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Bromide in the Allegheny River System
Before April 2011, it was acceptable to discharge Marcellus brines into rivers. Therefore, brines were discharged to some PA rivers through publicly operated treatment works (POTW) and industrial waste plants (IWP). However, many larger rivers in PA are used for drinking water after treatment with chlorinated compounds. Brines from shale gas wells contain dissolved bromide at concentrations up to 2,000,000 ppb and bromide can react with the chlorinated disinfectants and with other natural compounds in the river to make brominated disinfection byproducts (BDB) which can be carcinogenic.
In 2010, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority observed an increase in concentration of bromide-containing species in their water from the Allegheny River after they treated it for drinking . We will explore the bromide in the Allegheny River and where it comes from (Figure 1) using data published in the Shale Network public database of water quality. We use HydroClient to find these data: HydroClient was built by the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. (CUAHSI), a non-profit funded by the National Science Foundation, as a tool to find water quality data from entities like Shale Network, along with bigger groups such as the US Geological Survey and NASA.
Students will be asked to think critically, analyze data, and synthesize information
Student will learn how disposed brine impacts surface water quality in Pennsylvania
The first thing we will do is get a file from HydroShare and upload it into HydroClient. This will allow us to see some of the sites in the Allegheny River system where waste is discharged, to track down bromide sources in the river.
Getting a File from HydroShare
· Open up Internet Explorer. To do this, type in “Internet Explorer” into the bar at the bottom left of the screen and click on it. It should open up after clicking.
· Type HydroShare.org into the browser and click on it – it should open up.
· Click Discover (located at the top of the page — you don’t have to sign in).
· Type Industrial Plants PA in the search box and click on the title Industrial Plants PA. You should see a page that contains an Abstract, Subject, and information on how to cite the data.
· Scroll down the page to the Content section.
· Click on the little file icon and click Download All Content as Zipped Bagit Archive.
· Wait a moment. An orange message should appear at the bottom of your screen asking if you want to open or save the folder. Click “Open”. A zip file folder should appear (depending on your browser). Click to “Open” the folder (do NOT click save), click on “Data”, click on “Contents”. You should then see the file “industrial plants”.
· Right click on the “industrial_plants” file and select “Copy”. Now, minimize all the windows until you can see your desktop: click on your desktop screen and paste the file on your desktop.
· Find the browser again and open up HydroClient by typing and clicking http://data.cuahsi.org/.
· Once it is open, click Layer Control.
· In the popup, Click Add GeoJSON.
· Click on Browse, and click on Desktop (right-side panel of the pop-up window) and navigate to the file you saved in the previous step by going to your Desktop. If you do not see the file, use the Search Desktop search box in the top right of the pop up and type “industrial_plants”, click on the drop-down option, and click Open. The markers should appear on the map as shown at right.
The red balloons identify possible waste sources into the Allegheny River system.The zoom buttons, located in the top left corner under the search box, allow you to adjust the map extent. The “+” sign allows you to zoom in and the “-” allows you to zoom out of the map. (Alternately, you can use the roller on the mouse to scroll in or out.) Increase the magnification and navigate to Pennsylvania and the Allegheny system. You can click on each red marker and a pop up will appear with information: IWP — Industrial Waste Plant, PP — Power Plant, SP — Steel plant, and POTW — Publicly Operated Treatment Works.
We will now navigate around the Allegheny River system and try to find bromide concentrations upriver and downriver from the different possible pollution sources. Use the instructions below to get concentrations. We suggest you use the schematic Allegheny River in Figure 1 (below) to help navigate, and write down the bromide concentrations for the sites you explore.If at any point you refresh your browser, you will need to add the layer of industrial waste plants back on to HydroClient.
Figure 1. SCHEMATIC ALLEGHENY RIVER SYSTEM MAP showing how the river flows north to south (vertical blue line), with many smaller tributaries (horizontal and diagonal blue lines). Also shown with big blue dots are some of the publicly operated treatment works (POTW), power plants (PP), and industrial waste plants (IWP). Some POTWs were allowed to treat and discharge Marcellus brines into the river before April 2011. IWPs and PPs also can discharge water + waste into the river. Steel plants (SPs) also use and discharge water with some contamination into the river and acid mine drainage (AMD) inputs also impact the river. (Neither SPs nor AMD are shown.) No known waste treatment plants are located above POTW-A. The map is not to scale: Freeport lies many river miles above the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority intake: along this reach of the river that is not shown, one SP, two PPs and 1 POTW are located. Sampling spots on the river are shown as black dots: data and locations were taken from States et al. (2013). The following plants were known to process and discharge Marcellus waste waters before the May 2011 ban: POTW-A, -B, -C. The following sites also treated such wastes before the ban and are thought to still treat such wastes from conventional oil and gas wells: IWP-A, -B, -C.
Site 1: Intake Waters at Pittsburgh Water Treatment Plant at the PWSA
The first stop will be the intake site for water from the Allegheny River for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (at the bottom of Figure 1). As you move through the sites, we suggest that you write down on Figure 1 the maximum and minimum bromide concentrations for each site. For example, the value in the Clarion river at the Route 58 Bridge is already on Figure 1.
The Pittsburgh Water Treatment Plant for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority provides water and sewer service to more than 300,000 consumers throughout Pittsburgh.
· Use the Enter a location search box at the top left of the screen to zoom to a geographic area. Start typing “Pittsburgh Water Treatment Plant, Freeport Road, Pittsburgh, PA, United States” . and the dropdown list will popup. Use cursor to click the option on the dropdown list.
The map will zoom to the plant: the area of the map is shown at the bottom center with a green “thumbs up” notifying you the area is small enough to search for data. In this case, however, it will be helpful if the search encompasses a larger map area.
· Click on the zoom in (+ sign) or zoom out (negative sign) until you can view Sycamore Island and you have a green thumbs up. Sycamore is an island in the middle of the Allegheny River and is circled at right. Your map should look similar to the screenshot at right but each monitor may look slightly different.
Now you will define your search criteria in the right-side tool bar to find all the bromide data from January, 1900 to today in the area that your map is currently showing.
· Begin by clicking on the blue Select Date Range button and typing in “1/1/1900” to “5/18/2017” in the From and To boxes. then click Save.
· Click Select Keyword(s),to search only for Bromide.
o There are a lot of species in the database so you must find bromide. You’ll see the Common and Full List: click Full Listand use the Filter to type “bromide” into the window as shown at right.
o Click on the little plus sign next to Chemical as circled at right. Next, click on the plus sign next to Inorganic.
o Continue to click on the little plus sign under Inorganic>Major>Major, non-metals>Bromide. Make sure to click on the square next to Bromide so that a green check mark appears to show it is selected. To move forward, click Save.
· Next, use the Select Data Service(s)button. All the sources of data are shown, including Shale Network, EPA, and US Geological Survey. Use the Search box as shown at right to type “Shale Network.” Shale Network is a team of scientists based in Pennsylvania, led by Penn State, that has been publishing water quality data online in the area of shale gas development. Click on the row to highlight the Shale Network data service as shown below. (Don’t click on Shale Network tab).
· Click Close.
· Click Search Map to begin the search. After a few seconds one or more blue markers will pop up on the map as shown at right. If you hover over a blue marker, it has a number that indicates how many data series are available in the database for that location. If you zoom in, the blue markers show more precise locations, while if you zoom out the locations will be more generalized.
· To view only the data series that are located upstream of the Pittsburgh Water Treatment Plant on this map, click on the blue data marker circled at right and you will get a table describing the data at that location.
· Highlight the row of data by clicking anywhere on row as shown below.
· Now that you have highlighted the row, we will preview a plot of the data with the Data Series Viewer. To View the data: click Select Action, Save selection to workspace,and click on theWorkspace button in the top right corner of the table. In the Workspace, highlight the data by clicking on the row, click Select Tool,select Data Series Viewer,and click Launch Tool. The Data Series Viewer will open in a new window and will allow you to preview a plot of bromide concentration in the river (left axis) versus time (bottom axis). These data were reported by States et al. (2013).
· Look at the data in the graph or the table for the Allegheny River water intake to the PWSA. Estimate the highest and lowest values. The bromide concentrations are given in the DataValues column (column E) or you can read from the graph. (Write answer here or on Figure 1).
· Notice that the bromide concentrations are high in the summer when it doesn’t rain much and low in the fall and spring when concentrations are diluted by lots of rain.
We are now going to estimate bromide concentrations for other sites on the Allegheny River moving from north to south to fill out these concentrations on Figure 1. You can either follow all the instructions below, or you can navigate around the river on your own, looking for bromide concentrations, using all the steps just discussed, to fill out on Figure 1 and then go to “Questions to Think About”.
Site 2: The Most Northern Spot: Warren County, Allegheny River
We will now go to the most northern sampling spot on the river (top of Figure 1). Close the Data Series Viewer by finding the tiny x and clicking on it (don’t click the x for the entire browser!). In the Workspace, click the blue button labelled Search in the upper right to return to the map. DO NOT CLICK REFRESH. If you click refresh by accident, you probably will want to add the layer of industrial plants back on.
· We will go to Warren, PA well above all the industrial inputs to the river (see Figure 1). Enter a location: type ” Paws Along the River Human Society, Warren PA, United States”(This is just a landmark, we are not investigating the Humane Society.)
· Keep search criteria the same as Site 1 (Date Range:01/01/1900 to 5/18/2017, Keyword: Bromide, Data Service: Shale Network.) Click Search Map. Click on the blue data marker located in the stream to view the search results with the Site Name: Warren. Put your data in the Workspace and then look at it in the Data Series Viewer. Note that you will want to click on the PWSA data row to un-highlight it if it is still in your workspace. Otherwise, both datasets will be plotted in Data Viewer.
· Write down the range of values at Warren here and on Figure 1. How do the bromide concentrations at Warren compare to concentrations at the PWSA? What might this tell us?
Site 3: Moving South: Tionesta County, Allegheny River
We will now move to Tionesta (see Figure 1). Follow the previous directions on how to search for and preview data in the Data Series Viewer. Keep all search parameters, including the Date Range, Keyword, and Data Service the same.
· Location:Station Rd, Tionesta, PA, United States
· What are the concentrations of bromide at Tionesta and how do they compare to Warren? What does this tell us about natural bromide concentrations in the Allegheny River? Note that most natural stream samples in PA without human impacts are 10 ppb or lower but most analytical labs have a detection limit of 20 to 60 ppb bromide. The EPA recommendation for bromide is 60 ppb.
Site 4: Kennerdell, Venago County, Allegheny River
Location: Kennerdell, PA, United States
· Click Search Mapand then Show Search Results.
Click on the blue data marker shown at right and preview in the Data Series Viewer.
Write the range of values here and on Figure 1.
Site 5: Franklin, Venago County, Allegheny River
Location: Franklin, PA, United States
· Click Search Mapand then Show Search Results.
· Click on the blue data marker shown at right and preview in the Data Series Viewer.
· What do you think explains the bromide concentrations between Warren and Kennerdell?
Site 6: Crooked Creek near Stitt Hill Bridge, Armstrong County
Now we will proceed downstream to Crooked Creek before it flows into the Allegheny River.
· Location: Lumac Inc, Pennsylvania 66, Ford City, PA, United States
· Click on the blue data marker circled at right and preview in the Data Series Viewer.
· Look at the range of values at the Stitt Hill bridge on Crooked Creek and write values here and on Figure 1. What might explain the values you found in Crooked Creek? Note that IWP-B treated and released Marcellus brines before 2011: before dilution these waters can have bromide concentrations up to 2,000,000 ppb bromide.
Site 7: Kiski River Bridge, Leechburg
Now let’s look downstream where the Kiskiminetas (“Kiski”) River enters the Allegheny (see Figure 1).
· Location: Kiski Camp Drive, Leechburg, PA, United States
· Zoom out until map is similar to the one at right.Search Map.
· The most northern blue dot is Schenley (LDB) and the most southern is Kiski Railroad Bridge. Click Show Search Results to view both sites.
· Highlight both rows of data and navigate to the Data Series Viewer for each site and add concentrations to Figure 1.
· Look at the HydroClient map or at Figure 1 and investigate the surrounding area on the Kiski River. What might explain the values you found at Kiski Railroad Bridge?
· If you are interested, you might look at Figure 1 and use HydroClient to determine whether the bromide concentrations in the Kiski river above and below the POTW between Apollo and Leechburg bridges are different. This POTW accepted brines from Marcellus shale gas wells and discharged them to the river before 2011. Can you see an increase in bromide below the POTW? What about above and below the IWP on the same river? What does this mean about the source of bromide? If you have time, you might look above and below POTW-B on the Conemaugh river by comparing bromide concentrations at the Route 56 Bridge (Rte 56, Johnstown) and at the Johnstown railroad bridge (Daisytown, Pennsylvania). This POTW (municipal sewage treatment plant) received Marcellus wastewaters before April 2011. (Note that the POTW does not show up on the map as a red balloon.) Bromide is also used in coal to suppress mercury emissions. Do you see any evidence for high bromide downstream from PP-A or PP-B?
· You can also explore the IWP on Blacklick Creek, which flows into the Conemaugh river, which flows into the Kiski, which flows into the Allegheny River (see Figure 1).
Questions to Think About
· After investigating the sites and placing values on Figure 1: where does the bromide come from at the PWSA and how does it compare to background values (and what does background mean)?
· Which river do you think is responsible for most of the bromide? This cannot be determined simply by concentration because the concentration could be high but the flow rate (i.e. discharge) of the river could be low. Here is the relative discharge of the rivers: Kiski river (1505 to 7539 m 3 /minute) > Clarion River (668 to 3724 m 3 /minute) >> Crooked Creek. The “bromide load” of a river is the concentration multiplied by the discharge. Which river do you think might have the largest load (i.e. concentration multiplied by discharge) and be most responsible for the bromide at PWSA? What is upstream on that river?
· One conclusion from this study is that discharge of bromide-containing brine to the Allegheny is not a good idea. But what else should we be thinking about?
Floating Down the Allegheny River
There is just enough time left in the year to take one more ‘day’ trip before the water gets too cold. That’s all it takes, one day. One day to garner enough memories to last all year long and to begin planning for the next year. Once you do this one time, you will want to do it again and again.
Floating down the Allegheny River on rafts is the most relaxing yet exciting time you can imagine. There are rivers all over, what makes this one so special? The depth of the river. Over the years the water has cut deep into the mountains of Pennsylvania. The water does not run like the rapids of the Colorado River, it is nice and slow moving.
If you’ve ever traveled across I-80 through Pennsylvania, just past the Emlenton exit you will cross the river and see just how deep into the earth it really is.
Your starting point will be at Emlenton, PA there is a small park that allows ‘floaters’ or canoes to get into the water, and you can leave your vehicle parked there with no problem. There are a few small stores right at the park so if you’ve forgotten an item or two, you can easily pick them up.
Don’t forget your pick up car!
What you will need for your trip;
1. Rafts – The cheap kind you find at the local dollar store for around $5 will work just fine. You will need one for each person in your party, and one for your cooler. Keep in mind, the more the merrier!
2. Cooler – For drinks and food along the way, you will want to keep hydrated and keep your food dry.
3. Rope – To lash the rafts together. Why? This makes it more fun, so you can all stick together and get to see all sides of the river as you slowly spin around.
4. Water proof camera – So you can view all the sites along the way, and have pictures of them for your scrap book.
5. Baggies – The zip kind for your keys and wallets, so they don’t get wet.
6. Water shoes – If you have them, they are not necessary but handy for walking on the rocky bottom of this river. Flip-flops will work just fine.
That is about all you will need for the time of your life! Depending on how long you wish to spend in the water will be your pick up point. You should have a car parked at your pick up point as well, unless you have someone picking you up.
The first stop is Foxburg – That is about 2 miles down the river this should take you about 4 hours of floating. There is a little bait shop/store at the ramp area that you can park your pick up car. Just stop inside and let them know what you’re doing, they are more than happy to accommodate you.
Keep your eyes open
Unless you are taking little ones there should be no need for life preservers, the water never gets really deep, in this area. There is one point where it is quite shallow and unless you like having your butt hairs scraped off, you might want to walk your rafts through. There is a divide you will come up to, you can go around to the ‘deep’ side, we chose the shallow side.
You do not need paddles, the river runs smoothly, if you find a need to ‘paddle’, your arms will get you going along just fine. There are a few houses along they way and you might catch a glimpse of a human from time to time, just give them a wave. These folks are very friendly and will surely wave back at you.
There are a couple of sandy spots along the way should you want to stop and have a look around, just pull up your rafts and get out. Have lunch, relax and enjoy the view. You might see some wild life coming to the water to get a drink. If you’re too noisy, they will just leave you alone.
The rocks along the way will probably be the biggest you’ve ever seen in your life. Some as big as houses. You will go under I -80, make sure you wave at the Truckers, they will be the only ones to see you. There are several bridges along the way that you will go under as well, even and ‘old time’ train trestle.
It was as though someone designed this particular spot in the Allegheny River just for those who want to go floating.
If you choose to take the longer route into Parker, Pennsylvania (about 5 miles), there is a large parking lot in which to park your vehicle. The river opens up much wider at this point and is quite busy with boaters and such. Of course the water is much deeper in this area.
This trip can be made again and again once the rafts have been purchased, for just the cost of your food and gas to get there. Once you have made one trip down the Allegheny River you are going to be looking at other rivers which you can traverse.
If you don’t get to make it this year, make sure you include it in your plans for next year. Mark ‘Floating down the Allegheny River’ on your calendar, the sites are something that you don’t want to miss!
Sweetsusieg (author) from Michigan on August 25, 2011:
On 268 there are at least 2 waterslides or like waterfalls that are across the road from the river between Parker to Foxburg and Foxburg to Emelenton. If your on the river it would be on the West side. River connects to the Allegheny in between Foxburg and Parker. Hope this helps!!
sarah on August 25, 2011:
does anyone know if there are natural waterslides around parker or emlenton that we can get to from the river?
Sweetsusieg (author) from Michigan on December 08, 2010:
Thanks!! We had an absolute blast on this trip! I would Love to do it again. But this time I’d like to start where we left off and go further to Parker.
Ways to Raft Down A River
Ways to Raft Down A River. The roots of modern river rafts date back to the post-World War II surplus equipment sold across the country. Before rubber, river runners were using wooden boats with poor agility and little room for cargo or passengers. They were heavy, easy to break, and time-consuming to repair. To avoid these issues, Goodrich Rubber Company manufactured one of the first rubber rafts for whitewater in 1938 for use on a documentary film trip. The resulting footage from the trip inspired more individuals to experiment, and once they became cheap and abundant after the war, rubber rafts became king and wooden boats generally fell out of style.
The diversity in boat types on the river has never been greater than it is today, with almost all of them being made of rubber. Because every boat provides a different experience and their names are not always intuitive, here is a basic guide to the main types of water crafts you may see on the river.
The luxury cruise liner of the river, oar rafts are designed to carry as much gear as possible while leaving space for passengers to ride comfortably onboard. For seating and gear storage, oar rafts have wooden or aluminum frames strapped onto them, with the oars attached in the middle. These boats are sometimes confused with paddle boats, as the guts of both are the same, but the utility and experience of each could not be more different. On a paddleboat, everyone is participating, while oar rafts are powered by a single person utilizing two 9-10 ft. long oars positioned off of either side of the boat, allowing the passengers to relax, lay back, and enjoy the ride. A typical oar raft can carry 5-6 people and upwards of 1500 pounds!
For slow, flat-water stretches, there is no more relaxing way to travel downstream than riding along on an oar boat. Sharing stories and conversations, reading books, taking naps, or simply marveling at the scenery, the experience of the calm float offers something that is lost in activity. Due to the heavy weight of gear, food, and passengers, oar boats are difficult to flip and generally the safest way downstream, making them the most popular boats for multi-day trips.
A paddleboat is what most people picture traveling on when they imagine “whitewater rafting”. These rafts have elevated tubes that make up the sides with smaller tubes running width-wise across the floor. These smaller tubes are called “thwarts” and they act as seats or footholds for passengers. Paddleboats hold between 6-8 people and everybody has their own paddle, with one person (usually a river guide) sitting in the back. The passengers are responsible for creating and maintaining momentum, with the captain in the back doing all the steering and voice commands.
Paddleboats are a great way for people to participate and stay active. With strong paddlers, these boats are very maneuverable and lots of fun in the whitewater. However it is often hard to find 6-8 people who are committed to paddling the entirety of a trip. They are not designed to carry any cargo, and because of how lightweight they are, it is much easier to flip over in a rapid. Also, paddling can be a tough workout, especially in flat water and fighting a headwind, which may scare away any willing participation. Ideal for day trips and active groups, paddle boats are rare for multi-day trips but may be available upon request. Read more about why we don’t bring paddle boats on all of our trips in this blog.
Affectionately known as “duckies” for the characteristic way they appear to waddle downstream while following bigger boats (mama ducks), inflatable kayaks are a great source of freedom and autonomy on the river. Great for beginner and experienced paddlers alike, duckies are fun, stable, and easy to use while providing good exercise and the opportunity to explore the river on your own. It is common to see duckies on all stretches of water, but are not typically used in larger whitewater on commercial trips. Most kayaks are designed for one adult, but tandem duckies have become more popular in recent years. Holiday will bring duckies on most trips, when appropriate.
Stand up Paddleboard (SUP)
The newest river craze is the stand up paddleboard, or SUP. Despite being inflatable, these can be stiff as a surfboard and surprisingly stable. Manufacturers make many different shapes and sizes of SUPs, with the river designs being wider and thicker to better fare in whitewater. Another fun option to explore the river with autonomy, SUPs offer a unique workout and challenge to those seeking an active experience. The flat water of Cataract, Ruby/Horsethief Canyons, and Desolation Canyon are the most common sections of river that Holiday will bring SUPs.
Originally from the suburbs near Cleveland, Ohio, Justin made his way to Utah after graduating from Ohio University with a degree in exploring and having fun… If not on the river or in the kitchen, you’ll find him wandering the mountains, drinking coffee, or writing down words he hopes will come across as sensical. | 0.795468 | ('__label__neg',) |
You need to add organic waste in the right ratio to get perfect composting results. Compostable materials are divided into browns and greens and must be added carefully. This article discusses everything you need to know about composting ratio and how it affects the process.
Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio
Carbon and nitrogen are both needed for the creation of a perfect compost. Carbon provides energy for composting microorganisms and nitrogen is needed for protein production, growth, and reproduction. Carbon makes the compost light and soft. The brown materials are rich in carbon content, and green materials have a high proportion of nitrogen.
Many experts have defined the ideal ratio as a 30:1 carbon to nitrogen ratio. It does not mean that you have to add 30 brown parts for one green part. Each organic material has its ratio, and you need to add the materials keeping in mind those ratios. The 30:1 ratio is not fixed and varies 20:1 to 45:1.
The moisture content is another important factor for successful composting. Your pile should be moist and not wet, as extra water can make the process anaerobic and cause a foul smell. Lack of air and excess water can also reduce the composting speed. The water content should be around 50-60%. You can adjust the water content based on pile size, specific materials, and weather conditions. The best way to check the water content is to pinch a handful of compost if it gives 2-3 drops of water; the moisture content is enough for the pile. To mitigate the wet compost bin problem follow these instructions.
The oxygen content should be more than 5% in any condition. Aerobic composting needs a large amount of oxygen during all stages of composting. The best way to ensure enough oxygen supply is to turn the pile and keep the lid open for a while every day.
Waste Material Size
The size of the waste material you are adding also impacts the speed and quality of the composting process. It is recommended to always add carbon materials in shredded form and food scrapes in small pieces. Small particle size increases the surface area and helps the microorganisms to decompose organic waste quickly.
The two main stages of composting are the mesophilic stage and the thermophilic stage. The temperature range for these stages is 50-105°F and over 150°F, respectively. It is better if the temperature range stays between 110°-150° F. turning and rotating the compost pile helps in maintaining this temperature range.
An appropriate pH is needed for microorganisms to work on organic matter and decompose it. The ideal range is 6.5 to 8. Little variations in this range do not hurt the process, and it can tolerate a range of 5.5-9. pH range is maintained by the addition of correct amounts of brown and green matter. | 0.979328 | ('__label__pos',) |
How a Memory Foam Mattress Is Made
Have you ever wondered how memory foam gets its unique ability to mold to your shape? This type of mattress doesn’t just give you a great night’s sleep. It also performs marvels of engineering.
Memory foam was first invented in the late 1960s and ’70s, when NASA scientists attempted to make a material that would protect airline passengers and crew during crashes. They also wanted to reduce the G-force pressure on astronauts’ bodies during reentry and takeoff.
While the foam never made it into a space shuttle, NASA realized it had come up with a truly remarkable material. It began to sell the foam, partnering with a third party to distribute it to businesses that made sports and medical equipment. By the 1980s, Fagerdala World Foams realized this material would be an excellent fit for the mattress industry. The first Tempur-Pedic® mattress came out in 1991, and soon, memory foam enjoyed a huge surge in popularity.
How Memory Foam Is Made
There are six major steps in memory foam creation:
- Reacting agents combine with isocyanates and polyols.
- A machine whips the mixture into a froth, then pours it into a mold, where it bubbles into foam.
- Gas or blowing agents are added to the foam, whose density varies based on the amount of air and polymer mixture.
- The foam cools and then is heated again, after which it is left out to cure for a few hours or a few days.
- The foam is washed, dried and inspected to ensure it meets standards.
- Finally, it is cut into pieces for use in memory foam mattress construction.
How Memory Foam Beds Are Made
Memory foam mattresses are made up of regular polyurethane as the base layer. The memory foam sits on top of this, along with any other padding layers the mattress may need. Manufacturers often use adhesive to fasten one layer to the next, though the type of adhesive used varies depending on who makes the bed.
Federal safety guidelines require the addition of a flame-resistant fabric barrier on top of the mattress, to protect against possible fire. Some manufacturers also put fire-resistant additives into the foam, too, for another layer of fire safety. Then they add a cover for an appearance that completes the look.
Memory foam beds have become popular among those who want better support and pressure relief while they sleep. The unique material used to make these beds may not have served the original purpose NASA envisioned, but it’s doing a lot of people good decades later as a mattress material.
Contact W.N. Shaw For Custom Release Agents
Now that you know how a memory foam mattress is made, you may also enjoy learning how a football is made. These are just two of the industries that employ W.N. SHAW & CO. to create custom molding release agents. Our flexible non-automotive polyurethane assists in making memory foam, arm rests for office furniture, foam toys with high resiliency and much more. We use the latest technology to offer affordable options. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist your company. | 0.609443 | ('__label__pos',) |
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Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy among women. Early detection of breast cancer is critical for reducing the disease's morbidity and mortality. Therefore, extreme cautions are required. And if it discovered late, it may have bad prognosis. Objective: The goal of this study was to establish whether university students were aware of breast cancer, its symptoms, and the risk factors associated with it, as well as the level of knowledge and awareness of BSE and mammography. METHODS: The current research employed a cross-sectional strategy.A questionnaire was self-administered to all the students. A total of 122 respondents completed the online survey that enrolled in various universities in Punjab. Results: The age of study participants was ranged between 21_30years.Most of them were aware if breast cancer.(73.8%) (90) of students know about brrast cancer through social media, being the most important source of information.Regardi g different aspect of study 78.7% (96) had the knowlegde of risk factor i.e Breast cancer occur mostly with increasing age.An adequate number if participants 77.9% (95) have the knowlegde of self examination. To educate people about breast cancer, we should host seminars. because raising awareness of cancer is essential for early identification and more proactive health-seeking. Despite the fact that breast cancer is relatively widespread in both developing and wealthy nations, broad public awareness is still low. No matter how old or young a woman is, breast care is a need.
Conclusion: According to this survey, majority of the participants have basic information about breast cancer and its risk factors. Many participants also know about breast self-examination as it is a simple, quick, non-invasive, and costfree technique for women to check their own breasts for any changes that could be an early indicator of breast cancer in the early stages, when the disease can be treated successfully, boosting the survival rate from breast cancer. any participants also have information about mammography and its advantages in detection of cancer. Hence students are aware of breast cancer.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Naqvi, A.A., et al., Developing a Research Instrument to Document Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitudes Regarding Breast Cancer and Early Detection Techniques for Pakistani Women: The Breast Cancer Inventory (BCI). Diseases, 2016. 4(4): p. 37.
- Hjorth, C.F., et al., Socioeconomic position and prognosis in premenopausal breast cancer: a population-based cohort study in Denmark. BMC Medicine, 2021. 19(1): p. 235.
- Karthik, L., et al., Protease inhibitors from marine actinobacteria as a potential source for antimalarial compound. PloS one, 2014. 9(3): p. e90972.
- Ullah, Z., et al., Breast Cancer Awareness and Associated Factors Amongst Women in Peshawar, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study. Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research, 2021. 15: p. 11782234211025346.
- Rahman, S.A., et al., Awareness about Breast Cancer and Breast Self-Examination among Female Students at the University of Sharjah: A Cross-Sectional Study. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019. 20(6): p. 1901-1908.
- Sharma, A., et al., A Qualitative Assessment of Breast Cancer Awareness in an Urban Indian City.
- Sarker, R., et al., Knowledge towards breast cancer, and breast self-examination practices and its barriers among university female students in Bangladesh: Findings from a cross-sectional study. medRxiv, 2021: p. 2021.10.20.21265262. | 0.885177 | ('__label__pos',) |
Fit a function to data.
Data: input dataset
Preprocessor: preprocessing method(s)
Learner: curve fit learning algorithm
Model: trained model
Coefficients: fitted coefficients
The Curve Fit widget fits an arbitrary function to the input data. It only works for regression tasks. The widget uses scipy.curve_fit to find the optimal values of the parameters.
The widget works only on regression tasks and only numerical features can be used for fitting.
The learner/predictor name.
Introduce model parameters.
Input an expression in Python. The expression should consist of at least one fitting parameter.
Select a feature to include into the expression. Only numerical features are available.
Select a parameter. Only the introduced parameters are available.
Select a function.
Press Apply to commit changes. If Apply Automatically is ticked, changes are committed automatically.
Show help, produce a report, input/output info.
Curve fit uses default preprocessing when no other preprocessors are given. It executes them in the following order:
removes instances with unknown target values
removes empty columns
imputes missing values with mean values
To remove default preprocessing, connect an empty Preprocess widget to the learner. | 0.960699 | ('__label__pos',) |
Measles is a highly contagious virus spread through coughing and sneezing that can live for up to two hours in the air. Symptoms of measles include fever, a red blotchy rash, red watery eyes and Koplik (white) spots in the mouth. Measles is prevented by vaccination. Children in Ontario receive two doses of measles-containing vaccine before the age of 7. Endemic measles has been eliminated in Canada; however, imported cases continue to occur.
To obtain or inquire about an immunization record, or for general immunization information, please contact your local public health unit. | 0.914733 | ('__label__pos',) |
FAQ About Fashion
Couture and haute couture are not the same. While couture can be used to describe any garment that's handmade and one-of-a-kind, haute couture is a special designation created and approved by the French Ministry of Industry.
Nowadays, it is very easy to find information on any subject. Fashion is one of them. You can follow pages that share fashion content on Instagram, watch new runway shows, and participate in online trainings. In addition, if you search for fashion documentaries on channels such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, you can find good documentaries.
You can read books about fashion, although it is not preferred nowadays. You can also follow fashion podcasts. Finally, you can follow fashion channels on Youtube and learn from them.
There are many books about fashion. Here are a few books that will help you understand fashion:
- Fashion: The Definitive History of Costume and Style
- Stylist: The Interpreters of Fashion
- Grace: A Memoir
- The Woman I Wanted to Be. Diane Von Furstenberg
- Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design
- Secrets of Stylists: An Insider's Guide to Styling the Stars
Being a fashion designer means you know everything about fashion. Doing a lot of research is a good step to start.
In the first place, you can learn about constructive topics such as sewing, draping, patternmaking. If you do not know how to sew an outfit, you can choose the wrong fabric, you can prepare designs that will not make sense in real life. That's why it's very important to learn basic things like sewing first.
Of course, drawing is also very important. At least, you should know enough drawings to explain what you want with sketch-type drawings.
Fabrics! Fabrics are one of the most important elements of the fashion world. There are many different types of fabrics. Each of them has a different usage area and way of use. Learning fabrics is another of the most important steps.
Even if you don't know everything, you should also know about the history of fashion. Thus, you will not fall into repetition and you can also get inspired. You will also understand how trends have changed over the years.
In order to learn all these, you can benefit from Youtube, the internet and all the information resources you can think of.
Also, be open to learning and start doing.
You don't need to go to school to be a fashion designer. Self-taught people can also become fashion designers. The important thing is to have your interest and to continue your interest by educating yourself.
Petite people can actually follow most trends and wear whatever they want. They can choose heels to look taller. In addition, high-waisted trousers make them look taller. However, it should be well thought out so that the body part does not look even smaller.
They may prefer monochromatic clothes. They may also prefer vertical striped clothes.
The scarf trend, which draws attention with its use in Gucci's models, appeared in many places in 2022 and continues to emerge. Although we often see scarves tied to the head, tying them around the neck or optionally tying them to trousers or bags is also an option. Although patterned scarves are generally preferred, sometimes single-colored scarves can be preferred for a different color block. | 0.833667 | ('__label__neg',) |
Here’s another puzzle to get you thinking as we move into the weekend. David Hunt, PGCE Computer Science Subject Leader in the School of Education, has this time devised a word ladder themed computer coding style challenge.
A word ladder is a puzzle where you are trying to change one word into another, one letter at a time. The words you make at each stage must be valid entries in a dictionary.
For example, turning MAN into APE:-
MAN …. MAT …. OAT …. OPT …. APT …. APE
Can you change WORCS …. BOOKS …. LEARN | 0.919491 | ('__label__neg',) |
The Technology Behind Bella Hadid’s Spray on Dress
During the 2022 Paris Fashion Week, Coperni’s finale featuring Bella Hadid surprised the crowd. The audience shock-factor came from the garment that Bella Hadid wore, which was a spray-on dress. Hadid walked slowly onto a platform in the middle of the runway. Here she was sprayed by two technicians with a white material. With a little cutting and folding, the material solidified into a white fabric. In less than 10 minutes, Bella Hadid was walking the runway in an elegant, asymmetrical off-the-shoulder dress.
So, what’s the story behind this elusive spray-on garment?
Who created the dress?
The dress technology was created by Fabrican Ltd, a London based company founded by Manel Torres in 2003. Fabrican stands for “fabric from a can.” When sprayed, this substance can instantaneously create various items of clothing. The brand has discovered a method to use liquid fibers in a solvent that evaporates to form a piece of clothing.
How does the technology work?
The technology is at the forefront of material science innovation. The fabric is formed by using an aerosol can or spray gun to cross-link the fibers into a web, which then creates a fabric as it solidifies. This technology creates a non-woven fabric in the shape of what it is sprayed on. The texture of the material can be altered by changing the properties of the fibers in the spray. The fiber can be synthetic such as polyester or cotton, and it can also be made from recycled materials and fibers. The fiber mixture is then put into liquid suspension, and this liquid is placed in an aerosol can or spray gun.
Future uses of Fabrican
The Fabrican technologies allows the potential for an accelerated and non-traditional way of creating clothes. It also has many uses for repairing and readjusting clothing. The possibilities are endless; instead of having to bring a shirt to the tailor, you fix it with Fabrican instead. In addition, this fabric gives the consumer control over their clothing, and consumers can customize your clothes by adding pockets or patterns. They are even able to add UV protection or reflective material to their garments. It is also worth noting how these advancements in spray-on fabric could increase the efficiency of the clothing supply chain and decrease its carbon footprint.
Outside of fashion, Fabrican has many exciting uses with potential for products in healthcare, automotive, and hygiene industries. Specifically, the fabric’s sterile nature means it can be used in medical and hygiene settings, for example, hospital wipes, sponges, face-masks, or towels. Fabrican can even be used to make casts for broken bones. As far as the environmental side, there is increasing conversation about the potential use of Fabrican in cleaning up oil spills since the fabric actually absorbs oil.
We can see how the simple spray on dress ties to a complicated and intriguing new technology that may actually shift the way we think about clothing itself. But beyond fashion, while spraying Bella Hadid in fabric created an eye-catching moment, Fabrican’s technology could have a farther reaching impact at the intersection of fashion and other industries.
If you want to learn more about the technology of Fabrican check out the BBC series “The Imagineers”!
Featured Image: Bella Hadid courtesy of Julien de Rosa via Getty Images | 0.881765 | ('__label__pos',) |
What is the Raspberry Pi?
The Raspberry Pi is a miniature computer that is ideal for handicrafts or home automation. Thanks to its controllable IO (input-output) pins, sensors and other hardware can be read out and controlled very easily. Because of this and its low price, it is also a very popular way to get started with (hardware-related) programming for beginners, children and those interested.
In the meantime, the Raspberry Pi has been sold millions of times and there is a ready-made solution for almost every application, or a way to achieve your dream project. This page deals with all topics related to the Raspberry Pi. This includes simple tutorials on the use of sensors, pure help on programming topics, to complex Raspberry Pi tutorial series in the field of home automation, robotics and many more. You can simply browse in the menu and on the page or leave a comment. Since new Raspberry Pi instructions and tutorials appear regularly, it is definitely worth activating the newsletter.
WiringPi is a library that is used by many applications on the Raspberry but is not available by default. Especially many examples from the Arduino (C ++ code) can be performed easily on the RaspberryPi. To do so, this valuable library was written.
After a long time, the first official display module for the Raspberry Pi was presented, one which uses the DSI connection. The 7″ display is up to date thanks to a 10 finger capacitive touch screen and 60 frames per second frame rate. It has the resolution of 800×480 pixels…
In this Tutorial I will show you how to use the library for multilined MAX7219 Matrices I wrote (improved and extended version of JonA1961’s MAX7219array https://github.com/JonA1961/MAX7219array ) | 0.989729 | ('__label__neg',) |
How Often to Water Succulents
You have a beautiful succulent in your home, and you want to know how often to water them. There are some simple tips to follow, but be sure to keep an eye out for signs that your succulent is thirsty. To keep your succulents healthy and happy. you must know how to water them.
Keep a record of your waterings
Keeping track of the proper watering for succulents can be a challenging task. The right amount of water will ensure a long and healthy life for your plant. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to ensure that your succulent is getting the water it needs.
One of the first things you should do is check the moisture of the soil. You can do this by using a moisture meter. If your succulent is indoors, it’s a good idea to get a small spout watering can. It’s also a good idea to avoid using high pressure streams of water as this can damage the roots of your succulent.
Another way to gauge the moisture of the soil is to stick a finger in it. If the dirt sticks, it’s likely that the moisture is too low. However, if the dirt dries out, it’s time to do some serious watering.
If your succulent is outdoor, it’s a good idea to check it every day. In addition, be sure to water it after natural rainfall or if the weather is dry. Succulents in full sunlight should receive a good soaking once a week or so.
To find out how often you should be watering your succulents, you can calculate the number of hours of sun that your plant receives each day. During warmer months, you may need to water your plant more frequently.
When you’re watering your succulent, make sure that you use room temperature water. Ideally, you’ll want to aim your stream of water directly onto the soil. Watering at the top of the plant will not get the roots the water they need.
The best way to tell if your succulent is getting enough water is to watch for signs of wilting. Leaves that are shriveled, papery or wilted are all signs of dehydration. Likewise, mealy bugs are a sign of overwatering.
A moisture meter is a great tool to help you keep track of your plant’s watering routine. Using one of these is a lot less hassle than trying to remember to water your succulents every day.
How to Water Succulents
If you’re trying to grow a succulent indoors, you’re going to need to find a way to water your plant. There are plenty of apps out there that make it easy to keep track of when you need to water.
The best way to determine how much water your succulent needs is to test the soil. Succulents like well-draining soil. This means that they don’t thrive in areas with excessive rainfall or too much humidity.
Succulents can survive on less water than most plants. However, they can also rot if they get too much. It’s a good idea to water your succulent in the morning, so it can soak up the moisture in the soil instead of soaking up the water from the tap.
You might want to consider using a moisture meter to tell you just how much water you need. They’re inexpensive, and can be used to measure the quantity of moisture in your succulent’s soil.
Another smart way to water your succulent is to use a “soak and dry” approach. By letting the soil sit for a day or two, you’ll give your succulent a deep drink without causing damage to its root system.
Succulents are not the easiest plants to care for. They require proper attention to detail in order to flourish. While they may have thick, fleshy leaves, you shouldn’t overwater them. Depending on where you live, your succulents might be able to survive for weeks without water.
When it comes to watering, you’ll be able to see a difference in your succulent’s health if you take the time to understand how to water it. Some succulents are adapted to drought conditions, while others need a little more help. Make sure to use distilled water when you’re watering your succulents.
A good way to remember when you need to water your succulent is to check out the watering signs. For example, if the bottom of your plant’s leaves have turned yellow, it might be time for a watering.
Succulents can survive for weeks without a drop of water, but if you don’t water your plant properly, you could be losing your prized plant to the elements.
Signs that a succulent is thirsty
Succulents have a unique way of storing water. They store it in the tissue and stem of the plant. When the plant’s internal moisture is used up, the leaves will soften. This is a normal process that occurs when the plant is thirsty.
However, overwatering a succulent can cause the cells in the succulent to die. This is not a problem that can be easily reversed. If the plant is overwatered, its leaves will look rotted, shriveled, and mushy.
It is best to water succulents when the soil is dry. The water should run through the pot, not splash. Avoid misting the plants, as the water can saturate the foliage and leave water stains on the leaves.
A succulent plant will tell you when it needs more water. Some signs that your succulent is thirsty include brown, yellow, and wilted leaves. Wrinkled or dehydrated leaves are also common. You can also check for burn marks or shriveling leaves.
Succulents require less water than other plants, but they still need a regular watering. Most succulents need weekly or biweekly watering in the summer and twice a week in the winter. In the summer, most succulents will bloom.
However, in the winter, the plants are dormant and will not need as much water. This is a good time to cut back on watering.
When a succulent is thirsty, its leaves will wrinkle. Overwatering can cause brown and yellow leaves. Watering a succulent can also lead to root rot. Root rot can be prevented by removing the soil and allowing the plant to breathe.
Succulents can be tricky to keep alive, but when you know what to look for, it can be a very rewarding hobby. If your succulent is a Kalanchoe, you can expect to see its leaves wilt after a week without water.
Succulents can survive months in a drought, but they can suffer from root rot if they are overwatered. Make sure to follow these guidelines when you water your succulents.
Remember to use distilled water for your succulents. Hard tap water can be harmful to them. Also, be sure to avoid misting your succulents, as the water can stain their leaves.
Dormancy of succulents varies from year to year
Dormancy in succulents is a natural part of their growth cycle. It helps conserve resources and energy while reducing metabolic processes. The dormancy period for a succulent can last for weeks or months.
The dormancy period is triggered by environmental changes. For example, when there is less rainfall in a particular area, dormancy is triggered. Plants also shut down during extreme weather conditions, such as a cold snap or a drought.
During dormancy, a succulent’s roots are drooping, leaves may turn yellow or brown, and new growth is slowing down. Generally, dormancy is a time when a plant is conserving energy, so it needs fewer nutrients and water.
Some succulents go dormant at different times of the year. This is called opportunistic dormancy, which allows plants to respond to the environment in a way that is beneficial for the plant.
Several factors contribute to dormancy, including the temperature of the environment and the amount of light it receives. Most common succulents, however, enter dormancy during the winter.
Winter dormant succulents should be kept indoors, as they need a bright, warm room to survive. They should be kept in a sunny spot in the house, and should be moved out if the temperature begins to drop. If there is no change in temperature, you can keep your succulents inside all year round.
Succulents from the Mediterranean don’t go dormant during the wet and dry seasons, so they don’t need dormancy-conserving care. However, you can still enjoy their gorgeous foliage year-round.
While many succulents go dormant in the winter, others do so in the summer. Some species of succulents, such as Sempervivums, can tolerate freezing temperatures, so you can grow them in your home even during the coldest winter months.
In addition to dormancy, there are other seasonal changes that affect a plant’s growth. These include the season, the soil, and the sunlight. Be careful to follow the plant’s needs to avoid overwatering or letting it dry out completely.
Regardless of the type of dormancy your succulent goes through, you can continue to care for it in order to keep it looking its best. Generally, succulents will return to active growth once the dormancy period ends.
A little thing like knowing how often you should water succulents can bring beauty to your home in place of frustration and disappointments.
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Students Use 3D Printer to Spread Holiday Cheer
December 2022: Students from classrooms at Lancaster-Lebanon IU13 and Lampeter-Strasburg High School learned about technology and problem-solving while spreading holiday cheer. As part of the Annual Holiday Giving Tree, the students created over 400 3D-printed ornaments and included them with presents being delivered to local families.
“The kids are going to be happy,” said Layne, a student at IU13 in Lebanon, when asked about the impact of their gifts.
The project was a joy and a challenge for the students, most of whom had previously never used a 3D printer. They learned to utilize their talents and TinkerCAD software to create and manipulate their designs, then worked together to set up the printer and troubleshoot problems.
“It took some effort, but it was fun,” said Joell, a student in the School-to-Work classroom at IU13. Though the project challenged him, it was worth it to see his design built before him in the printer.
“This was especially fun for me,” said Aaron, a student at Lampeter-Strasburg High School. “It was easy to learn. Once I got the hang of it, I could easily make more.”
Most of the students started with a template for designs such as snowflakes, presents, trees, stars, a penguin, and a polar bear, adding rings at the top for hanging on the tree. One student, however, took his skills a step further and built a snowman from scratch. He said it was difficult to get the sizing and placement correct, but he enjoyed the process and would do it again. His design was so efficient that he could make two ornaments in the same printer at a time.
Inspiration and ideas filled the room as the students worked on the project. From snowmen as earrings to painted 3D-printed trees to small gift tags—they were already thinking of ways to use their new skills for other projects in the future. | 0.575518 | ('__label__neg',) |
The Bible & Theology Toward Christian Maturity
A Song of Witness
An Introduction to the Gospel of John
By Laura Sweat, Assistant Professor of New Testament and Winter Quarter Lectio Writer | Procession © 2014 John August Swanson / Eyekons
John August Swanson, "The Procession" (detail). Hand-printed serigraph on paper, 36" × 24", 2007.
Music is a powerful source of identity and connection. Even people with forms of memory loss often remember songs that they were taught at younger ages. Conversations about music — whether different kinds, particular songs, or individual artists — can produce intense memories, thoughts, and feelings. And the lyrics we sing often have the ability to change our thoughts and actions.
The early church certainly knew about the power of music. For example, Colossians 3:16 encourages believers to “sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.” They also composed new pieces directly related to Jesus’ death and resurrection. While we no longer have the tunes available to us, we still have the lyrics. John 1:1–18 seems to have been one of these hymns.
Like the lyrics of a song, the first 18 verses of John 1, called the prologue, are easy to skim over without realizing what we are reading. However, the prologue introduces all of the major themes of John’s gospel: Jesus brings new life, Jesus reveals God and humanity, and Jesus provokes responses.
John 1:1 begins with a fairly obvious allusion to Genesis 1:1. In fact, one of the primary points of the Gospel of John is that Jesus reveals a God who brings life out of death. Just as God brought light out of darkness and ordered life out of chaos in Genesis, so also in John’s gospel Jesus is the light who shines in the darkness and the life that conquers death.
