French medic Philippe Pinel introduced humane treatment approaches to those suffering from mental disorders. In 1793, in Parice psychiatric hospital “Bisetr”, Pinel released mental patients of chains beginning what has been called the bright epoch of psychiatry.
Graduate Academic Program
The graduate students attend training in our department during the 5th to 9th semesters and are taught the basics of psychiatry. Our graduates have strong knowledge of
- Classification of the different types of psychoses;
- Differenciation between psychoses and neuroses;
- Difference between functional and organic psychoses.
- Clinical features, diagnosis and management of : Schizophrenia; Bipolar mood disorder and depression; Anxiety disorders and hysteria; Dementia; Alcoholism; Substance abuse.
- Clinical recognition and initial therapy of psychiatric emergencies.
- Eliciting a detailed psychiatric history and conducting a mental status examination; defining, eliciting and interpreting psychopathological symptoms and signs.
- Concepts underlying normal and abnormal human behaviour; principles of learning, memory, personality and intelligence; psychopathology ( behavioural sciences ).
- Psychogeriatrics. Historical aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness;
- concept of mental health vs mental illness;
- classificatory system currently in use in psychiatry.
- Clinical features, diagnosis and management of psychiatric disorders of childhood and adolescence.
- Personality disorders.
Post - Graduate Academic Program
The post graduate students are trained in
- General Psychiatry including History of Psychiatry
- Classification and Adult Psychiatry.
- Theories of Personality and Psychopathology.
- Social Psychiatry
- Child and adolescent psychiatry including mental subnormality.
- Organic mental syndromes and disorders.
- Administrative and Forensic Psychiatry.
- Biological Psychiatry
- Psycho somatic physiological Disorders.
- Therapies in Psychiatry = Drugs & ECT
- Consultation - Liasion Psychiatry.
- Community Psychiatry.
- Geriatric Psychiatry.
- Ethics in Psychiatry.
- Research methods and new frontiers in Psychiatry.
- Systematic Psychiatry.
- Fundamentals of Clinical Neurology.
- Diagnostic Techniques.
- Electro Physiological Techniques and research.
- Psychosurgery, Streoencephalotomy.
- Neuro Psychiatry.
Hospital and Research
The department offers diagnostic, treatment and support for various psychiatric diseases including Dementia, Schizophrenia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Mood Disorders, Suicide Prevention. Drugs Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Adolescent Psychology, Child Psychology, Disorders of Sexuality, Behavior, and Psychosomatic Illness.
The institution offers Out patient and inpatient psychiatric services. Out patient services are available between 8am and 12noon everyday. 24hour emergency support services are available. Indoor services provide voluntary admissions and patient admitted through reception orders are admitted every day. The hospital is a part of National Mental Health Program of the Tamil Nadu State and this is the only mental care unit in the district catering the needs for 30lakhs population. The department also has rehabilitation services– industrial therapy, occupational therapy, and recreational therapy.
The Department runs special clinics:
- Geriatrics Psychiatry Clinic
- Child Guidance Clinic
- De-addiction Clinic
- Epilepsy Clinic
- Adolescence Clinic
- A Study of Expressed Emotions in Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
- A Study of Clinical Patterns in Childhood Psychosis
- A Study of Psychological Patterns and Disorders in Prisoners admitted to the Prison Ward at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital.
- A Study of incidence of Dissociative Disorders in Children and Adolescents
- A Study of Life Events at the onset of Schizophrenia
- A Study of the prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorders among patients with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
- Study of Co-morbid alcohol dependent depressives in comparison to pure alcohol dependants and pure depressives
- A study of patterns of Drug dependence a decade apart
- A Study of the need of special emplyment exchanges for persons with psychiatric mental disabilities
- A Study of the prevalance pf Behavioural problems in school going children
- A study of the impact of community based rehabilitation
- A Study of the clinical patterns of cognitive impairment in HIV positive patients
- A Study of the prevalence and clinical correlates of Nicotine dependence in Schizophrenia
- A Study of the prevalence of psychiatric co-morbidities in adolescent suicidal attempts.


I was recently an inspirational speaker for a United States Postal Services event. The other inspirational speakers were James Burns from Massachusetts General Hospital and Betsy Shortell from Harvard University. The motivational speech discussed the qualities of effective leaders.
Qualities of leaders:
Attention to detail
Sets a clear vision
Not afraid to get hands dirty
Hold staff and yourself accountable
Be a resource
Ability to motivate
Establishes policies and procedures
Establish high service standards
Provides corrective action
Is Flexible and approachable
Is an industry expert
Is a mentor
Identifies strengths and builds on them
Fair and consistent
The motivational speech ended with a discussion of what it means to be a leader. The group agreed that a leader is a person who directs a team to successfully complete a goal.
- If we please everybody we are not doing our job.
- Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.
- Leaders are made, they are not born
Leadership is based on truth and character.


Are You Stressed? Your Dentist May Know
The role that stress plays in a variety of health-related concerns is nothing new. Yet, consider the link between stress and oral health. Dental professionals are reporting that more and more signs of stress are showing up in their offices. Symptoms such as orofacial pain, bruxism, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), mouth sores, and even gum disease are believed to be associated with stress. Thus, if you are stressed, your dentist may know.
Stress-Related Behaviors and Disorders:
Bruxism: As the medical term for grinding teeth and clenching the jaw, many assume that Bruxism is the result of a sleep disorder, a misaligned bite, or missing teeth. However, anxiety and tension are two chief culprits that result in bruxism. While the grinding and clenching behavior is commonly done at night, it can happen at any time, without the individual realizing it.
Those that “brux” may notice that the tips of their teeth are flattened. They may also experience tooth sensitivity due to tooth enamel being weakened.
TMD: Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, often called TMD, represent a class of conditions that causes pain and discomfort in the jaw joint. Yet, it also affects the muscles that are used in moving the jaw and the neck. While individuals experience pain in their jaw, they may also experience discomfort in their ears, as well as tension and soreness in their neck and shoulders.
Mouth Sores: Also referred to as Canker Sores or Mouth Ulcers, these sores are generally linked to trauma, such as biting the cheek or puncturing the gum tissue. Yet, if you’ve noticed an outbreak of sores in the mouth when under pressure or stress, you shouldn’t be surprised. Stress limits the body’s ability to fight viruses and bacteria.
Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Perhaps surprising to some, Periodontal (Gum) Disease is linked to stress. In these cases, gum disease is a result of a change in circumstances or a behavioral change. For example, college students that are up late studying at night may resort to “stress eating.” The types of foods chosen are usually loaded with sugar, which are sure to attack gum tissues. In turn, those that are experiencing a heavy financial burden are more stressed and anxious. Recent studies support the link between emotional (stressful) highs and lows and their connection to gum disease.
At Sugar Creek Family Dental, our mission is to provide every patient with a wonderful dental experience. We understand that life can be stressful, and we realize that your circumstances are unique. That’s why we’ll spend ample time getting to know you, your concerns, and your goals. Ultimately, we want to help you avoid the behaviors that may cause damage to your oral health. Dr. William Capati and the team at Sugar Creek Family Dental welcome your call today!
Posted on behalf of Sugar Creek Family Dental


Lessons in UnitsCCSS Units
How do camera settings affect the final image, and how can we use aperture and shutter speed to take better pictures? Students use the area of circles and fractions to explore how to properly expose a picture, and how photographers use depth of field and motion blur to get the perfect shot.
How much more do graduates earn, and is college worth the cost? Students use systems of linear equations to compare different educational options.
Were megalodons godfathers of the sea? Students model the bodies of different sharks using cylinders, and explore how the volume of a cylinder changes when its dimensions change. They learn that the megalodon was a massive ocean beast, but that its size may ultimately have led to its downfall.
How should the winner of The Biggest Loser be chosen? Students model weight loss with linear equations, and use percent change to compare absolute and relative weight loss for several contestants. They also examine historical data to determine which method produces the fairer game.
What's the best way to design a food tray? Students calculate the volumes of rectangular prisms and use that information to design a cafeteria tray that looks good and holds a balanced meal.
Which size pizza should you order? Students apply the area of a circle formula to write linear and quadratic formulas that measure how much of a pizza is actually pizza, and how much is crust.
How much should Nintendo charge for the Wii U? Students use linear functions to explore demand for the Wii U console and Nintendo's per-unit profit from each sale. They use those functions to create a quadratic model for Nintendo's total profit and determine the profit-maximizing price for the console.
Are solar panels worth the cost? Students set up and solve systems of linear equations to compare different electricity plans and determine when each option is the least expensive.
How do you increase the horsepower of a car engine? Students calculate the volumes of different car cylinders, and explore ways to make engine even more powerful by changing the dimensions of an engine's internal geometry.
How much should states spend on schools and police? Students analyze histograms and use mean and median to explore state spending habits. Then, they discuss how much they think states should be spending.
When should NFL teams go for it on fourth down? Students use quadratic functions to develop a model of expected points. They then apply this model to determine when teams should punt the ball, and more importantly, when they shouldn’t.
What's the best way to position a car's mirrors? Students use reflections and congruent angles to determine the best orientation for rear- and side-view mirrors, and learn how to correct those dangerous blind spots.
How has the urban population changed over time, and will we all eventually live in cities? Students use recursive rules along with linear and exponential models to explore how America's urban areas have been growing over the last 200 years.
Why do tires appear to spin backwards in some car commercials? Students apply unit rates and the formula for the circumference of a circle to determine what makes a spinning wheel sometimes look like it’s moving in the opposite direction of the car sitting on top of it.
Does the same sound always sound the same? Students come up with equations in several variables to explore the Doppler Effect, which explains how sound from a moving object gets distorted.


