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KMZ Zorki 12 (1967) KMZ made a very successful series of cameras -- the Zorki's. These were full-frame 35mm cameras and each model improved on the previous model. The Zorki 12 was the last of the Zorki series, but it was not just a modification of the Zorki 11. It was a whole redesign. It had a focusing 28mm (f2.8) lens. Close-focusing to 0.8 meters. Shutter speeds of 1/30 - 1/250. The built-in selenium meter around the lens set the aperture after the shutter speed is selected. Cold flash shoe and PC contact. Since one half of the camera is black and the other half chrome, it looks like the camera is somehow snapped together. It used Agfa rapid film cassettes which were unavailable in Russia at the time. No wonder the camera didn't sell well. Only about 7,000 cameras were produced, so the Zorki 12 is difficult to find.
The 5 Power Foods To Keep Your Brain In Top Shape And Reduce The Risk Of Dementia Over the last 50 years, the food industry has changed the way we eat. We now understand how these dietary changes have impacted physical health, but their effect on mental health is only now being understood. Big business has successfully created and marketed food products that have addictive properties. These highly-processed snacks and fast food products are full of fat and sugar, and have displaced much of the fruit, vegetables and other nutritious, unprocessed foods in our diets. It is these unhealthy foods that can be contributing to poor mental health. Studies from countries as diverse as Norway, Spain, Japan, China, the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia show people whose diets are healthier are less likely to experience depression. Research also shows that people who eat more unhealthy and junk foods are at increased risk of depression. High cholesterol, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, elevated blood sugar and high BMI are all risk factors for dementia. And these are clearly influenced by dietary habits. However, healthy dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet help protect against dementia and cognitive decline. A recent European randomized trial showed people who adopted a Mediterranean-style diet as part of the study, experienced better cognition. Although this study wasn’t made to assess depression risk, it showed that it was reduced for people who adopted the Mediterranean diet. This evidence shows that changes in dietary habits can influence rates of depression and dementia. These changes to one's diet are particularly obvious in younger people, and help to reduce the risk of mental disorders manifesting in the future. It’s becoming clear that common physical and mental illnesses are be mutually reinforcing. Obesity increases the risk for depression and dementia, while depression prompts obesity. Risk factors for heart disease are also risk factors for dementia. Heart disease is associated with depression, as worse outcomes face those with heart disease if they’re also depressed. What all this means for general well-being is that improving physical health should have positive benefits for the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. Top Brain Foods The food you eat has a lot to do with the health of your brain especially as you age. And don't think you can just pop a vitamin supplement, as real food contains micronutrients that also play an important role. To protect your gray matter, consider consuming more of these foods. Vitamin E in almonds promotes healthy blood vessels, and studies have shown that people with high blood levels of the antioxidant have a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Vitamin E may also slow the progression of Alzheimer's, a new study suggests. Also, add vitamin E to your diet with other nuts and avocados. Beans and green peas provide a rich source of B-complex vitamins, which play a role in protecting against brain shrinkage as well as maintaining blood sugar levels and a healthy nervous system. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish reduce inflammation in the body, and scientists at UCLA found that people with lower omega-3 blood levels had more brain shrinkage and poorer performance on memory tests. Aim for eating wild caught fatty, cold-water fish, such as salmon, cod, herring and mackerel, once or twice a week. Spinach is packed with at least 15 different antioxidant compounds known as flavonoids, which have been shown to slow the formation of the plaques that build up in those with Alzheimer's disease. What's more, spinach is rich in vitamins A, C and K, folate and iron. A 2012 University of South Florida study found that about three cups of coffee a day can help protect against Alzheimer's. Older adults with mild cognitive impairment who drank that much java were far less likely to develop full-blown Alzheimer's over the following two to four years, than those who had very little or no caffeine. Raise Vitamin C Levels Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is essential for healthy skin and blood vessel functioning, but some studies suggest it may protect against dementia-related brain plaque too. Oranges, limes and lemons are a all great sources, as are sweet peppers, strawberries, cantaloupes, tomatoes, broccoli and leafy greens. Get Some Sun New research suggests that people with low levels of vitamin D have a greater risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer's or other cognitive issues. Exposing a sunscreen-free face, back, arms or legs to no more than 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine a few times a week can boost vitamin D levels. Leave a Reply 64 + = 73
The Voice 5.10: March 08, 2015 posted in: The Voice \| 0 The Voice The Assyrians, the scourge of Israel, were the strongest power of the day. It would not be long before they would decimate and then destroy the northern Kingdom of Israel. How could YHWH want such people to repent and be saved? Such is the mentality of the prophet Jonah. Sistine jonah Jonah is the thirty-second book in most English Bibles; in the Hebrew Bible it is part of the Nevi’im, the Prophets; in the Greek Septuagint Jonah is the sixth of the Duodecim (Latinized; Dodeka in Greek), “the Twelve.” In Hebrew Jonah’s name is the same word as for “dove,” generally a sign of peace (e.g. Genesis 8:8-11, but also Hosea 11:11 in terms of Assyria). Jonah son of Amittai came from Gath-hepher, on the border of Zebulun near Nazareth (Joshua 19:13), and prophesied of Jeroboam’s (II) restoration of the borders of Israel to their former state (2 Kings 14:25; ca. 786-746 BCE). While Obadiah and Nahum prophesy against other nations, Jonah alone among the Twelve actually goes to the nation and preaches to them without respect to Israel; while we primarily hear the voice of the other eleven prophets, Jonah’s story is being told by an inspired narrator of whom we know nothing. The book of Jonah tells how YHWH summoned Jonah to preach to Nineveh in Assyria so as to demonstrate YHWH’s concern for people of all the nations. The book of Jonah begins with the story of God’s first call and Jonah’s rejection of that call (Jonah 1:1-17). YHWH’s word came to Jonah telling him to go to Nineveh and cry against it (Jonah 1:1-2). Jonah attempted to flee, embarking on a boat heading to Tarshish away from YHWH (possibly Tartessus in Spain; Jonah 1:3). While the boat was at sea YHWH stirred up a large storm; each person cried out to their god; Jonah was asleep; the crew woke him; they cast lots and learned Jonah was the cause of the storm (Jonah 1:4-7). Jonah explained how he served YHWH the God of heaven; the crew was afraid; Jonah offered to be cast overboard; the crew resists but ultimately does so, praying to YHWH for mercy; when Jonah goes overboard the storm stops; the crew offered sacrifice to YHWH (Jonah 1:8-16). A large fish swallowed Jonah and he was in its belly three days and nights (Jonah 1:17). Jonah prayed while in the belly of the fish, poetically narrating his descent into the waters, his helplessness, and YHWH’s deliverance (Jonah 2:1-9). The fish vomited Jonah up onto dry land (Jonah 2:10). YHWH again called Jonah to go to Nineveh, and this time he obeys (Jonah 3:1-3). He cried out that Nineveh would be overthrown in forty days; the people of Nineveh believed in God and fasted, even the king in Nineveh, who decreed fasting, sackcloth, and prayers for relief (Jonah 3:4-9). God saw and relented of the calamity which He was going to bring upon Nineveh (Jonah 3:10). Jonah, however, is none too pleased; in anger he prays to YHWH, indicating he had spoken of this when first summoned, knowing that YHWH was gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and had fled to Tarshish because he knew YHWH would relent; he wanted to die (Jonah 4:1-3). YHWH asks if he does well to be angry (Jonah 4:4). Jonah then sat outside of the city in a booth to see what would become of Nineveh: it got hot, and YHWH prepared a plant for him to give him shade, and it pleased him (Jonah 4:5-6). The next day the plant withered, and a very hot east wind arose, and Jonah asked to die on account of the heat; God asked if he does well to be angry about the plant; Jonah believed so, even to the point of death (Jonah 4:7-9). YHWH provides the lesson: Jonah showed concern for the plant for which he had done nothing to make or nourish and lived but a day, so why should YHWH have no concern for more than 120,000 Ninevites who do not know their right hand from their left and who have many cattle (Jonah 4:10-11)? Most people remember Jonah’s story on account of the big fish; it may have been a whale, since Israelites tended to categorize creatures by environment or function as opposed to our categorization system (cf. Leviticus 11:13-19), or it could have been a sea creature no longer in existence. Jonah’s three days and nights in the fish prefigure Jesus’ time in death before His resurrection (the “sign of Jonah,” Matthew 12:38-41, 16:4, Luke 11:29-32). Nevertheless, the book of Jonah is less about the big fish or even Nineveh and more about YHWH and Israel. YHWH loves Israel, abounds in covenant loyalty, and is gracious and merciful; He is able to show the same love and loyalty to foreign nations, even foreign nations whom He will use to judge His people. Nineveh will have its day of destruction as Nahum makes clear (Nahum 1:1-3:19), but it would not be in the day of Jonah, because they had repented. We do well to learn the message of Jonah: God is love, and does not want anyone to be condemned but all to come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved (1 Timothy 2:4, 1 John 4:8). Let us proclaim the Gospel to all the creation so all may praise God the Father in the name of Jesus the Son (Mark 16:15, Romans 1:16)! Ethan R. Longhenry The Voice 5.06: February 08, 2015 posted in: The Voice \| 0 The Voice Obadiah and Nahum The Assyrians conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel and humiliated the southern Kingdom of Judah. The Edomites attempted to take advantage of Judah when they were down and out. YHWH had noticed. He spoke condemnation upon them through His prophets Obadiah and Nahum. Obadiah is the thirty-first book and Nahum the thirty-fourth book in most English Bibles; in the Hebrew Bible they are part of the Nevi’im, the Prophets; in the Greek Septuagint Obadiah is the fifth and Nahum the seventh of the Duodecim (Latinized; Dodeka in Greek), “the Twelve.” Nahum is most likely earlier than Obadiah; he prophesies between the fall of Thebes in Egypt (ca.664 BCE; Nahum 3:8-10) and Nineveh in Assyria (612 BCE; Nahum 2:3-4), and within that range most likely between 660-630 BCE. Obadiah’s message does not have any specific chronological information and has been dated from 850 BCE to 400 BCE. Nevertheless Obadiah is most likely prophesying after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem (586 BCE; Obadiah 1:11 yet is anticipating Babylon’s campaign against Edom (553 BCE; Obadiah 1:15-16). The two prophets live at distinct times and prophesy to different nations but among the Twelve they devote their messages primarily to foreign nations and not to Israel and Judah (Jonah prophesies to the Assyrians but the story as told is directed to Israelites). Obadiah condemns Edom for their rapaciousness against Judah and warns about the judgment coming upon them. Nahum warns Nineveh of the wrath of YHWH’s vengeance which will come against it swiftly. Abdias Obadiah sets forth the vision he received (Obadiah 1:1-21): YHWH will make Edom small among the nations; its pride will be humbled (Obadiah 1:1-4). Esau will be thoroughly pillaged with nothing left, having been deceived by former allies, and the wisdom of the wise is for naught (Obadiah 1:5-9). This judgment comes upon Edom because of how they treated their brother Judah: they stood aloof when Judah was ravaged, and they should not gloat over the downfall of Judah and encroach so as to pillage (Obadiah 1:10-14). The Day of YHWH is upon the nations, and their deeds will return upon their heads (Obadiah 1:15): Israel will again rise and possess its land and will then consume Edom; all Edom will be ruled by Israel (Obadiah 1:16-21). Nahum of Elkosh also sets forth the vision he received (Nahum 1:1-3:19): YHWH is jealous and avenging; the land shakes before Him; He pours out His wrath against the adversaries but provides refuge for His people (Nahum 1:1-11). YHWH promises that those who have power will be cut down; the yoke will be removed; the idols will fall; good news will be brought; Judah must keep feasts and vows, for the enemy will be cut off (Nahum 1:12-15). YHWH is restoring the majesty of Israel by destroying Nineveh; Nahum evocatively describes the siege and war that leads to Nineveh’s devastation and destruction (Nahum 2:1-13). Nahum declares woe upon Nineveh as the “bloody city,” full of plunder, now full of slain in the streets, suffering because of its idolatry (Nahum 3:1-4). YHWH is against Nineveh and will cause the nations to see its shame; none will mourn for Nineveh (Nahum 3:5-7). Nahum asks whether Nineveh is better than Thebes in Egypt which suffered destruction and devastation; the presumed answer is no, and thus Nineveh will suffer the same fate (Nahum 3:8-10; Thebes was attacked in 664 BCE). Nineveh will go into captivity: its fortresses are ripe for destruction, and its soldiers weak (Nahum 3:11-13). Nahum (likely sarcastically) advises them to prepare for siege, but it will end in destruction; their merchants and princes are as locusts and grasshoppers, here today, gone tomorrow (Nahum 3:14-17). Assyria will be grievously wounded but all will be pleased, for Assyria’s unceasing evil has afflicted all the nations (Nahum 3:18-19). The visions of Obadiah and Nahum may be short but remain quite compelling. The fulfillment of their words is nothing short of astonishing: even though Edom was allied with the Babylonians, Nabonidus would turn against Edom in 553 BCE to more effectively control trade routes in Arabia (cf. Nabonidus Chronicle). In 125 BCE John Hyrcanus of Judea conquered Edom and forced them to convert to Judaism, vividly fulfilling Obadiah 1:21 (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 13.9.1, 14.4.4). While Nahum prophesied Assyria was the strongest empire in the land at the height of their power; the entire ancient Near Eastern world was astonished at the speed of the fall of the Assyrian Empire at the end of the seventh century. Nineveh was the largest city of the world for fifty years; after an internal civil war a coalition of Babylonians, Medes, Persians, Scythians, and Cimmerians attacked and destroyed it in 612 BCE, fulfilling Nahum’s oracle (cf. Babylonian Chronicles). Three years later Nebuchadnezzar defeated the remnant of the Assyrians and it was all over! Obadiah and Nahum remind us that YHWH is loyal to His covenant. His people may rebel against Him and He may punish them for a time; nevertheless, the time will come when YHWH will gain vengeance over those who humiliate His people. Perhaps few believed it at the time, but YHWH proved faithful to His oracles through these prophets, whether quickly or over time. YHWH remains God; He is jealous and avenging; He is slow to anger, great in power, but will not clear the unrepentant guilty. May we ever serve Him and take refuge in Him! Ethan R. Longhenry The Voice 4.50: December 14, 2014 posted in: The Voice \| 0 The Voice A great plague threatened Israel. Would the people of God repent? What would happen on the great day of YHWH? We learn about such things from the prophet Joel. Joel is the twenty-ninth book in most English Bibles; in the Hebrew Bible it is part of the Nevi’im, the Prophets; in the Greek Septuagint Joel is the fourth of the Duodecim (Latinized; Dodeka in Greek), “the Twelve.” Joel’s name means Yahweh is God. The book does not specify when Joel prophesied; concern about the land indicates he spoke either during the later period of the divided kingdoms (ca. 800-600 BCE) or after the return from exile (ca. 530-400 BCE). Joel warns and comforts Israel regarding the judgments in the “day” of YHWH, with danger in the near term and hope for the long term. Joel’s warnings are found in Joel 1:1-2:17. Joel summons the elders and people of Israel to hear of what YHWH is planning, a thing not seen in the past, and remarkable for the future: a series of locusts will have devoured the produce of the land (Joel 1:1-4). Drunkards should lament the devastation wrought by this nation which entered the land: offerings cease, the priests, the farmers, and the ground mourn, and gladness is gone in the face of famine (Joel 1:5-12). Joel then calls all people to consecrate a fast, to lament and repent, for the day of YHWH and the devastation it brings is near, causing famine and devastation in the land (Joel 1:13-20). The trumpet should be blown, for the danger of the day of YHWH is at hand; it is described as thick darkness, fearful, devouring like fire, as paradise before them but a desert behind them; they look like horses and a powerful army, powerfully advancing ahead, fully set on devastation; before them all are afraid and melt away, and they enter everywhere (Joel 2:1-9). On account of this the earth quakes, the heavens tremble and are darkened, for YHWH speaks to His army; the day of YHWH is great and awesome, and who can endure it (Joel 2:10-11)? Yet it need not be this way: YHWH gives His people an opportunity to repent, returning to Him with fasting, weeping, and mourning, rending their hearts; the summons is made for all people to consecrate a fast and weep, lament, and mourn (Joel 2:12-17). In Joel 2:18 YHWH becomes jealous for His land and has pity on His people. He sends food and prosperity, and they will no longer be a reproach among the nations; the northerner will be removed from them and driven away; the land will be given reason to rejoice in its produce and the people for their overflowing prosperity; they will praise YHWH and His people will not be put to shame (Joel 2:19-27). Joel then looks forward to an upcoming day of YHWH in Joel 2:28-3:3. In those days YHWH will pour out His Spirit on all flesh, even male and female servants (Joel 2:27-28). Wonders and signs will be seen in the heavens and on earth; those who call on the name of YHWH will be saved, and a remnant will remain in Zion (Joel 2:29-32). At that time YHWH will gather the nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (“YHWH judged”): there He will render judgment on them since they have scattered His people, mistreated them, and divided His land (Joel 3:1-3). Joel continues his oracles against the nations in Joel 3:4-21. Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia come under condemnation for selling Judean captives to the Greeks as slaves; God will bring them back into their land and bring recompense by selling the Phoenicians to the Sabeans (Joel 3:4-8). A summons is made for war, turning plowshares into swords and pruning hooks into speaks, preparing war against the nations; YHWH will render judgment at the Valley of Jehoshaphat; YHWH is powerful but remains a refuge and stronghold for His people (Joel 3:9-16). The Israelites will know YHWH is their God when they dwell in Zion without strangers passing through, full of produce and prosperity (Joel 3:17-18). Egypt and Edom, for their violence against Judah, will become as a wilderness while Judah will be inhabited; YHWH will avenge the blood of those in Judah (Joel 3:19-21). The book of Joel leaves us with a few questions: is the marauding army really of locusts or is it a reference to Assyria and/or Babylon? Did YHWH relent before the disaster or did He restore what was lost? The power in Joel’s message, however, is beyond doubt; Peter makes it known that the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost is a fulfillment of what Joel had spoken (Acts 2:14-31); the locust army is seen again in John’s vision in Revelation 9:1-12. Joel vividly speaks of YHWH’s judgment as the day of YHWH; His judgments lead to pestilence and destruction for those who have turned away from Him, and yet brings prosperity and hope for those who find refuge in Him. Let us repent of our wickedness, turn to God in Christ, and obtain the hope of prosperity in the resurrection for those who serve the LORD God! Ethan R. Longhenry
What would you like to do? How many pounds does a horse weigh? already exists. Would you like to merge this question into it? already exists as an alternate of this question. exists and is an alternate of . There are many different sizes of horses and ponies. The general weight for a standard sized, mature horse is normally around 1000 to 1100 pounds. Thanks for the feedback! How many ounces does a horse weigh? The number of ounces a horse weighs depends on how many pounds it weighs. Remember one pound is 16 ounces. Equines can weigh anything from 250 pounds for a Miniature horse
Study your flashcards anywhere! Download the official Cram app for free > • Shuffle Toggle On Toggle Off • Alphabetize Toggle On Toggle Off • Front First Toggle On Toggle Off • Both Sides Toggle On Toggle Off • Read Toggle On Toggle Off How to study your flashcards. H key: Show hint (3rd side).h key A key: Read text to speech.a key Play button Play button Click to flip 20 Cards in this Set • Front • Back A gaseous nitrogen charge is added to a liquid fire extinguishing agent in order to: Expel agent from bottle. What component holds both a liquid agent and a nitrogen agent in a liquid-agent fire extinguisher container? frangible disc In a liquid-agent fire extinguisher container, why is the frangible disc undercut into shaped sections? To break cleanly into large pieces. What is the purpose of a time delay relay that is used on some liquid-agent fire extinguishing systems? To position valves. BANK no. 2 in a two-shot liquid-agent fire extinguishing system failed to discharge, while BANK no. 1 discharged normally. The MOST probably cause of this malfunction is what type of faulty switch? Time delay relay When depressed, which switch on a T-handle fire extinguishing system completes the circuit to the squib? Agent discharge switch. In the T-handle fire extinquishing system, the two-way check valve is pushed into position by the.. Liquid agent. In a T-handle liquid-agent fire extinguishing system, what happens when the container pressure becomes too low? A pressure switch closes. Air that is trapped in a coolant system has what effect? Reduces the cooling capability of the coolant. During initial start of a liquid coolant system, the controller timer energizes the solenoid shutoff valve closed for 3 minutes. The purpose of this action is to.. allow for system stabilization. What component ofa liquid coolant system is positioned by the temperature of the coolant? Thermal pilot valve. In a liquid coolant system, what tells you that the liquid coolant filter is dirty? A mechanical pop-up indicator is activated. When maintaining a liquid coolant system, over-torquing clamps may cause what to happen? Damage or failure of teh component. IN a liquid coolant system, what is the purpose of purging the servicing unit supply hose? Remove contaminants from the system. To ensure that a multiplace liferaft will inflate in extremely low temperatures, the inflation cylinder has a charge of... What component of a liferaft inflation cylinder assembly keeps carbon dioxide (CO2) within the cylinder and permits an unrestricted flow of CO2 to the liferaft? Discharge valve. Releasing carbon dioxide (CO2)from a liferaft cylinderinto a liferaft is normally done by activating the.. What action do you take if you find corrosion on the inside of a liferaft inflation cylinder? Tag the cylinder for overhaul. Liferaft inflation cylinders having an outside diameter of less than 2inches and a length of less than 2 feet do NOT require.. Hydrostatic testing. After recharging a liferaft inflation cylinder-but before returning it to serviceable status-what do you do to the cylinder? Test for leaks, then reweigh after 48 hours.
What Does the Wheat With Grapes Floral Arrangement Signify? The combination of the wheat and grapes is most often used to represent the elements of the communion meal, also sometimes called the Eucharist. This ritual recreates and honors the last meal that Jesus had with his disciples before his crucifixion and death. It is also used as a representation of a fruitful harvest and to symbolize abundance. The Last Supper • In Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, (11:23-26), he writes this account of the last supper that Jesus ate with his disciples: "...The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." These words referred back to Jesus' various gospel teachings about being the Bread of Life and the vine that produces good fruit. The Wheat • In many cultures, bread, in whatever form it is found, is considered to be a basic requirement for life. While bread can be made of many different sorts of grain, the most common type of bread in the region where Jesus lived was bread made from wheat flour. In the gospel of John, Jesus referred to the manna that God provided to the Israelites when Moses led them out of Egypt. He reminded the people that the Israelites ate this bread that came down from heaven and they still died. Jesus then went on to say that God sent him from heaven to be like that bread, but that by consuming him, the Bread of Life, his followers will have eternal life. Symbol of Rebirth • Jesus also used wheat, and the sowing of wheat, in his illustrations. Just as the wheat dies and returns, Jesus predicted that his death would also end with him rising again. As a result, a sheaf of wheat has come to symbolize not only the bread that represents Christ's body but also his teachings, which provide nourishment for the human spirit just as bread provides nourishment for the body. The Grapes • Wine, made from grapes, was the drink of choice in biblical times. Cultivated and produced all through the area of ancient Israel, wine was consumed by people of all ages. Jesus chose to use this beverage, commonly shared at meals and celebrations, to symbolize the blood that he would spill as he was nailed to the cross. However, the grapes have other significance as well. Vines and Branches • In numerous places throughout the Gospels, Jesus makes reference to his being the branch from which all vines grow. He also talks about his followers as being productive branches that bear good fruit, as opposed to his opponents who are branches that are withered and barren. His consistent use of vineyard imagery has come to be symbolized by a cluster of grapes, the good fruit of the vine, which represents the good works that Christians will do in the world. Other Religious Traditions • Christianity is not the only religion to find meaning in wheat and grapes. In earth-based religions, such as Wicca, the fruits of the harvest are equally as important. These are also traditional parts of the celebration of Mabon, the harvest festival of the autumnal equinox. In this celebration, the woman representing the Harvest Mother often wears a headdress made of a cluster of wheat and grapes. Additionally in the ancient Greek and Roman pantheons, Dionysius and Demeter, also known as Bacchus and Ceres, the gods of agriculture and fertility, are symbolized by the grapevine and the wheat. Related Searches • Photo Credit Stock.xchng, Hugo Humberto Plácido da Silva, Marek Luty, Irina Naumets, Victoria Clare, Wikimedia commons, Aviad Bublil Promoted By Zergnet Related Searches Check It Out 22 DIY Ways to Update Your Home on a Small Budget Submit Your Work!
"How do you spell 'rat,"' my father would ask me during a lull in one of his many bid whist card games with his buddies from the paper mill. "R-a-t," I'd respond dutifully, with all of the preschool pride that I could muster. "Not that mousy kind of a rat," he'd say. "I mean like 'rat now."' His buddies would howl as my perplexity grew. Like many black people who came of age in the 60's, I've always delighted in the mind-bending playfulness of the black vernacular. And jokes turning on malaprops and double-entendres are among the most vital aspects of black culture. The Kingfish's quip, on "Amos 'n' Andy," that he and Andy should "simonize our watches" is nearly canonical in many black households. But all of us have our favorites. It's said that Tim Moore, the actor who played Kingfish, once had to appear in court as a defendant. "Yo' honor," he told the judge, "not only does I resents the allegation, but I resents the alligator!" Still, I have to confess that the use of "ax" for "ask" has always been, for me, the linguistic equivalent of fingernails' scraping down a blackboard. The first time I heard the word "ask" pronounced that way was on a Bill Cosby album in the 60's. "I'm-o, I'm-o ax you a question," his character stammers, and in my Appalachian hamlet we'd laugh at that, certain that nobody would really be foolish enough to say "ax" for "ask." Continue reading the main story Don't get me wrong: it's not as if the black citizens of Piedmont, W.Va., spoke the king's English, but axing was something we did in the woods. It was when I first visited Bermuda, where just about everyone I met says "ax," that I began to suspect that this usage had deeper origins than I'd known. Sure enough, as William Labov, a linguist at the University of Pennsylvania, explained to me, "aks" is traceable to the Old English "acsian," a nonstandard form of "ascian," the root of "ask." Professor Labov argues that black Americans have become more monolingual since the 60's -- that fewer of them have a mastery of standard English. That's the result of residential segregation, the fact that poor blacks tend to live with poor blacks. But it's also compounded by desegregation, which ended up separating the black poor and the black middle class. Because of these two factors, there's now a large group of poor black people whose face-to-face conversations are almost entirely with people like themselves. As the cultural critic Greg Tate told me, black people are "segregated, landlocked and institutionalized between prison, the project and public institutions." He added that "there's a certain tribal caste to segregated African-American communities for that reason," and that's reflected in their increased monolingualism. Writing in The Times 25 years ago, James Baldwin ventured that the black vernacular was one of self-defense. "There was a moment, in time, in this place," he recalled, "when my brother, or my mother, or my father, or my sister, had to convey to me, for example, the danger in which I was standing from the white man standing just behind me, and to convey this with a speed and in a language, that the white man could not possibly understand, and that, indeed, he cannot understand, until today." Is that still true? The black vernacular seems to be everywhere these days, from Dave Chappelle's show to Boost Mobile's "Where you at?" ad campaign. "It becomes part of the mainstream in a minute," the poet Amiri Baraka told me, referring to the black vernacular. "We hear the rappers say, 'I'm outta here' -- the next thing you know, Clinton's saying. 'I'm outta here."' And both Senator John Kerry and President Bush are calling out, "Bring it on," like dueling mike-masters at a hip-hop slam. Talk about changing places. Even as large numbers of black children struggle with standard English, hip-hop has become the recreational lingua franca of white suburban youth. Baldwin's notion of using black English to encode messages seems almost romantic now. Is it possible, after all these years, that white folk have come to speak "black" far better than blacks speak "white"? Just axing. Maureen Dowd is off today; Thomas L. Friedman is on book leave. Guest Columnist Henry Louis Gates Jr. is a guest columnist through September. E-mail: hlgates@nytimes.com Continue reading the main story
Unholy Fire Civil Defense Perspectives May 2015 Volume 31 No. 4 The sharpest dividing line between hominids and all other organisms is the use of fire, wrote the late Isaac Asimov (A Choice of Catastrophes). There is evidence of fire having been used by Homo erectus in caves in China half a million years ago. A method of starting a fire from scratch was probably discovered by a member of Homo sapiens around 7000 B.C. In Greek mythology, the Titan god Prometheus stole fire, which Zeus had withheld from men, and delivered it to mortals. In retaliation, Zeus ordered the creation of Pandora, the first woman, to bring misfortune to the house of man. With fire, humanity had access to an inanimate energy source that was portable, controllable, and available in large quantity. It was indispensable, probably even in the Stone Age. It also gave human beings a weapon and defense that no other species could duplicate or guard against. By the time civilization began, the large predators had been defeated. In 2000, Crutzen and Stoermer argued that we live in the “Anthropocene” era, a time in which humans have replaced nature as the dominant environmental force on earth (see DDP Newsletter, July 2012, http://tinyurl.com/pwvwy44). While they placed the start of the era in the 1700s, when the invention of the steam engine initiated the Industrial Revolution, “hunting and burning” by humans began much earlier. This is the most plausible explanation, write Ruddiman et al., for the “dramatic and unprecedented collapses” of species that had survived 50 previous glacial-interglacial cycles. About 65% of the genera of large mammals became extinct between 50,000 and 12,500 years ago. In the Neolithic agricultural revolution, even more profound changes occurred: clearance of forests caused CO2 emissions, and rice paddies and livestock emitted methane (Science 4/3/15). The very worst die-off, when 90% of species including the once-ubiquitous trilobites went extinct, occurred at the end of the Permian. Some attribute it to massive volcanic eruptions in Siberia, which released trillions of tons of CO2. “Living things endured multiple stresses as a result,” writes Eric Hand: global warming, ocean acidification, a drop in dissolved oxygen, and a buildup of toxic sulfur (Science 4/10/15). In the same issue of Science, Clarkson et al. present a model of seawater pH using boron isotope data. This shows an increase in ocean pH of 0.4 to 0.5 units (alkalinization), followed by a “sharp drop” (acidification) of 0.6 to 0.7 units over about 10,000 years, which then returned to earlier, more alkaline values. A figure labeled “Acid Bath” is captioned: “The rocks that record the deadly ocean acidification were once the floor of a shallow sea off the coast of the supercontinent Panagae.” Humankind could not, of course, have caused this event 252 million years ago, but it is considered important in evaluating the threat of anthropogenic ocean acidification. The event involved the injection of 24,000 gigatons of carbon into the atmosphere over 10,000 years at a rate of 2.4 GtC/y. The total far exceeds today’s economically viable fossil fuel reserves (3,000 GtC), and is at the upper end of estimates of unconventional hydrocarbons, e.g. methane clathrates. The current rate of increase, however, may be faster than then. Industrial emissions are about 8 GtC per year, and a net 4 GtC are added to the atmosphere each year. Global warming’s “evil twin,” ocean acidification—or rather, the decrease in ocean pH, might also have been caused by another thing that volcanoes emit, sulfur dioxide. An alternative name for sulfur is brimstone, from Old English brynstän or “burn stone.” There may have been enough SO2 to cause intense acid rain, causing transient acidification of surface waters. Sulfuric acid is a much stronger acid than carbonic (TWTW 4/11&18/15). There is not enough carbon in the entire atmosphere or in carbon fuels to acidify the ocean (DDP Newsletter, November 2009, http://tinyurl.com/px5qerx). The Orbis Point Is there an anthropogenic change in geological strata that meets the criteria for defining a new epoch? Simon L. Lewis of the University of Leeds and Mark A. Maslin of University College London consider 1610 and 1964 as possible starting dates for the Anthropocene Epoch. The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP or “golden spike”) for 1964 would be peak 14C in sediments from atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons. This would mark an “elite-driven technological development that threatens planet-wide destruction.” However, they choose the Orbis (from the Latin for “world”) dip in CO2 with a minimum in 1610, which implies that “colonialism, global trade and coal brought about the Anthropocene.” After the discovery of America in 1492, there was transoceanic migration of species. In a sidebar, the authors claim that the arrival of Europeans in the Americas caused mass death of 50 million between 1492 and 1650 from smallpox and warfare, and the depopulation of part of Africa by the slave trade. Reduced use of fire for land management and abandonment of agriculture permitted reforestation, allegedly causing a 7 to 10 ppm (about 3%) decrease in atmospheric CO2 and a 1.2 °C drop in global temperature (Nature 3/12/15, doi: 10.1038/nature14258). Scientific American then trumpeted: “Mass Deaths in America Start New CO2 Epoch” (David Biello, Sci Am 3/11/15). The “The growth of all those trees had sucked enough carbon dioxide out of the sky to…start a little ice age.” “At least the…article admits the existence of the Little Ice Age,” writes Arthur Robinson, “which not so long ago was denied by virtually the entire human-caused global warming establishment.” This is “the only bright spot in this gruesome example of political and scientific error.” Robinson explains that the “atmosphere-to-ocean equilibrium CO2 ratio is a temperature-dependent thermodynamic constant of nature.” The observed reductions in temperature and CO2 are, within experimental and observational error, precisely that expected from thermodynamic laboratory experiments. He notes that the current system is far from equilibrium; the half-time for removal of added CO2 from the atmosphere to ocean and biosphere is about 7 years (Access to Energy, March 2015). An otherwise excellent German TV documentary Klima macht Geschichte (http://tinyurl.com/ntbvg2h) explains how (natural) climate change made history—but ends with an absurd claim by Maslin that “we could make sure that all future generations will have a stable climate” (http://tinyurl.com/p6h2g9m). The graph for “Historical & Projected pH & Dissolved CO2” from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website (http://tinyurl.com/6nyxlw7) uses data presented in 2010 congressional testimony by Richard Feely. This is still widely used to support the climate-crisis narrative, as on the science education website Quest (http://tinyurl.com/ntqndc3). The graph of atmospheric CO2 concentration begins around 1955, and the graph of seawater pH in 1988. But instrumental measures of seawater pH began more than 100 years ago, stated hydrologist Mike Wallace. Wallace was stonewalled on a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the missing 80 years of data, but was eventually able to extract it from the NOAA World Ocean Database. He told Marita Noon that the omission “eclipses even the so-called climategate event…. In whose professional world is it acceptable to omit the majority of the data and also to not disclose the omission to any other soul or Congressional body?” (http://tinyurl.com/ls52zj9). Measurements of pH since 1910 show an increase in pH (Figure 2, The Energy Advocate, January 2015). Howard Hayden writes: “So, Michael Mann hides the decline (in real temperature with respect to his model), and Feely hides the increase (in pH with respect to his model). Climate science is now in balance.” The Ocean Acidification Database compiled by CO2 Science (http://tinyurl.com/d6897y2) contains more than 1,100 experimental results from the peer-reviewed scientific literature, detailing the responses of various growth and developmental parameters of marine organisms immersed in seawater at or near today’s oceanic pH level, as well as lower than that of today.The total response in “life characteristics” (calcification, metabolism, growth, fertility, and survival) shows a slight benefit for pH declines of as much as 0.25 points, which is beyond the range of maximal decline considered likely by 2100. This is very far from the often-presented apocalyptic scenarios: in the worst case, “[coral] reefs crumble and half of sea life disappears” (USA Today 12/13/07, http://tinyurl.com/qjqoeb9). IPCC Suppresses, Hides Information The UN IPCC is “becoming irrelevant to climate policy,” writes David Victor, because it allegedly seeks consensus, avoids controversy, and focuses too much on climate science. He states that we need to “embed social science”; seek “bold legal norms” such as striving for “zero net emissions”; do research on political mobilization and administrative control; and develop “different concepts of justice and ethics” to guide “new international agreements that balance the burdens of adaptation and mitigation” [global central planning] (Nature 4/2/15). A group of nations, he notes, vetoed the use of graphs showing that economic growth is the main driver of emissions, since they implied that developing nations needed to curb growth. The Working Group III summary states that annual economic growth might decrease by just 0.06 percentage points by 2050 if governments adopted policies cutting emissions to reach the goal of 2.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. One would have to wade through dense tables to see that only a fraction of the models say the goal is achievable, and through the main report to see that the small cost would arise under simplified assumptions far removed from messy reality. Planning Your Meals to Save the Planet Certain food choices benefit your health and the planet, writes Elke Stehfest. Greenhouse gas emissions are highest for ruminant meat, and lowest for most cereals, fruits, vegetables, and pulses. But how do governments bring about behavioral change? Production-side as well as consumption-side measures are needed, he suggests. “Agriculture and land-use change should be subject to targets and regulations similar to those for the energy and industry sectors” (Nature 11/27/14). “Implementation of dietary solutions to the tightly linked diet-environment-health trilemma is a global challenge,” write Tilman and Clark in the same issue (doi: 10.1038/nature13959). “It might seem extreme for universities to force vegetarian fare on their students (though many institutions now have a meat-free day),” opined Nature in an editorial about 24,000 people flying to an American Geophysical Union meeting. But scientists have a key role in finding ways to reduce emissions as people become more affluent, “even if it means hopping on a flight to the next United Nations climate conference” (Nature 3/19/15). Holocene Warming Not Just in Europe The Roman Warm Period and the Medieval Warm Period were not restricted to Europe, as warming alarmists suggest. From studies of the ratio of strontium to calcium content and heavy oxygen isotopes in corals and Tridacna gigas (giant clams), Hong Yan, Willie Soon, and Yuhong Wang conclude that these warm periods also occurred in the East Asia-Western Pacific region (Earth-Science Reviews 12/13/14, doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.12.003). This study adds to real-world evidence that today’s global temperatures are within the range of natural variability (http://tinyurl.com/qclyy8s). Unburnable Fuels Although previously there have been concerns about the scarcity of “fossil fuels,” “in a climate-constrained world this is no longer a relevant concern,” write Christophe McGlade and Paul Elkins of the Institute for Sustainable Resources, University College London, in a Letter to Nature. A large proportion of the fuel should remain in the ground to have a better-than-even chance of avoiding a global temperature rise greater than 2°C. The “global carbon budget” between 2011 and 2015 is about 870–1,240 GtC. No need to spend money on exploration because “any new discoveries could not lead to new aggregate production,” especially without carbon capture and storage (CCS). In a commentary on the Letter, Michael Jakob and Jerome Hilaire note that 80%, 50%, and 30% of coal, gas, and oil reserves would need to remain unburned. The Middle East would need to leave 40% of its conventional oil reserves untouched. China and India would have to discard 66% of their coal endowment, and Africa 85%. The U.S., Australia, and countries of the former Soviet Union would have to forgo use of 90% of their coal reserves. They imagine a UN mechanism for distributing emissions permits and climate rent. Will all cooperate? “We in Africa, we should not be in the discussion of whether to use coal or not. In my country of Tanzania, we are going to use our natural resources,” said energy minister Sospeter Muhongo (Nature 1/8/15, doi: 10.1038/nature14016). Civil Defense Perspectives 31(4): May 2015 [published July 15, 2015] One thought on “Unholy Fire 1. Pingback: 2014: Year of Hottest Rhetoric, Not of Hottest Climate, States Physicians for Civil Defense Leave a Reply
Today is:September 24, 2017 Worst Case Scenario Author: jmaher Date: November 29, 2003 Solve The Problem: The First Scenario It all started with a bad dream, a nightmare really. An injured climber was hanging from a rope in a tree in a remote wilderness location. Because of the difficulty of traveling with gear to this remote location there was only minimal equipment available to use for a rescue. There was only myself and the injured climber present, and I was still on the ground. The dream ended in a cold sweat and a sleepless remainder of the night. This had only been a dream but the reality is that such a scenario has a real possibility. Imagine this: You are a person who loves wilderness and wild places. You like to climb trees while you are in these often remote and wild places. Because it is wilderness, because it is remote, you have carried only the minimal amount of gear to reach the tree at the base of which you are now standing. In reaching this tree you have hiked several miles. The walk may have covered swampy boggy ground covered in dense underbrush or perhaps you were in mountains and had crossed several steep ridges on the way to your destination. Because you are carrying everything on your back and because weight and volume are very important considerations you have brought along only one long rope, a one-hundred-and- fifty footer. Your partner has brought along a fifty footer. The tree you have selected is a very large old-growth poplar. The first limb worthy of being called an anchor is at a height of ninety feet. You have used your trusty wrist rocket slingshot to place some monofilament line and a two-ounce weight over the limb. You have used the monofilament line to haul up your Zingit lightweight throwline, and then used the Zingit to haul up the one-fifty. Since the one-fifty will not reach all the way up, over, and down again, you have tied a figure-eight-on-a-bight in the end of the rope, placed a Rapide link in the loop and run the Zingit through the link. You now continued to haul on the Zingit until you had a situation in which your one fifty was snugged against the anchor limb. There is now between fifty and sixty feet of climbing rope flaked on the ground at the base of the tree. Your partner begins his climb, using single rope technique, climbing Texas Style with two mechanical ascenders. He is carrying his fifty-footer with him. The idea is that when he reaches the anchor limb he will rig his fifty-footer over the next highest anchor and continue upward, using double rope technique, leaving the one-fifty vacant for you to begin your ascent. Only your partner never reaches the first anchor limb. At a height of eighty feet above the ground, he is struck by a huge dead limb falling from among the higher branches in the tree. He is now hanging unconscious on the rope. It is your job to get to him, assess his injury, perform whatever first aid you can, and then get him to the ground. How will you do this? E-mail us or go to our message board with your solutions and we will publish them. We are looking for fresh ideas concerning aerial rescues under worst-case-scenario conditions. Return to TreeTalk Home Thank You for visiting treeclimbercoalition.org ©2003 Tree Climber's Coalition
The Religion of Darwinism Is a Pagan Religion The Religion of Darwinism Is a Pagan Religion By Harun Yahya A large number of people believe in the religion that Allah revealed. Others believe in false religions that they or their societies created; they worship totems, pray to the sun or expect help from UFOs. Such people are known as pagans. It may be said that the theory of evolution is among the pagan religions in which several gods are worshipped. The main deity in Darwinism is “coincidence.” No matter what Darwinist work one reads, he will find mention of the power of this idol, its capabilities, experience and foresight because Darwinists believe that the universe and everything in it, animate and inanimate, came into being by chance. The god called “coincidence” is the essence and lifeblood of Darwinism. What is interesting is that some Darwinists who carry the title of “scientist” speak of the same object of worship and doctrines of this pagan religion. For example, the French zoologist Pierre P. Grassé, himself an avid evolutionist, draws attention to this fact: “Chance becomes a sort of providence, which, under the cover of atheism, is not named but which is secretly worshipped.”1 The same idol is encountered in other pagan religions as well. In Greek, Chinese and Indian religions the emergence of living things is also described with reference to chance occurrences. Ancient Mesopotamian religions worshipped several idols, hoped for help from these piles of stones, and believed they were possessed of great powers. According to these religions, chance brought living things into existence, for example, the overflowing of a river or some other natural occurrence. The emergence of new organisms and living species according to Darwinism was also dependent on natural phenomena like sudden changes in temperature or high levels of radiation. However, Darwinism’s “coincidence” is different from the other gods; it is one to whom is attributed consciousness and intent! It turns out that “coincidence” had a purpose; it left nothing to random processes. This idol was so prescient that, starting from the smallest organisms, it brought every living thing on earth into being and planned for its future needs millions of years in advance. It even knows every event that will happen millions of years in the future and can make provision for each without missing a single detail. To manage this, the god called “coincidence” uses many methods; one of the most important is mutation. Mutation means alterations or changes in the DNA molecule (located in the nucleus of a living cell and carrying genetic information) effected by means of radiation or chemical activity. Mutation usually causes damage that the cell cannot repair. For example, mongolism, dwarfism, sickle cell anemia, mental and physical impairments as well as cancer are cited as examples of the destructive nature of mutation. Mutation is not something magic that develops beings toward perfection. It is clearly a harmful process that causes death, impairment and illness. This fact is acknowledged by scientists who compare mutation to earthquakes.2 The effects of mutation are always negative; nevertheless, “coincidence” produces orderly and positive results! And it is believed that this god produces beauty, perfect creatures and magnificent order. For example, it can create the 100 trillion cells in a human body without error or deficiency. Whether creating cells like a factory, producing energy, enzymes and hormones, storing information about what it has produced in the information bank of a nucleus, or distributing raw materials and finished products among different departments with a laboratory and refinery system that analyzes everything coming from outside and a membrane that insures the quality of everything that is released, this god never makes a mistake and its plans never go awry. Examples of the deity’s matchless power are innumerable. For example, coincidence made the life of a living thing dependent on its heart and circulatory system, and in order for the heart to perform its function, created a system of arteries to carry blood to every part of the body; and while it was at it, did not forget a system of veins to carry the blood back to the heart. In the meantime, it added the liver (or gills) to the system to clean carbon dioxide from the blood, and connected the whole system to the heart. It knew that in order to clean the blood of other impurities kidneys were needed and so immediately created them… This list could be extended. For the life of any creature to continue, a large number of organs must perform their function perfectly and at the same time. If even one of them fails to work properly, the creature dies within a few minutes or, at most, a few days. But according to the claims of the evolutionists, the god, coincidence, is highly conscious and aware, projecting and bringing into existence millions of complete and flawless beings. It also created human beings as the result of a lengthy process. But not being content just to create human beings, it also conceived of every possible thing that they and their progeny for thousands of generations would need. To provide for the needs of coming generations, it created wheat thousands of years earlier; and for the energy needs of succeeding generations, it created oil. When making the sun a source of energy, it did not neglect to create layers in the atmosphere to protect human beings from its dangerous rays. When designing the human system to breathe, it also created an appropriate atmosphere. It balanced such a system that the life of one living thing is dependent on that of another; the existence of oxygen depending on plants, plants on water, water on the atmospheric heat; all these systems depend on the rotation of the earth which, in turn, depends on the gravitational pull of the heavenly bodies, the distances of the sun and the moon, and thousands of other details. Every creature is nourished by another, and if one becomes extinct, the other is harmed. According to what evolutionists claim, coincidence has such a degree of awareness that is has left out no detail! Additionally, in the course of time the idol created millions of living species and adorned each with special characteristics. According to evolutionists, this idol is such that it can do anything it desires. If it wants to make an eye, it makes it; if it wants to make an arm, it makes that too. It conceives everything it wants to make and how to make it, obtaining perfect results. Before an eye existed, when there was no such thing as sight, coincidence created two spaces in the skull and inserted two spheres filled with liquid into which light could pass. Later, it set two lenses in the front of this liquid which could easily refract light and project it onto the back wall of the eye. Still later, so the eye could see the surrounding space, it created the optic muscles. But the eye was still unfinished, so it created a retina at the back to perceive light, with nerves connecting it to the brain, tear glands to protect it from drying, and two eyelids and eyelashes to protect it from dust and other foreign material. So Darwinism’s god formed all these perfect organisms by means of mutation – a process which, under normal circumstances, produces monstrosities, gives rise to defects and diseases, and has no positive effect on living things. According to evolutionist belief, Darwinism’s deity also has a special concern for the aesthetics of what it creates. Whether animate or inanimate, it takes care that its color, appearance, taste, smell and shape are aesthetically appropriate. When making a fruit or vegetable, it does so with consideration for its taste, smell, shape, its vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, calories and sugar content. It is not satisfied to merely make a strawberry but also provides its appealing smell and attractive shape. And of course, it makes a sense of taste and smell in human beings so they may take pleasure from these sensations. The renowned French zoologist, Pierre-Paul Grassé, says this about the concept: So the essence of the Darwinist religion is a doctrine which is anti-scientific, anti-intellectual and nonsensical. If human intellect has the capacity to understand that a complex construction cannot form by chance and must be the product of an intelligent plan, then Darwinism is diametrically opposed to human reason. But like the primitive pagans who, contrary to reason, worshiped the idols they made with their own hands, Darwinists, likewise disregarding human reason, adhere to their teachings. The famous molecular biologist, Michael Denton, describes this interesting situation: One will conclude that there is a great similarity between the beliefs of Darwinists and those of old pagan cultures. Just as idolaters believed that lifeless idols created, evolutionists and materialists believe that lifeless matter, prompted by random occurrences, created living things, including themselves. So the religion of Darwinism is founded on an illusion. However, even its founder, Charles Darwin, was aware that complex living things could not have come into being by chance. The perfect order in nature showed him that every existing thing was possessed of a magnificent design. Darwin acknowledged his doubts in these words: I cannot anyhow be contented to view this wonderful universe, and especially the nature of man… I am inclined to look at everything as resulting from designed laws… All these laws may have been expressly designed by an omniscient Creator, who foresaw every future event and consequence. But the more I think, the more bewildered I become.5 I could give many most striking and curious illustrations in all [living] classes; so many that I think it cannot be chance.7 1. Evolution of Living Organisms, p. 107. 2. Origins?, p. 7. 3. Evolution of Living Organisms, p. 103. 4. Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, p. 351. 5. The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, vol. II, p. 105. 6. Ibid., vol. II, p. 146. 7. Ibid., vol. I, p. 455. From the book: The Religion of Darwinism. Courtesy with slight editorial modifications. 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet) Leave a Reply
5 Ways Climate Change May Be Making Hurricanes Worse Natural disasters wеrе once entirely natural — аnԁ mοѕt still аrе. Hurricanes, bυt, mау bе a different matter. Aѕ Hurricane Irma roars toward Florida, Hurricanes Jose аnԁ Katia churn іn thе Atlantic Ocean аnԁ thе Gulf οf Mexico, аnԁ Houston picks up аftеr Hurricane Harvey, thе familiar qυеѕtіοn іѕ life raised: whаt role ԁοеѕ climate change play іn аƖƖ thіѕ volatility? Climate scientists ѕау thаt whіƖе a definitive аnѕwеr іѕ impossible, bесаυѕе thе climate іѕ unfathomably complex, thеrе іѕ a vast аnԁ growing body οf evidence thаt points toward global warming having аn impact οn thе formation аnԁ severity οf hurricanes. Heidi Cullen, thе chief scientist аt thе environmental advocacy assemble Climate Central, compares thе cause аnԁ effect between climate change аnԁ hurricanes tο thе one thаt wаѕ long ago established between smoking аnԁ lung cancer: thе risk factors аrе thеrе, thе disease process іѕ understood аnԁ even іf уου саn’t definitively determine whу аnу one person ɡοt sick, thе trends аnԁ evidence аrе clear. Adds Sarah Kapnick, a researcher аt thе National Oceanic аnԁ Atmospheric Administration: “Yου fit аƖƖ thе data together, аnԁ аѕ уου ɡеt higher аnԁ higher values οf precipitation, іt becomes less аnԁ less ƖіkеƖу without climate change.” Here аrе thе top five mechanisms thаt mаkе a solid case fοr a human role іn thе rise οf hurricanes: Hot air Hurricanes ѕtаrt wіth atmospheric heat. Aѕ air grows warm, іt rises, whісh mаkеѕ аn area οf low pressure beneath іt. Thаt acts аѕ a sort οf suction, drawing іn more warm, surrounding air, whісh joins thе gathering, rising mass. Over land, thіѕ doesn’t necessarily cause much ԁіѕtrеѕѕ, bυt over thе ocean, thе air carries water wіth іt, whісh hurricanes Ɩіkе. Anԁ thе hotter thе air іѕ, thе wetter іt саn ɡеt. Fοr еνеrу 1° C (1.8° F) boost іn temperature, thе atmosphere саn hold аn average οf 7% more water. Global atmospheric temperatures hаνе bееn οn a steady upward development fοr decades, аnԁ currently stand 1.78° F (.99° C) above thе 1951 tο 1980 average. Seasonal variations саn bе even more dramatic. Thе previous two Julys wеrе thе hottest іn 137 years οf record-keeping. Heat Ɩіkе thаt ԁοеѕ nοt dissipate straight away, bυt hangs around, keeping thе atmospheric engine primed whеn hurricane season ѕtаrtѕ. Hot water Once a hurricane gets ѕtаrtеԁ, іt needs tο keep itself continuously fueled, аnԁ warm ocean water ԁοеѕ thаt job two ways. Thе heat provides thе energy thе storm system needs tο keep churning, аnԁ thе water thе clouds drink up wіƖƖ pour back down аѕ rain. Ocean surface temperatures frοm 1901 tο thе present hаνе increased 0.13°F (.072° C) per decade, аnԁ аt Ɩеаѕt half οf thе ocean warming thаt’s taken рƖасе ѕіnсе аѕ far back аѕ 1865 hаѕ occurred іn јυѕt thе past two decades. “A warmer ocean mаkеѕ a warmer atmosphere. A warmer atmosphere саn hold more water,” ѕауѕ Gabriel Vecchi, a professor οf geosciences аt Princeton University. “Sο аƖƖ οthеr things life equal, thе same storm οn a warmer planet wіƖƖ give уου more rainfall.” PеrіƖουѕ currents Nοt οnƖу саn climate change breed more hurricanes, іt mау аƖѕο bе аbƖе tο steer thеm rіɡht toward thе places thеу саn ԁο thе mοѕt hυrt. Thе world’s oceans аrе shot through wіth a highway system οf currents, transporting heat аnԁ сοƖԁ around thе planet. In thе northern hemisphere, ѕοmе οf thіѕ process іѕ governed bу a hot-сοƖԁ cycle known аѕ thе Atlantic Multidecadal Swinging (AMO), whісh, аѕ іtѕ name suggests, involves predictable temperature shifts іn thе Atlantic Ocean playing out over long periods — οn thе order οf 60 tο 80 years. A nеw analysis published last week іn Science argued thаt climate change mау bе troublemaking thе AMO rhythm, keeping warm ocean currents streaming past thе North American coast long past thе time thеу mυѕt hаνе shifted tο thеіr сοοƖ phase. “Shifts іn thе AMO reverberate through thе climate system,” wrote thе author οf thе Science analysis. In thіѕ case, thе reverberation wіƖƖ draw hurricanes up tο higher аnԁ higher latitudes — endangering more аnԁ more population centers іn thе process. Deep oceans Thе depth οf аn ocean ԁοеѕ nοt play аnу role іn thе formation οf a hurricane, bυt іt’s a hυɡе player іn hοw much hυrt thе ensuing storm саn ԁο. Wіth global ice cover — especially over Greenland аnԁ Antarctica — аt historic lows, sea levels hаνе risen аn average οf 8 іn. (20 cm) planet-wide ѕіnсе 1880. Thаt boost саn bе higher οr lower аt аnу agreed top along аnу coast. In Galveston, Texas, fοr example, whісh sustained $ 23 billion worth οf Harvey-related hυrt, sea levels hаνе risen 12.5 inches (32 cm). Nеw Orleans іѕ probable tο see increases οf аѕ much аѕ 14.5 іn. (37 cm) bу mid-century. Storm surges thаt crash ashore during hurricanes ԁο enough hυrt already without giving thеm аn extra foot οr more οf free water tο work wіth. Clear skies PƖасе thіѕ іn thе category οf nο ехсеƖƖеnt deed going unpunished: More thаn 45 years ago, thе U.S. achieved one οf іtѕ greatest environmental victories, passing thе CƖеаn Air Act, whісh aimed tο lower thе toxic, sky-darkening pollution thаt hovered over ѕο many American cities. Thе law hаѕ done јυѕt thаt, cutting overall pollutant levels bу аt Ɩеаѕt 70% асrοѕѕ thе country. Thе U.S., οf course, hаѕ nοt bееn alone іn thеѕе efforts, аnԁ ѕіnсе thе atmosphere knows nο borders, clearer skies іn аnу one раrt οf thе world mean clearer skies everywhere. In аn era οf accelerating warming, bυt, thаt ехсеƖƖеnt news іѕ partly tеrrіbƖе news. Thе decline іn aerosol аnԁ particulate levels іn thе atmosphere admits more sunlight, whісh greenhouse gasses thеn trap, exacerbating thе increasing warming. Thе аnѕwеr, οf course, іѕ nοt tο return tο thе era οf dirty skies. It’s tο mаkе thеm cleaner still, eliminating οr аt Ɩеаѕt reducing greenhouse gasses іn thе same way wе reduced soot, lead, sulfur dioxide аnԁ more. A volatile climate, аѕ wе’re learning іn thе destruction bеnt bу serial storms, plays fοr keeps. If thе meteorological violence οf thіѕ hurricane season doesn’t supply аѕ a powerful warning, іt’s hard tο imagine whаt wіƖƖ. Short URL: http://www.viewlivenews.com/?p=94169 Posted by on Sep 8 2017. Filed under TOP NEWS. 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Yellow fever mosquito found throughout California More sightings of Aedes aegypti -- a mosquito capable of carrying deadly yellow fever, dengue and other diseases -- are popping up in California as vector control agents scramble to control its spread. The bugs first were detected in California's Central Valley communities of Madera and Clovis in June, and were detected again this week in the city of Fresno and in San Mateo County in the Bay Area in August. "We were shocked," Leonard Irby, district manager of Madera's mosquito abatement program, told the Los Angeles Times. "We never expected this mosquito in California." One expert noted the discovery means that this mosquito can potentially spread the deadly diseases if they bite an infected person, but emphasized that doesn't mean officials have found these diseases yet in the state. "It's certainly concerning that the mosquito has been located. But what's important for people to remember is identification just represents a method of transmission -- the diseases have not yet been recognized in California," Dr. Soniya Gandhi, an assistant clinical professor in the division of infectious diseases at UCLA Medical Center, said to The Aedes aegypti, or "yellow fever mosquito," targets humans and their dwellings, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They don't just feed off of blood for meals, but seek out containers of water to lay eggs and complete their development. The dark mosquitoes with white markings and banded legs bite during the day, prefer people to animals, and need only a teaspoon of water -- less than in a saucer under a houseplant -- to lay eggs to reproduce. The bugs are highly resilient due to adaptations like the ability to survive without water for several months, and can bounce back to initial numbers after human control efforts, according to the CDC. So far none of the mosquitoes trapped within a 2-square-mile infected area of Clovis have carried diseases. But officials warn that if the mosquito bites someone infected with dengue, problems could arise as they have across southern Florida, where dozens of residents have been infected. The mosquito also has been detected in Texas and Arizona. Arizona is also setting traps to make sure the bugs don't spread across the state, CBS affiliate KPHO in Phoenix reported. Dengue is a virus that can cause headache and body pains and a rash similar to measles. Ninety-nine percent of cases can be treated, but the disease can be deadly if unrecognized. Yellow fever is a virus that causes severe flu-like symptoms and sometimes jaundice. It also can kill. While it would be rare for the insects to cause disease, Gandhi thinks awareness and prevention efforts could help further reduce risk. People can reduce all piles of standing water near their homes, such as by emptying out flower pots and covering trash cans, and they can also make sure their screen doors are sufficiently covered. Individuals can also wear long, loose clothing and stay indoors, or use insect repellants with up to 10 percent DEET or picaridin.