John succinctly says that Jesus reveals both God and humanity in one of the most profound verses of the prologue: “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as a unique one of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (1:14, author’s translation). While at times it may seem that Jesus is, in the words of scholar Ernst Käsemann, “God striding across the earth” in John, it is essential to look for the ways in which he is demonstrably “flesh,” too. It is the joining of the two, God and flesh, that is the gospel’s central focus.
John also makes another claim about the Word: He “made his dwelling (esken̄osen) among us.” This is an allusion to the way that God met the people of Israel in the Old Testament in the tabernacle (Exodus 35–40), known as a skene, or dwelling. As the Word made flesh, Jesus tabernacles among us, mediating God’s presence in our midst.
When the Word becomes flesh, he provokes both positive and negative responses. John the Baptist is the prologue’s example of a positive response. He offers testimony to Jesus, pointing away from himself and toward Jesus (who in turn often points away from himself and toward his Father; 1:15; 5:19–30).
Furthermore, John the Baptist sees clearly who Jesus is; he has beheld Jesus’ glory, just as “we” have (1:14). Testifying to Jesus and seeing him rightly are two of the best ways to respond to Jesus in this gospel. May we experience “grace upon grace” (1:16) as we seek to know the God revealed in and through Jesus in John’s gospel. | 0.888317 | ('__label__neg',) |
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. In some areas the prevalence of hepatitis C is extremely high, as in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the Phillipines and Papua New Guinea. The prevalence of hepatitis C antibody in volunteer blood donors is generally estimated at between 0.4% and 1%.
HCV has been described as the "shadow epidemic" because of the insidious nature of the infection which is generally asymptomatic and persists for life in 85% of patients infected with the virus.
HCV has tremendous genetic diversity and this enables it to escape the surveillance of the immune system of infected individual thus leading to chronic infection. In the same light, there are difficulties in vaccine development.
HCV is largely transmitted parenterally, i.e. by blood and blood products. Therefore, HCV infections may be acquired via the following means:
The onset of infection is often unrecognised and the early course is generally indolent. The natural history of HCV infection is dependant upon on geography, alcohol use, viral characteristics ( different genetic types, viral load ), co-infection with other viruses and some as yet unidentified factors.
After exposure to the virus, detectable viral genetic material called HCV RNA is seen in the blood in 1 - 3 weeks. Nearly all patients show evidence of liver injury because blood tests for liver enzymes become elevated. However, only 25% patients manifest symptoms like lassitude, anorexia and some became jaundiced (yellowing of eyes and skin). Rapid progression to liver failure due to fulminant hepatitis is a rare occurrence.
The majority of patients (85%) fail to clear the virus within 6 months and develop chronic hepatitis C. These patients are relatively well in the first 2 decades after acquiring the infection. However in 20% of these carriers, there may be intermittent symptoms of fatigue and malaise.
Generally, symptoms only appear once advanced liver damage has occurred.
These signs and symptoms are features of liver cirrhosis ("hardening of the liver tissue") which results from persistence of the hepatitis C virus. These include ascites (swelling of the abdomen with fluid), jaundice, deterioration of mental state (hepatic encephalopathy), vomiting blood or passing out altered blood in the stools. Of course, there is the dreaded complication of liver cancer.
Generally, cirrhosis appears in at least 20% of patients within 20 years of infection. Cirrhosis can be accelerated by concomitant alcohol use.
Liver cancer develops after 30 years and occurs only in a background of liver cirrhosis.
It is interesting to note that hepatitis C has clinical manifestions beyond the liver. These are as a result of its effect on the immune system, and are called extrahepatic manifestions. The extrahepatic manifestions include:
Of interest is the fact that the origins of this virus is obscure, and had eluded identification for many years. A blood test for HCV identification was developed in 1990 and refined in 1992.
The various blood tests available for HCV diagnosis are based on detection of antibody against HCV (EIA or enzymeimmunoassay and Recombinant immunoblot assays ( RIBAs ). Positive results means previous exposure to the hepatitis C virus. There are tests which detect the genetic material of the virus directly (polymerase chain reaction or PCR method) and this is a much more accurate blood test than antibody based test. EIA is inexpensive, reproducible and has been automated. It is a useful screening test. It's main failing is that is may not always be specific enough and false positive results can occur. This means positive results even the individuals do not have the infection. In a low risk population like in Singapore, a negative EIA test is sufficient to rule out infection. However if EIA is positive, RIBA is used to confirm the diagnosis of HCV infection.
Another test done routinely is liver function tests. If these liver enzymes (ALT, AST) are elevated, it would indicate that there is liver inflammation. If this process is allowed to go unchecked, it will result in cirrhosis and liver cancer in the long run. Active liver disease caused by HCV requires further treatment to reduce the viral load.
It is necessary to extract a small sample of the liver by a process known as a liver biopsy for further examination in the laboratory. By studying the liver tissue, one is able to assess the degree of inflammation and damage to liver. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for assessment of the activity of chronic hepatitis C. When combined with liver function tests, one can assess the severity or activity of the disease and institute treatment if necessary.
Individuals who :
Similar to hepatitis B, hepatitis C can lead to chronic hepatitis (liver inflammation), cirrhosis ( "liver hardening "), liver failure and liver cancer.
Treatment is aimed at eradicating the virus and to prevent/delay complications.
Alpha-Interferon: The current recommended regime for treatment is alpha-interferon 3 million units 3 times per week for 12 months. Interferon is administered subcutaneously. It is believed to act by obstructing viral replication and also boosting the immune system to destroy the virus.
Flu like symptoms (fever, chills, malaise, headache, bone and muscle pain, rapid heart beat rate) are common in the initial part of treatment with interferon. Later side effects are fatigue, hair loss, suppression of white and red cell production, and psychiatric complications. Occasionally these patients may become irritable and depressed to the point of suicide.
Severe side effects occur in less than 2% of patients treated with interferon. These include thyroid problems, fits, heart and kidney failure, eye and lung problems, hearing impairment and infection. Rare deaths from liver failure or infection have occurred in some, especially those with cirrhosis.
The milder side effects of interferon may sometimes be ameliorated by administering interferon at night or taking paracetamol (Panadol). Occasionally a dose reduction or even discontinuation of treatment may be required in those with more severe side-effects.
Following the initiation of interferon alfa therapy, the patient is monitored clinically and by blood tests. Visits to the liver specialist should be weekly initially (first month), followed by 2 to 4 weekly. If patients do not respond after 3months of therapy with interferon alone, they should be considered for combination therapy of interferon and ribavarin. Ribavarin is an oral anti-viral agent which is believed to act through inhibition of some effector of tissue damage.
The main side effect of this drug is the breakdown of red blood cells ( haemolysis), resulting in anaemia (low red blood cell count).
The response to interferon alfa therapy is between 20 and 30 percent. The goal of therapy is reduction of liver inflammation and the eradication of hepatitis C virus.
Although there is a lack of data supporting cost-effectiveness, unlike in hepatitis B patients, patients with HCV cirrhosis should have a liver ultrasonography and serum alfa-fetoprotein level every 6 months for screening of liver cancer. Non-cirrhotic HCV carriers generally require 6 monthly alfa-fetoprotein levels and yearly ultrasonography of the liver.
Patients with raised liver enzymes and liver biopsy indicating active inflammation. The role for intervention is strengthened if the patient's blood shows the presence of viral RNA (HCV RNA).
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the updates to your inbox | 0.811458 | ('__label__pos',) |
This summer, five Nicholas School students are traveling to southern Africa to survey for lion and lion prey species. Working with a group of researchers of out the Conservation Ecology Research Unit (CERU) at University of Pretoria in South Africa, we will be traveling to the Tete Province in Mozambique. The Tete Province is a remote area in northwestern Mozambique and is bordered by Malawi to the northeast, Zambia to the north and west, Zimbabwe to the southwest and the Zambezi River and Lake Cahora Bossa divide it through the middle.
The Tete Province is adjacent to several protected areas, most notably the Lower Zambezi National Park. Locals report lion incidents, but reports are few and contradictory. No one is sure whether the lions are a resident population or simply migrants from the surrounding protected areas. We will be filling in these gaps of knowledge this summer for lion and lion prey by assessing the amount, locations and type of human/lion conflict. We will also collect data on lion density, but this aspect will be limited by time constraints.
We will be in Africa from July 18 – August 25 and will be in the field from August 2 – August 20. | 0.98161 | ('__label__neg',) |
Raising Hands in Du`a (Hadith No. 840)
Narrated Anas bin Malik
The Prophet never raised his hands for any invocation except for that of Istisqa’ and he used to raise them so much that the whiteness of his armpits became visible.
(Note: It may be that Anas did not see the Prophet raising his hands, but it is narrated that the Prophet used to raise his hands for invocations other than Istisqa.)
When to riase hands, and when not to raise hands?
It is important to note that du’aa’ is an act of worship, and every act of worship should only be done on the basis of evidence (daleel). The basic principle here is that the hands should be raised when making du’aa’, except when the du’aa’ is part of another act of worship, in which case raising the hands is regarded as an additional action (and should not be done). Examples of such acts of worship include salaah (prayer), khutbah (sermon), tawaaf (circumambulation of the Ka’bah), sa’ee (running between al-Safaa and Marwah), etc. Salaah includes du’aa’ at the beginning of the prayer, in rukoo’ (bowing), when standing up from rukoo’, in the two sajdahs (prostrations) and in the sitting between the two prostrations – but whoever raises his hands in these places is considered to have committed an act of bid’ah (reprehensible innovation). The same applies to raising the hands when making du’aa’ on the minbar, except in the case of istisqaa’ (praying for rain). And the same applies when making du’aa’ when doing tawaaf or sa’ee.
When there is evidence to show that it is permissible to raise the hands in certain situation, then there is no dispute. Any du’aa’ which has not been narrated in a report and which is not part of another act of worship is regarded as general du’aa’; in this case there is nothing wrong with raising the hands. It was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) spoke of a man who raised his hands to the sky and said, “O Lord, O Lord,” whilst his food was haraam, his drink was haraam, his clothing was haraam, he had been nourished with haraam, so how could his du’aa’ be answered?
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah feels shy to let His slave raise his hands to Him and bring them back empty.” – and other ahaadeeth.
Raising Hands for Du`a in Witr:
Raising the hands in the Qunoot of al-Witr is legislated; because the Qunoot is from the same type as the Qunoot when new hardships occur for the Muslims, and this is indeed established by the Prophet –sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam, that he –sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam– raised his hands when he made Dua’ in the Qunoot when new hardships occur for the Muslims.
This was collected by al-Bayhaqi –Raheem’ullaah- with a authentic chain.
[Abdul Azeez bin Abdullaah Bin Baz]
[Taken from ‘Majmoo Fatawa wa Maqalaat Mutafariqa’ vol.30 p.51 ]
Wiping One’s Hands on Face after making Du`a:
..As for wiping the hands on the face after ending the Dua’ in the prayer, then this is not established with an authentic narration, nor an authentic statement, nor by analogy.
This is a Bida’, as for outside the prayer, then it is not authentic, and everything that is narrated regarding this is weak, some of it is more severe in its weakness than other narrations; I have researched it in ‘Da’eef Abi Dawood’ (262) and ‘al-Hadeeth as-Saheehah’ (597), this is why al-Izz bin Abdus-Salaam said in some of his Fatawa: ‘None does this except an ignorant person.’
So it is foremost that it should not be done, and restricting to what the Salaf –Radi Allaahu anhum– did, of raising the hands in the Dua’ without wiping the face in the prayer. And success lies with Allaah.’
[Muhammad Nasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaani]
[Taken from ‘the Original Sifat as-Salah’ vol 3 p.957-959] | 0.690842 | ('__label__neg',) |
Hanuman is one of the most important personalities in ‘Ramayana’. Hanuman is known as a popular devotee of Lord Rama. His help made Rama find out Sita Devi easily and then defeat Ravana in the war. Hanuman is known as different names such as Anjaneya, Pavan Putra, Maruthi. The name ‘Anjaneya’ was derived from his mother’s name ‘Anjana’, a female Vanara. Its also believed that Hanuman is the incarnation of Lord Siva. So Hanuman is known as ‘Maharudhra’ too. Some believe that Hanuman is the son of ‘Vayu’, the God of wind, so having the name ‘Pavan Putra’.
Hanuman meets Lord Rama when he was wandering in the forest. Rama was expelled from his country for a period of 14 years. His wife Sita and brother Lakshmana were accompanying him. But on the way, Devi Sita was kidnapped by Ravana, the king of Lanka. After their meeting, Hanuman brought out an alliance between Sugriva and Lord Rama. Sugriva and his Vanaras, especially Hanuman helped Rama to defeat Ravana and regain Sita. After the Ramayana war, the time came for the departure of Rama to heaven. Then every follower of Rama, excluding Hanuman decided to depart with him. But Hanuman was requested to remain on earth as an immortal sign of perfect devotee of Rama. Hanuman’s version of Ramayana is known as Hanumadh Ramayana. After the war, Hanuman scripted this, when he was living in the Himalayas. But it was completely different from Valmiki’s Ramayana. Its believed that When Valmiki read ‘Hanumadh Ramayana’ he felt disappointed and Hanuman discarded it.
It is hanuman’s specialty, that even though he is god, he always wanted to be the servant of his master, Lord Rama. Doing Upasana for Hanuman is very special and auspicious and he will be protecting his devotees from all sufferings and helping for endurance in their life. It is believed that Lord Hanuman is still living with us in Kali-yuga and blessing all his devotees. | 0.663802 | ('__label__neg',) |
Osteosarcoma, also called osteogenic sarcoma, is a rare cancer but the most common among the primary malignant bone tumors, excluding myeloma and lymphoma. It develops mainly in metaphyseal region of long tubular bones. The tumor has a predominance for the knee area. Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor of the Soft or Connective Tissue.
Osteogenic sarcoma may be localized at the end of the long bone. Most often it affects the proximal end of tibia or humerus, or the distal end of the femur. Osteosarcoma tends to affect regions around the knee in up to 60% of cases; 15% around the hip, 10% in the shoulder, and 8% in the jaw bone. The tumor is solid, hard, and irregular. It is often described as “fir tree” or “sunshine” on X-ray examinations due to the fact that small skeletal elements of the tumor radiating at right angles. These right angles form what is called a Codman triangle (previously referred to as Codman’s triangle). Because of the aggressiveness of the bone lesions, surrounding tissues are often infiltrated by the tumor.
Osteosarcoma incidence is estimated at 5 cases per million per year for the US population, with a slight ethnical variation between black, Hispanic and White: respectively 6.8, 6.5 and 4.6 cases per million people per year. Osteosarcoma is slightly more common in men than in women, about 5.4 cases per million per year and 4.0 cases per million per year respectively.
Osteosarcoma is the sixth most common cancer in children under 15 years. It affects 400 children under age 20 and 500 adults each year in the United States. Approximately 300 of the 900 people affected by osteogenic sarcoma die each year. A second peak incidence occurs in the elderly, usuallyassociated with an underlying bone pathology such as Paget’s disease.
Osteosarcoma Causes and Risk Factors
Osteosarcoma causes and factors are not known by medical scientists, making it more difficult for health professionals to effectively treat the disease. Several research groups are studying cancer stem cells and their potential relation to the development of the tumor, but there is no conclusive answer yet as for now.
It is, however, believed that radiation therapy for unrelated conditions can be a rare cause of osteosarcoma. Paget’s disease, involving a cancerous process seems to be a cause of the occurrence of certain osteosarcoma cases.
As it is the case of most cancers, living a healthy lifestyle (consuming healthy foods, living in healthy environment, exercise…) can reduce to develop the disease. | 0.969532 | ('__label__pos',) |
- The vacuum is defined as the zero-point energy of empty space: how much energy-per-volume is left over after all physical quanta are removed.
- This value could have been zero, but isn't: it has a positive, non-zero value.
- If we live in a false, rather than true, vacuum, the vacuum could decay, with catastrophic consequences for the Universe.
One of the great existential worries that plagues the minds of theoretical physicists is that the vacuum of space might not be in its true vacuum state, but could instead reside in a false vacuum instead. If you were to remove everything you could imagine from a large region of space, including:
- external electric and magnetic fields,
- and any gravitational sources or spacetime curvature,
you would be left with purely empty space, or as close as we can come to a physical definition of “nothing.” You might expect that if you were to draw an imaginary box around this region of “nothing” and measured the total amount of energy inside, you would find that it was precisely zero. But that’s not what we find; we find that there actually is a positive, non-zero amount of energy inherent to space itself, even if we remove all the identifiable quantum and classical sources of matter and energy. What does this mean for the nature of the quantum vacuum, and in particular for the distinction between “true vacuum” and “false vacuum?” That’s what Eric Mars wants to know, asking:
“Could you please explain what false vacuum and true vacuum mean and its implications in the existence of the universe.”
It’s a great question, and it requires that we start with the idea — specifically for physics — of zero.
In mathematics, zero is simply a number, signifying the absence of either a positive or negative amount of any quantity. In physics, however, there is another way to define zero: the zero-point energy of a system, or the lowest possible energy state that it can achieve while still remaining the same system we were initially talking about. For any physical system we can dream up, there will be at least one configuration for that system that has the lowest total amount of energy in it. For any physical system you can imagine, there is always at least one lowest-energy configuration.
- If you have a collection of masses isolated from the remainder of the Universe, the lowest-energy configuration is a black hole.
- For a proton and an electron, the lowest-energy configuration is a hydrogen atom in the ground (n=1) state.
- And for the Universe itself, it is to have perfectly empty space in the absence of any internal or external fields or sources.
That lowest-energy configuration is known as the zero-point energy of a system. It would make sense — and for many of us, we would simply intuit that it’s so — if the zero-point energy of any system were defined as zero. But that is not quite how it works.
Take the hydrogen atom, for example: a single electron orbiting a single proton. If you think classically, you would imagine that the electron could orbit that proton at any radius at all, from a large one down to a small one. Just as a planet can orbit a star at any distance, based on their mutual masses and relative speeds, you would think that a negatively charged electron could orbit a positively charged proton at any distance as well, based simply on the speed of the orbit and the balance of kinetic and potential energy.
But this ignores an extraordinarily important property of nature: the fact that the Universe is fundamentally quantum mechanical, and that the only allowable energy levels for an electron orbiting a proton are quantized. As a result, there is a lowest possible energy state that a physical system such as this can have, and that does not correspond to the electron sitting at rest directly atop the proton (that is, the lowest imaginable energy state). Instead, there is a lowest-energy state that is physically allowable, which corresponds to the electron orbiting the proton in the n=1 energy state.
Even if you cool your system down to absolute zero, there will still be this finite, non-zero energy that your system will have.
This idea, of a zero-point energy to any quantum mechanical system, goes all the way back to Max Planck in 1911 and was extended to fields by Einstein and his collaborator, Otto Stern (the same Stern who formulated the infamous Stern-Gerlach experiment), and a paper they wrote back in 1913. If we fast-forward to today, more than 100 years later, we now understand that our Universe is governed by a combination of General Relativity, our law of gravitation, and quantum field theory, which describes the other three fundamental forces.
The idea of a zero-point energy to the fabric of space itself shows up in both General Relativity and quantum field theory, but it comes about in vastly different ways. In General Relativity, the curvature of space is what determines the future motion of matter and energy through the Universe, while the presence and distribution and motion of matter and energy in turn determines the curvature of space. Matter and energy tell spacetime how to curve, and that curved spacetime tells matter and energy how to move.
Why is this only “almost” true? Because, as anyone who has ever performed an indefinite integral (from calculus) will recall, you are free to add a constant to your answer: the dreaded “plus c.”
In General Relativity, this constant comes into play as a cosmological constant, and it can take on any positive or negative value that we like. When Einstein wanted to construct a static Universe, he threw in a positive constant to keep his toy model of the Universe — one where masses were evenly distributed infinitely throughout space — from collapsing; the cosmological constant would counteract gravitational attraction. There was no reason for this constant to have the positive, non-zero value that he assigned to it. He simply asserted it must be so, otherwise the Universe could not be static. With the discovery of the expanding Universe, the constant was no longer needed, and was discarded for more than 60 years.
On the other hand, there is quantum field theory, too. Quantum field theory encourages you to imagine all the ways that particles can interact with one another, including via the creation/annihilation of particle-antiparticle pairs as intermediate steps, radiative corrections, and any other sets of interactions that arn’t forbidden by the laws of quantum physics. It then goes a step farther, however, which most people may not recognize. It says that in addition to these interacting fields in the presence of matter and energy, there are “vacuum” contributions, which represent how quantum fields in the vacuum of space, with no particles present at all, behave.
Now, here’s where things get uncomfortable: we do not know how to calculate the zero-point energy of space from these quantum field theory methods, either. Each individual channel that we know how to calculate can contribute to this zero-point energy, and the way we find an individual contribution is to calculate what we call its vacuum expectation value. The problem is each such channel has an enormous vacuum expectation value: more than 100 orders of magnitude too large to be possible. Some channels have positive contributions and others have negative contributions.
Being unable to make a sensible calculation, we made an ignorant assumption: that all of the contributions would cancel out, summing to zero, and that the zero-point energy of space would, in fact, be precisely equal to zero.
Then, in the 1990s, something changed again. Observations of the Universe began to indicate that there was something causing the Universe’s expansion to accelerate, and that “thing,” whatever it is, was consistent not with any form of matter or radiation, but rather with a positive, non-zero amount of zero-point energy to the fabric of space itself. We had just measured the value of the vacuum energy inherent to space, and it was very small, but very importantly, greater than zero.
This opened up a slew of questions.
- Was this form of energy — what we now call dark energy — exactly a cosmological constant or not? (The answer is yes, at least, to the precision that we can measure it.)
- Did it remain constant throughout time, or did it strengthen or weaken? (The answer: it’s consistent with being a perfect constant.)
- Could we ever hope to calculate it based on what we know about quantum field theory? (The answer: we don’t know, but we are arguably no closer today than we were 20+ years ago.)
- And, worryingly, is the zero-point energy we are observing the true vacuum of space, or is it merely a false vacuum? (We don’t know.)
Why would we worry about the last one? Because the most important property of the vacuum of space isn’t what the precise value of the zero-point energy is; rather, it’s vital to our Universe’s stability that the vacuum of space has a zero-point energy that doesn’t change. And just as a hydrogen atom in any excited state will have the capability of transitioning to a lower-energy state on its way down to the zero-point state, a Universe in a false vacuum will remain capable of transitioning to a true vacuum (or a lower-energy but still false vacuum) state.
You can think of this the same way you would think about starting a ball atop a mountain and allowing it to roll down — and down, and down, and down some more — until it finally came to rest. If your mountainside is smooth, you can imagine that you would easily roll all the way down into the lowest part of the valley beneath the mountain, where it would settle. That’s a true vacuum state: the lowest-energy state there is, where it’s not physically possible to transition to a lower-energy state. In a true vacuum, you’re already as low as you can go.
But if your mountainside is craggy, with pits, divots, moguls, and glacial lakes, you can imagine that your ball might come to rest somewhere other than the lowest possible point. Any other place it can remain for an indefinite period of time is not the true minimum but rather a false one. If we are talking about the vacuum state of the Universe, that means anything other than the lowest possible state is a false vacuum state.
Given that we have a positive, nonzero value for the cosmological constant in our Universe, it’s certainly possible that we live in a false vacuum state, and that the true vacuum, whatever it may be, exists at some other, lower-energy state.
Now, it might also not be the case; we may be in the true vacuum state. If so, there is no possibility of transitioning to a lower-energy state, and here we will remain for the remainder of our Universe’s existence.
But what if we live in a false vacuum state? Well, in a quantum Universe, no matter how large the distance is between a false and true minimum, how high the barrier is separating the false and true minimum, or how quickly or slowly the quantum mechanical wavefunction describing your state spreads out, there is always a finite, greater-than-zero probability of quantum tunneling from the higher-energy to the lower-energy state.
This is usually referred to as the vacuum catastrophe, because if we do quantum tunnel to a lower energy state, we have no reason to believe that the laws and/or constants that govern the Universe will remain unchanged. Wherever this vacuum decay occurs, things like atoms, planets, stars, and yes, human beings, will all be destroyed. This “bubble of destruction” will propagate outward at the speed of light, which means if it occurs, right now, anywhere within about 18 billion light-years of us, we will eventually be destroyed by it. This may even be suggested by our best measurements of the properties of the fundamental particles, which indicates that the electroweak force, one of the fundamental forces of nature, may be inherently metastable.
It’s a grim thought, especially because we would never see it coming. One day, we would simply awaken to this wave of destruction that comes upon us at the speed of light, and then we would all be gone. In some ways, it is the most painless way to go that we can imagine, but it is also one of the saddest. Our cosmic legacy — of all that ever was, is, or will be — would instantaneously come to an end. All of the work that 13.8 billion years of cosmic evolution has done to create a Universe teeming with the ingredients for life, and possibly countless realizations of it, would be forever wiped out.
And yet, it is possible that something similar to this has already occurred: with the end of cosmic inflation and the onset of the hot Big Bang. A transition from a presumably very, very high energy vacuum state to a much lower-energy one, albeit a fundamentally different type of transition from quantum tunneling, is what brought inflation to an end and filled our Universe with matter and radiation some 13.8 billion years ago. Nevertheless, the possibility that we live in a false vacuum should remind us of how fleeting and fragile, and dependent upon the stability of the laws of physics, everything in our Universe is. If we live in a false vacuum state, and we could, every moment of existence could be our last.
Send in your Ask Ethan questions to startswithabang at gmail dot com! | 0.974129 | ('__label__pos',) |
Understanding Figurative Language (Part 2)
This is the second article addressing the matter of distinguishing between literal and figurative language. We explained the figure of metonymy last week. This week, we will see how that understanding of the figure will enhance our study of the Bible.
In the Bible, most especially in the Old Testament in regard to the cause of evil, sin, and suffering, we find numerous records where the subject of a sentence is said to be the cause of an event, when in reality, something else (another subject) is the cause. This is the figure of speech known as “metonymy of the subject,” in which one subject is put in place of another subject with which it stands in a definite relation.
A good illustration of how one subject is put for another is found in comparing the two seemingly contradictory biblical accounts of the death of King Saul. Remember that in the Old Testament, as we have noted, Go was perceived as the ultimate cause of both positive and negative circumstances, and as sovereign in the sense that he controlled everything that happened. In 1 Samuel 31.4-5, the word of God states that Saul died by committing suicide, falling upon his sword. Yet, 1 Chronicles 10.14 says that “the Lord put him to death” for disobeying the word of God and for enquiring of a familiar spirit.
How do we reconcile these apparently conflicting statements? We do so by recognizing that the latter statement is the figure of speech “metonymy of the subject.” The actual subject, Saul (as stated in 1 Samuel 31) is exchanged for another subject, God, with which it stands in definite relation. The relation between Saul and God is that it was God who gave Saul his commandments, and Saul disobeyed them. Thus God an, in one sense, be said to be the cause of Saul’s death. By breaking God’s laws, Saul broke himself against them.
By his own choice, Saul separated himself from Go and his blessings, and therefore faced the consequences of his actions without the benefit of God’s grace and mercy. Because of his own sin, Saul found himself in a hopeless predicament, and killed himself. Only in the sense that God’s word was the immovable object against which Saul rebelled could it be said that God “put him to death.” In concluding this chapter, we will see why God used this figurative language in the Old Testament.
Just as there is a relation between Saul and God such that “Saul” can be exchanged for “god” by metonymy of the subject, so there is a relation between Satan and God such that they can be exchanged by metonymy of the subject. This relation is explained later in this chapter.
For the most part, God’s ability to alleviate for people the effects of sin is directly proportional to their obedience to him. For instance, Romans 1.24,26 say that God “gave up” those who turned away from him in the same way Jesus gave up his life, as an act of will (John 19.20). There are situations in which God reaches a point at which he knows it is fruitless to continue to attempt to convince people who are no longer willing to change their behavior. God lets them go on the road to self-destruction, to learn by experience apart from his grace and mercy, much like the father did in Jesus’ parable about the prodigal son (Luke 15.11-32).
Why are people “permitted” to turn away? Because God highly values man’s freedom of will. If one wills to continue in his sinful disobedience, he will suffer the consequences of his unwillingness to listen to God. God is not in the business of forcing obedience, which then becomes meaninglessly mechanical. He does, however, honestly declare the consequences that can result from sin so that all people have a genuine choice. Without choice, there can be no true freedom. God’s desire is that his people be set free by knowledge, understanding, and wisdom so they can make informed choices. He is fundamentally an educator, not an autocratic puppeteer. | 0.726961 | ('__label__pos',) |
"Give Us a King," by Zachary Helton
From 1 Samuel 8
When the prophet Samuel grew old, the body of elders of Israel came to him and said, “Appoint a king to lead us as all the other nations do.” This made Samuel upset, so he prayed to YHWH. YHWH, however, responded, “Give to the people whatever they ask for. They are not rejecting you, they reject me as their king. They’ve done this ever since the day I brought them up out of Egypt. They desert me and worship other gods, as they are doing to you. Listen to them carefully, but warn them solemnly and let them know what will happen if they have a king over them.” Samuel went back to those who had asked for a king and told them what YHWH had said. He told them, “This is the type of king who will rule over you: Your king will take your youths and make them serve as charioteers or with the cavalry, while others will be made to run in front of the chariots. Your king will appoint some of them as commanders of troops of 1,000 and of divisions of 100. Others will be forced to plow and harvest the royal fields. Still others will work making weapons of war and equipment for chariots. Your daughters will be taken as cooks, bakers and makers of perfume. Your king will take the best of your fields, your vineyards and your olive groves and give them to various governing officials and attendants. You will have to give parts of your crops and your vineyards for the king to use these funds in support of the eunuchs and slaves. The king will take your workers, your best cattle and donkeys and take them for personal use. Your king will take a tenth of your flocks… and you yourselves, who are now free people, will become like slaves. “On that day, people of Israel, you will cry out against the very king you chose, and on that day, it will be on your shoulders.” The people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning, and insisted, “No! We must have a king over us. Then we will be like other nations who have kings to lead us and to lead us in warfare and fight our battles.” After Samuel listened to what all the people had to say, he relayed it to YHWH. YHWH responded, “The choice is theirs. Give them a king.”
I had never been to Washington DC before, so when the Alliance of Baptists decided to hold their annual gathering there last year, I jumped on the chance to go. Did you there are nearly one hundred museums in DC? That’s not even mentioning the landmarks and the memorials. We saw all kinds of incredible things, but… there is this one image that has been coming back to me – one piece of art that I’ve thought of over and over.
The day we toured the US Capital Building, we were split up into groups of about a dozen. We were given headsets to listen to our soft-spoken tour guide as he led us through the sprawling campus. When we entered the capital’s rotunda, that iconic cast iron dome towering over the city, our tour guide instructed us to look up. Now, I’ve probably seen that dome hundreds of times in movies or on TV, but I’d never seen it from the inside. As we looked up through the oculus of the dome, we saw, 180 feet above our heads, an enormous fresco covering nearly 5,000 square feet. It was a religious piece, something I’d expect in the Vatican, but not in the heart of our nation’s capital.
It was a painting of a circle of celestial figures, 15 feet tall, holding a divine council. I saw the goddess of liberty and the goddess of victory. I saw several tableaus featuring gods of war, science, marine, commerce, mechanics, and agriculture… and sitting in the middle, adorned in purple robes, was George Washington.
“Painted in the mid 1800’s,” our tour guide quietly explained, “this piece took nearly eleven months to complete. As you can see, it depicts President Washington seated in his place among various heavenly figures. The title of the piece,” he informed us, “is The Apotheosis of Washington.”
I looked over at him and wondered if maybe I’d misunderstood. I don’t remember all that much from my one required semester of Greek, but theosis is not a word you forget. It means “to make someone into a god.” The title of this piece, in other words, was “Washington Raised to God-Hood.”
I stood there looking up in awe, my thou shalt not have any other gods before me alarm going off, and I realized the building we were standing in was, as much as anything else, a temple. Before we moved on, as I gave Washington one last look, I thought, This is now how a democracy treats a president. This is how a monarchy treats a king.
Now, I knew about Washington refusing a third term despite pressure to stay in office, helping set the precedent that the office is more important than the personality occupying it… but there were other things I didn’t know. Until that tour, I didn’t know that the earliest drafts of the president’s residence didn’t refer to it as “The White House,” but “The Palace.” I didn’t know that from the very early days of our founding, there was a push by some to crown George Washington as the King of the United States – a push from which Washington recoiled in horror.
In a nation founded on the principles of democracy and freedom, in a nation where the leaders work forand answer to the people… there is no room for a king. And yet, like Israel of old… there is something in us that cries out for a king just the same.
Thousands of years before the advent of the United States, the children of Israel, a loose confederation of tribes, were learning how to govern themselves. Having been set free from Egypt’s tyrannical monarchy, God set before them this radically new option. “I will be your God,” the voice told them from Sinai’s summit, “and you will be my people. I will dwell, not in some far-off place, but among you. I will speak, not through some priest, but to you.” And to that offer, the people said, “No.”
“What?” I can imagine Moses asking, baffled. “Why??”
“Because it’s too much!” Israel said. “It scares us! It intimidates us! You speak to God and we will listen to what you say God says. Be a mediator for us, as other nations have!”
“But... a mediator will obscure God’s presence!” I can imagine Moses protesting. “They’ll skew God’s words towards their own interest! They will abuse their priestly position! You, who are now free to commune with God, are giving up your own freedom! Mark my words, soon you will cry out against the priests and false prophets you have chosen, but on that day, it will be on your shoulders.”
But the words fell on deaf ears. So God said, “The choice is theirs. Give them a priest.”
And we know how it went from there.
Again, many years later, this story would play out again. Having established themselves in a region, God set before them this radically new option. “I will be your king,” God had said. “Every tribe, community, and individual will answer directly to me and live by our covenant. You will answer, not to some power-hungry monarch, but to my commandments, written on your heart.” And to that offer, the people said, “No.”
“What?” Samuel asking, baffled. “Why?”
“Because it’s too much!” Israel said again. “It scares us! It intimidates us! It would be much easier for you to just give us a king to rule over us, as other nations have! Give us someone who will just tell us what to think and what to do, someone who will bring order and unity!”
“But… a king will take your children and make servants of them!” Samuel protested. “They’ll take the best of your fields for their own use! They will abuse their power! You, who are now a free people, are giving up your own freedom! Mark my words, soon you will cry out against the very king you have chosen, but on that day, it will be on your shoulders.”
But the words fell on deaf ears. So God said, “The choice is theirs. Give them a king.”
And we know how it went from there.
The story plays out again and again and again. Freedom, you see, means responsibility… but there is something in us that fears that responsibility, is intimidated by it. There is something in us that would rather cry out for a king.
Eric Bridges, in a piece written for Baptist News Global, wrote, “It’s almost always unwise to compare modern nation states to [Ancient] Israel. Still, one parallel between ancient Israel and modern democracies is irresistible. The Israelites of Samuel’s time didn’t lose their freedom to outside forces, despite their constant conflict with invaders... They gave it up willingly, even eagerly. They wanted someone […] to tell them what to think and do, to bring order… A king would solve everything!” Except, of course, that’s not true. Moses knew that. Samuel knew that. Washington and the founders knew that. A king is not a shortcut, because there are no shortcuts. Freedom means doing our work.
If I’m honest, this story has hit me hard the past several days because I’ve recognized that, during this election season, this is exactly what I’ve been doing. I’m hiding and I’m crying out for a king. Deep down, I know that my call is to serve my neighbors. To have hard conversations with my neighbors. It’s to engage people who disagree with me about LGBTQ rights, about a woman’s right to choose, about racial reconciliation... I know my call is to listen well, to speak empathetically and honestly because that is how minds are changed. I know that my call is to think local, to get in touch with the culture of my own city and state and advocate for policies and leadership who will practice the kind of freedom I believe in here, where it’s achievable.
I know my call is to criticize the bad through the practice the better… but that is hard, and it is intimidating, and it is much easier to cry out for a king. It’s easier to cry out for someone to fight for me, to do the work for me. It’s easier to obsess over a presidential election as though if my champion won, everything would be okay, as though I wouldn’t still have to share this nation with the 50% of it who bitterly disagree with me, who will not be silenced and aren’t going anywhere.
So I cry out for a king in the false hope that if they win, I won’t have to do my work… and these stories we’ve read tell me that I’m probably not the only one.
Now, please don’t misunderstand me. The office of the president is important. It is important who holds that office, who commands the armed forces, who appoints the heads of federal agencies, who implements and enforces laws written by congress. This is not a “Jesus take the wheel,” “whoever wins God is still King”kind of sermon. It is the opposite. What I am saying is that whether your candidate wins, or your candidate loses, we are not electing a king. What I am saying is that we must never avoid the work that, at the end of the day, is ours and only ours to do. Claiming that “God is our King” does not release us of responsibility. It is a commitment to the service of love and justice.
I will admit to you that I have not followed this wisdom. I have, for far too long, acted to trade the work of my freedom for lure of simplicity. I’ve obsessed over one position, hoping for someone to fight the battles for me. I will admit to you that I do not know the names of our local representatives. I do not know the names of our city council people. I am not aware of what our mayor even does or what, if any, non-discrimination policies are in place in the town that we live in. I do not regularly read about these things or converse with leaders and citizens who disagree with me… and that is not acceptable. I have not be practicing “politics worthy of the gospel.” I have instead hidden behind the cry for a king… and again, I suspect I am not alone.
So, if, over the past week, you have found yourself feeling disproportionately helpless, relieved, or overwhelmed as I have, then may it be a sign. May it be a sign that we have lost sight of what is ours work to do – that we have lost sight of the power and freedom we truly have if we would only claim it. Because I am not helpless, and neither are you. It is important who sits in that office, but it far from most important fight. It is imperative that find the courage, together, to embody our values here… to allow God to work and heal through us here, on the ground level, starting with whatever is right in front of us in this season, wherever we are.
So, People of God, may we heed the warnings of Moses and Samuel.
May we heed the warnings of Washington and our founders.
May we be a people dissatisfied with kings, political parties, easy answers and shortcuts, unintimidated by the work that is ours to do.
May we be a community of prophets, animated by nothing less the Pentecost Spirit burning at our core.
May we recognize that within us that cries out for a king,
and may we say, “No.”
Invitation to Respond
On paper, or with someone in the room, reflect on one or more of these questions:
· Many of us believe that if our “king” prevails, then all will be well. Is this really true? How do you act when you believe that thought? What is the reality of it?
· How would you act if you did not have that thought? What sort of work would you be doing?
· Given what is in front of you in this season of your life, what is your work to do now?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the live chat, or to continue the conversation in the “Narthex” chat after the service. | 0.979798 | ('__label__neg',) |
What is a GB? A GB (gigabyte) is a way of measuring how much data you have on an electronic device. 1GB is approximately 1,000MB (megabytes). The amount of GBs you have on your SIM plan determines how much mobile data you have available each month.
How much is 1GB of data in MB?
1 gigabyte (GB) is made up of 1024 megabytes. 1 megabyte (MB) is made up of 1024 kilobytes (KB). There are smaller units (bytes) but most internet data is measured in MB as it makes most sense.
Is 1GB equal to 1024 MB or 1000 MB?
Currently the standard is 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1000 Megabytes (MB). But it wasn’t always like that. For a long time, 1 Kilobyte=1024 bytes, 1 Megabyte = 1024 kilobytes, 1 Gigabyte = 1024 megabytes, and so on. The reason being the fact that it easier to do binary math when working with powers of two.
How much exactly is 1 GB?
A gigabyte (GB) — pronounced with two hard Gs — is a unit of data storage capacity that is roughly equivalent to 1 billion bytes. In decimal notation (base 10), a gigabyte is exactly 1 billion bytes. | 0.940837 | ('__label__pos',) |
Local family rushes to Europe to help Ukrainian refugees
Jake and Anya Knotts are currently in Poland, and their story is told by freshman Maia Knotts
March 9, 2022
Russia first dropped bombs on Ukraine early in the morning on February 24, 2022. Jake Knotts, Central Coast native and owner of local business Midstate Containers, flew into Poland later the same day. His wife, Anya Knotts, followed on March 1. Their fifteen-year-old daughter, Maia Knotts, remains at AGHS to tell their story and support from afar.
In the early hours of February 24th, 2022, the most destructive conflict and humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II began. On February 21st, just a few days before, Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced Ukrainian sovereignty and announced his plans to invade the country. On February 24th, he officially declared war.
The bombs first started dropping seven o’clock Wednesday night, last week. So about a week ago, my dad booked a flight for one o’clock Thursday, the next day. He went back right away, like right away.”
— Maia Knotts
Since then, major cities and the regions of Ukraine closest to the Russian border have faced incessant attacks by Russian forces. Cities such as Kyiv, the capital, and major cities Kherson, Kharkiv, and Mariupol are experiencing almost constant shelling. As a result, millions of residents have been displaced, without food, water, electricity, shelter, and medical supplies. Critical locations around the country have been targeted by airstrikes, and it has been reported that over 400 missiles have been launched by the Russians in this invasion. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains strong and has denied offers to be evacuated from the country, Putin has continued to target him and encourage the Ukrainian forces to turn on their leader.
The Russians seized Chernobyl and took control of Europe’s largest power plant, Zaporizhzhia, by March 4th, 2022.
More than 2,000 civilians have been killed thus far, and after the shelling of an orphanage and kindergarten, Ukrainian officials declared Russia guilty of several war crimes. Citizens of all ages and abilities are enlisting to fight, and Molotov cocktails and other weapons have been distributed in large numbers across Kyiv and the country.
The United States and other major powers have responded by placing heavy sanctions on Russia, such as cutting off some of the largest Russian banks from the United States economy, thus crippling the Ruble to approximately 0.0081 of the United States dollar. The United States has been authorizing military assistance for Ukraine, and NATO has vowed to protect its members from potential advances from Russia. Additionally, the United States has announced a ban on Russian oil and energy imports, as of March 8th.
As the fighting rages on, Europe has faced its fastest and largest humanitarian crisis, seeing over one million refugees fleeing the country after just a week of siege. Comparable numbers are that of the Syrian refugee crisis when it took three months to evacuate one million people from Syria. Ukraine has seen the same numbers, and growing, in just six days. As of March 3rd, the United Nations reports that over 500,000 Ukrainian refugees have fled to Poland, over 130,000 to Hungary, almost 100,000 to Moldova, and scattered thousands throughout the other bordering nations. Camps have been set up to accommodate the influx of refugees in the more impacted countries. There have also been massively backed up highways leading out of Kyiv and Ukraine, and civilians have flooded the train stations in hope of escape.
AGHS freshman Maia Knotts has a deep connection to this humanitarian crisis currently rocking the world.
“I was born in Ukraine,” Knotts said. “I moved here in 2013 when I was being enrolled for first grade.”
“My dad was a missionary there and my mom was his translator, that’s how they met,” Knotts said with a smile.
“[My dad] lived there for 13 years, and my mom grew up there, she’s Ukrainian.”
“I grew up in Northern Ukraine… two hours above the capital, so right next to Belarus and the Russian border. It’s a small town called Chernihiv. It’s a really, really pretty town.”
Chernihiv, due to the location near the Russian border, is in territory that is close to and recently under Russian control. The town was attacked relentlessly by Russian missiles on March 3rd, leaving apartment buildings, hospitals, and residential areas in ruins. The reported death toll is 47 and counting.
“The first house I grew up in and the kindergarten that I went to [are in Chernihiv], it’s just kind of hard for me to imagine [them] being ruined,” Knotts said. “Like, the house I stayed in with my friends for a month over the summer was just bombed.”
The Knotts’s family connection to the country runs deep, with extended family and close friends remaining there after the move to California.
Knotts admitted being so far away from the country and the people can slightly distort the harsh reality of the issue, “I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet,” she said.
She then noted that she’s “been really stressed about it… because both my parents are gone right now, and a lot of our friends are really struggling over there. A lot of their friends are dying, they’re in basements.”
Knotts’s father decided to return to his home country to discover more information on his friends and family and the state of the wreckage.
“The bombs first started dropping seven o’clock Wednesday night, last week. So about a week ago, my dad booked a flight for one o’clock Thursday, the next day. He went back right away, like right away. I didn’t even get to say bye to him, so that kind of sucks,” Knotts said.
Despite Knotts’s wish to give her father a proper send-off, it makes sense to her that he would leave for Europe as soon as possible.
“If a problem arises [my dad] is on it. He’s in Poland the day after the bombs drop… he’s done stuff like this before, in the past,” Knotts said.
Not only is Jake Knotts something of a heroic archetype, but worry for friends and extended family drove him and his wife back to Ukraine.
When talking about some of the reasons that her parents went back, Knotts said that “we were really worried about our friends, because we had a lot of friends near the Russian border.”
The areas near the Russian border in all parts of the country are objectively the most dangerous, as it is where the Russian troops are attacking and gaining control first.
“A lot of our friends and family, their friends and family, because they have friends and acquaintances who just gave birth, or people who are sick and can’t get to Poland, or people that don’t have any documentation at all.”
Knotts’s parents quickly got to work upon their arrival in Europe, working to first get family and friends to safety, then assisting other evacuations and humanitarian efforts.
“They’re going back and forth all across the Ukrainian borders. They go from Poland to Romania, to Hungary, to some parts of Northern Poland and Belarus,” Knotts said.
Knotts doesn’t seem particularly worried about the safety of her parents’ expeditions.
“In case anything nuclear happens, then I’m worried about it. Like, I’m not worried about anything happening to Poland, but something that might happen in Ukraine that affects Poland somehow,” she said.
She also stays in frequent contact with her family.
“My family is calling my dad once a day, and I’ve been texting my mom. My dad is pretty active on social media, so I don’t have a lot of questions.”
Jake Knotts’s Instagram page is public and is under @jakefrommidstate. He posts frequent updates of evacuation efforts on Instagram posts and stories, and videos of him speaking in both English and Ukrainian for his followers. He uses his Instagram as a place to document his efforts, reach out to those in need and those willing to help, and raise awareness about the current crisis.
“He’s gaining a lot of traction on social media because a lot of people are putting his videos on Instagram stories,” Knotts said.
Knotts also wanted to make it known that she doesn’t blame the Russian people as a whole for the destruction, but rather just Russian President Vladamir Putin.
“I have no hard feelings towards any Russians, though. I have a lot of friends that are Russians, so it’s kind of hard to see the Russians themselves being targeted when the main problem is Putin,” she said.
She also acknowledged her combination of appreciation and worry for those protesting against Putin’s regime and decisions in both Russia and all throughout the world.
“I appreciate the protesting and the support and knowing that there are people out there,” Knotts said, before talking about how she worried for the safety of the protesting Russians, knowing about how the protestors are placed in packed prisons or subjected to cruel methods of punishment.
In terms of what people from Arroyo Grande can do to help support the Knotts family and people of Ukraine, Knotts offered a few solutions.
“Donate what [you] can, and make [the issue] public and more publicized,” she said, due to the fact that California is so far away and less able to physically assist.
“My parents have a GoFundMe … and they’re using all their proceeds to get housing and clothes and food for our friends and their friends and all the refugees.” | 0.882158 | ('__label__neg',) |
Mini-Lesson for Animal Behaviour
Mini-Lesson for Animal Behaviour
- Family Studies/Home Economics – Relationships
- Health/Personal Development – Mental Health/Stress/Suicide
- Problem-Solving/Conflict Resolution
- Human Growth and Development
- Healthy Relationships
Keywords/Topics: Mental Health, Behaviour, Therapy, Relationships, Instincts, Expectations, Society
Guiding Question: Under what circumstances should we be willing to change who we are and how we behave in order to meet the expectations of those around us?
