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In the very early hours of July 13, 1942, the men of Reserve Police Battalion 101 were roused from their bunks in the large brick school building that served as their barracks in the Polish town of Bilgoraj. They were middle-aged family men of working- and lower-middle-class background from the city of Hamburg. Considered too old to be of use to the German army, they had been drafted instead into the Order Police. Most were raw recruits with no previous experience in German occupied territory. They had arrived in Poland less than three weeks earlier. - From Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland by Christopher R. Browning
Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear. Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through video calls and online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include: For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor. Cancer can start any place in the body. Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer that starts when skin cells called melanocytes grow out of control. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body and grow there. When cancer cells do this, it’s called metastasis. To doctors, the cancer cells in the new place look just like the ones that started in the skin. Cancer is always named based on the place where it starts. So when melanoma skin cancer spreads to any other organ, it’s still called melanoma. Ask your doctor to use this picture to show you where your cancer is Melanocytes are cells in the skin. They make a brown pigment called melanin, which makes the skin brown or tan. There are many types of skin cancer. Your doctor can tell you more about the type of skin cancer you have. Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are much more common than melanoma and don’t often spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma is more deadly because it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. A new spot on your skin or a spot that’s changing in size, shape, or color may be a warning sign of melanoma. If you have any of these changes, have your skin checked by a doctor. The doctor will ask you questions about when the spot on your skin first showed up and if it has changed in size or the way it looks. The rest of your skin will be checked. During the exam your doctor will check the size, shape, color and texture of any skin changes. If signs are pointing to melanoma, more tests will be done. Biopsy: In a biopsy, the doctor takes out a small piece of tissue to check it for cancer cells. A biopsy is the only way to tell for sure if you have skin cancer and what kind it is. There are many types of skin biopsies. Ask your doctor what kind you will need. Each type has pros and cons. The choice of which type to use depends on your own case. Lab tests of biopsy samples: If melanoma is found, lab tests might be done on the cancer cells to see if they have certain gene changes. This might affect your treatment options. Chest x-ray: This test may be done to see if the melanoma has spread to your lungs. Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves and their echoes to make pictures of the inside of your body. Ultrasound might be used to look at lymph nodes (small collections of immune cells) near the tumor to see if the cancer has spread there. CT or CAT scan: This test uses x-rays to make detailed pictures of your insides. A CT scan may be used to see if nearby lymph nodes are swollen or if organs like the lungs or liver have spots that might be from the spread of melanoma. If any spots are found, a CT scan might be used to guide a needle into the spots to do a biopsy. MRI scan: This test uses radio waves and strong magnets instead of x-rays to make detailed pictures of your insides. It's very good for looking at the brain and spinal cord. This test can help show if the cancer has spread. PET scan: PET scans use a special kind of sugar that can be seen inside your body with a special camera. If there’s cancer, this sugar shows up as “hot spots” where the cancer is found. This test can help show if and where the cancer has spread. If you have melanoma, the doctor will want to find out how far it has spread. This is called staging. Your doctor will want to find out the stage of your cancer to help decide what type of treatment is best for you. The stage describes the growth or spread of the melanoma through the skin. It also tells if it has spread to other parts of your body. Your cancer can be stage 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. The lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, like stage 4, means a more serious cancer that has spread beyond the skin. Be sure to ask the doctor about the cancer stage and what it means for you. There are many ways to treat melanoma. The main types of treatment are: Most early stage melanomas can be treated with surgery alone. More advanced cancers need other treatments. The treatment plan that’s best for you will depend on: Surgery is the main treatment for most melanomas. It can often cure early-stage melanomas. There are different kinds of surgery. The type that’s best for you depends on how large the melanoma is and where it is. Ask your doctor what kind of surgery you will have and what to expect. Any type of surgery can have risks and side effects. Be sure to ask the doctor what you can expect. If you have problems, let your doctors know. Doctors who treat people with melanoma should be able to help you with any problems that come up. Immunotherapy is treatment that boosts your own immune system to attack the melanoma cells. Many types of immunotherapy are used to treat melanoma. These drugs may be given into a vein, given as a shot, or taken as pills. Immunotherapy can cause many different side effects, depending on which drug is used. Some of these drugs might make you feel tired, sick to your stomach, and cause fever, chills, and rashes. Most of these problems go away after treatment ends. There are ways to treat most of the side effects from immunotherapy. If you have side effects, talk to your cancer care team so they can help. Targeted therapy drugs may be used for certain types of melanoma. These drugs affect mainly cancer cells and not normal cells in the body. They may work even if other treatment doesn’t. They may cause fewer side effects. Chemo is the short word for chemotherapy – the use of drugs to fight cancer. The drugs may be given into a vein or taken as pills. These drugs go into the blood and spread through the body. They kill cells that are fast growing cancer cells and good cells like blood cells and hair. Chemo is given in cycles or rounds. Each round of treatment is followed by a break. Most of the time, 2 or more chemo drugs are given. Treatment often lasts for many months. Chemo can make you feel very tired, sick to your stomach, and cause your hair to fall out. But these problems go away after treatment ends. There are ways to treat most chemo side effects. If you have side effects, talk to your cancer care team so they can help. Radiation uses high-energy rays (like x-rays) to kill cancer cells. Radiation is not usually used to treat the main spot on the skin. But it may be used after surgery to help keep the melanoma from coming back. If your doctor suggests radiation treatment, talk about what side effects might happen. Side effects depend on the part of the body that’s treated. The most common side effects of radiation are: Most side effects get better after treatment ends. Some might last longer. Talk to your cancer care team about what you can expect. Clinical trials are research studies that test new drugs or other treatments in people. They compare standard treatments with others that may be better. Clinical trials are one way to get the newest cancer treatment. They are the best way for doctors to find better ways to treat cancer. If your doctor can find one that’s studying the kind of cancer you have, it’s up to you whether to take part. And if you do sign up for a clinical trial, you can always stop at any time. If you would like to learn more about clinical trials that might be right for you, start by asking your doctor if your clinic or hospital conducts clinical trials. See Clinical Trials to learn more. When you have cancer you might hear about other ways to treat the cancer or treat your symptoms. These may not always be standard medical treatments. These treatments may be vitamins, herbs, special diets, and other things. You may wonder about these treatments. Some of these are known to help, but many have not been tested. Some have been shown not to help. A few have even been found to be harmful. Talk to your doctor about anything you’re thinking about using, whether it’s a vitamin, a diet, or anything else. You’ll be glad when treatment is over. For years after treatment, you will see your cancer doctor. Be sure to go to all of these follow-up visits. You will have exams, blood tests, and maybe other tests to see if the cancer has come back. At first, your visits may be every few months. Then, the longer you’re cancer-free, the less often the visits are needed. After 5 years, they may be done once a year. Having cancer and dealing with treatment can be hard, but it can also be a time to look at your life in new ways. You might be thinking about how to improve your health. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 or talk to your cancer care team to find out what you can do to feel better. You can’t change the fact that you have cancer. What you can change is how you live the rest of your life – making healthy choices and feeling as good as you can. Anyone with cancer, their caregivers, families, and friends, can benefit from help and support. The American Cancer Society offers the Cancer Survivors Network (CSN), a safe place to connect with others who share similar interests and experiences. We also partner with CaringBridge, a free online tool that helps people dealing with illnesses like cancer stay in touch with their friends, family members, and support network by creating their own personal page where they share their journey and health updates. Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing. Basal cell cancer (BAY-zul sell can-sur): The most common type of skin cancer. It starts in the lowest layer of the skin, called the basal cell layer. Biopsy (BY-op-see): Taking out a small piece of tissue to see if there are cancer cells in it. Immunotherapy (IM-yuh-no-THAIR-uh-pee): Treatments that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Melanocyte (meh-LAN-oh-site): A cell in the skin that makes and holds melanin. These are the cells that can become melanoma cells. Melanin (MEH-luh-nin): The pigment that gives color to skin and helps protect it from damage from UV rays. Melanoma (MEH-luh-NOH-muh): Skin cancer that starts in melanocytes. Metastasis (muh-TAS-tuh-sis): The spread of cancer from where it started to other places in the body. Squamous cell skin cancer (SKWAY-mus sell): Cancer that starts in the flat cells on the outer surface of the skin. Last Revised: August 14, 2019 Donate now so we can continue to provide access to critical cancer information, resources, and support to improve lives of people with cancer and their families.
The footprints of a smaller-brained human were found in the United Kingdom, and no, they weren't Justin Beiber's. The footprints are the oldest to be discovered outside of Africa, and belong to a human ancestor known as Homo Antecessor, also known as Pioneer Man, dating back roughly 800,000 years ago. Scientists found the prints in a beachside sediment bed in England, and they say the prints belong to five early humans, made up of men, women, and children. A storm helped erode nearby sediment to reveal the prints, which scientists quickly photographed. Previously discovered footprints were found in Lake Tanzania, and are dated back 3.7 million years ago. If you're in England and want to see the prints, you're out of luck: they've already been washed away. [via LA Times]
An orbit is an object's revolution around another. Orbits are caused by the gravitational attraction between the two masses. The smaller mass is prevented from falling into the large mass by a large velocity perpendicular to the object it is orbiting around. The concept of orbiting in the solar system has changed drastically over time. Astronomers before Tycho Brahe and Kepler assumed that the orbits of observable planets were circular. Kepler was the first to propose that the planets' orbits were elliptical. The orbit of the Moon is nearly a perfect circle, but due to its high relative mass the focus of its orbit (its barycenter) is actually closer to the Earth's surface than it is to the exact center of the Earth.
What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a virus that lives and multiplies in the liver. When the body tries to get rid of the virus, the liver becomes inflamed, which can lead to liver damage. There are two types of hepatitis B, acute and chronic. Acute hepatitis B clears within six months. Most adults will clear the virus in this time. Some people may experience: - loss of appetite - jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin) - joint and stomach ache. Chronic hepatitis B is a life-long illness. Hepatitis B is chronic if it has been in the body for more than six months. It occurs when the body cannot get rid of the virus, so it stays inside the body and can eventually lead to severe liver disease and liver cancer if left untreated. Chronic hepatitis B usually has no symptoms and that is why it is so dangerous. Hepatitis B is NOT spread by sharing food, drinks and eating utensils with an infected person. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood and other body fluids entering the body of someone who is not infected. People can spread hepatitis B without knowing they are infected. Hepatitis B infection can occur: - During childbirth –from the mother who unknowingly passes on the virus to the baby during delivery. - Sharing personal items that may have blood on them such as razors or toothbrushes. - Having unprotected sex. - Using unsterilised needles or equipment. - Direct contact with infected blood.
“It’s difficult to describe the awe I felt when I first looked upon and held these stone tools made by our ancestors two thousand years ago; it’s humbling to know the technology and superior skills required to produce such amazing tools…” said Scott Schuyler, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. In 2007, archaeologists from Northwest Archaeological Associates in Seattle excavated an ancient residential site in the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe’s territory in the North Cascades, near the modern town of Hamilton, Washington. This unusually large site, called the “Hamilton site,” yielded over 60,000 artifacts and dates from 2,300 to 1,900 years ago. Archaeologists used a method called radiocarbon dating to determine this window of dates. Radiocarbon dating measures how much carbon-14 remains in things that were once alive in order to estimate how old they are. Excavations at the site unearthed the remnants of nine hearths, and these hearths included pieces of ancient meals, such as burned mammal, bird and fish bones, as well as plant remains like berries. Samples of some of these materials were radiocarbon-dated, allowing archaeologists to estimate the year in which these materials were harvested, cooked, and eaten by the ancient inhabitants of the site. Unearthed stone and bone tools from the Hamilton site also help illustrate Upper Skagit traditions, which stretch back thousands of years. Examination of these tools provides details about how people lived, hunted, fished and traded in the North Cascades. For example, all the excavated fish bones came from salmon, highlighting the great importance of salmon fishing to the ancient people of this area. Other materials like unburned bone, hide, plant fiber and wood were also used, but have been destroyed over time by the area’s acidic soils. To explore how the recovered stone and burned bone tools were used, archaeologists tested some of them for traces of chemicals such as fats or proteins, which can remain as residues stuck to the surface of tools used for cutting, hide scraping, or other purposes. Many other artifacts found at the Hamilton site were made of obsidian, a special type of volcanic rock which was highly-prized for making stone tools due to the fact that broken obsidian is as sharp as surgical steel. Modern archaeologists can chemically match each piece of obsidian to the volcano where it was originally quarried through a process called obsidian sourcing, and this helps archaeologists understand where ancient people got their toolstone, as well as how far this toolstone was carried before it was made, used, and discarded. At the Hamilton site, obsidian sourcing showed that much of the obsidian found at the site was carried hundreds of miles from central Oregon, highlighting the extensive trade networks used by the its ancient inhabitants. Ongoing work at the Burke Museum The archaeology staff at the Burke Museum is currently working on behalf of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe to help preserve the Hamilton collection so that this important ancestral record is available to future generations of tribal members and researchers. Our current work involves cataloging and providing archival-quality housing for every artifact and document produced by the 2007 excavation. Eventually, this collection of artifacts and documents will be returned to the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. See more from Archaeology.
Tata McGraw - Hill Education \|Number of Pages Electronics & communications engineering Signals and Systems is a field of study in Electrical Engineering that deals with output input signals, and the mathematical representations between them. This representation is known as a system, and is defined with respect to four areas, Frequency, Time, s and z. The subject is studied under these four areas, putting together a total of eight divisions. Students are required to have a knowledge of all these tools in addition to the physics, circuit analysis, mathematics and transformations between the eight domains. The concepts of Signals and Systems have found vast relevance in the engineering field and are also useful to the common man. As such, a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts is absolutely essential for engineers. Its study forms a foundation for further studies in areas related to Communication, Control Systems, and Signal Processing. This edition of Signals And Systems is designed keeping in mind the questions that appear in many of the Indian university examinations. It is also useful for students who are preparing for the GATE, CES (IES), Public services and other competitive entrance examinations. It includes a brand new chapter on Sampling and several sub topics that have been added in the existing chapters. Questions related to Annamalai University, JNTU, UPTU and several other universities have been solved and included in the related chapters. A major part of Signals And Systems comprises multiple choice questions, along with their answers and a number of solved examples. In all, the solved, practice and objective type of questions number 910, including 50 problems that are completely new. It has a comprehensive coverage of discrete-time signals and systems and continuous-time. Topics on Response of discrete-time LTI systems to complex exponential signals, Simplified Mathematics, Orthogonal Signals, First and second order continuous-time and discrete-time systems and have been included newly in this edition. A few of the chapters in the book are Random Variables and Processes, Laplace Transform and Continuous-Time LTI Systems, State Space Analysis, and The Z-Transforms and Discrete-Time LTI Systems. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1. Signals and Systems Chapter 2. Linear Time-Invariant Systems Chapter 3. Laplace Transform and Continuous-Time LTI Systems Chapter 4. Sampling Chapter 5. The Z-Transforms and Discrete-Time LTI Systems Chapter 6. Fourier Analysis of Continuous-Time Signals & Systems Chapter 7. Fourier Analysis of Discrete-Time Signals & Systems Chapter 8. State Space Analysis Chapter 9. Random Variables and Processes
Prix : 29,60 € Method for musical training and beginning piano Sing, listen, move, read, write, draw, and use musical codes with French and European songs and nursery rhymes. The novelty of this method is found in the possibility of focussing the lesson on the child. It is intended for children from 5 or 6 on, including children who have learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyspraxia. The written instructions and guidelines should be applied to each exercise. The progression is slow enough to allow the teacher to personalise the pedagogy.
With Bonsai you use special soil and substrates to grow the tree. Garden and potting soil, as you use it for bedding and pot plants, do not have the right properties to grow Bonsai well and healthily. Often these types of soil stay wet for too long or do not absorb the water properly. There are also trees that set specific requirements for the soil mix, such as the acidity of the soil. Different types of Bonsai soil are often mixed together. You do this to make optimal use of the positive properties of these different types of soil.
But what else happens when the batter makes contact with a pitch? What factors besides aerodynamic drag determine how far and how fast the ball will travel? What makes one hit a home run, another a weak fly ball, another a hard grounder? The first thing affecting a hit is the angle and location of contact between the bat and the ball. There is a perfect location for contact along the length of the bat, which batters refer to as the "sweet spot," or "good wood." This is the point scientists call the "center of percussion," the place on the bat which, when hit by an impulse (the ball) produces no impulsive reaction at the point of suspension (your hands holding the bat). When a hitter hits a ball at the sweet spot, she feels no wobbling or twisting of the bat, and all of the swing's power is transferred to the ball. On a baseball bat, the sweet spot is usually located in the middle of a six-inch area around the maker's label, extending up towards the tip of the bat. A hit outside of the sweet spot results in vibration of the bat and a weak hit. It can even break the bat. The vertical location of the contact matters too. The baseball is round, and the bat is cylindrical, or barrel-shaped. If the batter's swing is off-center by more than a few millimeters vertically, the hit will be a fly ball or a grounder. A dead-center hit will be a line drive, and a hit a few millimeters below center could be a home run. But it could also result in a deep fly ball, easily caught for an out by the fielders. What's the difference? The determining factor lies in the physical properties of the bat and the ball, the moment of contact between bat and ball, and the interaction of the ball with the air as the ball flies towards the outfield.
The Arctic is being hit by melting ice, hotter air and dying wildlife, according to a US government report on the impact of global warming there. Sun-reflecting Arctic ice has traditionally cooled the whole planet A new wind circulation pattern is blowing more warm air towards the North Pole than in the 20th Century, scientists found. Shrubs are now growing in tundra areas while caribou herds are dwindling in Canada and parts of Alaska. The report stresses that the fate of the Arctic affects the entire planet. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) report found that in 2007 winter and spring temperatures were "all above average throughout the whole Arctic and all at the same time" unlike in previous years. "This is an unusual feature and it looks like the beginning of a signal from global warming," the Noaa's James Overland told reporters. Scientists have expected polar regions to feel the first impacts of global warming, and the 2006 US State of the Arctic report provided a benchmark for tracking changes, the Associated Press news agency notes. Wednesday's report was the first update on it.
El Nino could mean a milder, shorter winter for Canadians Published Friday, October 16, 2015 10:09PM EDT Forecasters are predicting there will be fewer of those bone-chilling, cheek-numbing days this winter thanks to a monster-sized El Nino. Environment Canada said it is expecting a milder and shorter winter, as the weather system is expected to push warm air across the country. "The last time we had one this big was 18 years ago and that was one of the warmest winters on record here in Canada," Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips told CTV News on Friday. "We think this will be a repeat." The El Nino, a flow of warmer-than-average surface waters from the Pacific Ocean, changes weather patterns across much of the world. Historically, El Nino events occur about every two to seven years. News of a more forgiving winter this year will likely be a huge a relief for those still trying to forget about last year’s harsh winter. In Atlantic Canada, residents endured record-breaking amounts of snowfall. The brutal wintry weather even extended into the spring, making it difficult for some species of migratory birds to hunt for worms and insects as much of the snow-covered ground was still frozen in April. In Ontario and Quebec, the cold snap seemed endless. For residents in Toronto, February was the city's most frigid month ever. According to Environment Canada, Feb. 23 and 24 were coldest on record, with the mercury dipping to -21.6 C and -20.4 C. The previous record for Feb. 23 was -19.4 in 1972. The coldest Feb. 24 was in 1993, when temperatures reached -19.4. On both days, wind chills reached between -30 and -40, meaning exposed skin could freeze in about 10 minutes. Despite the predicted mild winter, however, Environment Canada said Canadians will likely still need to bundle up this year. "There will be moments when we wish we were somewhere else," Phillips said. With a report from CTV Montreal's Vanessa Lee
The economy is big news at the moment, but it isn't always easy to see whether a particular statistic is good or bad. Wouldn't it be good to have the mental agility to separate the wheat from the chaff? In his second lesson of a weekly series, author Michael Blastland gives some hints for comprehending growth. Counts and measurements swamp the news - of everything from the growth (or slump) of the economy to the extent of yobbish behaviour. They're often reported as if straightforward child's play, like counting your toes. That couldn't be more wrong - the world is a massive mess; the task more like counting an ocean of mushy peas. Lesson Two: Counting The story: The economy is on the edge. GDP growth sank to a lowly 0.2% last quarter. Slip below zero (ie the economy starts shrinking), stay there six months, and we're officially in a recession. Cue doom all round. The flaw: GDP is not counted. Most things about the economy or society, in fact, are not counted. And though you would never know from the fanfare that often accompanies GDP figures, or the way we're hanging on the next set, they are usually wrong. And not only wrong, but wrong in the same direction - too low, typically - often badly. The first "count" of GDP has sometimes been so misleading as to be worse than useless. The lesson: We tend to talk about big numbers describing the economy or society as if there were legions of bureaucrats with clipboards, standing outside factory gates or peering into our living rooms, counting. Better still, some kind of computer to do it for them. What we actually do is sample, make some guesses, and extrapolate. Sampling is a brilliant solution to an intractable problem - you can't count everything, there's just too much. But it can go badly wrong. How wrong you can see from the chart. The red line shows the GDP figure that gets the fuss - the first estimate. The green zone around it shows the range of updated estimates as more data comes in. The blue line shows the latest (and best) estimate. The differences are sometimes huge. In Quarter 1 of 2000, for example, the number everyone seized on was quarterly growth of 0.4%. The latest best estimate is that it was really 1.1% (and at one time was believed to be 1.4%). That is, the economy was growing nearly three times faster than first reported. This is a big error - apparently repeated (though not always on that scale) most of the time. Add up these revisions over a whole year and you have an object lesson in mass-delusion. Growth is usually - though not always - significantly higher than the first impression given by media concentration on that initial, ropey estimate. The numbers are judged more reliable only after about three years, when we have tax returns and other more complete data to check. So although the lines are closer together in recent years, they may yet move further apart. If they do, don't expect to read much about it. Times are predicted to get hard, but how certain are we? This also turns upside down another story - how our economy compares with the US. Because the US is unusual in its tendency to overestimate growth, then revise down. So first appearances have often suggested the US economy was racing ahead, and we have filled newsprint with arguments about how to close the gap. Sometimes it really is growing faster (though mainly because its population is also growing fast). Often, after revision, there is no gap. Junk rating: Two out of five. The first numbers are not reliable, but people don't count GDP this way because they are stupid. Counting output is an awful lot harder than it looks (though some other countries seem to do better). It's still the best data we've got. And this doesn't invalidate the general conclusion that the economy is growing more slowly than before. It's unlikely that the numbers are that wrong, this time. But the mountains made of the point when we enter "recession" are made of sand. In truth, we could be in a recession already, or might avoid one altogether, even as the figures say otherwise. Watch for the headline: "Recession, it's official!" then blow off the froth of media excitement, and wonder what makes us want to appear so certain about an uncertain world. As for those trying to steer the economy, like the Bank of England setting interest rates, or the chancellor of the exchequer, they might know where they want to get to, but not even they really know where they are. Next week, Lesson Three: Percentages Michael Blastland is the author, with Andrew Dilnot, of The Tiger That Isn't. A selection of your comments appears below. Great - finally an article that talks some sense. It is so refreshing to see someone write an article that is not one-sided sensationalism. Myself and so many people I know would really like to find a news source such as this for all stories which tries to be objective and tell it how it is instead of either "doom and gloom" or "over optimism". Nick T, London Great - this is long overdue for highlighting - pity most people will still not understand. Makes you wonder about 'the environment'... ? Marshal Jim Duncan, Dundee Excellent article. It's wonderful to see an item like this as most people aren't prepared to read a book like "Freakonomics". I'm also glad to see it isn't just folks in the US that are so easily mislead by poor reporting and even poorer numbers. :)Spoonman, Upstate, NY USA House prices are a good one. Apparently they fell 4% last month. Well add up all the houses sold and divide by the number and you get the average? Well no, house prices themselves may be completely unchanged, only the cheap ones sold. Larger houses sat there with sellers refusing to drop prices. The is proved by the "record low number of houses sold". Then this month "house prices more realistic" shows they finally HAVE dropped. The most telling piece was the fact we went from record high mortgage borrowing to record lows in a couple of months. But these facts were hidden on tiny articles, its HOUSE PRICES TO CRASH that is the headline. This distorts the truth. House prices are not falling, no-one will drop their value and no-one will pay to buy, the market is frozen. Nich Hill, Portsmouth UK
Sometimes I have material left over when I edit Comments down to fit the available space. This page presents notes that landed on the clipping room floor. Some may be useful to you. While I avoid technical language in the Comments (or explain special terms), Clippings may have unexplained jargon from time to time. A hypertext Glossary of Terms is integrated with Clippings. Simply click on any highlighted word in the text and a pop-up window will appear with a definition. Bibliographic references are also integrated in the same way. Verse 1: “words”: The Hebrew plural dibre also means actions or events, so history is a good translation. [NJBC] Verse 1: “Jeremiah”: The name may mean The Lord exalts or Yahweh has established – depending on which Hebrew verb is part of the name. [NJBC] Verse 1: “Hilkiah”: 2 Kings 22 tells of one Hilkiah, a high priest, who “found the book of the law” in the Temple in 622 or 621 BC, during the reign of Josiah (640-609 BC). This led to religious reform. But NJBC says that this is not the Hilkiah identified in this verse. Even so, Jeremiah’s mission continued through the reform of Josiah. Verse 1: “priests ... in Anathoth”: Jeremiah may have been a descendant of the priest Abiathar, who was banished by Solomon to Anathoth (see 1 Kings 2:26-27). [NOAB] Anathoth is the present village of Anata, some 5 km northeast of Jerusalem. (Anata is the plural form of the name of the Canaanite goddess Anat; she was Baal’s sister.) Verses 2-3: The “thirteenth year of his [Josiah’s] reign” would be 627 BC. [NOAB] The text seems to indicate that his ministry started in this year; however, because no oracles can be dated to Josiah’s reign, some scholars say that 627 was the year of Jeremiah’s birth. Verse 5: “consecrated”: NJBC offers dedicated. Verse 6: “I am only a boy”: See also Isaiah 3:4 (“I will make boys their princes, and babes shall rule over them”) and 1 Kings 3:7 (Solomon). Moses had a similar reaction when Yahweh sent him as a messenger (see Exodus 4:10-15) but for a different reason: he had a speech defect. [JBC] Verses 7-8: See also Ezekiel 2:6-7 (“... You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear ...”) and Deuteronomy 18:18 (“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people ...”). [JBC] Verses 11-16: These verses were inserted by an editor. [NJBC] Verses 11-12: “almond tree ... watching”: In Hebrew, there is a play on words: “almond tree” is shaqed and “watching” is shoqed. [NOAB] This is a vision which probably occurred early in Jeremiah’s life. [NJBC] Verses 13-14: This is another vision. [NJBC] Verse 17: “gird up your loins”: i.e. gather your long garment into your belt. [JBC] Respond promptly to the order (e.g. Elijah in 1 Kings 18:46) and prepare immediately for combat (e.g. Yahweh calls Job to legal combat in Job 38:3; 40:7). The predestination of Jeremiah to his office began from the start of his existence (see also Judges 13:5, Samson; Isaiah 49:1-2, the Servant; Luke 1:15, John the Baptizer; Galatians 1:15-16, Paul), and shows an intimate relationship between Yahweh and Jeremiah. The intimacy never ceases to grow, as can be seen throughout the book. JBC suggests that the psalmist was ill as well as persecuted. Verses 14-24: One scholar sees the psalmist as making a vow: if his prayer is answered, he will use his talent for music (v. 22), to celebrate God’s saving acts, so that future generations will know them. [NOAB] Verse 24: “have been”: Another possible translation is would be. [NJBC] Verse 15: There are similarities between this verse and the Septuagint translation of Deuteronomy 29:18: “Lest there be among you man, or woman, or family or tribe, whose heart has turned aside from the Lord your God, having gone to serve the gods of other nations; lest there be in you a root springing up with gall and bitterness”. [NOAB] [BLXX] Watch over one another to avoid straying from the faith. [NJBC] Verse 16: “like Esau, an immoral and godless person”: NJBC offers no fornicator or profane person like Esau. He says that fornicator may not refer to Esau. Esau’s profaneness is shown by his giving up his birthright for a single meal: see Genesis 25:29-34. JB translates this verse as And be careful that there is no immorality, or that any of you does not degrade religion like Esau, who sold ... . To degrade religion refers to the sin Esau committed when he surrendered the position that was his by birth, of being heir to the messianic promises. Verse 17: Esau is an example not only of deviation from the faith but also of the impossibility of repentance after that sin. In 6:4-6, the author says “ For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt”. [NJBC] Verses 18-19: See Exodus 20:18-21 (After God gives the Ten Commandments, the people are terrified by his display of natural phenomena – but he does not say “‘I tremble with fear’”); Deuteronomy 4:11-12; 5:22-27. [NOAB] Verse 20: In Exodus 19:12-13, Moses tells the people what Yahweh has told him: “‘You shall set limits for the people all around, saying, 'Be careful not to go up the mountain or to touch the edge of it. Any who touch the mountain shall be put to death. No hand shall touch them, but they shall be stoned or shot with arrows; whether animal or human being, they shall not live.' When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may go up on the mountain’”. [NOAB] Verse 21: In Deuteronomy 9:19, Moses says “ For I was afraid that the anger that the Lord bore against you was so fierce that he would destroy you. But the Lord listened to me that time also”. [NOAB] That Moses said ‘”I tremble with fear’” is not in the Bible, but is inferred. Further, Deuteronomy 9:19 is part of Moses’ speech given when the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, rather than at Sinai. [JBC] Verse 22: The author speaks of those who are still on the journey to heaven, yet since they already possess the benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice, he can speak of them as having already arrived. [NJBC] He shows the now and not yet of Christian experience in this world. [JBC] Verse 22: “the heavenly Jerusalem”: In 11:10, the author says that Abraham “looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God”; Galatians 4:26 (the allegory of Hagar and Sarah; Sarah “corresponds to the Jerusalem above”); Revelation 21:2 (“the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God”); 2 Esdras 8:52 (“... it is for you that paradise is opened, the tree of life is planted, the age to come is prepared, plenty is provided, a city is built ...”). [NOAB] [JBC] Verse 23: “the spirits of the righteous made perfect”: In 11:39-40, the author says “Yet all these [exemplars of the Old Testament] , though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect”. [JBC] Verse 24: The blood of Abel cried out for vengeance (see Genesis 4:10); that of Jesus brings access to God. Genesis 4:10-11 says: “the LORD said, "What have you done? Listen; your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground! And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand”. In 10:19, the author writes “... we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus”. [NJBC] Verse 24: “the sprinkled blood”: 9:14 says: “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!”. See also 13:20. Verse 24: “Abel”: After Cain kills Abel, Yahweh says: “‘What have you done? Listen; your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground! And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand’” (see Genesis 4:10). [NOAB] Verse 25: The author argues from the lesser to the greater, as he does in 2:2-4: “For if the message declared through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will”. [JBC] Verse 25: “who warns”: NOAB says that the Greek can also be translated as who is. Verses 26-29: “At that time” is at the time of the giving (making) of the covenant at Mount Sinai. Since then, through Haggai, God has promised to shake both the earth and the heaven. The author takes this as a promise to shake out from all that he has created all that are ungodly. At the end of time, after the shaking, only the unshakable will remain; the unshakable will be the faithful. So “we” (v. 28), being faithful, “are receiving”, i.e. both have received and are heading towards the fullness of, membership in the kingdom of God, “a kingdom that cannot be shaken” from fidelity. So “let us give thanks” (v. 28), thereby worshipping God properly, i.e. reverently and with due awe. In v. 29, the author switches metaphor: from shaking out to “fire”. In refining gold, heating the ore separated the gold from the dross, the faithful from the ungodly. So Comments says In vv. 26-29, the author interprets God’s words spoken through the prophet Haggai as a reference to the Last Judgement. Verse 29: See also Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8. In Matthew 3:12, John the Baptizer says of Christ: “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire”. [NOAB] Verse 12: “saw her”: Jesus always had an eye for the needy. [JBC] Verse 13: “he laid his hands on her”: Jesus heals and blesses, in accordance with Old Testament usage: see Genesis 48:14-20 (Jacob lays his hands on Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and blesses them) and Leviticus 9:22 (Aaron blesses the people). In the New Testament, see also Mark 1:41 (Jesus heals a man of leprosy) and 5:23 (Jairus asks Jesus to lay his hands on his daughter, that she may be made well again and live). For laying on hands for healing, see also Mark 6:5; 7:32; Luke 4:40; for laying on hands in blessing, see also Mark 10:13, 16; Luke 24:50. Jesus does not use the imposition of hands for exorcism; but this and absolution make the chief uses of the action in the liturgy of the early Church. [BlkLk] Verse 14: “because Jesus had cured on the sabbath”: On this subject, see also: Verse 14: The “leader of the synagogue” recalls one of the Ten Commandments: see Exodus 20:9-10. [NOAB] Detailed rules with regard to the kind of work allowed on the Sabbath, according to the urgency of the injury, were published by the rabbis. A prohibition is found in CD (Damascus Document) 8:22-23: No man shall help an animal in its delivery on the Sabbath day. And if it falls into a pit or ditch, he shall not raise it up on the Sabbath. [BlkLk] Verses 15,16: “untie his ox ... whom Satan bound ... be set free ...”: BlkLk offers for these verses: Jesus answered him and said, “Hypocrites, does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or ass from the manager and lead him away and water him? This woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has tied up - see! – eighteen years, was it not right that she should be untied from her bonds on the sabbath days?”. “Untie” (v. 15) and “set free” (v. 16) are translations of the same Greek verb; “bound” is a translation of the opposite Greek verb. BlkLk’s translation brings out the sense of what Jesus said better than the NRSV. REB goes part way in making the sense clear. Verse 15: “untie his ox ...”: Per the Mishnah (Shabbath 7:2), tying and loosing knots are among the 39 kinds of work forbidden on the sabbath, but Shabbath 15:1-2 exempts certain kinds of knots. [JBC] Verse 15: “lead it away”: CD (Damascus Document) 11:5-7 says that a stubborn animal can be led up to “a thousand cubits” (i.e. half a kilometre) on the sabbath. [JBC] Verse 16: “whom Satan bound”: Satanic forces are in conflict with God’s purpose for salvation in his covenant with Abraham, and are the concern of his saving activity. In Matthew 12:24, the Pharisees attribute Jesus’ healing power to evil forces hostile to humankind. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus is tempted by the devil (“Satan”) to misuse his powers to his own advantage. The devil and “Satan” are names for evil conceived of as a personal will actively hostile to God. [NOAB] Verse 16: “be set free from this bondage ...”: What Jesus does on the sabbath is truly a celebration of its deep meaning, i.e. release from the effects of the fallen order. The sabbath’s purpose, according to Jesus, is fulfilled not by forbidding works of compassion, but by encouraging them. Jesus has released her, a captive, from bonds of evil (4:18). [NJBC] Verse 17: “wonderful things”: BlkLk offers glorious deeds and says that the Greek word is fairly widely used in the Septuagint. Luke is the only evangelist to use the word. It is found in the Septuagint translation of Sirach, e.g. Sirach 44:1. Verse 18: “He said therefore ...”: To try to avoid being seen only as a wonder-worker (“all the wonderful things he had been doing”, v. 17), Jesus asks (rhetorically): “‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it?’”. BlkLk says that it is Luke who ties together material from one source (up to and including v. 17) with material from the sayings source known as Q (vv. 18-21).[an error occurred while processing this directive] Web page maintained by Christ Church Cathedral Last Updated: 20130813 If you are already on that page, you will be taken to the top.
Ziya Us Salam’s book, ‘365 Tales from Islam’, (published by Om Books International) for children is a treasure trove of fascinating reads. A supposedly closed window is opened and 365 stories tumble out one by one giving meaning to the different facets of Islam. Assalam-u-aliakum! (A greeting or salutation in Islam meaning peace). The author requests the reader to always say, ’Peace be Upon Him’, at the very mention of Prophet Muhammad’s name. Islam is one of the oldest religions in the world and is practiced by 1.8 billion people. 365 Tales from Islam is a rich collection of soul stirring folklores, incidents and legends involving Allah’s messengers and prophets of Islam. Stories of angels, shaitans, companions of the prophets and the daily day to day routine of life and do’s and don’ts in society of Muslims form important themes in the stories. The Muslims believe that Adam was the first prophet sent to earth by Allah and Prophet Mohammad was the last to whom the revelations of the Quran in Arabic (foundation of Islamic faith) were revealed bit by bit in parts during his lifetime. The Quran mentions that Isa (Jesus Christ) was one of the last Israeli prophets and a healer and talks about Musa(Moses) to whom the scriptures were revealed ,a criteria on how people should lead a happy, content and harmonious life. There are 114 Surah’s (verses) in the Quran and Muslims should read them regularly. Insights are offered as to why preference should be given to education and all children whether a boy or girl should be welcomed in the family, why the first Athaan/Azaan was called out loud since in the early days there were no watches and people lived far away and hence they needed to be informed about the time for prayers, why performing the wudu/ablution, a hygiene ritual is important for the purity of a Muslim, importance of praying five times a day, observing rituals, fasting and the suhoor meal and so on. The author, Ziya Us Salam is a noted social and literary commentator and author of many books for adults. He has been associated with The Hindu group for 19 years. In this book, the tales have been simplified so that the language and text is easy to comprehend. Each tale has something special to teach and moral stories of value have been highlighted. All the stories are illustrated and they are colourful and eye catching. Many a times, if the children find the stories difficult to comprehend, the illustrations provide a link. Om Publications always comes up with appealing and entertaining books for children and 365 Tales from Islam is just that! It is educational and highlights life in ancient era and modern times with funny anecdotes included so that children do not tire while reading or being read too. It is a book to keep, the tales are detailed and we learn so much more about Islam and its teachings. Title: 365 Tales from Islam Author: Ziya Us Salam Genre: Religion and Spirituality Appropriate for Children 6+ and with Parental Guidance Publisher: Om Books International, Hardbound
(CBS) - Researchers believe there may be a connection between childhood obesity and BPA. The chemical compound is used in many plastic containers and metal cans. Most people have traces of the chemical in their bodies - but a new study in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" found children with the highest levels of BPA in their system were twice as likely to be obese. Scientists point out that the research only shows an association and does not prove BPA causes obesity. (CBS) - For adults who are severely obese there is more proof gastric bypass surgery is an effective way to lose weight and improve health. Researchers at the University of Utah looked at patients six years after they had the procedure. 96 percent of patients took- off 10 percent of their body weight and kept it off. 76 percent lost 20 percent of their weight. Most diabetics who had the surgery saw their disease disappear. (CBS) - Extreme temperatures may increase the risk of deadly heart attacks and strokes. Australian researchers found more people died of cardiovascular related conditions during heat waves and cold snaps. People with heart problems were most at risk when it was very hot out for two days or more. Doctors believe extreme hot or cold weather can trigger changes in blood pressure, cholesterol and heart rate.
This group of land-living reptiles appeared around 230 million years ago. Like reptiles today, dinosaurs had a scaly, waterproof skin, and young that hatched from eggs. For 165 million years, a period called the Mesozoic era, they dominated life on Earth. They suddenly became extinct 65 million years ago (mya). The large size of many plant-eating dinosaurs helped protect them from fearsome meat-eaters. This led to the evolution of larger predators, big enough to tackle their prey, which in turn resulted in an increase in the size of plant-eaters. Over millions of years, both prey and predator grew bigger and bigger. Dinosaurs fall into two groups. The ornithischian dinosaurs were all plant-eaters, but the saurischian dinosaurs included plant-eaters and meat-eaters. Other reptiles that lived at this time, but were not actually dinosaurs, included flying reptiles called PTEROSAURS, and marine reptiles such as ICHTHYOSAURS and plesiosaurs. Dinosaurs stood upright on straight legs. Their legs were directly under them, so their bodies were always raised off the ground. This allowed them to grow bigger and let them move faster. Reptiles today have a sprawling stance, with legs held out to the sides. Their bodies are close to or resting on the ground. This limits their size and their ability to move. Pterosaurs belong to the same group of reptiles as dinosaurs and are closely related. The largest, Pteranodon, had a wingspan of up to 30 ft (9 m). Birds and pterosaurs evolved separately. Similarities in skeletons show that birds evolved from saurischian dinosaurs. But birds and pterosaurs have similar features, including a streamlined shape, wings, hollow bones, and a lightweight beak. A furry body suggests that, like birds, pterosaurs were warm-blooded. Unrelated living things sometimes develop similar features to suit similar lifestyles. These reptiles spent their lives in the sea, surfacing to breathe. Ichthyosaurs, or “fish lizards,” gave birth to live young and fed on fish, squid, and ammonites. The largest was up to 50 ft (15 m) long. Life beneath the ocean looked much as it does today. The seas teemed with animals such as sharks, starfish, corals, whelks, jellyfish, and lobsters. However, swimming alongside them were huge and now-extinct marine reptiles, such as plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs.
Aquaculture has played an increasingly important role in food security, employment and income of many countries in the region. During the past decade, there has been a rapid development of aquaculture in the region, resulting in a threefold increase in the aquaculture production from 1986. The production of fish and shellfish in the Asia-Pacific region in 1997 amounted to 25.6 million tonnes (mt), or 89 percent of the world aquaculture production. Including seaweeds, the regions production amounted to 32.8 mt or 91 percent of the total world aquaculture production (Table 6). The major contributors to the rapid increase in the aquaculture production of the region were China, India, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Indonesia and Thailand. The East Asian sub-region accounts for almost three-quarters of the total world aquacultural production with China being the main producer. The Chinese production of fish and shellfish, mainly freshwater species, amounted to 19.3 mt in 1997. With the additional production of 4.7 mt of seaweeds and other aquatic species, the Chinese aquaculture production (Figure 9) accounted for some 67 percent of the total world aquaculture output. This remarkable growth is attributed to expanded aquaculture areas, the introduction of new species and new systems such as cage culture, artificial propagation programmes, the control of unwanted species, habitat modification and environmental engineering of the water bodies. Chinese aquaculture is generally characterized by finfish farming, low-stocking densities, and semi-intensive, polyculture, pond based systems. In contrast to the Chinese aquaculture practices, Japan employs intensive and more technologically advanced aquaculture methods to produce mainly carnivorous marine and diadromous species such as Japanese amberjack or yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) and red seabream (Pagrus major). Fish and shellfish production from aquaculture in Japan rose from 692,762 tonnes in 1986 to 806,534 tonnes in 1997. Seaweeds and aquatic plants also provided additional 533,327 tonnes. The aquaculture production of Korea, excluding seaweeds, declined from 428,212 tonnes in 1986 to 392,427 tonnes in 1997, mostly due to the decreased production of molluscs such as oysters, cockles and Japanese carpet shells. Environmental concerns are becoming increasingly important issues for future aquaculture development in the sub-region. These concerns include pollution in water bodies, disease outbreaks in ponds, and high density coastal aquaculture practices in Japan and the Republic of Korea. In the South and Southeast Asian sub-region, traditional aquaculture has been practiced since time immemorial. In recent years, with advanced methodologies and techniques, total aquaculture production in the sub-region increased to 4.9 mt in 1996 (Figure 10). The increase in value over the same period was even more notable, viz., from US$2,277 million to about $9,000 million, or a fourfold increase during 1986-1996. In volume, the main producers are India, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh and the Philippines. Finfish are the main species in volume, followed by crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants. Shrimps represented more than 50 percent of the total value in 1996. For the Oceania, aquaculture is being developed. The current production derived mainly by Australia and New Zealand (Figure 11) and based on few species such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), oysters and mussels. Attempts are being made to develop aquaculture in the South Pacific islands to support food security in the SIDS. The rapid development of the aquaculture industry in the sub-region, especially intensive and semi-intensive brackishwater aquaculture has created difficulties similar to those experienced in the East Asian sub-region. There is a need to establish better aquaculture management systems to attain sustainable aquaculture through integrated rural or coastal area management programmes. In addition, the role of aquaculture in poverty alleviation and food security is increasingly recognized. The development of aquaculture to improve household food security, poverty alleviation and gender equity as well as to promote environmental sustainability should be considered as an important factor in rural development, especially in developing countries. To achieve these goals, small-scale farmers should be provided with aquaculture technologies and management systems that are appropriate for sustained rural development.