Competitive Advantage The choice of industry affects firm performance but, within any given industry, some companies are more profitable than others. Why do some companies do better than their competitors? A firm that formulates and implements a strategy that leads to superior performance relative to other competitors in the same industry or the industry average has a competitive advantage. The greater the performance, the greater is its competitive advantage. A sustained competitive advantage occurs when a firm maintains above-average performance for a number of years. Strategy describes the goal-directed actions a firm intends to take in its quest to gain and sustain competitive advantage. The firm that possesses competitive advantage provides superior value to customers at a competitive price or acceptable value at a lower price. Profitability and market share are the consequences of superior value creation. The important point here is that strategy is about creating superior value, while containing the cost to create it. The greater the difference between value creation and cost, the greater the economic contribution the firm makes, and thus the greater the likelihood for competitive advantage. Competitive Advantage The key message in Michael Porter’s theory of competitive strategy is that firms must be able to create a defendable position in an industry, in order to cope successfully with competitive forces and generate a superior return on investment. According to Porter, cost leadership and differentiation are two basic strategies for creating value and attaining a competitive advantage in an industry. Competitive advantage (and higher profits) goes to those companies that can create superior value—and the way to create superior value is to drive down the cost structure of the business and/or differentiate the product in some way so that consumers value it more and are prepared to pay a premium price. “Competitive advantage grows out of value a firm is able to create for its buyers that exceeds the firm’s cost of creating it. Value is what buyers are willing to pay, and superior value stems from offering lower prices than competitors for equivalent benefits or providing unique benefits that more than offset a higher price. There are two basic types of competitive advantage: cost leadership and differentiation.” (Porter, 1985) Firms that pursue both strategies have a competitive advantage compared with the differentiator because they have lower production costs; they also have an advantage compared with the cost leader because they can charge a premium price. Consequently, more and more firms are pursuing both strategies simultaneously. Internal analysis leads to the identification of a firm’s strengths and weakness, and especially its distinctive competencies, including its resources and capabilities. Distinctive competencies enable firms to create superior value for customers, by helping them to achieve the four main building blocks of competitive advantage: 1. Efficiency: In a business organization, inputs such as land, capital, raw material managerial know-how and technological know-how are transformed into outputs such as products and services. Efficiency of operations enables a company to lower the cost of inputs to produce given output and to attain competitive advantage. Employee productivity is measured in terms of output per employee. 2. Quality: Quality of goods and services indicates the reliability of doing the job, which the product is intended for. High quality products create a reputation and brand name, which in turn permits the company to charge higher price for the products. Higher product quality can also result in greater efficiency, with less employee time wasted fixing defective products or services. This translates into higher employee productivity, which means lower unit costs. 3. Innovation: Innovation means new way of doing things. Innovation results in new knowledge, new product development structures and strategies in a company. Successful innovation gives a company something unique that its competitors lack (that is, until imitation occurs). This uniqueness allows a company to differentiate and charge a premium price. Successful innovation may also allow a company to reduce its unit costs. Studies in several industries have shown that innovation is a major driver of superior profitability. 4. Responsiveness to Customers: Companies are expected to provide customers what they are exactly in need of by understanding customer needs and desires. It involves doing everything possible to identify customer needs and to satisfy those needs. Customer responsiveness is determined by customization of products, quick delivery time, quality, design and prompt after sales service. In summary, superior efficiency enables a company to lower its costs; superior quality enables a company both to charge a higher price and to lower its costs; superior innovation can lead to higher prices or lower unit costs; and superior customer responsiveness enables a company to charge a higher price. Building strategy-critical core competencies and competitive capabilities not easily imitated by rivals is one of the best ways to gain a competitive advantage. Core competencies emerge from skills and activities performed at different points in the value chain that, when linked, create unique organizational capability. The key to leveraging a company’s core competencies into long-term competitive advantage is to concentrate more effort and more talent than revivals competitive advantage is to concentrate more efforts and more talent than revivals of on strengthening and deepening organizational competencies and capabilities. At the most fundamental level, firms create competitive advantage by perceiving or discovering new and better ways to compete in an industry and bringing them to market, which is ultimately an act of innovation. Innovations shift competitive advantage when rivals either fail to perceive the new way of competing or are unwilling or unable to respond. There can be significant advantages to early movers responding to innovations, particularly in industries with significant economies of scale or when customers are more concerned about switching suppliers. Superior value creation is driven by a firm’s ability to differentiate its products or reduce its expenses. When firms are able to create superior value, they experience higher profitability. It’s also important for firms to sustain their competitive advantages over time, to maintain their competitive advantage, and to take steps to avoid competitive failure. The sustainability of competitive advantage depends on three conditions. 1. The first is the particular source of the advantage. There is a hierarchy of sources of competitive advantage in terms of sustainability. Lower-order advantages, such as low labor costs or cheap raw materials are relatively easy to imitate. Higher-order advantages, such as proprietary process technology, product differentiation, brand reputation and customer relationships are more durable. Higher-order advantages involve more advanced skills and capabilities such as specialized and highly trained personnel, internal technical capability and often close relationships with leading customers. Such advantages also demand sustained and cumulative investment in physical facilities and specialized intangible assets. 2. The second determinant of sustainability is the number of distinct sources of advantage a firm possesses. If there is only one advantage, competitors can more easily nullify this advantage. Firms which sustain leadership over time, tend to proliferate advantages throughout the value chain. 3. The third, and most important basis for sustainability is constant improvement and upgrading. A firm must keep creating new advantages at least as fast as competitors can replicate old ones. The firm must improve relentlessly its performance against its existing advantages. This makes it more difficult for competitors to nullify them. In the long run, competitive advantage can be sustained only by expanding and upgrading sources and by moving up the hierarchy to more sustainable types. To sustain competitive advantage, a firm may have to destroy old advantages to create new, higher-order ones. A company must learn to exploit industry trends and close off the avenues along which competitors may attack by making pre emptive investments. Read More: Short Case Study: The global auto industry is huge, with high sales and high competitive intensity. Increasingly, automakers are working to develop a wide range of vehicles to appeal to every customer. Toyota’s lean production methods and fast time to market have aided the firm in quickly developing car models focused on different market segments. Toyota’s first effort to win the important market segment of buyers in their twenties was unsuccessful; their fuel-efficient Echo subcompact was marred by unattractive styling. The firm quickly changed its approach, introducing Matrix, with sporty hatchback styling and electronic music capability, in 2002. Toyota is also known for its ability to segment markets, such as offering six different SUV models in varying price ranges. The Japanese automaker balances the number of products against cost constraints, and it also closely monitors the actions of its competitors, especially in emerging market segments. Hint: This case demonstrates how Toyota pursued both a low cost and a differentiation strategy, leading to an enduring competitive advantage. The case also demonstrates competitive dynamics, as Toyota was forced to adapt to changes in consumer tastes as well as the actions of competitors. In this case, Toyota was pressured to keep costs low, create unique products that competitors did not yet have, and appeal to many customer segments with diverse needs.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 John Brown “We drew in two loads of hay this morning and Will Holmes drew in two for us and then it rained and we did not do anything more before dinner. After dinner, Mike and I ground a mover knife and then he went to cultivating corn and I went up town and got my boots mended. When I came home, the hay was so dry that we drew in two loads more. The weather cleared off and the wind blew very brisk this afternoon.” For some reason, when I first saw this picture, I was reminded of John Brown. However, A look at the picture below shows that they look nothing alike. John Brown (May 9, 1800 – December 2, 1859) was a revolutionary abolitionist in the United States, who advocated and practiced armed insurrection as a means to abolish slavery for good. He led the Pottawatomie Massacre during which five men were killed in 1856 in Bleeding Kansas and made his name in the unsuccessful raid at Harpers Ferry in 1859. Later that year he was tried and executed for treason against the state of Virginia, murder, and conspiracy. Brown has been called "the most controversial of all 19th-century Americans." Brown's attempt in 1859 to start a liberation movement among enslaved African Americans in Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia) electrified the nation. He was tried for treason against the state of Virginia, the murder of five pro-slavery Southerners, and inciting a slave insurrection and was subsequently hanged. Southerners alleged that his rebellion was the tip of the abolitionist iceberg and represented the wishes of the Republican Party to end slavery. Historians agree that the Harpers Ferry raid in 1859 escalated tensions that, a year later, led to secession and the American Civil War. Brown first gained attention when he led small groups of volunteers during the Bleeding Kansas crisis. Unlike most other Northerners, who advocated peaceful resistance to the pro-slavery faction, Brown demanded violent action in response to Southern aggression. Dissatisfied with the pacifism encouraged by the organized abolitionist movement, he reportedly said, "These men are all talk. What we need is action—action!" During the Kansas campaign he and his supporters killed five pro-slavery southerners in what became known as the Pottawatomie Massacre in May 1856 in response to the raid of the "free soil" city of Lawrence. In 1859 he led a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia (in modern-day West Virginia). During the raid, he seized the armory; seven people were killed, and ten or more were injured. He intended to arm slaves with weapons from the arsenal, but the attack failed. Within 36 hours, Brown's men had fled or been killed or captured by local pro slavery farmers, militiamen, and U.S. Marines led by Robert E. Lee. Brown's subsequent capture by federal forces seized the nation's attention, as Southerners feared it was just the first of many Northern plots to cause a slave rebellion that might endanger their lives, while Republicans dismissed the notion and said they would not interfere with slavery in the South. Historians agree John Brown played a major role in the start of the Civil War. David Potter (1976) said the emotional effect of Brown's raid was greater than the philosophical effect of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and that his raid revealed a deep division between North and South. Brown's actions prior to the Civil War as an abolitionist, and the tactics he chose, still make him a controversial figure today. He is sometimes memorialized as a heroic martyr and a visionary and sometimes vilified as a madman and a terrorist. Some writers, such as Bruce Olds, describe him as a monomaniacal zealot, others, such as Stephen B. Oates, regard him as "one of the most perceptive human beings of his generation." David S. Reynolds hails the man who "killed slavery, sparked the civil war, and seeded civil rights" and Richard Owen Boyer emphasizes that Brown was "an American who gave his life that millions of other Americans might be free." For Ken Chowder he is "at certain times, a great man", but also "the father of American terrorism." The song "John Brown's Body" became a Union marching song during the Civil War. No comments: Post a Comment
Saturday, September 16, 2017 Magic Chemistry, Burning Money The Magic of Chemistry Reaction The chemistry of reaction may don't understand by us because it is not like what we see. The principle of burning process of all material are depend on the burning point of each material. When the heat can't reach the burning point of certain material so what we see is not like the actual chemical reaction happening. Chemistry can use as magic show. Every show actually this is not magic but natural if you are a chemist. Using the natural reaction and incident, chemistry can show something to you that magic like. Some example a normal chemistry activity seem like a magic but this condition actually a natural event. Burning Paper or Money. Paper is not burnt because the flammable point of paper still don't over Burning Money • New Dollar bill (higher nominal if your are confidence) • Chemical glass (1000 ml) • Matches • Sodium Salt like Sodium Sulfide (in order the color of flame merge is yellow) • Solution of 50% alcohol (95%) and 50% water A combustion reaction occur between alcohol and oxygen, producing heat and carbon dioxide and water. The chemical reaction will like this: C2H5OH + 4 O2 -----> 2 CO2 + 3 H2O + energy When the bill is soaked into the alcohol water mixture, alcohol has a high vapor pressure and mainly will on the outside of the material (dollar bill). When the bill is lift, the alcohol will burn. The temperature at the burning alcohol is not high enough to evaporate water so the material will not burn even after the burning process, the dollar bill seem rather wet. After the alcohol has burned, the flame goes out, leaving a slightly damp dollar bill. Monday, August 21, 2017 What is gypsum? Gypsum is usually used for interior design in the house building. Gypsum use to make up the good looking inside the house, because gypsum have smooth surface and look better after grinding with sand paper and then paint with white color. Other paint color may be applied but I still don't see other kind color applied for gypsum. Chemically Gypsum have formula CaSO4, from this formula we can see that gypsum is produced from the reaction of Ca substance with SO4 substance like sulfuric acid. By apply energy on the reaction between Calk and Sulfuric acid can produce Gypsum at the end of the reaction. The real production process my more complicated because involve many parameters on process going. On industry Gypsum can be produced especially to produce Gypsum, but in other plant Gypsum can be a side product like in Power Plant, as Gypsum is the side product on the chimney on purpose of environmental protection. The emission from power plant that much emit SO2 gas can be catch and react with lime to produce Gypsum. The reaction itself need special apparatus in order this process can be run. Sunday, November 30, 2014 How to Produce Biodiesel The general problem on natural energy source in the world have been thought by many scientist and technologist to create new energy synthetic to modified other energy that come from plant can be used also as energy in industry and in our home, because the plant energy source can be renewed, while energy from mineral can’t be renewed. Many scientist have try to produce biodiesel from many source but just few of their experiment can be applied into the real production. Biodiesel Separation Several oil plant can be proceed into fuel oil through several process stage. Most of the animal fats, vegetables and oils contain glycerin and are thus called triglycerides can be proceed to make biofuels, all the fats and oils are turned into esters, then separating the glycerin. At the end of the process, all the glycerin sinks down at the bottom and all the biodiesel rests at the top. The process through which the glycerin is separated from the biodiesel is known as transesterification. This process also uses lye (NaOH low concentration) as a catalyst in the whole process. Some of the chemicals which are used in the manufacturing of biodiesel are ethanol or methanol which brings into use methyl esters. Methanol is derived from fossil fuels while ethanol is derived from plants. One of the advantages of using ethanol is that they can be distilled even at the home without any problem. The most oil source use to make biodiesel is plant oil waste, because if we make from new plant oil is too expensive, and almost impossible to make biodiesel from vegetable oil. The step on how to process waste vegetable oil into biodiesel as follows: • Filtering: In this process, vegetable oil is separate from food particle that still available in the oil. To make easier to filter vegetable oil we can warm up the oil before filter. • Heating and mixing: The residue is heated in between 49 – 54 oC after which it is mixed well. It should be remembered that process should be done carefully avoiding splashing of the liquid. • Settling and separation: After mixing the liquid, it has to be allowed to cool down. After the cooling process, the biodiesel will be found floating at the top while the heavier glycerin would be found at the bottom. The glycerin can be easily separated by allowing it to drain out from the bottom. The person is left over with pure biodiesel which can be used for various purposes.
The goal of this project is to develop, implement, and evaluate an assistive hearing system that isolates sound sources that are located in the direction of the user?s eye gaze. The system is meant to be used in conjunction with a binaural hearing aid to improve speech perception for the hearing impaired population. Poor speech perception is a frequent complaint of those suffering from hearing loss and is associated with an increased risk of dementia, depression, and feelings of isolation in older adults. Perceiving a speech stream in the presence of competing speech is often especially difficult for hearing impaired listeners, and traditional hearing aids do not do much to solve the problem. Previous attempts to address this issue have often relied upon directional microphones that are oriented to pick up sounds coming from directly in front of the user. However, the focus of attention often deviates away from directly in front of the listener, especially in auditory environments with many sound sources. Instead of a system focused on a fixed location, we propose a highly innovative directional listening system that uses a microphone array to isolate sounds coming from the focus of the user?s attention. The major hypotheses of this work are that eye gaze direction is a strong indicator of the focus of auditory attention, and that a gaze-controlled directional listening system represents an effortless and effective way to isolate the speech signals that the listener cares about. The project?s first specific aim is to refine an existing and highly promising directional listening algorithm to maximize its ability to isolate a target speech signal. Human subjects testing will be used to evaluate many different revisions of the algorithm according to the speech fidelity provided and listening effort required. The highest-performing version of the algorithm will be implemented as part of the gaze-controlled system. Concurrent with this effort, the project?s second specific aim is to determine how gaze information can be best used to control the directional listening system. More generally, the goal is to determine how the focus of visual attention corresponds to the focus of auditory attention in normal and hearing impaired subjects. This aim i ncludes a series of basic research studies in which eye movements are monitored while subjects view complex audiovisual speech stimuli. These data will suggest the best way to translate eye tracking data into an estimate of the focus of auditory attention, while also providing results relevant to the multisensory attention literature. Finally, the major goal of third specific aim is to conduct a comprehensive test of the gaze-controlled directional listening system with hearing impaired subjects. Subjects will complete listening tasks in auditory and visual environments of varying complexity. Longer-term testing will also be completed to evaluate system performance with experienced users. Ultimately, the project is expected to result in a highly effective and innovative approach to allow the user to hear what they see. Public Health Relevance ? Attention-guided speech enhancement for hearing impaired listeners This project is focused on the development and evaluation of a gaze-controlled speech enhancement system. The system uses gaze orientation to control the directionality of a microphone array, thereby isolating sound sources that are located in the area of visual attention. The goal is to enhance speech reception and lower listening effort for hearing impaired listeners. National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) Research Enhancement Award (SC1) Project # Application # Study Section Special Emphasis Panel (ZGM1-RCB-X (SC)) Program Officer Rivera-Rentas, Alberto L Project Start Project End Budget Start Budget End Support Year Fiscal Year Total Cost Indirect Cost New Mexico State University Las Cruces Schools of Arts and Sciences Las Cruces United States Zip Code
Previous / References / Index 11. Conclusions and Future Strategies Speech synthesis has been developed steadily over the last decades and it has been incorporated into several new applications. For most applications, the intelligibility and comprehensibility of synthetic speech have reached the acceptable level. However, in prosodic, text preprocessing, and pronunciation fields there is still much work and improvements to be done to achieve more natural sounding speech. Natural speech has so many dynamic changes that perfect naturalness may be impossible to achieve. However, since the markets of speech synthesis related applications are increasing steadily, the interest for giving more efforts and funds into this research area is also increasing. Present speech synthesis systems are so complicated that one researcher can not handle the entire system. With good modularity it is possible to divide the system into several individual modules whose developing process can be done separately if the communication between the modules is made carefully. The three basic methods used in speech synthesis have been introduced in Chapter 5. The most commonly used techniques in present systems are based on formant and concatenative synthesis. The latter one is becoming more and more popular since the methods to minimize the problems with the discontinuity effects in concatenation points are becoming more effective. The concatenative method provides more natural and individual sounding speech, but the quality with some consonants may vary considerably and the controlling of pitch and duration may be in some cases difficult, especially with longer units. However, with for example diphone methods, such as PSOLA may be used. Some other efforts for controlling of pitch and duration have been made by for example Galanes et al. (1995). They proposed an interpolation/decimation method for resampling the speech signals. With concatenation methods the collecting and labeling of speech samples have usually been difficult and very time-consuming. Currently most of this work can be done automatically by using for example speech-recognition. With formant synthesis the quality of synthetic speech is more constant, but the speech sounds slightly more unnatural and individual sounding speech is more difficult to achieve. Formant synthesis is also more flexible and allows a good control of fundamental frequency. The third basic method, the articulatory synthesis, is perhaps the most feasible in theory especially for stop consonants because it models the human articulation system directly. On the one hand, the articulatory based methods are usually rather complex and the computational load is high, so the potential has not been realized yet. On the other hand, computational capabilities are increasing rapidly and the analysis methods of speech production are developing fast, so the method may be useful in the future. Naturally, some combinations and modifications of these basic methods have been used with variable success. An interesting approach is to use a hybrid system where the formant and concatenative methods have been applied in parallel to phonemes where they are the most suitable (Fries 1993). In general, combining the best parts of the basic methods is a good idea, but in practice, controlling of synthesizer may become difficult. Also some speech coding methods have been applied to speech synthesis, such as Linear Predictive Coding and Sinusoidal Modeling. Actually, the first speech synthesizer, VODER, was developed from the speech coding system VOCODER (Klatt 1987, Schroeder 1993). Linear Prediction has been used for several decades, but with the basic method the quality has been quite poor. However, with some modifications, such as Warped Linear Prediction (WLP), considerable achievements have been reported (Karjalainen et al. 1998). Warped filtering takes advantage of hearing properties, so it is perhaps useful in all source-filter based synthesis methods. Sinusoidal models have also been applied to speech synthesis for about a decade. Like PSOLA methods, the sinusoidal modeling is best suited for periodic signals, but the representation of unvoiced speech is difficult. However, the sinusoidal methods have been found useful with singing voice synthesis (Macon 1996). Several normal speech processing techniques may be used also with synthesized speech. For example, adding some reverberation it may be possible to increase the pleasantness of synthetic speech afterwards. Other effects, such as digital filtering, chorus, etc., can be also be used to generate different voices. However, using these kind of methods may increase the computational load. Most information of the speech signal is focused at the frequency range less than 10 kHz. However, using higher sample rate than necessary, the speech may sound slightly more pleasant. Some other techniques have been applied to speech synthesis, such as Artificial Neural Networks and Hidden Markov Models. These methods have been found promising for controlling the synthesizer parameters, such as gain, duration, and fundamental frequency. As mentioned earlier, the high-level synthesis is perhaps the least developed part of present synthesizers and needs special attention in the future. Especially controlling prosodic features has been found very difficult and the synthesized speech still sounds usually synthetic or monotonic. The methods for correct pronunciation have been developed steadily during last decades and the present systems are quite good, but improvements with especially proper names are needed. Text preprocessing with numbers and some context-dependent abbreviations is still very problematic. However, the development of semantic parsing or text understanding techniques may provide a major improvement in high-level speech synthesis. As long as speech synthesis needs to be developed, the evaluation and assessment play one of the most important roles. Different levels of testing and the most common test methods have been discussed in the previous chapter. Before performing a listening test, the method used should be tested with smaller listener group to find out possible problems and the subjects should be chosen carefully. It is also impossible to say which test method provides the valid data and it is perhaps reasonable to use more than one test. It is quite clear that there is still very long way to go before text-to-speech synthesis, especially high-level synthesis, is fully acceptable. However, the development is going forward steadily and in the long run the technology seems to make progress faster than we can imagine. Thus, when developing a speech synthesis system, we may use almost all resources available, because in few years todays high resources are available in every personal computer. Regardless how fast the development process will be, speech synthesis, whenever used in low-cost calculators or state-of-the-art multimedia solutions, has probably the most promising future. If speech recognition systems someday achieve a generally acceptable level, we may develop for example a communication system where the system may first analyze the speakers' voice and its characteristics, transmit only the character string with some control symbols, and finally synthesize the speech with individual sounding voice at the other end. Even interpretation from a language to another may became feasible. However, it is obvious that we must wait for several years, maybe decades, until such systems are possible and commonly available. Previous / References / Index
Waveguides Simultaneously Transmit Short and Long Electromagnetic Waves Technology #32336 Questions about this technology? Ask a Technology Manager Download Printable PDF Image Gallery Cross-section of a universal fiber. The blue circles are either air or a material with a different refractive index than the rest of the fiber Guifang Li, Ph.D. Fatih Yaman Managed By John Miner Assistant Director 407.882.1136 Patent Protection Waveguides configured to simultaneously guide electromagnetic waves of different wavelengths US Patent 8,699,840 B2 Often used to transmit electromagnetic (EM) signals, optical fibers sometimes transmit signals of varying wavelengths, e.g. signals from opposite ends of the EM spectrum, from microwaves to infrared (IR). Due to the fibers’ geometry, these transmissions typically require multiple fibers, where each fiber is configured to guide waves within a limited wavelength range. This large number of fibers increases the complexity of the communication systems utilizing them. To reduce this complexity, UCF researchers have created waveguides capable of simultaneously transmitting both short and long wavelength EM signals. In some cases, these waveguides can transmit signals that have at least a two-fold difference in wavelength. This revolutionary method can be used in nonlinear optical interactions involving EM waves in different bands, and within a universal cable for EM wave transmission, which, for example, can reduce the bulk of cables in Navy vessels. These waveguides can also be used in nonlinear imaging (e.g. excitation in visible/near-infrared wavelengths, fluorescence in IR, and microwaves). Technical Details This invention entails waveguides comprised of composite photonic crystal fibers (PCF) with one or more unit cells, each capable of transmitting relatively short wavelength EM signals. The unit cells are arrayed in a hexagonal pattern around a primary core capable of transmitting relatively long wavelength EM signals. The fractal-like geometry of the fibers, where the unit cells also function as PCFs, gives the ability to simultaneously guide waves with very different wavelengths, including waves from opposite ends of the EM spectrum. • Simultaneous transmission of both short and long wavelength EM waves • Reduce cable weight and size • Nonlinear optical interactions • Nonlinear imaging
In Our Degenerate Times The Costa Concordia fiasco inevitably invites comparison with another famous shipwreck — that of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. The contrast in the behavior of those on board couldn’t be starker. In 1912, the Titanic’s crew and most of its male passengers refused to board lifeboats until the women and children were safe. They preferred death in the frigid waters that awaited them to breaching such a point of honor. This change in the behavior of ordinary people in the face of crisis reveals something about who we have become in the century since the Titanic’s demise. Since the sinking of the Titanic, we have become a people who insist that human life is important enough for cruise ships to have lifeboats enough for all instead of based on the cargo capacity of the ship. We have become a people who are appalled that second- and third-class passengers would not only die at much higher percentages but have their bodies consigned to the sea rather than recovered for their relatives. For several generations now, we’ve disparaged the view of life that produced the men who, in 1912, willingly sacrificed their lives in service to others. “Women and children first” sounds patronizing and downright sexist to the modern, enlightened sensibility. At the same time, words like “duty” and “honor” sound antiquated and empty of meaning — and may even bring a cynical smile to the lips of our modern debunkers. These words sound hollow because we have made them so. The idea of “duty,” for example, begs answers to two questions that few of us can give today: “A duty originating from what?” “A duty directed to what end?” We’re so accustomed to being tongue-tied by such questions that we’ve stopped asking them altogether. This, of course, is why we are uniform in our condemnation of Captain Francesco Schettino who was derelict in his duty to the people under his care. This is why we are upset that he cast off the duty he took on when he agreed to do his job, originating from that agreement. No one has exactly been tongue-tied in that condemnation either. Our language has changed in response. We no longer speak of “virtues” — a word that connotes traits of character strongly and universally held. Instead, we prattle on about “values” — a much more neutered term, suggesting nothing higher than “different strokes for different folks.” Kersten gets this backward, of course. A virtue is the expression of something desirable. A value, on the other hand, is a principle. Values are what underlie virtues. More than that, values are flexible enough to function where simple virtues are not. Today, we operate on the smorgasbord principle. We select from a vast array of “lifestyles,” based on purely individual tastes. The only overriding principle is that no taste be elevated above others, lest we risk being “judgmental.” Right. This is relevant to the naval disaster because we consider failure to protect those under your care to be a “lifestyle” that should be protected. She’s totally not reaching for any excuse to denigrate homosexuality here. Yet every now and then an event occurs to remind us of the price we have paid for abandoning the nobility of soul — or even the idea of a soul — that has inspired men throughout history to move beyond the raw instinct for self-preservation. Or reaching for an excuse to defend religion as it slips toward obscurity. The wreck of the Costa Concordia is such an event. We watched, and shuddered for a moment at the “every man for himself” world we have wrought. This “‘every man for himself’ world” is the one in which Captain Schettino sits under house arrest, facing manslaughter charges. This world is the one we have built large-scale social contracts to allow us to more safely do things like cross seas for fun–so safely that disasters like these are news for days on end. This world is the one in which the captain stands out among the heroes who saved lives when the Costa Concordia sank. Altogether, that’s not a bad world to live in, despite the presence of ghouls like Kersten. In Our Degenerate Times 19 thoughts on “In Our Degenerate Times 1. 1 Ah, but for the details. Each lifeboat required two crewmen, and few of the lifeboats were actually full when they set off. Not quite a quarter of the men on the crew were saved (there were women who were considered “crew” as well, and 87% survived); more than half of the women and children in steerage died. I will grant, however, that very few modern rock bands would have kept playing while the ship went under. Possibly due to the danger of electrocution. 2. 3 But doesn’t she have it backwards? Weren’t those men on the Titanic the selfish ones, putting the women and children on the boats to keep fighting another day, while they were going to heaven to sit with Jesus and sing pretty songs? 3. 5 if this were truly an “every man for himself” world, we should expect to see widespread panic and chaos in a mad scramble for the lifeboats as soon as word is given to abandon ship. yet while i’ve seen some acerbic criticisms of what went on aboard the Costa Concordia, nobody has claimed anything like that went on. there have been charges that the decision to abandon ship was delayed too long, that the crewmembers were not well versed in the passengers’ languages, that the procedure was not well enough drilled or prepared — but i’ve seen nobody claiming there was any panicked scrambling of the strong over the bodies of the weak towards safety. of course, that the ship went down in easy sight of land in the Mediterranean instead of miles from anywhere in the freezing North Atlantic might perhaps have had something to do with it also. still, the old meme that “everybody panics madly in a crisis situation” doesn’t seem to have as much truth in it as people usually fear. 4. 6 Leaving aside how badly wrong she got it about the actual reality of evacuation scenarios on the Titanic vs. the Concordia, the accidents themselves sound a lot to me like “Same Shit, Different Century.” (I hadn’t realized they were separated by almost exactly 100 years!) Any time huge human-made disasters like this occur, it’s inevitably a mixture of a) blind deference to an authority figure exercising questionable judgment with b) plain old bad luck. The Tenerife disaster was perhaps the best studied of this phenomenon, and the conclusion is clear: If you want to prevent accidents like this, the very best thing you can do is foster an atmosphere where subordinates are willing to voice their concerns to superiors, and even to flat-out tell their superiors they are wrong. Of course I’m sure that sort of insubordination and lack of respect for authoritah goes directly against Kersten’s “virtues”. As to the crap she’s actually talking, even if she was correct in the details (and feralboy12 points out many ways in which she is not), there’s really only two numbers you need to know here to compare which evacuation was conducted with “virtue”: Costa Concordia death toll – 33 (if you count all the missing as dead) Titanic death toll – 1517 “Woman and children first”? How about we go with “adequate lifeboats and sensible evacuation policies first”? 5. 7 Ms. Kersten claims that Let’s examine this a little more closely, shall we? Let’s ask a contemporary commentator to the Titanic disaster. Here’s what George Bernard Shaw has to say about the cry of “Women and Children first!” in a series of correspondence between himself and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: What is the first demand of romance in a shipwreck? It is the cry of Women and Children First. No male creature is to step into a boat as long as there is a woman or child on the doomed ship. How the boat is to be navigated and rowed by babies and women occupied in holding the babies is not mentioned. The likelihood that no sensible woman would trust either herself or her child in a boat unless there was a considerable percentage of men on board is not considered. Women and Children First: that is the romantic formula. And never did the chorus of solemn delight at the strict observance of this formula by the British heroes on board the Titanic rise to more sublime strains than in the papers containing the first account of the wreck by a surviving eye-witness, Lady Duff Gordon. She described how she escaped in the captain’s boat. There was one other woman in it, and ten men: twelve all told. One woman for every five men. Chorus: “Not once or twice in our rough island history,” etc. etc. So, what was all that about duty and honour aboard the Titanic? All the evidence is that the disaster was mishandled from the moment her crew was first warned of ice in her path – indeed, from the moment that the designers discarded the idea of one space aboard a lifeboat for every potential soul on board. Only a small handful aboard acted in a “professional, seamanlike” manner, and that woefully short list does not include her captain. Captain Smith seems to have been stunned into inaction by the discovery that for the first time in his career, he was aboard a ship that was going to sink. 6. 8 Kersten has already forgotton J.B. Ismay, Chairman of the White Star Line, who managed to find a lifeboat seat. 7. Art There are all sorts of things going on in the Titanic sinking and some of those have gotten lost in time. It was a very class conscious time. It was taken as entirely normal, even a great good, that the first class would get first seating in any movement. This was the habit of the day and stepping outside this pattern would be entirely out of character and accepted as being against good order. There is also the fact that most people of the time thought that the main cause of death during a sinking was drowning. That as long as you had floatation, and didn’t actually go down with the ship, you could float around in the water and safely await rescue. This is almost true in warm water and calm seas as long as rescue comes quickly. So many people found afloat but dead from hypothermia was a real shock. In the this context life boats were seen as an accommodation to the young, old, and infirm or injured. It can also be seen where holding back the second and third classes was understood as just the way things were done, and a nod to good order. It was assumed that there were plenty of life jackets or expedient flotation so the delayed lower classes would be wet but, for the most part, unharmed as they awaited recovery by a rescue boat. I suspect that many people understood there was some flaw to this plan, and nobody was comfortable striking out without aid of a boat, it just wasn’t done, but few people had an understanding of what the flaw was. Our understanding of immersion in cold water and how the body reacts to lowered core temperature has altered our assumptions. It is easy, far too easy, to assume the people in charge of the Titanic had an understanding similar to our own. Had they known, and acted as they did, they could be accused of reckless indifference. As it is, based on what we have evidence that they knew, the main cause of loss of life in this tragedy was ignorance and misunderstandings of the risks involved. 8. 15 Oh, well–thanks for checking, Stephanie! Condensed version: I was echoing Nomen and Jim Baerg. Conservative fantasies aside, people mostly behave pretty well during disasters. 9. 17 Oh Katherine Kersten! Haha! Her nephew was a really good friend of mine and a roommate back in college. He did NOT share her worldview and values. Comments are closed.
Wanna be a provost? If so, it may help you to know more about just what the job entails. III-defined role of the provost The role of a provost actually is somewhat ill-defined. At some level, it is whatever the president or chancellor wants it to be. Presidents often will delegate to provosts tasks that they do not want to do or that they see as outside their skill set. So provosts need to be ready to be something of a jack-of-all-trades. The most important relations for provosts are typically with the president and the chief business (or financial) officer. Both are ill-defined. Consider each in turn. In theory, provosts often are the right-hand man or woman of the president. In practice, this may or may not be so. Presidents may have some other vice president (e.g., of finance, operations, legal or whatever) on whom they rely more, or may end up relying more on a chief of staff. It can be frustrating to feel bypassed, but it is the presidents’ prerogative to rely on whomever they choose for daily advice. Having a close working relationship with the president is essential. Provosts need to be able to communicate well with their presidents and be able to follow their general lead. If you find your values in conflict with those of your institution’s president, start looking for another job. Presidents also differ in the extent to which they will want or even allow you to be in the limelight. Best practice is to focus your attention on making the president (and the college or university) rather than yourself look good. The job of a provost simply does not typically have the same public visibility as the job of a president or even a dean. It is not uncommon for the provost and the chief business officer to find their working relationship to be less than totally smooth. The reason is that it is not always entirely clear who does what. I found it helpful initially to discuss with the chief business officer what our respective roles would be and then to work on maintaining the division of labor we agreed upon. In our case, my responsibility was more with setting priorities for academic spending, his with finding the money and making sure expenditures were properly budgeted. Scope of responsibility As a provost, your scope includes many areas outside your expertise. So you must create a great team. You need to decide for yourself if you are comfortable making decisions that affect areas about which you know little and whether you have the skills to construct a team that you can trust. When you start as a provost, the greatest likelihood is that your team of direct reports will appear to you as a mixed bag. Are you able to make tough decisions about whom to keep and whom to let go? Are you able to ask people to step down while enabling them to retain their dignity and public reputation? Do you have the skills needed to create a really strong team? Relations between deans and provosts depend largely on the centralization of power within the institution. At one extreme, the management structure and budget are highly centralized. At the other extreme, the deans are wholly responsible for their own decisions and budgets (“responsibility-centered management,” or “RCM”), with “each tub on its own bottom.” You need to make sure you understand the division of responsibility at your institution before becoming a provost. If you are not comfortable with that division, you may try to change it, but that is no easy task. Being in charge vs. supporting others As a provost, unlike as a dean, you typically are not directly running anything. You are responsible for academic affairs at the college or university, but in most instances, your influence is indirect rather than direct. You typically work through the deans, and sometimes associate provosts, rather than on your own. Although your control is indirect, it extends over a wider span of academic activities than does the control of a dean. Some provosts, having recently been deans, miss the direct control they had as a dean and attempt to micromanage the deans who report to them. This is a sure recipe for failure. As a provost, you will see deans make mistakes, some of which you may have tried unsuccessfully to prevent. You may then have to do cleanup. In doing so, you must be careful not to undermine the authority of the dean. If faculty members see you as covertly taking on the role of the dean, knowing the academic hierarchy, they may stop paying much attention to the dean. You then may find that other deans will stay away from you for fear that they too will be undermined. As a provost, you are likely to receive any number of requests to approve projects that are good ideas but that you cannot afford to fund. Work with the proposers of such projects to find the funds to back them, or else to back out of the project gracefully. You need to acknowledge not only what more you can do, but also the limits of what you can do with the budget you have or can create. Relations with other key players in academe At various times, you probably will find yourself having conflicts with subordinate administrators and with faculty. In these cases, it is tempting to use your position of power as a provost to try to resolve the conflicts. But those who flaunt their position authority lose their moral authority, which is the main basis of power in a university. Having a touch that is soft but firm generally works better than trying to show people who’s boss. Communication is especially important for a provost because so much of the job is exercised through others. Do not hide out in your office with a few trusted advisors or continually leave it to others to communicate your decisions. In the absence of communication, people will start to invent things. It is essential that you stay in close communication with those you are responsible for and that you be perceived as in touch with the realities on the ground. To succeed in your endeavors, try to ensure there is some other individual or group that gets the credit. View your role as defining what the important academic problems are to be solved. Then, to create a broad-based sense of intellectual ownership, create task forces of relevant stakeholders to propose solutions to the problems. If the report of a task force is more conceptual than operational, create an implementation task force to recommend concrete steps for operationalizing the solutions. The solution proposed by the task force may not be what you hoped for. In these instances, remember that, for most faculty members, process trumps outcome. You will get much more flak if your process is seen as flawed or non-consultative than you will if the solution is seen as less than perfect. You always can steer the solution in a better direction at the time of operationalization. Or, in my case, I have used the faculty council, provost’s council (composed of all VPs, associate VPs and deans), and deans’ council (composed of all deans) to tweak the recommendations and help to optimize them. Be careful to be fair. In particular, do not favor or disfavor the college/school you originally came from. Role of fundraising and other external commitments Provosts often are more internally focused than deans because they must complement presidents, who typically are quite externally oriented. The provost needs to be around enough to manage internal matters. If you do fundraising, you must be careful not to be perceived as stealing donors from the deans. Worse, never risk taking donors from the president. Carve out a niche in fundraising where either you are perceived as supporting the president and the deans or else are doing fundraising for academic affairs in ways that clearly will be of benefit to the whole college or university. If the role of provost does not sound right for you, consider being (or remaining) a dean or faculty member — or even aim directly for a presidency. But if being a provost sounds intriguing and right for you, go for it. It is immensely rewarding. About the author Robert J. Sternberg became president of the University of Wyoming on July 1. Before that, he spent five years as dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Tufts University and three years as provost and senior vice president at Oklahoma State University. Email him at robert.sternberg@uwyo.edu.
Lately you’ve noticed that it takes your tween son twice as long to write a paragraph on the computer as it took you to write one in cursive, back in the day. But he’s super fast at surfing the net on your smartphone. And despite all the websites at her fingertips, your teen daughter can’t seem to complete a research paper in any reasonable amount of time. Yet she can quickly find a meme or GIF for any occasion. Neither one of them can remember much of what their teachers or classmates said in class, either. But they know everything that happened on Instagram during the school day. Something’s missing here. Isn’t all this technology supposed to enhance their learning? The transition to a new school year can be the perfect time to rethink your child’s overall screen “health.” Nine hours is the amount of time that teens spend on a screen a day according to a 2015 report, and that doesn’t even include the time spent on a screen at school. Devoting nine hours a day doing anything as immersive as staring at a screen is too much, so parents must be intentional about balance for the sake of their child’s overall academic, mental, and social development. In addition, as schools require more screens in the classroom, total screen hours add up quickly, which means parents must now be even more diligent about screen overuse at home. Here’s a list of considerations for parents trying to determine the best screen practices for their school age children. 1. The addictive nature of technology reduces authentic human relationships. Nothing replaces human contact. Building relationships and being comfortable with others are not only foundational skills for every child, but they are also necessary to develop empathy, trust, and overall success and happiness in life. While the internet is good for fact finding, every minute on a screen replaces face time with peers and teachers; therefore parents must be diligent to ensure that children get plenty of face time with real people every day. 2. It is easy to rely on screen technology instead of one’s own memory. Cognitive offloading is a term that describes the dependency on the computer to retrieve facts instead of using one’s own memory. When children depend on technology to do the work of learning—copying and pasting a vocabulary definition instead of writing it by hand in a workbook, for example—they weaken their ability to think deeply and concentrate. Like any muscle, the brain needs to “work out” by thinking deeply and critically and not just practicing data entry skills or surfing for quick answers to get a task done. 3. Handwriting is more valuable than typing notes in class. Studies show that when compared to typing, the process of taking notes by hand is associated with improved long-term information retention, better thought organization and increased ability to generate new ideas. Taking notes by hand activates a unique neural circuit that makes learning easier as students transfer ideas into their own words. This forces them to use more brain connections and cognitive resources to understand the deeper concept being conveyed by the teacher. Children who practice handwriting have a clear developmental advantage, plus it helps develop and retain fine motor skills. 4. Laptop use in the classroom is linked to lower grades. Studies tell us that there is a direct correlation between classroom personal laptop use and lower grades and SAT scores. Not only is it harder to process information on a screen (heavy cognitive load) but also the temptations to go to non-academic sites are high. Young brains do not have the restraint to avoid the distractions of social media, shopping, surfing Youtube videos or playing video games in class. These personal laptops are also creating screen distractions during times when socialization at school should be naturally occurring (lunch, study hall, etc.). The overall class performance is also lowered for students who sit near a peer who is “screen multitasking” and for students who read content on a screen vs a paper book. 5. Don’t assume that your school can keep your child totally safe on their screens during the school day. Remember that your children can access social media and other questionable sites on their laptops; they can also bypass the school wifi firewall simply by using the hot spot on their smartphones. It is impossible for a school to completely safeguard inquisitive kids. 6. The gamification of education is not best for true learning. Combining screen play with academics is tricky. Kids will always gravitate to low effort, high reward activities, so when math or spelling “looks” like a videogame, chances are the hard work of deep learning is not being accomplished. What may seem like an immersion in the subject matter is actually a compulsion loop being fueled by a dopamine release in their brains. They may be able to memorize some math facts on their math game but are we setting them up to depend on a game to learn? Furthermore, we are still in the experimental phases with educational software and technology; some experts point out that edtech research is not evidenced based and lacks proven outcomes. 7. Classroom conversation among peers and teachers is essential. Today’s teachers are telling us that deep debates and rich conversations are no longer as commonplace in the classroom as they once were, which means we’ve lost a powerful educational component that benefits a student’s social skill development. Many teachers recognize that tone of voice and body gestures can be even more important than the actual words spoken, and so today’s online collaborations will never be as beneficial as in-person group collaborations, conversations and discussions. 8. Screen use changes your child’s behavior. According to many doctors, stimulating screen activities actually “rewire” your child’s brain. The brain adapts to accommodate this unnatural digital stimulation, and the change is being linked to the 53 percent increase in ADHD symptoms over the last 10 years. Shockingly, one in five high school boys is now being diagnosed with hyperactivity. Traditionally ADHD is diagnosed by age 3, so the question we must consider is, are all these new diagnoses really ADHD, or are they evidence of what Dr. John Ratey, clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, calls “Acquired ADHD”? Many parents are finding that this new condition is able to be reversed by eliminating screen overuse. 9. Digital citizenship programs don’t prepare kids to use media well. The best “digital citizens” have caring parents who know what their kids are really doing online and who spend time in frequent, meaningful conversations about digital media issues. These digital conversations begin early and continue throughout high school and college. While digital citizenship programs are still necessary, they will never replace the parents’ job of guiding and managing their child’s screen life. 10. Classroom screens are not one size fits all. Teachers and schools can over-rely on the unmet promises of classroom tech, and screens will never be able to replace the critical student-teacher relationship. Parents know what is best for their children, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Do they have struggle with focus? Are they introverted or lack social confidence? Are they patient? Are they self-motivated and hard-working? Ask questions to understand how your child uses screens in the classroom, then make an effort to work with your children’s teachers to craft a screen plan that fits their learning needs. Technology can easily turn into the toughest educational distraction, preventing children from being able to complete schoolwork, whether that’s a math problem or an entire paper. In next week’s blog we will cover tips for how to balance your child’s screen use during the school week. But for now, suffice it to say, sometimes taking away the phone and turning off the wifi will help students focus on the task at hand. Do not let the latest screen use trends derail your teens from reaching their full social and academic potential.
Species-area relationships and extinctions caused by habitat loss and fragmentation Joel Rybicki and Ilkka Hanski. Ecology Letters volume 16, issue s1, pages 27-38 (2013) The species–area relationship (SAR) has been used to predict the numbers of species going extinct due to habitat loss, but other researchers have maintained that SARs overestimate extinctions and instead should use the endemics–area relationship (EAR) to predict extinctions. Here, we employ spatially explicit simulations of large numbers of species in spatially heterogeneous landscapes to investigate SARs and extinctions in a dynamic context. The EAR gives the number of species going extinct immediately after habitat loss, but typically many other species have unviable populations in the remaining habitat and go extinct soon afterwards. We conclude that the EAR underestimates extinctions due to habitat loss, the continental SAR (with slope ~0.1 or somewhat less) gives a good approximation of short-term extinctions, while the island SAR calculated for discrete fragments of habitat (with slope ~0.25) predicts the long-term extinctions. However, when the remaining area of land-covering habitat such as forest is roughly less than 20% of the total landscape and the habitat is highly fragmented, all current SARs underestimate extinction rate. We show how the ‘fragmentation effect’ can be incorporated into a predictive SAR model. When the remaining habitat is highly fragmented, an effective way to combat the fragmentation effect is to aggregate habitat fragments into clusters rather than to place them randomly across the landscape.