Summary: Animal Behaviour is an animated short film that centres around a group therapy session attended by animals, who are attempting to overcome their natural instincts in order to better function within mainstream society. Educators should note that, while the film is humorous, the subject matter may trigger students who suffer from the mental illnesses and issues depicted in the film (addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, guilt issues, anger-management issues, and unhealthy relationships). The illnesses and issues are not specifically named but their typical behavioural characteristics are shown. It’s also important that educators establish a respectful classroom environment to avoid having students draw comparisons between the characters in the film and their classmates.
Before Watching: Consider whether you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with this statement: Sometimes we have to change who we truly are in order to be accepted by those around us. Once you’ve decided how you feel about this statement, find others in the class who chose the same response you did. Discuss why you selected that response. One student should be a note taker for the group. Select a spokesperson for your group, who will share the main points of your discussion with the rest of the class. When all groups have had their chance to speak, consider whether you’ve changed your mind about your response.
All the characters featured in this film are attempting to change things about themselves through group therapy. As you watch the short, it will become clear what it is that each character is trying to change. Thinking about the characters in this segment (Lorraine the leech, Cheryl the praying mantis, Todd the pig, Jeffrey the bird, Linda the cat, and Leonard the dog), rank them in order of who will have the most difficulty trying to change to who will have the least difficulty. After you’ve ranked the characters, talk with a partner/small group about where you placed the characters on your list and why. After discussing, write a paragraph that describes in detail which character you believe will have the most difficulty changing and why.
Write a journal entry from the point of view of the character you chose. The journal entry should touch on the daily struggles faced by the character and the strategies the character is using in an attempt to overcome these struggles. You may have to do some research on the particular illness you believe the character suffers from (addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, guilt issues, eating disorders, etc.).
Leonard seems to be able to keep everything under control until this segment, in which we see him resort to growling, barking, and ultimately playing fetch (instinctual behaviour for a dog). Thinking of the ways in which we behave and how we interact with others, are there things about ourselves that we cannot change? Consider that the animals used in this film all exhibit problematic behaviours that are actually instinctual. Do humans have similar instincts? Write a short response, then discuss what you wrote with a partner. After discussing, you and your partner will share your thoughts during a whole-class discussion.
Research suggests that our past experiences, the people in our lives, and our biology all play a role in determining who we are as people. How might a person be able to overcome these factors to become the person they want to be?
In this segment, we see Victor experience a change in his demeanour. When he first enters therapy, he believes his behaviour is normal for an ape and sees no reason to change. By the time the session is over, Victor is in tears and wants to change. What motivates Victor to want to change? What motivates us to make changes in our own behaviour? Create two lists. One will be a list of external factors (e.g., peer pressure) and the other a list of internal factors (e.g., improving your health). Write down at least three factors for each list. Once you have three factors on each list, circulate throughout the classroom, meeting with other students. You will give one of your factors to each student you meet, and they will give you one of their factors in return. You cannot exchange more than one factor with the same student. Exchange factors with at least five other students.
After examining both the internal and external factors that motivate us to make changes in our behaviour, which type do you believe to be the more powerful motivators? Are we more likely to change our behaviour when it benefits us, or are we more likely to make changes in order to meet the expectations of others? Which types of motivating factors do you believe will lead to more lasting change? Write a paragraph addressing these questions.
Chris Gallant has been an English Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Allison Bernard Memorial High School for the past 13 years. He is dedicated to social justice issues and attempts to incorporate Mi’kmaw language and culture into his teaching at every opportunity. As a visual learner, Chris understands the importance of using film in the classroom.
Pour lire cet article en français, cliquez ici.
Discover more Mini-Lessons | Watch educational films on NFB Education | Subscribe to the NFB Education Newsletter | Follow NFB Education on Facebook | Follow NFB Education on Twitter | Follow NFB Education on Pinterest | 0.738671 | ('__label__pos',) |
Homebound instruction is designed to provide continuity of educational services between the classroom and home setting for students whose medical needs – physical and/or psychiatric – indicate that school attendance is not advisable. Additionally, homebound instruction may be used to supplement the classroom program for health-impaired children whose conditions may interfere with consistent school attendance, (e.g., students receiving dialysis, radiation or chemotherapy). The inability to attend school must be certified by a physician, licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
The goal of homebound instruction is to facilitate the student’s return to the current classroom setting as soon as medically indicated. Homebound instruction is temporary. Requests for homebound instruction extending beyond nine weeks must be substantiated by an updated statement from the student’s attending physician or psychologist.
Elementary school students who qualify for homebound instruction should receive a maximum of five hours of instruction per week. Secondary school students who qualify for homebound instruction are eligible to receive a maximum of ten hours of instruction per week depending on their academic load. If appropriate to the needs of the child, the number of instructional hours may vary.
A student must be enrolled in school in order to receive homebound services. A student receiving homebound instruction is carried on the daily register of the class in which he or she is enrolled.
The HCPS Office of Exceptional Education ensures that individuals employed as homebound teachers hold a Virginia teaching certificate or be determined eligible for one by the Virginia Department of Education’s Division of Teacher Education and Licensure. The homebound teacher works to maintain close contact with the school.
The student’s school also maintains close contact with the homebound teacher and provides the teacher with the appropriate materials and information to enable the student to keep up with his or her class.
The student’s parents work with the school and homebound teacher to provide a home environment that is conducive to learning and ensure that a responsible adult is present in the home when the homebound teacher is working with the student. The parents must also make every effort to keep homebound instruction appointments as scheduled. | 0.50561 | ('__label__pos',) |
The Bill states that the Constitution of India is dynamic in nature, with the ability to adapt itself to the changing needs of the nation. Democracy and Federalism are the essential features of the Constitution and part of its basic structure.
"The Governor is established as the dejure head of the State and all executive acts are done in his name. However, the Governor is bound by the aid and advise of the elected State Government under article 163 of the Constitution. It cannot be said that the Governor, who is a ceremonial head of the State, cannot impede the lawful and constitutional functioning of the State Government," the Bill said.
"As the Constitutional Head of the State, the Governor owes a responsibility to the people of the State. It is trite in law that any constitutional authority must perform its duties within a reasonable time frame. However, in the recent past; we have seen several instances of Governors holding Bills passed by the State Legislatures for inordinate amount of time, without deciding one way or the other. In some cases, even when ex-facie the Bill has to be reserved for the consideration of the President, the Governors have taken a long time to do so," the Bill said.
It further said that the absence of a time-limit in article 200 gives the Governor unbridled power to delay the fate of a Bill. Thus, non-prescription of a time-limit is an impediment to the welfare of the people. Thus, the provision must be amended to balance the interest of the people and also provide sufficient time for the Governor to take an informed decision.
"It is therefore, proposed to amend article 200 of the Constitution to prescribe a time limit to the Governor for providing or withholding his assent to the Bill or reservation of such Bill for the consideration of the President of India," the Bill added. | 0.638158 | ('__label__neg',) |
Hemorrhoid Banding in Indianapolis, IN
Ready to Consult a GI Physician?Find a Provider
What is hemorrhoid banding?
Hemorrhoids, or piles, are enlarged veins that develop in one's lower rectum or anus. A hemorrhoid could arise inside the rectum (internally) or on the anus (externally). A hemorrhoid most often appears anytime the walls of the veins in one's anus or rectum become so thin that the veins swell or protrude. In some instances, a blood clot may form inside the hemorrhoid (thrombosed hemorrhoid) and can be the source of concern.
If a hemorrhoid becomes too painful or is responsible for other health concerns, then it might require removal. A technique often performed to relieve internal hemorrhoids is hemorrhoid banding, known also as rubber band ligation. If you are looking for information on hemorrhoid banding in Indianapolis, IN we can help. At Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology, our physician-led team of GI specialists frequently treats hemorrhoids using hemorrhoid banding procedures.
How is hemorrhoid banding performed?
Hemorrhoid banding is a process by which the flow of blood to the hemorrhoid is discontinued by applying a rubber band at the base of it. Soon after, the hemorrhoid will grow smaller and then die. A scar will form in the hemorrhoid's place, which will prevent surrounding vessels from bulging or developing into additional hemorrhoids nearby.
Hemorrhoid banding is completed by placing an anoscope into the anus. The physician then secures the hemorrhoid and employs an instrument to position a band encircling the base of the hemorrhoid. Hemorrhoid banding is typically restricted to treating one or two hemorrhoids in a given treatment except in cases where the individual is given anesthesia.
What happens following a hemorrhoid banding procedure?
Depending on the individual, the recovery period and situation after hemorrhoid banding is likely to differ. Some people are able to resume regular activities nearly immediately after the procedure, though others require a couple of days of bed rest in order to recover. Pain is common for as many as 48 hours following hemorrhoid banding and bleeding could happen for up to 10 days after the procedure.
Our Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology GI team will provide detailed recovery instructions to follow once your hemorrhoid banding procedure is finished. To decrease the risk of bleeding, it is important to avoid taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/NSAIDs for a minimum of four days before or after the procedure. To mitigate pressure in the rectum, it is recommended that patients drink a great deal of fluids and consume a diet with high amounts of fiber to help promote smooth bowel movements.
A nonsurgical approach to hemorrhoid treatment
Hemorrhoid banding in Indianapolis, IN is a nonsurgical practice routinely provided by a board-certified gastroenterologist. Our gastroenterologists perform this routine procedure at Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology and can boast of having helped thousands of people experience a reprieve from the symptoms of hemorrhoids. If you or a loved one deal with the discomfort caused by hemorrhoids, we urge you to connect with Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology to receive more information on hemorrhoid banding or to connect with a GI specialist.
Dr. Vincent was smart, clear & succinct. He calmed me by answering my concerns & questions.
Staff were friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, and comforting.
The staff are professional and friendly. It's a very comfortable environment. Dr.Brown took his time and listened to my questions and concerns. My only complaint with Indy Gastro is the length of time it takes for nurses to return calls when you are having a problem.
One of the best Doctors I have ever seen! Love Dr Troiano!
Dr. Vincent and his team made an uncomfortable procedure more than tolerable! They took excellent care of me and I would recommend them to anyone! | 0.858884 | ('__label__neg',) |
According to the diameter of the cemented carbide drill, the drill with an outer diameter of less than 4mm adopts a straight edge shape, and the cutting edge is a straight line; the design of the outer peripheral rake angle is negative, which can ensure the rigidity of the tool, the strength of the edge, and the low cutting resistance even if the diameter is small. These are two blade shapes. Carbide drills with an outer diameter of more than 4mm have a corrugated edge shape and a wide cutting flute design for better chip discharge.
When manufacturing cemented carbide tools, the main cutting tip has certain burrs. If it is not removed, there will be a gap on the tip of the tool, which will aggravate wear during cutting and seriously affect the life of the tool. Through passivation of the main cutting edge, the tool tip forms an r-shaped arc, which reduces the probability of falling blocks and improves the surface quality of the hole.
The tool tip passivation treatment is to make the tip of the carbide drill into a small arc r to disperse the cutting resistance, eliminate the small serrations on the tip and ligament, and improve the rigidity of the tip. At present, the commonly used passivation methods include nylon brush passivation method, passivation machine strengthening method, suspension passivation method, and the more commonly used grinding machine passivation method.
Install 18 carbide drill bits on the passivation machine at a time, add diamond grinding to its lower barrel, then insert the carbide drill into the diamond grinding, rotate, and passivate the carbide tip evenly after a few minutes . The amount of passivation is closely related to time. By strictly controlling the passivation time, the amount of passivation can be ensured, and the life of cemented carbide drills can be controlled and improved.
In order to prevent the main cutting edge of the China carbide drill bits from being too sharp, the main cutting edge needs to be negatively chamfered. Depending on the material to be machined, the minor chamfer of the main cutting edge is slightly different. The negative chamfer value of steel parts is 0.06-0.08mm, cast iron is 0.08-0.10mm, stainless steel is 0.02-0.03mm, and aluminum alloy is 0.01-0.015mm. The amount of negative chamfer passivation is directly measured with a dual-lens five-axis measuring instrument.
The coating treatment of the carbide drill bit has a great influence, the wear resistance after coating is increased, the surface quality of the hole is improved, the chip breaking and chip removal effect can be well improved, and the service life is increased by 5-10 times. | 0.935648 | ('__label__pos',) |
Chemistry or chemical processes is used by everyone everyday in one way or the other. When preparing your morning tea or coffee you are extracting taste substances from tea leaves or coffee beans. When taking a shower you are using surface active molecules in the soap or shampoo to become clean. When walking or cycling to school you need to convert your breakfast into energy for your muscles to work efficiently. And so it continues for the duration of the day. Not even when you are asleep it is possible to avoid chemical reactions since your dreams are created by molecules known as signal substances so that your brain is activated. | 0.984039 | ('__label__pos',) |
LISE SCHIFFER, LCSW
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|Posted on February 22, 2012 at 11:16 PM||comments (705)|
There are many misconceptions about depression and most people don't realize that it is a serious medical issue. Feelings of hopelessness, despair, anxiety, and inappropriate guilt and shame can and do contribute to substance abuse, overeating, oversleeping, and sometimes suicidal thoughts and actions. Sometimes people are told to "snap out of it" but that is no more possible than "snapping out of" cancer. Whether triggered by an event or by one's own biochemistry, depression involves changes in the brain's neurotransmitter system. If you have ever had your mood altered by a drug, you know that how you feel is not simply a state of mind. When the brain's chemistry is malfunctioning, it can have a profound effect on how you feel and experience life. But there is good news. Depression is highly treatable. Studies show that a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy is the best prescription.
One very common misconception about depression is that it feels like mere sadness. Sadness is only a part of it. It is very difficult to describe the pain of depression; I always say it's like trying to describe blue to a blind person. If you've never experienced the monster that is depression, there is really no way for you to grasp its horrors. One of the things that makes depression so insidious is that it distorts one's self-perception and causes the belief that the sufferer is morally flawed or weak or bad. What other medical illness does that?
If you are depressed, please have compassion for yourself. Get help. If you love someone who is depressed, the most helpful thing is to acknowledge their pain, reassure them they're not to blame, and DO NOT try to "cheer them up"; you will only make them feel worse. | 0.964941 | ('__label__neg',) |
When an individual is sick, they will realize it tough to develop a craving. However, it’s necessary to receive nourishment and keep hydrated, particularly when feeling unwell. And think what to eat when sick?
Different types of food will combat differing kinds of wellness. An individual with an inflammatory disease may benefit from foods that may not facilitate somebody who feels sickening.In this article, we offer a list of foods to eat and avoid for individuals with common sicknesses.The very last thing you would like to do when you have a nasty cold or the stomach flu is to eat, but not replenishing and staying hydrated may be a huge no-no for your recovery.
Best foods to eat when sick
There are many foods to eat when sick or you can say many natural home remedies that may be so helpful in get rid of sick conditions.
Citrus fruits and berries
Citrus fruits are best foods to eat when sick, like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, contain high levels of flavonoids and vitamin C. These decrease inflammation and boost immunity, which can facilitate to fight a fever.
Some studies recommend that a flavonoid known as quercetin that is additionally found in berries could facilitate to treat picornavirus infections. This virus is to blame for the bulk of common colds. Frozen, slushy fruit juices will usually facilitate to appease a sore throat.
When experiencing cold and respiratory disease symptoms, it’s vital to remain hydrated. Flavored teas are refreshing, and inhaling their steam will facilitate to clear mucous secretion from the sinuses. Adding ground turmeric to a cup of hot water could facilitate to relieve an inflammatory disease. Research suggests that turmeric has each anti-inflammatory and antiseptic property.
Tea leaves are best foods to eat when sick, swarming in natural plant compounds, like polyphenols, flavonoids, and cateschins. These stimulate the immune system. Catechins, specifically, could shield against certain kinds of flu virus.
Some individuals suggest drinking Echinacea tea to shorten the length of cold and respiratory illness symptoms. However, this result has yet to be tried by research.
As we know garlic is considered best foods to eat when sick.It has been used as a healthful herb for hundreds of years and has incontestable antibacterial drug, antiviral and anti-fungal effects.it also can stimulate the immune system.
Few high-quality human studies have explored the results of garlic on the common cold or flu; however some have found promising results. One study found that individuals who took garlic got sick less usually. Overall, the garlic cluster spent concerning 70th fewer days sick than the placebo group.
In another study, individuals taking garlic not only got sick less usually, however they got higher 3.5 days faster than the placebo cluster, on average. Additionally, many studies showed that aged garlic extract supplements will enhance immune perform and reduce the severity of colds and therefore the flu.
Adding garlic to soup or broth will each add flavor and create them even more practical at fighting off cold or flu symptoms.
Honey is of the best home remedy to get rid from sickness in body. A sore throat can be caused by a bacterial infection. Honey is wealthy in antimicrobials that facilitate to clear these forms of infection.
Honey is considered best foods to eat when sick, might also be effective in treating children’s coughs, although it shouldn’t be given to infants below twelve months mature. Honey seemed to be more effective than diphenhydramine and salbutamol that are medicine usually utilized in cough medicines. Honey additionally created similar results as dextromethorphan, another common ingredient.
The results were restricted; however, as most studies within the review solely looked at 1-night acute coughs.
A person will create ginger tea by adding 1–2 teaspoons of fresh ginger to a cup of hot water. Steep the ginger for five minutes before straining the mixture and sweetening it with a bit honey. Crystallized ginger ought to be consumed carefully; because of its high sugar content. As ginger is best foods to eat when sick. Avoid effervescent ginger ale, as this could more irritate indigestion. Use fresh ginger in cooking, brew some ginger tea or obtain some ginger ale from the shop to induce these advantages. Simply check that that no matter you’re using contains real ginger or ginger extract, not simply ginger flavor.
Indigestion happens when the stomach lining becomes inflamed. Compounds known as tannins that are present in coconut water might facilitate decrease this inflammation.
Coconut water is best foods to eat when sick, additionally high in minerals like sodium and potassium. They’ll facilitate the body to rehydrate quickly when looseness of the bowels or vomit.
One study found that coconut water could give a similar level of hydration as a sports drink. It’s additionally a lot of healthful, containing no value-added sugar. However, it’s value noting that this study solely enclosed twelve participants.
The avocado is an uncommon fruit as a result of its low in carbs however high in fat. In specific, it’s high in healthy monounsaturated fat, a similar sort of fat found in vegetable oil.
Avocados are best foods to eat when sick, a great supply of fiber, vitamins and minerals.Avocados are a good food once sick as a result of the supply calories, vitamins and minerals that your body wants. They’re additionally soft, comparatively bland and simple to eat.
Because of the healthy fats avocados contain, particularly oleic acid, they assist to decrease inflammation whereas additionally taking part in a task in immune performs.
Salmon is one in all the foremost effective protein sources to eat once sick.
It is soft, easy to eat and filled with the high-quality super molecule your body needs. Salmon is particularly made in omega-3 fatty acids that have strong medication effects.
Salmon is considered best foods to eat when sick,and to boot an honest offer of the numerous vitamins and minerals, along with vitamin D, that several people are lacking in. vitamin plays a task in immune performs.
Bananas are an excellent food to eat once you’re sick.They’re simple to chew and bland in flavor, however additionally give a good quantity of calories and nutrients. For these reasons, they’re a part of the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) that’s usually suggested for nausea.Bananas are considered best foods to eat when sick.Another huge good thing about bananas is that the soluble fiber they contain. If you’ve got diarrhea, bananas are one among the most effective foods you’ll be able to eat as a result of the fiber can facilitate relieve diarrhea.
In fact, some hospitals use banana flakes to treat patients with diarrhea.
Leafy green vegetables are filled with fiber and nutrients that you just want whereas sick. They additionally contain helpful plant compounds. Dark green vegetables best foods to eat when sick, also are loaded with helpful plant compounds. These act as antioxidants to shield cells from harm and facilitate fight inflammation.
Leafy greens have additionally been used for their antibacterial drug properties. Leafy green vegetables like spinach, romaine lettuce and kale are packed filled with vitamins, minerals and fiber. They’re particularly great sources of vitamin A, vitamin C, and k.
Oatmeal may be a great supply of nutrients and simple to eat. It will stimulate your immunity system, improve glucose level and reduce inflammation within the digestive system. Oatmeal best foods to eat when sick,and has another powerful health advantages, as well as stimulating the immune system and rising glucose control. Additionally contains some protein.
One rat study additionally showed that beta-glycan, a kind of fiber found in oats, helped decrease inflammation within the gut. This might facilitate relieve symptoms like internal organ cramping, bloating and diarrhea.
Drinking broth could be a delicious and wholesome way to keep hydrated, and it additionally acts as a natural medicinal drug when hot. They’re filled with flavor and may contain calories, vitamins and minerals like magnesium, calcium, folic acid and phosphorous. Drinking broth could be a great way to remain hydrated, and therefore the rich flavors will assist you feel happy. This is often particularly helpful if your abdomen is unsettled and you’re unable to stay down solid foods. If you’re creating broth from scratch, it should have even additional advantages — as well as a higher calorie, super molecule and nutrient content.
Many people rave concerning the advantages of bone broth and claim it’s several healing properties, though currently there aren’t any studies on its edges
Yogurt is best foods to eat when sick, simple to eat and a best supply of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals. Some yogurts additionally contain probiotics, which may assist you get sick less usually and obtain better faster. Yogurt is a wonderful food to eat once sick. Some yogurts additionally contain helpful probiotics. Some individuals have reported that dairy intake thickens mucous secretion. However, many studies show that dairy intake causes no change in cough, congestion or mucous secretion production, even among people who are sick. One study found that kids taking probiotics felt higher an average of 2 days quicker, and their symptoms were regarding 55th less severe.
Chicken soup best foods to eat when sick and could be a best source of fluids, calories, protein, vitamins and minerals. It additionally a natural medication and will block cells that cause coughing and a stuffy nose. It’s an easy-to-eat supply of vitamins, minerals, calories and macromolecule that are nutrients your body wants in larger quantities whereas you’re sick. Your body will would like even additional fluids if you have got a fever. Another reason for this impact is that chicken contains the amino acid cysteine. N-acetyl-cysteine, a type of amino acid, breaks apart mucous secretion and has anti-viral, anti-inflammatory drug and antioxidant effects. Chicken sup’s ability to inhibit these cells may part justify why it’s therefore effective against some cold and flu symptoms.
Foods to avoid
Some foods should be avoided in sickness that may negative effect in human body and cause many problems, they are given below;
Caffeine will cause dehydration that makes congestion worse. However, some caffeinated drinks, like tea and low, contain immune-boosting antioxidants, and that they are also useful moderately. Caffeine acts as a muscle stimulant that may cause abdomen cramps and increase gut movements.
Alcohol will dehydrate and trigger an inflammatory response, which can irritate cold and contagion symptoms. Caffeine and alcohol will together cause dehydration, depleting the water required to soften stools.
Greasy foods contain high levels of fats that are tough to digest and may irritate the abdomen, worsening nausea and may lead to many severe problems in body.
Dietary changes will give some relief when a personal feels sick. Someone should try and follow the suggested diet for his or her symptoms whereas avoiding foods that may worsen them. But is very important to remember that prevention is best than a cure. Staying hydrated and ingestion a healthful diet wealthy in nutrients can facilitate to deflect several of the ailments listed on top of. But some foods have advantages that go beyond simply providing your body with nutrients. | 0.857716 | ('__label__pos',) |
Out of all the cities that you can visit in the UK with kids, why visit Leicester? Leicester is such an interesting city with a rich history and diversity that it isn’t hard to understand why it is such a well-known location. There are so many ways that Leicester is unique. In fact, in this article, you will find twelve facts about Leicester for kids.
#1 Leicester has the Biggest Diwali Festival Outside of India
Outside of India, Leicester has the biggest Diwali festival in the World due to the large Indian population in the city.
Diwali is known as the “Festival of Lights” and is usually celebrated over five days between October and November, the dates changing each year.
It usually begins two weeks before Diwali, when lights are switched on along the Golden Mile (A section of Belgrave Road between Abbey Park Road and Loughborough Road).
The festival also includes live music, food markets and dancing.
#2 Leicester is the Home of Walkers Crisps
Walkers is possibly the most well-known crisp brand in the UK, but did you know it originated in Leicester?
Henry Walker created it in 1948, and the factory is still found in Leicester itself!
The factory in Leicester produces over 11 million bags of crisps a day. Can you believe that that means they use roughly 800 tons of potatoes?
#3 Leicester is the Home of Red Leicester and Stilton Cheese
One of these interesting facts about Leicester is that it is the home of two famous kinds of cheese, Red Leicester and Stilton.
Most people could guess the link between Red Leicester and the city it was named after, but Stilton can come as a bit of a surprise.
Like with Walkers, Stilton is still produced in Leicester and is only allowed to be made in this location due to its protected status.
#4 Leicester Market is the Biggest Outdoor Market in Europe
Leicester has the biggest covered outdoor market, not just in Western Europe, but the whole of Europe!
In the city centre, near the Clock Tower, you will find a market with over 300 stalls roughly 800 years old.
The produce sold at these stalls varies from food and fresh flowers to clothing and electronics.
#5 Leicester is One of England’s Oldest Cities
A fact hinted at by the wide range of historical tourist attractions, such as Abbey Pumping Station and Leicester Guildhall, available in Leicester is one of England’s oldest cities.
Its history actually dates back about 2,000 years, when the Romans encountered an Iron Age settlement!
Leicester, one of the oldest cities in England, could also have influenced experts who believe that the city was the birthplace of modern English, which came from Anglo-Saxons and Vikings trying to communicate with each other.
#6 Leicester had the First Local Radio
It is normal now to have local radio stations playing. However, did you know that the first local radio station was actually in Leicester?
BBC Radio Leicester was the first broadcast in 1967, with the Lord Mayor of Leicester as a guest.
As you can probably guess, the first local radio jingle originated in Leicester on this station as well.
#7 Leicester has Ties to King Richard III
One of the most famous people in Leicester is Richard III, King of England.
His last days were in Leicester; the night before the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, the last Plantagenet King stayed in Leicester.
He was found buried under a car park in the city, because his body was bought back there after his death on the battlefield. Now, his resting place is in Leicester Cathedral, attracting many visitors.
#8 Leicester has the Biggest Comedy Festival in the UK
Having begun in 1994, Leicester Comedy Festival has become the largest comedy festival in the UK, even larger than the well-known Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
In 2022, the festival included over 60 venues!
As well as being the largest comedy festival in the UK, it is also the one that has been running the longest
#9 Leicester is the Home of the Package Holiday
Thomas Cook, now a household name, has a statue in Leicester outside the train station because of his input into the city’s history.
It was he who organised the first package holiday in 1841, which involved a train trip from Leicester to Loughborough.
#10 The River Soar Used to be Pink
A fun fact about Leicester is that the river running through the city used to be pink!
The River Soar’s water was dyed pink due to the waste that polluted it from the Leicester textile factories. To this day, Leicester is still home to one of the largest textile companies in England, although they are no longer polluting the river.
It has since been restored by the Environmental Agency so that it is once more suitable habitat for wildlife.
#11 Leicester is the Birthplace of Sue Townsend
Another famous person linked to Leicester is Sue Townsend.
The author who created Adrian Mole, a character who began as a teenager and then grew through the series, was born and raised in Leicester, leaving behind a legacy for the arts in her hometown.
Part of that legacy involved the renaming of the Phoenix Arts Centre, which became the Sue Townsend Theatre because it is where she was “Writer in Residence” and wrote her first award-winning play.
#12 The University of Leicester Discovered DNA Fingerprinting
This is possibly one of the most interesting facts about Leicester; it was at the University of Leicester that DNA fingerprinting was born.
The process is now regularly used by police when solving crimes and medical professionals when investigating and identifying genetic diseases. Still, it was discovered in a lab at the University of Leicester.
The technique was found in 1984 by Sir Alec Jeffreys, a professor, and was used to identify the skeleton of Richard III. | 0.557521 | ('__label__neg',) |
Hickey, seventeen miles southwest of Carthage in southwestern Panola County, was established in the early 1890s. A post office opened there in 1895 with Jacup Y. Hickey, after whom the community was named, as postmaster. By 1900 the settlement had a general store, a gristmill, and a cotton gin. The Hickey post office closed in 1906, and the mail was sent to Clayton. After 1910 Hickey was no longer shown on maps.
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Midwest flooding is felt around the world
“The Mississippi Delta was shining like a national guitar;
I am following the river down the highway…
Through the cradle of the Civil War.”
—“Graceland” as performed by Paul Simon
Recently I crossed the Mississippi River by car at Vicksburg. The river was nearly topping its banks.
We stopped at the Mississippi Welcome Center, stood in the misty, morning air, high above the river, sipped our complimentary coffee and read the Civil War historical marker commemorating Grant's siege of Vicksburg. That Americans had lived underground for months right below our feet to avoid cannon fire from other Americans on the river's opposite side in 1863 was difficult to comprehend. The volume of swirling, angry water below us racing southward was equally difficult to fathom.
The Missouri River, the longest in North America, has flooded recently, causing historic damage. Levees have broken throughout the Midwest. Estimates of crop loss in Nebraska approached a billion dollars some weeks ago. The Missouri empties into the Mississippi near St. Louis, so high water upriver causes more extensive flooding further south. Record snowfall has also impacted the Illinois and Ohio Rivers. A rainy spring will bring more flooding.
The economic ramifications of flooding are difficult to calibrate, but significant nonetheless. First, there is damage to crops and livestock. At this writing, I-29 in Iowa remains closed. Trains must utilize alternate routes. Rural roads are impassable. Bridges are damaged. Many farmers plant in spring and depend on overland transportation and barge shipments traveling upriver to deliver fertilizer. All of these connections are being disrupted. Crops and livestock must be transported to market eventually, so the route disruptions hurt farmers coming and going.
Some neighborhoods will be abandoned, as floodwaters ruin residential areas. Many businesses will close. The financial fallout is similar to a natural disaster like a hurricane or tornado, but with a much, much wider geographic scope and with national and global economic impact. During the Great Flood of 1927 an area the size of Scotland was flooded as the Mississippi overflowed its banks. Six states and 27,000 square miles were inundated. The Flood Control Act of 1928 soon followed, legislation that heightened and lengthened levees along the river.
The American Midwest is the largest contiguous body of farmland in the world, and it’s connected to oceans and the Gulf of Mexico by a massive system of rivers and manmade waterways. Because of it, we largely take food security for granted, something many nations cannot do. The crops and livestock grown there satisfy domestic and global food needs. When Omaha, Nebraska sneezes, Paris, France catches a cold.
The impact on food prices, jobs and the economy remain to be seen, as does the extent of the flood damage to one of our most productive regions.
Margaret R. McDowell is the founder of Arbor Wealth Management LLC (850.608.6121 – www.arborwealth.net), a fiduciary, “fee-only” registered investment advisory firm near Destin. This column should not be considered personalized investment advice and provides no assurance that any specific strategy or investment will be suitable or profitable for an investor. | 0.622899 | ('__label__neg',) |
The Dragon tree is often planted as a special interest feature plant in ornamental landscapes and gardens in many parts of the Inland Empire. Over time it will grow into a medium size tree with a stout succulent trunk up to 25 ft. tall. As plants mature, they develop broad crowns comprised of many branches extending outward to form a bold canopy shape. Gray-green foliage is comprised of 2 ft. long sword-shaped leaves; creamy-white flowers occur in large spikes above the foliage and are followed by bright orange berries.
Native to Mediterranean climates on the Canary Islands, the dragon tree is one of the most unusual plants for ornamental landscapes. It is highly adapted to warm and sunny climate exposures and easily adapts to annual summer drought. It shows sensitivity to cold temperatures below 25°F and should be planted in warm microclimate areas. Young plants are often grown in containers and raised planters to display their character as their trunks mature.
Like other succulent-type plants, the dragon tree grows best in well-drained soils with infrequent summer watering. It takes many years to achieve tall and large specimen stature, but it is well worth the effort as few plants provide such unique character. | 0.775312 | ('__label__pos',) |
Silica aerogels are kind of porous material. They are made by replacing the liquid component by gas inside a gel. The product is a solid with an extremely low density and thermal conductivity. Aerogels have a myriad of applications. For instance, an aerogel can be a very effective thermal insulator.
The process of manufacturing aerogels generally involves freezing the pre-existing material and allowing that to develop into a gel. The liquid component freezes to form various morphologies based on a range of variables. When this process is finished, pre-formed molecules of the solid precursor are pushed to the pores the growing crystals.
The DLR research team is working to improve the process for silcia-based Aerogels. The research is focused on improving the chemical composition, the drying procedure, and the formation of nanostructures. The method is also targeted to make the aerogels resistant to high temperatures, such as 600degrees C. It also aims to improve the handling capability of the materials by adding glass fibers or polymeric felts. The most important applications of these materials are in furnaces, exhausts, and motors.
Silica-based Aerogels are thin and porous, and have an average porosity of 95. They exhibit exceptional thermal insulating properties. They are frequently employed for thermal insulation, and are mixed with other ceramic phases in order to increase the thermal performance of these materials.
High porosity silica aerogels are porous compounds made of silica. They have a high surface area and are able to function in the capacity of gas filters, absorbing the effects of desiccation as well as Encapsulation media. These materials are also used for the transport and storage of liquids. The lightweight of these materials makes them particularly useful for delivery systems of drugs. Apart from the numerous uses, high porosity Silica aerogels are also used in the production of small electrochemical double-layer supercapacitors.
One of the major characteristics of high porosity silica aerogels is their superior mechanical strength. A majority of empty shells are fragile, which is why it is vital to increase the binding of the skeleton to increase durability for thermal insulation. Fiber content can help strengthen the skeleton, increasing the strength of the material as well as their thermal insulation capabilities. In one test an example of this material showed a 143% increase in Young's modulus. The inner porous structure was also examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) which proved that fiber contents bind well to the skeleton.
Silica aerogels exhibit hydrophobic nature . They have significant active sites at the surface. This property could make them an anticorrosive agent. They also display good thermal stability and clarity. Their porous volumes and surface areas vary according to pH. This study demonstrates that silica gels with the pH of 5 show the best physical and chemical stability, as well as the greatest surface.
Initially, silica gels were employed as host matrices used for therapeutic and pharmaceutical compounds. Since the 1960s scientists began to study silica aerogels in the hope of their use as host matrices. Two methods were used to make silica based aerogels. dissolving cellulose in an appropriate solvent, or dissolving a variety of types of nanocellulose within water suspension. The aerogels were later subjected to a series of solvent exchange steps. A significant shrinkage was observed during the preparation procedure.
Silica aerogel offers an amazing range of thermal insulation properties and is starting to gain traction in the market. It is being investigated for use in transparent windows which are some of the most susceptible to thermal stress in building. Walls, with their large area, usually have a lower loss of heat than windows as well, and silica aerogel is a good choice to assist in reducing the stress.
A preliminary study of the thermal insulation properties of silica aerogel was carried out within a swirling-flame-combustor that replicated a typical environment. A silica aerogel blanket was installed in the combustor . It was the air was circulated by three different amounts.
The brittleness for silica-based aerogels is dependent on the size of their pores and the volume. The AC values decrease with decreasing macroporous volume. Additionally the distribution of pore size (pore Size Distribution Curve) decreases in relation to the amount of the TMOS content.
The density and the aging conditions of silica-based aerogels alter its mechanical qualities. Silica aerogels of low density are compressible but high-density silica-based aerogels are viscoelastic and have a high brittleness.
The ultraflexibility of silica aerogels is improved by different methods. A common approach would be increasing applied stress. This increases the crack length which can lead to increased KI.
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Niobium carbide (NBC and Nb2C) is a very hard refractory ceramic material, widely used in refractory high temperature materials and cemented carbide additives.…
Chile's government is considering phasing in a proposed ban on glacial mining to limit projects high in the Andes by some big copper companies. Chile's constitutional assembly has approved a proposal to ban mining in glaciers, protected areas, and ar…
Molybdenum Telluride MoTe2 Powder CAS 12058-20-7 introduce:About Molybdenum Telluride MoTe2 Powder:Molybdenum telluride (MoTe2) is a gray hexagonal powdered solid, which has a variety of forms, among which MoTe2 and Mo3Te4 are stable in air, decompos… | 0.956966 | ('__label__pos',) |
Everyone has heard of composting, but how many people actually know how it works? In essence, composting is the process of breaking down organic matter into a soil-like substance. This can be done in as little as four weeks if done correctly, but there are a few things you need to know before starting. Keep reading to learn more about how long composting takes and what you need to get started!
How Long Does It Take To Break Compost Down?
This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on so many variables, including the size of your compost pile, the ingredients you are using, the temperature, and how often you turn the pile. In general, though, most compost piles will be finished in anywhere from two weeks to six months.
If you’re new to composting, the best way to get started is to simply start collecting your kitchen scraps in a bin or bucket. Once you have enough material, you can begin building your compost pile. If you’re not sure what to do next, there are many resources available online and in library books that can give you step-by-step instructions.
When your compost piles are finished, you’ll know because the material will be dark and crumbly and will smell like soil. You can then use it as a natural fertilizer for your plants.
Unfinished compost will also be darker in color and have a more crumbly texture than finished compost, which should be light brown or grayish in color and have a smooth, almost powdery texture.
If you find that your compost pile is not finishing, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process. One is to turn the pile more frequently, which will help aerate the material and speed up decomposition.
You can also add more green materials to the pile, which will provide nitrogen and help break down the other ingredients more quickly. Finally, if your compost pile is getting too dry, you can add water to it to help keep everything moist and speed up decomposition.
One way to speed up the composting process is to add finished compost or potting soil or compost soil to your compost pile. This will introduce beneficial microbes that will help break down organic matter more quickly. You can also add compost accelerators, which are commercial products that contain bacteria and other microorganisms that help speed up the composting process.
Can You Make Compost In 2 Weeks?
Most people think of composting as a slow process that takes months or even years to produce results. However, it is possible to make compost in a matter of weeks, if you know how to do it.
The key is to create the right conditions for decomposition to occur. This means establishing a good balance of carbon and nitrogen-rich materials, as well as ensuring that the compost has enough oxygen.7
One way to speed up the process is to chop the ingredients into small pieces, which will help them to break down more quickly.
Another is to use a compost activator, which can help to encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria. With a little effort, you can have usable compost in just a few weeks.
What Will Make Compost Break Down Faster?
Composting is a great way to recycle organic waste and create a nutrient-rich soil amendment. However, sometimes compost can take months to break down fully. If you’re looking to speed up the process, there are a few things you can do.
One is to chop up your organic waste into small pieces before adding it to the compost bin. This will help the material to break down more quickly. Another is to add some green waste to your compost.
Green waste, such as grass clippings or kitchen scraps, contains high levels of nitrogen, which helps the microorganisms that break down compost to thrive.
Finally, be sure to aerate your compost regularly. This will help oxygenate the materials and encourage bacterial growth. By following these tips, you can get your compost bin cooking in no time!
Tips For Speeding Up Composting:
Speeding up the composting process doesn’t have to be difficult. There are a few simple things you can do to compost material more quickly. First, make sure your compost heap or compost tumbler is in a sunny spot.
The sun will help to break down organic matter more quickly. Second, chop up your compostable material into small pieces before adding it to the compost heap or compost tumbler.
Smaller pieces will decompose more quickly than larger ones. Finally, consider adding a compost accelerator to your compost heap or compost tumbler.
Compost accelerators are products that contain bacteria and fungi that help speed up the composting process. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy compost that is ready to use in no time!
Troubleshooting Common Composting Problems:
If you’re new to composting, it’s normal to have some questions or encounter some problems along the way. Here are solutions to some common issues:
Food Scraps Not Decomposing:
If your food scraps seem to be taking forever to decompose, make sure they’re properly chopped up into small pieces. Also, check that your compost pile has the right ratio of green (nitrogen-rich) to brown (carbon-rich) materials. If it’s too heavy on the green side, add more brown materials like dead leaves or hay. This will help the food waste compost quickly.
A little bit of odor is normal with any organic material, but a really stinky compost pile is usually a sign of too much green material or not enough air. Make sure your compost pile has the right ratio of green to brown materials, and turn it regularly to aerate.
Compost Pile Not Heating Up:
If your compost pile isn’t heating up, it may not have the right ratio of green to brown materials. It also needs a good amount of moisture – not too wet, but not too dry. Add more green material or water if needed. Finally, make sure the pile is big enough. A smaller pile won’t generate enough heat to properly decompose.
There are a few reasons why your compost might be taking its sweet time to break down. It could be that the organic materials are too coarse, there’s not enough surface area for bacteria to work on, or the pile isn’t getting enough oxygen. Make sure to chop up your material into small pieces, and turn the pile regularly to aerate. You can also add a little bit of water if it seems too dry. | 0.914583 | ('__label__pos',) |
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Angularjs is a web-application framework that is maintained by Google and a community of corporations and individuals to simplify the challenges in the development of single page applications. The simplification aims to make the development as well as testing easier. It is best explained as what HTML would have been for the case of web-apps instead of web pages.
Angularjs was developed in 2009 by Misko Hevery at Brat Tech LLC for use as a software behind JSON storage service. It was later released as an open-source library.
Angularjs is extraordinarily helpful for creating static documents, lets the user extend HTML syntax for the app which results in an environment that is easy and quick to develop, expressive and readable. It is fully extensible and is compatible with other libraries.
Angularjs framework first reads the HTML page with embedded tag attributes. These attributes are treated as directives to bind together the input and output and thereafter result in a model that is represented by standard JS variables, the values of which can be set manually, by code and/or reclaimed by static or dynamic JSON resources.
To separate DOM manoeuvring from application logic.
To ensure that the client side and server side of a web app remain separate ensuring development to progress in parallel and reuse of both sided
To provide a framework for the entire process of building an app, all the way from designing of a user interface, through the writing of the business code till testing of the app. | 0.890218 | ('__label__neg',) |
No cause for alarm, though…
A new study has shown that some of the photons which bombard your skin as you suntan on the beach originate from stars in other galaxies or from the disks of gas and dust being gobbled up by supermassive black holes at the cores of galaxies.
But although some 10 billion of these photons which end their billions of years of intergalactic journey on your skin every second, there’s no cause for immediate worry.
For these make up 10 trillionths of the one sextillion (1021 or 1.000.000.000.000.000.000.000) photons – mostly from the sun – which hit your skin every second as you tan on the beach.
The international team, led by Prof. Simon Driver of the University of Western Australia and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), inspected and compared data obtained by a number of Earth and space-based telescopes.
In the study published in the Astrophysical Journal, researchers, including astronomers from the Arizona State University and the Cardiff University, Wales, measured the light coming from the intergalactic space from a wide spectrum of radiation ranging from damaging wavelengths at scales of fractions of a micron (one thousandths of a millimeter) to harmless ones at millimeter scales.
According to the researchers, about 10 billion of these photons come to a stop on our skin each second day or night if we are out in the open.
But any harm from these extragalactic photons are ruled out by researchers. “While 10 billion photons a second might sound like a lot we would have to bask in it for trillions of years before it caused any long-lasting damage” Prof. Driver reassures.
Prof. Rogier Windhorst of the Arizona State University, also dismisses any ground for concern, pointing out that the universe also provides an “inbuilt protection” as about half the energetic UV radiation is converted into less damaging wavelengths by dust grains encountered on the long journey.
The source galaxies also provide us with natural suntan lotion with a solar protection factor of two, he adds.
- 1. “Ten trillionths of your suntan comes from beyond our galaxy”, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, 11 August 2016 | 0.623988 | ('__label__neg',) |
Google Earth’s historical 3D time lapses show the ravages of climate change
Google Earth is getting another 3D time-slip by include that allows you to see how Earth has changed from 1984 to 2020, permitting you to see exactly how much the overwhelming impacts of climate change have effectively molded the topography of the planet.
“It’s best for a scene perspective on our reality,” Rebecca Moore, overseer of Google Earth, Google Earth Engine, and Google Earth Outreach, said in a call with journalists this week. “It’s not tied in with zooming in. It’s tied in with zooming out. It’s tied in with making the huge stride back. We need to perceive how our solitary home is getting along.”
The element (which Google calls “Timelapse,” single word) will be accessible in Google Earth beginning Thursday. To get to it, dispatch Google Earth and afterward snap or tap on the Voyager tab (which has a symbol that resembles a boat’s wheel). You can look for a position of interest or look at one of Google’s five “guided visits” about backwoods change, metropolitan development, warming temperatures, mining and environmentally friendly power sources, and “the Earth’s delicate excellence.”
To find out about what the element allows you to see, look at this time slip by GIF of the changing shores of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, from Google:
To make the 3D time-pass symbolism for Google Earth, the organization says it utilized in excess of 24 million satellite pictures taken from 1984 to 2020 to make one 4.4 terapixel-sized video mosaic. (To give you a feeling of the scale there, one terapixel is 1 million megapixels.) The organization worked with NASA, the US Geological Survey (USGS), the European Commission, and the European Space Agency (ESA) to gather the information utilized in the time lapses.
“Timelapse and Google Earth sits at the nexus of science, innovation, public-private associations, and the cutting edge as we consider both climate change and climate activity,” Moore said.
This isn’t the Google Earth group’s first time-slip by include. In May 2013, the group delivered a time-slip by highlight showing 2D pictures of Earth from 1984 to 2012, and it made a major update to that in November 2016. The element reported Thursday, in any case, offers a 3D time pass of the Earth’s topographical changes, permitting you to take a gander at the changes in the Earth in more detail.
Google has likewise delivered 800 time-pass recordings of various regions all throughout the world as free downloads. The organization focuses on them to be utilized by instructors, nonprofits, policymakers, and others to show how the topography of Earth has changed over the long run. | 0.521268 | ('__label__neg',) |
Goals and resolutions
Goals are an essential part of life. They provide us with direction and motivation to work towards something greater than ourselves. Goals give us a sense of purpose. And help us stay focused on the tasks that will lead us to success. There are many techniques about setting goals. One of the techniques I used in my corporate career in Information Technology. And Cybersecurity is known as the S.M.A.R.T. goals framework. I’ve used the framework to track many projects, large and small.
What are S.M.A.R.T. Goals?
S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Bound. Setting a goal and seeing it through to completion requires careful planning and consideration.
When setting a S.M.A.R.T goal, it is important to be specific about what you are trying to accomplish and how you plan on doing it. This means that you need to clearly define the task at hand and create an actionable plan of how you will achieve it within a certain timeframe. Additionally, the goal should be achievable given the resources available to you and relevant to your overall objectives or desired outcome. Finally, make sure that your goal has a timeline attached so that you can measure progress over time and stay motivated throughout the process of achieving it.
Regardless of the framework you use to set goals, taking the time to plan what you want to achieve can make the difference to obtain what you want. Sort of if you know where you are going, you’ll get there. Otherwise, you may end up in a place you don’t want to be.
What is the difference between Goals and Resolutions
Goals and resolutions are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they may have different meanings. Goals refer to the desired outcomes or objectives that a person wants to achieve and have clear steps and timelines for completion. They are usually long-term and require dedication and hard work in order to be achieved. Resolutions, on the other hand, are more short-term commitments that a person makes in order to improve their life or reach a certain goal. And Resolutions can be anything from eating healthier to spending more time with family. Resolutions may not have any specific timeline or plan of action associated with them
Ultimately, both goals and resolutions can help individuals reach their desired outcomes; however, it is important to understand the differences between them in order to make sure you’re taking the right steps towards achieving your desired results.
Are you a goal oriented or resolution-oriented person? or both?
I think that whether we use both resolutions and goals or mainly focus on goals, the key is to have a system that can help keep us motivated and focused throughout the year. If having a clear resolution gives you something to strive for while setting goals helps break down large tasks into smaller ones that are easier to manage. This makes it easier to track progress and stay on track with achieving your desired outcome. Additionally, having both resolutions and goals can provide a sense of accomplishment when each goal is achieved along the way towards reaching your ultimate resolution.