Quick Straight Teeth
Icon White Spot Treatment
Acrylic dentures are false teeth that are made with a plastic-type of material.
It is an easily mouldable material, which makes it a good candidate for dentures as they require changes over a period of time. Acrylic is a common material used for partial and complete sets.
Offered as a less expensive option compared to dental implants.
These are cast metal false teeth generally considered to be the more permanent partial denture, unlike acrylic ones.
These are clipped to the natural teeth with clasps and most importantly incorporate rests on the teeth. The clasps hold the denture firm and the rests stop any damaging up and down movement.
Valplast or flexible dentures are made from a flexible plastic material which fits neatly into your mouth and is virtually invisible. The plastic has almost a chameleon effect, it is so strong that the parts can be made very thin and so picks up the characteristics of the underlying tissue. The claps are of the same material and virtually disappear into surrounding tissues.
A good alternative to invasive treatments.
New dentures always feel strange when first placed in your mouth. Several days or weeks will be required before you get accustomed to them.
Adaptation varies with different persons and often time and experience are essential before dentures can be worn comfortably and function effectively.
Useful suggestions to help you to adapt to the new dentures:
Eating – Eating will take a little practice. Start with soft foods and foods cut into small pieces will help. Chew slowly using both sides of your mouth at the same time to prevent dentures from tipping. Once you become accustomed to chewing, include other foods until you return to your normal diet.
Increased salivary flow – You may experience an increase in salivary flow when the dentures are first inserted. This is a natural response of the salivary glands that will return to normal after a few weeks. You can improve the situation by swallowing more often.
Speech – New dentures may alter your speech initially. Pronouncing certain words may require practice. Reading out loud and repeating troublesome words will speed up the adaptation process. This problem rarely persists beyond two weeks.
Sore spots – Minor irritation caused by surface irregularities or pressure spots on the denture-bearing areas are quite common. Your dentist will relieve the discomfort by adjusting the denture surface. Stop wearing the denture if the irritation is very painful. Consult your dentist immediately.
A denture is a removable prosthesis used to replace missing teeth.
Commonly referred to as ‘false teeth’, a denture is usually made of acrylic or a combination of acrylic and metal.
A partial denture is fitted to replace some missing teeth whilst a complete denture is indicated when all natural teeth are missing.
A good set of dentures helps you to eat, speak, function, and often improves a person’s appearance.
Depending on the complexity of each case, the duration of the treatment will vary.


South-American bird destroys German crops
While many farmers and livestock owners worry about damages from wild boars and wolves, some farmers in Germany worry about something else: the rhea. This big flightless bird, also known in Germany as the nandu, is originally from South America. It is distantly related to the ostrich and emu. Surprisingly, you will find the only European wild population of rheas in Germany. Despite efforts to limit population growth, numbers are increasing. Farmers worry for their crops and demand intensive regulation.
Please also read: Let’s worry about ungulates, not wolves
A growing group of rheas established itself in the German Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, on the border with Schleswig-Holstein, as the Ostsee-Zeitung writes in their article. A few founding individuals escaped a rhea-farm back around 2000 and made their way to the Biosphere Reserve Schaalsee. In 2017, the Agricultural Ministry of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ordered to drill holes in the rhea-eggs, to avoid large numbers of newborn. As a result, the population decreased with 22 individuals. This year a hole was drilled in 190 eggs, but the population grew from 205 to 566 individuals, according to the annual count. More than half of the population are yearlings.
Damage to crops
The rheas seem to feast on fields of wheat and rapeseed, and the available compensation funds are not sufficient. The Agricultural Minister and representatives of farmers’ associations would like to see other measures to keep the population under control. Killing male rheas is mentioned as one of the solutions. Still, the number of affected farmers is still relatively low, so political pressure is also low. Furthermore, rheas are not listed as invasive species at this moment.
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Many patients who have diabetes mellitus experience temporary blurring of vision, especially when their blood glucose is very high. Patients who have had diabetes for many years may also experience more serious vision loss due to worsening of cataracts or diabetic retinopathy (DR). In DR, the retina is lacking an adequate oxygen supply, and it develops significant problems in the retinal blood vessels.
The retina lines the inside of the eye and is responsible for sending images to your brain. When the blood vessels are damaged, they may leak fluid, or may develop new and abnormal blood vessels that can bleed and turn into scar tissue. This damages the retinal and can severely worsen the vision.
Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness among adults in the United States. The longer one is diabetic, the higher the incidence of developing diabetic retinopathy. Approximately 80% of people who have diabetes for 15 years or more will have some damage to their retina. With treatments available today, only a small percentage of people have serious vision problems.
There are two types of diabetic retinopathy. Background retinopathy is the earlier form of retinopathy. In more advanced stages of background retinopathy, patients may experience some blurred vision. A dilated eye exam is the only way to diagnose early retinopathy changes in your eyes.
Proliferative retinopathy causes new and abnormal blood vessels to grow on the surface of the retina. These vessels can bleed which will cause the vision to become hazy and sometimes cause a severe loss of vision. There is no pain but this stage requires immediate medical attention. New vessels may also form scar tissue and pull the retina away from the back of the eye, causing a retinal detachment. Treatment is necessary to prevent severe permanent loss of vision.
If you are diabetic, regular eye exams are very important. We recommend a dilated eye exam once a year, and more often once retinopathy is detected. The disease can improve with treatment.


Here’s the simple lesson in geology that all politicians need
Planet Earth is a warm wet greenhouse volcanic planet. The planet is dynamic, change is normal.
For less than 20% of its history Earth has had ice, five of the six major ice ages occurred when the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) content was up to 1,000 times higher than at present, and for half of Earth history CO2 has been sequestered naturally into algal reefs, coral reefs, sediments, altered rocks, bacteria, plants, soils and oceans.
The Earth’s atmospheric CO2 initially derived from volcanic degassing. Much of it still does and the rest is recycled CO2 from the oceans, rocks and life.
At present we enjoy a period of volcanic quiescence, but one big volcanic eruption can add as much CO2 to the atmosphere in a day as humans do in a year. Submarine supervolcanoes constantly pump out heat and CO2 into ocean waters, the effects of which are commonly not seen for thousands of years.
Significant oxygenation of the atmosphere took place when the planet was in middle age, after which the evolution of plants and the process of photosynthesis resulted in the recycling carbon out of the atmosphere and its sequestration into plants, soils and sedimentary rocks.
The atmosphere now contains 800 billion tonnes (Gt) of carbon as CO2, soils vegetation and humus contain 2,000 Gt carbon in various compounds, the oceans contain 39,000 Gt and limestone, a rock that contains 44% CO2, contains 65,000,000 Gt carbon. The atmosphere contains only 0.001% of all carbon at the surface of the Earth, and far greater quantities are present in the lower crust and mantle of the Earth.
Once fossil fuel is burned, the released CO2 does not remain permanently in the atmosphere, but over a few years is sequestered into the oceans, living organisms and sediments. It is also a fact that if all of the world’s fossils fuels were burned, atmospheric CO2 would not even rise to twice the current level.
At present, the Earth’s atmosphere is starved of CO2, and should atmospheric CO2 drop from the current 385 parts per million (ppm) to less than 200 ppm, plant life will cease. Over the last 250 years, CO2 in the atmosphere has increased by one part in 10,000.
Ice core measurements show that temperature rises precede rises in CO2 by 800 to 2,800 years. For the first decade of the 21st Century, all climate measuring data and methods show that temperature is decreasing yet CO2 is increasing.
On all time scales, then, there is no correlation between temperature and CO2 . If there is no correlation, then there can be no causation.
Over geological history , rapid large climate changes have resulted from the changing position of the Solar System in the galaxy, solar activity, the Earth’s changing orbit, tides, ocean currents, volcanoes, tectonics and the shape of the Earth.
Never in the past has climate change been driven primarily by CO2.
Furthermore, just because we humans live on Earth does not mean that changes in our lifetime are due to human activity. A small amount of CO2 (<100 ppm) in the atmosphere has an effect on atmospheric temperature, higher than 100 ppm its effect on temperature is minimal to negligible compared to the other influences that change our climate system.
If an extraordinary hypothesis is suggested - such as, that human emissions of CO2 will lead to dangerous global warming – then extraordinary evidence needs to be presented in its support.
In fact, there is no direct, real world evidence for dangerous human-caused warming at all, and that despite the efforts of thousands of scientists and organisations since 1990, and the expenditure of approaching $100 billion, looking for precisely such evidence. Instead, the global warming scare is built entirely around unvalidated computer climate models that are known to be wrong.
In voting on the “Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme” (CPRS) bill, Australian senators are poised to determine the biggest financial and sociological decision since Federation. Yet their vote is being cast without either a transparent, independent scientific audit, or comprehensive financial due diligence.
Australia’s emissions constitute only 1.4% of global CO2 emissions, so anything that Australia does to limit its emissions will be an exercise in complete futility regarding the prevention of global warming. On the other hand, if Australian emissions are reduced, then it is certain that the economy will contract, tens of thousands of persons will lose their jobs, and the price of power will ultimately double.
All emissions trading systems are based on the invalid hypothesis that human emissions of CO2 drive global warming, and the Rudd government’s CPRS is no exception. Senators from all parties must vote it down.
Ian Plimer is Professor in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (University of Adelaide) and Emeritus Professor in the School of Earth Sciences (University of Melbourne).


