Australian National Accounts. Other studies have used alternative methods based on the information available to those studies. For example, the estimates from a recent World Bank study Shadow Economies all over the World: New Estimates for 162 Countries from 1999 to 2007 are different to ABS estimates, and reflect not only a difference in methods, but a difference in study objectives.
1.13 The ABS invites comment on the methods, assumptions and results of the study from users of the national accounts and other organisations and researchers who are interested in the topic. The paper is experimental in nature and is intended as a means of fostering discussion.
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The medical ignorance collaboratory is an evolving interactive community in cyber and real space primarily among high school and medical school students, K-12 teachers, physician-scholars, biomedical researchers and professional societies who share experiences and resources to promote questioning and to identify, research and solve problems of mutual interest.
Using a variety of computer technologies and other tools, including the internet and the web, videoconferencing, streaming video, newsletters, articles, books, interpersonal and small group communication, the collaborators from Arizona, the nation and the world, are linked by a common vision and interest in the curriculum on medical ignorance with a focus on questions, questioning and questioners.
Led by a core group in the Department of Surgery at The University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, the medical ignorance collaboratory is the primary instrument of dissemination in a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health Science Education Partnership Award. The goals of the project and the collaboratory are to:
- Show K-12 students and teacher participants in Arizona how scientists 'do science' by providing opportunities to work in bioscience laboratories for approximately two months each year.
- Assist K-12 teachers in transforming their classrooms into scientific questioning laboratories using ignorance methodologies to alter and enhance existing science lessons and units.
- Empower K-12 student/teacher leaders through showcasing their accomplishments and assisting career development.
- Promote links among participants from Arizona-wide school districts and national professional organizations to enlarge the impact of CMI/Q-cubed programs, products and people.
- Make remote sites accessible and promote replication and innovation.
- Lay the foundation for producing a diverse generation of informed questioners, many of them disadvantaged and minorities, who can understand and make inroads into the vast terrain of medical ignorance and contribute to future medical advances.
What is a Collaboratory?
The word collaboratory rarely can be found in a dictionary, but it is an amalgam of the words "collaborate" and "laboratory." Collaborate itself derives from the Latin com and laborare which means "to work or labor jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor."
For at least a decade, perhaps longer, scholars, scientists, and other researchers, have used the term collaboratory to describe an entity that allows "multiple parties (regardless of where they are or their discipline or the organization) to work on projects of common interest," according to Roger L. Caldwell, PhD, The University of Arizona College of Agriculture, whose ‘Examples and Guiding Principles’ are included below. Caldwell says that collaboratory is a “new word to describe an old technique – a way of group communication (on any topic), at anytime we want, from anywhere, to help us do whatever we want to do – but do it better!”
The distinguished computer scientist, Bill Wulf (www.cs.virginia.edu/brochure/profs/wulf.html), in 1989, in a report prepared for the National Research Council (http://intel.si.umich.edu/sparc/collaboratory.htm) described a collaboratory as a "...'center without walls' in which the nation's researchers can perform their research without regard to geographical location -- interacting with colleagues, accessing instrumentation, sharing data and computational resources, and accessing information from digital libraries." In addition, the Bartle Library Collaboratory (http://220.127.116.11/collab/model.htm) for information literacy education attributes to the National Science Foundation the first usage of the term in 1993 to describe electronic collaborative communities of scientists and engineers. Even Wikipedia now carries a definition for collaboratory including these sources. (Wikipedia definition)
The American Distance Education Consortium (www.adec.edu) describes collaboratories as "highly interactive environments made up of people, hardware, connectivity and software-driven tools that engage people in intensive ways in the created learning environment... Collaboratories provide the means for meeting the needs of member institutions and enhance the engagement with communities of interest, however they may be defined."
Several dozen organizations which have a presence on the web call themselves a collaboratory and use the word as part of a longer name that identifies the particular subject matter or vision that motivates them. A few examples include:
Electronic Community of Teachers (hosted by Rice University)
Houston Urban Learning Initiatives in a Networked Community
The Collaboratory for Community Support
Learning through Collaborative Visualization (CoVis) Project
Northwestern University Project for K-12 Teachers
Utne Reader Online
Twin Cities Free Net (uses Caucus, can enter as guest)
One of the tools being used by the medical ignorance collaboratory is a web conferencing interactive software program called Caucus. Moderated by Dr. Roger L. Caldwell, University of Arizona, this program affords an opportunity to interact online in a forum for the exchange of ideas and information of mutual interest. The software allows the organization of responses topically and enables people who enter the forum at different times to catch up on other users' entries. The number of users can be expanded, but to encourage useful interactions, each caucus group should be kept relatively small. Permission is required to enter Caucus. Please contact us for more information.
Caldwell’s Examples and Guiding Principles
Caldwell has also developed the following principles designed to govern collaboratories which allow multiple parties (regardless of where they are or their discipline or the organization) to work on projects of common interest. In a nutshell, a collaboratory has three primary parts -- people, information, and tools.
1. Involve others without regard to their location. Barriers of distance, organization, discipline, or level of expertise are removed. Interaction can be in real time (synchronous) or at the convenience of the user (asynchronous).
2. Provide group interaction tools. These would include joint editing and review, shared project libraries or knowledge summaries, shared specialized equipment, ease of finding and reformatting information, flexibility to meet personal needs, and ease of use. These tools also allow new participants to join and quickly review the project background and progress.
3. Recognize that communicating in new ways requires new perspectives. It takes time to become accustomed to the techniques involved, the role of working with others remotely, and learning to focus on the specific project when everyone has other distractions in their own different settings.
4. Share specialized resources and decision making roles. Not all sites approach a project in the same way or have access to similar resources. By collaborating, everyone can gain access to the resources and also see how different approaches can be used to reach the same goals. And, all the participants can be involved in the direction of the project.
5. Assume there is no one best method of collaboration. Different projects and different mixes of people will cause things to be done differently. As long as basic principles are met, this is good. But, finding the right mix of activities and approaches for a particular group will take time.
Collaboratories are good choices when the following conditions are met:
1. The participants are from different locations and organizations but focus on a project of common interest.
2. The project lends itself to multiple approaches, multiple smaller projects, or a large number of participants.
3. Participants are made to feel full partners in the project. This can be done by allowing them to discuss and guide project direction (within the project goals). Project discussions and results are automatically maintained for easy access by everyone, so everyone can have full access to all parts of the project, if they wish to read everything.
