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Each of us has seen how it works many times. All it takes is tension or fear and we feel a pressure in our stomach or have abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation. This is because our enteric nervous system receives information about stress or disturbance from the central nervous system via the autonomic nervous system. These limbs are not only connected to the brain, but also have their own nerve networks. That’s why, when we meet someone new or have to make a difficult decision, we say that we “feel it in our stomach.” This metaphor suggests that our digestive system is more than just processing food. Take care of the microbiome As our “visceral brain” thinks for us, this process can be two-way. By taking care of our digestive health, we can influence our health and reactions to stress and emotions. For example, people with disorders such as depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to have gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Importantly, the enteric nervous system produces about 95 percent of serotonin and 50 percent. Dopamine is secreted in our bodies. Our health and emotional balance are also affected by the bacteria in the gut, which, as scientists recently discovered, have symbiotic relationships with our bodies and influence the perception of anxiety, cognition, mood, pain, immunity, and the production of neurotransmitters, especially serotonin. The largest amount of microorganisms is found in the large intestine. It’s up to a trillion cells in one gram of food content! It is estimated that the number of microorganisms in the entire gastrointestinal tract is 10 times more than the cells in the human body. Therefore, the functions of the microbiome (that is, all microorganisms that live in a particular environment, for example in the intestine) can be compared with a type of bioreactor that produces infinite amounts of various biologically active substances during the fermentation process. The amount and nature of these substances largely depend on our diet. It is also known that qualitative and quantitative disturbances of the microbiome, called intestinal dysbiosis, can contribute to the emergence of many urban diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, allergies, autism or Alzheimer’s disease. “Internet Geek. Food Enthusiast. Thinker. Beer Practitioner. Bacon Specialist. Music Addict. Traveler.”
Like the Vita nova, the Convivio, composed in exile between 1304-7, takes the form of a series of commentaries on Dante's own poetry. Yet, in its content, it is a very different sort of work from the Vita nova. The poems commented upon are largely concerned with love; but they are interpreted allegorically as being about the nature of philosophy, and about sophisticated philosophical questions. The Convivio may best be seen as a philosophical treatise. It is written in Italian so that even those who are not educated in Latin could take part in (to use Dante's expression) the 'banquet of knowledge'. The treatise was left unfinished by Dante: only four of the intended fifteen books were actually written. © Vittorio Montemaggi, Matthew Treherne, Abi Rowson
[A]nd as we struck into town and up through the middle of it--it was as much as half-after eight, then--here comes a raging rush of people, with torches, and an awful whooping and yelling, and banging tin pans and blowing horns; and we jumped to one side to let them go by; and as they went by, I see they had the king and the dike astraddle of a rail--that is I knowed it was the king and the duke, thought was all over tar and Feathers, and didn’t look like nothing in the world that was human--just looking like a couple of monstrous big soldier-plumes. Well, it made me sick to see it; and I was sorry for them poor pitiful rascals, it seemed like I couldn’t never feel any hardness against them any more in the world. It was a dreadful thing to see. Human beings can be awful cruel to one another. In the above passage from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , by Mark Twain, Tom and Huck walk through the middle of a town and see two con artists (the king and duke) who they had encountered earlier in their adventures. The king and duke have been captured and are being carried "astraddle of a rail" (369), which websters.com defines as being “on or above and extending onto both sides,” covered with tar and feathers through the town. The above passage displays why Huck disagrees with the public mistreatment and humiliation of others. According to the online encyclopedic website, www.wikipedia.org, tarring and feathering was a typical punishment used to enforce justice, with roots dating back to as early as 1191 with Richard I of England. The goal of tarring and feathering was to hurt and humiliate a person enough so that they would leave town and not cause any more mischief. Hot tar was poured onto a criminal while he was immobilized, then feathers were either thrown onto the criminal from buckets or the criminal was thrown into a pile of feathers and rolled around. The criminal was then taken to the edge of town and released in the hopes of him never returning. The feathers would stick to the tar for days making the person's sentence clear to the public. Tarring and feathering was eventually abandoned because it did nothing to rehabilitate the criminal. Huck tells his readers that after the king and duke are tarred and feathered that they look "...like nothing in the world that [...] [is] human" (369). It is clear from Huck's description of the townspeople "…whooping and yelling, and banging tin pans and blowing horns…" that they are making it a point to draw attention to the "…monstrous big soldier-plumes…" that are the con artists. The sight of two humans covered in tar and feathers makes Huck "…sick to see it…" and makes it difficult for him to "...ever feel any hardness against [...] [the convicts] any more in the world". Just from those few very descriptive sentences it is made obvious to the readers that Huck does not agree with the way his acquaintances are treated. The dialect that Twain chose for Huck's character is that of a child in early elementary school. Huck makes grammatical errors quite often in his description of the scene of the shameful march through town. Huck tells us that he "...knowed it was the king and the duke, thought was all over tar and feathers, and didn't look like nothing in the world that was human...". Just from reading that sentence, there is an understanding that Huck is not very well-educated. A child in elementary school can rarely see past what is presented to them, therefore we can make the assumption that because Huck has a comparable education to that of a child in elementary school, he has trouble seeing what is right in front of him. For example, when a child goes to sit on Santa's lap at the mall, the child actually sees Santa, not a man in a Santa costume. When Huck walks into town and sees all the townspeople parading down the road with "...a couple of monstrous big soldier-plumes" (369), monstrous soldier-plumes are what he sees. Huck recognizes that the king and duke are under the tar, which evokes the sympathetic feelings from the passage and shows that he disagrees with how the king and duke are being treated, but Huck is also having problems being able to associate the king and duke with being human because they look "...like nothing in the world that [...] [is] human". Through the tone of Huck’s dialogue, in the above passage, Twain is able to portray a sense of great excitement. Within the 15 lines of the passage, Huck uses the word and 13 times which gives the passage a sense of urgency, and makes it seem as though he is speaking in a stream-of-thought frenzy: "...here comes a raging rush of people, with torches, and an awful whooping and yelling, and banging tin pans and blowing horns; and we jumped to one side to let them go by; and as they went by I see they had the king and the duke astraddle of a rail" (369). Along with using and, Huck cuts his sentences short with the use of dash marks which gives the impression that Huck’s mind is racing faster than his eyes, which are unable to believe what they are seeing. The tone gives the passage an overall good connotation because it helps the reader sense Huck’s excitement. Through the dialect of Huck, it is shown that he is not very well educated and his thinking faster than he can speak tone, in which he speaks throughout the above passage makes it clear that he is completely appalled by the sight of his acquaintances covered in tar and feathers. W O R K S C I T E D "Astraddle." Def. 1. Merriam-Webster. 08 Feb. 2005 "Tarring and Feathering." 17 Jan. 2005. Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia. 25 Jan. Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Volume C. Sixth Edition. Ed Nina Baym. New York: W.W. Norton, 2003. pp. 219-407.
While winter isn’t over where I live, we are getting closer to the warmer months, when you can open the windows and let the fresh air in. Of course, for many people letting fresh air in means letting in a lot of outdoor noise. Some people living in big cities have to trade peace and quiet for fresh air, or vice versa. Or, to cool off in the summer without excess noise, they turn to air conditioning, which can use a lot of energy and money. A team at the National University of Singapore might have an answer: it’s called the Acoustic Friendly Ventilation Window and it’s supposed to bring the fresh air in without also inviting all the sound you might expect. The window design has vents on the top and bottom of the frame, which the researchers say actually allows for better airflow than a traditional window. It also has double paned glass and sound absorbing frame that cuts the amount of incoming sound by 26 dB, roughly four times quieter than normal. Innovations like these are particularly useful for densely populated cities like Singapore, and for efforts to great more environmentally friendly buildings. But of course fresher air and lower volumes are pretty handy in and of themselves, too. Then again, why do I get the feeling all of my neighbors are going to want these noise-proofing windows? Here’s a story in which fresh air really came in handy. In Medina, Ohio, authorities responded to a fire in a shed that was home to turtles and tortoises. And because turtles and tortoises can suffer from smoke inhalation, the fire department had to bust out their supply of turtle and tortoise-sized oxygen masks to care for them. And I have to say, turtle and tortoise-sized oxygen masks are completely adorable. Novel window design reduces outdoor noise and improves ventilation (National University of Singapore) Medina Ohio Shed Fire (Medina Fire Dept.) Open window photo by glasseyes view via Flickr/Creative Commons
We get a lot of different kind of weather here in Brampton. When the rain and the wind come, you are grateful for your home’s sturdy doors and strong glass windows. “If left at room temperature, glass really doesn’t change—no matter how old it is,” explains Michael Cima, the Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Faculty Director of the MIT Glass Lab. However, when your glass windows are exposed to the weather, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Weather can take a real toll on the exterior of your house. Cima goes on to state that “if tiny flaws or weak points in the glass are exposed to water,” (like rain) “over time the water dramatically decreases the strength of the glass.” After all, the outside of your home has no break from the elements, and everything from storms to sunlight can cause damage to your windows. The good news is that with a little know-how, you can take steps to weatherproof your windows and protect them as much as possible against the elements. Get to know our Brampton climate As a homeowner in Brampton, you probably already have a pretty good idea of what to expect from our weather here. More than just providing you with lovely views, your windows also serve to protect you from the weather. First of all, they create a physical barrier from strong winds, rains and sunrays. Eventually, the exposure to the weather will begin to wear on your windows. For instance, water can cause your window frames to start to rot. The glass of your window panes can crack from cycles of heat over time. Do you see scratches on your window panes? All of these things can mean that you need replacement windows more than you may have first thought. It’s important to act sooner rather than later Remember that the effect of weather on your windows is increased when you don’t take action and get replacement windows for your Brampton home. Rot can only take hold when you let the window frames stay damp and wet after it rains. Tiny cracks that are caused by heat only grow larger over time. Let’s face it, if your home still has windows from your parent’s or even your grandparent’s time, you probably have units that are pretty worn out. New replacement windows from Brock Doors and Windows come with energy efficient coatings that help your glass reflect sun rays and keep heat from coming directly into your home. Replacement windows from Brock Doors and Windows are a great long-term investment, not only because they will last for decades, but because they can actually help you save money on your utility bills. The professionals at Brock Doors and Windows can’t wait to help you with your Brampton ON windows replacement project! Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation. Brock Doors and Windows Inc 278 Orenda Road Brampton, ON L6T 4X6 2131 McCowan Rd Scarborough, ON, M1S 3Y6
HAVANA Fidel Castro took the blame for a wave of homophobia launched by his revolutionary government in the 1960s, but said it happened because he was distracted by other problems, in an interview published on Tuesday in a Mexican newspaper. The former Cuban president told La Jornada the persecution of gays, who were rounded up at the time as supposed counterrevolutionaries and placed in forced labor camps, was a "great injustice" that arose from the island's history of discrimination against homosexuals. He said he was not prejudiced against gays, but "if anyone is responsible (for the persecution), it's me." "I'm not going to place the blame on others," he said. Castro, 84, said he was busy in those days fending off threats from the United States, including attempts on his life, and trying to maintain the revolution that put him in power in 1959. "We had so many and such terrible problems, problems of life or death," Castro said. "In those moments I was not able to deal with that matter (of homosexuals). I found myself immersed, principally, in the Crisis of October (Cuban Missile Crisis), in the war, in policy questions," he said. Official persecution of gays continued into the 1970s before homosexual acts were decriminalized in 1979. Today, Cuba's medical service provides free sex-change operations. Tuesday's story was the second from La Jornada based on a recent five-hour interview with Castro, who has reappeared in public after four years of seclusion following surgery for an undisclosed intestinal illness. On Monday, the Mexico-City based newspaper quoted Castro as saying his illness nearly killed him, but that he has mostly recovered and is trying to stop a nuclear war he believes to be imminent. Castro, who resigned the presidency in 2008 but remains head of Cuba's ruling Communist Party, has warned for months that nuclear war will break out if the United States and Israel try to enforce international nuclear sanctions against Iran. Cuban media reported on Tuesday that he went to the National Aquarium in Havana to watch a dolphin show with U.S.-based writer Jeffrey Goldberg, Julia Sweig of the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in Washington and Adela Dworin, leader of Cuba's Jewish community. The purpose of the visit was not disclosed, but the reports said Goldberg, a national correspondent for The Atlantic magazine who has written on the Middle East and Iran, had interviewed Castro. Sweig is a well-known expert on Cuba and has written several books about the island. The reports did not say whether Dworin had discussed with Castro the case of Alan Gross, a U.S. contractor jailed in Havana since December on suspicion of spying. The U.S. has said he was in Cuba providing Internet access for Cuba's Jewish community. Cuba says Gross is under investigation, but no charges have been filed. (Reporting by Nelson Acosta; editing by Todd Eastham) Our top photos from the last 24 hours.
WMA Medical Ethics Day The AMA is today encouraging doctors to reflect on the importance of medical ethics as part of the World Medical Association’s (WMA) annual Medical Ethics Day. AMA President, Dr Michael Gannon, said today that Medical Ethics Day is a way for the global medical community to recognise and promote the important role of ethics in medicine. “With the privilege of being a doctor comes great responsibility, and great scrutiny,” Dr Gannon said. “Patients expect high ethical standards from their doctors. “Ethics is an integral part of everyday medicine, and is fundamental to the relationship that doctors have with patients. “Doctors must act in a way that ensures patients have all the information to make their own decisions with confidentially and respect. “The medical professional must uphold a set of core values that places patients first.” The AMA is currently reviewing and updating the AMA Code of Ethics to guide doctors in their relationships with patients, colleagues, and society. The AMA has developed a diverse range of ethics-focussed Position Statements, covering issues such as medical professionalism; professional conduct; patient care and safety; conscientious objection; reproductive health; end of life care; genetic issues; organ donation; public health emergencies; asylum seekers and refugees; aged care; custodial settings; and stewardship. The AMA also has a range of ethics and medico-legal Guidelines on issues including disclosure of medical records assessments, medical witnesses, and patient follow-up. The AMA has adopted Declarations from the WMA, including professional autonomy and clinical independence; the role of medical neutrality in times of armed conflict; and condemning medical participation in any form of torture, cruel or inhumane treatment,or punishment. The current AMA Code of Ethics is available at ama.com.au/ethics The Position Statements and Guidelines are available at https://ama.com.au/advocacy/ethics-professionalism 18 September 2016 CONTACT: Kirsty Waterford 02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753 Published: 18 Sep 2016
Presented as part of the Ford's Theatre The Lincoln Legacy Project Meet the brilliant mind and passionate heart of Frederick Douglass when master storyteller Bill Grimmette brings the famous abolitionist to life on stage. In this interactive performance, we meet a man born into slavery who escaped to become a defender of a remade America built on equality and acceptance. Experience how this remarkable man turned the schemes of slavery into strategies for freedom. Come have a seat on stage and meet Mr. Douglass, who was himself an inspiring and entertaining teller of tales. For Ages 6 and up and their Families Bill Grimmette travels the globe crafting, collecting, and performing stories of personal power and potential. He is Past President of the National Association of Black Storytellers and a perennial performer with the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Institutions. Presented as part of the Ford’s Theatre The Lincoln Legacy Project, a five-year effort to create a dialogue in our nation’s capital around the issues of tolerance, equality and acceptance.
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is a genetic disorder. It affects the metabolism of purines in the body. Purines are protein molecules that are important for the metabolism of RNA and DNA, which make up our genetic codes. Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is characterized by uric acid build-up, neurologic disability, and behavioral problems, including self-injury. It is a rare condition. Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is caused by a mutation or change in a gene. This change results in the absence of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT). HPRT is needed to metabolize uric acid. Without this enzyme, uric acid builds up in the central nervous system, kidneys, and other areas of the body. This gene mutation occurs on the X chromosome. It can either be a new mutation in the affected person or inherited from the person's mother, who is a carrier. Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is more common in men. Having male family members with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (on the mother's side) also increases the risk. The first symptom of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome may be orange-colored crystal-like deposits in the diaper. This may occur in children as young as 3 months. These deposits are caused by increased uric acid in the urine. Other symptoms include: Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. Self-mutilating behavior is the hallmark of this disease. Children begin to bite their fingers, lips, and the insides of their mouths as early as 2 years old. As children grow, self-injury becomes increasingly compulsive and severe. Eventually, mechanical physical restraints will be necessary to prevent head and leg banging, nose gouging, loss of fingers and lips from biting, and loss of vision from eye rubbing, among others. In addition to self-injury, older children and teens will become physically and verbally aggressive. The cause of these behaviors is not entirely understood. However, some experts believe it is related to abnormalities in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. It should be stressed that the child does not want to hurt himself or others, but is incapable of preventing these behaviors. People with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome have been described as doing the opposite of what they really want. You will be asked about your child's symptoms, behavior traits, and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your child's bodily fluids may be tested. This can be done with blood tests. Reduced levels of the HPRT enzyme will confirm the diagnosis. There is no treatment to cure Lesch-Nyhan. However, good hydration and certain medications may help to alleviate some of its symptoms. These may include: The following medications may be used: Behavioral problems may also be managed with a combination of behavioral modification techniques and medication. S-adenosylmethionine—2 reports suggests that administration of s-adenosylmethionine, a food supplement, may reduce self-mutilating behaviors in adults with this syndrome. This supplement, which is available in health food stores, is naturally synthesized by the human body and important for many bodily processes. Talk to a doctor before taking any supplements. With treatment, the average life expectancy is early- to mid-20s. There may be an increased risk of sudden death due to respiratory causes. However, many people live longer with good medical and psychological care. There are no guidelines to prevent Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. If you have a family history of this condition, you can talk to a genetic counselor when deciding whether to have children. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Organization of Rare Disorders About Kids Health—The Hospital for Sick Children CORD—Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders Dolcetta D, et al. Quantitative evaluation of the clinical effects of S-Adenosylmethionine on mood and behavior in Lesch-Nyhan patients. Nucleosides Nucleotides Nucleic Acids. 2013;32:174–88. Glick N. Dramatic reduction in self-injury in Lesch-Nyhan disease following S-adenosylmethionine administration. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2006;29(5):687. Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. GeneReviews website. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1149. Updated May 15, 2014. Accessed August 23, 2017. Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. National Organization for Rare Disorders website. Available at: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/lesch-nyhan-syndrome/. Published 2015. Accessed August 23, 2017. Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) website. Available at: https://www.omim.org/entry/300322. Updated July 9, 2017. Accessed August 23, 2017. Last reviewed September 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Michael Woods, MD, FAAP Last Updated: 8/6/2015
The general consensus within the offshore sector is that corrosion resistance is an important safety consideration. Corrosion-related failures at processing facilities are a major source of risk to offshore oil and gas installations, and that’s why it’s so important to do whatever is possible to prevent any possibilities of corrosion formation. Moisture ingress into conventional insulation materials usually results in accelerated corrosion of the underlying steel surface, which can lead to the structural failure of insulated items such as pipes and vessels. If such equipment is operating under high pressure, then the potential of a catastrophic failure poses a real threat to the safety of facility, workers not to mention the environment. Formation of Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) The main issues that promote corrosion under insulation are the deterioration of joints, joint sealants, inadequate maintenance of metallic cladding and the use of fibrous insulation materials. With fibrous insulation materials, the insulation can often contain significant moisture before it is even applied, even with ‘water repellent’ fibres. The insulation will have absorbed humidity from the atmosphere and could even have been exposed to marine rain or spray containing salt. Simply applying these materials and sealing them in will introduce moisture around the pipe. External corrosion is caused by the ingress of chloride containing water from the environment, as a result of sea water deluge and practices such as washing decks with seawater, which is absorbed and retained by the fibrous insulation materials. Inadequate coating systems applied to pipe work and vessels has been a major contributing factor to CUI. Preventing Corrosion Under Insulation The simple conclusion is that you need to keep water out of insulation systems in order to prevent CUI. One of the most effective ways of doing so is through the introduction of closed cell insulation materials together with an applied flexible coating to provide a seamless weather proof membrane, which will prevent any possible water ingress and retention. Cellular glass is a 100% closed cell insulation material that is used from -268 degrees C to +430 degrees C, and so is widely used for both cryogenic and hot systems. Its uniquely 100% closed cell nature is the reason why, over a decade ago, Statoil and the Norsok standards started promoting cellular glass insulation as a key part of their CUI prevention strategy. Another critical point is the ability to fully seal the insulation system; cellular glass can be joint-sealed through the entire thickness of the insulation, so giving a full-thickness barrier against water ingress rather than relying on a thin surface cladding joint. FOAMGLAS® Terostat PC® FRi The FOAMGLAS Terostat system is a combined system of FOAMGLAS closed cell cellular glass insulation with Terostat PC FRi, a one component silicone-based sealant, coating and adhesive, which cures by reaction with moisture to a soft elastic monolithic product. The product is free of solvents, isocyanates and PVC, and combined with its excellent flame retardant properties (Class O as per BS476) this makes it the preeminent anti-CUI insulation system for offshore applications. Many offshore and onshore installations have adopted this way of working and started to see the benefits in CUI prevention and increased long-term thermal efficiency. Pre-coating cellular glass in flexible coatings such as the FOAMGLAS Terostat system have simplified this process by giving quick installation with easier and more-effective sealing to maximize CUI protection. A 100% closed-cell insulation, plus a pre-applied flexible coating with fully sealed joints, will provide an exceptional insulation system for CUI prevention and longevity.
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition - adj. Heraldry Indented along the edge with small curves. - adj. Having an edge or a margin formed by a series of raised dots: engrailed silver coins. from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License - adj. having an edge or border indented with semicircles with points outwards. Usually the saltire and the dexter edge of the border of the shield both have cuts along their entire length the shape of crescent moons. - n. A European moth, Ectropis crepuscularia. from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English - adj. Indented with small concave curves, as the edge of a bordure, bend, or the like. from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia - In heraldry, cut into concave semicircular indents: said of a line and also of the bearing, such as a fesse, bordure, or the like, whose edge is broken in this way: as, a bordure engrailed. Also engreslé. The posterior half of the wing is the domain of expression of a molecule called engrailed, which is part of the machinery that makes the back half a back half. In half an hour we were at the last crest, in a place where the Turks had dug trenches and stoned up an elaborate outpost of engrailed sangars which on this black new-moon night of our raid were empty. = -- The arms are gules, within a border argent, a cross engrailed or, and are so given by Willis in his _Seals of Abbey, a cross engrailed, and showing the head of a crosier above the shield in the centre. On a chevron engrailed, two lioncels rampant, between as many crescents. On a chevron engrailed, between two crescents, as many lioncels rampant. The coat of the Hobys of Bisham, as correctly given, is "Argent, within a border engrailed sable, three spindles, threaded in fesse, gules." A manuscript ordinary, by Glover, in my possession, contains another, which is somewhat like that on the picture, being -- Argent on a fess engrailed sable, bearing three crosses patées, Gules, as many martlets on the field. In his rude hovel, with all the sublimities of Nature around him, this child of the wilderness looks up to the summits of the Atlas, "with peaky tops engrailed," and immediately thereafter looks down again to attend to the engrailing of his neat five-franc pieces, which can hardly be told from the genuine. Azure a lion rampant or, with a crescent for difference, impaling argent a cross engrailed flory sable between four Cornish choughs proper -- Crest, on a wreath of the colours a Saracen's head full-faced, couped at the shoulders proper, wreathed round the temples and tied or and azure.
Court officials banned “immigrants of color and foreigners” from holding religious positions in the royal house until at least the 1960s, the Guardian reports, based on newly unearthed documents that have reignited the debate over racism within the British royal family. The documents also revealed how the palace negotiated controversial provisions in British laws – still in force today – that give the royal family immunity from any responsibility related to racial and sexual discrimination. The documents were discovered in the National Archives during a Guardian investigation into a secret royal family procedure known as the Queen’s Consent, which affects the content of British law. These documents reveal how Casa Real’s chief financial officer reported, in 1968, that “it was not customary to appoint ‘coloured’ or foreigners” to clerical jobs at Casa Real, although they were “allowed to work as domestic servants”. The British newspaper writes that it is not clear when the practice stopped working. The palace refused to answer reporters’ questions about the ban and when it was repealed, it said only that there was a record of ethnic minorities employed in the 1990s, but prior to this decade, there are no records on the ethnic origins of employees. . In the 1960s, the government passed laws making it illegal to refuse to hire anyone on the basis of race or ethnicity. However, the Queen has enjoyed immunity status in this legislation for more than four decades. This situation made it impossible for women or people from ethnic minorities who worked with the royal family to claim court if they faced discrimination. “Infuriatingly humble analyst. Bacon maven. Proud food specialist. Certified reader. Avid writer. Zombie advocate. Incurable problem solver.”
The Upside Of A Weak Dollar "Weak dollar" does not have a nice ring to it — particularly if you have a bank account full of dollars. But the dollar is indeed getting weaker. It's been falling all year, and it hit a new, post-crisis low today. In simple terms, this means that a dollar (or $10, or $100) doesn't buy you as many euros (or British pounds, or Japanese yen) as it used to. In more practical terms, it means that imports are more expensive, which tends to drive up inflation over time. But despite the falling dollar, U.S. inflation is still pretty tame by historic standards. Prices have risen less than 3 percent over the past year (that's total inflation, including food and energy prices). What's more, there's a big upside to a weak dollar: It makes U.S. exports cheaper, which encourages people and businesses around the world to buy more of our stuff. Increasing exports is key to increasing U.S. economic growth without relying too heavily on domestic consumer spending. In fact, lots of countries around the world want to have weaker currencies. The U.S. is often on China's case for keeping its currency too weak relative to the dollar, in order to boost exports. Troubled European economies like Greece and Portugal would be much better off right now if they could make their currency weaker,which would make their exports more competitive and boost domestic employment. And when Brazil's finance minister spoke of a "currency war" last year, he was talking about countries around they world fighting to make their currencies weaker. Those countries saw a weaker currency as a key step toward continued export growth and broader economic health. Copyright 2011 National Public Radio. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.
John Moore/Getty Images Solar cells can provide electrical power for anything under the sun -- including plug-in hybrid vehicles. An array on the roof of a house in a sunny spot often generates more power during daylight hours than the household can use, especially if no one is home to use it. Some cities, like Portland, Ore., allow solar customers to sell this power back to the grid. But then at night, when these homeowners return with their plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicles, they need electricity to charge the car, turn on reading lamps, run the microwave and watch "Dancing with the Stars." The solar cells aren't creating electricity after sunset, so the house pulls power from the grid. At the end of the month, customers get a statement showing how much electricity they generated and how much they used. But the cars of the future -- maybe even the near future -- might not even have to rely on a house for their solar power. The Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid car has the most powerful solar roof panel to be used on a car so far. Its 80, super-efficient, monocrystalline cells generate up to 120 watts of power, which is used to run the climate control system while the driver is away. The rooftop solar cell system also adds about 200 miles (321.9 kilometers) per year to the car's range -- for free. That's the equivalent of an extra tank of gas every year in a conventional car being provided by the sun.
You have the right to remain flummoxed. Dear Word Detective: I have seen the term “The Black Maria” referred to in terms of what we call a “paddy wagon” here in the States. However, I also recall reading this same description in Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s books referring to a black car used by the KGB or police to secretly take away prisoners in the middle of the night. I’ve always wondered where that term came from, and thought you might enlighten me. — John Moffo. Hmm. Interesting. My spell-checker is fine with “Solzhenitsyn,” but chokes on your last name, Moffo, which you share with the late great Italian-American operatic soprano Anna Moffo. I find my spell-checker’s choices fascinating. It’s like having a little person living inside my computer deciding whether people, places and things are famous enough to pass muster. The rest of the time, of course, the machine is as stupid as a toaster. A “Black Maria” is, as you say, a police van or similar conveyance used to transport prisoners to jail or to court appearances, and it’s worth noting at the outset that “Maria” in this case is usually pronounced “mah-RYE-ah,” as was common in the 19th century, rather than “mah-REE-ah.” Then again, “usually” is a bit of a stretch, because I haven’t heard the term spoken aloud in decades. “Paddy wagon” is far more common. As is common when phrases involve personal names, a number of theories have been proposed tracing “Black Maria,” which first appeared in print around 1835, to actual people named Maria. Michael Quinion, at his World Wide Words website (www.worldwidewords.org), mentions two such theories suggested by his readers. One, centering on an upper-class woman in 19th century London who was known for wearing splendid black dresses, fails on the simple fact that “Black Maria” is indisputably of American origin. The other, of a large African-American woman named Maria who ran a Boston boarding house and assisted the police in apprehending fugitives, is too cute for my taste and, more importantly, doesn’t explain why the term first appeared in New York City. The most credible theory yet advanced of the origin of “Black Maria” does tie the phrase to an actual “Maria,” but not a human one. “Black Maria” was a famous racehorse of the day, born in Harlem in 1826, whose exploits were widely celebrated in the newspapers. It seems entirely plausible that the name of the horse thereafter would be sardonically applied to the police carriages, usually colored black, which swiftly transported miscreants to jail. Incidentally, “paddy wagon” takes its name from “Paddy,” a familiar form of the name Patrick (from the Irish form, Padraic or Padraig), which was used in early 20th century America as a derogatory term for Irish immigrants. One might assume that this use is similarly derogatory, referring to a supposed propensity of Irish-Americans to be arrested, but big city police forces of the period were themselves composed largely of Irish-Americans, so the term may well have simply referred to a wagon driven by “the paddies,” i.e., the police.
Tell Me a Story Most of us do not consider ourselves great storytellers, but each of us has a wealth of stories to share with our children. You don't have to be Mark Twain to tell wonderful stories and you don't have to try to make them up on the spot. Tell About What You Know Children are fascinated by your personal stories. - Tell stories about when you were young: - Going on a trip with their grandma and grandpa - Playing games with their aunts and uncles - A favorite teacher or class in school - Learning to ride a bicycle - Losing a tooth. - Tell stories about when they were younger: - The day they were born - Their first words - Their first pets. - Tell stories about a family adventure: - The big storm - The trip to __________________ - The day of the _______________. A Story of "Me" Put your child in the center of a familiar story or setting. - Think of characters from your child's favorite books and have your child interact with them in further adventures—"Zoe and the 'Cat in the Hat' Go for a Swim" or "Mike Goes for a Ride with 'Thomas the Train.'" Don't worry about whether the plot is exciting; young children are fascinated by stories that revolve around them. - Re-tell a story from a favorite book or television program and let your child take the place of a favorite character—"The Adventures of Super Sam," "Maria on Sesame Street," "Seyoum and Arthur's Big Trip." Now, It's Your Turn Sometimes when your child says "tell me a story," turn the tables and help him or her tell the story. Begin a familiar story and stop in the middle of a sentence. Have your child finish the sentence. Then, when your child has added an idea, pick up the storyline and continue to take turns telling the story. It doesn't matter if your story follows the original or goes off in many different directions. - "A Day In the Life of ____________" Ask your child to role play being a favorite pet or animal. What is the animal thinking, doing, or feeling as it goes through the day? Or ask your child to role play being an everyday item—rain boots, a toothbrush, a cell phone. What makes the life of one of these items funny or difficult? Take part in the storytelling to help your child come up with words and actions to share. - Stories With Props Sometimes a few props can trigger a great story. Give your child several items that he or she must weave into a story—an umbrella, a spoon, a telephone, some tape. The more different the items, the funnier or more elaborate the story has to be in order to get them all to fit in. - What If . . .? Help your child's imagination soar. Build stories around what ifs: What if you had wings? What if you could talk to animals? What if you were as tiny as an ant? - Picture Stories Find pictures of people in magazines and newspapers or photos from your own albums. Ask your child to tell the story of what happened right before or right after the picture was taken. - Why is this person smiling? - What is this person feeling? Why? - What do you think this person will do next? Why? - Stories With the Friends Building Blocks is an excellent tool to use for storytelling. Just go online to find picture story starters. - Use the Character Cards (PDF) or Know-Kit Cards for 3- to 4- or 5- to 6- year-olds to set up the characters and/or situations for telling a story about Wally Bear, Miguel Tiger, Mee Possum, Sandy Squirrel, Ali Rabbit, Thurgood Turtle, and/or Kristi Kitty. - Use the ABC Coloring Book (PDF) to help children tell a picture story. Challenge them to use as many words as they can that start with the letter of their page. Please note—to view documents in PDF format, you must have Adobe’s free Acrobat Reader software. If you do not already have this software installed on your computer, please from Adobe's Web site.