The Capitol in Albany is pictured. \| AP Photo The issues these delegates discussed and the policies they debated through the summer of 1967 anticipated many political battles to come. \| AP Photo Shadow of 1967 hovers over convention debate ALBANY — On an early April afternoon in 1967, the chief justice of the United States, Earl Warren, made his way to the speaker's rostrum in the state Assembly chambers to help open what proved to be New York's final state constitutional convention of the 20th century. “I consider it a great honor to be invited to address the opening session of this historic convention, which will define the basic law of your Empire State,” Warren said. “There could hardly be a setting more conducive to reflection upon the significance of a constitution than this … a principal and decisive battleground in the struggle for ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America. You are the lineal descendants of New Yorkers such as Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.” Story Continued Below Other speakers on the convention's first day included political figures whose names would one day be carved into stone, figuratively and literally: Nelson Rockefeller, Jacob Javits and a newcomer determined to be a power broker in his adopted state, Robert F. Kennedy. The delegates included past and future New York City mayors Robert Wagner, Abe Beame and David Dinkins, as well as Albany mayor Erastus Corning, then only 25 years into his 41-year tenure. The issues these delegates discussed and the policies they debated through the summer of 1967 — redistricting, free college tuition, and the relationship between the state and its counties — anticipated many political battles to come for the remainder of the century and into the next, even though voters eventually rejected the constitution they wrote. Voters will be asked in November whether or not New York should hold its first constitutional convention of the 21st century. The experience of 1967 looms large over the debate, because even though the state's political landscape has changed significantly since then, the '67 convention is the only one held since the Depression-era convention of 1938, making it the only concrete example of what a convention might look like if it is held in 2019. Critics cite the '67 convention to argue that any such gathering two years from now would be a waste of time. They say the process was dominated by incumbent lawmakers who were more likely to fill up expense reports than fundamentally overturn the status quo, and there is little reason to think a new convention would be any different. What's more, since voters wound up rejecting the convention's final product, another convention might very well lead to the same outcome, changing absolutely nothing and wasting time and state resources. There's truth in both of these narratives. But to truly assess the success, or lack thereof, of the 1967 convention, it’s important to start with the unique way in which it was called. Voters are asked every 20 years if they want to hold a convention. The last time the question appeared on the state's ballot, in 1997, voters said no. In the mid-1960s, however, legislators passed a statute to expedite a vote on whether or not to hold a convention. Lawmakers generally prefer not to hand off their power to an entity like a constitution convention, but the need for such a gathering became clear after a group of breakaway Democrats led to a legislative session so chaotic that legislative leaders had no choice but to acknowledge the existence of a constitutional crisis. In the early 1960s, after voters rejected a convention in 1957, it was becoming clear that the state constitution's language governing legislative district lines was untenable in an era of civil rights and population shifts. The document’s redistricting sections were drafted at a convention in 1894, during a time of anti-immigrant and anti-urban sentiment. While the guidelines for drawing district lines was slightly different for each house, they were designed to disempower cities. In the Assembly, for example, the number of seats was capped at 150, but every county was guaranteed at least one district. This meant that the 2.6 million residents of Brooklyn in 1960 had 22 representatives in the Assembly, or an average of 119,424 people per seat; Assemblyman Jerry Black of Schuyler County had only 15,044 people in his district. In 1964, Earl Warren's Supreme Court ruled that New York’s method of distributing districts across the state violated the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment. The decision forced lawmakers to both update the constitution and draw new lines. Fortunately for Democrats, Lyndon Johnson’s presidential landslide win over Barry Goldwater later that year created a down-ballot surge that carried their party to a majority in both houses of the Legislature for the first time in three decades. But Republicans still had a shot at creating new lines that would make their chances of retaking power feasible. In a lame-duck session that concluded the night before Christmas Eve in 1964, they passed a series of four bills to enact maps favorable to their party. If one of these was found viable by the courts, the two-year legislative session would be cut in half and the party would have a chance of retaking the majority the following November. Democrats could still draw their own lines in January. It wouldn’t be easy, since Rockefeller, a Republican, would need to sign off on any changes, but there were things like a state sales tax that he wanted that made negotiations feasible. That session, however, proved to be to the most chaotic Albany would experience until Democrats next took the majority in the Senate in 2009. The Legislature’s leadership for the new session seemed preordained. Both Sen. Joseph Zaretzki and Assemblyman Anthony Travia had served as their houses’ minority leaders in the prior session, and both were backed by New York City Mayor Robert Wagner, who had effectively controlled the state party since Herbert Lehman’s retirement from the U.S. Senate nearly a decade prior. But New York Democrats now had a different leader to turn to. Kennedy was elected U.S. senator in 1964, and began creating his own power structure within the state Democratic Party. Many observers figured that Kennedy would bide his time in the Senate while waiting for a chance to run for president. In the mean time, he and his allies turned to local politics, trying to reshape New York's Democratic Party. When Democrats came to Albany for the GOP’s lame-duck redistricting session, legislators loyal to Kennedy backed a pair of leadership candidates other than Travia and Zaretzki. Wagner’s candidates dug in, and the party remained divided as the year ended. So the 1965 session began without a leader in either chamber, and the stalemate went on for weeks. Rockefeller’s lawyers debated whether he could even give his annual State of the State address to the Legislature — it was supposed to be scheduled in consultation with the legislative leaders, but there were no legislative leaders. (Eventually, he was formally invited to the chamber by heads of the GOP minority conferences). The process dragged on for five weeks and 75 leadership votes. Eventually, Rockefeller realized he couldn’t get his agenda passed if lawmakers couldn’t figure out how to hold session. He helped organize a coalition of legislative Republicans and Wagner’s Democrats, and in early February, that coalition elected Travia and Zaretzki to leadership posts. That fight was a small taste of the disarray in the 1965 session. For the first time in state history, lawmakers failed to pass a budget on time. The impasse ended when Zaretzki and Travia entered into another alliance with Republicans to support Rockefeller’s plan to create a state sales tax, prompting members of the Kennedy faction to accuse their conference leaders of being “ignorant and irresponsible” and promoting “economic nonsense” during floor debates. “The Democrats never quite took over the Legislature,” state GOP chair Carl Spad told the Wayne County party that fall in a rally recounted by the Democrat and Chronicle. “They just sort of fell into it and smothered it.” Meanwhile, a court gave a half-hearted blessing to one set of lines that Republicans drew the previous December. The maps violated the federal constitution’s one-person, one-vote protections, but they did so in a less blatant fashion than the existing lines and were thus good enough for a special election that would be held that November. New districts would still need to be drafted in time for the regularly scheduled elections in 1966. The feuding Democrats failed to come up with a countervailing plan. Travia drafted some maps, but they never caught on with his fellow legislators. A handful of members, particularly those representing minority communities, benefited more from the Republican lines than they would have from any Democratic proposals. And others saw them as advantageous to their own internal party struggles: The creation of four new Assembly seats in Brooklyn meant that the members from that borough who hoped to depose county leader Stanley Steingut thought the GOP lines would give them the votes they needed to do so. Battles over redistricting occurred even at the local level. For example, freshman district leader Ed Koch was dissatisfied with the new lines, which added several blocks filled with Italian-Americans to his district. The new areas replaced the parts of the Village frequented by hipsters “thinking they were going to meet Allen Ginsberg, the poet, in every coffeeshop, and occasionally they did,” Koch recounted in one of his many memoirs. He expected a rematch against Tammany boss Carmine DeSapio, and the swap of neighborhoods likely to back a reform candidate in exchange for voters who were presumably inclined to vote for a fellow Italian posed a likely political problem. The noise he made about this issue led to a fellow Democrat feeding the New York Times a story that the reformer was pushing for a new map that “would get rid of the Italians in his district.” In the end, legislators realized the only way they could settle the redistricting debate was by taking it out of their hands. Two days after the court implemented the GOP lines, both houses passed a bill by near-unanimous margins to put the question about calling a constitutional convention before voters that November. Conditions had rarely seemed better suited for a constitutional rewrite: “The ship of state, if not foundering, was certainly in the midst of heavy seas,” former SUNY trustee Henrik Dullea wrote in a book on the 1967 convention. It wasn’t a guarantee, however, that voters would back the referendum. Eight years earlier, they had rejected one by a 52-48 margin, and it was far from certain that a complicated issue like redistricting would persuade people to change their votes. The question still faced powerful opponents, such as the Chamber of Commerce, which said the election of delegates on the same ballot as the 1968 gubernatorial race would give the process “the charged atmosphere of politics,” and the state’s trial lawyers, who argued that a convention “simply means more political jobs, more salaries and huge expenditures.” Credit for getting the referendum approved is commonly given to Howard Samuels. A plastics company executive from the Canandaigua area, Samuels had gotten involved in politics when he made a bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination three years prior. He created a pro-referendum committee made up of numerous prominent New Yorkers, including two former members of Dwight Eisenhower’s cabinet, and toured the state to promote the idea of convention. “He was a businessman, and though it bored me, he put out pamphlet after pamphlet called ‘The Man With the Plan',” said Bill Samuels, Howard’s son and one of the loudest proponents of this year's convention vote. He “focused on the why, what do we want to get done, and built a huge following because he spent a lot of time not with the standard New York City bosses.” Samuels' campaign focused on several issues beyond the problem caused by legislative maps, and a sign that his ideas on having a convention address government efficiency and a general reorganization had caught on came when the New York Times endorsed the vote: The discussion of redistricting was limited to one sentence in a 23-sentence editorial. It became clear that much more would be on the table than just redistricting. Voters wound up approving the referendum 53–47, with the strongest support coming from New York City. Delegates were elected in 1966, and they met the following April. This is the first in a series on the 1967 constitutional convention
Apr 8, 2012 How governments spend our money The decision of the Dr Bhattarai-led government to grant Rs 20 million to Prakash Dahal, son of the president of Maoist Party, to climb Mount Everest raised a storm of derision from every nook and corner of the country. It was impossible to understand the logic behind the government’s move. After persistent and universal criticism, Dahal stated that he would not want to use the money and instead asked the government to use it to provide relief to conflict-victims. Despite this, the government is yet to recant its decision. Deeper contemplation about this event teaches us some vital lessons on understanding politics and the nature of government’s action. Other people’s money Why did the government find it okay to endow Prakash Dahal with Rs 20 million without reservations? The answer lies in the basic principle of economics: Incentives matter. The money being spent neither belonged to Dr Bhattarai nor any of the government officials involved. When it comes to other people’s money, even the thriftiest of people get extravagant. Expecting thriftiness from government whose primary job is to extract money from one person to pay for the benefits of another is mere foolishness. Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman has elucidated this tendency of governments to plunder wealth in his work describing the four ways of spending money. When a person spends his own money on himself, he tries to economise as well as get the highest value out of his spending but if his money is being spent on others, he tries to economise but does not necessarily care about the highest value. Similarly, when we are spending other people’s money for ourselves, we tend to get the highest value out of our spending but rarely try to economise. The worst case scenario is when a person gets to spend someone else’s money for another person, where the person who spends the money has neither the incentive to economize nor get the highest value. Spending done through the governments are prime examples of this. It is the mindless mechanism of ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ which makes government plundering so voluminous and efficient. Otherwise how could a company such as the Janakpur Cigarette Factory, which hardly produces anything useful and has been incurring losses for a whopping 20 years, be endowed with millions of pocket money? No entrepreneur or individual would have kept pumping money into a loss making business for even three to four years, let alone 20. Had it not been for other people’s money, it would have been hard to have less than 15 per cent of the development budget spent even after eight months of initiation. Similarly, it is for this very reason, projects undertaken by the government tend to get delayed for an amazing stretch of time and exponential increase in overall expenditure without any remorse of the spender. In fact, it pays to delay and overspend. Hence, increased role of the government would therefore naturally mean an increase in the wastage. Government decisions are hard to retract The epic protest required to revert the government’s decision to endow Dahal with Rs 20 million gives an inkling of how much effort it takes to rectify even a small decision from the government. Unlike in a marketplace where people vote with their choices and see instant results, the political mechanism of doing things is so distorted that the service provider(government) and the consumers are miles apart. The only effective way citizens can give their feedback to their political service provider is through regular elections which unfortunately is quite rare (almost extinct) in Nepal’s context. No wonder same people get to power even when people are clearly dissatisfied with them. Even with good people and good intentions, rectification of errors is not easy to implement. Efforts get entangled with the mess of bureaucratic procedures, political bargaining and pleasing of every party involved. It has been years we have been facing petrol-eum crisis and a huge amount of money has already been spent but we are yet to see any effective solutions to the problem. Other people’s money effect tends to remove the urgency for reforms whereas initiations from some well-meaning individuals also get lost in the bureaucratic and political maze. Government mistakes are costly and affect millions Unlike failure by private entrepreneurs, which affect the involved parties only, failure by government actions affect everyone. The government spending a whooping amount for the Everest expedition could easily mean some people from some parts of the country must have forgone their development budget. The loss incurred by Nepal Oil Corporation is equally borne by people from some remote areas of the country like Jumla who might never use vehicles at all. The relief packages received by the Kathmanduites recently could have meant some people from Solukhumbu were denied some basic infrastructure. Although the impact of such government actions are not visible directly and are facilitated by the other people’s money effect, the costs are there nonetheless. The question every Nepali should ask: If I am receiving some benefit from the government actions, who is paying for it? Is it, in the end, my money alone that is coming to me (in a reduced amount) through an indirect route? And can we expect government spending to be effective and economical when ‘other people’s money effect’ is a primary characteristic of government spending? -Surath Giri
Open Access BMC Neuroscience20089:79 Received: 10 January 2008 Accepted: 12 August 2008 Published: 12 August 2008 The classical view of multisensory integration, based on anatomical grounds [1], proposes that each sensory modality is processed through separate channels from the sensory receptors to the primary sensory areas and then further integrated into associative unimodal areas converging at the level of cognitive polymodal areas [2]. Indeed, in primates, neuronal responses to more than one sensory modality have been described in areas higher-up in the hierarchy like the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes [39]. While these polysensory areas are the best candidates to support sensory fusion, recent studies in humans have surprisingly revealed that multisensory interactions can take place in early stages of sensory processing, in regions thought to be involved in only one modality [10, 11]. This result has led to a reappraisal of the cortical regions involved in multisensory integration [12]. In humans for example, imaging [1316] and EEG studies [17, 18] have clearly shown heteromodal responses in sensory areas even at the level of the primary sensory fields. Furthermore, the discovery of heteromodal connections directly linking areas involved in different sensory modalities could be the anatomical support of such interactions [1921]. For example, in the monkey, the core of the auditory cortex receives direct inputs from both somatosensory and visual areas [19]. It can be inferred that these cortical heteromodal connections, as well as the thalamo-cortical loop [22, 23], could be the anatomical pathway responsible for the visual [2426], somatosensory [27, 28] or proprioceptive [29] influences observed in the monkey auditory cortex [30]. In the normal adult cat, some early electrophysiological studies have reported auditory responses in visual areas [3133], a result which is still controversial [34]. Multisensory integration in the primary visual cortex (V1) of the monkey has not been established, apart from a clear influence of a non visual eye position signal on visual activity [35, 36]. However, auditory or visuo-auditory responses in area V1 are highly probable since we have demonstrated direct projections from the auditory cortex (including A1) and the polymodal area STP to area V1 in the calcarine sulcus [21]. Furthermore, the auditory system is activated more precociously that the visual one, and for example the latencies of auditory responses recorded in areas AI and STP are about 35 and 45 ms respectively [37, 38]. Consequently it conceivable that an auditory stimulus can modulate the visual responses in V1 where the mean onset latencies are longer, between 50–70 ms [39, 40]. As some authors have reported even shorter latencies in V1 when using high contrast stimuli [41], one could expect that an auditory stimulus would affect mostly late visual responses such as the one obtained using non-optimal stimuli (ie. low visual contrast). We thus conducted an electrophysiological study to look for visuo-auditory interactions at the single cell level in primary visual cortex. Because the auditory projections to V1 are more dense at the representation of the peripheral visual field, a region of space that encompasses most of the auditory receptive field in AI [42, 43], our electrophysiological recordings targetted visual cells with RF located between 10 and 20° of retinal eccentricity. The present study is based on data obtained from two monkeys (Macaca mulatta) trained to performed a visual or visuo-auditory oculomotor task. A detailed description of the general methods used in the electrophysiological recording has been reported in a previous study [44]. All experimental protocols, including care, surgery, and training of animals, were performed according to the Public Health Service policy on the use of laboratory animals and complied with guidelines of the European Ethics Committee on Use and Care of Animals. Behavioral task The core of the present study concerns two monkeys (Mk1 and Mk2) trained to perform a visually guided saccadic task during which the visual target could be accompanied by an auditory stimulus (V/VA active task). A trial was initiated by the appearance of a fixation point (FP) located at the center of the video screen and of a size of 0.2 degree. The monkey had to direct its gaze and to maintain fixation at this central point. The duration of presentation of the FP was randomized between trials and lasted between 1500 to 1800 ms. Simultaneously, with the extinction of the FP, a peripheral visual target was flashed for 50 ms. The monkey was required to perform a saccade in the direction to the locus of the visual target within 250 ms of its appearance. Responses were considered as correct when the saccades were performed within a window of 4 × 4 degrees centered on the visual target, and in these cases a few drops of fruit juice were delivered to the monkeys as a reward. In half of the trials, presented randomly, a 25 ms sound (a white noise) was delivered from a speaker located at the same eccentricity on the azimuth as the visual stimulus. In such visuo-auditory trials (VA), the visual and the auditory stimuli were presented at the exactly same time. In both conditions (V and VA) the monkey was required to perform a saccade directed toward the visual target and consequently, the auditory stimulus had no behavioral meaning for the animal. Note that we did not train the monkeys to perform a saccade toward the auditory stimulus alone. The first monkey engaged in the present study (Mk1) was first trained to perform two control tasks before the V/VA active task. In a first stage, the monkey was trained to perform a simple passive fixation task (V/VA passive task). Following the presentation of the FP (of variable duration from 1500 to 1800 ms), a visual or visuo-auditory stimulus was presented for 500 ms together with the FP. To get rewarded, the monkey had to maintain its fixation until the FP was extinguished. Further, Mk1 was trained in a visual control task (V-only control task), during which the color of the FP informed the animal whether he had to maintain a central fixation (blue FP) or to make a saccade toward a visual peripheral stimulus (Red FP). In this case the visual stimulus was never accompanied by an auditory stimulus. The timing of stimulus presentation was identical to that described for the active task (50 ms). The monkey Mk1 was engaged successively in each of these different protocols for several months, a period during which electrophysiological recordings were performed in the primary visual cortex (see below). Mk2 was trained from the beginning to do the VA active task. Apparatus and electrophysiological recording The visual stimuli, delivered by a Vision Research Graphics system with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, were presented in total darkness on a video screen located 50 cm in front of the monkey. The FP consisted of a single dot of 0.2° of size. Peripheral visual stimuli consisted of dynamic random dots (dRD, density 20%, and dot size 3.5 min of arc) presented at either side of the central FP in a random order. Two or three contrast levels of the dRD were used, from low (15%) to medium (55%) or high values (88%). During the behavioral sessions, the visual stimuli were 5° of size and presented at 10 or 20° of retinal eccentricity in azimuth, and -5 or -10° in elevation. During the electrophysiological recording sessions, the size and the location of the dRD were adjusted to the size and location of the cell receptive fields. Auditory stimuli (white noise, 72 dB SPL) were presented through a multi-channel sound card to one of 6 speakers located just below the video screen (at about 3 degrees below the lower border of the monitor). The horizontal position of the speakers was adjustable to be spatially adjusted in the horizontal plan just below the visual dRD. Thus the auditory stimuli are matching the horizontal location of the cell receptive fields, but not the vertical one (see figure 1). Further, to minimize the reflection of the sound, the animal was placed in a restricted space (1 by 1 meter for each sides) covered of thick black curtains. Acoustical reflection could be problematic for sound localization. However in our protocol the sound had no meaning to perform correctly the oculomotor task of the monkey and we believe that any sound reflection did not affect the monkey performance. Further, based on previous electrophysiological data obtained in the auditory pathway [45], in situation of reverberent environment, a cell's response to the leading source is always stronger than that observed to the lagging one, especially at short lag/lead delays [46]. In consequence, in absence of a sound-attenuated chamber, we think that in our experimental set-up the main auditory effect observed on V1 cells will be produced by the leading direct sound source located in front of the animal. Figure 1 Experimental protocol. A. In the active Visuo-Auditory task, the monkey had to perform a saccade toward a visual cue located on the right or left side of the central fixation point. The visual stimulus was placed inside the neurons RF or at the opposite location. Auditory speakers were placed just below the visual location. Dashed squares represent the control windows regulating the eye movement for both the fixation and the saccadic periods. B. Temporal succession of the visual and auditory events in the active (upper panel) or passive (lower) tasks. C. EEG recordings of a monkey (Mk1) during a saccadic task oriented toward a visual cue located at 16 degrees on the left or right site of the fixation point. The upper and lower panels correspond to the horizontal or vertical eye movements respectively. Red dots represent the saccade latencies as described in the method section. Note that the anticipatory saccades obtained at latencies lower that 30 ms were not included into the analysis. D. Polar plot showing the receptive fields location of the recorded single cells. Most of the cells have RFs located at retinal eccentricities beyond 10°. Protocols control and data acquisition were executed under REX system. To avoid a jittering when generating the auditory stimulus through Windows system, all stimuli were pre-generated and stored in memory. Then we added a buffer silent time before each auditory stimulus. Triggers corresponding to the beginning of auditory stimuli (from the buffer) and the first visual frame (through VRG) were sent to REX system. The audio buffer length was adjusted to synchronize the visual and auditory stimuli at expected delay. Aseptic surgery was performed to attach a head-post to the skull and to implant a scleral search coil in both eyes. Single-unit recordings were made in one of the two monkeys (Mk1). Once the monkey had reached a high level of performance, a second surgery was performed to implant a recording chamber above the peripheral visual field representation in V1 located in the calcarine sulcus [47]. The skull was removed within the chamber, and a fixed grid was placed, so that the electrode penetrations were spaced 1 mm apart. Guide tubes were used to help to penetrate the dura. Sterile, tungsten-in-glass electrodes of ~1 MΩ impedance were inserted with a hydraulic microdrive fixed to the recording chamber, perpendicular to the cortical surface. Extracellular recordings were carried out in both hemispheres of the monkey from which the visual responses were previously analyzed for disparity selectivity (see [48]). Action potential waveforms were sorted online with the help of a spike sorting software (AlphaOmega MSD®) and only single units recorded through complete trials were selected for analysis. Data analysis The behavioral analysis was derived from the performance of the two monkeys trained to perform the visually and visuo-auditory guided saccadic task (V/VA active task). For each trial we determined the saccade latency defined as the first point when the eye position was significantly different from the average eye position signal during the 300 ms prior to stimulus offset. This corresponded to the time at which the difference between the current position and the mean was 2 times greater than the maximum range observed during the fixation period. Then we performed a statistical analysis (Multifactor Anova) to compare the saccade latencies obtained during the V and VA conditions. We used a multi-way ANOVA test to the saccade latency obtained in each monkey. Contrast (3 groups in MK1, 2 groups in MK2), eccentricity (2 groups), and V or VA stimulation (2 groups) were treated as different factors. We checked both single factor and two-factors interactions. In case of p value too low to be computed, as we know it show very high significance, we also indicate F value as references. Post-hoc test was then applied to compare the saccade latencies between individual pair of conditions. For each neuron in each condition, the neuronal activity was recorded for 20–40 correct trials. Two parameters were studied to analyze the effect of visuo-auditory interactions in V1 cells : the amplitude and the latency of the visual responses. To measure the visual response latency, we first computed histograms of neuronal activity aligned on the stimulus onset. As previously described [48, 49], we further smoothed the accumulative line by simulating each spike as a mini gauss function (Amp. = 1; Sigma = 4). So within each 1 ms bin, we got statistical spike numbers of 40 (trial number)*10(gauss summation) ms window. Then we measured the baseline average spike number per bin in the 200 ms prior to stimulus onset, and used it as the Poisson distribution lambda parameter of spontaneous activity. So the threshold of response activity was the smallest number n that the Poisson cumulative density function evaluated which equaled or exceeded 0.99. Thus, if the firing property obeyed the same Poisson distribution as the baseline, the spike number within each bin would not exceed this value at 99% confidence. We calculated this number n by using the Matlab Poisson function. We then used a detection window of 4 ms and measured activity starting from visual stimulus onset. If the minimum value inside this window was greater than n, we determined the response latency as the first point of the window. Because we could only get one latency value for a group of trials, we used bootstrap methods to compare the activity between conditions : shuffle latencies were calculated from the same number of trials in a sample taken randomly from both conditions. This was performed 4000 times to obtain 2000 randomly grouped pairs, from which we calculated the individual difference within pairs. The bootstrap p value is the ratio of pairs for which differences were no less than the values obtained from the experimental data. At the population level, after normalization of the responses, we used an Anova test to analyze the factor effect on response amplitude or latency, and paired t-tests for post hoc comparison. Visuo-auditory interaction: behavioral evidence In a first stage we analyzed the effect of visual conditions on the saccadic reaction times (sRT) performed by the two monkeys (Fig 2). The present data concern behavioral latencies obtained in highly trained monkeys and are based on several thousands of trials. Across the different conditions of stimulation (uni- or bimodal, at different contrasts or eccentricities), sRT values were on average 155,0 ms for Mk1 and 167,6 ms for Mk2 which correspond to the range of values reported in other studies using similar experimental conditions)[50]. First in uni- and bimodal conditions we observed a decrease in sRT in both monkeys when the contrast of the visual cue increased (Anova, Mk1, F = 4012, p = 0; Mk2, F = 20.39, p = 1.64E-9). This was particularly evident for Mk1 during a 20° task in visual-only conditions, with sRT of 172 ms when the contrast was low and of only 144 ms at high contrast. This is in agreement with numerous similar psychophysical studies on RT in both man and monkey [5153]. Furthermore, in both sensory conditions, the monkeys had much shorter sRT when the saccades were directed toward the more eccentric (20°) peripheral target (Mk1, F = 527.65, Mk2, F = 148.17, p = 0 both cases). On average, independent of the visual contrast, saccade latencies toward eccentric cues located at 20° were 10% shorter than those toward a cue at 10°. This difference in latencies tended to be larger in the visuo-auditory (12.6% shorter at 20°) compared to the visual-only condition (8.6%). Again, this effect of the eccentricity of a target on the saccadic reaction time is similar to that observed in humans [54]. Figure 2 Saccadic reaction times (± sd) of the individual monkeys (A: monkey 1; B: Monkey 2) according to the eccentricity of the visual target (10° left panels; 20° right panels) presented at different contrasts and during the visual-only ( ) or visuo-auditory conditions (). Saccadic latencies are shortened both when increasing the visual contrast and when the visual cue is presented simultaneously with the auditory stimulus (VA conditions). We analyzed next the effect of bimodal stimulation by comparing the sRT in the V-only and VA conditions (Fig 2). As classically reported and resulting from multisensory integration [55], we observed a strong reduction in the saccade latencies in the VA condition compared to the V-only situation. This reduction was observed at all eccentricities (Anova, 10°: Mk1 F = 231.17,, Mk2 F = 66.67, both p = 0; 20° Mk1 F = 404.76, Mk2 F = 271.45, both p = 0) and at all contrasts of the visual target (Anova, Mk1, 15% F = 516, 55% F = 329.7, both p = 0; Mk2 30% F = 107.3, p = 0, 55% F = 69.38, p = 3.33E-16, 88% F = 117.45, p = 0). On average, when combining all conditions, the decrease in sRT ranged from 10% (Mk1) to 15% (Mk2) when saccades were made toward the VA stimulus. The rule of inverse effectiveness [55], proposes that the higher benefits resulting from multisensory integration should be obtained in sensory conditions of low saliency. Thus we searched for an effect of visual contrast on the reduction of sRT during visuo-auditory saccades. In Mk2, for which data were obtained at 3 different contrasts (30–55 and 88%), there was a tendency toward a more pronounced shortening of sRT at low contrast. When saccades were made at 20°, sRT in VA conditions were 19% shorter at a low contrast (187 ms in V-only vs. 152 ms in VA, p = 6.38E-21) while the decrease was only 14% at high contrast (174 ms vs. 150 ms, p = 7.29E-23). However we did not replicate these results in the second monkey or in all conditions. In Mk1, at 20°, the reduction was similar at low (11.1% decrease) and high contrast (11.9% decrease). Thus, we observed a constant decrease in sRT at all the visual contrasts used, data which seem to contradict the rule of inverse effectiveness. However, this could be due to the level of training. When analyzing the data during the first sessions of the behavioral training of Mk1 (not shown), we found a stronger decrease in sRT at low contrast, but at that time the monkey was not performing at an efficient level and his saccade latencies were much longer. This effect disappeared after extensive training over several weeks. Visuo-auditory interaction: electrophysiological evidence The present study is based on three sets of visual responsive single units (total n = 136) recorded in the primary visual area V1 of one monkey (Mk1). Each set of cells was obtained during a single behavioral condition (V/VA active task n = 49; V/VA passive task n = 45; V-only control task n = 42), all cells were recorded in peripheral V1 and most of them (69%) were located in the upper bank of the Calcarine sulcus (Fig 1) and present a receptive field located over 10° of eccentricity in the lower visual field. The size of the receptive fields were ranging between 1 and 4° (see [48]) characteristic of those cells recorded in the peripheral representation of V1. Auditory modulation of visual responses in V/VA active task The visual responses (discharge rate and latency) of 49 isolated V1 neurons were analyzed during the active visual and visuo-auditory tasks (Table 1). In the V-only conditions, the cells showed a strong phasic activity in response to the dRD and both the magnitude (Anova, F = 4.5, p = 0.0135) and latencies (Anova, F = 58.36, p < 0.0001) of the responses were affected by the contrast level as classically reported for V1 cells [56]. When comparing the response rates, we observed that while the discharge rates were similar at high (88%) and medium (55%) contrasts (54.5 spk/s and 52.2 spk/=s respectively, paired t-test p = 0.18, ns), the neuronal activity was, on average, much lower at the low contrast of 15% (33.9 spk/s, paired t-test, p < 0.001, both comparisons). The cell latencies were also sensitive to the contrast level and we observed a progressive increase in the mean latency (table 1, paired t-test p < 0.001 for all comparisons) when presenting stimuli from the high (49.2 ms), medium (64.5 ms) or low contrasts (100.7 ms). In the bimodal condition (VA active task), we observed exactly the same influence of visual contrast on the neuronal responses as expressed by an increase of discharge rate (Anova, F = 3.65 p = 0.0296) and a decrease of latencies when increasing the contrast levels (Anova, F = 52.31 p = 3.33E-16, Table 1). Thus the simultaneous presentation of an auditory stimulus has no effect on the contrast dependent relationships of the visual responses of V1 neurons. Table 1 Response rates and latency values (± se) of V1 single units recorded during the V/VA active tasks using three different contrast levels. Response Rate (spk/s) Latency (ms) Low level (n = 17) 33.9 ± 5.0 35.7 ± 5.1 100.7 ± 6.2 96.8 ± 6.2 Mid-level (n = 39) 52.2 ± 4.0 52.7 ± 4.1 64.5 ± 2.5 61.0 ± 2.3 High level (n = 45) 54.4 ± 3.9 54.1 ± 3.8 49.2 ± 1.8 49.0 ± 2.0 When we compared the V and AV conditions at constant contrasts, the simultaneous presentation of a spatially congruent auditory stimulus affects the cells activity by a change in the response latency. This is illustrated in two examples in figure 3. Both cells showed a characteristic phasic response to a dRD presented in their RF. While the frequency discharge was similar during the V-only and AV conditions (paired t-tests, both cells, p > 0.05), the two neurons showed a significant decrease in latency. For example, cell #33 (left panel) when stimulated at a midlevel contrast, had a mean latency of 56 ms during the visual task, a value that was reduced to 45 ms in the visuo-auditory conditions (bootstrap, p = 0.0415), while the spike discharge remained constant (35 and 38 spk/s respectively, paired t-tests, p = 0.4874, ns). This general effect of the auditory stimulus on the visual responses held when the analysis was performed at the population level. First when comparing the V-only and VA conditions, we did not see any significant change in the response rate of the cells at high and midlevel contrasts (Table 2, paired t-test p > 0.5 ns for both conditions). However, at low contrasts we observed a slight increase in the response rate from 33.9 spk/s to 35.7 spk/s a difference that is just below the significance level (paired t-test, p = 0.04). The middle panel in fig 4 shows the distribution of the relative differences of response rates (in %) between the uni- and bimodal conditions of all cells at each visual contrast. In the two higher contrast conditions, the distribution is centered at 0, corresponding to an absence of variation of the neuronal discharge between the V and AV presentations. Figure 3 Examples of activity of two V1 single cells that present a significant reduction of their visual responses latency during the bimodal visuo-auditory conditions (AV). A and D represent rasters of the cells activity in the visual-only condition, while B and E show the activity of the same cells in the visuo-auditory conditions. The red dots indicate the time at which the monkey is making a saccade toward the visual target. C and F represent the response peristimulus time histogram to visual (blue) or visuo-auditory (red) stimuli. In both cells, the AV response latency is shorter compared to the V-only condition. Figure 4 Effects of a visuo-auditory stimulus on the visual responses obtained from 49 single units recorded in V1 during a visuo-auditory saccadic task performed at three contrast levels (15%, upper row, 55%, middle row and 88%, lower row). The right panels represent the averaged normalized responses of the cells population during the V-only (blue) or visuo-auditory (red) conditions. The other panels show the distribution of the relative difference in the response rates (left) or latencies (middle) of the cells when the V-only and VA conditions are compared for each individual cell. A value of "0" means no difference, while negative values represent a decrease in the VA compared to V-only condition. At high and mid-contrasts no effects are observed concerning the response rate, while we observed a shift of the distribution of latencies toward negative values, indicating a shortening of the visual latency during the bimodal condition. The numbers of cells showing a reduction in latency are indicated in the brackets. Table 2 Response rates and latency values (± se) of V1 single units recorded during the V/VA passive tasks and the V-only control task using a middle (55%) contrast value. Passive task Visual control task Visual Fixation Visual Saccade Response Rate (spk/s) 29.5 ± 2.6 29.8 ± 2.8 28.7 ± 2.3 29.4 2.2 Latency (ms) 65.0 ± 4.7 65.2 ± 4.3 44.0 ± 1.4 43.5 ± 1.5 However, the cell response latency was globally reduced when the auditory stimulus was delivered simultaneously with the visual target (Table 1). At the population level and at each contrast, the cells latency tended to be shorter. This is illustrated in Fig 4 by a leftward shift toward negative values in the distribution of the relative differences (in ms) when comparing the A and VA conditions. This effect reached a statistically significant level only for the 55% middle visual contrast (paired t-test, p = 0.009). In this condition, the mean latency was 64.5 ms in the unimodal visual stimulation against 61.0 ms in the VA condition, corresponding to a global decrease of more than 5%. At 15% contrast, the VA stimulation lead to similar values of latency compared to the V-only task (96.8 ms vs 100.7 ms respectively), a difference which was not statistically significant (paired t-test, p = 0.43 ns) probably because of a greater variability in the measured latency due to a strong reduction in the cell discharge (see above) when presenting this low contrast visual stimulus. Finally, at high contrast (88%) the neurons showed very comparable latencies (49.0 in VA vs 49.2 ms in V-only, paired t-test, p = 0.82 ns). The decrease in latency at the mid contrast level did not similarly affect all visual cells in V1. A correlation analysis between the absolute latency values in the V-only condition and the relative change (in ms) that occurred during the VA stimulation, revealed an inverse relationship (r = -0.4, p = 0.01, Pearson test, see Figure 5). This means that the cells with the longer latency showed a greater reduction in the bimodal condition, a mechanism that consequently should globally increase the rate of visual processing in area V1. In the other visual conditions (high and low contrasts), the correlation analysis did not reach a statistically significant level (both cases, p > 0.05). Figure 5 Relationship between the latencies of the cells in the V-only active task and their respective changes (in ms) when tested in the AV active task. We observed a statistical inverse relation (P = 0.01; Pearson test) corresponding to a larger reduction for the cells showing longer response latencies. To conclude, we observed that the concomitant presentation of an auditory signal simultaneously with a saccadic visual target induced a reduction of the latency of V1 cells that depended on the contrast of the visual target. Furthermore, the discharge rates of the neurons remained unaffected by bimodal stimulation except during visual conditions that approach the perceptive threshold. Absence of visuo-auditory interactions in the V/VA passive tasks We analyzed the effect of a visuo-auditory stimulus on the activity of a different set of 45 V1 neurons in a passive task during which the monkey maintained a central fixation while the peripheral stimulus was delivered in the cell's RF. In this case, the results were quite simple in that at all contrasts tested, we did not observe a change in the visual response with the spatially congruent auditory stimulus (Table 2, fig 6). First, the response rate remained unchanged between the V-only and VA conditions (29.5 and 29.8 spk/s respectively, paired t-test, p = 0.69 ns) as reported in the active task. However, in contrast to the effects observed in the saccadic task, the cell visual latencies were the same in the two conditions (65.0 ms in V-only vs. 65.2 ms in VA condition, paired t-test, p = 0.95 ns). These results are presented in Fig 6 as the relative changes in discharge rate and latency values, and the distributions are well centered on zero, indicating no difference between the two conditions. Figure 6 Left: effects of a visuo-auditory stimulus on the visual responses obtained from 45 V1 single units recorded during a passive visuo-auditory task. No effects are observed either on the response rate or on the visual latency. Right: absence of an effect of the behavioral paradigm on the activity of 42 V1 neurons during the visual-only condition. When comparing the neuronal activity of the same cells during a visual passive fixation task to a visual saccadic task, we did not observe a modulation of the response rate or response latency. Conventions as in Figure 5. In a subset of neurons (n = 29), we also searched for an effect of the auditory stimulus alone on the neurons activity during a simple central fixation (Fig 7). We did not observe any auditory response. Following a single sound presentation the firing rate of the single cells remained at the same level as the spontaneous activity (paired t-test, p = 0.9056, non significant). Figure 7 Average activity of 29 V1 single cells following the passive presentation of an auditory stimulus. The upper graph shows the average activity of the entire population. No response can be observed following the 25 ms presentation of the broad band noise at time 0. This is also apparent in the lower graph that compares the relative difference of the neuronal activity before and during the auditory presentation. No statistical differences were obtained (see text) confirming the lack of auditory response. Visual responses in the V-only control task Previous studies in the behaving monkey have shown that neuronal responses in striate and extrastriate cortical areas can be modulated by the behavioral meaning of the stimulus [57, 58]. Consequently, we compared the visual responses of a third set of V1 single units (n = 42) during a dual task, a passive central fixation and an active visually guided saccadic task. As explained in the methods, the type of task was indicated to the animal by the color of the fixation point. In this case (Table 2, Fig 6), we did not observe an effect of the task (passive vs. active) either on the frequency discharge (28.7 and 29.4 spk/s respectively, paired t-test, p = 0.25 ns) or on the visual latency (44.0 and 43.5 ms respectively, paired t-test, p = 0.70 ns). This last part suggests that the visuo-auditory interactions that differentially affected the cells in the previous conditions were probably not due to the oculomotor demands of the task in which the monkey was engaged. The present results demonstrate that in behaving monkeys visuo-auditory interaction can occur at the single cell level at the first cortical stage of processing of visual information, the primary visual cortex V1. Multisensory interactions in V1 are characterized in our experiment by a modulation of V1 responses corresponding to a reduction of the neuronal onset latency. Moreover this effect was dependent on the perceptual charge of the task in which the animal was engaged. Visuo-auditory interaction: behavioral evidence We show that the simultaneous presentation of a sound during a visually guided saccade, induces a reduction of about 10 to 15% in the saccade latency depending on the animal and on the visual stimulus contrast level. Such behavioral improvement resulting from a bimodal visuo-auditory stimulation has been already reported during similar paradigms of spatially oriented behavior in humans [54, 5961], monkeys [50, 59], carnivores [62, 63] and even in rodents or birds [64, 65]. Numerous studies have established the beneficial effect of bimodal stimulation [66] when the experimental sensory conditions respect the rules of spatial and temporal congruencies [55]. In these cases, multisensory integration results in perceptual improvements by reducing ambiguity in various tasks, from simple detections to complex discriminations, memory or learning tasks [6771]. The decrease in reaction times during a bimodal paradigm has been explained by a co-activation system [72] that violates the race model of independent sensory channels in which the faster modality initiates the motor response. In our study, we did not train the animals to make a saccade toward an isolated auditory cue, so we cannot conclude on the race model. However, we recently reported evidence that such a converging model can account for a shortening in RT in visuo-auditory detection task in the monkey [23]. Multisensory integration is supposed to obey the rule of inverse effectiveness that proposes a higher multisensory benefit when the unisensory stimuli are weak [62, 73]. We did not observe such effects and the decrease in sRT was identical when comparing visuo-auditory performances at low or high visual saliencies, a result comparable to that recently reported in a similar behavioral study in the monkey)[50]. We cannot rule out the possibility that if we had used a weaker auditory stimulus it would have produced a change in bimodal gains [23], but it is very likely that this lack of inverse effectiveness is due to the fact that our experiments were performed on highly trained monkeys. It has been shown in monkey, that a continuous training strongly decreases the saccade latency [74], probably reducing the potential range of facilitation induced by the mechanisms of multisensory integration. Multisensory interaction at early stages of sensory processing The delimitation of the polymodal areas associated with multisensory integration was until recently, generally circumscribed to cortical areas in the parietal, frontal and inferotemporal regions of the monkey [5, 38, 7577]. However, electrophysiological and functional imaging studies in humans have recently revealed that visual, somatosensory or auditory areas defined originally as unimodal can be the locus of interactions between other non-specific sensory modalities [13, 1618, 7881]. In the monkey, electrophysiological recordings have confirmed that unimodal areas, located at the first stages of the sensory processing hierarchy, can integrate information from a different sensory channel [11]. Until recently, this heteromodal activity had been observed in primates principally in the auditory system. For example, recordings of neuronal activity in the auditory cortex have revealed visual and somatosensory responses in the associative areas of the belt and parabelt [25, 27, 28, 82, 83]. In the primary auditory cortex, electrophysiological recordings (current source density) suggest that non-auditory events are of a rather modulatory influence and do not drive activation at the spiking level [84]. For example, proprioceptive information (eye position) can induce changes in the strength of the neuronal discharge in response to a spatially defined sound [29]. Furthermore, it has been proposed that the effect of non-auditory stimuli on AI activity is performed through a modulation of cortical oscillations to allow either enhancement or depression, depending on the timing of the bimodal stimulation [84]. Our results are in agreement with this notion of a modulatory effect and we did not find any auditory response in the single units we tested. The lack of pure auditory response in spite of an auditory modulation of the visual latency suggests that in V1, multisensory interaction could be a subthreshold phenomenon as hypothetized for multisensory interactions in the auditory cortex [24, 83]. Because the auditory system is activated faster than the visual one, the auditory stimulus can depolarize the membrane potential of the visual V1 cells, inducing an earlier spiking response compared to the visual-only condition. Such multisensory interaction on cortical sensitivity has been recently suggested by TMS studies in human at both perceptual [85] and behavioral [86] levels. The main visuo-auditory effect we observed, was a shortening of the visual latencies but only in specific behavioral situations. All together these results suggest that in primates, multisensory integration mechanisms differentially affect sensory responses when they occur in primary or secondary sensory areas [11, 24, 8790]. Most of the neuronal rules of interactions between sensory modalities have been established in the Superior colliculus (SC) which is considered to be the key structure for multisensory integration [55]. In the SC, the convergence of different sensory modalities is reflected mainly by an enhancement in neuronal activity in response to a combined multimodal stimulus when spatial and temporal congruencies are respected [9194]. A modulation (enhancement or depression) of the strength of the unimodal response by bimodal stimulation has been also reported in higher order polymodal areas of the monkey such as the prefrontal, parietal or inferotemporal areas [75, 77, 95, 96] and even in the primary auditory cortex [24, 84, 97]. However, the proportion of neurons showing enhancement or depression varies strongly across cortical areas. When presenting middle or high contrast visual stimuli, we did not observe such an effect on the response rate in the large sample of visual cells recorded in V1, irrespective of the behavioral paradigm, suggesting that the neuronal mechanisms of multisensory integration are based on rules which are specific to each individual area. However, at low (15%) contrast, the slight increase of the responsiveness of V1 neurons in the AV condition suggests that the rule of inverse effectiveness could apply to V1. We cannot exclude that such effect on the response rate would be more prominent for visual stimuli of even lower perceptive saliency. In addition, as described in the methods, the visual and auditory stimuli are only spatially congruent in the horizontal azimuth dimension. While the receptive fields of the auditory neurons are large [98] and cover probably the offset that separate the two stimuli, one can speculate that a better spatial congruency between the auditory and visual stimuli would lead to greater effects on V1 cells during bimodal stimulation. Finally, a rule common to several cerebral loci of multisensory integration is an effect on the response onset latency [75, 99]. We observed that in the active task, the visual latency was reduced by about 5%, a result very similar to that reported in the SC [50, 99]. This decrease in neuronal response onset, which is in line with a shortening of the visuo-auditory bold response in human V1 assessed by fMRI [13], could participate in the speeding up of the behavioral saccadic responses during bimodal presentation (see below, [62]). As developed in the introduction, previous anatomical studies have established that sensory fusion was processed through the convergence of the different sensory channels at the level of associative cortical areas [1, 2]. The numerous reports of multisensory interactions at low level of sensory processing (present data, [24, 27, 84]) and acting on early sensory responses, favor a modulatory influence through heteromodal connections linking directly unisensory areas [1921]. However, such modulatory effect could also originate from non-specific thalamic nuclei that integrate different sensory processing [100]. A cortico-thalamic loop that bypass cortico-cortical connections could thus support fast transmission and provide multisensory and sensory-motor information to unimodal areas [22, 101]. Visuo-auditory interaction: role of the behavioral context In the alert monkey, we have shown that visual neurons in V1 showed a decrease in response onset when the visual stimuli were presented simultaneously with a sound. However, our main result is that this effect on the visual responses is dependent on the behavioral context : we did not see any changes in V1 neuron latency in a passive situation when the monkey did not perform an oriented saccade toward the spatial location where the auditory stimulus was presented. It could be argued that this difference simply reflects a process of visual spatial attention [102] due to the oculomotor task and not a modulation specifically due to the integration of the auditory stimulus at the neuronal level. In V1 and extra-striate areas, it has been shown that attentional mechanisms [103, 104] or behavioral relevance [57, 105, 106] can affect the characteristics of the neuronal visual response such as the discharge rate, the latency or the neurons selectivity. We did not observe a change in the cell firing rate when comparing neuronal activity in a visual passive and active task without any auditory stimuli. While our comparisons are performed on a different set of neurons, it strongly suggests that the shortening in latency depends specifically on the bimodal conditions in a particular behavioral situation, and not on visual attentional processes linked to the oculomotor demand of the task. However, we are aware that the three paradigms differ in term of attentional loads but in both passive and active AV tasks, the auditory stimulus can involve similar mechanisms of exogenous attention. The distinction between exogenous spatial attention and crossmodal interactions (or integration) is still an open question [107] as both mechanisms result in an improvement in sensory perception [102]. Our results are in complete agreement with studies in humans and animals showing different patterns of multisensory integration according to the behavioral context. First in humans, the detection or discrimination of bimodal objects, as well as the perceptual expertise of subjects, differentially affect both the temporal aspects and the cortical areas at which multisensory interactions occur [18, 108]. Similarly the index of multisensory integration computed from the activity of neurons in the deep layers of the Superior Colliculus, is also dependent on the oculomotor behavior of the animal [109]. Finally, while heteromodal visual or somatosensory responses can be obtained in the auditory cortex of a passive or anaesthetized monkey [24, 27, 87], some authors have reported that some visual responses can be related to task in which the animal is engaged [25]. All together these findings suggests that the neuronal network involved in multisensory integration as well as its expression at the level of the neuronal activity is highly dependent on the perceptual task in which the subject is engaged. Thus multisensory interactions can underly from active perception to attentional mechanisms. This hypothesis is supported by the anatomical pattern of heteromodal connections that directly link areas involved in different modalities. In monkey, such heteromodal connections either link specific sensory representations (retinotopy or somatotopy) of interconnected areas or specific functional regions in each modality [19, 21, 110]. Such an influence of the perceptual context on the neuronal expression of multisensory interaction has further consequences on the phenomena of cross-modal compensation that occurs after sensory deprivation in animals [111] or humans [112, 113]. In blind subjects [114], the efficiency of somatosensory stimulation on the activation of the visual cortex, is maximum during an active discrimination task (Braille reading). This suggests that the mechanisms of multisensory interaction at early stages of sensory processing and the cross-modal compensatory mechanisms are probably mediated through common neuronal pathways. Role of visuo-auditory integration in the primary visual cortex The effect of an auditory stimulus on V1 responses is probably supported through the direct projections that originate in the auditory (A1 and belt) and multimodal (STP) areas and target V1 [20, 21]. As discussed previously [21], the auditory projections to V1 originate mainly from the dorsal auditory stream, specialized in processing spatial information, and reach the peripheral representation of V1. The characteristics of this heteromodal connectivity suggest that this pathway is probably involved in rapidly orienting the gaze toward a sound source located in the peripheral field for which visual acuity is poor. In situations of spatial and temporal congruency, multisensory integration has been shown to facilitate the neuronal responses of neurons of the superior colliculus [115, 116], both at the sensory and motor levels [50, 59]. Consequently, multisensory integration at the collicular level will allow a direct influence on motor output because the SC is directly involved in the control of oculomotor behavior [117]. A large number of visual areas project directly down to the SC, but in the monkey, the main inputs are originating from the primary visual cortex which constitutes about 20 to 30% of the SC cortical afferents [118]. Consequently the decrease in V1 response latencies during bimodal stimulation can act directly on the response of cells in the SC and speed up the initiation of the saccadic command by the brain stem oculomotor nucleus. However, because the reduction in V1 latencies (5% decrease) does not match the amount of facilitation at the saccadic level (10 to 15% reduction in saccade latency), one should consider other mechanisms outside V1, to transfer the facilitation from the sensory to the motor level. A remaining question is whether the visuo-auditory interactions reported here at the level of V1 and expressed as a reduction in neuronal latency, represent a real multisensory integration or only a sensory combination [119]. In our protocol, auditory and visual stimuli are not redundant signals as the sound has no meaning to perform the task and thus in this way, we should refer to bimodal interactions in V1. However, at the behavioral level, the observed shortening of saccade latency in the bimodal conditions is a phenomenon generally attributed to multisensory integration processing [72]. It is possible that the reduction in latency, especially because it affects mainly the longer ones, will induce a higher temporal coherence of the visual responses across V1. Such a processing has been suggested to increase the cortical synchronization which in turn enhances the speed and reliability of the visual responses [120], and thus could participate to the reduction of RT in bimodal conditions. To conclude, our results provide further evidence of the various roles of monkey area V1 in visual perception. Area V1 receives feedback projections from a large number of cortical areas [121]. V1 is connected with areas located at higher levels of the visual processing hierarchy [122, 123], with non-visual sensory areas as described above, as well as with the area prostriata [124] which might constitute a gateway to the motor system [125]. This connectivity pattern could be the anatomical support of the neuronal modulation of V1 responses by higher cognitive processes such as attention mechanisms [126, 127] or memory tasks [128, 129]. 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If you've ever walked past a movie being filmed at night, you most likely shielded or averted your eyes from the amount of light being directed at the scene until they adjusted. Even then, it was probably startlingly bright. Motion picture film takes a lot of light in order to properly expose. Unlike with still photographic film, you can't just lengthen the exposure time in order to capture the requisite amount of photons - you're bound by your medium. Twenty-four frames of film per second will pass through your camera no matter what you do (barring fast-motion filming, perhaps) and you have less than 1/24 of a second worth of light to expose each frame. You have to transport the film, after all, which eats up some of the time. In order to compensate when it gets dark, or if you're shooting indoors, or essentially anywhere that isn't saturated with bright sunlight, especially in the early days of film, there was only one answer. Light the scene, and light it bright. The new Edison electric lights weren't powerful enough. In 1896, two German brothers who had immigrated to the U.S.A. formed a company. Their names were John H. Kliegl and Anton Kliegl, and the Kliegl Bros. Universal Electric Stage Lighting Company, in 1911, began to produce tube-shaped carbon arc lamps. These lamps could be used indoors, and were enclosed to allow the bright white light of a carbon arc to be directed (via lensing and reflectors placed around the front) at a particular location. Originally used as the 'spotlight' familiar to theatergoers everywhere, carbon arc lights took the place of the burning limelight famous in stage lore. They were soon adapted for film use, however, as their brilliance and close color resemblance to bright daylight began to allow the filming of 'daytime' scenes both indoors and at night. Originally, these new lights were known as Kliegl-lights for their makers. This was shortened quickly to 'Klieg light', and this term eventually came to cover any carbon-arc stage or film light. The true Klieg light swiftly acquired a fresnel lens and positionable reflector panels around the front, which is the shape most easiy recognized today, as well as a sealed lamp. Eventually, incandescent bulbs were made that were powerful enough to produce the light levels required of a Klieg, and in 1933 incandescent bulb Klieg lights were available. The Kliegl Brothers' company continued in business until the 1990s, although they passed away around the middle of the century.
Sentence Examples with the word masque In January 1491 a double Sforza-Este marriage (Ludovico Sforza himself with Beatrice d'Este, Alfonso d'Este with Anna Sforza the sister of Gian Galeazzo) again called forth his powers as a masque and pageantmaster. Another theory, propounded by Captain Bazeries (La Masque de fer, 1883), identified the prisoner with General du Bulonde, punished for cowardice at the siege of Cuneo; but Bulonde only went to Pignerol in 1691, and has been proved to be living in 1705. Apart from the modern studies by Lair, FunckBrentano, Lang and Barnes, referred to above, there is valuable historical matter in the work of Roux-Fazaillac, Recherches historiques sur l'homme au masque defer (1801); see also Marius Topin, L'Homme au masque de fer (Paris, 1870), and Loiseleur, Trois Enigmes historiques (1882). View more In 1487, we find Leonardo devising all the mechanical and spectacular part of a masque of Paradise; and presently afterwards designing a bathing pavilion of unheard-of beauty and ingenuity for the young duchess.
The History of the Atzec & Inca: Two Illustrated Reference Books: Discover the History, Myths and Cu (BOK) Charles Phillips, David M. Jones 179,00 17900 Sendes vanligvis innen 5-15 dager This boxed set of two encyclopedias charts the rise and fall of the ancient American empires - including the Chavin, Paracas, Moche, Olmec and Zapotec. It is an absorbing guide to the lost world of the peoples of the sun, their awe-inspiring history, myths and culture. You can explore dozens of vitally important World Heritage sites, including Teotihuacan, Cuzco and the Nazca lines. It describes burial practices, mummies, ritual sacrifice and the importance of gold as well as exploring the impact on native religion of the coming of Christianity. 1000 stunning photographs, statues, sculptures, paintings, maps and illustrations reveal an amazing visual history. This two-volume comprehensive and authoritative history describes the political, military and social world of ancient America. It explores the region's vivid mythology, including tales of creation, earth and sky; legends of the gods, goddesses and heroes; and stories of fertility, harvest and the afterlife. The first book focuses on the Maya and Aztec civilizations of Mexico and Central America, and the second on the Inca Empire that stretched the length of South America. Taking in many other cultures, this is a perfect introduction to the subject and also a stunning visual record of a fascinating period that has helped to shape our world. Språk Engelsk Engelsk Innbinding Innbundet Utgitt 2013 Forfatter Charles Phillips, David M. Jones Lorenz books ISBN 9780754828228 Antall sider 528 Dimensjoner 16,8cm x 22cm x 5,3cm Vekt 1901 gram Leverandør Bertram Trading Ltd Emner og form History of the Americas, Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500, Ancient religions & mythologies
• Rate This: ( votes) 8 Questions to Ask about the Early Warning Signs of Leukemia Leukemia is a group of cancers that usually start in the bone marrow, and cause large amounts of abnormal white blood cells. These cells are nonfunctional, and can't perform like mature, healthy blood cells. These cells crowd out other normal cells in the bone marrow. The cause of leukemia isn't known, but it is believed that both environmental and inherited influences are involved. It's very important to recognize the symptoms and signs of leukemia, so that medical treatment can get started. 8 Active Questions \| Add a Question My arms or legs have deep bone pain. Could this be a sign of leukemia? Deep bone pain is one of the earliest signs that a person has leukemia. The pain is caused when a person's bone marrow expands, caused by abnormal white blood cell buildup in the marrow. This pain can feel like a dull ache or a sharp spike, depending upon its location. Usually this pain occurs in the long bones of arms and legs.caused by abnormal white blood cell buildup in the marrow. This pain can feel like a dull ache or a sharp spike, depending upon its location.Usually this pain occurs in the long bones of arms and legs. What could cause bruising all over the body, or frequent gum and nose bleeds? Since leukemia causes lower platelet counts, it prevents blood from clotting, and can cause unexplained bleeding. Bruises can appear suddenly, in places where the patient has no memory of injuring or bumping themselves, on the stomach, back, hands and fingers, or even between the fingers. Unexplained bleeding gums, nose bleeds, and exceptionally long periods for women are also commonplace. I'm not sleepy, so why do I feel so incredibly tired? Leukemia can cause crushing fatigue and anemia, which makes muscles weak and manifests as a complete lack of energy. If a person can't do normal tasks, and must sit down frequently, it might be a sign of leukemia. Other symptoms that might show up are an unusual paleness, and a balance problem. What are some of the earliest warning signs of leukemia? Recurrent nosebleeds, excessive night sweating, easy bruising or bleeding, bone tenderness or pain, persistent weakness or fatigue, chills or fever, losing weight without dieting, severe infections, frequent infections, an enlarged spleen or liver, swollen lymph nodes, and petechiae, which are small red spots on the skin, are all early warning signs of leukemia. Does waking up with a severe headache mean anything? Many people don't realize that a sign of acute leukemia is an unusual amount of long-lasting severe headaches. Sometimes the patient will remember that they've woken up with a headache, after experiencing a night of general achiness and night sweats. This could be caused by the restriction of blood flowing to the spinal cord and brain, in the same manner as migraines. Some people might even experiences seizures as well. What is this strange rash that just appeared? Some people will notice what appears to be a rash on their arms, chest, face, or back. They look like tiny purple and red spots, and frequently appear in clusters. These spots, or petechiae, are broken capillaries and blood vessels that occur because of low platelet count, and are one of the earliest signs that blood is failing to clot. What are these swollen lymph nodes or strange bluish lumps on my stomach or neck? Because leukemia lessens the ability of the bone marrow to make healthy red and white blood platelets and cells, it reduces the ability of the body to respond correctly to infection, and that can cause swollen lymph nodes and glands. Unusual painless bumps can appear in unusual locations, like the groin, underarm area, stomach, or neck. These lumps could have a purplish or bluish color, and usually last for more than a week, distinguishing them from lumps occurring with less serious infections. What are some other signs and symptoms of leukemia? General feelings of weakness or feeling sick, frequent infections in the throat, mouth, lungs, bladder or urinary tract, on the skin, or in the area surrounding the anus, abnormal bruising, unexplained fevers, enlarged lymph nodes, joint and bone pain, headaches, and abdominal discomfort.
Upbringing Your Child Introducing Solid Food To Your Baby Posted on by Has your child been clamoring for more even after eight or ten feedings of formula or breast milk a day? Or are those beady eyes keenly staring at the spoonful of rice as it moves from the platter into your mouth? If yes then it’s time you start taking the first steps to help your little one develop the ‘solid-food-eating-habit’ What can be more delightful than watching a baby’s face smeared with food? (Well …it’s not just the face you will have to deal with icon wink Introducing Solid Food To Your Baby . Introducing babies to solids shouldn’t be a challenge if you follow a set of simple rules and make sure that your baby’s food is right to grow on (also consult a pediatrician). What comes first? Even if you feel that your baby is eager to eat solids earlier it is best you introduce them not before the miniature digestive system nears its half-birthday. To begin with, here are a few signs babies show when they are ready to move ahead of their liquid-only nourishment. 1. A steady head – ability to hold it in an upright position. 2. The overall posture is straight while sitting with support 3. The impulses to extrude food stop and they are able to hold and move solid food in the mouth. 4. The ability to use the jaws in chewing motions. 5. Significant increase in the weight (double the birth weight or about 15 pounds). 6. Your child may seem hungry even after regular feedings. 7. Your child may show curiosity about food. Foods to start with… The easiest food to start with is either pureed or mashed food. As the breast milk is quite sweet, such vegetables and fruits are good to begin with which taste familiar and closer to breast milk (in terms of sweetness). These include cooked carrots, sweet potatoes, bananas, cooked pears and apples. Avoid citrus fruits until your baby is 9 months or a year old. After the 6th month, most babies require an additional source of iron for which doctors recommend iron-fortified rice cereals. In order to keep babies safe from allergic reactions, these may include gassiness, rashes, diarrhea or other infections, it is better to start with single-ingredient foods. Also, offering every new food after 3 or 5 days interval is a simple way to keep food allergies at bay. You can introduce your child to water if you see signs of constipation. Make sure you keep a check on your baby’s stool as it may change in appearance and odor once he starts taking solids. How much should you offer? It is possible that your baby’s appetite varies from one feed to the next. Start from once a day with breast milk or formula and when your baby is about six to seven months old, he will take in solids around two to three times a day. If you see the food splattered all over and nowhere near the mouth, it probably means your little one has had enough. Allow your child to explore different fruits and vegetables, cut them into fist size pieces so he grabs and sucks on them. It is better you keep feeding your baby with breast milk in between mealtimes. Eventually, you may notice that as the baby develops the habit of eating more solids, the number of milk feeds gradually decrease between. After your child is above 12 months old you can introduce him to a wider variety of additional nutritious foods. No Notify!
Say What You Mean What You Say Gives You Away Has anyone ever asked you to do something and you reluctantly replied “I’ll try”? That person may have walked away wondering whether you were really going to make the effort. Perhaps you’ve been on the receiving end of a compliment that went something like this: “You did a nice job but next time I think you should…” Most likely it was the second half of that sentence that you remembered. Does what you say convey what you truly mean? The words we use indicate what we believe or intend to do. There are two language cues in particular that are dead give-aways for a contradictory message being communicated. Don't Dilute The Message Excessive use of the words “I’ll try” and “but” qualifies what you are saying and in effect dilutes your message. Let’s take a look. The first language cue is: I’ll try. These words often signal a commitment that is lacking. When I hear “I’ll try” during a coaching conversation, I check to see if the person: a) truly wants to do what he (or she) says he will try to do, b) intends to do it, and c) believes that it is possible. Saying I’ll try is stopping short of saying I’ll do it. It’s as if you are telling yourself and the person to whom you are speaking: I’ll try but I don’t really think I’ll succeed. Certainly genuine effort – the act of trying – matters. In fact, it is your effort, not the outcome that you can control. What I’m suggesting is that you avoid saying I’ll try as an automatic, nebulous response. Redefine the level of commitment that you are willing to make. For example, instead of saying, “I’ll try to stop doing that,” it is stronger to say, “I promise to be more aware of when I do that.” When it comes to something you genuinely want and are ready to do, notice how “upping your language” reinforces your willingness to commit to specific action. It’s the difference between saying, “I’ll try to get to it,” vs. “I’ll spend a few hours reviewing this before we talk next.” In addition to responding to direct requests, this also applies to other times you might typically use the word try. For example, rather than saying, “I’m trying to be a better listener,” say, “I’m learning to be a better listener,” or “I’m practicing being a better listener.” The emphasis then becomes the progress being made and not just the attempting. The second language cue is: But… I’ve heard it said that the word “but” has the effect of negating everything that precedes it. At the very least, it diminishes it. Notice the difference between the following two statements: Your knowledge of the subject is impressive but your presentation would be stronger if you focus on a few key points. Your knowledge of the subject is impressive and if you focus on a few key points, it will make your presentation stronger. When you replace the word “but” with “and” or simply pause before continuing, it gives both parts of your statement equal weight. Say What You Mean Becoming aware of the words you use will help clarify your own intention and make the message you are communicating more easily understood. Begin this week by noticing when you use the words “I’ll try” or “but”. Make your language more effective by removing these qualifiers and saying what you mean. “The language of truth is unadorned and always simple.” –Marcellinus Ammianus Here's to you, link to In the Current website
Water Resources water tanks at the Gentle Bells school in KenyaWater is scarce in Longonot. Ground water is so saline it is not potable. Potable water comes from distant mountain springs. KCEF is investigating possible several options for getting potable water to the school. At present, the most practical option is large water tanks to collect water during the rainy season. Water piped from mountain springs can be purchased to supplement this supply. How can I help? By purchasing additional water.