4. Everyone is willing to try a different approach. It will take time to become comfortable with this approach. It is likely the available communications equipment for each participant will not be consistently good or has never been optimized for this use. Paying attention to these small details makes for a more successful project.


It is vital to maintain your digestive health. The internal workings of your digestive system is what gut health means. This matters because it impacts your ability to absorb food into your system and ensure that it has enough nutrients that power you through the day. Probiotics can aid in improving digestion and help keep your gut healthy.
There are numerous methods to consume probiotics. The easiest is to take them in capsule form. It’s like taking your regular vitamins, but it won’t affect the flavor or texture of your food. You will experience many advantages after taking probiotics and learning about them will motivate you to take care of your digestive system, while also recognizing that probiotics may make you feel less stressed and more protected against illnesses.
Probiotics are taken by people for their beneficial effects on digestion. Your body will continue to utilize the nutrients it produces naturally however, without these probiotics your body will eventually waste the nutrients. When you look at what you consume daily it’s normal to realize that not all food items contain all nutrients. This is only a possibility when you eat an organic, strict diet. It’s unrealistic to expect everyone to be capable of achieving this amount of nutrition. It is not necessary to change your eating habits to feel better.
Although it is recommended to follow a balanced and low-in artificial colors, flavors or preservatives but you should still try to eat food items that contain the ingredients listed above. Probiotics ensure that your body is able to absorb the food you consume regardless of whether it is organic or not. Even when you’re not eating, probiotics work to ensure that your stomach is calm and relaxed. You might have a sensitive stomach, or you feel like you’re always experiencing stomach pains. This could be because your body’s system isn’t offering sufficient protection from the bacteria that causes irritation. Both active and inactive digestion can be beneficial for probiotics.
Probiotics are a great way to get food into your system faster. Probiotics help in the digestion process that can aid in stomach upset. Probiotics are great for calming stomach upsets like gas caused by eating too quickly or feeling like you have gas.
It is okay to consume probiotics if your stomach isn’t hurting or you have difficulty digesting certain foods. They will work from the inside out, and this will benefit you because your stomach will be used to operating this way. Probiotics won’t be needed to be thrown out if they aren’t employed. This is unlike other vitamins and supplements. They can instead stay within your body to assist you in improving your health.
A thing that a lot of people do not consider is their immune systems and the way that food and digestion connect to their health. If you are able to maintain a healthy lifestyle and strive to stay clear of others who are experiencing symptoms of illness, this is likely what you think of when you think of taking good care of your health. Probiotics can help increase your immunity, stop you from being sicker more frequently and can speed up your recovery time in the event of a sickness. These are especially beneficial because probiotics work within your body. It is possible to control external elements; the probiotics manage the rest.
The microbiome, which is the gut’s natural bacteria, is found in your gut. These microorganisms comprise bacteria that reside in the digestive tract. This type of bacteria is healthy because it acts as a filter that determines the best nutrients for your body and what can be eliminated and converted into waste for you to get rid of. It is more likely for you than other people to fall ill if you don’t have enough positive microbiome in your stomach. This is due to the fact that your stomach’s filtering system isn’t performing at its best. To prevent you from getting sick, probiotics can increase the gut microbiome.
Being worried about your health can be among the most stressful ways to be stressed and may cause an rise in your weakening of your immune system. It’s not necessary to be concerned about the well-being of your body’s immune system if control your gut microbiome by taking daily probiotics. As you have learned, probiotics are powerful and quiet. Probiotics are always helping your body, even when you don’t think about it. This is perfect for busy people and those with a lot of work. It’s easy to place probiotics at the bottom of your list of priorities, but it will ensure that you’re taking good care of your immune system.
There are many stressors that are part of our lives. There are times when you feel upset or being stressed. It is because stress can cause negative effects on the health of your gut and digestive system. Every body part is connected, both physical and mental. Knowing this will help you see the ways that probiotics can assist you in dealing with stress and delaying the effects of stress-related situations.
An interesting fact is that 95% of serotonin is actually created in your gut. While we all are aware of this “happy” chemical found in the brain, only a few people are aware of how and where it originates. With this knowledge, it’s obvious that ensuring your gut health is well-maintained is also taking good care of your mental health at the same time. When you consume an anti-biotic to improve your digestive well-being, your mental health will begin to improve. Serotonin levels help to feel happy and balanced. It regulates your mood, and help make difficult situations appear less stressful since you’ll feel as if you can cope with them.
If you have high levels of serotonin, you’re more likely to make better choices in life due to this. It improves your ability to communicate with other people and assist you to socialize. When you’re talking with loved ones or working amongst your colleagues, having this elevated level of serotonin will make you a happier person to hang out with. You’ll feel more relaxed and more stable daily, and this is all because you are taking probiotics to improve your gut health. It is clear to see how everything within your body is connected, up at the point where it influences your brain throughout the process.
Probiotics boost your overall health and overall well-being. Studies show that stress-free living is linked with higher levels of immunity. This is another reason why probiotics work effectively to keep you healthy and safe. It is not necessary to worry about any side effects when you take probiotic capsules every throughout the day. They’re a fantastic option for health, and have several other benefits.
Bloating can make your day more difficult and uncomfortable. You can’t quickly get rid of the feeling however, you can take preventative steps. Probiotics are a good option to take before you consume foods that cause the bloating. This will help your stomach process the probiotics. This preventative measure is simple and doesn’t require you to endure the feeling of bloating throughout the day. You can prevent it and your stomach will be able to easily digest these foods thanks to the probiotics and health gut microbiome.
It’s important to know the foods which cause you to feel bloated so you can avoid them, or ensure that you’ve taken your probiotics before you eat. Here are a few of the often used types.
You are likely to consume at least one of these items each day. However, you can avoid bloating from occurring by maintaining a probiotic. It prepares your stomach to absorb the ingredients that naturally makes your stomach and insides to expand. These foods and beverages may cause you to feel bloated, as they are either gaseous or can make you gassy. Bloating is a normal function of the body, which can cause serious health issues.