Are realistic goals better?
Some people prefer realistic goals, it helps to keep fears at bay and a lot can be accomplished with this approach of one step at a time. I like big and bold dreams and then I break them into smaller actionable actions. Setting them as short-term and long-term goals that can be measured over a period of time. Short-term goals should be achievable within a few weeks or months, while long-term goals may take years to accomplish.
When setting goals, I found that having a clear vision of what you want to achieve and why you want to achieve it matters so much. This will help keep you motivated and focused on reaching your goal. Additionally, having a timeline for achieving your goal can help keep you on track as well as provide a sense of accomplishment when you reach each milestone along the way. Finally, don’t forget to celebrate when you reach your goal! Taking the time to recognize all of the hard work that went into achieving it will make all of the effort worth it in the end.
When you set a goal that is bigger than what most people think is possible, you will inevitably face some resistance. People may try to hold you back because they can’t imagine themselves achieving the same level of success. This doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with them or their goals; it just means that they have different aspirations than yours.
No matter how much criticism and judgement you receive, don’t let it stop you from reaching for your dreams. It’s natural for people to be scared of change, and when someone sees you striving for something greater than what they are used to, it can be intimidating. Don’t let this discourage you; instead use it as motivation to keep pushing forward and prove them wrong. Even if it means leaving those people behind, don’t give up on yourself and your goals.
Do you like riding roller coasters?
The first time I went on a roller coaster ride, I couldn’t keep my eyes open the whole time! Somehow, it seemed better not to know when las bajadas (the drops) were coming. I was afraid the WHOLE time and, of course, I screamed a lot. After the ride was over, I rode it again and again. The adrenaline of the unknown was an extraordinary experience and a way to conquer my fears.
Why are we so afraid to set goals?
Setting goals can be a great way to stay motivated and focused on achieving your desired outcome. However, there are some people who resist goal setting and find it difficult to commit to any kind of plan.
If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy the thought of goal setting, it could be due to a variety of reasons. Maybe you don’t like the idea of having expectations placed on yourself or you don’t feel like you have enough control over the outcome. It could also be that you’re afraid of failure or simply don’t know how to set effective goals. Whatever the reason may be, it’s important to understand why you’re resisting goal setting in order to overcome this obstacle and make progress towards your desired outcomes.
We all have goals that we want to achieve, but sometimes it can be hard to take the first step. We may be afraid of failure or of not having the skills or resources to reach our goals. Fear can be a powerful force that prevents us from taking action and setting goals.
Fear of failure is one of the most common reasons why people are afraid to set goals. We may worry that if we fail, it will reflect badly on us and make us look incompetent or foolish. We may also fear success, worrying that if we succeed, it will bring too much attention and responsibility. Other fears include not having enough time or resources to reach our goals, or feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work required. Whatever the reason for our fear, it can prevent us from taking action and achieving our dreams.
What are Cyber Goals?
Sometimes conquering fears can be challenging, but once you jump in, it gets easier! It can be this way with your cyber world – as you go up that first roller coaster hill, your stomach churns and you feel like you’re about to fall out. But once you settle into it, it can be a fun experience. Once you get over your cyber fears, you can relax and enjoy the ride, and allow yourself to learn new things along the way.
A cyber goal is the set of actions you can establish that can help you stay protected from hackers, scammers, and Cybermonsters and reduce the chances of becoming an identity theft or cybercrime victim. Having a resolution to stay safe online, protect your loved ones using the internet or simply wanting to enjoy your cyber life can be quite powerful.
For 2023, I like to incorporate life changes that I can sustain over the years, a life plan. I decided to update my mindset from resolutions and S.M.A.R.T. goals and integrate the Be I AM framework. Be Intentional, Aware, and Mindful to achieve my goals. I have chosen diets as my resolution and goals in the past, and they usually didn’t work and I returned back into the same patterns. The Be I AM framework is the secret step I can take to ensure my goals are successful and fulfilling while keeping my information safe online.
What does it mean to Be I AM with your Goals?
Intentional: Mixing the goals for the year with clear intentions about what you want. Clarity of the WHAT with clarity on the WHY and set reminders every day. Whether using affirmations or putting it in your calendar, or journaling.
Aware: Knowing of all the things that can happen during the execution of your goals. Tracking, measuring and continuously assessing yourself.
Mindful: Choosing to be fully present. Ask yourself if what you’re doing right now will make a difference and get you closer to your vision-dream . Is the action helping to make positive changes in your life in alignment with the goals? If that’s the case, it will be easier to stick with it and move forward or make the necessary course corrections.
You can also do the same thing with your goals and also with your cyber habits. You don’t have to make all the changes in one day. Bit by bit, you can add new habits to your cyber self-defensive approach. Who better to trust than you?
Here are 3 ways to commit to a cyber safety journey in 2023:
- Be Intentional: Put a calendar reminder to update the software on your phone, computer and electronic devices
- Be Aware: Did you email get hacked? Assess your cyber life. Create a new email for your most sensitive accounts (medical, banking, business, etc.)
- Be Mindful: Be fully present as you relate to technology. Pay attention to what’s around you before answering that unknown phone call or clicking that link. Remember, you are what you click.
These 3 things, while simple, can absolutely transform your cyber life. It will be so worth it, and I am here to take you by the hand on this journey!
Are you committing to a cyber self-defensive journey?
You may Also like to Read: – What is Data Privacy Day? | Sandra Estok | 0.833868 | ('__label__pos',) |
Threaded Rods are long rods that are fully threaded from end to end. They are similar to the threaded portion of a bolt but are much larger and do not feature a head. Also known as threaded bars, all-thread, and threaded studs, threaded rods are used to join and stabilize structures or objects, often into ceilings or walls. Threaded rods come in multiple rod sizes, grades, materials, and coatings to fit all application needs.
Since threaded rod has threading running their entire length, they can fully engage nuts or other female-threaded components, such as coupling nuts. This makes threaded rod excel at tension applications specifically.
For tension applications, a threaded rod may find frequent use alongside coupling or reducer nuts. Coupling nuts offer the ability to connect multiple threaded rods together. Reducer coupling nuts offer the ability to couple different rod sizes. Threaded rods are often used with coupling nuts in tension assemblies and anchors to stabilize or hang structures.
All-thread rod is commonly used in plumbing, construction, and maintenance applications where a system needs to be raised or stabilized. It is often used to hang piping for sprinkler systems, plumbing systems, or electrical systems where wires or piping needs to be raised and out of the way.
Available Materials, Coatings, & Lengths
Metric Threaded Rods are available in zinc plated steel or A2 stainless steel. Suppose your threaded Rods are visible to outside elements. In that case, we recommend stainless steel to avoid any corrosion. Zinc plating can also be used to prevent corrosion, though stainless steel will provide greater corrosion-resistance. Zinc plating is usually used for aesthetic purposes.
All threaded rod in this selection are available in one meter lengths.
Custom Cutting and Chamfer Options Available. Call For Details
What is threaded rod used for?
Threaded rods have various applications, effectively being used as a pin to fasten or connect two materials together. They are also used as supports to stabilize structures in some applications.
How is metric threaded rod measured?
Threaded rod is measured Diameter-Threading x Length. For example, you may find a threaded rod measuring M8-1.25 x 1 Meter. The M8 (8mm) is the rod's diameter, the 1.25 means that there is a 1.25mm distance between each thread, and the 1 meter is how long the rod is. Most metric-sized threaded rod is available in one meter lengths.
How do you join two threaded rods together?
Couplings nut are used to join two threaded rods together. If the threaded rods are different thread sizes, a reducer nut or reducing coupling nut can be used instead.
What is a threaded rod called?
Threaded rods are also known as threaded studs, all-thread, and threaded bars.
Can you cut threaded rod?
If the standard 6-foot or 3-foot lengths aren't quite what you need, you can cut the threaded rod to size. We recommend a cold-cut chop saw for a cleaner cut, but you can use an abrasive saw or hacksaw instead if you want. Just be sure to either file the cut area down or use a chamfering tool until you can fasten a nut on the end of the rod.
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One of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada is the transportation sector, which generates 24.3% of Canada’s total emissions (1). The worst GHG emitters are freight trucks, light trucks, and commuter cars (2). To meet our emissions targets under the Paris Agreements, our transportation sector must change. This can be done in several ways, including investment into large-scale public transport (such as rail systems), promotion of low- or zero-emissions vehicles, and provincial and federal legislation to limit emissions.
Investment into large scale transport systems, such as the GO system in Ontario, can help to reduce the number of passenger cars and light trucks on the road (3). This also lowers traffic congestion, increasing the efficiency of passenger cars and light trucks on the road and reducing overall GHG emissions from transportation (4). However, although this can be an effective solution for urban areas, it is challenging to provide similar systems in rural Canada. A report commissioned by Transport Canada in 2009 suggests developing easier-access public transit, designing cyclist-friendly roads, and implementing car-sharing incentives as methods to reduce automotive emissions in rural communities (5).
Electric vehicles are another solution. Advancing technology has made electric vehicles a viable option for replacing fossil-fuel powered ones (6). Currently, high cost remains a barrier for Canadians wishing to access zero- and low-emission vehicles (6), but this may be overcome through government incentive programs available for those who purchase these vehicles. For example, in May of 2019, the Government of Canada implemented a Canada-wide Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) incentive, where customers can receive a rebate when they purchase an eligible ZEV (7). Though individual provinces had originally been free to devise their own incentive programs, this is the first time a ZEV incentive strategy has been applied nationwide. As long as they are maintained, incentive strategies such as this can be an effective way to reduce emissions from the transport sector, while also reducing the total cost of vehicle ownership to Canadians (8).
Finally, transportation emissions may be regulated through the implementation of emissions standards by provincial and federal governments, such as ‘Drive Clean’ programs, which force vehicles to pass an emissions test to be deemed roadworthy. These programs can help to limit the number of inefficient vehicles on the road, thereby reducing GHG emissions, and can also prompt car manufacturers to provide more efficient vehicles to the public. The effectiveness of these programs has been demonstrated in high-polluting nations such as China, where it is shown that despite increasing vehicle population, emission control programs have led to a decline in GHG emissions since 2013 (9). In Canada, both Ontario and British Columbia have scrapped previous provincial Drive Clean programs. However, vehicle emissions are still governed under the Environmental Protection Act, which penalizes vehicles that produce excess emissions or have removed emission-regulating equipment (10). | 0.973652 | ('__label__pos',) |
what is community mapping
Some of the most common types are political, physical, ...
The economy overall grew by 37% during the 1950s. At the end of the decade, the median American family had 30% more purchasing power than at the beginning. Inflation was minimal, in part because of Eisenhower’s efforts to balance the federal budget. Unemployment remained low, about 4.5%.
How were the 1950s a period of consensus in both domestic policies and foreign affairs? The 1950s saw a relieve in the labor conflict that existed in the past two decades. The AFL and the CIO merged and formed one organization which represented “35% of all nonagricultural workers” (Foner 374).
Consumer Demand Spurs Economic Growth. Rising incomes, easy credit, and aggressive marketing helped create a culture of consumption in the 1950s. … Flush with cash, they were ready to go on a spending spree as soon as factories could convert from war production to consumer goods.
During the decade, small businesses started and grew, while major corporations were merging, thus becoming larger, more profitable, and more powerful. Companies big and small needed workers, both skilled and unskilled, to manage their assets, work their assembly lines, or sell their products to the public.
How did the workforce change in the 1950s as a result of the changing economy? White collar workers began to outnumber blue collar workers. What contributed to the rise in life expectancy during the 1950s? Advances in the use of antibiotic drugs.
How did the arrival of US businesses and factories from the 1950s – 1900s impact Puerto Rico? The US businesses helped improve life for Puerto Ricans and left multiple positive impacts on Puerto Rico. What major change hit Puerto Rico in the 1990s that would drastically hurt their economy?
By the 1950s, the flow of Puerto Ricans to the mainland United States had increased so drastically that historians dubbed the phenomenon the “Great Migration.” An estimated 470,000 people—or 21 percent of the island’s total population—left Puerto Rico for the United States between 1950 and 1960.
In what ways did the counterculture represent the fulfillment of the consumer marketplace? The counterculture extended the concept of individual choice into every realm of life. a militant gay liberation movement was born. You just studied 10 terms!
How did Los Angeles epitomize the new emphasis on the car in 1950s America? a. Filmmakers in Hollywood released hundreds of movies in the new “road picture” genre, featuring sleek cars racing down Los Angeles highways.
Why did auto manufacturers and oil companies vault to the top ranks of corporate America in 1950s? The consumer demand for the automobile boomed in this decade. … During the postwar suburban boom, African-Americans: were often unable to receive financing for housing.
How was American life different in the 1920s than in the years prior? Although Americans worked hard in an increasingly industrial world, they also enjoyed more vacations. What were the National Catholic Welfare Council and the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith lobbying for in the 1920s?
How did 1920s immigration policy reflect the concept of “race” in the United States? –Southern and eastern Europeans were granted citizenship if they could prove their “whiteness.” -American Indians were denied citizenship based on a biological definition of “inferiority in race.”
It is clear that the 50s and 60s differ from each other; the 1950s were more conservative than the 1960s; the 1960s were more turbulent and prone to protests than the 1950s. However, there were some clear exceptions to these rules in the 1950s.
In the late 1950s, the poverty rate was approximately 22%, with just shy of 40 million Americans living in poverty.
What factors contributed to the economic and population growth of the 1950s? Economic: GNP soared 250% and per capita income increased. People bought more commercial products (TV, radios) Population: Baby boom (Marriage rate lower) Culture of the time was for larger families.
During the 1950s, a sense of uniformity pervaded American society. Conformity was common, as young and old alike followed group norms rather than striking out on their own. Though men and women had been forced into new employment patterns during World War II, once the war was over, traditional roles were reaffirmed.
Describe how the automobile transformed American communities and culture in the 1950s. … The affordability and ubiquity of cars in the 1950s led to the creation of fast food chains, drive-in movie theaters and motels. With cars people could spread out and move out of cities, creating suburbs, malls, and highways.
Being superior came with economic freedom and consumption. The 1950s were a golden age where people were living better than their parents and grandparents as income was up, education was better, and there was more recreation.
What was consumerism in the 1950s? Cars and TVs Television and automobile sales skyrocketed in the 1950s. With the massive growth in suburban populations, automobiles were needed more than ever, and were within reach for many first-time buyers.
Consumerism drives economic growth. When people spend more on goods/services produced in a never-ending cycle, the economy grows. There is increased production and employment which leads to more consumption. The living standards of people are also bound to improve because of consumerism.
Jobs were plentiful, wages were higher, and because of the lack of consumer goods during the war, Americans were eager to spend. … During the same years, young couples were marrying and having children at unprecedented rates. New and expanded federal programs, including the G.I.
U.S. Retail and Restaurant Companies Founded in the 1950s | 0.962164 | ('__label__pos',) |
Cossack (refers to groups of social and military formations, initially of Slavic origin, which settled permanently in the steppes of what is now southern Russia and Ukraine, providing military services to the neighboring rulers of Rostov-on-Don, Kuban, the Caucasus and Ukraine, approximately in the 10th century. The Cossacks were known for their military prowess and self-confidence. The name derives from the Slavic language Kasak “nomad”, “free man”, the term is first mentioned in a Ruthenian document dating from 1395.
In socio-political terms, from the 15th century to the present day, the Cossack community is organized in an administrative structure that could be considered a primitive federal democracy, something novel but unacceptable in the whole of Eastern Europe and Asia in medieval times.
Cossack is the common name shared independently by several population groups and military units in the course of the history of Eastern Europe and adjacent territories. The main and most numerous group is the Russian Cossacks (казаки) of the Don, Kuban, Terek and Ural rivers and the Ukrainian Cossacks (козаки), respectively. Somewhat less well known are the Polish Cossacks (Kozacy) and the Tatar Cossacks (Nağaybäklär). The name “Cossack” should not be confused with Kazakhs (native to Kazakhstan, a country in Central Asia). In the native language of Kazakhstan, Kazakhs are called Kazakhs: Kazakh.
In Russia, the native Cossacks have for centuries and until now taken care to jealously preserve the very pronunciation and spelling of the name of their nationality and origin. According to the ancient Cossack tradition, the word “Kazak” should be written and read equally, both from left to right in Cyrillic Slavic transcription, and from right to left in transcription of Turkic languages. Russian Cossacks took an important part in the colonization of Siberia. In the middle of the 17th century, Russian Cossacks reached the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Ukrainian Cossacks formed the Zaporozhia Cossack State in 1649. They are considered the progenitors of the modern Ukrainian nation and Ukrainian nationalist discourse appeals, to a large extent, to the Cossacks.
In 1670, the Don Cossack Stenka Razin proclaimed the Cossack Republic in the city of Astrakhan, on the banks of the Volga River, near its mouth in the Caspian Sea. To the previous decree of abolition of slavery he added the principle of equality and the end of privileges in territories of this Cossack Republic. The Don Cossacks formed the Don Cossack State in Russia. During the period of the Russian Empire, the Don Cossacks were joined by numerous Russian serfs fleeing from their masters. In addition, the Don and Kuban Cossacks were two of the main resistance forces against the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War. At the same time and after the collapse of the Russian Empire (in May 1918), Don Cossacks led by their ataman, Pyotr Krasnov, again attempted to form an independent Cossack republic in union with the Kuban Cossacks. The republic included ten provinces, with the capital in the city of Novocherkassk, with the administrative-political scheme of an independent federal state.
The Cossack traditions, culture and the Cossack community itself were mostly exposed to extermination in the Soviet era, especially between 1922 and 1945, and are currently in a process of revival. The vast majority of the Cossack community is concentrated in the Volgograd and Rostov regions, 108,140 of the total. Another 21,444 Cossacks are residents of Krasnodar Krai and the Stavropol region. 3 223 Cossacks are spread between the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia and the Republic of North Ossetia. The rest of the Cossack community is scattered throughout the Russian Federation from the Baltic Sea to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Regardless of the above and according to various statistics, about 10 million people in Russia, Ukraine and abroad consider themselves to be Cossacks by origin or direct descendants of Cossacks.
The Cossacks were formerly nomadic or semi-nomadic; ethnically they are Slavs and currently reside mainly in the territories of Russia and Ukraine. Some communities are found in the territory of Kazakhstan (Ural and Semirechinskie Cossacks). They used to live mainly in the steppes, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and also in the Caucasus Mountains. Under the patronage of the Russian Empire, the Cossack people actively participated in the colonization of Siberia, conquering vast territories from the Ural Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, the Altai Mountains in Siberia, the steppes of Central Asia and also settling on the shores of the Ussuri River.
The main centers of the Cossack population are located in the regions of the Don, Kuban and Dnieper rivers, and are called Don and Kuban Cossacks, respectively. There are currently eleven traditional Cossack communities in the territories of the former Russian Empire and former Soviet Union. Most of them are concentrated in the territories of the current Russian Federation. The Cossacks originating from these regions are called Don Cossacks. Each of these regions has a local Cossack administrative authority. In addition there are Cossack organizations in Moscow and St. Petersburg with representations of their specific region:
The last census carried out before 1917 indicated that the Cossack population in Russia numbered more than 4 million people of both sexes, distributed mainly in the border regions of southern Russia. From 1920 onwards, the systematic persecution, reprisals and mass executions of the Cossack people began, unleashed by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union – more than two thirds of the Cossack population were exterminated in the first ten years of Soviet rule alone.
A large number of Cossacks were forced to emigrate and are now residents of other countries, such as France, Germany, Belgium, the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Chile and many others. Many of these emigrants maintain close ties with Cossack communities in Russia. Some, as in the case of the Cossacks living in New Jersey, USA, maintain national Cossack museums and libraries, aimed at preserving the cultural, traditional and historical heritage of their people.
According to the official census of the Russian Federation in 2002, for the first time after the 1897 census, more than 140,000 people of both sexes (0.1% of the total population) in Russia openly indicated and officially declared their nationality as “Cossack”, residents and citizens of Russia.
The last to leave the Golden Horde khans were the Horde (Ordinskie), Nagay (Nagayskie) and Astrakhan (Astrakhan) Cossacks – those who joined the Don Cossacks only in the second half of the 16th century. From then on, the life of the Cossacks was linked to the fate of the Grand Principalities of Moscow and Litva (Lithuania). In conditions of permanent threat from the Turks and Tatar-Mongols, they were forced to serve under the orders of two dynasties: the Rurik in Moscow and the Gediminovich (Гедиминович- rus.) in Litva (Lithuania). As a protest against this domination and forced alliance later came the birth and formation of two “Cossack republics” on the Don River and the Lower Dnieper River, after which began the revival and strengthening of Cossack independence, the formation of major centers of unification of the Cossack people.
However, not all Cossacks chose to return to the environment of their native land. Many of them, accustomed in the hundred years of life in territories of Moskovia (Russia), Litva (Lithuania) and Poland, stayed. Traditionally loyal to their allies and authority they become faithful defenders of the interests of the kniaz (princes), tsars and kings of the time, and in return they accept from the monarchs abundant royalties and privileges, land grants, titles of nobility, forming mixed families with Russians, Lithuanians, Poles, and gradually diluted in their environment forming their natural part. Children and grandchildren of Cossack emigrants also stayed in the Far North. Once accustomed to the harsh local climate, they moved in small groups to the East across mountain ranges and rivers, crossing extensive forest areas. They managed to dominate and conquer the local tribes, expanding the power of the Russian monarchs throughout Siberia. For a while they still remembered their ties with the Don Cossacks, called themselves “sons of the peaceful Don” (Deti Tikhogo Dona) and started the formation of the new Host’s or Voisko (civilian and absolutely autonomous – in peacetime), with new names: Terek Cossacks (North Caucasus), Siberian Cossacks or Transbaikal Cossacks.
United by their origins, they now found themselves divided by great distances and vast territories, as each formation continued its life on its own particular path. At the next stage of history, in the XVI-XVII centuries, most of the Cossacks belonged to the Zaporozhie and Don groups, the same ones who decided to return to their homeland: Kasak Land, on the plains of the Azov Sea coasts, and called themselves in the XVIII century as Chernomorskie Kazaki (Black Sea Cossacks), ancestors of the Kuban Cossacks.
The ancient history of the Cossack people has been reconstructed schematically for the time being, therefore, sometimes intentionally, for nationalistic, political or ideological reasons, some historians present it in a wrong way.
It is known that in ancient times there was a very well organized Cossack community of Zaporozhia, on the Dnieper River in the south of what is now Ukraine, which in turn was called Malorossia (“Little Russia”) at the time of the splendor of the Russian Empire. In the late Middle Ages, Cossack populations came under the crossfire of Poland, Lithuania and Russia, the three great powers in the area. The Muscovite Russians and Cossacks always lived in a tense relationship, with the latter launching raids on the villages and fields of the former, after which the latter would send punitive expeditions. In 1539 Grand Duke Basil III of Russia asked the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire to control the Cossacks, to which the Sultan replied: “The Cossacks do not swear allegiance to me and live as they please themselves”. Similarly 10 years later, in the year 1549, Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible responded to a request from the Turkish Sultan to curb the aggressive actions of the Don Cossacks with the following: “The Don Cossacks are none of my business and go to war or live in peace without my knowledge”. Similar messages circulated between Russia, the Ottoman Empire and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, each of which sought to exploit Cossack bellicosity for its own interests. Finally, under the aegis of Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible), an agreement was reached that allowed for the establishment of a special status for the Cossack community of the Don River (around 1570). These statutes guaranteed the autonomous administration of the Cossack communities, their tax-free commercial activities, land grants, titles of nobility for Cossack leaders – all this and more in exchange for permanent military service, ensuring internal and external defense and security, guarding Russia’s borders from enemy invasions.
Traditionally each Cossack was equipped with armament, ammunition, uniform, means of transport (horse), purchased entirely by each fighter individually or paid for by the community and his family. This was one of the deals with the Russian government regarding the Cossack obligation to the state in exchange for the privileges granted to their community. As time went by, the Cossack people would play a very important role in the Russian conquest of Siberia, settling new voiskos and stanitsas (Cossack settlements) throughout the length and breadth of the Asian continent.
In 1613, despite the opposition of some Russian leaders and princes, the Don Cossacks openly and vigorously demonstrated in support of the representative of the Romanov family to rule Russia – the young Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov. In 1634, during the reign of this first Tsar of Russia, the claims of the Polish King Vladislav IV Vasa to the throne of Russia were put to an end. Since then the explicit and unconditional Cossack support serves as the basis for the power of the Romanov Dynasty at the head of the Russian Empire.
At the same time, Poland encouraged the Dnieper Cossacks to ally with the Ukrainians in order to establish a strongly anti-Russian principality. To this end, in early 1646 a secret meeting was held between the ataman of the Cossack community of the Dnieper River, Bohdan Khmelnytsky, and the Polish king Vladislav IV Vasa.
The negotiations did not lead to the expected result for the Cossacks and by 1648 they took up arms together with the Ukrainians against the growing ambition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to expand its dominion over the region. This resulted in the six-year War of Liberation between 1648 and 1654, in which the local Slavic peoples, Ukrainians and Russians, led by the Cossacks, rose up against the Poles. In February 1649 the Polish authorities again attempted to negotiate peace, offering a degree of autonomy to the Cossack communities in exchange for maintaining Polish authority over the region, but without considering the interests of the other local peoples, especially the Ukrainians. The negotiations were frustrated and a few months later, in the same year, Bohdán Jmelnytsky formalized diplomatic relations with Russia, thus getting the Don Cossacks loyal to the Russian monarchy to unite in support of the Cossack community of the Dnieper, led by Jmelnytsky. Between 1649 and 1651 fighting continued between the Poles and the unified Ukrainian and Cossack forces, with intermittent successes on both sides.
In the autumn of 1653, the Polish army under the command of John II Casimir Vasa launched a desperate offensive to regain and consolidate its authority over the region. On October 1, 1653, as a result of agreements and meetings with Bohdan Khmelnytsky, the Russian authorities authorized his support and formalized Russia’s participation in the War of Liberation. At the beginning of 1654, Russian Tsar Alexy I of Russia officially declared war on Poland, which ended in 1667. In the end, the fate of the first “polonized” Ukrainian state would be divided between the Russian Empire and Poland in 1667 according to the Treaty of Andrusovo. Along with this, the original historical ties between the Dnieper and Don Cossacks were restored and strengthened.
In 1670 another charismatic character of Cossack history, Stenka Razin, proclaimed the Cossack Republic in the city of Astrakhan, southern Russia, which lasted until 1671. Throughout history there were other attempts by the Cossack community to create an independent Cossack state. All of them were brutally repressed by the Russian, Ukrainian and Polish authorities at different times by military force or by creating political, religious and ideological divisions within the Cossack community itself. With the passage of time, and in particular during the great Russian campaigns of the 19th century (for example, the campaign against Napoleon Bonaparte, in which Matvéi Plátov, one of the greatest atamans, stood out), the Cossacks would end up being a powerful arm of the army of the House of Romanov (in a way, special forces of the time, where all the members of the army belong to the same ethnic community, similar to the situation of the Gurkhas of Nepal in the army of the United Kingdom).
By 1914 there were 11 Cossack administrative communities, most of them (with the exception of the Don and Kuban Cossacks) located in different border areas of the Russian Empire (with Turkey or China, for example). This association between the Cossacks and the Romanov dynasty meant the fall from grace of the former after the Russian Revolution and during the Russian Civil War, as the Bolsheviks did not accept the special status the Cossacks had had in the Russian Empire. All Cossacks swore to the flag of the Russian Empire and absolute loyalty to the Tsar. Since after the revolts of 1917, Tsar Nicholas himself refused the crown and the throne of the monarchy and the Empire itself began to crumble, the Cossacks no longer felt obliged to follow the internal interests of the Russians. The numerous political parties of the time were striving to come to power and dominate what was left of the Empire.
After the February Revolution, the first Cossack National Congress was held in the city of Petrograd on April 4, 1917, which brought together representatives of the eleven Cossack communities of Russia and one of the first decrees issued by it was the expulsion from their regiments of all military personnel who were not of Cossack origin.
Considering all the above and under the leadership of Pyotr Krasnov, the Don Cossack ataman, the Cossack community tried again to create an independent Cossack republic – the union of Don and Kuban Cossacks. On May 17, 1918 the Cossack Republic was proclaimed, with statutes, constitution, parliament and political-administrative system of a federal state. Ataman Pyotr N. Krasnov was elected the first president of the Cossack Republic (1918-1919). The republic included 10 provinces with the capital in the city of Novocherkassk. The official flag was composed of three colors, symbolically representing the three main nations of this Cossack Republic: Cossacks – blue; Tatars and Kalmyks – yellow; Russians – red.
Finally the republic was abolished (1921), as the Russian commanders of the White Army, composed mainly of Mensheviks and Russian monarchists, opposed the Cossack independence movement. During the Russian Civil War the relations between the Russian “volunteers” (of the monarchist White Volunteer Army) and the Cossacks were difficult. Dissensions between the monarchist Russian “Mensheviks” and the nationalist Cossacks (the latter being supporters of the Romanov monarchy) damaged the relations. On the other hand, the Cossacks were also fought by the “Bolsheviks” and the Red Army, since they had traditionally been allies of the repressive forces of the Empire.
Moreover, the Cossacks themselves were not united among themselves, and had different views regarding their national identity, traditions and culture. During the civil war there were Cossack factions fighting on opposite sides, even periodically switching from one side to the other.
The Soviet Era: 1922-1990
When the Soviet state was established, the tradition and culture of the Cossack people were promoted. However, later there were Cossacks fighting on both sides of the German-Soviet conflict – as members of the German and Soviet troops. Some Cossack emigrants decided to revolt against Stalin in an attempt to obtain a definitive Cossack independence. For their part, the Germans and Italians even promised them to create a Cossack state in Carnia, in northern Italy, safe from Stalinist persecution. The Cossacks who fought in the Red Army prioritized above all the integrity of the Soviet Union, as the natural “heir” of the Russian Empire.
Once the war was over, and complying with the terms previously agreed upon at the Yalta Conference, Great Britain and the United States decided to wash their hands of the war and let Stalin deal with the Cossacks as he saw fit, deporting every Cossack they could find in Europe back to the Soviet Union. Among the tens of thousands of refugees from occupied Eastern Europe were mixed Nazi collaborationists, anti-communists, military men and ordinary civilians without any ideological or political background, both exiles from the Soviet Union and emigrants from the Russian Civil War era. In the group, there were also approximately 50,000 Cossacks, including women, elderly and children from the defunct Russian Empire who were never citizens of the Soviet Union. In fact, many were born in the post-Civil War 1920s-1930s, already emigrated to Serbia or Western Europe. All were rounded up in Austria and forcibly repatriated in Operation Keelhaul. Most were directed to the Soviet zone in Germany. Many of the Cossack refugees, both military and civilian, were summarily executed (as revenge for being old enemies of the Russian Civil War, and for their later collaboration with the Nazis during World War II), sometimes shot in full view of the British. Others were sent to Siberia or Central Asia and condemned to forced labor in Soviet concentration camps.
The fate of the Cossacks who fought against the Nazis in the ranks of the Red Army was also predetermined. Free of the need to use them as troops, Stalin decided to integrate them into the Red Army. Many Cossacks, military and civilian, men, women and children, survivors of the Russian Civil War and World War II, ended their days in the gulag, as prisoners in forced labor camps in regions of Siberia, Central Asia and the Russian Far East.
The late 1980s marked the history of Russia with significant changes in the social and political system, the emergence of new organizations and the revival of old socio-political institutions and traditional communities, lost or repressed in Soviet times. Among these were the Cossacks. According to 1992 statistics, about 10,000,000 men and women citizens of Russia, Ukraine and other countries of the world self-identify and consider themselves as Cossacks originating from or descended from Cossacks. Many of them are grouped in organizations of popular, cultural or folkloric type, some of which even enjoy official recognition by the authorities, supported by decrees and laws that authorize with certain limitations and statutes the traditional Cossack organization and structure.
72 years after the Russian Revolution, on November 14, 1989 the Supreme Soviet of the former USSR issued a declaration “On the recognition of the illegality and criminality of repressive acts against the peoples, victims of forced displacement and the need to guarantee their rights”. The above-mentioned decree affirmed the right of the Cossack community to rehabilitation. In this way bodies of the legislative and executive power of the Russian Federation recognized the Cossack community as a people who had suffered massive, systematic and organized terror on the part of the Soviet authorities of that time.
Irrespective of the granted statuses, the Cossacks scattered in all regions of Russia are part of a large socio-cultural community, mostly polyconfessional, the members of which are self-determined and self-identify themselves as Cossacks of origin. On June 30, 1990, the first Bolshoi Krug (Grand Circle – traditional Cossack parliamentary conference) was held in Moscow. This resulted in the formation of the Cossack Union, which initially brought together 29 Cossack organizations. In October 1991, Cossack leaders formed the Cossack Union of Southern Russia.
On July 17-18, 1993, the Unified Supreme Krug (Congress) of the Cossack communities of Russia and abroad was held in Moscow. At this, the city of Novocherkassk was unanimously proclaimed as the capital of all Cossack communities of Russia and the rest of the world.
On June 15, 1992, the President of the Russian Federation issues the Decree “On measures for implementation of the Law of the Russian Federation in connection with the rehabilitation of the Cossack ethnic community”, ordering textually “to impose judgment on the state policy of the Communist Party of the time of carrying out repressions, arbitrariness and illegalities against the Cossack community and its representatives, with the aim of rehabilitating this historical ethnic community”. On July 16, 1992, the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation issued Decree No. 3321-1, legally putting an end to all repressive, criminal and illegal actions suffered by the Cossack community since 1918.
In January 1995, the General Directorate for Cossack Communities was created as part of the Presidential Cabinet. On August 9, 1995, Decree No. 835 of the President of the Russian Federation declares “Temporary Rules on the state registration of Cossack communities in the Russian Federation”. In 1998 the General Directorate of Cossack Communities was transformed into the Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation on Cossack Community Affairs.
By 1999 the initial support shown by the Russian State to the Cossack organizations decreased significantly. This was mainly due to the markedly separatist and nationalist ideas expressed by some of the Cossack representatives and leaders, with the primary objective of gaining autonomy, sovereignty and formal political recognition of the “Kazakh Republic” in territories populated in a compact way mostly by Cossacks of origin, the North Caucasus, the region of the lower and middle Volga River, the Ural River (including the city of Chelyabinsk) and the north-western regions of the Aral Sea. Undoubtedly, if realized, it would cause an instant conflict with other peoples residing in these territories, including outside Russia, as in the case of Kazakhstan. Logically, these ideas are considered by the government to be separatist and unconstitutional in today’s Russian Federation.
On February 25, 2003, Decree No. 249 of the President of Russia orders the appointment of General-Colonel Gennadiy Tróshev to the post of Advisor to the President on Cossack communities’ affairs.
The movement for the revival of Cossack culture and traditions passed a complex path from the few and small informal groups of the 1980s composed of enthusiasts of Cossack origin, to centralized para-military systems (“reiestr” in Russian, a type of registration) of Cossack organizations registered by the state in the 1990s. Under the latter concept, there are currently 10 officially para-military organizations (“reiéstrovie kazaki”: registered Cossacks) in Russia in the Volga, Don, Yenisei, Transbaikal, Irkutsk, Kuban, Orenburg, Central Siberia, Terek and Ussuri regions. In addition – there are 16 other Cossack organizations with special status of the same type. In total, these organizations comprise 660,000 Cossacks “registered” (officially registered) by the state.
However, the majority of Cossack organizations are rather socio-cultural in nature. According to 2000 statistics, there are currently more than 680 traditional Cossack socio-cultural communities in the Russian Federation.
In 2002, there was an attempt to politicize the Cossack nationalist movement with the formation of the political party Partia Kazaki Rosii, PKR (PCR, “Cossack Party of Russia”), which in the end was unsuccessful.
On October 11, 2008, in the city of Novocherkassk (Russia), the III World Cossack Congress was held. For the first time this event was sponsored by the Government of the Russian Federation. More than 500 representatives of Cossack communities from Russia and other countries of the world gathered to discuss various aspects of current economic, political, cultural and informational issues, as well as norms and rights in connection with activities of Cossack communities in Russia and abroad. The Congress adopted a resolution on the creation and development of the Cossack community’s own media – Internet resources, print media and TV channel.
In 2008 the production studio “Massalskiy Multi Merdia” started to develop the realization of the social-educational project “Kazak-TV” (www.cossack.tv) . The aim of this project is the creation of a unified information-cultural space of the Cossack community of Russia, preservation and dissemination of Cossack culture and traditions, as well as education and training of the young generation of the Cossack community. In interview of the head (S) of the President’s Administration, head of the Council of the President of Russian Federation on the affairs of Cossack Communities, Mr. Alexander Beglov indicated to “RIA Novosti” (“РИА Новости”) that by the beginning of 2010 and “according to expert assessments, about 7 million people in Russia are officially considered to belong to the Cossack community.”
Russian Cossacks founded numerous settlements (called stanitsa) and fortresses along the “problematic borders” such as the forts of Vernyi (Almaty, Kazakhstan) in southern Central Asia, Grozny in the North Caucasus, Aleksandrovsk Fort (Fort Shevchenko, Kazakhstan), Krasnovodsk (Turkmenistan), Novonikolayevskaya stanitsa (Bautino, Kazakhstan), Blagoveshensk and cities and settlements on major rivers, such as the Ural, Ishim, Irtysh, Ob, Yenisei, Lena, Amur, Anadyr (Chukotka) and Ussury rivers.
Cossacks are sometimes regarded as xenophobes, especially by contemporary Jewish historians, who accuse the Ukrainian Cossacks of Zaporizhia of the massacre of Jews during the Khmelnytsky Rebellion and of participating in anti-Jewish pogroms in the 16th-17th centuries.
As time passed, the Cossacks easily adapted to the cultures and customs of nearby peoples (particularly the Terek Cossacks, who were greatly influenced by the culture of the North Caucasian tribes). They frequently married local residents (other settlers and non-Cossack natives) regardless of their race or origin and sometimes setting aside religious restrictions. Wives brought from distant lands after a war were also not uncommon in Cossack families.
Each Cossack settlement, alone or in conjunction with neighboring settlements, formed military units and regiments of light cavalry (or mounted infantry) ready to respond to a threat at short notice.
The myth about the original composition and organization of the Cossack community, which points to the mass admission into its ranks of fugitives from the law, slaves and indebted peasants has no sense or serious basis. The version about the subversive and bandit character of the Cossack society was fed mainly by contemporary Russian historians of the Soviet period , with clearly specific objectives – to prejudicially compromise the origin and existence of an entire ethnic community as such .
The traditional cooperation and alliance of the Cossacks with great lieutenants and various foreign authorities could not have taken place in case the Cossack society was composed entirely of criminals and runaway slaves from their owners, landowners and foreign warlords. The hypothesis about escaped slaves, who first took refuge in the steppes and later, by creating a powerful armed organization, again obeyed the orders of their former oppressors, sounds at least like an absurdity . However, throughout their history the Cossacks gladly cooperated with the aristocracies, large landowners and landlords of the time.
Only this factor alone eliminates the version about the escaped peasants who called themselves “Cossacks”. The original Cossacks of that time did not know about social antagonisms. Therefore, the Cossack leaders easily and independently established relations and agreements of all kinds with their peers from other nations and peoples, with neighboring respectable foreign authorities – Tatar, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, etc. These relations had also other purely strategic purposes for the benefit of the Cossack community. The participation and alliance of the magnates and various authorities made it possible to see the Cossack military excursions and expeditions as objectives with the characteristics of the needs of a state and the needs of a nation.
The Cossack community was more or less autonomous; it could consist of a village (stanitsa in the singular, stanitsi in the plural) or a fortified camp (gorodki). Initially, the Cossacks had an enormous degree of autonomy, but over time their association with the Russian Empire led to their authorities (the Ataman) being directly elected by the tsar, albeit with certain restrictions.
The Cossack people are governed by rules that severely punish the crimes of theft, murder, treason and many others, especially when they were committed against a representative or interests of their community. The sanction applied to a person who gets drunk in public, or mistreats a woman is an unspecified number of lashes in the maidan (square), with the nagaika, a traditional Cossack whip which is also considered a weapon (the Cossacks from a very early age learned to handle it as part of their martial arts training). Sanctions spare no one, and a Cossack regardless of status and economic level can be sentenced to death for stealing community funds or for treason. The common sanction is to be whipped in a public place in front of the entire local community. It is characteristic that after receiving the punishment the offender bows and thanks the elders aloud for the “lesson”.
Those in charge of dictating the rules and ordering the sanctions were the local judges, the most respected men, elected (or re-elected) together with the rest of the administration (including the ataman: the highest authority of the local Cossack community) by the whole community in a democratic way once a year, an internal Cossack tradition that has been in force since approximately the 10th century and up to now. The judge had the power to punish all members of the community, women and men, without exception, including the ataman. The ataman or hetman (head of a region or a community, democratically elected by all once a year, older than 18 years, respected and recognized by the whole community) enjoys great prestige throughout his area and is the supreme military commander in times of war, while in times of peace he is the administrator and head of the local authority. Starting in 1891, Cossack communities officially raised the age limit for election to the office of ataman to at least 33 years of age. To be elected as a judge (“sudiá” in Russian) of the community, the applicant had to be at least 45 years old, in addition to other respective attributes and characteristics. Absolutely all Cossack military and civic administrative and military positions went through an internal community election process. Among other positions – general accountant (secretary (“písar”) – in charge of keeping control of internal and external documentation of the community, etc. In the Krugs (popular assemblies), normally annual, important decisions are taken, including the elections (or reelections) of the authorities. In its structure there are no great social differences and everyone fights and works for the group, for their village. Residents or neighbors of Cossack settlements, not belonging to the Cossack community (“inogorodnie”, read foreigners) could also participate in Cossack people’s assemblies (“krug”), as long as they deal with the issues involving their interests, however only with the right to speak – not to vote. The right to vote in Cossack communities was reserved exclusively for native Cossacks.
The three ideals that govern Cossack society are: freedom, tradition and discipline. Children are enrolled in military academies from a young age, and the military sentiment within their customs is very strong. While it is true that military training was primary, at the same time each member of the community has absolute freedom to choose a civilian profession or trade according to his personal interest and ability, to study and train in fields that are not necessarily warlike.
Internal solidarity is also very present. As an example: in ancient times, in the Cossack community of Zaporiyia (ancestors of the Kuban Cossacks, displaced by the Russian authorities to the shores of the Kuban River and the Black Sea), the young men who are the sole breadwinners of their family, and are the only descendants – family men, were given an earring in their ear, which for a commander meant that they were exempted from dangerous missions. In any case, this did not prevent the participation of these young men in combat or high-risk missions, in which case the decision to participate was voluntary.
Women have a passive role in society, but in the past they came to fight alongside men. They usually had to raise the children, tend the fields and businesses and take care of the property, while their husbands remained away on military campaigns. But sometimes entire Cossack families and communities, including children, women and the elderly, followed behind their troops with all their belongings (during the civil war and afterwards, when Cossack troops were part of the German Army in its fight against the Red Army). Historian John Ure explains this fascination that Cossack women could exert: “Women in a Cossack stanitsa were very different from their counterparts in northern Russia, explains Ure, and radically opposed to women who might be found in a Turkish harem further south. Cossack women were famous for their independence and spirit; they participated in the same jobs as the men and also shared the camaraderie in the camp.” In any case, Cossack women, particularly older ones, always enjoy great respect in the Cossack community. While it is true that important community decisions are always made by men, Cossack women enjoy freedoms and equal treatment and a lot of respect, even since the 15th century, unimaginable in the society of that time in other nations.
When founding a stanitsa (Cossack settlement), first a church and a school (mixed – for men and women) were erected and only after that the rest of the buildings were erected – hospitals, private houses, barns, agrarian and administrative structures…. The level of education in Cossack stanitsas was very high for that time, even in our times. In 1850, in Russia the percentage of illiteracy reached 85%. At the same time in Cossack communities this rate did not reach 5%. All this cultural development was sponsored and financed solely by their own means. The cost of education was always borne by the local Cossack community concerned about its future and creation of its own Cossack intellectual class, allocating large sums of money from common funds.
All these stanitsa sent their youth for long service in regiment and each of them was equipped by his parents with his own horse, saddle, uniform (in traditional Cossack style), weapons and ammunition. Therefore, each family gave to the military service not only its strongest, healthiest and most valuable representatives – but also sponsored by contributing significant sums of money for the equipment of their sons – young Cossack fighters. In spite of everything, these were hard-working, hard-working people, with heart and intelligence, who tried to get the maximum profit from their lands rich in natural resources; their stanitsas were conspicuous for their economic and cultural achievements.
During the civil war and later, in Soviet times, the Cossack administrative, educational and military system was doomed to disappear. For a long time membership in the Cossack community or the very word “Cossack” would mean repression, harassment, forced displacement, punishment or simply capital punishment – death. One of the main reasons for the policies and practices of open genocide against the Cossack community, implemented by the Bolshevik and Communist and Socialist Party authorities of the time, can be seen in the comments of Leon Trotsky: “The Cossack community is the only community of all the peoples of Russia with the capacity for self-organization and self-determination. For this reason they (the Cossacks) must be exterminated head by head (sic – “completely”).”
Such remarks of the Bolshevik leaders on the “application of terror” (textual) were made official on January 24, 1919 by the VTsIK (ВЦИК – in Russian) directive with decree and Law (!) “On Extermination of the Cossacks” (!) – a case which was unprecedented until that time in the history of Russia, where a whole entire ethnic group was declared and condemned to extermination legally and by decree. There are written decrees, signed by communist leaders of the Soviet era literally ordering “to impose terror and physical extermination (verbatim) on the Cossack communities, without age and sex discrimination… and the total expropriation of their property for the benefit of the Soviet people” (verbatim)…. (Archive Source: Izvestia, Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (K.P.S.S.S.), year 1989 , N°6, pages 177-178 – Directive of the Central Committee of the R.K.P. (Russian Communist Party), Signed: Chairman of the Organizational Bureau – Yakov Sverdlov, January 24, 1919).
January 24 is declared by the Cossack community in Russia as the Cossack Remembrance Day – in memory and in honor of the Cossack people, victims of political repression and open genocide, officially initiated with the signing of the decree on January 24, 1919 by Yakov Sverdlov, one of the top leaders of the Russian Communist Party of that time. The systematic repression and extermination of the Cossack people lasted for more than a decade; from 1919 to 1931 inclusive, causing the death of more than two thirds of the total Cossack population. 70 years later, in 1991, the Law of the Russian Federation “On the rehabilitation of the repressed peoples” was adopted. With the adoption of the Law, the Cossack community residing in Russia was recognized as a people who have suffered terror and repressions in the period of Soviet power and subsequently rehabilitated by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation with Decree No. 3321-1 of July 16, 1992, “On rehabilitation of the Cossack people”. In this decree, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation declares as an objective “the complete rehabilitation of the Cossack people and the creation of the necessary conditions for their rebirth” and decrees illegal and decides to suspend “all actions committed against the Cossack people since 1918 specifically related to repressions against them”.
Today some Cossack communities are demanding the return of traditional possessions and self-administration in order to establish their laws and customs in the territories traditionally populated by Cossacks. Today, however, the Cossacks are treated with respect and feel part of the civil society of the Russian Federation – a multicultural state, made up of more than 100 different nationalities living together on the same territory under the same Constitution and laws. The same situation is observed in Ukraine, where Cossacks, as in Russia, are an inseparable part of the country’s history.
