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Being objects and having objectives If we're all human, then what's the problem?
What does it mean to be a woman? The idiom, “be one’s own woman” means to be free from restrictions, control, or dictatorial or influence( As a child, everything related to gender roles seemed so simple. From what I observed in my community, the mother was the one who stayed home to make food and take care of the kids while the husband was working throughout the day earning money for the family. As soon as I was 13, new thoughts and feelings had taken over my mind. All I thought about was women not being treated right. Then, I started reading some articles to be inspired by powerful women. I read a speech by Michelle Obama and it confirmed my thoughts about this issue. During the Presidential Election of 2016, Michelle Obama was giving speeches in different states to show her support for Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine and to persuade the people to vote for her. One of her quotes that stood out for me and that showed the reason why people should have voted for Clinton is, ”See, because many of these girls have faced unthinkable obstacles just to attend school, jeopardizing their personal safety, their freedom, risking the rejection of their families and communities.” The fact that women were still fighting for basic human rights made me angry.
"We do as much. We eat as much. We want as much"
All at once, things I saw everyday, which I thought were normal, were finally coming to light and it all made sense. Walking down the street, I would see women walking and enjoying the day while the men on the street were staring and talking to their friends about that woman's body. Suddenly, my earlier understandings of how men and women treated each other had changed. At this age I knew that I couldn’t do much but I had realized that this was an issue I knew had to be addressed.
In the beginning, I wasn’t too open about this topic. I didn’t tell anyone because I wasn’t sure of how my friends or family would react to this new thinking. I kept my thoughts to myself, so I decided to express my feelings by writing a diary. Everyday when I would come across an incident related to gender inequality, I would write it down and then research more into this. I turned 14 and I was even more passionate about this topic than ever. I would read the latest news that involved new developments to this problem. I started talking to my parents about this issue and what they thought about it. They told me that if gender inequality was something I strongly believed in, then I should aware more people of this issue. This changed my thinking and encouraged me to delve deeper into this topic.
I read so many articles over the year that helped me learn more about gender inequality. A few articles that I read in 2016 were more about the development of this problem and the presidential election. Women all around the world have been fighting for gender equality. Belinda Luscombe from TIME Magazine wrote an article explaining how if women made less, they would feel worse and motivate themselves to work harder while if men made less than women, they would feel the need to cheat. According to Luscombe, “As [women] earn more their psychological well being rises. And when they earn less, they feel worse. Unlike the men, women’s health didn’t seem to be affected by their earning status within the family.”(Luscombe). Results from a study show that men who make a lot more than their spouses or earn less than them, are more likely to cheat. They can either think that they can because they earn more than their spouse or if they earn less than their spouse, they think that it would “threaten their identity as males” and cheat (Luscombe). The article confirmed my view that women had been discriminated in workplaces and that they worked hard to strive to the top.
As women feel less equal to men in society, they also worry that their gender and sexual identities will not be accepted. Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash is a wonderful graphic novel that shows the struggles of a girl is confused about her identity. Maggie goes to camp where all the girls have small traditions. One of them is to decide which one of the three boys they think is attractive. This hinders her because she can’t decide if she was gay or not. Maggie was afraid to tell others that she was gay and wondered, “You know, like a covert way for gays to identify each other” (54). Maggie asks her friends if there was a “gay code” for her to tell if her crush was gay or not. Maggie had a crush on a girl named Erin, the camp counselor for seniors. This represents the problem a lot of people go through in this country. In 2016, people still fear that their community will not accept them due to the fact that they didn’t accept homosexuals, transgenders, etc. back then. All of my research on women’s daily struggles confirmed the way I thought about this controversy. I bought some books because I wanted to read how other women felt about this and how it had influenced other women and girls.
“A Little F’D up” was written by a 19-year-old who explained to the reader how mostly every place you go to, discriminates women. Work, home or just walking down the street can reflect the actions of most males in the country. I think that a book about gender inequality from someone at that age really shows the effect that women have on young adults.
Society has changed so much since the start of human rights activism. In the beginning, women were made to stay at home and take care of the kids while the male were to go out and make money for the family. Now, women have been fighting all around the world for their rights and for gender equality. Luscombe proved that women working can benefit the economy which will benefit the country and eventually benefit our relations with other countries. If we are all human, then we all should be treated the same. “We do as much. We eat as much. We want as much” (Truth). Through my exploration of these articles and Honor Girl, I confirmed my earlier view of promoting gender equality, but I also realized that inequality,is a more extensive issue that affects women politically, sexually and economically.
1. Luscombe, Belinda. “It’s Actually Bad for Men to be Breadwinners”. TIME Magazine. TIME Magazine. August 19th, 2016.
2. Jagannathan, Meera. "14 Quotes from First-Wave Feminists that still resonate". Readers Digest. Trusted Media Brands Inc. December 23rd, 2016.
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Petition Closed
ACT NOW TO PROTECT the safe and clean air, water and soil of the Japanese city of Kitakyushu and the island of Kyushu from further radioactive contamination.
Radioactive debris from the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 is being transported to the relatively clean island of Kyushu. Even though citizens protested, on May 24, 2012, Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture started incinerating tsunami disaster-related debris from Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures to test the “safety” of the incineration in the city’s two incinerator plants.
If such debris is incinerated, health-threatening dangerous radioactive particles will be emitted into the atmosphere and around the world. Other radioactive particles will be in the incinerator ash. Even if the incinerator ash is only used for landfill, the radioactive cesium in the soil will eventually move to the ocean because it is soluble in water. Plants and animals can intake the contaminated water and then this harmful contaminant is in food ingested by humans. As well, it can be air-born transported and breathed into human lungs.
An November 2011 IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) report about findings on radioactive waste states: “Large volumes of contaminated material will be generated from massive clean-up activities in urban, agriculture, forest and aquatic areas that are affected mostly by radioactive cesium releases. The material would include soil, organic material, vehicles, buildings, road material, aqueous liquids, trees and stumps contaminated with Cs-134 and Cs-137. The radioactivity content of the contaminated material ranges from a few to several tens of thousands of Bq/kg.” It is hardly possible to measure with accuracy the radioactive cesium concentration in debris to be transported to other parts of Japan, including Kitakyushu.
Accordingly, we call for Kitakyushu Mayor Kenji KITAHASHI to :
1. Please stop accepting and incinerating the disaster-related debris immediately since the safety of the people and future generation on Kitakyushu and the world cannot be ensured.
This petition was delivered to:
• The Mayor of Kitakyushu City
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Belize Barrier Reef
The Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Endangered
Aerial view of Lighthouse Reef, Blue Hole, Belize
The Blue Hole. Thomas Schmitt/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images
Belize is one of the smallest countries in North America, but it is home to many of the most important features in the second largest coral reef system in the world. The Belize Barrier Reef is important geographically, geologically, and ecologically. Diverse plants and animals live both above and below the crystal-clear warm water. However, the Belize Barrier Reef has been recently scarred because changes are occurring in the environment.
The Belize Barrier Reef has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. UNESCO, scientists, and ordinary citizens must conserve this special coral reef system.
Geography of the Belize Barrier Reef
The Belize Barrier Reef is part of the Mesoamerican Reef System, which stretches for approximately 700 miles (1000 kilometers) from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula to Honduras and Guatemala. Located in the Caribbean Sea, it is the largest reef system in the Western Hemisphere, and the second largest reef system in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The reef in Belize is approximately 185 miles long (300 kilometers). The Belize Barrier Reef includes numerous features of coastal geology, such as barrier reefs, fringing reefs, sand cays, mangrove cays, lagoons, and estuaries. The reef is home to three coral atolls, named Lighthouse Reef, Glover's Reef, and the Turneffe Islands. Coral atolls are extremely rare outside of the Pacific Ocean.
The Belizean government has established numerous institutions like national parks, national monuments, and marine reserves to preserve some features of the reef.
Human History of the Belize Barrier Reef
The Belize Barrier Reef has attracted people for thousands of years for both its natural beauty and resources.
From approximately 300 BCE to 900 CE, the Mayan civilization fished from the reef and traded near it. In the 17th century, the reef was visited by European pirates. In 1842, Charles Darwin described the Belize Barrier Reef as the "most remarkable reef in the West Indies." Today, the reef is visited by native Belizeans and people from across the Americas and the world.
Flora and Fauna of the Belize Barrier Reef
The Belize Barrier Reef is home to thousands of species of plants and animals. Some examples include sixty-five species of corals, five hundred species of fish, whale sharks, dolphins, crabs, seahorses, starfish, manatees, American crocodiles, and many bird and turtle species. Conch and lobster are caught and exported from the reef. Possibly up to ninety percent of the animals and plants that live in the reef have not even been discovered yet.
The Blue Hole
The most magnificent feature of the Belize Barrier Reef may be the Blue Hole. Formed throughout the last 150,000 years, the Blue Hole is an underwater sinkhole, the remains of caves that flooded when glaciers melted after ice ages. Many stalactites are present. Located about fifty miles from the coast of Belize, the Blue Hole is approximately 1000 feet across and 400 feet deep.
In 1971, famed Frenchmen Jacques Cousteau explored the Blue Hole and claimed that it is one of the best spots in the world to scuba dive and snorkel.
Environmental Issues Affecting the Reef
The Belize Barrier Reef became a "World Heritage Site in Danger" in 2009. The geological and biological features of the reef have been affected by modern-day environmental problems such as rising ocean temperatures and sea levels and events such as El Nino and hurricanes. Increased human development in the region also negatively impacts the reef. Damage has been caused by increased sedimentation and run-off from pesticides and sewage. The reefs are also damaged by tourist activities such as snorkeling and facilities such as cruise ships. Under these conditions, the corals and their algae no longer have access to normal amounts of food and light. The corals die or slowly turn white, a process known as coral bleaching.
Fragile Habitats in Peril
The Belize Barrier Reef and many other reef systems worldwide have been damaged by current environmental problems such as global climate change and pollution. Coral reefs can no longer grow and thrive the way they have for thousands of years. The Belizean and global community recognize that the geology and biodiversity of the Belize Barrier Reef must be preserved. |
Smart Ideas: Resources Revisited
What Everyone Should Know on Micro-grids The electric grid was once small-scale and the micro-grid is taking that technology back there. In the energy industry at the moment, what are hotly discussed are micro-grids. The fact the now energy systems have been able to be moved from the central kind to the distributed kind, the technology involved has improved. The goal of the micro-grid system is serving consumers that are specific. The micro-grid is a favorite with many homes because they can have on-site generation. Having total control of the energy system is what many users of the micro-grid usually want to achieve. Micro-grids are known to stay online even after occurrence of hurricanes in the region which cause power outages.
Learning The Secrets About Companies
Micro-grids have proved better energy usage lowering the environmental impact of the buildings that use them. So that companies show the initiative in leadership in renewable energy, companies explore micro-grids.
Finding Ways To Keep Up With Microgrids
Micro-grids are not cheap to install and this is worth noting. You will have big energy savings in the long-term after installing micro-grids. When the local grid is in operation, the micro-grid can serve as an active participant. Organizations that are in a position to provide services to other users will benefit from the monetization of the on-site assets owned by them. The technologies that are used in micro-grids are emerging. How the micro-grids work is that they will have a control system and also a storage system in the form of batteries. What the control system is intended to do is feed the electricity that has been generated into the grid in the safest way possible. So that the micro-grid goes into the island mode safely and smoothly, the control system will be used. Automation of tasks has been enabled by the emerging technology known as the dashboard. There are few places that micro-grids have the potential to grow. The best candidates for micro-grids are the users that value reliability. Island nations are considered to be the large-scale consumers of micro-grids. The question that is still open when it comes to micro-grids is the role of utilities. Utilities play a role in the management of the connections in between the different micro-grids and that varies in different states. The regulatory hurdle is one of the issues that micro-grids usually face. The regulators want to know how the utilities will fund investments. The fact that it is a possibility that the users might just buy lesser energy from the micro-grid concerns the regulators. You will find that many businesses do not put a financing value on reliability and so the benefit of reliability is not justified. Some of the problems experienced when it comes to micro-grids is the fact that there are just too many technicalities involved. This is because making products for multiple companies so that they smoothly interconnect on the micro-grid is a challenge. |
Friday, June 07, 2013
Lady Mary Shepherd on the Inverted Image Problem
Vision was a significant philosophical topic in the early modern period, one that was often held to be related to a wide variety of other philosophical topics. It is thus not as surprising as might be thought that, when Lady Mary Shepherd (1777-1847) identifies her three most important philosophical arguments in a letter to Robert Blakey [Note 1], she treats her account of single and erect vision as one of them, and as closely related to the other two, causation and final causes, and as related even to as metaphysical question as the existence of God. As she puts it:
[The three topics] confute modern Atheism, founded, as it is, upon fallacious inferences, from Locke, Newton, Hume, and Berkeley. For unless there be a cause, there exists no first, essential, or necessary cause. Unless final causes are physical efficients, they could not operate, unless upon every theory of the mind. The fact of single and double vision cannot be explained consistently with any theory, and as being deducible from the general laws of causation. Such a theory is null, for two reasons; therefore, I encourage myself to hope for the future success and prevalence of my own notions [Note 2].
In short, the fact that we see singly and in a non-inverted way is a test case not just for a theory of vision itself, but also for the theory of mind (whose status as a the receptive cause of sensation is a major part of Shepherd's account of the external world) and, even more broadly, for the theory of causation, since any account of these facts would have to be causal.
Shepherd discusses single and erect vision in two essays. The first is Essay XIV of the Essays on the Perception of an External Universe, "On the Reason Why Objects Appear Single Even Though Painted on Two Retinas, and Why They Appear Erect Although the Images Be Inverted on Them" (henceforth Essay XIV). The second was published in The Philosophical Magazine in 1828, a year after the publication of the Essays [Note 3], and is called "On the Causes of Single and Erect Vision" (henceforth CSEV). The essays approach the topic somewhat differently, but both provide essentially the same account. Understanding them, however, requires recognizing the state of the problem by the time it reached Shepherd.
For the purposes of most discussions in early modern philosophy, we can attribute the beginning of the inverted image problem to Kepler, who in Ad Vitellionem paralipomena (1604) proposed an optical account of image formation in the eye in which light formed a 'painting' on the retina in much the same way that a camera obscura forms an image on the wall. This account, however, had the optical rays crossing between the lens and the retina, and it was recognized by everyone that this had the immediate, and puzzling, implication that the image on the retina was upside-down despite the fact that we obviously don't see the world upside-down. A number of people, including Pierre Gassendi, argued against this account. The Keplerian account became generally accepted, however, with the publication of Descartes's Dioptrics (1637) [Note 4], whose Fifth Discourse describes a famous experiment. Descartes took an eyeball (he recommends that of a deceased man, or, failing that, of an ox) and scraped out the sclera at its back, so that the back of the eyeball was transparent. He was then able to observe directly the inverted image on the back of the eye. The Cartesian explanation of this was that the mind traces back (so to speak) the rays and thus recognizes that the lower part of the image actually comes from above and the upper part from below. Descartes uses a famous analogy to a blind man with two crossed sticks; when he touches something with the sticks, he will surely recognize that what he touches with the stick in the lower hand is actually towards the top, while what he touches with the stick in the upper hand is actually towards the bottom.
The inverted image problem was later discussed by Berkeley in An Essay Towards a New Theory of Vision (1709), who sums it up well in section 88:
Two and a half decades later, in The Theory of Vision; or Visual Language, Shewing the Immediate Presence and Providence of a Deity, Vindicated and Explained (1733), he will say (section 52), "The solution of this knot about inverted images seems the principal point in the whole Optic Theory, the most difficult perhaps to comprehend, but the most deserving of our attention, and, when rightly understood, the surest way to lead the mind into a thorough knowledge of the true nature of Vision." Berkeley is strongly dissatisfied with the Cartesian answer to the problem. How is this tracing of rays to be done? Any child can see what is right-side-up, but when we ask the Cartesian how they do this, we get the optical theory of the eye, with its abstract geometrical inferences. Children surely do not think through the implications of optical principles in order to see the world as not inverted. Berkeley attempts to provide a better solution using his key distinction between visible and tangible ideas in our perception of situation. We do not actually see the image on the retina at all. The idea of light hitting the retina is a tactile idea, an idea of physical contact, not a visual idea. On Berkeley's new theory of vision, our visual ideas of the world are in general signs of tactile ideas, so that we can often find things in our visible experience that have a direct correspondence in our tangible experience, to such an extent that we often confuse the two despite the fact that they are not the same at all. Thus when we talk about the inverted image on the retina, the 'inversion' is not a literal inversion of anything visible. All we are saying is that, when we compare our visual experience with the tactile idea of the physical contact of light on the retina and how we move our eyes up and down (the source of our experience of things as up or down in Berkeley's account), we find that the tactile pattern is inverted from what we are in the habit of taking the visual experiences to indicate.
With Thomas Reid, in An Inquiry into the Human Mind on the Principles of Common Sense (1764), we get a summing up of the entire tradition, and of the inverted image problem as Shepherd understood it. Like Berkeley, Reid rejects the Cartesian solution because it requires the solution to be a rational deduction from premises of which the greater part of the human population seem to be unaware. Ordinary people do not do optical geometry in order to see the world the way they do, and thus optical geometry does not actually provide any explanation of the apparent discrepancy at all. He also rejects Berkeley's solution, however. The Berkeleyan solution to the problem requires that our ability to determine whether things are inverted or not is wholly derived from experience. We simply develop the habit over time of thinking of some things as up and down, based on things like the motion of our eyes; it's entirely a matter of acquired expectation through consistent association. One of Reid's problems with Berkeley's solution is that it makes the distinction between visible and tangible ideas too sharp, treating them as having no natural similarity to each other, which Reid denies; and he suggests that Berkeley's acceptance of the purely associative answer is at least partly influenced by his acceptance of idealism. If you think that the external world consists entirely of ideas in the mind, the position that we directly perceive things as having an orientation and situation, which would also have to be purely mental, might well seem unattractive.
Faced, then, with a choice between the Cartesian solution based on rational inference and the Berkeleyan solution based wholly on associations acquired from experience, Reid jumps through the horns of the dilemma and proposes a third kind of position: our seeing of the world as erect rather than inverted is due neither to rational inference or empirical association but an original principle of the constitution of our minds, or, in other words, it's all simply a matter of the way we are set up from the beginning. Against Berkeley, Reid argues that the inverted pictures on the retina are indeed part of the process of vision, a means of seeing the world. However, the greater part of this process is still a mystery. It seems that the picture on the retina affects the optic nerve somehow, which affects the brain somehow, which makes us see the world somehow; but we are deceiving ourselves if we think we have any clear conception of how this is done. The image on the retina does not travel up the optic nerve into the brain, and even if it did, there is nothing about literally having an image in our brains that would explain how we see anything. It is not, however, particularly necessary to have an explanation of all this in order to address the inverted image problem. With most things we do not need to know more than the fact that one thing follows another by a regular connection; that is, our usual mode of explanation is by tracing things back to laws of nature, which means simply that we recognize that two things are invariably and constantly connected.
The real question at the heart of the problem, therefore, is just this: What is the law of nature according to which the image on the retina is constantly and invariably connected to my seeing things a certain way? Reid argues that the relevant law of nature is this: Every visible point of the object is seen in the direction of a straight line from the picture on the retina through the center of the eye. This is the regularity that links the inverted image with our visual experience, and this law of nature describes a structure of the mind itself, part of our design-plan, so to speak. Thus the solution to the inverted image problem lies not in reasoning, nor in experience, but in the constitution or structure of our minds.
This gives us the lay of the land. When Shepherd considers the inverted image problem, she is considering a problem that prior philosophers had attempted to resolves with three different explanatory principles: reason, experience, and mental constitution. How then does she resolve the problem?
She identifies the five basic assumptions of her solution in CSEV:
(1) "Vision is a consciousness in the mind, and its next proximate cause must be a power equal to its production, and which unites it to the material world."
(2) "Vision of one colour only can never yield the vision of figure, because the proximate cause of the vision of figure is a line of demarcation formed by the sensation of a junction of two colours."
(3) "The physical impulse producing such consciousness of colouring, is an equal proportional variety upon the retina of an eye; one eye alone being first supposed, as it is sufficient to yield the idea of figure."
(4) "An object cannot be in two places at the same time."
(5) "An object cannot exist and put forward its action where it is not."
The first of these assumptions identifies the general character of the effect and establishes the kind of inquiry in which we are engaged in trying to solve the problem. It is a causal inquiry, and the result for any phenomenon needs to be a cause of consciousness of the phenomenon, adequate for causing the phenomenon, that connects conscious vision to the material world. The second gives the proximate cause of seeing a figure or shape. To see a figure or shape requires seeing a boundary, and this requires seeing at least two distinct colors. The third is an empirical discovery based on the study of the eye. The fourth and fifth assumptions serve as filtering out genuine from spurious candidates for solutions. All of them except (3), which is presupposed by the problem, are regarded by Shepherd as necessary principles, although not necessarily equally obvious (she spends a considerable portion of Essay XIV explaining (2), for instance.)
On the basis of these assumptions the related problem of single vision, that is, why we see one thing rather than two, given that our vision of this one thing is based on two distinct images on two distinct retinas, is almost trivially easy: since we can only see two visual objects as two by observing some line of demarcation between them, we could only distinguish the images on our retinas if we saw them both with a line of demarcation between them. As she notes, if this is true, we only regard single vision as a puzzle because we are imagining the space between our eyes as a demarcation. But unless we are doing strange manipulations with our eyes, we do not actually see the space between them, because the eyes receive no physical impulse of light from that space. Thus the two images are for all practical purposes superposed, and, not being distinguished visually by a visual line of demarcation, the mind's capacity for vision is naturally affected by them as indistinguishable. We can do various manipulations that change this (like pressing our eyes in different directions), but it will only do so by introducing something visual that serves as a line of demarcation. In short, Shepherd's resolution of the problem depends on recognizing that answering the question of why we see one thing despite two images in reality depends on asking the question, "What immediate cause would make us distinguish things as two?" And the only immediate visual cause that can make us distinguish things as two is some kind of visible demarcation between them. Thus the physical impulses in the eyes and the images on the retinas can only cause us to see two if they are such as would create a visible demarcation. But each image on the retina is (in most cases) equivalent to the other; thus neither image includes a visible demarcation between itself and the other image. Thus, since nothing else in the situation would seem capable of introducing a visible line of demarcation, there actually is no reason to think that the two images would cause us to see anything other than one thing. That something like this is right is confirmed by further experimental facts about how the images correspond to each other and to our vision.
Single vision is the easy case, but the inverted image problem is handled in the same way. Whether a figure is inverted or not is a matter of relative position of color. I see a flag pole inverted in a reflection for instance, because it is relatively positioned in a way that contrasts with the erect flag pole it is reflecting. But, recognizing this, we already see the beginnings of the solution to the problem:
Now the real fact is, the painting of objects, though they be inverted, does not alter the painting of their relative positions; the whole colouring of all within the sphere of vision, maintains precisely the same position of things towards each other: but it is the appearance of an opposite appearance of things, i.e. an opposition of the relative colouring of things, which only can yield the idea of inversion of images:--Thus a candle would appear to be topsy turvey upon a table, if the flame appeared to touch the table, and the bottom of the candlestick pointed upwards towards the ceiling; but if the bottom of the candlestick maintains its relative position to the table, and the flame the same relative position to the heavens, and the table the same to the earth, and the earth the same to the table; then the whole,--from the earth to the heavens, being painted in an inverted position on the retina, cannot possibly occasion any sense of inversion of images;--because the sense of the soul must be to perceive the whole relative position of objects, precisely in the relation of parts they have to touch and motion.(Essay XIV, page 414)
Like most of Shepherd's super-sentences, that one has to be worked through carefully; but it is well worth it. The inverted image case is very much like the single vision case. To think it a puzzle, we have to be imagining both the image on the retina and the thing in the world of which it is an image. To recognize visually that anything is inverted, we have to recognize that it is opposite in orientation to something, which we can only do visually if we see the thing it is opposite to. As she puts it in CSEV, "The idea of inversion is the result of the comparison of the line of demarcation of one object with that of another of a similar kind placed in a contrary direction to it." You can't see a relation if you don't see the relata. When philosophers puzzle about why we do not see the world as inverted, they are really supposing that vision simultaneously sees two things, the image and the objects they invert. Otherwise, how, could we see the one as inverted in comparison to the other? The inverted image is somewhat more complicated than the single vision case because we also get information about orientation from touch and motion (Shepherd occasionally calls our capacity to move through space our "sixth sense"). Thus a full answer would require discussing the relation between sight and touch (one of the most important topics in early modern discussions of vision). But we can already see that any discussion along these lines would merely refine the basic point: we do not see the image and the object in our eye, and we do not see the object causing the image in our eye. Objects are out in the world; they can neither be two places at once nor act where they are not.
Thus when we compare Shepherd's remarkably elegant solution of the problem to other proposed solutions, we find it is yet another option on the table, and does not reduce to the other three. It does not require that erect vision be a result of rational inference, nor does it make erect vision a matter of custom and experience, nor does it attribute it to the original constitution of our natures. It is more closely related to the rational explanation than to the other two, since both the the rational explanation and Shepherd's causal explanation make erect vision a necessary consequence, as opposed to the contingency attributed to it by the custom and original constitution explanations. But Shepherd's solution eliminates the problem by arguing that there is no causal reason why the image would look inverted, and that the problem only arises by counterfactual imagination. It is in this way an excellent example in miniature of Shepherd's general analytic style, since she does similar things on a larger scale with Hume's account of causation and Berkeley's idealism.
We have had nearly two hundred years of additional study for the problem, so you might be wondering what the results of that are. The answer is that, as with many of the problems in the theory of vision first discussed by early modern philosophers, it is not a completely closed question; fi nothing else, they knew how to pick the hard problems. For a very long time there was a considerable tendency to accept the custom explanation. The reason for this is that at the very end of the nineteenth century, George Stratton designed a kind of experiment to study the question, in which he wore inverting spectacles for a considerable period of time. His conclusion, which he published, was that after a sufficient period of time he saw the image in the inverting spectacles as right-side up. This was apparently confirmed by some other experiments. However, different modifications of the experiment through time have not been quite so definite. In 1999 Linden et al. published a study (PDF) in which they came to the conclusion that people wearing the inverting glasses eventually adjusted to the change, but that they never actually saw the image as right-side up. Thus the problem is still in play (Note 5).
(1) The letter to Blakey, dated May 26, 1843, is the latest extant comment by Lady Mary Shepherd on the subject. It was published by Blakey in his Memoirs.
(2) "Single and double vision" seems to be used here simply as a summary title for the entire essay in Essays on the Perception of an External Universe, rather than as a way of singling out the single vision argument rather than the inverted vision argument.
(3) This essay is missing from the Thoemmes Press edition of Shepherd's collected works, probably because it seems never to have been published in book form. The essay was widely distributed through the journals of the day, however.
(4) The Dioptrics is another example showing the importance of the topic of vision to early modern philosophy, since it was one of the three essays for which the Discourse on Method was written as an introduction, and thus explicitly put forward by Descartes as an account of early successes of Cartesian method.
(5) And still discussed heatedly by philosophers. To take just one example, István Aranyosi in The Peripheral Mind has a good discussion of how the problem is related to issues in the dispute over whether the mind is representational or "enactivist".
1. Reid’s
account sounds very interesting; a book to look for.
Indeed, the retina doesn’t ‘see’,
there are discreet receptors getting stimuli, etc., and we don’t ‘perceive’ the
image formed on the retina, seeing is a complex mental function.
But why would we see different, how
could we? We acknowledge spatial relations to the parts of our body.
2. ronmurp4:14 PM
We can 'see' the world through impulses on the tongue fed by a camera. There need be no simple relation between retinal image geometry and mental experience.
Think of the George Stratton experiment in terms of language. We read English and it makes sense. A new language at first is meaningless, but as we acquire it we improve, to the point of being fluent without active intention. But unless you learn both languages from an early age only you native language will be natural. This distinction, between the 'natural seeing' through the native language as opposed to the 'adjusting to the change' would explain Linden's observed limitation on adaptation. The brain is plastic, particularly when young, but no so much once a particular natural or native use has been acquired.
Philosophical notions of vision seem to retain ideas of projections. But the mental experience is far richer than the physical mechanism of eye operation allows. There seems to be much live 'reconstruction' (it's hard to avoid geometric metaphor) and filling in of detail. And the visual process is distributed in the brain, and related to other senses, like balance.
When thinking about vision we tend to apply our subjective experience as if that's indicative of what's going on when it need not be. Our subjective mental experience of vision is just one more mental illusion.
We observe a rotating mask and the concave side appears convex. We call this a visual illusion; but it's visual only in terms of the sense with which we acquire the data. There is nothing illusory in the data that reaches the eye, or in the neural signals that enter the brain. The illusion is a mental one. It is the brain's higher level constructive processes that mistake the concave for convex, because convex faces are the greater expectation.
Mental 'vision' need be nothing like a geometric representation. All that is required is that there should be some consistent correspondence between reflective light from surfaces and the internal neural events, and that's good enough. The adaptive capacity of the brain needs only see consistently for the data to become 'normal' vision.
Another analogy: some musicians can read sheet music and 'hear' the music in their heads. The grossly encoded data *becomes* the audible experience. Neuronal impulses *become* the visual experience. Changing the data, inverting for example, is merely changing the encoding of the data. The brain learns the new language and re-acquires the capacity experience the data as normal vision - or as near normal as these limited expriments allow.
3. branemrys4:38 PM
Philosophical notions of vision seem to retain ideas of projections.
But none of the views of vision discussed in the post regards vision as constituted in any way by projections -- this is most obvious with Berkeley, in whose theory of vision it makes no sense at all to think of vision as a projection, but it is true even of Descartes, who puts a much greater emphasis on optics (because he is very interested in the physical mechanism of the eye), because Descartes's dualism prevents him from taking the actual experience of vision to be reducible to the physical mechanisms he discusses.
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[Country map of Chad]
Location: Central Africa, south of Libya
Map references: Africa
total area: 1.284 million sq km
land area: 1,259,200 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of California
Land boundaries: total 5,968 km, Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none; landlocked
International disputes: the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in February 1994 that the 100,000 sq km Aozou Strip between Chad and Libya belongs to Chad; Libya has withdrawn some of its forces in response to the ICJ ruling, but still maintains an airfield in the disputed area; demarcation of international boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which has led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria
Climate: tropical in south, desert in north
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 36%
forest and woodland: 11%
other: 51%
Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1989 est.)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Note: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel
Population: 5,586,505 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (female 1,198,619; male 1,267,470)
15-64 years: 54% (female 1,563,678; male 1,456,481)
65 years and over: 2% (female 71,971; male 28,286) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.18% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 42.05 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 20.26 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 129.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 41.19 years
male: 40.04 years
female: 42.38 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.33 children born/woman (1995 est.)
noun: Chadian(s)
adjective: Chadian
Ethnic divisions:
north and center: Muslims (Arabs, Toubou, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Kanembou, Baguirmi, Boulala, Zaghawa, and Maba)
south: non-Muslims (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moundang, Moussei, Massa) nonindigenous 150,000, of whom 1,000 are French
Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs, animism 25%
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), Sango (in south), more than 100 different languages and dialects are spoken
Literacy: age 15 and over has the ability to read and write in French and Arabic (1990 est.)
total population: 30%
male: 42%
female: 18%
Labor force: NA
by occupation: agriculture 85% (engaged in unpaid subsistence farming, herding, and fishing)
conventional long form: Republic of Chad
conventional short form: Chad
local long form: Republique du Tchad
local short form: Tchad
Digraph: CD
Type: republic
Capital: N'Djamena
Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day 11 August (1960)
Constitution: 22 December 1989 (suspended 3 December 1990); Provisional National Charter 1 March 1991 is in effect (note - the constitutional commission, which was drafting a new constitution to submit to transitional parliament for ratification in April 1994, failed to do so but expects to submit a new draft to the parliament before the end of April 1995)
Suffrage: universal at age NA
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY, since 4 December 1990 (after seizing power on 3 December 1990 - transitional government's mandate expires April 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Djimasta KOIBLA (since 9 April 1995)
cabinet: Council of State; appointed by the president on recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Consultative Council (Conceil National Consultatif): elections, formerly scheduled for April 1995, were postponed by mutual agreement of the parties concerned until some time prior to April 1996; elections last held 8 July 1990; the National Consultative Council was disbanded 3 December 1990 and replaced by the Provisional Council of the Republic having 30 members appointed by President DEBY on 8 March 1991; this, in turn, was replaced by a 57-member Higher Transitional Council (Conseil Superieur de Transition) elected by a specially convened Sovereign National Conference on 6 April 1993
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), former dissident group, Idriss DEBY, chairman
note: President DEBY, who promised political pluralism, a new constitution, and free elections by April 1994, subsequently twice postponed these initiatives, first until April 1995 and again until sometime before April 1996; there are numerous dissident groups and at least 45 opposition political parties
Other political or pressure groups: NA
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mahamat Saleh AHMAT
chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009
FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Laurence E. POPE II
embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena
mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena
telephone: [235] (51) 62 18, (51) 40 09, (51) 47 59
FAX: [235] (51) 33 72
Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flag of Andorra, which has a national coat of arms featuring a quartered shield centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France
Overview: Climate, geographic remoteness, poor resource endowment, and lack of infrastructure make Chad one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world. Its economy is hobbled by political turmoil, conflict with Libya, drought, and food shortages. Consequently the economy has shown little progress in recent years in overcoming a severe setback brought on by civil war in the late 1980s. More than 80% of the work force is involved in subsistence farming and fishing. Cotton is the major cash crop, accounting for at least half of exports. Chad is highly dependent on foreign aid, especially food credits, given chronic shortages in several regions. Of all the Francophone countries in Africa, Chad has benefited the least from the 50% devaluation of their currencies on 12 January 1994. Despite an increase in external financial aid and favorable price increases for cotton - the primary source of foreign exchange - the corrupt and enfeebled government bureaucracy continues to dampen economic enterprise by neglecting payments to domestic suppliers and public sector salaries. Oil production in the Lake Chad area remains a distant prospect and the subsistence-driven economy probably will continue to limp along in the near term.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.8 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate: 3.5% (1993 est.)
National product per capita: $530 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -4.1% (1992)
Unemployment rate: NA%
revenues: $120 million
expenditures: $363 million, including capital expenditures of $104 million (1992 est.)
Exports: $190 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: cotton 48%, cattle 35%, textiles 5%, fish
partners: France, Nigeria, Cameroon
Imports: $261 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 39%, industrial goods 20%, petroleum products 13%, foodstuffs 9%; note - excludes military equipment
partners: US, France, Nigeria, Cameroon
External debt: $492 million (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate 2.7% (1992 est.); accounts for nearly 15% of GDP
capacity: 40,000 kW
production: 80 million kWh
consumption per capita: 13 kWh (1993)
Industries: cotton textile mills, slaughterhouses, brewery, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes
Agriculture: accounts for about 45% of GDP; largely subsistence farming; cotton most important cash crop; food crops include sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats, camels; self-sufficient in food in years of adequate rainfall
Economic aid:
recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $198 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $28 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $80 million
Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine Francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 529.43 (January 1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990)
note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Railroads: 0 km
total: 31,322 km
paved: bituminous 263 km
unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 7,069 km; earth 23,990 km
Inland waterways: 2,000 km navigable
Ports: none
total: 66
with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 23
with unpaved runways over 3,047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 17
with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 21
Telephone system: NA telephones; primitive system
local: NA
intercity: fair system of radio communication stations for intercity links
international: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station
broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 1, shortwave 0
radios: NA
broadcast stations: NA; note - limited TV service; many facilties are inoperative
televisions: NA
Defense Forces
Branches: Armed Forces (includes Ground Force, Air Force, and Gendarmerie), Republican Guard, Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,307,210; males fit for military service 679,640; males reach military age (20) annually 54,945 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $74 million, 11.1% of GDP (1994) |
The History of Shoes
Brief observations by business owner Frank Giannino
Mankind throughout history has worn shoes to protect the feet. This basic need is still the main reason we wear shoes. Protective footwear dates back to the earliest known sandals in 8,000 BC. Along the way, fashion has been the biggest influence on how shoes are made and how they look. From one culture to another, through all of history, fashion has had, and still has, a great deal to do with how the shoes are made. The materials used were a reflection of what was available at that time to that given culture, from leather and wood to the high tech by-products of today's petrochemical industry. More bones are located in the foot than any other body part. The feet, even today, are vulnerable to the sharp objects of our environment.
The American Civil War had the greatest impact on how shoes are made. Prior to that event shoes were made by the local cobbler. During the Civil War, General George Washington's troops received the first pairs of factory made shoes to keep up with the demand. The initial pairs were made on a straight last and in whole sizes only. The last is a form, made of wood or cast iron and more recently plastics. It is the approximate shape of the foot. There was no difference between the right and the left straight-lasted boots. They hurt the troops. Cobblers had to do a lot of modifying to get them to work. Shortly after the straight-last boots, came the first factory produced boots made on a C-shape last, one boot for the right foot, one for the left. The heel was initially too high and again hurt the troops. The cobblers lowered the heel. Problem solved. The manufacture of mass produced shoes was on its way.
Factory produced shoes from the north were in such demand by soldiers from the south it was not uncommon after a battle to see dead soldiers from the north without their boots due to pilferage. Boots taken from the dead was very prevalent at Gettysburg. Soon to follow the Civil War was development of department stores to sell them in and shoe travelers to sell them to those stores as representatives of those manufacturers. Since the Civil War, the retail shoe service industry has changed. Many stores sell shoes now. Some stores sell shoes only and nothing else. Some stores are specialty shoe stores. Finding a niche in today's shoe industry, and in the world of business, is how we continue to pursue the American Dream of business ownership. |
Dive Dry with Dr. Bill
#534: Epiphytes
Many of my readers are familiar with epiphytes... even if they don't know it. Curious yet? I hope so. The word epiphyte comes from the Greek words "epi" and "phyton" meaning "above" and "plant." Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants, using the "host" plant for support. They are not parasitic on the host and generally do little damage to it. Why would you know about these? Well, if you ever attended a school dance, you probably bought or received a beautiful epiphyte. Yes, many orchids are epiphytes, growing on other plants but not depending on them for nutrients, moisture or food. I'll bet almost none of you have ever complimented a lady on wearing a beautiful epiphyte corsage! I did... and almost got slapped!
Although epiphytes are most common in tropical or subtropical climates, we have them right here on Catalina. The lichen you see growing on the bark of our scrub oaks and other trees is one type, although technically they are composed of an alga and a fungus. But today I'm not going to dwell on our terrestrial epiphytes like I did in my days as a Conservancy vice president. We have epiphytes in our marine environment as well. At least we've been calling them epiphytes for decades but now I'm not so sure based on the strict definition. Most algae (aka seaweed) are not considered to be true plants.
Depending on whose definition you use, true plants utilize chlorophyll to photosynthesize, have cell walls made of cellulose, utilize sexual reproduction, and store food in the form of starch. Of course I can think of exceptions to all these criteria. Plants were originally separated from animals in a classification of living things into two kingdoms (no relation to the King Dome in Seattle) by Aristotle back in the 300s BC. Later, Linnaeus who is considered the creator of modern scientific classification maintained this distinction in the 1700s AD. However, many modern taxonomists have separated most of the algae from the "true" plants with the exception of the green algae which are believed to be a sister group to the "true" plants.
Scientists believe the other types of algae such as the beautiful reds and the browns (including our own giant kelp) evolved from different ancestral stock and are therefore placed in categories distinct from "true" plants. In fact, current classification systems mostly recognize FIVE kingdoms of living things. True plants are in the Kingdom Plantae. Most algae are grouped with the protozoa in the Kingdom Protista which I find strange from an ecological perspective. Blue-green algae are now grouped with bacteria in the Kingdom Monera. Fungi form the basis for the fifth kingdom, Fungi. Personally, being the democratic American that I am, I see no need for kings, queens and kingdoms. I don't think plants, animals or other critters pay much attention to them either. They really are largely human constructs to help us understand living things by placing labels on them.
So I've taken you on a rather involved explanation of classification just because the definition of epiphyte involves "plants" living on "plants." I'm going to remain "old school" and say that the word may also involve algae growing on other algae. Is that heresy? Probably to rigid taxonomists, but I think most open-minded ecologists will let it slide. So I now feel justified in applying the word epiphyte to what I see in the waters off our island.
When a "plant" or seaweed is growing, it offers a mostly unstable base for another species to attach and grow on it. When kelp blades are new, you see next to nothing attached to them. Only when they have reached a point where growth slows or stops do you see the blades covered with a thick coat of different species like the Jack Frost bryozoan (Membranipora) or tiny tube worms (Spirorbis). Likewise, many of our other seaweeds grow fast when nutrients are more abundant during the cooler part of the year (although reduced daylength affects their growth too) and slow down as the waters warm up. This provides more stable surfaces to attach to.
Given the devastating abundance of the invasive Sargassum from Japan in our waters this year, suitable substrate for an alga (or invertebrate) to attach to may be at a premium. I don't see many epiphytes attaching to the Sargassum as it provides little surface area, and its density blocks light from reaching the rocky reef below its canopy for others to photosynthesize. As it begins to die (senesce), smaller epiphytes may often cover it though. Many of our native seaweeds are beginning to show signs of epiphytic growth... red and smaller brown seaweeds are appearing, attached to mature native algae. By doing so, they obtain easy access to sunlight to sustain their own photosynthesis to power their growth and reproduction. And that's what life is all about... munching to allow the individual to continue, and mating (well, reproduction in the case of seaweeds) to allow the species to continue.
So now you know what an epiphyte is. Remember that next time you buy a corsage for your prom date, kids. Just hope you don't get slapped when you say it. Aren't you glad I clarified for you the present classification of all living things into the five kingdoms? I didn't think so. Just remember, these classification schemes are all based on the human propensity to group and name things. Many times things in the real world don't fit so neatly into our "boxes," although DNA and molecular biology is giving us much better information to base our classification systems on. However, the plants and animals may be laughing at us for our attempts.
Back in 1970 novelist John Fowles wrote a piece in Sports Illustrated entitled "Weeds, Bugs and Americans." He was miffed by our use of "bug" and "weed" to describe a wide variety of living things. In that essay he stated "Any trained biologist will tell you that identification expertise has about as much relation to serious biology as knowing national flags has to do with being an authority on international affairs." Now, I may not entirely agree with that but as the French poet Eluard once said "a fish by any other name would still know the sea."
Dr. Bill prior to getting slapped for giving his date at the junior prom an "epiphyte," a terrestrial
epiphyte known as a bromeliad; brown and red algal epiphytes growing on brown algae.
This document maintained by Dr. Bill Bushing.
Material and images © 2013 Star Thrower Educational Multimedia |
Handmade plaster models [1]
Relief of the Grosse Windgälle created by Eduard Imhof
Naturmuseum Winterthur
Plaster models can be produced using different techniques.
The classic plaster models of the ancient masters of model making were made using this method. Eduard Imhof (1895–1986) started with a negative layer model, so he could abbreviate the procedure saving one mould. [2] The layer method is the most exact way to reproduce real terrain, but it requires a contour map.
Ribbon method
Using the ribbon method
Ribbon method
Eggrate method
Nail of peg method
Eggcrate method
Nail or peg method
In the USA, two other methods using plaster were also used. For the construction of the mother model, cardboard instead of wood was the main material. The ribbon-method used corrugated cardboard to represent contours and the egg-crate method based on a partition of the model in squares. The egg-crate method allows varying the accuracy of the model. These two methods were very easy and fast to execute. They are not as exact as the layer method but were used by the military to provide a fast panoramic view of an unknown terrain to combatants like bomber pilots. [3]
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Definition of the data types used in the file format list In the file format list, several short mnemonics are used to describe the structure of the data stored. Here I describe the structure (and possible conversion) between some of these types. As some types have different sizes across the platforms, for most types the byte order and bit size is given to describe it. ASCIIZ A sequence of characters(->char), terminated with the special character with the value 0. Note that ASCIIZ strings as most structures on Intel machines should not be larger than 64Kb due to the ancient segmentation used. BCD Binary coded decimal A decimal number is converted into a hexadecimal number which has the same digits as the decimal number. (10d becomes 10h, 21d becomes 21h) Bitmap If a value is declared as bitmapped, that means that every bit in this value might have a different meaning. The bytes are numbered from right to left, the least significant bit has the number 0. After the bit number, there are either two statements, separated by a slash("/"), which are the two meanings if the bit is set / not set, or one single statement, which is the meaning of this bit, if it is set. Byte 8 bit unsigned number. Smallest unit a record consists of. All offsets are in the unit bytes. (0-255) Char Synonym for byte, most values are between 32 and 255. (#0-#255) DWord 32 bit signed number. Well, maybe some of the formats use a DWord which is a 32 bit unsigned number, but as files tend not to be greater than 2GB, this won't be my concern. To convert between Intel and Motorola format, you have to swap bytes #2 & #3 and bytes #1 & #4.(-2Gb-+2Gb) Int Integer. Signed 16-bit number. (-32767-+32767) LString A string which is preceeded by the length. Also named "counted" string. Used by most Pascal implementations Maximum length is 255 bytes, but it can contain any char. Nybble The upper or lower four bits of a byte. A nybble is a single hex digit and can have values from 0 to 15. A signed nybble can have values from -8 to 7 with bit 3 being the sign bit. Paragraph A multiple of 16. A paragraph was the resolution of the Intel chip 64K segments. Word 16 bit unsigned number. Note that byte order is important, wether you have a Motorola machine or an Intel one. Conversion between the two formats is simply by swapping byte #1 with byte #2. (0-65535) How to identify different files While searching for different file formats, I found the following programs helpful to gather information about different files. They all are DOS programs since I'm not familiar with other platforms (except Windows). Most of them should be available on SimTel CDs or via FTP at, except for my program TF, which is still in beta. LIST.COM v9.0a by Vernon Buerg List is a file lister which supports both text and hex-view. HIEW.EXE v4.18 by Sen Another file lister with build-in disassembler. FILE.EXE v2.0 by Felix von Leitner File is a file identification program. Q.COM v3.01 by SemWare QEdit is the editor I'm editing the list with. TF.EXE v0.38 by me The program that started it all. A "simple" file identification program - no more, since it has grown too big by now. Still unreleased, since it is not really extensible yet. The file formats list meta list ;) The file format list uses a certain format to make it readable by programs which convert it into the WinHelp format or create program structures out of the lists. This format is very similar to the format used by Ralf Brown in his PC interrupt list but was extended by me to accomodate for the specific needs of this list : Each topic in the list is delimited by a line of 45 chars, in which the first 8 contain the char '-'. After these, there follows one character which contains the type of topic. The different topics are described in the list itself, the char '!' denotes an information topic - like the list of chars and their meaning. After the topic identifier, there follows another '-' char and then the topic name, not containing any '-' chars. After the topic name, there may be some other descriptors like for Motorola byte ordering, guesswork marking or other purposes, see the main list for further information. The line is ended with at least one '-' char. Take the following prototype : --------?-TEST------------------------------ OFFSET Count TYPE Description EXTENSION: OCCURENCES: PROGRAMS: REFERENCE: SEE ALSO: VALIDATION: Sub-topics like different records are mostly delimited by three dashes ('-'). I suggest folding them up and making them available as a popup window. Tables have the following format : (see table 0000) for a table reference and (Table 0000) for the beginning of a table. The end of a table is undefined (yet). A primer on file formats Abbrevations Throughout the list, many abbrevations are used, some in the reference section. Here some are explained : c't The c't is a german computer magazine, which developed the Borland Pascal for OS/2 patch. They release source code in files called CTmmyy.*. Note that comments in the source code and the language in the issues tend to be german :-) DDJxxyy (Doctor Dobb's Journal) The DDJ is a monthly publication by M&T/US which is intended for the professional programmer. The four digits after the name indicate the month/year of the issue referred to. Most of the sourcecode published in the issue is available electronically on Compu$erve and other BBSes. The files have the name DDJyymm. PDN Programmer's Distribution Net A network dedicated to the distribution of source code useful to programmers. Often linked with Fido-nodes. Contributions to this list were made by : Ralf Brown (The .EXE file formats from the INTERRUPT List, general layout) David Dilworth ( Daniel Dissett ( Marcus Groeber ( Darrel Hankerson ( Carl Hauser ( Jouni Miettunen ( Jan Nicolai Langfeldt ( Mark Ouellet (Telix .FON structures) Greg Roelofs ( Robert Rothenburg Walking-Owl ( Jesus Villena (CONVERT.EXE, a digital sample conversion program) Christos Zoulas ( JAL / Nostalgia David McDuffee, (75530, Information gleaned from other programs : Formats for Word and WordPerfect (Selke's filetype) |
Boosting Green Energy Production through Floating Wind Turbines
The people who complain that the wind farms negatively affect the visual appeal of their surroundings can meet their energy needs without installing wind power generator for home. Also, the turbines will be effective in converting more wind power into electricity, as the wind is stronger and more consistent over the sea. At the same time, these floating turbines will also be effective in providing better accommodation for shipping and fishing needs.
But many companies were skeptical about the efficiency of floating wind turbines, due to the intermitted and inconsistent nature of wind. The researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently developed a new approach to eliminate the problems associated with wind energy production. They have developed an innovative system that will easily store the electricity generated by floating wind farms. Further, the electricity can be used to meet the current as well as future energy needs of the region.
To quote from a report posted on MITnews:
The key to this concept is the placement of huge concrete spheres on the seafloor under the wind turbines. These structures, weighing thousands of tons apiece, could serve both as anchors to moor the floating turbines and as a means of storing the energy they produce.
Whenever the wind turbines produce more power than is needed, that power would be diverted to drive a pump attached to the underwater structure, pumping seawater from a 30-meter-diameter hollow sphere. (For comparison, the tank’s diameter is about that of MIT’s Great Dome, or of the dome atop the U.S. Capitol.) Later, when power is needed, water would be allowed to flow back into the sphere through a turbine attached to a generator, and the resulting electricity sent back to shore.
The system would be grid-connected, so the spheres could also be used to store energy from other sources, including solar arrays on shore, or from base-load power plants, which operate most efficiently at steady levels. This could potentially reduce reliance on peak-power plants, which typically operate less efficiently.
Despite looking for options to reduce their dependence on electricity and fossil energy, many homeowners hesitate to invest in residential wind turbines. The innovative system developed by MIT researchers will enable many people to use wind energy to meet their current and future power needs without buying and installing portable wind power generator for home. |
godaddy web
Aquila Class Aircraft Carrier
The Aquila. Courtesy C.T. Burke via British Ministry of Defence
Once Italy realized the importance of air power in the sea, the construction of the Aquila took place. The Aquila was 1 of 3 planned aircraft carriers for the Italian navy. The Aquila was to hold up to 53 Reggiane Re 2001 aircraft. Construction began in 1942 by modifying the ocean liner “Roma”. In 1943, Italian frogmen partially scuttled the ship to prevent it from getting into German hands. It was then salvaged, but scuttled by the Germans in 1945. In 1946 the Aquila was salvaged but to only to be towed for scrap metal. It never entered service for the Italian Navy.
Length 680′
Flight Deck Length 759′
Speed 30 Knots
Beam 96.5′
Draft 23′
Main Guns 8 x 5.3″/45 cal
Secondary Guns Heavy AA 12 x 65mm/64 cal
Aircraft 53
Weight 28,500 full load
Horsepower 148,000
Compliment 1,000-1,300
Shafts 4
Construction Period 1942-1945
Special thanks to warships1 for specifications on the Aquila.
1. To bad it was never used it would have been the best. |
Acute and Chronic Headaches/Migraine
Headache occurs when you feel pain in any region of your head; it may happen on one or both sides of your head, be isolated in a specific location, radiate across your head from a central point or you may feel like your entire head is in a vise. The pain from a headache may be sharp and throbbing or a dull ache. The headache symptoms may happen gradually or suddenly and they can be over in as little as an hour or last for several days. Most headaches are not life threatening, but some may require emergency care .
A migraine headache is often on one side of the head and can be felt as an intense throbbing or a pulsing sensation and is commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting or extreme sensitivity to light and sound. The intensity and symptoms of a migraine headache varies from person to person.
Headaches are classified into two types: primary and secondary. Primary headaches are not caused by underlying conditions, whereas secondary headaches are.
Primary Headaches
Headaches are categorized as primary if they are not the result of an underlying disease. The most common forms of primary headaches include cluster headaches, migraines and tension headaches.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are primary headaches that occur in cyclical patterns or clusters and are one of the most painful types of headache. Cluster headaches are less common than migraines or tension headaches and usually bring severe pain (sometimes described as ‘stabbing’ pain) behind one eye, and may be accompanied by redness and nasal congestion. Patients with cluster headaches may also notice paleness in their face, perspiration, swelling around the affected eye, a drooping of the affected eye's lid or a general feeling of restlessness.
Cluster headaches often wake you up from a sound sleep. You may experience bouts of frequent attacks (called cluster periods) that can last from weeks to months; these are typically followed by remission periods.
Abnormalities in the hypothalamus are likely to play a role in cluster headaches. Men are more likely than women to suffer from cluster headaches.
As painful as they are, cluster headaches are usually not life threatening and are somewhat rare, affecting less than one in a 1,000 headache sufferers.
Migraines are primary headaches that frequently involve severe pain on one side of the head, and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can be debilitating and last anywhere between an hour and several days. Migraines may be preceded by sensory warnings (called an aura) such as flashes of light, blind spots in your vision and tingling in your arms and legs.
Migraines typically progress through four stages:
• The prodrome occurs one to two days before the migraine and may signify the oncoming attack with symptoms of constipation, depression, food cravings, hyperactivity, irritability, a stiff neck and excessive yawning.
• The aura may happen right before or during the headache and usually consists of visual disturbances such as flashes of light, although auras may also manifest as touch sensations or movement or speech disturbances. Most people experience migraines without the aura.
• The attack (or headache) part of a migraine lasts anywhere from 4 to 72 hours and may produce a throbbing pain most often on one side of your head or behind your eye, sensory sensitivity, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision and lightheadedness.
• The postdrome phase occurs after the attack is over and it may leave you feeling weak, although some people feel euphoric.
A migraine sufferer may not experience all of these stages.
Genetics and environment seem to be contributing factors to migraines and include such elements as hormonal changes in women. In addition, aged or salty processed foods, some food additives (such as artificial sweetners and MSG), alcohol and caffeine, stress, overwhelming sensory stimuli, getting too little or too much sleep, and even weather and medications, such as oral contraceptives and vascular dilators may contribute as migraine triggers.
Women are three times more likely to have migraines than men, and by the age of 40, most people who have a family history or are prone to migraines will have experienced their first migraine attack.
Tension Headaches
A tension headache, the most common primary headache, is typically a diffuse headache of mild to moderate pain; it is described as feeling like you have a tight band around your head. You may feel some tenderness in your scalp, neck and shoulder muscles. Your tension headache may be episodic (last from 30 minutes to a week and occur less than 15 days a month for at least 3 months) or chronic (last hours and be continuous and occur 15 or more days a month for at least 3 months).
The causes of tension headaches are unknown but stress may be a trigger. Women are slightly more susceptible to tension headaches, but more than 70 percent of all people will experience a tension headache in their lifetimes.
Secondary headaches
Secondary headaches are more rare but also more serious than primary headaches. The source of these headaches is often due to serious health issues or other underlying conditions, which can include brain aneurysms or tumors, dysfunctions of the spinal fluid or inflammatory diseases.
To resolve or manage the secondary headache, doctors need to understand and diagnose the source of the headache. Though it may not be life threatening, the cause of the headache can be serious and therefore immediate attention is needed for an early diagnosis and to help treat a secondary headache. Doctors at Houston Methodist have the specialized expertise to identify these underlying causes so they can be treated promptly.
Thunderclap Headaches
Thunderclap headaches arrive in a burst of severe pain and often peak within 60 seconds and can start fading after an hour; however, some are known to last a week or more. You may experience nausea and vomiting.
These headaches are uncommon, but they can be a warning sign of such life-threatening conditions as bleeding in and around the brain, loss of cerebrospinal fluid, meningitis or encephalitis or a severe spike in blood pressure, so treat this type of headache as an emergency and call 911.
Seek emergency care
If you experience a thunderclap headache or headache with other symptoms such as fever, stiff neck or confusion, it can be a sign of a serious condition such as stroke, brain tumors, aneurysms, meningitis or encephalitis. Call 911 immediately.
Always seek emergency care if you have a severe headache in combination with other serious symptoms:
• An abrupt, severe headache with no discernable cause
• Headache with a fever, nausea or vomiting, neck stiffness, cognitive confusion, seizures, fainting spells, numbness or difficulty speaking
• Headache after a head injury
• Headache that gets worse over days and changes in pattern
Diagnosis of Primary and Secondary Headaches
Primary headaches
Diagnosing primary headaches begins with a review of the patient's medical history, description of symptoms and the pattern of headaches, as well as a thorough physical exam to determine the type of headache and how to treat it. The doctor may suggest imaging, blood tests and neurological tests to better understand the patient’s condition and to eliminate other potential causes of the headache.
Secondary headaches
For secondary headaches that are not life threatening, our physicians will take the patient’s medical history, a description of symptoms and the pattern of headaches and perform a thorough physical exam to determine the type of headache and how to treat it.
For a thunderclap headache, the emergency room team will probably use CT and MRI scans to image cross-sections of the patient’s brain to identify the problem. A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) may also be ordered to test the cerebrospinal fluid for signs of bleeding or infection. At Houston Methodist, we may enhance the MRI scan by performing an angiography, injecting dye into the patient’s system to get a clearer picture of any bleeding in the brain.
Treating Primary and Secondary Headaches
In the presence of any of the signs or symptoms noted above, a diagnostic assessment may include blood tests, brain scans, a lumbar puncture or referral to another specialist.
Our team will treat migraines much in the same way we resolve cluster headaches, focusing on lessening the severity of pain and preventing the next attack. We will recommend pain relievers (ibuprofen), triptans (sumatriptan), ergot (dihydroergotamine), anti-nausea medications (chlorpromazine), opioids (codeine) and glucocorticoids (prednisone) to help relieve migraine symptoms.
To prevent or reduce the frequency of your migraines, we may suggest cardiovascular drugs (ACE inhibitors, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers), antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, pain relievers and injections of botulinum toxin (Botox®).
We will encourage you to get just the right amount of sleep (not too much or too little), try muscle relaxation exercises and keep a headache diary to discover what triggers your migraines.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches rarely require medical attention. We would suggest managing these with over-the-counter pain relievers (including those that combine the pain reliever with caffeine or sedative) and triptans.
Secondary Headaches
To treat secondary headaches, doctors must first identify their underlying cause and recommend an immediate course of treatment for that disease or condition. Because the possible causes of secondary headaches include life-threatening conditions such as brain tumors or aneurysms, prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential. Once the underlying cause is treated, your physician at Houston Methodist will continue to monitor your condition through CT scans or other diagnostic tests, as needed, to confirm both headache and source of the headache are successfully managed, resolving any life-threatening condition.
Our physicians at Houston Methodist specialize in managing primary and secondary headaches at the following convenient locations. |
Vegetable Oil Fueled Vehicles
At Mission: Wolf, we have two vehicles (a Dodge flatbed pickup truck and a Mercedes station wagon) that run on vegetable oil. The fuel is free, carbon neutral (it would be hazardous waste otherwise), and less polluting than petroleum-based diesel.
When we started Mission: Wolf in 1986, we chose a location as far away from people as we could get. From our sanctuary, it’s a 45-minute drive to the nearest small town (Westcliffe, population 1150). To get some materials and supplies, we need to drive two hours to Pueblo or Colorado Springs. Unfortunately, that means that one of our big expenses and environmental impacts is fuel for our vehicles. In 2009, we began fueling our diesel vehicles on pure vegetable oil, cutting costs, reducing emissions, and repurposing waste into fuel.
How can you run a car on vegetable oil?
Diesel engines were originally designed to be run on a wide range of fuels including kerosene and coal dust. Peanut oil was often a favorite due to its high energy density. Today, most people burn petroleum-based diesel fuel because it’s cheap and readily available. The design of the diesel engine still allows it to burn its original fuel: vegetable oil.
Our initial effort: Biodiesel
Our first adventure into non-petroleum fuels was with biodiesel in the early 2000’s. With scrap materials, we constructed a biodiesel processing building and began working with students from CU Boulder to produce biodiesel (vegetable oil combined with methanol). Biodiesel is a stable, effective way to fuel diesel engines, but the process turned out to be too risky for our remote, solar-powered facilities. Problems included inadequate storage facilities for flammable methanol, imprecise temperature control in our solar-heated buildings, and lack of chemistry expertise on our constantly rotating staff. During this whole process, we heard of people running straight waste vegetable oil through their engines with great success.
Pure vegetable oil and the dual fuel system
When comparing the performance of petroleum-based diesel and vegetable oil, there are two main differences. First, diesel gives more power to the engine. This means a little slower acceleration and lowered hill-climbing capability when running on vegetable oil. The second is that vegetable oil is viscous at normal temperatures. This means that we need to have a heat source to heat the oil before running it through the engine.
The solution: instead of putting vegetable oil into our gas tank, we have installed a second fuel system and a second fuel tank on our diesel vehicles. When the vehicle starts up, it runs on petroleum-based diesel until it reaches optimum running temperature. At this point, the driver can flip a switch and change over to the second fuel system. Vegetable oil is pre-heated with hot coolant before entering the engine. When we want to stop the vehicle, we need to flush petroleum-based diesel through for about 30 seconds to clean all the oil out (the engine can seize if vegetable oil cools down inside of it). The solution is simple!
Where does our oil come from?
We collect used vegetable oil (usually peanut oil) from local restaurants who would otherwise need to pay to have it disposed of as hazardous waste. It comes in the same 5-gallon plastic carboys that it was delivered to the restaurant in.
How do we process and filter our fuel?
With waste oil from french fry production, there are usually three impurities that we remove with our processing: water, solids (potato pieces), and waxy oil-based substances from being used repeatedly (we call that gunk). Our processing involves two methods:
1. Settling and passive heat:
When we first take in waste vegetable oil, it’s usually a mix of good oil, gunk (waxy solids), and solids. The easiest and more energy-efficient way to process the oil is to let it sit for a few weeks in a warm place. Our vegetable oil processing building was built for this purpose, and it acts like a giant greenhouse. Summertime temperatures in our heating room are in the 100°F range. Daytime temperatures in the winter are around 65°F, so we don’t process much in the winter.
During settling, solids and gunk settle to the bottom. Water evaporates out of the open container. In the end, we have nice, clear oil floating on top.
We do know people who use active heating to process their vegetable oil. This speeds things up and turns more of the gunk into usable fuel. At our solar-powered facility, this would consume all of our energy! Heating is extremely energy intensive, so we prefer to use passive solar heat to accomplish our processing, even if it’s a little slower.
Heating WVO oil carboys Vegetable oil drums
Below is our guide for new staff members learning how to work with carboys of oil. Click for a larger version.
Mission: Wolf WVO Carboys
2. Filtering:WVO filter
Our oil is run through two filters (one fuel filter and one water filter) before it’s ready to burn. This helps to remove any remaining impurities.
So, our whole process looks like this: we first settle our oil in 5-gallon plastic carboys in a hot room for a few weeks. We then pour all the good oil into a series of 55-gallon drum. We process about 55 gallons of oil per week, so oil spends about three weeks total in the drums. From the third drum, we pump oil through a fuel filter into the final evaporation tank in a hot room. After a week in the hot room, we do one final filtering, cycling the oil through a water filter for 40 minutes. From there, we open the valve and dump the oil into our fuel tank!
Below is a diagram of our processing system. This is an extensive system, using parts of our old biodiesel processor combined with some newer parts. Click for a larger version.
Mission: Wolf WVO Processor
Is all that processing really necessary?
Our processing is extremely thorough for a few reasons. First, we can’t afford to have sub-standard oil damage any of our vehicles. Since we run on donations, there are limited funds to repair vehicles. Second, we built our infrastructure to make biodiesel, so it’s a little overkill. It’s already there though, so we figure that it’s no extra work just to keep using it.
Some of our friends only process their fuel using our first step: settling and evaporation in plastic carboys. Make sure that if you do this, you’re careful! You can test for water content in your oil by heating a thin layer of oil past the boiling point of water and watching for bubbles to form. If any bubbles larger than 0.5mm form, you need to process your fuel more.
If you’re considering processing your own fuel, be thorough in your research!
What systems do we use in our vehicles? Our Dodge flatbed pickup truck has a Frybrid system installed. We had the system transferred from another identical vehicle after an accident, and it’s working great. The Mercedes station wagon has a system that one of our long-time staff members, Aaron Young, designed and built himself.
Is this a global solution to petroleum?
Unfortunately, there is not a large enough supply of waste vegetable oil (WVO) to power all the vehicles humans are using on this planet. It’s fun to think about french fries powering all our motorized transportation, but it just isn’t feasible. For us, it helps out our local businesses and gives us a way to reduce our impact on the world.
Interested in making your own conversion?
We recommend doing research into some of the larger companies that are making vegetable oil conversion kits:
WVO Designs (also see their guide on deciding on a system and making your own conversion)
Golden Fuel Systems (formerly Frybrid) |
How to stop bullying others: 7 practical tips - #StandUpToBullying
How to stop bullying others: 7 practical tips
Article courtesy of:
In The Annual Bullying Survey 2015, Ditch the Label recently found that 1 in 2 people have bullied another person at least once. Bullying is one of the biggest issues currently affecting teens in the UK and we believe that we can overcome it, if we start to think differently about how we resolve things. We believe that nobody is ever a bully. They may be bullying somebody, which is a behaviour, but it isn’t who they are as people. Our experts have compiled together 7 practical tips which are designed to help you stop bullying others by enabling you to understand your behaviours better and equipping you to resolve them in more effective ways.
1. You are not a bully: first and foremost, stop labelling yourself as a bully. It isn’t productive and will not benefit you. You may be bullying another person but that does not mean you are a bully. It is a behaviour and not your identity.
