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Bee brain researcher wins science prize A BEE researcher who used the insect’s precision flying systems to overhaul robotic aircraft navigation has won the $300,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science. Australian National University Professor Mandyam Veerambudi Srinivasan is working with the US Army and NASA to design tiny craft based on his research of bees’ brains that could be used to explore Mars and reduce danger for soldiers on the battlefield. Prof Srinivasan said bees were expert navigators despite their small size and brains the size of a sesame seed, and could be trained to navigate through mazes, follow coloured signs and distinguish between patterns to find food. “What is amazing is these tiny creatures can learn something like that,” said Prof Srinivasan, who trained as an engineer in India but began studying flies and later bees “purely out of interest and curiosity”. “Nature has evolved these systems through a million years of evolution.” Leave your thought
Density Calculations – Worked Example Problem Rainbow Density Column Density Column where the different layers are solutions of different densities. Less dense at the top, more dense at the bottom. Density is the measurement of the amount of mass per unit volume. Density calculations are done using the formula: ρ = density m = mass V = volume Example Problems: 1. Calculate the density in g/mL of 30 mL of solution that weighs 120 grams. 2. Calculate the density in g/mL of 0.4 L of solution weighing 150 grams. 3. Calculate the density in g/mL of 3000 mL of solution weighing 6 kg. Example 1 density = 4 g/mL Example 2 We want to know the density in g/mL, but our volume is in liters. First, convert the volume to mL. V= 400 mL Now we can calculate the density ρ = 0.375 g/mL Example 3 Again, we want g/mL, and our mass is in kg. Convert the mass to grams. m = 6000 grams Calculate density ρ = 2 g/mL Leave a Reply
1. Security 2. Latest Security Threats 3. Threats: Ransomware What is Ransomware? Ransomware is a form of malware that interferes with data on a device, or the device itself. It enables the attacker to encrypt or lock the data or the device from a remote location, and then refuse to unlock it unless a fee is paid (the “ransom”) for their release. Though ransomware declined year-on-year in 2018 in overall scale, it remains a significant threat. 2017 was the highest year ever, so whilst 2018 saw a reduction, there was still more ransomware in 2018 than 2016. Part of the reason for the decline may be as simple as the devaluation of cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. In December 2017 one Bitcoin was worth over $13,000, but by December 2018 that had fallen to less than $3,700. Most ransoms are demanded in cryptocurrency, and most of that is Bitcoin. For more information about Ransomware, visit the SWGfL ransomware section here. How to protect against ransomware The most important defence against ransomware is backup: if system(s) and data can be restored quickly and easily, the impact of ransomware will be significantly reduced. Specific anti-exploit software (in addition to antivirus software) can also be used to provide additional protection against "zero-day vulnerabilities", including ransomware.
Memorization \| Memory Palace and Mnemonics \| How to Actually USE Them Lots of people emphasize the utility of advanced memory techniques like the memory palace, also known as the method of loci, or even simple mnemonics, but how do you actually put them into use as a student? I’m going to show you how. What’s going on guys? This is Jay from a whole new Really excited to officially announce the launch of my brand-new website, completely redesigned from the ground up. I’m going to be having regular blog posts from both myself and a few different guest writers who are either going to be other medical students or residents. So check out the website if you haven’t already. So back to the video. Deciding how to use these memory techniques really depends on what kind of information you’re learning. So, apart from the medical school prerequisites, the information you’re learning in college varies a great deal based on your major. I go over how to approach studying for each type of subject in my how to study for finals video. However, when you do get to medical school, all those complex math concepts, physics, and ochem – all goes out the door. Medical school is almost purely rote memorization, but regardless of whether you’re in college or in medical school, you will benefit from the method of loci and mnemonics for certain types of information. So, if you guys remember from this video above, my memorization abilities are definitely not my strength. When I come across information that I need to memorize, I like to approach it by one of three methods. The first is spaced repetition using Anki. I went over how to use Anki in a few other videos. The second technique is mnemonics. And the last technique is an advanced one called the method of loci, which is a memory palace. So, first, doing flashcards. As you guys already know, I’m a huge fan of Anki for memorizing information efficiently. Most of the information I do try to memorize, I actually just place in Anki in a regular flashcard. Either a cloze deletion, or a simple card, or image occlusion, etc. These are quick to make, quick to review, and they work best for simple concepts. This should be your primary method of memorizing information. Next, are mnemonics. They require a bit more effort to create, but they offer better retention and recall for things like Anatomy or lists. For example, if you’re memorizing the branches of the external carotid artery, mnemonics are probably your best bet. Similarly, if you need to memorize a group of drugs under a certain class type, mnemonics will serve you well. Now you obviously want to use mnemonics that are memorable, and therefore effective for you, and this is going to vary from person to person. So this means, you often need to make your own mnemonics that you find personal and you find memorable and that makes sense to you. For certain concepts like Anatomy, there are multiple mnemonics floating around that you can also just try out. I found that the inappropriate dirty ones are particularly obnoxious, and therefore more memorable for me. Next is the memory palace or method of loci. For those of you who are not familiar with this is where you combine the information you’re trying to learn with visualizations of familiar places. Therefore, you’re taking an advantage of spatial memory. Generally, you move through the familiar place on a route and this is more effective than just being stationary. So, for example, you could imagine waking up in your bedroom, walking downstairs, and in the process of doing so, visualizing multiple events happening. Each of these events is tied to a certain concept or element that you are trying to memorize. By having this vivid memory, you’re better able to recall the information at a later date. Again, this is going to work best for images that are really out there. They are grotesque, they’re obnoxious, they’re ridiculous, etc. These are the ones that stick. This is also the same technique that the pros use in memory competitions. Now, I would only use the memory palace for concepts that didn’t fit well into either regular flash cards or mnemonics. If a concept was particularly difficult for me to memorize, I would then go with memory palace. The reason being that the memory palace takes the greatest amount of time to create, but it is also the most robust way to memorize information. Now an intermediate method that became one of my favorites actually was creating brief stories that either did or did not have a physical spatial setting involved. For example, to memorize the adverse effects of a drug like tamoxifen, I imagined my friend’s sister Tammy, I imagined ridiculous things either about her or happening to her, and each of these represented one of the adverse effects. And years later, I still remember them. So, for the medical students out there, a great resource that takes advantage of this concept is sketchy medical. I used it when I was studying for micro and I found it very useful. They have now expanded it to include pharmacology as well. Lastly, it’s important to regularly review your mnemonics and memory palaces. If you create them once, you will not remember them on the test day. You have to repeatedly review them just like anything else you’re trying to memorize. So there’s two methods I recommend in order to do this and I used both of them. One was that I created a master mnemonics and story list in my Evernote account. It can be a word doc, notepad, etc., whatever works for you, but in this note… so this note had all the mnemonics and memory palace stories that I used and it was divided up by subject, I could then go and review this whenever I needed a refresher. I would also occasionally teach my friends off of this list the various mnemonics or stories that I used during our group study sessions. Sometimes they would use them and sometimes they would say that hasn’t really worked for me, I’m going to create my own. Regardless, in the process, I was reinforcing my own stories and mnemonics which helped me learn them as well, so it’s a win-win this way. Don’t be a gunner. The second method was on Anki, that’s right. Anki, believe it or not, I’m actually not affiliated with Anki and I don’t have any financial stake in them, I just really love the program. So, I would take my mnemonics and my stories and put them in on Anki decks. This way, I was able to review my new mnemonics along with all the other information that I was reviewing on a daily basis because again, you have to do Anki every single day. So, if you do decide to use Anki for these methods, I recommend that you make tags to indicate which cards are either mnemonics or use the method of loci. My two tags were mnemonics and story. By having these tags, it becomes a lot easier to identify these cards after you make them, in case you either want to edit them or do a custom study session just reviewing these cards. So, alright guys, that is it for this video. If you do have any questions or comments, please leave them below. New videos every week, so hit subscribe if you have not already. And I will see you guys in that next one. Add a Comment
New Study Has Scientists Wondering Why Universe Exists The search for a difference between matter and antimatter continues By Michael Harthorne, Newser Staff Posted Oct 25, 2017 7:07 PM CDT Updated Oct 29, 2017 6:34 AM CDT (Newser) – It's not often a new discovery has scientists sounding like a bunch of nihilists, and yet CERN physicist Christian Smorra had this to say to Cosmos regarding a study published this month in Nature: "All of our observations find a complete symmetry between matter and antimatter, which is why the universe should not actually exist." Scientific models say the Big Bang produced an equal amount of matter and antimatter. But matter and antimatter destroy each other when they come in contact; an equal amount of each means the universe should have blinked out of existence in a burst of energy. But it hasn't, which means there must be some difference between the two to allow matter to dominate to the point where there is comparatively little antimatter in the universe, according to a press release. That's where CERN researchers come in. They've spent the past decade attempting to find a difference in the magnetism of matter and antimatter (it's not easy measuring something that destroys matter). That's resulted in a new measurement of the magnetic moment of an antiproton that is 350 times more accurate than the old measurement, ZME Science reports. It turns out the magnetic moment of an antiproton is ... pretty much exactly the same as that of a regular proton. Shoot. Smorra says a difference between matter and antimatter still must exist somewhere. Next up for CERN researchers is seeing if gravity affects protons and antiprotons differently. (Far from not existing, the universe actually contains way more galaxies than we thought.)
ADA Accessibility Information What Your Tongue Says About Your Oral Health Posted on 6/23/2017 by Mark Bieber A close up of a man’s tongue. Taking care of your mouth is important. Regular brushing and flossing helps to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. You might think that skipping a session every once in a while isn't really going to do you that much harm, and who's going to notice? But there's one part of your mouth that can give you away to skimping on your routine: your tongue. White Patches While white patches don't always point to an oral health issue, it can be an indicator of a yeast overgrowth (Candida). You will be able to tell the difference with a little extra work in your oral hygiene routine. Brush your tongue when you brush your teeth. If the white patches are still there after a week or two, it is most likely yeast, and should be treated with an antifungal wash. Coated Tongue A tongue coated in a white film can often point to dehydration. Dehydration can be a serious problem for your oral health. Without sufficient water, your salivary glands won't function properly. Saliva is important for killing bacteria and washing it away. Without it, your teeth and gums are at risk for attack. Be sure to drink enough water. In some instances, a coated tongue could also point to yeast, so don't forget to brush it. Stripes on your tongue could point to a condition known as oral lichen planus, which means that your immune system is fighting cells on your tongue. It is often linked to tooth decay and gum disease, and can be very serious if not treated. Some symptoms, aside from the stripes, include dry mouth and pain. If you notice these, you should make an appointment with your dentist. Red and Swollen If your tongue is red and swollen, and is accompanied by a high fever, it's often an indicator of scarlet fever, which warrants a trip to the doctor right away. Otherwise, a red and swollen tongue could point to a vitamin deficiency. And a vitamin deficiency puts your mouth at risk for weak teeth and a weak jaw. Your tongue can tell you a lot about your oral health. If something looks off, be sure to contact our office immediately. Respected As A Patient -Shelley D.
Busy. Please wait. show password Forgot Password? Don't have an account? Sign up Username is available taken show password Already a StudyStack user? Log In Reset Password Don't know remaining cards Pass complete! "Know" box contains: Time elapsed: restart all cards Normal Size Small Size show me how my patho terms The nucleic acid that contains all of an individual's genes. Found in the nucleus of every cell. Different cells are different because, though they contain the same DNA, they use different genes. DNA A region on DNA that contains the "code" for making one protein. Genes Different forms of a gene. (Example: the gene that determines eye color may have the brown allele,blue allele,...) Alleles An allele that is always expressed. Dominant An allele that will be expressed only when the person is homozygous. It is hidden or partially hidden in the presence of a dominant allele. Recessive A two letter code that describes which alleles a person has. (AA, Aa, aa,....) Genotype Having the same 2 alleles for a gene Homozygous Having different alleles for a gene Heterozygous The allele that we can see evidence of. For example, if someone has blue eyes it is because the blue allele is being expressed. If someone has hemophilia A it is because the allele for it is being expressed. Expressed Describes what characteristics are produces as a result of having a certain genotype. (sickle cell anemia, tall, short, colorblind are characteristics (phenotypes) cause by genetics. Phenotype The combinations of DNA and proteins found in a cell that is going through mitosis. Human cells have 23 pairs of chromosomes, which are visible under a standard light microscope. Chromosomes Chromosome pairs 1-22 Autosomes the 23rd pair of chromosomes in humans Sex chromosomes Describes the microscopic appearance of the chromosomes. Karyotype Having the normal 23 pairs of chromosomes. Diploid Having an abnormal number of chromosomes Aneuploid Missing a chromosome. Monosomy 18, for example, means that the perons has only one copy of chromosome #18 (has the normal number of the other chromosomes) Monosomy Having an extra copy of a chromosome. Trisomy The percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells hematocrit The average size of a red blood cell. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) A group of diseases that decreases the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Anemias A group of diseases that results in a dramatic increase in the number of leukoblasts. Leukemias Having an abnormally high number of erythrocytes. (also called erythrocytosis) Polycythemia A decrease in the number of all normal blood cells. Pancytopenia A decrease in the number of white blood cells Leukopenia Having a low number of platelets. Thrombocytopenia A genetic decrease in the activity of one of the clotting factors. Hemophilia A group of genentic anemias resulting in a decrease in the synthesis of globin chains. Thallasemias Any factor from within the body. Intrinsic Factor (general definition) A protein secreted by gastric glands that is needed for the absorption of vitamin B-12. Intrinsic Factor (for pernicious anemia) Any factor coming from outside of the body. Extrinsic Factor (general definition) Vitamin B-12 (cyanocobalamin) Extrinsic Factor (for pernicious anemia) Any diagnostic procedure that listens to body sounds. Auscultation An ultrasound of the heart. Echocardiography An electrocardiagram perfomed while the heart rate is elevated. Stress Test A contrast x-ray showing circulation. Angiography Proteins released from damaged cardiac tissue into the blood; used as a diagnostic indicator of myocardial infarction. Cardiac Markers Having a normal rhythm established by the sinoatrial node. Normal Sinus Rhythm having a resting heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute Bradycardia Having a resting heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute. Tachycardia The inability of a valve to either open or close properly. Valvular Incompetence The inability of a valve to open completely. Valvular Stenosis When one of the AV valves swings up into the atrium when it should be closed. Valvular Prolapse The build up of fatty deposits (plaque) within blood vessels. Atherosclerosis Hardening of arteries. Arteriosclerosis A local decrease in blood flow due to obstruction. Ischemia Chest pains as a result of myocardial ischemia. Angina Pectoris Ischemic necrosis of heart muscle. Commonly called heart attack. Myocardial Infarctions A temporary decrease in cerebral function as a result of ischemia. Can affect sensory, integrative, or motor functions, usually lasting less than 48 hours. (Transient Ischemic Attack). TIA Ischemic necrosis of the cerebrum. (AKA a cerebrovascular accident or stroke) Cerebral Infarction Chronic high blood pressure that is a complication of another condition. Secondary Hypertension Chronic high blood pressure of unknown origin. Primary (Essential) Hypertension Localized dilation of an artery or chamber of the heart as a result of a weakness in the wall. Aneurysm Coughing up blood from the lungs. Hemoptysis A lack of oxygen. Hypoxia An excess of carbon dioxide. Hypercapnea A decrease in the pH of body fluids as a result of a buildup of carbon dioxide. Respiratory Acidosis A partial or complete collapse of lung tissue. Atelectasis The presence of air between the visceral pleura and the parietal pleura. Pneumothorax A group of over-inflated alveoli. Bullae A lesion caused by pepsin. Peptic Ulcer A lesion in the mucosal lining of the duodenum. Duodenal Ulcer A lesion in the mucosal lining of the stomach. Gastric Ulcer A lesion in the mucosal lining of the esophagus. Esophageal Ulcer A pouch of sac that develops off of a tubular structure such as the intestine. Diverticulum Inflammation of a pouch or sac opeing off of a tubular structure. Diverticulitis. The presence of diverticula within the intestines. Diverticulosis The presence of stones within the gall bladder or biliary ducts. Cholethiasis A disease of nervous tissue. Neuropathy A disease of muscle tissue. Myopathy A contrast x-ray showing the structures that carry urine. Intravenous Pyelogram A blood test used as in indicator of kidney function. It measures the quantity of urea, which is a waste product of protein metabolism. (Blood urea nitrogen). BUN A measure of kidney function that compares the quantity of creatinine excreted in the urine over a 24 hour period to the concentration of creatinine in the blood. Creatinine Clearance Using an endoscope to examine the urinary bladder. Cystoscopy A lesion through the skin or a mucous membrane. Ulcer Narrowing of the arteries. Arteriostenosis A decrease in the number of red blood cells. Erythrocytopenia Created by: Baker RAD 2012
Runner’s stomach can slow you down so eat these foods to keep up your pace! Runners’ gut or runners’ stomach is a well-known phenomenon in the world of running. From mid-run stomach aches and bathroom breaks to other gastrointestinal complaints, athletes can be plagued with exercise-induced stomach problems. Nausea is also a common symptom among runners. People who engage in intense workouts like high intensity training, marathons, long distance cycling and triathlons are at greater risk for nausea that is brought about by exercise. People with a history of acid reflux (also sometimes called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD) are at an even greater risk due to excessive pressure on your core. Exercise-induced nausea can occur in athletes after high intensity or strenuous training, according to a study published in 2013 in Gastroenterology Review. According to Robert Glatter, M.D., an assistant professor of Emergency Medicine at Northwell Health as well as attending emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital, “Exercise-induced nausea results from reduced blood flow to the stomach during intense exercise as blood flow is directed to more critical organs such as the heart, lungs and brain.” It can also be caused by other things like irritable bowel syndrome and other factors such as climate conditions, duration and intensity, type of exercise and hydration status. This nausea can also occur if you start and stop running too quickly, which makes it important to slowly ease your pace down when coming to the end of a run. In some cases, this nausea may result in vomiting if relief is not sought. Slow and deep abdominal breathing can help as well as the application of a cool compress on the back of your neck or forehead. Below are some foods that can help prevent or ease symptoms of exercise-induced nausea. Starchy Foods Foods such as pretzels and crackers can help absorb stomach acid, which can ease stomach upset and nausea. Grab a handful of pretzels or white saltine crackers about 30 minutes before your run. Ginger is a well-known ailment for stomach upset. It may work to relieve nausea in the middle of a workout as well. Grab some ginger snap cookies before a workout. This gives you both a carbohydrate benefit as well as the anti-nausea benefit of the ginger. You can also carry ginger candies on your run to pop one in your mouth if you feel a bout of queasiness coming on. Whole Grains Some people experience nausea while running because their glycogen stores are low. Complex carbs like whole grains may help by slowly release energy into your body and bloodstream, which can help to keep your appetite satisfied. Nut Butters Nut butters like peanut, almond or cashew may help reduce nausea if eaten in small portions due to their sodium content. Be careful not to eat too much as it can upset your stomach before exercise. Coconut Water Coconut water offers hydration and electrolytes. Dehydration and electrolyte loss (often due to sweat) can both lead to feelings of nausea. Coconut water offers sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium.
Destroyed by battle From Yugipedia (Redirected from Destroyed by Battle) Jump to: navigation, search Destroyed by battle (Japanese: せんとうかい Sentō de hakai) specifically refers to a monster being destroyed during damage calculation due to the battle. Whether or not monsters are destroyed by battle is determined during damage calculation. Many effect requirements can be fulfilled when a monster is destroyed this way, an example being "Skyscraper 2 - Hero City". In the Damage Step, during damage calculation, if two Attack Position monsters battle each other, the one with the lower ATK is destroyed by battle, or both if they have equal amounts of ATK. If a Defense Position monster is attacked, neither battling monster will be destroyed by battle unless the attacked Defense Position monster has less DEF than the attacking monster's ATK. If a monster is destroyed by battle, it will be sent to the GY at the end of the Damage Step.
Main Menu Lyulka S-18 Lyulka TR-1 In May 1944 Arkhip Lyulka was ordered to begin development of a turbojet with a thrust of 12.3 kN (2,800 lbf). He demonstrated an eight-stage axial-flow engine in March 1945 called the S-18. In early 1946 the Council of Ministers ordered that the S-18 be developed into an operational engine with a thrust of 15.5 kN (3,500 lbf). The TR-1 was developed in early 1946 and had its first static run on 9 August. It was the first indigenous Soviet jet engine. It was tested in the air on a pylon fitted to a Lend-Lease B-25 Mitchell piston-engined bomber. The TR-1 was not a success, proving to have less thrust and a higher specific fuel consumption than designed. Its failure led directly to the cancellation of the first Soviet jet bomber, the Ilyushin Il-22. Lyulka further developed the engine into the TR-1A of 20.5 kN of thrust, but its specific fuel consumption was very high and it too was cancelled. Alekseyev I-21 Ilyushin Il-22 Sukhoi Su-10 Sukhoi Su-11 Type: Turbojet Dry weight: 885 kg (1,951 lb) Compressor: eight-stage axial-flow Turbine: single stage Maximum thrust: 12.8 kN (2,900 lbf) Specific fuel consumption: 129 - 137 kg/kN·h (1.27-1.35 lb/lbf·h) Thrust-to-weight ratio: 14.5 N/kg (1.47 lbf/lb) Copyright © 2020 all-aero. All Rights Reserved.
All You Need To Know About Hinduism Astrology’s basic premise is that heavenly bodies the sun, moon, planets, and constellations have influence over or are correlated with earthly events. A combination of low mass and an inability to mitigate evaporation and atmosphere loss against the solar wind make it impossible for these bodies to sustain liquid water on their surface. Found that land-dominated “desert planets” with water at the poles could exist closer to the Sun than watery planets like Earth. Inner edge of circumstellar habitable zone is closer and outer edge is farther for higher atmospheric pressures; determined minimum atmospheric pressure required to be 15 millibar. In 1993, astronomer James Kasting introduced the term “circumstellar habitable zone” to refer more precisely to the region then (and still) known as the habitable zone. 1.37 Kasting et al. Brown dwarfs fill the gap between giant gas planets, such as Jupiter and Saturn, and faint cool stars. But that of the other planets, although it exists, may not be visible to us. And we have the progressed chart reading that looks at how you may have developed the qualities present in your birth chart since you were born to date. Basic astrology reading will tell you about your Sun and Moon signs, the time of your birth and other information. Review of applications will begin May 22, 2009 and continue until June 8, 2009 or until the position is filled. On Thanksgiving and Black Friday (November 28-29), skywatchers will be treated to a dazzling spectacle of planetary lineups in the sky after sunset. With vision that spans the ultraviolet through visible and into the near infrared, Hubble investigates everything from black holes to planets around other stars. The CHZ is also of particular interest to the emerging field of habitability of natural satellites, because planetary-mass moons in the CHZ might outnumber planets. The possibility that astrology might be relevant to consciousness and psi is not denied, but such influences, if they exist in astrology, would seem to be very weak or very rare. It’s not straight forward, you have to have check imapct databases for previous discoveries and watch out for volcanoes, but it might be a nice thing to do of an idle evening. When these three are aligned perfectly in a straight line, Earth casts its shadow on Moon causing the lunar eclipse. Most estimates, therefore, are inferred from the effect that a repositioned orbit would have on the habitability of Earth or Venus. The role of astrology in human consciousness was examined, with emphasis on how its insights have been used to help understand and predict the evolution of history. Based on computer modelling and simulations of the evolution of Earth’s atmospheric composition and surface temperature. This applies to a planet with Earth-like atmospheric composition and pressure. A conjunction that occurs when a planet passes behind the Sun and is on the opposite side of the Sun from the Earth. The nearest such planet may be 12 light-years away, according to the scientists. 11 billion of these may be orbiting Sun-like stars. On November 4, 2013, astronomers reported, based on Kepler data, that there could be as many as 40 billion Earth-sized planets orbiting in the habitable zones of Sun-like stars and red dwarfs in the Milky Way. I totally agree with you that there is much more to discover, learn and understand about our Universe. Just felt more like me and although I am a Capricorn in some respects there are lots of traits of that sign I don’t have. Perhaps it’s simply a matter of statistics: there are more men than women in astronomy, and a greater percentage of male than female astronomers have children. Problems can from any aspect of life and one has to deal with it, no matter what happens. Cyberastro brings to you a number of astrological services which can help you clear out your clouds of confusion on different aspects of your life and enjoy a peaceful living. God had specifically programmed each life to be living on earth for a specific length, to filter out our imperfection. According to this measure Earth is at the inner edge of the HZ and close to, but just outside, the runaway greenhouse limit.
The Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce Region Esquinas Rainforest Lodge and Bosque del Rio Tigre Several important treasures are encompassed in this biodiverse rich area; Corcovado National Park, Piedras Blancas National Park and the spectacular tropical Golfo Dulce Fjord. Rainforest, the secret for life! The tropical rainforests of the world are wonders of biodiversity, beautiful and enigmatic natural paradise. Time capsules of an ancient golden age that carry the genetic heritage of millions of years of evolution. The tropical jungles are home to half of the creatures of the planet and yet more are to be discovered. In the drops of the torrential tropical rain showers, scientists have discovered why the tropical jungles contain the secret to keeping our planet alive. We have understood that rainforests contribute to the production of rain, but we didn’t know exactly why or how? Scientists have concluded that for a drop of water to form it is necessary to have a nucleus to shape around, a dust particle in the atmosphere or a sulphur particle in the ocean can play this role. Scientific research has discovered that millions of tons of bacteria released into the atmosphere above broadleaf rainforests actually ‘seed’ clouds, providing microscopic nuclei required for raindrops to form. Water vapor transpiring from the leaves creates a cloud canopy that acts like an umbrella, cooling and shading the earth and reflecting some of the heat from the sun back into space. The rainforests in conjunction with the oceans and air currents function as a global air-cooling system. Rainforests also trap moisture and preserve soil by slowing rain run-off, they are large carbon sequestration agents and massive producers of oxygen. Corcovado National Park (Sea level to 740 m / 2,428) The park was established in 1975 and encompasses an area of 42,400 hectares (104,772 acres). The abundance of wildlife and plant species is spectacular, National Geographic called it "the most biologically intense place on Earth” because of its rich incomparable biodiversity; 2.5% of the plant’s biodiversity into 0.001% of its surface area. The park, one of the largest in Costa Rica, preserves the largest primary rainforest on the Pacific coastline of Central America, and one of the remaining meaningful areas of lowland tropical rain forests in the world. Corcovado is home to great number of amazing species, all the felines of Costa Rica are present in the park: Jaguar, Puma, Ocellot, Margay, Jaguarundi and Oncilla. Large mammals like Baird’s Tapir and Red Brocket Deer, and the four species of monkeys found in Costa Rica are possible here: Mantled Howler Monkey, Central American Spider Monkey, White-faced Capuchin and Central American Squirrel Monkey. The small population of the endangered Harpy Eagle, as well as Solitary Eagle, King Vulture, Ornate Hawk-Eagle and Black Hawk-Eagle. Reptiles include American Crocodile and Spectacled Caiman. And the amphibians are well represented by many species including the endemic Granulated Poison-dart Frog. Piedras Blancas National Park (Sea level to 550 m/1,804 ft) This preserved area encompasses 14,019 hectares (34,642 acres) and offers an equivalent habitat composition to the Osa Peninsula. As a matter of fact, the park was once managed and treated as part of Corcovado National Park and it was known then as the Esquinas Sector. Piedras Blancas National Parkis is located across the gulf from the Peninsula on the northern coastline of the Golfo Dulce. It protects a pristine rainforest and a lush tropical coastline. The mountainous terrain and the watersheds of the Esquinas and Piedras Blancas Rivers are coated by dense rainforest, habitat for many species of birds, mammals and reptiles. The park is accessed from the village of La Gamba, and not far from the village and connected to the park lies the fantastic Esquinas Rainforest Lodge. Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (Elevation 100 m / 328 ft) Esquinas Rainforest Lodge is an incredible location surrounded by the most amazing untouched wilderness of Piedras Blancas National Park. It is a hot spot for birdwatchers and naturalists wishing to experience the sounds and sights of a tropical rainforest in a tranquil, undisturbed atmosphere. This tropical jungle lodge offers 14 rooms with hot water and fans, a wonderful wooden jungle villa, an open-air restaurant and a small bar where Wi-Fi is available, a spring-fed refreshing pool and a great garden with native plants that attract many birds. The 15 hectares (37 acres) private reserve and the adjoining forest of Piedras Blancas National Park attract over 300 species of birds, almost 100 species of mammals and many amphibians and reptiles. By planting thousands of trees in nearby La Gamba, the lodge has been certified as 100% carbon-neutral. Esquinas is a leader in sustainability and has been awarded a Certificate of Sustainable Tourism from the Costa Rican Tourism Board. Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, the adjacent Piedras Blancas National Park, and the road from La Gamba offer access to most of the bird specialties from the Osa Peninsula and other interesting birds: Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, Striped Woodhaunter, Charming Hummingird, White-crested Coquette, Gray-headed Tanager, Marbled Wood-Quail, Black-bellied Wren, Riverside Wren, Black-striped Woodcreeper, Tawny-winged Woodcreeper, Orange-collared Manakin, Red-capped Manakin, White-throated Shrike-Tanager, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Golden-naped Woodpecker, Baird’s Trogon, Band-tailed Barbthroat, Bronzy Hermit, White-tipped Sicklebill, Black-faced Anttrush, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Little Tinamou, Great Tinamou, Great Curassow, Uniform Crake, Gray-cowled Wood-Rail, Agami Heron, Blue-headed Parrot, Brown-throated Parakeet, Green-breasted Mango, sometimes Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, Striped Cuckoo, Red-breasted Meadowlark, Northern Jacana, Southern Lapwing, Fiery-billed Aracari, Yellow-throated Toucan, Pearl Kite, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Slate-colored Seedeater, Collared Forest-Falcon, King Vulture and White Hawk. Night birding often produces Common Pauraque, Spectacled Owl and Striped Owl and occasionally Common Potoo. A one hour drive to Rincón de Osa, or a good lucky day around the lodge, can produce Yellow-billed Cotinga and Turquoise Cotinga. Esquinas Rainforest Lodge - Improving the living standard of a whole community The Austrian government donated the lodge to Rainforest of the Austrians in 1998, and in 2005 it was privatized but remains in Austrian hands. The ultimate goal is to prove that a small ecolodge, accommodating no more than 40 guests, can generate enough income to raise the living standard of a whole community. Esquinas is the largest employer in La Gamba, offering at least 15 permanent jobs. Except for management and office staff, all employees at the lodge are from the local town. Reforestation And Climate Protection- The Biological Corridor Protection The Esquinas Rainforest used to be connected with the Fila Cruces, a 1,524 m (5000 ft) high, forested mountain ridge. Today farmland and pastures abruptly interrupt the biological flow and connection of these two areas and small isolated patches of forest remain as small islands of trapped genetic material. Since 2010, the efforts of Rainforest of the Austrians and La Gamba Field Station have focused on the La Gamba Biological Corridor (COBIGA) with two main goals: Preservation of biodiversity by connecting isolated patches of forest Reduction of carbon dioxide by sequestering it in biomass Tropical Feathers thanks Esquinas Rainforest Lodge for sharing some of its information with us: The Famous Bosque del Río Tigre Lodge (Elevation 110 m / 360 ft) The unique Bosque del Río Tigre Lodge lies on the foothills of the lush and very tropical Osa Peninsula in southern Pacific Costa Rica, right outside of the tiny village of Dos Brazos, just across the Tigre River. The lodge sits inside the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, under the direct influence of the Golfo Dulce, and just 2 km away from Corcovado National Park, so this privileged location turns this spot into a paradise for birds and wildlife in general. Liz and Abraham have designed their lodge exclusively for birders and naturalists. Being birders themselves and some of the first of their kind that settled and build a lodge in the area, they truly know what birders and naturalists are looking for. Early morning coffee and delicious banana bread and a late breakfast to not interfere with the best birding time of the day. Ease of finding birds attracted to the grounds, excellent trails where you hardly find other people, are just a few of the components that make Bosque del Río Tigre a birding paradise! The lodge grounds and surrounding areas offer two Costa Rican endemics, 14 regional endemic species and many more species that are hard to find in other areas of Costa Rica. Birds include: Yellow-billed Cotinga, Turquoise Cotinga, Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, Spot-crowned Euphonia, Charming Hummingbird, White-crested Coquette, Mangrove Hummingbird, Riverside Wren, Black-bellied Wren, Golden-naped Woodpecker, Orange-collared Manakin, Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Black-hooded Antshrike, Baird’s Trogon, Fiery-billed Aracari, Little Tinamou, Marbled Wood-Quail, Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Pearl Kite, Tiny Hawk, Uniform Crake, White-throated Crake, Bronzy Hermit, Band-tailed Barbthroat, White-tipped Sicklebill, Red-rumped Woodpecker, Long-tailed Woodcreeper, Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet, Golden-crowned Spadebill, Royal Flycatcher, Rufous Piha, Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater and Red-breasted Meadowlark. The main building offers 4 bedrooms on the second story, finished in beautiful native woods, located on the four corners of the lodge with the communal areas in the centre. The rooms are open to the forest on two sides for air circulation and ease of wildlife viewing. There are two shared bathrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs and the spacious garden showers are only a few meters from the lodge offering great water pressure, excellent hot water, lights, mirrors, hooks for clothes and other items and a chair. A private cabin is also available, only 25 meters from the main building, it has a double bed draped with mosquito netting, private bathroom, porch and hammock. Bosque del Río Tigre offers primary rainforests, secondary forests, ponds, river, second growth, cattle pastures, and is not too far away mangroves. This is quite an exciting destination, regional endemic and country endemic species and some really difficult birds can be seen here: Little Tinamou typically feeds outside the kitchen area. Flocks or pairs of Black-cheeked Ant-Tanagers, a Costa Rican endemic, come to the feeders just outside the lodge. Scaly-throated Leaftosser often tosses leaves near the lodge on the trail side. With certain regularity a White-tipped Sicklebill can be found roosting near one of the streams. Blue-throated Goldentail can be seen foraging around the porterweed bush in the front yard. Riverside Wren is an active resident around the woods that border the lodge, and the snapping wings of the Orange-collared Manakin announce the presence of this interesting colorful bird. The property also offers leks of the famous Red-capped Manakin. Tropical Feathers highly recommends Bosque del Río Tigre Lodge and Esquinas Rainforest Lodge. Baird's Trogon (Trogon bairdii) White-necked Puffbird (Notharchus hyperrhynchus) Marbled Wood-Quail (Odontophorus gujanensis) Yellow-billed Cotinga (Carpodectes antoniae) Orange-collared Manakin (Manacus aurantiacus) Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Provided by: aolserver4-dev_4.5.1-18.1_amd64 bug Ns_ConnCopyToChannel, Ns_ConnCopyToDString, Ns_ConnCopyToFd, Ns_ConnCopyToFile - Copy request content to open file or dstring #include "ns.h" Ns_ConnCopyToChannel(conn, ncopy, chan) Ns_ConnCopyToDString(conn, ncopy, dsPtr) Ns_ConnCopyToFd(conn, ncopy, fd) Ns_ConnCopyToFile(conn, ncopy, fp) Ns_Channel chan (in) Pointer to Tcl channel open for write. Ns_Conn conn (in) Pointer to open connection. Ns_DString dsPtr (in) Initialized dstring. int fd (in) File descriptor open for write. FILE fp (in) Stdio FILE pointer open for write. int ncopy (in) Number of bytes to copy. These functions copy content from an open connection request to the given open file descriptor, FILE, dstring, or Tcl_Channel. The routines work by copying from the content buffer; see the man page on Ns_ConnContent for how this buffer is managed for both small and large requests. The functions all return the number of bytes copied which will match the requested ncopy argument unless there is an error writing the content or the requested bytes is greater than the number of bytes still available to be read. An internal offset into the connection is maintained and is shared with routines such as Ns_ConnRead which also consume content from the same buffer. Note that routines which access the entire content, e.g., Ns_ConnContent, Ns_ConnContentFd, or Ns_ConnGetQuery will continue to provide access to the entire request regardless if one of the Ns_ConnCopy or Ns_ConnRead functions have been used. The following example demonstrates copying user data to a temp file: fd = open("myfile.out", O_WRONLY\|O_BINARY); len = Ns_ConnContentLength(conn); if (Ns_ConnCopyToFd(conn, len, fd) != len) { ... error writing content or content already consumed ... Ns_ConnRead(3), Ns_ConnReadLine(3), Ns_ConnContent(3), Ns_ConnContentFd(3) connection, content, read
Follow by Email Meadow Muffin Gardens logo Thursday, June 9, 2016 Yarrow, Woundwort, A Multitude of Uses To see Yarrow listed as a common weed is an insult to this plant. For a plant to be known as woundwort makes one wonder just how many lives it saved over the years. Today when we think of illness we figure there must be a physical cause and even if a cure is not yet known, with enough research we'll find a physical cure. Years and years ago illness was thought to be more mystical and linked to the stars, the humors and even the Devil himself. To discover a plant that could heal was much more than simply a medicine, it had mystical powers. Dioscorides,(c 40 - 90 AD), the Greek physician who wrote the De Materia Medica, a 5 volume encyclopedia about herbal medicine, claimed that the name "achillea" originated from the fact that Achilles, the Greek hero of the Trojan War, used it to heal his wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Throughout the millennia and much of the world until after the American Civil War, yarrow was part of the battle gear right along with the weapons. The power of healing was not only physical. The name "yarrow" comes from the Anglo-Saxon (Dutch) gearwe, which is believed to come from gierwan, meaning "to be ready". Considered a defense against other ills, yarrow was burned to protect against evil. Achillea millefolium, common yarrow, is a member of the aster or composite family (Asteraceae). Achillea is the genus name and millefolium is the species which means "a thousand leaves". Yarrow has flat-topped clusters of small white flowers that are in bloom from June through October. A hardy perennial, this fern-like, feathery plant with it's clusters of tiny daisy-like florets making up each flower head, is an important pollinator plant for butterflies, bees and many other insects. If you want a plant the deer will leave alone, yarrow fits the bill. It spreads quickly and being it is so bitter, (the leaves contain tannin),animals won't touch it, domestic or wild. All parts of yarrow are useful, whether its fresh, dried, in tea form, poultices, steamed vapors, alcohol tinctures, herbal oils and vinegars. It's reputation as woundwort comes from it being a styptic, or stops bleeding. On the battlefield, most wounds were a result of the types of weapons used back then, resulting in deep gashes and puncture wounds. These types of wounds were very high risk for infection if the soldier didn't bleed to death first. Yarrow leaves and flowers were crushed and chewed to add saliva which formed a poultice and then packed into the wounds. This method was used to stop the bleeding, act as an antiseptic for infection, and as an analgesic to help lessen pain. Yarrow has so many uses the list could go on and on. It's best known for wound care, but it is also used to sweat and break a fever. Drinking hot yarrow tea does this by relaxing the circulation, allowing the body to sweat and get rid of infection.In fact, the original formula for cold tea is a combination of peppermint, elderflowers and yarrow. By the way, this blend should not be used by pregnant women. Since yarrow is so good for the circulatory system, it tones the blood vessels, dilates capillaries and gets the blood moving. People with spider veins, varicose veins and hemorrhoids find yarrow balm massages very soothing and effective. The effects on the circulatory system along with it being one of the "bitters", yarrow is very useful for stimulating the digestive juices, excellent for the liver and pancreas. Maria Treben considers yarrow an "herb for women". An aid for reproductive troubles, yarrow can help everything from heavy bleeding, clotted blood during menstruation and painful periods, as well as spotting between cycles. Women with recurrent bladder infections could benefit from the anti-septic properties of yarrow tea. Cosmetically, yarrow's astringent properties make it an excellent herb to use for a facial steam or astringent for oily skin and blackheads. As a bug repellent, yarrow works. Infused in 100 proof vodka is creates the base for a very effective insect deterrent. Below are some very good ways this amazing plant has been put to use. For therapeutic purposes, the white flowers from the wild yarrow plants are used rather than the yellow and pink hues from the nursery. Click on the link below each picture for more detailed information on each of these items. Spider Vein Massage Oil Biting Insect Deterrent Healing Yarrow Balm/Salve Men's Aftershave Facial Astringent/Toner Pet Flea Powder Information for this post came from sources: Whispering Earth, 100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names and a post by Ryan Drum. Wednesday, June 8, 2016 Exfoliate Without Doing Harm, Ban the Microbeads On December 28, 2015, President Obama signed into effect the "Microbead Free Waters Act", which prohibits the sale of products that include microbeads in their formula and will ban microbeads in the U.S. as of July 2017. This is wonderful since microbeads have become an environmental disaster. The polymer technology to manufacture polymer beads was invented by the late Norwegian Professor John Ugelstad and these perfect little monosized spheres went into production in 2002 with the Norwegian company, Microbeads AS. They were used in a wide range of industries, not just with cosmetics and personal care. Uses included paints, plastics, ceramics and adhesives. Being cheap to manufacture, they seemed like a dream until it was realized how destructive they were to marine life. Microbeads are made of non-biodegradable plastic. When they get washed down the drain they end up in local rivers and lakes. Being so tiny, they slip right through most water treatment systems. About the same size as fish eggs, to any organism that lives in the water, they look like food. Once in the food web, such toxins are passed right along to humans and other wildlife. Microbeads are in so many personal care products, body scrubs, facial cleanses, toothpastes, all things most everyone uses on a daily basis. So many beads are believed to be polluting the Great Lakes that our world's largest source of fresh water is being poisoned. Until the ban is completely in effect, what you can do is read labels. If polyethylene or polypropylene are listed as an ingredient, there is most likely microbeads in that product. Another option is to use other sources for exfoliation. The definition of exfoliation is the cosmetic practice of removing dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin, called the epidermis. Amazing fact is that our skin can naturally shed 30,000 to 40,000 dead cells per minute. If you feel your face or body has a dull appearance it could mean an accumulation of those dead surface cells. Remove them by means of dry brushing, a loofah sponge, a hemp scrubby pad or by using a salt or sugar scrub. Complaints people often have with moisturizers is that they seem to leave an oily residue. Of course a reason could be the lotion itself, but it could also be because the person is applying a moisturizer to old, dead skin cells and it is not penetrating the upper layer of the skin. Sugar scrubs are a great way to slough off that old layer, unclog blocked pores, and reveal radiant freshness to perk up that tired look. Cane sugar contains a naturally occurring acid known as glycolic acid which belongs to the family of alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). These acids stimulate and loosen the dry, flaky layer created by accumulating dead skin cells. White sugar is the result of sulfur dioxide being introduced to the cane sugar before evaporation which bleaches the sugar to be white as are most familiar. These scrubs below use raw, unprocessed sugars such as demerara and cane juice sugar. Though exfoliation is important for an effective skin care routine, you can't overdo it and you must be very gentle. The skin of your face is fragile and can be easily damaged. It should be treated with care, no scrubbing, or you may irritate or even create tiny tears which leave the skin vulnerable to bacteria. Salt scrubs are great too, but if used on the face you must remember that salt can be more abrasive than sugar. Using salt for a body scrub is a great way to cleanse and detoxify by drawing out impurities. Sea salt is a much better choice than table salt. Table salt is bleached and refined, therefore it lacks many of the minerals of the ocean. The salt scrubs below are called salt polishes because they not only contain a moisturizing oil but also a touch of castile soap. Therefore, you get the effect of a good clean as well as the expected exfoliation. Coconut Oil Face and Body Sugar Scrub Vegetable Glycerin Face and Body Sugar Scrub Glowing Skin Salt Body Polish Lemon Zest Glowing Skin Salt Body Polish
Skip to main content Solar ship! The answer to our fuel woes! We often look for ways to make our day-to-day lives more eco-friendly but Canada based Solar Ship has taken 'going green' to an all new level. Inspired by the Zeppelin's of the late 1800s, Solar Ship is developing aircraft that are powered by sunlight. Yes, sunlight powers the movement of these crafts that can weigh from as little as 150 kg (a small size one) all the way up to 12 tonnes ( a cargo freight carrier). Travelling at humble speeds of 60-100 kilometers an hour, these green-mean flying machines are kept buoyant by helium. The solar panels placed on the top of the aircraft convert solar energy into electrical energy, which is used to maneuver the aircraft during flight and power its landing and take-off. Better understanding of aerodynamics and development of light weight batteries and efficient photovoltaics have made flying possible with minimal environmental impact. Impressed? The best part is yet to come. These helium-filled blimp like aircraft need as little as 200m of flat surface to land or take-off. So, in addition of being capable to fly over long ranges without the need to stop/ refuel, these solar-powered marvels can actually land in small open spaces without any sophisticated equipment. The company has three prototypes built and tested in sizes, small, medium and large, each offering a unique advantage over the other in terms of functionality. Here is a video where one is these crafts were being tested for flight. In the near future, Solar Ships are aimed to have a social function than a commercial one. The company aims to use them as devices to deliver medicines and other necessities in remote areas of Africa. You can know more and contribute to the cause by visiting their fund raising site. Later, the company aims to use them across various fields such as disaster relief, delivery of medical cargo, movement of commercial goods, field research, providing communication services in remote areas, military applications etc. The cost of a Solar Ship is expected to be around $1 million but being solar powered, will also guarantee freedom from fuel bills. There is one hurdle though! Helium is also a depleting resource and prices of this inert gas have risen continuously in the last few years and for long term viability of these ships and alternate means of flying, an alternate needs to be found. Popular posts from this blog Do free energy magnetic motors really work? The Principle Why Sci-Hub’s story is so crucial to science? Generating electricity from flapping tree leaves 5 things driverless cars will do to change our future? The Driverless car Solar cells that work in rain
frick park installation \| fall 2012 In groups of 6, students were given a section of Frick Park in Pittsburgh and challenged to create an “installation” that related to the specific surrounding environment. Out site was located on the bank of the Monongahela River with a stark contrast between wild forest behind us and the cityscape across the river. Through the understanding of the environment around us we examined the site and realized that the river had left a trace of its prior f-sorm in the shore line by leaving a line a washed up weeds, plants and dirt. In affect creating its own edge making us aware of the relevantly short term change the river had created. We then took this edge and exploded it outwards through time taking us back sixty years into Frick parks history. By denoting the old river edge through the use of sticks found on the site and orange survey tape to mark the edge we created a ephemeral quality. Further more the line was not strict, nor did it contain itself to the boundary of that edge, it spread itself out towards the river creating a gradient between the river edge and our new edge cause a “dialogue with time”.
Literary Criticism – Dracula by Bram Stoker Dracula was written by Bram Stoker in 1897. The story starts out with a man going to Castle Dracula. The man was an English solicitor’s clerk and his name was Jonathan Harker. Throughout his stay at the castle, he notices some very odd things around the castle. Things like: there were no servants, no one else but the Count lived there, Dracula would be out during the day and keep Jonathan up all night. One night when Dracula leaves Harker alone, he walks around and finds a room. In this room, there appears three girls or women. These women attempt to seduce Harker, but just as one of them gets close enough, Dracula flies in through the window and claims Harker as his own. We Will Write a Custom Case Study Specifically For You For Only $13.90/page! order now Soon after that incident, Harker finds out that Dracula thrives on human blood. A while later, Harker had figured out that Dracula wanted to keep him prisoner and maybe kill him, so Harker attempts to kill Dracula before he himself is killed; however, just as he tries, Dracula boards a ship heading to England with fifty coffins containing his home soil in each. Later, Harker succeeds in getting out, but he ends up getting sick with a fever. Several people find him and get him to feel better. At the same time, two women are attracted to a bizarre shipwreck off the coast of Whitby, England. As the ship gets to shore, a large dog jumps from the ship. Passersby noticed that there were no other passengers on the ship except for the Captain; meanwhile, the Captain was tied to the wheel with a cross, or crucifix. The log had told of odd disappearances on the ship. There was one man on the ship that had found the stowaway and he had tried to stab him, but the knife missed him. Over several weeks, Lucy Westenra’s health started to down-spiral; she was Dracula’s first victim. After a while, during her weakness , a large bat was seen outside her window. Dr. Abraham Van Helsing, had been invited by Dr. John Seward, the doctor who was taking care of Lucy. Four men, who deeply cared about Lucy, gave their blood to her so that her body would get better, but she had failed to get better. It was obvious to Van Helsing that their enemy was dangerous, so what he did to keep Dracula away was to put garlic all around Lucy’s room. Her mother had removed it, just as she was getting better, and once she did, Dracula returned, bit her and she died. Lucy’s loved ones find out that she became one of the Undead and with Mina and, her newlywed husband, Jonathan’s information, the four men : Quincey, Seward, Arthur Holmwood, and Van Helsing, go to Lucy’s grave, open her coffin and perform the ritual. The ritual entails cutting off her head, stuffing it with garlic, and driving a sharp stake through her heart. After they finish off Lucy, they start to look for Dracula, but before they find him, he finds Mina. He had gotten Renfield to let him into the asylum that Mina was staying in. The group of family and friends caught Dracula and he fled from their holy objects; Mina had begun to do the same, Van Helsing had touched a blessed wafer to her forehead and she had been burned by it. She was forced to drink from the Count and had become part of him and he part of her. They located all but one of Dracula’s coffins and destroyed them; he needs his native soil in order to sleep. One of them was stuck onto a ship going to Transylvannia and they tracked him down with the help of Mina’s psychological connection with him; they accomplished it by hypnotizing her. They found him in his coffin among the Gypsies. Mina and company use knives to stab through his whole body and his heart. When he crumbled, the mark from the blessed wafer disappeared from Mina’s forehead. Sometime after the battle, Mina and Jonathan have a child and they name him after the band of men they adopted into their family, but they decided to call him Quincey after Quincey Morris who died in the good fight the same day their child was born. They believe that part of Morris was moved into their son due to this bizarre phenomenon. By the end of the text, Goldaming (also known as Holmwood) and Seward had gotten married to two fine women. This story was written by Mr. Stoker. Bram Stoker was born on November 8, 1847 in Dublin, Ireland. His parents were Abraham and Charlotte Stoker. He was nursed by his uncle William while he was bedridden. In order to improve his health, his blood was drawn several times. When Bram was two years old, he had a newborn brother join the family, and his name was Tom. His second brother, George, was born five years later. The same year, Bram walked on his own for the first time and he was over is childhood illness and it never returned. When Bram was twelve years old, he entered preparatory school and graduated , then he transferred to Trinity College where he studied Science and Mathematics while playing competitive sports. Stoker had attended a Henry Irving play by Richard Sheridan called The Rivals at the Theatre Royal. After he graduated from Trinity College, he entered civil service at Dublin Castle. his first anonymous theatre review was published in the Dublin Evening Mail during 1871. The following year, his first signed work was an address he delivered and published called, “The Necessity for Political Honesty.” In 1874, he visited Paris. A year after his visit to Paris, three of Stoker’s stories appeared in The Shamrock. Bram met Henry Irving in person and was moved by his reading of, “The Dream of Eugene Aram,” and his father had died in Naples in the year of 1876. The year after, he resigned from his critic job to write a book for clerks of petty sessions. In 1878, he became the business manager for Irving’s Lyceum Theatre and he also married Florence Balcombe. Two years of working on it, the book, The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions was his first published book. In 1882, Bram had received a Bronze Medal from the Royal Humane Society for trying to prevent a suicide. He wrote an essay about the United States and got it published; it was called, “A Glimpse of America.” Stoker began to write Dracula in 1890. Seven years later, it was published; in the same year, it was acted out in the Lyceum stage. The second to be published and acted out was Miss Betty a year previous. Four years after Dracula was published, Bram’s mother died.The year after his mother’s death, two more stories were published called, The Mystery of the Sea and The Jewel of Seven Stars and the Lyceum Theatre was closed down. In 1905, The Man was published and Irving collapsed and died. A year after Irving’s death, Bram had his first stroke. His second stroke was four years after his first. His last book, The Lair of the White Worm, was published a year before he died. He died on April 20,1912. Sometime during his life, he put together a group of stories, and then his wife edited it and it appeared as Dracula’s Guest, two years after his death. Bram’s writing style is straight forward and to the point. Three of the themes were: the Victorian view of women, good vs. evil, and the promise of Christian salvation. Some of my research ideas were: the history of Vlad, the Impaler, which is part of the history, Katherine Ramland’s The Science of Vampires, psychic vampires, and a few vampire films. To begin with, Vlad the Impaler’s life or legacy was part of the history that helped shape the character of Dracula. Vlad, the Impaler’s real name was Vlad Tepes. He was the prince of Wallachia and his father was Vlad Dracul. Later on in his life, Vlad Tepes took up the name ‘Dracula’ which means, “son of the Dragon” in Romanian. Vlad Dracula’s father had created an Order of the Dragons, a group of knights, during his reign, which made Vlad Tepes’ Dracula name make sense because it meant he was the son of a dragon. He and his younger brother, Radu, had been sent to Turkey, in 1444, as hostages to ensure that their father would support the Turkish sultan. The Turks had placed Vlad III, another name for Vlad Tepes, on the throne after his oldest brother and father’s murders, in 1448. Vlad III’s brutality was shown to his enemies and others around him. Vlad, the Impaler would boil, impale, disfigure, roast and flay people who threatened his throne, and there is a myth that he would soak his bread in the blood of his enemies after a battle; he would also do those things to people who refused to pay taxes, and women who were thought unworthy. He had fought for his state’s freedom, or independence, against the Turks, and because of that he was also thought of as a hero. Vlad had fled to Hungary because his brother had been enlisted by the Turkish sultan to capture Wallachia, as Vlad fled, he had been captured by King Matthias Corvinus. It is believed that Vlad, the Impaler had been killed in battle during the Turkish counterattack and that it may have been his own men who had killed him, but another source says that it was an assassin who had killed him. Vlad the Impaler was an influence on the book because he did some very gruesome things. For instance, Vlad had drunk his enemies’ blood after a battle and that is how Dracula survives. His name was used in this text because Bram thought that Dracula meant ‘son of the devil’ and he used that as his fictional vampire’s name. Elizabeth Miller has a different opinion, she believes that he wasn’t the one who Bram based the text off of and that it was actually Jack the Ripper who he based it off of. Her reasons for believing so were that: 1) Dracula put one of his coffins of native soil right in the middle of the Ripper’s killing realm, 2) the Ripper was very stealthy and well hidden from the police. 3) The Ripper killed random people, whether they were innocent or not (The Science of Vampires) . The culture that is involved in this story is bizarre but also interesting. The culture behind this text is based off a thing called a strigoi. Strigoi are seen as ghosts, undead, and immaterial things. They could be recently buried members of a family who returns and haunts their relatives and drains the life right out of them. Romanians believe that there is a need to do certain rituals to bring peace to those involved. There was an example of this same ritual done in January of 2004. A man named Petre Toma who lived in the Marotinu de Sus village and died in December 2003. His relatives blamed Toma for making a child sick because some of their neighbors had seen Toma walking in his yard even though he was already dead. Six local men volunteered to go through with the ritual for destroying strigoi. They had gathered around Toma’s grave just before Midnight and dug Toma’s body up out of the ground. Then, they had split his ribcage to get to his heart. They took the heart and put stakes through the rest of the body and sprinkled it with garlic. Once that was finished, the burned the heart, placed the smoldering remains in water, and gave the concoction to the sick child. Many in the village believed that the ritual worked, but the police didn’t quite understand the police arrested the men because Tomas daughter complained, but the ironic part about the arrest was that she was upset that she wasn’t invited, not because it was enacted. According to anthropologist Fifor Mihai, “These are very ancient practices indeed. And they are about communicating with the dead, laying the dead to rest. The media and newspapers have made much of the gory aspects, but these people have been doing this sort of thing for many many centuries, and in the past the authorities have turned a blind eye.” (In Search of Dracula). The way that Bram wrote this text has been debated for different reasons, mostly because of difference of opinion. In Katherine Ramsland’s The Science of Vampires, there are a few very well explained critiques of Bram’s writing. Katherine writes, “An analysis of the novel’s text indicates that Stoker seems to aim toward contradictory goals: to find scientific explanations for a creature like the vampire and how to show that there are things that science just cannot explain-at least not yet” (7). Then there is David Skal’s remark, “Stoker certainly gave a lot of thought to making vampires at least seem plausible. In Dracula, vampirism manifests itself in quasi-medical terms–a disease echoing familiar nineteenth-century maladies like consumption or a languorous, La Boheme-like wasting away, and syphilis or blood contamination and telltale skin lesions. The novel takes great pains to describe Dracula himself along then-popular conceptions about Darwinism, especially the notion of evolutionary ‘degeneration’ [a throwback to primitive intelligence]. Stoker fills the book with all kinds of up-to-date technology, medical and otherwise, to make the vampire at least half-believable to readers in an age of scientific skepticism. Given the book’s longevity, it’s clear he succeeded in his strategy” (8). Basically, Bram Stoker wanted his character to be as believable as possible. He used an amazing amount of technology in his writing and based on the amount of time people have been reading his book it is obvious that he accomplished what he had hoped to. Elizabeth Miller’s statement was, “As a writer of a Gothic novel, he may have been trying for realism, to aid the general reader in the suspension of disbelief. We do know that he had two brothers who were medical doctors, one of whom offered him specific assistance. On a deeper level, either consciously or unconsciously, he may have been tapping into the late-Victorian anxieties about the conflict between science– especially evolutionary theory–and religious faith. That both operate side by side in the novel and that both science and faith must be used to overcome Dracula suggests that the two are not incompatible” (9). These Dracula enthusiasts are all saying about the same thing; Bram Stoker was using medical information and showing that science and faith don’t always have to be enemies. Three of the many themes in Dracula are: the promise of Christian salvation, good versus evil, and gender roles. First, gender roles changed constantly during the text. “I am alone in the castle with those awful women. Faugh! Mina is a woman, and there is nought in common. They are devils in the Pit!”(59); Harker is disgusted by the three weird sisters and it shows that Mina is the complete opposite of these three Brides of Dracula. “In such cases men do not need much expression. A grip of the hand, the tightening of an arm over the shoulder, a sob in unison, are expressions of sympathy dear to a man’s heart” (182); the men who loved Lucy were being strong because they were not seen as people who would break down and cry. “She is one of God’s women, fashioned by His own hand to show us men and other women that there is a heaven where we can enter, and that its light can be here on earth. So true, so sweet, so noble, so little egoist–and that, let me tell you, is much in this age, so sceptical and selfish”(203). This quote shows Van Helsing praises Mina for being intelligent, but also caring and obedient. In their time, men were thought to be brave, strong, and decisive while women were thought or supposed to be sweet, pure, and innocent. Things have changed a lot since then. In the United States, women have jobs and are independent, but we still are paid less and treated lower than men are. Second, there is the theme of good and evil. This is shown through Mina and Dracula. Mina is the representation of all things good. She had been linked to Dracula, but she had kept her intelligence and sincerity. She had told the men that if she had gotten even remotely close to hurting someone that they needed to kill her. Mina states in Seward’s Diary, “Because if I find myself- and I shall watch keenly for it- a sign of harm to any that I love, I shall die!” (308). Mina was the representation of good, she didn’t believe so, but she was willing to help the Knights of the Round Table even though she was becoming a vampire. She did a lot to help them and all she wanted was to keep everyone safe. Mina states in her diary, “I suppose one ought to pity any thing so hunted as the Count. That is just it: this Thing is not human- not even beast. To read Dr Seward’s account of poor Lucy’s death, and what followed is enough to dry up the springs of pity in one’s heart” (245). This quote shows me that she pities Dracula for being hunted, but that knowing what had happened to Lucy would make someone feel less pity for him because of what he did to her. Dr Seward says in his diary, “…and we, knowing that so far symbols went, she with all her goodness and purity and faith, was outcast from God” (327). Now, this quote shows me that Dr Seward cared deeply about Mina and that she was the representation of good to him. Now moving on to show how Dracula represents evil. Jonathan had been tricked by the Count when the Count had said in Jonathan’s journal, “Enter freely and of you own free will” (20). By saying this, he gave himself away to use Jonathan as he pleased. This shows that Dracula is a sly person. As Dracula was aboard the Demeter, he took the blood of the crew and threw their bodies overboard. He had been using them only for food. In Seward’s diary, Dracula had tricked Renfield into thinking that he was a Savior, when really all Dracula was offering was a morbid half life as a slave for Dracula. (263). Later on also in Seward’s diary, Dracula forced Mina to let him bite her and he forced her to bite him back. As he did so, they had created a connection through the blood. He is purely evil because a sane, kind man would not rape an innocent woman. (300-306). When Dracula was cornered in Seward’s diary, he had taunted the men saying that they are just food and that their women (Mina and Lucy) belonged to him (325). These quotes show the evil he had done. He made a man crazy, and made him believe that he was a man of God, while he was the complete opposite. They also show that Dracula only used humans as food, except Mina and Lucy, who he believed belonged to him because he forced himself on them. The last of the three themes is, the promise of Christian salvation. This theme is presented by Van Helsing. He tells the group that the only way to defeat Dracula is to be unearthly good. Bram uses crosses, crucifixes, and other holy objects to lure Dracula away. Dracula appears to be like the devil with his pointy ears, fangs, and blood-lusting eyes, including his drinking of blood. The drinking of blood cuts him off from anything with spiritual worth. Those who were taken by Dracula lived without their souls. Bram goes into great detail to show the ‘three weird sisters’ and Lucy’s destruction. They tried to make a bigger vampire family but ended up dead in a way that goes along with the promise of Christian salvation. The vampires were saved and died with their souls returned to them. The Undead were barred from the peace of salvation while the others who died were not. The Science of Vampires by Katherine Ramsland, PH. D. is a nonfiction paperback that has gobs of information. There are so many aspects to vampires that I don’t think people think about it very deeply. Vampires have been thought to have a blood disease, rabies, consumption, and or tuberculosis. Katherine states, “The symptoms were quite similar to the notion of a vampires attack: Failing strength Increased suffering at night A sunken chest, emaciation, and wasting away A feeling of heaviness on the chest, as if a demon were sitting on it Increasingly pale skin No appetite Blood in the sputum and crimson checks Offensive breath” (17). She also goes through the process of decomposition after death and then reasons why people may think that the corpse is a vampire (13-17). Katherine explains that Emily de Laszowska-Gerard the author of Dracula: Sense and NonSense, researched or knew about Scholomance which was “School of the Dragon”. This book was found by Bacil F. Kirtley, who believed the whole Dracula family went to the Scholomance or “School of the Dragon”. This place differs by source; according to Katherine, “the Scholomance was an occult school situated on a labyrinth of underground caves where men could make a pact with the devil to gain occult knowledge” (19). According to Gerard, the Scholomance “was a school where people learned the secrets of nature, the language of animals, and all magic spells,’ as taught by the devil” (20). Katherine also talks about psychic vampires. Psychic vamps are vampire who drain the life out of people, by taking their “chi or prana” not by draining their blood (182). Katherine included an encounter of an anonymous person who had met someone who presented himself as a vampire, “It was when he bit me and licked away the blood that I first decided to become a vampire. Sexy, powerful, and mysteriously evil–he had everything I thought I ever wanted. So I asked him to show me and he did. I watched him seduce people, all kinds of people, with his charming ways and sultry movements. I studied how he lured them in, how he trapped their vulnerable minds and coerced blood gifts from their weak bodies. It was so easy then…you know. adapt the black art of seduction into my own personality. I became a vampire myself; and I created my secret self with great attention to details. From the very start I could see it was going to be easy, enticing people to give me blood–particularly males. The young men seemed especially drawn to my appearance, sensing an intelligent product with a strong sense of purpose. For me, being a vampire means fulfilling my needs through the willing sacrifice of others. I am offered blood, sex, and power over otherwise inert lives. Seeking respite from their own pathetic, aimless lives.. .victims prefer the distraction of pain, suffering, and bleeding. You may wonder how one is so easily convinced to open a vein? Well, its quite simple really, considering how often they do so to force something in. How much easier then to let a little of themselves drip out? They willingly submit themselves, twisting their own desires so that there is a mutual exchange. It’s win-win. As a vampire, my greatest power is intuition. I know, without words or actions, what a person wants…hat a person needs. This power of intuition, combined with my adaptability, allows me to transform myself into whatever is necessary for the kill. I lock with the person’s psyche, diagnose their deepest hunger, and become their provider and they my supplier. Blood drinking is, for me, not the ultimate goal of being a vampire. It is necessary, and even desirable, but not essential for my survival. My life force is boosted when I drink and digest blood, but it is my ability to control the passion and desires of a person that nurtures my soul. Victims never see themselves as exploited in the relationship, but instead subvert their own identities in favor of becoming the possessed. The ingestion of blood pleases me, it strengthens me, but it does not literally give me power. I am the master when I take their blood, the very life fluid of their existence, but my real power lies in owning control of their will. A person’s will is more precious than their blood, the will being capable of summoning the heart, the emotions, and then… to any deed I desire. You ask if I meet with others ‘like myself,’ and I answer you with: ‘There are no others like myself; I being the only one of my distinctive ability and power.’ Among vampires, I am unique, formidable, and solitary. I work alone. No one walks beside me. Deeds are best alone. Of course, being a vampire is a solitary experience. Life for all living things is solitary, being alone in one’s mind always, but much more for vampires. Solitude, if properly understood, is the vampire’s asset: vampires–good ones anyway–use natural states of being to accomplish their goals. Human beings fear being alone, sensing it is the natural state of the human condition: we are born alone, we construct private worlds of thought alone, and we die alone–walking the final steps with no one at our side. Vampires are masters at using the solitary condition to their advantage, having probed the alchemy of oneness and discovered synergy. I am strongest when I am alone, gathering energy from my own thoughts and internal forces. I am even stronger when I am in the presence of a sensitive seeker, one who searches for my kind. It is the seeker who finds me that brings spiritual awakening. I soar in the presence of one who desires to be taken as strongly as I desire to master”(184-186). That is one of the many modern day vampires’ stories. There are several themes to Dracula, the three including in this essay were: the promise of Christian salvation, gender roles, and good versus evil. The writing style of this text was straight to the point and full of technology; Bram’s hope for the style was to make the story as believable as possible. Katherine Ramsland’s The Science of Vampires was a really good reference for anything to do with vampires and science. I chose Dracula was because out of all of the stories, I liked Dracula the most. I have always wondered where the vampire myths and movies all started from. The part of the story that I enjoyed the most was Mina’s character because she was a very brave woman when women were not supposed to be brave. Works Cited “Vlad, the Impaler. ” Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. Bunson, Matthew. The Vampire Encyclopedia. New York: Gramercy, 2000. Print. Polidoro, Massimo. “In search of Dracula.” Skeptical Inquirer 30.2 (2006): 25+. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 2 March 2011. Ramsland, Katherine M. The Science of Vampires. New York: Berkley Boulevard, 2002. Print. Stoker, Bram, and Brooke Allen. Dracula. New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2004. Print. Streissguth, Thomas. The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages. Ed. Bruno Leone. San Diego: Greenhaven, 2003. Print.