Militarily, the Cossacks were divided into armies or hosts (voisko in singular, voiska in plural). These were divided into regiments, which in turn were made up of squadrons (sotnias, a word meaning centuries). Each voisko was in charge of an ataman, the highest military authority (the official confirmation in this position came directly from the tsar, but the person appointed to the post had to be a Cossack by origin.
The responsiveness of the Cossacks to a war threat was extraordinary for the time. As an example – for a mass mobilization of a regular army of the time it took at least 2-3 months – including basic training and relocation. However, the Cossack organizational structure in the event of a conflict made it possible to triple the number of mobilized fighters of all highly trained Cossack troops without any prior preparation and deploy them in one to two weeks. At the outbreak of the First World War, in a very short time only the Kuban Cossacks delivered to the Russian Army a maximum number of regiments and battalions: 4 guard platoons, 37 cavalry regiments, 22 infantry battalions (“plastun” Cossacks), 38 special platoons (special troops), 9 mounted artillery commanders and 11 reserve platoons.
They primarily supplied cavalry to the Tsar’s army, although in time they also provided infantry contingents, and even artillery batteries and aviators. In fact, the first Commander of the Russian Air Force was the fighter pilot General Vyacheslav Tkachov, a Cossack native of Kuban.
In ambushes, high-risk missions and special operations the Cossack troops were unbeatable. The guerrilla tactics developed and perfected by the Cossacks to engage and defeat their enemies are widely used even today by special forces around the world. However, Western military observers had mixed opinions about their effectiveness in warfare, mainly because of their “unconventional” discipline. In any case, the importance of the Cossacks in the Tsarist army was such that they provided about two thirds of the cavalry regiments in 1914, including the Konvoi or personal escort of the Tsar which was composed entirely of Cossack members from the Kuban and the Terek. The Imperial Guard, on its part (the elite corps of the Tsarist army), received contributions from the Don Cossack voisko.
“(…) With their Cossack fur caps, long mustaches and knee-high boots gave them a very special and colorful touch… (…) …they traditionally rode with all their belongings loaded on wagons and carts, with their wives and children, accompanied by thousands of horses… (…) This was the picture revived from the times of the war of 1812. The Cossacks are well known to be remarkable horsemen par excellence, and during the whole route they confirmed this reputation. The cavalry squadrons galloped backwards and forwards on all roads, hindering the movement no less than the wagons and carts. It was absolutely useless to order them to do anything: very few of them understood German or English, and those who did understand something in another language, in no way showed the slightest interest in obeying the orders of the English or of anyone who was not their Cossack commander. With all that chaos we could only marvel at how they in an extremely quick and orderly manner responded to the order to assemble at the planned points of concentration – already in the morning of the next day they were all at the assigned places. Absolutely all of them – men, women, children, their baggage, their thousands of horses, the carts and wagons, the cows and oxen, even the camels!”
Perhaps one of the greatest military feats of the Cossacks was the service rendered to the Army of the Russian Empire during the Napoleonic invasion at the beginning of the 19th century. Like the French, the Prussian theorist of war, von Clausewitz, would have been astonished by the way in which the Cossacks threw themselves with the greatest ferocity on the rear of the troops of Paris that were retreating in disorder and in the middle of winter from Russia. The Russian troops reached the French capital, together with the Cossacks, and one of them, the ataman Matvéi Plátov, would become famous among the English and would parade with his Cossack troops in Hyde Park. In London, as before in Paris, the legendary Cossacks had become one of the great attractions for the public attending the victory parades against Napoleon.
It became legendary the anecdote that Napoleon once said, although he thought of them that they were little less than savages: “give me 20 thousand Cossacks, and I will conquer all Europe and even the whole world”. The answer of the Cossacks of the Don is no less legendary, through the mouth of their atamans (chiefs), and it would have been this: “send 20 thousand French, and in 20 years you will have 20 thousand Cossacks. But all of them will serve Russia”.
In most historical sources, data abound and the traditional Cossack equestrian prowess and proficiency – particularly in the Cossack cavalry troops – are commonly known. Much less known is the existence between the 15th and 17th century of the Cossack “Armada”, a kind of irregular navy with its own mobilization capacity, deployment and naval tactics, both in the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, as well as in the local rivers that flow into both seas.
Historical sources indicate that the Cossacks of the Dnieper and Don have been setting out to sea annually, often several times a year, since about the end of the 15th century. The first official victory of the Cossack fleet dates back to 1492, off the coast of the Crimean peninsula, in the port of Tighina (now Bender). In that year the Crimean Khanate complained to the Turkish authorities that the Cossacks attacked, plundered and burned a Turkish ship.
The Cossack fleet of the Black and Caspian Seas consisted mainly of small, short vessels called “Chaika” (Russian for “seagull”). They were usually 10-20 meters long and 2-3 meters wide, had no keel and no deck, and had the capacity to accommodate up to 50 crew and 10-20 passengers. They were fast moving by means of 10-15 pairs of oars. There were also Cossack ships of medium length and of great resistance called “Koch”; they were mainly used by the Siberian Cossacks in their excursions in the Arctic Ocean. These had only one mast, one deck and two rudders (one at the stern and one at the bow).
The main purpose of these sorties was to attack commercial vessels and surprise attacks on the cities and towns of the Ottoman Empire in coastal areas of the Black and Caspian Seas. At the same time they were used to free captive Cossacks and prisoners belonging to their community.
The French engineer and military cartographer Guillaume LeVasseur de Beauplan, who for 17 years had observed the life of the Cossacks at that time, wrote: “Between 50 and 70 people were embarked per “chaika”. Each crewman carried a saber, two rifles, three kilos of gunpowder, a large quantity of lead, and each carried a watch (!), and wore light clothing in addition to shirt and change pants. Each boat had 4-6 falconets (small marine guns), ammunition and enough provisions for the entire crew. This is what the Cossack “flying” troop of the Black Sea looks like.”
Cossack military expeditions in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea were mainly carried out in spring or autumn, almost always at night, and taking advantage of the fog and low visibility of the time, they moved in a very compact way. The number of vessels varied according to specific military purposes and objectives, from 15 to 300 ships. However, the Cossack marine expedition under the command of the ataman Sagaidachniy simultaneously gathered 1500 “chaikas”, among the Cossacks of the Dnieper and Don. The Cossacks sailed up the Dnieper River to the exit to the open sea guarded by the Turkish navy fleet. Before reaching the mouth of the river the Cossacks scattered along the coast, waiting for the first carelessness of the Turks. At night, silently, unseen among the waves and covered by dense fog, on board their “chaikas” they would approach one or two Turkish ships, and between them they would take them on board and immediately use all the firepower of the captured ships against the rest of the Turkish fleet. Regardless of the success or failure of the attack, they quickly retreated in their “chaikas”, carrying the booty (arms, ammunition, goods, prisoners…) or without it, back to their stanitsas or nearby field detachments on the coast.
From the 15th to the end of the 17th century, Cossack naval expeditions were constant. Some names of Cossack sea commanders have survived in history until today: Stenka Razin, Samiyla Kishka, Bogdan Mikoshinskiy, Ivan Sulima, Semyon Dezhniov and Petro Sagaidachniy. Under the command of the latter, in 1605 the Cossacks seized the Turkish port of Varna, in 1606 they sacked the port of Caffa (Theodosia) where they burned the entire local Turkish fleet and freed all slaves and prisoners of Christian faith. In 1615, the Cossack fleet led by Sagaidachniy took control over the Bosphorus Strait; they reached Constantinople and attacked the palace of the Turkish Sultan. On this occasion they engaged in two bloody battles with the Turkish Navy. They were victorious in both battles, took the first commander of the Turkish Navy hostage and killed the second. In 1648, Ataman Semyon Dezhniov led a sea expedition of Siberian Cossacks and Russian merchants. Ataman Dezhnyov sailed aboard a “koch” up the Siberian Kolymá River to the Pacific Ocean, skirted the Chukotka Peninsula and the entire northeastern tip of the Eurasian continent by sea. With the marine feat of this Cossack it was discovered for the first time that Asia is not connected with Alaska (North American continent) and that there is the possibility of sailing at certain times of the year through the Arctic Ocean from Europe to China.
According to statistics, between 1492 and 1696, the Cossack fleet officially participated in 66 major naval battles. Not all of them were favorable to the Cossacks, but they always maintained the reputation of being a dangerous and ruthless opponent at sea. At the end of the 17th century, the political situation in Europe and in particular in the Black Sea coastal region changed drastically with the entry of the Russian Empire on the scene. From then on the Cossack fleet as such ceased to exist (officially in 1775). Later Empress Catherine II of Russia ordered the gradual displacement of the Cossack populations from the Dnieper to the Kuban region.
Some of the most emblematic representatives of the Cossack people, throughout the different epochs of Cossack history, also of Russia and Ukraine, were popular leaders, military men, writers, engineers, poets, artists, scientists, etc. We can mention Stenka Razin, Yemelian Pugachov, Yermak Timofeyevich, Bohdan Khmelnytsky, Petro Sahaidachny (in: Petro Konashevych-Sahaidachny), atamans Matvei Platov, Semyon Dezhnyov, Pyotr Krasnov, Lavr Kornilov, Andrei Shkuro and Babych, Mikhail Gétmanov; writers Mikhail Sholokhov and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, poet Nikolai Turovérov and composer Vasily Safonov.
In another area, a well-known Cossack descendant in Chile is the grandson of Piotr Krasnov, retired General Miguel Krassnoff, who is condemned in Punta Peuco prison for human rights violations committed during the civil-military regime headed by General Pinochet.
The Cossack national costumes are the kaftan (a type of jacket) or the cherkesska, a long tunic of Circassian origin, with attached cartridge pouches. They also wear the papaja – a type of fur cap, or the bashlyk – a kind of cap usually worn over the shoulders. The Don Cossacks, in times of the Russian Empire, were further distinguished by blue pants with a red stripe – a distinction that in ancient times meant “tax-free”. They have a huge repertoire of songs and dances, most of which were warlike deeds. Their craftsmanship in bladed weapons is legendary, and includes the making of the kinzhal (Caucasian dagger), the shashka (traditional Cossack saber which translates as “long knife”) and the nagaika (whip or riding crop, also considered a weapon in traditional Cossack martial arts). The Cossack tradition also has a place in the equestrian world with the very particular and famous mastery of the “dzhigitovka”, an elaborate ancient equestrian art in which they demonstrate their skill with acrobatics and mastery worthy of admiration.
Essential part of the internal Cossack tradition considers:
Parental authority is unconditional and permanent. Without the parents’ authorization, no family activity, no work, and no important decision involving the whole family can begin. Upon the death of the parents, the authority is inherited by the godparents of the family members. In specific cases, such as a man’s military training, the godfather has an even greater role and responsibility than the natural father. Godmothers are responsible for passing on the values and duties of a woman to Cossack girls. Disobedience to parents is considered an unforgivable sin. When addressing the father or mother, one should always say “you”.
In the presence of an elderly person, all must rise from their posts and (in the case of men and if they are not in military uniform), remove their caps and bow to salute. In the presence of an elderly person it is not permitted to remain seated, smoke, have a drink or converse, except with his express permission or approval, but vulgar vocabulary may never be used.
Cossack pride has a very special peculiarity: it is considered a sin to refuse help to someone who asks for it. A Cossack proverb says: “It is better to give and give all your life, than all your life to ask for help and favors”. Traditionally Cossacks kept a rule of making do and make do with what they had and not with what they wanted to have, in order to avoid debts. Debts are considered an unforgivable personal disgrace and are avoided by all means.
Regarding the myth of “drinking like a Cossack”, vulgar and drunken people did not enjoy any respect within the Cossack community and were despised until death. Alcoholics, when they died, were buried in a cemetery apart from the others, together with the suicides. Instead of a cross on the grave of a suicide or an alcoholic, a maple stake was nailed to the grave. It is worth mentioning that the Cossacks were always admirers of good cooking, after-dinner conversations, choral singing, dances, merry stories, jokes and jests, also good drinks, but not drunkenness. Cossacks do not fill glasses with alcohol at the table; they are served on a tray and handed out to the guests. If someone is too drunk, the tray is passed over, and they are even invited directly to rest so that they do not show themselves to be in a questionable state. The Cossack tradition in this regard is: “If you want to, drink; if you don’t want to, don’t drink, but you should raise your glass with the others and at least wet your lips”. There are several Cossack proverbs in connection with the above: “You can serve a drink but you cannot force yourself to drink it”, “Drink but do not lose your senses, your reason and your brain”. In times of war and
Among the anecdotal curiosities of “Cossack influence” in other cultures, we can mention the origin of the name Bistró in France. It is said that the concept of Fast Food, called Bistró in French, appeared in Europe during the Napoleonic Wars in the 19th century, when the Cossacks requested in restaurants to be served something as fast as possible, repeatedly saying: “Bystro! Bystro!” (fast). French Bistró-type restaurants took this name from then on.
Although there is a small minority of Catholic and Muslim Cossacks in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, the majority of Cossacks belong to the Russian Orthodox Church. The relationship between the Cossacks and the Orthodox Church runs deep, has a long history and has had important influences on both the history of the Cossacks and the Orthodox Church. Historically and traditionally Cossacks are Orthodox Christians, and are considered protectors and guardians of the Orthodox Church. Today, in Cossack communities, as in the rest of the world, there is tolerance and respect with regard to personal religious beliefs. This also happens in relation to neighbors of other nationalities and their beliefs. Consequently, we could say that Cossack anti-Semitism is a thing of the past.
The Cossacks have long served romantics as an ideal of freedom and resistance to external authority, and their military successes against the enemies of the Russian people have helped to foster this favorable image. To others they have been the symbol of repression because of their role in quelling popular revolts in the Russian Empire, as well as in their assaults against the Jews.
There is a clear contradiction between the internal (primitive, but federal-democratic) system of the Cossack community and the dominant socio-political systems of the time – authoritarian, monarchical, etc. However, this factor did not hinder the acceptance by the neighboring authorities of multilateral relations for various purposes throughout history, taking advantage of the Cossack organization, structure and warfare capabilities. While within the Cossack community there was never slavery or dictatorship, and all important decisions for the benefit of the internal society were taken always considering the Cossack popular vote – in their external relations the Cossacks had no qualms (beyond their interests) in supporting authoritarian states and governments, absolutely opposite and contrary in their structure, system, politics and internal organization. Therefore we can see in different periods of history, how the Cossacks were key participants and protagonists: on the battlefields in the defense of the interests of different states; in popular revolts, against the same authorities and state bodies; in repressions of various popular revolts, in defense of the interests of the state; in periodic proclamations of their independence in the non-acceptance of any external authority, etc.
Literary reflections on Cossack culture abound in Russian literature, particularly in the works of Nikolai Gogol, Leo Tolstoy, Mikhail Sholokhov and the poet Nikolai Turoverov. The short novel written by Leo Tolstoy called The Cossacks is an example of the above. In turn, these reflections had a period of diffusion in Europe during romanticism, in which writers such as the Spanish José de Espronceda dedicated poems to them. Sir John Ure, British diplomat and contemporary author, in his book The Cossacks, uses his experience as a travel writer to extract the most spectacular accounts from the inexhaustible vein of Cossack literature and legend. The Cossacks emerge as a people always courageous, often unpredictable, sometimes cruel, but never dull.
In the Russian Empire the Cossacks were organized in several voisko, who lived along the Russian external borders or along its internal borders between Russian and non-Russian peoples.
- ^ Belarusian: казакi [kazaˈkʲi]Czech: kozáci [ˈkozaːtsɪ]Spanish: cosaco [koˈsako]Estonian: Kasakad [ˈkɑsɑkɑd]Finnish: Kasakat [ˈkɑsɑkɑt]French: cosaques [kozak]Hungarian: kozákok [ˈkozaːkok]Italian: cosacchi [koˈzakki]Old East Slavic: коза́киPolish: Kozacy [kɔˈzatsɨ]Portuguese: cossacos [koˈsakuʃ]Romanian: cazaci [kaˈzatʃʲ]Russian: казаки́ or козаки́ [kəzɐˈkʲi]Slovak: kozáci [ˈkɔzaːtsi]Ukrainian: козаки́ [kozɐˈkɪ]
- Belarusian: казакi [kazaˈkʲi]
- http://www.realpolitik.com.ar/nota.asp?n=unica&id=12656&id_tiponota=8 Archivado el 18 de enero de 2017 en Wayback Machine.
- Lester W. Grau (1993). «The Cossack Brotherhood Reborn: A Political/military Force in a Realm of Chaos». Foreign Military Studies Office, Fort Leavenworth, KS. Archivado desde el original el 26 de agosto de 2015. Consultado el 23 de agosto de 2015.
- Para un análisis más detallado, véase Omeljan Pritsak. “The Turkic Etymology of the Word Qazaq ‘Cossack’.” Harvard Ukrainian Studies 28.1-4 (2006/2007): 237-XII.
- Состоящем из латино-персидско-куманской и кумано-немецкой части.
- Так, украинское народное предание и некоторые исследователи склонны отождествлять с подобным правителем беклярбека Золотой Орды Мамая, чьи потомки участвовали в формировании казачества на Украине, см. Казак Мамай.
- R.P. Magocsi, A History of Ukraine σελ.179–181
- Iaroslav Lebedynsky, Histoire des Cosaques Ed Terre Noire σελ.38
- Vasili Glazkov, History of the Cossacks σελ.3, Robert Speller & Sons, Νέα Υόρκη, ISBN 0-8315-0035-2. Ο συγγραφέας επικαλείται τα στοιχεία Βυζαντινών, Ιρανών και Αράβων ιστορικών. Σύμφωνα μ’ αυτή την άποψη, από το 1261 οι Κοζάκοι ζούσαν στην περιοχή μεταξύ των ποταμών Δνείστερου και Βόλγα, όπως περιγράφεται για πρώτη φορά στα ρωσικά χρονικά.
- Samuel J Newland, Cossacks in the German Army, 1941–1945, Routledge (1991) ISBN 0-7146-3351-8 | 0.530777 | ('__label__pos',) |
This week is finals week and today I am working on my history final. We have to come up with reasons why the Middle Ages were not really a time of doom and gloom. I wrote about this a while ago when I tried for a free lance writing job with Answer.com. Sadly they wanted someone with more experience but hey I tried right? So instead of deleting my short article I thought I would share it with my readers. I cannot use it for school purposes since I have to only use material found in our text. As a medieval scholar my final paper will be easy to write, but it would have been fantastic if I could have used this.
Why the Dark Age was not a time of doom and gloom.
Scholars agree the period from 476 AD to 1000 AD found life harsh but should not be termed The Dark Ages. Rather scholars call this period the Early Middle Ages. Many bright spots appeared even as society was in turmoil. The code of Chivalry, scientific, agricultural and artistic advancements all happened during this time.
The Code of Chivalry started in the court of Charlemagne 742-814. Charlemagne not only brought order to Western Europe he required his army to develop moral codes of conduct as well. Charlemagne wanted Europe and its people to live in a just and fair world. These rules included obedience to the king or local lord, taking care of the less fortunate by giving to the poor widows and orphans, living by honor and for glory, to refrain from “wanton” acts, to fight for the well fair of all, to keep faith and at all times speak the truth. This code of conduct was a far cry from the armies that came before as they were allowed to plunder and rape after invading an area.
In the Islamic world math was advancing with the invention of Algebra and the decimal positioning number still in use today The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing was written by Al-Khwārizmī (790-840) and the Arabic title of the book gave Europe the word “algebra”. It is far to say though the Early Middle Age Eastern world was advancing math, the Western world lagged behind.
The Scientific method, as systematic approach to theory and experimentation, developed during the Early Middle Ages. Scientific observation of the natural world took the place of classical theoretical thought of how things worked.
The beginning of a formal European educational system was started in the Early Middle Ages. The early European Universities taught the arts, law, medicine and theology. Scholars spent long hours copying Greek and Roman philosophy and classic works. It was during this time that many monasteries also started to appreciate what the classical period had to offer after decades of rejecting classical philosophy. If it were not for the scholars both secular and religious many of the classics from the Hellenistic period would be lost.
Along with Universities architect and the arts took on new schools of thought. Early Middle Age architects studied the classical period and looked beyond form as function. Beauty in form was desired over function as form. From this period on Cathedrals, Universities, Monasteries and stately castles and homes would themselves be works of art. The Early Middle age painters started to depict realistic scenes and people, paving the way for the Baroque style that would came in the later renaissance period.
Peasants may have had to work hard because of the primitive agricultural tools available to them but after the invention of the heavy plow land that had soil once too hard to break up could now be used. As more land was used for farming new growing techniques were developed. The three field system of farming was an early precursor to the system of crop rotation we use today. The three field system allowed for a field for winter crops, a field for summer crops and a third to lay fallow for a year.
With all of these advancements in science, math, agriculture and arts it is hardly fare to call the Early Middle Ages the Dark Ages. Though most of us would agree it would not be a good time to be sick, but that is a subject for a different article
I will be busy with my religious final for a few days, so if you do not hear from me you will know why. Meanwhile tell me what you are reading now, as I will have a month off from school and would like some good recommendations. | 0.510931 | ('__label__neg',) |
The U.S. transmission grid is facing the unprecedented challenge of a shifting generation portfolio stemming from massive additions of intermittent renewable energy.
However, there is a serious issue regarding transmission expansion plans: The process of building new generation happens much faster than building new transmission. This means that attempts to alleviate congestion or deliver power to a new area can sometimes have unintended consequences.
Ameren’s new 100-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line in the region overseen by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, dubbed the Mark Twain Transmission Project, is the latest example of the challenges regional transmission organizations face when it comes to the shifting grid in the Midwest.
MISO Transmission Upgrades and Generation Retirements
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
New wind capacity and coal retirements
The Mark Twain project was conceived to allow more wind capacity from Iowa and Missouri to travel east into Illinois at the Marblehead transformer. Wind farms in the area had been injecting zero-marginal-cost power into the grid near Palmyra and causing new patterns of transmission congestion. Ameren began construction on the line in May 2018, and it officially went into service on December 19, 2019.
When the Mark Twain project was first proposed in 2011, nameplate wind generation capacity in MISO was just under 10 gigawatts. By the end of 2018, wind generation capacity in MISO had reached 18.2 gigawatts.
The Marblehead transformer is one of the most constrained areas in MISO, located in a part of the grid that bottlenecks the amount of wind generation that can flow from Iowa and Missouri into Illinois.
The addition of the Mark Twain line also happens to coincide with the retirements of four Illinois coal plants totaling over 2 gigawatts of capacity: Coffeen, Havana, Hennepin and Duck Creek. The first three retirements happened in August 2019, and the final plant, Duck Creek, retired on December 13 — just days before the new line was scheduled to going into service.
The latter three plants provided reactive power to the Marblehead transformer. With the retirement of these plants, the grid is poised to be thrown out of balance as additional power flows over those lines and directly through the Marblehead transformer.
On high wind days in Iowa and Missouri, power from new wind capacity in the region will flow toward Marblehead via the new line — making the bottleneck worse and causing congestion. In other words, rapid wind development since 2011, combined with the retirement of several major coal plants, means the new Mark Twain project will cause additional congestion at Marblehead even as it eases congestion issues near Palmyra.
The increased congestion will result in large price discrepancies between locations, disincentivizing new wind farm development in Iowa and Missouri and causing a less efficient dispatch of generation.
The best-laid plans
Upgrades similar to the Mark Twain project are necessary to allow new wind power in rural areas to efficiently reach large cities where it is needed.
However, this project illustrates the difficulties of maintaining an efficient and reliable grid in the face of rapidly expanding intermittent wind and solar capacity. Regional transmission organizations operate competitive markets, and as new low-cost wind, solar, and gas generation continue to price out older and more expensive coal generation, flow patterns and congestion will continue to change.
Meanwhile, storage and smart grid technology continue to advance, which may alleviate the need to build out certain transmission expansions. Planning for new transmission must take these changes into account.
Elliot Gordon is a power analyst with Genscape, part of Wood Mackenzie. Elliot works with Genscape's real-time power plant output and transmission flow data. | 0.743631 | ('__label__neg',) |
Innovative Research May Make Predicting Rheumatoid Arthritis a Reality
7 minute read
Quite often, knowing about something in advance can change the eventual outcome. This is truly the case with many medical conditions, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). We’ve seen great medical advances in the treatment of and even preventing certain diseases once we’re able to predict that a person is prone to getting the disease.
It just may be that rheumatoid arthritis sufferers will benefit from early prediction in the future. The 2018 annual conference of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) approached this topic with two different studies that looked into molecular changes before known onset of the disease.
Both studies came up with some interesting results that could have a positive influence on people with RA.
What Is RA?
Let’s take a minute to rewind a little and discuss what RA is. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which your body mistakenly begins attacking the synovium as though they were an invading illness. The synovium is a lining of membranes that surround your joints.
When your body attacks this lining, inflammation occurs and thickens the area, which can destroy cartilage and bone. In addition, your corresponding tendons and ligaments weaken and stretch.
In severe cases of RA, the patient can develop misshapen joints, especially in the small joints of the fingers and toes.
Most people associate RA with joints, such as those in the hands, feet, and knees. And this is typically where RA presents, but it can also cause significant damage to other bodily systems such as a patient’s skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
RA Risk Factors
The Mayo Clinic lists the following RA risk factors. While this list can be very useful in helping individuals determine if they are at risk for RA, it is not as useful as a test that could measures molecular changes. The risk factors include:
♦ Sex: Women are more likely to get RA than men
♦ Age: RA most often begins between the ages of 40 and 60
♦ Family history
♦ Environmental exposure: Asbestos or silica exposure may increase your chance of getting RA
Most of these factors serve as a good footnote and give you a place to start if you develop constant and persistent joint pain, but they are not predictive and certainly not diagnostic.
| Related: 9 Everyday Surprises When RA Enters Your Life |
Many of these risk factors also crop up as indicators in other diseases as well, making diagnoses more difficult. With a predictive test for RA, a lot of guesswork will be eliminated.
The data presented at the 2018 EULAR Conference supported the notion that being able to predict RA could lay the foundation for early interventions that could possibly prevent the onset of RA. It also supported contentions that early predictions can lead to a more tailored treatment plan that pulls genomics into the mix.
| Related: 9 Everyday Surprises When RA Enters Your Life |
The first study took a deeper look at the synovial tissue. As noted, synovial tissue is often a target of RA and is typically damaged by this disease in the long run.
This study examined tissue samples from the knee joints of 67 people who were believed to be at high risk for developing RA. The participants were then followed to see who developed RA.
A genome-wide exploratory study profiled 13 of the 67 participants to see if there were any gene signature changes taking place. Dr. Lisa van Baarsen, Principal Investigator at the Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center states that the RA study results clearly showed molecular changes in synovial tissue prior to onset of arthritis.
The second study examined B-cell receptors (BCR), which naturally occur in the blood and work with the immune system. It’s recently been discovered that dominant B-cell receptor clones in peripheral blood can predict the onset of RA.
This second study looked deeper into the discovery to see if the BCR biomarker had greater predictive power than other biomarkers. The results concluded that the number of dominant BCR clones was significantly increased in RA-risk individuals who developed the disease within three years of the test.
How Does Predicting RA Help?
Obviously being able to predict RA would be a great benefit to people who not only show some risk characteristics, but are likely to get the disease. In the future, treatment plans can be created specifically for that person based on their genetic response and predicted reactions to different treatment modalities.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating disease that continues to take a toll on the physical well-being of the patient. After time, the body begins to break down and, as discussed previously, there can be physical deformities in loosened tendons and ligaments that cannot be repaired. In addition, chronic joint pain can be very debilitating and limiting.
Being able to predict who is likely to get RA gives medical professionals a head-start on treatment programs that could not only delay the onset of the disease, but potentially, prevent it altogether. Because RA is a long-term disease that worsens over time, it’s vital for patients to get ahead of their diagnosis and do all that they can to prevent the disease or, at the very least, delay its onset.
The Bottom Line
Today treatment for RA patients begins once the diagnosis of RA is given. The goals currently involve stopping inflammation and putting the disease in remission, relieving symptoms, preventing damage, improving physical function and reducing long-term complications.
It’s a game of catch-up for patients and medical professionals. But with predictive tools the game changes and the advantage goes to the patient as they work to stay ahead of RA and lead a healthy and happy life, free from arthritic pain and complications. | 0.688025 | ('__label__pos',) |
When it comes to workplace safety, few topics get as much attention as that of fire safety. Between fire drills and how to contain fires, most people are well aware of the fact that this is a significant risk. For many facilities, however, the safety stops at getting away from a fire, or attempting to put one out. Fire protection gear, like fire resistant clothing is all too often overlooked or ignored completely.
FR clothing isn’t just for firemen who make a living working with fires. It can be an important piece of protective gear for anyone who works with, or around fire, chemicals or high levels of heat. Facilities should take a close look at the different fire risks that exist, and see where this type of protective clothing can be helpful.
Types of FR Clothing
There are many different types of FR clothing available to choose from. Anything from a full fire protection suit that resists both heat and fire to a normal outfit made of fire resistant materials, it is important to find the right one. According to SafetyCheckBox.com, the basic types of fire resistant clothing are:
- Basic FR Clothing – Any clothing that is made from a fire resistant material such as wool, which is naturally resistant to heat and light flame. Of course, this level of protection won’t be enough for a full flame, or extended exposure to high heat.
- Arc Flash Rated Clothing – Any clothes that meet the ASTM F1506 standard can be said to be arc flash rated clothing. This type of clothing () should not have metal parts like buttons or zippers. Arc fires are typically very brief, so the clothing needs to protect from high heat, but only for a short period of time. Arch fires can occur extremely quickly as well, so there is no time to prepare for them, which is why having this protective clothing should be a requirement.
- Flash Fire Rated Clothing – Flash fires can burn longer than arc fires since they are burning a flammable substance like dust, gas or liquid mists. These fires typically burn longer, but at lower temperatures, so flame resistance is more critical than heat resistance.
- Heat Resistant FR Clothing – There are many instances when people work with high temperatures, but no flame. High temperatures can cause some materials to ignite, which is why a heat resistant material is so important. In addition to resisting ignition, this type of clothing should also keep the heat away from the body of the person wearing it.
Facility Clothing Restrictions
In addition to choosing clothing that is fire resistant and encouraging employees to wear it, many facilities will need to restrict the types of clothing people can wear. This is because some fabrics or materials can actually make fire or heat related injuries more likely.
Polyester, for example, doesn’t just catch on fire when it is exposed to high temperatures. It will actually melt as it burns, causing the person wearing it to be in significant danger. Letting employees know of these types of risks, as well as requiring everyone to avoid wearing these types of things, is absolutely essential for proper fire safety in a facility.
Fire Resistant Clothing Training
As with most things related to safety, the proper use of FR clothing will begin with proper training. Teaching employees how to identify different types of fire resistant clothing, as well as when they should each be worn is essential for a proper fire safety program. Some of the more protective clothing may even require training on how to properly wear it for maximum protection.
Providing employees with the right training is essential in all areas of their job, and when it comes to fire safety, it is even more critical. Take some time to show everyone why FR clothing is important, and what can happen if it is not worn. This will not only help to ensure everyone is more willing to wear it, but also ensure they know how it should be worn.
Part of an Overall Fire Safety Program
FR clothing should be an important piece of any comprehensive fire safety program in your facility. In many cases, having this type of clothing worn in a facility can help to reduce or eliminate the risk of fires from occurring. In addition, it will provide improved protection to anyone who is wearing it, which is essential for real fire safety. There are many stories from facilities throughout the country of people getting severely burned when they should have been protected by FR clothing.
Companies wouldn’t consider requiring their employees to bring in their own fire extinguishers or smoke detectors, so they shouldn’t be making them purchase their own fire resistant clothing either. By providing a standard set of FR clothing to employees it will not only be improving the fire safety of the facility, but also provide a nice uniform look for all the employees.
In most cases, purchasing basic fire protective clothing isn’t going to cost much more than regular clothes. Depending on the specific type you purchase, it may even last quite a bit longer due to the added durability, so it could be more cost effective than you would think. Whether you decide to provide FR clothing to everyone in the facility, or just those that are working near flame or high temperatures, this is a great way to help keep everyone safe.
- Fire Safety in Your Facility
- The Dangers of Loose Clothing
- Flammable Liquids
- Proper PPE for Face Protection
- Flammable Liquids Safety – The Five Basics You need to Know
- Arc Flash Dangers – The 6 Deadliest
- The 11 Most Common Workplace Hazard Areas In Your Facility
- Effective Skin Protection against Chemical Spills
- Electrical Safety in Your Industrial Facility | 0.92568 | ('__label__pos',) |
Thesis Format: How to Do It the Right Way?
Perfect thesis format is a very important aspect of your final paper. As a matter of fact, many professors are deducting points for incorrect formatting. Hence, it is imperative that every paper follows the particular format required by the instructions. It is true that there are various academic formats that can be used by students in in their assignments depending on the requirements. However, there is also a standard format that must be observed at all times.
Publication style. A thesis format always follows a particular publication style. Ask for an essay help online and you will get a perfectly formatted thesis paper that will effectively capture the attention of you potential readers. Depending on the requirements of a paper, a student should be looking at one of the popular formats like MLA, APA, Harvard, Chicago, and Turabian. These formatting styles have different requirements pertaining to headers, sub-headings, page numbers, and citations. If you are unsure of how these publication styles are formatted, you can ask your professor for requirements or simply google the information and you will definitely find official guidelines.
Language. There is no standard language in terms of writing a paper. One can use English or other language depending on the country you are in and what is required for proper documentation. Basically, it all depends on the instructions.
Referencing. A proper citation of the literary sources that have been used must be exhibited in the paper or you will end up with a plagiarized paper. Your referencing format must correspond to the publication style used in your thesis. Some references like MLA and Chicago/Turabian require a page number for in-text citation. On the other hand, Harvard and APA only require the author’s last name and year of publication. For bibliography, however, author’s name, title of the literary source, date and place of publication, and publisher information are mandatory.
Margin, Text and Pagination. A standard thesis format must be 1-inch margin on all sides, 12 pt, double spacing and must have a page number. Whether to set a page number on the title page differs from style to style.
More specifically, the format of your thesis must also contain the following:
- Tables and illustrations – are important to be included in your thesis because these are being used to tabulate and interpret the data you gathered in your data collection method. Tables and illustrations will easily show the readers the result of your data collection. Sometimes, it is hard for readers to understand the extrapolations made by an author of a thesis. But with tables and illustrations, it is easier to interpret the data even without reading the explanation.
- Abstract – contains the summary of the thesis. In this way, the readers will have an immediate knowledge and understanding of what the thesis is all about. Also, it will be easier for other researchers to determine the significance and the relevancy of your thesis to their field of study just by reading the abstract.
- Table of contents – most theses do not have a table of contents. Without it, looking through the pages of the thesis will be hard to do. Hence, it is imperative that a table of content is included in your thesis format.
Sometimes formatting a paper can be challenging, especially when you have a lot of sources. You can always delegate this task to professional academic writing company like BuyEssaySafe.com. We have expert writers and editors who can complete a proper formatting of your paper in couple hours. | 0.944489 | ('__label__pos',) |
Armored scale insects are known as one of the more frustrating pests and often don’t look like insects at all. These tiny sap-suckers create protective, waterproof coverings to fend off the elements and predators. The insects themselves are quite small and non-descript in appearance. The females hide in this covering for most of their lives and eventually become immobile. They lose any obvious appendages and permanently affix themselves onto the plant while the gnat-like males, on the other hand, can freely move around. They are generally poor fliers and do not feed as adults. Armored scale can be differentiated from soft scale by lifting their coverings. Soft scale insects’ “covering” is attached to their body while armored scale coverings can be lifted up presenting a teeny tiny insect underneath.
Since this type of scale insect does not produce honeydew, tell-tale signs of soft scale such as sooty mold and ants are not seen. They can weaken the plant much like other Hemipteran pests causing leaves and other plant parts to yellow, wilt, or show other signs of stress.
Armored scale insects thrive in warmer temperatures but can be active year round.
They are widely distributed throughout the world, excluding Antarctica.
Like many pests, scale insects thrive in warm conditions which they will seek out.
Since armored scale insects have a tough outer shell, they can be difficult to manage. Infected portions of plants should be removed and disposed of. You can also pull any scale insects off the plant using tweezers but generally the “dabbing” technique used with soft scale will not work with these buggers. There are also many commercially available biological controls such as parasitoids and predators to keep populations in control. Many species are resistant to pesticides but many have seen positive results using horticultural oils. These oils basically suffocate the insect. As always, there are some effective pesticides currently on the market but should be used as a last resort. Try to start with a natural pesticide derived from neem oil before moving onto more potent chemicals.
These weird insects have an even weirder life cycle. Mobile nymphs hatch from the eggs and wander around looking for new places to feed. These are known as “crawlers”. Once they find a good place to feed, they attach themselves—permanently if they are female. Many are parthenogenetic so do not need to mate in order to lay fertile eggs. Some don’t even lay eggs, but rather are viviparous—giving birth to live young from eggs held in their bodies. | 0.858376 | ('__label__pos',) |
Few modern writers have had careers as long, varied, and complex as W. B. Yeats. Born in 1865, he produced works that arguably belong to each of three major literary historical periods or traditions: the Romantic, the Victorian, and the Modernist. His thought was profoundly dialectical; for nearly every truth he made or found, he also embraced a counter-truth: a proposition that contradicted the first truth, was equally true, and did not negate it. He repeatedly remade himself as a writer, as a public figure, even as a person. And yet his life and work revolved around a few central preoccupations and themes: the Ireland of his day, the occult, sexual love, and the power of art to work in and change the world. In 1938, the year before he died, he wrote “The Spur” whose speaker accuses the reader of thinking it “horrible” that an old man should be filled with “lust and rage” and retorts “They were not such a plague when I was young. / What else have I to spur me into song?” (VP591). The continuity Yeats asserts here is both genuine and false. If we turn from this poem to the early poetry expecting to see the young Yeats lusting and raging, we will be disappointed. The explicit embrace of lust and rage is a feature of Yeats's later years, when he cast himself as the wild, wicked old man to avoid settling into any of the more comfortable poses available to him: the venerable sage, the elder statesman, or the famous poet. All these roles appealed to him, and he adopted each of them at times, but he also drove himself beyond them, towards more risky personae. As he put it in “An Acre of Grass,” “My temptation is quiet. / . . . Myself must I remake” (VP 575-6). | 0.662148 | ('__label__pos',) |
Arabic Numeral 1 in Roman Numerals converter tool is available here. This tool can prove to be very handy in the conversion of Arabic to Roman numerals. The tool basically works on a very simple concept of format conversion. In other words you just have to fill in the value of Arabic numeral and it will show the same value in Roman numeral. You can convert any desired Arabic numeral to Roman format by using this converter. You can start from number 1 and go up to any possible number which is convertible in Roman numeral.
- Roman Numerals 1-10
- Roman Numerals 1-12
- Roman Numerals 1-20
- Roman Numerals 1-30
- Roman Numerals 1-50
- Roman Numerals 1-100
- Roman Numerals 1-200
- Roman Numerals 1-500
- Roman Numerals 1-1000
- Roman Numerals 1-2000
1 in Roman Numerals – I
Well,Arabic numerals are more usable in the current scenario than Roman numerals, however Roman numerals are still useful. Arabic numerals share their origin from the numbering system of India.
The pattern of Arabic numerals start from 0,1,2,3,4 and it simply goes up in such way. On the other hand Roman numerals don’t have 0 rather all Roman numeral start with the combination of I, V, X, L, C, D, M.
In conclusion, we simply find the significant difference between the Arabic and Roman numerals. This difference can certainly be overcome with the numeral converter.
Why Arabic to Roman Numeral Converter?
People use the numeral converter for the number of reasons in their lives. For instance, you may want to list up the number of pages in your book using the Roman numerals. So, this is why you may want to convert Arabic numerals to Roman.
In a similar manner, there may be many other reasons of numeral conversion. This converter is able to easily convert any Arabic to Roman numeral for you.
It’s easy to use a converter for all types of users. You can even gift it to your kids so that they can learn the differences between both of these numerals. | 0.855328 | ('__label__pos',) |
Cherry Creek History
The Cherry Creek region is one of Nevada's oldest mining areas. Gold was mined as early as 1859 and a Pony Express station was located five miles south of Cherry Creek in 1860.
The town of Cherry Creek was established in 1872 after new discoveries in the area resulted in an excitement that drew many miners away from the White Pine district. By 1873 the town had a livery stable, blacksmith, hotel, boarding houses, and more than twenty saloons.
Cherry Creek's initial boom period only lasted from 1872 to 1874 when production at the mines began to decline. The district was quiet until 1880 when new discoveries stimulated the local mining industry and gave the town new life.
The mines once again declined in 1883 and the town declined with them. A fire in 1888 destroyed many of the original buildings.
Cherry Creek would have more resurgences than most Nevada mining towns and the mining industry remained the mainstay of the local economy until the 1940s. A post office operated here from 1873 to 1974.
Cherry Creek still has a small population of around 70 residents, but no operating businesses. The historic school house, built in 1872, still stands.
A historical marker at Cherry Creek provides additional information:
"Here, at one time, was the largest town in White Pine County. Part of the Cherry Creek Mining District, Cherry Creek's years of largest gold and silver production were between 1872 and 1883. At the peak of its prosperity, the town had an estimated population of 6,000"
"Five miles south of here is Egan Canyon, where one of the oldest gold mines in Nevada was located. Indians mined gold there. A stage station was located by Major Howard Egan in 1859 for Woodward and Chorpenning's California Mail Co. in 1860. It was used by the Pony Express as a change station, and from 1861 to 1869 was an overland stage station."
"In 1864, A five-stamp mill, the first such in eastern Nevada, and a small mining camp were constructed. Most of the early activity had ceased by 1883, but in 1897 there was a great revival in mining activity, which lasted into the early 1900s. During this period, prior to the completion of the Nevada Northern Railroad in 1906, freight and passenger traffic was via long strings of massive freight wagons and stagecoaches from Toano and Wells."
"In 1933 the old mine was reopened and a new camp was built. Production from the Egan Mine over the year has been approximately $3,000,000."
Nevada Mining Photos
Check out this collection of some of Nevada's best historic mining scenes at A Collection of Nevada Mining Photos. | 0.538566 | ('__label__pos',) |
We offer free Maharashtra Board Class 10 Science Chapter 4 Environmental management questions answers. Our expert team have gone through this chapter and prepared Notes for the students who are facing difficulties in summarizing of this chapter. We assure you that you can score more marks by using our Pdf files. Let us tell you that all the questions answers in concern with this chapter are prepared by our expert teachers team. Here you will find three Pdf files, among them first Pdf files consists of Textbook Questions Answers whereas in second Pdf files you will get the additional extra questions for practices. In the third and last Pdf files, you will get full exercise of this chapter.
You need not worry about the Digest/ Guide because after using our Pdf solutions you will never find need of them. You will get all the Pdf files at the end of this post, so we would like to request you to read full article.
|Maharashtra state Board||Std 10||Environmental management|
Class 10 Science Chapter 4 Environmental management questions answers in Pdf format:
Here is what you all are waiting for. Teachers, parents and student, now you will find below the Solutions of Class 10 Science Chapter 4 Environmental management questions answers. From the subject English of Maharashtra State Board.
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( Text book ) Exercise
(Additional Extra) Exercise
Class 10 Science Chapter 4 Environmental managementNotes:
As we go through the entire Class 10 Science Chapter 4 Environmental management , we can see there are so many questions asked meanwhile and students are expected to answers them. Some students may face some problem while answering it , but we promise you that after reviewing our answer, you will gain the confidence to answers such questions. Our expert team teacher have divided the solutions into several parts,which will help you to understand this chapter better. Have a look at the following parts:
- Environmental management Can you recall?
- Environmental management Use your brain power
- Environmental management Observe/Discuss:
- Environmental management Let’s Discuss:
- Environmental management Observe:
- Environmental management Let’s think:
- Environmental management Paragraph based questions:
- Environmental management questions based on tables and charts:
- Environmental management Activity based questions:
- Environmental management Projects:
Class 10 Science Chapter 4 Environmental management: Question Bank
All those students who are preparing for the final exam and want to score more marks on board can refer to our question bank, among them are some questions may ask you in your final examination.
Beneath, in our Pdf documents, you get the Class 10 Science Chapter 4 Environmental management questions answers, however our expert crew have faith in the query bank that allows you to help the students to get more marks.
Our expert team of teachers has prepared the best solutions to these questions. All the answers to these questions are given in our PDF file, which is given below. You can download it for your later study. In Our Pdf file of solutions of the Chapter 4 Environmental management, you will find the solutions of Important Question bank given below.
We hope that this question bank will help you a little for your exam preparation.
Important Questions Bank
Choose the correct alternative and write that alphabet against the sub-question number:
Question 1. Paddy fields are frequently attacked by
Question 2. Basic functional unit to study the ecology is termed as ……………
(d) food chain
Question 3. As per ……….. trading of rare animals has been completely banned.
(a) clause 48A
(b) clause 49B
(c) clause 49A
(d) all the above
(4) The jungle in Kokilamukh of Jorhat district of Assam is well known as ………….
(a) Molai jungle
(b) Rhino jungle
(c) Rhino forest
(d) Payang jungle
Maintaining record of ………. knowledge is very necessary.
Question 6. ………… is world’s largest organization engaged in environmental activities.
(c) B. N. H. S.
(d) I. I. T.
Question 7. ……….. sanctuary of West Bengal is reserved for tigers.
Question 8. World Biodiversity Day is celebrated on ……… every year.
(a) 22nd April
(b) 5th June
(c) 16th September
(d) 22nd May
Question 9. Out of the total plant species in the entire world, 50,000 are ……………
Question 10. Giant squirrel is an ………… species.
Question 11. In a food chain, autotrophic plants are present at the ……….. level. (March 2019)
(a) tertiary nutrition
(b) secondary nutrition
Question 12. ……….. from Manas sanctuary in Assam is under threat. (Board’s Model Activity Sheet)
(a) one horned rhino
(c) Musk deer
(d) Giant squirrel/Shekru
Find the correlation:
Question 1. Rare species : Musk deer : : ………… : Lesser florican.
Question 2. Red panda : Rare species : : Giant Squirrel : …………
Question 3. Nitrogen, Oxygen : Gaseous cycle : : Soil and Rocks : …………
Question 4. Manas : One horned Rhino : : Gir : ………..
Question 5. Mumbai : Bombay Natural History Society : : TehriGarhwal : ………….
Answer the following questions in detail:
Question 1. Answer the following questions:
If frog population in paddy field declines all of a sudden,
(a) What will be the effect on paddy crop?
(b) Number of which consumers will decline and which will increase?
(c) Name the Indian states where paddy is cultivated on a large scale.
Question 2. What is radioactive pollution? What are its effects?
Question 3. Give one word for “The forest conserved in the name of God.” (Board’s Model Activity Sheet)
Give scientific reasons:
Question 1. Certain scavenging caterpillars, termites and insects found in the dung are important.
Question 2. Destroying trees is to destroy everything.
Question 3. There is no definite information about indeterminate species.
Question 4. Tigers from Sunderbans and Rhinos from Manas are under threat.
Question 5. There are clusters of thick forests in the Western Ghats of India.
Question 6. We can see biodiversity on three levels.