Posted March 29, 2013 by Dr. Henri Montandon in art Primal Chaos: Staring into the abyss The scientific endeavor has proven not to be a wild goose chase. One of the reasons is building blocks. Electrons, protons and neutrons are the building blocks of atoms. Atoms are the building blocks of molecules. Molecules are the building blocks of cells. Cells are the building blocks of tissue. Tissue is the building block of organs. Organs are the building blocks of creatures. And so on. Each type of building block associates an order of magnitude and adumbrates one or more scientific disciplines. In the brain sciences, the puzzle of brain’s building blocks is one of the many lacking an agreed upon answer. In mathematics, there has been and continues to be a great deal of interest in a strange kind of building block called a prime number. In the natural numbers from 1 to 10 we find 4 prime numbers. As we go further and further in the natural numbers, the primes thin out, but no one knows why and no one has found a pattern to the increasing infrequency of the primes. (The very first prime number is 2, and it gives rise to an old groaner. What is the oddest prime number? 2, because it is the only even prime number.) In neuroscience, I have not been able to find research bearing on prime numbers per se. But prime numbers live in the number line, a mathematical model where lower numbers lie to the left, and higher numbers to the right. A number of studies have shown that people respond to lower numbers with faster left hand responses and to higher numbers with faster right hand responses ( the SNARC effect). It has been proposed that “that the attentional shifts induced by the mental number line are manifested at the earliest cortical stages of visual processing.”[1] Despite the absence of direct research, prime numbers are of interest to neuroscience because some of the most interesting inventions/discoveries in science have to do with these exotic creatures. Thus the website of Carlos Paris grips me in two ways. First, he tells the story of how he discovered a method for locating prime numbers, and second, the method uses a visualization algorithm of astonishing beauty: This is an anecdote of how Prime Numbers revealed their elusive nature to me. I have recently learned that my concepts are not new. However, you will find that the images I’ve produced are quite shocking, and if anything, this website will help to popularize these concepts some more. Hopefully, you will rediscover these concepts along with me as I freshly explain how I innocently explored Prime Numbers, as well as some of their properties. A section of the depiction of 3,232,000 circles used in the geometric sieve invented/discovered by Carlos Paris. The trope of the “innocent explorer” pursuing his researches deep into the night after the kids have gone to bed must be a familiar one to many readers. One evening, excited by the news that there was a $1,000,000 prize for finding the largest prime, he began to think more deeply about them. Being a mechanical engineer who used AutoCAD daily in his work, he fired up his system. Seeking a visualization of the natural numbers, he drew 32,000 one unit circles on the horizontal, and below them 32,000 circles up to 101 units. He wondered how all these circles would fit into each other, so he overlapped them on a common origin. Seeing this pattern, he began to experience the untrammeled excitement of discovery: When I saw the pattern, it just exploded in my face. It is orderly chaos! That’s when I felt something from beyond the screen staring back at me. The patterns and shapes generated above never repeat, they always look different depending on your location to the right of the origin. And most importantly, now you can visually tell how all circles fit into each other! I call the image a “Map of Factors” because it tells you all the factors for each number. Wherever you have only 2 circles intersecting the horizontal axis at their right quadrants, you have a prime number! The green vertical lines show the locations of the prime numbers. Mr. Paris’ explorations go far beyond what I have mentioned here. He found other patterns emerging from the graphics. He built a spreadsheet algorithm which automatically detects primes. He discovered advanced concepts regarding the twin prime conjecture, a mathematical puzzle unsolved for generations. His work reminds me how far thought, inspiration and love of new ideas can take us. Viva Carlos Paris! When the circles are overlapped from a common point of origin, some of the unit circles touch with no intervening arcs. These places are marked with vertical green lines in the diagram. Each of these places is a prime number. [1] Zaira Cattaneo Juha Silvanto Lorella Battelli Alvaro Pascual-Leone 2009 The mental number line modulates visual cortical attention NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS 253-256 Dr. Henri Montandon
Health hazards of handsets Calculated specific absorbed radiation (SAR) distribution in an anatomical model of head next to a 125 mW dipole antenna. Peak SAR is 9.5 W/kg over 1 mg, whole head average is 0.008 W/kg. (USAF/AFRL).Part of the radio waves emitted by a mobile telephone handset are absorbed by the human head. The radio waves emitted by a GSM handset, can have a peak power of 2 watts, and a US analog phone had a maximum transmit power of 3.6 watts. Other digital mobile technologies, such as CDMA and TDMA, use lower output power, typically below 1 watt. The maximum power output from a mobile phone is regulated by the mobile phone standard it is following and by the regulatory agencies in each country. In most systems the cellphone and the base station check reception quality and signal strength and the power level is increased or decreased automatically, within a certain span, to accommodate for different situations such as inside or outside of buildings and vehicles. The rate at which radiation is absorbed by the human body is measured by the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), and its maximum levels for modern handsets have been set by governmental regulating agencies in many countries. In the USA, the FCC has set a SAR limit of 1.6 W/kg, averaged over a volume of 1 gram of tissue, for the head. In Europe, the limit is 2 W/kg, averaged over a volume of 10 grams of tissue. SAR values are heavily dependent on the size of the averaging volume. Without information about the averaging volume used comparisons between different measurements can not be made. Thus, the European 10-gram ratings should be compared among themselves, and the American 1-gram ratings should only be compared among themselves. 1. XShITiZ said...: My Take: Post a Comment
6 interesting facts about garbage collection. 1. Don't create big objects with short lifetime Any object in CLR that is more than 85 000 KB in size are stored in the special heap for big objects. Also they are marked as 2nd generation objects from the start. Creating big objects with small lifetime is bad practice. Why? Garbage collector will need to collect 2nd generation objects more often, and this could lead to performance issues. 2. When GC collects garbage it pauses all managed threads When garbage collection starts CLR hijacks all managed threads and pauses them. But in fact it doesn't affect coding, so... nevermind :) 3. You can predict OutOfMemoryException In some cases if application consume a lot of resources there is a probability of OutOfMemoryException. Not good, yeah? But... you can predict for operations with big memory consumption by using MemoryFailPoint. Usage example: using(MemoryFailPoint mfp = new MemoryFailPoint(1500)) //Run code which uses lots of memory. Console.WriteLine("Not enough memory."); But be aware. Even if MemoryFailPoint didn't thrown exception and memory is reserved it's physically still not allocated. So you only increased a probability of successful memory allocation. 4. Garbage collection takes less than 1ms in zero generation Yes, it's so fast. 5. Developers could create immortal objects Of course it's only just for fun and definitely bad practice, but these objects will never die (read as not collected by GC). 6. You can manage unmanaged resources. Sometimes a small managed object could contain a lot of unmanaged resources. For these cases there are 2 methods in GC class. - AddMemoryPressure - RemoveMemoryPressure Using them you can hint how much unmanaged memory is used by object and this will affect when garbage collection will be started. Want to know more? You can find more interesting facts about garbage collection in Richter's CLR via C#. Популярные сообщения из этого блога Backbone.JS + ASP.NET WebAPI Работа с LiqPay в ASP.NET и не только 2D Физика для игр - Separate Axis Theorem
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 How Saddam Destroyed An Eco-System And Its People In The Southern Marshes Of Iraq In March 1991, just after the end of the Gulf War, young men and deserting soldiers rose up in almost every major city in southern Iraq. With the government looking so weak after the conclusion of hostilities, rebels believed they had a real chance at overthrowing the regime. Within a month, Saddam Hussein’s forces were able to regain control. Many people ended up fleeing south into the vast southern marshes hoping to escape government reprisals. They never expected Saddam to pursue them, and in the next few years destroy almost the entire marshland area, which has still not recovered to this day. Iraq’s southern marshes were a historic area, which had been a traditional hideaway for rebels. They were the largest wetlands in the Middle East, and some believed they were where the first human civilization began. The marshes had been a redoubt for bandits, deserting soldiers, and opponents of the government for years. In 1992, there was still an estimated 250,000 displaced people living there who had fled the 1991 revolt. There were also some fighters who would cross back and forth from Iran, and base their Iraqi operations out of the area. Saddam was intent on finishing off these rebels. Not only were they attacking the government, but also Shiites were the largest population group, and could pose a serious threat to Saddam’s regime. Baghdad therefore set about trying to force the population out by destroying the environment. Saddam launched a brutal campaign against the local inhabitants beginning in 1992. Several divisions consisting of around 40,000 troops were sent in. They built two major canals, along with smaller dykes and dams to divert water from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers away from the marshes. Water was also poisoned, mines laid, and sections of reed forest set afire in a scorched earth policy. By September 1995, the United Nations estimated that 200,000-250,000 people had been forced from the area. Some of those were put into camps, and some were moved to northern Iraq, where ironically, they replaced Kurds that had been forced out of their homes by Saddam as well. These attacks are what helped lead to the southern no fly zone being created by the United States and Britain to give a modicum of support to the people there. Before the campaign, the marshes covered between 15,000–20,000 square kilometers. When it was done, there was only 760 square kilometers left. This was not the first time the government had set upon the marshlands. In 1985, during the Iran-Iraq War sections had been drained because it was the site of major battles, so there was a precedent for what Baghdad did later on. The result was the complete devastation of what some have called the birthplace of civilization, and its native inhabitants, the Madan marsh Arabs who had lived there for centuries. It showed the lengths to which Saddam was willing to go to destroy any internal dissent that challenged his rule. The southern marshes before and after Saddam's campaign of destruction. Click on image for larger view (GRID-Geneva) After the 2003 invasion, there has been a concerted effort to bring back the marshes, but the results have been mixed. Immediately after Saddam fell, some locals began tearing down the water barriers built by him. Afterward, the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and charities, and the Water Ministry all put together plans to revive the marshes. By 2006, more than half of the marshes were said to have water flowing in them once again, and some of the marsh Arabs had begun to return. In the last several years, some of the shortcomings of these policies have become apparent. First, when the marsh Arabs began destroying Saddam’s dams and dykes, it released toxins that had built up, and ended up poisoning the water and soil. Second, the government has not followed through with all of its promises. For example, it pledged to provide aid and services to the residents, but that has been slow in coming. The marshes are still one of the poorest places in Iraq, the water is polluted and is undrinkable, and there are serious health problems as a result, such as a 50% infant mortality rate early on. Third, the re-flooding has not always been successful. One area observed by the Economist magazine in 2005 had plants growing in it again, but another was lifeless six months after it was re-hydrated. One major reason was the high salt levels, which impeded the growth of greenery. Fourth, not all of the Marsh Arabs wanted to return to their former homes. Since the Saddam offensive, many had become farmers on the outskirts of the marshes, and were unwilling to give up their new livelihoods. Fifth, a professor from Duke University working on one of the reclamation projects believed that only 40% of the original marshlands could be brought back. By 2006 that amount had been achieved. However, in 2007 the effort was faltering and the marshes had receded to 30% of their original size. Finally, in 2008 the entire country began running into water problems. There was not only a drought, but dams built by Turkey, Iran, and Syria, and within the country were cutting off the water flow down Iraq’s major rivers. That began to force some of those who had returned to the marshes to leave once again, and some experts were worried that the lack of water could permanently choke off the area. Saddam Hussein’s offensive against the southern marshes was the fulfillment of his campaign against those who had risen up against him in 1991. He was so committed to the effort that he sent not only several divisions, but spent several years draining out the marshes destroying one of the truly historical sites in the world, while killing and displacing thousands of people in the process. He was so thorough that years after he was dead and gone, the marshes are still a struggling area. There are still mines, toxins, and high saline levels left over from his time, and those have all hampered efforts to revive the area. Saddam proved incompetent in conducting wars, but was utterly ruthless in suppressing internal dissent, and southern Iraq still bares the scars of his rule. Associated Press, “Iraq’s southern marshes dry up again amid drought,” Daily Star, 4/16/09 BBC, “Partial recovery of Iraq marshes,” 12/7/06 Economist, “One-third of paradise, The marshes of southern Iraq,” 2/24/05 Iowa State University, “The Mesopotamian Marshes of Southern Iraq,” 3/20/03 Al-Marsume, Chasb, “Iraq’s Marshes: A Stalled Recovery: Despite Ministry’s Claim, Iraq’s Vast Wetlands Wait for Action,” IraqSlogger, 7/31/07 Muir, Jim, “Iraq marshes face grave new threat,” BBC, 2/24/09 North, Andrew, “Iraq’s uncertain marshland revival,” BBC, 6/27/06 BBC VIDEO: Iraq Marshes Face Grave New Threat Tuesday, August 30, 2011 The 1991 Shiite Uprising In Southern Iraq (Global Security) VIDEO: Saddam Hussein Terror of Saddam, Barbaric Action in Holy Karbala Monday, August 29, 2011 Saddam's Legacy In Iraq When thinking of Iraq, people are obviously focused upon the United States because of its 2003 invasion, and the fact that it still has a military presence there eight years later. That often leads people to overlook what Saddam Hussein did to the country. He killed thousands of Iraqis, and displaced even more in his campaigns to suppress internal dissent. He started two misguided wars, first with Iran, and then Kuwait, which bankrupted the country. Starting in 1980 he began his foreign policy foibles by invading Iran. He believed that the country was weak after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, but his decision led to an eight year war with huge casualties, and the use of chemical weapons. In a lull in the fighting towards the end of the conflict, he took the time to attack the Kurds in the Anfal campaign, which destroyed hundreds of villages, displaced thousands, and was marked by more use of weapons of mass destruction. In 1988 the war finally ended, and although Iraq achieved none of its goals, Saddam declared victory. He was left with a shattered economy. Many of the southern oil fields, which contain the bulk of the country's reserves were damaged, and he owed billions of dollars in debt. That would lead to his second major foreign mistake, the invasion of Kuwait in 1990. In the next several days Musings On Iraq will try to cover some of these crimes committed by Saddam. The first, is the Iran-Iraq War where Saddam's military incompetence came out, and the huge debt leftover led to his invasion of Kuwait later on. VIDEO: Iran-Iraq War Documentary Friday, August 26, 2011 Did Saddam Plan The Insurgency In Iraq? Early in the war in Iraq, it was a common theory amongst American commentators that Saddam Hussein had planned the insurgency before he was overthrown in April 2003. The signs of a pre-planned guerrilla war seemed to be everywhere with Iraqi militias attacking the Coalition during the invasion, weapons stashes found all over the country, the U.S. proclaiming that the insurgency was made up of former soldiers and Baathists, etc. The Americans however, found hundreds of thousands of Iraqi documents, and captured and thoroughly interrogated Saddam before he was sentenced to death by an Iraqi court and executed, along with his top leadership. These findings were put together into the Iraqi Perspectives Project. It found that Saddam never planned to carry on an irregular war with the Americans after the invasion, because he never believed that Washington would overthrow him, even up to his last days in office. From 2003 to 2006 there was a lot of American reporting claiming that Saddam Hussein had planned to continue on the fight with the U.S. after he was deposed. An early example of this was a July 2003 article in Newsweek that claimed to have found an order from the Iraqi intelligence service, the Mukhabarat to conduct looting after the invasion. It also instructed agents to attack power plants, assassinate clerics, and create general chaos. The magazine thought this was a proof that Saddam gave orders to create the insurgency, although it noted the document had not been verified. The magazine wrote another piece in October 2004 that quoted some analysts who believed that Saddam planned the insurgency before the invasion. (1) That same month, the final findings of the Iraq Survey Group were released, which said that Saddam decided to continue the fight after his regime fell. It used as evidence the fact that the Iraqi army had dispersed weapons throughout the countryside from April 2002 to January 2003. Two months later, U.S. News & World Report claimed that U.S. intelligence reports pointed to the same thing. It cited a fall 2002 report by the Pentagon’s Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force that said Saddam ordered 1,000-1,200 officers of the Mukhabarat, Directorate of Military Intelligence, and Directorate of General Security to go for irregular warfare training. On December 3, 2004, a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment said that Saddam planned to continue the fight after the invasion, and that was why former elements of the regime such as the Saddam Fedayeen, the Mukhabarat, the Special Security Organization, the Special Republican Guard, and former Baath Party members were responsible for the majority of attacks in the country. In February 2005, Newsweek ran another story on how Saddam hid millions of dollars and arms throughout the country to prepare for a guerrilla war. It claimed that on July 2002 Saddam issued a directive to his forces to drag America into irregular fighting. That was followed by a January 2003 order to sow chaos after the invasion by destroying infrastructure and looting government offices. In September 2005, there was a story in Time that claimed in April 2003 Saddam met with his Vice President Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri, Muhammad Yunis al-Ahmed, a senior member of the Military Bureau, and members of the Mukhabarat in Baghdad, and told them to organize their followers to resist the Americans. U.S. intelligence then hypothesized that Saddam, through his Military Bureau began organizing these cells to fund and supply insurgents. It was probably no coincidence that Duri and Ahmed became two competing leaders of the Baath Party in exile after the overthrow of Saddam, and led Iraqi militant groups from Syria. Finally, in 2006 James Risen’s State of War was published, which included a story on how the CIA believed that Saddam had hidden arms and bought door openers in Dubai for roadside bomb triggers before 2003. U.S. forces also thought that Saddam and his two sons Qusay and Uday were personally organizing the fighting after the fall of the government. When Qusay and Uday were killed in Mosul in July2003, and when Saddam was captured in December the American military was quick to claim that these might end the insurgency. This is just a small sample of what many Americans were writing about early on in the Iraq war. Many officials in the U.S. government seemed to believe that since the majority of the insurgency was made up of former regime members, that Saddam and his sons must be behind it, and that they planned it before 2003. The discovery of weapons hidden all over the country, and captured documents seemed to buttress this theory. Deputy Premier Tariq Aziz (left), "He [Saddam] thought that this war would not lead to his ending." (Islamic News) In March 2006, these early theories were thoroughly dismissed by the Iraqi PerspectivesProject. The project went through thousands of captured documents, and interviews with the Baath Party’s top leadership, including Saddam himself. It found no evidence that the former dictator wanted to continue the fight after the U.S. invasion. Quite the contrary, Saddam didn’t believe that the U.S. would invade in the first place, and even when it did he thought it would be a limited conflict that would leave him in power. The project found that Saddam and his top officials’ worldview was shaped by Iraqi history, and was quite different from what Americans were thinking. First, Saddam did not believe that the United States had the will to invade Iraq. He looked at Vietnam, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, and even the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan and interpreted them all as examples that the Americans could not take casualties, and preferred to use air rather than ground power. Saddam also looked at Iraq’s past intransigence with the United Nations weapons inspectors and its 1993 attempt on former President Bush’s life in Kuwait where the U.S. just launched air and missile strikes as other examples to bolster his opinion. A few senior military officials believed that the Americans would actually invade, but they thought it would be like the 1991 Gulf War where the U.S. would carry out a massive air campaign, and then invade the south, but never head towards Baghdad. For example, the former commander of the Iraqi Air Force and Air Defense told interrogators after the war that, “We thought that the war would be like the last one in 1991. We figured that the United States would conduct some operations in the south and then go home.” The Director General of the Republican Guard’s General Staff told his captors, “We thought the Coalition would go to Basra, may be to Amarah, and then the war would end.” In 2002, when Washington and London were stepping up international pressure upon Baghdad, Saddam thought that France and Russia would stop any United Nations’ resolutions that authorized the use of force. That was because Iraq had created strong economic ties with both since the 1990s in an attempt to undermine U.N. sanctions imposed after the Gulf War. Even if the U.S. were to invade, Saddam thought that Iraqi troops were better fighters, and would cause such heavy casualties, that President Bush would stop. As Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz said, Saddam “Thought that this war would not lead to his ending.” The Saddam Fedayeen was misinterpreted as a guerrilla organization, but was actually an internal defense force (Knowledge Rush) As for the irregular forces that Saddam created, many of which later joined the resistance to the U.S. occupation, they were for internal, not external defense. The Iraqi Perspective Project found that the Saddam Fedayeen, the Qods Army, and the Baath Party militia were all created after the 1991 Shiite and Kurdish uprisings to put down any future rebellions. Most were poorly trained and led, and besides the Fedayeen hardly put up a fight when Iraq was invaded. Saddam however, believed that they were warriors, and stashed weapons throughout the country in the belief that they could drag out the fight with the Americans until they gave up. Rather than being an insurgent force in the waiting, these militias were initially meant to put down any threats that might arise within Iraq, and later were considered the heart of the resistance to the U.S. invasion. In hindsight it’s easy to understand why so many thought that Saddam had planned the insurgency. With so many members of the former regime involved in the fighting it was easy to think that he must have been behind it all along even before the U.S. invasion. There was also circumstantial evidence found in Iraq to support the thesis like the weapons depots set up for Iraqi militias. Interviews with Saddam and his top leadership, along with thousands of captured documents later disproved this idea. In Saddam’s view, the U.S. would never overthrow him, so there was no reason to plan for a guerrilla war. He held onto this belief to the very end, supported by the sycophants around him that never passed on any bad news. To an American, this must sound ridiculous as President Bush was beating the war drum early on, and amassed a huge invasion force just on the border. Saddam’s reading of history however, led him to believe that U.S. was not a real threat. Planning for a future where he was not the leader of Iraq therefore, did not enter his mind. 1. Isikoff, Michael and Hosenball, Mark, “Terror Watch: Who’s Really Behind Insurgency?” Newsweek, 10/27/04 Gordon, Michael, “Official report sees patterns behind attacks on GIs,” San Francisco Chronicle, 10/19/03 Nordland, Rod, Masland, Tom and Dickey, Christopher, “Unmasking The Insurgents,” Newsweek, 2/7/05 Pound, Edward, “Seeds of Chaos,” U.S. News & World Report, 12/20/04 Woods, Kevin, Lacey, James and Murray, Williamson, “Saddam’s Delusions: The View From The Inside,” Foreign Affairs, May/June 2006 COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS VIDEO: Saddam's Delusions: The View from the Inside Thursday, August 25, 2011 Maliki Continues His Games To Control Iraq’s Defense Ministry In December 2010, when Iraq’s partial cabinet was announced, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was named the acting Defense, Interior, and National Security ministers. These three important posts were to be divided between the Iraqi National Movement and the National Coalition of Maliki’s State of Law, the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, and the Sadrists later on with the National Movement getting Defense, and the National Coalition the other two. Eight months have passed since then and the prime minister has rejected every single candidate put forward by the National Movement, while recently naming his own acting Defense Minister. This has all been part of the premier’s ploy to maintain control of the security ministries, while wearing down his opponents until he can get his way. Maliki seems content to rule alone The day after Iraq was hit by a national wave of bombings that left 300 casualties on August15, 2011, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki named Culture Minister Sadoun Dulaimias the acting Defense Minister. This came after the country’s main political parties met at President Jalal Talabani’s home in Baghdad on August 2, and agreed to renew their commitment to the power sharing agreement that would give Defense to Iyad Allawi’s Iraqi National Movement. The National Movement immediately attacked Maliki for breaking his latest promise, and trying to monopolize power. A few days later it called on President Talabani to have another meeting to discuss the candidates for the security ministers. Dulaimi was the Defense Minister under Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari from 2005-2006. He fled Iraq in 1986, and was condemned to death in absentia in 1991 for plotting against Saddam Hussein. He is part of the Center Alliance, which joined with the National Movement on August 1, so technically the premier was naming someone from Allawi’s list. The problem was it had no say in the matter. Maliki originally brought up Dulaimi in May. In an added twist, a member of the National Coalition said that Dulaimi was forced upon them and that the list had not agreed upon him. This was just the latest example of how Maliki has tried to drag out the process by ignoring Allawi’s list, while putting out his own candidates in the hopes of eventually winning permanent control of all the security ministries. Not only that, but Maliki wanted to name the ministers himself, and even ignored his political allies in the National Coalition. On December 21, 2010 Iraq’s new, partial cabinet was named. The ministers were split up between the winning lists in a power sharing agreement. The Defense, Interior, and National Security Ministries were left open with Maliki put in charge of all three until the National Movement and National Coalition could agree upon candidates for them. Allawi’s list was quick to put forward nominees, and named Falah al-Naqib that day, (1) who was the former Interior Minister under Allawi’s interim government in 2004. Maliki rejected him, and then the National Movement put forward Salim Dali. The prime minister said no to him as well, and the games were on. Maliki went on to turn down every single person the National Movement came up with, which by one count was at least 18 different people. Some were rejected out of hand with no explanation, showing that Maliki was just toying with Allawi and his followers to try their patience. A perfect example of the games Prime Minister Maliki was playing was when he nominated Khalid Mutab Obeidi in March. Obeidi had originally been Allawi’s pick, but was allegedly dropped when Obeidi did not agree to withdraw from the government if he was asked. A few days later it didn’t seem to matter as the Accountability and Justice Commission, which replaced the old deBaathification Commission, said that Obeidi was ineligible because he was a general under Saddam. That led to him withdrawing in April. Despite that, State of Law brought him up again in July. Maliki was simply trying to manipulate the National Movement by picking a candidate they’d already dropped, probably knowing full well there was no way that he would be acceptable. The prime minister promoted him simply to wear down his opposition. Naming Sadoun Dulaimi to the Defense Ministry post was the latest example of how Maliki has put people in charge of the security ministries without consulting with anyone else, so that he can maintain control over them. In June 2011, he placed his National Security Adviser Faleh al-Fayadh in charge of the National Security Ministry. A few days later, he had Adnan Asadi of his State of Law list return to his previous post as deputy Interior Minister, which he held from 2006-2010. Now he has Dulaimi as Defense Minister. This means he doesn’t have to handle the day-to-day duties of all those positions, and he has allies in each one. Allawi and his Iraqi National Movement can do nothing about this other than complain, which is what they have been doing since the parliamentary elections in March 2010. When they agreed to Maliki’s second term, they sealed their own fate. Some members received top posts like one vice presidency, a deputy premiership, the speaker of parliament, and several ministries. All the posts that they were promised, but not named however, were at the prime minister’s mercy, and he has not budged on a single one of them. Since he is already in office there is no reason for him to give any room. He therefore can continue to reject any candidates put forward by the National Movement, and keep Dulaimi at Defense for as long as he wants. This is just another example of how Maliki has increased his hold on the levers of power in the last several years, and is his latest step towards becoming an autocrat. Alsumaria, “Iraq security ministries to further complication,” 5/6/11 - “Iraqiya candidate declines Iraq Defense Minister nomination,” 4/4/11 - “Al Iraqiya List nominates 3 candidates for Minister of Defense position,” 4/20/11 - “Maliki passes Iraq security ministers names to Parliament,” 3/29/11 - “Sajri affirms that Iraqiya List presented him as candidate to Minister of Defense,” 8/12/11 Arraf, Jane, “Iraq set to double planned purchase of F-16s, but will US troop stay into 2012?” Christian Science Monitor, 7/31/11 Aswat al-Iraq, “Appointing Dulaimy for as defense minister circumvention of agreements,” 8/16/11 - “Iraq’s PM refuses proposal that his Deputy, Mutlaq, appointed as Acting Defense Minister,” 7/17/11 - “Iraq’s PM renews support for his candidate for Defense Minister’s post,” 5/11/11 - “Iraq’s Vice-President Hashimy can’t hold Acting Defense Minister’s post, legal expert says,” 7/26/11 - “Iraq’s Vice-President Hashimy nominated for Acting Defense Minister’s post, along with his post,” 7/19/11 - “Iraq’s Wifaq (Accord) Movement charges PM Maliki with following “serious individualist” policy,” 8/18/11 - “Al-Iraqiya Coalition proposes 4 candidates for Defense Minister’s post, before Political Leaders’ Meeting,” 8/1/11 - “Al-Iraqiya Coalition rejects appointment of Saadoun al-Duleimy for Acting Defense Minister’s post,” 7/31/11 - “Al-Iraqiya Coalition’s threat to withdraw from government, aimed at rising its demands, MP says,” 5/12/11 - “Al-Iraqiya Coalition to withdraw from govt., if security posts assigned without its approval, MP says,” 5/9/11 - “Saadoun al-Duleimy likely candiost - MP,” 8/6/11 - “Support for VP as temporary minister of defense – MP,” 7/24/11 Ali, Ghassan, “Iraq calls for resolving the candidates file the security ministries,” Radio Free Iraq, 8/20/11 Ibrahim, Haider, “New security ministry candidates submitted,” AK News, 8/11/11 - “SLC approves Bolani’s nomination for Defense Ministry,” AK News, 8/14/11 - “SLC member blames Iraqiya for delaying security ministers’ appointment,” AK News, 5/24/11 Ibrahim, Haider and al-Shemmari, Yazn, “Iraqiya’s Defense minister candidates are ineligible, says SLC deputy,” AK News, 7/11/11 National Iraqi News Agency, “Abdul Kareem Abtan al-Jobouri is Iraqiya’s 5th nominee for Defence Minister,” 8/11/11 - “Almaliki advisor : Khalid Al-Obeidi, the strongest candidate for Defense portfolio,” 7/13/11 - “MP ; calls for ISC not to nominate al-Hashimi for Defense portfolio,” 7/25/11 Omar, Faris, “A new chapter in the series of the security ministries,” Radio Free Iraq, 8/18/11 Radio Nawa, “Deputy for the State of Law: Iraqi al-Maliki rejected the four candidates to take over the defense portfolio,” 8/12/11 - “Zuhair Araji: Iraq formally nominate four new names for the post of Minister of Defense,” 7/27/11 Al-Shemmari, Yazn, “Al-Iraqiya refutes Defense Ministry nomination announcement,” AK News, 8/14/11 - “Inside Iraqi Politics No. 12,” 4/13/11 - “Inside Iraqi Politics No. 14,” 5/12/11 - “Inside Iraqi Politics No. 17,” 6/30/11 - “Inside Iraqi Politics No. 20,” 8/11/11 Sullivan, Marisa Cochrane, “New Developments In Iraq’s Nascent Government,” Institute for the Study of War, 4/1/11 Visser, Reidar, “Another Batch of Security Ministry Nominees: Turning the Clock Back to 2006?” Iraq and Gulf Analysis, 5/6/11
neem-1Neem is considered one of the most promising trees of the 21st Century. It has a great potential for pest control, environmental protection and medicine. For countless generations, Hindus have recognized the health properties of Neem. The Neem plant in India is careful protected and planting Neem trees is considered a sacred duty. Neem is a tropical tree that easily adapts to different environments, particularity semiarid conditions. It is grown widely in various Asian countries and in the West in tropical regions. SEMILLAS-DE-NEEMNeem tree seeds contain bioactive ingredients that can help in pest control strategies to save our environment. The bioactivity of Neem-based products has been extensively assessed and approved because of fears of toxic residues in food products. Biological agents that do not produce toxic residues when controlling pests are greatly needed to avoid using chemical pesticides. Although some plants with chemical agents are considered adequately safe, the Neem tree is the only plant whose bio-pesticides are commercially manufactured, and are considered effective and harmless to the environment. Farmers in India have been increasingly using Neem pesticides on cotton, vegetables, fruit trees, tea, rice and spices. Neem seeds, which are bitter, are known for their anti-inflammatory, antileprotic, anti-venom capacities. hojas-de-neemLEAVES: According to the Ayurvedic tradition, Neem leaves are a great aid in treating neuro-muscular pains. The reports we have about Neem leaves indicate that they are able to remove toxins, purify blood and prevent damage caused by free radicals in the body, neutralizing them. We also know that Neem leaves are excellent for eye problems and poisonous insect bites. Neem leaves have supreme medicinal properties. Not only do they prevent pests and control disease, but they serve as excellent fodder for cattle when mixed with the grass. Neem leaves are used in some parts of India as fertilizer in the rice fields, especially in the southern states of India. In some countries, the leaves are used to prepare the beds in the fields of snuff and tomato. Neem leaves are also used to protect clothing from insects.
The name Suomi (Finnish for "Finland") has uncertain origins, but a candidate for a cognate is the Proto-Baltic word zeme, meaning "land". In addition to the close relatives of Finnish (the Finnic languages), this name is also used in the Baltic languages Latvian and Lithuanian. Alternatively, the Indo-European word gʰm-on "man" (cf. Gothic guma, Latin homo) has been suggested, being borrowed as *ćoma. The word originally referred only to the province of Finland Proper, and later to the northern coast of Gulf of Finland, with northern lands such as Ostrobothnia still being excluded as late as the 18th century. Earlier theories suggested derivation from suomaa (fen land) or suoniemi (fen cape), and parallels between saame (Sami, a non-Finnish people in Finland) and Häme (a Finnish people and a province) were drawn, but these theories are now considered outdated. 0 件のコメント:
Skip navigation Serpentine & Nicomekl Lowlands Serpentine Fen Much of the land within both river lowland areas is very close to sea level as it historically was an intertidal zone. In the late 1800’s, farmers in the area began reclaiming the land for agricultural purposes through the installation of dykes and canals. Dyking of the Serpentine and Nicomekl rivers originally starting in the 1920’s, it wasn’t until the late 1950’s and the acquisition of a drag line that mechanized dredging along the both rivers became a regular project. Dredging was completed to build up the dykes, and remove silt. Dragline working on Nicomekl and Serpentine Rivers Courtesy of Surrey Archives Fry's Corner - 1962 Courtesy of Surrey Archives The original implementation schedule was expected to take 10-years, and cost $40 million. To date the City has been actively implementing various components since 1998 at a total cost of $35 million.Since implementing the Lowland Flood Control Strategic Plan in 1997 flooding in the Nicomekl and Serpentine floodplain has been significantly reduced.
Friday, January 22, 2016 Evidence Points To A Much Younger Earth. Did you know that evolutionary scientists use the constant rate of radioactive elemental decay to determine the age of the earth? However, since the late 1800's, polonium radioactive halos have been discovered, frozen in time, within granite, from all over the world. This can only have happened if granite had cooled instantly, not over billions of years, as the evolutionist say. Bottom line: This evidence points to a much younger earth than we what we are being told, in mainstream science. 1. The study of these halos have mostly been done on granite in which granite changes its form if it gets hot anyways. It's obvious that granite is a foundation stone. Not something that is molten and slowly cooling to form a solid rock. 2. I think the most important thing, to take away from this, is the fact that radioactive halos disipate completely, within miliseconds. If the granite cooled over billions or even millions years, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Carbon is the fourth most abundant element on our earth and is mainly found as fossil fuels and in all forms of plant and animal life. Carbon available in plants and animal life is a part of the all important ecosystem and is reserved exclusively for food chain and carbon cycle so very essential to all life on our planet.Carbon of fossil fuels is the only Carbon available to mankind to fulfil its overall requirements of metallurgy, hydrocarbons, plastics and the much sought after strong and light materials. For energy and electricity requirements the use of fossil fuels should be the last priority. In the light of limited resources of fossil fuels available to this world, barely sufficient to last, may be for five decades at the most, it is mandatory that we start curbing the use of fossil fuels for energy requirements which is terribly harmful to environment and tempers with the carbon cycle by enhancing green house effect thus contributing to global warming. All electricity requirements can be met easily by non fuel clean energy sources.In metallurgical industry,carbon should be used exclusively for metallurgical requirements of reduction of various ores to metals and the heating part should be looked after by energy from a renewable source. Transport industry is another guzzler of carbon fuels and in transport/ traction industry the efficiency is highly dependent upon the weight of the vehicle. This weight can be drastically reduced by switching over to light weight high strength carbon fibres thus achieving an almost 50% increase in the fuel efficiency resulting in a two way advantage of reducing hot CO2 emissions and using carbon for a better use. Hydrocarbons, plastics, solvents,organic fibres have a unique place in the advanced society and the world in future will be incomplete if it does not have access to these materials because the present generation depleted carbon resources by burning them recklessly.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016 Clumsy kiddo? Try PT for Balance Training! Lately I have been evaluating a ton of kiddos who parents say their biggest concern is their child's clumsiness. These kids tend to trip over their own feet, stumble over surface changes, and have difficulty going up and down the stairs safely. While poor balance can be seen in children with diagnoses such as cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, it can also present itself without an official diagnoses. What many parents don't know is that physical therapy can help with balance training! PT isn't just for children with developmental delays - as Physical Therapists, we are trained to improve or restore mobility, and balance training is one of our expertises! Earlier this year, Fong et al published a study and found that a specific functional movement–power training program was effective in the enhancement of balance strategies and neuromuscular performance in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). It also appears to be effective as a stand-alone intervention designed to improve balance strategies, postural stability, and leg muscle performance. Even if your child does not have a diagnosis of DCD, these exercises can still be taught to your kiddo to help them improve their balance! Here are the functional movement exercises from that study that you can use with your kiddos who are having trouble balancing: - Standing balance on a stability trainer! My personal favorite is the dynadisc, but you can also use a BOSU or a rocker board as well. This will help to train bipedal static balance and proprioception. Have them throw and catch a ball or reach for objects around them for a dynamic challenge! - One-leg balance on the ground! As simple as this exercise is, single leg balance helps to train unilateral static balance and proprioception. When we walk, we spend 40% of the time in swing phase, which means that we are only on one foot during this time, which makes working on single leg balance important for our daily mobility! Once they have mastered this, progress to one-leg balance on a stability trainer. - Walk along a straight line with heels raised to train dynamic balance and coordination! Progress to heel-to-toe walk along a straight line to facilitate dynamic coordinated muscle contractions in the limbs and trunk. - Double-leg jump forward! Jumping helps to train dynamic balance and coordination. Progress to single-leg hop forward - aka HOPSCOTCH! This also will help to strengthen the hip and knee extensors and calf muscles. - Walk and balance a ball on a plate simultaneously - you can have them play waiter/waitress! This exercises helps to train dynamic balance and coordination! These next sets of exercises are part of the power training program. Have them perform 4 sets of 10 of each of these exercises to improve lower limb muscle strength, power, and contraction speed. - Squats! You can have them hold onto heavier objects and toys as they progress to make an added strength challenge. - Hip flexion in supported standing! Have them pretend that they are marching like a soldier. You can use ankle weights or a Theraband for an added strength challenge. Have them unsupported for an added balance challenge! - Knee extension in sitting! Just like the hip flexion exercise, you can also use ankle weight or a Theraband for an added strength challenge. To make this exercise more fun, you can have them kick a ball or a balloon! - Hamstring curls while lying on their stomach, using ankle weights or a Theraband! - Ankle dorsiflexion! My favorite way to do this exercise is have them sitting on the floor and cue them to "bring their toes towards their nose" while pulling the Theraband. - Seated calf raises! If this is too easy, have them perform it in standing! Unsupported standing will also be an added balance challenge. Fong, S. S., Guo, X., Cheng, Y. T., Liu, K. P., Tsang, W. W., Yam, T. T., ... & Macfarlane, D. J. (2016). A Novel Balance Training Program for Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Medicine, 95(16). DISCLAIMER: "The San Diego Pediatric PT" claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please contact me via e-mail at with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed. Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Physical Therapy and Autism - Why PT is Beneficial! When a kiddo is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the services most used for these kiddos include Speech, Occupational Therapy (OT), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and Psych/Special Education(12). Many people don't realize that Physical Therapy is available for these kiddos as well! Some clinical findings that you may see with kiddos diagnosed with ASD include low promixal muscle tone (especially in their core region), delayed postural reflexes, poor integration of reflexes, difficulty crossing midline, difficulty with visual tracking, reliance on peripheral vision, and difficulty with playground tasks such a catching and kicking a ball(4). Many of these kiddos may have some form of dyspraxia, which is a developmental coordination disorder, and may have poor motor planning - their movement execution is intact, but their movement preparation may be atypical. Kiddos diagnosed with ASD have a lack of anticipation, which can be related to motivation and/or attention(7). They may have difficulty with imitating movements, as they may difficulty perceiving biological motion and their visual attention has less attention to salient aspects of human interaction(9). So where does PT come in? PT can help your kiddo improve their balance in order to access their environment more safely and independently. Studies show that kiddos diagnosed with ASD have abnormal proprioception, rely mostly on their visual system to maintain their balance, and have difficulty integrating their visual, vestibular, and somatosensory input for balance(5). Physical therapists are trained to help improve balance through a wide variety of static and dynamic tasks. Gait may also be affected in kiddos diagnosed with ASD. One study found that gait in children with autism was consistent with cerebellar ataxia - they had difficulty walking on a line, had variable stride lengths and gait speeds, and postural abnormalities and asymmetries(8). These kiddos also have difficulty making improvements with external cues such as visual markers. Once they are in action, they have difficult using environmental cues to modify their movement. Physical therapists are experts at gait! We can help your kiddo learn how to walk more safely and effectively to prevent future injury and allow them to access their environment more safely and independently. Kiddos diagnosed with ASD may also be at risk for becoming overweight/obese and have decreased fitness. Restrictive food preferences and gastrointestinal issues play a big role in overall fitness of kiddos diagnosed with ASD. Their decreased preference for group activities make it challenging for kiddos to participate in physical education class and extracurricular activities(3,6,10,11). Physical therapy can help your child boost their cardiovascular and muscular endurance through fun games and activities to help them stay active and decrease their risk of obesity! Here are some learning strategies for kiddos diagnosed with ASD(1,2): • Focus on specific items in memory tasks rather than relational processing or seeing the whole task. This also relates to movement! For example, instead of focusing on diving into a pool, separate the task into different parts and focus on each part of the sequence of the dive. • Use one or two dimension visual aides to help teach a child a task. Because they have difficulty perceiving human motion, having a cartoon picture of someone performing the task or a doll may help them to understand better. • If they are also receiving OT and Speech, ask their OT and their SLP how they communicate with the kiddo and what have been the best ways for them to have success. Kiddos diagnosed with ASD do well with structure, so by tailoring your treatment session in a way similar to how their other therapists do their sessions will be beneficial for the kiddo to have success. 1. Bowler, D. M., Limoges, E., & Mottron, L. (2009). Different verbal learning strategies in autism spectrum disorder: Evidence from the Rey auditory verbal learning test. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(6), 910-915. 2. Brown, J., Aczel, B., Jiménez, L., Kaufman, S. B., & Grant, K. P. (2010). Intact implicit learning in autism spectrum conditions. The quarterly journal of experimental psychology, 63(9), 1789-1812. 3. Lang, R., Koegel, L. K., Ashbaugh, K., Regester, A., Ence, W., & Smith, W. (2010). Physical exercise and individuals with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4(4), 565-576. 4. Ming, X., Brimacombe, M., & Wagner, G. C. (2007). Prevalence of motor impairment in autism spectrum disorders. Brain and Development, 29(9), 565-570. 5. Molloy, C. A., Dietrich, K. N., & Bhattacharya, A. (2003). Postural stability in children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 33(6), 643-652. 6. Rimmer, J. H., Yamaki, K., Lowry, B. M., Wang, E., & Vogel, L. C. (2010). Obesity and obesity‐related secondary conditions in adolescents with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 54(9), 787-794. 7. Rinehart, N. J., Bradshaw, J. L., Brereton, A. V., & Tonge, B. J. (2001). Movement preparation in high-functioning autism and Asperger disorder: a serial choice reaction time task involving motor reprogramming. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 31(1), 79-88. 8. Rinehart, N. J., Tonge, B. J., Iansek, R., McGinley, J., Brereton, A. V., Enticott, P. G., & Bradshaw, J. L. (2006). Gait function in newly diagnosed children with autism: cerebellar and basal ganglia related motor disorder.Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(10), 819-824. 10. Sowa, M., & Meulenbroek, R. (2012). Effects of physical exercise on autism spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(1), 46-57. 12. Wise, M. D., Little, A. A., Holliman, J. B., Wise, P. H., & Wang, C. J. (2010). Can state early intervention programs meet the increased demand of children suspected of having autism spectrum disorders?. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 31(6), 469-476. 13. Ronan, S. (2015). An Evidence Based Approach to Gross Motor Dysfunction in Children with Autism [Powerpoint slides]. Retrieved from Columbia University Program in Physical Therapy.
Gastric Tube Placement What is a Gastrostomy Tube? Gastrostomy (G-Tube) is the insertion of a tube through the abdomen wall and into the stomach. The tube is used for feeding or drainage. It can be inserted with surgery or by more minimally invasive means, such as under x-ray guidance by an interventional radiologist. Reason for Placement The purpose of gastrostomy tube placement is generally to provide a patient temporary or permanent feeding directly through a tube in the stomach. Reasons for difficulty feeding may be from disorders of the mouth, esophagus, or stomach. Gastrostomy tube placement may also be indicated in disorders causing obstruction of the intestines. The procedure is relatively simple and safe. As with any invasive procedure, patients should not be currently taking medications which affect the ability of blood clotting (aspirin, plavix, coumadin, heparin, etc). If a patient is on any of these medications, they should notify the physician performing the procedure to determine what changes in medication administration should be made prior to gastrostomy placement. In addition, some prescription medications may increase risks associated with anesthesia. Pre-Procedure Evaluation Prior to the gastrostomy, the patient will meet with the physician and supporting staff to explain the procedure and evaluate any special conditions that may affect tube placement. The patient will likely be asked to have blood drawn to evaluate for any bleeding disorder. It is important that you do not drink or eat 6 hours prior to the procedure. Procedural Description Gastrostomy tube insertion can be performed by an interventional radiologist, gastroenterologist, or general surgeon. Interventional radiologists use x-ray guidance and minimally invasive techniques to perform the procedure. This generally results in less complications and faster recovery time. It also allows the patient to avoid the need for general anesthesia (where the patient is place in a deep sleep). Interventional radiologists will use conscious sedation (the patient will be in a twilight sleep). Pain medication will be given as well in order to minimize any discomfort. After the patient is given conscious sedation, the skin on the abdominal wall will be cleaned and ‘numbed up’. Then a small incision will be made on the upper left aspect of the abdomen. Next, a small incision is made on the skin. This allows passage of a small plastic tube into the stomach. The inside of the tube is hollow and will allow feeding material to be delivered to the stomach. Once the tube is in place it will be secured to the abdominal wall and stomach. No stitches are needed. The procedure in Radiology, is performed while using x-rays to guide placement of the tube. The tube is placed with the use of T-fastner that hold the Stomach to the Abdominal wall for placement. These will need to be removed in 10-14 days. You will be given Intructions prior to discharge. Gastrostomy tube placement itself lasts approximately 30 min – 1-hour . Usually the patient can have gastrostomy tube placement and not require overnight hospitalization. The patient and their family will be instructed on care of the tube and discharged after the sedative medication resolves. The patient will stay approximately 2 hours after the tube is placed in the holding recovery area. Post-Procedure Care Immediately following the procedure, the patient MUST NOT EAT OR DRINK FOR 12 HOURS. After 12 hours water may be place through the tube After 24 hours the patient can begin clear feedings through the tube. Feedings are then gradually increased.as tolerated. Patients and their families are taught how to care for the tube, recognize and prevent infection around the tube, how to feed through the tube, how to handle tube blockage, what to do if the tube pulls out, and what normal activities can be continued. There are few risks associated with this procedure. The main potential complications are infection, bleeding, dislodgment of the tube, stomach bloating, and nausea. You should report these complications if they are not controlled by the medications provided. Dislodgment of the tube should be reported immediately. Consent Forms If you elect to have this procedure done, please click «HERE» to print, read and sign the consent forms. The physician will go over the entire procedure with you during your appointment to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have.
Implementing A Locale / Language Selector The Problem Android applications are distributed to users around the world, and these users aren’t always going to speak the same languages as you. Luckily, Android has excellent built-in support for automatically applying the right language, however this isn’t always enough. Sometimes a user may want to choose their language, and unfortunately there’s no built-in way to support this. The game Pixel Blacksmith uses the technique described in this article. The Solution To allow changing language, the Locale needs to be overridden and set to the user’s choice. How the user selects a language isn’t too important, in this example a spinner was chosen since it was the easiest to work with. This choice is stored as a shared preference that is then applied every time the application launches. On Startup Inside the application class, or early on in the main activity, a call to LanguageHelper.updateLanguage() is made, which will handle the locale overwriting. It is passed the application context, which is required to access shared preferences and modify the locale later on. This function looks up the saved language from shared preferences, then passes that to the main updateLanguage() function, described in the next section. public static void updateLanguage(Context ctx) { String lang = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(ctx).getString("locale", ""); updateLanguage(ctx, lang); Changing Locale When a context and 2 character locale (e.g. “en” for English or “es” for Spanish) are passed, this new locale is saved in shared preferences. Then, so long as the language string isn’t empty, a new Locale is created using it, and this Locale is applied using updateConfiguration(). Note that this method now appears to be deprecated, and it doesn’t look like a quick fix, but in your case it may be worth implementing. private static void updateLanguage(Context ctx, String lang) { PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(ctx).edit().putString("locale", lang).apply(); Configuration cfg = new Configuration(); if (!TextUtils.isEmpty(lang)) { cfg.locale = new Locale(lang); } else { cfg.locale = Locale.getDefault(); ctx.getResources().updateConfiguration(cfg, null); Selecting A Language When a language from the spinner is selected, the following onItemSelected() method is called. Most of the code is not specific to this example, but the important line is the LanguageHelper.updateLanguage() method, which is passed a context, and the position selected (+1 to account for zero indexing), which refers to a predefined language ID. setting.setIntValue(position + 1);; LanguageHelper.updateLanguage(activity, position + 1); ToastHelper.showPositiveToast(parentView, ToastHelper.SHORT, parentView.getSelectedItem().toString(), true); This updateLanguage() wrapper needs to look up the locale string from the ID / position passed. The numbers are sequential for ease of us in this example. public static void updateLanguage(Context context, int language) { updateLanguage(context, getLocaleById(language)); private static String getLocaleById(int id) { switch (id) { case Constants.LANG_ENGLISH: return "en"; case Constants.LANG_FRENCH: return "fr"; ... more languages omitted ... case Constants.LANG_GERMAN: return "de"; return ""; Once a language string is obtained, the normal updateLanguage() function can be used, and the language is set immediately, and will be automatically reapplied when the application restarts. The Conclusion Localising applications is essential if users who don’t speak your language are to be engaged. Giving the users the ability to choose their own language gives them an extra element of control, which many will appreciate. It also helps when testing translations during development, as languages can be easily switched, without requiring changing the system Locale, or starting a new emulator. All code used in this article is available as a Gist. Some of the code is modified from a StackOverflow answer. One thought on “Implementing A Locale / Language Selector Leave a Reply You are commenting using your account. Log Out / Change ) Twitter picture Facebook photo Google+ photo Connecting to %s
Languages Other Than English (LOTE) What better way to learn a language than to immerse oneself the customs and delights of the target language. It is recognised at St Brigid’s that the students will become citizens of the world, enjoying many opportunities to live and work with people from different countries. It is through a study of languages other than English that we can best prepare the students to meet such a challenge. Students gain an understanding of other societies, the ability to interact with people from cultures other than their own, and practical skills, which they can use in future years. Japanese and Italian are offered at the College. Students also have the opportunity to participate in overseas exchange tours.
salsa dance for kids The teens perform salsa dance for their school event. Salsa is a dance form that is a fusion of Cuban Son and Afro-Cuban dance. The dance is associated with salsa music, but it can also be danced along with other types of Latin-American music. Salsa is normally a partner dance, making it a popular social dance in many countries including Australia. Are your children into dancing? Then you can let them try salsa dance for kids! • Category: Performing Arts, dancing • Approximate age to start salsa: 2 years old • Approximate price: $15 to $100 • Gear/equipment needed and approximate price range: ballroom dance outfit (around $35), salsa shoes (around $30) • Best period of the year: Anytime • School holiday programs available: YES A video of salsa dance for kids Salsa dancing enables the dancers to have a very flexible body as well to have body coordination. Look how flexible and precise these kids' moves are! Information on Salsa dance for kids Is salsa dance a great activity for your kids? Dancing is one of those activities for kids that allow them to stay fit and healthy while having fun. Dancing is a great form of exercise. Ballroom dancing for kids is a type of partner dance and social dancing. Salsa for kids is a type of ballroom dance. It is a dance of leading and following, and just like any other form of art, it also serves as a great means of self-expression. Kids these days lack physical activity. With salsa dance for kids, they will get to have their much needed exercise while enjoying fun kids activities and making new friends. Salsa dance for kids is taught at a dance academy or at a dance school for kids. Besides learning the salsa basic dance steps that are danced to the tune of salsa music, the toddlers will also learn about the Spanish culture like some customs and the Spanish language. Dance lessons including salsa dance for kids also give some benefits that will be useful to their everyday lives. • Socialisation skills Salsa dance classes are a safe environment where kids can learn, play and make new friends. Environments like this can help kids be more comfortable in social situations. • Exercise benefits Dancing is a great way to get kids to be active. Salsa helps kids move their muscles and joints; and it also helps build good mind and muscle coordination. • Personality development Salsa also benefits the children emotionally. It is a good stress reliever that takes away anger and depression. It also helps develop self-confidence as well as confidence with the opposite sex as salsa is a partner dance. Salsa dancing also requires discipline that kids can apply to the work environment when they are older. • Respect for diversity Salsa, which originated from another country, can make kids learn the diversity of cultures of different countries. They will learn to appreciate and respect them Another form of dance that you can let your kids learn that also gives the similar benefits, including cultural diversity, is the Middle Eastern belly dancing for kids. You can find in our ActiveActivities Directory all the dance schools in Australia that teaches belly dancing and salsa dance for kids. There are also available salsa teachers that you can hire to teach your kids at home. With proper lessons, training, and guidance, dancing can help in their emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development. Salsa dance for kids is a good choice! Articles related to your search:
Political Culture, Neopatrimonialism, and Foreign Relations in the DRC After decades of war and violence, the Democratic Republic of Congo, at least on a surface level, appears to be recovering, albeit slowly. Years of decline due to the corruption that came with weak political institutions caused what should be a promising country due to vast resources and territory to become effectively a war zone, ruled in a patrimonial then neopatrimonial fashion by the political elite, and their friends and family, both domestic and international. Corruption has been far too common in what is now the DRC since Joseph Mobutu seized power following the hasty installation of a government under Patrice Lumuba, as Belgium withdrew from the continent in the 1960s. Mobutu, like Leopold before him, utilized the country as a personal piggy-bank, taking advantage of the vast resources it had to offer to accumulate enourmous wealth, and allowing those closest to him, including partners from the United States (the U.S. viewed Mobutu as anti-Soviet) and other foreign powers significant advantages in extraction and trade. Today, current President Joseph Kabila has been implicated by international watchdogs in similar corrupt activities, even though Kabila’s father led forces which overthrew Mobutu’s reign. This is significant, because it highlights the political culture in the DRC, which allows neopatrimonial corruption, and even expects it from its leaders. Although Kabila has pledged to combat the problem of corruption within his government, “there is neither indication of firm political will, nor evidence of progress beyond the establishment of a strong legal framework, which is rarely enforced in practice.” (transparency.org) This is consistent with Taylor’s and Williams’ assertion that “neopatrimonial states house hybrid regimes wherein the informal mechanisms of political authority described above ‘coexist with the formal trappings of the modern state’ such as a bureaucracy, written laws and the institutions of a Weberian legalrational system.” (Taylor and Williams) The political culture of the DRC, along with its neopatrimonial structure provide ample opportunity for foreign powers to take advantage of the DRC within the international community. For example, China is far and away the DRC’s largest trading partner, accounting for 43.5% of exports, primarily of raw materials including copper, gold, cobalt, wood, and even diamonds. (CIA World Factbook) The structures in place allow for close relationships between those political elite who control natural resources, and foreign (especially Chinese) investors. These relationships have been evidenced by the skyrocketing net worth of not only Kabila, but his close group of advisors called “the Kabila boys.” (BBC) Although Kabila himself has never been implicated in any corrupt extractive schemes, one of the “Kabila boys”, Katumba Mwenke was accused of profiteering off of the recent five-year civil war through shady dealings with Zimbabwe. This is consistent with Cameron Thies’ idea that increased incidences of war can be linked to increased extraction. (Thies) Although on a surface level, Joseph Kabila appears committed to ending neopatrimonialism, and severing toxic international relationships, his actions show otherwise. Only time will tell whether or not the DRCs’ vast resources will ever be used not only for the economic benefit of a privileged political elite, but for the good of the entire nation. “National Design and State Building in Sub-Saharan Africa” – Cameron g. Thies “Political Culture, State Elites and Regional Security in West Africa” – Ian Taylor and Paul D. Williams This entry was posted in Country Post. Bookmark the permalink.
Reach us Opening Hours : Contact : +971566622721 All About kidney Stone Treatments Kidney Stones There are a variety of types of kidney stone, and are far more common than most people would think. It’s estimated that nearly one in ten people in the UAE will have a kidney stone at some stage in their life. What causes kidney stones? Urine contains a variety of minerals including calcium, oxalate and uric acid. If your urine contains more of these substances than your urine can dilute, stones can form. When the stones are less than 0.1 inch (3mm), they can generally be passed in the urine,and there are no symptoms. Types of kidney stones The most common kidney stones are calcium stones. Generally, they are calcium oxalate, but can also be calcium phosphate. Oxalate is formed in the liver, and is present in fruits, nuts and chocolate. A range of factors can increase your body’s concentration of oxalate, providing conditions for stones to form. Uric acid stones can form when you don’t drink enough fluids; have high protein diets,suffer from gout, or possibly from genetic causes. Strusive stones can form and grow quickly, with little warning, and can form following infections (e.g. urinary tract infections). There are some other, rare stones such as cystine stones, which are caused by geneticfactors (where people excrete too much cystinuria, a form of amino acid). Signs and Symptoms Kidney stones can be incredibly painful. Renal colic is caused by the stone blocking the ureter. Pain radiates from the groin to the lower back, and comes in waves that can last between 20 and 60 minutes. There will also be pain when urinating. Urine may be discolored (brown, pink or red) or cloudy, and smell bad. Some people experience a persistent need to urinate, urinate more frequently than usual, and only pass small amounts of urine. For some, nausea and vomiting are also symptoms. Diagnosis and Investigation Doctors will organize tests if they suspect kidney stones. Tests include blood (to measure calcium or uric acid); urine (where tests will identify low levels of stone-forming minerals); X-rays (after a dye is injected), CT imaging; and testing of any small stones that you pass. Kidney Stone Treatments Options For many kidney stones, treatment can be simple as drinking lots and lots of water to help flush out the urinary system. If you’re likely to pass a small stone, we recommend taking pain relief such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. When the stone is a little larger, he noted that doctors will prescribe a medication that helps relax the muscles in your ureter, helping the stone to pass more quickly and with less pain. If the stone can’t be passed, Treatment depends on the type of stone and the severity of your symptoms: ● Using sound waves to break up stones. ● Medical therapy ● Surgery to remove very large stones in the kidney ● Using a scope to remove stones. ● Parathyroid gland surgery. A sound-wave treatment will help create shock waves through your kidney to break up the stone. The treatment is called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). This is a little painful so you may need sedation or light anesthesia. Where stones are larger, or where ESWL is not successful, we’ll organize surgery to remove the stone via. This can be through a scope inserted through your ureter, or through keyhole surgery through your back. For some patients, removing the stone is only part of the issue. People who suffer from overactive parathyroid glands may require the removal of the gland to stop the recurrence of stones. Feel free to contact Call/Whatsapp : 971527403053 Leave a Reply
What Is the Scope of a Career in Mechanical Engineering? Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest branches of engineering. It is said to be the evergreen branch of engineering. Careers in mechanical are tremendous and so are the opportunities to grow and develop your skills. An average mechanical engineer earns about $80,000 an year. If you add a Master’s degree to your mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree, you can expect almost the double of that. The job of a mechanical engineer varies from designing a car engine to making a simple hair dryer. This world cannot be run without machines and so this world cannot run without mechanical engineers also. Our life is surrounded by the creations of mechanical engineers. The scope for mechanical engineer careers is great. Read on to find out more about the scope for a career in mechanical engineering. Designing: Mechanical engineers are responsible for the design/invention of many technologies that we use today in our day-to-day life. You can easily get a designing job for a company if you have a good imagination. For example, a car company has to design a new engine for a new car they wish to launch in the market. So, they need mechanical engineers for that. Nowadays we are progressing towards nanotechnology and robotics. Both use mechanical engineering concepts. The average salary for designing is around Rs.10-12 lakh per annum. Supervision: Some already established companies, which have no interest in launching any new product anytime soon, hire fresh graduates as supervision staff/officers. In this job, you just need to understand the machine and working of a machine and as the name goes by you just need to supervise if the technicians are working properly or not. The average salary for this kind of job is from Rs.10,000 to Rs.25,000. Manufacturing Company: Many companies have their own manufacturing units where they produce their best-selling products of high quality. To maintain the quality of these products and smooth functioning of the manufacturing process, it needs to be made sure that the machines involved in the process are working fine. To ensure this, a mechanical engineer is needed. Innovation:To fulfil the constant need of clients, a company has to come up with new inventions according to their requirements. This cannot be done without the help of a mechanical engineer. Though the complete process requires all aspects of engineering, the base stands on mechanical engineering. Government Sector: Mechanical engineers can apply for many government jobs such as the railways, ISRO, DRDO. Though you have to be really knowledgeable to make it to these organisations, as a mechanical engineer you have an option. You can also apply for the armed forced as well as merchant navy. Teaching Profession: If you have done Masters or PhD in mechanical engineering, you can always apply to be a professor in any college/university. The scope of jobs in mechanical engineering is endless and infinite. You can land a job in almost any sector if you are a mechanical engineer.
current issue button about TXCC button back issues button manuscript guidelines button resources button Acquire PDF for full version of this article. (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader®) Infant caregiving: How to be responsive Responsive caregiving is essential to the well-being of infants, children birth to 3 years old (Brebner, Hammond, Schaumloffle, and Lind 2015). Infants are ready from birth to form social relationships with their caregivers. They babble, smile, and wriggle with anticipation, inviting adults to interact (National Scientific Council on the Developing Child; NSCDC 2012). The importance of responsive caregiving to infants’ overall development cannot be overstated. It fosters healthy brain development. It increases the likelihood that infants will achieve cognitive-language, physical-motor, and social-emotional milestones. In contrast, an absence of responsive caregiving is linked to learning, behavior, and health problems that can last a lifetime (NSCDC 2012). But sometimes caregivers are unsure about what responsive caregiving looks like and why it’s so important. What is responsive caregiving? Infants are highly dependent upon the adults who care for them. In order to thrive, they need caregivers who are responsive to their needs, interests, and abilities. Responsive care begins with an awareness of infants’ ways of communicating their needs and interests. Meeting infants’ physical needs according to their own rhythms plays a big part in responsive care. A responsive caregiver takes cues from each infant, accurately responding to an infant’s individual pattern of sleep, hunger, and alertness (Kovach and Da Ros 1998). A responsive caregiver may be feeding one infant while observing one who is sleeping and talking to another infant having tummy time. Responding to infants’ cues fosters their trust in the caregiver. It also helps infants feel in control of what is happening with them. Trust and empowerment are both ingredients of overall healthy development. Examples of responsive care There are many ways to be responsive to infants’ cues. What follows are just a few examples. Some may be familiar, and some you may want to try. Being responsive to infants’ many ways of communicating. Familiarity with infants’ early attempts at communication includes knowing each individual infant’s verbal (cries, coos, goos, gurgles, babbles, chuckles) and nonverbal (smiling, frowning, pointing, waving, holding up arms to be held) cues (Brebner, Hammond, Schaumloffle, and Lind 2015; Parks 2014). For example, Jorge may indicate hunger with soft whimpering cries, whereas Daliah may announce her hunger with loud wailing. Responsive caregivers are also familiar with subtle signals from infants who tend to be more difficult to engage or who are withdrawn (Texas Workforce Commission 2015). Recognizing children’s strong emotional reactions to changes in caregivers (Margetts 2005). Responsive caregivers recognize infants’ individual reactions to stressful transitions, such as when Mommy leaves, and provide individualized support to the infants. Responsive caregivers try various comfort techniques until they find those that comfort an infant. For example, walking to the window and waving “Bye-bye” may be a comforting ritual for one infant, whereas another may be soothed by soft singing. Talking about what the infant and caregiver are doing during routines (Kovach and Da Ros 1998). Rather than silently and quickly changing a diaper, responsive caregivers take advantage of routine caregiving activities to provide individualized attention: “Sophia, I think you need your diaper changed; you sound like you are uncomfortable. Let’s go the diaper-changing table. Yes, you need your diaper changed. A clean diaper will feel so good. I can see by your smile that you agree!” Allowing infants to solve their own problems when safe and developmentally appropriate. Responsive caregivers provide just enough help for infants to solve their own problems (Kovach and Da Ros 1998; University of Missouri Infant/Toddler Responsive Caregiving Checklist 2009). This requires that caregivers know infants’ individual developmental capabilities as well their indicators of stress and frustration. Responsive caregivers know infants’ preferred soothing measures. For example, 2-year-old Asha responds to verbal coaching while completing a one-piece puzzle: “That’s it. Turn the piece a little more. You did it!” But Christopher prefers the caregiver to guide his hand while narrating what he is doing: “See how this part of the bunny ear is pointy. Here’s the pointy part of the puzzle. Let’s match the pointy parts. There. You did it! Hooray for you!” Encouraging infants to solve problems within their current abilities helps them feel capable and competent (Kovach and Da Ros 1998). Identifying infants’ feelings (Petersen and Wittmer 2008; University of Missouri Infant/Toddler Responsive Caregiving Checklist 2009). Responsive caregivers tune into and label infants’ current emotions. For example, Ms. Robins moves over to Precious who is sobbing while seated at the sensory table: “You look very unhappy. Is that how you feel? What happened? Oh, I see. Your playdough fell on the floor. That frustrated you. Here, I’ll pull out the chair so you can bend down and reach it. There you go! You’re smiling now. You look happy.” Throughout this exchange, Ms. Robins remains calm, comforting, and capable. Labeling infants’ current feelings helps them build a rich vocabulary of emotions. Writing and implementing curriculum plans that emphasize child-initiated and individualized learning (Lally and Mangione 2006). A set curriculum focuses primarily on adult-initiated activities rather than individualized learning. Activities that support social-emotional development, for example, would emphasize individualized opportunities for infants to interact with peers and caregivers. And, importantly, responsive lesson plans reflect each infants’ unique pattern of cues and daily rhythms. Responsive plans are also flexible so that the caregiver can respond to infants’ changing feelings, interests, and needs. Before writing lesson plans for the next week, for example, Ms. Luna reflects about what happened during the current week. She muses, “Anya and Keith interacted while playing in the water table. I’ll include water play several times next week, using some of the props that were most successful in supporting their play together.” The examples above illustrate some of the many ways caregivers can be responsive to the infants in their care. We know that responsive infant care is linked to infants’ overall well-being. It fosters the development of a healthy brain and body and also helps infants master cognitive-language and social skills (Gowani, Yousafzai, Armstrong, and Bhutta 2013; Vazir, Engle, Balakrishna, Griffiths, Johnson, Creed-Kanashiro, Fernandez Rao, Shroff, and Bentley 2013). Long-term nonresponsive care, in contrast, can have serious, negative impacts on infants’ well-being. Nonresponsive care can lead to developmental delays Misunderstandings occur in all relationships, especially at the beginning. For example, a caregiver may initially misunderstand an infant’s hunger cue. With time and persistence, however, the caregiver will learn how to accurately respond to that infant’s cue. Additionally, there are missteps in long-term relationships. A caregiver could underestimate an infant’s readiness to pursue a new developmental milestone. Occasional, short-lived misunderstandings and missteps are inevitable and do not represent a danger to infants’ development in otherwise loving and responsive environments (NSCDC 2012). Long-term missteps and misunderstandings between nonresponsive caregivers and infants, however, can lead to developmental delays. Examples of nonresponsive care include young children having few opportunities for interactions with adult caregivers or situations in which infants are left in front of television for long periods (NSCDC 2012). These long-term nonresponsive and unstimulating environments can be related to a caregiver’s lack of understanding about infants’ developmental needs. Successful efforts to reverse developmental delays include providing support to the caregiver as well as high-quality early care and education for the infant (NSCDC 2012). Important: The chronic lack of responsive care coupled with a failure to provide for an infant’s basic needs is neglect and requires more intensive and sometimes immediate intervention. Neglect is a form of child abuse and must be reported to Child Protective Services. In Texas call 1-800-252-5400. Infant caregivers need support Caring for infants is highly stressful because infants are highly dependent on caregivers for meeting all their needs. Additionally, caregivers must be familiar with the developmental levels of the multiple infants in their care so that they can provide activities that appropriately challenge the infants (Margetts 2005). High stress can interfere with caregivers’ ability to be responsive (Margetts 2005). For these and other reasons, caregivers need time and space to recharge their mental and physical energy at different points during the day. This means that another familiar caregiver needs to be available to ensure the responsive caregiving continues in the absence of the primary caregiver. Primary caregiving is beneficial for the well-being of both infants and caregivers. In primary caregiving, caregivers are responsible for the daily care of three or four infants (National Association for the Education of Young Children 2013). Infants benefit because their caregivers get to know the infants’ cues. This knowledge enables caregivers to provide experiences responsive to the infants’ biological rhythms, needs, interests, and abilities (Lally, Torres, and Phelps n.d.). Caregivers benefit because they feel more responsible and competent, show greater pride in their work, and are happier (Margetts 2005; Petersen and Wittmer 2008). These feelings of competency and pride are linked to caregivers’ knowledge of the typical developmental milestones of infants in the physical-motor, language-cognitive, and social-emotional domains. This knowledge enhances caregivers’ ability to tune into even subtle cues of infants’ readiness for an upcoming milestone. It also helps them identify individual differences in expected patterns of development. With this knowledge, caregivers can be responsive to infants’ learning interests. For example, a watchful, responsive caregiver, such as Mr. Moses, notices 9-month-old Isabella’s fascination with the fish in the aquarium: “Isabella, you are watching the fish swim in the aquarium. I see a blue fish right there. There are one, two, three, four, five fish in the aquarium.” Mr. Moses acknowledges her interest and enriches the experience with language. Responsive care: Essential to infant well-being Responsive caregiving is essential to infants’ well-being because it fosters healthy brain development and increases the likelihood that infants will achieve cognitive-language, physical-motor, and social-emotional milestones. In contrast, long-term nonresponsive care is related to developmental delays. Caregivers can be responsive to infants’ individual rhythms and unique cues in many ways. At the same time, responsive caregiving is stressful, and caregivers need support in order to contribute to the well-being of infants in their care. Brebner, Chris, Lauren Hammond, Nicole Schaumloffel, and Christopher Lind. 2015. Using relationships as a tool: Early childhood educators’ perspectives of the child-caregiver relationship in a childcare setting. Early Child Development and Care, 185 (5), 709-726. Gowani, Saima, Aisha K. Yousafzai, Robert Armstrong, and Zulfiqar A. Bhutta. 2013. Cost effectiveness of responsive stimulation and nutrition intervention on early child development outcomes in Pakistan. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1308, 149-161. Kovach, Beverly K. and Denise A. Da Ros. 1998. Respectful, individual, and responsive caregiving for infants. Young Children, 53 (3), 61-64. Lally, J. Ronald and Peter Mangione. 2006. The uniqueness of infancy demands a responsive approach to care. Young Children, 61 (4), 14-20. Lally, J. Ronald, Yolanda Ledon Torres, and Pamela C. Phelps, n.d. Caring for Infants and Toddlers in Groups, Margetts, Kay. 2005. Responsive caregiving: Reducing stress in infant toddler care. International Journal of Early Childhood, 37 (2), 77-84. National Association for the Education of Young Children. 2013. Teacher-Child Ratios within Group Size (assessed in Criterion 10.B.12), National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. 2012. The Science of Neglect: The Persistent Absence of Responsive Care Disrupts the Developing Brain: Working Paper 12, Parks, Louise. 2014. Sensorimotor development: Hands-on activities for infants and toddlers. Texas Child Care Quarterly, 37 (4), Peterson, Sandra and Donna Wittmer. 2008. Relationship-based infant care, on demand, and predictable. Young Children, 63 (3), 40-42. Texas Workforce Commission. 2015. Texas Rising Star Child Care Provider Certification Guidelines, University of Missouri Infant/Toddler Responsive Caregiving Checklist. 2009, Vazir, Shahnaz, Patrice Engle, Nagalla Balakrishna, Paula l. Griffiths, Susan L. Johnson, Hilary Creed-Kanashiro, Sylvia Fernandez Rao, Monal R. Shroff, and Margaret E. Bentley. 2013. Cluster-randomized trial on complementary and responsive feeding education to caregivers found improved dietary intake, growth and development among rural Indian toddlers. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 9, 99-117.