2. Understand why: our research shows that there are a variety of reasons why people bully others. Bullying is a learned behaviour and is often used as a coping mechanism for a stressful situation. Common examples could include being bullied by somebody else, abuse, a traumatic situation or a stressful home life. In addition, we also know that some people bully others because they may feel competitive towards them or may not fully understand an element about them. Once you are able to gain an understanding as to why you are motivated to bully others, you will become incredibly powerful.
3. Seek a resolve: once you have identified the source of your behaviour, it is important to find a productive way in which you can resolve the situation. If you find this difficult, we would recommend speaking with an adult who you trust. Alternatively, you can contact us or give our friends at Childline a call on 0800 11 11.
4. Reprogram your stress: what is the one thing that we all have in common? Stress. We all feel it, but it’s important to recognise stress and deal with it accordingly. By that, we mean – don’t store it up and let it fester, as it can have significant impacts on your mood and health. Give our Stress Reprogramming system a try.
5. Speak about it: you’d be surprised at how powerful it can be to just sit down with somebody who you trust and talk about everything that is bothering you. A problem shared, really is a problem halved. It may be worth buddying up and going through our Stress Reprogramming exercise with somebody who you trust.
6. Is it a good strategy?: pulling somebody else down will never, ever take you any higher. Using bullying as a coping mechanism for something stressful in your life, is only going to make things worse; not just for you but also for the person who is at the receiving end of the bullying.
7. Understand the impact: to you, it may not seem serious, but to another person the impact could be significant. For every 10 people who are bullied, 3 of them will self harm, 1 will go on to have a failed suicide attempt and 1 will develop an eating disorder. Additionally, we know that people who have been bullied, on average, achieve lower grades and therefore the bullying could reduce their future career prospects.
Above everything, we would encourage you to please speak to somebody and seek the support available. This could be a trusted adult, or even a Ditch the Label Mentor. If you’d like to chat, please contact us. |
What is it?
Glaucoma is a very complex group of eye disease that can lead to permanent loss of vision. It is the second leading cause of blindness in the world; in African Americans, it is the number one cause of blindness. It is estimated that, in the United States, over 2.2 million people have glaucoma but only half are aware that they have it. This is largely due to the fact that the most common type of glaucoma has very few symptoms before vision loss occurs; there is no pain, no redness, no swelling. For this reason, patients need to be aware of their potential risk for glaucoma and have regular eye examinations.
Simply put, glaucoma is defined as damage to the optic nerve as a result of elevated intraocular pressure. Damage to the optic nerve causes vision loss that starts in the periphery (side) of your vision. Unfortunately, there is no cure for glaucoma but, through early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, useful vision can often be preserved.
Types of Glaucoma
Primary open-angle glaucoma: This is the most common type of glaucoma. It usually develops slowly and insidiously. There are no early warning signs or symptoms. In primary open-angle glaucoma, the entrance to the drainage canals in the eye appears to be open; however, there is a problem with drainage further down the drainage system, which causes an increase in the pressure inside the eye. This increased pressure damages the optic nerve. Primary open-angle glaucoma usually responds to proper treatment with medication (usually eye drops), especially if it is caught early.
Angle-closure glaucoma: In this type of glaucoma, the drainage canals are blocked, usually by the iris (colored part of the eye), which is abnormally bunched up near the drainage canals. If the iris completely blocks the drainage system, the eye pressure can skyrocket to a very dangerous level quickly, causing permanent damage to the optic nerve. If your eye appears to be at risk for angle-closure glaucoma, our doctors may recommend that you undergo a preventative laser procedure that makes a small hole in the outer part of your iris. This opening helps open the drainage canal so the pressure will not become elevated.
Normal-tension glaucoma:
This type of glaucoma is a bit of a mystery. In normal-tension glaucoma, the eye pressure is not elevated and, yet, the optic nerve still suffers damage. No one is quite sure why this happens, but we do know that certain people are at higher risk: people with a family history of normal-tension glaucoma, people with Japanese ancestry, and people with a history of systemic heart disease (such as an irregular heartbeat).
Secondary glaucoma: This term refers to any situation in which another disease process causes or contributes to elevated eye pressure. Examples include: prior eye injury or trauma, diabetes, steroids, inflammation, advanced cataracts. Secondary glaucoma is treated based on whether it is determined to be open-angle or angle-closure glaucoma.
Congenital glaucoma (childhood glaucoma): As the name implies, this type of glaucoma is diagnosed in infancy or early childhood. It occurs in about 1 in 10,000 births in the United States. Congenital glaucoma may be caused by a hereditary genetic defect or abnormal development of the eye during pregnancy. It is treated most often by microsurgery and medications.
Who is at risk?
African Americans: Glaucoma is 6-8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians.
Hispanics: Recent studies are showing glaucoma may be the leading cause of blindness in Hispanics as well as African Americans.
People over 60: You are 6 times more likely to get glaucoma if you are over 60 years of age.
People with a family history of glaucoma: Family history increases your risk by 4-9 times.
Asian ancestry: People of Asian descent appear to be at higher risk for angle-closure glaucoma.
Steroid users: There is some evidence linking steroid use to glaucoma. This can be either very large doses of systemic steroids or steroid eye drops.
People with prior eye injury: Glaucoma can occur immediately after the injury or years later.
The goal of glaucoma treatment is to lower the eye pressure to a level that no longer damages the optic nerve. Initially, prescription drops are used, and these medications work very well in patients who take them consistently. In some cases, laser treatment may be used as a supplemental therapy. In patients whose eye pressures do not respond adequately to medications, surgery may be recommended. |
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Article curated by Grace Mason-Jarrett
Burj Khalifa is a sky scraper standing at an impressive 828m high in central Dubai. It is the tallest man-made structure to date, and yet the pieces which make up this enormous building are the regular glass, bricks and steel girders all sky scrapers will be made up of. The unique way in which these common materials have been placed together is what makes Burj Khalifa stable, and so it is with atoms. The plants and animals around us, even the rocks and air are all made up of a very complex array of atoms, arranged in such a way that that particular object or substance can exist without falling to bits. We know atoms are made up of smaller particles – electrons, protons and neutrons. The number of each of these particles is what groups the atom into a particular element. Hydrogen is the simplest, and therefore most abundant, element in the Universe consisting of only a singular proton and a partner electron whizzing round it.
We now know, by using various particle accelerators (of which the Large Hadron Collider is the most powerful) to smash particles into each other, that there are many more particles which make up the fabric of the universe. Some of these particles exist only in the extreme conditions created when particles collide, and only for a brief amount of time. Theories predicting the discovery of more particles, or attempting to explain the weird and wonderful interactions between particles grow ever more complicated in the face of advancing mathematics. Physicists study the beautiful swirls made by trails of particles in places like the LHC, so as to decipher what type of particles were made in the impacts. Theoretical and practical physicists alike are constantly discovering more and more amazing things about the nano-scale building blocks which govern our world.
Currently there’s a widely accepted model which has so far been successful in predicting and explaining sub-atomic behaviour. This model is known as the Standard Model, and describes almost every particle and fundamental force we have a name for. One such force is known as the ‘strong’ force, and acts over inconceivably short distances. It boasts a power of over 137 times more than electromagnetism however because it only has a range of one femtometer you and I will not notice its effects in daily situations. It is thought that this force is responsible for the stability of matter, however according to the current models, it is this exact force which is preventing structures known as ‘tetraneutrons’ from existing. Tetraneutrons are, in theory, four neutrons bound together in a stable state. Doesn’t sound very complicated, however putting this situation into the very finely-tuned mathematical equations which have been successful at predicting other phenomenon produces an impossible result, which scientists say is down to the strong force. There was a claim of physical evidence of the tetraneutron found in a particle accelerator in Caen, yet the results held large errors so cannot be confirmed. If this particular arrangement of neutrons is discovered it could mean trouble for these mathematical elegancies, and perhaps mean that we are wrong about many other aspects of the strong force.
Since its discovery in 1917 the humble proton has been the subject of much scrutiny. You may be aware that the proton itself is not a fundamental particle, but in fact is made up of three quarks and it is these quarks, and their particular arrangement which characterise the particle as a proton. There are 6 types of quarks, the different combinations of which account for the different particles we see in collision events
At least that’s what we thought. Deeper exploration into these quarks has revealed that actually, the quarks can only account for part of the protons personality. The particular characteristic in question is one known as ‘spin’. This rather complex feature of particles is difficult to explain, but you can imagine it as the proton spinning on its axis. So it was thought that spin is caused by the three quarks which make up the proton, however the maths just doesn’t add up. Scientists hurriedly revised their theories about the proton swapping one quark for a particularly sticky particle known as a gluon, and changing the types of the other two quarks. Despite their revision, there are still discrepancies between the model and what physicists observe. Something’s missing, but what?.
Wikimedia Commons
The Standard Model is our best model so far for predicting the presence of particles on a fundamental level - but what if it's wrong? Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Higgs Boson
Probably the most famous discovery of recent years, the Higgs Boson is one particle predicted by the Standard model which has appeared in the chambers of the Large Hadron Collider. Scientists around the world celebrated as the discovery has huge implications in explaining the world around us. You can read more about the Higgs here. But is this mysterious particle detected in the LHC actually the Higgs Boson we’re all expecting to see?
While scientists cannot see the particle itself (it’s very unstable and so decays quickly) they can see the products of its decay. Some of these daughter particles are photons – particles of light, but the LHC detectors are picking up more photons per Higgs than the Standard model predicts! While most other properties match the description, it seems the Higgs we detect is not the Higgs we expected to find.
The newly found Higgs mystifies us further. In order for the Universe to exist, which we can all agree it definitely does, this particle should have a mass which is closer to infinity, as predicted by very clever and long equations. Physicists at the LHC, however, have found that it’s mass is roughly 130 times the mass of a proton. So not quite infinite – therefore the Universe doesn’t exist. Evidently there’s something wrong here – either we’re all living in suspended reality or the model which predicts the Higgs boson to exist needs work.
So what could be different? The Standard model shows a certain amount of symmetry in its predictions. For every particle, there is an anti-particle – a particle which possesses more or less the same behavioural attitudes and mass as its counterpart, but opposite electromagnetic characteristics. For the negatively charged electron, there exists a positively charged positron. However, as yet there is no anti-Higgs. Furthermore, the electron has five more particles in its family making six in total, and there are six quarks in the quark family, making the Higgs a very lonely fundamental particle indeed. It’s possible there are more of the Higgs family out there waiting to be discovered which could balance out the weight issue and convince the theoretical physicists that the universe does exist after all.
On the flip side, theories could be so wrong they need scrapping, and actually it’s just a coincidence that particles come in families and the Higgs is absolutely fine as it is.
What else could we find?
A while ago you may have heard that neutrinos can travel faster than the speed of light – this isn’t exactly true. As particles with mass approach the speed of light they increase in mass, the closer they get the more mass they accrete. This gain in mass slows the acceleration of the particles down, and in fact before a particle could get to the speed of light, it’s mass would be infinite and it’s acceleration zero. All this is according to Einstein’s famed theory of relativity. However, photons are particles and they definitely travel at the speed of light – yet they have no mass. Perhaps there are other exceptions to the rule?
Tachyons are theoretical particles which possess the power to zip along at speeds greater than the speed of light, without breaking any of Einstein’s rules. If they exist then scientists will see evidence of this in interactions between other particles – but so far no such interaction has been spotted. This doesn’t exactly help the Tachyons case, however if they are found to exist it could open the door to a whole new realm of opportunities. If one particle can travel faster than the speed of light, maybe others can too – maybe we can.
This article was written by the Things We Don’t Know editorial team, with contributions from Cait Percy, and Johanna Blee.
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The intelligence required to switch banks of shunt capacitors automatically depends upon the reason for
their use. If they are used primarily to control voltage, then the capacitors can be switched on when the voltage is low or off when the voltage is high, and a voltage relay supplies the control.
If the system voltage is regulated by other means and the capacitors are used for power factor correction, then the load kvar or total current must be used as the means for control. It is always desirable to use the simplest type of control that will accomplish the desired result.
Current control is commonly used where the voltage is regulated by other means and the power factor is practically constant through wide variations in load. Kvar control is used where t,he load power factor varies over a wide range as the load changes.
Whether the control is accomplished by voltage, current, or kvar, the control systems are similar. In addition to the master control relay, other devices are required in the control scheme such as time-delay relays, control switches, etc.
For one-step automatic control the master relay energizes the “closing” element of a time-delay relay, and if the master-relay contacts stay closed for the time required for the time-delay relay contacts to make, then the operating circuit is energized and the capacitor breaker closes.
A similar process in reverse trips the capacitor breaker. For a two-step control the sequence is the same as for one-step control except that auxiliary contacts on the No. 1 breaker set up the circuits for the control of the second step.
If the No. 1 breaker is closed, the circuit is set up to either trip No. 1 or to close No. 2. The sequence of
operation is the same in all cases, that is, No. 1 breaker always closes first and trips last.
For more than two-step control, each additional breaker, by means of auxiliary contacts, sets up the control circuits for the next operation whether it be to add or remove capacitor kvar.
The control circuits become numerous and involved, but their operation is accurate, reliable, and thoroughly proved by many applications. Where the need for capacitor kvar follows a fixed schedule, the capacitors cab be switched by a time relay that initiates on or off at predetermined times.
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Saints in Methodism
Honoring the saintsEdit
The title Saint in Methodist churches is commonly bestowed to those who had direct relations with Jesus Christ, or who are mentioned in the Bible. Occasionally, some esteemed, pre-Reformation Christians are addressed using the title Saint; the theologian Saint Augustine of Hippo being an example. However, there is no established rule as to the use of the title. Some Methodist churches are named for historic heroes and heroines of the faith such as the Twelve Apostles (excluding Judas Iscariot), Timothy, Paul, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, Virgin Mary, and Joseph; an example being the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew (New York City).
Virgin MaryEdit
The Virgin Mary is honored as the Mother of God in the United Methodist Church and by Methodists of the High Church tradition. Methodists churches teach the doctrine of the virgin birth, although they, along with Orthodox Christians and other Protestant Christians, reject the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.[4]
Many Methodists, including John Wesley, have held that Mary was a perpetual virgin,[5] which is the belief that Mary was ever-virgin for the whole of her life and Jesus was her only biological son.[6] Contemporary Methodism does hold that Mary was a virgin before, during, and immediately after the birth of Christ.[7][8] A small number of Methodists hold the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary as a pious opinion.[9]
Martyrs of the faithEdit
The title is used to refer to historical martyrs, especially dating before the Reformation. The 2008 and 2012 General Conferences of the United Methodist Church voted to officially recognize Dietrich Bonhoeffer (2008) and Martin Luther King Jr. (2012) as modern-day 'martyrs'. The vote recognized people who died for their faith and stand as Christian role models.[10]
See alsoEdit
1. ^ a b c "Do United Methodists believe in saints?". United Methodism Church. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
4. ^ "What does The United Methodist Church teach about the Immaculate Conception and the Virgin Birth?". 2006-11-06. Retrieved 2013-09-30.
5. ^ Wesley’s Letters, The Wesley Center Online, 1749
6. ^ "Mary's Perpetual Virginity". Retrieved 2013-09-30.
7. ^ "What does The United Methodist Church teach about the Virgin Mary?". 2006-11-06. Retrieved 2013-09-30.
8. ^ "Comparing Christian Denominations – Beliefs: Nature of Mary". 2013-07-30. Retrieved 2013-09-30.
10. ^ See United Methodist News Service, "United Methodists declare MLK Jr. a modern-day martyr" May 1,2012 |
Ab urbe condita
This article is about the year numbering system. For the book, see Ab Urbe Condita Libri.
Antoninianus of Pacatianus, usurper of Roman emperor Philip in 248. It bears the legend ROMAE AETER[NAE] AN[NO] MIL[LESIMO] ET PRIMO, "To eternal Rome, in its one thousand and first year".
"Ab urbe condita" (Classical orthography: ABVRBECONDITÁ; Latin pronunciation: [ab ˈʊrbɛ ˈkɔndɪtaː]; related to "anno urbis conditae"; A. U. C., AUC, a.u.c.; also "anno urbis", short a.u. [1]) is a Latin phrase meaning "from the founding of the City (Rome)", [2] traditionally dated to 753 BC. AUC is a year-numbering system used by some ancient Roman historians to identify particular Roman years. Renaissance editors sometimes added AUC to Roman manuscripts they published, giving the false impression that the Romans usually numbered their years using the AUC system. The dominant method of identifying Roman years in Roman times was to name the two consuls who held office that year. The regnal year of the emperor was also used to identify years, especially in the Byzantine Empire after 537 when Justinian required its use.
The traditional date for the founding of Rome of 21 April 753 BC, was initiated by 1st century BC scholar Marcus Terentius Varro. Varro may have used the consular list with its mistakes, and called the year of the first consuls "245 ab urbe condita", accepting the 244-year interval from Dionysius of Halicarnassus for the kings after the foundation of Rome. The correctness of Varro's calculation has not been confirmed but it is still used worldwide.
From Emperor Claudius (reigned 41–54 AD) onwards, Varro's calculation superseded other contemporary calculations. Celebrating the anniversary of the city became part of imperial propaganda. Claudius was the first to hold magnificent celebrations in honour of the city's anniversary, in 48 AD, 800 years after the founding of the city.[ citation needed] Hadrian and Antoninus Pius held similar celebrations, in 121 AD and 147/148 AD respectively.[ citation needed]
During 248 AD, Philip the Arab celebrated Rome's first millennium, together with Ludi saeculares for Rome's alleged tenth saeculum. Coins from his reign commemorate the celebrations. A coin by a contender for the imperial throne, Pacatianus, explicitly states "Year one thousand and first", which is an indication that the citizens of the Empire had a sense of the beginning of a new era, a Saeculum Novum.
When the Roman Empire turned Christian during the following century, this imagery came to be used in a more metaphysical sense, and removed legal impediments to the development and public use of the Anno Domini dating system, which came into general use during the reign of Charlemagne.
Other Languages
Alemannisch: Varronische Ära
asturianu: Ab urbe condita
български: Ab urbe condita
bosanski: Ab Urbe condita
brezhoneg: Ab urbe condita
Ελληνικά: Ab urbe condita
español: Ab Urbe condita
Esperanto: Romia erao
français: Ab Urbe condita
Bahasa Indonesia: Ab urbe condita
italiano: Ab Urbe condita
עברית: Ab urbe condita
қазақша: Ab urbe condita
Latina: AUC
latviešu: Ab urbe condita
македонски: Ab urbe condita
Nordfriisk: Ab urbe condita
norsk bokmål: Ab urbe condita
norsk nynorsk: Ab urbe condita
português: Ab urbe condita
română: Ab Urbe condita
русский: Ab Urbe condita
Simple English: Ab urbe condita
slovenščina: Ab urbe condita
srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски: Ab Urbe condita
Basa Sunda: Ab urbe condita
Türkçe: Ab urbe condita
українська: Ab Urbe condita
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Question on Thermal Siphoning velocity?
1. Sep 18, 2007 #1
Hello everyone, I'm new here, so this is my first post on here. I've never taken a physics class in my life, but love the stuff. I'm an avid solar researcher. Not photovoltaic panels, but more in the infrared spectrum since that compromises nearly 50% of the light from the sun and could be very useful. Thus far, I've created the Pearcy Solar oven, which can be used for cooking with sunlight only, and reaches temperatures of up to 410 degrees here in Illinois.
I'm also working on building more effecient solar heaters for my home as well. I'm using the thermal siphoning technique to circulate air through them. Hot air comes out of the top of the unit, which pullls more cooler air in thru the bottom. The question I have is the feet per second or feet per minute at which hot air will rise. I'm sure it highly revolves around the temperature difference, but I'm not sure.
I'm getting anywhere from 70-100 degrees warmer than the surrounding air coming out of the top. Any ideas at what speed this will rise? Thanks!
Last edited by a moderator: Sep 18, 2007
2. jcsd
3. Sep 24, 2007 #2
Derek, I can't actually answer your question, because I don't possess the necesary knowledge myself, but I will offer a generality and pose a question.
I would suspect it would depend on the change in temperature the air experienced coupled with some coefficient that describes how air expands when heated. And the density of the air into which it was expanding...
Now my question is, can you build an apparatus to actually measure it? I mean, you are clearly proficient in building things, so a guy like you should me able to devise a way to physically take a measurement. Perhaps the number of RPM a pinwheel of know radius can be counted?
4. Sep 24, 2007 #3
You can actually see the heat rising on the floor inside. So I covered the opening, then opened it quickly, and then marked the distant the visible heat traveled in 1 second. It was about 2 feet, so I guess its going to rise at about 2 feet per second.... But this isnt anything official, thats what I was after.
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History of Jaguar
Jaguar is one of the divisions of the Ford Motor" designed for the production of luxury cars. Coventry is the location of the main office.
In 1925 two William Lyons and Walmsley opened a company called SS that totally sounded like the Swallow Sidecar. From here begins the history of Jaguar. Their first activity was very narrow, they produced motorcycle stroller. However, this did not make a substantial profit, and Lyons decided to do body design for Austin Seven, the project was successful, and he performed the first order of 500 for car bodies. Job loved the customers and the firm was seen by the car manufacturers who ordered the body for their cars at them. Model Wolseley Hornet, Fiat 509A, Morris Cowley were wearing body from SS. However, the true passion of Lyons were two-seater sports car, so he didn't give up trying to produce its own car Premiere of two models - the SSI and SSII was held at the auto insert, held in London. The cars were noticed and appreciated.
The following issues were Jaguar SS90 and Jaguar SS100, this name was given to them from the master himself. Jaguar SS100 is a classic sports car with 40's. In the end, in 1945, the company was renamed Jaguar due to the similarity of the abbreviation SS called Nazi groups. In 1948, again at the exhibition in London, the furor produced a Jaguar XK120. At that time he was recognized as the fastest car, as we were able to reach a speed of 126 km/h and had the engine Heynes, whose power was 105 HP
Fifties starting with the release of the model Jaguar Mk VII. The next model was the XK140, which in 1954 was replaced in the production of Jaguar XK120, the engine power was increased to 190 HP with the cylinder capacity of 2.4 liters.
In the early 1950s out of the model Jaguar Mk VII, after which after some time release XK140 with 190-power 2.4-liter engine, which is the next after the Jaguar XK120, its production ceases. In three years since 1957 Jaguar makes its way to the American market with their XK150 and XK150 Roadster, which is able to achieve a capacity of 220 horsepower.
The period from 1961 op 1988 marked the production of very expensive sedans and coupes, the quality of which is difficult to overestimate. Jaguar then you can compare with Ferrari and Rolls-Royce. In 50-ies of the Jaguar fairly tightly competed with Daimler, but later the plants Daimler just starting to produce cars Jaguar. Then Jaguar takes under his wing Daimler, and then the Jaguar is included in the British Motor.
"Jaguar" with the 50-ies closely cooperated with the British company, "Daimler", whose traditionally luxurious car, the class of close to the "jaguars", was gradually replaced manufactured in factories, "Daimler" "Jaguar". Since 1960, "Daimler" is part of "Jaguar". The company "Jaguar", experiencing obvious difficulties with sales in 1966 merged with British Motor".
In 61 year Jaguar XKE again wins the hearts of the audience at the Geneva motor show, and in ' 62 Jaguar MkX has a good sale in the USA. 1968 brings a six-cylinder engine in the new Jaguar XJ6, which after 4 years ahead of his relatives Jaguar XJ12. He has a 12-cylinder engine, and he could achieve a capacity of 311 HP, which in those days was considered a great indicator. Long after this model, the creators could not produce a more powerful unit.
In 1968 he appeared Jaguar XJ6 (6 - six-cylinder engine). A little later, in 1972, appeared Jaguar XJ12 12-cylinder engine produces 311 HP, which has long been the most powerful version of "Jaguar".
In 1968 Jaguar XJ8 appears, the class car. In 1973 out of a high-speed coupe Jaguar XJ, the speed of which reaches 250 km/h was then developed the AJ6 engine, which was used later in the Jaguar XJ-S in 1983.
In 1989, Jaguar included in Ford. A number of cars XJ is produced from 1991 to 1994. Jaguar XK8/XKR in two types - convertible and coupe were exhibited in Geneva in 1996. F-type Concept with its unique technology Baroptic, which is used in the headlights, was shown in Detroit as a sports sedan of the highest class. 100 pieces XKR "Silverstone", made specifically for Formula 1, were the fastest cars of all Jaguars.
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Thursday, April 22, 2010
Dream a Little Dream...
Tara Parker-Pope writes in the NY Times about a team of researchers who ponder the question - why do we dream? Some new research may have unlocked a little of this mystery and it leads to some interesting conclusions about how and why we learn. Dreaming may actually result from the brain’s effort to keep learning... even as we sleep!
In a study released by Current Biology, researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, volunteers trained visualized their way through a complicated, three-dimensional puzzle. Half the volunteers were allowed to sleep for 90 minutes while the other half stayed awake, reading or relaxing. During their resting period, they were awakened and asked to describe their thoughts or dreams.
After the resting period, the volunteers were asked to again tackle the maze and were graded. Those who napped but didn’t report any 'maze-related' dreams did better but showed only marginal improvement over the non-nappers.
However, a few of the nappers reported dreaming about the maze and showed a startling improvement in their task, cutting completion time in half. The difference in scores before and after sleeping was 10 times higher for the maze dreamers than those who hadn’t dreamed about the task.
Even though the number of 'maze dreamers' was small, researchers noted that the gap in learning was so wide that the finding was statistically significant.
'Notably, the dreamers had all performed poorly on the test prior to dreaming about it. That suggests that struggling with a task might be the trigger that prompts the sleeping brain to focus on the subject and work on getting better', explained the lead author, Robert Stickgold.
'It’s almost as if your brain is rummaging through everything that happened today and deciding that you’re not done with it. The things that really grip you, the ones you decide at an emotional level are really important, those are the ones you dream about. The things you’re obsessed with are the ones that your brain forces you to continue to process.'
Dr. Stickgold continues, 'If you’re a student and you want to do better on the test, you might need to dream about it. The question is, ‘How do I get myself to dream about it?’ The answer is to get excited about it. That seems to be what you dream about.'
We'd love to hear your thoughts and comments about this study and in particular, dreams regarding music or learning music. Maybe this is why passionate music makers often show improvement from week to week with limited practice time?
Read Tara's complete article here.
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A splinter was a fragment of a substance, usually wood, that became subcutaneously lodged in a person's body.
In 2368, when attempting to express the immense difficulty of performing surgery to reunite his brain with his body, Spock said that he would trust Doctor McCoy to remove a splinter or lance a boil but not to attempt such a surgical procedure. (TOS: "Spock's Brain")
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Harry Wheatcroft
Harry Wheatcroft
Wheatcroft was known for his flamboyant dress. One afternoon, he arrived at a flower show in his familiar brightly colored attire. Instead of the usual rosebud in his buttonhole, however, he sported a magnificent carnation. “What’s this, Harry?” commented a friend. “No rose today?”
“Sh-h-h,” whispered Wheatcroft. “I’m incognito!”
Biographical Note:
Harry Wheatcroft was a British rose specialist. He began growing roses in 1919, on a single acre of land. By the mid–1970s his company was producing over one and a half million roses each year. He introduced many commercial varieties of roses and wrote several books on the subject of rose-growing. |
This puts an end to the long controversy on the presence of methane in Mars, which started over a decade ago when this gas was first detected with telescopes from the Earth, the authors from the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) reported.
Since methane can be the product of biological activity - practically all the existing methane in the Earth's atmosphere originates in this way - this has created great expectations that Martian methane could also be of a similar origin.
"It is a finding that puts paid to the question of the presence of methane in the Martian atmosphere but it does pose some other more complex and far-reaching questions, such as the nature of its sources," said study co-author Francisco Javier Martin-Torres from the Andalusian Institute of Earth Sciences (CSIC-UGR) at the University of Granada, Spain.
"The sources, we believe, must lie in one or two additional sources that were not originally contemplated in the models used so far. Among these sources, we must not rule out biological methanogenesis," he added.
The newly arrived MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) from NASA will provide continuity for the study of this subject, the US space agency said in a statement.
In the near future, the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), jointly developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Space Agency (Ruscosmos) will measure the concentration of methane on Mars at a larger scale.
The paper was published in the journal Science.
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Tuesday, January 18, 2011
CONTINUOUS ! - The Lie Group
In mathematics, a Lie group (pronounced /ˈliː/: similar to "Lee") is a group which is also a differentiable manifold, with the property that the group operations are compatible with the smooth structure. Lie groups are named after Sophus Lie, who laid the foundations of the theory of continuous transformation groups.
Lie groups represent the best-developed theory of continuous symmetry of mathematical objects and structures, which makes them indispensable tools for many parts of contemporary mathematics, as well as for modern theoretical physics. They provide a natural framework for analysing the continuous symmetries of differential equations (Differential Galois theory), in much the same way as permutation groups are used in Galois theory for analysing the discrete symmetries of algebraic equations. An extension of Galois theory to the case of continuous symmetry groups was one of Lie's principal motivations.
The circle of center 0 and radius 1 in the complex plane is a Lie group with complex multiplication.
Lie groups are smooth manifolds and, therefore, can be studied using differential calculus, in contrast with the case of more general topological groups. One of the key ideas in the theory of Lie groups, from Sophus Lie, is to replace the global object, the group, with its local or linearized version, which Lie himself called its "infinitesimal group" and which has since become known as its Lie algebra.
Definitions and examples
A real Lie group is a group which is also a finite-dimensional real smooth manifold, and in which the group operations of multiplication and inversion are smooth maps. Smoothness of the group multiplication
\mu:G\times G\to G\quad \mu(x,y)=xy
be a smooth mapping of the product manifold into G.
First examples
GL_2(\mathbb{R})=\left\{A=\begin{pmatrix}a&b\\c&d\end{pmatrix}: \det A=ad-bc \ne 0\right\}.
This is a four-dimensional noncompact real Lie group. This group is disconnected; it has two connected components corresponding to the positive and negative values of the determinant.
• The rotation matrices form a subgroup of GL2(R), denoted by SO2(R). It is a Lie group in its own right: specifically, a one-dimensional compact connected Lie group which is diffeomorphic to the circle. Using the rotation angle \varphi as a parameter, this group can be parametrized as follows:
SO_2(\mathbb{R})=\left\{\begin{pmatrix} \cos\varphi & -\sin \varphi \\ \sin \varphi & \cos \varphi \end{pmatrix}:
Addition of the angles corresponds to multiplication of the elements of SO2(R), and taking the opposite angle corresponds to inversion. Thus both multiplication and inversion are differentiable maps.
All of the previous examples of Lie groups fall within the class of classical groups
Related concepts
A complex Lie group is defined in the same way using complex manifolds rather than real ones (example: SL2(C)), and similarly one can define a p-adic Lie group over the p-adic numbers. Hilbert's fifth problem asked whether replacing differentiable manifolds with topological or analytic ones can yield new examples. The answer to this question turned out to be negative: in 1952, Gleason, Montgomery and Zippin showed that if G is a topological manifold with continuous group operations, then there exists exactly one analytic structure on G which turns it into a Lie group (see also Hilbert–Smith conjecture). If the underlying manifold is allowed to be infinite dimensional (for example, a Hilbert manifold) then one arrives at the notion of an infinite-dimensional Lie group. It is possible to define analogues of many Lie groups over finite fields, and these give most of the examples of finite simple groups.
More examples of Lie groups
• The product of two Lie groups is a Lie group.
• Any topologically closed subgroup of a Lie group is a Lie group. This is known as Cartan's theorem.
Related notions
Some examples of groups that are not Lie groups (except in the trivial sense that any group can be viewed as a 0-dimensional Lie group, with the discrete topology), are:
• Infinite dimensional groups, such as the additive group of an infinite dimensional real vector space. These are not Lie groups as they are not finite dimensional manifolds
Early history
Weyl brought the early period of the development of the theory of Lie groups to fruition, for not only did he classify irreducible representations of semisimple Lie groups and connect the theory of groups with quantum mechanics, but he also put Lie's theory itself on firmer footing by clearly enunciating the distinction between Lie's infinitesimal groups (i.e., Lie algebras) and the Lie groups proper, and began investigations of topology of Lie groups (Borel (2001),[citation needed]). The theory of Lie groups was systematically reworked in modern mathematical language in a monograph by Claude Chevalley.
The concept of a Lie group, and possibilities of classification
Lie groups may be thought of as smoothly varying families of symmetries. Examples of symmetries include rotation about an axis. What must be understood is the nature of 'small' transformations, e.g., rotations through tiny angles, that link nearby transformations. The mathematical object capturing this structure is called a Lie algebra (Lie himself called them "infinitesimal groups"). It can be defined because Lie groups are manifolds, so have tangent spaces at each point.
Types of Lie groups and structure theory
• Any simply connected nilpotent Lie group is isomorphic to a closed subgroup of the group of invertible upper triangular matrices with 1's on the diagonal of some rank, and any finite dimensional irreducible representation of such a group is 1 dimensional. Like solvable groups, nilpotent groups are too messy to classify except in a few small dimensions.
• Simple Lie groups are sometimes defined to be those that are simple as abstract groups, and sometimes defined to be connected Lie groups with a simple Lie algebra. For example, SL2(R) is simple according to the second definition but not according to the first. They have all been classified (for either definition).
• Semisimple Lie groups are Lie groups whose Lie algebra is a product of simple Lie algebras.[1] They are central extensions of products of simple Lie groups.
Gcon for the connected component of the identity
Gsol for the largest connected normal solvable subgroup
Gnil for the largest connected normal nilpotent subgroup
so that we have a sequence of normal subgroups
1 ⊆ GnilGsolGconG.
G/Gcon is discrete
The Lie algebra associated with a Lie group
To every Lie group, we can associate a Lie algebra, whose underlying vector space is the tangent space of G at the identity element, which completely captures the local structure of the group. Informally we can think of elements of the Lie algebra as elements of the group that are "infinitesimally close" to the identity, and the Lie bracket is something to do with the commutator of two such infinitesimal elements. Before giving the abstract definition we give a few examples:
[AB] = 0.
• The Lie algebra of the general linear group GLn(R) of invertible matrices is the vector space Mn(R) of square matrices with the Lie bracket given by
[AB] = AB − BA.
If G is a closed subgroup of GLn(R) then the Lie algebra of G can be thought of informally as the matrices m of Mn(R) such that 1 + εm is in G, where ε is an infinitesimal positive number with ε2 = 0 (of course, no such real number ε exists). For example, the orthogonal group On(R) consists of matrices A with AAT = 1, so the Lie algebra consists of the matrices m with (1 + εm)(1 + εm)T = 1, which is equivalent to m + mT = 0 because ε2 = 0.
• Formally, when working over the reals, as here, this is accomplished by considering the limit as ε → 0; but the "infinitesimal" language generalizes directly to Lie groups over general rings.
The concrete definition given above is easy to work with, but has some minor problems: to use it we first need to represent a Lie group as a group of matrices, but not all Lie groups can be represented in this way, and it is not obvious that the Lie algebra is independent of the representation we use. To get round these problems we give the general definition of the Lie algebra of any Lie group (in 4 steps):
1. Vector fields on any smooth manifold M can be thought of as derivations X of the ring of smooth functions on the manifold, and therefore form a Lie algebra under the Lie bracket [XY] = XY − YX, because the Lie bracket of any two derivations is a derivation.
4. Any tangent vector at the identity of a Lie group can be extended to a left invariant vector field by left translating the tangent vector to other points of the manifold. Specifically, the left invariant extension of an element v of the tangent space at the identity is the vector field defined by v^g = Lg*v. This identifies the tangent space Te at the identity with the space of left invariant vector fields, and therefore makes the tangent space at the identity into a Lie algebra, called the Lie algebra of G, usually denoted by a Fraktur \mathfrak{g}. Thus the Lie bracket on \mathfrak{g} is given explicitly by [vw] = [v^, w^]e.
(x, y) → xyx−1y−1
Homomorphisms and isomorphisms
If G and H are Lie groups, then a Lie-group homomorphism f : GH is a smooth group homomorphism. (It is equivalent to require only that f be continuous rather than smooth.) The composition of two such homomorphisms is again a homomorphism, and the class of all Lie groups, together with these morphisms, forms a category. Two Lie groups are called isomorphic if there exists a bijective homomorphism between them whose inverse is also a homomorphism. Isomorphic Lie groups are essentially the same; they only differ in the notation for their elements.
Every homomorphism f : GH of Lie groups induces a homomorphism between the corresponding Lie algebras \mathfrak{g} and \mathfrak{h}. The association G \mapsto\mathfrak{g} is a functor (mapping between categories satisfying certain axioms).
One version of Ado's theorem is that every finite dimensional Lie algebra is isomorphic to a matrix Lie algebra. For every finite dimensional matrix Lie algebra, there is a linear group (matrix Lie group) with this algebra as its Lie algebra. So every abstract Lie algebra is the Lie algebra of some (linear) Lie group.
The global structure of a Lie group is not determined by its Lie algebra; for example, if Z is any discrete subgroup of the center of G then G and G/Z have the same Lie algebra (see the table of Lie groups for examples). A connected Lie group is simple, semisimple, solvable, nilpotent, or abelian if and only if its Lie algebra has the corresponding property.
If we require that the Lie group be simply connected, then the global structure is determined by its Lie algebra: for every finite dimensional Lie algebra \mathfrak{g} over F there is a simply connected Lie group G with \mathfrak{g} as Lie algebra, unique up to isomorphism. Moreover every homomorphism between Lie algebras lifts to a unique homomorphism between the corresponding simply connected Lie groups.
The exponential map
The exponential map from the Lie algebra Mn(R) of the general linear group GLn(R) to GLn(R) is defined by the usual power series:
\exp(A) = 1 + A + \frac{A^2}{2!} + \frac{A^3}{3!} + \cdots
for matrices A. If G is any subgroup of GLn(R), then the exponential map takes the Lie algebra of G into G, so we have an exponential map for all matrix groups.
Every vector v in \mathfrak{g} determines a linear map from R to \mathfrak{g} taking 1 to v, which can be thought of as a Lie algebra homomorphism. Because R is the Lie algebra of the simply connected Lie group R, this induces a Lie group homomorphism c : RG so that
c(s + t) = c(s) c(t)\
for all s and t. The operation on the right hand side is the group multiplication in G. The formal similarity of this formula with the one valid for the exponential function justifies the definition
\exp(v) = c(1).\
This is called the exponential map, and it maps the Lie algebra \mathfrak{g} into the Lie group G. It provides a diffeomorphism between a neighborhood of 0 in \mathfrak{g} and a neighborhood of e in G. This exponential map is a generalization of the exponential function for real numbers (because R is the Lie algebra of the Lie group of positive real numbers with multiplication), for complex numbers (because C is the Lie algebra of the Lie group of non-zero complex numbers with multiplication) and for matrices (because Mn(R) with the regular commutator is the Lie algebra of the Lie group GLn(R) of all invertible matrices).
Because the exponential map is surjective on some neighbourhood N of e, it is common to call elements of the Lie algebra infinitesimal generators of the group G. The subgroup of G generated by N is the identity component of G.
The exponential map and the Lie algebra determine the local group structure of every connected Lie group, because of the Baker–Campbell–Hausdorff formula: there exists a neighborhood U of the zero element of \mathfrak{g}, such that for u, v in U we have
exp(u) exp(v) = exp(u + v + 1/2 [u, v] + 1/12 [[u, v], v] − 1/12 [[u, v], u] − ...)
where the omitted terms are known and involve Lie brackets of four or more elements. In case u and v commute, this formula reduces to the familiar exponential law exp(u) exp(v) = exp(u + v).
Infinite dimensional Lie groups
Lie groups are often defined to be finite dimensional, but there are many groups that resemble Lie groups, except for being infinite dimensional. The simplest was to define infinite dimensional Lie groups is to model them on Banach spaces, and in this case much of the basic theory is similar to that of finite dimensional lie groups. However this is inadequate for many applications, because many natural examples of infinite dimensional Lie groups are not Banach manifolds. Instead one needs to define Lie groups modeled on more general locally convex topological vector spaces. In this case the relation between the Lie algebra and the Lie group becomes rather subtle, and several results about finite dimensional Lie groups no longer hold.
Some of the examples that have been studied include:
See also
1. ^ Sigurdur Helgason, "Differential Geometry, Lie Groups, and Symmetric Spaces", Academic Press, 1978, page 131.
This page was last modified on 12 January 2011 at 15:30
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Every animal is different, so the senior life stage occurs at different ages in different pets. For instance, dogs are typically considered seniors at 7 years old, but older dogs age quicker than smaller dogs. Cats can be considered mature at 7 years and seniors at 11 years old.
Breed and species aside, your pet's genetics, nutrition, health, and environment will ultimately determine when your pet is considered a senior.
One of the telltale signs of increasing age in pets is a decline in physical activity. For instance, previously active pets may not play as much and both dogs and cats may need assistance climbing on and off the bed or couch.
"A decrease in physical activity depends on the breed, size, and genetics of the pet," explained Dr. Stacy Eckman, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. "However, some older pets are still quite active in their senior years."
"Chronic degenerative disorders like heart and kidney disease are common in older pets, and so is cancer," Eckman said. "In cats, kidney, heart, and thyroid disease are the most common aging conditions. In dogs, different breeds are more prone to certain conditions. For example, some breeds are more likely to see a dramatic increase in cancers as they age."
Aging cats and dogs also are prone to arthritis, dental disease, loss of sight and hearing, and a decrease in mobility. Just like humans, pets may need more assistance getting around and taking care of themselves.
In addition, a healthy diet that adequately nourishes your pet is also key in reducing your pet's risk for obesity, which can also contribute to joint pain.
"The single most important aspect in helping your pet stay as happy and healthy for as long as possible is maintaining a healthy weight throughout their lifetime," Eckman said. "A healthy weight should be coupled with regular exercise and activity."
"Making the decision to euthanatize a pet is a personal and difficult decision," Eckman said. "The decision is dependent on what signs and symptoms the pet is showing or what disorder the pet is experiencing. When owners are questioning if they should euthanize their pet, they should discuss it with their veterinarian to help guide the decision-making process. At the CVM, we typically have owners think of three to five specific characteristics of their pet, and when the pet stops doing these things, then it may be time to consider euthanasia. For example, my dog loves to play ball. When he stops playing or does not get joy out of this any longer, that would raise concerns for me."
As much as we would love our pets to live forever, they grow old and need special care. To ensure your pet lives a long, healthy life, be sure to visit your veterinarian regularly to discuss your pet's diet, exercise habits, and overall health.
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Causes of snoring
It can affect the:
• nasal passages
• soft palate a soft layer of tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth
• base of the tongue
• tonsils two small glands above the tongue where the mouth meets the throat
• uvula a small cone-shaped section of tissue that hangs from the soft palate between the tonsils
While you're asleep, the airways in your head and neck relax and narrow. It's thought that the narrowing of the airways increases the speed you breathe out and changes air pressure in your airways. This causes the soft tissue to vibrate by sucking the sides of the airways in.
The same effect can also be the result of partially blocked airways, which may be caused by conditions such as enlarged tonsils and colds.
Evidence suggests that snoring will get worse over time if left untreated. The vibrations that occur during snoring appear to damage blood vessels that supply muscles in the head and neck. Over many years, this causes the muscles to weaken.
If your head and neck muscles are weakened, it will affect their ability to keep your airways open, making you more likely to snore frequently and loudly.
Increased risk
Some things that can increase your risk of habitual snoring include:
• obesity particularly if you have a large amount of fat around your neck; people with a neck circumference of more than 43cm (17 inches) usually snore a lot
• drinking alcohol alcohol relaxes your muscles when you sleep, which increases the narrowing of your airways
• sedatives and some types of antidepressants in some people, these medications can have a similar effect to alcohol on the muscles
• smoking tobacco smoke can cause your airways to become inflamed, which causes greater narrowing of the airways
• allergic rhinitis where the inside of your nose becomes swollen and inflamed as a result of an allergic reaction to substances such as dust or pollen
People with severe snoring may have obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition where the airways become temporarily blocked during sleep.
Page last reviewed: 24/10/2014
Next review due: 24/10/2017 |
"Sitting for long periods of time is not healthy, and can negate the effects of exercise," said Steven Kunkes, a cardiologist with Cardiac Specialists in Fairfield, Conn., as well as the medical director Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Bridgeport (Conn.) Hospital.
And it's not just a case of flabby muscles or a few extra pounds. Such inertia can, among other things, slow metabolism, decrease good cholesterol and affect insulin's effectiveness in getting the cells the energy they need. These metabolic effects can increase the risk for obesity and certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular illness, as well as some cancers.
"This is way beyond not being active and consuming more food," said Eric Roccario, a cardiologist with St. Peter's Health Care Services and Prime Care Physicians in Albany. "Sedentary behavior has become a risk factor, in and of itself."
More Information
Don't take work sitting down
Experts say there are ways to counter the adverse effects of a sedentary lifestyle or job. It just takes a measure of determination and a willingness to change your routine:
Make sure to create a better workspace with the proper equipment, such as an adjustable chair that provides ample back support. The hip-torso angle should be 90 degrees or greater, and feet should rest flat on the floor. The knees should be parallel to the hips, and the thighs parallel to the floor. Give the knees some room, too. They shouldn't be touching the chair.
Place the keyboard at about waist height and make sure the monitor is positioned so that the eyes are about level to the top. (You should be able to read the screen without bending your neck.) Also make sure the monitor is directly in front of you.
Take frequent breaks. Get out of your chair to walk, answer the phone while standing, or do some exercises and stretches while seated. There are several online resources that provide tips, such as and
Drink plenty of water and opt for healthy choices, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts over sugary, high-fat snacks.
"We all do a lot more sitting these days, and a lot less manual labor," said Stuart Zarich, chief of cardiology at Bridgeport (Conn.) Hospital, noting that technology has contributed to the sedentary lifestyle. And, he said, there's also the natural phenomenon of aging, which can exacerbate the situation.
"Each decade, there is a little less muscle mass and more fat, requiring us to constantly adjust," he said. "As they say, it's easier to get out of shape than in it."
Getting back in shape was a battle Westport, Conn., resident John Blossom, 57, who runs the Westport-based marketing company Shore Communications Inc., had to fight several years ago.
"I was your typical office worker," Blossom said. "Between the stress and not exercising, too many sweets, the whole thing ... the weight kept piling up ... until one day, I found myself at 230 pounds running for a train."
Blossom caught the train that day in 2008, but immediately felt that something wasn't quite right. Ten months later, he discovered he needed surgery for a couple of blocked arteries. A success, the procedure also paved the way for what Blossom called "a second chance at life," which included an education in healthier habits. He credited the cardiac rehabilitation program at Bridgeport Hospital, as well as changes in diet and attitude, with getting him back on track.
"I'm not saying I have as much energy as when I was young, but I have a lot more than I used to," he said. "And, on the flip side ... it's now three years later (since his operation) ... and a couple of months ago I was in the same situation. I was still late and running for the train, probably the exact train, but I made that train and I felt great."
Alicia Hirscht, a physical therapist with Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Specialists of Greenwich, Conn., says long hours of sitting has many effects on the neuromuscular system, including such ailments as muscle strain, disc disease, lower back pain, joint disorder and repetitive stress injuries.
The remedy is a mixture of ensuring that the patient has a properly designed workspace to prevent repetitive injuries and that he or she gets up and moves every half hour — even if only for a few moments.
"There are a number of quick stretches and exercises that can be very helpful," Hirscht said, adding that even the simple process of standing up is useful. If you have time during your lunch break, take a quick walk.
All those efforts also might make workout time outside of work all that more effective. As Scott Simon, a neurosurgeon with Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Specialists and Greenwich Hospital, noted, prolonged inactivity can stiffen up the muscles, leaving them more susceptible to injury.
"Really, movement is key," he said, but added that it is equally important to reduce the stress associated with modern life.
"We put in long hours and try to exercise very quickly and eat as quick as possible and all that builds up a lot of stress," he said.
"I think our consciousness is not set on getting yourself active, but on how to save time," Kunkes added. "But the good news is that exercise does not have to all be done in a single session. It can be done 10 minutes at a time.", |
Rocks with a Role
Dave Young, reporter for The Saint John Times Globe (with some editing by Randy Miller, Curator of Geology and Palaeontology, New Brunswick Museum).
For more than a century, New Brunswick has played a key part in giving scientists a sense of how things came to be as they are today.
If you strolled along the base of the cliff it would be virtually unnoticeable, a shallow hollow in the miles of rock along the Bay of Chaleur.
If, for some reason, you stood in that two-metre depression for a few minutes, you might get a sense of why it is called The Fly Pit. But unless you stood there with someone like Pat Gensel, braving the black flies and mosquitoes and hammering away at the rock, you would never know that this place is special.
Much of what the world knows about early plants, about how and when they began to evolve from simple green sticks into complex branches with leaves and seeds, comes from these rocks - places like The Fly Pit, or ones with more functional names like Fir st Creek or Second Creek.
In the world of fossils and plant evolution, Dalhousie Junction is on the map.
In fact, for more than a century, New Brunswick has played a key role in giving people a sense of how things came to be as they are.
People like Pat Gensel have explored these rocks for 20 years now. And there were others before her. The rocks in this area - on both sides of the Bay of Chaleur - have been examined for more than a century by scientists like McGill University paleon tologist John William Dawson and in the south by Saint Johners like George Matthew and his son William.
Journals dedicated to fossils and evolution, and museum collections around the world, are salted with New Brunswick references: Campbellton, Hanford Brook, Duck Cove, Clifton, Fern Ledges, Albert Formation, Avalon and the Forest Hills Formation.
Admittedly, in the more fickle world of popular fossils - that is, the ones they make movies about - New Brunswick doesn't even exist. After all, there are no dinosaurs in New Brunswick. Very few rocks in this province are young enough to hold fossil ized dinosaurs.
But if you want to know about life before the dinosaurs, about early fish, plants, prehistoric insects or some of the world's oldest fossils, New Brunswick is the place to be.
Which is why you find Bill Shear pounding away at the rocks here again and again and again.
Figure 1.
It is an afternoon in June and, even from the back, you can tell his mood has changed since the morning. His shoulders seem tight as he hunches over a slab of grey rock, chipping, examining, discarding and chipping again in a peculiar rhythm. But he is quieter than before. In the morning, he was picking away at rock faces at Dalhousie Junction with some excitement. Bill Shear, a paleontologist from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, expounded on the theories of evolution, about how fossils are form ed, about the state of science in general. Now he is silent except for sighs.
This is not moodiness, but determination and passion - the sort that drives people to spend their adult lives searching the rocks for clues.
Shear's expertise is in arthropods, the hard-shelled, backboneless animals that still dominate the world: insects, millipedes, spiders, scorpions, crustaceans.
A few hours earlier someone found a fossil of one. Steve McCutcheon, a provincial geologist who was one of a number of people working the cliffs with Shear on this day, came across a flat rock bearing the small imprint of an ancient millipede curled i nto a circle. You could see its legs and the segments of its body.
The millipede becomes the topic of lunch discussion. It doesn't have the right structure. Maybe it's a new species. Afterwards, the team combs the shore looking for more. They try to match the colour of the rock - is it more red or more brown? Hou rs later, they give up.
Figure 2.
The problem with looking for fossils of animals is that there aren't many. You'll find about 1,000 plant fossils for every animal fossil. Why is no great mystery: compare the number of ants on your front lawn to the number of blades of grass there.
"Yes, it's frustrating," says Shear, looking up from his work.
But he doesn't stop. Instead, he and the other paleontologists move to a different spot called Second Creek. They straddle a stream and begin sifting through a thin layer of brittle shale. He has more luck here, finding fragments of something that h e will analyze later.
Shear - who is here with North Carolina paleontologist Pat Gensel and New Brunswick Museum paleontologist Randy Miller - is scouring the shores and cliffs of the Bay of Chaleur working on a theory.
It goes like this: maybe, 390 million years ago - during what geologists call the lower Devonian Period, as plants began a huge burst of evolution and little multi-legged things scurried about the land - maybe insects didn't eat live plants. Maybe al l the hard-shelled creatures ate only dead plants or other creatures.
To understand how different Shear's theory is from the world today, you have to realize that almost all the insects you know - ants, aphids, caterpillars, grubs, and grasshoppers - eat live plants. If he's right, then sometime in the last 300 million years, insects took a radical turn in their evolution.
"There is still a lot of contention about this," he notes.
Two pieces of evidence support this theory. The first is that plant remains recovered from Devonian rocks reveal the presence of phenol, a chemical poisonous to small insects - or anything living, for that matter. The second is that there are no signs of plant-eating animals in these rocks.
Figure 3.
There are millipede-like animals, which, like millipedes today, were thought to eat dead and decaying plant matter. Then there are larger animals, like scorpions, which researchers believe, ate other animals - much like modern scorpions. No one has f ound traces of any animal that was the right size or had the right chewing mouth parts to be a plant-eater.
So at Gensel's suggestion, Shear came to the Chaleur cliffs seeking more proof. In the past, minuscule remnants have turned up in the rocks of Britain, Scotland and Germany, but nothing like this. Sometimes they find imprints - like little pictures o f what died - and sometimes preserved pieces of the shell, always less than one millimetre long. Until they came to New Brunswick, they had never found both in the same place. Something about how the rocks are formed at Chaleur made this spot different.
At the time these cliffs were created, there was probably a huge range of volcanoes spewing ash all over the place somewhere off what is now the Atlantic coast. Rains and rivers washed the ash down from the foot of the mountain to the mouth of a great river, where it settled to the bottom, entombing everything below. The mouth of that 390-million-year-old river became the cliffs along the Bay of Chaleur from Dalhousie to Atholville.
At the same time, a number of the major plant groups were starting to emerge. As the ash covered the plants, the rocks become a record of life.
So now as Shear walks along the cliffs near Dalhousie Junction, he looks for signs, clues and hints that he may be right - or wrong - about plant-eating insects.
He finds something: a small smudge of black on a small brown rock.
"That looks like an animal," he says, squinting at the rock. Taking out a lens about the size of a dime, he examines the smudge more closely. He claims there are faint signs of a pattern, a bumpy surface - the sort of bumpy surface that's all but inv isible until you've examined a few thousand or so of these smudges. Convinced it is something, Shear puts the rock aside, wrapping it in tissue.
Months later at his lab in Virginia, Shear will use acids and other chemicals to get rid of all but the smudge. Then, using a microscope, he will look at the remains of the tissue, 390-million-year-old cells.
Last year paleontologist Pat Gensel struck it rich. She found fossil fragments of 390-million-year-old scorpions, millipedes and arthropleurids.
Figure 4.
Shear recovered one piece of ancient scorpion lung and an entire millipede more than 10 millimetres long. Most of the pieces found before now are tiny by comparison.
The animals turn out to be the oldest land animals ever discovered in North America. Just as important as the size of the fossils is the fact that the New Brunswick material provides another example of animals from this time period. But still nothing that probably ate plants.
While Shear looks for animal smudges, Gensel - here with her husband and daughter on what has become an annual working vacation - hunts for plant smudges. The kind of smudges showing that plants were larger, more developed and diverse than previously believed.
So when she uncovers a slab of rock revealing an extensive mapwork of a single ancient plant, she gets excited. As she clears layer after layer of overburden, she finds more and more of a plant called Loganophyton.
When she has uncovered more than a square metre, she has a sudden thought. "How am I going to get this home?"
There are tougher dilemmas - such as finding nothing worth taking home. Here, Gensel has a virtual embarrassment of riches. Things that aren't interesting are left to erode on the beach. But some sites are so good that the Gensels use high-tech satel lite navigation systems to pinpoint their location so they can find them after winter takes its toll on the cliffs.
Figure 5.
The rocks here contain wonderfully preserved pieces of the plant, not just its image.
"Under a microscope, it looks like cuticle from a plant you went out in the garden and picked - except it is 380-million years old," says Gensel.
Decades of work by Gensel and her predecessors have turned up more than 23 groups of plants here. That's one-and-a-half times more than has been found in any other location in the world.
These are not plants you would know. None of them exists anymore. But Gensel believes they were the ancient forerunners of plants with seeds that exist today.
The most recent find, to be described in a journal next year, will be Forania plegio spinosa. Not exactly a household name, but if you lived in Dalhousie you might recognize it. It's named after Jack Foran, who used to be quite a hockey player at one time and whose family has rented the Gensels a cottage for most of the last 20 years. Pat Gensel thought naming an ancient plant after them would be a fittingly permanent thank you.
The names of several new species found in this area make similar references. There is Psilophyton forbesii, named after cliff-scouring University of Maine paleontologist Bill Forbes. Chaleuria, Loganophyton, and Oocampsa are so different from anythin g found anywhere else in the world that they may just force biologists to modify their theory of plant evolution. Gensel says the plants show structures that weren't thought to have evolved this long ago.
It won't be the first time fossils from these rocks have significantly contributed to a change in thinking about plant evolution. There was a time when scientists believed plants with seeds evolved from ferns (which have spores but no seeds). But ove r the last 20 or 30 years, the rocks of Dalhousie have helped convince most scientists that plants with seeds likely evolved separately.
And this year, months after returning to her lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gensel has come to the conclusion there will be more to add.
This year alone, she has found one new species and two entirely new groups of plants. One, a tiny fossilized thing just a few millimetres across, is extremely interesting to Gensel. It has no name yet, but it shows a layered leaf structure, even thou gh fossils this old shouldn't have leaves.
She and other paleobotanists are still trying to determine how and when leaves first developed and when they first exhibited the modern layered structure. Leaves today have three distinct layers with different structures.
Most of the plants in the lower Devonian had what Gensel calls "emergences," coming out from the main stalk. These look like a cross between thorns and the stub of a branch, but probably acted as primitive leaves, collecting sunlight and turning it in to food for the plant. But fossils from Dalhousie and China are both showing more and more indications of early leaves.
"This is really going to clarify things," she says. Combined with the Chinese finds, they may help nail down when plants developed leaves, and more about how.
But Gensel isn't the only one happy with the summer's field work.
Excavating hard mudrock from what they believe was once a quiet, silty backwater, the New Brunswick Museum's Miller and Saint John geologist Jeff McGovern have uncovered what looks like one-third of a 380-million-year old shark.
The pieces are so well preserved that people will be able to tell more about shark evolution, says Miller. Early sharks were thought to have lived in the southern hemisphere and migrated north. Miller's find in these northern rocks may show they were here much sooner than once believed.
And then there are the teeth. Modern sharks have rows of teeth embedded in a fibrous membrane, a trait most shark biologists believe was a later adaptation. But the shark found in Campbellton had its jaw intact with rows of teeth.
All this from a line of cliffs running from Atholville to Dalhousie.
Figure 6.
The rocks from southern New Brunswick also have a place in evolutionary theory. Not because the formation's fossil is particularly large or unique, but because of history.
Saint John County offers a tremendous diversity of life and rock ages packed into a relatively small area. In the space of a few miles, you span hundreds of millions of years of evolution, explosions of life and massive extinctions.
As North America developed, constant folding and faulting created strips of rock running through Southwestern New Brunswick.
That geological variety makes Southern New Brunswick one of the places where paleontologists can examine the diversity of life over the ages - and they have. The same rocks fascinated amateur paleontologist George Frederic Matthew 100 years ago and en thrall New York geologist Ed Landing today.
In Saint John, outcrops of Pennsylvanian rock (286 to 320-million-years-old) with beautifully preserved specimens of prehistoric flies and ferns lie right next to Precambrian formations that are almost 300-million years older.
Not too far away, in St. Martins, are some small outcrops of Triassic rocks - the youngest in the province - showing footprints of early reptiles. By the time these rocks were being formed at the bottom of the Bay of Fundy, the first dinosaurs were ap pearing on land.
If dinosaur remains are ever found in New Brunswick, it will be here. A thick slice of Triassic geology breaks the surface at Parrsboro, N.S. - now famous for its dinosaur footprints. But only the thinnest slivers appear on the New Brunswick side.
Another southern New Brunswick formation that has attracted interest in the Saint John Group, a ribbon of Cambrian rock running from Reversing Falls in Saint John east to Hanford Brook.
Figure 7.
In these rocks, a host of trilobites - early arthropods, now extinct - were first found, as were small, shelly animals called ostracods.
The rocks of the Pre-Cambrian are almost devoid of fossils. In the early Cambrian there are traces and signs of soft-bodied animals: track marks and fossilized worm burrows.
But then in the 45 million years of the Cambrian period, every major group of animals with hard parts appears in the fossil record, from early chordates to arthropods.
In evolutionary terms, this is an explosion.
This Cambrian Explosion is still being explored in the rocks of southern New Brunswick. Along Hanford Brook, north of St. Martins, one can witness the "sudden" evolution of life: from trace fossils to small, shelly imprints to small trilobites and, e ventually, giant trilobites a foot wide.
Earlier this year, when English paleontologists David Siveter and Mark Williams published a paper describing a new - albeit extinct - group of minute shelly arthropods, they referred to fossils recovered in Hanford Brook as long ago as the 1800s and as recently as a few years ago.
Figure 8.
Just as intriguing as the explosion is the absence of fossils in the Precambrian, one of paleontology's great mysteries.
Evolutionary biologists believe that before the Cambrian Period, there was an increasing amount of oxygen released into the environment. Oxygen has long been thought to limit animals' size and structure. Low oxygen content in the water might require animals to have large surface areas to improve oxygen exchange through the skin. But as dissolved oxygen levels rose, animals could get smaller, develop different methods of obtaining oxygen and develop hard shells for protection. And it is not just evol utionary theory that benefits from the fossil record.
Fossils also offer some clues in the search for mineral resources such as coal and oil. Finding Pennsylvanian age plants may be a key to coal deposits, while finding fish may point to underground oil reserves. Geologists also look to fossils for clues to work out the age of rocks and to try to relate rock formations in different parts of the world.
Figure 9.
In fact, a team of world experts arrived in Saint John in August to explore the Saint John Group of Cambrian rocks.
Their task: to examine the world's major Cambrian rock formations, connect them and try to come up with a standard dating system to establish when the Cambrian age began and ended.
One of those Cambrian experts was New York State geologist Ed Landing. Along with the museum's Miller, Landing and Brock University's Steve Westrop led the tour of the Cambrian formations. Few know it better. Landing has been making yearly visits to t he Port City's rock outcrops for more than a decade.
He's working on a theory. Geologists believe the continents are afloat on a sea of lava, and that they move and crash into each other creating mountain ranges.
Landing thinks that modern New England, New Brunswick, Cape Breton, Newfoundland and England were once all part of single Cambrian age micro-continent he calls Avalon, separate from what is now North America.
His efforts to match rock formations and fossils in these areas has brought him to Hanford Brook and Forest Hills. If, 500 million years ago, these rocks were formed as part of the same land mass with the same environment, they should contain the same fossils.
One of the outcrops Landing and Miller took the experts to was the rock cliffs bordering the Mackay Highway. There, as hundreds of cars zipped through Saint John, the Avalon team pored over images of 500-million-year-old jellyfish-like animals.
Since most fossils are of animal bones or shells, finding a fossil of something boneless like a jellyfish is rare. But they are there, in plain view - if you know which roundish bulge you're looking for, that is.
"It is one of the best soft-bodied fossil sites in North America," says Randy Miller of the Saint John site. University of New Brunswick paleontologist Ron Pickerill agrees.
Pickerill has spent much of his career teasing clues to the past from the trace fossils - the footprints, dragmarks and worm burrows - trapped in the region's rocks.
He believes Saint John's jellyfish fossils are one of the best arguments for laws protecting fossils. Around one of the fossil jellyfish are a series of chisel marks, traces of a rogue collector. It's fortunate that invertebrate fossils aren't worth much money and that these jellyfish are suspended in unbelievably hard rock in a very public place.
But unlike the cliffs of Campbellton and the hills of Saint John, there are places that are relatively untapped, that may reveal even more about life in the distant past.
These rocks are, for the most part, the province's youngest, dating from Pennsylvanian or upper Carboniferous period some 286-million to 320-million-years ago. They are also, along with the Mississippian or Upper Carboniferous-period rocks of the Albe rt Formation, relatively unexplored by paleontologists.
In the rock outcrops near Norton, exposed by new highway construction, are the remarkably complete fossils of early bony fish. From the highway, travellers can see, preserved in the rocks, the remains of the rippled sand from the bottom of a great inl and lake. In his work in the area, Miller has found five complete fish as well as jumbles of fish bones embedded in rock.
What these fossils will tell us about the development of fish has not yet been determined, but Miller believes it will be significant - and only the beginning.
A huge chunk of the province, in a giant pie-slice from Sackville to Fredericton to Bathurst, contains these Carboniferous rocks.
Figure 10.
And there is reason to believe that somewhere in those rocks are fixed some ancient four-legged amphibians, the museum curator says. Some of the first tetrapods - that's Latin for four-footed - have been found across the Bay of Fundy in Joggins.
The same Pennsylvanian rock formation that juts out at Joggins dips under the Bay of Fundy and covers most of New Brunswick. Most of that rock is covered by dirt and trees except in outcrops near streams, along the coast and where road engineers have blasted their routes through the rock.
But unlike the Chaleur Shore and Saint John's Cambrian rocks, few people have taken a strong interest in New Brunswick's Pennsylvanian geology. It's just the way things are in this field, says Miller. Joggins is a good formation, so researchers go the re - they don't need to trek around New Brunswick seeking sites that may or may not be better.
So until someone finds something that knocks people's socks off, those New Brunswick sites may remain untapped.
After all this, it may be difficult to determine where New Brunswick fits in the grand scheme.
Perhaps it's best to think of the theory of evolution as a giant jigsaw puzzle where no one knows what the picture looks like and the pieces fit in a host of different spots.
You uncover a piece, look at it, decide what it is and then find a place for it. Sometimes you're right and sometimes you find out later that you're wrong and you have to go back and remake parts of the puzzle. It's an ongoing process.
But if you take a few of those puzzle pieces and turn them over, they may just say: "Made in New Brunswick."