Surfing Area Protection The protection and enjoyment of waves is a central focus of Surfrider Foundation's mission. Surfing areas represent rare natural resources that provide recreational opportunities and environmental, aesthetic, and economic benefits. Many surfing areas around the globe are currently threatened or degraded by water quality problems, access restrictions, coastal development or coastal ecosystem impacts. Surfers can prevent the loss of surfing areas by identifying key locations, demonstrating their benefits to local and state governments, and working to establish them as surfing reserves or a similar protected status. State Laws and Policies Hawaii, California and Texas are examples of states that recognize waves as valuable recreational, economic, and cultural resources to be protected. Several sections of the California Coastal Act (pdf) deal with the importance of preserving areas that provide coastal recreation. Section 30213 states: "Lower cost visitor and recreational facilities shall be protected, encouraged, and, where feasible, provided. Developments providing public recreational opportunities are preferred." Section 30220 states: "Coastal areas suited for water-oriented recreational activities that cannot readily be provided at inland water areas shall be protected for such uses." Section 205A-2 Coastal zone management program objectives and policies (pdf) refers to surfing in providing adequate, accessible, and diverse recreational opportunities in the coastal zone management area including – protecting coastal resources uniquely suited for recreational activities that cannot be provided in other areas; providing an adequate supply of shoreline parks and other recreational facilities suitable for public recreation; ensuring public recreational use of county, state, and federally owned or controlled shoreline lands and waters; adopting water quality standards to protect and restore recreational value of coastal waters; developing new shoreline recreational opportunities, where appropriate; and encouraging reasonable dedication of shoreline areas with recreational value for public use. The Texas Open Beaches Act, ratified in 1959, states, "It is declared and affirmed to be the public policy of this state that the public, individually and collectively, shall have the free and unrestricted right of ingress and egress to and from the state-owned beaches bordering on the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico....". It also sets requirements that municipalities must meet for public beach parking and access points. Although this policy facilitates access to surfable waves, it is less specific than the policies in California and Hawaii in affording protection to the waves. In November of 2009, Texas Voters, by a 3 to 1 margin, made Public Beach Access a Constitutional Right. An under-appreciated aspect of surfing area protection is the economic benefit that surfing areas bring to beach communities. An estimate of the economic scale of the surfing industry, including travel, surf-branded clothing and the manufacture of surfboards, is on the order of $10 billion per year and reaches into most countries on the planet. While this is an impressive number, it is likely to significantly under-account for the total economic value of recreational surfing. Surfing represents a very profitable market, a growing industry, and a reason people move to coastal areas. Surfing plays a major part in the recreation and tourism strategies for many coastal locations. Any negative impact to the surfing amenity in these locations may have serious consequences for the resident surfing population, visitors to the area, the local surf industry and the entire local coastal economy. The documented positive economic impact of visitors to surfing areas such as Trestles 1, 2 in southern California; Mavericks in central California; Brevard County, Florida; Mundaka in Spain; and along the Gold Coast in Australia is substantial. A study of surfers visiting Trestles estimated a range for the annual economic impact to the city of San Clemente that could be from $8 to $13 million/year. For a more detailed discussion of surfing and beach economics, see Dr. Chad Nelsen's Collecting & Using Economic Information to Guide the Management of Coastal Recreational Resources, the doctoral dissertation that he completed at UCLA in the Environmental Science and Engineering program in March 2012. Threats to Surfing Areas PollutionEpidemiological Studies) indicates that swimming in water with high bacteria levels can increase the swimmer's risk of experiencing adverse health conditions like fever, nausea, gastroenteritis, sore throat, and various infections (see articles Health Threats from Polluted Coastal Waters and Staph Infections). Sewage spills and poor water quality in the surf zone from other sources may lead to beach health advisories and closures, which may prevent access to the surf, increase the risk of disease, or make the surfing experience less pleasurable. Water pollution from both point source pollution (pollutants discharged directly into water from factories or sewage treatment plants) and Non Point Source Pollution (rain water or dry weather Urban Runoff washing pollutants off our land and streets) can and does threaten surf spots. Restricted public beach access is perhaps the most direct and visible threat to surfing areas. In most states, although beaches are public trust resources, opportunities to access them may be threatened directly or indirectly by various landowners, government regulations, and coastal development. Although the ability to walk along the beach, is, in most states, a public right, getting to the beach is often more difficult. Because much of the land between where people can park and where they can enjoy the beach is often privately owned, the ability to enjoy beaches often depends on the quality and availability of access between roads and parking lots and the beach. See Surfrider Foundation's policy on beach access, this article on beach access and the Beach Access summary from Surfrider's State of the Beach report. Coastal development can displace sandy beaches, limit both lateral and vertical access to the beach, disrupt the natural flow of sand, and destroy the open spaces remaining along our coasts. Installation of shoreline structures such as seawalls, rock revetments, jetties, groins, and other hard structures inevitably leads to loss of sand from beaches. In addition, these structures may destroy surfing areas by blocking waves, compromising wave quality or creating more dangerous surfing conditions. Beach fill, where sediment from dredging a harbor, offshore sources, or an upland site is placed on a beach to widen it, has the potential to negatively affect surfing areas. Issues associated with beach fill include sand compatibility/quality, ecological effects, changes to the beach and offshore bottom contours, effects on wave quality, and damage to offshore reefs. Coastal Ecosystem Impacts Surfing in a healthy wild ocean with an intact marine ecological system has positive intrinsic and aesthetic benefits to surfers and the surfing experience. Beaches and coastal areas are diverse and productive systems that serve as a critical link between marine and terrestrial environments. They support populations of coastally-dependent plant and animal species, including some that are threatened or endangered and many that are commercially and recreationally important, by providing habitat, serving as breeding grounds and functioning as areas of high primary production. Beaches and coastal wetlands also provide protection against the effects of coastal storms, filter nutrients and other pollution from runoff and support local recreation and tourism opportunities. A degraded coastal ecosystem can threaten surfing areas and ruin the surfing experience. For example, an increase of nutrients (such as nitrogen or phosphorus) in the water, known as eutrophication, can cause excessive growth of algae (see full article: "Red Tides" and Harmful Algal Blooms). Eventually the algae die and decompose, resulting in a decrease of oxygen that degrades water quality, kills fish and other animal populations, and stinks. Also, it should be remembered that part of the aesthetic of surfing is experiencing and interacting with the terrestrial and aquatic habitat at the beach (or on the way to the beach), so any diminishment of the coastal ecosystem diminishes the surfing experience. Tools for Surfing Area Protection Projects that can threaten surf breaks, such as construction of new harbors, breakwaters, and groins, typically require federal agency approval, such as from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). Other coastal development projects may require only state and/or local approval. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Protection Acts, agencies or private project proponents must perform an Environmental Assessment or Initial Study to screen the project for potential environmental impacts. If there is an indication that there may be environmental impacts, they must prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), describing the environmental impacts for the proposed project and identifying alternatives, including a no project alternative. An EIS or EIR gives environmental groups and concerned citizens the opportunity to force project proponents to look at the environmental impacts of the project and to consider alternatives and mitigation actions that would avoid destroying surf breaks. Second, the NEPA project timeline is long enough to allow concerned citizen groups and the general public to become active stakeholders and participants in the project planning process. Greater awareness of potential environmental impacts reduces the chances of undertaking a damaging project. The 1972 federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) focuses specifically on coastal zone issues. The CZMA provides grants to encourage state participation in a Coastal Zone Management (CZM) program. To qualify, a state program must comprehensively organize the uses of coastal areas so that they are compatible with the state's management goals. The state coastal acts therefore can be used to protect surf breaks. Under the public trust doctrine, navigable waters, the submerged land beneath them, and the tidelands are held by the State in trust for the benefit of all people. The doctrine protects all navigable tidewaters including the waters off the coast. Because surf breaks are located along the coast, arguably they fall within the scope of the public trust. While no state has yet to recognize a surf break as a natural resource to be protected under the public trust doctrine, California (and perhaps other states) have held that doctrine can be used to protect access to a beach used for surfing, boating and other ocean recreation. One of the most effective ways to challenge a coastal development project is to organize public opposition to the project. Surfers have effectively blocked destructive projects in a number of instances by organizing with other concerned groups, lobbying local city councils, and/or attracting wide publicity. Models for Surfing Areas Protection One means of protecting a surf break is through creation of a surfing reserve. This has been done in Australia and is being considered in New Zealand and elsewhere. A surfing reserve is a part of the coastal environment recognized by the local community for the quality and consistency of its surf and its long-term and on-going relationship between the surf and surfers. It usually encompasses the beach and adjacent surf zone, but may include features of the marine and coastal zone which enhance aspects of the surfing experience. Locations may include the birthplaces of surfing in a region, or places considered historically significant or irreplaceable. The standout factors are: surf quality; ongoing support from and benefit to the local community; and local involvement in the ongoing management of the surfing asset. Protected areas are locations that receive protection because of their environmental, cultural or similar value. There are numerous examples of protected terrestrial areas in natural states for the long-term benefit of ecosystems while providing for recreational lifestyles, including wilderness areas, parks, reserves, preserves, conservation areas, and sanctuaries. In the marine environment, protected areas can serve the same purpose: establishing places where certain destructive or extractive human activities are limited or prohibited so plants and animals are protected. These areas can also allow for non-extractive recreational activities that provide for urban lifestyle stress relief and outdoor education. The February 2013 issue of MPA Connections is a special issue focusing on recreation in MPAs (including surfing), and features articles written by several MPA Center partners, including Pete Stauffer of Surfrider Foundation. Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia (pdf) and Tres Palmas Marine Reserve in Rincon, Puerto Rico are examples of marine protected areas that include surf breaks. UPDATE: It turns out that all is not well at Bells Beach. Heritage sites may also be used for surfing area protection. While surfing reserves provide more of a recreation protection focus and protected areas provide more of an ecosystem protection focus, heritage sites provide a cultural and historical protection focus. National Heritage Areas work to conserve natural, cultural, historic, and scenic features and preserve the traditions, customs, and beliefs that are a valuable part of the national story. Congress has established 40 National Heritage Areas around the country in which conservation, interpretation and other activities are managed by partnerships among federal, state, and local governments and the private sector. After a heritage area is designated by Congress, National Park Service staff partner with local community members to plan and implement activities that emphasize heritage-centered interpretation, conservation and development projects. Although there are currently no surfing areas that are designated National Heritage Areas, a study by Surfrider Foundation and the National Park Service identified 85 surfing spots in 25 separate national park units. National Heritage Areas require a management plan which defines the mission, vision and goals of the National Heritage Area and outlines the strategies that the coordinating entity, partners and residents will use to achieve these objectives. Implementation of the plan rests in the hands of local citizens, officials, organizations and businesses - not the Federal government. Heritage sites can also be potentially established at the state level through State Park agencies. On June 3, 2009, Save The Waves announced the official formation of the World Surfing Reserves (WSR) Vision Council and Selection Committee for 2009. The Vision Council will provide high-level guidance and oversight for the new program, which aims to proactively designate, enshrine and preserve outstanding surfing waves, surf zones and their surrounding environments. The Selection Committee will be charged with paring down nominated candidates from around the world, and creating the initial list of potential World Surfing Reserves sites. The WSR Vision Council includes surfing and environmental visionaries such as International Surfing Association president Fernando Aguerre, former ASP president Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew, big wave champion Greg Long, environmental attorney and activist Mark Massara, Mavericks pioneer and contest director Jeff Clark, Surfrider executive director Jim Moriarty, World Championship Tour Top 44 surfer Tiago Pires, and National Surfing Reserves Australia co-founders Prof. Andy Short and Brad Farmer. The World Surfing Reserves program was launched at the Value of Waves Roundtable on December 5th, 2008, in Half Moon Bay, California. The Roundtable brought together an international group of surfers, industry leaders, environmentalists and journalists to approve and set forth a blueprint for the WSR program. The WSR program will have three working bodies: the Vision Council, the Selection Committee and the Field Team. All three bodies will be working in different functions to select and enshrine the yearly wave nominations submitted by the International Surfing Association recognized National Governing Bodies as well as other nationally recognized environmental entities. - In October 2010 Surfrider Beach in Malibu, CA was enshrined as the first World Surfing Reserve. - In February 2011 Santa Cruz, CA and Ericeira, Portugal were approved as World Surfing Reserves. - In February 2012 Manly and Freshwater beaches in Sydney were enshrined as Australia’s first World Surfing Reserve. - In April 2012 Santa Cruz was dedicated as a World Surfing Reserve. - In October 2012 Huanchaco, Peru was approved as a World Surfing Reserve and was dedicated in October 2013. - In January 2013 – Bahia Todos Santos, Baja California, Mexico, was approved as a World Surfing Reserve and was dedicated in June 2014. - In November 2013 Punta de Lobos in Chile was approved as a World Surfing Reserve. A recent presentation on World Surfing Reserves made by Surfrider Foundation's Chad Nelsen Additional information regarding surfing area protection can be found in Surfrider's State of the Beach report. A presentation on this topic (pdf) was given at the Coastal Zone conference in Boston, MA in July 2009. The organization Surfers Against Sewage in the UK, working through their Protect Our Waves program, has published an excellent Waves are Resources report (pdf) that clearly highlights why Waves Are Resources and, as such, should be recognized as valuable assets, protected for this and future generations. The WAR Report not only focuses on the intrinsic value of waves to surfers but also the economic value to the wider community.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE NIGERIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM WHAT IS FINANCIAL SYSTEM? A financial system is a conglomerate of various markets, instruments, operators, and institutions that interact within an economy to provide financial services such as resource mobilization and allocation, financial intermediation and facilitation of foreign exchange transactions to exchange foreign trade. Financial system in a market economy is comprised of: Money and non-monetary claims (served debt and equity). Places, institutions or communication systems that provide a market where financial claims can be bought and sold. Specialists such as brokers and underwriters who aid in the direct transfer of funds from surplus to deficit units. A wide variety of intermediaries that provide attractive indirect routes for the transfer of funds surplus to deficit units. Households, business firms and government unit that generate financial surpluses and deficits. THE DEVELOPMENT AND STRUCTURE OF THE NIGERIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM The Nigerian financial system comprises the regulatory/ supervisory authority, banks and non-bank financial institutions. The regulatory/supervisory authorities are the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the apex, the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), the Nigerian Supervisory Board (NISB), and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). The CBN is a major regulator and supervisor in the money market, with the NDIC playing a complementary role. The CBN exclusively regulates the activities of finance companies and promotes the establishment of development banks. The National Board for Community banks, while the final granting of licence is the CBN’s responsibility. The SEC is the Apex regulator/ supervisor in the capital market, with NSE as self-regulatory institution. The FMF and the CBN share control over Bureaux de change while the NISB is the regulatory authority in the insurance sector. The FMBN regulates mortgage financial business in Nigeria (CBN, 1990). Developmentally, the Nigeria financial system has witnessed a rapid growth in the last two decades. This could be seen from the widespread establishment of many financial institutions. The growth can be claimed to due to the oil boom and the awareness of the importance of money by Nigerians. One of the characteristics of the Nigerian financial system is the dominant role the Federal and State Government play in the financial intermediation directly or indirectly. There are a number of government parastatals which the government often lend money to. The state and federal governments also borrow money from the financial system. The governments are also involved in the financial intermediation indirectly through ownership of banks or financial institutions. Though Nigeria has one of the most modern financial institutions today, there are some worrying features about the system. Nigeria still has an undiversified and unspecialised banking system. The merchant banks are supposed to provide wholesale banking while commercial banks are supposed to provide retail banking. The only exceptions are the development banks and insurance companies. Others perform the same functions. The difference only lies in the quality of service. The co-operative Banks are supposed to operate essentially for the Co-operative Societies but they compete with commercial Banks for all normal banking services. There is no noticeable line of difference between the commercial and merchant banks. They both lend to individuals, corporate bodies and the government. Again, the structure of the financial institutions is such that concentration is in the urban areas despite the rural banking scheme.
Beach-going in Delaware: Black perspectives under segregation By Kelli Racine Barnes, exhibit design summer intern, Zwaanendael Museum On Sunday, June 2, 1957, Ray Charles and his orchestra appeared at the Rosedale Beach Hotel and Resort in Millsboro, Delaware where they performed several of their hits including “It Should Have Been Me” and “Drowning in My Tears.” This was one of many events held at the resort since it was established in 1937 for the pleasure of Black, Indigenous and other people of color seeking entertainment and refuge during Jim Crow segregation in the United States. Rosedale Beach was one of only a few beaches in Delaware where people of color could enjoy leisure activities. This was because, by the early-20th century, Delaware government officials systematically repressed Black, Indigenous and other residents of color through state sanctioned laws of segregation which extended to all facets of life including recreation. After the Civil War, the Delaware General Assembly rejected measures of equality enacted by the federal government including Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Bill of 1866, the 14th Amendment and the 15th Amendment. Segregation laws became the norm, determining how Black people engaged with Delaware’s beaches. Because this history and people of color’s perspectives on this history have been so understudied, little is known about this part of Delaware’s larger story. During the summer of 2021, as a virtual E. Stewart Lyman Fellow and exhibit design intern at the Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes, Delaware, I was given the opportunity to create a digital exhibit centering the Black American experience of beach-going in Delaware. Growing up in a family that loved to attend the beaches of New Jersey, I was thrilled with the opportunity to uncover the Black experience and perspectives of beachgoers in the state of Delaware. We were particularly interested in the early-20th-century Jim Crow segregation era. With few elders left in our communities who remember this time and can share their perspectives with us, the time to learn about this history through first-hand accounts is right now! I began with a set of research questions and goals to guide me through the exhibit-design process. I wanted to know how many segregated beaches existed in the state of Delaware under Jim Crow; what Indigenous people owned, and remained caretakers of, the land; who owned the land of each of the beaches prior to their being designated as beaches for Black people to congregate; what happened to the beaches after integration following the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and were the beaches featured in the travel guides, posters, or in the white or Black newspapers of the era? I began this internship with an introduction to Rosedale Beach. I even visited the site where the resort once stood. It was a peaceful experience to be in the space that was beloved by so many people of color in the early-20th century. I could imagine the excitement that people would have had coming to this location to see their friends and family, to hear world class music and eat delicious food without having to worry about answering to the whims of white people’s needs or insecurities. I could imagine the calmness that may have washed over them while on the beach looking out over the still waters of the Indian River. By the end of the internship, I had compiled a list of 12 locations where Black people recreated under Jim Crow in Delaware. Rosedale Beach is the most well-known of these locations because it was a summer venue for the Chitlin’ Circuit and a safe location where Black travelers could visit and feel welcome. Several of the other beaches, such as Woodland Beach and Bowers Beach, had designated days in which the owners of the land allowed people of color to visit. Others, such as Rehoboth Beach and Lewes Beach, had sections of their beaches, sometimes partitioned off, where people of color could visit for their opportunity of fun in the sun. You have to wonder how segregationists explained the need for a partition on the beach when everyone swam in the same body of water! Rosedale Beach is all the more significant because the land was owned by members of the Nanticoke Indian community well into the 20th century. Subsequently, land lots were purchased by Black real estate entrepreneur, Jesse Walter Vause and his wife, Geoffie M., as well as Jesse’s cousin, Floyd Vause and his wife, Gussie Mae. They incorporated and established the Rosedale Beach Hotel and Resort on April 16, 1937. In oral history interviews that I conducted in 2021, local residents Robert Draine and Charles Laws recalled entertainers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, James Brown and the young Stevie Wonder performing at Rosedale Beach in the 1950s and 60s. Rosedale Beach is the only beach in Delaware that I know of with this legacy of ownership and musical history. There is still so much to learn about the history of music, and also religion or spirituality, at these beaches. Many of the beaches began as church meeting sites, including Rosedale Beach which was enjoyed by the Nanticoke people for religious and recreational purposes prior to the land being purchased by the Vauses. Furthermore, many Nanticoke people remain in the area to this day as caretakers of their ancestral homeland. Further north, the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware remains as caretaker of its ancestral homeland as well. I am extremely grateful for learning this history about the traditional stewards, caretakers and developers of Delaware land and its waters. It is a long, complicated history encompassing the Nanticoke and Lenape people, white European settlers, enslaved Africans and freed African American people that settled in the area. I learned a great deal about Delaware’s beaches from Black and white newspapers of the 20th century; oral histories and news reports that were conducted about the beaches of Delaware; travel guides published in the early-20th century for Black travelers; resources given to me by local historical societies; and several secondary sources about the Nanticoke and Lenape people, the white European settlers who colonized the land that became known as Delaware, and the history of Black land ownership along United States southern shores. The Delaware Public Archives was a great source for general images of the beaches. Unfortunately, none of the images I found featured positive representations of Black beach goers, only white beach goers. I am also grateful to my elders who allowed me the opportunity to speak with them this summer about my project and their recollections of visiting the beaches of Delaware under Jim Crow segregation laws. This summer’s research builds on the work of Tamara Hall who researched and was instrumental in the Nov. 15, 2011 installation of the historical marker at Rosedale Beach. I am also grateful for the research of Sterling Street, Robert Draine Sr. and WRDE-TV Chief Meteorologist Paul Williams who researched the history of Rosedale Beach; Carlton Hall who has concentrated on sites featured in the travel guides; and Nancy Alexander at the Rehoboth Beach Museum who began an oral history program to learn more about the history of Rehoboth Beach, and about Rosedale Beach and other sites Black people established during the era. Now, with my internship complete, I look forward to seeing the published digital exhibit at the end of the year. It will be a glorious time to celebrate its publication and the 10th anniversary of the installation of the historical marker at Rosedale Beach! Kelli Racine Barnes is a doctoral candidate at the University of Delaware studying late-18th- and early-19th-century African American history. In addition to being honored by the university as an African American Public Humanities Fellow, she was named an E. Lyman Stewart Intern for the summer of 2021. Barnes’ research on beaches open to African Americans during the segregation era will form the core of the digital exhibit “Segregated Sands: Beach-going in Jim Crow Era Delaware” that will be launched in 2022.
Evidence of Pesticides in Farmland Streams and Groundwater: The Heinz Center Reports … In this study it was found that all of the streams monitored in farm areas had “at least one pesticide at detectable levels throughout the year, and about 75% had an average of five or more.” In 83% of the streams, at least one pesticide was present in amounts exceeding aquatic life guidelines. In 4% of the cases, human health standards were also exceeded. Groundwater fared better. Although 60% of farm wells had pesticide at detectable levels, less than 1% exceeded health standards. A 2006 US Geological Survey review of 51 studies over ten years reported that 96% of fish, 100% of surface water, and 33% of major aquifers sampled from 1992 to 2001 contained one or more pesticides. Nearly 10% of stream sites and 1.2% of ground water sites in agricultural areas, and 6.7% of stream and 4.8% of ground water site in urban areas contained pesticides at concentrations exceeding benchmarks for human health derived from US EPA standards and guidelines for drinking water. Our human body is similarly contaminated with pesticides, pesticide-related compounds and other synthetic chemicals. A 2002 study led by Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers found an average of 91 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals in the blood and urine of nine volunteers. A total of 167 chemicals were found in these individuals, none of whom worked with chemicals occupationally or lived near industrial facilities. Of the 167 chemicals found, 17 were pesticides or pesticide breakdown products. Seventy-six were carcinogens, 94 neurotoxins, and 79 developmental or reproductive toxins. Pests can also become resistant to pesticides, increasing control costs, crop losses or other pest damage. Many natural enemies of pests are killed by pesticides, freeing pests from these natural controls. Please see our previous post on a study concluded that Bed Bugs and may be other bugs may have developed resistance to conventional Pesticides and Insecticides. Let us introduce Integrated Pest Management (IPM)! IPM is an approach to solving pest problems by applying our knowledge & experience about pests (A pest is an organism which has characteristics that are regarded by humans as injurious or unwanted) to prevent them from damaging crops, harming animals, infesting buildings or otherwise interfering with our livelihood or enjoyment of life. IPM means responding to pest problems with the most effective, least-risk option. It is control and Management of such nuisance pests by attempting to prevent, control and prevent without initially using any pesticides to kill or eradicate the pests. IPM is designed to target the troublesome pest, and limit the impact on other organisms and the environment. Using pesticides to crops, animals, buildings or landscapes on a routine basis, regardless of need, is not IPM. Spraying of pesticides are always the last resort in an IPM program. Pesticides are powerful chemical solutions for responding to persistent pest problems. It’s not smart, effective or affordable to use these chemicals when they are not necessary. Using IPM to prevent pest problems and minimize reliance on pesticides is the best solution for a healthy environment for everyone. In recent years the majority of new pesticide registrations have met criteria set by EPA for “minimum risk” including lower hazards to human health and non-target organisms, and reduce potential for contamination of groundwater, surface water, and other environmental resources. These EPA “minimum risk” pesticides include bio-pesticides, which are naturally occurring substances, microorganisms, or insecticidal substances produced by plants containing genetic material introduced specifically to control pests. University Study Reports : New York City Bed Bugs are resistant to pyrethroid insecticides. Bed Bugs which was mostly eradicated, but have outsmart the current Chemicals and insecticides called Pyrethroids… mainly deltamethrin. This study states that in urban areas like New York City, the chemicals or insecticides used are shown to be ineffective. The failure to control these blood – sucking pests is evident and toxicologists have shown that some bed bugs have developed resistance to Pyrethroid Neurotoxins. In the past spraying pyrethroid Toxins was effective because these Nervous system poisons paralyzed these bugs and killed them, but this is no longer the case, because these bugs have developed resistance to these Nervous System Poisons. Resistance means mutations are acquired over time with Pyrethroids, which resulted in neuronal pores no longer respond to the toxic effects of such pyrethroids. Toxicologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Korea’s Seoul National University show that these pores in New York City bed bugs are now as much as 264 times more resistant to deltamethrin. The researchers are not sure how widely this resistance has spread, that is, whether the bugs that infest hotels, apartment buildings and homes in places other than New York City have developed the same type of immunity to chemical control. But as Clark notes, “This type of pyrethroid resistance is common in many pest insects and the failure of the pyrethroids to control bed bug populations across the United States and elsewhere indicates that resistance is already widespread. The researchers are not sure how wide spread this resistance is, whether the bed bugs that are resistant are common in Hotels, Motels, Hostels, Homes, Apartment complexes only in New York city or such Pyrethroid resistant bugs are also in other states. Immunity to chemical control may be widespread due to the fact that this type of pyrethroid resistance is common in many pests, insects, parasites and also the failure of the pyrethroids to control bed bug populations in many other States indicates that resistance is already widespread. The researchers collected hard-to-control bed bugs from New York City, plus easy-to-control bed bugs from an untreated Bed Bugs in Florida, The New York Bed Bugs was determined to be highly resistant (264 times more resistant) to deltamethrin compared to the Florida Bed Bugs by contact exposure. They found that resistance was not due to the increased breakdown of Pyrethroid chemicals (in this case deltamethrin) by the resistant bed bugs but appeared to be due to an insensitive nervous system. For additional information please visit http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/547929/ We like to take this opporchunity to comment that our Bed Bug control products do not attack the nervous systems of the BUGS but either clog the breathing pores of the insects on their body or force them to molt. Thus it is safe to us, our children & pets plus Bugs cannot develop resistance to our Non Toxic and Organic products. Why Controlling Termites will reduce in Greenhouse Emissions: Actively seeking green solutions and learning how we can reduce the Greenhouse Gases has become part of my everyday living, you may wonder what that has got to do with Pest control. Below is a table which shows the factors that determine how much impact a particular greenhouse gas has. 1. Global Warming Factor (GWF) – its ability to absorb and then release heat. The GWF is set to 1 for carbon dioxide (CO2). The values for the other gases indicate their potency relative to CO2. 2. How much of the gas there is in the atmosphere. This table shows both factors for some greenhouse gases. Although CO2 is a weaker greenhouse gas than the others, there is much more of it in the atmosphere, so it has the greatest impact. Global Warming Factor Concentration parts (ppb) Carbon Dioxide – CO2 1 379,000 Methane – CH4 21 1,760 Nitrous Oxide – N2O 310 320 Chlorofluorocarbons – CFCs 5,000 to 14,000 less than 1 parts per billion Lets take a closer look at Methane CH4 Methane is produced naturally by bacteria called methanogens, which feed on plant and animal material in environments with no oxygen. Methanogens live under stagnant water in swamps, where they produce bubbles of methane called “swamp gas” or “marsh gas.” Methanogens also live in the digestive systems of animals, where they help to break down grass and other organic matter into nutrients. Termites produce a lot of methane. Each termite produces only about half a microgram per day, but there are so many of them in the world that together they produce about 20 million tons per year. Some agricultural activities also produce methane. Rice is usually grown in flooded fields. The stagnant water covering soil encourages methanogenesis like in a swamp. So controlling Termites will not only save our homes & other structures but also reduce Methane, which will also reduce Methane release thus help our planet. A BIO-STIMULANT WHICH REDUCES WATER USAGE ON FAIRWAYS AND GREENS – Alters the tension of water which helps release bound up soil nutrients and improves water absorption and retention capabilities preventing drought and excess water turf stress ~ protein enables plants/grass to absorb moisture better. May be used in sprinkler systems, hose-end sprayers, and large tank sprayers. PEST POPULATION GREATLY REDUCED – Can be applied manually or through irrigation systems. Each application reduces the current insect population. Kleen Green is an approved bio-pesticide. Enzymes breaks down the outer shell (exoskeleton) of an insect, causing death quickly. Algae in ponds will be thing of the past. Works great to clean the Golf carts and equipment. Digests grease, dirt and germs causing bacteria inside club, with its superior odor control. Since enzyme products are designed to be incorporated into water at very low levels; its introduction into the environment will not create an unsafe situation. All regulated components of products have been rigorously tested for human safety, biodegradability and aquatic safety using the guidelines listed below: GOLF BALL WASHERS – Kleen Green� Enzymes contains natural enzymes that safely breakdown contaminants caused by dirt and residue from golf balls. Prevents water molds and eliminates odors. Safe for all surfaces; rubber, plastic and metal. Will not harm grass beneath the ball washer. Mix one ounce per one gallon of warm water, dispense directly into ball washer. For ball washers with apparent odors, mix two ounces of product per one gallon of warm water. Use as often as ball washers are refilled with fresh water. Kleen Green Naturally Enzymes are bacteria free. Our enzymes have the ability to absorb odors, providing a clean and natural smelling ball washer. Enzymes slowly eat sludge and other organic contaminants, which means less maintenance. Ball washers are full of contaminants, such as grass, mud, pesticides and fertilizers. Enzymes have the ability to break down these contaminants and stop cross bacteria contamination. Like it or not, golfers will lick their golf balls. If a golfer notices a spot on their golf ball, they will lick it off, meaning whatever was in the ball washer will now be in the golfers system. Kleen Green Enzymes stops cross-bacteria contamination and makes it safe for golfers to lick their golf balls. BED BUGS HAVE INVADED THE NATION Do you wonder what has been biting you and your children at night ? Chances are it was a bed bug. Not since the bed bug outbreak of the 50’s has there been such a increase in the population of this blood sucking pest. History reveals the 50’s epidemic was brought under control with the use of a nerve gas by-product called DDT. But alas, this carcinogenic is no longer available for use in controlling parasites. Furthermore, it is no longer prudent, legal or politically correct to use organophosphates, carbomates or pyrethroid substances to eradicate this pest. And rightfully so. Millions of Americans exposed to these toxins have fallen victim to incurable ailments ranging from breast cancer, Parkinson’s disease, autism, compromised immune systems and other ongoing ailments. I like to introduce a Biological Product used in the control of parasites such as bed bugs, fleas, ticks, lice and mites. This breakthrough technology will go down in history as the greatest arthropod control invention ever formulated. Exposure to the treatment results in INSTANT DEATH to its recipient. However, the level of safety is so high it can be applied to new born mammals and their nursing mothers. Unlike chemical counterparts that attack the nervous system of the insect to prompt its demise, This new technology delivers the cedar oil active ingredient in a NANO size molecular weight that instantly triggers closure of the bed bugs breathing spherical pores and its subsequent suffocation. Bed bugs are nocturnal. In the wee hours of the morning they visit their human victim. They hide in the beds headboard, the folds of the mattress, in the cavity of the box spring, in your luggage, in your shoes, in the ceiling and baseboard trim of the room, in the electrical outlets, dresser drawers and behind the pictures on the wall. They travel up to 150 foot a night in search of a blood meal that you or your children will provide. They hitch a ride home in your luggage or clothing after your stay at the highest quality hotels in the World who often remain in denial as to their high levels of bed bug infestation. Your children bring them home from the College dormitories. Their best friends deliver them to you in their overnight bags. Just a cure that results from their eradication. Our non toxic and Chemical Free BEST YET formulation is the undisputed solution and the preferred method of bed bug eradication. SMG Concentrate is formulated with Cedar Oil and Ethyl Lactate Bio Solvents. In concert with a water carrier, the two actives are instrumental in both killing and surfacing Grubs from the infested turf currently harboring this destructive insect. The eradication of Grubs interrupts several food chain cycles. The food source for Moles is Grubs. Moles tunnel in the areas below the turf in search of Grubs. The food source for Venomous and heat seeking Snakes are Moles. Snakes frequent Grub infested turf in search of the Mole. SMG when applied properly will eliminate the EGG LAYER CYCLE of the Grub. After treatment and subsequent to the surfacing of the existing Grub population, the aroma of Cedar Oil will repel the May Beetle or June Bug. Future generations of Grubs will be avoided by repelling the bug that lays the egg, that evolves into the Grub worm. Areas continually treated with SMG manually or through a irrigation system will be perpetually Grub free. Venomous Snakes, like non beneficial insects are pheromone driven. The aroma of Cedar Oil masks existing Kairomones (aromas) as well as impairs the mental faculties of the Snake and deters them from entering the area. Initial treatments with SMG should be done to obtain a 1 inch depth penetration of moisture in the soil. Suggested application with a hose end sprayer or any other type of high volume water disbursement device is recommended. Application prior to rainfall will promote the leaching of SMG into the soil and enhance the treatment results. The treatment is effective on numerous species of insects including but not limited to Mosquitoes, Flies, Fleas, Chiggers, Ticks, Mole Crickets and others. SMG will dissolve the eggs and larvae of all insects. SMG is classified as a Minimum Risk Pesticide by the EPA and is Safe to use around Children and Pets. It is recommended for use on any type turf such as Residential, Commercial and Golf Course. No applicators license is required. Recommended application rate is 400:1 to a soil penetration of 1 inch.
Tudor houses were mainly made of wood and are sometimes called 'half timber' houses because they were timber frames filled in with wattle and daub (a mix of interwoven branches, the wattle, and mud, the daub), mortar, brick or some other fill. They would still be called half timbered even if the ground floor was made from stone or brick. To extend a Tudor House you just added more frames to the front, back, sides or top as you needed. - Carpentry was a very useful skill in Tudor times. - Tudor sailing ships or galleons were also built of wooden frames. - Fire was a major risk as it could spread very quickly through a dry house. - With good maintenance and preservation a Tudor house could last a long time - there are still some in existence today. In most houses there were no sanitary facilities. Water had to be brought from the nearest well and any slops or human waste was just thrown out of the window onto the street! This encouraged vermin like rats and mice and led to health problems such as cholera, plague and dysentery. Chimneys and enclosed hearths were a new feature that heralded the decline of the great hall and open hearth. The chimney allowed hearths to be placed upstairs, which encouraged the design of multi-storey buildings. Chimneys tended to be quite tall and were often decorated on some of the bigger houses.
A large pre-historic petrified tree from China has grabbed people’s attention ever since it was installed at a museum in the U.S. state of Colorado several years ago. Ancient petrified tree from China attracts visitors at Denver museumA large pre-historic petrified tree from China has grabbed people’s attention ever since it was installed at a museum in the U.S. state of Colorado several years ago. “We’re standing next to the world’s biggest bookends,” said James Hagadorn, a geology curator at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The pieces are two halves of a 160-million-year-old, 3,600-kilogram chunk of petrified tree that now stands guard at the museum’s Gems and Minerals hall. The tree fell over a long time ago and decayed, buried amid debris and murky water. Minerals such as quartz slowly replaced the wood and turned it into a colorful stone. Graham Sutton, a mineral specimen dealer, spotted the tree in an outdoor market while prospecting in northwest China. “That was the only one that was that big, that was solid,” Sutton said. Sutton shipped the tree to the U.S. where a man bought it, then later donated it to the museum. It took hours to install, with the help of a specially built stand. Unlike other exhibits, museum visitors are encouraged to be hands-on with this relic of the past. “Everybody can relate to a tree,” Sutton said. “I mean this thing’s been on a journey for 160 million years. You know how often does that happen? How many things do you get to touch in your life that have that kind of story? Not very many.” The tree has produced some science, revealing evidence of super monsoon rains in ancient China. The area where the tree came from in Xinjiang, China is now protected, which makes the Denver pieces the only one like it in a U.S. museum.
Probably the most known monument in Aosta, the Saint Orso's Church is part of a vast medieval building, the so called Collegiata of St Peter and St Orso. Founded over a proto-christian church, around year one thousand a monastic community took residence there and the Basilica was reconstructed under St Anselm (the future archbishop of Canterbury). Finally, by end of 15th century, "inside" the original structure was built the actual church by commission of George de Challant. Because of this architectural decision there is today a large space between the original wooden roof and the top of the internal naves. Such space has been restructured, it can be visited and contains original and fascinating frescoes of the 10th century. Internally the church, as shown by the 360 photo, has three naves with decorations and paintings dating from the end of 15th century. The finely carved wood choir is of the same age. The name "Italy" is shrouded in mystery; some etymologists trace it to a Greek word meaning "the land of young cattle."Italy was fond of Jupiter and Mars from the very start, Jupiter for fatherly good luck and Mars for war!But it all began with Rome. Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus who were sons of Rhea and Mars.The twins were abandoned at birth out of a fear that they would grow up and later overthrow Amelius, usurper of their grandfather's rightful throne.Wrongful mis-doings most foul! Treachery and sabotage!! HOW would these two blessed infants make their way in such a world?As it turns out, the twins didn't have to make their way very far, because one of them killed the other one and then they weren't twins anymore. But that happens later.First they got rescued by a she-wolf who suckled them with her milk and raised them as her own until they were discovered by the shepherd Faustulus.Faustulus fed them meat and bread and also raised them as his own until they were old enough to return to Amelius and hack him up as planned. They reinstated the grandfather Numitor to his rightful throne and went off to celebrate by starting a town of their own.They chose a hilly area where the mama wolf had saved them from certain death in the barren wilderness and began scouting locations.Romulus liked one hill. Remus liked another. The circle of crows like Romulus' hill, so Romulus killed Remus and named the town after himself. Thus Rome was born and Italy with it.Text by Steve Smith.
Secure and fair India’s efforts to regulate insidious e-commerce trade practices, known as dark patterns, are a welcome step, and long overdue. Regulating Dark Patterns in E-commerce - Understanding Dark Patterns: India's effort to regulate e-commerce dark patterns is vital. These misleading tactics exploit users, creating needed consumer protection. - Growing Awareness: Global awareness of dark patterns leads to government action. Europe and the U.S. issue guidelines; India drafts rules against misleading e-commerce practices. - International collaboration: Federal Trade Commission warned about sophisticated dark patterns. The Importance of Consumer Protection - Shifting Focus to Consumers: India's efforts in regulating e-commerce focused on tax collection and protecting traditional merchants. However, there is now a growing recognition of the need to protect consumers in the digital landscape. - The Power of Tech Giants: The Fourth Industrial Revolution era, tech giants have collected vast amounts of user data and made immense profits. These profits often surpass the GDP of entire nations. - Towards Data Privacy: The technology advances, safeguarding privacy and consumer interests become paramount. India's new focus on consumer protection and data privacy is a significant step in the right direction. Ensuring a Safer Digital Environment: - Boosting User Confidence: Regulating dark patterns and protecting consumer interests should boost user confidence in online shopping and social media platform. - The Need for a Fair Digital Space: In an age where digital technology shapes our lives, creating a fair, safe, and free digital environment is essential. India's efforts to regulate e-commerce trade practices are part of this larger goal. - Safeguarding privacy: ensuring that online businesses play by fair rules benefits everyone in the digital space.
The team exposed tiny fish larvae in a tank to pure streams of water from four different reefs. To their amazement, within minutes a surprisingly high percentage of baby fish had congregated in the water flow from their home reef. "It was a lot more than you'd expect to happen by pure chance ?and it applied, in differing degrees, across several species of fish," Mike says. The fish could also be responding to other stimuli, including distant noise off a reef and the behaviour of other fish, but the team concluded that smell was probably the dominant factor leading the babies home. "Every reef gives off its own unique chemical signature, a rich mixture of the proteins and amino acids emitted by corals, all the plankton and mucus from its life. We think baby fish can pick this up and distinguish it from other reefs. "We think some fishes then choose currents that smell like 'home' and swim up them. The ones that cannot do this perish. The ones that get home preserve the unique 'ethnic' make-up of their tribe ?and so continue the process of evolving into separate new species." How the fish learn the unique smell of home is a mystery still. The researchers theorise that it is imprinted on them either when they are an egg inside their mothers, a fertilised egg swept around on the bottom, or new-hatched fry loose in the stream or brooded in their parents' mouths. "An egg, even a fry, hasn't a fully developed sense of smell, but it may have a way of absorbing the local molecules and then recognizing their signature as "home" when it grows up a bit and is ready to settle," Mike says. "This evidence that individual coral reefs play such a key role in the emergence of new species is a fresh reason to take even greater care in how we look after them."
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - View original article \|> 100 genera, c. 2,300 species\| \|> 100 genera, c. 2,300 species\| Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae, from the Ancient Greek word "λύκος" meaning "wolf". They are robust and agile hunters with excellent eyesight. They live mostly solitary and hunt alone. Some are opportunistic hunters pouncing upon prey as they find it or even chasing it over short distances. Some will wait for passing prey in or near the mouth of a burrow. Wolf spiders resemble Nursery web spiders (family Pisauridae), but wolf spiders carry their egg sacs by attaching them to their spinnerets (Pisauridae carry their egg sacs with their chelicerae and pedipalps). Two of the Wolf spider's eight eyes are large and prominent, which distinguishes them from the Nursery web spiders whose eyes are all of approximately equal size. This can also help distinguish them from grass spiders. There are many genera of wolf spider, ranging in body size (legs not included) from less than 0.04 to 1.38 in. They have eight eyes arranged in three rows. The bottom row consists of four small eyes, the middle row has two very large eyes (which distinguishes them from the Pisauridae), and the top row has two medium-sized eyes. They depend on their excellent eyesight to hunt. They also possess an acute sense of touch. Flashing a beam of light over the spider will produce eyeshine. The light from the flashlight has been reflected from the spider's eyes directly back toward its source, producing a "glow" that is easily noticed. This is also especially helpful because the wolf spiders are nocturnal and will be out hunting for food, making it easier to find them. Wolf spiders possess the third best eyesight of all spider species, bested only by jumping spiders of the order Salticidae (who can distinguish colors) as well as the huntsmen spiders. Wolf spiders are unique in the way that they carry their eggs. The egg sac, a round silken globe, is attached to the spinnerets at the end of the abdomen, allowing the spider to carry her unborn young with her. The abdomen must be held in a raised position to keep the egg case from dragging on the ground, however despite this handicap they are still capable of hunting. Another aspect unique to wolf spiders is their method of infant care. Immediately after the spiderlings emerge from their protective silken case, they clamber up their mother's legs and crowd onto her abdomen. Because they depend on camouflage for protection, they do not have the flashy appearance of some other kinds of spiders. In general their coloration is appropriate to their favorite habitat. Hogna is the genus with the largest of the wolf spiders. Among the Hogna species in the U.S., the nearly solid dark brown H. carolinensis (Carolina wolf spider) is the largest, with a body that can be more than one inch long. It is sometimes confused with H. helluo, which is somewhat smaller and different in coloration. The underside of H. carolinensis is solid black, but the underside of H. helluo is variegated and has reds, oranges, and yellows with shades of black. Some members of the Lycosidae, such as H. carolinensis, make deep tubular burrows in which they lurk much of the time. Others, such as H. helluo, seek shelter under rocks and other shelters as nature may provide. They may wander from place to place, and are therefore more likely to be the ones attracted into human habitation when the weather starts to turn colder in autumn. There are many smaller wolf spiders. They live on pastures and fields and are an important natural control on harmful insects. Wolf spiders will inject venom if continually provoked. Symptoms of their venomous bite include swelling, mild pain and itching. In the past, necrotic bites have been attributed to some South American species, but further investigation has indicated that those problems that did occur were probably actually due to bites by members of other genera. Australian wolf spiders have also been associated with necrotic wounds, but careful study has likewise shown them not to produce such results. Wolf spiders can be found in a wide range of habitats both coastal and inland. These include shrublands, woodland, wet coastal forest, alpine meadows, suburban gardens, and homes. Spiderlings disperse aerially and consequently wolf spiders have wide distributions. Although some species have very specific microhabitat needs (such as stream-side gravel beds or montane herb-fields) most are wanderers without permanent homes. Some build burrows which can be left open or have a trapdoor (depending on species). Arid zone species construct turrets or plug their holes with leaves and pebbles during the rainy season to protect themselves from flood waters. The Carolina wolf spider (H. carolinensis) is the Official State Spider of South Carolina. Designated as such in 2000, South Carolina is the only U.S. state that recognizes a state spider. \|Wikispecies has information related to: Lycosidae\|
This course begins with lectures discussing the laws and rights to privacy by individuals and what organizations may or may not do. Online ethics are considered. It then moves on to understanding incident handling and how incident response teams work, managing trouble tickets, and basic analysis of events to determine if an incident has occurred. It concludes with computer forensics issues and practices, and rules of evidence. - Given a scenario, explain the appropriate actions and activities in each phase of the incident - handling life cycle. - Explain the methods of integrating forensics in the incident handling process. - Explain the investigative process and reconstruction. - Explain the use of digital evidence in a courtroom. - Demonstrate the use of FTK Imager to make a forensically sound duplication of a given media. - Demonstrate the use of FTK Imager to mount and image and use other tools to process evidence.