The Kidz Camp of Kitimat As with any good camp, the first day began with some team-building icebreakers. By blindfolding some children, they became bats that hunted the “moth” children using only eco-location, à la Marco Polo. Another great teambuilding game was “Blind Soccer”, where two blindfolded children had to play soccer against one another with only the directions of their teammates to guide them. Other great games included Animal Charades, “Ninja”, and the ever-popular “Dragon Dodgeball”. Some educational sessions followed. At one station, children had the opportunity to see and touch some skulls and furs from a number of BC mammals like beaver, bear, moose, and otter. From this they were shown that you can learn a lot about an animal from its skull, such as its diet, age, life history, and even cause of death. At the “survival” station, the kids learned what items should be packed in a survival kit and how to use them. Using only rope and a tarp, they also constructed survival shelters. The “nature” station featured a number of outdoor activities like coastal plant identification and birding. By observing soil cores, the kids also learned how different deposition layers can tell the history of a forest. Regional President Mile Lagengger Boards a Beaver Pelt Regional President Mike Langegger Boards a Beaver Pelt In the afternoon, BCWF Regional President Mike Langegger treated the children to a presentation on trapping methods, demonstrating how to safely set a variety of traps. Mike even demoed how to “board” a fresh beaver pelt, preparing it for drying. Many kids were eager to put on gloves and feel the mounted pelt. Afterwards was the first round of what would become the most popular game of the camp: Capture the Flag. After several heart-pounding rounds, the day was rounded off with a Meet and Greet BBQ, where the parents could introduce themselves to each other and to the camp counselors: “Marsh Hawk”, “Water Strider”, and “Badger Stripe”. The second day was divided into two portions. Volunteers Jim Wiebe and Cliff Gardner of the KRGA assisted one group of kids in constructing their very own birdhouses, complete with individual roof shingles. Some kids shone during this activity, carefully choosing and meticulously placing each shingle according to size and colour. Others were more attracted to Archery, the other activity of the day. After a safety talk with Al Hummel (former KRGA president) the children were allowed to take up the bow themselves. For the next several hours the kids let arrows fly towards targets, as well as foam deer, bear, and turkeys. KRGA president Lewis Powel and his daughter Treena gladly assisted those that were in need of a few pointers. Treena also demonstrated the accuracy and power of a compound hunting bow, much to the children’s amazement. Trinity Lining up a Shot Trinity Lining up a Shot The day was finished off with a good old-fashioned wet sponge fight. Lines were drawn, alliances were broken, and shirts were soaked as the wet war waged on. Who won? Does it really matter? Day three began with a trip to the Kitimat River Hatchery, where they raise and release millions of fish a year. Aila Skitcko and Danica Meier led a tour of the facility and explained the steps involved in raising fish fry. Some children were lucky enough to spot some of the males in a separate tank with their enormous bodies slowly passing through the dark waters. The kids were excited to see the thousands of fish jump for food during a feeding demonstration. Even more exciting was getting their fingers “kissed” by the salmon fry. Laughter erupted every time a tiny nibble was felt as the salmon taste-tested the children’s fingers. Ethan Displays his "Fish Print" Ethan Displays his “Fish Print” Shaun (nicknamed Captain Barbosa) and Kendra Mouland headed an art station where kids could paint a fish and then press it against some paper to create a “Fish Print”. Some children were more conservative, opting for a more realistic look, while others decided that lipstick, racing stripes, techno-coloured scales, and mock scars would suit their fish better. The final section of the tour involved a thorough salmon dissection by Paul Mitchell, who explained features of salmon anatomy including the differences between gender and the function of an air bladder. Paul also removed several organs to show off before explaining their functions in fish biology. Surprisingly, children were so drawn to the dissection that they had to be told to back away from the open salmon. No squeamish children in this group! Back at the clubhouse, Jim and Cliff’s support continued by running a session where children could make their own fishing jigs. By gluing and tying feathers and other attractive items to fishing hooks, well over 100 jigs that any fish would jump at were crafted. After being told they could make and take home as many as they could in the time given, some children speedily cranked out over 10 colourful creations! Meanwhile, the other group embarked on a nature walk to Giant Spruce Park, led by Marsh Hawk. The park is home to a 500 year old Sitka Spruce tree, which was designated in 1983 to be the largest living Sitka Spruce in the province. With a circumference of over 36 feet, the first group could not reach around the colossal trunk. However the second managed it with “only” 11 children. Of course, no day would be complete without the children running around in some fashion. After a few rounds of being chased by “zombie” versions of the counselors, the kids were ready to go home. To the excitement of the kids, the fourth day began with a Nature Scavenger Hunt. Not only did it include easier items such as a round, pink rock, but also featured some challenging items such as specific plant fragments. Children had to rely on their nature lessons on the first day to find difficult items like a Red Osier Dogwood leaf or a Sitka Spruce pine cone. The counselors happily watched as the children intently combed the lawn to find a 4-leaved clover and gain that extra 5 points. (Not surprisingly, no one found one.) Inside, Dana and Darcie of the District of Kitimat Bear Aware Program presented on bear safety. Because of its location, Kitimat is frequented by more than one species of bear so children were taught how to avoid being put in a dangerous situation and how to react if they do encounter a bear. Those that could answer questions received some great prizes. Due to indeterminate weather, the group visited the local pool for the remainder of the day. The kids were more than happy to treat Badger Stripe like a common pool toy, seeing how many of them could climb onto him at a time as he attempted to stay standing(the answer is a mere 9). With rope swings, wading pools, and high dives, the children could only be stopped when the pool closed. Another dripping wet end to a great day. Warren helping Mallory Take Aim Warren Helping Mallory Take Aim The last day involved some varied activities. While one group was enrolled in the Art Institute of Marsh Hawk, another was at the Kitimat Shooting Club. Easily the most anticipated event of the week, the kids were fortunate to be able to spend half of the day firing .22s under the careful supervision of Al, Warren Dilg, Rick Moretti, and Lewis and Treena Powell. After shooting paper targets, they tried their hand at something much smaller: a golf ball. By the end of the day, several kids had managed to hit them. Marsh Hawk led the other session of the day: painting with water colours. After a quick lesson about the basic principles, the children went outside and painted the beautiful Kitimat Landscape. To say our goodbyes, kids participated in the time-honoured Wild Kidz Camp tradition of signing each other’s shirts in permanent marker. As another chapter closes in the Wild Kidz Camp book, we take pride in knowing that the memories children gained from this week, like the signatures, will last for years to come. We would like to thank the Kitimat Rod and Gun Club for lending us their space for the week, and the following volunteers that assisted throughout the camp; Lewis, Rita, and Treena Powell; Jim Wiebe, Cliff Gardner, Al Hummel, Mike Landgegger, Warren Dilg, Emily Maag; Tim Reynolds and the rest of the Kitimat River Hatchery team; and Rick, Sarah, and Braden Moretti. This week could not have been possible without their overwhelming support and the financial assistance of the Barnet Rifle Club, BC Conservation Foundation, Province of BC,, DeluxeWall Tents, and the Block Family. Click here to see some great photos from this event (including some shot by participant Aveanna)! One Response to “The Kidz Camp of Kitimat” 1. Streamer fshing can be a challenging proposition and many times beginners become frustrated because they don’t fishing xp boosts understand some simple trout fishing rules. You are commenting using your account. Log Out / Change ) Google photo Twitter picture Facebook photo Connecting to %s • BCWF Bog Blog Stats • 80,980 ..We're popular! Join 1,988 other followers %d bloggers like this:
The best regulated crypto exchange Find out why? 50 BTC prize pool! Get your share! I'm in New cars in the UK emit more CO2 than older models By Charlotte Ricca Typical CO2 emissions almost double the target set by the EU, according to a survey by Which? New cars sold in the UK emit more carbon dioxide than older vehicles, according to new research. Tests carried out by the consumer group Which? revealed the latest petrol, diesel and hybrid cars produce an average of 7 per cent more CO2 than 2017 models in 2017. Lisa Barber, editor of Which? magazine, said: “It is shocking to see our tests uncover increasing levels of carbon dioxide emissions for the latest cars that are being built and sold to UK consumers. Which? looked at 292 models and found that typical CO2 emissions have increased from 151.6g/km to 162.1g/km, which is far higher than the 95g target set by the EU. Small petrol cars increased by an average 11 per cent, while mid-size petrol SUVs rose by 20 per cent and petrol-hybrid cars saw a rise of 32 per cent. Which? said its tests also found that CO2 emissions were higher than official readings carried out by EU regulators. This is because they do not take into account prolonged periods on a motorway, or a car full of people using the radio or air conditioning. The rise in CO2 emissions is believed to be due to the extra weight of modern cars, caused by an increase in size and additional technology. It’s not all bad news, however. While CO2 is on the rise, the research found that new cars produce a fraction of air pollutants NOx (oxides of nitrogen) and CO (carbon monoxide), which contribute to tens of thousands of premature deaths in the UK. Manufacturers across Europe are racing to introduce electric models to their range in order to meet the EU target of 95g/km of CO2 and avoid fines. However, they still face the task of convincing consumers to go electric. According to the European Alternative Fuels Observatory, electric vehicles made up about 1.7 percent of total European registrations in October 2019. Plug-in hybrids fared even worse with just 1 percent of registrations. FURTHER READING: Sales of electric cars surge in the UK FURTHER READING: BP aims for carbon net zero by 2050 Subscribe to news iMac Image The most beautiful trading app google play storeapple store iPhone Image iPhone Image
AMLO One Year Later Last Sunday was the one-year anniversary for Andrés Manuel López Obrador, also known as AMLO, as Mexico’s current president. AMLO won the presidency promising to radically change the politics of the country. He promised to end the violence and reign in the corruption. His promises amount to what he has dubbed as the Fourth Transformation of México. The Fourth Transformation of México, as envisioned by AMLO and his supporters, is the fourth fundamental political change of the country. The first transformation was the War of Independence. The second one was the Guerra de Reforma, a civil war between liberals and conservatives over religious influences over the politics of the country. By the time the Reform War had ended, the Catholic Church was severely restricted by law. Most of the restrictions were lifted under the presidency of Carlos Salinas de Gortari, who also pushed forth a robust political agenda that led to NAFTA. The third Mexican political transformation was the Mexican Revolution. The Mexican Revolution created a political system that was left-of-center on most social issues but, nonetheless was not too far left. This system was sustained by the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI). Although the Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) moved the political center more to the right, México largely remained left-of-center. There are many interpretations of what the fourth transformation means but, in essence, it can be summed up around oil. The Mexican economy was heavily dependent on oil exports as its primary national economy. Oil paid for many social benefit programs for decades. Carlos Salinas de Gortari moved the Mexican economy away from oil and made México a global powerhouse of manufactured goods for exports. It is based around NAFTA. It is argued by some that NAFTA exasperated the economic inequality of the country and increased corruption. It is also argued that drug cartels are a product of the global economy. What those arguments do not consider is that economic inequality in México has existed since the Aztec Empire. It was never resolved. Likewise, corruption is part of the Mexican culture. It was has been ingrained through several generations of Mexicans under the “mordida” system. Drugs are just an extension of the culture of corruption and the tradition of “fayuca” (contraband) that exists to this day in the form of the tianguis (street bazars) across México. AMLO’s Fourth Transformation ostensibly imposes political and social reforms that solve the problem of corruption and tames the violence by avoiding targeting drug cartels with the military. One year later, the violence in México is at an epidemic level. AMLO’s solution was to take the military out of engaging the cartels and creating and deploying a national police force. The national guard, or national police force was created and deployed before they were fully prepared. Their fast deployment was to pacify Donald Trump by using the newly created national guard to interdict asylum seekers using the migrant caravans to cross México on their way to the United States. AMLO deployed his national guards to work for the U.S. government to resolve the migrant caravan crisis and left a vacuum for the cartels. AMLO still insists that oil is the solution to his domestic agenda, although he seems to have realized that he needs NAFTA to fund his agenda. That is the reason that the USMCA is something that AMLO worries about and why he wishes that the U.S. Congress adopts it sooner than later. For AMLO it is not about the USMCA, but rather that Trump could send the Mexican economy into a tailspin if he decides with withdraw from NAFTA for political reasons. What AMLO worries about is Donald Trump disrupting NAFTA by issuing the six-month declaration that the U.S. will withdraw, exasperating the Mexican economy. Trump may try to force Nancy Pelosi’s hand on the USMCA by issuing the withdrawal notice triggering the six-month withdrawal process. A Trump notice would reverberate across the Mexican economy like a tsunami. AMLO wants to avoid that at all costs so that he can continue to focus on his domestic agenda. Oil, however, remains AMLO’s immediate solution to implementing his national agenda. The question of whether México is undergoing the Fourth Transformation remains unanswered as AMLO has been unable to keep his promises. AMLO, however, remains well-liked by Mexicans in general. Like Donald Trump, AMLO has his die-hard supporters that support his agenda regardless of the deliverables he delivers and the missteps he makes along the way. One year into AMLO’s presidency, the question of the Fourth Transformation remains on shaky ground.
Grave’s is an immune system disorder of the butterfly-shaped gland in the throat (thyroid). Hyperthyroidism is when antibodies called thyrotropin receptor antibodies, (TRAb) or thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) work overtime. These antibodies bind to receptors on the surface of thyroid cells. They then stimulate those cells, causing them to overproduce and secrete thyroid hormones, resulting in the overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Hyperthyroidism can lead to heart trouble, brittle bones, eye problems, skin issues, and Thyrotoxic crisis. These complications can undoubtedly be avoided or reversed once managed. Symptoms Include Sudden weight loss Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) Increased appetite Nervousness, anxiety, and irritability Tremor in hands and fingers Increased sensitivity to heat Changes in bowel patterns An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) Fatigue, muscle weakness Difficulty sleeping Skin thinning Fine, brittle hair There are several treatments available for hyperthyroidism–it all depends on age, physical condition, the cause of hyperthyroidism, and the severity. Treatments include radioactive iodine, anti-thyroid medications, beta blockers, and surgery (thyroidectomy). Thyroid Biopsy Insulin Pump Therapy
Top definition pl. Yeshivot 1. A Rabbinical Seminary in which young men studied Talmud under the guidance of learned Rabbis. The Yeshiva was a prominent part of European Jewish life, and was attended by many religous teenagers until they would need to work. 2. A post-high school institution in which only Jewish studies, such as Talmud, are learned. This is in contrast with religious high schools that teach both Jewish and secular subjects. However, some Jewish high schools are also called Yeshivot. After high school, Josh spent two years in an Israeli Yeshiva. Moshe, rather than attend university, chose to stay in Yeshiva and become a rabbi. by Harlem River Rider June 02, 2009 Get the mug Get a Yeshiva mug for your bunkmate Beatrix. Yeshivas are Jewish boys' schools, anything from elementary to after high school. Little yeshiva kids are always super energetic brats, while the high schoolers, also known as mesivta students, generally become more chill and normal. All ages of yeshiva students study lots of Jewish books, don't have phones and don't chill with girls ever or they get in mad trouble. Their full sends generally involve alcohol, darts, and juuls, but obviously no girls. Mackenzie: Wanna go sit with those boys? Sophie: That's not how it works, they're in the yeshiva. by ehrliche bochur March 25, 2020 Get the mug Get a yeshiva mug for your friend Jovana.
Adding Up From an early age, Mike was instructed by his artist parents that 1+1=3. Of course, any math teacher would tell you this was crazy, but artists see the world a little differently. When two lines are drawn parallel to one another, there is also a line created between them, like an aisle in a supermarket. Art was always on Mike’s mind while he was at school, but he was equally capable of understanding his math teacher’s conflicting answer of 1+1=2. Meanwhile, Shawn, a boy in his class, was purely logical. He held no conflicting beliefs, and always got the highest scores on tests and essays. His papers always presented his arguments as concisely as possible. Shawn used his grades as proof that he was better than his classmates, but Mike wasn’t conceding so easily. Mike knew why his grades weren’t as impressive as Shawn’s. He took too many risks. When writing his essays, he had a tendency to change his argument half way through, because he changed his mind. Sometimes he would over-think questions on a math test. If a question asked, “If a girl leaves her house at 8:25 to walk to school .5 miles away, how long will it take her to get to school if she walks 5 mph?” Mike would wonder if the road was flat or bumpy. This would cost him ten minutes on a question that only took Shawn three. In a single moment of insecurity, Mike asked his mother, “Why do I over-think everything?” “It will benefit you in the future,” Mike’s mother said, “You think outside the box.” Mike knew this to be true, but it was still difficult to accept. He wanted school to come easily to him. He wanted to prove he was just as smart as Shawn. Unfortunately, Shawn and Mike’s relationship remained unchanged until college. Suddenly homework questions were less easily defined. Mike and Shawn both majored in chemistry engineering, but Mike’s ability to think outside the box, and his willingness to improvise, led him to several new discoveries in the field. Shawn, on the other hand, was lost without the use of direct instructions. High school had taught him to digest information, but not how to explore its greater potential. In the end, this kind of teaching would ensure him a job, but not career. This story was written by Alex Schattner (8/5/12) 4 thoughts on “Adding Up 1. Some teachers enlighten, others squelch dreams. Mike’s parents sound like they were good teachers, showing him alternate ways to look at a problem. Some teachers (and parents) forget that if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. But if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. Leave a Reply You are commenting using your account. Log Out / Change ) Google photo Twitter picture Facebook photo Connecting to %s
Icon of St. Blaise – S201 Additional information Dimensions N/A Church Feast Day 1 Egg Tempera 20th c. (Late) Monk Michael of Athos St. Blaise was virtuous from his youth, studied philosophy and medicine, and was later chosen as the Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia. He lived in the time of the last great persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Licinius (from a.d. 308 to 324). When Agricola, the governor of Cappadocia and Lesser Armenia came to Sebaste in a.d. 316, he arrested many Christians, including St. Blaise, who was steadfast in his confession of Christ. St. Blaise was known for his mercy, and healed many by his prayers. St. Blaise had lived for awhile in a cave and became close to the wild animals, who could understand his elevated state and even obey him. Once a wolf had captured a pig, but the saint spoke to the wolf, and he let the pig go unharmed. When a young boy who was choking on a fish bone was brought before the saint, he was immediately cured. When St. Blaise came to his time of martyrdom, he was mercilessly tortured, beaten, and his body was raked with metal combs by his torturers. He gave up his spirit to Christ as a bright martyr in a.d. 316. St. Blaise is known to help those with throat problems and was adopted by the wool trade.
Printable Version Pronunciation: drowv Hear it! Part of Speech: Noun Meaning: 1. Horde, multitude, mob, throng of animals or humans moving or capable of movement. 2. A herd or flock of animals being driven somewhere. Notes: This noun has an only child, drover "someone who drives animals somewhere". Today's word is used most often in the idiomatic phrase in droves, which means "a very large crowd", as in "People came in droves." In Play: This word originally referred only to animals: "Droves of blackbirds swarm into the trees in his back yard every spring." Today, however, it may also refer to people: "High housing prices are driving Californians out of their home state in droves." Word History: The ancestor of today's Good Word was Old English draf from drifan "to drive". Drifan came through English's Germanic ancestors from Proto-Indo-European dhreibh- "to drive, push", origin also of German treiben "to drive, push", Dutch drijven "to float, drift, drive", and Swedish driva "drive, drift, push". Evidence from other Indo-European languages includes Lithuanian drìbti "fall, drop". English drift also derived from this word. 'Snow drift' came from the sense of drove, droves of snow(flakes) driven somewhere by the wind. In Dutch drift means, among other things, "herd". Dr. Goodword,
The Effects of Stress and Their Impact on Your Health Article \| April 2019 The Effects of Stress and Their Impact on Your Health Stress and health are closely connected. But what is stress? Stress is a response to a perceived threat or danger. Once upon a time, when humans were hunting and gathering, our stress response was triggered by an external danger. When that instinct was triggered, it was the body’s signal to release hormones that gave us quick wits and fast response times. This fight or flight instinct was vital to our survival. Fast forward to our modern world. Most of us no longer need to hunt and gather to survive. Other “threats” now trigger our stress response, including factors related to things like work, finances, and relationships. Stress can be temporary or it can hang on long-term, affecting hormones, mood, illness, and all aspects of your health and wellness. What are the effects of stress on your health? The stress impact on health can be significant, both physically and emotionally. Consider the following downstream effects of stress: • Colds, flu, viruses, and other illnesses • Depression and anxiety • Fatigue • Headaches • Heart problems or heart attack • Insomnia or sleep disruptions • Irritability and anger • Overeating • Pain • Stomach and gastrointestinal problems • Substance use • Trouble concentrating What are the effects of stress on the immune system? Over time, the effects of stress can build up in your brain and body. This kind of long-term, or chronic stress can weaken the immune system1, putting you at risk for sickness--from simple colds to more serious illnesses. When you feel stress, your body creates a hormone called cortisol, which enters the bloodstream. For short durations, cortisol can help regulate many of your body’s natural functions, including sleep, weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar.2 However, when you are suffering with long-term stress, cortisol levels remain elevated. This contributes to inflammation and reduced white blood cell counts, both of which can weaken the immune system. What are some of the causes of stress? Almost anything can cause stress, depending on the situation and your ability to cope with it, but here are some of the more common stressors: • Job and workplace: Deadlines, challenging bosses, troublesome colleagues, office politics, even harassment and discrimination in the workplace—all these things can keep you awake at night with worry and fear. Your job is a big part of your daily life. When things aren’t going well, stress at work can mount. On the other hand, if you’re unemployed, stress factors may be related to loss of income, and basic necessities such as food and shelter. • Money and finances: Looming bills, credit card debt, bill collectors, identity theft and fraud, even the act of checking your savings account balance, can all inspire stress. For most people, money is a necessity. Some people are struggling just to make ends meet and others are unemployed or underemployed. Worries may swirl around how to buy groceries, pay the electric bill, pay the doctor’s bill, and how to pay the rent or mortgage. The downstream effects of stress can make surviving and thriving even more challenging. • Disasters and trauma: Natural or man-made disasters and traumatic events can have major impacts on someone’s life. Tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding, can lead to loss of life, home, and community. This kind of stress can become overwhelming. The stress of traumatic events like being the victim of an attack or in a serious accident can likewise lead to deep and long-lasting stress and health issues. • Relationships and family: Children, divorce, separation, loneliness, and even the responsibility of caring for a family can have stress impacts. For those dealing with the death of a loved one, sickness, or having to play a role as caregiver for an ill or elderly family member, stress also plays a major role in health and wellness. Is all stress bad for your health? Some forms of short-term stress can be a benefit. For example, maybe there’s a project at work you’ve put off for weeks that’s now coming due. The pressure you suddenly feel to deliver that project is actually stress. This type of stress is short-lived. It can give you increased stamina, focus, and an adrenaline high so you can deliver on time. Some people who work well under pressure, understand how to put this type of short-term stress to good use. Consider, the temporary and sudden stress of a near miss car accident--your heart is pounding and your hands are shaking. The adrenaline rush allowed you to think and act in a split second. That instinctual fight or flight response helped you narrowly escape an otherwise bad situation. So not all stress is bad, but it’s important to understand the difference. Tips for managing the impact of stress on your health When managed, the stress impact on health can be lessened. Try these tips when you’re feeling stressed out: • Identify stressors: Acknowledge feelings of stress. What is it that’s eating at you? Is it work, or money, a relationship, or something else? Once you know this, you can begin to deal with your stress in a healthy way. • Talk to a therapist or counselor: Tell them what’s going on and how you’re feeling. They can help identify what’s stressing you out and offer helpful advice on working through it. If you have a plan through your employer, they may offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAPs typically provide no cost confidential access to a counselor or therapist as part of your employment benefits. • Exercise and get active: Getting active is one of the easiest and best ways to de-stress. Taking a walk, riding a bike, going for a run, gardening, yoga, or weightlifting, can change your focus and your brain hormones. Exercise creates endorphins3, which are hormones that make you feel better and happier. When you feel happier, stress can be held at bay. Daily exercise and movement is key to helping counteract the effects of stress. • Meditate: Meditation can lower blood pressure and ease anxiety and tension.4 If you’re feeling stressed, you might try a meditation technique, or some quiet mindfulness to help manage it. • Get involved in enjoyable activities: Find a hobby or volunteer opportunity. When you’re engaged in an activity that you enjoy, it shifts focus away from your stress and onto something else. The effects of stress can lead to physical and emotional health issues. If you’re struggling with stress, there are many ways to manage it. You can also talk to your doctor or a therapist about stress and health issues. A young man is rubbing his temples with eyes closed. How stress affects your health, American Psychological Association,, accessed March 25, 2019. Stress symptoms: Effects on your body and behavior, Mayo Clinic,, accessed March 25, 2019. 1 What Happens When Your Immune System Gets Stressed Out? Cleveland Clinic, March 1, 2017, 2 What is Cortisol? WebMD,, accessed March 27, 2019. 3 Exercise and Stress: Get moving to manage stress, Mayo Clinic,, accessed March 27, 2019. 4 Meditation, Stress, and Your Health, WebMD,, accessed March 27, 2019.
Strategy Hierarchy Levels Teaching Notes for this Marketing Activity Preferred format: This teaching activity can be discussed in pairs, or could potentially be an individual student exercise. Exercise time: The exercise time should be around 5-10 minutes, plus any additional time for an overall class discussion. Student Task In this exercise, you are required to determine at what strategy hierarchy level each of the following marketing decisions have most likely been made; choosing from corporate, strategic business unit (SBU) or functional (within marketing). For this activity, we will use a former structure for PepsiCo (shown below the questions), as they are a firm with well-known SBU’s. old version of pepsi co structure Please note that this is an old version of their structure for teaching purposes. Their fast food division has since been separated. 1. PepsiCo decides to sell their KFC chain. 2. Lays introduces “tomato and cheese” flavored chips. 3. Pizza Hut decides to discontinue its take-away (pick-up from a store) facility and ONLY offer a home delivery service. 4. Bottles of Pepsi Max have a competition where the winners will golf with Tiger Woods. 5. KFC launches a “fresh food” campaign, with new salads and grilled chicken, together with the slogan – “fast food – not fat food!” 6. Pepsi builds a new $2 billion bottling plant in South Africa, in order to better supply the African market. 7. Lays offers a special “two-for-one” deal on its salt and vinegar flavored chips. 8. Pepsi decides to buy a chocolate factory and enter the confectionery market for the first time. 9. Lays decides to stops distributing its products through schools. 10. Pizza Hut launches its new peanut butter flavored pizza – for a limited time only 1. Determine the strategy hierarchy level that you think each of these decisions have been made. 2. Given that these marketing decisions are made at different strategic hierarchy levels, what are some of the implications of this for a large organization (in terms of planning, implementation and internal communication)? 3. Do you think that different firms would tend to have more centralized (corporate) or decentralized (functional) strategy decision making processes? Which approach would be more suitable in a dynamic business environment? 4. What are the dangers of a firm being too centralized or too decentralized in their strategic approach? 5. How appropriate is the strategic hierarchy model for a small business?
Recruitment refers to a person’s sensitivity to sound. It also has to do with the speed in which the sound becomes uncomfortable. Recruitment is when sounds rapidly become too loud. In other words, not gradually. Recruitment usually occurs within a certain area of the patient’s hearing loss. You may be able to crank up the music with no issue but then someone simply raising their voice just a tad too loud makes you cringe. How many times have you told your wife that she didn’t need to yell at you? Each time she said something to you she got a little bit louder because you didn’t answer her correctly. Then after three or four times of repeating and getting just a tiny bit louder ... all of a sudden her voice just pierced your inner soul. Of course she said, “I am not yelling!” More than likely, her voice range is in the same pitch area of your hearing loss and the most sensitive sound zone. Thus, if you are extra sensitive you may have some hearing loss. Damaged hearing hair/nerve cells become ultra sensitive. Normal hair cells are located next to the damaged ones. As sound increases, the normal or better hearing hairs are “recruited” to help get the signal to the brain. The decibel level or volume that the normal hairs kick in will cause rapid growth in sound pressure and thus may be intolerable to the patient. When someone has recruitment then their hearing instruments should have technology that can accommodate for rapid sound pressure changes between the frequencies. This accommodation can be achieved with multi-channel, multi-band, instruments that have wide dynamic range capabilities. There are hearing instruments that can control sound across the entire frequencies range. They calculate when you hear soft sounds and how quickly they move into a comfortable range and how long they stay comfortable ... then how quickly the specific sounds will travel and become loud sounds ... and again how long the sound is held at that particular level. Some instruments have hundreds of possible solutions in which to control and utilize the incoming sound signal. Most hearing manufacturers have six to seven levels of technology. The compression capabilities are different within all of the levels. Your hearing health care provider should be knowledgeable calculating compression needs based on your recruitment sensitivity level. Hearing instruments today are little computers that calculate and store data the enable us to get you the most pleasurable listening situations. Everyone should have a baseline hearing examination by a board certified hearing health care provider. To Hear Better Is To Live Better!
Call or Text Us Today! 760-289-3838 Robby Young's Hearing Aid Center - Coachella Valley, CA Woman with diabetes thinking about hearing loss. Studies indicate that you are twice as likely to have hearing loss if you have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. If you are someone that associates hearing loss with aging or noise trauma, this may surprise you. Close to 500,000 of the1.9 million people diagnosed with diabetes in 2010 were under the age of 44. Evidence reveals that 250,000 of those younger people with the disease probably have some form on hearing loss. The thing is that diabetes is only one in many ailments which can cost a person their hearing. Other than the apparent aspect of aging, what is the relationship between these diseases and hearing loss? Consider some illnesses that can lead to hearing loss. What the link is between diabetes and hearing loss is uncertain but clinical evidence seems to indicate there is one. People with prediabetes, a condition that implies they might develop type 2 diabetes, tend to lose their hearing 30 percent faster than those with normal blood sugar levels. This infectious disease causes loss of hearing. Because of infection, the membranes that cover the spine and brain swell up and that defines meningitis. Studies show that 30 percent of people who develop this condition will also lose their hearing, either in part or in full. This infection is the second most common reason for hearing loss in the American youth. The fragile nerves that relay signals to the inner ear are potentially damaged by meningitis. The brain has no means to interpret sound if it doesn’t get these signals. Cardiovascular Disease • High blood pressure • Stroke • Peripheral artery disease • Atherosclerosis • Heart failure • Heart attack Age related hearing loss is generally linked to cardiovascular diseases. The inner ear is susceptible to injury. When there is a change in blood flow, it might not get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to thrive, and damage to the inner ear then leads to loss of hearing. Chronic Kidney Disease A 2012 study published in The Laryngoscope found that people have an increased risk of losing their hearing if they have this condition. A separate study found that chance to be as high as 43 percent. It is possible that this relationship is a coincidence, though. There are lots of the same risk factors with kidney disease and other ailments associated with high blood pressure. Toxins that accumulate in the blood due to kidney failure could also be responsible, theoretically. These toxins may damage the nerves in the inner ear, closing the connection it has with the brain. The connection between hearing loss and dementia goes both ways. A person’s chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease seems to be increased by cognitive impairment. Dementia happens because of brain atrophy and shrinkage. Difficulty hearing can accelerate that process. Mumps is a viral infection that can cause children to lose their hearing when they’re very young. Loss of hearing may impact both ears or only one side. The reason this happens is the virus damages the cochlea in the inner ear. It’s the component of the ear that sends messages to the brain. The positive thing is, due to vaccination mumps are pretty rare at present. Not everyone who has the mumps will suffer from hearing loss. Chronic Ear Infections Treatment clears up the random ear infection so it’s not very risky for most people. For some, however, repeated infections take a toll on the tiny components that are needed for hearing like the eardrum or the small bones in the middle ear. When sound cannot reach the inner ear with enough force to send messages to the brain it’s called conductive hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss or nerve damage can also be caused by infections.