A research team led by Associate Professor Scott Byrne based at The University of Sydney has discovered a vital mechanism that shows how cells in the immune system are hijacked by ultraviolet (UV) exposure, causing them to suppress immunity and help tumour development. Their findings could lead to a new treatment for aggressive skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma. Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, with more than two-thirds of Australians developing one of the various forms of skin cancer at some point in their lives. Avoiding excessive UV exposure is recommended by many health organisations, but we do not yet know by how much this exposure needs to be reduced to truly prevent cancer. Even though we all know that UV exposure can lead to cancer, the specific mechanisms for that remain unknown. Researchers need a thorough understanding of UV exposure’s impact on cells to devise new interventions for this common disease. Associate Professor Byrne and his team have discovered that UV exposure causes some immune cells, called B cells, to actively participate in the development of skin cancer. These B cells normally protect us from infection, but under the influence of sunlight, some of them can start producing immunity-suppressing compounds. The team has discovered that targeting these rogue, sunlight-activated B cells with an antibody can treat existing skin cancer tumours in mice. In an exciting development, there are already drugs on the market that target B cells in a similar way. The team also found that UV exposure on the skin causes lymph nodes to accumulate skin-derived microparticles. Future research will investigate whether this might be one of the mechanisms by which UV exposure suppresses the immune system. The high incidence of skin cancer in Australia makes it a significant health and economic burden. The need for better treatments is especially urgent for patients with UV-induced squamous cell carcinoma, which can be aggressive and may quickly spread elsewhere in the body. With more detailed knowledge of the specific molecular mechanisms that lead from UV exposure to cancer, researchers will potentially be able to develop better strategies for the prevention and treatment of skin cancers. A promising avenue is the potential to use existing drugs to target the newly discovered pathway. Associate Professor Scott Byrne The University of Sydney
A new analysis of the American Freshman Survey, which has accumulated data for the past 47 years from 9 million young adults, reveals that college students are more likely than ever to call themselves gifted and driven to succeed, even though their test scores and time spent studying are decreasing. Psychologist Jean Twenge, the lead author of the analysis, is also the author of a study showing that the tendency toward narcissism in students is up 30 percent in the last thirty-odd years. This data is not unexpected. I have been writing a great deal over the past few years about the toxic psychological impact of media and technology on children, adolescents and young adults, particularly as it regards turning them into faux celebrities—the equivalent of lead actors in their own fictionalized life stories. On Facebook, young people can fool themselves into thinking they have hundreds or thousands of “friends.” They can delete unflattering comments. They can block anyone who disagrees with them or pokes holes in their inflated self-esteem. They can choose to show the world only flattering, sexy or funny photographs of themselves (dozens of albums full, by the way), “speak” in pithy short posts and publicly connect to movie stars and professional athletes and musicians they “like.” We must beware of the toxic psychological impact of media and technology on children, adolescents and young adults, particularly as it regards turning them into faux celebrities—the equivalent of lead actors in their own fictionalized life stories. Using Twitter, young people can pretend they are worth “following,” as though they have real-life fans, when all that is really happening is the mutual fanning of false love and false fame. Using computer games, our sons and daughters can pretend they are Olympians, Formula 1 drivers, rock stars or sharpshooters. And while they can turn off their Wii and Xbox machines and remember they are really in dens and playrooms on side streets and in triple deckers around America, that is after their hearts have raced and heads have swelled with false pride for “being” something they are not. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/...#ixzz2HRvc4d7G
WELCOME TO COSMOS4KIDS Thanks for visiting! Right now you're on COSMOS4KIDS.COM. If you are looking for astronomy basics and the science of the stars, stay on this site. You can start by choosing one of the sections above or if you're not sure what to click, try our site map. That will show you all of the space science topics we cover. If you surf the site and get lost in all of the information, use the search function on the side of the pages. OKAY! Let's start here... But where do you start? There are moons, planets, stars, systems, and galaxies. We'll start with the big picture and a general overview of the universe. Go take a look! So you're asking, what is ASTRONOMY? Well... Here's our best definition. Astronomy is the study of the Universe and the changes that take place in and around all objects moving through space. It's more than just Earth and our Solar System. The study of astronomy covers every planet, object, and bit of energy flowing through the universe. So where did the word cosmos come from? It's actually a Greek word that describes an orderly and interconnected universe. Astronomy is the study of that universe and as you learn more, you will discover how each part is connected to the others. That's it for the introduction. Now its up to you to click and have fun! COSMOS4KIDS is one of many free science sites developed by our team. You may have also used Chem4Kids, Biology4Kids, Geography4Kids, or Physics4Kids. We also have a math site called NumberNut.com. Now it's time for you to dive into our astronomy pages and start learning. Remember, the site offers an introduction to the science of space. If you're not into graphics like home page image above, check out the search tool (powered by Google) that will check our site for the astronomy information you need. Just type in a keyword or phrase and click the search button. The COSMOS4KIDS results will be highlighted on the results page.
In the next two weeks, 2 million students will take 3.7 million end-of-year AP exams — figures well over double those from a decade ago. With no national curriculum, AP has become the de facto gold standard for high school rigor. States and high schools are pushing AP classes and exams as a way to raise standards across the board, in some cases tying AP to bonuses. And the federal government is helping cover the exam fees. Now, AP’s rapid growth is reaching even schools serving some of the most disadvantaged students. These schools are embracing AP as a comprehensive toolkit for toughening coursework, emphasizing college preparation and instilling a “culture of excellence.” If math teacher Jaime Escalante could lead low-income Los Angeles students to AP calculus glory in the story that became the 1988 film “Stand and Deliver,” why not others? The problem is, there usually isn’t a Hollywood ending. Last year, 18 percent of U.S. high school graduates passed at least one AP exam (by scoring 3 or higher on a scale of 1 to 5), up from 11 percent a decade ago. But there also many more students falling short — way short — on the exams. The proportion of all tests taken last year earning the minimal score of 1 increased over that time, from 13 percent to 21 percent. At many schools, virtually no students pass. For instance, in Indiana — among the states pushing AP most aggressively, and with results close to the national average — there were still 21 school districts last year where graduates took AP exams but none passed. Baltimore’s Academy for College & Career Exploration, where 81 percent of students were eligible for free or reduced price lunch programs in 2010, added three AP classes in recent years. Over the past two years, just two of 62 exams taken by its students earned a 3. Passing an AP exam means demonstrating college-level skill, so a high failure rate isn’t necessarily surprising or alarming. Many educators insist the AP coursework preceding those exams is valuable regardless. Still, they acknowledge the trend raises tough questions: Is pushing poorly prepared students to take college-level classes effective? Or does it just demoralize them and divert time and money better spent elsewhere? “It’s kind of an easy reform — plunk in an AP course,” said University of Northern Colorado scholar Kristin Klopfenstein, who edited a recent collection of studies on the AP program. But without accompanying steps, it’s not clear AP does much good, especially for students scoring 1s and 2s. “What I’ve observed in a lot of cases is AP programs being helicopter-dropped in with the hope that the high standards themselves would generate results.” Perhaps surprisingly, those concerns are shared by the not-for-profit College Board, which runs the AP program and has benefited from its growth (collecting $353 million in revenue from its college readiness programs, including AP exam fees, in 2009). “Schools that are using AP in a very deliberate way to change the culture, there’s something very powerful there,” said Senior Vice President Trevor Packer. But as a shortcut to avoid the hard foundational work students need, AP may be a waste — or worse, a diversion (The test fee is $87, though the College Board discounts that to $53 for low-income students, who with government grants often have no cost at all.). “The last thing we want is (schools) spending money on test fees if that’s all they’re spending money on,” Packer said. The AP program dates to the 1950s, but has grown rapidly in recent years to 34 subjects, from art history to Japanese. High-achieving students and parents have driven some of the growth, but mostly it’s educators and policymakers. The six states now requiring high schools to offer AP include several that have struggled the most with educational achievement — Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. (The others are Indiana and Connecticut. A half-dozen additional states require schools to offer either AP or other rigorous classes such as dual-enrollment or International Baccalaureate). States also encourage AP in other ways. Indiana, for instance, gives schools bonuses for AP performance, and factors AP into the state’s accountability formula and performance goals. Florida pays bonuses to teachers for each student earning a qualifying score. Seven states require public colleges to award credit or placement based on AP exam scores. Students, meanwhile, usually get extra weighting on their GPAs and improved chances for admission to selective colleges. Increasingly common are school districts like East Noble in Kendallville, Ind., where the high school now offers 11 AP classes, up from three a few years ago. The district’s pass rate on statewide tests ranks just above the bottom quarter in Indiana, state figures show. Superintendent Ann Linson started pushing AP when she was the high school principal, dropping a requirement that AP enrollees come from the top 25 percent of students. “I was really put out by that,” she said. “I believe every student should have the ability to be part of a more challenging course.” Last year, about 42 percent of East Noble graduates took an AP exam, roughly double the percentage three years before. But the 14 percent of graduates who earned a passing score (close to the state average) was about the same as before. Indiana’s statewide goal is 25 percent of graduates earning AP credit. “If a student pushes themselves at a higher level, even if they receive a C or D, it’s going to better prepare them for life after school,” Linson said. Why has AP become a gold standard? One reason is schools can slap the label “honors” on any class, but AP requires outside validation, said David Conley, a University of Oregon professor and CEO of the Educational Policy Improvement Center. To offer official AP courses, teachers and principals must develop a curriculum that the College Board attests meets standards set by college faculty (Conley’s group does that validation work for the College Board). Many AP teachers also undergo special training. Also, Conley says, the seemingly endless battery of state-level tests that have emerged over the last two decades focus on setting a “floor” — minimum skills for all students. AP lets schools and policymakers talk about raising the “ceiling,” elevating students beyond the bare minimum and pushing them toward college. One other possible factor: For years, Newsweek magazine used a school’s number of AP tests per graduate as the sole factor for inclusion on its annual list of “Best American High Schools”. (That list’s inventor, Jay Mathews, moved it to the Washington Post in 2011. Newsweek developed a new list with a formula where AP factors into three categories totaling 40 percent). Nationally, 56 percent of AP exams taken by the high school class of 2011 earned a 3 or higher, but there are wide disparities. The mean score is 3.01 for white students and 1.94 for blacks. In New Hampshire, almost three-quarters of exams earn a 3 or higher; in Mississippi, it’s under a third. In the District of Columbia, more than half of exams score a 1. At Detroit’s Mumford High School last year, none of 62 AP exams earned higher than a 1. But at the nearby Renaissance magnet high school, a quarter of the 113 AP exams earned a 3 or higher, and the school had the second most black students scoring 3 or higher in literature in the country. When Kayla Morrow began teaching social studies at Baltimore’s Academy for College & Career Exploration five years ago, the school offered no AP courses and barely any honors. “We were just kind of graduating kids from high school and just pushing them out the door and just hoping something positive would happen,” Morrow said. When a grant arrived for Morrow and others to get training and develop AP courses, “pretty much all the teachers were like, ‘yes, we really need this, we all did this when we were in high school, it’s a crime that we don’t have this.”’ Last year 36 students took AP exams in three subjects, scoring on average 1.4. The AP government class Morrow teaches, she says, isn’t just harder than regular classes. It’s fundamentally different, and — surprisingly — less test-driven. “What AP is really trying to teach you is for a lot of things, there’s really not a right and wrong answer. It’s, ‘how do you get to that?”’ she said, adding the AP training improved her teaching in regular classes, too. As for not passing the exams, “students take ownership of that,” she said. “They’ll work harder for you. In fact, they’ll be more appreciative for knowing where they stand.” Sean Martin, who helped start an AP literature program at Heritage High School in Baltimore before moving this year to another school, said some of his AP students read at a seventh-grade level. “I knew for a lot of them ... it was going to be very difficult to get them even to the level of a 2,” he said. Still, he said, simply putting students who want to push themselves together in a class with a goal is valuable. “We set a higher bar and we could do things a little differently, and really have meaningful class discussions,” he said. Classes “take on a different feel when every student in the room is success-oriented.” The two teachers note advanced college credit isn’t the only worthy goal: Both have heard former students report their AP preparation helped them place out of remedial college classes, which also saves time and tuition. Klopfenstein, however, is skeptical. While data show students who do well in AP courses do better in college, it’s not clear whether that’s because they took AP. And the evidence is weak for any college benefit for students who take AP courses but do poorly on the exams. Schools with many students struggling in AP may need more focus on skill-building. “If you have kids that are not necessarily being successful in high-school level courses, it seems like a logical fallacy to think what they need is college-level courses,” she said. “AP without sufficient supports is worse than no AP at all.” She notes AP carries a cost — to students, in time they could spend on other things, and to schools, in assigning the strongest teachers to an often small group. In an era of tight budgets, more schools may conclude AP is a luxury they can’t afford. Martin says Baltimore’s Heritage, where he previously taught, has cut back on AP (Heritage’s principal didn’t return phone messages seeking comment). But there’s also a cost of not offering AP: students who might benefit but never get the shot. That’s why the College Board believes there’s still room for AP to grow. One figure stands out. Of last year’s roughly 3 million high school graduates, the College Board believes that based on prior academic performance, 770,000 had a strong chance of passing an AP exam. But of those students, nearly two in three didn’t have access to an AP course. Among black students, nearly 80 percent who might have passed never took an exam. That adds up to countless missed opportunities for rigorous coursework, and countless potentially saved tuition dollars left on the table. Packer cites the Baltimore academy as an example of places building up an AP program the right way, using it to inject a culture of high expectations and college focus where it might not otherwise exist. “In those cases, who am I to say from the College Board ‘you should not offer AP courses because your kids are getting 1s and 2s’?” he said. Still, “it all depends on what educators do with the program,” he said. “No program is a silver bullet.”
The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa The foundation of Kwanzaa are the Seven Principles, or Nguzo Saba. When Dr. Karenga created the celebration of Kwanzaa he wanted to reflect the best qualities and characteristics of the “first fruit” or harvest festivals that were celebrated throughout Africa. It was these qualities that established the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles of Kwanzaa. (Nguzo Saba is Kiswahili for Seven Principles). The Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa are: - Umoja (oo-MOH-jah): Unity Success starts with Unity. Unity of family, community, nation and race. - Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): Self-Determination To be responsible for ourselves. To create your own destiny. - Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility To build and maintain your community together. To work together to help one another within your community. - Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics To build, maintain, and support our own stores, establishments, and businesses. - Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose To restore African American people to their traditional greatness. To be responsible to Those Who Came Before (our ancestors) and to Those Who Will Follow (our descendants). - Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity Using creativity and imagination to make your communities better than what you inherited. - Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith Believing in our people, our families, our educators, our leaders, and the righteousness of the African American struggle.
UNC Asheville Professor Christopher Oakley and other scholars believe this rare photo captures Abraham Lincoln just before he delivered the Gettysburg Address. Photo courtesy of UNC Asheville. The discovery of Abraham Lincoln in a rare photo at the scene of the Gettysburg Address has put local professor Christopher Oakley in the national spotlight as the 150th anniversary of the president’s famed oratory approaches. Smithsonian asserts that Oakley’s discovery “looks to be the most significant, if not the most provocative Lincoln photographic find of the last 60 years.” There is some controversy, however, because just six years ago, USA TODAY, on its front page, featured claims that a different man in the same photo is Lincoln. Oakley, an animation professional and self-described Lincoln nut, used a combination of historical records, other photos and portraits, high-tech new media tools and software, computer science and physics to convince many leading Civil War photography scholars that his man is Lincoln. Oakley’s discovery grew out of the “Virtual Lincoln Project,” a multi-year effort he has led with UNC Asheville new media students to produce a lifelike 3-D re-creation of Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg address. Efforts to correctly portray every detail of the cemetery setting and crowd of dignitaries led to close examination of the rare 1863 photos. Only six taken at the cemetery that day are known to exist. It was his intimacy with Lincoln’s facial features that led Oakley to spot his bearded profile – quite fuzzy even when magnified many times – in one of the photos of the scene taken from a distance by Alexander Gardner. “I was looking at Seward [Lincoln’s Secretary of State] in the picture and I was not looking for Lincoln at all,” says Oakley. “As an animator, I’m trained to look at and study movement. And in the first of Alexander Gardner’s photos, I could see Seward from the side and I knew who was around him. And in the second Gardner photo, someone new had entered. My eye drifted to him, and it hit me. I jumped up saying ‘No way – it can’t be!’ I’ve been staring at Lincoln’s face for decades, and that night, he looked back.” Oakley adds: “The next piece is to go back to the cemetery and go old school – to take everything we’ve learned with our new media technology, our science, and go test it with props and sets, the camera equipment of the time and see if we can recreate that moment and those photos,” he said. “That will tell us if we’re right or wrong.” Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on Nov. 19, 1863. Video about the discovery embedded here via the UNC Asheville YouTube page.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: CELL SITES For more than 10 years wireless service providers have been rapidly building out their infrastructure and coverage areas. Thousands of cell sites are built each year to keep up with an increasingly mobile market. On average, a single cell site will provide service in a 3 mile radius. A typical cell site consists of a base station and wireless antenna attached to a structure. The base station is usually connected to leased T1 service from the local exchange carrier. In cases where cell sites are located within a high voltage power corridor, i.e. a power substation or transmission tower, leased copper telephone lines must be isolated from the local ground due to high voltage ground potential rise. Ground potential rise (GPR) is a phenomenon common in most power stations and transmission towers in North America. During a GPR event the power station or tower ground will rise in voltage potential in relation to remote ground. Power stations have extensive grounding and bonding to ensure all structure within the ground grid is at the same electrical ground. When a leased metallic (copper) telephone cable is installed into a power station or tower it presents a path to remote ground. When GPR occurs voltage potentials as high as 100kV are possible. For personnel safety, equipment protection, and service reliability metallic phone lines entering high voltage GPR environments must be isolated from the local ground. The RLH Fiber Optic Link provides high voltage isolation by converting electrical (copper-based) signals into optical (fiber-based) signals. Because fiber optic facilities do not contain any metallic members, service can be safely and reliably connected. The Fiber Optic Link isolates telecommunication lines by replacing the copper telephone cable with an all-dielectric fiber optic cable within the high voltage area. The Fiber Optic Link can completely eliminate the presence of the telephone line remote ground insuring the safety of personnel and greatly improving equipment reliability.
An impressive copy of a Viking helmet in steel. This is a copy of the Gjermundbu helmet from Norway. The helmet was found during an excavation of a burial mound in 1943. Along with the helmet, many other Viking things were found, including swords and chain mail. The helmet is believed to come from around the 900s. The original can be seen at the National Museum in Oslo. The helmet is constructed from 1,6 mm thick steel ( the nosepiece is 2, 5, etc.). Since the helmets are handmade, they vary slightly in circumference, from 61 - 64 cm. The helmet is constructed with a visor to protect the eyes and nose. The inside of the helmet is equipped with leather straps that can be tightened, depending on the size of the head. This is definitely not a toy for children and is primarily for decorative use.
We are open - safety is our top priority! Posted on: July 7, 2015 Relieve the Constant Grind of Teeth Grinding Constant teeth grinding and clenching are signs that you’re suffering from bruxism. It’s a rather common disorder, but it can cause substantial damage to your health and well-being. Discover the best ways to end your struggle. Causes of Bruxism For some people, teeth grinding is a response to stress or anger. For others, it’s caused by such dental issues as damaged teeth or a misaligned bite. Regardless of the cause, the harmful habit can occur during the day or at night while you’re sleeping. And bruxism doesn’t only strikes adult; it’s commonly seen in children. Kids tend to experience the problem as their baby teeth start emerging and when their permanent teeth begin coming in. Luckily for children, the problem seems to naturally subside after these two sets of teeth have settled. And for adults, teeth grinding may go away on its own, but it can also be an ongoing issue that requires professional treatment. Dangers of Teeth Grinding and Clenching Bruxism can do more damage than you may realize and since it often occurs unconsciously or when you are asleep, you may not realize you have the harmful habit. In chronic cases, teeth clenching can lead to the following medical, dental, and psychological issues: - Loose teeth - Missing teeth - Broken teeth - Worn down tooth enamel - Jaw joint disorders like TMJ - Soreness in the jaw - Jaw joint damage - Changes to the face Solutions for Bruxism If bruxism becomes too much of a burden, you need to seek treatment. Ask your dentist in Bradenton about ways to control the problem. The solutions depend on the causes, so you may be referred to a psychologist or sleep specialist for the ideal treatment. But relax and realize that the condition can be easily treated with this wide range of techniques: - Learn ways to manage your stress. - Get daily exercise to relieve tension. - Relax your jaw when tense to keep it in proper position. - Teach yourself not to clench your teeth. - Get a mouth guard to protect against nighttime teeth grinding and clenching. - Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can agitate your physical and mental state. - Seek psychological counseling to deal with the underlying causes of teeth grinding. - Take medication for relaxation or depression. To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Bradenton, call today at or make an appointment. Manatee Dental offers affordable family dentistry and gentle, compassionate dental care in Bradenton. With 2 affiliated practices in the Bradenton area, our offices are conveniently located with extended hours to meet your needs. At , we provide most dental services, from basic preventative care and general dentistry to specialized procedures and complete dental reconstruction. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we strive to provide the exceptional, affordable dental care and personal touch that lead to lasting relationships. A smiling patient is our greatest reward and we look forward to keeping those smiles healthy, beautiful, and bright. Discover an affordable dentist who truly cares at .
Tim Berners-Lee—inventor of the World Wide Web—recently marked its 28th birthday with an open letter describing trends online that concern him, including the use of data-driven campaigns to target voters with personalized social media ads that lie to them or intentionally deter them from voting. But data-driven campaigning is not the cause of these problems. Lies and dirty tricks are not new in politics, and their appearance online should surprise no one. Moreover, data-driven campaigning can be used to improve participation and electoral competition. So while it should not be exempt from normal election rules, neither should it be treated as a special case or a problem in itself. Even in small countries, political activists require tremendous amounts of money and volunteers to mount a nationwide campaign with traditional tools, such as leafleting or direct mailing. Data-driven campaigning can bolster political participation and electoral competition by making it easier for small political groups to organize and grow and by helping campaigners to reach out directly to particular people, as well as disinterested and disillusioned non-voters. The ability to target personalized ads allows campaigners to reach out to people who do not normally vote. Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign made significant use of data to target nonvoters and encourage them to go to the polls, helping him to win on the support of a diverse and eclectic coalition of voters. Targeting allows rival campaigns to compete for every individual vote, instead of relying on core support bases grounded in class or sectarianism, or competing for focus group archetypes of the center-ground swing voter. Tim Berners-Lee overlooks these good uses of data-driven campaigning when he highlights their obvious corollary: “unethical” use of targeted ads to discourage particular voters. He also ignores the fact that willful attempts to discourage people from voting are not new and not grounded in new technology. Negative campaigning serves precisely this purpose, and it can reduce overall turnout. Politicians who practice it are well aware of its effects, as evidenced by the tendency of attack ads to focus more on the opponent than the candidate, and by those politicians who go as far as to illegally masquerade as other political groups in an effort to avoid blowback from attacking their opponents. Mr. Berners-Lee asks, rhetorically: “Targeted advertising allows a campaign to say completely different, possibly conflicting things to different groups. Is that democratic?” The implied argument pulls a thread of causality from new technology, to old campaign tricks, to dynamic voter behavior. One could call it technological determinism. In any case, it does not make sense. Even if dirty tactics were the result of new technologies—and they are not—the Internet still gives citizens unprecedented power to educate themselves and decide how to vote. Not even the most effective targeted ads take this power away from them. Ergo, targeted ads that are discouraging, but which break no laws, are no more unethical than the well-documented dark art of negative or dishonest campaigning (notwithstanding the fact that positivity and honesty are sometimes mutually exclusive). None of this is to say that data-driven electioneering should not be subject to the same legal standards as all other political campaigning. For example, British law states that all election materials and canvassers must identify the campaign. This allows voters to know who is responsible, and prevents anonymous off-books campaigns that might circumvent spending limits. The origin of political ads on social media should also be identifiable for the same reason, including when they direct readers to third-party content. Similarly, campaigns should not be able to disguise their ads through unofficial collusion with third parties, and regulators should pay close attention when other actors’ digital campaigns might constitute in-kind donations that have been spent, lest they confer an unfair advantage that breaks the spirit of the rules. But there is a difference between measures such as these, which ensure existing standards remain effective and free from loopholes, and treating political activity on social media as something dangerous in itself that must be tamed by government. The latter represents a dangerous inclination among some policymakers, such as those in Germany who wish to censor so-called “fake news” on social media, operating on the assumption that citizens cannot be trusted to judge what they read for themselves. In his letter, Mr. Berners-Lee says he opposes such censorious measures. But by making the mistake of viewing degradation in political discourse through a technological lens, he concedes far too much of the argument to the censors. Social media and data analytics are valuable tools for political activity, which means they are inevitably at the disposal of those who say things that are not true or fair, along with everyone else. As Saul Bellow remarks in the opening lines of The Adventures of Augie March, “there is no fineness or accuracy of suppression; if you hold down one, you hold down the adjoining.” Attempts to stop dishonest social media campaigns risk undermining the honest ones too, especially if policymakers ignore the latter while blaming the former on the technology itself. Image: Jarle Naustvik.
TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Asahi Glass Foundation, chaired by Takuya Shimamura, conducted an online survey of 13,332 people in Japan and 24 other countries in total, with 6,585 participants aged 18-24, and 6,747 participants aged 25-69. Its goal was to assess awareness and action regarding environmental issues. The survey was supervised by Professor Norichika Kanie of Keio University. Its main findings were as follows: - Overall, participants rated "Climate Change" as the most pressing environmental issue in the country or region where they reside and expressed concern over abnormal weather conditions. The number two issue was "Society, Economy and Environment, Policies, Measures," and the number three issue was "Water Resources." - Participants rated Japan, the USA and Australia as the top three countries making progress in terms of public awareness and action on environmental issues. The reasons given for selecting Japan included "cutting-edge technology" and "cleanliness." - The Sustainable Development Goals that participants thought will have the highest level of realization by 2030 were "No Poverty" (1st), "Good Health and Wellbeing" (2nd), and "Zero Hunger" (3rd). The SDGs that participants thought would have the lowest level of realization were "No Poverty" (1st), "Zero Hunger" (2nd), and "Quality Education" (3rd). Opinions were split on whether poverty can be eradicated, even among people from the same country, with developed nations giving more pessimistic answers. - Around 30% of participants hadn't heard of the SDGs. 18-24-year-olds had a slightly higher awareness than 25-69-year-olds. - When showing environmental crisis awareness time on a clock, from 0:01 to 12:00, participants of all age brackets averaged out at 7:25, meaning "fairly concerned." 18-24-year-olds averaged out slightly lower at 7:11, while 25-69-year-olds were at 7:27, meaning they were slightly more concerned. The average time given by global environmental experts was two hours ahead of the general public, at 9:35, "extremely concerned." But both experts and the general public expressed a sense of crisis.
Dont tell these chickens the sky isnt falling. The air is full of hawks that soar and circle, patrol and scan. Then they come plummeting in a rush of outstretched talons, fierce yellow eyes, and beaks like shears. At sunrise I watched the Attwaters prairie-chickens transform from mottled grouse into ornaments that exalted the flat coastal plain of Texas. They struck a rigid pose, tail feathers held over their backs in spiky fans. Special neck feathers cocked up behind their heads like horns. On each side of the throat big patches of golden skin with magenta margins inflated like balloons, and extra gold flared over the eyes. Strutting about, the performers bowed while deep notes boomed from the resonant air sacs. Oo-loo-woo. Oo-loo-woo. Then they boogied, each stamping his feet as though trying to drive them into the ground. Youve seen this beforethe tail fans, the thumping footworkin Plains Indian dances, drawn from the courtship displays of male prairie-chickens gathered each spring on their booming grounds. Suddenly the males have transformed again. Where a dozen paraded a second ago, I cant find one. Flattened with heads stretched out on the sod, the birds seem to have melted into it. Why? A hawk just swept by. The sky is falling! This is no false alarm. There are about 10 other male Attwaters and 20 females left in the wild. They inhabit two separate grassy patches in Texas totaling 12,400 acres (5,018 hectares), the remnants of six million acres (2,428,114 hectares) of coastal prairie that supported as many as a million Attwaters a century ago. The grouse were over hunted early and hit by habitat loss every year since. Eastern North America held throngs of a close relative whose booming awakened early colonists. Called heath hens, they declined from the same causes. By 1929 one male remained. It endured for three lonely winters, and then the heath hen was gone. Now were near the point where the loss of one more Attwaters o raptor, snake, skunk, disease, storm, starvation, collision with fence wireanythingcould trigger a final countdown. Fifty miles (80 kilometers) due west of Houston, in Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, I was afield with the manager, Terry Rossignol, when three birds flushed at a distance, spooked by us. They were the first he had seen for months. He was still talking excitedly when a biologist came by with a plastic bag. In it were prairie-chicken parts, a tiny transmitter the animal had worn, and pellets from the owl that in all probability killed it. Rossignols shoulders slumped. It seems thats how it goes with these birds, he said. Good news, followed by bad news. Always a dark cloud hovering somewhere close by. Enlisted to try breeding Attwaters in captivity, staff at Texas A&M University, four Texas zoos, Sea World, and another private wildlife facility called Fossil Rim learned how many steps in artificial incubation, rearing, and feeding can go haywire in an 11th-hour rush. Still, their dedication yielded enough breakthroughs that they are delivering nearly a hundred young birds annually to the wild. Good news, then bad: Only one or two percent of these newcomers have survived. This is partly because so much other wildlife, predators included, crowds into the same islands of natural prairie, tousled and flower-splotched within an expanding grid of rice fields, oil fields, overgrazed cattle pastures, and housing developments. Yet if it weren’t for replenishment by captive-bred birds, the count in the wild would already be zero. The call to save Texass Attwaters prairie-chicken takes on heightened urgency as a couple of dozen struggle to survive in the wild. Watch a male attwater-prairie chicken strut and squawk his stuff as he tries to attract a mate. RealPlayerWinMedia Conservation groups are working hard to raise money to breed more of the nearly extinct Attwaters prairie-chicken and to buy land for habitat. How far should we go to protect these and other scarce animals? Share your thoughts. Nature reveals its remarkable artistry in this months desktop wallpaper. In More to Explore the National Geographic magazine team shares some of its best sources and other information. Special thanks to the Research Division. In the 1600s, the earliest New England colonists were serenaded by heath hens thrumming their annual mating calls on brushy flats and forest margins along the coast. According to one report from the early 1800s, these grouse were so plentiful in the Boston area that servants, fed up with a steady diet of heath hen, refused to eat them more than a few times a week. Still, by the mid-1800s heath hens had disappeared from the mainland, and Marthas Vineyard became their final sanctuary. There a population of 120-200 in 1890 dwindled, after a series of devastating fires on their mating and nesting grounds, to one lone male in 1929. For three lonely years he continued his noisy search for a mate in vain—until he too passed into extinction. A list by region outlining the endangered and threatened species of the United States and Canada. Most of the information was supplied by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Few Catholics were part of the early immigration but our ancestors were present in the formative years of the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania. The first Catholic Chapel in Pennsylvania was established in Philadelphia in 1733 by Father Greaton. A count of Catholics in the colony, made in 1757 during the French and Indian War, shows only 1575 Catholics under the care of Father Robert Hardin in Philadelphia, Father Theodore Schneider at Goshenhoppen, Father Farmer at Lancaster, and Father Matthew Manners in York County, presumably at Conewago. In 1757, the total population of the Colony was about 120,000 so the colony was just 1 percent Catholic. We might note here that some of our ancestors were among the earliest Catholics to arrive. John Kuhn arrived in 1742 and Philip Cyphert, and Andrew Gret came in 1747. Also, Henry Reinsel was born about 1760. Anti-Catholic sentiments were the normal thing in the colonies. Repressive religious laws were passed in all colonies except Pennsylvania and Maryland. During the French and Indian War, which ended in 1763, the Catholics were under suspicion for siding with the French. After that war, a relaxation of the official English anti-Catholic position occurred, but it was not until after the Revolution that Catholics were really free to practice their faith without official disapproval. It was not until 1790 that John Carroll was consecrated as the first Bishop of the United States with the entire country as his Diocese. In 1808, the Diocese of Philadelphia was formed with Michael Eagan as Bishop. The old colonial Conewago Chapel at Edge Wood near Hanover, Pennsylvania is now the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Jesuits from Maryland were the First to minister to the people of this area. The first settlers moved into this area because it was at the intersection of two important trails; one originating in Baltimore and leading to Carlisle and the north; the other starting in Philadelphia and leading westward and southward to and beyond the Potomac river. The area was in the disputed territory of Maryland and Pennsylvania and afforded a natural sanctuary for English and Irish Catholics who were being persecuted for their religious beliefs in Maryland. The first priest, who's name we know, to visit the area was father Joseph Greaton, S.J. He arrived in Maryland in 1719 and was assigned a large mission area in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Some time before 1733 he took up residence in Philadelphia where he built St Josph's Church in Willing's Alley. In 1741 Father William Wappeler, S.J built a log dwelling and chapel which was dedicated to St Mary of the Assumption, but it was commonly called Conewago Chapel. The Chapel was enlarged in 1768 and it became the headquarters of the Jesuit missionaries of the St Francis Regis mission circuit. Father Dimitri Gallitzin was the son of a Russian Prince who was the envoy of Catherine the Great to the Hague. The young Prince on visiting the colonies decided to become a priest and was ordained by Bishop Caroll in Baltimore in 1795. He was assigned to Conewago and remained there until 1799 when he moved to Loretto. He remained at the Loretto mission for 41 years and became known as the Apostle of the Alleghenies. The St. Paul Mission was founded by Father Theodore Schneider a Jesuit. Although not the first Catholic Mission in Pennsylvania, its registers are the oldest surviving in the thirteen original Colonies. A significant gap in Father Schneider s records occurs, beginning in the middle of 1747 and extending to 1758. Then only the list of marriages is resumed. This was the period of the French and Indian War with its hostile Indian incursions and massacres in Berks County. Father Schneider, who served at Goshenhoppen, was born in Geinsheim in the Diocese of Spires in the Palatinate on April 7, 1703. He taught philosophy in the Jesuit School at Liege and then became Rector of the Jesuit School at Heidelberg. In 1738, he was elected Rector Magnificus of the University of Heidelberg. Father Schneider was specifically requested for the Pennsylvania Mission. However, the Jesuit Provincial at Liege was apparently reluctant to have him go. Father Schneider was released from the Upper Rhine Provence in 1741. In 1741, he and Father Wappeler arrived in Pennsylvania, with Father Wappeler being in charge of the mission in Conewago, and Father Schneider in charge at Goshenhoppen. Father Neale and Father Greaton were in Philadelphia. Father Schneider lived in John Kuhn's House at Goshenhoppen until he could establish his own home. John Kuhn built the first chapel "St. Paul's" at Goshenhoppen. John Kuhn and his wife Anna Barbara are my earliest known ancestors in the colonies. They are the parents of Eva Kuhn who married Philip Schmidt in John Kuhn's House in 1742. In 1764, following the French and Indian war, Father John Baptist Ritter succeeded Father Schneider as pastor at Goshenhoppen and he remained until he died in 1787. Father Peter Helbron succeeded Father Ritter in 1787 and remained there until 1791 when he was transferred to Holy Trinity in church in Philadelphia. In 1799 he was appointed to the care of the Catholics in western Pennsylvania with his residence at the old mission known as Sportsman's Hall. In Western Pennsylvania, Father Helbron was active from 1799 to 1816 over a wide territory including at least Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington, Greene, Allegheny, Butler, and Armstrong (which then included Clarion) counties. Father Helbron died in Carlisle, Pa. in 1815 or 1816. Father Helbron's record shows that he visited Buffalo Creek (Sugar Creek) in October 1803 and returned several times to baptize and marry the settlers. Father DeVaux served Goshenhoppen from 1791 until April 1793. He apparently left the church and he was replaced by Father Paul Erntzen who served from April 1793 until May 1818. The church at Sugar Creek was visited by Father Helbron in 1803 and apparently Fr. Phelan arrived to take over the responsibilities there in 1805. Father G.F.X. O'BRIEN recorded entries at Latrobe until Dec. 17, 1817. Father Charles Bonaventure Maguire, of Dungannon, Ireland, Order of St. Francis, arrived in Latrobe Dec. 29, 1817. He was at St. Patrick's in 1820 and his mission included all of Northwestern Pa. Father Terrance McGirr followed Father Maguire at Latrobe in 1820 through 1826 and it is known that he visited Red Bank (Crates) during this time. He visited the Volkerbacher settlement (Lucinda) in 1826. Father Patrick O'Neill was the pastor of Sugar Creek in 1826, succeeding Father Charles Ferry. His mission territory extended as far north as Erie. The first mass at Fryburg was said in the Eisenman home by Father O'Neill in 1826. The First Bishop of Pittsburgh, Michael O'Connor reported in his first Census, taken in 1843, that the mission at Donegal had 1300 souls: Murrinsville, 500 and, St. Patrick's formerly known as the Buffalo Creek mission 1000. In 1843, there were only 47 Churches in the Pittsburgh Diocese which covered all of western Pennsylvania. A map of the Pittsburgh Diocese, for 1843, shows that there were 47 Churches in Western Pennsylvania in that year, the year the Diocese was founded. Included among these were Huntington, Loretto(1799), Ebensburg, Summit, Sugar Creek (Buffalo Creek), Red Bank (Crates)(1828), Eisemanns (Fryburg), Marysville (St. Marys) and St. Vincents at Latrobe (1799). From the Fryburg, Register we find that Missions in 1851 embraced Clarion, Lucinda, Fryburg, Crown, Crates, and other stations in Venango County.
GENEVA – Chronic lack of clean water and sanitation in the developing world kills as many people every month as last year's Indian Ocean (search) tsunami, the international Red Cross said Thursday. More than 3 million people die annually from diseases spread though dirty water and poor sanitation facilities, but their plight rarely gets the same publicity as a single natural disaster, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (search). The humanitarian agency launched a 10-year plan aimed at providing clean water and sanitation to the world's poor. Water-related illnesses account for about a third of common recurrent diseases around the world and cause lost working time when people fall sick or have to collect water from far away, said Uli Jaspers, the federation's water and sanitation chief. "You can see the destructive impact a lack of water and sanitation can have on economies and livelihoods," Jaspers said. More than 1.1 billion people around the world lack safe water and a further 2.4 billion have no access to sanitation, the federation said. The Red Cross initiative will focus on long-term solutions, and includes financial aid to dig new wells and modernize existing water supplies, as well as building more hygienic latrines. The Dec. 26 tsunami also highlighted the need for clean water in emergencies, the federation said, adding that it already helps more than 2 million people every year following catastrophes. "Our capacity and expertise in providing adequate water and sanitation in disasters will continue and expand," Jaspers said.
