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For Rare Disease Day, Feb. 28, organizations around the world are gearing up to raise awareness for the public and policy-makers to research debilitating disorders and diseases that don't get as much national attention as more common ailments.
In the United States, a rare disease is defined as one that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans. There are more than 7,000 rare diseases in the country in the U.S., affecting 30 million people. Two-thirds of patients with rare diseases are children.
"Everyone knows someone with a rare disease," says Peter L. Saltonstall, president and CEO of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). "While many of these diseases are serious and lifelong, most have no treatment and many are not being studied by researchers."
From NORD, keep clicking to meet some amazing Americans raising awareness as part of the Handprints Across America for Rare Disease Day 2013...
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WASHINGTON, July 11 (UPI) -- The first half of June saw unusually rapid ice loss in the arctic with especially rapid ice retreat in the Beaufort Sea north of Alaska, NASA researchers say.
June's summer solstice brought long hours of sunlight, and by mid-month images taken from NASA's Terra satellite showed the open-water area off the Alaskan coast had expanded substantially and snow had melted on land, a NASA release reported.
The rapid melt north of Alaska was part of a larger phenomenon as sea ice across the entire arctic reached record-low levels for this time of year, the National Snow and Ice Data Center reported.
"Recent ice loss rates have been 100,000 to 150,000 square kilometers (38,600 to 57,900 square miles) per day, which is more than double the climatological rate," the center said.
The Beaufort Sea was a "hot spot" of rapid retreat in June, researchers said, driven by a high-pressure pattern over the region that kept skies clear at the very time of year when sunlight lasts the longest.
The early onset of the spring melt and the sunny skies around the solstice have increased the likelihood of heightened melt rates throughout the rest of the summer, they said.
|Additional Science News Stories|
LOS ANGELES, June 18 (UPI) --Danielle Bradbery was declared the Season 4 winner of the singing competition series "The Voice" in Los Angeles Tuesday night.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, June 18 (UPI) --A new computer algorithm that can give humans the ability to map their environments with sound could lead to an app to aid blind people, Swiss researchers say.
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Some patients came for just a few weeks or months, some lived out their lives at the Asylum. When one looks at the places that the patients came from, through just the years 1836 to 1900, you can see that along with Vermonters, there were people from many places, ethnic backgrounds and all levels of society. There were rich and poor, educated and uneducated, Americans and non-Americans.
As of 2005,
Several years ago, in changing with the times and the needs, Linden Lodge, a nursing home run by the Retreat for many years, was closed. The new vision of the Retreat is more in times with health care today. Although, still offering services for the mentally ill, they also treat, both as in and out patient, drug and alcohol addiction. They run an on campus school for children and young adults who are unable for various reasons to attend public schools. Through the years they have had many other programs such as rehabilitation for those who have been unable to live in society. One of their visions in the past few years is to offer assisted living housing. This has yet to happen.
is still located at
If anyone is interested in reading
more about the history of the
book “Burials and Deaths at
The Retreat is now and
always was a private non profit organization.
It now works along with the Vermont Department of Health, but is not a
part of it or the State of
BURIAL BASKET FOUND IN
STORAGE AT THE
Jacksonville | Jamaica | Londonderry |Marlboro | Newfane | Putney | Rockingham | Stratton |
Townshend | Vernon |
Wardsboro | Westminster | Whitingham | Wilmington | Windham
This page was created by Rachel Duffalo
Please obtain permission before duplicating this site in any way other than for personal records.
Page Last Updated Friday, July 28, 2007
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Japan TrenchArticle Free Pass
Japan Trench, deep submarine trench lying east of the Japanese islands, in the floor of the western North Pacific Ocean. It is one of a series of depressions stretching south from the Kuril Trench and the Bonin Trench to the Mariana Trench. The 27,929-foot (8,513-metre) Tuscarora Deep (north) was once considered the deepest point in the world (subsequently found to be in the Mariana Trench).
What made you want to look up "Japan Trench"? Please share what surprised you most...
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Many prescription and nonprescription medicines, including
some that you put directly on the skin, may cause blisters. A few examples
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (for example, Advil or
Motrin), naproxen (for example, Aleve), or piroxicam (for example, Feldene).
Medicines you put on your skin
(topical medicines), such as Neosporin or benzocaine (for example, Anbesol,
Hurricaine, or Orajel), and ethylenediamine, which is used in some topical
If the blisters are only mildly annoying and other symptoms
are not present, stopping the use of the medicine or ointment may be all that
is needed. Call your doctor. He or she may be able to prescribe another
medicine for you.
Blisters that occur with other signs of illness
(such as fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea), may mean a more serious
problem, such as
Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Talk with your doctor if a
medicine may have caused blisters and you have other signs of illness.
If you think your blisters may be caused by a medicine:
Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine to
find our whether you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one.
An appointment may not be needed.
If you are taking a medicine
that was not prescribed by a doctor, stop taking it. Call your doctor if you
feel you need to keep taking the medicine or if you need help to control your
symptoms after you stop taking the medicine.
Primary Medical Reviewer
William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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(sim-buy-o-din-ee-um). Dinoflagellates which are usually encountered as endosymbionts of invertebrates. They can also be maintained in culture. They can produce gymnodinioid cells. There is an circumferential groove (the girdle or cingulum) which wraps around the cell, and a longitudinal groove which extends from the point of flagellar insertion towards the back of the cell. The circumferential flagellum and the trailing flagellum are evident. Plastids with chlorophylls a and c. Circular structure is a pyrenoid. These pictures are of the type isolate. Differential interference contrast.
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Scientist Have Discovered A New Planet Similar To Earth [VIDEO]
It seems that scientist have discovered a planet that is similar to Earth and is sitting outside our solar system in what seems to be the ideal place for life, except for one little problem. It’s way too big for life to exist on the surface. Huh?
The planet is in the middle of what astronomers call the Goldilocks zone, a hard to find place that’s not too hot, not too cold, where water, which is essential for life, doesn’t freeze or boil. And it has a shopping mall-like surface temperature of near 72 degrees, scientists say.
The planet is about 2.4 times the size of Earth. It could be more like the gas-and-liquid Neptune with only a rocky core and mostly ocean.
The new planet — named Kepler-22b — has key aspects it shares with Earth. It circles a star that could be the twin of our sun and at just about the same distance. The planet’s year of 290 days is even close to ours. It likely has water and rock.
The planet is 600 light years away. Each light year is 5.9 trillion miles. It would take a space shuttle about 22 million years to get there.
Kepler spots a planet when it passes in front of its star. NASA requires three of those sightings before it begins to confirm it as a planet.
Astronomy has always intrigued me. Growing up it was not unusual for my Dad to wake us kid’s up to check out something he had seen on our telescope. I think my Dad would have made a great Astronaut. He has so much knowledge about it, and passion too.
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|Asia-Pacific Forum on Science
Learning and Teaching, Volume 4, Issue 2, Article 8 (Dec., 2003)
On using Geometer's Sketchpad to teach relative velocity
Computer software and learning of Geometry
Some senior teachers groan over the fact that the rigor of geometric proofs, which is very useful to train the students in logical thinking, is no longer in the current curriculum. The introduction of computer software into the curriculum always invites fear among the teachers of the loss of students' basic mathematical ability. For example, with the introduction of calculators, some teachers complained that students might lose their sense of estimates for basic operations on simple numbers. The same reasoning extends to the use of computer in education: with the use of GSP, would the rigor of training in logical training and the students' ability to solve geometry problems be affected?
Hoehn (1997) gave sample activities of exploring worksheets that could be done with GSP. He suggested that activities that involve the proof of theorems on geometry could be done with the software. It is implied that more abstract results on geometry can be taught by focusing on improving students' spatial ability. Hoehn further suggested that students could be asked to attempt to generalize existing theorems and state and verify their conjectures. All this is in line with our new Problem-Solving Approach in the syllabus (Ministry of Education, 2000).
As Leong & Lim (2003) pointed out, the key features that make the software GSP suitable for teaching transformation geometry are
(a) it enables objects to be transformed on the screen;
(b) it allows easy measurement of distances, angles and areas;
(c) it has the click-and-drag feature that enables users to experiment different cases
(d) it allows animations of motion to be done.
Here the above features will be made use of to enable the teaching of concepts of mechanics more visual than rigorous proofs.
Copyright (C) 2003 HKIEd APFSLT. Volume 4, Issue 2, Article 8 (Dec., 2003). All Rights Reserved.
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Seville oranges, lemons and oranges were grown in orangeries or pomerans houses as they were called at the time. Orangeries were often a lavish buildings located at the centre of the garden.
The first orangery at Ulriksdal was built according to architect Jean de la Vallée's drawings when Chancellor of the Realm Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie owned the palace, which was called Jakobsdal at the time.
At this time the orangery was rebuilt under the direction of architect Nicodemus Tessin the Younger.
Extensive renovation took place in the 1860s during Karl XV´s time at Ulriksdal. This included a newly built suite of work rooms at the back and homes for the gardening staff.
The orangery has historically earned its name as a winter storage place for plants and fruit trees from the south, such as myrtles, sweet bay and orange trees that during the summer adorned the palace and palace gardens.
The same rare species that were earlier housed here have now found a permanent home together with a selection of sculptures from the National Museum´s collections from the 1700-1900s, thanks to His Majesty The King´s decision in 1988 to declare The Orangery as a museum of sculpture.
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St Martins Day England
A selection of articles related to st martins day england.
Original articles from our library related to the St Martins Day England. See Table of Contents for further available material (downloadable resources) on St Martins Day England.
- What day are you born on?
- The day of the month on which the you were born - regardless of which month or year it is - is a key numerological indicator, providing an excellent "thumbnail sketch" of standout traits. It strongly influences your Life Path and is helpful in...
Symbology >> Numerology
- King James Bible: Leviticus, Chapter 23
- Chapter 23 23:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 23:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. 23:3 Six days shall work be done:...
Old Testament >> Leviticus
- Samhain, The Celtic New Year
- Samhain (pronounced Sowain, Sah-uin, or Sahm-hayn) is also called the Celtic New Year, The Third harvest, All Hollows Eve, the Day of the Dead, and of course Halloween. There are many more names for Samhain, but rather then having a different meaning, they...
Holidays >> Samhain
- The Sacred Wheel: The Sabbats
- The Wheel of the Year honors the never ending cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It expresses the belief which Pagan religions hold that time is circular, not linear. The Sabbats are derived from the rich traditions of seasonal festivals as celebrated by...
Paganism & Wicca >> Holidays
- Litha, The Summer Solstice
- Litha is also known as the summer solstice, Midsummer, All Couples Day, and Saint John's Day. Litha is one of the fire festivals and occurs on the longest day of the year. This is the time of year when the sun reaches its highest apex, at the Tropic of Cancer....
Holidays >> Mid Summer
- King James Bible: Numbers, Chapter 7
- Chapter 7 7:1 And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them; 7:2 That...
Old Testament >> Numbers
- King James Bible: Exodus, Chapter 12
- Chapter 12 12:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 12:2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the...
Old Testament >> Exodus
St Martins Day England is described in multiple online sources, as addition to our editors' articles, see section below for printable documents, St Martins Day England books and related discussion.
Suggested Pdf Resources
- St Martin-in-the-Fields Trafalgar Square London WC2N 4JJ Tel: +44
- The Renewal of St Martin-in-the-Fields is not just another building project but rather Trafalgar Square is one of the most important sites in the UK and a popular tourist attraction .
- The Fenny Poppers of St Martin's 'On every St Martin's Day
- 'A Curious Celebration!' The Fenny Poppers of St Martin's. 'On every St Martin's Day, November.
- ST MARTIN'S VISION DAY 9 January 2011 WHAT NEXT?
- The day delivered pretty well what the Wardens and Stewards had in mind.
- Pilgrim age 2011 - The Connection at St Martins
- We will transport your belongings for you each day, and provide snacks Organised by The Connection at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Email pilgsec@cstm. org.
- Annual Review - The Connection at St Martins
- with The Connection at St Martin's Day . the UK.
Suggested Web Resources
- St. Martin's Day | UK-German Connection - voyage kids - UK
- voyage kids UK > Find Out > St. Martin's Day The beggar was freezing cold, so St. Martin cut his cloak in two with his sword, and shared it with him.
- St. Martin's Day | UK-German Connection - for young people
- Have you ever heard about St. Martin's Day?
- *Ø* Wilson's Almanac free daily ezine | Martinmas and St Martin of
- In Northumberland, England, rural families on St Martin's Day gathered into a group called a mart, to buy a cow to kill for the long winter ahead.
- Central Saint Martins
- London based Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design has developed a reputation for pushing the boundaries of arts, design and performance.
Great care has been taken to prepare the information on this page. Elements of the content come from factual and lexical knowledge databases, realmagick.com library and third-party sources. We appreciate your suggestions and comments on further improvements of the site.
St Martins Day England Topics
Related searcheshenry dunant early life and education
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Bringing food topics into the language classroom is one way to stimulate language learning as well as hungry appetites. 9 and 10 year old students in the 5th grade of our elementary school in Japan take part in an 8-hour lesson on varieties of rice in Japan. This Japan-unit is later followed by a similar one on rice around the world. In the lesson they will learn names and kinds of rice, the amounts of rice grown around the country, prices per kilogram, special dishes, and special points about each of the rice varieties. The end result will be a hand-made Japan rice book including a small sample of each kind of rice.
Special points about the rice
Special information is distributed to the 8 groups in the class in Japanese and English, thus making them a ‘rice masters’ for that rice variety and location. Through a series of class-to-class interviews with learners from the other groups, students gain a better understanding of rice around Japan. Slowly the book takes shape. A further incentive for the students is to encourage other groups to want to try their variety by promoting the rice’s special points. At the end of the 8-hour unit, students will have a chance to taste the winning variety. The students will continually visit each of the other groups and exchange the information in English about the rice and enter it into their books.
The special points of information are also given to the children in the group in Japanese and they choose which ones they would like to use to ‘promote’ their rice from between 5 to 10 choices. Children use bilingual dictionaries and help from teachers and friends to translate the points to English. This section of the unit takes 2 to 3 classes to prepare and deliver. The final promotional presentations are done pair to pair with posters, mini-theatrics, and short stories. This is more spontaneous language use than the information gathering done in earlier classes.
Special points were also introduced in the first class of the unit when a colorful table full of authentic products made from, or containing rice, were presented for a ‘three hint quiz’ game. These included rice cakes, cereals, crackers, and sweets as well as more difficult things like makeup and soap. Many students were pleasantly surprised to learn at the end of the class that all the things contained rice.
What can you say?
*Note that some of the language items are recycled from earlier lessons. From grade 3, the students have English classes twice per week. From grade 1, the lessons are once per week. I will use Gifu Prefecture, one of the areas of Japan that produces local rice, as an example. Questions and answers presented to the students that contribute to language learning include:
Where are you from?
I’m from Gifu.
What is the rice’s name in Gifu?
It’s Asahi no Yume.
How much rice grows in Gifu?
What kind of rice is Asahi no Yume?
It’s short grain rice.
How much is 1 kg. of Asahi no Yume?
It’s 700 yen.
Can I have some Asahi no Yume rice please?
Sure. Of course. Here you are. (This is a sample of the rice)
Can I have an Asahi no Yume rice bag please?
Yes, here you are. (This is a small photo card of the package)
Thank you. Good bye. See you. Have fun!
Special points for this variety include:
What are the special points of Asahi no Yume rice?
It’s good for sushi and gohei mochi (a sweet rice snack with miso, walnuts, and sugar in Gifu.) It’s strong against disease. It’s tastes good hot or cold.
How does it connect to the learners?
The units mirror similar content that the 5th grade students learn in social studies classes. In our area local farmers help the children plant and grow rice in the spring. This rice is later harvested in the fall and shared with the farmers for a delicious curry and rice lunch. Our homegrown English study curriculum uses content from the regular studies to incorporate elements of content and task-based learning. So in this unit they learn more about Japanese geography and social studies, along with polishing their presentation and artistic skills.
The world rice unit changes course a bit by finding the location of the countries on a map first, matching flags to countries, and matching photographs of people form the region. Also, as most Japanese rice varieties are short grain rice, a new surprise is that world rice can vary in size and shape; Italian rice being round, Canadian ’wild rice’ being dark brown and not actually a rice, and some having a sweet aroma when cooked.
What else could you do?
In other variations of this rice unit, students have made quizzes from the information they have collected and presented them to their friends in English, again recycling both the language and the content points of the unit. In making original quizzes it is believed that learners will become more aware of how areas of study can be recycled in a creative way, leading to a better understanding of the topic.
What we would like to see is more student initiative on the rice topics of study, the rice facts and information they gather. I can imagine similar units on local foods such as fruits or produce. Adults may enjoy topics on wine, beer, and cheese taking the place of rice in other countries.
The combination of pair and group-work activities learning about rice makes for an exciting atmosphere that helps connect the outside world to the language classroom and our learner’s everyday lives. And the adventure of discovering new things while exploring a new language might be just the right dish to share with your class.
Bob Middleton has been laughing and learning with children in Japan for over 20 years. Wearing other hats, he has taught English for all ages from wee small children to really big adults and even went back to school to learn and read more about what it was he was doing. He has recently been team teaching, training teachers, and helping to develop an ongoing curriculum and materials in a Monbukagakusho (Japan Ministry of Education) pilot program for the past nine years, using a content-based approach in both the local elementary school and junior high classrooms. He encourages humor in the classroom, along with a ‘be curious and discover’ approach. You can follow Bob on Twitter (@catsndogs)
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The euthanasia rate for stray and abandoned cats and dogs that are taken to New York City’s animal shelters has steadily fallen to a projected 38 percent for 2008, down from 74 percent in 2002, giving advocates for animals hope that they will be able to meet an announced goal of bringing the rate to zero by 2015.
The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, a nonprofit coalition of about 140 animal shelters and rescue groups, was founded in 2002. In 2005, it announced the goal of making New York City a “no kill” community by 2015. Experts say that San Francisco is the largest United States city with a “no kill” policy for cats and dogs, but the city has only 9 percent of New York City’s population, so the scale of the New York effort is considerably more ambitious.
The problem of homeless cats and dogs remains serious, officials say. About 43,000 cats and dogs were taken in by the city’s animal shelters in 2008, a figure that has barely budged from the 46,187 recorded in 2003.
The goal of the alliance is to eventually eliminate the need to kill any “dog or cat of reasonable health or temperament” merely because the animal does not have a home.
Among the steps being taken to reduce the need for euthanasia are more aggressive neutering and spaying of animals, thus reducing the number of births; increasing the transfer of animals to alternative shelters and rescue groups, thus increasing the chances of adoption; offering $25 microchip implanting for pets, speeding the return of lost dogs and cats to their owners; improving adoption outreach and in some cases providing adoption subsidies; and providing free spaying and neutering services for pets whose owners have cards for Medicaid, the federal health insurance program for poor and disabled people.
In addition, the city has a Feral Cat Initiative that has financed so-called trap-neuter-return programs since 2006.
From 74 percent in 2002, the euthanasia rate dropped to 69 percent in 2003, 59 percent in 2004, 53 percent in 2005, 47 percent in 2006, 43 percent in 2007 and a projected 38 percent in 2008.
“We have a long way to go, but we’re definitely making progress toward our goal,” says Jane Hoffman, president of the alliance. “The current economic downturn puts additional pressure on our facilities, but we’re determined to become a no-kill community and the alliance has realized some impressive achievements along the way.”
Nonetheless, the number of dogs and cats coming into the city’s shelter system — which is managed by a private nonprofit group, Animal Care and Control — has remained fairly constant, at around 43,000. More than twice as many cats as dogs come into the shelters each year, and more than twice as many cats as dogs are killed each year.
An independent expert said that New York City’s goal of becoming a no-kill community was laudable, but might be difficult to achieve.
“No-kill is a model, an aspirational goal,” said the expert, Dr. Michael R. Moyer, who is the Rosenthal director of shelter animal medicine at University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. “I don’t think it should be dismissed out of hand, but it takes a lot of coordination, orchestration and resources.”
There are a “formidable set of challenges” involved in eliminating the need for euthanasia, Dr. Moyer said, adding that animal population control problems result from human and social problems.
Animals end up in shelters after they are brought in by residents or animal control officers, or voluntarily surrendered by their owners.
Cats are a particular challenge, he said, because “feral cats that are poorly socialized and have never been raised with people” are generally not adoptable as pets.
Nearly half of all cats come from neighbors, and spaying and neutering are not as widespread as they should be, he added.
Cats also are far more likely than dogs to live in the wild in packs, Dr. Moyer said. They are also more elusive than dogs, he said, more adaptable, capable of living in a fairly tiny habitat and better able to live in difficult underground environments like sewers.
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The three species of actual vampire bats are all endemic to Latin America, and there is no evidence to suggest that they had any Old World relatives within human memory. It is therefore extremely unlikely that the folkloric vampire represents a distorted presentation or memory of the bat.
The bats were named after the folkloric vampire rather than vice versa. During the 16th century the Spanish conquistadors first came into contact with vampire bats and recognized the similarity between the feeding habits of the bats and those of their legendary vampires.
The Oxford English Dictionary records the folkloric use in English from 1734 and the zoological not until 1774. It was not long before vampire bats were adapted into fictional tales, and they have become one of the more important vampire associations in popular culture.
Bats were associated with the mysterious and the supernatural long before Stoker's novel appeared in print. As creatures of the night, bats fit in well with the motifs of Gothic fiction. A bat-like vampire appears, for example, as an illustration in the novel “Varney the Vampire”, which appeared fifty years before “Dracula”.
While he was working on his novel in the 1890s, Stoker came across a clipping in a New York newspaper concerning vampire bats which directly influenced the following comment by Quincey Morris in “Dracula”:
"I have not seen anything pulled down so quick since I was on the Pampas and had a mare ... One of those big bats that they call 'vampires' had got at her during the night and ... there wasn't enough blood in her to let her stand up."
Stoker obviously did not know the fact that the vampire bat is quite small. Today, horror movie depiction’s of vampire bats often use flying foxes as models because larger they are easier to photograph. This contributes to the public perception of vampire bats as large, terrifying animals. But animals that feed on blood, whether they are insects, leeches or bats, tend to be small because blood is a precious commodity and hard to obtain in large amounts.
Stoker's major contribution to the association of vampires with bats was his introduction of the idea that a vampire could shapeshift into the form of a bat (as well as a wolf and mist). For example, in his pursuit and seduction of Lucy, Count Dracula frequently morphs into the form of a large bat which flaps at her window.
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Help on English vocab, including idioms, slang and sayings
What is the difference between Deputy and Vice ?
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- Location: Viet Nam
They can mean the same exact thing.
The context might make a difference.
Hope that helps,
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- Status: English Teacher
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U.S. health care workers, especially doctors and nurses, use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) far more than do workers in other fields, according to a new study. CAM includes diverse therapies outside the realm of conventional medicine. Overall, 76 percent of health care workers report CAM usage, compared with 63 percent of the general working population.
Health care workers use chiropractic treatment, massage and acupuncture for conditions that conventional medicine does not address well, said study co-author Lori Knutson, executive director of the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing with Allina Hospitals and Clinics in Minneapolis. While conventional providers often treat common issues such as back pain with pain medication, holistic providers address root causes, she said.
The researchers used data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, analyzing responses from 14,329 working adults. Their findings appear online in the journal Health Services Research.
Among respondents, 1,280 worked in health care and fell into four categories: (1) providers including doctors and nurses; (2) technicians, for instance, sonographers; (3) support workers such as nursing assistants and (4) administrative personnel not providing patient care.
The study looked at practitioner-based CAM, such as acupuncture; self-treatment with CAM, such as practicing Pilates; and any CAM usage such as following a vegetarian diet, meditating and taking certain herbs.
Doctors and nurses had more than twice the odds of having used a practitioner-based CAM method during the prior year and nearly three times the use of self-treatment with CAM than support workers.
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- Background Information
- Response Options
- Environmental considerations
- Responder Health and Safety
- Capacity Building
- Hands-on training
- EU Sponsored Projects
European Oiled Wildlife Preparedness
This Section gives an overview of oiled wildlife preparedness arrangements in Europe, including planning at national and regional levels and relevant activities of EU institutions.
National oiled wildlife response planning
An increasing number of European coastal states are developing national oiled wildlife response plans. An overview of plans that are in place or discussions that are currently taking place is provided here.
Regional oiled wildlife response planning
Regional oiled wildlife response planning is also under development within the regional conventions for protection of European seas from pollution, notably within HELCOM Response for the Baltic Sea and the Bonn Agreement for the North Sea. These regional activities provide a stronger policy framework for European countries to develop and strengthen their arrangements for dealing with oiled wildlife incidents. An overview of the relevant regional discussions is provided here.
There are various European institutions that are dealing with the various aspects of oil spill response and preparedness. An overview is provided here.
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The cause of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is unknown. Mutations in DNA that occur after birth may be related to this cancer. These mutations can occur as a result of exposure to radiation or cancer-causing chemicals. It may also occur with age or for no apparent reason.
There are no guidelines for preventing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. To reduce your risk, avoid exposure to chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and benzene. If you have celiac disease (gluten intolerance), maintain your gluten-free diet. This diet will minimize the stimulation of your immune system by exposure to gluten.
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Reducing the impact of poverty on health and human development: Scientific approaches
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume 1136, June 2008
Stephen G. Kaler and Owen M. Rennert
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
".....In summarizing the general condition of poverty, one observer concisely described it as "a form of exile, of being cut off from the larger society."1 Efforts to define poverty more specifically perhaps risk incompleteness, since the causes underlying human destitution are so diverse and interrelated. This volume is an attempt to collate major dimensions of poverty and their impact on human development. In conjunction with the Council of Science Editors Global Theme Issue,2 we recruited established and emerging experts within nine topical areas, illness and disease, maternal health, health disparities, health care services, nutrition, education, housing, social and economic determinants, and engineering and technology. We asked them to provide their scientific perspectives on the causes and solutions relevant to human poverty. Twenty-five U.S. and foreign universities, as well as thirteen national or international organizations are represented.
This collection focuses on the United States, as an example of a developed country in which poverty disrupts many lives,1 and provides an international context as well, through studies of developing countries in which the scale and impact of poverty are often more graphic and apparent. Thus, China, India, Nicaragua, Peru, Russia, and the countries of Africa are represented here, in addition to the United States. We hope the entire volume provides a better understanding of poverty, as it has for us, and that it may spur others to apply the rigor of science to understand, to reduce, and to ultimately eliminate poverty in our nation and around the world.
The opening section is devoted to diseases of poverty, including chronic as well as acute infectious disorders. While not exhaustive in scope-measles, lower respiratory infections, and diarrheal illnesses are covered only by review of recent literature-the connections between neglected diseases and suboptimal development are abundantly evident. One worker remarked with regard to his disease of interest, "It's tied in with grinding poverty; where you find it maps almost perfectly with the poorest of the poor."3
Many whose contributions are in Part I are active participants and leaders in efforts to directly reduce the human toll of these conditions. Their cautious hopefulness in the face of difficult odds indicates the progress their work is engendering. In Part II, maternal health is specifically addressed, and the critical need for support of mothers in avoiding the cycle of poverty is delineated. Indeed, this theme recurs throughout many other sections of this book. In Part III, health disparities in U.S. urban and Native American communities are formally addressed, whereas international health disparities are conveyed throughout most of the book. Access to health care and the problems of the uninsured are the subjects of Part IV. Basic human needs for food, education, and shelter are addressed in Parts V to VII, with papers from experts involved in the intimate connections between these topics and the experience of poverty. Part VIII considers social and economic determinants of human development, in both national and international contexts. Finally, Part IX discusses engineering and technological aspects of human development, which are especially critical for sustaining progress in poverty reduction in the developing world.
While these nine sections provide a framework for the book, the boundaries between them are admittedly artificial. The answer to the question of why someone is poor will vary among individuals but invariably involves one or more of the issues addressed here.
One author who supports preferential options for the poor has written, "Unless the poor are accorded some right to health care, water, food, and education, their lives will inevitably be short, desperate and unfree."4 Poverty touches numerous aspects of human life simultaneously, and concerted efforts must be sustained in multiple arenas to secure meaningful gains. That is truly the message of this volume.."
Table of Contents
Part I. Diseases of Poverty
Treating Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Tomsk, Russia. Developing Programs That Address the Linkage between Poverty and Disease
Expanding Global HIV Treatment. Case Studies from the Field
Poverty and Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Children. A View from the Western Cape, South Africa
Diseases of Poverty with High Mortality in Infants and Children. Malaria, Measles, Lower Respiratory Infections, and Diarrheal Illnesses
Malaria and Poverty
Hookworm and Poverty
Dracunculiasis, Onchocerciasis, Schistosomiasis, and Trachoma
Eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis. A View from the Field
Intersectoral Approaches to Neglected Diseases
Chronic Diseases in Developing Countries. Health and Economic Burdens
Part II. Maternal Health and Poverty
Poverty, Maternal Health, and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Supporting the Mental Health of Mothers Raising Children in Poverty. How Do We Target Them for Intervention Studies?
Poverty, Gender Inequities, and Women's Risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/AIDS
Part III. Health Disparities and Poverty
Poverty and Elimination of Urban Health Disparities. Challenge and Opportunity
Poverty and Health Disparities for American Indian and Alaska Native Children. Current Knowledge and Future Prospects
Part IV. Health Care Services and Human Development
Trends in Private Insurance, Medicaid/State Children's Health Insurance Program, and the Healthcare Safety Net. Implications for Vulnerable Populations and Health Disparities
Health Insurance and Access to Health Care in the United States
Poverty and Access to Health Care in Developing Countries
Part V. Human Nutrition and Poverty
Poverty. The Double Burden of Malnutrition in Mothers and the Intergenerational Impact
Latent Effects of Prenatal Malnutrition on Adult Health. The Example of Schizophrenia
Food Security, Poverty, and Human Development in the United States
Diet and Health Outcomes in Vulnerable Populations
Agriculture in Africa: Strategies to Improve and Sustain Smallholder Production Systems
Building an Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
Part VI. Education and Human Development
The Effect of Poverty on Child Development and Educational Outcomes
Long-Term Effects of Head Start on Low-Income Children
Education for All. An Imperative for Reducing Poverty
Part VII. Housing and Human Development
Housing and Health. Intersection of Poverty and Environmental Exposures
Social and Economic Aspects of Immigration
Improving the Health and Lives of People Living in Slums
Part VIII. Social and Economic Determinants of Human Development
Role of Income and Family Influence on Child Outcomes
Psychological Costs of Growing Up Poor
Mandated Empowerment. Handing Antipoverty Policy Back to the Poor?
The Chinese Social Benefit System in Transition. Reforms and Impacts on Income Inequality
Part IX. Engineering and Technological Determinants of Human Development
Poverty, Energy, and Resource Use in Developing Countries. Focus on Africa
Sustainable Transfer of Biotechnology to Developing Countries. Fighting Poverty by Bringing Scientific Tools to Developing-country Partners
Delivery of Agricultural Technology to Resource-poor Farmers in Africa
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Genetic engineering: The world’s greatest scam?
Uploaded by GreenpeaceVideo on Sep 11, 2009
(French version — http://www.greenpeace.org/ogm)
Genetic engineering is a threat to food security, especially in a changing climate. The introduction of genetically manipulated organisms by choice or by accident grossly undermines sustainable agriculture and in so doing, severely limits the choice of food we can eat.
Once GE plants are released into the environment, they are out of control. If anything goes wrong – they are impossible to recall.
GE contamination threatens biodiversity respected as the global heritage of humankind, and one of our world’s fundamental keys to survival.
by Staff Writers
Davis CA (SPX)
A new study from the University of California, Davis, provides a deeper understanding of the complex global impacts of deforestation on greenhouse gas emissions. The study, published in the advance online edition of the journal Nature Climate Change, reports that the volume of greenhouse gas released when a forest is cleared depends on how the trees will be used and in which part of the world the trees are grown.
When trees are felled to create solid wood products, such as lumber for housing, that wood retains much of its carbon for decades, the researchers found. In contrast, when wood is used for bioenergy or turned into pulp for paper, nearly all of its carbon is released into the atmosphere. Carbon is a major contributor to greenhouse gases.
“We found that 30 years after a forest clearing, between 0 percent and 62 percent of carbon from that forest might remain in storage,” said lead author J. Mason Earles, a doctoral student with the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies. “Previous models generally assumed that it was all released immediately.”
The researchers analyzed how 169 countries use harvested forests. They learned that the temperate forests found in the United States, Canada and parts of Europe are cleared primarily for use in solid wood products, while the tropical forests of the Southern hemisphere are more often cleared for use in energy and paper production.
“Carbon stored in forests outside Europe, the USA and Canada, for example, in tropical climates such as Brazil and Indonesia, will be almost entirely lost shortly after clearance,” the study states.
The study’s findings have potential implications for biofuel incentives based on greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, if the United States decides to incentivize corn-based ethanol, less profitable crops, such as soybeans, may shift to other countries. And those countries might clear more forests to make way for the new crops. Where those countries are located and how the wood from those forests is used would affect how much carbon would be released into the atmosphere.
Earles said the study provides new information that could help inform climate models of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the leading international body for the assessment of climate change.
“This is just one of the pieces that fit into this land-use issue,” said Earles. Land use is a driving factor of climate change. “We hope it will give climate models some concrete data on emissions factors they can use.”
In addition to Earles, the study, “Timing of carbon emissions from global forest clearance,” was co-authored by Sonia Yeh, a research scientist with the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies, and Kenneth E. Skog of the USDA Forest Service.
The study was funded by the California Air Resources Board and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
by Staff Writers
Seattle WA (SPX)
The percentage of mammal species unable to keep pace with climate change in the Americas range from zero and low (blue) to a high of nearly 40 percent (light orange). Credit: U of Washington.
A safe haven could be out of reach for 9 percent of the Western Hemisphere’s mammals, and as much as 40 percent in certain regions, because the animals just won’t move swiftly enough to outpace climate change. For the past decade scientists have outlined new areas suitable for mammals likely to be displaced as climate change first makes their current habitat inhospitable, then unlivable.
For the first time a new study considers whether mammals will actually be able to move to those new areas before they are overrun by climate change.
Carrie Schloss, University of Washington research analyst in environmental and forest sciences, is lead author of the paper out online the week of May 14 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
“We underestimate the vulnerability of mammals to climate change when we look at projections of areas with suitable climate but we don’t also include the ability of mammals to move, or disperse, to the new areas,” Schloss said.
Indeed, more than half of the species scientists have in the past projected could expand their ranges in the face of climate change will, instead, see their ranges contract because the animals won’t be able to expand into new areas fast enough, said co-author Josh Lawler, UW associate professor of environmental and forest sciences.
In particular, many of the hemisphere’s species of primates – including tamarins, spider monkeys, marmosets and howler monkeys, some of which are already considered threatened or endangered – will be hard-pressed to outpace climate change, as are the group of species that includes shrews and moles. Winners of the climate change race are likely to come from carnivores like coyotes and wolves, the group that includes deer and caribou, and one that includes armadillos and anteaters.
The analysis looked at 493 mammals in the Western Hemisphere ranging from a moose that weighs 1,800 pounds to a shrew that weighs less than a dime. Only climate change was considered and not other factors that cause animals to disperse, such as competition from other species.
To determine how quickly species must move to new ranges to outpace climate change, UW researchers used previous work by Lawler that reveals areas with climates needed by each species, along with how fast climate change might occur based on 10 global climate models and a mid-high greenhouse gas emission scenario developed by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The UW researchers coupled how swiftly a species is able to disperse across the landscape with how often its members make such a move. In this case, the scientists assumed animals dispersed once a generation.
It’s understandable, for example, that a mouse might not get too far because of its size. But if there are many generations born each a year, then that mouse is on the move regularly compared to a mammal that stays several years with its parents in one place before being old enough to reproduce and strike out for new territory.
Western Hemisphere primates, for example, take several years before they are sexually mature. That contributes to their low-dispersal rate and is one reason they look especially vulnerable to climate change, Schloss said. Another reason is that the territory with suitable climate is expected to shrink and so to reach the new areas animals in the tropics must generally go farther than in mountainous regions, where animals can more quickly move to a different elevation and a climate that suits them.
Those factors mean that nearly all the hemisphere’s primates will experience severe reductions in their ranges, Schloss said, on average about 75 percent. At the same time species with high dispersal rates that face slower-paced climate change are expected to expand their ranges.
“Our figures are a fairly conservative – even optimistic – view of what could happen because our approach assumes that animals always go in the direction needed to avoid climate change and at the maximum rate possible for them,” Lawler said.
The researchers were also conservative, he said, in taking into account human-made obstacles such as cities and crop lands that animals encounter. For the overall analysis they used a previously developed formula of “average human influence” that highlights regions where animals are likely to encounter intense human development. It doesn’t take into account transit time if animals must go completely around human-dominated landscapes.
“I think it’s important to point out that in the past when climates have changed – between glacial and interglacial periods when species ranges contracted and expanded – the landscape wasn’t covered with agricultural fields, four-lane highways and parking lots, so species could move much more freely across the landscape,” Lawler said.
“Conservation planners could help some species keep pace with climate change by focusing on connectivity – on linking together areas that could serve as pathways to new territories, particularly where animals will encounter human-land development,” Schloss said.
“For species unable to keep pace, reducing non-climate-related stressors could help make populations more resilient, but ultimately reducing emissions, and therefore reducing the pace of climate change, may be the only certain method to make sure species are able to keep pace with climate change.”
The third co-author of the paper is Tristan Nunez, now at University of California, Berkeley. Both Schloss and Nunez worked with Lawler while earning their master’s degrees. Lawler did this work with support from the UW School of Environmental and Forest Sciences using, in part, models he previously developed with funding from the Nature Conservancy and the Cedar Tree Foundation.
by Staff Writers
San Francisco CA (SPX)
Groupers are among the highest priced market reef species (estimated to be a multi-billion dollar per year industry), are highly regarded for the quality of their flesh, and are often among the first reef fishes to be overexploited.
Groupers, a family of fishes often found in coral reefs and prized for their quality of flesh, are facing critical threats to their survival. As part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission, a team of scientists has spent the past ten years assessing the status of 163 grouper species worldwide.
They report that 20 species (12%) are at risk of extinction if current overfishing trends continue, and an additional 22 species (13%) are Near Threatened. These findings were published online on April 28 in the journal Fish and Fisheries.
“Fish are one of the last animal resources commercially harvested from the wild by humans, and groupers are among the most desirable fishes,” said Dr. Luiz Rocha, Curator of Ichthyology at the California Academy of Sciences, and one of the paper’s authors.
“Unfortunately, the false perception that marine resources are infinite is still common in our society, and in order to preserve groupers and other marine resources we need to reverse this old mentality.”
The team estimates that at least 90,000,000 groupers were captured in 2009. This represents more than 275,000 metric tonnes of fish, an increase of 25% from 1999, and 1600% greater than 1950 figures. The Caribbean Sea, coastal Brazil, and Southeast Asia are home to a disproportionately high number of the 20 Threatened grouper species. (A species is considered “Threatened” if it is Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable under IUCN criteria.)
Groupers are among the highest priced market reef species (estimated to be a multi-billion dollar per year industry), are highly regarded for the quality of their flesh, and are often among the first reef fishes to be overexploited. Their disappearance from coral reefs could upset the ecological balance of these threatened ecosystems, since they are ubiquitous predators and may play a large role in controlling the abundance of animals farther down the food chain.
Unfortunately, groupers take many years (typically 5-10) to become sexually mature, making them vulnerable for a relatively long time before they can reproduce and replenish their populations.
In addition, fisheries have exploited their natural behavior of gathering in great numbers during the breeding season. The scientists also conclude that grouper farming (mariculture) has not mitigated overfishing in the wild.
Although the prognosis is poor for the restoration and successful conservation of Threatened grouper species, the authors do recommend some courses of action, including optimizing the size and location of Marine Protected Areas, minimum size limits for individual fish, quotas on the amount of catch, limits on the number of fishers, and seasonal protection during the breeding season.
However, the scientists stress that “community awareness and acceptance, and effective enforcement are paramount” for successful implementation, as well as “action at the consumer end of the supply chain by empowering customers to make better seafood choices.”
These findings are posted online here.
The launch of a cut-rate unlimited $39-a-month mobile plan offered by upstart Voyager Mobile was marred Tuesday by what the company claims is “a malicious network attack to its primary website.”
The launch of a cut-rate unlimited $39-a-month mobile plan offered by upstart Voyager Mobile was marred Tuesday by what the company claims is “a malicious network attack to its primary website.” The company now says it’s postponing the launch of its budget plan until an unspecified date.
The company had generated buzz for its low prices. Voyager Mobile had planned to offer a contract-free $19 per month that included unlimited calls and texts. A second plan included a $39 plan that included unlimited calls, text and 3G/4G data. Voyager Mobile had planned to piggyback its service on Sprint’s network and operate as a mobile virtual network operator (MNVO).
Voyager Mobile would also resell some of the most popular Android smartphones on Sprint such as the Motorola Photon 4G, Samsung Galaxy Epic 4G Touch, and some yet-unnamed Windows Phone 7 devices, USB dongles and mobile hotspots. The company was meant to unveil its website on Tuesday at 6AM ET.
Voyager Posted a note to its website: “Due to the network outage, Voyager Mobile is postponing its launch to a time and date in the very near future. Our goal of low cost wireless service for all will not be undermined and we strive to continue the voyage for a better wireless world.”
Voyager declined to comment when asked about the alleged attack. It’s also unclear why any group or individual would target this company.
By Karen Haslam, macworld.co.uk
From 16 May it will not be possible to ship iPads, iPhones or laptops overseas from the US using the United States Postal Service (USPS).
USPS believes that lithium batteries – which feature in devices including the iPad, iPhone, MacBooks, and other smartphones, laptops, and tablets – pose too great of a risk to be shipped overseas. An amendment to the company’s documentation states: “lithium batteries are not permitted in international mail.”
The USPS will still allow these products to be shipped within the US. UPS and FedEx will continue to ship such items overseas, however.
The revised Mailings of Lithium Batteries document states: “Primary lithium metal or lithium alloy (nonrechargeable) cells and batteries or secondary lithium-ion cells and batteries (rechargeable) are prohibited when mailed internationally or to and from an APO, FPO, or DPO location”.
USPS will lift the restriction in January 2013, however. The document explains: “On 1 January 2013, customers will be able to mail specific quantities of lithium batteries internationally (including to and from an APO, FPO, or DPO location) when the batteries are properly installed in the personal electronic devices they are intended to operate.”
The January 2013 modification is due to changes in international standards that USPS is aware of following discussion with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU). “International standards have recently been the subject of discussion by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU),” states USPS in its documentation.
Apple is reported to have opposed stricter regulations restricting lithium-battery shipments by air.
The reason for regulations regarding the transportation of lithium-batteries by air is that they can spontaneously combust. The UN rules, which will become effective on 1 January 2013, state that pilots must be notified when lithium batteries are on a flight, shipments should be labelled as hazardous materials, and employees should have training in handling such cargo.