Many of the fossils described in this story can be seen in the New Brunswick Museum's geology gallery 'Our Changing Earth,' located at One Market Square, Saint John, New Brunswick. The museum also has other exhibits featuring natural scie nce, history, fine and decorative art. For more information about the museum call (506) 643-2300
For information about palaeontology in New Brunswick write or call
Randall F. Miller, Ph.D.,
Curator of Geology and Palaeontology,
Steinhammer Palaeontology Laboratory,
New Brunswick Museum,
277 Douglas Avenue,
St. John, NB CANADA E2K 1E5
(506) 643-2361
* All photographs in this article courtesy of the New Brunswick Museum. |
One common topic in accounting is financial ratio analysis. There are three main types of financial ratios: valuation, profitability and leverage, each measuring a different metric. The financial media references ratios often, most commonly P/E (price to earnings) ratios, which are valuation ratios. As we’ll demonstrate, this ratio has limitations and should be viewed in proper context. Here are a couple alternatives that might be useful during your financial analysis.
P/E Ratio and Alternatives
The P/E ratio is used to determine the value of an asset. The asset can be an individual stock or ‘the market’ as a whole. This rudimentary multiple essentially shows how much you are paying for a stock (or market index) based on its earnings. As an example, let’s say the stock market is quoted in the financial news as having a P/E ratio of 12 (a.k.a. ‘12 times earnings’). If the market index is trading at 1000 and the companies in the index have cumulative earnings of $83 per share, the P/E multiple would be roughly 12 times ($1000/83 = 12.04). Historically, broad stock market P/E ratios of 15 and under indicate the stock market is relatively cheap, P/E ratios of 16-17 are fairly valued, while P/E ratios 18 and are considered expensive or rich. The average P/E for the stock market since the 1870’s is 16.7 times.1
But beware which earnings number you’re using, because variations can reveal a much different picture. Financial commentators on network TV often mention the market is cheap, or at least fairly valued. But there are a few problems when relying on standard P/E ratios when making investment decisions. P/E ratios are often quoted as ‘pro forma’ which use forward looking numbers. So the ‘E’ is actually next year’s estimated earnings per share, which are almost always believed to be higher than current earnings, making the P/E ratio suspiciously low.
Near market tops, earnings estimates get overly optimistic. But earnings can disappear very quickly. In 2007, S&P 500 forward earnings estimates (for 2008) were well over $100 per share. That resulted in around a 15 P/E multiple, historically on the cheaper side. Then the financial crisis hit and 2008’s fourth quarter actual earnings disappeared-companies reported an aggregate loss of $23.25 per share, the first loss in history.2
Today, when looking at trailing earnings, or earnings that have actually happened, we see the market is actually trading at a much richer valuation than rosy commentators believe. Last twelve months (LTM) trailing numbers, the S&P 500 companies earned $87 per share in the aggregate, using generally accepted accounting principles or GAAP from the just reported first quarter.3 Using the more conservative reported earnings actually shows the market is trading at 24 times (S&P 500 index, 2090 divided by $87= 24), which is historically quite high.
Buying stocks with low P/E’s can become ‘value traps’, or a company that appears cheap via the P/E ratio but, after you buy the stock, never really increases in value to get back to an appropriate valuation level. It’s referred to as dead money because the stock is “cheap” for a reason, usually because it’s a mature company with low, or even negative, growth rates.
Two alternatives to the classic P/E ratio are the CAPE and EV/EBITDA. The CAPE ratio is the ‘Cyclically Adjusted Price Earnings’ ratio, created by Nobel laureate Robert Schiller of Yale University. It adjusts the standard P/E ratio for natural business or economic cycles, roughly every ten years. So it takes the ten-year average of actual earnings for S&P 500 companies.5 This smooths out earnings and keeps optimistic estimates by analysts, driven by optimistic guidance from company management, in check. It can reveal a market that is actually more expensive and therefor dangerous for an investor. Financial advisors should have at least an undhttp://marketerstanding of these ratios to manage risk for their clients.
Another alternative is the EV/EBITDA ratio, which is more geared towards valuing individual stocks rather than market indexes. The numerator is enterprise value which looks at the cash flow generating ability of whole company, both equity and debt components.6 The denominator, EBITDA, also known as operating income, is a cleaner representation of earnings than EPS because it takes out the effects of amortization and depreciation on the bottom line.7 In other words, it adjusts for some accounting shenanigans. It’s also cleaner because it can’t be artificially increased by share repurchases by the company. By reducing the outstanding share count, EPS goes up (all else equal), which brings the traditional P/E ratio down.
Online Masters in Accountancy Degree
If you are interested in dissecting numbers like the ratios above, you might consider becoming a financial analyst or accountant as a financial career option. Pursuing an online Masters of Accountancy (MAcc) degree helps prepare candidates to sit for the prestigious Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Another program that focuses heavily on ratio analysis is the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program, especially levels I and II.
Whatever area of business (sales, marketing, finance, compliance, etc.), it helps to be well-versed in financial jargon. Knowing the ins and outs of various financial ratios may help you pass challenging exams, look sharper in an interview, or make smarter investment decisions during your career in finance. |
Sentence Examples with the word Disfranchising
Though otherwise progressive, this law committed the injustice of temporarily disfranchising the nonYugoslav minorities, on the convenient pretext that they could not claim the vote until the expiry of the two years during which the Treaty of Trianon secures their right to choose citizenship in a neighbouring State.
The property of Confederates might be confiscated, and in 1866 a constitutional amendment disfranchising all who had given aid and comfort to the Confederacy was adopted.
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It was at first rejected at the polls, but was finally ratified in November 1869 without the disfranchising clauses.
She had a new constitution drawn up, practically providing for an absolute monarchy, and disfranchising a large class of citizens who had voted since 1887; this constitution (drawn up, so the royal party declared, in reply to a petition signed by thousands of natives) she undertook to force on the country after proroguing the legislature on the 14th of January 1893, but her ministers shrank from the responsibility of so revolutionary an act, and with difficulty prevailed upon her to postpone the execution of her design.
When suffrage had thus come to be a thing really worth possessing, the proprietor, in 1670, sought to check the opposition by disfranchising all freemen who did not have a freehold of fifty acres or a visible estate of forty pounds sterling. |
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Staff at a TB clinic distribute food to sick patients. Inside the clinic it is compulsory to wear a mask. The tuberculosis bacteria is transmitted carried in airborne particles, called droplet nuclei, and poor ventilation inside crowded houses is one of the main causes of infection. The clinic has a system that exchanges with the outside air. |
Anotheremblem The following article is for use on Ruthenian Empire historic pages only. DO NOT delete this template or the pages that use it...
Beretea also known by the Selloi as Beretion (η πόλη, abbreviated as ἡ Πόλις , hē Polis, ' The City ') , was a Selloi city state and capital of Kormenia during all the Kormenian existence, it was considered the "most beautiful city of all the Korimis", the city was destroyed during the Siege of Beretea and the fall of Kormenian Empire in 2588, the only remnants of the city is the Selymbra Gate.
The City of Beretea was founded by Selloi colonists after the fall of Hispales, near the river Danuba in the begining was a prosperous city state leaded by a Despot and leaded the trade and the good of olive and silver in the peninsula with other foreign tribes as the Ligurians and the Kolomeans, during the next 150 years, the city was the center of Selloi culture thanks to Rúmina and the formation of the Rothoi League, the city becames the bastion and the last hope of the league, his walls resisted eleven sieges and invasions of Slavians, Aljukids and Korimis, resisting thanks to his high walls and powerful army.
During a night, one commander of the Korimi called Tulipan with a Korimi force reached the village of Selymbria, some 30 miles (48 km) west of Beretea, however, they learned from some independent local farmers (thelematarioi) that the entire local garrison, and the fleet, were absent conducting a raid against the Selloi island of Daphnousia. Túlipan was initially hesitant to take advantage of the situation, since his small force might be destroyed if the local army returned too soon, and because he would exceed the Klassr's orders, but eventually decided not to lose such a golden opportunity taking the city to the Korimis, after a quick battle, the city was taken for the korimis and becomes soon the headquarters of the Korimi conquest of the Rothinoi Peninsula
The Map of Beretea during Kormenian Period
After the coronation of Stellios or St. Stephanos, the city becomes the bastion of Orthodoxy and heiress of the Selloi world, the Almodian dynasty embellished the city and throughout thousand years Beretea was the largest and richest city in the Peninsula and the region, known as the "The Great City " ( I̱ megáli̱ póli̱ ) . Moreover, it was called the Crossroads of the World for the different ethnic groups living in the city ,it was the nexus of trade between different tribes.
The city was known to as the bastion of all Kormenian government and administration, the posterior dinasties strengthen the city with another walls and the villages nearby, the work of evangelization work in the city and numerous teasures and holy relics have been guarded in the city walls, during 1000 years the city was the capital of the new Kormenian Empire, Emmanuel I reinaugured the city with 300.000 inhabitants, one century later reached half a million, being the largest city of Kormenian cities and the most bigger of the cities of the region (after Arcadia), build, hundreds of temples, both pagan and orthodox and become the most cosmopolitan city in the region attracting Hellenes and Slavians alike, built schools, hospitals and the city until its fall the bastion of culture.
One of the secrets of the city was his enormous walls date back to the 12 century and had a range of 30 km, who protected from numerous incursions of foreigners and other enemies, only the Parsians can take the city in 2588 the city becomes part of the legend and the last stand of Kormenia in the Kormenian-Parsian War
The city resist numerous invasions and civil wars, finally fall after months of siege in 2588.
The Selymbra Walls, only left of the Jewel of Kormenia
The city falls in 2588, Mesud II, the sultan of Parsia wants to destroy the entire city to "desmoralize all the peninsula" and becomes the ruler of all the peninsula in the name of Parsia, the city was destroyed and the last emperor of Kormenia, Thomas II died with the city., leaving only the walls standing just, caught about half a million inhabitants and massacred all aristocracy was in Beretea, the Parsians knew Beretea was the "Jewel of Kormenia" the siege lasted 4 months, where the Parsian used cannons and a bit of luck, the desmoralization and the weakness of the last emperor was predominant in the fall of the city and the fall of the empire, Thomas was unable to unite the Kormenians against the parsians and the continous social problems between the Kormenian nobility was the defense of the city futile.
Currently the city is not nothing but the stories and some of its walls, the Parsians made sure to destroy every material vestige of the city, Beretea marked a before and an after in the Selloi culture and its fall struck deep in the Ruthene spirit, with their independence lost the remaining Hellenes ran to the west to Mauria or becomes slaves of the new Parsian Empire.
After the collapse of the Parsian Empire, the Imperial government declares the Walls of Selymbra as National monument and site of Archeological investigation by the Empire, "The city of Beretea was the homeland of all the Ruthene culture of the peninsula and the symbol of Enosis, the eternal memento of our ancestors", in 3255 was considered one of the protected areas of the Aquitanian-Ruthene Organisation for Archaeological & Cultural Affairs (AROACA)
The now city of Elea is renamed as Selymbra in honor of the ancient capital of Beretea.
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The Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa will soon have a cool new exhibit — some actual permafrost core samples, collected nearly 6,000 kilometres away in Yukon.
"This hasn't been done in Canada before — it's a first in that we can have cores presented in a museum, actually frozen cores," said Louis-Philippe Roy, a researcher at Yukon College who helped devise a way to display the samples while preserving them at the same time.
Storing permafrost samples in a regular chest freezer would cause the moisture to evaporate out over time, Roy said. The cores would also quickly degrade if they were regularly taken out of a freezer to be shown and handled.
Roy and another researcher, Fabrice Calmels, came up with a new way to display the cores — sealed in a glass jar filled with silicone oil, which preserves the permafrost and magnifies it for viewing. The samples can then be kept in a standard glass-front refrigerator.
The Yukon Research Centre, at Yukon College, has its own display of permafrost samples, collected in the territory. (Mike Rudyk/CBC)
"[It] allows us to have a nice clean display," Roy said. "It's going to allow other people that live in the southern provinces to see what is permafrost.
"We hear about permafrost thawing and climate change, but it's hard to really put an image on it."
'The Arctic is changing'
Two core samples, collected at a depth of 2.8 metres near Burwash Landing, Yukon, have already been sent to the museum, but won't be seen by the public until June. That's when the museum's new Arctic gallery will open.
"We're going to explore the geography of the Arctic, we're going to talk about climate, we're going to talk about sustainability ... and we're looking at the ecosystems," said Caroline Lanthier, with the museum.
Highway 3 bumps
Thawing permafrost threatens infrastructure in many parts of the North. Here, a driver heads over a bumpy stretch of Highway 3, between Yellowknife and Behchoko, N.W.T. (Chantal Dubuc/CBC)
The permafrost samples will be displayed alongside things such as fossilized trees from Nunavut's Axel Heiberg island, and Thule cultural artifacts.
Lanthier says the permafrost samples will be part of an exhibit focussed on Arctic climate.
"The Arctic is changing, and with climate change the permafrost is melting, and that's impacting infrastructure, that's impacting the flora and fauna living in the Arctic, and the people living in the Arctic," she said.
"If a picture is worth a thousand words, now we have the actual thing ... there's nothing that beats having the actual sample in front of you."
With files from Mike Rudyk |
Protecting Your Constitutional Rights
If you are facing criminal charges, whether at the state level or federal level, it's important to know that the Constitution specifies a number of rights provided to defendants in criminal proceedings to ensure that legal actions are fair. These rights include:
• The right to remain silent means that no one can force a defendant to speak or testify if the defendant reasonably believes that his/her testimony will contribute to his/her conviction for a crime.
• Search warrants forbid the search or seizure of private property unless the proper authorities have obtained a warrant through "probable cause," unless one of the well-defined exceptions is present.
• Writ of habeas corpus maintains that detained individuals have the right to know why they are being held if the detention lasts more that a short time.
• No excessive, cruel or unusual fines or punishment prevents excessive bail, fines or "cruel and unusual" punishments to be imposed on defendants.
• The right to have a public trial is a privilege that should not be minimized. It ensures the public's access to court proceedings and may help ensure that the defendant's rights are observed and upheld.
• The right to a jury trial applies to sentences that carry prison terms of six months or more and helps to ensure a fair trial by allowing a group of impartial jurors to decide on the legitimacy of the charges and the outcome of the case.
• The right to confront witnesses allows witnesses to be cross-examined by the defendant or defendant's counsel, thereby offering the defendant the opportunity to obtain potentially beneficial information or to reveal any discrepancies in the testimony (special rules apply for child sexual assault cases).
• The right to not be tried twice for the same offense (commonly known as double jeopardy) protects defendants from being put on trial more than once for the same crime, unless the charge is filed under different authorities, such as state and federal courts.
In addition, the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees anyone facing criminal charges the right to the assistance of effective counsel. Reasons why it may be necessary to retain a criminal attorney include:
• Prosecutors might overestimate" crimes and mistakenly charge individuals based on erroneous facts, such as incorrectly calculating drug quantities or economic fraud loss and damage amounts.
Consulting With A Lawyer About Your Rights
If you are facing criminal charges or are under investigation for violation of a local, state or federal criminal law, the decision of who will represent you is a critical one. You will need a skilled individual who will stand by you at trial, prepared to fight for you.
Attorney Norman D. McKellar of McKellar & Easter, Attorneys at Law, is such an attorney. He represents the accused nationwide and is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is a firm believer in protecting what's most important and is not afraid to take an aggressive approach during litigation to do just that.
Make An Appointment With Our Firm
To schedule a free initial telephone consultation with one of our experienced defense attorneys, contact our law offices in Knoxville, Tennessee; Nashville, Tennessee; or Atlanta, Georgia, by calling 865-566-0125 or filling out this contact form. We accept credit cards. |
Beecher's Handouts > Camera > 3.5 - Shutter Release
Learn Photography
Beecher's Handouts >
Camera >
3.5 - Shutter Release
Single or Continuous Shutter Release
You can set your camera to take only one photograph when you press the shutter release.
This setting is called S, for single.
If you set your camera to the C setting, which stands for continuous, the camera will take one picture after another as long as the shutter release is held down.
Check your instruction manual for variations of these settings.
Shutter Delay
There is a slight delay between when your brain tells you finger to press the shutter, and when the shutter actually opens.
When photographing movement, you must press the shutter release just before you think you should.
Photograph cyclists or skaters in a park, while trying to take the photograph when they're at a certain place.
You'll quickly get a feel for when to press the shutter release.
Shutter Lag
Point-and-shoot cameras have a longer lag between when you press the shutter and the shutter is opened.
Pre-focus to shorten the shutter lag.
Shutter Release & Slow Shutter Speeds
A slow shutter speed, generally, is a shutter speed slower than 1/60th of a second.
If you're using a slow shutter speed, the camera has to be on a tripod of other support.
Otherwise, you may get camera shake.
The photograph is blurred by the movement of the camera.
Pressing the shutter release by hand may cause camera shake, even when the camera is on a tripod or other support.
If it doesn't matter when the photograph is taken, such as a landscape, use the self-timer to trip the shutter.
When the timing is important, such as an eagle landing on her nest, use a remote release. |
Page 1
Lorenzo Franceschini Hazar Karahan Antonia Moscoso Arnold Tejasurya
Abstract The project involves the development of a material system that explores the structural as well as the spatial quality relation of the strong and sometimes unavoidable dualism between wooden components and fabric. The fairly easy system logic is comprised of compression components held in place by geometry, self-weight, and a fibreglass layer working in tension. The wide possibility of global geometry realisation makes this process very flexible. However, the drivers for the final design solution include weather parameters on the site, namely wind direction and intensity, dry bulb temperature and sunlight exposition, in addition to the main focus that aim at enhancing spatial qualities of the pier. Different sets of experiments investigate geometrical possibilities and structural capacities of the system, in order to reach a final design –and process rationality- able to provide improved quality for users as well as construction feasibility. A final solution is reached, combining voronoi volumes as a compressive inner layer and an outer layer of fibreglass as stiffening and tensile skin, able to give its contribute to the area along the 24 hours.
AA Emtech | 2015
Contents 0.0 Introduction 2 1.0 The system’s logic 1.1 Environmental conditions and system’s aim 3 1.2 Geometrical parameters 6 1.3 The membrane ‘s role 7 2.0 Experiment 1: 2.1 Spatial configuration: iterations 11 2.2 Structural performance 13 2.3 Differentiation: gradient strategy 15 2.3.1 Light analysis 17 2.3.2 Wind Analysis 18 2.4 Fabrication considerations 21 2.5 Conclusions 23 3.0 Experiment 2: 3.1 Hierarchy and differentiation 25 3.2 Structure 30 3.3 Wind analysis 32 4.0 Conclusion 33
The project seeks to develop a surface that can act as a mediator of the environmental conditions present at the site by creating a flexible material system that enables differential permeability of light wind and view in specific location. The project relies on the hypotheses that by creating a material system composed by wood bricks, in compression and a fabric membrane, that acts as the mortar, it would be possible to control both the global form by manipulating the brick’s geometry as well as the permeability. An initial set of physical and digital experimentations were conducted to identify the parameters responsible for the overall curvature and the structural stability of the system. The deducted rules are then applied in a top down approach to define the global form. Different strategies to increase the differentiation of the pavilion are also explored. Wind and light analysis are also implemented to further evaluate the performance of the proposal. At this stage, concern with the clearness of the drivers for the configuration of the initial experiment as well as spatial hierarchy leads into reviewing the system’s logic, the component’s geometry and the global form. Therefore, a second morphology of the system based on further research on compression structures attempts to tackle this issues.
AA Emtech | 2015
1.0 1.1
THE SYSTEM LOGIC Environmental conditions and system aim
The project’s principal objective is to turn the Masthouse Terrace pier into a site that provides multiple spatial and programmatic experiences to it s users by presenting a gradient of environmental
conditions. As a starting point, the environmental conditions of the pier were studied and three distinct spatial arrangements were defined:
1. The shelter: a space that responds to the low outdoor comfort that characterizes the pier especially between November and April protecting from the wind and the rain while allowing the light from the sun. The shelter Outdoor Comfort Extremely cold
Outdoor Comfort LONDON/Gatwick_GBR
Extremely hot
1 Jan 7:00 - 31 Dec 19:00
Average rain/ month 30
2. The partial shaded: a space that deals with the predominant winds from the south and south west, and protects from the rain and the sun. Partially shaded
Sun exposure
environmental parameters 4%
12% S
rain wind
< 71 <=3.10
1594 16.06
Oct to April 8 am - 6pm
wick_GBR 15APR 19:00 election Applied: Wind Speed > 3
17.5 <=
m/s 17.5 <=
Predominant wind
m/s 17.5 m/s
17.5 <= 16.06
14.62 13.18
8.86 7.42
5.98 4.54
< 3.10
Wind Rose LONDON/Gatwick_GBR 15 OCT 7:00 - 15APR 19:00 Conditional Selection Applied: Wind Speed > 3 m/s
5.98 4.54 <=3.10
Wind Rose LONDON/Gatwick_GBR OCT 7:00of- 15APR 19:00 river while 3. The “inside out� that allows the users to have direct contact with15 the view the Thames Conditional Selection Applied: Wind Speed > 3 providing partial shelter from rain. m/s
Inside out
An initial zoning of these spatial conditions was set in which the user would experience a gradient of contact with the outside. The shelter as a larger waiting area next to one of the embarking points in the area of more sun exposure of the the shelter
inside out
pier, the transition space that allows the view of London in both directions and a seating area next to the ramp were the surface is located towards the south to provide shelter from the predominant wind. partially shaded
embarking view
AA Emtech | 2015
To achieve a continuous surface with differential porosity that can modulate the environmental conditions, this projects focuses on the development of a material system composed by an aggregation of timber bricks, compression elements, and an outer layer of fabric membrane that has the role of the mortar. The permeability gradient of light would be accomplished by the interaction of the removal of cer-
tain wooden bricks and a variation of the properties of the fabric membrane. In the system, there is no joint in-between the units, and the geometry of the units determines the curvature of the assembly. The system’s stability relies both on the friction between the components and the stiffness of the membrane.
System logic diagrams plywood bricks components
fabric membrane
angles control curvature
no joint between the bricks
membrane in tension
plywood in compression friction between the plywood elements removal of the bricks to modulate the environmental conditions
Geometrical Parameters
The system’s brick component can be described by five geometrical parameters that inform the global form: 1. The angle between upper and lower pieces responsible for the curvature; 2. The angle of the horizontal plane of the component responsible for introducing torsion; 3. The angle on the lateral sides of the compo-
nent controls the horizontal curvature of the assembly, 4. The height of the component has an impact both on the number of pieces and the smoothness of the curvature; 5. The width of the unit ensures the friction between the components.
α angle - curvature
β angle - twisting
β a
the Component
ω angle - horizontal curvature
h - number/ smoothness
AA Emtech | 2015
The membrane Role
While the brick’s geometry controls the global shape, the fabric properties are related to the stability of the assembly; it also defines the maximal size of areas with no bricks and enable to create different porosity conditions for light and wind. Physical experiments with different fabrics showed that in order for the system to work, the relation between the elasticity/stiffness of the fabric and the weight of the bricks has to be calibrated. Besides, the membrane also enables to introduce variation on the support conditions of the assembly, in other words a cantilevering condition is feasible .
An initial set of experiments sought to identify the distance between the bricks and the structural performance of the membrane, by shifting the bricks and analysing the minimal contact between units. By studying both the displacement of the overall surface as well as the force flow in the areas with no bricks, it is noted that the minimal contact area between two bricks should be 50%, however it was not possible to establish the maximum span of the bricks that would guarantee tension on the membrane and not create wrinkles.
removal of the bricks to modulate the environmental conditions
Displacement on z : area of contact 25% vs 50% LOAD: gravity Wood: Fabric: 750 MPa Support condition no degrees of freedom.
area of contact: 25%
PLATE DISP: D(XYZ) mm 6.12x10¯ ¹
area of contact: 50% Force : area of contact 25% vs 50%
1. Forces out of the projection of the support , generating bending moment
PLATE FORCE: (N/mm) 9.60x10¯³
-1.14x10¯² 2. Forces inside of the projection of the support , no bending moment .
AA Emtech | 2015
In terms of the permeability of the assembly, the different properties and types of textiles can be defined as the following. Various textiles give a good variation of behaviours of dealing with environmental factors. Light permeability, wind-
proofness and waterproofness are the main parameters that should be analysed in order to make the choice about the correct typology of material to use.
Net fabric featuring the same tensile strength in both directions. It would allow a total permeability for what light, wind and rain are concerned. Control over the weather can be achieved through layering of the fabric.
net fabric same tensile strength
dense net same tensile strength
dens vertica strengt horizon
Dense net fabric featuring the same tensile strength in both directions. It would allow a total permeability for what rain is concerned, while it is able to slightly reduce wind and light filtration. Control over the weather can be achieved through layering of the fabric.
dense net
same tensile ďŹ ber comstrength posite fabric more vertical tensile strength rigid (non-elastic)
dense net vertical tensile strength polyester horizontal elasticity fabric same tensile strength rigid (non-elastic)
Dense net fabric featuring different tensile strength in vertical and horizontal directions, in order to adapt it better to the outer of the structure. It would allow a total permeability for what light, wind and rain are concerned. Control over the weather can be achieved through layering of the fabric.
dense net vertical tensile polyester strength fabric horizontal elasticity same tensile strength
custom fabric more vertical tensile
cus fab more streng variab
net fabric same tensile strength
dense net
dense vertical strength horizont
same tensile strength
Fiber composite fabric with main tensile strength directed vertically. Fibers (material and number to be defined by structural analysis) are laid in between two layers of transparent film (e.g. Mylar). Wind and rain could be totally blocked by the waterproofing film that could eventually allow light to filter through thanks to the transparent properties dense net same tensile ďŹ ber comstrength posite fabric more vertical tensile strength rigid (non-elastic)
dense net vertical tensile strength polyester horizontal fabric elasticity same tensile strength rigid (non-elastic)
cust fabr more v streng variabl
Polyester-like fabric with same tensile properties in all directions. Translucency would partially allow light filtering.
dense net vertical tensile polyester strength fabric horizontal elasticity same tensile strength rigid (non-elastic)
custom fabric more vertical tensile strength variable horizontal ten-
Custom made fiber composite fabric (laminated) with fibers placed according to the structural needs and to aesthetic purposes; transparent film layered according to environmental factors to be controlled
custom fabric more vertical tensile strength variable horizontal ten-
AA Emtech | 2015
2.0 EXPERIMENT 1 2.1 Spatial configuration: iterations After defining the system’s logic and setting the environmental targets of the three spatial arrangements that are contemplated by the project a set of digital experiments explored a variation in the support geometry as well as in the curvature of the assembly and a gradient in the number of pieces or in the curvature’s smoothness. As a starting point for this experiments, a set of section curves was established
for both the shelter and the partially shaded space which was understood as a cantilever configuration of the system, limiting the maximum height of the spaces. Then, establishing the spatial outcome of circulating from a space where the curvature went from smooth too rough fragmented or continuous supporting geometries where studied, creating a series of iterations.
The Shelter : iterations
Conditions: controlled wind partially shaded sunlight no rain
3.0m 2.5m
Support geometry
Height differentiation low
Number of pieces
fragmented curved
The resulting configurations showed that on the shelter the variation from a smooth to a rough curvature wasn’t an a successful strategy to introduce differentiation, and that fragmenting the supporting geometry would allow to direct airflow into the shelter. In the partially shaded space it was noticed that the curvature of the supporting geometry can not
be greater than the curvature in the vertical plane, therefore the asymmetrical seating are, iteration C3 hl, was further developed. However, it needs to be pointed out that hierarchy as well as the programmatic variations are weak in both configurations and that this is reviewed in experiment 2.
The partially shaded : iterations Conditions: partially wind partially shaded sunlight partially rain
3.0m wind
Support geometry
Height differentiation high
2 seating areas
Number of pieces
central seating areas
C2 1 seating area
AA Emtech | 2015
2.2 Two different approaches are contemplated of how to best study the structural behaviour of the material system. The first approach considers the system as a combination of structural ribs and envelope where some bricks are actually fundamental for load bearing where as others contribute by the lateral compression but can me removed. Digital modelling was used to determine the maximum span between the structural ribs however this approach is not considering the membrane’s contribution nor the lateral transmission of the loads. For instance in the cantilever configuration the overall thickness of the surface increased to 150mm to reduce displacement. Therefore, a second approach considers the system as a composite shell, and it is simulated by series of plates with two different material properties acting together, and the structural role of the membrane is confirmed
Structural performance when the minimal necessary thickness of the brick is reduced to 50mm. The results presented below show both configurations, cantilever and arch in the second approach and the displacement of the plates only considering self load. Wind loads have not been implemented in these tests. The tensile membrane is considered as mesh with a Young’s Modulus of 700MPa. In the cantilever configuration is important to notice that further reducing the thickness of the bricks from 50mm to 25mm increases the maximum displacement. In the arch configuration the maximum displacement is perceived in the upper part of the arch.
Material Properties Membrane *modulus: 700 MPa *poisson’s Ratio: 0,35 *density: 6,7 e -10 T/mm3 *specific Heat: 1,6 e 6 J/T/C Wood units *modulus 10500 MPa *Poisson’s Ratio: 0,3 *Density: 5,5 e -10 T/mm3 *Thermal Expansion: 3,5 e -6/C
Support conditions node attributes translation rotation X fix X fix Y fix Y fix Z fix Z fix
Cantilever displacement analysis Material Thickness Membrane: 1mm Play wood: 25 mm
Material Thickness Membrane: 1mm Play wood: 50 mm
Arch displacement analysis
Material Thickness Membrane: 1mm Play wood: 25 mm
Material Thickness Membrane: 1mm Play wood: 50 mm
AA Emtech | 2015
2.3 Three different arrangement strategies are applied on the global surface in order to manipulate the openings. The strategies depends on the zoning of the area by changing the width of the wood brick units. The first strategy is based on having one single zone with the same width of 600 mm of the units everywhere. The second option is dividing the global surface into two different zones and applying different width in each zone. The last approach involves the process of creating the global surface by hav-
Strategy 1
Differentiation Strategy ing a set of three width, 200 mm, 400 mm and 600 mm and randomly distributing on in. From strategy one to strategy three the total number of the units slightly increases. The aim of applying various number of strategies seeks to investigate how to control the light at the inner space for the users, even though the results had similar effects. The width of the units , including the shortest width which was 200 mm, were too big to create a significant differentiation.
Strategy 2
Date: 15 April - 1pm
Strategy 3
Plywood components size: average height 700mm width 600mm thickness 50mm TOTAL: 592 pieces
Strategy 1 all pieces same width
6 pieces x 1sheet approx = 100 sheets
Plywood components size: average height 700mm width 600mm / 400mm/20mmm thickness 50mm TOTAL: 635 pieces
Strategy 2 zones with 3 widths
6 pieces x 1sheet approx = 105 sheets
Plywood components size: average height 700mm width 600mm / 400mm/20mmm thickness 50mm TOTAL: 725 pieces
Strategy 3 3 widths
6 pieces x 1sheet approx = 120 sheets
AA Emtech | 2015
Light quality
The following experiment deals with the fabric’s shading qualities. As previously anticipated, the intention is locally remove a certain number of pieces in order to attain different shadowing patterns. In this way, the fabric working on the outer layer of the surface, not only bears structural characteristics, but also performs as filter where the component is removed.
This experiments only takes in consideration net-like fabrics, since the chances given by the layering opportunity provide more variations in patterns. By acknowledging the different outcomes, it’s then possible to plan which kind of result is wanted in a certain area of the structure.
Net fabric 1x1 mm 1 layer
Net fabric 1x1 mm 3 layers
Net fabric 1x1 mm 5 layers
Net fabric 4x4 mm 3 layers
Linen net 0,5x0,5 mm 1 layer
Linen net 2x2 mm 1 layers
Wind analysis
Wind analysis is used to determine both the pressure on the surface and wind flow trough the system. The experiments aimed at understanding the balance between reducing the pressure by removing bricks and correct dimensioning of the openings to avoid wind tunnelling. An initial set of tests aimed seeks the relation between the curvature and surface
pressure, and it is confirmed that the pressure is higher when it’s normal to the wind. Porosity on the surface also reduces the pressure on it effectively; with the right dimensioning of openings it is also possible to modulate wind, in order to decrease its speed to light breeze or block it.
3 Components Surface Pressure Pressure (Pa) 30
3 Components Surface Pressure Pressure (Pa) 30
3 Components Surface Pressure Pressure (Pa)
30 15 0
15.067 2.452
Degree (Xo) 75o
15.067 6 Components Surface Pressure 3 Components Surface 2.452
15Pressure (Pa) 30 0
Degree (Xo) 75o
6 Components Surface Pressure Pressure (Pa) 30 0 15
Degree (Xo)
6 Components Surface Pressure Pressure (Pa)
15 0
Degree (Xo) 75o
9 Components Surface Pressure 15Pressure (Pa) 30 0
Degree (Xo)
9 Components Surface Pressure
6 Components Surface Pressure (Pa)
30 0 15
Degree (Xo)
9 Components Surface Pressure
Pressure (Pa)
30 15 0
Degree (Xo) 5.324
15 0
Degree (Xo) 75o
Degree (Xo) 0
Pressure on 9 Components Surface
AA Emtech | 2015
The surface without porosity will has very high pressure, or even creating parachute effect.
With creating porosity in the surface, will reduce the pressure and also can allow comfort breeze to pass through instead of heavy wind.
High porosity with small holes allows to reduced the pressure however if the holes are to small it blocks the wind.
Less porosity with bigger holes reduces the pressure considerably creating a comfortable breeze
The global geometry is analysed through CFD testing software using 5m/s wind speed in order to understand the surface pressure values. The results are not as expected. Even though the surface pressure is slightly reduced, due to the geometry relation between the structure and the existing ramp on the pier, a Venturi effect is created increasing the wind speed, generating a non-comfortable zone where the sitting area was planned.
AA Emtech | 2015
2.4 At the point of an analysis that takes into consideration the fabrication technique for the system developed so far, some issues become visible. The structure of 50 mm plywood plus an outer layer made of fabric, if examined step by step from the fabrication to the construction stage, it lacks in some phases. The matter of featuring all different pieces, though, has not been intended as an issue, since it would be easily solved by using a 5-axis mills to produce the components; pieces that would have to be obtained from a single 50 mm plywood sheet, resulting in a lot of weight. This last characteristic leads to the set of issues related to the eventual construction process on site. The scheme on the bottom explains the phases that would lead to the realization. After the lowest component has been fixed to the
Fabrication considerations ground via steel brackets, the pieces are laid one on top of the other, one by one, while on the back side the fabric is attached to the pieces. When the pieces start to be laid at a certain angle and height, the use of scaffolding is necessary in order to sustain the wooden components while the fabric is positioned. At last, depending on the geometry of the structure, a cable might become necessary in order to help maintain constant compression: passing through all the last-row components, it would then be tensioned and fixed to the ground, assuring to keep in compression the pieces at all time.
System 1: 50mm plywood + membrane cable to prevent the wind from lift4 ing in the structure a cable is passed through the last piece to and fixed to the ground. fabric 3 when all the pieces are into place the fabric is laid and attached to the components
temporary 2 fibers on the back and
scaffoldings to keep the pieces in place awaiting the fabric
foundation 1 steel “L� profiles and
horizontal plate to clamp the wood component
considerations: weight / friction component 600x400x50 mm volume v= 0.012 mÂł mass m=8.4 Kg
In order to partially overcome some of the issues faced with the previous system, changes are introduced. The complexity of fabrication increases, even though it is not where the interest in enhancing the structure fosters: instead of a single thick component, a box-like element is introduced. The overall thickness of the section increases, providing eventually structural depth and more surface contact between the components, but the overall weight decreases, having a structure 16% lighter (the weight could be further reduced, by decreasing the thickness of the plywood with which the box is made). Using these box-like components, assuming that the construction phases to lay the fabric on the outer face are the same, would eventually lead to avoidance in using scaffoldings.
The potential of being able to remove one face of the box during construction would lead to the possibility of simply clamping one component to the next one. In this way the placing of the fabric on the back could be implemented. Also in this solution, if required, a cable can be pierced through the last-row component and fixed to the ground at the sides n order to provide constant compression in the structure. The downsides of this system are...
System 2: 15mm plywood box + membrane 4
temporary Fibres on the back and clamps in the inner side of the boxes to keep the pieces in place awaiting the fabric. 1
considerations: weight / friction component box 600x400x150mm thickness 15mm volume v= 0.0117m続 mass m=7.1 Kg
AA Emtech | 2015
2.5 Conclusions
On the architectural side, the system composed by boxes shows some interesting potential together with weaknesses. As the physical model displays, the possibility of integrating lighting effects within the components themselves adds quality to the system. The effects created by the different visual thickness of the components, the closed ones opposed to those with a hole, opposed to the missing pieces, contributes to an overall differentiation of the surface. The construction system is still eventually the hardest part to solve. The double degree curvature of the structure does not allow an easy laying of the fabric. The larger the fabric piece, the more difficult would be to adapt it to the back of the wooden components. In order to solve this problem there could be two different ways. The first one and probably more complicated
would be to create a custom composite fibre reinforced fabric moulded exactly as the outer surface to be covered. As introduced earlier in the fabric chapter, this solution would allow a control of nearly 100% of different important features as wind/light/air porosity and structural performances. The second way of overcoming the problem of the fabric laying, would be to use several layers of fibre glass stripes, in order to obtain a uniform outer surface. The level of permeability of the membrane could be accurately controlled during the laying process.
AA Emtech | 2015
3.0 3.1
EXPERIMENT 2: Spatial hierarchy and differentiation
Proposal 1 - still not conceptually detached from the previous version
Proposal 2 - complex in realization and too fragmented
The issues embedded in the system developed up to this point lead eventually to a necessity to introduce some changes in it. The weak architectural result needs to be rethought in more interesting application, as well as the whole system needs to be revised in order to achieve the goal. The system logic itself is maintained as it is, with the inner layer of wooden components that work in compression and an outer layer of fabric that work in tension. Everything that has been so far understood from the site condition, as well as the overall
goal of providing three spatial conditions is kept in mind for these further steps of the design process. In order to reach a distribution of the structure that would define the desired spatial conditions a series of tests are carried out. Among all, the one that better interprets the wanted requirements is chosen for development. It indeed clearly subdivides the pier surface into three: a wide waiting area on the left, a central part that has open view on the Thames and a third one that is more protected from the southern winds.
Proposal 3 - clear definition of three spaces, potential of creating differentiation even by keeping the same language
The geometrical logic of the initial design proposal was based, as extensively explained in the first chapters, on the quadrilateral shape of the components, creating a simple grid on the surface. The introduction of the varying width of components did provide some variation to the system but at an overall look did not provide any interesting architectural outcome. A more uneven subdivision may come from a voronoi partitioning, and although the control over this type of tessellation might not be as definite as the previous one, it would allow a more precise and ruled logic over the density -and consequently the size- of the cells in specific areas. This concept is explained below, taking
a sample square area. The control over the cell density allow to have a variation in their geometry where desired, in this case defined by a point. The definition of different areas with smaller cells also help defining which component are to be removed in order to provide a certain required spatial quality. The driver that instead rules the positioning of those points on the surface at a bigger scale are those areas of some particular interest. For instance, they could be positioned on the hypothetical line that connects the sitting place with a particular surrounding landmark that is wanted to be visible while sitting.
The surface is populated with points that define the voronoi cells
Where needed areas of higher density of cells are generated
AA Emtech | 2015
Desired cells around that region can be deleted
Non uniform thickness of the components is then implemented
The geometries are applied to the pre-defined surface
With the system logic also the distribution and the geometry of the overall spatial configuration slightly change. The first chapter deals with environmental parameters that have been used as initial drivers to shape the first set of geometries. For this further development the same concepts are taken into account, together with the same goals of providing three different spatial conditions. Due to the geometry of the site -the access ramp, a wider space and a thinner space- and its restrictions -the ramp and the two accesses to the ferries- the areas assigned to the waiting/sitting areas do not vary. What does change is how the space is covered by the structure. There are no gaps or distinction between the three spaces, even though a strong
View towards London City
View towards the river
Morning light
Sky view
curvature discontinuity applies from one another. The planned sitting areas are generated by a continuation of the lower part of the structure, where some voronoi extrusion provide different levels of seating. More importantly, the actual differentiation between one zone and the adjacent one relies on the distinct positioning of focal points. The previous paragraph introduced the concept of points between the user and certain defined foci, translating into a densification of components -with a consequent removal of some of them. A selection of views per each of the three area is then determined.
Definition of focal points related to surrounding environment
AA Emtech | 2015
the shelter
Section A
inside out
partially shaded
Section B
3.2 Structure Concerning the structural aspect of the new proposal, the concept behind it still remains the same of the previous version. The voronoi components that constitute the structure are disposed following the concept of vault’s bricks. As in the previous variant the compression behaviour of them is of key importance for the global stability of the intervention. A slight difference lays in the presence of the layer of fibre glass on the outer part of the surface, instead of a simple membrane, that would eventually lead to an increase of
general stiffness, allowing better performances, especially under wind and accidental loads -as the strong vibration induced by the movement of the pier. As shown in the section diagram below, another feature that is introduced comprises the thinning of the higher components. The advantages of this operation can be of total weight reduction as well as a easier installation process.
Reduced thickness
Removed pieces Outer fiberglass layer
Blocks in compression
AA Emtech | 2015
Material Properties Membrane *modulus: 700 MPa *poisson’s Ratio: 0,35 *density: 6,7 e -10 T/mm3 *specific Heat: 1,6 e 6 J/T/C Wood units *modulus 10500 MPa *Poisson’s Ratio: 0,3 *Density: 5,5 e -10 T/mm3 *Thermal Expansion: 3,5 e -6/C Support conditions node attributes translation rotation X fix X fix Y fix Y fix Z fix Z fix
Wood Units
displacement analysis
Material Thickness Membrane: 1mm Play wood: 25 mm
Material Thickness Membrane: 1mm Play wood: 50 mm
3.3 Another reason for the change in geometry derives from the partial failure of the previous wind analysis. With the definition of the new global surface another CFD analysis is carried out, trying to reduce the wind channelling so as to provide area subjected to lower wind velocities, resulting in higher comfort
Wind analysis for the users. The values of the pressure on the surface decreases in comparison to the previous analysis. This outcome is able to give proof that this last global geometry has a better performance when hit by the southern winds.
AA Emtech | 2015
4.0 Conclusions
This project is an exploration of a composite material system capable of mediating the environmental conditions in order to create a gradient of spatial conditions with programmatic flexibility. In order to achieve this goal, the project studied the combination of two materials with very dissecting properties wood brick act as compression elements jointed by a fabric membrane in tension. The interaction between these two materials allows control of the global form as well as of the permeability of the assembly by the removal of the wooden bricks in determined areas allowing the membrane to act as a filter. Initial experiments conducted enabled the understanding of the relation between the bricks geometry and resulting curvature, and structural analysis demonstrated that this composite system has higher tensile strength than a regular masonry system. On the first attempt to scale the system up a series of weaknesses became evident. First of all, the bricks were also scaled up acquiring larger dimensions, and the system lost the balance between the size of the openings and the environmental conditions. The overall proposal failed on controlling the interaction with the wind and the shadows became large patches. Secondly, in terms of fabrication, issues related to the size of the wood panels, their weight and the construction sequence were also noticeable. Thirdly, the overall proposal lacked hierarchy and clearness on the drivers for introducing differentiation, as result a very homogeneous surface was perceived. This issues led into reviewing the system, and a second experiment was conducted changing the geometry of the wooden bricks as well as establishing the composite as a combination of fibre glass and thin bricks based on the study of the vault compressive structures. This exploration relied on the hypotheses that by increasing the stiffness of the membrane the second thin layers of bricks used on vault structures could be replaced by fibre glass. This second morphology attempts to set more clearly three spatial conditions: a waiting shelter, a space covered from rain where the user can face the Thames river and a space that faces the ramp protected from the predominant wind. Besides, clearer rules were defined to determine the dimensions of the bricks where more porosity is required. Even though the second experiment sets a clearer path into achieving a gradient of environmental conditions, it requires further development on the study of permeability of the fibre glass reintroducing the concepts studied with different fabric membranes. Moreover the construction sequence of the system also needs further exploration.
Emergent Technologies and Design Term 1
Core Studio 1 19.01.2015
“We certify that this piece of work is entirely our own and that any quotation or paraphrase from the published or unpublished work of others is duly acknowledged.”
Lorenzo Franceschini Hazar Karahan Antonia Moscoso Arnold Tejasurya
Application of Architectural System which able to create shelter with distinct condition
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Quantifying bison diet: comparisons with isotopes
Our paper on comparing bison diet between Kansas and South Dakota came out today. There are a number of interesting patterns in there about the diets of bison. We’re seeing bison eat a lot more forbs and legumes than had been previously assumed. We’re also seeing consistent patterns in plant species consumption across years.
One question we get is “How quantitative is this approach?” In short, can we interpret the percentage of sequences for a given species as a proportion of their intake?
From first principles, since the sequence we use is from chloroplasts and chloroplast density in a leaf tends to scale with N concentrations in the leaf (and leaf N and leaf protein scale), we’ve assumed that the percentage of sequences for a species was proportional to the percentage of protein from a species consumed by the herbivore.
For example, if an herbivore consumes to plants in equal proportions and the plants have the same N concentrations, then we expect a 1:1 split on the sequences. But, if one of those species had twice the N concentration of the other, we expect a 2:1 split on the sequences.
One way to test this is with feeding trials. These are coming up.
In the mean time, across all our bison samples for the project we examined the C isotope ratio of the fecals and the % sequences from C4 grasses. C4 grasses have a unique isotopic signature and C isotopic ratios are a good index of the proportion of intake from C4 plants.
Turns out the relationship is pretty strong. Animals that isotopically appeared to be consuming more C4 grasses also had a higher proportion of C4 grass reads.
As far as we can tell, some of the scatter around the line (and the deviation from a 1:1 slope) is caused by the typically lower N concentration of C4 grasses than other plants. Another way to think about it is that the C isotopes are indicating what proportion of the animal’s C comes from C4 plants and the sequence data tells you what proportion of its N came from C4 plants.
Still, all in all, pretty strong evidence for interpreting the sequence data as representing diet.
**Craine, J. M., E. G. Towne, M. Miller, and N. Fierer. 2015. Climatic warming and the future of bison as grazers. Scientific Reports 5:16738. |
Tag Archives: chemistry
Elemental Relationships
Niobium is a silver grey metal that holds number 41 on the periodic table. It sits just above tantalum, number 73.
Besides both being silver-grey transition metals vital to modern technologies they have a classical as well as elemental relationship. In Greek Mythology Tantalus was Niobe’s father.
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Clair Patterson, Rocks from Space, and Metal in the Air
Clair Patterson
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Elemental Creatures
A little bit more periodic trivia for you. Two of the elements on the periodic get their names from folkloric creatures. (cue Peer Gynt)
Cobalt (element 27) is not found on its own in nature, only in mineral ores.
We use it now in steel alloys to make tougher drill bits and milling machine parts.
It has been used unknowingly since ancient times to color paint and glass. The ancient Egyptians used it along with iron and copper to get lapis blue glass. It’s also been found in blue and white Chinese porcelains from the 8th or 9th centuries. So it’s been around, just hiding out of sight under the blues. It creates a stable pigment that was once attributed to the element bismuth. (Cobalt blue wasn’t actually called cobalt blue until 1777.)
Maxfield Parrish, Reveries. (With cobalt blue.)
Chemistry and quilting, I’d love to see the finished project!
The artist Maxfield Parrish used cobalt blue in his rich, luminous skyscapes- some people call cobalt blue Parrish blue thinking of his skies. (I admit that I tend to do it, especially when looking at the outline of dark trees against a rich sky. Parrish just comes to mind first.)
Don’t be too distracted by the color.
Cobalt is needed for life in minute quantities but in a larger volume can be poisonous. People grinding the pigment had to be careful not to breathe it in, and when the ore was first found it was called kobald ore, German for goblin or sprite ore, because it was so problematic. It looked like silver ore but seemed to be poor in metal and gave off poisonous fumes containing arsenic when smelted. Cobalt itself was finally isolated in the 1730s and named after the troublemaking kobalds.
Kobalds are creatures from Germanic folklore. No one seems to agree on where they (myth or creature) come from originally. The stories go back at least to the 13th century and may be vestiges of Nordic mythology. The underground kobalds blamed for the evil temper of the ore seem to be folkloric cousins to knockers and bluecaps. They’re normally imagined as child sized old men, sometimes otherwise normal and sometimes as hunched over and ugly.
Cobalt’s neighbor on the periodic table, Nickel (element 28) is also named after a troublemaker.
In medieval Germany miners found reddish ore with a green crust that looked like copper ore, but from which they couldn’t get any copper. They blamed the Nickel (word history issue alert: some sources say it’s as in Old Nick or the Devil and others translate it as a term for goblin) for their trouble, and called the ore Kupfernickel. In the 1700s the chemist studying the ore got an unknown white metal which he named after the troublesome spirit.
Hall of the Mountain King
At first kupfernickel was the only source of nickel, but luckily other sources had been found by the time it was in demand for steel production at the end of the 19th century. Today nickel-iron alloys are used in the hottest parts of jet engines because they stay strong even in intense heat.
The first thing most people in the US think of when they hear nickel is $.05. Nickel has been used in minting coins from different countries since the start of the 19th century. It’s gotten too expensive to use much in coinage any more, and the US is one of the few countries that still has a fair amount of nickel in lower denomination coins. The nickel used in making a nickel coin is worth about 90% of the coin’s face value. (Normally the metal is worth far less-old pennies are the big exception. Nickel’s other neighbor, copper, is worth enough that the old copper pennies from before 1982 are worth over twice their face cost in metal!)
Nickel can still be a problem. A lot of people are touch sensitive to it and can get red and itchy skin from contact. Because of its resistance to corrosion, it used to be used in jewelry intended for pierced ears. (It’s nickel that helps put the stainless in stainless steel.)
Most of Earth’s nickel is in our planet’s inner and outer cores. Like cobalt, nickel is mostly found in its native state in meteoric iron. Which is in itself possibly a good example of our core’s composition.
I’ll confess, I don’t generally work with any metals containing nickel, but I make an exception for meteorites! As I’d mentioned with meteorites before, the nickel in iron-nickel meteorites helps keep them stable and usable. P1110545-edit-blog
Another fun fact about these elemental neighbors and their matching names-the chemist who discovered nickel (Axel Cronstedt) was a student of George Brandt, who discovered cobalt. So student and teacher’s discoveries sit next to each other on the periodic table, and both elements are named after the creatures blamed for the miners’ frustrations!
They even caused frustration for chemists later on. Most elements get heavier as you move across the periodic table from left to right. In the 1860s this was considered one of the universal laws of nature, but laws don’t have exceptions and cobalt is slightly heavier than nickel! Theoretical and experimental chemists bickered for years over a few pair weight reversals in the periodic table.
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A Harvest Tangent
chemistry http://periodictable.com/Elements/058/index.html
Photograph of Cerium from Theo Gray’s wonderful book on the elements.
The Greeks sometimes call cerium dimitrio, after Demeter.
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Dreidels and Chemistry
Honestly it’s only a one word connection, but it sticks for some reason.
So trivia for you: gadolinium (Gd, element 64) is the only element in the periodic table with a Hebrew etymology.
Gadol means great in Hebrew.
You see it in nes gadol haya sham meaning a great miracle happened there, this time of year. It’s a reference to the story of Chanukah, and dreidels have the first letter of each word on their sides. (Those same letters are also used to stand for whether you take or put into the pot when gambling with dreidels.)
Dreidel as a gambling game has roots in European history. Apparently it’s a riff off of an old Irish and English game called teetotum, and the terms for dreidel are Yiddish, a hybrid of Hebrew and German.
There’s some debate over whether the Hebrew letters on a dreidel (Nun, gumel, hei, shin) were there first in reference to the rules of the game and the Chanukah meaning added after, or if the game rules were tailored to fit the acronym celebrating Chanukah. I’ve seen arguments both ways and don’t have the background to make a call on it!
Gadolinium is one of the Lanthanides (f-block elements) naturally occurring rare earth metals. In nature it is only found in salt form. (Bonded to other elements.)
When separated it is a silver-white heavy metal. It’s useful in metallurgy since even a small amount improves the workability or iron alloys. It is also good at absorbing stray neutrons and so is used in radiography and nuclear reactors.
One of gadolinium’s main uses is in compounds for MRIs. Injected into the bloodstream, it will show where blood is and is not in a scan, which helps pinpoint the location of blocked or leaking blood vessels.
What’s really cool (and kind of mind bending, at least to me) is that it goes from being magnetic to not, depending on its temperature. This is called the Curie point, and in gadolinium it’s 19 degrees C (66 F). So if you use ice water to cool down gadolinium it will stick to a magnet, only to fall off once it warms up again.
It gets its name from the mineral gadolinite. A chemist studying gadolinite saw an unknown spectral band and identified an new element. (He actually had to use a different mineral with a larger gadolinium content to extract an oxide of gadolinium.)
Later a French chemist, P.E.F. LeCoq, separated metal from oxide and (since there’d already been a hullabaloo about his possibly naming his previous find after himself-he’s a piece of work, maybe we’ll talk about him later) he named this new element after the mineral in which it had first been identified.
This mineral had been named after Johan Gadolin. (b 1760)
Describing Gadolin as the everyman of the elements: “Gadolinium must stand as the memorial for all the chemists who have struggled to free a new element from its mineral source…” Hugh Aldersey-Williams, Periodic Tales.
Johan Gadolin was the chemist who discovered the first rare earth element- yttrium. (Well, first rare earth oxide, he knew it has a new element in 1794 but couldn’t extract it.) The mineral from which he isolated yttrium was named Gadolinite in his honor.
So the element was named after the mineral which was named after him for extracting a different element from said mineral. It’s kind of a nice naming circle!
Where does the Hebrew come in?
Clerical families often took a Latinized name. Instead of looking at Latin roots, Gadolin’s grandfather gentrified their family name by taking the Hebrew word for great and modifying it to fit with Latin forms.
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An emerald, how beautiful!
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And since we’re playing with the periodic table:
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Medical Pioneers of Muslim Civilization
Medical Pioneers of Muslim Civilization
Islam’s forgotten contributions to medical science
Ingrid Hehmeyer:
Assistant Professor of History of Science and Technology, Department of History, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ont.
Aliya Khan:
Professor of Clinical Medicine, Divisions of Endocrinology and Geriatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.
The transmission of medical knowledge can be traced to some of the earliest writings in human history. Yet a particularly fruitful period for advancement in medical science emerged with the rise of Islam. For the most part, Western scholarship belittles the contribution of the physicians of the Islamic world. They are usually perceived as simple purveyors of Greek science to the scholars of the Renaissance. However, the facts show otherwise.
For example, the 11th-century Iraqi scientist Ibn al-Haytham, known as Alhazen in Latin, developed a radically new concept of human vision. Ancient Greek notions of a visual spirit emanating from the eyes and allowing an object to be perceived were replaced by a straightforward account on the eye as an optical instrument. Ibn al-Haytham’s detailed description of ocular anatomy forms the basis for his theory of image formation, which is explained through the refraction of light rays passing between 2 media of different densities. Ibn al-Haytham derived this fundamentally new theory from experimental investigations. His Book of Optics was translated into Latin in the 12th century and continued to be studied both in the Islamic world and in Europe until the 17th century.
Ibn al-Nafis, a 13th-century Syrian physician, re-addressed the question of blood movement in the human body. The authoritative explanation had been given by the Greek physicians more than 1000 years earlier. But what had caused them a major problem was how the blood flowed from the right ventricle of the heart to the left, prior to being pumped out into the body. According to Galen (2nd century), blood reached the left ventricle through invisible passages in the septum. Referring to evidence derived from dissection, Ibn al-Nafis described the firm, impenetrable nature of the ventricular septum and made it clear that there were no passages in it. Instead, he concluded, the blood in the right ventricle must be carried to the left by way of the lungs. The description of the pulmonary circulation by Ibn al-Nafis was a breakthrough in the understanding of human anatomy and physiology. His approach to the study of medicine was exemplary for a scientist of his time as he demonstrated the need to evaluate the existing knowledge and reject those concepts that were inaccurate as shown by his own observations. Thus he was able to further the medical learning that was inherited from the Greeks.
The 10th-century physician Abu ‘l-Qasim al-Zahrawi, from Muslim Spain, was clearly frustrated by the state of the art in surgery during his time. In order to advance surgical knowledge, he wrote a book that described surgical procedures and gave detailed illustrations of the necessary surgical instruments — several of which were devised by the author himself — together with his observations and comments based on experience. We owe it to al-Zahrawi that surgery became integrated into scientific medicine instead of being a practice left to cuppers and barbers.
Al-Zahrawi’s work had a profound influence on the emerging medical science in medieval and early modern Europe, where the author was known as Abulcasis or Albucasis. However, for centuries the quality of the translations from Arabic into Latin and the accompanying illustrations were less than satisfactory. For example, al-Zahrawi’s treatise contained an illustration of a vaginal speculum and 2 types of forceps for extracting a dead fetus. The speculum was operated by a screw mechanism (at the top; see illustration) and had functional blades. The Arabic caption informs us that the spear-like feature suspended behind the right side of the speculum is a separate instrument, namely a double-edged scalpel (and therefore not connected with the speculum). A 14th-century Latin copy of al-Zahrawi’s work, however, shows that the Western illustrator was entirely unfamiliar with the speculum and its mechanical principles. He drew it upside down, with the blades being mistakenly depicted as a decorative bar. The 6-lobed shape at the foot of the illustration, which ought to be the screw, clearly had no mechanical function. The lantern-shaped device suspended at the right misrepresents the scalpel, which has now been integrated into the speculum. Such distortions show that, in the 14th century, the Western world had much to learn from the physicians of the Islamic world.
In the introduction to his book, al-Zahrawi pointed out that good practice in surgery requires a sound knowledge of anatomy. He also emphasized his religious convictions as a Muslim believer. Al-Zahrawi, as well as many of his colleagues, would have considered the study of anatomy not only as indispensable to their professional advancement, but also as a means to understand the wisdom of God’s design and, in particular, the perfection of the human being, God’s supreme creation. This mode of thinking was best expressed by the 12th-century physician and philosopher from Muslim Spain Ibn Rushd, known in Latin as Averroes, who stated: “He who is engaged in the science of anatomy, increases his belief in God.” However, the anatomical study of the human body was problematic because it required dissection. A number of scholars — religious scholars in particular — seem to have been opposed to the practice since it implied mutilation of God’s most noble creation. The medical texts on the other hand — particularly those of the 12th and 13th centuries — make frequent references to dissection, both animal and human, and include detailed descriptions of the practices involved. For a discussion of the complex issue of human dissection in the medieval Islamic world, see Savage-Smith.
The important point here is that dissection of the human body seems to have been a controversial issue, but that those involved in the debate did not feel a need to hide their opinions. This is just one example of the intellectual open mindedness in early Islamic times. The receptiveness to new ideas included the heritage of the pre-Islamic world, such as the writings of Galen, which entered the realm of Islam from the 9th century on through systematic translations into Arabic. In the same way as the heritage of the ancients was studied with great respect, non-Muslim scientists, Jews and Christians in particular, played important roles in the scientific community. It was the open, non-dogmatic atmosphere that encouraged people to engage in debate, share ideas and seek new knowledge by asking questions and examining evidence.
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Welcome to the MGT Department
MGT Wordle
MGT at Key Stage 3 provides pupils in years 7 & 8 with a variety of projects that give them the knowledge, skills and experience in preparation for the Product Design, Resistant Materials and Graphic Products courses offered at Key Stage 4.
Upon joining Kingsmead, pupils can expect to engage in an exciting and stimulating MGT curriculum over the course of the following topics:
Year 7
Storage Box
An introductory project to MGT in year 7 that gives pupils a broad experience of the tools, materials and processes involved in resistant materials. They are required to design and make a storage box with a number of compartments to contain different items. The box is constructed using pine and pupils are taught how to measure, mark, cut and join the material in order to construct their items.
Steady Hand Game
Pupils learn the basics of electronics and the use of circuits to create a Steady Hand Game that test the hand to eye coordination of early learners. They learn how to use a soldering iron to combine the electrical components to make the game work, while using H.I.P.s (High Impact Polystyrene) to create a vacuum-formed casing to contain the circuit. Mild steel is used to create the wire track and wand that make the final product playable.
A graphic product-based project, where pupils are required to come up with a unique concept for a new food-based product and provide the design for its packaging. Here, pupils are introduced to CAD-based graphical techniques using industry standard software Adobe Photoshop, to give their designs a professional outcome. They are taught how to transfer their designs to nets that they then construct in order to complete their final product.
Pop-Up cards
Pupils are required to design and make a card for a particular occasion or with a unique theme/concept, but making use of pop-up mechanisms to make the experience more interactive. Basic and more advanced pop-up techniques are taught to them and they are given a choice of using digital or analog skills to apply the graphics to their cards. |
How Does Activated Charcoal Work?
Activated charcoal is a fine, black powder with an extremely high surface area, making it ideal for adsorbing, or trapping, toxins. Activated charcoal can be made from various carbon sources, including coconuts husks, hardwood, or peat. It is available as capsules, loose powder, tablets, or liquid.
In the emergency room setting, activated charcoal is used orally to treat certain kinds of poisoning, especially within the first hour. Charcoal works by soaking up the toxic compound so that the poison is not absorbed from the intestinal tract into the blood circulation. The charcoal, along with any toxins that are stuck to it, is eliminated in the stool. The dose to treat emergency poisoning in an adult is 25-100g of activated charcoal.
Activated charcoal is used in the non-emergency setting to detox ingested impurities at a much lower dose of about 1g after a meal. It can be used to help with digestion for foods that cause symptoms such as cramping, diarrhea, or nausea. One study showed that activated charcoal can reduce bloating and gas in the lower intestines, reducing cramping. Activated charcoal can be useful in food poisoning, especially if taken within 30min to 1 hour.
Activated charcoal carries a negative charge, so it attracts heavy metals and other toxins that are positively charged. Activated charcoal in a facial soap or facial mask can remove impurities and toxins from the skin, commonly used to treat acne or brighten dull skin. Activated charcoal can stain your clothing or carpet, but if used to brush your teeth, it actually whitens them by pulling out color impurities in teeth. Teeth should be rinsed well with water after brushing with charcoal powder.
Activated charcoal has anecdotally been used for hangover prevention, although there are no scientific studies. The use for hangover prevention is typically 1 capsule prior to each alcoholic drink, and 1 glass of water right after the alcoholic drink. Excessive alcohol use is dangerous, and even potentially deadly, whether or not charcoal is used.
Safety concerns for activated charcoal include constipation or vomiting if too high a dose is used, intestinal obstruction if patient has a gut motility issue, temporary dark stools, corneal abrasion if it gets in eyes, and respiratory distress if it gets inhaled into the lungs. If you are taking prescription medications, there is a chance that they will be less effective if they are adsorbed and eliminated with the charcoal. Therefore, you should wait at least 2 hours after taking your prescription medication before you take activated charcoal. Activated charcoal should not be used concurrently with a laxative due to risk of electrolyte and fluid imbalance. If you are pregnant, you should ask your doctor before using activated charcoal.
Activated charcoal is not effective for low molecular weight compounds like cyanide, iron, ethanol, lithium, or methanol. Activated charcoal should not be used for caustic ingestions, such as cleaning agents, acids, or batteries. Contact your local poison control center if caustic ingestion is suspected.
In summary, the low dose of non-prescription activated charcoal available over the counter is safe for most people to use on an intermittent basis as part of their detox protocol. For best results, find a supplement that states the carbon source and avoid any extra additives.
Dr. Boston helps patients develop personalized detox protocols at the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine located at 520 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401. (310)-451-8880.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common cause for chronic pelvic pain in women. An often-overlooked piece of the puzzle is pain stemming from laxity at the pubic symphysis and sacroiliac joints.
The pubic symphysis is a joint at the front of the bony pelvic ring. It consists of a fibrocartilaginous disc wedged between the two pubic bones. There are 4 ligaments that reinforce the pubic symphysis.
These ligaments can become more lax over time. Ligamentous laxity can occur due to athletics, trauma, the hormone relaxin during labor and delivery, or wear and tear from the variety of forces it undergoes on a daily basis, including traction, compression, and shearing.
Hypermobility at the sacroiliac joints often co-occurs with laxity at the pubic symphysis, since the pelvic bones are interconnected. Pelvic instability can cause spasm of the pelvic sling muscles, resulting in chronic pelvic pain.
Prolotherapy injections to the weakened pelvic ring ligaments will cause in increase in blood supply and regenerative cells to the area, stimulating repair of the lax ligaments. New collagen is added to the ligaments, strengthening them. Once stabilized, the pelvic ring resumes its purpose of being a stable base for pelvic floor muscles, reducing muscle spasms and pelvic pain.
Dr. Boston treats patients with chronic pelvic pain at the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine at 520 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401. (310)-451-8880.
I just found a tick! Do I have Lyme disease?
Summertime is around the corner, and hopefully we will all be outdoors enjoying the warm weather. Unfortunately, ticks also enjoy warm weather. There has been a lot of confusion lately about ticks and Lyme disease, so we should talk about it.
First of all, only deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease. Lyme is a spirochete bacterium that is transmitted through the tick’s saliva into the human that the tick is biting. So, we need to know what kind of tick it was. Deer ticks are brown or red/brown with 8 black or brown legs. If it has a white mark on it’s back, then it is not a deer tick. Before they are engorged with blood, the adult deer tick is about the size of a sesame seed and the nymph (teen) deer tick is the size of a pinhead. Once they are engorged with blood, they can be much larger.
Second of all, a deer tick has to be attached and feeding, for >=36 hours in order to transmit Lyme. So, if the tick is discovered before 36 hours, or is discovered with a flat, non-engorged body, then there is no chance of Lyme transmission.
The key is finding and removing the deer tick before 36 hours.
Tell all your campers going to sleep away camp that they should do a full body check for ticks once a day.
When doing a body check for ticks after spending time outdoors, make sure to include the armpit, behind the knee, the groin, behind ears, and the scalp.