Traditional wood-composite materials are typically manufactured using 50% plastic and 50% organic wood material, such as sawdust or other recycled wood
Jul 7, 2016 They developed several types of structural recycled plastic lumber, or recycled composites like car bumpers, does not pose such risks.
The principal filler in wood composites is wood flour made from recycled sawdust, planer shavings, sanding dust and scraps, purchased by wood recyclers from
Aug 6, 2013 Overtime composite wood has developed into a huge industry with a variety It is made from 60% renewable bamboo fibers and 40% recycled
Wood-Plastic Composite planks and decking are said to have excellent resistance to rot, and are frequently guaranteed for Made from British Recycled Plastic.
Keywords: Recycled wood waste, reconstituted wood composites, Great potential exists for developing products for housing made from recycled wood.
Oct 9, 2009 Plastic Wood Composites are a Great Way to Recycle Typical wood-plastic composites are made of wood from recovered sawdust, pulp
Plastic lumber and thermoplastic composites are sold as alternatives to wood products. . It includes specimens made of pure virgin or recycled high-density
May 3, 2017 A look at the make-up, uses, and benefits of wood plastic composite, from recycled materials collected from C&D operations, wood product
Sustainability and the Built Environment. Fall 2006. How Green Is It? Composite lumber, however, does have some positive recycling features. Products made.
Jul 26, 2018 Describes Standards and Specifications of recycled plastic lumber (RPL). includes some specifications relating to wood-plastic composites,
Plastic Lumber Balastrades Both natural fiber and wood composite products can be made with either new plastic or post-consumer/industrial recycled material.
Overall, the pro- gram demonstrated that both air-laid and melt-blended composites can be made from a variety of waste wood, wastepaper, and waste plastics.
Jan 8, 2009 Since the late 1980s, recycled plastic lumber has made gains on its in the manufacture of plastic and plastic wood composites is much higher
The influence of accelerated weathering, xenon-arc light and freeze-thaw cycling on wood plastic composites extruded from a recycled plastic was studied.


Centuries ago people in the far east started steeping and brewing leaves of Camellia sinensis and drinking the hot beverage for its good taste and exceptional health benefits. That one plant, Camellia sinensis, is known as the tea plant because its leaves and leaf buds are used for producing many different sorts of teas. White tea, yellow tea, green tea, oolong, pu-erh tea and black tea are all made from this plant but the production process is different for every one of them.
First written records of using green tea date back to China's Han Dynasty (206-220), when it was used mainly for medicinal purposes. However, the first notes about people using it for pleasure are written almost five hundred years later, around 600AD.
But why is green tea so popular throughout the world even now, millennium and a half later? What are those health benefits that make green tea being called ''The miracle beverage''?
Prevents heart diseases
High blood pressure or cholesterol are serious conditions that can lead to even bigger problems if not treated. Studies show that consuming green tea on a regular basis can make your blood pressure lower and blood vessels stronger. Green tea can also lower the risk of heart attack by preventing the formation of clots.
The substance found in green tea called polyphenol is responsible for increasing our metabolism. It speeds up the processes of fat oxidation and turning food into calories.
Fighting Alzheimer's disease
Studies conducted at the University of Newcastle in 2004 and Japan in 2008 showed that green tea has enzymes that positively affect our brain's memory and that it can significantly decrease and slow down the process of memory loss. Furthermore, tests conducted on rodents showed a notable difference between deficits in memory of “green tea” rodents compared to the ones that hadn’t been given green tea treatment.
Lowers the risk of cancer
As a great source of strong antioxidants, green tea can have a positive effect on oxidative damage that can add to the development of cancer. There are studies that show green tea has the most powerful effect against breast cancer (women drinking green tea had lowered the risk of getting breast cancer by 20-30%) and prostate cancer (men drinking green tea had lowered the risk of getting prostate cancer by almost 50%). There are more studies about this subject but officially there is still no concrete evidence to support the benefits of green tea against cancer.
Helps with fighting skin diseases
Green tea contains polyphenols which are significantly rich in anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have proven that green tea consumption has a positive impact when it comes to skin inflammatory disorders, such as psoriasis and dandruff. Furthermore, it is beneficial for fighting skin problems with symptoms such as red, dry or flaky skin. These conditions are mainly caused by overproduction of skin cells. The studies have been conducted on animals with these symptoms. Those animals that were treated with green tea have indicated slower skin cell growth.


|Location||Australia, Northern Territory|
|Central coordinates||136o 51.55' East 12o 3.90' South|
|Altitude||0 - 10m|
|Year of IBA assessment||2008|
Summary Higginson Island off the Arnhemland coast supports internationally important numbers of Bridled and Roseate Terns. The IBA also includes neighbouring islands to the west and south where the Roseate Tern colony appears to re-locate on some years, and large numbers of Bridled Terns regularly nest.
Site description This IBA consists of a chain of small islands running north from Nhulunbuy in Arnhemland. Higginson Island is a high rocky island with vines and grasses, at the end of the island chain, about 100 m x 60 m, Forlsche Rock is a small grassy rocky island to the south, East Bremer is a rocky and sandy island further south, from where a chain of rocky islets extend to South East Islet. The IBA also includes Veronica island to the west, which is a small vegetated coral rubble and rock island with a lighthouse. These are island refs S030, S031, S032, S033 and S085 in Chatto (2001).
|Species||Season||Period||Population estimate||Quality of estimate||IBA Criteria||IUCN Category|
|Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii||breeding||1990-2000||30,000 individuals||medium||A4i||Least Concern|
|Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus||breeding||1990-2000||10,000 individuals||medium||A4i||Least Concern|
|A4iii Species group - waterbirds||-||-||-||-|
|IUCN habitat||Habitat detail||Extent (% of site)|
|Coastline||Sea cliffs, rocky shores & rocky islets||major|
Land ownership Arnhemland ALT
|Land-use||Extent (% of site)|
|Notes: Traditional use|
Access/Land-Owner requests Traditionally-owned land.
References Chatto, R. (1998) Seabird islands. No. 238. Higginson Islet, north-east Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Corella. 22: 69-70. Chatto, R. (2001) The distribution and status of colonial breeding seabirds in the NT. Technical Report 70. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory, Palmerston. Harrison, L., McGuire, L., Ward, S. Fisher, A., Pavey, C., Fegan, M. and Lynch, B. (2009) An inventory of sites of international and national significance for biodiversity values in the Northern Territory. Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts & Sport, Darwin, NT. Ward, S. and Harrison, L. (2009) Recognising sites of conservation significance for biodiversity values in the Northern Territory. Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts & Sport, Darwin, NT.
Contribute Please click here to help BirdLife conserve the world's birds - your data for this IBA and others are vital for helping protect the environment.
Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Higginson Island. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 18/12/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife


Everything You Need To Know About The Strawberry Moon
The Strawberry Moon 2019 is upon us and is painting the skies pink. The sixth full moon of the year is nearing the summer solstice and shining through the atmosphere in a brilliant strawberry hue. The celestial event started on Monday, June 17 at 2 PM IST and will continue to be in its full glory for about three days, according to Gordon Johnson at NASA.
The phenomenon Strawberry Moon borrows its name from the Algonquin tribes hailing from New England and Lake Superior in the U.S. The ethnic group’s Old Farmer’s Almanac says that the celestial event occurred in concurrence with the strawberry harvest seasons in these regions.
The Strawberry Moon goes by many other monikers too. For instance, the ‘Mead Moon’, a name that the Europeans assigned to it after a drink that is made by fermenting honey fused with water, fruits, spices and grains. It is also called as ‘Honey Moon’ as the celestial event is specific to June which was also the time for nuptial ceremonies in Europe, hence making the name even more significant. Also, the fact that honey was harvested during this time gives the Moon the mythical nick name.
So here are some notes as to why the phenomenon takes place. Earth goes through a summer solstice, which occurs when our planet’s poles tilt towards the Sun. It happens twice annually, once in hemisphere. When there’s summer solstice, the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky, while the Full Moon opposite to it generally appears lower. The orbits of the Sun, Earth and the Moon align in the same plane, only about five degrees off. As a result, the full moon nearest to the summer solstice shines more than it does otherwise in the rest times of the year.
And why the bright colour? Well, the reason why the rising Sun has a reddish colour pretty much applies for the Moon too. In regions of higher altitudes like Europe, the celestial event can be observed more clearly as the Moon sports a reddish, rose colour shade. It must also be noted that at the time of a total lunar eclipse when the Moon hides under the shadow of the Earth, it gets a bold reddish hue which we refer to as the Blood Moon.
After the Strawberry Moon, The Buck Moon will be dominating the night sky as the next full moon of the year on July 16.