There have been several plane crashes directly attributed to exploding lithium batteries in the last few years, according to reports.
Facebook lays claim to more than 900 million members across the globe and may have a massive initial public offering in the coming days, but a new poll says users have trust issues with the social networking site. More than half of those surveyed, 59 percent, said they had little to no trust that Facebook would keep their information private, according to an AP-CNBC poll. The study also found that 54 percent of the survey’s 1,004 respondents would not “feel safe at all” purchasing goods and services through the world’s largest social network.
Despite Facebook’s privacy challenges, however, the social network keeps on growing, and users continue to share their most personal information with a company they reportedly don’t trust. Facebook in July 2010 claimed 500 million users and in the less than two years since the social network has nearly doubled its user base. And despite Facebook’s privacy woes, it is still one of the most popular sites for sharing photos with an average of more than 300 million images uploaded daily for the three months ending March 31, according to the company.
Despite Facebook’s privacy trust problems, the finding that Facebook is not trusted when it comes to online purchases is a little surprising. To purchase items on Facebook you need to buy Facebook credits, which are only available through Facebook itself. Users can then use these credits to buy virtual items in popular games such as Zynga’s Farmville, rent movies, and, perhaps coming soon, self-promote your own posts.
Facebook does have to contend with malicious software stealing user credentials and clickjacking scams, but the company is also pretty active when it comes to security (sometimes too much so). Facebook has also offered secure SSL encryption since 2011. Some users may be wary about Facebook now, but I wonder if that will change as more services start using Facebook credits.
Apple cofounder Steve Jobs got directly involved in an alleged conspiracy to fix e-book prices after a publisher balked at participating in the scheme, according to a court document filed by 31 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
The document, an amended complaint to an antitrust lawsuit by the states and others against Penguin, Macmillan and Apple, was filed in a New York federal district court. A similar lawsuit against the publishers and Apple has been filed by the Department of Justice.
According to the complaint, when one of the conspiring publishers dragged its feet on entering the e-book pricing deal with Apple, Jobs was enlisted to sell high-ranking officials in the publisher’s parent company on the wisdom of the proposed pricing scheme.
“As I see it,” Jobs wrote, the publisher had the following choices:
1. Throw in with Apple and see if we can all make a go of this to create a real mainstream ebooks market at $12.99 and $14.99.
2. Keep going with Amazon at $9.99. You will make a bit more money in the short term, but in the medium term Amazon will tell you they will be paying you 70% of $9.99. They have shareholders too.
3. Hold back your books from Amazon. Without a way for customers to buy your ebooks, they will steal them. This will be the start of piracy and once started, there will be no stopping it. Trust me, I’ve seen this happen with my own eyes.
“Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see any other alternatives. Do You?” he wrote.
Within three days of the letter, the amended complaint noted, the foot-dragging conspiring publisher and its co-conspirators agreed on an “agency” e-book pricing scheme and signed an agency deal with Apple.
In their complaint, the states and others allege that Apple joined publishers Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin and Simon & Schuster in a price-fixing conspiracy and facilitated their scheme to increase e-book prices.
Apple facilitated the alleged conspiracy, the states argue, by bringing the publishers into agreement with one another on how to go about increasing e-book prices.
The publishers’ plan was carried out in two steps, the complaint explained. First, the existing wholesale model for selling books — where retailers decided the price consumers paid for e-books — would be replaced with an agency model in which the publishers controlled the price consumers paid for an e-book. Second, retail e-book prices would be increased.
As a result of the alleged conspiracy, Apple and the publishers “agreed to eliminate e-book retail price competition between Apple and Amazon and other outlets.
Rather than hinder competition, Apple claims its deal with the publishers fostered competition. “The launch of the iBookstore in 2010 fostered innovation and competition, breaking Amazon’s monopolistic grip on the publishing industry,” it said in a statement issued after the Justice Department filed its lawsuit against the company.
“Just as we have allowed developers to set prices on the App Store, publishers set prices on the iBookstore,” it added.
However, there’s evidence that the deal Apple cut with the publishers to sell e-books wasn’t as common as the high-tech firm would like the public to believe.
That agreement contains something called a “most-favored nation” clause. Typically, those clauses are included in contracts to protect a buyer from wholesale price fluctuations.
Apple’s most-favored nation clause was different, according to the Justice Department. “[I]nstead of [a clause] designed to protect Apple’s ability to compete, this [clause] was designed to protect Apple from having to compete on price at all, while still maintaining Apple’s 30 percent margin,” the Justice Department said in its complaint against Apple and the publishers.
LightSquared, the startup that planned a nationwide wholesale mobile network only to be shot down by regulators because of GPS interference concerns, is declaring bankruptcy.
The move came after lengthy negotiations with lenders and does not shut down the company’s only commercial operation, a satellite-based mobile service. The bankruptcy is expected to give Philip Falcone, the hedge-fund chief who built LightSquared out of two satellite acquisitions, several months of control over how the company addresses its troubles.
LightSquared wanted to run an LTE mobile broadband network using frequencies next to those used by GPS, which historically had been reserved for satellite service. Part of the promise of LightSquared was the prospect of a wholesale-only provider of LTE capacity to both large and small mobile operators, potentially making the high-speed mobile business in the U.S. more competitive.
However, in February, the FCC said it would kill LightSquared’s planned network because it would interfere with GPS receivers. As a result, LightSquared’s main asset, its spectrum, has little value unless the company can reach another deal with the agency that would give it other spectrum to work with.
Documents detailing the bankruptcy are expected to be released later Monday.
Survival / Sustainability
Three Things Every Newbie Survivalist Should Have
by M.D. Creekmore
It’s a question I hear a lot from new preppers: “what should I buy first and where do I start?”
And while there are a lot of different answers depending on individual situations and needs, usually my recommendation to those starting out, is to start a food storage program, buy a good water filter and a dual purpose firearm for foraging and protection.
Food Storage Program
Let’s face it most people aren’t familiar with basic foods such as hard red wheat, whole corn, soybeans etc, nor are they conversant with their preparation. So I suggest, beginning survivors start out with foods they are familiar with.
Most canned foods off the grocers shelf have a shelf life of three to five years, make a list of everything your family eats for a week, then buy 10 cases of every non-perishable item on the list.
Even though canned foods have a limited shelf life you’re going to rotate so you’ll always have a fresh supply.
Say you start out with ten cases of chili. Mark each case from 1 to 10. You start with case number 1, when you finish eating it, buy another case and mark it as case number 11. Start on case number 2, when done buy another case and mark it as case number 12 and so on.
Panel solar cookers are the first solar cookers that are truly affordable to the world’s neediest. In 1994, a volunteer group of engineers and solar cooks associated with Solar Cookers International developed and produced the CooKit, based on a design by French scientist Roger Bernard. Elegant and deceptively simple looking, it is an affordable, effective and convenient solar cooker. With a few hours of sunshine, the CooKitmakes tasty meals for 5-6 people at gentle temperatures, cooking food and preserving nutrients without burning or drying out. Larger families use two or more cookers.
The CooKit is made of cardboard and foil shaped to reflect maximum sunlight onto a black cooking pot that converts sunlight into thermal (heat) energy. A heat-resistant bag (or similar tranparent cover) surrounds the pot, acting like a greenhouse by allowing sunlight to hit the pot and preventing heat from escaping. It weighs half a kilogram and folds to the size of a big book for easy transport.
CooKits are now produced independently in 25 countries from a wide variety of materials at a cost of $3 – $7 US. Note that you can either build your own CooKit using the plans below or you can order a pre-built Cookit from Solar Cookers International. Your purchase helps support SCI’s work around the world.
CooKits complement other cooking methods needed at night and on cloudy days. Coming about twenty years after the first efforts to replace open fires with improved cooking stoves, the CooKit uses no fuel at all. The CooKit is both user-friendly and environmentally friendly. Families can save scarce, expensive fuel for when they cannot solar cook and when economically capable, add other, higher cost cooking improvements such as modern biomass, smoke hoods, biogas, or liquefied petroleum gas. A single CooKit of normal dimensions (see below) is not able to cook a pot of food large enough to feed a large family. To cook larger amounts of food a box-style cooker may be a better choice.
Solar Cooker Diagram (English)
Solar Oven detailed instruction PDF (English)
Occupy organic vegetable gardens – Rebirth of the Victory garden
By JB Bardot,
(NaturalNews) During World Wars I and II, private citizens were encouraged to plant Victory gardens in an effort to support the war effort and take the strain off the food industry, providing more food for citizens living at home. Little gardens popped up all over the country and they were called Victory gardens because people envisioned a victorious end to strife, sadness and hardship. Victory gardens in the U.S. produced a staggering 40% of the food supply. The Victory garden campaign resulted…
OSLO — In May 2011, Manal al-Sharif did something revolutionary: She drove a car.
In most societies this would be far from noteworthy, but in Saudi Arabia, where women are prohibited from getting behind the wheel, it was an act of extraordinary courage. The protest, which she put on YouTube, landed al-Sharif in jail for nine days. It also made her an international figure. In the last year, she has been named one of the “Top 100 Global Thinkers” by Foreign Policy magazine and one of Time magazine’s “100 most influential people of 2012.”
And last week, the 32-year old Saudi was one of three people awarded the first annual Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent at the Oslo Freedom Forum.
To attend the conference in Norway, al-Sharif says she was pressured out of her job at the Saudi oil company Aramco. Considering she is a working-class single mother, it couldn’t have been an easy decision to continue her human rights fight in the face of such economic pressures. But, as al-Sharif told The Daily Caller, “if you stand up for your beliefs, there is a price to pay.”
“They pressured me a lot and it was like too much to take,” she said, explaining that while she was not explicitly fired, she was increasingly marginalized at the company for her activism, leading to her exit after coming into conflict again with her bosses over attending the conference.
After first stating that she didn’t “want to talk about” the pressure she has suffered under since her Rosa Parks-like act of defiance, she conceded that the Saudi government does “pressure you a lot, whether directly or indirectly.”
“So they can cause a lot of trouble,” she went on. “They scandalize you, they smear you … they spread all these rumors about you … But it’s up to you how to deal with that pressure. The more pressure it is, the more attacks I get, the more impact I know that I’m making.”
A recent move by the Supreme Court stop commercial production of genetically-modified Bt eggplant in the Philippines was welcomed by a group of environmentalists and concerned individuals
- By Gilbert P. Felongco, Correspondent
Manila: A recent move by the Supreme Court stop commercial production of genetically-modified Bt eggplant in the Philippines was welcomed by a group of environmentalists and concerned individuals.Greanpeace said the Supreme Court decision to grant a Writ of Kalikasan in favour of stopping Bt eggplant field trials in the country while further studies are being conducted is a step forward in the fight against so-called “Frankenstein” food that harm not only the human body but the environment as well.
“Many independent scientific studies provide clear evidence that GMOs such as Bt eggplant, as well as Bt corn, can negatively impact the liver, kidneys or blood when ingested”
“Greenpeace believes the granting of the Writ of Kalikasan to be a recognition of the threats that GMOs pose to human health and the environment. We welcome this as a positive development: GMOs and GMO field trials clearly violate every Filipino’s constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology, and their invasion into our fields and our diets must be stopped,” said Daniel Ocampo, Sustainable Agriculture Campaigner, Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
The Writ of Kalikasan (Nature) is a legal remedy designed for the protection of one’s constitutional right to a healthy environment.
In the same breath, Greenpeace called for greater scrutiny of the country’s GMO approval system as it welcomed the Supreme Court decision to stop field trials of the genetically-modified organism (GMO) Bt eggplant in the Philippines.“The Supreme Court has given hope to Filipinos as its decision now puts into the spotlight the country’s flawed GMO approval system which has never rejected any GMO application, allowing dangerous GMO crops to be eaten and planted by Filipinos. This is an outrage and such a regulatory system which clearly disregards public good must be scrapped,” he added.
According to Greenpeace, there are serious uncertainties regarding the safety and long-term impacts of GMOs.
“Many independent scientific studies provide clear evidence that GMOs such as Bt eggplant, as well as Bt corn, can negatively impact the liver, kidneys or blood when ingested,” the group said.
Last April 26, petitioners led by Leo Avila of Davao City Agriculturist Office, Atty. Maria Paz Luna, former Senator Orlando Mercado and Greenpeace Southeast Asia Executive Director Von Hernandez filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to issue a Writ of Kalikasan against GMO field trials.
The petition seeks to immediately stop the field trials of Bt eggplant. It also puts into question the flawed government regulatory process for approving GMOs and ensuring the safety of GMOs first on health and environmental grounds before they are released into the open.
Despite the scientific doubt that surrounds GMO food crops, the Philippines has never rejected any GMO application, approving, since 2002, a total of 67 GMOs for importation, consumption and propagation.
While other countries are taking the precautionary approach to GMOs, Greenpeace said the Philippine Department of Agriculture has done exactly the opposite.
Munich, Germany (UPI)
The anti-austerity revolt of European voters continued Sunday when electors in a key German province gave Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats just 28 percent of the vote, the party’s lowest perentage since 1948.
This is a grim time to be in office in Europe. Voters have turned out governments in Britain, Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Spain, France and Greece. And while Merkel remains in office at the national level and remains personally popular, her own coalition with Bavaria’s Christian Social party is fraying badly.
How much of Sunday’s vote was against the austerity that Merkel is forcing upon Europe and how much a reaction against the way Germany continues reluctantly to bail out the bankrupt European partners is an open question. Either way, it means voters are losing trust in Merkel’s economic stewardship, even though Germany has recovered more strongly from the crisis than any other European economy.
Sunday’s vote also reflected the ongoing crisis of the traditional two-party system, with smaller German parties continuing to take votes from the big two — Merkel’s Christian Democrats and the moderate-left Social Democrats. The Greens got 12 percent, the centrist Free Democrats recovered to 8 percent and the bizarre new Pirate Party, committed to Internet freedom and votes for teenagers, repeated its earlier success in Berlin.
All this took place as Greece slid further down the slope toward what the markets are calling “Grexit,” a Greek exit from the euro, which many fear would trigger Europe’s biggest crisis since World War II. After their chaotic elections and inability to form a coalition government, it isn’t easy to see how Greece musters the political will to make the budget cuts and suffer the economic pain required to remain inside the euro.
But if Greece goes, it is also not easy to see how to prevent the contagion spreading to Portugal, Spain and even Italy as depositors take their euros from their own national banks and deposit them in safer German banks, rather than see savings eroded by devaluation.
The dirty secret here is that on close examination Germany’s economic situation, despite its strong manufacturing sector and massive export trade, isn’t nearly as strong as it looks.
Germany’s Market Economy Foundation reports that in addition to the official national debt of roughly $2.6 trillion, there are $5.9 trillion in future benefit promises to retirees, the sick and people requiring nursing care. These are commitments that aren’t documented in official budgets nor has any provision been made to finance them. When these commitments are included, Germany’s real debt isn’t the “official” 80 percent of gross domestic product but 276 percent.
Moreover, the disguised way in which Germany has continued to bail out the weaker Europeans is becoming a serious public issue. This is done through the “Target2″ system of the European Central Bank, where the debits and credits of the various eurozone members are held.
There has been a sharp jump in the Bundesbank’s Target2 claims within the European Central Bank’s internal payment network from $706 billion in February to $795 billion in March. Bundesbank claims have risen six-fold since 2008. Bundesbank chief Jens Weidmann is demanding collateral from weaker states for Target2 transfers.
These German credits, equivalent to $800 billion, are balanced by debts of Greek, Irish, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian central banks of almost $850 billion. So long as the German central bank doesn’t demand its money, it is in effect bankrolling the other European partners. And since this is done between central banks, there has been no parliamentary authorization for this hidden bailout.
“The euro-system is near explosion,” said Professor Hans-Werner Sinn, head of Germany’s IFO Institute, addressing Austria’s Economics Academy on April 19. “This enormous international credit should have been subjected to the parliaments of Europe.”
He may well be right. But the voters seem intent on throwing the parliaments of Europe into disarray or into coalitions that are either unworkable or impotent to take the decisive action required.
This might not be so alarming, were it not that even bigger political challenges lie in wait for Europe. Its social contract and generous welfare state is becoming steadily less sustainable as the society ages. More and more people are qualifying for pensions and expensive elderly healthcare while fewer and fewer young people are coming into the labor market and when they do there are few jobs for them.
If things look grim for Europe’s incumbent politician now, they will soon look even worse as they are forced to push through new laws raising the retirement age, curbing pension and welfare payments and raising taxes.
Democracy in the 21st century at TerraDaily.com
[In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit, for research and/or educational purposes. This constitutes 'FAIR USE' of any such copyrighted material.]
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Individual differences |
Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology |
Assessing risk in clinical settings should be carried out routinely with regard to a number of risks:
- Assessment of risk of violence to others
- Assessment of self harm risk
- Assessment of sexual offending risk
- Assessment of suicide risk
Risk assessment should be fully documented. see risk assessment documentation. Identified risks should be addressed in peoples care plans so all concerned know how they are to be managed, and this should be subject to regular monitoring and review.
References & BibliographyEdit
- Bacon, P. 1997. Assessing risk: are we being overcautious? British Journal of Psychiatry.
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2004). Mental health service users and their involvement in risk assessment and management : research summary Full text
- The Royal College of Psychiatrists Special Working Party on Clinical Assessment and Management of Risk Council (1996) Assessment and clinical management of risk of harm to other people. Report CR 53. Royal College. Full text
- Google Scholar
- Vincent, C. 1998. Framework for analyzing risk and safety in clinical medicine. British
Medical Journal 316:1154-1157.
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Among the aims of the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) Task Force is to help ensure access to insulin and other essential diabetes supplies to people with diabetes. In order to address situations where chronic problems exist with regards to the availability of and access to proper diabetes care it is important to better understand what the barriers to access are.
The Rapid Assessment Protocol for Insulin Access (RAPIA), developed by the International Insulin Foundation (IIF), allows problems with diabetes care and access to medicines to be clearly identified allowing for specific targeted recommendations to be made to local stakeholders. It is not a statistical assessment of the health system, but aims to assess in a short time the situation with regards to diabetes care in a given country.
The RAPIA has been carried out in the following countries:
- Kyrgyzstan (2009)
- Philippines (2008)*
- Vietnam (2008) - Final Report (pdf)
- Nicaragua (2007) - Final Report (pdf)
- Mali (2004) - Final Report (pdf)
- Zambia (2003) - Final Report (pdf)
- Mozambique (2003, 2009) - Final Report (pdf)
*carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO)
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MAKE SAFETY AN OUTDOOR RECREATION PRIORITY
Safe Kids Kansas offers families important outdoor safety tips
TOPEKA — Sleeping bag? Check. Hiking boots? Check. Safety guidelines? While the preparations for a family camping, boating, or hiking trip usually include a review of the necessary gear, parents should also review safety guidelines with their children, paying special attention to potential hazards specific to outdoor recreation.
Campfires, portable stoves, heaters, and fuel-burning lanterns all produce carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless and odorless gas that can poison a child very quickly. About 30 campers each year die of CO poisoning in the U.S. Never use any of these devices in an enclosed area, even a tent. In addition, make sure these devices — as well as campfires — are clear of flammable material, from paper napkins to dry grass.
Safe Kids Kansas recommends these safety guidelines around campfires and portable heating devices:
- keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children;
- always supervise children near a campfire or portable stove; and
- keep a bucket of water and a shovel near the fire at all times and extinguish the fire completely before going to sleep or leaving the site.
In addition, when camping and hiking keep these guidelines in mind:
- keep first aid supplies and emergency phone numbers handy and know where the nearest land-line phone is located;
- let friends and relatives know where you are going and when you are coming home;
- never let children hike alone;
- dress children in layers of clothing to help prevent heat-related illness and hypothermia;
- do not push kids to go on a longer or more strenuous hike than they can handle;
- use SPF 15 or higher sunscreen when outside;
- bring plenty of drinking water or sports drinks and high-energy snacks; and
- wear hiking boots and clothing that offers protection from scrapes and poisonous plants, as well as insect repellent.
Everyone loves the water in summer, so safety measures are in order here, too. Follow these guidelines whether wading, swimming, or boating:
- always supervise young children near water;
- insist that everyone wear personal flotation devices on boats;
- small children should wear PFDs whenever near open bodies of water;
- when boating, be able to recognize buoy markings and know how to use proper navigation lights;
- make sure boats have current safety inspections; and
- do not overload boats.
For more information about outdoor recreation safety, call 785-296-1223 or visit www.usa.safekids.org.
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Wildlife officials break down number, species of fish found dead along stretch of Rocky River
State wildlife and environmental protection officials have finished counting the number of fish found dead along a three-mile stretch of the Rocky River.
Their tally totals 28,613 fish and other aquatic species such as crayfish and frogs, dead as a result of a still-unknown cause.
The fish were discovered late Sunday by an angler who alerted the Ohio Division of Wildlife through that agency’s poacher-reporting hotline.
By Monday, the scene along the the Rocky River — all of which flows through Cleveland Metroparks’ Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville — was one of state Wildlife Division officials and their counterparts with Cleveland Metroparks and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency scouring the area for dead fish.
Their first task was to collect, preserve, count and identify the fish species. It is known that some of the dead fish were steelhead trout as well as possibly the bigmouth shiner, a state-listed threatened fish species, and smallmouth bass.
“The investigators aren’t going back to the stream today because they believe they have all the data that they need,” said Jamey Graham, spokeswoman for the Wildlife Division’s District Three (Northeast Ohio) office in Akron.
Broken down by species, the preliminary-only totals are: crappie,16; trout, 72; minnows (all subspecies), 22,018; darters, 3,287; suckers, 3,962; crayfish, 61; frogs, 3; shad, 2; sunfish, 143; smallmouth bass, 49.
The reason for the separation of the fish by species is so that the Wildlife Division can determine how much to charge in fines and restitution if and when the culprit is identified. The state has assigned a dollar figure for each fish species.
“Plus, it might help us determine what caused the kill and where since some fish species are more sensitive to indicators than are other fish species,” Graham said.
That discovery process will be aided by the Ohio EPA with its team of investigators which will work to discover what caused the fish to die, where the offending agent originated from and ultimately who was responsible, has said Mike Settles, Ohio EPA spokesman.
Location, ST | website.com
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NASA's Spitzer Finds Violent Galaxies Smothered in 'Crushed Glass'
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has observed a rare population of colliding galaxies whose entangled hearts are wrapped in tiny crystals resembling crushed glass.
The crystals are essentially sand, or silicate, grains that were formed like glass, probably in the stellar equivalent of furnaces. This is the first time silicate crystals have been detected in a galaxy outside of our own.
"We were surprised to find such delicate, little crystals in the centers of some of the most violent places in the universe," said Dr. Henrik Spoon of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. He is first author of a paper on the research appearing in the Feb. 20 issue of the Astrophysical Journal. "Crystals like these are easily destroyed, but in this case, they are probably being churned out by massive, dying stars faster than they are disappearing."
The discovery will ultimately help astronomers better understand the evolution of galaxies, including our Milky Way, which will merge with the nearby Andromeda galaxy billions of years from now.
"It's as though there's a huge dust storm taking place at the center of merging galaxies," said Dr. Lee Armus, a co-author of the paper from NASA's Spitzer Science Center at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. "The silicates get kicked up and wrap the galaxies' nuclei in giant, dusty glass blankets."
Silicates, like glass, require heat to transform into crystals. The gem-like particles can be found in the Milky Way in limited quantities around certain types of stars, such as our sun. On Earth, they sparkle in sandy beaches, and at night, they can be seen smashing into our atmosphere with other dust particles as shooting stars. Recently, the crystals were also observed by Spitzer inside comet Tempel 1, which was hit by NASA's Deep Impact probe.
The crystal-coated galaxies observed by Spitzer are quite different from our Milky Way. These bright and dusty galaxies, called ultraluminous infrared galaxies, or "Ulirgs," are swimming in silicate crystals. While a small fraction of the Ulirgs cannot be seen clearly enough to characterize, most consist of two spiral-shaped galaxies in the process of merging into one. Their jumbled cores are hectic places, often bursting with massive, newborn stars. Some Ulirgs are dominated by central supermassive black holes.
So, where are all the crystals coming from? Astronomers believe the massive stars at the galaxies' centers are the main manufacturers. According to Spoon and his team, these stars probably shed the crystals both before and as they blow apart in fiery explosions called supernovae. But the delicate crystals won't be around for long. The scientists say that particles from supernova blasts will bombard and convert the crystals back to a shapeless form. This whole process is thought to be relatively short-lived.
"Imagine two flour trucks crashing into each other and kicking up a temporary white cloud," said Spoon. "With Spitzer, we're seeing a temporary cloud of crystallized silicates created when two galaxies smashed together."
Spitzer's infrared spectrograph spotted the silicate crystals in 21 of 77 Ulirgs studied. The 21 galaxies range from 240 million to 5.9 billion light-years away and are scattered across the sky. Spoon said the galaxies were most likely caught at just the right time to see the crystals. The other 56 galaxies might be about to kick up the substance, or the substance could have already settled.
Others authors of this work include Drs. A.G.G.M. Tielens and J. Cami of NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.; Drs. G.C. Sloan and Jim R. Houck of Cornell; B. Sargent of the University of Rochester, N.Y.; Dr. V. Charmandaris of the University of Crete, Greece; and Dr. B.T. Soifer of the Spitzer Science Center.
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the Spitzer Space Telescope mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. Science operations are conducted at the Spitzer Science Center. JPL is a division of Caltech. Spitzer's infrared spectrograph was built by Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. Its development was led by Dr. Jim Houck.
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Microsoft 2007 Office Suites
Microsoft Office Word 2007
Summary: Walk through the new default file format for Microsoft Office Word 2007. Read detailed descriptions of the file format architecture, key components, and ways in which you can programmatically modify content. (22 printed pages)
Word 2007 Document Packages
Open Packaging Conventions for the Word XML Format
Interpreting Word 2007 Files
Identifying Non-XML Parts in Word 2007 Documents
Separating Content from Documents
Understanding the Data Store
Walkthrough: Creating a Word XML Format File
Microsoft Office Word 2007 provides a new default file format called Microsoft Office Word XML Format (Word XML Format). This format is based on the Open Packaging Conventions, also used by the XML Paper Specification (XPS). The binary file format used in Microsoft Office 97 through Microsoft Office 2003 Editions is still available as a save format, but it is no longer the default when saving new documents.
Microsoft introduced XML into Microsoft Office XP in 1999 with SpreadsheetML in Microsoft Office Excel 2002. SpreadsheetML was a good start, but it did not provide full-fidelity. That is, it cannot describe every part of a spreadsheet. The next release of Microsoft Office products introduced WordprocessingML in Microsoft Office Word 2003. WordprocessingML was a huge step forward because it was the first full-fidelity XML file format provided by Microsoft Office. Using Microsoft Office 2003, you can parse WordprocessingML files and manipulate, update, or add data to them. However, a few limitations exist. For example, you must encode binary data (such as images) as text within the XML file itself, which increases file size when working with a document containing many images. Additionally, Word 2003 embeds all custom XML data directly into the WordprocessingML that describes the document. This can make the custom XML difficult to access and manipulate from external processes.
The new file format in Word 2007 solves these issues by dividing the file into document parts, each of which defines a part of the overall contents of the file. When you want to change something in the file, you can simply find the document part you want, such as the header, and edit it without accidentally modifying any of the other XML-based document parts. Similarly, all custom XML data is in its own part. Working with customer XML is now easier. This allows you to generate documents programmatically with less code. In addition to being more robust and making it easier to work with custom XML, the new file format is also much smaller than the binary file format. The new file format takes advantage of ZIP technology by using the Open Packaging Conventions. This article walks through the structure of a Word 2007 document in this new file format.
The file format in Word 2007 consists of a compressed ZIP file, called a package. This package holds all of the content that is contained within the document. Using the package format decreases file size for Office documents because of the ZIP compression. The new format is also more robust to errors in transmission or handling. It allows you to manipulate the file contents using industry-standard ZIP-based tools. An easy way to look inside the new file format is to save a Word 2007 document in the new default format and rename the file with a .zip extension. Double-click the file to open and view its contents.
Note To understand the composition of a file based on Microsoft Office Open XML Formats (Office XML Formats), you may want to extract its parts. To open the file, it is assumed that you have a ZIP utility, such as WinZip, installed on your computer. To open a Word XML Format file in Word 2007:
Table 1. File extensions for Word 2007 file types
|Word 2007 File Types||Extension|
|Word 2007 XML Document||.docx|
|Word 2007 XML Macro-Enabled Document||.docm|
|Word 2007 XML Template||.dotx|
|Word 2007 XML Macro-Enabled Template||.dotm|
The Open Packaging Conventions specification defines the structure of Word 2007 documents using the new file format. For more information about open packaging conventions, see the Open Packaging Conventions also used by the XML Paper Specification.
To understand the structure of a Word 2007 document, you must understand the three major components of the new file format:
The following sections explain how each of these components fit together in an Office XML Formats file.
To facilitate construction, assembly, and reuse of Word 2007 documents by third-party processes and tools, Word divides the contents of the package into several logical parts that each store a specific document part, for example:
Word represents each of these document parts with an individual file within the package. These parts can consist of XML files, such as the document parts that contain the markup for the Word XML Format, as well as attached contents, such as pictures or OLE–embedded files in their native format. All of these are contained within the package. However, it is important to note that, with a few exceptions defined within the Open Packaging Conventions, the actual file directory structure is arbitrary.
The relationships of the files within the package, not the file structure, are what determine file validity. You can rearrange and rename the parts of a Word file inside its ZIP container, provided that you update the relationships properly so that the document parts continue to relate to one another as designed. If the relationships are accurate, the file opens without error. The initial file structure in a file in Word 2007 is simply the default structure created by Word to enable you to determine the file composition easily. Provided that you keep the relationships current, you can change this file structure.
For example, in Word 2007, the container file represents a document. Within the container file, there are parts that, when aggregated, compose the document. For example, a Word 2007 file could contain (but is not limited to) the following folders and files:
Figure 1 shows the file structure of a sample Word 2007 document.
Figure 1. Hierarchical file structure of a typical Word 2007 document
You can replace entire document parts in order to change the content, properties, or formatting of Word 2007 documents.
As mentioned previously, each document part has a specific content type. The content type of a part describes the contents of that file type. In the case of the XML parts that contain the markup defined by the Word XML Format, the content type can help you determine its composition.
A typical content type begins with the word
application and is followed by the vendor name. In the content type, the word vendor is abbreviated to
vnd. All content types that are specific to Word begin with
application/vnd.ms-word. If a content type is an XML file, then the URI ends with
+xml. Other non-XML content types, such as images, do not have this addition. Some typical content types are:
Content type for a document part that describes endnotes within a Word document. The
+xml indicates that it is an XML file.
Content type for a part that describes the core document properties. The
+xml indicates that it is an XML file.
Content type for an image. The
+xml portion is not present—this indicates that this content type is not an XML file.
You can use all of these content types when manipulating the contents of a Word 2007 file programmatically. The Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) for Beta 2 of Windows Vista and WinFX Runtime Components includes the System.IO.Packaging namespace, which allows you to add document parts, retrieve and update contents, or create relationships programmatically. For example, using the Microsoft WinFX System.IO.Packaging class, you can create a document part with the PackagePart.CreatePart method. The CreatePart method takes two string parameters; one for the URI of the new part and one for the content type of the part, as follows:
PackagePart packageNewPart = package.CreatePart(uriResourceTarget, "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.styles+xml");
This code example creates a document part using the URI stored in the uriResourceTarget variable with a content type used for styles.
For more information about PackageParts, see the PackagePart Class reference documentation in the Microsoft Windows SDK.
This section contains a list of the most frequently encountered content types. Word 2007 describes each content type by a file or part, inside the package. The [Content_Types].xml file, at the root of the package, lists every part in the file and its ContentType object. For example, you might see something like this:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?> <Types xmlns="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/content-types"> <Override PartName="/word/footnotes.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.footnotes+xml"/> <Default Extension="png" ContentType="image/png"/> <Default Extension="rels" ContentType="application/vnd.openxmlformats-package.relationships+xml"/> <Default Extension="xml" ContentType="application/xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/document.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document.main+xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/numbering.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.numbering+xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/styles.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.styles+xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/endnotes.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.endnotes+xml"/> <Override PartName="/docProps/app.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.extended-properties+xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/settings.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.settings+xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/footer2.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.footer+xml"/> <Override PartName="/docProps/custom.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.custom-properties+xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/footer1.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.footer+xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/theme/theme1.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.theme+xml"/> <Override PartName= "/word/fontTable.xml" ContentType="application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.fontTable+xml"/> <Override PartName= "/word/webSettings.xml" ContentType="application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.webSettings+xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/header1.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.header+xml"/> <Override PartName="/docProps/core.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-package.core-properties+xml"/> </Types>
You can rename and rearrange all of these parts within the directory structure. The parts are listed here in their default locations with their default names to make it as easy as possible to understand what they are.
Inside the Word directory, off the root of the package, is the majority of the information describing the document. In this directory, you may find parts that represent a number of available content types.
Every XML file in the file format is a document part. If you look inside the newly-formatted file of most Word files, within the directory structure you see files, or document parts, like
word/styles.xml. These files contain clear names that indicate their purpose (for example, font table and style parts). However, you can also change their names. Therefore, inside the [ContentTypes].xml file is a <
Types> element that maps each content part with its respective content type. A [ContentTypes].xml file might consist of something like this:
<Override PartName="/word/styles.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.styles+xml"/> <Override PartName= "/docProps/core.xml" ContentType="application/vnd.openxmlformats-package.core-properties+xml"/>
This indicates that the
/word/styles.xml document part has a content type of
/docProps/core.xml document part has a content type of
Relationships are one of the most important parts of the package because they record the connections between document parts. You can rename and move parts within the package's directory structure, but the relationships must remain intact to keep the file valid.
A relationship is a logical connection between two parts within the file package. For example, the root document part has a relationship of type
http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/relationships/header to a part with the content type
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.header+xml. This indicates the relationship between the parts is that the target part is a header for the originating part. Furthermore, the content type indicates that the contents are a Word 2007 header. This header part could then have its own relationships. For example, if the header contained a JPEG image, the header might have a relationship of type
http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/relationships/image to a part with the content type
Within the package, relationships are always located inside a directory titled _rels. To find the relationships originating from any part, look for the _rels folder that is a sibling of that part. If the part has relationships, the _rels folder contains a file that has your original part name with a .rels extension appended to it. For example, suppose you want to see if a relationship exists for the officeDocument part, which has a content type of
http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/relationships/officeDocument. By default, this part has a URI of
/word/document.xml, so you would open the directory
/word/_rels in the package and look for a file called
Every relationship has a source and a target. The source is the part after which the relationship is named. For example, all relationships inside
document.xml as their source. Each .rels file contains a <
relationships> element, inside which you find a <relationship> element for each target relationship containing the target relationship's id, it's target part, and the target part's content type. A typical <
relationships> element inside a document.xml.rels file might look like this:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?> <Relationships xmlns="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/relationships"> <Relationship Id="rId3" Type= "http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/relationships/extended-properties" Target= "docProps/app.xml"/> <Relationship Id="rId2" Type= "http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/relationships/metadata/core-properties" Target= "docProps/core.xml"/> <Relationship Id="rId1" Type= "http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/relationships/officeDocument" Target= "word/document.xml"/> <Relationship Id="rId4" Type= "http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/relationships/custom-properties" Target= "docProps/custom.xml"/> </Relationships>
Notice that each relationship element first specifies the relationship id, then the content type of the target, and finally the target document part.
This section walks you through the main set of document parts in a Word 2007 file that uses the new file format. It also outlines the relationships between these parts as presented using the default directory structure.
The first part of any file that uses the Word XML Format is a virtual document part, or the package itself, called the start part. From this start part, there are relationships to several top-level parts, which describe the contents of the document:
Table 2. Root-level parts, relationships, and content types
|Part Name||Relationship Type||Content Type||Optional?|
|Core Document Properties (as defined in the Open Packaging Conventions)|| || ||Yes|
|Application-Specific Document Properties|| || ||Yes|
|Custom OLE Document Properties|| || ||Yes|
|Main Document Part|| || ||No|
These four default parts contain the primary document properties, as well as a reference to the root part for the document, that is, the main document body content.
From the main document part, there is a set of relationships to the document parts referred to by the main document, as shown in Table 3.
Note that most relationships below are prefixed with the following:
Table 3. Document-level parts, relationships, and content types
|Part Name||Relationship Type||Content Type||Optional?|
|Style Definitions|| || ||Yes|
|List Definitions|| || ||Yes|
|Document Settings|| || ||Yes|
|Headers|| || ||Yes|
|Footers|| || ||Yes|
|Footnotes|| || ||Yes|
|Endnotes|| || ||Yes|
|Image(s)|| || ||Yes|
|Comments|| || ||Yes|
|Font Table|| || ||Yes|
|Custom XML Items|| || ||Yes|
|Web Settings|| || ||Yes|
This list of parts is not complete. For example, it does not include shared parts such as OLE objects, Microsoft ActiveX controls, and digital signatures. However, it does provide insight into the typical Word XML Format structure in Word 2007.
As described previously, programmatically, you can use a URI to refer to all of the relationships and almost all of the document parts. There are two types of URIs: one for document parts and another for relationships.
In the new Word XML Format, relationship URIs usually begin with the following:
For example, note the relationship-type used for application-level properties:
This URI includes the word
officeDocument because the Open XML File Formats convention dictates these relationships.
The exceptions are relationship-types that begin with a base of
http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/relationships/. Notice that this base uses the word
package instead of
officeDocument, indicating that it conforms to the XPS Open Packaging Convention. One such relationship-type that uses this prefix in its URI is the following:
This URI describes properties specific to the file. Relationship URIs are predefined. You cannot change them.
URIs for document parts point to the document part inside the package. For example, the default URI for the document part containing the main information about the document is
/word/document.xml. This indicates that the main document information is contained in a file called
document.xml inside a folder called
word off the root of the package. You can rename and move document parts inside the package, thereby changing the URI for the document part. It is very important to update the relationships when renaming or relocating document parts inside the package.
All embedded parts in a Word 2007 document are in their native, default Word XML Format. Therefore, if you add a picture to a document, you can rename the document with a .zip extension, and open it as you would any ZIP file. Within the package, you can locate the picture and open it as well. If the picture is in a .png format, you can see and open a .png file directly from the package.
Similarly, if you embed a Microsoft Office Visio document inside a Word 2007 document, you can locate the file as a .bin file inside the package.
This creates many possibilities for developers with files stored on a server. Consider the scenario where a company has hundreds of documents on a server that all contain the same corporate logo image. If the corporate logo changes, you can implement a simple script to replace the old logo with the new logo for every document.
The default location for images in a package is the
/word/media directory and the default location for embedded objects in a package is
Figure 2 shows the directory structure for a document that contains images and embedded objects.
Figure 2. Hierarchical file structure of a Word 2007 document containing images and embedded objects
The document part that maps to the content type specified by the following URI:
defines most of the document structure. In macro-enabled files, the part that maps to
application/vnd.ms-word.template.macroEnabledTemplate.main+xml defines most of the document structure. In the previous code example from the [Content-Types].xml file, this content type maps to the
document.xml part in the
This part contains XML that is similar to a subset of WordprocessingML used in Word 2003. There are elements for paragraphs, properties, and fonts that describe the basic structure of the document. Individual parts describe all the components of the document, such as headers, footers, lists, and endnotes. By default, most of these parts are siblings of the following content type file:
If you look at the previous code example, from the
[Content-Types].xml file, you see many of these parts listed.
This separation of content from formatting makes working on elements of a document programmatically a much easier task than in previous versions. Using the WinFX System.IO.Packaging class, you can modify the file with a few lines of code and perform tasks such as:
There are, of course, many more possibilities. With this content separation, locating the part to edit is much easier than it is with the WordprocessingML used in Word 2003. In a WordprocessingML file, the entire document is described in one giant XML file. Parsing the file to make the change can be difficult. It also can be risky, because if a mistake is made, the entire document may become corrupt. In contrast, if one part of a Word 2007 document is corrupt, the rest of the document should open without error.
Similar to many other types of data in the Word XML Format, custom XML data is stored separately from the rest of the document. Each item is stored as a separate part within the package, and by default, this data appears in a folder called
customXml located off the root of the package. If you attach an XML file to a document programmatically by adding a new part to the document's CustomXMLParts collection, then by default that XML data is stored in a file called
/customXml/item1.xml. If you add a custom XML data from another file, then, by default, it is stored in a file called
By using XMLMapping and XPath expressions, you can map specific elements of an XML part to a content control. This means that to modify or change custom XML programmatically, you do not need to parse through a large WordprocessingML file, as you did in Word 2003. Instead, you find the part holding the custom XML that you want and modify only that part of the file.
To add custom data to your document, you need to create a custom XML file and add it to the ZIP package. You also need to create the corresponding relationship from the main document part to your custom XML part.
In the Word XML Format in Word 2007, each custom part persists in its own XML part within the document container. The custom part contains the file name and its relationship information. The XML part is stored off the root of the document container in a folder called
Figure 3 shows the directory structure for a document that contains custom XML data.
Figure 3. Hierarchical file structure of a Word 2007 document containing custom XML data
Isolating custom XML data inside a document package allows you to read and update custom data without modifying or working with other document parts.
The relationship file, stored inside a _rels folder, describes all the relationships from one XML part to all other XML parts within a Word XML Format document. There are two relationship types for custom XML parts.
The relationship type for the XML is:
The relationship type for the XML properties is:
An ID is stored with each relationship, allowing you to identify it uniquely within the data store.
The actual custom XML part is stored in its own file alongside the _rels folder. Each custom XML part has a file name of
.xml and its own properties, named
.xml. In both file names, ## is the number (1, 2, 3. . .) of the custom XML part in the data store. The file format for the
.xml custom XML part looks like the following.
<o:dataStoreItem> <o:dataStoreItem o:itemID="MSXID for the custom XML part"/> <o:xmlSchemaRef o:relID="relationship ID to a schema"/> </o: dataStoreItem>
Document.xml is the only required part in the Word XML Format. For information about how to create a minimal document with only this required part, see the section Creating the Document.
To illustrate how document parts, content type items, and relationship items work together, this section walks through the process of building a more elaborate Word XML Format document in Word 2007. This walk through helps illustrate how to access and alter document contents using the Word XML Format.
To create a Word 2007 document that contains content type and relationship items, you need to create a root folder that contains a specific folder and file structure, as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. Folder and file structure for a Word 2007 document
After you create all folders and files, the next section walks your through adding the required XML code to each document part.