This week’s list of data news highlights covers May 4-10, 2019, and includes articles about an AI system tracking air pollution and the UK using AI to update maps in near real time. Researchers from MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have developed an AI system that can predict if a patient is likely to develop breast cancer up to five years in advance. The researchers trained the system on mammograms and known outcomes, such as if a person developed breast cancer, of 60,000 MGH patients. The system could help doctors better determine mammogram schedules for women depending on their risk of developing breast cancer. WattTime, an AI nonprofit, has developed an AI system that analyzes satellite imagery to track the air pollution of all power plants in the world in real time. The system analyzes images for visible smoke and infrared images for heat from smokestack plumes to detect emissions. Poor monitoring of power plants allows some actors to evade restrictions, and this system can help provide data that verifies if power plants are meeting requirements. 3. Automating Taste Testing China has developed taste-testing AI robots as part of a government-funded program to automate the tasting of mass-produced food, including vinegar. The robots, which use sensors to simulate human eyes, noses, and tongues and a neural network to analyze the data, automatically adjusts the conditions of production, such as pace, to ensure food has the correct color, smell, and taste. The robots finish testing in less than a second and are almost as accurate as human tasters. Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China have developed a system that uses LIDAR and a computational imaging algorithm to create photographs up objects up to 28 miles away. The system uses LIDAR to illuminate and detect single photons while the algorithm knits together data points to create the image. Photons return to the system at time intervals in relation to their distance, allowing the algorithm to ignore any photons that arrive outside the desired window. Researchers from the United States, France, Portugal and Croatia have developed a machine learning model that predicts children at risk of not being vaccinated with 72 percent accuracy. The researchers trained the model on the electronic health records of 48,000 children entering the first grade between 2011 and 2018. The model can help public officials and physicians identify and talk to the families of children with the highest risk of not receiving vaccinations before the families have decided they will not vaccinate their children. Ordnance Survey, the UK’s national mapping agency, has begun a pilot project to create near-real-time maps of the nation’s streets by mounting cameras to the dashboards of utility companies’ vehicles. Algorithms process the data from the cameras, detecting road signs, traffic lights, drains, and other road and roadside details. The maps can help the UK more accurately and efficiently manage its infrastructure. Researchers from the University of Plymouth in the UK have shown that computer vision can help scientists identify the species living on the ocean floor. Biologists need information about the animals that inhabit the seabed to inform conservation efforts, but manually annotating images from autonomous underwater vehicles, which can capture more than 100,000 images in a single dive, can be slow. The researchers trained a convolutional neural network on 20 to 1,000 images per taxa living on the seabed, finding that the network could be up to 93 percent accurate depending on the type of animal. Google has developed an AI system that can detect the early signs of lung cancer. Google trained the system on lung cancer computed tomography (CT) scans from the National Cancer Institute and Northwestern University, allowing it to detect signs of cancer that are hard for oncologists to notice. In one case, the system identified the early signs of cancer in a patient who developed the disease despite five out of six radiologists missing the signs. Researchers from Purdue University have developed an AI robot that can fly and maneuver in the manner of a hummingbird. The researchers created simulations of hummingbird flights to train the robot, teaching it how to perform maneuvers such as rapid 180-degree turns. The robots, which are as small as one gram, could help reach areas in rescue missions that humans can not access. The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services has created the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) will chair the task force, which will examine topics including the impact of automation on jobs in financial services, the role of algorithms and big data in risk management, and how the U.S. can use AI to maintain its competitiveness in the financial services sector Image: Tony Webster
It’s long been known that having HTTPS/SSL is a good way of improving the security of your website, however Google soon plans to warn all its users if a website doesn’t have HTTPs enabled. This may not be the best first impression for customers who may visit your website. With HTTPS becoming a more relevant search ranking factor, getting a SSL certificate and its proper implementation are of greater importance for website owners in 2017. What is SSL/HTTPS? SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. It is an encryption technology used to transfer data from a user’s browser to the web server. Websites use SSL encryption to prevent third parties from intercepting and misusing the data your users may enter on a website (e.g. credit card details or personal information). You can tell a website has an SSL certificate by looking at the domain and seeing if it has https:// at the beginning of the URL in the address bar. Websites which only have http:// at the start do not have an SSL certificate and therefore any communication between the user and the website could potentially be available for interception. Do I need an SSL/HTTPs website? In the past, HTTPS/SSL websites have usually only been the preserve of ecommerce websites where sensitive information (e.g. credit card or address details) is being submitted to a website. This is to ensure that the data you are passing to the website is encrypted and cannot be intercepted in transmission. However, HTTPS/SSL use has been growing and this may be because Google has been publicly encouraging all website owners to transfer their website onto HTTPS/SSL. Google Chrome, which has over 50% of web browser market share in the UK will be soon telling its users if a website is not secure. In fact, it may already be doing this if your website asks for usernames & passwords or credit card information and its doesn’t have SSL enabled. Does SSL/HTTPS have an impact on my search engine ranking? In short, yes it does and its impact is increasing. In August 2014, in an effort to encourage a more secure internet, Google introduced a new ranking signal which gives a search engine ranking boost to websites which have SSL enabled. Initially the ranking boost was very light, although it has said it intends to strengthen the ranking boost over time as more website owners transfer on to HTTPs. How do I get HTTPs/SSL enabled on my website? Purchasing an SSL certificate can be relatively straight forward but may require your identity to be checked. They come in three main flavours: Domain SSL Validation Domain SSL is ideal for businesses needing a low cost SSL quickly and without needing to submit company documents to confirm identity. The validation process is usually limited to verifying you own the website domain. Organisation SSL Validation Organisation SSL will require additional verification and certain company documents to be vetted before the SSL is issued. The process of purchasing a certificate will take longer, and may cost more. Extended Validation (EV) SSL Validation Extended Validation SSL certificates are the most secure type of certificate that can be issued. It requires certain documents to be submitted and may require identity verification from the business owners. Having an EV certificate will display your business name in address bar and in some browsers makes the entire address bar turn green giving extra confidence to your users. Once you have a certificate you will need to ask your hosting provider or web developer to install it. When installed you will need to redirect all of your traffic to the SSL version of your website. After this you may need to update the code on your website to insure all content is being served on https, otherwise the web browser may report some of the websites content as unsecure. This last step can prove to be the trickiest step and may require good technical knowledge to identify and fix problems. We recommend all of our clients have at the very least a basic SSL certificate installed. This will not only increase your website security, but will also give your customers greater confidence in your website and brand. As the online world moves towards better security online, Google is actively trying to encourage website owners to move to HTTPs to improving their search engine ranking, and will soon be telling users when your website isn’t secure. As HTTPs is becoming more standard across the web, there has never been more important time to consider moving your website on to SSL. If you are considering getting your website HTTPS/SSL enabled, please get in touch – we can help get you a certificate and migrate your website on to HTTPs.
Approximately 30 million people in the United States suffer from chronic kidney disease. Close to a half million of these individuals are currently receiving kidney dialysis as a result of their end-stage kidney failure. While there are instances where dialysis is temporary, the majority of the time dialysis is permanent unless a kidney transplant occurs. If you are currently receiving kidney dialysis and are unable to work as a result of your disability, there could be financial help available to you. The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program was created to assist those who have become disabled due to an illness such as chronic kidney disease. What Exactly Is Kidney Dialysis? The kidneys play an essential role in our bodies. In addition to removing waste, the kidneys also control blood pressure and balance the fluid content in our bodies. Kidney dialysis is necessary when someone develops end-stage kidney failure. This typically occurs when 85-90% of the kidney function is lost. There are two types of kidney dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis uses an artificial kidney machine to clean the blood. Peritoneal dialysis uses a solution that is placed in the abdomen and then removed. Dialysis does not cure chronic kidney disease, although it can certainly help to provide a better quality of life and an increased life expectancy. Some people remain too ill to work while on kidney dialysis; others can return to work once they have started dialysis treatment. However, as dialysis is time consuming and needed on a regular basis, some patients find it challenging to balance their treatment with their work schedule. What Symptoms Do I Need to Qualify? Individuals needing kidney dialysis often suffer from other significant health issues. Section 6.00 of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) “Blue Book” addresses Genitourinary Disorders. This manual lists a variety of medical conditions, as well as the requirements needed to qualify for benefits under these circumstances. If you are currently receiving dialysis and it is expected to last for at least 12 months, it is very likely that you will receive disability benefits from the SSA. If you require kidney dialysis, you are probably already suffering from chronic kidney disease. This illness is addressed in section 6.05 of the SSA’s Blue Book, and you may already qualify for disability benefits due to your chronic kidney disease. If you have the following symptoms, you may be eligible for SSDI: - Some people with kidney disease begin to lose bone. If you have severe bone pain or limitations in your movement related to your illness, it may be difficult to perform any job that requires you to stand, walk, or lift objects. If this is the case, you may be eligible for help from the SSA. - If the kidneys are unable to filter the blood, your body may be unable to release toxins. You may experience nerve pain, weakness, muscle aches, or tingling. If you have these symptoms and they are expected to last at least a year, you will be considered for help. - As the kidneys regulate the fluid in your body, you will be considered for benefits if you develop signs of fluid overload syndrome. These symptoms may include shortness of breath, severe swelling in the abdomen, high blood pressure, or fatigue. You may also be considered if you have severe swelling throughout the body, also called edema. - If you experience diminished appetite and significant weight loss, you may be considered eligible for benefits from social security. - The kidneys are related to many of the other organ systems in the body. Therefore, you may experience related complications such as stroke or heart failure. If these conditions develop and you require hospitalization, you may qualify for disability benefits. - Kidney function can be followed with lab values, such as albumin or creatinine. Should these labs be extremely elevated over time, you will be considered for social security benefits. Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits? To be eligible for Social Security benefits, your medical records will need to show that your symptoms are severe enough to prevent you from working at a level which would support you. Additionally, you will need to prove that your illness is expected to be disabling for at least 12 months. As noted above, dialysis is typically a life-long need. If you receive a kidney transplant, you will be considered disabled for at least one year from the date of transplant. What Information Will I Need to Provide? When applying for Social Security, you may be asked to provide the following documentation: - Confirmation of your diagnosis of chronic kidney disease from your Nephrologist, including your treatments and progress thus far. - All of your dialysis records, including documentation of the continued need for treatment. - Blood tests, including creatinine, BUN, and GFR, confirming your diagnosis and showing the progression of your illness. - Urine tests showing protein in the urine (urinalysis). - X-rays, MRIs, or other imaging results that may show kidney abnormalities. - Surgical Notes, biopsy results, or pathology reports, if you have had any. - Surgical or procedure notes from any dialysis access performed. - Notes from any other specialists, physical therapists, or other health care providers that are involved in your care. You should speak with your doctor’s office, hospital, or other health-care providers if you are missing any of the above medical reports. The more medical evidence that you have on your side, the better your chances of receiving SSDI benefits related to your kidney dialysis. If you have chronic kidney disease and require kidney dialysis, you should contact a disability advocate or lawyer in your area immediately. When your health is suffering, it can be difficult to know where to turn or what to do next. A qualified attorney can help you navigate the Social Security application process, leaving you time to focus on what’s most important: your health.
The logical shortcut to a low glycemic diet The glycemic index has crept upon our food experience. Once a term used by people in white lab coats, reserved to diabetes clinics, it’s now part of popular weight-loss programs (South Beach, Zone) and disease prevention plans; the low glycemic index claim is now a selling point plastered on food labels. Haven’t immersed yourself in the glycemic index yet? It’s never too late. Or maybe it’s still too early. We’ll get to that in just a bit, but first, a little introduction. Glycemic index, explained The glycemic index, developed initially for the treatment of diabetes, ranks carbohydrate-containing foods based on how they affect blood glucose levels when eaten in isolation. The glycemic index charts were developed by testing people’s blood glucose after ingestion of 50 grams (almost 2 ounces) of carbs from different foods. Carbs that break down quickly, like white bread and potatoes, have a high glycemic index, and those that release sugar into the blood stream more gradually, like fruit, have a low glycemic index. Foods are scored on a scale of 0 to 100. Since blood glucose fluctuations elicit a cascade of hormonal reactions, which can potentially affect satiety, hunger, blood lipids and inflammation, the glycemic index of a meal sounds like useful thing to control. We’re all different A new study, led by Nirupa Matthan from Tufts Medical Center, and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, looked at the blood glucose reaction of 63 healthy people after they were given 50 grams of glucose, either in white bread or in a glucose drink – each experiment was repeated in each volunteer twice. This is basically a testing of the glycemic index of the bread, and if the glycemic index is a characteristic of the food itself, the results should be similar between the volunteers and between tests. But that’s not what the researchers found. There was a 20 percent change in measured glycemic index of the exact same food between tests in the same individual, and there was 25 percent difference between people. The glycemic index of the same exact bread ranged from 35 to 103, making it a both low and high on the glycemic index. In other words glycemic index wasn’t at all consistent, even when the food was eaten in isolation and in a controlled environment. Is the glycemic index useful? According to this new study, the glycemic index is not a dependable measurement. It is also just partial data. Eating 50 grams of carbs from white bagels is doable. But when it comes to other high glycemic foods, watermelon, for instance (glycemic index - 80) a normal serving will have just a few grams of sugar; you’d have to eat almost 2 pounds of watermelon to load yourself up with 2 ounces of carbs, and therefore, in reality, watermelon’s high glycemic index is quite irrelevant. To anticipate glycemic responses you’d also have to familiarize yourself with glycemic load – which also takes into account the amount of carbs consumed. On top of that, although the type and proportion of sugar or starch in a food affects glycemic index, so do a lot of other factors in the meal—the way the food’s been cooked, the presence of fiber, protein, fat, alcohol or acid will all affect the glucose response. Exercising and activity around a meal will affect it, too. So is it worth bothering with? At this point the evidence of glycemic index centered diets’ helpfulness for weight loss or disease prevention is inconsistent (it is helpful for the management of diabetes.) If you don’t have diabetes, it’s much easier to follow the well-proven guidelines of limiting added sugar (sugary drinks are especially harmful), eating more plants and whole grains, and minimizing hyper-processed foods. These simple principles happen to also yield a low glycemic diet – they are a practical shortcut to the same end.
- Estimated number of Aboriginal remains still held in museums around the world , most of which are in the UK, Germany, France and the USA . Aboriginal experts estimate there could easily be 10 times that amount . - Number of Indigenous remains brought back to Australia since 1990 . - Number of Aboriginal remains held in Australian museums that participate in a returns program . - Total number of Aboriginal remains estimated to be held in Australian museums . - Number of remains Museum Victoria approved for deaccession between 1984 and 2014. In June 2015 the museum still held 1,527 Aboriginal remains. . Aboriginal remains—scattered around the world Imagine you cannot visit the grave of and pay your respect to members of your family because their remains are not in a cemetery but tucked away in the laboratory of an overseas university, thousands of miles away. Aboriginal remains have been removed from graves and burial sites, but also from hospitals, asylums and prisons throughout the 19th century until the late 1940s [12,44]. Sometimes declared as ‘kangaroo bones’, they were illegally exported to France, Holland, Scotland, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, England, Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy and the USA [13,32]. It is actually on record in the history of Mackay, Queensland, that one overseas collector made a request to the trooper that he shoot a native boy to furnish a complete exhibit of an Australian aboriginal skeleton, skin and skull.—The Sydney Morning Herald, 31 January 1955, page 2 Bob Weatherall, Chairman of the Centre for Indigenous Cultural Policy in Brisbane, exerts himself in the repatriation of Aboriginal remains since many years. \|Country\|\|Number of remains\| Source: . Figures correct for 2009. The largest collection is believed to be held by Professor Matt Kaufman at the Anatomy Museum of Edinburgh University . Prof Kaufman keeps an ‘absolute secrecy’ about his collection so that estimates of the extent vary from a conservative ‘five or ten complete skeletons’ to several hundred. The largest confirmed collection of Aboriginal remains is with the Natural History Museum in Britain, which has one dried head, 124 skulls and about 20 skeletons from Australia and Tasmania, five of which have names and addresses . In early 2009 the British government revealed that in 2005 it held 382 sets of Aboriginal remains in 18 institutions . However, it is impossible to guess the extent to which Aboriginal remains are held in private collections or stored in attics or in the plethora of regional and small private museums. Given the rather small official figures, it can only be guessed that several thousand and probably more than 10,000 Aboriginal corpses and parts of corpses were brought to England alone . Numbers can vary greatly because some institutions count every bone as a ‘remain’, and sometimes remains thought to belong to one individual turn out to belong to many . The huge amount makes Chairman of the Centre for Indigenous Cultural Policy in Brisbane Bob Weatherall propose that the missing remains constitute the original and first Stolen Generation of Aboriginal people . “What is also abundantly clear,” concludes The Guardian in an extensive article, “is that there would be no debate at all if the remains were the immediate ancestors of living white Australians,” a view Bob Weatherall agrees to: “We don’t hear the same thing when foreign affairs or the military are repatriating Australian Vietnam veterans who have been left over in Vietnam.” Aboriginal people believe the spirits of those whose remains are not at home cannot rest. “Our belief is that when our people’s remains are not with their people and in our country then their spirit is wandering,” says Aboriginal elder Major Sumner. “Unless they are going back home the spirit never rests.” The damage to the Aboriginal community of having remains [overseas] is astronomical. The spirits of our dead are disturbed by being separated from their bodies. The remains are as important to us as land rights. It's a much more volatile issue, closer to the heart than even getting our land back.—Michael Mansell, Aboriginal lawyer United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Article 12 1. Indigenous peoples have the right to manifest, practice, develop and teach their spiritual and religious traditions, customs and ceremonies; the right to maintain, protect, and have access in privacy to their religious and cultural sites; the right to the use and control of their ceremonial objects; and the right to the repatriation of their human remains. 2. States shall seek to enable the access and/or repatriation of ceremonial objects and human remains in their possession through fair, transparent and effective mechanisms developed in conjunction with indigenous peoples concerned. Theft of remains: “A skull could be worth a year’s wage” In the 1800s Aboriginal body parts were highly sought-after ‘antiquities’ that were traded by all sorts of people, from opportunists to amateur archaeologists. An Aboriginal skull could be worth a year’s wage , so people were digging up Aboriginal grave sites. Skulls of Tasmanian Aboriginal people were worth much more as they were considered “the most primitive people on the planet” . Those who did not want to wait until Aboriginal people died simply shot them for their bones. “We know that some of our people were murdered just so the prized skulls of what settlers hypocritically called savages could be donated to scientists,” says Tasmanian Aboriginal woman Sara Maynard . “There was a massive trade in Tasmanian Aboriginal remains in the mid-1880s.” William Ramsay Smith was a physician at Adelaide Hospital in the late 1890s. He used his position to supply the University of Edinburgh with “a steady and illicit supply of Ngarrindjeri [Aboriginal clan] and other remains—bones, skin, hair samples—for medical and scientific purposes” . Aboriginal elders responded by insisting that caskets be open at funerals to ensure they contained the body of a loved one and not sandbags . From the diary of Dr Erik Mjöberg (cited in the documentary Dark Science): “We arrived at the mist-coverd port of Fremantle. It was forbidden by Australian law to take Aboriginal skeletons out of the country. Two officers from the customs office made a brief inspection. ‘Have you got any skeletons with you?’ he said. I quickly replied: ‘Well I think I must have brought at least a dozen kangaroo skeletons with me.’ The officer’s face brightened and he said: ‘I think you might be a bit of a joker, doctor.’ ‘Oh yes, definitely,’ I replied. And thus began the skeleton’s long journey to Sweden.” Most ‘scientific research’ never led to a publication of any sorts. The Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC refused to return remains for a decade, yet failed to publish a single scientific paper about them. “I think there was a real sense of trophy hunting,” says Dr Martin Thomas, a historian of the Australian National University, in an attempt to reveal the real reasons for the theft of remains . Burying remains on country is important because “living Aboriginal people find their navigational points on their country by knowing the dead are in certain places,” as Dr Thomas explains . “They talk to them, at times… the spirits stay on country and are associated with the physical remains. And the spirits are connected with the living.” Aboriginal people traditionally believe the dead can’t rest unless they are properly buried or interred . Every single one of our burial grounds was robbed.—Tom Trevorrow, former chairman, Ngarrindjeri Heritage Committee When Aboriginal man Tom Trevorrow was a young man he saw white men driving around with Aboriginal bones and skulls on their cars’ dashboards . One farmer “had a swimming pool and he’d have bones laying around the edge of it,” Trevorrow remembers. But even today some people lack respect for Aboriginal remains. People who find remains later ask for them to be returned. Remains continue to be exposed by natural erosion and increasing development, a trend that is likely to continue . Human remains thought to belong to an Aboriginal burial site have been discovered in sand dunes in Sydney’s south in October 2007 . In Tasmania there are people still going out to look for Aboriginal remains. In the 1980s, I was sent to an Australian medical school to collect a doctor for a seminar. Imagine my horror when I saw hundreds of bodies of Aboriginal men, women, children and babies in giant formalin bottles.—Experience of an Aboriginal nurse Inside a museum’s storeroom—an Aboriginal perspective Jason, a character in John Danalis’ book Riding The Black Cockatoo, reveals his feelings when he was working as an intern in the Melbourne Museum. “‘One day I tripped over this box, literally tripped over it. I opened it up, and inside were the remains of my people. Can you imagine that? They tried to keep it a secret from the dumb young blackfella. The more I looked the more I found. Well, I started making noise, asking questions: ‘Why do you need all these old ones, what use are they, why can’t they go back to country?’ ‘What did they say?’ ‘Research, they said, we need them for research.’ He spat the words out like pieces of rotten food. ‘Well, show me,’ I said, ‘show me the research.’ And you know what, they couldn’t show me one bit, not one paper. And after all these years – decades, man! – that my people have been jammed in boxes with little metal tags attached to them as if they weren’t even human beings.’” There was supposed to be a whole Aborigine in pickle in one of the Royal Colleges.—Dr Jack Aitken, retired anatomy professor, Britain “He had seen things… he couldn’t explain” Ngarrindjeri Elder Major Sumner from the lower Murray River area in South Australia has been involved in Aboriginal remains repatriation for several years. He tells how he’s been in contact with the spirits of the deceased . “When you’re over there [in America or Europe] doing ceremonies, you get a feeling that these [deceased Aboriginal] people are relatives from your own community who have been laying around in boxes since the 1800s, down in basements. When you are there, thinking about them, it feels that they are speaking with you. You’re in contact with them and you feel that there’s happiness because they’re going home. A lot of these feelings are coming from their spirits.” “When I was at the Manchester Museum, the director, Tristan Besterman, asked me if I’d smoke him and I asked why. He told me that over the years of being director, he had seen things, images, that he couldn’t explain. After I smoked him, he gave up that job and is now helping us identify other remains, and talking with institutions.” For some elders missing remains explain why the land is suffering. When elders in Brisbane, Queensland, learned that remains had been taken away from their country they said “No wonder that country’s sick. We can’t get bush tucker there. We can’t go good hunting there. That country’s been no good all the time.” Neil Carter, who was involved in many repatriation activities of the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre, says that “the spiritual side of [repatriation] is very, very real and very strong and this is the thing that our elders talk about, that we need to bring those remains back and put them back into country. Otherwise, the spirits of those people that were taken away don’t rest.” When the spirit is in another country, they can't rest. The are very sad.—Tommy May, oldest member of the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre Read more about Aboriginal spirituality. Aboriginal remains slowly return home Museums and universities across the world hold Aboriginal remains which have been brought back from trips to the ‘untamed land’ and its ‘savage natives’. In the early 1980s Aboriginal man Tom Trevorrow, his brother George and Ngarrindjeri countryman Major Sumner started lobbying museums to return Aboriginal remains and cultural objects with almost no government support . Back then when community organisations learned of remains in particular institutions they pooled money and booked flights to negotiate their return. Increasingly institutions are realising that holding Aboriginal remains disrespects not only Aboriginal culture but also the deceased’s descendants. More than 1,000 Indigenous remains have been returned to Australia between 1998 and 2008 , but ‘tens of thousands’ of remains are still held in overseas institutions. An accurate register of what remains are where does not exist. In the absence of any legal obligation, institutions and museums have different reasons to refuse or delay returning Aboriginal remains. - Fear of more requests. Some institutions hand back remains almost with secrecy because they fear that if they did it publicly more Aboriginal communities would come asking for their remains . - Last minute panic. The Natural History Museum in London attempted to carry out last-minute destructive tests claiming that remains were “a unique and irreplaceable resource to advance knowledge for current and future generations” . - Loss of reputation. Institutions don’t want to see their collections shrink to a size that is no longer impressive, despite the fact that they most probably never have the resources or time to fully research the remains. - Skulls are objects. When museums declare skulls as ‘objects’ they might not be covered by its policy on human remains . - Too valuable. Another excuse for not returning remains is that they are “very valuable” and the museum just wants to keep them . - No request received. In an interesting twist of events the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, UK, denied having received a request after a delegation of Aboriginal people had travelled to the UK . - Fear of losing a job. The most vocal opponents to repatriation are often the anthropologists in the museums who, without their collections, won’t have a job . There is “endless obfuscation, bureaucratic dead-ends and cultural indifference” . Other institutions flatly refuse to co-operate. A notable exception is the University of Edinburgh which has repatriated all of its Aboriginal remains . We had to fight and crawl to get back our dead.—Michael Mansell, legal director, Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Even if Aboriginal remains make their way to Australia the return to the rightful communities is sometimes delayed because responsibility for repatriation is split between four separate government departments . To avoid disturbance of reburied Aboriginal remains some newspapers don’t publish their exact locations but mention “a location near” the town closest to the burial site. Some museums continue to keep remains which were already given back to Aboriginal people. In these cases Aboriginal people have asked museums to keep them for them in their high-security repositories . The world view is changing, I think, in terms of traditional owner groups regaining their ancestral remains. I think there's a strong moral and ethical argument that the scientific community has to take into account.—Graham Atkinson, spokesperson British Museum What are ‘unprovenanced’ remains? Many Aboriginal remains were collected without noting down where exactly they came from, let alone to which clan the deceased person belonged. When no-one knows where they come from, remains are called unprovenanced. Protocol of a repatriation What happens when Aboriginal people travel overseas to collect and rebury the remains of their ancestors? Here is the protocol of a repatriation . - Metting at the hotel to discuss the strategy for the day. - Meet staff and the Head of Anthropology of the museum that had volunteered to return remains from its collection. Discussion of the logistical details of the handover ceremony (e.g. flags, ceremony participants, speakers, smoking ceremony, explanations to attendees). Check if quarantine and inspection documents to allow the remains to pass through customs in Australia are ready. - Do a ceremony walk-through to make sure everything has been thought of. - Meet the Ambassador at the Australian Embassy. - Meet museum staff to see and inspect the remains. Aboriginal people might want to introduce themselves to their ancestors’ spirits. Prepare the boxes with the flags. - On handover day up to 100 people can attend the ceremony. Speeches are held from the Ambassador, representatives from the museum and the Aboriginal delegation. - A short film is shown of the country and people the remains come from. - The smoking ceremony is performed. - On the final day the delegates rest, check out the museum or city where they stay before they catch a flight back to Australia. Australia has no laws directly governing repatriation, and museums cannot be forced to return either human remains or objects. But there are two government programmes dedicated to the return of Aboriginal remains. The International Repatriation Program (IRP) is administered by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Office for the Arts. The programme aims to facilitate the unconditional return of remains, but not objects, held in overseas collections. Between 2000 and 2009 the IRP helped return more than 1,000 remains . The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) runs the domestic Return of Indigenous Cultural Property (RICP) program, which supports the return of both human remains and secret sacred objects from institutions within Australia. Between 2001 and 2009 the RICP helped return 1,383 ancestral remains and 1,358 secret sacred objects . It is time that the whole anthropological community outside Australia recognises that the scientific value of these collections is zero.—Steve Webb, anthropologist In the absence of adequate records kept at the time remains were removed it can be hard to determine the most appropriate country and site to return them to. Even if an individual whose remains have been returned can be identified, it can be tricky to determine what ceremony is appropriate for reburial, as opposed to burial . In some cases Aboriginal people must come up with a ceremony that is entirely new—an unsettling prospect for some of them. And if the deceased has already been through particular rituals, what are the implications if those rituals are repeated? Will they still be effective? Could they endanger the spirits of the dead and those trying to honour and farewell them? We can't do it the full traditional way in this day and age and we're not going to do it the fully modern way so we've had to find the halfway mark.—Tom Trevorrow, chairman, Ngarrindjeri Heritage Comittee, SA Not everyone is allowed to get involved with reburials. Authority and decision-making rests with senior men and women who, in turn, can take their cues from deeply traditional ‘proper lawmen’ throughout a region . Some institutions refuse to return remains, often offering flimsy excuses for why they cannot return them. Funding reburials is not easy with the Australian government giving only little support. The outstanding repatriation work of the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre alone was estimated to cost $600,000 between 2009 and 2013 . While we go to great expense to find and recover the bodies of fallen servicemen wherever they are in the world, no official attempt has ever been made to find, mark and commemorate the sites where Aborigines were shot down by settlers, soldiers and police.—Henry Reynolds & Marylin Lake Another challenge is to plan the reburial of so many remains when they are returned. Planning, ceremonies and travel cost a lot of money which makes it unlikely that each and every remain gets its own reburial. Reburials can be heavily influenced by Christianity. Land for reburials needs to be tenured and negotiated with national parks, private landholders, local councils and other stakeholders. Some Aboriginal groups ask to develop a special ‘resting place’. In some cases, government-funded ‘garden sheds’ housing secret sacred objects were destroyed by floods or fire . Some Aboriginal groups involve their children in reburial ceremonies to let them know how important this was for future generations . If we don't fulfill customary obligations, that regret will stay with us forever and we shouldn't expect to be welcomed by the ancestors when it's our turn to go.—Bob Weatherall, Chairman of the Centre for Indigenous Cultural Policy Remains repatriation timeline Some examples of Australian Aboriginal remains which were returned include [1,2,3]: The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania becomes the first museum in Australia to repatriate Aboriginal remains, with the return of the remains of Truganini to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community . The Royal Society of Tasmania had exhumed her body 2 years after her death in 1876 and put her skeleton on public display for 40 years. May: Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania returns the Tasmanian Aboriginal human remains commonly known as the Crowther Collection (33 skulls and three skeletons) for cremation at Oyster Cove. The “largest gathering of Tasmanian Aboriginal people in a decade” attends the cremation . February 1990: Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland gives back the head of the great-great grandfather of Tasmanian lawyer Michael Mansell after he went to Dublin petitioning for the return of Aboriginal remains including the one of his family . The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK returns 500 remains. The Edinburgh Museum, Scotland returns remains that were dug up from burial grounds in South Australia. April: Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin hands over 60 Aboriginal human remains to Aboriginal representatives, who had travelled to Ireland to collect the remains and return them to Australia . 10 September: The Museum Victoria returns the remains of an Aboriginal baby girl nicknamed ‘Jaara Baby’ to her modern-day relatives, the Dja Dja Wurrung people of north-west Victoria, 99 years to the day after they were found in a tree trunk by a woodcutter. - Skull of an indigenous person (Andaman Islands). Many Indigenous remains like these are still held in museums all over the world. Lack of cultural sensitivity or museum personnel impede their examination and return. October: Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm, Sweden sends back 20 Aboriginal skeletons it had collected in 1910-11 from the Kimberley, Western Australia , the first voluntary repatriation undertaken by a major European museum . November: Natural History Museum, Britain agrees to return the remains of 18 Tasmanian Aborigines but only after it conducted scientific tests on them . May: National History Museum, England. Remains returned after a 20-year battle with the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. June: Glasgow Museum, Scotland. Return of skulls of Torres Strait Islanders to their ancestors on Mer Island. October: Museum of Ethnography, Stockholm, Sweden returns 10 Aboriginal remains which were taken from graves in the Kimberley region of Western Australia by a Swedish archaeological expedition in 1910 and 1911 . There was this idea at the time that Aboriginal Australians were like human fossils, of a kind that had survived longer in Australia than elsewhere.—Anders Björklund, director Ethnographical Museum, Stockholm, Sweden, explaining why Aboriginal remains were taken February: Lund University, Sweden. Return of the remains of two Aborigines that had been in the museum’s possession since the end of the 19th century. This return brings the Swedish remains returned to Australia to 32 . April: National Museums Scotland. Return of six Aboriginal skulls. July: Edinburgh University, Scotland. Return of the last remains in its collection to members of the Ngarrindjeri people (SA).Natural History Museum, London. Reluctantly, the museum let go some Aboriginal remains. Many more are stored in its vast halls, believed to have been transferred there for safekeeping from the Royal College of Surgeons while London was being bombed during World War II . August: National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC, USA. The remains of 33 Aboriginal people from the Gunbalanya and Groote Eylandt (Arnhemland, NT) return 60 years after they were agreed to be returned. The remains are believed to be the first return from a major American institution. November: Charite Medical History Museum, Berlin, Germany. The museum’s director announces his intent to return the skulls of 18 Aboriginal Australians taken to Germany more than 100 years ago. The Charite would be the first scientific institution in Germany to return remains. December: University of Oxford, Britain agrees to hand over the remains of three Aboriginal people. The three human skulls and lower jaws - acquired in the 1860s and held in its museum of natural history - belong to the Ngarrindjeri people from Goolwa (Port Elliot) in South Australia . It seemed so utterly unreasonable that the British Museum needed - actually needed - 1570 sets of remains from Aboriginal men, women and children.—John Danalis in his book Riding the Black Cockatoo January: Booth Museum of Natural History, Brighton, Britain promises to repatriate two skulls and two thigh bones, donated almost 100 years ago . The museum also holds a Ngarrindjeri skull which has been turned into a water carrier and is considered ‘extremely rare’ . The skull is with the museum since 1925 when it was donated by a local collector. June: Seattle Art Museum, USA is the first US institution that independently initiates a repatriation. It promises to return ‘a sacred Aboriginal object’ to its traditional land in central Australia and to consult with central Australian elders and representatives . July: The University College, London, UK, hands over the skulls of three individuals from Victoria’s Gunditjmara community and another from the Dja Dja Wurrung nation . It is the first repatriation to Victoria. September: The Australian government and the Leiden University Medical Center (Netherlands) agree to repatriate the remains of five Bundjalung people (Northern Rivers region of NSW) which were acquired by the Dutch in 1882. Italy and Australia sign a repatriation agreement.Booth Museum of Natural History, Brighton. Even small museums hold Aboriginal remains which were often donated by private collectors. July: The National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC, USA returns Aboriginal remains taken from their burial places during the 1948 American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land (Northern Territory) . October: The ancestral remains of an Erup (Darnley Island) child return, 161 years after they were taken to the UK. The remains were first acquired by Captain Owen Stanley in 1849 during a visit to Darnley Island, then passed on to an antiquarian who gave them to the Norwich Castle Museum in 1854. Finally, the World Museum Liverpool received the remains in 1956. Aboriginal remains repatriation on the front page of a newspaper. This is a rare occasion and came about when Aboriginal activist Mick Mundine received an answer from Prince William to the letter he had written asking for the whereabouts of some remains. March: The Natural History Museum, London, UK announces to return remains to the Torres Strait which it had bought from a dealer in 1884 but could not date. This return would be the largest repatriation of remains to Australia . 27 October: The Martin-Luther University, Halle, Germany announces to return 4 skeletons and 3 skulls to Australia, but does not give a date . 26 April: The Charité Medical Museum in Berlin returns remains of 33 individuals, the first return of Aboriginal remains from Germany . As the first German scientific institution, Charité in November 2008 signed an agreement with Australia for a “dignified burial” of Aboriginal remains. September The Queensland Museum in Brisbane returns remains of Aboriginal people to the Balonne River region. 14 July: The Charité Medical Museum returns 14 skulls of Aboriginal people to representatives of the Goemulgal, Lag Mabuyag and Wajarri Yamatji peoples. It also repatriated remains to Namibia (2011 and 2014) and to Paraguay (2012). November: France and Australia sign an agreement on the repatriation of remains. A joint expert committee will help identify the origin of Aboriginal Australian remains held in France. June: Museum Victoria returns the skull of Jim Crow, believed to have been a member of the Wonnarua people of the Hunter Valley. The skull was stolen from his grave in the early 1860s and later stored on Museum Victoria shelves for 126 years. 2 November: Kenneth Dickson, an Elder of the Dunghutti community in NSW, accepts in Hampshire, UK, the remains of a man believed to be aged between 21 and middle age, who was removed originally from Delicate Nobby, near Kempsey, and later donated to the Hampshire County Council Museums Service. The Charite’s collection is among a dozen in Germany and many more in Europe where Australian diplomats have asked curators to repatriate Aboriginal remains . Britain and Sweden have already successfully returned Indigenous remains. About 10,000 remains are still held by Australian, about 5,000 by British institutions . Don’t be fooled to think that Aboriginal remains are those of anonymous ancestors. In the case of the first American return some traditional owners believe the collection may include the remains of their grandmothers . This is about our ancestors and our heroes who fought against the invasion. They had their heads cut off and their skeletons were sent overseas to museums around the world.—Bob Weatherall, Chairman Centre for Indigenous Cultural Policy, Brisbane The long travel of Aboriginal remains The case of the Charite in Berlin is a good example of how Aboriginal remains change hands and travel within and inbetween countries. The Charite’s collection of 10,000 bones was gathered by German pathologist Rudolf Virchow . After his death in 1902 he bequeathed them to a state society. In the 1930s the collection was confiscated by the Nazis, and when World War II started they were stored in a warehouse where they remained for decades after the war had ended. Several German museums cared for the bones collection until they arrived at the Berlin Charite in 2005. But even in the presumably save hands of museums Aboriginal remains are prone to theft or destruction by war bombings which sends them on a journey further away from repatriation. Video: “Return to Country” - Sweden returns Aboriginal remains In 1910-11 Swedish scientists stole Aboriginal remains from throughout the Kimberley region. Watch as almost 100 years later they are finally returned home to Fitzroy Crossing. Video by Aboriginal company Goolarri TV. If you do something wrong and you right it, there is no animosity after that.— International repatriation of remains Some countries have signed agreements with Australia to facilitate the repatriation of Indigenous remains. The British government committed in July 2000 to help return Indigenous human remains from collections in the UK to Australia . Over 600 Indigenous ancestral remains are believed to be held by UK institutions . Among them is the skull of Aboriginal warrior Pemulwuy. The skull might have been transferred from the Royal College of Surgeons to London’s Natural History Museum, but the museum’s director advised that much had been destroyed during World War II . Even a royal initiative by Prince William in April 2010 could not accelerate the matter. The Australian government is committed to the unconditional return of Indigenous human remains from overseas countries and institutions.—Jenny Macklin, Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister The Australian government contributes minimal, if any, funds to the repatriation of Aboriginal remains. - Estimated cost to recover and rebury the bodies of about 300 Australian and British soldiers at Fromelles, northern France, funded by the Australian government . - Price to construct a new Commonwealth war cemetery at Fromelles. Australia shares this cost equally with Britain . John Danalis grew up with an Aboriginal skull sitting on the mantelpiece of his family’s home. This is the story of the journey he undertakes when he decides to return the skull to its traditional owners. Part history, part detective story, part cultural discovery and emotional journey, this is a book for young and old, showing the transformative and healing power of true reconciliation. Read more Human Remains tells the scandalous story of how medical men obtained the corpses upon which they worked before the use of human remains was regulated. Not only convicted murderers, but also Aborigines and the unfortunate poor who died in hospital were routinely turned over to the surgeons. London, 1868: visiting Australian Aboriginal cricketer Charles Rose has died in Guy’s Hospital. What happened next is shrouded in mystery. The only certainty is that - like many others - Charles Rose’s body did not go directly to a grave. Possessing The Dead explores the disturbing history of the cadaver trade in Scotland, England and Australia, where laws once gave certain officials possession of the dead, and no corpse lying in a workhouse, hospital, asylum or gaol was entirely safe from interference. Movie: In 1910, a scientist called Erik Mjöberg led the first Swedish expedition to Australia. Mjöberg set about plundering and desecrating their grave sites and smuggling the remains back home—actions that were to have lasting consequences for all concerned. Dark Science is a critically-acclaimed documentary about this expedition.
Kure Naval Base in Honshu. Neat rows of Koriyu type submarines (2-man midget sub) lying on the bottom of the dry dock. There were over 113 subs in this dry dock. Line of submarines from top of the dock. American sailors disembark from the Japanese Aircraft Carrier 'Ryuho'. The carrier in dry dock No 4 to be converted into scrap. Aircraft carrier and a dry dock crane. Port side and bow of carrier. Japanese antiaircraft gun carrying destroyer 'Yoizuki' moved alongside the aircraft carrier 'Ryuho' for conversion into a repatriation ship with a capacity of 1300. The bow and port side of the destroyer. 'Yoizuki'. Bow and port side of the carrier 'Ryuko'. Super-structure (port-side) of carrier 'Ryuho'. Japanese destroyer 'Natsuzuki' coming into dry dock after an extensive tour of repatriation service and now in for repairs. Building Z of Kure Naval Base Arsenal shows a smokestack and hole near its base. The damaged flue leads from boiler to the smokestack which was caused by a near miss, ending at the crater. Interior of building Z at Kure Naval Base Arsenal shows one the boilers in plant which had taken a direct hit. This boiler generated steam which operated the heavy rolling mill in the armor plate plant. Two directs hits on end of the building X which is the steel plate-shaping shop at Kure Naval Arsenal. Concrete block served as a foundation of base for a steel frame column of the plant. The steel frame and its concrete base were hurled to the roof by the blast. Crater as seen from the ground. Motor generator almost buried in sand due to detonation of the bomb. Two story reinforced concrete building and its wooden roof served as a steel test laboratory. South-west face of the building with its steel frame windows dangling due to the blast. Interiors of building located at Kure Naval Base Arsenal, Honshu. Heavy destruction after air raid. Overhead crane with right end fallen down due to a near miss on the steel frame column which supported to crane rail. End of crane collapsed and rests on the floor. Fallen overhead crane in the background and unfinished gun barrels for a second class cruiser. A heavy traveling bridge crane to load and unload coal, received a direct hit in the middle section. The carriage and wheels stick up in mid-air. Destroyed buildings after air raid on Kure Naval Base Arsenal in Honshu. Face of the gas producing plant and south west face of the armor plate rolling mill which received a direct hit on its steel structure at Kure Naval Base Arsenal, Honshu. Large crate in the foreground. Gun barrel for heating and tempering plant. Reinforced concrete power substation in the foreground. About Us \| FAQs - How to Buy \| Advanced Search \| Shopping Cart \| My Lightboxes \| My Account \| License Agreement \| Terms & Conditions \|
Issues in children’s mental health Cathy O’Leary’s editorial ‘Esteem is much more than mountain of likes’ is a timely reminder of the issues associated with the mental health of our young people. Being mentally healthy is important for children and young people so they are able to realise their potential, cope with stresses and be involved with family and other aspects of community life. I am told regularly that mental health services for WA children and young people are at or near capacity, particularly in our regional areas. There are also many young people who simply do not seek the support they need, due to a perceived stigma, feeling embarrassed about what a professional might think and a lack of sensitive and locally accessible services. I believe there are opportunities for us to help bridge this gap through the online environment. The digital landscape has changed rapidly in recent years and many parents are unfamiliar with the ever-increasing range of apps and social media platforms, however our young people are digital natives who tell me that technology is important in connecting them to their peers and the broader world. While I acknowledge that there are risks associated with being online, understanding that social media and technology can support our young people’s mental health is important for parents to come to terms with. This requires parents to become more familiar with their child’s technology use and have honest and open discussion about the online world. Late last year more than 900 parents, government and non-government staff working directly with children and young people attended a series of workshops and seminars. It was part of my Thinker in Residence program with e-mental health researcher Professor Jane Burns. We looked at how we can strengthen our children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing through technology and social media. The second phase of this important program will be held in March. There are resources are available through my website. This material will be helpful for parents and other people working with children and young people who would like to learn more. Colin Pettit, Commissioner for Children and Young People WA *Originally published in the West Australian, page 50 on 20 January 2017
MR. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today to remember those who perished and suffered during Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, seventy-five years ago on November 9 and 10 in Germany, German-occupied Austria, and German-occupied Czechoslovakia. Earlier that year, in March 1938, Germany absorbed Austria – the so-called Anschluss. Then, at the September 1938 Munich conference, France, Britain and Italy allowed Germany to annex the western rim of Czechoslovakia and to clam its three million Sudeten Germans as its own. In both acts, the concept of loyalty to the state was equated with ethnic identity. Then, in October 1938, Germany expelled seventeen thousand Jews with Polish citizenship from Germany into Poland. These families were arrested at night, transported by train to the Polish border, and effectively left in limbo, as Poland initially refused to accept them. The son of two of these expellees, a Polish Jew in France, took revenge: He assassinated a German diplomat in Paris. Propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels subsequently asserted that “World Jewry” was responsible for the assassination and gave the signal for the start of the first large open pogrom in Germany: "the Führer,” he stated, “has decided that . . . demonstrations should not be prepared or organized by the Party, but insofar as they erupt spontaneously, they are not to be hampered.” As described by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum: “The rioters destroyed 267 synagogues throughout Germany, Austria, and the Sudetenland. Many synagogues burned throughout the night, in full view of the public and of local firefighters, who had received orders to intervene only to prevent flames from spreading to nearby buildings. SA and Hitler Youth members across the country shattered the shop windows of an estimated 7,500 Jewish-owned commercial establishments, and looted their wares. Jewish cemeteries became a particular object of desecration in many regions. The pogrom proved especially destructive in Berlin and Vienna, home to the two largest Jewish communities in the German Reich. Mobs of SA men roamed the streets, attacking Jews in their houses and forcing Jews they encountered to perform acts of public humiliation. Although murder did not figure in the central directives, Kristallnacht claimed the lives of at least 91 Jews between the 9th and 10th of November. Police records of the period document a high number of rapes and of suicides in the aftermath of the violence.” Kristallnacht was thus a crucial turning point in the Holocaust – moving from a policy of removing Jews from Germany and German occupied lands, to murdering them. It also stands as an enduring example of the danger of associating citizenship with ethnicity, of tying loyalty to the state with blood identity. Kristallnacht is but one example of how hate can proliferate and erode our societies, and why I have worked tirelessly to advance global efforts to ensure atrocities such as this never happen again. In my capacity as a Chair of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe and decades long work as a Member of Congress, I have advanced efforts to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance and discrimination in North America and Europe. This work has ranged from Commission hearings to raise awareness of the continuing scourge of anti-Semitism to leading inter-parliamentary efforts to create Personal Representatives or high level officials within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to combat Anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance. Sadly, the election of anti-Semitic political parties in Europe coupled with efforts to adopt circumcision, ritual slaughter, and other laws in Europe that would alter Jewish life and continuing incidents of anti-Semitic violence let us know that the work to eradicate anti-Semitism is not yet complete. As we honor the 75th Anniversary of Kristallnacht, I ask that you join me in honoring the victims and families of that horrible tragedy and join me in fighting hate and bias in all its forms. Thank you, Mr. President. A copy of S. Res. 290 can be viewed here.
