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How Blockchain is Modernizing Supply Chains
Blockchain is often touted as a disruptive technology with uses in potentially hundreds of industries. But while many of these center around its financial applications, its use in supply chain management is quickly coming into the spotlight, and has already been recognized by more than a few international enterprises.
As distributed ledgers that provide an immutable record of transactions secured by a decentralized network of nodes — each of which is involved in the processing and confirming the authenticity of data — blockchains are powerful tools for any use case that requires up-to-date, fraud-proof information.
As it turns out, this feature, combined with the unique capabilities of smart contracts, makes blockchain a golden bullet for many of the challenges that come with managing supply chains.
What is a Supply Chain?
In order for goods and services to reach the consumer, they need to first move through a system known as the supply chain — which is the sequence of steps that transform raw materials into a good/service that is sold or provided to the end-user.
It is a network of facilities and distribution options that receives goods from suppliers and delivers them to customers. The main purpose of a supply chain is to deliver goods to the customer at the right time, in the right quantity, and in the right condition. A supply chain is made up of many different parts, including suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses, distributors, retailers, and customers, and can be wholly domestic or span over multiple countries.
The rapid growth in the global economy has seen a huge number of businesses expand to new territories. This has made it more difficult to track where products are made and how they are transported. Additionally, the rise of e-commerce has created a need for faster delivery times, which has put pressure on supply chain managers to find ways to speed up the process. Finally, the growing popularity of social media has made it easier for customers to share their experiences with businesses, which has created a need for greater transparency in the supply chain.
Some supply chains can span dozens of countries and include hundreds of thousands of moving parts.
In the last few years, supply chains have seen a massive explosion in complexity, and many companies are now taking measures to optimize their supply chains, to minimize cost and delays while maximizing their upside by cutting supply-chain-related losses and improving transparency for consumers.
In the search for solutions, blockchain technology is increasingly demonstrating its potential to radically overhaul the way supply chains are managed while resolving some of the longest-standing challenges facing participants in all stages of the chain.
Why the Supply Chain Needs Blockchain
Supply chains are complicated. This, unfortunately, makes them extremely difficult and typically expensive to manage efficiently, and exposes several intrinsic challenges that can be difficult to overcome.
Right now, many supply chains suffer from a lack of visibility, making it very difficult to track processes and items as they move through the supply chain. But blockchain can be used to provide a more detailed and transparent view of the supply chain by ensuring all events are tracked and recorded on an immutable blockchain ledger. This can help to improve coordination and communication between different supply chain partners, and can also help to identify, isolate, and resolve issues more quickly.
Counterfeiting has proven to be a persistent problem that a huge number of brands now suffer from — particularly those in the high-end fashion and jewelry industries. Indeed, a recent report by the OECD and the EU’s Intellectual Property Office now estimates that the yearly global volume of counterfeit goods and pirated products equates to at least $509 billion — which is equivalent to ~3.3% of global trade.
By leveraging blockchain technology, all links in the supply chain can be better tracked and audited, allowing firms to easily track the movement of raw materials used for manufacturing, and create a tamper-proof record of the provenance of their products, which can help to ensure that only genuine items are being sold. This could help improve revenue in several high-impact industries, including the software, sportswear, perfume, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as ensure that quality standards are being met.
Theft in the supply chain is another cause for concern, with a staggering €500,000 (~$540,000) stolen from supply chains in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) alone in 2020. The opportunity for theft can be largely attributed to a lack of granular tracking in the supply chain, as well as the rampancy of fake documentation and impersonation which are used to facilitate fraudulent collections.
Since blockchain can be used to achieve more granular tracking of goods in the supply chain, it can also help pinpoint where theft typically occurs — allowing firms to reinforce security in these areas. Moreover, by producing a tamper-proof record of provenance and ownership, blockchain can make it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen goods, and help law enforcement more easily track and identify thieves and retrieve stolen goods.
From an operations perspective, smart contracts can be used to automatically trigger payments upon receipt of goods, helping to reduce the incentive for theft.
As supply chains increase in complexity and span more regions, the challenge of maintaining efficiency by cutting out sources of fraud, human error, and delays grow. Blockchain is well-positioned as a potentially disruptive technology that can be used to address several of these challenges simultaneously — paving the way for dramatically improved sourcing, procurement, manufacturing, and logistics.
The utility of blockchain technology in supply chain management is still being explored, but its properties lend it to the following benefits:
- Better transparency: Blockchains include a permanent record of any transaction that has been included in a block. This means anything that any information reported to the blockchain from the supply chain will be permanently stored on the blockchain and can be accessed at any time — with essentially zero chance of manipulation. This makes it well-suited for situations where transparency is key to public perception, loss prevention, and cross-partner communication.
- Improved efficiency: Firms can potentially dramatically improve efficiency in the supply chain by leveraging smart contracts and digital assets to carry out payments between supply chain participants and automate tasks that would otherwise require processing by a human — such as inventory counting and flagging unusual events. This not only helps to cut costs but also improves the speed at which items move through the supply chain.
- Increased granularity: Blockchain, in combination with other technologies including RFID tags and IoT, could be used to dramatically increase the granularity of supply chains, allowing individual items to be tracked as they move throughout the chain. This can improve the auditability of supply chains while enabling manufacturers and retailers to demonstrate the provenance of individual goods. Moreover, it will allow firms to better take stock and adjust their manufacturing to better meet demand.
- Reduced administrative costs: By automating many of the processes that are currently carried out manually — such as inventory tracking, verifying ownership, and processing payments — blockchain can help to reduce the amount of time and money that is spent on manual administration. This, in turn, can boost profit margins while eliminating sources of human error.
- Improved compliance: By providing a transparent and permanent record of all supply chain activity, key individuals involved in the supply chain can easily track and verify the status of products and components, and identify any potential compliance issues at their source. Moreover, smart contracts could be used to automatically enforce compliance rules and regulations, increasing transparency and consumer trust, while protecting involved companies from the consequences of regulation violations.
- Reduced counterfeiting/grey market trading: By using smart contracts and blockchain-based access credentials (e.g. on-chain identity), blockchain can be used to securely track the movement of goods through the supply chain and ensure that only authorized parties can access data related to the acquisition (suppliers), manufacturing (schematics and production techniques), and distribution (storage and transportation providers) of goods — thereby reducing the opportunity for counterfeiting and theft.
Supply chains are becoming increasingly stressed by a burgeoning global economy, and blockchain is well-positioned to help ease some of these growing pains. This potential has already been recognized by a wide variety of prominent organizations, who are exploring how blockchain can tackle challenges faced in their supply chains.
In 2017, Walmart, Unilever, Nestle, and other global food giants formed a partnership with IBM to see how distributed ledger technology could be used to boost transparency and visibility in their supply chains — helping them identify and track sources of contamination at record speed. Walmart Canada also now leverages blockchain technology to automatically manage invoices with its 70 third-party freight carriers — helping to reduce the number of invoice disputes from 70% to just 1%.
“Blockchain technology enables a new era of end-to-end transparency in the global food system — equivalent to shining a light on food ecosystem participants that will further promote responsible actions and behaviors,” said Frank Yiannas, vice president for food safety at Walmart, in a 2017 interview.
Major players in the precious metals industry are also beginning to leverage blockchain to improve tracking in their supply chains. Last month, a consortium of prominent organizations, including the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and the World Gold Council (WGC), announced plans to develop an “international system of gold bar integrity, chain of custody and provenance”.
This program will test how two distributed ledger companies (aXedras and Peer Ledger) can be used to create an immutable ledger of provenance and custody for gold bars. It is hoped that other participants in the gold industry will leverage this technology to register and track their goods, helping to improve integrity the overall integrity of the industry.
Further pioneering the use of blockchain in the supply chain, Unilever recently announced its pilot test of a new blockchain-based resource traceability solution, which will see it leverage GreenToken (developed by SAP) to track, verify, and report the origins of its palm oil in its supply chain.
“Unilever is committed to achieving a deforestation-free supply chain by 2023, and blockchain technology has the potential to help companies, like ours, track their supply chains to ensure the commodities we source respect people and the planet,” said Dave Ingram, chief procurement officer at Unilever.
Until very recently, blockchains generally suffered from at least one of two major problems: low throughput and/or high fees. Given that firms may need to track hundreds to potentially thousands of items as they move through their supply chain, and make a large number of requests for historical data, this could have posed a major obstacle to adoption.
However, thanks to the advent of more efficient platforms with much higher throughput than first-generation blockchains, in addition to significant upgrades to by far the most popular smart contract chain (Ethereum), these early limitations have almost been resolved.
Likewise, a number of blockchains and DLT-technologies specifically designed to tackle the challenges posed by complex supply chains are also in the works. These include MY E.G. Services Berhad’s (“MYEG”) Zetrix SCM platform, which can be used for tracking and tracing items in the supply chain; Amazon’s end-to-end production visibility solution known as Track and Trace; and IBM and GTD Solution Inc’s TradeLens platform — which is already being used for vaccine distribution tracking, supplier management, container logistics, and more.
With more than half of the companies in Forbes’ Blockchain 50 list now using blockchain to supercharge their supply chains and tackle logistics issues, the merits of the technology are clearly being appreciated by major organizations.
About Master Ventures
Master Ventures is a blockchain-focused venture studio helping to build the next generation of blockchain-based Web 3.0 system innovations within the crypto industry. Launched in 2018 by Founder and CEO Kyle Chassé, the company’s ethos can best be summarized in the acronym #BeBOLD: Benevolent, Open, Love, Decentralized.
Master Ventures co-creates with entrepreneurs and businesses worldwide to turn the best ideas into innovative and disruptive products. They do this by investing as strategic partners through offering advisory services to the projects they believe in. To date, Master Ventures has invested in over 40 crypto projects, including the likes of Kraken, Coinbase, Bitfinex, Reef, DAO Maker, Mantra DAO, Thorchain, and Elrond.
For any questions, please feel free to reach out to us on: | <urn:uuid:3bcfb79e-2250-4453-930c-7325dffca948> | CC-MAIN-2022-40 | https://masterventures.medium.com/how-blockchain-is-modernizing-supply-chains-8fd44fcf636a?source=user_profile---------5---------------------------- | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-40/segments/1664030335004.95/warc/CC-MAIN-20220927100008-20220927130008-00517.warc.gz | en | 0.949308 | 2,561 | 2.90625 | 3 |
A network N is a rooted acyclic directed graph. A base-set X for N is a subset of vertices including the root (or outgroup), all leaves, and all vertices of outdegree 1. A simple model of evolution is considered in which all characters are binary and in which back-mutations occur only at hybrid vertices. It is assumed that the genome is known for each member of the base-set X. If the network is known and is assumed to be "normal," then it is proved that the genome of every vertex is uniquely determined and can be explicitly reconstructed. Under additional hypotheses involving time-consistency and separation of the hybrid vertices, the network itself can also be reconstructed from the genomes of all members of X. An explicit polynomial-time procedure is described for performing the reconstruction. | <urn:uuid:93aa5db3-629c-4279-a674-322fa42f76c9> | CC-MAIN-2017-17 | http://www.newton.ac.uk/seminar/20071009140015002 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-17/segments/1492917120694.49/warc/CC-MAIN-20170423031200-00409-ip-10-145-167-34.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975409 | 171 | 2.578125 | 3 |
A breadwinner or a housewife?
Agency in the everyday image of the Georgian woman
For a long time, women in Georgia were involved in bringing up children and caring for families, while men were the main breadwinners and
performed only a supportive role in bringing up children and managing the domestic economy. Now many women are actually breadwinners
in all the meanings of this term. Such positions for contemporary Georgian women are largely due to the current socio-economic situation
in the country, caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union, the wars in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and the civil war during this period. It was
women who began to earn money for their families, while many men were unable to deal with the ‘post-war syndrome’ and lost their jobs. The
problems from the early 1990s combined with high unemployment levels in the country again mainly affected men. Given these circumstances,
women work hard outside the home to support their families, but also put a lot of energy in caring for the members of the family at home. They
thus place their career and taking care of other members of their family at the centre of their identity, claiming that these two spheres allow them
to express themselves. This allows me to state that these women possess agency. Activities of women (at home and outside) are becoming a key
point of cultural production and social reproduction that allow these women to move between the household and the public sphere. | <urn:uuid:d9645f60-0b35-46b1-acef-5a3fe38b8976> | CC-MAIN-2019-30 | https://acmejournal.org/index.php/ACME/article/view/92 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-30/segments/1563195531106.93/warc/CC-MAIN-20190724061728-20190724083728-00404.warc.gz | en | 0.977626 | 304 | 3.09375 | 3 |
- Limits the ability of a person to sue a
- Allows a person to sue if a state denies their
|The judicial system was left up to
Congress to create. As this was done,
clarification was needed.
Election of President and V.P.
- Electors to the Electoral College are to
cast one vote for President and separate
vote for Vice President
- The House elects the President of no
candidate gets an electoral majority (each
state w/ 1 vote)
- The Senate elects the Vice President of no
candidate gets an electoral majority
|In the election of 1800,
confusion in the Electoral College resulted from
the requirement that the runner-up for president
become president. Further confusing was the fact
that electors could cast votes for Vice
Presidential candidates for President. The final
result was the election of Thomas Jefferson
and the 12th amendment.
Abolition of Slavery
||The end of the
Civil War saw a series of three amendments
designed to grant greater equality to former
Equal Protection Under the Law
- Declares that all citizens are guaranteed
equal treatment and protection under the law
- Bars former Confederates from holding
- Declares Confederate debt null and void
|This has proven
one of the most significant amendments outside
the Bill of Rights. Equal protection is the
basis for all modern civil rights laws,
disability acts and other actions designed to
protect minority rights.
Right to Vote
- Insures black males the right to vote
amendment, poll taxes and literacy tests would
attempt to deny black males voting rights in the
southern states for nearly 100 years.
- Grants Congress the power to collect taxes
- Money collected does not have to be
reapportioned to states based on population
had long fought for the taxation if income as a
way of leveling out the great economic disparity
between rich and poor that developed during the
Direct Election of Senators
- Senators are to be elected by the people
Constitution provided for Senators to be elected
by state legislatures. This was a Populist
cause, designed to increase people's
participation in government.
- The sale, making or transportation of
alcohol is illegal
movement had gained support in the rural areas
of the nation, somewhat in reaction to the
growth of urban areas and the temptations cities
brought. This was repealed (overturned) by the
passage of the 21st amendment.
- Women are granted the right to vote
|Women such as Susan
B. Anthony (for whom the amendment was
named) fought for a voting right amendment for
over 40+ years.
- President and Vice President are sworn
into office on Jan. 20th (moved from March
|During the heart of the depression
voters chose the New Deal policies of FDR
over the policies of then president Hoover. The
election occurred in November, but presidential
terms began in March of the next year. As a
result nearly 5 months went by during which the "lame
duck" presidency of Hoover did
little to alleviate the suffering of the Great
Depression. This amendment shortens the
"lame duck" time by moving inauguration
up by 2 months.
Repeal of Prohibition
- The 18th amendment (prohibition) is
- Alcohol is again legal
|Prohibition was regarded as a huge
failure. Bootlegging and speakeasies
allowed liquor to flow freely, and created a
huge network of organized crime. Many feared
disrespect for the prohibition laws would cause
disrespect for all law, and the 18th amendment
Presidential Term Limits
- No person may serve as President more than
|George Washington had sent the
precedent of two terms. All other presidents
continued to serve no more than two terms, up
until FDR was elected a record four
times. After his administration ended, there was
widespread support for a formal limit on presidential
Voting in Washington D.C.
- Grants Washington D.C. 3 electors to the
|Residents of the capitol did not
have any political voice in federal government.
This amendment grants them the minimum number of
electors. To today Washington D.C. has no
Senators or Reps. to the House.
Abolition of Poll Taxes
- Poll taxes are illegal in federal
states had used poll taxes and literacy
tests to limit black voting after the Civil War.
Literacy tests were already illegal by the
1960's, but an amendment was required to outlaw
the poll tax.
- Establishes a clearer succession to the
presidency and vice presidency
|During the era of the Cold War and
in the wake of JFK's assassination, a clearer
chain of ascension to the nations' highest
offices was needed.
- The age of eligibility for voting is
lowered to 18
|In the wake of
protests over the Vietnam war, a fundamental
hypocrisy in the American voting system became
clear. 18 year-olds could be drafted and forced
to fight in war, but could not cast a vote for
the politicians who were determining their fate.
Congressional Pay Raises
- Congressional pay raises do not take
effect until after the next Congressional
|The process for this amendment was
begun in the 1790's. It keeps a current Congress
from raising their own pay. | <urn:uuid:7eee44c6-30c8-4da7-995e-9ed53aa2353c> | CC-MAIN-2015-14 | http://regentsprep.org/Regents/ushisgov/themes/government/amendments.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-14/segments/1427131298660.78/warc/CC-MAIN-20150323172138-00267-ip-10-168-14-71.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.936414 | 1,154 | 4.09375 | 4 |
When someone visits a website, everything the site needs to display and operate has to come from somewhere. All the text, images, CSS styles, scripts, media files, and so on must be retrieved by the browser for display or execution. You can give the browser choices about where it can retrieve a resource from, and that can make a big difference in your page's load speed.
The first time a browser loads a web page, it stores the page resources in the HTTP Cache. The next time the browser hits that page, it can look in the cache for resources that were previously fetched and retrieve them from disk, often faster than it can download them from the network.
While HTTP caching is standardized per the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) specifications, browsers may have multiple caches that differ in how they acquire, store, and retain content. You can read about how these caches vary in this excellent article, A Tale of Four Caches.
Of course, every first-time visitor to your page arrives with nothing yet cached for that page. Even repeat visitors may not have much in the HTTP cache; they might have manually cleared it, or set their browser to do so automatically, or forced a fresh page load with a control-key combination. Still, a significant number of your users may revisit your site with at least some of its components already cached, and that can make a huge difference in load time. Maximizing cache usage is critical to speeding up return visits.
Caching works by categorizing certain page resources in terms of how frequently or infrequently they change. Your site's logo image, for example, might almost never change, but your site's scripts might change every few days. It's beneficial to you and your users to determine which types of content are more static and which are more dynamic.
It's also important to remember that what we think of as browser caching may in fact take place at any intermediate stop between the original server and the client-side browser, such as a proxy cache or a content delivery network (CDN) cache.
Two main types of cache headers, cache-control and expires, define the caching characteristics for your resources. Typically, cache-control is considered a more modern and flexible approach than expires, but both headers can be used simultaneously.
Cache headers are applied to resources at the server level -- for example, in the
file on an Apache server, used by nearly half of all active websites -- to set their caching
characteristics. Caching is enabled by identifying a resource or type of resource, such as
images or CSS files, and then specifying headers for the resource(s) with the desired
You can enable cache-control with a variety of options in a comma-delimited list. Here is an
example of an Apache
.htaccess configuration that sets caching for various image file types,
as matched by an extension list, to
one month and public access (some available options are discussed below).
<filesMatch ".(ico|jpg|jpeg|png|gif)$"> Header set Cache-Control "max-age=2592000, public" </filesMatch>
This example sets caching for styles and scripts, resources that are probably more likely to change than the images, to one day and public access.
<filesMatch ".(css|js)$"> Header set Cache-Control "max-age=86400, public" </filesMatch>
Cache-control has a number of options, often called directives, that can be set to specifically determine how cache requests are handled. Some common directives are explained below; you can find more information at the Performance Optimization section and at the Mozilla Developer Network.
no-cache: Somewhat of a misnomer, specifies that content can be cached but, if so, it must be re-validated on each request before being served to a client. This forces the client to check for freshness but allows it to avoid downloading the resource again if it has not changed. Mutually exclusive with no-store.
no-store: Indicates that the content actually cannot be cached in any way by any primary or intermediate cache. This is a good option for resources that may contain sensitive data, or for resources that will almost certainly change from visit to visit. Mutually exclusive with no-cache.
public: Indicates that the content can be cached by the browser and by any intermediate caches. Overrides the default private setting for requests that use HTTP authentication. Mutually exclusive with private.
private: Designates content that may be stored by the user's browser, but may not be cached by any intermediate caches. Often used for user-specific, but not particularly sensitive, data. Mutually exclusive with public.
max-age: Defines the maximum time that the content may be cached before it must be revalidated or downloaded again from the original server. This option generally replaces the expires header (see below) and takes a value in seconds, with a maximum valid age of one year (31536000 seconds).
You can also enable caching by specifying expiration, or expiry, times for certain types of files, which tell browsers how long to use a cached resource before requesting a fresh copy from the server. The expires header just sets a time in the future when the content should expire. After that point, requests for the content must go back to the original server. With the newer and more flexible cache-control header, the expires header is often used as a fallback.
Here's an example of how you might set up caching in the
.htaccess file on an Apache server.
As you can see, different types of files have different expiry dates in this example: images don't expire for a year after access/caching, while scripts, PDFs, and CSS styles expire in a month, and any file type not explicitly listed expires in two days. The retention periods are up to you, and should be chosen based on the file types and their update frequency. For example, if you regularly change your CSS, you might want to use a shorter expiry, or even none at all, and let it default to the two-day minimum. Conversely, if you link to some static PDF forms that almost never change, you might want to use a longer expiry for them.
Tip: Don't use an expiry greater than one year; that's effectively forever on the internet
and, as noted above, is the maximum value for
max-age under cache-control.
Caching is a reliable and low-hassle way to improve your pages' load speed and thus your users' experience. It is powerful enough to allow sophisticated nuances for specific content types, but flexible enough to allow easy updates when your site's content changes.
Be assertive with caching, but also be aware that if you later change a resource that has a long retention period, you may inadvertently deprive some repeat visitors of newer content. You can find a great discussion of caching patterns, options, and potential pitfalls in Caching Best Practices and Max-age Gotchas. | <urn:uuid:de413ee5-eddb-4f8c-beb2-05e7dd686aec> | CC-MAIN-2018-22 | https://developers.google.com/web/fundamentals/performance/get-started/httpcaching-6?hl=es-419 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-22/segments/1526794864624.7/warc/CC-MAIN-20180522034402-20180522054402-00347.warc.gz | en | 0.883994 | 1,460 | 2.828125 | 3 |
During the 2013 excavation season, the Jezreel Valley Regional Project1 teamed up with Israeli archaeologist Yotam Tepper to expose a Roman camp just south of Tel Megiddo known as Legio. In this web-exclusive report, directors Matthew J. Adams, Jonathan David and Yotam Tepper describe the first archaeological investigation of a second-century C.E. Roman camp in the Eastern Roman Empire.
During the reign of the Roman emperor Hadrian (117–138 C.E.), two imperial legions were stationed in the consular province of Judea: Legio X Fretensis in Jerusalem and Legio VI Ferrata in the north at a place called Caparcotna or Kaperkotnei in Latin and Greek sources, respectively. The latter legion was deployed more than three decades after the First Jewish Revolt (67–70 C.E.) and sometime before the Bar-Kokhba rebellion (132–136 CE), and it remained stationed in Judea through most of the 3rd century C.E. Based in the Jezreel Valley somewhere near Tel Megiddo, the Legio VI Ferrata, or the Sixth Ironclad Legion, was well situated to control imperial roads, with direct access to the Galilee and inland valleys of northern Palestine—important centers of the local, occasionally uproarious, Jewish population. Until recently, the exact location of the castra (“camp” in the sense of a permanent military base) of the Sixth Legion had not been confirmed, but textual evidence places it in the Jezreel Valley along the road from Caesarea to Beth Shean in the vicinity of Megiddo (see the Peutinger Map, right). In the Ottoman Period, the village and caravanserai of el-Lajjun preserved the Latin nickname “Legio,” providing strong evidence for the location of the castra nearby. Consequently, the broad area south of Tel Megiddo has been known in modern archaeological circles as “Legio.” Historical sources of the Roman and Byzantine eras indicate that three different settlements existed in this vicinity: the Jewish village of Kefar ‘Othnay (Caparcotna), a Roman military camp (Legio) and a later Byzantine polis of the 4th and 5th centuries C.E. (Maximianopolis).
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After Gottlieb Schumacher’s early 20th century work around Megiddo, the most intensive survey of this area was conducted by Yotam Tepper, who attempted to clarify the exact location of the castra, the village and the polis. As part of his Ph.D. research at Tel Aviv University, Tepper delineated discrete areas of Roman material culture remains, including coins and roof tiles stamped with the name of the Sixth Legion, concentrated in and around a large agricultural field known as el-Manach.2 Additionally, aerial photographs, satellite imagery and LiDAR (topographical laser scanning) data hinted at a large rectangular structure, approximately 900 feet by 900 feet, just beneath the surface surrounded by depressions. While working nearby on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority in 2003–2005, Tepper also uncovered the famous 3rd-century Christian prayer hall at Megiddo Prison, the mosaics of which bore dedicatory inscriptions to “God Jesus Christ,” including one sponsored by a centurion named Gaianus.3 Overall, Tepper concluded that there was compelling evidence pointing to the exact location of the Sixth Legion’s headquarters in the agricultural field of el-Manach.
In 2010 and 2011, Tepper teamed up with the Jezreel Valley Regional Project (JVRP) and archaeogeophisicists Jessie Pincus and Tim de Smet to conduct a Ground Penetrating Radar and Electromagnetic survey of this area.4 These technologies allowed us to see beneath the surface of the fields and provided additional clues—radar and electromagnetic anomalies suggested the presence of something long, linear and wall-like. On the basis of Tepper’s historical and geographical work, in combination with the survey and remote sensing evidence, the JVRP spent two weeks during the summer of 2013 excavating part of the long-lost camp of Legio VI Ferrata.5
Legio did not disappoint. Over the course of only ten full excavation days, with the assistance of American and European students working side-by-side with members of local youth and community service groups, the team dug test trenches (see photograph above) measuring approximately 295 feet by 16.5 feet that revealed clear evidence of the camp. At the north end of this line, we found that the depressions evident in aerial photography were in fact part of a Roman camp’s typical defensive trenching earthworks, the fosse. Next to this 6.5-foot-deep ditch was the foundation of a great wall nearly 20 feet wide, evidently the main circumvallation rampart of the camp. Inside of that wall in the remaining 230 feet of our test trenches, the team exposed rooms likely belonging to one of the barracks areas of the camp. Much of the architectural remains had long been stripped away, but within the rooms were numerous ceramic roof tiles with the legion’s mark (below), coins, fragments of scale armor, lead ingots and a stone table leg sculpted with the three-dimensional visage of a panther (right). Near the southern extent of our excavation, the putative barracks were bounded by a wide street carved in bedrock and flanked by drainage channels. Crossing the camp at about one-third of the length of the north-south walls, as estimated via aerial photography, this important street was probably the camp’s Via Principalis, “Main Street,” a typical feature of such castra. Considering the regular structure of Roman camps, the Porta Principalis Dextra, the main eastern gate of the camp, should lie just outside of our excavation area.
The JVRP’s 2013 excavation season, conducted at both Legio and nearby Bronze Age Tel Megiddo East, also served as a proving ground for a variety of new technologies the team is developing for use in conjunction with excavation. These include photogrammetry, 3D imaging, RTI, field XRF studies and a highly anticipated database developed in cooperation with the Center for Digital Archaeology.The excavation of a Roman military headquarters with clear ties to major political and cultural events in the formative years of Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity is exciting in itself, but Legio also provides an incredible new window into the Roman military occupation of the eastern provinces. No military headquarters of this type for this particular period had yet been excavated in the entire Eastern Empire. Additionally, it proves to be the closest parallel to the inaccessible camp of Legio X Fretensis in Jerusalem. Not only will continued excavations at Legio illuminate this important camp in its own right, but its revelations may also be used as a proxy for the study of the Roman military’s occupation of the ancient Jewish capital.
Speaking of revelations, the historical sites at Legio and Tel Megiddo are identified with Biblical Har Megiddo, the gathering place for the armies before the Last Battle in the New Testament (Revelation 16:16), the origin of the modern term Armageddon. The Jezreel Valley Regional Project is only in its opening stages, but excavations at this theological and historical military gathering point have already yielded dramatic discoveries.
Click here to keep up with JVRP news on their Facebook page.
This Bible History Daily feature was originally published in October 2013. It has been updated.
Read Matthew J. Adams’s BAR Archaeological Views column “On the Shoulders of Giants: Directing Jerusalem’s Albright Institute” for free in Bible History Daily.
Matthew J. Adams is director of the Jezreel Valley Regional Project and the W. F. Albright Institute for Archaeological Research. Adams received his Ph.D. in History from the Pennsylvania State University in 2007, specializing in Egyptology and Near Eastern Archaeology. He has more than 20 seasons of excavation experience at sites in Egypt and Israel. His primary research focus is on the development of urban communities in the third millennium in Egypt and Levant. In addition to directing the JVRP, he is a member of the Penn State excavations at Mendes, Egypt and the Tel Aviv University Megiddo Expedition. He is also president of the non-profit organization American Archaeology Abroad.
Jonathan David is professor of Classics at Gettysburg College and assistant director of the Jezreel Valley Regional Project. He has taught previously at Penn State University and California State University, Stanislaus. He specializes in the history and archaeology of ancient Greece, but his particular interests involve earliest historiography and the interconnections between the Greco-Roman world and the Near East. He has been a regular member at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, a Mellon Foundation research fellow and a founding member of American Archaeology Abroad. In addition to working with the JVRP, he is also involved with the ongoing Tel Aviv University Megiddo Expedition.
Yotam Tepper is a Ph.D. candidate at Tel Aviv University with a dissertation in progress on Legio in the Roman Period. As a researcher and archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), he has directed numerous excavations and surveys in Israel for the last 12 years. His latest project includes survey and excavation in the region of the Roman military camp at Legio (el-Lajjun). As part of this work, he conducted extensive excavation at the Megiddo prison compound where a Christian Prayer Hall from the end of the Roman period was discovered. His research focuses on the Roman Period, with special interest in the daily life of civilians and soldiers.
The Legio excavations were carried out by the Jezreel Valley Regional Project, which was originally designed to contextualize Megiddo’s Great Temple by studying contemporary sites around the valley. Explore the Early Bronze Age Great Temple in a Bible History Daily feature.
1 The Jezreel Valley Regional Project (JVRP) is a long-term, multi-disciplinary survey and excavation project investigating the history of human activity in the Jezreel Valley from the Paleolithic through the Ottoman periods. It strives for a total history of the region using the tools and theoretical approaches of such disciplines as archaeology, anthropology, geography, history, ethnography and the natural sciences within an organizational framework provided by landscape archaeology. The project is directed by Matthew J. Adams (W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research) with Jonathan David (Gettysburg College), Margaret Cohen (Penn State University) and Robert Homsher (San Francisco State University) as assistant directors. See www.jezreelvalleyregionalproject.com.
2 Yotam Tepper, “The Roman Legionary Camp at Legio, Israel: Results of an Archaeological Survey and Observations on the Roman Military Presence at the Site,” in A.S. Lewin and P. Pellegrini, eds., The Late Roman Army in the Near East from Diocletian to the Arab Conquest (Oxford: BAR International Series, 2007), pp. 57-71.
3 Yotam Tepper and Leah Di Segni, A Christian Prayer Hall of the 3rd Century CE at Kfar ‘Othnai (Legio). Excavations at the Megiddo Prison 2005 (Jerusalem: Israel Antiquities Authority, 2006). For more information, read Tepper’s report in the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Hadashot Arkheologiyot.
4 Jessie Pincus, Tim DeSmet, Yotam Tepper and Matthew J. Adams, “Ground Penetrating Radar and Electromagnetic Archaeogeophysical Investigations at the Roman Legionary Camp at Legio, Israel” Archaeological Prospection (2013) 1-13.
5 The JVRP Legio excavations operate under the auspices of the JVRP, American Archaeology Abroad and the University of Hawai’i with the cooperation of the Tel Aviv University Megiddo Expedition. The 2013 excavations were directed by Yotam Tepper (Tel Aviv University), Jonathan David (Gettysburg College) and Matthew J. Adams (W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research). | <urn:uuid:8790c826-5a77-4079-99f7-73be55489263> | CC-MAIN-2016-36 | http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/legio/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-36/segments/1471982950827.61/warc/CC-MAIN-20160823200910-00088-ip-10-153-172-175.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.933166 | 2,637 | 3.234375 | 3 |
Description - Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire
A groundbreaking text of educational philosophy and social reform, now in Penguin Modern Classics
This seminal text argues that the perceived passivity of the poor is the direct result of economic, social and political domination. The book suggests that in some countries the oppressors use the 'piggy bank' system - treating students as passive, empty vessels - to preserve their authority and maintain a culture of silence. Through cooperation and dialogue, Freire suggests, the authoritarian teacher-pupil model can be replaced with critical thinking so that the student becomes co-creator of knowledge. Crucial to Freire's argument is the belief that every human being, no matter how impoverished or illiterate, can develop an awareness of self, and the right to be heard.
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Author Biography - Paulo Freire
Paulo Freire (1921-1997) was a revolutionary Brazilian educational theorist. Heavily influenced by Hegel as well as Marxist and anti-colonialist thinkers, Freire promoted the liberation of the working classes through a cooperative teacher-student educative model.
A Preview for this title is currently not available. | <urn:uuid:b8487a09-adb8-48b0-8f52-dbd2b279ca8b> | CC-MAIN-2021-49 | https://www.boomerangbooks.com.au/pedagogy-of-the-oppressed/paulo-freire/book_9780241301111.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-49/segments/1637964363791.16/warc/CC-MAIN-20211209091917-20211209121917-00075.warc.gz | en | 0.912053 | 447 | 2.875 | 3 |
Millions of people all over the globe suffer from eye diseases. Some of these conditions, when caught early are easily treatable with the proper combination of drugs as well as other corrective measures. The leading cause of blindness is primarily age-related eye conditions such as cataract, macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Refractive errors, for example, myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia are the most often occurring eye diseases. They occur mostly in individuals aged between 40-50 years old, however, they can affect anyone 12 years or older. It can be corrected through the use of eyeglasses, contact lenses, and for severe cases, surgery.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that results from aging and it damages central and sharp vision. AMD affects the central part of the retina called the macular which enables you to see very fine details. Surgery is usually prescribed especially for wet AMD if caught early.
Cataract is the number one cause of blindness in the entire world. It is the clouding of the eye lenses and it can occur at any age. Treatment for cataract is widely and easily available, however most people ignore it because of lack of insurance or due to lack of awareness. Those who aren’t thrilled to wear prescription eyeglasses or aren’t ready for cataract surgery, clear vision can also be achieved through the use of exceptionally comfortable disposable contact lenses.
Glaucoma is defined as a group of eye diseases that progressively damage the eye’s optic nerve leading to blindness. Treatment is quite possible if the disease is caught early, especially with the open angle glaucoma which develops tardily and over a long period of time.
Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes that is quite common. It is classified as damage to the retina that progresses slowly in four stages leading to blindness. The risks of getting DR can be mitigated by ensuring that you control your blood sugar and blood pressure level. Early diagnosis and treatment can mitigate the risk of vision loss.
Below is an explainer video about refractive errors.
Both can answer your questions and address your concerns about prescription eyewear. They can also recommend corrective contact lenses that compliment natural eye color. | <urn:uuid:ff4e05e2-1cb8-4bd8-bb62-3e2dbde35226> | CC-MAIN-2022-33 | https://www.nysacra.org/most-common-eye-diseases-revealed/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-33/segments/1659882571284.54/warc/CC-MAIN-20220811103305-20220811133305-00488.warc.gz | en | 0.945252 | 479 | 3.421875 | 3 |
Meditation defines a state of consciousness, where the mind is free of diverse thoughts and hence can focus on a single point. With regular practice of meditation, body and mind can be drawn towards a higher realms. Meditation leads to a state of consciousness that brings serenity, clarity and bliss. Meditation is one of the proven alternative therapies. With the help of meditation, one can feel more relaxed and can develop a positive view towards life. Meditation, by enhancing the spiritual growth, knowledge and enlightenment, creates an inner relationship with the Supreme. A serene and peaceful state of mind is experienced as meditation transcends the body and the spirit to experience the spiritual reality. From the aspect of physical well being, contribution of meditation is unanimous. Today, many a doctors prescribe meditation for lowering lower blood pressure, curing asthma, relieve insomnia and generally relax the everyday stresses of life.
Music has always been recognized as having a powerful effect on human consciousness. In different yoga forms, Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Asthtanga Yoga, music have been an essential guide. Mortal beings have been highly sensitive to the effect of music. Music during the yoga sessions connect an individual to higher spheres and enhance the meditative mood within him. Different kinds of music and sounds effects the body, emotions, mind, and spirit. Music can be a valuable aid to meditation. Meditation Music can drown out any background noises, and help the individual attain a state of extreme peace and calmness, improve concentration level.
The apt meditation music is the one that brings greater harmony within the practitioner and create an atmosphere that is calm and relaxed. Meditation music must contain tranquil and soothing sounds. It must induce a sense of peace and relaxation within the practitioner. Meditation is a state of acute inner consciousness. It is, however, sometimes impossible to reach the pinnacle of concentration. Right kind of meditation music can easily lead one to that profound meditative state. A tranquil meditation music can make one feel inseparable with the Supreme and transcends his soul to an ecstatic spiritual level. Even sounds evolving from gong, bells and bowls also help to create an apt ambiance aiding one to concentrate. The vibrations produced by the gongs strengthen the mind and the nervous system instantly. Sound of gongs create a vibration which facilitates the connection with one’s higher self. The use of elements of metal and crystal for meditation, yoga or relaxation, have been used for centuries to tap into energetic frequencies and create deep sound healing.
There are variety of record label companies today that guides a yoga aspirant with different yoga music CDs and DVDs. These Cds not only compose soothing hymns, tunes, chants and music, but also incorporates audio instructions to help the practitioner for practicing different yoga poses. Spirit Voyage is one of the pioneer online music store which offers a varying yoga DVD and CD collection that create a quiet and inspiring atmosphere, hence induces concentration within the listening mind.
Meditation music collection from Spirit Voyage is designed to soothe the mind, body and spirit. There are Kundalini Sadhana Music, Meditation Music for Relaxation. The Kundalini Sadhana Music collection includes the set of seven meditations, known as Aquarian Sadhana, by Yogi Bhajan, that are to be chanted every morning. While Relaxation music Cds create an environment for deep meditation and relaxes the body and mind.
Japji Sahib and Daily Banis from Spirit Voyage includes audio and video CDs that helps one to focus on meditation. Deep transformational mood is induced as the aspirant recites Japji and other daily banis. Japji Sahib by WAH!, Anand Sahib: The Song of Bliss by Guru Amar Das, So Purkh by Nirinjan Kaur are some of the exclusive meditation music collection .
Spirit Voyage also offers Gongs, Bells & Bowls CDs that have deep healing qualities. Gong The Nucleus of Sound by Yogi Bhajan, Therapeutic Gong by Dr. Hari Simran Singh Khalsa, Sacred Bowls by Michael Perricone are few among the numerous collection.
The online music company, Spirit Voyage essentially seeks to diffuse your mind and spirit in the supreme consciousness. With the myriad yoga music collection, the yoga books, yoga accessories and yoga clothing, Spirit Voyage helps a yoga aspirant to take an inward journey, where he experiences healthy state of mind and body. The different yoga books are the blueprint of practicing the yoga asanas with utmost perfection. Be, it any yoga form, Kundalini Yoga or Hatha Yoga, these books contain in-depth knowledge and let you explore the spiritual sides of yoga. With its huge Yoga DVD collection, Spirit Voyage also helps the yoga beginners in their morning and evening practice.
Music is an effective means that may touch the deepest core of your heart. Step into a divine will with different kinds of yoga music and enlighten your innate energy with Spirit Voyage. | <urn:uuid:8593a4b4-de32-42e6-95f6-9172efeed74e> | CC-MAIN-2019-22 | http://learnaboutmeditation.com/meditation-music-helps-you-to-meditate-with-a-pure-heart/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-22/segments/1558232257660.45/warc/CC-MAIN-20190524144504-20190524170504-00023.warc.gz | en | 0.915794 | 1,014 | 2.8125 | 3 |
Like many catechists, I have had the novel task this year of teaching faith formation remotely. My students are second graders preparing for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
Late last summer, when we were told that we would be moving to remote learning, I spent hours watching webinars on remote catechesis, viewing videos from teachers on distance learning, and joining in teacher Facebook groups for online teaching. I was grateful to find the template proposed in the video “Tips for Catechists Teaching Remotely” by Joe Paprocki. I committed to the basic structure and timeline he proposed. One of the first elements is an icebreaker. Whether meeting remotely or in person, having an icebreaker sounded like a great idea to hook the children’s attention.
For the first few weeks of our remote sessions, I spent up to an hour each week trying to find a new icebreaker that not only connected to the topic of that week but also was suitable for a remote group of second-graders. Researching new options every week was time-consuming, and creating the elements of each icebreaker took even more time.
One activity several teachers suggested was a scavenger hunt. The teacher gives the students a list of things to find in their houses, and the children have to gather items and come back on camera for show-and-tell within a given time limit. I call this my “One Minute Challenge.” I give the children an objective that is related to the lesson for the day, and they have a set time limit to hunt for an item related to that objective. Then they all unmute and share their items. Two of my primary goals with my remote classes are engagement and getting the children talking. This activity checks both those boxes.
I first used this activity in October. Since St. Francis of Assisi was our saint of the month for October, part of the lesson was talking about him and praying the peace prayer. The object for this scavenger hunt was simple and direct: get a pet or a stuffed animal to join us for the session. Most brought a stuffed animal. It seemed to give them a measure of comfort to have those “stuffies” with them through the session.
I didn’t intend to make the “One Minute Challenge” a standing part of my lessons. But the next week I was stumped for a good icebreaker, so I used it again. Now it has become a regular part of our sessions. “Are you all ready for our One Minute Challenge?” is the first thing I ask after everyone checks in. It doesn’t take any effort for me to prepare for the challenge, and it is flexible enough to fit any theme or lesson.
For a lesson on prayer, the objective was to find something that reminds us of prayer or something starting with the letter “P.” That resulted in everything from a two-foot-tall crucifix to a plate. For our lesson on the Ten Commandments, the objective was to find something we love, as we would be learning about loving God and loving others. That was fun, because at least half of the kids brought back a father, mother, or sibling. For our first Advent session, the objective was to find something related to light. That resulted in candles, flashlights, and showing a lit Christmas tree. As the children are preparing for First Reconciliation, on the day we reviewed the steps of celebrating the sacrament, their objective was to find something that reminds them of celebrations.
This activity has become a bigger part of my remote lessons than I ever would have imagined, and the “One Minute Challenge” has helped make these sessions fun and engaging even though we are apart.
How do you engage children during remote learning sessions? What fun icebreakers have worked for you?
Image by Memed_Nurrohmad from Pixabay.
Love it, love it, love it! Thank you for sharing this, Cindy! I have passed it on to our parish catechists and can’t wait to try it myself!