First, you need to create two XML files for the document properties:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?> <Properties xmlns= "http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/extended-properties" xmlns:vt="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/docPropsVTypes"> <Template>Normal.dotm</Template> <TotalTime>1</TotalTime> <Pages>1</Pages> <Words>3</Words> <Characters>23</Characters> <Application>Microsoft Office Word</Application> <DocSecurity>0</DocSecurity> <Lines>1</Lines> <Paragraphs>1</Paragraphs> <ScaleCrop>false</ScaleCrop> <Company>MS</Company> <LinksUpToDate>false</LinksUpToDate> <CharactersWithSpaces>25</CharactersWithSpaces> <SharedDoc>false</SharedDoc> <HyperlinksChanged>false</HyperlinksChanged> <AppVersion>12.0000</AppVersion> </Properties>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?> <cp:coreProperties xmlns:cp= "http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/metadata/core-properties" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" xmlns:dcmitype="http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/" xmlns:xsi= "http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <dc:title></dc:title> <dc:subject></dc:subject> <dc:creator>Your name</dc:creator> <cp:keywords></cp:keywords> <dc:description></dc:description> <cp:lastModifiedBy>Your name</cp:lastModifiedBy> <cp:revision>2</cp:revision> <dcterms:created xsi:type="dcterms:W3CDTF">2006-05-03T01:13:00Z</dcterms:created> <dcterms:modified xsi:type="dcterms:W3CDTF">2006-05-03T01:14:00Z</dcterms:modified> </cp:coreProperties>
Next, you need to create an XML file for the document part. This is the only required part in the new Word XML Format.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?> <w:document xmlns:ve="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:o12="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/7/core" xmlns:r="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/relationships" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/omml/2004/12/core" xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:wp="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/drawingml/2006/3/wordprocessingDrawing" xmlns:w10="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:w="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/wordprocessingml/2006/3/main"> <w:body> <w:p> <w:r w:rsidR="002847EC"> <w:t>Word 2007 rocks my world!</w:t> </w:r> </w:p> </w:body> </w:document>
Next, you need to create a relationship to this part. This relationship is documented in the root _rels folder, which means that the relationship is off the root (or start part) of the package. To create the relationship:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?> <Relationships xmlns="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/relationships"> <Relationship Id="rId3" Type= "http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/relationships/extended-properties" Target="docProps/app.xml"/> <Relationship Id="rId2" Type= "http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/relationships/metadata/core-properties" Target="docProps/core.xml"/> <Relationship Id="rId1" Type= "http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/relationships/officeDocument" Target="word/document.xml"/> </Relationships>
Next, you need to define the content type of this file.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?> <Types xmlns="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/content-types"> <Default Extension="rels" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-package.relationships+xml"/> <Default Extension="xml" ContentType="application/xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/document.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document.main+xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/styles.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.styles+xml"/> <Override PartName="/docProps/app.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.extended-properties+xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/settings.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.settings+xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/theme/theme1.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.theme+xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/fontTable.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.fontTable+xml"/> <Override PartName="/word/webSettings.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.webSettings+xml"/> <Override PartName="/docProps/core.xml" ContentType= "application/vnd.openxmlformats-package.core-properties+xml"/> </Types>
Note This reserved file name is used by the Open Packaging Conventions to define the content types of all files in the package.
Finally, you can put these files into a ZIP package to create a valid Word 2007 document:
IMPORTANT Do not simply add the complete simpledocument folder to a ZIP file or you get an internal error while opening the file in Word 2007. You need to specifically add all the subfolders of the simpledocument folder to the ZIP archive.
Now, you can open this file in Word 2007 and see the contents of the package:
Figure 5. Simpledocument.docx in Word 2007
When compared to the binary file format used in previous versions of Word, the new Word XML Format in Word 2007 offers many strong benefits. The compression offered by the ZIP container results in much smaller file sizes. The files are also much more robust—if a portion of the file becomes corrupt, the compartmentalization of the different document elements allows the file to open, even if one part is damaged.
It is also easier to change, add, or delete data in a Word 2007 file programmatically or manually. The file is easily accessible using the Microsoft WinFX System.IO.Packaging class. You can modify documents on a server with only a few lines of code. You can readily access and manipulate custom XML data from its own separate parts. You can even use events to trigger the change of XML data. For example, you can map a content control to an XML element containing a stock quote and then retrieve the most recent quote programmatically each time the document opens, thereby ensuring that the user always sees the current price.
The possibilities and ease with which you can program against the new Word XML Format are impressive and mark a significant advancement in Microsoft Office.
To keep current with the latest on Word 2007 and the new file format, see the following resources:
Thanks to Frank Rice, Mark Iverson, and Tristan Davis for their contributions to this article.
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The Comanche was a twin-turbine, two-seat (tandem) armed reconnaissance helicopter with projected missions of armed reconnaissance, light attack and air combat.
Boeing Defense & Space Group, Helicopters Division, and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation, teamed to develop and build the RAH-66 Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopter in 1991. Other team members included Hamilton Standard, Harris Corp., Hughes Link Training Division, Kaiser Electronics, Lear Astronics, Litton, Lockheed Martin, Moog, Sundstrand, TRW Military Electronics and Avionics Systems Group, and Williams International. Allison Engine Company and AlliedSignal Engine Company co-developed the engines for the Comanche.
Designed to replace the Army's current Vietnam-vintage scout and light attack helicopter fleet, the Comanche featured an all-composite fuselage, fully integrated digital flight controls, and advanced navigation and weapons systems. It was designed to provide U.S. forces with accurate, timely tactical intelligence.
The Comanche program validated a number of aircraft systems and components and built and flew two flight-test prototype aircraft in its Demonstration/Validation/Prototype phase from contract award in 1991 through 2000. The engineering and manufacturing development phase began in mid-2000. During that time, the program was slated to build and deliver 13 new Comanches for additional flight tests and U.S. Army operational test, evaluation and training.
First deliveries were scheduled for 2006, with the Comanche program reaching full production by about 2010. Plans were to manufacture 1,213 RAH-66s for U.S. Army service. The Army cancelled the program in February 2004 as a part of a reorganization of Army Aviation.
||Jan. 4, 1996
||Armed reconnaissance helicopter
||42 feet 10 inches
||Two 1,432-shaft-horsepower T800-LHTEC-801 turboshaft engines
||Five-bladed bearingless main rotor and FANTAIL anti-torque system
||Stowable three-barrel 20 mm Gatling gun
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Fort Denison - Sydney Harbour
Located in Sydney Harbour, Fort Denison, also known as "Pinchgut", is one of Sydney's historic landmarks.
When the First Fleet arrived in 1788, Fort Denison was a steep, rocky island known to the Aboriginal people as Mat-te-wan-ye and was a popular fishing place for local tribes. The name "Pinchgut" arose soon after, as convicts who had committed secondary crimes were charged and confined in leg irons on the island, with rations of bread and water.
The Martello Tower was completed in 1857 using 8,000 tonnes of sandstone. The island was renamed Fort Denison in 1862 after the then-Governor, Sir William Denison. The Martello Tower is the only one of its kind in Australia. Fort Denison became part of Sydney Harbour National Park in 1992.
Today, the Fort operates as a Harbour Navigation Facility, with automated tide gauge, foghorn, beacon, channel markers and as a modern museum and restaurant.
Accessible for day visits and tours. Contact National Parks for details.
- Symposium: Local Government Roles in Creative Industries and Cultural Tourism - Vivid Sydney
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- Bobby Womack (USA) - Vivid Sydney
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The central passage between the Assembly Hall and the Cella is both higher and wider, opening up into a space between the two main images of the temple: the meditating Tathagata in the Cella and the four-fold Vairocana behind the altar in the Assembly Hall. The small Cella was built higher than the rest of the building to allow for a window to illuminate the main image and its entourage.
Inside the Cella, the central Tathagata is flanked by two standing Bodhisattva with their backs towards the side walls. Because of the red body-colour and the meditation gesture (dhyanamudra), he is today interpreted as Buddha Amitabha. However, as the lion throne indicates, the image originally represented an ancient form of Buddha Vairocana in which he holds a wheel in the gesture of meditation.
He is flanked by the Bodhisattvas Avalokiteshvara/Padmapani and Vajrasattva/Vajrapani, the Bodhisattvas that head the lotus and vajra families in three-family configurations. In addition, four deitiestwo of them flying and the other two torsos onlyoffer flowers to the main image. Two additional Bodhisattvas of unclear identity are placed opposite each other in the central passage (> Tabo Cella Sculpture Gallery).
Within the Cella the sculptures are flanked by painted offering goddesses, with repeated Buddha images represented above them.
From both the stylistic comparisons as well as the evidence within the Main Temple itselfthe question of the construction in the passage, the moulds from the mandala group used in the Cella sculptures, and the iconography of the main imageit can be assumed that the Cella group as still preserved today belongs to the time of the foundation of the temple in the late 10th century.
Page last updated: 10.04.2004
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More than doubling the number of books available to print disabled people of all ages, today the Internet Archive launched a new service that brings free access to more than 1 million books — from classic 19th century fiction and current novels to technical guides and research materials — now available in the specially designed format to support those who are blind, dyslexic or are otherwise visually impaired.
“Every person deserves the opportunity to enhance their lives through access to the books that teach, entertain and inspire,” said Brewster Kahle, founder and Digital Librarian of the Internet Archive. “Bringing access to huge libraries of books to the blind and print disabled is truly one of benefits of the digital revolution.”
Kahle also announced that the Internet Archive will be investing in the growth of its virtual bookshelf by funding the digitization of the first 10,000 books donated. Individuals and organizations are welcome to donate their favorite book or a collection of books. Books in all languages welcome. To donate books visit: http://openlibrary.org/bookdrive
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “Blind people must have access to repositories of digital information if we are to reach our goal of becoming full and equal participants in society. Access to the books that have been scanned by the Internet Archive in a format accessible to the blind will be another step toward that goal. We are excited about continuing to work with Internet Archive to make access to more books a reality.”
The 1 million+ books in the Internet Archive’s library for print disabled, are scanned from hard copy books then digitized into DAISY — a specialized format used by blind or other persons with disabilities, for easy navigation. Files are downloaded to devices that translate the text and read the books aloud for the user to enjoy. To access books visit: http://openlibrary.org/subjects/accessible_book
Jessie Lorenz is a 31 year old woman who was born blind and is the Associate Director of at the Independent Living Resource Center in San Francisco. She believes, “Knowledge is power – and like everyone else, blind and print disabled people need equitable access to books to help them be innovative, productive, contributing community members.”
Older books are available from the Internet Archive’s unencrypted DAISY library and modern books can be accessed by “qualified users” through their NLS key — an encrypted code provided by the Library of Congress’ National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), that is dedicated to providing materials to the print disabled. Currently, over 800,000 people in the US are registered with the Library of Congress as being print disabled.
As of today, the Internet Archive offers over one million books for print disabled people. Other large libraries for the print disabled including NLS, Bookshare.org, and Reading for the Blind & Dyslexic.
“This demonstrates why having open and public access to published works is so important,” said Kahle.
Ben Foss, President of Headstrong, an advocacy group for people with dyslexia said, “As dyslexic and print-disabled students scramble to complete their end-of-year research papers and projects, beginning today, there is a great new library of resources that will expand the tools these young people need to be successful in school and in life.”
By leveraging automated scanning and conversion processes, Internet Archive technicians can conduct a cost-efficient scan of more than one thousand books per day. Books are scanned at sites located in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and other major cities in five countries. Most of the older scanned books have been reformatted for the print-disabled from broad digitizing projects. Scanned physical books came from the collections of over 150 libraries, most of which are in the Open Content Alliance, but others as well. The funding of those scanning projects is coming from foundations, corporations and governments.
Most of the older books have been scanned from library collections, with newer books having been donated to the Internet Archive by companies such as the online bookseller Alibris, libraries and individuals.
The print disabled collection of books are now available through the Archive’s new Open Library site (www.openlibrary.org), which serves as a gateway to information about millions of hardcopy books and more than 1 million electronic books.
The Internet Archive will continually increase the number books it makes available. They are currently seeking donations of books and ebooks from individuals, libraries and publishers. The Archive is announcing today its commitment to fund the scanning and automatic processing of the first 10,000 donated books. Any organization or individual that would like to make particular books or collections available are encouraged to donate them by sending them to the Internet Archive. For donations of large collections please contact the Internet Archive. Financial support is also welcome to expand the program.
To access all books, a United States resident with print disabilities must register with the Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/nls/signup.html .
The Internet Archive is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded to build an Internet library. Its missions are to offer universal access to all knowledge and provide specialized services for adaptive reading and information access for the blind and other persons with disabilities. Internet Archive, 300 Funston Avenue, San Francisco California 94118, firstname.lastname@example.org, www.archive.org, www.openlibrary.org, +1-415-561-6767.
Press contact: Pattie Haubner email@example.com
(914) 833-7093, (914) 275-2984
USATODAY article: Millions of books get digitized for the disabled
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Pluralism in psychology may apply in different ways, across a wide range of topics:
- In science, the concept often describes the view that several methods, theories or points of view are legitimate or plausible, see Scientific pluralism.
- For the political philosophical ideal, see Pluralism (political philosophy).
- In philosophy, see Pluralism (metaphysics)
- In ethical theory, see Value pluralism.
- As it relates to the diversity of religions, see religious pluralism.
- In cultural studies, see Cultural pluralism.
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Definition of Co-stimulation
Co-stimulation: An event in the immune system involving the delivery of a second signal by an antigen-presenting cell. The second signal rescues the activated T cell from anergy (which is a state of immune unresponsiveness), allowing the T cell to produce the lymphokines necessary for the growth of additional T cells.
T cells are small white blood cells that orchestrate and directly participate in the immune defenses. Also known as T lymphocytes, they are processed in the thymus (which is why they are called T cells).Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary
Last Editorial Review: 6/14/2012
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Throughout New England are stories and legends of the paranormal that are rooted in physical evidence. We are all familiar with Salem and its witch stories. But what little many know is of Connecticut and Rhode Island’s Vampire persecutions. Connecticut and Rhode Island in the late 18th century was plagued by diseases that no one knew the cause of. Rumors and hysteria spread from Europe (just like with the Witch craze) came about to theorize that evil spirits were possessing the hearts of family members who recently passed away, causing them to rise from the grave at night to feed on the family members and neighbours, sucking the life force, drinking their blood, until that victim wasted away with consumption (tuberculosis). This led to a practice of concerned villagers going around, digging up graves, and searching for evidence of vampires. This was often seen as corpses that might not have decomposed, that might move, make sounds, have blood around the mouth, seem to have hair / nails / or teeth growth, lightening of skin or rejuvenation, etc. Upon finding such evidence, the vampire hunters would dismember and/or behead the corpse, remove the heart / lung / kidneys and burn the corpse. Sometimes the ash would be fed to victims suffering the mysterious disease in hopes it would cure the illness. This was more of the prescribed practice in North America while the stake through the heart was much more of a common European practice. In the 1990′s, numerous suspected graves of accused vampires were excavated and sent to the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington, D.C. for analysis. Most of them were returned with a determination that the culprit died of tuberculosis (consumption). Those suffering from consumption would often waste asway, but often periodically would have a large burst of energy and known for a powerful sex drive. This would leave some to suspect that such bursts would happen after said vampire fed. This made sense in comparison to European history that when a mysterious disease struck an entire family line, that superstition might settle in to make family members and neighbours believe that one of the recently deceased would be coming back and devouring the life force of the next family member until the entire family was gone.
J.B. the Vampire
??? – 1815
Along route 138, nicknamed “The Vampire Highway”, in rural Connecticut, from Jewett City to Exeter is a corridor of folklore and legend that is home to some of North America’s most documented and research historical vampire stories. It is along this highway, through numerous villages and in the countryside that we have some of our best preserved evidence of early American Vampires. After some heavy rains in the early 1990′s, a few neighborhood kids in the area were sliding down a large sandbank of Geer’s Sand and Gravel Company that they spied numerous body parts and corpses that they passed as they slid down the slope. They notified the authorities who came to investigate the scene. As the coroner determined these were not recent murder victims but those of historic date, they called the next contact on the list when finding human remains. The State Archaeologist. Nick Bellantoni, from Connecticut’s Natural History Museum attended the scene. He determined the remains not to be those of Native Americans, but rather of white settlers. The first grave to be exhumed was that of a body with huge fieldstones piled atop it. Under the stones was the lid of a coffin that had etched in it the initials “J.B.” along with the date 1815. Excavation of the grave revealed a skeleton with a chest cavity caved in and dismembered. Many of the bones were arranged to form an “X” as in the Pirate-like “Skull and crossbones”. This struck the archaeologist as odd and initiated research. Analysis of the bone at the Washington D.C. National Museum of Health and Medicine (Smithsonian) determined that “JB” died of Tuberculosis or consumption. He was missing his front teeth. The analysis of the bones not only determined probably death by consumption, but also that he had a broken collarbone which was a sign he was also a hunchback giving more ammunition for those accusing him of being a vampire. It was determined he had lived with consumption as a wasting disease for a very long time. Everyone else buried nearby him had died rather quickly, most likely from TB. In the area, the practice of exhuming a grave of a community member believed of being a vampire was common practice in the 17th/18th centuries and usually resulted in dismemberment, scattering of bones, creating skull and crossbone patterns, burning of bones, etc. This was a practice done at this time to stop the vampire from rising from the grave at night to feed off the life source of community members who would then waste away with consumption. Since he took so long to die, he was believed to be that vampire. In Connecticut and Rhode Island, documentation from the 1800′s stated it was commonplace for residents to exhume bodies of the dead in search of the suspected vampire, when found, to dismember or decapitate, and perform an exorcism, burning of the bones, or arrangement of the bones in a proper methodology. Keys to finding such a vampire was blood around the mouth, rejuvenated skin or lack of decomposition, hair/nail/teeth growth, etc. A common practice (unknown in this case, but possible because of the caving in of the rib cage) is to remove the heart, lungs, and liver followed by the burning of the corpse. The stones were piled on top as a means to anchor the dead to its grave so it could not rise and attack the community. It was determined that this cemetery belong to the family named “Walton”. It was evident though that J.B. was not part of this family and his identity is unknown. His bones was eventually reburied (for the third time) in the First Congretational Church cemetery in Griswald, Connecticut. As with many of New England’s accused Witches, these vampires were most likely humans falsely accused of being vampires due to fear, hysteria, and lack of medical knowledge.
Other Connecticut Accused Vampires:
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NASA's Curiosity rover will try risky landing near Mount Sharp
Space agency confident it can dodge mountainous Mars obstacle
NASA has decided to up the ante for the Mars rover Curiosity's arrival next month by pushing the landing site nearer to the foot of an inconvenient mountain.
The old and new landing targets for Curiosity. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ESA/DLR/FU Berlin/MSSS
Obviously an obstacle like a mountain makes setting down a bit dicier, but the space agency is going to risk it so that the rover will be able to get to where it wants to be months earlier.
"We're trimming the distance we'll have to drive after landing by almost half," Peter Theisinger, Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) project manager, said in a canned statement.
NASA is more confident that the precision landing tech on the MSL, which is carrying Curiosity, can aim closer without hitting the forebodingly named Mount Sharp at the centre of the Gale crater because it will be using a new version of flight software uploaded to the travelling craft in the last two weeks.
The previous landing target zone for the MSL was around 12 miles (19km) wide and 16 miles (26km) long. The new narrower zone is just four miles wide (6.4km) and 12 miles (19km) long.
"We have been preparing for years for a successful landing by Curiosity, and all signs are good," Dave Lavery, MSL programme executive, said.
"However, landing on Mars always carries risks, so success is not guaranteed. Once on the ground we'll proceed carefully. We have plenty of time since Curiosity is not as life-limited as the approximate 90-day missions like NASA’s Mars Exploration Rovers and the Phoenix lander.”
Curiosity is due to touch down on the Red Planet at 15.31 GMT on 5 August (08.31 PST) to start its two-year mission to find out if Mars has ever or could ever support life. More upgrades for its surface ops are due to be beamed to the rover a week after landing. ®
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There are many differences between cancer cells and normal cells. Some of the differences are well known, whereas others have only been recently discovered and are less well understood. You may be interested in how cancer cells are different as you are coping with your own cancer or that of a loved one. For researchers, understanding how cancer cells function differently from normal cells lays the foundation for developing treatments designed to rid the body of cancer cells without damaging normal cells.
The first portion of this list discusses the basic differences between cancer cells and healthy cells. For those who are interested in some of the more difficult-to-understand differences, the second portion of this list is more technical.
If you wish to review what a cell is before discussing cancer cells, our About.com Guide to Biology provides this excellent description of the cell:
And, for a definition and description of cancer cells:
A brief explanation of the proteins in the body that regulate cell growth is also helpful in understanding cancer cells. Our DNA carries genes that in turn are the blueprint for proteins produced in the body. Some of these proteins are growth factors, chemicals that tell cells to divide and grow. Other proteins work to suppress growth. Mutations in particular genes (for example those caused by tobacco smoke, radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and other carcinogens) can result in the abnormal production of proteins. Too many may be produced, or not enough, or it could be that the proteins are abnormal and function differently. Cancer is a complex disease, and it is usually a combination of these abnormalities that lead to a cancerous cell, rather than a single mutation or protein abnormality.
Cancer Cells vs Normal Cells
- Growth – Normal cells stop growing (reproducing) when enough cells are present. For example, if cells are being produced to repair a cut in the skin, when the repair work is done, cells are no longer reproduced to fill in the hole. In contrast, cancer cells don’t stop growing when there are enough cells present. This continued growth often results in a tumor (a cluster of cancer cells) being formed. Each gene in the body carries a blueprint that codes for a different protein. Some of these proteins are growth factors, chemicals that tell cells to grow and divide. If the gene that codes for one of these proteins is stuck in the “on” position by a mutation (an oncogene) – the growth factor proteins continue to be produced. In response, the cells continue to grow.
- Communication – Cancer cells don’t interact with other cells as normal cells do. Normal cells respond to signals sent from other nearby cells that say, essentially, “you’ve reached your boundary.” When normal cells “hear” these signals they stop growing. Cancer cells do not respond to these signals.
- Cell repair and cell death – Normal cells are either repaired or die (undergo apoptosis) when they are damaged or get old. Cancer cells are either not repaired or do not undergo apoptosis. For example, one protein called p53 has the job of checking to see if a cell is too damaged to repair, and if so advise the cell to kill itself. If this protein p53 is abnormal or inactive (for example, from a mutation in the p53 gene,) then old or damaged cells are allowed to reproduce. The p53 gene is one type of tumor suppressor gene that code for proteins that suppress the growth of cells.
- Stickiness – Normal cells secrete substances that make them stick together in a group. Cancer cells fail to make these substances, and can “float away” to locations nearby, or through the bloodstream or system of lymph channels to distant regions in the body.
- Ability to Metastasize (Spread) – Normal cells stay in the area of the body where they belong. For example, lung cells remain in the lungs. Cancer cells, because they lack the adhesion molecules that cause stickiness, are able to travel via the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other regions of the body. Once they arrive in a new region (such as lymph nodes, the lungs, the liver, or the bones) they begin to grow, often forming tumors far removed from the original tumor.
- Appearance – Under a microscope, normal cells and cancer cells may look quite different. In contrast to normal cells, cancer cells often exhibit much more variability in cell size – some are larger than normal and some are smaller than normal. In addition, cancer cells often have an abnormal shape, both of the cell, and of the nucleus (the “brain” of the cell.) The nucleus appears both larger and darker than normal cells. The reason for the darkness is that the nucleus of cancer cells contains excess DNA. Up close, cancer cells often have an abnormal number of chromosomes that are arranged is a disorganized fashion.
- Rate of growth – Normal cells reproduce themselves and then stop when enough cells are present. Cancer cells reproduce rapidly before the cells have had a chance to mature.
- Maturation – Normal cells mature. Cancer cells, because they grow rapidly and divide before cells are fully mature, remain immature. Doctors use the term undifferentiated to describe immature cells (in contrast to differentiated to describe more mature cells.) Another way to explain this is to view cancer cells as cells that don’t “grow up” and specialize into adult cells. The degree of maturation of cells corresponds to the "grade" of a cancer. Cancers are graded on a scale from 1 to 3 with 3 being the most aggressive.
- Evading the immune system – When normal cells become damaged, the immune system (via cells called lymphocytes) identifies and removes them. Cancer cells are able to evade (trick) the immune system long enough to grow into a tumor by either by escaping detection or by secreting chemicals that inactivate immune cells that come to the scene.
- Functioning – Normal cells perform the function they are meant to perform, whereas cancer cells may not be functional. For example, normal white blood cells help fight off infections. In leukemia, the number of white blood cells may be very high, but since the cancerous white blood cells are not functioning as they should, people can be more at risk for infection even with an elevated white blood cell count. The same can be true of substances produced. For example, normal thyroid cells produce thyroid hormone. Cancerous thyroid cells (thyroid cancer) may not produce thyroid hormone. In this case the body may lack enough thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) despite an increased amount of thyroid tissue.
- Blood supply – Angiogenesis is the process by which cells attract blood vessels to grow and feed the tissue. Normal cells undergo a process called angiogenesis only as part of normal growth and development and when new tissue is needed to repair damaged tissue. Cancer cells undergo angiogenesis even when growth is not necessary. One type of cancer treatment involves the use of angiogenesis inhibitors – medications that block angiogenesis in the body in an effort to keep tumors from growing.
More Differences Between Cancer Cells and Normal CellsThis list contains further differences between healthy cells and cancer cells. For those who wish to skip these technical points, please skip to the next subheading – summarizing the differences.
Summarizing the DifferencesAs noted above, there are many differences between normal cells and cancer cells. Also noteworthy is the number of “checkpoints” that need to be bypassed for a cell to become cancerous. The cell needs to have growth factors that prompt it to grow even when growth is not necessary. It has to evade proteins that direct cells to stop growing and die when they become abnormal. They need to evade signals from other cells, and they need to lose the normal “stickiness” (adhesion molecules) that normal cells produce. All in all it is very difficult for a normal cell to become cancerous, which may seem surprising considering that 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will develop cancer in their lifetime. The explanation is that in the normal body, roughly 3 billion cells divide every single day. “Accidents” in reproduction of the cells caused by heredity or carcinogens in the environment during any of those divisions can create a cell that, following further mutations, can develop into a cancer cell.
American Cancer Society. Testing Biopsy and Cytology Specimens for Cancer. What do doctors look for under the microscope? Updated 03/24/10. http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourdiagnosis/examsandtestdescriptions/testingbiopsyandcytologyspecimensforcancer/testing-biopsy-and-cytology-specimens-for-cancer-what-doctors-look-for
DeBaradinis, R. et al. The biology of cancer: metabolic reprogramming fuels cell growth and proliferation. Cell Metabolism. 2008. 7(1):11-20.
National Cancer Institute. SEER Training Module. Cell Biology of Cancer. Accessed 01/17/13. http://training.seer.cancer.gov/disease/cancer/biology/
National Cancer Institute. What is Cancer? Updated 02/06/12. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/what-is-cancer
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I have a lump in my neck. It has been there for a month. Should I be worried about head and neck cancer?
Although a lump in the neck does not necessarily mean you have head and neck cancer, the lump does need to be examined by your otolaryngologist. Signs and symptoms of head and neck cancer are a lump in the neck, voice changes, a growth in the mouth, bringing up blood, swallowing problems, skin changes or persistent earaches. These symptoms can occur by themselves or in combination with one another.
Let’s look at each symptom in more detail. A lump in the neck can be one of the first symptoms of head and neck cancer you notice. Cancers occurring in the head and neck often spread to the lymph nodes of the neck. Therefore, an examination of your mouth, nose, throat, thyroid and neck is indicated.
Larynx cancer cause voice changes such as hoarseness. Although changes in voice can be attributed to other medical conditions, an examination of the larynx will give information regarding how the larynx is functioning and if there are any growths in or around the vocal cords.
A growth in the mouth may indicate head and neck cancer. Swelling, lumps, ulcers, sore or painful tongue, gums or throat can be symptoms of head and neck cancer. Bleeding of a lump or ulcer in the mouth often occurs late in the disease process. These lumps or ulcers need to be biopsied to determine if the lump/ulcer is benign or malignant.
Tumors in the mouth, nose, or throat often cause bleeding. Bleeding of these sites or blood tinged phlegm or saliva persisting for more than a few days can indicate head and neck cancer. Again, this is an indication to see a otolaryngologist.
Another symptom of larynx cancer is difficulty swallowing. Difficulty swallowing liquids or soft foods, or foods sticking in certain areas of the throat are often patient complaints. Sometimes patients complain of reflux, or food coming back up after being swallowed. If swallowing difficulties become worse and are always present, an examination by a physician is recommended. After an otolaryngologist examines your throat and swallowing tube, and to obtain more information on the mechanics of swallowing, a barium swallow (an x-ray taken while swallowing) may be ordered.
Changes in skin, such as a small pale or reddened area on the skin surface, persistent ulcer, persistent changed skin lesion, or a sore throat which does not heal may also indicate skin cancer. Basal cell cancers are commonly seen cancers which are easily treated. Basal cell cancer occurs due to sun exposure and are prevalent on the face or forehead. A sore on the lip, face, forehead or ear that does not heal needs medical attention. A black or blue-black spot or a mole that undergoes color changes, bleeding, or change in size needs to be immediately examined by a physician for basal cell cancer. Malignant melanoma can present with the above symptoms and can be a serious problem.
Lastly, a constant earache or ear pain when you swallow can indicate infection or a throat tumor. Examination by an otolaryngologist is recommended.
In summary, any of the aforementioned symptoms, a lump in the neck, changes in your voice, a growth in the mouth, blood tinged secretions, problems with swallowing, changes in skin, or persistent earache may be symptoms of head and neck cancer, larynx cancer or malignant melanoma. Any of these symptoms that persist over two weeks are worrisome for cancer, and an appointment to see an otolaryngologist is highly recommended. However, if the symptoms lead to the diagnosis of head and neck cancer, there is hope that if caught early, this disease is very treatable and potentially curable.
Who is at risk for head and neck cancer?
With the exception of skin cancer, the people at greatest risk for head and neck cancer are those with a history of years of using various forms of tobacco (i.e. cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco) and consumption of alcoholic beverages. These chronic irritants are responsible for mouth, throat, voice box and larynx cancer. Cancer of the sinuses occur because of long term exposure to carcinogens such as inhaled wood, dust, nickel, and various forms of carcinogenic chemicals. Skin cancers generally occur in people who have had prolonged sun exposure.]
If I see an otolaryngologist, what can I expect from his/her examination?
The physician will question you regarding your past and present medical history, surgeries, present medications, and allergies. Questions regarding your current symptoms, how long have you had these symptoms, and what you have done to treat or tolerate these symptoms will be reviewed. After this history taking, an examination of your ears, nose and throat will be performed. Oftentimes a telescope (laryngoscope) will be used to better visualize your nose and throat. Based on the information obtained from this examination, a biopsy, x-rays, CAT scan, MRI, or possibly surgery may be recommended. This information will better aid the physician in making a diagnosis and developing a head and neck cancer treatment plan.
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From Peace Corps Wiki
For the official Welcome Book for Botswana see here
PEACE CORPS / BOTSWANA HISTORY AND PROGRAMS
History of the Peace Corps in Botswana
The Peace Corps entered the Republic of Botswana, formally known as Bechuanaland, in December 1966, only two months after the country gained independence from the United Kingdom. Botswana’s emergence as an independent nation heightened the need for a skilled labor force. This need provided a unique opportunity for the Peace Corps, which initiated a program aimed at helping the Batswana strengthen their ability to tackle their multiple development challenges. Over the next 31 years, more than 2,100 Peace Corps Volunteers served in Botswana. From 1966 to 1997, Peace Corps projects contributed to nearly every sector of Botswana’s development plan. Volunteers worked in education, health, the environment, urban planning, and economics. The largest group of Volunteers served as teachers in secondary schools. Volunteers filled significant gaps in the labor force and, in many cases, made singular contributions to the development of Botswana. There are scores of leading figures in Botswana who have a Peace Corps connection, be it as a co-worker, teacher, or friend.
Since its independence in 1966, Botswana has gone from one of the world’s poorest countries to one of the few developing nations to reach middle-income status. The country’s per capita income has grown rapidly. Life expectancy at birth increased from 48 years to over 60 years. Formal sector employment grew from 14,000 jobs to 120,000. Moreover, the nation’s infrastructure, including roads, power generation, schools, health facilities, and housing, increased dramatically.
Partly because of Botswana’s remarkable economic transition, the Peace Corps decided to withdraw from the country in 1997. It was with mixed emotions that the Peace Corps closed one of its earliest and most prolific programs. Peace Corps returned to Botswana in 2003 at the request of President Festus Mogae. His request was borne out of a stark recognition that AIDS is poised to erode the prodigious steady development advances realized in Botswana since independence.
History and Future of Peace Corps Programming in Botswana
Botswana continues to enjoy steady economic growth, mostly as a result of smart management of the country’s natural resources—particularly diamonds. At the same time, the country has not escaped the devastating effects of the AIDS pandemic. Like many countries in southern Africa, Botswana stands to be hard hit by the social and economic impact of AIDS. According to UNAIDS, Botswana’s HIV infection rate is one of the highest in the world. As the epidemic moves from silent and unseen to highly manifest in a large portion of the population, communities find themselves ill-equipped to deal with its deplorable effects. The government estimates that between 2000 and 2015, as many as 36,000 Batswana will die from the disease annually. The vast majority of these will be young people in the prime of life, who will also leave behind a generation of orphans. Botswana will be one of the few countries in the world with a negative population growth.
Botswana has some powerful allies in the fight against AIDS. The government, under the leadership of President Mogae, has publicly acknowledged the crisis and has signaled a commitment to action through a national strategic AIDS plan.
The President, having committed his two terms in office to dealing with the impact of HIV/AIDS, heads the National AIDS Council. The government has mobilized resources, both internally and externally, in a fashion heretofore unprecedented in confronting any national disaster. Botswana consistently makes the news as one of the few countries willing to provide free antiretroviral drugs to pregnant women and to those infected with HIV. An increasing awareness of the need for multisector care and prevention strategies is leading to innovative partnerships with both civil society organizations and the business community.
A sobering reality is the drop in Botswana’s ranking in the UNDP Human Development Index (from 71st place in 1996 to 131st in 2003. A Peace Corps assessment team visited and concluded that the reintroduction of Peace Corps would be beneficial. This new Peace Corps project was launched in June 2003; the partnership is devoted specifically to Peace Corps’ supporting and enhancing the Government of Botswana’s efforts to respond to HIV/AIDS and its impacts.
At the insistence of the National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA), Peace Corps/Botswana began its AIDS program with a capacity-building project.
Volunteers were recruited and partnered with newly hired district AIDS coordinators (DACs). DACs, new to their positions and new to the world of program planning, implementation, and monitoring/evaluation, are based in district and sub-district offices. They are charged with ensuring that HIV/AIDS programming is mainstreamed into every substantial government development project. In addition, they mobilize both the government and community responses to HIV/AIDS in every community in Botswana.
Finally, they are the major link in the accumulation of information for the national monitoring and evaluation program. The Volunteers currently serving in the DAC program have proven invaluable to the government’s attempts to launch coordinated district- and village-level responses to HIV/AIDS. In addition to the transfer of skills and knowledge directly to their DAC counterparts, Volunteers have stimulated greater community involvement in HIV/ AIDS programs and activities. They have been critical to the establishment of the national monitoring and evaluation initiative. Additionally, Peace Corps Volunteers in the DAC program have helped local communities initiate local responses to the impact of AIDS.
Preliminary agreements with NACA included the recognition that Peace Corps has a history of effective implementation at the grassroots (or village) level—a historically underserved sector in Botswana. As a result, two new initiatives were added in June 2004. The first is a program designed to provide support for the government’s Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission program (PMTCT). Although the government has provided free PMTCT services since 1999, an evaluation had identified poor uptake in services as a critical obstacle to the success of the program. A pilot project was instituted in the villages of four health districts. Its aim was to promote community involvement in PMTCT through community mobilization. In partnership with the Ministry of Health and BOTUSA (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s program in Botswana), Peace Corps Volunteers were placed in villages throughout the pilot districts. Partnered with local clinics and local PMTCT counselors, Volunteers are currently engaged in a variety of activities designed to increase the uptake of PMTCT services and to build capacity in PMTCT service providers. Some activities include:
- Building village-based AIDS education and community awareness (through workshops, community meetings, one-on-one sessions, etc.);
- Forming and developing communitY support groups, both for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and for those affected by HIV/AIDS;
- Creating youth groups linked to HIV/AIDS education and programming;
- Building technical capacity in clinics (through systems creation, record keeping, training of trainers, and monitoring and evaluation activities);
- Transfering skills to counterparts, village leadership, and youth;
- Increasing client follow-up and introducing strategies to promote PMTCT regime adherence;
- Working with leadership structures (traditional, formal and informal) to identify and dismantle the causes of stigma and discrimination; and
- Developing a database to collect information on PMTCT for report writing
- Mobilizing and educating communities on HIV/AIDS
- Designing and implementing strategies to promote male involvement The second new program introduced in 2004 is housed in the Department of Social Services (Ministry of Local Government). Volunteers were allocated to provide support to home-based care and orphan care (HBC/OC) in communities hardest hit by AIDS. HBC/OC Volunteers are partnered with village-based government social workers. Their work is very similar to the work of PMTCT Volunteers. They also help improve village access to government benefits and services, specifically those for orphans and vulnerable people. Many HBC/OC Volunteers are helping to create programs that cater to the needs of the sick and orphaned. Student service-learning projects, community-sponsored day-care centers, and support groups for caregivers are just a few examples of how Volunteers are working to get communities mobilized against AIDS in their communities.
The AIDS pandemic strikes across all social strata in many Peace Corps countries. The loss of teachers has crippled education systems, while illness and disability drains family income and forces governments and donors to redirect limited resources from other priorities. The fear and uncertainty AIDS causes has led to increased domestic violence and stigmatizing of people living with HIV/AIDS, isolating them from friends and family and cutting them off from economic opportunities. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you will confront these issues on a very personal level. It is important to be aware of the high emotional toll that disease, death, and violence can have on Volunteers. As you strive to integrate into your community, you will develop relationships with local people who might die during your service. Because of the AIDS pandemic, some Volunteers will be regularly meeting with HIV-positive people and working with training staff, office staff, and host family members living with AIDS. Volunteers need to prepare themselves to embrace these relationships in a sensitive and positive manner. Likewise, malaria and malnutrition, motor vehicle accidents and other unintentional injuries, domestic violence and corporal punishment are problems a Volunteer may confront. You will need to anticipate these situations and utilize supportive resources available throughout your training and service to maintain your own emotional strength so that you can continue to be of service to your community.
COUNTRY OVERVIEW: BOTSWANA AT A GLANCE
By about 1700, the ancestors of today’s Batswana were established as self-sufficient herders, farmers, and hunters. Their first contact with Europeans was through missionaries in the early 19th century. After hostilities broke out between the Batswana and expansionist Afrikaners from South Africa in the last quarter of that century, the tribal chiefs asked the British for assistance. The British responded and in 1885 proclaimed a protectorate in what was then called Bechuanaland. They retained colonial control until 1966. Bechuanaland played a prominent role in the British penetration of Central Africa in the 19th century. Cecil Rhodes called the region the “Suez Canal to the north” and considered it vital to his plans for territorial expansion. British interests in Bechuanaland were primarily strategic, and internal affairs were handled with more or less benign neglect.
Under British authority, local tribal governments were allowed to continue, with chiefs retaining much of their authority. With the establishment of separate advisory councils representing Africans and Europeans in 1920, the evolution of modern self-government began. In 1951, a joint advisory council was formed consisting of both European and African members. Over the years these advisory bodies were consulted on a constantly expanding range of matters.
By 1964 the British were prepared to accept a system of internal self-government. Seretse Khama, the British-educated heir to the chieftainship of the Bangwato (which he forfeited) and a former enemy of the British Empire, was elected as the first prime minister. He is revered for his nonpartisan politics and for leading the country to full independence in 1966.
Botswana is a multiparty democracy with a stable and progressive political climate. The Constitution established a unicameral National Assembly, now composed of 40 members directly elected by popular vote, four members elected by the assembly, and the attorney general. The chief executive is the president, who is chosen by national election to serve a five-year term. The president selects the cabinet ministers and the vice president from the National Assembly. The Constitution provides for freedom of speech, the press, and religion, contributing to Botswana’s reputation for being one of Africa’s most stable countries.
Botswana has four main political parties and numerous minor parties. National politics has been dominated by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has won every presidential election since independence. Seretse Khama, Botswana’s first president, was elected under the banner of the BDP. He was succeeded in an orderly transition by Quett Ketemile Masire, who retired in March 1998. The country’s current president is Festus Mogae.
Botswana has maintained one of the world’s highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, the nation has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $7,960 in 2003. Botswana’s mining industry includes nickel (second largest producer in Africa), diamonds (Orapa and Jwaneng are the second and third largest diamond pipes in the world), cobalt, coal, asbestos, manganese, talc, gypsum, gold, chromium, silver, and platinum. Diamond mining has fueled much of the economic expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for three-fourths of export earnings. Other economic activities include tourism, agriculture (especially beef production), food processing, and light industrial manufacturing. Despite its high GDP, Botswana suffers from high unemployment and income disparity.
The government has managed the country’s resources prudently and has kept its recurrent expenditures within its revenue, allowing for investment in human and physical capital improvements. The government’s revenue from diamonds, as well as profits from the large foreign exchange reserves of the Bank of Botswana, has largely cushioned Botswana from the recessions that have hurt most countries in the region. While Botswana has experienced extremely high rates of growth, it has also experienced the most acute ravages of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. HIV/AIDS is much more than a health problem in Botswana; it is a development problem that will impact all aspects of Batswana life for years to come.
People and Culture
The population includes no fewer than 20 African ethnic groups and a small population of peoples of Indian and European descent. In the colonial period, white settlement in Botswana consisted mainly of Afrikaners and English who settled on border farms. Since then, a larger expatriate population from Europe, North America (including a healthy number of former Peace Corps Volunteers), South Asia, and elsewhere in Africa (e.g., Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya) has been drawn to the country. Much of this immigration is the result of Botswana’s continued reliance on foreign skilled labor, particularly in the medical sector.
Although there are distinct linguistic and cultural differences among Botswana’s ethnic groups, the majority of the population (79 percent) are Tswana, whose ethnic dominance in Botswana dates from the eight Tswana states that ruled most of the area in the 19th century. The populations of these states were given the official status of “tribes” under British colonial rule, and the term is still used commonly today. The name Botswana derives from the Tswana. The official language is English and the national language is Setswana; both are widely spoken.
Botswana is predominantly Christian, but many religions are represented in larger towns. The two most active and popular churches are the Zion Christian Church and the Roman Catholic Church. There are also numerous smaller denominations throughout the country, including Zionist and Apostolic, United Reformed (Congregational and Methodist), Dutch Reformed, Lutheran, Anglican, Quaker, Hindu, and Bahai. Although Christianity is widely practiced, so, too, are indigenous religions. Interestingly, there are fewer than 500 Western-educated doctors in the country, while there are more than 5,000 practicing traditional healers.