In Jane Willy’s controversial piece, “ Is the College Use of American Indian Mascots racist?”, she voices her opinion regarding the topic stating that the colleges’ responsibility to ensure that the American Indian tribes that are being represented are also being respected. Willy’s argument is deemed strong and effective in terms of the Rogerian method because Willy presents both sides of the argument sans bias. She then proceeds to provide context to present supporting examples of valid points in the opposing argument, as well as her own argument. Then Willy supplies the advantages of the opposing arguments and makes a proposal of how both arguments can reach a common ground. The analysis of each section of Willy’s article can conclude that her argument is indeed successful. According to the Rogerian method created by psychologist Carl Rogers, both of the opposing parties reach an understanding after listening to both sides of argument and talking the conflict out. In Jane Willy’s “Is the College Use of American Indian Mascots Racist?”, she considers the opposing argument…show more content… Willy utilizes Carl Rogers’ method through presenting both the NCAA’s position, in addition to her own standpoint that expressed the fact that it is not the NCAA’s decision, rather the college, if they choose to use American Indian Mascots in a respectful manner. However, in the case that the American Indian tribes still feel disrespected or persecuted, the change in mascot would be inevitable, resulting in the compromise that the Rogerian method promotes, which Willy successfully utilizes, making her argument powerful and
This is one way to teach crews how to pack wounds. They learn to apply packing and press it against a bone until the “bleeding” stops. - 1 roll of GLAD Press’N Seal - IV bag and 10 drop IV set-up - A syringe and red food coloring (to make “blood”) - 2 lbs. of ground beef - 2 large ribs (from a butcher shop) - 2 rolled paper towels - 1 sharp knife #1 – Pack 2 lbs. of ground beef tightly together. #2 Place 2 rolled towels between the 2 ribs, then wrap the ribs, IV tubing and paper towels in Glad Press’N Seal (Like a hotdog in a bun) #3 Inject food coloring into the IV bag to make blood and wrap ground beef around it all. Then wrap it all tightly with GLAD Press’N Seal #4 Stab the knife into the center of the ribs #5 Have crews pack the wound (deep and tight) to stop the flow #6. When the person packing the wound is done, cut open the package (the “wound” you made) to show crews how packing worked. Source: A.J. Heightman – JEMS Editor-in-Chief
Captivity Issue Catches Aquariums Baltimore's Marine Mammal Pavilion is the focus of a debate over sea animal treatment BALTIMORE — GASPS of awe fill the sparkling-new amphitheater here at the National Aquarium as two bottlenose dolphins shoot out of the water and sail gracefully through the air in tandem. The dolphins easily wow the small crowd; their indelible smiles are infectious. But some animal-rights activists and conservationists aren't smiling about the growing numbers of these marine mammals being held in captivity. The explosive popularity of aquariums over the past decade has sparked controversy. About 350 bottlenose dolphins are now captive in the United States, says Nancy Daves of the Animal Protection Institute, based in Sacramento, Calif. ``Going out and capturing dolphins from the wild is an activity whose time has come and gone,'' Ms. Daves says. ``There are enough of them in aquariums at this point.'' Aquariums should set up cooperative breeding programs to help fill the demand for dolphins with captive-born animals, Daves suggests. Animal-rights groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) argue that dolphins never should have been taken into captivity in the first place. ``We're opposed to any type of exploitation of animals,'' says Ann Chynoweth, national outreach coordinator for PETA in Rockville, Md. ``Aquariums take marine animals that typically swim thousands of miles [a year] and force them to live in closets. They live very stressful lives.'' All sides of this debate profess the same goal: educating the public about marine life and the need to preserve it. But aquarium advocates and animal-welfare groups disagree on how best to achieve that end. The National Aquarium recently completed this $35 million Marine Mammal Pavilion, which is now home to five bottlenose dolphins and three beluga whales. The aquarium is owned by the city and operated by a nonprofit corporation. Aquarium officials and supporters say the new facility and the animals it houses are powerful partners in an effort to educate the public. ``Our heart and soul for existence is to draw people in so we can teach them,'' says Nicholas Brown, the aquarium's executive director. ``We tempt them through the recreational and entertainment side and try to inspire them and instruct them about the conservation-education side.'' ``People can be educated through films and other means,'' counters Jenny Woods, outreach manager for PETA. During the opening celebrations of the new facility here, animal-rights activists from several organizations gathered outside the National Aquarium carrying signs proclaiming, ``Dolphins Die in Captivity.'' ``We wanted to be there because a lot of people who love animals go to the aquarium,'' says Ms. Chynoweth of PETA. ``But what we want to let them know is that this is not how marine mammals live naturally and that there are other ways to show your appreciation for animals.'' PETA supports the idea of teaching children respect for animals and encouraging an interest in science, Chynoweth says. ``But,'' she insists, ``they are not going to learn respect for animals or our environment by seeing these beautiful marine mammals in sterile bathtubs.'' AQUARIUM professionals give the new facility high marks. ``The National Aquarium at Baltimore is without question one of the finest aquariums in North America. There's no question, it's state-of-the-art,'' says David Jenkins, deputy director of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums in Bethesda, Md. Inside the glassy, sunlit pavilion, 20-minute ``presentations'' - the aquarium avoids such terms as ``show'' or ``performance'' - are given several times a day. Aquarium mammalogists combine informational commentary with the live action in the water. Two large screens on either side of the room allow for illustration and elaboration. During each presentation, one brave youngster in the audience is invited to touch one of the dolphins. ``We use gimmicks unashamedly to get people's attention and get them learning,'' Mr. Brown says. ``It's all very carefully dosed to soften people up and then hit them'' with the educational message. In this age of television and high technology, the argument goes, you have to be engaging to educate. ``Good education is entertaining,'' Mr. Jenkins says. ``A great deal of the present attitude and concern about cetaceans has been due to the fact that over the past 10 to 15 years a number of these very large aquariums have been able to show people what these animals are really like.'' Scientists confirm that they've been able to learn a great deal about dolphins and other marine mammals through aquariums. ``Most of what we've learned about these animals is because of the research programs that are conducted in relation to aquaria,'' says William A. Watkins, a scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, Mass. Species such as the bottlenose dolphin adapt well to captivity, Dr. Watkins says. ``You don't see aberrant behavior - banging their heads into the walls and that sort of thing.'' Nedra Foster Hecker, who has been a mammalogist at the National Aquarium for two years, trains and cares for the marine mammals here. ``You can look at the gestalt of an animal and judge whether or not they are happy,'' she says. On the basis of the animals' attitudes and eating patterns, she is convinced that they are well-adapted to captivity. But the National Aquarium has a less-than-perfect record with their marine mammals. Soon after opening in 1981, one of the aquarium's original bottlenose dolphins died. Others were evacuated after developing ulcers attributed to the stress of their environment. In addition, a visiting dolphin died soon after arriving in 1984. And in 1989, a beluga whale died of a bacterial infection. A fiasco in Florida in 1989 perpetuated the sour situation. In the process of capturing two dolphins off the Florida coast, the aquarium ran afoul of state authorities. Brown refers to the situation as a ``substantial misunderstanding.'' In the end, one of the dolphins died and the other is still in Florida. Executive Director Brown explains that over the years aquarium managers have learned a great deal about how to keep marine mammals in captivity. In the early days of its operation, the Baltimore facility was rented out almost every night of the week for private parties. The light and noise adversely affected the living inhabitants. ``We just simply overstressed the animals and we very quickly figured that out and stopped doing it,'' Brown says. The new Marine Mammal Pavilion is an effort to provide more light, space, and soundproof facilities. Watkins, the scientist from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, suggests that, like humans, dolphins adapt fairly easily to their environment. ``I was just recently forced to stay in a hotel room that was too close to a highway,'' he says. ``I didn't sleep very well at all the first night but the second night I did well. That kind of accommodation is true of all mammalian systems.''
Many people know that eggs can be produced in cages, in barns, in free-range and organic systems. Egg packs have to be labelled accordingly. Perhaps fewer people know that both pigs and chickens are reared in a similar range of systems. Milk is also produced in fully-indoor, free-range and organic systems. Compassion in World Farming provides stimulus materials which demonstrate these systems and which are designed to engage students and encourage discussion of the issues that arise. Films to demonstrate systems and animal behaviours: - Farm Animals & Us – 17 minute film demonstrates a range of systems, intensive, higher welfare, free-range and organic from a welfare point of view, encouraging students to explore the choices they can make as consumers and citizens - Farm Animals & Us 2 – 25 minute film covers the same issues in more depth for abler students - A Life Worth Living – 5 minute film with five short sections of positive animal behaviour without commentary to encourage observation and discussion for all ages Activities to stimulate thought and discussion: - White striping practical – why do so many chicken breasts have white stripes? Case study to help students understand the advantages and disadvantages of selective breeding and its ethical implications. - How Should We Treat Farm Animals? – small group discussion activity which encourages students to consider tzzhe pros and cons of different systems for producing meat, milk and eggs including organic, free-range and intensive - Personality Test – an engaging activity which encourages students to explore their viewpoints about ethical issues around food production, animal welfare, sustainability and food security and to understand better the different opinions of others Our archive resources include films on sustainable food production (Eat Less Meat). Though produced some time ago, the films maintain their power to engage students and stimulate discussion and the issues remain relevant today. All of the above resources are available on our Farm Animals & Us DVD which is available free for schools and other educational institutions. Lessons can also be enriched by inviting a speaker to talk to your students. There is also information for teachers and abler students about how fish are farmed in our research section. Details about the ways fish are caught and the impacts on fish welfare can be found on the Fishcount website. Printed copies or DVDs can be can be ordered here. You are also very welcome to order, request download links, invite a speaker or ask us any question about our resources directly by emailing us at email@example.com. For more detailed scientific information on a range of animal welfare and sustainability topics around human food supply, there are a large number of reports to download in our Research section. Topics include animal welfare, cloning and genetics, human health, environment and food. Finally, you don’t need to wait for us to send you our films and worksheets. You can download our films and teachers’ resources free now!
Last summer, for the first time in human history, the opportunity to privately achieve our furthest-reaching imaginations became possible as the U.S. government fully embraced the concept of commercial space development. For most of humankind’s existence, the ability to travel to the stars was limited by our technology, not our dreams. After the USSR launched Sputnik, the world realized our technical ability had the potential to take us beyond our planet, but this event also catapulted the emerging Cold War to new heights as space became the ultimate battlefield. In the 1960s, the “Space Race” was defined as a mission to the moon and back. We won that race, which was the greatest achievement in this country during my lifetime. In the 1980s, the concept of Star Wars went from Hollywood to Washington as the government openly debated what a space-based battlefield could look like. Currently, the threat of cyber warfare is real and increasingly jeopardizes our information-based economy. With space being the domain of military and government activities, there was little oxygen in the air for private commercial activities. NASA played a critical role in shuttling experiments back and forth to the Space Station, and communication satellites were launched by the large defense contractors who knew how to play Washington’s game. Yet this industry failed to fulfill the potential of what is possible; however, in July 2011, the Space Shuttle landed for the last time, and there is renewed imagination of what can be. Much has been written about the advent of Space Race 2.0 or what has come to be known as New Space, and there is renewed excitement about going “to infinity and beyond,” but there remain significant regulatory, technical and financial hurdles to realizing these dreams. The retirement of the shuttle by the Obama administration was not universally accepted—could future administrations change this policy? Even if this policy is not altered, the FAA and other foreign government agencies have yet to agree on all of the regulatory issues required to make this future possible. The cost of flying the shuttle made it very difficult to create business models that made financial sense; new technology that applies reusable vehicles that don’t require reassembly with each re-entry is needed to lower the cost of space exploration. New propulsion systems that lower the cost of sending a person or a payload into orbit are necessary to create the Moore’s Law of Space, but it may surprise some to learn that the greatest need for this industry to take off is not technical or regulatory—it is financial. The phrase “I am not a rocket scientist” connotes a level of deep technical expertise not shared by the general public, but is that what is most needed to advance this industry? One of the historical arguments for continued investment in NASA has been the technical innovations that have come out of our space program—from the microprocessor, to solar power, to GPS, to Tang. These innovations have created the technical foundation for the companies that have driven our economy for the last 40 years; however, do we primarily need new technology for the private commercial space industry? To capitalize on this opportunity, I firmly believe what is mainly needed is not new technology; it is new capital and new business models to make use of this capital. Technical innovation will always play a significant role in this industry, but after 50 years of funding NASA, there are significant technologies that exist and are just waiting to be commercialized wherever there is a market to be served. In short, the primary innovation needed for this industry not only to take off but to leave orbit is a shift in thinking: from serving missions to serving markets, from completing programs to creating profits. Although this may sound intuitive, it is a 180-degree shift in thinking to most people who are in the space industry. A cursory review of NASA will highlight the various programs this agency has overseen, from Mercury to Apollo, from the Space Shuttle to the current Commercial Crew program, and within each program are a series of well-defined missions. The most audacious program was the Apollo program (1961-1972), and the success of the Apollo 11 mission to put a man on the moon continues to inspire 40 years later. Yet what market was served by this? At the cost of more than $200 billion for the entire program, what profits were realized? Of course, the government is not in the business of making a profit, but for the privately funded commercial space industry to move forward, this shift of emphasis is sine qua non of all New Space business plans. Earlier this year, the FAA together with Space Florida conducted a market study of opportunities for suborbital reusable vehicles and identified five existing markets, including: - · Commercial Human Spaceflight - · Basic and Applied Research - · Technology Demonstration - · Media and Public Relations - · Education and Satellite Deployment This study forecasts a total of between 2,378 and 4,518 commercial suborbital flights over the next 10 years; with current costs ranging between $100,000 and $200,000, this equates to a market size of $2 billion to $9 billion. Many believe this study is extremely conservative and misses the exponential growth curve of new industries. Others believe the largest market is point to point suborbital transportation, which could be a $100 billion market when the technology develops in the next couple of decades. The Brookings Institute supported by McKinsey & Company studied the existing Colorado space industry, including space system manufacturing and operations, satellite-based services and their supply chain, and determined this market encompasses $15 billion and employs more than 50,000 people. Although this market is primarily composed of traditional space activities, the private-sector work makes up the strongest growth potential, and with the looming possibility of reduced federal spending, this is a trend that looks to continue. Earlier this year, the Investor’s Business Daily ran a story suggesting that the first trillionaires will make their fortune in space. Yogi Berra once said, “Predicting is difficult, especially when it involves the future;” but it is clear that a significant need for this emerging industry is good market intelligence and appropriate strategies to capture these markets. So who will be the risk-takers who capitalize on this trillion-dollar opportunity? Again, the future will determine the winners and losers, but I predict it will not be the large defense contractors who currently receive significant NASA and Department of Defense spending. This may seem counterintuitive as these large companies have a workforce in place to best solve the technical challenges, but as I have stated, I believe engineering hurdles are not the prime limiting factor. Also, these companies have established very sophisticated protocols to avoid risk and are used to accepting small profit margins to do so. This system has worked very well for NASA and our federal government, but the exact opposite is required for the private commercial space market. What is required are companies and investors willing to embrace risk for the commensurate returns the market forecasts. Space has long been the domain of dreamers and visionaries, from Star Trek nerds to our most brilliant minds, from ancient astronomers, to Galileo, to Einstein, to Stephen Hawking; humankind has consistently looked to the heavens with questions resulting in technical answers that are nothing short of amazing. I still don’t understand E=mc2, but a mind that can reduce the equations of the universe to such simplicity is the epitome of the word genius. But again, such higher-level thinking is not the main requirement for us to commercialize the final frontier. What is needed is smart investment based upon fundamental business principles. So the trillion-dollar question would be, is anyone making these investments in private commercial space, and if so, what are their business models? The short answer to the above question is yes. Internet billionaires who made their fortune in the tech sector (where innovations have driven our economy since the invention of the microprocessor by the space industry) are the early adaptors to commercial space. Paul Allan, a co-founder of Microsoft, spent $30 million to win the $10 million Ansari X prize back in 2004 and last year announced a new venture—Stratolaunch, which promises to significantly reduce the cost of launching satellites. Before you question the wisdom of investing $30 million to make $10 million, upon winning the X prize, he was met by Richard Branson of the Virgin Companies, who licensed his technology for $50 million and started Virgin Galactic. Virgin Galactic is primarily known for pioneering the concept of space tourism, where wealthy individuals spend $200 thousand for a ride to suborbital space. However, the larger vision behind the company is to become a worldwide transportation company utilizing suborbital flight. Jeff Bezos of Amazon fame is the resource behind Blue Origin, a quiet company developing a vertical takeoff vehicle that is targeting the research and educational market, among other things. The most successful commercial space company to date may be SpaceX, the brainchild of Elon Musk, the 40-year-old co-founder of PayPal. Earlier this year, SpaceX made history by becoming the first private company to launch a craft that docked with the International Space Station, an accomplishment that had only been completed by a select number of nation-states. When this event occurred, it was the highest tweeted activity for the day on Twitter; when was the last time this industry had captured the imagination of the younger generation, which has anointed Musk as the real-world embodiment of Tony Stark of Ironman fame? The IT industry is comfortable with the concept of risk, and not all of these companies will be successful, but by combining proven business models with identified markets, and adding supportive regulations to patient capital, you have a winning formula. To be sure, each of the examples above and others not mentioned also have advanced technology, but the technical innovations are not what gives promise to the enormous potential of this industry. As soon as some of these New Space companies show acceptable returns on the risk capital that has been invested, larger forms of investment from traditional sources will pour into this new market looking for a technical advantage to gain a foothold. The innovations that follow will rival our greatest science fiction novels. PADT is a mechanical engineering company that specializes in numerical simulation, product development and additive manufacturing; we have been fortunate enough to have many clients that use our tools and services, both in the traditional aerospace industry and some in the New Space world. The tagline for our company is “We make Innovation Work”; we are proud of our ability to work with great technical ideas and to help optimize them. Our desire is to help elevate the importance of great technology in all facets of the design process; we are firmly entrenched in the technical community in Arizona and are expanding our influence throughout the Southwest and Rocky Mountain area. We continue to be involved in Colorado’s initiative to become a spaceport state, and we are working with multiple companies in this private commercial space industry. Though we would like to think that disruptive technology is the most important element required to reach the stars, our experience tells us this is not the case. Innovation for innovation’s sake may produce the “flux capacitor,” but without identified markets; solid business fundamentals; and most importantly, risk capital, the best ideas will not take off.
When it comes to Security then you need to be very punctual about the safety of your system. You can not say that you are safe by only comparing with old measurements/resources which make your system safe. Hacking enthusiasts are always up to finding new ways to crack the security and enter the system. To really get the idea of what exactly to do next, instead of following old security tips, you need to actually know the process so you can better determine and apply desired changes. If you are familiar with the term website hacking then you probably know that term DDOS. And this is one of that kind of attack seen usually on the internet nowadays. And we are about to tell you how to DDoS but before you need to clearly know what this is about: What is DDoS? DDoS, which is stands for Distributed Denial Of Service and has a huge effect on the internet and its users. It is simply focused on overwhelming the server or system by using various methods to shut down the system. When talking about websites then attacker makes a huge network or bots to send a request to your site server to the maximum of its capacity so the legit users can’t access the site. A DDoS attack can crash the whole site badly. It can be a type of blitzkrieg, DNS server amplification or other types. The force to shut down the system/server or keep it busy as much as possible to prevent the real users to access can be done in more than one manner. And it totally depends on server capacity for how much requests you need to send a single time to make this happen. Usually, a shared server crash easily whereas to perform an attack on VPS or dedicated server is way too difficult and you really need a superbly broad network or bots and environment to make this happen. To Perform DDoS attack you need to go through these simple steps. We will give you a brief idea on how to DDoS a server. Let’s take a look at below steps explanation: As we already said that this attack can be performed in various manners, you can also use a different method but here we are running this process using a software as well as the command prompt. Using a software to perform this kind of attack is easy because non-techky or tech knowledgeable person can even use a software after following instructions and can get started right away anytime. Step 1# Starting the Software To get started with a software to perform DDoS you need to install one of the best ones which will actually work. Download this software from Sourceforge.net, this software is known as LOIC(Low Orbit Ion Cannon). After one downloading the software, you need to extract it on your windows system and open it. Step 2# Target A Site After opening LOIC on your windows system you need to Target a website in which you want to perform this action. Here you will see Select your target box area inside which you have two other boxes contains options to put the Website URL and IP address. If you have the website URL which you want to target then put it inside the first box, Or if you have the IP then put that in the second box. After that hit the “Lock on” button. Step# 3 Configure it Be patient and don’t move your fingers towards the big button because still you need to configure and let the software know the configuration of your attack. Now, go to the third section says Attack options, let the Timeout and HTTP Subsite same but inside TCP / UDP message box type any Random message. Also let the port same (80) if you are attacking a website, then select the method UDP. Uncheck wait for reply and let the Threads at 10. Usually, the Thread should be 10 but if you have pretty good processor/configuration then you can increase it upto 20 which will increase the capability of your attack. Step# 4 Final Step (Attack) Now its the time to press the trigger, you see that big button which says IMMA CHARGIN MAH LAZER so hit that. Once you have pressed that you will see the regarding info and the progress of your attack. On request column, under Attack status, you will see how many times the resources of the site has been requested. Or if you are doing ddos on Minecraft server then it will show you for how many times it has requested the resource from Minecraft server. This is just an automated DDoS attack which will work with LOIC and the info you will feed inside of it. If you want to do it manually then you can use command prompt for this purpose. Check out below steps to know exactly how to do this. How to DDoS Using Command Prompt In a manual way, you can use cmd for DDoS. It increases the simplicity of task and makes it more convenient. With command prompt, all you need is an enabled Internet connection. Selecting a site: The First and initial step is to select your target, so choose a site which you wanted to ddos. Getting IP: In order to DDoS that site you need to get the IP address of that website. Open command prompt and run this command ping www.example.com -t here, www.example.com is the name of that website. It will show you the IP address which looks similar to xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx , once you get the IP address press Ctrl+c to stop the current command execution. Execute DDoS: You need to type the following command to DDoS website. ping [ip address] -t -l 65500 in place of ip address put the actual IP address of website which you just get through above command. This command will send the 65500 bytes of data to the ip address or to the site. To make ddos attack more powerful you can use multiple systems and run the command. Stay Tuned: You need to let the command execute for atleast 2-3hours. It will overwhelm the server and the site will go down temporarily. Note: This attack using command only works with low config server, like shared servers. If you are trying to DDoS a website which has VPS, dedicated or high configuration server then only the tools like LOIC or other powerful tools. will work for you.
In the 15th and 16th Century, the world was a large, and generally undiscovered, area. This was the era that explorers would take their ships in different directions and try to find new areas. During this period explorers such as Christopher Columbus, Francis Drake and Juan Ponce de Leon explored new areas of the world. Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer that discovered Florida, and was also Governor of Puerto Rico. · Biography: information on the life and years as an explorer · De Leon Bio: biographical information on the life of Ponce de Leon · Bio: brief overview of the life of the famous explorer · Explorer: information on his years as explorer · Explorations: review of de Leon’s exploring Ponce de Leon had heard stories of a water source that would make people young again. The legend said that the magical waters that the Fountain of Youth possessed would make people look and feel young again. This legend peaked de Leon’s curiosity and he set out to find this mystical place. While he searched for the fountain, he never did discover its existence. However, he discovered Florida instead, and became the first European to land in Florida. · De Leon Discoveries: information on the explorer and his important discoveries · De Leon: biographical information on de Leon and his discoveries · Fountain of Youth: information on the Fountain of Youth Park · Fountain of Youth Legend: information on the legend surrounding the Fountain of Youth · Fragrances: information about exotic fragrances · Florida Explorer: resource on Florida’s first Spanish Explorer · Florida Discovery: information on Ponce de Leon’s discovery of St Augustine Florida Ponce de Leon’s final expedition was a search in 1521 for Bimini. He and 200 men landed on the west coast of Florida. Unfortunately they were met by Native American Indians, who injured many of the men with arrows, including de Leon. A short time later Ponce de Leon died in Havana, Cuba, from this wound (in July, 1521). He is buried in San Juan, Puerto Rico. · De Leon’s Map: map of the 1513 voyage of Ponce de Leon · De Leon in Puerto Rico: resource on the discoverer and his time in Puerto Rico · Death of de Leon: information on how Juan Ponce de Leon was killed · De Leon’s Life & Death: detailed account of the explorations and final demise of Ponce de Leon
Translocation is increasingly being used in conservation to improve the outlook of threatened plants and animals. It is often supported by captive breeding or plant propagation programs to increase the number of individuals available for translocation. The best approach for conserving threatened species is to protect them where they are naturally found. If this is not likely to be effective, it may be possible to integrate translocation with other conservation measures. We generally use translocation in three circumstances: - we move species to areas they have not previously occurred - we move species to areas where they previously occurred, but are no longer found - we move extra plants or animals to increase existing populations. In Saving our Species (SoS), we have identified over 150 species where translocation, captive breeding or plant propagation will be important. For example, SoS is working with a group of passionate volunteers and the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan to save the Nielsen Park She-oak. Thanks to ongoing efforts, the population continues to grow. SoS is also working with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and the University of New South Wales to reintroduce 13 animal species back into New South Wales. The animals will be collected from across Australia and released into fenced reserves following the removal of invasive predators (foxes and cats). In late 2018, the AWC released bilbies into Pilliga State Conservation Area, making them the first bilbies present in New South Wales for over 100 years. Generally, the Office of Environment and Heritage is more likely to support translocation where: - the benefits outweigh the risks - the likelihood of success is high - it is unlikely to increase the extinction risk for any species - the recipient site can support a translocated population - the cause of any past decline has been identified and managed. Office of Environment and Heritage translocation operational policy The Office of Environment and Heritage translocation operational policy guides the planning, assessment and implementation of translocations under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Each translocation licensed under the BC Act should be undertaken in accordance with an approved translocation proposal. If you are going to undertake a translocation, we recommend that you download and read the Office of Environment and Heritage translocation operational policy before you begin planning.
Studying our past ancestors has led to truly groundbreaking information such as why some people have allergies today and just how backstabbing led to the spread of the human race. But what’s to become of mankind in the future? One scientist has some predictions about what humans will look like in the future and it’s straight out of a sci-fi movie. Death and Taxes better described it as "’50s horror movie monsters." Paleoanthropologist Dr. Matthew Skinner of University of Kent made his predictions after SyFy asked him to in relation to their futuristic show Extant, as the Daily Mail reports. Dr. Skinner made predictions about how humans would evolve in three specific environments: a water world, on another planet, and during a second ice age. Dr. Skinner said, “We could genetically engineer ourselves if important enough to survive. Some of these things we might try to develop as a necessity rather than occurring over time naturally. Others could occur over tens of thousands of years.” The first scenario, should the polar ice caps continue to melt because of global warming raising the sea level, would cause people to develop webbed hands, webbed feet, and gills, to better survive in that environment. The weirdest development would be what Dr. Skinner says is an extra eyelid to “protect the eye” as humans look underwater. During a second ice age people would become paler, due to the lack of sun, and hairier, to battle the temperatures. Meanwhile in space people could lose teeth, causing the mouth and face to shrink, were our diet to change to mostly liquids and other things that don’t require teeth. Additionally, because of the lack of gravity, Dr. Skinner predicts longer arms and shorter legs like orangutans.
Dot Mars, Economist "Cyberspace is noisy, chatty and well-connected. Space, by contrast, is not. Communication between Earth and spacecraft is clunky and reminiscent of the days when switchboard operators had to plug in telephone lines by hand to connect the people at either end. But that is now about to change. America's space agency, NASA, has been researching what it calls the delay- (or disruption-) tolerant network protocol, or DTN. The idea is to introduce to space the automated protocols that enable seamless communication on the terrestrial internet."
The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis which is commonly referred to as a heel spur. Plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue which runs along the bottom surface of the foot, from the heel to the toes. Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the plantar fascia is inflamed. This condition can be very painful and cause a considerable amount of suffering. Common causes of heel pain include, Heel Spurs, a bony growth on the underside of the heel bone. The spur, visible by X-ray, appears as a protrusion that can extend forward as much as half an inch. When there is no indication of bone enlargement, the condition is sometimes referred to as "heel spur syndrome." Heel spurs result from strain on the muscles and ligaments of the foot, by stretching of the long band of tissue that connects the heel and the ball of the foot, and by repeated tearing away of the lining or membrane that covers the heel bone. These conditions may result from biomechanical imbalance, running or jogging, improperly fitted or excessively worn shoes, or obesity. Plantar Fasciitis, both heel pain and heel spurs are frequently associated with plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the band of fibrous connective tissue (fascia) running along the bottom (plantar surface) of the foot, from the heel to the ball of the foot. It is common among athletes who run and jump a lot, and it can be quite painful. The condition occurs when the plantar fascia is strained over time beyond its normal extension, causing the soft tissue fibers of the fascia to tear or stretch at points along its length; this leads to inflammation, pain, and possibly the growth of a bone spur where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. The inflammation may be aggravated by shoes that lack appropriate support, especially in the arch area, and by the chronic irritation that sometimes accompanies an athletic lifestyle. Resting provides only temporary relief. When you resume walking, particularly after a night's sleep, you may experience a sudden elongation of the fascia band, which stretches and pulls on the heel. As you walk, the heel pain may lessen or even disappear, but that may be just a false sense of relief. The pain often returns after prolonged rest or extensive walking. Heel pain sometimes results from excessive pronation. Pronation is the normal flexible motion and flattening of the arch of the foot that allows it to adapt to ground surfaces and absorb shock in the normal walking pattern. As you walk, the heel contacts the ground first; the weight shifts first to the outside of the foot, then moves toward the big toe. The arch rises, the foot generally rolls upward and outward, becoming rigid and stable in order to lift the body and move it forward. Excessive pronation-excessive inward motion-can create an abnormal amount of stretching and pulling on the ligaments and tendons attaching to the bottom back of the heel bone. Excessive pronation may also contribute to injury to the hip, knee, and lower back. Pain at the back of the heel is associated with Achilles tendinitis, which is inflammation of the Achilles tendon as it runs behind the ankle and inserts on the back surface of the heel bone. It is common among people who run and walk a lot and have tight tendons. The condition occurs when the tendon is strained over time, causing the fibers to tear or stretch along its length, or at its insertion on to the heel bone. This leads to inflammation, pain, and the possible growth of a bone spur on the back of the heel bone. The inflammation is aggravated by the chronic irritation that sometimes accompanies an active lifestyle and certain activities that strain an already tight tendon. Other possible causes of heel pain include rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis, including gout, which usually manifests itself in the big toe joint, an inflamed bursa (bursitis), a small, irritated sac of fluid; a neuroma (a nerve growth); or other soft-tissue growth. Such heel pain may be associated with a heel spur or may mimic the pain of a heel spur. Haglund's deformity ("pump bump"), a bone enlargement at the back of the heel bone in the area where the Achilles tendon attaches to the bone. This sometimes painful deformity generally is the result of bursitis caused by pressure against the shoe and can be aggravated by the height or stitching of a heel counter of a particular shoe, a bone bruise or contusion, which is an inflammation of the tissues that cover the heel bone. A bone bruise is a sharply painful injury caused by the direct impact of a hard object or surface on the foot. Usually worse with the first few steps in the morning or at the initial point of activity. The latter usually gets better with continued activity (squeaky hinge analogy). Walking, running, sprinting, hill running and jumping will increase the pain. Often, the natural response is to walk on the outside of the foot - in supination - to lessen the stress on the plantar fascia - resulting in new problems. To arrive at a diagnosis, the foot and ankle surgeon will obtain your medical history and examine your foot. Throughout this process the surgeon rules out all the possible causes for your heel pain other than plantar fasciitis. In addition, diagnostic imaging studies such as x-rays or other imaging modalities may be used to distinguish the different types of heel pain. Sometimes heel spurs are found in patients with plantar fasciitis, but these are rarely a source of pain. When they are present, the condition may be diagnosed as plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome. Non Surgical Treatment Anti-inflammatory medication. Heel stretching exercise. Ice application to painful area - twice a day or more, for 10 - 15 minutes. Rest. Supportive, well-fitting, padded shoes. Heel cup, felt pads or orthotics. Night splints - stretches injured fascia and allows healing. Basic treatment. First thing in the morning, before getting out of bed -- massage the bottom of the affected foot or feet for at least five minutes. Ensure that the plantar is stretched and warmed up so that overnight healing remains intact. Before stepping out of bed, be sure that you have soft, padded, supportive shoes or slippers to wear, especially if your flooring is hard, tile or uncarpeted flooring. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (EST) is a fairly new type of non-invasive treatment. Non-invasive means it does not involve making cuts into your body. EST involves using a device to deliver high-energy soundwaves into your heel. The soundwaves can sometimes cause pain, so a local anaesthetic may be used to numb your heel. It is claimed that EST works in two ways. It is thought to have a "numbing" effect on the nerves that transmit pain signals to your brain, help stimulate and speed up the healing process. However, these claims have not yet been definitively proven. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance about the use of EST for treating plantar fasciitis. NICE states there are no concerns over the safety of EST, but there are uncertainties about how effective the procedure is for treating heel pain. Some studies have reported that EST is more effective than surgery and other non-surgical treatments, while other studies found the procedure to be no better than a placebo (sham treatment). Flexibility is key when it comes to staving off the pain associated with these heel conditions. The body is designed to work in harmony, so stretching shouldn?t be concentrated solely on the foot itself. The sympathetic tendons and muscles that move the foot should also be stretched and gently exercised to ensure the best results for your heel stretches. Take the time to stretch thighs, calves and ankles to encourage healthy blood flow and relaxed muscle tension that will keep pain to a minimum. If ice is recommended by a doctor, try freezing a half bottle of water and slowly rolling your bare foot back and forth over it for as long as is comfortable. The use of elastic or canvas straps to facilitate stretching of an extended leg can also be helpful when stretching without an assistant handy. Once cleared by a doctor, a daily regimen of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication like Naproxen Sodium will keep pain at bay and increase flexibility in those afflicted by heel pain. While this medication is not intended to act as a substitute for medical assessments, orthopedics or stretching, it can nonetheless be helpful in keeping discomfort muted enough to enjoy daily life. When taking any medication for your heel pain, be sure to follow directions regarding food and drink, and ask your pharmacist about possible interactions with existing medications or frequent activities.
Gastric bypass is surgery that helps you lose weight by changing how your stomach and small intestine handle the food you eat. After the surgery, your stomach will be smaller. You will feel full with less food. The food you eat will no longer go into some parts of your stomach and small intestine that absorb food. Because of this, your body will not get all of the calories from the food you eat. Bariatric surgery - gastric bypass; Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; Gastric bypass - Roux-en-Y; Weight-loss surgery - gastric bypass; Obesity surgery - gastric bypass You will have general anesthesia before this surgery. You will be asleep and pain free. There are two steps during gastric bypass surgery: Gastric bypass can be done in two ways. With open surgery, your surgeon makes a large surgical cut to open your belly. The bypass is done by working on your stomach, small intestine, and other organs. Another way to do this surgery is to use a tiny camera, called a laparoscope. This camera is placed in your belly. The surgery is called laparoscopy. The scope allows the surgeon to see inside your belly. In this surgery: Advantages of laparoscopy over open surgery include: This surgery takes about 2 to 4 hours. Weight-loss surgery may be an option if you are very obese and have not been able to lose weight through diet and exercise. Gastric bypass surgery is not a quick fix for obesity. It will greatly change your lifestyle. After this surgery, you must eat healthy foods, control portion sizes of what you eat, and exercise. If you do not follow these measures, you may have complications from the surgery and poor weight loss. This procedure may be recommended if you have: Gastric bypass is major surgery and it has many risks. Some of these risks are very serious. You should discuss these risks with your surgeon. Risks for anesthesia and surgery in general include: Risks for gastric bypass include: Your surgeon will ask you to have tests and visits with other health care providers before you have this surgery. Some of these are: If you smoke, you should stop several weeks before surgery and not start smoking again after surgery. Smoking slows recovery and increases the risks of problems. Tell your doctor or nurse if you need help quitting. Tell your surgeon or nurse: During the week before your surgery: On the day of surgery: Most people stay in the hospital for 1 to 4 days after surgery. In the hospital: You will be able to go home when: Be sure to follow instructions for how to care for yourself at home. Most people lose about 10 to 20 pounds a month in the first year after surgery. Weight loss will decrease over time. By sticking to your diet and exercise from the beginning, you lose more weight. You may lose half or more of your extra weight in the first 2 years. You will lose weight quickly after surgery if you are still on a liquid or pureed diet. Losing enough weight after surgery can improve many medical conditions, including: Weighing less should also make it much easier for you to move around and do your everyday activities. To lose weight and avoid complications from the procedure, you will need to follow the exercise and eating guidelines that your doctor and dietitian have given you. Buchwald H. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. In: Buchwald H. Buchwald's Atlas of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgical Techniques and Procedures. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 6. Buchwald H. Open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. In: Buchwald H. Buchwald's Atlas of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgical Techniques and Procedures. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 5. Pontiroli AE, Morabito A. Long-term prevention of mortality in morbid obesity through bariatric surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of trials performed with gastric banding and gastric bypass. Ann Surg. 2011;253:484-7. PMID: 21245741 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21245741. Richards WO. Morbid obesity. In: Townsend Jr. CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 15. Thompson CC, Morton JM. Surgical and endoscopic treatment of obesity. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 8.
Despite prolonged and concentrated efforts, Pakistan’s literacy rate lacks behind the global average. Illiteracy is lethal for the development of any country. It is one of the major issues Pakistan is facing since inception. Pakistan has a literacy rate of 58 percent, which has improved from 35 percent in 1990-91, but still way behind the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) targeted at 88 percent, which was to be achieved by the end of 2015. A slight progression in the literacy rate has been noticed with the efforts made by NGOs and the government, but still there is lot more to do. Illiteracy is a constantly ticking time bomb, just like population explosion, which holds our national development stagnant. Regrettably, we are far away from succeeding in universalizing our basic education system. Several political, economic and cultural factors are hindering our way in attaining a decent literacy rate. The government alone lacks capability and political will of handling such enormous burden. Many organizations, especially NGOs and civil societies, have come to the fore to support government efforts in promoting primary education. The modern techniques employed by NGOs such as public-private partnerships, family literacy, teacher’s training, and community involvement are yielding good results. The role of NGOs are very clear when comes to education sector, they don’t intend to replace the government, but to ensure the quality standards, affordability and equity in mind are successfully met. However, the partnership between the government and the NGOs has failed to live up to the hopes, as more than 70 percent of the children are still out of the schools in Punjab and the students who go to school are way behind the globally set intellectual standards. To bring a positive change in the dismal state of education in Pakistan, there’s a need to explore different ways of schooling and education. The community based school system offers a reliable solution to the problem. Community-based education goes beyond the conventional system of cognitive capacities and encompasses the emotional and social aspects of learning. The relationships that children create with the caring adults, in form of the teachers, are the overarching premise of community-based education. Academic experts asserts that the emotional and social development of students comes from the collaborative efforts of parents, schools, and communities. Recently, I visited some schools of Surjani Town and Saeedabad in Karachi, which are run by BRAC Pakistan (Offshoot of a Bangladesh based NGO). These are non-formal primary schools, which are designed to provide an opportunity to disadvantaged and marginalized children left out of the formal education system due to extreme poverty, displacement, violence or discrimination. The model of this system is unique. It operates on the idea of ‘One room, One School’ model. These schools enroll thirty students of an under-privileged locality, provide them with the school supplies, arrange a teacher from the same area and provide basic primary education. These schools complement the mainstream educational institutes with innovative teaching methods and materials. So far, 2,097 schools has been established in Sindh and Punjab by BRAC Pakistan, covering total population of four hundred thousand with enrollment of 64,165 children of ultra-poor category in 2016. According to the reports, twenty four million children are out of school in Pakistan, the second highest figure in the world after Nigeria. This figure reflects sorry state of affairs of public education in Pakistan. Government can bring up the literacy rate by involving more NGOs and civil society by expanding the operations and scope of community based education to all the areas of the country. Creating a community-based education compatible to our socio-cultural needs may seem far-fetched and difficult, but we have examples like BRAC Pakistan who is operating it smoothly with outstanding results. As a nation we have not lost the capacity to envision and meet the needs of our children; we have only suppressed it through misunderstanding the learner of today. We can no longer look at children just as our future. They must become our present. As in the words of Albert Einstein, “no problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it.” Faizan Afzal is a freelance journalist and a Young Professional at BRAC in Pakistan. Tweet him @Faizan_Afzal1.