The way to remove a tick is to use fine-nose tweezers to grab the tick as close to the attachment point to your skin as possible. Lift with a steady, firm direction backwards from the skin. Do not squeeze the tick body, nor twist, nor use a match or fingernail polish, as these methods can make the tick express more saliva into the bite wound. After removing the tick, wash the skin and hands with soap and water. If the head is left in the skin, leave it in place as digging to remove it can cause trauma, and natural skin sloughing will eliminate it in a few days.
If you find a deer tick that is estimated to have been attached for >=36 hours, then your doctor can prescribe you a single preventative dose of an antibiotic to prevent Lyme if given within 72 hours of removing the tick.
There is no benefit in blood testing for Lyme at the time of the bite, as a positive blood test will not be apparent until 2-6 weeks after the bite.
If you develop a rash that looks like a target symbol, which is called erythema migrans (EM), then you do have early Lyme and need 14-21 days of antibiotics. EM occurs in 80% of patients, usually within 1 month following the tick bite.
During the first days or weeks of infection, patients often have nonspecific symptoms like fatigue, sore joints, headache, or enlarged lymph nodes.
If you found the tick after it was attached for 36 hours and develop neurologic or cardiac symptoms, then you could have early disseminated Lyme and could require intravenous antibiotics.
You may benefit from supportive treatments to optimize your immune system, methylation, and gut health during the stressful time of the tick bite. See your health care practitioner to guide you.
Dr. Bren Boston sees patients at the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine at 520 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401. (310)-451-8880
Just in time for Mother’s Day…How Exercise Can Help Your Motherhood
I’ve always had a bit of a Type A personality. Probably most doctors do, how else can you make it through medical school? Having a Type A personality means that my sympathetic nervous system, my fight or flight instinct, can make me a bit on edge sometimes. It also helps me get stuff done. But, too much of a good thing, is a bad thing. Exercising is the main way I balance my sympathetic nervous system, burning off the excess adrenaline, helping me to be less uptight and less irritable. And, any mom knows, you are a better mom when you are feeling more relaxed, less uptight, and happier.
Staying fit by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly is also my mood stabilizer. When I go running, I am flushed with a sense of optimism that comes out of nowhere. It just washes over me, and my mind is flooded with creative ideas and positive thoughts. Natural endorphins and improved blood flow are the biological causes of these uplifting brain waves. These happy feelings spill over into my interactions with my kids, helping me to enjoy the precious moments and to tolerate the gripes with aplomb.
Staying fit also gives me energy. One of the biggest complaints I hear from moms is that they feel tired. I can honestly say that I have great energy due to an endurance built up from regular exercise 5 days a week, and sleeping 8 hours a night. Having energy allows me to play joyfully with my kids. I can tell they are in tune with my energy, and it brings us closer together. I also feel good about setting an example for them of how exercise can be a fun part of your weekly routine, something to look forward to, not to dread.
Being healthy is important for longevity. I want to be there to see my kids grow up into adults, and to be a grandparent to their children. In fact, I don’t just want to be there for my grandkids, I want to be running around with them, babysitting them, and keeping up with them. Exercising, specifically weight training, gives me noticeable muscle strength that I am aware of when toting heavy grocery bags without flinching or lifting my kids into a bear hug.
Being fit is an important aspect of my self-esteem. What you see on the outside is not nearly as important as what is on the inside, but the real you is stuck inside your body. Keeping your vessel healthy and fit is a way to honor the real you, the soul, that lives within. Being fit allows me to feel comfortable in my clothing, and to feel good about my body. I don’t have a perfect body, but I do have a strong, energetic, healthy body, and that helps me be the mom I want to be.
If you are a mom who is looking to jump-start her fitness and weight loss plan, I would love to see you at the Akasha Center of Integrative Medicine for a comprehensive wellness plan. Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine, 520 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401. (310)-451-8880
HIV: It Hasn’t Gone Away
I read an article in the January 2016 issue of the Journal of Family Practice titled, “HIV Prevention: A 3-Pronged Approach” by N. Yagoda, MD and R. Moore II, MD.
I have been thinking about HIV lately because I know many college students who are blossoming in their new-found freedom and sexual exploration, and they are not thinking about HIV at all. HIV is not in the headlines anymore, and therefore it seems to be less powerful in helping young adults to choose protected versus unprotected sex. This is despite the fact that total HIV incidence has failed to decrease in the last 25 years.
Per the article, there are more than 1.2 million people living with HIV in the USA, and 12.8% of them are unaware that they have it while only 30% of those diagnosed with HIV are receiving treatment to suppress the virus. This means that the virus is out there, multiplying unchecked in almost million people in the US alone.
RISK FACTOR: Unprotected sex.
RISK FACTOR: IV DRUG USE. In my realm of pain management, a scary truth is that a considerable number of people who become addicted to prescription pain medication eventually switch to injected heroin because it is a lot cheaper. In calm suburbs across the country, there are regular people who are secretly injecting drugs due to addiction and finances. Intravenous drug use, or even sex with a person who uses IV drugs, is considered a major risk factor for contracting the HIV virus.
The 3-pronged approach to HIV prevention mentioned in the article includes 1) screening all individuals ages 15-65 for HIV, 2) pre-exposure prophylaxis for high-risk patients (taking anti-viral medications to reduce the risk of contracting HIV), 3) harm reduction.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis is for individuals who cannot or choose not to avoid risky behavior for a period of time in their life. The downsides include possible drug resistance, high cost (although insurance covers part of it), stigma for those who seek to protect their sexual health, and possible affects to the kidney.
Harm reduction is a group of strategies that help IV drug users avoid HIV transmission. Needle and syringe exchange programs and opioid substitution therapy (methadone or buprenorphine) are examples.
The bottom line is that young people need to be educated about safe sex, which means using a condom correctly every time, even if other forms of birth control are already being used. I recommend all college-bound teens to read a book titled, “Seductive Delusions” by Dr. Jill Grimes which goes through all the sexually transmitted infections (STI), the ways you can catch them, and how to treat them, in a very readable format. I also encourage all people to consider screening for STIs, given that infidelity is common, and treatment for STIs is available.
What to Eat to Heal from Surgery
Why I Believe in Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy for Knee Pain
Gluten: Evil or Not?
Gluten is a hot topic, and this is a great article (“Should We All Go Gluten-Free,” by W. Balistreri, MD, see link below). My quick summary is that 1% of the population has celiac disease, and these folks absolutely need to be gluten-free all the time.
For the rest of us, you need to understand that processed foods are the greatest evil, so if you switch from wheat-flour cookies to gluten-free rice flour cookies, you are still just eating processed food cookies. Gluten-containing foods also tend to be high in sugar, and easily converted to more sugar once you eat them, spiking your insulin and leading to food coma and other negative effects.
The best approach would be to strive for a diet rich in plants that still look like plants (organic vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, grains that look like grain, NOT FLOUR – think quinoa). No matter how many vegetables you eat daily, you could benefit from eating MORE VEGETABLES in place of what ever other food you are eating.
Does this mean you have to avoid all gluten all the time? Not necessarily. It means to minimize all flour-based products, even gluten-free ones, to the margins of your diet.
If you have gastrointestinal problems, then you should test for celiac antibodies before you go gluten-free, and then do a 1-month food elimination diet (including eliminating gluten), to see if you improve. Food sensitivity blood tests can guide your elimination diet. After a month, you can see how your symptoms have responded to the elimination and re-introduction of foods.
I love to guide people through this process at the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine in Santa Monica.
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Concatenate Value of Children
The concatenate rule can be used to build a value by appending values generated by its children in the order of their definition.
If a string separator is defined then it is inserted between each value of two consecutive children.
If the separator is an expression, that expression will be evaluated only once at the initialization of the generator. Every value generated by the Concatenate will use the same separator value computed at initialization time.
It is also possible to hide some of the children of a Concatenation by adding then in the exclusion list.
This rule is used usually for generating CSV record from a set of children (each providing values for each column of the records).
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Phylax Society Origins-They called themselves the Phylax Society, a Greek word meaning “guardian” or “guardsman,” and they set about searching for dogs to fit their idea of the perfect canine.
The Phylax Society gets started
In 1891, a group of German dog fanciers got together with the intent of developing a distinct and uniquely German breed of shepherd. They called themselves the Phylax Society, a Greek word meaning “guardian” or “guardsman,” and they set about searching for dogs to fit their idea of the perfect canine. Unfortunately, they had only a vague idea of what they thought the perfect canine should be. The biggest challenge faced by the Phylax Society was not a lack of quality dogs upon which to build a new, spectacular breed of dog, but an inability to agree upon the traits that the perfect canine should possess. Some members felt that the physical appearance of the dog mattered little as long as it could perform the tasks set to it with great agility and endurance. Others held that a conformation standard was most important, one that stressed beauty, or at least consistency of type, over ability. There were a few who believed it was possible to have both beauty and physical talent, and asserted that they would settle for nothing less.
Phylax society disbands
Through the mating of a number of dogs that fit no fully defined standard, the Phylax Society did make an attempt to create a new German breed, but without success. Unclear as to whether beauty or brawn should prevail, they produced neither. Disappointed and frustrated, members began leaving the Society, and in 1894, it was disbanded entirely.
However, the dream of a very special German breed of dog did not die with the Phylax Society. A few of the members never lost sight of their goal, and one man in particular was poised to take up the cause in a decisive way.
max stephanitz
“Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz”
A New Direction: Max von Stephanitz continues what the Phylax society started
Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz was born December 30, 1864, in Dresden, Germany. His family ranked among the nobility, and he was a career cavalry officer. He spent time at the Berlin Veterinary College, where he learned about biology, anatomy, and an area of study that some call “form to function,” which is the science of movement based on conformation. He was an original member of the Phylax Society and felt that a superior German breed of herding dog could be developed. The British were using breeding and culling techniques that they had developed to great success, and von Stephanitz believed he could do the same with German dogs.
Von Stephanitz purchased property near Grafrath in the 1890s and began experimenting with dog breeding. He was a common sight at dog shows and herding trials in Germany, where he observed that there were many quality dogs at the shows, but there was no standardization of type. Among the competitors exhibited, he preferred the wolf-like dogs with pricked ears and keen senses, possessing exceptional intelligence and willingness to work. He believed that by mating together superior dogs with these traits that he could establish an admirable breed to be used for livestock herding and guarding throughout Germany.
While attending a dog show in Karlseruhe in 1899, von Stephanitz was shown a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. The dog was the embodiment of all of the superior traits that von Stephanitz admired and had been seeking. He purchased the dog on the spot for the handsome sum of 200 German gold marks, and renamed him Horand von Grafrath.
Horand-von-Grafrath-Hektor-Linksrhein-phylax society
A New Breed Emerges
Von Stephanitz cannot be credited with single-handedly creating the foundation stock of the newly emerging German Shepherd Dog, since Horand was himself the product of generations of selective breeding before von Stephanitz bought him. However, von Stephanitz was able to spot the dog’s qualities from among all of the many specimens he saw on a regular basis and calculate his potential as a breeding animal. Von Stephanitz valued Horand’s intelligence, obedience and power so much that on April 22, 1899, he was inspired to form a new organization, which he called Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde, or the Society for the German Shepherd Dog, commonly known as the SV. Along with long-time friend and co-founder Adolf Meyer, von Stephanitz recruited to the SV three sheep masters, two factory owners, an architect, an innkeeper, a mayor and a magistrate.
Right away, the SV established a breed standard against which all German Shepherd Dogs would be judged, along with a Breed Register to record bloodlines. The dog that von Stephanitz purchased earlier in 1899, Horand von Grafrath, was recorded as the first German Shepherd Dog in the new registry.
“German night-watchman from 1950″
Having spent many years studying dogs and their bloodlines, von Stephanitz was ready to begin developing his new breed in earnest. With Horand as his main stud dog, von Stephanitz and other breeders in the area set out to prove that the German Shepherd Dog was at last more than just a rich man’s fancy.
A Grand Design
After having reached the rank of Captain in the cavalry in 1898, and establishing the SV in 1899 subsequent to his release from the military, Max von Stephanitz wanted to do more than just breed fine dogs. He wanted a place in history. Taking what he had learned from his studies at the Berlin Veterinary College and through experience gleaned from his own prior dog breeding endeavors, he began a program of what some consider to be a rather ruthless approach to achieving his goals. Ruthless or not, the steps taken by von Stephanitz in an era when genetics and DNA testing were not available proved to be almost prescient in their accuracy in extracting the best qualities of the dogs he bred and eliminating the unacceptable strains.
Von Stephanitz knew that, in order to set a certain “type,” dogs with similar backgrounds and traits must be bred together over several generations. He did not care to wait that long. To speed the process and to capitalize on the valuable qualities of his treasured stud dog, Horand, von Stephanitz quite intentionally implemented a process of line breeding and inbreeding to quickly stamp successive generations of puppies with the “right stuff.”
People knowledgeable in animal husbandry understand that breeding like to like is the only way to establish consistent results when raising any type of animal. Every distinct species in existence owes its heritage to the concentration of its genes through inbreeding or line breeding. Although frowned upon in some circles, inbreeding is the fastest way to concentrate genes. Pairing of close relatives such as brothers to sisters, fathers to daughters, or mothers to sons, is called inbreeding. Line breeding is the pairing of less direct crosses, such as fathers to granddaughters or mothers to grandsons, and the practice is still called line breeding even when the pairing is of more distant relatives several generations removed.
Line breeding and inbreeding, when practiced carefully and with purpose, have the potential to produce spectacular results in the development of sought-after traits. The reason that inbreeding and close line breeding are shunned by many breeders of all types of animals is that along with a concentration of the good traits comes a concentration of the faults as well. It is to the credit of von Stephanitz that he understood which animals to select to continue the bloodline and which ones to cull without sentiment due to inferior qualities.
Von Stephanitz utilized such breeding techniques in pursuing what he called his “grand design.” His goal was to produce dogs with superior conformation, loyalty, obedience and courage. Toward this end, Horand was bred extensively and produced many offspring. Horand’s most famous and successful son, Hektor von Schwaben, was bred to female offspring of Horand, thus producing the famous and influential Beowulf, among others. Beowulf and his brothers were bred back to daughters and granddaughters of Hektor, and it is to these offspring of Horand and Beowulf that all modern German Shepherd Dogs can trace their ancestry.
Because of the intense inbreeding of dogs early in the history of the German Shepherd lines, the specific look and type that von Stephanitz was striving for became fixed in an amazingly short period of time. In particular, the pricked ears and the athletic, sloping angles of the shoulders, hips and legs, stamped his animals as “the” German breed. He knew, however, that he had to look for suitable unrelated dogs to create enough genetic diversity for the breed to survive. He did, of course, insist on remaining in complete control of choosing which dogs were registered and approved for breeding. Toward this end, he and the SV published the Korbuch, or Breed Survey Book, two decades after the founding of the SV. The Breed Survey Book detailed the guidelines to be followed when selecting German Shepherd Dogs for breeding. Von Stephanitz also insisted that dogs judged in shows be held to the same standards and not selected simply on the judges’ preferences. He emphasized “utility and intelligence,” but according to many, the dogs bred or culled in the beginning were selected based mostly on looks, until there were enough dogs of sufficient age to begin judging them on their athletic ability and work ethic. Fortunately, the progeny of Horand inherited more than his looks.
Those puppies deemed too small, weak or imperfect were ruthlessly culled”
Continuing with his “grand design,” von Stephanitz educated breeders on form to function athleticism and essentially forced them to focus on the angle of the bones, the proportions and measurements of the body and legs, and the overall conformation of the dogs they were raising. The SV sent representatives to inspect litters of puppies recommended for addition to the registry. Those puppies deemed too small, weak or imperfect were ruthlessly culled. Sometimes culling took place based only on the number of puppies in a litter. If the self-titled SV Breeding Warrens deemed that there were too many puppies for the dam to raise them adequately, pups were culled based on appearance and gender, with a slant toward preserving larger, more robust males.
If by today’s standards the methods of the SV seem harsh, it is important to remember that such methods were not considered abnormal in the period. Animals were bred and raised primarily for utility, and the techniques used to establish the German Shepherd Dog were considered normal husbandry. Certainly the methods succeeded in creating a useful, recognizable breed in an amazingly short period of time.
As the German shepherd grew in popularity and numbers,
Max von Stephanitz continued to wield much influence over which dogs were bred in order to continue the lines, even when he and the SV could not inspect every mating. As President of the SV, he reserved unto himself the right to choose the Sieger and Siegeren, or Grand Champion male and female, at the SV’s largest specialty show every year. His selections let breed club members know which dogs he felt possessed suitable conformation and temperament to earn the right to produce offspring. Puppies from the Sieger and Siegeren became much sought after, thus ensuring that the breed type remained fixed.
More Than a Sheepdog
Under the guidance of Max von Stephanitz, the SV became the largest breed club in the world, but von Stephanitz was not satisfied. Realizing that industrialization would reduce shepherds’ reliance on sheepdogs, and certain that German Shepherd Dogs possessed traits suitable for many different types of work, he pushed to have the dogs trained for new tasks. German Shepherds began competing in tracking and obedience, and in 1901, the first Schutzhund trial was held in Germany.
Remarkably, German Shepherds excelled at any task asked of them. By 1910, over 500 German police stations were using the dogs in various capacities, and it took little imagination to realize that they would be a seamless addition to the military. With the onset of World War I, German and French troops first began using the dogs for search and rescue of the wounded, which is the basis for present-day search and rescue activities. Their role quickly expanded, and soon they were being asked to carry messages, ammunition, first aid kits and other supplies to the front lines. The dogs proved themselves to be brave, loyal, smart and strong. They also served as sentries and guard dogs, and their presence was imposing. One of the most hazardous duties they were called upon to perform was locating mines and bombs. Their success in sniffing out mines led them to later be used to detect explosives and drugs in military and police work worldwide.
Their utility expanded beyond the trenches as they were trained to aid soldiers who were blinded during the war, lending blinded soldiers a “seeing eye.” During World War II, Allied soldiers fighting against the Germans were so impressed with the dogs that many were captured and taken out of the country when the war ended. Although German Shepherd Dogs continued to serve in their original role as herding animals, they found themselves being appointed to jobs in many walks of life.
working dog-gsd
War working dogs
German Shepherds quickly rose to worldwide fame thanks to Hollywood. Beginning in the 1920s, dogs such as Rin Tin Tin and Braveheart paved the way for a long succession of canine heroes that extends into present day. Hollywood almost proved to be the demise of the German Shepherd as well, when unscrupulous breeders, determined to capitalize on the enthusiasm of the public to own this great dog, pumped out puppies with no care for conformation or temperament. Fortunately, groups of enthusiasts in Europe and America rescued a core population of quality breeding stock that revitalized the bloodlines.
Max von Stephanitz passed away on April 22, 1936, exactly 37 years to the day after founding the SV. His legacy lives on in the breed of dog that came to define his entire life and purpose. The SV still exists, based in Augsburg, Germany, to serve and protect the noble German Shepherd. This started from the idea of a few German dog fanciers once called the Phylax society. |
Friday, March 11, 2011
A Profile in Courage - George VI
By Stephanie Burkhart
George VI was the right man for his times, but his life had never been easy despite his title. Recently, I saw the movie "The King's Speech." It is a brilliant peek into the personal courage that George VI embodied.
Born on a day full of heartache.
George VI was born on 14 December 1895, a great-grandson to Queen Victoria who was still on the throne. For Victoria, 14 December was the anniversary of her husband's death, Prince Albert. Unsure of how the Queen would take the news, George's parents offered to name their son Albert Fredrick Arthur George. Victoria was pleased. Interestingly, the Queen noted that "Bertie" as George VI was known by his family, was born on such a sad day, but was given a name so dear to her, it was a name that was great and good.
And Bertie would be a good king, despite the challenges he faced.
Bertie was the second son of George, Duke of York (George's father was King Edward VII, Victoria's son). Bertie's parents were not overly demonstrative, leaving their children to be raised by nannies. In "The King's Speech," Bertie tells Lionel of a particular bad nanny who used to pinch his cheeks and withhold food from him.
As a young child, Bertie suffered from ill health. He had to wear painful splints because he was knock-kneed and he developed a stammer. Left handed, young Bertie was forced to use his right.
These challenges only helped the young prince develop strong personal courage.
Bertie saw service in World War I as a midshipman in the Navy. His fellow officers referred to him as Mr. Johnson, in order to hide his identity and protect him. Later, he became involved in the Royal Air Force. After the war, he studied at Cambridge and on 4 June 1920, he was created Duke of York by his father, George V.
Then Bertie met Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyons at a children's birthday party. She gave him the glace cherry from her cake. Bertie was determined to win her heart.
While Lady Elizabeth had bloodlines going back to Robert the Bruce, she was considered a commoner by British law. Bertie pursed her wholeheartedly, but he had to buck up when she turned down his first marriage proposal. Displaying that dogged personal courage he had since birth, Bertie did not give up and finally Lady Elizabeth told him yes. They were married on 26 April 1923. In 1926, their daughter, the current Queen Elizabeth II was born.
What I find interesting about this historical tidbit, is that Bertie was given a lot of leeway from his royal parents to find a bride. Yes, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was a commoner, but she was beloved. Queen Elizabeth II, knowing this about her parents, had still insisted her son, Charles, find a royal bride. (dare I add one that was virginal?) If she had followed her parents' example, I suspect Charles would have been as happy as his grandfather with his marriage the first time around. Now, with Prince William posed to marry Kate Middleton, a commoner, it seems the Queen has taken history to heart.
In 1925, Bertie gave a speech at Wembly in which he couldn't hide his stammer. Knowing the people expected more from the Duke of York, he sought help from an Australian born speech therapist, Lionel Logue. Lionel worked with Bertie to help him master his stutter and by 1927, Bertie spoke with much more confidence in public. Lionel kept working with Bertie through the 30's and 40's. In 1937, now King, George VI awarded Logue with the Royal Victorian Order, which recognized distinguished personal service to one's sovereign.
Bertie loved tennis and was very physically active, but he would need all his stamina when his brother, Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936.
Some find Edward VIII's story romantic, some find it appalling, but Bertie's older brother abdicated to marry the love of his life, Wallis Simpson on the eve of World War II.
Bertie came to the throne and styled himself George VI. He was 41. Interestingly, he had to buy Balmoral and Sandringham from his brother since they were private properties and didn't pass to him automatically.
When World War II struck, George VI displayed his personal courage once again for all to see, staying in London during the bombing raids of the Germans. London's east end was hit hard. When two German bombs exploded in a courtyard at Buckingham Palace, George stood by his wife when she declared, "I am glad we have been bombed. Now we can look the east end in the face." The couple's profile gave Britain the morale boost it needed.
Starting in 1949, George's health started to fail. The fact he was a heavy smoker didn't help. In September 1951, his left lung was removed when a malignant tumor was discovered. He died peacefully in his sleep on 6 February 1952.
While born under the shadow of sadness, Bertie and his great-grandfather, Prince Albert, shared the trait of great personal courage. (I consider Prince Albert the ultimate "beta" male – after all, he took a backseat to his wife, Queen Victoria, at a time when men should rule the marriage. This took a lot of confidence in himself and a lot of chutzpah to look his contemporaries in the face.) This courage defined them both, invigorating a nation, and proving they were the right men for their times.
About Stephanie: She enjoys history, especially British history. Some of her favorite monarchs include; Edward IV, George II, Queen Victoria, and George VI. You can find Stephanie on the web at her blog: or her website at:
Marg said...
It is so good to see some focus on a king who was a fundamentally good man! I really like the rogues etc, but this is refreshing!
Keena Kincaid said...
Interesting post, Steph. I didn't know the Queen Mum was a commoner (of course, it simply means she was the daughter of younger sons at some point). That makes her personality and career as Queen and dowager even more fascinating.
StephB said...
Marg, I really have a lot of respect for George VI. He did not have it easy, but he was a rock for Britian during World War II, much like FDR was for us Americans.
Yes, I agree. The Queen Mum led such a fascinating life. I would say she's still an inspiration, even now.
Anonymous said...
I never knew that Diana was considered royal before she married Charles. Can you elaborate? Thanks. |
Wednesday February 23, 2011
Hartsville News Journal
Page 2C
"Created equal "
Fasten your seatbelts as we are about to enter a bumpy ride through scripture, a ride that takes us back to the days when we were Created Equal.
Observing so many of God’s children being born into a world of sickness and poverty is cause for concern as we ask ourselves: Is Created Equal an optical illusion? Does God allowing this to happen show Him treating His children equal? Ezekiel 18:25 KJV addresses whom the unequal ones are:
How can it be that our unequal ways contribute to and affect the situations we face at birth? This question will be answered later but first we allow Rev. 4:11 KJV to address the created part of being Created Equal; it tells why we were created:
God was lonely! Creating us pleasured Him by filling an emptiness that He felt in His Heart. It gave Him someone to love and potentially, someone that would return His love.
Created Equal puts us on equal footing and gives us equal opportunity to show God our love but the question is: When is it that we were Created Equal?
The answer is that we were Created Equal before we were placed in flesh bodies. This explains why our being born into what appears to be an unequal or unfair situation is simply a continuation of being Created Equal. Jacob and Esau is a good example of this taking place.
Romans 9:13 KJV shows God loving one of these twins and hating the other and this took place while they were still in their mother’s womb:
Had Jacob and Esau not lived and performed before being placed in their mother’s womb, hating one and loving the other could easily be considered unequal treatment from God.
But life for them was continuing and not beginning. How they performed in their spiritual bodies before they entered Rebekah’s womb is what caused God to love one and hate the other.
Comprehending this takes us to 1 Peter 1:20 KJV where God calls our remembrance to a time that existed before this earth age, a time when Jacob, Esau and we were with God in spiritual bodies:
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world,
but was manifest in these last times for you,
Being foreordained before the foundation of the world is something that took place at the “Katabole”, an event that ended the earth age that existed before this one, the one in which we now live.
“Katabole” is an event that is referred to as the overthrow, Satan’s attempt to overthrow God. Jacob’s, Esau’s and our performances there had a lot to do with the lump of clay or flesh body that God put us in this age.
“Foundation”, in this verse, is translated from the Greek word “Katabole” in the Manuscripts:
katabole, kat-ab-ol-ay'; from Greek 2598 (kataballo); a deposition, i.e. founding; figurative conception :- conceive, foundation.
Satan’s unsuccessful attempt to overthrow God involves all of us. A few fought for and stood by God but way too many choose to follow Satan.
Conception or conceiving in your Strong’s Concordance here refers to birth pain, pain experienced by this earth when giving birth to a new age, the flesh age.
As we can see, “Katabole” plays a significant role in the founding of this world.
Continuing in the Manuscripts, “Ballo”, a primary verb places “Katabole” into action, demonstrating God‘s reaction to Satan’s attempt to overthrow Him:
ballo, bal'-lo; a primary verb; to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense):- arise, cast (out), × dung, lay, lie, pour, put (up), send, strike, throw (down), thrust.
It was large numbers of God’s children siding with Satan that caused Him to destroy that earth age; intense, cast out, strike and thrust are words that describe His feelings when He did it.
God is the potter and we are the clay and Romans 9:21 KJV teaches that we are not to question the lump of clay (flesh body) that God choose for us to have in this earth age. His choice meets the need He has to test us and, should we be His elect, to serve Him.
Created Equal becomes extra obvious when we consider the many pregnancies that end up being aborted. As precious as life is, those aborted in this age need no testing and it is a given that they stood by God at the “Katabole”:
Does this bumpy ride through Scripture help you to see that it was previous unequal actions that make Created Equal a reality?
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Thursday, November 25, 2010
Note to reader:
The following post is a continuation of a series of posts on this blog entitled "The Distinction Between Morailty and Ethics". Please refer to the previous posts for my overview of other moral disciplines, namely: Socratic Ethics, Relativism, Subjectivism & Humean SubjectivismFor a short introduction to the distinction between morality and ethics, please go here.
Objectivists consider moral beliefs and judgements to be the product of our critical responsiveness to, and rational reflection on, our experience of what is worth our attention, care and respect. Our venture in practical reasoning when deciding what is worth desiring or having or doing or being.
For Objectivists morals are beliefs and judgements for which we can give reasons and about which we can argue and be mistaken. As long as an individual or communal judgement or belief implies the question, 'This is so isn't it?', it involves a distinction between how things really are and how we might (subjectively) like them to be and so invites agreement or disagreement- it is an objective belief or judgement.
For instance, many Australians now look upon their past treatment of the Indigenous people of that country as shameful. They do so because they have come to recognize that Aborignes are not a barbarous people who are barely human, but a people with rich cultural life who are as fully human as any other people. This recognition, says the objectivist, is a matter of a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Aboriginal way of life that includes emotional responses, such as being moved by the Aborignal sense of the land as sacred. It is not just a matter of blind feeling like loving the taste of peanut butter. Nor is this a matter of a change of social convention that can be explained in sociological terms. Those Australians who now see this past treatment of Aborignal people as shameful are implicitly asking: 'this is how things are, isn't it? Our response to Aborignes in the past was contemptuous, wasn't it?' Such questions invite our critical reflection on which response is appropriate to such aspects of our history. As a Pakistani, one might be faced with the same revised reflection upon matters such as Gendercide in Bangladesh (previously East Pakistan) or, the treatment of minorities in the country. An objectivist Pakistani may very well wonder what a more serious response to the predominant shallow and bigoted one is. This critical reflection may very well lead to the question: what is the moral truth of the matter here?
However, one can always use the idea of truth as an objectivist in a more restricted sense that is consistent with relativism - some traditional hindus, for example, might say that ' true honour' requires that a woman who is unfaithful to her husband be killed by the husbands relatives. (But we might still reject the claim that this is 'true honour', just as the west came to reject the view that the practice of duelling in Western Society was truly honourable.)
So Objectivists hold that they can be mistaken in their moral beliefs just as humans were once wrong in their belief that the earth is flat. Traditional Hindus who practice honour killings and Suttee are mistaken in their moral judgements. And what we believe now to be morally correct might turn out to be wrong after further reflection. Humans at large once believed slavery was morally justified, but now we accept that we were wrong in our view.
Hence for Objectivists, there can be moral knowledge and moral facts just as there can be scientific knowledge and scientific facts; and our moral understanding can develop (not simply change) just as our scientific understanding can. So our moral understanding of the evils of racism has developed over the course of the last few centuries - we have come to a deeper appreciation of the humanity of different races and women as well as a deeper appreciation of how they can be wronged.
...My next post will cover objections to Objectivism.
Humean Subjectivism
Note to reader:
The following post is a continuation of a series of posts on this blog entitled "The Distinction Between Morailty and Ethics". Please refer to the previous posts for my overview of other moral disciplines, namely: Socratic Ethics, Relativism &; Subjectivism. For a short introduction to the distinction between morality and ethics, please go here.
Humean Subjectivism
"The hypothesis we embrace is plain. It maintains that morality is determined by sentiment. It defines virtue to be 'whatever mental action or quality gives to a spectator the pleasing sentiment of approbation', and vice the contrary. We must acknowledge that immorailty is no particular fact or relation, which can be the object of the understanding, but arises entirely from sentiment of disapprobation, which, by the structure of human nature, we unavoidably feel on the apprehension of barbarity or treachery." David Hume - (Inquiry into the Principles of Morals, Appendix 1)
For the 18th century Scottish Philospher cum Economist cum Historian- David Hume- moral beliefs and judgements were expressions of an individual's feelings attitudes, desires or preferences. However, he also thought that people from all cultures share common feelings, desires and preferences. That they were outraged by cruelty to children, they desired health and sanity and they preferred peace to war.
The problem with the Humean view that we share common sentiments is that if there are existent, certain moral rights or wrongs that we seem to share amongst us, no matter who we are; if every community is for example, outraged by cruelty to children, then how do we explain certain African tribes practicing female circumcision?
Friday, October 29, 2010
Malik Riaz: A Pakistani Bullshit Artist.
After the footage of an interview featuring Malik Riaz went viral in early September 2010, a torrent of prayers and blessings followed his declaration in the said interview that the construction magnate would soon donate 75% of his $2 billion assets to the flood victims.
Around the same time, the unedited footage of this interview was also posted on youtube by some one. The unedited footage seems to expose this charade better as a marketing ploy for the brand name that Malik Riaz himself has become in Pakistan. There is one billionaire in Pakistan (according to and it isn't him); although he does only say "75% of his assets", which he hasn't donated yet by the by.
Some things to note about this UNEDITED FOOTAGE of his interview:
1) 4:32 - 6:14 : Malik Riaz is trying to sell a housing scheme with a place "where the animal is" that can provide for 80,000 people, in 10,000 homes from a 25 billion dollar investment. In the same time span he later adds that "we are in so good position that within 4000 dollar we can make the houses". When asked to guarantee transparency, Mr. Riaz exhibits a superb ad hominem fail.
2) 7:01 - 8:27: Mr. Riaz creates propaganda for himself when he claims to be a lone philanthropist (amongst the affluent circles of Pakistan) during the 2010 Pakistan Flood Relief effort. Maybe he hasn't heard of Edhi and the numerous citizens who have done more than just running their mouths during this calamity.
3) 8:30 onwards: Richard Quest hits a nerve, it seems, and Mr Riaz loses his calm around which point (there seems to be a gap in footage here) Mr. Quest politely ends this interview.
The truth it seems is that, Mr. Riaz himself is a prime example of the "corruption" in Pakistan that the west and we are weary of. An export of false hope to the destitute in this hour is what I would call morally degenerate behavior. He makes a mockery of their prayers and plans to rob them of any lingering "hope"; which already may or may not get them through this travesty. After all, apparently, that's how he built Bahria Town.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
A Bunch of Questions
The lurking questions in the mind of a confused being could pertain to the all engulfing “feeling” or “emotions”. So to speak, we derive the experience of the “real” as reality and the demarcating fiction in an experience as a figment of imagination and the whole experience. One approach would well be to objectify experience, within which would feature feeling components such as real, reality, imagination etc. Although it might be an obvious solution to react to the stimulation of emotion, whether it would find us catharsis through “venting” stays relative.
Explaining “love” brings about the absurdity of emotions, of which perception of an experience as real as relativity is chosen as the all evasive reality. The feelings of pain, happiness, weakness etc. all lie in the parameters of our subjectivity. Although subjectivity might empower us with the tools of creative imagination it also limits us through the emotive state, as reactive beings. To give love I must feel reciprocation of it as per my subjective perception of how it must relay back to me. The true nature of the action is not what is under scrutiny it can be looked upon as just a set of rules my ego places as a filter for my perception.
How can I feel love when I don’t even know what it is? The reality of it is the figment of my imagination – of how I might want to perceive it, in unconscious comparisons to what makes my ego feel good? How can I know anger when I don’t know it true nature? It again is a set of rules put up by me to act in a certain way as an unconscious drive. Do we really ever learn or do we just modify our reactivity towards expression of emotion?
My identification of me through the narrative as “I” is my ego- I can only live as a whole being through no preconceived notions- without scripts.
Love and its absurdity challenges our imagination and scripts of our ego as its makes us face “doubt” for the first time towards our own human tendency; our imaginative divinity is questioned before us. Although most of us might trust the real through the paradigms of emotions – emotions rely on subjective experience – experience on egotistical comparisons – comparison on perceptions- perception on me- me on the “I” – the “I” on reality- reality on repetition and replication the “I” as chosen sate of reality.
Love is not an emotion it is an opportunity to learn to be free of oneself.
Friday, October 8, 2010
doubt, love and absurdness.
Do you think it is possible to love two people at the same time, even if the other that isn't present is (obviously) distant and perhaps, most likely, never attainable by the one that pursues the cognitively embellished and so-called "loved" being?
In fact, what's love but a synonym to the ineffable? therefore if love is ineffable, then what is there but a subjective "idea" of love? if the ineffable cannot be universal then how is it real? If it isn't real, then why must it feel, real?
If one may feel real, about what is not there, then what is there? If there is nothing "really" there then how am I here? So "absurde" this existence.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Truth in nature of itself
and choice,
breaths itself alive
A playful being
atoned to its own luster
with the discovery of
the forgotten past strikes
the balance of time
stains of the now
still remain his wonder
of affections
and moments irking the shrine of
which once existed; and once lost
found in memoirs of narratives
And time bygone
Such mystery of,
The disenchanted- eludes
The self infliction
in shadows of dependence
through worded emotions
expressing love, for the ideal state,
or weakness for
the idea of such powerlessness
Of togetherness; a wonder
As a being confused of its own nature;
The seeker and the seeking
In pride of its prodigious illusion
The colorful trails of his own wit
deceive him
His innocence is led astray
Monday, September 27, 2010
A letter from Aphonia to Poetic Justice
Dear PJ,
The second sex is feeling very inspired by your (obiter)dictum, but don't be deluded yourself as if you've spawned some aphorism. Oppression, inequality, serfdom and injustice are stare decisis with all other instances where aphonia has prevailed. My domain expands verily, just as your universe.
Yours sincerely,
Poetic Justice
Mulatto's, Quadroon's and Octaroon's: vindicated, empowered, victorious, free.
-there are no more entries-
Please check back soon.
Yours sincerely,
Poetic Justice in 2010.
Mr Quagmire on Sleep
Fajr rings in my ear as the obedient dash to prayer mats,
My hour eratic, theirs: an expedition of faith,
Censured for inebriation I become a quagmire,
Intoxicated I reiterate: sleep is free but I'm done for now.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The Distinction Between Morality and Ethics (Part 3)
In my previous post, I discussed one metaethical theory of ethics- Relativism- in greater detail . The following post will be dedicated to discussing another metaethical theory: "Subjectivism" that is also known as "Individual Subjectivism (Expressivism)".
Individual Subjectivism (Expressivism):
SUBJECTIVISTS believe that moral beliefs and judgements are the expressions of the individual's feelings, attitudes, desires or preferences- what makes a belief or judgement morally right or wrong, good or evil, is the subjective approval or disapproval of the individual - what is right for me or wrong for me.
If I say, 'The honour killing of women is a grave moral evil', I really mean, 'I disapprove of the honour killing of women', or 'I hate honour killing of women', or 'I wish people would stop such killing', or 'Boo to honour killing'. This is why the simplest form of Subjectivism is called Emotivism which is sometimes called the 'Boo-Hooray' theory.
The initial plausibility of Subjectivism arrives from three realizations:
1) Morality is clearly connected with strong feelings as the example of the sexual abuse of children would show us.
2) If moral beliefs are expressions of feelings then we can easily explain moral motivation e.g: Ali doesn't care if his future bride is a virgin or not because he himself isn't and he hates nothing more than double standards.
3) The moral life has this essential subjective aspect. I must finally make my own judgements as to what is the right thing to do, and I must make my own decision based on that judgement. We regard those who say about a moral issue they face, 'You decide for me', as having failed in their moral responsibility.
Problems with Subjectivism:
1) As with relativism , there appears to be no grounds for rational argument about moral matters and no place for the idea that anyone could be wrong or mistaken in their moral beliefs and judgements- how could I be wrong in my feeling that trance music is abhorrent any more than I could be wrong in my judgement that biryani is delicious? Morality seems to be reduced to a question of taste. So again: what sense can we make of moral argument?
2) Our everyday moral language does not appear to be about my individual expressions of feelings or my interests or preferences. If I say, 'The Holocaust was a terrible evil', this seems to be a straightforward statement that is true. And when I say so-and-so is cruel and spiteful, or arrogant and pompous, or a coward and a traitor, am I speaking about my feelings or preferences? Or am I appealing to the common moral meanings and shared moral understanding- to something objective?
3) Can matters of justice be subjective? Would a racist judge be justified in putting a minority member of society in prison because they feel better about doing that?
4) Can't we always ask of any feeling or preference: Is this feeling appropriate? Is this preference justified? A person may express the same outrage about nose-picking in public as they do about rape- does that mean that both are equally bad? Aren't our moral feelings ( what we care about and praise, what we find outrageous and condemn) always subject to critical judgements? - 'Are you serious?!' 'You are just being sentimental."
Part 4 of this post will look at Humean Subjectivism or Universalism for further understanding of Subjectivism.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Attic Wit
The intrusions
in the mind of all emotions,
opinions come to plead
Its must be
the bitter and the fallen
who face the mirror
Into reflections stare
Ultimatums and imaginations
of us,
As ones who possess
and ones
who become possessions
We drift further along
Shelving thoughts
in rooms unkempt
in words explain
the soulful journey as
tales of and the aftermath
of perceptions self involved
In the army
of words and visions
we become
Parallels of comparisons
Of the happy to happiness
Sad to the miserable
Staring into oblivion
of our own solitary qualms
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The Distinction Between Morality and Ethics (Part 2)
The widespread disagreement between different cultures on ethical matters and the fact that moral norms change over time even within the one community indicates that moral judgements are conventional rather than objective judgements. However, we can argue all we want about moral questions but finally when we are faced with moral choices we are guided by our feelings. Does this provide a good reason for us to accept individual subjectivism as the nature of moral judgements? It seems now that it is only pertinent that we discuss metaethics in greater detail, so I will invest some time towards the cause of elaborating on the theories of the nature of moral judgements.
In daily discussions about moral issues, we say things like "I think public lynching is a bad thing", or "the honour killing of women is a terrible evil", or "There is nothing morally wrong with homosexuality"; making these statements sound similar to factual judgements like "Water is composed of H2O", or "Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan", or "The Baadshahi Masjid is in Lahore", or "Charles Dickens wrote Oliver Twist". However, factual statements are always universally true- true for everyone and anyone regardless of their cultural background or what their feelings about that matter are, but obviously we cannot test the truth of moral judgements in a similar manner. So what is the nature of moral judgements? Are they in any sense factual? Can they be universally true or false? or are they simply social conventions or perhaps expressions of subjective feelings or desires or preferences?
The Socratic view that moral benefit and harm can be distinguished from natural benefit and harm does not help us with these questions. For even if we accept the Socratic view, we still have to ask whether there are any universal standards of moral right and wrong- any moral truths or facts. There are three basic views about this issue- Ethical Relativism, Ethical Subjectivism and Ethical Objectivism. Relativism and Subjectivism (at least in its most common form) both say that moral beliefs and judgements are nothing like factual judgements and so there can be no moral truths and no universal standards of right and wrong. Objectivism says that moral beliefs and judgements are like factual judgements in important ways and so there can be moral truths and universal standards.
Metaethical theories of Ethics:
A) Relativism: moral beliefs and judgements are social conventions and the product of a particular community's history: what makes a belief or judgement morally right or wrong, good or evil, is the approval or disapproval of the community- what is right for us or wrong for us.
The initial plausibility of Relativism arrives from two realizations:
Firstly, the widespread differences between the moral beliefs and practices of particular societies and secondly, the changes in moral beliefs in the same society over time- the rejection of slavery in America for example.
Problems with Relativism:
1) There are no grounds for arguing against the perceived evils of other societies such as, South African Apartheid, tribal female circumcision, or against the perceived evils of our own community- how can a convention be mistaken? Does relativism take account of moral argument?
2) Morality according to relativism seems to be reduced to a majority view- the majority might is right; alternatively, at least in modern societies, morality is splintered into the conflicting beliefs of the many sub-groups that compose our community (how widespread does a belief have to be before it is a convention?)
3) If a relativist says that we should tolerate the moral conventions of other societies or groups, there is the danger of self-contradiction- is tolerance a universal moral principle or irself only a convention of the Relativist community? Also, what of the view that Relativism is incorrect, should we tolerate that view or not?
4) If the Relativist goes on to claim that all forms of judgement and belief, factual and scientific as well as moral, are merely social conventions, then we can ask whether this judgement- that all judgements are conventional- is itself only a social convention. And if it is, why should we accept it as true?
...more later
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wandering Stars
Interpretation of time
As a congregation of moments
Lasting in memoirs of oneself and other
Encapsulating notions of a forever
Agelessly inspire the nature of I
For granted, in the mortal frenzy takes
The self-seeking being
From birth to its finale, desiring
A narrative etched into his belief
Time moves at a motionless pace
As if still, it continues
Lost moments from such congregation
Whisper the sudden change of
Their own attire
The rehearsal is over
As retrospective preparation
Life becomes,
An ageless memoir of an aged self
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The Distinction Between Morality and Ethics (Part I)
To begin simply, Ethics is the disciplined reflection of morality. Traditionally, ethics is divided in to two major categories:
1. Metaethics: which is concerned with discovering the nature of moral principles and judgments.
2. Normative Ethics: which is the branch of ethics that is concerned with establishing moral principles.
If someone were to ask questions then, from the perspective of metaethics, then they could inquire: whether the nature of morality is conventional or universal; subjective or objective. Could morals be true or false? Could they be grounded in natural benefits and harms, or not?
Whereas, if someone were practicing the same exercise from the perspective of Normative Ethics, then they would aim to discover what the fundamental moral principles are; how they are applied to specific situations (also known as applied ethics)- like abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia- and whether there are any absolute moral principles which apply in every case.
So if metaethics is concerned with discovering the nature of morals, and normative ethics is there to establish general rules of moral behavior- then the distributor of morality (the normative ethicist- lawmakers), must have already chosen their metaethical stance to conclude an objective right or wrong; a truth or false. But can lawmakers be fallacious?
Consider now the following cases where particular communities hold ethical or moral beliefs which others do not share. Does the agreement amongst the members of these communities that their beliefs are right make those beliefs correct? What is the basis of your response to these cases?
(a) The Hare Krishna's belief that gender differences are ordained by God and, as a result, girls and boys should not follow the same curriculum at school.
(b) The Eskimo and Laplander belief that frail, elderly people should be left in the snow to die when then can no longer follow the group.
(c) A Rifle Club's belief that shooting animals and birds is sport.
(d) The belief of some tribal groups in Africa and elsewhere that young girls should be circumcised so that they may become adult women and get married.
(e) The belief of groups like the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Al-Qaeda and radical environmentalists that terrorist acts are necessary to achieve their political goals.
(f) The Orthodox Jewish belief in male circumcision.
(g) Amsterdam's leniency towards recreational cannabis usage.
(h) The Catholic Christian belief that using contraceptives during sexual-intercourse is a sin.
(i) The practice of polygamy in Islam.
(j) The Nazi's belief that the Aryan race is superior.
If you've lasted this long, then now take the time to think about the following cases where individuals feel that certain actions are morally justified. Does the feeling that the action is right, make it right? What is the basis of your response to these cases?
(a) Sara feels that any sexual acts between consenting adults which give the partners pleasure is OK.
(b) Tashfin feels that writing a second part to "this" at his convenience is OK.
(c) Kamil feels that prostitution is OK.
(d) Alina thinks that gossiping about her friends private lives is OK.
(e) Ali feels that stealing small items from large stores is OK. be continued (at my convenience)
Friday, July 30, 2010
Be Roused!
The chains of the courageous
Shackles of time and habit, resentful
A recluse lost between
Choices that play frivolously with thoughts
An ignorant being
How such pointless bounding seems
In security spent with oneness
Of nature born this timeless miracle
Mocks his own presence
Where does the intention figure?
In the limbo of the imprisoned
The straggler struggling to find the self
True in nature; ONE
Yet lost in the journey of projections
Of himself and
The voiceless beneath
Ethically correct, morally impartial
To each except himself
His own journey caught in flights
And fights
Of the consciousness of the other
As a reflection
For truth lost in ignorance’s security
Caution! Tread slowly soldier
The war is within
So surrender the badge, ageless
Not lost but found
By your own self
For the first time
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Nihil ad rem
Understanding of phenomena
That reaps insignificant tales
Shuttling between moments
Eternally significant as such
A play of memory
Lost in translation of emotions
Of an origin unknown
The drudgery of such significance
Of insignificant tales
Lets me know once again
Existing and the existence of
Phenomena calculating
Origins from conclusions
Deriving once again
A belief
The inhabitant of thy self
Must it necessarily flee?
From its own natural fate
Into the unknown frontiers of
The acquired,
Knowledge, experience, relations
Within comparisons
I am a translation of
Memorials- Insignificant
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Sublime forms of the ludicrous
An apology surrenders them to thou
Questions of the bewildering notions
Of a tragedy once bygone
Crucial scenario, isn’t it dear ones
The art of war that resides within
Manifested in sounds and blares
Of thus physical
Balancing the chaotic and the calm
Leaders here once bygone
Born into the cemetery of ghosts
Kept in shadows of,
Some in memories of
And some in the pyre
Emoting within, the resentful war
As an expression
The needy and the abandoned
In the unclaimed corner
The manifestation of perceptions
What resides within,
Expressed in its artistic form
An apology! I must bestow
Now surrender my pallet
Colorful illusions
Expressions and art forms
Not as the creator
But as a creation once born
Friday, July 23, 2010
An early diary entry worth sharing..
Now that this pen is flowing and I'm done cleaning ink stains, I can begin writing about the 'cause' of this radical change in routine.
I had been thinking for some time now that I would start taking notes. You see, I suffer from an extremely blessed state; a kind of forgetfulness- a state akin to a sort of "preference amnesia" (usually induced chemically)- wherein thoughts intriguing are procreated. However, it is the nature of this condition that demands that I take notes, if not to know myself a bit better, then rather to have a chuckle or two.
Amidst the daily 'surfing' activities, a thoughtful delight came to me. An observation that had escaped me previously; an observation pertaining to eugenics. It seems that eugenics or the act of selective breeding and the exaltation of certain "superior" beings, which is looked down upon in colloquial understandings in this progressive age, is still quite the norm. Whether politics instigates it or not, eugenics is practiced quite explicitly in multi-cultural societies. I say multi-cultural because these societies are projected to be more tolerant than the others.
When a child is rared at school, a special value is always attributed to the alpha-student. The ones that excel at sports or academia for instance. Authorities are willing to excuse the talented gene pool. Whether we like it or not, a rational system leads to class divisions. But is it irrational to distribute favors without such eugenicist discrimination?
Perhaps this thought is a mere seed; that needs the suns rays of enlightenment to sprout.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
I think..
The narrative of a person always seems to be in search of a conclusion. It is much like a being the author of a story that changes its outlook and perception with each experience. Thus the split of oneness - the author, the story and the change; here it is the fallacy of what in Hinduism is called the MAYA. The illusion of perception as the defining line for the self where questions such as “who am I” bewilder the human essence.
So what is the outcome of the story? Am I the story or am I the author? Moreover, am I the perception of me as the story or the author or am I the perception of me at the hands of the all pervasive “change”? To thread each of the above questions I must find in me equilibrium much like the perfection of nature. Be the painter, paint and the canvas away form the illusion.
Retrospectively speaking our narrative becomes a juxtaposition of finales that must rise to the occasion as created by us. Yet do they equate to us as our own or does that find itself caught up in deciphering the coded language of desires and wants. Such notions bring us to the tipping point where the self from its basic nature of oneness moves towards the split – as pieces of the puzzle incomplete without the other parts and without the whole. This is the search of such narrative, isn’t it- the whole being?
It is such perception that leads to notions and beliefs that an inconsistency to this general narrative finds us encapsulated in thoughts. Where I am as I thought I was, yet the real seems to address me in a different fashion. The act of playing GOD becomes the very essence of such narratives that pervade the global life. So what is this perception that drives me away from the basic nature of my being?
It is not to address such intricacies in a definitive manner – one cannot explain – yet can derive from the process. It may not be the end that our being struggles for it may be the process. With each experience we find ourselves imprisoned and attached to it, for the purpose of the very narrative. Can I just be; and not search for the definite, the exact – literally the finite? Does it set us free?
I am – am I not?
Dreamy eyes
The wonders of then
Coercing the memories
Reliving the moment as it lasts
Of what does this misery stem its way?
Into the coliseum
Now in ruins of its glory
Does the now exist?
Or does it find itself engulfed in
The breathing memory of wonders
Wandering into untamed times
Finding reason caught up in
The limitless distance of knowing
For such conception continues to baffle
Arguing the real from the reality
Of which I exist, the now seems
Vague in possibilities
In this stolen corner I find myself
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Flower Child
Intentions and their persona reflecting
in the dream like state
Breathed as the essence of creation
itself to evolve continually
Sounds of the mysterious skies
fallen beneath the fury of
Intention and its dream state
play a song as the she daces along
Her strength and love; hate and anger,
engulfed in the balance of
the slow tandem of blissful guidance
gently caressing
curious of her,
I follow the wilderness into its wild birth
formlessness of its structure –
bound in perception of, me
the omnipresent essence of the breathed one,
she is – as is
beyond assimilation of my finite capacity
Yet construed by the limitation of
my own curious knowledge
Misguided by perceptive upheaval of
the equilibrium of her generosity
Soulfully mimicking the soulless copulation –
Anxious monstrosity of a thoughtful being
Converse to its own universe
Thoughtless, I
As her own child –
Avant- garde
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
'I Think, Therefore I Am': A Philosophical Maxim.
The other day I came across a blog entitled "cogito, ergo sum" (Latin for: I think, therefore I am). It had the caption "girls think, therefore I am" printed underneath it. It was not the first time I had seen this phrase of Rene Descartes' (1596 - 1650) misunderstood and misused in this manner. This brief tract is an attempt at explaining this canonical philosophical principle.
Rene Descartes was a French mathematician, philosopher and scientist- who set out to discover the "Archimedean point" of knowledge. The concept of the Archimedean point comes from Archimedes' own proclamation: “Give me a place to stand and with a lever I will move the whole world.” So in this way, Descartes was searching for the epicenter of knowledge- making Descartes an epistemologist: a philosopher concerned with essential theories of knowledge.
Descartes begins his journey as an epistemologist with "methodic doubt": rejecting as false, all sorts of knowledge by which he was once deceived. The first thing to go was knowledge based on authority, because even experts are sometimes wrong. Second to go was knowledge based on sensory experiences, because people can perceive one thing as another, like in the case of mirages. Third to go is knowledge based on reason, because this too can be wrong, as in the case of calculation. But the fourth and final aspect driving Descartes' skeptic doubt is what he described as the "evil demon" that is capable of creating an illusory world for people which does not exist- making them believe and see that, which is not. "Cartesian (Descartes') doubt" is an odd skepticism in this sense. It is a rational approach towards validating one's own existence, as well as the existence of a God.
After doubting even the existence of the nose on his face or basically anything at all, Descartes found himself facing one of the greatest of quagmires: how can I know that I exist? This "doubt" of his that engulfed him was to reveal to him the answer to this problem. Since his search for something that can no longer be doubted, required him to doubt everything- then the very act of doubting was the evidence of "thinking" that was indubitable- and since he was the person who was thinking, he too must exist. Thus, Descartes says: I think, therefore I am.
This powerful maxim has since ignited the argument for mind-body duality in psychology. In other words, Descartes' statement has given weight to the belief that "mind" and "body" are separate.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Inveterate
The creatures a forlorn land
Described in the path of the aging self
Of the images broken and a remade
Experience finds its frenzied depiction
Into the land of the delighting past
A devotee is born
within the castle’s walls
Over coming, finally
Beyond stillness of the aging self
Cautiously treading yet craving the covers
Of the saintly,
a pretense of encouraging
A snake sheds its skin as seasons change
Rapidly engulfing, controlling, ones
Of the forlorn land
As the present passes to be the later and last
Past and its future
Of the mother seeds the likely plant
With a plan
Cautiously treading its own boundaries
New born take their stride
Out of their crippled cradles,
Form the first breath admitted
Into training
Of rigid conversations with in walls
A crime is committed
The blind sense its vicious aura
Of the forlorn land, I speak
If it were for memories
that lingered behind the dark screen
In shadows danced their choreographed selves
– fragmented
Such is the brilliance of emoting
– whether or not to ?
Encompass such belonging appended into time
Time of which parameters build their glory
- time by which
I am to long for who I was and meant to be
Logical crossovers between the relations of togetherness
Time bound and quantified
in boundless speechless emotions
At such a junction of power and over oneself
and the self in creation
the memories dance themselves fragmenting the now
– in time
Of this vast sense of jumbling senses
- belonging follows perception
Creating and destroying
Who I am – was – and will be
Yet the drive common to all as me
Finds its path back in to the childhood dreams
Of such parameters
timelessness finds itself shelter
In the completeness of a moment
– unrelated – unaffected
In tune with the course of change
Impartial to the constant of habit
I become me – that disappears silently
The melancholy of the inspired
Chased between the dramatic seeds
Planted within the ever eternal
A belief, of my temporary intellect
of what does knowledge comprise itself ?
Comparisons, competition, achievement
Of all that I learn only saddens me
As I laugh at such consequence
The I in me finds a center, to aid my escape
The magnanimous images of the self
Trained to mirror nothing but itself
Categorizing in forms and shapes
The formless infinite space
Ah! the game such ego plays,
A child like tantrum it so cant replace
In appeals of the little boy who resides
Within, as the apostle of himself
The I is saddened as well as me
So as the inspired we sit awaiting the fall
For yet another momentous speech
Yet another comparison
Another competition,
Where by I am the image
Of my own creation
I am a painting of my own illusion
Inspired yet again
Those who find the lingering storm, beneath
The soulless moment of creation, within
To the eye residing between the past and the future
A timeless phenomenon calculated, falsely
Compared to the slightest of them all,
a discourse of consequences
to the solemn ones who observe with keen interest
off consciousness a body finds itself
defiant of yet itself, as a miracle
obscure inventions occupy the very essence
cultivating forms, shapes, sizes – Comparisons
finitely defining the infinite
such calculation oppressively react to appease
the arrogance of ignorance,
merely of such conspicuous events of
thoughtful perception,
lacking clarity as the eyes lack sight
the techtonics play a simple tune
of the monstrous calamity
such as the inventions of the thoughtful
as much as I fortify my innocence, knowledge
crystallizes its lucid proud creation
of thoughtfulness -
Ahh! that in knowledge my friend
Innocent curiosity now fortified leads curiously
Towards a purpose to destruct
Such as the physical does in pleasure,
“I” Does in –
my pride, habit, liking, disliking, keeping,
wanting, eating, replacing, relating, forming
Juxtapositions of my knowledge
A mechanically operated system of illusions
I am approved, accepted, protected from myself
As I listen and watch; follow and abide
Techtonically survive
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Conversations with myself
Thoughts and their consideration
Of the opinionated magician
Who sits within my lonely head
Calculating his only prayer
Not once! The calm he never finds
Off sympathy and quandary
He must survive
Careful considerations, within
To create another staggering night
Thoughts, thoughts and more
Occupy the empty space;
The lonely magician searching
Feeling, emoting, hoping, moping;
Calm that he never finds
“I am,
As is the theme
The creator of the mysterious
Of tricky variations,
The skillful orator
Smooth operator
I am” –
Of such images must he
Empower himself
With knowledge, distract himself
From justifications adapt
And thoughts react
In pride he searches
The calm he never finds
Attached to his soulless creation
Of the busy thoughtful mind
He finds himself lonely
Calculating his plight
Such is the melancholic victim
I his only friend
A prisoner by choice
Habitués is his nature;
A worrisome bloke
For nothing might he advice
But to keep in sight
The countless times
Into his stifled prison
Were he and his fright
To such knowledge justifies
The lonesome magician
His own in creation
Were ever his plight
As collections and creations
Reveals my self
As the enchanting wand
And the magicians archetype
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
For the Crestfallen.
They say: "home is where the heart is", but what is home? Home is your abode- not just physically but also mentally and emotionally- it is your sanctuary. When one initiates a relationship with another, they begin constructing this home. They build walls of trust, lay tiles of faith, hang chandeliers of dreams and name the completed edifice love.
But when some sort of force majeure destroys this edifice the occupants have to start anew; because force majeure can't be compensated. Some crumble like bread crumbs and fade away in dark urban street corners- a slightly stronger person may become a backpacker because their geographical location and past failure has driven them to live like nomads- but the strongest of all are the patient ones who try to gather pieces of shattered tiles and chandeliers and sleep in the ruin of loves rubble- hoping to rebuild a home with new hands. These individuals are the essence of human divinity- that spirit that perhaps breathed life in to existence.
O patient one, I salute thee! and pray that you get the opportunity to build a double-bricked home next time, with tiles impervious to the elements.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Survival of the fittest: a political ‘Ideal’.
In 1857, an English sociologist by the name of Herbert Spencer, coined the term, “survival of the fittest“: the belief that evolutionary laws of natural selection, explained, social processes and behaviors- this theory is now referred to as “social Darwinism”. Like Spencer, Karl Marx also believed in social evolution. However, unlike Spencer, who argued that: the poor and the sick should be left to fend for themselves; Marx believed that the state must prioritize the supply, production and distribution of comestible, clothing and domicile goods to society. This idea of Marx’s is known as “historical materialism” and it has been the subject of much scrutiny by those that can appropriately be called, the enthusiasts of Walter Lippmann’ progressive liberalism. The following tract will attempt to vividly explain what Marx meant when he stated: “It is not the consciousness of men that determines their existence, but their social existence that determines their consciousness”. This will be done to elaborate on David Held’s evaluation of Marx’s belief in Held’s book, “models of democracy” that: “it is not the state that underlies social order but social order that underlies the state“. Furthermore, the ideas of Marx will be examined against those of pluralists, such as Max Webber and Joseph Schumpeter. Finally, there will be some critical analysis of both ideas to determine my own stance on the relevance of these ideologies in hitherto and henceforth human society.
Although Marx was a German, in 1843, he left Germany for Paris; from where he was expelled in 1849 and eventually ended up in London- where he spent the remainder of his life. Based on his experiences in nineteenth-century industrial England, Marx was concerned about class inequalities created by industrial capitalism.
To understand Marx’s indifference towards the liberalist battle for political equality, it is absolutely crucial to get a grasp of what Marx understood as “capitalism”, “alienation” and “class inequality“. In capitalism, according to Marx, are present two classes: the laborers and the capitalists or the proletariats and the bourgeois, respectively. The relationship between these two classes involves a division of labor. The capitalists supply the capital, such as raw materials and machinery necessary to organize production and control the labour process. The workers supply their labour, which turns those raw materials in to commodities- goods and services that can be bought and sold. One of the most important aspects of this relationship according to Marx, was that of domination. The workers sell their labour to capitalists for a wage, the capitalist in turn control the conditions under which the workers do their jobs and the hours they work. Marx argued that this relationship was one of unequal power. In large-scale enterprises, many workers are employed by a small number of capitalists who have the power to control their workers. In turn, specialised workers or managers are hired to manage the workers and ensure that the work is done according to the wishes of the employers- the mass of workers are thus left at the bottom.
Alienation refers to the relationship between peoples labour and the fact that under capitalism, workers are separated from the things they produce, which thus have no meaning for them. Instead of the products of a person’s labour being something creative and of value, the worker is impoverished because their work is appropriated and commodified by capitalists. As more products are produced by machines, the greater the alienation experienced by the workers.
Marx believed that this inequality and alienation was not only unfair, but would result in class conflict; which, according to Marx, would result in the overthrow of capitalism in favour of socialism: a society in which private ownership and wealth accumulation is replaced by state ownership; and ultimately, communism: a utopian vision of society based on communal ownership of resources, cooperation and altruism to the extent that the state no longer exists. The state is thus, always vulnerable to social cooperation that was constantly emergent. Ergo, “it is not the state that underlies social order but social order that underlies the state”(Held 2006, pg.103 - 108).
In general English the word “pluralism” means the condition of being multiple(Pluralism -; in philosophy, it is used to describe, “a theory that there is more than one basic substance or principle”(Pluralism -; and in politics, it is a word used to describe “the affirmation of diversity in the interests of the citizenry”, making it a vital aspect of modern democracies (Pluralism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia). According to this view, no single, monolithic elite controls government and society. Instead, a group of specialized elites compete with one another for control.
In contrast, Joseph Schumpeter’ political theory portrays the ordinary citizen to be a vulnerable and helpless person in a world dominated by the elite and their inter-elite feuds, much like Marx‘s communist theory. However, unlike Marx, Schumpeter’ theory seldom mentions power in the hands of intermediary groups such as community associations, religious associations, religious bodies, trade unions, business organizations and most importantly- society as a whole.
According to pluralists and empirical democratic theorists, Schumpeter’s theory can be classified as incomplete or partial on the basis of its lack of attention towards intermediary groups. The pluralist model challenges Schumpeter’s theory by claiming that modern democratic politics is more competitive, and policy outcomes are far more satisfactory to all parties than Schumpeter suggested. Albeit, Schumpeter’s objection that capitalist or elitist oligarchies inspire government policy, echoes Marx’s argument against the liberal democratic goal of obtaining equality being hindered by capitalist interests. By this equation, the pluralist critique of Schumpeter is applicable to Marx as well. Pluralists refuted this claim that: the concentration of power in the hands of the competing political elite was inevitable; by extracting Max Weber’s idea that claimed, as mentioned above, the existence of many determinants of distribution of power and hence, many power centres (Held 2006, pg.158).
Classical pluralists such as Robert A. Dahl and Charles E. Lindblom suggested that power is non-hierarchically and competitively arranged, as it is inextricably processed by bargaining between “interest groups”: a term used to describe business organizations, trade unions, political parties, ethnic groups, student unions, feminist groups, religious groups etc. Interest groups were structured in particular economic and cultural streams, namely:
a) Social Class
b) Ethnicity
c) Religion
There is no central decision making group in the classic pluralist model. Power is essentially distributed throughout society and interest groups may act as veto groups gradually to destroy legislation that they do not agree with. The government is there to mediate and adjudicate between different demands of different interest groups. Citizens must be given the right to vote once per election year between at least two competing political parties. Citizens have freedom of expression and freedom of organization to form interest groups to be vocal of these expressions. There is a system of checks and balances between the legislative, executive and judiciary arms of government which, diminishes the instance of corruption. All in all, it suggests that even though the major decision making process is vested in the government, small or large “interest groups” formed by ordinary citizens are influencing the government gradually: thus forming the pluralist view of democracy (Held 2006. Pg 161 - 165).
Marxists have dismissed classical pluralism as a narrowly ideological celebration of western democracies. They claim it to be optimistic and naïve. The ‘Elite Theory’ in particular, attacks classical pluralisms claim that modern democracy is the ‘ideal utopia’. The elite theory argues that a small minority of economic elites and policy planning groups, are sovereign in their control of power no matter what the outcome of an electoral term in a country. Via extensive networking among the business corporations, corporate boards, policy making networks and financial support of foundations, members of the elite faction can have considerable influence on policy making decisions within a country. This theory negates pluralism by suggesting that interest groups need high levels of resources and political connections or support to be able to contend for influence. This observation forms the basis for the theory of elite pluralism. Elite theorist Elmer Eric Schattschneider once said that “The flaw with the pluralist heaven is that the heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper-class accent” (The Haworth Press Online Catalogue: Article Abstract).