Language: Qawiaraq Iñupiaq gutskin parka, intestine parka, rain parka, kamleika [from Chukchi word for gut parka], snow shirt They’re so light and waterproof. —Theresa Nanouk, 2001 Hooded parkas made from seal intestines (gut) were ideal outer garments for wet weather and ocean travel. They were sewn with fine sinew thread and a special watertight stitch. This fine gut parka from Golovin Bay is decorated with red wool yarn, feathers, and strips of bird skin. Region: Golovin Bay, Alaska Object Category: Clothing Object Type: Parka, gut Dimensions: Length 1m Accession Date: 1880 Source: E. W. Nelson (collector) Museum: National Museum of Natural History Museum ID Number: E043335 Oscar Koutchak: Kapitaq? Theresa Nanouk: Kapitaq. Anna Etageak: Ugruum ilgawia [bearded seal intestines]. They’d catch one and clean it. And they’d eat it, cook it first. And when they want to make this kind [of parka], they put it [intestines] inside out and clean the inside. Scrape it and clean it, maybe all day. And they soak it in salt water to make them white, maybe a couple of days or more. They don’t let them stay too long, because it’s real thin. And they blow [air into] it. When they have holes in some places, they tie them. Theresa Nanouk: They patch the hole. Anna Etageak: They tie them up. They blow another one to tie those together where there’s a hole and make it long. And dry them outdoors, like on clothes line. Theresa Nanouk: They’re pretty long then you blow them, right. Anna Etageak: Yes. They dry in a little while, maybe a couple of hours or more. They take them down and cut them down the middle [lengthwise]. And roll them, for when they want to sew it, to make a raincoat or tarp. When they go someplace, they carry them [tarps], and sometimes when they go hunting on the land, they use that for a tent. Theresa Nanouk: They’re so light and waterproof. Anna Etageak: They sew this long time, maybe a week or more. They have to twist sinew first to sew it with. Momma made one once. They have to sew it real good, so the water won’t go through it. They used to dampen it [gut parka] first, so it won’t tear when they put it on. Theresa Nanouk: They have to wet them in order to put them on. Anna Etageak: My Papa used to roll them and put them in something, so it wouldn’t tear or get too dry. He took real good care of it. And when he wanted to put it on, he wet it a little bit first and then put it on, so it wouldn’t tear. [Gut parkas are] mostly men’s, because they always go hunting. [They’re also for] when they go kayaking. They used to make it wide enough for kayak [to cover the cockpit]. So when it gets rough out there, they used to tie them on so the water couldn’t go in. [From discussion with Frances Charles, Anna Etageak, Art Ivanoff (Native Village of Unalakleet), Oscar Koutchak, Theresa Nanouk and Branson Tungiyan (Kawerak, Inc.) at the National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of the American Indian, 5/07/2001-5/11/2001. Also participating: Aron Crowell, Bill Fitzhugh and Stephen Loring (NMNH) and Suzi Jones (AMHA).] 1. Elders from the Norton Sound area did not discuss this gut parka, but did examine a similar one 193351.000, which they identified as a kapitaq [rain parka]. Also included is information from their discussion of intestine for gut parka193348.000 and skin scraper 212532.000. Gut parkas—light-weight, knee-length, hooded pullovers made from seal or walrus intestines—were worn as waterproof outer coats by both men and women, and as fancy dress for ceremonial and festive occasions.(1) This garment is also called a rain parka, gutskin parka, intestine parka, rain shirt or kamleika, a name of Russian origin.(2) Men wore gut parkas when hunting on land in rainy weather, and at sea in their kayaks.(3) To keep dry, a kayaker tightened the drawstrings of his parka’s sleeves and hood. He tied the bottom of the parka around the raised rim of the boat’s cockpit, to keep rain and splash from getting inside.(4) Women sewed gut parkas from long strips of dried and split intestines, using sinew thread. They reinforced and made the seams waterproof by joining the strips with folds and stitching that did not entirely pierce through the material.(5) The strips were usually sewn together horizontally but could also be vertically arranged. When moist and pliable, a gut parka could be rolled up into a small bundle. (6) The intestine strips, approximately three inches wide, were kept in rolls until used.(7) Gut parkas were often decorated. Women sewed feathers, seal fur, auklet beaks, dyed strips of tanned skin, beads and colored fabric into the seams.(8) During a festival at Unalakleet in December of 1867, William H. Dall observed women wearing “long shirts made of intestines of seals . . . translucent, embroidered with bits of colored worsted [wool], and ornamented with short pendent strings of beads.”(9) Edward Nelson—in the Norton Sound area from 1877 to 1881—reported that women’s gut parkas were “cut up on each side to produce flaps similar to those of the ordinary frock [parka].”(10) Strips of seal intestine were made into other kinds of waterproof items as well, including full body suits for setting salmon nets in high water.(11) Sheets of seal intestine (or walrus) were used as windows over the smoke holes of traditional semi-subterranean houses.(12) Larger sheets served as tents when traveling or in open camps. 1. Bruce 1894:110; Fitzhugh and Kaplan 1982:141; Nelson 1899:36-37; Thornton 1931:32; Ray 1966:36, 39; Ray 1984:289 2. Bruce 1894:110; Fitzhugh and Kaplan 1982:141; Ray 1966:39, 107 3. Dall 1870:138; Fitzhugh and Kaplan 1982:141; Nelson 1899:36-37; Ray 1984:289 4. Dall 1870:138; Nelson 1899:36-37, 221; Ray 1966:39-40; Ray 1977:32 5. Fitzhugh and Kaplan 1982:66, 141; Nelson 1899:36; Ray 1966:39; Thornton 1931:32 6. Ray 1966:39 7. Bruce 1894:110; Ray 1966:39 8. Dall 1870:152; Nelson 1899:37; Ray 1977:32; Ray 1966:39 9. Dall 1870:152 10. Nelson 1899:37 11. Fitzhugh and Kaplan 1982:141 12. Nelson 1899:118; Ray 1966:48 13. Bruce 1894:98; Nelson 1899:118; Thornton 1931:109
Vocation comes from the Latin word “vocare” which means “to call.” At Wartburg, we often refer to vocation as “calling,” using the two terms interchangeably in our day-to-day interactions. The way in which we describe vocation at Wartburg is much like Frederick Buechner—American writer and theologian—states, “…the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” It is a call inside oneself—a strong inner impulse—to a particular course of action and usually aligns with one’s profession, purpose, and/or faith. So what does this all mean? It means there is something out there—a task, a position, a need—that will require one’s unique set of skills, interests, passions, values, and personality to fulfill it. A vocation or calling is distinctive to the individual and consists of their own personal gifts, as well as the needs of the world. At a very basic level, one can begin discerning their calling by reflecting on what they are passionate about and what their community/world needs (see figure 1). When one considers these very basic elements and starts finding connections between the two, then they begin to discover that which they are called to do. Though consideration of one’s passions, the needs of the world, and the connections between the two seems simple, it is actually very complex. There are several other factors worth examining as well (see figure 2) and take a great deal of time and reflection. In fact, for many, discovering and claiming one’s calling may take a lifetime. However, we want to encourage Wartburg students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to keep leading, serving, and learning. Knowledge and understanding come from these important practices and according to Martin Luther, there is one element above all else that truly helps individuals find their calling; education. The German Priest and Professor of Theology, once described education as indispensable in equipping young men and women to ‘take their own place in the stream of human events.’” Keep educating oneself. Keep experiencing and reflecting, and eventually the call will come. One will be able to witness their own unique gifts and their important contributions to the world. Remember, everyone has a vocation or a calling and many often have multiple.
Helping the "Poor" – And Other Disadvantaged People of the World – Including the “Poor Muslim Kids” of India! (Bringing Islam to the World One Concept at a Time! Taking the Qur'an to Every Home and Heart that Needs It -- And which One Does Not?) The Poor and the Disadvantaged of the World There are all kinds of ways to help the so-called Poor People of the world. Not the least among them all those innocent little Muslim children in India whom the world has taken to calling the Poor Muslim Kids of India. Charity is one way. And Charity is great. And Islam is all about Charity. And Charity has been the way of the Muslims, even during some of their worst days. And Charity – giving as they call it – is big among Muslims even in many parts of the Western world, such as England for example, where Muslims have settled in recent decades. Charity, thus, seems to be one plank of Islam the Muslims have held on to, even as they battle adversity of all kinds wherever the Muslims are – each in his or her own way. Charity or Sadaqah in Islam Is Most Inclusive and Open-Ended Sadaqah is the technical expression in the Hadith – and in the Qur’an – that stands for Charity. Charity or Sadaqah in Islam is most inclusive and it is as open-ended as it is possible for anything of this kind to be. It is inclusive and open-ended in terms of the tools and techniques it uses; it is inclusive and open-ended in terms of the finances and resources it taps and opens up; and it is inclusive and open-ended in terms of the targets and recipients to whom the Sadaqah is channeled. A Book of Spending or a Manual of Giving Broadly defined, Sadaqah is spending one's financial resources to help others. And the Qur'an repeatedly asks people to do Sadaqah. To spend, period! That is how the Qur’an puts it. If we read the Qur'an carefully, as everyone should, we would know that Qur'an, along with every amazing thing that it is, is preeminently a Book of Spending. It is a Book of Sadaqah. A Book of Infaaq, as it were. Spend from all that “We have given you” is a familiar refrain in the pages of the Qur'an: Wa Anfiqoo Mimmaa Razaqnaakum! But Sadaqah in the Islamic lore has a much broader connotation than mere financial generosity and giving. It covers all forms of sharing and includes the expending of all kinds of blessings, resources, energies, gifts, talents and skills one may possess – one may have been given and blessed with by God. Your Possessions Are All a Gift from God The assumption here is – (You can call it your belief or your Iman. But anyone of any background can consider it an assumption and proceed from there) – whatever we as human beings possess in this world, that is, our health, wealth, energy, talent, education, achievement, success, family, friendship and professional networks, is all a gift of Almighty God that he has so generously bestowed upon us Using its unrivaled clarity and simplicity, the Qur'an calls it "Mimmaa Razaqnaakum," meaning: “From whatever we gave you and bestowed upon you.” In the largely Christian tradition in the West, at least from the inception of the 16th Century on, the saying goes something like this: "There, But for the Grace of God, Go I!" Reacting to Those Less “Fortunate” than Us This means, when we come across someone less privileged and less advantaged, and less seemingly blessed, than us, we stop and say – to God Almighty and to ourselves, and to the entire world: Here is someone who is clearly less privileged and less fortunate than us. Instead of insulting or belittling or ill-treating or taking advantage of such a person, we should look at ourselves and feel grateful for all that we have been given by God – which this person obviously has not been given. We affirm and we understand that all that we possess is given to us by God. And what this person has been denied, and what this person is suffering from, is also from God. We are deeply appreciative of what we have been given by God. And we are, at the same time, deeply empathetic at the condition of this person, whom we see before us, and how this person does not seem to have all the blessings of this world that we have. And if God Almighty had wanted, our positions could have been easily reversed. And that means we could have been in the place and condition of this "unfortunate" individual, and he or she could have been in the most "fortunate" and privileged and exalted social, financial and professional position in which we find ourselves today. A Four-Hundred-Year-Old Western Saying Reflects the Hadith That is what the Hadith teaches we should realize, and we should say, when we run into someone afflicted by a terrible condition – whether it is extreme poverty or disease or something else of that kind. And that is a theme that the Qur'an also emphasizes over and over. And that is also what the Western, largely Christian, world was at one time in the habit of realizing and saying: There but for the Grace of God go I. In practical terms, any amount of work that anyone does that helps the poor, the sick and the needy, is good work. It is much to be desired and much to be admired and applauded. Looking at Charity with a Broader Perspective It is all Charity – Sadaqah in Islamic parlance. That means Charity is fantastic. And frankly Charity is the hallmark of any living, vibrant and socially and spiritually aware and dynamic community and nation. It is the sign of a people that is going places. What is also needed is Personal Engagement – beyond simple giving of money and financial resources. And, quite frequently, that is a most important kind of charity. Those with Time on Their Hand: Teach These Kids What You Can – And How You Can Therefore, when it comes to helping the Poor Kids of India, for example, all people with "Time on Their Hand" should devote every moment they can "spare" to personally talking to the underprivileged kids in their communities and neighborhoods – and beyond. They should teach those kids whatever they can, from math to languages to social and professional and technical skills, and play sports with them, and otherwise personally engage them, whether in conversation or in activities. And this must be done at the most formal level such as for example by opening up schools and all kinds of educational institutions. And, at the same time, it must also be done at the most informal level such as one-on-one personal engagement and group discussions and by opening up channels of all kinds of interpersonal communication and interaction. And also, to the extent they can, they should also talk to the parents and other adults in the lives of these kids. Purity of Motives, Choice of Common Sense Methods Very soon, with the Grace of God Almighty, this will change the face of the community in which this kind of activity, and this kind of program, is introduced and sustained. Provided all this is undertaken and carried out with the purest of motives and using simple, common-sense methods and approaches. Motives are important, for, motivation is what drives and defines action in Islam. As the Hadith Sharif says: Innamal A’amaalu Bin-Niyyaat! Pure motives – things done purely for the sake of Allah and without the taint of selfishness such as name, fame, gain or advantage for oneself – trigger God Almighty’s blessings. Questionable or mixed motives close the door to blessings and dry up productivity and success in actions that are generally labeled “Good Deeds.” And Common Sense is Allah’s light in every heart. One way of looking at it is as Ma’roof. It is what the West came to call the Reasonable Man Test – things most reasonable and generally disinterested people will agree that is how things should be done. Education Is God’s Way to Change the World – To Make His World Better for All of His Creation So, if education and sharing of knowledge, and imparting of skills and training, is done using pure motives and simple rational techniques, it will eventually change and uplift the society – and the Ummah, and the entire world. For, this is the way of God Almighty: using education to change the world. It is not all that difficult to see that Islam is mostly about education. Given that Islam is from God, and given that Islam is about changing the world for the better, it has to be. Place of Education and Knowledge – Ilm – in Islam Consider the examples below. - Qur’an, means “A Set of Readings” or “Something to Read” or “Something to Be Read.” - The First Commandment of Islam from God in the Qur’an is “Read!” When Allah created Adam, angels appear to have expressed doubt about Adam’s bona fides, and about the likely propensity of his children for strife and bloodshed. Allah in response imparted all kinds of knowledge or Ilm to Adam which helped Adam to come out as a winner in this cosmic debate. Wa Allama Adamal Asmaa-a Kullahaa! That is how the Qur’an captures that moment. “And then God taught Adam the names and properties of all things.” Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, came into this world explicitly charged with the Mission of Teaching: Muhammad, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, Came as a Teacher Muhammad, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, says: Innamaa Bu’ith-tu Mu’alliman! “My mission in the world is to teach.” “I was sent in this world to be a teacher.” “I am charged to educate the world.” Clear Superiority of Knowledge over Everything Else Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, said: “The difference between a person devoted to worship, and another person dedicated to knowledge and scholarship, is like the difference between me (meaning himself) and the least one among you.” I don’t think this Hadith Sharif needs much of an explanation. Except of course when Muslims, as is often their wont, take off, helter-skelter, in all kinds of meaningless, futile and often counter-productive directions. For example, Muslims may say: “Hey, wait a minute! It all depends on what is meant by knowledge. And by scholarship and education.” “It depends on what Ilm means.” What these Muslims mean by this is that a graduate of an Islamic Madrassah, in Pakistan, India, Arabia, Africa or some other place, with a traditional “Islamic” education and training, is the “scholar” meant here, and not a graduate, for example, of a Western University, even if that Western University happens to be an Ivy League institution – or a Harvard or a Berkeley or a Cambridge or an Oxford. Wow! Mind-blowing stuff this! A Supplication Unlike Any You May Have Ever Heard Go, check out this Aayat – this most amazing supplication and this most powerful Du’a – coming to you courtesy of the Qur’an, presiding over the fate of the nations and peoples of this world, on this earth that is, over the past 1400 years. That is right! This passage of the Qur’an on this earth is more than 1400 years old. And there are few things in this world that could be considered more profound or more revolutionary or more geared to changing, building and reforming this world. And that passage of the Qur’an is: Rabbi Zidnee Ilmaa! “O my master! Give me more Ilm and more knowledge, and better and clearer understanding every day and every moment of my life!” How the Qur’an Defines the Concept of Ilm The Qur’an, however, makes the concept of Ilm perfectly clear. It gives us almost a formal definition of what Ilm is. And the Qur’an does so somewhat differently from how some of these clueless Muslims would do it. The Qur’an defines scholarship and education and knowledge (Ilm) in the simplest and yet in the most profound and comprehensive terms. The following Aayats of the Qur’an – passages, not “verses” as Muslims call them – don’t leave much room for doubt: Allama Bil Qalam: Ilm is whatever can be learned or imparted using the instrumentality of any technical device such as a “pen.” As for the content of that knowledge and education, it is “Whatever You Did Not Know Before.” Allamal Insaana Maa Lam Ya’lam! “God Almighty Taught human beings all that they did not know before.” This is basically a kind of what some people may call an Entropy Reduction Definition of Ilm or Knowledge and Scholarship. What it seems to indicate is: Just expand, and push wider, the borders of what is known. And, thus, reduce and make smaller the present area of your ignorance and uncertainty of information and understanding – of what you do not at this moment and in this particular time and place happen to know or understand. Ilm – Our Knowledge: A Function of Our Unique Space-Time Coordinates For, Ilm is often a function of space-time coordinates. All human knowledge is that way. As a result, all human Ilm is by its very nature deficient and limited and contingent and incomplete. Only Allah’s Ilm is complete and absolute and unconditional. That means we often know and understand things based on where and when we are – in what particular part of the world; in what cultural location; and in what century or year or time period. And our knowledge and understanding come to us modulated through the tools and technologies we are able to press into service in any given place or time period. We can see that there can be no better or more useful definition of Knowledge or Ilm than this. And Ilm is, from that point of view, content neutral. Meaning: it does not matter what it is that is being taught and learned. It is all subsumed by the term Ilm. Adam Was Taught about All Things Adam, upon creation, was imparted the knowledge – Ilm – of “all things.” No exceptions of any kind were made. Wa Allama Adamal Asmaa-a Kullahaa! “And God Almighty imparted to Adam the Ilm – knowledge and understanding – of the names and properties of ALL THINGS.” The supplication – the Du’a – from the Qur’an we just cited above also does not specify what kind or category of Ilm we are talking about. It is perfectly content neutral – and open and inclusive. And here it is again: Rabbi Zidnee Ilmaa! Knowledge has Correlates and Consequences – And Ilm Is the Difference between Success and Failure on God’s Earth Even though everything you learn (new or old) may have consequences and correlations and corollaries, positive as well as negative and neutral, and even though some of what you learn will fall under the rubric of Good while some other will be regarded as Bad, yet at the most basic level, Ilm is Ilm and Knowledge is knowledge. And that is where it stops. And Ilm, in its most comprehensive sense, as the sum total of any and all negatives and positives that may be associated with it, or attributed to it, is what makes a difference in human life – both in terms of its quality as well as in terms of its direction and outcome. The world cannot improve upon this basic model of Ilm in the Qur’an. And Ilm, as I said before, is what distinguishes between success and failure in this world of Allah. The Most Revolutionary and Inclusive Concept of Al-Insaan – The Human Being. And It Does Not Mean “Mankind.” And, clearly, and in a most profound and revolutionary way, the expression “Human Beings” includes men as well as women. For, the expression “Mankind” did not come from Islam. The expression “Human Being” did. So the expression of the Qur’an, Al-Insaan, does not mean “Mankind,” as probably most translators say, including perhaps many Muslims. So, education, it seems fair to conclude, is the difference in this world between winners and losers. And Islam is on the winning side – always. For, Islam did not come into this world to lose or to preside over the destiny of a nation of losers. And don’t forget that when all is said and done, as they say, Islam is about education. It has to be.
The link between your oral healthcare and its effect on the rest of the body is information all should know, especially children who are just learning how to practice brushing and flossing. Here are just a few ways oral health care impacts the young. Cavities affect people of all ages. However, children are affected much differently by cavities compared to adults. A child with a cavity may chew improperly to avoid pain. This will cause the food they improperly chewed to be poorly digested, robbing the child of nutrients and causing them to lose weight unhealthily. This is a case in point of why it’s important to help your child brush and floss to avoid having cavities. It’s typically a good idea to help them with this until they are at least old enough to tie their shoes. It’s also important to help your child practice a healthy diet. Try to avoid too much sugar, like candy or soda, to help your child fend off cavities. This will also promote a healthy lifestyle and make sure your child gets the proper nutrients they need. By learning the importance of a proper diet at a young age, you are making sure they are more likely to carry on this practice in their adulthood. If you’d like to learn more about pediatric dentistry, we at Copper Cove Pediatric Dentistry in South Jordan, Utah, are happy to answer any questions you may have. Dr. Troy Hardy looks forward to hearing from you.
- Where do rats nest? - What diseases do rats carry that could affect humans? - Can I get sick from cleaning up rat droppings? - What are the dangers of a rat? - What happens if I get bitten by a rat? Where do rats nest? Different species of rats prefer different nesting locations. Roof Rats typically prefer to nest in higher locations, such as ceilings and attics while Norway Rats prefer to nest in lower locations that can include ground burrows and wall voids. If you spot a rodent hole, make sure to follow the key steps in sealing it correctly. What diseases do rats carry that could affect humans? According to the US Center for Disease Control, rodents can directly transmit the following diseases to humans: - Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome - Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome - Lassa Fever - Lymphocytic Chorio-menengitis (LCM) - Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever - Rat-bite Fever - South American Arenaviruses Can I get sick from cleaning up rat droppings? Yes. It is very important to clean up any rat droppings properly. Disturbing dried rat feces can cause pathogens to aerosolize and enter the body via airways. What are the dangers of a rat? Amongst the many health concerns listed above you should also be aware of potential health risks related to ticks, mites, or fleas that may be carried by rodents. Rats can also cause significant physical destruction to both property and food. Rodents such as mice, rats and squirrels have been known to chew on electric wires, which can lead to fires. What happens if I get bitten by a rat? Rats have large teeth and when threatened can bite. If you are bitten by a rat you should consult with a medical professional right away as well as cleaning and disinfecting the bite area. Rat saliva can carry pathogens that can cause diseases such as leptospirosis. For professional rat control in your home or business, contact Orkin Canada today. Find your local branch National coverage, local expertise. With over 30 branches across Canada, our neighbourhood technicians have an in-depth knowledge of your local area, anywhere in the country. You may also like Clean Out Cluster Flies Are cluster flies all the buzz around your home or business? With plenty of food, water and shelter, the places we live and work offer ideal habitats for these pests. To keep your property fly-free, you need to keep an eye out for potential points of entry and take preventive measures. No Room for Pests in Thanksgiving Feasts While you can’t prevent your relatives from embarrassing you this Thanksgiving, you can prevent pests from joining you at the table. With plenty of food and the opportunity for dropped crumbs and spilled drinks, Thanksgiving is any pest’s favourite holiday. But you can send pests packing this year by kicking them out the door before they even step inside Ban Bats From Your Building Worried about bats taking a bite out of the Halloween festivities this fall? Even though bats are often associated with this spooky season, you don’t want to see any live ones around your property. To fend off bats, the best course of action is to identify potential nursery locations and prevent these pests from roosting. Shield Your Space From Spiders While spiders and spider webs make the perfect Halloween accessories, you probably want to stick with store-bought decorations rather than allowing spiders to spin their webs around your property. These eight-legged pests can not only reduce your property’s curb appeal but can also scare off any guests or trick-or-treaters stopping by this fall.
\|What to include literary analysis Take a look at this sample paragraph. It includes 3 basic kinds of materials: statements expressing the student's own ideas about the relationship Woolf is creating; data or evidence from the text in summarized, paraphrased, and quoted form; and discussion of how the data support the writer's interpretation. The quotations are used in accordance with the writer's purpose, i.e. to show how the development of Mrs. Ramsey's feelings indicates something about her personality. \|Should I quote? Quoting is only one of several ways to present textual material as evidence. You can also refer to textual data, summarize, and paraphrase. You will often want merely to refer or point to passages (as in the third sentence in the sample paragraph) that contribute to your argument. In other cases you will want to paraphrase, i.e. "translate" the original into your own words, again instead of quoting. Summarize or paraphrase when it is not so much the language of the text that justifies your position, but the substance or content. Similarly, after you have decided that you do want to use material in quoted form, quote only the portions of the text specifically relevant to your point. Think of the text in terms of units--words, phrases, sentences, and groups of sentences (paragraphs, stanzas)--and use only the units you need. If it is particular words or phrases that "prove" your point, you do not need to quote the sentences they appear in; rather, incorporate the words and phrases into sentences expressing your own ideas.
History is the study of all human experience. It examines the people, institutions, ideas, and events of the past. The study of history contributes to cultural literacy, global awareness, and develops critical thinking skills, while helping students understand the present. Historical study provides a solid, fundamental preparation for careers in education, government, and business. It also serves as excellent preparation for law school, the diplomatic service, international work, urban affairs, and library science. History is an academic discipline offering both breadth and focus. History graduates will find that their critical and analytical thinking skills prepare them for a wide variety of employment opportunities.
What is the Full Form of PHP? The full form of PHP is Hypertext Preprocessor and it is a very powerful language of web development. In another way, PHP is also known as Personal Home Page. The PHP program always runs on the server because it is a server-side scripting language. A user cannot see the PHP Code because its codes are always in the server and never reach the client's system.
Strike The Tent... "Railroads of the Civil War" Author to Speak at RRMPA Railroads—already firmly entrenched in American culture and moving the nation through the industrial age and toward world prominence—took on a new role during the Civil War: that of major weapon. Trains moved troops, functioned as mobile artillery and were crucial in supplying food and munitions to both sides of the conflict. In his new book and in his presentation, author Michael Leavy illuminates the role of railroads in the Civil War through compelling period photographs and drawings, as well as a narrative rich in details, not only about trains and ancillary equipment but also how they influenced the outcome of battles and the war in general. Michael Leavy is a professional artist, specializing in mural painting, and the author of nine books on history. You won’t want to miss this program! Mr. Leavy will be available to sign his book both for one hour before and one hour after the program. Regular Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania admission rates will apply to attend this program. Program seating will be on a first come, first serve basis of availability. Louis Erdman, Chief Bugler, 5th NY Cavalry My great great grandfather, Louis Erdman, was employed at the Burden Iron Works (the largest supplier of horseshoes to the Union Army) in Troy, NY in October, 1862 when he enlisted with the Co. M, 5th New York Cavalry as a bugler. He was an immigrant from Germany, 28 years old, with a wife and 1 year old son Albert at home in Berlin, NY. He joined for service and was enrolled for 3 years on October 21, 1862 in Albany, NY, and was mustered in on October 30, 1862. He was 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighed 127 pounds, and was listed as having a dark complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair. Company muster rolls indicate his status as "not stated" from November 1, 1862 to February 1, 1863, but the rolls show him as a "recruit from depot" gain on February 4, 1863 in New York City, and soon afterward joined up with Company M in Virginia doing outpost under command of Brigadier General Julius H. Stahel. He was reported as "Absent (sick)" in Fairfax, Virginia on February 28, 1863. He then participated in the following skirmishes and campaigns: New Baltimore, VA; Warrenton, VA; Spotted Tavern, VA; Aldie, VA; Fairfax Courthouse, VA; Little River Turnpike, VA; Broad Run, VA; White Plains, VA; Warrenton Junction, VA; Shannon Hill, VA; Fairfax Courthouse, VA; Marsteller's Place, VA; Greenwich, VA; Snicker's Gap, VA; Middleburg, VA; Warrenton, VA; Hanover, PA; Gettysburg, PA; Monterey, PA; Smithsburg, MD; Hagerstown, MD; Boonsboro, MD; Hagerstown, MD; Williamsport, MD; Falling Waters, MD; Ashby's Grove, VA; Lamb's Creek, VA; Port Conway, VA; and Brandy Station, VA. He was promoted to Chief Bugler, F&S, 5th Ny Cavalry on July 22nd, 1863. On September 13, 1863, he crossed the Rappahannock with the 5th at Kelly's Ford, and the same day fought at the battle of Culpeper Court House, where he was captured by elements of Lomax's Brigade(5th, 6th, & 15th VA and 1st MD Cavalry) who were guarding a train (maybe that's why I work at a railroad museum) being loaded with supplies. He was first sent to Richmond VA on September 17, 1863. He spent time in the prison hospital on Belle Island on November 21, 1863 and again on December 12, 1863. He was then sent to Andersonville, GA on February 21, 1864. He again was hospitalized from March 11-14, 1864, when he was returned to the general population of the prison. More hospital time was recorded on June 7, 1864, and he was not to return to the prison. Louis Erdman died in the hospital at Andersonville July 18, 1864 from dysentery and associated diarrhea. He was buried in grave # 3552 under the name "L. Edmonds." "Strike the Tent" Added to "Best of" List I am truly appreciative that "Strike the Tent..." has been added to Civil War Interactive's "Guide to the Best of the Civil War Blogs" list. I do agree with their assesment, I really need to do more original writing on here, but to be added to a second what I call "National" website (The Civil War Trust added this blog earlier this year) makes me feel like I'm heading in the right direction. Thanks again, Civil War Interactive!! Carnegie Library Marks Civil War Sesquicentennial For Immediate Release Contact: Maggie Forbes, firstname.lastname@example.org 412-276-3456, Ext. 6 “April is the cruelest month.” So wrote T.S. Eliot in “The Wasteland;” students of American history would agree. The Civil War began (April 12, 1861) and ended (April 9, 1865), and Abraham Lincoln was shot on April 14, 1865 and died the next day. April 2011 marks the sesquicentennial of the start of the Civil War. The Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall (ACFL&MH) has developed a rich roster of day and evening of public programming on April 30 that will examine many aspects of this defining chapter in the nation’s history. The ACFL&MH is home to a rare Civil War room, which is the inspiration for April’s programming. The Captain Thomas Espy Post No. 153 of the Grand Army of the Republic has been documented by scholars as probably the most intact GAR post in the country. In the late 19th century, there were nearly 7,000 posts across America. Veterans of the Civil War custom-furnished a room at the Library and met there from 1906 until the late-1930s, when the last member of the Post died. The room, along with its original furnishings and artifacts including flags, weapons, books, prints and other items relating to the Civil War, had been locked and essentially forgotten for decades. The room re-opened following a meticulous restoration on the 201st anniversary of Lincoln’s birth in February 2010. The Library & Music Hall has been offering annual Civil War programming since 2006, the centennial of the Espy Post’s move to the Library. However, this year’s programming has grown so much that it will take place at two sites: at the ACFL&MH and at nearby Carnegie Park. “We wanted to do something special for the sesquicentennial,” says executive director Maggie Forbes. “Fortunately, our library director, Diane Klinefelter, is a Civil War historian with all the right connections. The programming has really taken off!” The Library & Music Hall hopes to build on the heightened public interest during the sesquicentennial years to establish its Civil War programming as an annual event anticipated by Civil War enthusiasts, re-enactors and the public alike. Carnegie Park will be the site if an encampment, skirmishes and artillery demonstrations. Union and Confederate troops will re-enact skirmishes from Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. “Hopefully, the neighbors will be forewarned about the canon blasts,” laughs Klinefelter. Working with members of the 9th PA Reserves – and the research skills of a professional librarian -- Klinefelter has put together a series of safety precautions to govern the re-enactments. The Library & Music Hall is coordinating the event with the cooperation of the Carnegie Police and Public Works Departments. Members of the 9th Pennsylvania Reserves will staff touring stations at the park, providing information on Civil War Medicine, Infantry, Artillery, Small Arms and Recruiting. To create a social context of the times, the Pittsburgh Franklins will play a game of vintage base ball (sic) as it was played in 1860. At the Library & Music Hall, ongoing tours of the Espy Post will be enhanced with exhibits, a film, a talk, a Victorian tea and a ball. “The Angel of Marye’s Heights” a documentary film (which had its Pittsburgh premiere at the ACFL&MH in November 2010) tells the story of Sgt. Richard Rowland Kirkland, a Confederate soldier who gave aid to the Union wounded following the battle of Fredericksburg. Michael Aubrecht, a Greentree native, historian and author of the film, will talk on “The Gallant Boys of the PA 123rd.” Aubrecht’s talk will examine the role of this Pennsylvania regiment in the devastating 1862 Union defeat at Fredericksburg. Exhibits include “Guns of Gettysburg,” a collection of the guns used at Gettysburg; original vintage photographs of Western Pennsylvania soldiers from Ronn Palm’s Museum of Civil War images; and “Civil War Memories,” photographs of re-enactors taken by James E. Meldrum. Members of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall USCT Drum Corps will perform at 12:00 and 2:45 p.m. As an antidote to all the war and weapons, a Victorian Tea will take place at 1:00 p.m. in the ACFL&MH’s Reception Hall. In the evening the Reception Hall will be transformed for a Civil War Ball. Music will be performed by the Susquehanna Travellers and the dances will be “called” by Heather Nichols. Period attire is strongly encouraged for those attending the Ball, which begins at 8:00 p.m. Sutlers (civilian merchants) will display their wares and food will be available in the ACFL&MH’s lower level. All programming is free and open to the public except for the tea ($12) and ball ($20/$30 per couple) for which tickets are required. A free shuttle will take visitors back and forth between the Library & Music Hall, Carnegie Park and ancillary parking at the Main Street parking lot (across from the old Post Office).There is limited parking at the ACFL&MH and no parking at the Park during the re-enactment. A schedule of the programming is attached. Visit www.carnegiecarnegie.org for more information or tickets. Interviews can be arranged with the many people participating in April 30’s Civil War programming. ACFL&MH Civil War programming is made possible through a generous grant from the Massey Charitable Trust. New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association News For Immediate Release March 14, 2011 Contacts: Dr. David Martin: New Jersey Civil War Heritage Assn President: email@example.comAuthor Joseph G. Bilby to speak on the newest publication in the NJ Civil War 150th Committee’s series(Hightstown, NJ) With the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War rapidly approaching, the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association will mark the occasion at its annual meeting on Saturday March 19, 2011 at 10:00 AM. The meeting will be held at 225 West State Street (corner of Calhoun and West State), the building that houses the New Jersey State Archives and the New Jersey State Museum’s Civil War Flag collection. The public is cordially invited to attend. Following a brief business meeting to conduct trustee elections and detail the organization’s projects, including the plans of its New Jersey Civil War 150 Committee, designated the official state Civil War sesquicentennial organization by both governor and legislature, Joseph G. Bilby, the committee’s publications editor, will give a presentation on the committee’s forthcoming book, New Jersey's Civil War Odyssey. The book, the committee’s third publication in a year, is an anthology of essays on the state’s Civil War experience from 1850 to 196 . Following the meeting, at approx 12:30 PM, Dr. David Martin will give a brief guided tour of the New Jersey Civil War Flags Gallery. For more information, about the meeting, the NJ Civil War 150 Committee, the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association, and their publications, see www.njcivilwar150.org/index.asp New Book on New Jersey’s Civil War Black Soldiers For Immediate Release March 2, 2010Contact: Joseph G. Bilby, (732) 539-1666JGBilby44@aol.com With the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War fast approaching, Longstreet House Publishing announces the publication of “Freedom to All”: New Jersey’s African-American Civil War Soldiers, by Joseph G. Bilby. The book details the story of the state’s black soldiers in the Civil War, and also addresses African-American military service in New Jersey before and after the conflict, from Revolutionary War militiamen to the state’s segregated First Separate Militia Battalion of the 1930s and the post-World War II New Jersey National Guard, which, in 1948, led the nation in integrating its military force. Most Civil War African-American New Jersey soldiers served in the regiments of the United States Colored Troops organized at Camp William Penn outside Philadelphia. Perhaps the most famous of these regiments was the 22nd United States Colored Infantry, a unit that broke the Confederate line at Petersburg in June, 1864, fought through the siege of Petersburg, was one of the first Union units to enter Richmond, marched in President Lincoln’s funeral parade in Washington, participated in the hunt for John Wilkes Booth and served on occupation and border guard duty in Texas before returning home for discharge in the fall of 1865. Bilby relates the histories of the Camp William Penn regiments with large numbers of Jerseymen in their ranks, as well as the stories of individual members of those units. The book also includes a list of over 1,300 black Civil War veteran burials in the Garden State, which includes the last surviving New Jersey Civil War veteran, Sergeant George Ashby of the 45th United States Colored Infantry, who died in 1946. Mr. Bilby is the author or editor of thirteen other books on New Jersey and Civil War history. He received his BA and MA degrees in history from Seton Hall University and served as a lieutenant in the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam in 1966-1967. He is retired from his job as Supervising Investigator at the New Jersey Department of Labor, currently works part time as assistant curator of the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey in Sea Girt and is a member and publications editor of the official New Jersey Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee. Copies are available online at http://www.njcivilwar.com/Store.htm PO Box 730 Hightstown, NJ 08520 for $20 plus $5 shipping. For autographed copies contact the author. Discounts are available to book dealers and historical societies. Civil War Trust Has New Campaign to Save More of Gettysburg 02/24/2011A note from Jim Lighthizer, President of the Civil War Trust: "Ten different color bearers from the 26th North Carolina, including their "boy colonel", Henry Burgwyn had been killed or grievously wounded holding aloft the regiment's colors. Despite suffering enormous casualties in their fight with the 24th Michigan and the rest of the Iron Brigade, Lt. Col. J.R. Lane lifted the flag once more and yelled, "twenty-sixth, follow me!" The fight for the Herbst Woods proved to be the bloodiest regimental fight in the Civil War's bloodiest battle. The 26th North Carolina and the 24th Michigan each suffered more than 73% casualties at Gettysburg and each suffered more casualties than any other regiments in their respective armies. Now we have the opportunity to save the very ground on which the Iron Brigade and the 26th North Carolina trod during their epic struggle on July 1, 1863. Having the chance to finally save this long sought-over section of the First Day battlefield, along with the 9-acre Josiah Benner House property makes this one of the most exciting preservation campaigns we’ve ever pursued.Gettysburg 2011 Preservation Campaign Acres: 104 acres Total Cost: $2,005,000 Civil War Trust Fundraising Goal: $70,000 Match: $29 to $1 Match Sources: National Park Service, Large Donor So if we can raise $70,000, we will help save $2.05 million worth - 104 acres - of irreplaceable Gettysburg battlefield land. What a way to kick off the Sesquicentennial, and what a legacy! I know that’s a lot of money in these still-uncertain times; and certainly I don’t want to become over-confident. But that is a fantastic $29-to-$1 return on your donation dollar! Lastly, if you can send a gift of at least $30 in the next 30 days, it will be my honor to send to you as a thank you gift, our new Civil War Trust cap, embroidered with our updated logo." Very sincerely yours,Jim Lighthizer President, Civil War TrustFor more information, visit www.civilwar.org A Small Task for Readers... I am reposting this blog entry form November 30, 2010 to try to get the numbers up for Civil War movies and for my friend, Patrick Gorman. Follow the directions in the post, and let's get the numbers way up there!! Here’s a proposition for readers of "Strike The Tent." I am asking all the "GETTYSBURG" and "GODS & GENERALS" fans to go on-line to IMDB and click on those films, AND my friend Patrick Gorman in the cast. Although THE LAST FULL MEASURE is unlikely to come to the screen, we still want more Civil War films, right? They have made BAND OF BROTHERS and THE PACIFIC, now we want a 10-part series on HBO about the Civil War!!! TO APPOMATTOX... is coming but… If you hit/click on his name on IMDB you also boost his rating as an actor - he deserves it - BUT it serves us all because we all want more Civil War based stories on film. HERE’S HOW YOU DO IT: Go on-line and log on to the Internet Movie DataBase At the top in SEARCH, type in his name, Patrick Gorman ">then hit GO. The Patrick Gorman listing will pop up. Under his pictures is a choice of clicking on his name or "GETTYSBURG." Click on "GETTYSBURG." The film site comes up. Scroll down "cast". Find Patrick Gorman His site pops up again. The same works for "GODS & GENERALS." Or, you can do it the lazy way and just click on his name anywhere in this posting.... Do this as often as you want. The ratings change weekly so it’s on-going.