Botswana is one of Africa’s least densely populated countries, with a population of approximately 1.6 million people in a land area slightly smaller than Texas. It is known for unforgettable wilderness, the spectacular waterways of the Okanogan Delta, the Kalahari sand dunes, and an abundance of wildlife. Much of the country is flat, with gentle undulations and occasional rocky outcrops. In the northwest, the Okavango River drains inland from Angola to form the Okavango Delta. In the central northeast is a large area of hardpan plains bordering the Makgadikgadi pans. In the east, adjacent to the Umpopo drainage system, the land rises above 3,960 feet (1,200 meters), and the Umpopo Valley gradually descends from 2,970 feet (900 meters) in the south to 1,650 feet (500 meters) at its confluence with the Shashe River. This eastern region, which straddles the north-south railway line, has a somewhat less harsh climate and more fertile soil than elsewhere; it is here that most Batswana live.
The rest of Botswana is covered with the thick sand (up to 396 feet, or 120 meters, deep) of the Kgalagadi (or Kalahari) Desert, which accounts for more than two-thirds of Botswana’s land area. The Kgalagadi supports a vegetation of scrub and grasses, but there is an almost complete absence of surface water. The country is largely arid or semiarid, and average rainfall ranges from 26 inches (650 millimeters) in the extreme northeast to less than 10 inches (250 millimeters) in the extreme southwest. Almost all the rainfall—consisting primarily of localized showers and thunderstorms—occurs during the summer months from October to April. Average daily maximum temperatures range from 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) in July to 91 degrees Fahrenheit (33º C) in January. However, the extremes range widely, from less than 23 degrees Fahrenheit (-5º C) up to 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43º C). The lowest temperatures are in the southwest, where early morning frost can occur from June to August.
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Following is a list of websites for additional information about the Peace Corps and Botswana and to connect you to returned Volunteers and other invitees. Please keep in mind that although we try to make sure all these links are active and current, we cannot guarantee it.
A note of caution: As you surf these sites, be aware that you will find bulletin boards and chat rooms in which people are free to give opinions and advice based on their own experiences. The opinions expressed are not those of the Peace Corps or the U.S. government. You may find opinions of people who were unhappy with their choice to serve in the Peace Corps. As you read these comments, we hope you will keep in mind that the Peace Corps is not for everyone, and no two people experience their service in the same way.
General Information About Botswana
On this site, you can learn anything from what time it is in Gaborone to how to convert from the dollar to the pula. Just click on Botswana and go from there.
This is an excellent site for travel books, maps, and general information.
This site’s comprehensive travel guides include information on climate, health issues, and more.
The U.S. State Department’s website issues background notes periodically about countries around the world. Find Botswana and learn more about its social and political history.
Visit the website of the U.S. embassy in Botswana.
This online world atlas includes maps and geographical information, and each country page contains links to other sites, such as the Library of Congress, that contain comprehensive historical, social, and political background.
This United Nations site allows you to search for statistical information for member states of the U.N.
This site provides an additional source of current and historical information about countries around the world..
Connect With Returned Volunteers and Other Invitees
This is the site of the National Peace Corps Association, made up of returned Volunteers. Here you can find links to all the Web pages of the “friends of” groups for most countries of service, composed of former Volunteers who served in those countries. There are also regional groups who frequently get together for social events and local Volunteer activities. Or go straight to the Friends of Botswana page: www.rpcv.org/pages/webpage.cfm?id=24.
This site is known as the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Web Ring. Browse the Web ring to see what former Volunteers are saying about their service.
This site is hosted by a group of returned Volunteer writers. It is a monthly online publication of essays and Volunteer accounts from countries around the world.
Online Articles/Current News Sites About Botswana
The website of the Botswana Gazette, a weekly newspaper based in Gaborone
The website of the government of Botswana offers daily news articles.
The website of Mmegi, a weekly newspaper based in Gaborone
The Mail & Guardian of South Africa contains articles of regional interest.
International Development Sites
U.S. Agency for International Development
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
United Nations Development Programme
- Alverson, Marianne. Under African Sun. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987.
- Denbow, James and Phenyo C. Thebe. Culture and Customs of Botswana. Greenwood Press, 2006.
- Dutfield, Michael. Marriage of Inconvenience: The Persecution of Ruth and Seretse Khama. London: Unwin Hyman, 1990.
- Head, Bessie. When Rain Clouds Gather. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann,1996.
- Rush, Norman. Whites: Stories. New York: Vintage Books, 1992.
- Smith, Alexander McCall. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. New York, NY: Anchor Books/Random House. 1998.
- Sparks, Allister. The Mind of South Africa. New York: Knopf, 1990.
Books About the History of the Peace Corps
- Hoffman, Elizabeth Cobbs. All You Need is Love: The Peace Corps and the Spirit of the 1960’s. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2000.
- Rice, Gerald T. The Bold Experiment: JFK’s Peace Corps. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1985.
- Stossel, Scott. Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 2004.
Books on the Volunteer Experience
- Dirlam, Sharon. Beyond Siberia: Two Years in a Forgotten Place. Santa Barbara, CA: McSeas Books, 2004.
- Casebolt, Marjorie DeMoss. Margarita: A Guatemalan Peace Corps Experience. Gig Harbor, WA: Red Apple Publishing, 2000.
- Erdman, Sarah. Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the Heart of an African Village. New York, NY: Picador, 2003.
- Hessler, Peter. River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze. New York, NY: Perennial, 2001.
- Kennedy, Geraldine (ed.). From the Center of the Earth: Stories out of the Peace Corps. Santa Monica, CA: Clover Park Press, 1991.
- Thompsen, Moritz. Living Poor: A Peace Corps Chronicle. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 1997 (reprint).
LIVING CONDITIONS AND VOLUNTEER LIFESTYLE
Postal rates in Botswana are reasonable, and airmail to the United States generally takes about a week. Mail supplies can be purchased at all post office branches. Sending large packages via airmail can be very expensive, but smaller items such as photographs or CDs can be sent for a reasonable fee. Surface mail from the United States to Botswana takes two months or more to arrive. Advise your family and friends to keep all documentation related to the packages they send to Botswana so that any package that does not arrive can be traced. Postal insurance is a good idea when sending packages from the United States.
During pre-service training, your mail should be sent to the Peace Corps office address (Private Bag 00243, Gaborone, Botswana). The Peace Corps staff will then forward your mail to the training site. After training, you can give your family and friends the address of your site of assignment.
Domestic and international phone service is available throughout Botswana. Service is more expensive than in the United States, particularly for international calls. While there are few public phone booths, individuals offering phone services can be found in nearly every corner of small towns and villages. You can purchase a cellphone in-country for less than $100, although ones with additional features can cost considerably more, and the network covers most towns and larger villages. The Peace Corps does not provide cellphones to Volunteers but will help them identify suitable options for purchase.
Computer, Internet, and E-mail Access
Most larger villages and towns in Botswana have Internet cafes. However, your access to e-mail will be scant during the nine weeks of pre-service training because e-mail is not available at the training site or, in most cases, in the training host villages. E-mail is likely to be available, however, in the town closest to the training site, so you should be able to access e-mail at an Internet cafe during off-hours and on weekends.
Housing and Site Location
Your housing is contributed by the government of Botswana or other partner organizations. Because of the wide range of housing in Botswana, there is considerable variance in Volunteer living situations. You should come prepared to accept the Peace Corps’ minimum standard for housing— a single room that is clean and can be secured with a lock, with access to clean water and sanitary bathroom and cooking facilities. Electricity and piped-in water are not required by the Peace Corps.
Volunteers placed at the district level can expect fairly comfortable housing, which typically means a two-bedroom cement house with a kitchen, indoor plumbing, and electricity. Volunteers based at the village can expect housing to be more rustic, perhaps a room in a family dwelling in which services are limited to nonexistent. The government or partner organization is responsible for providing limited furnishings (a bed, a table, a chair, and some sort of closet space) and covering the cost of utilities (cooking gas, electricity, water, etc.).
Living Allowance and Money Management
The Peace Corps provides each Volunteer with a small “walkaround” allowance during training, a settling-in allowance to cover some of the costs of setting up a new home, and a monthly living allowance (roughly equivalent to $290) that is intended to cover basic expenses. In addition, you will be paid a leave allowance equal to $24 per month and a travel allowance for Peace Corps-related trips (e.g., trips to the capital for shots, meetings, etc.). All allowances are paid in local currency. The living allowance is deposited directly into your bank account (which you will set up before completion of pre-service training) on a quarterly basis.
Volunteers are expected to live modestly. The living allowance supports a very simple lifestyle and does not include money for things like weekly trips to the movies or phone calls home.
Food and Diet
The absence of basic food items is not an issue in Botswana. In fact, Volunteers may be surprised to find a large variety of English and American products, such as Heinz ketchup, Hellmann’s mayonnaise, and M&M’s. Fresh fruits and vegetables are widely available, even in outlying areas. However, access to specialty foods and grocery stores does vary according to one’s placement. Those posted to district-level or large towns will be able to buy food items in their immediate vicinity. Those posted to villages, particularly in very rural spots, will be limited to periodic shopping trips in the larger towns.
The traditional diet in Botswana relies heavily on meat and starches (notably corn or maize, beans, rice, potatoes, and sorghum). Starches are usually served in a stew or with gravy, made of vegetables like cabbages, tomatoes, greens, and onions. Beetroot and butternut often give color to a dish.
Committed vegetarians will find it relatively easy to maintain their diet but will have to find a way to convince meat-loving Batswana of the healthiness of their choice. Note that consumption of meat is given particular importance in some cultural celebrations.
In general, it is not difficult to get around in Botswana. Common and inexpensive forms of public transportation include buses, trains, and private taxis. Buses travel on a fairly regular schedule throughout the country, although transfers may be necessary to reach your destination. Buses range in size from combis (10- to 12-seat minivans) to large luxury buses (think Greyhound). While most transportation is reliable, the Peace Corps encourages Volunteers to assess the condition of both the vehicle and the driver before boarding.
Passenger trains run twice daily from Gaborone (in the south) to Francistown (a seven-hour ride to the north). An overnight train departs from Lobatse in the evening, arriving in Francistown early the next morning and continuing on to Zimbabwe. When boarding the evening train, its advisable to board second-class accommodation to avoid security incidents. The trains south from Francistown also run twice daily and once overnight. The rates are reasonable, but the train has become increasingly run-down. The Peace Corps’ recommended mode of transport among Volunteer sites and the capital is a luxury bus, and Volunteers’ travel allowances reflect the slightly higher cost of this service. While many Volunteers are tempted to hitchhike, Peace Corps/Botswana strongly discourages this practice.
In fulfillment of the three goals of the Peace Corps, Volunteers are expected to make their host community the center of their social life and to stay at their site unless on approved vacation or work travel. But the types of activities and relationships that constitute a social life will vary according to the Volunteer’s own interests and site assignment. Those in more urban settings will find a host of facilities, organizations, and other social outlets. Those in more rural settings may find limited formal social structures; in such cases, host families and friends in the community often become the center around which social activity revolves.
Professionalism, Dress, and Behavior
Batswana places great importance on conservative dress in the workplace. The norms of professional dress mean slacks, shirts, and ties for men and dresses or skirts for women. It is seen as a sign of respect for others when you dress “smart,” and how you are viewed by your colleagues will be highly dependent on the way you present yourself. Tennis shoes, sneakers, or Teva-type sandals are not appropriate footwear for work. Although jeans and T-shirts are acceptable as casual wear, it is more common to see men wearing shirts with collars and casual slacks and women wearing skirts or slacks with blouses or casual dresses during non-work hours.
Sleeveless tops with spaghetti straps, tank tops, and low-cut tops are not appropriate for women outside the capital and larger towns.
All Volunteers should bring at least one business outfit (i.e., a suit or jacket and tie for men; a long, conservative dress or skirt for women). There will be occasions that bring Volunteers face-to-face with senior diplomats, traditional authorities, and civil servants, for which professional dress is expected.
More detailed information about the Peace Corps’ approach to safety is contained in the Health Care and Safety chapter, but it is an important issue and cannot be overemphasized. As stated in the Volunteer Handbook, becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer entails certain safety risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar environment (oftentimes alone), having a limited understanding of local language and culture, and being perceived as well-off are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk. Many Volunteers experience varying degrees of unwanted attention and harassment. Petty thefts and burglaries are not uncommon, and incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur, although most Botswana
Volunteers are likely to complete their two years of service without personal security incidents. The Peace Corps has established procedures and policies designed to help you reduce your risks and enhance your safety and security. These procedures and policies, in addition to safety training, will be provided once you arrive in Botswana. At the same time, you are expected to take responsibility for your safety and well-being.
Rewards and Frustrations
Invariably, Volunteers who have completed their service speak of the relationships that they have established as the highlight of their service. Many speak of how they have learned to value and respect a more family- and community-centered way of life and of how they have grown in patience and understanding. Most are able to point to specific contributions they have made to a country’s development. In Botswana, such contributions might include increasing the dialogue about HIV/AIDS, promoting the use of HIV/AIDS programs and services, seeing co-workers adopt new ways of accomplishing their jobs with an increase in productivity and effectiveness, decreasing stigma and discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS, and helping organizations develop and implement HIV/AIDS programs.
Such positive reflections are the endpoint of a series of highs and lows that are part and parcel of the process of leaving the United States, entering Botswana, and adapting to the practices and pace of life in a new culture.
You will have less guidance and direction than you would get in a new job in the United States. Things will undoubtedly move at a much slower pace than you are accustomed to. You will probably need to make a paradigm shift from the American orientation toward tangible results to the Batswana love for a consultative process and protocol. To succeed in this environment, you will need a high degree of patience, self-confidence, creativity, and flexibility. If you do not deal well with gray areas, Botswana is probably not a good match for you. But if you come with a healthy respect for the process of being a Peace Corps Volunteer, as well as a desire to make tangible changes, you will have an incredible experience.
Overview of Pre-Service Training
Training is an essential part of your Peace Corps service. Our goal is to give you enough skills and information to allow you to live and work effectively in Botswana. In doing that, we build upon the experiences and expertise you bring to the Peace Corps. We anticipate that you will approach your training with an open mind, a desire to learn, and a willingness to become involved. Trainees officially become Peace Corps Volunteers after successful completion of training.
The nine-week training program will provide you the opportunity to learn new skills and practice them as they apply to Botswana. You will receive training and orientation in language, cross-cultural communication, development issues, health and personal safety, and technical skills pertinent to your specific assignment. The skills you learn will serve as the foundation upon which you build your experience as a Volunteer in Botswana.
At the beginning of training, the training staff will outline the training goals and assessment criteria that each trainee has to reach before becoming a Volunteer. Evaluation of your performance during training is a continual process that is based on a dialogue between you and the training staff. The training director, along with the language, technical, and cross-cultural trainers, will work with you toward the highest possible achievement of training goals by providing you feedback throughout training. After successfully completing the pre-service training—as the majority of trainees do—you will be sworn-in as a Volunteer and make the final preparations for departure to your site.
Technical training places great emphasis on learning how to transfer the skills you have to the community in which you will serve as a Volunteer. Training will include sessions on the environment, economics, and politics in Botswana and strategies for working within such a framework. You will review your technical sector’s goals and will meet with the Batswana agencies and organizations that invited the Peace Corps to assist them. You will be supported and evaluated by experienced Batswana trainers and Peace Corps staff throughout the training to build the confidence and skills you will need to undertake your project activities and be a productive member of your community.
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you will find that language skills are the key to personal and professional satisfaction during your service. These skills are critical to your job performance, they help you integrate into your community, and they can ease your personal adaptation to the new surroundings. Therefore, language training is the heart of the training program, and you must successfully meet minimum language requirements to complete training and become a Volunteer. Experienced teachers will provide intensive instruction in the Setswana language in classes of four to five people.
Your language training will incorporate a community-based approach. In addition to classroom time, you will be given assignments to work on outside of the classroom and with your host family. The goal is to get you to a point of basic social communication skills so that you can practice and develop language skills further on your own. Prior to your swearing-in as a Volunteer, you will work on strategies to continue language studies during your two years of service.
As part of your pre-service training, you will live with a Batswana host family. This experience is designed to ease your transition to life at your site. Families go through an orientation conducted by Peace Corps staff to explain the purpose of pre-service training and to assist them in helping you adapt to living in Botswana. Many Volunteers form strong and lasting friendships with their host families.
Cross-cultural and community development will be covered to help improve your skills of perception, communication, and facilitation. Topics such as community mobilization, conflict resolution, gender and development, and traditional and political structures are also addressed.
During pre-service training, you will be given basic medical training and information. You will be expected to practice preventive health care and to take responsibility for your own health by adhering to all medical policies. Trainees are required to attend all medical sessions. The topics include preventive health measures and minor and major medical issues that you might encounter while in Botswana. Nutrition, mental health, safety and security, setting up a safe living compound, and how to avoid HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are also covered.
During the safety training sessions, you will learn how to adopt a lifestyle that reduces your risks at home, at work, and during your travels. You will also learn appropriate, effective strategies for coping with unwanted attention and about your individual responsibility for promoting safety throughout your service.
Additional Trainings During Volunteer Service
In its commitment to institutionalize quality training, the Peace Corps has implemented a training system that provides Volunteers with continual opportunities to examine their commitment to Peace Corps service while increasing their technical and cross-cultural skills.
During service, there are usually four training events. The titles and objectives for those trainings are as follows:
- In-Service Training (IST): Provides an opportunity for Volunteers to upgrade their technical, language, and project development skills while sharing their experiences and reaffirming their commitment after having served for three to six months.
- Midterm conference (done in conjunction with technical sector in-service): Assists Volunteers in reviewing their first year, reassessing their personal and project objectives, and planning for their second year of service.
- Close-of-Service Conference (COS): Prepares Volunteers for the future after Peace Corps service and reviews their respective projects and personal experiences.
The number, length, and design of these trainings are adapted to country-specific needs and conditions. The key to the training system is that training events are integrated and interrelated, from the pre-departure orientation through the end of your service, and are planned, implemented, and evaluated cooperatively by the training staff, Peace Corps staff, and Volunteers.
YOUR HEALTH CARE ANDSAFETY IN BOTSWANA
The Peace Corps’ highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer. Peace Corps medical programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative, approach to disease. The Peace Corps in Botswana maintains a clinic with a full-time medical officer who takes care of Volunteers’ primary healthcare needs. Additional medical services, such as testing and basic treatment, are also available in Botswana at local hospitals that have been evaluated by the medical officer. If you become seriously ill, you will be transported either to a American-standard medical facility in the region or to the United States.
Health Issues in Botswana
Health conditions in Botswana are quite good. The most common health problems are related to the climate, which at times is very hot and dry. Preventive measures such as a good diet, adequate hydration, and being alert to changes in your body are more important here than at home. Most villages have health posts or clinics, with hospitals in the larger villages and towns. Hospitals in the capital have excellent facilities. HIV/AIDS is a major health and development problem in the region, as Botswana’s HIV infection rate is the highest in the world. Infection with HIV is preventable, however, if one avoids risky behavior.
Helping You Stay Healthy
The Peace Corps will provide you with all the necessary inoculations, medications, and information to stay healthy.
Upon your arrival in Botswana, you will receive a medical handbook. During training, you will receive a medical kit with supplies to take care of mild illnesses and first-aid needs. The contents of the kit are listed later in this chapter.
During pre-service training, you will have access to basic medical supplies through the medical officer. However, you must bring a three-month supply of any prescription drugs and other specific medical supplies you need, as we will not order these items during training. They may not be available here, and it may take several months for shipments to arrive.
You will have physicals during midservice and at the end of your service. If you develop a serious medical problem during your service, the medical officer in Botswana will consult with the Office of Medical Services in Washington, D.C. If it is determined that your condition cannot be treated in Botswana, you may be sent out of the country for further evaluation and care.
Maintaining Your Health
As a Volunteer, you must accept a certain amount of responsibility for your own health. Proper precautions will significantly reduce your risk of serious illness or injury. The old adage “An ounce of prevention ...” becomes extremely important in areas where diagnostic and treatment facilities are limited and are not always up to the standards of the United States. The most important of your responsibilities in Botswana is to take preventive measures for malaria, digestive disorders, sunburn, dehydration, and stress.
Many diseases that afflict Volunteers worldwide are entirely preventable if proper food and water precautions are taken.
These diseases include food poisoning, parasitic infections, hepatitis A, dysentery, Guinea worm, tapeworms, and typhoid fever. Your medical officer will discuss specific standards for water and food preparation in Botswana during pre-service training.
Abstinence is the only certain choice for preventing infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. You are taking risks if you choose to be sexually active. To lessen risk, use a condom every time you have sex. Whether your partner is a host country citizen, a fellow Volunteer, or anyone else, do not assume this person is free of HIV or other STDs. You will receive more information from the medical officer about this important issue.
Volunteers are expected to adhere to an effective means of birth control to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Your medical officer can help you decide on the most appropriate method to suit your individual needs. Contraceptive methods are available without charge from the medical officer.
It is critical to your health that you promptly report to the medical office or other designated facility for scheduled immunizations, and that you let your medical officer know immediately of significant illness and injuries.
Women’s Health Information
Pregnancy is treated in the same manner as other Volunteer health conditions that require medical attention but also have programmatic ramifications. The Peace Corps is responsible for determining the medical risk and the availability of appropriate medical care if the Volunteer remains in-country. Given the circumstances under which Volunteers live and work, it is rare that the Peace Corps’ medical and programmatic standards for continued service during pregnancy can be met.
If feminine hygiene products are not available for you to purchase on the local market, the Peace Corps medical officer in Botswana will provide them. If you require a specific product, please bring a three-month supply with you.
Your Peace Corps Medical Kit
The Peace Corps medical officer provides Volunteers with a medical kit that contains basic items necessary to prevent and treat illnesses that may occur during service. Kit items can be periodically restocked through the medical office.
Medical Kit Contents
American Red Cross First Aid & Safety Handbook
Antacid tablets (Tums)
Antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin/Neomycin/Polymycin B)
Antiseptic antimicrobial skin cleaner (Hibiclens)
Diphenhydramine HCL 25 mg (Benadryl)
Insect repellent stick (Cutter’s)
Iodine tablets (for water purification)
Lip balm (Chapstick)
Oral rehydration salts and Gatorade
Oral thermometer (Fahrenheit)
Pseudoephedrine HCL 30 mg (Sudafed)
Robitussin-DM lozenges (for cough)
Sterile gauze pads
Tetrahydrozaline eyedrops (Visine)
Tinactin (antifungal cream)
Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist
If there has been any change in your health—physical, mental, or dental—since you submitted your examination reports to the Peace Corps, you must immediately notify the Office of Medical Services. Failure to disclose new illnesses, injuries, allergies, or pregnancy can endanger your health and may jeopardize your eligibility to serve.
If your dental exam was done more than a year ago, or if your physical exam is more than two years old, contact the Office of Medical Services to find out whether you need to update your records. If your dentist or Peace Corps dental consultant has recommended that you undergo dental treatment or repair, you must complete that work and make sure your dentist sends requested confirmation reports or X-rays to the Office of Medical Services.
If you wish to avoid having duplicate vaccinations, you should contact your physician’s office, obtain a copy of your immunization record, and bring it to your pre-departure orientation. If you have any immunizations prior to Peace Corps service, the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for the cost. The Peace Corps will provide all the immunizations necessary for your overseas assignment, either at your predeparture orientation or shortly after you arrive in Botswana. You do not need to begin taking malaria medication prior to departure.
Bring a three-month supply of any prescription or over-thecounter medication you use on a regular basis, including birth control pills. Although the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for this three-month supply, it will order refills during your service. While awaiting shipment—which can take several months—you will be dependent on your own medication supply. The Peace Corps will not pay for herbal or nonprescribed medications, such as St. John’s wort, glucosamine, selenium, or antioxidant supplements.
You are encouraged to bring copies of medical prescriptions signed by your physician. This is not a requirement, but they might come in handy if you are questioned in transit about carrying a three-month supply of prescription drugs.
If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs with you—a pair and a spare. If a pair breaks, the Peace Corps will replace it, using the information your doctor in the United States provided on the eyeglasses form during your examination. We discourage you from using contact lenses during your Peace Corps service to reduce your risk of developing a serious infection or other eye disease. Most Peace Corps countries do not have appropriate water and sanitation to support eye care with the use of contact lenses. The Peace Corps will not supply or replace contact lenses or associated solutions unless an ophthalmologist has recommended their use for a specific medical condition and the Peace Corps’ Office of Medical Services has given approval.
If you are eligible for Medicare, are over 50 years of age, or have a health condition that may restrict your future participation in healthcare plans, you may wish to consult an insurance specialist about unique coverage needs before your departure. The Peace Corps will provide all necessary healthcare from the time you leave for your pre-departure orientation until you complete your service. When you finish, you will be entitled to the post-service healthcare benefits described in the Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook. You may wish to consider keeping an existing health plan in effect during your service if you think age or preexisting conditions might prevent you from reenrolling in your current plan when you return home.
Safety and Security—Our Partnership
Serving as a Volunteer overseas entails certain safety and security risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar environment, a limited understanding of the local language and culture, and the perception of being a wealthy American are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk. Property thefts and burglaries are not uncommon. Incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur, although almost all Volunteers complete their two years of service without serious personal safety problems. In addition, more than 84 percent of Volunteers surveyed in the 2004 Peace Corps Volunteer Survey say they would join the Peace Corps again.
The Peace Corps approaches safety and security as a partnership with you. This Welcome Book contains sections on: Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle; Peace Corps Training; and Your Health Care and Safety. All of these sections include important safety and security information.
The Peace Corps makes every effort to give Volunteers the tools they need to function in the safest and most secure way possible, because working to maximize the safety and security of Volunteers is our highest priority. Not only do we provide you with training and tools to prepare for the unexpected, but we teach you to identify and manage the risks you may encounter.
Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk
There are several factors that can heighten a Volunteer’s risk, many of which are within the Volunteer’s control. Based on information gathered from incident reports worldwide in 2004, the following factors stand out as risk characteristics for assaults. Assaults consist of personal crimes committed against Volunteers, and do not include property crimes (such as vandalism or theft).
- Location: Most crimes occurred when Volunteers were in public areas (e.g., street, park, beach, public buildings). Specifically, 43 percent of assaults took place when Volunteers were away from their sites.
- Time of day: Assaults usually took place on the weekend during the evening between 5:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.— with most assaults occurring around 1:00 a.m.
- Absence of others: Assaults ususally occurred when the Volunteer was unaccompanied. In 82 percent of the sexual assaults the Volunteer was unaccompannied and in 55 percent of physical assaults the Volunteer was unaccompanied.
- Relationship to assailant: In most assaults, the Volunteer did not know the assailant.
- Consumption of alcohol: Forty percent of all assaults involved alcohol consumption by Volunteers and/or assailants.
Summary Strategies to Reduce Risk
Before and during service, your training will address these areas of concern so that you can reduce the risks you face.
For example, here are some strategies Volunteers employ:
Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of theft:
- Know the environment and choose safe routes/times for travel
- Avoid high-crime areas per Peace Corps guidance
- Know the vocabulary to get help in an emergency
- Carry valuables in different pockets/places
- Carry a “dummy” wallet as a decoy Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of burglary:
- Live with a local family or on a family compound
- Put strong locks on doors and keep valuables in a lock box or trunk
- Leave irreplaceable objects at home in the U.S.
- Follow Peace Corps guidelines on maintaining home security Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of assault:
- Make local friends
- Make sure your appearance is respectful of local customs; don’t draw negative attention to yourself by wearing inappropriate clothing
- Get to know local officials, police, and neighbors
- Travel with someone whenever possible
- Avoid known high crime areas
- Limit alcohol consumption
Support from Staff
In March 2003, the Peace Corps created the Office of Safety and Security with its mission to “foster improved communication, coordination, oversight, and accountability of all Peace Corps’ safety and security efforts.” The new office is led by an Associate Director for Safety and Security who reports to the Peace Corps Director and includes the following divisions: Volunteer Safety and Overseas Security; Information and Personnel Security; Emergency Preparedness, Plans, Training and Exercise; and Crime Statistics and Analysis.
The major responsibilities of the Volunteer Safety and Overseas Security Division are to coordinate the office’s overseas operations and direct the Peace Corps’ safety and security officers who are located in various regions around the world that have Peace Corps programs. The safety and security officers conduct security assessments; review safety trainings; train trainers and managers; train Volunteer safety wardens, local guards, and staff; develop security incident response procedures; and provide crisis management support.
If a trainee or Volunteer is the victim of a safety incident, Peace Corps staff is prepared to provide support. All Peace Corps posts have procedures in place to respond to incidents of crime committed against Volunteers. The first priority for all posts in the aftermath of an incident is to ensure that the Volunteer is safe and receiving medical treatment as needed. After assuring the safety of the Volunteer, Peace Corps staff provide support by reassessing the Volunteer’s work site and housing arrangements and making any adjustments, as needed. In some cases, the nature of the incident may necessitate a site or housing transfer. Peace Corps staff will also assist Volunteers with preserving their rights to pursue legal sanctions against the perpetrators of the crime. It is very important that Volunteers report incidents as they occur, not only to protect their peer Volunteers, but also to preserve the future right to prosecute. Should Volunteers decide later in the process that they want to proceed with the prosecution of their assailant, this option may no longer exist if the evidence of the event has not been preserved at the time of the incident.
The country-specific data chart below shows the incidence rates and the average number of incidents of the major types of safety incidents reported by Peace Corps Volunteers/ trainees in Botswana as compared to all other Africa region programs as a whole, from 2001–2005. It is presented to you in a somewhat technical manner for statistical accuracy.
To fully appreciate the collected data below, an explanation of the graph is provided as follows:
The incidence rate for each type of crime is the number of crime events relative to the Volunteer/trainee population. It is expressed on the chart as a ratio of crime to Volunteer and trainee years (or V/T years, which is a measure of 12 full months of V/T service) to allow for a statistically valid way to compare crime data across countries. An “incident” is a specific offense, per Peace Corps’ classification of offenses, and may involve one or more Volunteer/trainee victims. For example, if two Volunteers are robbed at the same time and place, this is classified as one robbery incident.
The chart is separated into eight crime categories. These include vandalism (malicious defacement or damage of property); theft (taking without force or illegal entry); burglary (forcible entry of a residence); robbery (taking something by force); minor physical assault (attacking without a weapon with minor injuries); minor sexual assault (fondling, groping, etc.); aggravated assault (attacking with a weapon, and/or without a weapon when serious injury results); and rape (sexual intercourse without consent).
When anticipating Peace Corps Volunteer service, you should review all of the safety and security information provided to you, including the strategies to reduce risk. Throughout your training and Volunteer service, you will be expected to successfully complete all training competencies in a variety of areas including safety and security. Once in-country, use the tools and information shared with you to remain as safe and secure as possible.
What If You Become a Victim of a Violent Crime?
Few Peace Corps Volunteers are victims of violent crimes. The Peace Corps will give you information and training in how to be safe. But, just as in the U.S., crime happens, and Volunteers can become victims. When this happens, the investigative team of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is charged with helping pursue prosecution of those who perpetrate a violent crime against a Volunteer. If you become a victim of a violent crime, the decision to prosecute or not to prosecute is entirely yours, and one of the tasks of the OIG is to make sure that you are fully informed of your options and help you through the process and procedures involved in going forward with prosecution should you wish to do so. If you decide to prosecute, we are here to assist you in every way we can.
Crimes that occur overseas, of course, are investigated and prosecuted by local authorities in local courts. Our role is to coordinate the investigation and evidence collection with the regional security officers (RSOs) at the U.S. embassy, local police, and local prosecutors and others to ensure that your rights are protected to the fullest extent possible under the laws of the country. OIG investigative staff has extensive experience in criminal investigation, in working sensitively with victims, and as advocates for victims. We also, may, in certain limited circumstances, arrange for the retention of a local lawyer to assist the local public prosecutor in making the case against the individual who perpetrated the violent crime.
If you do become a victim of a violent crime, first, make sure you are in a safe place and with people you trust and second, contact the country director or the Peace Corps medical officer. Immediate reporting is important to the preservation of evidence and the chances of apprehending the suspect.
Country directors and medical officers are required to report all violent crimes to the Inspector General and the RSO. This information is protected from unauthorized further disclosure by the Privacy Act. Reporting the crime also helps prevent your further victimization and protects your fellow Volunteers.
In conjunction with the RSO, the OIG does a preliminary investigation of all violent crimes against Volunteers regardless of whether the crime has been reported to local authorities or of the decision you may ultimately make to prosecute. If you are a victim of a crime, our staff will work with you through final disposition of the case. OIG staff is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. We may be contacted through our 24-hour violent crime hotline via telephone at 202.692.2911, or by e-mail at [email protected]
Security Issues in Botswana
When it comes to your safety and security in the Peace Corps, you have to be willing to adapt your behavior and lifestyle to minimize the potential for being a target of crime. As with anywhere in the world, crime does exist in Botswana. You can reduce your risk by avoiding situations that make you feel uncomfortable and by taking precautions. Crime at the village or town level is less frequent than in the large cities; people know each other and generally will not steal from their neighbors and will watch each other’s house during their absence. Larger population centers present greater opportunities for criminal activity, and tourist attractions are favorite work sites for pickpockets. Houses and rooms left empty during holidays also create tempting opportunities.
Wherever you are in Botswana, alcohol can fuel unsafe driving, unsafe sex, and sexual assaults. In general, individuals are easier targets than groups and women are easier targets than men. While being aware of these matters may seem like common sense, our altruism oftenoverrides common sense until something bad happens.
Staying Safe: Don’t Be a Target for Crime
You must be prepared to take responsibility for your own safety. Only you can make yourself less of a target, ensure that your house is secure, and develop relations in your community that will make you an unlikely victim of crime. In coming to Botswana, do what you would do if you moved to a new city in the United States: Be cautious, check things out, ask questions, learn about your neighborhood, know where the more risky locations are, use common sense, and be aware. You can reduce your vulnerability to crime by integrating into your community, learning the local language, participating in the local activities, acting responsibly, and abiding by Peace Corps policies and procedures. Serving safely and effectively in Botswana may require that you accept some restrictions on your current lifestyle.
Volunteers attract a lot of attention both in large cities and at their sites, but they are likely to receive more negative attention in highly populated centers than at their sites, where “family,” friends, and colleagues look out for them. While whistles and exclamations are common on the street, this behavior can be reduced if you dress conservatively, avoid eye contact, and do not respond to unwanted attention. Keep your money out of sight by using an undergarment money pouch, the kind that hangs around your neck and stays hidden under your shirt or inside your coat. Do not keep your money in outside pockets of backpacks, in coat pockets, or in fanny packs. You should always walk with a companion at night.
Preparing for the Unexpected: Safety Training and Volunteer Support in Botswana
The Peace Corps’ approach to safety is a five-pronged plan to help you stay safe during your two-year service and includes the following: information sharing, Volunteer training, site selection criteria, a detailed emergency action plan, and protocols for addressing safety and security incidents. Botswana’s in-country safety program is outlined below.
The Peace Corps/Botswana office will keep Volunteers informed of any issues that may impact Volunteer safety through information sharing. Regular updates will be provided in Volunteer newsletters and in memorandums from the Country Director. In the event of a critical situation or emergency, Volunteers will be contacted through the emergency communication network.
Volunteer training will include sessions to prepare you for specific safety and security issues in Botswana. This training will prepare you to adopt a culturally appropriate lifestyle and exercise judgment that promotes safety and reduces risk in your home, at work, and while traveling. Safety training is offered throughout service and is integrated into the language, cross-cultural, health, and other components of training.
Certain site selection criteria are used to determine safe housing for Volunteers before their arrival. The Peace Corps staff works closely with host communities and counterpart agencies to help prepare them for a Volunteer’s arrival and to establish expectations of their respective roles in supporting the Volunteer. Each site is inspected before the Volunteer’s arrival to ensure placement in appropriate, safe, and secure housing and work sites.
You will also learn about the country’s detailed emergency action plan, which is implemented in the event of civil or political unrest or a natural disaster. When you arrive at your site, you will complete and submit a site locator form with your address, contact information, and a map to your house. If there is a security threat, Volunteers in Botswana will gather at predetermined locations until the situation is resolved or the Peace Corps decides to evacuate.
Finally, in order for the Peace Corps to be fully responsive to the needs of Volunteers, it is imperative that Volunteers immediately report any security incident to the safety and security coordinator or the Peace Corps medical officer. The Peace Corps has established protocols for addressing safety and security incidents in a timely and appropriate manner, and it collects and evaluates safety and security data to track trends and develop strategies to minimize risks to future Volunteers.
DIVERSITY AND CROSSCULTURAL ISSUES
In fulfilling the Peace Corps’ mandate to share the face of America with our host countries, we are making special efforts to see that all of America’s richness is reflected in the Volunteer corps. More Americans of color are serving in today’s Peace Corps than at any time in recent years. Differences in race, ethnic background, age, religion, and sexual orientation are expected and welcomed among our Volunteers. Part of the Peace Corps’ mission is to help dispel any notion that Americans are all of one origin or race and to establish that each of us is as thoroughly American as the other despite our many differences.
Our diversity helps us accomplish that goal. In other ways, however, it poses challenges. In Botswana, as in other Peace Corps host countries, Volunteers’ behavior, lifestyle, background, and beliefs will be judged in a cultural context very different from our own. Certain personal perspectives or characteristics commonly accepted in the United States may be quite uncommon, unacceptable, or even repressed in Botswana.
Outside larger cities and towns in Botswana, residents of rural communities may have had relatively little direct exposure to other cultures, races, religions, and lifestyles. What people view as typical American behavior or norms may be a misconception, such as the belief that all Americans are rich and have blond hair and blue eyes. The people of Botswana are justly known for their generous hospitality to foreigners; however, members of the community in which you will live may display a range of reactions to cultural differences that you present.
To ease the transition and adapt to life in Botswana, you may need to make some temporary, yet fundamental compromises in how you present yourself as an American and as an individual. For example, female trainees and Volunteers may not be able to exercise the independence available to them in the United States; political discussions need to be handled with great care; and some of your personal beliefs may best remain undisclosed. You will need to develop techniques and personal strategies for coping with these and other limitations. The Peace Corps staff will lead diversity and sensitivity discussions during your pre-service training and will be on call to provide support, but the challenge ultimately will be your own.
Overview of Diversity in Botswana
The Peace Corps staff in Botswana recognizes the adjustment issues that come with diversity and will endeavor to provide support and guidance. During pre-service training, several sessions will be held to discuss diversity and coping mechanisms. We look forward to having male and female Volunteers from a variety of races, ethnic groups, ages, religions, and sexual orientations, and hope that you will become part of a diverse group of Americans who take pride in supporting one another and demonstrating the richness of American culture.
What Might a Volunteer Face?
Possible Issues for Female Volunteers
To address restrictive laws and traditions of its society, Botswana has a constitution that protects women’s rights.
The country has made great strides in gender equity in the modern sector, and ministerial, senior-level government, and private-sector posts are held by women. In addition, the government has developed a national gender program to improve the lives of vulnerable women. Nevertheless, rural, less educated women at the lower end of the socioeconomic scale tend to have less authority and responsibility than men do for income, spending, and reproductive health. Although this is changing, many rural communities have not had much experience with women who take on professional roles, remain unmarried, and live away from their families. Thus, female Volunteers may experience a great deal of unwanted attention and may need to practice discretion in public. During both cross-cultural and safety training sessions, all Volunteers are provided with strategies and practice in limiting and responding to unwanted attention.
Possible Issues for Volunteers of Color
Most Batswana in cities and towns are aware of the different racial and ethnic groups that exist in the United States. However, this level of knowledge and understanding greatly diminishes among rural populations. African-American Volunteers may not be recognized as Americans. They may be expected to learn local languages more quickly than other Volunteers, may be accepted more readily into the culture than other Volunteers, and may be treated according to local social norms because they are assumed to be African.
Hispanic American and Asian-American Volunteers may also be perceived as not being American. Batswana may expect Asian Americans to exhibit stereotyped behavior observed in films, sometimes referred to as the “kung fu syndrome.” In addition, the presence of Asian merchants in the country may have an impact on how Asian-American Volunteers are perceived.
Possible Issues for Senior Volunteers
In Botswana, older members of society are viewed and treated with a great deal of respect. Issues for older Volunteers are more likely to be in relation to their younger fellow Volunteers. Older Volunteers may meet individuals in the Peace Corps community who have little understanding of or respect for the lives and experiences of senior Americans and may not be able to offer the necessary personal support. Older Volunteers, in turn, may be inclined to withdraw from full participation in order to “give the younger folks their turn,” and may be reluctant to share personal, sexual, or health concerns. They may not find appropriate role models among the Peace Corps staff or may find that younger Volunteers look to them for more advice than they feel comfortable giving. Finally, older Volunteers may need to be assertive about asking for an effective individual approach to language learning during pre-service training.
Possible Issues for Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Volunteers
In general, Batswana view homosexuality as immoral; it is illegal according to the country’s constitution. Homosexuality certainly exists in Botswana but not with the same level of acceptance as in the United States. Because of cultural norms, homosexual Volunteers may discover that they cannot be open about their sexual orientation and have to serve for two years without revealing to their community that they are gay. Homosexual or bisexual Volunteers may also serve for two years without meeting another homosexual or bisexual Volunteer. Lesbians, like all American women, are likely to have to deal with constant questions about boyfriends, marriage, and sex, while gay men may have to deal with machismo: talk of sexual conquests, girl watching, and dirty jokes.
Possible Religious Issues for Volunteers
Most Batswana have some religious affiliation, and many attend church regularly. Both Christian and non-Christian Volunteers may be expected to attend church with the members of their community. They may be asked to explain why they do not belong to a certain Christian denomination or may be actively recruited by a Christian group. Volunteers may not be able to adequately convey their own religious beliefs because of language or cultural barriers.
Possible Issues for Volunteers With Disabilities
There is very little infrastructure in Botswana to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Disabled Volunteers may find living in rural communities particularly challenging. Nevertheless, the Peace Corps’ Office of Medical Services determined that you were physically and emotionally capable of performing a full tour of Volunteer service in Botswana without unreasonable risk to yourself or interruption of your service. Peace Corps/Botswana staff will work with disabled Volunteers to make reasonable accommodations in projects, training, housing, job sites, and other areas to enable them to serve safely and effectively.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much luggage am I allowed to bring to Botswana?
Most airlines have baggage size and weight limits and assess charges for transport of baggage that exceeds those limits. The Peace Corps has its own size and weight limits and will not pay the cost of transport for baggage that exceeds these limits. The Peace Corps’ allowance is two checked pieces of luggage with combined dimensions of both pieces not to exceed 107 inches (length + width + height) and a carry-on bag with dimensions of no more than 45 inches. Checked baggage should not exceed 80 pounds total with a maximum weight of 50 pounds for any one bag.
Peace Corps Volunteers are not allowed to take pets, weapons, explosives, radio transmitters (shortwave radios are permitted), automobiles, or motorcycles to their overseas assignments. Do not pack flammable materials or liquids such as lighter fluid, cleaning solvents, hair spray, or aerosol containers. This is an important safety precaution.
What is the electric current in Botswana?
It is 220 volts, 50 hertz. Plugs/outlets consist of both three prong round and three prong square shapes.