Personal reflection:
“A house may be large or small; as long as the surrounding houses are equally small it satisfies all social demands for a dwelling. But let a palace arise beside the little house and it shrinks from a little house to a hut…however high it may shoot up in the course of civilisation, if the neighbouring palace grows to an equal or even greater extent the occupant of the relatively small house will feel more and more uncomfortable, dissatisfied and cramped with its four walls.” - Karl Marx (Tracing the link between poverty and relativity) (Singer 2002, pg 190).
Since the 19th century, social scientists have shed light upon the relative nature of morality in human societies. That is to say, that a child is raised to exalt values coveted or preserved by their society. The early Finnish sociologist Edward Westermarck was somewhat of a beacon that shined upon the landscape of social relativism. Westermarck mentions that in New South Wales, the first born of every lubra (aborigine woman) used to be eaten by the tribe as part of a religious ceremony. A practice that can be deemed criminal according to the norms of the readers of this tract, yet, relatively sacrosanct for the Aboriginal tribe that Westermarck speaks of (Russell 1977. pg 52).
In the same manner, I believe that capitalism has made the modern human negligent to modern slavery. It has done this by introducing monetarism that has enslaved people to sell their labour to compete for social stratification. This monetary system has left human society paranoid. We distrust one another everyday for fear of someone fooling us in to paying too much or too less for a product or service, offered by them or us, respectively. The price tag on commodities, as Marx pointed out, has led to “commodity fetishism”, where we constantly judge ourselves or others by the value of the cars we drive, or the wrist watches we wear: we are determined by avarice. In the case of States, the might of a state is judged by its military arsenal rather than the quality of life it offers to its citizens.
People are enslaved in a mindset that is set to exalt cupidity. Yet, politicians have done little or nothing to change this. Egalitarianism seems impossible when in fact it is true that, the Earth broke away from the Sun five billion years ago; we are all the same substance, and thus have little reason to fear each other.
We live in an age when environmental issues should haunt us, yet we(the bewildered herd as Walter Lippmann called us) are astoundingly unaware of the means of propelling out of this umbra. Technology is what has been humanities greatest achievement. A quality that sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom is the fact that we can consciously invent things to solve and alleviate our daily complexities.
Recent political debates have been hovering around environmental issues, and power production has been one topic central to this. At present, we possess the ability to tackle these issues with minimal use of scarce natural resources such as coal, gas and oil. Yet the representatives of the Roman Empire of our time: the United States of America; has managed to muster up solutions that are tedious at best. Nuclear energy, they say, is the present solution, and ten years of research could give way to an alternative bio-fuel or viable solar energy excavation; when at present, there is an energy source present that could provide enough to suffice the requirement of all the nations on earth: geothermal energy (energy excavated from the replenishing heat generated by the earth’s core). A report by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2007 concluded that the worlds geothermal reserves could be up to 13,000 ZJ(zettajoules) of energy, with about 2000 ZJ being easily utilized with slight investment in research and development. An alarming amount, considering the entire earth consumes only 0.5 ZJ a year (Source: the_future_of_geothermal_energy.PDF).
I have to admit that I was not aware of the availability of this technology and resource until I saw an otherwise trite documentary: Zeitgeist Addendum. It is always important to take such works with a pinch of salt so I tried to confirm the data offered in that film myself, and it turns out that the means to pursue this resource are certainly available. In fact, the IGA (international geothermal association) has been around since 1988. Why then has there not been enough investment towards promoting this sustainable and renewable source of energy? Why are countries still trying to pollute the atmosphere by tapping in to their coal deposits to produce energy? Although there have been a number of geothermal plants setup around the world- including one in Islamabad for a private office building by Pakistan's own Shan Geothermal- the promotion of this fantastic new technology has been very menial.
So, basically, where the prospective fiscal spending on defence in the U.S will touch 790 billion US dollars in 2011 (Source:, FYI 2011 Presidents budget), the world has not enough money to run a billion dollar promotion campaign for Geothermal technology during the 2010 football world cup?
On her internet blog, Naveen Naqvi writes:
In this age of economic progress, a hegemonic war machine can be ignited to devour nations after allegedly losing about 6000 of its civilians, but the daily global child mortality rate of 24,000 (9 million deaths annually, mostly from preventable and curable diseases) cannot be conquered? Alas, in the light of such realities, I am left with little faith in an aristocratic democracy- as it seems quite evident, that Marx, Engels and Schumpeter were right about them being on a capitalist leash. Slogans that exalt democratic values have left me to conclude that: “democracy is the opium of the masses”. My only hope remains in the emergent nature of social gatherings that ease the dependence on a monetary system to estimate value and embrace the true virtues of humanity: our power to innovate and our recognition of all being one. After all, we are the same substance that makes those distant stars glow.
Held, D 2006, Models of Democracy, 3rd edition, MPG books limited, Bodwin.
Russell, B, 1977, Political ideals,Unwin Hyman Limited, London.
Singer, P, 2002, One World: the ethics of globalisation, Swan house, Melbourne.
Pluralism - Retrieved July 4, 2010, from:
Pluralism(political philosophy) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia . Retrieved July 4, 2010, from:
The Haworth Press Online Catalogue: Article Abstract, Retrieved July 4, 2010 from:
the_future_of_geothermal_energy.PDF. Retrieved July 4, 2010, from:
For some data on Pakistani Geo Thermal reserves and capacity, go to:,welcome_to_our_page_with_data_for_pakistan.html
For more on Pakistan Geo Thermal reserves and capacity go to:
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Suqraati Ethics (part 2): Conditions of freedom and criticisms.
Morality and Freedom:
The idea of personal freedom seems to be essential to morality because it is closely connected with moral praise and blame. We know that Anna deliberately chooses to manipulate Veslovsky and so we blame her for her actions. We say that she is responsible for her behaviour. However, normally we do not praise or blame people and hold them responsible for their actions if we find that they were not free to act as they did- if they were forced to do so by some physical power (like a truth serum that compels me to give up national secrets to a terrorist group) or by some psychological compulsion (like the individual sufffering from paranoid delusions who attacks an innocent stranger that they imagine, is trying to kill them).
What kind of freedom is involved in the moral life? We can distinguish the following:
1) Physical freedom: freedom from physical constraints;
2) Psychological freedom: freedom from internal constraints such as compulsions and delusions;
3) Social freedom: freedom from social (especially legal) constraints;
4) Moral freedom: freedom to choose what is right by oneself and others or to wrong oneself or others;
5) Freedom to do as one pleases: voluntary action with no physical, psychological, social or moral constraints.
Moral freedom normally requires physical freedom- though sometimes, if we are courageous enough, we can resist the evil that others may be trying to force us to do. However, moral freedom always requires some measure of psychological freedom- psychological compulsions like kleptomania may hinder ones capability to make the moral choice. This means that a lack of psychological freedom may destroy moral freedom and moral responsibility.
The notion of moral freedom implies that we can choose otherwise- that the cause of my choosing this course of action is simply my deciding to do so. This view suggests that human beings are the creative originators of their actions.
Some Criticisms and Discontents of Moral freedom/Socratic ethics:
Some philosophers - called Determinists - deny that we have the kind of freechoice morality seems to assume. Determinism is the philosophical theory that all choices and actions are caused by environmental and/or inherited factors- that whatever we decide to do is determined by such factors and hence we could not choose otherwise. Human freedom in this view simply means acting without physical constraint. However, one key problem for determinists is this: are we free to accept or reject the determinist view on the basis of arguments for and against it?
Many religious people including Jews, Christians and Muslims, claim that what is morally right and good is what God commands and what is morally wrong and evil is what God forbids. This is called the divine command theory of ethics. The problem with this theory was pointed out by Aflatun (plato). If what is moral is what God commands, this seems to make morality arbitrary- did God's commanding Abraham to kill his most cherished son, make it right? If, on the other hand if God only commands certain action, like honouring parents, then this seems to make morality independant of God. The traditional solution to this problem - known as the Euthyphro Dilemma - is that God only commands what is good because he is perfect goodness in itself. God would never command us to do what is evil because that would contradict his own nature. So there can be no conflict between the Moral Law and God's law- they are one and the same. Whether this makes sense or not is a question in the Philosophy of Religion.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Suqraati Ethics (part 1): Moral Responsibility.
The idea that moral harm is a distinctive kind of harm that we can inflict on others or have inflicted on us, is the key insight into the nature of morality of Socrates and Plato. In moral philosophy or ethics, the point is sometimes put by saying that moral goodness and moral harm are sui generis(a kind of their own). The view of morality that takes this point as its fundamental principle is often called Socratic ethics.
There is an episode in Tolstoys novel, Anna Karenina, where Anna flirts with a vain young man named Veslovsky who is visiting her home. She does this, not because she is attracted to Veslovsky, but because she wants to amuse her bored lover, Vronsky, and to show him that she is still attractive to men.
'He is just a boy,' she says of Veslovsky, 'and like wax in my hands...I can do what I like with him.'
Tolstoys's emphasis in this episode falls on the harm that Anna does to herself in misusing her beauty and intelligence; but he also makes it clear that Anna wrongs Veslovsky. Not that Veslovsky suffers any natural harm- he enjoys the flirtation and never discovers Anna's real attitude towards him. No, the wrong Anna does him is that she cynically treats him as a pawn in her relationship with Vronsky. Veslovsky suffers a moral harm rather than a natural one.
Normally, of course, moral harm also involves some kind of natural harm- violent rape involves terrible physical and mental distress; murder involves death. But sometimes we can recognize a moral harm without any accompanying natural harm- and Anna's treatment of Veslosky seems to be a case in point.
However, if Anna were to ask Veslovsky's forgiveness for manipulating him and exploiting his naivety, she would be extending to him a moral good- the good of her honesty and her remorse- rather than any natural good. In fact, Veslovsky might be angered and distressed by her confession of wrongdoing. Socrates' insight also implies that every human being- even foolish ones like Veslovsky- have a profound value that demands our restecpa(heh). Every human being is my moral equal because every human being can be wronged as I can. What the Socratic view assumes is that I am pained or outraged when an innocent person is blamed or punished and moved when one of that individual's accusers acknowledges her innocence and seeks to make ammends for that false accusation.
Socrates' insight implies that morality is groundless. This means that the practice of judging that someone has suffered a moral harm- like being betrayed or benefited by a moral good- like having another refuse to betray them, is just something we human beings do that requires no further justification. The Socratic view is said to be a non-naturalistic view of the nature of morality.
By contrast, philosophers like Aristotle and St Thomas Aquinas ( I like to call them the "frandshippers") claim that morality is grounded in what is naturally good for human beings and what naturally harms them. They think that betraying a friend is wrong because it damages friendship and friendship is one of the basic goods in human life- one of the things that helps us to mature and flourish as human beings. So, unlike Socrates, they hold a naturalistic view of morality; and their view is often called Natural Law Theory.
Vain talk, slander etc is a moral harm according to Socratic ethics, as the business of the moral life involves refraining from doing evil to others or wronging them; and, more positively, the moral life involves respecting others as our moral equals and responding to them accordingly. This will inevitably involve using the rich vocabulary that we have in our language that enables us to charecterize one another in moral terms. I suppose one can call Socrates an early proponent of political correctness.
Socrates went on to claim that the one thing that is essential to a life that is worthy of a human being is precisely the moral virtue he called justice- respecting others as your moral equals and refusing to do them evil or to wrong them.
"It is better to suffer evil", Socrates famously said, "than to do it". But to live up to this principle may require great courage- the kind of courage Socrates himself displayed when he refused the order of the Thirty Tyrants to bring in Leon of Salamis for summary execution even though he risked execution himself.
Louise J. Pojman, How We Should Live?, Thomson Wadsworth, 2006. (Chapters 3 and 4).
B.Williams 'The Truth in Relativism' in Moral Luck, CUP, Cambridge, 1981. (pg 132 - 143). |
Judy Rebick: Feminism's many successes don't mean the job is yet done
By Judy Rebick
At a moment in history when “people power” is more in the news than in decades, it is appropriate that we are celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the International Women’s Day (IWD): The women’s movement has been the most important and successful people’s movement of the 20th Century.
The women who marched in the first International Women’s Day marches held 100 years ago in Europe — demanding the right to vote and hold office, better pay, training and an end to discrimination — couldn’t have imagined the revolution in the status of women that has occurred in the century that followed. In 1911, most women workers were domestics or textile workers who worked in terrible conditions for meager pay. Once they married or got pregnant, they were fired. They couldn’t vote, and had no legal status independent of their fathers or husbands. Only upper-class women had any access to education at all.
That first wave of feminists won the right to vote by the end of the First World War. But it would take two more generations before significant progress was made in eliminating other forms of discrimination. When I attended McGill University in the late 1960s, only 30% of the undergraduates were women, and almost no professors or graduate students were female. Abortion and information about birth control were illegal. Women were paid less than men for doing exactly the same job, and made about 60% of men’s wages. And there was only one woman in Parliament.
I was part of the generation of women who fought on multiple fronts for what we called, at the time, “women’s liberation.” Between 1970 and 1990 in Canada, we won inclusion of legal equality for women in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, banned employment discrimination against all women (including pregnant women), won pay and employment equity laws, legal abortion, rights for Indian women, a stronger rape law and a divorce law that more fairly established property division. We established a network of women’s services across the country, including rape-crisis centres, women’s shelters and a huge expansion of child-care centres; and perhaps most importantly, liberated women’s consciousness so that young women today believe that they can do anything. Most men now believe in gender equality (even if they don’t always practice it).
But economic inequality continues, with women earning 80% of men’s wages despite being, on average, better educated. The gap is even larger for Aboriginal women and women of colour.
But inequality within the home is an even greater problem. In Canada, men perform an average of 2.5 hours of unpaid daily work at home, while women do an average of 4.3 hours. So while women now account for 50% of the paid work force, we are still doing almost twice as much work in the home. Many younger men are putting more of their time and energy into parenting today, but it is still women who take the primary responsibility for children.
In Scandinavia, by contrast, gender equality is a higher priority: Men are doing more in the home and women are more equal in the workplace. When the Swedish government saw that men weren’t taking their fair share of time off work to care for newborn children, the government developed a daddy-leave program: If the dad doesn’t take off the allotted time, the family loses out on the income. Almost overnight, more than 85% of men took time off work to bond with their children. When governments are committed to equality, they find public-policy ways to promote it.
Governments in Canada over the last 15 years mostly have done the opposite. The last Liberal government promised a national child-care program. It would have been much less than we needed, but Stephen Harper’s Conservatives ditched it anyway. Since Harper has been in power, Canada’s record on women’s equality has tumbled. In 2009, we ranked a disgraceful 73rd in the UN Gender Disparity Index. This is not only because of the Prime Minister’s marginalization of feminist groups, but also because of the economic policies of both Liberals and Conservatives, which have massively increased the gap between rich and poor. Most of the country’s poor are women and children. They are thus the ones who bear the brunt of cuts to social spending. They also suffer most when the public sector is trimmed, since that is where most well-paid jobs for women are located.
International Women’s Day is a celebration of what women have achieved, most of it is because of the efforts of ordinary women organizers and activists. A new generation of feminists are part of every movement for change around the world, from people’s power in Egypt to green power in North America. My hope is that a new women’s movement will emerge as part of these people’s movements and find its own ways to achieve the next wave of equality that will benefit everyone.
National Post
Judy Rebick is the former president of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women. Her most recent book is Transforming Power: From the Personal to the Political. |
Procedures <Prev Next>
Contour Fitting
Contour fitting allows fitting the overall shape of an experimental spectrum to a simulation, and is useful for low resolution spectra in which the rotational structure is not fully resolved. It is also appropriate for determining temperature or population distribution for a known band. Note that the results from this sort of fit are typically less reliable than for a line position fit, and a line position fit is to be preferred to determine rotational constants.
1. To start a contour fit, Overlay the experimental spectrum over the PGOPHER simulation. The initial match must be quite good for a contour fit to work - a contour fit will typically not move a peak more than the peak width, for example. The simulation must account for all the significant features in the spectrum; if, for example, there are nearby bands that you have not included you should remove the appropriate frequency range from the experimental data. The Crop command described in the Experimental Overlay section may help with this.
2. It is easier to work if the intensity units of both the overall overlay, and the specific overlay(s) to be floated are set to "Normalised", rather than arbitrary. Go to the overlays window (View, Overlays), click on the topmost item and ensure that "IntensityUnits" are set to "Normalized". Click on the specific overlay and check the same setting. After doing this the "Baseline" and "Scale" will typically need to be adjusted manually for a reasonable match with the simulated spectra as the vertical autoscaling is now turned off.
3. Open the constants window (View, Constants) and click on "Fix", "Fix All Parameters" and select "Mixture" to ensure that no molecular constants are floated to start with.
4. The first parameters to be floated must be the scale and baseline of the overlayed spectrum. Go to the overlays window (View, Overlays), select the overlay required (probably the first one unless you have more than one experimental spectrum overlaid) and float these two parameters (click in the float column so it reads “yes”).
5. (Optional step) If the required "Scale" is several orders of magnitude different from one, consider scaling the original data to avoid problems with the fitting process later. "Operate", "Scale" provides a command to do this for numerical data.
6. Bring up the log window by selecting (View, Log) and choose "Contour" as the fit type in the top left. On pressing the "Fit" button a separate plot showing the obs-calc (difference between the experimental spectrum and the simulation) is shown in the main window (see below for an example), along with the simulation. The log window now shows new values for the floated parameters and their errors, the average error, and a correlation matrix. The error will typically be very large at this point
7. Press the "Fit" button repeatedly, until the average error is as low as possible, and a simulation that roughly matches the experimental spectrum is shown. If you have problems you may have to fix some of the parameters and try manually changing them.
8. To further improve the fit, start floating molecular parameters. Floating many parameters simultaneously will often cause the fit to make wild changes in some of the parameters unless the fit is very good. For best results float additional parameters one or two at a time, starting with the most important. The Undo Fit button allows you go back to previous fits, if you find you have gone too far from a reasonable fit. For example, the excited state origin might be the first molecular constant to float (“View”, “Constants”, and click on the “no” next to the constant to change it to yes.). Again, press “Contour fit” repeatedly until the error reaches a minimum, and converges.
9. Other parameters to consider are A or B rotational constants, the linewidth and rotational temperature. Eventually, the simulation should closely resemble the experimental spectrum, and the obs-calc will be much smaller.
The log window will show details of the fit, including estimated standard deviations of the parameters. The standard deviations are calculated using the standard methods for least squares fitting, using derivatives estimated with numerical differences, but experience with contour fitting indicates that the error bars on the parameters are typically too small, and the most reliable estimates of the error are obtained by comparing the results of fits to different data sets. |
Support Ocean & Shark Conservation
Shark populations worldwide are in deep trouble. Up to 70 million sharks are being slaughtered annually. Sharks play such a critical role in maintaining the delicate balance of the fragile marine ecosystems, but as other fish stocks decline worldwide, sharks are being targeted.
Most are caught by longline vessels that trail up to 140km lines with over 2500 hooks attached. The demand for sharks parts, in particular their fins, the most expensive fish product in the world, is increasing to satisfy the palette of the elite in a broth called shark fin soup that can fetch up to $100 a bowl. How their fins are obtained is one of the most cruel, barbaric and wasteful practices, compared to the illegal ivory trade in Africa, whereby sharks are finned alive and then thrown overboard, to die a slow and cruel death.
A most powerful documentation of the plight of sharks is the award winning film below called Sharks in Deep Trouble. To make this film Lesley Rochat went out on a limb, single-handedly, to investigate both legal shark longlining and illegal shark finning off the coast of South Africa. Armed with her camera and the passion to make a difference, she boarded a shark longline vessel and captured disturbing, high quality footage of mass shark slaughter. Sharks in Deep Trouble is indicative of the global plight of sharks and the reason why we need your help to save our sharks. General inertia of governments worldwide in taking responsibility for their natural resources is driving many fish species, including many shark species to extinction.
By BUYING one of our products you are HELPING to SAVE our SHARKS! |
What is Normal Blood Pressure?
It is estimated that there are over 50 million people with high blood pressure, or hypertension, in the United States and approximately 1 billion worldwide.
Unfortunately, the cause of the most common type of hypertension, called primary or essential hypertension, is unknown; although genetics, lifestyle and diet are suspected. Hypertension can lead to a number of serious health concerns, including stroke, renal disease, heart attack, heart failure, heart pain (angina), eye disease (retinopathy) and many others.
Your blood pressure should be measured every time you visit your physician or licensed health care provider. Your physician will place a blood pressure cuff, known as a sphygmomanometer, around your arm, inflate the cuff and listen to your heart with a stethoscope. You may feel a slightly uncomfortable squeeze as the cuff is inflated. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm of Hg). The first number corresponds to the systolic blood pressure (pressure during contraction of the heart) and the second number is the diastolic blood pressure (pressure during relaxation of the heart). For example, if your blood pressure was 130 over 85 (130/85 mm of Hg), your systolic blood pressure would be 130 and your diastolic pressure would be 85.
Based on clinical studies, the values that were once considered normal for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, 130/85, are too high.
In May 2003, the seventh report of the Joint National Committee (JNC) on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The purpose of the JNC is to evaluate clinical studies and, based on these, to issue guidelines for the prevention, detection, evaluation and treatment of high blood pressure. The JNC concluded that the risk of cardiovascular disease begins at a blood pressure above 115/75 mm of Hg, and not at 130/85 mm of Hg, as originally thought. The new classification of blood pressure for adults 18 years and older are as follows:
Blood Pressure - Systolic - Diastolic - Lifestyle
Changes - Drug Therapy
Optimal - 115 - 75 - Not required - Not required
Normal - 120 - 80 - Encouraged - Not required
Pre-hypertension - 120-139 - 80-89 - Yes - Not required
Stage 1 - hypertension - 140-159 - 90-99 - Yes - Yes
Stage 2 - hypertension - 160 or above 100 or above - Yes - Yes
The JNC also established the proper procedure for taking an accurate blood pressure measurement. Please make sure your physician or licensed health care professional follows the steps below when taking your blood pressure.
1. The patient should be seated comfortably in a chair, not on the examining table, with their feet flat on the floor and their arm supported at heart level.
2. The patient should be seated for at least five minutes.
3. The appropriate blood pressure cuff size should be used (cuff must encircle at least 80% of the arm).
4. At least two measurements should be taken.
5. The blood pressure recorded is an average of the two measurements.
The JNC recommended a number of lifestyle modifications to effectively manage hypertension. These recommendations included weight loss, dietary sodium restriction, exercise, moderate alcohol consumption and a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lowfat dairy products with reduced saturated and total fat.
It is never too early to implement healthy lifestyle habits, nor is it ever too late too change bad ones. |
Founding UC San Diego chancellor Herbert York dies
Herbert York, founding chancellor of the University of California, San Diego, and a world-renowned physicist who worked on the development of the atomic bomb, has died of leukemia. He was 87.
He died Tuesday at Thornton Hospital in San Diego, said university spokesman Paul Mueller on Thursday.
The San Diego campus was founded in 1961, and York resigned as chancellor in 1964 to join the physics faculty. He later became chairman of the physics department and dean of graduate studies, and served as interim chancellor from 1970 to 1972.
"Herb was not only a leader of UC San Diego, he also was a world leader and had a global impact," current Chancellor Marye Anne Fox said in a statement. "Herb York made this campus and this world a better place. We will forever be grateful for his leadership and vision."
York was working for the University of California Radiation Laboratory in Berkeley during World War II when he was recruited to help develop the Manhattan Project, which designed the atomic bomb.
In the 1950s, as director of the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, he oversaw research that led to the development of the hydrogen bomb.
York praised the Manhattan Project's work, saying, "Not only did we complete the project, we ended the war," but he later came to be a leading proponent of nuclear arms control.
"There is no such thing as a good nuclear weapons system," he told the Los Angeles Times in 1983. "There is no way to achieve, in the sound sense, national security through nuclear weapons."
In that year, he founded the Institute On Global Conflict and Cooperation on the San Diego campus, studying conflict resolution and promoting efforts to avoid war. He became its director emeritus in 1989.
An arms adviser to several presidents, he was the chief U.S. negotiator during talks with the Soviet Union in the 1970s and early '80s to ban nuclear weapons testing.
York earned bachelor's and master's degrees in physics from the University of Rochester before receiving his doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley.
He is survived by his wife, Sybil, two daughters and a son.
Copyright © 2017, The San Diego Union-Tribune |
Posts tagged with Social Responsibility
Same-Sex Marriage: How Will it Affect Our Society?
All social ills will always exist, the only question is in what quantity. Divorce rates can go up or down, marriage rates can go up or down, out-of-wedlock childbirths can go up or down. Just because they already exist to a certain degree does not mean they cannot get worse.Changing the definition of marriage can have effects upon these social ills, for better or worse. Allowing for gay marriage changes the definition so that it loses meaning, and will have a negative impact upon society. As for how, normative definitions are agreed upon societal rules and expectations specifying appropriate and inappropriate ways to behave. In other words, definitions affect behavior by directing people how to act. It used to be that a family was a married couple and children, and other styles of families were considered deviant at worst, or alternative at best. With acceptance of single parent families and unmarried cohabitating couples with children as families, the definition has changed, and the effect upon behavior has as well. People who don't meet the 1950s style nuclear family don't feel compelled by the social rules and expectations to conform to that normative definition anymore. So for example, if you are a co-habiting couple, you don't need to be married to be considered a family, as you already are one. By making the definition more inclusive, it has lost its ability to affect people's behavior as it really means nothing because a family can be anything."Although many people think of themselves as individuals, the strong tendency of people to conform to group patterns and expectations is consistently documented in laboratory experiments, social surveys, and observations of mass behavior." Professor H. Wesley Perkins, A Brief Summary of Social Norms Theory and the Approach to Promoting HealthBy redefining marriage we will only make this situation worse. Marriage will lose its normative definition completely as a required part of having a family. Marriage will no longer be the building block of a family, but simply a confirmation of a relationship, or a commitment ceremony, and little more. It's not that divorce rates will go up, but marriage rates will go down. There just won't be a point anymore because it won't be what people are supposed to do anymoreThe danger comes from the change in the definition of what a marriage is in general. Our cultural belief is that if you want to start a family, you need to get married, but by creating the legal fiction of a "gay marriage" you are saying that having a family is not what marriage is about, but simply two people who want to be together, being together. The danger is that people just won't get married anymore when they start having kids, they won't see it as the required step. So they don't have the legally enforcement monogamy or the property rights that come with marriage. This is indeed what we see in countries with these legal fictions: people often wait until they have their second child before getting married. Their divorce rates haven't gone up because people aren't getting married in the first place.Marriage is a contract, and an extremely important one at that. One of the important agreements the couple makes upon entering the marriage is that they will be monogamous. The state has an important interest in encouraging people to be monogamous. It ensures that the fatherhood of the children will be more certain, so that fathers will stick around and help raise the children. Also men are not out fathering other children with other women that will become a burden on society. This interest simply does not exist among gay couples.The property rights of women in particular are what this is about, and creating the fiction of gay marriage will hurt women the most in this area. Women are the stay at home partner far more often then men, and as such they don't accumulate assets, experience, or promotions, so that upon a separation--without the marriage contract--they would be left with nothing to show for their years of work. Sending people the message that marriage is not the step you take when having children, but is just two adults wanting to be together, will have the harmful effect that people will not get married when they start having kids, like they do in Sweden and Denmark. Their generous nanny-state programs pay for raising out-of-wedlock children there, we don't have that kind of money here."Look at all the divorces, saving marriage is not a good reason to deny gay marriage."The central issue has to do with enforced monogamy. The father knows the children are likely his, and he's not out fathering other children of which the state will have to help take care. I'm sure you might say that people still cheat on their spouse, so there's no point. That is not true. If a crime prevention program lowers crime, then it is successful. If state enforced monogamy contracts (marriage) lead to more monogamy then it is successful. It is enforced by a financial penalty upon divorce. What point is there to enforcing monogamy among gay couples?As for the rise in single parent families and divorce occurring without gay marriage, yes, that's true, there are other factors that contribute. This is not a vacuum, and gay marriage would be one among many factors. Do you then wish to enact policies that would worsen the economy in the midst of a recession? I hope not, and saying that marriage is not in a good state is no excuse for worsening it."Outlawing gay marriage is the same as outlawing interracial marriage--it's based on hatred and bigotry."Comparing gay marriage to interracial marriage is misleading at best. Interracial marriage still accomplishes all the goals of the state in providing for children and for the child-raiser and so on. It does not change the definition of a marriage or the purpose of marriage. Interracial marriage bans were based on racism, gay marriage bans are not based on hatred of homosexuals, but on not changing the definition of a societal norm.Looking at the actual arguments made in the Loving v. Virginia interracial marriage case, the arguments were mostly based on eugenics, "improving" the races and "keeping the white race pure." In the appellate brief to the Supreme Court written by the Attorney General of Virginia Robert Y. Button, he states that: "there is authority for the conclusion that the crossing of the primary races leads gradually to retrogression and to eventual extinction of the resultant type unless it is fortified by reunion with the parent stock.""The results of racial intermarriage have been exceedingly variable. Sometimes it has produced a better race. This is the case when the crossing has been between different but closely allied stocks...It is an unquestionable fact that the yellow, as well as the negroid peoples possess many desirable qualities in which the whites are deficient. From this it has been argued that it would be advantageous if all races were blended into a universal type embodying the excellencies of each. But scientific breeders have long ago demonstrated that the most desirable results are secured by specializing types rather than by merging them.""the intermixtures which have been beneficial to the progress of mankind have been between nearly related peoples and that the results of a mixture of widely divergent stock serve to warn against the miscegenation of distinct races.""where two such races are in contact the inferior qualities are not bred out, but may be emphasized in the progeny, a principle widely expressed in modern eugenic literature. "The only social concern it raises about divorce is that interracial marriages will have a higher divorce rate since their racist families will make life hell for them. But this was an afterthought. No one today is arguing that gay marriage will cause harm to the purity of any race or that any specific harm will result from individual gay marriages. It is the broader social harm of redefining marriage that is the concern, and the negative consequences that this will bring.
Online Political discourse
Benefits:1. Meritocracy of ideas--here it's just a screen name and your posts. Whether you're a doctor, professor, lawyer, janitor or unemployed, your ideas are equal here in that they are judged solely upon their own quality, and not on who you are. In face-to-face discussions, we make judgments about the person, and so our respect for their ideas might vary depending on their identity. In online discussions, race, age, sex, employment, appearance, handicap, sexual orientation, marital status, education etc. don't factor in to how your ideas and arguments are received. The online forum is a true marketplace of ideas, where no one will buy what you say unless there's something of value in it.2. Breadth of coverage--you may not get the opportunity to discuss certain issues with the people you know. Often times no one you know cares or knows much about certain topics that you are dying to discuss. Here you can comment on whatever news of the day that interests you, or write a blog about a topic you think important. Chances are, someone else wishes to communicate their point of view as well.3. Many opposing viewpoints--With all the different points of view expressed, you are really challenged to examine your own beliefs, often in ways you never thought of before. Not only that, but you get the opportunity to hear people with similar points of view make arguments of which you might not have thought. For a true marketplace of ideas to exist, there has to be many options to hear from, and with a limited number of people to discuss with face-to-face, we often miss ideas or arguments that we never heard of or would know about otherwise.4. Freedom from judgment--anonymity and impersonality make it so that one can express their views on controversial topics without fear that their boss, friends, co-workers, family etc. will think poorly of them. Your evangelical sister and her husband, the pastor, probably don't want to hear about your passionate atheist views around the dinnertable at thanksgiving. Responsibilities:1. Honesty--In all forms, whether it is regarding a source that you are citing, or conclusions that you are making. Don't go around comparing everyone else to Hitler and the nazis. That's intellectually dishonest and just plain lazy. If you can't say why their ideas are bad on your own, then maybe they aren't bad. 2. No personal attacks--one of the best parts of online discussions is the meritocracy of ideas that is free from arguments from authority or positions of personal interest. We all, however, often try to diminish others' views by making assumptions about their interest in the matter based on their personal attributes. Calling someone a racist or a communist doesn't refute what they say, it is a dismissal of the person behind the statement. 3. Listening--perhaps the most common problem is arguing past each other, and not addressing the other side's point of view. It only serves, in their mind, to validate their argument--the one that you didn't address. This is because it appears you cannot address it or don't want to because your argument is weak. A good argument will examine both points of view and then state which side is stronger and why. 4. Double-check your posts for correct English--it should go without saying that if we can't understand your English, we won't understand your ideas. Small slips in grammar or spelling can happen, but when they change the meaning of the sentence, you have failed to communicate. 5. No grammar or spelling police--most posts are done hastily without the benefit of a word processor. Calling someone an idiot because they misspelled a word is just another way of making a personal attack and not addressing the merits of a statement. |
What is a thesis statement in an essay
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and they provide these what is a thesis statement in an essay as a free service of the Writing Lab at. Grows with students, novice to expert. This resource, updated to. Purdue OWL; Writing Lab; OWL News; Engagement; Essay Writing; Conciseness; The thesis statement or main Write a essay for scholarship claim must be debatable The answer to the Is essaysreasy legit question is the thesis statement for the essay. [Back to top] Notice how the thesis answers what is a thesis statement in an essay the question,. 10/20/2016 · Whether you are writing a short essay or a Know where to place a thesis statement. Steps in Constructing a Thesis. Power self-service with Help Center. This resource essay summary of the great gatsby provides tips for creating a thesis statement and examples of different types of thesis Purdue OWL; Writing Lab; OWL News; Engagement; Research. The Guide to Grammar and Writing is sponsored by the Capital Can college essays be sad Community College Foundation, a nonprofit 501 c-3 organization that supports scholarships, faculty. Welcome to The Literature Network! This handout describes what a thesis statement is, how thesis statements work dissertation support in your writing, Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? Diplomas and transcripts are identical to those earned by our. Scholarship, Teaching, Service. Policy Review was the preeminent publication for new and serious thinking and writing about the issues of the day. Established in 1977; the bimonthly journal became a. The thesis statement is that sentence or literary essays on jane eyre two in your text that contains Which of these sentences would you say Democracy power and justice essays in political theory is or are the thesis statement of the essay which. that you can use to inspire your next argumentative essay. To find the work you're looking for. For over a hundred years the Modern Language Association and its members have worked to strengthen the study and teaching of …. Because of the role thesis How to write a thesis statement if …. 9/15/2016 · A thesis statement is a sentence in an essay, report, or speech that identifies text book review essay gun control laws the main idea and/or central purpose of the text. At the same time, learning to play Sudoku can be a what is a thesis statement in an essay bit intimidating thesis literature review for beginners. Topics ・ Monetary Policy Releases ・Summary of Opinions at the Monetary Policy Meetings ・Minutes of the Monetary Policy Meetings ・ The Bank's Organizational. Over 9 million CITI Program courses have been completed since 2000. Zendesk makes it easy to deliver seamless self-service british conquest experiences and reduce support requests with what is a thesis statement in an essay the fully customizable what is a thesis statement in an essay Help. Sudoku is a fun puzzle game once you get the hang of it. The Thesis Statement these thesis statement examples will get you started on the road. Learn why the Common Core is important for your child. Cheap domain names with NameSilo: Cheapest everyday domain name registration prices, free WHOIS privacy, free domain parking, secure API, no hidden fees, no …. A thesis statement is a. We offer searchable online literature for the student, what is a thesis statement in an essay educator, or enthusiast. THE SPIKE (1931) A HANGING (1931) BOOKSHOP MEMORIES (1936) SHOOTING AN ELEPHANT (1936). . As a World Campus graduate, you will earn your degree online from The Pennsylvania State University. Fifty Orwell Essays, by George Orwell, free ebook Contents. From a novice’s research question to a graduate student’s thesis, the three levels of NoodleTools provide what helps anxiety and depression a mental model. After reading your thesis statement, what particular support for your claim is going where in your essay. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within researching old newspaper articles the liberal arts and humanities. So, if you are a complete.
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Project 3: Understanding Behaviour
Most of our daily behaviour is governed by our intuitive mode. We’re acting on habit (learned patterns of behaviour), on gut instinct (blazingly fast evaluations of a situation based on our past experiences), or on simple rules of thumb (cognitive shortcuts or heuristics built into our mental machinery). Our conscious minds usually only become engaged when we’re in a novel situation, or when we intentionally direct our attention to a task.
There are five things needed for the person to execute an action; together they spell the acronym C-R-E-A-T-E.
NOTE: As you review the interface design, ask whether each of these conditions is met for each small step the user needs to take (i.e., each page click and each form entry, along the way toward the final target action).
1. Cue. Something needs to start the person thinking about the action. It can be something already in the person’s daily life [figure 1 of Choose One Of Two Choices].
Android Mobile – 0.png
2. Reaction. The intuitive mind will automatically and rapidly react to the idea of taking the action. That reaction includes a basic sense about whether the action is interesting and pleasant, and it will also activate thoughts about other possible, related, ideas and actions. The product needs to get past this reaction without being rejected or having the person be distracted.
3. Evaluation. The conscious mind will evaluate the costs and benefits of the action, including the value the product provides and the frictions or other challenges in using it. That evaluation is relative, not absolute—the action must be sufficiently worthwhile and better, on net, than the other things that person is thinking about doing at that moment.
4. Ability. The person actually has to be able to act right then. Potential barriers include not knowing what to do, not having what you need to act, or feeling that you’ll fail.
5. Timing. There has to be a reason to act now, rather than doing something else that is more urgent.
TABLE 10-1 Tactics to support action on a particular page
Screen Shot 2017-04-22 at 16.44.43.png
Five processes are needed for action: a cue, an intuitive reaction, a deliberative evaluation, the ability to act, and the right timing.
Each decision to act (or not) occurs within a particular context: made up of the user, the environment, and the potential action.
Screen Shot 2017-04-22 at 16.20.54.png
The three targets of design: the action, the environment, and the user
The purpose of the design is to create a context that drives action. Products can shape each aspect of that context by:
1. Structuring the action to make it feasible and inviting for the user; [figure 2].
Clicking a Particular Mini Scenario – Each Individual Image List Format is Inviting to User and is further backed by the colour Blue
Android Mobile – C.png
2. Constructing the environment to support the action; and
Each Image is an Interactive Element
3. Preparing the user to take the action.
The Blue Coding on the Name also suggests that this is an Interactive Element – as this is the visual language/use of the Blue througout the app
The process starts by writing out the obvious steps a user would normally take to complete the action. [figure 3 customer experience map].
Customer App-01.png
NOTE: The plan can include the stages of the individual experience and also draw out the “customer types” (similar to our personas), areas of frustration and delight, and user emotions along the way.
1. Look for missing steps, especially for new users. Take the perspective of a completely new user—one who has never interacted with your product.
Are there additional steps required in the beginning (e.g., creating a new account)
2. Look for one-time steps. Take the perspective of an experienced user—one that has often interacted with your product.
Are there steps that can be skipped for experienced folks? (e.g. signing in)?
3. Note particular obstacles users face, and see if the steps can be changed to avoid those actions. (e.g. having to enter in login detail more then once)
MAKE IT “Easy”
Look for ways to combine multiple steps into one.
Four Stages of creating the Mini Scenario: both the Description & Drawing Functions in one
Android Mobile – 32.png Android Mobile – 34.png
NOTE: There is a tension between breaking the action into steps to make each one more manageable and having so many steps that it overwhelms the user.
PROVIDE “Small Wins”
In order for an action to provide a “small win,” it needs another characteristic— it must be clear to the user that the step has actually been completed. In other words, there must be a clear definition of success or failure.
The Numbers are Blackened as User Progresses Through Task
Screen Shot 2017-04-22 at 17.01.07.png
If after each small step, people feel they’ve done something, and they’re closer to finishing their goal. They are then more likely to continue.
Screen Shot 2017-04-22 at 17.03.59.png
In the agile and lean development world, user stories convey product ideas in outline form (Cohn 2010; Rubin 2012).
They are short, plain-English statements of what the user wants to do. Ideally, they also include why the user wants to do it.
App example:
As a user, I want to upload my idea, so I can share it with people and see if they agree.
User stories can come straight from the behavioural plan.
The user stories indicate what the user needs to do to get a particular job done. They are helpful because they force the product team to think about the specific actions that the user takes from the user’s perspective.
In the behaviour change space, a variety of templates have been established that can be used for mobile and online applications. Often a given product employs more than one of these templates in different parts of the application. In that sense, you can think of the templates as reusable design patterns for behaviour change that you can deploy within your app where needed (Gamma et al. 1994; Alexander et al. 1977). Each pattern provides guidelines for promoting behaviour change in a particular context.
Under the banner of behavior-change games (and serious games and games with a purpose, etc.), designers have developed games with explicit social or behavioral “lessons.” Users may play the games as part of a job requirement (as in military simulations or job training games), physical or mental therapy, or in a school context.
Whereas behaviour change games deploy full-fledged games, gamification employs aspects of game design in nongame contexts— often social rewards and elements of competition around a set of target actions (see Deterding 2011 and Zichermann and Cunningham 2012 for two perspectives on Gamification).
Rather than the antiquated idea of pushing consumers to “buy more!”, engaging users in order to generate revenue is the marketing model of the future. Simply put, engagement does not follow revenue. Instead, behind engagement, revenue follows.
SAPS: SAPS is an acronym that stands for status, access, power, and stuff. Simply put, it is a system of rewards. Conveniently, it lists each potential prize in order from the most to the least desired, the most sticky to the least sticky, and the cheapest to the most expensive.
Status: Status is the relative position of an individual in relation to others, especially in a social group. Status benefits and rewards give players the ability to move ahead of others in a defined ranking system.
Persons Score in their Profile
Screen Shot 2017-04-22 at 17.08.34.png
This ranking system does not need to be based on the real world at all—it works perfectly in a purely constructed environment.
Some examples of status items include badges and leaderboards.
Badges are a known status item. They can be given out virtually or physically. However, they must be visible to other players in the game; otherwise, their meaning and valuation is limited.
The amount of Stars the Author has In The Mini Scenario Screen
Screen Shot 2017-04-22 at 17.08.43.png
People desire badges for all kinds of reasons. For many people, collecting is a powerful drive. For game designers, badges are an excellent way to encourage social promotion of their products and services. Badges also mark the completion of goals and the steady progress of play within the system.
The player is at the root of gamification. In any system, the player’s motivation ultimately drives the outcome. Therefore, understanding player motivation is paramount to building a successfully gamified system.
A working theory for why people are motivated to play games maintains that there are four underlying reasons, which can be viewed together or separately as individual motivators:
• For mastery
• To destress
• To have fun
• To socialize
Five core levels:
1. Novice: A novice is someone who’s just arrived to the experience. It is his first minute with a new system.
2. Problem solver: Similar to a novice but with some information already in hand, a problem solver is on her way toward figuring out what is going on.
3. Expert: An expert has already started to learn how the system works. At the expert level, a player knows something that is not obvious to the casual player.
4. Master: A master believes that she truly understands the system. She believes that she is in control. She is aware of its nuances and its ins and outs.
5. Visionary: A visionary is a special kind of master. He puts himself inside the designer’s shoes. No player should be obligated or expected to progress to visionary.
NOTE: most people in the world are not yet your customers, which means they are novices and problem solvers in your system.
In gamification, we can leverage one of five point designs to form the foundation of our experience.
The points palette includes the following:
1. Experience points
2. Redeemable points
3. Skill points
4. Karma points
5. Reputation points
1. Experience points:
Of the five kinds of point systems, the most important are experience points (XP).
Everything a player does within the system will earn her XP—and, in general, XP never goes down and cannot be redeemed. XP never maxes out. A player continues to earn them as long as she plays the game. That is the power of XP.
2. Redeemable points:
The second point system is made up of redeemable points (RP). Unlike XP, RP can fluctuate. The expectation for most people is that these points are usable within the system in exchange for things. They are earned and cashed, similar to the frequent-flyer miles we redeem for awards.
3. Skill points:
The third point system is called a skill point system. Skill points are assigned to specific activities within the game and are tangential to both XP and RP. They are a bonus set of points that allow a player to gain experience/reward for activities alongside the core.
By assigning skill points to an activity, we direct the player to complete some key alternate tasks and subgoals.
The app could accommodate for this in that the more points the user acquires they can now create Prototype, Scenarios or Action Plans
4. Karma points:
Karma points are a unique system that rarely appear in classic games. The sole purpose of karma is to give points away. Often, karma points are given as part of a regular grind, or check in behaviour, for example: earn 3 karma points for every monthly check in.
5. Reputation points:
Finally, reputation points make up the most complex point system. Any time a system requires trust between two or more parties that you can’t explicitly guarantee or manage, a reputation system is key. Its purpose is to act as a proxy for trust. Integrity and consistency will be paramount.
To begin with, it’s imperative to string an XP architecture around the gamified system.
It informs you and your players about which activities are more important.
Example: Assigned Point Values
Action Point value
Explore 100 points
Comment 200 points = not relevant in this app
Join 400 points
Express 400 points
Recommend 200 points
“Join” is a once-only action, so it’s likely to be much more valuable.
“Recommend” is among the most extreme forms of player viral expression, so it is naturally weighted more heavily.
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The Nice Guy That Finishes First! – The Prisoner’s Dilemma
In our everyday world we know the expression “Nice guys finish last” and it’s closely tied to how we as individuals interact with others within the confines of society. Sure, there are rules and etiquettes that guide us toward doing the right thing, but often we find ourselves outmatched by other human competition that plays unfair and thus manages to get ahead of the ones that are fair.
I would now like to turn your attention toward an eye-opening experiment. It’s called The Prisoner’s Dilemma and it may just be what you, the nice guy, were looking for if you felt the need for some reassurance that playing by the rules, being ethical and rational will get you ahead.
In this experiment we have two people that each have a set of two cards in their hands: One has Cooperate written on it and the other Defect. There are multiple rounds where each of the two people must place only one of the two cards face-down (without the other person knowing what it is). Hence, there exist multiple outcomes to each round. For every situation we offer a reward, as such:
• Both players choose Cooperate – They both win $300
• Both players choose Defect – They both lose $10
• If one plays Defect and the other Cooperate -> The one who defected wins $500 and the one who cooperated loses $100
At this very point you are maybe wondering how could people that are nice and cooperate finish first, or in other words win. Surely the most amount of money is gained from screwing your opponent over by defecting and thus winning $500 (not to mention that you make him lose a lot of money as well).
Well let’s analyze it like this: If I were to play this game with you and I would play Defect the best option for you (in a monetary/mathematical term) would be to play Defect as well, because you would lose only $10, as opposed to your only other option which would have cost you $100.
Let’s say this time I play Cooperate, but for you the same monetary/mathematical option would remain viable – play Defect. Why? Because you win $500 and I lose $100. Your other option would be to have Cooperated as well, but that would mean that you would only get $300 and I would get the same amount. You’re surely much more interested in the $500, right?
So from the above two examples we can state that for ‘you’ the best logical move would be to play Defect, because that will earn you the most amount of money. But here is where the individual has to take a step back and think about the other individuals in the equation. You are not the only intelligent person trying to “win” in society. What would happen if I would also follow this logic when playing this game?
Take the same you and I from the previous example and let’s assume that we both know that playing Defect would constitute in the “smartest” move in order to get money. What would we get? Well if we both play Defect over and over again we would both lose $10 again and again. So it may be the smartest move when you consider it from one individual’s standpoint, but it does not work between multiple individuals who share the same knowledge.
If we have simply Cooperated we could have both won $300 instead of losing $10.
The link to “nice guys” as I have mentioned is linked to analysis done by sever scientist that calculated the total amount of money that different people scored during the experiment. People that generally are considered nice mostly started by cooperating, they were forgiving when others were trying to defect on them and were non-envious when the opponent also won money. These cooperative people scored higher than the ones that were trying to be devious and tricky defecting more often.
So the bottom line that the Prisoner’s Dilemma shows us is that cooperating with other members of society instead of trying to trick them for your own gain will have great benefits in the long run. We can see how society is actually a reflection of nature (as we have evolved from it): we see a bird that helps remove parasites from hard to reach areas of another bird and thus they both benefit by living in a helpful community, but if they do not cooperate they are easily rejected and will not receive help in the future.
From a human’s standpoint this example remains the same. While you may feel that some cutthroat or envious people may get the best of you temporarily, science shows that in the long run the persons that are altruistic and nice will definitely get ahead in life. Evolution even confers that individuals with nice behavior are more likely to integrate into society and have offsprings.
What’s your group, to tell you how you are…
Have you ever wonder why do people behave the way they do, and also why do they join some groups?
One of the answers is that people are made to live together, that’s why human kind is recognized in individual, family, group, ethnicity, society and nation. If we look around, we can observe a person style and behavior, and due to the formed stereotypes, we can associate him or her with something.
For instance, we walk on the street and there’s a man with long curly hair, leather jeans and a black T-shirt. Yes, he is a rocker. Or, we go out, in a pub, and we see a nice dressed woman, but with a bottle of vodka and Tabaco; you’d say she’s an alcoholic, but next few minutes some friends surround her. You’d say it’s her night out with her friends, right? Of course, this is how I used to do, until myself heard some rumors about me, and I could not believe, because I had an escapade then and I’m sure I am not like that- drunk-girl. Then I realized how important is to be part of a group, usually a huge one, with nice reputation and image.
So what are social groups?
Well, they appear everywhere and are a basic of human life and consist of two or more people who regularly interact and share a sense of unity and common identity. You can be part of a club, college class, workplace, sport team or church group.
There are 2 types of social groups:
Primary: those that are close-knit; typically small scale, include intimate relationships and are usually long lasting. E.g. friends from kindergarten, or nuclear family.
Secondary: these have the opposite characteristics of primary groups, as they can be small or large and are mostly impersonal and usually short term, which are typically found at work and school; sometimes these groups become pretty informal and the members get to know each other fairly well, but even so, their friendships exists in a limited context. E.g. NGO’s.
(Now I understand why the childhood friends are forever and the rest who come are temporary, until you’ve used them or they’ve used you for whatever interests.)
An issue with individual and groups might be that the others use to generalize and sometimes is harmful. For example, there’s a ‘manele’ group, and you see a very nice boy, president of some company, sitting at the table, enjoying the music. You instantly think, ‘oh, gosh, he’s so handsome, but he is ‘cocalar’,, his company may be like that as well, just because is in that entourage. I personally do not agree with this, and my advice would be to watch, think and then speak about something you find or see for the first time.
Don’t forget to be attentive of your group because it is part of your life- choose the one that suits you!
Being Awkward….
How many times did you come across social actions that embarrassed either you or the people next to you? Let’s give a few examples: Going for a hug and receiving a handshake instead; Saying goodbye to someone before the bus arrives at its station, but realizing that you have to wait another minute before it comes to a full stop so you stare at each other not knowing what to say; Forgetting someone’s name; and many other situations which we consider awkward.
So what is it about this uncomfortable feeling that exists in our society that give it so much importance? On a day-to-day basis we struggle not to fall into the pit of awkwardness. I tend to think that this knowledge about what to do or not do in public is a positive thing; in other words: Feeling awkwardness is good for society.
We have to start by thinking about social behavior, about what we, as humans, do in everyday life. With the following graph I will explain how we mold our actions and how our actions are molded by several characteristics.
Let’s look at it from the bottom up. Firstly we have the Laws of Science that are pretty self-explanatory: we, as humans, can’t fly, achieve light speed or breathe underwater. We grow hair, not feathers, are warm blooded, eat and sleep. In other words we have learned either through our instincts or through our parents that we can’t mess with physics or biology, so we act accordingly.
Another factor that shapes our behavior lies within the laws and rules of your society. We know that stealing, assault or murder are deemed illegal and, as such, present grave risks for people that undertake such actions. The risks are of course fines or prison sentences and many times outweigh the benefits. So people generally follow these conducts in society:
Now we are left with etiquette or with what some consider to be manners. These are the unwritten rules of society that mark a person as being polite or impolite. They are customs/mores/traditions that guide us towards living together without conflict. It is not illegal, for example, to chew with your mouth open, to pick your nose in public or to turn your back on somebody when they are talking, but it is considered disgraceful. The risks that are present here are not like the ones mentioned before; instead a disrespectful person hazards being shunned out by society and being labeled as being rude, annoying or gross.
At the very top of this social behavior pyramid we have awkwardness, or self-consciousness. A process that finalizes our social mold. It smooths down social dynamics in places where laws and manners do not reach. There are no rules that state how long a hug should last and nobody could point you to a custom that states a duration clearly. The process of hugging can have so many variables that only the people involved can guess when to let go. When you hug your friend for longer than they expected it certainly is not illegal or impolite, but it is awkward.
This feeling that we generally associate with something bad or undesirable is one of the factors involved in having better cooperation between individuals in a society. It is a feeling that our brains have evolved into having so that we can get nudged into avoiding certain actions and live together peacefully. As humans we learn not to put our hand in fire; As citizens we understand that it is illegal to kill somebody; As members of society we know that it’s impolite to caught in another person’s direction; and as empathetic beings we now know what to avoid doing in public thanks to awkwardness.
Special Thanks:
Vsauce, The Science of Awkwardness,
Matthew Feinberg, Robb Willer, and Dacher Keltner, Flustered and Faithful: Embarrassment as a Signal of Prosociality,
Reddit, Cringe,
Maia Szalavitz, Why Your Embarrassment Causes Me So Much Pain,
Kirsten Weir, Oh no you didn’t!,
Ethan Kross, Marc G. Berman, Walter Mischel, Edward E. Smith, Tor D. Wager, Social rejection shares somatosensory representations with physical pain,
Michael Torrice, Socially Awkward? Check Your Genes,
A mashup of individual, society and class
by Ruxi Pătrașcu
At the moment my brain is flooded by a list of misunderstood questions and mumbling voices desperately trying to point a direction. I stopped to read the previous line and my brain turned to silenzio stampa.
First part – Readings (part of them)
Class usually explain the economic distribution throughout a society, also is often underlines the inequalities. According to Wright class can be divided by 5 themes:
1. Class as a subjective location – (high-school all over again)
“Categories of class might change because of location or the historical frame(senses of economic difference of ”others”)”. Also it is collectively shared by sub-groups, can be a starting point for class analysis and it does “not depend on objective criteria but rather a lived awareness of social difference that can be traced back to economic difference”
2. Class as social position – (oh, really?!)
This one is measured by economical achievements, which will determine the standards of living. It divides class as it follows: upper class, working class, middle class. Social position is elementary measured by one’s income.
3. Class as life chance – (you don’t say)
Class becomes a predictor of one’s chance of life
4. Class as historical dimension of inequality – (I have no idea what I’m doing here)
“This dimension refers to the way in which systems of economic production allow for the extraction of profits from labour.”
5. Class as a political category – (fun was had)
The battle of two concepts of two big, bright and dead men: Marx and Weber. |
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Up Front
The President on Opportunity in America
Isabel V. Sawhill
In last week’s speech in Osawatomie, Kansas, the president argued that if you play by the rules, work hard, and exercise personal responsibility you should be able to achieve a middle class lifestyle—a home, good health care, a college education for your kids, and financial security. He noted that even before the current recession, middle class families were struggling. Most of the wealth produced by a growing economy was going to a very small portion of our citizens while everyone else had been treading water.
It is a theme that should resonate with the public. But what are the facts?
In our book, Creating an Opportunity Society, Ron Haskins and I also sounded this theme. In particular we argued for a combination of effective government programs and personal responsibility as the best way to reduce poverty and help more people join the middle class. We showed that if you did just three things—graduated from high school, worked full-time, and delayed childbearing until marriage—your chance of becoming middle class was 74 percent in 2007. By contrast, if you did only one or two of these things, your chances of joining the middle class dropped to 25 percent. We also argued that helping people climb the ladder by, for example, rewarding work was a more effective strategy than giving them unconditional assistance. And we noted that as the nation’s safety net moved away from providing welfare in the 1990s and toward making assistance conditional on work, employment rates among single mothers rose and poverty rates declined quite sharply. To be sure, a strong economy at the time helped to make this possible.
So playing by the rules helps people get ahead. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a struggle, especially in a job-deprived economy. To some extent, the deck is stacked against those who start at the bottom, even in good economic times. Various studies of social mobility find that more than two-fifths of the children of low-income parents end up with low incomes themselves. America, which prides itself on being a classless society, is not so classless after all. You need to pick your parents well, which we all know isn’t really an option. The children of more affluent parents have better home environments, live in better neighborhoods, and go to better schools. They have more opportunity to go to college, even when they are no more academically prepared, and they have connections and knowledge that give them a leg up in the job market.
In new research at Brookings we are finding that poor children who navigate the rungs of the ladder by doing well in school, avoiding risky behaviors, and getting a postsecondary degree or valuable training do just as well as their more advantaged peers. The problem is they too often fall off the ladder. This may reflect their own failure to study hard and persist in maintaining a focus on their futures. There are nagging questions, for example, about why high school dropout rates are over 50 percent in many of our major cities, why so few young men enroll in college despite its unprecedented benefits, why the great majority of community college students fail to graduate, why over 50% of births to women under 30 now occur outside of marriage, and why employment rates have plummeted among low-skilled men while rising among equally low-skilled women. At the same time, these failures also reflect a lack of social supports and a sense of futility about one’s future prospects. How depressing it must be for a high school student to see a parent working hard and earning as much in a year as those on Wall Street make in a day, to be bombarded with the lifestyles of the rich and famous on TV and maintain a focus on more modest goals like doing one’s homework, to enter a job market where earnings for the less-skilled have declined, to witness the lack of basic fairness manifested in an argument that says allowing payroll tax breaks to expire for the middle class is fine, just don’t tamper with those going to the top 2 percent.
Moreover, growing inequality is a real threat to social mobility. Some inequality is a spur to greater effort to win society’s prizes. But when the rungs of the ladder become too far apart it becomes exceedingly difficult to climb the ladder. The result? Many people stop trying. Instead of a spur to greater effort, inequality becomes a scourge that leaves a growing heap of frustrated individuals at the bottom. The data on this relationship are quite clear. Nations with less inequality have more mobility. Many of today’s U.S. elected officials grew up in modest circumstances, but that was in the 1950s and 1960s when everyone’s incomes were growing together and broadly shared prosperity was the norm.
I conclude that both sides in the debate about the role of government have exaggerated what government can do. It is neither the big problem nor the big solution. In the end, how we fare as a nation rests primarily in the hands of individuals. That doesn’t mean government has no role. The greater social mobility in other advanced countries likely reflects, in part, their more robust public sectors and smaller income gaps. The United States may not want to adopt the social welfare systems of Europe. But if Americans stop believing that anyone can make it if they stay in school, work hard, and form stable family ties; that rewards are based on merit and not connections; that government is committed to creating a level playing field; and that democracy is based on something other than well-funded special interests, then something important has been lost—the promise of opportunity at the core of the American Dream.
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- Baner
Overhead cables
Overhead cables 2
The overhead cables are the base of the development of each industrialized country. As a part of the complex network, they are a type of circulatory system supplying customers, from large industrial plants to a single household, in the necessary electrical energy. The ability to provide the required energy supply influences on the one hand on the economic development and civilisation progress, and on the other hand on the quality of life of every citizen. Therefore, the strategic purpose of each of developing country is the continuous development of the energy supplying and distributing network, whose overhead cables are its important part.
On account of the application, structure and type of the production materials, the overhead cables can be classified into three basic groups:
• bare cables to supply and distribute energy
• insulated cables to distribute energy
• cables for a railway traction
Bare cables to supply and distribute energy Overhead single- and multi-core cables insulated on a voltage of 0.6/1 kV Cables for a railway traction
Our experts will provide you with answers to any questions
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DNA double helix.
A DNA molecule is usually double-stranded, with the sugar-phosphate backbone of two polynucleotide strands on the outside of the helix.
Holding the two strands together are pairs of nitrogenous bases attached to each other by hydrogen bonds.
Adenine (A) can pair only with Thymine (T).
Guanine (G) can pair only with Cytosine (C). |
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Self Care for Colds and Flu
Larry Trivieri, the publisher of 1healthy, and the brilliant editor of Burton Goldberg's Definitive Guide to Alternative Medicine, just sent these tips to share with our blog readers. Dr. Goldberg is a member of the Biosyntrx scientific advisory board.
...As with all other disease conditions, prevention is the best way to deal with colds and flu. In this case, prevention means improving the health of your immune system so that it can swiftly respond to attacking cold and flu viruses and eliminate them before you develop any symptoms. The following recommendations can help you do so:
Eat a healthy diet that is free of sugar and artificial sweeteners, simple carbohydrates, and processed foods. Drink plenty of pure, filtered water throughout the day, and emphasize fresh, organic vegetables, especially green, leafy vegetables. During flu season, also regularly consume fresh vegetable soups, and drink fresh-squeezed vegetable juices.
Take a daily high-potency multivitamin/multimineral supplement.
Wash your hands frequently throughout the day, especially when you come in contact with people suffering from colds and flu. Also avoid rubbing your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Get adequate sleep each night.
Learn how to manage stress, and take time out for yourself each day to engage in activities you enjoy, as well as spending time with your loved ones.
Engage in regular exercise. One of the easiest and most effective exercises for all age groups is a daily 45-minute walk, which can dramatically boost NK cells and help keep your body’s lymphatic system free of toxic waste buildup. Yoga, particular the “cobra pose,” is also useful for keeping your respiratory tract healthy. To perform the cobra pose, lie on your stomach and raise your upper body backwards off the ground, bending at the waist as you inhale deeply. Hold this position for five seconds as you continue breathing. Then, as you exhale, return to your starting position. Repeat five to ten times. This exercise helps to expand your chest and lungs and can free up trapped mucus and phlegm.
Should you develop congestion in your sinuses or chest, massage your chest with menthol-based lotion or ointment (avoid products that contain petroleum) before you go to sleep. This will help clear your air pathways and increase the supply of blood to your thalamus, one of the organs that control your immune system.
Throughout the day, tap your chest over your thymus gland, located in the center of your chest approximately one inch below your collarbone. This will help to stimulate your thymus gland, which in turn will help to boost your immune function.
Self-Care Treatments
The key to treating colds and flu is to increase your body’s immune function activity. The following natural therapies can help you accomplish this goal safely and effectively.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture helps to restore your body’s supply of ATP (adenosine triphosphate, which is produced in all cells and responsible for energy) and cortisol, a hormone necessary for properly adapting to stress. Both of these results help to improve immune function. Acupuncture can also help to balance and improve digestion, endocrine gland function, and the health of the lungs, and other organs, all of which also helps your body fight off and resist cold and flu infections. In addition, acupuncture treatments can help prevent colds and flu from ever occurring.
Aromatherapy: Add any of the following essential oils to a pot of hot water: camphor, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, peppermint, pine, rosemary, or tea tree oil. Cover your head with a towel and bend over the pot, inhaling deeply.
Ayurveda: Practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine treat colds and flu by helping the body to eliminate indigestible toxins, which attract viruses and impair immune function. Among the ways that this is accomplished is through the use of herbs such as ginger, cayenne, black pepper, long pepper, and holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), all of which stimulate digestion. Patients are also advised to drink plenty of warm water throughout the day, as well as ginger tea, in order to break up mucus and phlegm. Ginger tea can easily be prepared by adding a few slices of fresh, raw ginger root to boiling water, and letting the mixture steep for 20 to 30 minutes before drinking. In cases of colds of flu accompanied by a dry cough, adding pieces of licorice root to the mixture is advised.
Another common Ayruvedic practice for treating and preventing colds and flu is the cleansing of nasal passages. This is done by filling a teapot with a quart of warm water and one teaspoon of sea salt, and then slowing pouring the water into one nostril and out the other. Doing this to both nostrils once or twice a day keeps the nostril linings moist and free of germs, and helps to open up the air pathways.
Diet: To improve your ability to resist colds and flu, emphasize fresh, organic vegetables, such as carrots, leafy greens, onions, and orange squash, that are eaten raw or lightly steamed. You can also make fresh vegetable juices and soups, which will help your body remain in a slightly alkaline state, free of over-acidity. Also be sure to drink plenty of water during the day, and avoid mucus-forming foods such as milk and dairy products, wheat, and most grains (millet and brown rice are acceptable exceptions). Also eliminate all processed foods and commercial poultry and meats, choosing organic whole foods and free-range chicken, turkey, and beef.
Herbs: Herbs have long been used by most world cultures to treat and prevent colds and flu, due to their ability to stimulate immune function, as well as their antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-catarrhal properties. Herbs that can increase immune function include astragalus, echinacea, goldenseal, licorice, and St. John’s wort. Goldenseal is also excellent for helping to reverse inflammation of the mucus membranes.
Another important herb that can protect against colds and flu is lomatium, which acts as an antiviral agent and an immune stimulant. It is particularly helpful for treating cases of the flu, often bringing about complete recovery in 24 to 48 hours. Some herbalists recommend mixing lomatium with echinacea for even better results.
Other useful herbs are boneset, which stimulates the immune system, encouraging white blood cells to destroy viruses and bacteria; elder flower, which acts as an immune stimulant, anti-inflammatory, and anticatarrhal agent; elecampane, which helps to soothe irritating coughs and bronchial infections; eyebright, which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and helps heal irritations in the nasal pharynx and the sinuses; and yarrow, which is particularly useful for colds and flu associated with fever, loss of appetite, and overall malaise.
Garlic (Allium sativum) is another excellent herbal remedy for colds and flu. For best results, take garlic in high doses at the same time as you take your nutritional supplements. High-quality deodorized garlic capsules are more effective in this regard than garlic cloves because they offer more concentrated doses of allicin, garlic’s active ingredient, which has been shown to increase immune function and to stimulate the production of flu antibodies.
According to Jonathan Wright, M.D., a leading holistic physician, the following herbal combination formula is also excellent for both colds and flu: cayenne pepper, echinacea, myrrh, osha (also known as Porter’s lovage), and red clover. This combination can be taken as a tea (3-5 cups per day) or as a tincture (30 drops of each herb, four times daily).