Two 75 minutes lectures per week (3-0-3) Designation: Elective Course Course Level: Undergraduate Prerequisite(s) by Topic: - Algorithms and Problem-Solving - Fundamental Data Structures Introduction to neural computing: Real vs. artificial neurons; Threshold logic; Training a linear threshold unit, the perceptron rule; Multilayer feed-forward networks and the back propagation algorithm; The Hopfield net; Self-organizing maps; Radial basis functions; Adaptive resonance theory; Applications of Neural Networks (ANN). Simon Haykin, Neural Networks: A Comprehensive Foundation, 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall PTR, 1999. Reference(s) and Other Material: - C. M. Bishop, Neural Networks for Pattern Recognition, Oxford University Press, 1995, - D. P. Mandic and J. A. Chambers, Recurrent Neural Networks for Prediction, John Wiley & Sons, 2001. - D.E. Rummelhart, J.L. McClelland, et al.; Parallel Distributed Processing, MIT Press, 1986. - F.M. Ham & I. Kostanic. Principles of Neurocomputing for Science and Engineering, McGraw Hill, 2001 . - J. Hertz, A. Krogh & R.G. Palmer. An Introduction to the Theory of Neural Computation, Addison Wesley, 1991 . - Kevin Gurney. An Introduction to Neural Networks , UCL Press, 1997 . - Laurene Fausett. Fundamentals of Neural Networks, Prentice Hall, 1994 . - Martin T. Hagan, Howard B. Demuth, and Mark Beale. Neural Network Design, PWS Publishing Company, 1995. [Recommended]. - Mohamad H. Hassoun, Fundamentals of Artificial Neural Networks, (MIT Press, 1995). - P.S. Churchland & T.J. Sejnowski. The Computational Brain, MIT Press, 1994 . - R. Beale & T. Jackson. Introduction to Neural Networks, IOP Publishing, 1990. - Robrt Callan. The Essence of Neural Networks, Prentice Hall Europe, 1999. After completion of this course, the student shall be able to: - Have a good knowledge of the basic ANN techniques and understanding both advantage and disadvantage of them. - Be familiar with the most common used ANN topologies: one, two, or more hidden-layers, different activation functions, and the best training algorithms. - Recognize the feature of problems, which neural networks can be used appropriately to solve them, and compare it with other technology methods. - Understand and use the appropriate ANN methods and tools for specifying, designing, implementing neural network systems. - Have a good knowledge of several types of ANN models. - Introduction to Neural Networks and their History. - Biological Neurons and Neural Networks. Artificial Neurons. - Single Layer Perceptrons. 1. Networks of Artificial Neurons. 2. Learning and Generalization - Hebbian Learning. Gradient Descent Learning. - The Generalized Delta Rule. Practical Considerations. - Learning in Multi-Layer Perceptrons. - Learning with Momentum. - Conjugate Gradient Learning. - Bias and Variance. - Under-Fitting and Over-Fitting. - Improving Generalization. - Applications of Multi-Layer Perceptrons. - Radial Basis Function Networks: 1. Introduction. 2. Algorithms. 3. Applications. Committee Machines. - Self Organizing Maps: 1. Fundamentals. 2. Algorithms and Applications. - Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ). - Hopfield ANN - Advanced Topics.
Particles of comet dust that traveled from the far reaches of the solar system to Earth are traveling the United States, including a stop at Argonne, where scientists are studying the particles to learn more about comets and possibly the creation of our planet. They came from outer space. And now, particles of comet dust that traveled from the far reaches of the solar system to Earth are traveling the United States, including a stop at the Advanced Photon Source at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. Scientists there are studying the particles to learn more about comets and possibly the creation of our planet. The particles are the first pieces of a comet to have ever been plucked from outer space and returned to Earth. The collection was part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Stardust sample return mission which launched in February 1999. The primary goal of Stardust was to collect dust and carbon-based samples during its closest encounter with Comet Wild 2. The Stardust sample-return canister parachuted onto the desert salt flats of Utah on Jan. 15, following a journey of nearly three million miles, bringing with it thousands of particles from the edge of the solar system. Four of those samples recently spent a few days at Argonne, and almost that entire time they were bombarded by the high-precision X-ray beams from the Advanced Photon Source (APS). The samples are so small that several particles fit across the width of a single human hair. By using the APS to map the samples, researchers hope to determine their chemical makeup and to gain a better understanding of the composition of comets and other planetary bodies, including the Earth. The studies were done at GeoSoilEnviroCARS, a research facility at the APS operated by the University of Chicago. "Comets form far out in the solar system," explained researcher George Flynn of State University of New York Plattsburgh who is working on the project with Steve Sutton and Matt Newville of the University of Chicago. "They have trapped original parts of the solar system in ice for four and a half billion years. We have material that we think is the original dust that the solar system formed from. And if we want to understand the Earth, we need to understand what it's made of.” The particles were captured in aerogel, a special type of foamed glass, made so lightweight that it is barely visible and almost floats in air. Looking at the aerogel microscopically, Flynn said, it would resemble a spider web. The particles travel through it, hitting individual strands of the web, slowing with each impact, and eventually standing still, embedded in the gel. The comet particles make carrot-shaped tunnels in the aerogel as they are stopped. At the pointed tip of each tunnel, a tiny particle will be found. Researchers are analyzing the particles while they are still embedded in the aerogel. They use the APS to map the elements along the track left by the comet particles. The aerogel is abrasive, and as the particles travel through it, parts of them are scraped off and embedded in the track. "If we just remove the particle and analyze only that," Flynn said, "it might not be a true representation of the particle composition." Researchers will map the elements along the path as well as the particle, and "then we'll add them up and see what we get," Flynn said. Flynn and his colleagues will also compare the data collected from these comet particles to data on particle samples that NASA routinely collects from the Earth's upper atmosphere. Researchers have long believed that some of those particles are, indeed, from comets, but without confirmed comet samples to compare to, there's been no way to know for sure. This project finally gives scientists the opportunity to determine the unique characteristics of a comet. Flynn says researchers hope that if a comet is sufficiently uniform, then by collecting such tiny pieces of it we can understand a lot. Prior to landing at Argonne, the samples were analyzed at the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Using the APS, the samples can be studied at much higher energies allowing researchers to detect heavier elements and map the samples at smaller scales. After the samples leave Argonne, Flynn said, they will be returned to the Johnson Space Center in Houston where the particles will be extracted from the aerogel. Scientists there have the capability to extract particles down to about 4 microns in size. Researchers will slice the particles in half and analyze them. Some of the particles will then make a return trip to the APS where researchers will examine individual minerals in the particles at the submicron scale. Once all research is finished, the samples will be housed at the Johnson Space Center and remain available for researchers around the world to study. Sutton pointed out that's why non-destructive studies such as this one are so valuable: The samples can be studied again in the future when even more refined methods become available. Stardust is the first U.S. mission designed to return rock samples since the Apollo missions to the moon. " Nobody would have imagined back when Apollo returned with the first space samples the types of studies that would be possible today," Flynn said. "During the early years of space exploration samples needed to be much larger, and measurements could not be done with the sensitivity that is available today." The real benefit of sample return, Flynn points out, is that the instruments used to study the material could not be taken into space. "We could never send a synchrotron to the comet," he laughed. Flynn and Sutton, who have been studying space particle samples together for nearly two decades, will present preliminary findings at NASA's lunar and planetary science conference in March. They hope to have their studies complete in six months. Source: Argonne National Laboratory, by Donna Jones Pelkie Explore further: Guarana found to have higher antioxidant potential than green tea
Geology: oolitic limestone Age: Middle Jurassic Provenance: Lavoux, Nr. Poitiers, Vienne Department Where to see examples - new window in south west transept (images 1, 5 and 6) - window repairs in east wall of south east transept (images 2, 7 and 8) - external wall repairs to St Anselm’s chapel (images 3, 9 and 10) - Royal statues by west door (right above and images 4, 11 and 12). Lavoux Stone is a marine limestone quarried near the village of Lavoux since the fourteenth century. The village is situated about 14 kilometres east of Poitiers in the French Department of Vienne. Locally the stone is also known as Pierre de Lavoux, Lavoux à Grain and Lavoux Fin. The stone has been used for restoration at Canterbury since 1972 when it was known as Lépine Stone, the trade name for stone from the Lépine quarry that was destined for export. In recent years the name Lavoux à Grain for the stone has become widely used by the Canterbury masons, as although extracted from the same quarry as the Lépine, the Lavoux à Grain is taken from a different bed. This bed has a height in excess of one metre and has enabled masons to replace architectural features, such as mullions, requiring these lengths. Lavoux Stone is Middle Jurassic in age. It is fine-grained and slightly chalky in texture with spherical grains of calcium carbonate called ooliths and shell fragments of marine animals all within a fine-grained carbonate matrix. On fresh exposure the stone is usually white in colour, but over a period of time, of from years to decades, the stone weathers to a similar appearance to that of Caen Stone. When first imported during the early 1970s the stone was seen to be the closest existing match to Caen Stone available at the time. When first placed in the cathedral fabric there were concerns about the whiteness of the stone, although with time the stone can be said to have successfully ‘weathered in’. Lavoux Stone is supplied in large ‘six-sides sawn’ blocks to the cathedral masons yard where it is cut into smaller block sizes according to need. Much of the restoration work of the last 45 years has been carried out using Lavoux Stone. The stone can be seen in the renewed tracery of the recently restored Great South Window. The new Great South Window of the south west transept was completed in November 2016. Renovation work cost over £2.2 million. Scaffolding covered the window for 7 years. The original window dates from the 1420s whilst much of its stained glass is of the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Its width of over 7.5 metres makes it the widest in the cathedral. For stone repairs and replacement stone (images 5 and 6), masons used the ‘Lavoux à Grain’ from the upper levels in the Lavoux quarry as it has bed heights of more than 1 metre needed for the mullions. Nearer to ground level lavoux stone can also be seen in the external ashlar walls of the south east transept (images 7 and 8 – by the Black Prince’s Chantry – an opportunity to see the Lavoux stone close up) and in repairs to St Anselm’s Chapel (images 9 and 10) and the Great Cloister. The Royal Statues installed in 2015 on the western facade (images 11 and 12) were carved by Nina Bilbey from Lavoux Stone. She described her material as “Probably the most beautiful blocks of stone I’ve had the pleasure of carving”.
Saving our Species fact sheets Explore these fact sheets on some of NSW's threatened species and find out how you can act to secure their future. Merimbula star-hair (Astrotricha sp. wallagaraugh) The Merimbula star-hair is a single or multi-stemmed shrub growing up to 1 metre tall, though occasionally taller. - 01 Aug 2018
In Utah, July 24 is Pioneer Day, a state holiday commemorating the day in 1847 when the first Mormon settlers, led by Brigham Young, entered the Salt Lake Valley. Today, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Mormon groups make up 58% of Utah's population and 1.7% of the total U.S. adult population, according to the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, conducted by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life in 2007. The religious tradition, founded in the United States in 1830, has come under increased public scrutiny in recent years as a result of prominent Mormons in the news, such as Mitt Romney, a 2008 Republican presidential primary candidate and former governor of Massachusetts, and Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), the majority leader in the U.S. Senate, as well as the involvement of the LDS church in political issues, such as the recent debate over gay marriage in California. A new analysis of the Landscape Survey data reveals that as a group Mormons are among the most devout and conservative religious people in the country. The Mormon community is also internally diverse, with differences according to levels of religious commitment and educational attainment, regions of the country where Mormons live, and between lifelong Mormons and those who have converted to the faith. This report explores Mormons' unique place in the American religious landscape and is divided into three parts: demographic characteristics, religious beliefs and practices, and social and political views.
Views: 1 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2018-03-21 Origin: Site The "Prometheus" project invented by Greece is also beneficial to forest fire prevention. The plan goes far beyond the traditional practice of simple fire extinguishing and controls the area of the fire through computers. The plan developer George Efthidis said: "We can't change the weather on the terrain, but we can change the fuel." The experts' opinion is that they fled the countryside, the unreasonable operation of farmland, and the change of living habits. So that more and more biomass is left unused in nature. This left more hazards for the fire, increasing the possibility of fire and the difficulty of extinguishing the fire. The expert also said: "No matter what measures we take are the same, forest fires are always constant. However, we can control risks. For this purpose, we need to be based on science." In the Prometheus project, the Greeks collected data on wind, weather, vegetation, and other related factors, and studied their relationship to fire. No matter where a fire occurs, the Prometheus program can use this data to predict the possible spread of fire and possible ecological and economic losses. This helps determine whether and when to take measures and what measures to take. If the situation is favorable, the fire brigade should allow the fire to burn or allow it to ignite spontaneously. His explanation is: "We now have enough understanding of the formation of the fire. It is important that we make our knowledge available to the relevant local agencies." Environmental researcher Moreno agreed that this kind of controlled forest fire is the best way to prevent fires. He believes: "Everywhere in the fire-fighting ecosystem, no fire can lead to irreversible losses." His reason is that in the dangerous areas, as the biomass increases, once there is a lightning strike, it will bring about greater Disastrous consequences.
Traffic's true toll: Researchers explore the health effects of vehicle exhaustMay 22, 2009 by Tom Vasich in Medicine & Health / Health (PhysOrg.com) -- When Dr. Ralph Delfino and Michael Kleinman look at Southern California's gridlocked freeways, they don't just see traffic. They see research opportunities. The UC Irvine School of Medicine colleagues are on the forefront of efforts to understand how vehicle exhaust contributes to lung and cardiovascular illnesses. Their work confirms what most Southern Californians know intuitively: Living by a freeway isn't a very good idea. Diesel-engine exhaust is largely the reason why. Along with pumping out soot and other noxious chemicals, diesel engines emit high concentrations of dangerous ultrafine particles. When inhaled, these lodge deep in bronchial airways and are absorbed into the blood. Kleinman, co-director of UCI's Air Pollution Health Effects Laboratory, discovered that ultrafine-particle levels within 50 yards of a freeway can be as much as 10 times normal. His studies show that exposure to these particles worsens such lung ailments as asthma and accelerates the development of atherosclerosis. Delfino, epidemiology associate professor, oversees a $3 million National Institutes of Health effort tracking elderly individuals with heart disease to see how daily exposure to traffic-related ultrafine particles affects their condition. His research team has linked these pollutants to significant increases in cardiovascular inflammation, blood-clotting platelets and blood pressure, especially after physical activity. "Mitigating these health effects remains a challenge, since diesel trucks - which make up 20 percent to 30 percent of freeway traffic - do not face the same exhaust standards in California that cars do," Kleinman says. The researchers remain busy in 2009 with new projects and studies: • Kleinman recently received $300,000 from the California Air Resources Board to investigate a possible link between air-pollution exposure and brain inflammation. Air samples from New York, Detroit, Seattle and Los Angeles, all of which have different pollutants, will be analyzed. • Delfino and UCI colleague Jun Wu are using a $500,000 California Air Resources Board grant to conduct the most comprehensive study to date on how exposure to air pollution inside vehicles varies depending on driving patterns. "We hope to uncover the possible health effects of air pollutants on pregnant women and newborns and on the development of asthma and allergies in children," says Delfino, who in 2005 won a Clean Air Award from the South Coast Air Quality Management District. • In a study published earlier this year, Delfino found that children who lived near busy freeways visited the hospital significantly more often for asthma-related illnesses than children with asthma who didn't. • And in research currently appearing in the online version of Environmental Health Perspectives, Delfino and his UCI colleagues provide some of the first evidence that air-pollution particles, especially unregulated ultrafine particles, may be involved in deactivating antioxidant enzymes in red blood cells. The associated oxidative stress, they say, can trigger inflammation in arteries and veins and can activate platelets that cause blood clots in people with a history of coronary heart disease. Along with increasing knowledge about the health effects of vehicle exhaust, Kleinman's and Delfino's efforts have broad policy and industry implications, from the enactment of more stringent air-pollution regulations to the creation of cleaner-burning gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. "Because of its traffic and smog levels, Southern California is a perfect place to conduct these studies," Delfino says. "But they shouldn't be seen as relevant only to this area. The health effects of fossil-fuel combustion are found nearly everywhere in this country, and you'll be exposed to these pollutants one way or another. This is a national health issue." Provided by University of California, Irvine "Traffic's true toll: Researchers explore the health effects of vehicle exhaust" May 22, 2009 http://phys.org/news/2009-05-traffic-true-toll-explore-health.html
A hormone used to raise beef cattle may be staying in the environment longer than previously believed and changing the sex of fish, among other effects. A team of American researchers says the information regulators are using to govern the use of the chemicals in livestock farming is faulty, and the way in which all chemical substances are regulated needs an update. The team published its results in the journal Nature Communications last week. "It is an example where we don't know as much as we thought, and that means there are consequences we didn't expect," said lead author Adam Ward of Indiana University. Chase Adams, a spokesman for the National Cattleman's Beef Association, said he was unable to immediately locate anyone able to respond to the findings. Trenbolone acetate (TBA) is a potent hormone—many times stronger than testosterone. It is an "androgen"—a steroidal hormone that's sometimes used as a performance-enhancing drug by athletes. Though human use of trenbolone is illegal, discussions about it can be found on places such as online bodybuilding forums. It can also be found in the bodies of cows across America. Livestock farmers are permitted to use such hormones in the United States, and the use of several of the chemicals is "ubiquitous" among beef producers, according to the researchers. The study cites data saying hormones can reduce costs by about 7 percent, which translates to roughly $1 billion saved annually by the industry in the United States. The chemicals are illegal to use in farming in some parts of the world, including in Europe. Trenbolone acetate is regulated, but the rules around TBA are based on the assumption that the chemical breaks down when exposed to sunlight. But a research team including scientists David Cwiertny and Edward Kolodziej conducted a study in 2013 that found that sunlight appears only to render the substance inert—the chemical can become active again when it's dark out. Cwiertny and Kolodziej collaborated with two other scientists to factor that new information about TBA into models that examine the impact the substance. Ward's models showed up to 35 percent of the substance remains in the environment even after exposure to light. The substance may remain in the ecosystem 50 percent longer than previously believed. That matters because chemicals similar to TBA can affect the health of fish in streams and rivers, among other environmental effects. "At very low levels, trembolone acetate has been documented to cause partial or incomplete sex reversals in fish, to decrease reproduction rates in fish, and to alter their endocrine system," Ward said. "They are essentially being bathed in this very low level of testosterone-like stuff for their entire lives." (Tweet This) These hormones are so effective at causing the sex changes in fish that some fish farms in both the U.S. and abroad intentionally feed similar compounds, such as 17-alpha methyltestosterone, to their fish—usually tilapia—to prevent breeding by turning all of their fish into males. This helps farmers control populations, and divert the energy the fish would use for breeding to growing more tissue, producing a larger animal. Collaborative studies conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Cancer Institute and others turned up considerable levels of similar androgenic chemicals in water samples already. The chemical structure of the substances that re-emerges in darkness is slightly different from what goes into the environment, but it is by no means inert—it is still an androgen, and can still have effects on the health of wildlife, and potentially on humans. "We have for years, decades, we have regulated individual compounds on the idea that when you release that compound and when that compound changes, the risk is gone," Ward said. "I think our findings challenge that in two ways. One is the reversion process—the compound isn't going away, it is just hiding. The other point that is important to make is just because it has changed slightly does not mean it doesn't pose any kind of a risk." Ward says trenbolone is just one of the countless chemicals that could be having effects far greater than expected on both the environment, and even, eventually, people's health. "What we tried to do in our study was to consider more generally the concept that when you have unexpected transformations in the environment, you generate unexpected risk," Ward said. "This is not just trembolone acetate: this is caffeine; this is ibuprofen, this is Viagra. This is a cocktail of chemicals that are pharmaceuticals, personal care products, cleaning products, that go down the drain and make it into the environment." Ward pointed out out that the farmers who use this chemical have been doing so largely because they, along with regulators, are under the impression that it has little impact on the ecosystem. "I wouldn't want you to hear me saying beef producers are doing something wrong or that the chemical industry should have never been permitted to do this," he said.
“Characterisation of humic acids, isolated from selected subantarctic soils by 13C-NMR spectroscopy” Czech Polar Reports, 2017, 7(1), 1-10 Soils of Antarctic considered as underestimated in terms of soils organic matter polls, organic remnants humification/mineralization rates and biogenic-abiogenic interactions. Humic acids of selected Sub Antarctic soils were investigated in terms of elemental and structural composition with special reference to evaluation of organic matter stabilisation degree and assessment of carbon species distributions in the molecules with use of solid state 13C-NMR spectroscopy. It was shown, that the prevailing of aliphatic compounds on the aromatic one is more pronounced in Antarctic soils than in Arctic ones. Average portion of the aromatic compounds is about 20% in humic acids, extracted from soils with evident ornitogenic effect from Fildes Peninsula (Norh-West Antarctic peninsula). This indicates that the role of humification precursors composition is the leading in the humification process. The stabilisation rate of the Antarctic HAs can be assessed as low and the potential risk of biodegradation of their molecules are high.
California State University, Dominguez Hills University of Wisconsin, Parkside Latest update: September 29, 1999 Faculty on the Site. In our fiercely competitive world, individuals are constantly fighting to be #1. Why is that so important? Is there anything wrong with being #2? Then, why was one car rental company boasting of being #2? Why do we need to know our rank or where we stand in relationship to others? What does this mean? Sociologists call this "social stratification." In other words, how society is layered. Who's on top? Who's on the bottom? And finally, who is in between? Different societies use different criteria for determining who is #1. VanderZanden (1993:164) defines social stratification as "the ranking and grading of individuals and groups into hierarchical layers." All societies engage in stratification - even animal societies seem to need some kind of hierarchy to order their social interactions. In this chapter, we will examine the question, "Who's on top?" by focusing on status, class and power. More specifically, we will look at how this relates to the workplace. Within the career world, the phenomena of stratification offers a rich background for language, with organization charts, communication flows, titles, patterns of spatial layout and so on. We examine first the most elementary forms of stratification - membership boundaries. We then analyze the effects of communication of stratification within the organization. The Ubiquitous Concept of Status Status is the concept by which each society (including some animal societies) rank order their participants. Those with the highest status receive privileges. Which privileges will depend on what the society values. The top dog, acknowledgement of leadership by the other dogs - none dare to attack him. We have not yet learned how to create a society without status. Thus we have not learned how to create a society in which access to and possession of the goodies is equal for all. That is philosophically and practically different from a society where all have equal opportunity to pursue the goodies and/or equal representation in the government. We have not achieved the latter either. There are two obvious ways to break out of constricting roles, one external power, the other internal power. Ascribed Status -- There are two principal kinds of status in all societies, ascribed and achieved. Ascribed status is based on your position in the social system. That position may have come from birth - the family into which you were born, the country into which you were born, etc. Both ascribed and achieved status are essential to every social system. Ascribed status represents the stability and security in the system; for example, civil service tenure. If one has seniority, based merely on the fact that one has been there longer, one has security. Along with that security goes a stake in the social system. The greater the stake in the social system, the more conservative the group member is likely to be. Young members have little seniority, little security, and are therefore more willing to challenge the system. Another function of ascribed status is to permit group members to achieve a kind of immortality. The family which has wealth and power can pass this on to their children, giving their children higher status in the group. The family can thus maintain its status even after the older members have died. Perhaps one of the best examples of this "passing on" of status can be found in the Medici family. The Medicis were one of the most powerful families in Florence. This family, which had passed its power down through generations, began in the 17th Century to build the famous "Chapel of the Princes," in what was essentially the Medici family church. The chapel is immense and overpowering by its decoration as well as its size. The ability to pass on ascribed status is one of the ways in which we combat meaninglessness in our lives. We have achieved something durable, something can last even past our death. It is this type of ascribed status that gives security and stability to society. Achieved Status -- The second kind of status is achieved. We obtain this status through what we have done, not through who or what we are. This is the status on which meritocracy is built. It is of this status that we speak when we speak of equal opportunity. The problem is that some of us earn more status and the symbols of status [such as money] than we can spend. Money most of us want to continue to accrue. We want to "bank" the excess. Often we want to pass on our earned excess to our children. For the children, the accrued status is now ascribed. The Medicis were trying to keep their royal power past death. They were trying to spend their "accrued" wealth and power beyond their lifetimes. Caste -- Caste describes a social system in which some members cannot achieve a given status in any way. They are ascribed to a status and they remain in that status all their lives, regardless of their accomplishments. Indian society with its many castes, Brahmin, etc., is the best example. Slavery in the United States was another. The basis for the withholding of status in this excerpt is race. Race as represented by color is what Erving Goffman (1963) called a "visible stigma." That is, if one is going to be denied status on any characteristic simply because of possession of that characteristic, it will be easiest to enforce and consequently most damaging, if the characteristic is visible. Sex, like racial identity, is usually [though not always] visible. That means that stereotypical expectations based on gender alone, or on color alone, can be put into immediate operation. Visible stigma are the most difficult to combat. This is one of the sources of the dark-skin/light-skin stereotype. Again it is visible. Consider the visibility of physical beauty and the representatives in our culture: Arnold Schwarzenneger and Marilyn Monroe. Physical attractiveness stands out. The stereotypes come immediately into play. Subtle Uses of Status Differential to Oppress One of the ways in which the social system protects itself from rapid change of status, which could destroy the elite and the social system, is to enforce status differential precisely. At each step within the social system status is enforced. There will always be rich and poor. Maybe we can place limits on the society's tolerance of the extremes of wealth and poverty, but we probably cannot eliminate, nor perhaps should we, the differential. A major conceptual difficulty is encountered at this point. Given that there are and maybe always will be differences in the access to society's goodies, how shall that access be controlled? Most social systems settle on some characteristic: class [ascribed status based on social connections], examination, grades or other evidence of production [achieved status]. The inherent problem is that there is and must always be tension between achieved and ascribed status. We seem to need to categorize. And the models we use, social class, gender, race, academic success are too broad to fit the reality. Jon Qwelane, a black reporter for the South African, is said to be one of the best reporters in South Africa. But his career is limited by the fact that he is black. None of the reasoning behind apartheid applies to Qwelane. He is educated, literate, motivated, political. He has taken advantage of education for himself and for his children. His father was a teacher before the days of Bantu education. But apartheid defines him. He is caught in the definitional system. He is black. Apartheid is easy to analyze. It is a simplistic system. But other more complex systems are equally prejudicial. They are merely harder to see. And those trapped by them are jut as trapped as Qwelane. Gender and race are simplistic. Intelligence and achievement [measured by the grossest of standards] are more complicated. Color of skin - the dark/light phenomenon is less well-recognized. Social class in our culture has all but disappeared for want of adequate measures. [Who can afford the best quality and greatest quantity of cocaine?] Status, both ascribed and achieved, with the tension always between them operates in every social system. The traditional system model is hierarchical. Consider the corporate work system. Those below answer to those above until ultimately the buck stops at the top. Or somewhere along the way, depending on the importance of the problem. At each level, each member guards her ascribed and achieved status. If the hierarchy shows that A, B and C report to D, D will guard that reporting hierarchy. Woe be unto he who skips over D and reports to Q. D may have earned her position by her achievements, but the reporting right is one of her ascribed status rights. Channels must be followed. A, B, C and D might be at any level of the organization. The status system is self enforcing, for each member of the organization has a stake in it. But this analysis is too simple. No organization follows the chart. The chart looks nice in theory. Bt when A needs D to approve something she is in R's office and there's a deadline and if i-t isn't approved, there'll be a penalty and then, having got Q to approve it, A had six other things to do and forgot all about it. Not until D's secretary mentions to D that P's secretary said that Q said that A was in Q's office all the time and who does A think he is anyway, does anyone even notice the silly paper. The complexity we would like to add to the traditional system hierarchical analysis is like that of the Brownian movement in chemistry. If you put a single drop of red dye into a glass of water, you will see strange patterns of color. The red drop will not fall through the water in a straight line. It will scatter into thin segments that go in a thousand crooked ways all over the glass. That is how we work our way through corporate work systems, just like the drop of red dye. When A looks for D, D may be on vacation or down the hall or not available to sign anything. Sometimes D is only available from 2 to 4 on Thursday. The work day may be called 9 to 5, but most people must divide their attention between 78 different tasks. Some are more important than others. Some have to be ignored when others are more pressing. One of the underlying assumptions is that the higher one's status in the organization, the greater the expectancy that one will organize one's production, time, availability with the organizational goals in perspective. Freedom to let some things go, never to be done, and to reshuffle priorities is essential to the organization. But that very freedom is one of the privileges which come with the higher level jobs. Rarely does that freedom exist at entry level, or is permitted at the lowest levels. And here is the beginning of the oppression. The elite in a bureaucracy are freer to break the "rules" than the clerks. Is this a description of what is? Or of what should be? Whatever, the pattern has been with us so long we have ceased to question its propriety. It simply is. Like rich and poor. So now we will begin to question. One of the ways in which the system fights revolutionaries is to refuse through its clerks to grant them ascribed status. Simple, really. The same technique when used for other purposes is called "working to rule." If a supervisor is impossibly difficult, employees begin to work to rule. They do precisely what their job description says they must. Nothing more. They do precisely what the supervisor says to do. Nothing more. They refuse to fill in the obvious assumptions between the lines. In a sense this working to rule is like ascribed and achieved status. There are certain assumptions in an on-going work relationship. If she tells him to get out a letter while she is gone, and he has always signed the letters in her absence before, that is a shared expectation, much like the ascribing of status. It goes with their work relationship. But when he is working to rule, he does not sign the letter. In anger, she asks why not. Because you did not tell me to. If we must enumerate every step of our daily transactions we will soon come to grief. We cannot achieve new expectations with every task. There are too many tasks, too little time. In slowing revolutionaries [Both great and small - We call them revolutionaries only because they wish to change the system.] a similar process occurs. The revolutionary, who wants nothing more perhaps than more promotions for women, is vociferous, and angers all those who disagree. [Remember someone always disagrees.] Or the revolutionary, so sure of the triumph of the new belief, works ten times as hard as everyone else to show how much her new ideas would benefit the system. [Remember the stepsisters in Cinderella.] The black revolutionary in South Africa hones his reporter skills until he is better than the white reporters. He risks his life to get news stories. Some will make it into print - if there is room. [Remember the stepsisters in Cinderella.] Now, with Giddens (1984), we might say that if the revolutionary stopped to think, she would recognize that there is another sphere in which her zeal operates. She has failed to see that by becoming aware and making others aware of the differential status continuum, she has damaged its validity. Those who always believed it was true and just are forced to see that somehow it is not. They do become more aware. That is one of the things revolutionaries do, make people more aware, sensitize them. [Does that make sociologists revolutionaries?] She has forced people to question their belief systems. And she has offered by examples, like Jon Qwelane, living proof that their belief system is at least partially in error. People do not like to find their belief systems in error. It causes cognitive dissonance. It forces them to question. And with revolutionaries there are rarely answers. Only questions. Kozol (1967) and others of the liberal education left wanted to change the educational system. To humanize it. To recognize the joy that every child should and could find in learning. What a terrible threat that was to the stamping of A's, B's and C's or Eagles, Robins, and Sparrows upon their foreheads so industry would not have to trouble itself to place them at appropriate levels of competence. Easier to demand that all students entering our schools emerge in one of five classes: A, B, C, D, or absolute failure F. Labels, that's what we need. Then stamp again for gender, color, beauty, and odd other assortments of visible stigma. The revolutionaries wanted to throw out these inadequate mathematical models of rating systems. But belief in the rating system was one of the mainstays of the belief system. If the belief system is wrong here, it may be wrong elsewhere. And so the system, for various reasons, peaceful continued existence not the least, tolerates the revolutionary for so long as she does not change too much. Later, when the change looms more threatening, the system foils the revolutionary. Not with conspiracy. Not with any particular intent. [Oh, there may be some individual jealousies, like the stepsisters, but for the most part, the system just chugs along in its semi-conscious way, content within the chrysalis of its many complex and often inconsistent belief systems.] Here is where the concept of status becomes so useful. Within every work organization, the underlying assumptions about task relationships exist. Just as the supervisor must rely on the employee not to revert to "working to rule," each member of the organization must rely on social control to enforce the varying status levels. A must respect B's higher status in thousands of little ways, from simple deference, to respect for leadership factors in who initiates and receives communication, to appropriate variations in tone and vocabulary. If A denies these tokens of respect, and the organization, through the administration and/or through other employees, condones this denial, B's function in the organization is impaired. B as supervisor is dependent on the ascribed status of that position. If B must justify his requests and elaborate each detail of the task demands he makes, he cannot get his work done. Other supervisors will devalue him. His continued need to operate on achieved status produces doubts about self\_esteem and hinders continued progress. This is even worse than having to fight a rear guard action, because there is no enemy. Those who oppose him are just following the rules. Achieved status and formal titles follow the formal organizational chart which does not include the existence of an informal hierarchy. The informal hierarchy is that network of acknowledged ascribed status that goes with each position. It describes the social cohesion of the organization. Without this informal network of ascribed status the entire system is not navigational. The revolutionary can be stopped by the simple refusal of individuals all along the organizational path, throughout the organizational system simply denying ascriptive status. Like working to rule, that is all they have to do. No need for conspiracy. The Brownian movement. Individuals in the organization are in many places, at different times. Only in on Tuesday, 2 to 4. Without acceptance in this crazyquilt of the informal organization, you can't get through the necessary channels of the organization. Information control. This informal network knows who is where and when. If you know who to ask, and they honor your ascribed status, they will guide you. If your revolutionary zeal has unsettled them, they are not ready to aid you in further transgressions against them. Just that. No counter revolutionary plan. If you become angry, accuse them of hindering your work, they have done nothing. You are excitable. They are merely doing their work, to rule. An important client is visiting. The company police have put a parking ticket on his car. Nobody knows how to tear the ticket up. The ticket is. Only the informal informational system knows how the system operates, who in this mass of offices, badges and uniforms has the power to tear the ticket up. The ticket is. No job description for tearing the ticket up. No conspiracy. But no ascribed status to find the way through the Brownian movement. A system is not operable through formal channels. The revolutionary, who has worked so hard for the system, finds herself crushed by the lowliest clerk in the system. Regardless of her title, regardless of her achieved status, regardless of the high esteem [ascribed status] of the upper ranks of the system, she cannot bend the lowliest clerk. He answers to rule and she does not know the way. Her high placed friends cannot come to the rescue. They do not deal in parking tickets. Clerks deal in parking tickets. So she must pay the ticket herself or offend the important client. She has no ascribed status on which to draw. Not because of conspiracy. Because her threat to the belief system has made people within that system afraid. In their fear, they simply back away from her. Without them, she is helpless in the simplest of tasks. 1. In what sense is there always tension between ascribed and achieved status? 2. What does ascribed and achieved status have to do with sex roles? 3. Why is the "Brownian movement" concept of the informal organization so important to the competent individual who wants to make it on his or her own achievement? 4. As noted in the text, Kozol and others have suggested that the traditional academic system stunts creative intellectual growth. But in recent years, we have returned the right wing educational establishment, while saying "back to basics" has suggested that our "standards" have fallen. In what sense can this attack on the left be considered "blaming the victim?" Some Examples of Denial of Ascribed Status and Resultant Assault on Self-Esteem The denial of ascribed status forces someone who has already exhibited talent or ability to re-earn that status, causing them to lose ground. One of the effects of achievement is the ability to bank status. The more we have achieved, the more others treat us with the respect that shows that we have achieved. When achieved status is denied, the effect on our self esteem is devastating, for it suggests that we cannot rely on past achievements, that we have in fact gained nothing. Blacks in South Africa cannot achieve because even if recognized world-wide, the lowliest South African prison guard can still destroy the entire bank of achievement and is controlling. The prison guard has not earned his status. It comes to him because he is white. What exactly is the power of this refusal to grant ascribed status? Why does the refused one not walk away? Refuse to accept the denial? To the extent that the refused one wishes to or must remain within the system, he or she cannot deny the refusal. To what extent does one wish to or have to remain in a system? In a dyad, the cntrol may be a wish for a relationship, for the particular relationship or for any relationship. In a dyad, the refusal of earned status is possible when one party has greater power than the other. It is the dyad in which the sex role relationship is most often seen - the spouses. If one earns income and the other does not, the one earning the income may have greater power, especially if his refusal to continue working means the end of the viability of the dyad ,(i.e., it can't support itself). In larger groups, the power often depends on shared reality, (Berger and Luckmann (1966) in Social Construction of Reality. Power is controlled by the social group. If males control the power and define females as having no power, for so long as the males can enforce their definition, it is real. If whites control, and define blacks as having no rights, for so long as the whites can enforce this definition, blacks have no rights. As Homans (1950) shows in The Human Group , the external system usually imposes limiting constraints on the internal system. South Africa is a case in point. Whites have defined blacks as having no rights. The world-wide social system has begun to deny that reality. South African apartheid society may have carried its social construction of reality beyond social acceptability. Unfortunately, there is no world-wide enforcement power, short of war. Another way of figuring out "who's on top?" is by social class. Are you rich or are you poor? How do we determine who is rich? By how much money you earn each year? By the kind of car you drive? By the work you do? At any rate, when we look at social class, we are looking at society from top down; bottom up. All societies have some kind of system of stratification and social class is one kind. About Social Class -- Karl Marx (1964) took a strict economic perspective of social class. He said there were two major social classes in society -- the bourgeoisie and the proletariat -- the rich and the poor; the powerful and the powerless, the exploiter and the exploited; the haves and the have nots; the oppressor and the oppressed, and so on. The bourgeoisie are those who "own the means of production," (i.e. they own the factories, the big corporations). The proletariat, according to Marx, are those people who have only their labor to sell -- the workers. Marx said that the proletariat would get so fed up being exploited and oppressed that they would eventually revolt. He called this "true consciousness" or "class consciousness." In the meanwhile, as long as the proletariat continue to let themselves be exploited, as long as they continue to buy into the Horatio Alger stories (success from rags to riches as a result of hard work), according to Marx, they will have a false notion of reality. He called this "false consciousness." So, according to Marx, revolution is the only solution. Marx certainly had a radical and revolutionary view of society in terms how this social class structure would change. According to Marx's definition of social class, are you a member of the bourgeoisie or the proletariat? But Weber (1947) talked not only of class being about economics but he also noted the social aspects which he called "status." A good example is when sanitation engineers typically make more money than a university professor. In terms of sheer economics, the garbage collector should be way above the professor. But according to Weber, social prestige is an additional factor to be considered. When we examine both of these occupations on a prestige scale, the professor ranks much higher than a garbage collector -- almost at opposite ends of the continuum from the most prestige to the least prestige. (But does prestige put more "bread and butter" on the table?) Prestige has to do with social respect. Treiman (1977) did a study comparing occupational prestige where he examined the range from U.S. Supreme Court Justice to Shoe Shiner. Now that's quite a range. So maybe it's not only the money you want, but you want the respect and social honor as well. That certainly is something to consider. We often focus on work and careers, but let's examine the world of leisure according to social class categorizations. What do upper class folks do for fun? They jet set to exotic places and the most exclusive resorts. They can afford the best seats at the opera. They are members of exclusive country clubs. Polo, golf and tennis seems to typify the leisure activities of the rich. (Just look at that television show, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"). The rich enjoy professional sports in their private luxurious sky boxes while the bleacher bums shiver in the wet and cold. And, what do middle class people do for fun? Pretty much the same. Probably not. How many middle class individuals do you know who can afford to jet set? Can they even get into the most exclusive resorts? Probably not. For the middle class perhaps, bowling, golf and fishing are more typical. They can afford to attend professional sports like football, baseball and basketball, but not they cannot afford the luxury boxes; let alone season tickets. Not much reading goes on but a lot of television. And finally, for the poorest social class, earning money is a real effort, if they have employable skills at all. If they are not working, they are not earning money. Simply surviving is a major concern. Leisure is not. Most of the time, the poor are either working or worrying about no income. Leisure is not a priority concern. Moving Up and Down In this section, we want to examine moving up and down as it relates to social mobility. If your parents are working class, does that mean you are stuck in the same social class? Maybe you'll move up. Or maybe you'll move down. Does Horatio Alger still apply today? We want to talk about access and opportunity. Are the rich getting richer? Is the middle class shrinking? Do we have a growing permanent underclass? There is a widening gap between the rich and the poor. The rich are getting richer. According to the U.S. Census, in 1986, the highest quintile or one-fifth in America accounted for 43.7 percent of the income, while the lowest quintile had only 4.6 percent of the income. That's quite a dramatic gap between the rich and the poor. Earlier in this chapter, we focused on ascribed and achieved status. Remember the Medici family? The rich create advantages for their children, and then for their children's children, and so forth. It's all in the family! In the Racine Journal Times , one year someone made the following calculations: To spend $1 million in one year, you would have to spend $19,230.77 a week. To spend $1 billion in one year, you would have to spend $19,230,770 a week. Wouldn't you want that kind of "problem" to deal with, huh? Sure, sounds easier than making ends meet from month to month, doesn't it? How would you spend all that money? What would you buy? Would it be easy to do? Some people have labeled the middle class an "endangered species" because they are vanishing. With slow growing economy, the "Dick and Jane" images of the "American Dream" (two-story house, two-car garage and a white picket fence) seem to be just an image and nowhere near reality. When dual-career couples can no longer afford a home in Orange County, California unless they get their parents to help out, something is happening. With the gap between the rich and the poor widening, the result is a shrinking middle class. More of the high paying jobs are being replaced by lower paying jobs. This means that there is less for those in between. There is no middle ground. Now, you're either rich or poor. The visible increase of homeless people on our city's streets is a reflection of the growing "underclass." The members of the underclass have nothing to contribute to society. They have nothing. According to VanderZanden (1993:186, 188), the underclass are "concentrated in an inner city, who are persistently poor, unemployed, and dependent on welfare - with an emphasis on 'persistently.'" Not too long ago in a documentary called "The Vanishing Black Family: Crisis in Black America," Bill Moyer interviewed young African-American males. The only proof of "worth" as defined by other black males was how many children you could produce. Hence, the population explosion of kids by single black teenage mothers. As we examine these social class issues, they might provide us some clues to some emerging career fields (i.e., kids having kids, hence child care in the high schools) as well as those that are closing (who are the homeless). To conclude this section, what social class do you belong to? Why? How does this relate to your career aspirations? Will you be moving up or down? Staying in the same place? Why? What is power? Having the ability to "boss" someone smaller than you? The same size? Or larger? According to VanderZanden (1993:197), power is "the ability of individuals and groups to realize their will in human affairs even if it involves the resistance of others." Where does power lie in the workplace? Is the president of the corporation the most powerful person in that organization? Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. It's not as easy as that. In this section, we will examine power and the social context of language. Most work-related communication takes place within some organizational context. We will explore the hierarchical patterns common to most work organizations. The Red Badge of Power Social indicators of power (symbolic red flags identifying who's got the power) abound in work organizations. The most obvious are title and position on the formal organizational chart. But these can be misleading. Often greater power lurks behind the throne. If the President is tired and has been talking of retiring, a dynamic Vice President may be more powerful, especially if others expect him to succeed to the presidency. If Joe Sitonthefence has been cursed all his life with a dread of decisions, his secretary may wield the power of his position in the formal organizational chart. Thus, the formal rankings do not always lead us to the real decision-maker. But the informal structure offers identifying badges, too: Communication patterns with "stars" and "isolates", communication flow (usually from the top down), deference behavior, use and abuse of status symbols (car, clothes, etc.). Unlike the formal structure in which rankings are readily discernible and rigidly defined, the informal structure demands careful scrutiny before it yields up its clues -- no pamphlet or brochure available to interpret the significance of Dan Dandy's dressing with far more formality than his boss, Harry Rumplemeyer, who always look as though he should be sent for pressing. You'll have to sniff out further clues, such as who gets vital information first, who initiates communication, who serves as liaison to other status positions, and so on. Assessing power in the informal structure means looking for clues, and not just once, but continuously, for power alignments, shift, and flow. It is rumored there are some who stake their whole careers and meteoric rise on a careful reading of power alignments and alliances in the formal structure. In Live for Success, Molloy (1981:153) states: "Powerful people's moves are orchestrated. They are very deliberate and know what they are doing . . . The most effective power players use the implements on their desk effortlessly. Pens, pencils, contracts or pieces of paper become power props. They always seem to know where everything is." Of course, one must beware of reverse status symbols - traps set by perverse individuals who enjoy upsetting all the neat signposts. These perverse individuals are the kind who drive battered cars. They park in the spot marked "Reserved for the President." They like playing "gotcha," and they hate being pigeon-holed. Some of them are wise enough to want to foil the rising star whose greatest expertise is in power alliances instead of production. Some of them are just perverse and having fun. Language games are interspersed throughout these status arenas. One must master the nuances of deference in tone and language, just enough to appear obsequious. Having identified the actors of primary influence, one must attend to their vocabulary of approval. How do they describe successful ideas? As cost effective? As innovative? Language clues are strewn across the organizational landscape. How do they speak of successful subordinates? Loyal? Hard working? Generate ideas? Carry out ideas? Who talks about "hard working" in the informal structure? Those who are being promoted? Or those who have been passed over? Not everyone chooses to scale organizational heights. Some like their jobs just as they are, and are content to stay there. Does the language of hierarchy in the informal structure matter at all to them? Indeed it does. What a different world theirs might be if those in positions of power began to shift from the language of "quality work", "creative effort," "strong client advocacy" to one of "cost cutting," "time-saving," "budgetary demands." The study of power is crucial to all, those who would climb, as "stars" as well as those who seek only a comfortable niche from which to serve. Many who never thought to encounter bureaucracies and hierarchies have discovered the need to make concessions to them. Several artists we interviewed with their own small shops found they had to adapt their product mix to customer tastes. Lamented one, "Most people who come through town (a resort area) especially for the festivals that attract large numbers, mutter that they'd really rather have 'something for around $25.' That's the going figure. Oh, we sell a few of our really nice, one-of-a-kind pieces, but we only get a few orders. But mostly, we turn out maybe two or three different items at $10 and $25. That's all we get to work on for months before the festivals." The market language of pricing has shifted these artists' work patterns to include some mass-produced items. Not quite the artistic ideal, but that's what the market will bear. Now, consider the case of the person who had agreed to work for this artist. The job meant no organization, lots of creativity; maybe just a percentage of the profits on what he made, but considerable job satisfaction as her language shifts to "net profits," "increased demand," etc., and his job becomes more repetitive and less creative? What about her job satisfaction? Patterns of Communication Flow All organizations depend on communication to function. Chaos results when Peter doesn't know that Pablo borrowed from his accounts to pay Paula. Because it is so central to the organization's functions, the pattern of communication is a good social indicator of power. In Power!, Korda(1975:125, 128) states: "More important still is the control of information. Almost everybody is dependent on the supply of information, yet 'information input' is usually regarded as a clerical task, not much better than menial labor. . . Those who play the information game know better. They not only obtain and control information, they know how to make it practically incomprehensible." Communication generally flows from top down. The higher the status of the individual in any communication network, the more likely she is to initiate communication. There is a tendency not to "bother" those of higher status with any communication that is not necessary. For example, one doesn't pick up the telephone and ask the manager what she thinks one ought to do about some problem that just cropped up, at least not if one is the floor supervisor of a small unit in the factory. On the contrary, the manager is quite likely to call the floor supervisor to ask if he could handle a problem expected to crop up. As a matter of fact, the very fact that the manager established direct contact with that floor supervisor, i.e. include him in her communication network, indicates relatively high power for a floor supervisor. Communication networks in large organizations are generally limited to a few levels above and a few levels below any individual's status. This is purely a matter of expediency, since one must limit the amount of communication in a given time span if one is to accomplish any other productive work. (Memos and written directives may cover a much wider space. We refer here to direct interaction.) In recent years, Naisbitt (1982:121, 140) points to a change in the flow of communications: "The failure of centralized, top-down solutions has been accompanied by a huge upsurge in grass roots political activity everywhere in the United States. . . As our top heavy, centralized institutions die, we are rebuilding from the bottom up." One may also estimate by the nature of the communication. In any interaction the higher the status of the individual, the more likely he is to issue directives, to request information, to commend or rebuke performance, to summarize and clarify the issues, etc. Thus, if a comment is overheard such as: "You handled that very well," one may assume equal or higher status on the part of the speaker. It would be presumptuous for a lower status individual to make the remark. It assumes that the speaker knows how the situation should have been handled, and approves of the action taken by the other. Were the speaker lower in status, the remark could better have assumed a different form: "I was impressed by the way you handled that." Now there is no assumption implied that the speaker has the status to either approve or disapprove of the action. There are minor but important nuances of language in the world of careers. For example, in a recent study it was noted that interruptions are a form of social markers. Someone who constantly interrupts may be trying to show that his social status is higher than yours (Larsen, 1984). No immediate notice might be taken of a subordinate who fails to observe such nuances, but at promotion time we might hear: "Yes, but Outspoken has such a high opinion of himself. Maybe Observant could fill that position better." One source of power is information. If an individual can control the communications so that she is in possession of information no one else has, she increases her power. This is the foundation for many a dastardly deed in the informal structure. The secretary who has been crossed can simply not bother to give her boss any extra reminders, knowing that he'll forget that important 2 o'clock meeting. At all levels of the hierarchy, memos can be "lost," messages garbled. One of the first signs of changing status patterns in the informal structure is the coincidental recurrence of someone not getting information she needs and would normally have gotten. Forgetting to put someone's name on the circulation list for a memo, if it happens more than once, it occurs with memos from more than one source, indicates that the informal structure is for some reason resisting the information flow dictated by the formal structure. This does not automatically indicate Machiavellian power structures - it may be a simple warning that someone hasn't done her informal structure homework. For example, Gertie Getitdone may have been working long hours for months to get out a report which so impressed Sam Superman that he promoted her to group leader. This promotion automatically adds her name to the list of group leaders who receive all memos on form 2612-AD. But Sally Fetchit, who sends out memos on form 2612-AD usually sends them out from memory - she knows all the group leaders. But she doesn't know Gertie Getitdone, because Gertie is new and has never been seen outside the little cubicle where she turned out that great report. Dastardly power ploy? No, Gertie ought to get the message that now is the time to take a coffee break and talk to Sally and other group leaders. This is what we call a social gambit (more fully explained in the next section on strategies). Sometimes that which is not said carries more weight than that which is. In our anxiety to get new messages across we are likely to heed only what we say, failing to notice what we have not said. The use of negative space, or the fine art of what is not said, is one strategy that serves to enhance stratification patterns in the organization. Controlling Distance -- Status differentials is one facet of stratification. (Aren't we back where we started in this chapter?) The greater the distance between two individuals on some measure of status (wealth, expertise, position or formal organizational chart, etc.) the greater the actual distance, both spatial and figurative, they will keep from one another. The concept of like pairing with like is reflected in the aphorism: "Birds of a feather flock together;" in the idioms "to know one's place" and "to be happier with one's own kind" as well as in countless other phrases we could trace back to Homer, Aristotle, and so on. It should not be too surprising, then, if organizational behavior reflects this cultural baggage. One figurative indicator of social distance in the career world is the usage of titles, and of differential patterns of naming. In some front stage settings, the audience may be of similar status but from another system, hence, distant because of the system barriers. In other front stage settings, the audience may be of different status from the same organizational system and/or from another system. In these instances organizational members would be likely to maintains social distance, addressing one another by title: Mr. President, President Runitall, Ms. Leadership, Reverend Prayerful, Professor Prattlealong, Congressman Notyetcaught, etc. In backstage settings where all share some status, by virtue of their being admitted to the same backstage, they would be more likely to use either surnames above (Coggins what do you think of that?) or first names above ("Harry, what would it take to make you believe it?") These categories indicate decreasing formality, and accompany decreasing social distance (either on the basis of group or organizational membership or status within the organization). This pattern of titles and surnames can be used to control distance. If the line is overstepped and someone of higher status addressed inappropriately, a pointed change in the form of address may be in order. For example, if Joe Eager bursts into Susan Sellum's Vice Presidential office with "Susan, I think it would be a great idea to . . ." Susan Sellum, Vice President of Marketing, might reply coolly, "Mr. Eager, I believe your section head could handle this." Social distance is reestablished. Other examples of controlling social distance abound in the norms which evolve in the work world. Social distance is one of the marks of status differential. And, as we have noted, cultural expectations and the formal structure dictate a certain distance between workers of very different statuses. However, principles of egalitarianism dictate that the occupational status of the formal structure need not carry over wholly into the informal structure. This is usually translated into cordial and brief exchanges of social niceties about the weather and one's health, between all workers, with "socializing" limited between workers of different status. In many work organizations it would be considered inappropriate to discuss personal problems about one's work or family with workers of very different social status. There are exceptions, of course, but it would not enhance the Vice President's position to have lunch twice a week with the spare parts supervisor. He might, however, greet her each morning on his way in, and inquire about her family's welfare. But there are times when formal niceties do not adequately meet the needs of the situation. This is when a social gambit is used. The social gambit we consider here is an interaction between two people of markedly different status, initiated to gain some strategic advantages. We call it a gambit because a sacrifice is involved. The loss is the potential loss in prestige of the action is initiated by the person of higher status; the loss is the potential criticism of "not knowing one's place" if the action is initiated by the person of lower status. But these losses are negligible if the two parties gain some advantage in the organizational system, for example, a social gambit might provide access around a communication barrier. This was the case in the example of Gertie Getitdone needing to spend some coffee breaks with Sally Fetchit. If Gertie wishes to gain more promotions she cannot afford to spend enough time to become a bosom pal to Sally during working hours. She must spend most of her time with other group leaders and supervisors so that she will have the network contacts she needs for promotion. But neither can she afford to ignore Sally. In the same sense, Sally cannot spend all her free time in the organizational environment with group leaders. As a secretary, her status differential is too great. She cannot rely on these contacts for promotion; and she might be accused of "not knowing her place." But neither can she afford to ignore the group leaders who are a part of her work environment. We hasten to add that if Gertie and Sally absolutely adore one another they are welcome to spend all the time together they wish. We consider the situation here only in terms of propriety during working hours. In some work organizations, characterized by a high degree of formality, status differentials carry greater importance than in organizations that promote a more egalitarian atmosphere. However, even in the most egalitarian of work environments those who share a given work status need to share in informal associations (lunch, idle conversation, etc.) at that status level, for important bits of information are channeled through this informal component of the organizational structure. Thus we do not mean to imply Machiavellian intent to use people of higher or lower status. The social gambit we describe here is simply a logical extension of one's social interactions in the workplace to other status levels. Most people do this unconsciously. We discuss it here in a technical sense primarily because of the dangers of either too great a use or too little use of the strategy. Whether used consciously or not, it is a strategy, and as such has predictable consequences of which we should be aware. Controlling Visibility -- Language mechanisms play an important role in the strategy of controlling visibility within an organization. There are times when one wants to be seen; and there are other times when one wants most definitely not to be seen. Molloy (1981:168) explains: "Being seen is very important. But knowing when you're being seen is just as important." For example, when one has a great deal of work to accomplish, one may prefer to be invisible. Strategy: don't return any non-essential phone calls or answer any non-essential messages. The rate of incoming phone calls and messages will drop in a day or two. Several people in our field research reported using this technique successfully. When ready to reestablish their contacts they simply began to make calls and send messages' wider visibility regained: One could describe this as another variety of social gambit. The social gambit described for controlling distance serves equally well to control visibility. One of the main reasons Sally Fetchit didn't know Gertie Getitdone was that Gertie had cloaked herself in invisibility to get her winning report out. The social gambit of spending a few coffee breaks with Sally would serve to establish visibility. There are also some convenient social formulae for establishing visibility: they're called "please" and "thank you." Whenever it is strategically advantageous to increase visibility, these social formulae lie readily at hand. Most jobs afford dozens of opportunities to make reasonable request ("please") of a number of people. This even includes low-status jobs which are rigidly prescribed by rule sets. For example, a riveter, whose job is to weld rivets into place, has very little latitude to alter the task-mix of her job. But she can still use the "please" formula to gain visibility. She might ask the group supervisor, during a break, if he knew of any good technical schools where she could learn some other phase of the production so that she could look forward to a promotion in the future. Now the group supervisor has been given the information that she is willing to learn and wants promotion. It is imperative, of course, that she follow through in some positive way with any suggestions he makes. That may be no more than checking out the recommended school and informing him, during a break, that she can't afford their tuition yet, but hopes to save up for it. Our assumption is that the request will be genuine - i.e., that you actually want the information or help you ask for. There is such a variety of possibilities that there should be no justifiable excuse for making a gratuitous request for no purpose other than gaining visibility. Fatuous undergraduates are sometimes guilty of this in the early stages of their academic careers. We warn against it for two reasons: 1) It's hard to listen attending to answers you aren't interested in. Result: The whole thing sounds phony, rather like the old school boy's accusation of "apple polishing." You may get visibility, but not the kind you want. 2) Only a rare paucity of imagination could leave you without honest alternatives. And it's stupid to be unnecessarily dishonest. If necessary ask for help in choosing a request but do your homework honestly. "Thank you's" are a logical follow through to the "please's" you initiate. They're simple enough and they add to visibility. These are but a few of the language mechanisms that can heighten visibility. Some others we leave for you to ponder are: sharing your work results with colleagues, asking for information, providing information, encouraging others in their work, providing emotional support, and so on. Weinstein (1983:118-119) offers this piece of advice: "It's important that you be noticed within your field. . . If you're maintaining a high degree of visibility, you should also be positioning yourself for something better." We have made the assumption throughout this section that you are satisfied with your work and want either to continue in it or be promoted to higher-status work. Should you be dissatisfied, finding the work place unsanitary, unhealthy, or otherwise undesirable, you may wish to acquire a different kind of visibility. In this case, if you choose to confront the employer, you could still find numerous requests, but they would tend to state your dissatisfaction. For example, you might ask the floor supervisor what steps should be taken to bring a union into the company. The management won't love you, but if you are sincere, unemotional, and consistent in your pursuits of a better work environment, they may come to respect you. They might even promote you to organize some improvements. Of course, they might fire you, too. (N.B. As we pointed out, if you are unsure about whether to confront the establishment or climb the career ladder, here's our rule of thumb: If you have to ask that question, don't confront. Political confrontation is a difficult process. It wants intense commitment. When you encounter an injustice you cannot tolerate, you'll confront because there will seem to be no other choice. The courage of that conviction should carry you through. Meanwhile, you can lend quiet support to those who have already found the intense commitment, if that is your political persuasion.) Controlling Span of Network -- Another important strategy in the world of work is that of controlling the span of one's professional network. You've probably heard of the "old boy's club". This is a good example of an elitist network. Some believe that it is important to network at all times. For example, Naisbitt (1982:219) explains: "Networks offer what bureaucracies can never deliver - the horizontal link. Networks cut across the society to provide a genuine cross-disciplinary approach to people and issues." Molloy (1981:175) states: "People who like people are the most successful people in the world. The overwhelming majority of successful men and women we spoke to had a large network of friends." He (1981:178) adds: "So, here's another way to give yourself an edge and a pleasant one. Make friends and contacts and keep in touch with both." As in the case of visibility, there are times when one wants to draw on and/or be visible to a local group (the work unit, the section, the particular plant and the local chapter of a professional association, etc.) and other times when one wants to draw on and/or be visible to a more cosmopolitan group (the organization as a whole, the industry as a whole, the national officers of the professional association, etc.). The sociological issue of local versus cosmopolitan patterns and influence has been well treated in the literature. Translated to the world of work: the "local" keeps abreast of events and politics in the office of local plant ("local" here sometimes meaning one small work department), and judges his status by his standing in the local work group, rates events in the local work group as having great importance in is work life, tends to ignore events and politics in broader spheres, expect perfunctory attention - i.e., the organization as a whole and its place in industry, professional associates at the national level affect his views only peripherally. The "cosmopolitan," on the other hand, keeps abreast of the events and politics on the national (and/or perhaps, statewide) level in his work area, judges his status by his standing in the national and/or state network in his field of work, rates events in the local work group as having relatively less importance in his work life than those on the national level, tends to ignore events and politics in the local sphere, except for perfunctory attention, as peripheral to his work life, and so on. The local and cosmopolitan described here are ideal types. But the concept offers a useful means for understanding and controlling information patterns. The communication network of the local will be extensive in the local area; the communication network of the cosmopolitan will be sparse at the local level and extensive at the state and/or national level. This simple understanding carried remarkable conferences for getting the job done. Every work organization needs both locals and cosmopolitans in order to establish the requisite ties to the community and to other work organizations. Herman Turk (1973), in his studies of large cities' ability to attract needed resources, has shown that the key to distribution of resources is the combination of need for reources, plus strong local organizations and strong ties to the national center which control distribution. This translates in the world of work to a need for locals who will tend to the status and for cosmopolitans who will tend to the status of power of the organization in professional and organizational standing. The person who prefers to be a "big fish in a little pond" will probably adapt more comfortably to the local role. The one who prefers to take on the big pond will probably adapt more comfortably to the cosmopolitan role. The organization must have both ponds, though as in the case of the fish, the big pond generally carries higher relative status. Local and cosmopolitans in work organizations can be identified by their language (again, both verbal and non-verbal). For example, the local, when faced with a problem usually turns to the formal channels for pursuing such problems. She may send a memo to Jack Jumpstart, who will form a committee to study the problem, and so on. The cosmopolitan, when faced with a problem, will more often pick up the phone and ask a colleague in Timbucktoo how she has handled such problems. Her memo to Jack Jumpstart will then include solutions used with varying degrees of success in other parts of the industry. The local will probably get to sit in on Jack Jumpstart's committee, will broaden her local network, and increase her local status. The cosmopolitan, in bypassing the local group, will probably not extend her local network, but will strengthen her national network. The cosmopolitan, as one can judge from this example, also runs the risk of causing local ripples by moving too fast. Jack Jumpstart may think she's after his job. This requires careful attention to language strategy, in particular, deference phrasing, in order not to offend those of higher status. The danger of status problems inherent in the cosmopolitan role also tends to explain why we are more likely to find cosmopolitans in the higher status ranks. The shift from a local to a cosmopolitan perspective is one of the side effects that may accompany promotion to the higher status. Young people, anxious to move quickly up the ranks, must maintain an awareness of the costs of most of these out-of-awareness strategies. Whether your network focuses within the local office or spans the national scene, it is important to remember that "in the network environment, rewards come by empowering others, not by climbing over them," (Naisbitt, 1982:22). Listening to the language of those in power is one technique to acquire the vocabulary you will want to use in sending messages about your ideas. The process will require some experimentation on your part - first listening and selecting words. Using the words and then evaluating the response to those words. In order to give you some practice in using different vocabularies to present the same idea, we have listed below some sets of words and terms which might be used by supervisors in very different settings. We have then selected and applied terms from of the sets to the presentation of one idea to show you how it can be done in different settings. We suggest factors to take into account in choosing language for a second presentation, and leave the language selection and application for you to do the third idea. 1. Words and terms a supervisor in a finance department might use: time-saving-------------------diversification------------------------------rate of return reserve margins------------incentives-----------------------------------controlling balance manage efficiency---------risk-return tradeoff--------------------- downsizing goal setting------------------profit margins------------------------------budgetary constraints resourceful-------------------cost improvement-------------------------financial controls 2. Words and terms as administrator of as academic department might use: work load-----------------------student-faculty ratio---------------------collegial course proposal--------------enrollment policy-------------------------standards institutional fit-----------------enrollment projections------------------innovative target population-------------professional development--------------fundable interdepartmental coordination---quality reinvestment ---------- feasibility academic and professional recognition 3. Words and terms a manager of a marketing department might use: innovative-------------------------institutional promotion---------------high energy creative --------------------------aggressive -------------------------------provocative boost sales -------------------- market share -------------------------- campaign promotion planning ----------competitive pricing demand---------------------------track record -----------------------------world market take charge---------------------domestic market------------------------product positioning 4. Words and terms a supervisor of a customer service department might use: expedite orders-----------------accuracy------------------------------------information access paperwork flow -----------------error rate------------------------------------checking procedures order pricing----------------------credit check-------------------------------time-saving efficient records-----------------reduce paperwork 5. Words and terms that a supervisor of a production department might use: man-hours per unit -----------decrease wastage------------------------cost control quality control--------------------production rates---------------------------cost per unit down time-------------------------up time 1. You have just thought of a way to design a new form which would combine information from three old forms, reduce duplication of effort in filling out forms, and would save time and paper. a) Select a few (three or four) terms from the list above that you would use to present this idea to the marketing manager. b) Use the words you have selected to write a message about the idea to the manager. c) Now select a few terms from the list about that you would use to present the same idea to the academic administrator. d) Use the words you have selected to write a message about the idea to the administrator. a) One set of terms for the marketing manager: innovative, attention-getting, public relations To: Ms. Sellum From: Mr. Combine The attention getting format of the new form attached to this memo is designed to improve our firm's public relations through making essential information readily accessible to clients. This design takes an innovative approach to combining essential elements from three existing forms while avoiding duplication. Let me know what you think about this one. c) One set of terms for the academic administrator: innovative, interdepartmental coordination, feasible, course proposals d) The message: To: Dean Ivory Towers From: Asst. Dean Ivy Hall The innovative format of the new form attached to this memo is designed to improve interdepartmental coordination in our school. This design represents one feasible approach for combining essential information of course proposals and avoids the duplication inherent in the three forms it replaces. 2. You have just come up with a brilliant idea for a new program to sell the services of your department to other divisions in the organization. Your department has developed some specialized information not ordinarily available to the other divisions. If you can promote the use of your department's special expertise by the other divisions it will mean growth for the department and a promotion for you. a) Select a few terms you would use to present this idea to the supervisor of your finance department. b) Write a message about your idea to the supervisor, using the terms you have selected. HINT: Select only terms that are relevant to your idea. For example, in selling the specialized information developed by the finance department, the term "cost-avoidance" is more likely to be directly applicable than the term "market share". Select only a few terms, and use them to make the idea more specific to the situation. (i.e., the department as well as the specific idea). c) Now select a few terms you would use to present the idea to the academic administrator. d) Use the terms you have selected to write a message about this idea to the administrator. 3. You have been working on a plan to reduce the time spent on paperwork in your department through reorganizing work loads. a) Select some terms you would use to present this idea to the supervisor of customer service. b) Use the terms you have selected to write a message about the idea to the supervisor. c) Now select some terms you would use to present this idea to the supervisor. d) Use the terms you have selected to write a message about this idea to the supervisor of production. In this chapter, we tried to answer the question, "Who's on Top?" as well as explain why. We discussed social stratification in terms of status -- ascribed and achieved, social class (related issues of the widening rich/poor gap, the shrinking middle class and the growth of an underclass), and finally, power. The social context of language within the organization was analyzed in terms of power. Some social indications of power were analyzed for language implications. Language patterns and style associated with communication flow were also discussed. Finally, we presented language strategies for controlling and/or maintaining stratification within a work organization. Strategies for controlling social distance, visibility, and the span of network contacts were reviewed for language implications. Achieved Status - Based on what you have done, not through who or what you are. Ascribed Status - Based on your position in the social system which may have come from birth -- the family into which you were born, the country into which you were born, and so forth. Brownian Movement - Taken from chemistry, this is a nonlinear approach resembling a scattered pattern or effect. Bourgeoisie - The owners of the means of production (i.e, the ones who own the big corporations, the agribusiness, the factories). Caste - A social system in which some members cannot achieve a given status in any way. Class - A social/economic category to classify groups of people. Power - The ability of individuals and groups to realize their will in human affairs even if it involves the resistance of others (VanderZanden, 1993:197). Proletariat - Individuals who have only their labor to sell. The workers. Status - The rank order of participants in a group or society. Underclass - Individuals who don't own the means of production and who don't have any labor or marketable skills to sell. They have nothing. How good are you at figuring out the stratification of your workplace and society, in general? How do you know who's on top? Try your hand at some of these myths and dilemmas. Enter a T for True and an F for False. \|-----\|\|1. Marx said social class is purely an economic phenomena.\|\|-----\| \|-----\|\|2. Not all societies are stratified.\|\|-----\| \|-----\|\|3. With regard to social networks, work organizations need more locals and less cosmopolitans.\|\|-----\| \|-----\|\|4.Achieved status is what you have earned.\|\|-----\| \|-----\|\|5. Caste means you're pretty much stuck where you are.\|\|-----\| \|-----\|\|6. The president of a company doesn't necessarily have the most power.\|\|-----\| \|-----\|\|7. The informal structure is as important as the formal structure when we examine the issue of power.\|\|-----\| \|-----\|\|8. The middle class is shrinking while the underclass is growing.\|\|-----\| \|-----\|\|9. "Work to rule" increases productivity in the workplace.\|\|-----\| \|-----\|\|10. Ascribed status is better than achieved status.\|\|-----\| \|-----\|\|11. Weber spoke of social prestige as well as economic standing in his discussion of social class.\|\|-----\| \|-----\|\|12. Information typically flows from the top down.\|\|-----\| Correct answers and career forecasts for this self-diagnostic may be found on the next section. It should be noted that the logic of the justification for your answer is more important than the answer itself. Scoring and career forecast for self-diagnostic Score one point for each correct answer. Your career forecast for this chapter: 10-12: All right, all right. You know how the "system" works and how to work the system. And we don't need to tell you. 7-9: You did okay. But it helps if you read the chapter first. 4-6: You're making progress -- little by little. Time to knuckle down and open the textbook for a change. 0-3: Do you know which end is up? Aburdene, Patricia and John Naisbitt. (1992). Megatrends for Women.New York: Villard Books. Berger, Peter and Thomas Luckmann. (1966). The Social Construction of Reality. New York: Doubleday. Giddens, Anthony. (1984).The Constitution of Society.Berkeley: University of California Press. Goffman, Erving. (1963). Stigma.New York: Simon and Schuster. Homans, George. (1950). The Human Group.New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. Korda, Michael. (1975). Power! New York: Random House. Kozol, Jonathan. (1991). Savage Inequalities.New York: Crown Books. -----. (1985). Illiterate America.New York: New American Library. -----.(1967). Death at an Early Age. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Larsen, Dave. (1984). "Art of conversation: She talks about talking," Racine Journal Times , December 9, 1984. Marx, Karl. (1964). Selected Writings in Sociology and Social Philosophy.Ed. and trans. by. T.B. Bottomore. New York: McGraw-Hill. Molloy, John. (1981).Live for Success. New York: Morrow. Naisbitt, John. (1982). Megatrends.New York: Warner. Treiman, Donald J. (1977). Occupational Prestige in Comparative Perspective. New York: Academic Press. Turk, Herman. (1973). Interorganizational Activation in Urban Communities: Deductions from the Concept System. Washington,D.C.: American Sociological Association. VanderZanden, James W. (1993). Sociology: The Core.New York: McGraw-Hill. Weber, Max. (1947). From Max Weber: Essays in Sociology.Ed. and trans. by Hans Gerth and C.Wright Mills. New York: Oxford University Press. -----. (1958). The Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism. New York: Scribner's. -----. (1947). Theory of Social and Economic Organization.New York: Free Press. Weinstein, Robert. (1983). Jobs for the 21st Century.New York: Collier. Wilson, William J. (1987). The 'Truly' Disadvantaged.Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
This fall, an entire community in Michigan stood behind a bullied girl who’d been elected to the homecoming court as a joke. Undeterred by the prank, the brave young girl proudly attended the football game as part of the court with the support of everyone in the town. A local boutique donated her dress, a salon provided hair and makeup, and hundreds of fans at the homecoming game wore orange t-shirts that said “It’s not cool to be cruel!” It was a fitting way to kick off National Bullying Prevention Month. This year’s theme “The End of Bullying Begins with Me,” reminds students, educators and parents that we all need to take individual action when it comes to bullying, like standing up for a girl who was targeted by a small group of students in Michigan. The theme also fits perfectly with NEA’s Bully Free It Starts With Me campaign, which kicked off this year’s Bullying Prevention Month with a drive to get more caring adults to take the Bully Free pledge. Bullying Prevention Month was started by the Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER), a national parent center serving all youth, with a special emphasis on children with disabilities. PACER is a major partner of the National Education Association, who has long supported its programs and has participated in National Bullying Prevention Month since PACER began the program in 2006. We caught up with the Director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center Julie Hertzog to ask her about the continued fight to end bullying. How did Bullying Prevention Month start? We were just launching our new website, KidsAgainstBullying.org, and were receiving more and more calls from concerned parents, educators and students about the fact that bullying was becoming a major problem in schools. We recognized that communities needed to have a dialogue about bullying – they were asking for help and guidance. We then began to look at what other countries were doing to address the problem, and most had a national event to raise awareness. That’s when, in 2006, we launched National Bullying Prevention Week. The program grew exponentially every year, so in 2010 we expanded it to a month. Shools participate in variety of activities over the month, such as Unity Day on October 10. Bullying has gotten a lot of attention in the past couple of years – has all of the national coverage had an impact on the prevalence of bullying? It’s a hard question to answer because we don’t have the data. It’s like when people asked if the incidence of bullying had increased in the past 10 years or so. Without data we didn’t know if it was happening more often, or if people were more aware and concerned about it. We’ve certainly moved away from the “kids will be kids” mindset and don’t think bullying is a rite of passage any longer. And though we don’t have hard data, it seems kids report bullying more than they used to simply because we’re having the conversation, and they’re more supported by adults and educators when they speak out. We’ve been directing information toward the “bystander” who knows bullying is wrong, but wasn’t sure how to handle it. They never liked it, but didn’t know what to do — now they know there’s a whole movement behind them. What do you think is the best strategy for educators and parents to prevent bullying? So often we hear from kids who say they feel alone, that nobody cares and nobody notices that they’re bullied. If you simply acknowledge the situation it goes a long way. Just say, “Hey I saw something that happened, can you tell me about it?” That tells a child that they have someone looking out for them. Just knowing that they don’t deserve to be bullied is very, very powerful. It sounds simple, but it’s very important. A safe school climate means every kid feels valued and welcomed. NEA has a pledge for caring adults to take as a way to help prevent bullying. We know you’ve taken the pledge. Why is it important that we have many more pledge takers? A pledge is a symbol, and behind that symbolism stands a movement. When you tangibly acknowledge that you are going to do something, it is far more likely that you’ll actually do it. There’s power in a pledge, and power in the number of pledge takers – we need a big number if we’re to show students we really care and that we want to help. Educators want to work more closely with parents to prevent bullying – what are some tips? We talk to lots of parents whose kids are being bullied. Parents should know who their point of contact is at school if they want to report. Is it the teacher, the counselor, the principal? Let all your parents know who to reach out to if they have a concern about bullying, and let them know what the anti-bullying policies are and where to find them online. If there’s no policy, ask for one on behalf of your students and parents. As a mom, what I appreciate is having an open dialogue with my kids’ teachers. If even the smallest thing happens, I want them to let me know. And that goes both ways. My daughter told me how some boy bumped her in the hallway, and we talked about it. Soon I learned there was more to it than a little bump, so I emailed her teacher who has let me know she’s always open to any communications from me. I told her I wanted her to be aware of the situation and that we should both keep an eye on it. Having that open, two-way communication allows us to handle a bullying situation before it escalates. What are your hopes for this year’s Bullying Prevention Month? I hope that we all continue the nationwide dialogue that’s happening. That dialogue creates a system of support for kids who had felt alone and as though they didn’t have options. My hope for kids is that they no longer feel alone. My hope for parents and educators is that they feel they have adequate information to help them respond to a bullying situation and more forward. And I hope that the message of empathy and kindness shine through this month and through the rest of the year.
General Overview of Spruce Trees Spruce Trees are some of the most popular trees on the planet. They’re pyramidal trees with whorled branches and thin bark. Many people get confused between pine trees and spruce trees, but they have differences. Spruce trees rule over many parts of the world including the United States and Northern Europe. Spruce Trees are usually found to be in cooler regions of the world, but they are very adaptable to different conditions, which is why you may see them distributed in warmer regions. Early Stages of Growth for Spruce Trees For the early stages of growth, Spruce Trees need regular water for the soil to maintain moisture. Spruce trees in the wild can grow up to 75 feet, but when planted, they usually grow 30 to 60 feet. You will have year-round growth for the tree, but with no flowers. Spruce trees usually produce silvery-blue needles. Spruce trees are pretty resilient. They are tolerant to the cold weather, and they can survive through drought, but they thrive with good moisture in the soil. They can tolerate heat to a point. Planting Spruce Trees When it comes to planting Spruce trees on your property, you’ll have to make sure you keep a few things in mind. Plant spruce trees 20 to 25 feet apart from each other. Watering the trees regularly will help the soil maintain moisture, so the trees can thrive. Make sure to plant the trees in well-sunlit areas on your land. Dig a whole deep enough to where the burlap is just rounded out of the whole. Also, dig it wide enough for space, so you can fill in the whole and top with fresh soil. Caring for the Growth Spruce trees do not need any fertilizer to survive. Spruce trees thrive with mulch around the base, but make sure to pull the mulch about 11 cm. away from the base to prevent rot. When planting, it’s recommended to stake the tree on two sides at least to establish the proper growth. After three years, the tree will be well-established, and you can remove the stakes. Remember, it’s important to water regularly, especially in the summer months. Life Expectancy of Spruce Trees In the wild, Spruce trees can live for 200 years. If you’re buying wholesale and planting on your property, they usually have a life expectancy of 40 to 60 years. With the proper care, you’ll have your spruce trees for a very long time. Like any other tree, it will have a long and healthy life if it is taken care of properly throughout its growth. Interesting Facts About Spruce Trees Spruce trees are also used widely across the world for distribution, especially for the Christmas season as Christmas trees. Many Christmas tree farms across the country grow different types of Spruce trees for the season. Find the Right Spruce Tree for Your Needs! At Cold Stream Farm, we provide a variety of Spruce Trees at wholesale. Spruce Trees are great to have planted on your property because they have the ability to survive different conditions. They are generally slower growing trees with some care during the early stages of growth. If you’re looking to spruce up your property, Spruce trees can be of great use to you. Contact Cold Stream Farm at 231-464-5809 today for more information!
The Math Kids: An Incorrect Solution Fifth Grade Brings New Adventures for The Math Kids! The Math Kids have been split up, and new teachers and troubled classmates suddenly seem a lot more challenging than homework. But the right plan--and some math--might solve everything. This Middle Grade Book - Introduces readers to interactive math and logic problems they can apply to real-life situations - Dives into social issues and problem solving - Includes an appendix for hands-on learning - A complimentary teaching guide is available on our website
By Veronica Smink BBC Mundo, South America Plans for a tunnel linking Bolivia to the Pacific Ocean have been unveiled by three architects who say it could put an end to a 130 year-old dispute between the landlocked country and its neighbour, Chile. President Evo Morales wants Bolivia to regain access to the Pacific Ocean The three Chilean architects claim the tunnel would allow Bolivia to regain access to the sea since it was defeated by Chile in the Pacific War in 1879. This has been one of Bolivia's main demands for years, and is still strongly voiced by current President Evo Morales. The 150km (93 miles) tunnel would run from the Bolivian border to an artificial island created in the Pacific Ocean from earth dug to build the tunnel. The Chilean Foreign Minister, Mariano Fernandez, has given the green light to further studies into the project, saying that Chile "is open to all suggestions that foster Latin American integration". The Bolivian government has yet to give its view. The plan was proposed by Chilean architects Carlos Martner, Fernando Castillo Velasco and Humberto Eliash. Mr Eliash, the youngest of the three men, told the BBC that the idea came from an "informal chat" with his two colleagues, both of whom are famous architects in Chile. "Poets say that we must build a bridge between Bolivia and the Pacific that jumps over Chile. We wanted to see if it could work in reality," he says. Long tunnels are being planned around the world to connect places such as Russia and the US (through the Bering Strait), China and Taiwan, Tunisia and Sicily as well as Spain and Morocco, he adds. "There is little doubt that the technical challenges can be solved. I think the economic problems can also be sorted out. The only barriers to overcome are political," he says. But those political hurdles are huge in one of the few regions in South America where territorial disputes are still alive. According to the plan, the tunnel would run under the so-called Line of Concord which separates Chile and Peru. The reason, the architects say, is that this is an area free of mines or cables which could potentially complicate the project. But both Peru and Chile dispute the border. To go ahead, the project would also need the approval of Peru. And there are doubts about whether there would be the political will at a time when Peru and Bolivia are arguing about Peru's decision to grant asylum to former opposition leaders from Bolivia. In addition, the artificial island would be created in waters claimed both by Peru and Chile. And both countries have recently taken a row over coastal waters to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. However the architects believe this is another reason for Bolivia, Peru and Chile to agree on the project. Chile and Peru would have to agree that Bolivia would have sovereignty over the tunnel, Mr Eliash says. And that in turn would open up discussions about the complex issues of immigration and security. But the architect believes that other examples of tunnels linking different countries around the world have forced governments to update their view on these issues. "These are the real issues of the 21st Century. But I believe that most fascinating of all is that if we can imagine it we can do it," he says.
Learner's definition of ANCESTRY a person's ancestors the people who were in your family in past times They claim to be of noble ancestry. an Englishman of German ancestry = an Englishman who is German by ancestry a person of unknown ancestry She claims to be able to trace her ancestry all the way back to the earliest settlers.
149 years ago today, Juneteenth was born Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger delivered news that the war had ended in Galveston, Texas. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance. Later attempts to explain this two and a half year delay in the receipt of this important news have yielded several versions that have been handed down through the years. Often told is the story of a messenger who was murdered on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another, is that the news was deliberately withheld by the enslavers to maintain the labor force on the plantations. And still another, is that federal troops actually waited for the slave owners to reap the benefits of one last cotton harvest before going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. All of which or none of these versions could be true. Let us never forget how far we’ve come in the quest for freedom, and how far we have to go. There is still much work to be done. Click here for a list of Juneteenth celebrations in your area. Sound off below!
If your teeth seem especially sensitive after you brush them or when you consume certain foods or beverages, you're hardly alone: By one estimate, around 35 percent of the U.S. population experiences some degree of tooth sensitivity. While the difference between sensitivity and pain may be somewhat blurry, we can say that sensitive teeth usually produce discomfort in response to a stimulus like temperature, pressure, or even the sweetness of particular foods. What causes tooth sensitivity and what should you do about it? In general, tooth sensitivity results when dentin, the living tissue that makes up most of the “body” of the tooth, begins transmitting sensations to nerves deep in the tooth's inner core. The nerves relay these sensations to the brain, and they're felt as pain. To understand how this works, let's take an even closer look at your teeth. Tooth Anatomy 101 Dentin is a sturdy, calcified tissue, that can't usually be seen. It's normally covered by super-hard enamel on the visible part of the tooth (the crown), and by softer tissue called cementum on the tooth's exposed roots.The dentin itself is composed of many tiny tubules that lead to nerve endings. When these tubules become exposed to the environment of the mouth, tooth sensitivity may result. There are several reasons why the dentin can become exposed. For one, the gums may recede (shrink down), revealing some of the tooth's root surfaces. This can be caused by genetic factors, periodontal disease, excessively vigorous brushing — or a combination of all three. This problem may be worsened if the tooth's roots weren't completely covered by cementum during their development, as sometimes occurs. Another factor that may contribute to sensitivity is the erosion of tooth surfaces due to excessive acid in the diet. While acids occur naturally in the mouth, habitually drinking sodas and sports drinks can severely erode teeth — and brushing soon after you drink actually worsens the effect. That's because these acids soften the outer surfaces of the teeth, and brushing then makes it easy to wear them away. It's best to wait for an hour afterwards, to give your saliva a chance to neutralize the acid. Tooth decay can also cause sensitivity. Decay may not only expose dentin, but can work its way down to the nerves themselves — at which point, your pain level may escalate. And sometimes, even dental work itself can cause sensitivity. Because the same tooth structures are involved, it may sometimes take a few days to a few months after a cavity is filled, for example, for a tooth to “calm down.” If you have sensitivity following a filling it is always best to have it checked out rather than just waiting—if the bite is “high” it can cause unwanted damage and prolonged sensitivity. Dealing with Tooth Sensitivity What can you do about sensitive teeth? It’s important that you have it examined to look for the cause of your sensitivity. Once diagnosed, the most appropriate way to reduce the sensitivity will be recommended. Some treatments may include concentrated fluoride varnishes or desensitizing agents that are applied to the outer surfaces of teeth. But tooth sensitivity may also be an early warning sign of other dental problems and the sooner they're taken care of, the better off you'll be! - Make sure you're using a soft-bristled brush and the proper, gentle brushing technique. - Always use a toothpaste containing fluoride, as this ingredient is proven to increase the strength of tooth enamel, which helps resist erosion. - You can also try a sensitivity toothpaste with ingredients designed especially for sensitive teeth, such as potassium. Studies show that these can be effective, but it may take approximately four to six weeks for you to notice the difference.
News•April 15, 2016 New Milestone: Earth Sees 11 Record Hot Months in a Row The past 11 months have been the hottest such months in 135 years of recordkeeping, a streak that has itself set a record and puts in clear terms just how much the planet has warmed due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Click image to enlarge. New global temperature data released on Friday by NASA put March at 2.3°F (1.28°C) above the 1951-1980 average for the month, making it the warmest March on record. It beat out the previous warmest March, from 2010, by 0.65°F (0.36°C) — a handy margin. It also marked the sixth month in a row to set such a record in NASA data and is expected to be the 11th month in a row in data kept by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, beating out the previous such streak of 10 months set back in 1944. March also marked six straight months with temperatures that were more than 1°C above average, a notable mark given the stated goal of international climate talks to keep warming in the 21st century below 2°C (with some talk of even aiming for 1.5°C). March wasn’t as anomalously warm as February, which retains its title as the most anomalously warm month on record. (January 2016 had previously held the number one position.) Several other agencies around the world keep their own global temperature records, including NOAA, which will release its March numbers next Tuesday. So far this year, the NOAA and NASA data has tracked fairly closely. The Japan Meteorological Agency put March at 1.93°F (1.07°C) above the 20th century average. Each agency uses different baselines and their numbers can differ slightly from each other because of different ways of processing the temperature data. Global temperatures for January - March 2016. Click image to enlarge. Credit: NASA For the last few months, global temperatures have received a boost from an exceptionally strong El Niño, but the bulk of the temperature rise is due to the excess heat trapped in the atmosphere by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted by human activities. The succession of temperature records has also been accompanied by other notable climate records, including the biggest ever year-to-year jump in carbon dioxide levels at the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii, as well as a record low winter Arctic sea ice peak. The Arctic, in fact, has been one of the most anomalously warm areas of the planet over the past year and is warming at twice the rate of the planet as a whole. So far, 2016 is on track to beat out 2015 as the warmest year on record, but the year is only three months old. El Niño is waning, and it could usher in a La Niña later in the year, which tends to have a cooling effect on global temperatures. But how much of a role any La Niña plays will depend on how strong it is and when it forms and it is likely to have more of an influence on 2017’s temperatures than this year’s. Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the data source for the record streak of 11 months, which is from NOAA records, not NASA.