The price of preserving Palestine's past in Israel
Nemi Ashkar poses in his winery in Kafr Yasif, Israel on May 14, 2019. EFE/ Laura Fernández Palomo
By Laura Fernández Palomo
Kafr Yasir (Israel), May 14 (efe-epa).- It pains Nemi Ashkar, a Palestinian, to have to pay Israelis for grapes grown on land once cultivated by his family but, for him, it is one way to keep the legacy of his now-destroyed hometown of Iqrit alive.
Israeli forces destroyed Iqrit, a Palestinian Christian town, in 1951 just two years after the creation of the modern State of Israel. They left behind a church and a cemetery, which now features on the labels of Ashkar's wine, which he produces from his winery in Kafr Yasif, an Arab town where a number of Iqrit's refugees settled.
Ashkar, a member of the second generation of the displaced community, has also added an image of his grandparent's house to the design for his wine, which he named after the village.
"At Christmas Eve 1951, the army demolished the village of Iqrit, except the church and the cemetery. The people became refugees in their own lands," he told Efe in an interview. "We are temporarily here because everybody from our community, my kids, my brothers, believes that one day we will return to our village."
"Unfortunately, now, we are only returning when we are dying," he added.
Ashkar, who produces up to nine varieties of wine, is one of just three Arab wine-makers in the region compared to the roughly 300 Jewish-Israeli-run wineries he competes with.
Although he finds himself working from home in Kafr Yasif, Ashkar has found a way to incorporate grapes from Iqrit into his production after he discovered that Jewish settlers who now own the land around the village were themselves growing grapes.
"I saw that there were grapes and vineyards, so I asked who was planting these and they told me it was one of the settlements. The government gave this land to one of the people from a nearby settlement," he said.
"So, I came to him and I asked if he wants to cooperate with us. He agreed because, at the end of the day, he's planting for commercial purposes. So, we are buying the grapes from Iqrit and we are making the wine in this place, our winery," he added.
According to Ashkar, Iqrit's story began six months after David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, proclaimed the Israeli declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948, when Jewish forces expelled villagers with the promise that they would return in two weeks.
They never did return.
Israel's Supreme Court ruled in favor of Iqrit residents' right to return in 1951 but the Israel Defense Forces destroyed it nonetheless.
Now, the dead are allowed to be buried in the cemetery but Israeli authorities confiscate all attempts of Palestinian cultivation on the land.
The village, therefore, fell to the massive Palestinian exodus that took place after the creation of the State of Israel, which to Palestinians is known as "Nakba" ("disaster").
Around 700,000 Palestinians were displaced at the time.
Every year displaced Iqrit residents organize summer camps in the village so that future generations can learn about the legacy of the place their predecessors once called home.
The community still uses St. Mary's church in the village for ceremonies at Christmas time and Easter.
Ashkar, who produces up to 18,000 bottles of wine a year, insists that his stay in Kafr Yasif is temporary.
"We live in the hope that we will return and we are not stopping to struggle and fight everywhere in the Knesset (parliament), by lobbying the government and also by legal procedures," Ashkar said.
"So, Iqrit is living in us," he added.EFE-EPA


Building demolition is typically executed through wrecking balls, explosives and jackhammers. All these processes are very noisy, disruptive and messy, producing a lot of dust and not a lot of building material can be salvaged.
Taisei, a Tokyo-based building corporation, is doing things a little more subtly, and making demolition a more eco-friendly endeavor in the process. They have developed the Taisei Ecological Reproduction System (Tecorep) that not only preserves building materials but also generates energy from the demolition process. Moreover, it is safer, quieter and better for the environment as all the destruction happens inside the skyscraper.
Taisei used this technique to gradually lower the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka and confused passersby have already witnessed the 140m-high tower quietly shrink to 110m.
How it demolishes:
Rather than taking the building apart from the outside, Tecorep starts from the inside. It is using giant jacks and electricity-generating cranes to dismantle a high-rise tower in Tokyo, floor by floor. When a floor is completely stripped, the temporary columns and jacks holding it up are lowered; the building looks roughly the same – giving the building the outside appearance of shrinking into itself.
Per Taisei Corp, the entire process reduces noise by between 17 and 23 decibels. Not only that, it also reduces dust levels by 90% and can be carried out at any time, regardless of the weather conditions. The vanishing building looks normal for as long as possible as people are not able to really see the demolition work.
This time-lapse video shoes the Taisei Ecological Reproduction method at work, bringing down the upper floors of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka, Japan:


(and some other natural organobromine compounds, notably Tyrian Purple)
You are right that phenol reacts immediately with bromine water at room temperature forming a white precipitate of 2,4,6-tribromophenol (see photo, right); this has an antiseptic smell, like the TCP you buy in chemists' shops.
The OH group "activates" the benzene ring by increasing the electron density - especially at carbons 2, 4 and 6. This makes it more reactive (attractive) to electrophiles, so that three hydrogen atoms are substituted by bromines, not just the one replaced when you brominate benzene - this is much more difficult, and requires a catalyst.
Several, particularly as a fungicide and wood preservative and for making flame retardants, with some 10,000 tonnes produced a year.
There are worries. Scientists have found that 2,4-dibromophenol and 2,4,6-tribromophenol both disturb cellular Ca2+ signalling in neuroendocrine cells; bromophenols have been viewed as potential endocrine disruptors. "Environmental levels" of TBP have been reported to affect reproduction in zebrafish.
Not at all, 2,4,6-tribromophenol and other bromophenols are natural metabolites of various marine species, notably brown algae; 2,4,6-tribromophenol is found in a wide range of organisms, including seaweed and sponges. It appears that bromophenols are major contributors to the "ocean-like" flavour of seafood as fish have food sources that include bromophenol-rich algae. For example, they are believed to contribute to the taste of shrimp from the Gulf of Texas, and bromophenols have been added to the feed of farmed shrimp, though it seems that they cannot add that special je-ne-sais-quoi.
It has been suggested that bromophenols may be defence molecules against predators, but an examination of marine worms revealed little evidence for this. Research has shown that bromophenols may have several biological roles and that they could have some medicinal applications (antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-thrombotic effects have been mentioned).
It could be worse. TBP is found in lots of consumer products at very low levels, and microbial metabolism in products treated with TBP is known to produce 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA), which has a distinct musty smell and can lead to product recalls, as it has a very low detection threshold (reported as 0.08-0.3 parts per trillion in water and 2-6 ppt in wine). TBA leaches from wood used to make wine casks and can be responsible for "cork taint" in wines, giving them an unpleasant smell and potentially making them undrinkable.
The chlorinated analogues of this, 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) and 2,3,4,6-tetrachloroanisole (TeCA) have also been implicated in "cork taint".
Hundreds, notably 6,6'-dibromoindigotin, the major component of the dye known as Tyrian purple, a bromine containing analogue of Indigo, the most famous dye of antiquity.
It was the colour used for the togas of Roman emperors; 1500 years ago it was a capital offence for anyone other than an Emperor to wear it. The image (left) is of a 6th Century mosaic from Ravenna, Italy, depicting the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I clad in a Tyrian purple robe. Once upon a time Catholic cardinals wore purple, but nowadays the colour is scarlet. The process for making Tyrian purple fell into obscurity after the fall of Constantinople (1453) and it is only recently that scientists have rediscovered how it was made.
Sea snails, notably on the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coasts, particularly Bolinus brandaris (photo, right), Murex brandaris and others including Murex trunculus) secrete very small amounts of a yellow liquid; on exposure to sunlight and the air, it turns to Tyrian Purple. It got its name from Tyre in Phoenecia. Paul Friedlander, the first man to find out the structure of Tyrian Purple (1909) needed 12,000 Murex brandaris snails to obtain 1.4 grams of Tyrian purple.
Chemists have long tried to find better syntheses of Tyrian purple. Two new routes have been recently described; one starts from 4-bromo-2-nitrobenzaldehyde, but better is a new five-step, high-yield (25%) route starting from 1,4-dibromobenzene. This undergoes acetylation principally to 2,4-dibromoacetophenone, which can be oxidised (basic permanganate) to 2,4-dibromobenzoic acid. This undergoes Ullmann condensation with glycine forming a substituted phenylglycine, which can be converted to 6-bromodiacetylindoxyl by a Claisen condensation. The latter on alkaline hydrolysis in the presence of oxygen affords 6,6-dibromindigotin, as a result of a dimerisation.
Chapman and Hall Combined Chemical Dictionary compound code numbers: BJD51-Y (2,4,6-tribromophenol); BJD55-C (2,4,6-tribromoanisole); HHT48-E (dibromoindigo); (props, bibliography)
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With hip-hop being one of the most influential aspects of our society, it's important that we remain aware of the effects it has on urban environments.
Since hip-hop's foundation in the 1960s in the South Bronx of New York, the wave of its culture has helped shaped some of the most important parts of this country's history. It has been instrumental in the election of political figures and has given the youth an outlet they can turn to in order for their concerns and issues to be heard. It has been used to support social movements and call attention to issues of poverty, positive and negative effects of pop culture and art. Hip-hop is often seen as a negative aspect of our society due to the violence, occasional sexual advocacy, and explicit lyrics that are sometimes broadcasted within the music. It has been a part of our reality and social culture as a way to reach multiple generations and genres.
While we realize the social impact it has on everyday culture, we may not realize how truly important hip-hop is to the general population. Urban neighborhoods across the country feed off of the energy that hip-hop derives from due to the social connection that it has with many of its listeners. It is our reality.In some respects, however, the media tends to blame hip hop with the level of misogyny and sexualization of women acceptance within our society.
With this sort of discussion being plagued within various contexts, there has been numerous documentaries, articles, and social conversations about the impact hip hop has in fact. In the year 2014, author Steve Stout presented a four part documentary entitled 'The Tanning of America' that focused on the influence hip hop has had on our society, both good and bad. In this documentary, rapper Dr. Dre stated, "Hip Hop isn’t just music, its a culture. It’s a living, breathing thing.”
In order to fully understand the overall social connection hip-hop has to the urban environment, it's important to reach the general population. By your participation in the survey below, I will be able to gain a full understanding of the impact the industry has on different people and their perception of the world of hip-hop.
Find the survey here.