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Class 10 science Part 1 Solutions:
- Chapter 1 Gravitation Solutions
- Chapter 2 Periodic Classification of Element Solutions
- Chapter 3 Chemical reactions and equations Solutions
- Chapter 4 Effects of electric current Solutions
- Chapter 5 Heat Solutions
- Chapter 6 Refraction of light Solutions
- Chapter 7 Lenses Solutions
- Chapter 8 Metallurgy Solutions
- Chapter 9 Carbon Compounds Solutions
- Chapter 10 Space Missions Solutions
Class 10 science Part 2 Solutions:
- Chapter 1 Heredity and Evolution
- Chapter 2 Life Processes in Living Organisms Part – 1
- Chapter 3 Life Processes in Living Organisms Part – 2
- Chapter 4 Environmental management
- Chapter 5 Towards Green Energy
- Chapter 6 Animal Classification
- Chapter 7 Introduction to Microbiology
- Chapter 8 Cell Biology and Biotechnology
- Chapter 9 Social health
- Chapter 10 Disaster Management | 0.570718 | ('__label__neg',) |
Family activities at Kenfig nature reserve
These activities are designed to be a fun challenge for the whole family. As part of the Bridgend Outdoor Schools Project, they help children explore the outdoors while developing learning skills.
- Getting your Bearings
- How Artistic are you?
- How Big is the Lake Pond?
- How Creative are you?
- How Good a Journalist are you?
- How Much Energy do you Use?
- How Much Energy is in your Lunch?
- Kenfig National Nature Reserve Family Activities Pack
- Making Sense of the Environment
- Geocaching at Kenfig National Nature Reserve
Fun facts for kids
Here are some child-friendly materials for inquisitive kids on:
More about Bridgend County Borough
- our county is 285 km2, which is the same size as 68,171 football pitches
- Merthyr Mawr has Britain’s highest sand dunes
- the county’s coastline is 18.5km long, which is the same as 1,517 tyrannosaurus rexes laid end to end
- 10 species of bat are regularly seen in Bridgend County Borough | 0.867853 | ('__label__pos',) |
Corrosion inhibitors are applied to an environment to significantly reduce the corrosion rate of exposed metals. It is considered the first line of defense against corrosion.
- Chemically inhibits the corrosive action of chlorides on reinforcing steel and pre-stressed strands in concrete
- Extends the service life of structures in a deicing salt and marine environment
- Cost effective solution to the control of reinforcing steel chloride-induced corrosion
- Accelerates the setting time of concrete, which would allow to be used as a concrete set accelerator
- No flocculation or coagulation
- All concretes and mortar containing steel reinforcement, post-tensioned concrete, concrete in contact with chlorides, parking structures, piers, bridges and marine concrete. | 0.70762 | ('__label__pos',) |
Several images have been returned to Earth from NASA’s Juno spacecraft showing the beauty of the giant planet Jupiter and its tiny lava-covered moon Io.
When the solar-powered spacecraft completed its 47th close pass (perijove) from Jupiter on December 14, it attempted to return its science data to NASA, but the downlink was disrupted.
After an initial return of just one image – of its volcanic moon Io – the rest of the raw data for Io and Jupiter appeared online on 4 January. Since then, a team of image editors – all dedicated volunteer “citizen scientists” – have been posting a bunch of spectacular finished images online.
The delay was caused by a radiation-intensive part of Jupiter’s magnetosphere, according to NASA. Mission controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory restarted the on-board computer and put the spacecraft into safe mode.
Juno’s images of I0 — the most volcanic body in the Solar System — were taken while Juno was 40,000 miles away. The moon is believed to have an underground ocean of magma. Just before Juno came close to Io, a burst of volcanic activity began.
Io is in a constant gravitational tug of war with Jupiter and the other large moons, so much so that it actually changes shape during its 42-hour orbit. It is believed that constant stretching and squeezing causes frictional “tidal heating.”
This flyby of Io was Juno’s first of nine over the next few years, two of which will be from just 1,500 kilometers away.
“The team is very excited that Juno’s extended mission includes the study of Jupiter’s moons. With each close flyby, we have been able to obtain a wealth of new information,” said Juno principal investigator Scott Bolton of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio . “Juno sensors are designed to study Jupiter, but we’ve been excited by how well they can do double duty by observing Jupiter’s moons.”
Juno launched in 2011 and arrived at Jupiter in 2016. It has since completed 47 close flybys of the planet’s polar regions, with the last on December 15, 2022. It included the first of nine flybys of Io — the most volcanic body in the Solar System — two of them from only 930 miles/1500 kilometers away.
The two superclose flybys will take place on December 30, 2023 and February 3, 2024. During them, Juno will study Io’s volcanoes and how volcanic eruptions interact with Jupiter’s powerful magnetosphere and auroras.
The spacecraft is in a highly elliptical orbit that sees it come close to Jupiter’s moons and the planet’s polar regions only once every five or six weeks, which is when it turns on its two-megapixel camera.
Juno’s mission is to study Jupiter’s composition, magnetic field and magnetosphere, to measure water in the atmosphere and winds. It has discovered how Jupiter’s atmosphere works and revealed the complexity and asymmetry of its magnetic field.
Juno has also revealed the size of Jupiter’s “Great Red Spot”, which stretches over 200 miles/350 kilometers. The solar system’s largest storm is located 22º south of Jupiter’s equator and has been raging since at least 1830. Its diameter makes it almost twice the size of Earth.
The spacecraft also studied Jupiter’s “Great Blue Spot,” an isolated patch of intense magnetic field near the planet’s equator.
In October 2021, new findings from Juno provided the first 3D look at how the giant planet’s “beautiful and violent atmosphere” operates beneath the uppermost layers of clouds.
It has also completed close flybys of Jupiter’s moons Europa and Ganymede, sending back a total of over three terabits of scientific data so far.
However, the spacecraft is now in an exciting extended mission. After completing in November 2021 its standard 37-orbit five-year survey of Jupiter, Juno was given a new lifetime through 2025.
Although it may get a further extension, if not then the spaceship’s 76th and last perijove will be September 15, 2025, when it will perform a “death dive” into the gas giant. That would prevent it from accidentally crashing into, and possibly contaminating, one of Jupiter’s moons.
Juno is the ninth spacecraft to image Jupiter, the others being Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, Galileo Orbiter and Galileo Probe, Ulysses and Cassini.
Juno’s next flyby of Jupiter, perijove 48, takes place on 22 January 2023.
Wishing you clear skies and big eyes. | 0.876464 | ('__label__pos',) |
Actinopteri (ray-finned fishes) > Cichliformes
(Cichlids, convict blennies) > Cichlidae
(Cichlids) > Pseudocrenilabrinae
Etymology: Sarotherodon: Greek, saros, -ou = sawdust + Greek, ther = animal * Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical; 25°C - 27°C (Ref. 12468); 5°N - 4°N
Africa: Lake Barombi Mbo (Ref. 4999, 81260), a tributary of the Kake River (affluent of Lake Barombi Mbo) (Ref. 81260) and Kumba stream (tributary of the outlet of Barombi Mbo) (Ref. 4999), in west Cameroon.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 16.2 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 81260)
(total): 15 - 17;
soft rays: 8 - 10;
Vertebrae: 29. Diagnosis: 14-18 rakers on lower limb of first arch; 30-31 scales in lateral line (Ref. 81260). Body silver-grey, with mid-lateral black band interrupted anteriorly on caudal peduncle (Ref. 2, 81260). Head length 33.0-38.4% of standard length; jaw teeth with slender shafts and broad crowns (Ref. 81260). Mature fishes of both sexes with variable black areas on lower jaw and lower parts of head; no tilapia-mark (Ref. 2).
Found throughout the lake, but seems to prefer zones with submerged wooden or stone structures (Ref. 52307). Usually forms schools at the surface; feeds mainly on epiphytic and epilithic filamentous algae, and the diatoms, rhizopods, rotifers and organic debris found among them; adults feed by opening their mouths very wide and applying them to the surface of the rock as though sucking the material in (Ref. 2). Lacks marked sexual dichromatism when sexually active (Ref. 81260). Both sexes are possible incubators (Ref. 52307). Forms temporary pair bonds (Ref. 81260), for the entire duration of incubation/broodcare (Ref. 52307).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Absence of sexual dichromatism suggests a biparental mouth-brooding function.
Trewavas, E. and G.G. Teugels, 1991. Sarotherodon. p. 425-437. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse, G.G. Teugels and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 4. (Ref. 4999)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 125652)
Threat to humans
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsAllele frequenciesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingNutrientsMass conversion
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82804
= 0.5001 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01905 (0.00846 - 0.04293), b=3.01 (2.82 - 3.20), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref. 93245
Trophic level (Ref. 69278
): 2.2 ±0.15 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref. 120179
): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref. 59153
): Low vulnerability (10 of 100). | 0.677407 | ('__label__neg',) |
The MPI Multidimensional Poverty Index of the Oxford and the UN put the Ethiopia the 2 poorest country in the world while the Economist put it 1st, based on demographic morbidity and growth index. According United States Agency for International Development Ethiopia is one of the poorest and most food-insecure countries in the world. And the African capital Addis Ababa is the 6th out 25 Most Dirtiest Cities In The World. The famine has become a disese with no cure in Ethiopia and the recurring famine shows the same story, same pictures since mid 1970. Ethiopia is rulled by Live Aid funded rebels who came to power robing the Aid money and they hold on to power by the same endemic in human catastrophe they keep on provoking as a means to keep power. Ethiopia Needs international intervention blockage to stop Melese Zenawie, but not finical Aid to perpetuate his dictatorship.
According to MPI Multidimensional Poverty Index put Ethiopia on the 2nd place in the contrary to Melese Zenawies double digit Index.
The MPI goes beyond previous international measures of poverty to according to Oxford:
- Show all the deprivations that impact someone’s life at the same time – so it can inform a holistic response.
- Identify the poorest people. Such information is vital to target people living in poverty so they benefit from key interventions.
- Show which deprivations are most common in different regions and among different groups, so that resources can be allocated and policies designed to address their particular needs.
- Reflect the results of effective policy interventions quickly. Because the MPI measures outcomes directly, it will immediately reflect changes such as school enrolment, whereas it can take time for this to affect income.
- Integrate many different aspects of poverty related to the MDGs into a single measure, reflecting interconnections among deprivations and helping to identify poverty traps.
According to a new index developed by Oxford University and the UN, Ethiopia under Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is ranked the second poorest country on earth.
The new measurement known as the Multidimensional Poverty Index, or MPI, will replace the Human Poverty Index in the United Nations’ annual Human Development Report. The new report says Ethiopia has the second highest percentage of people who are MPI poor in the world, with only the west African nation of Niger fairing worse. This comes as more international analysts have also began to question the accuracy of the Meles government’s double digit economic growth claims and similar disputed government statistics referred by institutions like the IMF.
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In 2009, the percentage of Ethiopians who are in chronic need of food aid tripled to nearly 20 percent of the population compared to 1990 when the country was ruled by the pro-Soviet communist government of Mengistu Haile Mariam. Despite the reportedly worsening economic and political situation Zenawi government continues to receive billions in aid from the US and other western nations.
10 POOREST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
4. Burkina Faso
7. Central African Republic
10. Sierra Leone
Multidimensional Poverty Index
OPHI and the UNDP Human Development Report launch the Multidimensional Poverty Index or MPI – an innovative new measure that gives a vivid “multidimensional” picture of people living in poverty. The MPI will be featured in the 20th Anniversary edition of the UNDP Human Development Report and complements income by reflecting a range of deprivations that afflict a person’s life at the same time. The measure assesses the nature and intensity of poverty at the individual level in education, health outcomes, and standard of living. OPHI has just concluded a first ever estimate and analysis of global multidimensional poverty across 104 developing countries, and is releasing these results in advance of the Report’s October publication.
What is the MPI?
The MPI can be used to create a vivid picture of people living in poverty, both across countries, regions and the world and within countries by ethnic group, urban/rural location, or other key household characteristics. It is the first international measure of its kind, and offers an essential complement to income poverty measures because it measures deprivations directly. The MPI can be used as an analytical tool to identify the most vulnerable people, show aspects in which they are deprived and help to reveal the interconnections among deprivations. This enables policy makers to target resources and design policies more effectively. Other dimensions of interest, such as work, safety, and empowerment, could be incorporated into the MPI in the future as data become available.
The MPI reports acute poverty for 104 developing countries, which are home to 78% of the world’s people.
What does the MPI measure?
The MPI uses 10 indicators to measure three critical dimensions of poverty at the household level: education, health and living standard in 104 developing countries. These directly measured deprivations in health and educational outcomes as well as key services such as water, sanitation, and electricity reveal not only how many people are poor but also the composition of their poverty. The MPI also reflects the intensity of poverty – the sum of weighted deprivations that each household faces at the same time. A person who is deprived in 70% of the indicators is clearly worse off than someone who is deprived in 40% of the indicators.
Why is the MPI useful?
The MPI is a high resolution lens on poverty – it shows the nature of poverty better than income alone. Knowing not just who is poor but how they are poor is essential for effective human development programs and policies. This straightforward yet rigorous index allows governments and other policymakers to understand the various sources of poverty for a region, population group, or nation and target their human development plans accordingly. The index can also be used to show shifts in the composition of poverty over time so that progress, or the lack of it, can be monitored.
The measure, called the Multidimensional Poverty Index, or MPI, will replace the Human Poverty Index in the United Nations’ upcoming Human Development Report.
For the past 13 years, the U.N.’s annual report has used the Human Poverty Index, which employs three basic dimensions — length of life, knowledge and standard of living — to measure poverty in developing nations.
But, the U.N. will use Oxford’s Index: a “multidimensional picture of people living in poverty” that complements income measurements “by reflecting a range of deprivations that afflict a person’s life,” including whether a household has a decent toilet, clean water to drink within 30 minutes on foot, electricity, school-aged children enrolled in school and whether any member of a household is malnourished, say researchers.
A household is counted as “multidimensionally poor” if it is deprived of over 30 percent of the ten indicators used by the MPI. Of the 25 poorest countries researchers surveyed, 24 are located in Africa.
The countries below are, according to the MPI, the 10 poorest countries in the world:
A wealth of data
A useful new way to capture the many aspects of poverty
Jul 29th 2010
WHAT IS poverty and when is a person poor? Most would agree that poverty involves not having enough of certain things, or doing without others that richer people take for granted. But what is “enough”, which goods and services really matter, and who should decide these questions—researchers, governments or international agencies—are less tractable issues. Perhaps the poor themselves should have the final word. But this presents its own problems. Tabitha, a 44-year-old woman from a slum outside Nairobi, told researchers from Oxford University that going without meals was “normal for us”. Diminished expectations are only one of the effects of dire poverty.
In the world of international development, most have rallied around the “dollar-a-day” poverty line (or more precisely, the $1.25-a-day measure) and its less acute cousin, $2-a-day poverty. These World Bank measures judge a person to be poor if his income falls short of a given level, adjusted for differences in purchasing power. In principle poverty rates based on these measures count the fraction of people in a country who lack the resources to buy a notional, basic basket of goods.
Despite the many merits of the $1-a-day measure—not least its simplicity—some argue that looking only at income risks impoverishing the debate about poverty. Such complaints can be overdone. Income clearly matters: it determines how much people can buy and therefore whether they can afford to do the things, like eat enough, that critics of income-based measures think are more important. But rising incomes do not always translate into better health, say, or better nutrition. So there is clearly scope for measures of poverty that directly capture the many different ways in which, to quote Amartya Sen, “human lives are battered and diminished”.
A new set of internationally comparable data put together by researchers at the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative at the University of Oxford tries to take Mr Sen’s ideas about “the need for a multidimensional view of poverty and deprivation” seriously*. Aided by the improved availability of survey data about living conditions for households in over 100 developing countries, the researchers have come up with a new index, called the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will use in its next “Human Development Report” in October.
The index seeks to build up a picture of the prevalence of poverty based on the fraction of households who lack certain basic things. Some of these are material. Does a family home have a dirt or dung floor? Does it lack a decent toilet? Must members of the household travel more than 30 minutes on foot to get clean water to drink? Do they live without electricity? Others relate to education, such as whether any school-age children are not enrolled or whether nobody in the family has finished primary school. Still others concern health, such as whether any member of a household is malnourished. A household is counted as poor if it is deprived on over 30% of the ten indicators used. Researchers can then calculate the percentage of people in each country who are “multidimensionally poor”.
Looking at many aspects of poverty at once has several benefits. One problem with considering just one indicator is that some deprivations may be a matter of choice. As Mr Sen has argued in his work on poverty, what matters is not whether a person eats “enough” but whether he eats whatever he does out of choice. Fasting is fine; involuntary starvation is not. Some, for instance, may prefer the earthiness of a mud floor to the coldness of a concrete one. But the number of people choosing to be malnourished, illiterate, lacking in basic possessions and drinkers of dirty water all at once is probably fleetingly small. A person deprived along many of these dimensions surely counts as poor.
Measure for measure
By and large, as the chart shows, countries’ poverty rates as calculated using the MPI differ quite a lot from those based on their $1-a-day rates. In India, for instance, many more people lack basic things, as measured using the MPI, than earn less than $1.25 a day. The opposite, however, is true of Tanzania, which is doing better at getting its people fed, housed and educated than its income-based poverty rate would suggest.
Since the MPI is calculated by adding lots of different things up, it is possible to work backwards and see what contributes the most to poverty in specific places. In sub-Saharan Africa, the material measures contribute much more to poverty than in South Asia, where the biggest contributor is malnutrition. The authors argue that having this information readily accessible makes it easier for development agencies and governments to decide what to focus on. The MPI also does a better job of uncovering long-term trends. Successful reforms in health or education increase earnings only many years into the future but will show up quickly in the MPI poverty rate.
Much remains to be done to refine the idea. For a start, the things the MPI measures are not particularly useful for middle-income countries, which have figured out how to get their people clean water and enough food but where other kinds of poverty still exist. But the principles on which the MPI is based are simple and easily adapted. An index for areas within a single country could draw on more data and could paint an even more nuanced picture: the Mexican government is already using a variant of the index to help monitor the results of its anti-poverty programmes. Measuring poverty is not the same as alleviating it, of course. But the MPI is a step forward.
* “Acute Multidimensional Poverty: A New Index for Developing Countries”, by Sabina Alkire and Emma Maria Santos. OPHI Working Paper 38, July 2010
Finance and Economics
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Why Are There More Large Animals in Africa than Anywhere Else? … The most direct answer regarding the survival of large animals in Africa is that its vast forested areas gave them ample areas to hide from man (until recent centuries).
Why is Africa known for its animals?
Africa is best known for the enormous diversity and richness of its wildlife. It has a greater variety of large ungulates, or hoofed mammals (some 90 species), and freshwater fish (2,000 species) than any other continent.
What continent has the largest animals?
List of largest land carnivorans
|Rank||Common name||Native range by continent|
|1||Polar bear||North America, Eurasia|
|2||Brown bear||North America, Eurasia|
Are there alot of animals in Africa?
Lying almost entirely within the tropics, and equally to north and south of the equator creates favourable conditions for rich wildlife. Africa is home to many of the world’s most famous fauna in human culture such as lions‚ rhinos‚ cheetahs‚ giraffes‚ hippos, leopards, zebras‚ and African elephants among many others.
What animals come from Africa?
What Animals Live In Africa?
- Giraffe. The giraffe is the world’s tallest animal, and well known for its long legs and neck. …
- Hippopotamus. After the elephant and the rhino, the hippopotamus is the world’s third largest land mammal. …
- Wildebeest. …
- Lemur. …
- African Elephants. …
- Zebra. …
- Western Green Mamba. …
- White Rhinoceros.
What is Africa’s deadliest animal?
Despite being vegetarian, hippos are considered the most dangerous terrestrial animal on the African continent. On average, they are responsible for the deaths of almost 3,000 humans every year.
What are the top 5 animals in Africa?
In Africa, the Big Five game animals are the lion, leopard, rhinoceros (both south-central black and southern white species), elephant, and Cape buffalo.
What is the 2nd largest continent?
Africa is the second-largest continent in the world among all the continents after Asia.
Which continent has coolest animals?
Despite being the world’s coldest, driest, windiest and highest continent, Antarctica hosts an amazing range of animal and bird life.
Is there an animal that lives on every continent?
Tardigrades (waterbear) are found on all continents. Tardigrades (waterbear) are found on all continents.
What is the most common animal in Africa?
In this article, we take a look at 12 of the continent’s most iconic animals, including those that make up the African Big Five.
- 01 of 12. Lion. TripSavvy / Jess Macdonald. …
- 02 of 12. Elephant. …
- 03 of 12. Giraffe. …
- 04 of 12. Leopard. …
- 05 of 12. White Rhino. …
- 06 of 12. Black Rhino. …
- 07 of 12. Cheetah. …
- 08 of 12. Buffalo.
What is Africa known for?
Africa is known for Mount Kilimanjaro, Victoria Falls, Nile river, and game reserves such as the Maasai Mara and Serengeti. Africa is also famous for its diverse ethnic groups, Egyptian Pyramids, the Sahara Desert, Mining, and for being the second driest, and the poorest continent in the world.
How many species does Africa have?
Africa is a large continent that’s home to many amazing animal species, several of which live nowhere else. It’s host to 1,100 species of mammals and over 2,600 species of birds.
Which country has the most animals?
Brazil is the Earth’s biodiversity champion. Between the Amazon rainforest and Mata Atlantica forest, the woody savana-like cerrado, the massive inland swamp known as the Pantanal, and a range of other terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, Brazil leads the world in plant and amphibian species counts.
What animals and plants survive in Africa?
Africa boasts over 1,100 species of mammals, including herd animals like wildebeest, buffalo, and impala, as well as zebras, giraffes, and elephants. The rodents are well represented with various squirrel and rat species, as well as rabbits and hares.
What predators live in Africa?
To survive the harsh world of the African savanna, lions, leopards, hyenas, and more must constantly be on the hunt. Africa’s iconic predators—lions, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs—are most known for being cunning, stealthy, and vicious. | 0.779104 | ('__label__pos',) |
Hyperparameters are the knobs that programmers tweak in machine learning algorithms. Most machine learning programmers spend a fair amount of time tuning / tweaking the HyperParameter
In this tutorial, you will learn about the following HyperParameters:
Gradient descent takes small steps to reduce the loss of a model. Gradient descent algorithms multiply the gradient by a scalar known as the learning rate (also sometimes called step size) to determine the next point. For example, if the gradient magnitude is 2.5 and the learning rate is 0.01, then the gradient descent algorithm will pick the next point 0.025 away from the previous point.
If you pick a learning rate that is too small, learning will take too long:
Conversely, if you specify a learning rate that is too large, the next point will perpetually bounce haphazardly across the bottom of the well like a quantum mechanics experiment gone horribly wrong:
When Learning rate is just right:
EPOCHs is one of the HyperParameters that you can tweak while training a model. Play around with the number of training cycles to get to the minimal loss from gradient descent
You can play around with the number of training examples that you want to use for each training cycle. For example, if you have 1000 training examples, you can choose to pick 100 random samples (batch size=100) for each EPOCH (Training cycle) | 0.999188 | ('__label__pos',) |
Raul Garcia-Patron Sanchez and colleagues find that quantum advantage is still some way off
Quantum advantage – the moment when quantum computers can solve problems classical computers find impossible – is still some way off, a study by Raul Garcia-Patron Sanchez from the school of Informatics and Daniel Stilck França from the University of Copenhagen suggests.
Current and next-generation quantum computers are unlikely to provide any advantage over traditional computing for accomplishing certain tasks unless their calculation errors – known as noise rates – decrease significantly, researchers have found.
Quantum technologies offer huge potential to deliver fast, powerful and more efficient calculations than traditional computers, experts say.
Recent progress in the design and engineering of quantum computers led a team of scientists from the Universities of Edinburgh and Copenhagen to investigate if they could outperform conventional machines for specific applications.
They examined whether quantum computing’s noise rates would prevent the new systems outperforming classical computers on specific tasks.
Experts developed a technique to compare how classical algorithms and quantum algorithms performed on a quantum computer, in finding the best solution from a large number of options.
They found that classical methods still performed best in these so-called optimisation problems because of the large number of unavoidable imperfections in the quantum algorithms. Quantum computing is still too noisy, experts concluded.
Quantum computing combines computer science with quantum physics. These super computers store their data using sub-atomic particles known as qubits, instead of silicone chips used in traditional machines. Silicon chips store data in binary code – a series of ones and zeros – while qubits represent a range of values simultaneously, which allows the potential for faster calculations.
Quantum computing has the potential to transform the digital world as we know it. It holds the key to the technological future of many businesses, industries and research worldwide."
"However, our research highlights the importance of effective error correction schemes and improved engineering and design to enable quantum computers to perform better than our traditional computers, when trying to solve a family of optimization problems.
Quantum computers hold tremendous potential to solve problems that are out of reach for current technologies. But it is unclear how far the technology has to evolve before it finds useful applications. Our work provides much needed tools to understand when this transition will happen.
The research was published in Nature Physics and funded by Simulation Hub, an EPSRC-funded project, and Villum Fonden via the QMATH Centre of Excellence in Quantum Computing. | 0.996073 | ('__label__pos',) |
We often hear the adage that children learn to hate. While it is true that children will learn to hate if it is modeled for them, this is not the only way to learn racism.
Racism is sin, and we are hardwired to sin; children are no exception. Because of this, it is not enough to refrain from teaching our children to hate. We must actively teach them to love and accept others.
An infant is born able to focus on the face of the person who holds him. The pattern of eyes, nose, and mouth is one of the first an infant learns to recognize. This kind of pattern learning is so strong that as adults, we can still see faces in things that are not human.
The brain sees a possible face, compares it to previously seen faces, and makes a quick decision. As long as toddlers see more human faces than sink faces, they will make a correct determination.
This learning technique of creating a category and deciding what does or does not fit is used by the brain for things other than learning. It can also be a shortcut to determine if an unfamiliar face is safe. If a child sees only faces that look like hers, it is more likely that a strange face will cause small anxiety. If children see many different faces, then their category for faces will be large and varied.
With many examples in the category, new faces will be more readily accepted.
It is important for young ch ______ to have plenty of s _________ and good f_________ for healthy growth.
Your brain uses its schemas to fill in these words. It pays attention to the grammar of the sentence and uses the beginning letter clues to identify the right categories. You likely filled in these spaces using words such as “children,” “sunshine,” and “food.”
However, this is a line of text from a paragraph about raising chickens. “Sunshine” is a correct word, but the first and last blanks are “chicks” and “feed.” Schemas serve as shortcuts, but sometimes shortcuts point us in the wrong direction. If your brain had more categories that fit the term "healthy growth" it might come up with different answers.
Schema thinking is a gift from God because it helps us to understand things and make quick decisions. However, like everything else in our world, sin creeps in and turns something helpful into a potential for sin.
If children have a small number of schemas, if their categories have few examples, they will be limited in what they are comfortable with, think about, or like. Children who do more, see more, and learn more will have many schemas full of examples.
Think about what kinds of faces your children have seen over their lifetimes. Do they see faces with skin color or eyes different from their own? As a parent, think about how you can increase their exposure.
Literature- The photographs and characters in books have a profound effect on schema development because photos provide more examples for the categories of things that make up schemas. And stories show children how different people work together. Seek out books, movies, video games and other toys that feature people who are different. If your child’s everyday world includes people who look different, speak a different language, or accomplish things in different ways (e.g., moving in a wheelchair), these differences will become familiar. Achieving this goal takes work. You cannot let the world do this for you. It’s not enough to notice a different character; your goal must be to make differences familiar.
Media – One of the biggest dangers of a lack of experience with people who are different is when someone different gets attention in the media for a bad action. As you seek to fill the life of your children with exposure to different people, it is essential to point out the variety within each group. The media tends to focus on wrong actions because that is what gets our attention. Look for ways to find things to admire in people, so your children become focused on looking for the good.
It is equally important to talk about the power of forgiveness. Children tend to define an individual based on one wrong action – even though they do not apply that standard to themselves. Children who have been forgiven and have been taught to forgive will be less likely to judge an entire group of people by the actions of a few.
Life- Literature and media have a significant influence on our children, but not as significant as the way a family lives from day-to-day. How often do you seek out new experiences with new people? Everything from trying new food, attending a cultural celebration, enjoying music, and worshiping at a church where you do not look like most of the people are all experiences that broaden those schemas. The goal is not to ignore your family’s culture but to appreciate it more when you realize that each family has their likes, rituals, and traditions.
In my previous post, I mentioned that an unspoken truth is an untaught truth. This idea applies beautifully to teaching our children about racism. We do not do our children any favors by hoping they will not see differences. Their brains are hardwired to make a note of differences and to assign value to those categories. We need to teach children about differences and how to value those who look different, like different things, and celebrate in different ways.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Genesis 1:26a
We do not know if Adam and Eve had dark skin and black curly hair or light skin and blue eyes. We do know that God made all of His children in His image. And just like Adam and Eve did not have to teach their son Cain to hate, we know that sin has found its way into our families. Through the power of God’s Word and the work of the Spirit, we can teach our children about fellow children of God.
This Dr. Lawrence Chatters, the Vice President for Student Affairs at Midlands University. We were classmates in graduate school and I have learned much from his wisdom. Here is an interview with him on the topic of children and racism.
Concordia Publishing House | 0.819482 | ('__label__pos',) |
Yes, running a fever can be dangerous during pregnancy.
But you can reduce the risks by getting your fever down as soon as you can.
Here’s how can you tell if you have a fever: Your temperature is higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Centigrade) when you take it by mouth.
Is it dangerous to have a fever while pregnant?
Fevers during pregnancy are never normal, so an exam is always recommended. Luckily, if the fever was caused by a viral illness, hydration and Tylenol are usually enough for recovery. But if the cause is bacterial, an antibiotic is often needed. Pregnant women should not take aspirin or ibuprofen.
What happens if you get fever while pregnant?
Dangers of Fever in Pregnancy
Rather, the risks depend on how high your temperature gets. When you have a fever, your internal body temperature rises, which can also increase baby’s temperature, Lamppa says. “When a fetus becomes too warm, their heart rate may increase,” she says.
Can a fever cause a miscarriage?
Having a fever during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, can cause problems for a developing baby. It is usually prolonged, high fevers that are thought to cause problems. Miscarriage is common and between 15 and 20 percent of all pregnancies result in miscarriage.
How can I reduce fever during pregnancy?
How can I reduce a fever during pregnancy without using medicine?
- Lie down and place a cool, damp washcloth on your forehead.
- Take a lukewarm tub bath or sponge bath.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and help cool your body from the inside out.
- Turn on a fan.
- Dress in one light layer of clothing.
- Stay indoors in a cool place.
Has anyone had a fever while pregnant?
Yes, you can, and you can get a fever at any time during pregnancy. Research suggests that about one-third of pregnant women will get a fever at some point, and the majority deliver healthy babies.
Is fever dangerous in third trimester?
In the third trimester, a fever was linked to a 15 percent higher risk of autism. But multiple fevers after the first trimester seemed to have an even greater impact on risk. In women who reported three or more fevers after the 12th week of pregnancy, the risk of autism jumped over 300 percent.
How do you break a fever?
How to break a fever
- Take your temperature and assess your symptoms.
- Stay in bed and rest.
- Keep hydrated.
- Take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to reduce fever.
- Stay cool.
- Take tepid baths or using cold compresses to make you more comfortable.
Is fever dangerous in second trimester?
Fevers are much less likely to cause fetal damage in the 2nd trimester than in the 1st trimester, but you should still try to lower it with acetaminophen (the ingredient in Tylenol), which is safe at any stage of pregnancy. The fever could signal an infection that needs prompt medical attention.
Can getting sick while pregnant hurt the baby?
It’s no fun being sick, especially during pregnancy, when you’re likely to worry about your developing baby’s health as much as your own. You can also take comfort in the fact that most babies aren’t harmed if their mother gets an infection during pregnancy.
What week is the highest risk of miscarriage?
- Weeks 0 to 6. These early weeks mark the highest risk of miscarriage. A woman can have a miscarriage in the first week or two without realizing she’s pregnant.
- Weeks 6 to 12.
- Weeks 13 to 20. By week 12, the risk may fall to 5 percent.
Is 99.2 considered a fever?
If you measured your temperature under your armpit, then 99°F or higher indicates a fever. Temperature measured rectally or in the ear is a fever at 100.4°F (38°C) or greater. An oral temperature of 100°F (37.8° C) or more is a fever.
What temperature is dangerous for a baby?
When to call the doctor
If your baby is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) or higher, call the doctor immediately. A baby this young needs to be checked for serious infection or disease.
Is fever common in early pregnancy?
It’s never normal to run a fever or experience chills when you’re pregnant. “It’s easier to become sick when you’re pregnant because your immune system is naturally suppressed,” Dr. Dweck says. But there are some more serious conditions directly related to pregnancy that can cause these symptoms, too.
Photo in the article by “Authority Dental” | 0.944395 | ('__label__pos',) |
and do not necessarily reflect the views of UK Essays.
In modern communities, healthy environment is the foundation of our daily lives. However, environmental problems are becoming serious. Much research illustrate that the pollution from architecture, from construction to operation, is one of the main contributors of these problems. The world famous design theorist Victor Papanek claimed in the 1960s, that designers should consider the limited resources around the world to protect the planet. This was the first announcement globally promoting the set of principals of green design. This assignment will firstly explain the principles of green design, then show several applications of these principles and finally evaluate the contribution of these principles to society .
According to Yeang and Spector, green design is based on four principles, the green principle, the grey principle, the blue principle and the red principle, which aim to reduce contamination to the environment, recycle waste and reuse energy. The green principle is the principle about interconnecting natural areas and buildings. The grey principle refers to the circular systems in the buildings, such as energy or electric power systems. The blue principle is about the water cycle which should be designed to close the loop, which means that try best to reduce or reuse waste water. Finally, the red principle suggest designers should meet the requirements of customers.When applying these principles in architecture, it means sustainable design to comply with economic, social and ecological sustainability.
The green principle states that whenever and wherever possible, the existent natural eco-system should be reserved to a great extent during the period of designing. This has been highlighted by Yeang and Spector (2011), “having an eco-infrastructure in the master plan is vital”. The obvious benefit, such as providing cleaner air and improving water supply, of designing under the green principle is significant. However, a hidden potential, for instance, being a conditioner of climate change and keeping water from washing away, is also meaningful. As will be illustrated later, designing under green principle bring citizens better lives.
The grey principle is the principle which is frequently used in urban engineering. Applying it into architecture aims to regard buildings as a small city. Therefore, buildings should produce parts of energy by themselves, which can lighten the burden of government as numerous pressing global social issues have been caused by limitation of resource. The best explaination of this is the application of solar energy.
The third principle of green design is the blue principle, which can also be called the water principle. This principle claims that “new technological trajectories for the water infrastructure should be applied (Hiessl et al 2001)”. As the predicament of global shortage, it should be used in cyclic way. “Water used in the built environment needs to be recovered and re-used wherever possible”(Yeang and Spector). As a result, blue principle is an additional built-up principle for green design.
The last principle of green design is the red principle, which is a principle of serving human communities directly. Applying this principle, designer should realize what citizens really require, whether they are satisfied with your design. It is important for a designer to remind themselves as a service provider. “What we do not know can hurt us”(Bondan & Sosnowchik, 2007). “This is the social and human dimension that is often missing in the work of green designers” (Yeang and Spector).
As the environmental problems become more and more serious, green design principles have been applied more frequently. Modern buildings always contain element of green design more or less. Designers usually apply principles of green design in their design in order to improve the quality of them. The particular examples below cover the application of the four fundamental principles of green design and demonstrate evidences of the principles of green design that should be used more widely.
With the speedy construction, increasing population and rapid-developing transportations, the phenomenon of urban heat island effect become significant, which lead to the environmental deterioration of life quality. Therefore, the applying of green principle require action imperatively. According to this, vertical planting have been utilized in common design. Vertical planting is a technique that uses different resources to allow plants to extend upward rather than grow along the surface of city. In some cases, no support frame of any kind is needed as the plants naturally grows upwards. The plants outside the building provide a layer to protect buildings from sunshine, which is benefit for preserving the temperature inside the buildings. Research demonstrate that buildings with vertical planting would keep the temperature 3-9 degrees lower than without that. With the help of vertical planting, the burden of air- conditioners could reduce 12.7% approximately. It can be seen in some of modern constructions that green roofs, walls and facades are some of the City of Melbourne’s latest tools in the work to adapt city to climate change.
As the rapidly developing of green design, in order to applying the grey principle more effectively, the Building Information Modifying technology, based on the 3D technology, a new building design model collecting and managing effectively all kinds of information in the entire building life circle, have been exploited to assist architects to design recycle systems of buildings(Liu & Liu 2013).Applying this new technology, designers could be able to design the circular energy or electric systems inside the buildings, such as solar energy system, to decline the negative effects to environment and to achieve sustainable building design. Furthermore, wind catcher, a suitable ventilation means for houses to creates pleasant airflow in rooms, hall and basement, is another latest technology to reduce the energy of a building requiring to function normally. In addition, while hot water is the largest component of residential energy costs after heating and cooling, a solar domestic water heating system that is well designed will provide 50-80% of hot water needs, depending on the building’s geographical location and the time of year.
Water, often called the source of life, provides a valuable resource to be celebrated in the process of green design. According to Art Ludwig, only about 6 per cent of water people use for drinking. Consequently, potable water should not use for irrigation or sewage. The Monterey Bay Shores approach to water management is a representative example show how blue principle working. In Monterey Bay Shores’ water systems, main water sources is from the rain, which is collected by a storage and used in swimming pools, toilets, spa, laundry and bath after different processes of treatment. An additional water supplying line is municipal water supply, which provides potable water for drinking and cooking. Finally, all the graywater( used water) after treatments will be irrigated for the plants of green roofs and green walls. Furthermore, the recycling system in Bird’s Nest is another example. With the help of six water collection and storage tanks with a capacity of 12,000 cu m over 70 per cent of the water supply at Bird’s Nest is recycled water, while 23 per cent is recycled rainwater, which will be used for washing the stadium, road, toilet, garage and irrigating the land around the venue.
Recent years, residents in modern cities complain more frequently about the crowded sky scrapes. The grim tall buildings bring them the felling of choking. As the quality of people’s lives improved, a place for living is not the basic requirement of customers. The happiness and comfort taken by the style of space have been regard as more important. It tends to be a tendency that applying the red principle in modern design of architecture to satisfied the customers. Bauhaus Design School, the origin of modern design, for some, is synonymous with the greater term modernism. For others, the Bauhaus is a type of font or an architectural design style. “Architecture is designed for human” is one of the most prominent view of Bauhaus. Architecture is service for people and should be combined with environment to become a gorgeous place for living. In German and Sweden, numerous buildings are designed with large dimensions but amiable, moderate and comfortable. The architecture to people is what human to nature. While nature never change following the human’s minds, building designers should consider more about the suggests from residents. Otherwise, a eye-attractive design without suitableness for people could not be treat as a successful design.
The four principles of green design described above have being applied successfully in many parts of the world and have produced a significant reduction in environmental damage. To be more specific, the mainly benefits of applying principles of green design could be divided into three parts: economic benefits, environmental benefits and social benefits. Firstly, for the economic aspect, green buildings typically have lower annual cost for energy, water, maintenance and other operating expenses. Although the first costs may be higher, the payback would be worthy as the time goes by. Secondly, as original buildings use the energy and produce waste, green buildings could produce energy by themselves and reuse the waste to minimize the pollutant. Furthermore, in social respect, the principles using in green design bring the improvement in the quality of life, health and well-being. Residents in modern community would feel more health, comfortable and satisfactory to live in a green building.
In conclusion, green design is helpful to relieve the pressing global environmental problems while the situation become increasing serious, such as the urban heat island effect and greenhouse effect. Applying the principles in design, the cost of operating buildings would reduce by a margin, for instance, the expenditure of using air-conditioners will decrease sharply. Furthermore, applying principles of green design could take numerous benefits to people’s health lives. For instance, plants can produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, which suits for human that need oxygen every second particularly. Principles of green design enable people to live in a more comfortable and sustainable environment, which could improve their work efficience and bring them a safer and more environmental friendly future.
Panaek, V 1970, Design for the real world, Sweden.
Yeang, K & Spector, A(ed) 2011, Green design: from theory to practice, black dog publishing, London, UK.
Bondan, P & Sosnowchik, K 2007, Sustainable Commercial Interiors, Spain.
Henry, Y 2010, An Introduction to Green Building Information Modeling (BIM).
Hiessl, H, Walz, R & Toussaint, D, Design and Sustainability Assessment of Scenarios of Urban Water Infrastructure Systems, ISI, Germany. | 0.826527 | ('__label__pos',) |
Berlin Wall, the physical barrier that separated East Germany from West Germany, holds a significant place in the history of Germany. The construction of the barrier led to the separation of Germany into two different 'worlds', which were isolated from each other for over two decades. The period from 1961 to 1989, stretching on from the construction of the wall to its fall, witnessed the killing of several Germans, who were trying to flee from East to West Berlin. In this article, we have given detailed history of Berlin Wall, along with some interesting information on its background and origin.
Interesting Information On Background And Origin Of Berlin Wall
When the World War II came to an end, the remaining parts of Nazi Germany, west of the Oder-Neisse line, were divided into four zones, each occupied by the Allied powers, including Americans, Soviets, French and the British. The capital of Germany, Berlin, was also divided into four sectors, even though the city was located in the interiors of the Soviet zone. The Allied powers decided to govern Germany in unison, within the postwar borders of the country. However, when the Cold War tensions crept in, the American, British and French zones clubbed their zones together, to form the Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin, in 1949. The Soviet zone, which was excluded, formed the German Democratic Republic, which also included East Berlin.
Two German States
The Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) took shape of a Western capitalist country, constituting a democratic parliamentary government and a social market economy. The economy in the region continued to grow in the 1950s. On the other side, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) formed an authoritarian government, which followed a Soviet-style planned economy. As the economy in West Germany continued to grow and the standard of living underwent a considerable up gradation, the residents of East Germany wanted to shift their base to West Germany.
In order to stop the free movement of West Germany residents to East Germany, East German leaders arranged a meeting with the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, in Moscow, on 1st April 1952. During the discussion, Stalin's foreign minister Vyacheslav Molotov proposed that the East Germans should bring in a system of passes for the entry of West Germans, especially the Western agents, to their territory. Citing the situation as an intolerable one, Stalin agreed to the proposal. Moreover, he asserted that the East Germans should build up their border defenses, not just to demarcate the line between East and West Germany, but to make it dangerous for the people on the other side to cross it. In addition, he proposed that the Germans would guard the line of defense with their lives.
After closing the inner German border between East and West Germany, a barbed-wire fence was erected. Although the border between the Western and Eastern sectors of Berlin remained open, restrictions were brought about in the movement of traffic between the Soviet and the Western sectors. As a result, Berlin became a trouble spot for tension between the two superpowers - the United States and the Soviet Union. The East Germans, desperately seeking an escape from the German Democratic Republic (GDR), were attracted to Berlin.
Construction Of Berlin Wall
An international press conference was held on 15 June 1961, in which the First Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party and GDR State Council chairman Walter Ulbricht asserted that no one intended to erect a wall between the two German States - East & West. However, on 12 August 1961, Ulbricht signed the order to close the border and build a wall, at a garden party arranged at a government guest house in Dollnsee, in East Berlin. The leaders of the GDR were also present on the occasion.
At midnight, the police and units of the East German army began closing the border between the two German States and shut it down completely on the following morning i.e. on 13th August 1961. This marked the beginning of the construction of the Berlin Wall. Consequently, East German troops and workers started tearing up the streets, running alongside the border, to make way for the movement of vehicles and to install barbed wire entanglements and fences along the 97 miles, to divide West and East Berlin.
The fence was installed in such a way that it didn't occupy even an inch of West Berlin territory. It was build slightly inside East Berlin or East German territory. On 15 August 1961, large concrete blocks were put in place, to convert the fence into a strong wall. When the Berlin Wall was under construction, armed NVA and KDA soldiers were assigned to guard it, with orders to shoot anyone who attempted to destroy it. To make the wall stronger, fences, and other obstacles were built alongside the inner German border, between East and West Germany, and minefields were included in the design of the construction.
The immediate effects of the construction of Berlin Wall were devastating. Due to the erection of the barrier, the vast majority of East Germans could no longer move to West Germany. As a result, a number of families were spilt, while the residents of East Berlin employed in the West were thrown out of their jobs. West Berlin emerged as an abandoned enclave, in a hostile land. On the other side, the populace of West Berlin protested against the construction of Berlin Wall, led by Mayor Willy Brandt. They also criticized the United States for giving no response.
A parallel fence, 100 meters farther into East German territory, was built in June 1962. The houses that came in between the fences were destroyed and the residents were relocated. This gave rise to No Man's Land, which later came to be known as the Death Strip. Covered with raked gravel, the Death Strip offered clear fields of fire for the Wall guards.
Fall Of Berlin Wall
On 23 August 1989, Hungary removed its physical border defense with Austria. In the following month, around 13000 East German tourists in Hungary fled to Austria. Hungarians stopped East Germans from crossing the border and returned them to Budapest. As a result, the East Germans crowded in the West German embassy and refrained from returning to East Germany. In response to this, the East German government stopped permitting its people to travel to Hungary. This gave rise to a similar incident in Czechoslovakia.
Following the restriction on travel, mass demonstrations began to take shape in East Germany, leading to the resignation of its long-time leader - Erich Honecker. On the account of his resignation, on 18 October 1989, Egon Krenz assumed Honecker's position. In the meantime, the number of refugees leaving East Germany for the West had increased manifold. On 9 November 1989, the politburo, led by Krenz Government, decided to permit the refugees to go out.
The refugees were to move directly through crossing points between East Germany and West Germany, including West Berlin. Demanding an entry to West Berlin, thousands of East Berlin residents crowded the checkpoints in the Berlin Wall and the wall guards allowed them to get through. Ultimately, the enthusiastic East Berliners entered the West Berlin territory. They were whole-heartedly welcomed by their West Berliners, on 9 November 1989, which is considered the day of the fall of the Berlin Wall. | 0.559509 | ('__label__pos',) |
A ketogenic diet, shortly called a keto diet, is a high-fat diet that contains low carbs and offers a wide range of health benefits. It replaces the carbohydrates in your food and adds more fat intake. This increases the metabolic rate of your body through a process called ketosis. In this process, your body burns a lot of fat and converts it into energy.
It has helped many people lose a significant amount of weight and improve their overall health. It causes a huge reduction in insulin and blood sugar levels. It, therefore, helps combat a lot of serious as well as everyday diseases and health conditions such as:
- Heart disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Brain injuries
Different Types of Ketogenic Diets:
There is a different type of Ketonic Diets with the main difference being the ratio of various constituent nutrients in it. The major types are:
- Standard ketogenic diet (SKD):This is the most common and generic Keto diet and contains 75% fat, 20% protein, and 5% carbs. This level of carbs is low compared to the other types of keto diets.
- Cyclical ketogenic diet (CKD):This diet involves a cycle where a period of a keto diet is followed by a short duration of high carb diet.
- Targeted ketogenic diet (TKD):This is a diet for people involved in physical exercise or works out sessions. It allows additional intake of carbs around the time of the workout.
- High-protein ketogenic diet:As the name suggests, it includes higher protein intake. The ratio is 60% fat, 35% protein, and 5% carbs.
Foods to Avoid:
We now know that keto diets restrict the amount of carbs that you take in. Let us look at some the food items that are suggested to be avoided in the keto diet.