How much money should I bring?
Volunteers are expected to live at the same level as the people in their community. You will be given a settling-in allowance and a monthly living allowance, which should cover your expenses. Often Volunteers wish to bring additional money for vacation travel to other countries. Credit cards and bank cards are preferable to cash. Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted by businesses in Botswana and are redeemable only at certain banks. However, they can be useful for travel to other countries during vacations. Note, too, that ATM machines are widely available and linked to the banking network in the States. Only VISA cards and cards stamped with the “PLUS” logo on the back are useable. If you choose to bring extra money, bring the amount that will suit your own travel plans and needs.
When can I take vacation and have people visit me?
Each Volunteer accrues two vacation days per month of service (excluding training). Leave may not be taken during training, the first three months of service, or the last three months of service, except in conjunction with an authorized emergency leave. Family and friends are welcome to visit you after pre-service training and the first three months of service as long as their stay does not interfere with your work. All vacation plans must be approved by the Volunteer’s Batswana supervisor before being submitted to the Peace Corps for approval. Extended stays (those that require more leave than you have accrued) away from your site are not encouraged and must be reviewed by your Peace Corps supervisor before being submitted to the Peace Corps country director for a final decision.
The Peace Corps cannot provide Volunteers with vacation planning assistance. You are responsible for making reservations, purchasing tickets, and procuring the appropriate visas. The Peace Corps cannot provide your visitors with visa or travel assistance.
Will my belongings be covered by insurance?
The Peace Corps does not insure personal effects. Volunteers are ultimately responsible for the safekeeping of their personal belongings. However, you can purchase personal property insurance before you leave. If you wish, you may contact your own insurance company; additionally, insurance application forms will be provided, and we encourage you to consider them carefully. Volunteers should not ship or take valuable items overseas. Jewelry, watches, radios, cameras, and expensive appliances are subject to loss, theft, and breakage, and in many places, satisfactory maintenance and repair services are not available.
Do I need an international driver’s license?
Volunteers in Botswana are not allowed to drive except during an approved vacation. Many Volunteers in southern Africa find it economically advantageous to rent a car, either alone or as a group, while traveling in the region. In such cases, it is helpful to have an international driver’s license. As with other personal travel arrangements, the Peace Corps does not assist in the procurement of international driver’s licenses.
What should I bring as gifts for Batswana friends and my host family?
The Peace Corps does not encourage you to bring gifts for your family and friends during training. The provision of such gifts is an issue to be discussed and decided by the entire group of trainees, since it is precedent-setting and may have ramifications outside the gift giver’s original intent. For instance, expectations may arise in host families if some people provide gifts but others do not. Should you feel moved to provide a small token of appreciation to your host family, a wide range of suitable items are available locally.
One of the greatest gifts you can provide to your host family and friends is information about yourself and your life in the United States. For this reason, we encourage you to bring photos of the people and things that are important in your life.
Where will my site assignment be when I finish training and how isolated will I be?
Peace Corps trainees are not assigned to individual sites until after they have completed pre-service training. This gives Peace Corps staff the opportunity to assess each trainee’s technical and language skills prior to assigning sites, in addition to finalizing site selections with their ministry counterparts. The Botswana program has a wide variety of sites, ranging from urban to periurban to rural, and Volunteers should be prepared to accept any of them.
How can my family contact me in an emergency?
The Peace Corps’ Office of Special Services provides assistance in handling emergencies affecting trainees and Volunteers or their families. Before leaving the United States, you should instruct your family to notify the Office of Special Services immediately if an emergency arises, such as a serious illness or death of a family member. During normal business hours, the number for the Office of Special Services is 800.424.8580, extension 1470. After normal business hours and on weekends and holidays, the Special Services duty officer can be reached at 202.638.2574. For nonemergency questions, your family can get information from your country desk staff at the Peace Corps by calling 800.424.8580.
Can I call home from Botswana?
Yes. Most telephones in the country can be used for international calls. Volunteers often call home and ask to be called back or prearrange a time to be called at a private phone or pay phone.
Should I bring a cellular phone with me?
While cellular phone services are widely available in Botswana, it is not advisable to bring a cellphone from the United States unless you check with the manufacturer and confirm that the phone will work in Botswana. In all cases, these phones are the type with SIM cards that can be changed in and out. SIM cards in Botswana cost about $15. The cost of a new cellphone in Botswana is approximately $100. Peace Corps does not provide cellphones to Volunteers, nor do they provide funds that enable Volunteers to buy phones.
Will there be e-mail and Internet access? Should I bring my computer?
Internet service is widely available in Botswana; most larger villages and towns have Internet cafes. The choice about whether to bring a computer is an individual one. Those who decide to bring a personal computer should be aware that Botswana’s climate can be tough on sensitive equipment. In addition, peripherals like printer cartridges and disks are very expensive locally. Those who bring computers or other valuable equipment should consider purchasing personal property insurance.
Use this packing list as an informal guide in making your own list. You obviously cannot bring everything we mention, so consider those items that make the most sense to you personally and professionally. You can always have things sent to you later. As you decide what to bring, keep in mind that you have an 80-pound weight restriction on baggage. And remember, because of Botswana’s proximity to South Africa, you can get almost everything you need here.
Note that while the climate is comfortable for the greater part of the year, houses do not have heat, making the winters colder than you might expect. Do not bring any camouflage or military-style clothing to wear—your time is much too valuable to spend detained at a police checkpoint.
- Dress slacks and khaki trousers (jeans are not appropriate at work)
- Lightweight cotton dress shirts (T-shirts are not appropriate at work)
- Dress shoes or loafers (tennis shoes or sandals are not appropriate at work)
- Sports coat or suit for special events
- Durable jeans (for weekends, travel, or after-work wear)
- Casual shoes (tennis or running)
- Warm coat
- Sweaters or fleece pullovers
- Thermal underwear
- A few pairs of thick socks
- Gloves or mittens
- Shorts and/or a bathing suit
- Lightweight raincoat or poncho
- Dresses or skirts (knee length or longer for work, no denim)
- Lightweight cotton blouses
- Dress shoes (for work)
- Durable jeans (for weekends, travel, or after-work wear)
- Casual shoes (tennis or running)
- Warm coat
- Sweaters or fleece pullovers
- A few pairs of thick socks
- Bathing suit
- Long shorts
- Lightweight raincoat or poncho
Women’s shoes larger than size 10 may be difficult to find. Most other types of shoes are readily available in Botswana, although they may not be of the same quality found in the United States.
Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items
All basic toiletry items are available in Botswana, so you only need to bring enough for the first five or six weeks.
Although the selection here may not be what you are used to, the quality is generally quite good. Medicine and first-aid items will be available from the Peace Corps medical office once you are sworn-in as a Volunteer. The office will also supply feminine hygiene products if they are not available for purchase at your site, but if you have special needs, please bring a three-month supply.
- French press (if you appreciate good coffee)
- 10 passport-size photos in color or black-and-white (to be used for various permits, visas, and ID cards; also helpful for obtaining visas if you plan to travel outside Botswana)
- Bicycle helmet (You will be issued a bicycle and wearing a helmet is required, so if you do not already have a good helmet, we advise you to buy a helmet that you like in the United States; the Peace Corps will reimburse you up to $30. If you do not bring a helmet, the Peace Corps will provide one, but you will not have a choice of style or color)
- Good sunglasses and a hat (There are about 345 sunny days per year in Botswana; the Peace Corps will supply all the sunscreen you need)
- Three-month supply of any prescription medicine you take
- Electronics—cameras, CD players, etc. are available in Botswana but are very expensive (AA and D batteries are the most commonly available size)
- One or two sets of double or queen flat sheets (sheets and towels are very expensive in Botswana; so, too, are curtains. Many Volunteers bring extra sheets to make into curtains!)
- One or two bath towels
The following list consists of suggestions for you to consider as you prepare to live outside the United States for two years. Not all items will be relevant to everyone, and the list does not include everything you should make arrangements for.
- Notify family that they can call the Peace Corps’ Office of Special Services at any time if there is a critical illness or death of a family member (telephone number: 800.424.8580, extension 1470; after-hours duty officer: 202.638.2574).
- Give the Peace Corps’ On the Home Front handbook to family and friends.
- Forward to the Peace Corps travel office all paperwork for the Peace Corps passport and visas.
- Verify that luggage meets the size and weight limits for international travel.
- Obtain a personal passport if you plan to travel after your service ends. (Your Peace Corps passport will expire three months after you finish your service, so if you plan to travel longer, you will need a regular passport.)
- Complete any needed dental and medical work.
- If you wear glasses, bring two pairs.
- Arrange to bring a three-month supply of all medications (including birth control pills) you are currently taking.
- Make arrangements to maintain life insurance coverage. . Arrange to maintain supplemental health coverage while you are away. (Even though the Peace Corps is responsible for your health care during Peace Corps service overseas, it is advisable for people who have preexisting conditions to arrange for the continuation of their supplemental health coverage. If there is a lapse in coverage, it is often difficult and expensive to be reinstated.)
- Arrange to continue Medicare coverage if applicable.
- Bring a copy of your certificate of marriage or divorce.
- Register to vote in the state of your home of record. (Many state universities consider voting and payment of state taxes as evidence of residence in that state.) . Obtain a voter registration card and take it with you overseas.
- Arrange to have an absentee ballot forwarded to you overseas.
- Purchase personal property insurance to extend from the time you leave your home for service overseas until the time you complete your service and return to the United States.
- Obtain student loan deferment forms from the lender or loan service.
- Execute a power of attorney for the management of your property and business.
- Bring necessary banking/routing information for deductions from readjustment allowance to pay alimony, child support, student loans and other debts. These deductions may be set up after swearing-in as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
- Place all important papers—mortgages, deeds, stocks, and bonds—in a safe deposit box or with an attorney or other caretaker.
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As I organized my notes for our Holocaust unit of study, I started making a list of the books I would be making available to my students for their book clubs. At this point I had a pretty good selection of WWII novels, allowing each book club to focus on a different aspect of the Holocaust and WWII. Using our essential questions, they would be focusing on these different aspects and then sharing them with the class at the end of the unit.
So far my list was pretty varied:
We would be reading The Devil’s Arithmetic as a class read-aloud, but it still felt like something was missing. As I perused my bookshelves, I found one more book that would be perfect for my developing readers and would cover an aspect of the war that was not already represented. T4 a novel is a verse novel about the T4 program, which targeted the disabled. Perfect! But our school library did not have any copies and I only had one. WIthout even thinking, I logged onto Amazon and placed an order for more copies. I also quickly checked our local library and found two more copies that students would be able to check out. Within minutes, I had completed my book club planning!
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Southern California Coastal & Inland Valleys
Fertilize tasseling corn and other vegetables that are setting fruit --beans, cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes, etc. -- for increased yields. Plants appreciate this extra boost in food to use immediately in maturing their fruits. But during our extra-hot weather, be sure to water the plants well first so the fertilizer won't "burn" the roots.
Lift Melons and Hold the Water
Lift melons off the soil surface get them away from moist soil and crawling pests. Boards, cans, or plastic baskets from strawberries or cherry tomatoes serve well. Stop watering plants the week before they're ripe to allow the sweetness to concentrate and to minimize fruit-cracking problems.
Be Patient With Poor Fruit Set
If you have kept plants well picked but fruit set has stopped, suspect hot weather. Fruit set will begin again about ten to fourteen days after the temperature stays below 85 to 90 degrees.
Remove tree suckers and watersprouts -- the long shoots that grow straight up from the trunk base (suckers) or a branch (watersprouts). Keep tree trunks -- especially of young trees -- painted with light-colored, matte-finish, indoor latex paint to protect them from sunscald.
Sow or transplant alyssum, amaranthus, balsam, fibrous begonias, calendulas , candytuft (Iberis), celosia, columbines (Aquilegia), coral bells (Heuchera), coreopsis, cosmos, gloriosa daisies (Rudbeckia) marguerite and Shasta daisies, dahlias, delphiniums, dianthus, forget-me-nots (Myosotis), foxgloves, gaillardias, gerberas, geums, baby's breath (Gypsophila), hollyhocks, impatiens, larkspur, linarias, lobelia, marigold, nasturtiums, nemesias, pansies, petunias, phlox, Oriental and Iceland poppies, portulaca, fairy primroses (Primula), scabiosas, schizanthus, snapdragons, statice, stock, sweet peas, vinca, violas, and zinnias. Seedlings sown now will be ready for transplanting by early October and November. Calendulas will provide color all through winter when they have been planted every three weeks from now through mid-December.
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SODDY-DAISY - Just minutes from downtown Chattanooga is the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Natural Area, a 7,093-acre tract bisected by a 10-mile-long gorge with vertical sandstone walls and swimming holes that draw crowds in the summer.
Terri Ballinger is a seasonal naturalist with the Cumberland Trail State Park, and on a recent afternoon she and handful of volunteers paid a visit to North Chickamauga Creek to collect seeds. The state natural area is known for its rich assemblage of plants and, before long, the team was finding mid-summer seed producers such as Indian pink, sharpwing monkey flower, whorled coreopsis and False Solomon's Seal.
"We're focusing on the keystone species, the building blocks of a healthy forest," Ballinger said.
Last September the Cumberland Trail State Park embarked on a monumental effort to transform a pine plantation along the Cumberland Trail into a diverse upland forest typical of the Cumberland Plateau.
All the plant material used to rehabilitate the site will come from seeds collected locally at sites such as the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Natural Area and other nearby state-owned lands.
Funding for the project is provided by the Friends of the Cumberland Trail, with much of the manpower provided by groups such as the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County.
In addition to re-vegetating the pine site, seeds from the project are contributing to the Seeds of Success program established in 2001 by the Bureau of Land Management in partnership with the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew Millennium Seed Bank. With these programs, seeds from all over the world are being preserved in cold storage so that native plants can be restored to areas hit by catastrophic events such as wildfires, or as an insurance against the threat of extinction resulting from climate change.
Tennessee State Parks currently is the only agency that's banking seeds from plants endemic to the Southeastern forest. Seeds collected along the Cumberland Trail are being stored in refrigerated containers at the Bend Seed Extractory, a U.S. Forest Service facility in Bend, Ore.
So far, volunteers have completed about 170 miles of the Cumberland Trail. When completed, the footpath will stretch 300 miles from Cumberland Gap National Historical Park to Chattanooga following the east side of the Cumberland Plateau. The trail is open to the public in discontinuous segments that tie into public lands such as state parks and wildlife management areas.
The Re-seeding the Cumberlands pilot project is taking place at a 500-acre site called Barker Camp that's part of 3,000 acres that Bowater Inc. sold to the state several years ago. The site so far has undergone some prescribed burning to prepare it for the seeding and planting process. Compared to the thick summer canopy of the nearby deciduous forest, the acreage that was in pine production looks like a wasteland.
Ballinger said nursery stock from commercial greenhouses would have a hard time surviving in such harsh conditions.
"The first step is to get rid of the invasives," Ballinger said. "The soil has been acidified by the pines. Restoring the native vegetation will help improve the pH."
During the course of the project, the Cumberland Trail State Park will experiment with taking cuttings from different hardwood tree species and growing them out as a faster means than growing them from seed. And most importantly, all seeds and plant material will be collected locally to maintain the genetic integrity of the future forest.
Beginning this fall and winter, workers will sow the site with wildflowers and warm-season grasses. Wildlife will be drawn to the new fields, and after about 10 years, small shrubs should appear. When shrubs and trees greater than 4 inches in diameter form more than half of the canopy, the habitat's classification will shift from old field to early woodland.
Fifty years from now, the woods of Barker Camp will be indistinguishable from the oak-hickory forest interspersed with pines that surrounds much of the Cumberland Trail.
One of the volunteers helping collect seeds that day at the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Natural Area was Sally Wencel, board member of the Friends of the Cumberland Trail and one of the re-seeding project's most ardent supporters.
"You can't create instantly what it took nature a hundred years to produce," Wencel said. "I realize I won't be around to see the final result of all this, but it's exciting to be a part of it."
Morgan Simmons may be reached at 865-342-6321.
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The Danish government has abandoned its tax on fat and and its plans for a sugar tax. A spokesperson for the tax ministry is quoted thus: “The suggestions to tax foods for public health reasons are misguided at best and may be counter-productive at worst. Not only do such taxes not work, especially when they choose the wrong food to tax, they can become expensive liabilities for the businesses forced to become tax collectors on the governments behalf”. Shortly we will have our annual budget here in Ireland and notwithstanding the volte-face of our Danish colleagues, the likelihood is that we will face such a tax soon. In general, the predicted weight changes associated with projected taxes on sugar sweetened beverages are grossly overestimated.
A recent consensus statement of the American Society of Nutrition (ASN) and the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) has examined the topic: “Energy balance and its components: Implications for body weight regulation”. One of the areas covered by this paper is the popular and widely held belief that to lose 1lb of body weight, you need to reduce caloric intake by 3,500 kcal. This figure assumes that a loss of 1lb of body weight is made up entirely of adipose tissue which is 86% fat and the fat has 9 kcal per gram. This 3,500 kcal figure is widely used in predicting the benefit of weight loss from a sugar sweetened beverage tax. It has many flaws.
Firstly, a 1lb weight loss will not be 100% fat but will also involve the loss of some lean tissue (muscle and protein elements of adipose tissue and its metabolism). Whereas fat has an energy value of 9 kcal/g, lean tissue has a value of 4 kcal/g. The exact ratio of the loss of lean and fat in weight reduction depends largely on the level of fat in the body at the outset. The higher the intake level of fat, the higher the proportion of fat lost. However, as a person sheds fat, the ratio of fat to lean changes in favour of the latter, so subsequent weight loss will have a lower ratio of fat to lean. The blanket use of the 3,500kcal value ignores this.
The second criticism of this rule is that it ignores time. If you shed 3,500kcal per week every week, that would differ from a deficit of 3,500 kcal per month every month. The former leads to a daily deficit of 500 kcal while the latter is just 117 kcal. Even the most non-expert dieter knows that such differences in daily energy deficits will lead to radically different rates of weight loss. Thirdly, the 3,500 kcal rule assumes complete linearity – in other words the rule equally applies, pound after pound of weight loss. We saw above that progressive weight loss will progressively increase the % of that weight loss as lean tissue but more importantly, the 3,500kcal rule ignores a major adaptation in energy expenditure. Basically, our basal metabolic rate (BMR) falls as we restrict our caloric intake. Since BMR accounts for 88% of energy expenditure in most sedentary persons, that means that a fall in BMR represents a significant adaptive response through increased efficiency of energy use making weight loss progressively more difficult.
Researchers at the US National Institute of Health have developed a very detailed mathematical model which predicts weight loss based on a wide variety of inputs. The model has been validated against a number of highly controlled weight loss programmes. Together with researchers based at the USDA and the economics departments of the universities of Florida and Minnesota, they have examined the likely weight loss that would accrue from a tax of 20% (about 0.5 cents per ounce) on sugar sweetened beverages in the US. They concluded that the nutritional input would be a reduction of energy intake of 34-47 kcal per day for adults. Using the 3,500 kcal rule, an average weight loss of 1.60kg would be predicted for year 1 rising to 8kg in year 5 and to 16kg in year 10. However, when the dynamic mathematical model is used, the corresponding figures for years 1, 5 and 10 are, respectively, 0.97, 1.78 and 1.84 kg loss. The % of US citizens that are over-weight is predicted to fall from existing levels of 66.9% over-weight to 51.5% over-weight in 5 years time using the 3,500 kcal rate but using the dynamic mathematical model, the 5-year figure for the over-weight population in the US would be just 62.3%. Clearly, the continued use of the 3,500 kcal rule in predicting weight loss should cease and the recommendations of the consensus statement of the ASN and ILSI should apply: “Every permanent 10 kcal change in energy intake per day will lead to an eventual weight change of 1lb when the body reaches a new steady state. It will take nearly a year to achieve 50% and about 3 years to achieve 95%”.
My back of envelope calculations based on the National Adult Nutrition Survey is that extrapolating from the US model (footnote 4), a tax on sugar sweetened beverages might lead to a weight loss of 0.6 lb at the end of year 1. That of course is subject to an error estimate such that it might be higher but equally, it might be lower. Many of the advocates of fat taxes might argue that they will take that “thank you very much” as a start and then move to the next food. But you cannot continue to add tax to the cost of food.
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Historic site of multiple Revolutionary War skirmishes. In October of 1780, General Marquis de Lafayette joined with the American forces, at the request of General George Washington, to challenge the English on these very grounds. Records indicate that General Lafayette led 4000 French troops to assist the American Continental Army against the British troops.
An active Ammunition Bunker and Lookout Point used during the War of 1812, still stands proudly on the Cemetery grounds.
The Historic Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery is one of the very first Garden Style landscape cemeteries established, which revolutionized cemeteries across the nation. It was also the first cemetery company founded in the State of New Jersey. Founded by a group of prominent Jersey City & New York City leaders, the cemetery is home to many of our great city's founding fathers and historic legends.
The Cemetery is the eternal resting place to hundreds and hundreds of Civil War Soldiers, many whom lost their lives in some of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. We are proud to protect and preserve them. Legend and early historians also suggest that the grounds played a major role in the freedom of thousands of slaves as a site of an underground tunnel connection known as the Underground Railroad. The tunnels may still exist below the cemetery's hills and hidden crypts, and are being further explored.
The Cemetery grounds were also used for military training for U.S. Army soldiers during World War I and II, and to our amazement, many remaining military artifacts have recently been discovered on the grounds.
Unfortunately, this very special Cemetery was neglected and eventually abandoned. This past summer, a new Board of Trustees was organized, and through the tremendous efforts of the new Board, some very special volunteers, and a supportive Community who believes in preserving their history, these grounds are now being protected and preserved on a volunteer basis.
The complete fascinating history of the Cemetery is being further explored and documented. We welcome any information you may wish to offer, whether it is of a historical nature, or about any individual or family members who might be interred at the Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery. We also welcome any contributions you can make, whether they be monetary or through volunteer efforts.
With your help, our goals include achieving State and National Historic Landmark Preservation Status to help ensure the perpetual preservation of this historic site. Our vision includes a Restoration of the Cemetery grounds and Caretaker House, and the development of a Historical Museum and Visitor Center, to provide education, and increase public knowledge and appreciation of our early American and Jersey City history, as well as an appreciation of the Cemetery's natural beauty and historical significance.
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NEW YORK, NY – An Egyptian pharaoh observed a huge fleet of UFOs hovering above the desert sands more than 3,400 years ago… and even went for a joyride on one of the spacecraft!
Incredibly, translations of hieroglyphic records reveal that Thutmose III, who reigned 15 centuries before the birth of Christ, first saw a UFO one winter morning around the year 1482 B.C.
“The hieroglyphics describe the UFO as ‘a circle of fire,’” said renowned author and UFO expert Brad Steiger. “The object emitted no sound, as indicated by the inscription ‘it had no voice.’
“The hieroglyphic records go on to say, ‘After some days had passed, these things became more numerous in the skies than ever.’
“The UFOs in this fleet were extremely bright or more than the brightness of the sun,’ and were relatively small, about 16 feet in diameter.
“They were probably spacecraft from a mother ship.”
Incredibly, Thutmose III was taken aboard one of the alien spacecraft, said UFO expert and biblical scholar Zecharia Sitchin, author of the book The Stairway to Heaven.
The ancient records reveal that Thutmose “flew up to the sky” and learned the “mysterious ways in heaven,” Sitchin wrote.
“Without a doubt, that passage describes a trip into space.
“Thutmose III was transported by space shuttle to a space station in orbit above the Earth.
“The report of Thutmose proves that ancient astronauts visited Earth long ago.”
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Another thing we're good at: Wind
Wind is becoming a big business in farm country -- and it has nothing to do with the current political season.
Utility companies and farmers are erecting wind turbines by the hundreds in the upper Midwest and Great Plains, an area that's been called the Saudi Arabia of wind power because of its flat, open terrain and steady stiff winds. Take all the states from North Dakota down to the Texas panhandle, and the states that touch them, and you've defined the geography of this wind superpower.
At a meeting last week in Story county in central Iowa, farmers came to learn about wind energy and the giant wind farms that are being built by utility companies seeking renewable "green" energy sources. Extension service organizers had thought 50 people might attend, but were surprised with triple that number. Farmers there have a special reason to be interested, with a new wind farm under construction by Florida Power and Light in their county.
Here are a few of the facts that Bill Haman from the Iowa Energy Center told the group.
- Wind itself is a byproduct of solar energy as the uneven heating and cooling of the earth's atmosphere creates pressure gradients. About two percent of solar energy that strikes the earth is converted to wind.
- You get more power from cold wind at lower elevations. Both of those things cause the air to be more dense, giving the power boost.
- Winds tend to be slower in the summer, when the air is warmer and packs less punch. Unfortunately, these summer "dog days" of wind power come at a time when electricity use peaks for air conditioner use. Since the power companies can't count on power from the wind when they need it the most, wind-generated electricity has a lower value to them compared to their coal- or gas-fired plants.
- Most turbines you see spinning in farm fields have three long blades. While it might seem that more blades would harvest more wind power, that's not true. As the blades move through the air, they leave a wind cavity that has to be refilled for the next blade. Three blades take best advantage of this cavity refill.
- You need a minimum of seven-mile-per-hour winds to operate most turbines. In Iowa, the year-around average wind speed at 160 feet above the ground is about 15 mph. It averages three to four mph faster in the winter and spring compared to the summer. Winds in far northwest Iowa average about 17 mph, compared to about 14 mph in the southeast part of that state.
- A little extra wind means a lot. As the wind goes from a steady seven mph to 10 mph, the power output generated by a wind turbine triples. Go from 15 mph to 17, and you get a 46% power bump.
- North Dakota should be the wind capital of the U.S. as it gets the steadiest, strongest winds coming off the western mountain ranges. A few years ago, it was calculated that if North Dakota could harvest all the wind power moving over it, and transmit it to where it's needed, it could provide 36% of all the electric power needs of the entire country. Unfortunately, the infrastructure and transmission lines to move that much power don't exist. And the cost to build it is prohibitive -- up to $1 million per mile. That's why most new wind farms are being built in states farther south and east, where the power grid is in place.
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Brain Cancer Diagnosis & Detection
Learn More About Diagnosing Brain Cancer: Chat with Us | Email Us
Video: How Are Neurological Cancers Diagnosed?Learn how neurological cancers, such as brain or spinal cancer, are diagnosed. Dr. Baird talks about the advanced diagnostic imaging tools used and procedures performed to diagnose the disease.
Brain Cancer Diagnosis
CTCA neurosurgeon Dr. Clinton Baird explains how neurologic cancers are diagnosed, beginning with a review of health history and symptoms, followed by imaging tools and biopsy/surgical resection.
An effective brain cancer treatment plan begins with an accurate diagnosis. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), our team of cancer experts uses advanced imaging technologies and tools to precisely evaluate malignant and benign brain tumors.
Once we make an accurate brain cancer diagnosis—and are able to determine the location, type and grade of the tumor—we’ll work with you to formulate a treatment plan that best suits your needs. Because of the complexities of brain tumors, treatment should be based on a tailored, individualized approach.
Benign vs. Malignant Primary Brain Tumors
Not all primary brain tumors are the same. Primary brain tumors can be divided into malignant or benign tumors.
- Benign primary brain tumors are not cancerous. They grow slowly, and tend to be more amendable to surgical or other treatments. However, benign brain tumors can still damage normal brain tissue and cause serious problems.
- Malignant brain tumors are more aggressive by definition. They grow more quickly and invade local structures more aggressively.
Brain Cancer Diagnostic Tools & Tests
We may use any of the following tests and tools to make an accurate brain cancer diagnosis. Once complete, we will use this information to develop your personalized treatment plan.
- Health History & Physical Examination: This includes a physical exam for general signs of health and a review of your medical history and symptoms.
- Neurological Examination: This includes a series of questions and tests for vision, hearing, motor skills, memory, cognition, and other neurologic functions.
- Imaging Tests: These tests use imaging technologies to produce pictures of the brain to determine the location and grade of brain tumors. A contrast agent may be used to distinguish normal and abnormal brain tissue.
- CT scan
- PET scan (primarily for spinal cancer)
- Nuclear Medicine Bone Scan - This scan can reveal if cancer has spread to the bone. In a bone scan, a small dose of radioactive material is injected into a blood vessel, where it travels through the bloodstream. The material then gathers in the bones and is detected by a scanner through nuclear imaging.
- Angiography – During this scan, X-rays obtain multiple, detailed 3D images of the blood vessels in the brain. This test may be used to plan the surgical resection of a tumor that is near an area of the brain with many blood vessels. Sometimes, this test is used to embolize (close off) blood vessels feeding a tumor prior to surgery.
- Biopsy/Surgical Resection: Whenever possible, a full surgical resection of the cancerous tissue is performed. If such a resection threatens neurological function, then a lesser resection, or simple biopsy, is performed. A biopsy involves the removal of a small amount of the cancerous tissue from the brain. A pathologist will then examine the tissue under a microscope for a definitive diagnosis. This helps us evaluate the tumor to plan your treatment. A needle biopsy may be performed for tumors in difficult-to-reach or critical areas of the brain.
For individuals with metastatic brain cancer, your doctor may perform additional tests to determine where the cancer originated.
Throughout your brain cancer treatment, we’ll use advanced imaging tests to track the disease and monitor your response to treatment. Once your brain cancer treatment is complete, we’ll follow you closely with imaging tests to stay on top of any recurrence and determine if further treatment is needed.
Next Topic: Brain Cancer Grading
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Fact No. 1: There was nobody named Jack Dawson on the Titanic.
Fact No. 2: The man named J. Dawson who was among the passengers and died on the Titanic, and whose grave movie fans visit in Nova Scotia, was not Jack, the character Leonardo DiCaprio played in that 1997 blockbuster movie.
"The Titanic for Dummies" will teach you that, and thousands more facts about the legendary disaster.
New Haven author Stephen Spignesi is responsible for this reference book published in January. Spignesi also wrote "The Complete Titanic: From the Ship's Earliest Blueprints to the Epic Film" in 1998.
So if his first Titanic book was "complete," why write a new one?
"I was already a 'Dummies' author. I've written three of them," Spignesi said, referring to "Second Homes for Dummies," "Lost Books of the Bible for Dummies" and "Native American History for Dummies." "I had done the [Titanic] book in 1998. I had already put in the time to do the research and had a massive archive of books, articles, videos and facts."
With that research in hand, he persuaded Wiley, the publisher, to let him write "The Titanic For Dummies" on the 100th anniversary of the disaster, which happened on April 14-15, 1912. More than 700 passengers and crew members survived the sinking of the Titanic, but more than 1,500 died.
"'The Complete Titanic' was straightforward history, and the 'Dummies' books are very modular and nonsequential," he said. "They're meant entirely as reference books."
But he said in addition to the new format, the new book also contains updated information based on new research and inquiries, or what he referred to as "a boatload of information."
"Did I just say 'boatload?'" he said.
New And Improved
"The Titanic for Dummies," in 20 easily accessible chapters, describes in detail the ship's construction, the socioeconomic status of the passengers, life aboard the ship, the first four days of the trip, before disaster struck, how people survived once the ship hit the iceberg, firsthand accounts of the sinking, press coverage, what went wrong, later efforts to find the remains, movies about the Titanic, myths, artifacts and one startling chapter about a book written in 1898, "Futility / Wreck of the Titan," whose story had eerie similarities to the tragedy that happened 14 years later.
Spignesi said that for him and for the general public, the enduring fascination with the Titanic tragedy — which isn't even close to being the most fatal maritime disaster in world history — is largely due to the fact that it sank on its maiden voyage.
"Actually, what the Titanic was trying to do was ... a routine journey. For immigration, mail and cargo, a steamship was the only way to get across the pond," he said. "But to sink on a maiden voyage? ... If I walked into a movie producer's office and said, 'I have a great idea for a movie: Get the biggest ship ever, fill it with millionaires and have it sink hitting an iceberg on its first trip,' it would be considered too far-fetched."
"If the Olympic [another ship] sank on its fourth or fifth or sixth trip to New York, I don't think it would be anywhere near as important or interesting as the Titanic," he said. "Here we have a $7 1/2 million ship, the ultimate in luxury, some of the richest people in the world on board, the biggest moving thing on the planet, and it sinks on its first trip. It's ludicrous. Truth is stranger than fiction."
But other aspects of the tragedy are just as fascinating; Spignesi called the entire episode "human error, combined with design error."
He said if the ship truly were to be "unsinkable," it would have to have been built with all the watertight compartments closed off by thick ship walls that extended all the way up to the top of the boat.
But human error played just as big a role, starting with the British Board of Trade, which still operated under laws based on ships about 10,000 to 26,000 tons. The Titanic was 46,000 tons.
"White Star Line was in total compliance with the laws of the time, but the laws were outdated," he said. "The laws required 16 lifeboats. They put four additional collapsible lifeboats on board, to make people think they were going overboard protecting people's safety."
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In-Home Palliative Care Allows More Patients to Die at Home, Leading to Higher Satisfaction and Lower Acute Care Utilization and Costs
A home-based model of palliative care uses an interdisciplinary team of providers to manage symptoms and pain, provide emotional and spiritual support, and educate patients and family members about changes in the patient's condition.
Home Health Nurses and Care Managers Use Software-Aided Medication Review Protocol for Frail, Community-Dwelling Seniors, Leading to More Appropriate Medication Use
Care staff use software-based protocols to screen older clients’ medications and collaborate with pharmacists and physicians to reduce the risk of medication errors and adverse effects, leading to more appropriate medication use and fewer cases of duplicative medications.
Medication Management Improvement System (MMIS) Toolkits
These toolkits were designed to improve medication use among the elderly patients in home health agencies and community-based care management agencies.
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MONDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- An estimated 21 percent of Americans aged 48 to 59 struggle with some kind of hearing loss, and the number rises to 90 percent of adults 80 and older, a new study says.
Yet much of that hearing loss may be preventable, the researchers pointed out.
Factors that contribute to hearing loss include working in a noisy environment, having a parent who had hearing loss, and, possibly, heart disease. Hearing loss is associated with difficulty communicating, a poor quality of life, dementia and cognitive problems, the study authors noted.
"Hearing loss may not be an inevitable part of aging, and our findings, which are in line with other studies, point to the possibility that if we live healthier lifestyles, lifestyles that can reduce our chance of cardiovascular disease for example, we may be able to prevent or delay hearing loss," said lead researcher Scott D. Nash, who's with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison.
Hearing loss is a common problem, Nash said. "In our study, nearly one out of seven adults over the age of 21 had hearing loss. In participants 65 years and older, more than 40 percent had hearing loss. We also found hearing loss was associated with some cardiovascular measures," he added.
"One possible explanation for the connection between cardiovascular disease and hearing loss may be that disruptions or changes to blood flow that come with cardiovascular disease may lead to less oxygen in the inner ear or other parts of the auditory pathway," he speculated.
The new report is published in the Feb. 21 online edition of the Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery.
For the study, Nash and his colleagues collected data on 3,285 men and women who were part of the Beaver Dam Offspring Study, which looks at aging and its effects. The average age of the participants was 49.
The researchers measured hearing loss as the ability to hear certain tones, and also as the ability to recognize words at different sound levels and words spoken by male and female voices.
Nash's team found that 14.1 percent of the study participants had some level of hearing loss.
In the word recognition test, 89.6 percent of the people were able to hear the words well when they were spoken in a quiet environment, but only 63.5 percent heard the words correctly when the environment was noisy, such as one might experience in a crowd.
Hearing loss was most common among men and the less educated, and people who worked in a noisy environment or who had had ear surgery.
The researchers noted that heart disease was another factor that seemed to have an effect on hearing, citing the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs, hematocrit level (a measure of blood thickness), and arterial wall thickness.
Also, if a parent suffered hearing loss their children had a significantly higher risk of hearing impairment because hearing loss is a "highly heritable condition," the researchers said.
Commenting on the study, Dr. Thomas Balkany, director of the University of Miami Ear Institute, said that "the world is getting noisier all the time."
Balkany thinks it's this increasing level of noise that is causing the increasing hearing loss, particularly for lower-income people who often are exposed to louder noise over a longer period of time at their jobs.
This is why Balkany thinks the link between such health problems as heart disease, diabetes, smoking, obesity and hearing loss is largely due to social factors, which put people in unhealthy environments where hearing loss is a byproduct. In other words, lifestyles that increase the risk for chronic health problems also increase the risk for hearing loss.
There's not much one can do, added Balkany, who's also chairman of the otolaryngology department at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "The message is the same -- protect your hearing," he said.
For more information on hearing loss, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
SOURCES: Scott D. Nash, M.S., University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison; Thomas Balkany, M.D., professor, otology and neurotology, director, University of Miami Ear Institute, and chairman, department of otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Feb. 21, 2011, Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery, online
Copyright © 2011 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Mira Mesa residents Michael and Victoria Barzilli see discrimination differently than many of us do. They’ve seen it up close.
In World War II, the Nazis sent Victoria’s paternal grandparents to the Auschwitz concentration camp and shot her maternal grandfather’s first wife and their daughter. Half a century later, some of Michael’s teenage baseball teammates spray-painted a swastika on his family’s garage.
Such stories came to mind when the couple learned about the anti-Semitic views of aviator Charles Lindbergh, the namesake of San Diego’s airport.
The discovery propelled them into action, and they launched a campaign in November to change Lindbergh Field’s name. The effort didn’t go very far, but I obtained one of their letters this week as I wrote a column on the fate of the San Diego airport’s well-known Lindbergh mural, which airport officials may destroy but which I and most readers want to keep.
To share thoughts on the Lindbergh mural with the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, email spokeswoman Diana Lucero at email@example.com. Please copy me at firstname.lastname@example.org.
“I think once you’re a hero, you’re always a hero,” one reader told me about Lindbergh.
But is that so? Shouldn’t we consider both Lindbergh’s aviation accomplishments and his anti-Semitism? And how would we even weigh them?
Maybe the Barzillis are right, I thought. Maybe the mural shouldn’t go back up on the airport’s commuter terminal despite the public’s outpouring of support.
In Lindbergh’s most controversial speech — in 1941 — he said: “Instead of agitating for war, Jews in this country should be opposing it in every way, for they will be the first to feel its consequences. Their greatest danger to this country lies in their large ownership and influence in our motion pictures, our press, our radio and our government.”
After the speech, a PBS biography on Lindbergh noted, “Civic and corporate organizations cut all ties and affiliations with him. His name was even removed from the water tower in his hometown of Little Falls, Minn.”
The panels making up the San Diego airport’s Lindbergh mural had been taken down for building repairs for several months when the Barzillis learned about the aviator’s past from Victoria’s dad. The state of the mural and a major airport renovation spurred the couple to write a letter to airport officials.
“We kind of thought maybe this is the time to say something because if you don’t say something now, then it’s going to be too late,” Michael told me.
Their letter documents Lindbergh’s belief in eugenics, or the superiority of one race over another, and Lindbergh’s rise and fall as an American hero. He gained fame for making the first solo nonstop flight from New York to Paris in 1927 in a plane built in San Diego. Then he faced heavy criticism for promoting appeasement and isolationism during World War II.
To make their case, the Barzillis cited online research and quoted remarks that Lindbergh made in diaries, articles and speeches, such as this one: “Whenever the Jewish percentage of total population becomes too high, a reaction seems to invariably occur. It is too bad because a few Jews of the right type are, I believe, an asset to any country.”
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Being treated unfairly in a game triggers the same facial expression as stomach-turning tastes and images, a new study has found, suggesting that the brain mechanism of disgust evolved to help humans avoid not just rotten food, but also immoral behavior.
“Our idea is that morality builds upon an old mental reflex, said study co-author Adam Anderson…. “The brain had already discovered a system for rejecting things that are bad for it. Then it co-opted this and attached it to conditions much removed from something tasting or smelling bad” [Wired News].
In the study, researchers had volunteers taste beverages that ranged from sweet to neutral to horribly bitter, and showed them a range of images including sad scenes (of, for example, car crashes) and disgusting scenes (of filthy toilets and the like). They also had the volunteers play a game with a partner in which the partner decided how to split $10 between them, and the volunteer had to decide whether to accept the terms. The results, published in Science, showed that bad tastes, revolting images, and blatantly unfair offers in the game all provoked the same response.
Study coauthor Hanah Chapman explains that the researchers relied on electrical measurements of a facial muscle group called the levator labii, which runs along our cheeks. It wrinkles the nose and purses the lip. A previous study from Chapman’s colleagues found that the levator labii muscles flex in response to disgust, but not anger. “It’s really quite specific,” she says [New Scientist].
The scrunched-up expression is a sensible response to a bad smell or taste, as it reduces odors and particles coming in through the nose and mouth. When new forms of social disgust evolved, that facial expressions may have simply tagged along with the brain mechanism. Chapman speculates that moral revulsion evolved out of more primal forms of disgust to help people avoid untrustworthy individuals…. “Disgust is an avoidance mechanism at heart. It keeps you away from something that makes you sick” [New Scientist], she says.
80beats: Smiles of Victory and Frowns of Defeat May Be Hard-Wired in Human Brains
80beats: Facial Expressions Provide an Evolutionary Boost
DISCOVER: Why Darwin Would Have Loved Botox explore’s his fascination with expressions
DISCOVER: The Biology of Bitterness
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http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/02/27/moral-disgust-may-have-evolved-from-the-response-to-rotten-food/
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| 0.94661
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23.5 stdbuf: Run a command with modified I/O stream buffering
stdbuf allows one to modify the buffering operations of the
three standard I/O streams associated with a program. Synopsis:
stdbuf option... command
command must start with the name of a program that
- uses the ISO C
FILE streams for input/output (note the
programs dd and cat don't do that),
- does not adjust the buffering of its standard streams (note the
program tee is not in this category).
Any additional args are passed as additional arguments to the
The program accepts the following options. Also see Common options.
- ‘-i mode’
- Adjust the standard input stream buffering.
- ‘-o mode’
- Adjust the standard output stream buffering.
- ‘-e mode’
- Adjust the standard error stream buffering.
The mode can be specified as follows:
- Set the stream to line buffered mode.
In this mode data is coalesced until a newline is output or
input is read from any stream attached to a terminal device.
This option is invalid with standard input.
- Disable buffering of the selected stream.
In this mode, data is output immediately and only the
amount of data requested is read from input.
Note the difference in function for input and output.
Disabling buffering for input will not influence the responsiveness
or blocking behavior of the stream input functions.
fread will still block until
EOF or error,
even if the underlying
read returns less data than requested.
- Specify the size of the buffer to use in fully buffered mode.
size may be, or may be an integer optionally followed by,
one of the following multiplicative suffixes:
‘KB’ => 1000 (KiloBytes)
‘K’ => 1024 (KibiBytes)
‘MB’ => 1000*1000 (MegaBytes)
‘M’ => 1024*1024 (MebiBytes)
‘GB’ => 1000*1000*1000 (GigaBytes)
‘G’ => 1024*1024*1024 (GibiBytes)
and so on for ‘T’, ‘P’, ‘E’, ‘Z’, and ‘Y’.