We’ve discussed password liabilities before: Consider that many people use the same password (and often User ID) for multiple accounts. This can include online bank credentials, work accounts, social networking sites, other critical sites such as ebay and PayPal… A breaching entity can hack one account, gain credentials, and then spin them through all other associated user accounts they identify. Of course, password liabilities also include easy-to-guess things, which are subsequently hacked – either by manual human activity, or password-breaking softwares that simply tumble random words/characters, through authentication mechanisms. This morning, while having my auto serviced, I tried “password” in trying to gain access to a couple wireless networks in the vicinity – alas, no luck – but worth a try. Consider: About 5 years ago, Slovak hackers gained access to Slovakia’s National Security Bureau (NBU). The NBU maintains a huge body of classified information, which is supposed to enjoy strong security. However, the hack and breach wasn’t particularly sophisticated: The respective login ID and password was nbu/nbu123. Might want to put a little thought into your organization’s passwords and their associated strength: Set a minimum amount of characters, and consider making some measure of required special characters (!@%, etc.). Also, see the four basic requirements at the bottom of this article for maintaining a solid password security posture. Here are PC Magazine’s worst passwords of 2011: Finally, remember to employ four basic, yet critical, practices for maintaining secure passwords: 1) Use unique passwords for each account. 2) Change your passwords on a schedule. How frequently is up to you, but anything from monthly to semi-annually. 3) Don’t share your passwords. 4) Avoid common passwords. NP: Hi Lili, Hi Lo, Bill Evans, jazz24.org
by Robert Barossi One of the most important roles an environmental volunteer can take on is that of educator. At numerous sites, volunteers make up the staff of educators at nature centers, discovery centers, aquariums and other places where the public visit. Volunteers are the ones teaching children and adults about everything from birds of prey to local marine life to native plants. As this story from Texas tells us, volunteers are providing invaluable education about gardens, pollinators and horticulture to children in San Antonio, including those who live in urban areas. These kids, many of whom might not otherwise get close exposure to gardens and plants, are being given a chance to connect with nature in direct, hands-on ways. Programs like Youth Gardens and Kids, Kows and More, as well as events like the BOOTanical Halloween event, are staffed and supported by a number of volunteers. These dedicated people are providing an incredible opportunity for kids to learn about and connect with their natural world, even though they live in a major metropolitan area.
Complexities of the Horn of Africa Famine A Somali woman and a malnourished child exit from the medical tent after the child received emergency medical treatment from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Somalia is the country worst affected by a severe drought that has ravaged large swaths of the Horn of Africa, leaving an estimated 11 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. (UN Photo/Stuart Price) We've been writing for the past few weeks about the complexities of the famine in the Horn of Africa. It's not just drought or political instability or rising food prices that have caused this crisis. It's many interconnected issues: When there's no water, people can't drink or grow food. Food prices rise. People can't feed or hydrate themselves or their animals. Animals die and people get sick. Malnourishment sets in, which makes people susceptible to disease. And so on and so forth. ....we are currently helping to feed more than a million people in Ethiopia and have launched projects in Isiolo and Wajir, Kenya and about to launch projects in Mandera where the drought's impact has been severe. Some of the pastoralist communities living there have lost 50-100 percent of their livestock. These projects include rehabilitating wells, assisting with school-feeding programs and working on conflict mitigation projects between different pastoralist communities who may be trying to access the same limited resources. Droughts are cyclical in eastern Africa and their frequency (due to a variety of factors) is on the rise. Even if it rains tomorrow and the crops start growing, it will be quite awhile before things stabilize to the point where people can harvest enough food to sustain a family. It's also important to remember that many of the drought-affected communities are pastoralists and rely on livestock for their survival. The UN estimates that it can take up to 5 years for herds of livestock to regenerate to a point that they can be relied as a consistent source of food. This wasn't a sudden crisis: the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) flagged trouble in late 2010 but the response was not fast. So what's needed besides short-term food aid? What we've been saying all along: Investment in poverty-focused development assistance programs that help people support themselves, so they don't have to depend on aid. TrackBack URL for this entry: Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Complexities of the Horn of Africa Famine: Get updates on issues and actions to take on behalf of hungry people.
How to Grow Tomatoes Indoors with Hydroponics From pizza to burgers, salads, and sauces, tomatoes are one of the most popular home-grown foods. They are versatile in size, color, and flavor. Tomatoes like moderate temperatures, not too hot and not too cold, perfect for indoor growing. They come in 2 major types: determinate and indeterminate. Determinate form a tight dense bush, good for smaller systems, but will only produce once and then die back. Indeterminate will sprawl or grow large, requiring a great deal of staking, but if pruned back after fruit-ripening, may produce another crop. That can make a quite a difference when choosing a variety for your hydroponic system. Talkin' 'Bout Tomatoes Tomatoes can be propagated by seed in rockwool cubes or by cloning suckers from your current tomato bush. Simply soak the bottom 2 inches of the cuttings in clean water until roots sprout, then transplant. Because of the diversity of tomato varieties, it is difficult to say how quickly your crop will be ready, but a good average is between 60 and 80 days from transplanting it into the hydro system. If possible, try to stagger your crop by starting a new planting every month, cycling out old bushes for a continuous yield. Whether using deep water or drip systems, water soluble fertilizers are dissolved in the reservoir to provide nutrients to the plants. In the case of multi-step fertilizers, each addition should be fully dissolved before adding another. The pH and Electrical Conductivity of the nutrient solution should be checked regularly and often, at least 2-3times a week in case it needs to be adjusted. Tomatoes require more calcium than other crops, so be sure to add a mineral supplement to your nutrient regimen. Your seedlings need 12-18 hours of light a day. \|Stuff You’ll Need\| \|Tomato cuttings\|\|36L Clay Pebbles or Hydroton, rinsed\| Deep water culture systems like this one use an air pump to keep water oxygenated. Roots grow down into the bucket reservoir to access water and nutrients. Opaque buckets prevent algae growth. Once you start to see roots on your tomato cutting, tear your rockwool in half vertically and fold in your cutting. Put 1 cutting/cube in each basket and fill around it with the clay pebbles so that the top of the media is at least 1 inch from the top. Place the ½” elbow to the grommet at the base of the bucket. Blue 1/2” tubing connects to the elbow on the outside and extends upwards. After securing the ¼” tubing to the top of the blue tubing, run it to connect with the air pump. Fill the Root Spa bucket with water and add nutrients. Place the basket in the bucket, checking that the water level comes up the roots but does not flood the stem. The air pump won’t need a timer, as it should run continuously. With the Root Spa, you can choose between models with 1, 4 or 8 bucket modules. When, using multiple buckets, it may be easier to mix the nutrient solution in a larger drum or reservoir and fill each bucket from it to maintain uniformity throughout your crop. \|Stuff You’ll Need\| \|Tomato sprouts/cuttings\|\|WaterFarm 8-Pack Drip System\| \|Clay Pebbles or Hydroton, rinsed\| A pre-made drip system, the WaterFarm Controller Kit uses an air pump to provide a continuous fine drip of nutrient-rich water down through the root system of your tomatoes. This system minimizes the time spent checking pH and EC since there is only one reservoir, instead of several as in the case of a deep water system. This system is perfect for more advanced growers looking to customize crop rotation. Though no timer is needed, due to the pump running continuously, a loss in power for a few hours could devastate your crop, unless the roots have grown deeper into the grow modules to reach the nutrient solution. This system works best when using reverse osmosis water and when flushed regularly to prevent salt build up. Buckets can be set up in a number of patterns to fit many different space requirements, giving you flexibility between tomato types. You will want to pre-mix you solution in a separate reservoir. The float valve in the controller bucket cuts off the flow of nutrient solution from the reservoir into the system, maintaining a pre-set solution height beneath the roots of your plants in the grow modules. This height can be customized to suit any crop or solution. In each module, a pumping column extends down through the growing chamber into the bottom of the bucket. The drip ring connects to the top of the pump column, as does the air-line tubing. As the air is pumped down into the bucket, water is forced up through the column and ring to the plant roots. Straight fittings near the bottom of the controller bucket connect to a T-fitting the in the bottom of each module by blue ½” vinyl tubing. Cut the tubing to the desired width between the buckets and connect each end to the T-fittings according to your desired layout. After you’ve installed the float valve and connected all your grow modules, place the reservoir on top of the controller bucket, and connect it to the controller via more blue tubing. Fill the reservoir with solution. Check out our earlier post to choose the right grow light for your system. Need help? Leave a comment below or contact our experienced staff to get you growing in the right direction. Tell us all about how your favorite tomato varieties and recipes on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, LinkedIn, or Pinterest!
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The frozen soil deep below the Siberian tundra has yielded an astonishing discovery: giant viruses that are still infectious though they've spent the last 30,000 years or so on ice. The newfound virus, although invisible to the naked eye, is the biggest on Earth -- larger even than many bacteria and some regular cells -- and may be a new branch of a giant-virus family tree. It poses no danger to people, infecting only one-celled creatures called amoebas. But the scientists who identified the new super-virus say their work shows that humans who disturb permafrost, or frozen soil, may encounter viruses that aren't as benign. It's a growing possibility as climate change warms the far north. The perfmafrost may harbor viruses harmful to humans or animals, and "at the moment, there's no reason to believe they (aren't) also resistant for a long time under the same conditions," says study author Jean-Michel Claverie of Aix-Marseille University in France. Now that the loss of sea ice has made mineral-rich north Siberia more accessible, "there will be people where there were no people before, and those people are going to manipulate and disturb those (soil) layers that have not been disturbed for a million years." The unlikely source of the new microbe is a layer of permafrost 100 feet beneath the treeless tundra in northeastern Russia. The soil has been frozen for thousands of years, shielded from the oxygen and light that degrade living material. Hoping the permafrost might have made a safe haven for prehistoric viruses, the researchers added some excavated material to colonies of amoebas, tiny, blobby organisms that live in water and soil. Some of the amoebas burst and died, suggesting they'd been infected by a virus. That virus was a fat, elongated giant, according to the new study. The scientists christened it Pithovirus, from the Greek word "pithos," a large ceramic storage barrel used in ancient times, they say in this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Pithovirus is bigger than any other giant virus and 10 to 20 times larger than ordinary viruses but still much smaller than a grain of sand. As for how giant viruses evolved, Claverie says, "frankly, at the moment, your guess is as good as ours."
There have been several advances in the area of crime victims' rights in recent years, including enactment of the Justice For All Act of 2004 (JFAA). A key component of JFAA is the Crime Victims' Rights Act (CVRA), which applies certain, specific courses of action to help enforce victims' rights. Although CVRA continues to evolve and rights under the Act apply only to federal cases, the Act may serve as a model for wider application on the state level. About the Justice For All Act The Justice for All Act of 2004 (H.R. 5107, Public Law 108-405) was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 30, 2004. The Act contains four major sections related to crime victims and the criminal justice process.
The fundamental question is who produces wealth, who owns it, and who redistributes it? If we accept, as everyone from Adam Smith to Milton Friedman has accepted, that capital alone produces wealth, and that the state imposing taxes on capital is a form of appropriation of private property, then of course we must accept that the state is an agent of labor whose contribution to the economy is determined by capital. Given such assumptions, laborers are a burden not only on social security but on all social programs, because capital produces wealth taxed by the state that redistributes it downward to labor. In response to Thomas Malthus’s theory about the root causes of poverty, Robert Owen, nineteenth-century manufacturer and analyst of industrial capitalism, rejected the assumptions of Malthus regarding Smith’s contention about wealth creation. Owen took into account the “appropriation process” involved in capital-labor relationship that neither Smith nor Malthus had considered. As much in the 19th century as today in many countries and for unskilled labor, the owner of capital determines worker’s compensation not on the basis of value created, but on “subsistence wage theory”–what we call minimum wage but justify it as “market conditions.” The appropriation theory is at the heart of the debate about what social group(s) creates wealth, what group(s) accumulates it, and how the state redistributes it through the fiscal system. If labor is the catalyst to capital creation, as I believe it is, then labor creates state revenue, but the political elites redistribute it to benefit the upper class. The issue of income distribution and the state’s role had arisen even as early as the German Peasant’s War in the 1520s. Inspired by Martin Luther’s teachings, Thomas Munzer led a rebellion amid inflation and hard economic times against the Germanic states controlled by the aristocracy and upper clergy that produced nothing but owned most of the wealth and benefited from taxes on the masses. In the 18th century the French intelligentsia complained that the aristocracy was parasitic because it lived off the labor and taxes from the middle and lower classes (Third Estate), while enjoying political, legal, and social privileges–occupying the lucrative positions in government when in reality educated middle class civil servants and workers carried out the work. In the 19th century, the British Parliament often debated the issue that also concerned Continental European governments coming under social pressures, especially after the revolutions of 1830 and 1848. Did Otto von Bismarck, a Prussian Junker who detested the German Social Democrats, adopt a social security program because he believed in returning some of the wealth appropriated by capitalists from workers; or did he do it because it was the only means to deprive the leftist party of an issue, de-radicalize German workers, and proceed with his blood & iron policy of making Germany the strongest land-based power on the continent–all an integral part of Realpolitik? And why did FDR adopt a social security program? Was it because he saw the issue as the unions and many professionals from doctors to academics, or because it was politically, socially, and economically the prudent thing to do, especially when the country was suffering economic dislocation and radicalization of the masses that his policies contained by co-opting the left? Whose money was it anyway that the government returned in the form of very modest social security benefits at the time when retirement age was the same as average life expectancy? Ultimately, to arrive at a better understanding of this issue we must examine the issue of who decides the value of labor in New York or Lagos, Nigeria. Why is it that the labor value of an AIG insurance worker worth just a small fraction of the value of corporate management responsible for the company’s mismanagement that so far has resulted in $150 billion bailout of taxpayer money? Milton Friedman always answered that the market decides. But who decides about the market, God or those who control the market? This is an issue that European and US governments are addressing as they are handing out trillions–wealth expected to be produced by the middle class and workers–to corporations to save the system that the financial elites (the not-so invisible hand of the market) have bankrupted with the state’s considerable acquiescence. Every generation believes that it lives in unique times, and we are no different in this epoch of anxieties as Paul Tillich and Carl Jung so brilliantly observed about 20th-century man. There are very serious structural problems in the market economy of the early 21st century. Appearances to the contrary, government responses to this crisis will not and cannot simply be limited to bailouts of banks and other industries as part if corporate welfare politics. The cyclical process of the state reviving the private sector that only finds itself back in crises a few years down the road creates serious political institutional strains and social problems. To lessen the length and breadth of inevitable cyclical recessions in the market economy, systemic readjustments will be needed that include every sector from defense and security, to health, education, and environment. Above all, of course there will be, as it must to avoid serious problems in the future, a reexamination of the fiscal structure currently designed to redistribute wealth from the bottom 90% to the top 10 percent of the population. Such concentration is the source of the problem today as it was in previous economic dislocations. The mass demonstrations across dozens of European cities, from Madrid to Athens, on Sunday, 5 June 2011, prove that the grass roots movement is growing against the state protecting a plutocratic status quo.
Workshops on media literacy Media literacy is essentially the ability to access, analyze and evaluate messages in a variety of forms, from print to video to the internet. It cannot be stated enough that the last one is of particular importance in today’s digital age. This makes it especially important to learn this skill for it creates an understanding of the role of media in our society. Thus we see it as our solemn duty as the National Library of Curaçao to give workshops to schoolchildren and teachers in which we help them develop or improve their media literacy skills.
01/28/13 Winter is the season for influenza, and as the flu season continues, State health officials want to remind Hoosiers this is also norovirus or “stomach flu” season. Norovirus is not actually influenza, however, both may be prevented by taking measures to protect yourself. This season, health officials are reporting that a new strain of norovirus has appeared. This new strain, called GII.4 Sydney, originated in Australia and has been detected throughout Europe and the United States. This strain is overtaking others to become the dominant strain in areas where it has been found. Most people will be susceptible to this new strain; however, it does not carry worse symptoms than others. Health officials confirm the new GII.4 Sydney strain of norovirus has reached Indiana and say they will continue to investigate outbreaks and monitor disease activity. “With so much discussion regarding this flu season, it is important for Hoosiers to understand there is a difference between influenza and what is commonly called the stomach flu,” said State Health Commissioner William VanNess II, M.D. “Knowing the difference can help prevent both illnesses.” Norovirus infection, also known as viral gastroenteritis, is not the flu at all but a viral infection of the intestinal tract. It is spread through eating or drinking contaminated food or drink or by close contact with an infected person. Norovirus is more common in the late fall through winter, but infections and outbreaks can occur any time of year. This virus is very contagious and easily spread by infected people, contaminated food or drinks or touching contaminated surfaces. Norovirus can survive on surfaces for up to 72 hours. Symptoms occur about 24 to 48 hours after exposure and include sudden onset of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms may include fever, headache and body aches. Most people recover fully within one to two days without complications. “Flu shots do not protect against norovirus,” said Dr. VanNess. “However norovirus prevention is similar to flu prevention in the need to frequently wash hands, disinfect contaminated surfaces, wash soiled clothing and avoid preparing food if you’re not feeling well.” Influenza, by contrast, is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. It is spread by respiratory droplets from close contact with infected persons or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Infection can occur when influenza viruses contact the eyes, mouth or nose, and possibly through inhaling droplets from a sneeze or cough. Sometimes people may become infected by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with influenza viruses and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose. Signs and symptoms of norovirus (“Stomach Flu”) versus Influenza (Flu): Norovirus (“Stomach Flu”) - abdominal cramps - watery diarrhea - fever (usually slight) - fever 101 degrees Fahrenheit or greater - muscle aches - sore throat For more information about norovirus or influenza, visit the Indiana State Department of Health at www.StateHealth.in.gov.
If you are looking for a kids' book about bullying that provides a lot of information in an easy-to-digest format, I recommend The Skinny on Bullying. This 214-page book is subtitled The Legend of Gretchen and uses a comic book-style story to introduce key information about bullies and bullying, including the different forms of bullying, how to avoid being bullied (or being a bully), helping friends who are being bullied, avoiding cyberbullying and talking to an adult when you are being bullied. The Skinny on Bullying would be particularly helpful to the student entering middle school, although I would also recommend it for younger and older kids. After [the] introductory messages to those being bullied and to bullies, and an author's note, the story begins. Presented in comic book form, the story centers on two popular fifth graders, friends Billy and Beth, who are getting ready to start middle school. They have to deal with the transition to a new school and to new people, some of whom are bullies. Types of Bullying and Avoiding Bullying As the story continues, the author points out the four main types of bullying: physical, verbal, indirect and cyberbullying. He emphasizes what he calls The Golden Rule for dealing with bullies: "Talk to an adult." Cassidy also stress the importance of standing up to bullies and helping other kids who are being bullied. Cassidy cleverly introduces the topic of how to avoid bullies by wrapping the subject around a lesson in Billy and Beth's science class during which the teacher shows how kids can avoid bullies by "using the rules of the ocean." This includes staying in groups like fish do, avoiding places bullies (big fish) like to congregate, and standing up for yourself like the puffer fish does when confronted by a predatory fish. I found the rest of the book, which centers on the legend of Gretchen, to be particularly enlightening because of what it reveals about bullying and bullies. Rumors are flying about a new student who is transferring to their school. According to the legend Billy and Beth hear (and share with others), Gretchen is a monster, "born with razor-like horns, fangs and claws," and raised by wolves until she became so powerful the wolves sent her back home. When Gretchen enrolls in their school, she brings a flood of bullying with her in all its forms: verbal, physical, indirect (spreading nasty rumors) and cyberbullying, with nasty comments about Billy and Beth and others on her Facebook page. As the story unfolds, information about each type of bullying is provided, along with appropriate responses. There are also several pages of photos and comments from such celebrities as Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner about being bullied as kids. In another section of the book, there is the inspiring story of swimmer Michael Phelps who was bullied as a kid but went on as a young adult to win 14 gold medals in the Olympics. When Billy and Beth finally talk to the principal about Gretchen, they are surprised to find out that they, too, have been guilty of bullying by telling everyone the legend of Gretchen when they knew it wasn't true. With the help of the principal and a new understanding of what bullying is and why people bully, Gretchen, Billy and Beth all learn some good lessons about bullying and getting along with others. However, as the author points out, not all bullying problems end in friendship. Cassidy concludes with a further reminder to use the strategies outlined in the book to stop bullying. I recommend The Skinny on Bullying for middle grade readers (grades 4-8), particularly kids in, or starting, middle school, as well as adults. It can also be helpful for readers, including younger children who are being bullied (or are being bullies), and their parents to read and discuss the book together.
Title:The Royal Tiger of Bengal: His Life and Death Publisher:Asian Educational Service Remarks:B&W Illustrations and Map. Size:123 x 186 mm This is an account of the tiger from the field-naturalist s point of view, and, as is the case with every production of Dr. Fayrer’s pen, is full of interesting material and life-like description. After defining the tiger’s position in animal life, a brief anatomical sketch is given, after which its distribution, habits, and achievements are described. The whole is appropriately finished by an account, from the sportsman’s point of view, of the various modes in which his death is accomplished-with the usual accompaniment of a few tiger stories more or less bloody and sensational. The worst of the book is its want of arrangement, scrappy character, and many marks of haste and carelessness which deform it.
An interesting perspective on the history of North America and Europe over the last few centuries is attained by relating the women’s movement and the anti-slavery movement. The former, of course, would be denoted by historians as first wave and second wave feminist movements and the latter is termed the abolitionist movement. This connection makes sense considering the fact that the goals of these two movements are essentially the same. While the feminists fought to be liberated from the strangle hold of patriarchal organization of society, the colored people agitated to be freed from subordination on the basis of skin color. Hence, it is easy to conceive how the two movements progressed hand in hand toward their similar goals and fed off one other’s success. Further, as Marlene LeGates points out, “One impetus for a self-conscious feminism in the United States thus came from within the abolition movement, as women like the Grimkes were drawn to defend women’s rights in the course of defending their own right to speak in public. For them abolition was what later feminists would call a consciousness raising experience…British women also played a key role in writing petitions and raising funds for their anti-slavery cause”. (LeGates, p.184) The first wave feminists encouraged fellow women to make strong statements with use of language and demeanor. At church gatherings, prayers would be ended by uttering “A-women” instead of “A-men”. The first wave feminists’ conscious attempts to tinker language were meant to change the patriarchal arrangement of society from below, through small increments of meaningful changes. They took inspiration from the success of the abolitionists in dropping their masters’ surnames. Leaders such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton even believed that titles such as Mr. or Mrs. Can act as chains on freedom. For instance, “There is a great deal in a name. Why are the slaves nameless unless they take that of their master?…The custom of calling women Mrs. John This and Mrs. Tom That, and colored men Sambo and Zip Coon, is founded on the principle that white men are lords of all. I cannot acknowledge this principle as just, therefore, I cannot bear the name of another” (LeGates, p.186). The above examples illustrate the efforts made by both movements to change thoughts of people by changing the use of language. This is just one of numerous examples where both these historical movements converged. Hence, it is easy to see why the abolitionist movement encouraged and inspired feminists to greater direct action. Marlene LeGates, In Their Time: A History of Feminism in Western Society, Published by Routledge, 2001, ISBN 0415930987, 9780415930987, 406 pages
Tooth enamel is one of the most protective natural features of the body but vulnerable due to its location. It is the outermost layer surrounding the visible portion of teeth. The enamel is the part of the teeth that comes in contact with food and beverages that enter the mouth, and it is the part that typically picks up stains. Regular checkups and professional dental cleanings with a family dentist will help maintain enamel throughout life. Instructing patients in proper at-home self-care, such as flossing, brushing, and the use of a fluoride mouth rinse, often improves the subsequent checkups. Unless there are visible signs of enamel loss, however, many patients are never instructed on ways to maintain and protect their tooth enamel. Some of the greatest dangers to enamel strength and health are foods and beverages. These substances stay in contact with enamel for extended periods of time and penetrate enamel to leave stains. Acidic foods and beverages weaken enamel, allowing cavities to develop. A diet with excessive sugar consumption generally increases these occurrences, causing bacteria to grow faster and cavities to develop sooner. While the best way to avoid these risks is avoidance of their causes, family dentists know avoidance is not likely to work, so the next best approach is to minimize damage by rinsing the mouth or brushing after consuming foods and beverages typically high in acid and/or sugar. Flossing will improve results, and attending professional exams and cleanings on schedule will also help. Although patients often prefer bright white teeth, it is more beneficial to have teeth professionally whitened than to use over-the-counter whitening gels and kits. These kits and gels, though at times effective, can leave teeth more sensitive and affect enamel with continued or frequent use. Discussing dental and oral health concerns at regular checkups can also help by keeping patients well-informed and clinics aware of patient concerns for future monitoring. To learn more about maintaining tooth enamel, and other aspects of oral health, contact our skilled dental team today!
Young children with visual impairments face special challenges as they develop and grow and no parent is prepared for a baby who is blind or has vision loss. The Early Intervention/Blind Babies Program provides services for infants and toddlers with visual loss, from birth through the age of five. Services are provided in the home or pre-school by certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI). Teachers use play to assess a child’s functional vision and to help the child explore the environment by making use of other senses. Teachers also provide parents with information and strategies to encourage the parents to interact with their infant. This collaborative parent-teacher training further promotes the child’s skill development, self-sufficiency, and social development and facilitates the child’s eventual transition to pre-school and kindergarten. Lighthouse of Manasota programs are funded by the Florida Department of Education, Florida Division of Blind Services, The Manatee Board of County Commissioners, The Sarasota School Board, private contributions, bequests and fundraising activities.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary1. (n.) That which underlies all outward manifestations; substratum; the permanent subject or cause of phenomena, whether material or spiritual; that in which properties inhere; that which is real, in distinction from that which is apparent; the abiding part of any existence, in distinction from any accident; that which constitutes anything what it is; real or existing essence. 2. (n.) The most important element in any existence; the characteristic and essential components of anything; the main part; essential import; purport. 3. (n.) Body; matter; material of which a thing is made; hence, substantiality; solidity; firmness; as, the substance of which a garment is made; some textile fabrics have little substance. 4. (n.) Material possessions; estate; property; resources. 5. (n.) Same as Hypostasis, 2. International Standard Bible EncyclopediaSUBSTANCE sub'-stans (rekhush; hupostasis): Lit. that which stands under, is in the Bible used chiefly of material goods and possessions. In the Old Testament it is the translation of numerous Hebrew words, of which rekhush, "that which is gathered together," is one of the earliest and most significant (Genesis 12:5; Genesis 13:6; Genesis 15:14 1 Chronicles 27:31 Ezra 8:21, etc.). In the New Testament "substance" appears in a few passages as the translation of ousia, "being," "subsistence" (Luke 15:13), huparxis, "goods," "property" (Hebrews 10:34), huparchonta, "things at hand" (Luke 8:3). Special interest attaches to Hebrews 11:1, the King James Version "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for," etc., where the word is used in its proper etymological sense as the translation of hupostasis, "that which stands under." the Revised Version (British and American) changes to "assurance," margin "the giving substance to," which last seems best to bring out the idea of faith as that which makes the things hoped for real to the soul. The same Greek word hupostasis is rendered "substance" in Hebrews 1:3 the Revised Version (British and American), instead of the King James Version "person," with reference to Christ, "the very image (margin "impress") of his substance," i.e. of God's invisible essence or being, the manifestation of God Himself. Greek5287. hupostasis -- a support, substance, steadiness, hence ... ... a support, substance, steadiness, hence assurance. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hupostasis Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-os'-tas-is) Short ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5287.htm - 8k 3776. ousia -- substance, property 5224. huparchonta -- goods, that which one has, things which one ... 5223. huparxis -- subsistence, existence, property 3013. lepis -- a scale (of a fish) 2470. isos -- equal 1967. epiousios -- for the coming day, for subsistence 4983. soma -- a body 3586. xulon -- wood 5194. hualos -- a clear transparent stone, glass Strong's Hebrew3351. yequm -- substance, existence ... 3350, 3351. yequm. 3352 . substance, existence. Transliteration: yequm Phonetic Spelling: (yek-oom') Short Definition: thing. ... living substance. ... /hebrew/3351.htm - 6k 7738. shavah -- substance 6106. etsem -- bone, substance, self 3426. yesh -- being, substance, existence, is 4678. matstsebeth -- pillar, substance 1564. golem -- an embryo 1952. hon -- wealth, sufficiency 4735. miqneh -- cattle 7075. qinyan -- something gotten or acquired, acquisition 2428. chayil -- strength, efficiency, wealth, army Shadow and Substance. Whether in this Sacrament the Substance of the Bread and Wine ... Whether the Substance of the Bread or Wine is Annihilated after ... Whether the Soul is a Substance. Of the one Substance. The Son is of one Substance with the Father. ... In God, Substance is Spoken Improperly, Essence Properly. Christ is the Substance of the Levitical Priesthood. The Sum and Substance of all Theology ThesaurusSubstance (99 Occurrences) ... 3. (n.) Body; matter; material of which a thing is made; hence, substantiality; solidity; firmness; as, the substance of which a garment is made; some textile ... /s/substance.htm - 39k Seal (47 Occurrences) Wax (32 Occurrences) Matter (263 Occurrences) Metal (69 Occurrences) Gall (17 Occurrences) Vapor (6 Occurrences) Possessions (84 Occurrences) Manna (19 Occurrences) Bible ConcordanceSubstance (99 Occurrences) Matthew 24:47 Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all his substance. Matthew 25:14 For it is as if a man going away out of a country called his own bondmen and delivered to them his substance. Luke 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. Luke 15:12 and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of 'thy' substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. Luke 15:30 but when this thy son, who has devoured thy substance with harlots, is come, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. Acts 2:45 and sold their possessions and substance, and distributed them to all, according as any one might have need. Colossians 2:17 These were a shadow of things that were soon to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 1 Timothy 6:18 to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal in distributing, disposed to communicate of their substance, Hebrews 1:3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 3:14 For if we keep the substance of the faith which we had at the start, even till the end, we have a part with Christ; Hebrews 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 13:16 But of doing good and communicating of your substance be not forgetful, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; and in that day the heavens will be rolled up with a great noise, and the substance of the earth will be changed by violent heat, and the world and everything in it will be burned up. 2 Peter 3:12 Looking for and truly desiring the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will come to an end through fire, and the substance of the earth will be changed by the great heat? 1 John 3:17 But whoso may have the world's substance, and see his brother having need, and shut up his bowels from him, how abides the love of God in him? Genesis 7:4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. Genesis 12:5 Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother's son, all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls whom they had gotten in Haran, and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan. Into the land of Canaan they came. Genesis 13:6 The land was not able to bear them, that they might live together: for their substance was great, so that they could not live together. Genesis 14:11 And they take the whole substance of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the whole of their food, and go away; Genesis 14:12 and they take Lot, Abram's brother's son (seeing he is dwelling in Sodom), and his substance, and go away. Genesis 14:16 and he bringeth back the whole of the substance, and also Lot his brother and his substance hath he brought back, and also the women and the people. Genesis 14:21 And the king of Sodom saith unto Abram, 'Give to me the persons, and the substance take to thyself,' Genesis 15:14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. Genesis 30:29 And he saith unto him, 'Thou -- thou hast known that which I have served thee 'in', and that which thy substance was with me; Genesis 31:9 and God taketh away the substance of your father, and doth give to me. Genesis 31:18 and he carried away all his cattle, and all his substance which he had gathered, the cattle of his getting, which he had gathered in Paddan-aram, to go to Isaac his father unto the land of Canaan. Genesis 34:23 Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us. Genesis 36:7 For their substance was too great for them to dwell together, and the land of their travels couldn't bear them because of their livestock. Exodus 24:10 and they see the God of Israel, and under His feet 'is' as the white work of the sapphire, and as the substance of the heavens for purity; Numbers 31:9 And the sons of Israel take captive the women of Midian, and their infants; and all their cattle, and all their substance, and all their wealth they have plundered; Numbers 35:3 The cities shall they have to dwell in; and their suburbs shall be for their livestock, and for their substance, and for all their animals. Deuteronomy 33:11 Yahweh, bless his substance. Accept the work of his hands. Strike through the hips of those who rise up against him, of those who hate him, that they not rise again." Joshua 1:14 your wives, your infants, and your substance, abide in the land which Moses hath given to you beyond the Jordan, and ye -- ye pass over by fifties, before your brethren, all the mighty ones of valour, and have helped them, 2 Samuel 19:42 And all the men of Judah answer against the men of Israel, 'Because the king 'is' near unto us, and why 'is' this -- ye are displeased about this matter? have we at all eaten of the king's 'substance?' a gift hath he lifted up to us?' 1 Chronicles 27:31 All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's. 1 Chronicles 29:3 And again, because of my delighting in the house of my God, the substance I have -- a peculiar treasure of gold and silver -- I have given for the house of my God, even over and above all I have prepared for the house of the sanctuary: 2 Chronicles 21:14 behold, Yahweh will strike with a great plague your people, and your children, and your wives, and all your substance; 2 Chronicles 21:17 and they came up against Judah, and broke into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons. 2 Chronicles 31:3 He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of Yahweh. 2 Chronicles 32:29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much substance. 2 Chronicles 35:7 Josiah gave to the children of the people, of the flock, lambs and young goats, all of them for the Passover offerings, to all who were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bulls: these were of the king's substance. Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. Ezra 10:8 and that whoever didn't come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the assembly of the captivity. Job 1:3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. Job 1:10 Haven't you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. Job 1:11 The work of his hands Thou hast blessed, and his substance hath spread in the land, and yet, put forth, I pray Thee, Thy hand, and strike against anything that he hath -- if not: to Thy face he doth bless Thee!' Job 5:5 whose harvest the hungry eats up, and take it even out of the thorns. The snare gapes for their substance. Job 6:6 Will a man take food which has no taste without salt? or is there any taste in the soft substance of purslain? Job 6:13 Is not my help with me, And substance driven from me? Job 6:22 Did I say,'Give to me?' or,'Offer a present for me from your substance?' Job 15:29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall their possessions be extended on the earth. Job 20:18 That for which he labored he shall restore, and shall not swallow it down. According to the substance that he has gotten, he shall not rejoice. Job 22:20 Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth. Job 30:22 Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance. Job 36:33 He sheweth by it 'to' his friend substance, Anger against perversity. Psalms 17:14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. Psalms 105:21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: Psalms 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Psalms 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. Proverbs 1:13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Proverbs 2:7 Even to lay up for the upright substance, A shield for those walking uprightly. Proverbs 3:9 Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase: Proverbs 3:28 Say not thou to thy friend, 'Go, and return, and to-morrow I give,' And substance with thee. Proverbs 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. Proverbs 8:14 Mine 'is' counsel and substance, I 'am' understanding, I have might. Proverbs 8:18 Wealth and honour 'are' with me, Lasting substance and righteousness. Proverbs 8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. Proverbs 10:3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. Proverbs 12:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. Proverbs 13:23 Abundance of food -- the tillage of the poor, And substance is consumed without judgment. Proverbs 20:15 Substance, gold, and a multitude of rubies, Yea, a precious vessel, 'are' lips of knowledge. Proverbs 24:4 and by knowledge are the chambers filled with all precious and pleasant substance. Proverbs 28:8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. Proverbs 29:3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance. Ecclesiastes 2:7 I got men-servants, and maid-servants, and sons of the house were to me; also, I had much substance -- herd and flock -- above all who had been before me in Jerusalem. Song of Songs 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. Jeremiah 14:14 Then the Lord said to me, The prophets say false words in my name, and I gave them no orders, and I said nothing to them: what they say to you is a false vision and wonder-working words without substance, the deceit of their hearts. Jeremiah 15:13 Your substance and your treasures will I give for a spoil without price, and that for all your sins, even in all your borders. Jeremiah 17:3 My mountain in the field, I will give your substance and all your treasures for a spoil, and your high places, because of sin, throughout all your borders. Ezekiel 13:6 They have seen visions without substance and made use of secret arts, who say, The Lord has said; and the Lord has not sent them: hoping that the word would have effect. Ezekiel 13:7 Have you not seen a vision without substance and have you not falsely made use of secret arts, when you say, The Lord has said; though I have said nothing? Ezekiel 13:8 So this is what the Lord has said: Because your words are without substance and your visions are false, see, I am against you, says the Lord. Ezekiel 13:9 And my hand will be against the prophets who see visions without substance and who make false use of secret arts: they will not be in the secret of my people, and they will not be recorded in the list of the children of Israel, and they will not come into the land of Israel; and it will be clear to you that I am the Lord. Ezekiel 27:12 Tarshish dealt with thee by reason of the abundance of all substance; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they furnished thy markets. Ezekiel 27:18 Damascus dealt with thee because of the multitude of thy handiworks, by reason of the abundance of all substance, with wine of Helbon, and white wool. Ezekiel 27:27 Thy substance, and thy markets, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, they that repair thy leaks, and they that barter with thee, and all thy men of war that are in thee, along with all thine assemblage which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the heart of the seas in the day of thy fall. Ezekiel 27:33 When thy wares went forth over the seas, thou filledst many peoples; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the abundance of thy substance and of thy merchandise. Ezekiel 38:13 Sheba, and Dedan, and merchants of Tarshish, And all its young lions say to thee: To take a spoil art thou come in? To take a prey assembled thine assembly? To bear away silver and gold? To take away cattle and substance? To take a great spoil? Daniel 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head on his bed: then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters. Daniel 11:13 The king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former; and he shall come on at the end of the times, even of years, with a great army and with much substance. Daniel 11:24 In time of security shall he come even on the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them prey, and spoil, and substance: yes, he shall devise his devices against the strongholds, even for a time. Daniel 11:28 Then shall he return into his land with great substance; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do his pleasure, and return to his own land. Hosea 12:8 And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin. Obadiah 1:11 In the day that you stood on the other side, in the day that strangers carried away his substance, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots for Jerusalem, even you were like one of them. Obadiah 1:13 Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity; Micah 4:13 Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion; for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs brass; and you will beat in pieces many peoples: and I will devote their gain to Yahweh, and their substance to the Lord of the whole earth. LinksBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus
When it comes to geothermal energy, Germany is feeling the heat – literally and figuratively – beneath its feet. According to the head of the German Geothermal Association, “Geothermal sources could supply Germany’s electricity needs 600 times over.” Werner Bussmann, the organization’s CEO, added, “Geothermal electricity has the advantage of being available 24 hours a day, 8,000 hours a year, and this makes it a great source of baseload power.” This is exciting news, for in 2004, only 0.4 percent Germany’s total primary energy supply came from geothermal sources. Two factors have largely attributed to the boom in geothermal, both in actual power plants being constructed and in overall interest in the country’s energy sector: - A new law was introduced that allowed for the drilling of wells deep enough to hit the hot temperature water that’s needed to produce electricity in a financially viable way. - A renewable energy law that introduced a tariff scheme of EU 0.15 [US $0.23] per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for electricity produced from geothermal sources was instituted. - Bernd Hildebrandt, marketing director, DMT GmbH & Co. KG Exploration & Geosurvey Division Geothermal Energy, Germany, agrees that the country’s potential is significant. - “There are some areas in Germany applicable for geothermal, like the northern plain, the upper Rhine rift and the Molasse at the foothills of the Alps (where Munich is located),” he said. “Since the German government finalized the laws for renewable energies and the economic stimulation, there is a real boom in geothermal activities.” - Projections for the entire country indicate that within five years there could be more than a hundred plants operational in the country. This year alone, plants in Sauerlach, Dürrnhaar, Riedstadt, Speyer, Gross Schoenebeck and Mauerstetten are slated for operation. All told, these plants represent an investment of approximately four billion euros by the German government. - Two projects – one already online, one planned – are particularly exciting. And both are in Unterhaching, a suburban town with a population of 23,000, outside of Munich. - The first, sponsored by DMT GmbH&Co. under a contract with the Liebnitz Institute for Applied Geophysics, features exploration in the Upper Jurassic strata in the Molasse Basin between the Daube and the Alps. - Some believe this may be central Europe’s largest geothermal energy reservoir suitable for providing heat and for generating electrical power. - “Having assembled a team of 50 to 60 people, we are exploring an area covering about 20 square kilometers,” said Rudiger Misiek, the Essen project manager. - “To achieve the scientific quality, we will be measuring along a dense matrix at gridline intervals of just 300 meters.” - Misiek said the purpose is to help “optimize the use of potential geothermal sources.” - The second is an actual working geothermal plant – Germany’s first major investment in exploiting heat from the centre of the earth. - This 3.5-MW plant, which supplies 20,000 households with electricity and heat, is also the first geothermal plant in Germany to use the “Kalina” technology that allows energy to be extracted from water of low to moderate temperatures. Specifically, at this plant, water is extracted at a temperature of 122 degrees Celsius from a well 3,500 meters deep at a rate of 150 liters a second. As mentioned, geothermal power had up to this point been only an insignificant part of Germany’s electricity mix. There are special challenges to geothermal in Germany that require unique technology, because unlike Iceland, Italy or Indonesia, Germany does not have volcanic activity or the dry steam reservoirs needed to produce electricity directly. And in urban areas like Munich, there are special challenges. “The specific difference,” Hildebrandt said of the challenges in exploring for geothermal in urban areas, “is the special protection of narrow building density. You have to reduce the vibrator peak force. You have to pick the vibrator points with special care to infrastructure like service pipes. “A special attention will be needed for safety clearance distance,” he continued. “To ensure that buildings will not be damaged by seismics you have to measure and monitor the emission of vibration within the buildings. The layout of the measuring cables need more attention because of high-density traffic. And, at least, there are different problems to solve in traffic routing and safety.” Specifically, roads and working platforms have to be constructed so that exploratory and production equipment can be brought in, which can adversely affect local plants and wildlife. Once the drilling begins, further damage can ensue, as the deep well passes through some underground water bodies, which can be contaminated by drilling fluid. Increased temperature of the area can kill life forms in the water. Moreover, mud disposal is another consideration, as are the gases in the geothermal fluid – including carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane, sodium chloride (salt), boron, arsenic and mercury – and hot water can leak into surrounding areas and threaten the ecosystem. Another hurdle, as it is in every form of exploration, is money and technology. Before the geothermal plants can be built – and the lifespan of them is about 30 years – there has to be enough of the proper drilling equipment available to reach the aforementioned hotter water needed for electricity generation. And right now there isn’t enough equipment available. As such, this deficiency is increasing the price of geothermal power plants. Equipment to build the plan counts for approximately 60 percent of its cost, or between 30 and 40 million euros (approximately $50-60 million). Bussman says these costs have doubled in the last three to four years. Another area of great concern – maybe the major concern – is whether the boreholes themselves, which can cost up to $5 million, will bring sufficient hot water to the surface to make the specific geothermal project a financial and energy success. Unfortunately, until a borehole has been completed it’s impossible to tell how much geothermal water can be extracted. That’s a big if for investors. What some in Germany have suggested is for the government to set up a fund that would help insure investors from these bore holes not coming to fruition. Such a fund, proponents advocate, would be privatized as soon as the number of projects has increased and there is more data at hand. Still, to many, geothermal is not only the brightest star out there, it is the only one out there. Doug Heffernan, CEO of Mighty River Power Ltd., from New Zealand’s No. 3 power retailer, said, “Geothermal is going into a renaissance age. It’s the only reliable renewable.” Germany apparently agrees.