Bloating may also happen in a way that is not related to your diet. The body can become filled with gas when it encounters constipation symptoms or problems with stool movements. It is also essential to be aware of how fast you eat. Bloating could be caused by eating quickly or in large quantities. Your stomach may not be prepared for this volume. Probiotics are designed to get your digestive system working even before you need to start digesting. Your stomach will begin to feel fuller, and you’ll notice a decrease in gastric bloating. Probiotics are also helpful in making the bloating disappear faster in the event that it’s already started.
It is vital to have the energy needed to make it through the day. It doesn’t matter how busy your day is or whether you have to go on errands, or clean your home. having enough energy is vital. Sleep is a factor in this regard, but digestion is also an important role in determining how much energy you have throughout the day. If your stomach is irritable or is not in a state of rest and your brain, and all of your body will feel restless. Probiotics boost your energy levels and help your energy levels to be higher. Probiotics can help to keep your energy levels up throughout the day, without needing to consume plenty of caffeine.
You already know how your gut microbiome influences your serotonin levels and, in similar fashion also affects the rest of your brain chemistry. You’ll experience better levels of mood, better memory and better cognitive abilities when you take probiotics. Whatever you are doing, taking probiotics are sure to help you live your best life. It is also an easy capsule that can offer all the wonderful benefits. Everybody who lives a healthy life should think about probiotics.
Another benefit is that probiotics can be found in all natural forms and can help support natural functions within your body. People who want to boost their health typically look to natural solutions to assist them before they resort to prescription medications or other harmful substances. Always seek professional help. But, natural solutions are equally beneficial for your body. Your body is capable of being strong and durable if it is given the right resources.
A lot of people are concerned with their weight and achieving a healthy BMI. Without a healthy diet and regular exercise, it can be hard to find other methods to keep your weight in the right level. A lot of people have a tendency to be restrictive, which can lead a person to slow down their metabolism. This is known as “yo-yo dieting” and your body actually doesn’t respond well to it. It is possible to slow down your metabolism by limiting your intake of food and then suddenly changing the amount. This could lead to you losing weight quicker. It is a frustrating cycle that can be easy to fall into when keeping up with your appearance.
It is possible to control your weight effectively , by using probiotics. Probiotics reduce appetite. This prevents you eating when you’re bored or stressed. Probiotics can assist your stomach to recognize signs of hunger, and will make you less likely to crave junk food. The microbes are also thought to aid in digestion of food which could improve the metabolism of your body. The earlier food intake is cut down in size, the faster you will be able to take in and process it. This effectively manages your weight without having to limit your diet or follow an intense diet.
Your bowel movements are crucial as they determine the way waste is eliminated from your body. If you are having irregular stool movements, the toxins remain inside of you and could make you gain weight and even feel sluggish. Your body will shed excess fat if you have regular bowel movement. This helps you manage your weight and eliminate excess fat.
The digestive system of your body is the highest efficiency when you consume probiotics. This helps to move your bowels. This will help you to boost the rate of metabolism and make your diet and exercise more efficient. This natural way to lose weight and eliminate excess fat is safe and efficient. If you’re looking for lasting results, then taking probiotics is the way to take.
Your skin is another area where probiotics can make you appear gorgeous. A healthy, glowing complexion suggests that your internal processes are working efficiently. Probiotics help to do this. L. paracasei strain is the part of probiotics that shield skin from the damaging effects of natural elements, aging, and preservatives. This is a positive way for probiotics to make you look great and feel fantastic at the same time, that boosts confidence in yourself.
The Bigger Picture
Probiotics are beneficial, even if you are not suffering from frequent indigestion. They work to balance your digestive health and keep you feeling both physically and mentally healthy. Taking a daily probiotic is similar to taking a daily supplement or vitamin. It can provide the long-term benefits, and will continue to help you to have a healthy digestion. They also help to fight infections and other harmful bacteria. Probiotics are a wonderful choice for any type of lifestyle.
Probiology has an innovative capsule that can aid you in the beginning of your journey to probiotics and improve your physical and mental health. The reason why this capsule is unmatched is because Probiology’s probiotic formula contains powerful and live strains of bacteria, all designed to work with your body. This capsule will take you one step closer to improving the health of your gut.


How to Use French Superlatives with Adjectives
Pierre is not simply more intelligent than the other kids in his class, he is the most intelligent in the school (le plus intelligent de l’école). To express that someone (or thing) is the one out of so many, the superlative always includes the definite article the. In French you have to choose between le, la, or les, depending on the gender and number of the noun described.
The superlative of superiority uses le/la/les plus (the most), and the superlative of inferiority uses le/la/les moins (the least).
How to express French superlatives in two ways
Because French articles and adjectives show the gender and number of the noun they accompany, for each superlative in English like the most intelligent, French has four: one for masculine singular (MS) and one for plural (MP), and one for feminine singular (FS) and one for the plural (FP). Be sure to match the definite article and the adjective to the subject you’re describing.
For example, here are the four posssible forms of the superlative adjective intelligent in French:
MS: le plus intelligent
FS: la plus intelligente
MP: les plus intelligents
FP: les plus intelligentes
You can express the superlative in two ways:
Use le/la plus or le/la moins + singular adjective in matching gender. For example: la plus gentille (the kindest).
In plural, use les plus/les moins + plural adjective in matching gender. For example: les moins grands (the least tall).
Use this formula after c’est (he is/she is/it is/this is), as in C’est la plus gentille (She’s the kindest).
Add a noun with a matching definite article in front of the superlative, like this: le/la/les + noun + le/la/les plus or le/la/les moins + adjective in matching gender and number.
For example: le garçon le moins intelligent (the least intelligent boy), la fille la plus intelligente (the most intelligent girl), les chiens les plus fidèles (the most faithful dogs).
Use this formula in the same context as the shorter version, or at the beginning or end of a complete sentence.
At the beginning: La femme la plus bavarde est assise derrière moi. (The most chatty woman is sitting behind me.)
At the end: Ils ont adopté les chiens les plus fidèles. (They adopted the most faithful dogs.)
Put some special French adjectives in their place
In French, most adjectives go after the noun they describe. For example: une voiture rouge (a red car). It’s the opposite in English! However, some adjectives don’t like to follow. For instance beau (beautiful), jeune (young), grand (tall), petit (short), bon (good), and a few more precede the noun they describe, like this: une belle rose (a beautiful rose).