Study Guide Romeo and Juliet Analysis • Tone Romantic, Passionate, Violent "Here's much to do with hate, but more with love," Romeo says at the play's beginning, and the dynamics of extreme emotion define the tone of the play (1.1.180). Romeo and Juliet deals in extremes that overlap or transform into each other. The Friar's lone voice of moderation is drowned out by storms of passion and violence; the insults tossed back and forth between the Montagues and Capulets alternate with Romeo and Juliet's loving exchanges of vows. Even the play's highly sexualized language is often discussed in violent terms: "If he be marrièd, / my grave is like to be my wedding bed," Juliet says before she learns Romeo's identity (1.5.148-149), and then, "I should kill thee with much cherishing" (2.2.198). All this strong emotion demands resolution—and it doesn't seem to much matter whether we get that resolution through kiss or through a sword. • Genre You probably guessed that The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is, well, a tragedy. (And yes, that's the full title on the 1599 version of the play.) But for the first two acts, it doesn't seem like a tragedy at all. In fact, it unfolds like a classic "comedy," complete with dirty jokes, slapstick humor, and lovers struggling to be together. So, where does the play become a "tragedy," exactly? It seems like Mercutio's death in Act 3, Scene 1 is the turning point of the play. It's a tough transition for the audience—we've gotten used to laughing at the bawdy Nurse and the antics of Romeo's friends, and then suddenly the play stops being funny. Does this mean the play is flawed? We don't think so. The initial comedic nature of the play ultimately makes the tragic ending even more painful. But don't just take our word for it. Check out this list of common conventions typical of Shakespearean tragedy. (If you're feeling really tragic, try comparing this list to our discussions of "Genre" for Hamlet.) Dramatic work: Check. Romeo and Juliet is definitely a play. Serious or somber theme: Check. Despite the funny bits in the first half of the play, teenage suicide and deadly street brawls are pretty much the definition of "somber." Hero's got a major flaw of character or conflict with some overpowering force: Check. Check. Romeo and Juliet are definitely in "conflict with some overpowering force"—like a long-standing family feud. If we want to single out Romeo as our hero/protagonist, then we could also say that he's got a "major flaw of character." The kid is rash and reckless (sneaking up to Juliet's window when he knows her family will break his legs if he's caught, running off to elope, committing suicide moments before Juliet awakens from a deep slumber, and so on). In other words, Romeo's impetuousness causes a whole lot of trouble in the play. Hero is destined for destruction and downfall: Check. If you've been paying attention, then you already know what we're going say here. The play drops several hints that our "star-crossed" lovers are fated to die. Reread the opening Prologue for the evidence and then check out our discussion of the theme of "Fate." Now, if you're not buying into this whole "fate" is responsible for Romeo and Juliet's tragedy thing, then you're not alone. Poet W.H. Auden argues that everything is Romeo and Juliet's fault—they're too passionate and their love is far too excessive. And, in the logic of 16th century Christianity, suicide is basically the ultimate act of free will—taking your life in your own hands, rather than letting God sort you out. Not all tragedies end in death but all of Shakespeare's tragedies do: Check. Easy-peasy. Romeo and Juliet commit suicide in the play's final scene (5.3). Plus, Romeo manages to stab Paris (5.3) and also Tybalt, who killed his BFF Mercutio, along the way (3.1). Plus, the Prince promises us that some heads will definitely roll in the play's final lines when he says "Some shall be pardoned, and some punished" for the part they've played in the tragic events (5.3.319). Despite the high body count, political order gets back to normal at the end: Check. Sure, our heroes are dead. But the Prince swoops in to hand a little justice and to get things in Verona back to normal. Even his intervention hardly seems necessary, though, because the parents of Romeo and Juliet promise to end the feud and erect statues in honor of each other's children (5.3). • What's Up With the Title? Yep: the full title of the 1599 version of the play reads The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. We happen to think "excellent and lamentable" is a pretty accurate description of the play. Other than that, the title is pretty straightforward: the play is a tragedy about two crazy kids named Romeo and Juliet. • What's Up With the Ending? In the play's final scene, Romeo finds Juliet's "dead" body and, rather than face life without her, swallows a vial of poison moments before Juliet wakes up. When Juliet realizes her husband is dead, she tries to kill herself by kissing Romeo. Since there's not enough poison left on his lips, she stabs herself with Romeo's "happy dagger" (5.3.174). (Sexual allusion intended.) Full Circle No spoilers to worry about here: as tragic as it is, the ending of Romeo and Juliet shouldn't surprise anyone. We're told from the get-go that our "star-crossed lovers [will] take their life" (Prologue). We also know that Romeo and Juliet belongs to the genre of "tragedy," and Shakespeare's tragedies always, always, always end in death. (You can read more about this by going to "Genre.) The point of reading or watching Romeo and Juliet isn't to find out what happens, but to watch it happen—and to feel some strong emotions along the way. Too Little, Too Late In the Prologue, the Chorus also tells us that "their death [will] bury their parents' strife," and it does. In one of the most ironic moments of the play, the couple's parents are so devastated by the deaths of their children that they kiss and make up, each father promising to erect an elaborate statue to commemorate the other's child (5.3). Hmm. Do we detect a bit of competition here? When Montague announces his plans to "raise [Juliet's] statue in pure gold," he basically tells Capulet he's going to outdo him. "But I can give thee more," he brags (5.3.309). How long do you think this peace is going to last? Death as Sexual Fulfillment If you want to get all metaphorical, there's also a way of seeing the end as the ultimate sexual fulfillment. Shakespeare scholar Marjorie Garber points out that the "cup" Romeo drinks poison from is a traditional symbol of female sexuality. Juliet, in contrast, stabs herself with Romeo's dagger—a traditional image of male sexuality. (Do we have to explain these symbols? Think genitalia.) Garber argues that, symbolically, Romeo and Juliet combine physical death and sexual climax (source). This reading makes sense. Death and sex are linked throughout the entire play (which you can read more about in "Symbols") and Juliet does say that ingesting poison by kissing Romeo's lips would "make [her] die with a restorative" (5.3.171). In other words, she's suggesting that the kiss and the poison would heal or "restore" her by reuniting her with her husband. But, since poison isn't a viable option for her, she chooses to unsheathe Romeo's sword and then thrusts it into her own body. (We didn't even try to put sexual innuendo in that sentence.) The Ending on Film After you read the ending of Shakespeare's play, check out the ending of Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 film version of the play. If you can snag a copy, check out the ending of Baz Luhrmann's, too—we can't find a clip online, but it's definitely worth Netflixing. • Setting Verona, Italy We might be in Verona, but don't think you're reading a travel guide: Shakespeare's setting of Verona is more like a shorthand for "exotic and crazy" than a real setting. What we think is super cool about the setting is how Shakespeare shows us that Romeo and Juliet have such different worlds. We always meet Romeo in the streets, never in his own house—even though we do hear that he likes to spend a lot of time moping around his bedroom. But in general, Romeo is part of a freewheeling and masculine world, wandering around the streets with the other hot-headed violent street youths from both families. Not Juliet. She's a sheltered daughter, almost never allowed outside the walls of her father's house. Almost all of her scenes take place inside; we never see her on the street. Romeo has to actively invade her world in order to meet Juliet by crashing the Capulet's party and then climbing up to her balcony. And then there's Friar Laurence's church, a neutral place where Romeo and Juliet's world can overlap. This seems to be the only place Juliet is allowed to go outside of her home, (for purposes of confessing sins—presumably not to commit them). Friar Laurence is Romeo's confessor as well. What does it say that this religious setting is the only neutral place in the play? Does it set up the Catholic Church as a force for good, or as a secretive and destructive power? (Hint: the Catholic Church was not super popular in England in the sixteenth century.) Like most of Shakespeare's plays, the setting is so vague that theatrical and film interpretations of the play can go wild: from West Side Story's 1950s New York City, which is divided by ethnic tensions, to the futuristic "Verona Beach" of Baz Luhrmann's film version of Romeo + Juliet. What most interpretations keep is the sense of a hot climate that provokes the passions, as Benvolio tells us: "For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring" (3.1.4). • Tough-o-Meter (7) Snow Line Well, it's Shakespeare: we can't lie to you. He may have been writing for the masses back in the sixteenth-century, but it's easy to miss the jokes if you have to keep flipping to the footnotes, and puns on collier/ choler/ collar aren't exactly headlining on Comedy Central. Take the very beginning: Two households, both alike in dignity (In fair Verona, where we lay our scene), From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. Even though these words especially difficult, the poetic language and tricky sentence structure make the meaning, well, a little obscure. (Translation: There were two important families in Verona, and we're about to cover the latest installment of their long-standing feud.) Still, it's a classic love story for a reason—and Shmoop has got your back. • Writing Style Epic, Passionate, Poetic Right from the Prologue we know Shakespeare wants to make this play a big deal. Check out how epic his language is, right from the beginning: Two households, both alike in dignity (In fair Verona, where we lay our scene), From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life; Obviously, this isn't going to be a romantic comedy, not with mighty words like "ancient grudge," "civil blood," "fatal loins," and "star-crossed lovers." Melodramatic? Sure. But Shakespeare makes it work, because the plot actually does live up to the hype. Besides choosing epic-sounding words, Shakespeare pens a slew of passionate exchanges. In addition to Romeo and Juliet's romantic moments, lots of other characters get passionate dialogue, like Mercutio's repetition of "A plague o' both your houses!" (3.1.94), and Friar Laurence's "Ah, what an unkind hour / Is guilty of this lamentable chance!" (5.3.150-151). Again, it might seem melodramatic—but it's totally appropriate for the play. Blank Verse Well, you didn't think you were going to get away without some poetry, did you? Expect for exchanges between servants and some bawdy jokes, Romeo and Juliet is written in blank verse, which is a less-fancy way of saying "unrhymed iambic pentameter." "Unrhymed" is pretty straightforward, but let's break down that iambic pentameter stuff. Starting with the first word: "Penta-" means five, so we know we've got five of whatever a "meter" is. A meter is a group of two syllables, or "feet." The two feet are either stressed or unstressed, in some sort of pattern, which gives the line that certain rhythm that makes the line sound "poetic." Put it all together, and all of Romeo and Juliet's lines will have ten feet, or ten syllables. Now for the "iambic" part. An "iamb" is a foot, the basic unit of meter. It's a stress pattern—actually, the most popular stress pattern in English—composed of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. Think, "negLECT," "oBEY," "toNIGHT," or "misTAKE." The easiest way to explain this is to just sound it out. Let's look one of the lines from the Prologue: in FAIR \| VerON \| a WHERE \| we LAY \| our SCENE where CIV \| il HANDS \| make CIV \| il BLOOD \| unCLEAN Notice how we skipped a line there? That's because not every single line is perfect iambic pentameter. Line after line of perfect meter ends up sounding more like a nursery rhyme than poetry, so poets (and playwrights) will play with the meter to emphasize certain words. Let's skip back to one of the non-perfect lines in the Prologue: From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, From AN \| cient GRUDGE \| BREAK to \| NEW MUT \| ti NY See how the meter gets all wacky in the middle there? By stressing the first syllable of the third foot, Shakespeare calls attention to the violence of the "break"—the syllable breaks out of the meter, just like the violence breaks out in the city. Pretty cool. • Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory Thumb Biting Unless you're fluent in childish Elizabethan gestures (anyone? Bueller?), you might be wondering what the what Sampson's up to when he spots the Montague's servants on the streets and announces, "I will bite my thumb at / them, which is disgrace to them if they bear it" (1.1.43-44). Basically, thumb biting, which involves biting and then flicking one's thumb from behind the upper teeth, is a Shakespearean version of flipping someone the bird and saying "nanny nanny boo boo." It's an insulting gesture that sounds just a wee bit (okay, a lot) immature. Here's how it all goes down in the play: Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? I do bite my thumb, sir. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? [aside to Gregory] Is the law of our side, if I say 'Ay'? but I bite my thumb, sir. (1.1.45-52) Sampson doesn't have a good reason to insult the Montagues' servants—he's basically looking to stir up trouble because his masters (the Capulets) are feuding with the Montagues. The funny thing is, Sampson's too much of a coward to own up to his silly gesture because the "law" won't be on his "side" if his thumb biting causes a big old brawl (he doesn't want to get busted for causing a fracas). Pretty dumb, right? And that seems to be Shakespeare's point. The Capulet/ Montague feud, which has obviously trickled down to involve their servants, is completely absurd. Just like Sampson's thumb biting. Sex and Death Oxymoron and Paradox If you like jumbo shrimp or boneless ribs, then you and Shakespeare have something in common: you both like oxymora. An oxymoron is a Greek expression that refers to the combination of two terms that are ordinarily opposite—like "oxy," meaning "sharp," and "moron," meaning "dull." Jumbo shrimp? Boneless ribs? Both oxymora. Shakespeare loved these things, particularly in Romeo and Juliet. For example, at the end of the famous balcony scene, when Romeo is leaving, Juliet says "parting is such sweet / sorrow" (2.2.199-200). "Sweet sorrow?" Totally oxymora. Think that's impressive? Get a load of Juliet's use of 6 oxymora when she finds out that lover boy (that would be Romeo) has killed her cousin, Tybalt: O serpent heart, hid with a flow'ring face! Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave? Beautiful tyrant, fiend angelical! Dove-feathered raven, wolvish-ravening lamb! Despised substance of divinest show! Just opposite to what thou justly seem'st, A damnèd saint, an honorable villain! O nature, what hadst thou to do in hell When thou didst bower the spirit of a fiend In moral paradise of such sweet flesh? Was ever book containing such vile matter So fairly bound? O, that deceit should dwell In such a gorgeous palace! Clearly, Juliet is experiencing some mixed emotions—she wonders how the love of her life, the guy she thought was so wonderful, could be a killer. Juliet's use of oxymoron here gives expression to her turmoil. This passage is also full of paradoxes, longer statements that contradict themselves and nonetheless seem true—like when Juliet asks, "Was ever a book containing such vile matter so fairly bound?" The point is that these oxymora and paradoxes work with the major paradox at the center of the play, expressed in Juliet's cry, "My only love sprung from my only hate" (1.5.152). By using oxymora and paradox through the play, Shakespeare manages to make the form (how it's being said) match up with the content (what's being said). Pretty nifty. Plants and Poison What doesn't kill you makes you stronger—unless it puts you into a near-death state that fools your husband. The point is, poison (and medicine) are a big deal in Romeo and Juliet. Like love and hate, the difference between them is pretty slim. Before Romeo and Juliet take their lives, Friar Laurence, who's big into herbal medicine, shows Romeo a flower and makes a cryptic statement that seems to echo throughout the play: Within the infant rind of this weak flower Poison hath residence and medicine power: For this, being smelt, with that part cheers each Being tasted, slays all senses with the heart. Two such opposèd kings encamp them still In man as well as herbs—grace and rude will; And where the worser is predominant, Full soon the canker death eats up that plant. Friar Laurence suggests that, depending on how it's used, a flower can be healing (because it's aromatic) or poisonous (if it's orally ingested). The Friar also muses that people are a lot like the flower he holds in his hand—being full of both "grace" and "rude will," human beings also have the capacity to be good or deadly, depending on whether or not "rude will" takes over. We can't help but notice that Friar Laurence's observations speak directly to the play's tragedy—Romeo and Juliet's love turns deadly when it's "poisoned" by their family's hateful feud. At the same time, their love also has the capacity to heal, which becomes evident when their parents decide to reconcile at the play's end. Queen Mab First things first: if you haven't already, go back and read Mercutio's Queen Mab speech in Act I, Scene 4. (Or give yourself a little treat, and watch this version from Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 version.) Let's start with the basics. According to Mercutio's vivid description, Queen Mab is a tiny fairy that rides around in a coach made out of an "empty hazelnut" with spider's "legs" for wheel spokes (1.4.72, 64). The coach is driven by an even tinier "grey-coated gnat" and drawn by a "team of little atomi" (tiny atoms). Queen Mab spends her time galloping over the noses and lips of sleepers, filling their dreams with wild fantasies (lovers dream of love, soldiers dream of slitting throats, lawyers dream of winning lawsuits, etc.). Mab (whose name is also a slang word for "whore") is also kind of scary. When she's in a bad mood, she plagues women who dream of "kisses" with nasty sores ("blisters") that might just be cold sores but might also be nastier things, like pox from syphilis, and she's fond of making young, virginal girls have naughty dreams. So, why is everything about Queen Mab so tiny and sexual? To answer that, we need to think about what it is that prompts Mercutio's wild rant in the first place. Fed up with Romeo's lovesick moping for Rosaline, Mercutio taunts his buddy by saying that Queen Mab must have paid him a visit in the dream Romeo tries to tell him about. Mercutio also informs Romeo that dreams "are the children of an idle brain," which is another way of saying that Romeo is an idiot and his dreams about Rosaline are ridiculous (1.4.104). Given the context of the speech, it seems like Mercutio is suggesting that, like Queen Mab, dreams (especially Romeo's) are small and insignificant. Pretty wild stuff, don't you think? It's easy to see why, in Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film, Romeo + Juliet, Mercutio takes a hit of ecstasy before delivering his "Queen Mab" speech—the whole thing can seem like drug-induced nonsense. Romeo all but says so when he yells, "Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace! Thou talk'st of nothing" (1.4.101-102). Light in Darkness Like a candle in the darkness, the imagery of light in dark comes up a lot in Romeo and Juliet. "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright," Romeo says when he first sees Juliet. "It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night / As a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear" (1.5.42-53). Variations on this imagery are repeated again and again—images of Juliet as a sun rising in the darkness, of Juliet's eyes shining in the sky, images of Romeo's body cut out in little stars, of Romeo and Juliet's love as a bright furious lightning flash. At times, the image of a flash of light disappearing into the dusk seems to symbolize both the brilliant strength of Romeo and Juliet's love, as well as its transience. The imagery of light and darkness also picks up the play's emphasis on the contrasts between love and hate, passion and death. Night is a pretty important time in the play. It's when all the passionate love scenes occur so, night seems to shelter and protects the lovers, while the glare of day threatens to reveal them. In contrast, the heat of the sun makes the young men of Verona irritable and prone to violence and the street brawls occur during the daytime. We often think of night as both a time for romance and liberation, as well as a time of danger, and the imagery of night and darkness in Romeo and Juliet carries both night's promises and its threats. Hidden in darkness, Romeo and Juliet's love is free from the social rules that would divide them. But danger also lurks in the darkness, and the secrecy of Romeo and Juliet's marriage will prove fatal to them. Say what you will about Baz Luhrmann (uh, vulgar and flashy), he gets it: during Romeo and Juliet's first love scene, he dunks Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio in a swimming pool. So what? Check out what Romeo says to Juliet during that scene: "Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized" (2.2.54). In the Christian tradition, baptism—dunking or sprinkling someone with water—is a symbol of rebirth; it welcomes new Christians into the community of faith. By saying that Juliet's love will "baptize" him, Romeo is saying that Juliet's love has the potential to make him reborn. And that's not all. Romeo is constantly comparing his love for Juliet to a religious experience. When the pair first meets, Romeo calls Juliet a "saint" and implies that he'd really like to 'worship' her body (1.5.114). Not only that, but Romeo's "hand" would be "blessed" if it touched the divine Juliet's (1.5). Eventually, Juliet picks up on this 'religion of love' conceit (a conceit is just an elaborate metaphor) and declares that Romeo is "the god of [her] idolatry" (2.2.120). Both lovers have intimations of coming death—Romeo before he even arrives at the Capulet's party, and Juliet when she sees Romeo climbing from her window on his way to exile in Mantua. "Oh god, I have an ill-divining soul," she calls down to him. "Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low, / as one dead in the bottom of a tomb" (3.5.54-56). In the most literal possible way, Juliet's drug-induced deathlike state foreshadows her own death. And the apothecary from whom Romeo buys the poison is described as looking like death—thin, starving, with hollow eyes. Romeo buys his suicide weapon from a man that symbolizes death. • Booker's Seven Basic Plots Analysis Anticipation Stage In the first half of Act I, both Romeo and Juliet have potential romantic partners, but neither one is really satisfied. Romeo is literally unsatisfied because Rosaline has sworn a vow of chastity—and Juliet is unsatisfied because she's thirteen, and boy bands haven't been invented yet. Dream Stage Romeo and Juliet meet and obviously fall immediately in love. There's a lot of flirting and love poetry—but don't get out the bon-bons just yet, because there's a major frustration stage ahead of us. Frustration Stage Romeo and Juliet realize that the person they just fell in love with is one of their greatest enemies. This is like … if the head cheerleader and quarterback from two rival schools fell in love: they want to be together, but everything they've ever known tells them not to trust each other. Can their relationship ever work? Nightmare Stage Maybe in a romantic comedy—but this is tragedy, baby. Romeo and Juliet decide to get married anyway, but less than an hour after they say their vows, there's a big brawl and Romeo ends up killing Juliet's cousin, Tybalt. She forgives him, but he's banished from Verona … and Juliet's parents decide they want her to get married to Paris that very week. Eek! Destruction Stage Being forced to marry Paris is a fate worse than death, as far as Juliet is concerned. So, she fakes her own death. Pretend death becomes reality when Romeo hears the news of Juliet's death and believes that she is really gone. Minutes before Juliet is due to wake from her drugged sleep, Romeo comes to her tomb, kisses her good-bye, and kills himself. Juliet regains consciousness to find her husband lying dead beside her. When she kisses him, she realizes that his lips are warm and that she's missed him by a matter of minutes. In despair, she takes his dagger and stabs herself. • Plot Analysis Initial Situation Family Feud Forbidden Love Get Him to the Church on Time Murder! Sex! Murder! Arranged Marriage Can You Hear Me Now? Friends Forever • Three Act Plot Analysis Act I I Love You, You Love Me Romeo and Juliet fall in love, only to realize that they are on opposite sides of an ongoing war between their families. Act I ends with the lovers pursuing their affair in the famous balcony scene. Swoon! Act II Kicked Off the Island Romeo is banished from Verona for—oops!—killing Juliet's cousin Tybalt, so the Friar has Juliet fake her death so she can join Romeo in Mantua. Great plan, right? Well, it might have been—except that Romeo doesn't get the message that she's actually still alive. Act III Womb to Tomb Romeo kills himself next to Juliet's comatose body; when she awakes, she kills herself in response to finding his corpse. The one upside? The families finally end their cycle of hate.
Assembly: the old set The x86 architecture, at the assembly level, is quite a bit more complex than our old friend, the 6502. Part of that comes from the fact that it does so much more: it has more registers, a bigger address space, and just more functionality altogether. So it has to be more complex. Maybe not as much as it is, but then it also had to maintain some backward compatibility with Intel’s older processors, and compatibility always complicates matters. But we won’t judge it in this post. Instead, we’ll look at it as impartially as possible. If you’ve read the earlier posts in this series on assembly language, you know most of the conventions, so I won’t repeat them here. Like with the 6502,, I’ll look at the different instructions in groups based on their function, and I’m ignoring a lot of those that don’t have much use (like the BCD arithmetic group) or are specifically made for protected mode. What you get is the “core” set at the 286 level. The x86 instruction set Even stripped down to this essence, we’re looking at around 100 instructions, about double the 6502’s set. But most of these have obvious meanings, so I won’t have to dwell on them. Specifics will mostly come when we need them. Also, since I’m assuming you’re using NASM (and an older version, at that), the instruction format in the examples I use will also be for that assembler. That means a couple of things: • The destination always comes first. So, to move the contents of the DX register to AX, you say mov ax, dx. • Square brackets indicate indirection. Thus, mov ax, bx moves the contents of BX into AX, while mov ax, [bx] moves the value in the memory location pointed to by BX. • NASM requires size suffixes on certain instructions. These are mostly the “string” instructions, such as MOVS, which you’d have to write as MOVSB or MOVSW, depending on the width of the data. The x86, like most processors, comes with a number of flags that indicate internal state. And, as with the 6502, you can use these to control the flow of your own programs. Those that concern us the most are the carry, zero, sign, overflow, direction, and interrupt flags. The first three should be pretty obvious, even if you didn’t read the first parts of the series. The interrupt flag is likewise mostly self-explanatory. “Direction” is used for string instructions, which we’ll see later. And the overflow flag indicates that the last operation caused signed overflow based on two’s-complement arithmetic, as in this example: mov al, 127 add al, 2 ; overflow flag is now set because 127 + 2 = 129, ; which overflows a signed byte (129 ~~ -127) add al, 2 ; now overflow is clear, because -127 + 2 = -125 The carry, direction, and interrupt flags can be directly altered through code. The CLC, CLD, and CLI instructions clear them, while STC, STD, and STI set them. CMC complements the carry flag, flipping it to the opposite value. You can also use PUSHF to put whole register onto the stack, or POPF to load the flags from there; these instructions weren’t on the original 8086, however. MOV and addressing The MOV instruction is the workhorse of x86. It covers loads, stores, and copying between registers, and later extensions have made it Turing-complete in its own right. But in its original form, it wasn’t quite that bad. Plus, it allows all the different addressing modes, so it’s a good illustration of them. The function of MOV is simple: copy the data in the source to the destination. Despite being short for “move”, it doesn’t do anything to the source data. The source, as for most x86 instructions can be a register, memory location, or an “immediate” value, and the destination can be memory or a register. The only general rule is that you can’t go directly from memory to memory in the same instruction. (There are, of course, exceptions.) Moving registers (mov dx, ax) and immediate values (mov ah, 04ch) is easy enough, and it needs no further explanation. For memory, things get hairier. You’ve got a few options: • Direct address: a 16-bit value (or a label, in assembly code) indicating a memory location, such as mov ax, [1234] or mov dh, [data]. • Register indirect: three registers, BX, SI, and DI, can be used as pointers within a segment: mov al, [bx] loads AL with the byte at location DS:BX. • Indexed: the same registers above, now with BP included, but with a displacement value added: mov al, [bx+4]. (BP is relative to the stack segment, though.) • Base indexed: either BX or BP plus either SI or DI, with an optional displacement: mov [bx+si+2], dx. (Again, BP uses the stack segment, all others the data segment.) So MOV can do all of that, and that’s before it got expanded with 32-bit mode. Whew. If you don’t like clobbering the old value at the destination, you can use XCHG instead; it works the same way. (Interestingly, the x86 do-nothing instruction NOP is encoded as xchg ax, ax, which really does do nothing.) Arithmetic and logic After all the moving around, computing on values is the next most important task. We’ve got most of the usual suspects here: addition (ADD or the add-with-carry ADC); subtraction (SUB or SBB); logical AND, OR, NOT, and XOR (those are their mnemonics, too). There’s also a two’s-complement negation (NEG) and simple increment/decrement (INC, DEC) operations. These all do about what you’d expect, and they follow the same addressing rules as MOV above. We can shift and rotate bits, as well. For shifting, SHL goes to the left, while SHR or SAR moves to the right; the difference is that SHR always shifts 0 into the most significant bit, while SAR repeats the bit that was already there. (Shifting left, as you probably know, is a quick and dirty way of multiplying by 2.) Rotating moves the bits that get shifted “off the edge” back around to the other side of the byte or word, but it can optionally use the carry flag as an “extra” bit, so we have four possible permutations: ROL, ROR, RCL, RCR. The “rotate with carry” instructions effectively place the carry flag to the left of the most significant bit. Note that both shifting and rotating can take an immediate value for the number of times to shift, or they can use the value in CL. A couple of instructions perform sign-extension. CBW takes the top bit in AL and duplicates it throughout AH. CWD works the same way, cloning the high bit of AX into every bit of DX. These are mainly used for signed arithmetic, and the registers they work on are fixed. Unlike the 6502, the x86 has built-in instructions for multiplication and division. Unlike modern systems, the 16-bit versions are a bit limited. DIV divides either AX by a byte or DX:AX by a word. This implied register (or pair) also holds the result: quotient in AL or AX, remainder in AH or DX. MUL goes the other way, multiplying AL by a byte or AX by a word, and storing the result in AX or DX:AX. Those are more than a little restrictive, and they’re unsigned by design, so we also have IMUL and IDIV. These are for signed integers, and they let you use an immediate value instead: imul ax, -42. Two other useful instructions can go here. CMP subtracts its source value from its destination and sets the flags accordingly, but throws away the result. TEST is similar, logical-ANDing its operands together for flag-changing purposes only. Both of these are mainly used for conditional flow control, as we’ll see below. Flow control We can move data around, we can operate on it, but we also need to be able to change the execution of a program based on the results of those operations. As you’ll recall, the 6502 did this with branching instructions. The x86 uses the same mechanism, but it calls them jumps instead. They come in two forms: conditional and unconditional. The unconditional one, JMP, simply causes the processor to pick up and move to a new location, and it can be anywhere in memory. Conditional jumps are only taken if certain conditions are met, and they take the form Jcc, where cc is a condition code. Those are: • C and NC, for “carry” and “no carry”, depending on the carry flag’s state. • Z and NZ, “zero” and “not zero”, based on the zero flag. • O and NO, for “overflow” and “no overflow”; as above, but for the overflow flag. • S and NS, “sign” and “no sign”, based on the sign flag; “sign” implies “negative”. • B and NB, “below” and “not below”, synonyms for C and NC. • A and NA, “above” and “not above”; “above” means neither the carry nor zero flag is set. • AE, BE, NAE, NBE; the same as the last two pairs, but add “or equal”. • L and NL, “less than” and “not less than”; “less than” requires either the sign or overflow flag set, but not both. • LE and NLE, “or equal” versions of the above. • G, GE, NG, NGE, “greater than”, etc., for the opposites of the previous four. • CXZ and NCXZ, “if CX is/is not zero”, usually used for loops. These can be confusing, so here are a couple of examples: mov ax, [value1] mov dx, [value2] add ax, dx ; jump if ax > 127, ; otherwise try again jo end jmp a_loop ; do something else mov ax, [bp+4] cmp ax, 0 ; if ax == 0... jz iszero ; else if ax > 0... jg ispos ; else if ax < 0... jl isneg ; or if something went wrong jmp error CALL calls a subroutine, pushing a return address onto the stack beforehand. RET is the counterpart for returning from one. INT and IRET work the same way, but for interrupts rather than subroutines; INT doesn’t take an address, but an interrupt number, as we have seen. A special LOOP instruction allows you to easily create, well, loops. It uses CX as an implicit counter, stopping when it reaches zero. You might use it like this: ; clear the screen mov ax, 0b800h mov es, ax xor di, di ; quicker clear to 0 mov cx, 80 * 25 mov dl, 20h ; ASCII code for space mov [es:di],dl add di,2 ; skip video attribute loop nextchar Two variant instructions LOOPZ and LOOPNZ, require that the zero flag be set or cleared, respectively, or they end the loop prematurely. The stack All x86 programs have use of a stack, and it’s not limited to 256 bytes like its 6502 cousin. Accessing the stack can’t be done directly in 16-bit land, as there’s no way to address relative to SP, but copying its value into BP and accessing from that is common. But even better are PUSH and POP, which take care of everything for you. They can be used on any register—except that you can’t pop into CS—and even memory; PUSH can also put an immediate value on the top of the stack, though not on the original 8086. The stack grows “downward”. When a value is pushed onto it, that value is moved into the position pointed to by SP, and SP is decremented by 2. Popping does the opposite. Effectively, the instructions work like this: mov [sp], value sub sp, 2 mov value, [sp] add sp, 2 PUSHA and POPA are shortcuts for pushing all of the main 8 registers, helpful when you need to save state before starting a big subroutine. The x86 can’t really work on strings, but it can work with arrays of bytes or 16-bit words using simple instructions. This is done through five instructions that operate on either bytes or words; NASM requires a suffixed “B” or “W” for these, but I’ll refer to them with a general “x”. In all these cases, the “source” address is, by default, DS:SI, and the destination is ES:DI. Also, because these instructions were meant to be done in blocks, they can take a special REP prefix. This works a bit like LOOP, in that it stops when CX reaches 0. (REPE and REPNE are also available, and they work like LOOPZ and LOOPNZ.) After the instruction performs its operation, it increments both SI and DI by 1 for the byte version, 2 for the word version. This is where the direction flag comes into play, however: if it’s set, these instructions instead subtract 1 or 2 from those registers, effectively performing the operation in reverse. LODSx and STOSx load and store, respectively. LODSx puts the value at [DS:SI] into AL or AX, while STOSx moves AL or AX into memory at [ES:DI]. Either way, they then change the index register (SI or DI) as described above. REP doesn’t really make sense with these, but they can work in hand-rolled loops. MOVSx is a little more general, and it’s one of the few memory-to-memory operations available on the early x86. It copies a byte or word at [DS:SI] to [ES:DI], then changes both index registers based on the data width (1 for byte, 2 for word) and the direction flag (up for cleared, down for set). It’s all but made for block copying, as in this example: ; assumes SI and DI point to appropriate memory areas ; and CX holds a count of bytes to move rep movsb CMPSx compares bytes or words, setting the flags accordingly. It could be used to implement a string comparison function like so: ; assumes SI and DI point where they should, ; and CX contains the max number of characters to test ; returns a value in AL: ; -1 if the "source" (1st) string is less, ; +1 if it's greater, ; 0 if they're equal xor al, al repe cmpsb jg greater dec al ; sets to FFh, or -1 jmp exit inc al ; sets to 01h Finally, SCASx sets the flags based on a comparison between AL (for bytes) or AX (for words) and the value at [ES:DI]. The mnemonic stands for “scan string”, and that’s what it can do: ; assumes DI points to a string, ; CX holds the length of the string, ; and AL holds the character to search for ; returns in AX: ; position of found character, or -1 if not found mov dx, cx repne scasb jncxz found ; character not found, since we ran out of string mov ax, 0ffffh jmp end ; CX now holds the number of characters from string end, ; but we saved the original length in DX ; thus, the position is DX - CX - 1 inc cx sub dx, cx mov ax, dx Input and output Input and output send bytes or words between registers and the I/O space. This is a special set of 64K (65,536) memory locations, though only the first 1,024 were used on early PCs. Using them involves the IN and OUT instructions. These are fairly restrictive, in that they imply the AL or AX register for the data and DX for the I/O port: in ax, dx or out dx, al. However, for the “low” ports, those with addresses up to 0xff, you can instead use an immediate version: in al, 40h. The 286 added in string I/O with the INSx and OUTSx instructions. These work similarly to LODSx and STOSx above, but the data is either coming from or going to an I/O port instead of main memory. (This was a bit faster than doing a manual loop, and some early peripherals actually couldn’t handle that!) The port number is always in DX, while [DX:SI or [ES:DI] is the data pointer, as above. Enough for now And we’re finally done. Next time, we can start programming this thing, but this post is already way too long, so I’ll see you later. Leave a Reply
> Resource Hub / What is Shot Blasting? What is Shot Blasting? Grit blasting or shot blasting is a surface treatment technique that makes use of particulate grains propelled under high velocity. This process is a highly effective solution for the removal of contamination on metal substrates, changing the coarseness or smoothness of a surface, and providing surface preparation for coating. Force can be generated either centrifugally, using a wheel spinning at a high RPM or pneumatically, through compressed fluid or air. What media should you use for shot blasting? Learn about blast abrasive from Airblast Eurospray Technically, shot blasting refers specifically to a process that uses spherical media and centrifugal force. However, shot blasting is also sometimes used more casually as a generic term to refer to a broader range of surface preparation activities, including grit blasting. The Importance of Breathing Air Quality Tests by Airblast Eurospray What is Blast Media? “Media” is the common term used when describing the abrasive, which can come in many variations. When selecting media, it’s important to understand the effects of the grade (the size of the media), hardness (measured in Mohs), shape (spherical or angular), and mineral composition. Each of these qualities affects the finished surface profile, making media selection a crucial step in achieving the desired finish. What is shot blasting? Types of Blasting Grit Blasting There are several types of media blasting, including grit blasting, wet abrasive blasting, bead blasting, and wheel blasting. Grit blasting is the general term for the process of cleaning or providing a profile on a hard surface by forcing solid particles across that surface at high speeds. The effect is like that of using sandpaper, although grit blasting provides a more even finish and is ultimately a much faster process. Wet Abrasive Blasting Wet abrasive blasting utilises a mix of compressed air, water or water vapor, and media. Wet blasting is favoured for maritime and outdoor applications due to the cushioning effect of the water which reduces the amount of dust created. Wet blasting has a much slower cleaning action in comparison to air-only systems and can cause “flash rusting” on certain ferrous surfaces. Wet blasting Wheel Blasting Machines by Airblast Eurospray Bead Blasting or Shot Peening Bead blasting, also known as “shot peening”, is a process of using circular media to dimple the surface of an object. Shot peening is like grit blasting but works on the mechanism of plasticity rather than abrasion, which removes less material and generates less dust. Additionally, shot peening is used to relieve the tensile stress of metal and composites, increasing its compressive strength. This process is usually reserved for delicate machine components such as gear parts, suspension springs, and turbine blades. Wheel Blasting Wheel blasting uses centrifugal force to propel media against a surface. A spinning wheel rotates at exceptional speeds to throw abrasive in a self-contained cage. Wheel blasting is often described as an airless blasting operation because of the lack of compressive propellant. It is a highly efficient form of surface preparation, that makes use of recyclable media for prolonged operation. However, this form of blasting lends itself to repeated shapes/products and is not as versatile as a booth designed for pneumatic blasting. Wheel Blasting Machines by Airblast Eurospray Airblast Eurospray Blast Pots Equipment Types Blast Pots A variety of equipment is available for the various types of blasting discussed above. This includes hand cabinets, blast rooms, and portable blast pots. Mobile blast systems, or “blast pots” are compressor-fed, pneumatic machines, filled with abrasive material. They are a simplified version of the machines utilised in blast booths. The basic operator controls are media flow, pressure, and a dead man system. Blast Cabinets Blast cabinets are small closed loop system designed for smaller component processing. Operating using only recyclable abrasive, the cabinet itself has four individual modules; the containment (cabinet), the abrasive recycling system, the blasting abrasive, and the dust collector. Separating the operator away from the cabinet are a set of media resistant gloves, which can be used to manipulate the hose inside and the material that is being processed. The cabinet also features a viewing port and foot pedal to control the blast exiting the nozzle inside. Blast cabinets can either work with a pressurised pot or a suction system which inducts media into an air stream and blasts at lower pressures. Airblast Eurospray Blast Cabinet Airblast Eurospray Blast Rooms Blast Rooms by Airblast Eurospray Blast Rooms Blast rooms are a much larger version of a blast cabinet used for heavy industrial applications. Operators need to be trained to work in these rooms. Inside, the operator roughens, smooths, or cleans the surfaces of an item, depending on the needs of the finish product. Blast rooms come in a range of sizes and can accommodate very large or uniquely shaped objects, such as rail cars, commercial or military vehicles, construction equipment, ship sections, and aircraft. Both cabinets and blast rooms can also be built to process large quantities of the same component automatically, using a conveyance system and additional nozzles. Blast rooms have several key components, such as an enclosure or containment system – usually the room itself. This is sealed while blasting to prevent blast media from escaping. There is also a pneumatic blast system, or several systems, as described above. The blast system features a remote abrasive shut off and a dust collection system, which filters the air in the room and prevents particulate matter from escaping. It also has a media recycling or media reclamation system to collect abrasive blasting media, regrade it, and deliver it back to the blast machine for reuse. These reclamation systems come in various levels of complexity. The simplest type is filled manually and elevates the media to a hopper. The more complex type includes a full-floor recovery system that totally eradicates the need for manual recovery of blast media. Media Types There are a large number of media types to consider when grit blasting and each has a different effect on the substrate they are used on. As you gain experience in the field of shot blasting, you will get to know the media types and the tasks they are commonly associated with. For example, some cannot be used on certain surfaces i.e., ferrous media on a nonferrous substrate. Certain media types are more aggressive than others. A number are favoured because they provide specific cosmetic finishes. Some are intended to relieve tensile stress, and others are suited to being reclaimed and used again. Blast Rooms by Airblast Eurospray Machine Type Also Affects Media Choice Before blasting it is vital to consider the material you’re working with and the machine you’re using. Both factors will define the media you can use to complete the job without damaging the component in the process. For instance, when removing heavy corrosion on large steel ferrous sheets, a harder more aggressive aggregate such as chilled iron would be an appropriate choice for a blast booth. However, when using a portable blast machine, copper slag would be a better choice as it is an expendable abrasive that cannot be reclaimed and reused. This makes it more cost effective than using a non-expendable abrasive in an portable blast setup. However, both chilled iron and copper slag can clean the material well and provide a great finish. Contact Us To find out more about blast media before purchasing, please get in touch with us via our Contact page. Alternatively, visit our online shop and view our range of blast media and abrasives for sale. Finally, why not call our sales team on +44 (0)1778 560 650 and they will be happy to advise you.