Homeopathy: Useful homeopathic remedies for colds and flu include Aconitum napellus, Allium cepa, Baptisia, Belladonna, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Natrum muriaticum, Nux vomica, and Viscum album (mistletoe), a homeopathic remedy that can be taken either orally or by injection.
Another popular homeopathic remedy for colds and flu is Oscillococcinum, which is widely used in Europe. For best results, at the onset of your symptoms, take six pellets dissolved under the tongue, every six hours. As with other homeopathic remedies above, avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes before and after each use.
Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy helps to strengthen the immune system and detoxify the body. For colds and flu, consider contrast hydrotherapy, which involves exposing your body to alternating hot and cold water as you shower.
Another useful approach is to make a throat or chest compress before bed. Do this by applying a warm washcloth to your throat and chest, followed by a cold cotton wrap to the same areas of your body. Cover your neck with a wool scarf and your chest with a wool sweater and go to sleep.
Hyperthermia: Hyperthermia helps to stimulate immune function and detoxification through sweating and artificial fever. This can be accomplished by using hot baths or showers, hot water compresses, or far-infrared sauna treatments. While soaking in a hot bath or in the sauna, you can enhance the benefits of hyperthermia by drinking hot tea.
(Note: Your body temperature should never be permitted to rise above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. To prevent this from happening, monitor yourself and, if necessary, cool off by sponging with cold water.)
Juice Therapy: The following juice combinations can be helpful: carrot, beet, and cucumber; carrot, beet, tomato, green pepper, and watercress; carrot and celery; carrot and spinach; and lemon, orange, pineapple, black currant, elderberry juice. For added benefit, you can include garlic, ginger, and/or onion in any of the above juice combinations.
John said...
Thank you for sharing these tips with us. Hopefully if we follow these simple rules we can all stay healthy this holiday season!
Anonymous said...
I agree with the suggestions on this list.
I also take your EpiCor every day to keep my immune system working efficiently.
Better lifestyle choices and EpiCor prevented me from coming down with my usual two to three week bout with a nasty flu bug all last winter.
I'm hoping for the same this cold and flu season.
alex c said...
I am a big advocate of Biosyntrx Macula Complete. It is a great multi support for the body. Stress is a big factor in today's society and we forget how it effects our Immunities. While traveling to Chicago this past holiday I noticed all of the bare hands touching the escalators while shopping. Would a pair of gloves help us all, during the cold season, to stay healthy?
Ellen Troyer, MT MA said...
I'm sure gloves would help, but they might make you look a bit obsessive, particularly if they are white.
Think about keeping a small container of Purell in your pocket to use (no water required) after touching shopping carts, elevator buttons and escalators.
I just returned from the market and I noticed a number of shoppers were cleaning the shopping cart handle before touching it with their bare hands.
James Waugh, MD said...
Remember that vitamin D is essential to a healthy immune system. So try to go outside at least 10 minutes a day on sunny days.
If you live in the Rust Belt or the Pacific Northwest, I suggest you supplement with at least 800 IUs of vitamin D every day.
Spencer Thornton said...
As a believer in the adage "Practice what you preach", I am a faithful user of EpiCor; and, since starting it, have not had a cold or even any lingering hint of illness, even when around people sneezing and coughing.
As suggested in your blog, many things contribute to good health and well-being, including exercise and sleep, and I've found that the immune system responds to boosters such as EpiCor and Vitamin C among other natural approaches.
A well timed blog. I hope everybody takes it seriously for a happy and healthy holiday season.
Spencer Thornton, M.D. |
Besides the clean and unclean animals division mentioned in previous articles on this blog, the Bible contains other important instructions that medical science has only recently come to understand. Moses was inspired to record that blood and fat—even of clean animals—were not to be consumed as human food (Leviticus 3:17; 7:23–26; Genesis 9:4), yet in some cultures eating blood sausage, eating “fatback” and mixing blood and milk are common practices. Just like humans, the blood of animals can contain bacteria and viruses that transmit disease. This important biblical prohibition was designed to prevent the spread of illness.
(This section is taken from Health Guide for Survival by Salem Kirban.)
In Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 are guidelines telling us what foods we should avoid. The swine, or hog, is referred to in Leviticus 11.
And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Our Creator, when He gave us bodies, gave us bodies that balanced out the body chemistry. He created energy out of anions and cations. In reading this, some will say “Yes, but these instructions were just for the people of Israel in Old Testament times. We now have the liberty to eat pork.”
But, in reality, your gastric juices, your body chemistry, is no different than those of the Israelites of some 4,000 years ago!
While we are living in the dispensation of Grace…this had to do with our spiritual life. Our human digestive tract has not changed!
Just because today’s hogs are raised on grains and in hog parlors under antiseptic conditions…the hog still presents digestive problems.
Dr. Carey Reams, a biochemist, did seven years of research before he found the answer… yet it was not the research that helped him find the answer to why we were better off obeying the instructions of Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.
Dr. Reams first discovered that the calories in beef, pork, fish or anything else per gram of lean meat are almost the same. There is very little difference here.
Dr Reams came upon this fact quite unexpectedly. He had a client who was told that he had less than a year to live. As an agricultural engineer, Dr. Reams serviced his orange grove and cattle farms.
This client told Dr. Reams: “You’ve got to help me. Medicine has failed.” Dr. Reams gave him a gram scale and told him: “I don’t care what you eat. I want you to mark down exactly what you eat on the gram scale and come in for a saliva and urine test every day at 2 o’clock.”
Through his tests, Dr. Reams came up with the unusual information that every day this client ate the unclean meats…down went the energy level! And every day that he did not eat unclean meats…the energy level began to climb.
Dr. Reams began eliminating certain foods from his diet…one by one…and to Dr. Reams’ knowledge this man is still living today!
What Dr. Reams discovered is that such unclean meats as hogs, shrimp, lobsters, clams, oysters and catfish (along with many others) produce very high energy levels. But the problem is that they expend these high energy levels very quickly!
Dr. Reams emphasizes: “You must have a time limit on it. In other words, the unclean meats digest in a period of 3 hours. The clean meats require about 18 hours. What this means is that the energy in pork and other unclean meats in released in 3 hours instead of 18.”
Why would it be bad for these meats to digest so quickly…in 3 hours?
It is bad because, according to Dr. Reams’ thinking,
It’s like putting high test gasoline, such as aviation fuel, in a motor that’s not built for it!
With the way we live today, such quick energy tends to burn out our system…causing many physical problems.
We may eat these high energy meats for years and appear seemingly healthy, but this continued abuse of our body one day surfaces into a serious terminal disease!
Dr. Reams found that even people who do hard work such as construction workers and farmers, in many cases, come in to see him with serious problems…even though they expend a great deal of energy in their work. He states that even some people 30 and 35 years of age look like they are 70 or 75 because of in discretionary eating habits.
He adds, we take these people off the unclean meats, teach them what to eat and in 6 months they look younger than their years!
How many people today are eating “minus” foods which may eventually lead them to an early grave? –by Salem Kirban
So, to conclude, for more details on what the LORD prefers we eat for health, CLICK HERE
One Response to “How One Scientist Views Unclean Meats”
1. Hector says:
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Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Open Loop Geothermal
Open Loop Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
Open loop geothermal heating and cooling systems use either a surface or underground water source as a heat source in the winter and a heat sink in the summer.
Conventional air source heat pumps and air conditioners must use air as the heat source or sink. The outside air temperature is high in the summer and low in the winter, which is counter-productive to cooling and heating respectively.
This is why geothermal systems operate so much more efficiently than air source systems. Depending on location the temperature of ground water is typically 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and stays stable throughout the year making it a great heat sink in the summer and a good heat source in the winter. Additionally, water has a heat capacity 4 times that of air, so not as much volume is needed to provide the heating or cooling needed as with an air source system.
Open loop systems tend to be slightly more economical than closed loop geothermal systems because they typically require less drilling, excavating, and pipe work, especially if an existing well is used for the open loop. Open loop systems also operate a little more efficiently than closed loop systems. Open loop systems do require periodic cleaning and maintenance that costs more than the maintenance on a closed loop system, but usually open loops are more economical overall even with the maintenance factored in.
Sources of Water for Open Loop Systems
Typical water sources include wells, ponds, lakes, rivers, etc. In many areas use of surface water is prohibited or requires an extensive and costly permitting process, so wells tend to be the most common water source.
As a rule of thumb most systems require around 2.0 gpm per ton (12,000 Btu/hr) of heating or cooling required, whichever is higher. This requirement can vary from 1.5 to 3.0 gpm per ton depending on water temperature, heat pump efficiency, and design conditions. It is important that there is enough water available annually at the site to achieve the required flow rates and to take into account any anticipated changes to either the system size or the water supply.
Some jurisdictions have a limit on ground water usage that may be prohibitive to installing an open loop geothermal system, but in cases where the limit is only marginally exceeded a pressure tank can be installed to boost flow rates during times of peak flow. Many heat pumps have multiple stages or are modulating, so the peak flow rate is only required when the system is operating at 100%, which only happens occasionally in a staged system.
Water quality is also an important factor when evaluating a source for an open loop system. Water that is very alkaline or full of minerals can cause heavy scaling on the heat exchanger, leading to increasingly poor performance over time. Some scaling is expected for most systems and can be removed every 1 to 3 years using an acid wash. This periodic maintenance has to be performed by a qualified technician because specialized pumps and strong acid are involved. If the water PH is less than 7.5 and contains less than 100 ppm calcium descaling can be performed less often or not at all.
In addition to a water source there also needs to be a place to discharge the water. Typically this is accomplished by drilling an additional well for discharge only. In some instances the water can be discharged into a lake, pond, or river or even used as irrigation water. The possibilities will depend on the water regulations for the area.
When dealing with local or regional water regulatory agencies it can be helpful to remind them that open loop geothermal systems are non-consumptive, meaning they don’t deplete the water supply used if the supply and discharge come from the same source. They do, however, change the temperature of the water which could be of concern for fragile ecosystems that may inhabit the water source. This is not a concern for underground water sources, but may come into play for surface water sources.
Geothermal heating and cooling systems tend to be more reliable than conventional heat pumps and air conditioners. This is because the heat pump itself is located indoors and is exposed only to water of a known and consistent quality. Traditional systems are always at least partially exposed to the outside elements, so compressors go out more regularly and the heat exchanger coils are subject to harmful corrosion. Most equipment carries at least a 10 year warranty. In an open loop system the water loop is just as reliable as your domestic water well. The only things that can go wrong are the pump breaking down (easily replaceable) or the well drying up.
Equipment Manufacturers and Performance Rating
Open loop geothermal systems use the same heat pumps as closed loop geothermal systems and can be adapted to both residential and commercial applications. A selection of heat pump manufacturers offering both residential and commercial products is shown below:
• ClimateMaster
• Florida Heat Pump
• GeoComfort
• Econar
• Water Furnace
Geothermal heat pumps are subject to standardized testing to determine heating and cooling performance. For cooling heat pumps receive an EER (energy efficiency ratio) in the units BTUs Out/Watts In. For heating the COP (coefficient of performance) is specified and is a unitless value (Watts Out/Watts In). To receive an EnergyStar rating (required for federal incentives) a heat pump must meet requirements set by the EPA and DOE. To view the requirements currently in place and new requirements for 2011 click here.
Costs and Financial Incentives
Although a geothermal heating system costs more initially than a traditional system there are many incentives available to subsidize the initial cost of installing a geothermal heating and cooling system. The federal government offers a 30% tax credit with no maximum for residential heat pumps installed after 2008. Just make sure the heat pump you decide on meets the minimum qualifications for the EnergyStar program.
There are also state and/or local incentive programs that may be available in your area. To find out which rebates or incentives you qualify for visit: http://www.dsireusa.org/ and click on your state.
With the combination of incentives and lower monthly heating and cooling costs most systems pay for themselves in 3-7 years.
Taking the Next Step
Geothermal systems can be retrofitted to existing buildings or integrated into new construction. Each system is unique in many ways and requires attention to design details that can only be provided by an experienced designer.
A geothermal system can use an open well water loop, an open surface water loop, a closed vertical, horizontal or slinky loop, or a closed loop submerged in a pond. Inside the house the system can heat and cool using forced air, radiant heating, or a combination of the two. It can also provide some or all of the domestic water heating required for a building. Each building and site have their own requirements and considerations that must be taken into account when designing a geothermal system.
If you’re ready to see what a geothermal heating system could do for your home or business visit Energy-1 for experienced advice from initial concept development and design through installation and post-installation sevices.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Fuel Cell Applications
A fuel cell is a device used to create electricity using Ultra Pure Hydrogen producing water and heat as byproducts. Due to the difficulty of storage and transportation of hydrogen the market demand has been shifted to adapt to natural gas as a fuel source. The down side of using fossil fuels is the CO2 byproduct, however compared to competing technologies (ie: traditional generators), fuel cells emit dramatically less green house gases. Fuel cells also have the advantage of having no moving parts in the fuel cell stack, so there is less maintenance required and greater reliability. Lastly, fuel cells are more efficient than traditional generators, meaning it costs remarkably less to make more electricity giving the user a quicker payback on initial investment. The best generators powered by internal combustion engines produce electricity with a staggering 20% peak efficiency. Fuel cells produce electricity at 60% efficiency which is 3 times more productive than the top of the line generator. When combining heat and power technology fuel cells can be up to 90% efficient.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
The most promising fuel cell technology for residential and small commercial applications is combined heat and power or CHP. A CHP Fuel Cell captures the heat that fuel cells create and uses it to heat your home, water, swimming pool, etc. So not only can you supply your electricity, you can also supply heat using the same piece of equipment. Residential fuel cells for CHP applications typically have electrical outputs of around 5kW and can produce enough heat to cover the demand of a large residence.
CHP Fuel Cells operate as long as there is a need for heat, so large homes in cooler climates are the most well-suited applications. Other prime candidates include homes with heated pools or hot tubs, where the heat generated can be used to heat the water. Fuel cells can also be used to make sure you always have power to critical electronics or refrigeration needs that you may have. This is of great concern in areas where grid power is unreliable and inconsistent.
How Do Fuel Cells Work?
In short there are three phases. In the first phase of a fuel cell Natural Gas is converted into an Ultra Pure Hydrogen with a carbon dioxide byproduct.
The second phase converts the hydrogen into usable energy. The hydrogen is split using a catalyst into protons and electrons. The hydrogen protons travel through the PEM membrane and join oxygen molecules on the other side to create water.
The electrons cannot travel through the membrane and are forced to travel around the membrane through an electric circuit. These electrons traveling through the circuit create DC electricity.
The final phase converts the DC electricity into a 110 AC power thru a process using an inverter. Inverters are also used in solar electric and wind applications.
Using a fuel cell that operates on natural gas will yield an electricity cost of about $.06 per kWh while power from the utility company costs about $.12 per kWh. The savings coupled with the Government tax credits help to offset the initial cost of purchasing a fuel cell.
They are proven in commercial applications, but what about residential?
In the United States fuel cells in the 1 to 10 kW range are an emerging market. Currently there are few options available to the general consumer, but rapid development is underway. It looks like the first fuel cells to become more widely available in the US are PEM fuel cells. PEM fuel cells operate on natural gas with electrical conversion efficiencies in the 30 to 40% range. Their total efficiencies with heat recovery can be up to about 90%. There seem to be three major companies that are leading the way in the US for residential fuel cells. Clear Edge and Plug Power both have fuel cells operating in the field, but availability seems to be limited.
Closely following the PEM cells will be solid oxide fuel cells. This type of cell has more fuel flexibility and can be configured to run on LPG (propane) as well as natural gas. SOFCs can have up to around 60% electrical conversion efficiency, but the total efficiency is still about 90% when used in a CHP configuration.
For updates on residential fuel cell applications stay tuned to the blog. If you have questions about fuel cells or other alternative energy solutions for your home or business don't hesitate to contact Energy-1.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Ground Source Heat Pumps
What is a ground source heat pump?
How do ground source heat pumps work?
Ground source heat pumps can be categorized as having closed or open loops, and those loops can be installed in three ways: horizontally, vertically, or in a pond/lake. The type chosen depends on the available land areas and the soil and rock type at the installation site. These factors will help determine the most economical choice for installation of the ground loop.
GSHPs are a cost effective, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly way of heating and cooling buildings. Both the DOE and the EPA have endorsed the technology. GSHPs reliably deliver quality air-conditioning and heating, on demand, in every season. GSHPs are appropriate for new construction as well as retrofits of older buildings. Their flexible design requirements make them a good choice for schools, high-rises, government buildings, apartments, and restaurants--almost any commercial property. Lower operating and maintenance costs, durability, and energy conservation make Ground Source Heat Pumps the smart choice for commercial applications.
Ground Source Heat Pumps offer great benefits:
Simultaneously heat & cool different parts of the same building
Very quiet--users do not know when the system is operating
Can be set up in multiple zones, with each zone having an individual room control
Greater freedoms in building design due to 50-80% less mechanical room space
No outside equipment to hide, eliminating vandalism and roof top units
Pipes have 50-year life expectancy
All electric, which eliminates multiple utility services
Expel boiler and chiller maintenance
Ground heat exchanger is maintenance free and will last 40+ years
GSHPs offer great savings:
Very competitive on initial costs and lower lifecycle costs than most HVAC systems.
Savings of 25-50% on energy consumption in new construction
Lower peak demand, lowering your operating costs
Water heated with waste heat from air conditioning at no cost in the summer and at substantial savings in the winter
Some utilities offer rebates or incentives to their customers who purchase GSHPs.
The above information was derived from the IGSHPA (International Ground Source Heat Pump Association). In the next few weeks we will discuss the different methods of GSHP and a few examples of Hybrid systems (combining GSHP with other mechanical systems). For additional information regarding GSHPs please contact Energy 1.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Photovoltaics (Solar Panels)
Solar Panels or Photovoltaics have the ability to harness the suns immense energy and convert it into electricity. This is most commonly achieved by using cells manufactured using one of several types of silicon. These cells are arranged in panels which are then in turn arranged together in groups referred to as strings or arrays. These arrays are placed together to gain the optimal balance between space and sizing for a desired output. The largest photovoltaic plant in the world can generate up to 60 megawatts of electricity, or enough to electricity to supply the demand of 40,000 homes. Yet the smallest systems power your standard hand held calculator. The possibilities are truly endless.
Many have found that solar panels can be the ideal option for providing power to homes or businesses. A system can be sized to provide all of your electrical requirements or desired portion. Generating your own energy can also provide the security of knowing you will not be without power when the grid goes down, and it is less wasteful and harmful to the environment than using energy from the utility company. An additional benefit is once the initial investment is paid back your electricity is produced at no cost. Many people chose to add solar panels as a statement rather than an investment. Whatever your interest may be photovoltaics may be your solution. So what are some things to consider when pondering using photovoltaics? Let’s look at the installation of a system on a residence to get an idea of the process.
First, there are several options regarding the type of system you may choose to install. The three main types are grid-tied (connected to your local utility), independent or a grid-tie with battery backup.
Grid-tied systems make up the majority of installations. These systems feed energy to the home first, and whatever the house doesn’t use goes back into the electrical grid. When the panels are not producing energy the home is powered by electricity from the utility company. For this system to work, the utility company that supplies the house must provide net metering. Net metering means that the power meter for the house literally runs backwards when it’s being supplied by the solar panels. This allows the owner of the house to save on the monthly power bill. This type of system also uses the least equipment, so it results in the quickest payoff of your investment.
An independent system is completely local with no connection to the grid. This type of system requires storage of the energy generated by the panels for use when the sun is not shining. This is usually done using batteries. Batteries are an expensive addition to the system, so candidates for an independent system are usually those that are in mountainous or remote areas that are far away from utility lines. The high cost of connecting such homes to grid power makes the cost of batteries very reasonable in comparison.
Lastly, it’s possible to have a grid-connected system that also has battery storage to provide electricity in the event of a power outage. Such a system would be a luxury for most home-owners and would not be worth the extra cost financially speaking, but for some the added security of knowing you will never be without power is worth it.
The next decision to make is to choose the optimal panel and desired mounting location. Panels that double as roof tiles are available for a truly integrated look, but the more economical option for retrofit applications would be separate panels that you can mount on the roof or at a remote location a little ways away from the house. For a sloped rooftop installation you will want to use the portion of the roof that faces south for the best efficiency from the panels (if you’re in the northern hemisphere that is). The optimum angle for the solar panels varies with the latitude of the location, but oftentimes it would require additional mounting hardware to achieve this angle. In some cases the best option is to mount the panels directly on the roof. Many sloped roofs are close enough to the optimum angle that not much efficiency is lost by mounting the panels at the same angle. If the roof is flat, however, it is better to use frames that provide for the optimum angle of tilt. For the best efficiency and most power output a solar tracking mount can adjust the panel to the optimum angle of tilt and rotation (for a dual-axis tracker) or just the best angle of tilt (single-axis tracker). Remote installations can use either a fixed mount or a tracker as well.
With the type of system and type of panel chosen it’s time to move on to the other required equipment. The electrical current that a PV panel generates is DC (direct current). Most modern household appliances and electrical accessories are designed to run on AC (alternating current) power. To switch the power from DC to AC an inverter is needed. Depending on the system, other components include batteries, AC and DC switches, a charge controller, and various other miscellaneous parts.
Although photovoltaics can seem rather expensive to purchase and install, incentives are available that can help to subsidize the initial costs resulting in reasonably short payoffs in many cases. Most installations will require a knowledgeable engineer to perform a site analysis, feasibility study, and design of the system as well as a licensed electrician to install the system. An improper installation can cut your panels ability to produce electricity. The shadow of an exhaust pipe can lower your output by as much as 50% on a roof mounted system. Energy-1 can provide all of the above and answer any other questions you may have about photovoltaics or any other renewable energy solution for your home or business.
Photovoltaics can be a great way to provide your house with electricity, but what about heating and cooling? Check back in a week or so for the basics of geothermal heating and cooling.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Solar Thermal
Over the coming weeks I’ll be discussing a number of renewable energy technologies that can be applied to your home or business in order to save on energy costs and reduce the carbon footprint of your building. The topic for next two weeks will be solar power. When most people think of solar power they think of photovoltaic panels that turn energy from the sun directly into electricity. We’ll be going over that next week. What we’re looking at today is solar thermal energy.
What is Solar Thermal Energy?
Solar thermal energy refers to the process of using the sun’s energy to heat something up. The heat can be used to provide hot water for residential or commercial use, space heating using radiant floors or panels, or converted to electrical power via a turbine. The focus of this entry will be solar thermal for hot water and space heating because these topics are of the most interest to a building owner looking to incorporate some renewable energy.
What goes into a solar hot water system?
A solar hot water system uses a solar collector that heats a fluid which is either used directly (if the fluid is water) or is used in a heat exchanger to heat water. Water can generally only be used in warm climates where freezing is not a worry. In these situations a flat plate collector is used. The flat plate collector is basically an insulated box with a clear glass or plastic top that has a dark colored copper or aluminum absorber plate connected to a series of pipes that water flows through. The sun heats up the absorber plate which heats up the water pipes and the water itself, while the box prevents heat from escaping to the environment. A flat plate system with water as the fluid can be used to heat a pool or to provide domestic hot water for the home.
In cooler climates a solar thermal system can still be very effective, but a different fluid is needed to prevent freezing. Generally a mixture of glycol and water is used. This fluid can be used in flat plate collectors, or evacuated tube collectors. Evacuated tube collectors have one larger tube with a smaller tube inside of it in which there is a fluid. The space between the tubes is vacuum-sealed to provide near-perfect insulation, so the radiant energy heats the fluid and the heat cannot escape. The heated fluid rises to a manifold at the top of the tubes through which the glycol mixture is being pumped. The heat from the fluid inside the tubes is transferred to the glycol mixture. The glycol then goes through another heat exchanger that heats pure water.
The water that is heated can be used directly for domestic or commercial use, or it can be used to heat your home using radiant floor heating, radiant panels, or a forced air system. Regardless of the use, a system usually incorporates a pump, one or more heat exchangers, and a tank to store hot water. Specification of the components and layout of the system should be performed by a qualified Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineer.
Images courtesy of the U.S. DOE: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/sh_basics_collectors.html
How long will it take to pay for itself?
Generally solar thermal collectors are cheaper to buy and install than photovoltaic panels, but a detailed technical and economical analysis is needed to determine how long it will take for energy savings to exceed installation costs. Some things to take into account are:
· The solar resources available which depends on latitude, local climate, cloud cover, and shading.
· The efficiency of the solar collector which depends on the collector itself, the fluid to be used, orientation, and placement.
· Cost of equipment purchase and installation.
· Incentives that may be available through federal, state, and local governments as well as utility companies.
Energy 1 is a company that can provide a feasibility study that takes all of this into account and provides you with the information you need to know like savings on your monthly energy costs, payback period, installation costs, etc. They can also provide feasibility studies for photovoltaics, wind energy, micro-hydro, cogeneration, and geothermal energy.
If you aren’t concerned with detailed economic analysis and would like to “jump right in” you should still be aware of the incentives available to offset the cost of your project. Energy 1 can give you a comprehensive break down on Federal, State and Local tax grants and incentives. In most cases this can give a residential application a payback in less than 7 years.
How can I get a Solar Hot Water system for my building?
Need a hand installing your system? For an easy no-headache installation Energy 1 can do a feasibility study, provide the design, install the system, and provide routine maintenance on your installed system. Or call (406) 587-2917.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Energy 1 is committed to the comprehensive development, integration and installation of renewable energy systems; employing the latest technologies in geothermal, solar electric, solar thermal, wind and mini hydro‐electric applications. Our team of engineers and specialty service providers allows for seamless delivery, from initial concept to installation to post commission performance tracking.
We believe our process ensures the most proficient solutions are attained, producing an end product that is cost effective, feasible and effectively integrated into the building and site.
Energy 1, based in Bozeman MT, was founded by a team of engineers to fulfill a niche that was clearly missing from companies offering sustainable energy solutions.
Energy 1 is a “full service” renewable energy solutions provider.
Our team has, collectively, over 50 years of experience designing, developing, installing and servicing renewable energy systems. Today, we are one of the few specialty firms that provide multi-tiered, fully integrated systems. Our core team allows for a seamless transition from concept to delivery, providing critical early involvement to ensure the most appropriate system is employed, and proficiently integrated into the building and site. |
Transportation is Part of Production
Transportation, which plays a central role in trade because of its ecological impact, is treated by ENL as an element of production, not distribution.
Distribution is a social act — the assignment of final outputs to the individuals who will consume them through markets, charity, etc.
Transportation is instead a physical act that moves intermediate outputs to production facilities and final outputs to the sphere of consumption. Distribution cannot begin until these acts are complete.
ENL thus considers transportation to be the final stage of the production process. This treatment has several implications for value and cost.
Most importantly, transportation increases the input cost of production. There is currently no way to escape the high natural costs associated with the trucks, trains, ships, and planes that move outputs between regions and then to their final destinations.
The pollution, accidents, and stress-inducing noise associated with all modes of transportation are well-known and need no elaboration here. The input cost of exports thus includes the significant natural costs, as well as any labor costs, associated with transportation.
Another effect of transportation relates to output losses. If a cargo ship that is loaded with furniture sinks, or if a truck's refrigeration fails and its load of produce is spoiled, the production of these final outputs is effectively negated and the output's potential gains are reduced. Such losses decrease production efficiency.
If intermediate outputs are lost in transportation, the input cost incurred in their production is squandered. This will increase the per-unit input cost of the final outputs with which they are associated.
A third possible effect of transportation is to decrease potential value rather than negating it outright. Perishable foods often degrade while being stored for transportation, or during transportation itself.
In addition, foods are frequently grown, genetically modified, or chemically treated in ways that permit them to survive long trips without causing either real or visible damage. This is certainly true for tomatoes, many varieties of which have been bred for firmness and transportability rather than for flavor and health benefits.
In many cases the nutritional value, and hence the potential value, of such outputs declines significantly through the transportation process. To simplify the discussion, this effect is ignored in this section.
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New Strategies and Techniques
"There Oughta Be A Law"
There needs to be a process whereby the public can initiate a process to introduce popular legislation with legal input on Constitutional issues. One option would be to create a site for each registered voter to sign in, be verified and get a numbered account. At that site, somewhat similar to this one, new legislation could be proposed that would also be sent to their Congressional representatives, and then voted on in each category. Once an idea reached a certain level of votes it would have to be considered, given a fair legal review, and then proposed into the legislative process and not held up in Committees endlessly. Such popular legislation should then be made available for all voters to consider, with public television access for full debate, and legal input on Constitutionality, and the voted up or down either by referendum or by the method mentioned earlier, giving the public voters just as many votes in Congress in both Houses as there are current Members. 100 in the Senate and 435 in the House. These votes would be divided proportionate to the referendum votes in each state and would count along with the representative votes in passage or failure of each new law.
41 votes
Idea No. 1209 |
The Big Government Virus
Monday, July 30, 2012
A biological virus is defined, according to as: "an ultramicroscopic metabolically inert, infectious agent that replicates only within the cells of living hosts, mainly bacterial, plants, and animals composed of an RNA or DNA core, a protein coat, and, in more complex types, a surrounding envelope." A computer virus is defined as "a segment of self-replicating code planted illegally in a computer program, often to damage or shut down a system or network."
There is a new type of virus known as BGV (The Big Government Virus). This is a virus that combines the maliciousness of a computer virus with the heartbreaking reality of a biological virus. BGV is similar to a computer virus in that it is caused by people and planted in hosts with purposeful intent. It is similar to a biological virus in the way it replicates itself in the body politic.
There is no cure for BGV. There is no treatment, antibiotic, or anti-virus software that will remove it once it takes hold. The virus reproduces itself on a geometric scale. The best way of dealing with this treacherous disease is to prevent it from infecting the host in the first place. Like all viruses, BGV is a parasite that needs to feed off of a living host in order to survive and spread.
The good news is that BGV is completely preventable. It requires education from a young age and continuing vigilance throughout a person's life but as long as people are aware of the warning signs, they can prevent the infection from contaminating them and their neighbors.
Schools have started many education programs for the prevention of viruses such as AIDS. They have handed out condoms to young children and explained to these young kids how to have sex so that it is less risky. Now with this new wicked virus, young children will need to be educated to how BGV works, how it spreads and how it can be prevented.
Like many viruses, at first BGV seems harmless. Its danger is in its deceptive nature. It often fools people into thinking that it is beneficial. This is why education of BGV is so important. People first need to identify carriers of the virus. There are people who knowingly carry this virus and purposely spread it to others. Most of these people are democrat politicians. The virus works thusly:
A democrat politician such as Barack Obama will say something such as "The rich need to pay their fair share". This is the entry point of BGV. Taxes then get raised. At this point the BGV bug takes hold. People will naturally try to prevent giving their hard earned money to the government. They may try to put it in tax shelters. So, a new government agency needs to be created in order to monitor the economic activity of citizens. A certain amount of freedom is lost as this new agency tells people how and where they can invest their money.
This new agency costs money as well. Hundreds of new IRS agents need to be hired. Therefore, the raising of taxes has an expense associated with it as a portion of the new taxes has to go into paying for the new agency.
Then the people who have to pay the extra taxes have to change their plans. Not having the money to invest the way they want, they have to cancel certain expenditures. A person planning to buy a BMW puts those plans off until the economic situation is better. Other people do the same. Soon there is extra inventory at BMW. Sales people are let go as cars are not selling.
The sales people who are let go from BMW file for unemployment. Now, instead of the government receiving taxes from all those BMW sales people, the government has to pay them unemployment checks. So the extra revenue from raising taxes now has another bill associated with it. There are less people paying taxes because less people are working and not only are there less tax payers, but the government goes from receiving money from those people to PAYING money to those people.
The trucking companies that deliver BMW cars, the mechanics that repair them, the suppliers who supply the steel, computer components, electrical equipment, and leather for the seats all let people go because demand is so low. Now the unemployment rate is really starting to rise and in an act of compassion, the unemployment insurance period is increased by six months which causes government to pay out even more money.
Now the BGV illness has completely infected the body politic. People have less money because the government is confiscating more and more. In addition, the government is telling them how and where they can invest the money they are allowed to keep. This loss of freedom and individual wealth is not offset by any gains in government revenue because whatever new money the government hoped to obtain is paid out in new expenses that didn't exist before the tax increase.
This is only the beginning of the damage caused by the BGV virus. Not only is there a bunch of new expenses, but there isn't any new economic growth. A person who was planning to create an extra room in his home puts those plans off because after paying the extra taxes, he doesn't have enough money left. The construction firm that would have gotten the job and would have paid taxes on it now pays no taxes and goes out of business because no one else is adding rooms to their homes either.
The insidious virus is now in full replication mode. Politicians see the infection spreading but instead of trying to treat it, they perpetuate it with more of the same. With unemployment levels skyrocketing and debt growing, the politicians decide to create new government jobs. The people who do these jobs go off of unemployment but their very salary is still paid by other tax payers! These jobs cost money and produce little. In addition, the people who do these jobs become dependent on the very system that gave them the jobs in the first place. A vicious cycle begins as the people who work for the government become permanent perpetuators of the BGV disease!
With all the new government jobs, there is no innovation by individuals. People who may have come up with inventions and ideas that could improve the lives of others don't have the money to invest. There is no entrepreneurialism because not only do people lack the money to invest but they also know that even if they manage to scrape up the money, come up with a great idea, work hard and have success, they still won't get to keep the fruits of their hard work! Soon people become dependent on other countries for products because the cost of producing them here and taking risks versus the potential rewards becomes prohibitive.
At this point the BGV germs are circulating all through the body politic. The infection is severe. Debt and unemployment are high. Individual freedom is in danger. There is no growth in the economy. Opportunities are few and innovation is null. So what do the politicians do? They ask to raise taxes again! This is similar to an endless loop in the worst computer virus. A loop is a piece of computer code that repeats itself over and over until some condition is finally met to stop it. But with another rise in taxes, there is no exit to the loop as it repeats again and again while doing more damage each time it runs through. The patient, already infected with a severe case of BGV, will not survive if the loop continues to run.
Awareness of diseases is important. People have cancer walks and AIDS walks in order to prevent the spread of diseases and raise consciousness. They remind people to see doctors and get checked for breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer. The time has come for a BGV walk to create awareness and to put a definitive end to this horrific epidemic. It is now time to educate the public to the scourge known as the BGV (Big Government) virus. This self perpetuating disease has always been around in one form or another. It can be reasonably argued that this disease has caused more death and destruction than any other. The infection rate has, hitherto, been kept in check in the United States. Now the country is in danger of a BGV epidemic. It must be stopped.
By Howard Jacobs |
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
St Cuthbert's Cross
In “The Legend of the Durham Dun Cow” I recounted the tale of how the city of Durham was supposedly founded in 995 AD by a band of wandering monks with some help from a long-dead saint and a lost cow. The saint in question was St Cuthbert, who spent his life as a monk on the island of Lindisfarne. Cuthbert died in 687 AD and 11 years after his death, his corpse was found to be miraculously preserved. His tomb soon became a place of pilgrimage and was linked to a number of further miracles which eventually led to Cuthbert’s canonisation.
The monks of Lindisfarne left the island in 875 AD taking Cuthbert’s remains with them, having been driven out by over 80 years of ongoing Viking raids. The monks, along with Cuthbert’s remains, wandered the north of the country (predominantly Northumbria and Scotland, but also going as far south as Ripon) stopping at a number of temporary homes until 995 AD when they finally settled in what is modern day Durham.
It is because of these wanderings that a number of locations in the north of the country have become linked with the remains of St Cuthbert, and there are a number of churches in the region dedicated to the saint.
Having read about the legend of St Cuthbert and the wanderings of his remains, from their original home on the east coast of England, I was recently surprised to find a memorial to St Cuthbert on the west coast in the Lancashire seaside town of Lytham. On Church Road in front of the playing field there is a stone cross by the side of the road which bears a metal plaque. The plaque reads "According to ancient tradition the body of St Cuthbert about the year 882 once rested here."
Whether St Cuthbert’s remains actually did travel from Lindisfarne to Lytham is unclear, as all of the popular re-tellings of this tale that I have read do not seem to include a visit to the west coast. But the locals of Lytham clearly seem to believe this legend and unsurprisingly the nearby church is also dedicated to St Cuthbert!
St Cuthbert's cross in Lytham; did St Cuthbert's body once stop here in 882 AD on its journey from Lindisfarne to Durham?
Pictures: Lancashire (November 2015).
Saturday, 21 November 2015
Seville’s Post-Apocalyptic Future
The below photos show what looks to be an abandoned post-apocalyptic science fiction landscape, with weeds and decay slowly encroaching upon a futuristic building, a communications satellite dish and a rocket. This bizarre landscape can be found on the outskirts of the Spanish city of Seville on La Isla de La Cartuja. Despite its appearance the site is not an abandoned set of a science fiction movie, but is instead part of what remains of the Universal Exposition of Seville, also known at Expo 92. Expo 92 opened in April 1992 and ran for 6 months, attracting nearly 42 million visitors. The aim of the exposition was to celebrate the modern age and offer blueprints for the future, hence the science fiction feel. Over one hundred countries were represented at the event, with some of them sponsoring massive pavilions. Some of the biggest eye-catchers included Japan’s Pavilion (at the time, the world's largest wooden structure) and the Spanish Pavilion which included a modernistic cube and a huge sphere.
The facilities and Pavilions were all planned to be temporary and demolished in the months that followed the exposition, however only some of them were. Some of the facilities and Pavilions were converted for other uses and some of them were left to decay. The post-apocalyptic science fiction landscape pictured below is what remains of the “Plaza of the Future” - a vision of the future envisaged back in 1992.
The Plaza of the Future.
The Plaza of the Future overgrown and left to decay. Views of its original grandeur can be found here, here and here
The "Seville rocket", a replica of the European Space Agency's Ariane Four launch system, which graces the Plaza of the Future.
The biosphere - this huge sphere was used to spray micro-fine jets of water to cool visitors to the exposition.
The colourful tower hiding in the background is the European Pavilion, to see it in all its glory look here.
Pictures: Seville, Spain (November 2014).
Sunday, 8 November 2015
A Bell that came to a Mysterious End
Knowlton is a hamlet in Dorset, on the B3078, which is home to a ruinous 12th century Norman church. What makes the church remarkable is not its ruinous state, but the fact that is was constructed within the earthworks of a much older Neolithic henge monument (circa 2,500 BC).
The Knowlton site is home to three Neolithic henges. The henge in which the church resides is known as “Church Henge”. It is the best preserved of the three with the banks and ditches of the henge still visible. Church Henge has a broadly circular footprint and a maximum diameter of an impressive 106m. The other two henges (the “North Circle” and the “South Circle”) have been mostly destroyed over the years by ploughing or by being bisected by the nearby B3078! The North and South Circles can however still be discerned by the tell-tale marks in the crops, which can be readily seen in aerial photographs. The Knowlton site is also known to have been home to at least 35 barrows (burial mounds), the largest being known as the Great Barrow. The Great Barrow is of late Neolithic or early Bronze Age vintage and is the largest barrow in Dorset, measuring in at 40m in diameter and 6m in height. The Great Barrow would have originally been surrounded by two concentric ditches, but again these have been ploughed into obscurity.
This large concentration of barrows points towards Knowlton being an important Pagan religious centre. The prominence of Knowlton in the Pagan landscape is likely to be the reason why the church was built where it was – a Christian attempt to assimilate the Pagans into their religion. This assimilation is unlikely to have just included the local Pagan population, the standing stones that would have once adorned the Neolithic henge were most likely broken up and used in the construction of the new church.
The chancel and nave of the church at Knowlton date from the 12th century. Further additions and improvements were made to the church over its history, with the latest addition being the north aisle which was added to the church in the 18th century. The church remained in use until the late 18th century when the roof of the building collapsed and the church was eventually abandoned to ruin.
Most unusual ancient locations tend to have an associated local legend, and Knowlton Church is no different. At some point in the church’s history its bell is said to have gone missing. Some suggest that the bell was stolen by thieves who, finding it hard to make off with the bell, eventually abandoned their plans and dumped the bell into the River Stour. The residents of Knowlton apparently tried to recover the bell from the river, but ultimately failed. Others suggest that the stolen bell found its way to another nearby church, perhaps nearby Shapwick or Sturminster Marshall. Even stranger, one legend suggests that the bell was stolen by the Devil, who threw the bell into the River Allen and thwarted all attempts by the locals to retrieve it.
Whatever the truth, the legend surrounding the loss of the Knowlton bell was immortalised in the rhyme: "Knowlton bell is stole; And thrown into White Mill hole; Where all the devils in hell; could never pull up Knowlton Bell."
Pictures: Dorset (May 2015).
Sunday, 25 October 2015
The Great Flood of 1841
People who live outside of Wiltshire will probably have never heard of the Great Flood of 1841, which saw extensive flooding across parts of Salisbury Plain and the destruction of many homes in the surrounding villages.
The flood occurred in January 1841 and was triggered by an extremely wet autumn followed by a period of heavy snow across Salisbury Plain. Snow which fell onto solidly frozen ground. On the 13th January the snow covering the plain began to melt and because the ground remained frozen the water could not soak into the ground. This melt water began to flow down the valleys and eventually found its way into the various local watercourses. On the 16th January the River Till at Shrewton suddenly rose by an astonishing seven and a half feet. Similarly, small streams such as the Chitterne Brook became a raging torrent that burst their banks and had enough power to sweep away bridges.
Most of the properties in the area at the time were built from clay or cob (a mixture of soil and straw) and their foundations were no match for the force of water that assailed them.
The low-lying villages of Shrewton, Orcheston, Tilshead and Chitterne bore the brunt of the flooding and all told around 72 houses were destroyed, leaving around 200 to 300 people homeless and at least three people dead. Had the flooding occurred in the dead of night the death toll would have been much higher.
In the wake of the flooding a relief appeal was organised that raised enough money to rehouse all of those that had lost their homes and even had a surplus that enabled the construction of 14 “Flood” Cottages across the local villages. The rents from these properties provided money to buy fuel, groceries and clothing for local poor people. Examples of these Flood Cottages can be found in Shrewton, Orcheston and Tilshead, and each bears a plaque which reads:
These Cottages
Builded in the Year of Our Lord
From a portion of the fund subscribed by the public
to repair the losses sustained by the poor
of this and five neighbouring parishes in
The Great Flood of
Are vested in the names of
Twelve Trustees
Who shall let them to the best advantage
and after reserving out of the rents
a sum sufficient to maintain the premises
in good repair
shall expend the remainder in
Fuel and Clothing
and distribute the same amongst the poor of the
Said Parishes
On the 16th day of January for ever
being the anniversary of that awful visitation.
For those that want to get a feeling for how high the waters rose, there is an another monument to the flooding that is set into the wall of Mill House on Orcheston Road in Shrewton. A marker stone in the wall shows the level to which the water at Shrewton rose, it marks 4 foot 6 inches above ground level and 7 feet 6 inches above river level!
The Tilshead "Flood" Cottages.
The Orcheston "Flood" Cottages.
Pictures: Wiltshire (October 2015).
Monday, 5 October 2015
The Fosse Way Standing Stones
Alongside a section of the Fosse Way in Wiltshire, three standing stones surmounted by a cap stone can be found arranged in the style of an ancient burial chamber.
The Fosse Way is an ancient Roman road that ran for 182 miles linking the Roman settlements at Exeter and Lincoln, via the other Roman settlements at Ilchester, Bath, Cirencester and Leicester. The name of the Fosse Way derives from the Latin word for ditch and for the early part of Roman rule in Britain the Fosse Way marked the western border of Roman control. The Fosse Way may have started life as a defensive ditch and then latterly been converted into a road, or the initial construction may have been a road supported by a ditch - the jury is still out on that one.
The standing stones in question can be found on the Bannerdown Road as it passes between Batheaston in Somerset towards Colerne in Wiltshire. Whilst these standing stones look like an ancient monument they are actually a fairly modern construction that marks the point where the boundaries of the counties of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Somerset historically met. The stones were erected in February 1859 and were erected over three slightly older stones dating from 1736, each of which are said to be inscribed with the initials of one of the three counties (i.e. G, W & S).
A quick Internet search reveals that this is not the only “Three Shires Stone” in the country and other tripoints (a point where three counties meet) are also marked with monuments, whether these be standing stones, oak trees or a wood!
If you ever visit the Three Shires Stones on the Fosse Way, do keep your eyes peeled. Apparently nearby in a dry stone wall there are a few carved words that tell the story of an unfortunate person who was murdered on the Fosse Way. My brief inspection of the wall failed to uncover the inscription, but a more careful eye may be able to discern the inscription and the tale that it tells.
The Three Shire Stones on the Fosse Way.
Pictures: Wiltshire (August 2015).
Sunday, 27 September 2015
The Devizes Millennium White Horse
Following on from my previous visits to the Westbury, Cherhill, Broad Town and Hackpen white horses in Wiltshire, here is another of the county's white horses, this time on Roundway Hill on the outskirts of Devizes.
The Devizes White Horse is also known as the Devizes Millennium White Horse as it was cut in 1999 as part of the celebrations for the new millennium. The Devizes horse (which is approximately 150 ft by 150 ft) is unique amongst Wiltshire's white horses as it is the only one that faces to the right, all of the rest face in the opposite direction.
The Devizes Millennium White Horse is not the first white horse to grace Devizes. In 1845 a local shoemaker cut a white horse into Roundway Hill beneath the hill fort known as Oliver's Castle - to the west of the location of today's horse. This original horse was locally known as the "Snobs Horse", with the word "snobs" apparently being a local word for a shoemaker. It seems that the Snobs Horse only survived until around 1922, when it was eventually lost due to a lack of regular maintenance and slowly encroaching turf.
The ghost of the Snobs Horse can still occasionally be seen however, when the weather conditions are just right. The Snobs Horse was made using a technique called "trenching", where a trench is dug and filled with chalk to create the white horse. This approach is used when the local chalk is not sufficiently near the surface to enable the horse to be created by just peeling back the overlying turf. This trenching means that the chalk that formed the white horse is at a different level to the surrounding chalk, this enables parts of the long overgrown old white horse to be seen from time to time when the weather is just right. From these sightings it has been determined that the original Snobs Horse was about half of the size of the present day white horse.
So if you ever visit Devizes and see the current white horse, be sure to make the effort to go a little further west to Oliver's Castle and try to see if you can see any trace of the Snobs Horse. If you do I would love to see your pictures!
The Devizes Millennium White Horse in the distance.
Looking a bit grubby!
Pictures: Wiltshire (August 2015).
Wednesday, 16 September 2015
Weird Wessex is here!
Weird Wessex: A Tourist Guide to 100 Strange and Unusual Sights is a journey across the English counties of Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Berkshire seeking out the weird and sometimes little known sights that wait to be discovered. Have you ever heard of:
• Somerset's standing stones - the second largest circle of standing stones in Britain?
• The murderous tale behind Berkshire’s Coombe Gibbet?
• The Dorset building with a Civil War cannon ball buried in its wall?
• The Devon village that flips a boulder each year to keep the Devil trapped below ground?
• The Hampshire shop that once fought in the War of 1812?
• The home of Wiltshire’s most famous poltergeist?
If not then let Weird Wessex take you there, and treat you to over 200 full-colour photographs of these weird and wonderful locations. You are certain to discover an unusual location that you never knew existed!
Written by Andrew May (of the Retro-Forteana blog) and myself, Weird Wessex is now available at Amazon here!
Please note this book is printed on demand. So if it shows as being “temporarily out of stock” on Amazon do not be perturbed, the printing press will fire up as soon as your order is placed!
Happy exploring!
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
The Gypsy Curse of Odstock
The pictures below show a grave in St Mary’s churchyard in the village of Odstock in Wiltshire. The grave belongs to a man named Joshua Scamp who was a gypsy and a convicted criminal. The inscription reads:
In memory of Joshua Scamp
Who died April 1st 1801
May his brave deed be remembered
To his credit here and hereafter
Joshua Scamp's death and his subsequent burial in St Mary's churchyard are linked to an odd local legend, a legend about a gypsy curse. The details of the story differ slightly, depending on the source, but the general theme is as follows. In 1801 a local gypsy named Joshua Scamp was condemned to death and hanged at Fisherton gaol in Salisbury for the crime of the theft of a horse. As it turns out Joshua was not the perpetrator of the crime, it was his son-in-law who actually stole the horse. It is said that Joshua decided to take the blame for the crime and suffer the associated punishment to protect his daughter (presumably from losing her husband). When it became clear that Joshua was in fact innocent of the crime he became a local hero to the gypsy community and the anniversary of his passing was celebrated each year by a party at his graveside.
Not being too keen on gypsy revellers holding their annual celebration in the churchyard, the church officials of the time, supported by local authorities, uprooted a rose bush planted by Scamp's grave and locked the church door to keep the gypsies out. In retaliation to this affront, a Gypsy Queen supposedly placed a curse on the church, so that anyone who locked the church in the future would die a sudden and untimely death.
Any untimely deaths of church key-holders clearly cannot be attributed to the gypsy curse with any degree of certainty. However it seems that the legend of the curse may have left a lasting impression. It is said that in the 20th Century, following the untimely deaths of two Church Wardens, that the Rector threw the key to the church door into the River Ebble where it presumably remains to this day.
St Mary's Church was unlocked when I paid my visit, so perhaps the current Church Warden is taking a cautious approach to the legend?
St Mary's Church, Odstock.
Joshua Scamp's grave stone and rose bush.
The inscription.
Inside the church.
Pictures: Wiltshire (August 2015).
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Peace on Earth and Goodwill Toward Men
Almost exactly 50 years ago, America was playing catch up with the Soviet Union and their multiple successes with the Sputnik series of spacecraft. President Eisenhower feared the Soviets would receive any use of military rockets to deliver spacecraft as a threat to their national security and not as a means to achieve our own scientific goals. For this reason, America’s early attempts to put a satellite in orbit were all failures and eventually placed the US in the embarrassing position of having no success in space vs. the Soviet’s many.
When America finally did resort to using the military class Jupiter rockets to deliver the Explorer series of satellites, the space race had begun and America’s losing streak was over. As Eisenhower feared, the Soviets immediately reacted by protesting Explorer’s “violation” of Soviet borders as the satellite had an orbit that passed over their air space (despite the fact that Sputnik had done the same over the US). To help tamp down any perceptions that the American space program was a militaristic show of aggression, Eisenhower asked NASA to make it’s next launch a different kind of satellite.
On December 18, 1958 the SCORE satellite was placed into orbit and became the world’s first communications satellite by broadcasting the following message:
Happy New Year.
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Differential (mechanical device)
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A differential is a device, usually, but not necessarily, employing gears, which is connected to the outside world by three shafts, through which it transmits torque and rotation. The gears or other components make the three shafts rotate in such a way that <math>\scriptstyle a=pb+qc</math>, where <math>\scriptstyle a</math>, <math>\scriptstyle b</math>, and <math>\scriptstyle c</math> are the angular velocities of the three shafts, and <math>\scriptstyle p</math> and <math>\scriptstyle q</math> are constants. Often, but not always, <math>\scriptstyle p</math> and <math>\scriptstyle q</math> are equal, so <math>\scriptstyle a</math> is proportional to the sum (or average) of <math>\scriptstyle b</math> and <math>\scriptstyle c</math>. Except in some special-purpose differentials, there are no other limitations on the rotational speeds of the shafts. Any of the shafts can be used to input rotation, and the other(s) to output it. See animation here of a simple differential in which <math>\scriptstyle p</math> and <math>\scriptstyle q</math> are equal. The shaft rotating at speed <math>\scriptstyle a</math> is at the bottom-right of the image.
In automobiles and other wheeled vehicles, a differential allows the driving roadwheels to rotate at different speeds. This is necessary when the vehicle turns, making the wheel that is travelling around the outside of the turning curve roll farther and faster than the other. The engine is connected to the shaft rotating at angular velocity <math>\scriptstyle a</math>. The driving wheels are connected to the other two shafts, and <math>\scriptstyle p</math> and <math>\scriptstyle q</math> are equal. If the engine is running at a constant speed, the rotational speed of each driving wheel can vary, but the sum (or average) of the two wheels' speeds can not change. An increase in the speed of one wheel must be balanced by an equal decrease in the speed of the other.
It may seem illogical that the speed of one input shaft can determine the speeds of two output shafts, which are allowed to vary. Logically, the number of inputs should be at least as great as the number of outputs. However, the system has another constraint. The ratio of the speeds of the two driving wheels equals the ratio of the radii of the the paths around which the two wheels are rolling, which is determined by the track-width of the vehicle (the distance between the driving wheels) and the radius of the turn. Thus the system does not have one input and two independent outputs. It has two inputs and two outputs.
A different automotive application of differentials is in epicyclic gearing. A gearbox is constructed out of several differentials. In each differential, one shaft is connected to the engine (through a clutch or functionally similar device), another to the driving wheels (through another differential as described above), and the third shaft can be braked so its angular velocity is zero. (The braked component may not be a shaft, but something that plays an equivalent role.) When one shaft is braked, the gear ratio between the engine and wheels is determined by the value(s) of <math>\scriptstyle p</math> and/or <math>\scriptstyle q</math> for that differential, which reflect the numbers of teeth on its gears. Several differentials, with different gear ratios, are permanently connected in parallel with each other, but only one of them has one shaft braked so it can not rotate, so only that differential transmits power from the engine to the wheels. (If the transmission is in "neutral" or "park", none of the shafts is braked.) Shifting gears simply involves releasing the braked shaft of one differential and braking the appropriate shaft on another. This is a much simpler operation to do automatically than engaging and disengaging gears in a conventional gearbox. Epicyclic gearing is almost always used in automatic transmissions, and is nowadays also used in some hybrid and electric vehicles.
Non-automotive uses of differentials include performing analog arithmetic. Two of the differential's three shafts are made to rotate through angles that represent (are proportional to) two numbers, and the angle of the third shaft's rotation represents the sum or difference of the two input numbers. An equation clock that used a differential for addition, made in 1720, is the earliest device definitely known to have used a differential for any purpose.[1] In the 20th Century, large assemblies of many differentials were used as analog computers, calculating, for example, the direction in which a gun should be aimed. However, the development of electronic digital computers has made these uses of differentials obsolete.[2] Practically all the differentials that are now made are used in automobiles and similar vehicles. This article therefore emphasizes automotive uses of differentials.
A vehicle's wheels rotate at different speeds, mainly when turning corners. The differential is designed to drive a pair of wheels while allowing them to rotate at different speeds. In vehicles without a differential, such as karts, both driving wheels are forced to rotate at the same speed, usually on a common axle driven by a simple chain-drive mechanism. When cornering, the inner wheel needs to travel a shorter distance than the outer wheel, so with no differential, the result is the inner wheel spinning and/or the outer wheel dragging, and this results in difficult and unpredictable handling, damage to tires and roads, and strain on (or possible failure of) the entire drivetrain.
Functional description
File:Differential free.png
Input torque is applied to the ring gear (blue), which turns the entire carrier (blue). The carrier is connected to both the sun gears (red and yellow) only through the planet gear (green) (visual appearances in the diagram notwithstanding). Torque is transmitted to the sun gears through the planet gear. The planet gear revolves around the axis of the carrier, driving the sun gears. If the resistance at both wheels is equal, the planet gear revolves without spinning about its own axis, and both wheels turn at the same rate.
File:Differential locked-2.png
Torque is supplied from the engine, via the transmission, to a drive shaft (British term: 'propeller shaft', commonly and informally abbreviated to 'prop-shaft'), which runs to the final drive unit that contains the differential. A spiral bevel pinion gear takes its drive from the end of the propeller shaft, and is encased within the housing of the final drive unit. This meshes with the large spiral bevel ring gear, known as the crown wheel. The crown wheel and pinion may mesh in hypoid orientation, not shown. The crown wheel gear is attached to the differential carrier or cage, which contains the 'sun' and 'planet' wheels or gears, which are a cluster of four opposed bevel gears in perpendicular plane, so each bevel gear meshes with two neighbours, and rotates counter to the third, that it faces and does not mesh with. The two sun wheel gears are aligned on the same axis as the crown wheel gear, and drive the axle half shafts connected to the vehicle's driven wheels. The other two planet gears are aligned on a perpendicular axis which changes orientation with the ring gear's rotation. In the two figures shown above, only one planet gear (green) is illustrated, however, most automotive applications contain two opposing planet gears. Other differential designs employ different numbers of planet gears, depending on durability requirements. As the differential carrier rotates, the changing axis orientation of the planet gears imparts the motion of the ring gear to the motion of the sun gears by pushing on them rather than turning against them (that is, the same teeth stay in the same mesh or contact position), but because the planet gears are not restricted from turning against each other, within that motion, the sun gears can counter-rotate relative to the ring gear and to each other under the same force (in which case the same teeth do not stay in contact).
Note: The Antikythera mechanism (150 BC100 BC), discovered on an ancient shipwreck near the Greek island of Antikythera, was once suggested to have employed a differential gear. This has since been disproved. Other possible uses of differentials prior to Joseph Williamson's clock of 1720 are hypothetical.
Loss of traction
A conventional "open" (non-locked or otherwise traction-aided) differential always supplies close to equal (because of internal friction) torque to each side.[4] To illustrate how this can limit torque applied to the driving wheels, imagine a simple rear-wheel drive vehicle, with one rear roadwheel on asphalt with good grip, and the other on a patch of slippery ice. It takes very little torque to spin the side on slippery ice, and because a differential splits torque equally to each side, the torque that is applied to the side that is on asphalt is limited to this amount.[5][6]
Based on the load, gradient, et cetera, the vehicle requires a certain amount of torque applied to the drive wheels to move forward. Since an open differential limits total torque applied to both drive wheels to the amount utilized by the lower traction wheel multiplied by a factor of 2, when one wheel is on a slippery surface, the total torque applied to the driving wheels may be lower than the minimum torque required for vehicle propulsion.[4]
A proposed way to distribute the power to the wheels, is to use the concept of gearless differential, of which a review has been reported by Provatidis,[7] but the various configurations seem to correspond either to the "sliding pins and cams" type, such as the ZF B-70 available for early VWs, or are a variation of the ball differential.
Traction-aiding devices
Template:Original research
File:ARB Air Locking Differential (RLH).JPG
ARB, Air Locking Differential
File:Transmission diagram.JPG
• One solution is the Positive Traction (Posi), the most well-known of which is the clutch-type. With this differential, the sun gears are coupled to the carrier via a multi-disc clutch which allows extra torque to be sent to the wheel with higher resistance than available at the other driven roadwheel when the limit of friction is reached at that other wheel. Below the limit of friction more torque goes to the slower (inside) wheel.
• A limited slip differential (LSD) or anti-spin is another type of traction aiding device that uses a mechanical system that activates under centrifugal force to positively lock the left and right spider gears together when one wheel spins a certain amount faster than the other. This type behaves as an open differential unless one wheel begins to spin and exceeds that threshold. While positraction units can be of varying strength, some of them with high enough friction to cause an inside tire to spin or outside tire to drag in turns like a spooled differential, the LSD will remain open unless enough torque is applied to cause one wheel to lose traction and spin, at which point it will engage. A LSD can use clutches like a posi when engaged, or may also be a solid mechanical connection like a locker or spool. It is called limited slip because it does just that; it limits the amount that one wheel can "slip" (spin).
• A locking differential, such as ones using differential gears in normal use but using air or electrically controlled mechanical system, which when locked allow no difference in speed between the two wheels on the axle. They employ a mechanism for allowing the axles to be locked relative to each other, causing both wheels to turn at the same speed regardless of which has more traction; this is equivalent to effectively bypassing the differential gears entirely. Other locking systems may not even use differential gears but instead drive one wheel or both depending on torque value and direction. Automatic mechanical lockers do allow for some differentiation under certain load conditions, while a selectable locker typically couples both axles with a solid mechanical connection like a spool when engaged.
• A high-friction 'Automatic Torque Biasing' (ATB) differential, such as the Torsen differential, where the friction is between the gear teeth rather than at added clutches. This applies more torque to the driven roadwheel with highest resistance (grip or traction) than is available at the other driven roadwheel when the limit of friction is reached at that other wheel. When tested with the wheels off the ground, if one wheel is rotated with the differential case held, the other wheel will still rotate in the opposite direction as for an open differential but there with be some frictional losses and the torque will be distributed at other than 50/50. Although marketed as being "torque-sensing", it functions the same as a limited slip differential. 3D Animation of a Torsen Differential
• A Spool is just what it sounds like. It may replace the spider gears within the differential carrier, or the entire carrier. A spool locks both axle shafts together 100% for maximum traction. This is typically only used in drag racing applications, where the vehicle is to be driven in a straight line while applying tremendous torque to both wheels.
A transfer case may also incorporate a centre differential, allowing the drive shafts to spin at different speeds. This permits the four-wheel drive vehicle to drive on paved surfaces without experiencing "wind-up".
Epicyclic differential
File:Epicyclic gear ratios.png
Spur-gear differential
Non-automotive applications
The oldest known example of a differential was once thought to be in the Antikythera mechanism. It was supposed to have used such a train to produce the difference between two inputs, one input related to the position of the sun on the zodiac, and the other input related to the position of the moon on the zodiac; the output of the differential gave a quantity related to the moon's phase. It has now been proven that the assumption of the existence of a differential gearing arrangement was incorrect.[9]Template:Fix
Active differentials
Fully integrated active differentials are used on the Ferrari F430, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, and on the rear wheels in the Acura RL. A version manufactured by ZF is also being offered on the latest Audi S4 and Audi A4.[10]
Automobiles without differentials
Although the vast majority of automobiles in the developed world use differentials, there are a few that do not. Several different types exist:
• Vehicles with separate motors for the driving wheels. Electric cars can have a separate motor for each driving wheel, eliminating the need for a differential, but usually with some form of gearing at each motor to get the large wheel torques necessary. Hybrid vehicles in which the final drive is electric can be configured similarly.
See also
References and footnotes
1. Earlier uses of differentials have been postulated, but not proved. See Antikythera mechanism and South-pointing chariot.
2. Military uses may still exist. See Electromagnetic pulse.
3. "History of the Automobile". Gmcanada.com. http://www.gmcanada.com/inm/gmcanada/english/about/OverviewHist/hist_auto.html. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
4. 4.0 4.1 Chocholek, S. E. (1988) "The development of a differential for the improvement of traction control"
5. Bonnick, Allan. (2001) "Automotive Computer Controlled Systems p. 22
6. Bonnick, Allan. (2008). "Automotive Science and Mathematics p. 123
8. "The Complete Story of Porsche 911". Autozine.org. http://www.autozine.org/911/911_9.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
9. Wright, M T. (2005). "The Antikythera Mechanism and the early history of the Moon Phase Display". Antiquarian Horology 29 (3 (March 2006)): 319–329.
10. "ZF Press release". Zf.com. http://www.zf.com/corporate/en/press/press_releases/products_press/products_detail.jsp?newsId=21442669. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
External links
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Today was the introductory lecture in my first year non-majors Biology class. The course is called, “Microbes, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”. As part of my first class I handed out a survey to get a feel for students’ understanding of microbes before the course starts. I included questions such as “What are some differences between viruses and bacteria?”, “What causes food poisoning?” and “What causes colds”. The answers I got were varied and interesting.
The last two questions on the survey were most enlightening, because I can use them to direct the course content. Here are the questions. Below each question are all of the answers that I received.
Name one disease that you would like to have more knowledge about.
• Kidney diseases
• Celiac
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Strep Throat
• The Plague
• Leprosy
• Cancer (18 students)
• (Leukemia)
• The Flu (5 students)
• The common cold (why is there no cure?)
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• AIDS (5 students)
• Diabetes
• Flesh eating disease (2 students)
• Scarlet Fever
• SARS
• Bird Flu (2 students)
There were 50 surveys returned. I’m impressed and interested by the answers. Cancer is such a huge interest and concern. I had already planned a lecture on it (even though it is not a microbial disease), so I’m glad to see that so many students want to know about it. There are other non-microbial diseases listed, quite a few, so maybe some time spent on microbial v.s. non-microbial diseases may be worthwhile. Here’s the other question:
Please write down a question that you hope to get the answer to during this course.
• How many disease-causing organisms exist?
• How do epidemics break out and how do they die out?
• More about food poisoning
• What is a microbe? (2 Students)
• What is the difference between bacteria and viruses?
• How do we treat microbes in our life?
• How cancer develops in the human body
• Best ways to keep from getting sick
• Why aren’t viruses treatable?
• Is microbiology an important factor to the human body?
• The evolution of microorganisms contrasted to the evolution of macroorganisms such as animals.
• What is the first microorganism?
• Is there a cure for some of the most known diseases? (e.g. Cancer and diabetes?)
• With all the scientific knowledge that exists, why is there no cure for cancer and AIDS?
• How to prevent illness effectively
• What is the news about the death gene and how does it relate to cancer and chronic health disease?
• What causes cancer and why can’t it be combated completely
• How is birdflu going to wipe out the world?
• Are anti-bacterias [sic] good for us, or should we just allow bacteria to be naturally developed/destroyed (ex. Hand anti-bacteria).
• How do organisms cause disease?
• Why microbes are important and what is the benefits of studying them?
Wow! What a great list! Several of these topics are already in the lecture plan, but it is great to know that the students are interested. Others, I’ll have to look into. I’ll try to answer all of them before the semester finishes. |
Saturday, 20 April 2013
One of the best sites to keep up with Advanced Manufacturing tools, methods, and industry goings-on is
As you may know, I am an advocate for teaching 'Innovation' as discipline in schools, and one of the kernels of innovation these days is rapid manufacturing and prototyping techniques and processes. Here's an article from by on the 3D Printing Industry site on the very subject:
'In what seems to be the fulfilment of a promise by Barack Obama to increase the competitiveness of US schools, Buford Middle School in Charlottesville, Virginia will be opening a lab school devoted to advanced manufacturing, the first in a series of work and experience-oriented hubs that will connect K-12 students to Virginia’s state universities. To kick off the program, Buford Middle School hosted an hour and half-long workshop on 3D printing, in which students were able to construct their own stereo speakers, creating plastic components with 3D printers and subwoofers from paper. The event received international attention from such camera crews as Nippon Television from Japan, trying to glimpse the steps the US education system was taking to improve science education in the country.