125 if stdbuf itself fails
126 if command is found but cannot be invoked
127 if command cannot be found
the exit status of command otherwise
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http://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/manual/html_node/stdbuf-invocation.html
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| 0.748922
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| 2.609375
| 3
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The ability to delay gratification as a child may lower a person's chances of being overweight later in life, according to new research.
Researchers found that people who were better able to put off receiving a reward at age 4 had lower body mass indexes (BMIs) three decades later, when the researchers followed up with them. For every minute that children resisted the temptation to eat a marshmallow placed in front of them, their BMIs decreased by . . .
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http://www.scoop.it/t/sustain-our-earth/p/2449279404/children-s-self-control-may-help-keep-them-thin-as-adults?tag=Pollution
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What is heartburn?
Despite its name, heartburn doesn't affect the heart. Heartburn is a burning feeling in the lower chest, along with a sour or bitter taste in the throat and mouth. It usually occurs after eating a big meal or while lying down. The feeling can last for a few minutes or a few hours.
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff
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print FILEHANDLE sprintf(FORMAT, LIST)
, except that
(the output record separator) is not appended. The first argument of the
list will be interpreted as the
printf format. See
sprintf for an
explanation of the format argument. If you omit the LIST,
to use FILEHANDLE without a LIST, you must use a real filehandle like
, not an indirect one like
use locale ':not_characters'
) is in effect and
POSIX::setlocale() has been called, the character used for the decimal
separator in formatted floating-point numbers is affected by the LC_NUMERIC
locale setting. See perllocale and POSIX.
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http://perldoc.perl.org/functions/printf.html
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“[sc. Mises] posits not one, but three notions of equilibrium that he claims underlie his analysis. The first, the ‘plain state of rest,’ is a temporary state in which all currently desired transactions have been made and, for the moment, no one wants to trade. His example of such a state is the close of the trading day in the stock market ....Mises describes the nature of money in the ERE:
The second equilibrium notion Mises employs is the “final state of rest,” the state toward which the market tends if there is no change in the data. This apparently is Mises’ analogue to general equilibrium. Whereas the plan state of rest is a phenomenon that is routinely found in markets, the final state of rest is an “imaginary construction” in that it can never be achieved in reality, although it is a necessary analytic tool for understanding the direction of price changes.
Finally, Mises posits yet a third equilibrium notion, the “evenly rotating economy,” or the “ERE.” This, too, is an imaginary construction of what the market would be like if there were no changes in the data. In this construction, however, people continue to be born, to live and to die, and capital is accumulated at a rate just sufficient to maintain current patterns of consumption and investment. It is a condition in which the same products are consumed and produced over and over again, and all prices equal the prices established in the final state of rest .... Whereas the first two notions have their analogues in contemporary economics, the ERE seems to be unique to Mises.” (Vaughn 1994: 81–82).
“Then there is a second deficiency. In the imaginary construction of an evenly rotating economy, indirect exchange and the use of money are tacitly implied. But what kind of money can that be? In a system without change in which there is no uncertainty whatever about the future, nobody needs to hold cash. Every individual knows precisely what amount of money he will need at any future date. He is therefore in a position to lend all the funds he receives in such a way that the loans fall due on the date he will need them. Let us assume that there is only gold money and only one central bank. With the successive progress toward the state of an evenly rotating economy all individuals and firms restrict step by step their holding of cash and the quantities of gold thus released flow into nonmonetary—industrial—employment. When the equilibrium of the evenly rotating economy is finally reached, there are no more cash holdings; no more gold is used for monetary purposes. The individuals and firms own claims against the central bank, the maturity of each part of which precisely corresponds to the amount they will need on the respective dates for the settlement of their obligations. The central bank does not need any reserves as the total sum of the daily payments of its customers exactly equals the total sum of withdrawals. All transactions can in fact be effected through transfer in the bank’s books without any recourse to cash. Thus the ‘money’ of this system is not a medium of exchange; it is not money at all; it is merely a numeraire, an etheral and undetermined unit of accounting of that vague and indefinable character which the fancy of some economists and the errors of many laymen mistakenly have attributed to money. The interposition of these numerical expressions between seller and buyer does not affect the essence of the sales; it is neutral with regard to the people’s economic activities. But the notion of a neutral money is unrealizable and inconceivable in itself. If we were to use the inexpedient terminology employed in many contemporary economic writings, we would have to say: Money is necessarily a ‘dynamic factor’; there is no room left for money in a ‘static’ system. But the very notion of a market economy without money is self-contradictory.” (Mises 1996: 249)The ERE was not used by Hayek as his equilibrium model in Prices and Production, although there are of course similarities (and the ERE does appear in later Hayekian versions of ABCT). I do not think Wicksell’s model in his monetary equilibrium theory is an ERE either (if readers think I am wrong, I would like to hear why).
Hayek makes it clear in Prices and Production that he working in the general equilibrium tradition, which would be Mises’s “final state of rest”:
“it is my conviction that if we want to explain economic phenomena at all, we have no means available but to build on the foundations given by the concept of a tendency toward an equilibrium. For it is this concept alone which permits us to explain fundamental phenomena like the determination of prices or incomes, an understanding of which is essential to any explanation of fluctuation of production. If we are to proceed systematically, therefore, we must start with a situation which is already sufficiently explained by the general body of economic theory. And the only situation which satisfies this criterion is the situation in which all available resources are employed.” (Hayek 2008: 225).Wicksell had already used Walras’ theory of general equilibrium and combined it with Bohm Bawerk’s theory of interest, to try and establish the conditions of monetary equilibrium (Loasby 1998: 54). Hayek developed an intertemporal equilibrium theory in 1928 in his paper “Intertemporal Price Equilibrium and Movement in the Value of Money” (Hayek 1984 ), but did not use this in Prices and Production. Instead, “he reverted to the stationary equilibrium approach, by adopting the simple stationary-equilibrium model put forward by Wicksell in Interest and Money as the starting point for his analysis” (Donzelli 1993: 57). This was a stationary equilibrium model:
“Wicksell’s theory of monetary equilibrium, whose influence was to be crucial, was built on the foundations of his critique of the Quantity Theory. He effectively believed that the velocity of circulation of money proper was unstable since, under certain institutional conditions, it is possible to reduce the use of money through control of credit and thus to affect its velocity of circulation. The demand for credit of the banking system is governed by the difference between two rates: the supply price of bank credit, or money rate of interest, and a rate which Wicksell defined first as a ‘natural rate’, which would equalise savings and investment in an economy without money, and then as a ‘normal’ rate: the equilibrium interest rate on loanable funds in a monetary economy …. Hayek retained the idea of a disparity between these rates as a driving force behind the processes of expansion and contraction, as well as the role of credit in allowing a demand for produced and non-produced investment goods in excess of voluntary savings. Demand is then pushed above the value of goods supplied, leading to increased prices and a rationing of consumers – a forced saving. Equality of these interest rates represents monetary equilibrium.” (Hénin 1986: 39)BIBLIOGRAPHY
Donzelli, F. 1993. “The Influence of the Socialist Calculation Debate on Hayek’s view of general equilibrium theory,” Revue Européenne des Sciences 31.96.3: 47–83.
Hayek, F. A. 1984 . “Intertemporal Price Equilibrium and Movement in the Value of Money,” in R. McCloughry (ed.), Money, Capital and Fluctuations. Early Essays, Routledge & Kegan Paul, London.
Hayek, F. A. von, 2008. Prices and Production and Other Works: F. A. Hayek on Money, the Business Cycle, and the Gold Standard, Ludwig von Mises Institute, Auburn, Ala.
Hénin, P.-Y. 1986. Macrodynamics: Fluctuations and Growth: A Study of the Economy in Equilibrium and Disequilibrium, Routledge & Kegan Paul, London.
Loasby, B. J. 1998. “Co-ordination Failure: Economic Theory in the 1930s,” in P. Fontaine and A. Jolink (eds), Historical Perspectives on Macroeconomics: Sixty Years After the General Theory, Routledge, London. 53–64.
Mises, L. 1996. Human Action: A Treatise on Economics (4th revised edn), Mises Institute, Auburn, Ala.
Vaughn, K. I. 1994. Austrian Economics in America: The Migration of a Tradition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge and New York.
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http://socialdemocracy21stcentury.blogspot.com/2011/06/misess-three-concepts-of-equilibrium.html
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| 0.939857
| 1,808
| 2.859375
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|
Severe damage to Philippine Rice Terraces by two typhoons
The Northern Luzon of the Philippines was severely affected by Typhoon Pedrin (International Name: Nesat) which crossed the region on Tuesday 27 September. Its trajectory passed across the Ifugao Province and has, according to preliminary reports, caused major mud and landslides within the area of the World Heritage property of the Rice Terraces in the Philippine Cordilleras. A second typhoon crossed the area this past weekend.
While the communication in the area is still not fully functional and many roads remain blocked, the full extent of the damage and possible loss of lives is still unknown. The Philippine authorities have informed UNESCO that they will be applying for Emergency Assistance under the World Heritage Fund to respond to this situation. The conservation of the Rice Terraces will require substantial and concerted efforts and the World Heritage Centre is exploring all possible means to respond to this situation as quickly as possible.
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CC-MAIN-2013-20
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http://whc.unesco.org/pg_friendly_print.cfm?id=794&cid=82
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Simply begin typing or use the editing tools above to add to this article.
Once you are finished and click submit, your modifications will be sent to our editors for review.
This line of thought leads to what logicians call the reflection principle. According to the reflection principle, if P is any simply describable property enjoyed by the Absolute, then there must be something smaller than the Absolute that also has property P. The motivation for the reflection principle is that, if it were to fail for some property P, then the Absolute...
What made you want to look up "reflection principle"? Please share what surprised you most...
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CC-MAIN-2013-20
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http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1233633/reflection-principle
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| 0.926744
| 127
| 2.8125
| 3
|
Brain's Complex Clock Explains Our Eerie Sense of Time
CREDIT: Alarm clock image via Shutterstock
Independent of a watch or the sun's position in the sky, humans somehow can figure out how much time has ticked by, and a new study reveals how. The study suggests the brain has no master clock, but instead that every individual brain circuit can learn to tell time.
"People think when you need to time something, that there's some clock circuit in the brain that we look to," said study co-author Geoffrey Ghose, a University of Minnesota neuroscientist. "What our study indicates is it's actually very different. For every little task or every little action or decision you make, you could potentially develop timing representations."
A sense of time is fundamental to living creatures, Ghose told LiveScience.
"Often, you use external cues and events to figure out what time it is, like looking outside and seeing where the sun is or looking at a clock," Ghose said. "But you have a sense of time that's independent of all of that." [Can Animals Tell Time?]
To see how the brain keeps time, the researchers trained two rhesus monkeys to look back and forth in a very precise manner. The room had no external clues that could help the monkeys tell time.
"They basically had to be a metronome with their eyes moving back and forth," Ghose said.
Then, Ghose and his colleagues used electrodes implanted in the monkeys' brains to measure the electrical signals from neurons, or brain cells, in the parietal cortex, a region associated with eye movements.
Roughly 100 neurons were responsible for keeping the monkeys' eye movements on time, Ghose said. When the monkeys moved their eyes, the electrical signals spiked, then gradually decreased until it was time for the monkeys to look the other way. The team believes the slow decrease in electrical activity is the characteristic signal of time.
Interestingly, the team doesn't think these 100 neurons are the brain's master timekeeper. Instead, Ghose and his colleagues hypothesize that the brain can learn an internal sense of time for all tasks, whether it's meeting a friend for coffee or playing the piano.
"Every little circuit for every little action can develop clocklike actions," Ghose said.
Since the internal sense of time can be learned, those who are chronically late probably can't blame a faulty internal clock, he said.
"Presumably with enough training, if it was really important someone could develop a really good sense of time," he said. "The people who really don't have great senses of time have decided that it's not that important or rewarding."
The findings were published online Oct. 30 in the journal PLoS One.
MORE FROM LiveScience.com
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From Health Wiki
An organic compound that acts as a nutrient in small amounts for organisms, vitamins have various health and beauty benefits for various organisms including humans. A vitamin is determined when the organic chemical compound can’t be synthesized in sufficient amounts by organisms and must be gained from the diet. Certain vitamins are readily available and beneficial to humans while completely useless to animals or plants and so on. There are thirteen vitamins recognized at the present time. Categorized by their biological and chemical activity, vitamins are not defined by their structure, but their biological activity. This biological activity is referred to in the term “vitamin” as it is referencing a number of vitamer compounds that all show the biological activity associated with that specific vitamin. For example, different vitamins have different functions such as vitamin D regulates metabolism and vitamin C acts as an antioxidant.
Vitamin Date of Discovery
- 1913- Vitamin A (Retinol)
- 1910- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
- 1920- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- 1920- Vitamin D (Calciferol)
- 1920- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
- 1922- Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
- 1926- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamins)
- 1929- Vitamin K (Phylloquinone/phytol naphthoquinone)
- 1931- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
- 1931- Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
- 1934- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
- 1936- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
- 1941- Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
Vitamins and minerals are found in a large variety of the foods we consume on a daily basis, some are produced within our body due to outside sources, and some as a bi-product reaction of foods or vitamins we ingest. Each of these vitamins offers a large number of health benefits including but not limited to the prevention numerous diseases, illnesses, infections and conditions such as many types of cancer, autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and more. Aside from the protection and prevention of many diseases and illnesses, many vitamins also help keep your body balanced by encouraging a healthy metabolism, cell regeneration and normal functioning, and coating the cells of the body to protect from outside invasion of illness or infections. Some vitamins also offer antioxidant benefits, which protect against free radical damage and offer a variety of beauty and health benefits.
Vitamins, when considered in health and beauty, can hold important influence, especially when it comes to the overall health of your eyes, skin, teeth, and hair. Various vitamins provide numerous benefits to your vanity such as vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that protects against free radical damage caused by UV rays and pollution and vitamin A and B3 protect against them as well plus prevent premature aging and reducing or preventing fine lines and wrinkles. Other vitamin benefits include the preservation of eye health and vision, soften and moisturize the skin preventing dry or rough skin problems, prevention of dandruff, eczema or dermatitis, and the formation and normal growth of teeth and bones.
Vitamins, depending on the type, can be found in a variety of food sources such as leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale or lettuce (B vitamins) or in various fruits such as oranges, strawberries and papaya which all contain vitamin C. Vitamin A is found in carrots and other vegetables while vitamin D is offered by milk and sunlight exposure.
Daily Dose Recommendations
The daily dose recommendations vary from vitamin to vitamin and also depend heavily on your age and gender. Please refer to each specific vitamin page for a detailed recommendation on the daily doses according to age and gender.
Most side effects of vitamins are caused by taking supplements of them in large doses. Although overdose is rare, it can occur if the dosage is too high, but is usually treated by reducing the dosage amount. Side effects of exceeding the dosage amount or symptoms caused by overdose include diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. These symptoms are usually alleviated by lowering the dosage amount. Dosage amounts vary depending on vitamin type, age, health, and gender and should be researched based upon those factors.
Many vitamin deficiencies are now rare in modern times, but still occur in mostly under developed nations or nations that experience extreme poverty stricken conditions. Deficiencies in various vitamins can lead to a variety of illnesses, conditions, pain, exhaustion and in some cases, death which makes consuming vitamins very important to achieving and living a long and healthy life. Eating plenty of healthy foods, especially fruits and vegetables, daily is important to the prevention of these diseases and conditions caused by vitamin deficiencies.
- Vitamins Forum
- Are vitamins toxic?
- Vitamins and supplements that cancel each other out
- Vitamin strengths are important
- Multivitamins dangerous?
- Importance of B Vitamins
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(Medical Daily) Nearly 75 percent of spending in the United States originates from chronically ill patients. The number is expected to increase beyond 75 percent as the population ages. The elderly will comprise nearly 50 percent of the population in America by 2023. Seniors are most likely to develop a chronic illness, which means nearly 50 percent of the population will have a chronic illness.
How Technology is Helping Chronically Ill Patients
Nurses and physicians are using technology to improve patient care of the chronically ill. Electronic health records are allowing medical professionals to capture information at the point of care that can be used to devise interventional treatment for chronically ill patients. Nurses can transmit information to physicians electronically, and they can devise treatments to bring about better outcomes.
Software is also available to help nurses and physicians identify patients who are at risk of getting sick or with chronic diseases. Personal health records can help medical professionals manage care of the chronically ill. Televisions are being used to educate patients and their families on how to manage chronic diseases.
The outsourcing of functions for records collections accelerates the treatment of chronically ill patients. This helps nurses have more time to spend with patients and discuss coping mechanisms and other issues. Nurses know how to use hands-free devices to coordinate care for patients and keep all care documented. New York nursing homes use these devices and have found them to be successful.
Nurses and medical professionals are using technology to monitor patients in their homes. These programs are highly beneficial and allow nurses to interact with cardiac patients and other types of patients without entering the home. This type of interaction between patients and nurses has been proven to reduce hospitalization rates.
Nurses may develop better relationships with patients who do not want a nurse hovering 24 hours per day and seven days per week but need immediate access in the case of emergency. This reduces costs and helps patients monitor their expenses and keep the cost of care low. Providing information about how Medicare and Medicaid will cover these expenses is also another role that nurses play for chronically ill patients.
How Cancer Patients Use Nurses
Mesothelioma patients may need nurses to help them find resources for care and also to help administer care. Many mesothelioma patients are also veterans. Their pride often makes it difficult for them to cope. Nurses teach veterans hope to cope with their medical condition despite their former position in life.
There is often financial aid provided by the Veterans Administration. Most nurses are aware of the information available and can help their patients find aid. Nurses are also beneficial for finding legal aid. They can recommend resources for coping with cancer.
Nurses Can Help the Chronically Ill
Chronically ill patients should consult with the nurse to find out more about the care available. Find medical staff that not only cares about you and your wellbeing but knows how to help you along the road to a successful recovery. Never give up your fight.
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Verb "to be" in the present:
I am Mike. = My name is Mike.
You are Valerie. = Your name is Valerie.
He is Bruce. = His name is Bruce.
She is Helen. = Her name is Helen.
It is a monument. Its name is the Pyramid.
We are the Smith family. = Our name is Smith.
You are the Smith family. = Your name is Smith.
They are Mr. and Mrs. Smith. = Their name is Smith.
"Name" is the subject of all these sentences:
|Your name||is||Valerie.||His name||is||Bruce.||Her name||is||Helen.||Its name||is||the Pyramid.|
The subjects of these sentences are different: I, you, he, she, it; we, you, and they
| Our name
|Your name||is||Smith.||Their name||is||Smith.|
|You||are||the Smiths.||They||are||the Smiths.|
What's your name? Say "My name is [your name!]"
Listen to yourself!
Look at this. Possessive adjectives:
My, your, his, her, its, our, their - Click to listen:
| Our name
Use contractions. They are very common.
I am Mike = I'm Mike.
You are Valerie = You're Valerie.
He is Bruce. = He's Bruce.
She is Helen. = She's Helen.
It is the Pyramid. = It's the Pyramid.
We are the Smiths. = We're the Smiths.
They are the Smiths. = They're the Smiths.
My name is Mike. = My name's Mike.
Her name is Valerie. = Her name's Valerie.
His name is Bruce. = His name's Bruce.
Your name is John. = Your name's John.
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By David Dabydeen
Last updated 2011-02-17
William Hogarth's 'Marriage á la Mode' series exposed the debauched lifestyles of the upper classes, their marital infidelities, sexual diseases, and artistic pretensions. Frame Four shows a group of aristocrats being entertained by an opera singer. The black man serving sugared chocolate is a symbol of the colonial wealth which finances the lavish expenditure of the aristocracy. High civilisation has its roots in inhumane economic exploitation.
The little black boy, kneeling beside a basket of artistic bric-a-brac and an auction catalogue, is a symbol of the connection between art and slavery. It is a symbol that had long-dwelt in Hogarth's mind. As far back as 1733, he had painted a study for 'The Rake's Progress' in which a black boy is placed in similar relation to art objects.
Hogarth, in juxtaposing black people and artistic bric-a-brac, was being faithful to fact, for in the 18th century many dealers in 'black Masters' (Hogarth's scornful term for grimy paintings all the more valued as 'Old Masters' because of the evidence of age) were also dealers in black slaves. In England, both 'commodities' were auctioned off in coffee houses. It is appropriate that, at the time, the term 'patron' still had the dual meaning of 'owner of slaves' and 'supporter of the arts'.
Leading connoisseurs and collectors of the age, like the duke of Chandos or the Beckford family, were heavily involved in the slave trade. In 1762, Allan Ramsay was to write that the revival of classical architecture and taste all over Europe was financed by colonial wealth.
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Bridge design has changed and improved over time.
The “clapper bridge” is one of the earliest types of bridges. This is a low bridge that is made of flat stones or logs. The “clapper bridge” is a natural bridge.
Ancient Romans refined bridge building. They used the arch design and incorporated natural cement.
Asians used a cantilever design which allowed them to build over long spans.
The Rennaissance had an effect on bridge building in that Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo developed theories about the strength of building materials. This information helped architects make strong structures from light materials such as metal.
Later bridges were built out of iron, instead of stone, brick, clay or timber. The use of metal improved bridge design. The Brooklyn Bridge is one such bridge.
The most recent achievement in bridge building is called prestressing which helps prevent concrete from cracking. Today, most bridges are made of prestressed concrete and steel.
For more detailed information about bridge design and an overview of the forces that affect bridges visit www.engineeringtufts.edu.
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To submit a comment, contact firstname.lastname@example.org
Description found in Archives
Item (linked) part of
Place of creation
Scope and content
Ortelius map of America is without doubt one of the most recognized and influential maps of America from the 16th Century. The map first appeared in the 1570 edition of Ortelius' Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. This is a copy of the 3rd state, dated approximately 1575, which is indicated by the disappearance of the longitude number 230 at the top of the map. This happened when the original cracked plate was repaired.
Conditions of access
Original can be viewed in the presence o
f an early cartographic archivist. Microfiche version is open
Credit Library and Archives Canada.
Illustrated with sailing ships, sea monsters and decorative title cartouche in bottom left corner.
On verso Latin text titled "Novvs Orbis" with page number 2 in lower left margin. Second line of text begins with "Nouus Orbis".
From: Ortelius' "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum".
Physical condition note
Cartographic math data
Citation / reference note
Tooley, R.V. "The Mapping of America", p. 320
Availability of other formats note
1. North America - Maps - Early works to 1600.
2. South America - Maps - Early works to 1600.
3. Western hemisphere - Maps - Early works to 1600.
Other system control no.
- Date modified:
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George Augustus Henry Sala
Journalist, b. in London, 24 Nov., 1828; d. at Brighton, 8 Dec., 1895, having been received into the Church before death. His grandfather, a native of Rome, came to England in 1776; the family were connected with the stage. Being an unusually precocious child, young Sala began at fifteen to earn his living by draughtsmanship. His versatile talent then passed to scene-painting, illustrating books, etching and engraving, finally finding its real vocation in journalism. Attracting the notice of Dickens, he became a regular contributor to "Household Words" and "All the Year Round", and was sent as special correspondent to Russia.
His literary output was large and various, though his style was criticized as florid. From 1857 he worked for the "Daily Telegraph", acting as special correspondent all over the world. Much of this journalistic work was republished in book form. He was a man of social and convivial habits who prided himself on his extensive knowledge of cookery. Though earning a large income, his expensive tastes caused him frequent embarrassment, and the failure of his magazine, "Sala's Journal", straitened his circumstances in the last years. His love for London, which he knew intimately, characterizes many of his books.
More Catholic Encyclopedia
Browse Encyclopedia by Alphabet
The Catholic Encyclopedia is the most comprehensive resource on Catholic teaching, history, and information ever gathered in all of human history. This easy-to-search online version was originally printed in fifteen hardcopy volumes.
Designed to present its readers with the full body of Catholic teaching, the Encyclopedia contains not only precise statements of what the Church has defined, but also an impartial record of different views of acknowledged authority on all disputed questions, national, political or factional. In the determination of the truth the most recent and acknowledged scientific methods are employed, and the results of the latest research in theology, philosophy, history, apologetics, archaeology, and other sciences are given careful consideration.
No one who is interested in human history, past and present, can ignore the Catholic Church, either as an institution which has been the central figure in the civilized world for nearly two thousand years, decisively affecting its destinies, religious, literary, scientific, social and political, or as an existing power whose influence and activity extend to every part of the globe. In the past century the Church has grown both extensively and intensively among English-speaking peoples. Their living interests demand that they should have the means of informing themselves about this vast institution, which, whether they are Catholics or not, affects their fortunes and their destiny.
Browse the Catholic Encyclopedia by Topic
Copyright © Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company New York, NY. Volume 1: 1907; Volume 2: 1907; Volume 3: 1908; Volume 4: 1908; Volume 5: 1909; Volume 6: 1909; Volume 7: 1910; Volume 8: 1910; Volume 9: 1910; Volume 10: 1911; Volume 11: - 1911; Volume 12: - 1911; Volume 13: - 1912; Volume 14: 1912; Volume 15: 1912
Catholic Online Catholic Encyclopedia Digital version Compiled and Copyright © Catholic Online
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Introductionlithography (lĭthŏgˈrəfē) [key], type of planographic or surface printing. It is distinguished from letterpress (relief) printing and from intaglio printing (in which the design is cut or etched into the plate). Lithography is used both as an art process and as a commercial printing process. In commercial printing the term is used synonymously with offset printing.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Art: General
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Sowing Where You Reap; May 1996; Scientific American Magazine; by Mukerjee; 3 Page(s)
That biodiversity is valuable enough to pay for itself has long been recognized as a selfevident truth. Roughly half the drugs in clinical use are estimated to derive from nature. The Biodiversity Convention, adopted in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, tried to ensure that profits from such goods return to the place of origin to aid conservation and local communities. Despite some success, that goal remains elusive. Although bioprospectors--those who seek potential products in biota--number in the hundreds, the returns they promise to peoples in developing countries appear highly variable.
"I¿ve seen genuine outrage in parts of the world," attests Daniel M. Putterman, a consultant who helps developing countries negotiate deals with industry. The anger is cutting off parts of the world to bioprospectors. In Thailand, public ire has forced a British foundation to stop seeking the medicinal secrets of Karen tribes. In India, thousands of insects found in the luggage of two German "tourists" have prompted legislation regulating gene transfer; the Philippines recently passed just such a law.
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The observations were made at the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, at the Paranal Observatory in Chile, as part of a survey of the heaviest and brightest stars in a region called the Tarantula Nebula. The Tarantula Nebula is a region of star formation located in a neighboring galaxy called the Large Magellanic Cloud, about 160,000 light years from Earth. The reported star, VFTS 102, is extremely hot and luminous, shining about 100,000 times more brightly than the sun. According to the research team, this star had a violent past and was ejected from a double star system by its exploding companion star.
Cantiello and collaborators explained that stars could reach such rapid rotation via a "cosmic dance" with another star so close that gravity strips gas from its surface. "This gas falls onto the companion star, increasing the mass and spinning it up," said Cantiello. "Similar to a tennis ball spinning fast after being hit by a glancing blow, a star rotates quickly after being hit off-center by the in-falling gas."
Cantiello previously predicted the possibility of observing this type of star. He reported this theoretical finding with Sung-Chul Yoon, Norbert Langer, and Mario Livio in a paper published in 2007 in Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters. This theoretical investigation of stars in binary systems predicted extreme rotational velocities after mass accretion. The observed rotational velocity for the star agrees with this prediction.
The star is unusual not only because it rotates so fast, but also because it is moving away from its neighboring stars at a velocity of about 70,000 miles per hour, or 30 kilometers per second. "Having been part of a binary system could explain this space oddity," said Cantiello. "It has been known for over 40 years that a star in a massive binary system can be shot away from its surroundings when the companion ends its life in a spectacular explosion called a supernova. In our theoretical calculations we noticed that the ‘spun-up' star would also be moving from its surroundings at a high rate. It is very exciting to find a star that matches both of these predictions."
The star is located close to a pulsar and a supernova remnant, which may be left over from the companion star that once spun-up the observed star. If confirmed, this would provide additional support for the theoretical explanation put forward by Cantiello and collaborators in 2007.
Cantiello said that this star may produce dramatic fireworks as it dies. Such a rapidly rotating, massive star is believed to be the progenitor of some of the brightest explosions in the universe: gamma-ray bursts. These occur when the star's fast rotation produces powerful jets of light and matter.
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New HIV/AIDS guide to help countries reach universal access
5 August 2008 | MEXICO CITY, Mexico - Today, at the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a package of priority interventions designed to help low- and middle-income countries move towards universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support.
Priority Interventions: HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in the health sector is a compilation of WHO-recommended priority HIV/AIDS health-sector interventions. It includes everything from how to expand condom programming to the latest in treatment recommendations, guidelines and standards. The publication is designed to be a 'living' web-based document that will be periodically updated with new recommendations based on the rapidly evolving experience of the health-sector response.
"This document responds to a long standing country need," says WHO HIV/AIDS Department Director, Dr Kevin M. De Cock. "In one place it captures WHO's best guidance on what the global HIV/AIDS health-sector response needs to deliver".
To that end, WHO has developed this package to promote the more efficient use of existing recommendations specifically aimed at resource-limited settings. This, its authors state, will help enable countries to meet their commitment made two years ago at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AIDS to provide universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010.
The purpose of Priority Interventions is to:
- describe priority health-sector HIV/AIDS interventions that are needed to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care;
- guide the selection and prioritization of interventions for HIV prevention, treatment and care; and
- direct readers to key WHO resources and references containing the best available information on the health-sector response to HIV/AIDS.
The scale-up of HIV treatment in the world's poorest countries is greatly strengthening the health sector in many ways such as the establishment and expansion of infrastructure, including labs and clinics, a stronger health workforce, more efficient procurement and supply management systems and sustained financing.
WHO is initially launching the document on a CD-Rom but will make it available in several formats, including in hard copy and on the web. The intent is to share information and allow partners to learn from, and contribute their expertise to, the health-sector response to HIV/AIDS.
For more information please contact:
Head, Advocacy and Communications
Telephone: +41 22 791 5876
Mobile +41 79 619 8525
Telephone: +41 22 791 2511
Mobile +41 79 467 2013
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The Sannyasin in America
About Swami Vivekananda’s stay in America by Sri Chinmoy
Swami Vivekananda, a great Indian hero, and a great spiritual renunciate or sannyasin, came to America to preach spiritual philosophy and to offer India’s message to the nation. After addressing the World’s Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893, he became famous overnight.
This lofty spiritual figure had many friends and admirers. One day, some of these friends and admirers came to his house to ask him questions about Indian philosophy and spirituality. They were moved by his answers. By the time they departed, it was nearly midnight.
After they had gone, the man thought of India, his poor India, especially Mother Bengal. He said to himself, “I am going to bed. But tonight there are thousands and thousands of people without beds who will be lying in the street, poverty stricken. Here I have got a cozy and most comfortable bed. But once upon a time, I was a renunciate. Even now I am a renunciate. I used to roam in the street with no food, with nothing. Still, from time to time, I have no food or clothes. I’m in a destitute condition.
“God blesses me with riches, and my friends keep me in their homes. They’ve even given me this beautiful apartment. indeed, I’m living in great luxury. In a few minutes, I’ll go to sleep in a comfortable bed, and yet many of my fellow brothers and sisters in Bengal will be sleeping in the street.
“My heart bleeds for them. I have not fulfilled my task.
I must help my poor Indian brothers. I must save their lives; I have to enlighten them, to awaken their consciousness. There is so much to do! Alas, what am I doing here? I need rest, but I won’t sleep on the couch. I’ll sleep on the floor.”
He unwrapped his turban and laid it out on the floor for bedding. Early the following morning when the owner of the apartment, who was his friend, came to invite him to breakfast, he saw this great Indian hero lying on the floor. He said, “What is the matter?”
The Indian replied, “Thousands and thousands of my brothers and sisters spend the night in the streets. How can I sleep in a comfortable bed? I can’t, unless and until I have done something for them. It is my duty to serve God in the poor and needy. So the life of comfort is not for me. The life of selfless service, the life of dedicated, devoted service, is for me. Service is my goal, service is my perfection in life.”
from Garden of the Soul
by Sri Chinmoy
Published by Health Communications
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Administratrium, The New Element
AMES, IA–The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by materials researchers at IPRT/ISU. The new element, tentatively named Administratium, has no protons or electrons, and thus has an atomic weight of 0. However, it does have one neuron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons, and 111 assistant vice neutrons. This gives it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together in a nucleus by a force that involves the continuous exchange of particles called morons.
Since it has no electrons, Administratium is totally inert. However, it can be detected chemically, since it impedes every reaction it comes into contact with. According to its discovers, a tiny amount of Administratium caused on reaction to take over four days to complete; the normal reaction time is less than one second.
Administratium has a normal half life of approximately three years, at which time it does not actually decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which neutrons, vice neutrons, and assistant vice neutrons exchange places. Studies have shown that the atomic mass usually increases after each reorganization.
Research at other laboratories indicates that Administratium occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate at points, such as governmental agencies, large corporations, and universities. It is always found in the newest, best appointed and best maintained buildings.
Scientists point out that Administratium is known to be toxic at any level of concentration and can easily destroy any productive reactions where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being made to determine how Administratium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, butresults to date are not promising.
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January 28, 2013
Henry Morton Stanley is most remembered for his story of the expedition to report on the fate of Dr. David Livingstone, the almost mythical 19th century medical missionary and explorer, who was lost from touch while seeking the source of the Nile River.
On assignment from the New York Herald, Stanley went looking for the famous explorer, in his 1872 book, “How I Found Dr. Livingstone,” Stanley related the moment:
“As I advanced slowly toward him I noticed he was pale, looked wearied, had a gray beard, wore a bluish cap with a faded gold band round it, had on a red-sleeved waistcoat and a pair of gray tweed trousers. I would have run to him, only I was a coward in the presence of such a mob, - would have embraced him, only, he being an Englishman, I did not know how he would receive me; so I did what cowardice and false pride suggested was the best thing, - walked deliberately to him, took off my hat, and said:
“'Dr. Livingstone, I presume?'”
Whether recalled accurately, Stanley’s notes from that day do not exist and Livingstone’s accounts do not recall the words, the quote has come to represent the ultimate in blinding glimpses of the obvious.
Henry Morton Stanley was born on Jan. 28, 1841, in Denbigh, Wales. His mother, Elizabeth Parry was young, 19, and unmarried; she named her son John Rowlands, giving him the father’s last name, though he died within weeks of the birth. His childhood was rough, and he lived in a workhouse for the poor, where abuse was commonplace.
He signed on as a ship’s hand; the abusive life of a sailor was abandoned when he stole off his ship when it arrived in New Orleans. There, he met Henry Hope Stanley, a former preacher turned trader. Their relationship blossomed to the point that Mr. Stanley “adopted” Rowlands, and Rowlands adopted his name; in 1859, Henry Morton Stanley was “born.”
Stanley fought in the Confederate Army, at Shiloh, and was taken prisoner. He became a galvanized Yankee, joining the Union Army to get out of internment. Stanley lasted only a few weeks in the Union Army before he was discharged with severe illness; he joined the Union Navy in 1864 (though he once again jumped ship after serving seven months).
After the war, Stanley began the career that made him famous, a journalist that reported from fantastic expeditions for the New York newspapers. His reports on his African expeditions for the New York Herald, particularly of his trip up the Congo River, led to a commission from King Leopold II of Belgium.
Stanley led an international aid expedition that was a cover for the King’s ambitions to lay claim to the interior of the Congo for a private holding company he had founded. The expedition, ostensibly to rescue Emin Pasha, the governor of Equatoria, was successful, but more notable for the wake of destruction it left and the decades of exploitation that Leopold managed in the Congo Free State his company established. Leopold, who never visited the empire he carved out of the claims made on the expedition, ruled over what many call the genocide of the tribes in the region. Between 10 and 13 million “Congolese” died in the decades of Leopold’s Congo Free State to farm rubber, harvest ivory, and support his lavish life in Belgium.
The era of African exploration made “heroes” of the men who published the stories of the expeditions. Stanley returned to Britain, became a Liberal Unionist Member of Parliament, and was eventually knighted. He died on May 10, 1904.
A quote is a benign legacy compared to the manner in which Stanley was used to further the greed of the Belgian king.
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A recent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education suggests that students cheat more in online than in face-to-face classes. The article tells the story of Bob Smith (not his real name, obviously) who was a student in an online science course. Bob logged in once a week for half an hour in order to take a quiz. He didn’t read a word of his textbook, didn’t participate in discussions, and still got an A. Bob pulled this off, he explained, with the help of a collaborative cheating effort. Interestingly, Bob is enrolled at a public university in the U.S., and claims to work diligently in all his other (classroom) courses. He doesn’t cheat in those courses, he explains, but with a busy work and school schedule, the easy A is too tempting to pass up.
Bob’s online cheating methods deserve some attention. He is representative of a population of students that have striven to keep up with their instructor’s efforts to prevent cheating online. The tests were designed in a way that made cheating more difficult, including limited time to take the test, and randomized questions from a large test bank (so that no two students took the exact same test).
But the design of the test had two potential flaws: first, students were informed in real time whether their answers were right or wrong; second, they could take the test anytime they wanted. Bob and several friends devised a system to exploit these weaknesses. They took the test one at a time, and posted the questions together with the correct answers in a shared Google document as they went. None of them studied, so the first one or two students often bombed the test, but students who took the test later did quite well.
When we hear such stories of online cheating, the reasons for this behavior seems rather simple: It doesn’t take a criminal mastermind to come up with ways to cheat on a test when there’s no supervision and the entire Internet is at hand. Gone are the quaint days of minutely lettered cheat sheets, formulas written on the underside of baseball cap bills, sweat-smeared key words on students’ palms. Now it’s just a student sitting alone at home, looking up answers online and simply filling them in.
While we can probably all agree that cheating in online courses is easier to pull off than in a physical classroom, I suspect that this simple intuition is far from the whole story, and that e-cheating is more than just a increased ease of getting away with it.
When my colleagues and I have examined the effects of being caught on dishonesty, we found that by and large changing the probability of being caught doesn’t really alter the level of dishonesty. In one of our experiments we asked two Master’s students at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev named Eynav, who is blind, and Tali, who has normal sight, to take a cab back and fourth between the train station and the university twenty times. We chose this route for a particular reason: if the driver activates the meter, the fare comes out to around $7 (25 NIS). However, there is a customary rate on this route that costs around $5.50 (20 NIS) if the meter is not activated. Both Eynav and Tali asked to have the meter activated every time they caught a cab, regardless of whether the drivers informed them of the cheaper customary rate. At the end of the ride, the women would pay the fare, wait a few minutes, then take another cab back to where they started.
What we found was that Tali was charged more than Eynav, despite the fact that they both insisted on paying by the meter. Eynav quickly supplied us with the explanation behind this curious phenomenon. “I heard the cab drivers activate the meter when I asked them to,” she told us, “but before we reached our final destination, I heard many of them turn the meter off so that the fare ended up close to 20 NIS.” This never happened to Tali. What’s more, many other experiments with undergraduates yielded similar results. What these results suggest is that simply making the situation such that people cannot get caught does not automatically lead to higher levels of dishonesty.
So if it’s not necessarily the fear of getting caught, what might be the reasons for increased cheating? Based on our research, I would propose that the primary reason is the increased psychological distance between the dishonest act and its significance, and between teacher and student doing seo services. The difference a little distance can make is rather impressive. Take the results from a study of around 10,000 golfers who were asked—among other things—how likely golfers were to cheat by moving the lie of a ball by 4 inches through various means: by nudging it with the golf club; by kicking it; or by picking it up and moving it. What these golfers told us was that 23% of golfers would likely move a ball with their club while only 14% and 10% would move it by kicking it and picking it up, respectively. What this tells us is that the extra distance provided by the club allows for twice as much cheating as the unavoidably conscious and culpable act of picking up the ball and moving it.
What does this have to do with cheating in online courses? Online classes are by definition taken at a distance, from the comfort of the student’s home where they are removed from the teacher, the other students, and the academic institution. This distance doesn’t merely allow room for people to get away with dishonest behavior; it creates the psychological distance that allows people to further relax their moral standards. I suspect that this aspect of psychological distance, and not simply the ease of pulling it off, is at the heart of the online cheating problem.
There is another important reason why we should care whether the cause for online dishonesty is due to its ease or to a change in the perceived moral meaning of the action. If online cheating is simply a matter of a cost-benefit analysis, we can assume that over time online universities will find ways to monitor and supervise students and this way prevent such behavior. However, if we think that the root cause of online cheating is more relaxed internal morals, then time is working against us.
Let’s think for a minute about illegal downloads. Have you ever downloaded a song or TV show illegally? How badly do you feel about it? When I ask my students these questions, almost all of them admit to having plenty of illegally downloaded files on their computers—and they don’t feel badly about it. As it turns out, dishonesty lies on a continuum: there are behaviors we feel badly about, which is where our own morality holds us back. But as cheating in a particular domain becomes more commonplace, the negative feelings associated with it decrease until we don’t really feel badly at all.
Let’s return to Bob and to cheating in online courses. This kind of behavior in online classes worries me because it is becoming more pervasive, and once we reach a point of moral indifference, it is nearly impossible to change this behavior. I don’t think we’ve reached this point yet, so we need to work as hard as we can to counteract the trend toward dishonesty. Otherwise what’s often considered an important tool for democracy in education could be made worthless.
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What is a Cancer Screening?
As part of our patient wellness focus at McKay-Dee Hospital, all patients are encouraged to receive regular cancer screenings. This is done to detect cancer as early as possible. Early detection leads to a better chance at recovery. Patients with high risk factors such as a family history of cancer should discuss the frequency of cancer screening with their physician. We can also do genetic testing or BRCA testing to detect any cancer-causing genes.
Although most cancer screenings are performed regularly after the patient has reached a certain age, some are done because of symptoms or other abnormalities. Cancer screenings often begin after the patient has discovered an abnormality such as a lump or skin lesion. If there is a concern about an abnormality, it’s important to talk to your doctor immediately to discuss screenings.
For questions about cancer screenings, please call (801) 387-7484, or check out the links below.
For people at risk, colonoscopy is the best test to screen for colon cancer, pre-cancerous growths, and polyps. If an abnormal growth or polyp is found, the doctor can remove it, take a biopsy, or recommend surgical removal later.
As an essential part of early detection, McKay-Dee Hospital supports the American Cancer Society guidelines for breast cancer detection. All female patients are strongly encouraged to start receiving annual mammograms no later than the age of 40. To make an appointment, call (801) 387-7200.
- Prostate Screening
Prostate Cancer is the second most common cancer found in men and regular prostate cancer screenings are necessary to detect it.
- Skin Cancer Screening
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and affects over two million people every year. If you are at risk for skin cancer or notice an abnormality like an irregular mole or patch of skin, you should ask your doctor about getting a skin cancer screening.