To make a superlative with such adjectives, French has two options:
Place the preceding adjective before the noun, following the rule of placement of such adjectives. (This option is the shortest.)
Place the preceding adjective after the noun, like a regular adjective. (This option is longer.)
To form the shorter (and more common) superlative, follow these steps:
Change the article to a definite one (if it isn’t already), but leave the adjective before the noun.
For example, une jolie fille (a pretty girl) becomes la jolie fille.
Add plus before the adjective.
Like this: la plus jolie fille. Easy, right?
To form the longer superlative, follow these steps:
Change the article to a definite one (if it isn’t already) and change the word order so that the adjective follows the noun.
For example, une jolie fille (a pretty girl) changes to la fille jolie.
Insert le plus, la plus, or les plus before the adjective, making sure to match the number and the gender of the noun.
For example, you have la plus jolie, make sure both definite articles are the same, like this: la fille la plus jolie (the prettiest girl). Both articles must match the noun in gender and number.
Here are some more examples of the two versions of preceding adjectives in a superlative. Note how English has only one way of expressing the same thing:
la plus petite souris/la souris la plus petite (the smallest mouse)
les meilleures tartes/les tartes les meilleures (the best pies)
You have two placement options only with adjectives that typically come before the nouns they describe. For adjectives that normally follow nouns, there’s only one place for the adjective in a superlative.
Add a category with a superlative
A superlative featuring an adjective can also express the category where that one perfect pearl comes from. In English, you can say the smartest in the class; or the prettiest in the world. To add categories in French, the superlative is followed by de (of) and the name of the category with the definite article like de la classe (in the class).
When de is followed by the definite article le, it changes to du. When it is followed by les, it changes to des.
Here are examples of the superlative with its origin expressed:
le plus intelligent de la classe (the smartest in the class)
la plus belle fille du monde (the most beautiful girl in the world)
le plus mignon des animaux (the cutest of animals)
les meilleurs jours de l’année (the best days of the year)


Ladyada, aka Limor Fried, founder and CEO of Adafruit had the opportunity to ask the President of the United States some questions. She inquired about patents, how the president’s girls were doing in science and technology and asked: should we teach programming in schools?
A Google+ hangout with the president is a modern version of the Roosevelt fireside chats of the 1930s. In this case five people got the chance to put questions to President Obama and one of them was Limor Fried, the well known entrepreneur and enthusiastic proponent of technical education.
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, or even use Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for MakeCode, CircuitPython, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.


Dearth \DURTH\ , noun;
1. An inadequate supply; scarcity; lack
This word dates to the mid-13th century and comes from Old English derthe ("scarcity"), which is an abstract noun formed from deore + -th ("precious, costly" + suffix changing a verb into a noun). Originally derthe was used to talk about famines, where food was expensive because of its scarcity. But, but the early 14th century its usage had been expanded to include other situations where things were scarce.
Today's word and the first definition were both taken from Dictionary.com's 'Word of the Day' for Wednesday, July 20
Etymologies come from the Oxford English Dictionary and/or Etymonline.com


BIOSPHERE II: TEST TUBE FOR EARTH'S FUTURE
Oracle, Ariz. — HERE in the rumpled foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, work is under way on an experiment unlike any other on earth. Bulldozers are clearing mesquite and cactus from a tract of Arizona desert to make room for a huge glass-and-steel structure that will eventually seal off eight people from the outside world for two years.
The project, Biosphere II, is intended to test the feasibility of creating a self-contained, closed environment, such as might be needed to sustain a manned base on the moon or Mars or on the ocean floor.
It will also act as a sophisticated laboratory to study Earth ecology, perhaps yielding clues on such phenomena as the ``greenhouse effect'' and the impact of creeping deserts in Africa. The project is the most ambitious experiment of its kind to date. Researchers involved believe it could ``revolutionize'' the life sciences. But skeptics consider it quixotic - and certainly not assured of success. ``Nothing has been done on this scale before,'' says Margaret Augustine, project director.
The unusual greenhouse-like structure is intended to be a microcosm of Earth, which project creators consider ``Biosphere I.'' It will contain seven ecological zones, including a tropical rain forest, marshland, desert, savanna, a 50-foot-high ``mountain,'' and an ``ocean'' deep enough to scuba dive in. There will be a small farm and a five-story living area complete with library, exercise room, and plumbing and electrical shops.
Once they enter the airtight shell in late 1989, the inhabitants will be cut off from the outside world except for sunlight and communication. They will leave only in case of medical emergency.
In this glass cocoon, nothing will go to waste. Oxygen given off by the plants, for instance, will be used to revitalize the air for human breathing, while the carbon dioxide that people emit will be used by the plants. Water that evaporates from the ``ocean'' will be blown over to the rain forest, cool, condense, and fall as ``rain'' on the trees and plants. Some of it will be recycled back into the ocean. Human wastes will provide fertilizer for crops and food for fish, which in turn will nourish human beings. The trick will be to keep the cycles in balance, a task as tough as tuning a 12-string guitar.
``It is not a forgone conclusion that when we close the doors on Biosphere II it is going to work,'' one project researcher says.
The seven-year experiment is an outgrowth of work on ecology-oriented projects done by the London-based Institute of Ecotechnics. Space Biospheres Ventures, a private, for-profit firm, is managing the project here. Most of the money for the experiment, some $30 million, is being put up by maverick Texas millionaire Edward P. Bass, who has also underwritten, among other things, a hotel-study center in Nepal and a floating Chinese junk used for ocean study.
Despite its offbeat roots, the Biosphere project is drawing on a prodigious pool of scientific talent. More than 200 scientists and researchers from such institutions as the Smithsonian's Marine Systems Laboratory, the New York Botanical Garden, and the University of Arizona's Environmental Research Laboratory are helping to design the ecosystems and choose the plants and animals that will populate the man-made world.
The project is also being closely watched by many in the ecology and space communities. A report last year by the National Commission on Space cited the project as the type of work on biospheres that must be done if man is ever to colonize the moon or Mars.