P.S. I am just “up the road” from you on Rt. 309 in Bethlehem, PA! Good to catch the creativity from Montco riding up to Lehigh County!
Really like this idea! Will be passing it on!
Did this today in our online class –everyone had 60 seconds to find something purple. I played a countdown video from YouTube to heighten the excitement. It was so fun — we had a purple toothbrush, a purple lego, a purple stuffed hedgehog, a couple of sparkly purple unicorns, a mom’s purple jacket and a purple canister of a student’s favorite hot chocolate. | <urn:uuid:054f6cfc-5afd-4371-aaf3-28f533f98304> | CC-MAIN-2023-23 | https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2021/02/an-icebreaker-for-remote-learning-sessions-the-one-minute-challenge/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-23/segments/1685224652235.2/warc/CC-MAIN-20230606045924-20230606075924-00039.warc.gz | en | 0.969009 | 990 | 2.609375 | 3 |
Black-eyed Susan, or rudbeckia, adds color to the garden with its deep yellow petals and black centers. Black-eyed Susans are perennial, so they return each year to grace your garden with their bright, upturned flowers. Starting them from seed indoors is an economical way to introduce them to your garden, or you can purchase healthy bedding plants from a garden center. Transplant the black-eyed Susan flowers out to the garden bed after all danger of frost has passed in spring.
Set the black-eyed Susans outside in a protected area, such as a covered patio, one week prior to planting them in the garden. Leave them outside for two to three hours the first day, then gradually increase the time outdoors over the course of a week. This accustoms the plants to outdoor conditions and prevents shock.
Prepare a well-draining flower bed in an area that receives full sunlight. Work a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost into the bed to improve drainage and add nutrients to the soil.
Dig a planting hole for each black-eyed Susan. Dig the holes as deep and as wide as the nursery pot and space each hole 12 inches apart.
Pull the pot off of each plant. Set the black-eyed Susan into a planting hole at the same depth it was planted at in its pot. Refill the hole with soil and lightly firm it around the plant with your hands.
Water thoroughly after planting so any air pockets around the roots collapse. Water the plants once a week thereafter, providing at least 1 inch of water at a time. | <urn:uuid:e54fbc4a-559c-43b3-a9f1-a8fef620c50a> | CC-MAIN-2014-23 | http://www.gardenguides.com/113187-transplant-black-eyed-susan.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2014-23/segments/1406510272329.26/warc/CC-MAIN-20140728011752-00407-ip-10-146-231-18.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939947 | 325 | 3.046875 | 3 |
Most alcoholics are compulsive in protecting their delusions of power and in nurturing the fallacious image that they are emotionally stable. This may be the critical reason why so many writers are alcohol-dependent. For an addicted writer, the frustrations manifested in striving to overcome social barriers and behavioral limits are frequently projected and defused through the written word. Much of the poetry written by Allen Ginsberg, for example, has focused on the effects of self-mutilation, frustration, alcoholism, addiction, nonconformity, and poverty, and has done so in the interest of presenting a new image and a new medium of expression. A contemporary of Ginsberg, John Berryman, was deeply concerned with describing the texture and focus of alcoholic rebellion, denial, and social protest, most especially as they related to his own problems with alcohol and his difficulties staying in recovery. That same concern can also be found in certain poems written by Edwin Arlington Robinson. In “Mr. Flood’s Party,” Robinson describes the struggle and grandiosity of an intoxicated, lonely old man who fantasizes that he has been somehow endowed with tragic nobility. Another poem, “Miniver Cheevy,” tells how the commonplace deflated Miniver’s comforting illusion of history, with its facade of heroism, its pretentious nobility, and its art. Cheevy concludes that he was born in the wrong time, and so he relapses into self-pity, destroys his sensibilities with liquor, and allows himself the illusion that he might have been something other than a drunken failure. In the realm of fiction, John Cheever wrote a number of fascinating short stories on the effects of drunkenness, especially as it relates to the violation of social norms and relationships. Similarly, in The Sun Also Rises (1926), Ernest Hemingway presents an excellent and timely portrait of the drunkenness, aimlessness, and dissipation of his Parisian compatriots after World War I. | <urn:uuid:80086a2d-1721-4f48-b50a-14b2aff46411> | CC-MAIN-2017-09 | https://www.enotes.com/topics/alcoholism-literary-works | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-09/segments/1487501170562.59/warc/CC-MAIN-20170219104610-00087-ip-10-171-10-108.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969424 | 399 | 2.578125 | 3 |
In ancient history, we are learning about Sumerian civilization, city-states, and especially ziggurats this week–how they compare modern city halls, how they relate to the Tower of Babel, and how they contrast with the egalitarian architecture of Catal Huyuk. Question for Shabbat/Thanksgiving dinner: According to our textbook, what’s one trait of civilization?
Our 5th-8th grade classes had a guest speaker this week, alum Ari Kaufman-Franfel. Ari works as a staff member for Senator Whitehouse in Rhode Island and he spoke to the students about his duties as a member of the senator's staff and the different projects that his team is working on.
In art the students started a project on stained glass windows. We talked about where they are traditionally found and how they often tell stories, create beautiful rose windows, or depict pictures of nature or geometric designs.
Please login to leave a comment | <urn:uuid:707f7486-055e-4f91-a7e3-219f16a6483f> | CC-MAIN-2023-23 | https://www.ezraacademyct.org/blogs/happy-thanksgiving-from-5-and-6-422340 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-23/segments/1685224644683.18/warc/CC-MAIN-20230529042138-20230529072138-00671.warc.gz | en | 0.961684 | 199 | 2.921875 | 3 |
Enumeration Clause of the Constitution states that Congress must count or conduct an “actual enumeration” of the entire population of the United States, including those individuals who lack U.S. citizenship.
But now the Trump Administration wants the Department of Commerce, the government agency who administers the census, to insert a citizenship question in the survey.
The move in 2018 to add the question has caused such an outcry of opposition, that it’s now being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court, which must decide if the administration took the proper steps in their assessment to offer up the citizenship question.
The administration has argued in briefs to the Supreme Court that Ross acted well within his rights to add the question, citing Congress’s decision to hand over administration of the census to the Commerce Department under the Census Act.”- The Hill
House Democrats and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will be on hand to argue their point that the question is unconstitutional.
Democrats like Sen. Kamala Harris, a 2020 presidential candidate, believe that the Trump administration citizenship question is “a blatant attempt to suppress immigrant families” from taking part of the census next year.
Harris is pushing the Every Person Counts Act, a Democratic billed introduced earlier this year, that would “ensure the integrity of the census is protected.”
Harris is one of 19 co-sponsors of the bill. | <urn:uuid:add3d3c4-5462-4fe3-b6c6-52593b01d4f5> | CC-MAIN-2019-43 | https://hispolitica.com/2019/04/22/u-s-supreme-court-to-hear-citizenship-question-argument/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-43/segments/1570986705411.60/warc/CC-MAIN-20191020081806-20191020105306-00395.warc.gz | en | 0.945042 | 294 | 2.703125 | 3 |
Sixteen years ago, a team of astronomers working for NASA's now-defunct Galaxy Evolution Explorer mission, known as GALEX, spotted a star with an unusual ultraviolet ring around it in images obtained by the space telescope.
The object, which was unlike anything the astronomers had seen before, was nicknamed the Blue Ring Nebula because of its appearance (though its blue color actually represents invisible ultraviolet light that has been intentionally color-coded blue in images). The astronomers spent years scrutinizing the object with other telescopes, both on the ground and in space, and slowly a picture of the star's hidden past began to emerge.
In a new Nature study published online November 18, a team of scientists, including several from the original GALEX team, now offer an explanation for the formation of the blue ring around the star, named TYC 2597-735-1. They make the case that the ring is actually the base of a cone-shaped cloud of fluorescing debris formed after a sun-like star collided into, and engulfed, a smaller stellar companion.
In fact, the scientists say two cones of material were shot out in the collision, in opposite directions. Because one of the cones is pointed directly toward Earth, it appeared to GALEX as a ring.
The event represents the first observation by astronomers of a rare, never-before-seen phase in the evolution of stellar mergers that occurs a few thousand years into the process and is estimated to last roughly thousands to hundreds of thousands of years, a relatively short period on the timescale of cosmic events.
"The merging of two stars is fairly common, but they quickly become obscured by lots of dust as the ejecta from them expands and cools in space, which means we can't see what has actually happened," says lead study author Keri Hoadley, the David and Ellen Lee Postdoctoral Scholar in Physics at Caltech. Hoadley works with Christopher Martin, professor of physics at Caltech and the former principal investigator of GALEX, which operated from 2003–13, scanning the skies in ultraviolet light.
"We think this object represents a late stage of these transient events, when the dust finally clears and we have a good view," Hoadley says. "But we also caught the process before it was too far along; after time, the nebula will dissolve into the interstellar medium, and we would not be able to tell anything happened at all."
"It's like catching sight of a baby when it first walks," says Don Neill, a research scientist at Caltech and a GALEX team member. "If you blink, you might miss it."
Twists and Turns in the Case of the Blue Ring
Mark Seibert, an astrophysicist with the Carnegie Institution for Science and a member of the GALEX team, was one of the first to find the Blue Ring Nebula in GALEX data in 2004. He remembers a lot of head scratching during those early days. "Every time we thought we had this thing figured out, something would tell us 'No, that's not right,'" he says. "That's a scary thing as a scientist. But I also love how unique this object is, and the effort that so many people put in to figure it out."
Over the past 16 years, the team has used several telescopes to narrow in on the cause of the mysterious ring. In 2006, they used Caltech's Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory, near San Diego, and the W. M. Keck Observatory, in Hawaii, to find evidence for a shock wave around the star. The presence of such a shock wave suggests that a cloud of gas had been ejected into space. For a while, they even thought that the star could be tearing up an unseen planet, but, in 2017, data from the Habitable Zone Planet Finder on the Hobby-Eberly Telescope in Texas confirmed there was no compact object orbiting the star.
Archival data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and the agency's Wide-field Survey Explorer (WISE), together with other past infrared observatories, help establish that the star was circled by a disk of dust. Additional data played a role in cracking the case as well, including that from a citizen science group called the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO).
All of the puzzle pieces started to fall into place when the GALEX team asked Brian Metzger, a theoretical astrophysicist at Columbia University, to join the effort.
"It wasn't just that Brian could explain the data we were seeing; he was essentially predicting what we had observed before he saw it," said Hoadley. "He'd say, 'If this is a stellar merger, then you should see X,' and it was like, 'Yes! We see that!'"
The astronomers say that the story of the Blue Ring Nebula began a few thousand years ago with a star about the mass of our sun and a smaller star that was in orbit around it. As the sun-like star aged, it puffed up and its outer layers inched closer to the companion. The smaller star syphoned material off the larger star, which spiraled around the small star in a disk, but ultimately the small star was consumed by its partner. The collision of the two stars launched a cloud of debris that was sliced in two by the small star's disk of gas. This created the two cone-shaped clouds of debris.
As the debris flew outward, it swept up gas, creating a shock wave. The shock wave heated up hydrogen molecules in the debris, which caused them to fluoresce in ultraviolet light. This fluorescing process is similar to what caused the glowing of a long tail streaming behind the star Mira, famously imaged by GALEX in 2007.
Martin, who first began working on ultraviolet sky surveys nearly four decades ago, says that while this particular mystery took longer than expected to solve, he is not surprised that GALEX is still leading to new finds. "Whenever you survey the sky at new wavelengths, you inevitably get new discoveries years later and beyond," he says.
The study, "A blue ring nebula from a stellar merger several thousand years old," was funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Heising-Simons Foundation, and the Robert Martin Ayers Sciences Fund. Other authors include Andrew McWilliam of the Carnegie Institution for Science, Ken Shen of UC Berkeley, Gudmundur Stefansson of Princeton University, Andrew Monson of Pennsylvania State University, and Bradley Schaefer of Louisiana State University.
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a division of Caltech, managed the GALEX mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. The mission was developed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, under the Explorers Program. JPL also managed the Spitzer and WISE missions. In September 2013, NASA reactivated the WISE spacecraft with the primary goal of scanning for near-Earth objects, or NEOs, and the mission and spacecraft were renamed NEOWISE. | <urn:uuid:4e3edf80-4ad4-40f3-a842-8844148f6ce1> | CC-MAIN-2021-31 | https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/merging-stars-produce-glowing-blue-ring-nebula | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-31/segments/1627046151760.94/warc/CC-MAIN-20210725174608-20210725204608-00210.warc.gz | en | 0.965512 | 1,456 | 3.984375 | 4 |
People brush their teeth at least twice daily and floss daily for optimal dental health. Though this routine is commendable, the level of dental decay worldwide, unfortunately, remains high. This is primarily due to skipping routine dental appointments. Many people assume they should only visit the dentist when they have an issue and, as a result, miss out on preventive treatments and early detection of problems which affect oral health. For this reason, you have to visit your Fort Worth family dentist regularly.
Routine checkups are the solution for the diagnosis of tooth decay before it causes grave issues. This is because severe tooth decay does not happen overnight. Rather, it goes through different phases before the damage becomes irreversible. Here are the treatments used for various stages of dental decay.
Stage One: Demineralization
At this stage, white spots appear on the surface of your teeth due to the erosion of your tooth’s enamel in patches. Many people will disregard this as a transient dental issue and just brush it off. However, a dental exam will determine if the white spots are a consequence of demineralization and recommend fluoride treatments to re-mineralize your teeth. These home treatments are delivered in the form of in-office fluoride trays or gels and toothpaste.
Stage Two: Enamel Decay
Without intervention at demineralization of your teeth, the inner layers of your teeth are exposed to bacteria since there is no barrier. This marks the official onset of the development of a cavity. As a result, you experience tooth sensitivity due to the exposure of the inner dental layers to various stimuli. The treatment to avert further decay at this stage is a dental filling that protects the pulp from bacteria.
Stage Three: Dentin Decay
Dentin lies under the dental enamel. Bacteria spread fast in the dentin because the layer is porous. This often overlaps with the second stage of decay. The tooth sensitivity associated with dentin decay is more pronounced compared to that in stage two, though. Dental restorations including onlays, fillings, crowns, and inlays are possible treatments at this stage.
Stage Four: Dental Pulp Infection
Dental pulp is the soft tissue in your tooth; it is essential for its maturation. If bacteria invade your pulp cavity, you might experience excruciating pain. Most people will get a dentist’s help at this stage. You can treat this condition with a root canal for the removal of the infected pulp and the sterilization of the left chamber. Then, the dentist will place a filling and cap it with a dental crown.
Stage Five: Abscess Formation
Abscess formation is the eventuality of an untreated pulp infection. An abscess is the accumulation of pus, debris, and bacteria — it has serious oral health consequences if ruptured. At this stage, abscess drainage, a root canal, and tooth extraction are the most feasible treatment options.
Visit Your Dentist Today
Routine dental appointments are integral in the prevention of cavity buildup and irreversible damage. As such, make sure all members of your family stick to their dental appointments. This will save you on costly future dental treatments and the pain associated with pulp infection and dental sensitivity. | <urn:uuid:e4020a89-5df9-46ed-b187-80fa0a1f4f72> | CC-MAIN-2022-40 | https://www.womenshealthblog.org/how-do-you-treat-the-different-stages-of-tooth-decay/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-40/segments/1664030335396.92/warc/CC-MAIN-20220929225326-20220930015326-00495.warc.gz | en | 0.933895 | 660 | 2.796875 | 3 |
having popularized the use of this invaluable combination. The important point of his idea was that it combined steel and concrete in such a way that the best qualities of each material were brought into play. Concrete is readily procured and easily moulded into shape.
|Fig. 1.—Expanded Steel Concrete Slab.|
It has considerable compressive or crushing strength, but is somewhat deficient in shearing strength, and distinctly weak in tensile or pulling strength. Steel, on the other hand, is easily procurable in simple forms such as long bars, and is exceedingly strong. But it is difficult and expensive to work up into various forms. Concrete has been avoided for making beams, slabs and thin walls, just because its deficiency in tensile strength doomed it to failure in such structures. But if a concrete slab be “reinforced” with a network of small steel rods on its under surface where the tensile stresses occur (see fig. 1) its strength will be enormously increased. Thus the one point of weakness in the concrete slab is overcome by the addition of steel in its simplest form, and both materials are used to their best advantage. The scientific and practical value of this idea was soon seized upon by various inventors and others, and the number of patented systems of combining steel with concrete is constantly increasing. Many of them are but slight modifications of the older systems, and no attempt will be made here to describe them in full. In England it is customary to allow the patentee of one or other system to furnish his own designs, but this is as much because he has gained the experience needed for success as because of any special virtue in this or that system. The majority of these systems have emanated from France, where steel concrete is largely used. America and Germany adopted them readily, and in England some very large structures have been erected with this material.
|Section through Intersection.|
The concrete itself should always be the very best quality, and Portland cement should be used on account of its superiority to all others. The aggregate should be the best obtainable and of different sizes, the stones being freshly crushed and screened to pass through a 7 in. ring. Very special care should be taken so to proportion the sand as to make a perfectly impervious mixture. The proportions generally used are 4 to 1 and 5 to 1 in the case of gravel concrete, or 1:2:4 or 1:2½:6 in the case of broken stone concrete. But, generally speaking, in steel concrete the cost of the cement is but a small item of the whole expense, and it is worth while to be generous with it. If It is used in piles or structures where it is likely to be bruised the proportion of cement should be increased. The mixing and laying should all be done very thoroughly; the concrete should be rammed in position, and any old surface of concrete which has to be covered should be cleaned and coated with fresh cement.
|Fig. 3.—Hennebique System.|
The reinforcement mostly consists of mild steel and sometimes of wrought iron: steel, however, is stronger and generally cheaper, so that in English practice it holds the field. It should be mild and is usually specified to have a breaking (tensile) strength of 28 to 32 tons per sq. in., with an elongation of at least 20% in 8 in. Any bar should be capable of being bent cold to the shape of the letter U without breaking it. The steel is generally used in the form of long bars of circular section. At first it was feared that such bars would have a tendency to slip through the concrete in which they were embedded, but experiments have shown that if the bar is not painted but has a natural rusty surface a very considerable adhesion between the concrete and steel—as much as 2 cwt. per sq. in. of contact surface—may be relied upon. Many devices are used, however, to ensure the adhesion between concrete and bar being perfect. (1) In the Hennebique system of construction the bars are flattened at the end and split to form a “fish tail.” (2) In the Ransome system round bars are rejected in favour of square bars, which have been twisted in a lathe in “barley sugar” fashion. (3) In the Habrick system a flat bar similarly twisted is used. (4) In the Thacher system a flat bar with projections like rivet heads is specially rolled for this purpose. (5) In the Kahn system a square bar with “branches” is used. (6) In the “expanded metal” system no bars are used, but instead a strong steel netting is manufactured in large sheets by special machinery. It is made by cutting a series of long slots at regular intervals in a plain steel plate, which is then forcibly stretched out sideways until the slots become diamond-shaped openings, and a trellis work of steel without any joints is the result (fig. 2).
|Fig. 4. Hennebique System.|
The structures in which steel concrete is used may be analysed as consisting essentially of (1) walls, (2) columns, (3) piles, (4) beams, (5) slabs, (6) arches. The designs differ considerably according to which of these purposes the structure is to fulfil.
The effect of reinforcing walls with steel is that they can be made much thinner.
The steel reinforcement is generally applied in the form of vertical rods built in the wall at intervals, with lighter horizontal rods which cross the vertical ones, and thus form a network of steel which is buried in the concrete. These rods assist in taking the weight, and the whole network binds the concrete together and prevents it from cracking under a heavy load. The vertical rods should not be quite in the middle of the wall but near the inner and outer faces alternately. Care must be taken, however, that all the rods are covered by at least an | <urn:uuid:eb2bbb02-ca99-4e28-b26e-9fa927367082> | CC-MAIN-2019-43 | https://en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/Page:EB1911_-_Volume_06.djvu/862 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-43/segments/1570987773711.75/warc/CC-MAIN-20191021120639-20191021144139-00037.warc.gz | en | 0.964582 | 1,239 | 3.46875 | 3 |
The contemporary interpretation of fake news typically refers to the practice of distorting, or in some cases outright falsifying, reports on current political news as a means of misleading an audience. There are multiple goals behind spreading fake news:
The word "fake" in the context of fake news is essentially a surrogate word for "lie," "lies," or lying." Labeling a report as fake news is an attempt to portray it as reporting deliberately false information, or, more simply, lies.
Reporting that presents details of a developing story that later turn out to be incorrect or inaccurate is not an attempt to present fake news. Rather it is the editorial process through which journalists check sources and confirm reports being on public display as the story unfolds. No one is attempting to mislead anyone by reporting on the story -- the story just changes to ensure accuracy as it develops. Fake news, by contrast, possesses a deliberate intent to mislead, by withholding facts, withholding details about facts, or outright making up false information. The "What is a lie" box under the What is truth? tab to the left offers further information.
Whether a report does indeed present deliberately falsified information, or whether it has some factual basis for presenting the content that it presents, is the crucial question. The Critical thinking about information tab to the left offers guidance on how you can make such an assessment.
Huffington Post: Where Does The Term ‘Fake News’ Come From? The 1890s, Apparently
Politico: The Long and Brutal History of Fake News
University of California, Santa Barbara: A Brief History of Fake News
By Ryan Holmes
To date, some of the best, grassroots responses to the tide of fake and misleading news have come from the library community. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions put together a handy “How To Spot Fake News” infographic, which has been translated into 37 languages and used around the world. Librarians at Indiana University East developed an interactive fake news website, complete with tips on fact-checking and a deconstruction of an article about “hollow earth.” In webinars and slide decks, librarians are fighting back against misinformation.
In the years ahead, it’s not hard to see the role of librarian evolving further. What’s needed — more than just a pamphlet or a set of guidelines — is a sustained, comprehensive effort to train a new generation in media and information literacy for the social media era. This isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s an urgent and ongoing need — something that should be integrated into primary- and secondary-school curriculums everywhere. And librarians — alongside encouraging and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders — can be at the forefront of this charge. | <urn:uuid:c43163eb-17de-48b4-90e9-b6651393febe> | CC-MAIN-2022-49 | https://libraries.wichita.edu/fake-news/home | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-49/segments/1669446710690.85/warc/CC-MAIN-20221129064123-20221129094123-00656.warc.gz | en | 0.926225 | 574 | 3.1875 | 3 |
Deception Island near Pendulum Cove's thermal waters in Whaler's Bay, a protected harbor. Deception Island is the site of a circular flooded volcanic caldera. On the shore are rusting remains of whaling operations (1911 to 1931) and the ruins of a WWII British base, Port Foster (1944-1967). Evacuated after a volcanic eruption, then closed permanently in 1969 after another eruption. Chinstrap penguins are nearby in the steam of the volcanics that are still warming the beach sand at Whaler's Bay. Antarctica. | <urn:uuid:08d1dbdb-56c3-4a41-9fad-6371b369a854> | CC-MAIN-2021-43 | https://menzelphoto.photoshelter.com/image?_bqG=95&_bqH=eJzLzU919QxL9TI29g40CE.ryvCLLCyqLPOM1_W1MjQ0tzI0MABhIOkZ7xLsbFuQX1SiBmbGO_q52ILYocGuQfGeLrahIGUh4eGORuWV_kEW2Wrxjs4htsWpiUXJGQBX.x9X | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-43/segments/1634323585353.52/warc/CC-MAIN-20211020214358-20211021004358-00058.warc.gz | en | 0.927262 | 115 | 2.828125 | 3 |
April 8, 2011 | 7
There’s been a lot of confusion and concern about radiation in the past few weeks. As part of the Building a Better Explainer project at N.Y.U.’s Studio 20, we decided to create a visual explainer of radiation levels, inspired by some recent presentations over at XKCD and Information is Beautiful.
Both compare radiation doses from everyday activities (like eating a banana or flying across the country) to doses near the Fukushima plant, as well as other disasters like Chernobyl. However, we felt that neither infographic captured a true sense of the relative differences between these exposure levels.
Rather than use a lot of tiny boxes or a logarithmic scale, we placed all the numbers on a vertical linear scale (it’s pretty long, just keep on scrolling down). Our hope was to transform something you can’t see, smell, taste or feel into something a bit more tangible.
Keep in mind that this is a highly simplified visualization, and there are all sorts of factors that go into radiation and risk: whether the exposure is acute or chronic, internal or external, partial or whole body, to an adult or child. Some of these caveats are addressed here, here, and here.
So here it is! Click here (and then click on the little magnifying-glass-like cursor) to see large, or click here to see it very, very large, or download the PDF of it here. We welcome any comments or thoughts.
About the Author: Lena Groeger is a graduate student in New York University’s Science Health and Environmental Reporting Program. Before moving to New York she worked as a graphic designer for Brown University Health Education, and before that studied philosophy (the obvious choice for a science journalist). You can check out her website, follow her on Twitter, and find more of her writing on Scienceline.
The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Scientific American. | <urn:uuid:ff1e4396-e437-4950-93ad-c5272cd7cc9a> | CC-MAIN-2014-10 | http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2011/04/08/radiation-levels-explained-an-exposure-infographic/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2014-10/segments/1393999666921/warc/CC-MAIN-20140305060746-00018-ip-10-183-142-35.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938344 | 409 | 3.28125 | 3 |
Meaning and origin of the English baby name Baldwin. Meaning of Baldwin. What does Baldwin mean? Baldwin origin. Information about Baldwin.
|Meaning of Baldwin:||From the Old English Bealdwine, or the Old German equivalent Baldavin, meaning bold friend. Frequently used in medieval Britain, and was the basis of a number of surnames.|
|Google:||Search Baldwin in Google| | <urn:uuid:d6e48f7a-b250-4965-8c6c-e3b966120c4f> | CC-MAIN-2017-04 | https://www.onlinejyotish.com/baby-names/English-babynames/boys/Baldwin.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-04/segments/1484560280899.42/warc/CC-MAIN-20170116095120-00260-ip-10-171-10-70.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.832342 | 84 | 2.765625 | 3 |
Women’s Role in Achieving a Food Secured Africa
The just ended year 2015 was the African Union’s Year of Women Empowerment. In post 2015, one thing is apparent – that Africa will not effectively achieve food security and poverty reduction unless the gender gap in economic opportunities is narrowed. Indeed the importance of women in development is well acknowledged in monumental high level policy decisions. The historic Paris Climate deal marked the first time a climate deal incorporated within its text, gender as a critical consideration when taking action to address climate change. “Women’s access to reliable markets,” also highlights the vital need to achieve gender parity to realize meaningful development. This is in sync with Africa’s own development blue-print, the AU Agenda 2063, which mentions gender parity no less than 35 times, and envisions full gender equality in all spheres of life by 2030.
A food secured Africa
The importance of women empowerment to enhancing agro-productivity and hence combating poverty as underscored in the AU Agenda 2063 is indeed validated by the statistics. Women produce up to 80 percent of food in Africa, both for household consumption and sell, work more average hours in African farms – up to 467 minutes daily compared to 371 minutes for men in some countries, and yet remain marginalized from factors of production. Gender stereotypes and dynamics such as land rights, education, access to technologies, labour, capital, support services and credit, are among stumbling blocks on the path of women progress.
Overlooking women in agriculture means Africa is losing out on a great income and livelihood creating opportunity. This is critical considering agriculture employs an average of 64 percent of the population and women produce up to 80 percent of the food.
Consequently, enhancing productivity of women who produce most of the food is a critical step towards optimizing agricultural productivity in Africa.
The World Bank estimates that if women worldwide had equal access to productive resources (seeds, extension services, etc.), 100-150 million fewer people would go hungry every day. This goes to show the great potential that women have. The critical question is how this potential can be optimized in Africa.
Invest in women financing – enhancing women access to financing has been highlighted by the AU Agenda 2063 as a potent strategy to enhance productivity of women, and hence enhance productivity of agriculture (women provide up to 80 percent of labor) and further enhance socially inclusive growth. The AU Agenda 2063 advocates for dedication of 30 percent of agricultural financing to women and countries should factor this in their budgets.
Land is a critical factor of production and most African traditions and culture do not allow women to own/inherit land. African governments can remedy this scenario by developing appropriate affirmative action land lease policy for women farmers to ensure hard working women farmers get access to productive land.
Most commercial banks consider lending to agro-sector high risk and are therefore averse to this sector or peg very high interest rates. Governments, working with the private sector and the development partners can come up with appropriate de-risking tools e.g. providing integrated financial security deposited with commercial banks tied to capacity building and farmers using low-risk Ecosystems Based Adaptation (EBA) approaches to enhance chances of successful yields. Commercial loans can be issued to farmers who certify these requirements, including women farmers at low/affordable interest rates considering the 3-pronged de-risking tool – security deposited by governments; training and capacity building offered by development partners; Low risk EBA approaches used by farmers.
Incentivize women in education
At times due to cultural reasons women in rural areas are not motivated to remain in school. Governments, the private sector and development communities should come up with relevant incentives to ensure girls remain in school. Examples can include favorable terms of employment etc.
Women’s access to reliable markets
Affirmative action policies in accessing market opportunities for women will go a long way in enhancing women agro-productivity. This can be a policy to directly target women in government for agribusinesses, supply of fresh produce etc.
Ensure existing and new policy frameworks
Specifically, women are the primary caregivers in the family and their productive time, especially in rural areas, is split between family and agriculture livelihood activities.
To ensure women appropriately take part in agriculture as a livelihood activity, and their productivity is maximized, compensation and work schedule policies for women in agriculture activities should factor in the need for flexibility between home making and work.
Invest in the government and private sector
Women also form a majority of jobless youth and investing in integrated youth empowerment programs to ensure youth develop enterprises along the entire agro-value chain will go a long way in ensuring that the capacity of women in agriculture is unleashed.
Africa climate adaptation
EBA approaches have proven to safeguard agricultural yields which are less risky under climate change. As more girls attend school and engage in agriculture there needs to be better land rights, better access to financing, better access to extension and advisory services to ensure they are equipped with adequate knowledge on the low cost, low risk EBA approaches so that their agro-endeavors can be optimized. Curriculum developers at all levels of education should ensure that the principles of EbA driven agriculture are integrated from the earliest possible levels of learning to facilitate a generational appreciation of ecosystems among girls in school. This will increase awareness and likelihood of their use later on when they engage in agriculture or are in the policy planning level of an agriculture portfolio.
In addition, refresher courses on EBA should also be given to extension service providers to ensure they offer accurate, up to date advice on implementing EBA techniques to women and farmers in general.
Beyond extension workers, systematic training courses for policy makers, government personnel, planners and managers should be done on a regular basis to ensure they are abreast with the latest information on climate change and EbA strategies so that these strategies are included in the sectorial policies and plans.
The World Bank reports that in Africa, a 10 percent increase in crop yields translates to approximately a 7 percent reduction in poverty. Neither the manufacturing nor services sectors can achieve an equivalent impact. Growth in agriculture is at least two to four times more effective in reducing poverty than other sectors. Cumulatively an optimized agro-value chain can potentially catalyze an agro-sector worth up to $1 trillion by 2030 and create as many as 17 million jobs for the youth. However rosy this seems, it cannot be achieved as long as 80 percent of the producers remain marginalized from factors of production. African governments should therefore urgently prioritize policy actions that empower women to unleash their potential for a food secure Africa under the changing climate. | <urn:uuid:bae54f5b-b885-49f8-8880-f4e40aa4e063> | CC-MAIN-2018-39 | http://intpolicydigest.org/2016/01/22/women-s-role-in-achieving-a-food-secured-africa/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-39/segments/1537267156314.26/warc/CC-MAIN-20180919235858-20180920015858-00243.warc.gz | en | 0.93948 | 1,365 | 3.09375 | 3 |
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- 1. It all began with the Greeks
- 2. What physics covers and what it doesn’t
- 3. How physics works
- 4. Physics applied and extended
- 5. A force in society
- 6. Future physics: unanswered questions | <urn:uuid:485b3868-d406-4090-aaf6-e7701ee19475> | CC-MAIN-2021-43 | https://www.veryshortintroductions.com/view/10.1093/actrade/9780198813941.001.0001/actrade-9780198813941 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-43/segments/1634323588216.48/warc/CC-MAIN-20211027150823-20211027180823-00430.warc.gz | en | 0.868139 | 124 | 2.8125 | 3 |
- Open Access
Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plant species used by communities around Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda
Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicinevolume 12, Article number: 5 (2016)
An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants was carried out in 14 villages adjacent to Mabira Central Forest Reserve (CFR) in Central Uganda between August 2013 and March 2014.
Information was obtained through interviews using semi- structured questionnaires. Field excursions with traditional healers and herbal medicine collectors were carried out. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. Fidelity ratios and Informant consensus agreements were calculated.
A total of 190 plant species in 61 families and 152 genera were reported in the treatment of various health conditions. Family Fabaceae was dominant representing 14 % of the plant species documented. Vernonia amygdalina was the preferred species for treating malaria. Leaves (68 %) were the most frequently used parts in preparing herbal remedies. Decoctions (29 %) and oral route (53 %) of administration were commonly used method of herbal medicine preparation and administration respectively. Fifty-eight health conditions grouped in 25 categories were treated using medicinal plants. Informant consensus agreement was highest for blood system disorders (0.9) that included anaemia, hypertension and blood cleansing indicating homogeneity of informant’s knowledge about remedies used. Vernonia amygdalina and Erythrina abyssinica had 100 % fidelity level for treatment of malaria and vomiting respectively.
The diversity of medicinal plant species used and the associated indigenous knowledge are of great value to the local community and their conservation and preservation is paramount. The therapeutic uses of the documented plants provides basic data for further research focused on pharmacological studies and conservation of the most important species.
The acceptance and use of herbal medicine is on the increase globally [1–3]. In Africa the situation is not different, over 80 % of the population particularly in the developing countries depends directly on plants for their primary healthcare requirements [4, 5]. In the East African region countries such as Burundi and Tanzania that neighbour Uganda, the population using traditional medicine is also well above 80 % particularly in the rural areas [6, 7]. Plants form an important part of health care especially for the rural poor in Uganda . The Ugandan government has specifically up scaled the use of herbal medicine and is in the process of integrating it into the main health care system [9, 10]. The noted increased use of herbal medicine is as a result of the confirmed therapeutic evidence of the herbal remedies . This has been enhanced by the consequences of limited access to modern health services in most developing countries including Uganda, high cost of modern medicine compared to the indigenous herbal medicines, wide socio-cultural acceptance of traditional medicine and the belief that natural products pose no risk [3, 4, 12, 13].
The increased preference of herbal medicine has consequently propelled the search for pharmaceutical remedies against different ailments from plants . The medicines are collected from the wild and this has negatively impacted on the plant resource due to unsustainable exploitation rates as well as the health of many people who cannot afford orthodox medicine [15–17]. This makes documentation, sustainable utilisation as well as conservation essential [3, 18]. The first step in conservation is to document material traditionally used to treat an ailment [15, 16]. Previous studies have identified and documented numerous medicinal plants for treatment of various diseases in Uganda [1, 19] however these have been targeting specific ailments and are not detailed in shared use. A larger number of medicinal plants and indigenous uses have not yet been documented. The rich history of African cultures and their innovative utilisation of plants as a source of remedies have been passed down through generations largely by oral tradition . This knowledge is gradually being lost as the custodians die before passing on information to the younger generations. Besides the gradual loss of ethnobotanical knowledge due to lack of documentation, overharvesting of medicinal materials from their natural habitat has been one of the major threats of traditional medicine. In order to conserve wild plant species, there is need for reliable data on their distribution and level of use .
The documentation of indigenous knowledge through ethnobotanical studies is important in conservation and utilization of biological resources . The identification of local names, scientific names and indigenous uses of plants not only preserves indigenous knowledge but also facilitates future research on safety and efficacy of medicinal plants in treatment of various ailments . It is against this background that utilization of medicinal plants as a source of primary health care by communities adjacent to Mabira CFR is documented. This will ensure that traditional knowledge about use of these plants is conserved. It will also facilitate the discovery of new sources of drugs and promote sustainable use of medicinal plant resources in Uganda. In addition conservation of medicinal plants will add value to the recreational environment as well as health improvement through sustained ecosystems. This study aimed at collecting data on plant species used to treat different health conditions by communities adjacent to Mabira CFR.
The study area covered human settlement areas around Mabira CFR some of which were enclaves and others adjacent to the forest. Mabira CFR is located 20 km north of Lake Victoria shoreline immediately to the west of Victoria Nile. The forest reserve lies partly in Buikwe, Mukono and Kayunga districts and occupies an area of 306 km2 with an altitudinal range of 1070 – 1340 m above sea level . It is situated between latitude 0o 22’ and 0o 35’N and between longitude 32o 56’and 33o 02’E (Fig. 1).
The forest reserve occupies gently undulating landscape characterised by numerous flat-topped hills (relics of the ancient African peneplain), and wide shallow valleys . The topography is such that the land drains to the north, even though the reserve’s southern boundary lies only 13 km from the lakeshore. The underlying rocks are composed of micaceous schists and shales of the Buganda- Toro system with ridges of quartzite and amphibolite. The soils are generally ferralitic sandy clay loams, with black waterlogged clays in the valley bottoms. The climate is tropical with two rainfall peaks from April to May and October to November ranging between 1,250 – 1,400 mm per annum. Annual mean temperature range, minimum: 16–17 ° C, maximum: 28–29 ° C. The vegetation of Mabira CFR was classified as “medium altitude moist semi-deciduous .
Commercial use of the forest began when some parts were harvested in the early 1900’s and until 1988, intensive coffee/banana agricultural encroachment badly damaged parts of the forest. About 21 % and 26 % of the reserve have been designated as strict nature reserve and buffer zone respectively and the forest in these areas is recovering following extensive plantings of native tree species.
The human population living in the forest enclaves was approximately 825,000 with a density of 200–230 people per Km-2 . The local people are mainly of the Bantu ethnic group of the following tribes; Baganda, Banyarwanda, Basoga, Bagisu, Bakiga, Banyankole, Bagwere and Batoro.
The reserve has tea and sugarcane plantations around. Some local people reside in settlements for labourers on the tea and sugarcane estates . The extent of growing cash crops other than tea and sugar cane is limited by scarcity of land. However locals are engaged in cultivation of food crops mainly for subsistence consumption like maize, beans, bananas, ground nuts, sweet potatoes and vegetables. Livestock rearing is limited to a few households.
Ethical approval of the study was obtained from the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (UNCST) under registration number SS 3368 after obtaining a research license from National forestry Authority (NFA).
This was a field survey targeting custodians of Traditional Medicine used in treatment of diseases. Verbal pre-informed consent was obtained from the participants before the interview. Interviews were conducted in Luganda the local language in the area using guided semi structured questionnaires and a research assistant that was conversant with the local language.
Collection of data on medicinal plants used to treat different ailments in the study area was according to a slight modification of Martin’s procedure . Purposive sampling was used to identify 14 out of 27 villages that heavily depend on the forest for primary health care through a Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) with village leaders. Heavy dependence was defined by village council leaders’ local experience i.e. based on the number of individuals who depend wholly on herbal medicine for livelihoods. The study included villages within 1–5Km from the forest. This is because distance from the forest influence people’s use of forest products. Before entering each of the villages, permission was sought from local leaders after explaining the aim of the study who gave us the name of the first key informant while the rest of the respondents were selected by snow ball sampling technique. [32, 33] A total of 36 key informants were selected with at least two from each village and an additional eight knowledgeable herbalists recommended by the community members from Naluvule, Bukuku, Buwoola and Kalagala villages. The informants included primary collectors, vendors and traditional healers who are the custodians of indigenous knowledge on herbal medicines. Traditional healers are divided into two broad groups of herbalists who mainly use herbs while diviners also invoke ancestral spirits to guide them in their healing practice [34–36]. They provided information on plants and parts used, ailments treated, mode of preparation and administration, habit, source and availability of medicinal plants. Field excursions were conducted along forest trails taking traditional healers as guides and voucher specimens of cited medicinal plants were collected.
Preference ranking of the 10 most available medicinal plant species and diseases commonly treated by each were shortlisted by the 12 key informants according to importance attached to the species as per frequency of use and effectiveness (number of days taken to healing in treating particular diseases successfully). The values assigned for each species across were summed up for all the informants to get an overall rank value. The species were then ranked in descending order with the species that had the highest total ranked first.
Plant identification and processing of Voucher specimens
Plant identification was partly carried out in the field based on field manuals for plant identification [37, 38]. Voucher specimens were collected and later identified at Makerere University Herbarium. Correctness of scientific names of species were also checked according to Tropicos:http://www.tropicos.org database accessed on 12/05/2015.
Descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages were used to summarize data using Microsoft excel 2013. The ailments treated by the medicinal plants were classified into different categories .
Informant consensus agreement
The informant consensus factor (Fic) was calculated to indicate the homogeny of information using the formula;
Ntaxa = Number of species in each use category. It estimates the relationship between the number of use reports (Nur) minus the number of taxa used (Ntaxa) and the number of use reports in each category minus one .
Fic values are low if plants are chosen randomly or if informants do not exchange information about their use or disagree about the species used in treatment of an ailment category. The values are high (close to one) if the species are used by a large proportion of informants and there is a well-designed criterion in community or if information is exchanged between informants. Therefore the medicinal plants are presumed to be effective in treating a certain disease have higher Fic values .
Fidelity level (FL)
Fidelity Level was calculated for each of the 10 preferred species for their popularity according to the key informants who cited them in the treatment of particular ailments. Fidelity Level (FL) = Ip/Iu x 100 %, where Ip is the number of informants who suggested the use of a species for the same major ailment, Iu is the total number of informants who mentioned the species for any use.
Medicinal plant uses
The communities around Mabira CFR use diverse flora in treatment of various ailments and local people possess rich traditional knowledge on medicinal plants (Table 1). Both males and females used medicinal plants but males were dominant representing 70 % of the respondents. The age of the respondents ranged between 25–80 years. Generally 46 % of the respondents were below 50 years.
A total of 190 plant species distributed in 61families and 152 genera were identified as used. Fabaceae contributed 27 species, followed by Asteraceae (17), Euphorbiaceae (13), Solanaceae (10) and Lamiaceae (9). Genera Solanum and Indigofera contributed five species each while Ficus, Vernonia, and Acacia contributed four species each.
Preferred medicinal plant species
Vernonia amygdalina was highly ranked and regarded most important in treatment of malaria in the study area. Table 2 shows ranking of the ten most important plant species according to key informants in decreasing order together with values assigned by each informant. The key ailments treated by the preferred medicinal plants were mentioned by the key informants during the interviews.