Definition of satanism in English:
The worship of Satan, typically involving a travesty of Christian symbols and practices, such as placing a cross upside down.
- In Là-bas he played with satanism and black magic.
- Police had also established that he had denounced satanism and was in the process of converting to Christianity.
- As they point out, satanism as a phenomenon has appeared and disappeared on the social scene throughout history, almost in a cyclical fashion.
- Example sentences
- What is a sane man to say about the assorted Rosicrucians, Theosophists, occultists, satanists and conspiracy theorists who have since taken possession of the grail legend?
- Today I was thinking about all the times that I've been wearing my pentacle and someone's asked if I'm a satanist.
- And none of them are satanists or members of the occult.
Pronunciation: /ˈsātnəst/noun& adjective
Definition of satanism in:
- British & World English dictionary
What do you find interesting about this word or phrase?
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Digital Tutors Getting Started with AutoDesk Toxik 2010 | 333 MB Genre: eLearning
In this series of lessons we'll learn how to get started using the compositing software Toxik. Using Toxik we can quickly color correct, mask, composite or animate still images and image sequences. We'll begin this project by learning the basic composition creation process, learning how to move around the Toxik user interface, begin compositing images together and render out our finished material. We'll then move into the common uses of Toxik such as Color Correction, Garbage Masks, blending Modes, and Animation. Toxik 2010 introduces some workflow changes that make it easier and quicker to use. We'll also learn about the Tool Options panel and how to use Presets inside of Toxik.
Contents: 1. Introduction and Project Overview 2. Creating Compositions and Importing images in Toxik 3. Connecting and Disconnecting tools in the Schematic window 4. Understanding the Node workflow and blending two images 5. Rendering Images out of Toxik 6. Using the CC Basics tool to color correct in Toxik 7. Creating Garbage Masks to remove the effect of a tool 8. Using Blending Modes to composite 3D renders 9. Using the Image Generation tools to create gradients 10. "Basics of moving, rotating and scaling objects in Toxik" 11. Animating in Toxik to create a wipe effect 12. Using Context Points in Toxik 13. Using the Tool Options panel 14. Using Presets inside of Toxik
Release Info: Rls Date : 18/05/10 Type : Bookware Supplier : iNK H0RN Disks : 1 CD
INSTALLATION a. Extract b. Mount/Burn c. Play & Learn


Moist-heat techniques—steaming, cooking foods en papillote, shallow poaching, deep poaching, and simmering-rely on liquid and/or water vapor as the cooking medium. Braising and Stewing are often thought of as peasant dishes because they frequently call for less tender (and less expensive) main ingredients than do other techniques. Monitoring cooking temperatures and times vigilantly and determining doneness accurately are key to a mastery of moist-heat methods.
Dry Heat Methods: Volume 1 - Some cooking methods rely on dry heat without fats or oils. The food is cooked either by a direct application of radiant heat (grilling and broiling) or by indirect heat in the oven (roasting and baking). The result of these cooking methods is a highly flavored exterior and moist interior. Dry Heat Methods: Volume 2 - The cooking techniques presented in this DVD rely on a fat or oil as the cooking medium. Since dry heat does not have a tenderizing effect, any food prepared using these cooking methods must be naturally tender or should be prepared in a way that will introduce additional moisture. Once you have developed these skills, you can begin the process of refining and creating virtually endless variations employing dry-heat cooking methods.


Mo Farah’s got nothing on this long-distance runner. The first sabre-toothed cat genome has revealed that the animal was a specialist at hunting prey over long distances.
The cat’s DNA was extracted from the fossil of a particular species of sabre-toothed cat called the scimitar-toothed cat (Homotherium latidens). Like other sabre-toothed cats, Homotherium went extinct towards the end of the Pleistocene age, around 10-30,000 years ago.
This particular specimen, found in permafrost sediments near Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada, was at least 47,000 years old.
Read more about big cats:
- Why have big cats evolved but not big dogs?
- Tiger’s tender moment wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2020 competition
The team at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark used genome sequencing techniques to read the entire genetic code that would’ve been packed into each of the animal’s cell nuclei (its ‘nuclear genome’). The cat’s genetic makeup hints that it was a highly skilled long-distance hunter.
“They likely had very good daytime vision and displayed complex social behaviours,” said co-first author Dr Michael Westbury. “They had genetic adaptations for strong bones and cardiovascular and respiratory systems, meaning they were well suited for endurance running. Based on this, we think they hunted in a pack until their prey reached exhaustion.”
Animals are known to use this hunting strategy, called persistence hunting, when they’re slower than their prey over short distances, but have the stamina to win out over the longer chases. It’s also thought to be one of the earliest hunting techniques used by humans.
The genetic analysis also showed that all modern cats are distantly related to sabre-toothed cats, branching off from them on the evolutionary tree at least 22.5 million years ago.
Also, sabre-toothed cats were more genetically diverse than modern cats, which means that there were likely a lot of them around – indeed, their fossils have been found worldwide.
“This was an extremely successful family of cats,” said co-first author Dr Ross Barnett. “They were present on five continents and roamed the Earth for millions of years before going extinct. The current geological period is the first time in 40 million years that Earth has lacked sabre-tooth predators. We just missed them.”


Iontophoresis helps in physical therapy by easing pain and inflammation, according to About.com. It also decreases muscles spasms and swelling and can help control scar tissue. Iontophoresis also guards against calcium deposits.Continue Reading
Iontophoresis is a way to get medicines into the body during physical therapy, says About.com. The medication in this case is ionically charged. If the ions in the medication are negative, the physical therapist or doctor uses a negative electric current to force it into the body. This uses the principle that like ions repel each other and ions that have opposite charges attract each other.
Iontophoresis uses direct current, claims About.com. The device has one positive and one negative electrode, and the practitioner applies medicine to one electrode or the other. The physical therapist applies one electrode to the injured area of the body and places the other in another area of the body. The devices pushes the medication into the body. The treatment usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes. Patients claim the sensation feels like anything from a tingling to a bee sting.
Though the patient may experience some redness at the application site, the physical therapist does not apply ice or heat to the area, says About.com. Heat or cold may interfere with the way the medication works.Learn more about Pain & Symptoms


Maternity and women’s hospitals
Religious charities founded ‘rescue’ homes, where unmarried mothers could give birth in the late 19th century. Most married women gave birth at home. In 1904 the government set up seven public maternity hospitals (St Helens hospitals) around the country, which provided subsidised maternity care and trained midwives.
Dr Doris Gordon (1890–1956) was a prominent obstetrician and women’s health reformer. She exemplified the mid-20th century’s faith in medical science when she wrote in favour of founding National Women’s Hospital: ‘New Zealand thinks of women’s health solely in terms of a creditably low infantile and maternal death rate …. This Dominion does not yet realize that women have a right to POSITIVE good health, and that modern discoveries taught at a Post Graduate centre would soon cure 75% of the troubles hitherto passively accepted as "Women’s lot".'1
Until the 1960s these hospitals were run by midwives and controlled by the Health Department. Technological developments in maternity and neo-natal care were concentrated in the larger women’s hospitals. After the Second World War the St Helen’s hospitals were either closed or absorbed by these hospitals. St Helens Christchurch merged with Christchurch Women’s Hospital in 1968 and Wellington’s St Helens closed when a new high-tech maternity unit was completed at the city’s public hospital in 1978. In Auckland, the services of the local St Helens hospital were transferred to National Women’s Hospital in 1990.
National Women’s (at first called the Cornwall Hospital, Obstetrical and Gynaecological Unit) was established in 1946, after a major fundraising effort by women to provide more beds for women in childbirth, and to train doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology. The linking of childbirth and women’s diseases into one field followed an international trend. Gynaecological services at National Women’s were split from obstetrical services in 1990. In 2004 National Women’s Hospital closed and its services were merged with those of the general city hospital.
In 1931 the Observer newspaper commented that many fathers whose children were admitted to a Karitane hospital were ‘most attached to their delicate children, but simply don’t know what to do with them. An extremely worried and frightened father arrived at the Karitane Home, not long ago, carrying his tiny son and heir in a cardboard shoe-box.’2
Karitane hospitals, for newborn babies who failed to thrive, were established by the Plunket Society from 1907 to fill a gap in general hospital services and to train nurses in newborn childcare. Six hospitals were set up around the country. They also admitted new mothers to help them establish breastfeeding, and sometimes just to help them to cope with their newborn baby.
In the late 1970s the hospitals were closed, as they had become too expensive for Plunket, a voluntary organisation, to maintain. Their services were superseded by more high-tech public maternity and women’s hospitals, and in place of the hospitals the society opened Plunket Karitane Family Centres to provide daytime support for parents and babies in need.
Children’s hospitals were set up in Britain from the mid-19th century and in Australia from 1870, but New Zealand did not follow until well into the 20th century. The Princess Mary Hospital for Children was established on the Auckland Hospital site in 1918. Pressure came from paediatricians to extend the services, especially after the Paediatric Society of New Zealand was founded in 1947. Despite this, a purpose-built high-tech national children’s hospital (the Starship children’s hospital) was not established in Auckland until 1991.