Biosphere II will not be the first attempt to create a self-contained environment. For years, softball-size glass balls have been available containing shrimp and algae that can survive for long periods in their isolation. In Siberia, Soviet researchers have been experimenting with a small, artificially lit chamber that recycles air, water, and other resources and is believed to have housed people for up to five months. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is working on self-sustaining systems for use in space. But because any system NASA develops will have to be shoehorned into spacecraft, the agency is working on highly engineered chambers that use mechancial means to recycle some resources. It is not, so far, putting people in its closed environments.
``The Biosphere II people are interested in studying complex biological systems,'' says Dr. James Bredt, head of a NASA ecological life-support project. Their system ``is radical in its size and complexity,'' he adds. But ``in general, they are putting systems together with existing technologies.''
The Biosphere is being built on a sprawling ranch 35 miles north of Tucson, Ariz. - a stark but serenely beautiful desert landscape of prickly pear and cholla cactus, big skies and bronze sunsets. Little has been done yet on the structure, but the site bustles with activity. Several greenhouses, stucco office buildings, and a test chamber have been set up where researchers are designing systems and selecting plant and animal species.
Once completed, Biosphere II will consist of a series of modern-looking glass pyramids and barrel-vaulted structures, as well as a mosquelike building that will house the eight ``biospherians,'' as they are called here. The complex will sprawl over 2.5 acres and contain 5 million cubic feet, about 1/25th of the volume of the Louisiana Superdome.
Thirteen candidates are ``in training'' for the eight slots. They are working in facilities on the site, such as the tissue culture lab, where disease-resistant and other plants are being cloned.
Most candidates come from research backgrounds. They harbor a Peace Corps-like enthusiasm about the contributions the project could make and seem unconcerned about being cloistered under glass for two years.
``I could stand on my head for two years if I had to,'' says Stephen Storm, one of the candidates. Taking a break from tissue-culture work, he adds, ``I don't think there is anything going on anywhere that has the potential of demonstrating the influence of life on the atmosphere as Biosphere II could.''
But what about cabin fever? ``I go days and days now without walking across a two-acre space,'' he says.
Another candidate, Kathleen Dyhr, Space Biospheres' director of information services, says: ``This is an opportunity to be on the frontier of knowledge. I've lived out in the bush. That was more isolation than this.''
The biospherians won't be without comforts. There will be TVs, stereos, computers, VCRs, and perhaps even kayaking on the 35-foot deep ``ocean.'' The inhabitants are expected to tend crops and do other maintenance work about four hours a day and spend a similar amount of time on research and observation.
For food, the mini-Earth will be stocked with goats, chickens, 200 to 300 species of fish, and many kinds of food crops. The key will be to keep all the cycles synchronized. In this delicate world, an insect outbreak could cause an ecological disaster.
Two examples illustrate how detailed the research is in trying to bring this about. Scientists are considering putting termites in the building to help break down the savanna grasses. But they are studying dozens of species of termites to find ones that won't eat the sealants bonding the glass together - or to find sealants the termites don't like.
Being looked for, too, is a pair of hummingbirds to help pollinate the agricultural plants. Hundreds of varieties have been studied to try to find the ones with the right-shaped beaks to fit into the wide range of flowers.
``This kind of work has never really been done before,'' says Margaret Augustine, over a lunch of beef teriyaki and bibb lettuce. To monitor the system, an extensive computer network will be used. More than 5,000 sensors will be placed at various points around the Biosphere, checking things right down to the temperature of individual plant leaves.
``It's definitely more complicated than trying to figure out a Rubik's cube,'' says Norberto Alvarez, in charge of the computer and monitoring systems for the project. Indeed, it is the complexity of the project that makes some outsiders skeptical of its feasibility.
``I think they are taking an awfully big leap forward,'' says William Oswald, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who has done extensive work on closed ecological systems for the United States Air Force. ``When you start incorporating people into a large system, it gets to be very complex.''
Among spinoffs researchers see from the project are better systems for purifying air and water, natural ways to control crop pests, disease-resistant plants, and innovative ways to heat and cool buildings.
Eventually, project managers envision Biospheres perhaps being marketed as safe places to test genetically engineered organisms, grow endangered plants, or measure the effects of increased carbon dioxide levels (the ``greenhouse effect'') on various ecosystems. Most important, however, is the knowledge scientists hope to gain by using Biosphere II as a looking glass for studying the Earth and man's impact on it.
``We are on the edge of an incredible voyage of discovery,'' asserts project director Augustine. ``I think it is going to create a revolution in the life sciences.''


Mungo National Park and World Heritage Willandra Lakes
The Mungo area was recognised in 1981 because of the importance of both its geological past and its record of Aboriginal settlement dating back 40,000 years.
The area is isolated and bush camping facilities are available at two sites only. Visitors are asked to bring their own water, food and sufficient fuel for their return journey, at least 300km. Wet weather can make roads impassable so check with the National Parks Service Office in Buronga.
Near the entrance to the park is a woolshed and a Visitor Centre, which outlines the physical and cultural history of the National Park. The Mungo Woolshed is open to the public. It was built in 1869 of Murray pine and serves as a reminder of the important role of the pastoral industry in the recent settlement of this area of western New South Wales. In the 1850s Mungo was part of the larger, Gol Gol Station.
In 1922 the station was subdivided into small holdings under the closer settlement scheme, a scheme that allowed returned soldiers from World War I to settle on the land. One such unit became ‘Mungo Station’ of 16,000 hectares (40,000 acres). The property changed hands in 1934, and then in 1978 it was acquired by the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service and listed as a National Park in March 1979.
Mungo occupies much of an ancient lake bed, Lake Mungo
During the ice ages it was part of a series of lakes, the Willandra lake system, which drained into the Darling River. Around the eastern shores of these lakes huge sand-dunes once existed consisting of sand and clays, which were progressively deposited on the dunes as the lakes dried up. Today the surrounding country has vegetation such as belah (casuarina) growing on the old dunes, bladder saltbush on the ancient lake bed and mallee in dune areas.
To the east of the lake bed are the remains of the sand-dunes called The Walls of China, named after the Chinese workers who constructed the shearing shed on Gol Gol in the late 1860s. These sand-dunes are over 40m in height and stretch in an arc for approximately 40km. They have been eroded into fascinating shapes of pillars and gullies and have colours ranging from red-orange, red-brown to cream-yellow.