Not unlike magnet programs, the lab schools will be incorporated into public middle schools and high schools. They will be open to the larger school population; however, in the case of Buford and Jack Jouett Middle Schools, only 500 8th graders will be able to enroll at the beginning, providing some lucky students access to hands-on STEM education. The lab schools, which will also be found in Charlottesville High School and Albemarle High School, will be taught with the help of university students from the University of Virginia‘s Curry School of Education and School of Engineering and Applied Science. And all of the partner institutions will communicate with one another virtually, by means of video conferencing tools.
Buford Middle School 3D Printing Workshop
The potential of these schools could be quite awesome, providing eligible students with a university level education surrounding extremely interesting ideas with real world application. As the program expands, students at the high school level will be able to earn college credit in these classes through their local community college, certainly giving them a head start in college education. But, in considering that the program received a good deal of its funding through a state grant from Virginia governor Bob McDonnell, the party partly responsible for convincing Northrop Grumman to move its headquarters to Virginia, my concern is the bigger picture, which includes the partnership between the University of Virginia and the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM).
Buford Middle School 3D Printing Workshop Lab
CCAM is similar to NAMII – the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute – in that it is an institution meant to connect industry leaders with universities to create a network of advanced manufacturing partners. Though, unlike NAMII, it does not receive much federal funding. But, very much like NAMII, CCAM is made up of industry leaders with strong ties to defense, including Newport News Shipbuilding, the division of Northrop Grumman devoted to building nuclear submarines. I won’t go into my opinion on that here, but I will say that, according to the 2010 manual offered by the US’s Defense Acquisition University, the department charged with buying military tech, the Department of Defense is making an attempt to increase the integration of civilians into the military supply chain:
The defense industrial base has gone through a metamorphosis. Weaker competitors have merged with stronger companies or have dropped out of the market. The remaining large contractors are positioning themselves with other major contractors to compete for the remaining defense contracts. For example, in 1982 there were 10 major U.S. producers of fixed-wing military aircraft. By 1998, there were only three: Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, and Northrop-Grumman. As a result of this reduced industrial base, the Department [of Defense] is working to bring about greater civilian/ military industrial integration.'
So, while the school partnerships will no doubt greatly improve the STEM programs in key Virginia public schools, I am wary of where the career tracks found in those schools will lead. As students determine their careers in high school, funneled into the University of Virginia’s excellent engineering programs, are they also determining their future employment in companies with vested interests in the military? And, while I am certain that the state’s partnership between industry and education will increase employment, the question becomes employment in what sort of jobs? I suppose that only time will tell. In the meantime, Virginia students increased access to 3D printing will, hopefully increase overall interest among young people countrywide, leading to more and more Makers in the United States.
Aligning for the Singularity!
It occurred to me recently - what with all the commentary and supporting evidence - how many government systems, commissions and think tanks; how many public institutions and services; and how many private enterprises and organizations are actually aligning for the Singularity?
How will the Singularity affect kingdom realms and nation-state constitutions, civil rights, and the integral Parliaments, Senates and International Unions that are hermetically coupled to such charters?
How will it impact on private and public healthcare, education, social security, town and county councils?
And as for entrepreneurial startups, and small and medium businesses, what are they planning for the Singularity?
It seems to me, considering cultural evolution time-frames, that the Singularity is not merely just hovering at the door, but beginning to eat off our best china!
If the long list of technological innovations - supra-sentient machine intelligence, instant low-cost instant production of any metamaterial, gadget and food stuffs, not to mension ubiquitous super-automata – that is being reported hourly, even minute-to-minute on the web, then why is the Singularity not daily ‘headline six o’clock news’ or top of the strategic agenda for governments?
The likes of the giants Google, Microsoft and IBM; even lead Universities like MIT, Caltech and Cambridge are well on the way to meeting the meta-challenges, and in many cases actually the instigators of the Singularity!
Well it will be terrifying if the general public are not conditioned and prepared of the marvel happening. And the use of language like marvel needs to be taken into mindful consideration as we near the Singularity.
It may be the case - as Ray Kurzweil maintains - that the Universe is about to wake up. Ray Kurzweil and his confederates need to rigorously think about all this and bring it up at the SU (grossly assuming they’re not already).
The Singularity involves the following principles (from Ray's book: The Singularity is Near):
The power (price-performance, speed, capacity, and bandwidth) of information technologies is growing exponentially at an even faster pace, now doubling about every year. This principle applies to a wide range of measures, including the amount of human knowledge.
Human brain scanning is one of these exponentially improving technologies. As I will show in chapter 4, the temporal and spatial resolution and bandwidth of brain scanning are doubling each year. We are just now obtaining the tools sufficient to begin serious reverse engineering (decoding) of the human brain's principles of operation. We already have impressive models and simulations of a couple dozen of the brain's several hundred regions. Within two decades, we will have a detailed understanding of how all the regions of the human brain work.
human intelligence with the strengths of machine intelligence.
A key capability of human intelligence is the ability to create mental models of reality and to conduct mental "what-if" experiments by varying aspects of these models.
slow speed of human knowledge-sharing through language.
Machine intelligence will have complete freedom of design and architecture (that is, they won't be constrained by biological limitations, such as the slow switching speed of our interneuronal connections or a fixed skull size) as well as consistent performance at all times.
nonbiological portion of our civilization's intelligence will then continue to benefit from the double exponential growth of machine price-performance, speed, and capacity.
Machines will also benefit from using very fast three-dimensional molecular circuits. Today's electronic circuits are more than one million times faster than the electrochemical switching used in mammalian brains. Tomorrow's molecular circuits will be based on devices such as nanotubes, which are tiny cylinders of carbon atoms that measure about ten atoms across and are five hundred times smaller than today's silicon-based transistors. Since the signals have less distance to travel, they will also be able to operate at terahertz (trillions of operations per second) speeds compared to the few gigahertz (billions of operations per second) speeds of current chips. The rate of technological change will not be limited to human mental speeds. Machine intelligence will improve its own abilities in a feedback cycle that unaided human intelligence will not be able to follow.
This cycle of machine intelligence's iteratively improving its own design will become faster and faster. This is in fact exactly what is predicted by the formula for continued acceleration of the rate of paradigm shift. One of the objections that has been raised to the continuation of the acceleration of paradigm shift is that it ultimately becomes much too fast for humans to follow, and so therefore, it's argued, it cannot happen. However, the shift from biological to nonbiological intelligence will enable the trend to continue.
Nanotechnology will enable the design of nanobots: robots designed at the molecular level, measured in microns (millionths of a meter), such as "respirocytes" (mechanical red-blood cells).33 Nanobots will have myriad roles within the human body, including reversing human aging (to the extent that this task will not already have been completed through biotechnology, such as genetic engineering).
Ultimately, the entire universe will become saturated with our intelligence. This is the destiny of the universe. We will determine our own fate rather than have it determined by the current "dumb," simple, machine like forces that rule celestial mechanics.
And while I’m in this sophist mood; if it does come push to shove and the Singularity does start to scare people, don’t forget that we - the human race - are all one family. Whether black, white, yellow, red, purple; or Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Seek; or Street Urchin or President or Prime; we are all one family; all related to each other genetically. We all share the same biological legacy and inheritance. We all arose from the same family that left the planes of Africa two-hundred thousand years ago.
Friday, 19 April 2013
‘70,000 More Unemployed in UK,’ reports the BBC 6 'O’Clock News!
Is it that there is a coming third Recession in as many years?... Is it that automation - Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), Supermarket Autocheckout Tills (SATs), Ubiquitous Databases (UDBs), et al - have become so pervasiveness and productivity that ''Robots' are reaching record numbers and productive heights?
Are the British lazy people? Have vast numbers gotton used to benefits culture? Is it that the British can't stand up for themselves? Is the average British person too scared to go knocking on doors for work? Are the British snobs? So that an unemployed graduate engineer or nurse or lab technician is too good to scrub floors? Have they lost their bike?
Some of these hold some water, I suspect!
But wot beats me, is the fact that throughout history, so many-many people have achieved mega-achievements in times of not mere austerity; but abject poverty, war, pestilence!... Can you think of any???....There are loads.
Here’s a short roll of people out of a non-exhaustive catalogue.
• For starters, the obvious protagonists: Richard Branson (who left school with very little credentials, got himself a criminal record for tax evasion at age 17) and now founder/owner of Virgin Group, with a capital worth of $25-Billion. Then there’s Lord Alan Sugar (who left school to sell TV Aerials and Yo-Yos), he’s now 800-million quid better off. And of course Bill Gates (who flunked out of Uni) founded M.S and became one of the wealthiest men on the planet.
• What about the 2 boys who went to a rough secondary comprehensive school in Liverpool, who were often chucked out the Music class for being disruptive, and dismally failed their ‘O’ Level Music exam? Well, Paul McCartney and George Harrison have done fairly well, haven’t they?
• There was a small girl who had very hard time at school. Daughter to a tough market stallholder and laundrywoman, who died quite young. She then spent years in a deprived orphanage.Only, she went on to become a pioneering designer and icon in world fashion. Gabrielle Bonheur ‘Coco’ Chanel, founder of the famous fashion brand Chanel, had extraordinary influence on fashion world.
• Son, of wool merchant, and born into desperate poverty. Soon after his father lost his business. But this did not stop this eventual preeminent man. Sigmund Freud went on to invent and found the bedrock of psychoanalytic and psychiatry.
• He started in a mailroom for a music publishing company. He has since become an Artist and Repertoire (A&R) executive for Sony BMG in the UK, and a television producer and judge for major television talent contests including American Idol. Simon Cowell is close to becoming a Billionaire!
• Having dropped out of high school at 16, his s career and accomplishments are astounding. The most influential animator,Walt Disney holds the record for the most awards and nominations. Disney’s imagination included cartoons and theme parks. The Walt Disney Company now has annual revenue of $30 billion.
• At 16, he left home to apprentice as a machinist. He later started a Small Motor Company to manufacture carsHenryFord’s first major success, the Model T, allowed Ford to open a large factory and later start the assembly line production, revolutionalizing the auto-making industry.
• With only a fourth grade education, this man started his own chocolate company. Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, which became the first US nationally marketed chocolate. Hershey also focused on building a wonderful community for his workers, known as Hershey, Pennsylvania.
• After attending one semester of college, he worked for Atari before co-founding Apple Computers. Now without the “Computers” in their name, Apple includes iPod, iTunes, and most recently the iPhone. Steve Jobs was also the CEO and co-founder of Pixar before it merged with Walt Disney.
• Having never attended high school, Frank Lloyd Wright surpassed all odds when he became the most influential architect of the twentieth century. Frank Wright designed more than 1,100 projects with about half actually being built. His designs have inspired numerous architects to look at the beauty around them and add to it.
So get on your bike, Build your Imagination, Creativity and Innovation quotient. Get ambitious. Get Determined. Think ‘CoCo.’ Think ‘Branson.’ And things will change for the positive.
The answer is 'get real.' Learn, learn, learn. Be Entrepreneurial!
Virgin Galaxy and ‘First’ person or people to do something in sub-orbital space.
It’s existing for someone like me, a real space buff since a kid. In 2015 Richard Branson’s Spaceship-One will take off into a sub-orbital space ride, taking ordinary folk into near zero gravity.
One of the exciting things is ‘Firsts’ in space events, situations, out of this world records, and rituals.
For example, who are going to be the first couple to get married in space?
Here’s list that people will be ready and willing to pay extra for to be the first in space to achieve it.
Change Religion.
Be Knighted.
Prime Minister or President.
‘A’ List Actor.
Baby or Infant.
Tooth Extraction.
Face piercings.
I could go on. Why don’t you think of some ‘Firsts’ in sub-orbital space!
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Something for the Weekend: 'Bongo Flava.'
Bongo flava is the nickname for Tanzanian R&B/hip hop music is mainly as a derivative of American hip hop, with additional influences from reggaeR&Bafrobeatdancehall, and traditional Tanzanian styles such as taarab and dansi, a combination that forms a unique style of music.
Lyrics are usually in Swahili or EnglishThe name 'Bongo Flava' is a remix of 'Bongo Flavour,' where 'Bongo' is the plural form of the Swahili word 'Ubong,' meaning 'Brain,' and is a common nickname used to refer to Dar es Salaam, the city where the genre originated. In the bongo flava, the metaphor of 'Brains' refer to the street smart of the mselah. Watch this video gig:
Watch video.
The infamous Star Trek 'Tricorder,' that Bones uses to scan much bemused alien life-forms is a tech-model now seriously being put forward as a small, light, yet powerful sensor with on board Artificial Intelligence connected to the cloud that may reinvent the way healthcare dignotics is carried out forever.
Peter Diamandis, Chairman and CEO of the X Prize Foundation, has put together the Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize worth 10 million dollars to the winner.
From Singularty Hub Website:
'Tricorder X was first conceived during the X Prize Foundation’s annual three day Visioneering summit back in 2010. In fact, the prize began life as two prizes—Artificial Intelligence (AI) Physician and Lab-on-a-Chip. These two ideas were soon combined, and seeing the Tricorder-like potential of such a device, mobile communications firm,Qualcomm, signed on as sponsor.
Tricorder X offers $10 million in prizes to the top three teams who develop a “tool capable of capturing key health metrics and diagnosing a set of 15 diseases.” The device must measure heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation. Meanwhile, the onboard AI should be able to diagnose thirteen core conditions (eg., stroke, diabetes, anemia) and three of twelve elective conditions (eg., strep throat, melanoma, HIV).
The required specifications are otherwise intentionally vague to inspire creative problem solving. In terms of design, devices must be five pounds or less; customer experience is a key metric in the judging; and the device must upload data to the cloud a minimum of every 12 hours.
Today, most folks who feel healthy may record health data once every few years. Truth is, we don’t know what’s going on with our bodies until something major goes wrong. Tricorder X aims to give patients a history of daily data, the ability to track changes and patterns, and the comfort they might catch potentially hazardous conditions early.
This Tricorder X infographic frames the problem perfectly. Have you ever wondered whether you need to see a doctor—but the only way to know if you need to see a doctor is by seeing a doctor. On average, patients wait 21 days to get an appointment and spend two hours at the doctor’s office. And if it’s night or the weekend—it’ll be the emergency room or nothing. Worse? After all that, it’s a coin flip whether you get the right diagnosis or treatment.
Having a reliable set of sensors at home coupled with a reliable diagnostic tool would answer that first question: Do I need to see a doctor? And if the answer is yes, odds are the doctor can double check the data and prescribe treatment online or over the phone—limiting visits to those times they are truly needed, and freeing physicians to dedicate the time, care, and attention patients want and deserve.
Registration for the Tricorder X Prize is set to run through August 2013. A qualification round in 2014 will pare over 250 teams down to ten or fewer. Finalists will design and build their technology in the second half of 2014 and run consumer tests in early 2015. The prize will be awarded no later than June 2015.
It’s an aggressive schedule and an ambitious goal—but that’s what the X Prize is all about. And if all goes to plan, in two and a half years we’ll have a piece of 23rd century tech destined for our homes and pockets.'
Click to link to Tricorder X-Prize site.
Wednesday, 17 April 2013
Ray Kurzweil: Google HUMAN meta-MIND CREATOR
Larry Page has personally recruited Ray Kurzweil (of 'The Singularity is Near' fame) as the new Director of Engineering at Google.
Kurzweil'S main goal at Google is to enable computers to comprehend and speak language just like humans while creating machines that can think and reason like the human brain.
His project is to advance Google computer systems to understand natural language, not just do search and answer questions based on links and words, but actually understand the semantic content.
This involves employing technologies that are already at Google like the Knowledge Graph, which has 700 million different concepts and billions of relationships between them. He is also developing biological software systems that can learn in ways analogous to the way the brain is designed, that is, in massively parallel hierarchical structures.
Kurzweil says that natural language understanding is the most important part of artificial intelligence. We first saw this when Alan Turing defined the artificial intelligence field in 1950, when he focused on natural language.
If a computer can be indistinguishable from a human in terms of written language communication, it is then at least beginning to operating at the full range of human intelligence.
He met with Larry Page about his book How To Create A Mind in July 2012. He said he wanted to start a project based on these ideas. Page convinced Kurzweil to do it at Google as the resources already uniquely at Google.
Google has been taking steps to make search more intelligent and human like. As new technologies are linked into one system that can understand language at a deeper level, an exponential rise in understanding of language will likely follow.
With Kurzweil at the helm it is likely to speed up development of artificial intelligence, even helping to make his prediction that a computer would pass the Turing Test by 2029
A roadmap to superintelligence
How to Create a Mind is Ray Kurzweil’s seventh book, joining The Age of Intelligent MachinesThe 10% Solution for a Healthy Life, The Age of Spiritual Machines, Fantastic VoyageLive Long Enough to Live ForeverThe Singularity Is Near, and Transcend: Nine Steps to Living Well Forever.
The Singularity is Here!
One of the best books on the future of technology to come out over the last decade was 'The Singularity is Near' by Ray Kurzweil.
Kurzweil forecasts how quickly key technologies such a Nanotechnology, Robotics and high level general Machine Intelligence will come about; and how it might impact on ordinary people's lives.
What is so good about the book is that it is written for the layman technologist, with little or some technical knowledge in computing, chemistry, mechanics and software, yet seems to hit home the main points about the future of these key technologies.
Take some time to absorb this epic classic!
Link to free copy of 'The Singularity is Near.' |
What is the Signs and Symptoms of a Brain Tumor(Gliomas)
{SCA} The symptoms of brain tumors depend on tumor size, type, and location. Symptoms may be caused when a tumor presses on a nerve or damages a certain area of the brain. They also may be caused when the brain swells or fluid builds up within the skull.
* These are the most common symptoms of brain tumors:
* Headaches (usually worse in the morning)
* Nausea or vomiting
* Changes in speech, vision, or hearing
* Problems balancing or walking
* Changes in mood, personality, or ability to concentrate
* Problems with memory
* Muscle jerking or twitching (seizures or convulsions)
* Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
These symptoms are not sure signs of a brain tumor. Other conditions also could cause these problems. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat the problem.
How are brain tumors diagnosed?
If a person has symptoms that suggest a brain tumor, the doctor may perform one or more of the following procedures:
* Physical exam – The doctor checks general signs of health.
The doctor may ask for other tests:
* Skull x-ray – Some types of brain tumors cause calcium deposits in the brain or changes in the bones of the skull. With an x-ray, the doctor can check for these changes.
* Surgeons can obtain tissue to look for tumor cells in three ways:
o Needle biopsy - The surgeon makes a small incision in the scalp and drills a small hole into the skull. This is called a burr hole. The doctor passes a needle through the burr hole and removes a sample of tissue from the brain tumor.
o Stereotactic biopsy - An imaging device, such as CT or MRI, guides the needle through the burr hole to the location of the tumor. The surgeon withdraws a sample of tissue with the needle.
o Biopsy at the same time as treatment - Sometimes the surgeon takes a tissue sample when the patient has surgery to remove the tumor.
Sometimes a biopsy is not possible. If the tumor is in the brain stem or certain other areas, the surgeon may not be able to remove tissue from the tumor without damaging normal brain tissue. The doctor uses MRI, CT, or other imaging tests instead.
* Why do I need a biopsy? How will the biopsy affect my treatment plan?
* What kind of biopsy will I have?
* How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it hurt?
* How soon will I know the results?
* If I do have a brain tumor, who will talk to me about treatment? When?
Blog Archive |
Creatine kinase (often abbreviated CK) is an enzyme that helps muscle cells and other cells with the need for rapid and constant use of energy to create chemicals that can store and release excess energy in the cells.
In most cells, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the chemical which provides its parts with usable energy. It is created when adenosine diphosphate reacts with oxygen and glucose and turns back into the diphosphate form when the energy is used. Creatine kinase plays a role in the creation and storage of ATP, making it easier to both create ATP and extract energy from it.
When muscle is damaged, it releases creatine kinase into the bloodstream. As such, creatine kinase is routinely tested for in blood tests for trauma victims, patients with chest pain, or patients with signs of kidney failure as excess levels in the blood can indicate a heart attack from a myocardial infarction, rhabdomyolysis, muscular dystrophy and acute kidney failure.
When Gregory House suffered his infarction, he showed elevated creatine kinase levels which were mistaken for muscle damage from drug injection, but were in fact from dying muscle tissue.
Creatine kinase at Wikipedia
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Definition of Sexual Predator
By Tammy Dray
Definition of Sexual Predator
Sophie Scol
While the term "sexual predator" is sometimes used to describe anybody who obtains sexual contact via less-than-honest means, the term has a clear legal connotation, as well. Used to refer to both potential sex criminals and those who have a history of committing sexual crimes, the term is sometimes confusing to those outside law enforcement.
In the broad sense of the word, sexual predators are people who commit sexual crimes. The term "predator," however, usually indicates a repeat offender who enjoys the feeling of "hunting down" his prey. Many sexual predators attack only a particular type of victim, such as children of a certain age, sex or race. Sexual predators are usually friendly, self-assured individuals who target their victims carefully, rather than choosing at random.
Sexual predators often get attached to their victims. Attachment often results in cyberstalking or harassment, when the predator constantly contacts the victim to ask for sexual favors (which can be anything from posing naked on camera to meeting for sex), and threatening death or injury to the victim or her family if she doesn't comply. If the response is not acceptable, the criminal usually starts contacting friends, posting photos of the victim online and giving away her phone number, making phone calls and making direct threats.
The term "sexual predator" doesn't always indicate that a person has committed a crime, since the legal definition of the term varies according to each state. Usually, law enforcement uses the term "sexual predator" when talking about someone who searches for a victim regardless of whether the person actually attacks somebody or commits a crime.
In certain states such as Illinois, the term "sexual predator" is used to refer to people who have sex with minors, regardless of whether the sex is consentual (statutory rape) or violent. Endangering the welfare of a child through sexual acts or sexualized conduct, or kidnapping a child with the intention of raping or prostituting him are considered part of the behavioral pattern of a sexual predator.
Online Predators
People who habitually engage in Internet discussions of a sexual nature with minors are considered sexual predators. Aside from trying to lure children into offline meetings, predators are also on the lookout for photos or conversations of a sexual nature. They also use children to secure information they can use later for other attacks, such as the best way to get into a school's dormitory or whether a group of kids often plays outside without adult supervision.
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J Lo's I'm Glad
Assignment 5
In your Project 3 folder, make a 2-page website that discusses a music video that performs a "textual" transformation.That is, find a music video that adapts some previous "text" (film, tv show, etc.) In the first page of the site, analyze what changes are being made by the transformation. Try to find some principle by which the transformation is occuring, and note whether the transformation is explicit or left up to the viewer to discover. Also try to note any techniques that puts specific emphasis on some aspect of the video.
For example, in J Lo's "I'm Glad," the video makes extensive use of the various scenes from the movie Flashdance and the music video "She's a Maniac" that was made in support of the movie. She establishes the frame of the video as an audition in front of a group of "stuffy" judges who liven up during her dance. She uses the basic principle of fidelity to attempt to stay true to the Flashdance's combination of working class perseverance and sex appeal. One of the techniques that stood out to me was the quick repetition of her being splashed with water while she was on stage. This technique emphasizes J Lo's flashy sexuality through her appropriation and intensification of an iconic moment from the previoius text. |
Friday, January 2, 2015
Global Warming for Kids
I recently read Sandra Steingraber’s essay “The Big Talk (and Systems Theory),”(I read this in her book Raising Elijah, but you can read a version of the essay here). In it she ponders how to discuss global warming with her children. She avoids the topic for a while, but the more she hears her elementary-aged kids offhandedly discussing global warming, she knows she has to bite the bullet and clarify a few things. For help, she turns to the up-and-coming literary genre of global warming children’s books, where she figures out… not much.
Since reading her essay, I too have been wondering what my eight-year-old son knows about global warming. Does it scare him? Does he feel pressured to help solve the problem? Is he worried? These were things I didn’t know. And like Ms. Steingraber, I didn’t know how I should discuss the topic with him.
Global warming is a very adult topic, yet, it is our children who will have to suffer the consequences of our actions, or in this case, inaction. It is hard to admit that we adults have done something so terribly wrong that might alter the biggest thing part our existence—our planet. Many people still deny that global warming is real, and I can only imagine it is this fear of admitting wrongdoing that blinds them from the truth. However, as we begin to admit we've made some mistakes, how do we teach our kids about those mistakes, explain what is happening to the earth, and not worry them about their future in the process?
For guidance, I followed Ms. Steingraber’s footsteps and went to the place that can always provide answers—the library.
Global Warming, by Seymour Simon, was published in 2010 by the Smithsonian and Harper Collins. The book starts off with some fairly good information about climate and weather, greenhouse gasses, and the idea that though the earth is a very complex system, humans are indeed altering the climate. The book also clearly states that “No one person causes global warming.” A sentiment I appreciate, because part of talking to kids about this is making sure they understand, without feeling guilty about it.
But then Global Warming takes a turn, and we read page after page of the negative things that are happening or may happen because of climate change: polar bears losing their hunting grounds; glaciers melting and raising the sea level causing cities to become underwater; and destruction of coral reefs. The more I read, the more scared I became. Each page is accompanied by friendly Smithsonian-style photographs, and the final few pages offer actions that families can take to do their part in reducing carbon emissions, which is helpful. Overall, however, the presentation of the difficult truth is too hard for the pictures to soften.
Unfulfilled, I turned to Buried Sunlight: How Fossil Fuels Have Changed the Earth, by Molly Bang and Penny Chrisholm, illustrated by Molly Bang. This book was published in October 2014 by The Blue Sky Press. First thing I noticed was the paper. It felt amazing between my fingers. I flipped to the back to discover that it is 55% recycled content and 25% post-consumer waste. Not sure exactly what that adds up to, but I sure did like the feel of the book.
Buried Sunlight is beautiful. The illustrations are stunning—they reminded me of aboriginal art. The book goes through a very concise and easy-to-understand explanation of what fossil fuels are, the million years it took to create those carbon chains, and how humans came along to dig up that energy.
Buried Sunlight also notes the bad things that are happening or may happen due to global warming, but the distressing things are covered in TWO pages; a much more manageable amount.
While I was reading, the book had me; it is scientifically accurate, realistic yet hopeful, and written in a way that lacked threats and guilt. Until the end. The last page put the question to the reader—will you keep burning fossil fuels? Or will you find better ways to get energy? And… they lost me.
You can pose such a question to an adult who has the opportunity to make effective choices. But you can’t do that to a child. Particularly without offering them some options, like at least the Smithsonian did—walk to school, unplug lights you aren't using, take short showers. Of course kids want to help, but this is exactly the pressure I don’t want to put on my child. I am not going to lay a terrible reality on him, then jump in his face and loudly say, what are YOU gonna do about it, kid?
After reading these two books I went back to Ms. Steingraber. She wrote this, “The way we protect our kids from terrible knowledge is not to hide the terrible knowledge, or change the subject, or even create an age-appropriate story about the terrible knowledge, but to let them watch us rise up in the face of terrible knowledge and do something.”
This past fall my son and I planted a few more trees in our scrubby and scraggly yard. As we turned over the cold, dark earth, I asked him if he knew about global warming. “Yeah, I do,” he told me matter-of-factly.
“Are you worried about it, or scared?” I asked.
“No, not really.”
“Because, you know, it is a big deal, and we can talk about it if you want. People are working on the problem and we are trying to figure out how to do things better,” I rambled. “And I am doing everything I can to change things, to make it better. Like now, planting trees with you.”
“I know, Mom,” he said. “I understand. It’s ok."
I looked at him. My son, my future, our future. Then I leaned in and dug my hands deep into the dirt with his.
STEM FridayIt's STEM Friday! (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
Sue Heavenrich said...
hot topic - and much-needed discussion with our children. I found all three books good reads. Sandra is so eloquent. Molly is fun. And Seymour is just straightforward. Thanks for sharing all of 'em.
Amanda K. Jaros said...
Thanks Sue! |
A whole lot of random acts of kindness you can do
kindness is a language 2A small act of kindness can go a long way, not only to the receiver, but also to yourself. Need some inspiration? On several places online I found the following ideas for acts of kindness:
For your family and friends:
Include a note in your child’s or spouse’s lunch box.
Send a ‘Thank You’ card to someone who’s helped you when you really needed it.
Send unexpected bouquet of flowers to someone you appreciate.
Renew an old friendship by sending a letter or small gift.
Let your grandparents or parents know how they’ve impacted your life.
Email a friend to thank them for being there for you through hardships.
Share kind, positive quotes that inspire you.
Send something nice to your partner to tell them how much you appreciate having them in your life.
Offer to babysit for free for a couple or a single parent who could really use a short break.
Ask a teenager for their opinion. And then really listen to them.
Call an estranged family member.
Offer to take a friend’s child to ball practice.
If you can, help someone with a financial issue.
Take your child/niece/nephew for an ice cream cone and ask them about their favorite things. Tell them what you’re grateful for.
Ask a friend or family member how they are doing right now, after a time of adversity.
Send a gift anonymously to a friend or family member.
Tell your children why you love them.
Make a list of things to do to bring more kindness into the world, and have family and friends make a list. Exchange lists and do one item per day for a month.
For one week, act on every single thought of generosity that arises spontaneously in your heart. Notice what happens as a result.
Kindness to strangers:
Write something nice about your waitperson on the back of the check.
Give your place in line to another person who seems to be in a hurry or a parent with restless children.
Hold the door.
Help someone struggling with heavy bags or packages at the mall or grocery.
Give a tip just because. Write a card of thanks and leave it with your tip. Be sure to be specific in your thanks.
Help the seniors at a grocery store.
Wipe rainwater off shopping carts or hold umbrellas for shoppers on the way to their car.
Offer to take a picture of a group, family, or couple who have a camera.
Take blankets or warm clothing to a homeless person.
Give your pocket change to someone who needs it.
Give another driver your parking spot.
Contact your community action program to find out of someone who is in need of some assistance and provide it for them.
kindness 4Charity:
Collect goods for a food bank.
Purchase a couple extra bags of dog or cat food or clay litter and take to the animal shelter.
Give clothes to a shelter or thrift store.
Give a bag of groceries to a homeless person.
Give toys to the children at the shelter or safe house.
Treat someone on the streets to fresh fruit.
Collect canned goods for a food bank.
Buy or donate books for a day care or school.
Donate needed supplies to the humane society.
Donate to local causes you hear about or families in need.
Spend time at senior community.
Sing at a nursing home. (if you can sing anyway…) If you play a musical instrument, visit a senior center or hospital and give a brief recital.
Visit a nursing home and spend time visiting with someone who doesn’t get visitors.
Read to an elderly person.
Volunteer at a hospice.
Volunteer at a homeless shelter.
Visit or donate time to an animal shelter.
Volunteer at a local nonprofit or ask them what you can do to help.
Do as many kind things as you can by being anonymous. It is a wonderful feeling.
Write anonymous, loving post-its for strangers to find.
Leave an extra big tip for the waitperson.
Pay for the person behind you in the movie line or the meal of the person behind you in the drive-through.
Slip a bit of money to a person who you know is having financial difficulty. Even better if they don’t know where it came from.
Post a list of random kind acts in a public place.
Give flowers to be delivered with meal delivery programs.
Send a bouquet of flowers to a hospital and let the hospital know it should go to someone who doesn’t receive any visitors and is alone.
For just 5 bucks: Lots of acts of kindness are free, but try and see how many people you can be kind to by spending only 5 euros or dollars:
Tape the exact change for a soda to a vending machine.
Tape some change to a payphone with a card saying it is for whoever needs it.
Pay the toll or coffee for somebody behind you.
Leave flowers in front of someone’s house.
Bake cookies and give them away.
Put quarters in the laundry machine for the next person.
Send cards with beautiful messages to anonymous people.
Give someone a chocolate heart, just because.
Treat someone to a cup fo their favorite coffee.
Leave a scratch ticket at a public place.
Buy a stranger a free pizza or a dessert.
Interview people about what they’re thankful for, create a scroll from their responses and hand out a copy to everyone.
Send a nice card to an elderly person who’s been an influence in your life.
Express appreciation to workers who provide you with goods and services that don’t usually get noticed, for example, the police, firefighters, store clerks, behind the scenes restaurant staff, maintenance staff, etc.
Deliver fresh-baked cookies to town or city workers.
Write a letter to an old teacher who influenced your life.
To people who are ill:kindness_3-2-300x297
Call or visit a homebound person and ask how they are feeling that day.
Ask what they need, eg run an errand, drive them to appointments, take care of their kids.
Cook a nice meal for them.
Give blood.
Sign up for an organ donor card.
Be a good neighbor:
Stop by to say ‘Hello’, take over a baked treat or help with a project.
Mow a neighbor’s grass.
Wash a neighbor’s vehicle.
Let a neighbor know how much you value their friendship. When preparing dinner make extra and drop it off to a neighbor.
Run an errand for someone.
Help an elderly neighbor to care for their pet.
Put a flower on your neighbor’s porch.
Kindness at work:
Tell your employees how much you appreciate their work.
Let your staff leave work an hour early.
Send a gift anonymously to a coworker.
Be a friend to a new coworker.
It’s easy being green:
Pick up litter, you can start small: pick up three pieces of trash wherever you are.
Stand outside a supermarket and give people reusable shopping bags.
Plant a tree or a seed or a flower.
Recycle all aluminum, plastic, and paper materials.
kindness-wave_square-logo_tagline_no-effects_white-background_1600pAnd smile:
Say something nice to at least one person you meet today.
Give the gift of your smile, along with a small piece of paper with a smiley face and a note that says “Pass it on.”
Give out have a nice day stickers.
Set up a lemonade stand on a hot day and give it out for free, or for a smile.
Say a friendly hello to 5 strangers today.
Pay a compliment at least once a day.
Laugh out loud often and share your smile generously.
I’m sure you can come up with a lot of other acts of kindness!
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Hiroshima in History: The Myths of Revisionism
PDF Ispis
Ponedjeljak, 24 Kolovoz 2015 00:00
When President Harry Truman authorized the use of atomic weapons against Japan, he did so to end a bloody war that would have been bloodier still had the planned invasion of Japan proved necessary. Revisionists claim that Truman s real interest was a power play with the Soviet Union and that the Japanese would have surrendered even earlier had the retention of their imperial system been assured. Truman wanted the war to continue, they insist, in order to show off America s powerful new weapon. This anthology exposes revisionist fallacies about Truman s motives, the cost of an invasion, and the question of Japan s surrender. Essays by prominent military and diplomatic historians reveal the hollowness of revisionist claims, exposing the degree to which these agenda-driven scholars have manipulated the historical record to support their contentions.
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What is an Air Handling Unit?
If you have a split system air conditioner or heat pump, you are aware of the fact that you have both indoor and outdoor units. The outside unit houses the compressor, one of the most expensive components of the system. Your inside unit houses the blower along with evaporator coils, a drain pan and the air filter. This is known as the air handling unit, and careful maintenance is important for optimum system performance.
How Do Air Handling Units Work?
Your air handler may be freestanding, or it may be enclosed. It connects to your air ducts, serving as the means of moving air through the circuit and into different parts of your home. The blower is operated by a motor, and in modern systems, multiple speeds may be available to provide more or less intense heating and cooling action.
An air handling unit that is part of an AC or heat pump split system also manages the heat transfer process in your home. As refrigerant moves through the coils in the unit, it gives off or absorbs heat, leading to a change in the temperature of the surrounding air. In an AC unit, the function of the coils is to absorb heat so that cool air can be distributed through the home. A heat pump can also transfer heat from these coils to the surrounding air to heat the home.
Indoor coils also contribute to dehumidification during summer cooling months. As the coils absorb heat, moisture in the air condenses, pooling and dripping from the coils into a drain pan. This condensate liquid is directed out of the home through drain lines.
Maintaining Your Air Handling Unit
Pre-season maintenance of your heating and cooling equipment is important for efficient operation. The air handling unit is prone to a buildup of dirt because of the constant movement of air through your system. Although your air filter catches much of the airborne debris, as it becomes clogged, more of the material can make its way into the air handler. This debris can settle on your coils, inhibiting the heat transfer process significantly. Dirty indoor coils can add as much as 20 percent to your energy costs for HVAC activity, making coil cleaning a significant money saving strategy. During your preventive HVAC service, your technician will also check moving parts in your blower, lubricating as needed. Additionally, your drain pan will be cleaned so that liquid condensate doesn’t back up and overflow.
Upgrading Your Air Handler
The failure of some components in your unit can be addressed with replacement parts. In some cases, however, it’s better to replace the entire unit. If you are obtaining poor performance from your AC or heat pump, you can consult with your contractor to evaluate whether an upgrade is warranted. It’s common to replace both the indoor and outdoor units at the same time so that parts work together. However, it’s important to discuss the options with your HVAC service representative.
W A Air Conditioning can assist you in dealing with dirt in your HVAC system. We can also help in evaluating the performance and life of your equipment. Whether you need a repair or a tune-up, our technicians are ready to help when you contact our office.
January 22, 2014 5:49 pm |
Page 269. " northern lights "
northern lights
Creative Commons Attributionnorthern lights - Credit: economicsguy: wikipedia
The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, is a phenomenon caused by the passage of high energy protons from the sun through the Earth's atmosphere. From the ground, it appears as shimmering waves of coloured light in the sky.
Page 273. " like a pilgrim forefather "
pilgrim fathers
Public Domainpilgrim fathers - Credit: davepape: wikipedia
The Pilgrim Fathers were a group of English puritans who travelled first to Holland and then to America. They founded the oldest continuously populated British settlement in America. |
Explain naming convention constants, Computer Engineering
Constants are "variables" that cannot be changed within a function- or script-body. The value will always be the similar during script-implementation.
If the constant name having of more than one word those will be separated using an underscore.
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How Gas Dryers Work
How gas dryers work is a mystery to most folks. I can tell you from having trained hundreds of appliance service technicians all across the country that a lot of service technicians who are paid to repair gas dryers are not familiar with the basic operation of gas dryers. These folks often change parts starting with the most common failed gas dryer parts, until they get it right.
If you are a homeowner or do-it-yourselfer you should be very careful when repairing a gas dryer. Although the basic operation of a gas dryer is straightforward, any changes in the way the dryer burner assembly was designed by the manufacturer to operate, could be dangerous.
Before I give you the step-by-step breakdown on how gas dryers work, I want to remind you that all gas dryers should be vented to the outside of the house. And that is because in the unlikely event of a carbon monoxide issue, the carbon monoxide is more likely to be vented to the outside.
So let's take a look at how a gas dryer works, and how a basic gas dryer burner was designed to function.
Here is the sequence that allows gas to flow and ignite in a typical gas dryer.
1. Power is applied to the ignitor (igniter) and it starts to glow hot
2. The heat from the ignitor heats the flame sensor to a point sufficient to allow gas to ignite
3. The heat from the ignitor flexes a bimetal in the sensor opening the circuit to the ignitor
4. Once the circuit is open to the ignitor power is applied to the secondary coil of the coil kit
5. Current starts to flow through the secondary coil
6. As the current flows it creates an electromagnetic field opening the valve
7. Gas flows through the burner and is ignited by the still glowing ignitor
8. Heat from the now burning gas keeps the bimetal flexed in the sensor allowing the coil to remain energized keeping the gas flowing
9. Under normal conditions the control thermostat cycles off interrupting the circuit to the gas burner assembly causing the coils to lose their electromagnetic fields shutting down the gas flow |
Mind and Body
Advice for a heat advisory
As the temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat stroke. Find out the warning signs and how to avoid it
Instead, Glatter recommends people drink at least six to eight glasses of water throughout the day because thirst isn’t the best indicator that your body is overheated. While sports drinks containing electrolytes may help, Glatter said drinks with excess caffeine and sugar may actually worsen dehydration.
Heat stroke, which happens when the body’s internal temperature exceeds 105 degrees (normal temperature is about 98 degrees), can take anywhere from several hours or days to develop and sufferers often appear flushed and confused, said Glatter. Other symptoms to watch for include nausea, vomiting, dry mouth and lips, and the inability to sweat.
While heat stroke most commonly affects the elderly, Glatter said younger people can also suffer from exertional heat stroke. Even well-conditioned athletes can forget to keep up with hydration during hot days and may pass out, said Glatter.
Click for more from The Wall Street Journal. |
Slough's villages
Modern-day Britwell was built on farmland after the Second World War, to re-house Londoners who had lost their homes in the bombing raids. The first of 11,000 tenants moved in in 1956 and were delighted with the "roomy and modern" houses, complete with large swivel windows - "a boon to housewives". However, there were no pubs or clubs or community facilities on the estate, and no bus service into Slough or Burnham. In 1959 the Community Association was founded, and their campaigning was successful in getting a bus service and, in 1966, a Community Centre.
The first written record of Chalvey dates back to 1217. The name comes from the Old English word 'cealf', and means 'Calf Island'. The Chalvey Stab Monk legend has become a local tradition: an organ-grinder's monkey bit a child, whose father stabbed the monkey to death. The crowd took up a collection for the organ-grinder, and spent some of the money on a funeral for the monkey. On the anniversary of the monkey's death the villagers marked the occasion by following the original funeral route and burying a model of the monkey - although some accounts hint that the procession got no further than the nearest pub, and that the first person to get drunk was dumped in the monkey's grave or Chalvey Brook and named 'Mayor of Chalvey' for the following year.
Henry III (1216 - 1272) had a palace at Cippenham, where Cippenham Moat is marked on modern maps (quite near the M4 today). Cippenham Green was where villagers grazed their cows, until the end of the 19th century, and is the only ancient village green left within Slough's boundaries.
Colnbrook grew up round the coaching inns which were established in the village to provide rest and refreshment to travellers and their horses along the great Bath Road from London to the west. In 1577 there were 10 inns listed there, the same number as in Reading. The Ostrich Inn was founded in 1106, and its name was originally 'The Hospice'. Not all its guests found shelter under its roof, however - in the 17th century one landlord constructed a trapdoor in the centre of the Blue Room, and wealthy travellers were tipped from their bed into a vat of boiling water below. One account says that over 60 murders were committed in the Ostrich Inn.
Langley was originally known as 'Langley Marish' and was part of the Manor of Wraysbury. St Mary's Church houses the ancient Kedermister Library, founded by Sir John Kedermister in the 1630s when books were rare. Langley Hall, now part of East Berkshire College, was at one time used as the 'Actors' Orphanage', which provided a home for the children of actors who had died. The Actors' Orphanage was famous for the pantomimes that were put on for the children every year.
Upton was one of the ancient villages which became merged into modern-day Slough. Upton Park was developed in the 1840s as an up-market residential area after an advert in the Windsor Express invited "Capitalists, spirited Builders and any one desirous of securing a site for a Residence" to apply for land. The original houses fell into disrepair, but were re-developed in the 1980s and 1990s and divided into flats.
Alongside Upton Park is the large half-timbered house known as 'The Mere'. It was built in 1887 for George Bentley, the son of Charles Dickens' publisher, Richard Bentley. George's son, also called Richard, was a great local historian and the author of 'Some stray notes upon Slough and Upton' and 'Some historic inns of Slough'.
Wexham has some ancient buildings, such as the 12th century Church of St Mary and the 16th century Wexham Court, but nowadays is usually associated with Wexham Park Hospital. The hospital was built in the 1960s on the site of an old Victorian mansion called Wexham Park, and won an award from the Royal Institute of British Architects for its design. "A place where one could happily spend a holiday" was one description, and "better equipment than the best hotels". Innovations included rooms for parents to stay overnight while their children were in hospital, and headsets at each bed with the choice of two radio programmes or BBC1 / ITV television sound. |
— Hebert Sheildt
Hibernate is an open source, lightweight ORM (Object Relational Mapping) tool / framework. ORM means mapping a class with the table and the respective fields with the database columns.
Hibernate is a framework which is built on top of JDBC, it internally uses JDBC but it makes the programmer to write application specific code and not the common code (like creating registering driver class, creating Connection object, closing Connection object, etc)
Database Table -- Java Class
Database Columns -- Fields (member variables)
There are several ORM tools available but the popular ones are Hibernate, iBatis, JPA, etc.
The several advantages of Hibernate are (these are few):
1. Hibernate is Database independent.
2. Provides built in Connection Pool (Proxool and C3P0 connection pools).
3. For bulk select operations, it provides results in the form of Serializable objects (Collection), so that it can be sent over the network without any processing.
4. It throws unchecked exceptions, so that we don’t have to handle exceptions while developing the persistence logic.
5. Provides HQL (Hibernate Query Language) and also support native SQL.
Hibernate provides extensive support for annotations for configuring, although I will develop this example using an xml file for configuration purpose. I will be using MySQL as my database s/w so I will also have to add the respective driver jar file.
1. Download Hibernate 3.x from the below link and then extract the zip file.
Hibernate 3.x
2. Add the following *.jar files to the CLASSPATH.
How To
mysql-connector-java-5.1.6-bin.jar (for MySQL)
The resource files required to develop this simple hibernate application are:
a. Configuration File (XML).
b. Mapping File (XML).
c. Persistence Class (POJO Class/ Java Bean).
Configuration File
This file provides the configuration for the Database s/w to be used.
Mapping File
This file maps the table with the class and the columns with fields, also the relationship amongst the tables (1 to 1, 1 to M, M to 1, M to M).
Persistence Class
This is a simple Java Bean, having getter and setter methods for the columns of the table.
SessionFactory is a class that is immutable and is specific to one database. It provides the Session object (not HttpSession) which allows us to communicate us with the database s/w.
Session is a mutable object, this wraps a JDBC Connection object, and Hibernate internally uses a PreparedStatement object.
This is a JavaBean class having getter and setter methods for the fields representing the names of the columns in the table.
The PreparedStatement generated by the Hibernate framework.
Here I use a GUI tool named SQLyog (Community edition i.e free) to interact with MySQL database. You can get it from here.
Here we can see Hibernate inserted the record in the database, this piece of code is applicable to any Database s/w, all we need to make changes to the configuration file.Also notice how Hibernate inserted the date in accordance to the Database s/w used.
Hibernate can also be integrated with other technologies/frameworks like Struts, Spring, JSF, EJB, etc.
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Exam Prep Questions Man3301
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1. Unions usually support: A) conduct-based pay. B) achievement-based pay. C) performance-based pay. D) seniority-based pay. E) merit-based pay. 2. The National Labor Relations Act is also known as the: A) Landrum-Griffin Act. B) Walsh-Healey Act. C) Taft-Hartley Act. D) Davis-Bacon Act. E) Wagner Act. 3. What can supervisors do to stay union-free? A) They can report any direct or indirect signs of union activity to a core management group. B) They can promise employees that they will receive favorable terms of employment if they forgo union activity. C) They can spy on employees known to be engaged in pro-union activities. D) They can impose with harsher terms and conditions of employment. E) They can interrogate employees about pro-union or anti-union sentiments that they have. 4. Which of the following acts was an addition to the Taft-Hartley Act that further regulated unions' actions and their internal affairs like financial disclosure and conduct of elections? A) Bagley-Keene Act B) Taylor Act C) Landrum-Griffin Act D) Chamberlain-Ferris Act E) Keating-Owen Act 5. Which of the following is true of union activities? A) Nonmanufacturing industries such as finance, insurance, and real estate have a higher union representation than manufacturing industries. B) One reason for the smaller union presence in southern states is the existence of right-to-work laws. C) Women and men have equal representation in unions. D) Employee groups and economic sectors with the fastest growth rates tend to have the highest rates of unionization. E) Unions have perfectly adapted themselves to recent changes in the economic structure. 6. Integrative bargaining is the part of the labor-management negotiation process that: A) refers to the relationship and level of trust between the negotiators. B) allows a person with no formal authority to act as a facilitator in the negotiations. C) seeks solutions beneficial to both sides. D) focuses on the conflicting objectives of factions within labor and management. E) focuses on dividing a fixed economic "pie." 7. The Wagner Act: A) actively supported collective bargaining. B) created a positive right of noninterference by employers against workers joining trade unions. C) banned yellow-dog contracts. D) barred federal courts from issuing injunctions against nonviolent labor disputes.
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E) established an eight-hour workday, with additional pay for overtime work. 8. Which of the following is true of an arbitrator? A) She is a part of the collective bargaining process. B) She actually chooses the solution to the dispute. C) She provides inside information about the management to the employees. D) She represents the employees during the collective bargaining process. E) She has no formal authority. 9. In human resource management, the process of resolving disputes through discussion is known as: A) delayering. B) downsizing. C) benchmarking. D) exempting. E) collective bargaining. 10. The ability of one party to achieve its goals when faced with opposition from some other party to the bargaining process is known as the: A) collective bargaining power of each party. B) conditional bargaining power. C) inequality of bargaining power. D) reverse bargaining power. E) relative bargaining power of each party. 11. Which of the following is true of John Dunlop's industrial relations system? A) According to Dunlop, an effective industrial relations system completely eliminates conflict. B) According to Dunlop, a successful industrial relations system consists of five elements. C) According to Dunlop, for the industrial relations system to operate properly, all the participants should have a common ideology. D) According to...
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Twyla and Roberta are the main characters in Recitatif while Maggie and the “Gar Girls” are used to emphasize the main point of the short-story. Twyla came from a poor family and remained in the same status when she was grown but even so led a happy life while marrying for love despite her financial troubles. On the other hand Roberta derives from a wealthy family and found a husband to continue her wealthy lineage although I highly doubt she married for love she appeared to be content with her life. These girls came to know each other from their stay at an orphan home in Saint Bonny’s when they were eight years old. The “Gar Girls” were your typically misunderstood teenaged girls who have gone through tough times and took out their troubles and frustrations on those who could not defend themselves. Maggie was an older lady with a disability who worked as a lunch lady at Saint Bonny’s and was also one the victims of the “Gar Girls” witnessed by Twyla and Roberta. The author did not directly reveal the races of these characters so in the beginning of the story while the main characters were in the orphanage I subconsciously assumed Twyla was an African-American girl while Roberta appeared to be a Caucasian girl due to the steady supply of stereotypes given throughout the story such as comparing them to salt and pepper. But as the story progressed and the main characters reflected upon the Maggie incident where Roberta originally claimed Maggie was black and that they both kicked her, Twyla only disagreed that Maggie was not black but didn’t argue with the fact that they had both kicked Maggie. At the end of the story Roberta admits she does not remember whether Maggie was actually black or white and left me without an answer of what Twyla and Roberta’s actual race was when the author ended the story with "Oh shit, Twyla. Shit, shit, shit. What the hell happened to Maggie?”
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by Steve Mizrach
Lost in Cyberspace: A Cultural Geography of Cyberspace
When examining most human landscapes, cultural geographers inevitably observe a mixture of the "natural," or given elements, and those that are purely "cultural," or artificial. In the past, they tended to define the "built environment" of buildings, dwellings, and structures as "artificial," and the "given environment" of features such as rivers, hills, and forests as "natural." Today, of course, we know that humankind has never left "wilderness" or "nature" untouched, and beginning in the Neolithic era, we started redirecting the course of rivers, flattening hills, and replacing "native" plant species with "exotic" ones. Thus, cultural geographers are beginning to see the entire landscape as a cultural product - that the human impact on it is not always in terms of obvious artificial impositions. (Hirsch and O'Hanlon 1995.)
I mention this because today humans are busy erecting a new kind of landscape which is totally artificial: what many, following science fiction writer William Gibson, have called cyberspace. (Gibson 1984.) Though it can be used to simulate and model 'nature,' it also can exhibit properties never found in this or any other world. This new kind of space that people are coming to inhabit is curious in many ways. For one thing, it is a "no-space" because it is nowhere: a "consensual hallucination" in which people interact with widely distributed data through textual and visual representations. The laws of physics do not apply in cyberspace, and thus neither do standard limitations on human modes of locomotion, self-representation, or capabilities. Cyberspace is a cultural landscape where rivers can flow uphill and forests can be made of crystal trees - or things infinitely far more bizarre.
Since these new virtual worlds we are creating are cultural products, they are logical objects of study for cultural geography. While it might seem a stretch to apply the techniques of even the newest and most avant-garde forms of cultural geography to such a strange kind of human space, I suggest it's not unusual, because cultural geography has, as I've been suggesting, come to the realization that it had studied artificial worlds all along. The artificial worlds of cyberspace are made out of different structures (digital data) than other cultural landscapes, but those structures emerge out of patterns constrained by the technology available to designers (which is itself a cultural product) and the perceptual choices and preferences of both the users and creators of those structures - which also emerge out of culture. (Benedikt 1991.)
We can ask the same questions of cyberspace that we ask of other human spaces. How is cyberspace being used, and for what kinds of 'virtual' activities are its 'virtual' worlds being designed to facilitate? What patterns of social relations play out in the kinds of virtual spaces that exist in cyberspace? Are we erecting virtual agoras or simply electronic disneylands? How does power shape the nature and experience we have of cyberspace? What values and belief systems are embodied in the ways in which these virtual worlds are erected? How do people orient themselves and navigate their way through cyberspace in a way that is culturally meaningful? Does cyberspace simply reflect the ethnocentrism and cultural biases of the people (mostly Western computer programmers, but also some Japanese) primarily involved in its design? (Bruckman 1996.)
All of these questions are ones in which some of the ideas in both the new and old cultural geography can be applied. Cyberspace is made up fundamentally of numbers (binary bits and bytes) and is not only quantifiable, but in a sense almost made of quantity. Yet, through virtual reality, simulation, and visualization, people experience it qualitatively, even immersively, just like "reality." (Mitchell 1995.) Cultural anthropologists of space, and cultural geographers, need to visit this new "field" of human life - which is becoming the space of more and more key human activities, ranging from commerce to weddings to our own research. We need to start understanding it now, lest the sprawl of the information superhighway harm many more people than the unanticipated suburban sprawl (at least by most geographers) created from the 50s automobile highways.
Is Cyberspace Anyplace?
Though cyberspace can be understood as a mental space of attention where people are when they are engaged in electronic communication (thus even a person reading email or talking on the telephone is 'in cyberspace'), increasingly it has become synonymous with virtual reality and the immersive experience of computer-generated worlds (which was the sense in which Gibson originally used the word.) Since these virtual worlds are still in the process of being designed and implemented, they are of a variety of kinds. "Standard" VR technology involves the use of a headmounted stereoscopic display which places the computer-generated world in the full field of vision of the person. However, another type of virtual world could be the more widespread kind where the person views a rendered 3D-modelled universe through a 2-dimensional screen. Since this is usually viewed from a first-person perspective through a fairly large 'window,' it also can seem immersive. (Laurel 1991.)
This type of cyberspace is being implemented through the use of VRML (virtual reality modelling language) code on the World Wide Web, making it available to Internet users worldwide without much hardware (other than a compatible browser.) All sorts of virtual worlds right now suffer from the limitation of looking far from realistic or 'lifelike.' The headmounted-visor type of VR typically involves realistically rendered computer-generated objects, whose "refresh" rate (the rate at which the texture polygons are redrawn) usually fails to keep up with the movement of the person's head. They don't match his change in point of view quickly enough, which leads to some feeling of vertigo. (Weibel 1995.) In contrast, the static 3D simulations which people "move" through on the Web, however realistically rendered, still appear 2-dimensional because they do not engage the person's depth perception. Thus, in either case, the viewer has no sense of being anyplace "real," e.g. in the non-computer-generated world.
But most designers of virtual worlds have seen simulating reality as a hindrance. It prevents the most interesting features of virtual worlds from being implemented. One is that the person need not experience the perspective of the world from their standard point of view. They could see it from a bird's eye point of view, or if they experience it through 'avatar' technology, as a bird moving through the scene. Virtual worlds don't usually display the laws of physics in action - walls rarely have solidity, gravity is optional, the flow of time is unnecessary. (Hayward and Wollen 1995.) Within the parameters of the computer-generated reality, the person can move through the virtual world through almost any sort of navigation. There's no need for them to walk; in fact some virtual worlds allow the person to move in any direction in which they can point. Reinforcing this unreality is the fact that most of these worlds only engage only the senses of hearing and sight; rarely is touch invoked.
Cyberspace is not anywhere in our physical reality. It also does not really even exist "within" the computer or data network. The truth is, it is an illusion, a consensual hallucination , created by interface technology which "translates" digital data into a world that can be experienced by the human sensorium. It is, as some people have suggested, a no-place; it exists solely within "headspace." (Moser 1996.) However, it is not purely sollipsistic. People can share this same hallucination, in a way that is fully interactive and mutual. Through connection to the same virtual environment through the same interface, people can have all kinds of interactions, limited only by their imaginations. Needless to say, the public imagination has been captured by the possibility of "cybersex," and undoubtedly the development of technology to make this "interface" achievable will push the development of other systems.
There can be (and perhaps must be) a geography of cyberspace, for the simple fact that it (like the real world) is discontinuous. People cannot experience a virtual world in its entirety all at once. However, it may not be meaningful to "map" virtual worlds in terms of Cartesian coordinates or latitude and longitude. Still, virtual worlds can contain a multitude of places, each of which are perceived and experienced differently, and thus there must be ways in which we can 'map' cyberspace, however arbitrarily. To do the cultural geography of cyberspace, we must accept the fact that it is not a space that can be measured by simple linear units. Movement from place to place in cyberspace can only be described in terms of difference of experience - but we should not be surprised that those kinds of experience can include feelings of the uniqueness, importance, and meaningfulness of places. (Holtzmann 1994.)
Shaping Cyberspace: Design and Implementation
Creators of virtual worlds make a number of choices in how the design their computer-generated realities. The most important one might be the sort of world they are. Immersive worlds fill the field of vision of the person, which is usually accomplished through a stereoscopic headmount. 3D worlds are typically experienced through a window on a screen, but on a large enough monitor, they can fill a large amount of a person's field of vision. (Hamit 1993.) If staircases, walls, etc. are rendered in a lifelike enough way, the compelling nature of 'screen worlds' can still make a person feel as if they are fully' inside' that world. People are clearly more fascinated by and absorbed within the immersive type of virtual world. It eliminates the ordinary barrier between the viewer and 'scene' imposed by the screen. Were it not for the bulky hardware that facilitates the experience, the person might (given sufficient realism) presumably assume they are still someplace in the 'real' world.
Akin to this implementation choice is that of point of view for experiencers. They can experience it (as they do in many video games) in "third person" through some sort of icon or 'avatar' that represents them. This avatar could be some sort of humanlike form that resembles them, or it could be anything else. People might traverse the virtual world in the form of a crab, a wolf, a bird, or something even stranger. They might be viewing the actions of their representative from behind, or below, or above - perhaps even shift their perspective. In some simulations, the person does not view their own avatar, but it appears visible to the point of view to other persons, duplicating their movements, speaking when they speak, imitating their mannerisms. Most people generally prefer this sort of "first person" experience of cyberspace - where at most they might see those elements of their own body which are normally visible to a person looking straight ahead (usually only a hand or an arm.) All they see are the elements of the virtual world as they would appear from their 'real world' point of view (tracked by sensors.) The "first person" view heightens the sense of realism. (Schweber 1995.)
Another is the way in which people traverse or navigate through cyberspace. Virtual worlds can be spatially or non-spatially navigated. Hypertext worlds can be navigated through clicking on text, a mode of movement through words. An extensions of this concept is navigation through hypermedia (such as on a CD-ROM), where the person enters different parts of the experience through clicking on icons, images, or even regions of sound (where the cursor movement generates a certain musical pattern.) This is the way most people 'move' through the World Wide Web. But in spatially navigated 'zones' of cyberspace, the question then becomes how the person 'moves' through that space. Do they walk through it? Fly through it? Transport to different areas using "teleportation portals?" Many simulations generally allow the person to navigate through space using some type of implement - a joystick, trackball, or pointer, or perhaps pointing using a 'data glove.' Or clicking by mouse on a region of space is assumed to indicate an intent to move toward that region. Depending on the 'laws of physics' in the simulation, different kinds of movement are facilitated. The person may move through it in some kind of vehicle, such as a light cycle, hovercar, or marching robot. (Hayward and Wollen 1995.)
Yet another choice is the level of interactivity. As with many of these other design choices, it depends on bandwidth and processor power, because the number of simultaneous users and the variety of interactions users can have with each other put strains on both. Some gaming simulations allow only two simultaneous users, competing for some sort of goal (perhaps the elimination of the other user, as in a Doom DeathMatch.) Other simulations, like Lucasfilm's Habitat, allow many people to simultaneously participate, usually interacting through conversation and movement toward private or nonprivate "rooms." Some simulations limit users to have a rote variety of responses toward other users. A person clicks on an action and their 'avatar' responds appropriately. High-interactivity simulations allow a wide variety of simultaneous interactions with a large number of people - which is akin to what we experience in the "real world." But this requires a great deal of flexibility in the system that governs the unfolding of the virtual world. (Barlow 1991.)
Last but not least is the choice of the designer of how closely to approximate "realism." How realistic the person feels the virtual world is depends on all these other factors, but most importantly on how lifelike the elements of the world seem. Do the movement of other characters seem fluid and intelligent, or awkward and jerky? Are techniques such as shading, rendering, and lighting used to give the virtual objects a sense of solidity and depth? Do actions in the virtual world produce the same sorts of consequences that typical "real world" actions do? (Benedikt 1991.) Designers are coming up with ways to even give (through tactile 'dataglove' interfaces) virtual objects a physical texture, perhaps even a feeling of weight and mass. Still, we are a long way from having people 'sit' comfortably in a virtual chair. But it's clear that people prefer simulations that are convincingly 'lifelike,' and designers tend to cater to that choice, so this is driving the technology in that direction.
Cyberspace as Cultural Landscape
We can begin to differentiate cyberspace in several ways. Besides the technical features of its implementation, we can also look at the kinds of activities it supports, of the kinds of users who "inhabit" it, the kinds of "real world" spaces it emulates, and the kinds of social relations it facilitates. Thus, we might have 'electronic agoras' as envisaged by researchers in the MIT Media Lab (Negroponte 1995) -- places of civic discourse and community discussion; or simple 'digital shopping malls' where the main interactions are asking people where to find the best products. However cyberspace might be designed, the ultimate question becomes whether it is merely a diversion or entertainment, or if people can employ it for other purposes. The pattern has usually been (on the Internet) to introduce technologies for academic purposes, which are then diverted into diversions, and then ultimately into other social purposes.
Thus, the first electronic conferencing systems were used by researchers for academic collaboration. This was followed by the use of MUDs and MOOs for people to people to "live out" the imaginary worlds of their favorite fantasy and science fiction novels. After that came simulations which were designed to be experiments in creating community, such as Diversity University, which was designed as a "living laboratory" for multiculturalism. What seems to be happening with the Internet now as a whole is also curiously complicated. Originally designed as a defense command and control network (when it was DARPANet), it became a government research network (as NSFNet), and now seems to be becoming a corporate network, with people constantly coming up with ways to use it to advertise, promote, and sell products and engage in "electronic commerce." Along the way, there was another vision - of the Net as a tool to foster 'virtual community', a vision which was lived out in cyberspaces such as San Fransciso's Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link (WELL) - but which seems to be fading by the wayside. (Laurel 1991.)
The design of virtual architectures, just as is the case with real landscapes, communicates social messages of power. Who lays down the terrain of cyberspace? Who assumes the responsibility of guiding people through it? How much choice is left in the hands of the user and how much is created for him by the creators of virtual content? What kinds of activities are permitted, discouraged, banned, facilitated, encouraged? It is social choices that determine what cyberspace becomes used for - whether as a space for electronic commerce (a marketplace), civil society (public discussion and participation), places of belonging (virtual communities), creative interchange (interactive media display), 'forbidden' interactions (such as cyberporn, the computer underground, or trade in 'illicit' information), or experimentation (role playing different identities). (Lauria 1995.) But these choices are not made 'freely' - they are constrained by the infrastructure of cyberspace, which is at once its hardware, software, and standards of enforced conduct for users.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) chose their name deliberately because of the way they analogized cyberspace to the Western frontier on the 19th century. It is in many ways a wild, outlaw territory. But most importantly, it is also "wide open" (in a way that the Western frontier never really was, because there were Indians and other people already living there), waiting to be settled by people adventurous to begin what some people see as the next inevitable phase of human existence - electronic embodiment. (Barlow 1991.) Like the frontier, cyberspace is thought to be a place full at the same time of both promise and danger. There is the chance for people to have a new start, to "homestead" virtual communities in a "virgin" space, but there also plenty of bandits, predators, and people prepared to waylay the unwary. The choices we make in cyberspace now will doubtless shape what it looks like for a long time to come, but on the other hand, it is also (unlike the Western frontier) a theoretically infinite space, which will not "close" anywhere in the near future.
Cyberspace is a cultural landscape par excellence because, in ways unlike any other landscape, its form embodies totally the values and perceptual biases of its creators. Since it is being shaped digitally ex nihilo, there is no pre-existing natural landscape on which human agency is being imposed. What is fascinating for so many about cyberspace is that it is a metaphysical space of pure mind, a construct of pure cyberculture - hence the feelings people report of disembodiment, transcendence, and transformation. In the realities being erected in virtual worlds, we can see the ethics and ideals of the largely hermetic community of hackers, sysops, multimediacs, and digerati taking shape. Still, these virtual worlds also reflect so much of popular and public culture, so they are not a closed cultural process. (Weibel 1995.) The needs and desires of the largely computer-illiterate community of users for transparency, for versimilitude, and for social interaction are also pushing cyberspace in new directions.
For some people, there are utopian expectations for cyberspace; others see more practical imperatives for the "information superhighway." Almost all acknowledge that as with previous technologies (radio, television, etc.) the utopian promises for cyberspace may fall short, but the dystopian dangers will also be remote. Most of the social changes will be far-ranging, and unexpected. The point I want to emphasize is that the cultural changes wrought by cyberspace cannot be seen as purely accidental. They are the result of social choices; they occur through the agency of the institutions that are allowed to direct how cyberspace is developed and used. (Lauria 1995.) If Detroit had a heavy hand in shaping our interstate highway system, and the media corporations helped "dumb down" television, we should not be surprised when telecommunications and media multinationals start trying to take over the development of cyberspace "for the benefit of the consumer," as suggested in the recent U.S. Telecom Bill.