- Grains or starches
- Fruit:Try to limit your fruit intake to just a small portion.
- Beans or legumes:
- Root vegetables and tubers:
- Unhealthy fats (vegetable oil, mayonnaise etc.)
- Sugar-free diet foods
Foods to Eat
Having looked at what not to eat, let us take a look at the foods that can be a part of your keto diet.
- Meat, Fatty fish and Eggs
- Butter and cream
- Cheese:(Preferably Unprocessed cheese)
- Nuts and seeds
- Healthy oils
- Low-carb veggies
Keep in mind:
The ketogenic diet may have some side effects while your body adapts to the new changes. It is suggested that you start with a normal low-carb diet before plunging into the keto diet. This will acclimatize your body to burn more fats than usual. It is also very essential to consume salts and a lot of water while undergoing the diet. Supplementing your keto diet with minerals, whey protein etc. can also be helpful. As with any diet, it is important to be consistent and follow it over a long period of time, to obtain the best results. | 0.792791 | ('__label__pos',) |
For a long time in history, human beings have preserved the bodies of their loved ones using different methods. The embalming process is a modern method of preservation for a dead body. So how is embalming done, and how does it work to preserve the body? This article will explain what you need to know about embalming and how it works.
What is embalming
It is a method of preserving a dead body by draining internal fluids and adding a disinfectant solution.
Preparation of the body
The embalming process starts with cleaning the body by washing it. The cremation services will cleanse the body using a strong disinfectant until the body is clean. After cleaning the body, they will shave facial hair.
The next step is to massage the muscle to reduce tension and prepare the muscles for embalming. Embalmers massage the joints and the limbs so the embalming solution can quickly move through the arteries.
They close the eyes using special skin glue or eye caps that look like human flesh. They are oval in shape and help in holding the eye in position. Finally, they sew the jaw shut using what is known as suture string.
They can also use wires to sew the bottom and the top jaw. They pass the wire on the upper jaw and lower jaw. It is done on the front teeth and then tied at the bottom of the jaw.
A needle injector helps sew the jaws shut so they can adjust the mouth to the required position. It is an instrument that helps to pass the wire while sewing the jaws shut.
The embalmer mixes the solutions that help in the preservation of the body. The solution contains chemicals such as
The mixture of these solutions allows the body to last longer than it could have stayed in normal conditions. They first start by drawing blood from the body using the veins. After this, they inject the solution into the body through the arteries. The arteries are present in every body part, making them suitable for passing fluid to all body parts.
They make a small opening in the middle of the stomach and drain all the fluids and gases. The formaldehyde solution replaces these fluids and gases. The embalmer then closes the opening.
How does embalming work?
The body naturally has bacteria that have specific functions in various human body parts. When a person dies, the bacteria can move to other parts of the body, which causes the reaction which starts decomposition.
The embalming process drains the body of all the liquids that are no longer moving. The formaldehyde solution is a disinfectant that slows down the bacterial reaction. It gives the deceased’s family some time to plan for the funeral.
The embalming process is not compulsory but is essential if you want the body to look the same as the last time the person was alive. Embalming is unnecessary if you plan on cremating the body unless you want to view it before the cremation. However, if you’re going to embalm the body of your loved one, find a reputable crematorium. Ask for the entire process to know how they will care for your loved one. | 0.991863 | ('__label__pos',) |
To a degree that impresses and somewhat surprises me, the Flint water crisis continues to inspire broadening inquiry into a pair of problems most of us thought this country had solved long ago:
- Lead poisoning of children? Not since we got the heavy metal out of paint and gasoline.
- Unsafe urban water supplies? Why, look at all the reductions in industrial pollution of lakes and rivers, plus massive investment in treatment plants.
Gains, of course, can be claimed on both fronts. But recent revelations make it difficult to find much satisfaction or feel much faith in efforts that so often, in so many places, seem now to have fallen so far short of what’s needed.
In a commentary published Sunday, headlined “America Is Flint,” New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof made some calculations from data assembled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and arrived at these chilling comparisons:
In Flint, 4.9 percent of children tested for lead turned out to have elevated levels. That’s inexcusable. But in 2014 in New York State outside of New York City, the figure was 6.7 percent.
In Pennsylvania, 8.5 percent. On the west side of Detroit, one-fifth of the children tested in 2014 had lead poisoning. In Iowa for 2012, the most recent year available, an astonishing 32 percent of children tested had elevated lead levels.
Consider also that children typically aren’t tested for lead in their blood unless they’ve already developed symptoms of lead poisoning, or have been subjected to a significant known exposure, or both. And the standards for investigation can vary widely.
In Wisconsin, for example – whose capital city is thought to be the first major U.S. metro area to replace all of its lead water lines – a child nowadays must have a blood level of lead three times the CDC’s recommended standard of 5 micrograms per deciliter to trigger a mandatory investigation. (A bill before the legislature would adopt the federal threshold and add a drinking-water test alongside the current checks for lead in paint, soil and dust around the home.)
For its statistical purposes, the CDC tests blood from a sample of about 1,200 American children every two years. From those results it estimates that 535,000 kids between 1 and 5 years of age are carrying enough lead to put them at risk of intellectual and behavioral deficits, including a predilection for disruptive, disorderly conduct that later in life may reach a degree considered criminal.
“Lead in Flint is just the tip of the iceberg,” according to Richard L. Jackson, who formerly oversaw CDC’s environmental health division and is quoted in the Kristof column. We can only hope he’s right in observing, “Flint is a teachable moment for America.”
Replacing pipe raises risks
The list of major U.S. cities with notably leaded drinking water has not lengthened much since last week, but a different kind of revelation emerged from Chicago, where the Tribune been making an issue for a year or more of persistently high levels of lead poisoning in the city’s poorer neighborhoods.
It turns out that replacing antiquated lead lines is not only a major hassle and hugely expensive, but the disturbance itself can raise lead levels in the lines for quite a while. This is an especially big problem in Chicago, whose plumbing codes insisted on lead pipe for supply lines long after other cities abandoned it.
That ended in 1986, with a national ban, but as Michael Hawthorne reported on Monday, a study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established that even today,
Nearly 80 percent of the properties in Chicago are hooked up to service lines made of lead. The study also found the city’s testing protocols — based on federal rules — are likely to miss high concentrations of lead in drinking water.
Now the city is busily replacing the lead lines. But even though the EPA research established that lead “can flow out of faucets for years after construction work disrupts service lines that connect buildings to the city’s water system,” Hawthorne found that residents are given little assistance in avoiding exposure beyond advice to flush their taps until visible particles of residue are no cleared.
The EPA, on the other hand, advises any household known to have a portion of lead pipe in its supply route to flush pipes for three to five minutes whenever the water hasn’t been used for several hours, and to run a tap for 35 to 45 seconds every single time before drawing a glass of water to drink or for infant formula.
When questioned about water quality, officials say the city complies with the Lead and Copper Rule, a 1991 federal edict that created an elaborate set of procedures to test drinking water for those heavy metals. But the federal rule requires only 50 homes be tested every three years in Chicago, a city of 2.7 million people with more lead service lines than any other U.S. municipality.
Moreover, the rules require utilities to check only the first liter of water drawn in the morning. The EPA study found that although the first liter often is lead-free, high levels of the toxic metal can flow through taps for several minutes afterward, depending in part on the length of the service line between the home and street.
Road salt leaches lead
At the other end of the scale sizewise is Brick Township, New Jersey, a community of 75,000 whose problems arose somewhat mysteriously between 2011, when just two homes tested above the EPA’s lead standard of 15 parts per billion, and 2014, when 16 of 34 homes were above that line.
Among the chemicals that can accelerate leaching of lead into drinking water are certain chlorine compounds, and as The Times’ Michael Wines and John Schwartz reported Sunday, road-salt use went up in recent winters, which raised chloride levels in the river that served as the township’s water source.
“Brick is but one example of how lead contamination can elude rules and authorities, potentially for years,” the article observed:
Water systems use various protocols for tap water tests, and rules allow ordinary homeowners to conduct them unsupervised, raising questions about their consistency. Officials must disclose contamination and take remedial action only if tests show more than 10 percent of sampled homes exceed the standard. Advocates say that lets utilities declare their water safe even if contamination is uncovered.
”Over the last decade we’ve learned that the testing routines did not detect true risk from lead, that there are forms of lead that we’re not testing for and that testing was too infrequent,” said [Jeffrey K.] New Griffiths, the former chairman of the EPA’s Drinking Water Committee. “It’s hard to see how the status quo in lead testing for water is adequately serving the public.”
Who bothers to test?
I’ve owned three houses in my life and the first, in south Minneapolis, was a little over 50 years old when I bought it in 1982. I remember the FHA inspector requiring the seller to replace the old supply line with “copper to the street” – but the issue was water quantity, not quality.
The low-pressure problem turned out to be chiefly old galvanized verticals inside, which was on my mind when I bought the second house, also in south Minneapolis, a 1985 dwelling that attracted me with its copper and PVC pipes and a whole bunch of other modern component parts that, should they fail, could be replaced at Settergrens without the bouts of head-scratching, bemused perplexity that had become so tiresome.
But I never gave a thought to water quality, even though this was the year before the national ban on lead took effect and I imagine the issues must have been in the news. I suppose I just assumed the city water would be OK until and unless the city told me otherwise. Wouldn’t you?
In fact, in 28 years of living in Minneapolis I never, ever heard of anybody having their city water tested for contamination.
When house No. 3 came along in western Wisconsin a test was part of the transaction because the supply was a private well (which passed that cursory test, and a very thorough, expensive and elective followup a few years later, with nearly ideal results). I admit I was uneasy about moving off city water to a “system” that amounted to a pipe poked into the ground, together with some plumbing and a pump and pressure tank, all installed by some guys who I had to hope knew what they were doing, who might or might not be around to fix anything that went wrong.
What I’m taking from Flint’s “teachable moment” is that maybe I had it exactly backwards.
The lesson we can all find in it, I think, is that it’s sheer political blather to assert that U.S. regulation of environmental health risks falls somewhere between perfectly adequate and ridiculously extreme.
MinnPost event: On Monday, Feb. 22, MinnPost’s Earth Journal Circle will present its fourth annual event focusing on substantive discussion of critical issues in the environment. This year’s topic is “Land of 10,000 Lakes: Can We Achieve Water Sustainability?” The speaker is Deborah Swackhamer, former director of the University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center, who will discuss issues threatening regional water quality and quantity. Earth Journal writer Ron Meador will moderate the Q&A session. | 0.913358 | ('__label__neg',) |
Comments. They are some of the magic sauce of ds106 that knits participants together. Giving and getting feedback is what makes this different from just a self paced online experience.
It’s not that difficult to do, but in the rush of all the activity, creativity, connectivity, it sometimes gets lost in the rush. Constructive comments are utterly valuable because they are like the gift of conversation.
What is a constructive comment? It should be more than “Nice work” or “I agree”. It ought to be a few sentences, and include useful feedback or suggestion for improvement. You can explain why you like what was written or agree. Or explain why you disagree. You can offer relevant contexts or links. Or offer additional resources or links that might benefit the writer. For every bit of opinion you might start writing, think of including an “and…” statement.
— Danielle Degelman (@deedegs) November 26, 2014
One approach if giving criticism is to put it inside a sandwich- open with aspects you praise or agree with, offer critical statements, and close with a positive. Maybe the best advice is to comment in the style and mood that you would like to receive.
When you comment, show that you are listening. Respond to specific parts of what the author wrote. As a form of acknowledgement, when someone replies specifically to a point, it means they are listening. Do not be the commenter who just uses it as a means to talk about their own stuff.
For some more advice, see:
- How to be a Good Commenter (John Scalzi, Whatever blog)
- How to Write a Great Comment (Grammar Girl, Quick and Dirty Tips blog)
- How to Criticize Constructively (Wikihow)
- The Ultimate Guide to Leaving Comments On Blogs (problogger)
And when you get comments on your site, by all means reply if it merits a response. Think of this as a conversation; one side conversations are not interesting, right?
For registered students you will not get credit by your teacher counting the number of comments you made – but how you are able to summarize your comment activity and what you gained from visiting other people’s vlogs. When summarizing your work include
- A summary of what you saw interesting or maybe influential in the blogs you looked at. Did you get ideas you could use by looking at someone else’s post? How did your work compare or differ from theirs?
- A summary of the feedback you got – what was useful? Would it change your thinking? What was helpful?
As new comments come into your blog, you will sometimes need to approve them so they will show up on your site. You should be getting emails whenever a new comment is submitted and/or needs approval. Please moderate these comments! The conversation can’t happen if it is never published!
Like many things, you get in proportion to what you give. | 0.662777 | ('__label__neg',) |
A musical trip through the 60’s featuring the songs of Simon and Garfunkel
starring Jim Witter,
featuring Ian Tanner
“Time it was, and what a time it was”...
These opening lyrics to Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bookends” couldn’t describe the decade of freedom and love better. What a time it was! Paul Kantner of “Jefferson Airplane” was once quoted as saying “If you can remember anything about the 60’s, then you weren’t really there!!”. He was, of course, referring to the rampant drug use which has become intrinsically associated with the counter-culture of the era. Certainly the 60’s will always conjure up images of hippies “tuning in, turning on, and dropping out”, but the decade will always be remembered for far more than that.
It was a time of new beginnings...
John F. Kennedy became the youngest ever elected President of the United States, and ushered in a new era of hope. Martin Luther King Jr. led the civil rights movement to new heights, ultimately leading to the signing of the “Civil Rights Act” of 1964. The whole world watched in awe and amazement as Neil Armstrong became the first human being to ever set foot on the moon. The “big 3” automakers enjoyed their highest ever sales and profitability in the 60’s. Musically we saw the rise of the “Motown Sound”, the “British Invasion”, and the hugely popular folk/rock scene.
Of course the decade had it’s share of dark moments as well. The assassinations of President Kennedy and Dr. King. Drug addiction in a number of prominent musicians ultimately led to their deaths, including Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. The war in Vietnam dragged on, and anti-war protests became violent as seen by the Kent State University shootings where Ohio State Guardsmen opened fire into a crowd of student protesters, killing 4 and inuring 9 others. Despite these and other tragic events the general, underlying message of the decade was one of peace, love and hope.
In 1957, Jerry Landis and Tom Grath had a moderate hit with their song “Hey Schoolgirl”. The duo’s real names were Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Their music and lyrics are synonymous with the 60’s. From “The Sound of Silence” to “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, their songs act as the “Bookends” to the decade of freedom and love.
Get ready to let your hair down, kick off your shoes and get “Feelin’ Groovy”, as Jim and the boys take you back in time. As the lights go down, and the music begins, close your eyes for a moment. You may almost smell the incense burning, and see the lava lamps bubbling. Songs like “Mrs. Robinson”, “Scarborough Fair”, “The Boxer”, and many more will have you singing along and chanting “Far Out!!
Welcome back to the 60‘s! | 0.63385 | ('__label__neg',) |
This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
Brain Teaser Question
Complete the analogy:
MOTH is to CLOTHING as . . .
(A) SHEEP is to WOOL
(B) BUTTERFLY is to WOOD
(C) PUNCTURE is to TIRE
(D) TEAR is to SWEATER
(E) TERMITE is to HOUSE
(answer found at the end of this post)
The Buckeye State of Ohio was admitted to the Union on March 1, 1803. The state has proudly claimed to be home of eight American Presidents: William Henry Harrison, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Warren G. Harding.
Here are a few interesting facts about the state:
- Motto: With God, All Things Are Possible
- Capital City: Columbus (named after Christopher Columbus)
- Lake Erie frames the northern border; the Ohio River marks the southern one
In the early 1900s, the Canton Bulldogs were organized as a professional football team. While the team no longer exists, Canton became the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. Two major amusement parks are located in the state: King’s Island near Cincinnati; Cedar Point along Lake Erie at Sandusky.
Answer to Brain Teaser Question
A moth, which is a living thing, destroys clothing–just as termite, which is a living thing, destroys a house. Choices C or D would be fine if they described living things. | 0.852108 | ('__label__neg',) |
How do you write an outline for a university essay?
4. Use an Outline Example to Plot your EssayIntroduction (usually one paragraph) a) Hookget your reader’s attention. Body of supporting ideas (Usually three paragraphs one for each main supporting idea) a) Supporting detail #1 (with examples, stories, other details) Conclusion (usually one paragraph)
How do you create a useful outline?
To create a useful outline, begin by developing a working thesis statement. Then, brainstorm ideas that you would like to include in your essay. Next, group related ideas together and make sure they are ordered effectively. Finally, label your ideas using main headings and subheadings.
How do you outline notes?
drawn, the outline method should be replaced with a better note-taking system. Write points in an organized manner based on space indentation. Place major points farthest to the left. Indent each more specific point farther to the right (level of importance is indicated by distance away from left margin).
What is outline format?
An outline is a tool used to organize written ideas about a topic or thesis into a logical order. Outlines arrange major topics, subtopics, and supporting details. Writers use outlines when writing their papers in order to know which topic to cover in what order.
What is outline method?
The Outlining Method The information which is most general begins at the left with each more specific group of facts indented with spaces to the right. The relationships between the different parts are carried out through indenting. No numbers, letters, or Roman numerals are needed.
How do you do an outline method?
How to take notes using the outline method:General information (main topics/headings) is aligned with the left margin.Ident your points further to the right in order to group more specific, related facts together.You may use numbers, letters or decimals to help organize your points in addition to indentations.
What are the most effective ways to study?
The best way to find the most effective study method for you is to test various tips, such as the ones listed below.Thwart the “Curve of Forgetting” Use Active Recall. Use the Leitner System. Take the Practice Tests. Make Connections. Try the Feynman Notebook Method. Take on the Role of Teacher. Think About Your Thinking.
What is the best way to study notes?
Review your notes, summary, concept map or outline for a few minutes. Then recite, aloud and in your own words, this information. Do this 2-3 times and then repeat at time intervals per the spacing effect guidelines. Reciting is one of the most active means of studying and learning.
Is studying at 3am good?
Yes it’s very good to study during early hours as all will be sleeping & no one will disturb you. Also mind will be relaxed after a good sleep & you grasp more information than in other hours. According to our Indian traditional learning, waking up before Brahma Muhurta and studying is the best approach.
Is it good to study at 2am?
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise ! Yes if you want to study after 2am that’s very nice thing because 2am to 2:48am is jiva /Amrit(immortal) muhurta which is also very auspicious as compared to brahma muhurta so wake up and enjoy the silence .
Is it OK to study at night?
The Night Studier For students who have more energy later in the day, evening or nighttime can be a more effective time to study. With fewer distractions and peace and quiet, studying at night can help improve a student’s concentration and focus.
Is waking up at 3am healthy?
For many of us, 3am is the witching hour, for others it may be 2am or 4am. Whichever it is, it’s important to note that it is relatively common and it is harmless – if you drop back off to sleep soon after. It doesn’t mean you can’t sleep and it doesn’t mean you have insomnia.
Is 5 hours of sleep enough?
Sometimes life calls and we don’t get enough sleep. But five hours of sleep out of a 24-hour day isn’t enough, especially in the long term. According to a 2018 study of more than 10,000 people, the body’s ability to function declines if sleep isn’t in the seven- to eight-hour range. | 0.856801 | ('__label__pos',) |
Power in AC Circuits
- Boris Poupet
- 4.196 Views
- 0 Comments
As a general concept, the power describes the speed at which a certain amount of energy is released/transmitted by a system. This energy can be of different forms: kinetic, magnetic, electric … etc
In any domain, the power is therefore expressed as a quantity of energy per unit of time. The international unit for the power is in Joules/second (J/s) which is also known as Watts (W).
In electricity, the power is determined by the product of the voltage and current signals. The hydraulic analogy is usually used to better understand the concept and draw similarities between the two domains. Indeed, the voltage can be associated with the pressure of a fluid and the current with the movement of the fluid. If any of these values increase (resp. decrease), the power also increases (resp. decreases).
In this tutorial, we will focus on the power in AC circuits, which has a different form than DC circuits. For this reason, in the first section, we discuss how to determine the AC power and where its expression comes from.
The second section will introduce an important concept called the power factor which is crucial to understand the power in AC circuits.
The last section focuses on the power triangle concept, which is associated with some definitions. We will see that power in AC circuits can take three different forms.
Power of a sinusoidal waveform
Consider an electrical AC sinusoidal signal which is characterized by its voltage V(t)=Vmax×sin(ωt+ΦV) and current I(t)=Imax×sin(ωt+ΦI) where Vmax, Imax are the peak values, ω is the common angular pulsation and ΦV, ΦI are the instant phase of each signal. The phase-difference can, therefore, be defined as ΔΦ=ΦV-ΦI.
We define the instantaneous power similarly to the DC power by P(t)=V(t)×I(t). When using the expressions of V(t), I(t), the trigonometric formula sin(X)sin(Y)=1/2(cos(X-Y)-cos(X+Y)), and the fact that (Vmax×Imax)/2=Vrms×Irms, it comes:
The first term of this formula is constant and depends only on the phase-shift between the voltage and current, it is known as the active power. The second term is time-varying, it depends on both the angular pulsation and phase-shift.
When taking the average value of P(t) over a period T of the signal, only the active power remains as the average of a time-dependant cosine term is always equal to zero.
Finally, we can say that the power dissipated in an AC circuit is given by the active power which corresponds to the average power:
The term cos(ΔΦ) is known as the power factor, it is a real number between 0 and 1 that reflects how efficiently a component or a circuit consumes the power injected to it. More details about Equation 2 and the power factor are given in the following section.
The power factor is often noted λ=cos(ΔΦ), it is equal to the ratio P/S with S=Vrms×Irms being the apparent power, which we focus more in the third section about the power triangle.
It is clear from Equation 2 that the power factor dictates how efficient the power transfer in a circuit is, depending on the phase-shift between the voltage and current. When no phase-shift (ΔΦ) is observed, the circuit or component is said to be purely resistive such as ideals resistor. In this case, the power transmission is maximum and equal to Vrms×Irms.
An example of a purely resistive situation is illustrated in Figure 2 with Vmax=1 V and Imax=2 A:
The simultaneous variations of V(t) and I(t) leads to a product P(t) always positive. The average power is therefore strictly positive. Since Vrms=1/√2 and Irms=2/√2, the AC power is given by P=1 W (dark line in Figure 2).
On the other hand, a phase-shift of 90° in absolute value can be observed in purely reactive circuits or components, such as ideal capacitor or inductor. We illustrate this case with the same example as presented previously but this time with λ=0:
As we can see, due to the phase-shift, the voltage and current signals are not synchronized anymore. The resulting instant power P(t) is a sinewave that alternates between positive and negative values, the average value of the power P is equal to 0 (dark line in Figure 3).
For the intermediate cases 0<λ<1, the AC power is located between 0 and the best case value Vrms×Irms.
In AC regime, we can list three different definitions of power:
- The apparent power is a complex number noted S, its norm equals the product Vrms×Irms and its argument is ΔΦ. It is the power that is “apparently” transmitted into a circuit.
- The active power is a real number and has previously been defined in the first section. It corresponds to the real power that is indeed transmitted into the circuit. Its expression is P=|S|×λ.
- The reactive power is the imaginary part of the apparent power and noted Q. Its expression is given by Q=|S|×sin(ΔΦ).
These different forms of power can be gathered in a complex diagram known as the power triangle:
From Figure 4, we can understand that these quantities are linked by the following formula: S=P+jQ.
Even though the reactive power is an imaginary term, it has also a physical meaning. This form of power can be produced by capacitive components or consumed by inductive components.
In many countries, electricity providers bill the reactive power consumers for certain values of λ. This is due to the fact that if a power plant produces for a client a certain apparent power S, but the client only consumes P, the power companies will bill P+Q in order to compensate for the loss in their electric line and encourage the customers to improve their network.
As an example, consider a power plant that needs to provide an active power P to its clients. Client number 1 has an efficient line regarding its reactive power Q1, client number 2 has an inadequate electricity network regarding its reactive power Q2. The apparent power that the electricity company needs to provide is therefore not the same for these different clients:
We can clearly see from Figure 5 that the power that the electricity company needs to generate for client 2 is significantly higher than for client 1 in order for them to be able to use the same final amount P.
Two options are therefore possible for client 2: either he pays a higher bill to the provider or he improves its electricity network. One possible way for client 2 to lower its reactive power down to Q1 is by capacitive compensation.
Indeed, inductive components tend to increase the reactive power (arg(ZL)=+90°) and at the opposite, capacitive components tend to decrease it (arg(ZC=-90°). Choosing an appropriate value of a series capacitor can, therefore, bring back the reactive power Q2 to acceptable levels.
Power in AC circuits cannot only be described by the peak values of the voltage and current waveforms. These signals are indeed not always synchronized because of a phase-difference induced by reactive components. The expression of the power is therefore affected by a term λ called the power factor that depends on the value of the phase-shift.
The power factor can only take a value between 0 and 1, and both of these extrema reflect respectively a purely reactive or resistive behavior of the circuit.
One way to visualize the influence of the power factor is through the concept presented in the last section called the power triangle. The active power effectively consumed by the circuit can indeed be seen as the apparent power (that should have been transmitted) multiplied by a corrective factor. The dual of the active power, which is also the imaginary part of the apparent power is the reactive power and plays an important role for electricity providers that keep track of its value in order to adjust their client’s bill and observe the efficiency of their lines. | 0.999264 | ('__label__pos',) |
Let’s feed the world… without harming it
As biological pheromones reduce or even replace conventional chemical insecticides we will see a positive impact on the health of the environment, humans and businesses.
Pheromones do not kill insects. They are used to disrupt their mating. In addition, they are species-specific. This means that every insect species produces its own pheromone perfume. This is good news for biodiversity, as non-target species like bees and other beneficial insects are not disrupted.
Pheromones are applied in very small quantities similar to those naturally emitted by insects. They do not have to cover every plant in a field to confuse the insects. Furthermore, they are volatile and biodegradable molecules, which minimises the risk of residues and run-offs to waterways and aquifers. Authorities have, therefore, concluded that pheromones – in contrast to chemical pesticides – have no adverse effects on animals or humans. | 0.992055 | ('__label__pos',) |
They’re completely completely different applications, regardless that both share some overlapping particulars concerning the applicant. Phrase Origin mid 16th century (in prosecution (sense 2)): from Outdated French, or from late Latin prosecutio(n-), from prosequi ‘pursue, accompany’ (see prosecute). Customary Application for Employment It’s our policy to adjust to all applicable state and federal legal guidelines prohibiting discrimination in employment based mostly on race, age, shade, sex, religion, nationwide origin, disability or different protected classifications.
Phrase Origin Middle English: from Outdated French claime (noun), clamer (verb), from Latin clamare ‘name out’. Sections embody applicant info, schooling, references, previous employment, and military service. Word Origin late Center English (as enquery): from inquire + -y3. A job application is step one to employment. Word processing, spreadsheet, and communications software are all examples of applications.
Word Origin late Center English: from Latin unguentum, from unguere ‘anoint’. Phrase Origin late Middle English: from Latin attentio(n-), from the verb attendere (see attend). Nonetheless, one shouldn’t confuse a job application kind with a CV or curriculum vitae. Although they’ve totally different file extensions, Macintosh and Home windows programs serve the same goal and might both be referred to as applications.
Phrase Origin late Center English (denoting unspoken which means): from Outdated French, or from Latin significantia, from significare ‘point out, portend’. Hence the actual application form is fairly minimal, and a majority of the applicants’ info is present of their CVs. They don’t replicate the formal construction and tone of a company job application.
This is the explanation as to why many on-line skilled job application templates can be found to help the applicants on this process. Minimum wage jobs comparable to Wal-Mart vacancies usually comprise of a more casual type of application kinds. Also referred to as application software, application program a computer program used for a specific sort of job or downside: Your new pc comes preloaded with applications.
Phrase Origin late Center English: the verb from Old French practiser or medieval Latin practizare, alteration of practicare ‘perform, perform’, from practica ‘apply’, from Greek praktikē, feminine (used as a noun) of praktikos (see practical); the noun from the verb within the earlier spelling practise, on the sample of pairs akin to advise, recommendation.
Word Origin Middle English (in legal contexts): from Previous French apel (noun), apeler (verb), from Latin appellare ‘to deal with’, based mostly on ad- ‘to’ + pellere ‘to drive’. These application kinds are quite formal of their nature because of the type of the job. Relevance is outlined as “bearing upon, linked with, pertaining to, the matter in hand” (Shorter Oxford Dictionary), a definition which seems to narrate each to the collection of information to be presented, and to the logical organisation of that data. | 0.542502 | ('__label__pos',) |
VE Day, otherwise known as Victory in Europe Day, falls on Friday 8th May, a chance to remember all the men and women who helped bring peace to Europe in 1945.
VE Day is typically commemorated with street parties and parades, but this year households up and down the country are gearing up for a slightly different VE Day, due to the current crisis.
VE Day coincides with the early May Day bank holiday, making it the perfect time to get together with your household for a celebration.
Here are just some ways to mark this special moment in history from the safety of your home;
There are plenty of online resources that you can access to help you celebrate VE Day. Here are just some of our favourites;
- Royal British Legion Industries Activity Pack – RBLI has created a host of activities you can do as a family, from dancing (click here to learn the Charleston stroll) to kids’ activity packs – this one includes a word search, scavenger hunt, VE Day diary and plenty more to see the little ones through the bank holiday weekend.
- VE Day Toolkit – Print off and make your own bunting and colour in posters for your windows with the help of the VE Day Toolkit.
- Bletchley Park’s VE Day Activity Pack – This activity pack contains lots of make and dos and delicious sweet and savoury recipes. Bletchley Park has even created a Spotify playlist for you to sing along to, called VE Day 75 Celebrations.
- Play the Horrible Histories VE Day song, because what’s a party without music?
When you’re next out on your government approved one walk a day, why not collect some rocks and paint them in colours of red, white and blue, just like the below.
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, why not lay down a blanket and have a picnic or if not, why not host a quintessentially British afternoon tea indoors for your household? Why not get the little ones to help you bake a Victoria sponge, scones or Winston Churchill’s fruit cake from the National Trust?
Join the Nation’s Toast
As the nation marks 75 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe, we are all invited to raise a toast to all those men and women who played their part in the conflict. At 3pm on Friday, wherever you find yourselves, join the whole nation in raising a glass or cup of tea to our nation’s heroes. We grown-ups fancy a Pimm’s! For the little ones, why not make homemade lemonade? Click here for the recipe.
Watch the Queen’s address at 9pm
Tune into the BBC at 9pm for the Queen’s address this Friday. That’s the same time her father King George VI gave a historic radio address on 8th May, 1945.
As well as all the above, there will be a two-minute silence at 11am on Friday 8th May.
How will you be celebrating VE Day 75? Let us know by commenting down below or over on social media @UKMumstv. | 0.856904 | ('__label__neg',) |
Five mind-blowing facts about trees
Head outside and hug a tree! The trees in your yard and neighborhood deserve a good squeeze, because they help us in ways big and small.
We know, of course, that they give us oxygen and make the air we breathe cleaner. They also serve as vital habitat for all kinds of wildlife. But trees benefit us in some unexpected ways as well. In fact, trees can increase property values and even reduce crime, the Arbor Day Foundation reports.
Here are five more things you probably didn't know about trees.
Earth is home to 3 trillion trees
Three trillion trees populate our planet, according to a 2015 survey published in Nature. And while that may seem like good news, it's not — at least not entirely. While Earth is home to more trees than previously thought, there are 46 percent fewer trees alive today than there were 12,000 years ago, which marks the onset of agriculture in human history. Another distressing figure: More than 15 billion trees are cut down every year, Nature reports.
Deforestation occurs for many reasons, including clearing of land for agriculture, ranching and development; wildfires; and cutting down trees to make paper-based products. More than 40 percent of all the wood traded globally is used to make paper and pulp projects, the World Wildlife Foundation reports.
The oldest tree on Earth is older than the Egyptian Pyramids
The average life span of a tree varies depending on the species, but there are trees alive on Earth today that have been standing since before the Egyptians built the pyramids. A bristlecone pine tree named Methuselah has lived for more than 4,800 years in the Inyo National Forest in California's White Mountains.
The tree lives along a 4.5-mile hiking trail appropriately named the Methuselah Trail, according to the U.S. Forest Service, but the exact location of the ancient tree is kept secret to protect it from overeager visitors. Methuselah is 1,000 years older than any related tree. Bristlecone pines live only in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico, according to the Forest Service.
Methuselah has been certified as the oldest living tree by the Guinness Book of World Records. Another bristlecone pine in the White Mountains may be even older than Methuselah, but its age has not been verified.
Trees are young, relatively speaking
Earth has existed for 4.5 billion years, but trees are relative newcomers to our planet's flora. In fact, trees have exited for only 345 million to 360 million years, according to Science Daily. Hundreds of millions of years ago, the planet's forests were mostly populated by Archaeopteris, an extinct tree that was similar in structure to the trees that cover the earth today.
Trees are thirsty
Trees require a lot of water. They "drink " water through transpiration, the process by which water flows from a plant's roots to its leaves and then is released back into the air as water vapor. One mature oak tree can transpire more than 100 gallons of water a day and more than 40,000 gallons of water a year, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Sequoia trees, some of the largest trees on Earth, can transpire as much as 500 gallons of water a day.
All this gulping up of water helps prevent both flooding during heavy rains and soil erosion. In addition, trees soak up pollutants with all that water. A study showed that a maple tree growing along a roadside removed 60 milligrams of cadmium, 140 milligrams of chromium, 820 milligrams of nickel and 5,200 milligrams of lead during one growing season, the Pennsylvania State University Extension reports.
Most tree species live in only one country
Tree species tend to be specific to one geographic area. For example, giant sequoias, the largest trees in the world, only grow in northern California, Oregon and Washington. And while Earth is home to more than 60,000 tree species, the majority — almost 58 percent — are native to only one country, Science magazine reports. That means the tree growing in your backyard or nearby forest likely isn't found anywhere outside of North America.
Some countries are home to a huge variety of tree species. In fact, Brazil has more than 8,000 different tree species growing within its borders, and Indonesia and Colombia both have more than 5,000. By comparison, North America is home to fewer than 1,400 kinds of trees, NPR reports.
Deforestation poses a serious threat to tree diversity across the world. More than 28,000 species of trees — more than 40 percent of all the species on Earth — are expected to become extinct in the next quarter century as a result of deforestation, according to One Tree Planted. | 0.803858 | ('__label__pos',) |
As a child, I often annoyed everyone around me talking about dinosaurs nonstop. Honestly, I still do this. Though one thing always annoyed me too. Why did everyone think that I wanted to be an archaeologist?
What’s the difference between paleontology and archaeology? Paleontology is the study of prehistoric life though fossils while archaeology is the study of ancient humans by means of artifacts. While the two fields overlap, archaeologists are primarily concerned with human history while paleontologists study plant and animal life.
In this article, I will break down all three in depth to clear this up and showcase why both professions serve a crucial role in our understanding of the past. Keep reading.
Paleontology vs Archaeology
Why distinguish between these two fields? Perhaps it could be assumed a mere clerical error with only minor distinctions.
While these fields share many things in common, it’s important to show these scientists respect by better understanding their professions. That’s simple enough, right? Yet. even major news organizations confuse the two regularly.
Objectives of Paleontology
Paleontology is the study of ancient life, primarily non-hominid life forms. Paleontologists rely on fossils for their research. What is a fossil?
Fossils are preserved remains of once-living organisms. These can include bones, shells, and imprints such as tracks or soft tissues, Fossilization is extremely rare for organisms, requiring a perfect set of conditions for preservation.
Thus, the gaps in the fossil record necessitate scientists committed to collecting samples and researching theories to formulate a more comprehensive picture of the past than we currently have. Each fossil represents a specimen that preserved despite the adverse environmental conditions such as erosion and scavengers.
Paleontology represents a diverse field of scientists that study a multitude of different life forms. Of course, dinosaurs remain the most popular. Some specializations include:
- Vertebrate Paleontology
- Invertebrate Paleontology
We have a full article dedicated to careers in paleontology. Here we cover some things to consider if you’re interested in this career path. Additionally, we have covered in-depth why paleontology matters.
Objectives of Archaeology
Archaeologists study human artifacts to test hypotheses of human history and development. The excavation sites of archaeologist are much younger geologically, and therefore less reliant on fossils. Items studied can include pottery, art, clothing, and even mummified human remains that survived the elements.
While paleontologists do damage environments to extract fossils, archaeologists often need to be more careful. Excavation sites need special care to respectfully study the people that left the artifacts behind.
Digging up human remains presents different ethical concerns than that of extinct animals. Through a careful examination of human artifacts, archeologists can gather data to expose culture, habitat, diet, and more about our ancestors.
Simply put, the study of human progression throughout history is the realm of archaeologists. Just like paleontologists, archaeologists often specialize in a particular sub-discipline. Some examples include:
- Cognitive Archaeology
If you’d like to learn more about careers in archaeology, the Archaeological Institute of America has an excellent resource on the topic.
By now you probably have a clear understanding of the differences between paleontology and archaeology. Now we can move on to their similarities.
Similarities Between Paleontology and Archaeology
While the first half of this article highlighted the primary differences between paleontology and archaeology, it’s easy to see how the average person could confuse the two.
Tools of the Trade
Both paleontologists and archaeologists often find clues buried in the ground. Therefore, both professions rely on similar gear to uncover remains. Shovels, chisels, hammers, trowels, and paintbrushes are commonly used pieces of field equipment.
The need to remove sediment to extract delicate remains requires a plethora of specialized instruments. Additionally, devices such as GPS and cameras may be required to survey sites.
If you’d like to learn more about the tools that paleontologists use, we have a complete guide to fossil hunting for beginners. You can use this resource to begin collecting fossils, or perhaps artifacts, as a hobbyist.
Once the items have been recovered, these scientists often transport them to museums for further analysis. While some archeological sites cannot be transported for analysis, most paleontological research occurs indoors.
Microscopes, computer software, chemical cleaners, and other gadgets may be used by both paleontologists and archaeologists for analysis. Since scientists tend to employ similar research methods across broad areas of study, the processes used tend to overlap.
Shared Research Methods
While the subjects of research differ, both paleontologists and archaeologists follow the scientific method. Researchers propose hypotheses and formulate experiments or observational research to test them. This often requires aid from scientists in other fields.
If, for example, an archaeologist found a fish specimen at a preserved camp site, an ichthyologist might be contacted for classification. The combined efforts of these two scientific disciplines could support the hypothesis that this particular fish was a popular food source for this group of people.
Paleontologists collaborate in a similar fashion. In fact, the dinosaur extinction, a notorious debate among paleontologists, was potentially solved by a physicist named Luis Alvarez. You can learn more about this discovery on the patheos.com blog.
Further, archaeologists and paleontologists tend to use the same scientific principles in the field. One notable example, the Law of Superposition, can help identify the age of artifacts and fossils. The Law of Superposition, states that sedimentary rocks on the bottom are older than those at the top. Both paleontologists and archaeologists use this knowledge to target and identify discoveries in the field.
When prospecting for fossils or artifacts, both types of scientists must understand typography, geology, and observe local laws. Laws exist restricting land use and ownership of items within. Notably, both fields suffer from collectors and looters who’d rather sell items for profit than for scientific study.
What’s the Difference Between Paleontology and Archaeology?
What’s the Difference Between Paleontology and Archaeology? While they both share similar methods, the scope of study is entirely different.
While it can be irritating when others confuse these two scientific disciplines, it is an honest mistake. The fact that both paleontologists and archaeologists use similar methods in excavation and research leads to confusion within public discourse.
Media portrayals such as Indiana Jones and Dr. Alan Grant do little to clarify the distinction between these fields. While both serve as action heroes, the real heroes are the scientists that contribute to discovery of our planet’s past and our own.
Hopefully you enjoyed this article. If you learned something or believe that it could help others, please share it with someone you know. | 0.999362 | ('__label__pos',) |
Ōrākau, near Kihikihi, was the site of a Māori fighting pā (fortification) which was attacked by British troops in a decisive 1864 battle. Although the defenders, led by Rewi Maniapoto, lost the battle, they are remembered for their courage and their refusal to surrender.
Listen to a Roadside Story about Ōrākau. Roadside Stories is a series of audio guides to places around New Zealand.
Taonga puoro courtesy of Richard Nunns
Using this item
This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder. | 0.908256 | ('__label__neg',) |
What is an Indigenous Protected Area?
An Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) is an area of land or sea cared for by traditional owners. Traditional owners enter a voluntary agreement with the Commonwealth Government to protect biodiversity—the animals, plants and other species that call the IPA home—and to conserve the area’s cultural resources, like sacred sites and rock art.
IPAs have become a key part of the National Reserve System: the network of protected areas—including National Parks—that stretches across Australia. IPAs now account for 44.6 per cent of the total area of our National Reserve System. Most IPAs occur on land, but some also extend into the sea.
The first IPA was declared at Nantawarrina in South Australia in 1998. There are now 78 dedicated IPAs, covering more than 74 million hectares of land and 4 million hectares of sea country. Another 22 potential IPAs are in the consultation phase and the government have announced that nine new marine IPAs will be funded. When these planned IPAs have been declared, the total Indigenous Protected Area network will cover an area larger than New South Wales.
Why do we need more Indigenous Protected Areas?
More than 20 per cent of Australia is owned or managed by traditional owners. Across Australia, more and more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are expressing an aspiration to protect the culture and wildlife on country through Indigenous Protected Areas.
But government funding doesn’t meet the demand from traditional owner groups, nor the level needed to protect the vast land and sea country of our continent.
Indigenous Protected Areas are recognised internationally as an effective, culturally appropriate and cost effective way of protecting country. Funding for this program should be grown and secured for the long term to ensure it remains an ongoing success.
What happens on an Indigenous Protected Area?
Operations on IPAs vary because when traditional owners enter into an IPA agreement with the Commonwealth Government, both parties negotiate and agree to an environmental and cultural plan specific to that country.
Work on IPAs typically includes clearing weeds, trapping feral animals, protecting rock art, working with researchers, managing burning regimes to avoid wildfires, and welcoming visitors. Across Australia, there are more than 2600 Indigenous ranger positions funded through the Working on Country program and through IPAs.
In tackling these issues, Indigenous owners often work alongside scientists and other land managers. In this way, IPAs bring together Indigenous ecological knowledge and modern science for the most effective land and sea management.
Where are Indigenous Protected Areas?
From the Kimberley in West Australia to east coast of Tasmania, there are IPAs all around Australia.
The map below and this interactive map shows the location of IPAs and Indigenous ranger groups in Australia. The map below shows the location and land areas of IPAs around Australia. | 0.681467 | ('__label__pos',) |
The pandemic had a major impact on Mass Transportation. The demand-supply differences are evident in every market. Trade has plunged all over the globe as Covid-19 overturns the global economy. The combination of lockdowns and outspread of the virus through mass transport modes have impacted the transport sector. The crisis has impacted all modes of transport, from vehicles and public transport in cities to buses, trains, and aircraft, both nationally and globally. According to the market database, global road transport activity by the end of March 2020 was nearly 50% below the 2019 average, and commercial flight activity nearly 75% below 2019 by mid-April 2020.
The entire Wuhan Metro network, along with other transportations in the city, including national rail and air travel, was shut down on 23 January 2020 to stop the spread of the virus. The day after the shutdown in Wuhan City, Beijing Subway began testing the body temperature of passengers at the entrance points of 55 subway stations, the three major train stations, and the capital airport, later the temperature controls were extended to all subway stations. To better monitor the spread of the virus, some Line 6 trains have been fitted with smart security cameras which can identify passengers who do not wear masks.
The Verge announced a decrease in ridership of 18.65% on the New York City Subway network compared to a year earlier. According to the market database, New York City Bus ridership was down by 15%, Long Island Railroad ridership was down by 31% and Metro-North Train ridership was down by 48%. Sound Transit, which operates in the metropolitan area of Seattle, saw a 25% decline and the city’s ferry ridership saw a 17% decline compared to a week prior. These declines became much more pronounced in late March and April, as the implementation of widespread closures of schools and businesses and “shelter-in-place” orders began.
The shutdowns would be a temporary measure that would be suspended once the pandemic ends, New York stations were closed overnight for cleaning from May 2020. The Metropolitan Transit System (MTA) announced that their families would be eligible for USD 500,000 in death benefits. By 1 May 2020, 98 transit employees had died because of COVID 19. According to the market database, strict lockdowns were imposed in the U.K., resulting in a decline of 95% in mass commute.
Precautionary measures defined by World Health Organization (WHO) are expected to be followed by the drivers to ensure passenger safety. It’s suggested in Ola and Uber rides that both rider and driver should wear a mask. The passengers should confirm that they have taken specific safety steps each time they ride and that even drivers are required to complete a similar checklist. Before and after each ride, all contact areas must be sanitized. Drivers should have a daily temperature check and should stop driving and rest if the driver has a high temperature above the normal temperature.
Most of the buses have incorporated very few passengers to keep physical space. By maintaining room between two passengers, zone-wise queuing, screening, and station control crowds, the Government is expected to take major steps for the reinstatement of metro trains.
All preventive measures are acknowledged by airlines, with a view to the health and safety of aircrews and passengers, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits are provided in all airlines to ensure the safety of cabin crew. Wearing masks is compulsory for all passengers and they must go through thermal scanning and travel is not allowed to those with high temperatures.
According to the market database, the pandemic has shattered the basic economics of a profitable business model in mass transportation. The worst hit in the aviation sector, with International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicting that the recovery would be spread across 2-3 years. The pandemic has also acted as a driver for the early retirement of large aircraft fleets. It is also expected that the sub-100-seater aircraft could experience high growth post-COVID. This can be witnessed from the shift in airline buying patterns, wherein most of the orders are postponed or deferred.
The past two decades have witnessed an increase in similar pandemics, a few COVID habits like wearing masks might continue post-pandemic due to the psychological fear factor. It is obvious that in the post-pandemic scenario, the transportation sector will rise. However, it would be interesting to witness the pre-checks required and also if equipment like thermal scanners and mask vending machines would be a part of the mass transport OEMs manufacturing list. Similarly, it would be interesting to see if the road mode of transport also replicates the shifts towards lesser passenger capacity vehicles, similar to the airline trends. If yes, then we can expect a transport revolution in the pandemic era in the mass transportation market. Business Leaders interested in following this market could use Global Market Database to get updated market numbers. | 0.598724 | ('__label__neg',) |
The Israel-Palestine conflict – often referred to as the ‘world’s most intractable conflict’ – is rooted in a dispute over land claimed by Jews as their biblical birthright and by the Palestinians, who seek self-determination. Despite repeated attempts to end the conflict between the two countries, there is no peace settlement in sight. The issue gained prominence again due to the recent rocket strikes by Hamas on Israeli territories and the israeli retaliation targeting the Gaza strip.
- Reasons of conflict
- Brief history of the problem
- Arguments from both sides
- Solution : Proposed by UN
- India’s take on it
Reasons of Conflict:
- The renewed violence in the region started on May 6, 2021 when Palestinians protested against an anticipated decision of the Israeli Supreme Court over the eviction of six Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah in occupied East Jerusalem.
- The next day, Israeli Police stormed the Al Aqsa mosque.
- A few days later, Hamas and other Palestinian groups started firing rockets from Gaza into Israel to which Israel retaliated.
- It is the heaviest fighting between the two bitter enemies since 2014 and isn’t showing any signs of slowing.
- An emergency meeting of the UNSC has been conducted for drawing out an immediate plan of de-escalation and restoration of peace in the region.
Brief history of the problem:
- The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the world’s longest-running and most controversial conflicts.