- Schedule Your Mammogram
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Individual differences |
Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology |
Reformatory is a term that has had varied meanings within the penal system, depending on the jurisdiction and the era. It may refer to a youth detention center, or an adult correctional facility. The term is still in popular use for adult facilities throughout the United States, although most reformatories have been renamed correctional centers (or similar) in recent years. The term reformatory (or reformatory school) was also commonly used during the 19th century throughout the United Kingdom in reference to penal facilities for children under the age of 14.
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January 6, 2011
Senator Russ Feingold and nine other senators introduced S. 1686, the JUSTICE Act in the 111th Congress, which reforms our surveillance laws, including the Patriot Act and the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, an even broader expansion of government power. The bill reins in the government’s spying powers by:
Protecting the privacy of records.
- The JUSTICE Act amends the national security letter (NSL) authority so that the government can only access communications, financial and credit records when they have something to do with a terror suspect or spy. Under the original Patriot Act, the government can collect the records of innocent people whenever it deems them “relevant” to an investigation – without any oversight by an impartial court. The current standard is so low that independent audits found that approximately 50,000 are issued every year and many are issued against people two or three times removed from an actual suspect.
- The JUSTICE Act amends section 215 of the Patriot Act, the so-called “library records provision”. As currently written, section 215 permits the government to get a secret warrant for any tangible thing, such as library or medical records, by showing only that the records are “relevant” to an investigation. The bill would require the government to show that the records relate to a suspected terrorist or spy.
Protecting the privacy of communications.
- The JUSTICE Act amends last year’s FISA Amendments Act that allows the government to collect phone calls and emails coming into or going out of the United States even if an American is on one end and even if that person is not suspected of doing anything wrong. This bill limits that authority by requiring that the collection of phone calls and emails at least be targeted and not conducted in a dragnet fashion where any number of people can be swept up into government databases. The bill also makes sure that when Americans’ communications are collected by the government under this warrantless program, the phone calls and emails are listened to, used or distributed only if there is reason to believe they relate to terrorism.
- The JUSTICE Act amends the Patriot Act’s “roving John Doe” authority. That authority permits wiretap orders even without identifying either the person or the place to be tapped. The JUSTICE Act would require the government to name either the person or the place.
Protecting the privacy of homes and businesses.
- The Patriot Act made it easier for the government to secretly conduct searches without giving prior notice by authorizing “sneak and peek” searches whenever notice would jeopardize an investigation. The JUSTICE Act reins in this authority by removing this broad catch-all, but permits government officials to continue secret searches in emergency or urgent circumstances.
Protecting First Amendment rights.
- The JUSTICE Act requires that gag orders that come with national security letters or section 215 orders meet traditional First Amendment standards. If a recipient of one of these requests wishes to speak out about the government’s actions, the burden will be on the government to convince a court that national security will jeopardized if the recipient is not gagged.
Targeting terror prosecutions on those who intend to help terrorists.
- The JUSTICE Act will amend the material support statute – which criminalizes giving anything of value to a terrorist organization – so that people can only be prosecuted if they knew or intended the money or other support to further terrorist acts. It will prevent prosecution of people who work with or for charities that give humanitarian aid in good faith to war torn countries.
Holding companies responsible for conspiring with the government to break the law.
- The JUSTICE Act will reverse last year’s congressional grant of immunity to telecommunications companies that unlawfully turned over Americans’ private communications to the government without a warrant compelling them do so. Consumers will be able to seek redress in the courts to prevent this from happening in the future.
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Given by Massachusetts in 1876
Hall of Columns
This statue of John Winthrop was given to the National Statuary Hall Collection by Massachusetts in 1876.
John Winthrop was born in Suffolk County, England, on January 12, 1587 or 1588. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, and was admitted to Gray's Inn in 1613. He practiced law in London and was admitted to the Inner Temple in 1628.
Winthrop's Puritan convictions led him to take an interest in the new Massachusetts Bay Colony in the New World. His involvement in the planning and management of the corporation resulted in his being appointed governor of the colony in 1629. He left England the next year to take his new post in Massachusetts. Gifted in practical affairs and the art of government, Winthrop was the foremost political leader in the colony for nearly 20 years, including twelve non-consecutive terms as governor.
Religious leaders were actively involved while the colony struggled to develop a form of government compatible with Puritan beliefs. Winthrop's views differed on occasion from those of the clergy; these disputes led to an eventual inquiry into dissension in the colony, with the result that Winthrop agreed to follow Puritan ideals more closely. At the same time, the colony had come under criticism in England. Winthrop successfully argued for its continuation in a letter to the Lords Commissioners for Plantations. In 1640 he held a post with the Court of Assistants, and in 1642 he was elected to the chief magistracy. In 1645 Winthrop was instrumental in forming the United Colonies and served as its first president. His contributions to Massachusetts continued until his death on March 26, 1649.
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Prevent dehydration, if you can. As adults, we process through quite a lot of water on a daily basis. This varies a bit by gender and a lot by activity level, but an average figure is somewhere around 2‒4 liters. This is lost through perspiration, respiration, and urination. This number is related to the recommendation of eight glasses of water a day—two liters is around eight and a half cups. If you feel thirsty, drink water. If it is hot and you are more active, drink more. If you're not urinating every couple of hours, drink even more.
Lower body temperature to reduce perspiration. If you or someone you know is experiencing some of the symptoms of dehydration and it is more than just feeling thirsty for a cold one, then you need to take some additional steps. It is possible that the subject is experiencing dehydration-caused heat exhaustion, which can lead to a deadly heat stroke. The first step is to get out of the hot environment. Find shade or, better yet, a fan or air conditioning. Apply a cold compress to the forehead, neck, and armpits. This will reduce fluid loss via sweating and cool the body temperature down.
Elevate feet to improve blood circulation. Part of being dehydrated is a state called hypovolemia or volume contraction, in which the volume of blood in the body is reduced. Some signs of this are an increased heart rate, low blood pressure, turning pale, dizziness, feeling faint, nausea, confusion, decreased urine output, sweating with cool pale skin, and extreme thirstiness. Laying the subject down and elevating the legs will help keep the blood flow centered on the core of the body and the head. This will help reduce circulatory shock and potentially decrease body temperature as well.
Drink fluids to replenish body liquids. As stated above, a lot of minor dehydration symptoms can be alleviated with a glass or two of water. But it is also possible that you have depleted your body's electrolytes in the process. Electrolytes are excreted when we sweat, and they are basically different kinds of salts needed for proper muscle and nerve functionality. Sports drinks contain electrolytes, as do many foods. There is a recipe for an electrolyte drink in the sidebar of this article. Remember, the rate of rehydration for mild dehydration is five teaspoons of liquid per pound of body weight over four hours.
Serious dehydration requires hospitalization. It is possible that the subject is beyond the point where oral rehydration therapy can make up for the loss of bodily liquids. In fact, sometimes drinking too many liquids when you're dehydrated can be dangerous, leading to a cerebral edema. Some signs of serious dehydration include lethargy, loss of consciousness, seizures, and sunken eyes. If you suspect or have observed that the dehydration is at this level, you need to get the subject to an emergency room or call an ambulance immediately. They will be able to evaluate their needs, provide intravenous saline fluids, and monitor their condition.
Cause of Dehydration
Generally speaking, dehydration is caused by a reduction of liquids in one's body. You might be picturing a trip through the desert on a nameless horse, but it could just as well happen in the safety of your own home. Dehydration could be caused by overdoing it on the treadmill, prolonged exposure to a dry environment, blood loss, diarrhea, hyperthermia, shock, vomiting, burns, excessive tears, drug or alcohol use, diseases like cholera, yellow fever, shigellosis, diabetes, food borne illness, or fasting.
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Symbolism In Hinduism
|One of the least known
facts about Hinduism is that for many centuries
beliefs and practices were kept hidden from
the general public. People were not allowed
to know truths about the divinities or secrets
about the spiritual practices or the methods
of performing various rituals and rites.
This happened in two significant ways. Firstly
the priestly families decided not to teach
the Vedas and other sacred literature to
those who they thought were unqualified
to know them by virtue of their birth and
profession. Therefore they did not allow
the other castes to know about the ritual
aspects of the religion. In fact, in this
regard, we cannot just isolate and
blame the priestly caste. What they did
was part of a social practice that characterized
Hindu society. Every caste more or less
kept the secrets of their respective professions
strictly within their families or castes.
Secondly those who transcended the caste
distinctions and joined the ascetic traditions
were bound to the master and disciple tradition,
which dictated that only those who were
able to earn the confidence of their masters
by virtue of their sincerity and personal
effort were allowed to learn the secrets
of their respective paths and when they
taught to others they were bound by the
same tradition. Because of these
two developments the only way the
rest of the population could get some knowledge
of their religion was through fringe methods
such as listening to the stories from the Puranas
and the Epics or the discourses of the
wandering ascetics or watching some dance
dramas. The Hindu scriptures are replete
with metaphors, containing deeper philosophical
truths, couched in symbolism, not obvious
immediately to ordinary individuals. Some
of them, especially the Vedas, the Upanishads,
are written in a coded or symbolic language.
Like all manifest creation, they also have
a manifest content which is visible to all
and a hidden content that would not be so
obvious to us unless we have some intuitive
ability. The hidden part unravels itself
to the extent we have withdrawn into ourselves.
They come to you as flashes from the depths
of consciousness in moments of heightened
awareness. The following articles are an
attempt in this direction. Readers are requested
to note that in presenting these articles
we do not claim any exclusive authority
on the subject of symbolism in Hinduism.
We have made interpretations based upon
our understanding of the subject matter.
We request those who are endowed with intuitive
knowledge to present their articles for
this section so that we will understand
the symbolism hidden behind our religious
traditions and its many truths.
of Numbers in Hinduism According to the
author the numbers in Hinduism serve the same purpose
as idols in worship and meditation
||The Vedic Deities
Know the symbolic significance of Vedic Deities
from this article.
|The Ganges and Lord
What does this story of the origin of river
Ganges actually represent? Know from here.
|The True Meaning
Know the true meaning of Sanyas in this article.
Nataraja According to the author the
image of Nataraja is an iconic representation of
the whole of Saiva Siddhanta philosophy
||The Trinity of Gods
We have presented here the symbolic significance
of the Hindu Trinity
of the four Yugas
This article is about the secrets of the four great
Yugas or epochs.
in the Gita
What do the characters of the Bhagavad gita symbolically
represent ? Know the answer from here.
Symbolism of the Vedas
The Vedas are divided into four parts. Do you know
what they stand for? Know the secrets of Vedic Symbolism
This article is about the two great principles of
the manifest universe based upon the descriptions
given in the Bhagavad-Gita.
|The Vehicles of Gods
Know from this article the hidden significance of
the vehicles of gods and goddesses.
|The Churning of the
We have presented here the symbolic significance
of this absorbing mythological story.
Read the symbolic significance of Shri Hanumanji
Code Of The Bhagavadgita
This book deals with the little known aspects of
the Bhagavad Gita. It is the result of 15 years
Puja is the most common form of Hindu worship, with
a hidden symbolism unknown to many. We have presented
the same here.
to Symbolism in Hinduism
More links and search resources. (Opens in a new
|Significance of Puja
Find the many interpretations given in Hinduism
to the word "puja" ..
A huge resource base of translations of many ancient
scriptures of Hinduism, Buddhism and other eastern
Information center for the latest news, views,
jokes, cooking recipes, latest film reviews, stock
quotes, horoscope, health information and more.
A variety of information in one place
Reviews of exceptionally good books on Hinduism
and related religions as well as self development
Product specific and general search engines
enable search more than 2.5 million websites
in 200000+ categories. Find people, places and products
all from one place.
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The Shamrak Report produced by Steven Shamrak is a 'Pro-Israel' report that brings together various pieces of news from a variety of sources to demonstrate the inherent racism involved in the politics of the Middle East. (Comments in brackets are made by Steven Shamrak)
UNRWA vs UNHCR Goals and Agenda
by Yona Levy Grosman
UNHCR - within a period of a few months, and no more than one year, all refugees acclimatize to their new home and begin to build their new lives. UNHCR considers "Family planning" as a very important issue for adapting to their new countries.
UNHCR Goal: Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state , with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. UNHCR provides basic material help and passes to the shelter countries all the other needs of the refugee.
UNRWA - creates total dependence on its support system for the refugees and their descendants, with no limit of time. It prevents rehabilitation resolutions in many cases.
UNRWA Goal - Its main goal is to educate and to execute the "Right of Return" to Palestine (which was designated to Jews as Eretz-Israel, the Land of Israel, in 1922 by the League of Nations ). In order to achieve this goal, all means are valid; to preserve the refugees' refugee status even though some of them receive citizenship in other countries. UNRWA works as an autonomous authority, to preserve its main programs - health, education as they have been for many decades.
Does UNHRC Care about Real Refugees?
The United Nations' Human Rights Council (UNHRC) appointed three officials to conduct a fact-finding mission on how the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria (Yehuda and Shomron) affect the lives of PA Arabs. Israel 's Foreign Ministry subsequently decided to sever its ties with the UNHRC, saying the decision stems from a series of unilateral moves that the "Palestinians" are trying to lead against Israel.
- (There are hundreds of thousand refugees pouring into the Southern Sudan. There is a shortage of shelters and food. They are waiting for UN assistance in a swamp. But, there are no senior UN stuff members to coordinate care for them. For over 60 years UNHRC's main focus is welfare of the fake Palestinian refugees, who are living in comfort of (cities) the so called refugee camps)
Food for Thought by Steven Shamrak
They say that I use word "hypocrisy" to often in my letters. Unfortunately there is too much of it around with respect to the international attitude toward Israel. The word "bastardy" would be more appropriate, but I afraid they will call me "rude"! I have also been accused of being "one-sided". How many sides do Muslim/Arab Israel-bashers have?
Welcome to Brotherhood - Jewish Voters Taken for Granted!
United States President Barack Hussein Obama has invited his Egyptian counterpart Mohammed Morsi to conduct an official visit to the US in September. This would be the first visit ever to the US by a member of the genocidal Muslim Brotherhood in an official capacity. Obama's invitation to Mursi is in breach of Obama's assurances to US Jewish leaders. His key promise was not to invite Mursi to the White House until the Egyptian president met certain conditions, the foremost of which was a public and specific statement of Egypt 's commitment to its 1979 peace treaty with Israel as a central theme in Morsi's earliest foreign policy speech.
- (This invitation indicates Obama is not overly concerned about a negative reaction by Jewish voters as long as Muslims are pleased!)
Legalisation of Outposts is Recommended
A government-commissioned report has recommended that Israel legalise dozens of settlements in Judeaand Samaria. The report also reaffirmed Israel's longstanding position that the West Bank is not occupied territory and therefore Israel has the legal right to settle it. The panel's recommendations, which include annulling past Supreme Court orders and other legal rulings in order to facilitate settlement construction, have not been endorsed by the government.
- (The time has come for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud party and all decent politicians in Israelto realise that policy of appeasement does not work. Anti-Semites will never be happy with anything Jews are prepared to sacrifice. It is time to protect and start to build a future for the Jewish nation!)
Friendship is Two-way Street
Washington has sharply criticised the Israeli legal panel ruling that Jewish settlements on the West Bank are not illegal under international law: US State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said Monday: "We do not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity and we oppose any effort to legalise outposts." The panel headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Edmond Levy found that the term of occupier is not applicable to Israel since the West Bank never belonged to a Palestinian state and its capture by the Kingdomof Jordan never won international recognition.
- (One again the USgovernment has shown its true 'friendly' support for Israel!)
Hypocrisy of the Headlines:
"Israel continues deadly attacks in Gaza" - Al Jazeera - Most people read the headlines only. The first line of the article stated: "Fresh air raid leaves one Palestinian dead, after Hamas fighters fired 45 rockets across the border in 24 hours." This manipulative technique, placing Israels defensive/retaliatory action first in a headline, is quite often used by anti-Israel press!
African Migrants Tortured in Sinai
For several years the world was pre-occupied with Israel 's treatment of African migrants. At the same time very little attention was paid to the killings, torture, organ harvesting and enslavement of African migrants, most of whom were Muslims, by Bedouins in Sinai with the participation by, or inaction of, Egypt 's government for years. Only now, in order to undermine the Muslim Brotherhood, has aljazeera.com begun exposing this cruel reality.
Self-hating Idiot is Undermining Zionist's Ideals
President Shimon Peres came under fire on Tuesday for criticising the Jewish settlement enterprise in Judea and Samaria (Yehuda and Shomron). Peres, who spoke during a memorial ceremony for the founder of Zionism, Binyamin Ze'ev Herzl, said, "Israeli settlement in territories that are densely populated with Arab population... can lead to a threatening demographic change. That is, a risk to the Jewish majority in Israel."
- (There are many ways to end Arab occupation and remove them off Jewish land. But this self-serving and corrupt stooge is not interested.)
Whom does the United States Government Represent?
The United States of America is under siege and the coup near complete. A new government study (paid for with your taxpayer dollars) reads like an al Qaeda reader. The study says "Muslim terrorists are widely misunderstood and dont wish to impose Islam around world as is commonly believed in the west, they simply murder innocent people to defend against foreign attacks by enemies of Islam." This is the kind of jihad propaganda written by Muslim Brotherhood operative like CAIR, ISNA or Obama White House adviser Dalia Mogahed.
Quote of the Week:
"What you fail to mention here (re: my editorial letters)is that the Arabs being the way they are suits the Israeli state beautifully. Israelhas only grown and prospered at the expense of the Arabs. When Israeltalks peace even while establishing new settlements, it can only make the Arabs even more bitter and completely disbelieving the Jews. After all the Jewish cunning is not something that can be denied." - Syed A..., reader of my editorial
- This is a twisted view of an Arab intellectual. It looks like Arabs have adopted the traditional anti-Semitic ideas that Jews deserved, asked and are benefiting from the cruelty they have been subjected for centuries. If you remember, for a while Jews were also blamed for the Holocaust! The definition of Jews as "cunning" is just anti-Semitic icing on the cake. I have only one request for those people: Do us a favour - stop doing us 'favours'!
The Mandate - A Story of Legalised Robbery!
by Steven Shamrak.
From the moment of recognising the right of Jewish people to live on the land of their ancestors the international community, represented by the League of Nations and the United Nations have made all possible efforts to deny the Jewish people this right. Lead and controlled by the Great Britain and France , those institutions rubberstamped and authorised the greatest legalised robbery in modern history. Any conceivable shady and disgusting deals were made to prevent the creation of the state of Israel on Eretz Israel (Land of Israel)!
On 24 of July 1922, the League of Nations entrusted Great Britain with the Palestine Mandate. Recognising "the historical connection of the Jewish people with Palestine," Great Britain was called upon to facilitate the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine - Eretz Israel (Land of Israel).
Preamble: Whereas the Principal Allied Powers have also agreed that the Mandatory should be responsible for putting into effect the declaration originally made on November 2nd, 1917 , by the Government of His Britannic Majesty, and adopted by the said Powers, in favour of the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people... ( not Palestinians, who were invented in 1960s)
Article 2. The Mandatory shall be responsible for placing the country under such political, administrative and economic conditions as will secure the establishment of the Jewish national home, as laid down in the preamble...
Article 5. The Mandatory shall be responsible for seeing that no Palestine territory shall be ceded or leased to, or in any wayplaced under the control of the Government of any foreign Power...
Three months later, in order to obtain full control over the Suez Canal, Great Britain made a deal with Hashemite Kingdom, Egyptand France. The trans-Jordan (77% of the Mandate) was given to the king's brother in exchange for the Sinai, which was given to Egypt. Golan Heights (5% of the Palestinian Mandate) was ceded to the French controlled Syrian Mandate. This robbery was legalised immediately by the puppet of the Great Britain and France, the League of Nations! It was a clear violation of Article 5 of the Palestinian Mandate. Our 'friends' are still quite generous in giving away the Jewish land!
Between 1922 and 1948, Jews were not allowed to move and live in the Trans-Jordan, but Great Britain and the Arab sheikhs facilitated the transfer of tens of thousands of Muslims to the Western side of the Palestinian Mandate. They were brought by truck loads from Syria, Iraq , Iran and Egypt to the remaining part of the Mandate. At the same time, the immigration of Jews was restricted and continuously hindered by Great Britain, the governing authority.
At the end, in its 'generosity', the United Nations divided the remaining 18% of the Palestinian Mandate into a maze of six ugly triangles. Three of them were given to Jews, Jerusalem was not included!
The Jewish people have been systematically robbed by the International community of their land rights. Our rights and inspirations have being ignored and crushed by the cruelty of International anti-Semitism! Why do Jewish leaders subscribe to the anti-Israel lies of our enemies? Why are Israeli political leaders not demanding the return of the Jewish land? We have all legal, historical, moral and spiritual rights to reclaim the Palestine Mandated lands as - Eretz Israel!
The Shamrak Report brought to you by Steven Shamrak
The aim of this independent editorial (The Shamrak Report) is to present the Jewish point of view on the Arab-Israel conflict and motivate people to support ideals and inspirations of true Zionism, the Jewish National independence movement. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by any government or political party.
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Carolina Beach Buddies
This morning as the mercury soared toward the 100 degree mark, I found myself thinking about North Carolina’s beaches and wishing I was at the coast like my lucky co-worker who’s spending the week at Ocean Isle. So when I came across the annual report release this week by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) on beach water quality, I quickly flipped through to the section about North Carolina.
Here’s what I learned:
- North Carolina has 241 public coastal beaches stretching 415 miles along the Atlantic waters of the barrier islands. 38% (92 beaches) are on the ocean side.
- Seventeen counties have marine coastline, and all have at least one beach that is monitored.
- The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) has been monitoring beach water quality since 1997.
- The state spends approximately $240,000 annually to monitor beaches weekly April through October.
- Only 2% of the water samples taken from ocean beaches exceeded water safety standards (versus beaches in other parts of the country that had 50%-60% of samples exceed safe standards).
Based on its findings, NRDC announces the best and worst beaches for protecting beachgoers from contaminated waters. This year, North Carolina had 2 beach communities named among the top 13 “beach buddies”: Kure Beach and Kill Devil Hills Beach. Communities who were named as “beach buddies” monitored beach water quality regularly, violated public health standards less than 10 percent of the time, and took significant steps to reduce pollution.
We’re lucky. North Carolina has fantastic natural resources. Let’s show our appreciation for them by keeping up efforts to fight pollution and conserve open spaces.
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Americans are growing fatter, and obesity is blamed for a broad range of health problems. But research is building a case that getting moving may be more important than losing weight.
A new study from the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health suggests physical fitness trumps body weight in reducing one's risk of death. Reported in Circulation, the Journal of the American Heart Association, the long-term study of 14,345 adult men offers good news for people who are physically active but can't seem to lose weight, said Duck-chul Lee, the study's lead researcher.
“You can worry less about your weight as long as you continue to maintain or increase your fitness levels,” said Lee, a physical activity epidemiologist at the South Carolina school.
The concept of “fit fat” is something Julie Downing, the physiology lab director at Central Oregon Community College, has been talking about for a while.
“It's way more important, and reduces risk so much, to be active and fit as opposed to thin and unfit,” she said. “Everyone knows it's unhealthy to be overweight and unfit. A lot of people think thin and unfit is next best, but actually no, it's healthier to be a little overweight and fit as a second (best) category.”
“Fit” doesn't have to mean that you can do the whole Pole Pedal Paddle by yourself, she said. Moderate fitness is fine, and that means just being active on a regular basis.
“Fitness to me means you're active enough that when you exercise it feels comfortable. It's enjoyable,” she said. “You can get out and hike a beautiful trail in Bend and not be winded, or climb a flight of stairs and not feel like you'll fall over.”
A fit person would have a resting heart rate (measured first thing in the morning) around or below 60 beats per minute, she said.
The study examined how changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and BMI, (body mass index, a measure of obesity based on a calculation of height and weight) were connected to cardiovascular disease deaths and death from all causes.
Researchers used treadmill tests and comprehensive medical exams to measure the cardiorespiratory fitness of male participants who averaged 44 years of age.
Researchers recorded changes in BMI and fitness over six years and categorized men into groups that either lost, maintained or gained fitness.
Then, during 11 years of follow-up after the final fitness exam, researchers determined the relative risks of dying among men who were categorized as having lost, maintained or gained fitness during the initial six-year study period.
Accounting for factors that can affect outcomes, such as age, family history of heart disease, behavior such as smoking, and medical conditions such as high blood pressure, researchers determined that BMI change (weight loss) was not significantly associated with risk of death, but losing fitness was linked to a higher death risk.
Men who maintained fitness had 30 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality, and a 28 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease deaths. Men who improved their fitness had 40 percent lower risk of all-cause deaths and 44 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease deaths.
Every unit of increased fitness, measured by what's known as a metabolic equivalent, was associated with a 19 percent lower risk of death from heart disease and strokes, and a 15 percent lower risk of death from any cause.
One possible explanation for these results, according to the study, was that about 90 percent of the men were either normal weight or overweight at the beginning of the study. In obese people, BMI changes might have a significant effect on death risk. So it's unclear whether these results would apply to severely obese people, Lee wrote.
And, because the study was mostly done in white, middle- and upper-class men, it's difficult to know whether the results apply to other racial and socioeconomic groups. Women would likely have similar results as the men in the study, according to Lee.
Putting it into practice
Dr. Karen Oppenheimer, in internal medicine at Bend Memorial Clinic, said BMI still plays a factor in a person's health — it's correlated with diabetes, for example. This study is not saying that BMI doesn't matter at all, she said.
Rather: “Weight loss advice comes secondary. Weight loss does (typically) naturally follow from exercise. My priority is to get (patients) out and exercising.”
Dr. Kathi Antolak, a family practice physician at BMC, tells her patients they can be healthy even if they may never be skinny. For example, she knows marathon runners who are not slender, she said. They are certainly fit. But some people feel better being thin, both physiologically and psychologically, she said.
“Sometimes you have to lose weight to feel comfortable going to the gym,” she said.
And sometimes being overweight creates knee and hip pain that prevents people from some weight-bearing exercise. For those people getting started, she recommends swimming and water exercise that are easy on the joints.
Fit people probably exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day, three to four times a week, she said. Some recommendations suggest 60 minutes a day, four to five times a week. New studies suggest that breaking up exercise into smaller segments — two or three 20-minute segments in one day — is better, she said.
Bottom line, experts say, is to find some activity you enjoy and do it as much as you can.
“The best exercise is the one that you do,” Antolak said.
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I think it's known that some intransitive verbs can take を particle and be used as transitive verbs such as for example 「私のことを分かってくれない」. While using 分かる transitively would require specific scenarios or patterns, from the point of view of an English speaker it just naturally makes sense, for the reason that "understand" is a transitive English verb.
On the other hand, there are verbs that are naturally intransitive in both Japanese and English, that simply do not make sense to assign any noun objects, like 死ぬ and "to die". There is no way to imagine "Subject dies object", both in English and Japanese, unless if we modify it to "Subject allows/makes object to die" but that would change the main verb in question, again, both in English and Japanese.
At first I thought 行く and 来る are parts of those naturally intransitive verbs, since there is no way for "Subject goes object" or "Subject comes object". And then I found a proverb 「天馬空を行く」, which made me look up "を行く" on Google. The result? 8.75 millions results. "を来る" has 243K results which are a lot less but still a significant figure that shows that out there, 行く and 来る are used with を. However, my thought still remains, that there is no way for "subject goes object". Looking at sample usages, there seems to be a pattern of the nouns that are modified by "を行く" are roads, path etc, but imagining it in English as "to apply the act of going onto the road as the object" doesn't work to me. "を来る" does not even have any pattern that can be seen among the sample noun objects.
Examples from Google results:
So, how do we make sense of 「を行く」 and 「を来る」?
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This story is no longer news, but still fascinating.
Check out this slideshow on Discovery News about the pyramid-shaped pile of bodies—nearly 300 total, about 100 of them naturally mummified—found in a church crypt in the mountain town of Roccapelago, Italy.
The History Blog also has an article about it:
The unusual preservation was due to a confluence of the consistently cold temperature and two slots in the church wall that kept the air constantly circulating. The vaulted crypt — used as an armory when the church was a fortress in the Middle Ages — was first used for traditional inhumation under ground, but the practice later changed to corpses being dropped from a trap door in the church.
Image: Photograph by Paolo Terzi/SBAER, via the History Blog.
It took me long enough, but I finally ordered a copy of this book this morning. If you need me in the next 5 to 7 days business days, I’ll be near the mailbox.
From the interview:
There is something hypocritical about modern mortuary practices. We don’t want the dead around at all any more, so we ask the deceased to play out one last scene as a living person, dressed and made up as if they are still alive—whereas the natural state of a corpse is putrefaction. It strikes me as escapist and fictive.
Photograph by Paul Koudounaris, from his book The Empire of Death: A Cultural History of Ossuaries and Charnel Houses.
Check out this page. Loads of images and an account of a trip to the Capuchin catacombs of Palermo, Sicily.
These are some monks.
How do I know they’re monks? Because they’re in the “Monks’ Corridor” of the Capuchin catacombs in Palermo, Sicily; that’s how. (Or at least that’s what Wikipedia says.) There are about 8000 (dressed-up) mummies lining the walls of the catacombs, and the halls are categorized: Men, Women, Virgins, Children, Priests, Monks, and Professionals. More posts and images to come in the next few days.
Image Source: Wikipedia.
This is the “Women’s Corridor” of the Capuchin catacombs in Palermo, Sicily.
I’ve been meaning to post about this place for months. There are so many mummies in these catacombs, and pictures of them (and their finery) on the internet, that I must admit I’m a bit overwhelmed. I’ll be posting more images and links in the coming days via my queue.
In the meantime, here’s a little more background on the catacombs from Wikipedia:
Originally the catacombs were intended only for the dead friars. However, in the following centuries it became a status symbol to be entombed into the Capuchin catacombs. In their wills, local luminaries would ask to be preserved in certain clothes, or even to have their clothes changed at regular intervals. Priests wore their clerical vestments, others were clothed according to the contemporary fashion. Relatives would visit to pray for the deceased and also to maintain the body in presentable condition. The catacombs were maintained through the donations of the relatives of the deceased. Each new body was placed in a temporary niche and later placed into a more permanent place. As long as the contributions continued, the body remained in its proper place but when the relatives did not send money any more, the body was put aside on a shelf until they continued to pay.
Image Source: Wikipedia.
Mummies in glass cases stand watch over the altar of the tiny Chiesa dei Morti (Church of the Dead) in Urbania, Italy. From About.com’s article on the site:
Eighteen mummies, each standing in a glass case were put on display in 1833 behind the altar. These bodies were naturally mummified by the presence of a special mold that absorbed moisture from the corpses. […]
If there’s a guide available when you visit, the guide will tell you about how each of the mummies died. You’ll see a young Down’s syndrome corpse who died of heart failure, a woman who died during a caesarian birth (as was always the case during medieval times), and a murder victim. The mummies display a variety of health problems common during the middle ages.
Image via Atlas Obscura.
This is the crypt beneath the Capuchin Church in Brno, Czech Republic, containing 24 mummified bodies of Capuchin monks neatly laid out in rows, dressed in robes. From Atlas Obscura:
the Capuchin monks […] placed their deceased brothers beneath the church over a period of 300 years. This practice was banned by hygiene laws towards the end of the 18th century.
Mummification was never the intention. In keeping with their vow of poverty, the monks thriftily re-used a single coffin time and time again. After the funerary rites, they would move the deceased into the crypt, and lay him to rest on a pillow of bricks. The dry air currents and composition of the topsoil gradually preserved the bodies where they lay.
Another garbed skeleton from Waldsassen Basilica. Source: Morbid Anatomy.
These are two of the sharp-dressed skeletons at Waldsassen Basilica in Bavaria. Here is about all that’s really known about these guys, from Atlas Obscura:
Known as the “Holy Bodies,” they are the skeletons of Christian martyrs who were exhumed from the catacombs of Rome between 1688 and 1765. What makes these even more unusual than standard skeletal relics is that these skeletons are dressed in elaborate 1700s garb, covered in jewels, and generally look like royalty. Each year, the church celebrates a Holy-Bodies-Fest celebrating these martyrs, with the idea that we too are “Holy Bodies.”
(I’m not a textile expert, but these outfits look to predate the 1700s by a century or two, but I could be wrong.)
In addition to the article linked above, Atlas Obscura has a first-hand account of a visit to the Basilica, with more pictures!
Skeletons, mummies, bog bodies, exhumations. The dead, and what happens to them.
Meet This Dead Person
Feats of Preservation
Skulls and Skeletons
Ossuaries and Bone Architecture
Incorruptibles and Saintly Relics
When Famous People Die
When Dead People Turn to Soap
Skeletons in Clothes
Dead People Sitting, Standing, or
Made to Look Alive
Death in Art
Accidents and Disasters
Morgues, Funeral Homes, and the
Business of Death
Mourning Customs and Imagery
Handling, Disposing of, and Storing
Posthumous Travels and
Cemeteries and Graveyard Scenes
Personal Details and Opinions
Just Plain Weird or Uncategorizable
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The Dow theory is a stock market theory used as a basis for technical analysis.
The Dow theory was developed by William P. Hamilton, Robert Rhea, and E. George Schaefer from the work of Charles H. Dow, who was the founder and first editor of the Wall Street Journal and the co-founder of Dow Jones and Company, from which we still today have the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
The Dow theory forms the basis of technical analysis, in which investment decisions are made on the basis of trends in the stock chart as opposed to qualities of the underlying company or the stock price.
In short, the Dow theory says the market is trending upwards when both the Dow Jones Industrial Index and the Dow Jones Transportation Index exceed a previous, important high. Similarly, the market is trending downwards when both averages fall below previous lows. Technical investors seek to invest with the primary trend, not against it, i.e., buying during upward trends and selling during downward trends.
The Dow theory has six basic assumptions.
- The market discounts all news, that is, all of the news on a given company is already priced into the stock.
- The market has three main trends: the primary trend (the overriding trend of the market), the secondary trend (a smaller correction of the primary trend), and the minor trend (a correction of the secondary trend). Investors shouldn't confuse a secondary trend (a correction) with the primary trend.
- Every primary trend has three phases. In a bull market, the phases are the accumulation phase (when informed investors get involved after a bear market), the public participation phase, and the excess phase (when prices are run up). In a bear market, the phases are the distribution phase (when informed investors get out after a bull market), the public participation phase, and the panic phase. Accumulation phases and distribution phases are the most difficult to see, but also the most rewarding.
- The switch from a bear market primary trend to a bull market trend or vice versa cannot be confirmed until both indexes are in agreement.
- Volume is a secondary indicator to confirm the market trend. It should go up when prices are following the trend and go down when prices are going against the trend.
- Investors shouldn't assume the trend has changed (and therefore invest against the trend) until all of the indicators have confirmed the switch.
Critics of the Dow theory assert that by the time the theory provides clear buy or sell signals, investors have already missed most of the bargains (for buying) or highs (for selling). Warren Buffett famously abandoned technical analysis for value investing when he discovered turning the chart upside down didn't change the interpretation.
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Guest Author - Monica J. Foster
Friction can be a dangerous thing to skin when you use a wheelchair, are on prolonged bed rest, use leg braces, crutches or anything that rubs against your skin. But, there are things you can do to keep your skin dry, healthy and protected to avoid blisters and pressure sores.
A friction blister is a soft pocket of raised skin caused by irritation from continuous rubbing or pressure. Friction blisters usually occur on the feet, where tight or poor-fitting shoes can rub and irritate delicate toes and heels for long periods, but can also happen on the backs of your legs and hips from rubbing against braces and other surfaces you are sitting or lying on. This type of irritation causes minor damage to the skin and the tissue just beneath the skin.
If the skin looks raised and irritate, possibly with a raised pocket at the center, it is likely a blister. Friction blisters typically drain on their own within days and a fresh layer of skin forms beneath the blister so it can peel away with general skin wear and washing.
However, if pressure or friction continues in the same area over a length time, the blister may last two weeks or even longer. Continued friction may rub away the delicate top skin layer, and the blister may break open, and the risk becoming infected or developing into a deeper wound is highly possible. If the irritation is mild, the blister may heal despite continued irritation, and eventually a callus will form.
Prevention of friction blisters means wearing shoes, prosthetics and braces that fit you well. They must not be too tight anywhere and must not slide up and down your too much when you are moving around. Wear socks and protective dressing to protect delicate skin and prevent irritation. Also, try to keep your skin dry. If another activity is causing blisters -- for example, if your notice in physical therapy or rehabilitation that you are developing a sensitive sore area from a particular way you sit or stand, ask your therapist to point out other ways to perform the same activity in a way that is less irritating, and take advantage of protective devices, such as gloves, sleeves, under padding and other protective materials.
After each bath, make sure your skin is clean and dry. Examine yourself or have a caregiver help you to make sure your skin is clear of any scrapes, bumps, bruises, etc. Keep skin moisturized with a good over the counter body lotion your doctor recommends to make sure that your skin doesnít become too dry and cracked. Consider, too, using talcum powder to keep your skin dry, particularly if you deal with incontinence or get hot and sweaty through the day. Make sure to wipe sweat from skin, keeping it clean and dry to ward off bacteria. Any bacteria, particularly if you have compromise immunity, could make your skin and you more vulnerable to infection and serious wounds. Repetitive blisters and breakdown in a particular area is especially vulnerable to infection and slower healing if not attended to properly.
If you sit a lot, wear braces and prosthetics for a long period of time in the day, or are in bed a lot, consider something called offloading. Move around in your wheelchair or chair so your skin doesnít Ďsettleí too much in one area or another. Weight from the rest of your body can create more pressure in certain spots than others. Put your legs up to increase circulation, wiggle around and stretch as best you can or ask someone to help you. Rub the backs of your limbs gently to get the blood flow going and air circulating. Move around and raise up occasionally in your wheelchair or scooter seat, roll over in bed several times a day. Consider wearing gloves if you use crutches, a walker, or use a manual wheelchair. Also, repetitive transferring on your hands and arms can cause blisters and calluses, so gloves are a great way to protect your hands from the elements and strain.
Because blisters typically get better on their own in just a few days if you have good circulation, generally no special treatment is required other than to keep the blister clean and dry. Your skin provides a natural protection against infection, so a blister should be left intact for as long as possible. Do not pick at the blister or try to purposely drain the blister, or cut away the overlying skin. That overlying skin is your bodyís protection from infection. Protect the blister with a sterile bandage if you canít avoid constant contact with that blister, like on the backs of your legs and thighs when youíre in your wheelchair or in braces. If the blister breaks on its own, wash the area with soap and water, and gently pat the area dry. Use an antibacterial ointment and cover it with a bandage until you can get to the doctor to look at it.
People with diabetes and people who cannot reach blisters easily because of a physical disability, may need a doctor to look at their blisters sooner than other people who donít have a disability or chronic illness. People with diabetes often have nerve or circulation problems that make it harder to feel and notice wounds. That causes wounds to heal more slowly. In people with poor circulation or spinal cord injury, a simple blister might go unrecognized and could become infected with repetitive rubbing and transfers. People with diabetes and compromised mobility need to care for the skin over their entire body daily. Examine yourself for sores or blisters, or ask the help of a caregiver.
For typical blisters, medical care is needed only if an infection develops or with compromised sensation and immunity. An infection is more likely to occur if the skin over the blister has been pierced, broken or popped. These types of blisters need to be watched for a few days to make sure they heal properly.
See your doctor immediately if you think you have a blister or pressure sore you cannot handle, or if there is an infection. If you notice significant redness, itís very painful, notice drainage that is not clear fluid or you develop a fever, get to a doctor. Also, seek professional help if the blister is so large or painful that walking or engaging your other daily activities become too difficult for you. Most blisters heal on their own in a few days, but be vigilant and watchful. Take good care of your skin. Keep it clean and dry and moisturized daily. Itís the largest organ of your body and a sponge to bacteria, so treat with care. A little extra pampering of your skin protects you from head to toe, inside and out.
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The antioxidant properties of vitamin E make it an important
weapon against cancer and cardiovascular disease. Vitamin
promotes normal blood clotting, helps reduce blood pressure,
and promotes healthy skin and hair, along
with a variety of other functions.
The value of vitamin E may also extend
to the battle against allergy symptoms, according to the results
of a recent study published in the British journal The
Lancet. Data drawn from a random sample of 2,633 adults
(18-70 years old) showed that increased intake of vitamin
E reduced levels of the allergy-related antibody IgE. This
relationship proved incremental, such that each one-milligram
increase in vitamin E (up to a maximum of seven milligrams)
corresponded with more than a five percent decrease in serum
Good sources of vitamin E include cold-pressed vegetable
oils, dark-green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
So what are you waiting for? If you're an allergy sufferer,
visit your local market today and get yourself some vitamin
E! To learn more about the benefits of nutrition, talk to
your doctor, and visit http://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/nutrients.html.
Fogarty A, Lewis S, Weiss S, et al. Dietary vitamin E, IgE
concentrations, and atopy. The Lancet, Nov. 4, 2000:
Vol. 356, pp1573-74.
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Heat stress during work
Because the global warming of the climate and an aging population who in some countries has to work longer (retirement age to 67 years), the control of heat stress becomes increasingly important.
Heat stress is dependent on environmental factors. But is also strongly influenced by the degree of effort during the work, clothing and personal factors.
Heat stress has negative short-term mental effects: a decrease in vigilance and poorer performance. Under the influence of heat stress more unsafe actions take place and the risk of accidents increases. In working situations, such effects may endanger worker’s own health or that of others.
At core temperatures between 38°C and 39°C the performance of physical tasks slowly decrease, but healthy workers occasionally can tolerate temperatures to around 39°C without problems. However, when the temperature rises above this level, then the health risks rapidly increases. It is unknown what the effect on workers is who are exposed on a daily basis to this temperature stress: whether the internal temperature will decrease less (by acclimatization) or more (due to excessive stress). If the skin temperature raises above 36 ° C , the physical performance will be limited because the heat transfer from the body core to the skin will become difficult.
Exposure to heat generating sources occurs in many companies and industries.
Employees who by the nature of their work are wearing insulating clothing may also be faced with heat stress (eg. cold store employees, asbestos workers).
Exposure to heat caused by high ambient temperatures will mainly affect employees who work outdoors and in buildings and vehicles where there is a poor climate conditioning.
In the Netherlands no legal limits for heat stress exist. Its enforcement is a set of reference values for ambient heat used, described in ISO 7243:1989.
Arbo Unie (ECTS) has a unique partnership with the Department of Physiology (Physiomics, Prof. Dr. Maria T.E. Hopman and Dr. Thijs M.H. Eijsvogels) of the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, for measurements in the human body temperatures. Based on the test findings, occupational hygienists and occupational physicians can give advise on control measures e.g. adjusting the work and rest regime, cooling procedure for furrnaces, protective clothing, drinking advice, advice on medical restrictions, age, pregnancy, drug use etc.
To measure the effects of heat stress for workers the following methods and instruments are available.
The core body temperature is measured using an ingestible temperature pill (CorTemp System; HQ inc., USA). This pill contains a built-in temperature-sensitive quartz crystal and telemetry transmitter, so the actual core temperature can be sent to an external recorder (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Schematic representation of the operation of the temperaturepill (20 mm long and 10 mm wide). The equipment in the pill measures the temperature in the gut. The temperature signal is then transmitted via a telemetric transmitter via radio waves to a remote receiver.