Growth forms of Plants and parts used for medicinal purposes
Different plant parts of medicinal plants are used to make herbal preparations (Table 3). A high number of herbal medicine are made using leaves (77 %) and roots 40 %. Other parts of the plants are not commonly used. Regarding the 10 preferred medicinal plant species, the bark was predominantly used in seven species, followed by leaves (5) and least roots (3) (Table 3 ), although more than one part was used in some cases. For instance leaves, bark and root of Spathodea campanulata and leaves, roots and fruits of Tamarindus indica and Phytolaca dodecandra are used to prepare remedies. Herbs made up the highest proportion of medicinal plants species (41 %), followed by trees (28 %), shrubs (22 %), climbers and grasses (4 %).
Source of medicinal plants
Of the recorded medicinal plants, 56 % are from the forest, 14 % are cultivated 12 % grow in grasslands/woodlands and farmlands (18 %). The low incidence of medicinal plant gardens was attributed to the need to maintain secrecy of traditional knowledge and the argument that cultivated medicinal plants are less potent compared to plants collected from the wild and therefore the latter are preferred. Medicinal plant species from the forest were mostly members of Fabaaceae (40 %) and Euphorbiaceae (54 %) while species from family Asteraceae were dominant in grasslands (25 %) and fallow (44 %). Most of the medicinal plants grown in home gardens are introduced species and have not been domesticated. These include: Callistemon citrinus, Capsicum frutescens, Moringa oleifera, plus fruit tree species that are also medicinal such as Mangifera indica, Persea americana, Carica papaya and Psidium guajava. Fifty percent of medicinal plant users who harvest for commercial purposes collect plants form the forest.
Methods of preparation and administration
The medicinal plants for treatment of different ailments were prepared and administered using various methods. Decoction was commonly used (29 %), followed by crushing and mixing with water (24 %), use of fresh crushed material (14 %) and burning (9 %) (Fig. 2). In the current study, additives used in herbal medicine preparation included silver fish, ash, salt, alcohol, tea and onions. Salt was used in remedies against toothache and oral wounds where it is believed to kill germs. For external application vaseline, paraffin and ghee were used to reduce friction during application of the remedy.
Different routes were used in administration of herbal preparations. Oral route contributed 61 % of the total species, followed by herbal bath (28 %), rubbing leaves on affected parts (14 %) and inhalation of smoke (5 %). The least used route of herbal administration was steam bath (2 %).
Ailments treated by medicinal plants
The 58 health conditions recorded were grouped into 25 categories of which gynecological conditions, digestive disorders and skin infections featured prominently (Table 4). The number of species used to treat different ailments are summarized in Table 4.
Species treated a wide range of ailments varying from one to six per plant. Species that treated the highest number of ailments were Balanites aegyptiaca, Carica papaya, Dracaena steudneri that were used in management of six health conditions each. On the other hand Allium sativum, Cissampelos macronata, Kalanchoe crenata, Lantana trifolia, Solanum anguvi, Tagetes minuta and Vernonia lasiopus were each used in management of five health conditions. Taxonomic analysis revealed that members of family Fabaceae were used to treat the highest percentage (28 %) of ailments. This was followed by Solanaceae (24 %), Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae (19 %) each, Amaranthaceae, Balanitaceae and Rutaceae 14 % each, Anarcadiaceae, Moraceae, Poaceae, Bignoniaceae 12 % each while families Alliaceae, Caricaceae, Dracaenaceae, Lamiaceae, Minespermaceae, Rosaceae, Rubiaceae, Verbenaceae and Zingiberaceae 10 % each and the rest treated less than 10 %.
Informant consensus agreement (Fic)
This technique is designed to highlight species that have healing potential for specific major purposes. The relative importance of each plant species in treatment of different ailments as categorized in Table 5 was analysed using the Factor Informant Consensus (Fic) . Fic values range from 0–1 where values close to one (1) indicate a high rate of informant consensus on a plant species used against an illness category. Fic values close to zero (0) mean low degree of agreement among the informants about the use of a plant species for treatment of a particular ailment. Fic for different ailment categories was calculated to test for homogeneity or consistency of informants’ knowledge about a particular remedy for an ailment category. Fic indicated which plants are widely used and thus merit further pharmacological and phytochemical studies. The highest Fic (0.9) was scored for blood system disorders. The important plants used for anaemia were Amaranthus dubius and Hibiscus acetosella while those for high blood pressure included Oxalis corniculata, Canarium schweinfurthi, Sesbania sesban, Vangueria apiculata, Citrus limon and, Solanum anguivi. Seven ailment categories had Fic of zero (0) since each respondent reported a different species used for the same ailment (Table 5).
Fidelity Levels (FL) of preferred plant species
For each of the 10 most preferred plant species a fidelity level (Table 6) was calculated to quantify their importance to treat a major ailment . It was calculated based on the number of users of a given plant species to treat a major ailment. FL shows the proportion in percentage of informants claiming the use of a plant species for the same major ailment to the total number of informants who mention the plant for any use. FL = (Ip/ Iu) x 100 where Ip = Number of informants who suggested the use of a species for the same major purpose (therapeutic use), (Iu) = Total number of informants who mentioned the plant species for any use.
Table 6 shows high fidelity levels of greater than 50 % for seven plant species which highlights the importance of these species in treatment of the mentioned diseases in the study area. Vernonia amygdalina and Erythrina abyssinica had a fidelity level of 100 % in treatment of malaria and vomiting respectively. High FL levels for these species indicated their outstanding preference for treating malaria and vomiting.
Characteristics of respondents
Most of the respondents were men with an average age of 52 years. African belief is that traditional healers should be male [43–45]. A high proportion of key informants being male of 50 years and above is in line with studies in Rwanda [46, 47]. Old people (aged 51–80 years) in society have more knowledge on medicinal plants and their uses due to long direct contact with plant resources. In contrast, younger people have little interest in traditional medicine in general and there appears to be a risk of knowledge loss if nothing is done to motivate them. Younger people are exposed to modern education and hence not interested in learning and practicing ethnomedicinal wisdom that would perpetuate indigenous knowledge. Differences in medicinal plants knowledge among age groups was also reported in other studies [48, 49] in Ethiopia.
Diversity of medicinal plants
The high number of species documented indicates that the study area has diverse flora used in treatment of various ailments and rich traditional knowledge on medicinal plants in the community. This makes Mabira CFR an important source of herbal medicine for the rural communities since more than half of the mentioned medicinal plants were harvested from the forest. High utilisation of medicinal plant species from forests has been reported among the Bakonjo and Bamba in Mt. Rwenzori and Semiliki forest areas in Bundibugyo, Western Uganda [50, 51].
Families Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, and Solanaceae are widely reported in herbal preparations in different parts of Uganda [1, 8, 19, 52, 53] and their widespread use could be attributed to their wide range of bioactive compounds. Asteraceae is reported to have a large number of bioactive compounds [54, 55] thus contributing to the high utilization rates of members of the family for medicinal purposes.
A majority of plant species documented treated more than one condition. The use of one plant to treat several ailments is probably attributed to presence of many metabolites in one particular plant and also the fact that the same molecule can be active against different pathogens. In other instances a combination of plants were used in preparation of a herbal remedy against a certain ailment which illustrates the synergistic effects of such plants. As an example Amaranthus spinosus and Cleome gynandra leaves were used against fungal infections of the scalp, Balanites aegyptica roots are mixed with leaves of Citrus limon against diarrhoea. On the other hand some remedies were monotherapies based on preparations from a single plant. Such plants could be palatable, nontoxic and highly effective against ailments they are used to treat based on experience of users.
Most of the medicinal plant species collected and identified in the study area were also medically used in other areas of Uganda [1, 19, 56] and other parts of Africa to treat the same or different ailments. The use of the same plant species for similar or different ethnomedicinal uses in different countries is a reliable indication of the bioactivity potential of the documented plant species . Of the 190 medicinal plant species identified in the current study, 34 species were identified earlier in Iganga Eastern Uganda , 82 species in Mukono and Mabira forest areas , 22 species in Western Uganda , 40 species in Mpigi and 30 species in Oyam Northern Uganda . A comparison of ethomedicinal uses of some plant species used in Mabira CFR communities with other parts of Uganda and in other countries is presented in Table 7. Bioactivity studies previously conducted on some of the identified plant species collaborate their ethnobotanical uses. For instance Capsicum frutescens is used in management of different cancers – an activity attributed to presence of capsaicin which possesses antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities . Also Prunus africana has been found to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities and compounds like cytotoxic phenolics and beta sitostenone, n-docosanol which are important in management of cancer. The ethnomedicinal reports of the same plant species across geographical regions and different cultural groups is indicative of the medicinal properties of the species.
Plant parts used
The use of leaves to make herbal medicine preparations followed by roots and barks is a common practice in many communities in Uganda as reported in Mukono , Sango bay in Southern Uganda , Western Uganda , communities around Kibale National Park , Mpigi and other countries like Kenya , Ethiopia and Bolivia . The high utilisation rates of leaves could be attributed to the ease with which they can be obtained in large quantities compared to other plant parts. Leaves are the main photosynthetic organ in plants and considered to be a key component of the natural pharmacy for synthesis of constituents particularly those that are more pharmacologically active against diseases . The preference of leaves to other plant parts is thus thought to be due to accumulation of active ingredients like tannins and other alkaloids . In contrast, in Oyam district of Northern Uganda, roots were the common plant parts used in herbal medicine preparations and the other parts were underutilized . However, as noted a clear relationship exists between the parts of the plant collected, or the collection method and the impact on the harvested plant. Collection of the bark and root is damaging and makes species vulnerable to overexploitation. Harvesting the bark in large quantities can destroy the plant because the protective role of the bark to the plant will be curtailed. On the other hand uprooting plants especially in case of herbs and shrubs causes total destruction of the plant. Debarking and uprooting of medicinal plant species negatively affects the sustainability of the species in use. For species like Spathodea campanulata, Tamarindus indica and Phytolaca dodecandra in which more than one parts is used; sustainability would probably be achieved if the harvesting of bark and root is avoided and harvesting of leaves which is less destructive is promoted. The use of leaves is less destructive if small quantities are collected but not so if large quantities are harvested. As noted , overharvesting of leaves can lead to deterioration of medicinal plants since removal of leaves limits the transformation of vegetative to reproductive development such as flower production and seed/fruit development which in turn limits the natural regeneration of plants. Harvesting of roots on the other hand is more destructive as it often involves uprooting whole plants which consequently affects regeneration for sustainable use.
Herbal preparations made from more than two plant parts of the same plant such as the bark and roots of Psedospondias microcarpa, leaves, bark and roots of Spathodea camapnulata and the leaves, roots and vines of Croton macrostachyus (Table 1) may endanger the species unless mechanisms for sustainable utilisation are put in place. Many studies have showed that leaves of different plants possess bioactive ingredients against different diseases and pathogens [69–72]. Since harvesting of leaves is less destructive than harvesting roots or barks, it is necessary to test leaves for efficacy against different ailments in plants where roots and barks are mostly harvested to minimize dangers of overexploitation. As an example the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina have been found to be effective against malaria and thus the harvesting of roots of this species can be avoided.
Habit of medicinal plant species
Herbs were the most common plant life forms used for medicinal purposes. Harvesting of herbs that are in most cases annual is an indicator that collection of medicinal plants from the forest is not a big threat to conservation. This could be attributed to their abundance throughout the year as reported previously in Uganda [15, 19, 53, 63] although shrubs were reported to be commonly used in northern Uganda and in Ethiopia . The popularity of herbs as a source of herbal therapies is often attributed to their high pharmacologically active ingredients as compared to woody plants . Shrubs are preferred due to their availability all year round since they are relatively draught resistant and are not affected by seasonal variations .
Source of medicinal plants
Traditional healers interviewed lacked medicinal plant gardens and collected medicinal plants from the forest. A similar trend was reported in Zimbabwe but cultivated plants have been used from ancient times such as in Iran and various studies have confirmed potency of chemical constituents in them . However, commercial collectors require large volumes which put pressure on the plant population. Consequently, overexploitation may lead to disappearance of many species of economic value and other uses pausing challenges to their conservation in Uganda’s forests and the African continent as a whole .
Herbal medicine preparation and administration
The main route of herbal medicine administration was oral. This mode of administration is commonly used in many herbal remedies as reported elsewhere [8, 78, 79]. The choice of oral administration may be related to the use of some solvents or additives such as water and food that are commonly believed to serve as a vehicle to transport the remedies. The additives enhance extraction of bioactive molecules during remedy preparation. The additives are also important to minimize discomfort, improve taste and reduce adverse effects such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Decoctions were cited as the most common method of preparation of herbal remedies. Boiling is effective in extracting plant materials and at the same time preserves the herbal remedies for a longer period compared to cold extraction. However, both decoctions and cold extracts do not offer long shelf life for the preparations . As such users continuously harvest medicinal plants which puts them under a lot of pressure that may lead to over exploitation.
Health conditions treated
Herbal therapies are still preferred in primary health care in Uganda and the world . The use of many herbal remedies for treatment of different ailments has been reported in other studies in Uganda [1, 53] and other countries like India and Ethiopia . Thus the diversity of medicinal plants used meet the varied health care needs of communities of Mabira CFR since many people cannot afford conventional treatment due to wide spread poverty. The high frequency in treatment of gynaecological conditions, digestive disorders and skin infections indicate high prevalence of these ailment categories in the study area. Other ailment categories were not commonly treated implying their low prevalence or limited traditional knowledge in the use of medicinal plants to treat them.
Informant consensus agreement
Blood system disorders had the highest informant consensus value (Fic =0.9). High Fic values are obtained when only one or a few plant species are reported to be used by a high proportion of informants to treat a particular ailment whereas low Fic values indicate that informants disagree over which plant to use . The high Fic for blood system disorders indicates agreement among respondents on the different plant species used to manage them as well as their significance. Within this category the main condition treated was hypertension (high blood pressure). The prevalence of hypertension was confirmed in a third of adults in Mukono district . The respondents attributed this to age and obesity. A study on screening of bioactive constituents of Solanum anguivi fruits which was mentioned as one of the remedies against high blood pressure revealed a lot of bioactive phytochemicals which include alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids and phenols. The phenols have the ability to retard lipid oxidation in oils and fatty foods thereby reducing cardiovascular diseases. The low Fic value of zero (0) in the following ailment categories; painful body parts, Childcare, muscular skeletal pains, abnormalities, body odour, psychiatric disorders and poisonous animal bites imply lack of agreement in the plant species used in treatment of such ailments. Fic values close to zero that are indicative of low informant agreement could be attributed to use of same species for many ailments in the community.
Vernonia amygdalina had a fidelity level of 100 % and ranked highest in the treatment of malaria as had been documented in other parts of Uganda [56, 63]. Its leaf extract has been confirmed for having good anti-malarial effects [87, 88] and through in vitro studies [88, 89]. Vernonia amygdalina contains steroid glycosides, sesquiterpene and lactones which are active against Plasmodium falciparum [90, 91]. This species has also been found to be clinically effective for the treatment of malaria patients . In human trials, extracts of Vernonia amygdalina reduced parastaemia by 32 % . Although Vernonia amygdalina is effective for malaria treatment, it can induce labour in pregnant women thus causing miscarriages and therefore should be avoided by them. Species with high fidelity level such as Vernonia amygdalina for malaria and Erythrina abyssinica for vomiting indicates that these species two were considered of great cultural significance. Erythrina abyssinica too has a wide range of use varying from treatment of malaria , syphilis , tuberculosis to amoebiasis in Uganda. In Kenya E. abyssinica is used to treat mumps , respiratory tract infections in Mexico and febrile illness in Ethiopia . Its usage for different ailments is possibly due to a wide range of bioactive compounds .
Besides malaria, V. amygdalina has been used in Uganda to treat various diseases. A decoction from its roots and leaves is used to treat syphilis, ulcers, liver problems , its stem bark is used to treat tuberculosis and its roots are used to treat cough, abdominal pain, wounds, hernia and headache . The use of V. amygdalina leaves was reported to treat heamorrhoids in Nigeria, malaria in Ghana and in Ethiopia against bloating, dandruff and impotency . The 100 % choice by key informants of using V. amygdalina and E. abyssinca for treatment of malaria and vomiting is an indicator of the healing potential of these plant species . These results point to the great potential of V. amygdalina and E. abyssinica for use as sources of new drugs for treatment against malaria and vomiting.
Other species that were preferred in this study were also medicinally important in other areas against the same or different ailments. The use of the same species in different areas against the same ailment confirms the confidence users have in herbal remedies. Momordica feotida was used in Uganda to treat sexually transmitted infections and abdominal pain , cough and its roots were effective against erectile dysfunction . The stem bark of Warburgia ugandensis was effective against tuberculosis in Mpigi while both its roots and bark treated erectile dysfunction in Western Uganda . However, leaves of the same plant were used in Kenya to treat common cold and sore throat . Alstonia boonei treated haemorrhoids in Nigeria . The wide spread reporting on the use of these medicinal plants by different communities in different localities could be attributed to different cultural groups which could validate medicinal properties of these species and confirms the confidence users have in the remedies.
The low citation of Prunus africana against prostate cancer reflects lack of awareness about the symptoms of the disease, the facts that it is specific to men of a specific age category, the fact that not all men gate prostate cancer and that diagnosis of prostate cancer is not done. It also indicates limited sharing of knowledge about the disease in the study area.
According to , plant species with high fidelity level values are considered potential candidates for further pharmacological investigations and deserve priority attention.
Results from computations of Fic and FL do not collaborate each other since they measure different values but also the diseases treated were grouped in categories and no single disease was considered alone in the Fic calculations. This is due to the different formulae used to calculate the two values. FL was calculated based use reports of a plant species to treat an ailment yet Fic was calculated based on consensus among informants for use of plant species to treat different diseases in an ailment category. However, FL values corroborated well with ranking of preferred species.
The study shows that Mabira CFR habours a wide diversity of plant species used as remedies for several ailments. Such plants are very useful especially to people who cannot afford modern medical care and in cases where access to modern heath facilities is not easy. Knowledge and use of herbal medicine for treatment of various ailments among the local people is still part of their life and culture and this calls for preservation of the integrity of the forest and indigenous knowledge of herbal medicine use. The documented plants have potential of being used in drug development.
Ethics and approval of the study
Ethical approval of the study was obtained from the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (UNCST) under registration number SS 3368 after obtaining a research license from National forestry Authority (NFA).
Consent for publication
Central Forest Reserve
- Fic :
Informant Consensus factor
National Forestry Authority
Rapid Rural Appraisal
Uganda National Council of Science and Technology
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We are greatly indebted to African Development Bank who provided funds for fieldwork. We wish to thank the traditional healers and local people that provided information. We appreciate the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (UNCST) for granting us permission to carry out this study and the National Forestry Authority for allowing us to collect samples from the forest. We wish to thank our forest guides Mr. Abdu Kasozi, Mr. Sekabira Samuel and Mr. Kizito Isaac and research Assistant Ms Catherine Twesiime. We also acknowledge the assistance rendered by the staff of Makerere University Herbarium in identifying the plant species.
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
PT conceptualized the study, designed the methods, conducted the ethnobotanical survey, analysed the data and drafted the manuscript. EKK and BM conceptualized the idea of this manuscript and participated in reviewing the manuscript. JM, MK, PM and JK reviewed the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. | <urn:uuid:e090d7de-ec1f-4417-a0c8-4affe1c61419> | CC-MAIN-2019-39 | https://ethnobiomed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13002-015-0077-4 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-39/segments/1568514574665.79/warc/CC-MAIN-20190921211246-20190921233246-00023.warc.gz | en | 0.880684 | 13,700 | 2.890625 | 3 |
Homework Stories: Observing Student Thinking.
Written by: Dr. Christine von Renesse.
Students need to practice their reasoning skills and learn how to present an argument in writing. Once a week my students write up in detail the solution to one of the problems we have been working on during the week. I like to pick a question that reveals the main mathematical idea or a problem that connects several ideas with each other. This assignment also gives the students a chance to reflect about their strategies and find holes in their arguments.
I want my students to learn how to write about their thinking. Often mathematics homework is just a collection of numbers and variables with little to no explanation. The reader then has to guess what the student might have thought and feedback and grading is arbitrary at best.
Since I don't want that, my assignments have to be written in full sentences, explain every computational step in detail and convey the mathematical concepts and ideas at hand. They can also contain the story of how the student discovered the solution, including all struggles and mistakes. (You can find my grading rubric below.)
Student Work Example:
The first example is from our Origami chapter in the Art and Sculpture book. The students have to cut out a polygonal shape with one straight cut. The challenge is to fold the paper so that this is possible.
Student work: Straight Cut Origami, You can find a second example (from Calculus) at the end of the blog.
This last semester I found myself enjoying grading the weekly homework, even late at night when I was tired. What had changed? I used to get bored by grading and used to call it the “worst part of my job”!
I had managed to convince my students to really share their thinking with me – including what did not work and what still didn’t make sense. I was reading the story of their homework, not just the result. And I learned so much about their thinking that it captivated me.
My Writing Rubric has included details about write-ups for many years. But recently I have started to ask my students to tell me a story, to consider me as their captive audience (that has to read 30 of these assignments). I used something like the following speech: “I would like you to write like this: first I tried… but that didn’t work so I got frustrated and got a coffee and tried again and here is what happened….”. They laughed and remembered that I really care about their thinking much more than after reading my rubric (if they ever did read it). Most students’ writing became more relaxed and personal and much more fun to read.
But maybe the change was not only in what I expected of my students but also in my own disposition. What am I curious about? What do I want to know?
I collaborated this semester with some wonderful K-12 educators who know a lot about how to look at students’ work and analyze their thinking. See also http://www.lasw.org. Their lens of analyzing work is very objective and removed from evaluating or finding a grade. It is all about the student’s thinking:
- The student knows… here is the evidence.
- The student doesn’t know… here is the evidence.
- What is the student ready to learn next?
- What could I do to make that happen? What are questions I could ask?
I have always enjoyed sitting with a student and watching him or her think. Now when I grade I am doing just that: I watch the student work and write questions when I don’t understand something. My goal is to further the student’s thinking in the moment the homework is returned and read. The correct answer is not that important, how to get there is the interesting part.
My goal has changed. Before I wanted to primarily put a grade to the work and be done. Now I want to know about the particular student’s thinking and use this information to plan my next interaction with the student (and the next class). That this happens to create a grade that I can use for a total homework grade is convenient but is not my priority anymore.
Second Student Work Example:
The second example is from my calculus 2 class. Student work: Calculus 2 The assignment was to answer the second page of
cai.6_distinguishing_series_and_definite_integrals.pdf and the first 3 explorations of
cai.7_velocity_and_distance_travelled.pdf. These investigations are from www.iblcalculus.com, a wonderful resource for an IBL calculus class developed at Rockhurst University. | <urn:uuid:23eb6984-b7a2-48de-85b8-b05035a028ca> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | https://www.artofmathematics.org/blogs/cvonrenesse/assessment-homework-stories | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662558030.43/warc/CC-MAIN-20220523132100-20220523162100-00487.warc.gz | en | 0.972678 | 982 | 3.296875 | 3 |
Most of our customers know the best-in-class benefits of EcoSoya soy waxes and the unique characteristics of soy wax: cleaner, cooler, and longer burning, made from renewable resources, biodegradable, easy to clean, etc. Another distinct trait of soy wax is that it experiences polymorphism, which means it is polymorphic.
What is Polymorphism?
What exactly is polymorphism? It pertains to the structural characteristic of the soy wax which has the ability and desire to form different crystal types while retaining the same chemical composition.
These various types of crystalline structures can form when the candle cools from a molten state to a solid candle. The types of crystals that grow in the candle may be influenced by the components of the candle and its environment. Not only can more than one type of crystal form in the candle, but the existing crystals can continue to change over time as they seek what they consider to be a more stable structure for the environment they “live” in.
Simply stated, when the candle system and surrounding environment encourage the growth of different types of crystals, the effects can be seen in the aesthetics of the candle. In the worst cases we see this as “bloom” (white frosting), the cauliflower effect, rough/grainy top, or white lumpy tops.
An example of polymorphism can be found in chocolate. As chocolate ages the outside of it becomes white or “frosted”. The aesthetic and texture changes but the chocolate itself has the same chemical composition as when it was first made.
The Conditions of Polymorphic Crystalline Growth
Numerous conditions affect crystal growth, such as: pour temperature, ambient temperature during cooling, humidity, candle storage temperature, fragrance, dye, anything added to the wax, and of course wax composition, to name a few.
The crystals are especially sensitive to temperature changes. In fact, the period from when the first crystal forms in the molten candle to when it solidifies is the most critical. Maintaining an even temperature during this time is necessary to encourage proper crystal growth. Candles made with EcoSoya® container waxes are best cooled at temperatures of about 68°F to 80°F.
Soy Wax Polymorphism and Pouring Candles
When pouring candles, it is best to avoid a large temperature gradient between the center of the candle and the outside walls of the container. Since different types of crystals like to form at different temperatures, a large temperature gradient can encourage different crystal growth both when the candle is cooling and when the candle burns.
In the food industry, items such as chocolate are shipped in temperature-controlled trucks to maintain their crystal structures, a luxury we in the candle industry don’t have. Therefore, it is crucial to find a pour temperature that promotes even temperatures throughout the candle while the candle is cooling.
It is clear that while a different crystal structure may not alter the soy wax chemically, it does play a huge role in the overall appearance of a candle. Although it may require some testing, the optimal crystal structure can be achieved. By finding the best wax components; fragrance, dye, pour temperature, etc. for the candle, you can minimize the effects of polymorphism. | <urn:uuid:2c49e665-33dc-4907-8757-900cd6499cab> | CC-MAIN-2015-48 | http://www.ngielements.com/soy-wax-polymorphism/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-48/segments/1448398449160.83/warc/CC-MAIN-20151124205409-00222-ip-10-71-132-137.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.899977 | 669 | 2.8125 | 3 |
Latin American Independence
The vision of liberty had stirred the people of Latin America from the time the English colonies had gained their freedom. Before 1821, Argentina and Chile had established their independence, and in 1822, led by José de San Martin and Simón Bolivar, other South American states won freedom. By 1824, European colonies remained only in the West Indies and on the northern coast of South America.
The people of the United States took a deep interest in what seemed a repetition of their own experience in breaking away from European rule. In 1822, President Monroe, under powerful popular pressure, received authority to recognize the new countries - among them, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Brazil - and soon exchanged ministers with them, thus recognizing these countries as selfsustaining, genuinely independent, and entirely separated from their former European connections.
At just this point a number of central European powers formed an association commonly called the Holy Alliance, to protect themselves against revolution. By intervening in countries where popular movements threatened the thrones of monarchs, the Alliance hoped to prevent the spread of revolution into their own dominions. This policy was the antithesis of the American principle of selfdetermination. | <urn:uuid:04a3ece0-739b-4f21-a80f-9ddfbe8c15ee> | CC-MAIN-2018-05 | http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/history-1990/westward-expansion-and-regional-differences/latin-american-independence.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-05/segments/1516084888077.41/warc/CC-MAIN-20180119164824-20180119184824-00248.warc.gz | en | 0.964323 | 242 | 4.125 | 4 |
During oil production, most pipelines are transporting a substantial amount of water together with crude oil and gas. The presence of water in the transporting pipeline may be due to the following:
- Water flowing out from the reservoir naturally. The % amount of water will become increasingly significant as the oil field ages.
- Conventional method of Enhanced Oil Recovery (i.e. water injection).
The immiscible mixtures of oil and water in the pipeline may result in the formation of emulsion. The major impact due to formation of stable emulsion is the increase in fluid viscosity, which can cause a high pressure drop in the pipeline. Failure to predict fluid viscosity and pressure drop accurately may lead to the under sizing of a subsea pipeline. This is a costly problem to oil production companies, as it causes production loss and decline in revenue.
Since pipeline pressure calculation is one of the principal aspects of the pipeline design, it is crucial to consider the possibility of emulsion formation using hydraulic and flow assurance studies.
The Science behind Emulsion
Emulsion occurs when one type of liquid is dispersed as droplets in the other continuous phase of immiscible liquid. The following types of emulsions are usually found in transporting pipeline:
- Water-in-oil emulsion
- Oil-in-water emulsion
- Multiple emulsion
Theoretically, viscosity of the fluid increases when water volume fraction increases until phase inversion point. Phase inversion is the point where water becomes the continuous phase and oil is dispersed in it. After this phase inversion point, viscosity of the fluid reduces with increasing water volume fraction. Figure 1 illustrates the effect of water volume fraction on viscosity. The phase inversion point depends on fluid sample and is different for each production fluids.
Figure 1: Fluid Relative Viscosity against Water Volume Fraction
The stability of emulsion can be affected by various factors, such as water volume fraction, temperature etc. With the aid of software, a flow assurance engineer will be able to determine the operating envelope of the transporting pipeline. The most accurate way is to allow the software to calculate the pressure based on emulsion viscosity obtained via laboratory study. Besides laboratory data, the software contains correlations to predict the emulsion viscosity. Some of the proven correlations available are Woelfin, Rønningsen, Pal & Rhodes, and etc.
Figure 2: Pressure Drop against Water Volume Fraction
As shown in Figure 2, the calculated pressure drop of a pipeline considering emulsion can be as high as 7 times (21 bar vs 3 bar). The high pressure drop results in high export pressure, in which the wells may not have sufficient pressure to push the fluid to the desired receiving platform. Hence, it is crucial to consider emulsion if it is foreseen to be an issue. Commercialized software which have the ability to consider emulsion in calculations are PIPESIM, OLGA, etc.
Key Features of Commercialized Software
- More precise prediction of fluid viscosity due to emulsion
- Accurate pipeline operating envelope
- Optimized pipeline size
- Able to minimize production loss | <urn:uuid:a7c3c793-c43e-4d3d-b0fb-eab786986e91> | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | http://www.synergyengineering.com/insights/emulsion-in-subsea-pipelines-solutions-available/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662533972.17/warc/CC-MAIN-20220520160139-20220520190139-00152.warc.gz | en | 0.934565 | 649 | 3.171875 | 3 |
Beta cells in the pancreas produce that well-known hormone insulin, and insulin is what enables the body to regulate blood sugar. In Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune malfunction occurs and B cells, or B lymphocytes, activate T cells (T lymphocytes). These T cells then destroy pancreatic beta cells and impair the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. The understanding of this mechanism has made diabetes researchers conjecture that one way to combat Type 1 diabetes would be to somehow protect those pancreatic beta cells from destruction by eliminating or deactivating B cells.
Recently, scientists at the Jackson Laboratory, a nonprofit biomedical research institution, along with Cyteir Therapeutics, a company specializing in DNA research, and other collaborating institutions announced that they had in fact discovered a way to protect beta cells from destruction. The researchers adapted strategies already developed by researchers to treat B-cell lymphomas.
Key to the approach was a gene manipulation tactic that identifies a potential target that would eliminate B cells that trigger the development of Type 1 diabetes. According to David Serreze, PhD, lead author of the new report, which appeared in the Journal of Immunology, “Our approach targets an appropriate population of the B cells among the white blood cells, resulting in inactivation of the cascade of autoimmunity against the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells and hence subsequently blocking diabetes development.” This new development is certainly encouraging, and, if all goes well, the researchers expect that it will lead to the formulation of therapies to prevent Type 1 diabetes.
Want to learn more about recent Type 1 diabetes research? Read “New Staging Classification for Type 1 Diabetes” and “IBM and JDRF: Organizations Partner to Combat Type 1 Diabetes.” | <urn:uuid:a58d21b9-ad09-4ac5-b1bc-3e9d9bcf990b> | CC-MAIN-2021-04 | https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/protecting-beta-cells-preventing-type-1-diabetes/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-04/segments/1610703521139.30/warc/CC-MAIN-20210120151257-20210120181257-00215.warc.gz | en | 0.905543 | 360 | 3.53125 | 4 |
Use Nationally and in Massachusetts
TCE was first produced in the early twentieth century and was used as a general anesthetic until the late 1970’s. TCE was also used as a solvent for extraction of palm, coconut and soy bean oils, spices, hops and the decaffeination of coffee. The United States Food and Drug Administration banned these uses as well as use in cosmetics and drug production in the 1970s.
According to the 2001 Chemical Economics Handbook, the breakdown of TCE use in the United States in 2005 is estimated as:
- 26% vapor degreasing of fabricated metal parts
- 74% chemical intermediates and miscellaneous uses
Metal Cleaning and Degreasing
TCE is used as a degreasing solvent in the metal finishing, automotive and aerospace industries. TCE is an important solvent for degreasing soft metals such as aluminum and works well cleaning steel before galvanizing. TCE has many properties that make it an excellent degreasing agent, including: high solvency; low flammability; non corrosiveness; and high stability. TCE is also relatively inexpensive and cleans thoroughly and quickly.
TCE in high purity grade is used as a feedstock to produce hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants and other chlorinated end products such as flame retardant chemicals. TCE is also used as a molecular-weight control agent in the manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
TCE is used as a solvent in adhesives and aerosol formulations. It is also used as a heat transfer medium as a solvent in electronics, printing, pulp and paper and in textile operations. Chlorinated solvents, such as TCE, are used in a number of operations in the textile industry. TCE is also used as a swelling agent in disperse dyeing of polyesters, for removal of basting threads, and in small quantities for scouring wool.
Since 1990 Massachusetts companies have reduced their use of TCE by more than a 77%.
In 2005 almost 90% of TCE uses in Massachusetts (excluding chemical distribution) were associated with solvent use in adhesives and paints.
Table 1 shows the amount of TCE use reported in Massachusetts in the first year of reporting (1990) and in 2005. Overall, companies in Massachusetts have reduced their use of TCE by more than 77% during this period. Most companies were able to reduce their use of TCE to below the 10,000 pound reporting threshold within 5 years of the beginning of the program. With the new lower reporting threshold (1,000 pounds/year starting in reporting year 2008) more companies will likely begin reporting on their use of TCE.
Figure 1 illustrates the percent changes in use of TCE in Massachusetts by industry sector over the years 1990 to 2005.
Manufactured Metal Products
The manufactured metal products sector includes companies manufacturing products such as binders, razors, lighting fixtures, motor vehicle parts, jewelry and other niche product lines. The companies in this sector used TCE to degrease or clean parts as part of their overall manufacturing processes. The companies in this sector were able to completely reduce their use of TCE below reporting thresholds, typically within seven years. At least two facilities, Lightolier and Swank, are still reporting on use of other chemicals.
Electronics and Wiring Devices
Of the nine companies reporting use of TCE in 1990, only one company, Tyco Electronics, reported continued use of TCE as a degreaser in 2005. Tyco reported a 97% reduction in TCE use in that time. According to staff at this facility, Tyco is no longer using TCE. After merging this location with its Norwood location Tyco is now using an alternative solvent for its degreasing operations.
The three companies in the Wiring Devices sector apparently reduced all reportable uses of toxic chemicals below reporting thresholds by 2003.
Metalworking and Fabrication
Generally companies in this sector use TCE as a cleaner and degreaser for metal parts. The Metalworking and Fabrication sector reduced its use of TCE by 97% from 1990 to 2005. Several of the companies in this sector are job shop operations whose customers largely dictate the processes required for plating.
While the majority of companies in this sector reduced their use of TCE below the 10,000 lb reporting threshold, several continue to use TCE, and it is likely that many more companies in this sector will report use of TCE above the new 1,000 lb/year reporting threshold for 2008. For example, some companies that had reduced their use of TCE to just below 10,000 pounds in 2005 exhibited a slow decline in use over time and would likely continue to use TCE well in excess of the new 1,000 pound/year threshold.
Chemical Preparations and Products (including Rubber Products)
Massachusetts companies in this sector use TCE as a synthesis feedstock for such products as paints, adhesives and cleaners. This sector experienced a 52% reduction in reportable TCE use from 1990 to 2005.
ITW TACC, which processes TCE with other chemicals to create adhesives, sealants and caulks for roofing, general construction and general industrial application, reported an almost 50% reduction in TCE use over the 15 year reporting period. On the other hand, Camger began incorporating TCE into its paint formulations in 1995, and has increased the amount of TCE used by over 30% since that time.
Shawmut Corp also uses TCE as part of its adhesives used in textile lamination applications. Shawmut decreased its use of TCE by almost 35% from 1990 to 2005, using process modifications and improved chemical management techniques. New England Newspaper Supply reduced its use of TCE below reporting thresholds within one year of having to report.
Chemical Distributors and Packagers
This sector reduced the reportable amount of TCE from 1990 to 2005 by 45%.
Both Safety Kleen and Shield Packaging reduced their sales of TCE-based products to below the reporting threshold by 2005. According to a statement made by Safety Kleen, its use of TCE is wholly dependent on customer demand. Therefore, we can infer that customers have significantly altered their contract degreasing solution choices away from TCE since 1990. Shield Packaging had reported over 20,000 lb of TCE in 2004. It is possible that it may again be reporting TCE as a result of the reduced reporting threshold.
Four chemical distributors, representing over 55% of the total reported use of TCE in Massachusetts, reported processing TCE in 2005, though none reported TCE above the reporting threshold in 1990. These companies repackage TCE for bulk sales to their customers.
According to the company statement provided by one of the companies, Ashland Distribution, “customer demand dictates the amount of TURA chemicals transferred at Ashland's Tewksbury facility. Ashland has been effective in reducing waste generation by implementing process improvements at the facility. While demand for chemical products may increase, thereby increasing the volume of chemicals handled (used) and transferred on site, the company is focused on limiting waste generation and releases. It continues to evaluate potentially viable process enhancements.” This statement describes the challenges facing chemical distributors and typical management of their toxic chemicals use.
Summary of Inputs and Outputs
Figure 2 illustrates the change from 1990 to 2005 in inputs and outputs of TCE in Massachusetts. Inputs include TCE that is manufactured or processed, as well as TCE that is “otherwise used” (i.e., ancillary uses that do not become incorporated into the final product). Outputs include TCE that is generated as byproduct (i.e., all non-product material created by a process line prior to release, on-site treatment, or transfer) and the amount of TCE that is shipped in or as product.
Both inputs and outputs of TCE were significantly reduced overall in the Commonwealth from 1990 to 2005. Specifically, from 1990 to 2005 the total input of TCE, including otherwise used, manufactured or processed TCE, was reduced by 77% while the total output of TCE, the amount generated as byproduct, shipped in or as product, over the same time period was reduced by 81%.
Endnotes: Chemical Economics Handbook, 2002, 632.3000Y, SRI International; IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man, 1972; Halogenated Solvents Industry Association, Trichloroethylene White Paper, 2001; Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Environmental Defense Fund, Source Reduction of Chlorinated Solvents-Textiles Manufacture. 1991; Toxics Use Reduction Institute TURA Data website, http://turadata.turi.org/ | <urn:uuid:12d64772-56a8-4a41-86d6-bf13bf1bb1ea> | CC-MAIN-2019-04 | https://www.turi.org/TURI_Publications/TURI_Chemical_Fact_Sheets/Trichloroethylene_TCE_Fact_Sheet/TCE_Facts/Use_Nationally_and_in_Massachusetts | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-04/segments/1547583807724.75/warc/CC-MAIN-20190121193154-20190121215154-00273.warc.gz | en | 0.961919 | 1,817 | 2.515625 | 3 |
Net zero would shrink Britain’s economy by £60bn and cause the global economy to be $3.6 trillion (£2.8 trillion) smaller, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Eliminating coal and reducing reliance on oil and gas will slightly decrease global GDP growth in the next few years, according to economists from the Paris-based group.
As the deadline of 2050 to decarbonise our economy approaches, the impact will increase to a 0.6 percent point drop.
In 2050, the cumulative effect will be a 3.7pc reduction in the global economy. This is the equivalent of $3.6 trillion in lost output across all 38 OECD member countries.
The UK will only suffer a 1.65pc hit, which is equivalent to $79bn or around £62.5bn.
Net Zero will hinder economic growth because countries will have to invest heavily in replacing current power systems with cleaner technology.
Solar panels and wind farms are two examples of new infrastructure that costs billions to install, but produces the same amount energy with little economic benefit.
The OECD says that Britain needs to spend 25 billion pounds a year (equivalent) on the expansion of the electricity network in order to reach net zero.
Investments also involve diverting money that would have otherwise been spent to other places.
The OECD said that we need to keep making big investments until 2050. This will put more pressure on public finances.
Carbon taxes could encourage a shift in the direction of renewable energy while also generating temporary revenue for the government. This money could be used to ease the transition.
The think-tank also suggested a wider program of economic liberalization in order to boost growth. This “could help offset the output cost of CO2 reduction”.
The nations with the most oil and gas or fossil fuel industries will suffer the greatest economic impact.
China, India and Brazil will lose 11pc of their GDP. By 2050, this would amount to a loss of $1.4 trillion in output.
Costs of decarbonisation are high at a moment when the OECD thinks the global economy is already slowing down.
Before the pandemic hit, the average growth rate for rich countries in OECD/G20 was around 3pc.
This is expected to drop to 1.7pc in 2060 due to the ageing population and slower productivity growth of emerging market countries.
Despite the costs, the OECD warned that if the world fails to act it will not be able to limit global heating below 1.5 degrees centigrade. This could have catastrophic consequences.
The OECD report doesn’t fully include the benefits of net-zero economics, according to a spokesperson from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The UK government has invested £200bn in low-carbon technologies since 2010, with an additional £100bn expected from private investors in the UK between 2020 and 2030. This will support 480,000 jobs.
According to the independent OBR, not controlling climate change is more expensive than reducing emissions. That’s why we make long-term decisions. | <urn:uuid:0d5e3bf6-ae7b-4b75-bca1-cdc6e2bddef1> | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | https://stockmark.it/oecd-warns-that-net-zero-will-cost-the-global-economy-trillions/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947474948.91/warc/CC-MAIN-20240301030138-20240301060138-00381.warc.gz | en | 0.926852 | 640 | 3.34375 | 3 |
Now updated for the Fifth Edition of the Foundations Curriculum!
Strengthen your brain by memorizing quality content with art and song in a beautiful, interactive format in seven subject areas. New features include enhanced graphics and interactivity, Classical Conversations® Classical Acts & Facts® timeline, and the U.S. presidents!
Classical educators know the importance of memorizing the grammar—the basic facts and vocabulary—of a subject. Now you can memorize the foundational knowledge of seven topics in a fun, interactive Android application.
In Cycle 3, Classical Conversations students memorize 161 events and people in the timeline, including the U.S. presidents; 24 U.S. history sentences, including the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights; 120 locations and geographical features in North America (emphasis, the United States); 24 science questions and answers on anatomy and chemistry; multiplication tables (1 through 15), squares, roots, cubes, and basic math laws and conversions; Latin rules and vocabulary, including the text of John 1:1-7 in Latin and English; and English grammar facts, including the principal parts of eleven irregular verbs. This app corresponds to the Foundations Curriculum, Fifth Edition, released in 2018.
U.S. history is presented in an interactive application with songs and artwork designed to make memorizing enjoyable.