Economy Of Sweden Do You Want To Do Business With Sweden? During most of the submit-war period, the country was governed by the Swedish Social Democratic Party largely in cooperation with commerce unions and industry. The government actively pursued an internationally aggressive manufacturing sector of primarily large companies. In the middle of the seventeenth century Sweden was the third largest country in Europe by land area, only surpassed by Russia and Spain. In the seventeenth century, Sweden was engaged in many wars, for instance with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with both sides competing for territories of at present’s Baltic states, with the disastrous Battle of Kircholm being one of many highlights. Thinking About Studying In Sweden? per cent a yr for the financial system as an entire and trade-phrases-balanced productivity progress 2%. Sweden is a world chief in privatized pensions and pension funding problems are small compared to many other Western European nations. Swedish labor market has turn into more flexible, but it still has some extensively acknowledged problems. The slowly declining total taxation, 51% of GDP in 2007, remains to be nearly double of that in the United States or Ireland. Civil servants quantity to a 3rd of Swedish workforce, a number of occasions the proportion in lots of different nations. Swedish Myths Uncovered The western elements of mountains are reduce by fjords producing a dramatic panorama. The landscape of Sweden could be described as a combination of that of Norway, Finland and Denmark. Sweden has three highland areas, the South Swedish Highlands, the Scandinavian Mountains and the Norrland terrain which is the eastern continuation of the Scandinavian Mountains. The South Swedish Highland and the Norrland terrain are separated by the Central Swedish lowland. The topography of Iceland stands out among the many Nordic countries for being a bowl-formed highland. swedish brides Trade between western Europe and the rest of Eurasia suffered a severe blow when the Western Roman Empire fell in the fifth century. The enlargement of Islam within the seventh century had also affected commerce with western Europe. One frequent concept posits that Charlemagne “used drive and terror to Christianise all pagans”, resulting in baptism, conversion or execution, and consequently, Vikings and other pagans resisted and needed revenge. Professor Rudolf Simek states that “it is not a coincidence if the early Viking activity occurred through the reign of Charlemagne”. But Norway refused to submit to the treaty provisions, declared independence, and convoked a constituent assembly at Eidsvoll in early 1814. Traditionally, the Sami have plied a variety meet swedish woman of livelihoods, together with coastal fishing, fur trapping and sheep herding. Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus (History of the northern people) of Olaus Magnus , and the primary version of the 13th-century Gesta Danorum (Deeds of the Danes), by Saxo Grammaticus, in 1514. The tempo of publication increased in the course of the 17th century with Latin translations of the Edda (notably Peder Resen’s Edda Islandorum of 1665). Generally talking, self-reported height tends to be taller than its measured height, though the overestimation of top is dependent upon the reporting topic’s height, age, gender and area. Working on knowledge of Indonesia, the study by Baten, Stegl and van der Eng suggests a optimistic relationship of economic improvement and average height. In Indonesia, human peak has decreased coincidentally with natural or political shocks. However, at the finish of the nineteenth century and in the midst of the primary globalisation interval, heights between wealthy and poor international locations began to diverge. These differences did not disappear in the deglobalisation interval of the 2 World wars. Baten and Blum find that in the nineteenth century, essential determinants of height have been the local availability of cattle, meat and milk in addition to the native disease environment. In the late-twentieth century, nevertheless, applied sciences and trade grew to become extra important, reducing the impression of native availability of agricultural products. Danes, Icelanders, Norwegians, and Swedes are Germanic, descendants of peoples who first moved northward from the North European Plain some 10,000 years in the past, when the ice sheets of the last glacial interval retreated. It was hoped that with time, the reluctant Norwegians would settle for a more in-depth relationship. The Norwegians, nonetheless, as the weaker party, demanded strict adherence to the situations that had been agreed on, and jealously guarded the constant observance of all particulars that confirmed the equality between the two states. One day before the stop-fire would expire, the Storting voted seventy two to 5 to hitch Sweden in a personal union, however a movement to elect Charles XIII king of Norway did not cross. In the next days, the Storting handed several resolutions to claim as much sovereignty as potential inside the union. On 1 November they voted 52 to 25 that Norway wouldn’t appoint its personal consuls, a decision that later would have severe consequences. The basic rise is due to the many fiscal initiatives made by the Nordic governments to help economic development and the monetary and business sectors. This is after many years with an Icelandic development particularly driven by investments, which had more than tripled in the latest ten years. The manufacturing of such combs was additionally widespread all through the Viking world, as examples of similar combs have been found at Viking settlements in Ireland, England, and Scotland. The combs share a standard visible look as well, with the extant examples often adorned with linear, interlacing, and geometric motifs, or different types of ornamentation relying on the comb’s period and sort, however stylistically just like Viking Age art. In the elections of 1903, the Conservatives (Højre) won many votes with their program of reconciliation and negotiations. A new coalition authorities under Hagerup was formed in October 1903, backed by a nationwide consensus on the need conclude the negotiations by joint action. The proposals of the communiqué had been presented to the joint council of state on 11 December, raising hopes that a solution was imminent. King Oscar requested the governments to work out proposals for equivalent laws. swedish woman Subscribe today Subscribe our Newsletter Dolor sit Mollitia harum ea ut eaque velit. Trending now Popular Blog Posts Dolor sit Mollitia harum ea ut eaque velit. Copyrights Â© 2020 Tüm Hakları Saklıdır. Developed by Kamil Duruakan
Shake to Start OK, so now we can play a melody and have it stop after a random amount of time (number of notes). But how do we start the whole thing and get the game rolling? Using the buttons on the Circuit Playground would be a great way to do this. However, as you will see when we make the 'potato', the buttons may not be easily accessible. Instead, let's use the accelerometer. Then we'll just shake to start. To do this, we can just re-use the 'shake detect' method discussed in the Circuit Playground D6 Dice guide. We just need a function that returns the total acceleration value: Download: file def get_total_accel(): # Compute total acceleration X = 0 Y = 0 Z = 0 for count in range(10): x,y,z = cpx.acceleration X = X + x Y = Y + y Z = Z + z X = X / 10 Y = Y / 10 Z = Z / 10 return math.sqrt(XX + YY + Z*Z) Then to wait for shaking, we just check the value and do nothing until it exceeds a preset value. Yes, this is pretty boring. Download: file # Wait for shaking while get_total_accel() < SHAKE_THRESHOLD: pass # do nothing This guide was first published on Apr 05, 2017. It was last updated on Apr 05, 2017. This page (Shake to Start) was last updated on Jun 27, 2020.
Symbol of intuitive and acquired wisdom, courage, and strength. The bay tree symbol dates back to ancient Greece. It is believed that Apollo fell madly in love with Daphne but she did not love him. Daphne thwarted his advances and was turned into a bay laurel tree by her father the river god Peneus in order to keep away from Apollo. Apollo found the bay tree to be so beautiful he used its branches to crown the highest achievers. The bay leaf wreath was used as crowns for heroes and poets in ancient Greece. The Greeks awarded the top prize of a bay leaf wreath to the winner of the Pythian Games, which were believed to be started after Apollo killed the serpent Python at Delphi. Priestesses who worshiped Apollo would chew the bay tree berries before giving out prophecies. The berries are both a stimulant and a narcotic. People believed that putting laurel berries beneath your pillow would cause you to have prophetic dreams. The bay tree was such an important symbol that the Romans believed that lightning would avoid any area where a bay tree was planted. Emperor Tiberius would wear a crown of bay leaves whenever it rained to avoid being struck by lightning. The ancient Greeks also believed that it warded off poisons and sorcery so they would plant two bay trees on either side of their front door, a tradition that has spread and continues to this day. The power of the bay tree was still believed in the seventeenth century. It was believed to keep demons and witches away. In ancient Rome, the Goddess Victoria was drawn and sculpted holding a laurel leaf. There is also a Roman coin with a picture of the god Jupiter holding a statue of Victoria with a laurel wreath. Above Jupiter’s is an eagle carrying a laurel wreath. This is on the back side of a Constantine! coin. Another coin depicts Apollo carrying a wet laurel branch supposedly cleansing the ground. There are other Roman coins showing the bay tree leaves being used in cleansing rituals. In Christianity, the bay tree symbolizes Christ’s resurrection. It also symbolizes fame, prosperity, and honor. Today the winners of the Grand Prix are awarded a wreath of bay leaves. In Italy, some college graduates wear bay leaf wreaths instead of mortarboards for graduation. Bay is used in psychic dream pillows and is also worn by healers to help purify a room. Bay tree Symbols Menu: » Amulet » Ajna » Arsenic » Merkaba » Hung » bindi » Khanda » Halo » jiahu » Tau » Uraeus » Menorah » Tilaka » Taijitu » Vajra » Chai » Chi Rho » Bagua » Dragon » Ichthus » Hedjet » Lauburu » Om » Ankh » Chalice » Maat » Ogham » Mandala » Kartika » Khamsa » Heart » Labrys » Raven » Scarab » Dove » Hanukia » Anubis » Durga » Mezuzah » Geruda » Kinnara » Quito » Condor » Falcon » Makara » Rosary » Uluru » Apsaras » Hanuman » Serpent » Mercury » Apex » Vestra » Yoni » Astarte
Cobots are much more than just industrial robots Cobots are much more than just industrial robots Date: 2019/07/02 Source: Elvina Yang, Freelancer Traditional robots in industrial settings work in zones separated from human operators. A collaborative robot or “cobot”, however, is designed to collaborate with, and ease the burden on human operators. Traditional industrial robots were designed to operate autonomously with limited guidance and to stay far away from human workers. Conversely, a collaborative robot or “cobot” is designed to physically interact with humans in a shared workspace, and to support human workers with daily tasks. Cobots are usually smaller and easier to set up than other industrial robots, often requiring no coding for work instructions. Cobots also frequently include a built-in smart vision system to support tasks such as reading barcodes and recognizing colors. Examples of cobots include robotic arms mounted on a wall to pick and remove defective objects, and lifting machines in a logistics center that bring the right package to the right shelf. Traditional industrial robots can be imprecise, create safety hazards, and may require knowledge of coding programs for setup. They usually sit in a cage and complete automated tasks, such as painting, welding and labeling, without working with humans. Adam Sobieski, General Manager, Universal Robots Greater China. “Some people still do not know what a ‘cobot’ is or what the concept of ‘collaborative’ means. Therefore, educating people about the differences between cobots and traditional industrial robots is important,” said Adam Sobieski, General Manager of Universal Robots Greater China. “Once they understand the advantages of cobots more clearly, they will understand how for example UR cobots can help their business with automation.” Risk assessment is the first step Even though cobots are designed to operate safely beside humans, companies are advised to carry out a risk assessment. “Doing the risk assessment is the first step because this process will pinpoint what safety issues or safety level you need to solve or achieve, and then what kind of components you should select accordingly,” said Sobieski. General risk assessment includes document identification, making an outline about the robotic cell and machine assessment. Companies need to know clearly what the robot is used for, how will it be used, and who will be working with the robot, as well the risks. Potential risks to assess include the possibility of hazardous events, the possibility of avoidance and frequency of exposure. Automation technology supplier Pilz, for instance, provides services that include risk assessment to identify the root cause of a hazard and how it should be eliminated, and what level of safety circuit requirement shall be achieved. It also validates the adaquecy of each safety component, function and system. “We provide viable solutions to the most complex safety issues in a wide range of industry domains,” said Roger Wang, Senior Service and Product Technical Manager at Pilz Taiwan. Once implemented, sensors not only improve safety in spaces shared between humans and robots, but also help improve robot performance. A typical cobot can work at speeds between 250-750 millimeters per second. With a safety sensor built in, it can adjust to operate at maximum speed when it senses there’s no humans nearby. In other words, safety sensors let a cobot know when to work faster to improve production productivity and efficiency. Another benefit of having safety sensors is that they reduce the amount of floor space required for a robot. The sensor allows factory managers to section off only the space used by the robot, instead of fencing in a robot inside a vast space. For instance, a perimeter safety sensor is able to detect when a person enters a safeguarded area, to help further ensure safety. Related Articles This is how ABB sees the future of industry robots This is how ABB sees the future of industry robots Robots set to revolutionize the manufacturing industry Robots set to revolutionize the manufacturing industry Collaborative robots key to factories of the future: ABB Collaborative robots key to factories of the future: ABB
Connect with us Alternative News A Native American Perspective On Veganism Indigenous wisdom is something that resonates with many people. Despite the fact that this way of life was almost completely erased all over the world by the ruling class, it lives on today, and there is a big movement to grow it and share its vital message, which necessary for the preservation of our planet. advertisement - learn more This kind of cultural genocide began during the Roman Empire, when Roman culture, institutions, and beliefs were pushed upon the citizenry, and consequences were doled out for those who didn’t follow them. The aristocracy controlled the people, and went on a global mission to conquer other parts of the world. Through this conquest, many cultures, beliefs, and wisdoms were lost, all so the ruling power at the time could assimilate others into their way of life. Moving forward, we saw this type of ideology pushed by the Church, which condemned those who offered new ideas, science, and alternate views about the nature of our reality. Despite history moving forward, very little had changed; the powerful group of people who control politics, finance, and most aspects of our lives today were still pushing a certain way of life upon the citizenry. And it remains so today. The destabilization of many countries, especially in the Middle East, and the whole process of globalization in general, is proof of that. We now live in a corporatocracy, which thrives on making the “American Dream” the primary focus of all global citizens. War and corrupt politics are the main tools used to carve out this new way of life for others. As far as indigenous peoples go specifically, scholars have estimated that, prior to the ‘discovery’ of the Americas by Europeans, the pre-contact era population could have been as high as 100 million people. In very recent history, indigenous assimilation, forced by church and state, has continued, as the residential school system in Canada makes clear. And because these cultures pass down beliefs and teachings orally, a lot of wisdom held by the elders was lost. Fortunately, some remain to preserve it. advertisement - learn more The world has changed a lot, but much of their teachings, meant to serve as a guidebook for a way of life that respects and honours all beings, still applies today. One great example would by the modern day food industry. Several different cultures within the first nations of America preach deep respect for all life and the animal kingdom, and a recognition that all life is connected. Imagine travelling back in time and showing footage of modern day factory farms — animals being raised and tortured en mass, in the billions, solely to be killed for our increasing greed. I would be surprised if you could find one elder today who wasn’t appalled and heartbroken, or an elder in ancient times who would allow their people to participate in such barbaric acts. There is no question about it — the modern day meat industry and the way we eat meat today would not have been accepted by the First Nations of recent history. But don’t take my word for it. What Would Indigenous Wisdom Say? Rita Laws, Ph.D., published an article explaining how among her own people, the Choctaw Indians of Mississippi and Oklahoma, vegetables were the traditional diet, and homes were constructed of wood, mud, bark, and cane — not skins. She explains how meat in “the form of small game was an infrequent repast” and how their clothing was even derived from plants. Perhaps one of the most interesting revelations shared by her experience and research is the fact that “more than one tribe has creation legends which describe people as vegetarian, living in a kind of Garden of Eden. A Cherokee legend describes humans, plants, and animals as having lived in the beginning in ‘equality and mutual helpfulness.’ “ Laws also points out how many other Indian tribes were like hers, subsisting primarily on plants, but those who did hunt did so sparingly and with care. A special bond existed between them and the animals whose lives they took, or, according to many legends, these animals who offered themselves freely. The animals were also seen as a gift from the great sprit, spiritual warriors who were there for the protection and well-being of the people, to provide in several ways, almost like guardian angels. Laws also explains how meat consumption was not revered, and there was nothing ceremonial about it. It was always plants and fall festivals centred around the harvest that were most celebrated. Meat-eating was a rare activity, certainly not a daily event. Since the introduction of European meat-eating customs, the introduction of the horse and the gun, and the proliferation of alcoholic beverages and white traders, a lot has changed. Relatively few native peoples can claim to be vegetarians today. You can read her full article here, where she goes into more detail and gives many more examples. It definitely gives you something to think about, doesn’t it? An Excellent Video Discussing The Topic In More Detail Below is a video from of Margaret Robinson, an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She’s a member of the Lennox Island First Nation. You can learn more about her and view some of her publications here. In the lecture, she brings up several points regarding food and indigenous culture, and the current issues that surround the modern day perception of a vegetarian/vegan diet according to various indigenous cultures. She focuses primarily on the barriers for aboriginal veganism. Personally, I believe our world is experiencing a dramatic shift in various areas, and compassion is one of them. As a result, along with all of the health benefits outlined in the articles linked below the vide, this is precisely why more and more people are switching to vegan/vegetarian diets. Related CE Articles: Become Part of CE's Inner Circle advertisement - learn more Alternative News Togo, West Africa Bans Glyphosate In Brief • The Facts: Togo, a country in West Africa has decided to ban the use of toxic chemical pesticide, glyphosate because of growing health and environmental concerns. • Reflect On: Togo joins 20 other countries who have decided to ban this pesticide, do you think your country will ever do the same? Recently, a country in West Africa, Togo has prohibited the ‘import, market or use of glyphosate and any other product containing it.’ This decision was finalized in December of last year by the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Production and Fisheries, Noel Kouerta Bataka. If you are unfamiliar with glyphosate, it is a chemical pesticide made by none other than agricultural giant, Monsanto, Bayer. Glyphosate can be found in RoundUp and used on crops that have been genetically engineered specifically to resist its toxicity, allowing farmers to kill the weeds and pests without killing their crops. The problem is, it is extremely toxic not only for the consumer of products containing it, but for the land and soil as well where it is grown. There have been numerous studies, many of which CE has reported on that link it to cancer, liver disease, autism, birth defects, brain damage and more. After 2 years of political discussions in Togo, regarding the worlds most popular herbicide, many are celebrating the decision that was finally made to have it outright banned. Bataka has allowed a 12-month moratorium for all of the current glyphosate supplies to be either used or destroyed. Ban Of Glyphosate Around The World As awareness grows regarding the health concerns of glyphosate, so does government level support worldwide. Not only has Key West, Los Angeles, Miami and The University of California banned or restricted the use of this toxic chemical so, have 20 countries around the world. These countries are, • In Africa — Malawi and Togo. • In Asia — Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar. • In Central America — Bermuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Costa Rica • In Europe — Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, The Netherlands So we still have yet to see bans in Canada, United States, Mexico and many other countries, but hopefully stories such as these will keep the awareness and momentum going and help others to see that this toxic chemical pesticide should not be anywhere near the food we are eating or on our precious Mother Earth. It’s a big problem, and it’s now entered into our food supply. How To Avoid Glyphosate One might believe that they simply have to avoid genetically engineered foods to avoid glyphosate, and while that is a good start, unfortunately it’s not that black and white. There are many non-GMO foods that are still sprayed with this chemical and thus have high concentrations of it. In reality your best bet would be to grow all of your own fruits, vegetables and even nuts, but unfortunately in this day and age this is not very plausible for everyone. The foods that are highest in glyphosate are: soy, wheat, almonds, peas, beetroot (including beet sugar), carrots, sweet potatoes, quinoa, peas, tea, meat and dairy, corn and oats. However, many other unsuspecting foods have also have tested positive for high levels of glyphosate including many fruits and berries such as: apples, apricots, cherries, grapefruit, grapes (wine as well), lemons, olives, peaches, pears and more. To avoid glyphosate altogether sticking to an all-organic diet is necessary. If this is an obstacle for you, consider locally grown produce where you can talk directly with the farmers about their growing practices. Many farmers grow organically , but cannot afford to obtain the organic certification. You can also wash your produce in baking soda and vinegar click HERE for instructions. Final Thoughts While it may seem hopeless at times to even try to avoid environmental toxins like glyphosate, we have to remember that the more we do, and the more we put our money where are mouths are and vote with our dollars, the less these chemicals will be used. We have already seen many big brands step away from using GMO ingredients because of consumer demand, so it may not be as far off as you think. As countries like Togo step forward and do what is right for their citizens and the planet, awareness will continue to grow and it will assist others in seeing the truth about these chemicals and inspire others to make a change as well. We have more power than we realize and anything can change, with enough awareness. Become Part of CE's Inner Circle Continue Reading Alternative News New Bodycam Footage Reveals Details Of George Floyd’s Arrest Prior To His Death In Brief • The Facts: New police bodycam footage shows what happened prior to George Floyd's death. • Reflect On: Do we have solutions that can lead us to different societal outcomes, not based on new belief systems, but truly allowing people to experience peace, emotional calm and connection? George Floyd’s death at the hands of police officer Derek Chauvin was one of the events of 2020 that has brought up a great deal of collective shadows that need to be addressed. News of Floyd’s death sparked massive civil unrest and protests that are still going on today, more than two months since it happened. New police bodycam video shows a terrified George Floyd begging for officers not to shoot him. The footage is from body cameras worn by officer Thomas Lane and Alex Kueng, two of the four cops fired and charged in Floyd’s death. The video was leaked to the Daily Mail and shows officer Lane, approaching Floyd’s SUV, ordering him to show his hands. Floyd does not comply, so the officer pulls out his gun. “Please don’t shoot me. Please[…] Please, please don’t shoot me. I just lost my mom, man.” “Put your hands up there,” says the office. “Put your (muted) hands up there. Put your hands on the wheel.” “I didn’t do nothing wrong,” Floyd says as he’s dragged out of his SUV and handcuffed. Floyd is then taken to a police vehicle across the street, where officers attempt to get him inside. Floyd pleads that he’s claustrophobic and scuffles to avoid being put in the vehicle. “I’ll roll down the window,” one of the officers says. “Please, I’m not trying to win,[…] “I’m not a bad guy, man. I’m not a bad guy.” Floyd is wrestled to the ground after avoiding going into the backseat. As the video ends Floyd begins telling officers “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe.” The world is aware of how this incident ends. The current murder case against former cops Thomas Lane, Alex Kueng, Derek Chauvin, and Tou Thao is ongoing. This piece of footage is being used as evidence in the case. The video below shows the entire incident. Viewer be warned some of this footage may be unsettling. Why It Matters: The Floyd death has had me wondering what can honestly be done differently when it comes to policing. Watching this video I did not feel a sense of connection and community amongst officers. I felt a separation between them and the potential ‘criminal’ they were engaging with. In the US, stats show this type of behavior can affect black people more than others, but I never felt this incident was race-related. To me it felt like how many police interactions feel: stressful and disconnected. So why is that? Why in general is humanity so disconnected from one another? A deeper look into the state of being of police officers points us to the fact that police are consistently under a high level of stress and are not living in a balanced state of being while on the job. Not a surprise to some, but perhaps to others. I’ve often wondered if the larger issue here is that we have a police force that is experiencing “among the most stressful occupations in the world and officers typically suffer a variety of physiological, psychological, and behavioral effects and symptoms,” according to a 2012 study examining the role of stress and other psychological challenges in a police officers life. “Officers operating under severe or chronic stress are likely to be at greater risk of error, accidents, and overreactions that can compromise their performance, jeopardize public safety, and pose significant liability costs to the organization” the study abstract continues. After following 59 police officers through 16 weeks that had been trained on Heart Math’s Resilience Advantage® training, it was noted that: “The greatest and, in our view, most important effect of the self-management training was seen in the participants’ increased ability to manage their moods and emotions, which is a fundamental key to sustaining resilience. … For the police officer, the abilities to think rationally under stress, concentrate, plan ahead, remember and organize crucial information, make effective decisions, and control inappropriate emotion-triggered reactions are critically important and in some cases, can determine the difference between life and death for the officer and other parties.” Since 2012, 300 to 400 police officers per week in the Netherlands have received heart coherence training through the HeartMath. It was estimated that by 2016, 30,000 Dutch officers would have gone through the training, we are awaiting an update on this figure. HeartMath Benelux is an official partner of the Dutch Police Academy as clearly they see value in this form of training for officers. The Conscious Takeaway: Why is the emotional and psychological state of an officer not one of the most important factors discussed in the media? It so often comes down to race as our social engineering has trained us to view things in that manner. We have a potentially extremely powerful solution through Heart Math’s Resilience Advantage® training yet instead of having these discussions we point to divisive narratives like race? But does this really account for the vast majority of poor interactions with police? Perhaps it’s time for a new approach? Maybe we can begin to address the state of being of ourselves and start taking responsibility for how we feel, what we go through, and how to master our emotions? There are plenty of tools out there, it simply requires a cultural shift in wanting to move towards peace vs staying right where we are. It moves us from a story of separation to one of connection – something that we experience directly, not are taught through beliefs and ideas. Perhaps attuning to heart coherence can be a solution alongside other proposed ideas? After all, are the police not people we want to feel like can truly help the community? “It makes you not want to call the police department […] If you don’t feel safe with the police department, then who do you feel safe with?” – James Smith, neighbor who called police. Become Part of CE's Inner Circle Continue Reading Alternative News Alan Dershowitz Implicated In Unsealed Ghislaine Maxwell Documents In Brief • The Facts: Alan Dershowitz has been implicated in the latest events pertaining to the Ghislaine Maxwell case. Virginia Roberts Giuffre, the accuser, is claiming to have sexually engaged with him as a minor, unsealed documents reveal. • Reflect On: How many people may be implicated here that don't come to light? Is there something deeper going on here that remains to be uncovered and continues not be covered by mainstream media? What Happened: Well known attorney and political commentator Alan Dershowitz has been implicated in the latest news pertaining to the Ghislaine Maxwell case. She is currently being held in New York awaiting her trial next year. Dershowitz was mentioned, along with Bill Clinton and others in a set of unsealed documents that were part of now-settled civil litigation against Maxwell. She appealed the decision of the judge to unseal them, but to no avail. Maxwell was Epstein’s right hand person, and the documents, along with testimony from many others over the past few years, show that Maxwell sexually abused children and also directed victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre to be sexually abused by others, using her and many others as sex slaves. The NY Post explains: The emeritus Harvard Law professor was accused of having sex with then-minor “Jane Doe #3” — identified in court documents as Virginia Roberts Giuffre — and witnessing Jeffrey Epstein and others sexually abusing girls and young women. The allegations, lodged in a 2014 court filing, reemerged in more than 600 pages unsealed Thursday night in Giuffre’s 2015 defamation case against. In 1997, Dershowitz wrote the following: “Reasonable People Can Disagree Over Whether It Should Be As Low As 14.” You can find that article and read more about that here. He is currently denying the allegations made by Giuffre, calling her a liar. He also stands by that article he wrote in 1997. Why This Is Important: Elite level trafficking and pedophilia are coming to light, and it’s a major step for humanity given that many implicated and accused people are those in positions of great power, and in some cases made out to be idolized by the general public, usually showered with fame and fortune. Research indicates there are many children suffering and that do suffer as a result of this activity, and there are so many examples going beyond the Jeffrey Epstein showing that this is quite rampant among our political and financial elite, and among those who pull the strings that we never really see. This type of activity also shines light onto the world of politics. For example, with regards to Epstein and Maxwell, there is evidence suggesting that both are actually high ranking intelligence officers, with the job of entrapping powerful politicians and people. You can read more about that here. Is this what goes on in the system we continue to hold up and empower by voting year after year? Why are we playing with a system that’s clearly created out of disconnection and separation, and that does not allow humanity to thrive? Is it time for something new? Is the current state of our world a reflection of the ‘leadership’ we choose and agree to put into power? If you want to see some more examples and dive through more evidence, you can refer to this article I published towards the end of last year. You can also watch our interview with a survivor of these types of pedophile rings. The interview is with Anneke Lucas, who is is an author, speaker, advocate for child sex trafficking victims, founder of the non-profit organization Liberation Prison Yoga, and creator of the Unconditional Model. Her work is based on personal experience of a 30-year healing journey after surviving being sold by her family as a child sex slave to a pedophile network. The interview is deep, and goes into the consciousness aspect of her experience and why that aspect is so important. The Takeaway: There are many events taking place that are causing people to really question what’s happening on our planet and why. Why do we think and live the way we are living, and why is there so much misinformation, deception, and examples of fraud and deceit that come from multiple governments? Is it really a surprise that many of these people may be involved in activities that represent such a disregard for human life? Isn’t that what geopolitics has resulted in? War is a great example. More people are starting to realize that we’re not really living in a democracy, but in the illusion of democracy where our physical rights are slowly taken away by governments who are capitalizing on crisis after crisis, ones in which they themselves help create and prolong. Elite level child trafficking simply shines a light on how our current level of unconsciousness is creating a world built on disconnection. Now is a time where these truths are being made transparent. At the end of the day, we can change things anytime we want. We are indeed that powerful as one human collective. Become Part of CE's Inner Circle Continue Reading advertisement - learn more advertisement - learn more Choose your topics of interest below: You have Successfully Subscribed!