Researchers at Fukushima, the site of the 2011 nuclear disaster in Japan, have found that a new mutant species of radioactive boar-pig has emerged from the wasteland. According to a new study that investigated the impact of nuclear disasters on the local habitat, the high levels of radiation had no “adverse effects” on the genetics of the animals. “However, wild boars (Sus scrofa leucomystax) have proliferated in the area, after being left to roam freely from the lack of humans,” The Daily Mail reported. “The boars have bred with domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) that escaped from nearby properties after farmers had to flee, creating a new hybrid species.” “The study has been led by Donovan Anderson, a researcher at Fukushima University in Japan, who has been driving through the land exclusion zone around the Fukushima nuclear reactor,” The Daily Mail explained. “For the study, Anderson colleagues analyzed DNA samples from muscles of 243 wild boars, pigs and boar-pig hybrids, taken from local slaughterhouses.” According to the study, 31 wild boar were hybrids, representing 16 percent of the wild boar from that region. “We show evidence of successful hybridization between pigs and native wild boar in this area,” Anderson and his colleagues announced. “We recommend that future studies assess the fitness of these hybrids and better characterize their ecological niche.” Anderson also noted that the cross-breeding has nothing to do with radiation, even though the boar-pigs are radioactive. “While the boar and hybrids are technically radioactive, the radiation had nothing to do with the genetic changes — this was the pigs’ fault,” said Anderson. “The wild boar in Fukushima are still relatively contaminated and can range from as no detection of radionuclides to 30,000 becquerels per kilogram.” The Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 was primarily caused by an earthquake and subsequence tsunami and was the most severe nuclear disaster since the Chernobyl disaster of 1986. Following the earthquake, the active reactors automatically shut down, with backup diesel generators automatically starting to cool the reactors’ cores. After a 46-foot high tsunami hit the shore, however, the emergency generators failed, which resulted in three nuclear meltdowns, three hydrogen explosions, and the release of radioactive contamination. “There were no deaths immediately during the nuclear disaster. At least 16 workers were injured in the explosions, while dozens more were exposed to radiation as they worked to cool the reactors and stabilize the plant,” reported the BBC this year. “Three people were reportedly taken to hospital after high-level exposure.” As the BBC noted, “Long-term effects of the radiation are a matter of debate.” “The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report in 2013 that said the disaster will not cause any observable increase in cancer rates in the region,” the BBC added. “Scientists both inside and outside Japan believe that aside from the region immediately around the plant, the risks of radiation remain relatively low.” The Daily Wire is one of America’s fastest-growing conservative media companies and counter-cultural outlets for news, opinion, and entertainment. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a member.
In today’s world, raising children is challenging. I have tried hard to instill good habits in my children. Among them is a healthy diet. Bad eating habits are a major problem nowadays. It is quite alarming the percentage of children and teenagers with overweight and obesity. Research has found that summer is the time when children may be less active and more likely to gain weight. Children may be sedentary and have less healthy diets. My son has expressed a desire to attend summer camp. I am a bit worried about the nutrition at camp. Is it healthy? As a concerned mother, I contacted campscanada.co to make further inquiries. The staff eased my worries. I was told that all the programs offered have a strong commitment to make camp a place that encourages wellness and healthy living. One of the chief goals of camp is developing healthy life-long habits. As a matter of fact, instilling a healthy diet habit has become one of the targets of the camp movement. Camps are a structured opportunity for children to be active; they also encourage healthy eating. All the foods children are served are rigorously selected to achieve a healthy diet that contains an adequate caloric intake. All campscanada.co programs follow thoroughly the recommended dietary and physical guidelines for children. Campers are also encouraged to drink water instead of beverages with added sugar such as fruit juice drinks, soft drinks, and sports drinks. On the other hand, all snacks that children are offered are healthy: fresh fruits, fat-free or low-fat milk, vegetables, lean proteins such as nuts, and whole grain cereals. Finally, special emphasis is laid on educating children at meal times. Staff are trained to teach, excite and entice camper about food in a fun way. Children learn from them to make healthy choices. I have realized that camps have a role to play in addressing this growing health concern by encouraging young people to move more and eat healthier while at camp. This positive experience may become a life-long habit. Read it in G+ Read it in Facebook
Satya – truthfulness in what we think, say and do – is classical yoga’s second precept. This sounds simple enough, but have you ever really thought about what truth is? Is your truth the same as my truth? What does it mean to be true in what we think, say and do? Much of what we think of as “truth” is actually “opinion” or “belief”. Our brains process information through the filters of our belief systems. We grow up believing something to be true and as we receive new information, what aligns with our beliefs is accepted as “fact” and what doesn’t is dismissed as “untrue”. Psychologists developed the term “cognitive dissonance” to describe the problem that occurs when we are exposed to a fact that conflicts with our beliefs. We all have different life experiences, with different learnings. This leads to different beliefs and different understandings of what is “true”. Accepting that someone else’s truth is as valid as your own requires humility and the application of Aparigraha – yoga’s fifth precept – letting go what is not needed. Applying Aparigraha to Satya means not sticking rigidly to our beliefs. This produces an open mind. You don’t have to throw away what you believe in. Rather, you maintain your beliefs with an openness to change. You encourage self-reflection and investigation whenever a belief is challenged. Doing so leads us down the path of Svadhyaya – spiritual growth. Yoga’s Yamas and Niyamas provide wonderful guidance for living a beautiful life. Each of the Yamas and Niyamas work to support one another so that, when applied together, they lead us towards Samadhi – self-realisation – bliss.
6202.0 - Labour Force, Australia, Oct 2011 Quality Declaration Previous ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 10/11/2011 \|Page tools: Print Page Print All RSS Search this Product\| UNDERSTANDING THE AUSTRALIAN LABOUR FORCE USING ABS STATISTICS In order to understand what is happening in Australian society, or our economy, it is helpful to understand people’s patterns of work, unemployment and retirement. ABS statistics can help to build this picture. Fifty years ago, the majority of Australians who worked were men working full-time. Most worked well into their 60s, sometimes beyond, and if they were not working most were out looking for work until that age. The picture now is very different. Far more people work part-time, or in temporary or casual jobs. Retirement ages vary much more, with a greater proportion of men not participating in the labour force once they are older than 55. Nowadays. 45% of working Australians are women, compared with just 30% fifty years ago. These are profound changes that have helped shape 21st Century Australia. This note explains some of the key labour force figures the ABS produces that can be used to obtain a better picture of the labour market. Every month, the ABS runs a Labour Force Survey across Australia covering almost 30,000 homes as well as a selection of hotels, hospitals, boarding schools, colleges, prisons and Indigenous communities. Apart from the Census, the Labour Force Survey is the largest household collection undertaken by the ABS. Data are collected for about 60,000 people and these people live in a broad range of areas and have diverse backgrounds - they are a very good representation of the Australian population. From this information, the ABS produces a wide variety of statistics that paint a picture of the labour market. Most statistics are produced using established international standards, to ensure they can be easily compared with the rest of the world. The ABS has also introduced new statistics in recent years that bring to light further aspects of the labour market. It can be informative to look at all of these indicators to get a grasp of what is happening, particularly when the economy is changing quickly. One thing to remember about the ABS labour force figures is that when a publication states that, for example, 11.4 million Australians are employed, the ABS has not actually checked with each and every one of these people. In common with most statistics produced, the ABS surveys a sample of people across Australia and then scales up the results – based on the latest population figures - to give a total for the whole country. Because the figures are from a sample, they are subject to possible error. The Labour Force Survey is a large one, so the error is minimised. The ABS provides information about the possible size of the error to help users understand how reliable the estimates are. The above diagram shows the break down of the civilian population into the different groups of labour force participation. Each pixel represents about 1000 people as at September 2011. According to established international standards, everyone who works for at least one hour or more for pay or profit is considered to be employed. This includes everyone from teenagers who work part-time after school, to a partially retired grandparent helping out at the school canteen. While it is unreasonable to expect a family to survive on the income of an hour of work per week, one could also argue that all work, no matter how small, contributes to the economy. This definition of 'one hour or more' - which is an international standard - means that ABS' employment figures can be compared with the rest of the world. Now it is, of course, easy to argue that someone who works 2 or 3 hours per week is not really “employed”. But a definition is required. And any cut-off point is open to debate. Imagine if ABS defined being ‘employed’ as working 15 hours a week. Would it be reasonable to argue that someone who works 14.5 hours is unemployed, but 15 hours is not? It is also a mistake to assume that all persons who work low hours would prefer to work longer hours, and are therefore 'hidden' unemployment. Most people who work less than 15 hours a week are not seeking additional hours, although of course there are some who are. The issue of underemployment is further discussed below. Rather than open up such discussions, the ABS prefers to use the international standard and the ABS also encourages people to consider other indicators to form a better picture of what is happening. Alongside the total employed figures, full-time and part-time estimates are provided to better inform on the different kinds of employment, and a detailed breakdown by the number of hours worked is also provided to allow for customised definitions of 'employment.' Commentators often refer to the rise in employment as the number of new jobs created each month. This can be misleading, because the ABS doesn't actually measure the number of jobs. This might sound like semantics, but if a person in the Labour Force Survey who is employed gains a second part-time job at the same time as their main job, this would have no impact on the employment estimate - the Labour Force Survey does not count jobs, it counts people. It is also important to bear in mind that if the relative growth in population is greater than the number of new people in employment, there might actually be an increase in the employment figure, but a lower percentage of people with jobs. It is often informative to look at the proportion of people in employment. This measure, called the employment to population ratio, is the number of employed people expressed as a percentage of the civilian population aged over 15. This removes the impact of population growth to give a better picture of labour market dynamics over time. AGGREGATE MONTHLY HOURS WORKED Instead of counting how many people are working, another way of looking at how much Australians are working is to count the total number of hours worked by everyone. This is measured by a statistic produced by the ABS called Aggregate monthly hours worked, and it is measured in millions of hours. This can sometimes be more revealing of what is happening in the labour market, particularly in a weakening economy where a fall in hours worked can usually be seen before any fall in the number of people employed. PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT WORKING: THE UNEMPLOYED AND OTHERS There are many reasons why Australians do not work. Some have retired and are not interested in going back to work. Some are staying home to look after children and plan on going back to work once the kids have grown older. Some are out canvassing for work every day while others have given up looking. The ABS separates all of these people into those who are unemployed and those who are not by asking two simple questions: If you were given a job today, could you start straight away? and Have you taken active steps to look for work? Only those who are ready to get back into work, and are taking active steps to find a job, are classed as unemployed. Some people might like to work, but are not currently available to work - such as a parent who is busy looking after small children. Other people might want to work but have given up actively looking for work - such as a discouraged job seeker who only half-heartedly glances at the job adds in the newspaper but doesn't call or submit any applications. These people are not considered to be unemployed, but are regarded as being marginally attached to the labour force. They can be thought of as 'potentially unemployed' when, or if, their circumstances change, but are regarded as being on the fringe of labour force participation until then. It is important to note that the ABS unemployment figures are not the same as the data that Centrelink collects on the number of people receiving unemployment benefits. The ABS bases its figures on asking people directly about their availability and steps to find work. In this way, policy decisions about, for example, the criteria for the receipt of unemployment benefits have no impact on the way that the unemployment figures are measured. LABOUR FORCE AND PARTICIPATION RATE The size of the labour force is a measure of the total number of people in Australia who are willing and able to work. It includes everyone who is working or actively looking for work - that is, the number of employed and unemployed together as one group. The percentage of the total population who are in the labour force is known as the participation rate. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labour force who are unemployed. This is a popular measure around the world for tracking a country’s economic health as it removes all the people who are not participating (such as those who are retired). Because the unemployment rate is expressed as a percentage, it is not directly influenced by population growth. The underemployment rate is a useful companion to the unemployment rate. Instead of looking at the people who are unemployed, the underemployment rate captures those who are currently employed, but are willing and able to work more hours. It highlights the proportion of the the labour force who work part-time but would prefer to work full-time. This is sometimes referred to as the 'hidden' potential in the labour force. The underemployment rate can be an important indicator of changes in the economic cycle. During an economic slow down, some people lose their jobs, become unemployed and contribute to a rising unemployment rate. But while this is happening, there might well be others who remain working but have their hours reduced; for example from full-time to part-time. As long as they want to work more hours, they are classed as underemployed, and contribute to the underemployment rate. LABOUR FORCE UNDERUTILISATION RATE The labour force underutilisation rate combines the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate into a single figure that represents the percentage of the labour force that is willing and able to do more work. It includes people who are not currently working and want to start, and those who are currently working but want to - and can - work more hours. It provides an alternative – and more complete - picture of labour market supply than the unemployment rate, as changes in the underutilisation rate capture both changes in unemployment and underemployment, indicating the spare capacity in the Australian labour force. For any queries regarding these measures or any other queries regarding the Labour Force Survey estimates, contact Labour Force on Canberra 02 6252 6525, or via email at firstname.lastname@example.org. These documents will be presented in a new window.
\|Page tools: Print Page Print All RSS Search this Product\| The 1998 Western Australian Year Book is a contemporary reference book detailing the political, legal, economic, social and environmental framework of WA. It has been extensively revised and includes many interesting feature articles These include: The South West Statistical Division of Western Australia covers an area of 28,584 square kilometres. The Division comprises the Dale, Preston, Vasse and Blackwood Statistical Subdivisions. The Statistical Subdivision of Dale includes the Local Government Areas of Boddington, Mandurah, Murray and Waroona; Preston includes the City of Bunbury and the Shires of Capel, Collie, Dardanup, Donnybrook-Balingup and Harvey; Vasse comprises the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and the Shire of Busselton; Blackwood includes the Shires of Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Manjimup and Nannup. The South West is characterised by beautiful forests, rivers and stunning, often remote coastline. The Bibbulmun Track which runs 650 kilometres from Kalamunda to Walpole crosses through much of the Division. The track takes in some of the most scenic sections of Karri forest. Karri grows only in parts of the south west of Western Australia where the annual rainfall exceeds 1,000mm. Mandurah was settled early in the 1830s; the rest of the South West was settled soon after. Its economy has been dominated principally by the timber and agricultural industries. The South West forests are now increasingly valued for their natural beauty as well as a timber resource. Tourism is expected to continue to be a significant industry in the region's economy. Grapevines were planted first in the Margaret River area in 1967. Since that time the wine industry has grown and many wineries and vineyards in the region have gained a reputation for their award winning produce, rivalling other wine growing areas of both this state and Australia. In recent times Pemberton has also become a successful wine growing area. An increased number of bed and breakfast establishments, cafes and restaurants offer a wide variety of accommodation and food, from the elegant to the basic. These documents will be presented in a new window.
San Francisco Landmarks City Cemetery was established at the end of the Rural Cemetery movement. Rural cemeteries were beautiful places that were popular destinations for recreation. In 1866, the United States Congress granted to San Francisco most of the “Outside Lands,” extending the city west to the Pacific Ocean. In 1868, the Board of Supervisors designated approximately two hundred acres near Lands End as a municipal cemetery. Working class people commonly joined fraternal, ethnic, religious, and professional associations to assure that their bodies would be cared for after their passing. City Cemetery had at least twenty-four sections operated by benevolent, social, and religious societies for interment of their members. City Cemetery was the final resting place of socioeconomically marginalized people. If a person was indigent, the City and County of San Francisco was responsible for interment of the body. More than 10,000 people were buried in the indigent sections of the cemetery, their graves often marked with a simple wooden marker with a sequential number rather than a name In 1893, the Federal Government reclaimed the southwest portion of City Cemetery to construct Fort Miley. In 1898, San Francisco banned new burials at City Cemetery. Two years later interment within the city was outlawed. After 1900, large private cemeteries in San Mateo County became the final resting place for the majority of deceased San Franciscans. In 1909, San Francisco directed interested parties to disinter their dead, but only a few hundred remains were removed before the City Cemetery was converted to a park and golf course. The City and County of San Francisco made no attempt to remove the remains of indigents. Extant records indicate that more than 29,000 people were buried in City Cemetery between 1870 and 1898. Between 10,000 and 19,700 burials remain in the park. In 1921, an estimated 1,500 coffins and human remains were uncovered during construction of the Legion of Honor museum. In the 1990s, remains of almost 750 individuals from an indigent section of City Cemetery were unearthed when the museum was expanded. The elaborate Ladies’ Seaman’s Friend Society obelisk exhibits Victorian tastes for “sentimentality, melancholy, romanticism, and didactic moralism.” The Kong Chow structure was probably an altar. The Chinese characters translate to “Temporary Resting Place for Coffins Being Sent to Kong Chow Province.” Source: Adapted from San Francisco Landmark Designation Application.
The biggest error in the common view of nutrition is the focus on small details. This error is evidenced by questions like, “How much protein, carbs, fats should you eat?” Food is greater than the sum of its parts. Food is meant to be enjoyed and we lose much of that enjoyment when we treat it like chemistry. It is important to eat after exercise—and it should be soon after. However, it is unimportant to focus on small details like an exact number of minutes after a workout or a precise amount of protein or carbohydrates. Encourage your clients to choose a post-workout meal that they look forward to enjoying—consider the tastes, textures and aromas of the food they want to enjoy after a workout. When the body is consistently fed real foods, it gives you accurate signals of what it needs and when. All that is required is to listen to the intuitive signals the body sends and avoid the common mistake of over-thinking what “should” be eaten after a workout. Our bodies are smarter than any expert will ever be. If an individual is avoiding overly processed unnaturally sweet and salty foods, he or she can learn to trust the signals the body sends. Eating on Rest Days In general, a recovery day requires a slightly lower amount of food than a workout day. However, it is important to avoid another major error in nutrition and steer clear of the energy-balance equation. Many fitness professionals and even some people with advanced degrees who really should know better still erroneously promote this flawed concept—often with intelligent-sounding references to the First Law of Thermodynamics even though they have never studied physics. This law has everything to do with matter and energy in chemistry and physics labs, and little to do with a sentient human with thoughts and feelings about food that powerfully affect body chemistry. The matter and energy that make up each human being is animated with consciousness not found in rocks, gasses and liquids. It is beyond the scope of this article to go into detail, but our thoughts, feelings and beliefs about the relative healthfulness of what we are eating directly affects the body’s response to that food. This is another area where the wisdom of the body must be respected for true knowledge, understanding and appreciation for food to develop. Let your body tell you what it needs on recovery days and listen. A recovery day is not a day to “reward” oneself for exercise (as if exercise is a chore or tedious task for which there needs to be a reward). Exercise is its own reward—and so should be the act of eating. If you are not exercising, your body will “ask” you for less food anyway. Attempting to quantify an exact amount of how much less is an exercise in tedium, drudgery and inaccuracy that is sure to remove any sense of enjoyment around eating and limit progress. Foods That Speed Up Recovery Continuing with the overall message of this writing, I will eschew the common approach of recommending specific foods for recovery. All food should be part of the larger nutrition mentality of providing the body what it needs to maintain optimal function. However, I will provide some general recommendations to help with specific choices. The after-workout meal should consist mostly of a good mix of carbohydrates and protein and be lower in fat to allow for the most critical nutrients for muscular recovery to dominate this meal. This gives the muscles a dose of what they need, when their need for it is highest. Carbohydrates provide essential fuel for your muscles—and your mind—so removing or excessively limiting them leaves both body and mind ill-equipped to face the challenges of a workout and of life in general. Avoiding carbs should really be more about avoiding sources of poor quality, heavily processed carbs. In general, strength and power athletes may require slightly higher amounts of protein after a workout, which should come from sources of food that are enjoyable. Beyond that, eat foods that your body hungers for—the real foods that truly support, sustain and optimize function—and your body will recover nicely. There is little need for specialized foods or concern for eating a specific food or source of protein, etc. The beauty of nutrition is that if we eat a wide variety of quality foods, there is no single food that you must eat and, as a result, your preferences can drive many of the choices you make. This leads to fulfilling not only the physical needs provided by nutrition, but also the psychological satisfaction that comes from choosing foods that are truly in line with what the body wants and needs. When it comes to recovery, we must avoid treating our bodies as if we are manipulating machinery in exact, highly specific ways to achieve a known result in a specific timeframe. True fitness, recovery and physical enjoyment comes from honoring the wisdom of our bodies—providing not just the right ingredients to optimize function, but also assembling those ingredients into the regular behavior patterns that promote continuous, gradual progress toward the larger goal. Check out Part I of this series, where I answer all your questions about recovery —how much, how long, what is considered rest, etc.—so you can help your clients get the greatest possible benefits from the workouts you design for them.
What does E&D mean in British Medicine? This page is about the meanings of the acronym/abbreviation/shorthand E&D in the Medical field in general and in the British Medicine terminology in particular. Find a translation for E&D in other languages: Select another language: What does E&D mean? - Equality and diversity - Equality and diversity is a term used in the United Kingdom to define and champion equality, diversity and human rights as defining values of society. It promotes equality of opportunity for all, giving every individual the chance to achieve their potential, free from prejudice and discrimination. UK legislation requires public authorities to promote equality in everything that they do, also making sure that other organisations meet their legal duties to promote equality while also doing so themselves. In the UK there are certain legal requirements under existing legislation to promote equality in the areas of disability, gender and race. These are often collectively referred to as the general duties to promote equality. As the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain, a Commission of Equality and Human Rights exists that aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people and promote and protect human rights. EHRC has a duty to challenge prejudice and disadvantage and promote the importance of human rights, enforcing equality laws on age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation and encourage compliance with the Human Rights Act.
Yikes! Period talk. How embarrassing! STOP RIGHT THERE. Periods happen and they are something we need to talk about! Why? Because they happen, and sometimes there are periods that are not normal. If we don’t talk about periods, we can’t help each other stay balanced and healthy! So stop bothering Siri and let us talk about them with you today. First, why do we even have a period? Your period is, believe it or not, only a small part of your menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle itself is a beautiful recurring system that ensures your body is healthy and ready for a potential pregnancy. At the start of the menstrual cycle, which begins after your last period’s flow ceases, your uterine lining is rebuilt and an egg is prepared for the middle phase which is ovulation. During ovulation, one of your ovaries releases an egg, and your body changes hormonally, preparing for a potential pregnancy. If the egg is fertilized, the egg will attach itself to the lining of the uterus and begin to grow, a tiny living human. If the egg is not fertilized your hormone levels will decrease and the uterus lining sheds during what we know as our “period week.” What a beautiful, almost magical, process that our female bodies go through each month! Sometimes we are so accustomed to our cycle that we forget just how incredible and fascinating it is! The description we just gave you is really just a very simplified overview of the menstrual cycle, because we are ready to head into the next question… What does a normal period look like? ?♀️ Get ready to find out! ? Should I have a period? (Periods are totally normal! yay! ?) I know sometimes we can lose sight of this fact, but this is important. Your period is a GOOD thing. Periods are just a part of this messy, amazing thing called life! If you don’t have a period… well, that could mean your body is a little unbalanced. How much flow is too much? ? According to the NHS, the average flow amount is between 6-8 teaspoons (or 30-40ml). This is normal! Sometimes it could feel like your flow is a lot more than this, but if you measure it you will likely find that there is actually less blood than you think. Measuring your flow is super easy (and extremely accurate) in your handy dandy Pixie Cup) but you can also measure your flow with tampons. A regular tampon holds 5ml of fluid, and a super tampon will hold about 10ml. Is my period too long? (It feels like it lasts forever. ?) A normal period lasts between 2-7 days. (Whew, that’s a big range!!) Yes it is! Although the average period is about 5 days long, there’s some flexibility there before you get to an abnormal range! If your period is lasting longer than 8 days, it’s time to set up that appointment with your gynecologist. What if my cycle is more/less than 28 days? ? The average cycle is between 21-35 days… another big range! If your menstrual cycle is shorter than 21 days, you have an abnormally short cycle and might want to discuss things with your doctor to get it checked out. If your cycle is longer than 35 days, you still may be in the healthy range because some people do have longer cycles, although this is less common. If you are only having your period once every few months, you will want to visit your doctor to make sure you are at a healthy range for you. In short… ? You alone know your body best! As you can see above, there is a huge variety of period types. In fact, our periods are as unique and beautiful as we are! Each person has a different experience, and that’s a good thing! If your period is extremely heavy and leaving you feeling extremely weak or sick, or if you only get a period a few times a year, please schedule an appointment with your doctor and take care of yourself! You are important and your health is valuable. What is your biggest period question? Let us know in the comments, and let’s talk about it! Receive 10% OFF your order today by signing up for our newsletter! Be the first to know about contests, giveaways, and much more!
Imagine if someone using Apple iMessage, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger would be able to directly message someone on a different company’s service? Well, the new Digital Markets Act coming soon from the European Union (EU) may very well force big businesses to allow this to happen. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is an EU regulation proposal under consideration by the European Commission whose purpose is to force the opening up of the markets in communications, social media, etc. to ensure that there will be real competition in these markets. People the world over complain that Facebook, Apple, Amazon and all the other big powerhouses of the digital age have cornered the market on such services and, therefore, act as a consortium keeping out true competition. Will you offer us a hand? Every gift, regardless of size, fuels our future. Your critical contribution enables us to maintain our independence from shareholders or wealthy owners, allowing us to keep up reporting without bias. It means we can continue to make Jewish Business News available to everyone. You can support us for as little as $1 via PayPal at firstname.lastname@example.org. Amazon’s Android operating system might be offered free to any and all mobile device manufacturers, but the company requires that third parties turn over to it all of their user data. This, as with Google and Facebook, has harmed new businesses from breaking into the market and force everyone to work under the terms dictated by the big companies, say the critics. So, what does the Digital Markets Act actually do about this? It establishes a list of obligations for companies like Facebook and Apple that it calls “Gatekeepers” – for their de facto control of access to such services – to observe which the EU hopes will allow for greater competition. If a company does not comply with the new regulations, it can be fined in an amount up to as much as 10% of its worldwide revenues. The EU said that under the Digital Markets Act WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Apple’s iMessage and others would be required to “open up and interoperate with smaller messaging platforms.” This would mean that people will no longer need to choose between the two companies that now control almost all of the messaging market. “Users of small or big platforms would then be able to exchange messages, send files or make video calls across messaging apps,” the European Parliament and Council of the European Union said in a statement about the Digital Markets Act. Obviously, the Digital Markets Act would only be enforced within the member states of the EU as well as affiliated nations. But many more countries in Europe and close to it in Africa and Asia might also be pressured to comply with the regulations as well. And, of course, once such a change is made in such a large area of the world it will be hard for Apple, Amazon and Facebook to keep the public everywhere else from demanding this as well.
UNFORTUNATELY GREATNOW.COM IS CLOSING DOWN! More info\| Free web hosting Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory consists of five “systems”. They are the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem and chronosystem. We can apply this framework in discussing the achievement for a minority child. Beginning with the microsystem we can begin to assess the core of the minority child’s potential for achievement. The microsystem is defined as “. . . the setting in which the individual lives” (45, Santrock). This includes the individual’s family, peers, school and neighborhood. “It is in the microsystem that the most direct interactions with social agents take place. . .” (45, Santrock). Using a minority child as the center of this framework we can evaluate his own microsystem and what he can achieve. If we are to evaluate the neighborhoods and school systems of the minority child, we can see that in most situations he lacks the proper facilities for reaching his potential achievement. The school systems for minority children usually lack the proper funds and teachers to expand the knowledge and encourage higher education for those in attendance. The neighborhoods are also filled with unhealthy examples for these children. They are exposed to school drop-outs, drugs and other crimes, abuse and harassment and discouragement to try to make something out of themselves because of their ethnicity or other daunting aspects in their backgrounds. The child then will make an active decision on what his role will be in the society, but the child does not always know what his options may be because of the aforementioned problems. In the next system, the mesosystem, we can further evaluate what he can achieve. This system is described as “. . . the relationships between microsystems” (45, Santrock). One example is the relationships that are formed between family experiences to work experiences. For example, a child may be brought up to take responsibility for his self and to work hard at his responsibilities. This in turn will provide him with proper job skills for when he is older. On the other hand he may be brought up with no responsibilities and this will effect his achievement later on also. He most likely will blow off his schooling and will begin to circulate the job market, but never holding on to one job for long. The exosystem is next in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory. This is used to consider the influences toward the individual on which he has no control. For example, the minority child may have to ride forty-five minutes on a bus to go to school every day, both ways, due to the city’s new zoning partitions. This means that the child will be torn out of a school that he is used to and from peers he is comfortable with, to attend another school farther away. This affects the child because the things of which he was familiar with no longer exist, and he must make new connections. Also, the new school may have a different curriculum. It may be farther ahead or behind the school he previously attended making it hard for him to catch up, or making him bored because he has already covered the topics. This discourages achievement for the child also because he now must start over from scratch, making new relations with peers and teachers, especially if the child is shy or distant. The next system is the macrosystem. This “. . . involves the culture in which individuals live” (45, Santrock). Speaking in terms of the United States, the culture is that of the American society, but this needs to be evaluated farther. For example, those who are of Asian descent generally have higher achievements than those of Spanish ancestry. The macrosystem also produces a “trickle down effect” to the three previous systems. For example, the new zoning laws in the exosystem may be instilled because of the city’s upcoming election. The government can use a technique called “cracking” to divide a neighborhood into separate “zones”. They do this because they may be afraid of a certain candidate winning and they know that this particular minority neighborhood predominately votes for candidates that resemble the runner. This leads to the child being shipped off to a different school on the opposite side of his neighborhood. The macrosystem affects the mesosystem similarly. For example, if a child of Asian descent is raised by his family to believe that hard work and determination is proper, he will more likely succeed in his life. Asians are commonly known for the incredible scholastic achievements- this is the effect of the Asian culture (macrosystem) on the relations that the child will hold within the microsystem (mesosystem). Finally, the macrosystem has comparable affects on the microsystem. The child in this situation is an active participant. In this setting the child is expected to help construct the setting around him. So if for example he is, again, from a family that is Asian he is most likely to have a very close relationship with his family. The Asian culture is essentially family oriented, and this will effect his future achievements as well- if his family members all attended college and did well in their schooling, it is most likely that he will follow. This can be turned around though if in the years in between him and the previous attending family member the neighborhood and school system declined, he may be more prone to do negatively. The last system Bronfenbrenner developed was the chronosystem. This “. . . involves the patterning of environmental events and transitions over the life course, as well as socio-historical circumstances” (47, Santrock). The chronosystem’s affects on the minority child is also a big determiner in his future achievements. For example, the child from a Native American background may have a family history of extreme social oppression and social misunderstandings. Today, the child is more likely to be encouraged to pursue life off their reservation, although prejudices still exist and he may still carry the negative feelings from past family experiences. Bronfenbrenner created the ecological theory in child development. This is his environmental approach to development. The five systems within this theory are the microsystem, the mesosystem, the exosystem, the macrosystem, and the chronosystem. Applying this system to the achievement of the minority child we see that the odds are stacked against the child most of the time. Erik Erikson developed a psychosocial theory because he felt that Freud had ignored important aspects of development with his own psychosexual theory. Erikson’s theory contained eight stages and covered the entire lifespan. “Each stage consists of a unique developmental task that confronts individuals with a crisis that must be faced” (33, Santrock). The crisis is “. . . a turning point of increased vulnerability and enhanced potential” (33, Santrock). The eight stages of Erikson’s theory are trust versus mistrust, autonomy versus shame and doubt, initiative versus guilt, industry versus inferiority, identity versus confusion, intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and finally integrity versus despair. Trust versus mistrust takes place in the first year of life. This is where the infant establishes what his outlook of the future will be. If in infancy the child is neglected and abused than the child will in the future have a very negative outlook on his future. He will be very hesitant about others and situations. On the other hand a child who is constantly coddled and is “babied” will have a very different perspective. This child will be very trusting and most likely very gullible. Both extremes are very detrimental to the child’s future outlook. Autonomy versus shame and doubt is the second stage and takes place between one and three years. This is when the child begins to discover that their behavior is their own. “They realize their will” (33, Santrock). The child will either develop their own sense of independence or a sense of shame and doubt. For example, a child will develop a proper sense of autonomy if during this period he is let to discover things on his own, within the proper limits. If a child is too sheltered he will most likely become very clingy and unsure of his own self. Initiative versus guilt takes place during the preschool years and is the third stage in Erikson’s psychosocial theory. This is the stage in which Erikson believes that child begins to become responsible for their selves and for things related to them. The outcome of this is whether the child is pushed appropriately and not made too anxious in his pursuits. Otherwise he will begin to develop feelings of guilt because he doesn’t feel that he is doing the job that is expected of him. The next stage is industry versus inferiority. This takes place in the elementary school years. This is where the child begins to develop an enthusiasm for learning. “At no other time is the child more enthusiastic about learning than at the end of early childhood’s period of expansive imagination” (34, Santrock). The child will either develop a sense of industry- to keep up their productive feelings, or an opposite sense of inferiority. The child may develop this feeling of inferiority because of bad experiences with teachers in their early school years. For example, a child may have trouble comprehending some early math skills. If the teacher mocks the child or refuses to work with him he may become discourage with the learning experience and feel “incompetent and unproductive” (34, Santrock). The next stage takes place during the adolescent years. This is the fifth stage and is called the identity versus identity confusion stage. At this point “. . . individuals are faced with finding out who they are what they are all about, and where they are going in life” (34, Santrock). During this time adolescents are beginning to be placed in adult situations. Relationships with peers become more intense, and some children may start working. To develop healthily these individuals should be allowed to explore these areas as much as possible. In contrast, if the adolescents are not allowed to develop socially because of extremely strict parenting the child will be unable to fittingly develop their own personalities. Erikson describes this situation as identity confusion. The sixth stage is intimacy versus isolation and takes place in the early adult years. “At this time, individuals face the developmental task of forming intimate relationships with others” (34, Santrock). This is described by Erikson as “finding oneself yet losing oneself in another” (34, Santrock). This is where individuals find out whether they will form healthy friendships and relationships with others, or if the will become “loners”. If, for instance, a person becomes friends with someone who constantly betrays them by stealing or spilling secrets, the person may stop associating with others in fear that this may happen again. On the other hand, if the individual finds someone who shares many of their own favorite pastimes, and is trustworthy, than that person has a better chance of having many other successful intimate relationships. Generativity versus stagnation is the seventh stage. This occurs in middle adulthood. This stage is when the individual determines if they have done something to help future generations (generativity) or if they have contributed nothing (stagnation). If the person participated in civil rights movements in the sixties, than they have generativity. They helped open up paths for future generations. The final stage is integrity versus despair and happens during the last stage of adulthood- from the age of sixty and up. This concluding stage is when the individual reflects on his life’s experiences and he either feels a sense of integrity- feeling he accomplished positive things, or one of despair- that his life was wasted and he did not accomplish anything. Erikson’s theory is a good explanation of the psychosocial development of children. Unlike Freud’s psychosexual theory which only focuses on only the first five years and pleasure sources, Erikson’s theory has a more realistic and practical focus. Erikson believes that a person is shaped through progressing through eight stages, which cover the entire life span. He believes that an individual’s personality is determined by how they resolve crises in each of the eight stages. Erikson’s theory also makes more sense because his stages match up with the development of a child, and are not as off the wall sounding as Freud’s. Freud’s theory is off-putting because many people cannot accept that small child, newborns even, would have this type of progression. Erikson on the other hand focuses on the key points of a child’s development, such as trust issues in early infancy, which will affect how the child will view the world in his future. It is important to study the entire lifespan when discussing child development because the issues that the child must overcome in his childhood will effect who he becomes as an adult. Erikson’s last stage is integrity versus despair. This is when the adult looks back on his life and decides whether he feels positive about his accomplishments or if he feels despair because he is unhappy with his life. When you only study a fraction of the child’s development than you can not make a proper assessment about how the early experiences later on affect decisions that the individual will make. Many theorists tend to neglect the fact that people continue to grow past childhood. Erikson developed a psychosocial theory that contains eight stages and continues throughout the individual’s lifetime. His stages focus on crises that the individual goes through his during his lifetime. The nature-nurture controversy refers the arguments of whether nature or nurture has the most influence in an individual’s life. Nature is the biological inheritance and supporters say that it is the most important, while nurture refers to environmental experiences and its’ supporters think that it is the most important. Today, most psychologists agree that one affects the other. Nature is what the individual is genetically predisposed to, and nurture is the part that can either expand or decrease the individual’s potential. Genotypes, phenotypes, reaction range and canalization are all a part of the nature-nurture controversy. Genotypes are the genetic heritage of the individual, while phenotypes are the observable way that the genotype is expressed. Reaction range refers to the range of possible outcomes for each genotype. The environment in this situation can effect whether the individual will express a certain phenotype of a genotype. For example if a child has a genotype to be extremely outgoing and attends a school where his extroverted personality is discouraged severely, he may tone his social personality down, to a lower reaction range. Canalization is the predetermined path that the genotypes can take, but that will not come into effect unless the individual is interacting with the environment to develop these skills. An example integrating these four concepts is whether or not a person will develop appropriate language skills. The child may have genotypes that contain “normal” language skills. The child phenotypes may express these skills as a little below the average. This is because the environment hasn’t afforded the genotypes the proper opportunity to expand their reaction range. Because of canalization the child does exhibit quasi-normal skills- canalization is the pre-determined path that the genotypes will take, and they contain a certain adaptive values. In psychology many different types of research experiments are done. Two of these are the cross-sectional design and the longitudinal design. Cross-sectional refers to the studying of a group of individuals on one subject all at one time. Longitudinal refers to studying the same individuals on one subject over an extended period of time. When performing a general study of depression in children I would recommend the cross-sectional technique. I would get groups of children, from many different age ranges, together in different places throughout the world. I would then interview the children individually and combine that with a questionnaire to get an in-depth perspective on the child. Than, after completing my assessments I would get averages of the depression ranges of children in each age group. The strengths of this type of study is that if the researcher is under time constraints, this is a quicker and easier way than continuously monitoring a several individuals depression ranges over a period of years. Also, you will get a more diverse outcome of the ranges since you are using many different people and in a way generalizing their range of depression. The weakness of this study is that it is only a momentary study, and the people chosen may be involved in a crisis in their life at the moment, or they may just be feeling a little down that particular day. Applying some characteristics from the longitudinal study can help improve the cross-section study. For example, instead of just doing a one day, one shot study, the children could be monitored and interviewed for a week. This would give the researcher more variables to apply to the cause of the depression and also a more information to average out the variance of depression throughout the ages.