Now integrated with other Classical Conversations resources, each history sentence and science question points you to the corresponding Classical Acts & Facts® card, handy flashcards for classical educators that will expand your memory work in depth and breadth.
No matter your age, you can build a firm foundation of knowledge by memorizing these building blocks of education.
Classical Conversations Foundations students, ages four through twelve, have been using these same tools in our iOS apps and online subscription service, CC Connected®. The new Android application offers these features:
• Touch screen slides horizontally to reveal memory work by subject
• Touch screen slides vertically to study each subject by week
• Touch screen allows students to slide back and forth through the U.S. presidents
• Navigates easily back and forth and home
Classical Conversations® empowers homeschooling parents and establishes classical, Christian communities that equip children with a biblical worldview and the classical tools of learning in order to impact the world for God’s glory.
Visit us online to learn more: ClassicalConversations.com ClassicalConversationsBooks.com
Please send questions or comments to: email@example.com
This app works well, at times. Other times I cannot get some of the subjects to have the audio. For instance, right now all subjects have sound except for History. I've restarted the app many times and cannot get the audio to play. This has happened multiple times over the last 17 weeks, in different subjects.
Feb 21, 2021
Not what I expected. I was expecting like what I purchased on the Itunes. With singing. This app is boring and monotone. Wish there was like a trial to see how it worked before I made the puchase. Cheaper on Itunes and WAY MORE FUN with the songs.
Nov 28, 2020
Fabulous! I have this in my phone and play it for the children when I'm driving. They have it on their tablets and we love the ease in access. You should have the cycle 3 flash cards as well for history. I have already learned a ton along with my children and I love how we can work on past weeks and even go ahead and learn. My son likes to learn at a faster rate but my daughter likes to repeat a lesson many times! I love that I can fill the children in with other details and Google search.
Jan 28, 2021
THIS WASS THE BESSSSTTTTT PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE APPPP!!!!
Jan 05, 2021
Love having the Memory Work at the tip of my fingers! The app is easy to manage and we enjoy the eye-catching graphics. Just wish it included the Timeline song!
Jan 19, 2021 | <urn:uuid:bb3879cf-c8e5-43c6-b389-ddc43d2a3ee0> | CC-MAIN-2021-10 | https://www.appannie.com/en/apps/google-play/app/com.classicalconversations.tutorials.cycle3/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-10/segments/1614178355944.41/warc/CC-MAIN-20210226001221-20210226031221-00512.warc.gz | en | 0.9264 | 850 | 2.96875 | 3 |
The global diabatic circulation of the stratosphere as a metric for the Brewer–Dobson circulation
The circulation of the stratosphere, also known as the Brewer–Dobson circulation, transports water vapor and ozone, with implications for radiative forcing and climate. This circulation is typically quantified from model output by calculating the tropical upwelling vertical velocity in the residual circulation framework, and it is estimated from observations by using time series of tropical water vapor to infer a vertical velocity. Recent theory has introduced a method to calculate the strength of the global mean diabatic circulation through isentropes from satellite measurements of long-lived tracers. In this paper, we explore this global diabatic circulation as it relates to the residual circulation vertical velocity, stratospheric water vapor, and ozone at interannual timescales. We use a comprehensive climate model, three reanalysis data products, and satellite ozone data. The different metrics for the circulation have different properties, especially with regards to the vertical autocorrelation. In the model, the different residual circulation metrics agree closely and are well correlated with the global diabatic circulation, except in the lowermost stratosphere. In the reanalysis products, however, there are more differences throughout, indicating the dynamical inconsistencies of these products. The vertical velocity derived from the time series of water vapor in the tropics is significantly correlated with the global diabatic circulation, but this relationship is not as strong as that between the global diabatic circulation and the residual circulation vertical velocity. We find that the global diabatic circulation in the lower to middle stratosphere (up to 500 K) is correlated with the total column ozone in the high latitudes and in the tropics. The upper-level circulation is also correlated with the total column ozone, primarily in the subtropics, and we show that this is due to the correlation of both the circulation and the ozone with upper-level temperatures.
Authors: Linz, Marianna, Abalos, Marta, Glanville, Anne Sasha, Kinnison, Douglas E., Ming, Alison ORCID record for Alison Ming, Neu, Jessica L. | <urn:uuid:af3a2e36-e162-4028-b624-267365def019> | CC-MAIN-2020-29 | https://www.bas.ac.uk/data/our-data/publication/the-global-diabatic-circulation-of-the-stratosphere-as-a-metric/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-29/segments/1593657151197.83/warc/CC-MAIN-20200714181325-20200714211325-00205.warc.gz | en | 0.913332 | 442 | 2.640625 | 3 |
Jean-Jacques Rousseauís The Social Contract, or Principles of Political Right (1762) is an analysis of the contractual relationships that may be necessary for legitimate government, and it is an explanation of how these relationships may combine principles of justice and utility. Rousseau argues that civil society is based on a contractual arrangement of rights and duties which applies equally to all people, whereby natural liberty is exchanged for civil liberty, and whereby natural rights are exchanged for legal rights. The terms of the contract provide assurance that civil laws promote the public good rather than the private good of particular individuals or groups. If the contract is breached by a government which usurps the sovereignty of its people, then the people are no longer obligated to submit to that government and consequently regain their natural liberty.
According to Rousseau, justice cannot be defined as "the right of the strongest" (le droit du plus fort) or the power of some individuals to gain advantage over others. If justice were the same as the power to gain advantage over others, then the most powerful individuals would always be the most just and morally right. Moreover, if justice were the power to force an individual to yield to a particular demand, then there would be no obligation for an individual to comply with a lawful authority unless that authority had the power to force the individual to comply. Thus, the question of whether justice can be achieved in society may not depend on whether individuals can be forced to comply with civil authority but on whether individuals and civil authority can act in harmony with, and fulfill their moral obligations toward, each other. Moreover, there may be a moral obligation to comply with civil authority only if that authority is legitimate (i.e. if that authority is based on a fair and just agreement among the members of society).
In order to protect themselves and their property, individuals may agree to a contractual relationship whereby they combine themselves into an association for the benefit of all. By means of this contractual relationship, individuals agree to accept various duties or obligations in exchange for the benefits provided by social cooperation. Thus, a republic may be established on the basis of a mutual commitment between society and each individual, whereby society has an obligation to each individual and each individual has an obligation to society.
Each individual may have a particular will (volunté particuliêre) which is different from the general will (volunté généale) of the people, but the particular will of each individual may be forced to submit to the general will because of the obligations that have been defined for all individuals by the terms of the social contract. The general will is not the same as the will of all individuals, because it is not the sum of all individual private interests.1 Unlike the combined will of all individuals, the general will is concerned with the public interest rather than with private interests.
The sovereignty of a republic is manifested by the general will, and the sovereign is the same as the body politic, says Rousseau. Sovereignty is inalienable and indivisible, in that a republic which surrenders or divides its sovereignty is no longer a republic and can no longer represent the public interest of all of its citizens.
The general will always desires the common good, says Rousseau, but it may not always choose correctly between what is advantageous or disadvantageous for promoting social harmony and cooperation, because it may be influenced by particular groups of individuals who are concerned with promoting their own private interests. Thus, the general will may need to be guided by the judgment of an individual who is concerned only with the public interest and who can explain to the body politic how to promote justice and equal citizenship. This individual is the "lawgiver" (le législateur). The lawgiver is guided by sublime reason and by a concern for the common good, and he is an individual whose enlightened judgment can determine the principles of justice and utility which are best suited to society.
If a republic is governed by principles of justice and utility, then each person is required to surrender only as much of his natural liberty as is necessary for the republic to guarantee the protection of legal rights for all of its citizens. Equal citizenship in a republic may be established by means of a social contract, which is a declaration by the general will that civil laws will apply equally to all individuals.
Rousseau uses the term "republic" to refer to any society that is ruled by law or that is ruled by the general will of its people. A civil law is an act of the general will, says Rousseau, and the general will must be obeyed by all people. Thus, obedience to civil law is required of all individuals by the terms of the social contract. However, the institution of government is not a contract, but an act of the general will.
As a result of the social contract, civil laws are decided by a majority vote of the magistrates who are elected to represent the people. The minority which opposes the will of the majority must accept any acts of the general will, and it cannot refuse to submit to the general will without violating the terms of the contract. Accordint to Rousseau, the general will is the will of both the majority and minority, and if a minority of individuals does not approve of a law which has been approved of by the majority, then that minority must have mistakenly supposed that its own particular will was the same as the general will. The general will is not a selfish, unjust will and is truly concerned with the common good.
The social contract involves a total and unconditional surrender by each individual of his own natural rights in order to gain the rights of citizenship.2 There is no need for the sovereign authority to guarantee the civil liberty and legal rights of its subjects, because its interests are identical to those of the people as a whole.3 If anyone refuses to comply with the general will, then he or she may be forced to comply by the whole body politic (and may be "forced to be free").4
Many of Rousseauís statements may be criticized for their extreme and arbitrary nature. For example, he says that dictatorship may be necessary in order to restore public order when there is a civil emergency. He also says that censorship may be useful in order to preserve public morality and in order to prevent corruption of social values. Even more unacceptable is his statement that if the prince of a state declares that a particular individual must be put to death, then that individual should be put to death, because the terms of the social contract may be interpreted to support the argument that the life of the individual belongs to the state and not to the individual.5
Rousseau also advocates the establishment of a civil religion to which all citizens must adhere if they do not want to be expelled from the state because of noncompliance. However, he argues that this civil religion should be tolerant of any other religions whose doctrines do not contradict the duties of citizenship.6
Rousseauís concept of a "lawgiver" who can guide the general will is a self-contradictory concept that assumes that this individual would be given a semi-divine status in society. Such an individual would also have an absolute power to define the limits of civil authority.
Rousseauís concept of the general will may also provide inadequate protection for the rights of minorities, because he assumes that the characteristics of the general will are always to be found in the majority of individuals. He admits that if the will of the majority is acting in support of the selfish interests of a particular social class or group, then the will of the majority may unfairly deny the legal rights of an opposing minority.
Rousseauís basic argument for the social contract is also self-contradictory in saying that natural liberty is in conflict with civil liberty. Rousseau claims that natural rights are in conflict with legal rights and that the social contract guarantees protection of the civil rights of each individual only by alienating the individual from his or her natural rights. While arguing for civil liberty and equal citizenship on the one hand, he argues for the absolute power of the state on the other. While attacking the evils of tyranny and slavery on the one hand, he tries to mitigate the evils of dictatorship and totalitarianism on the other.
Many of Rousseau's arguments are based on his concept of "the state of nature." In the state of nature, no individual has legal authority over any other individual. Any power which an individual may have over another individual is established only by force or coercion, and this does not make force or coercion morally right. In "the state of nature," individuals are motivated only by their own selfish interests and by the desire to gain advantage over others. Rousseau maintains that "the law of nature" is the law of self-preservation and that individuals have no natural obligations toward each other. In the state of nature, individuals are motivated only by their own private interests and not by the public good.
However, Rousseau also argues that in "the state of nature" individuals eventually recognize that they must unite to protect themselves and that they must join together to protect their possessions from being misused or misappropriated by others. Thus, a social contract is necessary in order to protect civil liberty and in order to protect basic rights such as the legal right to property. The social contract is fulfilled by a surrender of natural freedom in exchange for a moral and social freedom.
In "the state of nature," instinct is the rule of conduct, but in civil society, justice is the standard of conduct. In the state of nature, the particular will of each individual has more power and authority than the general will of the people, but in civil society the general will of the people has more power and authority than the particular will of any individual or group of individuals. While social relationships in the state of nature are ruled by the particular will of each individual who seeks his or her own private good, civil society is governed by the general will of the body politic that desires the common good.
1Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract, translated by Maurice Cranston (Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1968), p. 72.
2Ibid., p. 60.
3Ibid., p. 63.
4Ibid., p. 64.
5Ibid., p. 78.
6Ibid., p. 187.
Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. The Social Contract. Translated by Maurice Cranston. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1968. | <urn:uuid:61da34a2-0138-43b4-aabc-2ecad6d102ef> | CC-MAIN-2015-14 | http://www.angelfire.com/md2/timewarp/rousseau.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-14/segments/1427131305143.64/warc/CC-MAIN-20150323172145-00291-ip-10-168-14-71.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956444 | 2,138 | 3.609375 | 4 |
No team wins in sports without practice first. The same can be applied to assessments in online classes. A variety of tools are available to allow for students to practice and master concepts before summative tests are given.
Most LMS quizzes make it easy to provide this ongoing assessment. Quizzes can be set so that students can take them multiple times for practice without impacting their grades of record. Research has suggested that students who take advantage of practice tests tend to perform better on the summative tests of record.
Leith Sly (1999) of Curtin University of Technology investigated the influence of practice tests as formative assessment to improve student performance on computer-managed learning assessments. Sly hypothesized that students who selected to take practice tests would outperform students who did not select to take practice tests on the first and second unit exams in a first year college Economics course. The students who selected to take practice tests did significantly outperform those who did not take practices tests on both unit exams one and two.
Cassady and Gridley (2005) looked at the effects of online formative assessments on test anxiety and performance. They found a small benefit for using online practice tests prior to graded course exams. This effect appears to be in part due to the reduction of the deleterious effects of negative test perceptions afforded in conditions where practice tests were available. The results support the integration of online practice tests to help students prepare for course exams and also reveal that secure web-based testing can aid undergraduate instruction through improved student confidence and increased instructional time.
To optimize your practice tests, a best practice is to first build a pool of questions in the LMS. And then create a practice test that randomly draws from this pool. In this way, each time the student takes the practice quiz, they will have a different test.
Of course, practice assessments can be more than practice quizzes. Wabisabi Learning provides seven ideas which can be adapted for online classes. | <urn:uuid:babbecac-7f85-4d33-8194-45a68e30dc9f> | CC-MAIN-2021-43 | https://bwatwood.edublogs.org/practice-assessments/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-43/segments/1634323585380.70/warc/CC-MAIN-20211021005314-20211021035314-00651.warc.gz | en | 0.950818 | 394 | 3 | 3 |
Curriculum is the entire range of experiences that children have at school. Content objectives and learning outcomes, knowledge of child development and careful observation of the needs and interests of individual children guide curriculum.
There is no one "best" curriculum for all programs. There are many excellent curriculum models that meet the guidelines for developmentally appropriate practice and the DECE's Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards. The Division supports preschool curricula that meet the following criteria:
The recommended curricula are: | <urn:uuid:174353d0-396d-4f9f-87b0-e84bb7fad1a8> | CC-MAIN-2019-22 | https://www.state.nj.us/education/ece/curriculum/curriculum.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-22/segments/1558232255071.27/warc/CC-MAIN-20190519161546-20190519183546-00432.warc.gz | en | 0.941581 | 98 | 2.828125 | 3 |
Breast cancer: Clues to better treatment may be in the blood
September 25, 2011 | by City of Hope Staff
Like father, like son? That’s not necessarily the case when it comes to breast cancer.
George Somlo, M.D., and other scientists at City of Hope, along with colleagues at the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), recently uncovered something interesting. They found that 20 to 60 percent of breast cancer cells that circulate through the body are very different from the tumors that originally unleashed them.
That may mean that, in some patients, therapies that work against the original tumor could be less effective, or even useless, against cancer that has spread, or metastasized.
The findings add to a growing body of evidence that clinical trials may need a new edge. Patients could benefit if doctors incorporate the characteristics of metastasized breast cancer cells into treatment decisions.
Somlo’s study focused on what are called circulating tumor cells — cells that have broken off from a primary tumor and entered the bloodstream. He and his colleagues looked at women with either metastatic breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer or locally advanced breast cancer.
In inflammatory breast cancer, tumor cells cause redness and swelling. Locally advanced breast cancer describes a tumor that is large or has spread to nearby surrounding tissue or lymph nodes. Women with these diagnoses are highly likely to see their cancer return after treatment. And women with metastatic cancer often face a poor outcome.
“It is critical that we find more effective, individualized treatments for these cancers,” said Somlo, professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, director of breast oncology and co-director of the Breast Cancer Program. “We believe that studying circulating tumor cells will help us discover how to customize treatment based on variations between circulating tumor cells and the primary tumor and metastatic sites.”
As Somlo explained, doctors usually recommend breast cancer therapies that target certain characteristics of the original, or primary, tumor. Patients whose tumors have an abundance of certain proteins — estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), for example — receive anticancer treatments that target these proteins. Patients who test negative for these receptors have fewer treatment options and usually poorer outcomes.
Studies by the group and others have shown that primary tumors, however, may actually spawn circulating cells that do have one or more of these receptors.
The team studied 36 City of Hope patients with metastatic, inflammatory or locally advanced breast cancer, looking for circulating tumor cells. In 26 of these patients, they also checked whether their primary tumors expressed high levels of estrogen receptor or HER2.
- Among women with metastatic breast cancer, three of 13 (23 percent) had a primary tumor that lacked HER2 but circulating tumor cells that did have it.
- Two in five women with metastatic breast cancer (40 percent) had a primary tumor lacking ER but circulating tumor cells with it.
- Among women with locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer, one of five (20 percent) had a HER2-negative primary tumor and HER2-positive circulating tumor cells.
- Three of five women with locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer (60 percent) had ER-negative primary tumors and ER-positive circulating tumor cells.
- The results could help physicians better tailor treatments to patients. They also brought to light another interesting characteristic of circulating tumor cells.
That knowledge could help researchers better understand how cancer spreads. It also may point them to drugs that may knock out circulating tumor cells — improving patients’ chances for positive outcomes. | <urn:uuid:02156a7a-5eb6-48f8-9c93-6a30b7a60048> | CC-MAIN-2017-47 | https://www.cityofhope.org/breast-cancer-clues-treatment-blood | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-47/segments/1510934805914.1/warc/CC-MAIN-20171120052322-20171120072322-00177.warc.gz | en | 0.944054 | 747 | 2.625 | 3 |
A Matter of Balance
The Importance of Pool Alkalinity
It may be winter, but that doesn’t mean the pool can be left to its own devices until spring. Balanced water is vital to protect equipment from damage as well as create a healthy swimming environment.
Very few people are brave enough to swim in winter, but that doesn’t mean the backyard pool can be left to its own devices until spring. Part of keeping pool water healthy year-round is ensuring it is correctly balanced. This means testing the pH and alkalinity levels weekly.
Chlorine kills germs in pool water, but its levels can be affected by factors outside your control: bad weather, dirt and debris. The time it takes for chlorine to do its work is also affected by pH levels, which is one reason why keeping it at the correct level is so important. Remember, as pH goes up, the ability of chlorine to kill germs goes down.
When maintaining water balance, it is important to understand that pH and alkalinity levels are closely linked. Maintaining your alkalinity levels makes it much easier to keep the pH levels within normal range; when these two are balanced, the pool water is much more likely to be clean and healthy.
Alkalinity levels need to be between 80 to 120 ppm, while pH levels should range between 7.2 and 7.8.
Pool water can become corrosive when the pH levels drop too low. Your pool equipment and pipes can be damaged by this imbalance, including your pool surfaces. Swimmers can experience itchy or burning eyes.
If pH levels are too high, chlorine can be rendered ineffective against algae and bacteria. Scale can form on pool surfaces and equipment, and the water can become cloudy and cause itchy skin for swimmers.
Water with low levels of alkalinity can turn an abnormal shade of green, and burn swimmers’ eyes. Your pool finishes can also become stained, and corrosion can occur on metal fixtures on pool equipment.
When the alkalinity levels are too high, the water can turn cloudy and chlorine will lose its effectiveness. The pool is likely to need constant top-ups with acid.
Call into your local Swimart store and bring a pool water sample for a FREE water test. | <urn:uuid:bd3d2f92-4eb7-404a-8e73-60739e097a98> | CC-MAIN-2022-33 | https://swimart.com.au/2015/08/12/a-matter-of-balance/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-33/segments/1659882573667.83/warc/CC-MAIN-20220819100644-20220819130644-00050.warc.gz | en | 0.959204 | 494 | 2.921875 | 3 |
The result is a shift away from the traditional focus on technical details and towards a more integrative view of cellular activity that is flexible and can be tailored to suit students with a broad range of backgrounds.Botany For Dummies gives you a thorough, easy-to-follow overview of the fundamentals of botany, helping you to improve your grades, supplement your learning, or review before a test.Your hands-on study guide to the inner world of the cellNeed to get a handle on molecular and cell biology.The scope has been widened, with almost double the content so as to include all aspects of yeast biology, from.Description: New edition of a text in which six researchers from leading institutions discuss what is known and what is yet to be understood in the field of cell biology.Provides plain-English explanations of techniques and clinical examples to help Serves as an excellent course supplement for those struggling with the complexities of the biostatistics Tracks to a typical, introductory biostatistics course Biostatistics For Dummies is an excellent resource for anyone looking to succeed in this difficult course.
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How To Start A Gas Fireplace Without Electricity. To start the pilot light of a gas fireplace, electricity is needed, which comes through a thermopile (or. If the pilot goes out then the gas valve will close, stopping the flow of gas to the burner.
The millivolt generator will produce about 350 millivolts when not connected to a device. If the batteries are dead and there is no power, you will not be able to start the fireplace. But most gas fireplaces use their standalone ignition system that doesn’t require electricity.
Traditionally, Gas Fireplaces Have Been Manufactured With A Standing Pilot Light That Ignites The Flames Without The Use Of External Electricity.
If your unit is operated by a wall switch or remote, you should be able to simply push the button or flip the switch to the on position to start the fireplace. The fire can still catch if there is no electricity coming in to your gas fireplace. Simply push the “on” button.
But Most Gas Fireplaces Use Their Standalone Ignition System That Doesn’t Require Electricity.
If you have no power, the aa batteries inside your fireplace will give the 'iginition sparks' the energy to trigger the valve to open to feed gas to the pilot. Gas fireplaces need a spark to start the pilot light and flames. The intellifire and intellifire plus use.
But The Pilot May Need To Be Lit Manually On Occasion.
Click to see full answer. To start the pilot light of a gas fireplace, electricity is needed, which comes through a thermopile (or thermocouple). The loss of power doesn't have to mean the loss of heat if.
Once The Fireplace Key Is In The Slot, Get Your Long Lighter And Hold It Up Next To The Burner.
Can you manually light a gas fireplace with electronic ignition? To start the pilot light of a gas fireplace, electricity is needed, which comes through a thermopile (or. The millivolt generator will produce about 350 millivolts when not connected to a device.
If The Batteries Are Dead And There Is No Power, You Will Not Be Able To Start The Fireplace.
The millivolt generator in your gas fireplace has a gas valve that requires a minimum of 250 millivolts to keep the valve open. Press the pilot button down, you’ll start to. Turn the gas on at the lowest setting and press your pilot button down. | <urn:uuid:2f912e4d-bc94-49b6-9009-81379d3189c6> | CC-MAIN-2022-40 | https://valerie-illustration-jeunesse.com/how-to-start-a-gas-fireplace-without-electricity/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-40/segments/1664030334579.46/warc/CC-MAIN-20220925132046-20220925162046-00641.warc.gz | en | 0.846883 | 521 | 2.6875 | 3 |
With the start of the new school year on us, it’s the perfect time to get your students to school by learning how to set positive goals. Goal setting is an important life skill that all elementary students should know. While students may be a little too young to think about what college they want to go to, or the careers they may want, it’s never too late to teach them the importance of the institution, and achieving a goal could be. Here are a few tips to teach your elementary students to set goals.
Define what a “target” Means
- Define what a “target” Means
- Learn the importance of the Goals
- Teach students how to set realistic goals
- Developing a method to achieve the goal
- Help your students achieve their dreams with Goal Setting Exercises
Elementary students may think that the word “goal” means when you refer to a sporting event. So, the first thing you want to do is brainstorm students about what they think setting a “goal” means. You can use a sports event reference to help you. For example, you can tell students that when an athlete makes a goal, the “goal” is the result of their hard work. You can also find where students have the meaning in the dictionary. Webster’s Dictionary defines the word goal as “something you are trying to do or achieve.”
Learn the importance of the Goals
Once you have taught your elementary students the meaning of the word, now is the time to teach the importance of goal setting. Discuss with your students that goal setting helps you feel more confident in yourself, helps you make better decisions in your life, and gives you motivation. Ask students to think about the time they needed something they loved, for an even better sacrifice result. You can give them an example if they are not sure. For example, you can say:
I like to get a cup of coffee and a donut before work every day, but it can get very expensive. I want to surprise my kids and take them on a family vacation, so I have to give up my morning ritual to save money doing that.
This example shows your students that you have given something that you liked for an even better result. It explains how powerful setting goals and achieving them can be. By giving up your morning routine of coffee and donuts, you were able to save enough money in your family on vacation.
Teach students how to set realistic goals
Now that students understand the meaning of a goal, as well as the importance of goal setting, now is the time to set some realistic goals. Together as a class, brainstorm a few goals that you think are realistic. For example, students can say, “My goal is to get a better mark on my math test this month.” Or “I’ll strive to finish all my homework by Friday.” By helping your students set small, achievable goals that can be achieved quickly, you will help them understand the process of setting and reaching a goal. Then, if they understand this concept you can have them set even bigger goals. Have students focus on which goals are most important (make sure they are measurable, achievable, as well as specific).
Developing a method to achieve the goal
Once students have chosen the specific goal they want to achieve, the next step is to show them how they are going to achieve it. You can do this by showing students the following step-by-step procedure. For this example, the goal of the students is to test their spelling.
- Step 1: Do all spelling homework
- Step 2: Practice spelling words every day after school
- Step 3: Practice spelling worksheets every day
- Step 4: Play spelling games or go on the Spellingcity.com app
- Step 5: Get an A + on my dictation
Make sure students have a visual reminder of their goals. It is also wise to have a daily or weekly meeting with each student to see how to develop their goals. Once they reach their goal, it’s time to celebrate! Make a big deal out of it, this way it will want them to make even bigger goals in the future.
Help your students achieve their dreams with Goal Setting Exercises
Setting goals is a topic that transcends the traditional curriculum. It is an important life skill that if learned and used daily can make a difference in the life of your students.
Goal-setting materials are plentiful, but many students do not receive adequate instruction to set goals for two reasons. First, most teachers cannot afford to neglect the subject for several weeks, and second, the purchase of textbooks to use only a single chapter on goal setting is hardly a justified use of limited educational funds.
Many teens need to be taught to dream for themselves because if they are not, they tend to accept goals imposed by adults and thus miss the joy of seeing personal dreams fulfilled.
Introducing Set Goal
Since visualizing the future is often difficult for teens, it is helpful to start the daydreaming. To integrate goal writing in your course, introduce the unit with material related to your content that refers to dreams or goals. This can be a poem, a story, a biographical sketch or a news article. Make sure to distinguish between “dreams” like sleep experiences and “dreams” like aspirations.
Defining target areas
Explain to your students that it is easier to think about our life in the categories than it is to think of all aspects at once. Ask them how they can categorize the different aspects of their lives. If they are having trouble getting started, prod them by asking them for a list of people and activities that are important to them and see if they fit into 5-8 categories. It is important that students invent their categories rather than create perfect classification systems. Allowing them to share ideas will help students realize that a variety of categorization schemes would work.
Sample Life Categories
- mentally families
- physical friends
- mentally Hobby
- Sport School
- dating Jobs
Finding meaning in Daydreams
When students are happy with their categories, ask them to choose one they want to focus on the first. (The length of this unit can be easily adjusted by the number of categories that you guide students through. Care should be taken, however, that students don’t work on too many categories at once.)
Divide goal dreams worksheets. Explain that their goals should be for themselves only; they cannot set a goal that implies someone’s behavior, but their own. However, they spend at least five minutes daydreaming about themselves about this category, imagining themselves in the most wonderful ways – grounded, delicious, and as perfect as imaginable. A 3-5 minute period of silence can be helpful for this activity. Then have students describe how she had imagined herself in this daydream about the goal dream worksheet. While this writing could alternatively be assigned as a journal, keeping this sheet with later, related target activities can be more helpful. Students must repeat the process with one or two additional categories of life.
Students then have to determine what part of their dream seems to be calling to them. They must complete the sentences, “The part of this daydream that most appeals to me is because… .” Encourage students to fully explore their feelings, writing in as much detail as possible, because they can use some of these ideas later when writing their personal goals.
When two or three goal dream sheets are completed, students must select the category they want to write goals for the first.
The next step is to help students identify a desire to form a goal. To do this, they need to look at the reasons why certain aspects of their daydreams appeal to them as well as daydreaming itself. For example, if a student dreamed of becoming a lifeguard, and decided that it would appeal to him because he would work outside, working outside the home could be more important to him than actually being a lifeguard. For example, students should spend some time thinking about what seems important. It can help students emphasize ideas that seem important.
Then they must also investigate which aspects of their daydreams seem far-fetched and which seem to be within the bounds of what is possible.While the folk wisdom that we should teach the youth that they can achieve anything if they want it bad enough, “bad enough” is rarely translated by teenagers over the years of dedicated work and determination. Instead, youth interpret this folk wisdom as meaning that if their desire is strong enough, minimal effort is all it takes.
So, when we present as role models, people who achieve unexpected performances such as Christopher Reeves directing films after nearly complete paralysis, we always have to describe the grueling work that came between the goal and it’s fulfillment.
Conducting the Dream without damaging the Dreamer
Another problem created by people embracing “You can do anything” is the tendency to ignore the requirement for superior intelligence, which cannot be created by willpower or diligence. Study this question subtly so as not to discourage students from having dreams, but remember that if you encourage students to set goals they have little chance of meeting you to rob them of the joys of achieving personal goals.
You can help students achieve realistic self-assessments without hurting their feelings when you point out that people are happiest when they work and play in terms of their interests and relative strengths. Discuss the concept of multiple intelligence so that students read the brief descriptions of each type of intelligence, highlighting the people they think have their strengths. This allows students with low intellectual ability to focus on an area of potential success without announcing that they are unable to do anything for which there is superior intelligence.
If you have time and resources for personality and interest stocks, these should be given at this time in the unit.
Remember, although most of us would like to be a unit on goal setting that includes a variety of assessments, career exploration, goal writing, planning and self-reinforcement, most of us also have packaged curricula to educate. Nevertheless, if the students practice several hours of purpose writing in many different classes together, maybe we can teach the students how to make their dreams come true.
When the students have summarized the results of the different evaluations on a summary or have simply decided that their area of strength is on a list of multiple intelligences, and they have chosen one of the goals they want to work first, they are ready to learn to write a specific, personal goal.
General goals are just the first step in making dreams come true. Once the students have established general goals and have identified what appeals to them, they should be taught to write specific goals the way winners do.
Teaching ideas students write specific goals
- Students need to be persuaded to make their goals known positively and are likely to say that they cannot say that they will “implement” a given goal because they are not sure they can. Tell them that, despite their reservations, it is essential that they use the words, “I will …” because the wording will affect their belief in their ability to influence the goal. Be persistent on this even to the point of saying they will not get credit for the assignment unless they follow your directions.
- Initially, some students will struggle to translate a general purpose into one that is specific and measurable. Class discussion is very helpful both in learning how to be specific and seeing a range of possible goals. Ask students to measure how that different goal could be measured for students who are struggling. This can also be done in cooperative learning teams.
- Estimating end date problems for many students. Just tell them to take a reasonable period to reach their goal and to be honest with themselves about when they plan to work with it. Since estimating the completion of the major goals is going to carry out the steps or sub-goals, students need the steps and the length of time to estimate them for each. This list will be used later to create a Gantt chart . Have students hold off at the beginning to work on the goal for a week to give you time to plan and reward techniques to teach.
- After listing the many steps required to achieve a goal, some students may decide that is too much trouble . It is helpful at this point to write down the benefits they expect to derive from fulfilling their purpose. It usually involves feelings about oneself. Make sure students are still excited about their goal. If she cannot regain their original enthusiasm, they have to start over with a new goal.
- If the goal involves several steps, creating a Gantt chart is useful and fun for students whether they use project software or fill in a chart by hand. Some students have a hard time with the concept of putting units of time over the top, so make sure to walk around and column headings of each student.
You may want your software to see if you have any project management programs because they can probably be used to create Gantt charts. The examples of Gantt charts found on the internet are not marked, so you might want to show students a simpler one done by hand or with software that makes grids, such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel. Better yet, if you could use a project management software because it is likely to be a strong motivator.
Once students have learned to write specific goals and plan subgoals on a Gantt chart, they should be ready for a lesson on his self-motivation and momentum retention.
Focusing on What’s Next
When the students have set goals, sub-goals and a timetable for completion, they are ready for the real thing: their behavior changes.
Since telling students that they can be daunting at the start of a difficult task, you should use your professional judgment to decide when to discuss the difficulties people face when trying to develop new patterns of behavior. Help them to see this opportunity as a challenge that can help successful people master. Targeting people who have overcome major challenges in their lives can also lead nicely into a unit of heroes.
Begin the lesson this third goal lesson by asking the students to dream their goal worksheet for the target area they are working on and review their goal writing worksheet. Then students lead through the steps on the Enforcement Motivation and Momentum worksheet. | <urn:uuid:f6d21277-2197-4686-af29-1cc15518155e> | CC-MAIN-2022-49 | https://improve-yourself.info/tips-for-goal-setting-with-elementary-students/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-49/segments/1669446711394.73/warc/CC-MAIN-20221209080025-20221209110025-00440.warc.gz | en | 0.969257 | 2,967 | 4.0625 | 4 |
STEP is an eLearning package developed by the HSE, providing slips and trips guidance through interactive learning.
It is an easy way to learn about slips and trips, how they are caused, why preventing them is important and how to tackle them. STEP includes quizzes, videos, animations, case studies and interactive sequences to enhance the learning experience.
Completing this package will help your understanding of slips and trips, but to reduce accidents you will also need to take action in your workplace.
The general course is suitable for many different industries. The four other courses have been specifically designed for Food Manufacturing, Hospitality & Catering, Education and the Health Services.
Each course contains three levels;
|Level||Time to Complete||Description|
|Introductory||15- 20mins||A short, snappy course, providing key information in an easy to understand and interactive format.|
|Intermediate||1 Hour||Several short lessons in simple English on key topics including footwear, flooring and assessing slip and trip risks.|
|Advanced||Varies dependant on which topics user needs to complete||Contains a number of detailed lessons, several of a technical nature e.g. classification of flooring, procurement of footwear, test methods. If fully completed users will develop an in depth knowledge of all topics or learn about specific topics.|
STEP is a free to use online tool. It sits on the HSE website.
When you start the STEP tool it will start by giving you a short demonstration (lasting 1 minute), showing you how to use the tool and how to interact with it. When using STEP for the first time we strongly recommend you watch the demonstration through to the end.
STEP replaces some of our previous priced publications - HSG 155 Slips and Trips: Guidance for employers on identifying hazards and controlling risks and HSG 156 Slips and trips: Guidance for the food processing industry.
STEP presents information usually contained in slips and trips guidance documents in a different way. It refers to and complements;-
Yes. You can either let people work through the selected level or alternatively, you can use the cascade presentations to train several people in one go.
All of the additional information you need to train others is available through the resources tab in the toolbar on both the ‘intermediate’ or ‘advanced levels’. (Also see the frequently asked questions for more information) | <urn:uuid:234f94f3-f75a-456f-bc10-4ab2278e4121> | CC-MAIN-2015-27 | http://www.hse.gov.uk/slips/step/index.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-27/segments/1435375091925.14/warc/CC-MAIN-20150627031811-00007-ip-10-179-60-89.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.910557 | 498 | 2.78125 | 3 |
Your homework tonight is to explain what ‘Accretion’ means and how this pro cress formed planets in our universe, 13 billion years ago.
You need to write at least 1 paragraph IN YOUR OWN WORDS. If you copy and paste you will have extra homework tomorrow. If you don’t understand just write anyway.
Watch the video again if you don’t understand. | <urn:uuid:1e29c5b9-297f-48d1-a66a-9d0e6851024f> | CC-MAIN-2019-43 | http://5and6w.global2.vic.edu.au/2014/09/02/accretion/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-43/segments/1570986707990.49/warc/CC-MAIN-20191020105426-20191020132926-00208.warc.gz | en | 0.855996 | 82 | 3.3125 | 3 |
Welcome to the MIT Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) web portal on water and sanitation projects in developing countries. Over the past eleven years, students, staff, and faculty have been working on issues of water and sanitation in developing countries, primarily through the Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) Degree program offered in the CEE Department. This website contains information and links to student theses, project reports, photos, WHO Household Treatment Network, and other useful resources focused on the development and improvement of water and sanitation in many countries.
The 9-month M.Eng. program is intended primarily for students planning to enter or re-enter professional practice; however, a few students continue for additional studies, including their Ph.D. The program involves coursework, group project work and a thesis. For students in the environmental engineering tract, the thesis is typically based on project work completed in the field during January.
The global community faces a tough challenge: to halve the number of people without access to improved water supply and sanitation by the year 2015. This bold objective, also known as one of the Millennium Development Goals, was again committed to by governments from around the world during the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg South Africa. UNICEF and the World Health Organization estimate that 884 million people lack access to improved drinking water supplies and 2.5 billion lack access to improved sanitation facilities, including 1.2 billion peole who have no sanitation facility whatsoever - click here for more information. Considering the Millennium Development Goals for water and sanitation, this works out to delivering improved water supply at a rate of ~100,000 people per day and improved sanitation facilities at ~200,000 people per day between the years 2000 and 2015. Can governments alone realistically meet these ambitious goals by the year 2015 through conventional centralized water supply and sanitation systems?
New approaches to delivering water and sanitation services, such as household water treatment, are gaining recognition within international development organizations. The World Health Organization, for example, recently published a report on Combatting Waterborne Disease at the Household Level and UNICEF sponsored an online virtual forum on Household Water Security in cooperation with WHO and the Network for Cost-effective Technologies in Water Supply and Sanitation. A recent statement issued by the United Nations Committee on Economic, Cultural, and Social Rights goes one step further by declaring water as a human right, which, taken into the context of the Millennium Development Goals, puts pressure on governments to live up to their commitment to halve the number of people without access to improved water supply and sanitation services by the year 2015. | <urn:uuid:767c97b3-a6b2-430f-8a37-f355d4cfb06b> | CC-MAIN-2015-35 | http://web.mit.edu/watsan/about.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-35/segments/1440645195983.63/warc/CC-MAIN-20150827031315-00317-ip-10-171-96-226.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94396 | 523 | 2.6875 | 3 |
On November 21, 2016, State Health Commissioner Marissa J. Levine, MD, MPH, FAAFP declared the Virginia opioid addiction crisis a Public Health Emergency. This declaration comes in response to the growing number of overdoses attributed to opioid use, including Carfentanil, a highly dangerous synthetic opioid. In light of the growing number of overdoses in Virginia, Virginia’s first responders are at risk for exposure of opioids in the line of duty. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) partnered with the University of Kentucky’s Central Appalachian Regional Education and Research Center (CARERC) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to assess the extent of exposure, health effects, and knowledge about protective measures to prevent exposure to opioid drugs among first responders.
In collaboration with the University of Kentucky, NIOSH, and local and regional partners, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has developed a survey instrument to assess the extent of exposure, health effects, and knowledge about protective measures to prevent exposure to opioid drugs. Participation is voluntary and we are hoping to collect all responses by March 1, 2018. The survey shouldn’t take more than 5-10 minutes and all responses are anonymous.
Opioid Exposure Among Virginia First Responders Survey: https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=HTDCPC3KW7
Fentanyl FAQs: Fentanyl Safety Information for First Responders | <urn:uuid:fb736bad-7311-4eab-adcf-afad3e86e2c0> | CC-MAIN-2018-17 | http://vsfa.org/opioid-exposure-among-virginia-first-responders-survey/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-17/segments/1524125946688.88/warc/CC-MAIN-20180424115900-20180424135900-00290.warc.gz | en | 0.886619 | 305 | 2.734375 | 3 |
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On January 8, 2002, President George W. Bush signed the Leave No Child Behind Act, enacting legislation that infuses the federal government into public education more than ever before as it attempts to increase —and accurately measure—the educational achievement of American students. The Leave No Child Behind Act requires that America’s public school children be administered standardized tests in reading and math and that all schools be held accountable for student performance. It would also allow government vouchers to fund the private education of students from failing public schools and would hold teachers to stricter educational standards.
Many argue that the emphasis on academic testing will divert attention from other developmental and social needs of children that have long been a focus of schools. Vouchers could drain the very funds needed to improve public education. Stricter teacher training might further deplete the ranks of a profession already losing many of its best and brightest.
One month after the signing of this historic piece of educational legislation, over 600 policy makers, teachers, researchers and parents met at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina to discuss this law and other important issues affecting schoolchildren today.
Duke University’s historic Education Leadership Summit in February 2002 provided the unique opportunity to view the evolution of the U.S. Department of Education through the eyes of those who served as its leaders – bringing together, for the first time, the current U.S. Secretary of Education along with four former U.S. Secretaries of Education to discuss issues in education policy. The focal point of the Educational Leadership Summit was the secretaries of education roundtable to both debate the sweeping changes in the nation’s educational system and answer questions put to them by Summit participants.
The spirited discussion that followed, not only sized up the current President’s often-controversial legislation, but also the spotlighted the current state of education in the United States through the issues of accountability, character education, teacher shortages, minority achievement gaps and global education. The result is an insightful, spirited look at American public education.
Hosted by Kenneth A. Dodge, director of the Duke University Center for Child and Family Policy, and Ann Denlinger, superintendent of Durham Public Schools, UNC-TV’s hour-long program Education Leadership Summit: Leave No Child Behind captures all five of the participating secretaries reflecting on the chief issues of their respective tenures and recent educational legislation. From school vouchers to global educational issues, this informative production yields historical perspectives, pressing challenges and future recommendations on many of the subjects affecting America’s teachers, parents, students and schools.
Celebrated education policymaker and former four-term North Carolina Governor James Hunt moderates the roundtable discussion with Secretary William J. Bennett (U.S. Secretary of Education, 1985 - 1988), Secretary Lauro F. Cavazos (U.S. Secretary of Education, 1988 - 1990), Secretary Lamar Alexander (U.S. Secretary of Education, 1991 – 1993), Secretary Richard W. Wiley (U.S. Secretary of Education, 1993 – 2001), and current U.S. Secretary of Education Roderick Paige. | <urn:uuid:c9f81e43-6db7-4051-b83f-b06043866dba> | CC-MAIN-2014-41 | http://www.unctv.org/content/ELS | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2014-41/segments/1410657114204.83/warc/CC-MAIN-20140914011154-00005-ip-10-196-40-205.us-west-1.compute.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942616 | 662 | 2.96875 | 3 |
The Arrival of St. Euphemia's Relics
Church of St. Euphemia, Rovinj, Croatia
On the island of Lemnos the people pull St. Euphemia's tomb out of the sea. A legend says that the tomb had been tossed into the sea in Constantinople by 8th-century Iconoclasts but then miraculously floated to Lemnos.