Some patients often make the mistake of visiting their dentist only in an ‘emergency’. However, this could mean you missing out on valuable advice from your dentist to help you catch the first stages of gum disease before it causes you major problems, like pain, loosing your teeth and consequently struggling to eat the healthy food you know it´s better for you, like vegetables, fruits and protein. Regular dental check-ups and periodontal examinations are very important for patients with diabetes. Treatment methods depend on the type of disease and how advanced the condition is, so treatment options could vary, whether you have decay, dry mouth, fungal infections or gum disease. In between dental visits you should ensure you’re practicing proper oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily or using interdental brushes, and brushing your tongue to reduce the accumulation of bacteria. In addition, keeping your blood sugar levels well managed and under control will help reduce the risk of developing periodontitis. Have you ever been taught how to clean your teeth properly? If you are like most of us, you will be self taught at cleaning your teeth. This means that one of our useful oral hygiene instruction session will certainly improve your efficiency when cleaning your teeth, hence minimizing your chances of accumulating plaque and bacteria. Why not arrange a consultation with our specialist for some advice and piece of mind? If we want to control Diabetes, every little helps.
10 Easy Tips That Can Stop Anxiety Disorder Anxiety is among the most common mental health issues in the world today, it can affect physical and mental health. It is a feeling of excessive unease or nervousness and fear about an uncertain event or happenings. It can greatly interfere with our everyday life. Anxiety can be caused by many factors such as medical factors post traumatic stress disorder, Social anxiety environmental factors genetic factors. Whenever we become stressed and anxious, the brain sends signals to the body, alerting it to fight. The body reacts by releasing stress hormone. Some of the Symptoms of Anxiety include . Sleeping difficulties . Weakness . Excessive Sweating . Restlessness . Tingling . Fatigue . Dizziness . Heart Palpitations . Feeling of sickness . Difficulties Concentrating . Muscle tension . Depression . Truama Now Put Your Worries away and follow this easy steps 1. Taking a Deep Breath – this routine will provide relief from anxiety symptoms. With this your body gets a relaxed response instead of react response. Gently Inhale through your nose on the count of 5 and exhale through your mouth with the same count. 2. Positive Self talk – This is another good tip. Ignore every negative thoughts your brain is giving you and assure yourself that you can come up with some strategies to cope with any problem that is worrying you. Positive self talks makes us feel better and can make us forget every fear. Also Read 6 Ways You Can Improve Your Mental Strength In The Midst of Life Struggles 3. Forget The Future, Concentrate on Now- thinking about the future can increase anxiety because we are uncertain about what the future holds. Focus on what is currently happening instead of what will still happen in the future. This will help you to effectively manage what is currently happening. If you must think about the future, then it should be a happy event you look forward to in the future. This will equally help you get over bad thoughts easily. 4. Meditation – Anxiety it helps to slow racing thoughts. When done regularly, it can train your brain to dismiss anxious thoughts when they come up. Also read >What To Do Whenever You Feel Your World is Crashing Down 5. Writing – Anxiety Write down what makes you anxious, by putting them in black and white, you can get it off your head. 6. Herbal Teas – Anxiety Herbal tea have soothing effects in the body and nerves. It can promote relaxation and reduce the effects of anxiety. 7. Time Management – this strategy can make one keep anxiety at a distance. Many commitments at once, can trigger anxiousness. You can effectively manage your time by breaking down projects into steps. You can set your plans with offline or online calender. 8. Exercising Regularly- A morning or afternoon Relaxation workout is very effective in reducing anxiety problems. You can achieve this by lying or sitting in a relaxed position and gently massage every muscles from toes to shoulders. 9. Getting Enough Sleep – too little sleep affects moods which contribute to depression, it can have serious effects on anxiety level. Sleep gives your brain and body time to heal. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. If you find it hard falling asleep, this tips will help you get a better sleep . Avoid Excessive intake of Caffeine. This can cause sleep disorder and increase anxiety. Caffeine can be found in coffee, Chocolate teas and soft drinks which takes so long to leave the body system. .Taking a shower shortly before bed can help you fall asleep easily. . Set a sleep Schedule . Try to go to bed at that set time and wake up at the same time in the morning except on. Unless you are an office worker, you don’t wanna risk getting sacked. If you leave for work very early in the morning, then try and go to bed much earlier so you can wake up on time. . Exercise 6-7 hours before bed time as workout close to bedtime can interfere with sleep. .Set up a meal plan. Schedule your meals and be consistent with the time. Don’t wait too long to eat four hours before bedtime. .Reading. reading in a quiet and warm room triggers sleep 10. Changing Diets – Some supplements and herbs such as Omega 3 fatty acids, Dark chocolates and green tea, reduces anxiety disorder. 7 Health Benefits of Plum Fruits – Healthy Living Have anymore suggestions on how to reduce anxiety, share with us on the comment section Our Score Click to rate this post! [Total: 0 Average: 0] Leave a Reply
Maratha Empire The Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was a power that dominated a large portion of the Indian subcontinent in the 18th century. The empire formally existed from 1674 with the coronation of Shivaji as the Chhatrapati and ended in 1818 with the defeat of Peshwa Bajirao II. The Marathas are credited to a large extent for ending Mughal rule in India.[4][5][6][note 1] Maratha Empire मराठी साम्राज्य (Marathi) मराठा साम्राज्य (Sanskrit) Territory under Maratha control in 1759 (yellow). Common languagesMarathi and Sanskrit[2] GovernmentAbsolute monarchy Shivaji (first) Pratap Singh (last) Peshwa (Prime Minister) Moropant Pingle (first) Baji Rao II (last) LegislatureAshta Pradhan 17602,500,000[3] km2 (970,000 sq mi) CurrencyRupee, Paisa, Mohur, Shivrai, Hon Preceded by Succeeded by Mughal Empire Bijapur Sultanate Company rule in India Today part of Part of a series on the History of India The Maratha were a Marathi-speaking warrior group from the western Deccan Plateau (present-day Maharashtra) who rose to prominence by establishing a Hindavi Swarajya (meaning "self-rule of Hindu/Indian people").[8][9] The Maratha became prominent in the 17th century under the leadership of Shivaji, who revolted against the Adil Shahi dynasty, and carved out a kingdom with Raigad as his capital. Known for their mobility, the Maratha were able to consolidate their territory during the Mughal–Maratha Wars and later controlled a large part of the Indian subcontinent. After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, Shahu, grandson of Shivaji, was released by the Mughals.[10] Following a brief struggle with his aunt Tarabai, Shahu became the ruler and appointed Balaji Vishwanath and later, his descendants, as the peshwas or prime ministers of the empire.[11] Balaji and his descendants played a key role in the expansion of Maratha rule. The empire at its peak stretched from Tamil Nadu[12] in the south, to Peshawar (modern-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan[13][note 2]) in the north, and Bengal Subah in the east. The Maratha discussed abolishing the Mughal throne and placing Vishwasrao Peshwa on the Mughal imperial throne in Delhi but were not able to do so.[15] In 1761, the Maratha Army lost the Third Battle of Panipat against Ahmad Shah Abdali of the Afghan Durrani Empire, which halted their imperial expansion into Afghanistan. Ten years after Panipat, the young Peshwa Madhavrao I's Maratha Resurrection reinstated Maratha authority over North India. In a bid to effectively manage the large empire, Madhavrao gave semi-autonomy to the strongest of the knights, and created a confederacy of Maratha states. These leaders became known as the Gaekwads of Baroda, the Holkars of Indore and Malwa, the Scindias of Gwalior and Ujjain, the Bhonsales of Nagpur, the Mehere's of Vidharbha and the Puars of Dhar and Dewas. In 1775, the East India Company intervened in a Peshwa family succession struggle in Pune, which led to the First Anglo-Maratha War. The Maratha were victorious.[16] The Maratha remained the pre-eminent power in India until their defeat in the Second and Third Anglo-Maratha Wars (1805-1818), which resulted in the East India Company controlling most of India. A large portion of the Maratha empire was coastline, which had been secured by the potent Maratha Navy under commanders such as Kanhoji Angre. He was very successful at keeping foreign naval ships at bay, particularly those of the Portuguese and British nations.[17] Securing the coastal areas and building land-based fortifications were crucial aspects of the Maratha's defensive strategy and regional military history. The Maratha Empire is also referred to as the Maratha Confederacy. The historian Barbara Ramusack says that the former is a designation preferred by Indian nationalists, while the latter was that used by British historians. She notes, "neither term is fully accurate since one implies a substantial degree of centralisation and the other signifies some surrender of power to a central government and a longstanding core of political administrators.[18] Although at present, the word Maratha refers to a particular caste of warriors and peasants, in the past the word has been used to describe Marathi people.[19][20] The empire had its head in the Chhatrapati as de jure, but the de facto governance was in the hands of the Peshwas. After the death of Shahu and with the death of Madhavrao – I, various chiefs played the role of the de facto rulers in their own regions. Shivaji and his descendants Shivaji (1630–1680) was a Maratha aristocrat of the Bhosale clan who is considered to be the founder of the Maratha empire.[4] Shivaji led a resistance to free the people from the Sultanate of Bijapur in 1645 by winning the fort Torna, followed by many more forts, placing the area under his control and establishing Hindavi Swarajya (self-rule of Hindu people[9]). He created an independent Maratha kingdom with Raigad as its capital[21] and successfully fought against the Mughals to defend his kingdom. He was crowned as Chhatrapati (sovereign) of the new Maratha kingdom in 1674. The Maratha kingdom comprised about 4.1% of the subcontinent, but it was spread over large tracts. At the time of his death,[4] it was reinforced with about 300 forts, and defended by about 40,000 cavalry, and 50,000 foot soldiers, as well as naval establishments along the west coast. Over time, the kingdom would increase in size and heterogeneity;[22] by the time of his grandson's rule, and later under the Peshwas in the early 18th century, it was a full-fledged empire.[23] Shambhaji (Shambhu Raje) Shivaji had two sons: Sambhaji and Rajaram, who had different mothers and were half-brothers. Sambhaji, the elder son, was very popular among the courtiers. In 1681, Sambhaji succeeded to the crown after his father's death and resumed his expansionist policies. Sambhaji had earlier defeated the Portuguese and Chikka Deva Raya of Mysore. To nullify the alliance between his rebel son, Akbar, and the Maratha,[24] Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb headed south in 1681. With his entire imperial court, administration and an army of about 500,000 troops, he proceeded to expand the Mughal empire, gaining territories such as the sultanates of Bijapur and Golconda. During the eight years that followed, Sambhaji led the Maratha, never losing any of battles and even forts to Aurangzeb. In early 1689, Sambhaji called his commanders for a strategic meeting at Sangameshwar to consider an onslaught on the Mughal forces. In a meticulously planned operation, Ganoji and Aurangzeb's commander, Mukarrab Khan, attacked Sangameshwar when Sambhaji was accompanied by just a few men. Sambhaji was ambushed and captured by Mughal troops on 1 February 1689. He and his advisor, Kavi Kalash, were taken to Bahadurgad by the imperial army, where they were executed by the Mughals on 21 March 1689.[25] Aurangzeb had charged Sambhaji with attacks by Maratha forces on Burhanpur;.[26] Rajaram and Maharani Tarabai Upon Sambhaji's death, his half-brother Rajaram assumed the throne. The Mughal siege of Raigad continued, and he had to flee to Vishalgad and then to Gingee for safety. From there the Maratha raided Mughal territory, and many forts were recaptured by Maratha commanders such as Santaji Ghorpade, Dhanaji Jadhav, Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi, Shankaraji Narayan Sacheev and Melgiri Pandit. In 1697, Rajaram offered a truce but this was rejected by Aurangzeb. Rajaram died in 1700 at Sinhagad. His widow, Tarabai, assumed control in the name of her son, Ramaraja (Shivaji II). She led the Maratha against the Mughal, and by 1705 they had crossed the Narmada River and entered Malwa, then in Mughal possession. After Aurangzeb's death in 1707, Shahu, son of Sambhaji (and grandson of Shivaji), was released by Bahadur Shah I, the new Mughal emperor. His mother was kept as a hostage of the Mughal, however, in order to ensure that Shahu adhered to the release conditions. Upon release, Shahu immediately claimed the Maratha throne and challenged his aunt Tarabai and her son. The spluttering Mughal-Maratha war became a three-cornered affair. The states of Satara and Kolhapur were organized in 1707 because of the succession dispute over the Maratha kingship. Shahu appointed Balaji Vishwanath as Peshwa.[27] The Peshwa was instrumental in securing Mughal recognition of Shahu as the rightful heir of Shivaji and the Chatrapati of the Maratha.[27] Balaji also gained the release of Shahu's mother, Yesubai, from Mughal captivity in 1719.[28] During Shahu's reign, Raghoji Bhosale expanded the empire in the East, reaching present-day Bengal. Khanderao Dabhade and later his son, Trimbakrao, expanded it in the West in Gujarat.[29] Peshwa Bajirao and his three chiefs, Pawar (Dhar), Holkar (Indore), and Scindia (Gwalior), expanded in the North. Peshwa era During this era, Peshwas belonging to the Bhat family controlled the Maratha Army and later became de facto rulers of the Maratha Empire. During their reign, the Maratha Empire dominated most of the Indian subcontinent. Balaji Vishwanath Shahu appointed Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath in 1713. From his time, the office of Peshwa became supreme while Shahu became a figurehead.[27] • His first major achievement was the conclusion of the Treaty of Lonavala in 1714 with Kanhoji Angre, the most powerful naval chief on the Western Coast. He later accepted Shahu as Chhatrapati. • In 1719, an army of Marathas marched to Delhi after defeating Sayyid Hussain Ali, the Mughal governor of Deccan, and deposed the Mughal emperor. The Mughal Emperors became puppets in the hands of their Maratha overlords from this point on.[30] Baji Rao I After Balaji Vishwanath's death in April 1720, his son, Baji Rao I, was appointed Peshwa by Shahu. Bajirao is credited with expanding the Maratha Empire tenfold from 3% to 30% of the modern Indian landscape during 1720–1740. He fought over 41 battles before his death in April 1740 and is reputed to have never lost one.[31] • The Battle of Palkhed was a land battle that took place on 28 February 1728 at the village of Palkhed, near the city of Nashik, Maharashtra, India between Baji Rao I and the Qamar-ud-din Khan, Asaf Jah I of Hyderabad. The Marathas defeated the Nizam. The battle is considered an example of brilliant execution of military strategy.[30] • In 1737, Marathas under Bajirao I raided the suburbs of Delhi in a blitzkrieg in the Battle of Delhi (1737).[32][33] • The Nizam left Deccan to rescue Mughals from the invasion of Marathas, but was defeated decisively in the Battle of Bhopal.[34][35] The Marathas extracted a large tribute from the Mughals and signed a treaty which ceded Malwa to the Marathas.[36] • The Battle of Vasai was fought between the Marathas and the Portuguese rulers of Vasai, a village lying on the northern shore of Vasai creek, 50 km north of Mumbai. The Marathas were led by Chimaji Appa, brother of Baji Rao. The Maratha victory in this war was a major achievement of Baji Rao's time in office.[34] Balaji Baji Rao Baji Rao's son, Balaji Bajirao (Nanasaheb), was appointed as the next Peshwa by Shahu despite the opposition of other chiefs. • Rajputana also came under Maratha domination during this time.[38] • In June 1756 Luís Mascarenhas, Count of Alva(Conde de Alva), the Portuguese Viceroy was killed in action by Maratha Army in Goa. Invasions in Bengal After the successful campaign of Karnataka and the Trichinopolly, Raghuji returned from Karnataka. He undertook six expeditions into Bengal from 1741 to 1748.[39] Raghuji was able to annex Odisha to his kingdom permanently as he successfully exploited the chaotic conditions prevailing in Bengal after the death of its governor Murshid Quli Khan in 1727. Constantly harassed by the Bhonsles, Odisha, Bengal and parts of Bihar were economically ruined. Alivardi Khan, the Nawab of Bengal made peace with Raghuji in 1751 ceding Cuttack (Odisha) up to the river Subarnarekha, and agreeing to pay Rs.1.2 million annually as the Chauth for Bengal and Bihar.[38] During their occupation of western Bengal, the Marathas perpetrated atrocities against the local population.[40] The Maratha atrocities were recorded by both Bengali and European sources, which reported that the Marathas demanded payments, and tortured and killed anyone who couldn't pay. Dutch sources estimate a total of 400,000 people in Bengal were killed by the Marathas. According to Bengali sources, the atrocities led to much of the local population opposing the Marathas and developing support for the Nawabs.[40] Maratha's Afghan conquests Maratha invasion of Delhi and Rohilkhand Just prior to the battle of Panipat in 1761, Marathas looted "Diwan-i-Khas" or Hall of Private Audiences in the Red Fort of Delhi, which was the place where the Mughal emperors used to receive courtiers and state guests, in one of their expeditions of Delhi. During the Maratha invasion of Rohilkhand in the 1750s "The Marathas defeated the Rohillas, forced them to seek shelter in hills and ransacked their country in such a manner that the Rohillas dreaded the Marathas and hated them ever afterwards".[42] Third battle of Panipat In 1759, the Marathas under Sadashivrao Bhau (referred to as the Bhau or Bhao in sources) responded to the news of the Afghans' return to North India by sending a large army north. Bhau's force was bolstered by some Maratha forces under Holkar, Scindia, Gaikwad and Govind Pant Bundele. The combined army of over 100,000 regular troops re-captured the former Mughal capital, Delhi, from an Afghan garrison in August 1760.[43] Delhi had been reduced to ashes many times due to previous invasions, and there was an acute shortage of supplies in the Maratha camp. Bhau ordered the sacking of the already depopulated city.[42][44] He is said to have planned to place his nephew and the Peshwa's son, Vishwasrao, on the Mughal throne. By 1760, with defeat of the Nizam in the Deccan, Maratha power had reached its zenith with a territory of over 2,500,000 square miles (6,500,000 km2).[3] Signature Maratha helmet with curved back, front view Signature Maratha helmet with curved back, side view Maratha armour from Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia Ahmad Shah Durrani called on the Rohillas and the Nawab of Oudh to assist him in driving out the Marathas from Delhi. Huge armies of Muslim forces and Marathas collided with each other on 14 January 1761 in the Third Battle of Panipat. The Maratha Army lost the battle, which halted their imperial expansion. The Jats and Rajputs did not support the Marathas. Historians have criticised the Maratha treatment of fellow Hindu groups. Kaushik Roy says "The treatment of Marathas with their co-religionist fellows – Jats and Rajputs was definitely unfair and ultimately they had to pay its price in Panipat where Muslim forces had united in the name of religion."[41] The Marathas had antagonised the Jats and Rajputs by taxing them heavily, punishing them after defeating the Mughals and interfering in their internal affairs. The Marathas were abandoned by Raja Suraj Mal of Bharatpur and the Rajputs, who quit the Maratha alliance at Agra before the start of the great battle and withdrew their troops as Maratha general Sadashivrao Bhau did not heed the advice to leave soldier's families (women and children) and pilgrims at Agra and not take them to the battle field with the soldiers, rejected their co-operation. Their supply chains (earlier assured by Raja Suraj Mal and Rajputs) did not exist. Peshwa Madhav Rao I Peshwa Madhavrao I was the fourth Peshwa of the Maratha Empire. It was during his tenure that the Maratha Resurrection took place. He worked as a unifying force in the Maratha Empire and moved to the south to subdue Nizam and Mysore to assert Maratha power. He sent generals such as Bhonsle, Scindia and Holkar to the north, where they re-established Maratha authority by the early 1770s. Prof G. S. Chhabra wrote: Young though he was, Madhav Rao had a cool and calculating head of a seasoned and experienced man. The diplomacy by which he could win over his uncle Raghoba when he had no strength to fight and the way he could crush his power when he had the means to do so later on proved in him a genius who knows when and how to act. The formidable power of the Nizam was crushed, Hyder Ali, who was a terror even to the British, was effectually humbled and before he died in 1772, the Marathas were almost there in the north where they had been before Panipat. What could not have the Marathas achieved if Madhav had continued living just for a few years more? Destiny was not in favour of the Marathas, the death of Madhav was a greater blow than their defeat of Panipat and from this blow they could never again recover.[45] Madhav Rao died in 1772, at the age of 27. His death is considered to be a fatal blow to the Maratha Empire and from that time Maratha power started to move on a downward trajectory, less an empire than a confederacy. Confederacy era In a bid to effectively manage the large empire, Madhavrao Peshwa gave semi-autonomy to the strongest of the knights. After the death of Peshwa Madhavrao I, various chiefs and statesman became de facto rulers and regents for the infant Peshwa Madhavrao II. Thus, the semi-autonomous Maratha states came into being in far-flung regions of the empire: Major events • In 1659, Shivaji killed Afzal Khan at Pratapgad who had come to demolish the kingdom. More than 3,000 soldiers of the Bijapur army were killed and one sardar of high rank, two sons of Afzal Khan and two Maratha chiefs were taken prisoner. • In the ensuing Battle of Pavan Khind, the small Maratha force of 300 held back the larger enemy to buy time for Shivaji to escape. Baji Prabhu Deshpande was wounded but continued to fight until he heard the sound of cannon fire from Vishalgad, signalling Shivaji had safely reached the fort, on the evening of 13 July 1660. • In April 1663, Shivaji launched a surprise attack on Shaista Khan in Pune, along with a small group of men. After gaining access to Khan's compound, the raiders were able to kill some of his wives; Shaista Khan escaped, losing a finger in the melee.[46] The Khan took refuge with the Mughal forces outside of Pune, and Aurangzeb punished him for this embarrassment with a transfer to Bengal.[47] • In 1666, Aurangzeb summoned Shivaji to Agra and arrested him but Shivaji manage to get escape and safely reach to Maharashtra. • In 1674, Shivaji was crowned king of Maratha Empire in a lavish ceremony at Raigad fort. • After the 1761 Battle of Panipat, Malhar Rao Holkar attacked the Rajputs and defeated them at the battle of Mangrol. This largely restored Maratha power in Rajasthan.[48] • Under the leadership of Mahadji Shinde, the ruler of the state of Gwalior in central India, the Marathas defeated the Jats, the Rohilla Afghans and took Delhi which remained under Maratha control for the next three decades.[49] His forces conquered modern day Haryana[50] Shinde was instrumental in resurrecting Maratha power after the débâcle of the Third Battle of Panipat, and in this he was assisted by Benoît de Boigne. • In 1767 Madhavrao I crossed the Krishna River and defeated Hyder Ali in the battles of Sira and Madgiri. He also rescued the last queen of the Keladi Nayaka Kingdom, who had been kept in confinement by Hyder Ali in the fort of Madgiri.[51] • After taking control of Delhi, the Marathas sent a large army in 1772 to punish Afghan Rohillas for their involvement in Panipat. Their army devastated Rohilkhand by looting and plundering as well as taking members of the royal family as captives.[52] • In 1788, Mahadji's armies defeated Ismail Beg, a Mughal noble who resisted the Marathas.[57] The Rohilla chief Ghulam Kadir, Ismail Beg's ally, took over Delhi, capital of the Mughal dynasty and deposed and blinded the king Shah Alam II, placing a puppet on the Delhi throne. Mahadji intervened and killed him, taking possession of Delhi on 2 October restoring Shah Alam II to the throne and acting as his protector.[58] • Jaipur and Jodhpur, the two most powerful Rajput states, were still out of direct Maratha domination. So, Mahadji sent his general Benoît de Boigne to crush the forces of Jaipur and Jodhpur at the Battle of Patan.[59] Marwar was also captured on 10 September 1790. • Another achievement of the Marathas was their victories over the Nizam of Hyderabad's armies including in the Battle of Kharda.[14][60] Mysore war, Sringeri sacking, British alliance The Marathas came into conflict with Tipu Sultan and his Kingdom of Mysore, leading to the Maratha–Mysore War in 1785. The war ended in 1787 with the Marathas being defeated by Tipu Sultan.[61] In 1791–92, large areas of the Maratha Confederacy suffered massive population loss due to the Doji bara famine.[62] In 1791, irregulars like lamaans and pindari of Maratha army raided and looted the temple of Sringeri Shankaracharya, killing and wounding many people including Brahmins, plundering the monastery of all its valuable possessions, and desecrating the temple by displacing the image of goddess Sarada.[63] The incumbent Shankaracharya petitioned Tipu Sultan for help. A bunch of about 30 letters written in Kannada, which were exchanged between Tipu Sultan's court and the Sringeri Shankaracharya were discovered in 1916 by the Director of Archaeology in Mysore. Tipu Sultan expressed his indignation and grief at the news of the raid:[64] "People who have sinned against such a holy place are sure to suffer the consequences of their misdeeds at no distant date in this Kali age in accordance with the verse: "Hasadbhih kriyate karma rudadbhir-anubhuyate" (People do [evil] deeds smilingly but suffer the consequences crying)."[65] Tipu Sultan immediately ordered the Asaf of Bednur to supply the Swami with 200 rahatis (fanams) in cash and other gifts and articles. Tipu Sultan's interest in the Sringeri temple continued for many years, and he was still writing to the Swami in the 1790s.[66] The Maratha Empire soon allied with the British East India Company (based in the Bengal Presidency) against Mysore in the Anglo-Mysore Wars. After the British had suffered defeat against Mysore in the first two Anglo-Mysore War, the Maratha cavalry assisted the British in the last two Anglo-Mysore Wars from 1790 onwards, eventually helping the British conquer Mysore in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799.[67] After the British conquest, however, the Marathas launched frequent raids in Mysore to plunder the region, which they justified as compensation for past losses to Tipu Sultan.[68] British intervention In 1775, the British East India Company, from its base in Bombay, intervened in a succession struggle in Pune, on behalf of Raghunathrao (also called Raghobadada), who wanted to become Peshwa of the empire. Marathas forces under Tukojirao Holkar and Mahadaji Shinde defeated a British expeditionary force at the Battle of Wadgaon, but the heavy surrender terms, which included the return of annexed territory and a share of revenues, were disavowed by the British authorities at Bengal and fighting continued. What became known as the First Anglo-Maratha War ended in 1782 with a restoration of the pre-war status quo and the East India Company's abandonment of Raghunathrao's cause.[69] In 1799, Yashwantrao Holkar was crowned King of Holkars, he captured Ujjain. He started campaigning towards the north to expand his empire in that region. Yashwant Rao rebelled against the policies of the Peshwa Baji Rao II. In May 1802, he marched towards Pune the seat of the Peshwa. This gave rise to the Battle of Poona in which the Peshwa was defeated. After the Battle of Poona, the flight of Peshwa left the government of Maratha state in the hands of Yashwantrao Holkar.(Kincaid & Pārasanīsa 1925, p. 194) He appointed Amrutrao as the Peshwa and went to Indore on 13 March 1803. All except Gaikwad chief of Baroda, who had already accepted British protection by a separate treaty on 26 July 1802, supported the new regime. He made a treaty with the British. Also, Yashwant-Rao successfully resolved the disputes with Scindia and the Peshwa. He tried to unite the Maratha Confederacy but to no avail. In 1802, the British intervened in Baroda to support the heir to the throne against rival claimants and they signed a treaty with the new Maharaja recognising his independence from the Maratha Empire in return for his acknowledgment of British paramountcy. Before the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805), the Peshwa Baji Rao II signed a similar treaty. The defeat in Battle of Delhi, 1803 during Second Anglo-Maratha War resulted in the loss of the city of Delhi for the Marathas.[70] Ultimately, the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818) resulted in the loss of Maratha independence. It left the British in control of most of India. The Peshwa was exiled to Bithoor (Marat, near Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh) as a pensioner of the British. The Maratha heartland of Desh, including Pune, came under direct British rule, with the exception of the states of Kolhapur and Satara, which retained local Maratha rulers (descendants of Shivaji and Sambhaji II ruled over Kolhapur). The Maratha-ruled states of Gwalior, Indore, and Nagpur all lost territory and came under subordinate alliance with the British Raj as princely states that retained internal sovereignty under British paramountcy. Other small princely states of Maratha knights were retained under the British Raj as well. The Third Anglo-Maratha War was fought by Maratha war lords separately instead of forming a common front and they surrendered one by one. Shinde and the Pashtun Amir Khan were subdued by the use of diplomacy and pressure, which resulted in the Treaty of Gwalior[71] on 5 November 1817. All other Maratha chiefs like Holkars, Bhonsles and Peshwa gave up arms by 1818. British historian Percival Spear describes 1818 as a watershed year in the history of India, saying that by the year "the British dominion in India became the British dominion of India".[72][73] The war left the British, under the auspices of the British East India Company, in control of virtually all of present-day India south of the Sutlej River. The famed Nassak Diamond was acquired by the Company as part of the spoils of the war.[74] The British acquired large chunks of territory from the Maratha Empire and in effect put an end to their most dynamic opposition.[75] The terms of surrender Major-general John Malcolm offered to the Peshwa were controversial amongst the British for being too liberal: The Peshwa was offered a luxurious life near Kanpur and given a pension of about 80,000 pounds. The Ashtapradhan (The Council of Eight) was a council of eight ministers that administered the Maratha empire. This system was formed by Shivaji.[76] Ministerial designations were drawn from the Sanskrit language and comprised: • Pantpradhan or PeshwaPrime Minister, general administration of the Empire • Amatya or MazumdarFinance Minister, managing accounts of the Empire[77] • SachivSecretary, preparing royal edicts • MantriInterior Minister, managing internal affairs especially intelligence and espionage • SenapatiCommander-in-Chief, managing the forces and defence of the Empire • SumantForeign Minister, to manage relationships with other sovereigns • NyayadhyakshChief Justice, dispensing justice on civil and criminal matters • PanditraoHigh Priest, managing internal religious matters The Peshwa was the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8–9 years and controlled the Maratha Army. They later became the de facto hereditary administrators of the Maratha Empire from 1749 till its end in 1818. The Marathas used a secular policy of administration and allowed complete freedom of religion.