Ocarina Spans Ancient, Digital Worlds Young Video Gamers Buy Up Timeless Instrument Fans of the video game "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time," and parents seeking an inexpensive, easy-to-play instrument to introduce their children to music lead a resurgence of interest in the ocarina. And STL Ocarina (www.stlocarina.com) is ready to equip them with thousands of the pocket-sized, pottery wind instruments in all shapes and colors. An ancient instrument with roots that lie in the dawn of history, clay ocarinas were played by the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas of South and The ocarina was popularized in the In 2004, Laura Yeh, an instructor at the St. Louis School of Music (www.stlschoolofmusic.com) bought several ocarinas while on a visit to "Not every child will actually come and study music simply because of the cost of buying a violin and the cost of lessons," she says. "So we thought that for those kids that don't otherwise get a chance to be in touch with music, what can we offer them? The ocarina seems to be the ideal instrument. It doesn't cost a lot and the learning curve is very, very easy for kids." The school started to sell ocarinas locally and online. Soon fans of the video game began ordering the instruments, creating a demand that compelled STL Ocarina to offer special editions of the instrument. These magically colorful "Zelda" ocarinas come in nine-hole, 12-hole tenor, and double and triple models, with two- and three-octave ranges respectively. The company also sells Zelda songbooks and other accessories. As the video game has boosted interest, STL Ocarina is tapping new markets, including parents wanting to introduce their kids to the joy of music, home schooling families and adults looking for a fun, compact and intriguing instrument. "It doesn't take that much time or effort to enjoy the music in the way that you couldn't imagine before, which is to involve yourself in it in the process of making music," Yeh says.
Military and government programs are heavily involved in greatly expanding our work in space research, exploration, orbit management and satellite coordination systems. Many of these mission critical satellites must be rugged and perform for long periods of time in extreme environments. To meet these demands, highly focused space-qualified electronic modules, hardware and interconnecting systems have been developed by the company. In addition to their ruggedness, these new modules offer extensive technology upgrades for key military and government level orbital craft. Military and government research centers have teams working together and continue heavy investing in the newest of technical capabilities beyond our current level of expertise. For example, new micro-chip circuits have helped drive improved and expanded surveillance and geo-mapping capability using triple-layer CMOS imaging designs that supply full color imaging at low cost and low power. They are now providing high resolution photos while passing over key points on Earth at more than 17,000 miles an hour. To launch new orbital devices, one must also consider the circuit details and signal technology needed. Beyond launch RF signal management, modulated digital formats and signal aiming requires aiming and positioning beams to help maintain contact with each satellite. This helps coordinate the relative position of each satellite and working with satellite cluster management. New programs are developing docking and repair satellites to upgrade and sustain existing orbital devices while still in space. These advanced programs add challenges to develop and sustain reserve power sources, to articulate robotic satellite collectors and provide satellite to satellite continuous communication and position control. This is today’s era of design and implementation of multiple, mixed module space electronic colonization, management and control. These military and government satellites require high reliability while exposure to external environments, ruggedized longevity, and continuous performance with the minimum physical size, lowest weight and highest signal processing capability, storage and transmission possible. Electronic connectors and cable systems are a serious part of that program and careful selection applied with attention to these criteria. Connectors and cable perform a large role in meeting the demands of the overall system. At times, a combination of electrical and mechanical devices must be working together. The design engineer should pay attention to both disciplines to insure performance. Robotic arms, satellite launchers, release modules, and camera articulators operate in simultaneous mode. One example shown in the photo is the Navy Labs and NASA proximity test system. It is used to help check out satellites while still on orbit. Connectors must handle higher amperage to operate the actuators and driver motors but also include small signal interfaces. In this case, one option is to use two separate cable and connector interconnections. Unfortunately that adds weight and consumes room for both. A better option is for the engineer to design a combination cable using what is called mixed-signal design. When the amperage needed for robotic motors is specified and the type of electrical signals are specified, a connection engineer can draw from proven sub-components and design an application-specific cable and connector. This is often accomplished using a solid modeling design software that includes an inventory of each of the key connector elements using space qualified materials. The concept design model would include shape, dimensions, alignment keying, and even shielding if it is required. This model is then sent to the satellite design team for confirmation and or adjustment. Improvements include the size and weight reduction, faster design cycle and costs are significantly reduced using this method. Finally, the design team has high assurance that the final interconnection system comes from previously tested and used components. Specialty cable is handled similarly, using both electrical and mechanical models to layout a cable that meets the applications needs. This would include cable diameter, jacket ruggedness, braided shielding if needed, and then include a wiring map of protecting each signal for noise, or crosstalk. The power lines can still be inside the cable but isolated from the signal section. If the cable is going to handle very high speed digital signals, the cable design changes somewhat. Twisted differential pair wiring is used with separate drain wires for each high speed section. With a specified impedance to match the drive circuits, a micro or nano connector can serve over 7 Gigabits per second. Many space surveillance systems need this capability. When a high speed combination connector and cable system is assembled it can also be tested for all the basic functions before being sent to the space lab. Final electrical tests include most basics such as impedance, insertion loss vs frequency, signal reflections, noise and jitter. More and more, critical systems also request eye-diagrams testing to help predict system performance and signal capacity. Eye diagrams also can be simulated using spice-models based upon the elements in the cable. Experienced cable and connector design suppliers retain correlations of their simulations to save time and cost and assure performance quickly. Initial cable and connector selection begins with a review of space qualified materials with specifications and should meet the NASA mission critical screening specification EEE-INST-002. One should include, depending on standard designs that have been tested and used in military applications, such as MIL-DTL- 83513 for micro-d connectors and MIL-DTL-32139 for Nano-d connectors. COTs and standard connectors are a popular buzz these days by some to get connections rapidly and a lower costs. This can be a great solution, but only if the supplier has tested the materials, used low outgassing polymers and their product matches with the reliability of those well-defined military products. One example in selecting a connector to last through the rigors of high shock and vibration during launch is to look at the pin and socket design system used within the connectors chosen. Selecting a pin made of tempered Beryllium Copper that is plated with nickel and gold will perform continuously without what is called fretting loss. (That is small movement in and out of the socket that rubs away the gold contact and leaves a highly resistive nickel interface. Better connectors can exceed 2,000 mates and de-mates before wear begins to show.) Also, the connectors should interface smoothly and firmly, and have a strong key alignment control feature. Small circular connectors are frequently used in the smaller satellites during assembly and testing. Somewhat larger connectors are more often used for routing from unit to unit or to the main power source. Larger circular connectors can also be the work horse for system to system communications within a satellite, however as voltage levels are decreasing as well as high current demand, more circular connectors are also being downsized. Mil-DTL 38999 and Micro-circular connectors can serve much of today’s new satellite systems. When necessary, this size connector can also contain 2 to 4 large pins for heaviest current loads selected for amperage ratings at space elevations. This method also helps in maintaining smaller diameter wiring and connector bulk with micro-sized pin and socket interconnects for signal processing. Ratcheting micro-connectors are also used in robotics for highly fixable interconnects that are assembled and de-assembled quickly. The threaded couplings have metal alignment keys and insulators for quick alignment and mating, even while wearing gloves. The feel of the latching process, assures the installer that connections are positive and tightly mated. Nickel plated aluminum shells assist blind mating with first-touch alignment. Connector contacts in space quality connectors also use military standard 83513 pin and sockets and are made of BeCu plated with mil quality nickel and gold for extended use. Metal shells and EMI shielding can be specified as well unique plating needs to prevent corrosion etc. Coax cabling and connectors for high speed analog systems plus for broadcast transmission is another area requiring exact attention to quality of signal management as well as reliability. Designers must focus as well on what is called, the signal launch point from the transmission board to the back end of the connector and on through the connector into the cable. This is a complete study in itself and can be covered in another report. In conclusion; the satellite industry is expands globally, seeks to travel further and also to combine multiple satellites into a cohesive webs. We see nations pulling together and specifying space quality connectors for their satellites. One good example is the SARah system that consists of three satellites and two ground stations. The space segment consists of two satellites equipped with the reflector technology from OHB, and a third satellite, equipped with Airbus Defence and Space’s proven phased-array technology. The term ‘phased-array’ is used to describe phase-controlled antennas made up of numerous individual transmitter/receiver modules which can be interconnected, bundled and variably controlled. This enables direction and range of view to be adjusted without needing to move the antennas mechanically, thus providing the user with rapid image sequencing, variable image sizes and ‘blur-free’ recordings. A key to phased array technologies, is having highest quality, multiple pin connectors for the very many output lines required to rapidly download the data generated by the antenna array system. Satellite designers can benefit greatly from direct interface communications with their connector design source. Many have check lists made specifically for space quality connectors. There are numerous challenges that include simultaneous combinations of size reduction, lower weight, increased ruggedness, custom cable routing, and management of power in close proximity to high speed signal management.
First off, what is a mail profile? This is not just your regular email account sign up. If you want to know more read below. A profile is a set of emails and settings that Outlook app for Windows uses to remember where your email is stored. When Outlook is started for the first time a profile is automatically created. However, you can create a new profile. And here is how. - Quit your Outlook app. - Go to the Windows Control Panel. - Open Mail. (Tip – the location depends on the OS, but it is usually in the Accounts or Internet section. If you still cannot find it, try the search bar.) - When the Mail window pops up, you will see the name of the current profile in the title bar. - Click on ‘Show Profiles’. Here you will see all your profiles – the default one including. - To add a profile, click on ‘Add’. - Select a name and click on ‘OK’. - Setup an email account for that profile, from the pop-up window. - When you have finished, click on ‘Finish’. - Choose the option ‘Prompt for a profile to be used’ or change the profile you are using by default from the dropdown menu. Click on ‘OK’. - Start your Outlook app for Windows. You will now notice the difference, even though you have two email accounts setup in your Outlook, the default one and the one you just created, only the latter shows in your Outlook.
Study: Elders with dementia can tap into memory stores to give advice Tallahassee, Fla. -- Dementia may rob an older person of memory and focus, but the ability to offer timeless advice about life's big questions seems to be preserved, according to Florida State University researchers. Katinka Dijkstra, an assistant professor of psychology, and Michelle Bourgeois, professor of communication disorders, both of FSU, and colleagues from Long Island University and George Washington University have found that older adults with moderate to severe symptoms of dementia can assume advice giving and teaching roles despite their cognitive impairments. The researchers conducted a pair of first-of-their-kind studies, and the findings were published in the academic journal The Gerontologist. "A relatively common perception of adults with dementia in nursing homes is that they are helpless and incompetent and do not have the potential to maintain a certain level of independence and ability to communicate," Dijkstra said. "Our studies show that they have abilities that their caregivers and family members may not even be aware of. Giving those with dementia opportunities to give advice or teach others could help break the cycle of learned helplessness and improve self-esteem and well-being." In the first study, the researchers interviewed 14 people with early to advanced stages of dementia at an adult day care center. The mean age of the participants was 82. The researchers asked about marriage, children and church in a purely social way, such as "Tell me about your children." In later conversations, they asked the adults for advice on the same topics, as in, "I'm thinking about having children. What kind of advice can you give me on that?" They found that adults were more coherent, informative and focused on the topic when asked for advice as opposed to when they were simply asked about their children, church or marriage. "Participants took their roles quite seriously when experimenters asked them for advice," the researchers wrote. "They were eager to dispense useful information, which suggests that there may be social benefits to their information-giving role assignment. Moreover, asking for advice may have contributed to conversations that were more to the point than those seen in the social conversation situation." The researchers also conducted a second study to explore whether adults with dementia had retained the ability to serve in a teaching role. For this study, six adults with dementia and six without dementia, all in their 70s or 80s, were given a booklet of pictures to guide them in teaching someone a simple recipe, such as how to make banana pudding or decorate a gingerbread man. Both the cognitively intact older adults and those with dementia successfully taught students to prepare the recipes. Dijkstra said she was surprised that there was so little difference in the teaching abilities of the healthy adults and those with dementia, although she noted that those with dementia needed more prompting than the others to finish the task. The researchers theorized that adults with dementia were successful giving advice and teaching a cooking lesson because they were able to tap into knowledge that was accumulated when they were younger and needed these skills as parents or mentors. This type of knowledge does not decline as much as memory of recent events, she said. "The fact that another person needs information from them also places adults with dementia in a position of empowerment, which makes them more motivated and possibly more goal oriented to finish such a task," she said. Caregivers and family members may want to try seeking advice from elders or encouraging them to take a leadership role in certain activities, Dijkstra said. "This will put the focus on what they are still able to do instead of what they are no longer able to do," she said. "Awareness of these preserved abilities may also make it easier for family members to deal with the situation of 'losing' their family member to dementia or Alzheimer's disease." For more stories about FSU, visit our news site at www.fsu.com Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 30 Apr 2016 Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.
Mexican Bean Beetle by National Gardening Association Editors The adult Mexican bean beetle is 1/4" long and features sixteen black spots. Given its size and spots, you might mistake this pest for a ladybug. Though related to ladybugs, Mexican bean beetles are far from beneficial. Their distinctive bronze background color gives away their identity. Mexican bean beetles are fairly common in the United States, but are most prominent in the southeast and rarest in the northwest. Gardeners east of the Rockies are most familiar with this pest. The adult beetle features sixteen black spots on its back. Larvae are fat, hump-backed spiny yellow grubs about 1/3 inch long. Both adults and larvae feed on foliage, leaving a skeleton of veins. Adults overwinter on plant debris, emerging in late spring or early summer to lay clusters of yellow eggs on the undersides of leaves. There are one to four generations per year depending on the climate. Use floating row covers over seedlings to prevent egg laying. Check leaf undersides for masses of yellowish eggs, and squish any you spot. Hand-pick adult beetles and larvae. Neem oil will deter feeding adults; horticultural oil and insecticidal soap are useful against the larvae. Pedio wasps (Pediobius faveolatus) parasitize adult bean beetles. Toads, birds, and spined soldier bugs are general predators. Clean up plant debris in the garden at the end of the season to reduce the number of overwintering adults. Where these beetles are a severe problem, look for varieties of beans that are naturally resistant. Photography by Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Regarding a recent Sun op-ed page, it's rare to see two commentaries side by side that perfectly cancel each other out. In one, John Seager notes that the Earth's population is growing at a rate of 80 million people a year ("An Unhappy World Population Day," July 11). In the other, Thomas F. Schaller exhorts us to welcome immigrants even when their "economic pressure forces those of us already here to work harder" ("Hostility toward recent immigrants a long U.S. tradition," July 11). It might occur to Mr. Schaller that today jobs are a precious commodity, and it's only natural to want them protected. Unfortunately, the human race has a biological need to expand. Eighteenth-century economist Thomas Robert Malthus explained that "the power of population is so superior to the power of the earth to produce subsistence" that it periodically causes famines and other disasters. There are over 7 billion on Earth today, and that number is growing. At the same time, it takes fewer and fewer people to grow things and make things. Additionally, any company that can outsource its labor force is eager to do so, creating layoffs and downsizing here in the U.S. It's true there has always been hostility toward newcomers, but during the Industrial Revolution manufacturers aggressively sought new hands to handle the growing work. And when farm land opened up in the West, railroads sought immigrants to work the land. But the scenario today is entirely different. It's no secret the world's billions want to migrate to places where life is better — that's commendable. But when America becomes the destination of choice, we have a duty to curtail the practice if for no other reason than that we owe it to our children. R. E. Nester, Baltimore
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. "Progressive" means the disease gets worse over time. COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus (a slimy substance), wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to smoke. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants, such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust, also may contribute to COPD. To understand COPD, it helps to understand how the lungs work. The air that you breathe goes down your windpipe into tubes in your lungs called bronchial tubes or airways. Within the lungs, your bronchial tubes branch into thousands of smaller, thinner tubes called bronchioles. These tubes end in bunches of tiny round air sacs called alveoli. Small blood vessels called capillaries run through the walls of the air sacs. When air reaches the air sacs, the oxygen in the air passes through the air sac walls into the blood in the capillaries. At the same time, carbon dioxide (a waste gas) moves from the capillaries into the air sacs. This process is called gas exchange. The airways and air sacs are elastic (stretchy). When you breathe in, each air sac fills up with air like a small balloon. When you breathe out, the air sacs deflate and the air goes out. In COPD, less air flows in and out of the airways because of one or more of the following: - The airways and air sacs lose their elastic quality. - The walls between many of the air sacs are destroyed. - The walls of the airways become thick and inflamed. - The airways make more mucus than usual, which tends to clog them. The signs and symptoms of COPD include: - an ongoing cough or a cough that produces large amounts of mucus (often called "smoker's cough") - shortness of breath, especially with physical activity - wheezing (a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe) - chest tightness These symptoms often occur years before the flow of air into and out of the lungs declines. However, not everyone who has these symptoms has COPD. Likewise, not everyone who has COPD has these symptoms. Some of the symptoms of COPD are similar to the symptoms of other diseases and conditions. Your doctor can find out whether you have COPD. If you have COPD, you may have colds or the flu (influenza) frequently. If your COPD is severe, you may have swelling in your ankles, feet, or legs; a bluish color on your lips due to a low blood oxygen level; and shortness of breath. COPD symptoms usually slowly worsen over time. At first, if symptoms are mild, you may not notice them, or you may adjust your lifestyle to make breathing easier. For example, you may take the elevator instead of the stairs. Over time, symptoms may become severe enough to see a doctor. For example, you may get short of breath during physical exertion. How severe your symptoms are depends on how much lung damage you have. If you keep smoking, the damage will occur faster than if you stop smoking. In severe COPD, you may have other symptoms, such as weight loss and lower muscle endurance. Some severe symptoms may require treatment in a hospital. You—with the help of family members or friends, if you're unable—should seek emergency care if: - you are having a hard time catching your breath or talking - your lips or fingernails turn blue or gray (this is a sign of a low oxygen level in your blood) - you are not mentally alert - your heartbeat is very fast - the recommended treatment for symptoms that are getting worse isn't working Your doctor will diagnose COPD based on your signs and symptoms, your medical and family histories, and test results. He or she may ask whether you smoke or have had contact with lung irritants, such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust. If you have an ongoing cough, your doctor may ask how long you've had it, how much you cough, and how much mucus comes up when you cough. He or she also may ask whether you have a family history of COPD. Your doctor will examine you and use a stethoscope to listen for wheezing or other abnormal chest sounds. You also may need one or more tests to diagnose COPD. COPD has no cure yet. However, treatments and lifestyle changes can help you feel better, stay more active, and slow the progress of the disease. Quitting smoking is the most important step you can take to treat COPD. Talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit. Many hospitals have programs that help people quit smoking, or hospital staff can refer you to a program. Ask your family members and friends to support you in your efforts to quit. Also, try to avoid secondhand smoke. (Secondhand smoke is smoke in the air from other people smoking.) Other treatments for COPD may include medicines (bronchodilators and inhaled steroids), vaccines, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, and surgery. Your doctor also may recommend tips for managing COPD complications. - Bronchodilators. These medications relax the muscles around your airways. This helps open your airways and makes breathing easier. Depending on the severity of your COPD, your doctor may prescribe short-acting or long-acting bronchodilators. Short-acting bronchodilators last about 4–6 hours and should be used only when needed. Long-acting bronchodilators last about 12 hours or more and are used every day. - Inhaled glucocorticoid steroids. Doctors use inhaled steroids to treat people whose COPD symptoms flare up or worsen. These medicines help reduce airway inflammation. Your doctor may ask you to try inhaled steroids for a trial period of 6 weeks to 3 months to see whether the medicine helps relieve your breathing problems. The goals of COPD treatment include: - relieving your symptoms - slowing the progress of the disease - improving your exercise tolerance (your ability to stay active) - preventing and treating complications - improving your overall health Most cases of COPD occur as a result of long-term exposure to lung irritants that damage the lungs and the airways. In the United States, the most common irritant that causes COPD is cigarette smoke. Pipe, cigar, and other types of tobacco smoke also can cause COPD, especially if the smoke is inhaled. Breathing in secondhand smoke, air pollution, and chemical fumes or dust from the environment or workplace also can contribute to COPD. (Secondhand smoke is smoke in the air from other people smoking.) In rare cases, a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency may play a role in causing COPD. People who have this condition have low levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT)—a protein made in the liver. Having a low level of the AAT protein can lead to lung damage and COPD if you're exposed to smoke or other lung irritants. If you have this condition and smoke, COPD can worsen very quickly. It is always important to speak with your Doctor about COPD. Your Doctor will be able to discuss your treatment options and make recommendations on ways to deal with COPD. To assist with your treatment, your family doctor may advise you to see a pulmonologist. This is a doctor who specializes in treating people who have lung disorders. The main risk factor for COPD is smoking. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to smoke. People who have a family history of COPD are more likely to develop the disease if they smoke. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants also is a risk factor for COPD. Examples of other lung irritants include secondhand smoke, air pollution, and chemical fumes and dust from the environment or workplace. (Secondhand smoke is smoke in the air from other people smoking.) Most people who have COPD are at least 40 years old when symptoms begin. Although uncommon, people younger than 40 can have COPD. For example, this may happen if a person has alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic condition. COPD has no cure yet. However, you can take steps to manage your symptoms and slow the progress of the disease. You can: Avoid Lung Irritants If you smoke, quit. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit. Many hospitals have programs that help people quit smoking, or hospital staff can refer you to a program. Try to avoid other lung irritants that can contribute to COPD. Examples include secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, and dust. (Secondhand smoke is smoke in the air from other people smoking.) Keep these irritants out of your home. If your home is painted or sprayed for insects, have it done when you can stay away for a while. Keep your windows closed and stay at home (if possible) when there's a lot of air pollution or dust outside. Get Ongoing Care If you have COPD, it's important to get ongoing medical care. Take all of your medicines as your doctor prescribes. Make sure to refill your prescriptions before they run out. Bring all of the medicines you're taking when you have medical checkups. Talk with your doctor about whether and when you should get flu (influenza) and pneumonia vaccines. Also, ask him or her about other diseases for which COPD may increase your risk, such as heart disease, lung cancer, and pneumonia. Manage COPD and Its Symptoms You can do things to help manage your disease and its symptoms. Depending on how severe your disease is, you may want to ask your family and friends for help with daily tasks. Do activities slowly. Put items that you need often in one place that's easy to reach. Find very simple ways to cook, clean, and do other chores. Some people find it helpful to use a small table or cart with wheels to move things around and a pole or tongs with long handles to reach things. Ask for help moving things around in your house so that you won't need to climb stairs as often. Keep your clothes loose, and wear clothes and shoes that are easy to put on and take off. Prepare for Emergencies If you have COPD, knowing when and where to seek help for your symptoms is important. You should seek emergency care if you have severe symptoms, such as trouble catching your breath or talking. Call your doctor if you notice that your symptoms are worsening or if you have signs of an infection, such as a fever. Your doctor may change or adjust your treatments to relieve and treat symptoms. Keep phone numbers handy for your doctor, hospital, and someone who can take you for medical care. You also should have on hand directions to the doctor's office and hospital and a list of all the medicines you're taking. Emotional Issues and Support Living with COPD may cause fear, anxiety, depression, and stress. It's important to talk about how you feel with your health care team. Talking to a professional counselor also can help. If you're feeling very depressed, your doctor may recommend medicines or other treatments that can improve your quality of life. Joining a patient support group may help you adjust to living with COPD. You can see how other people who have the same symptoms have coped with them. Talk with your doctor about local support groups or check with an area medical center. Support from family and friends also can help relieve stress and anxiety. Let your loved ones know how you feel and what they can do to help you.
Plates from Guillaume-Benjamin Duchenne’s ‘Mécanisme de la Physionomie Humaine’, published by Jules Renouard, Paris, in 1862. By applying electrodes to male and female volunteers, Duchenne was able to activate individual muscles in the face. He saw the human face as a map, the features of which could be codified into universal taxonomies of inner states, with each muscle representing a ‘movement of the soul’. He listed 53 emotions that could be classified in terms of muscular action. \|Housed at: Flickr: The Commons \| From: National Media Museum\| \|Underlying Work: PD Worldwide \| Digital Copy: No Additional Rights\| \|Download: Right click on image or see source for higher res versions.\|
Journey with Klee “Like people, a picture has a skeleton, muscles and skin.” Paul Klee (1879 – 1940) With his highly individualistic style, the German-Swiss artist inspired 20th century modernism without falling into a specific art movement. Being influenced by Expressionism, Abstraction, Futurism and others, Klee drew around 9,000 works of different media, often combined in the same piece of work. Klee admired caricatures and the child-like aspect of drawings, bringing him at one point closer to Surrealism. He was also part of “The Blue Rider,” where he experimented with abstract art and carried it into the curriculum of Bauhaus, the school he later taught at.
Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5070 The U.S. Geological Survey collects ground-water data and conducts studies to monitor hydrologic conditions, better define ground-water resources, and address problems related to water supply, water use, and water quality. Water levels were monitored continuously, in Georgia, in a network of 184 wells during 2006 and 182 wells during 2007. Because of missing data or the short period of record (less than 3 years) for several of these wells, a total of 166 wells from the network are discussed in this report. These wells include 18 in the surficial aquifer system, 21 in the Brunswick aquifer system and equivalent sediments, 67 in the Upper Floridan aquifer, 15 in the Lower Floridan aquifer and underlying units, 10 in the Claiborne aquifer, 1 in the Gordon aquifer, 11 in the Clayton aquifer, 12 in the Cretaceous aquifer system, 2 in Paleozoic-rock aquifers, and 9 in crystalline-rock aquifers. Data from the network indicate that water levels generally declined from 2005 levels, with water levels in 99 wells below normal, 52 wells in the normal range, 12 wells above normal, and 3 wells with insufficient data for comparison of 5-year trends and period of record statistics. In addition to continuous water-level data, periodic synoptic water-level measurements were collected and used to construct potentiometric-surface maps for the Upper Floridan aquifer in Camden, Charlton, and Ware Counties, Georgia, and adjacent counties in Florida during September 2006 and 2007, in the Brunswick area during July 2006 and August 2007, and in the City of Albany–Dougherty County area during October 2006 and October 2007. In general, the configuration of the potentiometric surfaces showed little change during 2006–2007 in each of the areas. Ground-water quality in the Upper Floridan aquifer is monitored in the Albany, Savannah, and Brunswick areas and in Camden County; and water quality in the Lower Floridan aquifer is monitored in the Savannah and Brunswick areas and in Camden County. In the Albany area, nitrate concentrations generally have increased since the end of the drought during 2002. During 2006, water from two wells had nitrate as N concentrations above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) 10-milligram-per-liter (mg/L) drinking-water standard. During 2007, only one well had concentrations above the drinking-water standard. In the Savannah area, measurement of fluid conductivity and chloride concentration in water samples from discrete depths in three wells completed in the Upper Floridan aquifer and one well in the Lower Floridan aquifer were used to assess changes in water quality in the Savannah area. At Tybee Island, chloride concentrations in samples from the Lower Floridan aquifer decreased during 2006–2007 but were still above the 250-mg/L USEPA drinking-water standard. At Skidaway Island, water in the Upper Floridan aquifer is fresh, and chloride concentrations did not appreciably change during 2006–2007. However, chloride concentrations in samples collected from the Lower Floridan aquifer during 2006–2007 showed disparate changes; whereby, chloride concentration increased in the shallowest sampled interval (900 feet) and decreased slightly in a deeper sampled interval (1,070 feet). At Fort Pulaski, water samples collected from the Upper Floridan aquifer were fresh and did not appreciably change during 2006–2007. In the Brunswick area, maps showing the chloride concentration of water in the Upper Floridan aquifer were constructed by using data collected from 29 wells during July 2006 and from 26 wells during August 2007. Analyses indicate that concentrations remained above the USEPA drinking-water standard in an approximate 2-square-mile area. During 2006–2007, chloride concentrations increased in only three of the wells sampled and ranged from 4.0 to 20 mg/L chloride. In the Camden County area, chloride concentration during 2006–2007 was analyzed in water samples collected from eight wells, six completed in the Upper Floridan aquifer and two in the Lower Floridan aquifer. In most of the wells sampled during this period, chloride concentrations did not appreciably change; however, since the closure of the Durango Paper Mill in October 2002, chloride concentrations in the Upper Floridan aquifer near the mill decreased from a high of 184 mg/L in May 2002 to 42 mg/L in September 2007. Ground-water studies during 2006–2007 include First posted April 27, 2009 Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge. Peck, M.F., Painter, J.A.,, and Leeth, D.C., 2009, Ground-water conditions and studies in Georgia, 2006–2007: U.S. Geological Surrvey Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5070, 86 p. Purpose and Scope Methods of Analysis, Sources of Data, and Data Accuracy Georgia Well-Naming System Cooperating Organizations and Agencies Permitted Water-Use Data for Georgia during 2007 and Ground-Water-Use Trends for 2003 – 2007 Surficial Aquifer System Brunswick Aquifer System Upper Floridan Aquifer City of Albany–Dougherty County Area Northern Coastal Area Central Coastal Area City of Brunswick Area Southern Coastal Area Lower Floridan Aquifer and Underlying Units in Coastal Georgia Claiborne and Gordon Aquifers Cretaceous Aquifer System Ground-Water Quality in the Upper and Lower Floridan Aquifers City of Albany Area City of Savannah Area City of Brunswick Area Camden County Area Selected Ground-Water Studies in Georgia, 2006–2007 Ground-Water Monitoring Program for the Augusta–Richmond County Area Geohydrology of Fractured Crystalline Rock of Northern Georgia City of Albany Cooperative Water Program City of Brunswick and Glynn County Cooperative Water Program Georgia Coastal Sound Science Initiative Hydrogeology and Impact of Pumping on Shallow Water-Bearing Zones and the Upper Floridan Aquifer, South-Central Georgia Geohydrology and Effects of Climate and Pumpage Change on Water Resources of the Aucilla–Suwannee–Ochlockonee River Basin, South-Central Georgia and Adjacent Areas of Florida Ground-Water Information and Project Support Simulation and Particle-Tracking Analysis of Selected Ground-Water Pumping Scenarios at Vogtle Electric Generation Plant, Burke County, Georgia Monitoring of Ground-Water and Surface-Water Resources in the City of Lawrenceville Area U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Air Force Plant 6 Remediation Assistance Program Selected Ground-Water Publications, Conferences, and Outreach, 2006–2007 Georgia Water-Resources Conference for 2007 Other Conferences and Outreach Events Selected U.S. Geological Survey Reports and Conference Proceedings Articles U.S. Geological Survey Reports 2007 Georgia Water Resources Conference Proceedings Papers
Published at Monday, 22 July 2019. Coloring. By Pierretta Olivier. Every kid loves to draw, paint and color artwork. Coloring pages are a lot of fun for kids because they have familiar characters or subjects on them that they relate to. Adding color and bringing the black and white page to life with colors is very special to kids. This article will discuss 3 reasons why a dinosaur coloring page is loved by so many children. There are so many different pictures available that you may have better success using specific terms like "Jesus healing the blind man coloring page" or "Tower of Babel coloring page," as examples. This is a great idea if you`re looking for a coloring page to compliment your evening devotions or a Sunday School lesson at church. In those situations, you can let your children color in a picture that represents the Bible story you are teaching them. After they are done coloring, they can tape their picture in their bedroom, which will help them remember that particular Bible story. Besides the general biblical theme coloring sheets the other types of coloring sheets that can also be considered biblical coloring pages are - Angel Color Pages, Christmas Color Pages, and New Testament Color Pages. Any content, trademark’s, or other material that might be found on the Murielbowser website that is not Murielbowser’s property remains the copyright of its respective owner/s. In no way does Murielbowser claim ownership or responsibility for such items, and you should seek legal consent for any use of such materials from its owner. Copyright © 2019 Murielbowser. All Rights Reserved.
With metal prices hitting all time highs around the world, the urban mining business is booming. The metals recovered from the process are reused in new electronic devices and the gold and other precious metals are melted into ingots that can be used to create jewelry or used to create new electronic devices. Gold is common in many electronic devices and components for its ability to better transfer electricity than copper. Tadahiko Sekigawa, president of Eco-System Recycling Co. told Reuters, “It can be precious or minor metals, we want to recycle whatever we can.” It might not seem like there would be enough gold or other precious metals inside obsolete electronics to warrant the effort of recycling. On the contrary, used electronic devices are often a much better source of gold than actually having a small gold mine. According to Reuters a ton of ore form a gold mine produces only 5 grams of gold on average. A ton of used cell phones can yield 150 grams of gold or more. In addition to the gold the same volume of discarded phones can have 220 pounds of copper and 6.6 pounds of silver as well as other metals. The price of gold alone hit an all time high in March 2008 of $1,030.80 per ounce. One Eco-Systems recycling plant in Honjo, Japan produces around 440 to 660 pounds of gold bars per month with 99.99% purity. This amount of gold has a worth of about $5.9 to $8.8 million on today’s market. That's literally the same output as a small gold mine. When the amount of money that can be made from recycling old electronic components for their base metals is taken into consideration it is easy to understand why Clover Technologies Group, the winner of the contract with the USPS for its mail-in recycling project, was willing to foot the bill for shipping. The amount of money also makes the fact that America ships tons of used electronics overseas each year look like American’s are doing someone a favor.
Skin parasites attack people by burrowing into the skin, where they'll live and/or lay eggs. Skin parasites can frustrate people, because they cause itch and cause soreness, inflammation and redness. Sometimes skin parasites carry disease, causing people to become ill. Often, people don't realise their itch is caused by a skin parasite, but this doesn't have to be the case. To recognise their presence, people should educate themselves on the telltale signs of skin parasites. Ticks are parasites that suck blood from their victims. Often, humans are bitten and don't realise it. When that happens, an infection is likely. With an infection, a fever may develop and diseases may also present themselves. If people spend time outside in the countryside or in the woods, it's recommended that they have someone inspect their clothes and hair for ticks. When a tick attaches itself to the skin, it won't let go. To properly remove a tick, you must grab hold of its head and legs under the victim's skin. Once you remove the tick, be sure to wash the area well with soap and water. Scabies are also called itch mites. Just as the name suggests, they cause extreme itching. Female scabies will burrow into the top layer of skin to lay eggs. When this happens, the skin will have a raised line with a pimple-like bump at one end. People often don't realise they have been infested with scabies and will scratch their skin a lot in frustration. To remove scabie there are topical creams to apply to the area, such as Tea Tree Oil. It may take several applications to get rid of scabies. Ringworm is also called Tinea. Ringworm is a fungi (not worms) that can attack someone's head, inner thighs, feet and nails. The term "ring" in ringworm comes from its appearance. When someone has ringworm, he will notice a red ring on his skin. This red ring is very contagious. It can spread by direct contact, cloth and combs. There are two ways to remove these parasites. The first is tea tree oil diluted with water. Apply this to the affected area several times during the day for several weeks. The second is mixing bleach and water and applying it to the affected area several times a day for several weeks. Fleas, despite preferring to infest animals like dogs, do feed on humans as well. Pet owners often fall victim to fleas. Fleas can jump from one area to another easily. In fact, these tiny insects can leap long distances. When a flea lands on a person, it stings, causing an itch. If the itch becomes irritated, as it often does, an infection is likely to develop. Fleas carry diseases that can threaten the health of a person. According to allaboutparasites.com, fleas can carry diseases such as plague and typhus. There are different kinds of lice that attack human skin. Head lice are the most common, and kids often fall victim to them. Another type of lice attacking humans is body lice. Body lice are less common. Body lice can be found on clothes and homeless people. Another type of lice found on people is crab lice. Crab lice are also called pubic lice. They can be found in the pubic area, the armpit and even beards and moustaches. Often times, crab lice are passed during sexual contact.