Read more about images of St. Euphemia.
Source: Klaus-Dieter Keller via this page at Wikimedia Commons. | <urn:uuid:b54787d0-c3ee-48c0-95f0-6a9d3169e650> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://christianiconography.info/Wikimedia%20Commons/euphemiaSarcophagusRovinj.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510284.49/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927071345-20230927101345-00862.warc.gz | en | 0.917731 | 115 | 2.8125 | 3 |
While much attention is focused on genetically modified foods and the debate over their safety, fewer people are aware that many other genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and cells are in development. These genetic modifications include new crops and food products, but also trees that have been wiped out by disease, animals altered to produce useful products and microorganisms engineered to combat cancer. Shahid Naeem, director of the Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability, and Matt Palmer, senior lecturer at Columbia University’s Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, offer their perspective on these new developments.
Chestnut tree forests once extended from Maine to Florida, but the American chestnut was decimated by chestnut blight in the first half of the 1900s. The Forest Health Initiative is attempting to restore the chestnut through genetic modification. The symptoms of chestnut blight are caused by oxalic acid released by a fungus that attacks the tree.
Scientists at the State University of New York in Syracuse transferred a wheat gene that encodes an enzyme that neutralizes oxalic acid, as well as disease resistant genes from Chinese chestnut trees, to the American chestnut to give it blight resistance. The strategy could provide a model for restoring other trees that have been wiped out or are struggling to survive, such as the American elm, ash and eastern hemlock.
“I’m very much in support of saving trees that are on their way out and bringing them back,” says Palmer, “because I feel we have a certain moral obligation to the species, especially when the causes of its decline are linked to us. … And I have a little more comfort doing genetic modification for restoration or conservation purposes, because it’s basically done by academic and government scientists. I think the peer review system through which these things are going to be operating, as opposed to the profit-driven system, would more easily reveal the risks and address them.”
ArborGen, a commercial forestry company, has used genetic modification to produce a eucalyptus tree that is more advantageous to the paper and wood pellet industries. Lignin, a component of plants that provides structure, must be removed during the manufacturing process to improve the quality of paper. ArborGen has altered the balance of the two types of lignin in eucalyptus trees to make it easier to remove and yet still available for energy production. It has also developed a freeze-tolerant eucalyptus tree so that the tropical tree can be grown in the southeastern U.S., expanding its potential growing area four-fold.
Cellulosic ethanol, considered the next generation of biofuel, can be made from sugar in the cell walls of plants, but cellulose, the main component of plant cell walls, is tightly bound up with lignin in trees. Scientists at Purdue University genetically modified the lignin composition of poplar trees so that the cellulose can be more easily separated from the lignin. In addition, the amount of plant growth hormone has been reduced so that trees can be planted closer together to enhance productivity.
A recent report by the Center for Food Safety cites concerns that GM trees consume double the amount of water as normal trees, spread seeds and pollen over long distances, and require large amounts of fertilizer and pesticide. If wild trees interbreed with GM trees, they could become more vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Palmer is also concerned that if a GMO escapes into the wild and has some competitive advantage, it will increase over time, producing potentially unmanageable, unintended consequences. “Once the genie is out of the bottle, you can’t put it back in,” says Palmer, “But I don’t draw a bright line that says you shouldn’t be messing with nature because we’ve been doing it all along, and in some ways, we have an obligation to do better with what we have. We’ve already converted these lands, so isn’t it better to get more productivity out of the lands we’ve already converted than to continue to convert more lands? “
Scientists at Utah State University inserted the gene for spider silk from golden orb spiders into goat DNA, producing an animal whose milk contains the protein for spider silk.
Spider silk is lightweight, stronger and more elastic than any manmade material, and its thermal conductivity is comparable to copper. The silk proteins in the goats’ milk are dried, dissolved and then spun into microfibers which have the potential to be used medically for artificial ligaments, tendons and eye sutures, as well as for bullet-proof vests, high fashion clothing, car airbags, electronics and applications in space. Scientists are also researching engineering the spider silk gene into alfalfa plants, silk worms and even bacteria.
“There are legitimate concerns about genetic modification,” says Naeem. “But we often don’t know what the actual risk is…what is actually the risk if the gene for silk production jumps from the goat to the cow? …Is it going to be far more cost effective and valuable to the silk industry to have silk genes put into goats? There’s a lot of excitement in being able to do that, but really is the actual benefit worth it?”
At the Roslin Institute near Edinburgh, Scotland, the gene in hens responsible for ovalbumin, a protein in egg white, was modified with human genes that encode for the production of complex human proteins. The hens then lay eggs containing medicinal proteins with the potential to treat malignant melanoma, arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Theoretically, hens could be genetically modified to produce medicines for diseases such as Parkinson’s, diabetes and cancer as well.
Passenger pigeons were once widespread in the U.S., but by 1914, they had become extinct due to over-hunting. The Long Now Foundation aims to restore the species by inserting DNA from museum specimens into the band-tailed pigeon.
The strategy is to gradually modify a related species through genetic modification, though scientists are unsure how much passenger pigeon DNA, for example, would be necessary to do it. This is just one of several animal “de-extinction” projects going on around the world.
Olive flies, the main pest of olive crops, have become increasingly resistant to pesticides. To reduce the olive fly population, Oxitec, a British biotech company, genetically modified male olive flies so that when they mate, they pass along a gene that causes female offspring to die in the larval stage. The male offspring do not die, and can pass the gene along to the next generation. Oxitec applied for permission to test the GM olive flies in Spain, but in December, withdrew its application in order to conduct more research on the effects of the GM flies on its predators and parasites.
In assessing this form of pest control, “You have to compare the alternative,” says Palmer. “Is the alternative that you lose the olive industry? Is it that you spray a lot of chemical pesticides that we know are breeding resistance, affect our water quality and are having impacts on non-target organisms? The nice thing about using GM pests to fight pests is that the olive flies are only going to breed with other olive flies.”
To combat dengue fever, a disease affecting over 100 million people worldwide that has no known vaccine, researchers at the University of Oxford genetically modified the male mosquito that spreads the disease to stall the insect’s development at the larval stage. To develop further, the offspring of the GM mosquitoes require the antibiotic tetracycline, which they cannot get naturally from their habitat. In the wild, the GM mosquitoes mate with females, but their offspring never develop beyond larvae, which eventually reduces the population. Oxitec has conducted successful field trials in Brazil ,Malaysia and the Cayman Islands; Florida, which had 22 local cases of dengue fever this year, is considering releasing the GM mosquitoes at a test site if FDA approval is granted.
California-based Amyris is genetically modifying yeast and other microorganisms to produce spices, flavorings and fragrances that have traditionally only been obtainable from exotic plants. The process is similar to brewing beer, but instead of producing alcohol, the yeast produces Biofene, a customized hydrocarbon that provides the basis for cosmetics, flavors, fragrances, and even drugs, jet fuel and rubber. Amyris’s robotic systems rejigger yeast DNA, by design as well as randomly, producing over 1,500 new GMOs a day. The company has already manufactured artemisinin, a malaria remedy traditionally harvested from the sweet wormwood plant; pills are being distributed globally.
In another attempt to combat malaria, scientists at the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute in Maryland genetically modified a bacterium found in mosquitoes so that it secretes proteins lethal to the malaria parasite. In a study, the number of mosquitoes with the malaria parasite decreased by 84 percent.
Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health genetically modified two bacteria in tsetse flies to be resistant to the parasite that causes sleeping sickness. When both are transmitted to the next generation, the GM tsetse flies infiltrate the fly population, and provided that the GM flies comprise 85 percent of the tsetse fly population in the area, the incidence of sleeping sickness declines.
PaxVax, a U.S. vaccine company, has developed a cholera vaccine containing a GM cholera bacterium that doesn’t produce the toxins or reproduce the cholera bacteria; people don’t get sick, but do develop immunity. One trial of the GM cholera vaccine found that a single dose resulted in an immune response in 90 percent of the recipients. The company recently applied to Australia’s government to test the vaccine there.
Biofilms, which occur when bacteria stick to each other in a sheet, are found in hospitals and are often resistant to antibiotics. Scientists at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University genetically modified the bacterium E. coli (most strains of it are not harmful) to secrete anti-bacterial chains of amino acid molecules when it comes into contact with P. aeruginosa, the bacterium that often causes biofilms and sepsis in hospitals.
The E. coli is also armed with an enzyme that breaks up biofilms and is programmed to go after P. aeruginosa when they are linking up. Most antibiotics destroy both good and bad microbes, but the GM E. coli can target specific harmful microbes. Other scientists are working on GM E.coli to seek out and attack cancer cells.
A team from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has genetically modified T cells (a type of white blood cell involved in immunity) into super T cells to combat cancer. The T cells are removed from a patient’s blood, given a receptor that recognizes a protein found on the surface of most leukemia cells and a mechanism that prompts the T cell to proliferate once it finds its target. The super T cells are then injected back into the patient to fight the cancer. In trials of 59 patients with lymphocytic leukemia who had exhausted other treatment options, 26, including 19 children, became cancer-free.
According to the New Yorker Magazine, it took over a decade and $3 billion to sequence the first human genome, but in the years since, the price has been dropping dramatically. This rapid development of the technology has enabled scientists around the world to experiment with many applications of genetic modification.
The public needs to be aware of these developments, but need we be afraid of them? Palmer believes that GMOs offer benefits such as productivity and disease resistance, and may have advantages that promote conservation, public health and adaptation to climate change. The facts are that the evidence is strong for many of the advantages they offer, he says, while the disadvantages and risks are still more hypothetical than realized.
“Life is full of risks and concerns,” says Naeem, “yet we don’t do anything about them. … For example, we know that some of the many food additives we put into food are carcinogens. Climate change is an enormous problem, but we don’t seem to be rising to the challenge. The risks in GMOs can be very real, but they’re so unknown. … Especially at a time of upheaval when climate is changing, habitat is fragmenting, the world is changing yearly in ways that are hard to know, it makes it even more difficult to figure out what the risks will be.”
On the other hand, “You’re never going to prove that something is absolutely safe,” says Palmer. “Science never gets you there. You use evidence to evaluate risk. If we were only going to do things that were 100 percent safe, we would have no medicine, we would have no transportation infrastructure, we wouldn’t be living life as we know it. … The most important plea I’d make for genetic modification is for there to be an honest discussion about its risks.” | <urn:uuid:48ff0815-a0b8-4aac-8485-ea67f60dc678> | CC-MAIN-2014-49 | http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2014/01/13/genetic-modifications-you-may-not-know-about/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2014-49/segments/1416931006637.79/warc/CC-MAIN-20141125155646-00154-ip-10-235-23-156.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951501 | 2,735 | 3.34375 | 3 |
McMaster University researchers have established in lab settings that a novel combination of two forms of immunotherapy can be highly effective for treating lung cancer, which causes more deaths than any other form of cancer.
The new treatment, yet to be tested on patients, uses one form of therapy to kill a significant number of lung tumor cells, while triggering changes to the tumor that enable the second therapy to finish the job.
The first therapy employs suppressed “natural killer” immune cells by extracting them from patients’ tumours or blood and supercharging them for three weeks. The researchers condition the cells by expanding and activating them using tumour-like feeder cells to improve their effectiveness before sending them back into battle against notoriously challenging lung tumors.
The supercharged cells are very effective on their own, but in combination with another form of treatment called checkpoint blockade therapy, create a potentially revolutionary treatment.
“We’ve found that re-arming lung cancer patients’ natural killer immune cells acts as a triple threat against lung cancer,” explains Sophie Poznanski, the McMaster PhD student and CIHR Vanier Scholar who is lead author of a new paper in the British Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer.
“First, these highly activated cells are able to kill tumour cells efficiently. Second, in doing so, they also reactivate tumour killing by exhausted immune cells within the patients’ tumours. And third, they release factors that sensitize patients’ tumours to another immunotherapy called immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
“As a result, we’ve found that the combination of these two therapies induces robust tumour destruction against patient tumours that are initially non-responsive to therapy.”
Previous breakthroughs in checkpoint blockade therapy had earned Japanese researcher Tasuku Honjo and American immunologist James Allison the 2018 Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology.
Checkpoint blockade therapy works by unlocking cancer’s defence against the body’s natural immune response. The therapy can be highly effective in resolving even advanced cases of lung cancer – but it only works in about 10 per cent of patients who receive it.
The research team, featuring 10 authors in total, has shown that the supercharged immune cells, when deployed, release an agent that breaks down tumors’ resistance to checkpoint blockade therapy, allowing it to work on the vast majority of lung-cancer patients whose tumors would otherwise resist the treatment.
Once activated, the natural killer cells are able to secrete inflammatory factors that help enhance the target of the blockchain that the other immunotherapy treats.
“We needed to find a one-two punch to dismantle the hostile lung tumor environment,” says Ali Ashkar, a professor of Medicine and a Canada Research Chair who is Poznanski’s research supervisor and the corresponding author on the paper. “Not only is this providing a new treatment for hard-to-treat lung cancer tumors with the natural killer cells, but that treatment also converts the patients who are not responsive to PD1-blockade therapy into highly responsive candidates for this effective treatment”.
Such progress is possible because of the close collaboration among clinical practitioners and lab-based researchers at McMaster and its partner institutions, Ashkar says.
He said the team’s clinical practitioners, who work with cancer patients every day, provided critical wisdom and collected vital samples from patients at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Ashkar says those clinicians’ insights and the samples were integral to the research.
Co-author Yaron Shargall, a professor in and chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at McMaster’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and a thoracic surgeon at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, says the promising outcome is the result of close links between basic science and clinical medicine.
“It was successful mostly due to the facts that the two groups have spent long hours together, discussing potential ways of combining forces and defining a linkage between a highly specific basic science technology and a very practical clinical, day-to-day dilemmas,” he said. “This led to a flawless collaboration which resulted in a very elegant, potentially practice-changing, study.”
The researchers are now working to organize a human clinical trial of the combined therapies, a process that could be under way within months, since both immunotherapies have already been approved for individual use. | <urn:uuid:60517c4f-4a96-4d74-b16a-a4f6e50b42dd> | CC-MAIN-2021-10 | https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/news-events/news/news-article/2021/01/22/new-combination-of-immunotherapies-shows-great-promise-for-treating-lung-cancer | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-10/segments/1614178367183.21/warc/CC-MAIN-20210303165500-20210303195500-00173.warc.gz | en | 0.9373 | 915 | 2.90625 | 3 |
Self-esteem is what we think of ourselves.
When it’s positive, we have confidence and self-respect. We’re content with ourselves and our abilities, in who we are and our competence. Self-esteem is relatively stable and enduring, though it can fluctuate. Healthy self-esteem makes us resilient and hopeful about life.
Self-Esteem Impacts Everything
Self-esteem affects not only what we think, but also how we feel and behave. It and has significant ramifications for our happiness and enjoyment of life. It considerably affects events in our life, including our relationships, our work and goals, and how we care for ourselves and our children.
Although difficult events, such as a breakup, illness, or loss of income, may in the short term moderate our self-esteem, we soon rebound to think positively about ourselves and our future. Even when we fail, it doesn’t take diminish our self-esteem.
People with healthy self-esteem credit themselves when things go right, and when they don’t, they consider external causes and also honestly evaluate their mistakes and shortcomings. Then they improve upon them.
Healthy vs. Impaired Self-Esteem
I prefer to use the terms healthy and impaired self-esteem, rather than high and low, because narcissists and conceited individuals who appear to have high self-esteem, actually don’t. Their’s is inflated, compensates for shame and insecurity, and is often unrelated to reality.
Boasting is an example, because it indicates that the person is dependent on others’ opinion of them and reveals impaired rather than healthy self-esteem. Thus, healthy self-esteem requires that we’re able to honestly and a realistically assess our strengths and weaknesses. We’re not too concerned about others’ opinions of us. When we accept our flaws without judgment, our self-acceptance goes beyond self-esteem.
Impaired self-esteem negatively impacts our ability to manage adversity and life’s disappointments. All of our relationships are affected, including our relationship with ourselves. When our self-esteem is impaired, we feel insecure, compare ourselves to others, and doubt and criticize ourselves. We neither recognize our worth, nor honor and express our needs and wants.
Instead, we may self-sacrifice, defer to others, or try to control them and/or their feelings toward us to feel better about ourselves. For example, we might people-please, manipulate, or devalue them, provoke jealousy, or restrict their association with others. Consciously or unconsciously, we devalue ourselves, including our positive skills and attributes, making us hyper-sensitive to criticism. We may also be afraid to try new things, because we might fail.
Symptoms of Healthy and Impaired Self-Esteem
The following chart lists symptoms that reflect healthy vs. impaired self-esteem. Remember that self-esteem varies on a continuum. It’s not black or white. You may relate to some, but not all.
Healthy Self Esteem
|Know you’re okay||Feel not enough; always improving yourself|
|Know you have value and matter||Lack self-worth and value; feel unimportant|
|Feel competent and confident||Doubt self, feel incompetent, and afraid to risk|
|Like yourself||Judge and dislike yourself|
|Exhibit honesty and integrity||Please, hide, and agree with others|
|Trust yourself||Indecisive, ask others’ opinions|
|Accept praise||Deflect or distrust praise|
|Accept attention||Avoid, dislike attention|
|Are self-responsible; honor self||Discount feelings, wants, or needs|
|Have internal locus of control||Need others’ guidance or approval|
|Self-efficacy to pursue goals||Afraid to start and do things|
|Have self-respect||Allow abuse; put others first|
|Have self-compassion||Self-judgment, self-loathing|
|Happy for others good fortune||Envy and compare yourself to others|
|Acceptance of others||Judge others|
|Satisfied in relationships||Unhappy in relationships|
|Assertive||Defer to others, indirect and afraid to express yourself|
|Optimistic||Feel anxious and pessimistic|
|Welcome feedback||Defensive of real or perceived criticism| | <urn:uuid:df7a51eb-324c-4a2d-be5d-331d78ba51fa> | CC-MAIN-2020-05 | https://themindsjournal.com/what-is-self-esteem/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-05/segments/1579250599789.45/warc/CC-MAIN-20200120195035-20200120224035-00070.warc.gz | en | 0.927789 | 927 | 3.171875 | 3 |
Newspapers have reported on a prosthetic brain implant with the potential to help treat people with memory loss. This device is being developed with funding from DARPA (the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency) to help soldiers with memory loss, but the news reports say that it could also be used to treat people with dementia. Here we look at the research behind the headlines in more detail.
What is this brain implant and how could it work?
People with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia often have problems with their short-term memory. While they may be able to recall events from long ago, they can struggle to remember things that happened yesterday. This is because they have damage to an area of the brain called the hippocampus, which plays an essential role in the creation of new memories.
When we make a memory, our senses such as sight, sound and touch generate electrical signals which are processed in the hippocampus and passed out into other areas of the brain for long-term storage. In theory, this implant would work by allowing the signals to bypass the damaged hippocampus and be processed artificially into a signal that can be committed to memory.
What research has been done?
Over the last decade, researchers in the US have made electrical recordings from the animal hippocampus and used it to model the complex processes that occur when a new memory is formed. They were then able to deliver electrical signals generated by the model back in to the brain of primates and found it could enhance their memory performance.
Human memories are much more complicated than those of rodents and primates. In their latest work the researchers have recorded from the brains of 9 people and used it to develop a computer model of how the human hippocampus forms memories. The next steps will be to design an implant device that can send electrical signals into the human brain and test it in people with a damaged hippocampus.
What does it mean for people with dementia?
In recent years there has been much interest in brain implants for people with paralysis to help them to regain movement, but this is the first time we’ve heard about implants being developed to help restore memory. Whilst it is exciting that such cutting edge techniques are being applied to the problem of memory loss, it is important to realise that this research is still in its infancy and there is still a great deal that we don’t understand about memory formation.
It will take at least a decade or more for these implants to be further developed and tested in people with damage to their hippocampus. If the implants were found to work for people with dementia, they would only treat memory symptoms and not other symptoms of dementia such as visual disturbances or changes in behaviour, which are caused by damage to other areas of the brain. The implants would not cure dementia nor would they stop the condition from progressing. | <urn:uuid:32fd4dd6-3e8a-4243-b69d-8a075602147a> | CC-MAIN-2017-13 | https://blog.alzheimers.org.uk/research/science-behind-the-headlines-brain-implant-could-help-people-with-memory-loss/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-13/segments/1490218189403.13/warc/CC-MAIN-20170322212949-00510-ip-10-233-31-227.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971307 | 566 | 3.46875 | 3 |
While squirrels snuggle up to hibernate through frosty winters, some frogs and toads estivate to escape unbearably hot and dry summers. Cocooned underground during the heatwave, they fast for months and emerge to feast when the monsoons start. Curious about the digestive consequences of estivation,Stephen Secor examined whether three estivating anuran species show different responses to fasting and feeding than their non-estivating relatives(p. 2595).
Estivating frogs and toads face the same metabolic challenges as sit-and-wait predatory snakes, which often go without a meal for a long time. These snakes have a simple solution to save energy and survive longer on their limited energy stores; they simply shrivel up their guts while they're fasting and then pump them up again when they get lucky and snare a hapless victim. Do estivating anurans do the same thing?
To find out, Secor compared the digestive action of estivating and non-estivating frogs and toads after they wolfed down a meal following a two-week fast. When the three estivating species devoured newborn rats, he noticed a spectacular doubling of intestine mass and a 6- to 10-fold surge in their guts' nutrient uptake. But the non-estivating species' response was less impressive; Secor saw a modest 50% increase in intestine mass and a 69%increase in nutrient uptake. When he triggered estivation by dehydrating two of the estivating species, he saw that after one month of estivation their gut mass had dropped by 44% and their nutrient uptake by 60%. Secor concludes that estivating anurans have adopted the same strategy as sit-and-wait snakes to save precious energy while they wait for conditions to improve. | <urn:uuid:61ceed2a-720c-4aaf-bd5b-ca7525029907> | CC-MAIN-2022-40 | https://cob.silverchair.com/jeb/article-split/208/13/iii/15652/FASTING-FROGS | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-40/segments/1664030335362.18/warc/CC-MAIN-20220929163117-20220929193117-00618.warc.gz | en | 0.943544 | 365 | 3.328125 | 3 |
Although there are a number of Irish saints commemorated on July 11, I found myself interested in the noting on some of our native calendars of the feast of the Translation of the Relics of Saint Benedict. Although the major feast of the father of western monasticism fell on the day of his natalis, March 21, at which date it was recorded in the Martyrology of Aengus, the Martyrology also commemorated the second feastday of Saint Benedict, that of the translation of his relics, on July 11. I was struck by how Saint Aengus the Martyrologist brings together the saints of the East, the West and of Ireland on this day, for the entry sandwiches 'Benedict, a strong pillar' between the names of the Great Martyr Euphemia and a local saint, Failbe, from Dísert maic Con-lócha in County Westmeath:
C. v. idus Iulii.
La martrai na rígnae
Benedicht, bale áge,
macc craíbdech Con-lógae.
11. With the martyrdom of the queen,
Euphemia the hostful,
Benedict, a strong pillar,
Cu-lógae's devout son.
The scholiast comment is simply this: Benedict, i.e. caput monachorum etc.
The later Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, written in the 12th century, spells out the title of the feastday:
11. C.Canon O'Hanlon has a short paragraph in Volume 7 of The Lives of the Irish Saints too:
Translait cuirp in clerigh
Benedict as mbage.
The translation of the body of the cleric
Benedict whom thou proclaims.
Translation of St. Benedict's Relics.
In the "Leabhar Breac" copy of the "Feilire," by St. Aengus, there is a record of St. Benedict's festival, at the 11th of July. Furthermore, a scholion informs us, that he was Benedict, the Father of Monks. Usuard and other ancient Martyrologists have it as the festival for a Translation of his relics, as the Bollandists note at this day. They refer, however, to his chief feast, at the 21st of March for an exhaustive illustration of his Acts. Also, in Usuard is to be found, at this same date, a Translation of the relics of his sister Scholastica, whose chief festival and Acts are noticed, on the 10th of February.
Content Copyright © Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae 2012-2015. All rights reserved. | <urn:uuid:3cab3ba2-f468-4156-985f-9bfc97098249> | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | https://www.omniumsanctorumhiberniae.com/2015/07/a-strong-pillar.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947474653.81/warc/CC-MAIN-20240226062606-20240226092606-00003.warc.gz | en | 0.955874 | 579 | 2.578125 | 3 |
Convenience foods fill the shelves of the modern day's kitchens. With no time to cook fresh food, consumers are opting for the "ready to cook" and "ready to eat varieties" of food. It occupies a major chunk of the diet of an individual. From cereals to fruit juices, the processed convenience food varieties available in the super markets have really simplified our lives in the kitchen. Processing of these food not only decreases the cooking/ processing time, but also increases the shelf life of the products. The colours and flavours added to these products enrich the sensorial appeal of the product and increases the varieties.
Though consumers encourage the concept of convenience foods, increasing consumer awareness on healthy dietary practices is impacting the convenience food market. Consumers have started realizing the importance of reading labels in order to opt for healthier food choices. Despite the advantages of convenience foods, consumers feel that processed foods are not ideal choices because of the added food additives that are unhealthy to the human system and the diminished nutritional quality of the product. Manufacturers are hence identifying ways to promote their products with a "healthy tagline". One such successful technique is fortification of the product with lost nutrients and additional nutrients. Products are being fortified with vital nutrients such as dietary fibre, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Convenience foods are also being fortified with functional ingredients such as catechins, beta glucan, whey, carotenoids and flavonoids. The latest trend is fortifying a product with nutrients that cater to improve a single condition, such as juice to improve bone health- fortified with nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus and collagen.
It is always wise to read the labels of the packaged food items that are picked from supermarkets. This practice enables us to make wise and healthy choice of food products. Including convenience food in the diet rarely is acceptable, but replacing it with wholesome fresh food is never advisable. Hence try to include natural fresh food more and limit your consumption of processed food products. | <urn:uuid:a97620f5-9cea-4ff4-869a-600e6a9076aa> | CC-MAIN-2018-22 | http://e-magazine.hexagonnutrition.com/convenience-foods.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-22/segments/1526794870771.86/warc/CC-MAIN-20180528024807-20180528044807-00253.warc.gz | en | 0.947018 | 404 | 2.75 | 3 |
Nothing makes computer work faster than keyboard shortcuts. And, it is the rare student who doesn’t claim them as their own and pass on to friends their favorites.
Here’s the lesson:
If the lesson plans are blurry, click on them for a full size alternative.
–Click for a complete K-8 keyboarding curriculum
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-8 technology for 15 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, CSG Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, anAmazon Vine Voice book reviewer, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, CAEP reviewer, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and a weekly contributor to TeachHUB. You can find her resources at Structured Learning. | <urn:uuid:5aeee0e3-d4d5-434c-8425-26cb9a988130> | CC-MAIN-2016-44 | http://askatechteacher.com/2010/09/15/102-23-favorite-keyboard-shortcuts/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-44/segments/1476988719815.3/warc/CC-MAIN-20161020183839-00540-ip-10-171-6-4.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.928179 | 193 | 2.53125 | 3 |
In my last blog post, I discussed how many professionals feel that time out is not beneficial for children. Overall, there has been a great shift in the understanding of children and their development. We now know so much about the way children’s minds develop and the importance of bonding with their parents.
As parents, our goal is to create a healthy, secure attachment with our children, where we respond to our child’s needs and wants. From their parents, children learn about having relationships with others, and developing social skills and empathy. Simply, it is the relationship through which all other relationships are defined.
That is why discipline, or rather the way we teach our children about behavior, is so very important. When I work with parents, I like to move away from using discipline and instead focus on how parenting is about teaching appropriate behavior.
I find “positive discipline” the best way to think about parenting. Positive behavior is about parents modeling appropriate behavior to children so that they learn to use these behaviors. For instance, if we yell when we get upset then they learn to yell when they are upset. It is really that simple.
When we interact with our children keep these tips in mind:
- Remember to connect with them on their level
- Take time to play with them and enter their creative world by following their lead
- Incorporate your children in the creation of household routines
- Provide limited choices and give them opportunities to help
- Be respectful of them
- Use humor and enjoy your time with them by getting to know them and their world
- Be firm and kind but remember that children are still developing language abilities so limit your language and the use of words. Try to use if/then statements so you are clear with your children
- Be patient
Parenting is one of the hardest aspects of life but it can also be the most rewarding. That said it is not easy. It’s important to remember that we all make mistakes and one of the greatest lessons we can teach our children is how to apologize. If you have a stressful moment with your child, go ahead and apologize. Let them know in a genuine way that you are sorry and that you love them and will love them always. This is a wonderful way to model appropriate ways of handling stress and anger. | <urn:uuid:25ed937c-21c3-4be9-993b-3725a2b8225b> | CC-MAIN-2021-25 | https://edithschatz.com/being-a-positive-discipline-parent/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-25/segments/1623487611089.19/warc/CC-MAIN-20210613222907-20210614012907-00291.warc.gz | en | 0.962195 | 473 | 3.4375 | 3 |
Mother who fought Monsanto wins global environmental prize
By Ken Roseboro
Published: May 1, 2012
A mother whose infant died as a result of pesticide poisoning, Sofía Gatica is organizing local women to stop indiscriminate spraying of toxic agrochemicals in neighboring soy fields. Gatica was recently awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize in recognition of her courageous and successful efforts.
In 1999, Sofia Gatica gave birth to a daughter, but three days later the baby’s kidneys failed. The working-class mother of three was determined to find out what killed her child. She began talking to her neighbors in Ituzaingó, a working-class neighborhood of 6,000 in central Argentina surrounded by soy fields, and became alarmed at the prevalence of unexplained health problems plaguing her community.
Argentina is the world’s third largest exporter of soybeans. Every year, the industry spreads over 50 million gallons of pesticides—namely glyphosate, the key ingredient in Monsanto’s widely-used herbicide Roundup, and endosulfan—through aerial spraying over farmland.
Both pesticides are highly toxic despite Monsanto’s claim that glyphosate poses no risks to humans. A 2008 scientific study found that even at low concentrations, glyphosate causes the death of human cells. Endosulfan has been banned in 80 countries because of its threats to human health and the environment.
Launched “Stop Spraying” campaign
Gatica discussed the pesticide problems with her neighbors and co-founded the Mothers of Ituzaingó—a group of 16 mothers working together to put a stop to the indiscriminate agrochemical use that was poisoning their community.
Gatica and her group began going door to door to conduct the first epidemiological study of the area. They found that Ituzaingó residents reported cancer rates that were 41 times the national average, as well as high rates of neurological and respiratory diseases, birth defects, and infant mortality.
With the findings confirming their worst fears, the Mothers of Ituzaingó launched a “Stop Spraying” campaign with environmental groups in Argentina. They held press conferences, demonstrations, and published materials to warn the public about the dangers of pesticides. Gatica also met with research institutions to request scientific studies to confirm what she had observed in Ituzaingó.
Gatica and the Mothers of Ituzaingó faced an uphill battle, having very few resources or any direct access to demand accountability from Monsanto, DuPont, and other global agrochemical companies operating in Argentina. They also endured insults and threats from individuals, police officers, and local business owners in Ituzaingó. In 2007, an individual entered Gatica’s house and demanded that she give up the campaign while pointing a revolver at her.
Pesticide spraying banned near populated areas
Despite these challenges, Gatica and the mothers’ advocacy has had resounding effects. In 2008, the president of Argentina ordered the minister of health to investigate the impact of pesticide use in Ituzaingó and a resulting study conducted by the Department of Medicine at Buenos Aires University corroborated the mothers’ door-to-door research linking pesticide exposure to public health. Gatica subsequently succeeded in getting a municipal ordinance passed that prohibited aerial spraying in Ituzaingó at distances of less than 2,500 meters (8200 feet) from residences. A 2010 ruling from the Supreme Court not only banned agrochemical spraying near populated areas, but also reversed the burden of proof—instead of residents proving that spraying causes harm, the government and soy producers must now prove the chemicals are safe.
Other municipalities in Argentina have reached out to Gatica for help addressing similar problems in their neighborhoods. Recognizing the extent of the issue, Gatica is working with the Stop Spraying campaign to ban all aerial spraying in Argentina and create buffer zones so that agrochemicals are not used in close proximity to residential areas and waterways. With Argentina’s ban on endosulfan going into effect in July 2013, Gatica and her colleagues are pushing for a nationwide ban on glyphosate as well.
“As mothers we want to hold the government and the responsible companies accountable for the harm they do to our children,” Gatica says.
(Source: Goldman Environmental Prize)
© Copyright The Organic & Non-GMO Report, May 2012
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- Traceability/Identity Preservation | <urn:uuid:fa5c7a4f-2667-4769-b140-cb949729082f> | CC-MAIN-2017-04 | http://non-gmoreport.com/articles/may2012/motherfoughtMonsantowinsglobal.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-04/segments/1484560280761.39/warc/CC-MAIN-20170116095120-00296-ip-10-171-10-70.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943891 | 1,069 | 2.84375 | 3 |
Experts Say What Happens In The Arctic Affects Norfolk Flooding
Parts of Hampton Roads have been swamped by rain this week.
Regardless of rain or shine, many parts of southeast Virginia have a flooding problem, affecting communities and military readiness. The College of William & Mary Center for Climate and Security has been using small conferences to bring experts together to tackle the problem.
In June, Defense Secretary James Mattis expressed concern over melting ice in the Arctic. "Certainly America's gotta up its game in the Arctic. There's no doubt about that. It's cited as an area of national concern with our national security strategy," Mattis told a conference in Williamsburg. "We have waterways that are open today that were not open five years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years ago."
As part of that strategy the Navy has has reestablished its 2nd Fleet command in Norfolk to oversee the Northern Atlantic. Competition from Russia and China in the Arctic will increase shipping traffic, fishing and target oil reserves.
Russia has already increased its military presence and China is planning for a “Polar Silk Road.” Sherri Goodman, former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security, calls climate change a “threat multiplier,” with ramifications for military readiness in places like Norfolk. "What happens in the Arctic, doesn't stay in the Arctic. And that's affecting communities like Norfolk and the whole Hampton Roads region," Goodman said.
Scientists say the melting sea ice, particularly the Greenland Ice Sheet, has a direct effect on sea-level rise here. Along the Atlantic Coast, the combined effects of sinking land and rising seas, give the Hampton Roads region one of the highest rates of relative sea level rise, about an inch every five years.
Andria McClellan is a Norfolk councilmeber, who sat with the staff of Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner. She wants Congress to help fund Norfolk flood mitigation efforts. "We have sunny day flooding as we're going to have today in Norfolk at 7 p.m., on the street in which I live, there will be flooded roads and there will not be any rain in sight," McClellan noted.
For about $1.8 billion, the Army Corps of Engineers can mitigate tidal flooding in Norfolk with flood controls. The city and state would have to pay 35 percent of that. But that doesn't address the city's ancient stormwater system.
Still, McClellan and Goodman see potential here. "In many ways this area is ground zero in the U.S. for resilience opportunities," Goodman said. "The opportunity to build a stronger community that anticipates what the risks of the next storm will be and acts now to develop that natural more resilient infrastructure."
Earlier this year, the state legislature created the position of Special Assistant for Resilience. Meantime, McClellan says Norfolk is already addressing a key factor to global warming – greenhouse gases – in a climate action plan. "We are the first in the region to be doing this in creating a climate action plan. However, there have been several other cities around the Commonwealth who have already adopted theirs – from Alexandria and Arlington to Blacksburg and Roanoke. We're leading at the local level," McClellan said. "We don't see this happening at the national level, unfortunately, right now. So, it's really up to the cities, the towns and states to take the initiative."
It isn't just military bases and communities that's pushing Norfolk to take action. McClellan is worried about her city's credit rating. Moody's Investor Services is now assessing credit risks to a city or state being impacted by climate change. | <urn:uuid:64132180-5c26-4bb4-8f79-600f4586b605> | CC-MAIN-2022-33 | https://www.wvtf.org/news/2018-07-26/experts-say-what-happens-in-the-arctic-affects-norfolk-flooding | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-33/segments/1659882572174.8/warc/CC-MAIN-20220815115129-20220815145129-00513.warc.gz | en | 0.965194 | 749 | 2.765625 | 3 |
revealed the cause of this beautiful phenomenon. Wells knew that through the body of our atmosphere invisible aqueous vapor is everywhere diffused. He proved that grasses and other bodies on which dew was deposited were powerful emitters of radiant heat; that, when nothing existed in the air to stop their radiation, they became self-chilled; and that while thus chilled they condensed into dew the aqueous vapor of the air around them. I do not suppose that any theory of importance ever escaped the ordeal of assault on its first enunciation. The theory of Wells was thus assailed; but it has proved immovable, and will doubtless continue so to the end of time.
The interaction of scientific workers causes the growth of science to resemble that of an organism. From Faraday's tiny magnetoelectric spark, shown in this theatre half a century ago, has sprung the enormous practical development of electricity at the present time. Thomas Seebeck in 1822 discovered thermo-electricity, and eight years subsequently bars of bismuth and antimony were first soldered together by Nobili so as to form a thermo-electric pile. In the self-same year Melloni perfected the instrument and proved its applicability to the investigation of radiant heat. The instrumental appliances of science have been well described as extensions of the senses of man. Thus the invention of the thermopile vastly augmented our powers over the phenomena of radiation. Melloni added immensely to our knowledge of the transmission of radiant heat through liquids and solids. His results appeared at first so novel and unexpected that they excited skepticism. He waited long in vain for a favorable report from the Academicians of Paris; and finally, in despair of obtaining it, he published his results in the "Annales de Chimie." Here they came to the knowledge of Faraday, who, struck by their originality, brought them under the notice of the Royal Society, and obtained for Melloni the Rumford medal. The medal was accompanied by a sum of money from the Rumford fund; and this, at the time, was of the utmost importance to the young political exile, reduced as he was to penury in Paris. From that time until his death, Melloni was ranked as the foremost investigator in the domain of radiant heat.
As regards the philosophy of the thermopile, and its relation to the great doctrine of the conservation of energy, now everywhere accepted, a step of singular significance was taken by Peltier in 1834. Up to that time it had been taken for granted that the action of an electric current upon a conductor through which it passed was always to generate heat. Peltier, however, proved that, under certain circumstances, the electric current generated cold. He soldered together a bar of antimony and a bar of bismuth, end to end, thus forming of the two metals one continuous bar. Sending a current through this bar, he found that when it passed from antimony to bismuth across the junction, heat was always there developed, whereas, when the direction of the current was from bismuth to antimony, there was a | <urn:uuid:3b4ac727-8ffd-41ba-8e05-f2f8e5b048c2> | CC-MAIN-2018-22 | https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Page:Popular_Science_Monthly_Volume_23.djvu/474 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-22/segments/1526794867220.74/warc/CC-MAIN-20180525215613-20180525235613-00359.warc.gz | en | 0.972673 | 640 | 2.828125 | 3 |
Know what the following mean and be able to apply them
1. Write down examples of homozygous and heterozygous and genotype and phenotype
2. Write the definition of the theory of segregation and theory of independent assortment
3.be able to solve sex linked and blood type word problems
4. be able to complete a dihybrid cross
5. make an example of incomplete dominance and codominance
6. crossing over diagram it
7. diagram and explain types of mutations
8. be able to look at a karyotype and see if there are genetic problems
9. write out the steps of transcription.
10. Write out the steps of translation (anticodon, codon and types of RNA.
11. Be able to use the genetic code table to find amino acids
12. define pleiotrophy and epistatic (honors only)
"This website is not maintained by DVUSD. The website's owner is solely responsible for the contents of this website." | <urn:uuid:b75b3faa-1f08-455b-bc27-4f06703adbb7> | CC-MAIN-2018-51 | http://msmarabiology.weebly.com/genetics-and-protein-synthesis-test.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-51/segments/1544376826968.71/warc/CC-MAIN-20181215174802-20181215200802-00372.warc.gz | en | 0.869467 | 206 | 3.859375 | 4 |
MANY stock images of India’s cities show cows lying by the roadside or ruminating in the middle of the street as cars and bikes swerve around them. The animals, sacred to Hindus, have a licence to roam. Earlier this month the state government of Uttar Pradesh proposed making medicines with their urine, which is rumoured to cure cancer, eliminate wrinkles and prevent ageing. Their dung is believed to absorb harmful radioactivity. The animals’ status is now so high that in recent years “cow vigilantes” have taken to attacking and sometimes killing people they suspect of trafficking in cattle intended for slaughter. Thirty-seven such attacks were reported in 2017, many more than in previous years. Just last month a mob in the eastern state of Bihar beat up a truck driver whom they suspected to be carrying beef.
It was not always so. D.N. Jha, a historian, writes in “The Myth of the Holy Cow” that beef, along with other varieties of meat, was often used in the haute cuisine of early India. But sometime during the second millennium BC, with agriculture evolving, cows were increasingly considered more useful as a source of milk, manure and ploughing power than as meat. Fast-forward to the 19th century AD and for upper-caste Hindus the eating of beef had become a taboo. Cows were central to the first big riot between Hindus and Muslims, in Uttar Pradesh in 1893, which took place after Muslims had been stopped from slaughtering cows during an annual festival.
Most of India’s 29 states have either banned or restricted the killing of cows. In Gujarat it is punishable by life imprisonment. Rajasthan has a cow-welfare ministry. In the “cow belt” of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, “cow protectors” armed with bats, swords and guns look for vehicles that are transporting cows across state borders. They have been known to extort money from drivers without verifying whether the cows they carry are being sent to slaughter or, in the case of meat, whether it is indeed beef. In a country where relations between some Hindu and Muslim communities remain especially fraught, this behaviour does not necessarily reflect greater religiosity. But politics does seem to matter. According to IndiaSpend, a data-journalism website, 97% of all cow-vigilante attacks reported since 2010 took place after the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014, with Narendra Modi as prime minister. Most have targeted Muslims and Dalits (formerly known as untouchables), who traditionally skin the carcasses of cows. In a report published in January, Human Rights Watch, a global campaigning group, wrote that the Indian government has failed to investigate the attacks in credible fashion, while “many senior BJP leaders publicly promoted Hindu supremacy and ultra-nationalism, which encouraged further violence.”