During his relatively short tenure as pope, Gregory IX (ca. 1145-1241) named many new cardinals, established the medieval Inquisition, promulgated a code of canon law, and twice excommunicated Roman Emperor Frederick II.
Ugo (Ugolino) di Segni was born around 1145 at Anagni in the Campagna region of Italy. His father was Count of Segni and his uncle would become Pope Innocent III. Young Ugo was provided a strong education, attending the universities of Bologna and Paris, where he studied theology and law. He was a deeply religious man and pursued his spiritual calling with vigor and enthusiasm. Little is known about his early years as a priest.
In 1198, with the ascension of his uncle to the papacy, Ugo di Segni was appointed papal chaplain, then archpriest of St. Peter's, and finally cardinal-deacon of St. Eustachio. In May 1206, Pope Innocent III promoted him to cardinal-bishop of Ostia and Velletri.
In 1207, Innocent sent Cardinal Ugo, along with Cardinal Brancaleone, as papal legates to Germany to mediate between Philip of Swabia and Otto of Brunswick, who both claimed the German throne. The legates failed to convince either man to give up his claims, but did succeed in establishing a truce. After Philip was assassinated, they made another trip to Germany in 1209, to convince the German princes to accept Otto as the rightful king.
A Growing Reputation
Upon the death of Innocent III, Ugo di Segni played a pivotal role in the election of the next pope. The College of Cardinals, searching for someone to quickly succeed Innocent, empowered Cardinal Ugo and Cardinal Guido of Preneste to appoint the new pope. Their selection of Honorius III as pope proved beneficial to di Segni in many ways.
Ugo di Segni played a pivotal role during the pontificate of Honorius III (1216-1227). In January 1217, Honorius made Cardinal Ugo plenipotentiary legate for Lombardy and Tuscia, directing him to preach the crusade in those regions. Developing his diplomatic skills, Ugo became a successful mediator between Pisa and Genoa in 1217; between Milan and Cremona in 1218; and between Bologna and Pistoia in 1219. During this time his reputation expanded beyond the church. In addition to enjoying the support of the Pope, he developed a relationship with the young Roman emperor-elect, Frederick II, King of Sicily. It would prove to be the most contentious relationship he would have over his long and productive life.
On November 11, 1220, Frederick II was crowned emperor in Rome. At this ceremony, Frederick received the holy cross from Cardinal Ugo as a sign of his vow to embark on a crusade to the Holy Land. Ugo was a strong supporter of the Crusades, and he often preached about the importance of the Crusades, never losing sight of the fact that Frederick repeatedly failed to keep his promise.
Church vs. State
On March 18, 1227, Honorius III died, and once again the College of Cardinals sought a swift replacement. The previous selection success led the cardinals to approach Ugo di Segni and two other cardinals, asking them to appoint a new pope. One of these men, Cardinal Conrad of Urach, was initially chosen, but refused to accept the post, fearing it would appear self-serving. On March 19, Ugo di Segni reluctantly accepted the papacy and took the name Gregory IX. He was over 80 years of age but enjoyed good health and a vigorous mind.
Soon, the pope's problems with Frederick II began to escalate. For seven years, Frederick had avoided his commitment to a crusade. Within days of Gregory's election, the new pope ordered Frederick to fulfill his obligation. On September 8, 1227, Frederick reluctantly set sail from Brindial. Within three days he turned back, saying he was seriously ill and that a companion was dying from an outbreak of the plague. On many previous occasions, Frederick had announced he was sailing to the East and then had postponed his departure for various reasons. Gregory no longer trusted the emperor, and he excommunicated him on September 20, 1227.
The battle lines were now drawn. While Gregory wrote an encyclical to justify the excommunication, the emperor countered with a manifesto to the Christian princes condemning the actions of the pope. Frederick's manifesto was read publicly, and imperial colleagues stirred up an insurrection. When the pope published his encyclical in the basilica of St. Peter on March 23, 1228, he was publicly insulted and threatened by a mob. The pope fled, first to Viterbo and subsequently to Perugia.
Three months later, with the pope still in exile, Frederick mustered a small army and on June 28, 1228, embarked for the Holy Land. He asked the blessing of the pope, but Gregory refused, saying that an excommunicated emperor could not undertake a Holy War. The pope released the crusaders from their oath of allegiance to Frederick. But Frederick continued with his plans anyway. He conquered Cyrpus, but when he reached the Holy Land, he accepted the excommunication and his mission turned into a diplomatic one. Negotiating with the Sultan of Egypt for Jerusalem, he reached a treaty at Jaffa that resulted in the cities of Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem reverting to the Christians in exchange for the Mosque of Omar remaining with the Muslims. The following year Frederick crowned himself King of Jerusalem. Gregory denounced Frederick's treaty and sent a papal army to invade the emperor's kingdom in Sicily. Frederick II returned from the Holy Land, defeated the papal army, and made new peace overtures.
Reconciliation and Confrontation
Gregory remained in exile until February 1230, when he returned to Rome. Frederick sent Herman of Salza as his representative to negotiate with the pope. The Treaty of San Germano was signed on July 20, 1230, restoring papal possessions in Sicily to the pope. This treaty brought a truce between the two leaders. The ban of excommunication was removed on August 20, 1230, and the pope and emperor met at Anagni, where they finalized their reconciliation.
The peace between these two strong-willed men was short-lived. The emperor sought supreme temporal power, so that the pope would have no right to interfere with his empire in Italy. Gregory, on the other hand, believed the pope should have supreme power in Italy. Although Frederick assisted the pope in suppressing some minor revolts as required by the Treaty of San Germano, he soon began to disregard the treaty.
Frederick wanted to unite his empire with Lombardy and Tuscany. He launched a war against Lombardy, winning a key battle at Cortenuova on November 27, 1237. The freedom of Lombardy was necessary for the safety of the pontifical states. In order to protect Lombardy from the emperor, Gregory allied with the Tuscans, Umbrians and Lombards to stop Frederick's progress. But Frederick kept winning battles and extended his ambitions to include the Patrimony of St. Peter, the papal territory, and all of Italy. When Frederick invaded Sardinia, a papal fiefdom, Gregory on March 12, 1239, again excommunicated the emperor.
This action once again divided the papacy and the empire. Gregory believed that there could be no peace as long as Frederick remained emperor. He preached against Frederick, urging the princes of the empire to elect a new leader. He placed a ban on any princes who supported the emperor, threatening excommunication.
Despite the papal threats, many princes remained on the side of Frederick and the empire. Encouraged by this support, Frederick set out to declare himself master of the Pontifical States. Gregory ordered all bishops to convene in Rome on March 31, 1241, but the emperor forbade the bishops to travel to Rome and his troops captured several of those who defied his order. Frederick sent an army to Rome and encamped outside the city. But before a confrontation could occur, Gregory died suddenly on August 22, 1241.
Canon Law and Education
The contributions of Gregory IX are overpowered by the complex relationship between the pope and Frederick II. To his credit, Gregory is considered to have been one of the most energetic popes of his time. He played many roles, including canon lawyer, theologian, defender of papal prerogatives and diplomat. He published the Decretals, decrees of ecclesiastical discipline that remained fundamental to the Catholic Church until modern times. These codes of canon law are among his greatest accomplishments.
Gregory IX recognized the importance of education and is credited with reintroducing Aristotle's teachings as the basis of scholastic philosophy. He commissioned William of Aubergne to make Aristotle's work once again accessible to students. He bestowed privileges on the University of Paris, his alma mater, and watched over its professors. Gregory had a deep and abiding relationship with St. Francis and St. Dominic, founders of the Franciscan order, and he was a cardinal protector of the order. He also acted as an advisor to St. Clare of Assisi.
Through his religious beliefs, Gregory hoped to reunite the Roman and Greek churches. Germanos, the Patriarch of Constantinople, sent a letter to Gregory in which he recognized the papal primacy. In the letter, Germanos complained of the persecutions that the Greeks suffered at the hands of the Romans. Gregory dispatched four monks to discuss reunification, but Germanos and the Emperor Vatatzes would make no commitments. Gregory's attempts to reunite the two churches failed despite his strong efforts.
During his papacy, Gregory created 14 new cardinals. Two went on to become popes—Sinibald of Fiesco (Innocent IV) and Raynald of Segni (Alexander IV). He canonized his good friend St. Francis of Assisi, as well as St. Anthony of Padua, St. Virgil, St. Dominic, and St. Elizabeth. He wrote hymns in honor of St. Francis and was instrumental in establishing the Office of St. Francis.
The deeply religious beliefs of Gregory IX were a primary consideration in the decisions he made. The pope saw the crusades as necessary to the continued growth and defense of Christianity. At the request of King Louis IX of France, he sent a papal legate to assist the king in his crusade against the Albigenses, a religious sect in southern France. The Albigenses were considered heretics, and Gregory showed little patience or compassion toward heresy. He approved a law that condemned unrepentant heretics to death by fire and repentant heretics to life in prison. This teaching was the basis for the medieval Inquisition, through which the Church would punish heretics for many years to come.
Were it not for decades of skirmishes with Frederick II and the role he played in the Inquisition, Gregory's religious devotion and educational advancements would have been his primary legacy.
Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VI, Robert Appleton Company, 1909.
Columbia Encyclopedia, Fifth Edition, Infonautics Corporation, 1993.
HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism, edited by Richard P. McBrien, HarperCollins, 1995.
Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99, Microsoft, 1998.
"Gregory IX," Catholic Online, http://www.catholic.org/saints/saints/gregory9.html(November 24, 2000).
"Gregory IX" ,Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, http://members.eb.com/bol/topic?ed-38793=1, (November 20, 2000).
"Gregory IX, Pope," Encyclopedia.com, http://encyclopedia.com/printable/05404.html(November 24, 2000).
"Pope Gregory IX," Catholic Forum, http://www.catholic-forum.com/churches/saintsindex/pop0178.htm(November 24, 2000).
"Pope Gregory IX," New Advent, http://www.newadvent.org/Popes/ppgr09.htm(November 24, 2000).