Many of our Foodfacts.com members have watched and enjoyed “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” by now. The series has wrapped (but you can catch it online). Meanwhile, the dynamic and charismatic Jamie is busy on the Net sharing his fun and healthy eating tips and recipes. Continue reading Many of our Foodfacts.com members already know that fiber is an important component of a healthy diet. The official recommendation from the American Heart Association is that both children and adults take in 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories consumed. However, studies show that most kids don’t get enough fiber. Continue reading Foodfacts.com observes that most food we eat may contain ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Everything from baby formula and food to our dairy and even our meat. The most common applications of genetic modification and their derivatives are: o Corn – Present in high fructose corn syrup and glucose/fructose o Sugar Beets o Rice – not currently available for human consumption, but trace amounts of one GM long grain variety (LLRICE601) may have entered the food supply in both the USA and Europe. o Cotton – These seeds are pressed to make cottonseed oil, which is a common ingredient in vegetable oil and margarine. o Dairy – Cows injected with GE hormone (rBGH/rBST). Probably feed on GM grains and hay. For over 10 years, rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), also known as rBST (recombinant bovine somatotropin), has been a staple in the dairy products consumed by Americans. Since these products are not labeled as containing rBGH / rBST, most consumers have no idea that a growth hormone intended to induce dairy cows to be more productive is in much of their milk, cheese, and yoghurt.In cows treated with rBGH, significant health problems often develop, including a 50 percent increase in the risk of lameness (leg and hoof problems), over a 25 percent increase in the frequency of udder infections (mastitis), and serious animal reproductive problems, i.e., infertility, cystic ovaries, fetal loss and birth defects. Because rBGH use results in more cases of mastitis, dairy farmers tend to use more antibiotics to combat the infections, the residues of which also may end up in milk and dairy products. These residues can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals and contribute to the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria, further undermining the efficacy of some antibiotics in fighting human infections. Fish, fowl, or livestock has not been GM approved. Yet, there are plenty of non-organic foods that are produced from animals raised on GM feed such as grains. Look for wild, rather than farmed fish, to avoid fish raised on GM feed, and 100% grass-fed animals. Milk or soy protein is the basis of most infant formulas. The secret ingredients in these products are often soy or milk from cows injected with rbGH. Many brands also add GMO-derived corn syrup, corn syrup solids, or soy lecithin. Few fresh fruits and vegetables for sale in the US are genetically modified. Small amounts of zucchini, yellow crookneck squash and sweet corn may be GM. Recognize fruit and vegetable label numbers: o 4-digit number, the food is conventionally produced. o 5-digit number beginning with an 8, it is GM. However, do not trust that genetically engineered food will have a PLU code identifying it as such, PLU labelling is optional. o 5-digit number beginning with a 9, is organic. Many frozen foods are highly processed. Read their labels and stay away from the above mentioned at-risk ingredients, unless they are marked organic or non-GM. Whenever possible, choose preserves, jams, and jellies with cane sugar, not corn syrup. Most juices are made from GMO-free fruit. The only commercialized GM fruit is papaya from Hawaii. Unfortunately, corn-based sweeteners, e.g. high fructose corn syrup in juices and many sodas is cause for concern. The sweetener aspartame is derived from GM microorganisms and is found in over 6,000 products, including soft drinks, gum, candy, desserts, yogurt, tabletop sweeteners, and some pharmaceuticals such as vitamins and sugar-free cough drops. Shop locally. Although more than half of all GM foods are produced in the US, most of it comes from large, industrial farms. By shopping at farmers’ markets, signing up for a subscription from a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, or patronizing a local co-op, you may be able to avoid GM products and possibly save money at the same time. More and more small farms are offering grains and meat directly to customers, in addition to vegetables, fruit and herbs. Shopping locally may also give you the opportunity to speak to the farmer and find out how he or she feels about GMOs and whether or not they use them in their own operation. Buy whole foods. Favor foods that you can cook and prepare yourself, rather than foods that are processed or prepared (e.g. anything that comes in a box or a bag, including fast food). If you have the land, time, and resources, grow your own food. As long as you make sure you’re not buying GM seeds, and aren’t near any GM plants which could cross-pollinate, you’ll know for sure that the food which comes from your garden is not genetically modified. From Theodora Filis. Theodora is an Environmental Consultant who has worked with multinational corporations throughout Europe, The American Farm School, IFOAM, The Soil Association, United Nations, The Bishopic of Cyprus and St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Assisi, Italy. Implementation of new policies and procedures dealing organic farming methods and certification. College Instructor, and co-author of “Living and Working in Greece”. Almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contained mercury, which was also found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where HFCS is the first- or second-highest labeled ingredient, according to two new U.S. studies. Continue reading It’s no surprise to the Food Facts Blog that the world’s most popular beverage – coffee – has an interesting and intriguing history. There is a treasure trove of information about this amazing drink that helps to explain why it is so popular. Some of these facts may ring a bell; some of them may be things you have never heard of before. All of them, though, are sure to provide some interesting tidbits and nuggets of information about coffee and how it came to be the world’s favorite drink. Continue reading CNN has an interesting report this morning about concerns the US military has about the obesity epidemic. It is affecting military recruitment. Foodfacts.com is aware that most of us have heard a lot about obesity being the number one health concern in the US today. But a national security issue? Apparently so. Watch this interesting two minute video. Definitely food for thought (if you will excuse the pun): Nutrition and health-conscious consumers are in for some good news. The widely acclaimed Food Facts Health Score is now available on products. How It Works More comprehensive than Weight Watchers, the groundbreaking Food Facts Health Score system rates over 75,000 food products based on complete nutrition and ingredient value. FFHS is an innovative scoring system that evaluates foods based on multiple dimensions of nutrition and assigns those foods a numeric rating between 0 and 100 (zero being least nutritious and 100 being best). This system goes above and beyond current food rating programs, including the Weight Watchers Point System, by offering a more complete assessment of food nutrition and ingredients value across brands. The Food Facts Health Score helps users gauge not just calories and fiber, but product ingredients and vitamins that are essential building blocks for healthier food. FoodFacts.com is the only one in the world to do this. FoodFacts.com offers no medical advice or opinions on any food products or ingredients. Their goal is to be the most credible and comprehensive source of food ingredients, nutritional values, chemical substances and additives in the world. Foodfacts.com empowers people who are concerned about the food they eat with choices and more awareness. Visit http://blog.foodfacts.com for further information and free membership. Want to see a manufacturer with our Food Facts Health Score? Email us at email@example.com Foodfacts.com noticed a very interesting article referencing research by Brett Blumenthal, who is an advocate for whole, unprocessed foods. However, many of us inevitably turn to packaged or processed foods when we are short on time. Maybe we grab a frozen dinner or pizza for a quick dinner for our family. Maybe we grab a quick nutrition bar to satiate our hunger until we can sit down for a real meal. Or maybe, we just don’t like to cook. Whether we like it or not, packaged and processed food has become a huge part of our food industry and, as a result, a part of many of our diets. Continue reading
The importance of manufacturing to modern society is hard to overstate. To put it in commercial terms, global manufacturing output was more than $35 trillion in 2017. To make this value more tangible, let’s consider a small sub sector, namely disposable glove manufacturing. Sounds a bit eclectic, perhaps? In fact, the manufacture of disposable gloves is a large global industry that produces in the region of 150 billion pairs of gloves per year, with a market value of over USD $5 billion. Thus, even a tiny improvement in the glove production process has the potential to create enormous added value. By leveraging machine learning, we can do just that. We’ll stick with glove manufacturing as an example to illustrate how you can optimize manufacturing with AI. Specifically latex gloves, which are one of the three main types of disposable gloves (see .) First, here’s a simplified view of a production process for latex gloves: And here is a nice “how it’s made” (don’t you just love those?) video for glove manufacturing. Even this simplified process has nine steps (see for a more detailed description). Each step has one or more controllable parameters: temperature, ingredient mix, speed/time, and so on. Just the source of the latex itself is complex, as it is produced by 20,000 species from over 40 families of trees. The exact formulation of the latex drip has a particularly strong impact on glove properties – a point we will return to. What makes a glove “good”? Before we can optimize the glove manufacturing process, we must first decide what the goal is. Glove quality is not a single number. A latex glove has several important properties such as elasticity, strength, and cost. In addition some parameters can change throughput. For example, if we increase drying time fewer gloves will be produced per unit of time. So the first step is to design a scoring function. We might give 0-10 points for elasticity, going from very bad to very good on whichever elasticity scale we are using. We could do the same for the other parameters, such as strength. Then we could add these together to get a single quality metric. Perhaps we would weigh strength more than elasticity. This is easily achieved by simply doing a weighted summation of the scores. Make sure quality measurement is consistent A key assumption is that the tools and methods used to measure quality don’t change. This can be a dangerous assumption. What if a new employee uses the strength testing tool in a slightly incorrect way which overestimates strength, relative to the more experienced test staff? I won’t go into detail about this issue here. Suffice it to say that regular reviews of quality test procedures and tools are extremely important for optimal manufacturing. Optimize the process Now let’s focus on the important ingredient mix for the latex itself. Which ingredients should be added to the latex in which ratios so we obtain the best end product? For example, zinc oxide and activated zinc oxide may be used in the vulcanization process, the general range of usage being 0.5-2.5 phr (ratio to parts by weight of rubber). What is the optimal value? The challenge here is an example of optimizing an unknown function – see the figure. At the outset, we know that there is some relation between the concentration of ZnO, but we don’t know what that relation looks like. Imagine we do an experiment with a middle value of zinc oxide. This produces gloves with medium quality (top figure). We have only a vague idea (gray shaded area) what higher and lower values would do to quality, but we know that we now need to explore either higher or lower values. In this case, our algorithm – taking uncertainty into account – suggests we try a high value. As the bottom figure shows this higher value resulted in low quality. After these two experiments, our algorithm intelligently suggests trying a low value. After a few iterations of this, we will find the best relative concentration of Zinc oxide. By going about the optimization in this principled way, using something like Bayesian optimization, we obtain the best possible quality with as few experiments as possible. This is crucial as each experiment is very expensive – it requires running a whole production batch and testing its quality. This same approach can be used to optimize across many dimensions at the same time, so you can optimize all the manufacturing process parameters together for the best and efficient result. Optimization in practice To optimize the process like this you must first monitor it, collecting reliable data for each parameter. Ideally, measure what really happened rather than what was prescribed. This may require adding sensors to production line machines and investing in data collection hardware and software. Even very old machines can often be retrofitted with sensors with a very good ROI, because the increase in quality creates profits that dwarf the data collection costs. If you would like to get started with leveraging machine learning to optimize your production processes, I’m here to help – schedule a free consult today. Production method & market trend of rubber gloves, T. Akabane, International Polymer Science and Technology, 43, No. 1, 2016.
Scottish scientists say that drinking tea might help combat diabetes. Pre-clinical research conducted at the University of Dundee indicates that ingredients in black tea “mimic insulin action.” A team lead by Dr. Graham Rena of the university’s Neurosciences Institute has been working diligently to identify agents that might substitute for insulin in Type 2 diabetes. Thus far the group’s research has revealed that black tea ingredients known as theaflavins and thearubigins mimic insulin action. Dr. Rena has been quoted in a Scottish news site as saying, “What we have found is that these constituents can mimic insulin action on proteins known as FOXOs … The task now is to see whether we can translate these findings into something useful for human health.” Rena added, “There is definitely something interesting in the way these naturally occurring components of black tea may have a beneficial effect, both in terms of diabetes and our wider health.” Dr. Graham Rena notes that his team’s research into tea compounds is at an experimental phase and that further testing is needed. In the meantime, diabetics are advised to continue to take medications as directed by their doctors.
Even if the samurai course was abolished shortly following Japan's feudal era arrived to an end in 1868, the ancient regular artwork of swordmaking remains practiced today. Even though Katana them selves have been endangered once, Japan created an incredible exertion and possession that has a registration method grew to become achievable. A Katana by itself is needed to generally be registered, along with a sword with no registration has to be notified to the Law enforcement and investigated. Even though carrying a sword is subject matter to restriction with the Sword and Firearms Command Legislation, authorization will not be required to possess a sword and any person can have them (some municipalities prohibit product sales to individuals eighteen or youthful in an ordinance). From the original viewpoint of 'Katana as weapons to struggle with,' Just about every from the Distinctive blades became a great Katana using modern day technological know-how and had An important useful utility, but The majority of them haven't any taste of splendor in overall look (some swords including semi-solid Showa Swords of Seki have the two), so, now, they're not imagined to be involved together with Katana, also with the standpoint of the generation process. Mặc dù không có nhiều tư liệu lịch sử về cuộc đời của Masamune nhưng người ta tin rằng ông sống trong những năm cuối thế kỉ 13 đầu thế kỉ 14 tại tỉnh Sagami. Tại Nhật Bản, giải thưởng mang tên Masamune luôn được dành cho những thợ rèn kiếm xuất sắc nhất. Blade content: The blade of a katana is usually made from tamahagane, a sort of superior-carbon metal which is established by a specific procedure involving using clay and hearth. Người Trung Hoa cũng như người Việt Nam cũng chú trọng đến đao kiếm nhưng quá lắm chỉ coi như một kỹ năng cần điêu luyện, trái lại người Nhật lại nâng thanh đao và cách sử dụng lên hàng kendo – và thanh đao gắn liền với sinh mạng và nhân cách của samurai. Just about the most well-known samurai swords to possess at any time been crafted may be the Honjo Masamune. It absolutely was created by grasp swordsmith Honjo Masamune (c.1264-1343) and was handed down for era all through Japan's prosperous Edo interval. You have to — you will discover over 200,000 words in our free on the net dictionary, however, you are searching for one that’s only from the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary. Start off your free of charge trial currently and get endless entry to America's major dictionary, with: With the typical duration of blade falling in between 40 and sixty cm, it is particularly effectively-suited to preventing in confined Areas, or can be used at the same time with Kanata. These are both products of religious significance in addition to symbols of samurai integrity and worth. Realizing that regular sword creating would vanish if no motion was taken, the Japanese federal government founded the Token Kai in 1900, which was tasked with exploring Japanese swords and preserving their craftsmanship. The implication of this goal is the fact third party frameworks can seamlessly run on Microsoft servers whilst Microsoft frameworks can possibly operate on 3rd party servers and hosts. Inside a tranquil Japan, quite a few samurai had been forced to become bureaucrats or consider up some kind of trade, at the same time as they preserved their conception of by themselves as preventing Adult men. In 1588, the best to hold swords was restricted only to samurai, which produced an even bigger separation concerning them as well as farmer-peasant class. The samurai during this era became the “two-sword man,” carrying both equally a brief and a long sword being a mark of his privilege. It is vital to research diverse styles and traditions and also to select one that aligns samurai sword with your targets and pursuits. Japanese swordsmiths all over history have differentiated their function from Some others with intricate designs.
Last week I wrote about what motivates us and how we can help our children to develop intrinsic motivation. The first thing we can do is to provide choice to students in what they learn and how they learn it. Today I would like to share two more things that work in motivating us to do well: Daily habits and allowing for the pursuit of interests and passions. - DAILY HABITS MATTER. Creating routines is one of the best ways to help children learn to manage their time (but remember to allow choice in developing these routines). We all have different system that work for us, for me I work best with a ‘to do’ list. Work with your children to come up with a system that works best for them. Our kids these days are highly scheduled; learning how to manage our daily tasks is essential to success. Sometimes school provides the wrong message when it come to developing intrinsic motivation. We often place a disproportionate emphasis on grades and test scores instead of on teaching and learning (remember grades and test scores are extrinsic motivators). Our role is to make sure our kids are not over scheduled and to help them prioritize the activities they are going to take part in. If our kids are appropriately challenged, they can make wise decisions on how to spend their time and build competency. Conversely, if they are overscheduled, students cannot make good decisions on time management, but become overwhelmed and have a much more difficult time developing autonomy. - ALLOW THE PURSUIT Of INTERESTS OR PASSIONS. Needless to say, we are all motivated to do things we enjoy. The challenge for teenagers is finding the time to pursue interests that are productive and engaging. So many of the activities our children take part in are decided for them - think math or history for example. But when we allow time for children to engage in activities that interest them, they often dive deep into the experience. This then helps them connect what they are learning in school to the outside world. Students who create their own pathways in life do better in school because they better understand the importance of education. They see school as a means to a goal, not just something they have to do everyday. The problem of over-scheduled children comes up again here. If children to not have any free-time, they do not have the space to figure out who they are and what they enjoy. Our kids have to overcome so many external messages as to how they should look or act that destroys their confidence. But we know that students who are actively involved in things that interest them or passion projects have much higher self esteem. If we allow our students to figure out what their talents, abilities and interests are, they will have much higher intrinsic motivation. In short, let your children be themselves - you may be pleasantly surprised! Arroyo CMS PTA PTA Partner Donations Fund 8th Grade Graduation Did you know that the 8th grade graduation ceremony, breakfast and dance are all funded by PTA? Become a PTA Partner and help us send our graduates off in style! Your one-time ask of $200 also supports teacher grants, library books, art programs, staff appreciation and other PTA sponsored programs and events. DONATE TODAY and help us reach our $75,000 goal by the November 1st deadline. Any contribution is appreciated! Stampede and Soar Color Run - Volunteers Needed! The Stampede & Soar Color Run is coming up on Sunday, October 28! You can support this fantastic community event by spraying runners with color (and other fun volunteer opportunities)! If you are already planning to attend with your student, volunteering is an easy way to give back to the community. Sign up solo... or recruit a friend, grandparent, or older student to volunteer with you! Volunteer here and connect with the Central / Arroyo community! AND IF YOU HAVEN’T YET REGISTERED TO PARTICIPATE, REGISTER ONLINE NOW. We only have a few t-shirts left. First come, first served! Walk and Roll to School Day, Wednesday 10/10 Wednesday, October 10th is National Walk and Roll to School Day. On this day students and staff will be showing their support for active transportation by choosing to walk, pedal, or scoot their way to class. Prizes will be available for those who commute to school in any means other than a single occupancy vehicle. For more information on safety and preferred routes see link: https://tinyurl.com/ycrvjlwl Evening at TOWN Event Our TOWN event was a big success. Thanks to everyone who attended and participated--over $100,000 was raised! A special thank you to Greg St. Claire and his team at TOWN for their generous support. Congratulations to Stephanie Brill for winning the Raffle Grand prize. Silicon Valley Jazz Festival On October 13th and 14th the Silicon Valley Jazz Festival will be at our own Burton Park. Over 14 bands in 2 days! This is a fantastic free family event that promotes our local jazz scene, and invites us all to enjoy local talent--middle schools (including Tierra Linda), high schools, colleges and bands, including headliners U.S. Air Force Jazz Ensemble and Trumpeter Jon Faddis. For more information: http://www.svjazzfest.com/ Sponsor Thank You Thank you to our Diamond Sponsor: Bob Bredel, Avenir Restaurant Group/TOWN Platinum Sponsor: Trattoria da Vittorio Our Upcoming Events As always, our upcoming events are listed at: www.scefkids.org/events Healthy Cities Orientation and Training is Coming! BE A TUTOR! Please join us and learn the basics to become a volunteer tutor with Healthy Cities Tutoring. WHEN: Wednesday, October 17 TIME: 8:30-10:30 am OR 6:30-8:30 pm. (Attend whichever session is most convenient for you.) LOCATION: White Oaks School MUR, 1901 White Oak Way Volunteers are asked to tutor 45 minutes once a week at any of our SCSD schools. No prior tutoring experience is needed and the tutoring time is flexible - either before, during or after school. Tutoring sessions generally take place at the school site. There are always more students in need than there are tutors, so your help is greatly appreciated. We welcome high school students, parents, grandparents or any of our caring community members to join our team of volunteers supporting over 300 children in our schools. We hope to see you on Oct. 17! Please contact Cris Adair with any questions, call (650) 508-7327, or visit our website for more information and to complete an application. Thank you! High School Happenings Sequoia High School A shadow day is an opportunity for eighth grade students to spend the day at Sequoia and experience firsthand what it’s like to be a member of the Sequoia family. Students have an opportunity to observe Sequoia High School for the day, and there is a Parent Information Session the morning your student shadows. For more information and to sign up see link below (spaces are filling up quickly) 8th Grade Welcome Night November 14, 2018 - 6:00 PM Carrington Hall Visit Classrooms and Meet Department Chairs Q and A with extracurricular leaders International Baccalaureate (IB) Informational Meeting January 15, 2018 - 6:00 PM - Carrington Hall (Spanish Presentation @ College Career Center) Presentation from IB Program Coordinator about IB: an honors program that challenges students to reach their fullest academic potential, while developing both as students and global citizens See sample course loads for 9th-12th grades November 10, 2018 and January 26, 2019, Front of School Approximately 30 minute tours led by current Sequoia Leadership students Tours will depart between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. No advanced sign-ups necessary Highlights points of interest on campus and provides answers to frequently asked questions Fall Musical The Drowsy Chaperone: November 10, 11, 16 and 17 @ Carrington Hall Spring Play The Children's Hour: March 8, 9, & 10, 2019 @ Carrington Hall Fall Concert: October 23 @ Carrington Hall (7:00 pm) Thursday, March 28, 2019 -7:00-8:30 PM Open to Current and Prospective Students Sequoia Day/Sequoia Stampede Saturday, April 13, 2019 (9:00 AM) Freshman Welcome Night Wednesday, April 25 @ MPR 6:30-8:30 PM Also, for more information about Sequoia and all of our programs, please visit our website at http://www.sequoiahs.org/index.html Carlmont High School MIDDLE SCHOOL LIAISONS • Central, Charter, & Tierra Linda: Chris Cook firstname.lastname@example.org • Nesbit, Ralston & Non-Feeder: Carol Castro email@example.com • For non-feeder school ONLY: email CarlmontInfo@gmail.com to join mailing list Summit/Everest High School For more information go to summitps.org Design Tech High School
iDEAS WORTH SHARING Underlying theories of branding explained by Mr. Dan Cobley. He is pursues both with a passion. Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, the scientific method and the second law of thermodynamics to explain the fundamental theories of branding. This video is courtesy T E D. The brand distribution thru social media marketing gets your brand closer to the customer. Learn digital marketing to promote your products and services. The more massive a brand, the more baggage it has,the more force is needed to change its positioning. And that's one of the reasons why Arthur Andersen chose to launch Accenture rather than try to persuade the world that Andersen's could stand for something other than accountancy. It explains why Hoover found it very difficult to persuade the world that it was more than vacuum cleaners, and why companies like Unilever and P&G keep brands separate, like Ariel and Pringles and Dove rather than having one giant parent brand. So the physics is that the bigger the mass of an object the more force is needed to change its direction. The marketing is, the bigger a brand, the more difficult it is to reposition it. So think about a portfolio of brands or maybe new brands for new ventures. Let us know your feedback in the comment window below.
In Jan 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and SHAPE America released new guidance documents that provide schools with: - Nineteen evidence-based strategies for recess - A planning guide - A template to help develop a written recess plan that integrates these strategies The SHAPE/CDC Recess Guidelines recommend that in designing an effective strategy for recess, schools should remember to make leadership decisions, communicate and enforce expectations, create a supportive environment, engage in school community support, and gather necessary information.
Don't sit back thinking Omicron is milder, take vaccines, top expert advises people A top epidemiology and communicable diseases expert on Monday said people should get themselves vaccinated at the earliest and not sit back thinking the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is milder because the virus will hunt for the ''unvaccinated, the old and immunodeficient''. Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, former head of epidemiology and communicable diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), further said one must not wait for herd immunity to set in as that process will take time and a lot of people may die. ''Instead of waiting for natural immunity (by infection), if we go for induced immunity through the vaccine, it will be good and the damage will be minimal. Getting an infection is never good even if it is mild. Today, it (Omicron) may look milder but has anyone thought of long-term effects on the human body,'' the health expert asked. Asked if the current situation was the beginning of the end of the pandemic, Dr Gangakhedkar said the scare would persist till the vaccination coverage rises dramatically. ''After this, one thing will happen. The virus will start hunting for those who are unvaccinated, those who are older, and those who have immunodeficiency,'' he asserted. As per research, the Omicron variant has the ability to spread rapidly and even evades vaccine-induced immunity, he added. ''In such conditions, if the maximum number of people get infections, the virus will make further mutations. The more chance we give to the virus, it will generate more mutations,'' he said. ''(Rather than) thinking that any such mutations will favor humans as virulence level of the virus will go down and it will go away naturally, it is better everyone gets vaccinated,'' the expert added. He said the virus becomes stable when everyone gets infected and then will try to lead a symbiotic relationship, but waiting for this happen and not taking vaccines is ''stupidity''. (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Important Concepts in Thermodynamics The laws of thermodynamics and many quantitative relationships deduced therefrom are based on some fundamental concepts. It is imperative to understand these concepts before discussing the principles of thermodynamics. System, boundary and surroundings The portion of the physical universe which is under thermodynamic consideration is called a system. It usually consists of some form of matter undergoing a change. The system is confined to a definite place in space by the boundary which separates it from the rest of the universe, the surrounding. The boundary is actually the interface between the system and the surrounding. The boundary may be real or imaginary. For example, let consider a beaker containing water. In this case the beaker with the water is the system. The rest of the universe outside the beaker is the surrounding. The wall of the beaker is the boundary. However, in practice the immediate vicinity of the system is considered as the surrounding. There are three types of systems depending on the nature of the boundary open, closed and isolated. Open System: The system is called open when both energy and mass can pass between the system and the surroundings across the boundary. Closed System: If mass cannot pass between the system and the surroundings across the boundary, but energy can be exchanged with the surroundings, it is called a closed system. Energy may pass through the boundary either as heat or as some form of work. A sealed beaker containing water is an example of closed system. Isolated System: A system is said to be isolated when the boundary prevents the exchange of both energy and mass with the surroundings. A sealed flask thermally mechanically and electrically isolated from the surroundings is an example of closed system. The boundary in this case must be thermally and electrically insulated. A system can be either homogeneous or heterogeneous. If the composition of the system is uniform throughout, it is called homogeneous. Pure liquid, pure gas, pure solid, mixture of gases or a true solution – are few examples of homogeneous systems. If the composition of the system is not uniform throughout and consists of two or more phases, it is called a heterogeneous system. Mixture in insoluble liquids, mixture of solids, mixture of liquid and its vapor are few examples of heterogeneous systems. There are phase boundaries between different phases or components in heterogeneous systems.
Until mid- Oct Each of the pumps you see helps aerate a different tube of algae. Pumping feeds the algae with air/carbon dioxide helping it grow so it can be used to fertilize the meadow. The meadow is watered using a hydroponic system from the tanks below. The water is pumped by solar power which is harvested above. All the pipes are made from recycled plastic. Did you know there are estimated to be over 75,000 species of algae? Algae form the base of many algae food chains and in this project, they are used to feed the meadow which has been planted with over 35 different types of native plants which are great for bees and other insects. The Design Team: Seyi Adelekun’s practice explores the importance of how being involved in the creation of the spaces can improve our wellbeing and empower communities, and sees public art as an accessible platform to engage the wider public with key issues. For this project, Seyi has collaborated with Wayward – a London-based landscape, art and architecture practice. Since 2006, Wayward has pioneered new methodologies in the creative use of underused land, translating derelict sites into large-scale, design-driven spaces that engage local communities and inspire international audiences, connecting plants and people.
Extreme Heat – Heat Health Alert Extreme Heat - Heat Health Alert A heatwave is a period of unusual and uncomfortable hot weather that could impact on human health, community infrastructure (such as the power supply and public transport), and services. Extreme heat can affect anybody and cause heat related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke which may be fatal. The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast very high temperatures for Melbourne on Thursday 6th December 2018. A heat health alert has been issuedby the Victorian Chief Health Officer to confirm that the forecast temperatures are above the heat health thresholds for Melbourne on Thursday 6th December 2018. As community representatives, please be advised of the above heat health alert, and where possible, forward onto your community members the following information: Prevention of heat related illness Prevention is the best way to manage heat-related illness. Tips to prevent heat stress include: 1.Drink water - stay hydrated 2.Keep cool - keep in the shade and air conditioning 3.Use sun protection - 30+ sunscreen and wear a hat 4.Avoid exposure to the sun - from 11am to 4pm 5.Go to an air conditioned space like a library or shopping centre 6.Go to the local pool 7.Have a cool bath or shower 8.Check on your neighbours, friends and family - especially if sick, frail or elderly 9.Never leave anyone or an animal in the car 10.Limit physical activity 11.Plan ahead, purchase in advance essential groceries and medication - before the day(s) of extreme heat If it is too hot where you are living, consider going to an air-conditioned shopping centre, movie theatre, gallery or public pool to keep cool, or visit a friend or family that has an air-conditioned environment. City of Melbourne has developed a Cool Public Places Map. Be aware of cool public places close to your home that you can visit for some respite from the heat Access to the drinking fountain and water bottle refill map, which shows the locations of drinking fountains in the City of Melbourne. For more information see the City of Melbourne heatwave webpage. For lifethreateningemergenciestelephone 000. Heat Health Alert Subscription - you can personally subscribe to receive HHAs via your own personal email or work email. If you have any further concerns, contact City of Melbourne Health Services Branch on 9658 8815 or email firstname.lastname@example.org A 'heat health temperature threshold' is when the temperature is likely to impact on the health of the community. For all local government areas in Victoria, except the Mildura area, the heat health threshold is a daily mean temperature of 30oC. The mean temperature for any given day is the average of the forecast daily maximum temperature and the forecast following overnight minimum temperature
Bayeux Tapestry in Normandy (2:28) The story of the pivotal Battle of Hastings, when the Normans under William the Conqueror successfully invaded England in 1066, is told scene-by-scene in the 230-foot-long Bayeux Tapestry. Complete Video Script Distances in Normandy are short and, as long as you stick to the autoroute — well worth the tolls — you’ll make very good time. Our next stop is Bayeux. Its Saturday morning and this normally sleepy square has erupted into a busy farmers’ market. The long tradition of those who grow it selling directly to those who eat it thrives throughout France. And the food couldn’t be fresher. Bayeux’s claim to fame is the Bayeux Tapestry which hung in this cathedral. It’s a 900-year old embroidery which tells the story of arguably the most memorable event of the Middle Ages — the pivitol Battle of Hastings in 1066. The tapestry now hangs proudly in a museum just down the street. Headsets narrate the 230-foot long cartoon telling the story of William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings. Don’t worry…if you lose your place, you’ll find supertitles in Latin. England’s King Edward was about to die without an heir. The big question: Who would succeed him. Harold, his English brother-in-law, or William, his French cousin? King Edward chose the Frenchman,William. But when the king died, Harold grabbed the throne. William, then known as ‘William the Bastard’, thought the throne was rightfully his. So he prepared his army — gathering weapons and coats of mail and sailed from Normandy across the English channel to the south coast of England. He met Harold at the town of Hastings, where they fought a fierce 14-hour battle. While the English fought valiantly the Normans had an advantage: horses with stirrups. Historians atribute their victory to these stirrups. Extra details of the battle show up below — here dead soldiers are being stripped of their valuable armor. Harold was killed — arrow in the eye…ouch — and his Saxon forces were routed. The end of the tapestry is lost but the end of the story is well known: William — now “William the Conqueror” — marched into London and claimed his throne. Now he was both Duke of Normandy and King of England.
A car tire encrusted in barnacles, three gloves, a derelict lobster trap and plastic. Lots and lots of plastic. A video survey of the Bay of Fundy bottom turned up some odd objects but by far the most common sight was plastic, particularly bags, said researcher Tony Walker, a professor at Dalhousie University's school for resource and environmental studies. "When we extrapolate it, we found that an estimated 1.8 million plastic debris items litter the Bay of Fundy ocean floor. That’s thousands of kilos.” Walker and his research assistant Alexa Goodman teamed up with the Applied Oceans Research Group at the Nova Scotia Community College’s Ivany campus, as well as Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Full Bay Scallop Association, for the video survey that was conducted over the past three years. The researchers used a high-resolution video camera, which was attached to a survey boat, to scan 248 sites in the Bay of Fundy, beginning three years ago and concluding last June. About 51 per cent of the material seen in the video was obviously plastic, mostly small grocery bags and garbage/recycling bags. Another 28 per cent was fishing industry debris, much of which also contains plastic. While the ubiquity of plastic on the Fundy bottom didn’t come as a surprise, “what I was excited about . . . is that we could actually get visual evidence and empirical evidence to actually count, enumerate and categorize the different types of debris.” “So combined that gives us a range of between 70 and 80 per cent of this material is plastic,” Walker said, “which is absolutely consistent with all of the literature around the world in terms of what we are seeing, in terms of marine debris.” The garbage picked up on video was widespread across the Fundy bottom but it was largely concentrated within nine kilometres of the shore. The survey did pinpoint what Walker called hotspots of pollution. “One was near Digby Neck and we think this is a function of the fact tidal currents go through that little channel very fast,” he explained. “It’s got strong currents and we think a lot of the material is almost like kids’ toys left in the bath. They get dragged down near where the plug is, they’re drawn to this pinch point and they probably got snarled up around rocks and cobbles on the bottom.” Another hotspot was off Gardner Creek, N.B., about 40 kilometres east of Saint John, although Walker had no idea why. It could be as simple as the camera picking up the remnants of a bag that had just broken open, spreading material around. The video survey results were published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin on Thursday in a paper called “Benthic marine debris in the Bay of Fundy, eastern Canada: Spatial distribution and categorization using seafloor video footage.” Benthic is the scientific term for the bottom of a body of water. The findings reaffirm the need to beef up waste management policies, such as Nova Scotia’s recent move to ban single-use plastics by next year, Walker said, since most of the stuff that ends up on the Fundy bottom is land-based. Individuals, corporations, fishing associations, coastal communities and government all have a role to play, he said, “This is an absolute last resort for this material and so yeah, we need to get everybody involved.”