The Red Project The Red Project allows student to pick the subject matter for the project with the only obligation being to shoot high quality photographs that showcase the color red. The image can be altered to isolate the red in the picture, but it is not acceptable to artificially add red to the image. Each student will turn in a minimum of 25 unedited pictures and 5 final images. Red is a very emotionally intense color. It has very high visibility, which is why stop signs, stoplights, and fire equipment are usually painted red. Red is used to indicate courage. It is a color found in many national flags. Red brings text and images to the foreground. It is used as an accent color to stimulate people to make quick decisions; it is a perfect color for ‘Buy Now’ or ‘Click Here’ buttons on Internet banners and websites. Red is widely used to indicate danger (high voltage signs, traffic lights). This color is also commonly associated with energy, so you can use it when promoting energy drinks, games, cars, items related to sports and high physical activity. To make any color stand out, surround it with the color’s complement. In this case, green is red’s complement but any color that is closely opposite, (green, blue, purple) will work. Branding – why red & yellow is used by the fast food industry Color of power Student work from 2015-2016 Student work from 2013-2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 TRS connector A TRS connector (tip, ring, and sleeve) also called an audio jack, phone plug, jack plug, stereo plug, mini-jack, or mini-stereo, is a common audio connector. It is cylindrical in shape, typically with three contacts, although sometimes with two (a TS connector) or four (a TRRS connector). It was invented for use in telephone switchboards in the 19th century and is still widely used, both in its original quarter-inch (6.3 mm) size and in miniaturized versions. The connector's name is an initialize derived from the names of three conducting parts of the plug: Tip, Ring, and Sleeve – hence, TRS. In the UK, the terms jack plug and jack socket are commonly used for the respectively male and female TRS connectors. In the U.S., a female connector is called a jack. The terms phone plug and phone jack are commonly used to refer to TRS connectors, but are also sometimes used colloquially to refer to RJ11 and older telephone plugs and the corresponding jacks that connect wired telephones to wall outlets. (The similar terms phonon plug and phonon jack refers to RCA connectors.) To unambiguously refer to the connectors described here, the diameter or other qualifier is often added, e.g. 1/4-inch phone plug", "3.5 mm phone jack, and balanced phone jack or stereo phone plug for the three-contact version. No comments:
Press "Enter" to skip to content February is “Adopt a Rescued Rabbit” Month Article contributed by: Phyllis O'Beollain February is ‘adopt a rescued rabbit month’ Why a rabbit? Rabbits are quiet, very clean, and don’t require annual vaccinations (they do require an annual checkup). They don’t require daily walks, they won't go after the postal carrier, they will use a litter box, and they are comforting, soothing friends. As with any pet, you need to do thorough research on bunny basics to make sure a house rabbit is the right pet for you (rabbits are generally not good pets for younger children, as rabbits do not generally like being held and a rabbit's spine can be very severely damaged from being improperly held). If you are still not sure that a house rabbit is the right choice, volunteer at your local rabbit rescue or humane society before making the decision to adopt. House rabbits have their own unique personalities, and are naturally most active in the mornings and evenings; they nap during the day and at night (this works well with the busy schedule of most families). House rabbits do not require a lot of care but they do require daily care, which includes providing a constant supply of fresh food and water, clean indoor living quarters and a clean litter box. They must be played with and interacted with daily; however if you get an already bonded pair, their bunny buddy can provide much of the companionship. Bonded bunnies will groom each other, entertain each other and generally keep each other company when you are away at work. As they will use the same cage, same food and water bowls and (usually) the same litter box, the daily chores will not take up any more time than with one bunny (and there is nothing sweeter than two bunnies kissing each other’s face and then snuggling with their faces pressed together). Why adopt a rescued rabbit? House rabbits are the #3 most euthanized pet; adopting a rabbit saves a life.. Adopting a rabbit from a rescue group means you are getting a rabbit that has been worked with on a daily basis and has a personality that is known to the rescue workers: volunteers can tell you which rabbits are more timid, which are bold and brassy, and which ones just like you to sit and pet them. Rabbits at rescues have been examined by a veterinarian, are in good health and are spayed or neutered. However, if you adopt a rabbit and are later unable to keep the rabbit for any reason, PLEASE do not turn your rabbit loose. Domestic rabbits will not survive on their own, and they will not move in with their wild ‘cousins’; bring your bunny back to the rescue from which you adopted it (yet another reason to adopt from a rescue)! Do your homework. Know the details of rabbit ownership: read up on house rabbit basics and talk to other rabbit owners. If you decide that a house rabbit is for you, then visit a house rabbit rescue and make February ‘adopt a rescued rabbit’ for your household! Phyllis O'Beollain is a pet enthusiast with a healthcare background; she is a member of the Dayton Area Rabbit Network, the Buckeye House Rabbit Society, the Columbus House Rabbit Society and the Ohio House Rabbit Rescue. She and her daughter live in a household ruled by 3 rescued rabbits. Leave a Reply
Testing Anti-Müllerian Hormone to Determine Egg Reserves by Scott Roseff, MD Golden egg sitting amoung ordinary white eggsEGG QUALITY starts declining when a woman is in her mid-20's! There is a slow decline in quality from about age 24 to age 30, followed by a fairly quick decline between age 30 and age 35, with a rapid decrease between ages 35 and 40. And, over age 40, egg quality is generally quite poor. All of this may make it difficult to get pregnant... OVARIAN RESERVE describes a woman's capacity to produce a reasonable quantity of good quality eggs. Of course, measuring a woman's ovarian reserve is very important in determining why someone may not be getting pregnant, as well as in finding out the ease (if she has good eggs) or difficulty (if she has poor eggs) with which a pregnancy may be realized. Women with normal ovarian reserve (good eggs) may conceive via simple therapies (such as timed intrauterine insemination), while women with abnormal ovarian reserve (poor eggs) may require in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or even IVF with donor eggs. Until now, we have only been able to INDIRECTLY measure a woman's ovarian reserve via a cycle day 3 FSH/estradiol blood test, or through a "Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) Challenge Test", or CCCT. These tests measured the brain's hormones which were INDIRECTLY affected by the ovary's egg quality. While these tests were the best we had, we now have a more modern and sensitive blood test which DIRECTLY measures a woman's ovarian reserve! The human egg is "housed" inside a structure called the follicle. The follicle is comprised of specialized cells called granulosa cells. The granulosa cells produce a specific hormone directly and predictably linked to egg quality, and that hormone is called AMH. While other means of examining ovarian reserve may offer indirect, and possibly less accurate, less specific, and less predictive tests of egg quality (such as cycle day 3 FSH/estradiol levels and the CCCT), many reproductive endocrinologists believe women are better served by examining their AMH level -- a more direct, more accurate, more specific, and more predictive test of egg quality. The AMH test has been found particularly useful in the following clinical situations: Women who either need a Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test (CCCT) or previously had a CCCT and want to confirm/refute the results; Women of advanced reproductive age (35 years or older); Any women with a diagnosis of "unexplained infertility"; Women who have shown a poor response to ovulation induction with either Clomid/Serophene or injectable fertility drugs; Women who have been told they need IVF with donor eggs -- a normal AMH level may permit them to do IVF with their own eggs, while an abnormal AMH level may confirm the need for IVF with donor eggs. If you have individual questions about this article, please feel free to ask them on the General Infertility Medical forum: moderated by Dr. Scott Roseff. Golden egg sitting amoung ordinary white eggs Add new comment (If you're a human, don't change the following field) Your first name. (If you're a human, don't change the following field) Your first name. (If you're a human, don't change the following field) Your first name. To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty. 8 + 9 = Single donation
Weblog of a Christian philosophy student Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Saturday, January 01, 2011 What does it mean for people to be equal? What does it mean for people to be equal? There aren't any two people in the world who have equal abilities in every respect. Some people are more intelligent, some people are better looking, some people have more wealth, status or power, and so on and so on. So what does it mean for people to be equal? Equality doesn't mean that I pretend I'm as fast a runner as Usain Bolt so that everyone is equal when it comes to short distance running ability (Usain Bolt is the fastest short distance runner in history). Equality doesn't mean that I and my friends create a socially acceptable delusion whereby, for the sake of equality, we all pretend that we're as fast as Usain Bolt. So believing in equality has to include a sensible acknowledgment of differences in people's abilities and gifts. So if equality doesn't involve pretending that people have equal abilities, then what does it mean? I think equality refers to the way that you process someone being relatively better or worse at something than yourself. It refers to how you choose to act on the fact that people have different abilities. I think the Bible gives a good explanation of this view here: Gen 1:27 "And God made man in his image, in the image of God he made him: male and female he made them" (everyone is equally made in God's image). Rom 2:11 "For one man is not different from another before God" (because everyone is equally made in God's image). 1 Co 4:7 "For who made you better than your brother? or what have you that has not been given to you? but if it has been given to you, what cause have you for pride, as if it had not been given to you?" (everything we have outside of our own choices is a gift from God). The Bible makes it clear that every good thing we have that's outside of our own choices we received from God (we also receive grace and the rest of our choices are heavily influenced by what God gave us), James 1:17. And what abilities and gifts we received from God we received not because God liked any of us more than anyone else (as we're all equally made in His image), but purely because it fitted more with God's plan for us to receive what we received. So if someone is better than someone else because of their choices, then maybe there's a reason for boasting there - unless someone's better choices are a result of God's grace, because then they were a gift from God (grace is a gift offered freely to all). But if someone is better than someone else because of what's outside their choices, then they shouldn't boast about it, because everything outside our choices was given to people without God liking anyone more than anyone else. This means acknowledging differences in people's abilities as long as that difference isn't used to attack someone in some way. Because you can't attack people based on a gift that you received from someone (in this case God), when the gift wasn't intended to privilege you over them. Labels: , Blogger Like it or not, in-joy! said... I do not practice any religion and have my own philosophy on life but I would just like to thank you for posting this. Keep it up. Blogger Heavens said... Sounds very Luther to me. He called this the "Great Exchange:" Blogger Will G said... Thanks Like it or not! Heavens: Interesting... thanks for your comment. I think the root of it is that Christ said that 'if it is possible for there to be any other way to save people, then do that' and currently Christians and people of many other religions try to get 'saved' by repenting and doing the right thing. If that could work there was no need for Christ to die. So the atonement must 'fix' this problem somehow - with grace. But although our evil is poured onto Christ, He never endorsed it so Christ never became a sinner himself... Blogger Tobias said... I think you're on to it when you mention the image of God in every human being. It seems to me "equality" is a measure of value, not function. As you mention, we are clearly not all equal in abilities. Bob is stronger than Jim, but Jim is smarter than Bob. But maybe Sam is stronger and smarter than both Bob and Jim. But they all have equal value deriving from the image of God in each of them--equal because of what sort of being they are, not because of what degree of function they can perform. My 2 cents, anyway. :-) Blogger Logan said... Yeah, in my opinion (goes along your ideas) people are not more this or that. They're equal. Differences aside,we all share the bio, the mind and the spirit. We are assembled in a production line, but at the same time, we're hand-made, customized. That's what's so special about humans. No one should proclaim themselves as better. Only different. God Bless ;) Blogger Asadul Karim said... What fun! I'm always looking for new ideas to start the Christian-translation.com little ones on loving to Christian translation services. Christian translation services english to spanish translation spanish translation translate english to spanish Post a Comment << Home
Convert square feet to square millimeters square feet definition The Square Feet is a British Imperial unit of area equal to 0.093 square meters. square millimeters definition The Square Millimeter is a metric unit of area enclosed by a square with sides of one millimeter. A Square Millimeter equals to 1/100 of a square cenimeter Please enter square feet value in the first input field, and you'll see the result value in square millimeters in the second field. square feet = square millimeters See also: Convert square millimeters to square feet Metric Conversion
Ouray School Drawing of Ouray School Picture by Jason Ficco From the very beginning, Ouray needed schools for the miners’ children because there were so many families coming here. Elizabeth King was the first teacher in Ouray, in the summer of 1876. She had 43 children in a small log cabin with no furniture. She taught school in the summer for three months, and then she quit, because the job was too hard. Then in 1877, the second teachers were Oscar L. Mathews and his daughter, Lenora. They also taught for one year. In 1883, a huge new brick building was built where the playground is now. They had 206 kids in first grade through eighth grade. Most kids only went to school until 8th grade because they had to work after that. In 1893, more rooms were added. In 1904-1908 the high school was where our school is now. In 1913 an earthquake happened and cracked the school. In 1937 the current Ouray School was built because the other one cracked and they needed a new one. Also more miners’ children came. The sign over the entrance to Ouray School Picture by Baily Kersen Then in 1951, the kindergarten room, 1st grade and 2nd grade wing was added to the school. In 1965, the gym building was added because the old gym, the Multi-purpose room, was too small for basketball. In 1997, the 7th and 8th grade wing and library were added. For the past 130 years, teachers were here to help kids learn. by Bailey Kersen and Jason Ficco
Knowing Allah Under category The Great Battle of Badr Creation date 2008-10-05 17:04:11 Hits 1644 there was some hesitation in the camp of quraysh, whether to follow abu jahl or return home. banu zuhrah, under the leadership of al akhnas ibn shariq, listened to abu sufyan's counsel and returned home; but they were alone. all the rest followed abu jahl in deciding to encamp as if in preparation for war and to consult with one another later on. they set up camp on the farthest side behind a sand dune which they took as center. the muslims, on the other hand, having now missed the booty, decided together to stand firm should the enemy engage them. they hurried to the springs of badr while a rain which fell upon them from heaven helped their quick advance to that place. when they reached the first water well, muhammad dismounted with the intention of camping there. cognizant of the area, al hubab ibn al mundhir ibn al jamuh approached the prophet and said: "0 prophet of god, is this spot where you have dismounted a place to which god has guided you and, therefore, may we neither step beyond it nor stay far behind it? or is this simply a question of ordinary war strategy, of measures and moves and counter measures and moves?" muhammad answered, "it is indeed the latter, just as you said." a1 hubab then said, "0 prophet of god, this is not a good place to be. we should move forward until we reach the well closest to the enemy. there we would bring a trough to it to fill with water and then fill the well with sand. we would fight the enemy; and when we withdraw we would be able to drink, whereas they would not." muhammad, immediately agreeing, rose to go forward with his force. he sent a reminder to all his companions that he is but a man like them, that all decisions have to be taken by all of them in consultation with one another, that he will not decide anything without them finally, and that he stands in great need of their good counsel. building a booth for the prophet when they completed the building of the trough, sa'd ibn mu'adh addressed the prophet thus: "0 prophet of god, let us build a booth for you to stay in, and let us prepare for you some mounts before we engage our enemy. if god gives us the strength and we are victorious, that would be fine and well. if otherwise, you would then ride these mounts, join the rear ranks of our forces and return home. many muslims have stayed in madinah who do not love you any less than we do. no one had expected that our expedition would turn out to be one of war. had they realized this, they would not have let you go out without them. on your return to madinah, they would be there to protect you, counsel you and fight with you." muhammad thanked sa'd and prayed for him. the booth was readied for the prophet and preparations were made for his return in case of defeat so that he would not fall into the hands of his enemies as a captive. Previous article Next article Bookmark and Share أضف تعليق
Presentation is loading. Please wait. Presentation is loading. Please wait. 日本の食べ物 Nihon no tabemono Similar presentations Presentation on theme: "日本の食べ物 Nihon no tabemono"— Presentation transcript: 1 日本の食べ物 Nihon no tabemono Japanese food 2 Japanese table manners Before the meal, you would say いただきます (itadakimasu), which means ‘I gratefully receive’. Proper use of chopsticks is very important It is customary to serve each other with drinks, instead of serving yourself. ‘Cheers’= かんぱい　kanpai Every meal is served with rice in a small bowl. It is normal for there to be several dishes on the table, and you take bits from each bowl. ‘Slurping’ is perfectly acceptable! At the end of the meal, you would say ごちそうさまでした (gochisosamadeshita), which means ‘thank you for the meal’. 3 あさごはん asagohan- breakfast A typical breakfast might include green tea (おちゃ), umeboshi (うめぼし), miso soup(みそしる), nattou(なっとう), tamagoyaki(たまごやき) and rice (ごはん). 4 ひるごはん hirugohan-lunch Lunch can vary. Could include noodles(うどん), sandwiches(サンドイッチ), onigiri(おにぎり), sushi(すし) or obentou(おべんとう). Obentou (lunch boxes) are widely available from kiosks and shops, and contain small compartments containing items, such as rice, vegetables, salad and fish. 5 School lunch Lunch in school is very different to how we have lunch in English schools. There are no canteens or vending machines. All the students each together in the classroom, and lunch is bought on a trolley to each classroom and served by the lunch monitor to everyone in the class. The food is usually quite basic, and obviously features rice, along with an accompaniment, and then a drink of either water or milk and a yoghurt. When everyone has eaten, the trolley is returned to the school kitchen. Food from home is not permitted in school. 6 Bangohan ばんごはん Evening meal is the main meal of the day in Japan. Usually includes rice, a main dish of meat or fish, a side dish of vegetables, miso soup and pickled vegetables. 7 Traditional Japanese dishes しゃぶしゃぶ　　Shabushabu Japanese version of hot pot. Traditionally thinly sliced beef is swished into a pot of hot broth, which cooks the meat. Usually served with tofu(とふ) and vegetables, including onions(ねぎ), Carrots(にんじん), mushrooms(きのこ) and seaweed(のり), and of course, a bowl of rice(ごはん). おにぎりonigiri (rice balls) White rice formed into triangular or oval shaped balls, and often wrapped in nori (のり). Traditionally filled with pickled plum(うめ), salted salmon, tuna(かつおぶし),kombu(こんぶ) or tarako(たらこ). Most convenience stores sell them and they are eaten as a snack or as part of lunch. 8 おこのみやき okonomiyaki Savoury pancake containing a variety of fillings. Okonomi= what you like/want Yaki= grilled/cooked Toppings/fillings and batter tend to vary according to region. やきそば　　yakisoba Literally “fried noodles”, similar to Chinese ‘chow mein’. Fried with pork(ぶたにく), cabbage(キャベツ), onion(ねぎ), carrot(にんじん) and flavoured with yakisoba sauce, salt and pepper. てんぷら　tenpura Light batter made from cold water and soft wheat flour. Thin slices/strips of vegetables and seafood are dipped into the batter and then fried in hot oil. Served with dipping sauce. 9 すきやき sukiyaki ラーメン ramen おべんとうobento Thinly sliced meat, usually beef, and vegetables slowly cooked/simmered in a shallow iron pot at the table. Before eating, the food is usually dipped into a small bowl of raw, beaten egg. ラーメン ramen Noodle dish that originated in China. A meat/fish broth often flavoured with soy sauce and topped with foods such as sliced pork, dried seaweed, onion, sweetcorn and kamaboko (puried fish) おべんとうobento Bento= lunchbox Variety of items in each one. Rice is always included, along with meat/fish and pickled/cooked vegetables. Hugely popular and widely available 10 すし sushi Sushi is NOT raw fish!!!! にぎりすしnigiri ふとまき futomaki (it is actually a type of rice!!) Sushi is the type of rice, which becomes sticky when cooked and can be formed into different shapes and topped/filled with a variety of things. Different types of sushi are formed when they are presented,filled or prepared in different ways. にぎりすしnigiri Hand formed ball with a variety of toppings laid on top of the rice, such as slices of fish or prawns. ふとまき　futomaki A roll with seaweed on the outside and rice/fillings in the middle. Oval ball of sushi rice with nori wrapped round the outside and soft fillings, such as oysters, roe or quail egg. ぐんかんまき　gunkanmaki 11 にほんののみものJapanese drinks さけ　　sake (rice wine) Served warm in the winter or at room temperature. Usually drunk from small cups (ちょこ) and poured from a ceramic flask (とっくり). Tea ceremony-performed on special occasions and uses powdered green tea called まちゃ　(macha). Equipment needed: Tea bowl ちゃわんchawan Tea caddy　ちゃきchaki　 Chakin (cloth)　ちゃきん　 Tea scoop　ちゃしゃくchashaku Tea whiskちゃせんchasen 12 Yo! Sushi Wagamama Japanese restaurants in the UK Founded in 1997 Concept of Japanese ‘kaiten’ sushi bar, where customers sit around the edge and food goes round on a conveyor belt. Plates are colour coded, depending on the food on the plate. Allows you to try small amounts of different dishes. Wagamama 12 tonnes of noodles served each week! 65 UK restaurants, 37 internationally. Noodle bars First restaurant opened in London in 1992. Download ppt "日本の食べ物 Nihon no tabemono" Similar presentations Ads by Google
Adverbs, Italics, and Underlines by Bobbie Christmas Q: I’m having a problem with adverbs in short stories. (He said, shyly.) I want to enter some of my stories in contests, but they are usually limited to a specific word length. In longer stories, I try to use adverbs only when I want to make the attributive statement contradictory. Example: “That was fun,” he said, angrily. Otherwise, I will write something like this: “I like that.” He had a sarcastic tone in his voice, as if it were a challenge. In short stories, though, I might be forced to write “I like that,” he said, sarcastically. Do I go for the brevity and take the chance that I am losing something, or do I temper the prose in a short story with a mixture of adverbs? What about novels? I read about five books a month and I’ve seen some books heavy in adverbs and others not; however, some of these are not recent publications. Is the current trend toward more adverbs, less, or a blend of both writing styles? A: Before I answer, I have to address the incorrect commas in the examples. The correct punctuation would be this: “I like that,” he said sarcastically. Okay, now let’s look at the issue of adverbs. As you figured, contemporary writers shun adverbs and write much tighter than writers of old. Brevity is in; wordiness is out. How can you get your point across without using adverbs? Every time you have an urge to use an adverb, stop and ponder the verb it was going to modify. Choose a more descriptive or action-filled verb, and the adverb becomes superfluous. Consider this sentence, for example: Tom walked hurriedly to the door. Take out the adverb and choose a more descriptive verb, and the sentence has more punch: Tom raced to the door. Tom hurried to the door. Tom dashed to the door. Look at all your options and pick a strong verb, and the adverb won’t be missed. The problem is that adverbs tell, rather than show, and skilled writers of today show a story, rather than tell it. As for adverbs in attributions, also called tags, devise other ways of showing what the speakers mean. I don’t like leaning on the old “in a (whatever) tone,” because it not only tells, but it is also wordy and can grow repetitive. For stronger writing, use the character’s actions—body language—to show (rather than tell) what the character means. Instead of this: “I like that,” he said sarcastically, the rewrite might go something like this: He rolled his eyes. “Well, I like that.” An alternative might be this: He jammed his fists into his hips. “Imagine how much I like that.” Q: I have written a short story in which the two characters alternate, i.e. one is listening to the other tell a story, and her comments and thoughts are interspersed. In my original, I indicate the change between characters with a paragraph change and the thoughts of the listener in italics. I read that italics are a no-no in standard formatting for manuscripts being submitted for publication. How can I present my concept without using italics or a change in font? A: First you are correct that it is necessary to indicate a change in point of view, but a paragraph change is not enough. One character may go on for more than a paragraph, so how can readers tell the difference between a continuance with one character or a shift to another’s point of view? To indicate a point of view change, we must add space between the paragraphs. Warning: some default formatting adds space between every paragraph, which is correct in documents set flush left with no indents. In standard manuscript formatting, however, each new paragraph is indented five spaces, with no extra space between paragraphs except to indicate a change in scene or point of view. You may have to change the document’s default settings to indicate no space before or after a new paragraph. Once the document is set up correctly, hit the Enter tab twice to indicate a scene shift or a shift in point of view. Next think seriously about the wisdom of using thoughts at all, because thoughts always tell, rather than show, whereas the best stories show, rather than tell. Consider putting the thoughts into dialogue and resolving the issue that way. If the thoughts are truly ones the characters must keep to themselves, though, do not distress. While italics are not recommended, they are not a no-no. Because we are able to create italics on our computers, underlines (which used to mean italics on our old typewriters) are the no-no now. Yes, underlines and italics are the same thing, which is why nothing in a fiction manuscript should ever be underlined. The underline exception applies to nonfiction e-books that list active links to URLs. Underlines indicate active links in online-accessible documents. For much more information on hundreds of subjects of vital importance to writers, order Purge Your Prose of Problems, a Book Doctor’s Desk Reference Book. Send your questions to Bobbie Christmas, book editor, owner of Zebra Communications, and author of seven-award-winning Write In Style: How to Use Your Computer to Improve Your Writing, will answer your questions quickly. Read more Ask the Book Doctor questions and answers at Leave a Reply
An illustration from France's space agency, the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, of a planet transiting a star. ((CNES)) The planet also lies very close to its parent star — about 2.5 million kilometres — and so completes an orbit in a speedy 20 hours. By comparison, the closest planet to our sun, Mercury, orbits at an average distance of 58 million kilometres and completes a circuit of the sun once every 88 days. Astronomers found the planet using the COROT space telescope in large part because its close proximity made it easier to detect when it passed in front of — or transited — its star, dimming the star's light. 'Very important step' "This discovery is a very important step on the road to understanding the formation and evolution of our planet," Malcolm Fridlund, the European Space Agency's COROT project scientist, said in a statement. COROT-Exo-7b is one of the few terrestrial planets — small rocky planets like the Earth, Mars, Venus and Mercury — discovered outside our solar system. About 330 planets outside our solar system — called exoplanets — have been discovered thus far. Most of these have been huge gas giants that are easier to detect when they pass in front of a star or through an alternative method called gravitational lensing, whereby the presence of the planet is inferred based on the way a star's light bends in response to the planet's gravitational influence. A select few very large exoplanets have also been seen directly. NASA's Kepler telescope, set to launch on March 5, is designed to use similar methods of detection, but with a more focused mission — limiting its search to transiting Earth-like planets in habitable zones of space, where the temperatures on the planet might support liquid water and where it might be possible to sustain life.
Leedham - meaning , origin - England, popularity \| What does Leedham last name mean Leedham meaning \| Last name Leedham origin Following is the meaning of Leedham surname. Family name Leedham is generally added after the name or middle name so also called last name. Family Name / Last Name: Leedham No. of characters: 7 Origin: England Meaning: Currently, no meaning found for Leedham Leedham is used as a family name or surname in England languages. Leedham has 7 characters long in length. Leedham is common in England country(ies). Leedham is ranked 152558 in our list. There are about 264 people in US who wears Leedham as surname and ranked 69428 in US Census Bureau. In 2000 census, the last name was found in around 1 per 1 million , used in more than 1 hispanic race. Count Region Rank Leedham is not so popular last name but still a prevalent surname concentrated mainly in England which may be its originating country too. Around 2458 people have been found who wears Leedham as their family name. Leedham is used widely across the globe. More detailed information can be found below: Countries with very very low frequency i.e., 1 - 10: 9 New Zealand 33,253 2 Spain 131,225 2 Ireland 19,046 1 Barbados 2,190 1 France 277,603 1 Germany 172,258 1 Wales 18,969 1 Sweden 77,122 1 Jersey 3,071 Countries with very low frequency i.e., 10 - 50: 33 Scotland 12,692 23 United Arab Emirates 37,982 Countries with low frequency i.e., 50 - 100: 73 South Africa 56,973 Countries with hundreds of people: 416 Australia 6,932 378 United States 66,024 236 Canada 15,710 Countries with thousands of people: Full Last Name Distribution ⇳ . Celebrities having Leedham surname Johannah Leedham Basketball player Related Family Names: LEE (Singapore) LeeannLeeanneLeeb (Austria) LeebaertLeebeekLeeberLeeboveLeeceLeech (South Africa) LeechorLeedLeedeLeeder (United States) LeedesLeedham (England) LeedingLeedinghamLeedom (United States) Leeds (England) How to choose a name for your baby Surname is added at the end of the first name also known as given name. Most of the time, a family name is used as a surname. You might not know the meaning og Leedham surname. Nameslist.org has collected informaton regarding the meaning and origin of Leedham and displayed for better understanding of surnames. Discover how Leedham is originated? Share your opinion on Leedham Enter Code:
Fri 25th Jul 2014 Illegal dumping of solid waste can cause an outbreak of illness Illegal dumping of solid waste is a serious problem in SVG. It can cause a dangerous outbreak of illness and is polluting our environment. Almost every week, the Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) is on SVGBC TV complaining about the widespread illegal dumping of solid waste, but no solution is put forward. It is very important that this problem is solved. A Green government would separate the SWMU from the Central Water Authority to make a new, independent statutory body. The monthly $11 environmental fee would be taken out of the water bill to help poor households and an environmental fee of $11 would be levied on tourists as part of the departure tax. To protect and preserve our environment, a Green government would place recycling skip units around the country to collect solid waste such as metal, plastic, glass and paper. As in other countries, a system would be set up so that Vincentians could call the SWMU and arrange for the free collection of old white goods such as fridges and washing machines. It is more cost effective and environmentally beneficial to collect solid waste as above, rather than dealing with the expensive alternative of clearing up polluted areas and illness outbreaks afterwards. The uncontrolled burning of plastic is a major environmental health hazard. It is associated with extremely harmful pollutants, from carbon monoxide which affects mental function, to dioxins and furans that cause cancer, respiratory illnesses and affect the immune and reproductive system. A Green government would empower the SWMU to enter into joint venture projects with Vincentian-owned, private businesses to collect and recycle solid waste material. The recycling of plastic, glass, paper and metals, including fridges and washing machines, would be a good opportunity for Vincentians to start a small business and create jobs. The recycled waste could be exported for money and can help stimulate economic growth. At present, much of this recyclable solid waste material is dumped and valuable metal is being wasted as dumped fridges and washing machines rust away. Economically, it does not make sense and, in this time of high unemployment, initiatives that create jobs and revenue should be developed. This will happen under a Green government. In 1997, in Gambia, West Africa, The Njau Recycling and Income Generating Group (NRIGG) was set up by six Gambian women to find solutions to devastating problems such as waste management and low income levels in rural Gambia. Today, hundreds of women have been taught the skill of recycling waste and received home composting training to answer a demand for cheap, high quality, organic fertiliser. NRIGG's members have gained financial freedom and are now able to pay school enrolment fees for their children, buy school supplies, plant/grow vegetables to add nutritional value to family meals, pay for transportation fees in emergency situation, and provide food and clothing for their families. Recycling in the UK employs thousands and turns over billions of pounds. The fact that the majority of waste in SVG is dumped or put in to landfill, rather than turned in to a recycling industry creating hundreds of jobs for our people, shows that the ULP regime is economically incompetent and lacks vision and innovation. The current solid waste management system is unsustainable and will lead to our children and grandchildren inheriting a polluted country. SVG needs change; SVG needs a Green government. < Back to Articles
spacer search The Hanoudi Letter Main Menu Nazar's PayPal Account Thank you for your donation. Amount: USD Iraq in History From Mesopotamia to the Present History is not the chronicling of the past, It is about learning lessons for the future. Richard Nixon THE history of modern Iraq as a separate entity began with the joining of three provinces from the Old Ottoman Empire following its defeat and dismemberment after the 1914-1918 war, but this country has a much older history which dates back to Mesopotamia were humanity started its march into history more than 5000 years ago. Man was able here to achieve some astonishing accomplishments, the invention of writing and the ability to control the water supply to the lands and start a real revolution in agriculture which allowed him to create a very advanced society and inaugurate man’s first civilization. Mesopotamia, the land between the two rivers was given its name in the 5th century BC by Herodotus. It contains all of current Iraq, parts of southwestern Iran, southern turkey and northeastern Syria. But in the narrow sense it applies to the southern 180.000 square miles which was the womb and cradle of civilization. Most of this area is nowadays dry barren and very hot but here the Sumerians were able to invent an extremely successful system of dikes, dams and canals 9 Iraq In History which allowed them to make excellent use of the surplus water during times of flooding and produce agricultural products mainly grain which was used to feed an increasingly growing population with the surplus used in the service of the higher interests of the state. This is where and how man’s civilization was born. CIVILIZATION was born, cradled and nurtured in Mesopotamia, but this birth was not a sudden chance eruption out of vacuum, it was the culmination of a long period of evolution. Here was born some of the earliest philosophies, religions and myths of mankind. Here were built great cities were very complicated political and legal systems evolved and extremely advanced science medicine and art all developed inside a strict code of morality and law, but their most important contribution was their invention of writing. Writing is one of the greatest contributions of the Sumerians to humanity; history began with writing which gave us our first solid ideas about the story of man. History began with writing. History began at Sumer. THE Mesopotamian civilization lasted for three thousand years with a striking cultural unity. From UR its first center it radiated over the entire near east and was kept alive in other major centers like Babylon, Assur, Nineveh all situated on or near the Tigris and Euphrates within the boundaries of modern Iraq remaining fairly uniformly throughout though repeatedly shaken by political convulsions and recurrent incursions by its neighbors which led to its gradual decline and final disappearance alas some of its cultural and scientific achievements were salvaged by the Greeks and became part of recent western heritage, the rest either perished or were buried for centuries in the sand awaiting the picks of archeologists. 10 from Mesopotamia to the present FOR the next four centuries Iraq was caught in the middle of conflicts much stronger states until the Ottoman Empire which was established in the late 13th century which was at its height in control of most of southeastern Europe and the middle east including Iraq and has at one time reached almost to the doorstep o of Vienna but as has always happened in history it after a period of great flowering has become enfeebled and ineffective from very serious internal problems and as a result of its constant troubles with its neighbors. The final blow came as a result of its involvement in the first world war on the side of the Germans who lost and brought the ottoman empire down with them .which resulted in the allocation of its components to the victors, Iraq went to Britain as a mandate which allowed them to continue its occupation. Now I am going to discuss in a hurry the events of the next 2oo years because apart from very short periods of peace and prosperity they were very turbulent centuries and because I want to concentrate on the very turbulent history of modern Iraq. These events started with the emergence of Greece as the center of civilization, but it had a little indirect influence on the situation in this part of the world except during the short reign of Alexander the Great which was followed later on by the emergence and dominance of Islam. The Greek period was followed by the emergence and spread of Islam. Islam and the teachings of the prophet has performed a great miracle, they have weld bands of peasants and predatory warriors and brigands in Arabia into a compact nation which swept away ancient kingdoms and brought under one dominion an area as large as that of the roman empire at the peak of its power. The last phase of this period was the establishment of the Abbasid dynasty. The Abbassid rulers were very enlightened, they cared about their people and were interested in everything concerning their health and their 11 Iraq in history prosperity. They loved science and learning and continually sought, patronized and encouraged talented and promising individuals who stood shoulder to shoulder with the previous giants of history a truly golden period which reached its climax in about a hundred years. BAGHDAD became the center of an astonishing new phase in man’s march into civilization the standards of science art literature medicine and every other discipline reached very high. The Moslems and the Arab not only translated and compiled the ancient treasures but added a tremendous amount from their own ideas their work and their experiences for which they received a great deal of appreciation from their successors. There was in Baghdad a library known as the house of wisdom in which there was countless Nos. of translated and original manuscripts. There were 60 first class hospitals in Baghdad. BUT suddenly it was all over, all this light and glory was extinguished and destroyed in one of History’s most atrocious and cruel episodes at the hands of the Mongols. IT was these maniacs who descended on Baghdad in 1258 AD, and went into a frenzied rampage of killing and destruction which lasted a week by the end of which tens of thousands of its best scholars doctors artists and scientists were dead, the literary and scientific treasures the accumulation of centuries were almost completely destroyed the great library was burned with its hundreds of thousands of priceless books thrown into the river. All the old glory was mercilessly and senselessly swiftly consumed with fire and quenched in blood. 12 From Mesopotamia to the present FOR the next four centuries Iraq was caught in the middle of conflicts between the much stronger states surrounding it until the Ottoman Empire which was established in the late 13th century and was at its height in in 16th century in control of most of southeastern Europe and the middle east including Iraq and has at one time reached almost to the doorstep of Vienna but as has always happened in history it after a period of great flowering has become enfeebled and ineffective from very serious internal problems and as a result of its constant troubles with its neighbors and its many other enemies. The final blow came as a result of its involvement in the first world war on the side of the Germans who lost and brought the ottoman empire down with them which resulted in its dismemberment and the division of its spoils amongst the victors Iraq went to Britain under the guise of a league of nations mandate which allowed them to continue its occupation. Britain invaded Iraq at the beginning of the first world war which they justified as a necessity to protect their oil interests In Iran and their access to the gulf’s shipping lanes to the far east especially India. Many Iraqis welcomed the British in the beginning with open hands who vowed to end five centuries of ottoman rule which has grown very corrupt and economically stifling “our armies do not come into your cities and lands as conquerors or enemies but as liberators proclaimed General Stanley Maude the commander of the British forces as his troops marched into Baghdad in 1917”. The Ottoman Empire was a dynastic state centered in what is now turkey, it was founded at the end of the 13th century, and at its height in the mid-1500s it controlled a vast area in Europe, north Africa and the middle east with three proveniences [villayats] south of turkey which make up nowadays Iraq, but the Ottomans have allied themselves during that conflict with the Germans who lost the war and dragged their allies with them when the empire was 13 Iraq in history dismembered and its colonies distributed amongst the victors, mainly the British and the French, the three separate provinces [villayats] went to the British who joined them together and fashioned modern Iraq. Which was an astonishingly diverse entity and impossible to govern. The mandate was a kind of trusteeship a very clever disguise to maintain the British colonial rule which allowed them to control the most important aspects of the state, so under the mandate they proclaimed the country a monarchy and crowned Feisal one of the sons of the Shareef of Mecca king in 1921, this was followed by giving the Iraqis a constitution and a parliament but Britain was the real power. Britain’s stay in Iraq was not a picnic it has been marred by nationalist fervor, ethnic uprisings, tribal conflicts treacherous warfare and deadly oppression which finally led to kicking the British out of the country at the hands of a small group of middle ranking middle class officers under the command of Brigadier Abdul Kareem Qassem who led a military coup in the early hours of 14th July 1958 with Colonel Abdul Salam Aref as his second in command QASSEM dissolved the monarchy and the constitution and declared the country a republic and organized a three man ceremonial committee on the top with real power in his hands as prime minister. Britain’s experiment in nation building in Iraq failed, but the fall of the monarchy did not bring better stability or progress, in fact the decade which followed the demise of the monarchy was extremely turbulent and bloody. The problems started with very ugly quarrel with his second in command which ended by banishing the colonel to Germany as an ambassador. WHAT followed was five years of incredible instability. Qassem was relying on the communists and their supporters who clashed viciously with the other 14 From Mesopotamia to the Present major faction in the country, the nationalists a clash which caused a great loss of life and very severe polarization of the country. AMONGST the nationalists was the budding and recently created Ba’ath party. But the Bathissts were playing their own game and succeeded on the 8th of February 1963 in toppling Qassem after t which they unleashed an unprecedented reign of terror against their adversaries which was a real blood bath but they were new to government, young and inexperienced so they were immediately engaged in internecine squabbles and competition for power and influence all of which created a great revulsion against their rule which was utilized by colonel Aref who was finally able to topple them on September of the same year, dismantled their organization and sent them into the wilderness after only six months and started the Aref regime. The Aref regime began with the Colonel who was later on killed in a helicopter crash in April 1966; he was replaced by his brother Abdul-Rahman. The Aref regime was a bit more humane but ineffective and pretty useless. Now someone was waiting in the corridors of power, a Youngman who was trained during his stay in Cairo, he had reorganized the party according to his own personal and tribal principles arranged a blood less transfer of power from the hands of the second Aref on the 17th of July 1968 to himself, all power in his hands and the collective leadership the party rule and the president were nothing but a convenient façade behind which he ruled unchallenged until he was finally deposed after the Americans invaded the country in 2003. The man was 31 years old his name was, Saddam Hussein. Saddam was born in Tikrit on the 28th of April 1937, in a very poor family, his father has died few months before his birth and that his mother was already re-married to his uncle, During his early years he sojourned between his 15 Iraq in History maternal uncle’s house in Ttikrit and his stepfather’s, the uncle was a junior army officer who has spent the last few years of the Second World War in a British prison because of his very strong Nazi sympathies and active involvement in a coup attempt against the British in 1941 which was backed by the fascist regime in Germany. YOUNG children start formal education at age 6, the uncle had a son [Adnan] who was starting primary school . Adnan was able to convince his cousin to attend with him which he managed with difficulty. The next phase is the secondary and because such level of schooling was not available in Tikrit the whole uncle’s family moved to Baghdad to allow their son to continue his studies and few months later their guest followed them. to secondary school in Baghdad SADDAM’s secondary school “Al-Karkh’ was a very active political center of the newly created Ba’ath, an activity into which he immersed himself at the expense of his studies in which he was again very disinterested and showed very clearly in his mediocre performance and his difficulties in getting through the years. He was not was not greatly impressed by Nasser’s brand of Arabism he thought it was naïve and excessively romantic, but he was greatly impressed by the Ba’ath with its strong emphasis on discipline, its organizational skills and the aura of secrecy surrounding it, all of which greatly appealed to him. He joined the party in 1957. Once in power Saddam methodically created a state of terror where thousands of citizens have been made to disappear and where the wives and daughters of govt. Officials were raped by secret policemen to extort loyalty from the official or their colleagues. The more one learns about the Iraqi dictator the clearer it becomes that he epitomizes sheer malice. Here after all here is a man who has imposed a 16 From Mesopotamia to the Present violent totalitarian regime on his own people, he has imprisoned tortured shot and bombed thousands of Iraqis . He has launched wars of aggression against his neighbors and he spent billions on WMDs. He is a tyrant an aggressor and a threat to civilization. I would like to emphasize from the start that Saddam Hussein’s 35 years in power were a real tragedy and a non-ending nightmare. Few months after seizing power in 1979 and on the 22 September 1980 he invaded Iran, the conflict that followed lasted eight years claiming the lives of at least a million people including the thousands of Kurds and Iranians who died from his chemical weapons and maiming twice that number And when it was all over Saddam has accomplished nothing despite billions of dollars spent the battle lines separating the two armies has barely budged. But two years later after the last shots were fired against Iran he sent his forces rolling south towards Kuwait on August 2 1990. But this adventure would not go unchallenged it was condemned by many world leaders and the UN Security Council would vote to impose various resolutions against Iraq, and finally on Nov. 29 it would vote to authorize the use force against his aggression. Armed with the UN resolution a coalition of forces from more than 30 countries large and small and led by the united states launched operation desert storm on the 17th Jan. 1991 to evict Saddam from Kuwait, it was a forty days of aerial bombardment which was a real massacre which was followed by few days on the ground, the only units which were spared the destruction were the republican guards. And when everybody was expecting the Americans would proceed to Baghdad and finish with Saddam president Bush ordered a cease fire. 17 Iraq in History For the time being Saddam was saved , but the next 12 years were a real calamity for the people, he was very fiercely bringing down the two uprisings which have started in south and the north of the country after his humiliating expulsion from Kuwait, and during the following years he was back to his usual gimmicks and machinations at a time when the Iraqi people were reeling under the very harsh and crippling international sanctions which were supposed to punish the regime but were in fact murdering the people . To make things worse the US’S government looked like they didn’t know what to do with him their response to Saddam when he was still bent on conquest and the acquisition WMDs was a combination of incomplete military operations and diplomatic accommodation until 9/11 The US Government’s response to the threats posed by Saddam were totally inadequate , rather than press for a genuine regime change the first bush halted the war against him prematurely and turned a blind eye as he slaughtered the uprising whom had encouraged to rise, the Clinton's administration avoided the moral and strategic challenge presented by Saddam they opted for a weak policy of containment punctuated now and then with few pin pricks by cruise missiles until the arrival of the second Bush. George W Bush was very clearly and from the very start of his administration bent on something more aggressive, in the words of his first treasury secretary president Bush was very clearly obsessed by Saddam but he was unable to make up his mind until 9.11 from then on it was not to him a question of what but of when. After September eleven President Bush was convinced on some tenuous evidence that Saddam has been very definitely involved in the terrible atrocity and he had to go. During the first hours of the 19th of march 2003 president bush was broadcasting to the world the news that he has ordered the American military to start executing operation Iraqi Freedom which was to remove Saddam Hussein from power because of his possible links to Ossama Bin Laden and the huge threat his huge arsenal of WMDS was posing to the world and the US in particular and to free the Iraqis from his tyranny and to help the Iraqi people on the greatly needed reconstruction of their country. The military operation lasted for 19 days at the end of Saddam was toppled and the Americans were sitting in his palace. Saddam fled his presidential palace and he was not found inspire of the persistent efforts by the Americans to catch him but he was finally caught 6 months later on the 14th December in what was described as a rat’s hole in a neglected farm near his home town, later on he was tried because of his brutal retaliation to the attempt on his life in the Dujail in July 1982 3, he was found guilty was convicted and was finally hanged on the eve of the new year 2006. Saddam Hussein’s 35 years in power were a real tragedy and a non-ending nightmare. Saddam was a tyrant and an aggressor and a threat to civilization. He was corrupt cruel and vindictive, he ruled by his fist and his gun he cared about no one except himself, his long reign brought nothing but pain blood and misery to the Iraqis that is why a lot of them including myself welcomed the Americans who brought him down in 2003 and promised to help us in the reconstruction of our country but we were to be very disappointed. The situation in Iraq now is worse than it was under Saddam. It is chaotic and a real mess and great deal falls on the shoulders of Paul Bremer.