One of the most difficult aspects in the modern education system is balancing the needs of individual students with the needs of the whole school. Every student, whatever their needs, is entitled to an education. In many cases, children’s problems are due to poor parenting and it seems unfair to give a child less opportunity through no fault of their own. However, does there come a point when the amount of time, resources and stress expended on an individual child have such an adverse effect on the rest of the class, year group or school that it becomes unreasonable to continue to support them? It’s almost like we have to do a sort of human cost-benefit analysis – weighing up the cost to the rest of the school against the benefit to the individual child. One of my basic tenets as a teacher is never, ever to give up on a child. Most schools have a good track record at dealing with students with complex needs, including challenging behaviour. We must continue to develop this, and ensure as far as possible, that we give every child every chance to succeed. There will be times when the cost outweighs the benefits and we have to find an alternative, but that has to remain as a last resort.Follow me on:
Environmental Toxin "Acrolein" May Help Cause Multiple Sclerosis November 24, 2010 2:00 PM comment(s) - last by (Source: Purdue University graphic/Michel Schweinsberg) Researchers use hydralazine to counter it have discovered that an may aid in the cause of multiple sclerosis. The study's lead researcher is Riyi Shi, a medical doctor and professor of neuroscience and biomedical engineering in Purdue University's Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Paralysis Research and Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. Shi and his team of researchers have found that a certain environmental toxin could be held partially responsible for causing multiple sclerosis (MS). The toxin, acrolein, is found in like auto exhaust and tobacco . It is also created inside the body when nerve cells are damaged. Nerve cells are insulated with myelin, and when a person has MS, the myelin is dismantled and the nerve fibers are damaged. Researchers believe acrolein is responsible for the dismantling of the myelin as well as inducing the creation of free radicals, which are compounds that cause further injury to tissues that are already damaged due to trauma or disease. "Only recently have researchers started to understand the details about what acrolein does to the human body," said Shi. "We are studying its effects on the central nervous system, both in trauma and degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis." To see if the researchers were correct about acrolein's effects, Shi and his team of researchers used a disease much like MS to elevate the acrolein in the spinal cord tissues of mice by nearly 60 percent. To neutralize acrolein and temporarily halt the onset of MS, Shi used the drug hydralazine, which is an FDA-approved medication normally used to treat hypertension. Previous studies conducted by Shi and his team have shown that hydralazine prevents acrolein from causing For this particular study, researchers concluded that a connection existed between acrolein and MS because the elevated acrolein levels within the mice were reduced by 50 percent when given hydralazine. According to Shi, this study is the first concrete laboratory evidence showing a link between acrolein and MS. "The treatment did not cause any serious side effects in the mice," said Shi. "The dosage we used for hydralazine in animals is several times lower than the standard dosing for oral hydralazine in human pediatric patients. Therefore, considering the effectiveness of hydralazine at binding acrolein at such low concentrations, we expect that our study will lead to the development of new neuroprotective therapies for MS that could be rapidly translated into the clinic." In addition, the researchers have also discovered the specific chemical signature of hydralazine, which could lead to synthetic alternatives with less side effects. The abstract can be found This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled 11/25/2010 4:21:20 PM The 90% ballpark (it might actually have been 95%) is from the results of recent studies done by Dr. Zamboni and/or colleagues in Europe, on hundreds of MS patients (probably from all over the world). I haven't checked out the work myself, I heard it second hand from my mom, who keeps up to date on this topic. It's a simple test nowadays: if a person has MS, give them an MRV scan, and any venal constrictions show up clear as day. So that's what these doctors are doing, and the 90% ballpark is what they are finding. It's that simple. The difficult part is that you actually have to do the damn test to find the problem. Big Pharma wants a magic pill to sell, and they do not want anything else to come along (they do have a lot of money invested after all). The upper echelons of neurological research have huge reputations and budgets tied up in this "auto immune disorder" dogma; they could find their jobs quite suddenly obsolete if it's a dead end. And MS societies, well, they only stay in business so long as MS remains an incurable mystery disease; who would donate to "find a cure" for a mundane problem that's now solved. All together, that's all the big players with all the big voices (ie it's all the moneyed parties, and not the public at large). Those parties exert a lot of pull on the medical establishment, and/or they are the medical establishment. They out and out call the shots on what medical policy is, and they proclaim what the accepted truth is, concerning MS. And thus, much of the medical community is unwilling to even do the MRV testing, and the whole topic gets subjected to FUD smear campaigns, calling for never ending research and studies and "proper" approvals. It's just too radical (ie threatening) for them, that someone might have discovered a real cure in a place they weren't looking, so they refuse to look. Seriously, they are talking about doing double blind studies, only pretending to operate on half the MS patients, just to prove that it's not all imaginary placebo or something. I bet that bright idea never came up once for broken bones, clogged arteries, strokes or aneurysms, or malfunctioning heart valves. I detect some seriously evil heel dragging (people are still dying from "MS"). CCSVI is a bloody mechanical plumbing issue, and we have the tools at hand. If you actually scan people, as more and more doctors and clinics are doing world wide, you might just get a 90%+ hit rate like they are. That's what you get when you finally figure out how to look in the right place; you find the true cause of the problem. Here in Canada, if you go to a doctor, and complain about just one of your "MS" symptoms on its own, you can get an MRV fairly easily (true example: progressing numbness in feet). And when it shows up that you have serious venal constrictions, they can treat you for that, not a big deal. But if you have ever been diagnosed with "MS", even though you have symptoms that would each justify the same test on their own , they will deny you the testing because "you have MS", and "this hasn't been proven", and "this needs more research" (oh the irony of that last one). And of course we all know that "MS is an incurable autoimmune disorder..." ...don't we? My mom knows a guy who just came down with MS over the last few years. He managed to get tested and treated for CCSVI before it got really bad, because his family doctor was willing to stay quiet on his behalf about the MS diagnosis, and snuck him through the system for an MRV test, based on the numb feet symptom alone. He was one of the lucky few MS patients to have an open minded doctor that does his homework, and who was brave enough to sneakily arrange for the testing. Of course when the MRV scan results were in, there was no possible doubt that there was a serious problem, so getting treatment was a given. The skeptical specialists (radiologists and cardiovascular surgeons) who would not have granted the testing up front (because of the MS), had their eyes opened wide, and will hopefully be more receptive in the future. Thankfully the truth of CCSVI is easy enough to demonstrate, and many clinics are just going ahead with it, on the basis that it's all completely normal testing and surgery, just applied to a newly recognized issue. And they because it works . The clinic that treated my mom is compiling results, and they will eventually publish. Many others are doing the same. The numbers will come out. But especially now at the beginning of this new treatment, many of the people involved are too busy helping people (how doctors make money) to focus on the research aspect, so it will take a while. As for the lesions, the most involved researchers are thinking it's iron buildup caused by excess blood pressure in the brain. If you want details, I'm sure Google is your friend. Of course the resulting lesions are permanent or long term brain damage. If you cure the CCSVI, then you stop them from forming, so the sooner the treatment, the less permanent damage. If you stop the progression, you have cured the disease. We might also cure diabetes soon, but don't expect those who have been blinded by it to get their eyesight back, just because they no longer need insulin shots. Likewise, don't expect someone who's been 10 years in a wheelchair to suddenly jump up and tango, and cheer loudly if they ever stand again. And cheer again that they won't progress to lose the ability to eat or breath, and die. "There's no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance." -- Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer New Virtual Reality Systems Assess Effects of Brain Injury/Disease on Body Function November 15, 2010, 5:58 PM Motor Neurone Disease Biomarker Discovered November 5, 2010, 12:03 PM Eastern China Has Poorest Air Quality in the World September 28, 2010, 2:03 PM New Study: Smoking and Second Hand Smoke Cause Brain Damage June 25, 2009, 4:35 PM Creationists are Mad About Google Doodle Depicting Evolution November 24, 2015, 8:48 PM DHS and TSA: Whoops, We Missed That 73 Airport Employees May be Terrorists November 19, 2015, 2:16 PM Star Wars Spinoff Film "Rogue One", Theme Park Attractions Announced August 17, 2015, 12:20 PM SpaceX Falcon 9's Seventh Supply Mission to ISS Ends w/ Fiery Stage 1 Explosion June 28, 2015, 1:10 PM Cool Science Video: Glowing Millipede Prowls the Nevada Desert May 18, 2015, 12:00 PM Newly Discovered Costa Rican Glass Frog is Kermit's Doppelgänger April 22, 2015, 11:26 AM Latest Blog Posts Sceptre Airs 27", 120 Hz. 1080p Monitor/HDTV w/ 5 ms Response Time for $220 Dec 3, 2014, 10:32 PM Costco Gives Employees Thanksgiving Off; Wal-Mart Leads "Black Thursday" Charge Oct 29, 2014, 9:57 PM "Bear Selfies" Fad Could Turn Deadly, Warn Nevada Wildlife Officials Oct 28, 2014, 12:00 PM The Surface Mini That Was Never Released Gets "Hands On" Treatment Sep 26, 2014, 8:22 AM ISIS Imposes Ban on Teaching Evolution in Iraq Sep 17, 2014, 5:22 PM More Blog Posts Copyright 2016 DailyTech LLC. - Terms, Conditions & Privacy Information
The left lane is for passing. It’s a relatively simple idea that can help traffic move more quickly and safely. Proper lane discipline is not just about etiquette, though there is a component of that. Drivers who clog up the left lane cause congestion and congestion causes accidents. New Jersey is one of many states that have passed legislation increasing the penalties for holding up other motorists by cruising in the left lane. Thousands of New Jersey drivers received traffic citations for left lane violations last year. In addition to a potential fine of hundreds of dollars, the violations can cost you two points on your license. Despite the enforcement, anyone who has driven on a New Jersey highway recently has likely seen multiple drivers occupying the left lane while not in the act of passing another vehicle. Research has demonstrated that driving slower than surrounding traffic increases the chance of an accident. In fact, driving 5 mph slower than the traffic around you is more likely to cause an accident than driving 5 mph faster than other drivers. It only takes a small number of slower drivers to cause a traffic jam when lane discipline is not followed. Driving too fast for road conditions is unsafe. But it is not the job of motorists to govern the speed of others. Speeders should face citations and discipline from New Jersey police. Likewise, people endangering others by using the left lane improperly should also be punished. Safety is the overriding concern and lane discipline is a key element of safe driving. Source: WQAD 8, “States take aim at slow drivers in the left lane,” by Katrina Lamansky, 11 June 2015
THERE is as yet great confusion in our knowledge if the different races of ancient America. For, admitting that the Sioux language, or any North American Indian language, presents traces of Asiatic derivation, this would simply prove that the Sioux came from Asia. But it would not explain the origin of the Aztec race, nor would it cast the least light on the nature of the Mound-Builders, or tell us who or what the people were whom Hoei-shin found, possibly in Mexico. With regard to these early races, some observations by an American writer may not be deemed out of place: 1-- "Centuries before the Red Indian appeared on the Northern Continent, a race (perhaps of a kindred stock) of higher civilisation dwelt on the western prairies. The 'Mound-Builders,' as they are appropriately called, left their remarkable lines of earth-works from the Lower Mississippi to the Ohio. These structures, on which successive forests of various growths have flourished and died, still survive, and surprise the stranger by their intricacy, skill, and the evidences of vast labour which they display. [paragraph continues] Some are temples, some burial-places, some are fortifications, some are gardens, some are representations on a gigantic scale of the forms of animals and birds, for what purpose it is difficult to explain. Among these structures are mounds in the form of truncated pyramids, which seem to be the first suggestions of the pyramidal and terraced structures in Central America and Mexico, which, perhaps; formed the highest material works of this mysterious race. They must have conducted an inland commerce over a vast territory, and obtained or purchased mica from the North Carolina mountains, copper from Lake Superior, obsidian from Mexico, specular iron from Missouri, and salt from Michigan--articles which the Red Indians never possessed, except by accident. They understood a rude agriculture, and the arts of weaving and of moulding pottery and figures of animals. They even at times melted copper, and used it in instruments, though they never seem to have done this with iron. The forms of their skulls, and the evidences from their arts, show a milder and more cultivated race than any the whites have ever known north of Central America. Who they were, whence they came, of what blood or stock, is hidden in the mists of a far antiquity. They spread their busy life, and left their traces over the whole Central West, perhaps existing there as long as the Anglo-Saxon race has existed, and then they perished--their only history being written on the ground, a record obliterated by the growth of forests for uncounted centuries, but now partly deciphered by a people of whom they never dreamt. Before even the Mound-Builders, lived a lower and more primeval race, the companions, in all probability, of the fossil animals, a race whose skulls are just being discovered near Chicago, and whose contemporaries have left their stone implements beneath the volcanic deposits of the Sierras. This prehistoric and primeval man belonged to tribes as low and degraded as the present Australians; indeed, of a type more nearly approaching the simian than any hitherto discovered (with the single exception of that of the 'Neanderthal' skull.)" The extinction of such a vast and widely-spread race as was that of the Mound-Builders, in all probability by the fierce and powerful Red Indian, indicates an immense extent of time. For as by no possibility could any mere migrations from Asia have sufficed to sweep them away, it follows that their exterminators must have long been growing in numbers before they could effectually put an end to them. The writer from whom I have quoted remarks, probably with truth, that the Mound-Builders were a milder and gentler race than their successors, and far more intellectual, as is shown by their skulls. The thoroughness with which this numerous and widely-spread people were exterminated, and the fact that no tradition of them has ever been found among the Red Indians, indicate a very remote age as the period of their disappearance. And yet it is quite certain that if, as Hoei-shin asserts, the mild and highly-refined religion of Buddha ever took root among early Americans, it must have been with such people as the Mound-Builders who practised some vast and dreamy Nature-worship, which would render them peculiarly susceptible to the teachings of the monks. For that they did practise some such religion would appear from this, that since works like theirs were in every other part of the world invariably erected under the influence of belief, it is very unlikely that they formed structures many miles in length, employing probably the labour of millions, for mere amusement. It must have been either among such a race, or by highly-civilised Aztecs, that the monks were welcomed. But it is most unlikely that Buddhism ever made any mark upon the Aztec monarchy itself, or upon the fierce Tolteks. Had it done so, we should find its traces to this day. There is a wonderful leaven in Buddhism; it penetrates deeply wherever it goes; it changes strong and energetic faiths; it even blended intimately with the vigorous Greek element in Northern India. Meanwhile antiquarians are constantly collecting new facts, which indicate a mysterious knowledge by the Mexicans of many phenomena of the so-called Old World. Even while writing, I learn that Senor José Ostiz de Tapia has now in New York a museum of Mexican antiquities, which is said to be by far the most important ever yet made. This gentleman, who has been for many years investigating the archæology of Central America, has collected many thousand objects. One of these is a remarkable stone image, said, according to Indian tradition, to be that of Cucumaz, the God of the Air. "It is cut from a block of chocolate-coloured porphyry, is about two feet high, and about eighteen inches in diameter. The shape is that of a feathered serpent in a solid coil, from whose widely-distended mouth the head of a woman emerges, her arms and legs appearing between the coils. This is supposed to represent the creation of woman. The type of her face bears no likeness to that of any race which ever lived in Mexico, but much resembles the sculptured faces found in Egyptian ruins. Another singular curiosity, that also appears to connect the New with the Old World in prehistoric times, is an image cut from a black stone in the likeness of a negro. Not only are the features of the true Ethiopian type, but the shape of the head and the conformation of the figure. Both these small statues are admirably carved and finished, although their worshippers were certainly ignorant of the use of iron." So were the ancient Egyptians; but, like the Mexicans, they had copper, which the latter, as it has been proved, brought from Lake Superior; and the Egyptians made bronze as hard as iron, an art but recently rediscovered. Yet all such testimony requires thoroughly scientific treatment. The day has gone by when loose hearsay evidence and wild conjecture passed current for very fair archeology or ethnology. The man who cannot absolutely prove a fact beyond all suspicion of forgery, exaggeration, and chance coincidence, must be satisfied to offer his conjectures very modestly, and merely with the hope that they will attract the attention of others who may deem the hint thus given of sufficient importance to develop by further investigation. Discoveries like those of the Spanish archaeologist may be multiplied ad infinitum. But they prove nothing beyond an antecedent probability. And as I have kept this strictly in mind through every sentence of this work, having specially selected the illustration by Mr Roehrig on the affinities of the languages in preference to others, ou account of its cautious spirit, I trust that I may not be accused of positively believing that the "discovery" of America by Buddhist monks is an established fact. It is, however, more than merely probable that we shall yet make very important discoveries as to the Mound-Builders of America. An immense stock of their remains are still buried, and, in the present rudimentary state of the archaeology of prehistoric man, little has been done--very little--with the material which has been gathered. The following brief notice from the Saturday Review of a recent work ou the subject, sums up in reality nearly all that is known of the mysterious race which once covered such an immense extent of American soil with works strikingly like those of the Old World: "No one," says the reviewer, "will long remain in uncertainty whether the Mound-Builders were or were not the ancestors of the tribes who succeeded them in their possession. The author of 'Prehistoric Races' 1 is in no such perplexity; nor do we think that any one who compares the two will long remain in uncertainty. The vast size of the mound-works, their enormous number, and their elaborate formation, imply conditions wholly unlike those described in the volume already noticed. They imply not a thin population of free hunters and warriors, obtaining a fairly comfortable but uncertain sustenance by the chase and fishing and a scanty agriculture, but a vast nation, well fed by the labour of a portion only of its available numbers, and therefore able to spend immense toil on such constructions; governed, probably, by powerful princes able to dispose of the exertions of their people at their pleasure; and, if Dr Foster is right, an extensive empire under a single rule, able to rely on the frontier defences for the security of the interior. We have lately noticed other works on this subject, and it will therefore suffice to state in this place that Dr Foster's book is one of the best and clearest accounts we have seen of those grand monuments of a forgotten race, and to note its peculiar merits. The most important of these is the distinct judgment expressed on the purpose of these works. They may be divided into three classes: the animal mounds, or imitations of animal forms, in rude but gigantic earthworks, chiefly to be found in Wisconsin, to which it is difficult to assign any object, except one of religion or commemoration; those which, square or round in shape, appear to have been intended as the foundations of temple observatories for the worship of the heavenly bodies, or of dwellings (often crowded together in such numbers that we can hardly assign any but the latter purpose), and yet not entrenched; and those works which are distinctly entrenchments, often containing mounds of the second class. It is possible, we suppose, that the mounds of the second class may have been separately stockaded, and in that case they would have been easily defensible; but where several are found near together with no entrenchments connecting them, it is difficult to think that defence was their primary purpose. On the other hand, the earthworks which enclose great spaces of land generally appear, by their form and location, to have been fortifications; and Dr Foster observes that they rarely appear in the centre of the region occupied by these monuments, but rather on its northern border, where the empire would be chiefly exposed to the incursions of warlike enemies. To the question, what has become of the builders, the author replies by citing traditions of the earlier and more civilised possessors of Mexico, which indicate that they once occupied a much more northerly settlement, and were driven thence by conquering enemies. The absence of any relics of stone buildings on the mounds, compared with the grand stone ruins of Mexico, forms an obstacle to the identification of the earlier Mexicans with the Mound-Builders; but it is barely possible that a people who built entirely with wood in an alluvial country might learn to erect vast buildings of stone in one of a different character. And a long period may have elapsed between the ejection of the Mound-Builders and the Aztec conquest of Mexico--a period sufficient to account for great changes in the habits of the emigrant race. For we know, at least, that two successive forest growths have covered many of the mounds since they were abandoned, each of which must have occupied centuries, and may have occupied almost any length of time. The Indians appear to have had no tradition of the Mound-Builders, no story of their conquest, no legend even to account for the existence of the mounds. 'Our fathers found them here when they came' is surely not the sole reminiscence of a great war, and of the conquest of a civilised people and a fortified empire, that would linger among the children of the conquerors. Such an answer seems to imply either the interposition of a second race and a second extermination, or an enormous lapse of time, sufficient to extinguish the very memory of such a history as always lingers longest in the minds of a warlike race--a history, too, of which the monuments were always under their eyes." Assuming these deductions as representing the state of our knowledge of the Mound-Builders, it would seem more probable that they preceded the present inhabitants in Western America by hundreds, or even thousands, of years, than that they were known to the Buddhist priests whom we suppose may have visited their land. It is possible--though it is as yet anything but capable of demonstration--that the civilised races of old New Mexico, as we still see them represented in the Pueblos, were descended from the Mound-Builders, and that their ancestors were exterminated or driven to the south by a rude, fierce, semi-Mongol race, which, derived from Asia, gradually changed its characteristics with climate and intermixture, until it became the present Red Indian. For it is very certain that thousands of American Indians, particularly those of short stature, or of the dwarfish tribes, bear a most extraordinary likeness to Mongols. A closer study of the Indians remaining in New Mexico would throw light on this question. Meanwhile, it may be temporarily assumed that, as nearly every point in Hoei-shin's narrative seems to agree more or less with something known of the Mexican, Peruvian, or New Mexican history or legends, it was not with the old Mound-Builders that the monks came in contact. 110:1 New York Times. 115:1 Prehistoric Races of the United States of America, by Y. W. Foster, LL.D., author of the "Physical Geography of the Mississippi Valley," &c. Chicago: Griggs & Co.; London: Trübuer & Cu., 1873.--Saturday Review, Aug. 30, 1874.
I’ve teamed up with GE Appliances and BlogHer to bring you this post. The history of the kitchen is a fascinating one. I’ve never seen one, but I would love to watch a documentary on the subject from a sociological perspective. Kitchens tell us so much about the prevailing culture and are a reflection of its values and philosophies. And so it’s no wonder that as people and cultures have changed, so have their kitchens. The American kitchen is no exception. In my article, The American Kitchen: The World’s Melting Pot, I discussed some of the things that make the American kitchen unique and the prominent role that it plays in our lives in both the physical and social structure of the home. But that wasn’t always the case. As the needs of American families have changed, and with the emergence of technological advances, the American kitchen has undergone many transformations since its earliest days. Let’s take a brief walk through the years and see just a few of the changes that have taken place through the past several decades. We’ll start with the 20th century. Photo courtesy Dennis Jarvis, Creative Commons. The following pics, unless otherwise noted, are all courtesy www.cdxnd.com The early American kitchen was far from the “social space” it is now. The kitchen also served as the utilitarian work room and often contained the sewing machine and laundry. It was usually a dark and dreary room located out of sight at the back of the home where the mother would spend her whole day working. Though not a social gathering place, since it held the wood stove it was the place people huddled to keep warm in the winter. Refrigerators were unheard of, instead ice boxes were used to keep food cool. Most homes by this point had cooking stoves, specifically hearths that required constant monitoring throughout the day, adjusting the stoves, adding fuel, adjusting dampers, hauling in more water to keep the hot water tank full. Kitchens still doubled as the utility/workroom but by now had the addition of a very heavy cast-iron stove, a sink, and an icebox. And speaking of double duty, these stoves commonly performed triple duty: They were were used to cook, to heat water for baths and washing, and were used as the home’s furnace to provide the heat. It was also during this decade that some luxury electric appliances were introduced (though few homes had them) to make work easier: Very basic ranges, refrigerators and waffle irons. People began to look past the kitchen as a mere workroom and started incorporating a little “style.” Lighter colors were used to brighten the kitchen, linoleum was used on the floors along with colorful rugs, and people began painting their cabinets different colors. Sanitation was a major emphasis of the 20’s and many of the newspaper and magazine ads focused on food safety and kitchen hygiene. Another big emphasis in the 20’s: efficiency through organization. Kitchen calendars, grocery list wheels, cookbook holders, cabinets with blind-corner pullouts, built-in spice racks… these were a few of the contributions of the Roaring Twenties. Perhaps in contrast to the dreary world outside during this era of the Great Depression, the American kitchen saw even more color introduced to brighten up the room. Kitchens were often colorful with bright linoleum and dinnerware. The “Shelvadore” refrigerator was introduced, the first fridge that held food in the door and a design that continues in use today. Kitchens began to adopt a greater element of “fun.” Photo courtesy Jasperdo under Creative Commons The war is over and people feel even more inspired to cheer things up. Though most American kitchens are still white or cream, two-toned kitchens such as yellow/blue and bright red/white become popular. Instead of free-standing, kitchen cabinets were starting to be built into the walls and refrigerators were becoming more accessible to the middle class. The 50’s was the decade to see any remaining vestiges of the antiseptic white kitchen tossed out the window. Color wasn’t just limited to the linoleum floors, rugs and a few accents throughout the kitchen cabinetry – this was the decade of pink, yellow, green and blue fridges, sinks and stoves along with bold floral wallpaper. The kitchen also sees a structural change – no longer relegated to the back of the home, it’s now becoming the shining star of the home. It’s located more at the forefront where the homemaker can interact with members of the family in the living areas. Refrigerators come with the first ice makers and automatic defrosters. Appliances such as hand-held mixers, toaster ovens, milkshake makers and stand mixers enter the market. Electric stoves are common and available in virtually every color of the rainbow. Happy kitchen, happy home. During this era of the feminist movement and as more women joined the workforce, it is no wonder that more time-saving appliances took to the market. Garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators with freezers, and more storage space were gaining popularity. The anything-goes bold colors of the 50’s were being replaced by a new favorite, “harvest gold.” And linoleum, being inexpensive and easy to clean, was all the rage. Mustard and orange countertops, dark, heavy cabinets with gaudy ornate handles, dropped ceilings to make you feel even more stifled within that visually painful atmosphere, more harvest gold appliances along with copper tone bronze and rust brown, and a plethora of knickknacks to add to the claustrophobia. Interesting fact: In 1975 the sale of microwaves exceeded that of gas ranges. Is it any wonder? Nuke the food in two minutes so we can get out of the kitchen! But as much as we’d like to think this decade never happened, we have this era to thank for kitchen islands and raised bars, a legacy that has continued. By this time, kitchens have become the heart of the home. As such they have significantly increased in size. Warmer colors are back in style with oak cabinets and the countertops and flooring beginning to match. Gone are the days of harvest gold and avocado appliances; now they’re mostly white, ivory or black. More conservative furniture makes a return with solid wood dining tables and chairs, and wallpaper, especially wallpaper borders, is making a comeback. More kitchens are displaying things like cookbook shelves, pegboards, wine and pot racks. With the introduction of more celebrity cooks on TV, kitchens are becoming more and more equipped to “show off” to guests. Entertaining becomes more popular and consequently kitchens become more comfortable, larger, and flow into the family room to provide greater space for entertaining the guests. The “open floor plan” becomes increasingly popular. Kitchen islands become all the rage and enable the host to entertain while preparing the meal. Ivory appliances have moved out but white and black are still the most common with stainless steel surfacing more towards the end of the decade. Vinyl is out and replaced with tile or wood floors. Stainless steel is a must and the decor is simple and uncluttered. Granite countertops are all the rage as are large kitchen islands with built-in stoves. Again, kitchens are built for entertaining. This is also the decade for kitchen gadgets and there is virtually an unlimited selection on the market, everything from bread makers to rice steamers, and of course the best food processors and stand mixers take their place prominently on the countertop. The era of the “trophy kitchen.” Sleek and uncluttered are the only rules as more people branch into the “eclectic” look. Granite is still the most popular but many are experimenting with such things as slate and concrete along with expressive backsplashes. But whatever the material used, large kitchen islands are considered a must with plenty of space for entertaining. Kitchens feature massive range hoods for an upscale feel, high-end sophisticated appliances like high-speed ovens with induction cooktops to impress visitors and project social status. There is also a huge emphasis on lighting with recessed cabinet lights and dropped lighting over the kitchen islands. Cabinets extend to the ceiling for a feeling of grandeur, lavish pantries are a must, and no luxury is overlooked, including built-in flat screen TVs for watching all your favorite cooking shows. The goal is aesthetic perfection combined with ultimate functionality. In short, kitchens have become a status symbol. Photo courtesy Sherwood, Creative Commons Regardless of how we may feel about our current era of trophy kitchens, there is one aspect of the American kitchen that doesn’t appear to be changing: The kitchen as the heart of the home and the social gathering place. The kitchen is the place where family and friends gather to talk, to laugh, to share stories, and to enjoy a meal together. Share your memories with us. What changes have you observed in the kitchen over the decades? Also, take a moment to check out Our American Kitchen, a documentary series by GE Appliances that shares inspiring stories from the kitchen. Like the story of Chase, a 13-year-old boy with autism who discovers the joy of cooking and starts his own cooking show. Or the story of the Richards Family, who adopted five children from Vietnam and Africa and became knit together by love if not by blood. What does the American Kitchen mean to you? Tell me in the comments in three sentences or less and you’ll be entered to win a GE Cafe™ Series Refrigerator worth $3,100! Entries from participating blogs will be pooled and one winner will be chosen at random. This giveaway has ended.
Internet law professor Michael Geist says a patent row between educators and the maker of educational software tools holds lessons for all net users. A company spends years developing new technologies that leverage the power of the internet. It develops a global following. Many lecturers use online tools to teach students Then, seemingly out of the blue, it is hit with a patent infringement suit by a U.S. company, instantly facing the prospect of years of costly litigation in US courts. With limited resources, it must defend itself by arguing that the patents are invalid. This tale sounds like the well-known patent battle experienced by Research in Motion, the company behind the popular Blackberry device. In a case of legal deja vu, however, it now also describes the likely road ahead for Desire2Learn, a Canadian company specialising in online education tools known as learning management systems. This is because Blackboard, an American maker of these systems, took the academic community by surprise late last month when it announced it had been granted a broad patent in the US covering 44 claims related to learning management systems. Blackboard became the largest company in this market when it merged with Canadian-based WebCTin late 2005. It added that it expects similar patents to be granted in nearly a dozen locations around the world including the European Union, Canada, and Australia. On the same day that it publicly disclosed its patent, Blackboard started a patent infringement suit in a Texas court against Desire2Learn. Both the patent and the lawsuit have generated enormous anger within the academic and open source software communities. For universities and colleges, learning management systems are an essential part of the education experience as they provide access to group discussion lists, interactive teaching lessons, and collaborative online work spaces that take the learning experience outside the traditional classroom. Many educators have been working on these technologies for years, so the claim that one single company now holds exclusive patent rights on widely known applications that have been implemented into hundreds of learning systems worldwide came as a shock. For its part Blackboard claims that the patents only cover narrow company-created innovations. Shock quickly gave way to fear, since the community worried that Blackboard would leverage the patent to force competitors into expensive licensing agreements, thereby increasing costs and reducing innovation. But there is no indication that this is in fact happening. Moreover, educators have expressed concern that the patent will create confusion within the academic community, leading some institutions to drop better learning management systems alternatives due to the legal uncertainties. Classrooms and computers are becoming synonymous Educators in the developing world are particularly uneasy, given that many rely on distance education and the delivery of electronic course materials as a primary, more cost-effective method of education. The open source software community has also reacted with alarm, since there are several ongoing open-source LMS projects that have gained increasing popularity in recent months. These projects, which include Moodle and Sakai, are freely available and therefore represent a significant competitive threat to the proprietary LMS vendors such as Blackboard and Desire2Learn. Noting that Desire2Learn was the first legal target, open source developers have wondered aloud whether they might be next. Interestingly, open source and internet tools are emerging as the first line of defence against the Blackboard patent and lawsuit. Angry educators have launched an online petition calling on Blackboard to drop the lawsuit and to agree to forego any future patent suits. Several online collaborative work spaces known as wikis have also sprung up to pool knowledge about the history of online learning environments. That information could prove crucial in defending the case, since evidence that the patent is not original (known as prior art) can be used to counter its validity. The No Education Patents wiki (noedupatents.org) is of particular interest since it provides a plain-language explanation of all 44 claims contained in the Blackboard patent and it invites the community to submit specific examples of prior art. The wiki is revealing as it illustrates how beneath the complexity of the language used in patents, many of the claims relate to simple functionality such as online chat rooms and exam submissions. The patent system is designed to foster innovation by providing patent holders with exclusive rights over their inventions for a limited time. However, the Blackboard patent and Desire2Learn lawsuit is the latest example of how a system that easily grants over-broad patents arguably could be used to impede innovation and limit marketplace competition. It is a tale that the technology community knows all too well. Michael Geist holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law.
has come up with all sorts of ideas for new meat sources from cloned animals to chowing down on insects, but this idea may be the most outlandish yet. The Tokyo Sewage service in Japan serves over 13 million people over approximately a 2,200 square kilometer area. It approached Mitsuyuki Ikeda, a researcher from the Okayama Laboratory, with an unusual problem -- it had too much "sewer mud" (also known as human excrement). It turns out human excrement is a breeding ground for scores of bacteria. So Mr. Ikeda cooked up an unusual solution -- make food [video] out of the feces. The first step is to cook the bacteria, killing them, and to extract their proteins via separation techniques according to Yahoo News. Soy protein is added to enhance the flavor. The meat mixture travels to a "reaction enhancer" (likely a chemical reactor of some sort) where it turns into a textured "meat" and is then extrude through an The delicious "steak" is even finished with red food color to give it a comforting hue. Mr. Ikeda claims that in initial testing people found the feces steak to taste somewhat like beef. Mr. Ikeda is afraid the main obstacle to deploying excrement meat to the masses is the "psychological barrier." He states, "I admit that few people would be keen to eat it knowing its made of human excrement." Indeed, the concept of "fake" meat alone is hard for some to swallow. Taco Bell was recently sued when diners discovered that its beef mixed "fake meat" filers with real meat. How much would the "meat" cost? Mr. Ikeda comments, "As far as the cost is concerned, because at the moment it includes the cost of research our artificial meat is 10 to 20 times more expensive than normal meat. But once the research is complete and it's put on the market, we'll probably be able to price it at roughly the same level as normal meat." The new "meat" is also healthier than traditional meat as it’s an ideal mix of 63% proteins, 25% carbohydrates, 3% lipids and 9% minerals. The small fat content, in particular makes the feces steaks healthier than their animal counterpart. The new meat would also cut down on the greenhouse gas emissions, which traditional livestock produce. In that regard it could even earn "carbon credits" helping its price to be cheaper than The idea may sound crazy, but consider that Japan is no stranger to fine meat products. Its Kobe region beef is renowned by connoisseurs worldwide for it's delicious flavor. And as the band Pink Floyd famously sang, "If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding. How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?!"
New Bern, city (1990 pop. 17,363), seat of Craven co., E N.C., a port and trading center at the junction of the Neuse and Trent rivers; inc. 1723. There is lumbering and food processing, and textiles and clothing, pharmaceuticals, asphalt, metal and plastic products, and transportation equipment are manufactured. Settled in 1710 by Swiss and German colonists under Baron Christopher de Graffenried and John Lawson, New Bern was the second town in North Carolina and an early colonial capital; in 1774 it was the seat of the first provincial convention. In the Civil War the city was captured (Mar., 1862) by Union forces under Gen. S. E. Burnside. Notable among the old buildings are the beautiful Tryon Palace (1767–70), which was the colonial capitol and governor's mansion; Christ Episcopal Church (1752); and New Bern Academy Museum (1809). A marine air station is nearby. "New Bern." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. . Encyclopedia.com. (August 18, 2017). http://www.encyclopedia.com/reference/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/new-bern "New Bern." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. . Retrieved August 18, 2017 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/reference/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/new-bern Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). Within the “Cite this article” tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. Therefore, it’s best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publication’s requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: Modern Language Association The Chicago Manual of Style American Psychological Association - Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. However, the date of retrieval is often important. Refer to each style’s convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates. - In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list.
\|Issac Williams employed some Battlion soldiers to work on his Chino Rancho. He had over 1,000 acres of wheat to harvest. The soldiers were eager to make a little extra money while not on duty. By early 1847, Issac Williams was ready to sell his property. He had lost his wife and much of his fortune during the War with Mexico. But the Rancho was still prosperous. In addition to wheat, beans, peas, barley and grapes were profitable crops. Although many had been taken during the war, there were still cattle and horses. There was also soap factory on the property. The vanquard group of Mormon immigrants was just arriving in the Salt Lake Valley. Thousands of other immigrants were still in temporary shelters stretching across Iowa and into Nebraska. It didn't seem to be the time to travel another 1,000 miles. Brigham Young had identified Salt Lake as the gathering place fro members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He instructed Hunt to decline the offer.
Finland has a long tradition of district heating and combined heat and power (CHP). The district heating business is mature and offers a competitive heating solution in the liberalised heat market. Policy-makers have favoured renewable energy sources in the last ten years. Accordingly, the usage of renewables in district heating production, namely forest chips, has increased steadily. The share of wood and other CO2-neutral energy sources covers one third of district heating production while 10 years ago it was approximately 10%. The graph below demonstrates that by 2015, 39% of the heat demand was delivered through district heating, which comprised 89% from direct renewables and recycled heat. In public and commercial buildings this rises up to 70%. These average market share figures reveal that, for a sparsely populated country such as Finland, these figures can reach over 90% in many cities. A large majority (73%) of district heating is met through CHP, which also generates a third of Finland’s electricity. On average, the temperature corrected sales of district heating have increased steadily by 1-2% per year and existing district heating potentials are well exploited. Finland represents one of Europe’s most rapidly increasing district cooling sectors. In the past five years, the annual growth of the district cooling business has been approximately at 10% in terms of installed capacity, cooling sales and total length of networks. District cooling is expected to further develop in the coming years. According to a business as usual forecast, the cooling demand would increase 2% annually until 2030.
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. The lens works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The lens also adjusts the eye’s focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away. The lens is made of mostly water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and allows light to pass through it. But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see. Most cataracts occur gradually as we age and don’t become bothersome until after age 55. However, cataracts can also be present at birth (congenital cataracts) or occur at any age as the result of an injury to the eye (traumatic cataracts). Cataracts can also be caused by diseases such as diabetes or can occur as the result of long-term use of certain medications, such as steroids.
A network of tiny pipes of water could be used to cool next-generation PC chips, researchers at IBM have said. Scientists at the firm have shown off a prototype device layered with thousands of "hair-width" cooling arteries. They believe it could be a solution to the increasing amount of heat pumped out by chips as they become smaller and more densely packed with components. The technology was demonstrated in IBM's 3D chips, where circuits are stacked one on top of the other. Laying chips vertically, instead of side by side, reduces the distance data has to travel , enhancing performance and saving critical space. "As we package chips on top of each other....we have found that conventional coolers attached to the back of a chip don't scale," explained Thomas Brunschwiler at IBM's Zurich Research Laboratory. "In order to exploit the potential of high-performance 3D chip stacking, we need interlayer cooling." Heat is seen as one of the major hurdles of producing ever smaller and quicker chips. It took IBM a decade to work out how to build 3D chips It is the by-product of the movement of electrons through the tiny wires connecting the millions of components on a modern processor. As more and more components are packed on to chips - Intel recently launched a processor with two billion transistors, for example - the problems become worse. As a result, researchers around the world are engaged in a search for the most efficient way to take the heat off the chip industry. For example, in 2007, US researchers built tiny wind engines that created a "breeze" made up of charged particles, or ions, to cool computer chips. But the problems are exacerbated in the multi-storey chips which IBM, as well as others, believe offer "one of the most promising approaches" for building future processors. Each 4 sq cm sandwich is just 1mm thick but pumps out close to 1kilowatt - equivalent to that generated by a hotplate. Conventional cooling techniques such as fans and heat sinks do not work as well with the 3D technology, particularly as heat has to be drawn away from between the individual chips. To get around this, researchers piped water through sealed tubes just 50 microns (millionths of a metre) in diameter, between individual layers. Water is much more efficient than air at absorbing heat and so even with tiny amounts of liquid flowing through the system the researchers saw a significant effect. The idea of pumping liquids around computers is not entirely new. Early mainframe computers had water pumped around them. High end computers have been "modded" for a number of years with water coolers and various researchers and companies have put forward proposals for directly cooling chips with fluids. In 2003, Stanford University spin-out company Cooligy showed off its Active Micro-Channel Cooling (AMC) technology which allowed fluids to circulate through hundreds of tiny channels on the upper surface of a chip. The technology was used in some versions of Apple's Power Mac G5 desktop computer, released in 2004. IBM has said its water-cooling technology could be in products within five years.
You may never have heard of xerostomia, but it’s something everyone experiences from time to time. Xerostomia is the medical term for dry mouth. What causes it? Numerous medications, damage to certain nerves in the neck or head caused by injury or radiotherapy, smoking, or problems with your salivary glands due to illnesses such as diabetes and Parkinson’s. In addition to being uncomfortable, xerostomia can cause swallowing problems, alter your sense of taste, and promote the development of plaque and tooth decay. Some causes of dry mouth can be directly targeted to eliminate the symptom. In other cases, certain techniques can minimize the problem, such as frequently drinking small sips of water, sucking on ice cubes or sugarless candy, using saliva substitutes, or avoiding factors that can aggravate the condition (eating foods that are too salty, using mouthwash containing alcohol, smoking, etc.). You should also maintain good oral hygiene to prevent tooth decay and gingivitis. For more advice, see your health professional!
The result of the referendum was never in doubt. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (better known as AMLO), the president of Mexico, knew this. That is why he called it. Only around 19% of those who could vote in the recall election held April 10th, 2022 did so. Out of this small pool over 90% voted that AMLO should finish the single six year term alloted him as president. Even if that same 90% had voted to remove him, the measure would not have passed. “In order to be binding, at least 40% of voters would have had to cast their ballots, an unlikely turnout in this first recall referendum to be held in Mexico”1 This form of democratic posturing is worryingly similar to that of Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvadore. As Melendez-Sanchez highlights in Latin America Erupts: Millennial Authoritarianism in El Salvador; ““The Salvadoran people,” he(Bukele) tweeted May 1, “said, through their representatives: You’re fired!” Earlier that day Bukele claimed that “this is called democracy. In 200 years, our country had not savored it, but now we do.””2 What Bukele considered democracy was his firing of the independent Attorney General, getting rid of a major institutional check on his authority. While AMLO does not have as much power as Bukele, he has the same penchant for defining democracy not in terms of the institutions of the Mexican state, but his own ideas. The recall referendum had been called because of a promise made when he had run for president, that the people of Mexico would get to vote halfway through his term (three years). This tracks with AMLO’s general appeal to ‘the people’ to legitimate his actions. Opponents of this referendum also knew that the result was surely going to favor AMLO, and pointed out that the cost, “…1.6bn pesos, roughly $80m – in reality only half of what the government initially asked for”3 was wasteful. What all of this amounts to is the co option of the democratic process, turning it not into a vehicle for the legitimate representation of the people’s will, but instead an extremely expensive vanity project for populist politicians. Elections are meant to be dangerous to the political establishment. Politicians that are not scared of an election are either safe through entrenchment, corruption, or ignorance. This corruption and entrenchment gives populists the opening they need to sweep into power (Bukele winning 53% of the vote, gaining a supermajority in the entirety of government4). There is another reason that a populist may not be scared of an election, as exemplified in the case of AMLO. Here is the clearest example of performative politics; an election that is not in question, created by a single individual, without even one in five voter turnout. Add on top of this the huge cost of the enterprise and the negative aspects of the populist politician are clear to see. AMLO has a history of spending large sums of money on symbolic politics. In 2018, just after gaining the presidency, he scrapped a half-built airport outside of Mexico city, saying that “…the project was riddled with corruption, geologically unsound, and too expensive”5. This alarmed many outside contractors and business interests, which seemed to be the point; AMLO had gone against big international business in the interest of the Mexican people. Or at least that was what the performative action was meant to signify. As well as the money that had already been sunk into the half-built airport “The government spent $1.8 billion paying off the Texcoco bondholders…”6, along with 3.5 billion and three more years to construct a different airport. This new airport is the first of AMLO’s major infrastructure projects to come to fruition. The others have faced many of the same controversies, namely the 8.9 billion dollar oil refinery being built in Obradors home state of Tabasco. Pemex (the government agency building the refinery) has come under attack from environmentalists who claim that the site hosts protected wetlands. In response, “…Lopez Obrador filed a decree giving his major infrastructure projects national security protections…”7. This makes it harder for environmentalists to gain access to government documents that could prove their case. The refinery itself could credibly be called performative action. The section of Tabasco that it is built in is already noticing the effects of climate change, something that will only get worse with time. But a large public works project, unpopular with environmentalists and those who scrutinize closely how public money is spent, is good for a president that derives his legitimacy not from effective governance, but his nebulous connection to ‘the people’. Elections called for with no question of the result; multi-billion dollar airports canceled halfway through construction because the previous administration was corrupt; oil refineries built on ecologically precious land, put under the blanket of national security at the first sign of resistance. The reason for these actions is not just their substantive material effects on the people of Mexico but how they play to ‘the people’. Populism is more a performance than a political ideology. Levers of the state are manipulated not for their result, but how that result is perceived. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador tailors his presidential performance excellently. One only hopes that the interests of those who would put on a good performance converge with those who would form a good government.
Bloodletting. Ancient Greek painting on a vase, showing a physician (iatros) bleeding a patient Bloodletting (or blood-letting) is the withdrawal of blood from a patient to cure or prevent illness and disease. Bloodletting was based on an ancient system of medicine in which blood and other bodily fluids were regarded as "humors" that had to remain in proper balance to maintain health. In the ancient world A chart showing the parts of the body to be bled for different diseases, c.1310-1320 "Bleeding" a patient to health was modeled on the process of menstruation. The Talmud recommended a specific day of the week and days of the month for bloodletting, and similar rules, though less codified, can be found among Christian writings advising which saints' days were favourable for bloodletting. Post 10th century Ioannis Sculteti, Armamentium Chirugiae, 1693 — Diagrammed transfusion of sheep's blood Scarificator, showing depth adjustment bar Diagram of scarificator, showing depth adjustment. A Brief History of Bloodletting - History in the Headlines. The ancient practice of bloodletting might offer cardiovascular benefits to obese people with metabolic syndrome, a new study published today in the journal BMC Medicine suggests. As the medical community contemplates its revival, explore this long-abandoned procedure’s age-old history, from its early roots to its use on figures such as George Washington and Marie-Antoinette. Several thousand years ago, whether you were an Egyptian with migraines or a feverish Greek, chances are your doctor would try one first-line treatment before all others: bloodletting. He or she would open a vein with a lancet or sharpened piece of wood, causing blood to flow out and into a waiting receptacle. If you got lucky, leeches might perform the gruesome task in place of crude instruments. Considered one of medicine’s oldest practices, bloodletting is thought to have originated in ancient Egypt. America’s first president was less fortunate than France’s most infamous queen. The history of bloodletting. With a history spanning at least 3000 years, bloodletting has only recently—in the late 19th century—been discredited as a treatment for most ailments. The practice of bloodletting began around 3000 years ago with the Egyptians, then continued with the Greeks and Romans, the Arabs and Asians, then spread through Europe during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It reached its peak in Europe in the 19th century but subsequently declined and today in Western medicine is used only for a few select conditions. Changeling. A changeling is a creature found in folklore and folk religion. A changeling child was believed to be a fairy child that had been left in place of a human child stolen by the fairies. The theme of the swapped child is common in medieval literature and reflects concern over infants thought to be afflicted with unexplained diseases, disorders, or developmental disabilities. Description It is typically described as being the offspring of a fairy, elf or other legendary creature that has been secretly left in the place of a human child. Sometimes the term is also used to refer to the child who was taken. D. The devil steals a baby and leaves a changeling behind, early 15th century, detail of "The legend of St. Purpose of a changeling One belief is that trolls thought that it was more respectable to be raised by humans, and that they wanted to give their own children a human upbringing. Other folklore say that human milk is necessary for fairy children to survive. Changeling. Changeling. History Changelings are humanoid creatures with discolored, slimy skin, hollow eyes, and a round mouth with many teeth. They can appear human, but their true nature is revealed in their reflection. They feed on humans' synovial fluid. Characteristics Powers and Abilities Have superior strength. Have sharp teeth that allow them to feed on humans, and a lamprey-like mouth. Can appear human. Weaknesses Fire - Setting a changeling on fire will kill it. Family - Killing a mother changeling will cause its children to die instantly. Mirrors - A changeling's true form is revealed in a mirror. The Colt (assumption)
Nuristan (nŏŏrĬstăn´) [Persian,=land of light or the enlightened], region on the southern slopes of the Hindu Kush, NE Afghanistan, bordered on the E by Pakistan. Formerly called Kafiristan [land of the infidels], it is inhabited by an ethnically distinctive people (numbering about 60,000), who practiced animism until their forcible conversion to Islam in 1895–96. Inhabiting relatively isolated villages in deep, narrow mountain valleys, they grow wheat, barley, millet, peas, wine grapes, and other fruit and raise livestock (chiefly goats). A special artisan caste specializes in woodcarving, pottery making, weaving, and metalwork. The Nuristanis, divided into several tribes, speak Dardic dialects (often mutually unintelligible) belonging to a distinct branch of the Indo-European language family. Nuristan was the scene of some of the heaviest guerrilla fighting during the 1979–89 invasion and occupation of Afghanistan by Soviet forces. "Nuristan." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. . Encyclopedia.com. (August 18, 2017). http://www.encyclopedia.com/reference/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/nuristan "Nuristan." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. . Retrieved August 18, 2017 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/reference/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/nuristan Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). Within the “Cite this article” tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. Therefore, it’s best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publication’s requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: Modern Language Association The Chicago Manual of Style American Psychological Association - Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. However, the date of retrieval is often important. Refer to each style’s convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates. - In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list.