Wildlife abounds. Species ranging from red and western grey kangaroos, echidnas, native mice and bats, lizards and of course a few species of snakes are found. The birdlife is prolific including emus, orange chats, pink cockatoos, falcons and other birds of prey.
The Willandra Lakes system dates back to some 50,000 years before present when the lakes were full of water and the sand-dunes developed during a cold, dry and windy climate. As the climate became warmer, around 20,000 years before-present, the lakes began to dry for the last time.
Human habitation 30,000 years ago It was in this landscape that the most fascinating and important finds were made; the cremated remains of a woman (of 26,000 years ago), a tall male (estimated to have lived 28,000 to 30,000 years ago) and numerous animal remains. These ranged from Procoptodon goliah an extinct giant short-faced kangaroo standing over 2.5m tall; hairy-nosed wombats and wallabies.
The diet of the first human inhabitants included Murray cod, golden perch, shell-fish, emu eggs, wallabies and small marsupials. Archaeological studies uncovered the first known use of ochre in the world, and have enabled further understanding of ancient cultures. It was to ‘Lake Mungo country’ that the burnt, mineral-encrusted remains of ‘Mungo Woman’ were returned early in 1992, to be reburied in ‘her’ lands. It was because of ‘Mungo Woman’, Aboriginal heritage and records of past climate changes preserved in the landscape that Willandra Lakes World Heritage Region was established in 1981.
National Park Visitors Centre provides the information needed to understand the region’s natural and cultural history. It is located at the park entrance.
There is only one public road within the park. Between the entrance and the Walls of China it is suitable for two-way traffic, but after that, for some 50 km it is one-way only. Camping is permitted within the park only at designated areas near the entrance and at Belah Camp. Picnic facilities are provided at Walls of China, Rosewood, Mallee Stop, Round Tank and Vigors Wells.
Walls of China
The Walls of China stop provides the visitor with a chance to walk amongst geological history and view from the top of the dunes the vast expanse of Lake Mungo. Early morning is an excellent time to appreciate the landforms and animal life. All animals and Aboriginal artifacts are protected by law, so please do not disturb or remove anything. Walking tracks are provided.
Please look but don’t disturb or remove
How to get there:
From the Murray River region Mungo National Park is approximately 130km north from Euston-Robinvale. Please ensure that road conditions are checked prior to travel. Allow 1 hour 15 minutes comfortable driving time via Prungle Road (unsealed) from Euston/Robinvale.
Source: Discover Murray River
For more information visit National Parks NSW – Mungo National Park
Towns and parks north of Robinvale-Euston
Heading north of Robinvale-Euston you can explore our wonderful Murray Mallee region and National Parks. Some of these include:


Helping Students Become Better Learners: Teaching younger kids is not an easy job. When you are a teacher, it is your responsibility to ensure that the kids in your class leave it as educated as they possibly can be. That is why you probably go ahead and use all the possible learning tools at your disposal to do so. You want to help your students learn as much as they can so they are prepared for everything life is going to throw their way. While some tools are much more effective than others, it is important to remember that not all students are alike. Some learn in different ways than others. So that is why it is vital to try out different kinds of learning tools and find out which are the most effective for you.
Helping Students Become Better Learners
When it comes to hands-on learning, this is when you make the students get directly involved in what you are trying to teach them. If you are trying to teach kids about friction, instead of having them learn about it via their textbooks or a video, you will have them rub their hands together so they can feel the heat energy that will come from that. Another thing you can do is instead of having them watch you solve math problems, you can give them some examples and have them physically work out each problem so that they get used to it. That is the biggest advantage hands-on learning can provide to your students. They will get the experience of physically solving the problem at hand so when it comes time for the test or a situation in real life, they can revert back to what they physically learned in your class.
Using Automated Voices
Students usually do not respond well when they try to learn things from noticeable machines. So when it comes to notevibes text to speech studies have found that students respond better when the voice they hear from these types of applications sounds much closer to an actual human being. Using voice-to-speech applications allows your students to learn at the pace that best fits them. If one of your students is a fast learner and quick read, they are able to set the speed at which the voice reads the text. The good thing about these apps is that they do not just let your students fast forward through readings as they take time to ensure that they are getting the meaning of each word that is read.
In the end, as a teacher, there are a lot of tools out there for you to use to help enhance your students’ learning. While some tools will work better than others, it really never hurts to try everyone out at least once. From there you will be able to tell which one your students grabbed onto better and use it going forward. As a teacher, you have a big responsibility and impact on your students’ lives, and you do not want that impact to be not as strong as it could be because you did not use the right tools to help them learn.


- Dark brown umber on bright yellow is featured in one Ziss painting, and purple-inflected blue set against pale green in another.
- For the nine paintings in this exhibition, Howell mixed titanium white, ivory black and raw umber - the raw umber prevents bluing - in carefully calculated ratios to achieve what he calls ‘a movement of gray toward light and dark.’
- Natural ochres, siennas, and umbers are found in a range of colours from red, orange, yellow, and brown to virtually black.
- This open, umber landscape will be complemented, however, by a complex, labyrinthine village-scape.
- Poussin perpetuates the convention, which goes back as far as the Pompeian frescoes, of burnished umber men and pearly women.
- Wood grain and parquetry are abbreviated using forceful umber lines.
- Several species in the family Geometridae.
- The larva of the mottled umber moth is a reddish brown caterpillar that eats the leaves of oak trees and shrubs.
- A mottled umber moth found its way onto a Glasgow window.
- At least two other moths, the mottled umber moth (Erannis. defoliaria), and the March moth (Alsophila aescularia) have wingless females.
Mid 16th century: from French (terre d')ombre or Italian (terra di) ombra, literally '(earth of) shadow', from Latin umbra 'shadow' or Umbra (feminine) 'Umbrian'.
Words that rhyme with umberColumba, cumber, encumber, Humber, lumbar, lumber, number, outnumber, rumba, slumber
For editors and proofreaders
Line breaks: umber
Definition of umber in:
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Citing news reports, the Federal Trade Commission says consumers became more sensitive to claims of “Made in USA” on products since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The FTC’s regulations say “Made in USA” means that “all or virtually all” the product has been made in America. That is, all significant parts, processing and labor that go into the product must be of U.S. origin.