Association of Physical Activity and the Risk of Obesity in Adolescents with Physical Disabilities. Obesity Research: Open Journal First page number: Last page number: Adults with physical disabilities have an increased risk of obesity. Physical activity is essential to maintaining healthy weight; meanwhile, it is not fully understood how much physical activity is needed in order to decrease the risk of obesity for this population. This paper discusses the association of physical activity to the risk of obesity in adults with physical disabilities. Body Mass Index (BMI) and percent Body Fat (%BF; measure of body composition) are commonly used for determining the prevalence of obesity. Physical activity can help to achieve and maintain optimal BMI and %BF regardless of the presence of physical disabilities. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of physical activity on reducing the risk of obesity may be different between people with and those without physical disabilities. There are limitations associated with using BMI and %BF for determining the degree of obesity particularly for adults with physical disabilities. More research is needed to examine the association between different physical activity levels and the prevalence of obesity among this population. Future research should also focus on developing general physical activity recommendations for the special populations to help them reduce the risk of obesity and improve the quality of life. Physical activity; Obesity; Physical disabilities; Body Mass Index (BMI); Percent Body Fat (%BF); Body composition Bungum, T. J., Wagner, D. R. Association of Physical Activity and the Risk of Obesity in Adolescents with Physical Disabilities.. Obesity Research: Open Journal, 1
Oral Cancer Screening Dental exams are the best way to maintain strong teeth and avoid any serious, lasting dental complications that can arise. Most people with tooth decay and cavities can be treated by improving their oral hygiene practices. However, when it comes to more serious conditions like oral cancer, a comprehensive dental exam is preferred. An oral cancer screening is an exam performed by our dentists of the face, inside the mouth, and jaw. This is in order to help us find and identify any signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer the affects a large number of the population. At Keizer Family Dental, we are aware of the statistics and provide oral cancer screenings to our patients to detect any warning signs of oral cancer. Who is Eligible for an Oral Cancer Screening? People who engage in recreational activities like using tobacco should have an oral cancer screening exam. When chewed, the tobacco has a high risk of causing oral cancer, so dental exams help identify any symptoms. Heavy drinkers are also at risk because of the ethanol found in alcohol, which poisons cells and damages your DNA. Patients with a history of cancer in their family are also at risk and can benefit from an oral cancer screening. Anyone concerned with their oral hygiene can get the screening to assess their overall health. Even with good oral habits, it can be difficult to tell signs of cancer, so it is advised to visit our clinic for checkups. What Happens During an Oral Cancer Screening? Our team will first examine your face, neck, and outer jaw during your first oral cancer screening for any noticeable lumps. Then we proceed to the tongue, teeth, lips, and inner mouth tissue. We feel the mouth's inner tissue to check for anything that should not be there. A screening light pointed in the mouth makes healthy tissue appear dark and sick tissue appear white to identify any problem areas. This procedure takes a short time to complete and can even be done after a dental cleaning. Our team is trained to identify the tiniest signs of cancer in your mouth and advise on what to do next. Benefits of Oral Cancer Screening Oral cancer screening is important since it helps us discover mouth cancer at its early stages. If there are any signs of cancer in the mouth, our team can provide the best way forward on treatment. Early detection enables helps save lives. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that adults get oral cancer screening exams done frequently since they significantly improve patients' survival rates. Oral cancer screenings go a long way in preventing dental complications and cancer. Our main aim during this procedure is to make sure there are no cancer symptoms present, and your teeth are healthy. To get your oral cancer screening visit us at Keizer Family Dental or contact us at (971) 345-8563 for any inquiries or to book an appointment with us.
In the Dark Night of the Soul Ankara Must Learn From Its Past to Secure Its Future In the aftermath of the Arab Spring in 2011, Ahmet Davutoglu, then Turkish minister of foreign affairs and now prime minister, vowed that Turkey would be the “game setter” of the Middle East. Today, such notions of grandeur seem outrageous. After the bombing of a military convoy in Ankara on February 17, which the Turkish government blamed on the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, Davutoglu stated that the latest Kurdish territorial gains in Syria against Islamic rebels such as al Nusra Front—what Turkey calls “moderate” rebels—represent a threat to the “survival of the state” of Turkey. Ankara has apparently felt this way for a while. Since last year, the Turkish army has turned the Kurdish cities in Turkey’s southeast into war zones in its effort to dislodge Kurdish militants who have barricaded themselves in these areas. More recently, Turkey has even started firing on Kurdish forces in northern Syria. Understanding Turkey’s fears—and its reaction to them—requires a look at the long history of the territory that it covers. The Turkish republic, established in 1923, was built on a weak foundation: throughout its existence, its population has been divided ethnically and along sectarian lines. When we study Anatolia, the peninsula that covers 97 percent of Turkey, we see that it has been difficult to unite. It took two millennia—from antiquity to the Byzantine era—before the adoption of a common language: Greek. It took another thousand years before the Hellenistic majority transformed into a Turkish one (in terms of language) and adopted Islam as its religion. This process began in 1071 when Turkish tribes entered Anatolia after the Seljuk army defeated the Byzantine army in the Battle of Manzikert. Over a few centuries more, indigenous Christians gradually—but largely superficially—converted to Islam, making Anatolia nominally majority Muslim. A map showing Anatolia in 1654. The ethnic groups and popular religious sects in Anatolia resisted the attempts by successive states to impose centralized control and cultural uniformity through orthodox religion. Until the foundation of Turkey, there had been only two Anatolian states that controlled most of the peninsula: the first was the Hittite Empire in the second millennium BC, and the second was the Turkish Seljuk sultanate from the eleventh to the thirteenth century. The latter succeeded in winning over large parts of the Greek-speaking, Christian peasant population because it did not impose an orthodox religion. That is how the Byzantine Empire lost Anatolia. The principalities in Anatolia also put up a fierce fight against the Ottomans, who conquered the region in the fifteenth century. Still, Anatolia continued to resist the empire’s centralization and imposition of religious orthodoxy. In fact, the Ottoman Empire nearly collapsed in the early seventeenth century after a particularly aggressive series of popular uprisings in Anatolia. The revolts were crushed, but the long-standing struggle between the Anatolian provinces and Istanbul has never ended. The transformation of Anatolia into the heartland of a Turkish nation-state was even bloodier. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a fifth of the population in Anatolia—Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians—remained Christian. The Ottoman Empire sanctioned genocide against these groups and forced their migration to create a homogeneous country. But even among those who were left, ethnic and religious divisions remained. The Kurds and the Alevis, a heterodox Muslim minority that has been oppressed for centuries, have resisted assimilation. The Turkish state, fearful of crumbling, sought to suppress its remaining ethnic minority, the Kurds, by either internally displacing or slaughtering them, as it did in 1931 in Agri province and in 1937 and 1938 in Dersim province. Not surprisingly, the brutal policy failed to bring about national homogeneity. In the 1980s, after staging a coup to crush the ascendant political left the military made a renewed effort to bolster both Turkish nationalism and Sunni Islam as an antidote to leftist ideas. The military regime made religious instruction compulsory and built a mosque in nearly every village that did not already have one. However, the combination of Turkish nationalism and Islamization was not enough to check the rise of secular Kurdish nationalism, which became a serious challenge after the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) began its insurrection in 1984. The moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP), which came to power in 2002, appeared to be a unifying force for the divided country, since the party appealed to both conservative Turks and conservative Kurds. Its rise suggested that Turkish-Kurdish unity could be secured on the basis of Sunni Islam. In 2012, shortly after the Kurdish region in Syria known as Rojava declared autonomy, the Turkish state began to conduct talks with Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK’s imprisoned leader. These talks bore fruit in 2013, when Ocalan called on his organization to end violence against the Turkish state. By then, around 40,000 people, mostly Kurdish militants, had died in the clashes between the Turkish state and the PKK. The government hoped to secure the PKK’s disarmament without having to make any significant concessions to the Kurds. It thought that the solution to the Kurdish question was to emphasize that the Turks and the Kurds were united by an Islamic “brotherhood.” Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu chats with Chief of Staff General Hulusi Akar while standing near President Tayyip Erdogan, Ankara, Turkey, February 18, 2016. Ocalan also evoked the unity of Turks and Kurds, who, he said, had “been marching under the banner of Islam for a thousand years.” Ocalan extended this vision of unity beyond Turkey’s borders, arguing that Turks and Kurds were the “two fundamental strategic elements of the Middle East,” who have a regional mission to unite “Kurds, Turkomans, Assyrians, and Arabs” in Iraq and Syria who had wrongly been separated from Turkey after the end of the Ottoman Empire following World War I. In fact, Ocalan’s vision was very much in line with Turkish goals. A former deputy head of Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency had likewise stated that “Turkey’s settlement of the Kurdish problem [could] bring about changes of the borders and of the map in the region,” which implied that parts of Syria and Iraq, populated by Kurds, might be incorporated into Turkey. However, the Turkish state elite began to fear that with the new assertiveness of the Kurds in Syria, the PKK was once again a threat. Following the success of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party in the July 2015 parliamentary elections, the Turkish regime broke off a two-and-a-half-year peace process with the Kurds, and the war between Turkey and the PKK resumed. The end of this trial Turkish-Kurdish alliance has pushed the AKP closer to its former adversary, the military, which had made its opposition to the peace talks with the PKK well-known. (As late as 2014, it had threatened that if the AKP crossed the military’s “redlines,” which it defined as “the unity of the nation,” the military would “act accordingly.”) Since then, the government has adopted the Kurdish policy prescribed by the generals. Last year, it transferred responsibility for “counterterrorism efforts”—the AKP considers the Kurds a terrorist group—from the civilian authorities to the armed forces. Nowadays, military commanders and AKP officials speak the same language and pledge to make Turkey exclusively Turkish. For example, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently stated, “We are a nation who for a thousand years has always paid the price for living on this land. We know very well that behind what is currently happening is a settling of accounts in this geography that has lasted thousand years.” In a separate statement, the chief of the general staff, General Hulusi Akar, claimed that “Anatolia was inscribed as a Turkish abode with the victory at the Battle of Manzikert on August 26, 1071.” In yet another ethnically charged, defiant proclamation, the country’s top general said that “Turkey is the republic of Turks.” It is time that the Turkish leaders end the brutal crackdown on the Kurds and accommodate the Kurds’ demands for local autonomy. The military will oppose this. However, the AKP could overcome the opposition of the military and other hard-line nationalists if it once again reached out to the constituencies—liberal Turks and Kurds—that had helped to bring it to power. Turkey’s leaders must realize that invoking Anatolia’s past means recognizing its history as an ethnically diverse land. The victory in Manzikert that gave Turks an entry into Anatolia did not turn it into a “Turkish abode,” as Turkish nationalists claim. If Turkey looks to its past, it will realize that insisting on imposing homogeneity will not only continue to divide the country but break it in the process.” First three lines of poem: At times I’m wary of resistance unless I catch myself mistaking infection for my own offspring. InnerLight Enlightenment by Kaya Erbil is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Based on a work at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/turkey/2016-03-02/turkeys-decline. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/.
If you peep inside a lamp or a tube light, you wouldn’t find a hidden army of uncountable photons ready to ambush on the switch’s command. In the case of a bulb, the most you’d find is a metal filament. Whereas, in the case of a tube light, you’d find, well…nothing. Where then do the photons come from? Do they spring from thin air? Actually, yes. The photons do pop into existence from absolutely nothing. Here’s how. More Energy=More Light Human sight has relied on the blessing that is light since time immemorial, although light ceased to be a “blessing” since we domesticated fire and invented bulbs. However, while we usurped the role of God, people have rarely understood how the light in the bulb was being produced. For instance, a bulb produces light as the current supplied to it – through resistive heating – heats the tungsten filament hanging in the middle. The tungsten heated to a temperature of 2500 degrees Celsius produces an ocean of electrons that flood your room. However, why should heated objects emit light? Also, if heated objects do emit light, why are humans and other warm-blooded animals so difficult to find in a completely dark room? Reasoning that they’re not warm enough has some truth to it; warm-blooded creatures do emit light, but due to their paltry heat, it isn’t much. As a result, the light is not “visible”. However, it is embarrassingly lazy to merely blame it on the magnitude of energy. This reasoning is incomplete. LED bulbs or CFL tubes aren’t nearly as hot as incandescent bulbs, and yet they are equally bright. Even though we have bent light to our whims for thousands of years, it was only last century that we gained a comprehensive understanding of how photons are created. Light is an electromagnetic wave. A photon is described as an excitation of the electromagnetic field. To excite the electric field, which then excites the magnetic field (according to Maxwell’s laws), which re-excites the electric field and so on, we must first excite, as the field’s name suggests, electrons! Electrons reside inside atoms in different energy levels. When we excite electrons by, for example, in the case of a bulb, heating the tungsten atoms, we elevate them to higher energy levels. However, nature seeks stability; electrons abhor climbing to higher levels. To achieve stability, electrons descend back to their original or even lower levels. When an electron makes this downward leap, the atom emits a photon. As millions and billions of electrons simultaneously descend to lower levels, the tungsten unleashes a massive torrent of photons. Energy of a photon Whether the light produced will be visible or invisible depends on the electromagnetic wave’s frequency or the energy of the photon. The electromagnetic spectrum can be divided into seven categories. The human eye can only detect one of them, so it is rightly called the visible spectrum. The frequency of an electromagnetic wave or a photon’s energy is directly proportional to the distance jumped by an electron. When electrons, such as the electrons of a tungsten filament, make a downward leap that translates to a frequency lying within this spectrum, the photons produced are visible. Leaps to a space outside this range, whether larger or smaller, will produce photons that are invisible. This is why the light that warm bodies produce cannot be detected by the human eye, but it can be detected by devices attuned to low-frequency infrared waves. The leaps the electrons that produce these photons make aren’t large enough. So is the case with the radio waves transmitted and received by our phones. Beyond the visible spectrum lie waves characterized by longer leaps, such as ultraviolet or X-rays, waves emitted by stars and other exceedingly high-energy phenomena, such as quasars and supernovae. It makes no difference whether one excites the electrons by subjecting them to heat or electricity; what matters is the magnitude of their elevation. This realization led us to abandon our notion that more heat equals more light. While it is true, as exemplified by stars, it is inefficient. For this reason alone, incandescent bulbs – which waste a tremendous amount of heat energy – are tragically inefficient when compared to CFLs, which excite and elevate electrons by simply passing electricity through tubes that contain vapors of argon and mercury. So, light or a photon is produced when an electron transitions from a higher energy level to a lower energy level. However, if you were to peek inside an atom, would you find a hidden army of uncountable photons, ready to ambush on the electron’s command? Well, no. As explained, an electron jumps to a lower energy level to achieve stability, that is, it loses the energy that forced it to climb in the first place. The universe, unlike in the case of heat energy, cannot squander this organized energy; it must put the extra energy to use some. The result is the instantaneous creation of a photon; it literally pops into existence out of sheer nothing, whatever that is. Humans are morbidly curious: one might wish to dig deeper, but this is the deepest one can dig. To ask a deeper “why” is tantamount to asking, “why are smaller objects attracted to massive objects?” or “why is the speed of light approximately 3,00,000 km/s?” That is how gravity fundamentally works and that is the velocity with which an electromagnetic wave travels in a vacuum. Photons are created when electrons make a downward transition because that is how quantum electrodynamics works, at least in this universe. At a level so fundamental, physicists, as Cornell physicist David Mermin commanded (although the maxim is misattributed to Richard Feynman and sometimes Paul Dirac), “shut up and calculate”.
Brief communication: Residence time of energy in the atmosphere In atmospheric chemistry, a parameter called residence time is defined for each gas as , where M represents the mass of the gas in the atmosphere and F is the total average influx or outflux, which in time averages are equal. In this brief communication, we extend this concept from matter to energy which is also a conservative quantity and estimate the average residence time of energy in the atmosphere, which amounts to about 58 d. A similar estimation for the residence time of energy in the Sun is of the order of 107 years, which agrees with the Kelvin–Helmholtz timescale. When the inflow, F, of any substance into a box is equal to the outflow, then the amount of that substance in the box, M, is constant. This constitutes an equilibrium or steady state. Then the ratio of the stock in the box to the flow rate (in or out) is called residence time and is a timescale for the transport of the substance in the box We are referring to a measurable and conserved substance. A good example of this type is the parameter defined in atmospheric chemistry as the average residence time of each individual gas, defined as Eq. (1). M is the total average mass of that gas in the atmosphere and F the total average influx or outflux, which in time averages for the whole atmosphere are equal. See, for example, Hobbs (2000). In this brief communication, we want to extend the substance that flows from matter to energy and estimate the average residence time of energy in the atmosphere. At the end of this brief communication, we will briefly analyze this concept for the Sun. Obviously in Eq. (1), M and F will now represent the total amount of energy in these two systems and the energy flux in or out, respectively. Both cases correspond to steady-state problems because the storage of energy in the Earth's atmosphere and in the Sun is not systematically increasing or decreasing. In this section we will use the energy data provided by Hartmann (1994). The most important forms of energy in the atmosphere are the following: the thermodynamic internal energy, U, the potential energy due to Earth's gravity, P, the kinetic energy, K, the latent energy, L, related to the phase transitions of water and E, the total energy. The values quoted by this author of energy per unit surface in units of 106 J m−2 are For our purposes of computing the residence time using Eq. (1), now we only need the inputs, and outputs, of energy in the atmosphere. It is common to express them in units of e=3.42 W m−2, where e is a percentage of the solar irradiance out of the atmosphere. The atmosphere absorbs 20e of solar energy, 29e are absorbed at the surface as sensible and latent heats, and finally it absorbs 100e as long-wave radiation emitted by surface (the radiation emitted by surface is 110e, but 10e escapes to the space using the so-called atmospheric window). Thus the total energy input in the atmosphere is Regarding to the emitted energy flux, we identify two terms: the component emitted spaceward, 60e, and that emitted to the surface, commonly denoted as the greenhouse effect, 89e. We have not considered any anthropogenic contribution because it is negligible compared to the fluxes of solar origin mentioned above. In recent years, the consumption of fossil fuels has been about 10 Gtoe per year; this implies an energy ﬂux of 0.08 W m−2 (Houghton, 2004). Then, the sum of the outgoing terms coincides with that of the ingoing terms, . Thus, using these values of E and F, the estimation of the residence time of energy in our atmosphere, ta is In stars like the Sun, the total energy, E, is the sum of the gravitational energy, Eg, and the thermal energy, Et, The ratio between and the solar luminosity, L (3.9×1026 W), which constitutes the outgoing energy flux, is our estimation for the energy residence time in the Sun, t⊙: The Kelvin–Helmholtz (K–H) timescale for the Sun is which is of the order of magnitude of the residence time of energy in the Sun t⊙. In this brief communication, we have considered our atmosphere as a big box where energy is in equilibrium and have estimated its residence time. It amounts to about 58 d. When the same idea is applied to the Sun, we obtain years. In astrophysics, the question of “how long a photon might take to get from the core of the Sun to the surface” has been frequently put forward. The answer of several authors was ≈104 years (e.g., Shu, 1982; Bahcall, 1989). In 1989, Mihalas and Sills (1992) pointed out that the average step length assumed for a photon diffusing through the Sun by the previous authors was too long. Correcting this step length, they obtained 1.7×105 years. Finally, Stix (2003), invoking the large heat capacity of the interior of the star, corrected the previous result up to a timescale of the order of 107 years. Thus, this author showed the agreement between the thermal adjustment timescale and the photon diffusion timescale. Bearing in mind what has been said, our conclusion for the residence time of energy in Earth's atmosphere (t≈58 d) is that it is the equivalent of what the K–H timescale is for the Sun. Therefore, after a global thermal perturbation, the atmosphere would need about a couple of months to come back to a new equilibrium. AFP conceived the idea; CO and AFP wrote the paper; MM contributed to the solar part. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. This paper was edited by Zoltan Toth and reviewed by two anonymous referees. Bahcall, J. N.: Neutrino Astrophysics, Cambridge University Press, 1989. a Hobbs, P.: Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry, Cambridge University Press, second edn., 2000. a Houghton, J.: Global Warming. The complete brieﬁng 4th Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2004. a Mihalas, R. and Sills, K.: On the photon diffusion time scale for the sun, Astrophys. J., 401, 759–761, 1992. a Shu, F. H.: The Physical Universe: An Introduction to the Astronomy, Springer Verlag, 1982. a
The 34th Mid-continent Paleobotanical Conference was held May 13-14, 2017 at the University of Michigan, hosted by EEB Professor Robyn Burnham and Professor Selena Smith, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Program in the Environment. Over 45 participants attended a day of talks and posters on the history of plant life on earth, with luminaries like Sir Peter Crane, Fellow of the Linnean Society, London, and Dr. David Dilcher of the National Academy of Sciences, in attendance. Paleobotanical science uses the fossil record of plants to address key biological and geological questions. In the midst of anthropogenic climate change, plant history has become even more important as researchers seek to understand how plants respond to global environmental change on long time scales. Keynote lectures were given by the following throughout the day at the Undergraduate Science Building on Ann Arbor’s campus: Chris Poulsen, chair and professor of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, presented “Paleo-plant physiological forcing of past climate. He studies how and why climate has changed using state-of-the-art climate models, and the implications for future climate change. Chris Dick, associate chair for museum collections, U-M Herbarium, professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, presented “GeoGenomics: reciprocal illumination on the development of the Andean-Amazon flora.” Dick studies the evolution and diversity of trees in tropical forests. Dr. Anton Reznicek, curator of vascular plants at the U-M Herbarium, presented “The hidden past of our modern Michigan flora.” He studies sedges, Michigan flora, and the biogeography of the North American flora. Twenty-five other speakers, who each gave 15 minute talks, rounded out the day’s schedule. On the second day of the conference, Reznicek and Michael Penskar, a research investigator at the U-M Herbarium, guided a field trip to the Gerald Eddy Discovery Center, Waterloo Recreation Area, and Sharon Hollow Nature Preserve where they experienced spring wildflowers in a classic Midwestern temperate deciduous forest, fen wetland and a bog wetland. Some participants extended their trips to carry out research in the U-M Museum of Paleontology’s world renowned paleobotanical collections. The meeting was sponsored by the Paleontological Society, U-M Museum of Paleontology, Program in the Environment, Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
HAPPY SOLSTICE: Summer begins in the northern hemisphere on Sunday, June 21st, at 5:45 am UT (1:45 am EDT) when the sun reaches its maximum declination above the celestial equator. At the same moment, winter begins in the southern hemisphere. Happy Solstice! SOLSTICE SUNRISE: Today, summer began in Poland with a sunrise display of noctilucent clouds. "They were so bright and beautiful," says Marcin Makowski who sends this photo from the city of Szubin: It is a curious fact that noctilucent clouds, which are made of ice crystals, appear most often during the warm months of summer. In the last week alone, the clouds have put on a show over Europe that veteran observers say has been the best in years. Now that summer is here, the show can really begin. Northern sky watchers should be alert for electric blue. UPDATED: 2009 Noctilucent Photo Gallery [previous years: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003] LAST SHOTS FROM KAGUYA: On June 10th at 1825 UT, Japan's massive Kaguya spacecraft crashed into the Moon. The Japanese space agency, JAXA, has just released a movie of Kaguya's last moments. Click on the image to set the scene in motion: The onrushing landscape is what Kaguya's cameras saw as the spacecraft glided into the lunar surface at a shallow angle. When the 2,900 kg spacecraft hit the surface at 6,000 km/hr, astronomers in Australia observed a fireball at the impact site. The explosion punctuated a remarkably successful mission of lunar discovery. Why bother hitting the Moon? For one thing, it's a good way to end a mission. Lunar satellites can't orbit forever because the Moon's gravitational field is weird and lumpy. Crashing is better than flying off into space, where the spacecraft could pose a hazard to other missions. Crashing also produces a fireball, which allows astronomers to estimate the "luminous efficiency" of objects hitting the Moon. Luminous efficiency is a key parameter required to interpret genuine lunar meteorite impacts. Also, hitting the Moon might uncover something interesting--like evidence of water. NASA's LCROSS spacecraft will attempt that trick later this year. Explore the Sunspot Cycle
The Shinai is a weapon utilized for competitions and practice in Kendo and it represents the popular Japanese sword. These weapons can also be utilized in other martial arts but may possibly be styled differently and also represented with a variety of different characters. Remember that the Kendo Shinai should not be confused with the Bokuto or Bokken (wooden swords) which is also another kind of Kendo sword. History of the Shinai In the year 1508 to 1572, Kamiizumi Nobutsuna of the Shinkage-ryu was the first to utilize a bamboo weapon for training instead of a real sword, and the modern day Shinai that features four bamboo slats can be credited to a man named Nakanishi Chuzo Tsugutate of the Nakanishi-ha Itto-ryu. The weapon was created to decrease the number of practitioners from getting seriously injured during training, thus, developed a practice sword that was less dangerous compared to the Bokuto. This was also the reason why the Bogu was created and this is a certain type of armor that readily protects the Kendoka during practice or competitions. The earliest shinai was created from split bamboo and these were fully concealed in cloth or a leather bag called the fukuro bag; generally speaking, the weapon did not have fixed lengths or weights so these varied depending on the wielders body structure. The word shinai came from the verb shinau which meant to be flexible or to bend; and even if these had no specific length or weight in the past, the modern day Kendo shinai have specific regulations when it comes to these. The Kendo shinai is created from quality bamboo that has been sliced right from the bottom of its stem which is about ten centimeters or four inches above the ground; the Kendo sword features five fushi (nodes) and these have a specific meaning just like the pleats of the Hakama. The stem is vertically split into six to eight pieces; the bamboo is thoroughly dried and four pieces will be chosen then straightened out. These pieces will eventually be planed and perfectly shaped into the shinai but the style and size of the shinai vary: an adult may utilize a shinai that may be too heavy for a younger practitioner. This is the reason why different variants of shinais are created to provide the appropriate weapon for every Kendo practitioner engaging in training or competition. Additionally, the shinai is also available in different balances and styles. Types of Shinais Bamboo Materials A lot of the Kendo shinai that is sold are made from keichiku which is a type of bamboo variant that specifically grows in warmer areas. Bamboos that feature a diameter of about seven to eight centimeters are usually harvested throughout the year and its fiber is more stiff and dense compared to others. Additionally, this type of bamboo breaks easier compared to mandake and it is also much cheaper compared to this. The madake bamboo is another type of bamboo material that grows in regions that have temperatures that vary greatly. It is also more flexible and dense compared to the keichiku bamboo. Four-year-old bamboo that has a diameter of about eight to twelve centimeters is usually harvested from the months of October to February and these types of bamboo may be more splint but do not really split easily. What Makes a Good Shinai? It is important that every Kendo shinai is flexible and durable; when the tip of a Kendo shinai is pointed on the floor and one attempts to bend this, it should at least curve slightly from the tip which is along the Nakayui the spot used to strike the opponent; this should also push back and its wielder should feel this. If the Kendo shinai is weak, it will mostly bend around the tsuba and one should remember that the area where the Shinai bends is where it actually releases power when striking. Shinais that are weak feature a few visible characteristics and these are as follows: - These bend right along the tsuba - Are usually thin along the tip but thick along the middle portion and thin again around the hilt - Often planed down to create a handle that is thin enough - These are usually made from bamboo that are less dense Shinai Care and Maintenance It is vital that the Kendo shinai is always taken care of adequately since it can also pose as a danger to the wielder and those in the surrounding area. Since this is one of the primary equipment utilized when practicing Kendo, these are also the items that may cause great injury in the case of a component failure; this is the reason why regular inspection and proper maintenance of the Kendo sword is necessary. If ever one notices any signs of deterioration or damage during training, stop practicing immediately and change to another Kendo shinai. This is also the reason why every Kendo practitioner should have an additional shinai.
This Dawn FC (framing camera) image is centered on the Sextilia crater in Vesta’s southern hemisphere. Craters on Vesta are named after Vestal virgins, priestesses of the Roman goddess Vesta. The Sextilia crater is a large, approximately 15km diameter, and distinctive crater so its name is used to name the quadrangle in which it is located. Sextilia crater is distinctive because it has a fresh, sharp rim which is also scalloped in shape. It also contains outcrops of both bright and dark material. These originate along its rim and sides and slump towards the center of the crater. There are some especially large slumps of material on the right side of the crater. Surrounding Sextilia crater is the hummocky (i.e. wavy/ undulating) terrain of Vesta’s southern hemisphere and some dark and bright rayed craters. The small dark rayed crater, and its larger neighbor, in the top of the image are the same craters which are in the bottom right of the “Dark material associated with and between craters” Image of the Day. This image is in Vesta’s Sextilia quadrangle and the center latitude and longitude of the image is 39.5°S, 155.7°E. NASA’s Dawn spacecraft obtained this image with its framing camera on October 10th 2011. This image was taken through the camera’s clear filter. The distance to the surface of Vesta is 702 km and the image has a resolution of about 70 meters per pixel. This image was acquired during the HAMO (High Altitude Mapping Orbit) phase of the mission. The Dawn mission to Vesta and Ceres is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, Washington D.C.. UCLA is responsible for overall Dawn mission science. The Dawn framing cameras have been developed and built under the leadership of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany, with significant contributions by DLR German Aerospace Center, Institute of Planetary Research, Berlin, and in coordination with the Institute of Computer and Communication Network Engineering, Braunschweig. The Framing Camera project is funded by the Max Planck Society, DLR, and NASA/JPL. More information about Dawn is online at http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA
The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund is a significant philanthropic endowment established to provide targeted grants to individual species conservation initiatives, recognize leaders in the field of species conservation and elevate the importance of species in the broader conservation debate. To date the fund has awarded over 1900 grants to a diverse range of species across the world. The present study aims to explore the demographic tendencies of Eriosyce chilensis, a species distributed in an extremely narrow coastal strip in the Mediterranean zone at central Chile. To infer the demographic tendencies of E. chilensis we will conduct detailed mapping of the species distribution, filogeographic analyses and reproductive experiments. spatial, genetic and experimental tools.
King/Drew Magnet High School isn’t just preparing its students for graduation; it’s preparing them for life. The school may be located in one of the most disadvantaged parts of Los Angeles, California, but its students are reaching for the highest levels in education – and they are succeeding. Students at King/Drew not only gradate in high numbers, fully 90% of those who graduate go on to attend college, including many of the country’s top schools, and they receive millions of dollars in merit-based scholarships and university grants. “All students should be prepared for college and for careers because they should have all options open to them,” says English Teacher Latosha Guy. Teachers at King/Drew are preparing their students for the future by meeting their full range of needs, from career internships and fairs to after-school health and educational tutoring. Teachers and students across the country are working together to focus on college and career readiness by setting and reaching higher standards inside and outside of the classroom. Teachers are helping their students succeed by nurturing and building their confidence along the way. As student Symmon-e Scott puts it, “High expectations make me nervous, but I know I can do it if I really put my mind to it.” Students at Jones Elementary School in Springdale, Arkansas face many potential obstacles to learning, including poverty, hunger, and trouble speaking and reading English. Eight years ago, only 26 percent of students were reading on grade level. With effective use of data, and real collaboration, the principal and teachers at Jones raised that to 73 percent. “Poverty isn’t destiny,” says Principal Melissa Fink. Her team is overcoming students’ challenges by believing that every child can succeed at very high levels and creating a culture of excellence. Teachers across the nation come to school every day hoping to make a difference in their students’ lives, and they are making meaningful changes in their classrooms. At Jones, they are doing it with a whole new level of teamwork. As teacher Jennifer Mills put it, “I used to think about just my classroom. Now, I care about the collective whole of fourth grade.” With help from principals like Fink and other educators, teachers can collaborate and set goals to challenge themselves and their students. In this new video, see how teachers at Jones are helping their students excel. Improving Education: The View from Jones Elementary School shows how teachers and the school principal work together to encourage their students to succeed. Fink and the teachers at Jones Elementary School work as a team to receive feedback, and they listen to and learn from each other. They also put data to work for them. “We make all decisions at our school based on what the data tell us. We’re not just talking about test score data,” says Fink. “We’re talking about the data that teachers are collecting on a day-to-day basis in their classroom.” We will continue highlighting extraordinary educators doing remarkable things in classrooms nationwide in our video series. To learn more, visit our Partners in Progress page. Elise Patterson faces challenges in her classroom every day, but there’s nothing else she’d rather be doing than teaching. Patterson is an English teacher who, like so many educators across the country, is tackling challenges and making a difference in her classroom and in her students’ lives. Now is a time of profound change in education, perhaps the greatest change in decades. Teachers are leading the change, taking on the hard work of implementing higher standards in their own classrooms, and, like Patterson, discovering that they can do what they love with even greater results for their students. See what it’s like to teach today through Patterson’s eyes in the first installment of a new video series that takes viewers behind the scenes with teachers and other educators who are doing the hard work to lead change, innovation, and improvement in classrooms throughout the country. Improving Education: The View from Ms. Patterson’s Classroom, shows how a teacher at Eastern Senior High School in Washington, D.C., is helping her students to excel. “I’m passionate about teaching because I get to interact with so many people in such a meaningful way,” she says. “The reason I decided to make this my career is because I think there’s such a need for good teaching … [and] because I see how much of a change you can make on a day-to-day basis with individual students.” Her tips include more collaboration with other teachers and between departments, and really challenging students to improve upon their leadership and critical-thinking skills. Her passion has helped her successfully implement higher standards in her classroom. Learn more about Patterson’s story below: As we continue to highlight extraordinary educators doing remarkable things in classrooms nationwide we want to hear from teachers. Get in touch with us, and help us share your inspiring stories. Mandy Tang teaches first graders a math lesson in Chinese. Photo credit: Nancy Zuckerbrod TheU.S. Department of Education has launched a new online resource, PROGRESS, to highlight state and local innovative ideas, promising practices, lessons learned, and resources informed by the implementation of K-12 education reforms. These stories will showcase the exciting transformations taking place in classrooms, schools, and systems across the country through the leadership of teachers, school, district and state leaders and their partners. The Department launched PROGRESS to emphasize the voices and perspectives of educators, students, and administrators to better understand how policy changes are spurring education improvement and to draw out what can be learned from areas of progress occurring at the state and local levels. Delaware and Hawaii teachers and coaches using data to identify student needs and inform instructional improvement strategies; Maryland elementary school students learning science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through new foreign language courses; Hundreds of students from rural communities in Florida gaining access to incredible STEM learning opportunities through a state Race to the Top initiative to expand STEM education in rural schools; Tennessee’s 700 teacher-coaches providing 30,000 of their colleagues with intensive summer training on new college- and career-ready standards through an ambitious and comprehensive statewide program; Kentucky’s 100-percent increase in total Advanced Placement (AP) qualifying scores over the last five years, largely driven by the success of the AdvanceKentucky program in expanding access to AP classes for low-income students. The PROGRESSblog will spotlight partnerships among the U.S. Department of Education, states, districts, educators, and families that are helping to build a better education for children. Of particular focus is: How students are being prepared to succeed in college and careers; How educators are receiving higher quality support and opportunities; and How innovative leaders and educators are transforming school systems to meet new, higher expectations. PROGRESSdoes not recommend or endorse any particular approach. It is intended to share information that can be of use to educators, parents, learners, leaders, and other stakeholders in their efforts to ensure that every student is provided with the highest quality education and expanded opportunities to succeed. We’re always looking to learn from the field. Have an idea for content? Please let us know via email at email@example.com. This op-ed appeared in the January 23, 2014 edition of the Washington Post. In education, it sometimes takes courage to do what ought to be common sense. That’s a key lesson from several recent national and international assessments of U.S. education. These include the 2013 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as the nation’s report card; a new version of the NAEP focused on large, urban districts; and the international rankings in the tri-annual PISA test. Collectively, these assessments demonstrate extraordinary progress in the places where leaders have worked hardest and most consistently to bring change — but also a national failure to make nearly enough progress to keep up with our competitors. Secretary Duncan received feedback from students during last month’s PISA release. Nationwide, students made modest progress in reading and math in 2013, with achievement edging up to record highs for fourth- and eighth-graders, the NAEP found. Nearly every state has adopted higher academic standards, and most states have instituted new systems of teacher support and evaluation. It’s a testament to hardworking educators that they are implementing these changes and raising student performance at the same time. But as the international PISA results demonstrate, our progress isn’t enough. Other countries are leapfrogging us at a time when education is vital to economic health in a global competition for jobs and innovation. Among the 65 countries and education systems that participate in PISA, the United States was surpassed by 27 in math and 14 in reading . That’s unacceptable. We can learn, however, from some of the standouts. In contrast to a national picture of gradual progress, Tennessee and the District of Columbia reported striking jumps — in both math and reading achievement and in both grades examined, fourth and eighth. We don’t know all the reasons why students did better in Tennessee and the District in 2013 than in 2011. But it is clear that they shared a similar approach to bettering education — taking common-sense, but politically hard, steps to help students. Both are places where vulnerable students predominate; 73 percent of District students and 55 percent of Tennessee students are sufficiently needy to qualify for reduced-price meals. There are important lessons here. What these two places also had in common was a succession of leaders who told educators, parents and the public the truth about educational underperformance and who worked closely with educators to bring about real changes. They pushed hard to raise expectations for students, even though a lower bar would have made everyone look better. And they remained committed to doing the right thing for children, even when it meant crossing partisan lines or challenging ideological orthodoxy. To meet those higher standards, these leaders invested in strengthening the quality of classroom instruction and revamping systems for teacher support and evaluation. They ensured that teachers could use good data from multiple sources to identify learning gaps and improve instruction. They also sought ongoing feedback from educators and others. These concepts — developing and supporting the people who do the most important work, using data to inform improvement — are what strong organizations do. Yet these common-sense steps took uncommon courage. Tennessee had previously set one of the lowest bars in the country for proficiency in reading and math. The resulting proficiency rates — 91 percent in math and 92 percent in reading — were a lie. By raising standards, Tennessee’s leaders forced the public, parents and politicians to confront brutal facts. When Tennessee raised its standards in 2010, the proportion of students rated proficient dropped to 34 percent in math and 45 percent in reading. But in a bipartisan act of courage, Republican Gov. Bill Haslam and state Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman stayed true to the reforms begun under Democrat Phil Bredesen. They refused to dumb down standards to try to make Tennessee students look better. Were students actually doing worse? No. For the first time, the state was telling the truth. Just as important, leaders in the District and Tennessee worked with educators to transform industrial-era systems of support and evaluation for teachers and principals that had little or no link to teachers’ impact on student learning. That meant continuing the work of political predecessors, as Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson did in the District. Building better systems that take account of educators’ impact on learning is complex and controversial work. Yet in Tennessee and the District, leaders solicited input from their critics, stayed committed but flexible and delivered systems that help both successful and struggling teachers. I’m cautious about drawing big conclusions from a two-year trend, and it’s important to track a variety of educational outcomes, such as high school graduation and college enrollment rates. Even so, the experiences of Tennessee and the District suggest that children win when leaders work closely with educators to do several vital things right, at the same time, and don’t give up when the going gets tough. As Henderson said: “When you concentrate on teacher quality, you get results. When you radically increase the level of academic rigor, you get results.” To be clear, no one in Tennessee or the District is declaring victory. Students in both places have a lot further to go to close achievement gaps and even to reach the level of top-performing states. But their progress shouldn’t be treated as mysterious or miraculous. The changes America’s children need to get a better education require political courage and hard work. But in many cases the steps are surprisingly straightforward — and can be taken anywhere. The odds were stacked against Baltimore’s Frederick Douglass High School. The nation’s second oldest historically integrated public high school faced a steep dropout rate, scores of students repeating multiple grades and dismal test scores. But with the help of a $4.2 million federal School Improvement Grant (SIG), the 900-student school has cut that dropout rate in half and seen test scores rise dramatically since 2011. Dr. Antonio Hurt, who took the helm at Douglass during the first year of the school’s SIG program, opened a night school where students can get tutoring or take credit recovery classes so they can graduate on time. He expanded a recording and media production studio and began a law program where career and technical students can train. He created a dual enrollment program where his high school students earn college credit at nearby Baltimore City Community College. Hurt removed more than half the school’s staff in the first year and hired staff focused on creating a college-going culture for every student. Hurt split the school into two academies: the Academy of Innovation where students develop the courage and intellectual habits to be creative, and the Academy for Global Leadership and Public Policy, designed to graduate future leaders of government, industry and communities. “We dug into the data. We wanted to make certain we had programs to meet the entire population of kids,” Hurt said. After the first year of turnaround efforts, the school increased proficiency rates in English language arts from 41 percent in 2011 to 53 percent in 2012. Math proficiency rates rose from 32 percent to 44 percent. While there’s still plenty of work to be done, Hurt says the school’s 2013 numbers are promising, too. The SIG program is a key component of the Department’s strategy for helping states and districts turn around the nation’s lowest-performing schools. Under the Obama Administration, more than 1,500 schools like Douglass have implemented comprehensive turnaround interventions aimed at drastically improving achievement. Despite difficult learning environments, SIG schools have increased proficiency rates in math and reading since 2009, demonstrating the importance of targeted investments over time. Dorie Turner Nolt is press secretary at the U.S. Department of Education
CNC stands for Computerized Numerical Control. It is a computerized manufacturing process in which pre-programmed software and code controls the movement of production equipment. In a CNC machine shop, this process is used to produce metal parts with a high degree of accuracy. The first step in the CNC process is to create a program that will control the machine’s movements. This program is typically created using a CAD (computer-aided design) or CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) software. Once the program is complete, it is loaded into the CNC machine. The machine then uses the program to guide it through the machining process, creating the desired part. CNC technology has revolutionized manufacturing, making it possible to create parts with intricate designs and high levels of precision. Are CNC shops profitable? Are CNC shops profitable? The answer may depend on how you define “profitable.” A business that generates a 10 to 15 percent net profit margin is certainly profitable in the sense that it is generating more revenue than it is spending. The business owner may not receive a significant salary from it. A good part of the profits are usually reinvested into the business to cover expenses and support its expansion. For instance, a shop making 400,000 dollars in annual revenue with a profit margin ranging from 10 to 15 percent would yield 40,000 to 70,000 dollars profits. While this might appear substantial, it needs to cover various costs such as overhead expenses, employee wages, and other operational outlays. The actual salary of the business owner might only be a fraction of this profit. A CNC shop can still be considered profitable as long as its revenue exceeds its expenses. What machines do I need for a machine shop? Before setting up a machine shop, it’s important to carefully consider what types of machines and equipment will be needed in order to produce parts effectively. Generally speaking, a machine shop will require the following: - Milling machine: Used for shaping metal and other materials by using rotary cutters. - Metal lathe machine: Used for shaping cylindrical parts by cutting and removing material. - Multitasking machine: A combination of a milling machine and lathe machine, capable of performing multiple operations on a workpiece. - Machining center: A complex machine that can perform various operations such as drilling, boring, and milling. - Grinding machine: Used for finishing surfaces by grinding away small amounts of material. - Drill press: Used for creating holes by drilling into a workpiece. - Welding machine: Used for joining materials together by creating heat and pressure. - Inspection equipment: Used to measure the dimensions and tolerances of parts. Every machine serves a distinct purpose, and the ideal combination of machines relies on the specific parts that require production. By dedicating time to carefully select the appropriate machines from the start, it becomes feasible to establish a highly efficient and effective production process. What skills do you need to work in a machine shop? To be successful in a machine shop, there are several essential skills you must possess. Firstly, a comprehensive understanding of shop equipment, including drill presses and CNC machines, is crucial. Familiarity with machine parts and their interactions is also necessary. Secondly, strong safety skills are vital. It is imperative to adhere to safety guidelines diligently when working with hazardous machinery to avoid accidents and ensure a secure work environment. Lastly, having experience with raw materials is essential. You should be capable of selecting the appropriate materials for each project and possess the know-how to cut and shape them accurately. By possessing these skills, you will enhance your prospects for success in any machine shop setting. How can I start my own machine business? Starting your own machine business is a frequently asked question among aspiring entrepreneurs. There are crucial steps to follow to guarantee success. First and foremost, conduct a comprehensive market study to grasp the needs of potential customers. Then, analyze your competitors to craft a distinctive selling proposition. With these preliminary steps accomplished, establish a budget and commence your business’s advertising efforts. Lastly, ensure efficient stock management. By adhering to these straightforward guidelines, you’ll be on the path to launching a thriving machine business. Expert advise on working in a machine shop - Always prioritize safety: Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety goggles, gloves, and ear protection. Follow safety guidelines when operating machinery and handling materials. - Master the basics: Develop a solid understanding of fundamental machining principles, including cutting speeds, feeds, and tool selection. Practice on simple projects before moving on to complex ones. - Maintain a clean workspace: Regularly clean and organize the machine shop area. A clutter-free environment enhances productivity and reduces the risk of accidents. - Plan and measure carefully: Always begin with a well-thought-out plan and accurate measurements. Double-check dimensions before making any cuts to avoid costly mistakes. - Continuously learn and improve: Stay updated on new machining techniques and technologies. Attend workshops, seminars, and training programs to enhance your skills and knowledge. - Collaborate and seek guidance: Don’t hesitate to seek advice from experienced machinists when facing challenging tasks. Collaborate with colleagues to share knowledge and solve problems effectively. - Embrace quality control: Inspect finished parts regularly to ensure they meet specifications. Implement quality control processes to minimize errors and maintain high standards. - Be patient and attentive: Machining requires precision and attention to detail. Avoid rushing through tasks and remain focused to achieve accurate results. - Adapt to different materials: Familiarize yourself with working on various materials like metals, plastics, or composites. Each material may require different tools and techniques. - Prioritize tool and machine maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain machines to keep them in optimal condition. Dull or damaged tools should be replaced promptly to ensure quality output. - Foster a positive work environment: Promote teamwork and respect among coworkers. A supportive and positive atmosphere encourages better productivity and creativity.