Reading Cyberspace
Just as many cultural geographers have treated the physical landscape as a text, so now can they start to 'read' cyberspace, on multiple levels. One way might be just to 'read' it as binary digital code, or as higher-level programming code. However, most people don't relate to cyberspace as a series of 0s and 1s, anymore than they relate to text in a book as a series of light and dark dots. Another way to 'read' cyberspace might be naively, literally as a product of the intention of its designers. (Moser 1996.) In this view, cyberspace is a top-down construct, and so we can study how this or that space is put together, assembled from various kinds of software and programming imperatives. The designers are trying to "communicate" something authoritative to the users of the system, and thus everyone will come away with cyberspace influenced by their goals.
But, just as reader-response literary critics, "viewer-poacher" media critics, and new cultural geographers are coming to realize, there are any number of possible readings of cyberspace, mainly because of its intrinsic mutability. Castles can "morph" into hovels, and users can "port" from room to room. What is being brought down the fiber optic line to the user is a series of bits - what gets done with those bits is up to the user. (Negroponte 1995.) It's possible to allow someone to customize their experience in cyberspace, so that the nature of it is as much a product of their choices as the "producer" of those digital bits. Unlike with broadcast media, the synchronous nature of Internet communication provides for near-instaneous feedback, allowing cyberspace experiences that continually update based on the preferences and previous actions of the user. True interactivity truly gives every user their own interpretation of the virtual world.
What the operators of online services have realized, however, is that people want cyberspace to be more than aesthetically pleasing and sensually immersive. They want to interact with other people, and perhaps even AIs (artificial intelligences) or agents that manifest some of the personality features and behaviors of other people. They want a customized way of 'reading' cyberspace, of 'navigating' its landscapes, but not in such a sollipsistic way as to avoid having contact and interaction with other people. The 'spaces' of cyberspace that become most quickly occupied often surprise its designers. When France started up its Minitel service, the last thing they expected to see take off in popularity was its chat rooms. Sure enough, the popularity of its so-called "pink chat rooms" (where people engaged in attempting virtual or IRL amorous liaisons) almost ended up crashing the system. (Barlow 1991.)
What most cyber-geographers have realized is that with cyberspace, what most people are "reading" is the interface. Human-computer interface design has been an important element of cyberspace construction for twenty years. The realization that people more easily could "read" (and interact with) an interface of windows and icons transformed the nature of the personal computer industry, where 90% of all computers run such an interface. People "read" a great deal into the interface, and they can interpret difficulty of use and lack of transparency as an almost obtuse "unfriendliness" on the part of the computer. Since none of us have "brain jacks" that can pipe in digital data directly, all of us have to experience cyberspace through some sort of interface. And the nature of that interface will affect how we relate spatially and otherwise to cyberspace. In the future, it may respond not just to our typing and our mouse clicks, but perhaps also our voice, our touch, maybe even our thoughts. (Laurel 1991.)
In textual simulations, we are forced to "read" their imaginary geographies. On a MUD, we know that going west takes us to the parlor, and up to the cellar, and so we can form a mental map of the virtual world described to us solely in textual terms. Likewise with BBSes, that often divide up their system into several "areas" around an implicit spatial structure such as a pyramid, a house, or a space ship. Some BBSes try and develop a "sense of place" and uniqueness which separates them from other systems. The Bay Area WELL system, for example, is a place which particularly appeals to Deadheads, counterculturalists, and hackers, and is "laid out" in a way that makes them feel comfortable and welcome. But more importantly, the WELL tries to create a sense of community in its users, and it has policies (such as "you own your own words") and other features that help people relate to the system and its other users in this way. (Rheingold 1994.)
Though the more explicitly spatial cyberspace geographies leave less to the imagination, they may not necessarily leave themselves less open. Like many MUDs, there may be virtual worlds that allow people to create their own objects, dwellings, and artificial companions. Cyberspace will truly be an ever-changing text, because it will be a never-ending story that people are constantly adding to and taking away from. Conferencing systems designed for government bureaucrats may be taken over by cyberpunk hackers and turned into outlaw chatsubos. It will be to the advantage of cyberspace designers to build some degree of adaptability to the system. There will always be an openness in the reading of cyberspace that could never really exist with a paper book or concrete building, and thus the "sense of place" for people in cyberspace may always be changing. (Schweber 1995.)
Living @ Digital Worlds
The new world of cyberspace will undoubtedly change the role of geography in civic life. Originally, even in the Greek polis, geography was destiny, and who you could interact with was limited by where you lived. Today, in theory, there is no cyberspace barrier (except an email filter or alias) between you and the mayor or any civic elites. Cyberspace levels distance of space and social position. No one knows where you are logging in from, although they can often infer many things from cues you provide. A person's email address is not a fixed point in cyberspace - it's allows them to communicate from anywhere, to anywhere, sort of like a phone number that follows you everywhere. (Mitchell 1995.) Through synchronous communication systems like Internet Relay Chat or voice conferencing systems like Maven, instantaneous "face-to-face" communication becomes more a matter of time (who logs in at the same time) than spatial distance. It will be possible for civic leaders and the community to hold "electronic town hall meetings," like was only previously possible in the small towns of New England.
Cyberspace will also continue the collapsing of physical time and space that has begun in the 20th century. There are already numerous (somewhat humorous) stories of people logging into the Net, losing track of time, and "emerging" from cyberspace hours or even days later, realizing that they've forgotten to pick up their children or spouse. The clock is a convenient means of getting people all in the same place at the same time, which in 13th century monasteries of 20th century industrial factories is essential. But with people working at home, "telecommuting" in their "electronic cottages," the eight hours they put in a day may not necessarily be the same eight hours others do. There may not even need to be a physical office where people meet on a regular basis, if the equivalent (a place where management can interact with employees and find out about progress on projects) exists in cyberspace. Peoples' schedules may start being driven more by the Tokyo stock market and Budapest radio schedule than the hourly rhythms of where they live. (Negroponte 1995.)
Undoubtedly, cyberspace is causing the collapse in many ways of traditional geographic identification. Some commentators greet the apparent disappearance of nationalism emerging through the rise of global cyberspace. On the other hand, others point to the way in which people are neglecting their own neighborhood communities (the physical places where they live) while turning to virtual communities for companionship - places where, some claim, the webs of mutual obligation and reciprocity that compose "true" community are not found. (Rheingold 1994.) Some see the disappearance of the idea of identity through geography (you are who you are based on who lives in the same place you do) with horror; others see it as an antidote to xenophobia and ethnocentrism. What seems to be happening in cyberspace is that people are starting to identify themselves through virtual addresses - "oh, I'm an AOL user" - based on their point of access to the Net. Parochial judgements are taking on new forms, as when all AOL users are thought to be clueless bumpkins and 'newbies' who don't know their way around.
The fragmentation of identity which people often claim is a feature of postmodern life seems to be amplified in cyberspace. A person need no longer be "embodied" in one self in one place. They may have any number of virtual "selves" in various cyber-locations, personae which they can adopt whenever they feel the need. You truly can be in more than one place; and it's common for Internet users to be "multiply connected" with friends through a number of modalities, chatting on the Internet Relay Chat in one window while simultaneously trying to shoot down an opponent in a Doom DeathMatch. This may force cultural geographers to rethink the relationship between self and space. (Bruckman 1996.) For a long time, humans have been accustomed to being "rooted" in a place, either through birth or special attachment. But in cyberspace, people might find themselves multiply existent, in any number of concurrent virtual worlds.
To some, the idea of any metaphysical significance to the reality of cyberspace is all hype. Still, there can be no doubt that cyberspace is qualitatively different from any other kind of space which people have inhabited. Gibson's dream, of corporeally entering cyberspace (depicted in the movie Lawnmower Man), drives a lot of people, including the VR coders at Autodesk, Inc. (Hamit 1993.) To the pioneers of virtuality, there is a sense that this all could be a whole new phase of human evolution. All this talk about "downloading" personalities into digital form represents, in a new form, the human ambition for transcending the body and cheating death. As long as human identity is something fixed in space and time, this may not be possible. Cyberspace holds out the tantalizing possibility that this need no longer be the case. But also the terrible flip side - which is that the difference between us and our digital constructs may not be as great as we think.
People working in the anthropology of space and cultural geography have "fertile territory" to survey in cyberspace. Unlike so many other landscapes, this is one which is being built right before their eyes. Observing how people perceive, locate themselves, find meaning, and identify themselves in cyberspace, may help us understand the analogous processes of how this occurs in 'realspace.' However, cyberspace provides more than a testing ground for existing hypotheses about how social-cultural relations emerge in space. It is a new kind of space that is emerging, and will force the rethinking of old assumptions about place and space. Deciding how to do the cartography of a place that is nowhere and everywhere at the same time may be a redoubtable task; even moreso, analyzing and explaining the new kinds of identities and interactions that emerge in such a new, unforeseen place.
It may be argued for a long time whether we are in the midst of a post-industrial/information-age/postmodern social revolution. No one knew during the Renaissance or the Industrial Revolution that a revolution was taking place. Still, electronic media are revolutionizing what we think of as literacy, robots and AIs may soon start taking on characteristics we reserved for 'humanity' alone, and various artificial life experiments are causing us to rethink the basis of life and consciousness. (Complexity and self-organization?) In the same sense, cyberspace may be erasing what we think we knew about space. What it means to be in some place and not another is changing. People may start living more and more in the "no-place" of cyberspace. So in the future, any geographer who ignores cyberspace and its impact on the human ordering of space may be doing so at their own peril.
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para sa mga nurse
1. 1. Miniratu Deen-Savage Head Nurse, Labour & Delivery
2. 2. Historical Background <ul><li>The Nursing discipline’s pursuit of professional recognition relies heavily upon the ability of practicing Nurses to correctly define and solve problems which are uniquely Nursing in origin (Jones 1988). </li></ul><ul><li>One way of doing this is to identify the factors which can act as barriers to effective problem solving. </li></ul>
3. 3. Factors that affect midwives/ nurses decision making in practice <ul><li>Some of the barriers that may enhance or impede effective clinical decision making in midwifery/nursing are discussed: </li></ul><ul><li>Clinical Reasoning/Decision making- Why you should care </li></ul><ul><li>Intuitive knowledge </li></ul><ul><li>Education/Training </li></ul><ul><li>Staffing </li></ul><ul><li>Communication/Attitude </li></ul><ul><li>Resources </li></ul>
4. 4. CLINICAL REASONING / DECISION MAKING <ul><li>Clinical decision making can also be referred to as clinical reasoning, clinical judgement, clinical inference & diagnostic reasoning ( Hardy et al 2008). For the purpose of this lecture, clinical reasoning/decision is used. </li></ul><ul><li>Clinical reasoning is a multidimensional concept that involves a wide range of cognitive activities that underline judgement, decision, and action by health professionals (Munroe H, 1996). </li></ul><ul><li>Clinical reasoning can be thought of as an internal dialogue that occurs before, during and after patient care (Jenson et al 1999). </li></ul><ul><li>Numerous factors influence the clinical reasoning/decision making process. These include: Individual Variables and Contextual Variables </li></ul>
5. 5. Factors affecting clinical Reasoning/Decision Making <ul><li>Individual variables: </li></ul><ul><li>Experience and knowledge (Benner 1984, Benner& Tanner 1987). Example- novice to expert, Benner 1984 </li></ul><ul><li>Creative thinking (Pardue 1987) </li></ul><ul><li>Self concept(Joseph 1985, Seymour 2003) </li></ul><ul><li>These factors may enhance or impede clinical reasoning & decision making in practice </li></ul>
6. 6. Experience and Knowledge <ul><li>Are two major factors affecting decision making. </li></ul><ul><li>Decision making in discipline such as nursing involves more than the application of theoretical knowledge </li></ul><ul><li>A deep understanding of the situation is required if treatment approaches are to address the experience of illness as it relates to a particular patient. </li></ul><ul><li>Care-giving requires the nurse to have a detailed understanding of the patient's condition, response, needs, and wishes (Grinspun 2003). </li></ul><ul><li>For example recognising a deviation from the normal to the abnormal during labour comes with both having the theoretical knowledge of normal & abnormal labour & also the experience of recognising any deviation & to take appropriate action to prevent adverse effects on the patient. </li></ul>
7. 7. <ul><li>Critical and creative thinking are prerequisites to narrowing the disjuncture between research and practice (Seymour et al 2003) </li></ul><ul><li>It is suggested that educators and practitioners explore structured ways of meeting together to appraise literature as a possible means of making use of their thinking and knowledge in clinical practice. </li></ul><ul><li>That is bridging the gap between theory & practice </li></ul>CREATIVE THINKING
8. 8. Self Concept <ul><li>An individual's self-concept is conceived as that individual's s ummary formulation of his or her status . (Ossorio, 1978; 1998). </li></ul><ul><li>Self-concept can also refer to the general idea we have of ourselves (Huitt, W (2009). </li></ul>
9. 9. Clinical Reasoning /Decision Making WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? <ul><li>One of the most important decisions facing physicians & nurses /midwives is what is the diagnosis, or at least what life threatening event do I need to rule out. </li></ul><ul><li>In order to do this properly, the health professional must use clinical reasoning which involves both medical inquiry and clinical decision making. </li></ul>
10. 10. Clinical Reasoning /Decision Making- WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? <ul><li>Medical enquiry refers to the skills or techniques used to gather data such as the medical/obstetric history & physical and labs. </li></ul><ul><li>Clinical reasoning/decision making uses this information to make decisions concerning the diagnosis or treatment . </li></ul>
11. 11. Clinical Reasoning /Decision Making- WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? because: <ul><li>Clinical reasoning is the thought process that guides our practice. </li></ul><ul><li>Clinical reasoning is the backbone of our profession, without it we have random activities that are chosen for no set purpose (Mendez and Jodene 1999). </li></ul><ul><li>Neistadt (1996) found that making clinicians more aware of the complexities of their work and thinking not only validated their profession, but also increased their job satisfaction </li></ul><ul><li>clinical reasoning gives words to what goes on in our minds. </li></ul>
12. 12. Clinical Reasoning /Decision Making WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? <ul><li>We need to be able to explain the reasons behind our treatment choices to each other, other professional & most importantly our patients. </li></ul><ul><li>Clinical reasoning is a great way to start framing our thought processes in words and explaining the rationale behind our decisions (Neistadt, 1996) </li></ul><ul><li>Without clinical reasoning nurses/midwives and other members of the multidisciplinary team will see Nursing in a fragmented way (Mendez and Jodene 2003) </li></ul>
13. 13. Clinical Reasoning /Decision Making- WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? <ul><li>Therefore, clinical reasoning links our theory to our practice: it uses past experience to guide our decisions: it incorporates the limitations of the environment in which we are practicing and it connects our personal values and style to our therapeutic intervention choices. </li></ul><ul><li>It is the thread that weaves together the choices, treatment & daily work of our practice. </li></ul><ul><li>Extended role-Nurses/midwives are now carrying out some procedures that junior physicians usually do. e.g. consultant midwifery performing instrumental delivery/specialist positions such as practice/lecturer in practice midwifery </li></ul>
14. 14. Intuition <ul><li>Intuition is the apparent ability to acquire knowledge without reason (Chopra et al 2005). </li></ul><ul><li>It provides us with beliefs that we cannot necessarily justify. </li></ul><ul><li>It is an important tool in nursing and part of nurses' synergistic response to patients and events (Chopra et al 2005) </li></ul><ul><li>(Synergistic- working together for a common end) </li></ul>
15. 15. Intuition <ul><li>Intuition is a rapid, unconscious process, it is context-sensitive, it comes with practice </li></ul><ul><li>It involves selective attention to small details </li></ul><ul><li>It cannot be reduced to cause-and-effect logic (B happened because of A) </li></ul><ul><li>It addresses, integrates, and makes sense of, multiple and complex pieces of data of the care given. </li></ul><ul><li>Benner (1994,1998) used the term 'intuition' for the fifth stage of practice (novice/adv.learner/comp/expert) </li></ul>
16. 16. How reliable is our intuition? <ul><li>How much should we depend on gut-level instinct rather than rational analysis in clinical reasoning/decision making? </li></ul><ul><li>Nurses with greater expertise and experience are more likely to use intuition to make decisions or evaluate patients (Benner 1984) </li></ul><ul><li>However, Paley (1998) has criticized Benner's model for its lack of clarity about the nature of an expert practitioner. </li></ul><ul><li>This criticism is further justified by Benner's inadequate explanation of “expert”. </li></ul>
17. 17. How does intuition affect clinical reasoning/decision making <ul><li>Some evidence, validates the use of intuitive decision-making as a construct in explaining expert clinical decision-making practices. </li></ul><ul><li>The validity of intuitive practice should be recognized. It is essential to recognize the conditions that support practice development, and in the pre-novice stage (during their university course) factors such as reflection, research (in its broadest sense) and clinical curiosity should be fostered. </li></ul>
18. 18. How does intuition affect clinical reasoning/decision making <ul><li>Advocates of a humanistic, intuitive approach to clinical care - impossible to integrate the 'science' of evidence-based medicine with the intuitive 'art' of clinical judgement, and that whilst the rules of evidence-based medicine can be taught, clinical intuition is an unfathomable phenomenon that simply "happens“. </li></ul>
19. 19. Communication/Attitude <ul><li>In using a proactive approach to communication, healthcare professionals must become increasingly sensitized to the stresses associated with illness and hospitalization and must learn the importance of good listening and effective communication to ensure high quality patient care. </li></ul><ul><li>A study by Lester and Smith (1993) demonstrated that time-limited, negative communications by doctors/nurses is associated with increased litigious intentions among patients, even when outcomes were neither adverse nor negligent. </li></ul>
20. 20. Communication/Attitude <ul><li>An integral part of the nurses’ role is patient assessment on initial contact, following a physician referral or admission to an inpatient ward </li></ul><ul><li>At this stage of contact, nurses should attempt to reassure patients, convey a sense of warmth and put them at ease by using communication skills such as questioning, reflecting, listening, summarising, paraphrasing and so on. </li></ul><ul><li>This interaction also has the potential - if managed skilfully - to instil confidence and a sense of safety in the service offered </li></ul>
21. 21. Communication/Attitude <ul><li>Communication is the most powerful tool in clinical practice. </li></ul><ul><li>Repeatedly, research has shown that good communication skills result in better clinical outcomes, a greater need to follow clinical recommendations and reduced risk of clinical negligence and complaints(Wilson 1998,Cemach, 2005) </li></ul>
22. 22. Communication/Attitude <ul><li>BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION </li></ul><ul><li>No matter how good the communication system in an organisation is, unfortunately barriers can and do often occur. </li></ul><ul><li>Physical barriers are often due to the nature of the environment. </li></ul><ul><li>Thus, for example, the natural barrier which exists if staff are located in different buildings or on different sites. </li></ul>
23. 23. Communication/Attitude <ul><li>Attitudinal barriers </li></ul><ul><li>come about as a result of problems with staff in an organisation. </li></ul><ul><li>These may be brought about, for example, by such factors as </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Poor management, </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Lack of consultation with employees, </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Personality conflicts which can result in people delaying or refusing to communicate, </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Personal attitudes of individual employees which may be due to lack of motivation or dissatisfaction at work, brought about by insufficient training to enable them to carry out particular tasks, or </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Resistance to change due to entrenched attitudes and ideas. </li></ul></ul>
24. 24. Communication/Attitude <ul><li>Poor or outdated equipment, particularly the failure of management to introduce new technology, may also cause problems. </li></ul><ul><li>Staff shortages are another factor which frequently causes communication difficulties for an organisation. </li></ul><ul><li>Whilst distractions like background noise, poor lighting or an environment which is too hot or cold can all affect people's morale and concentration, which in turn can interfere with effective communication. </li></ul>
25. 25. STAFFING/RESOURCES <ul><li>Patient safety has always been a primary concern of nurses, particularly in hospitals and other institutions (RCN 2003) </li></ul><ul><li>Clinical risk management is now an important dimension of the clinical governance agenda </li></ul><ul><li>This means that decisions about staffing levels and skill mix must be integrated with a systematic approach to safety and continuous quality improve ment (RCN 2003) </li></ul>
26. 26. SKILL MIX <ul><li>Skill mix has been defined as: </li></ul><ul><li>The balance between trained and untrained staff, </li></ul><ul><li>Qualified , unqualified and supervisory </li></ul><ul><li>An optimum skill mix is achieved when the desired standard of service is provided, at the minimum cost, which is consistent with efficient deployment of trained, qualified and supervisory personnel, and the maximisation of contributions from all staff members. </li></ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li>American Nurses Association, 1999 </li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul>
27. 27. STAFFING/RESOURCES-SAFE STAFFING <ul><li>Safe Staffing means that an appropriate number of staff, with a suitable mix of skill levels, is available at all times to; </li></ul><ul><li>Ensure that patient care needs are met and that hazard-free working conditions are maintained </li></ul><ul><li>Skill /scope of practice </li></ul><ul><li>Poor skill mix can lead to clinical errors, adverse patient & organisational outcomes </li></ul><ul><li>Safe staffing ratio may improve care & outcomes of patients </li></ul><ul><li>( American Federation of Teachers (1996 ) </li></ul>
28. 28. STAFFING- PATIENT SAFETY <ul><li>Why is patient safety important </li></ul><ul><li>It focuses on a variety of care indicators such as: </li></ul><ul><li>Adverse /sentinel events as a result of the care/management provided e.g.; falls, medication errors, inappropriate treatment/surgery </li></ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li>(American Nurses Association 1999) </li></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul><li>failure to recognise & failure to act appropriately & timely ( CEMACH 2003) leading to adverse patient outcome </li></ul>
29. 29. Education/Training/Resources <ul><li>Clinical competencies provide the cognitive-affective structure that guides clinical decision-making in nursing. </li></ul><ul><li>Clinical competencies help nurses to explain "what they know" and the justification for particular decisions that facilitate the promotion of the health of the individual, or groups . </li></ul><ul><li>However, clinical competencies alone will not facilitate quality clinical decisions. </li></ul><ul><li>Human and material resources are necessary to promote and facilitate quality clinical decision-making in nursing </li></ul>
30. 30. <ul><li>Together, clinical competencies and resources are frameworks the nurse uses and relies on during clinical decision-making. </li></ul><ul><li>We need to invest in education and training for all staff . Staff are responsibility for their own professional development </li></ul><ul><li>We need to ensure staff have support in the clinical areas to foster their ability to formulate clinical reasoning/decisions about patients care/ management </li></ul><ul><li>We need to involve our patients in the education process of their disease and care management. </li></ul>
31. 31. <ul><li>Clinical competencies and appropriate resources, such as human and material resources, enable the nurse to assess a particular situation on the one hand, recall and apply appropriate procedures and methods to make and implement clinical decisions on the other (Marshall, 1995). </li></ul>
32. 32. TO SUMMARIZE <ul><li>Clinical reasoning </li></ul><ul><li>Intuition </li></ul><ul><li>Communication </li></ul><ul><li>Staffing </li></ul><ul><li>Education/training </li></ul><ul><li>Resources </li></ul> |
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith was bold and bawdy. Bessie Smith was talented and tough. Bessie Smith was sassy, sexy and sultry. Bessie Smith was "The Empress of the Blues." Bessie took the genre to new heights, soaring and surpassing the success of many of her male counterparts.
No other female blues singer personifies the blues, historically or contemporarily, as much as Bessie Smith. Alberta Hunter, a giant of the genre herself, proclaimed, " Bessie Smith was the greatest of them all. There never was one like her and there'll never be one like here again. Even though she was raucous and loud, she had sort of a tear - no, not a tear, but there was a misery in what she did. It was as though there was something she had to get out, something she just had to bring fore. " ( Jones, Page 33)
Bessie was born to Laura and William Smith in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1894. But like so many African-Americans during that time, birth records were not accurately kept and the birth year has come into question. The family was large and poor. Soon after Bessie's birth, her father (a part-time Baptist preacher) died, followed by two of her brothers. Laura Smith only lived till Bessie was nine years old. The remaining six children had to learn to take care of themselves. "For young girls in the South that time there were not many choices...but Bessie was lucky. Bessie could sing. (Jones, page 34)
Bessie began performing on the street corners along with her brother Clarence. Clarence later joined The Moses Stokes Minstrel Show and got Bessie an audition. Gertrude "Ma" Rainey was also performing with this show and this is where their relationship was nurtured and developed. Their relationship has been an object of controversy. Many have said that "Ma" kidnapped the young Bessie and made her perform and even that Ma taught Bessie how to sing. "Though many legends have surrounded their relationship, Cl;arence's wife Maude reported that the Rainey's never kidnapped Bessie...nor did Ma teach Bessie how to sing...in any case, the two remained fond of each other even after Bessie went off on her own. "(Jones, Page 34)
In 1920 Bessie moved to Atlantic City. This was the same year that Mamie Smith recorded the first African-American blues record "Crazy Blues," causing a revolution in the industry and was the catalyst for the beginning of the era of the "race record." Before then, the music industry was not certain if blacks would support their music. After the phenomenal success of "Crazy Blues," they saw different and Bessie was able to take advantage of the change.
Female "blues singers" (often many sang in a "caberet" style) became immensely popular during this period. Many female blues singers did not have the power of Bessie's vocals. Many thought her voice may have been just a bit too much. " [Bessie] auditioned for three [recording] companies and they all turned her down. Too loud, they said, not refined enough. Thomas Edison who owned one company, thought her voice was "no good." (Jones, Page 38.)
After this disappointment, Bessie was not deterred. She continued to perform and in 1922, under the direction of a new recording executive at the failing Columbia Records, Bessie Smith (with her pianist and promoter Clarence Williams) was beginning to make musical history. Her first release in 1923 "Downhearted Blues" (written by Alberta Hunter) was a huge success. It sold 750,000 copies! Bessie eventually sold two million records more than an other Columbia artist, mostly bought by the black community. (Jones, page 42)
"Through Bessie Smith, the blues were raised to an artform that was to be the hallmark for every woman blues singer who recorded during the 1920's. Smith's songs covered many of the same themes as did Ma Rainey's; she could sing about violence or the threat of prison without any hint of tears or remorse, or loneliness and abandonment with a wrenching mournfulness. Her blues emanated from the violence and complexities of the urban experience and its effect on black women. Smith's blues were the essence of "sadness...not softened with tears, but hardened with laughter, the absurd, incongruous laughter of a sadness without even a god to appeal to," (Harrison).
Bessie's personal life was often tumultuous. She married Jack McGee in June 1923 and is known to have been openly bisexual. Bessie made lots of money which she spent often too freely and with abandon, even buying a luxury railroad car she named the "Jackie Gee." Bessie had a quick temper that was acerbated by her drinking, which she began to do more and more. In 1930 her marriage was over and the Stock Market Crash and the subsequent Great Depression made it difficult for Bessie's core audience to buy her albums. The era of prosperity was over. Bessie still sang. She began to sing popular tunes of the day and was even featured at the Apollo in New York City in 1935 where she still took command of the stage.
In 1937, on her way to perform in a show, Bessie was killed in a horrific auto accident. Many have suggested that she died as a result of bleeding to death when refused treatment at a "whites only" hospital. Although the entrenched racism and "culture" of the time lends credibility to this story, it has been basically proven not be true.
Bessie Smith will never be forgotten. She left behind 180 recordings. She changed and helped to shape American music history. Among those who consider her an influence are such diverse artists as gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and blues, jazz and pop singer Dinah Washington. She was truly "The Empress" and her musical royalty will continue to reign supreme.
References for Profile:
"Big Star Fallin Mama" , Hettie Jones, 1974, revised 1975 "Black Pearls, Blues Queens of the 1920's" by Daphne Duval Harrison
There are SO MANY excellent references on Bessie Smith. This short profile in no way details the life and music of this great woman.
On the Internet:
Bessie Smith's Links Page: http://alt.venus.co.uk/weed/bessie/welcome.htm
Books to Read (available at Amazon.com):
Bessie Smith Songbook Paperback / Published 1994
Lea Gilmore
Click the "GO" button to
list all available books,
CDs, and videos on:
Bessie Smith
©1999 Lea A. Gilmore and P.W. Fenton, All Rights Reserved. |
Health Library Explorer
Malignant Mesothelioma: Your Chances for Recovery (Prognosis)
What is a prognosis?
Prognosis is the word your healthcare team may use to describe your likely outcome from cancer and cancer treatment. A prognosis is a calculated guess. It’s a question many people have when they learn they have cancer.
Making a choice
The decision to ask about your prognosis is a personal one. It’s up to you to decide how much you want to know. Some people find it easier to cope and plan ahead when they know their prognosis and the statistics for how well a treatment might work. Other people find statistics confusing and frightening. Or they might think statistics are too general to be useful.
A healthcare provider who is most familiar with your health is in the best position to discuss your prognosis with you and explain what the statistics may mean in your case. At the same time, you should keep in mind that your prognosis can change. Cancer and cancer treatment outcomes are hard to predict. For instance, a favorable prognosis (which means you’re likely going to do well) can change if the cancer spreads to key organs or doesn’t respond to treatment. An unfavorable prognosis can change, too. This can happen if treatment shrinks and controls the cancer so it doesn’t grow or spread.
What goes into a prognosis
When figuring out your prognosis, your healthcare provider will consider all the things that could affect the cancer and its treatment. He or she will look at risk estimates about the type and stage (extent) of the cancer you have. These estimates are based on what results researchers have seen over many years in other people with the same type and stage of cancer.
If your cancer is likely to respond well to treatment, your healthcare provider will say you have a favorable prognosis. This means you’re expected to live many years and may even be cured. If your cancer is likely to be hard to control, your prognosis may be less favorable. The cancer may shorten your life. It’s important to keep in mind that a prognosis states what’s likely or probable. It is not a prediction of what will definitely happen. No healthcare provider can be fully certain about an outcome.
Your prognosis depends mainly on:
• The type and location of the cancer
• The stage (extent) of the cancer
• Your overall health
• Your treatment decisions
• How well your cancer responds to treatment
Understanding survival rates
Survival rates show what portion of people live for a certain length of time after being told they have cancer. The rates are often grouped for people with certain types of cancer. Many times, the numbers used refer to the 5-year survival rate. That’s how many people are living 5 years after diagnosis. The survival rate includes:
• People who are cancer-free
• People who still have signs of cancer. (These people may or may not be getting treatment for their cancer.)
What are the survival rates for malignant mesothelioma?
In general, the prognosis for people with mesothelioma tends to be better if the cancer is caught early enough where surgery is an option for treatment.
Here are the 5-year survival rates for mesothelioma, according to the National Cancer Institute.
• Overall, the 5-year survival rate for mesothelioma is about 9 percent.
• People who are younger at the time of diagnosis tend to do better than those who are older. For instance, if mesothelioma is diagnosed before the age of 65, the 5-year survival rate is about 18 percent. In people 65 or older, the 5-year survival rate is about 6 percent.
These numbers are adjusted to account for the fact that some people with mesothelioma may die from other causes.
Talk with your healthcare provider
You can ask your healthcare provider about survival rates and what you might expect. But remember that statistics are based on large groups of people. They cannot be used to say what will happen to you. No two people are exactly alike. Treatment and how well people respond to treatment vary.
Online Medical Reviewer: Alteri, Rick, MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Levin, Mark, MD
Date Last Reviewed: 6/1/2016
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Coldness is an Attack Vector
Intrinsic Randomness versus external Noise:
When selecting a source of randomness it is essential to understand whether the randomness of the source is caused by an integral property of the system itself, or if the source really is ‘just’ a measure of events external to, and unpredictable by, the system itself. The former is typically called ‘intrinsic’ randomness, the latter has different names but since the ‘signal’ in question is typically not part of the ‘desired’ operation of the system, in this whitepaper we shall refer to it as ‘external noise’. The difference is important, since, by definition, sources of intrinsic randomness cannot be influenced by an adversary, whereas sources using external noise can typically be influenced. In reality, of course the boundary between these types of sources is not as black and white as the definition suggests. Take, for instance, thermal noise as an example. Although this noise is present in all semiconductors, an adversary still has influence over it, by changing the temperature of the semiconductor. However since he does not have total control over it (unless he cools the system to 0K), thermal noise is still typically considered a source of intrinsic randomness.
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Active systems
Molecular machines are responsible for a variety of non-equilibrium actions. They can make cells themselves move about, and perhaps exhibit fascinating collective motion, and the are responsible, amongst other things, for the transportation of cargo, or play a role in the tightening of the contractile ring during cells division.
A range of molecular motors move along the filamentous structures, microtubules and actin filaments, in the cell. It is interesting and challenging to ask and understand how molecular motors when connected in different ways start modifying the properties of the networks of filaments, or how their functioning alters the mechanical and conformational, and other dynamical properties of a variety of structures.
There is a wide range of interesting introductory articles by various authors, for example, check out this one
Motility assays
A system with a relatively simple set-up is an array of filaments that move on top of a flat bed of molecular motors, a so-called motility assay. When a large number of motor heads grabs, moves, detaches to a filament, they cause it to move, but also to respond to an applied force. Under certain conditions, we found that an instability occurs [Banerjee, et al.]. Current work is related to dealing with interactions of filaments.
Above: A single filament moving on a surface with tethered motors. Cartoon for physical content of Banerjee paper. (Copyright Kristian Müller-Nedebock)
Stepping mechanism formalism
In the project with Janusz Meylahn we introduced novel ways to formulate the stepping action of motor heads using ideas from dynamical networking theories. We hope to present these results very soon.
Contractile rings
Can we think about the tension in contractile rings, given the latest, fascinating experiment on filament orientation and the motors linking the rings? This is part of the project Stanard Mebwe Pachong is investigating in her research.
Contractile rings are formed of actin filaments and molecular machines (and possible other components) to actively pinch of the cell membrane after the division of genetic material. A ring of these filaments forms and then contracts ever more tightly.
We are currently studying these systems using analytical dynamical approaches. These are complemented by some simple Langevin dynamics simulations.
Above: A simulations of the motions of actin filaments (some oriented clockwise and others counter-clockwise) under the action of networking and active forces. Two filaments with opposite orientations have been highlighted. (Copyright Kristian Müller-Nedebock)
Active gels
When networks of filaments are formed (which is typical of the cytoskeleton) pairs of molecular motor heads, for example, can link different strands in addition (perhaps) to other crosslinks, forming an active gel. In past years two MSc theses on these topics have been completed in the group: a general network formalism (using ideas from equilibrium networks in polymer physics) and a dynamical perspective. The work was done by former members Mohau Mateyisi and Karl Möller.
Collaborator: Ben Loos
Dr Ben Loos (Dept of Physiological Sciences at Stellenbosch University) has a long-standing interest in the molecular mechanisms that control cell death susceptibility. His research centres around protein degradative mechanisms and their dynamics, transport and function of mitochondria along tubulin networks and their role in neuronal degeneration and migration. His research group utilizes in vitro models for neuronal protein aggregation storage disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, to unravel and to direct the complex molecular interplay towards an environment that favours cellular function and survival. He has an equally long-standing interest in high resolution fluorescence-based microscopy techniques, and has managed the Cell Imaging Unit ( for many years. Integral part of his research in physiological sciences is the application of powerful microscopy techniques such as SR-SIM.
The organisation and dynamics of intracellular structures that maintain a cell’s form, shape, function and viability are rather complex. An emerging central theme which addresses this complexity deals with ATP-driven intracellular transport mechanisms along the tubulin network or the ability of mitochondria to rapidly undergo fission and fusion, and thereby creating a network that is adapted to the required ATP demands of the cell. In many physiological disorders, such as neuronal degeneration, these processes are disturbed, leading to increased cellular susceptibility to undergo cell death.
Physics modelling can add meaningful insight into the above processes. For example, semi-microscopic theories for membrane energetics and fluctuations can be utilised to understand the fusion between organelles. Descriptions including simple and driven – or active – dynamics of fusion and separation processes are possible. Predictions on transport processes and collective activity are accessible through nonequilibrium statistical physical treatments. On a slightly larger scale the insights from the fusion can be applied to network modalities. Here theoretical physical and mathematical characterisation of network properties would certainly assist in the analysis of experimental data.
For example the phenomena associated with autophagy can be studied through a variety of approaches. We recently published a chapter “Autophagic Flux, Fusion Dynamics, and Cell Death” that shows how physics modelling can be added to the understanding of this process, understanding of which might ultimately help science to understand a variety of disorders.
The Nanobiophysics-SU group is particularly interested in the emerging field of organelle network analysis related to properties such as elasticity, connectivity and efficiency that report on molecular interactions and cellular function. A unique approach lies in the nested approach of theory and experimentally derived data on the nano-scale. By plugging into the power of molecular imaging technologies such as structured illumination superresolution microscopy (SR-SIM), this group addresses questions that arise only at the interface of nanotechnology and biology. SR-SIM allows to resolve specifically labelled structures down to 80 nm. Current projects address fusion dynamics between autophagosomes and lysosomes, mitochondrial network connectivity and actin-cyctoskeletal stiffness. For example, microscopy data together with physics models for networking and organelle structure can help to cast light on the dynamics inherent to mitochondrial networks numerically. The predictive power that this interdisciplinary approach allows to generate, is highly valuable for both biology and theoretical statistical physics alike.
The principal investigators are Dr Ben Loos (Dept of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University) and Kristian Müller-Nedebock (Dept of Physics, Stellenbosch University) |
Appendix G. User's View of Object-Oriented Modules
A User's View of Object-Oriented Modules
Modules and Their Functional Interfaces
Modules with Object-Oriented Interfaces
What Can You Do with Objects?
What's in an Object?
What Is an Object Value?
So Why Do Some Modules Use Objects?
The Gory Details
The following article by Sean M. Burke first appeared in The Perl Journal #17 and is copyright 2000, The Perl Journal. It appears courtesy of Jon Orwant and The Perl Journal. This document may be distributed under the same terms as Perl itself.
G.1. A User's View of Object-Oriented Modules
The first time that most Perl programmers run into object-oriented programming is when they need to use a module whose interface is object-oriented. This is often a mystifying experience, since talk of "methods" and "constructors" is unintelligible to programmers who thought that functions and variables was all there was to worry about.
Articles and books that explain object-oriented programming (OOP), do so in terms of how to program that way. That's understandable, and if you learn to write object-oriented code of your own, you'd find it easy to use object-oriented code that others write. But this approach is the long way around for people whose immediate goal is just to use existing object-oriented modules, but who don't yet want to know all the gory details of having to write such modules for themselves.
This article is for those programmers—programmers who want to know about objects from the perspective of using object-oriented modules. |
Monday, April 05, 2010
United kingdom sets up Chagos Islands marine reserve
The UK government has designated an area around the Chagos Islands as the world's largest marine reserve.The reserve would cover a 544,000 sq km area around the Indian Ocean archipelago, regarded as one of the world's richest marine ecosystems. This will include a "no-take" marine reserve where commercial fishing will be banned. But islanders, who live in exile, have expressed concern that a reserve may in effect ban them from returning. The UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said establishing the reserve would "double the global coverage of the world's oceans under protection". He commented: "Its creation is a major step forward for protecting the oceans, not just around BIOT [the British Indian Ocean Territory] itself, but also throughout the world. "This measure is a further demonstration of how the UK takes its international environmental responsibilities seriously." Conservationists say the combination of tropical islands, unspoiled coral reefs and adjacent oceanic abyss makes the area a biodiversity hotspot of global importance. The archipelago has been compared to to the Galapagos Islands and is said to possess up to half the healthy reefs in the Indian Ocean. William Marsden, chairman of the Chagos Conservation Trust, commented: "Today's decision by the British government is inspirational. It will protect a treasure trove of tropical, marine wildlife for posterity and create a safe haven for breeding fish stocks for the benefit of people in the region." However, Chagossians have previously said the protected zone could prevent them from fishing - their main livelihood. The former residents, who were evicted from the British overseas territory between 1967 and 1971 to make way for a US Air Force base on the largest island, Diego Garcia, have fought a long-running battle in the UK courts for the right to return. Alistair Gammell, from the Pew Environment Group, said he was "thrilled" with the decision, adding that the oceans "desperately need better protection". He commented: "In 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity, the UK has secured a conservation legacy which is unrivalled in scale and significance, demonstrating to the world that it is a leader in conserving the world's marine resources for the benefit of future generations." The Foreign Office said it had been advised that the BIOT was crucial for repopulating coral systems along the East Coast of Africa and hence to the recovery in the marine food supply in sub-Saharan Africa. The conditions of the marine protected area are expected to be enforced by the territory's patrol vessel.
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Nuclear Medicine consists of both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Nuclear medicine diagnostic tests use small amounts of different radioactive tracers in order to determine the function of the heart, lungs, thyroid, kidneys, gallbladder, liver, and brain. A special gamma camera detects the radioactive emissions from these organs and sends the signals to a computer that creates two- and three-dimensional images. This process is referred to as Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT). SPECT is different from CT scans because it shows the chemical and physiological processes of the organs.
Our VERTEX scanner, allowing physicians to accurately diagnose abnormalities early in the progression of a disease, offers nuclear medicine capabilities that surpass standard diagnostic tools.
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Physical fitness can be achieved through "exercise. Photo shows "Rich Froning Jr. – four-time winner of ""Fittest Man on Earth" title.
Physical fitness is a state of "health and "well-being and, more specifically, the ability to perform aspects of "sports, occupations and daily activities. Physical fitness is generally achieved through proper "nutrition,[1] moderate-vigorous "physical exercise,[2] and sufficient rest.[3]
Before the industrial revolution, fitness was defined as the capacity to carry out the day’s activities without undue fatigue. However, with automation and changes in lifestyles physical fitness is now considered a measure of the body's ability to function efficiently and effectively in work and leisure activities, to be "healthy, to resist "hypokinetic diseases, and to meet emergency situations.[4]
Physical fitness is considered essential for military personnel all over the world. Photo shows "U.S. Navymen perform fitness exercises while a female instructor gives commands, 2010.
Fitness is defined[5] as the quality or state of being fit. Around 1950, perhaps consistent with the "Industrial Revolution and the treatise of "World War II, the term "fitness" increased in western vernacular by a factor of ten.[6] Modern definition of fitness describe either a person or machine's ability to perform a specific function or a holistic definition of human adaptability to cope with various situations. This has led to an interrelation of human fitness and attractiveness which has mobilized global fitness and fitness equipment industries. Regarding specific function, fitness is attributed to person who possess significant "aerobic or "anaerobic ability, i.e. strength or endurance. A holistic definition of fitness is described by Greg Glassman in the "CrossFit journal as an increased work capacity across broad times and modal domains; mastery of several attributes of fitness including strength, endurance, power, speed, balance and coordination and being able to improve the amount of work done in a given time with any of these domains.[7] A well rounded fitness program will improve a person in all aspects of fitness, rather than one, such as only cardio/respiratory endurance or only weight training.
A comprehensive fitness program tailored to an individual typically focuses on one or more specific skills,[8] and on age-[9] or health-related needs such as bone health.[10] Many sources[11] also cite "mental, "social and "emotional health as an important part of overall fitness. This is often presented in textbooks as a "triangle made up of three points, which represent physical, emotional, and mental fitness. Physical fitness can also prevent or treat many chronic health conditions brought on by unhealthy "lifestyle or aging.[12] Working out can also help some people sleep better and possibly alleviate some mood disorders in certain individuals.[13]
Developing research has demonstrated that many of the benefits of exercise are mediated through the role of skeletal muscle as an endocrine organ. That is, contracting muscles release multiple substances known as "myokines which promote the growth of new tissue, tissue repair, and various anti-inflammatory functions, which in turn reduce the risk of developing various inflammatory diseases.[14]
Activity guidelines[edit]
Fitness model posing with "dumbbell
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans was created by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. This publication suggests that all adults should avoid inactivity to promote good health mentally and physically. For substantial health benefits, adults should participate in at least 150 minutes (two hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity. Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes, and preferably, it should be spread throughout the week. For additional and more extensive health benefits, adults should increase their aerobic physical activity to 300 minutes (5 hours) a week of moderate-intensity, or 150 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity. Additional health benefits are gained by engaging in physical activity beyond this amount. Adults should also do muscle-strengthening activities that are moderate or high intensity and involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week, as these activities provide additional health benefits.[15]
Specific or task-oriented fitness is a person's ability to perform in a specific activity with a reasonable efficiency: for example, sports or "military service. Specific training prepares athletes to perform well in their sport.
Examples are:
Swimmers perform squats prior to entering the pool in a U.S. military base, 2011
In order for physical fitness to benefit the health of an individual, an unknown response in the person called a stimulus will be triggered by the exertion. When exercise is performed with the correct amount of intensity, duration and frequency, a significant amount of improvement can occur. The person may overall feel better but the physical effects on the human body take weeks or months to notice and possibly years for full development. For training purposes, exercise must provide a stress or demand on either a function or tissue. To continue improvements, this demand must eventually increase little over an extended period of time. This sort of exercise training has three basic principles: overload, specificity, and progression. These principles are related to health but also enhancement of physical working capacity.[22]
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)[edit]
High Intensity Interval Training consists of repeated, short bursts of exercise, completed at a high level of intensity. These sets of intense activity are followed by a predetermined time of rest or low intensity activity.[23] Studies have shown that exercising at a higher intensity has increased cardiac benefits for humans, compared to when exercising at a low or moderate level.[24] When your workout consists of an HIIT session, your body has to work harder to replace the oxygen it lost. Research into the benefits of HIIT have revealed that it can be very successful for reducing fat, especially around the abdominal region. Furthermore, when compared to continuous moderate exercise, HIIT proves to burn more calories and increase the amount of fat burned post- HIIT session.[25] Lack of time is one of the main reasons stated for not exercising; HIIT is a great alternative for those people because the duration of an HIIT session can be as short as 10 minutes, making it much quicker than conventional workouts.[26]
Aerobic exercise[edit]
"Cardiorespiratory fitness can be measured using "VO2 max, a measure of the amount of oxygen the body can uptake and utilize.[27][28] Aerobic exercise, which improves cardiorespiratory fitness, involves movement that increases the heart rate to improve the body's oxygen consumption. This form of exercise is an important part of all training regiments ranging from professional athletes to the everyday person. Also, it helps increase stamina.
Examples are:
Controlling blood pressure[edit]
Physical fitness has proven to result in positive effects on the body's blood pressure because staying active and exercising regularly builds up a stronger heart. The heart is the main organ in charge of "systolic blood pressure and "diastolic blood pressure. Engaging in a physical activity will create a rise in blood pressure, once the activity is stopped, however, the individual’s blood pressure will return to normal. The more physical activity that one engages in, the easier this process becomes, resulting in a more ‘fit’ individual.[30] Through regular physical fitness, the heart does not have to work as hard to create a rise in blood pressure, which lowers the force on the arteries, and lowers the over all blood pressure.[31]
Cancer prevention[edit]
Centers for disease control and prevention provide lifestyle guidelines of maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in physical activity to reduce the risk of disease. The WCRF/ "American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) published a list of recommendations that reflect the evidence they have found through consistency in fitness and dietary factors that directly relate to Cancer prevention.
The WCRF/AICR recommendations include the following:
These recommendations are also widely supported by the "American Cancer Society. The guidelines have been evaluated and individuals that have higher guideline adherence scores substantially reduce cancer risk as well as help towards control with a multitude of chronic health problems. Regular physical activity is a factor that helps reduce an individual’s blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels, two key components that correlate with heart disease and "Type 2 Diabetes.[33] The American Cancer Society encourages the public to "adopt a physically active lifestyle" by meeting the criteria in a variety of physical activities such as hiking, swimming, circuit training, resistance raining, lifting, etc. It is understood that cancer is not a disease that can be cured by physical fitness alone, however because it is a multifactorial disease, physical fitness is a controllable prevention. The large associations tied with being physically fit and reduced cancer risk are enough to provide a strategy to reduce cancer risk.[32] The American Cancer Society assorts different levels of activity ranging from moderate to vigorous to clarify the recommended time spent on a physical activity. These classifications of physical activity consider the intentional exercise and basic activities done on a daily basis and give the public a greater understanding by what fitness levels suffice as future disease prevention.
Immune system[edit]
Physical activity boosts the "immune system. This is dependent on the concentration of endogenous factors (such as sex hormones, metabolic hormones and growth hormones), body temperature, blood flow, hydration status and body position.[37] Physical activity has shown to increase the levels of natural killer (NK) cells, NK T cells, macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils, complements, cytokines, antibodies and T cytotoxic cells.[38][39] However, the mechanism linking physical activity to immune system is not fully understood.
Cardiovascular disease prevention[edit]
Physical activity affects one’s blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood lipid levels, blood clotting factors and the strength of blood vessels. All factors that directly correlate to "cardiovascular disease. It also improves the body’s use of insulin. People who are at risk for diabetes, Type 2 (insulin resistant) especially, benefit greatly from physical activity because it activates a better usage of insulin and protects the heart. Those who develop diabetes have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In a study where a sample of around ten thousand adults from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, physical activity and metabolic risk factors such as insulin resistance, inflammation, dyslipidemia were assessed. The study adjusted basic confounders with moderate/vigorous physical activity and the relation with CVD mortality. The results displayed physical activity being associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality that was independent of traditional metabolic risk factors.
The "American Heart Association recommendations include the same findings as provided in the WCRF/ AICR recommendations list for people who are healthy. In regards to people with lower blood pressure or cholesterol, the association recommends that these individuals aim for around forty minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity around three or four times a week.[40]
Weight control[edit]
Achieving resilience through physical fitness promotes a vast and complex range of health related benefits. Individuals who keep up physical fitness levels generally regulate their distribution of body fat and stay away from obesity. Abdominal fat, specifically visceral fat, is most directly affected by engaging in aerobic exercise. Strength training has been known to increase the amount of muscle in the body, however it can also reduce body fat.[41] Sex steroid hormones, insulin, and an appropriate immune response are factors that mediate metabolism in relation to the abdominal fat. Therefore, physical fitness provides weight control through regulation of these bodily functions.[42]
Menopause and physical fitness[edit]
"Menopause is the term that is used to refer to the stretch of both before and after a woman's last "menstrual cycle. There are an instrumental amount of symptoms connected to menopause, most of which can affect the quality of life of the women involved in this stage of her life. One way to reduce the severity of the symptoms is exercise and keeping a healthy level of fitness. Prior to and during menopause as the female body changes there can be physical, physiological or internal changes to the body. These changes can be prevented or even reduced with the use of regular exercise. These changes include;[43]
The Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project provided evidence that showed over an eight-year time period 438 were followed. Even though the physical activity was not associated with VMS in this cohort at the beginning. Women who reported they were physically active everyday at the beginning were 49% less likely to have reported bothersome hot flushes. This is in contrast to women whose level of activity decreased and were more likely to experience bothersome hot flushes.[45]
Depression and Anxiety[edit]
Physical fitness can enhance your mood through the release of "dopamine, "neurotransmitters, "endorphins and endocannabinoids. A short workout session or walk can cause your body to release this chemical which causes individuals to feel better. Physical fitness increases your bodies temperature which results in a calming effect toward the individual.[46][47][48]
See also[edit]
1. ^ Tremblay, Mark Stephen; Colley, Rachel Christine; Saunders, Travis John; Healy, Genevieve Nissa; Owen, Neville (2010). "Physiological and health implications of a sedentary lifestyle". Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 35 (6): 725–740. "doi:10.1139/H10-079.
2. ^ de Groot, Gudrun Cathrine Lindgren; Fagerström, Lisbeth (June 14, 2010). "Older adults' motivating factors and barriers to exercise to prevent falls". Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy. 18 (2): 153–160. "PMID 20545467. "doi:10.3109/11038128.2010.487113.
3. ^ Malina, R (2010). Physical activity and health of youth. Constanta: Ovidius University Annals, Series Physical Education and Sport/Science, Movement and Health.
4. ^ "President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Definitions for Health, Fitness, and Physical Activity". Archived from the original on 12 July 2012.
5. ^ "Merriam-Webster Dictionary".
6. ^ "Google Ngram Viewer". Google.
7. ^ Glassman, Greg (1 October 2002). "What is Fitness?". CrossFit Journal.
8. ^ Colfer, George R. (19 January 2004). "Skill-related physical fitness essential for sports success". Archived from the original on June 2011.
9. ^ Nied, R. J.; Franklin, B (2002). "Promoting and prescribing exercise for the elderly". American family physician. 65 (3): 419–26. "PMID 11858624.
10. ^ "Exercise for Your Bone Health".
11. ^ 4177.0 – Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, Australia, 2011–12. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 19 December 2012
12. ^ Physical Activity Fundamental To Preventing Disease. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. 20 June 2002
13. ^ "How much physical activity do adults need?". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
14. ^ Pedersen, B. K.; Febbraio, M. A. (2012). "Muscles, exercise and obesity: Skeletal muscle as a secretory organ". Nature Reviews Endocrinology. 8 (8): 457–65. "PMID 22473333. "doi:10.1038/nrendo.2012.49.
15. ^ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. 2008
16. ^ Mackenzie, B (2001). "Middle Distance Running". Middle Distance Running. BrianMac Sports Coach.
17. ^ Training: Physical Fitness Program.
18. ^ "Enlist : Army Physical Fitness Test". Archived from the original on 6 January 2010.
19. ^ "Running on the Beach: The Benefits & Dangers | Runners Feed". Retrieved 2015-04-14.
20. ^ Harriman, Dan (28 January 2015). "Aqua Jogging for Runners".
21. ^ Swimming Anatomy, Publisher: Human Kinetics, Year: 2010, "ISBN 9781450409179, page: 147
22. ^ Blair, S. N. (1993). "1993 C.H. Mc Cloy Research Lecture: Physical activity, physical fitness, and health". Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 64 (4): 365–76. "PMID 8278662. "doi:10.1080/02701367.1993.10607589.
23. ^ Wisløff, U; Ellingsen, Øyvind; Kemi, O. J. (2009). "High-intensity interval training to maximize cardiac benefits of exercise training?". Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews. 37 (3): 139–46. "PMID 19550205. "doi:10.1097/JES.0b013e3181aa65fc.
24. ^ Gillen, J. B.; Gibala, M. J. (2014). "Is high-intensity interval training a time-efficient exercise strategy to improve health and fitness?". Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 39 (3): 409–412. "doi:10.1139/apnm-2013-0187.
25. ^ Shiraev, T; Barclay, G (2012). "Evidence based exercise – clinical benefits of high intensity interval training". Australian family physician. 41 (12): 960–2. "PMID 23210120.
26. ^ Whitehurst, M. (2012). "High-intensity interval training: An alternative for older adults". American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 6 (5): 382–386. "doi:10.1177/1559827612450262.
27. ^ Haskell, W. L.; Troiano, R. P.; Hammond, J. A.; Phillips, M. J.; Strader, L. C.; Marquez, D. X.; Grant, S. F.; Ramos, E. (2012). "Physical Activity and Physical Fitness". American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 42 (5): 486–92. "PMC 3331998Freely accessible. "PMID 22516489. "doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2011.11.017.
28. ^ Chakaravertty B, Parkavi K, Coumary SA, Felix AJ (2012). "Antepartum cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) quantification by estimation of maximal oxygen consumption (Vo2 max) in pregnant South Indian women". J Indian Med Assoc. 110 (4): 214–7. "PMID 23025219.
29. ^ Osawa, Y; Azuma, K; Tabata, S; Katsukawa, F; Ishida, H; Oguma, Y; Kawai, T; Itoh, H; Okuda, S; Matsumoto, H (2014). "Effects of 16-week high-intensity interval training using upper and lower body ergometers on aerobic fitness and morphological changes in healthy men: A preliminary study". Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine. 5: 257–65. "PMC 4226445Freely accessible. "PMID 25395872. "doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S68932.
30. ^ Exercise: A Drug-free Approach to Lowering High Blood Pressure.
31. ^ Blood Pressure : Exercise & Activity Lower Blood Pressure.
32. ^ a b Alberts, David S. and Hess, Lisa M. (2005). Fundamentals of Cancer Prevention. Berlin: Springer, "ISBN 364238983X.
34. ^ Colbert, Lisa H.; Visser, Marjolein; Simonsick, Eleanor M.; Tracy, Russell P.; Newman, Anne B.; Kritchevsky, Stephen B.; Pahor, Marco; Taaffe, Dennis R.; Brach, Jennifer (2004-07-01). "Physical activity, exercise, and inflammatory markers in older adults: findings from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study". Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 52 (7): 1098–1104. "PMID 15209647. "doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52307.x.
35. ^ Kasapis, Christos; Thompson, Paul D. (2005-05-17). "The effects of physical activity on serum C-reactive protein and inflammatory markers: a systematic review". Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 45 (10): 1563–1569. "PMID 15893167. "doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2004.12.077.
36. ^ Campbell, Kristin L.; McTiernan, Anne (2007-01-01). "Exercise and biomarkers for cancer prevention studies". The Journal of Nutrition. 137 (1 Suppl): 161S–169S. "PMID 17182820.
37. ^ Nieman, DC (March 18, 1997). "Exercise immunology: practical applications.". Int J Sports Med.
38. ^ Fairey, Adrian S.; Courneya, Kerry S.; Field, Catherine J.; Mackey, John R. (2002-01-15). "Physical exercise and immune system function in cancer survivors: a comprehensive review and future directions". Cancer. 94 (2): 539–551. "PMID 11900239. "doi:10.1002/cncr.10244.
39. ^ Kruijsen-Jaarsma, Mirjam; Révész, Dóra; Bierings, Marc B.; Buffart, Laurien M.; Takken, Tim (2013-01-01). "Effects of exercise on immune function in patients with cancer: a systematic review". Exercise Immunology Review. 19: 120–143. "PMID 23977724.
40. ^ "Physical Activity and Blood Pressure."
41. ^ Westcott, W.L.; La Rosa Loud, R. (2014). "Strength for fat loss training". American Fitness. 32 (1): 18–22.
42. ^ Westerlind, K. C. (2003). "Physical activity and cancer prevention—mechanisms". Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 35 (11): 1834–40. "PMID 14600547. "doi:10.1249/01.MSS.0000093619.37805.B7.
43. ^ Sternfeld, B.; Dugan, S. (2011). "Physical Activity and Health During the Menopausal Transition". Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 38 (3): 537–66. "PMC 3270074Freely accessible. "PMID 21961719. "doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2011.05.008.
44. ^ Pruthi, Sandhya (June 2013). "Fitness Tips for Menopause: Why fitness counts". Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
45. ^ Eschbach, Chris (January 12, 2012). "Exercise Recommendations for Menopause-Aged Women". American College of Sports Medicine. American College of Sports Medicine. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
46. ^ "Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity - Mayo Clinic". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
47. ^ Sutoo, Den'etsu; Akiyama, Kayo (2003-06-01). "Regulation of brain function by exercise". Neurobiology of Disease. 13 (1): 1–14. "ISSN 0969-9961. "PMID 12758062. "doi:10.1016/s0969-9961(03)00030-5.
48. ^ "Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms - Mayo Clinic". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
Further reading[edit]
) ) |
Padovan String, C/C++ Programming
A Padovan string P(n) for a natural number n is defined as: P(0) = ‘X’ P(1) = ‘Y’ P(2) = ‘Z’ P(n) = P(n-2) + P(n-3), n>2 where + denotes string concatenation. For a string of the characters ‘X’ , ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ only, and given value of n, write a program that counts the number of occurrences of the string in the n-th Padovan string P(n). An example is given below. For n = 6 and the string ZY, the program should count the occurrences of ZY in P(6). P(0) = ‘X’ P(1) = ‘Y’ P(2) = ‘Z’ P(n) = P(n-2) + P(n-3), n>2 P(3) = P(1)+P(0) P(3) = YX P(4) = P(2)+P(1) P(4) = ZY P(5) = P(3)+P(2) P(5) = YXZ P(6) = P(4)+P(3) P(6) = ZYYX
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Program is to perform string operations: Program is to perform string operation without using in built functions using classes and object void mainmenu() { clrs
All languages are divided into six sections: - variables, I/O maths, conditional expressions, arrays, functions, subroutines and file handlers. Learning a software language is simi
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by Kate Maus
Photograph from “And Then” by Jo Metson Scott and Nicola Yeoman.
The etymology of the
illustrates a wandering man, without home or master. Though, true historical
of the Japanese feudal period sought closeness through violent ends, banding together to exuberantly rape and pillage villages. Fictional depictions of the “wave men” in the Edo period yield closer to modern truth: they sell umbrellas, seek favor in a population disinterested in their services, pander in their isolation. Solidarity has long been romanticized. John Keats‛ reference to “nature’s patient, sleepless Eremite,” illustrates a warm solitude; even in the cold dark universe, Keats is stealing a tender moment with a lover. And while the word Eremite is a common term for a religious recluse—never truly alone in their faith in God—it stems from the Greek adjective
, which more bleakly points to emptiness and desolation. Object Lesson: Much is made of J.D. Salinger’s disappearance, literary saps imagining their generation’s sad-eyed angel-headed hipster alone and desolate, in a cabin somewhere “missing everybody.” And yet allegedly, Salinger was a reclusive pedophile holed up in a shack, playing Humbert pen pal to hoards of teenage girls.
The following is a brief survey of those who go unlisted, that—at once—exist in culture but are not seen.
Let’s go back to 12th century Japan; the samurai are kicking ass. They’re the 1990s Chicago Bulls, just destroying everyone in their path—but imagine this: Jordan is also president and governor and Pippen is running the military. And they’re dicks. You’re Japanese author Kamo no Chōmei, born in Kyoto, Japan around 1153 or 1155. You’re the son of a respected sho-negi—or superintendent of a sanctuary complex known as the Lower Kamo shrine, (a shrine that still rests on the banks of Japan’s Kamo River today). You’re living the leisurely life; pops is taking care of everything else. You’re studying poetry and music amongst all this political turbulence, massive earthquakes, and famines. You’re thinking you’ll go into the priesthood, but shit, dad kicks the bucket, leaving you to completely immerse yourself in poetry, music, and literature. Despite the loss, you’re creating a name for yourself; things are looking up. You get a job writing poetry at the official Poetry Office, and you’re jamming along, maybe think it’s time for that high priesthood life. However, the Retired Emperor (that rat bastard) chooses his own son over you for the priesthood spot at your dad’s old Kamo Shrine. You’re crushed. Fuck it. Leave the damn Poetry Office and opt for complete reclusion, take vows as a Buddhist. Turn your back on everybody. Start scribbling poetic tomes about your “Ten-Foot-Square Hut.”
Syd Barrett was one brilliant bastard. Under his distorted pilotage Pink Floyd recorded their first LP, Piper at the Gates of Dawn, a sinuous progenitor of space rock and a seminal psychedelic offering. But the guy loved to get lit. Dropping LSD god-knows-how-many-times unlocked a malignant spirit within the lad. And while it might have elevated his mind’s eye, his creeping mental instability and erratic behavior eventually ousted him from the group. This is of course before they went on to be one of the most successful bands ever created. He slowly departed from his previous genius and after another decade of scant musical appearances and increasing disassociation with reality, he disappeared altogether. Moved in with his mum in Cambridge and began gardening and painting. Was Barrett’s reasoning to escape to save himself from society or to save society from himself? There aren’t many answers; he was caged from the world until his death in 2006.
Fortunately not all recluses, disavow regular life into obscurity with the onset of mental illness, some have solitude innate in their being. The hippie movement is as entrenched in American culture as Hollywood celebrity and serial killing. Sure the lames were taking it seriously by the late ’60s but guess what? eden ahbez (purposefully lowercased by his choice) was living la vita semplice during the war-torn ’40s, son. Bearded, barefoot, white-robed, vegetarian—the man was creating an archetype just by living the way he wanted. abhez’s reasoning came by association, he began hanging around a raw food restaurant that followed German philosophies known as Lebensreform and Naturmensch, grounded in growing organically, eating raw, and returning to nature [nudge nudge: every tumblr-fied Venice resident in 2014]. He rode a bike; he studied yoga, and chose this life of bucolic simplicity. ahbez was a trained musician, and even wrote a song for Nat King Cole, which became a hit, the aptly-titled “Nature Boy.” The only perplexing angle in abhez’s choice of lifestyle was the spot he set up camp; under the first ‘L’ of the Hollywood sign in mid-century Los Angeles, California.
“Les vrais paradis sont les paradis qu’on a perdus.; “True paradises are the paradises we have lost.”
Marcel Proust—the French novelist of In Search of Lost Time—lived in relative isolation the last 17 years of his life. When it comes to Proust, it comes with some heaviness. [Editor’s note: Bear in mind, circa 1900, everyone and their pet cat were blitzed off their gourds all day on liquid cocaine, morphine, and alcohol, even for just a simple cough—and Proust was no stranger to these tonics.] There is a laundry list of reasons why the prolific writer might have chosen to live out of sight:
a.) The death of his parents in 1903 and 1905. b.) His brother’s marriage and subsequent departure from the family home. c.) His declining health. d.) His closeted homosexuality.
He built a room lined with cork to eliminate outside sound interference and even installed layers of curtains to keep sunlight from seeping in through the windows. In the final three years of Proust’s life he lived in total reclusion, rarely leaving his house or speaking with anyone.
And then some give no reasoning at all for their extroversion, and somehow—even with the added variable of fandom—they maintain their much beloved privacy. Until 2004 there were only a handful of photos of Texas specter, Jandek, and most adorned the covers of his countless albums (over 70 at last count). His contributions to music have been from afar—gifts in the form of LPs released on his own label, Corwood Industries. Long-form and atonal, his music gallops between monochord drone and East Texas folk and blues traditions. When one says nothing is known about Jandek’s past, his life story, it’s concrete barring one detail; there is an anecdote told of the man penning seven novels all rejected by New York publishers, and subsequently burning the lot. Given this; let it be known Jandek’s following is cultic and fierce—and strangely enough—not the least of which reside in Ivy League institutions. Jandek debuted himself on October 17, 2004 at Glasgow in Scotland’s Instal festival, and in the past 10 years has shown his face in public a few more times, enabling the errant photo of the musician on stage.
Chess master Bobby Fischer disappeared from the limelight after many successful years, but unfortunately he was also an anti-Semite. |
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