The costs of the attacks are high. India’s $83bn dairy industry has taken a hit. Farmers are increasingly unwilling to expand their herds, as it is hard to get rid of unproductive livestock. Shelters for old cows are often overcrowded, says Kavita Srivastava, an activist. In Rajasthan a 10% surcharge is levied on stamp duty to fund the shelters. In many states boxes outside shops encourage people to donate towards their upkeep. But the system is opaque. “No one knows where the money ends up,” says Arjun Sheoran, a lawyer. Some steps would improve the situation. Stricter laws that recognise cow vigilantism as a crime against minorities could be enacted. Victim-protection schemes and faster court rulings could be funded. And more stringent punishments could be meted out to those who use cows as a pretext to exacerbate communal tensions. But moves of this nature will be difficult in a country where a judge claimed just a few years ago that cow dung was more valuable than the Koh-i-noor diamond. | <urn:uuid:08afeb0d-14af-4072-932c-e792245fe07c> | CC-MAIN-2019-47 | https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2018/02/15/cow-vigilantism-in-india | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-47/segments/1573496669276.41/warc/CC-MAIN-20191117192728-20191117220728-00046.warc.gz | en | 0.974257 | 827 | 2.984375 | 3 |
When you put together your balance sheet, you need to start with your gross property, plant and equipment and then wind down to your net property, plant and equipment. Your gross property, plant and equipment is the amount that you paid for any property, buildings or other assets that you own. You then need to depreciate these assets each year. Depreciation reduces the value of the asset as you use it. The net property, plant and equipment is your cost for the equipment less your accumulated depreciation.
1. Add your assets that can be classified as property, plant and equipment from your general ledger. These should be your costs for purchasing each asset. For example, assume you have been in business for five years. During the five years you purchased land for $100,000, a building for $20,000 and a machine for $5,000. So your gross property, plant and equipment is $100,000 plus $20,000 plus $5,000 for a total of $125,000.
2. Add the current year's depreciation to your accumulated depreciation. Accumulated depreciation is the amount of depreciation from prior years. In the example, assume your accumulated depreciation is $40,000 and this year’s depreciation is $6,000, so your total accumulated depreciation is $46,000.
3. Subtract your total accumulated depreciation from your gross property, plant and equipment. In the example, $125,000 minus $46,000 equals $79,000 for your net property, plant and equipment.
- General ledger
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images | <urn:uuid:63f5fd95-f1d9-4489-aa4c-aa3a00488581> | CC-MAIN-2017-13 | http://smallbusiness.chron.com/calculate-net-plant-property-equipment-10022.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-13/segments/1490218189198.71/warc/CC-MAIN-20170322212949-00053-ip-10-233-31-227.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.9419 | 331 | 2.765625 | 3 |
Georges Braque developed his painting skills while working for his father, a house painter who specialized in decorative and trompe l'oeil effects. Moving to Paris from his family home in Le Havre in 1900, he met artists such as Henri Matisse, André Derain and Raoul Dufy. During the winter of 1906-07, Braque went to the south of France, where he immersed himself with the landscapes of Paul Cézanne and the colors of the Fauves.
Shedding the emphasis on bright, disharmonious Fauve color by 1908, Braque became more interested in volume and structure, strongly influenced by Cézanne. He met Pablo Picasso at this time, and together they developed Cubism, a revolution in painting that redefined art in the 20th century. In fact, the term 'Cubism' was applied by a critic to a painting by Braque exhibited in 1909 at the Salon d'Automne.
Braque entered the army, went to fight in the First World War, and was wounded. When he returned, he began painting in a new style that reflected Cubism but with a new sense of volumetric form and a distinctive brown-black palette. He followed this basic style for the rest of his life, primarily applied to the tabletop. Towards the end of his life, Braque created a series of monumental paintings based on scenes of his studio. | <urn:uuid:d26a19f2-7101-46d9-8cb4-aa37efc807c4> | CC-MAIN-2017-39 | http://archive.acquavellagalleries.com/artists/georges-braque/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-39/segments/1505818689413.52/warc/CC-MAIN-20170923014525-20170923034525-00179.warc.gz | en | 0.973118 | 294 | 2.53125 | 3 |
Mother Nature is a master engineer. Through years of evolution, it has fine-tuned the relationship between beauty and structure. Compared with our technology, Nature’s solutions are often less wasteful, longer lived and typically stronger, faster and lighter. Engineers looking for new ideas have found inspiration in nature's designs. Biomimicry, or "life imitating,” is a time-honored route to innovation. By turning to nature for inspiration, scientists, builders, inventors, and artists have created amazing innovations. Nature has inspired amazing land art creations, Velcro, solar power and so much more. Learn how biomimicry has helped us and celebrate the patterns & designs in nature in creating nature mandalas with Wild Roots Studio.
Crafts are aimed for ages 4-11. Projects will be modified to child's ability.
Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. More info on how to register coming soon. | <urn:uuid:3cdd1d1a-d068-4219-9db9-79a3fe909f40> | CC-MAIN-2018-22 | http://www.wildrootsstudio.com/workshops/2014/11/8/summer-earth-art-workshop | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-22/segments/1526794870771.86/warc/CC-MAIN-20180528024807-20180528044807-00016.warc.gz | en | 0.943606 | 195 | 2.703125 | 3 |
One of the topics that I have been working on a lot this year has been the development of the Punic script. This was the script used to write the variety of the Phoenician language spoken in the Western Mediterranean in the second half of the first millennium BC through to the early first millennium AD. It is descended from the Phoenician script, which was modified from an early alphabetic script to write the Phoenician language in the late second millennium BC.
The Punic language is perhaps not that widely known among languages in the ancient world. However, its speakers, the Carthaginians, including among their number the general Hannibal who famously took his elephants over the Alps to attack the Romans, are.
Hannibal’s celebrated feat in crossing the Alps with war elephants passed into European legend: detail of a fresco by Jacopo Ripanda, ca. 1510, Capitoline Museums, Rome. Image from HERE. Continue reading “Writing in Carthage: the Punic Script” | <urn:uuid:93482c66-2d2a-45cc-9639-fe028f920d15> | CC-MAIN-2023-06 | https://crewsproject.wordpress.com/tag/orthography/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-06/segments/1674764500044.16/warc/CC-MAIN-20230203055519-20230203085519-00443.warc.gz | en | 0.971005 | 209 | 2.515625 | 3 |
Why is it called the demon core?
Believe it or not, there was actually another incident the year before — on August 21, 1945 — just a few days after Japan’s surrender. Again while researching criticality, physicist Harry Daghlian was placing tungsten carbide bricks around the demon core (pictured below). Like beryllium, tungsten carbide is a neutron reflector. The idea was to gradually place bricks around the core, while using a scintillation counter to judge its criticality.
Unfortunately, Daghlian slipped and dropped a brick on top of the core, causing it to go critical. He removed the brick and stopped the reaction, but not before he’d absorbed some 200 rad of radiation. Daghlian died 25 days later of acute radiation syndrome — and the guard who was standing outside the room died of cancer 33 years later. The only upshot is that Daghlian was working on his own in the lab, otherwise the demon core would’ve claimed even more lives.
Shortly after Slotin’s death, and possibly due to growing discomfort among the scientists at Los Alamos, the demon core was detonated as part of the Operation Crossroads nuclear weapon tests. The core, which had been fashioned into a bomb called Gilda, detonated as expected with a yield of around 23 kilotons of TNT — comparable to Fat Man’s yield of 21 kt over Nagasaki. Gilda was detonated above the disused battleship USS Nevada — to see if nuclear bombs were an effective way of sinking ships — but the bomb (somehow) missed its target by half a mile.
As you can see in the image below of Gilda’s detonation, there doesn’t seem to be any of the usual signs of an excised demon; no purple swirls of smoke, no spooky apparition of a skull materializing out of the smoky debris. It’s just a normal mushroom cloud.
And thus ends the story of the demon core. Next time, we’ll discuss Los Alamos’ subsequent, even crazier invention: The world-destroying thermonuclear hydrogen fusion bomb.
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- 2 of 2 | <urn:uuid:8ac1f328-a71a-479d-a0e4-afa7fd780ff5> | CC-MAIN-2016-07 | http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/187670-the-demon-core-a-scary-story-of-sloppy-science-from-the-manhattan-project/2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-07/segments/1454701148402.62/warc/CC-MAIN-20160205193908-00224-ip-10-236-182-209.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954899 | 467 | 3.6875 | 4 |
Views on evolution among the public and scientists
Whereas nearly all scientists say that humans and other living things have evolved over time, only two thirds of the public agrees, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center. Asked which comes closer to their view, "Humans and other living things have evolved over time" or "Humans and other living things have existed in their present form since the beginning of time," 98% of scientists responding chose the former option and only 2% chose the latter option; 65% of the public responding chose the former option and 31% chose the latter option.
Those who chose the former option were also asked whether they preferred "Humans and other living things have evolved due to natural processes such as natural selection" or "A supreme being guided the evolution of living things for the purpose of creating humans and other life in the form it exists today." Among scientists, 90% preferred the former option and 8% preferred the latter option; among the public, 35% preferred the former option and 24% preferred the latter option. Members of the public were also asked whether scientists generally agree that humans evolved over time; 66% said yes, 29% said no.
Demographically, acceptance of evolution was correlated with level of education: "Three-quarters (75%) of college graduates believe that humans have evolved over time, compared with 56% of those who ended their formal education with a high school diploma or less." The report adds, "Beliefs about evolution also differ strongly by religion and political group, as was also the case in past surveys," but deferred the details to a future publication. Judging from similar previous surveys, rejection of evolution was probably associated with conservative political attitudes and religiosity.
The same questions were asked in a Pew Research Center survey (PDF) in 2009, providing a basis for a longitudinal comparison. In 2009, 97% of scientists and 61% of the public accepted evolution, while 2% of scientists and 31% of the public rejected evolution. Among scientists who accepted evolution, 87% attributed it to natural processes and 8% to divine guidance; among members of the public who accepted evolution, 32% attributed it to natural processes and 22% to divine guidance. Members of the public were asked whether scientists generally agree that humans evolved over time; 60% said yes, 28% said no.
The questions about evolution were part of a larger project, conducted by the Pew Research Center and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, investigating the public's attitude toward science and comparing it to the attitude of scientists. The report relied on two surveys, one conducted by telephone among members of the general public in the United States in August 2014, and one conducted on-line among members of the AAAS in September and October 2014. The broader significance of the project's results are summarized in the Pew Research Center's report (PDF), issued on January 29, 2015. | <urn:uuid:40f2db25-756d-4c1a-b664-59b7576d55ca> | CC-MAIN-2017-17 | https://ncse.com/news/2015/01/views-evolution-among-public-scientists-0016160 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-17/segments/1492917120001.0/warc/CC-MAIN-20170423031200-00243-ip-10-145-167-34.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971897 | 589 | 2.796875 | 3 |
Like in countless other domains, electric tools have moved from the industrial world to the home environment, allowing people to tackle many tasks previously reserved to professionals, such as home improvement, basic car maintenance, pressure washing or gardening.
Few people realize that individual electric power tools have been around for quite a long time. The first power drill, looking unmistakably similar to current models with pistol grip and trigger switch, was launched by the US tool manufacturer Black & Decker in 1916. This drill immediately proved very popular with workers owing to its unique ease of use.
In following years, Black & Decker introduced more power tools featuring the same pistol grip and trigger switch for industrial use.
In Europe other tool manufacturers, such as Bosch, Metabo and Peugeot, followed in Black & Decker's footsteps and launched similar electric tools for the industry in the 1930s.
Observing that many workers were taking their tools home for personal use, Black & Decker, sensing a commercial opportunity, introduced the world's first electric drill for consumers in 1946. It soon followed up with more consumer-oriented electric-powered tools, such as sanders and jigsaws. These proved popular in the US as more and more people took on DIY (do it yourself) to improve their homes or tackle other tasks.
The trend was repeated in Europe where electric tools moved to the consumer market and became increasingly popular among consumers. Japanese manufacturer Makita, a leading player in the professional and DIY power tools markets these days, started manufacturing and exporting power tools in the late 1950s. Many other producers in industrial countries have followed suit and launched electric tools.
As DIY expanded, users needed more tools for different tasks. The main obstacles to the expansion of the market for the occasional and even committed "DIYer" was the price of individual tools, most of it made up of the cost of the electric motor itself. The solution found by manufacturers was to offer drills as driving units and produce attachments that could convert them into other power tools such as circular saws, jigsaws, sanders and other devices, and this at a fraction of the price of separate self-contained units.
Consumer gardening appliances have followed in the footsteps of electric tools. The first electric lawn edgers and hedge trimmers for consumers were marketed in 1957, and the world's first cordless outdoor product, a hedge trimmer, was launched in 1962. The range of garden appliances, corded or cordless, extends from small grass shearers to lawnmowers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, chain saws and more, giving amateur and keen gardeners all the tools they need.
Cutting the cord
Following the pattern observed ever since power tools were launched, the next technological revolution started in the professional environment before winning consumers over.
One of the main drawbacks of corded power tools was, and still is, that they may have to be used in awkward places and where power is not easily available or needs to be switched off. A solution to this vexing problem was found with the introduction of the first battery-operated (cordless) drill in 1961. The manufacturer of this drill was later contracted by NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to develop cordless tools for use in the US space programme and to collect samples from the moon's surface.
Leading electric tools manufacturers elsewhere quickly followed suit. As their price dropped, cordless tools – drills and drivers in particular – became quite popular for their convenience, not as full replacements for corded drills initially, owing to the limitations of their batteries and power, but as additional tools to be used for a variety of tasks such as fitting furniture or putting shelves together.
Cordless tools also have the advantage that they don’t need to be connected to the mains, except for recharging. This removes the risk of accidentally cutting through or damaging the power cord.
The major advance in cordless tools was made in battery technology, making possible the production of more powerful tools. Early cordless tools – essentially drills and sanders – used 7,2 V Ni‑Cd (nickel-cadmium) batteries that limited their performance. Batteries are a domain in which the IEC, through its Subcommittee (SC) 21A: Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes, prepares International Standards for many types of batteries, including for portable applications.
Current models of cordless tools and appliances use mainly Li-Ion (lithium-ion) batteries that can provide higher charges, longer run time, less self-discharge and quicker charging than their Ni-Cd equivalent. Furthermore, unlike the latter, they can be recharged at any time and do not suffer from the so-called memory effect, which sees batteries holding less and less charge with time.
Today Li-Ion batteries for cordless tools with power ratings of 18 V or even 36 V are not unusual. They allow the production of a wider range of more powerful tools, from drills and sanders to grinders or even chainsaws to cover the needs of industrial and consumer users.
From attachments to multiple units
In an interesting reversal of the trend observed with early corded electric tools, in which the electric motor itself was the costliest component forcing manufacturers to produce attachments for drills, the most expensive part in today's cordless tools is the battery. Producers now offer individual tools or kits of several tools – for instance, a hammer driver-drill, a circular saw, a jigsaw and an angle grinder, and even garden tools – that all use the same battery pack.
Robots entering the tool market
Domestic tasks outside homes, such as mowing the lawn, scrubbing swimming pools or cleaning gutters are often time-consuming, tedious activities, with the potential to be unsafe. Several manufacturers have developed automated machines that can work outdoors to carry out these chores.
A number of garden appliance manufacturers began launching electric robotic mowers from the mid-1990s. The latest models incorporate a number of sensors that allow them to avoid obstacles such as trees and garden furniture, to recognize boundaries and even to stop operating and return to their charging dock when their battery runs low or if it starts to rain.
Robotic domestic mowers are niche products but their sale has literally exploded in spite of their rather hefty price. They are mature products that have evolved into professional areas such as golf course care or the weeding and edging of commercial sites.
Safety measures are needed for tools that cut – for example, hedge trimmers. They usually require the user to press two contacts simultaneously, often using both hands. If one of the contacts is released, the device stops. Residual current device (RCD) sensors react to changes in the flow of electricity and are managed by IEC SC 23E: Circuit-breakers and similar equipment for household use.
However, dust and water can also harm the tool and put the user at risk. That’s why all new power tools are tested against IEC 60529:2013, which rates their dust and water resistance using the IP (Ingress Protection) Rating code. The standard is prepared by Technical Committee (TC) 70: Degrees of protection provided by enclosures.
The wide range of components and parts used in the production of electric tools and gardening appliances means that a multitude of IEC International Standards have to be followed in the design and manufacturing of such devices.
One IEC TC and one SC in particular are involved in the preparation of International Standards in two areas vital for these appliances: safety and batteries.
As corded or cordless tools or appliances are designed to cut or go through various materials, they may cause serious injuries even in the hands of professional or experienced users.
Therefore, they must be designed to operate safely. It is the responsibility of TC 116: Safety of motor-operated electric tools, to prepare international safety standards for hand-held and transportable motor-operated electric tools and gardening appliances.
As more and more of these tools and appliances use batteries, SC 21A, which prepares Standards for portable batteries among other types, plays an essential role in the development of cordless tools and gardening appliances.
Huge and growing global market
According to a February 2015 report by the Freedonia market research company, “worldwide demand for power tools is forecast to increase 4,8 percent per year through 2018 to USD 32,9 billion”. The main growth areas are set to be cordless power tools owing to “steady improvements in cordless battery technology, such as the adoption of lithium-ion batteries, [which] has increased the power and run time of cordless tools”, and the construction sector, which will boost demand for professional tools, that account for the larger share of global sales of power tools.
As the range, use and adoption of electric tools and gardening appliances are growing constantly, the contribution of the IEC in developing and improving these devices is set to expand, too. | <urn:uuid:980439a3-b66a-44aa-8d2e-4dfc8af247e8> | CC-MAIN-2017-04 | http://www.iecetech.org/IEC/Industry-Spotlight/2015-03/Tools-for-professionals-and-hobbyists | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-04/segments/1484560283301.73/warc/CC-MAIN-20170116095123-00302-ip-10-171-10-70.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959667 | 1,849 | 2.828125 | 3 |
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2005 June 27
Explanation: The globular cluster M22, pictured above, contains over 100,000 stars. These stars formed together and are gravitationally bound. Stars orbit the center of the cluster, and the cluster orbits the center of our Galaxy. So far, about 140 globular clusters are known to exist in a roughly spherical halo around the Galactic center. Globular clusters do not appear spherically distributed as viewed from the Earth, and this fact was a key point in the determination that our Sun is not at the center of our Galaxy. Globular clusters are very old. There is a straightforward method of determining their age, and this nearly matches the 13.7 billion-year age of our entire universe.
Authors & editors:
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: EUD at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U. | <urn:uuid:13ea4cb7-292a-4bb1-aa68-a8215df84bdb> | CC-MAIN-2021-21 | https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap050627.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-21/segments/1620243991428.43/warc/CC-MAIN-20210514152803-20210514182803-00515.warc.gz | en | 0.905066 | 228 | 3.859375 | 4 |
Where Is Ecuador On Map
Ecuador from mapcarta, the free map. Map of ecuador shows that the equator cross through the country;
Module:location map/data/ecuador is a location map definition used to overlay markers and labels on an equirectangular projection map of ecuador. The location map of ecuador below highlights the geographical position of ecuador within south america on the world map. Detailed tourist map of ecuador with inset of the galapagos islands.
Ecuador is a country on the equator in northwestern south america.
The galapagos islands, ecuador is located at ecuador country in the islands place category with the gps coordinates of 0° 46' 38.1324'' s and 91° 8' 33.2808'' w. Ecuador's area is somewhat smaller than that of italy, or slightly smaller than the u.s. Thinking about checking out ecuador, but don't know where to start? Know where is ecuador located on the world map? | <urn:uuid:547b5aab-1b16-4bf9-ba34-f94e2bfa3854> | CC-MAIN-2023-50 | https://worldmap-64870f.netlify.app/970-where-is-ecuador-on-map-2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679102612.80/warc/CC-MAIN-20231210155147-20231210185147-00354.warc.gz | en | 0.854651 | 214 | 2.796875 | 3 |
((HR zone factor * time in T1) + (HR zone factor * time in T2) + (HR zone factor * time in T3) + (HR zone factor * time in T4) + (HR zone factor * time in T5) + (HR zone factor * time in T6))* Sport Weighting factor = ETS
Endurance Training Score (ETS) is based on the T2 min training score devised by Tony Rice.
The inspiration was to create a training load score that better reflects the effects of short to medium duration intervals. Due to Heart Rate lag when doing intensity work traditional training load scores like TRIMP can underestimate the actual load of the session.
ETS is an improvement on the traditional TRIMP score. Not only does it weigh even more towards the higher intensities (top HR zones are multiplied by 9 in ETS and 5.5 in Edwards TRIMP (see below)), it also has a weighting for different sports. It is clear that rowing on the indoor rowing machine is more exhausting than going for a bike ride. In TRIMP this is not taken into account, but the ETS score does account for this.
Examples of factors for different HR zones and weighting for different sports below:
SUP (Standup paddle boarding)
All other Sports
Example ETS score: 18,617 km row - 1:27:13 duration, ETS - 97.2
Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) is a subjective measure of session intensity provided by the athlete. RPE is how hard the athlete feels the session was. RPE is rated as a number on the scale between 1 and 10 with 10 representing maximum effort.
(RPE*Duration = Foster)
Foster et al. (2001) proposed a method of calculating the training load score based on Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) on a scale of 1 to 10. This method takes into consideration both the subjective perception of intensity (RPE) and the duration of a training session.
For example: For a session of 30 minutes, with RPE of 5 (hard), the calculation for the Foster score will be 30 × 5 which will result in the Foster score of 150.
(Average HR *Duration = TRIMP)
TRIMP stands for Training Impulse. TRIMP takes into consideration the intensity (heart rate) and the duration of exercise (in minutes).
TRIMP was originally defined as the product of training volume (in minutes), and training intensity (as average heart rate (bpm)).
For example, 30 minutes at 150 bpm TRIMP = 30 × 150 = 4500.
A method for quantifying aerobic training load. TRIMP is an abbreviation of TRaining IMPulse. It was originally defined as the product of training volume, measured in minutes, and training intensity, measured as average heart rate (beats per minute or bpm). For example, 50 min at 140 bpm TRIMP = 50 × 140 = 7000. One modified version of TRIMP splits training into zones related to the maximum heart rate (max HR) of the performer: zone 1 is at 50–59% maxHR; zone 2 at 60–69% max HR; zone 3 at 50–79% max HR; zone 4 at 80–90% HR; and zone 5 at 90–100% max HR. The modified TRIMP is calculated as the product of training volume (time in minutes) and training intensity (HR zone). The modified TRIMP for a person with a maximum heart rate of 200 bpm training for 30 min at an average of 150 bpm will be 30 × 3 = 90. In another modification, TRIMP is calculated as a product of the training time in minutes and a Rating of Perceived Exertion where rest = 0, 1 = very, very easy; 2 = easy; 3 = moderate; 4 = somewhat hard; = 5 hard; 7 = very hard and 10 = maximal.
Take a look at a Ludum blog post for more information about training load scores. | <urn:uuid:cfda63bf-68c3-4f74-b952-3d293fcadabc> | CC-MAIN-2022-05 | https://help.ludum.com/en/articles/5783369-training-load-scores-in-ludum | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-05/segments/1642320303868.98/warc/CC-MAIN-20220122164421-20220122194421-00717.warc.gz | en | 0.918527 | 1,017 | 2.53125 | 3 |
March EcoHour Recap: Environmental Justice!
By Vesper Hubbard
What is Environmental Justice (EJ)? According to the EPA, Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. It will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.
This sounds pretty reasonable right? However, achieving this goal is made complex by many factors including geography, cultural identity, and socio-economic status. Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director at UPROSE, spoke about the issues with EJ and the power of community activism. She is also serves as the first Latina to chair the US EPA National Environmental Justice Advisory Council. She explained Environmental Justice is about developing indigenous potential for action on the ground. It is about people having the ability to speak up for themselves.
To start off the discussion, she spoke about growing up in the 70’s in a multi-ethnic community of Brooklyn NY, herself being (and proudly so) of African and Indigenous Puerto Rican heritage. She noted that there wasn’t much investment in communities of color at that time. She herself was and remains deeply connected to her Brooklyn community. In spite of many criticisms against her career aspirations growing up, she went on to earn her BA in Political Science from Fordham University and a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law. She attributes her success to her mother’s dedication to constantly introducing culture and literature to her family throughout childhood. After law school Elizabeth entered the field of civil rights law. She had not taken any environmental science course work but felt a desire to help people empower themselves by building community power and found her place in the field of EJ. Additionally, she knew that she wanted to create a place for women with a different dynamic than the male dominated environment she grew up in. Soon, she found herself at UPROSE, now the oldest Latino community based organization in Brooklyn, when it was about to go under. With the help of many youth volunteers, she was able turn the organization around and create an inter-generational association where members “don’t age out.”
In the beginning phases of UPROSE she mentored youth leaders and fostered a community coalition to defeat a 520 mega-watt power plant from being built in her local community. Youth are a big part of the organization’s work. Elizabeth expressed the importance of the involvement of the youth and their leadership. She explained that “leadership should be practiced with accountability and training, but does not need to be postponed because of age.”
In Brooklyn, one issue with engaging community involvement in environmental justice projects lies in perception. For example, some communities may believe that building more greenways can lead to increased property value and make their neighborhoods more expensive to live in. Elizabeth explained that residents and stakeholders in a community need good information and ownership in order to have a successful community driven campaign. For NGO’s, government agencies and activists looking to start EJ projects in local communities, in Brooklyn and elsewhere, the challenge lies in proving authenticity, clear communication, and valuing the voice of those local people. Also, she stressed the importance of keeping the science and math behind EJ accessible to non-scientist. Accessible science, in her opinion, can really foster diversity in the EJ movement. As she tells it, residents in Sunset Park –Brooklyn have learned how to use their phones to check for real-time data and map air quality in their neighborhoods. But these kinds of things do not happen unless engineers make their science accessible.
On an ending note, Elizabeth asserted that climate adaptation is happening now. Communities like Sunset Park are large “walk to work” communities and they are seeing the potential in EJ for creating community resilience by building greenways, planting green roofs and learning about environmental science and climate change. | <urn:uuid:f250d909-4974-4993-a662-f34cec5a4d8d> | CC-MAIN-2023-23 | https://www.dc.ecowomen.org/post/march-ecohour-recap-environmental-justice | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-23/segments/1685224657169.98/warc/CC-MAIN-20230610095459-20230610125459-00565.warc.gz | en | 0.968699 | 846 | 2.96875 | 3 |
In Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, winter flounder no longer reproduce at the rate they used to. Nutrients that once supported a rich marine life are less abundant. And the water is warmer. It suffers from overfishing and shows signs of toxic chemicals banned 50 years ago. In short, say scientists at the University of Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay is typical of other coastal areas around the world.
Reinner Lohmann teaches a course in marine pollution at the University of Rhode Island. He studies organic pollutants in Narragansett Bay; specifically, the chemical contents in sediment where small organisms feed and are the start of the marine food chain. He has found hundreds of pollutants including the pesticide DDT that was banned in the United States 40 years ago. "They may be stored in the sediments, but on a nice stormy day the sediments swell up and the compounds get released back into the water and can be taken back by fish," he explained.
Lohmann says every few years the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency checks on the contaminants in fish tissue. Based on that data, government scientists establish safe eating guidelines for different fish.
The government fish advisories are based on the risk of cancer if you eat fish every day. Lohmann says humans can take 20 to 30 years to eliminate the toxics they consume when they eat contaminated fish. And long-term exposure to contaminants and the transfer of toxics from mother to child are major scientific concerns.
"We can detect these contaminants virtually everywhere," Lohmann said. "We have done studies in the Atlantic, the Arctic, in the Pacific -- they are everywhere."
Other researchers at the University of Rhode Island are studying the effects of warming water temperatures.
"One degree, it seems like nothing. But if you think back to the last glacial maximum (when the glaciers were at their thickest and the sea levels at their lowest), the change in temperature from that time until now is only five degrees celsius, or 10 degrees fahrenheit," Candace Oviatt said. Oviatt has studied the bay for more than 40 years. "So one degree is huge and we have seen huge changes on the bay as consequences of that."
Oviatt points to an 80 percent increase in rain storms. This April, large areas of Rhode Island were flooded, overwhelming several water treatment plants. Raw sewage, fertilizers and urban pollution ran freely into the bay.
"There is a lot of climate effects. One of the ones we experienced this week was this huge rain storm when we got eight inches [20.3 cm] of rain in three days," Oviatt said.
She adds that warmer temperatures in the bay and more rain water trigger a chain reaction of low oxygen and high levels of nutrients in the water, killing many organisms. "The winter flounder used to lay their eggs during the winter time because there are no predators, but if we heat up the bay waters, then those predators become active and they eat the eggs and the young juvenile winter flounder," she said.
Oviatt says overfishing and warmer waters have reduced the number of winter flounder by 75 percent. That's led to an end to commercial flounder fishing, and a two-fish limit on recreational anglers.
Yet despite the strains on Narragansett Bay, another University of Rhode Island researcher, Scott Nixon, says the bay is in better shape now than 50 years ago when metals, oils and waste often were thrown directly into the ocean. Now there are other concerns. "I think most coastal ecologists would probably say the most pervasive, chronic, widespread problem is nutrient pollution: nitrogen and phosphorus pollution that comes from agricultures," he said.
Nixon said he hopes developing countries learn from our mistakes and stop polluting their coastal areas before more damage occurs. | <urn:uuid:f5dc29b2-f78d-40a1-aeea-d7f1ea1b1416> | CC-MAIN-2015-27 | http://www.voanews.com/content/scientists-say-global-warming-effects-marine-life--91809414/169515.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-27/segments/1435375097710.59/warc/CC-MAIN-20150627031817-00042-ip-10-179-60-89.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962958 | 798 | 3.484375 | 3 |
While "no man is an island", neither are individual humans part of a collective brain - like the Borg (of Star Trek). Though a human can live in full isolation, the successful acquisition of good health of body and brain and a good outlook will not be sufficient to optimally increase hir (his/her) lifetime happiness unless connections with other humans are pursued. Neither increasing your lifespan, except marginally through Calorie Restriction, nor preserving your life if you become terminal, nor even achieving optimal good health are possible without interactions with other humans. Because humans are neither identical entities, nor part of a collective consciousness with identical needs and values, they require special conditions and considerations with respect to their interrelationships to other individuals in order for the potential of each to be fully realized so that the Lifetime Happiness of each can be optimally increased.
In this section, we (Paul and Kitty Antonik Wakfer) had planned to present a complete philosophical basis of the methods needed for humans to best relate to each other. However, this has proved to be such an important and enormous task that a whole website The Self-Sovereign Individual Project has been devoted to founding and presenting the major part of the social philosophy. This section will now be dedicated only to the most intimate aspects of one-to-one personal relationships stressing practical methods to enhance understanding of one's emotional responses to others and communication with others.
A person who is happy with hir (him/her) self and the world is able to interact with others in a self-assured non-combative manner. Such a person may not have had the most ideal of upbringing - by parents who were optimally supportive physically, intellectually and emotionally - but s/he has learned to assess others based not simply on hir own experiences from childhood but on what s/he is seeing and hearing and in the context of other facts of reality. Additionally s/he has learned that hir own negative emotional state (mood) and distorted underlying beliefs about hirself can enormously alter hir manner and effectiveness in communicating with and being perceived by others (each of whose effectiveness will be in proportion to their own state of actual happiness). Therefore a happy person has (or is in the process of achieving) infrequent and limited duration distorted thinking and preferentially seeks to interact with others who are likewise happy or in the process of becoming so.
The concepts of the cognitive model of human thinking and behavior (described briefly in the Outlook section summary) can be used not only to improve a person's long-term satisfaction with hirself, but in the process significantly enhance hir interpersonal relationships of all types. A person who rarely uses distorted thinking, especially when interacting with others, will be more successful in achieving and maintaining relationships of depth which will be of value in continuing to develop and produce in the almost countless available areas of interest, whether mutual or not.
Interactions between people include, by the very nature of human beings, the environment and thoughts of each of those involved in each situation. Therefore it is of paramount importance in achieving optimal interactions with one's romantic partner(s), parent(s), child(ren), sibling(s), other friends and various associates that one first look at oneself for underlying thoughts that are distorted and therefore are an impediment in the achievement and/or maintenance of mutually beneficial relationships. Since communication is an essential part of human life, good (mutually beneficial) relationships can only occur when communications between the parties are equally good. | <urn:uuid:cc9e0826-b9e7-4663-9cf3-d9935ebd179e> | CC-MAIN-2018-26 | http://morelife.org/lifequal/interpersonal/text.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-26/segments/1529267867885.75/warc/CC-MAIN-20180625131117-20180625151117-00204.warc.gz | en | 0.949961 | 710 | 2.515625 | 3 |
Phoenix Asbestos Testing
Perform Asbestos Testing Before Remodel, Renovation, or when Building Materials are Damaged
Planning on renovating or repairing a building that’s more than 30 years old? Asbestos testing is necessary before you proceed per EPA's Asbestos NESHAP Standard on residential properties built pre-1981 and all commercial properties regardless of the year built.
Asbestos, which when sealed away in a home can be harmless, is a serious health hazard when disturbed and released into the air. Asbestos can be found in Black Mastic asbestos adhesive under floor tiles, in ceilings, insulation, drywall, around ductwork, etc. in older homes.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos has been used as an insulator and fire retardant in building materials since the 1800s because of its resistance to heat and chemicals, its noise insulating properties, and the fact that it doesn’t conduct electricity.
It wasn’t until the early 1970’s that the hazardous qualities of asbestos were discovered and regulations regarding its removal and disposal were put in place.
Where is Asbestos Hiding in my Home?
How Do You Test For Asbestos?
Bulk asbestos samples are cautiously collected and sent to a lab for analysis.
Air samples, samples of potential asbestos-containing materials, and in some situations samples of surface dust are collected. If asbestos is discovered after initial testing, more testing will be done during asbestos abatement and after the cleanup is completed to make sure all traces of asbestos are gone.
Staying Safe Around Asbestos
Do not attempt to handle materials that may contain asbestos. If you find damaged materials that potentially contain asbestos, do not touch them and keep everyone in the house away from the area. Try to prevent the materials from being exposed to drafts that might spread the asbestos fibers into the air.
Asbestos removal is a job for trained professionals. ATH Restoration has the specialized knowledge and equipment necessary. Learn about our Asbestos Abatement process.
Asbestos Health Hazards
Asbestos causes life-threatening health problems including:
- Cancer of the lungs, stomach, and colon
- Lung Disease
- Asbestosis - the inflammation and eventual scarring of the lungs, leading to reduced lung capacity
- Mesothelioma - a cancer of the lungs, chest or abdomen that is always associated with asbestos.
It can take 10 to 40 years before symptoms of an asbestos-related health problem appear. Asbestos can only cause health problems if it enters the body through ingestion or inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers.
Asbestos only becomes airborne when the materials that contain asbestos are uncovered, disturbed, or improperly handled during removal.
Because the fibers are microscopic, they’re invisible, and there’s no way to know if you’ve been exposed to asbestos.Get a Free Consultation | <urn:uuid:9b121d71-ce5b-4db2-bff2-154832e85e73> | CC-MAIN-2022-40 | https://aztotalhome.com/asbestos-testing/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-40/segments/1664030334915.59/warc/CC-MAIN-20220926175816-20220926205816-00400.warc.gz | en | 0.914572 | 594 | 2.828125 | 3 |
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishMary Queen of ScotsˌMary ˌQueen of ˈScots (also Mary Stuart)(1542–87) the daughter of the ScottishKing James V. She became Queen of Scotland when she was one week old, but in 1568 she was forced to give up her position, and she escaped to England. Instead of helping her, the English queen, Elizabeth I (who was her cousin) put her in prison. Many Catholics believed Mary should have been Queen of England instead of Elizabeth, who was a Protestant. Eventually Elizabeth ordered Mary to be killed, because she believed Mary was involved in a secret plan to kill her. After Elizabeth's death, Mary's son James, who was the King of Scotland, also became the King of England (as james i). Mary had three husbands, and had an exciting and romantic life, and many stories and books have been written about her. | <urn:uuid:7f104c34-ab06-46f7-b53b-276858af51f2> | CC-MAIN-2017-04 | http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/mary-queen-of-scots | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-04/segments/1484560285001.96/warc/CC-MAIN-20170116095125-00174-ip-10-171-10-70.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.988717 | 189 | 3.578125 | 4 |
The ageing population is growing. At the same time, the NHS needs to cut back on costs to keep the health system sustainable. This means that people are
expected to live at home longer and take care of themselves, supported by community services and their family and friends.
Digital technologies can be used to monitor health and mobility in the community. They have the potential to transform health and social care,
while also providing benefit to older people.
At this seminar, policy makers, researchers, clinicians and older people themselves will talk about how these technologies can support and promote independent,
healthy living and prevention of health problems. For the last talk, Dr Joanne Taylor will be joined by older people from Wythenshawe and Salford.
Chair: Dr Sabine van der Veer, Research Fellow, Health e-Research Centre (HeRC), University of Manchester
Prof Martin Vernon, National Clinical Director of Older People and Integrated Person Centred Care, NHS England - Positioning digital technologies within healthcare policies to meet the needs of an ageing society
Prof Chris Todd, Primary Care and Community Health, University of Manchester - Digital technologies to support older people in the community to prevent falls
Dr Joanne Taylor, Trainee Geriatrician - Older people's views on the use of digital health data in community settings | <urn:uuid:1718d730-5ad5-46ab-b114-56730c9373f0> | CC-MAIN-2019-22 | http://events.manchester.ac.uk/event/event:yab-izi9drlo-lojos/using-digital-health-technologies-for-ageing-in-community-settings | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-22/segments/1558232254882.18/warc/CC-MAIN-20190519121502-20190519143502-00493.warc.gz | en | 0.935439 | 265 | 2.515625 | 3 |
How to read an Income Statement
How to read an Income Statement (also referred to as profit & loss statement (P&L), revenue statement, statement of financial performance, earnings statement, operating statement, or statement of operations) is a company’s financial statement that indicates how the revenue (money received from the sale of products and services before expenses are taken out, also known as the “top line”) is transformed into the net income (the result after all revenues and expenses have been accounted for, also known as Net Profit or the “bottom line”). It displays the revenues recognized for a specific period, and the cost and expenses charged against these revenues, including write-offs (e.g., depreciation and amortization of various assets) and taxes. The purpose of the income statement is to show managers and investors whether the company made or lost money during the period being reported.
The important thing to remember about How to read an Income Statement represents a period of time. This contrasts with the balance sheet, which represents a single moment in time.
Charitable organizations that are required to publish financial statements do not produce an income statement. Instead, they produce a similar statement that reflects funding sources compared against program expenses, administrative costs, and other operating commitments. This statement is commonly referred to as the statement of activities. Revenues and expenses are further categorized in the statement of activities by the donor restrictions on the funds received and expended.
Why You Should I Hire an Accountant For a Small Company? How to read an Income Statement properly is complex and can be prepared in one of two methods. The Single Step income statement takes a simpler approach, totaling revenues and subtracting expenses to find the bottom line. The more complex Multi-Step income statement (as the name implies) takes several steps to find the bottom line, starting with the gross profit. It then calculates operating expenses and, when deducted from the gross profit, yields income from operations. Adding to income from operations is the difference in other revenues and other expenses. When combined with income from operations, this yields income before taxes. The final step is to deduct taxes, which finally produces the net income for the period measured.
Usefulness and limitations of How to read an income statement
- Income statements should help investors and creditors determine the past financial performance of the enterprise, predict future performance, and assess the capability of generating future cash flows through reports of the income and expenses.
- However, information about an income statement has several limitations:
- Items that might be relevant but cannot be reliably measured are not reported (e.g. brand recognition and loyalty).
- Some numbers depend on accounting methods used (e.g. using FIFO or LIFO accounting to measure inventory level).
- Guidelines for statements of comprehensive income and income statements of business entities are formulated by the International Accounting Standards Board and numerous country-specific organizations, for example, the FASB in the U.S.
- Names and usage of different accounts in the income statement depend on the type of organization, industry practices, and the requirements of different jurisdictions.
If applicable to the business, summary values for the following items should be included in How to read an Income Statement:
- Revenue – Cash inflows or other enhancements of assets of an entity during a period from delivering or producing goods, rendering services, or other activities that constitute the entity’s ongoing major operations. It is usually presented as sales minus sales discounts, returns, and allowances. Every time a business sells a product or performs a service, it obtains revenue. This often is referred to as gross revenue or sales revenue.
- Expenses – Cash outflows or other using up of assets or incurrence of liabilities during a period from delivering or producing goods, rendering services, or carrying out other activities that constitute the entity’s ongoing major operations.
- Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) / Cost of Sales – How to read an Income Statement represents the direct costs attributable to goods produced and sold by a business (manufacturing or merchandizing). It includes material costs, direct labor, and overhead costs (as in absorption costing), and excludes operating costs (period costs) such as selling, administrative, advertising or R&D, etc.
- Selling, General, and Administrative expenses (SG&A or SGA) – consist of the combined payroll costs. SGA is usually understood as a major portion of non-production related costs, in contrast to production costs such as direct labor.
- Selling expenses – represent expenses needed to sell products (e.g. salaries of salespeople, commissions and travel expenses, advertising, freight, shipping, depreciation of sales store buildings and equipment, etc.).
- General and Administrative (G&A) expenses – represent expenses to manage the business (salaries of officers/executives, legal and professional fees, utilities, insurance, depreciation of office building and equipment, office rents, office supplies, etc.).
- Depreciation / Amortization – the charge concerning fixed assets / intangible assets that have been capitalized on the balance sheet for a specific (accounting) period. It is a systematic and rational allocation of cost rather than the recognition of market value decrement.
- Research & Development (R&D) expenses – represent expenses included in research and development.
How to read an Income Statement expenses recognized in the income statement should be analyzed either by nature (raw materials, transport costs, staffing costs, depreciation, employee benefit, etc.) or by function (cost of sales, selling, administrative, etc.). (IAS 1.99) If an entity categorizes by function, then additional information on the nature of expenses, at least, – depreciation, amortization, and employee benefits expense – must be disclosed. (IAS 1.104) The major exclusive of costs of goods sold are classified as operating expenses. These represent the resources expended, except for inventory purchases, in generating the revenue for the period. Expenses often are divided into two broad sub classifications selling expenses and administrative expenses.
How to read an Income Statement Non-operating section
- Other revenues or gains, including capital gains – revenues and gains from other than primary business activities (e.g. rent, income from patents). It also includes unusual gains that are either unusual or infrequent, but not both (e.g. gain from the sale of securities or gain from the disposal of fixed assets)
- Other expenses or losses – expenses or losses not related to primary business operations, (e.g. foreign exchange loss).
- Finance costs – costs of borrowing from various creditors (e.g. interest expenses, bank charges).
- Income tax expense – the sum of the amount of tax payable to tax authorities in the current reporting period (current tax liabilities/ tax payable) and the amount of deferred tax liabilities (or assets).
How to read an Income Statement Irregular items
- They are reported separately because this way users can better predict future cash flows – irregular items most likely will not recur. These are reported net of taxes.
- Discontinued operations are the most common type of irregular items. Shifting business location(s), stopping production temporarily, or changes due to technological improvement do not qualify as discontinued operations. Discontinued operations must be shown separately.