Categories Menu Posted in Vitamins \| 0 comments Vitamin k and its Benefits Vitamin k and its Benefits Distribuction :- Vegitable sources are rich, such as cabbage, spinach, alfalfa, tomat, soyabean, etc.It is absorbed from the intestine with the help of bile salts. Moust putrefied Animals plants contain considerable amount of vitamin K. Function :- It helps to maintain the formation of normal prothrombin and factor VII in the blood and theus takes part in normal coagulation. It has been postulated that vitamin K acts as the prosthetic group to an apoenzyme to produce a holoenzyme which is involved in the clotting reactions. The haemorrhagic disease in the new-born is belived to be due to lack of vitamin K, since vitamin K deficiency in the new-born is due to absence of bacteria in their gut. An important therapeutic use of vitamin K is as an antidote to the anticoagulant drugs such as dicumarol. Deficiency Signs :- Defective blood coagulation and haemorrhages. Daily Requirement :- Normal mixed diet supplies this vitamin in adequate amount. In the treatment of haemorrhagic diseases produced as a result of vitamin K deficiency, 5 mgm is Given either orally or by injection. WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMINS The vitamins of B complex comprises about a dozen of chemical substances. THIAMINE (ANEURINE , VITAMIN B1) (Antineuritic factor, Antiberiberi substance) Distribution :- Vegetable Source :- Cereals ( in the husk and embryo) pulses, nuts, and green vegetables, i.e. beets, carrots, turnips, lettuce, cauliflower, pears, beans, etc. are rich sources. Polished rice and white flour are poor in this vitamin content. Animal Sources :- Generally poor.Yeast and egg-yolk contain fair amount (100 i.u) Free thiamine is absorbed readily from the small intestine . It is not much stored in the body. Function :- 1. The pyrophosphate ester of thiamine is a coenzyme (cocaroxylase) and being bound to a specific protein( apoenzyme) together with a – lipoic acid and Mg++ forms the active enzyme carboxylase, which is responsible for the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvic acid, a ketoglutaric acid and other keto acids. 2. It help the enzyme system which is responsible for the synthesis of fats from carbohydrates and proteins. Deficiency Signs, Beriberi :- may be classified as dry , wet cardiac or mixed type.:- 1. Dry beriberi is associated with disorders of the nervous system. 2. In wet beriberi, the polyneuritis is accompanied by oedema. 3. Cardiac beriberi is associated with sign of congestive cardiac and circulatory failure. The general manifestations is Beriberi are as follows :- 1. There is oedema specially in the legs . 2. Loss of appetite , atony of the gastro- intestinal tract, hypochlorhydria etc. All these are due to lack of energy derived from the imperfect metabolism of carbohydrate. 3. Blood changes – lactic and pyruvic acids accumulate in blood. 4. Same changes are found to take place in peripheral nerves, brain and cerebrospinal fluid. The peripheral neruritis or polyneuritis, with the tenderness of muscles of feet and legs, ataxia and muscular weakness, is a characteristic feature. 5.Heart also becomes weak and enlarged, which is obviously due to accumulation of pyruvic acid. Cardiac failoure may also occur in some subjects. Daily Requirement. About 1.8 mgm for a diet producing 3,000 calories. The requirement is increased in pregnancy, lactation, heavy muscular work, high carbohydrate diet, etc. Daily intake for children range from 0.4 mgm for infants to 1.3 mgm for pre-adolescents. Requirement of thiamine increase in shock, haemorrhage, serious illness or injury, during oral administration of antibiotics etc. For a certain micro-orgaNISM AND PROTOZOA ,A –LIPOIC ACID IS GROWTH FACTOR WHICH IS USUALLY CLASSIFIED AMONG THE VITAMIN b Complex. This is also known as acetate replacement factor,, pyruate oxidation factor or protogen. Properties :- This compound is soluble in fat. Distribution :- Widely distributed in natural source. Function :- Lipoic acid is required along with thiamine and some other members of vitamin B in the oxidative dccarboxylation of pyruvic acid to acety CoA and a-ketoglutaric acid to succinl CoA. Properties :- It is orange yellow crystals, solouble in water to a limited degree and in soluble in fat-solvents. It is heat –stable in neutral and acid media, but sensitive to light, unstable in alkaline solutions,stands ordinary cooking and canning. Distribution :- AnimalSources :- Milk, liver, kidney,muscle, eggs. Vegetable Sources :- Whole grain, green leafy vegetables. It has also been synthetically prepared. Functions :- 1. Essential for growth. 1. 2. Both FMN and FAD in combination with protein play major role in a numberof enzyme system and the enzyme containg this vitamin called flavoprolein. Riboflain present in various enzme systems in its two forms :- 2. Riboflavin is related to the metabolic process of proteins. 3. It is also an integral part of the prosthetic group of acyl CoA dehydrogencase the enzyme which mediates the first oxidative step in the oxidation of datty acid. 4. A suggestion has been made that riboflavin play some in cornea and deficiency profuces corneal vascularisation. But this is still controversial. Deficiency Signs :- The tissues which have originated from ectoderm ( e.g., nervous system, skin, eye) are first affected. In man 1. Mouth(a) Cheilotic fissures at the corner of the mouth and ulcers on the lips b) Angular stomatitis c) Glossitis ( magenta tonge) 2. Eye Keratitis, corneal opacities, vascularisation of cornea and photophobia. 3. Skin loss of hair and dry and scaly skin. 4. Arrested growth occurs. Daily Requirement :- 1.5 to 1.8 mgm in adults. The daily requirement of riboflavin can be calculated in term of protein intake, i.e. 0.025 mgm of riboflavin per 1 gm of protein. (Peliagra-preventing factor,p-p factor of Goldberger) Properties :- Nicotinic acid is a white crystalline substance and is moderately soluble in water but quite solyble in alkali ( salt formation), alcohol and glyceride.It is heat –stable and not lost during cooking or canning. Functions :- 1. Essential for growth. 2. Takes essential part in metabolism and tissue oxidation. 3. Helps in the formation of fats from carbohydrates. Niacin may reduce the plasma lipid concentration of fats from carbohydrates. 4. Prevents pellagra. 5. It has a stimulating effect on central nervous system. 6. In therapeutic doses,niacin produces the pronounced transient vasodilation with flushing of the face . Deficiency Signs. :- The cardinal symptoms of this condition is generally known as the three D’s , i.e. dermatitis,diarrhea, and dementia.Deficiency results characteristic dermatitis,specially on the exposed parts of the body. The dermatitis begins with erythema resembling sun burnt areas. Gastro-intestinal disorders,polyneuritis and various forms of mental disorders are observed. Cerebral manifestations include headache, irritability, confusion , etc. General effect are inadequate growth and anaemia. In dogs-Black tongue . Daily Requirement :- 12-18 mgm for adult males and a little less in adult femalers. ( Chick antidermatitis factor, Filtrate factor ) Properties :- The free acid is a viscous,yellow oil, soluble in water and ethyl acetate but insoluble in CHCL3. It is heat-labile and destroyed in acid and aljali. Distribution :- It is widely distributed in small amounts. Animal Source :- Liver, Kidney, Egg-yolk, Yeast, Milk,etc. are rich source of this Vegetable Source :- Molasses wheat bran, peas, sweet potatoes, etc. contain this vitamin in appreciable amount. It has also been produced synthetically.Blood contanins 9-31 u gm per 100ml. Function :- The physiologically active fromof pantothenic acid is coenzyme A (CoA) It is essential for several basic reactions of metabolism.acid (TCA) cycle,in combination with cholline forms acetycholine and also acts as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of cholesterol, fatty acids, etc. 2.Coenzyme a plays an essential part in lipid metabolism. Activation which occurs by formation of a coenzymeA derivative is the first step in fatty acid oxidation. 3. Panthothenic acid is not present in the peotein bound from. This protein bound pantothenic acid is the acyl-carrier protein (ACP) and is required for the biosynthesis . 4. It might activate some amino acids. Deficiency :- Dermatitis, fatty liver, degeneration of spinal cord, myclin degeneration of peripheral nerves, and involution of thymus in chicks occur by the deficiency of this vitamin. Various tissues are also the skin and hypo function of adrenal cortex. Daily Requirement :- Not exactly known. Average daily diet contains 10 mgm which satisfies this vitamin requirement. (Ratantidermatitis factor) Properties :- This vitamin is a white, crystal, soluble in water and heat-stable in both acidic and alkaline solutions. 1. It takes part in normal tryptophan metabolism. Because. (a) Kynurenine and xanthurenic acid are excreted by rats made deficient in pyridoxine. The above products are not on the main metabolic pathway of tryptophan metabolism and considered as producs of side reactions. 2. Helps in transulphurase and thionase reactions converting homocysteine and cystationine to cysteine. 3. The coenzyme is required in the synthesis of amino levulinic acid-an intermediate in porphyrin synthesis. 4. Pyridoxal phosphate is an intermate component of phosphorylase a of muscle. 5. It is suggested that pyridoxine is involved in the active transport of amino acids and certain metallic ions across cellmembranes. 6. There is increased evidence that vitamin B6 is intimately concerned with the metabolism of the central nervous system. Deficiency Signs :- Perculiar dermatitis ,reduced growth, degeneration of the nerves, reproductive failure and hypochromic microcytic anaemia, weakness of muscles and convulsive seizures occur in absence of this vitamin. Daily Requirement. :- In infants 0.3 mgm and in adults 2mgm per day. It is sufficiently present in normal diet. (Fermentation residue factor) Properties :- It is a yellow compound, slightly soluble in water and destroyed by light.Itis soluble in dilute alocohol and can be precipitated as barium or lead salt. Distribution :– Liver ,kidney, gree leafy vegetables and cauliflower are good sources of this vitamin. Functions :- 1. Folinic acid acts as a coenzyme in the transfer of formy and hydroxymethyl group in different biological system in the biosynthcsis of purine, synthesis of the methyl group of methionine etc. in the one carbon metabolism. 2. It is indispensable for the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid in the nuclei of cells. Takes part in the formation and maturation of the red cells.Along with vitamin B12 it helps in the synthes of nucleic acid. 3. It is used in the treatment of megaloblastic anaemia. Deficiency Signs :- In rats and monkeys arrested growth, anacmia leucopenia and agranulocytosis . In man Megaloblastic anaemia especially occurring during pregnancy. Daily Requirement :- Not exactly known. Average daily diet of adults contains about 50 micro-gram,which seems to be adequate. Post a Reply
Small Salem Witch Trails Report- background, important dates, events, ext. Essay by CheatMeat21High School, 10th gradeA+, September 2006 download word file, 1 pages 0.0 Downloaded 493 times The Salem witch trails all started in 1692 around the time of January, when a group of young girls were throwing fits. They had seizures and were screaming with their strange behavior. When the doctor could find no medical cause the town jumped to the conclusion of Satan. They had figured that witches had invaded Salem and were possessing everyone. Around February the village prayed and fasted to get rid of the devil and tried to banish him from the village. At first the girls blamed no one. After intense questioning by adults they identified a couple of people. Most of the people that were identified were middle age women, but also some man and even a four-year-old child. One of the people was Tituba, a slave. She confessed later but only to save her own life. Around the time of March the girls accused Martha Corey. During this time many more people were accused of being witches or associated with the devil. In June time the hangings began and started with the hanging of Bridget Bishop. In October criticism grew and people were getting spectacle about the whole thing. They began to realize how foolish and stupid this was .In 1693, the governor formed a new court, which worked under strict evidentiary guidelines. He forbade further trials. By the end of it all hundreds had been accused, twenty-seven put on trial, Nineteen of the supposed witches were hanged. One had the cruel fate of being crushed to death by stones , He had a chance to confess but he would rather have died. Four died waiting in prison. Some of the claims were made over property or just out of not liking another person. They were al ssmade up by the original fits of the girls
image (1)I hope medical textbooks have been revised since my time as a student because the kind of cases that show up at the clinic these days did not exist back then. Nowadays, we get to see a lot ‘modern ailments’ that are byproducts of technology, especially the excessive use of computers (in all their manifestations), the internet and smartphones. health 2Although technology has made life convenient, it has also created health issues. About a decade ago, a ‘bad back’ was caused by an injury or bad posture. However, now doctors routinely ask patients how much time they spend working on their computers because many complaints are directly related to too many hours on the computer. Recently, a friend (and patient) of mine was convinced that he had all the symptoms of brain cancer. Dissuading him from an MRI was as difficult as convincing him that technology was responsible for all those aches and pains. Prolonged computer use can lead to a strained neck and back trouble; typing with the wrists flexed at odd angles leads to carpal tunnel syndrome; staring at a screen’s artificial light for hours at a time causes headaches while affecting eyesight and blurring vision. People who spend too much time online have also been known to develop attention deficit disorder and suffer from anti social behaviour which could lead to depression; those who work on their laptops while in bed or just before going to bed often complain of disturbed sleep as well. Perhaps the worst health hazard of technology is the freely available medical information. On one hand, people like my friend develop ‘cyberchondria’, an imaginary illness, while on the other hand there are people who think Web MD is good enough to cure their very genuine ailments. To keep technology related health issues at bay, remember to take breaks often, stretch and flex muscles and joints and remember that virtual friends and virtual doctors are NOT a substitute for the real thing. n – Dr Samia Khan The writer is Director, Health Awareness Society First published in the Health Advertiser Section of The DAWN National Weekend Advertiser on December 9, 2012.
Christmas a Pagan Festival Christmas goats Christmas a Pagan Festival Christmas is a holiday shared and celebrated by many religions. It is a day that has an effect on the entire world. To many people, it is a favorite time of the year involving gift giving, parties and feasting. Christmas is a holiday that unifies almost all of professing Christendom. The spirit of Christmas causes people to decorate their homes and churches, cut down trees and bring them into their homes, decking them with silver and gold. In the light of that tree, families make merry and give gifts one to another. When the sun goes down on December 24th, and darkness covers the land, families and churches prepare for participation in customs such as burning the yule log, singing around the decorated tree, kissing under the mistletoe and holly, and attending a late night service or midnight mass. What is the meaning of Christmas? Where did the customs and traditions originate? You, as a Christian, would want to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth, discerning good from evil. The truth is that all of the customs of Christmas pre-date the birth of Jesus Christ, and a study of this would reveal that Christmas in our day is a collection of traditions and practices taken from many cultures and nations. The date of December 25th comes from Rome and was a celebration of the Italic god, Saturn, and the rebirth of the sun god. This was done long before the birth of Jesus. It was noted by the pre-Christian Romans and other pagans, that daylight began to increase after December 22nd, when they assumed that the sun god died. These ancients believed that the sun god rose from the dead three days later as the new-born and venerable sun. Witches and other pagans regarded the red holly as a symbol of the menstrual blood of the queen of heaven, also known as Diana. The holly wood was used by witches to make wands. The white berries of mistletoe were believed by pagans to represent droplets of the semen of the sun god. Both holly and mistletoe were hung in doorways of temples and homes to invoke powers of fertility in those who stood beneath and kissed, causing the spirits of the god and goddess to enter them. These customs transcended the borders of Rome and Germany to the far reaches of the known world. The question now arises: How did all of these customs find their way into contemporary Christianity, ranging from Catholicism to Protestantism to fundamentalist churches? The word “Christmas”itself reveals who married paganism to Christianity. The word “Christmas” is a combination of the words “Christ” and “Mass. The word “Mass” means death and was coined originally by the Roman Catholic Church, and belongs exclusively to the church of Rome. The ritual of the Mass involves the death of Christ, and the distribution of the “Host”, a word taken from the Latin word “hostiall” meaning victim! In short, Christmas is strictly a Roman Catholic word. A simple study of the tactics of the Romish Church reveals that in every case, the church absorbed the customs, traditions and general paganism of every tribe, culture and nation in their efforts to increase the number of people under their control. In short, the Romish church told all of these pagan cultures, “Bring your gods, goddesses, rituals and rites, and we will assign Christian sounding titles and names to them. When Martin Luther started the reformation on October 31st, 1517, and other reformers followed his lead, all of them took with them the paganism that was so firmly imbedded in Rome. These reformers left Christmas intact. So, what is wrong with Christmas? Think about it! Can we worship and honor God by involving ourselves with customs and traditions, which God Himself forbade as idolatry? Can we convince God to somehow “Christianize” these customs and the whole pretense and lie of Christmas, so we can enjoy ourselves? Can we obey through disobedience? So what is right about Christmas? Nothing! It is a Pagan practice and if you claim to be a Christian you need to stop celebrating it! Leave a Reply You are commenting using your account. Log Out / Change ) Twitter picture Facebook photo Google+ photo Connecting to %s
> USSR as bad as it was it took responsibility for the Charnobyl catastrophe. There was Army and the Government involvement on all levels to clear it up from day 0. In Japan years after the incident the Government is still finger pointing some CEO trying to operate that facility. To expand on this point, if Fukushima were Chernobyl and Japan the USSR, the Sarcophagus would have been completed on October 27th, of 2011. Two years ago. (By no means is that structure a fine piece of engineering, but considering the constraints I find it hard to fault them for that.) If Fukushima were Chernobyl, it would have needed a sarcophagus. However, it was already designed with containment that worked, and as a result, a sarcophagus wouldn't have changed anything. In fact, building a large concrete structure over the reactor core would probably have complicated cleanup efforts by limiting access. In effect, Fukushima already had a sarcophagus integrated into the structure of the building in 1971, 6 years before Chernobyl even started running. Absolutely; hence "if Fukushima were Chernobyl". I don't mean to suggest that Japan should build a sarcophagus; I only mean to give an idea of the sort of timescale for significant engineering tasks that the Soviets were working with. They slammed it into high gear pretty rapidly. The constraints of Fukushima and Chernobyl are vastly different. First of all, in Chernobyl the surrounding infrastructure was not destroyed. Second, they had an open reactor in Chernobyl, so it was immediately clear that they need to build a sarcophagus. By contrast in Fukushima the biggest problem is water management. And especially the management of contaminated ground water, while it is not clear that a sarcophagus would solve much, since the containment is apparently somewhat intact. So while I think that Tepco did make horrible mistakes, I am actually not sure that the response was less than optimal. Largely because the USSR did commit similar mistakes in Chernobyl, for example not registering the liquidators. Just a little curios do you know how many people died to put initial Sarcophagus in place? Official Soviet count is 31: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_due_to_the_Chernobyl_dis... . Amount of people Soviet's threw in action is so enormous that it is silly to think that Japan could have matched anything like that. Especially with more immediate concerns of people not having food and shelter after Tsunami. Applications are open for YC Winter 2018
Explaining History-logo Explaining History 95 Favorites More Information United States Fifteen minutes of 20th Century History for students and enthusiasts. Palestine, India and Britain: Two partitions and the end of empire Exhausted by the Second World War, Britain was desperate to hold on to influence in the Middle East and yet policy makers were anxious to withdraw from Palestine as quickly as possible. At the same time, Britain was engaged in another hurried departure from India. Duration: 00:28:18 Book Review: Black Power and the American People This week's book review is an excellent and incisive analysis of the cultural history of black power in America by Rafael Torrubia. Duration: 00:16:04 Public Opinion and International Relations 1890-1914 In the decades before the First World War, the role that public opinion and the press in forming the foreign policy of European powers became considerably more decisive. This podcast explores how and why. Duration: 00:27:53 Book Review: Battles for Freedom by Eric Foner The monthly book review returns, with a review of Battles for Freedom - the essays of Eric Foner for the Nation magazine 1977-2015 Duration: 00:14:57 1979 and the birth of neoliberalism Duration: 00:27:08 1979 and the Birth of Neoliberalism In the late 1970s, after a decade of economic stagnation, western economies, accompanied by China, began the first steps towards the abandonment of the Bretton Woods system and social democracy. They replaced it with the current model of global economics, neoliberalism. Duration: 00:27:08 IG Farben and the Holocaust In 1947 the last of the Nuremberg trials began. The accused were German industrialists from the chemicals cartel IG Farben. Prosecutors charged them with using slave labour at their bunawerk factory during the Second World War - Auschwitz Monowitz. Duration: 00:28:31 War and British National Identity in the 20th Century The development of British national identity in the 20th Century is intimately connected with conflict. War has provided a unifying force that has held together an inherently fissile union throughout the century. Duration: 00:27:15 Stalin and the Soviet Bomb 1945-49 Stalin and his chief henchman Lavrenti Beria poured resources from a devastated USSR into the creation of an atomic bomb from 1945 onwards. The development of the bomb rested on Soviet espionage and the ability of scientists to experiment and work without ideological controls. Duration: 00:25:03 Bretton Woods 1944-1971 In 1944 at Bretton Woods in the USA a new model of the world economy that would provide postwar stability and prosperity was devised. However, the compromises and plans of the USA meant that the system created a fatal flaw, leaving it to unravel by 1971. Duration: 00:25:23 Mao, Khrushchev and the Great Leap Forward Between 1958-1962 Mao's second five year plan, known as the Great Leap Forward, resulted in economic chaos and a famine that killed over 40 million people. It was in part inspired by Mao's attempts to eclipse Soviet leader Khrushchev as the leader of the communist world. Duration: 00:25:08 2017 Exams Special: Expert study advice with Lucy Parsons In a slight change from our regular episodes, I've interviewed study specialist and coach Lucy Parsons to offer her knowledge on how to prepare for history exams and what skills are needed to excel at A level. Coming on Friday: Berlin and Willy Brandt. You can find out more about Lucy's academic coaching @ http://lifemoreextraordinary.com Duration: 00:20:03 The World Recession in the 1970s After three decades of unprecedented global economic growth from the Second World War onwards, the economy of the first world experienced prolonged economic crisis throughout the 1970s and 1980s. This podcast explores the long and short term causes of the crisis. Duration: 00:26:21 French Fascism 1919-1939 Throughout the interwar period French politics polarised between right and left, but unlike Germany, the political centre ground managed to hold. On the right, a series of anti communist, pro Catholic, nationalist and militarist parties and societies proliferated, but it took a German invasion in 1940 to create a fascist government in France in the guise of the Vichy regime. Duration: 00:25:33 Japan, war and hardship 1937-41 By 1941 Japan was facing acute economic crises due to the long drawn out war in China and the American oil and scrap metal embargo. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbour seemed to many Japanese a way out of the crisis. Duration: 00:26:13 The Fate of Europe's Collaborators - 1945 At the end of the Second World War, savage reprisals against anyone suspected of collaborating with the Nazis swept Europe. In many instances, however, political and personal motivations led to widespread violence and killing. Duration: 00:26:04 Kennedy, the CIA and Vietnam 1960-1963 In November 1963, shortly before he was assassinated, John F Kennedy ordered the overthrow of President Ngo Dinh Diem of South Vietnam. Diem, a corrupt authoritarian had become an embarrassment and his lack of support meant the likelihood of a communist takeover in Vietnam was steadily growing. Duration: 00:28:27 India and the outbreak of war 1939 In September 1939 Lord Linlithgow, the British Viceroy of India declared war on Nazi Germany without consulting any of India's political parties. The war presented Indian politicians with opportunities to further their agendas and the British used divide and rule tactics to maintain their control. * visit www.audiopi.co.uk and use the discount code Explain for ten percent off all podcasts and subscriptions. Duration: 00:25:15 Hitler and the Catholic Church 1933-37 In 1933, as Hitler consolidated his power, he signed an agreement or 'concordat' with the Catholic Church, removing the power of the Papacy from German politics. Within months, however, the deal was abandoned and persecution of the church began. This podcast explores the reasons for the Nazis betrayal of the church. Duration: 00:26:21 Radical Politics and British Pop Music 1976-87 For the first time in its history, British popular music became radically politicised in the mid 1970s as a result of the rise of far right racist groups in Britain. This radicalism lasted long into the 1980s, ending with the advent of New Labour. Duration: 00:25:37 See More
Science Target Conference Systems, Ajman 4th International Environment Conference 2016 Font Size: Assessment of Water Footprint and Economic Water productivity of Major Biofuel Crops in Thailand Russel Mohammad Fazlul Haque Last modified: 2015-12-22 This study aims to access the water footprint (WF) and economic water productivity (EWP) of biofuel crops sugarcane, cassava and oil palm in Rayong, Loei and Kanchanaburi provinces of Thailand by using the water footprint methodology. The water footprint has been estimated in parts: WF of biofuel crops, WF of biofuel and WF of biofuel energy. Sugarcane, cassava and oil palm are three main biofuel crops in Thailand. The WF of these three biofuel crops is estimated by using the crop water requirement method of CROPWAT 8.0 model. Besides, the EWP of the aforementioned biofuel crops is also calculated in order to explore economic benefit of water use. Almost all of the energy crops have shown their over reliance on rainwater with more than 50% consumption of green water. The WF of oil palm is higher compared to sugarcane and cassava in all the three provinces. Sugarcane is the most water efficient biofuel crop in all the three provinces where as the WF of bio-ethanol from cassava shows more water efficiency compared to other two crops. In the energy context, cassava consumes least water to produce 1 GJ of energy. On the other hand, the economic water productivity (EWP) of oil plam (4.8937 US$/kg) is about 10 times and 11 times more than sugarcane (0.4962 US$/kg) and cassava (0.4343 US$/kg) respectively.
The Center for Disease Control has announced that more cases of flu are being reported than normal documented amounts in several states. US officials say that such upticks usually don't occur until after Christmas. Please, cover your mouth when you cough, sneeze into your shoulder. If you have to sneeze again, then sneeze into your opposite shoulder. If you’re one of those people who always sneezes three times in a row, you should have had time to take out a handkerchief and cover your nose and mouth. If someone you meet exhibits flu-like symptoms, try to refrain from shaking their hand and avoid close contact with anyone who appears to be developing a cold. Use toilet paper, or towels to turn on faucets, or open public doors and wash your hands often.
Thursday, November 13, 2014 Science meets Smaug Wired article discussing the physics of the black arrow. Bad news: it shouldn't have enough speed to kill the dragon. But my question is: What if the arrow is lighter, i.e. mithril arrow? In fan discussions, mithril is assumed to be aluminum or titanium....because it is hard, I always backed titanium. The main argument against the black arrow being of mithril is that is that mitril is silver, and the arrow is black..similar to Turin's black blade Gurthang This sword was reforged from Anglachel, which was meteorite meta; in origin but stronger than earthen steel. Turin used Gurthang to kill the dragon if the black arrow was made from a similar metal, it would indeed be able to kill Smaug. a discussion of meteorite weapons can be found at strangehistory. and at wikipedia. No comments:
Check Out These Simple Green Energy Tips! You do not have to buy an electric cars to make this possible. Instead of blasting the air conditioner to keep cool in summer, wear clothes made from naturally cooling fabrics. Cotton and similar fabrics will draw moisture from your skin, so you will stay cool. Light colored clothing can also help you to feel cooler. Warm-air registers can also have filters installed on them.This will help keep debris from blocking heating ducts. Do you live on a farm? If you or someone you know does, you can rent a piece of your land to a company looking to put in a wind turbine. You and your neighbors will benefit from free energy and this installation will not take a lot of space. Many systems allow a switch to biodiesel or extra parts. When you can, wash your clothes using cold water. Nearly 90% of the energy that is consumed when you wash your clothes is taken up heating the water. As long as the washing detergent you use is reliable, using cold water instead of hot water will wash your clothes just as well. Don’t forget to wait until you have a full load of laundry to wash; that is the energy efficient way. The sun can really make your clothing for free and the summer breeze will leave it smelling amazing. They will smell a lot fresher than machine-dried clothes. You will also save on your utilities bills by doing this. Check out all the different resources your community has available for energy. Compare costs, and keep in mind that new legislation exists which will sometimes reward you for using renewable energy sources. It may be beneficial to switch from electric heat to natural gas heat, or from city water to well water, for example. Take time out to properly inspect your fridge properly. Refrigerators take lots of energy to run, so they should be taken care of to work their best. Make sure to clean heating coils periodically. Make sure the door seals are clean and also tight. One of the simplest ways to go green is by dressing more warmly. A light sweater offers 2 degrees of more warmth, and a lighter sweater adds 2 degrees. You don’t have to wear a t-shirt and shorts in your home, so save money by putting on a sweater and turning down the heat! Learn the difference between passive and active solar power. Passive solar power doesn’t need expensive cells in order to store power, although active is stored for later use. Installing an active solar system requires more money and work, with panels and an entire system. While passive is simply using the sun to store thermal energy inside your walls to heat your home with. Use a laptop for your computing needs rather than a desktop computer. Laptops use about 75% less electricity than desktops, especially during non-demanding tasks like surfing the web or word processing. The laptop has the added benefit of being portable, so it can be taken anywhere! Write yourself reminders to stay on top of new energy efficiency goals, and check each bill against last year to see if improvements were made. For example, if you make an effort to lower your electricity or water usage, you are more apt to remember to turn off the lights and shut off the faucet when not using them. Try using a carpool if you want to reduce fuel consumption. If you have children, you can have a neighborhood carpool and switch with the other parents every day. Those who live close to friends or family can go grocery shopping together. Simple things like changing furnace filters, light bulbs and thermostats can make big energy differences. Set an example so others will realize how important going green can be! Use the tips you just learned immediately to save energy. These days, everyone wants to know about the world of key largo bank owned real estate, but not everyone knows where to turn for the right information. Thankfully, this article contains excellent tips to help you move ahead. Just put all this advice to good use.
Saturday, 22 March 2014 Alan Turing's 'Morphogenesis' Theory Confirmed 60 Years After His Death Alan Turing is remembered mostly for his work in computer science--and for cracking Nazi Germany's Enigma code. But the English mathematician also wrote a key biology paper in which he put forth an explanation for morphogenesis. That's the process by which identical cells in a developing organism differentiate into the various cells that make up the organism's adult form. Now, 60 years after his suicide, scientists at Brandeis University and the University of Pittsburgh have published a study offering experimental evidence confirming Turing's theory. Turing was the first to offer a chemical explanation of morphogenesis, study co-author Dr. Seth Fraden, a professor of physics at Brandeis, told The Huffington Post in an email. Turing theorized that cells change shape because chemicals in an embryo react with each other and diffuse across space, according to a written statement released by the University of Pittsburgh. He predicted six different patterns of morphogenesis that could arise from his model. To test Turing's theory, Fraden and his collaborators created rings of synthetic, cell-like structures. Then Dr. G. Bard Ermentrout, a professor of computational biology and of mathematics at Pitt, used computational tools to analyze the results. turingThis photo montage depicts morphogenesis from an initial homogeneous state (upper left, same volume and color) through a heterogeneous state (center, same volume but different colors) and into a chemo-physical heterogeneous state (lower right, different volumes and colors). This cellular differentiation takes place exactly as Alan Turing predicted it would in his 1952 paper "The Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis.' What happened? The researchers observed all six patterns predicted by Turing, plus a seventh that he didn't predict, according to the statement. In addition, the researchers noticed that the once identical cell-like structures started to change in size. Turing's theory helps explains all sorts of biological phenomena, from the pigmentation of seashells to the shapes of flowers and leaves and even the geometric structures seen in drug-induced hallucinations, according to Ermentrout. paper describing the new research was published March 10 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Latest Reason To Quit Hotmail: Microsoft Admits To Spying On It Kibkalo has since relocated to Russia, the FBI complaint says. Friday, 21 March 2014 We can't wait to see more of this sister act! Google's Apparently Sick Of Hearing People Complain About Glass Apparently, Google is starting to get defensive about Glass. On Thursday, the company took to Google Plus and released a post titled “The Top 10 Google Glass Myths.” The writeup contains several counter-claims to some of the familiar gripes people have about the technology. Here are some examples: Myth: “Glass is always on and recording everything” Google: "Glass isn't designed for or even capable of always-on recording" Myth: “Glass marks the end of privacy" Google: "People feared the same when the first cell phone cameras came out." It makes sense for Google to address some of these common complaints. After all, for a product that's being marketed as the future of technology, a lot of the news surrounding the device hasn't been so positive. Last year, a woman was given a traffic ticket for driving with her Glass (though it was later dismissed), and this month, a West Virginia state legislator sought to ban drivers from using the technology while on the road. In addition, more and more bars and restaurants are banning Glass entirely. This isn’t the first time Google has attempted to keep the peace when it comes to Glass, either. Last month, the company released an etiquette guide for Explorers, or those currently testing Glass. "Respect others and if they have questions about Glass don’t get snappy," the post notes. "Be polite and explain what Glass does and remember, a quick demo can go a long way." In a blog post for The Huffington Post, Google Glass enthusiast Robert Scoble recently said Google is losing steam in its adoption of Glass. He pointed out the technology has been in its prototype phase for nearly two years with little tangible movement toward launch. It's unclear if the negative public reception is holding the product back, but it's apparent Google seems keen on protecting Glass' image. Obama Borrows From the JFK Playbook on Ukraine First, Obama has resorted to rallying his European allies around a common strategy to confront the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin. So, too, did President Kennedy, gather together his Western nation counterparts to present a joint stance against the then Kremlin chieftan, Nikita Khrushchev. Second, Obama has called into session the most important regional security organization NATO, to devise ways to thwart the Russian occupation of Crimea, as well as asking the European Union to consider broad financial aid to Ukraine. In a like-minded move, President Kennedy convened the key regional body within the Americas, the Organization of American States (OAS), to issue an ultimatum to the Soviets to remove their missiles from Cuba. Third, in both their disputes, the two presidents sought out the United Nations to condemn the actions of Moscow and ask the Security Council to consider sending in neutral UN peacemakers to supervise a possible settlement of the conflicts. Fourth, given his limited options, especially that force was not possible, Obama has taken action to cancel US participation in the G-8 meeting in Sochi and threatened to halt trade talks with Moscow as well as place economic sanctions on Russia. Kennedy, for his side, famously instituted a far more draconian measure, a quarantine around the island of Cuba, to intercept Soviet destroyers from docking in Cuba. At the same time, both men looked to the legitimate concerns raised by the Russian leadership in both crises and sought ways to give the Kremlin a means to back down from its military action without being humiliated. Kennedy employed back-channel emissaries as well as often inconsistent cable traffic to get the word to Khrushchev that there was a way out. For his part, Obama used his previously civil post-Cold War relations with Russia to phone Putin directly and talk about the latter's preoccupations. Now he is sending Secretary of State Kerry to meet with the Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. In the end, Kennedy was finally able to work out a deal with the USSR over Cuba whereby Washington gave a guarantee that it would not invade Cuba in exchange for a Soviet dismantling and withdrawal of its rockets from the island. Meantime Obama has, in his turn, suggested a way that the Russians can end its confrontation -- namely, have the Russian troops now in guard duty all over Crimea return to their bases in Sevastopol, and then have international observers put into Crimea to assure that there are no attacks against Russian citizens within the territory. If this happens, further talks could ensue to persuade the Russians not to encroach on Russian-friendly areas of eastern Ukraine or annex Crimea or recognize its independence. Still, whatever happens, the lessons from both momentous events is that the US must be prepared, as JFK was, to face down the Russians but at the same time take into account their realistic concerns and offer them a respectful exit strategy. Tuesday, 18 March 2014 Crimea Annexation: Putin Signs Treaty Making Region Part Of Russia By Vladimir Soldatkin and Steve Gutterman Monday, 17 March 2014 What Everyone Should Know About The Female Orgasm And Hooking Up (INFOGRAPHIC) Research has shown that the female orgasm is easier to achieve in committed sexual relationships -- there's a level of comfort and intimacy that allows females to simply let go and find their happy place. But what does that mean for all the single ladies out there trying to find sexual bliss in less-committed partnerships? Thanks to Dr. Justin Lehmiller -- a sex educator and researcher in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University -- we now have ahandy infographic to explain the ins and outs of the female orgasm during hookups. orgasm infographic 8 Ways to Grow Love Main Entry Image Love thrives in the bedrock of a man or woman's heart, leaks out into the fabric of a caring bond with your lover, and seeks expression in an infinite number of ways. When you hold a baby you feel love. When men and women touch each other intimately, it becomes more than just sex or erotic passion -- if fed by tenderness, affection and a loving spirit between husband and wife. It's all about love. Your capacity for love defines you as a human being, fills up your soul with passion and teaches you about your hang ups, limitations, calling in life and the joy you have to offer others. Love heals wounds and carries you through the deepest waters of conflict and adversity. Ultimately, love is a force unlike any other -- a power that sweeps through and defines your personal history and brings hope and wisdom to your present journey. It can truly change your world, turn it upside down with mystery and fun, and becomes the glue that holds two lovers in tandem as they ride through the intricate streets of life. Where does this power called love come from? Within the depths of your own heart, implanted by life, the Spirit and experience. Here, you learn to listen to love's voice as it moves you to new heights and compels you to foster a dynamite passion for your lover, your mate in life. For men, the power of love grows when they: 1. Practice explosive tenderness and affection. Men struggle to define softness and tenderness as masculine; yet they can rock a woman's world and provide a backdrop for intimacy and authenticity. Close your eyes and think of times when you felt close and fond of your lover -- inside and outside the bedroom. Remind yourself of all the ways you can bring tender care to your wife's presence. What are all the ways you begin reaching out to your lover in tender ways with words, touch and other action? 2. Learn to better identify needs and wants, and to support each other in getting these met. Begin a personal study of what you, as a human being, need to feel whole and complete. Include ideas about love, belonging, respect and empathy. Then discover what women need to feel whole, complete and loved by their man. Create an action plan to start loving habits that meet these needs. 3. Define their best self and live it out. This means a careful identification of your core values -- what you really believe about life and love that brings integrity to all your decisions in life. Then practice each one -- make them habits you live by. 4. Become the sexiest man alive. Work on your physical self and care for it. Get in shape. But more importantly, practice being romantic. Flirt with your wife. Make her feel special and beautiful -- for her body, but also her mind! Start with the talent of "listening" empathically and consistently -- yes, to everything she wants to talk about! For women, the power of love grows when they: 1. Practice inner beauty. This means defining your true identity by your own values and own model of womanhood. This involves ignoring the "beauty" messages from magazine and media and coming up with your own ways of identifying what inner beauty means -- centered on your character and personality. 2. Learn to recognize and talk about their need for care and affection. So many woman just hold it inside and bleed to death emotionally without others knowing. Learn to affirm your deepest needs and find healthy ways to get those needs met. Talk to your lover about what you want and expect and give him room to grow in his capacity to give this kind of love. 3. Honor the differences between men and women. This creates expectations consistent with the challenges men face in knowing and owning their true feelings and desires. This involves recognizing the gift you have to bring out the best in your man by modeling a deeper connection with your own needs and demonstrating how this works in the way you love him. Men thrive on respect and often doubt their ability to bring love into their mate's life. 4. Become the sexiest woman alive. Work on your physical self, but more importantly, your inner beauty. Reach out to your man with deep respect that mirrors the respect you learn to hold for yourself. Define surrendering to your mate as a choice, not an obligation, knowing it comes from your own femininity and strength. Love means power. Power that knows no limits. That moves mountains and creates joy, starts in the soul and pounds against the shoreline of life until no one can ignore it. And while we strive to find it in all our relationships in life, may we never fail to look beneath our own interior walls where we see it rest on the organs of hope and enduring peace. Waiting for release, like breath from our lungs that seeps into the air and touches the soul of our best friend, our lover for life. Such is the power of love. Crimea Parliament Declares Independence From Ukraine After Referendum SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 15: Russian flag held is seen on the Crimean parliament building before the Crimean referendum in Simferopol on March 15, 2014. (Photo by Bulent Doruk/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's Crimean peninsula declared itself an independent nation Monday after its residents voted overwhelmingly to secede and try to join Russia, while U.S. and European Union diplomats discussed sanctions against Russia for backing the referendum. Ukraine's political turmoil has become Europe's most severe security crisis in years and tensions are high since Russian troops seized control of Crimea two weeks ago. Large amounts of Russian troops are also massed near the border with Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine, which has sharp political differences with the country's new government in Kiev. The Crimean parliament declared that all Ukrainian state property on the Black Sea peninsula will be nationalized and become the property of the Crimean Republic. Lawmakers also asked the United Nations and other nations to recognize it and began work on setting up a central bank with money from Russia. Crimean lawmakers said they were flying to Moscow later Monday to discuss annexation by Russia. Russia is expected to face sanctions from the U.S. and Europe for backing the Crimean referendum, which could also encourage rising pro-Russian sentiment in Ukraine's east and lead to further divisions in the nation of 46 million. Russia is also pushing for Russian to become Ukraine's state language. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine's new government, which emerged after the pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia after three months of protests that culminated in deadly clashes. Reflecting the rising tensions, the Ukrainian parliament approved the president's order for a partial armed forces mobilization of up to 20,000 people. In Brussels, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said the West must now retaliate. "We need to show solidarity with Ukraine and therefore Russia leaves us no choice," Sikorski told reporters in Brussels. "The (annexation) of Crimea cannot rest without a response from the international community." Friday, 14 March 2014 Is it Good for America to Only do What's Good for Business? Opponents to President Obama's efforts to put millions of dollars in the pockets of people who've been working overtime for no pay want you to worry about business again. Conservative business groups have responded with all-too-familiar claims of the harm Obama's plan will bring to their members. House Speaker John Boehner had this to say: Here, just so we know what paying attention to such nonsense would mean for America, is a short list of actions and laws that would not have succeeded if what's supposedly good for business were the primary concern at the time they went into effect: Emancipation Proclamation - made the eradication of slavery an important war goal, freeing millions of slaves without compensating their owners; Fair Labor Standards Act - restricted the employment and abuse of child workers; Title IX - established that no person in the U.S. can be excluded, on the basis of sex, from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance; Americans with Disabilities Act - prohibited discrimination in employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications; Antitrust laws - prohibited business activities that federal government regulators deem to be anticompetitive Minimum wage (FLSA and state laws) - set the lowest wage allowed by law Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act - regulated the discharge of pollutants It's time to stop listening to endless repetition of the narrow-minded view that rules and laws should not be changed if they pose even a whiff of difficulty for business. More often than not, it's a bogus argument and a selfish one at that. American businesses that inflexible are soon out of business anyway, and we're all the better for it. Tuesday, 11 March 2014 Next Steps in the Ukraine Crisis There is a stark and obvious asymmetry in the Ukraine crisis. Russia will use military force to get its way. The West will not and should not. There is no doubt that Russian militarized bullying can lead to the de facto division of Ukraine, an event that would be of grave long-term consequences not only for Russia and Ukraine but for the world. The practical question at hand is whether international law can still function to stop this from occurring. In my view, the answer is yes. The problem with international law is that the great powers, including both the US and Russia, give it allegiance opportunistically, only when it is to their short-term convenience. The US launched the Iraq War against international law. The US has recently destabilized many regimes against international law that protect the sovereignty of UN member states. The US is supporting a violent insurgency in Syria to bring down the regime against international law. Now it is Russia's turn to violate international law. Russia's actions in the Crimea are perfectly intelligible in terms of Russia's interests and foreign policy traditions, but they are also clearly in violation of international law. Russia has high stakes in Ukraine, and the extra-constitutional toppling of Yanukovich was against Russian interests and provoked Russia's response in Crimea. The West should acknowledge Russia's valid economic and security concerns in Ukraine, but it should not accede to Russia's unilateral and illegal actions in Crimea (and still less if they spread to Eastern Ukraine). The most important governing law in this immediate case is both explicit and extremely important. It is the treaty-backed agreement reached by four powers in 1994, Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, known as "The Memorandum on Security Assurances in connection with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation on Nuclear Weapons (NPT)." It is filed with the UN Security Council as S/1994/1399, on December 19, 1994. The issue at hand in 1994 was as important as any issue of international law: the management of nuclear arms. Ukraine and Russia had just recently become independent after the demise of the Soviet Union in December 1991. Ukraine had inherited a nuclear arms stockpile. In the interest of nuclear non-proliferation and to prevent accidents, terrorism, or a nuclear showdown in the post-Soviet region, the US and Russia prevailed on Ukraine to give up its nuclear weapons and hand them to Russia. The quid pro quo, at stake today, was Ukraine's territorial sovereignty. Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons on the assurance that it would remain sovereign and secure, including from Russia. As Ukraine renounced nuclear weapons and joined the NPT, Russia, the US, and UK, "reaffirmed their commitment ... to respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine." Moreover, the parties reaffirmed: As for threats of energy cutoffs or other economic sanctions, the parties reaffirmed: Crucially, the memorandum made clear that the four parties (including Ukraine) would "consult in the event a situation arises that raises a question concerning these commitments." This international agreement is the basis for Russia to return to its base in Crimea, and for Crimea to remain part of Ukraine. It is the guarantee of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. It is the bulwark against economic blackmail. In short, it is the place where peaceful nations must take their stand in the current crisis. The United States should make the legal case, again and again, in the UN Security Council. It should explain the global agreements in detail to the American people, the UN member states, and the world. It should require that Russia explain its actions in light of its clear responsibilities to consult with Ukraine, not as a matter of good neighborliness, but as a matter of solemn international obligation. There are three weaknesses in this approach. First, international law works slowly, while armaments and events move quickly. No doubt that is true. Second, and just as important, the US is a frequent violator of international law. Invoking it is a double-edged sword: Many US initiatives will be called into question (e.g. in Syria). Third, Russia is not especially lawyerly in its foreign policy. Yet its record of abiding by international treaties is actually much stronger than is widely known. The West acted foolishly in Ukraine, thinking that a popular upheaval could sweep a pro-Russian government from power and yet not prompt a hostile Russian reaction. The EU was naïve in thinking it could spring Ukraine from Russian influence through a mere association agreement or a loan. Any government in Ukraine must pay attention to the security and economic interests of its powerful neighbor to the East. The West should not feed fantasies held by segments of Ukrainian society. Yet the West should not accede to Russian demands. Upholding Ukraine's sovereignty is not just about Ukraine. It is about the non-proliferation treaty itself, and global safety in a nuclear-armed world. Yet there can be no military response from the West. Analogies to Munich 1938 are not correct. In a nuclear world, Russia will not invade the West nor can the West triumph militarily over Russia. Similarly, sanctions will not play any real role except dig both sides deeper into confrontation. Visa restrictions are less than pin pricks, signs of silliness not policy. The UN Security Council should insist on reason from Russia, and West should insist on reason and moderation from Kiev. All sides will lose in a deepening confrontation and horrible mistakes would be possible. Russia's security interests should be respected, but Russia should abide by international law, and the US should do so in Syria and other areas of Russian concern. For the entire world, international law is the key to long-term survival. It may be a slender thread, but it is the only thread we have.
Saturday, 18 July 2015 Redefining The Extent Of The Cambrian Explosion Treptichnus pedum, the trace fossil which defines the base of the Cambrian The Cambrian Explosion is so named for the eponymous time period in which it occurred. In turn the eponymous time period is defined by the biological products of the Cambrian Explosion. The appearence of a trace fossil known as Treptichnus pedum is the official marker for the base of the Cambrian but, in the minds of all but the most obstinate of stratigraphers, the period is characterised by the oddities produced by the evolutionary radiation - the marellomorphs and the anomalocarids just to name two salient groups. When we think of the Cambrian sea floor, we picture a scene which is alien in comparison to those inhabited by later biotas. One of the remarkable fossils from Fezouata, specifically of a marellomorph arthopod It was once thought that the temporal range of the more unusual families produced by the Cambrian Explosion did not extend beyond the Cambrian period itself. More recent discoveries of anomalocarids from the early Ordovician showed that some of these families did have a greater geological longeivity. A study of fossils from the Ordovician Fezouata formation has shown that other families also lasted longer than their geological record previously suggested. 'The Fezouata is extraordinarily significant' said Professor Derek Briggs from Yale University. 'Animals typical of the Cambrian are still present in rocks 20 million years younger, which means there must be a cryptic record in between, which is not preserved.' Over 160 genera have been recorded from the locality, including a large number of lobopodians - the group of arthropods which contained within it the majority of the Cambrian oddities, including Hallucigenia and Anomalocaris. They show that the biotic legacy of the Cambrian Explosion extended well into the Ordovician, which itself is thought to have overseen its own evolutionary radiation - the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event. 'There is much more to learn from the Fezouata' said Professor Briggs. 'Why do we not see more assemblages like this in the Ordovician? What ecological changes happened at the Cambro-Ordovician interval? Are the Cambrian Explosion and the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event separate, or phases of the same event?' Aegirocassis benmoulae was an Ordovician arthropod which was larger than a human An added advantage of the specimens from Fezouata is their quality. Preserved in fine grained mudstone, soft tissues and highly articulated structures are well displayed. Some specimens are even metres in length - relative battleships compared to their more modest Cambrian forebears. It is intriguing to note that the anomalocarid specimens from the formation are not only larger than their Cambrian ancestors, but also show a greater degree of specialisation, suggesting that the evolutionary radiation recorded at Fezouata is an extension of the preceding Cambrian event. In addition to Cambrian hanger-ons, other fossils have redefined the evolutionary histories of other organisms besides. 'Horseshoe crabs, for example, turn out to be at least 20 million years older than we thought. The formation demonstrates how important exceptionally preserved fossils are to our understanding of major evolutionary events in deep time' said Peter Van Roy, also of Yale, who first recognised the scientific importance of the Fezouata fauna. The Kootenay and Maotianshan sites have yielded remarkable finds from the Cambrian which have added to the wealth of knowledge originally collected at the Burgess Shale. Fezouata, however, demonstrates that we should also examine the Ordovician to gain a fuller picture of the true extent of the Cambrian Explosion.