[78] There were many notable Muslims in the military and administration of Marathas like Ibrahim Khan Gardi, Haider Ali Kohari, Daulat Khan, Siddi Ibrahim, and Jiva Mahal. Shivaji was an able administrator who established a government that included modern concepts such as cabinet, foreign policy and internal intelligence.[79] He established an effective civil and military administration. He believed that there was a close bond between the state and the citizens. He is remembered as a just and welfare-minded king. Cosme da Guarda says of him that:[14] English traveller John Fryer found Shivaji's tax-collecting regime oppressive, describing it as poor people having land "imposed upon them at double the former Rates," and if they refused it, being "carried to Prison, there they are famished almost to death." While French physician Dellon reports that Shivaji was "looked upon as one of the most politic princes in those parts." Maratha empire carried out a number of sea raids, such as plunders targeting Mughal pilgrim ships and European trading vessels. European traders described these attacks as piracy, but the Marathas viewed them as legitimate targets because they were trading with, and thus financially supporting, their Mughal and Bijapur enemies. After the representatives of various European powers signed agreements with Shivaji or his successors that the threat of plundering or raids against Europeans began to reduce. The Maratha Empire, at its peak, ruled over a large area in the Indian sub-continent. Apart from capturing various regions, the Marathas maintained a large number of tributaries who were bounded by agreement to pay a certain amount of regular tax, known as Chauth. The empire defeated the Sultanate of Mysore under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, Nawab of Oudh, Nawab of Bengal, Nizam of Hyderabad and Nawab of Arcot as well as the Polygar kingdoms of South India. They extracted chauth from the rulers in Delhi, Oudh, Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Punjab, Hyderabad, Mysore, Uttar Pradesh and Rajputana.[80][81] The Marathas were requested by Safdarjung, the Nawab of Oudh, in 1752 to help him defeat Afghani Rohilla. The Maratha force left Pune and defeated Afghan Rohilla in 1752, capturing the whole of Rohilkhand (present-day northwestern Uttar Pradesh).[42] In 1752, Marathas entered into an agreement with the Mughal emperor, through his wazir, Safdarjung, Mughals gave Marathas the chauth of Punjab, Sindh and Doab in addition to the subedari of Ajmer and Agra.[82] In 1758, Marathas started their north-west conquest and expanded their boundary till Afghanistan. They defeated Afghan forces of Ahmed Shah Abdali, in what is now Pakistan, including Pakistani Punjab Province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Afghans were numbered around 25,000–30,000 and were led by Timur Shah, the son of Ahmad Shah Durrani. The Marathas massacred and looted thousands of Afghan soldiers and captured Lahore, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Attock, Peshawar in the Punjab region and Kashmir.[83] During the confederacy era, Mahadji Shinde resurrected the Maratha domination on much of North India, which was lost after the Third battle of Panipat including the cis-Sutlej states (south of Sutlej) like Kaithal, Patiala, Jind, Thanesar, Maler Kotla and Faridkot, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh were under the suzerainty of the Scindhias of the Maratha Empire, following the Second Anglo-Maratha War of 1803–1805, Marathas lost these territories to the British East India Company.[53][84] During the 17th century through late 18th century, the Maratha emperors, prime ministers, and dominion/fiefdom chiefs contributed on military as well as non-military fronts such as building forts, naval facilities, development of towns, constructing and patronizing temples, among others. During the 19th and 20th centuries, when Maratha principalities ruled as a feudatory of the British, Maratha rulers built palaces, contributed towards fine arts, introduced social reforms, and developed civic amenities in their territories. Military contributions • Some historians have credited Maratha Navy for laying the foundation of Indian Navy and bringing significant changes in naval warfare. A series of sea forts and battleships were built in 17th century during the reign of Shivaji. It has been noted that vessels built in the dockyards of Konkan were mostly indigenous, constructed without foreign aid.[85] Further, in 18th centuries, during the reign of Admiral Kanhoji Angre, a host of dockyard facilities were built along the entire western coastline of present-day Maharashtra. The Marathas fortified the entire coastline with sea fortresses with navigational facilities.[86] • Nearly all the hill forts, which dot the landscape of present-day western Maharashtra were built by the Marathas. The renovation of Gingee fortress in Tamil Nadu, has been particularly applauded.[87] Development of towns and civic amenities • During the 18th century, the Peshwas of Pune brought significant changes to the town of Pune building dams, bridges, and an underground water supply system.[88] • During the 18th century, misrule and pursuance of oppressive policies by the Marathas have been noted in the town of Ahmedabad[89] Patronizing religion • Queen Ahilyabai Holkar has been noted as a just ruler and an avid patron of religion. She has been credited for building and patronizing numerous temples in the town of Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh. Its handloom industry is also said to have been flourished under the rule of Holkars.[90] • The Bhosales of Nagpur ruled present-day state of Odisha in the latter half of the 18th century, during which misrule, anarchy, and violence has been reported. However at the same time, it is to be noted that the Maratha rulers patronized religion and religious institutions which made Odisha a center of attraction.[91] • Several Ghats in Varanasi (in present-day Uttar Pradesh) were repaired and re-constructed during the Maratha rule of 18th century.[92] • The Maratha rulers of Tanjore are said to have constructed several temples in the town of Tanjore. Fine arts and palaces • The Maratha rulers of Tanjore (present-day Tamil Nadu) were patrons of fine arts and their reign has been considered as the golden period of Tanjore history. Art and culture reached new heights during their rule. They also considered themselves as representatives of Cholas referring themselves as Cholasimhasanathipathi.[93] They made significant contributions towards Sanskrit and Marathi literature,[94] Bharatanatyam (dance form), and Carnatic music.[95] • Several majestic palaces were built by Maratha principalities which include the Shaniwar Wada (built by the Peshwas of Pune). The Maratha army was not homogenous, but employed soldiers of different backgrounds, both locals and foreign mercenaries, including large numbers of Arabs, Sikhs, Rajputs, Sindhis, Rohillas, Abyssinians, Pathans, Topiwalas and Europeans. The army of Nana Fadnavis, for example, included 5,000 Arabs.[96] Afghan accounts The Maratha army, especially its infantry, was praised by almost all the enemies of Maratha Empire, ranging from Duke of Wellington to Ahmad Shah Abdali. After the Third Battle of Panipat, Abdali was relieved as Maratha army in the initial stages were almost in the position of destroying the Afghan armies and their Indian Allies Nawab of Oudh and Rohillas. The grand wazir of Durrani Empire, Sardar Shah Wali Khan was shocked when Maratha commander-in-chief Sadashivrao Bhau launched a fierce assault on the centre of Afghan Army, over 3,000 Durrani soldiers were killed alongside Haji Atai Khan, one of the chief commander of Afghan army and nephew of wazir Shah Wali Khan. Such was the fierce assault of Maratha infantry in hand-to-hand combat that Afghan armies started to flee and the wazir in desperation and rage shouted, "Comrades Whither do you fly, our country is far off".[97] Post battle, Ahmad Shah Abdali in a letter to one Indian ruler claimed that Afghans were able to defeat the Marathas only because of the blessings of almighty and any other army would have been destroyed by the Maratha army on that particular day even though Maratha army was numerically inferior to Afghan army and its Indian allies.[98] Though Abdali won the battle, he also had heavy casualties on his side. So, he sought immediate peace with the Marathas. Abdali wrote in his letter to Peshwa on 10 February 1761: There is no reason to have animosity amongst us. Your son Vishwasrao and your brother Sadashivrao died in battle, was unfortunate. Bhau started the battle, so I had to fight back unwillingly. Yet I feel sorry for his death. Please continue your guardianship of Delhi as before, to that I have no opposition. Only let Punjab until Sutlaj remain with us. Reinstate Shah Alam on Delhi's throne as you did before and let there be peace and friendship between us, this is my ardent desire. Grant me that desire.[99] European accounts Similarly, the Duke of Wellington, after defeating the Marathas, noted that the Marathas, though poorly led by their Generals, had regular infantry and artillery that matched the level of that of the Europeans and warned other British officers from underestimating the Marathas on the battlefield. He cautioned one British general that: "You must never allow Maratha infantry to attack head on or in close hand to hand combat as in that your army will cover itself with utter disgrace".[100] Even when Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, became the Prime Minister of Britain, he held the Maratha infantry in utmost respect, claiming it to be one of the best in the world. However, at the same time he noted the poor leadership of Maratha Generals, who were often responsible for their defeats.[100] Charles Metcalfe, one of the ablest of the British Officials in India and later acting Governor-General, wrote in 1806: Norman Gash says that the Maratha infantry was equal to that of British infantry. After the Third Anglo-Maratha war in 1818, Britain listed the Marathas as one of the Martial Races to serve in the British Indian Army.[103] The 19th century diplomat Sir Justin Sheil commented about the British East India Company copying the French Indian army in raising an army of Indians: It is to the military genius of the French that we are indebted for the formation of the Indian army. Our warlike neighbours were the first to introduce into India the system of drilling native troops and converting them into a regularly disciplined force. Their example was copied by us, and the result is what we now behold. The French carried to Persia the same military and administrative faculties, and established the origin of the present Persian regular army, as it is styled. When Napoleon the Great resolved to take Iran under his auspices, he dispatched several officers of superior intelligence to that country with the mission of General Gardanne in 1808. Those gentlemen commenced their operations in the provinces of Azerbaijan and Kermanshah, and it is said with considerable success. Sir Justin Sheil (1803–1871).[104] Notable generals and administrators Ramchandra Pant Amatya Bawdekar When Rajaram fled to Jinji in 1689 leaving Maratha Empire, he gave a Hukumat Panha (King Status) to Pant before leaving. Ramchandra Pant managed the entire state under many challenges like influx of Mughals, betrayal from Vatandars (local satraps under the Maratha state) and social challenges like scarcity of food. With the help of Pantpratinidhi, Sachiv, he kept the economic condition of Maratha Empire in an appropriate state. In 1698, he stepped down from the post of Hukumat Panha when Rajaram offered this post to his wife, Tarabai. Tarabai gave an important position to Pant among senior administrators of Maratha State. He wrote Adnyapatra (मराठी: आज्ञापत्र) in which he has explained different techniques of war, maintenance of forts and administration etc. But owing to his loyalty to Tarabai against Shahu (who was supported by more local satraps), he was sidelined after the arrival of Shahu in 1707. Nana Phadnavis Nana Phadnavis was an influential minister and statesman of the Maratha Empire during the Peshwa administration. After the assassination of Peshwa Narayanrao in 1773, Nana Phadnavis managed the affairs of the state with the help of a twelve-member regency council known as the Barbhai council and he remained the chief strategist of Maratha state till his death in 1800 AD.[105] Nana Phadnavis played a pivotal role in holding the Maratha Confederacy together in the midst of internal dissension and the growing power of British. Nana's administrative, diplomatic and financial skills brought prosperity to the Maratha Empire and his management of external affairs kept the Maratha Empire away from the thrust of the British East India Company. Rulers, administrators and generals Royal houses • Shahu I (r. 1708–1749) (alias Shivaji II, son of Sambhaji) • Ramaraja II (nominally, grandson of Rajaram and Queen Tarabai) (r. 1749–1777) • Shahu II (r. 1777–1808) • Pratap Singh (r. 1808–1839) – signed a treaty with the East India company ceding part of sovereignty to the company[106] • Tarabai (1675–1761) (wife of Rajaram) in the name of her son Shivaji II • Shivaji II (1700–1714) • Sambhaji II (1714 to 1760) – came to power by deposing his half brother Shivaji II Peshwas from Bhat family From Balaji Vishwanath onwards, actual power gradually shifted to the Bhat family Peshwas based in Pune. Houses of Maratha Confederacy Maps showing the Maratha Empire at different stages of history Thanjavur Maratha Kingdom (Tamil Nadu) The Thanjavur Marathas were the rulers of Thanjavur principality of Tamil Nadu between the 17th and 19th centuries. Their native language was Thanjavur Marathi. Venkoji, Shahaji's son and Shivaji's half brother, was the founder of the dynasty.[107] List of rulers of Thanjavur Maratha dynasty : See also 1. Some historians[7] may consider 1645 as the founding of the empire because that was the year when the teenaged Shivaji captured a fort from Adilshahi sultanate. 2. Many historians consider Attock to be the final frontier of the Maratha Empire[14] 1. Hatalkar (1958). 2. Majumdar (1951a), pp. 609, 634. 3. Turchin, Adams & Hall (2006), p. 223. 4. Pearson (1976), pp. 221-235. 5. Capper (1997):This source establishes the Maratha control of Delhi before the British 6. Sen (2010), pp. 1941-:The victory at Bhopal in 1738 established Maratha dominance at the Mughal court 7. Schmidt (2015). 8. Pagdi (1993), p. 98: Shivaji's coronation and setting himself up as a sovereign prince symbolises the rise of the Indian people in all parts of the country. It was a bid for Hindawi Swarajya (Indian rule), a term in use in Marathi sources of history. 9. Jackson (2005), p. 38. 10. Manohar (1959), p. 63. 11. Ahmad & Krishnamurti (1962). 12. Mehta (2005), p. 204 13. Sen (2010), p. 16. 14. Majumdar (1951b). 15. Ghazi (2002), p. 130. 16. Naravane (2014), p. 63. 17. Pagdi (1993), p. 21. 18. Ramusack (2004), p. 35. 19. Jones (1974), p. 25. 20. Gokhale (1988), p. 112. 21. Vartak (1999), pp. 1126–1134. 22. Kantak (1993), p. 18. 23. Mehta (2005), p. 707:quote:It explains the rise to power of his Peshwa (prime minister) Balaji Vishwanath (1713–20) and the transformation of the Maratha kingdom into a vast empire, by the collective action of all the Maratha stalwarts. 24. Richards (1995), p. 12. 25. Mehta (2005), p. 50. 26. Richards (1995), p. 223. 27. Sen (2010), p. 11. 28. Mehta (2005), p. 81. 29. Mehta (2005), p. 101-103. 30. Sen (2010), p. 12. 31. Montgomery (1972), p. 132. 32. Mehta (2005), p. 117. 33. Sen (2006), p. 12. 34. Sen (2006). 35. Sen (2010), p. 23. 36. Sen (2010), p. 13. 37. Mehta (2005), p. 202. 38. Sen (2010), p. 15. 39. Sarkar (1991). 40. Marshall (2006), p. 72. 41. Roy 2004, pp. 80-81. 42. Agrawal (1983), p. 26. 43. Mehta (2005), p. 140. 44. Mehta (2005), p. 274 45. Chhabra (2005), p. 56. 46. Truschke 2017, p. 46. 47. Mehta 2009, p. 543. 48. Stewart (1993), p. 157. 49. Stewart (1993), p. 158. 50. Mittal (1986), p. 13. 51. Mehta (2005), p. 458 52. Rathod (1994), p. 8 53. Farooqui (2011), p. 334. 54. Rathod (1994), p. 95 55. Sampath (2008), p. 238. 56. Rathod (1994), p. 30 57. Rathod (1994), p. 106 58. Kulakarṇī (1996). 59. Sarkar (1994). 60. Barua (2005), p. 91. 61. Hasan (2005), pp. 105-107. 62. Imperial Gazetteer of India vol. III 1907, p. 502 63. Kulkarni, Uday S. (3 December 2015). "What Exactly Happened At Sringeri Math In April 1791?". Swarajya. Retrieved 5 September 2018. 64. Hasan (2005), p. 358. 65. Annual Report of the Mysore Archaeological Department 1916 pp 10–11, 73–6 66. Hasan (2005), p. 359. 67. Cooper (2003). 68. Cooper (2003), p. 69. 69. Battle of Wadgaon, Encyclopædia Britannica 70. Capper (1997), p. 28. 71. Prakash (2002), p. 300. 72. Nayar 2008, p. 64. 73. Trivedi & Allen (2000), p. 30. 74. United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals (1930), p. 121. 75. Black (2006), p. 77. 76. Sardesai (2002). 77. "Introduction to Rise of the Maratha". Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University. Retrieved 5 September 2018. 78. Edwardes & Garrett (1995), p. 116. 79. Singh (1998), p. 93. 80. Lindsay (1967), p. 556. 81. Saini & Chand (n.d.), p. 97. 82. Sen (2006), p. 13. 83. Roy (2011), p. 103. 84. Chaurasia (2004), p. 13. 85. Bhave (2000), p. 28. 86. Sridharan (2000), p. 43. 87. Kantak (1993), p. 10. 88. Jadhav, Ashish (18 July 2012). "Peshwa-era Katraj water plan needs to be revived". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 5 September 2018. 89. "History". Amdavad Municipal Corporation. 90. Bose (2017), p. 69. 91. Parker (2011), p. 15. 92. Disha Experts (2017), p. 227. 93. Bhosle (2017), p. 143. 94. Rath (2012), p. 164. 95. Madhavan, Anushree (27 December 2017). "Royal tribute to Thanjavur rulers". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 5 September 2018. 96. Majumdar (1951b), p. 512. 97. Sarkar (1950), p. 245. 98. Singh (2011), p. 213. 99. Sardesai (1935):The reference for this letter – Peshwe Daftar letters 2.103, 146; 21.206; 1.202, 207, 210, 213; 29, 42, 54, and 39.161. Satara Daftar – document number 2.301, Shejwalkar's Panipat, page no. 99. Moropanta's account – 1.1, 6, 7 100. Lee (2011), p. 85. 101. Metcalfe 1855. 102. Nehru (1946). 103. Gash (1990), p. 17. 104. Sheil & Sheil (1856). 105. Chaturvedi (2010), p. 197. 106. Kulkarni (1995), p. 21. 107. Serfoji (1979). Serfoji, Tanjore Maharaja (1979). Journal of the Tanjore Maharaja Serfoji's Sarasvati Mahal Library. Further reading
Neurovascular interventions Diagnostic angiography Angiography can be used to diagnose abnormalities within the blood vessels of the brain. Abnormalities include atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), aneurysm (a bulge that develops in an artery), a brain tumor, a blood clot and more. It can also be used to evaluate arteries in the head and neck to prepare for surgery or other procedure. Diagnostic angiography (also known as cerebral angiography) is performed by a specially trained interventional radiologist who uses a catheter, x-ray imaging guidance and the injection of a contrast material to examine blood vessels in the brain. By using a catheter, it is possible to combine diagnosis with treatment in a single procedure. Because diagnostic angiography results in a very detailed and accurate view of the blood vessels in the brain, it may reduce or even eliminate the need for surgery. The results are more precise than other non-invasive tests, and the risks of the procedure are very low. Epistaxis (nosebleed) Epistaxis is a common and benign disorder that results in a higher than normal amount of nosebleeds. It can also be the result of another disease. Most people with epistaxis do not require medical care, however it can become a major issue for some patients, causing severe anemia or cardiac dysfunction. In catastrophic cases, trauma surgery may be required. However, for many cases of uncontrollable epistaxis, and for which compression, cauterization and other conservative measures have not worked, arterial embolization is a treatment of choice. During the embolization procedure, an interventional radiologist uses imaging to guide a catheter into the maxillary and facial arteries supplying blood to the nasal region. Microspheres are then injected into the artery where they lodge in the smaller vessels, effectively stopping the flow of blood. Tumor embolization Tumor embolization is performed on a tumor within the brain or spine, usually prior to surgery to remove the tumor. By blocking the flow of blood to a brain tumor, less blood loss will occur during the surgery and make it easier to remove the tumor. Tumors of the spine, head and neck are have relatively large vessels supplying them with blood. When a tumor has a prominent blood supply, it will need to be embolized before surgery. Prior to the embolization procedure, a cerebral or spinal angiogram will be performed to map the vessels within the brain and identify the blood supply to the tumor. Next, a catheter is inserted into the body and guided with imaging to the site of the artery feeding the tumor. A blocking agent is then injected into the vessel which effectively cuts off or significantly reduces the blood supply to the tumor.
Suppress and Slaughter was a tactic used by Theodore Roosevelt. This tactic involves a unit providing suppressive fire from machine guns on their enemies so they can charge up to the enemy positions and fight at close range. Theodre Roosevelt applied this tactic during the Battle of San Juan Hill, where the Rough Riders came under artillery and infantry fire and Roosevelt responded by ordering his Gatling gun detachment to provide suppressing fire which allowed his troops to charge up and take the San Juan and Kettle hill positions.
The Fields The fields are the basic unit for the entering of data by the user. The type of field identifies the data and format that can be archived, whilst, in addition, certain types of fields can also perform complex operations such as managing relationships between tables, retrieving information from the Internet, etc. There cannot exist two fields with the same name within the same table. It is important to remember that after creating the field, its macro typology cannot be changed; that is, a field defined as text cannot be converted into a number. On the other hand, it will be possible to convert a text field into an email field, since the two types manage alphanumeric information. Once the field has been created it can only be deleted if the database is local. To manage the fields, enter the Options section and select the Fields page. Within the grid it is possible to view the main data for each field, modify the label that will appear on the table's data sheet or the column label inserted in the grids. From here you can also quickly change the permissions by selecting the category of users. Table NameName of the table. Field NameName of the field. Field TypeThe type of the field. LabelThe label that will be displayed inside the cell. Column LabelThe label that will be used on the column within the data grid. DisplayableThe permission indicates the categories of users who can view the field. EditableThe permission indicates the categories of users who can modify the field. RequiredIndicates that the field must necessarily be completed. Otherwise it will not be possible to save. Adding a new field To create a new field, press the Add button. In this way the field management window will be displayed in which the main values for its creation will be inserted. The essential values are the name of the table and the name of the field. As already mentioned in the same table, two fields with the same name cannot exist. To fill in the field name insert the field label and the program will automatically create the name. All other values can be left as they are and can be modified if required after the creation of the field. Field deletion To delete a field select it from the grid and press the Delete button. The field will actually be deleted only if it is not used in other contexts or it is not classified as a system. Field export The field can be exported for installation in another database. Upon pressing the Export button, the program will ask for the file name before proceeding. The package will be installable only within databases with the same initial seed. The export will take with it all the information necessary to ensure the reconstruction and operation of the field. For example, if you export a Sub-table field, this will also bring the table associated with it.
DRINK+ was created with the goal of preventing oesophageal cancer in people around the world. The lifetime risk of getting oesophageal cancer in a man is 1 in 55, meaning that for every 550 men, 10 would get oesophageal cancer anyway. The new research suggests that this increases to 20.6 out of 550 for men who drink very hot beverages, a doubling of the risk. According to the The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an agency of the WHO, said very hot drinks of 65 degrees C and over double the risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus (food pipe). What it does DRINK+ uses a temperature sensor to determine the temperature of the drink. The associated app is then used to determine if the drink can potentially cause oesophageal cancer. How we built it We built it using an Arduino Uno, Arduino IDE, a solderless breadboard, a temperature sensor, jumper wires, and Android Studio. Challenges we ran into Initially, the temperature sensor was not waterproofed and was giving inaccurate temperature readings. To solve this, we waterproofed the temperature sensor by coating it in Krazy Glue and masking it with electrical tape. Also, we fixed the calculations in our code to yield accurate results. Accomplishments that we're proud of We are proud of integrating an Android application that is associated with our mechanism. What we learned Through this hack, we strengthened our knowledge of Arduino IDE and Android Studio. What's next for DRINK+ In the future, DRINK+ envisions to create more compact devices that can be easily used and directly connected to the app. Built With Share this project:
chemical peel Chemical peel chemical peel is a technique used to improve and smooth the texture of the skin. Facial skin is mostly treated, and scarring can be improved. Chemical peels are intended to remove the outermost layers of the skin. To accomplish this task, the chosen peel solution induces a controlled injury to the skin. Resulting wound healing processes begin to regenerate new tissues. The dead skin eventually peels off. The regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. Some types of chemical peels can be purchased and administered without a medical license, however people are advised to seek professional help from a dermatologist or plastic surgeon on a specific type of chemical peel before a procedure is performed. There are several types of chemical peels. Alpha hydroxy acid peels Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are naturally occurring carboxylic acids such as glycolic acid, a natural constituent of sugar cane juice and lactic acid, found in sour milk and tomato juice. This is the mildest of the peel formulas and produces light peels for treatment of fine wrinkles, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. Alpha hydroxy acids can also be mixed with facial washes, serums or creams in lesser concentrations as part of a daily skin-care regimen to improve the skin’s texture. There are five usual fruit acids: citric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid and tartaric acid. Many other alpha hydroxy acids exist and are used. AHA peels are not indicated for treating wrinkles. AHA peels may cause stinging, skin redness, mild skin irritation, and dryness. Higher pH levels and lower percentages of hydroxy acids are commonly used as home peels. These will not work as quickly as an in-office procedure, but can be economical for many people. Beta hydroxy acid peels Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid. It is antibacterial and antiinflammatory and, as a result, works well for acne. Salicylic acid also has the ability to reduce the spots and bumps associated with acne. It is becoming common for beta hydroxy acid (BHA) peels to be used instead of the stronger alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peels due to BHA’s being oil soluble. Studies show that BHA peels control sebum excretion, acne as well as remove dead skin cells to a certain extent better than AHAs due to AHAs only working on the surface of the skin. Retinoic acid peel Retinoic acid is a retinoid. This type of facial peel is also performed in the office of a plastic surgeon, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, or a dermatologist in a medical spa setting. This is a deeper peel than the beta hydroxy acid peel and is used to remove scars as well as wrinkles and pigmentation problems. It is usually performed in conjunction with a Jessner; which is performed right before, in order to open up the skin, so the retinoic acid can penetrate on a deeper level. The client leaves with the chemical peel solution on their face. The peeling process takes place on the third day. More dramatic changes to the skin require multiple peels over time. Phenol-croton oil peel A phenol-croton oil is a type of chemical peel. The term “phenol-croton oil peel” has replaced the vague term “phenol peel” in medical literature. It was originally used on a clandestine basis by early Hollywood stars in the 1920s and was incorporated into mainstream practice in the 1960s by Thomas Baker. The active ingredient is croton oil, which causes an intense caustic exfoliating reaction in the skin. Resurfacing and restoring skin with chemical peel was introduced in the second half of the 19th century by the Austrian dermatologist Ferdinand Ritter von Hebra (1816-1880), founder of the Vienna School of Dermatology. He used exfoliative agents, like phenol, croton oil, nitric acid in various cautious combination for treating freckles and skin irregularities. Complications of chemical peels The deeper the peel, the more complications that can arise. Professional strength chemical peels are typically administered by certified dermatologists or licensed estheticians. Professional peels and lower-concentration DIY home peel kits can pose health risks, including injury and scarring of the skin. Possible complications include photosensitivity, prolonged erythema, pigmentary changes, milia, skin atrophy, and textural changes. Many individuals report professional chemical peels leave a minor yellowish tinge on their skin due to the retinol elements in the peel. This is expected to last 2-3 hours maximum. Varying mild to moderate redness after the procedure is expected. Light chemical peels like AHA and BHA are usually done in medical offices. There is minimal discomfort so usually no anesthetic is given because the patient feels only a slight stinging when the solution is applied. No pain killer is needed. Medium peels such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA) are also performed in the doctor’s office or in an ambulatory surgery center as an outpatient procedure and can cause more discomfort. Frequently, the combination of a tranquilizer such as diazepam and an oral analgesic is administered. TCA peels often do not require anesthesia even if the solution itself has – at the contrary of phenol – no numbing effect on the skin. The patient usually feels a warm or burning sensation. Phenol used to be a deep chemical peel. Early phenol peel solutions were very painful and most practitioners would perform it under either general anesthesia, administered by an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist. Today it is more correctly referred to as a croton oil peel, since that has proven to be the active ingredient responsible for most of its effects. Recent formulations allow more variation in the depth of treatment, and allow its use under sedation either orally or intravenously, usually in conjunction with local anesthetic injections. Leave a Reply قبول المرضي خلال الکورونا
Score Copying • ff Score copying is the process of transferring printed/paper scores to a much more handy digital format using any number of different notation software. The benefits of this are not just for the preservation of paper scores, digital copies of sheet music help in the process of editing, transposing and re-arranging printed music. Along with a PDF copy of the sheet music we can also provide digital files for most notation software (Finale, Sibelius, MuseScore etc...) along with MusicXML which is non proprietary and can be opened by virtually any music editing program. Score Editing Score editing is a crucial part of composing and arranging music. Most common with large, multi part scores this process involves having a third party (someone other than the composer/arranger) check the finished (or nearly finished) sheet music score and parts for everything from: notation errors, transposition errors, formatting and various other issues. With both score copying and editing prices and turnaround time can vary with the scope of the project so please feel free to Contact us for more information! Contribute To M4M!