- The cumulative effect of changes in accounting policies (principles) is the difference between the book value of the affected assets (or liabilities) under the old policy (principle) and what the book value would have been if the new principle had been applied in the prior periods. For example, the valuation of inventories using LIFO instead of the weighted average method. The changes should be applied retrospectively and shown as adjustments to the beginning balance of affected components in Equity. All comparative financial statements should be restated. (IAS 8)
- However, changes in estimates (e.g. estimated useful life of a fixed asset) only require prospective changes. (IAS 8)
- No items may be presented in the income statement as extraordinary items under IFRS regulations, but are permissible under US GAAP. (IAS 1.87) Extraordinary items are both unusual (abnormal) and infrequent, for example, unexpected natural disasters, expropriation, prohibitions under new regulations. [Note: natural disaster might not qualify depending on location (e.g. frost damage would not qualify in Canada but would in the tropics).]
- Additional items may be needed to fairly present the entity’s results of operations. (IAS 1.85)
How to read an income statement with Financial Statement Disclosures or Footnotes
- Certain items must be disclosed separately in the notes (or the statement of comprehensive income), if material, including: (IAS 1.98)
- Write-downs of inventories to net realizable value or of property, plant, and equipment to recoverable amount, as well as reversals of such write-downs
- Restructurings of the activities of an entity and reversals of any provisions for the costs of restructuring
- Disposals of items of property, plant, and equipment
- Disposals of investments
- Discontinued operations
- Litigation settlements
- Other reversals of provisions
How to read an Income Statement Earnings per share
- Because of its importance, earnings per share (EPS) are required to be disclosed on the face of the income statement. A company that reports any of the irregular items must also report EPS for these items either in the statement or in the notes.
- There are two forms of EPS reported:
- Basic: in this case “weighted average of shares outstanding” includes only actual stocks outstanding.
- Diluted: in this case “weighted average of shares outstanding” is calculated as if all stock options, warrants, convertible bonds, and other securities that could be transformed into shares are transformed. This increases the number of shares and so EPS decreases. Diluted EPS is considered to be a more reliable way to measure EPS.
“Bottom line” is the net income that is calculated after subtracting the expenses from revenue. Since this forms the last line of the income statement, it is informally called the “bottom line.” It is important to investors as it represents the profit for the year attributable to the shareholders.
After revision to IAS 1 in 2003, the Standard is now using profit or loss for the year rather than net profit or loss or net income as the descriptive term for the bottom line of the income statement.
How to read an Income Statement and Requirements of IFRS
- On 6 September 2007, the International Accounting Standards Board issued a revised IAS 1: Presentation of Financial Statements, which is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009.
- A business entity adopting IFRS must include:
- a Statement of Comprehensive Income or
- two separate statements comprising:
- an Income Statement displaying components of profit or loss and
- a Statement of Comprehensive Income that begins with profit or loss (bottom line of the income statement) and displays the items of other comprehensive income for the reporting period. (IAS1.81)
- All non-owner changes in equity (i.e. comprehensive income ) shall be presented in either in the statement of comprehensive income (or in a separate income statement and a statement of comprehensive income). Components of comprehensive income may not be presented in the statement of changes in equity.
- Comprehensive income for a period includes profit or loss (net income) for that period and other comprehensive income recognized in that period.
- All items of income and expense recognized in a period must be included in profit or loss unless a Standard or an Interpretation requires otherwise. (IAS 1.88) Some IFRSs require or permit that some components to be excluded from profit or loss and instead to be included in other comprehensive income. (IAS 1.89)
How to read an Income Statement Items and disclosures
- The statement of comprehensive income should include: (IAS 1.82)
- Finance costs (including interest expenses)
- Share of the profit or loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method
- Tax expense
- A single amount comprising the total of (1) the post-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations and (2) the post-tax gain or loss recognized on the disposal of the assets or disposal group(s) constituting the discontinued operation
- Profit or loss
- Each component of other comprehensive income classified by nature
- Share of the other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method
- Total comprehensive income
- The following items must also be disclosed in the statement of comprehensive income as allocations for the period: (IAS 1.83)
- Profit or loss for the period attributable to non-controlling interests and owners of the parent
- Total comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests and owners of the parent
- No items may be presented in the statement of comprehensive income (or in the income statement, if separately presented) or in the notes as extraordinary items.
Small business owners need to know How to read an Income Statement and need them at least quarterly, which means you should talk to your accountant if you’re not receiving them. Accountants Strategy For Struggling Businesses often starts with analyzing the income statement. Accountants Can Help Key Performance Indicators which are statistical indicators of critical business operations. Contact an Accountant or Certified Public Accountant for assistance. | <urn:uuid:5dcd1368-db7f-465a-97e2-b5fe45c5ecb7> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.accountantsinmiami.com/how-to-read-an-income-statement-3/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141185851.16/warc/CC-MAIN-20201126001926-20201126031926-00658.warc.gz | en | 0.930506 | 2,789 | 3.4375 | 3 |
Flooding is one of the most common natural disasters affecting U.S. citizens, causing deaths and massive property damage. Flood are overflows of water that submerge land which is normally dry. Some floods develop over time, while others can become dangerous very quickly and affect areas where it isn’t even raining. Unless you live on a mountaintop, you’re eligible to be a victim of a flood. The family medic who prepares for flood events can prevent injuries and illnesses with a plan of action.
Types of Floods
Flash Floods: Flash floods usually develop shortly after a nearby heavy rain. The rainfall creates a rapid rise of water which accumulates in low-lying areas like floodplains. This often catches populations downstream by surprise, causing severe damage and loss of life.
Flash flooding may also occur due to ice jams, overflowing levees, or dam failures (described below). This is especially common in the western United States where normally dry areas near steep terrain might fill with rushing water.
River Flooding: River flooding, like flash floods, can be caused by heavy rainfall, dam failures, rapid snowmelt, and ice jams. Unlike flash floods, some river flooding may cause water levels to rise slowly but steadily. Either way, the result threatens structures and populations along its course.
Storm Surges: Tropical (or even non-tropical) storm systems can bring heavy winds; storm surge flooding, however, is responsible for more damage. Storm surge is the rise in water generated by the storm above normal tide levels. When the storm approaches the coast, high winds cause large waves that can inundate structures, damage foundations, and cause significant loss of life.
Burn Scars: The Western U.S. has, in recent years, experienced significant wildfire activity. After a fire, the bare ground can become so hardened that water can’t be absorbed into the ground. This is known as a “burn scar”. Burn scars are less able to absorb moisture, leading heavy rains to accumulate water wherever gravity takes it.
Ice Jams: Northern areas of the continental U.S. and Alaska may have flooding as a result of ice jams. When waterways are blocked by an obstruction, such as ice and debris, water is held back. This causes flooding upstream. When the obstruction is finally removed, flash flooding occurs downstream. Many ice jams occur at bends in a river.
Snowmelt: Snowmelt flooding is common in mountainous northern U.S. states. Until temperatures rise above freezing, snow is just stored water. When it gets warmer, the snowmelt acts as if it were rain and flooding can occur.
Barrier Failures: When a dam or levee breaks, it can be due to excessive rainfall, erosion, landslides, earthquakes, and many other natural causes. Some dams fail as a result of man-made issues, such as negligence, improper maintenance, and even sabotage. As a result, water levels can overflow the barrier or seep through defects in the structure. Failures of infrastructure, such as the sudden collapse of a dam, may cause catastrophic flooding: The 1889 Johnstown, Pennsylvania event took 2,200 lives.
Major flooding may also be caused by the effects of an earthquake or even a volcanic eruption. If these events occur offshore, they may result in tidal waves (“tsunamis”) which have both short- and long-term effects. Short-term issues which cost lives include the inability of emergency medical services to access flooded areas. Penetration of saltwater causes widespread failure of freshwater delivery systems which cause crop failures and may make farmland infertile, sometimes for years. When agriculture and certain industries fail, an economic collapse in the affected area may be the result. Civil unrest often follows.
The nightmare scenario above is not purely hypothetical: Disasters related to flooding have sometimes caused millions of casualties. In 1931, major flooding of rivers in China resulted both directly and indirectly in three million deaths. If you take out war, famine, and pandemics, flooding is, potentially, the deadliest of human tragedies.
Most people have heard of hurricane or tornado watches and warnings, but the U.S. weather services also tries to warn the populace of flooding. Just like storm alerts, a “flash flood watch” means that flash flooding is possible in the near future; a “flash flood warning” means that flooding is imminent or already occurring in the area.
To make it safely through a flood, consider the following recommendations:
Pay attention to flood alerts: If you live in a low-lying area, especially near a dam or river, you should heed warnings when they are given and be prepared to evacuate quickly. Timing is important: Make the decision to leave for higher ground before flooding occurs and roads are blocked. Rising flood waters could easily trap people in their home, and you don’t want to have to perch on your roof waiting for help. Having a NOAA weather radio will keep you up to date on the latest advisories.
Be careful walking Through flood Waters: Drowning is the most common cause of death during a flood, especially a flash flood. Rapidly moving water can knock you off your feet even if it’s less than a foot deep. The calmest flood waters are often murky and hide debris that can cause injuries if you walk through them.
Wounds exposed to contaminated flood water are more likely to become seriously infected. Wash wounds immediately with clean drinkable water, cover with dry sterile dressings, and change dressings twice daily. Keep dressings dry and be sure to clean with drinkable water during each dressing change until fully healed. See the section on wound care for more information.
Don’t drive through flooded areas: Roads and bridges could easily be washed out if you wait too long to leave the area. In a flood, many people drown in their cars as they stall out in moving water. Average-sized vehicles can be carried away by water just two foot deep. In one recent event, 130 people required rescue from partially submerged cars. Try to plan a “high road” route to safety before a flood occurs.
Beware of downed power lines: Electrical current is easily conducted through water, so beware of downed power lines. You don’t have to physically touch the downed line to be electrocuted, only step in the highly conductive water nearby. There are numerous instances of electrocutions occurring as a result of rescuers jumping into the water to try to save victims of a shock.
Never touch someone who has been electrocuted without first shutting off the power source. if you can’t shut off the power, you will, somehow, have to move the victim. Use a dry nonmetal object, such as a wooden broom handle or rope. Be aware that, although dry wood may not be conductive of electricity, wet wood conducts it very well and can kill you.
Don’t drink the water: Flood water is not clean water. It is contaminated by debris and water treatment plants may have been compromised by the disaster. As a result, water-borne illness such as cholera may run rampant unless the water is disinfected. Have a reliable way to purify water and a good supply of clean water stored away. It is, indeed, a medical supply item. 8 drops of 6% household bleach will sterilize a gallon of water (1/3 teaspoon for 4 gallons), but twice the amount will be needed for cloudy water. Remember that a filter might also be needed to eliminate debris. Wait 30 minutes after adding bleach before drinking. This and other water disinfection methods are discussed in the sanitation section of this book.
Have supplies handy: Flood waters may not recede quickly. Besides water, have non-perishable food, bottled water, heat and light sources, batteries, tools, extra clothing, a medical kit, a cell phone, and a NOAA weather radio among your supplies. Don’t forget extra prescription medications.
Turn off the power: If you have reason to believe that water will get into your home, turn off the electricity before the flooding occurs. If the water reaches the level of the electric outlets, you could easily get electrocuted. Some warning signs might be sparks or strange sounds like crackling, popping, or buzzing.
Beware of intruders and pests: Animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Mosquitoes and the diseases they carry will be on the rise as flood waters increase potential breeding grounds. Use insect repellent, mosquito netting or stay inside air-conditioned buildings if possible. Snakes, raccoons, and other refugees may decide your residence is now their territory. Beware of human intruders as well; they may be interested to see what valuables you left behind.
Watch your step: After a flood, watch where you step when you enter your home; there will, likely, be debris everywhere. The floors may also be covered in mud, causing a slip-and-fall hazard.
Check for gas leaks: Don’t use candles, lanterns, stoves, or lighters unless you are sure that the gas has been turned off and the area is well-ventilated.
Avoid exhaust fumes: Only use generators, camping stoves, or charcoal grills outside. Their fumes can be deadly.
Clean out saturated items completely: If cans of food got wet in the flood, their surfaces may be covered with mud or otherwise contaminated. Thoroughly wash food containers, utensils, and personal items before using. Don’t use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have completely dried. You might have to take some apart to clean the debris out.
Mold is going to be an issue after the water recedes. Remove all materials susceptible to mold growth as soon as possible. For things that can’t be removed, clean with a 10% bleach solution.
Use waterproof containers for Important items: Waterproof containers can protect food, personal items, important documents, and more.
Joe Alton MD
Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page Survival Medicine Handbook is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net. | <urn:uuid:200a10ff-6915-45a4-afcf-75213d9b6356> | CC-MAIN-2023-14 | https://www.doomandbloom.net/things-to-know-about-floods/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-14/segments/1679296944452.74/warc/CC-MAIN-20230322180852-20230322210852-00294.warc.gz | en | 0.943328 | 2,166 | 4 | 4 |
Recent Weather Could Affect Wheat Quality
As wheat harvest gets started in Washington, recent rainfall and cool temperatures have some growers worried about Mother Nature’s fickle ways with their crop. Rainfall close to harvest can result in preharvest sprouting, which can negatively affect wheat quality. Dr. Camille Steber, USDA-ARS plant geneticist, explains the potential effects of recent rains on this year’s wheat crop and what growers can do to manage this risk.
The Hagberg-Perten Falling Number test is used to measure starch damage due to sprout. Low FN is used as an indicator that grain contains a high level of alpha-amylase, an enzyme that degrades starch leading to poor end-use quality of wheat products (Figure 1). Grain with an FN below 300 seconds is typically discounted in the Pacific Northwest.
Wheat that has been rained on is at risk of low FN. Eastern Washington experienced periods of rainfall July 7 to 12, 2016, just as winter wheat harvest approached. Chances are, buyers will check FN to protect themselves from sprout damage risk. Whether or not your grain is likely to have low FN problems depends on the susceptibility of the cultivar you grew, on the local weather, and the timing of the rain relative to maturity date.
Preharvest sprouting is the initiation of grain germination while still on the mother plant. Germinating seeds degrade starch for use in fueling growth. Lack of seed dormancy explains 60-80% of genetic sprout susceptibility. Dormant grains can’t germinate, and so don’t suffer sprout damage in the rain. Seed dormancy is strongest at maturity, just as the wheat turns from green to yellow. Dormancy is lost gradually over time as the dry, mature grain “after-ripens” (Figure 2). Winter wheat that still had some green color is less likely to have a low FN due to sprouting than wheat that was completely yellow and dry when it rained. Since green grain cannot sprout, spring wheat that was green when it rained should be safe from low FN, as long as there isn’t another ill-timed rain event.
Not all rainstorms induce sprouting. Seed dormancy is broken by cool, rainy conditions. So if the temperatures are in the 80s °F when it rains, the wheat is less likely to sprout than if the temperatures are in the 60s. Low FN is also more likely when there are multiple rainy days in a row, as the wheat stays wet longer.
How do you spot sprouted grain?
It takes a lot of rainfall to make a seedling sprout out from a wheat spike (about 3 days of constant rain at 70 degrees). If you look closely at a mildly sprouted grain, you can sometimes see a small root protruding from the germ-end (Figure 3). Such grain can have a very low FN (under 200 sec). As the sprouted grain dries, the root can shrink back into the grain leaving behind a small crack at the embryo end. Sometimes this cracked end breaks, leaving behind a germ-less grain. So get out your magnifying glass.
Low FN (200-300 sec) can also be caused by late-maturity alpha-amylase (LMA) induced by heat shock or cold shock during grain maturation. LMA causes low FN in grain that appears to be sound. We had some big temperature fluctuations this summer, so there may be some lower FN in wheat that saw no rain. Some LMA-susceptible suspects include SY-Ovation, Bruehl, Jasper, and Alturas.
Click HERE to see what farmers can do to reduce economic losses due to low FN.
Camille Steber is a molecular geneticist with the USDA-ARS in Pullman, WA. For questions/comments, contact her at email@example.com or 509-335-2887. | <urn:uuid:51cabd21-6a52-4600-88c7-33c59723e846> | CC-MAIN-2017-17 | http://smallgrains.wsu.edu/recent-weather-could-affect-wheat-quality/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-17/segments/1492917126538.54/warc/CC-MAIN-20170423031206-00491-ip-10-145-167-34.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938287 | 825 | 2.890625 | 3 |
Recently I was discussing Christian Hebraism in England with a friend. We noted that even though there weren't many Jews around when intense interest in Hebrew was revived, there were many traces of the Jews extant in England, and a great deal of Hebrew material from the time when there was a Jewish community in London, before they were expelled in 1290.
Here is a drawing from 1753 of an old Hebrew inscription in a stone found in London Wall:
This find was written up in the Gentleman's Magazine of August 1753, "Of an antique Stone in London Wall."
As you can see, apparently the reason why there were stones with Hebrew inscriptions in London Wall is because in the time of King John, in1215, some rebellious barons seized Jewish property ("such as they knew favoured the king") and afterward stones from the property was used to make repairs in the wall:
However, although it was understood in 1753 as being from the time of the 1215 rebellion, Marjorie B. Honeybourne argues that they were more likely taken from the Jewish cemetery and used for city defenses after the expulsion of 1290, giving several reasons why this might be so.
This was not the first such Hebrew inscription found in London Wall. In fact, in total six have been found. "Rabbi" John Selden discussed one in 1629 (Marmoa Arundelliana, 1629 p. 177):
and H. Prideaux included discussed the same inscription and included images others in his enlargement of Selden Marmora Oxoniensa (1676, pp. 311-14): | <urn:uuid:79281811-5e5d-4fa0-9613-cf99982ea515> | CC-MAIN-2015-40 | http://onthemainline.blogspot.com/2010/09/medieval-hebrew-tombstones-embedded-in.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-40/segments/1443736676092.10/warc/CC-MAIN-20151001215756-00002-ip-10-137-6-227.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.982351 | 335 | 2.75 | 3 |
Backwater sanitary valves (also known as "check valves" or "backwater valves"), are mechanical devices that are designed to allow the flow of water in one direction only: away from your home. Used on a sanitary lateral, they can offer a decrease in risk of sewage backup if installed properly and maintained adequately.
What is a backwater sanitary valve and how does it work?
A backwater sanitary valve is a type of check valve that is designed to only allow flow in one direction. Different backwater sanitary valves work in different ways, but in general, the type of device that is used in sanitary sewer scenarios works like this:
- The valve is normally in an open position: the "gate" (or "flap") is open.
- When a backflow condition occurs, floats under the gate lift up and start to block the backflow.
- If the backflow condition increases, the gate closes against a gasket and creates a seal which does not allow water to pass in the backwards direction.
- When the backflow condition ends, the gate falls back down due to gravity and returns to the open position to allow normal outflow of sewage from the home's plumbing system.
- See diagram to the right (courtesy Mainline Backflow Products) and video link below (courtesy the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR)) for illustration.
How does one install a backwater valve?
There are a couple different types of backwater sanitary valves, and they are installed in different ways. The most commonly used variety is called a Mainline Full-port Backwater Valve, as shown in the image to the right (courtesy Multi-Drain Inc.). It is installed by cutting a hole in the foundation inside the home above the main sewer line to expose it and allow for the installation of the device. There is another less common variety that can be installed somewhere on the sewer lateral outside the house, in the lawn for example.
The location of installation needs to be downstream of all fixtures to offer full protection, in addition to any other manufacturer's requirements that may exist. Installation of a backflow prevention device is not simple and this work is best undertaken by a licensed and qualified plumber, and it does require a Plumbing Permit from the City. Knowing if your foundation drain goes to the sanitary sewer or not is critical, and ideally, it should be redirected.
Why do you need a plumbing permit to install a backwater sanitary valve?
Because there are a number of code requirements pertaining to backwater sanitary valves, a plumbing permit is required for installation. A plumbing inspection will allow for confirmation that the contractor has installed it correctly. A note of caution: while contractors are aware of this, they do not always acquire a permit or even inform you that one is required.
Does a backwater sanitary valve guarantee that a backup will not occur?
No. Unfortunately, while they can offer a lot of protection, there is no guarantee that a sewage backup will not occur because of a number of factors:
- Installation - The device needs to be installed correctly, including the location, orientation and position. If the plumber is not diligent in ensuring that the manufacturer's specification are followed, the device may not operate correctly. It is therefore worthwhile taking the time to understand the requirements of the device being installed and verify the contractor's workmanship. Some issues are as follows:
- Location - The device must be located downstream of all sanitary fixtures yet upstream of any connection from the foundation drain (discussed further below).
- Orientation - Each device has directionality to it, in that it will only work if oriented correctly. Devices therefore usually have clearly illustrated arrows on them.
- Position - The device likely has a required slope to it that must be ensured for proper function.
- Slope - The devices typically have minimum slope requirements.
- Your foundation drainage complicates things - If your home's foundation drainage is collected by a sump and then discharged to the lawn, a backwater sanitary valve has a good chance of being suitable. If your foundation drain is connected to the sanitary sewer, the best scenario is to sever that connection. A connected foundation drain is problematic for two reasons:
- If the connection is downstream of the backwater sanitary valve, during a backup sewage will not backup into your home, but will backup into the drainage materials around your foundation, including the weeping tile.
- If the connection is upstream of the backwater sanitary valve, then in all likelihood, when the valve closes during a rainfall event the drainage of groundwater around your home may backup into your basement, since it cannot get away.
- Maintenance - Backwater sanitary valves are not maintenance-free items. They are mechanical devices in a dirty environment requiring regular maintenance and cleaning to best ensure they will operate properly during a backflow condition. Manufacturer's recommendations for the type and frequency of maintenance should be followed.
- Knowledge - Take a moment now to consider a closed backwater sanitary valve. During a condition where the gate is closed, backwater cannot get into your home. This is great and what you want, but unfortunately, during this this condition, the opposite effect is also true - sewage from your home cannot get out. Your home's internal plumbing has limited storage capacity. If the gate is closed, and you happen to take a shower and run the laundry at the same time, this may rapidly fill up the space in your plumbing and if is too much for your plumbing to hold, it will start coming out in your own home, at the lowest available fixture - usually a floor drain or basement shower stall. Knowledge is key. Heavy rain or an intense snowmelt is not a good time to use a lot of water within your home.
A backwater sanitary valve installation showing its correct position and disconnected weeping tile (courtesy ICLR)
So, your best chance for making a backwater sanitary valve work for you is knowledge - to learn a bit about how it should be installed and verify your contractor is doing it right (to the best of your ability), make sure your foundation drainage is not tied in to the sanitary lateral, learn how to maintain it and learn the do's and don'ts of water usage when you have one installed.
The City is offering residents a financial subsidy to install a backwater valve. For more information and to see if you qualify, visit our Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program (BFP) page.
Visit our Flooding
page for more information on how to reduce basement flooding.
Office of the City Engineer
350 City Hall Square West, Suite 210
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding holidays)
Phone: For general information, call 311. For detailed inquiries, call (519) 255-6257. | <urn:uuid:3604cbb9-6ba1-42bb-bafe-42410b3a4ac5> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/maintenanceandfieldservices/Sewers-/Pages/Backflow-Prevention.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233511000.99/warc/CC-MAIN-20231002132844-20231002162844-00116.warc.gz | en | 0.9343 | 1,451 | 3.390625 | 3 |
Disability rights have taken a step back, with Sierra Leone also failing to include deaf and immobile people in election planning
The National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone has scrapped a pioneering tactile voting system for blind and visually impaired people just days ahead of the national elections on Saturday.
Disability rights activists have accused the NEC of denying visually impaired people the right to vote independently and in secret by dropping the tactile system that enabled them to vote unassisted. They say the U-turn makes a mockery of public statements of support for disabled citizens made by presidential candidates and marks a significant step backwards in the progress of disability rights.
The system was piloted in Sierra Leone's regional capitals during the 2002 elections - the first use of a tactile ballot paper in Africa. Designed by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and Action on Disability and Development - and funded by the UK's Department for International Development and its American counterpart, USAid - it was rolled out during the 2007 elections. The introduction of the system was accompanied by a national programme to train people how to use it.[view whole blog post ] | <urn:uuid:1cc76dd7-a46b-4708-ac8d-8795ee6212a8> | CC-MAIN-2016-36 | http://blogafrica.allafrica.com/view/entry/main/main/id/0FdUA8fzTnwpLL8l.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-36/segments/1471982935910.69/warc/CC-MAIN-20160823200855-00229-ip-10-153-172-175.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961108 | 218 | 2.53125 | 3 |
Abel-meholah (Hebrew: אָבֵל מְחוֹלָה, Avel Mehola; lit. meadow of dancing) was a city mentioned repeatedly in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and best known for being the birthplace and residence of the prophet Elisha. It was located near the Jordan River south of Bethshean.
Mention in the Bible
Judges 7:22 - When Gideon defeated the Midianites, some of them fled "as far as the border of Abel Meholah". The text indicates that Abel-meholah was seen as a region with a defined border, west of the Jordan River and south of Bethshean.
1 Kings 4:12 - Among Solomon’s twelve governors there is one Baana who is put in charge of several districts including the area "from Beth Shean to Abel Meholah".
1 Kings 19:16 - Elijah, who had fled fearing Queen Jezebel's wrath, is ordered by the Lord at Mount Horeb to go back along the Jordan valley and "anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah" to succeed him as prophet.
The site of Abel-meholah has not yet been identified with certainty. Jerome and Eusebius refer to it as both a town and an area in the Jordan Valley, about ten Roman miles south of Bethshean. In the late nineteenth century explorers were trying to identify the exact mound, Conder stating with some confidence that the site "is now called 'Ain Helweh". Modern scholars generally agree that it has to be found in that area and west of the Jordan River, probably at the spot where Wadi al-Malih, a stream which might preserve the ancient name Meholah, merges into the Jordan. Two tells in that general area, Tell Abu Sifri and Tell Abu Sus, are good candidates with the latter being more likely. Tell Abu Sifri is situated at the confluence of Wadi al-Helweh and Wadi al-Malih, while Tell Abu Sus is closer to the Jordan. None of the two have yet been excavated. | <urn:uuid:a0e8e168-623c-4607-b97c-52425559d4f6> | CC-MAIN-2016-07 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abel-meholah | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-07/segments/1454701152959.66/warc/CC-MAIN-20160205193912-00268-ip-10-236-182-209.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962557 | 461 | 2.75 | 3 |
Iran’s wildlife includes bears, gazelles, wild pigs, wolves, jackals, panthers, Eurasian lynx, and foxes. Domestic animals include sheep, goats, cattle, horses, water buffalo, donkeys, and camels. The pheasant, partridge, stork, eagles and falcon are also native to Iran.
Since the 1979 revolution in Iran, conservation of wildlife has been given very low priority.
About 20 of Iran’s mammal species and 14 bird species are endangered. Endangered species include the Baluchistan bear, Asiatic Cheetah, Caspian Seal, Persian fallow deer, Siberian white crane, hawksbill turtle, green turtle, Oxus cobra, Latifi’s viper, dugong, Persian leopard, Caspian Sea Wolf, and dolphins.
The Asiatic Cheetah survives only in Iran, and is endangered due to loss of primary prey species and loss of habitat. Gazelles (the cheetah’s main prey) and the cheetahs themselves are frequently hunted. There are only about 50-60 of these cheetahs living in the wild, mostly in five sanctuaries in the desert areas around Dasht-e-Kavir in the eastern half of Iran. Some efforts to help save the cheetah include teaching herders to differentiate between cheetahs and other similar-sized carnivores and organization of educational events.
Animals which have become extinct in Iran include the Asiatic Lion and the Caspian Tiger.
Iranian law does not have many animal welfare laws and those that do exist are not really enforced. The Iranian SPCA is a non-governmental society which works to “revive a culture and line of thought which is present in society, but is largely ignored; that is, paying attention to all creatures.” The society is involved in rescue, especially of eagles, squirrels and turtles, as well as vaccination and spaying and neutering of domestic animals.
Religious authorities in Iran have declared dog ownership to be against Islamic Law and dogs are called “unclean.” Sheep Dogs and Guard Dogs are allowed but Companion Dogs are looked down upon. A person who takes his dog on a car trip or to a public park can be stopped and fined. Advertisements about pets or alluding to the buying, selling or keeping of pets are banned in the country. Despite these laws, dog ownership is on the rise in Iran.
|List of cat breeds bred in Iran:| | <urn:uuid:0c729574-bbd6-438e-871f-2a6f6a07f40e> | CC-MAIN-2022-27 | https://thepetwiki.com/wiki/iran/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-27/segments/1656103619185.32/warc/CC-MAIN-20220628233925-20220629023925-00072.warc.gz | en | 0.950611 | 543 | 2.859375 | 3 |
Froude Number and Flow States
The Froude number, Fr, is a dimensionless value that describes different flow regimes of open channel flow. The Froude number is a ratio of inertial and gravitational forces.
· Gravity (numerator) - moves water downhill
· Inertia (denominator) - reflects its willingness to do so.
V = Water velocity
D = Hydraulic depth (cross sectional area of flow / top width)
g = Gravity
Fr = 1, critical flow,
Fr > 1, supercritical flow (fast rapid flow),
Fr < 1, subcritical flow (slow / tranquil flow)
The Froude number is a measurement of bulk flow characteristics such as waves, sand bedforms, flow/depth interactions at a cross section or between boulders.
The denominator represents the speed of a small wave on the water surface relative to the speed of the water, called wave celerity. At critical flow celerity equals flow velocity. Any disturbance to the surface will remain stationary. In subcritical flow the flow is controlled from a downstream point and information is transmitted upstream. This condition leads to backwater effects. Supercritical flow is controlled upstream and disturbances are transmitted downstream.
Wave propagation can be used to illustrate these flow states: A stick placed in the water will create a V pattern of waves downstream. If flow is subcritical waves will appear in front of the stick. If flow is at critical waves will have a 45o angle. If flow is supercritical no upstream waves will appear and the wave angle will be less than 45o.
Note: Critical flow is unstable and often sets up standing waves between super and subcritical flow. When the actual water depth is below critical depth it is called supercritical because it is in a higher energy state. Likewise actual depth above critical depth is called subcritical because it is in a lower energy state. | <urn:uuid:5ed1e9ca-956b-4f9d-ac1e-a219fbdf2e63> | CC-MAIN-2018-51 | http://www.fsl.orst.edu/geowater/FX3/help/8_Hydraulic_Reference/Froude_Number_and_Flow_States.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-51/segments/1544376824675.15/warc/CC-MAIN-20181213101934-20181213123434-00506.warc.gz | en | 0.878206 | 392 | 3.15625 | 3 |
Outcome measures are what people often think of when it comes to evaluation: they show whether the program was effective at making changes in the target population.2,3 Outcomes can be divided into short-, intermediate- and long-term measures. Long-term outcomes are related to the overall goal(s) of the program and take years to observe (e.g., reductions in disease or healthcare costs).2 Short- and intermediate-term outcomes are often the stepping stones to achieving long-term outcomes, like individual behavior changes or the introduction of new policies and benefits.2 When deciding what outcomes to measure, you should set SMART objectives, focusing on outcomes that are: specific, measurable, attainable (realistic for the program and organization), relevant (as an answer to the problem being addressed) and time-oriented. Once you have SMART objectives set, decide how often outcomes will be measured and assign the tasks of collecting data and providing regular reports to a specific individual or group to ensure accountability.2
There are four broad outcomes of interest to most employers: health outcomes, worker productivity, healthcare costs and organizational change.2 These categories can be broken down in a variety of ways, and the choice of what to measure and how to measure it should be informed by the overall program’s goals. For example, you might measure productivity by changes in absenteeism or health outcomes by uptake of desired behavior changes or changes in biometric health measures. | <urn:uuid:3bafc1d8-2586-4490-bfa5-10cee88b5c3e> | CC-MAIN-2020-34 | https://playbook.heart.org/collect-data-on-multiple-outcomes-over-time/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-34/segments/1596439736962.52/warc/CC-MAIN-20200806121241-20200806151241-00450.warc.gz | en | 0.945986 | 294 | 2.875 | 3 |
Georgia’s hot summers and warm early-fall temperatures – and the intensive labor required to grow and harvest Brussels sprouts – make growing the crop too risky for Georgia farmers.
Although they are a cold-tolerant crop, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension research has found that, in order to grow to maturity, Brussels sprouts would have to be planted in late summer, when temperatures are too high.
“I think it’s going to be difficult to make this a commercially viable crop,” said Justin Shealey, UGA Extension coordinator in Echols County. “There are a lot of hurdles we’re going to have to figure out before we can get to that point.”
Shealey coordinated on-field research trials of Brussels sprouts with UGA Extension vegetable horticulturist Tim Coolong. After two years of research, Shealey concluded that Georgia farmers would lose much of their crop if Brussels sprouts were planted too soon, and would miss the market if they were planted too late.
Coolong believes Brussels sprouts would be greeted by an “attractive market” in Georgia, but agrees the unpredictable weather patterns and labor required to farm the vegetable makes the proposition risky. The crop’s uncertainty due to Georgia’s weather also means the use of a mechanical harvester may not be feasible, Coolong said.
“Out in California and other places, they have the growing system and weather in place where they can get a uniform crop of sprouts on a stalk. Mechanical harvesters are a very reasonable option for them,” Coolong said. "The cost of a mechanical harvester is prohibitive without having a significant amount of production in place. It’s one of those things where people have been unable to make an investment, but at the same time, (harvesting) by hand is not an economically good option. There’s just too much labor involved.”
Brussels sprouts plants look like collard plants until little sprouts emerge where leaves come out of the plant. To help the plant produce sprouts, workers must cut the tops of the plants to force the plant to put resources into sprout production.
Workers must remove the plants’ leaves through a process called “kiting.” This allows energy to move into the sprouts instead of leaf production and increases airflow to the plants, which reduces disease pressure.
During harvest, Shealey estimates between 30 to 40 individual Brussels sprouts must be harvested from each plant. Between 3,800 and 4,000 plants are grown per acre, which leaves an unenviable task for a grower and his farm workers.
“How many workers are you going to have to have, and how long is it going to take you to pop all those sprouts off?” Shealey said. “That’s a lot of labor that growers have to account for when considering this crop.”
Brussels sprouts can grow in the spring, but Coolong believes they would perform better in the fall. He worries that the heat that accompanies late spring in Georgia would slow growth, but he admits more research is needed to verify that theory.
If research did show that Brussels sprouts could grow in Georgia’s fall temperatures, the crop’s lack of uniformity would remain a problem, Coolong said.
“There’s such an interest in buying regionally. Most of our vegetables, especially Brussels sprouts, are coming from California or maybe out of Canada. If our East Coast customers could actually get products from Georgia in a reasonable window of time, I think the market would be wide open,” he said.
Shealey and Coolong warn Georgia farmers who, despite the risks, try to grow Brussels sprouts that there is a lack of labeled chemicals for control of insects, diseases and weeds. | <urn:uuid:8b5c0a35-4b8a-42f4-a8e1-bd231b212bcb> | CC-MAIN-2021-49 | https://newswire.caes.uga.edu/story/6073/brussels-sprouts.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-49/segments/1637964361169.72/warc/CC-MAIN-20211202054457-20211202084457-00122.warc.gz | en | 0.961114 | 814 | 3.171875 | 3 |
|History of the Spanish Trail, Utah|
|Courtesy of Utah History Encyclopedia. (Links Added)|
Opened as a trade route between Santa Fe and Los Angeles, the Spanish Trail became a major link connecting New Mexico and southern California from 1829 to 1848. It was used chiefly by New Mexican traders, who found a ready market for woolen goods--serapes, rugs, blankets, bedspreads, yardage--in the California settlements. Pack trains with as many as a hundred traders left Santa Fe in annual caravans. The textiles were exchanged in California for horses and mules, which were then marketed in New Mexico. Traders returning to Santa Fe often drove as many as a thousand or more animals, some of them, perhaps, having been stolen from the herds of the California missions and ranchos.
As they passed through Paiute country in Utah and Nevada, some traders victimized the Indians by taking slaves to add to their stock of trade goods. Women and children were in demand as slaves both in California and New Mexico.
Occasional travelers followed the trail to California, among them American trappers, entrepreneurs, and government agents, as well as settlers from New Mexico. Mounted Indians were commonly seen along the eastern sections of the trail.
The Spanish Trail consisted of a 1,120-mile northward-looping course traversing six states--New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California. Hostile Indian tribes--Apaches, Navajos, and Mojaves--prevented the opening of a direct route between Santa Fe and Los Angeles. To circumvent the great canyons of the Colorado River system, the trail was pushed northward to the open country at Green River, Utah.
The word "Spanish" is something of a misnomer since the trail was in use only during the time when the region traversed was part of Mexico. The term comes down to us in the writings of American explorers who, as they traveled along sections of the trail, concluded that it had been opened by Spain. Thus it appears in their diaries and maps as the "Spanish Trail." John C. Frémont was one of those who used the name. After 1848, when sovereignty of the region passed to the United States, American travelers in some numbers described the "Old" Spanish Trail, and their writings provide clues for anyone seeking its location.
The trail was simply that--a trail; it was not used by wheeled vehicles until 1848 when the Mormons developed the western section for wagon travel between Salt Lake City and southern California. It was the first extensively used route to cross the region now within the boundaries of Utah. The Utah sector, the longest of any within the trail states, was 460 miles. Recently completed field research has revealed the actual location of the trail throughout its course from Santa Fe to Los Angeles.
The Spanish Trail literally began northwest of Santa Fe at Abiquiu, the last European settlement during the trail days; between New Mexico and the frontier outpost of Cucamonga in California was a distance of about a thousand miles. In Colorado, the trail passed through or near Ignacio, Durango, Dolores, and Dove Creek. It crossed into Utah near the tiny settlement of Ucolo, about fifteen miles east of Monticello.
In order to head the great canyons of the Colorado and Green rivers, the Spanish Trail held to a northwest course as far as the present town of Green River. From Green River, the trail crossed the northern part of the San Rafael Swell, missing its rugged interior. From here, the trail carried early travelers on an easy course along the wide, well-watered floor of Castle Valley, and then crossed the Wasatch Plateau to continue through the Great Basin, via Sevier River Valley, the Markagunt Plateau, the Parowan Valley, and the Escalante Desert. On the southern edge of the Escalante Desert, the trail passed up Holt Canyon to Mountain Meadows, a favorite resting place, known in the trail days as "Las Vegas de Santa Clara." Leaving the meadows, the trail turned down the tributaries of Magotsu Creek and Moody Wash to the main Santa Clara River, through the homeland of the Southern Paiute Indians.
At a point where the Santa Clara River makes a bend to the east, the Spanish Trail left the river and climbed over the Beaver Dam Mountains, following a course practically identical with that of old U.S. Highway 91. On the west side of the Beaver Dam Mountains, on Utah Hill, the trail entered a forest of Joshua trees marking the eastern limits of the Mohave Desert. The Spanish Trail then left Utah, cut across the northwest corner of Arizona, and traversed southern Nevada, following the Virgin River for some distance. The good springs at Las Vegas stopped every caravan. The trail then crossed the Mohave Desert to southern California. Threading Cajon Pass, caravans reached San Gabriel and, finally, Los Angeles, at the end of the trail.
See: LeRoy R. Hafen, and Ann W. Hafen, Old Spanish Trail, Santa Fe to Los Angeles (1954); Eleanor F. Lawrence, "Mexican Trade between Santa Fe and Los Angeles, 1830-1948," California Historical Society Quarterly 10 (March 1931); John Adam Hussey, "The New Mexico-California Caravan of 1847-1848," New Mexico Historical Review 18 (January 1943); C. Gregory Crampton, "Utah's Spanish Trail," Utah Historical Quarterly 47 (Fall 1979).
|C. Gregory Crampton| | <urn:uuid:1e2ad0cb-3f40-4db0-b826-50e193f2e9ec> | CC-MAIN-2022-05 | https://www.onlineutah.com/spanishtrailhistory.shtml | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-05/segments/1642320301592.29/warc/CC-MAIN-20220119215632-20220120005632-00454.warc.gz | en | 0.95829 | 1,160 | 3.875 | 4 |
Protecting children from unintentional injuries is very important. Children develop at different rates and it is hard to keep an eye on them all the time. Practicing safety based on children’s’ developmental stages, keeps them safe and secure.
Children are going to run, fall down and take risks when playing. This checklist can help you look at your home and check for hazards and possible dangers to children. This checklist highlights ways to keep your children safe. When checking your home take a few minutes and look at it from a child’s view.
- Anything that fits in a child’s mouth will probably go there.
- Look for climbing opportunities and things that can be pulled down from above.
- Watch for sharp corners, protrusions, and objects a child might fall on.
- Children are very inquisitive and will pry at vent covers, electric outlets, etc.
- Does your home have a list of emergency telephone numbers near the telephone or in your cell phone?
- Does your home have a safe, age-appropriate place for the child to sleep?
- Is your home child/baby proofed (electrical outlets covered, safety latches on cabinet doors, cleaning supplies and other dangerous objects stored out of reach, choking hazards are out of reach)?
- Are televisions positioned high or bolted to the wall so they do not get pulled over?
- Are medicines in original container and in a locked cabinet out of child’s reach?
- Are cleaning supplies stored away from food and out of the reach of children?
- Does your home have working smoke detectors?
- Does your home have a working fire extinguisher?
- Do you have a fire escape plan?
- Are drapery/blind cords secured and out of the reach of children?
- Are pot handles turned to the back of the stove when cooking?
- Are children always supervised when they are in or near water?
- Is your water heater temperature set at 120 degrees F?
- Are toys clean and age-appropriate?
- Does your home have a complete first aid kit?
- Are your children not exposed to second hand smoke?
- Are the children always supervised when playing indoors and outdoors?
(Adapted with permission from the Home Safety Checklist for Families with Young Children, Safe Kids Lincoln-Lancaster County)
Make sure to follow The Learning Child on social media for more research-based early childhood education resources! | <urn:uuid:3fc27d85-7ec2-4fe4-92d6-f81f0fb8aa3b> | CC-MAIN-2021-21 | https://learningchildblog.com/tag/home/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-21/segments/1620243991252.15/warc/CC-MAIN-20210512035557-20210512065557-00399.warc.gz | en | 0.926917 | 511 | 2.90625 | 3 |
How does our outdoor visit support Early Childhood Learning
Trips to places outside the Early Learning Centre can provide children with new experiences and increase their understanding of the world around them.
The nature-based Early Childhood Education programs and the purpose of an outdoor visit are to encourage children to be active, support learning in a variety of environments and give them opportunities for conversation, enquiry and developing theories.
Places other than classrooms allow children to have a wide perspective about things, notice things belonging to nature more easily, restructure their emotions, gain information at their own speed, try different learning styles and offer learning opportunities different from those in classrooms.
Outdoor learning programs create many opportunities and contribute to the improvement of motor skills, awareness, social relationships development, motivation, awareness, observation skills, leadership, emotional control and concentration and imagination. Outdoor education allows Kindergarten programs to be offered in different environments and with appropriate educational opportunities.