Word of the Day: Morphology Scientists that study the morphology of living things focus on their forms and how those forms interact with other living things and contribute to their function. When we say “forms,” we mean the shape and structure. For example, leaf morphology refers to the shape and structure of leaves of plants. There are loads of resources such as books and field guides that explain the different types of leaf, stem, root, and flower petal arrangements. These forms ultimately contribute to the fitness and function of the organism. The same applies to other living things such as reptiles, mammals, bacteria, and birds. Medical doctors study the morphology of cells of body tissues, in a sub-field called histology. Read some Sciworthy articles about morphology below… Diversity of lake cichlid species due to unusually high gene duplication Early mammals diverged from reptiles much earlier than thought Environment-related morphological changes can confuse scientists
What does kite mean? Definitions for kitekaɪt Here are all the possible meanings and translations of the word kite. Princeton's WordNet 1. kite(noun) 2. kite(noun) 3. kite(noun) 4. kite(verb) 5. kite(verb) increase the amount (of a check) fraudulently "He kited many checks" 6. kite(verb) get credit or money by using a bad check "The businessman kited millions of dollars" 7. kite(verb) soar or fly like a kite "The pilot kited for a long time over the mountains" 8. kite(verb) fly a kite 1. kite(Noun) Any of falconiform birds of prey in the subfamily Elaninae of the family Accipitridae with long wings and weak legs, feeding mostly on carrion and spending long periods soaring. A pair of kites built a nest on the cliff. 2. kite(Noun) A lightweight toy or other device carried on the wind and tethered and controlled from the ground by one or more lines. On windy spring days, we would fly kites. 3. kite(Noun) A tethered object which deflects its position in a medium by obtaining lift and drag in reaction with its relative motion in the medium. 4. kite(Noun) A quadrilateral having two pairs of edges of equal length, the edges of each pair being consecutive. Four-sided figures without parallel sides include trapezoids and kites. 5. kite(Noun) A fraudulent draft, such as a check one drawn on insufficient funds or with altered face value. 6. kite(Noun) A planetary configuration wherein one planet of a grand trine is in opposition to an additional fourth planet. 7. kite(Noun) An aircraft, or aeroplane. 8. kite(Noun) A lightweight sail set above the topgallants, such as a studding-sail. 9. kite(Noun) A spinnaker. 10. kite(Verb) To fly a kite. I'm going kiting this weekend. 11. kite(Verb) To glide in the manner of a kite. The wind kited us toward shore. 12. kite(Verb) To travel by kite, as when kitesurfing. We spent the afternoon kiting around the bay. 13. kite(Verb) To toss or cast. 14. kite(Verb) To write a check on an account with insufficient funds, expecting that funds will become available by the time the check clears. He was convicted of kiting checks and sentenced to two years in prison. 15. kite(Verb) To cause an increase, especially in costs. Rising interest rates have kited the cost of housing. 16. kite(Verb) To attack and destroy a monster or mob from a distance, without exposing oneself to danger. 17. kite(Verb) To deflect sideways in the water. 18. kite(Verb) To send a short letter. 19. kite(Noun) A short letter. 20. kite(Verb) To steal. Webster Dictionary 1. Kite(noun) 2. Kite(noun) fig. : One who is rapacious 3. Kite(noun) 4. Kite(noun) a lofty sail, carried only when the wind is light 5. Kite(noun) a quadrilateral, one of whose diagonals is an axis of symmetry 6. Kite(noun) 7. Kite(noun) the brill 8. Kite(verb) to raise money by "kites;" as, kiting transactions. See Kite, 6 9. Kite(noun) the belly 10. Origin: [OE. kyte, AS. cta; cf. W. cud, cut.] 1. Kite A kite is a tethered aircraft. The necessary lift that makes the kite wing fly is generated when air flows over and under the kite's wing, producing low pressure above the wing and high pressure below it. This deflection also generates horizontal drag along the direction of the wind. The resultant force vector from the lift and drag force components is opposed by the tension of the one or more lines or tethers. The anchor point of the kite line may be static or moving. The same principles can be used in water and experiments have also been made with lighter-than-air kites Kites may be flown for recreation, art or other practical uses. Sport kites can be flown in aerial ballet, sometimes as part of a competition. Power kites are multi-line steerable kites designed to generate large forces which can be used to power activities such as kite surfing, kite landboarding, kite fishing, kite buggying and a new trend snow kiting. Kites towed behind boats can lift passengers which has had useful military applications in the past. Chambers 20th Century Dictionary 1. Kite kīt, n. a rapacious bird of the hawk kind: a rapacious person: a light frame covered with paper for flying in the air, attached to a long cord, by means of which it is steered: a light and lofty sail: an accommodation bill, esp. a mere paper credit.—n. Kite′-fly′ing, the dealing in fictitious accommodation paper to raise money. [A.S. cýta; cf. W. cud, Bret. kidel, a hawk.] 2. Kite kīt, n. (Scot.) the belly.—Also Kyte. [A.S. cwith, the womb.] Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms 1. kite In naval mine warfare, a device which when towed, submerges and planes at a predetermined level without sideways displacement. Suggested Resources 1. kite Song lyrics by kite -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by kite on the Lyrics.com website. 2. KITE What does KITE stand for? -- Explore the various meanings for the KITE acronym on the Abbreviations.com website. 1. Chaldean Numerology The numerical value of kite in Chaldean Numerology is: 3 2. Pythagorean Numerology The numerical value of kite in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9 Sample Sentences & Example Usage 1. Lauren Bacall: Imagination is the highest kite one can fly. 2. Lauren Becall: Imagination is the highest kite that one can fly. 3. Hamilton Mabie: 4. Anais Nin: 5. Arthur Marx: So. The time has come for me to get my kite flying, stretch out in the sun, kick off my shoes, and speak my piece. 'The days of struggle are over,' I should be able to say. 'I can look back now and tell myself I don't have a single regret.' But I do. Many years ago a very wise man named Bernard Baruch took me aside and put his arm around my shoulder. 'Harpo, my boy,' he said, 'I'm going to give you three pieces of advice, three things you should always remember.' My heart jumped and I glowed with expectation. I was going to hear the magic password to a rich, full life from the master himself. 'Yes, sir' I said. And he told me the three things. I regret that I've forgotten what they were. Images & Illustrations of kite Translations for kite From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary Get even more translations for kite » Find a translation for the kite definition in other languages: Select another language: Discuss these kite definitions with the community: Word of the Day Please enter your email address: Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography: "kite." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2017. Web. 24 Sep. 2017. <http://www.definitions.net/definition/kite>. Are we missing a good definition for kite? Don't keep it to yourself... Nearby & related entries: Alternative searches for kite: Thanks for your vote! 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The deep sea is home to a large biodiversity including fragile habitats such as thousand year old deep-water corals and sponges. Bottom trawling is one of the most common deep sea bottom fishing methods, which consists of dragging heavy fishing nets along the seafloor. In doing so, not only targeted fish are caught, but also other deep sea animals that are later discarded. In addition, the heavy nets destroy sea floor habitats with consequent major loss of biodiversity and alteration of deep sea ecosystems. In 2007, the European Commission reviewed the existing deepsea fishing regulation acknowledging that the EU failed to maintain most deep sea fisheries within safe biological limits or to protect vulnerable deep sea marine ecosystem from destructive fishing practices. However, since then, the legislative process suffered many delays. Today’s adoption of the deep sea regulation by the Parliament is a very significant step in protecting the fragile and little understood deep sea ecosystems. But legislation will only be as effective as its implementation and Seas At Risk will work on the implementation process with the Commission and Member States to ensure paper will be translated into action. The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (of which Seas At Risk is a steering group member) also urges full implementation of the new EU regulation on deep sea fishing Trawler Pixabay no attribution required M
Lighthouses as travelling sites Eesti keeles In English Lighthouses as a tourism product Estonian lighthouses have a 500-year-old history: due to the close proximity of the bank of Hiiumadal, or Neckmansgrund, to the Baltic Sea major shipping lane, construction of Estonia’s first lighthouse, the Kõpu lighthouse on Hiiumaa Island began on the initiative of Tallinn municipal authorities as early as in the 16th century. Today, the Estonian official list of aids to navigation includes 61 lighthouses, 187 light beacons and over 200 buoys. The IALA list of 100 lighthouses as historic and architectural monuments contains six Estonian lighthouses, those of Kõpu, Ruhnu, Tahkuna, Keri, Pakri, and Suurupi. The lighthouse of Kõpu is one of the world’s three oldest aids to navigation still in operation. "Each and every one of them has had a hard fate and has led an intriguing life. Lighthouses form a silent bridge across the time and space. Although many of them carry a certain date or a year cut into a stone hidden in the doorway or under basement, lighthouses as symbols are timeless." (P. Peetsalu "The world of Estonian lighthouses") In modern times, these ancient guardians of safe navigation are acquiring new meanings: lighthouse as a landmark giving specific accent to the coast, as a historic, cultural or architectural monument, a place of accommodation or as a tourist attraction. In the framework of the INTERREG IIIA Programme project "Lighthouses as a tourism product" contacts will be established between organisations and individuals operating, maintaining and developing lighthouses, a common development plan for lighthouse tourism in Estonia and Finland will be compiled, promotional materials will be printed, and information boards will be installed. The webpage of the Project is at: Lighthouse Tourism Development Plan for Finland and Estonia 2008-2013 Lighthouses on Estonian Islands
New cameras for IAF The camera, whose professional name is „Hyperspectral”, is structured on UAVs and its purpose is to aerially examine details hidden from the human eye. This would help, for example, in the tracking of hidden ammunition. „Once a suspected target such as chemical has been detected, the camera’s system will alert the user”, explains Lieutenant Colonel Yoav, Head of intelligence Department in the Equipment Squadron. „The camera’s functionality is based upon the wave lengths that are extrapolated from certain natural substances which aren’t visible. Each substance produces a different wave and the camera is able to tell the difference between the various options”. Put simply, the camera could help differentiate between a natural bush and a bush that produces irregular waves. The „Hyperspectral” technology can tell the difference between the lengths of waves outside the spectrum that is visible to the human eye, and has existed for a few years. In the civilian world it has been used to identify harmful pests from above. Now, the IAF has begun a series of experiments in order to examine if the system is suitable for integration in the force. If the experiments prove that it is a match, the cameras will be acclimatized into the UAV Squadrons–after long-term training that will be conducted by professional engineers. Source/Author: IAF/Tal MIchale
Compiled and edited by Samuel Glasstone and Philip J. Dolan Third Edition Prepared and published by the and the ~ -'!l -:8 ~" ,,-" .,,~ ..0 ,-..,." . J!'or sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing OlBce Washln~ton. D.C. 20402 '" ; I ib',c I When "The Effects of Atomic Weapons" was published in 1950, the explosive energy yields of the fission bombs available at that time were equivalent to some thousands of tons (i.e., kilotons) of TNT. With the development of thermonuclear (fusion) weapons, having energy yields in the range of millions of tons (i.e., megatons) of TNT, a new presentation, entitled "The Effects of Nuclear Weap- ons," was issued in 1957. A completely revised edition was published in 1962 and this was reprinted with a few changes early in 1964. Since the last version of "The Effects of Nuclear Weapons" was prepared, much new information has become available concerning nuclear weapons effects. This has come in part from the series of atmospheric tests, including several at very high altitudes, conducted in the Pacific Ocean area in 1962. In addition, laboratory studies, theoretical calculations, and computer simulations have provided a better understanding of the various effects. Within the limits imposed by security re- quirements, the new information has been incorporated in the present edition. In particular, attention may be called to a new chapter on the electromagnetic pulse. We should emphasize, as has been done in the earlier editions, that numerical values given in this book are not-and cannot be-exact. They must inevitably include a substantial margin of error. Apart from the difficulties in making measurements of weapons effects, the results are often dependent upon circum- stances which could not be predicted in the event of a nuclear attack. Furthermore, two weapons of different design may have the same explosive energy yield, but the effects could be markedly different. Where such possibilities exist, attention is called in the text to the limitations of the data presented; these limitations should not be overlooked. The material is arranged in a manner that should permit the general reader to obtain a good understanding of the various topics without having to cope with the more technical details. Most chapters are thus in two parts: the first part is written at a fairly low technical level whereas the second treats some of the more technical and mathematical aspects. The presentation allows the reader to omit any or all of the latter sections without loss of continuity. The choice of units for expressing numerical data presented us with a dilemma. The exclusive use of international (SI) or metric units would have placed a burden on many readers not familiar with these units, whereas the inclusion of both SI and common units would have complicated many figures, especially those with i logarithmic scales. As a compromise, we have retained the older units and added an explanation of the SI system and a table of appropriate conversion factors. Many organizations and individuals contributed in one way or another to this revision of "The Effects of Nuclear Weapons," and their cooperation is gratefully acknowledged. In particular, we wish to express our appreciation of the help given us by L. J. Deal and W. W. Schroebel of the Energy Research and Development Administration and by Cmdr. H. L. Hoppe of the Department of Defense. Samuel Glasstone Philip J. Dolan Preparation of this revision of "The Effects of Nuclear Weapons" was made possible by the assistance and cooperation of members of the organizations listed Department of Defense Headquarters, Defense Nuclear Agency Defense Civil Preparedness Agency Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute V. S. Army Aberdeen Research and Development Center, Ballistic Research Lab- V.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station Naval Surface Weapons Center Department of Defense Contractors Stanford Research Institute General Electric, TEMPO Mission Research Corporation Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Atomic Energy Commission! Energy Research and Development Administration Headquarters Divisions and the laboratories: Brookhaven National Laboratory Health and Safety Laboratory Lawrence Livermore Laboratory Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Laboratories Oak Ridge National Laboratory Sandia Laboratories CHAPTER I-General Principles of Nuclear Explosions. I Characteristics of Nuclear Explosions. I Scientific Basis of Nuclear Explosions. 12 CHAPTER II-Descriptions of Nuclear Explosions. 26 Introduction. 26 Description of Air and Surface Bursts. 27 Description of High-Altitude Bursts. 45 Description of Underwater Bursts. 48 Description of Underground Bursts. 58 Scientific Aspects of Nuclear Explosion Phenomena. 63 CHAPTER III-Air Blast Phenomena in Air and Surface Bursts. 80 Characteristics of the Blast Wave in Air. 80 Reflection of Blast Wave at a Surface. 86 Modification of Air Blast Phenomena. 92 Technical Aspects of Blast Wave Phenomena. 96 CHAPTER IV-Air Blast Loading 127 Interaction of Blast Wave with Structures. 127 Interaction of Objects with Air Blast. 132 CHAPTER V -Structural Damage from Air Blast. 154 Introduction 154 FactorsAffectingResponse , 156 Commercial and Administrative Structures. 158 IndustriaIStructures 165 ResidentiaIStructures 175 Transportation 189 Utilities. 195 MiscellaneousTargets 206 Analysis of Damage from Air Blast 212 CHAPTER VI-Shock Effects of Surface and Subsurface Bursts. 231 Characteristics of Surface and Shallow Underground Bursts. 231 Deep Underground Bursts 238 Damage to Structures. 241 Characteristics of Underwater Bursts. 244 Technical Aspects of Surface and Underground Bursts. 253 Technical Aspects of Deep Underground Bursts. 260 IJoading on Buried Structures. 263 DamagefromGroundShock 265 Technical Aspects of Underwater Bursts. 268 CHAPTER VII-Thermal Radiation and Its Effects. 276 RadiationfromtheFireball 276 Thermal Radiation Effects 282 Incendiary Effects. 296 IncendiaryEffectsinJapan 300 Technical Aspects of Thermal Radiation. 305 Radiant Exposure-Distance Relationships. 316 CHAPTER VIII-Initial Nuclear Radiation. 324 Nature of Nuclear Radiations 324 Gamma Rays. 326 Neutrons. 340 Transient-Radiation Effects on Electronics (TREE) 349 Technical Aspects of Initial Nuclear Radiation. 353 CHAPTER IX-Residual Nuclear Radiation and Fallout. 387 Sources of Residual Radiation. 387 Radioactive Contamination from Nuclear Explosions. 409 Fallout Distribution in Land Surface Bursts. 414 Fallout Predictions for Land Surface Bursts. 422 Attenuation of Residual Nuclear Radiation. 439 Delayed Fallout. .'.' 442 Technical Aspects of Residual Nuclear Radiation. 450 CHAPTER X-Radio and Radar Effects. 461 Introduction 461 Atmospheric Ionization Phenomena. 462 Ionization Produced by Nuclear Explosions 466 Effects on Radio and Radar Signals. 479 Technical Aspects of Radio and Radar Effects. 489 CHAPTER XI-The Electromagnetic Pulse and its Effects. 514 OriginandNatureoftheEMP 514 EMP Damage and Protection 523 Theory of the EMP 532 CHAPTER XII-Biological Effects. 541 Introduction 541 Blast Injuries. 548 BurnInjuries 560 Nuclear Radiation Injury. 575 Characteristics of Acute Whole-Body Radiation Injury. 583 CombinedInjuries. 588 Late Effects of Ionizing Radiation. 589 Effects of Early Fallout 594 Long-Term Hazard from Delayed Fallout. 604 Genetic Effects of Nuclear Radiation. 609 Pathology of Acute Radiation Injury. 614 Blast-RelatedEffects 618 Effects on Farm Animals and Plants. 618 Glossary. 629 GuidetoSIUnits 642 Index. 644 INTRODUcnON ing was halted in 1962. Subsequently, 11.01 Explosions of conventional reliance has been placed on under- high explosives can produce electro- ground testing, analysis of existing at- magnetic signals and so the generation mospheric test data, nonnuclear simula- of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) from tion, and theoretical calculations. a nuclear detonation was expected. Extended efforts have been made to im- However, the extent and potentially prove theoretical models and to develop serious nature of EMP effects were not associated computer codes for predic- realized for several years. Attention tive studies. In addition, simulators slowly began to focus on EMP as a have been developed which are capable probable cause of malfunction of elec- of producing representative pulses for tronic equipment during atmospheric system coupling and response studies. nuclear tests in the early 1950's. In- 11.03 Nuclear explosions of all duced currents and voltages caused un- types -from underground to high alti- expected equipment failures and subse- tudes -are accompanied by an EMP, quent analysis disclosed the role of EMP although the intensity and duration of in such failures. Finally, around 1960 the pulse and the area over which it is the possible vulnerability of various ci- effective vary considerably with the 10- vilian and military electrical and elec- cation of the burst point. The strongest tronic systems to EMP was recognized. electric fields are produced near the At about the same time it became ap- burst by explosions at or near the earth's parent that the EMP could be used in the surface, but for those at high altitudes long-range detection of nuclear detona- the fields at the earth' s surface are strong tions. enough to be of concern for electrical 11.02 For the foregoing reasons, and electronic equipment over a very theoretical and experimental efforts much larger area. have been made to study the EMP and 11.04 The nuclear EMP is a time- its effects. A limited amount of data had varying electromagnetic radiation which been gathered when aboveground test- increases very rapidly to a peak and then decays somewhat more slowly. The ra- hundredth part of a microsecond (§ 1.54 diation has a very broad spectrum of footnote). frequencies, ranging from very low to 11.06 If the explosion occurred in a several hundred megahertz but mainly perfectly homogeneous (constant den- in the radiofrequency (long wavelength) sity) atmosphere and the gamma rays region (Fig. 1.74). Furthermore, the were emitted uniformly in all directions, wave amplitude (or strength) of the ra- the electric field would be radial and diation varies widely over this fre- spherically symmetric, i.e., it would quency range. Because the EMP is a have the same strength in all directions very complex phenomenon dependent outward from the center (Fig. 11.06a). upon the conditions of the burst, the There would then be no electromagnetic descriptions given in this chapter are energy radiated from the ionized depos- largely qualitative and sometimes over- ition region. In practice, however, such simplified. They should, however, pro- an ideal situation does not exist; there is vide a general indication of the origin inevitably some condition, such as dif- and possible effects of the EMP. ferences in air density at different levels, proximity of the earth's surface, the DEVELOPMENTOF AN ELECfRIC non~niform config~ration. of the. .ex- FIELD plodmg weapon (mcludmg auxiliary equipment, the case, or the carrying 11.05 The instantaneous (or vehicle),orevenvariationsinthewater prompt) gamma rays emitted in the nu- vapor content of the air, that will inter- clear reactions and those produced by Cerewith the symmetry of the ionized. neutron interactions with weapon resi- region. If the burst occurs at or near the dues or the surrounding medium (Fig. earth's surface, the departure from 8.14) are basically responsible for the spherical symmetry will clearly be con- processes that give rise to EMP from siderable. In all these circumstances, bursts in the lower atmosphere. The there is a net vertical electron current gamma rays interact with air molecules generated within the ionized deposition and atoms, mainly by the Compton ef- region (Fig. 11.06b). The time-varying fect (§ 8.89), and produce an ionized current results in the emission of a sliort region surrounding the burst point (§ pulse of electromagnetic radiation 8.17). In EMP studies this is called the which is strongest in directions perpen- "deposition region." The negatively dicular to the current; this is the EMP. charged electrons move outward faster In a high-altitude explosion, the EMP than the much heavier positively arises in a somewhat different manner, charged ions and as a result there is as will be seen shortly. initially a separation of charges. The region nearer to the burst point has a net NATURE OF THE EMP positive charge whereas that farther away has a net negative charge. This 11.07 After reaching its maximum separation of charges produces an elec- in an extremely short time, the electric tric field which can attain its maximum field strength falls off and becomesquite value in about 10-8 second, i.e., one small in a few tens of microseconds. In f ~ \ / )\ \ ! Ji\ /1 Figure II.O6a. Only a symmetric radial electron field is produced if the ionized deposition region is spherically symmetric; there is no net electron current. I~ mT;, ( (\ ~g~ \) 1 <1 11 \ ",/ EM Figure II.O6b. Disturbance of symmetry results in a net electron current; a pulse of electromagnetic radiation is emitted which is strongest in directions per- pendicular to the net current. spite of the short duration of the pulse, it collector may thus suffer severe dam- carries a considerable amount of energy, age. The consequencescould be serious especially if the exploding weapon has a for any system that relies on such yield in the megaton range. As it travels equipment, e.g., commercial electric away from the burst point at the speed of power generation and distribution sys- light, as do all electromagnetic waves terns, telecommunications, i.e., radio, (§ 1.73), the radiation can be collected radar, television, telephone, and tele- by metallic and other conductors at a graph systems, and electronic com- distance, just as radio waves are picked puters. up by antennas. The energy of the radi- 11.08 In a crude sense, the EMP ation can then be converted into strong radiations are somewhat similar to the electric currents and high voltages. familiar radio waves, although there are Electrical and electronic equipment some important differences. Radio connected to (or associated with) the transmitters are designed to produce electromagnetic waves of a particular about them and about air bursts (§ 11.66 frequency (or wavelength), but the et seq.). waves in the EMP have a wide range of frequencies and amplitudes. Further- EMP IN SURFACE BURSTS more, the strength of the electric fields associated with the EMP can be millions 11.10 The mechanism of EMP for- of times greater than in ordinary radio mation is different in explosions at (or waves. Nevertheless, in each case, the near) the surface and at high altitudes. energy of electromagnetic waves is col- In a surface burst, those gamma rays lected by a suitable antenna (or conduc- that travel in a generally downward di- tor) and transferred to attached or adja- rection are readily absorbed in the upper cent equipment. The energy from the layers of the ground and there is essen- EMP is received in such a very short tially no charge separation or electric time, however, that it produces a strong field in this direction. The gamma rays electric current which could damage the moving outward and upward, however, equipment. An equal amount of energy produce ionization and charge separa- spread over a long period of time, as in tion in the air. Consequently, there is a conventional radio reception, would net vertical electron current (Fig. have no harmful effect. 11.10). As a result, the ionized deposit- 11.09 The characteristics of the ion (source) region is stimulated to emit EMP depend to a great extent on the much of its energy as an electromagne- weapon yield and height of burst. For tic pulse in the radiofrequency spec- explosions in the atmosphere at altitudes trum. of a few miles, the deposition region 11.11 Since the ground is a rela- will have a radius of about 3 miles, but tively good conductor of electricity, it it will increase to roughly 9 miles with provides an alternative path for the increasing height of the burst point up to electrons to return from the outer part of altitudes of approximately 19 miles. In the deposition region toward the burst this altitude range, the difference in air point where the positively charged ions, density across the vertical dimension of which have been left behind, predomi- the deposition region will not be large nate. Electric currents thus flow in the and so the EMP effect will be moderate. ground and generate strong magnetic In addition to the EMP arising from air fields in the region of the surface burst density asymmetries, a short pulse is point. emitted in a manner similar to that de- 11.12 The electric field produced in scribed in § 11.14 for high-altitude a surface burst is very strong but the bursts. The electric fields produced on radiated field falls off with increasing the ground from air bursts between a distance from the deposition region, at few miles and about 19 miles altitude first quite rapidly and then somewhat will be less than those radiated from less so. The potential hazard to electri- surface (or near-surface) and high-alti- cal and electronic equipment from the tude explosions. These latter two types EMP will thus be greatest within and of nuclear explosions will be considered near the deposition region which may briefly here, and more will be said later extend over a radius around ground zero 1 --- ;;; // /\ t r'", '\\ RAD~~TIO /~~ /\, \ \ \ I \ I ~. \ ..:~~~ :':~:~.9'N Figure 11.10. Schematic representation of the EMP in a surface burst. of about 2 to 5 miles, depending on the sorbed. On the other hand, the gamma explosion yield. In this area, structures rays emitted from the explosion in a in which equipment is housed may suf- generally downward direction will en- fer severe damage, especially from counter a region where the atmospheric high-yield explosions, unless they are density is increasing. These gamma rays blast resistant. However, the threat to will interact with the air molecules and electrical and electronic systems from a atoms to form the deposition (or source) surface-burst EMP may extend as far as region for the EMP (Fig. 11.13). This the distance at which the peak over- roughly circular region may be up to 50 pressure from a I-megaton burst is 2 miles thick in the center, tapering pounds per square inch, i.e., 8 miles toward the edge, with a mean altitude of (see Chapter III). The degree of dam- about 25 to 30 miles. It extends hori- age, if any, will depend on the suscep- zontally for great distances which in- tibility of the equipment and the extent crease with the energy yield and the of shielding (§ 11.33 et seq.). height of the burst point (see Figs. 11.70a and b). EMP IN HIGH-ALTITUDE BURSTS 11.14 In the deposition region the gamma rays produce Compton electrons 11.13 If the nuclear burst is at an by interactions in the air; these electrons altitude above about 19 miles, the are deflected by the earth's magnetic gamma rays moving in an upward di- field and are forced to undergo a turning rection will enter an atmosphere where motion about the field lines. This motion the air density is so low that the rays causes the electrons to be subjected to a travel great distances before being ab- radial acceleration which results, by a ZERO ..., " / Figure 11.13. Schematic representation of the EMP in a high-altitude burst. (The extent of the deposition region varies with the altitude and the yield of the explosion.) complex mechanism, in the generation II.IS For an explosion of high of an EMP that moves down toward the yield at a sufficient altitude, the area earth. The pulse rises to a peak and then covered by the high-frequency EMP decreases, both taking place more rap- extends in all directions on the ground idly than for a sudace burst; as a result as far as the line-of-sight, i.e., to the more of the electromagnetic energy ap- horizon, from the burst point (see Fig. pears in the higher frequency range (§ 11.13). The lower frequencies will con- 11.63). The strength of the electric field stitute a significant pulse extending even observed at the surface from a high-al- beyond the horizon. For a nuclear ex- titude explosion is from one-tenth to a plosion at an altitude of 50 miles, for hundredth of the field within the source example, the affected area on the ground region from a sudace burst. However, would have a radius of roughly 600 in a surface burst the radiated field miles and for an altitude of 100 miles strength drops off rapidly with distance the ground radius would be about 900 outside this region and is then smaller miles. For an explosion at 200 miles than for a high-altitude burst. In the above the center of the (conterminous) latter case, the radiated field does not United States, almost the whole vary greatly over a large area on the country, as well as parts of Canada and ground or in the atmosphere above the Mexico, could be affected by the EMP. ground. The electric field is influenced Thus, for a high-altitude burst, the by the earth's magnetic field, but over damage could conceivably extend to most of the area affected by the EMP, distances from ground zero at which all the electric field strength varies by not other effects, except possibly eye injury more than a factor of two for explosions at night (§ 12.79 et seq.), would be with yields of a few hundred kilotons or negligible. Furthermore, because the more (§ 11.73). radiations travel with the speed of light, the whole area could be affected almost lector; the EMP energy can be coupled simultaneously by the EMP from a sin- in other ways (§ 11.27). For example, it gle high-altitude nuclear explosion. is possible for an electric current to be induced or for a spark to jump from the COLLECTION OF EMP ENERGY conductor which collects the EMP en- ergy to an adjacent conductor, not con- 11.16 For locations that are not nected to the collector, and thence to a within or close to the deposition region piece of equipment. for a surface or air burst, both the 11.17 The manner in which the amount and rate of EMP energy re- electromagnetic energy is collected ceived per unit area on or near the from the EMP is usually complex, be- ground will be small, regardless of the cause much depends on the size and type of nuclear explosion. Hence, for shapeof the collector, on its orientation damage to occur to electrical or elec- with respect to the source of the pulse, tronic systems, it would usually be nec- and on the frequency spectrum of the essary for the energy to be collected pulse. As a rough general rule, the over a considerable area by means of a amount of energy collected increases suitable conductor. In certain systems, with the dimensions of the conductor however, sufficient energy, mainly from which serves as the collector (or an- the high-frequency components of the tenna). Typical effective collectors of EMP, may be collected by small me- EMP energy are given in Table 11.17. tallic conductors to damage very sensi- Deeply buried cables, pipes, etc., are tivecomponents(§ 11.31). The energy generally less effective than overhead is then delivered from the collector (an- runs because the gound provides some tenna) in the form of a strong current shielding by absorbing the high- and voltage surge to attached equip- frequency part of the energy (see, how- ment. Actually, the equipment does not ever, § 11.68). have to be attached directly to the col- Table 11.17 Long runs of cable. piping, or conduit Large antennas, antenna feed cables, guy wires, antenna support towers Overhead power and telephone lines and support towers Long runs of electrical wiring, conduit, etc., in buildings Metallic structural components (girders), reinforcing bars, corrugated roof, expanded metal lath, metallic fencing Railroad tracks Aluminum aircraft bodies SUMMARY OF EMP DAMAGE AND bee.n studied by means of simulators PROTECTION which generate sharp pulses of electro- magnetic radiation ( § 11.41 et seq.). 11.18 The sensitivity of various The results are not definitive becausethe systems and components to the EMP has amount of EMP energy delivered to a particular component would depend on vent access of the radiation, good the details of the circuit in which it is grounding to divert the large currents, connected. Nevertheless, certain gen- surge arrestors similar to those used for eral conclusions seem to be justifiable. lightning protection, and proper wiring Computers and other equipment having arrangements. Finally, components that solid-state components are particularly are known to be susceptible to damage sensitive. Since computers are used ex- by sharp pulses of electromagnetic en- tensively in industry and commerce, in- ergy should be eliminated. A further cluding electrical distribution and com- discussion of these procedures is given munications systems, the consequence later in this chapter ( § 11.33 et seq.). of operational failure could be very 11.20 Except for locations close to serious. Vacuum-tube equipment (with a surface burst, where other effects no solid-state components) and low- would dominate in any event, the EMP current relays, switches, and meters, radiation from a nuclear explosion is such as are used in alarm and indicator expected to be no more harmful to peo- systems, are less susceptible. The least pie than a flash of lightning at a dis- susceptible electrical components are tance. Tests on monkeys and dogs have motors, transformers, circuit breakers, shown that there are no deleterious ef- etc., designed for high-voltage applica- fects from pulses administered either tions. The threat to any component, re- singly or repetitively over a period of gardless of its susceptibility to opera- several months. However, a person in tional upset (temporary impairment) or contact with an effective collector of damage, is increased if it is connected EMP energy, such as a long wire, pipe, (or coupled) to a large collector. Con- conduit, or other sizable metallic object versely, the danger is diminished if the listed in Table I].] 7, might receive a collector is small. Thus, although tran- severe shock. sistorized circuits are generally sensitive to the EMP, portable (battery operated) SYSTEM-GENERATEDEMP radios with very short "whip" or ferrite core antennas are not readily damaged 11.21]n addition to the EMP aris- unless they are close to a collector. ing from the interaction of gamma rays Disconnection of a piece of equipment from a nuclear explosion with the at- from the electric power main supply will mosphere (or the ground), another type decreasethe energy collected, but this is of electromagnetic pulse, called the not always feasible because it would "system-generated EMP" (or deny use of the equipment. SGEMP), is possible. This term refers 11.19 Various means are possible to the electric field that can be generated for protecting or "hardening" equip- by the interaction of nuclear (or ioniz- ment against damage by the EMP. Such ing) radiations, particularly gamma rays protection is generally difficult for ex- and X rays, with various solid materials isting systems, but it can be built into present in electronic systems. The ef- new systems. Some of the approaches to fects include both forward- and back- hardening which have been proposed scatter emission of electrons and exter- are the following: meta] shields to pre- nal and internal current generation.~ -~ ---JI;II ~- 11.22 The system-generated EMP fields -about 100,000 to a million is most important for electronic compo- volts per meter -can occur near the nents in satellites and ballistic systems, interior walls. At higher gas pressures, above the deposition region, which however, the electrons cause substantial would be exposed directly to the nuclear ionization of the gas, e.g., air, thereby radiations from a high-altitude burst. releasing low-energy (secondary) elec- The system-generated EMP can also be trons. The relatively large number of significant for surface and moderate-al- secondary (conduction) electrons form a titude bursts if the system is within the current which tends to cancel the elec- deposition region but is not subject to tric field, thus enabling the high-energy damage by other weapons effects. This electrons to move across the cavity more could possibly occur for surface systems easily. exposed to a burst of relatively low yield 11.25 The electric fields generated or for airborne (aircraft) systems and near the walls by direct interactions of bursts of higher yield. ionizing radiations with the materials in 11.23 The system-generated EMP an electronic system can induce electric phenomenon is actually very complex, currents in components, cables, ground but in simple terms it may be considered wires, etc. Large currents and voltages, to be produced in the following manner. capable of causing damage or disrup- The solid material in an electronic sys- tion, can be developed just as with the tern or even in the shielding designed to external EMP. Because of the complex- protect the system from the external ity of the interactions that lead to the EMP contains atoms which are heavier system-generated EMP, the effects are than those present in the air. Conse- difficult to predict and they are usually quently, interaction with gamma rays determined by exposure to radiation and high-energy X rays will produce pulses from a device designed to simu- electrons by both the Compton and late the EMP radiation from a nuclear photoelectric effects ( § 8.89 et seq.). explosion (§ 11.42). These electrons can, in turn, interact with the solid material to release more EMP EXPERIENCE IN HIGH-ALTITUDE electrons, called secondary electrons, TESTS by ionization. Such electrons as are produced, directly or indirectly, close to 11.26 The reality of damage to and on both faces of the solid material electrical and electronic equipment by and have a velocity component perpen- the EMP has been established in various dicular to the surface, will be emitted nuclear tests and by the use of EMP from the surface of the material. As a simulators. A number of failures in ci- result, an electric field is generated near vilian electrical systems were reported the surface. There are other effects, but to have been caused by the EMP from they need not be considered here. the high-altitude test explosions con- 11.24 If the component has a cavity ducted in the Johnston Island area of the (or space) in which the gas pressure is Pacific Ocean in 1962. One of the best very low, less than about 10-3 milli- authenticated cases was the simulta- meter of mercury, very high electric neous failure of 30 strings (series-con- nected loops) of street lights at various "hundreds" of burglar alarms in Hon- locations on the Hawaiian island of olulu began ringing and that many cir- Oahu, at a distance of some 800 miles cuit breakers in power lines were from ground-rero. The failures occurred opened. These occurrences probably re- in devices called' 'fuses" which are suIted from the coupling of EMP energy installed across the secondaries of to the lines to which the equipment was transformers serving these strings; the connected and not to failure of the de- purpose of the fuses is to prevent dam- vices themselves. No serious damage age to the lighting system by sudden occurred since these items are among current surges. Similar fuses associated the least susceptible to the EMP (§ with individual street lights were not 11.18). affected. It was also reported that COUPLING OF EMP ENERGY scribed, the conductor forms an alterna- 11.27 There are three basic modes tive conducting path and shares the cur- of coupling of the EMP energy with a rent with the medium. conducting system; they are electric in- 11.28 If the EMP wave impinges duction, magnetic induction, and resis- upon the ground, a part of the energy tive coupling (sometimes referred to as pulse is transmitted through the air- direct charge deposition). In electric in- ground surface whereas the remainder is duction a current is induced in a con- reflected. An aboveground collector, ductor by the component of the electric such as an overhead power line or a field in the direction of the conductor radio antenna tower, can then receive length. Magnetic induction occurs in energy from both the direct and re- conductors that form a closed loop; the flected pulses. The net effect will de- component of the magnetic field per- pend on the degree of overlap between pendicular to the plane of the loop the two pulses. The EMP transmitted causes current to flow in the loop. The into the ground can cause a current to form of the loop is immaterial and any flow in an underground conductor either connected conductors, even the rein- by induction or by resistive coupling. forcing bars in concrete, can constitute a 11.29 The coupling of electromag- loop in this respect. Resistive coupling netic energy to a conductor is particu- can occur when a conductor is immersed larly efficient when the maximum di- in a conducting medium, such as ion- mension is about the'same size as the ized air, salt water, or the ground. If a wavelength of the radiation. The con- current is induced in the medium by one ductor is then said to be resonant, or to of the coupling modes already de- behave as an antenna, for the frequency I This section (§§ 11.27 through 11.59) is of particular interest to electrical and electronic engineers. corresponding to this wavelength. Since component and also on the nature of the EMP has a broad spectrum of frequen- semiconductor materials and fabrication cies, only a portion of this spectrum will details of a solid-state device. In gen- couple most efficiently into a specific eral, however, the components listed in conductor configuration. Thus, a partic- Table 11.31 are given in order of de- ular collection system of interest must creasing sensitivity to damage by a be examined with regard to its overall sharp pulse of electromagnetic energy. configuration as well as to the compo- Tests with EMP simulators have shown nent configuration. Most practical col- that a very short pulse of about 10-7 lector systems, such as those listed in joule may be sufficient to damage a Table 11.]7, are complex and the de- microwave semiconductor diode, termination of the amount of EMP en- roughly 5 x 10-2 joule will damage an ergy collected presents a very difficult audio transistor, but I joule would be problem. Both computer methods and required for vacuum tube damage. Sys- experimental simulation are being used terns using vacuum tubes only would to help provide a solution. thus be much less sensitive to the EMP than those employing solid-state com- COMPONENT AND SYSTEM DAMAGE ponents. The minimum energy required to damage a microammeter or a low- 11.30 Degradation of electrical and current relay is about the same as for electronic system performance as a re- audio transistors. suIt of exposure to the EMP may consist of functional damage or operational Table 11.31 upset. Functional damage is a catastro- phic failure that is permanent. examples ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS IN ORDER are burnout of a device or component, such as a fuse or a transistor, and in- Microwave semiconductor diodes ability of a component or subsystem to Field-effect transistors execute its entire range of functions. Radiofrequency transistors Operational upset is a temporary im- Silic.on-cont.rolled rectifiers ., .Audio transistors paument which may deny use of a piece Power . recti fi er semlcon . d uctor d I od es of equipment from a fraction of a second Vacuum tubes to several hours. Change of state in switches and in flip-flop circuits are ex- 11.32 As seen earlier, the EMP amples of operational upset. The threat to a particular system, subsystem, amount of EMP energy required to or component is largely determined by cause operational upset is generally a the nature of the collector (antenna). A few orders of magnitude smaller than sensitive system associated with a poor for functional damage. collector may suffer less damage than a 11.31 Some electronic components system of lower sensitivity attached to a are very sensitive to functional damage more efficient collector. Provided the (burnout) by the EMP. The actual sen- EMP energy collectors are similar in all sitivity will often depend on the charac- cases, electrical and electronic systems teristics of the circuit containing the may be classified in the manner shown ~ !i""""""""V~ in Table 11.32. However, the amount of may require consideration of operational energy collected is not always a suffi- upset and damage mechanisms in addi- cient criterion for damage. For example, tion to the energy collected. an EMP surge can sometimes serve as a trigger mechanism by producing arcing PROTECTIVE MEASURES or a change of state which, in turn, allows the normal operating voltage to 11.33 A general approach to the cause damage to a piece of equipment. examination of a system with regard to Thus, analysis of sensitivity to EMP its EMP vulnerability might include the Table 11.32 Most Susceptible Computers and power supplies Semiconductor components terminating long cable runs, especially between sites Alarm systems Intercom system Life-support system controls Some telephone equipment which is partially transistorized Transistorized receivers and transmitters Transistorized 60 to 400 cps converters Transistorized process control systems Power system controls and communication links Less Susceptible Vacuum-tube equipment that does not include semiconductor rectifiers: Transmitters Intercom systems Receivers Teletype-telephone Alarm systems Power Supplies Equipment employing low-current switches, relays, meters: Alarms Panel indicators and status Life-support systems boards Power system control Process controls Hazardous equipment containing: Detonators Explosive mixtures Squibs Rocket fuels Pyrotechnical devices Long power cable runs employing dielectric insulation Equipment associated with high-energy storage capacitors Least Susceptible High-voltage 60 cps equipment: Transformers, motors Rotary converters Lamps (filament) Heavy-duty relays, Heaters circuit breakers Air-insultated power cable runs following steps. First, information con- nents or small subsystems is generally cerning the system components and de- not practical because of the complexity vices is collected. The information is of the task. Good shielding practice may categorjzed into physical zones based on include independent zone shields, sev- susceptibility and worst-case exposure eral thin shields rather than one thick for these items. It must be borne in mind one, and continuous joints. The shield in this connection that energy collected should not be used as a ground or return in one part of a system may be coupled conductor, and sensitive equipment directly or indirectly (by induction) to should be kept away from shield other parts. By using objective criteria, corners. Apertures in shields should be problem areas are identified, analyzed, avoided as far as possible; doors should and tested. Suitable changes are made as be covered with metal sheet so that necessary to correct deficiencies, and when closed they form a continuous part the modified system is examined and of the whole shield, and ventilation tested. The approach may be followed openings, which cannot be closed, on proposed systems or on those already should be protected by special ty~s of existing, but experience indicates that screens or waveguides. In order not to the cost of retrofitting EMP protection jeopardize the effectiveness of the may often be prohibitive. Consequently, shielding, precautions must be taken in it is desirable to consider the vulnera- connection with penetrations of the bility of the system early during the housing by conductors, such as pipes, design stage. conduits, and metal-sheathed cables 11.34 A few of the practices that (§ 11.59). may be employed to harden a system 11.36 Recommendations for circuit against EMP damage are described layout include the use of common below. The discussion is intended to ground points, twisted cable pairs, sys- provide a general indication of the tech- tern and intrasystem wiring in "tree" niques rather than a comprehensive format (radial spikes), avoiding loop treatment of what is a highly technical layouts and coupling to other circuits, and specialized area. Some of the use of conduit or cope trays, and methods of hardening against the EMP shielded isolated transformers. The threat are shielding, proper circuit avoidance of ground return in cable layout, satisfactory grounding, and shields is also recommended. Some various protective devices. If these procedures carryover from communi- measures do not appear to be adequate, cations and power engineering whereas it may be advisable to design equipment others do not. with vacuum tubes rather than solid- 11.37 From the viewpoint of EMP state components, if this is compatible protection, cable design represents an with the intended use of the equipment. extension of both shielding and circuit 11.35 A so-called "electromagne- practices. Deeply buried (more than 3 tic" shield consists of a continuous feet underground) cables, shield layer metal, e.g., steel, soft iron, or copper, continuity at splices, and good junction sheet surrounding the system to be pro- box contacts are desirable. Ordinary tected. Shielding of individual compo- braid shielding should be avoided. Compromises are often made in this con-controlled rectifier clamps, and area in the interest of economy, but they other such items are built into circuit may prove to be unsatisfactory. boards or cabinet entry panels. 11.38 Good grounding practices 11.40 Few of the devices men- will aid in decreasing the susceptibility tioned above are by themselves suffi- of a system to damage by the EMP. A cient as a complete solution to a specific "ground" is commonly thought of as a problem because each has some limita- part of a circuit that has a relatively low tion in speed of response, voltage rat- impedance to the local earth surface. A ing, power dissipation capacity, or reset particular ground arrangement that sa- time. Hence, most satisfactory protec- tisfies this definition may, however, not tive devices are hybrids. For example, a be optimum and may be worse than no band-pass filter may be used preceding a ground for EMP protection. In general, lightning arrester. The filter tends to a ground can be identified as the chassis stretch out the rise time of the EMP, of an electronic circuit, the "low" side thus providing sufficient time for the of an antenna system, a common bus, or arrester to become operative. In general, a metal rod driven into the earth. The a hybrid protection device must be de- last depends critically on local soil con- signed specially for each application. ditions (conductivity), and it may result in resistively coupled currents in the TESTING ground circuit. A good starting point for 11.41 Because of the complexities EMP protection is to provide a single of the EMP response, sole reliance can- point ground for a circuit cluster, not be placed on predictions based on usually at the lowest impedance element analysis. Testing is essential to verify -the biggest piece of the system that is analysis of devices, components, and electrically immersed in the earth, e.g., complete systems early in the design the water supply system. stage. Testing also is the only known 11.39 Various protective devices method that can be used to reveal unex- may be used to supplement the measures pected effects. These may include cou- described above. These are related to piing or interaction modes or weak- the means commonly employed to pro- nesses that were overlooked during the tect radio and TV transmission antennas design. In some simple systems, non- from lightning strokes and power lines linear interaction effects can be analyzed from current surges. Examples are ar- numerically, but as a general rule testing resters, spark gaps, band-pass filters, is necessary to reveal them. As a result amplitude limiters, circuit breakers, and of the test, many of the original ap- fuses. Typically, the protective device proximations can be refined for future would be found in the "EMP room" at analysis, and the data can improve the the cable entrance to an underground analytic capability for more complex installation, in aircraft antenna feeds, in problems. Testing also locates weak or telephone lines, and at power entry susceptible points in components or panels for shielded rooms. On a smaller systems early enough for economic im- scale, diodes, nonlinear resistors, sili- provement. After the improvements, testing confirms that the performance is the time domain. Both types of tests brought up to standard. A complete should be considered for a complete system should be tested to verify that it analysis. has been hardened to the desired level; 11.44 Large-scale simulators are subsequentperiodic testing will indicate required for the final test of large sys- if any degradation has resulted from terns. The two principal kinds of large environmental or human factors. simulators are metallic structures that 11.42 Since the cessation of atmos- guide an electromagnetic wave past a pheric weapons tests, heavy reliance has test object, and antennas that radiate an been placed on simulation to test the electromagnetic field to the object. Each EMP hardness of systems. The classes type of simulator may use either pulse of EMP tests include: (I) low-level cur- generators (time domain) or CW signal rent mapping; (2) high-level current in- generators (frequency domain). Pulse jection; (3) high-level electromagnetic generators themselves can be either fields. Low-level current mapping high-level single shot or low-level re- should be used at the beginning of any petitive. test program. With the system power 11.45 The essential elements of a turned off, the magnitudes and signa- guided-wave or transmission-line simu- tures on internal cables are determined lator include a pulser, a transition sec- in a low-level field. This provides an tion, working volume, and a termina- insight into the work that must follow. tion. An electromagnetic wave of After indicated improvements are made, suitable amplitude and wave shape is a high-level current can be injected di- generated by the pulser. This wave is rectly into the system with the system guided by a tapered section of transmis- power on to explore for nonlinearities, sion line (the transition section) from the and to uncover initial indications of small cross-sectional dimension of the system effects. If subsystems malfunc- pulser output to the working volume. tion, it may be desirable to conduct The working volume, where the test extensive subsystem tests in the labora- object is located, should be large tory. Finally, test in a high-level elec- enough to provide a certain degree of tromagnetic field is essential. field uniformity over the object. This 11.43 The type of excitation must condition is satisfied if the volume of the be defined in any type of test. The two test object is about one-third (or less) principal choices are: (I) waveform that of the working volume, depending simulations, which provide time- on the degree of field perturbation that is domain data, and (2) continuous wave acceptable. The termination region pre- (CW) signals, which provide fre- vents the reflection of the guided wave quency-domain data. If the intent is to back into the test volume; it consists of a match a system analysis in the fre- transition section that guides the inci- quency domain to measured system re- dent wave to a geometrically small re- sponse, CW signals may be the more sistive load whose impedance is equal to suitable. If the test results were being the characteristic impedance of the compared to known electronic thresh- transmission line structure. olds, it is frequently necessary to test in 11.46 The basic types of radiating simulators are long wire, biconical di- EMP AND ELECTRIC POWER pole, or conical monopole. The long SYSTEMS wire is usually a long dipole oriented 11.49 Some indication of the possi- parallel to the earth's surface. It is sup- ble threat of the EMP to commercial ported above the ground by noncon- electric power system may be obtained ducting poles with high-voltage insula- by considering the effects of lightning tors. The two arms of the dipole are strokes and switching surges. In power symmetric about the center and con- systems, protection against lightning is structed from sections of lightweight achieved by means of overhead cylindrical conductor, such as irrigation "ground" wires and lightning arresters pipe. Pipe sections decrease in diameter of various types. By providing an ef- with increasing distance from the fective shunt, an overhead ground can center, and resistors are placed between divert most of the lightning surge from the pipe sections to shape the current the phase conductors. Such grounding, wave and to reduce resonances. The two however, would afford only partial pro- arms of the dipole are oppositely tection from the EMP. Furthermore, al- charged, and when the voltage across though there are some similarities be- the spark gap at the dipole center tween the consequencesof lightning and reaches the breakdown voltage, the gap those of the EMP, there are differences begins conducting and a wave front in the nature of the current (or voltage) propagates away from the gap. pulse which make the lightning arresters 11.47 Conical and biconical an- in common use largely ineffective for tennas use pulsers, such as Marx gener- the EMP. ators or CW transmitters, instead of re- 11.50 The general manner of the lying on the discharge of static surface growth and decay of the current induced charges. The antennas consist of light- by the EMP from a high-altitude burst in weight conducting surfaces or wire an overhead transmission line is indi- grids. cated by the calculated curve in Fig. 11.48 Electromagnetic scale mod- 11.50. The details of the curve will vary eling may sometimes be an important with the conditions, but the typical fea- alternative to full-scale testing of a sys- tures of the current pulse are as shown: a tem. Because of the difficulty in intro- very rapid rise to a peak current of ducing minute openings or poor bonds several thousand amperes in a fraction into models, and since these often con- of a microsecond followed by a decay trol interior fields, the usefulness of lasting up to a millisecond for a long modeling ordinarily is limited to the transmission line. The current surge in measurement of external fields, volt- an overhead power line caused by a ages, and currents. Once these param- lightning stroke increasesto a maximum eters are known for a complex structure, more slowly and persists for a longer perhaps having cable runs, analysis can time than for the EMP. As a result, often provide internal field quantities of older conventional lightning arresters interest. are less effective for the EMP from :¥ 6 0 I 2 3 4 5 6 TIME (microseconds) Figure 11.50. Typical form of the current pulse induced by the EMP from a high-altitude nuclear explosion in a long overhead power line. (The actual currents and times will depend to some extent on the conditions.) high-altitude explosions than for light- protection, the surge voltages on over- ning. Modern lightning arresters, how- head power lines produced by the EMP ever. can provide protection against could cause insulator flashover. particu- EMP in many applications and hybrid larly on circuits of medium and low arresters (§ 11.40) are expected to be voltage. (The components of high-volt- even better. age transmission systems should be able 11.51 In the absence of adequate to withstand the EMP surge voltages.) If flashovers occur in the event of a high- EMP AND RADIO STATIONS altitude burst many would be experi- 11.54 Unless brought in under- enced over a large area. Such simulta- ground and properly protected, power neous multiple flashovers could lead to and telephone lines could introduce system instability. substantial amounts of energy into radio 11.52 Switching surges occur when (and TV) stations. A major collector of power lines are energized or de-ener- this energy, however, would be the gized. In systems of moderate and low transmitting (or receiving) antennas voltage such surges can cause breakers since they are specially designed for the in the switching circuit to operate er- transmission and reception of electro- roneously, but the effect of the EMP is magnetic energy in the radiofrequency uncertain because the current rise in a region. The energy collected from the switching surge is even slower than for EMP would be mainly at the frequencies lightning. In extra-high-voltage (EHV) in the vicinity of the antenna design lines, i.e., 500 kilovolts or more, frequency. switching surges are accompanied by a 11.55 Antenna masts (or towers) rapidly increasing radiated electromag- are frequently struck by lightning and netic field similar to that of the EMP. spark gaps are installed at the base of the The currents induced in control and tower to protect the station equipment. communications cables are sufficient to But the gaps in common use, like those cause damage or malfunction in asso- in power lines, are not very effective ciated equipment. The information ob- against the EMP. Actually, when an tained in connection with the develop- antenna is struck by lightning, the sup- ment of protective measures required for porting guy wires, rather than the spark EHV switching stations should be ap- gaps, serve to carry most of the light- plicable to EMP protection. ning current to the ground. Although the 11.53 There is a growing move- guy wires have insulators along their ment in the electric power industry to length, arcing occurs across them substitute semiconductor devices for thereby providing continuity for the vacuum tubes in control and communi- current. This flashover of the insulators cations circuits. Solid-state components would not, however, provide protection are, however, particularly sensitive to against the EMP. In fact, the guy wires the EMP. Even a small amount of en- would then serve as additional collectors ergy received from the pulse could re- of the EMP energy by induction. suIt in erroneous operation or temporary 11.56 In spite of protective devices, failure. Computers used for automatic both direct and indirect, damage to radio load control would be particularly sen- stations by lightning is not rare. The sitive and a small amount of EMP en- most commonly damaged component is ergy, insufficient to cause permanent the capacitor in the matching network at damage, could result in faulty operation the base of the antenna; it generally or temporary failure. Special attention is suffers dielectric failure. Capacitors and thus required in the protection of such inductors in the phasor circuit are also equipment. subject to damage. It is expected that high-voltage capacitors would be sensi- limited protection against the EMP un- tive to damage by the EMP. Such dam- less suitably modified. Steps are being age could result in shorting of the an- taken to improve the ability of the long- tenna f~ed line to the ground across the distance telephone network in the capacitor, thus precluding transmission United States to withstand the EMP as until the capacitor is replaced. Experi- well as the other effects of a nuclear ence with lightning suggests that there explosion. may also be damage to coaxial trans- 11.59 In a properly "hardened" mission lines from dielectric flashover. system, coaxial cables are buried un- Solid-state components, which are now derground and so also are the main and in common use in radio stations, would, auxiliary repeater or switching centers. of course, be SUsc(~ptibleto damage by In the main (repeater and switching) the EMP and would need to be pro- stations, the building is completely en- tected. closed in a metal EMP shield. Metal 11.57 Radio transmitting stations flashing surrounds each metallic line, employ various means to prevent inter- e.g., pipe, conduit, or sheathed cable, ference from their own signals. These entering or leaving the building, and the include shielding of audio wiring and flashing is bonded to the line and to the components with low-level signals, sin- shield. Where this is not possible, pro- gle-point grounding, and the avoidance tectors or filters are used to minimize the of loops. Such practices would be useful damage potential of the EMP surge. in decreasing the EMP threat. Inside the building, connecting cables are kept short and are generally in EMP AND TELEPHONE SYSTEMS straight runs. An emergency source of 11.58 Some of the equipment in power is available to permit operation to telephone systems may be susceptible to continue in the event of a failure (or damage from the EMP energy collected disconnection) of the commercial power by power supply lines and by the sub- supply. The auxiliary (repeater) sta- scriber and trunk lines that carry the tions, which are also underground, do signals. Various lightning arresting de- not have exterior shielding but the elec- vices are commonly used for overhead tronic equipment is protected by steel telephone lines, but they may provide cases. DEVELOPMENT OF THE RADIAL explosion are such that, in air, Compton ELECTRIC FIELD scattering is the dominant photon in- 11.60 The energies of the prompt teraction (see Fig. 8.97b). The scattered gamma rays accompanying a nuclear photon frequently retains sufficient en- 'The remainder of this chapter may be omitted without loss of continuity. ergy to permit it to repeat the Compton saturation sooner and is somewhat process. Although scattering is some- stronger than at points farther away. what random, the free electrons pro- 11.62 In a perfectly homogeneous duced (and the scattered photons) tend, medium, with uniform emission of on the average, to travel in the radial gamma rays in all directions, the radial direction away from the burst point. The electric field would be spherically sym- net movement of the electrons consti- metrical. The electric field will be con- tutes an electron current, referred to as fined to the region of charge separation the Compton current. The prompt and no energy will be radiated away. In gamma-ray pulse increases rapidly to a a short time, recombination of charges peak value in about 10-8 second or so, in the ionized medium occurs and the and the Compton current varies with electric field strength in all radial direc- time in a similar manner. tions decreases within a few microse- 11.61 When the electrons are conds. The energy of the gamma rays driven radially outward by the flux of deposited in the ionized sphere is then gamma rays, the atoms and molecules degraded into thermal radiation (heat). from which they have been removed, If the symmetry of the ionized sphere is i.e., the positive ions, travel outward disturbed, however, nonradial oscilla- more slowly. This results in a partial tions will be initiated and energy will be separation of charges and a radial elec- emitted as a pulse of electromagnetic tric field. The lower energy (secondary) radiation much of which is in the radio- electrons generated by collisions of the frequency region of the spectrum. Compton electrons are then driven back Since, in practice, there is inevitably by the field toward the positive charges. some disturbance of the spherical sym- Consequently, a reverse electron current metry in a nuclear explosion, all such is produced and it increases as the field explosions are accompanied by a ra- strength increases. This is called the diated EMP, the strength of which de- "conduction current" because, for a pends on the circumstances. given field strength, its magnitude is determined by the electrical conductiv- GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ity of the ionized medium. The conduc- EMP tivity depends on the extent of ioniza- tion which itself results from the 11.63 The radiation in the EMP Compton effect; hence the conductivity covers a wide range of frequencies with of the medium will increase as the the maximum determined by the rise Compton current increases. Thus, as the time of the Compton current. This is radial field grows in strength so also typically of the order of 10-8 second and does the conduction current. The con- the maximum frequency for the mecha- duction current flows in such a direction nism described above is then roughly as to oppose this electric field; hence at a 108cycles per second, i.e., 108 hertz or certain time, the field will cease to in- 100 megahertz. Most of the radiation crease. The electric field is then said to will, however, be emitted at lower fre- be "saturated." At points near the quencies in the radiofrequency range. burst, the radial electric field reaches The rise time is generally somewhat shorter for high-altitude bursts than for are intermediate between medium-alti- surface and medium-altitude bursts; tude and surface bursts. At burst alti- hence, the EMP spectrum in high-alti- tudes below about 1.2 miles, the ra- tude bursts tends toward higher fre- diated pulse has the general quencies than in bursts of the other characteristics of that from a surface types. burst. 11.64 The prompt gamma rays from a nuclear explosion carry, on the MEDIUM-ALTITUDE AIR BURSTS average, about 0.3 percent of the ex- plosion energy (Table 10.138) and only 11.66 In an air burst at medium a fraction of this, on the order of ap- altitude, the density of the air is some- proximately 10-2 for a high-altitude what greater in the downward than in burst and 10-7 for a surface burst, is the upward direction. The difference in radiated in the EMP. For a I-megaton density is not large, although it in- explosion at high altitude, the total en- creaseswith the radius of the deposition ergy release is 4.2 x 1022ergs and the (or source) region, i.e., with increasing amount that is radiated as the EMP is altitude. The frequency of Compton roughly 1018ergs or 1011joules. Al- collisions and the ionization of the air though this energy is distributed over a will vary in the same manner as the air very large area, it is possible for a col- density. As a result of the asymmetry, lector to pick up something on the order an electron current is produced with a of I joule (or so) of EMP energy. The net component in the upward direction, fact that a small fraction of a joule, since the symmetry is not affected in the received as an extremely short pulse, azimuthal (radial horizontal) direction. could produce either permanent or tem- The electron current pulse initiates porary degradation of electronic de- oscillations in the ionized air and energy vices, shows that the EMP threat is a is emitted as a short pulse of electro- serious one. magnetic radiation. The EMP covers a 11.65 Although all nuclear bursts wide range of frequencies and wave are probably associated with the EMP to amplitudes, but much of the energy is in some degree, it is convenient to con- the low-frequency radio range. In addi- sider three more-or-less distinct (or ex- tion, a high-frequency pulse of short treme) types of explosions from the duration is radiated as a result of the EMP standpoint. These are air bursts at turning of the Compton electrons by the medium altitudes, surface bursts, and earth's magnetic field (§ 11.71). bursts at high altitudes. Medium-alti- 11.67 The magnitude of the EMP tude bursts are those below about 19 field radiated from an air burst will de- miles in which the deposition region pend upon the weapon yield, the height does not touch the earth's surface. The of burst (which influences the asym- radius of the sphere ranges roughly from metry due to the atmospheric density 3 to 9 miles, increasing with the burst gradient), and asymmetries introduced altitude. The EMP characteristics of air by the weapon (including auxiliary bursts at lower altitudes, in which the equipment, the case, or the carrying deposition region does touch the earth, vehicle). At points outside the deposit- ion region, for the lower-frequency the air and there is a net electron current EMP arising from differences in air with a strong component in the upward density, the radiated electric field E(t) at direction. Further, the conducting any specified time t as observed at a ground provides an effective return path distance R from the burst point is given for the electrons with the result that by current loops are formed. That is, elec- trons travel outward from the burst in E(t) = ~ Eo(t) sin 9, the air, then return toward the burst (11.67.1) point through the higher conductivity ground. These current loops generate where ~ is the radius of the deposition very large azimuthal magnetic fields that region, Eo(t) is the radiated field strength run clockwise around the burst point at the distance Ro' i.e., at the beginning (looking down on the ground) in the of the radiating region, at the time t, and deposition region, especially close to 9 is the angle between the vertical and a the ground (Fig. 11.10). At points very line joining the observation point to the near the burst, the air is highly ionized burst point. It follows from equation and its conductivity exceeds the ground (11.67.1) that, as stated in § 11.06, the conductivity. The tendency for the con- EMP field strength is greatest in direc- duct ion current to shift to the ground is tions perpendicular to the (vertical) therefore reduced, and the magnetic electron current. Values of Eo (t) and ~ fields in the ground and in the air are are determined by computer calculations decreased correspondingly. for specific situations; Eo(t) is com- 11.69 Large electric and magnetic monly from a few tens to a few hundred fields are developed in the ground which volts per meter and ~ is from about 3 to contribute to the EMP, in addition to the 9 miles (§ 11.09). The interaction of the fields arising from the deposition region. gamma rays with air falls off roughly As a result of the number of variables exponentially with distance; hence, the that can affect the magnitude and shape deposition region does not have a pre- of the fields, it is not possible to describe cise boundary, but Ro is taken as the them in a simple manner. The peak distance that encloses a volume in which radiated fields at the boundary of the the conductivity is 10-7 mho per meter deposition region are ten to a hundred or greater. times stronger in a direction along the j earth than for a similar air burst. The : SURFACE BURSTS variation with distance of the peak ra- ! diated electric field along the earth's 11.68 In a contact surface burst, the surface is given by presence of the ground introduces a strong additional asymmetry. Compared E = ~ Eo ' (11.69.1) with air, the ground is a very good R absorber of neutrons and gamma rays where Eo is the peak radiated field at the and a good conductor of electricity. radius Ro of the deposition region and E Therefore, the deposition region con- is the peak field at the surface distance R sists approximately of a hemisphere in from the burst point. For observation E 0 ~ 6 0 5 0'" W :;) 4 = f- O ~ « 2 0 0 200 400 600 BOO 1000 1200 1400 Figure II. 70a. Depositionregionsfor I-MT explosionsat altitudesof 31,62, 124,and 186 9 700 B 50 E 7 ~ 6 40 05 ) 30'" :;) ... f- 4 ~ i= 20 ~ 0 200 400 600 BOO 1000 1200 1400 Figure 11.70b. Depositionregionsfor 10-MT explosionsat altitudes of 31, 62, 124, 186 points above the surface the peak ra- earth's surface from ground zero. The diated field falls off rapidly with in- curves were computed from the esti- creasing distance. As stated in § 11.12, mated gamma-ray emissions from the Ro is roughly 2 to 5 miles, depending on explosions and the known absorption the explosion yield; Eo may be several coefficients of the air at various densities kilovolts per meter. (or altitudes). At small ground dis- tances, i.e., immediately below the HIGH-ALTITUDE BURSTS burst, the deposition region is thicker than at larger distances because thei 11.70 The thickness and extent of gamma-ray intensity decreases with half of the deposition region for bursts distance from the burst point. Since the of I and 10 megatons yield, respec- gamma rays pass through air of increas- tively, for various heights of burst ing density as they travel toward the (HOB) are shown in Figs. 11.70a and b. ground, most are absorbed in a layer The abscissas are distances in the at- between altitudes of roughly 40 and 10 mosphere measured parallel to the miles. 11.71 Unless they happen to be Table 11.72 ejected along the lines of the geomag- netic field the Compton electrons re- GROUND DISTANCE TO TANGENT POINT su ting rom t e InteractIon 0 t e gamma-ray photons with the air mole- Burst Altitude Ta!lgOnt"Distance cules and atoms in the deposition region (miles (miles) will be forced to follow curved paths along the field lines.3 In doing so they :; :~~ are subjected to a radial acceleration and 124 980 the ensemble of turning electrons, 186 1,195 whose density varies with time, emits 249 1,370 electromagnetic radiations which add 311 1,520 coherently. The EMP produced in this manner from a high-altitude burst-and its amplitude) at the earth's surface from also to some extent from an air burst-is a high-altitude burst will depend upon in a higher frequency range than the the explosion yield, the height of burst. EMP arising from local asymmetries in the location of the observer, and the moderate-altitude and surface bursts (§ orientation with respect to the geomag- 11.63). netic field. As a general rule, however, 11.72 The curves in Figs. II. 70a the field strength may be expected to be and b indicate the dimensions of the tens of kilovolts per meter over most of deposition (source) region, but they do the area receiving the EMP radiation. not show the extent of coverage on (or Figure 11.73 shows computed contours near) the earth's surface. TheEMPdoes for Ema.' the maximum peak electric not radiate solely in a direction down field, and various fractions of Ema. for from the source region; it also radiates burst altitudes between roughly 60 and from the edges and at angles other than 320 miles, assuming a yield of a few vertical beneath this region. Thus, the hundred kilotons or more. The dis- effect at the earth's surface of the tances, measured along the earth's sur- higher-frequency EMP extends to the face, are shown in terms of the height of horizon (or tangent point on the surface burst. The spatial distribution of the as viewed from the burst). The lower EMP electric field depends on the geo- frequencies, however, will extend even magnetic field and so varies with the beyond the horizon because these elec- latitude; the results in the figures apply tromagnetic waves can follow the generally for ground zero between about earth's curvature (cf. § 10.92). Table 300 and 600 north latitude. South of the 11.72 gives the distances along the sur- geomagnetic equator the directions in- face from ground zero to the tangent dicating magnetic north and east in the point for several burst heights. figure would become south and west, 11.73 The peak electric field (and respectively. It is evident from Fig. .1At higher altitudes, when the atmosphericdensity is much less and collisions with air atoms and moleculesare lessfrequent,continuedturning of the electrons(betaparticles) aboutthe field lines leads to the helical motion referredto in §§ 2.143. 10.27. 0.5 E max """""", ~ 0.5 E max Figure 11.73. Variations in peak electric fields for locations on the earth's surface for burst altitudes between 60 and 320 miles and for ground zero between 300and 600 north latitude. The data are applicable for yields of a few hundred kilotons or 11.73 that over most of the area affected be a point of zero field strength in the by the EMP the electric field strength on center of this region where the Compton the ground would exceed 0.5Emax' For electrons would move directly along the yields of less than a few hundred kilo- field lines without turning about them, tons, this would not necessarily be true but other mechanisms, such as oscilla- because the field strength at the earth's tions within the deposition region, will tangent could be substantially less than produce a weak EMP at the earth's sur- 0.5 E max face. The other variations in the field strength at larger ground ranges are due 11.74 The reason why Fig. 11.73 to differences in the slant range from the does not apply at altitudes above about explosion. 320 miles is that at such altitudes the 11.76 The contours in Fig. 11.73 tangent range rapidly becomes less than apply to geomagnetic dip angles of four times the height of burst. The dis- roughly 50° to 70°. Although E would tance scale in the figure, in terms of the probably not vary greatly with "the burst HOB, then ceasesto have any meaning. latitude, the spatial distribution of the For heights of burst above 320 miles, a peak field strength would change with set of contours similar to those in Fig. the dip angle. At larger dip angles, i.e., 11.73 can be plotted in terms of frac- at higher latitudes than about 6()°, the tions of the tangent distance. contours for E and 0.75 E would max max 11.75 The spatial variations of tend more and more to encircle ground EMP field strength arise primarily from zero. Over the magnetic pole (dip angle the orientation and dip angle of the 9(}°), the contours would be expected geomagnetic field, and geometric fac- theoretically to consist of a series of tors related to the distance from the circles surrounding ground zero, with explosion to the observation point. The the field having a value of zero at ground area of low field strength slightly to the zero. At lower dip angles, i.e., at lati- north of ground zero in Fig. 11.73 is tudes less than about 30°, the tendency caused by the dip in the geomagnetic for the contours to become less circular field lines with reference to the horizon- and to spread out, as in Fig. 11.73, tal direction. Theoretically, there should would be expected to increase. BLOCK, R., el al., "EMP Seal Evaluation," "Electromagnetic Pulse Problems in Civilian Physics International Co., San Leandro, Cali- Power and Communications," Summary of a fornia, January 1971. seminar held at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, BRtDGES, J. E., D. A. MILLER, and A. R. August 1969, sponsored by the U.S. Atomic V ALENTtNO, "EMP Directory for Shelter De- Energy Commission and the Department of sign," Illinois Institute of Technology Research Defense/Office of Civil Defense. Institute, Chicago, Illinois, April 1968. "Electromagnetic Pulse Sensor and Simulation BRIDGES, J. E., and J. WEYER, "EMP Threat Notes, Volumes 1-10," Air Force Weapons and Countermeasures for Civil Defense Sys- Laboratory, April 1967 through 1972, AFWL terns," Illinois Institute of Technology Re- EMP I-I through 1-10. search Institute, Chicago, Illinois, November "EMP Protection for Emergency Operating 1968. Centers," Department of Defense/Office of Civil Defense, May 1971, TR-61-A. trical Standards Division 2412, Sandia Labora- "EMP Protective Systems," Department of De- tory, Albuquerque, New Mexico, November fense/Office of Civil Defense, November 1971, 1967. TR--6I-B. MINDEL, I. N., Program Coordinator, "DNA "EMP Protection for AM Radio Broadcast Sta- EMP Awareness Course Notes," 2nd ed., IlIi- tions," Department of Defense/Office of Civil nois Institute of Technology Research Institute, Defense, May 1972, TR--6I-C. Chicago, Illinois, August 1973, DNA 2772T. Foss, J. W., and R. W. MAYO, "Operation NELSON, D. B., "Effects of Nuclear EMP on Survival," Bell Laboratories Record, January AM Broadcast Stations in the Emergency 1969, page II. Broadcast System," Oak Ridge National Labo- GILINSKY, V., and G. PEEBLES, "The Develop- ratory, July 1971, ORNL-TM-2830. ment of a Radio Signal from a Nuclear Explo- NELSON, D. B., "EMP Impact on U.S. De- sion in the Atmosphere," J. Geophys. Res., 73, fenses," Survive, 2, No.6, 2 (1969). 405 (1968). NELSON, D. B., "A Program to Counter Effects HIRSCH, F. G., and A. BRUNER, "Absence of of Nuclear EMP in Commercial Power Sys- Electromagnetic Pulse Effects on Monkeys and terns," Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oc- Dogs," J. Occupational Medicine, 14, 380 tober 1972, ORNL-TM-3552 , (1972) RICKETTS, L. W., et ai" "EMP Radiation and KARZAS, W, J, and R, LATTER, "Detection of Protective Techniques,'. Wiley-Interscience, Electromagnetic Radiation from Nuclear Ex- 1976. plosions in Space," Phys. Rev. 137, BI369 SARGIS, D. A., et al., "Late Time Source for (1965). Close-In EMP ," Science Applications, La LENNOX, C. R., "Experimental Results of Test- Jolla, California, August 1972, DNA 3064F, ing Resistors Under Pulse Conditions," Elec- SAI-72-556-L-J. * These documents may be purchased from the National Technical Information Service, Department of Commerce, Springfield, Virginia 22161. Sign up to vote on this title UsefulNot useful
Sunday, February 13, 2011 Good design... 1. Is Innovative - There are always opportunities for innovative design. 2. Makes a Product Useful - product is bought to be used. Its functional, but also psychological and aesthetic. It doesn't detract from purpose. 3. Is Aesthetic - Only well-executed objects can be beautiful. 4. Makes a Product Understandable - The product is self-explanatory. 5. Is Unobtrusive - Design should be neutral and restrained. 6. Is Honest - Doesn't make the product more valuable than it really is. 7. Is Long-Lasting - Avoids being fashionable. Will last years. Timeless. 8. Is Thorough, down to the last detail - Every detail makes sense on the design. 9. Is Environmentally Friendly - Contribution to preservation of the environment. 10. Is as little Design as possible - Be Simplistic. Don Norman. Design and Emotion. Beauty and function .Shape and balance. These are components that Don Norman believes what makes good design "happy." How it makes the consumer happy. An example he uses is of Googles' oooo's to represent the pages. Simple but smart and fun. He talks about fun being able to help the design. The 3 emotions are sub-concious, you're unaware of it. Visceral. Fear and anxiety changes the way a person thinks. Use it to help think outside the box and use the anxiety to keep you focused. If you're happy things work better because you're more creative. Behavioral. It's all about feeling in control which includes usability and understanding but also the feel. Reflective. The design/product is reflective of the consumer. Thoughtful question: Functionality is part of design. Would a product that could function better than a better looking product make the consumer more happy? Does this conflict with your theory? No comments: Post a Comment
How to graph cube root functions In order to graph cube root functions you must remember the general formula for cube root functions: f(x) = 3(x - h) + k Given any cube root function, say f(x) = 3(x - 2) + 5, compare it with the general formula to get the values of h and k. On comparing f(x) = 3(x - 2) + 5 with the general formula, you get • h = 2 • k = 5 Now remember that in the above general formula, h is the horizontal translation and k is the vertical translation. So, first we will graph the parent function of all cube root functions, p(x) = 3x. The graph of the parent function p(x) = 3x is as follows: Parent cube root function Now in order to graph the function f(x) = 3(x - 2) + 5, so you have to translate the graph of p(x) = 3x two units right and five units up. Doing that, the graph of f(x) = 3(x - 2) + 5 is obtained, The above graph must look stretched horizontally and vertically, but it is only translated right and up. In order to make the graph viewable, the axes has been taken such that the graph looks stretched.