Products should not contain any — or only negligible — foreign content. The FTC’s Enforcement Policy Statement and its business guide, Complying with the Made in USA Standard, spell out the details of the standard, with examples of situations when domestic origin claims would be accurate and when they would be inappropriate.
See www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/usajump.htm for more information.
Here’s how the FTC evaluates “Made in USA” claims in product advertising, labeling and packaging:
For most products: Unless the product is an automobile or a textile or wool product, there’s no law that requires manufacturers and marketers to make a “Made in USA” claim. If a business chooses to make the claim, however, the FTC’s “Made in USA” “all or virtually all” standard applies.
For textile and wool products: Under the Textile and Wool Acts, these products must be labeled to identify the country where they were processed or manufactured.
• Imported products must identify the country where they were processed or manufactured.
• Products made entirely in the U.S. of materials also made in the U.S. must be labeled “Made in USA” or with an equivalent phrase.
• Products made in the U.S. of imported materials must be labeled to show the processing or manufacturing that takes place in the U.S., as well as the imported component.
• Products manufactured in part in the U.S. and in part abroad must identify both aspects.
In addition, print and online catalogs must disclose whether a textile was made in USA, imported or both.
For more information about country of origin labeling requirements for textile, wool and fur products, see “Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts,” www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/thread.htm.
American Automobile Labeling Act: This Act requires that each automobile manufactured on or after Oct. 1, 1994, for sale in the U.S. bear a label disclosing where the car was assembled, the percentage of equipment that originated in the U.S. and Canada, and the country of origin of the engine and transmission.
For more information, call the Consumer Programs Division of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (202-366-0846) or visit the NHTSA website at www.nhtsa.gov.
Suspect a violation? If you believe that a product promoted as “Made in USA” is not America-made or contains significant foreign parts or processing, file a complaint with the FTC. Call, toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or use the complaint form at www.ftc.gov. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
If you are aware of import or export fraud, call the U.S. Customs Service Commercial Fraud Hotline, 800-ITS-FAKE.


Pitch can be likened to shadow. Shadows exist along a gradient, varying in darkness and density with the position of the viewer, the relative constancy of the light source, and the interposition of objects. Like shadow, pitch is something that exists in gradations rather than in discrete units that are precisely defined one against the other, the equal temperament tuning system notwithstanding. Much of the music of Jérôme Combier’s Gone, a set of five compositions for chamber ensembles of various sizes, takes pitch as a shadowy phenomenon with blurred boundaries.
Terra d’ombra (2012-2015), a work for partly-prepared piano, harp and cello, evokes the analogy of sound to shadow in its title. Combier’s allusion is to umber, a dark brown color named for a clay originally from Umbria, but the term translates literally as “earth of shadow.” This archaeological meaning comes out in the piece itself. The composition is based on gestures producing muted sounds—most dramatically, percussive strikes on the instruments’ bodies and partly-damped strings—which blend into well-defined pitched sounds on piano. There is no hard-and-fast boundary between the two classes of sounds, and pitch itself, particularly as it’s played on the cello or the prepared strings of the piano, is often treated as a continuum or fuzzy aggregate. Gone (2010), for clarinet, piano, string trio and electronics takes the conception of pitch as a continuum even further. Playing alone or in combination, the instruments create clouds of sound through glissandi, harmonics and extended techniques; pitches slide into and through each other and disappear into pure timbre. A similar effect is had in the swooping, wobbling microtonality of 2015’s Dawnlight for flute, piano, violin, cello and electronics.
The taut and at times jagged Dog Eat Dog (2014) for cello and acoustic guitar relies less on a dilution of pitch and more on a simplicity of structure. The three-movement work is organized to feature one or a limited number of gestures per movement; although the performers are restricted in the types of sounds or techniques they are to play, they manage to draw timbres from every part of their instruments. The string trio Noir Gris (2007) is somewhat more conventional in sound but it, too, is built up out of deliberately limited elements, in this case melodic fragments meant to parallel the rhythms and durations of speech.
The Ensemble Cairn, a group founded by Combier and made up of alumni of the Conservatoire National Supérieur of Paris, bring these pieces to life with vividness and a refined sense of color.


One of the biggest challenges for music educators is keeping your music students engaged in the classroom. Today’s students can struggle with feeling invested in their classwork. It is crucial that music educators evolve their lessons to cater to their students in order to maintain interest and engagement. Here are five tips that will help you keep your music students engaged:
The simplest way of keeping your music students engaged is to maintain a positive attitude. This can seem like a no-brainer, but there are still teachers today who approach their lessons with an apathetic attitude. Students will notice that, and be more inclined to tune out of lessons. Maintaining a positive attitude and having fun with your students is a great way to make your class fun and keep your students engaged.
Today’s students are more technically adept than ever. It has become increasingly important for all teachers to find a way to incorporate new technology in their classrooms in order to enrich their students’ learning experiences. There are a wealth of music education focused websites and apps that can help to add value to your lessons. Here are some of the most useful music education resources:
- GarageBand – GarageBand from Apple allows the user to record and play back multiple audio tracks. Your students will also be able to pick from an extensive list of virtual instruments to play. This can be a great platform to give your students the ability to be creative and express themselves through music.
- Note Trainer – Note trainer is a free iPhone, iPad, and Android app that teaches students how to read sheet music. The app caters to a wide range of skill levels and allows your students to gradually increase their reading ability and track their progress.
- YouTube – YouTube can be a great resource for finding songs and videos. YouTube can be applied to the classroom to help students visualize a song for better understanding or to show videos of live performances.
Teach Through Games
Teaching your lessons through the use of games can be one method of keeping your class fun and maintaining engagement. Games can offer students a fun alternative to typical lectures or textbooks. Introducing some low stakes competition into your lessons can be what leads to more engagement from your students. Games also allow your students to work with their classmates, which can foster a more collaborative and interactive learning environment.
Smaller, Shorter Activities
Another method of learning that will help to keep your students engaged is to segment your lessons into smaller activities. So as opposed to asking your students to complete one task in the duration of one class session, it can be beneficial to break up the class session into multiple activities. This will help your students maintain attention to the tasks, while also helping them to retain more of the material learned. Studies have shown that the brain prefers and learns better in shorter work segments.