To measure the skin temperature on the left hand, neck, right shoulder and right shin an iButton (iButton, Maxim Integrated Products, USA) is placed. The skin temperature is then measured every 20 seconds and from the four locations the average skin temperature is calculated using the ISO 9886 standard.
A heart rate belt (Polar Electro Oy, Kempele, Finland) is used to monitor heart rate during the operation. By the estimated maximum heart rate (220 - age) and resting heart rate, the heart rate reserve during the work can be calculated (heart rate reserve = (heart rate during activities – resting heart rate) / (maximum heart rate – resting heart rate)). This variable reflects the exercise intensity during work.
In order to map the pattern of activities during work an activity monitor (SenseWear Armband Pro 3, BodyMedia, Pittsburgh, USA) is placed at the right upper arm. With this bracelet, which uses preprogrammed algorithms and previously entered data one can reliably determine the metabolic equivalents (METs). This is a measure of the intensity of the work.
To evaluate the changes in moisture balance employees are asked immediately before and after work to weigh themselves. When entering or leaving the room the weight is recorded. Changes in body weight are thereby largely identical to changes in moisture loss.
With PIMEX (PIMEX stands for Picture Mix Exposure) may be the effect of practice and workplace conditions on exposure to heat stress and physical exercise in a video screen display. An ideal communication tool and instructional tool.
For more information please contact Fred van Kolck, +316-525 01624, email@example.com
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It is not every day that you celebrate love and affection St. Valentine’s way. There are many rituals associated with Valentine’s Day celebrations, including expressing your love through poetry. Nothing overwhelms a woman like a poem, whether simple, sappy, or intense. Poems give you a medium to express your deepest emotions in a brand new way.
Give mom a personalized poem this year and celebrate the love you share for her and your family. It will touch her in a way normal presents can’t, though you might complement your poem with the gift of roses, hearts, and candles.
You can print out your poem and leave it on her pillow or, if you are blessed with eloquence, you can recite the poem aloud and in front of the whole family. This effort on your part will be greatly appreciated by your beloved.
Valentine Day poems are usually based on the theme of love and beauty. Roses and hearts form an integral part of Valentine poems. Great poets like Shakespeare, Shelly, Byron, and Keats have written beautiful love poems, such as this one by Percy Shelly:
"The fountains mingle with the river
And the rivers with the ocean,
The winds of Heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In one spirit meet and mingle.
Why not I with thine? –"
Valentine poems written by Joanna Fuchs and John Masefield are also very popular. They not only write soulful poetry but also short catchy verses for every situation and every aspect of love.
If you don’t have a lot of experience writing poetry, you can always start with an old standard:
"Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Sugar is sweet,
And so are you."
From there, either rewrite the last two lines or use the same rhyme scheme to make up your own verse.
More adventurous rhymers might want to try longer poems that use a repeated rhyme scheme (ABAB or ABAC) and carry forward over a longer piece.
Another easy and popular poetic form is haiku. Haiku usually only has three short lines. The first line usually contains five syllables, the second line seven syllables, and the third line contains five syllables. Haiku doesn't rhyme. A Haiku paints a picture in the reader's mind.
Poetry is a challenge and takes some work to put together, but it will be appreciated by your Valentine, especially since it is increasingly rare as a Valentine’s Day tribute, unless seen on the inside of a greeting card.
This Valentine’s Day, pen your innermost thoughts; weave it into a touching poem which will bring a smile on your Valentine’s face.
Check out Valentines’ Day for gifts, ideas, and more.
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Is Vinegar a Herbicide?Vinegar has shown promise as a broad spectrum herbicide. Effectiveness depends on the type of weed, the age of the weed and the concentration of the acetic acid in the vinegar. Household vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. Stronger concentrations of 15, 20 and 30% acetic acid are also available
All concentrations of acetic acid, including household vinegar, should cause treated foliage to brown within 24 hours. Young, tender weeds and annual weeds like crab grass are susceptible to treatment with household vinegar. However the roots are often not killed entirely and the weeds may reappear within a few weeks. Repeated applications, usually 3, are more effective and stronger concentrations of acetic acid work even faster and longer.
What’s the Difference Between Acetic Acid and Vinegar?
Acetic acid is created by fermenting alcohol. Household vinegar has a 5% solution of acetic acid made from the fermentation of plant products like grapes and apples. There are stronger concentrations of acetic acid available and even synthetically created acetic acid. All vinegars contain acetic acid, but not all acetic acid is vinegar.
Is Vinegar Considered an Organic Control?
If the acetic acid in the product is created by the distillation or freeze-evaporation of plant sources, like household vinegar or the stronger concentrations sold for home canning, it is considered organic. Acetic acid made by synthetic processes is not.
Is There Any Research to Support These Claims?The verdict is still out, but researchers are conducting studies and acetic acid looks promising. In a research experiment conducted during the Spring and Fall 2001 by the Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory (SASL), a member of the Animal and Natural Resources Institute (ANRI) located in Beltsville, Maryland, they hand-sprayed common lambsquarters, giant foxtail, smooth pigweed and Canada thistle with 0.0, 5.0, 10.5, 15.3 and 20.2 percent vinegar. The results showed 2 things: the effectiveness of acetic acid on weeds depends on both the concentration and the plant growth stage.
- Weaker concentrations (5 and 10%) worked well on young, more tender weeds.
- Stronger concentrations (15 and 20%) were more effective on mature weeds.
Will Vinegar Do Anything to My Soil?Being an acid, it can lower the soil’s pH a little. This is a temporary effect. Acetic acid breaks down quickly in water, so any residue will be pretty much gone after the first watering or rain.
How to Use Acetic Acid as a Herbicide.Vinegar is not labeled for use as a pesticide, so Extension agents aren’t able to recommend its use. But a homeowner can experiment. Household vinegar works well on young weeds. Repeated applications improve its effectiveness.
- Spray it directly on the foliage and try for total saturation without too much run-off.
- Don’t apply if rain is expected or before watering, since water breaks down acetic acid.
- Avoid spraying any herbicide on windy days, to prevent it drifting onto plants you don’t want to kill.
I’ve had great luck using vinegar on the weeds between the cracks on my sidewalk. I think the heat from the pavement helps the process along. I’ve had less luck with the perennial weeds that grow in my shady ‘turnaround’ area. These turned black, but rallied and grew back. I sprayed them a couple more times at 2-3 day intervals and they eventually died back. However, they reemerged again in a month or so.
You can also find stronger concentrations sold for canning purposes. These work faster and longer than household vinegar, but are caustic and should be handled with caution. Keep it off your skin and away from your eyes
Another option is to use one of the commercial herbicides on the market. Look for them in the weed killer section of your local garden centers, under names like: Fast Acting Burn Out (St. Gabriel Labs), Nature's Glory Weed and Grass Killer and Blackberry and Brush Block (Greenergy).
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McLaren Lapeer Region Diagnostic Tests Get to the Heart of the Matter
The hospital’s new Cardiac Catheterization Lab is a valuable tool in diagnosing heart conditions, especially coronary heart disease. As cardiac catheterization is not the first test completed, a patient may have one or more non-invasive tests that are also tremendously important in determining the cause of heart dysfunction.
The most common tests utilized at McLaren Lapeer Region to diagnose heart conditions are electrocardiogram (EKG), chest X-ray, echocardiogram, and stress tests.
The standard chest X-ray provides an image of the heart structure and helps in assessing the heart’s condition.
The electrocardiogram produces a record or electrical activity of the heart. It is used to evaluate for heart arrhythmias, diagnose heart attack, and check an assortment of abnormalities. To substantiate a diagnosis of a heart problem, the patient may be asked to wear an EKG holter monitor for 24 or 48 hours. The patient’s heart rhythm is recorded as they go about their daily activities. This allows a correlation to be made against possible arrhythmias. Computer downloads the test and the cardiologist reviews the final report.
Another test that enhances cardiac diagnosis is the echocardiogram. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound examination of the heart that allows the sonographer to view and record the blood flow that is pumped through the chambers of the heart. The echocardiogram is utilized as a stand-alone test or may be done in conjunction with stress testing.
A stress test can be conducted to reveal coronary heart disease; blood flow and muscle function, and identify abnormal heart rhythms. The stress test also helps physicians determine how effective a medication might be in controlling a heart condition. A stress test typically involves a patient exercising on a treadmill though even a person who is unable to do this can be evaluated using medication to stimulate the heart and simulate exercise. A thallium stress test done in nuclear medicine uses radioactive material to enable images of the heart to be taken. The images help to evaluate the health and function of the heart.
Cardiac enzyme analysis of blood through the Clinical Laboratory is very helpful in determining the severity of a heart attack and when it occurred.
In addition to these exams, McLaren Lapeer Region patients have access to electro physiology testing at McLaren Flint Heart and Vascular Center to determine what might be causing arrhythmias and to EBT testing that can determine calcium levels in the coronary arteries.
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Comments: Overall, this species does not seem to be highly threatened at present, but there are definitely challenges to the persistence of some populations.
Wholesale destruction of wetlands by draining for agriculture and housing developments is a significant threat (Cusick pers. comm., Evans pers. comm., Smith pers. comm.). Populations have likely been destroyed through the years due to these activities. Due to the rapid urbanization of the Virginia coastal region, populations may be destroyed through habitat destruction, water quality degradation, and boat-wake disturbances (Ludwig pers. comm.).
Dredging of stream and rivers, coupled with the drainage of upland wetlands, has quickened the run-off of spring melt-waters and rainfall. Excessive run-off over a shortened period of time has likely had detrimental effects on historic C. decomposita populations by increasing the height of flood waters and affecting new habitats. Apparently, the species is not able to survive in areas where water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year (Bryson per. comm.); it is only found in old oxbow swamps away from the current flooding regime, sinkhole ponds and other wetlands of this sort. Natural upland cover and wetlands within the watersheds should be restored and/or protected.
Conversion of natural ponds to stock watering holes through the deepening and removal of native vegetation is also a significant threat to the species (Smith pers. comm.). Other natural ponds may experience degradation due to grazing during periods of prolonged drought.
Logging of habitat has also apparently been a threat to C. decomposita. Evans (pers. comm.) stated that populations in western Kentucky have undoubtedly been destroyed in the past due to drainage and clearing of the extensive wetlands in that part of the state.
The log sedge is apparently only found in areas that are not subjected to herbicide use (Bryson pers. comm.). In areas adjacent to rice fields, herbicide (2-4-D or 2-4-5-T) use has eliminated the species (Bryson pers. comm.).
Road grading of populations located on roadbanks within swamps is a threat to such populations in Illinois (Schwegman pers. comm.). Shifting ice sometimes takes out dead snags and the plants associated with them (Schwegman pers. comm.).
In at least Arkansas, water hyacinth is becoming a serious issue; at least two Arkansas sites are impacted.
No one has provided updates yet.
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Transit to America (1881–1914)
Eastern European Jews traveled in their hundreds of thousands on appointed paths through Germany to reach the ships to America in Hamburg and Bremen. Fleeing poverty and pogroms, the "golden country," the USA, promised a better life.
More than seven million Jews lived in Eastern Europe around 1900. They suffered from poverty, discrimination, and persecution. Many chose emigration to America as a last resort. Around two million Jews left the Russian Empire to go abroad between 1881 and 1914. On their way, they had to traverse the German Empire.
The German government together with the shipping companies "Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft" (HAPAG) and "Norddeutscher Lloyd" endeavored to control the flow of Eastern European emigrants by confining them to strictly specified paths. Control checkpoints were set up: the Eydtkuhnen checkpoint at the Prussian-Russian border, the emigrants' station Ruhleben near Berlin, and the emigrants' city of Hamburg-Veddel.
The emigrants were registered and inspected and their luggage disinfected there, the latter for fear of epidemics. They were not permitted to leave their accommodation until the departure of their train or ship.
When they had finally managed to board one of the ships, an arduous crossing awaited them. They reached Ellis Island, not far from Manhattan, after 10-16 days. Only after passing the medical examination by the authorities – just healthy immigrants were permitted entry – did they arrive in the "golden land."
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In many ways, Jung was like a cartographer of the human mind and spirit, striving to identify their fundamental regions and landmarks. This quality is reflected in the titles both of his own writings, such as The Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche, and in those of others about his work, such as Jung’s Map of the Soul. Out of his explorations emerged a number of concepts that have provided now-ubiquitous terminology, stimulated new ways of viewing the development of the human mind and soul and changed the face of psychology.
Carl Jung’s Model of the Psyche
But, while Jung agreed with Freud on the importance of the unconscious, and spent most of his life studying its mysteries, detailing its symbolic language and explaining its relationship with and impact on our conscious lives, he differed from Freud in his view of the architecture of that unconscious.
Carl Jung’s Map of the Unconscious
The Personal UnconsciousThe Personal Unconscious, as conceived by Jung, encompasses the totality of what Freud recognized as “the unconscious” and corresponds to what most of us intuitively associate with the term “unconscious mind.” It contains those elements of our own unique life experience which have been forgotten, ignored, repressed, suppressed or otherwise blocked from consciousness. Some of these elements can be easily recalled into consciousness at will, while others may be more difficult to access or retrieve.
The Collective UnconsciousThroughout history, many philosophers have advanced the theory that the human mind is a “blank slate,” capable of being molded almost limitlessly by our upbringing, socialization and experiences. However, in working with patients - as well as in his own life - Carl Jung observed the emergence not of a seemingly random or infinite range of subject matter, but rather of repeated themes in different people’s artwork, dreams and fantasies. Moreover, he noticed that many of these themes bore no relation to and could not possibly have arisen from any connection to the person’s own individual life experiences. In addition, he recognized many of these same themes in the symbols, characters, fables and myths generated separately within disparate cultures in geographic locations the world over throughout various eras of mankind’s history.
In order to account for these otherwise seemingly inexplicable patterns, Jung posited that, in addition to our Personal Unconscious, we each possess – or are possessed by – a deeper aspect of the unconscious. It was in identifying this second unconscious region that Jung’s model drastically differentiated itself from Freud’s. Terming it the Collective Unconscious, Jung theorized that this region contained psychological elements not developed during the course of our own lives, but - much like the genetic code responsible for our basic human body and organ structures - passed on through our common evolutionary history to all members of our species. He referred to these shared, fundamental elements that make up the Collective Unconscious and generate a limiting framework around which our psychic material organizes as Archetypes.
Archetypes: The Fundamental Elements of the Collective Unconscious
As we go out into and encounter the world, Jung taught, these archetypes then “actualize,” as particular individual experiences organize themselves around the various “pegs” provided by the archetypes, determining the specific qualities that any given person associates with that particular archetypal concept. So, for example, when we engage with an early nurturing caregiver, those qualities and ideas that we perceive as related to that figure – kind or unkind, warm or distant, beautiful or ugly, blonde or brunette - associate themselves with the mother archetype and, through that combination, form our particular conception of what a mother is. A similar process plays out as real world material interacts with archetypal influences related to other subjects ranging from the hero to the wise old man.
It must be noted that the resulting “archetypal” ideas, concepts and imagery, which drive us to deduce the existence of the underlying invisible archetypes, are not themselves the archetypes. The archetypes themselves consist only of the potential and tendency to create these and, of their own, have no substance. To help us understand this slippery distinction, Jung used the analogy of an animal’s instincts. Imagine that we discover, without exception, a particular instinct that motivates birds of specific type to carry out a certain behavior. Clearly, because we observe that all birds of that species share this instinct, there must be some common underlying genetic, anatomical or psychological structure that generates the universal impulse among these birds to carry out this behavior. However, that underlying structure itself is not the instinct, but rather – like the archetype – simply a hardwired tendency for such a behavior.
Jung recognized a number of such hardwired tendencies in the human Collective Unconscious. However, certain of these archetypes took center stage in his model of the psyche.
These most fundamental archetypes include The Shadow, The Anima & Animus, and the Self.
- The Shadow - The Shadow is Carl Jung’s term for all of the aspects of ourselves that, due to inner conflicts resulting from our upbringing, socialization, traumas or from other origins, have been rendered unacceptable to us and that we therefore repress, suppress, deny or disavow through the use of our defense mechanisms. The Shadow can consist not only of parts of us that our culture at large would view as shameful or destructive, but may also include a “Golden Shadow” made up of otherwise constructive talents and strengths that, for one reason or another (ie: they posed a threat to an authority figure’s status), were not valued or were shamed by influential people in our lives. Elements cut off from consciousness within the Shadow may exert an enormous unseen influence in our lives and relationships. As long as we refuse to acknowledge their existence within ourselves, they threaten to project themselves onto others, with the potential for either exaggerated idealization, as may occur in hero worship or romantic attraction, or intense demonization and scapegoating. Indeed, the very occurrence of such experiences points to a likely unconscious origin within some aspects of our own Shadow.
- Anima/Animus - Jung theorized that each of us contains an archetype with which we associate those parts of ourselves typical of the opposite gender. The Anima was his name for the archetype around which a man organizes his unconscious feminine aspects. The Animus was his name for the corresponding archetype around which a woman organizes her unconscious masculine aspects. Jung recognized that, through their tremendous influence on our overall concepts of femininity and masculinity, the Anima and Animus may be projected onto romantic prospects, profoundly impacting our choice of mate for better or worse. This understanding presaged Harville Hendrix’s detailed account, in his Imago Relationship Therapy, of how we may be unconsciously attracted to a partner in part due to their reflection of traits we have repressed within our denied “contrasexual self.”
(Thanks to Calypso)
Complexes: The Fundamental Elements of the Personal Unconscious
Since we have a number of archetypes in our Collective Unconscious, we also have a number of related complexes in our Personal Unconscious. Some may be accessible to consciousness, while others may be exiled from awareness as a result of trauma. These complexes may assert themselves at various times, thrusting related material into consciousness. In doing so, the complexes may even create the experience of an array of sub-personalities within the individual psyche, a phenomenon, central to the Internal Family Systems model, known as multiplicity of mind. Indeed, many of Jung’s later interests and ideas originated from the seed planted by a very early powerful exposure to multiplicity of mind in which, as a young boy, he suddenly experienced himself as containing a second personality, that of a wise old man.
At times, perhaps as a result of a particular trigger, a complex may not only inject material into awareness, but may hijack the Ego and exert a powerful control over the psyche. Such an event - analogous to the blending of an extreme part with the Self described in Internal Family Systems (IFS) or the hijacking of the cortex by the emotional brain detailed by Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence - may be Jung’s way of describing the process that ignites our defense mechanisms. Whenever we are acting in ways disconnected from our usual character or out of proportion with the reality of our present situation, it is possible that a complex has been activated. Among the many complexes in our Personal Unconscious, two – the Ego and the Persona – are of particular importance to Jungian psychologists.
- Ego - In Freudian psychology, the Ego is the aspect of the psyche that lies between the conscious and unconscious minds and mediates between the pressures of intruding unconscious material and the demands of the external world. In Jung’s model, the Ego is the seat of consciousness, the aspect of our psyche to which we refer when we say “I” or “me.” It is often imagined as a tiny island of consciousness amidst the vast, primarily unconscious, ocean of the psyche. It may be somewhat confusing to view the Ego simultaneously as the seat of consciousness and itself a complex of the Personal Unconscious. However, Jung did claim that the Ego is indeed a complex – the complex that is the subject of consciousness – and ultimately emerges from an Ego archetype.
This work later formed the basis for the development of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, currently the most popular personality typing system in the world. Its concepts can also be related to the Enneagram, another popular personality typing scheme.
- Persona - In between the Ego and the external world, serving as a filter for what comes in, as well as a means of controlling what we show to others, is the Persona. Jung borrowed the term from the word used to describe the masks worn by ancient Greek actors in their plays. We may possess several masks or Personas, and thus display different identities in different situations or when interacting with different people. Like the Ego, the Persona is a complex that emerges from an archetype, in its case the Persona archetype.
The Goals of Analytical Psychotherapy
Analytical Psychotherapy aims to foster this wholeness by facilitating the process that Jung called individuation. As Jung explains, much of our dysfunction arises as a result of identifying too narrowly with certain psychological regions that, in reality, represent but a small portion of our whole selves. Therefore, guiding the client in an exploration of his or her psyche, the Analytical psychotherapist assists in the development of a healthy relationship between the client’s conscious and unconscious minds.
For example, many of us believe that our Ego makes up the whole of our identity. However, the Ego, as has been described, comprises only one complex amidst a plethora of other complexes and archetypes dispersed throughout the vast sea of our psyche. As long as we feel obligated to defend our false sense of the Ego as our full identity, we will experience the intruding awareness of other regions of the psyche not as a welcome visit from parts of ourselves, but as a threat from outside forces, and may be plagued by deep insecurity. Similarly, while it is healthy, and even necessary, to appropriately employ the various masks of our Persona as life situations dictate, there is a danger if we forget their limited purpose and come to believe that these masks represent our true Self or if our Persona begins to deviate so far from our real identity that it becomes misleading and fake.
In order to resolve such faulty perceptions and attachments and build a sustainable sense of inner security, Analytical Psychotherapy aims to help us see beyond the limits of our tiny conscious Ego and Persona to identify more and more with the vast Self that truly motivates us at our deepest levels and represents the whole of our psyche. This goal, Jung’s version of “self-realization,” though facilitated through a process somewhat more abstract than ascending the Hierarchy of Needs, nonetheless resembles, in spirit, Abraham Maslow’s concept of self-actualization. Many of the fields that I promote most strongly, including Internal Family Systems Therapy, Inner Child Therapy and Imago Relationship Therapy, provide tools through which we increase our freedom to make wise, conscious choices by building awareness of and strong relationships with previously unconscious parts of us. Analytical Psychotherapy joins them in this category. As we individuate further, we gain insight into and build greater connection with the operation of our many complexes, diminish their ability to autonomously hijack our psyche and drive us to dysfunctional states and behaviors, and strengthen our ability to meaningfully express more of who we really are and maintain balanced nurturing relationships.
Steps in the Analytical Psychotherapy ProcessDuring Analytical Psychotherapy, the client is assisted in connecting with various complexes and aspects of the psyche. However, in particular, the process focuses on the further integration of two major complexes.
- Integrating the Shadow - Shadow Work, often the first phase of the Analytical Psychotherapy process, helps a client face the fear, shame, guilt, anxiety and anger that may arise as they begin to contact and reintegrate those repressed, suppressed and denied aspects of themselves associated with their Shadow. This may involve a consideration of those situations, qualities and other people that one loves, hates, fears or otherwise feels strongly about, since such experiences often point to the presence of projection of an unconscious Shadow element. As we own both our hidden “dark side” and our forgotten or stifled strengths and talents, we may withdraw these potentially harmful projections and unravel our destructive defense mechanisms with great benefit to ourselves and those around us.
- Integrating the Anima/Animus - In addition to integrating the Shadow, Analytical Psychotherapy seeks to foster integration of the Anima/Animus, as well. As a man integrates his Anima, he may open himself to greater emotion and sensitivity, while a woman, through integrating her Animus, may build her capacity for assertive action. Many Jungians believe that it is only after significantly integrating our Shadow that we can begin to work effectively with the Anima/Animus.
Analytical Psychotherapy TechniquesAnalytical Psychotherapy may employ a wide range of techniques in order to bring to awareness and explore elements of the psyche. However, the most common methods include:
- Dream Analysis and Interpretation – Carl Jung strongly believed that the unconscious uses dreams to transmit important messages to the conscious mind in the language of symbolism. Analytical Psychotherapists and their clients may spend time interpreting this symbolic dream content in order to translate these communications and unwrap their meaning and implications for the person’s waking life and individuation process.
- Imagination and Fantasy Exploration – Similar to dream analysis, therapist and client may explore the content and meaning of fantasies, wishes, and daydreams.
- Artwork – Jung frequently gained tremendous insights into his unconscious through creative artistic endeavors. He discovered a profound representation of the nature of the Self while painting Mandalas and experienced an early indication of the existence of a Collective Unconscious when he recognized similarities between his childhood creation of and interaction with a tiny mannequin and the rituals of certain native peoples. Analytical Psychotherapy may employ the creation of art as a means to facilitate and investigate the expressions of the unconscious mind.
- Therapist-Client Relationship – As in many forms of psychotherapy, the interaction between the client and the analyst itself serves as a screen onto which, through the processes of transference (projection of unconscious material from the client onto the therapist) and counter-transference (projection of unconscious material from the therapist onto the client), a great deal of unconscious material may be surfaced, observed and analyzed.
Other Concepts Associated with Carl Jung
- Synchronicity – Many of us have experienced coincidences in which two seemingly unrelated events interact in a surprising fashion. We may find these occurrences quite eerie and begin to speculate on whether they result from mere chance or instead indicate unseen forces generating a mysterious order in the universe. Carl Jung believed that these events were indeed evidence of a greater pattern underlying human experience and coined the term “synchronicity” to describe cases where events that are not causally related nonetheless exhibit a connection to each other.
- Nirdvandva – A number of thinkers have commented on the transformative power of transcending dichotomies. Daniel Quinn’s “third-hand solution” concept, the dialectical approach associated with Hegel and central to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, the dynamic model of the Enneagram, and communication and therapeutic techniques stemming from IFS and Imago recognize the power of resolving polarizations through fostering the development of a new synthesis that integrates both of the poles. Carl Jung also recognized the power of transcending duality and, in his autobiography Memories, Dreams, Reflections, discussed the Sanskrit word “Nirdvandva” which he described as meaning “freedom from opposites.”
Books Related to Jungian Psychology
Carl Jung's Own Writings
These works are available in separate volumes, which include:
Selected Compilations of Carl Jung's Writings
The Portable Jung
by C.G. Jung, Edited by Joseph Campbell - Famed mythologist Joseph Campbell shares carefully selected passages from Jung's collected works.
The Essential Jung
by C.G. Jung, Edited by Anthony Storr - Important selections from Jung's work chosen and with an introduction by English psychiatrist Anthony Storr.
Carl Jung's Autobiography
Memories, Dreams, Reflections by C.G. Jung -
Jung's profound and revealing autobiography written shortly before his death.
Other Books Related to Jungian Psychology
Depth Psychology and a New Ethic
by Erich Neumann - One of Jung's best known students explains why wholeness, along with an acceptance of our own Shadow, must be the foundation of a new ethic in order to minimize the perils of scapegoating in our dangerous world.
Why Good People Do Bad Things: Understanding Our Darker Selves
by James Hollis - The Executive Director of the Jung Center of Houston explains the personal and global importance of recognizing and reintegrating our Shadow.
The Two Million-year-old Self by Anthony Stevens -
The brilliant Jungian analyst and Evolutionary Psychiatrist writes about the intersection between these two fascinating subjects.
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Maryland Loses Bicentennial Tree
This tree was originally identified in 1976 as most likely alive at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. An official Bicentennial Plaque is nearby. There are only a handful of living Bicentennial Trees remaining in Maryland. The last lost was the Holly Hall Oak in Elkton in April, 2010.
In 1976, the DNR Forest Service published a booklet entitled Maryland’s Bicentennial Trees and a Listing of Species of Trees Believed to be Living in Maryland in 1776, identified through increment bore samples and local history and growth patterns. A total of 292 trees were identified statewide.
In 2009, members of the Maryland Big Tree Program were made aware of the project and the publication by an owner of one of the remaining Bicentennial Trees in Harford County. Volunteers from the Maryland Big Tree Program and local Forestry Boards are working on locating, measuring and updating this list so it will be ready for the nation’s 250th anniversary. Since the project began, the volunteers have located over several dozen trees still alive.
More information and a list of Bicentennial Trees are available at dnr.state.md.us/forests/pdfs/BicentennialTrees.pdf.
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It is extremely important for laser printers to have a laser system that is precise when the laser receives the document information; the assembly uses a laser, movable mirror and lens to create tiny dots that make up the text and images. As technology has developed it has become increasingly important that these laser printers turn out documents at high speeds, with the fastest colour laser printer producing over 100 pages per minute. However there is a new competitor, lithography in some commercial applications are competing with the laser printer for very high speed printing used for mass mailings and personalized documents.
The laser printer was invented in 1969 by Xerox researcher Gary Starkweather. Starkweather created a new way of printing by disabling the imagery system found in the xerographic copier and incorporated a spinning drum with 8 mirrored sides and a laser. The way it works is the light from the laser bounces off the mirror sides of the drum onto the paper transferring the data from the document that has been sent to the machine.
The first laser printer, Xerox Star 8010 was released in 1981, designed for office use.
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Over 8,000 websites created by students around the world who have participated in a ThinkQuest Competition.
Compete | FAQ | Contact Us
The team originally wanted to do the topic "Maths in everyday life" but found that it was too wide a scope to have a good focus. We decided to do something less general and narrowed it down to the topic Numbers. The things that are covered include: a)the history of numbers b)the numbers system c)some interesting facts about numbers d)some interesting and familiar number sequences Pupils will appreciate the importance of numbers in the study of Mathematics, and at the same time discover some interesting facts about them.
FuDunman Secondary School, Singapore, Singapore
ShenDunman Secondary School, Singapore, Singapore
19 & under
Lim Cheng YongMinistry Of Education, Singapore, Singapore
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Resolution FAQ - (Stacia Naquin)
Updated: 05/14/2013 - I'm still focused on meeting my goal of doing a pull-up. And I'm almost there! But I'm always getting this question:
NASA and the NOAA are in the experimental stages of measuring snowpack from space.
Currently, there are people who go out once a month to manually measure the snowpack. But, using the new technology from space, the readings would be much more accurate.
The two organizations have chosed Colorado as a test site because, they say, it offers a broad terrain.
The equipment is measuring how much radiation comes out of the earth through the snow. A radar gun shoots radiation into the snow and reads what bounces back. The amount of signal that comes back gives insight into the snow's characteristics. Scientists can tell not only
how deep it is, but also how much moisture is in it.
If the measurements are taken from space, researchers would have global snow measurements on a regular basis.
NOAA says its goal is to have an experimental satellite up in ten years to read snowpack all over the world. That would allow cities to plan for the amount of moisture they will be getting from the snow.
Updated: 04/17/2013 - Crossing the finish line is such an awesome moment. It's hard to imagine what it has been like for the runners in Boston.
Updated: 04/09/2013 - Admittedly, there are days that I just don’t feel like working out. But then I met Viola. And if she can make working out a priority at 99, then none of us have any excuses! Here's how she's living a FIT LIFE:
Updated: 04/05/2013 - A look back at that amazing Rockies home opener, 20 years ago! Were you there?
Updated: 04/02/2013 - I love my high heels. But sometimes you've gotta put on the sneaks. This is definitely one of those times!
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- What is Learner Autonomy?
Learner autonomy, the term was first coined in 1981 by Henri Holec, the "father" of learner autonomy. Many definitions have since been given to the term, depending on the writer, the context and the level of debate, educators have come to. It has been considered as a personal human trait, as a political measure or as an educational move. This is due to the fact that autonomy is seen either (or both) as a means or as an end in education.
For a definition of autonomy, Dimitrios Thanasoulas quotes Holec (1981: 3, cited in Benson & Voller, 1997: 1) who describes it as 'the ability to take charge of one's learning'. On a general note, the term autonomy has come to be used in at least five ways (see Benson & Voller, 1997: 2):
- for situations in which learners study entirely on their own;
- for a set of skills which can be learned and applied in self-directed learning;
- for an inborn capacity which is suppressed by institutional education;
- for the exercise of learners' responsibility for their own learning;
- for the right of learners to determine the direction of their own learning.
Students take responsibility for their learning and work in partnership with tutors and other students. It involves risk taking by all concerned. Learner Autonomy is about learning to learn and developing assessment for learning (seelearner assessment). Students reflect on their experiences and are able to create their own meanings and challenge ideas/theories. It requires tutors to trust students' abilities and to promote the use of student-directed learning.
- Characteristics of an autonomous learner include
- Critical reflection and thinking
- Taking responsibility for own learning
- Working creatively with complex situations
- The ability to create own meanings and challenge ideas/theories.
Learner Autonomy Video. It is hard to define what Learner Autonomy is in words so the researchers in Sheffield Hallam University have interviewed members of their CETL team and asked them what Learner Autonomy means to them.
- what caracterise autonomous learners?
Rousseau ( 1911, cited in Candy, 1991: 102) regards the autonomous learner as someone who 'is obedient to a law that he prescribes to himself'. Within the context of education, though, there seem to be seven main attributes characterising autonomous learners (see Omaggio, 1978, cited in Wenden, 1998: 41-42):
- Autonomous learners have insights into their learning styles and strategies;
- take an active approach to the learning task at hand;
- are willing to take risks;
- are good guessers;
- attend to form as well as to content, that is, place importance on accuracy as well as appropriacy;
- develop the target language into a separate reference system and are willing to revise and reject hypotheses and rules that do not apply; and
- have a tolerant and outgoing approach to the target language.
Many terms have been coined to refer to a concept to which we referred to as learner autonomy. Practically, all these synonymous terms such as learner independence, self-access learning, self-paced learning and distant learning emphasize a shift of attention to learner-oriented approach to language learning. In this approach, learners take the responsibility of their own learning, learn at their own pace and use their own strategies. According to the (CIEL Handbook, 2000, p. 5): “Learner autonomy indicates a number of dimensions in which learners move away from dependence on the teacher and:
- Take responsibility for their own learning and learn to learn;
- Develop key transferable skills (e.g., study, time-management, IT, interpersonal skills etc.);
- Actively manage their learning; seeking out learning opportunities and using appropriate learning strategies;
- Involve themselves in an interactive process in which they set short and long term learning objectives, reflect on and evaluate progress.”
In addition, autonomy for the language learners has been described as “a process that enables learners to recognize and assess their own needs, to choose and apply their own learning strategies or styles eventually leading to the effective management of learning” (Penaflorida 2002, p. 346).
- a self-report Likert-scaled instrument designed to assess the motivational orientation and learning strategy use of college students and based on a social-cognitive view, has been under development since 1986 at the National Center for Research on Improving Postsecondary Teaching and Learning at the University of Michigan. Pilot testing resulted in refinements incorporated into a final version of the MSLQ designed to be given in class in 20 to 30 minutes. To test the utility of the theoretical model and its operationalization, MSLQ responses were gathered from 380 midwestern college students over 14 subjects and 5 disciplines. Results suggest that the MSLQ has relatively good reliability, and confirmatory factor analysis supports the validity of the general theoretical framework and the scales that measure it. Three general factors of student motivation are identified. In addition, the predictive validity seems reasonably good. The MSLQ seems to be a useful, reliable, and valid way to assess motivation and learning strategies in the classroom.
- The motivation scales tap in consist of three broad areas:
- value(intrinsic and extrinsic goal orientation, task value)
- expectancy (control beliefs about learning, self-efficacay)
- affect (test anxiety)
- The learning strategies sections consist of nice scales which can be distinguished as cognitive, metacognitive, and resource management strategies:
- cognitive strategies: rehearsal, elaboration, organization, critical thinking
- metacognitive strategies: planning, monitoring, and regulating
- resource management: managing time and study environment, effort management, managing time and study environment, help-seeking
- MSLQ in on-line learning environment
- As an instrument designed to ascertain classroom self-regulation skills, MSLQ has limitations to assess online self-regulated learning . Because the instrument was design to reflect self-regulation in traditional classrooms, it does not relate well to online self-regulated strategies. Whip and Chiarelli (2004) found that students’ online and face-to-face learning strategies are different. Researchers have been carrying on a research in University of Missouri. They intend to predict what extent each MSLQ factor predicts students’ achievements and they will identify each MSLQ factor’s internal validity. This study is a preliminary step to developing an online self-regulated learning instrument-under construction.
Learner Autonomy and Language Teaching and Learning
- The topics of autonomy and independence play an increasingly important role in language education. They raise issues such as learners' responsibility for their own learning, and their right to determine the direction of their own learning, the skills which can be learned and applied in self-directed learning and capacity for independent learning and the extents to which this can be suppressed by institutional education.
- Henri Holec, "the father of learner autonomy", believes that the autonomous language learner takes responsibility for the totality of his learning situation. He does this by determining his own objectives, defining the contents to be learned and the progression of the course, selecting methods and techniques to be used, monitoring this procedure, and evaluating what he has acquired. Objectives are specific to the learner, and the learner's communicative needs determine the verbal elements chosen. Learning thus proceeds from ideas to correct grammatical, lexical, and phonological form. The self-directed learner chooses the methods of instruction through trial-and-error. His selection is based on the objectives set and its applicability to internal and external constraints. The student evaluates his attainment through his objectives, and this evaluation helps him to plan subsequent learning. The concept of autonomous learning requires a redefinition of knowledge from an objective universal to a subjective individual knowledge determined by the learner. For teachers, it means new objectives which help the learner define his personal objectives and help him acquire autonomy. Several experiments in autonomous learning are described.
Learner autonomy and E-learning
- Emmanuel Blanchard and Claude Frasson. (2004) An Autonomy-Oriented System Design for Enhancement of Learner’s Motivation in E-learnin0302-9743 (Print) 1611-3349 (Online) (This work is aimed at establishing a survey of motivation literature and proposing a Motivation-Oriented System Design for e-Learning.)
How to foster Learner Autonomy
- David Little. (1995)Learning as Dialogue: The Dependence of Learner Autonomy on Teacher Autonomy.
- Dimitrios Thanasoulas.(2000)What is Learner Autonomy and How Can It be Fostered? the Internet TESL Journal, Vol.VI,No.11,November 2000 html
- Ema Ushioda. (2001)Tandem language learning via e-mail: from motivation to autonomy
- Ernesto Macaro. (2001)Target Language, Collaborative Learning and Autonomy. Modern Languages in Practice. pdf file
- Gathercole, Ian, Ed.(1990)Autonomy in Language Learning.
- Henri Holec.(1979) Autonomy and Foreign Language Learning
- Hock Michael F et al. (1995)Training Strategic Tutors to Enhance Learner Independence. Journal of Developmental Education, v19 n1 p18-20,22-24,26 Fall 1995 #Judy Ho, David Crookall.(1995) Breaking with Chinese Cultural Traditions: Learner Autonomy in English Language Teaching ISSN-0346-251X
- Phil Benson, Peter Voller.(1996) Autonomy and Independence in Language Learning ISBN10: 0582289920 ISBN13: 9780582289925
- Pintrich, Paul R.; De Groot, Elisabeth V. (1990) Motivational and Self-Regulated Learning Components of Classroom Academic Performance Journal of Educational Psychology, v82 n1 p33-40 Mar 1990
- Paul R. Pintrich and Elisabeth V. De Groot. Journal of Educational Psychology.1990, Vol. 82, No. 1,33-40 Motivational and Self-Regulated Learning Components of Classroom Academic Performance pdf
- Teresa Garcia and Paul R. Pintrich.(1995) Assessing Students' Motivation and Learning Strategies:The Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire. pdf
- Sara Cotterall.(1995)Developing a course strategy for learner autonomy
- Sara Cotterall.(2000)Promoting learner autonomy through the curriculum: principles for designing language courses
- Sara Cotterall. (1995) Readiness for Autonomy: Investigating Learner Beliefs.ISSN-0346-251X
- Victoria Chan.(2004)Readiness for Learner Autonomy: what do our learners tell us? Teaching in Higher Education,Volume 6, Number 4/October 1, 2001
- W Littlewood. (1999)Defining and developing autonomy in East Asian contexts
- Yang N.-D.(1998) Exploring a new role for teachers: promoting learner autonomy
- Thang Siew Ming and Leila Bidmeshki. (2004)AN ONLINE ENGLISH COURSE FOR MALAYSIAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNDERGRADUATES: EVALUATING LEARNERS’ RESPONSES pdf
- Yoltan Dörnyei.(2001) Motivational Strategiess in the Language Classroom. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521790298 hardback ISBN 0521793777 paperback pdf
- Ciarán P. McCarthy. Learner Training for Learner Autonomy on Summer Language Courses.The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. IV, No. 7, July 1998.html
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continuous /kənˈtɪnjuəs/ adjective
NOT STOPPING › happening or existing without stopping
devamlı, sürekli continuous pain ten years of continuous service in the army1550
GRAMMAR › The continuous form of a verb is used to show that an action is continuing to happen. The sentence 'He was eating lunch.' is in the continuous form. continuously adverb ›
fiillerin geçmişte ve şimdiki zaman içinde devamlılık bildirme hali1231
hiç durmadan devam ederek Their baby cried continuously all afternoon.
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Bisanadi National Reserve.
The Bisanadi National Reserve is located in the Eastern part of Kenya in East Africa. It is located on the part separating Meru and Bisanandi National Parks between the border that cuts across Meru and Boran communities that form part of the many tribes in Kenya. The area is known as Kinna. The Bisanadi National reserve was first opened up in the year 1979 in the month of September. The national reserve is spread on an area of 606 sq km. The Bisanadi national reserve has a rough terrain and therefore tourists are advised to use four wheel drive vehicles.
The Bisanadi national reserve is the dispersal area for wildlife from Meru national Park. Mwingi, Meru, Kora and Bisanadi conservation area all form part of the Bisanadi national reserve. The Bisanadi conservation area acts a major tourist attraction national reserve for both local and international tourists. For all flora and fauna lovers, there is something to look forward as visiting Bisanadi national reserve.
Riverine forests, thorny bush land and wooded grasslands are some of the vegetation that can be found at the Bisanadi national reserve. The Bisanadi national reserve can be accessed via road by passing through Meru which is located in the eastern part of Kenya. There is usually a road that connects Meru to Bisanadi national reserve. However, individuals can also use the airstrip at Korbessa to access the national reserve.
There is a lot of free space at and around Bisanadi national reserve thereby giving wildlife a lot of space where they can move. This ensures that the space in Bisanadi is natural and very interesting from an aspect of nature. Man has settled in the areas around it therefore there is no interference. Tourists and other flora and fauna lovers can therefore freely enjoy unspoilt terrain and the view of free wildlife that move through vast spaces as they search for food and more suitable habitats for better survival and perpetuation of their species.
Visitors of the Bisanadi national reserve can find accommodation at camps and lodges which are usually located in parks near Samburu and Shaba national parks. Many visitors visiting the national reserve have also sought accommodation at the Leopord Rock Safari Lodge and other lodges and camps near and around Meru national park. Examples of animals that can be seen at the Bisanadi national reserve include; lions, cheetahs, Leopards, buffaloes and many other kinds of wild animals.
Accommodation when visiting the Bisanadi national reserve can be sought at the offbeat Meru camp near the Meru National Park. The camp is located near the Bisanadi River which gives beautiful scenery for visitors to the location. The camp is lavishly furnished and gives a classy appeal yet conserving the natural and African appeal of décor and tradition.
The tents at the camp are spacious and have many comfortable sofas, a large well furnished dining area and the area is well lit using traditionally themed lamps. There is also an option for having meals served in the open as one observes the beautiful serene nature in the surroundings. Game drives and nature walks are also available for individuals who would like to observe nature at the reserve. These services are offered by trained and experienced guides, most of whom are locals and so they know the area very well.
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