These incredible and inspirational Gandhi quotes continue to be relevant today, even through the tremendous social and culture changes since Gandhi’s time.
Indian independence leader, spiritual figure and philosopher Mahatma Gandhi was one of the world’s most significant thinkers.
Living through and shaping one of the most turbulent periods of the 20th century, Gandhi shaped the destiny of modern India and changed the way that we think about the world.
Gandhi quotes for inspiration
Today, Mahatma Gandhi quotes continue to provide us with insight and inspiration.
We can look to the wise words of this inspirational man to learn more about ourselves, the world at large and our own personal place within the universe.
1. “When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi quotes about life teach us that it’s always important to look to nature to find satisfaction and beauty in life.
We can always depend on the wonders of the natural world to help us get in touch with the spiritual aspects of life.
2. “Prayer is the key of the morning and the bolt of the evening.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Devotion to his spiritual life and his commitment to meditation set Gandhi apart from other political leaders.
It’s inspirational to learn about the way that prayer and other spiritual practices informed Gandhi’s life.
3. “Where there is love there is life.” — Mahatma Gandhi
There’s nothing more important to our personal health and satisfaction than love—the love of ourselves, our friends, family members and everyone around us.
Gandhi quotes on love teach us about the importance of maintaining a mindset of love in our daily lives.
4. “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Forgiveness is a core tenet of Gandhi’s approach to life. Mahatma Gandhi quotes teach us that above all else, we have to learn how to love, forgive and approach each day and every situation with compassion and kindness.
Forgiveness can help us show how strong we truly are.
Gandhi on life
5. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Continuing education informed Gandhi throughout his life. We, too, can benefit from becoming lifelong scholars.
Mahatma Gandhi quotes on education help us understand the importance of continuing to learn throughout our entire lives.
6. “Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Inspirational Gandhi quotes teach us that we should derive pleasure and satisfaction from the efforts we expend on our endeavors, rather than the end results alone.
When we learn how to appreciate our efforts, we can enjoy our lives more fully.
7. “Action expresses priorities.” — Mahatma Gandhi
While talking about the things that are important to us certainly has its place, Gandhi quotes teach us that nothing speaks louder than actions.
We should remember that we can express our true priorities by acting.
What matters most
While words are powerful, nothing is more significant and important than taking action on the things that matter to us the most.
8. “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi
The best Gandhi quotes remind us that world-shattering events don’t always come in the form of large social changes.
Sometimes, a simple act of kindness is all that we need to impact the lives of those around us.
9. “I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi quotes show us the importance of safeguarding our own minds and consciousness from negative feelings and unpleasant thoughts.
Inviting beauty and kindness into our lives is the best way to improve our interactions with the world.
10. “Peace is its own reward.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi on peace
Gandhi is remembered, above all else, as a devotee of peace.
Gandhi quotes on peace teach us that no matter how dire situations may seem, there’s always a way to resolve our differences and disagreements peacefully and amicably.
11. “The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi quotes be the change demonstrate the way that we can change our world for the better.
We can use love and compassion to bring peace and harmony to the world at large.
Gandhi demonstrated this best by his life, and leaves his words and legacy behind to teach us how to move forward as we work together to change the world.
12. “Practice as if you are the worst, perform as if you are the best.” — Mahatma Gandhi
It’s always inspirational to learn that the world’s wisest also struggled with feelings of inferiority at times.
Gandhi was no exception—that’s why his words often tell us that we can work together to demonstrate our own individual power.
13. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi was a tremendous leader
He showed India the way toward independence and united his people under a banner of love, peace and a common cause.
Mahatma Gandhi quotes on leadership emphasize the importance of becoming a servant-leader, showing us that truly great leaders lay down their own interests in service of the common good.
14. “Our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being able to remake ourselves.” — Mahatma Gandhi
When we strive to improve ourselves, we are changing the world around us.
We can depend on Gandhi quotes to teach us the best way to move forward as we look for ways that we can improve our own lives and become a more powerful force for good in the world at large.
Looking at Gandhi’s words of wisdom can help us improve ourselves, our relationship with those we love, and with the world around us.
The teachings of Mahatma Gandhi continue to inspire people even today.
We hope you were inspired by the above Gandhi quotes, which are part of our spirituality quotes series.
What are the best Gandhi quotes you know? Share them with us in the comments below to inspire others to find the same positivity you’re working toward!


Can you name your best friend’s OG hair color? This question might be tougher to answer than you think, because chances are that she dyes, or at least highlights, her hair. In fact, the most recent numbers indicate that 75% of American women color their hair, a number that’s been increasing dramatically over the decades. And while we love the freedom to play around with hair color, we also know that chemicals in hair dye — and other hair salon products — can cause some serious health issues. But don’t worry, you don’t have to give up your color routine to stay safe. In this guide to organic hair salons, we look at the risks you face at the salon, organic hair salon options in major cities, and steps you can take to protect yourself no matter what salon you frequent.
Harmful Chemicals in Hair Dyes
It can take a lot to change the color of someone’s hair, and for decades salons and major companies have turned to harsh chemicals to do the heavy lifting. While the specific formulations vary from product to product, there are a number of particularly harmful chemicals to beware of when you’re coloring your hair:
p-Phenylenediamine (PPD): This is an incredibly commonly used chemical, found in about two-thirds of conventional hair dyes in the U.S. Despite its ubiquity, it’s extremely dangerous — so much so that it’s banned in Germany, France, and Sweden. Rated a 7 out of 10 for toxicity by the EWG, PPD poses serious health risks, including cancer: a 2001 study from University of Southern California found that women who colored their hair once a month with a PPD-containing dye for fifteen years had a 50% higher risk of bladder cancer, while a 2008 study showed a link with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. There’s also the risk of a serious, potentially fatal, allergic reaction (even if you pass a patch test), as well as lung and kidney problems and even rheumatoid arthritis. Um…what? This is terrifying.
Formaldehyde: Yes, the preservative famous for embalming corpses can be found in hair dyes. If that connection wasn’t creepy enough, there’s also the fact that formaldehyde has been linked to cancer and fetal damage in utero. Today, it’s much less common than it used to be, and is usually used in very small quantities these days, but still something to look out for.
Resorcinol: Used to permanently bond the dye to the hair, resorcinol is an incredibly common hair dye ingredient that has been shown to disrupt normal hormone function, elevating testosterone levels — ie, completing throwing your hormones out of whack.
Ammonia: This harsh chemical has long been used to open up the hair cuticle to allow dye to be absorbed. It’s also known to cause respiratory problems and asthma, as well as eye irritation.
Coal tar: Yeesh. This one just sounds bad. This is actually a category of chemicals that are derived from petroleum, and have been known to cause eye injuries and allergic reactions, and are associated with an increased cancer risk. Yet, these chemicals are almost completely unregulated due to an FDA loophole. According to the FDA, they “cannot take action against a coal-tar hair dye, as long as the label includes a special caution statement.” A statement nobody in a salon getting their hair dyed has ever seen or heard of. Sure…that makes sense…
What’s more, due to yet more loopholes, this time in the Toxic Control Substance Act, the FDA has no authority to require that companies test products for safety, meaning that the fact that your favorite salon carries a certain product doesn’t indicate anything about how safe it is.
Other Harmful Chemicals in Hair Products
Unfortunately, even if you don’t color your hair, you’re probably still exposed to some dangerous chemicals at the hair salon. Just consider the fact that studies show salon workers have a higher risk of cancer than the general population, and it’s clear that this is a serious problem.
One particularly dangerous (and popular) salon treatment is the Brazilian Blowout, which contains formaldehyde. What’s worse, the formaldehyde exposure doesn’t end after the treatment: the fumes are reactivated every time heat is applied to the hair. The chemical exposure from Brazilian Blowouts alone has been known to cause bloody noses, sore throats, rashes, and respiratory infections.
Other chemicals in common hair salon products — gels, sprays, mousses — have been associated with everything from asthma to neurological issues to birth defects to cancer. Here are some of the major culprits to look out for:


The Signal Candidate Scoring System|
Eric Person, Jeff Cobb, Steve Fulton, Eric Korpela, Dan Werthimer
A signal candidate is a group of two or more events detected at different times in the same one-beamwidth area of the sky.
Events are identified by SETI@home's pattern detection algorithms as Gaussians, spikes, pulses, and triplets.
A fundamental goal of SETI@home is to identify these signal candidates and determine which ones are the most likely to represent extraterrestrial communication.
Prioritizing these candidates takes place on several levels: the event level, the candidate level, and the multiple-algorithm level.
- On the event level, scores are assigned to individual events that are algorithm-specific.
Gaussians, pulses, spikes, and triplets all have different scoring systems unrelated to one another.
Thus, we can prioritize Gaussians relative to other Gaussians, for example, but at this level we can't directly compare a Gaussian to a spike.
- On the candidate level, we calculate the probability that a set of persistent events could occur by noise alone.
Thus, candidate scores are probabilities where values close to zero are more interesting than values approaching 1. The events comprising each candidate all come from the same detection algorithm. (For example, as of April 21, 2002, the candidates on our best signal candidates list are each composed of Gaussian events alone.)
The candidate scoring formula (and a more specific explanation) is given in the box below.
Score = (Ne Nd * FrequencyFactor * PositionFactor) / (Nd)!|
- Ne = number of events across all frequencies
- Nd = number of persistent events (events occurring within the frequency window fwin)
- FrequencyFactor = [(fwin/ftot)Nd-1]*[(RMS(f)+Freq_uncert)/Freq_uncert]
- fwin = size of the allowed frequency window: 125 Hz
- ftot = total searched frequency band: 2.5 MHz
- Freq_uncert = the barycentric uncertainty across the telescope beam: 50 Hz
- PositionFactor = [(Pwin/Ptot)Nd-1]*[( SQRT(RMS(ra)2+RMS(dec)2)+Pos_uncert)/Pos_uncert]
- Pwin = size of the allowed position window: 6*6 arc minutes
- Ptot = total searched region: 360*40*3600 arc minutes
- Pos_uncert = pointing uncertainty of telescope beam: 3 arc minutes
Score is a Poisson statistic comparing the number of events from a given candidate (Nd) to the number of events expected by chance within that candidate's frequency window (fwin).
In this case we use frequency and not position because, unlike position, the distribution of hits across frequency is approximately even (a requirement of Poisson statistics).
A candidate's quality is also proportional to the closeness in frequency ("FrequencyFactor") and sky position ("PositionFactor") among its members.
- On the multiple-algorithm level, we compare spikes, Gaussians, triplets, and pulses together to identify important "hot spots" in space.
For example, some detections might be identified as part of both a triplet and a Gaussian.
Directly comparing these different events is difficult, since the algorithms that identify them are not orthogonal (statistically independent) to one another.
Nonetheless, making such comparisons can help "highlight" certain regions of space for further study and observation.
With even the highest-scoring signal candidates, there is always a high likelihood they were created by RFI, satellites, or natural astronomical phenomena (like supernovas).
Much re-assessment, re-observation, and independent corroboration is required to conclusively determine evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence.
(See "identifying final candidates" for more details.)
Still, as SETI@home users process more data and discover stronger candidates, our chances of answering a fundamental existential question become better and better: Are we alone?
Return to Science Newsletter main menu


The Royal government marches to seize weapons from the colonists.
The "Minute Men" respond:
On a stretch of country road from Boston to Concord, a prolonged skirmish between about 3,500 colonial militiamen and 1,700 British soldiers opened the American Revolution. The initial fighting in the war was a local action between Britain and her rebellious colony of Massachusetts. The government had clamped down in reaction to the colony’s resistance to British economic policies.You know, history.
For a year, the British army, under Gen. Thomas Gage, had occupied Boston. Pressed by the ministry in London to quell rebellion by arresting Samuel Adams and John Hancock, Gage chose instead to take away the patriots’ arms supply in Concord. But incompetence and miscalculation doomed what he meant to be a limited, routine operation. Gage depended on secrecy to seize the arms before the people of Concord could resist, but Boston knew of the operation before his troops left, and the arms at Concord were soon hidden. Couriers Paul Revere and William Dawes notified Adams and Hancock in Lexington that the British were on their way. Mix-ups delayed the British departure for hours, giving the colonists more time to prepare.
Here is the start of the American revolution as it could have been reported by modern (well, 1948 modern) technology:


ID 76934987 © Tatjana Baibakova | Dreamstime.com
Vitamin E is one of the main antioxidants in the body.[1,2] It is essential for the nervous, cardiovascular, reproductive, musculoskeletal, and other systems to work properly. As an antioxidant, it can play a role in preventing diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, and even age-related macular degeneration.[3-9]
An estimated 90% of American adults don’t consume enough vitamin E in their diets to meet the recommended daily requirements.
Vitamin E Sources to Boost Your Intake
To get more vitamin E from your diet, load up on these foods:
- Nuts, especially almonds and hazelnuts
- Vegetable oils (from things like sunflower, safflower, soybean, and wheat germ)
- Seeds, like sunflower seeds
- Green leafy vegetables, like spinach and chard
Keep in mind that vitamin E is fat-soluble, so you’ll need to eat it or take it with some form of fat; otherwise, you’re body wont absorb the vitamin E and it won’t get to where its needed. If you’re eating a leafy green salad, for example, add some nuts or a homemade salad dressing made with oil to increase the absorption of vitamin E.
If you prefer to take a supplement, look for a multivitamin or a single supplement that provides 12 to 15 mg of vitamin E.[3,10]
Vitamin E also works alongside vitamin C, so sufficient levels of vitamin C are important too for optimizing vitamin E activity in the body.
When This Isn’t Enough
There is accumulating evidence that high levels of vitamin E circulating in the blood don’t necessarily mean that your body has enough vitamin E, or that it is getting to the tissues in the body where it is needed.
This is because numerous factors can affect the absorption of vitamin E, including whether you eat it with fat, whether you have excessively high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, or whether you have certain medical conditions.
Do You Need More Vitamin E Than Other People?
Common health issues may make it harder for your body to use vitamin E effectively and they may increase your need for getting more of this vitamin.
- Metabolic syndrome. People with metabolic syndrome (a collection of conditions including impaired blood sugar function, low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, and abdominal obesity) have lower levels of alpha-tocopherol (an important form of vitamin E) compared to controls. On top of this, people with metabolic syndrome seem to absorb less of the vitamin E they eat, which leads researchers to suggest that they actually require more vitamin E than normal.
- High cholesterol or triglycerides. Vitamin E circulates with lipids in the blood. When we have excessively high lipids, like cholesterol and triglycerides, vitamin E essentially gets stuck circulating in the bloodstream, unable to be distributed throughout the body. Read more about how high cholesterol and triglycerides might be stopping your from getting enough vitamin E here.
- People who are obese also likely need more vitamin E. A recent study suggests that this may be because vitamin E circulates in the body alongside lipids, and that the tissues of obese people won’t let the lipids in, or the vitamin E that is associated with them.
If you have one of these conditions that could be impairing your vitamin E absorption, consult with your doctor to determine how to best boost your vitamin E to the appropriate level.
Take Action Now With These Vitamin E Sources
To get your vitamin E levels where they need to be:
- Eat plenty of dietary sources of vitamin E, along with some healthy fat
- Consider a supplement
- Eat vitamin C-rich foods or take a vitamin C supplement
- Work with your physician if you have a medical condition that is reducing your vitamin E levels.
Share Your Experience with Vitamin E
How do you make sure you get enough vitamin E? What are your favorite vitamin E sources? Share your tips for boosting your intake in the comments section below.
This article was originally published in 2015. It is regularly updated.


Seeing other forms of making interactive throwies, eg using microchips impresses me.However i think it is important that we try parts of the B.E.A.M philosophyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BEAM_roboticsNamely keeping things simple, and avoiding the use of microprocessor.The component of a interactive throwie is that it has1. Power storage2. Trigger3. Circuit4. LED5. (optional) Power collection of radiant energy.I like to see more suggestion on ways we can address each issues.But to kick start the issue, can you see if my idea is feasible.essentially for my prototype not-yet throwie, I used a circuit from http://unconventional-airsoft.com/2003/11/16/momentary-fan-switch/#more-21to create a throwie that on sensing motion, doesn't flicker but turns on for a while.By ensuring that i use few and simple componants, i hope to keep cost per throwing down.Unfortunately my problem is that using a resistor to keep the capacitor from draining too fast from the base, actually decreases the voltage drop to an unacceptable level at the led.On my end it is unsolvable for the moment. Maybe you can work out how to make a cheap throwie, that can still do these functions or more.Any ideas how to solve this?Other Ideas for throwies1.Open and attach a switch to a barometer, to have a air presser passive trigger.2. A leave shaped pad with two conductors that do not touch, to act as rain sensors. (Resistance increase when leaf dries)3. Is sensitive to infrared radiation from side, so that the throwie is trigger-able by other activated throwies. (As well infrared devices)4. Has a short loop of coil to recharged capacitors, by outside induction.5. If activated rarely, uses a tiny single solar cell to charge capacitor.6. Has a hook to be easily collected for recycling. (Using a simple loop of wire on a pole [Like a dog catcher pole] )7. A single thermistors in series with led.8. A tricolour LED, and a Two light resistor. One LDR acts to sense if it is day an night, if night a low power light is activated. Only when an object strays near, and reflect light into another LDR, does the throwie get triggered at all.9. A throwie triggered by vibration.10. A throwie that responds to radio waves.


The central processing unit, the random access memory and the graphics card are the basic hardware components of a computer. In some cases, the graphics card may be a built-in part of the central processing unit. All three components communicate with each other through a motherboard.Continue Reading
Abbreviated as CPU, the central processing unit is the brain of a computer. It executes instructions sent by programs, handles user input and distributes tasks to other components. The number of cores and the speed at which each core runs determines the processing power of a CPU. Intel is a well-known CPU manufacturer that makes CPUs for both home users and professionals.
Abbreviated as RAM, the random access memory is a type of storage that the computer can access randomly. Random in this context refers to the ability to reach a certain byte without touching the preceding bytes. The RAM stores the kind of information that the applications may need right away. The RAM of your computer stores the data related to the Web pages currently open in your browser. The computer wipes all data on the RAM when it's shut down.
The graphics card, often abbreviated as GPU, is a hardware component that handles complicated visual calculations required for high-resolution videos, complex 3-D applications, video games and image recognition applications.
Some CPUs have a built-in GPU. For instance, the Core i5 processors by Intel feature the HD Graphics GPU series. Such GPUs are ideal for users that do not need high-end graphical calculations.Learn more about Computers & Hardware