Use Music Your Students Will Relate To
Using music that your students like and are more familiar with can be a great way to keep them engaged. Classical and baroque music have typically been the standard genre for music lessons, but today’s students can’t relate to that musical time period. Asking your students for suggestions about what songs they like and would like to learn how to play can go a long way to make your lessons more appealing to your students.
Keeping music students engaged can be tricky, but hopefully these tips provide some insight into how to maintain student engagement. Maintaining a positive attitude can rub off on your students. Using technology and teaching through the use of games can be a great way to make your lessons more interactive and enjoyable. Using music that your students like and can relate to will make the learning environment more comfortable for them.
Tim Ufer works with university graduate programs as a community outreach manager, with a concentration for career development in higher education. In addition to music education, Tim’s expertise includes business management, engineering leadership and entrepreneurship.


If you didn’t already know, we’re in the process of raising money to repair the Gueymard telescope at the George Observatory in the Save Our ‘Scope campaign. And thanks to you, we’ve raised over $65,000 of our $80,000 goal through donations ranging from $1 to $5,000 — and we’re grateful for every last one of ’em.
But what’s the big deal? I mean, you can totally just buy a new mirror at Target or something, right? Well, in a word: nope.
Telescopes are amazing pieces of equipment – dauntingly large (the Gueymard weighs 10 tons) and yet incredibly delicate. If the mirror in a telescope warps just a few centimeters, it can vastly distort the images you see. Therefore, it’s extremely important to keep these machines in tip top condition.
Eye see you
Think of telescopes as an extension of your eyes. We can’t see things far away very well. When you look at the sky at night (and it’s dark enough) you see tons of tiny specks of light – some are stars, some are planets, others are galaxies, or even galaxy clusters. The light can travel for thousands (or millions or billions) of light years. The light heads right into your eye, onto your retina, and sends a message to the brain that says, “Hey, that’s neat, a speck of light.”
However, due to the distance involved, we can no longer appreciate the scale or detail of the images. The further away an object is, the smaller the space it takes up on the retina.
Telescopes fix all of this so that a bright, detailed image can reach your eye as it captures more light and then focuses and magnifies it.
Lenses bend light waves, either causing them to converge (focusing light) or diverge (spreading out light). Glass lenses were used in the creation of the first telescopes, called refracting telescopes.
In this model, light passes through the objective lens, which collects the light, causing it to converge on the eyepiece where it is then magnified. These images would become distorted, however, as different wavelengths of light bend at different angles and focus at different points.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
So, how do you solve a problem like bent light? In a word: mirrors. With reflecting and compound telescopes, the light doesn’t pass through the objective lens. Instead, it is reflected (via concave mirror) back to a smaller mirror, directing the light to the eyepiece where it is magnified. Ta-da! Beautiful, clear images of faraway objects.
The cool thing here is that the larger your mirror, the more light you capture, giving you higher resolution images with better detail.
The bigger, the better?
If your goal is to capture as much visible light as possible, then yes, bigger is better. But this comes with special problems too. Mirrors can get heavy – very heavy. Think about it: our Gueymard telescope mirror is 36 inches in diameter, and some mirrors can be several hundred inches in diameter. Now that’s a lot of mirror! All of this weight can change the shape of the mirror so that, over time, they sag and no longer properly focus light to another point.
This issue can be solved with honeycomb mirrors. No, they’re not made by bees. Rather, they’ve been influenced by the structure of a honeycomb. This allows the face of the mirror to be well supported, while reducing the weight of the mirror up to 80 percent.
Now that you’re (sorta) a telescope expert, come see the big stuff at the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park! Houston’s really lucky to have this observatory in its backyard, so to speak, since the Gueymard is the largest telescope in the country open to public viewings.
Can you spare a George for the George? We’d greatly appreciate if you pitched in to help save our ‘scope. Your efforts ensure that Houstonians can continue to stargaze through the most incredible telescope they’ll ever get to use for many years to come.


.Education domain name for anyone involved in registering domains
Education in its general sense is a form of learning in which the knowledge, skills, and habits of a group of people are transferred from one generation to the next through teaching, training, or research. Any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts may be considered educational. .EDUCATION will offer a hub for all the resources and information that user might need to make an informed decision. Stand out from the rest and register your interest in the new .Education domain extension for your online identity.


In English, many things are named after a particular country – but have you ever wondered what those things are called in those countries?
1sesión a puerta cerrada femenino
- She declined to disclose her advice to school board members because it was given in executive session.
- Congressional committees drafted and approved legislation in executive sessions.
- In 1980, Senator Byrd led the establishment of a new precedent to require an immediate vote, without debate, on any motion to go into executive session to consider a particular nomination.
- In executive session, the Council discussed the report of the AAUP Election Procedures Review Task Force, which was presented by the task force chair.
- A brainstorming session's effectiveness is increased if conducted, at least partially, in closed or executive session without management present.
- The Council met in executive session for the purpose of selecting a new general secretary.
- He said the executive session meeting was ‘separate’ from the regular board meeting, which was adjourned.
- For example, for the first time in its 92-year history, CalCPA modified the agenda of its annual meeting between its external auditor and audit committee to include an executive session.
- In contrast, each television network conducts an executive session at each tour, and the executives are often available for conversations throughout the day and attend the evening parties.
- Board practices, such as executive sessions of outside directors, will give independent majorities more power.
- That was rapidly seconded by the Whip, Senator Durbin and the Senate was in executive session.
- Yet the meeting was not billed as a closed-door executive session, and parent meetings are open to the public.
- Three important processes seem to enhance board functioning: i) executive sessions, ii) the relationship with independent advisors, and iii) committees' reporting process to the board.
- If he needs to address classified or otherwise confidential national security matters, that can be accommodated in a closed executive session, for these committees regularly receive highly classified information.
- This argument would be more persuasive if the agency had at least made a credible case to congressional committees in executive session or to U.S. Asian allies.
- Outside board members are calling their own executive sessions while hiring consultants to help them in making independent decisions.
- The Space Flight Leadership Council met in an executive session at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston.
English has borrowed many of the following foreign expressions of parting, so you’ve probably encountered some of these ways to say goodbye in other languages.
Many words formed by the addition of the suffix –ster are now obsolete - which ones are due a resurgence?
As their breed names often attest, dogs are a truly international bunch. Let’s take a look at 12 different dog breed names and their backstories.