THE RESCUER - The broken wings Five years of Selma's marriage passed without bringing children to strengthen the ties of spiritual relation between her and her husband and bind their repugnant souls together. A barren woman is looked upon with disdain everywhere because of most men's desire to perpetuate themselves through posterity. The substantial man considers his childless wife as an enemy; he detests her and deserts her and wishes her death. Mansour Bey Galib was that kind of man; materially, he was like earth, and hard like steel and greedy like a grave. His desire of having a child to carry on his name and reputation made him hate Selma in spite of her beauty and sweetness. A tree grown in a cave does not bear fruit; and Selma, who lived in the shade of life, did not bear children..... The nightingale does not make his nest in a cage lest slavery be the lot of its chicks.... Selma was a prisoner of misery and it was Heaven's will that she would not have another prisoner to share her life. The flowers of the field are the children of sun's affection and nature's love; and the children of men are the flowers of love and The spirit of love and compassion never dominated Selma's beautiful home at Ras Beyrouth; nevertheless, she knelt down on her knees every night before Heaven and asked God for a child in whom she would find comfort and consolation... She prayed successively until Heaven answered her prayers.... The tree of the cave blossomed to bear fruit at last. The nightingale in the cage commenced making its nest with the feathers of its wings. Selma stretched her chained arms toward Heaven to receive God's precious gift and nothing in the world could have made her happier than becoming a potential mother. She waited anxiously, counting the days and looking forward to the time when Heaven's sweetest melody, the voice of her child, should ring in her ears.... She commenced to see the dawn of a brighter future through her tears. It was the month of Nisan when Selma was stretched on the bed of pain and labour, where life and death were wrestling. The doctor and the midwife were ready to deliver to the world a new guest. Late at night Selma started her successive cry... a cry of life's partition from life... a cry of continuance in the firmament of nothingness.. a cry of a weak force before the stillness of great forces... the cry of poor Selma who was lying down in despair under the feet of life and death. At dawn Selma gave birth to a baby boy. When she opened her eyes she saw smiling faces all over the room, then she looked again and saw life and death still wrestling by her bed. She closed her eyes and cried, saying for the first time, "Oh, my son." The midwife wrapped the infant with silk swaddles and placed him by his mother, but the doctor kept looking at Selma and sorrowfully shaking his head. The voices of joy woke the neighbours, who rushed into the house to felicitate the father upon the birth of his heir, but the doctor still gazed at Selma and her infant and shook his head.... The servants hurried to spread the good news to Mansour Bey, but the doctor stared at Selma and her child with a disappointed look on his face. As the sun came out, Selma took the infant to her breast; he opened his eyes for the first time and looked at his mother; then he quivered and close them for the last time. The doctor took the child from Selma's arms and on his cheeks fell tears; then he whispered to himself, "He is a departing guest." The child passed away while the neighbours were celebrating with the father in the big hall at the house and drinking to the health of their heir; and Selma looked at the doctor, and pleaded, "Give me my child and let me embrace him." Though the child was dead, the sounds of the drinking cups increased in the hall..... He was born at dawn and died at sunrise... He was born like a thought and died like a sigh and disappeared like a shadow. He did not live to console and comfort his mother. His life began at the end of the night and ended at the beginning of the day, like a drop of few poured by the eyes of the dark and dried by the touch of the light. A pearl brought by the tide to the coast and returned by the ebb into the depth of the sea.... A lily that has just blossomed from the bud of life and is mashed under the feet of death. A dear guest whose appearance illuminated Selma's heart and whose departure killed her soul. This is the life of men, the life of nations, the life of suns, moons and stars. And Selma focused her eyes upon the doctor and cried, "Give me my child and let me embrace him; give me my child and let me nurse him." Then the doctor bent his head. His voice choked and he said, "Your child is dead, Madame, be patient. Upon hearing her doctor's announcement, Selma uttered a terrible cry. Then she was quiet for a moment and smiled happily. Her face brightened as if she had discovered something, and quietly she said, "Give me my child; bring him close to me and let me see him dead." The doctor carried the dead child to Selma and placed him between her arms. She embraced him, then turned her face toward the wall and addressed the dead infant saying, "You have come to take me away my child; you have come to show me the way that leads to the coast. Here I am my child; lead me and let us leave this dark cave. And in a minute the sun's ray penetrated the window curtains and fell upon two calm bodies lying on a bed, guarded by the profound dignity of silence and shaded by the wings of death. The doctor left the room with tears in his eyes, and as he reached the big hall the celebrations was converted into a funeral, but Mansour Bey Galib never uttered a word or shed a tear. He remained standing motionless like a statue, holding a drinking cup with his right hand. * * * * * * * * * * The second day Selma was shrouded with her white wedding dress and laid in a coffin; the child's shroud was his swaddle; his coffin was his mother's arms; his grave was her calm breast. Two corpses were carried in one coffin, and I walked reverently with the crowd accompanying Selma and her infant to their resting place. Arriving at the cemetery, Bishop Galib commenced chanting while the other priests prayed, and on their gloomy faces appeared a veil of ignorance and emptiness. As the coffin went down, one of the bystanders whispered, "This is the first time in my life I have seen two corpses in one coffin." Another one said, "It seems as if the child had come to rescue his mother from her pitiless husband." A third one said, "Look at Mansour Bey: he is gazing at the sky as if his eyes were made of glass. He does not look like he has lost his wife and child in one day." A fourth one added, "His uncle, the Bishop, will marry him again tomorrow to a wealthier and stronger woman. The Bishop and the priests kept on singing and chanting until the grave digger was through filing the ditch. Then, the people, individually, approached the Bishop and his nephew and offered their respects to them with sweet words of sympathy, but I stood lonely aside without a soul to console me, as if Selma and her child meant nothing to me. The farewell−bidders left the cemetery; the grave digger stood by the new grave holding a shovel with his As I approached him, I inquired, "Do you remember where Farris Effandi Karamy was buried?" He looked at me for a moment, then pointed at Selma's grave and said, "Right here; I placed his daughter upon him and upon his daughter's breast rests her child, and upon all I put the earth back with this shovel." Then I said, "In this ditch you have also buried my heart." As the grave digger disappeared behind the poplar trees, I could not resist anymore; I dropped down on Selma's grave and wept. The Broken Wings Kahlil Gibran Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια: Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger... Παρουσιάστηκε σφάλμα σε αυτό το gadget
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Florida, an example of a peninsula. A peninsula (Latin: paeninsula from paene "almost" and insula "island") is a piece of land surrounded by water on the majority of its border, while being connected to a mainland from which it extends. Examples are the Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan, the Scandinavian Peninsula and the Niagara peninsula.[1][2][3][4] The surrounding water is usually understood to be continuous, though not necessarily named as a single body of water. Peninsulas are not always named as such; one can also be a headland, cape, island promontory, bill, point, or spit.[5] A point is generally considered a tapering piece of land projecting into a body of water that is less prominent than a cape.[6] A river which courses through a very tight meander is also sometimes said to form a "peninsula" within the (almost closed) loop of water. In English, the plurals of peninsula are peninsulas and, less commonly, peninsulae. Peninsulas can be found on coastlines and in smaller bodies of water throughout the world, ranging in scale from square meters to millions of square kilometers. Some major peninsulas are: North America South America Cape Peninsula in Southern Africa.Cape of Good Hope. See also 1. ^ Word Histories and Mysteries: From Abracadabra to Zeus. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2004. p. 216. ISBN 978-0547350271. OCLC 55746553. 2. ^ "pen·in·su·la". American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016. 3. ^ "Definition of peninsula". Cambridge Dictionaries Online. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved 1 May 2016. 4. ^ "Definition of peninsula". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 1 May 2016. 5. ^ "List of peninsulas". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016. 6. ^ External links Retrieved from "" This content was retrieved from Wikipedia : This page is based on the copyrighted Wikipedia article "Peninsula"; it is used under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License (CC-BY-SA). You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the CC-BY-SA
Thursday, October 27, 2005 Adjust your paper airplanes - part 2 Now, I'm going to write about horizontal deviation. When your paper airplane turns right or left, do as the diagram to the left indicates. The plane will turn towards the direction where you will turn the body. The plane of the diagram will turn right. So, if your paper airplane turns right, turn the body towards left and vice versa. I have also found out that if you bent one wing towards up (see "Adjust your paper airplane - part 1"), the paper airplane will turn towards that wing's direction. That's it for now. If there is a point that I didn't cover, don't hesitate to leave a comment. Links to this post: Create a Link << Home
TOF - Tetralogy of Fallot The four defects include: • Pulmonary Stenosis - Narrowing of the pulmonary valve and outflow tract or area below the valve, that creates an obstruction (blockage) of blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. • Ventricular Septal Defect [VSD]. • Overriding Aorta - The aortic valve is enlarged and appears to arise from both the left and right ventricles instead of the left ventricle as occurs in normal hearts. • Right Ventricular Hypertrophy - Thickening of the muscular walls of the right ventricle, which occurs because the right ventricle is pumping at high pressure. A small percentage of children with tetralogy of Fallot may also have additional ventricular septal defects, an atrial septal defect (ASD) or abnormalities in the branching pattern of their coronary arteries. Some patients with tetralogy of Fallot have complete obstruction to flow from the right ventricle, or pulmonary atresia. Tetralogy of Fallot may be associated with chromosomal abnormalities, such as 22q11 deletion syndrome. The pulmonary stenosis and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction seen with tetralogy of Fallot usually limits blood flow to the lungs. When blood flow to the lungs is restricted, the combination of the ventricular septal defect and overriding aorta allows oxygen-poor blood [blue] returning to the right atrium and right ventricle to be pumped out the aorta to the body. This shunting of oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to the body results in a reduction in the arterial oxygen saturation so that babies appear cyanotic, or blue. The cyanosis occurs because oxygen-poor blood is darker and has a blue colour, so that the lips and skin appear blue. The extent of cyanosis is dependent on the amount of narrowing of the pulmonary valve and right ventricular outflow tract. A narrower outflow tract from the right ventricle is more restrictive to blood flow to the lungs, which in turn lowers the arterial oxygen level since more oxygen-poor blood is shunted from the right ventricle to the aorta. Tetralogy of Fallot Signs and Symptoms Tetralogy of Fallot is most often diagnosed in the first few weeks of life due to either a loud murmur or cyanosis. Babies with tetralogy of Fallot usually have a patent ductus arteriosus at birth that provides additional pulmonary blood flow, so severe cyanosis is rare early after birth. As the ductus arteriosus closes, as it typically will in the first days of life, cyanosis can develop or become more severe. The degree of cyanosis is proportional to lung blood flow and thus depends upon the degree of narrowing of the outflow tract to the pulmonary arteries. Rapid breathing in response to low oxygen levels and reduced pulmonary blood flow can occur. The heart murmur, which is commonly loud and harsh, is often absent in the first few days of life.? The arterial oxygen saturation of babies with tetralogy of Fallot can suddenly drop markedly. This phenomenon, called a "tetralogy spell," usually results from a sudden increased constriction of the outflow tract to the lungs so that pulmonary blood flow is further restricted. The lips and skin of babies who have a sudden decrease in arterial oxygen level will appear acutely more blue. Children having a tetralogy spell will initially become extremely irritable in response to the critically low oxygen levels, and they may become sleepy or unresponsive if the severe cyanosis persists. A tetralogy spell can sometimes be treated by comforting the infant and flexing the knees forward and upward. Most often, however, immediate medical attention is necessary. Diagnosing Tetralogy of Fallot When a newborn baby with significant cyanosis is first seen, they are often placed in supplemental oxygen. The increased oxygen improves the child''s oxygen levels in cases of lung disease, but breathing extra oxygen will have little effect on the oxygen levels of a child with tetralogy of Fallot. Failure to respond to this hyperoxia test is often the first clue to suspect a cyanotic cardiac defect. Infants with tetralogy of Fallot can have normal oxygen levels if the pulmonary stenosis is mild (referred to as pink tetralogy of Fallot). In these children, the first clue to suggest a cardiac defect is detection of a loud murmur when the infant is examined. Once congenital heart disease is suspected, echocardiography can rapidly and accurately demonstrate the four related defects characteristic of tetralogy of Fallot. Cardiac catheterization is occasionally required to evaluate the size and distribution of the pulmonary arteries and to clarify the branching patterns of the coronary arteries. Catheterization can also demonstrate whether patients have pulmonary blood flow supplied by an abnormal blood vessel from the aorta (aortopulmonary collateral). Tetralogy of Fallot Treatment Once tetralogy of Fallot is diagnosed, the immediate management focuses on determining whether the childs oxygen levels are in a safe range. If oxygen levels are critically low soon after birth, a prostaglandin infusion is usually initiated to keep the ductus arteriosus open which will provide additional pulmonary blood flow and increase the child's oxygen level. Tetralogy of Fallot Treatment Results Most babies are fairly sick in the first few days after surgery, since the right ventricle is "stiff" from the previous hypertrophy and because an incision is made into the muscle of the ventricle, making the muscle temporarily weaker. This right ventricular dysfunction usually improves significantly in the days following surgery.
Do Computers Make Our Lives Easier? Computer & TechnologyComputer Science is nothing but the scientific and technological method to computation and its multi-way applications. It can be divided into a number of categories on practical and theoretical research basis which are abstract as well as emphasized on true planet. Computer interaction is accessible universally to serve different elements of higher level implementations to human life. Solid state disk drive: The newer solid state disk drive, retailers information on flash memory chips and is less prone to erratic behavior of the difficult disk drive. An SSD is considerably more rapidly and trustworthy compared to HDD and other kinds of flash primarily based storage devices. Each participant has a video camera, microphone, and speakers mounted on his or her personal computer. As the two participants speak to a single yet another, their voices are carried more than the network and delivered to the other individuals speakers, and whatever images appear in front of the video camera appear in a window on the other participant’s monitor. Law Enforcement The formal institutions of national states, and the functions that are related with them, to enforce compliance to laws and investigate violations of law. As with most AMD processors, this a single runs fairly cool and that is primarily since it characteristics heatpipes which modify the way it cools even even though the fan is very small, it does the job completely. For what you get in this piece of machinery, the price tag is such a excellent deal that you cannot afford to pass it up. I don’t have a toddler in my life proper now but thought I’d peek back in…just in case! Personal computer Security Threats Prospective and actual violations of law that either involve attacks on the safety of computers or that use a personal computer to commit an illegal act. I honestly believed I’d in no way use all the extra width, but you’d be surprised at just how helpful 50% extra width can be, and how swiftly you get utilized to creating the most of it. is a very good lightweight antivirus which is great for really old computer systems, but it does not come with an active shield, so you want to install Clam Sentinel at to give it an Active shield to shield your personal computer from viruses in real-time. Thanks for mentioning us in your post. Regrettably, CPUsage has discontinued its companion program. We are no longer accepting signups and our application will no longer be supported. There are also a lot of Emulators which let you emulate lots of older Super Nintendo, N64 Games, and classic games on your laptop. The laptop does not depend on the field of engineering. Any laptop pointed out above will do.
FoodReference.com (since 1999) You are here > Home > FOOD TRIVIA & FACTS RABBIT to REUBEN > Raisins Also see: Food Articles and Cooking Tips From Amateur & Basic Cooking Classes to Professional Chef Training & Degrees Half of the world's supply of raisins are grown in California. The finest raisins come from Malaga in Spain. Golden raisins are made by treating the raisins with a lye solution, sometimes with lye and then burning sulfur, and sometimes with sulfur dioxide. Fresno, California is the Raisin Capital of the World. Raisin - comes from the Latin racemus and means "a cluster of grapes or berries". The California Dancing Raisin was introduced in 1984 by the California Raisin Industry marketing staff to increase awareness and demand for California raisins. It is believed that humans discovered raisins when they happened upon grapes drying on a vine. History books note that raisins were sun-dried from grapes as long ago as 1490 B.C. But several hundred years passed before it was determined which grape variety would make the best raisin. 1490 B.C. - History books first note raisins were sun-dried grapes. Between 120 and 900 B.C. , the first vineyards were developed. Muscat raisins, which are oversized with seeds and full of flavor, were grown in southern Spain. Farmers of Greece grew tiny, seedless, tangy raisins called currants. 11th century - Crusader knights first introduced raisins to Europe when they returned home from the Mediterranean. Packaging and shipping techniques were good enough to ship raisins throughout northern Europe. 14th century - Raisins became an important part of European cuisine. Spaniards perfected viticulture, or grape growing. Roman physicians prescribed raisins to cure anything from mushroom poisoning to old age. Eventually, they became so valuable that two jars of raisins could be traded for one slave! 18th century - Spanish missionaries in Mexico moved into California and helped farmers grow grapes for wine. 1851 - A marketable muscat for raisins, the Egyptian Muscat, was grown near San Diego. Since the area didn't have sufficient water supply, farmers moved to the San Joaquin (wah keen) Valley which has a mild climate and extensive irrigation system perfect for the art of viticulture. 1876 - Scottish immigrant William Thompson grew a seedless grape variety that was thin-skinned, seedless, sweet and tasty. Today 95 percent of California raisins are made from Thompson seedless grapes. From the California Raisin Marketing Board - www.calraisins.org RABBIT to REUBEN \| Rabbit \| Rack of Lamb \| Radicchio \| Radishes \| Railroads & Railroad Food \| Rain \| Raisins \| Rambutan \| Rampion \| Ranch Dressing \| Ranches \| Raspberry \| Ready Mix Foods \| Red Beans Trivia \| Red Delicious Apple \| Red Eye Gravy \| Red Gold Potato \| Red Pepper \| Red Sandalwood \| Red Thumb Potato \| Red Tide \| Reese's Peanut Butter C \| Refrigerators \| Relish or Salsa \| Rennet \| Restaurants \| Reuben's Sandwiches Please take the time to request permission. FoodReference.com Logo Popular Pages
By: Katie Jones, CVT Many of us are familiar with the yellow “seeds” that appear on our horses’ legs during summer months as bot eggs, but what exactly can we do to prevent these recurring parasites each year? bot-eggsThere are three different types of botflies. The first is considered the common horse bot (Gastrophilus intestinalis); they lay their eggs on the horse’s body and are ingested through self grooming. The second is the throat bot (Gastrophilus nasalis), they lay their eggs on the horse’s neck and beneath the jaw. The larvae from these eggs then travel from the neck to the mouth. The third and final type is the nose bot (Gastrophilus haemorrhoidalis). This type of bot is the rarest type and they lay their eggs around the lips. Once the bot larvae are in the horse’s mouth they remain there for around four weeks before traveling into the stomach. When the larvae enter the stomach they attach to the division between the glandular and non-glandular portions of the stomach (the Margo Plicatus). The larvae have hooks in their mouths that allow them to attach to this division for eight to ten months, or until mature. Once the larvae have reached this stage, they release themselves from the lining of the stomach and are passed in the horses feces. When they finally reach the environment, they burrow into the ground until they mature into adult flies. This lifecycle takes about a full calendar year; once the adult botfly emerges from the ground the cycle starts again. There are several symptoms a horse possesses if they have been exposed to bots. Bot botseggs on the body of the horse appear as clusters of orange and yellow dots on their head, belly, and legs. Due to these eggs a horse can be found licking at their stomach and legs, biting or rubbing their mouth (to try and relieve irritation), with ulcers in and around their mouth, or appear colicky. When the number of larvae in the stomach becomes overwhelmingly large a blockage can form, as well as, ulcers along the stomach lining. Visualization of the bot eggs and larvae is the main diagnosis. Once the bot larvae attach in the stomach they can be seen by gastroscopy. To decrease a horse’s exposure, it is recommended to promptly remove any eggs found in the hair. This will minimize and even disrupt the bot’s life cycle. Using fly spray and fly control practices in barns during summer months will also help decrease chance of exposure. The best way to prevent bot larvae in the horse’s stomach is by practicing a good deworming schedule. The recommendation is to give a deworming product containing Ivermectin, preferably after the first frost in the fall. Botflies are common in the Midwest but with good management, horses can be treated and the risk of exposure can be decreased. If you have concerns regarding bots, make sure to connect with your veterinarian to discuss what your horses’ risks are.
Politicians Get Wealthier As Those They Represent Get Poorer In the past quarter-century, Congressmen have gone from super rich to super-duper rich, while their constituents have remained relatively poor. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are doing quite well for themselves, raising their median net worth from $280,000 to $725,000 from 1984 to 2009. In the same span, the average net worth of American families has dropped from $20,600 to $20,500. The inflation-adjusted figures come from Panel Study of Income Dynamics from the University of Michigan. As The Washington Post notes, the income disparity highlights the potential difficulty of lawmakers to sympathize with constituents’ economic plights as they consider legislation. The figures also demonstrate how rare and difficult it is for those from the middle or lower classes to attain political office. The resources and connections it takes to win Congressional elections are daunting. Winning Congressional campaign expenditures have quadrupled to $1.4 million since 1976. It’s a given that poor people generally have more urgent purposes for their money rather than donating to those campaigns, presumably giving them less access to their representatives. Growing wealth widens distance between lawmakers and constituents [The Washington Post]
noun, Physics. an electric current that flows without resistance in a superconducting material. Read Also: • Supercycle • Superdelegate • Superdense adjective, denser, densest. 1. having the component parts closely compacted together; crowded or compact: a dense forest; dense population. 2. stupid; slow-witted; dull. 3. intense; extreme: dense ignorance. 4. relatively opaque; transmitting little light, as a photographic negative, optical glass, or color. 5. difficult to understand or follow because of being closely packed with ideas […] • Superdense theory /ˌsuːpəˈdɛns/ noun 1. (astronomy) a former name for the big-bang theory
It was 50 years ago today Today is the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. This landmark legislation helped to level the playing for African Americans in the South somewhat until the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a vital portion of the law, the majority claiming that the South is changed. The South has, to the contrary, not changed enough to stop trying to disenfranchise African-Americans, most notably with ID requirements that have a similar effect to the nefarious poll taxes of the Jim Crow era. These laws are justified by a fraud problem that is nonexistent. This situation is a travesty. The time has come restore the franchise once and for all to those, particularly minorities, who law been blocked from voting by the law and its application. This restoration starts with three measures: 1. Restore the Voting Rights Act – This has been proved in congress and blocked by Republican’s who need to be turned out of office. 2. Automatic Registration – People become registered voters when they become citizens or turn 18. Oregon has just made such a procedure the law of the land. This eliminates duplication, saving both the government and voters money and time. This makes easier for all citizens to vote and for the government to prevent fraud. 3. Franchising ex-cons – it is high time that we stop disenfranchising felons who have been released. Whether they are paroled or finished their sentences, if they have done their time, they have done their time, and it makes no sense to keep punishing them. This would have a huge impact since so many African-Americans spend time in prison. These are just the beginning. We also need to have a holiday for voting so people do not have to rush out to vote during lunch hour or on the way home or on the way to work. Voting should be fair for everyone, not just those who are wealthy enough to overcome the obstacles.
Modern Christian Mythology: Hebrew Slaves Built the Pyramids Did Hebrew Slaves Built the Pyramids? The belief that Hebrew slaves built the pyramids is pretty popular. Many secularists even believe it. But, the belief does start with the belief that Jewish religious scriptures are actually historical documents. Not that the Bible ever actually says that the Hebrews built the pyramids. Just do a word search on any online Bible for pyramid. It’s never mentioned. But, if one believes that the Hebrews were in Egypt, and one has a strong desire for a romantic and fantastic version of history, one may want to connect the dots and say that the Hebrews were the builders of one of the Wonders of the World (hey, why just one?). But, the fact is, that the evidence shows this belief to be very doubtful. No primary source backs is up, and the primary sources we do have refute it. • The Pyramids were built 2,500 BCE • The earliest reference to Israel is 1,200 BCE (Merneptah Stele, in which they are barely a footnote) • The earliest Hebrew writing is the Gezer Calendar and the Khirbet Qeiyafa potsherd, both dated to around 1,000 BCE and both very primitive early forms of the language. • The first mention of Jews being in Egypt is in the 5th century BCE, in the Elephantine papyri. They do mention a Jewish temple previously build, but they do not mention how far back. • The first mention that the Hebrews build the pyramids were in the histories of Herodotus, 450 BCE, Herodotus is, unfortunately, well known for his historical inaccuracy.(That, by itself, of course, does not say that Herodotus was wrong about it. It could have been one of the things He got right.) So, where does this leave the Exodus. The Exodus, as recorded in the Bible, was huge. -Exodus 12: 37b-38, NIV 600,000 MEN. Double that for wives, add a few kids, and who knows how many “other people”, we quickly get millions of people with their livestock. Sorry, that’s just ridiculous. There’s just not enough quail in the desert to feed them. And to top off the logical and negative evidence against an historical Exodus, as excavations continue we are gaining a lot of positive evidence against the slave theory: We found the tombs of the workers! (link: Egypt unveils more proof that Jews did not build pyramids). Explore posts in the same categories: Modern Christian Mythology 6 Comments on “Modern Christian Mythology: Hebrew Slaves Built the Pyramids” 1. BUT, BUT, BUT…. Charlton Heston, Edward G. Robinson… “Where’s your God now?,” “Moses, Moses, Moses!” “So it is written, so it shall be done.” “Soylent Green…IT’S PEOPLE!!!”… oh wait, never mind the last one. Oh well…shit happens. 2. Victor Says: There was a news story a few years ago about an Egyptian that was trying to sue the Jews to return all the gold they took when they left Egypt. Not sure if he believed it, or was trying to get someone to admit that it’s all a myth. Either way, it was a funny story. 3. Gold, yeah. But alsolook at all the camels they took. Slaves didn’t own property. Those camels belonged to the Egyptians. I think they have a case. 4. […] wait, weren’t the Hebrews slaves in Egypt (they weren’t, but according to “Biblical history” they were)? Well, I did happen to notice that […] 5. No archaeological evidence exists of the Exodus according to archaeologists, in Egypt, the Sinai, Transjordan, or Canaan. The Bible itself suggests different dates for the Exodus, 1540, 1510, and 1446 BC according to various scholars. Some believe it was circa 1260 BC based on archaeological evidence which is contradictory to the Bible’s Exodus dates. See Mattfeld, the Hyksos Exodus of 1540 BC being recast as Israel’s Exodus for more details. 6. Franklin Benjamin Says: for you to say that no archaeological evidence exists of the exodus to archaeologists is false and a blatant lie, this write up is written to discredit the bible and to fool people but peruse the links and citations below and ten deduce your conclusion The Egyptian word Hyksos means “foreign rulers.” In common usage, however, the term is used to refer in general to the Asiatics who settled in the eastern Delta of Egypt in the Second Intermediate Period. The dates for Hyksos rule are not known precisely. Those used here are based on the following: Expulsion of the Hyksos in approximately the 15th year of Ahmose (Bietak 1991b: 48) A total of 108 years for the rule of the Hyksos according to the Turin papyrus (Bietak 1991b: 48) The chronology of Wente and Van Siclen for the 18th Dynasty (Wente and Van Siclen 1977: 218). This chronology gives a death date for Tuthmosis III of 1450 BC, which correlates with the Biblical date for the Exodus. According to Scripture, the Pharaoh of the Exodus perished in the Yam Suph (Exodus 14:5-9,18,28; 15:4,7; Psalm 106:9-11; 136:15), therefore, we correlate the date of the Exodus with the death date of the Pharaoh of the Exodus. The chronology of Wente and Van Siclen also incorporates the low date of 1279 BC for the accession of Rameses II accepted by most scholars today. In the 14th Dynasty, toward the end of the 18th century BC, the name of the town was changed to Avaris, “the (royal) foundation of the district” (Bietak 1996:40). When the Hyksos later established their capital there, they retained the name Avaris. It was probably the Hyksos rulers who forced the Israelites to build the store cities of Pithom (= Tell el-Maskhuta) and Rameses (= Tell el-Daba = Avaris) (Exodus 1:11). When Rameses II rebuilt the city in the 13th century in the post-Hyksos period, and long after the Israelites had left Egypt, the name was changed to Rameses. The location of Pithom has also been a matter of some debate. Now, however, it seems quite certain that it should be located at Tell el-Maskhuta at the eastern end of the Wadi Tumilat, 15 km west of Ismailiya. Asiatic remains similar to those found at Tell el-Daba have been found there and attributed to the Hyksos (Holladay 1992b: 588-89; 1997:332-34). According to Holladay, the Hyksos occupation at Tell el-Maskhuta took place ca. 1750-1625 BC. It would have been sometime during this time period, then, that the Israelites built the store city of Pithom. Area F/I, Str. d/2, and Area A/II, Str H Str. d/2 at Tell el-Daba In Palestine, the side rooms were usually delineated by stone columns. With the scarcity of stone in Egypt, this feature would not be expected. Holladay suggests that the ground floor of such a house was primarily utilized for the economic aspects of family life such as the storage of food, tools and supplies, and the housing of animals. The family living space, on the other hand, was most likely on the second floor. As a result of his nontraditional chronology of ancient Egypt, however, British historian David Rohl dates Tomb 1 to the late 17th century BC (1995: 339), rather than the mid-nineteenth century as determined by the excavators. Since Rohl believes the Sojourn to be only 215 years based on the Septuagint (1995: 329-32), Joseph and Tomb 1 end up being approximately contemporary by his chronology. The present author, however, disagrees with both of these views and holds to conventional Egyptian chronology and a Sojourn of 430 years (Ex 12:40) as recorded in the Masoretic text of the Hebrew Bible. Moreover, Rohl places Joseph and Tomb 1 in Str. d/1, while the present author accepts the excavators’ dating of Tomb 1 to Str. d/2, and believes Str. d/2 to be a more compatible context for Joseph and the Israelites. We are not certain of the name of the first Hyksos king. Redford suggests Salitis/Saites based on literary references (1992: 342), while Ward suggests Khyan based on inscriptional evidence (1984:162-72). Str. d/1 dating to the early 13th Dynasty (early 18th century BC) Str. d/2 Str. d/1 Str. d/2 There is a canal connecting the Nile with the Faiyum in the western desert named Bahr Yusuf, the “canal of Joseph.” Development of the Faiyum is associated with Dynasty 12, the time when Joseph was in Egypt carrying out land reforms (Genesis 41:46-49; Gardiner 1961: 35-36). Whether the name of the canal is ancient or from a relatively modern tradition is not known. Otherwise, the name of Joseph has not turned up in Egypt (see Aling 1996). 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Black-Chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri Video available on this subject.Click here to view a movie of Hummingbirds While this bird's common name, "black-chinned hummingbird," is simple enough not to need an etymological (word origin) explanation, its scientific name, Archilochus alexandri, does not share the same fate. Three dictionaries of bird names provide three distinct etymologies. One states that the generic name, Archilochus, honors a 6th century B. C. Thracian poet who was famous for his "savage wit and flaunting of conventions." A second traces the name to the Greek "first among birds" from "arch" meaning "chief'" and "lochos" meaning "body of people." A third translates Archilochus to "chief brigand" from archos (chief or first in importance) and lochos (ambush or a company of men). The third dictionary ends the definition with a simple question: "But why? Because the bird steals the pollen from the flower and dashes away?" In all three cases, the word alexandri refers to a Dr. Alexandre, who discovered the species in the Sierra Madre of Mexico and sent it to Mexico City. One assumes he has a first name, but none has made its way down through the ages. Predator and Prey Due to its high sugar content, which fuels the bird’s extreme metabolism, nectar serves as the main food source. These hummingbirds feed on over 90 species of plants, with penstemon, agave, larkspur and desert-honeysuckle the most important. In recent years, artificial feeders have begun to supplement their normal diet. They also prey on insects and spiders, particularly when females are laying eggs and feeding their young. They get most of their water from nectar. Sporadic reports of predation include greater roadrunners, brown-crested flycatchers and Mexican jays nabbing flying black-chins. Snakes eat eggs and fletchlings. One napping mountain lion at the Sonora Desert Museum "promptly snatched and swallowed" a black-chinned hummingbird that hovered too close. Habits and Habitat Describing hummingbird flight requires a thoroughly aeronautic vocabulary. Their unique skeletal structure allows them to fly forwards, backwards, sideways, and on their backs. Hummers can hover, take off vertically and pivot on a stationary axis. In black-chins, this requires a wing beat frequency of 50 beats per second. The smaller the bird, the faster the rate. It also requires massive muscles that make up a third of their two- to three-gram body weight. Black-chinned hummingbirds perform an elaborate courtship display during breeding season. A male executes a series of U-shaped swoops where he passes close to the female at the bottom of his arc. During the pendulum-like flight, his wings make a whirling or whistling sound. After mating, the female builds a minute nest woven from the webs of spiders, down from plant seeds and hairs of hirsute leaves. Nests are built low in a canopy and upright on any structure from a limb to a telephone wire. In 1896, F. A. Merriam described the nest building. "The peculiar feature of the building was the quivering motion of the bird in moulding. When the material was placed she moulded the nest like a potter, twirling tremulously around against the sides, sometimes pressing so hard she ruffled up the feathers of her breast." Nests are cup shaped with a diameter of about one and one-half inches. Clutch is usually two white elliptical one-half-inch-long eggs. Incubation lasts about two weeks. Black-chins generally prefer canyon or flood-plain riparian habitat, but they also venture into orchards, pinyon-juniper and Gambel’s oak woodlands. In Arizona, they are found in relatively open areas with Arizona sycamore and Fremont cottonwood. Black-chins have adapted well to urban settings, as long as water, numerous flowering shrubs and vines, and tall trees are nearby. Eighteen species of hummingbird occur in the United States, with 15 of those visiting Arizona either regularly or rarely. They are limited to the new world and were first described in 1558 by French explorers in Brazil. An early description by Franciscan Bernardino de Sahagún, a Spanish friar entrusted by his superiors with the task of chronicling the antiquities, peoples, nature and scenery of "New Spain" (Mexico), stated that during the winter the birds stick their bills in branches and die, but revive in spring clothed in bright new plumages "with the greening of the vegetation." American bird artist, John James Audubon, called hummingbirds "glittering garments of the rainbow." In 1775, George Louis Leclerc wrote in L’histoire Naturelle "...of all animated beings, this is the most elegant in form and brilliant in colour. The stones and metals polished by art are not comparable to this gem of nature." Video available on this subject.Click here to view a movie of Hummingbirds David B. Williams Share this page on Facebook: The Desert Environment The North American Deserts Desert Geological Terms Arches National Park Video Canyonlands National Park Utah Video Click here to see current desert temperatures!
HMRC internal manual International Manual Thin capitalisation: practical guidance: private equity: what is private equity? There is no universally accepted definition of the term private equity and there is often confusion between the terms “private equity” and “venture capital”, as the two are used differently by different people. In this manual, we use the terms as follows: • Venture capital describes an equity investment in a business at the start up and early development stages. See also INTM519030. • Private equity refers to management buyouts, buy-ins and similar investment structures whereby the private equity house takes an equity stake in a more established business. A private equity house will raise an investment fund from sources outside the public markets such pension funds, funds of funds and wealthy individuals. The target company may be any size from the buyout of a business with value of a few million pounds to the taking back into private ownership of a previously publicly-quoted company. The most commonly encountered acquisition structure is the management buyout of a business. There is more detail on this at INTM519020. Private equity funds differ in strategy, structure and objective from other investment funds. They will have a clear investment strategy and will often exert strict control over the businesses they invest in. Typically, investments are held for three to five years, the aim being to increase the value significantly before the business is sold or floated on a stock exchange through a share offering. Thin capitalisation and private equity Much of the general thin cap guidance covered in the other chapters of this part of the International Manual, such as the ATCA procedure and working the case is also relevant in a private equity context. However, there are features particular to private equity cases which affect how the case is approached. For instance, a private equity buyout is usually financed in part by loans from a third-party lender and is often highly leveraged. This raises the issue of whether further debt, provided by connected parties, would have been provided at arm’s length, and if so, how much. There is more detail on this in INTM519050.
A Song To Attract Seals A Song To Attract Seals - MP3 This haunting melody is from the Patrick MacDonald collection (1784). In the Scottish hierarchy of nature, seals are almost equal in rank to humans. The "Selkie" myths tell of seals taking human form for short visits on land. Seals are a very common sight across the islands. Heads bobbing above the surface of the waves, they are most often seen watching inquisitively with uncannily human eyes. Scotland has many tales concerning the selkie, a magical race of creatures. Selkies often came to be regarded as gentle shape shifters with the ability to transform from seals into beautiful, lithe humans. Throughout the surviving folklore there is no general agreement as to how often this magical transformation could take place. In some tales it was once a year, usually on Midsummer's Eve, whereas in others it could be 'every ninth night' or 'every seventh stream'. However often they were able to transform, the folklore does tell us that once in human form the selkie folk would dance merrily on lonely stretches of moonlit shore or bask in the sun on outlying rocks or skerries. A common thread in many Selkie folk tales, and perhaps the most important, is the fact that when the selkies assume human form they cast off their sealskins. Within these magical skins lay the power to return to seal form, and therefore the sea. If one of the selkie folk lost their sealskin, they were doomed to remain in human form until the skin was recovered. Because of this, if disturbed during one of their midnight shore dances, the selkie folk Seals are familiar sights along Scotland's coastlines. The most numerous species there is the common seal, also called the harbor seal. Like most seals, common seals spend much of their time basking on rocks and beaches. In 1905 a Shetland Island birder wrote of these naps, "Such great yawns, such stretchings, heavings and throwings back of the head ... How intensely he enjoys his intertidal sleep." Early American music, unusual & unique music, and ephemera collection. Visit the Cider Press Home Page and much more Amaranth Publishing Home Page
C. Running Charm++ Programs C. 1 Launching Programs with charmrun When compiling Charm++ programs, the charmc linker produces both an executable file and an utility called charmrun , which is used to load the executable onto the parallel machine. To run a Charm++ program named ``pgm'' on four processors, type: charmrun pgm +p4 Execution on platforms which use platform specific launchers, (i.e., aprun , ibrun ), can proceed without charmrun, or charmrun can be used in coordination with those launchers via the ++mpiexec (see C.2.1 parameter. Programs built using the network version of Charm++ can be run alone, without charmrun. This restricts you to using the processors on the local machine, but it is convenient and often useful for debugging. For example, a Charm++ program can be run on one processor in the debugger using: gdb pgm If the program needs some environment variables to be set for its execution on compute nodes (such as library paths), they can be set in .charmrunrc under home directory. charmrun will run that shell script before running the executable. C. 2 Command Line Options A Charm++ program accepts the following command line options: Run the program with N processors. The default is 1. Print summary statistics about chare creation. This option prints the total number of chare creation requests, and the total number of chare creation requests processed across all processors. Print statistics about the number of create chare messages requested and processed, the number of messages for chares requested and processed, and the number of messages for branch office chares requested and processed, on a per processor basis. Note that the number of messages created and processed for a particular type of message on a given node may not be the same, since a message may be processed by a different processor from the one originating the request. Options that are be interpreted by the user program may be included mixed with the system options. However, user_options cannot start with +. The user_options will be passed as arguments to the user program via the usual argc/argv construct to the main entry point of the main chare. Charm++ system options will not appear in argc/argv . C. 2 . 1 Additional Network Options The following ++ command line options are available in the network version: Run charm program only on local machines. No remote shell invocation is needed in this case. It starts node programs right on your local machine. This could be useful if you just want to run small program on only one machine, for example, your laptop. Use the cluster's mpiexec job launcher instead of the built in ssh method. This will pass -n $P to indicate how many processes to launch. If -n $P is not required because the number of processes to launch is determined via queueing system environment variables then use ++mpiexec-no-n rather than ++mpiexec . An executable named something other than mpiexec can be used with the additional argument ++remote-shell runmpi , with `runmpi' replaced by the necessary name. Use of this option can potentially provide a few benefits: • Faster startup compared to the SSH approach charmrun would otherwise use • No need to generate a nodelist file • Multi-node job startup on clusters that do not allow connections from the head/login nodes to the compute nodes At present, this option depends on the environment variables for some common MPI implementations. It supports OpenMPI ( OMPI_COMM_WORLD_RANK and OMPI_COMM_WORLD_SIZE ), M(VA)PICH ( MPIRUN_RANK and MPIRUN_NPROCS or PMI_RANK and PMI_SIZE ), and IBM POE ( MP_CHILD and MP_PROCS ). If using one of the ++debug or ++debug-no-pause options, the user must ensure the following: 1. The DISPLAY environment variable points to your terminal. SSH's X11 forwarding does not work properly with Charm++ . 2. The nodes must be authorized to create windows on the host machine (see man pages for xhost and xauth ). 3. xterm , xdpyinfo , and gdb must be in the user's path. 4. The path must be set in the .cshrc file, not the .login file, because ssh does not run the .login file. Scalable start, or SMP-aware startup. It is useful for scalable process launch on multi-core systems since it creates only one ssh session per node and spawns all clients from that ssh session. This is the default startup strategy and the option is retained for backward compatibility. Ssh a set of node programs at a time, avoiding overloading Charmrun pe. In this strategy, the nodes assigned to a charmrun are divided into sets of fixed size. Charmrun performs ssh to the nodes in the current set, waits for the clients to connect back and then performs ssh on the next set. We call the number of nodes in one ssh set as batch size. Maximum number of ssh 's to run at a time. For backwards compatibility, this option is also available as ++maxrsh . File containing list of nodes. Print help messages Script to run node-program with. The specified run script is invoked with the node program and parameter. For example: ./charmrun +p4 ./pgm 100 2 3 ++runscript ./set_env_script In this case, the set_env_script is invoked on each node before launching pgm . Which xterm to use Run each node in an xterm window X Display for xterm Which debugger to use Which remote shell to use Use IP address provided for charmrun IP Send nodes our symbolic hostname instead of IP address CCS Authentication file Port to listen for CCS requests Enable client-server (CCS) mode Which group of nodes to use Print diagnostic messages Suppress runtime output during startup and shutdown Seconds to wait per host connection Number of processes to create C. 2 . 2 SMP Options SMP mode in Charm++ spawns one OS process per logical node. Within this process there are two types of threads: 1. Worker Threads that have objects mapped to them and execute entry methods 2. Communication Thread that sends and receives data (depending on the network layer) Charm++ always spawns one communication thread per process when using SMP mode and as many worker threads as the user specifies (see the options below). In general, the worker threads produce messages and hand them to the communication thread, which receives messages and schedules them on worker threads. To use SMP mode in Charm++ , build charm with the smp option, e.g.: ./build charm++ netlrts-linux-x86_64 smp There are various trade-offs associated with SMP mode. For instance, when using SMP mode there is no waiting to receive messages due to long running entry methods. There is also no time spent in sending messages by the worker threads and memory is limited by the node instead of per core. In SMP mode, intra-node messages use simple pointer passing, which bypasses the overhead associated with the network and extraneous copies. Another benefit is that the runtime will not pollute the caches of worker threads with communication-related data in SMP mode. However, there are also some drawbacks associated with using SMP mode. First and foremost, you sacrifice one core to the communication thread. This is not ideal for compute bound applications. Additionally, this communication thread may become a serialization bottleneck in applications with large amounts of communication. Keep these trade-offs in mind when evaluating whether to use SMP mode for your application or deciding how many processes to launch per physical node when using SMP mode. Finally, any library code the application may call needs to be thread-safe. Charm++ provides the following options to control the number of worker threads spawned and the placement of both worker and communication threads: Number of PEs (or worker threads) per logical node (OS process). This option should be specified even when using platform specific launchers (e.g., aprun, ibrun). +pemap L[-U[:S[.R]+O ][,...]] Bind the execution threads to the sequence of cores described by the arguments using the operating system's CPU affinity functions. Can be used outside SMP mode. A single number identifies a particular core. Two numbers separated by a dash identify an inclusive range ( lower bound and upper bound ). If they are followed by a colon and another number (a stride ), that range will be stepped through in increments of the additional number. Within each stride, a dot followed by a run will indicate how many cores to use from that starting point. A plus represents the offset to the previous core number. Multiple +offset flags are supported, e.g., 0-7+8+16 equals 0,8,16,1,9,17. For example, the sequence 0-8:2,16,20-24 includes cores 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. On a 4-way quad-core system, if one wanted to use 3 cores from each socket, one could write this as 0-15:4.3 . ++ppn 10 +pemap 0-11:6.5+12 equals ++ppn 10 +pemap 0,12,1,13,2,14,3,15,4,16,6,18,7,19,8,20,9,21,10,22 +commap p[,q,...] Bind communication threads to the listed cores, one per process. To run applications in SMP mode, we generally recommend using one logical node per socket or NUMA domain. ++ppn will spawn N threads in addition to 1 thread spawned by the runtime for the communication threads, so the total number of threads will be N+1 per node. Consequently, you should map both the worker and communication threads to separate cores. Depending on your system and application, it may be necessary to spawn one thread less than the number of cores in order to leave one free for the OS to run on. An example run command might look like: ./charmrun ++ppn 3 +p6 +pemap 1-3,5-7 +commap 0,4 ./app <args> This will create two logical nodes/OS processes (2 = 6 PEs/3 PEs per node), each with three worker threads/PEs ( ++ppn 3 ). The worker threads/PEs will be mapped thusly: PE 0 to core 1, PE 1 to core 2, PE 2 to core 3 and PE 4 to core 5, PE 5 to core 6, and PE 6 to core 7. PEs/worker threads 0-2 compromise the first logical node and 3-5 are the second logical node. Additionally, the communication threads will be mapped to core 0, for the communication thread of the first logical node, and to core 4, for the communication thread of the second logical node. Please keep in mind that +p always specifies the total number of PEs created by Charm++ , regardless of mode (the same number as returned by CkNumPes() ). The +p option does not include the communication thread, there will always be exactly one of those per logical node. C. 2 . 3 Multicore Options On multicore platforms, operating systems (by default) are free to move processes and threads among cores to balance load. This however sometimes can degrade the performance of Charm++ applications due to the extra overhead of moving processes and threads, especially for Charm++ applications that already implement their own dynamic load balancing. Charm++ provides the following runtime options to set the processor affinity automatically so that processes or threads no longer move. When cpu affinity is supported by an operating system (tested at Charm++ configuration time), the same runtime options can be used for all flavors of Charm++ versions including network and MPI versions, smp and non-smp versions. Set cpu affinity automatically for processes (when Charm++ is based on non-smp versions) or threads (when smp). This option is recommended, as it prevents the OS from unnecessarily moving processes/threads around the processors of a physical node. +excludecore <core #> Do not set cpu affinity for the given core number. One can use this option multiple times to provide a list of core numbers to avoid. C. 2 . 4 IO buffering options There may be circumstances where a Charm++ application may want to take or relinquish control of stdout buffer flushing. Most systems default to giving the Charm++ runtime control over stdout but a few default to giving the application that control. The user can override these system defaults with the following runtime options: User (application) controls stdout flushing The Charm++ runtime controls flushing C. 3 Nodelist file For network of workstations, the list of machines to run the program can be specified in a file. Without a nodelist file, Charm++ runs the program only on the local machine. The format of this file allows you to define groups of machines, giving each group a name. Each line of the nodes file is a command. The most important command is: host <hostname> <qualifiers> which specifies a host. The other commands are qualifiers: they modify the properties of all hosts that follow them. The qualifiers are: group <groupname> - subsequent hosts are members of specified group login <login> - subsequent hosts use the specified login shell <shell> - subsequent hosts use the specified remoteshell setup <cmd> - subsequent hosts should execute cmd pathfix <dir1> <dir2> - subsequent hosts should replace dir1 with dir2 in the program path cpus <n> - subsequent hosts should use N light-weight processes speed <s> - subsequent hosts have relative speed rating ext <extn> - subsequent hosts should append extn to the pgm name Note: By default, charmrun uses a remote shell ``ssh'' to spawn node processes on the remote hosts. The shell qualifier can be used to override it with say, ``rsh''. One can set the CONV_RSH environment variable or use charmrun option ++remote-shell to override the default remote shell for all hosts with unspecified shell qualifier. All qualifiers accept ``*'' as an argument, this resets the modifier to its default value. Note that currently, the passwd, cpus, and speed factors are ignored. Inline qualifiers are also allowed: host beauty ++cpus 2 ++shell ssh Except for ``group'', every other qualifier can be inlined, with the restriction that if the ``setup'' qualifier is inlined, it should be the last qualifier on the ``host'' or ``group'' statement line. Here is a simple nodes file: group kale-sun ++cpus 1 host ++shell ssh group kale-sol host ++cpus 2 group main host localhost This defines three groups of machines: group kale-sun, group kale-sol, and group main. The ++nodegroup option is used to specify which group of machines to use. Note that there is wraparound: if you specify more nodes than there are hosts in the group, it will reuse hosts. Thus, charmrun pgm ++nodegroup kale-sun +p6 uses hosts (charm, dp, grace, dagger, charm, dp) respectively as nodes (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). If you don't specify a ++nodegroup, the default is ++nodegroup main. Thus, if one specifies charmrun pgm +p4 it will use ``localhost'' four times. ``localhost'' is a Unix trick; it always find a name for whatever machine you're on. Using ``ssh'', the user will have to setup password-less login to remote hosts using public key authentication based on a key-pair and adding public keys to ``.ssh/authorized_keys'' file. See ``ssh'' documentation for more information. If ``rsh'' is used for remote login to the compute nodes, the user is required to set up remote login permissions on all nodes using the ``.rhosts'' file in their home directory. In a network environment, charmrun must be able to locate the directory of the executable. If all workstations share a common file name space this is trivial. If they don't, charmrun will attempt to find the executable in a directory with the same path from the $HOME directory. Pathname resolution is performed as follows: 1. The system computes the absolute path of pgm . 2. If the absolute path starts with the equivalent of $HOME or the current working directory, the beginning part of the path is replaced with the environment variable $HOME or the current working directory. However, if ++pathfix dir1 dir2 is specified in the nodes file (see above), the part of the path matching dir1 is replaced with dir2 . 3. The system tries to locate this program (with modified pathname and appended extension if specified) on all nodes.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 assignment 2.1 After reading the story “Separate Kingdoms” by Valerie Laken, a family struggles to understand each other after the Colt, the father loses his thumbs to a machine. Laken’s story was arranged in a two column format. Each column represents a viewpoint, which showed separation in their family between a father and son. Ultimately how a lack of human connection can prevent the suffering of others. I believe the purpose of Laken using two separate columns was to show the different point of views from the son and father perspectives on their life with or without more money. The first column of “Separate Kingdoms” was mainly Colt perspective. It seemed as if Colt had a lot of anger in him because he was always mean to everyone. The only thing he would do is watch television or play with the dogs every since his thumb accident, he couldn’t go back to work. He would always argue with the wife, Cheri about taking the money his job was offering his for the damage of his fingers. In the story Cheri says. “Why wouldn’t you want to make them pay you (10)”. I think Colt will not accept the money from his job because of what happened to his figures it won’t change anything. It still will not bring his fingers back or it will not get his job back because he still can’t work without fingers. Colt sated, “A million dollars isn’t going to fix this (10)”. Colt was talking about his thumbs situation can’t be fixed or replaced with or without the money. The money won’t change Colt life style it might change Cheri and their son’s Jack. Colt will still have missing fingers at the end of the day. Its seems as if Cheri and Jack don’t understand what it’s like to have missing fingers in obviously they don’t because it’s not their fingers that is missing. The second column of “Separate Kingdoms” was Jack’s perspective on his life and his father thumb situation. Jack was always playing the xbox game or playing his drums. Colt states about the drums, “the boys obsession is everybody else misery (6)”. Colt hated when Jack played the drums it was miserable and annoying to him, but that was something that Jack loved to do just like working was something Colt loved to do but now he can’t because his fingers are gone. Jack also thought his father should take the settlement of money from the job. “If he got that money we could do all those things maybe more. It seems like such an easy plan to explain (16)” is what Jack stated. Jack feels the same way as his mom does about using the money. But yet they really don’t realize that it still going to change the life of Colt and the way he does things. Colt is still going to have to deal with missing fingers which isn’t going to make a difference if they moved to a better place or not. “Yesterday I tried to do everything all day without my thumbs (17)”, Jack say’s. Jack tries to understand what his dad is going through but it still won’t work because he kept using his fingers anyway. The purpose of Laken’s separating the story on two different sides was to show Colt’s point of view in the lost of his fingers, also to show the point of view of Jack and his mom. Jack and Cheri didn’t understand what is was like to live without fingers so they thought if Colt accepted the settlement it would make it better for Colt life style. Colt was trying to say that having money won’t make a difference or change anything about Colt’s life because his fingers will still be gone with or without the money. “Alex Schooper has money and he’s still a total asshole (17)”, is what Cheri said. What this meant was that the money didn’t change Alex Schooper because he’s still an asshole, just like the money wouldn’t change Colt because his fingers are still going to be missing. If Laken’s would have wrote the story without separating the columns then their wouldn’t have been two different perspectives Colt and Jack. The story would have been like a fairy tale, of a man that got his fingers cut off while working. The separation showed why Colt didn’t take the money and it was reasons for that which Colt wanted Jack and Cheri to understand that reason. The same with Jack, he thought his dad should have taken the money for all the better reasons. His perspective was that they could live a better life. Wednesday, July 7, 2010 Assignment 1.3 Shame and Forgetting In the Information Age by Charles Baxter was a piece written to everyone who is living in the information age as of now. I believe the purpose of this piece was to say that forgetting is shameful by only when it come to certain things you should be shameful of forgetting them. Everyone does forget things periodically at times, but at the same time we shouldn't let technology be our way of remembrance all the time either. We as humans shouldn't depend on technology so much, such as things like computers for our memory and use our own memory more often. It seems as if our experiences are longer lasting and memorable than much of the other information we take in. Although we take in more information from the things that we are “suppose” to know it causes us to lose memory from our own data/ the things we experienced, which can both bring shamefulness to us. Thursday, July 1, 2010 Assingnment #1.1 examples -"Reading the writing often defeated him and they sobefore the culture had begun to employ the phrase "learning disability" and before this socitey had become dependent on computers"(141) -"The apartment was stuffed with written materials, all paperwork of a life time................. Because he couldnt hold it in his head he kept it around and he learned to live with it"(144) -"Their lives and authority depend upon their ablity to remember and to remember their subjects in public"(144) -"You don't know? the first one asked " You dont know how much memory you have" " "Of course they weren't talking about their own mind"(145) -" "your memory" can now in casual conversation refer to your computer's memory rather than your own" -"our memories are memories of our experiences in narrative form........... Data by contrast the proliferating facts and figures can easily be stored"(145) -"Information on a screen is subtly different from imformation gleaned from books"(146) -" A proliferation of imformation causes imformation inflation"(146) -"yesterday's gone"(149) - "Wht you remember is the key to who you are"(151) Assingnment #1.1 Intro Reading the piece Shame and Forgetting in the Informantion Age I came to an conclusion as to what the purpose of the text was. Charles Baxter wrote the piece to say that everyone memory is different. We all forget things sometimes but we shouldnt be shameful of forgetting when it comes to learning new things from books and other printed sources its so much information that can be taken in. No one can remember every piece of imformation they take in or given to them. When you experience something your memory often remembers that tbecause you are apart of the experience most of the time. Now that we have this new tecnology around getting information is more easier. Having all this technology requires less work for us humans and dont require us to remember much because we can easily go back and look up info on the computer. Instead of going to find an answer for ourselves technology does it for us. Tuesday, June 29, 2010 Assingnment #1 After reading the article Shame and Forgetting in Informatiom age I somewhat found the purpose of the text of what Baxter was trying to address. I think what Baxter was trying to say is that all the information that you take in doesn't have to come from a computer or something you read. Thats not the only source of information that can be helpful. You don't have to always remember every thing that come from the book or computer websites. I think Baxter was trying to say just because a person can not remember written texts well all the time doesn't mean they have a learning disability. Now days we have computers and new technology to help us remember things. As he mentioned in the text, "Proliferation of information causes information inflation" (146). Meaning every piece of information you are given or have gotten from somewhere or something is not always memorable. We as humans sometimes forget. That doesn't mean we should be ashamed of ourselves or have some type of disability. "No one can absorb all the information" (146). Thats means that every piece of information that you are given can't be remembered forever you can't store it all no matter who you are. Memory was mentioned in every sectin of the text. The reason why i think the text was broken up into five different pieces is because each section have it's own meaning of the purpose memory and forgetting. Every section connects to the meaning of memory. I think Shame and Forgetting in the information Age connects to the text by forgetting information that you've taken in, in some type of way. Sometimes it may be shameful for a person to forget something that they thought should have stuck with them in their MEMORY. A Little Bit About Myself Hello, my name is Fierra Love and I am going into my second year at the University of Wisconsin. My intended major is nursing and I am apart of the AOC program for thoses of you that do not know it stands for Academic Opportunity Center. I work at the VA hospital, and during my spare time i like to shop and hang out with my friends. This is my 2nd time taking english 101, the 1st time i got a C- so i didn't pass the course. This time I am going to pass because i refuse to take this course again its not an exciting course at all. Besides that i do like attending UWM I think its an ok institution.

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