Here at Learning Links Childcare Hector Drive, we value the learning that can be experienced beyond our classroom walls. The tamariki that attend the centre live within this community and are familiar with the nearby streets and landmarks, therefore we utilise it regularly to support their connection within Rototuna and the centre.
Keerangi Place, Rototuna was utilised as an excursion as it offers a diverse environment; houses, walking paths and a local pond. It is also active in the development and enabled tamariki to witness valuable contributors to our growing community; concrete trucks, landscapers and builders.
Building upon the toddler’s current interests in colours, numbers and animals, a scavenger hunt was set up for tamariki to match, identify and recognise what is commonly visible within our community, whilst also being out and amongst it.
Learning Links Montessori visits places such as the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Library, and the Otago Museum which offers opportunities to extend children’s learning through active hands-on exploration and interaction in real-life experience.
Our recent visit to the Otago Museum Animal Attic was an opportunity to see close a huge variety of birds on display. This is followed by a local bird rescuer in our community. During the centre’s literacy celebration week, the tamariki also visited the Art Gallery and enjoyed the show ” Beyond the Hedge” by Jim McMurtry (Maquette).
Each of these experiences builds on and extends children’s learning in meaningful ways, and reflects the ethos and values of a Learning Links Childcare Centre.
At Learning Links Horowhenua Centre, we have many opportunities for tamariki to explore their local community including our Library Te Takere and local school. We enjoy going to a language and literacy-rich environment the library provides us with, where we can explore the books and deepen a love of reading. We will often find books about the tamariki’s interest and bring these back to the centre to further explore for a longer period of time.
We have strong relationships with our closest local school and take our Tuakana their for visits. This helps to familiarise the school environment and we get to see our past Learning Links friends again. In return, the school comes to visit us in centre with their books and will read these to our tamariki. This reciprocal relationship we have developed with our local school supports the child’s learning by deepening their awareness of people places and things. | <urn:uuid:cc22f763-bbd6-49a9-be9b-f0b2ffc600b2> | CC-MAIN-2022-27 | https://www.learninglinkschildcare.co.nz/outdoor-visits/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-27/segments/1656103516990.28/warc/CC-MAIN-20220628111602-20220628141602-00320.warc.gz | en | 0.946474 | 706 | 2.953125 | 3 |
The goal: Control of land use
By Henry Lamb
Which is more important: reduce America's dependence on foreign energy sources, or add 2.85 million acres to the existing 200 million acres of protected areas? According to the United Nations, 27% of the total land area in the United States is already locked up in some kind of protected area and 67% of the total marine area. This means, of course, that there can be no development of energy or other natural resources in 27% of the nation's land and 67% of the nation's marine resources.
Only the most avid preservationist, or the most anti-American, could possibly choose to lock up the nation's natural resources rather than to develop them. Nevertheless, the federal government continues to block readily available and affordable energy development while susbsidizing, at great public expense, the development of exotic energy sources such as wind and solar. There is much more than the discredited global warming scare driving this ongoing obsession to lock up natural resources.
The goal is control. In order to control people, the government must control the use of land. Control of the use of land includes control of the use of natural resources. Energy is the fuel that produces prosperity, and the government bureaucracy has decided that it will control access to energy by controlling the use of land and marine resources.
Since the Carter administration, the land management agencies of the federal government have been taken over by environmental extremist organizations. Footnote 30 in this document identifies many such characters added to the administration by President Clinton. In an effort to appease the green crowd, both Bush 41 and 43 continued the practice. The Obama administration is replete with environmental extremists and individuals whose public statements strongly suggest an anti-American bent. Consequently, the lock-up of land and its resources continues.
The federal government has many tools with which to deprive the people of their resources and the use of their land. Congress has not been at all reluctant to impose new Wilderness areas, or to provide abundant funding for the outright purchase of land from private individuals. Federal agencies can declare land - private or public - to be wetlands, or critical habitat, and with these designations prohibit use of the land and its resources. There are also 47 U.N. Biosphere Reserves in the United States, and 20 World Heritage Sites. These lands were designated by the U.N after nomination by federal agencies – with no Congressional debate or approval. Each of these designations includes protected areas that are voluntarily managed (pp. 94-99) according to policies set forth by the United Nations. With the stroke of a pen, the President may also designate any land he wishes as a National Monument under the authority of the Antiquities Act.
Until 1976, private ownership of land was the desired goal of government in the United States. The policy changed officially when William K. Reilly, Carla A. Hills, and others endorsed the policy statement of the U.N. Conference on Human Settlements. The preamble to this statement says:
The rest of the document contains 65 pages of specific recommendations about how to take control of land use and recapture increases in property value for government. These recommendations are now being implemented through sustainable development programs and comprehensive land use plans set forth in the U.N.'s Agenda 21.
Montana State Senator, Dave Lewis, has introduced a Resolution calling on Congress to withdraw the U.S. from U.N. (SJ-2) This is particularly important in Montana because both of Montana's U.S. Senators support another bureaucratic effort afoot to expand existing Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage Sites to lock up at least another 2.5 million acres in protected areas that would deny resource development, and even most human activity. Here is another classic example of how Senators chosen by the state legislature, as the original Constitution provided, would never support the green extremists instead of the wishes of the state legislature.
Every state should examine Montana's resolution and consider a similar request. The United Nations, and its various environmental programs, commissions, and schemes, seeks to bring virtually every inch of the globe under its ultimate control. Consider the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on the Law of the Sea, the RAMSAR Wetland Treaty, the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and the dozens of other so-called environment treaties – all designed to put the control of land use under an international agreement administered by the United Nations.
It is not just a coincidence that the Communist Manifesto calls for the abolition of private property.
State legislatures should adopt Montana's resolution, and urge their Congressional delegation to support Rep. Ron Paul's HR-1146, soon to be introduced "American Sovereignty Protection Act." Rep. Paul has introduced this bill into every Congress since 1997. It has failed in each Congress. Perhaps this is the year the American people can take a stand and, at last, get the U.S. out of the U.N. and the U.N. out of the U.S. | <urn:uuid:b657a181-d197-460e-bb25-8c3953d7d8ce> | CC-MAIN-2015-32 | http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0211/0211controllanduse.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-32/segments/1438042987127.36/warc/CC-MAIN-20150728002307-00308-ip-10-236-191-2.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938857 | 1,028 | 2.78125 | 3 |
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects 5-9% of youth and is frequently treated with stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine products. A recent safety communication from the US Food and Drug Administration advised that all patients undergoing ADHD treatment be monitored for changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
Amidst growing concern over the risks of stimulant use in youth, a study by Dr. Mark Olfson of the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, and his colleagues, published in the February 2012 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, assessed the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in children and adolescents without known heart conditions treated with stimulants for ADHD. It is one of the largest studies to date focusing primarily on youth while controlling for pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors.
As reported in the study, Olfson and colleagues examined claims records from a large privately insured population for associations between cardiovascular events in youth with ADHD and stimulant treatment. In total 171,126 privately insured youth aged 6-21 years without known pre-existing heart-related risk factors were followed throughout the study.
The study included patients who have previously received stimulant treatment, patients currently receiving stimulant treatment, and patients who began or ceased stimulant treatments during the study period. Olfson and colleagues assessed the various groups for incidents of severe cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction, less severe cardiovascular events such as cardiac dysrhythmias, and cardiovascular symptoms such as tachycardia and palpitations. Analysis showed that cardiovascular events and symptoms were rare in this cohort and not associated with stimulant use.
This finding helps to allay concerns of adverse events in otherwise healthy young people receiving treatment for ADHD. Olfson and colleagues said of the results, "It is reassuring that in these young people, short-term stimulant treatment did not substantially increase the risk of cardiovascular events or symptoms."
More information: The article, "Stimulants and Cardiovascular Events in Youth With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder" by Mark Olfson, Cecilia Huang, Tobias Gerhard, Almut G. Winterstein, Stephen Crystal, Paul D. Allison, Steven C. Marcus (doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2011.11.008) appears in Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Volume 51, Issue 2 (February 2012) | <urn:uuid:0d52ddab-6f4c-42a9-a800-ce2a662ff409> | CC-MAIN-2014-41 | http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-treatment-adhd-cardiac-events-youth.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2014-41/segments/1410657131238.51/warc/CC-MAIN-20140914011211-00011-ip-10-196-40-205.us-west-1.compute.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940475 | 502 | 2.859375 | 3 |
Limestone is an exceptionally significant regular asset. It is a sedimentary shake that is ordinarily made out of marine living beings. On the off chance that you’ve discovered a store of limestone, at that point what you’re extremely observing are the skeletal pieces of forams, coral, and molluscs. It is around 10% of the aggregate sum of sedimentary shake found on our planet.
Limestone must be separated into zones where limestone stores exist. Before mining can begin, land contemplates build up the appropriateness of the store, trailed by a careful allow procedure to guarantee control of natural effects. The digging stage can proceed for quite a long time, yet after-care is considered from the earliest starting point. When mining has finished, either completely or in parts of the mine, after-care opens up new chances.
Rundown of the Pros of Quarrying Limestone
It tends to be a monetary motor
Quarries can give various employments at the neighborhood level. Individuals can work at the quarry to separate the limestone that is required. Drivers are expected to transport the limestone to where it will be handled or utilized. Preparing offices enlist handlers to make usable items from the conveyed materials. Nearby administration enterprises are expected to help these specialists.
Usually sought after
The market for limestone is surprisingly reliable. Quarried limestone can be utilized to kill causticity, so it very well may be added to soils or lakes. Lime Stone Supplier In UAE is utilized in the iron assembling industry, is required for bond, cement, and mortar blends, and is warmed with sand and sodium carbonate to make glass.
It is to a great degree moderate
Contrasted with other building materials, the expense of quarried limestone is much lower than general alternatives. A 50-pound pack of limestone chips, for instance, can be acquired for around $30. Limestone pavers are about $300 per every 100 square feet of inclusion. Despite the fact that expenses are reliant upon the measure of refinement and the last reason for it, there are a couple of different materials that can coordinate the cost profile of quarried limestone.
It is strong
Quarried limestone is a strong building material. The Great Pyramids were manufactured utilizing limestone. Present day structures have remained for a considerable length of time with this material. It is additionally effectively open close to the surface, which makes it feasible for most quarries to minimally affect the encompassing condition. In the meantime, it likewise handles presentation generally well.
It can reestablish chronicled tourist spots
The majority of the present tourist spots are worked with limestone. Quarried limestone is the main alternative accessible to us that will enable us to keep up or reestablish these legacy things to an express that was like their unique development.
Quarried limestone has novel sifting properties
The antacid properties of limestone, alongside its interesting creation, make it a successful channel for various applications. It is the establishment of air decontamination and water treatment frameworks of any size.
Unadulterated and normal
Limestone is an unadulterated and normal substance. It comprises exclusively of calcium carbonate and can be utilized pounded or ground, or it tends to be refined into calcium oxide (quicklime) or calcium hydroxide (slaked lime).
Some portion of regular day to day existence
Limestone is an adaptable and basically crucial crude material that assumes a job in the generation of numerous fundamental items that are essential for keeping up our present way of life. Consistently we utilize items that couldn’t have been made without limestone-based items. In ecological applications, they are expected to furnish society with the essential requirements forever – clean air, unadulterated water and ripe soil.
Lime prompts high biodiversity
Mining regions give a phenomenal domain to plants flourishing in lime-rich soil, where a few uncommon plants, for example, orchids, can be found. While extraction is going on, uncommon species can be moved and replanted in new territories that relate to Natural stone close to the quarry, and later on restored in the post-mining regions. Previous mine territories can fill in as new conditions, or neo-scenes, favoring special biodiversity.
The second existence of a mine
At Storugns on Gotland, a motorsports track has been worked in a surrendered piece of the quarry, and near to, arrive has been alloted to a breeze control plant.
In Nordkalk’s underground mine in Tytyri, Finland, in the parts where mining activities have stopped, there is a historical center, a presentation zone and a celebration corridor. A portion of the vacant mine poles in Tytyri are utilized for the last stockpiling of intensity plant fiery remains, and the previous mine additionally includes a test lab for tall building lifts. | <urn:uuid:c3d61ab6-f409-470d-ba5a-87ed67f169fd> | CC-MAIN-2020-24 | http://blog.orizorsoftech.com/features-of-limestone-that-make-everyone-love-it/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-24/segments/1590347402457.55/warc/CC-MAIN-20200529054758-20200529084758-00025.warc.gz | en | 0.936497 | 998 | 2.625 | 3 |
About Alternate Care Sites (ACS)
The spike in Covid-19 patients across the nation has resulted in professionals across the medical industry seeking alternative ways to safely work and care for patients. This has led to the development of Alternate Care Sites, which are facilities used for temporary healthcare by hospitals and medical staff to aid during public health emergencies. In this case, these facilities are being used to help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These Alternate Care Sites are made up of medical units and medical tents that would ideally help hospitals manage an over influx of COVID-19 patients. The implementation process in the United States has consisted of convention centers, arenas and hotels turned into Alternate Care Sites with a vast number of medical units for treating patients. An example is McCormick’s Place, a convention center in Chicago that was turned into an ACS, or medical field hospital. This process is facilitated through the assistance of the US Army Corps of Engineers (ASACE) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The implementation process comprises identifying potential locations, securing funding, and the location to then converting the site in order to ensure that it is ready for healthcare use. Several steps are taken for proper conversion to better create an ICU-like space, including flooring, installing nurses’ stations, setting up individualized medical units, and supplying power.
Medical Units- Negative Pressure Tents
The patient pods are separated and built by patient conditions, being COVID-positive, presumed positive/testing, non-Covid, etc. and sorted by criticality diagnosed. The COVID-positive pods require negative pressure pods, similarly referred to as “patient isolation tents.”
In an effort to help with the healthcare crisis, Ins’Tent designed a Negative Pressure Tent that meets all ACS requirements for a Covid-19 acute isolation unit.
The tent features extra-long, custom size walls to guarantee a securely enclosed tent, heavy-duty zippers to safeguard inside air, a special ventilation duct beside a wall to control air pressure and a vision window on a wall with a door for staff accessibility to inside the tent. This tent design meets healthcare requirements provided by the USACE as well as general facility NFPA 701 standards.
With an unpredictable influx of patient care needs and a desire to prevent and control panic and under-preparedness, solutions like Negative Pressure Tents and Alternate Care Sites provide ease of practice to overwhelmed healthcare professionals and establishments.
Information on ACS standards and procedures gathered from official USACE documentation. | <urn:uuid:24483773-93f2-400d-b553-7d182b146c68> | CC-MAIN-2021-04 | https://www.instent.com/blog/alternate-care-sites-acs-their-rise-how-they-help-medical-professionals-face-covid-19/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-04/segments/1610703519784.35/warc/CC-MAIN-20210119201033-20210119231033-00362.warc.gz | en | 0.931287 | 522 | 2.671875 | 3 |
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A Canadian territory lying north of the Province of Quebec, detached (1876) from the Great Labrador peninsula. Ungava, whose area (354,961 sq. m.) surpasses that of Quebec (351,873 sq. m.), was annexed to the latter province (1912) by the Federal Government. It is bounded on the west by Hudson's Straits, comprising Ungava Bay, on the north-east and east by Labrador proper, on the south by the Province of Quebec, on the west by Hudson and James' Bays. This land was visited by the Basques, by Cabot (1493), Weymouth (1602), Hudson (1610), and by the Jesuits Dablon (1661) and Albanel (1672), on their journey by land to Hudson Bay. During the last century the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Babel (1866 and 1870) and Lacasse (1875), evangelized the Indians of the interior. The Moravian Brothers began proselytizing the Esquimaux in 1770. Ungava now depends spiritually on the Vicariate Apostolic of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Its immense forest and mineral resources, fertile soil, and unparalleled hydraulic power reveal a bright prospect for colonization and industry. Railway lines are in preparation between Quebec and Western Canada and Hudson Bay. The census of 1901 gave a population of 5113 souls, comprising the aborigines (Esquimaux on the coast, Montagnais and Nascaupis in the interior) and whites. | <urn:uuid:bf1fba5a-96a0-450a-99cd-d83d6d759979> | CC-MAIN-2018-05 | http://www.ecatholic2000.com/cathopedia/vol15/volfifteen150.shtml | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-05/segments/1516084887253.36/warc/CC-MAIN-20180118111417-20180118131417-00429.warc.gz | en | 0.798128 | 387 | 2.609375 | 3 |
Nowadays, the planet economy is simply moving perfectly in to a complete digital eco-system and thus everything beginning with cash transfer to investment ‘re going paperless. Along with the cryptocurrency may be the latest combined with most capable addition for the thought of digital payment. The cryptocurrency is essentially an exchange medium such as the normal currencies like USD, but it’s mainly created for exchanging digital information. And listed below are the primary explanations why cryptocurrency is becoming very popular recently.
Asset transfers: The financial analysts frequently define cryptocurrency because the strategies by which round the certain level allows you to enforce and execute two-party contracts across the goods like property and automobiles. Besides, the cryptocurrency ecosystem can also be acquainted with ease some specialist transfer methods.
Transactions: Within the fliers and card printing of financial dealings, lawyers, agents, and brokers will add top quality cost and enough complication for the straightforward transaction. Besides, you will find brokerage charges, commissions, documents plus a handful of other special problems that may apply too. However, the cryptocurrency transactions is really a-to-one matters that mainly occur on some peer-to-peer structure of networking. This factor leads to better clearness in creating audit trails, greater accountability and fewer confusion over getting to pay for.
Transaction charges: Transaction charges frequently take enough bite within the assets of the baby, mainly when the person performs lots of financial transactions each month. Speculate the information miners do number crunching that mainly generates several kinds of cryptocurrencies possess the compensation inside the network involved and thus here the transaction charges never apply. However, one might need to pay some exterior charges for engaging the aid of any third-party management services to help keep the cryptocurrency wallet.
More private approach to transaction: Underneath the credit/cash systems, the entire transaction history may become a reference document for the suit or bank involved, each time while making transaction. Inside the simplest level, this may incorporate a test round the account balances to make certain the supply of sufficient funds. Within the problem of cryptocurrency, every transaction made between two parties is actually a unique exchange in which the terms may be agreed and negotiated. Besides, here the data exchange is transported out round the “push” basis to exactly send what he/she loves to send for that recipient. This factor completely protects the privacy within the credit score combined with threat of identity or account thievery.
Simpler exchanging system globally: Although cryptocurrencies mostly are classified as the legal tenders across the national levels, these are not in line with the attention rates, foreign currency rates, transaction charges or other levies which are enforced by particular country. And ultizing the peer-to-peer approach to the blockchain technology, transactions, and blend-border transactions might be transported by helping cover their no complications.
Greater convenience credits: The Internet along with the digital bandwith would be the media that ease cryptocurrency exchanges. Therefore, useful open to individuals with understanding within the cryptocurrency systems, a workable data connection and immediate action for that relevant portals and websites. The cryptocurrency ecosystem is capable of doing making transaction processing and asset transfer open to all of the wiling people carrying out a necessary infrastructure exists in position.
Strong security: After authorizing the cryptocurrency transfer, this can’t be reversed such as the “charge-back” transactions of several charge card companies. This can be frequently a hedge within the fraud that ought to make particular contracts between consumers about refunds within the refund or even a mistake within the transaction.
Adaptability: You will find around 1200 kinds of altcoins or cryptocurrencies within the world. A few of individuals are a few ephemeral, but an sufficient proportion can be used particular cases, which illustrate the versatility in the phenomenon. | <urn:uuid:7ebeac37-f8bd-4e3b-bb15-32056f8cbfbc> | CC-MAIN-2023-06 | https://officeosetup.com/requirement-of-cryptocurrency-as-being/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-06/segments/1674764500094.26/warc/CC-MAIN-20230204044030-20230204074030-00026.warc.gz | en | 0.935299 | 759 | 2.546875 | 3 |
There is a saying whose derivative reads, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’, and even though it’s exact origin is unknown the adage appears to be true. For example, a moment or even the single frame of a movie that is frozen in time can be regarded positively or negatively depending on its context and the way it is perceived by the viewer. One such indelible imprint promoted by Warner Bros. prior to the premier of 300: Rise of an Empire was that of the image below. While the focus is on Eva Green who portrays Queen Artemisia of Halicarnassus, it is the image of the masked Persian warriors in the background, which viewers may find perplexing.
Top Image © Warner Bros. - Bottom Image © Frank Miller’s, “300”
There are many historical incongruities that have pervaded this film and its predecessor 300, which was based on the 480 BCE, Battle of Thermopylae. However, one of the distortions which has been remained consistent throughout both of these motion pictures is that of the Immortals, who in the scene are seen accompanying the queen. While many viewers of these movies are aware that their portrayal has been effectuated from the Frank Miller comic book series, their adaptation nonetheless denigrates one of the elite units of the Achaemenid Empire.
Herodotus of Halicarnassus, who was the primary historian of the Graeco-Persian Wars, recorded that this crack division “was known as the Immortals, because it was invariably kept up to strength; if a man was killed or fell sick, the vacancy he left was at once filled, so that its strength was never more nor less than 10,000.” Comprised mainly of Persians, along with Medes from northern Iran and Elamites from the south, they “were not only the best but also the most magnificently equipped.” Herodotus (7.41.2) also wrote, “Of these a thousand had golden pomegranates instead of spikes on the butt-end of their spears, and were arrayed surrounding the other nine thousand, whose spears had silver pomegranates.”
Left - Immortal © John Warry, “Warfare in the Classical World
Top Right - Persian Immortal Guards reenactment during Persepolis parade October 1971
© Roloff Beny ,"Bridge of Turquoise”
Bottom Right - The Immortals at Susa
While the campaign dress of the Immortals differed from their ceremonial accoutrements depicted on the steles of Persepolis, it is believed to have consisted of a tunic, trousers and leather boots. Their military garments were in stark contrast to that of the comics, and especially the 300 and Rise of an Empire motion pictures, which relied on the Miller illustrations. Furthermore, their uniform correlated more closely to the representation of this superbly trained unit whose impressive array was depicted in the 20th Century Fox movie, The 300 Spartans. Despite being clad in black, their depiction in the 1962 film was more stately than the anachronistic portrayal of the warriors in the comic book series/300 movies who looked more like Samurai.
The Immortals from “The 300 Spartans” © 20th Century Fox
Since Herodotus was born c. 484 BCE, he wasn’t a participant in the battles that he recorded unlike the Greek historians, Thucydides and Xenophon. As a result, he was obviously too young to have fought in the campaigns of the Graeco-Persian Wars (490-479 BCE). Therefore, he was reliant on the oral testimony of observers, survivors of these battles and even the relatives of the commanders and their combatants. Historians agree that his figures for the Persian army are grossly exaggerated since the logistics to feed an army of infantry numbering 2,100,000 are highly implausible. However, there maybe a benign explanation for this overstatement - perhaps Herodotus may have confused the Persian terms for myriarch and chiliarch (10,000 vs. 1,000, respectively). Based on this theory which has been promulgated, we have a much more reasonably sized army of 210,000.
There is a conundrum with respect to the Immortals since the Persepolis Fortification Tablets which were discovered in the 1930’s do not make mention of this corps d'elite. However, it is interesting to note that when Xerxes the Great rode from Sardis, in addition to the Immortals, “Behind him marched a thousand spearmen, their weapons pointing upwards in the usual way - all men of the best and noblest Persian blood.” These men complemented the division that Herodotus had identified as the ‘Ten Thousand’ strong.
Diodorus Siculus (Translation by Charles Henry Oldfather) (17.59.3) wrote, “Knowing that the king was watching their behaviour, they cheerfully faced all of the missiles which were cast in his direction. With them were engaged the Apple Bearers, brave and numerous, and in addition to these Mardi and Cossaei, who were admired for their strength and daring, So called from the fact that the butts of their spears were carved in the likeness of apples. They constituted the royal foot guards.”
The Greek historian Heracleides of Kyme in one of the extant fragments of his books, Persika which were preserved by Athenaeus (12.8) wrote, “The Melophori (Gr. Apple Bearers) are one of his troops of guards, all Persians by birth, having golden apples on the points of their spears, a thousand in number, all picked men out of the main body of ten thousand Persians who are called the Immortals.” What should be articulated is that Xerxes’ father, Darius the Great at one time served as one of Cambyses’ bodyguards, therefore, it is possible that the corp of 1,000 ‘elite within the elite’ was comprised of Persian nobles. Based on these varying accounts, the composition of the Immortals is predicated on conjecture as to and whether or not they included the King’s ‘Spear Bearers’ (Melophori/Apple Bearers) as a separate and distinct unit, or perhaps they were one and the same. What is indisputable though is that these warriors were the finest of the Achaemenid Empire.
Achaemenian Soldier image © Iman Maleki - http://imanmaleki.com/
Author Ernle Bradford in his book The Battle for the West: Thermopylae wrote of the Immortals during the iconic conflict which was the basis for 300, “Brave they were and disciplined they were, but they found, as had the Medes and others before them, that in the confines of the pass their numbers were a hindrance rather than a help.” Furthermore, Mr. Bradford added, “As countless wars have shown, courage is not enough.”
To viewers and especially students who are unfamiliar with the events of the Graeco-Persian Wars, 300 and 300 Rise of an Empire invalidate these noble warriors. In one of the more incongruous moments of the follow-up movie, after Artemisia had assumed the de facto leadership from Xerxes who was relegated to a subordinate role, the masked Immortals were seen flanking the queen. Their antithetical depiction coincided with that of the same infantrymen who were identified as Xerxes’ warrior elite in the first movie. These accretions have reinforced a negative perception of the Persian army which differs from the Herodotean narrative (9.62.4), “In courage and strength they were as good as their adversaries, but they were deficient in armour.” Dr. A. M. Snodgrass inferred about the intrepidity of the Persian forces during the landmark battles in his book, Arms and Armor of the Greeks, “We shall never know quite how Marathon was won, but we can be fairly certain that valor alone would certainly have not won it, nor even perhaps the combination of courage with the somewhat rudimentary tactical skills for which the style of Greek warfare at that time gave scope. The superiority of Greek equipment must have been an important factor here and elsewhere, and at times a decisive one.”
Movies are an extremely powerful medium to which there is a gravitas attached, even if they are based on historical events adapted from a comic book series, such as 300 and 300: Rise of an Empire. As a result of the box office success of 300, Warner Bros. has remained consistent with its lack of historicity and its diminution of the Persian royalty and its warriors. This is one of the reasons that a petition has been started to request that Warner Bros. insert a disclaimer or explanatory message with the impending release of the movie on the secondary market. I hope you consider supporting this invocation.
About the author: John Trikeriotis is a lecturer of ancient Greek warfare and a member of the archaeological group, “The Leonidas Expeditions.” In addition, he maintains the website 300spartanwarriors.com
and can be followed on Twitter and Google.
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“All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason.” So wrote Immanuel Kant in his Critique of Pure Reason, one of the most influential philosophy books of all time. Kant is also the philosopher credited for finally overcoming the opposition between empiricism and rationalism in epistemology, as he realized that neither position, by itself, is sufficient to account for human knowledge.
Kant was notoriously awoken from what he termed his “dogmatic slumber” by reading David Hume, who had written in his Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding:
“All the objects of human reason or enquiry may naturally be divided into two kinds, to wit, Relations of Ideas, and Matters of fact. Of the first kind are the sciences of Geometry, Algebra, and Arithmetic … [which are] discoverable by the mere operation of thought … Matters of fact, which are the second object of human reason, are not ascertained in the same manner; nor is our evidence of their truth, however great, of a like nature with the foregoing. … If we take in our hand any volume; of divinity or school metaphysics, for instance; let us ask, Does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number? No. Does it contain any experimental reasoning concerning matter of fact and existence? No. Commit it then to the flames: for it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion.”
The second part of the quote makes it clear that Hume, in turn, was reacting to the philosophical excesses of the Schoolmen, the medieval logicians who attempted to discover truths about the world by sheer power of mental analysis — an approach that, to be fair, goes back at the least to Plato himself, who was himself impressed by the effectiveness of mathematics in arriving at conclusions with certainty, and thought that the task of philosophy was to do likewise when it came to its own spheres of interest.
Why am I reminding you of all this? Because I am now convinced that we are witnessing a resurgence of what I call radical empiricism, the sort of thing that we thought we had left behind once Kant came onto the scene, and which, frankly, not even good ‘ol Hume would have endorsed.
Recently, here at Scientia Salon I published three essays — two by Robert Nola and one by Coel Hellier — that epitomize radical empiricism, more so in Hellier’s than in Nola’s case, I might add. Interestingly, Nola is a philosopher and Hellier a scientist, and indeed it is known by now that “scientism” — which is the attitude that results from radical empiricism — is being championed by a number of scientists (e.g., Lawrence Krauss , Neil deGrasse Tyson ) and philosophers (James Ladyman and Don Ross , Alex Rosenberg ).
Clearly, I find myself puzzled and bewildered by this state of affairs. As someone who has practiced science for a quarter century and then has gone back to graduate school to switch to philosophy full time I have a rather unusual background that, I think, makes me appreciate where radical empiricists come from, and yet which also precludes me from buying into their simplistic worldview.
In the remainder of this essay, then, I will try to do the following:
- Sketch out what I see are the logical moves attempted by radical empiricists;
- Show why they don’t work;
- Explain why this is more than an academic debate, and certainly more than “just semantics.”
Radical empiricists’ moves in logical space, and why they don’t work
My, by now, extensive readings of and conversations with radical empiricists have unearthed a number of standard moves they tend to make. I will briefly discuss six of them. Two obvious moves are (i) the use of an over-extensive definition of science and the assertion that other valuable disciplines — particularly (ii) logic and math — are “ultimately based” on empirical facts. Since radical empiricists do not seem to value (except for some degree of forced lip service when challenged) any other kind of inquiry or method of understanding (say, philosophy, literature, or the arts), it then follows that science really is all we should care about. It is as if they collapsed Hume’s already narrow distinction above between relations of ideas and matters of facts, arguing that the former are really a version of the latter anyway.
The concept of science, of course, has changed over time. The term did not actually exist as indicating a particular approach to knowledge of the world until recently . Arguably, Aristotle (but not Plato!) was doing science, and so were some of the pre-Socratic philosophers, particularly the atomists. After the Renaissance, “natural philosophy” began to separate itself from philosophy more broadly construed, and finally a number of individual sciences became independent during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries (most recently psychology, which was still a branch of philosophy until about the time of William James).
But modern defenders of radical empiricism don’t get to help themselves to the fact that what we understand by science has changed over the centuries, because if they did they might have to concede that, really, historically speaking it’s all philosophy.
Where could we turn for help, then? I’d say the dictionary, to get us started. Dictionaries are funny things. They play both a descriptive and a prescriptive role. They are descriptive of how — at any particular moment — a given culture uses a certain term; that, of course, can and does change over sufficiently long periods of time. But dictionaries are also prescriptive in the sense that, within a reasonably short time frame, they also tell us how we ought to deploy those terms. One doesn’t get to arbitrarily redefine words to suit one’s own ideological position or personal inclinations.
So, what are the dictionary definitions of science, mathematics and logic? Here they are (from my built-in Apple Dictionary):
science, the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. (Interestingly, the same dictionary also provides this alternative meaning: “knowledge of any kind,” but labels it as archaic.)
mathematics, the abstract study of number, quantity, and space.
logic, reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity.
It ought to be clear even from these definitions — which are congruent with the vast majority of the specialized literature on the philosophy of science, of math, and of logic — that mathematics is distinct from but akin to logic, and that both of them are very distinct from (although very useful to) science. Hume was onto something, after all.
As I mentioned, the most common refrain from radical empiricists when faced with the above is that math and logic “ultimately” are rooted in empirical knowledge, a recurring example being that we believe that 1+1=2 because we can see that if we put side by side two objects of the same kind we get a total of two objects of the same kind. Another example is that standard practices in logic, say modus ponens are adopted because they “work” in the real world.
Both responses miss the mark because they subtly but surely change the conversation. The first example tells us at most that human beings began to think about abstract objects prompted by elementary empirical observations. But the question at hand is not how mathematical reasoning originated in the Pleistocene, it is what kind of mental activity is modern mathematics. And much of it has nothing whatsoever to do with empirical groundings of any sort. Yes, math is deployed as a tool in science and in all sorts of other applications, but there are huge swaths of mathematical territory that neither describe anything in the world nor are pursued by mathematicians for any practical reason at all.
As far as logic is concerned, a similar reasoning holds there too. And the example of the utility of modus tollens is another red herring that derails the conversation: the question isn’t whether some principles or methods of logic are useful and therefore employed in other areas of application. Of course they are. But logicians — just like mathematicians — are concerned with the formal structure and internal coherence of their constructs, not with whether they do or do not map onto the real world. Many of those structures do not, in fact, map onto the world. When they do, it is only because the world as it actually is does not contain logical contradictions and mathematical inconsistencies, so math and logic are bound to describe the real world together with countless other hypothetical ones (this is true quite irrespective of the ontological question concerning abstract objects, i.e., regardless of whether one is inclined to be a Platonist or not).
Another common move employed by radical empiricists is to (iii) deny the existence of a priori knowledge. It cannot exist, because otherwise they’d have to admit that science (understood as an essentially empirical enterprise) isn’t the source of all knowledge. The most sophisticated of the new wave of radical empiricists sooner or later will cite W.V.O. Quine’s famous rejection of the difference between analytic (a priori, by reasoning) / synthetic (a posteriori, by observation) truths in his paper, “Two dogmas of empiricism” . But I bet that a good number of them have not actually read it, and even more likely that they are not aware of the criticism it got and of the significant amount of backtracking Quine himself had to do throughout the rest of his career.
You see, Quine made ample room for a priori truths in his “rejection” by acknowledging two things: the special status of mathematics as a type of science because it has applications in science (but see above for why this is irrelevant), and the fact that tautological statements (the famous “bachelors are unmarried men” kind of thing) are indeed examples of analytic truths, but turn out to be “epistemically insignificant” according to Quine’s judgment . Well, that’s his opinion, and given that much of logic and math are built on tautologies, a very debatable opinion at that.
A better example of what Quine was talking about are equations such as F = ma from Newtonian mechanics. He thought that this may look like an analytic truth, specifically a definition (hence tautological) of force. But in fact the equation is only true within a specific empirically-based theory of the natural world, its truth not deriving from mathematical reasoning per se. I have no qualms with that, but acknowledging this is a far cry from saying that there are no a priori truths and no difference between synthetic and analytic statements.
Radical empiricists’ next move is to (iv) point out that science uses the same fundamental tools — observation and reason — that we all deploy in everyday life whenever we want to know anything at all. This is just as true as it is utterly uninteresting. It would be surprising, in fact, if science as a human epistemic activity were to somehow transcend the basic intellectual faculties of our species and operate sui generis (just as it would be equally surprising if there were a philosophical method that was entirely distinct from normal human reasoning). Of course doing math, logic, philosophy, art, literature, navigating the New York City subway system, and plumbing use facts (whenever appropriate) which are analyzed by reason. Nevertheless there are tons of interesting distinctions among all those activities, distinctions that are lost by the quest for what I have come to call “explanatory monism,” the obsession with a one-size-fits-all epistemology. Epistemic pluralism is much more interesting and fecund, not to mention more accurately reflective of actual human practice.
The next move, then, is a partial retreat on the previous one, and goes something like this: (v) there are no sharp distinctions between the mentioned activities, so there is no principled way to distinguish among them. To which I can only reply in two ways: there is no sharp distinction separating a helicopter, a jumbo jet and a Saturn rocket, as they are all flying machines. But if you think there are no interesting differences among them you are sorely mistaken. Also, anyone seriously arguing that philosophy, math, logic and, say, biology, are more or less the same thing has clearly not read a single technical paper in more than one of those disciplines.
There is one more defense of radical empiricism, rooted in a kind of greedy reductionism: (vi) the idea that “ultimately” whatever it is we are interested in (poetry, art, mathematics) is made of physical matter or done by beings made of physical matter, so that it all comes down to neuroscience or, if the radical empiricist is particularly bold, to quantum mechanics.
This, again, is a move predicated on shifting the discourse without apparently realizing that one has done so. The issue isn’t what something is made of (ontology), but rather how we may best proceed in understanding it (epistemology). Epistemologists understand very well that for any particular problem X there is a usually small number of levels of analysis that are most informative and appropriate in order to understand X. These can be located one or two (loosely defined) levels of complexity below or above X itself, but the explanatory returns taper off very quickly after that. Let me give you an example.
Let’s say you want to understand the population dynamics of a species of plants, for instance belonging to an invasive species (this comes straight out of my work as an empirical scientist, as you might have guessed). It is of no use to point out that plants, “ultimately” are made of quarks. A quantum mechanical theory of population dynamics — even if possible in principle — is never going to be developed and it wouldn’t help anyway because it would be far too complicated (and unnecessarily so) for a human to comprehend. Instead, the population biologist looks at population genetics (circa one level of complexity below that of organismal biology) and at ecosystem theory (circa one level of complexity above).
Similarly, it is a good bet that to understand economies one needs to operate at the level of economics as autonomous science, plus at the levels of, say, human sociology and psychology. Neuroscience is not likely to be helpful, because it would be too detailed for the problem at hand, even though of course economies are inventions of the human mind, and of course the human mind is the result of the activity of the brain, and of course the brain is made of neurons and other cell types. If you are not convinced, try to go even further down the hierarchy of complexity. How likely is it that we could develop a useful theory of economies based on molecular biology (after all, the brain is made of molecules!)? What about fundamental chemistry (those molecules are made of atoms!)? And so forth until we get to the single wave function that allegedly represents the entire universe.
So, a crucial reason to maintain distinctions among fields of inquiry — even when acknowledging bridges, cross-pollination, and similarities — is that ultimate reductionism will always be a losing epistemic proposition, even if one agrees with the ontological statement that everything is made of quarks (or strings, or wave functions).
I find all of the above intrinsically interesting as an example of intellectual debate about matters of proper definitions, conceptual understanding of different human epistemic activities and so forth. In other words, as a professional philosopher this kind of discussion represents a worthwhile venture into the philosophy of science and in epistemology. But there are far more practical reasons why the assault of the radical empiricists ought to be resisted.
Two reasons in particular are of concern to me: the damage being done to non-scientific disciplines, and the damage potentially to be suffered by science itself.
For years now the humanities and any non-STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields have been in retreat in colleges throughout the world, especially in the US. This retreat is the result of a number of factors, perhaps foremost among them the increasing importation of business-style models into academia and the resulting conviction that if studying a given discipline doesn’t have an immediate payoff in terms of employment then it is not worth studying. This is a false and perniciously instrumental view of higher (and lower, really) education, which has the potential to undermine people’s ability to develop into cultured human beings capable of reflecting on what they do, how they do it , of appreciating all aspects of life (not just jobs and livelihood), and of making informed decisions as members of a democratic polity.
The aggressiveness of radical empiricists and their dismissal of non-scientific fields exacerbates this problem, and in my mind, therefore contributes to undermining the very fabric of our democracy and to decreasing the quality of our life.
This may sound like “defending the turf,” and in a sense it is. But some turfs are worth defending against an all-encompassing cultural imperialism that risks to flatten the intellectual landscape in the name of Science (notice the capital S). And no, I’m not at all coming at this from the point of view of mystical or theological woo in constant entrenchment against science — as I hope is abundantly clear by the body of my writings.
The second worry may seem specious, but I think it is just as important to appreciate. I think that an over-emphasis on the powers and overall reach of Science will, in the long run, do harm to actual, good science. We are already facing a public that is increasingly unwilling to trust scientific findings (just think of the widespread rejection of the theory of evolution or the notion of climate change, or of the uncritical acceptance of a non existent causal link between autism and vaccines, to mention just a few examples). The more scientists are seen as arrogantly dismissive of any other dimension of human experience the more this distrust will grow and fester. And science, the real science done in countless laboratories and university centers across the globe, is just too precious an achievement of humanity to let it be damaged by an emotional reaction to the loud, radical statements of an overbearing but comparatively small number of highly visible public figures.
Isaac Asimov famously said that “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.” Indeed, but we don’t get wisdom from science alone.
Massimo Pigliucci is a biologist and philosopher at the City University of New York. His main interests are in the philosophy of science and pseudoscience. He is the editor-in-chief of Scientia Salon, and his latest book (co-edited with Maarten Boudry) is Philosophy of Pseudoscience: Reconsidering the Demarcation Problem (Chicago Press).
As he put it, in Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics.
Defending scientism: mathematics is a part of science, by Coel Hellier, Scientia Salon, 21 August 2014.
Lawrence Krauss: another physicist with an anti-philosophy complex, by Massimo Pigliucci, Rationally Speaking, 25 April 2012.
Neil deGrasse Tyson and the value of philosophy, by Massimo Pigliucci, Scientia Salon, 12 May 2014.
James Ladyman on Metaphysics, Rationally Speaking podcast, 9 September 2012.
Is science all you need?, by Massimo Pigliucci, The Philosopher’s Magazine, 2nd Quarter of 2012.
The very word “scientist” was coined by philosopher William Whewell in 1833, in response to a challenge issued by poet S.T. Coleridge.
Modus ponens.
Two dogmas of empiricism, by W.V.O. Quine.
Quine, W.V.O. (1991) Two Dogmas in Retrospect. Canadian Journal of Philosophy 21:265-274, see p. 271. | <urn:uuid:9d008cc5-98ad-4e59-ac31-8c3e9c24a1a7> | CC-MAIN-2018-09 | https://scientiasalon.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/the-return-of-radical-empiricism/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-09/segments/1518891814787.54/warc/CC-MAIN-20180223134825-20180223154825-00621.warc.gz | en | 0.955364 | 4,256 | 2.578125 | 3 |
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|Period 5 is a two-player abstract board game invented by Daniel Shultz in 2010. The game is based on juggling notation.|
Period 5 is played on a square board with 5x5 squares painted in 5 different colors.
There are two players, each having 4 pieces. There is also an additional piece - the cube.
The coloring of the board and the initial position of the pieces and the cube are shown on the following picture:
A player wins the game when his pieces and the cube can be found in every column of the board and on each of the 5 different colors. Rows do not matter.
Players move alternately one of their pieces or the cube per turn, starting with the player controlling the light pieces.
All pieces and the cube are able to move orthogonally any number of empty spaces. They may not jump over other pieces or land on an occupied square.
There are two restrictions about moving the cube:
|[create new page] [copy this page] [edit this page] [translate this page] [view history]| | <urn:uuid:25d8ba89-c8ae-46bb-a66a-06588363b674> | CC-MAIN-2015-18 | http://www.iggamecenter.com/info/en/period5.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-18/segments/1429246641266.56/warc/CC-MAIN-20150417045721-00093-ip-10-235-10-82.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.914649 | 244 | 2.796875 | 3 |
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