Left: Vincent van Gogh, The Road Menders, 1889. Oil on canvas, 29 x 36 1/2 in. The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC. Acquired 1949. Right: Vincent van Gogh, The Large Plane Trees (Road Menders at Saint-Rémy), 1889. Oil on fabric, 28 7/8 x 36 1/8 in. The Cleveland Museum of Art. Gift of the Hanna Fund, 1947. Van Gogh stated in a letter to his brother Theo that when working from nature “one catches the true and the essential.” He painted The Large Plane Trees outdoors during his stay at a mental institution in Saint-Remy. He observed a row of plane trees (closely related to the American sycamore) during a trip into the nearby village, and quickly painted them to capture the changing autumnal colors. The repetition, The Road Menders, was completed later, in the studio. Van Gogh emphasized different elements in the two works. Their titles indicate some of the differences. Why do you think each painting has the name it has? As you observe the two works, what similarities do you notice? What differences? What might the variations in style tell you about van Gogh’s process of working from nature versus working in the studio? Vincent van Gogh, The Large Plane Trees (Road Menders at Saint-Rémy), 1889. Oil on fabric, 28 7/8 x 36 1/8 in. The Cleveland Museum of Art. Gift of the Hanna Fund, 1947 During his stay at the mental institution in Saint- Rémy, van Gogh painted a few autumn studies amid the changing colors. In a letter to his brother Theo, he described his progress: “The last study I did is a view of the village – where people were at work – under enormous plane trees – repairing the pavements. So there are piles of sand, stones and the gigantic tree-trunks – the yellowing foliage, and here and there glimpses of a house-front and little figures.” The bright leaves inspired him so much that he quickly captured the moment on a piece of cloth, resulting in The Large Plane Trees. How would the leaves on the trees look different if he had waited a few more weeks to paint this picture? How would the colors be different? How might the composition look different? Would the mood have changed?
What Is a Charter School Portion? Charter institutions are a popular education and learning version that enables parents to choose from a variety of educational alternatives. They are openly moneyed, use a totally free education and learning as well as must be held to the exact same nondiscrimination requirements as conventional public colleges. They are additionally based on the exact same market pressures as standard institutions and might be nearby their authorizers if they do not meet academic expectations or fall short to adhere to particular regulations as well as policies. However, critics say that this type of school does not represent every one of the money it obtains as well as creates inadequate trainee performance information. On top of that, they are not required to offer any kind of extra-curricular activities or athletic programs like conventional public institutions. There are lots of sort of charter schools, some run by a not-for-profit or a network, others by firms and also some by parents and churches. The best-known charter schools and networks have a record helpful pupils breakthrough swiftly in reading as well as mathematics, especially amongst black and low-income trainees. Most of charter institutions serve pupils in urban locations, however they are found throughout the nation, and in all sorts of settings. The best-known charter networks include KIPP, the Expertise is Power Program; Uncommon Schools; as well as Success Academy. They can be begun by anybody or organization. In fact, a few of the country’s wealthiest individuals have actually bought the charter motion both within their home states and also nationally. These institutions are typically located in locations that have been determined as being underserved by local institutions. This includes areas where the neighborhood public colleges are not performing well, but where moms and dads still want their youngsters to have access to a high quality education and learning. In New York City, there are 275 charter colleges offering over 141,000 trainees from all histories, consisting of English language learners as well as trainees with special demands. All are open to all eligible students, despite where they live. Admission to a charter institution is based upon a lotto system, and also if the variety of applications goes beyond the institution’s readily available seats, an arbitrary selection procedure should be used. The lottery is used to make sure that an institution’s enrollment shows the variety of its community. There are 3 concepts at the core of the charter institution model: responsibility, autonomy, and choice. These principles give charter schools the liberty to be innovative while likewise making sure that they can offer their students well. All charter institutions are required to abide by the exact same requirements and rules as conventional public colleges, however they are held to a greater standard of responsibility. If they fall short to meet scholastic assumptions, their charter is withdrawed. This can result in decreased registration as well as bad moms and dad approval. A huge component of the freedom in a charter college is its curriculum design as well as management. This can take the kind of producing a specific school-specific curriculum, or it could indicate making use of a design that is similar to the public institutions in which students go to.
We can’t send you updates from Justia Onward without your email. Web accessibility is important for all entities, but especially the ones that make and enforce the laws and regulations of the United States. We did some checking in to see how key government websites are doing with web accessibility standards. According to the CDC, one in four U.S. adults lives with some form of disability. This equates to approximately 61 million people. Accessibility standards are designed to ensure that products and services are usable by as many people as possible, including those living with a disability. Web accessibility is the process of developing web resources that can be effectively used and interacted with by people with disabilities, particularly those that use some sort of assistive technology. For instance, many people with some form of visual disability use screen readers to access the web. People who are hard of hearing or deaf often rely on aids such as closed captioning to access certain web content. People with certain mobility difficulties or paralysis often use dictation software, or even more advanced technology, to navigate the internet. Ensuring a website is fully accessible for these groups often requires advanced planning. The Law & Web Accessibility Before discussing whether government websites are up to par it is important to note that there are multiple, interrelated bodies of law that may be construed to apply to web accessibility. This area of the law is still developing through new litigation. In the digital space, the most common bodies of law you hear about in connection with web accessibility are the Americans with Disabilities Act and “Section 508”. Additionally, though not the subject of this post, it is important to remember that some states have enacted their own laws and regulations dealing with web accessibility, such as California’s Consumer Privacy Act. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related regulations prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in all aspects of public life, generally including schools, employment, transportation, and private spaces that are open to the general public. This anti-discrimination law generally includes offering appropriate accommodations for people with disabilities. Increasingly, the ADA is the subject of litigation over web accessibility, and though a recent decision out of the Eleventh Circuit concerning Winn Dixie’s website may have called into question the strength of the ADA in enforcing web accessibility, multiple courts across the country have already ruled that the ADA applies to websites. For instance, in Robles v. Domino’s Pizza, LLC the Ninth Circuit found that the ADA applies to Domino’s website and app. The second body of law frequently encountered in web accessibility discussions, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (codified in 29 U.S.C. §794), requires that all information and communication technology procured by the federal government, including all federal agencies’ electron and information technology, is accessible. The law requires all federal agencies, through the Department of Justice, to submit reports to the President and Congress on compliance with the Act. More information on this process, albeit nearly four years old, is available here. You can also learn more about Section 508 standards at access-board.gov. Government Site Check On June 4, 2021, we ran accessibility checks on several government sites using the WAVE tool. This tool is designed to check websites against the WCAG standards (more on those below) and identify accessibility issues that are likely to impact users. Below are our findings on how the federal government is doing with web accessibility. Our checks found a few accessibility issues on The White House website. Particularly, https://www.whitehouse.gov/ returned one missing form label and two contrast errors. We also found five additional contrast errors on internal pages. Out of all of the federal government sites that we checked, the U.S. Senate had the most accessibility problems. The tool returned numerous errors, including one missing alternative label, two missing labels, eleven empty form labels, one missing or invalid language, one empty link, and 79 contrast errors. When we checked https://www.house.gov/, the WAVE tool returned one missing form label, two broken ARIA (accessible rich internet application) references, and 16 contrast errors. The U.S. Supreme Court comes in just behind the U.S. Senate for accessibility issues detected by the tool. The identified errors included one missing alternative text, two missing form labels, one missing or invalid language, one empty heading, 18 empty links, and 59 contrast errors. Unfortunately, even the ADA website is not immune from accessibility issues. However, it is doing better than many of the other government sites on this list. The WAVE tool returned one missing form label at https://www.ada.gov/ and detected two empty links on internal pages. Unlike every other site on this list, the WAVE tool did not flag any accessibility errors on this site. Our checks found one contrast error at https://www.justice.gov/ and detected three additional empty buttons on internal pages. Our checks found two missing alternative texts and one contrast error on the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website. The CDC homepage does not return any accessibility errors. However, there are a few issues buried within internal pages. For instance, a Pandemic Influenza page returned three errors: one missing form label and two empty links. The U.S. Department of Defense site appears to have several accessibility issues. The WAVE tool found multiple errors, including 14 missing alternative texts, one missing form label, one empty form label, three empty buttons, three empty links, and nine contrast errors. The U.S. EPA website has a couple of accessibility errors but is still doing better than several of the other government sites on this list. The WAVE tool found two contrast errors. Like several other sites on this list, the U.S. Department of Education has a few accessibility issues. The WAVE tool found three linked images missing alternative text, one empty heading, and one empty button. After reading this post, you may have concerns about the accessibility of your website. While you do need to make sure your website is accessible, this is not an impossible mountain to climb. Many websites face accessibility issues, with some of the most common problem areas including missing alternative image text descriptions, problems with video and audio, issues with PDF or text document formatting, and trouble with links. There are standards designed to help you. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has set forth recommended guidelines for web accessibility. These guidelines, known as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), have already undergone updates to the 2.0 and 2.1 standards, and more updates are expected in the future. While they are not technically law, in the tech industry these guidelines are considered a go-to standard and have been cited by governing authorities enforcing accessibility provisions. In a nutshell, these guidelines are designed to ensure that your website is readily usable for persons with disabilities. These guidelines can be long and somewhat difficult to process without a technical background. Thus, if you are concerned your website has an accessibility issue, you will want to work with professionals to bring your site into compliance. However, here are a few basic, but key, things you can keep in mind along the way: - Offer Alternatives: You need to have alternate text for images. If you have video and audio content, then you need to offer text-based alternatives. Incorporate closed captioning on your videos where possible. - Create a Strong Website Structure: Make sure you have proper tagging and headings on your site. Be sure there is an intuitive, meaningful order to your content structure and sequence. Use descriptive page titles and strong descriptive anchor text for links. Have multiple ways to navigate your website, such as navigational menus, breadcrumbs, and sitemaps. As a bonus, good practices in this area are often good for SEO. - Develop an Accessible Presentation: Pay attention to color contrasts on your site. Do not use color alone as a means for conveying your information. Allow for appropriate audio controls. Make sure your text content can be readily resized without limiting its functionality. Keep navigational elements consistent across your site. - Don’t Rely on a Mouse: You want all users to have complete control of their experience on your site. You should design your website so that it is accessible with only a keyboard. You need to make sure that keyboard users do not get stuck somewhere in your site where they are unable to navigate both forward and backward. Final Thoughts: Why Do You Care? Web accessibility matters to ensure people living with disabilities have equal access to the internet and the wealth of information and resources it provides. Not only is easy access to government resources very important for all people, but the accessibility of government websites matters doubly for accountability purposes. Should not the ones making laws and regulations also make it a high priority to comply with them? On a more personal level, lawyers and law firms should care about web accessibility to ensure that you are not missing potential clients with disabilities that need access to a lawyer like you. Even further, you want to ensure your digital presence is fully accessible to avoid being the target of litigation in this active area of the law. At Justia, all of our lawyer website designs are ADA compliant. If you want to make sure your website is accessible, we can help. Contact us to get started.
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women The Dance of Hormones Many of our hormones have a daily or circadian rhythm. Melatonin rises as we prepare for sleep. Cortisol and growth hormone prepare us for arousal in the morning. Both men and women share these daily cycles. Women, however, have another whole symphony overlaid on this daily rhythm, the monthly cycle of the reproductive hormones. The precisely controlled rise and fall of estrogen and progesterone is part of complex feedback system responsible for the preparation of the development of the egg and preparation of the uterus for implantation and pregnancy. The daily fluctuations overlaid with the monthly cycles make balancing hormones in women all that more important. Conditions of hormone imbalance are much more frequent in women. Some of these imbalances are specific to women (PMS, polycystic ovary disease, fibroids, migraines, etc) and some are shared by both genders but more frequent in women. An experienced thoughtful approach to this re-balancing is essential. Some of the conditions that are affected by hormone imbalance are listed below. Facts about hypothyroidism: - It is the most common hormone deficiency in adult Americans - About five percent of adults have some degree of thyroid insufficiency - Hypothyroidism remains under-diagnosed and under-treated by mainstream physicians - There are constantly changing guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of low thyroid states - Physicians often misinterpret laboratory tests for thyroid disorders ("Your thyroid is normal") - Hypothyroidism is one of the easiest hormone deficiencies to identify and treat The top ten signs and symptoms of low thyroid are: - cold intolerance - weight gain - menstrual irregularities - slow movement and slow speech - skin changes - hair changes and hair loss - cognitive impairment Thyroid insufficiency can span a range from a mild deficiency that is only evident when the body is stressed to a near complete lack of thyroid hormone which results in all of the above (and more). Thyroid hormone is a "major" hormones ("major" meaning necessary for life). The "big three" major hormones, cortisol, thyroid, and insulin, play central roles in the regulation of metabolism and growth. Without them, we cannot survive for long. Fortunately, we have good simple tests to assess thyroid gland function. Unfortunately, most physicians order only one (TSH) and often under-interpret TSH levels. Using the appropriate tests and assessing symptoms in relation to lab results can help most patients achieve the proper balance of this vitally important hormone. 2. Low Libido After food and survival, sex has be third most important human drive. Without sex and its intended (or unintended) consequence of pregnancy, the species cannot survive. Why then is lack of libido (low sex drive, lack of interest in sex) so common? There are many causes of lack of libido. Some of the more common include: - Psychological conditions - Hormone imbalances - Sedentary lifestyle - Concurrent illness - Recreational drugs - Prescription drugs* *Many prescription drugs can affect libido. The prime offender among these is probably antidepressants of the SSRI class. Even while depression can cause low libido, some of the most effective treatments for depression can, strangely enough, cause it as well. This is a common situation which requires a careful managementto balance effective antidepressant therapy and control of this well-known side affect. Other common prescription medications that can cause low libido are: beta-blockers, benzodiazepines, narcotic pain medications, statins, blood pressure medications, medications for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and others. The list of psychological conditions that result in low libido is lengthy. Special note should made of depression as low libido so commonly associated that it is one of the diagnostic criteria for depression. Low testosterone and low estrogen in BOTH men and women can cause low libido. A proper balance must be maintained to have a healthy sexual drive. Other hormone imbalances that are associated with are hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue. Alcohol and recreational drugs (particularly opiates and marijuana) can depress libido both through their direct effects on the brain and through the indirect effect of depressing testosterone. Other illnesses can depress libido not only by affecting hormone balances, but also through the release of substances that cause fatigue. By properly balancing hormones, addressing underlying issues and understanding care low libido can effectively be treated in almost all cases. 3. Menopause and Perimenopause Menopause is one of two major hormonal transitions in a woman's life. The onset of menstrual cycling (menarche) is the first and end of menstrual cycling (menopause) is the second. It is important to understand a few terms that are commonly used in any discussion about menopause. Menopause — Menopause is defined by 12 months of no periods after the final menstrual period. On a physiologic level, the ovary has stopped making eggs, estrogen, and progesterone. Perimenopause — Perimenopause means "around the menopause," and typically starts with the onset of irregular periods and ends 12 months after the last menstrual period. Postmenopause — Postmenopause begins after menopause. Perimenopause is characterized by the all the signs and symptoms associated with "the change". Common perimenopausal signs and symptoms include: - Hot flashes - Irregular cycles - Sleep disturbances - Vaginal dryness - Lack of libido - Urinary incontinences - Depression and other mental disturbances - Breast tenderness - Skin changes - Gastrointestinal complaints - Joint pain - Loss of balance Many of these symptoms can be attributed to the declining or rapidly-changing levels of estrogen and progesterone that accompany perimenopause. The average age at which menopause occurs is 52. However, there is wide variation and natural menopause can be diagnosed at any age between 40 and 56. The age of menopause can be influenced by many factors including genes, ethnicity, smoking, age of first period, childbirth, and cycle length. A balanced and understanding approach can make the menopausal transition easier. Appropriate laboratory studies and symptom assessment combined with bioidentical hormone replacement can control many of the more bothersome symptoms and provide critical cardiovascular and neurological protection. 4. Premenstrual Syndrome/Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder Most common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome: - Fatigue 92% - Irritability 91% - Bloating 90% - Anxiety/tension 89% - Breast tenderness 85% - Mood lability 81% - Depression 80% - Food cravings 78% - Acne 71% - Increased appetite 70% - Oversensitivity 69% PMS will be experienced by upwards of thirty per cent of women with regular cycles (roughly 75 per cent will have at least one of the above symptoms in any given cycle). A more severe form of PMS, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), is experienced by roughly five percent of women wherein symptoms of anger, irritability, and internal tension are prominent. In making a diagnosis of PMS or PMDD, the relationships of symptoms relative to menses is critical. Symptoms should be present BEFORE menses and relieved within a few days AFTER menses. That is symptoms typically occur late in the cycle and the patient should be symptom-free at some point early in her cycle (this is in the absence of medications including birth control pills). While the exact cause of PMS is unknown, the very cyclical nature of the syndrome suggests strongly that hormones are involved. The two primary "female" hormones, estradiol and progesterone, undergo an elegant, orchestrated dance during a normal menstrual cycle with estradiol being the dominant hormone during the first half the cycle and progesterone being dominant in the second half. While little progesterone is produced in the first half, estradiol is still present in significant concentrations in the second half. The balance of estradiol and progesterone in the second half of a normal cycle (just the time when premenstrual symptoms begin to occur) is thought to be important in the development of PMS. This is probably the reason that birth control pills often give significant relief from PMS symptoms. In addition, the balance of steroid hormones also affect the brain signaling compounds known as neurotransmitters. One of these neurotransmitters, serotonin, has been implicated in PMS which may explain the efficacy of the serotonin-enhancing antidepressants in the the treatment of PMS. In addition, the levels of serotonin can be depressed by a variety of vitamin and amino acid deficiencies which may, in part, explain the efficacy of supplementation in some patients with PMS. Relief from PMS/PMDD can be obtained through a balanced approached emphasizing appropriate supplementation, diet, bioidentical hormones, and/or pharmacological treatment (if necessary). 5. Weight Gain: Why can't I lose weight? You hear it all time. "I used to be able to eat like a horse and not put on a pound" "If I so much as look at a piece of cake, I put on weight" "I go to the gym every day and can't lose a pound." What is it about growing older (not growing old) that changes our ability to keep off the pounds? If you were like me as a teenager, a double-double burger, fries, and a shake would melt off like a snowball in the desert sun. Now the shake and fries are long gone and half the bread on the burger is given to Chloe, my golden retriever. There are a multitude of factors that make us fatter and keep us fatter. Genetic, hormonal, environmental, and cultural influences can all conspire to keep the adipocytes (fat cells) nice and plump. Here are a few of the major causes: 1. Resting metabolic rate goes down with age. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the energy expenditure your body uses for maintenance (it is basically the calories that you are burning when not moving and not digesting). RMR decreases slowly with age to the point where a 60 year old may have a RMR that is 75% of a twenty year old. This translates to nearly 300 calories a day. That is, the twenty year old can burn a lot more calories just standing or laying around. To me, that is 60 minutes on the treadmill. Every day. 2. You are female. The gender differences between men and women conspire to make it more difficult for women to lose weight. Women tend to store more fat in butt, hips, and thighs while men tend to store it around the midsection. Upon vigorous exercise, abdominal fat is preferentially recruited for burning, making fat loss in those "problem areas" difficult. In addition, women have less muscle mass than men. Muscle being more metabolically active burns more resting calories and more calories during activity. Therefore, men can burn more calories just being a couch potato. 3. You are eating the wrong foods. I won't even begin to go into efficacy of different diets, however, a few basic guidelines can be agreed upon by just about anyone in the nutrition field. That said, much of diet lore is simply myth and has no scientific basis. In any diet you should: - Eat protein at every meal (protein helps build/maintain muscle which causes more calories to be burned) - Take good quality supplements to help your metabolism 4. You can't lose weight by dieting alone Recent studies have confirmed what has been suspected for many years. Both diet AND increased movement are necessary to lose weight. Neither alone helps you lose weight. You may have put on the extra pounds by overeating and under-exercising, so is it really surprising that you need to both diet and increase movement to lose weight? 5. You may not be sleeping enough Here is some good news. A good night's sleep helps burn calories. A good, uninterrupted7-9 hrs a night is needed for this benefit. 6. You may be sleeping too much However, sleeping too much can result in excess weight gain. Though the mechanism is unclear, more than nine hours of sleep is associated with weight gain. Again, the sweet spot is 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. 7. Your hormones are out of balance All the major hormones (and some of the minor ones) can affect weight. The big three, thyroid, cortisol, and insulin, must be in balance to maintain a lean body. 8. You have an unrecognized food sensitivity Food allergies and sensitivities can contribute to weight gain by altering the permeability of the gut. 9. You may have the wrong genes. There is clearly a genetic component to excess weight. Very rare mutations can result in massive obesity and more common ones can lead to a propensity to excess weight. Many of these "fat genes" can now be identified by commercially available genetic testing. 10. You are getting bad advice about weight loss. A balanced approach to weight loss can lead to long-lasting results. It doesn't need to be years of torture. Identifying and correcting misconceptions about diet and exercise are just a start. Adding food choice, hormone optimization, and pharmacological support can help the pounds disappear for good.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 Soldier of Monarchy: Prince Felix zu Salm-Salm The following month Prince Felix was given command of the 8th New York Infantry regiment, which he led into combat at the brutal battle of Anteitam, the bloodiest day in American history. Princess Agnes could not bear the situation and rode across the northern Virginia battlefields to join her husband, teaching herself to be a nurse to care for the wounded soldiers. Throughout the rest of the war she hardly left her husband's side and her zeal, courage and ingenuity eventually led to her being given the honorary rank of Captain in the Union army. Prince Felix, for his part, had more than enough opportunity to make up for his less than honorable reputation in Europe and by the end of the war he had been promoted to the rank of brevet brigadier general. When the war ended in 1865 he was briefly the commander of the North Georgia military district, but he had no taste for peacetime army life. He and his wife both dreamed of bigger things and Mexico seemed to be a place of great opportunity. With the war against the republicans under Benito Juarez there was a need for experienced military men, and with his princely German background they would have almost been assured a prominent place in the glamorous society around the Mexican Imperial Couple. Princess Agnes was at first against such a sudden move, but they set out for Mexico in the summer of 1866. The couple headed for Europe where Prince Felix tried to rejoin the Austro-Hungarian Army but his unsavory reputation had not gone away during his adventures in the U.S. and Mexico. Instead, he once again joined the Prussian army in 1868 though with less rank than he held in America. He fought valiantly in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and died from wounds received at the battle of Gravelotte-St.Privat on August 18. Princess Agnes had continued her humanitarian work with the army alongside her husband as she had in America and was honored with the Prussian Medal of Honor. She died in 1912 in Germany. Prince Felix of Salm-Salm had served in four armies; Prussian, Austrian, American and Mexican; and had fought in five wars and was twice a prisoner of war. His story, as well as the equally colorful life of his wife, is proof that real life stories can sometimes be far more dramatic than any work of fiction.
Small Changes for a Healthier 2014 With the start of a new year, many people search for ways to be healthier and lose weight. Some vow to not eat another carb, while others may have the goal of performing strenuous exercise for an hour or more every day. Rather than trying to implement big lifestyle changes that will likely be too difficult to follow through with, the best way to achieve your goals for a healthier and thinner you in 2014 is by making small changes in your routine that you can realistically maintain. Exercise is important for our bodies, and studies have shown that it improves everything from our moods to our immune systems to the length of our lives. However, exercise doesn’t always have to be strenuous and make you drip with sweat. While getting your heart rate up with aerobic exercise is important for increasing cardiovascular endurance, you don’t have to go running or cycling every day to burn calories. Simply walking for 20 to 30 minutes on a regular basis has been shown to improve health, and you can even split this up into 3 short 10-minute walks throughout the day if you’re pressed for time. Choosing the stairs instead of the elevator and parking a little farther away from your destination are also small changes that will help you move toward fitting into those skinny jeans. Flexibility practices are considered types of physical exercise, and they improve the range of motion of your joints and muscles. Stretching can create good posture and allows you to perform everyday activities with greater efficiency, which improves the rate at which your body burns calories. It is best to stretch when the muscles are warm and the body temperature is raised, so after working out or going for a walk is the perfect time to stretch. If you haven’t warmed up your muscles, simply do some jumping jacks or jog in place for a few minutes to increase your muscle and joint flexibility. For more information, read WebMD’s “The Truth About Stretching.” The human body consists of approximately 60 percent water, so it’s important that your body gets enough of this critical hydrogen-oxygen compound for healthy functioning. Water energizes muscles so you don’t get fatigued during a workout, and dehydration slows down the fat-burning process. Drinking a full glass of water before eating can reduce the amount of calories you consume because you will feel full faster. Additionally, substituting water for calorie-filled beverages and choosing foods with higher water contents will help keep you hydrated and also reduce your caloric intake to aid in weight loss. Hydrate your body for a healthier you this year and for every year to come. If you’ve made changes for a healthier body but are still left with areas of fat or excess skin, Dr. Dubrow offers a variety of procedures to give you the body you’ve been working hard to achieve. The liposuction procedure is an effective way to eliminate stubborn fat, and tummy tuck surgery can repair stretched stomach muscles while removing excess skin and fat. Dr. Terry Dubrow is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Dubrow believes in a personalized approach to patient care and is dedicated to understanding the needs and desires of his patients in order to achieve the results they desire. Please call (949) 515-4111 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your consultation today.
If a direct attack on a particular network isn’t viable, then what’s the hacker’s next move? In many instances, it’s a case of going upstream: i.e. identifying an application trusted by the target – and using that software as a backdoor means of malware delivery. In the security world, these scenarios are referred to as software supply chain attacks. Recent findings from Crowdstrike suggest that at least two thirds of organisations have been hit via their software supply chains, so it seems that this type of activity is on the rise.Here’s a closer look at how threat actors use supply chains for infiltration – and at the practical steps you can take to reduce the risk of a successful attack… Why do hackers target software supply chains? It’s easier than the alternatives. On the whole, larger businesses and organisations that hold valuable data (i.e. the type of target that hackers are most interest in) are ramping up their security technology. This increases the ability of organisations to pick up on vulnerabilities in their systems; even those vulnerabilities that have not been seen before. So instead of taking a direct route, you use a software supply chain as an alternative way in. Here’s how it works… - You identify a software application that’s popular in the sector you want to target (or that you know is used by the particular user you want to attack). - Malicious code is embedded into the software maker’s output (e.g. new versions of their popular applications – or routine security updates). - The malware-infected release is then downloaded by the end-target user. How do hackers do it? Infection of third party code. It’s rare for software applications to be built entirely from scratch. Usually, they are put together using a combination of custom code, together with large chunks of script from software libraries. According to Forbes, code from third-party software libraries typically accounts for 79% of the codebase for an application. Most libraries are in the public domain; authored and added to by a global army of volunteers and subject to only minimal security checks. Doctor this code and it can have a knock-on effect on every application that uses it. As an example, Check Point discovered 50 malware-infected apps on Google Play that had all been infiltrated by the same portion of third-party code that had been used by various app developers. Compromise the developer’s system before the new software is released. This is how the CCLeaner malware infection occurred, whereby a Windows optimisation tool was compromised, affecting more than 2 million users. With a successful spear-phishing attempt on an employee of the software house, it becomes possible to move across the network, ultimately gaining access to the location of the source code.Target the distribution server. If you can compromise the internet server platform used to roll out updates to users, there’s the possibility of swapping legitimate files with infected ones. Prevalence: How common are software supply chain attacks? Crowdstrike recently surveyed 1,300 IT heads across the globe on this. They found the following: - Two thirds had suffered a software supply chain attack. Of these, 90% had suffered financial loss as a result. - Attacks occur across all sectors (although biotech, pharma, entertainment & media and IT services appear to be hit more frequently. - Only a third of respondents say they vet their software suppliers for supply chain security. Reducing the risk Vet the security credentials of your suppliers. Rather than relying on empty assurances, look for evidence of concrete steps to prevent software from being infiltrated. This includes check digits built into the software to identify ALL instances of the code being altered during development. Any modifications made at the distribution stage (i.e. when the software resides on Internet accessible servers) would, in theory, break the digital signature of the code. So look for measures in place to pick up on this.Stick to approved vendors. The ‘too good to be true’ supplier whose app is cheaper than the alternatives – but whose service and security credentials cannot be assessed: these are exactly the type of vendor to be wary of if you want to reduce your threat exposure risk.
Alcohols and alkenes are both derivatives of hydrocarbons. One foundational way in which alkenes are different from alcohols, however, is that alkenes have double bonds between some carbon atoms while molecules of alcohols do not. Several tests exist that will allow you to determine a hydrocarbon's type, but the simplest way to tell the difference between an alcohol such as ethanol, and an alkene such a cyclohexene, is to conduct a bromine test. The Bromine TestStep 1 Wrap a small piece of masking tape around the upper parts of two test tubes. Write "ethanol" on the tape on one tube, and write "cyclohexene" on the tape affixed to the other test tube. The labels are important because both liquids are clear. Fill one-third of the test tube labeled "ethanol" with ethanol, and and then fill one-third of the other test tube with cyclohexene. Add a few drops of bromine water to the test tube with the ethanol in it. The bromine will begin to cloud the ethanol reddish-brown. Stir the bromine-ethanol solution and notice that the reddish-brown color persists. Add a drop of bromine water to the cyclohexene. The bromine will appear to vanish in the cyclohexene. Add more drops and then stir the solution. The solution will remain clear. The color of the bromine vanishes because it reacts with the cyclohexene, and adds to its double bond to form a new compound called a dibromoalkane. Items you will need - Masking tape - 2 test tubes - Bromine water - Stirring rod - The bromine's reddish-brown color remained in the ethanol because it didn't have a double bond with which to react. Witnessing this lack of reaction, and then the obvious reaction between the bromine and the cyclohexene tells you which of the two substances is the alcohol, and which is the alkene. - Alcohols and alkenes are both flammable liquids. Exercise caution when using them. - Jochen Sand/Digital Vision/Getty Images
Computers can recognise Mr Average Researchers have found a way to enable computers to boast that, like humans, they never forget a face. The researchers have developed an imaging technique that merges several photos of the same person into one composite. They found when composites of different people were shown to a computer it was able recognise all of them. Such a method could improve face recognition programs already in use to identify suspects at airports, for example, or as part of immigration and employment verification. "Keep the machines that you're using but give them a different input and that will improve their performance radically," says lead researcher Dr Rob Jenkins, of the University of Glasgow. Jenkins and university colleague Professor Mike Burton report their findings in the latest issue of the journal Science. Jenkins and Burton stumbled upon the technique as part of their psychology research. They were studying the fact that although humans are great at recognising photographed images of people they know, they are less successful at picking out photos of people they do not know. In this regard, humans and computers struggle with the same issues. Varied light conditions, expressions, unusual face angles and diverse ages all conspire against positive recognition. In short, 10 images of one stranger can look like 10 photos of 10 different people. But when the researchers morphed several photos of the same person, the averaged look was easier for people to discern when comparing it with another image of the person. Jenkins and Burton theorised it might be easier for a computer to make the connection as well. So they tested their technique using the public Web site, MyHeritage.com, which runs an industry-standard recognition software called FaceVACS, used in the Australian Customs Service SmartGate system at Sydney Airport. The site contains more than 31,000 photos of celebrities. Users can upload images of their faces and let FaceVACS pick out the celebrity they most resemble. To gauge the general accuracy of FaceVACS, Jenkins and Burton submitted photos of celebrities known to be in the MyHeritage database. Of 459 images, the program correctly identified about half. But when the researchers used those photos to create composites of the celebrities and then submitted those to the Web site, FaceVACS correctly identified every one. "The performance shot up to 100%," says Jenkins. "This is a huge leap in a field where people get quite excited about improvements of 2% or 3%." "It's a new approach that not many people have studied," says Jonathon Phillips, an expert in biometric and automatic face recognition systems at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Maryland, US. But, he points out, the morphing technique is not yet automated. Each image must be manually converted to grayscale, rotated, resized and cropped so that critical points on the faces, such as mouth and eye corners line up. The morphing and recognising processes happen separately. "The question is how do you combine them into an effective technique?" queries Phillips. Jenkins and Burton would like to see their method improved upon, but are going back to human experiments to tease out the range of differences people exhibit with their recognition skills.
Photo by Nicole Harnishfeger Monarch butterflies gather on a patch of goldenrod in Madaket. This has been a banner year for the beautiful butterflies whose journey is being tracked from Nantucket to Southern California and Mexico. By Lindsay Pykosz I&M Staff Writer (Sept. 27, 2012) For a butterfly that’s only about two inches long, the concept of it traveling up to 3,000 miles seems impossible. But North American Monarchs make that long migration once in their lifetime when they fly from the Northeast en masse to the warmer climates of California and Mexico. While birds are known for their annual migratory patterns, individual butterflies only make the round-trip once. In fact, it is their children’s grandchildren that make the return trip south the following fall. This migration is something Nantucket scientists and others across the country are studying on an annual basis through a Monarch tagging process called Monarch Watch, an outreach program based at the University of Kansas with a purpose of associating the location and capturing the point of recovery for each tagged butterfly. To read the full story, check out the print edition of The Inquirer and Mirror, or register for the I&M's online edition by clicking here. Reach Lindsay Pykosz at firstname.lastname@example.org For up-to-the-minute information on Nantucket's breaking news, boat and plane cancellations, weather alerts, sports and entertainment news, deals and promotions at island businesses and more, Sign up for Inquirer and Mirror text alerts. Click Here. Follow us on Facebook! Or Twitter!
How the Common Core Must Ensure Equity by Fully Preparing Every Student for Postsecondary Success Recommendations from the Regional Equity Assistance Centers on Implementation of the Common Core State Standards An effective education that prepares youth for postsecondary success should not be a privilege reserved for some students; rather, it should be a guarantee for every student. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) promise just that—a quality education for all, one in which the new standards will be taught by highly-qualified educators. In this article, the 10 regional Equity Assistance Centers give recommendations on implementation of the CCSS in a way that ensures every student is equally well served.