- It is a conflict between two self-determination movements — the Jewish nationalist project and the Palestinian nationalist project, in the same territory.
To understand the present-day ongoing bloody conflict between Israel and Palestine, it is necessary to understand the background of the place and the people associated with it.
- In 1897, Jews started a movement called a Zionist movement, to escape persecution and establish their own state in their ancestral homeland, Israel. The World Zionist Organisation was created to advocate for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
- As a result, a large number of Jews started flowing into Palestine and they bought land and started settling down there.
- By 1916, Palestine came under British control after the Sykes-Picot Agreement (a secret agreement between Great Britain and France). This led to the division of the old Ottoman Turkish Empire.
- The seeds of the conflict were laid in 1917 when the then British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour expressed official support of Britain for a Jewish “national home” in Palestine under the Balfour Declaration. The lack of concern for the “rights of existing non-Jewish communities” i.e. the Arabs led to prolonged violence.
- Unable to contain Arab and Jewish violence, Britain withdrew its forces from Palestine in 1948, leaving responsibility for resolving the competing claims to the newly created United Nations.
- The UN presented a partition plan to create independent Jewish and Arab states in Palestine. Most Jews in Palestine accepted the partition but most Arabs did not.
- In 1948, the Jewish declaration of Israel’s independence prompted surrounding Arab states to attack. At the end of the war, Israel controlled about 50 percent more territory than originally envisioned by the UN partition plan. Jordan controlled the West Bank and Jerusalem’s holy sites, and Egypt controlled the Gaza Strip.
- 1964: Founding of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)
- 1967: In Six-day Arab- Israeli war, Israeli forces seize the Golan Heights from Syria, the West Bank & East Jerusalem from Jordan and Sinai Peninsula & Gaza strip from Egypt.
- The 1967 war is particularly important for today’s conflict, as it left Israel in control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, two territories home to a large number of Palestinians.
- Gaza and Westbank are together known as ‘Occupied Territories’, after the 1967 war.
- 1975: The United Nations granted the PLO observer status and recognized Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
- Camp David Accords (1978): “Framework for Peace in the Middle East” brokered by U.S. set the stage for peace talks between Israel and its neighbors and a resolution to the “Palestinian problem”. This however remained unfulfilled.
- 1981: Israel effectively annexes the Golan but this is not recognized by the United States or the international community.
- 1987: Founding of Hamas, a violent offshoot of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood seeking “to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine” through violent jihad.
- 1987: Tensions in the occupied territories of West Bank and Gaza reached boiling point resulting in the First Intifada (Palestinian Uprising). It grew into a small war between Palestinian militants and the Israeli army.
- 1988: Jordan cedes to the PLO all the country’s territorial claims in the West Bank and Eastern Jerusalem.
- 1993: Under the Oslo Accords, Israel and the PLO agree to officially recognize each other and renounce the use of violence. The Oslo Accords also established the Palestinian Authority, which received limited autonomy in the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank.
- 2005: Israel begins a unilateral withdrawal of Jews from settlements in Gaza. However, Israel kept tight control over all border crossings (blockade).
- 2006: Hamas scores a victory in Palestinian Authority elections. The vote leaves the Palestinian house divided between Fatah movement, represented by President Mahmoud Abbas, and Hamas, which will control the cabinet and parliament. Efforts at cohabitation fail almost immediately.
- 2007: Palestinian Movement Splits after few months of formation of a joint Fatah-Hamas government. Hamas militants drive Fatah from Gaza. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas appoints a new government in Ramallah (West Bank), which is quickly recognized by the United States and European Union. Gaza remains under Hamas control.
- 2012: UN upgrades Palestinian representation to that of “non-member observer state”.
- 2014: Israel responds to the kidnapping and murder of three Jewish teenagers in the West Bank by arresting numerous Hamas members. Militants respond by firing rockets from Gaza. Clashes end in an uneasy, Egyptian-brokered ceasefire.
- 2014: Fatah and Hamas form a unity government, though distrust remains between the two factions.
- The West Bank is sandwiched between Israel and Jordan.
- One of its major cities is Ramallah, the de facto administrative capital of Palestine.
- Israel took control of it in the 1967 war and has over the years established settlements there.
- The Gaza Strip is located between Israel and Egypt.
- Israel occupied the strip after 1967, but relinquished control of Gaza City and day-to-day administration in most of the territory during the Oslo peace process.
- In 2005, Israel unilaterally removed Jewish settlements from the territory, though it continues to control international access to it.
- The Golan Heights is a strategic plateau that Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 war.
- Israel effectively annexed the territory in 1981.
- Recently, the USA has officially recognized Jerusalem and Golan Heights as a part of Israel.
Arguments from both sides:
- Despite a long-term peace process, Israelis and Palestinians have failed to reach a final peace agreement.
- Palestine wants Israeli to halt all expansionary activities and retreat to pre-1967 borders.
- It wants to establish a sovereign Palestine state in the West Bank and Gaza with East Jerusalem as its capital.
- Palestine wants Palestine refugees who lost their homes in 1948 be able to come back.
- Large numbers of Palestinians who fled their homes in what is now Israel, during the preceding wars as well as their descendants believe they deserve the right to return but Israel is against it.
- The Palestinian leadership is divided – two-state solution is supported by Palestinian nationalists in West Bank but the leadership in Gaza does not even recognize Israel.
- Israel wants it to be recognised as a Jewish state with complete sovereignty over Jerusalem.
- It wants the Palestine refugees to return only to Palestine, not to Israel.
- Further, while successive Israeli Prime Ministers – Ehud Barak, Ariel Sharon, Ehud Olmert and Benjamin Netanyahu – have all accepted the idea of a Palestinian state, they have differed in terms of what it should actually comprise.
Solution Proposed by UN:
- The “two state solution” is based on a UN resolution of 1947 which proposed two states – one would be a state where Zionist Jews constituted a majority, the other where the Palestinian Arabs would be a majority of the population.
- It would create a sovereign Israel and Palestine. It would establish Palestine as an independent state in Gaza and most of the West Bank, leaving the rest of the land to Israel.
- It would identify a 1967 demarcation line known as the Green Line to partition Palestinian and Israeli land. It would also divide Jerusalem between the two states.
- The idea was however rejected by the Arabs.
- For decades, it has been held by the international community as the only realistic deal to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- In 1993 the Israeli government and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) agreed on a plan to implement a two-state solution as part of the Oslo Accords, leading to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Israel Palestine Peace process:
Camp David Accords:
- They were brokered by the U.S. in 1978. It set the stage for peace talks between Israel and its neighbors and a resolution to the “Palestinian problem”.
- However, no concrete results were obtained.
- They were also mediated by the U.S in 1993. Under this, Israel and the PLO agreed to officially recognize each other and renounce the use of violence.
- It would create a Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank, in exchange for an agreement by Palestinians to end any type of attack on Israel.
- They gave limited autonomy in the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank to the Palestinian authority.
- However, both states are yet to agree on the provisions of the Oslo accords.
India’s take on it:
- India has been consistently supportive of the Palestinian cause.
- India was one of the few countries to oppose the UN’s partition plan in November 1947, echoing its own experience during independence a few months earlier.
- In the decades that followed, the Indian political leadership actively supported the Palestinian cause and withheld full diplomatic relations with Israel.
- India recognised Israel in 1950 but it is also the first non-Arab country to recognise Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) as the sole representative of the Palestinian.
- India is also one of the first countries to recognise the statehood of Palestine in 1988.
- In 1996, India opened its Representative Office to the Palestine Authority in Gaza, which was later shifted to Ramallah (West Bank) in 2003.
- Currently, India supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
- On May 27, 2021, India abstained from voting in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on a resolution for investigation into the recent Gaza violence, proposing to setting up a commission of inquiry to look into the violations during the recent violence in Gaza as well as the “systematic” abuses in Palestinian territories and those inside Israel.
- As a part of the Link West Policy, India has de-hyphenated its relationship with Israel and Palestine in 2018. This will allow it to treat both the countries as mutually independent and exclusive.
- As per India, the issues between the two should be resolved through direct negotiations and solutions must be acceptable to both.
Mould your thought: Discuss the historical and the current reasons behind the Israel -Palestine Conflict. What has been India’s response to this issue?Approach to the answer:
- Discuss the historical reasons for the conflict in brief
- Discuss the reasons for the recent violence
- Discuss India’s stand on the issue | 0.634929 | ('__label__pos',) |
More About Andalusian Olive Oil
Olives and olive oil are arguably the most important food crop in Andalusia, and olive oil is an essential part of Andalusian cuisine. Responsible for about 75% of Spain's total olive production, the region of Andalusia produces more olive oil than any other place in the world. While olive oil production here is led by the province of Jaén, Andalusia also includes prominent olive oil producing areas such as Almería, Córdoba, and the Estepa municipality in Seville. Olive culture took hold in Andalusia during the period of Roman rule. Olive oil was an important commodity and historical evidence indicates that Andalusia exported olive oil to Italy and other Mediterranean countries during this era. When Andalusia later fell under Islamic rule, olive oil cultivation expanded and became an even more vital part of the regional economy.
Today the land is known for its iconic “sea of olive trees.” In fact Spain applied to UNESCO in 2017 to have "The Olive Grove Landscapes of Andalusia" listed as a World Heritage site. In the application the area was described as a "massive expanse comprising 70 million olive trees, making it the biggest tree plantation in Europe." The Andalusia region includes some of the best olive oil producers in the world, including Almazaras de la Subbetica, Castillo de Canena, Mueloliva, Nobleza del Sur, Oleoestepa, Oro Bailen, Oro del Desierto and Sucesores de Hermanos Lopez. The main olive varieties grown in Andalusia are Arbequina, Hojiblanca, Picuda and Picual. Gazpacho is perhaps the most representative dish in Andalusia and extra virgin olive oil is a crucial ingredient to this culinary favorite. | 0.93389 | ('__label__neg',) |
Patients who sign themselves into a hospital are generally doing so because they feel they need medical attention and are seeking treatment. This decision is usually made after a discussion with their doctor, who may have recommended hospitalization. Patients who sign themselves in may also be experiencing a mental health crisis or be in need of detoxification from drugs or alcohol. Once a patient has signed themselves in, they will be evaluated by hospital staff to ensure they are appropriate for admission.
What Is It Called When You Put Yourself In The Hospital?
There is no definitive answer to this question as the terminology can vary depending on the context and country. In general, however, if someone refers to putting themselves in the hospital, they are likely referring to the act of voluntarily admission into a psychiatric or medical facility for treatment. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as when an individual is experiencing a mental health crisis and feels that they need more intensive care than what can be provided in an outpatient setting.
People who understand what they should expect in care can cope and participate actively in their own care. In most cases, people are admitted to a hospital after suffering from a serious or life-threatening medical problem. In many cases, the child requires the care of a parent or other caregiver. The primary goal of hospitalization is to restore or improve a patient’s health in order for them to return home. People should bring a complete list of all the drugs they are taking and a prescription if they are taking a lot of them. Please bring with you a copy of your most recent medical summary and any other previous hospital stays. Because personal items are frequently lost in the hospital, it is critical that they be marked or labeled.
People who are admitted to the hospital are asked if they have a living will, which outlines their preferences for cardiopulmonary treatment. Life-saving measures can be thought of in a variety of ways, and their decisions are made with great care. IV lines can be used to deliver fluids, drugs, and, if necessary, nutrients to patients. There is no need to give up on treatment. Although people who have a DNR or DNAR order are still being treated for all disorders, they have been assigned specific diagnoses. In contrast to older, more experienced patients, people in their early to mid-20s are more likely to succeed in a respiratory emergency. People over the age of 65 and those suffering from a serious mental illness are less likely to achieve success with them.
Admitting You Need Help
If you are admitted to a hospital, you are acknowledging that you require assistance and that you require the best possible care. More information about your treatment will be provided prior to your arrival, and the hospital will attempt to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Why Would A Patient With A Mental Disorder Have To Be Hospitalized?
The vast majority of people with mental health problems do not require hospitalization, but when they do, they may require hospitalization in order to be closely monitored and accurately diagnosed, have their medications adjusted or stabilized, or be monitored for symptoms.
Can someone who has paranoid disorder commit suicide by going to psychiatric hospitals against their will? Yes, but only in exceptional circumstances. A number of health care providers have the authority to hospitalize a patient in their care if they are certified to do so. The medical and legal systems must work together to prevent and treat involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. During the first 96 hours after seeing a Psychiatrist, no medication is prescribed unless the patient is in danger of self harm or harm to others. involuntary hospitalization is required for imminent danger, not because of psychiatric symptoms. If a judge orders an ECT, an alternative method cannot be used. Involuntary hospitalization is rarely necessary for the vast majority of patients with psychiatric illnesses. If a person remains ill after the court-ordered treatment period but is deemed to be no longer dangerous to himself or herself, the treatment team will encourage the patient to continue outpatient treatment and discharge him or her.
If you or someone you know is having a psychotic episode, it is best to call 911. As soon as the police are able to assess the situation, they will contact Urgences Santé for transportation to the hospital.
Where Do Mentally Ill Patients Go?
A psychiatric hospital, also known as a mental health unit or behavioral health unit, provides services to treat severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. There is a wide range of sizes and grades in psychiatric hospitals.
Can The Emergency Room Help With Mental Illness?
Despite the fear of going to the emergency room (ER), it is frequently the safest way to get help in a medical emergency. Getting help from the ER can help you overcome these issues and help you manage your health conditions. In the United States, depression and other mental health disorders are common.
What Is A 303 Commitment In Pa?
A 303 commitment in Pennsylvania is a legal process that allows a person to be involuntarily committed to a mental health facility for a period of up to 90 days. The individual must be determined to be a danger to themselves or others, or to be gravely disabled in order to be committed. The commitment process begins with a petition being filed by a concerned individual, which is then reviewed by a judge. If the judge finds that there is enough evidence to warrant a commitment, they will order a mental health evaluation. If the evaluation finds that the individual does meet the criteria for commitment, they will be committed to a mental health facility for up to 90 days.
This section provides for an emergency examination and treatment. (2) Involuntary admission for treatment or observation is a method of admission under section 303 of the Mental Health Act. (b) Explanation.–When determining whether a person meets the criteria for being subjected to emergency examination and treatment under this section, a physician must affirmatively decide that the person meets them. A mental health professional who is familiar with the individual’s condition and who is knowledgeable about the individual’s symptoms. An opinion of a physician who has examined the individual and determined that he or she is at risk for emergency treatment and examination. An emergency examination and treatment for severely mentally disabled individuals are available in this section. A physician who has examined the individual and determined that the individual is in compliance with the emergency examination and treatment requirements makes the determination as to whether or not an individual is in need of emergency examination and treatment. | 0.696079 | ('__label__pos',) |
Next Big Thing is the Scouts BSA Nova Award for investigating astronomy and projectile science. To earn this award, Scouts must complete one of their design related merit badges and learn about topics such as prototypes, market research, brainstorming and painstorming. Scouts imagine a new product and create a 3D model or sketch of the design.
This award can be earned by young men and women who are members of Scouts BSA.
Printable helps for requirements:
Get started on your Next Big Thing Nova award with these ideas and related achievements:
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The NOVA Awards program combines knowledge of STEM concepts with hands on activities. | 0.823776 | ('__label__neg',) |
Concept Growth Lab
Reading ability is a cognitive disposition acquired over years of learning and practice – both conscious and unconscious. Reading ability depends, to a greater extent, on readability – the attribute of the reading material.
You should not assume that your reading ability is poor simply by assessing the speed with which you have read, say a passage on philosophy. Even if you have previous reading in philosophy, you require more time to read a philosophy passage owing not only to the abstraction involved but also to the implicit meaning underlying such text than read a passage on a concrete readable text.
At the same time you should realize that there are certain cognitive behaviours that are peculiar to efficient readers,
- mental translation as one navigates through the passage
- connecting ideas
- judging the material.
While reading a passage
- make a mental map
- what each of the paragraphs deals with,
- the author’s intent…
- Read a passage and form a mental summary
This exercise serves two purposes:
- Build comprehension and speed by getting started with easier and shorter passages.
- Prepare you for verbal questions in which you are required to choose the summary of a short paragraph.
To begin do this small exercise | 0.829967 | ('__label__pos',) |
Each MySQL Instance on a machine should have its own data
directory. The location is specified using the
There are different methods of setting up a data directory for a new instance:
Create a new data directory.
Copy an existing data directory.
The following discussion provides more detail about each method.
Normally, you should never have two servers that update data in the same databases. This may lead to unpleasant surprises if your operating system does not support fault-free system locking. If (despite this warning) you run multiple servers using the same data directory and they have logging enabled, you must use the appropriate options to specify log file names that are unique to each server. Otherwise, the servers try to log to the same files.
Even when the preceding precautions are observed, this kind of
setup works only with
MERGE tables, and not with any of the other
storage engines. Also, this warning against sharing a data
directory among servers always applies in an NFS environment.
Permitting multiple MySQL servers to access a common data
directory over NFS is a very bad idea. The
primary problem is that NFS is the speed bottleneck. It is not
meant for such use. Another risk with NFS is that you must
devise a way to ensure that two or more servers do not interfere
with each other. Usually NFS file locking is handled by the
lockd daemon, but at the moment there is no
platform that performs locking 100% reliably in every situation.
With this method, the data directory is in the same state as when you first install MySQL, and has the default set of MySQL accounts and no user data.
On Unix, initialize the data directory. See Section 2.10, “Postinstallation Setup and Testing”.
On Windows, the data directory is included in the MySQL distribution:
MySQL Zip archive distributions for Windows contain an unmodified data directory. You can unpack such a distribution into a temporary location, then copy it
datadirectory to where you are setting up the new instance.
Windows MSI package installers create and set up the data directory that the installed server uses, but also create a pristine “template” data directory named
dataunder the installation directory. After an installation has been performed using an MSI package, the template data directory can be copied to set up additional MySQL instances.
With this method, any MySQL accounts or user data present in the data directory are carried over to the new data directory.
Stop the existing MySQL instance using the data directory. This must be a clean shutdown so that the instance flushes any pending changes to disk.
Copy the data directory to the location where the new data directory should be.
my.inioption file used by the existing instance. This serves as a basis for the new instance.
Modify the new option file so that any pathnames referring to the original data directory refer to the new data directory. Also, modify any other options that must be unique per instance, such as the TCP/IP port number and the log files. For a list of parameters that must be unique per instance, see Section 5.8, “Running Multiple MySQL Instances on One Machine”.
Start the new instance, telling it to use the new option file. | 0.773633 | ('__label__pos',) |
“If the tourniquet isn’t high and tight, you’re wrong.”
While this isn’t wrong advice, it’s important to understand where this tourniquet procedure came from and why we’re constantly being told to place the TQ as high up on the limb as possible.
I agree that all tourniquets need to be tight enough to stop bleeding, but why’s it so important to place it high on the limb?
Most people don’t realize that this word of advice is passed down to civilians from the military, who had to learn things the hard way.
Huge advancements in medicine have been made by militaries attempting to wage more efficient war, and while useful, we must remember the big differences between combat medicine and civilian EMS.
On the face of the problem, it doesn’t look like that big an issue. Trauma is trauma and the same techniques work in all environments, right?
Combat medics love to say: “Good tactics doesn’t always mean good medicine.” A medic taking accurate PKM fire is going to do things much differently then his colleagues might in a clean and safe hospital.
While the injuries might be the same or similar, the area of operation is the important distinction.
The military operates in austere environments, far from surgeons and the operating table where lives are actually saved. On top of that, they are likely to be in a hostile environment.
Danger is a constant companion on the battlefield, and because of that, there are things that are done to save lives that aren’t as applicable in the civilian world.
Why Are We Taught “High and Tight?”
Since the combat medic is likely to be taking fire (Care Under Fire Phase), or at the very least, applying a TQ while in significant danger, they are taught not to bother looking for exactly where the wound is.
This comes from the type of warfare being waged as well. IEDs are the most effective ways enemy fighters in Afghanistan and Iraq have of fighting against the US Military. Body armor is effective at protecting the vital organs but the legs and arms are still exposed, and this is where the majority of severe injuries are taken.
Since there is a good chance for limb amputation from an IED, and because the TQ is being applied in a very dangerous situation, combat medics are taught to place the TQ “High and Tight,” to save time.
A squad in combat takes a casualty. The medic pulls him behind cover and sees there is blood soaking through his pants but doesn’t know where on the leg the bleeding is coming from.
Instead of taking the time to discover exactly where the injury is, the medic instead places a TQ as high on the limb as he can, tightens it down, then goes back to the fight.
At the next available opportunity (when things are safe enough) the medic then does a more detailed exam to make sure the bleeding is controlled, and no other wounds need caring for.
What It Means
We civilians need to be aware that many of the techniques we know for treating trauma patients come from the military and that they might not be the best for our current situation.
As a civilian, you’re much less likely to be involved in a major fire fight or be in a very dangerous situation for both you and your casualty.
This means you have a little more time to ensure you’re using the right technique to control blood loss. If the injury is covered up with clothing, how can you be certain the bleeding is bad enough to require a TQ?
Trying to treat a casualty blind isn’t impossible, but it sure makes things more difficult. Does the wound need a TQ? Or can it be treated with a simple pressure dressing or maybe even a big Band-Aid? You won’t know until you get eyes on the injury.
Look at the Wound
If you aren’t in danger, take the time to expose the wound to see what you’re dealing with. Take their shirt off, cut off their pants, or do whatever you have to so you can actually see the problem you’re trying to solve.
Once you know exactly where the wound is and how bad it is, the correct procedure is to apply a TQ 2-4 inches above it. Make sure you aren’t placing the TQ over a joint, like a knee of elbow or you won’t stop the bleeding.
Or, if you rip open the shirt and see the bleeding isn’t quite as bad as you first feared, you might be able to treat it adequately with a pressure dressing.
A side note about this:
When in doubt, apply the TQ.
If you get eyes on the wound and you aren’t sure if it needs a TQ or just a pressure dressing, place a TQ anyway to be safe.
Multiple studies show that TQs aren’t nearly as dangerous as once feared and often the best choice, when uncertain, is to apply one until a doctor can see the victim. As long as they get to the hospital within 2 hours, there won’t be complications from the tourniquet.
However, if you decide to use a pressure dressing, make sure to closely observe the wound to see if blood soaks through the bandage. If this happens, the bleeding is not controlled, and you should immediately apply a TQ 2-4 inches above the injury.
The Take Away
Placing the TQ, “High and Tight” might be good tactics, but not good medicine. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should choose good medicine. Take a moment to observe the wound if the scene is safe to do so. | 0.685584 | ('__label__pos',) |
With increasing population growth and progressive development, environmental problems have also increased in Jordan and Lebanon. Even if one can detect a growing environmental awareness in the population, this does not automatically lead to an environmentally friendly action and / or behavior. This is partly explained by the fact that in Jordan and Lebanon a large proportion of people are predominantly concerned with ensuring their daily economic survival (the economic situation of many families has worsened in view of the refugee crisis), and a clean or intact environment and the associated quality of life are values that (still) do not enjoy a very high priority. In the needs hierarchy of a majority of the population, such goals tend to be secondary, but the impact of not taking them into account is becoming more noticeable every day.
However, the protection of the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources are crucial to the future economic and social development of the countries. | 0.972279 | ('__label__pos',) |
The Rock Cycle Games
In this series of games, your students will learn to construct an explanation of how to classify rocks by their formation and how rocks change through geologic processes in the rock cycle. The Rock Cycle learning objective — based on NGSS and state standards — delivers improved student engagement and academic performance in your classroom, as demonstrated by research.
Scroll down for a preview of this learning objective’s games and the concepts.
Geologic processes, such as the rock and water cycles, involve the cycling of energy and matter from one form to another. Geologic processes can occur on a microscopic to global-level scale. Different geologic processes occur at different rates of time, from the scale of fractions of a second to billions of years. The processes of the rock cycle involve uplift, weathering, erosion, deposition, melting, crystallization, and metamorphism. The rock cycle is dependent upon the flow of energy from Earth’s interior.
A preview of each game in the learning objective is found below.
You can access all of the games on Legends of Learning for free, forever, with a teacher account. A free teacher account also allows you to create playlists of games and assignments for students and track class progress. Sign up for free today! | 0.985195 | ('__label__pos',) |
Hall-effect electric Thrusters
The Hall-effect Thrusters (Magnetic-layer type or Stationary) generate thrust by creating and accelerating ionized working gas over magnetic and electrostatic fields. The LAJP develops and manufactures the Hall thrusters within thrust level 2…100mN. The LAJP has developed a number of Hall thrusters, each of which are capable of a range of power and thrust levels.
Plasma jet propulsion have been studied during many years. Basing on the experience our team started from August, 2007 the commercial developments of the plasma Hall-effect thrusters and propulsion systems using Xenon as a propellant.
HEET-05&10 are designed to support orbits for the satellites, to perform orbit control tasks for small-, mini- and micro-satellites. | 0.980602 | ('__label__neg',) |
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Pests have plagued humans for thousands of years. Whether it’s problems with crops or a termite inspection around the house, we’ve developed some highly effective methods for controlling insects. While the history of pest control is marked by controversy, modern research has led to solutions that are more targeted and less harmful than ever. Used together, the most common ways to control pests have helped us tackle major outbreaks and small-scale infestations all over the world. In this article we’ll explore the three most common categories of pest control and how they’re used to combat pests.
Chemical Pest Control
Chemical pest control products are some of the most common pest deterrents currently in use. Because not all treatments work on all types of pests, chemical pest control is broken into a variety of categories depending on its use. The one you’re probably most familiar with are the insecticides used around the home. Products like bug spray and bug bombs are simple, over-the-counter solutions for dealing with common household pests such as cockroaches.
The chemical compounds used for pest control in the 20th century were later found to be very harmful to humans, animals and the environment. To combat that, recent developments have focused on making products safer and more environmentally friendly. The common insecticides found in homes now contain a mixture of active ingredients called pyrethroids. Pyrethroids are synthetic compounds that are similar to an ancient type of pest control made from the flowers of chrysanthemums. Pyrethroids are a type of nerve agent that can incapacitate or kill a wide variety of insects. As long as they’re used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, pyrethroid-based insecticides aren’t harmful to humans or animals.
Biological Pest Control
Biological pest control is less common around the home, but it’s a common tactic in agriculture. Biological pest control involves assessing the insect population and then introducing biological deterrents, such as predators and parasites. The predators (often bacteria and other insects) and parasites that are released depend on the pests being dealt with.
While biological pest control was known in ancient times, it’s a technique that’s still used today. There have been a number of successful large-scale biological pest control initiatives in the past few decades. These include using the vedalia beetle to control scale insects in California and using bacteria to control the larvae of the gypsy moth.
Biological pest control is best suited to large-scale applications, and it always requires dedicated, long-term research. Releasing predators into a new environment can drastically alter the local ecosystem and have a negative impact on other insects, plants and animals in the area. Some examples of harmful biological pest control initiatives include the release of cane toads in Australia, which is widely credited with decimating local populations of frogs and native predators.
Environmental Pest Control
Finally, one of the most common and effective forms of pest control are environmental initiatives. Each type of pest thrives in certain environments. For example, mosquitoes are especially common in low-lying areas with standing bodies of water. By controlling environmental factors it’s possible to make a big difference to local insect populations. While environmental pest control is carried out on large-scale agricultural operations, it’s also an effective way to control pests around the home.
The first stage of environmental pest control is to inspect and identify local pest populations. Having a pest and termite inspection can give you an idea of which pests are a problem in your area and what you can do to combat the threat. Simple environmental pest control methods include:
- Stocking ponds with fish
- Trimming greenery that overhangs your house
- Using termite screens and membranes during construction
- Cutting back any brush that touches your home
- Clearing fallen logs or tree stumps from your property
- Cleaning out gutters and exterior drains regularly
Anything you can do to reduce the food, water and shelter available to insects will help control local populations. Especially if you’re struggling with insects making their way into your home, environmental pest controls can help you reduce or even eliminate the problem! For best results, environmental pest controls are often used with chemical insecticides. The combination of these two things is highly effective at controlling common pests like cockroaches, ants, ticks, fleas and termites.
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We are getting to the business end now where we can a) name notes on the stave, b) find them on the bass and c) recognise different rhythms. Watch this lesson first for a recap: Reading Music On The Bass Guitar: The Very Basics - Note Names And Locations.
Each one of those things is quite easy to do on its own. At first, when you have to do all three at once, your brain will fry! Take your time learning how to do each of these skills and it will all become second nature in time. It is at this point that counting becomes our focus.
Learning to tap your foot on every beat (counting 1, 2, 3, 4 in your head) is vital so that you have a timing grid where you can follow the notes as they pass. Refer to the sheet ‘Reading Music: The Very Basics - Examples’ for some simple lines to get all this information working for you.
For now, when you see whole notes, half notes or quarter notes you don’t need to do anything more complicated than counting 1, 2, 3, 4 like this:
The first note is held for 4 counts, the second bar each note is held for 2 counts and, in the last bar, each note is played on each beat.
There are a few different ways of counting eighth and sixteenth notes.
For eighths notes you can count ‘1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and’. You have just vocalised 8 sounds that match exactly with the 8 eighths notes as they pass by. The numbers (1, 2, 3 and 4) are played ‘on the beat’ and the ‘ands’ (+) are ‘offbeats’. This is an important concept as a strong sense of rhythm is really about how confident you are at nailing where notes are played in time (that is what rhythm is!!).
Many people count sixteenth notes this way: ‘one ee and a, two ee and a, three ee and a, four ee and a’. I actually never learnt this way and I’ll get into that in a second.
By doing the above you have vocalised the 16 sixteenth notes as they go by and it is much easier than saying ‘ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16’ really fast. Try it, it’s never going to work...
All you are doing when counting in the two ways I have illustrated is subdividing the beats. I learnt to read on the bass when I was 11. I didn’t know this method and the way I did it was to just take each beat as it came. I would tap my foot at the required tempo as a default and when any tricky rhythms came my way I would then subdivide the beats usually by keeping my foot going on quarter notes and then, in my head, going something like ‘da da da da da da da da’ for eighth notes or ‘da ga da ga, da ga da ga, da ga da ga, da ga da ga’ for sixteenth notes. Yes you may be wondering if I got strange looks for muttering such things but remember this was going on silently in my head.
Whatever method you use, you are subdividing beats and this will allow you to decode those funny blobs you see on a musical stave into real music.
In time what happens is that you internalise the visual signal of the rhythms and notes you see on the music and make a connection to the sound they make. This happens after repetition and that is how the process becomes automatic.
This entire lesson sets out to explain and intellectualise the process. In reality, musical freedom when reading comes from not having to think about all the elements you must learn. It’s a slight catch 22 as you do need to know what all the symbols mean. With a bit of practice it all starts to make sense. Remember, nothing is difficult; just unfamiliar. | 0.565575 | ('__label__pos',) |
The reasons and urgency that lead a group of people to just up and leave a place are varied: obsolete technology, depleted resources, natural or man-made disasters. But whatever the case, there will always be people who are drawn to destinations like these.
I’ll admit, I enjoy dipping into a cemetery to walk amongst the buried, reading the epitaphs, marveling at the intricate artwork and over-the-top mausoleums while reflecting on life.
Maybe the attraction of visiting an abandoned city is a similar feeling — the emptiness and loneliness, wondering where these people (or their offspring) might be now.
Dir Journal Info Blog’s article lists 15 places around the world from where humans have walked away, leaving the remnants of a once active area.
It includes Pripyat, Ukraine, which was abandoned within two days in 1986 because of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster; Centralia in Pennsylvania, cleared out over 20+ years due to an underground coal-mine fire that’s been burning since 1962, which has made it too hazardous to live there; and Oradour-sur-Glane, France, a town that lost 600 lives and was subsequently destroyed by the German SS in 1944.
Others are Kolmaneskuppe, Namibia, a former diamond mining town whose population steadily declined after WWI, when diamond prices crashed, and Balestrino, Italy, whose inhabitants were moved in 1953 after several earthquakes brought them to the conclusion that the area was geologically unstable.
For more information and some interesting photos, make sure you check out the Abandoned Places in the World article.
Are you interested in visiting places that have been abandoned? Or is it too creepy? Have you been to any that you can add to the list? Please share below! | 0.74603 | ('__label__neg',) |
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25 as National Missing Children’s Day. Each year, the U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, commemorates this day with a ceremony to award the National Missing Children’s Day poster contest winner and recognize those that have made a difference in protecting and recovering missing and exploited children.
These awards recognize individuals, organizations, and agencies from the following categories:
- Attorney General’s Special Commendation
- Missing Children’s Child Protection Award
- Missing Children’s Citizens Award
- Missing Children’s Law Enforcement Award
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s ceremony was unable to take place in-person. To learn more about this year’s awardees and virtual commemoration, please visit https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/events/national-missing-childrens-day.
And read a message from the AMBER Alert in Indian Country and AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program Administrator Jim Walters on the AMBER Advocate website’s news page. | 0.833521 | ('__label__neg',) |
Regular exercise is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and is recommended for everyone, including older adults with a disability. It is never too late to start exercising. Older adults often ask about the risks and benefits of exercise.
Some questions commonly asked about exercise are:
- Will exercise make my symptoms (like fatigue, pain and weakness) worse?
- What types of exercise are safe for me?
Despite these concerns, current research shows:
- Exercise is a great way to improve health, physical functioning and overall well-being for older adults with a disability.
- Exercise can be done safely and, generally, does not make symptoms worse.
How can exercise benefit you?
Exercise has many benefits for older adults with a disability, including:
- Increased strength and mobility
- Improved balance to help prevent falls
- Increased independence (improved ability to take care of daily activities)
- Decreased fatigue
- Improved mood (less depression and/ or anxiety)
- Improved cardiovascular function (lower blood pressure and cholesterol)
- Improved social interactions/self-esteem
- Improved bowel and bladder functioning
- Increased clarity of thinking
- Improved sleep
- Prevent weight gain
You may not see or feel immediate benefits but it is important to keep exercising.
Benefits such as increasing physical strength or decreasing fatigue may take many months.
If you are new to exercise or have not exercised regularly in a long time, you may experience body aches or fatigue. Generally, these symptoms get better as you become more accustomed to exercise and get in better physical shape.
Setting exercise goals
Older adults with disabilities have a wide range of physical abilities, so it is important to consult your health care provider to find the best exercise program for you. For example, if you use a wheelchair your health care provider can recommend physical activities that you can safely do in your wheelchair.
- Talk with your health care provider before starting an exercise program to get advice on how to start.
- Keep your health care provider informed about your exercise progress she/he can guide you towards your goals.
- Talk with a physical therapist to identify specific exercises to help you achieve your fitness goals safely.
- Keep track of your progress.
- Start with realistic exercise goals. Write down what exercises you want to do, when, where and for how long.
- Keep track of your exercise progress to help you set new goals. Some people find that tracking progress helps them stay motivated.
- If you do not meet your exercise goals, don’t get discouraged. Any exercise is better than no exercise.
- Write down your barriers to exercise and bring notes to your health care provider to brainstorm ways to overcome them.
Keeping up with exercise
Staying motivated to keep up with an exercise program is difficult for many people. Try different approaches to see what helps you keep up with exercise.
- When and how you exercise can help keep you on-track. Ask yourself:
- Are you more likely to exercise in the morning, afternoon or night?
- Does exercising with a friend give you encouragement to exercise?
- Does joining an exercise class help keep you motivated to stick with it?
- Keep a positive attitude. Focus on the physical activities that you CAN DO and not those that you can’t.
- Find physical activities you enjoy and schedule those activities often.
- It does not matter whether you are “exercising” in a gym or through walking or pushing your wheelchair outside. It all counts.
- Find the exercise environment that feels comfortable for you. For example, you may prefer to do water aerobics in a class for women over 50 or adaptive yoga, instead of going to a gym that’s open to all ages.
- If you also want more social activities, look for exercise activities that provide opportunities for social interactions such as a walking club or group based exercise class for people over 65.
- Make exercise a habit. Make some form of physical activity part of your daily routine, like taking a walk after lunch.
- Avoid sitting in front of the TV or computer for extended periods. Take a 5-minute stretch or activity break at least once per hour.
- Think of easy ways to include more activity into your daily routine. For example, you may take the stairs instead of the elevator or propel yourself faster in your wheelchair to increase your heart rate.
Your exercise program should include stretching, aerobic exercise, and strength-training.
Stretching – Improving flexibility in your muscles is important for maintaining your ability to perform everyday activities and prevent injuries.
- Stretch for at least 10 minutes per day.
- Stretch only after you have done a 5-10 minute warm-up to prevent injuries caused by stretching cold muscles. You can also stretch after your workout.
- Stretch slowly, holding each stretch for 30-60 seconds. Be sure to stretch all the major muscle groups in your body.
- Yoga and tai chi include a variety of stretching exercises.
Aerobic activity (also called endurance or cardio activity) is any activity that causes your heart rate to increase for an extended period of time. Some popular types of aerobic activity for older adults are walking, swimming, water aerobics, and dancing. You can also use stationary equipment for some of these activities such as a stationary bike or treadmill.
- Experts recommend a goal of at least 150 minutes total of moderate-intensity aerobic per week.
- If you are just getting started, increase your aerobic activity slowly. Start with a shorter time period and work up to 150 minute total over many weeks or as you feel ready.
- If time is limited, you can use several 10 minute periods of physical activity in a day.
- You know you are doing moderate-intensity aerobic exercise when you can talk but not sing. You will be breathing more heavily than usual, and you’ll be sweating. But, you’ll feel like you can keep going for a while.
- Another way to tell when you’re doing moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is by checking your pulse and calculating your heart rate. For more information on how to take your pulse and calculate your heart rate, go to CDC Target Heart Rate.
Strength training (also called resistance training) is any kind of activity that causes your muscles to work against an applied force or weight. This helps maintain and improve the strength of your muscles. You can do strength training exercises with weights (such as small hand weights, wrist cuff weights, or even a soup can) or you can use elastic resistance bands.
- Do strength training exercises at least twice a week.
- Do a variety of strength training exercises so you target all your major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).
- Do core strength exercises to strengthen the muscles in your stomach, back and around your pelvis. Pilates and yoga include many core strength exercises.
- Start slowly by not pushing yourself to do too much at once, especially if you have been inactive for a long time.
- Keep hydrated. Water is the best hydration – drink more water before, during, and after you exercise.
- Make sure you stay cool. This can mean exercising in front of a fan, in a cool room, or after the peak heat of the day.
- Take time to recuperate after you exercise. You may need to rest and replenish your body with protein and water.
- Be aware of your surroundings when you exercise (such as uneven sidewalks) to avoid injuries and falls.
- Pay attention to your level of fatigue since falls are more common when your body is tired.
- Where appropriate footwear.
University of Washington. (2012). How to Stay Physically Active [Factsheet]. Aging Well with a Physical Disability Factsheet Series. Aging and Physical Disability Rehabilitation Research and Training Center. http://agerrtc.washington.edu/
The material on this website is provided for informational purposes only. Neither Age Safe America, LLC nor its partners or members provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment; or legal, financial or any other professional services advice. | 0.932947 | ('__label__pos',) |
ATHENS – The digital exhibition Proving History, presented by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports as part of the commemoration of the 2500th anniversary of the Battles of Thermopylae and Salamis, offers insights into the Persian Wars through artifacts, excavations, texts and inscriptions.
The digital transcription of the exhibition is a new effort by the Directorate of Archaeological Museums Exhibitions and Educational Programs in the field of museum education and access.
The exhibition, available online in both Greek and English, offers the visitor a fascinating tour in a simple and understandable way, utilizing modern audiovisual media. Even small fragments which seem insignificant at first glance, create an opportunity to reconstruct the facts, sketch the atmosphere of the time, and reshape the overall picture of the conflict between two worlds, East and West, which determined the course of history.
Proving History is available online: https://2500years.culture.gov.gr/en. | 0.519419 | ('__label__pos',) |
Clinical trial supplies and laboratory kits are critical components in the consistent, compliant, and efficient execution of clinical trials
The validity and utility of clinical data depends on the standardisation of treatment and patient monitoring, which requires ensuring that all necessary materials are provided to investigator sites (or patients and homecare nurses in a decentralised clinical trial (DCT) paradigm) and that all materials used in the administration of treatments and the collection of samples — from the experimental treatment to comparator or concomitant medications and ancillary supplies like syringes and blood collection kits — are consistent to limit any potentially confounding variables that might impact the data. Besides assembling the materials themselves, it is critical that they are appropriately labeled and combined into laboratory kits that are complete, well-organised, and properly targeted for temperature-controlled shipping and storage.
First, the purpose of the kit or kits must be firmly defined. This is a critical stage, as imprecision in the understanding shared among the sponsor, the kitting services provider, and sites or investigators can create minor disconnects that snowball into greater challenges as the trial progresses. Among the most important early decisions is whether the needs of the specific clinical trial protocol would be best served by combining all materials in a single kit or if, owing to temperature control and other concerns, it would be more appropriate to divide components into multiple kits. Materials, including the investigational medical product (IMP), comparator drugs, and ancillary supplies, are collected, laid out, and analysed, and a kitting plan is developed to determine which components are included in each kit and the order in which they will be used.
The design of the kit is critical to ensure that all necessary materials are available when needed and in the most practical and useful way to maximise both compliance to the clinical trial protocol and ease of use for investigators. A primary consideration is imagining how investigators and other staff at the clinical study site will handle all the materials in the kit once the kit is opened. Everything must be labeled and in its proper place, which requires a full understanding of how the materials will be used by investigators and in what order. Pre-labelling is performed by the kitting provider rather than requiring that of the site staff, which reduces risks and the chance of errors. For example, a booklet label is placed on a syringe or a blinding wrap for syringes, providing detailed instructions on how to use everything and in what sequence. The procedures must be precise enough to ensure that compliance is identical among different individual investigators or multiple sites when applicable. The last thing a study team wants is to procure blood samples from a cancer patient only to discover after subjecting a patient to sample collection that the sample must be repeated, because it was placed in the wrong tube or was not handled properly, including temperature excursions.
Kitting plans are usually developed in collaboration between the kitting provider and the sponsor, although input from the investigational site staff can be very valuable when possible. In some cases, such as at the Cleveland Clinic, clients are having physicians evaluate the kitting designs beforehand to share suggestions or comments. That step significantly enhances planning and ensures perfect execution of the trial protocols.
Once a kitting plan has been established, it becomes necessary to develop comprehensive procurement strategies to ensure that the clinical study has what it needs when it needs it, and that sufficient and consistent supply is available for each component for all patients. The last thing a sponsor wants to face is proposing a certain item, such as a special needle or syringe, only to discover that these items are in short supply or difficult to obtain. While a certain amount of flexibility of supply is possible under clinical trials protocols, it is essential that all stakeholders, at every step during the trial, minimise any possible variability in the treatment administered to patients and the manner in which clinical samples are obtained, transported, and stored to ensure that variability in data results from the treatment administered and the intrinsic differences among patients, rather than, for example, dosing differences caused by minor differences between two different syringe products, or even in some cases, different manufacturing lots of the same material.
Over the past 10–15 years, sponsor companies conducting clinical trials were typically seeking a “study in a box,” or an all-in-one solution to lab kits. However, this universal solution had its limitations, particularly because of temperature constraints on drug products. A number of ancillary components are needed with the drug, including various sizes of needles, particularly in the case of biologics. While the experimental drug — and often comparator drugs — may require temperature-controlled shipping and storage, ancillary supplies do not; thus, including drug products and ancillary supplies in a single kit may substantially and unnecessarily drive up the costs of temperature-controlled shipping and storage.
Other types of kits are not necessarily related to the investigational medicinal product (IMP) itself and may include electronic equipment required for the study, such as a watch, blood pressure monitor, or a smartphone device used to monitor patient outcomes and collect study data. Laboratory kits are also becoming more commonplace as part of the clinical study materials, because of the need for individual blood or bodily fluid collection. In these cases, along with the ancillary supplies required for sample collection and the corresponding temperature-controlled materials, requisition forms to be used for the blood tests are included and shipped along with the specimens to the central labs for analysis. Everything is assembled in the kit for completeness and portability to ensure that samples are collected correctly, shipped safely and securely, and accompanied by all relevant documentation.
Beyond the IMP and the necessary ancillary supplies, many clinical trial kits also include other drug products. Later-stage trials typically include a comparator drug for one arm of the study, so that the outcomes of patients taking the IMP can be compared with the standard of care to investigate differences in effectiveness and safety. Additionally, many studies include concomitant medications along with an investigational product that go along with either the IMP or the primary comparator (or both). Procurement of these other drug products in the quantities and on the timelines needed for successful execution of clinical trials is itself a whole other complex challenge, since shortages or other complications in their supply can entirely disrupt a trial. There are clear pragmatic advantages to working with a kitting provider — like Yourway — that also provides robust sourcing of comparator and other drugs, which ensures that kits will be prepared on time and include these critical materials. Yourway procures and prepares these drugs, labels them for clinical use, and ensures proper packaging so these important drugs are available in the specific region of the world they are needed the most.
As a result of the pandemic, there has been an increased movement toward DCTs, which has forced kitting designs to become more patient-centric. Under DCT paradigms, treatment administration, sample collection, and even some analyses are performed in the patient’s home, typically with the help of nursing networks, so direct-to-patient (DTP) and direct-from-patient (DFP) kits may include electronic scales and blood pressure monitors for each individual patient, which were never necessary when the patient traveled to the clinical study site instead of the other way around. Demand for a range of products at unforeseen quantities have increased on a global scale. Often, the kits must be not only specific to the trial but also visit- and patient-specific within that protocol. Homecare nurses have the added tasks of replenishing supplies, such as nitrile gloves, sanitiser, wipes, sharps containers, and masks. Procurement of PPE supplies has remained a complex challenge, particularly in some remote areas. In some cases, DTP models involved complete lab services, which included shipping centrifuges and portable ECG machines to patients’ homes.
Kit identification and blinding adds another dimension to the intricacy of clinical study perspectives with the decentralised DTP model. Consideration must be given to who actually sees what is in the kit, who opens it, whether it is fully blinded, or whether blinding is needed on the outside or the inside. For the purposes of blinding, it is also essentially to ensure that kits containing the IMP, the comparator drug, or placebos have equivalent weights.
The design of laboratory kits for DTP trials must also take into consideration the collection and reconciliation of materials, ranging from unused drug product (with special requirements for controlled or highly potent drug products, particularly when a trial is cancelled and reclamation by the site is not possible) to sharps and recyclable materials. This is another area in which coordination between the kitting and DTP distribution provider is critical, and uniting these services under one provider creates significant synergies.
Some companies are best at the transportation component, while others excel in packaging, Yourway excels in both to reduce risks, minimise costs, and eliminate vulnerabilities. As a result of the pandemic, competitor companies who specialised in kitting could not perform all the necessary kitting services and had to turn clinical studies away. Yourway stepped up to the challenge to provide immediate solutions. Yourway set up relationships and purchasing agreements with multiple companies, including B. Braun, BD, Greiner, and others, so that it could make purchases directly rather than through a wholesaler, providing more confidence in actually obtaining the kit supplies.
Yourway is truly a one-stop shop for the entire kitting process. Our teams emphasise comprehensive and thoughtful design, procurement at the front end, labelling, and open communication with the sponsor, clinical investigators, and suppliers. Other services that Yourway offers, including importing, exporting, storage, distribution, returns, reclamation, and DTP services, all intersect with kitting, giving us a complete understanding of all the relevant considerations and allowing us to provide the next level of services under our integrated offering. | 0.532312 | ('__label__pos',) |
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