Grow your own food Growing blueberries The main species of blueberry is called 'highbush', of which there are two types: 'northern' (which is deciduous) and 'southern' (evergreen). Traditionally, it has been the deciduous northern type that has been planted in Melbourne but Bruce Plain, owner of Bulleen Art & Garden nursery and Eltham resident, tells me (Guy) that, with climate change, the evergreen southern type is becoming increasingly popular. I have roughly equal success (or, more precisely, lack of success!) with both types. If you want to grow the deciduous northern type, Winter is the time to buy it from your local nursery. If, however, you want to grow the evergreen southern type, wait until Spring. All the varieties seem similar to me in terms of both growing habit and taste. Blueberries are not grown in normal soil! Rather, they require a pH of 4.5-5.5, which is very acidic. To make the soil this acidic, you add some granulated sulphur and dig it through the according to the instructions on the packet. To keep the soil acidic, mulch with pine needles. There are a number of pine trees along the Yarra, for example at Lenister Farm – simply take some big bags and scoop the needles off the ground. Keep the mulch away from the stem to prevent collar rot. Valencia oranges Winter is the season when many citrus trees bear fruit. But there is one type of citrus which fruits in summer, namely the valencia orange. So, for example, if you have both a navel orange and a valencia orange, then you will have oranges in both winter and summer. Stone fruit Almonds, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches and plums are all very closely related (genus Prunus) and are collectively known as stone fruit. They can all be planted now as bare-rooted trees. If you have never grown any stone fruit before, the suggestion is that you start with a plum tree because they have fewer problems than the others: almonds – sometimes doesn't come out of dormancy; apricots – brown rot and gummosis; cherries – pear and cherry slug; and nectarines and peaches – leaf curl. If you have a nectarine or peach tree (nectarines are just varieties of peach where the skin is smooth), then now is the time to keep your eye on them as you will soon need to spray with a copper fungicide if you want to prevent leaf curl. As Agriculture Victoria says, "Most effective control is achieved by spraying when the buds are swelling but before they have opened." If you need help identifying bud swelling (as opposed to just buds), have a look at this video from Mt Alexander Fruit Gardens. Here is what Gardening Australia says on the subject. How to prune raspberries and blackberries There are two types of raspberry: • 'Summer bearing', which fruit once a year, on 2nd year canes in summer. • 'Everbearing' (aka 'Autumn bearing'), which fruit twice a year, on 2nd year canes in summer, and on 1st year canes in autumn. The two types should be pruned differently. If you haven't yet worked out which type you have, prune them as though they are 'summer bearers'. Also, prune both blackberries and blackberry/raspberry crosses (loganberries, marionberries, silvanberries, tayberries, etc) in the same way as 'summer bearers'. For the 'summer bearers': cut all the canes that have fruited down to the ground (because they won't fruit again). If you don't know which canes have fruited, they are the longer and thicker ones, and they often have multiple lateral branches. Thin the others to 5-7 per plant, shorten them as desired, and tie the ends to your trellis. For the 'everbearers': you can prune them like the 'summer bearers', in which case you will get two crops (in summer and autumn), neither of which will be prolific. Alternatively, you can sacrifice next summer's crop for a better autumn crop by simply cutting all the canes down to the ground. The second approach is the best approach if you want raspberries in the autumn and it is also the quickest. See the Wikihow raspberry pruning page. Seed germination Here are a few thoughts that you might find helpful. Traditionally, people divide vegetable seeds between those that you should plant directly where they will grow ('sow direct') and those which you should initially plant in seed trays, with subsequent transplantation after they become seedlings. Direct sowing is traditionally preferred for both big seeds (e.g. beans, pumpkin), on the positive grounds that they will germinate anyway, and for root crops (e.g. beetroot, carrot), on the negative grounds that they resent transplantation. The Local Food Connect planting guide lists the traditional planting method for each vegetable. My experience, however, is that I get better germination for just about all seeds if I plant them in seed trays in my greenhouse because I can control the environment better. Some seeds germinate better if they have been pre-soaked overnight beforehand. My list here is beetroot, broad beans, capsicum, celery, chilli, okra, parsley, silverbeet and spinach. I think that it is for different reasons for different seeds and I just follow the rules. Different seeds can be very different sizes but the same rule of thumb for planting depth applies to them all: 2-3 times the seed diameter. Seed germination does not require fertiliser or other sources of NPK. Rather, initial germination requires water (to activate the relevant biochemical processes), oxygen (to break down the seed's food store) and a physically friable medium (to grow through). So, I water my seeds every day (gently) and I plant them in a very light mixture of coir and sieved compost. Once the plant has germinated, its initial, main requirements are light, carbon dioxide and water, so that the first (cotyledon) leaves can photosynthesise. Moon phase planting Lots of people (including, by anecdote, many farmers) practice something called moon-phase planting. There are three very different reasons why you might want to consider moon-phase planting, whereby different types of veggie are planted at different times in the moon’s 29½-day lunar cycle. The first possible reason is that you believe in it. The second possible reason is because it helps to impose discipline on your veggie growing activities. The third possible reason is to help give your life cadence. To believe in it, you have to understand it a bit. The basic idea/assumption/rationale/sophistry is that one wants root crops to grow downwards, and thus when the upward pull of the moon is lessening, and thus when the moon is waning. By contrast, one wants leafy and fruity crops to grow upwards, and thus when the upward pull of the moon is increasing, and thus when the moon is waxing. This gives the following phasing: 1st quarter: leafy – plant crops where one eats the leaves/foliage. 2nd quarter: fruits – plant crops where one eats the fruit. 3rd quarter: roots – plant root crops. 4th quarter: have a rest! To do it for discipline reasons, you have to understand one of its major implications. Consider capsicum seeds, which are best planted in August or September. There will be usually be precisely one week in August, and another in September, where the moon is in its 2nd quarter. So, you only have two opportunities in the whole year to plant capsicum seeds and if you miss both these opportunities then you won't have any capsicum plants. So, if you want homegrown capsicums, then you have to be organised and disciplined to get your act together in these two weeks. Finally, the cadence reason is probably only of potential relevance if you are not in paid work. Those of us who are retired know that days and weeks can flow into each other, with time passing and little rhythm to one's life. Anything that makes one day different than another, or one week different than another, is welcome. Crop rotation If you ever grow veggies, they are likely to include tomatoes and you will probably grow tomatoes every year. But you shouldn't grow them in the same place every year. Ditto any other vegetable. This is for two main reasons. First, most pests and diseases prefer specific types of plant; if you change the types of plants that you grow in a specific place from year to year then it helps to break the pest or disease's lifecycle so you will have less pests and fewer diseases. Second, each type of plant places particular demands on the soil in terms of nutrient extraction, etc; if you change the types of plants that you grow in a specific place from year to year then it gives your soil a rest from the particular burdens placed on it. What is true for specific species of vegetable is also true for groups of vegetables. So, for example and as discussed below under ‘vegetable families’, tomato, capsicum, chilli, eggplant and potato are all in the same family (solanums), all attract the same pest & diseases, and all place similar demands on the soil. The discussion below under ‘vegetable families’ talks about 5 groups of closely related vegetables plus a miscellaneous list. Divide the miscellaneous list into 'roots' and 'leafy greens' and you get 7 groups in total: alliums, legumes, brassicas, cucurbits, roots, solanums and leafy greens. The 'leafy greens' group is not relevant to crop rotation – just plant them wherever and whenever you have gaps. So, the ideal is a 6-bed, 6-year rotation for the other 6 groups. If you have fewer than 6 beds, then you can either combine some of the groups (e.g. alliums and roots) or omit some of the groups (e.g. brassicas). You then have to decide the order of how a bed should change over time. A principle here is that heavy feeders should, where possible, alternate with light feeders. So, for example, legumes (light) – brassicas (medium) – alliums (light) – cucurbits (heavy) – roots (light) – solanums (heavy). And, finally, you have to decide when during the year to rotate the crops, with the obvious time being after the summer harvest. See the Local Food Connect website for a slightly longer discussion, including which vegetables are in which groups. Vegetable families Why is it important to know which vegetables are closely related? First, it helps you work out how to grow them. For example, if you know how to grow pumpkins, and if you know that cucumbers are closely related to pumpkins, then you can guess that cucumbers are prostrate vines, are grown in summer, are heavy feeders and benefit from hand pollination. Of if you know that broccoli is closely related to cabbage, then you can guess that the cabbage moth likes to lay its eggs on broccoli plants and that you need to protect them from this. Second, if you are following some system of crop rotation (and you should!), it helps you decide where to plant them. Many vegetables are in the following 5 groups, where a genus (plural: genera) is a group of very closely related plants and a family is a group of reasonably closely related plants: • Alliums (a genus): chives, garlic, leek and onion. • Brassicas (a genus): broccoli, brussels sprout, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mizuna, mustard greens, pak choy and turnip. • Cucurbits (a family): cucumber, gourd, pumpkin, rockmelon, watermelon and zucchini. • Legumes (a family): bean, broad bean, chickpea, peanut and pea. • Solanums (a family): capsicum. chilli, eggplant, potato, tomato. The following vegetables are in other families: basil, beetroot, carrot, celery, coriander, fennel, jerusalem artichoke, lettuce, okra, parsley, parsnip, radish, rocket, silverbeet, spinach, sweet potato and sweetcorn. Here are some characteristics of the 5 groups: Group Growing season Feeding requirement What you eat Alliums varies light varies Brassicas cool season heavy varies Cucurbits warm season heavy fruit Legumes varies light fruit Solanums warm season heavy fruit Saved seeds – part 2: the practicalities Although, as per last week's article, the seeds of a named variety of vegetable will be largely genetically uniform, there will still be minor variations. Choose the best fruit (and thus the best seeds) for your seed saving, rather than eating the best and planting the dross. Incidentally, Richard Dawkins said (in The Ancestor's Tale) that his father found this one of the hardest lessons to get across to farmers in Africa in the 1940s. As also discussed last week, beans and tomatoes are both good plants for seed saving but they are collected rather differently. Tomato seeds grow in moist flesh and require wet cleaning: pick the fruit when it is just over ripe, scoop the seeds out of the flesh, run water over them to remove any flesh remnants, do something (see next sentence) to remove the gel sac around each seed, and then leave to dry for around 10 days before storing. To remove the gel sacs, which can inhibit germination, either wash and physically rub or leave to ferment in water (or their own juices) for around 4 days (Google for more detail). Bean seeds grow in dry receptacles and require dry cleaning: leave on the plant until they are completely dry and then harvest and store. In both cases, store them in dry and dark conditions. If you want to know more about seed saving, a good book is The Seed Savers' Handbook. Or, if you want a free booklet: A Guide to Seed Saving, Seed Stewardship & Seed Sovereignty. Saved seeds – part 1: the genetics First, some genetics 101. Most living organisms are diploid, which means that they have two copies of most of their genes. These two copies can be the same or different. During sexual reproduction, one of these copies will be chosen at random from each of the mother and the father. The child will therefore inherit half of its genes from each of its mother and its father but which genes it inherits is a random process and will differ from child to child. If you think about it, this means that you will have lots of genes in common with your siblings but you will also have some genes which are different. This is why you bear some resemblance to your siblings but are not identical to them. Most people who grow from saved seed want their vegetable plants to be the same variety as the mother plant from which they saved the seeds. This is called growing true to type. It is equivalent to wanting the seeds to be genetic clones of the mother plant. But fertile seeds are the product of male pollen fertilising female seeds and, as such, the genes of a fertile seed are a random half from the genes of each of the male and the female. For this random combination to have the same genetic composition as the mother plant, two things have to be true. First, the male and female parents have to have identical genes (at least for all the genes that make a material difference). Let's call this condition 1. Second, and perhaps less obviously, for every single gene that matters in both the male parent and the female parent, the two copies have to be identical (this is called homozygosity). Let's call this condition 2. Named varieties of vegetables are effectively those for which condition 2 is true. Plants can be either self-pollinators (flowers usually pollinate themselves) or cross-pollinators (one flower has to be pollinated by another flower). For self-pollinators, condition 2 being true implies that condition 1 is also true and thus named varieties will grow true to type and their seeds can be saved. Examples are beans, peas and tomatoes. For cross-pollinators, however, condition 1 will only guaranteed to be true if there is only one variety of the plant being grown in the geographic area. Broad beans, capsicums, chillies, eggplants and pumpkins are all cross-pollinators and thus their seed saving is somewhat problematic. Perhaps most dramatically, cabbage is a cross-pollinator and cauliflower and broccoli are just types of cabbage. So, if you save seeds from your cauliflower, they might well grow into something akin to broccoli (or vice versa). And I know that this can happen because it has happened to me in the past! Heavy stuff! Here's a web page that covers similar ground using different words. Capsicums, chillies and eggplants Different veggies have different lifecycles. Many are annuals, which means that their entire lifecycle, from birth to death, takes less than a year. Examples are beans, pumpkins and tomatoes. Others are biennials, which means that their lifecycle, whilst predictable, takes two years. Examples are beetroot, onions and parsley. For some biennials, we effectively grow them as annuals because we eat the things that they produce in the first year (e.g. onions). Yet others are perennials, which means that their lifespan is more than a year but unpredictable. Some perennials typically live for many years (e.g. asparagus and rhubarb), whilst others we effectively grown as annuals (e.g. potatoes). That brings me, at last, to capsicums, chillies and eggplants. These are perennial but short-lived, typically living for around three years. But, and here's the main point of this little article, they are frost tender and are typically killed off by the Melbourne Winter. So, if you want to get full value from your capsicum, chilli and eggplant plants, you need to grow them in pots and put those pots in a warm place (e.g. a greenhouse) during Winter. If you have some and they are outside, now (May) is the time to move them to a warmer place. Grow your own food in pots Here is a list of veggies that grow well in pots: garlic, leeks, lettuce, pak choy, radish, rocket, silverbeet, spinach and strawberry. To ease your watering tasks, use pots with water wells. Use high quality potting mix but also add some fertiliser (or buy a mix which includes fertiliser) as most veggies are heavy feeders. Then add a liquid fertiliser periodically. In horticulture, blanching is a technique used in vegetable growing whereby light is purposively excluded from part of the plant, usually to make it paler in colour and/or less bitter in flavour. If you look at a mature leek, the bottom bit will be white and the top bit will be green. The white bit is that which was grown underground. If, like me, you prefer white leek to green leek, then you want as much of the leek as possible to have been grown under ground. This can be achieved through a combination of two techniques: planting the seedlings deeply (say, up to 5-10cm) and hilling up the soil around the plant as it grows (say, up to another 5-10cm). Watch this video by Lower Plenty leek growing expert Bruno Tigani. He plants his leek seedlings in deep holes and then, with rain and wind, the soil collapses in gradually. Similar opportunities apply to celery where, for example, white, non-bitter celery can be obtained by wrapping the bottom half off the plant in paper. If you have any doubt about the impact that an absence of light can have on a plant, compare witloof with other forms of chicory. Did you know that broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale are all varieties of the same plant (Brassica oleracea)? Together with other closely related veggies, such as pak choy and mustard greens, they are collectively known as brassicas. Brassicas are more difficult to grow than most other veggies, partly because they attract pests. And their biggest pest is the cabbage moth, which lays its eggs on the plants during Autumn, with the caterpillars then eating large volumes of the plant's leaves. So, you want to stop the moths laying their eggs on your brassicas. This can be achieved with fine bird netting. You don't want the netting to rest on the plants, because the moths can then lay their eggs through it, so use some sort of wooden or plastic structure upon which to rest the netting. And make sure that the netting goes all the way down to the ground so that the moths can't get underneath it. If, for some reason, you don't want to use netting, there is another possibility. Cabbage moths are territorial and if they see another cabbage moth in the vicinity, they tend to leave. So, make, or buy, some decoys – just white butterfly shapes on sticks. Many nurseries sell them. Click here for a more indepth guide to growing brassicas. Click here for an indepth guide to growing cauliflower. Peas are one of those veggies which, like sweetcorn, really do taste better when homegrown rather than store-bought. You grow them just like the broad beans discussed last week. The main difference is that most peas are climbing varieties and they need a climbing frame (although you can get bush varieties). The climbing varieties divide into three broad groups: garden/english (your standard pea with non-edible pods); snow (flat, edible pods; used in Chinese cuisine); and snap (pods edible when young). Snap peas are effectively halfway between garden and snow peas and are the ones that I usually grow, eating them like snow peas when young and like garden peas when older. Broad beans (April) Broad beans are yum, they are easy to grow and the best time to plant them is now or in May. Broad beans are a type of legume, like peas, beans, chickpeas, peanuts and soya (all of which can be grown Melbourne). Legumes can fix their own nitrogen, so you shouldn't fertilise the soil. They grow to around 1½ metres tall and, whilst they don't need staking, it is best to avoid them being in a windswept position. My experience is that all the varieties grow similarly and taste the same, so it doesn't matter what varieties you plant. Germination rates from seeds are usually very good, so if you ever want to try and grow veggies from seed, this is a good one to start with. Pre-soak the seeds overnight before planting and plant them directly into your veggie patch rather than into a seed tray. It will take around 6 months before the beans are ready to harvest. Harvest early rather than late and just harvest what you want for the next meal. In principle, you can freeze your excess beans, particularly if you blanch them first, but in practice, it doesn't usually work well for me. Mushrooms (April) To grow mushrooms, you don't need any sort of garden because they are grown indoors. Most mushrooms can be grown at home indoors from mushroom kits. This includes lions mane, oyster and shimeji. But perhaps the easiest one to start with is the common edible mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. Local food producer The Mushroom Shed, from Montmorency, sell kits for two varieties of the common edible mushroom, namely swiss brown and white button. The kits are $22.50 each, or $40 for two. They usually sell these kits at Eltham Farmers' Market and other markets. But they recognise that not everyone can currently go to markets, so they are now offering both a delivery and a postal option. Delivery is available to people in Eltham, Eltham North, Greensborough, Lower Plenty, Montmorency and Research. To arrange, please contact Helen by email ( They can also deliver veggie seedlings, herbs and seeds for orders over $30 – please talk to Helen for a list of available produce. There is no delivery charge. Urban Farming Collective, from Heidelberg Heights, have also started selling swiss brown mushroom kits online. And they are also selling oyster mushroom kits online. Mustard greens (March) You don't need a veggie patch to grow mustard greens – it grows well in pots or containers. Some people like eating lettuce as their main leafy green. Others like something more peppery, such as rocket (aka arugula). I'd like to suggest that you try mustard greens. It has a pleasant peppery taste, but not as strong as rocket. It grows easily and quickly, and you can start harvesting leaves within two months of planting. You can plant it at any time over the coming months. The plants should be spaced around 30cm apart. It comes in two main forms, one with thin frilly leaves and the other with wide flat leaves. I prefer the former, with 'golden frills' being my favourite variety.
Show Filters Why training aids and kinesthetic learning? One of the biggest pitfalls in sports coaching is too much talking! Only a small fraction of people are pure auditory learners. Most, especially those gravitating towards sports, learn better in visual and kinesthetic environments. Sadly, most coaches do not create these optimal learning environments. Kinesthetic learning is especially powerful! It is what gives someone the “feel” for how to execute a particular skill. As coaches and parents, it is our job to bring in kinesthetic resources and tools to help our athletes “get it” and feel it as quickly as possible. As players, you too can take ownership of your improvement and use kinesthetic tools even off the court or on your own to improve. In golf and other sports, kinesthetic learning aids are abundantly popular with vast numbers of golfers using them to practice on their own to speed up their improvement. So why not pickleball? The proof is in the statistics. Numerous studies show that kinesthetic learning speeds up improvement by more than 200%! So we invite you to be a game changer and change the way you coach, the way you parent and the way you play by taking advantage of kinesthetic learning techniques and tools.
Addiction is a disease, involving the progressive habitual use of drugs and/or alcohol in spite of physical, social, occupational, and/or financial consequences. Common signs include an increased tolerance for and consumption of substances; physical, psychological, and behavioral withdrawal symptoms; and loss of control. Our Pathways Florida team looks at who you are as an individual and how we can best help you reach your goal of getting back to health and the life you were meant to live. We treat all addiction and mental health conditions simultaneously, which is essential for lasting transformation. We combine evidence-based therapies of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Person-Centered Therapy with 12-Step principles that address all aspects of optimal wellness. We will work with you and your family to develop a plan that meets your unique goals. Opioids are a class of drugs chemically similar to alkaloids found in opium poppies. Historically they have been used as painkillers, but they also have great potential for misuse. Repeated use of opioids greatly increases the risk of developing an opioid use disorder. The use of illegal opiate drugs such as heroin and the misuse of legally available pain relievers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone can have serious negative health effects. According to the CDC, 44 people die every day in the United States from overdose of prescription painkillers. Heroin is administered in three ways: smoking, snorting or shooting (injecting). Because it enters the brain quickly, heroin addiction develops rapidly, often within a few uses. Heroin is a powerful pain-killing illicit drug derived from the opium poppy plant. It is produced from morphine, one of the biologically active components of opium. Heroin looks like a white or brownish powder, or as the black sticky substance known on the streets as “black tar heroin.” It is diluted with other drugs or with sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine before injecting, smoking, or snorting. Some of the physical symptoms of heroin are euphoria, drowsiness, respiratory depression, constricted pupils, nausea, and dry mouth. A heroin overdose causes slow and shallow breathing, blue lips and fingernails, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, and can be fatal. Many young people who inject heroin report misuse of prescription opioids before starting to use heroin. In addition to increasing the risk of overdose, the intravenous use of heroin places individuals at higher risk of diseases like HIV and hepatitis C. At Pathways Florida Treatment and Recovery Center there are several essential treatment components that work together to provide a full continuum of care to treat your drug addiction. These components include comprehensive medical detoxification services to help minimize the physical and psychological symptoms associated with withdrawal allowing patients to achieve a stable and substance-free state. Heroin addiction treatment usually begins with medically assisted detoxification and includes pharmacological treatments (such as Naltrexone or buprenorphine) that help prevent relapse and ease withdrawal symptoms. Heroin addiction treatment programs, such as Pathways Florida drug rehab, also involve addiction counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, drug rehab and heroin support groups. Heroin rehabilitation usually involves one or more forms of behavioral therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, addiction counseling, individual or group therapy and psychotherapy. These treatments address the root causes of addiction and teach clients various coping techniques for preventing relapse. Some heroin rehab programs involve pharmaceutical interventions. Medications such as methadone, buprenorphine and extended-release naltrexone (Vivitrol) help patients’ recovery by easing withdrawal symptoms, reducing heroin cravings and helping prevent relapse. We also offer a wide variety of individual and group therapy options that provide the support and encouragement needed to help addicts address the underlying issues that keep them stuck in their addiction. To give those new in recovery the tools they need to cope with the stressors and triggers that can lead to relapse, our Sarasota, Florida drug rehab facility offers life and coping skills training to deal with your heroin addiction as well as aftercare programs that focus on relapse prevention and rebuilding your life. Here at Pathways Florida, we address all of an addict’s physical, mental and spiritual issues. We offer nightly 12-Step meetings for anyone in recovery. Meetings include Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous where clients are encouraged to share their experiences, network to build a support system and to find a sponsor to continue their path of recovery. Once heroin rehab is complete, a long-term care plan should be established to prevent relapse. Here at Pathways Florida Treatment and Recovery Center we will work with you to develop a supportive relapse prevention plan. This might include continued addiction counseling, continued participation in our Pathways aftercare support group and continued development of healthy coping behaviors. By this stage, it is essential that our clients understand the power of heroin addiction and the value of recovery.
Red Slime Can Kill You? AvatarBy Jared Goldenberg 9 years ago9 Comments Cyanobacteria through an electron microscope. At some point or another all aquarists have seen and come into contact with Cyanobacteria. Even though it is sometimes referred to as “Slime Algae” it is in fact a photosynthetic bacteria and some believe it to be the “primordial ooze” from which life first awkwardly flopped its way into existence. Its presence on earth can be traced back in the fossil record 3 billion years ago (for reference, dinosaurs roamed 65 million years ago). Recently, a controversial study started several years ago by one Dr. Paul Cox, a former botany professor at Brigham Young University, has gained momentum as evidence starts to stack in favor of his theory. Is your life in danger? Dr Cox believes that a compound created by Cyanobacteria called BMAA (a neurotoxin), when ingested over many years, builds up in our systems and can bring on Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Lou Gherig’s disease. For years many scientists were divided over the theory but years of accumulating evidence have brought new validity to his study and now over 20 universities, including Dartmouth, have assigned teams of scientists to help study this. The current findings show that cases of these diseases are concentrated in areas with a nearby body of water. Map showing New England area part of Dartmouth's study with cases marked in green. What does this mean for aquarists? I’m not sure, from what I have read the study doesn’t address physical contact with the bacteria other than prolonged exposure through ingestion. While I’m sure some of us have accidentally ingested some of the bacteria while conducting water changes or other tank duties, I don’t think it’s on the same level as drinking water from a contaminated reservoir for years on end. The only bright side to the study is that Dr. Cox believes that only certain people with a hereditary predisposition are at risk. He believes that only in these individuals with the condition, BMAA is allowed to cross the Blood-Brain Barrier where it can then effect the brain triggering disease. Regardless of the actual threat to aquarists, I would err on the side of caution and try to keep from drinking tank water more than usual. Full story here with a video of Dr. Cox for those who can’t stand typed words. Industry, Science, Tanks Jared Goldenberg (30 articles) Jared currently owns and operates Fluid Dynamics International, an ultra high end aquarium design firm based in NY. Avatar Gresham says: A wee bit over the top on the title I’d say… Saying cyanobacteria can kill you is like saying fish can kill you. Sure some fish can kill you, but not man at all. Same goes for cyanobactreria. Not all are evil, like spirulina. Blue-green algaes are not the same as cyanobacteria. “Blue-green algae” is often used to describe cyanobacteria but the two are not interchangeable. One is an algae while the other is a photosythetic bacteria. Nobody is making cyanobacteria smoothies. Depending on the findings of the study, the threat could be very real if one was susceptible. Avatar ed4 says: There are forms of blue-green cyano can be toxic. Read the second-to-last paragraph: I stand corrected, but Spirulina hasn’t been shown to contain BMAA anyway, which was the basis of the study. Avatar ed4 says: Heh, it’s all good 🙂 I avoid Spirulina anyway – to me it has a pretty nasty taste. Avatar Christine Williams says: Right, blue-green algae is sort of a less precise term for cyanobacteria, but they both refer to the same thing. Now while we believe things like Spirulina spp to be safe, unless someone has genotyped all the species of cyano in our tanks, it is possible that some of it produces some nasty stuff that we are not yet aware of. That said, the same was said about microwaves, and cell phones, and all sorts of other things we thought were fine and then weren’t (and then sometimes were fine again 🙂 ). Until someone does the experiments, we can’t say for sure whether the cyano in our tanks produces toxins. All we have is our empirical evidence, which is that everyone gets cyano, and no one has gotten poisoned from it that we know of. Interesting to think about though– The point of the piece was to make people aware of a possible problem and the focus was on BMAA which is produced by some species of cyanobacteria (that we know of so far). There’s enough information on it now that 20 organizations have created teams to help study it so there is some validity thus far. If you read the last line of the blog it puts it in perspective. The title may or may not be hyperbole but titles are usually designed to entice people to read the article it’s attached to. What you do with the information is up to you, but when your brain melts, just know that I’m not above “I told you so!” Leave a Reply
MAF Test “A goal without a plan is just a wish” ‘Maximum Aerobic Function’ – Monitoring Fitness MAF training requires a heart rate monitor. Aerobic and Anaerobic • Aerobic exercise is any activity that uses your arms and legs to move your body. Your muscles are used in continuous (and generally easy-to-perform) rhythmic or repetitive motions, increasing your heart rate and respiration while building your physical endurance. Aerobic means “with oxygen” — aerobic exercise uses oxygen to burn fat and carbohydrates, producing energy. • Aerobic exercise can strengthen your heart and reduce your resting heart rate, while increasing the number of red blood cells that help distribute oxygen throughout your body. If you want to exercise aerobically but do not have a heart rate monitor a good gauge is that while running you can still breathe comfortably through your nose • Anaerobic exercise targets your individual muscles. Because you’re not jumping around and moving your entire body, this type of exercise doesn’t require oxygen, and only burns carbohydrates. Anaerobic exercise builds muscle through short bursts of strenuous activity like weightlifting or performing push-ups at high levels of intensity. • This type of exercise builds your skeletal muscle, increasing your overall levels of power and strength through weight and resistance exercises using gravity and your own body weight or machines. Your MAF What is the MAF Method 180 Formula? To find your maximum aerobic training heart rate, there are two important steps – • Subtract your age from 180. • Modify this number by selecting among the following categories the one that best matches your fitness and health profile: • If you have or are recovering from a major illness (heart disease, any operation or hospital stay, etc.) or are on any regular medication, subtract an additional 10. • If you are injured, have regressed in training or competition, get more than two colds or bouts of flu per year, have allergies or asthma, or if you have been inconsistent or are just getting back into training, subtract an additional 5. • If you have been training consistently (at least four times weekly) for up to two years without any of the problems in (a) and (b), keep the number (180–age) the same. • If you have been training for more than two years without any of the problems in (a) and (b), and have made progress in competition without injury, add 5 So when I am doing MAF paced runs, I run as fast as a heart rate of 137 allows. Which is 180-48(age)+5(training consistently for more than 2 years)=137. The Test MAF1Once a month, preform a MAF Test – • 10 minute warm up so your heart rate is around your MAF 180 heart rate. • Use a GPS to track your heart rate and time on a race track or flat route (will need to be the same route each time you do it). 3Km is a good test. • Each time you do the test, your minutes per kilometer should be less, and there should be less variance between your first kilometer and last kilometer. • Then repeat every month on the same track, trail or road. Wear similar attire/shoes each time and avoid inclement conditions if possible. 5 Ways to Test 1. Minutes per mile or kilometer. Following the traditional MAF Test format, one measures minutes per mile or kilometer. One should become faster per mile or km. 2. Course time. Measure total time of your test course, regardless of the distance (which you’ll know from GPS data). Course time should get faster. 3. Distance per workout. Determine the distance traveled during your regular workout. A one-hour workout, for example, should have more distance covered. 4. Power meter (watts). How much power output is measured over the test course, or during the workout period. 5. Pool laps. The number of laps in a pool in a set time. A swimmer can perform more laps in the allotted timeframe.
Springe direkt zu Inhalt Spiral Troughs The darker troughs in between the shining white water ice deposits are part of an impressive system of depressions that spiral outwards from the pole center in a counterclockwise direction and cut through the thick stack of layered deposits that make up the north polar cap. These layered deposits are composed of ice intermixed with dust and record the evolution of the Martian climate over the last Millions of years.
Nutrition is what turns the act of eating and drinking into a plan for healthy living. Nutrition is vital to a healthy life. You can enjoy a long life and a healthy body when you practice proper nutrition. In order to eat right, you need to know how to eat right. These tips will demonstrate just how simple it is to make healthy food choices. An easy, yet effective way to improve nutrition in your diet is to incorporate fresh, raw juices into your daily routine. By making your own juice out of organic fruits and vegetables, you will be able to quickly and deliciously gain a hearty dose of vitamins, minerals and fiber any time of the day. READ Follow These Tips For The Perfect Nutrition Plan Drink skim, low-fat, or non-fat milk on a daily basis. There are less calories and fat in these types of milk, but exactly the same calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients. Your body needs calcium to have strong bones. This is especially important in childhood while bones are forming and in old age when bone loss can occur. When considering your nutrition, be sure to watch out for foods that may appear healthy but end up being quite the opposite. There can be a lot of hidden fat and sodium in otherwise healthy looking snacks. Smoothies can end up having a lot of fat calories and sugar depending on the ingredients used. Energy bars can be a hidden source of a large amount of calories. Fat free foods can contain the same amount of calories as regular versions. Try eating many different types of food that are rich in nutrients. Your body needs about forty nutrients to stay healthy. You should realize that no single food has all of these forty nutrients in it, so you should try eating a variety of different foods to keep your body in balance. Even though french fries and mashed potatoes have little to no real nutritional value, the majority of restaurants and home-cooked meals tend to include them as sides to an already over-portioned dish. You can cut out as much as 300 calories simply by replacing potatoes with colorful steamed or fresh veggies. You can boost your chance for conception with some super foods like oysters, yams and berries. Oysters are a concentrated source of the zinc, which is important for conception. Research has suggested that yams may stimulate ovulation. Berries contain antioxidants, which can protect the body from cell damage, including the cells in your reproductive system. READ Healthy Eating Tips For Maximizing Your Nutritional Intake Weight loss obsession in teens is common. While promoting good eating habit and exercise is important, explain that is can be overdone. Teens need to eat enough to fuel their growing body and brain. Make sure your child has plenty of healthy snacks in the house at all times to keep them refueled. Consume whole grains as a regular part of your diet. Whole grains have been proven to reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes. They have the ability to help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Avoid over-processed white bread products and instead, choose whole grains. When it comes to nutrition, you want to make sure you are constantly keeping an eye on the latest information available to you. With science always learning new things about what is healthy and unhealthy for you, you want to try your best to always, be informed. You never know, something that you think could be helping you today could actually end up harming you in the future, so try your best to stay informed. When you are really craving something salty, many types of nuts have very high nutritional value, but you have to keep in mind that they also have very high calories. If you take a few pistachios or walnuts and put them on a plate with some low calorie cheese you will have a great satisfying snack. READ The Absolute Essentials Of Growing Older With Grace When trying to diet, an easier way to do it is to add fruit and vegetables rather than trying to remove other foods. Nutritionists recommend 5-9 servings of plants every day, which will get your body the vitamins it needs and satisfy hunger that might otherwise have been filled with fast food. When you need to figure out what to eat to have better nutrition, know that raw food is sometimes better than eating cooked or processed food. That’s because whenever you cook your foods, you end up losing a lot of natural nutrients. Fruits and veggies especially, should be eaten in their raw form whenever possible. As this article said in the beginning, nutrition is learning how to eat and drink the right things in your diet. Good nutrition is essential if you desire longevity. Use the tips you just read to change your poor eating habits to those that will promote general health and a long lifespan.
99¢ per month. Save 90%. 99¢ per month. Save 90%. McLaren Greater Lansing Logo Understanding and treating firework burns McLaren Greater Lansing As an emergency room doctor, Sara Ornazian, DO, sees a cycle of season-specific injuries. Outdoor activities and summer holidays include a significant increase in the use of fireworks, which can result in serious burns and injuries when not handled safely. Burn injuries are classified from first degree to third degree based on their severity. "We see an increase in firework injuries around this time every year," said Dr. Ornazian. "Most of them are burns because people are either too close to the actual firework, or they light them in their hand and the firework goes off." Burn injuries are classified from first degree to third degree based on their severity. A first-degree burn is painful and causes redness of the skin, a second-degree burn causes blistering of the skin, and third-degree burns go through the skin to other tissues and/or muscle. According to Dr. Ornazian, fireworks are most likely to cause first and second-degree burns—rarely causing third-degree burns. Self-diagnosing the severity of the burn, however, is not a good idea. Sara Ornazian "It would be very difficult for a non-clinical individual to distinguish between burns," said Dr. Ornazian. "So I would always suggest that if you burn yourself, go to the emergency room and seek treatment immediately." Seeking medical attention for a burn is particularly important to allow attending medical professionals to determine the severity of the burn and whether it may require treatment at a burn center. Severe burns include third-degree burns that cross a joint, burns to the face or genitalia and burns covering 20 percent or more of the body's surface area. "It's important that each patient receive the correct care for their burn," said Dr. Ornazian. "A lot of fluid is lost when a patient suffers a burn, and the more surface area a burn covers, the more fluid is lost and needs to be replaced." If a burn is sustained, there are a few things that can be done on the way to the hospital to minimize the damage. Individuals who have suffered a burn should remove any clothing around the burn so that it doesn't continue to damage the skin. Covering burns with a wet towel or washcloth can also help with nerve pain experienced in the affected area. While burns suffered from home fireworks are rarely third-degree burns, they can still be severe and extremely painful. Even when all the correct precautions are taken accidents can still happen, and when they do, Dr. Ornazian said the best advice she can give is to get treatment. "It's not just for firework burns," said Dr. Ornazian. "This time of year we also see a lot of water and boating accidents, fish hook punctures, and bonfire injuries. If you suffer an injury during your summer activities that may need medical attention, it's important that you get to a hospital." More from McLaren Greater Lansing
Americans want to know how do we compare the risks of this new coronavirus to the risks of the normal annual flu. How likely we are to get the new virus? If we get the virus, how likely are we to die? It feels like our country is fumbling around in the dark with a cane trying to make sure we don’t fall down and break a hip. Why is it so hard for the medical experts to create the light we need to see the way forward? Healthcare, as it turns out, entails a lot of fumbling around in the dark. There are lots and lots of guesstimates. Think of it this way: It’s late in the day. As you approach home in your residential neighborhood, you see a police car pull out to follow you as you pass. Siren blaring, lights flashing, you pull over. Public safety’s finest walks up, and you roll down your window. “Do you know why I stopped you?” “No officer, I don’t.” “Do you know how fast you were going?” “No officer, I don’t. My speedometer is broken. Based on how long it took me to pass the guy on the bicycle, I would guess 20 miles an hour.” “Well, my radar gun is broken, but I eyeballed you and I guess you were doing 80 miles an hour in a residential neighborhood.” Which guess is right? Twenty mph or 80 mph. It changes what comes next. Go on with a normal life or spend time in lockup. That’s basically the discussion we are having about the coronavirus and what to do next. Is this the regular flu, and we are going 20 mph on a residential street, or is this is a highly dangerous pandemic and we are going 80 mph on a residential street? Unfortunately, our government and medical experts are just guessing how fast we are going. We don’t even know how many people die each year from the regular flu. For the 2018-2019 season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Center for Disease Control estimates 35 million people had the regular flu and about 34,000 died from the regular flu. The CDC guess of 35 million for the normal flu is what is called a SWAG – a Scientific Wild Guess. The CDC doesn’t actually know how many people get the flu. The flu is not a reportable illness for a national database. Many of us have the flu and never even go to a doctor. The CDC’s claim of 35 million people getting the flu is just a guesstimate. Incredibly, the CDC doesn’t even know if 34,000 people died from the flu during the 2108-2019 flu season. Here’s how the CDC created their scientific wild guess of annual flu deaths. The CDC takes a sample of hospitals reporting deaths where influenza is listed as the primary cause of death. The CDC then intentionally inflates the reported number of flu deaths received from hospitals. The CDC’S excuse for using a guesstimate instead of the actual data provided by the hospital is the number of people who die from the flu in a hospital could be masked by onsite medical professionals incorrectly reporting the cause of death as pneumonia, congestive heart failure, or pulmonary heart disease. The CDC assumes without the flu perhaps many hospital patients would have survived. SoSo, the CDC makes up a number to increase the hospital reported deaths from the flu. The CDC then takes its intentionally inflated hospital deaths from influenza and multiplies it by how many Americans the CDC guesses had the flu but did not seek hospitalization. Sadly, this means we are comparing the CDC’s annual guesstimates on the annual flu virus to the CDC’s current guesswork on the coronavirus in order to decide how scared we should be. How likely are we to get the new flu? How likely are we to die? We are in the dark, falling over furniture, tumbling to the ground. We are using current guesswork for the risk of the coronavirus to the scientific guesstimates for annual flu in order to decide whether to stay locked up at home or live a normal life. Are we going 20 mph or 80 mph? Our government doesn’t know. Share your thoughts. David Dunn-Rankin is CEO of D-R Media, which owns the Highlands News-Sun and the Highlands Sun, as well as newspapers in Lake, Polk and Sumter counties. He can be reached at David@D-R.Media .^p
An Expert Debunks The Most Common Myths About Microplastics mbg Senior Sustainability Editor By Emma Loewe mbg Senior Sustainability Editor An Expert Debunks The Most Common Myths About Microplastics Image by Jelena Jojic Tomic / Stocksy Bethanie Carney Almroth is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Gothenburg in Western Sweden. An expert in marine science and environmental health, she received her Ph.D. in ecotoxicology—the study of how chemicals affect the environment—and has spent the last seven years studying microplastics in aquatic environments. It’s an interesting time to be in this line of work. Recently, it feels like microplastics—teeny tiny plastics that are either created to be small, like those pesky microbeads in beauty products, or have deteriorated from larger pieces of plastic over time—are becoming public enemy No. 1 in the environmental space. It could be because of disturbing photos like this, which prove that fish often mistake small pieces of plastic for food. Or maybe it's due to the fact that man-made microplastics have been found in literally every natural landscape on earth—from the deepest trenches in the ocean to the snow falling over the Arctic. Or perhaps it's because we humans now know that these small beads of plastic are making their way into our stomachs too. (One infamous study suggested that we could be eating a credit card's worth of them every week.) Whatever the reason, public interest in microplastics has soared according to Almroth, and Google search data agrees with her. "With plastic, there's been a lot of movement from every level," she says. "And it's interesting to see because the science isn't always there… We don't know what they're actually doing in the environment. That’s the opposite of what we’re seeing in other cases, like with chemicals where you have thousands of scientific articles and decades of research but no movement.” Almroth says that the research we have on the toxicity of microplastics—especially when compared to things like industrial chemicals—is scant. Here, she breaks down what we do know, what we don't know, and what we need to figure out when it comes to microplastics in the environment. How do microplastics affect fish? Well, it's complicated. First off, it's important to remember that there are many, many types of plastics out there, each constructed using different chemicals (Almroth and her team have identified nearly 4,000 different chemicals in plastic packaging alone), so it's difficult to study exactly how all of them are affecting our environment. That being said, fish do seem to be eating plastics of all sorts. "We can find plastic in the guts of animals," Almroth says, adding that the impact of these plastics is harder to identify. Most recently, her lab studied how microplastics affected the gut of rainbow trout in particular and found that they were relatively benign. This makes her suspect that reactions to microplastics are species-dependent, and fish that live in sediment-rich environments, like rainbow trout, have evolved to become better at filtering out toxins or handling exposure to particles. After consuming microplastics, certain fish may also lose their appetite for other foods, while others could experience hormone disruption. Bottom line: Fish are eating microplastics, but a lot more research needs to be done to figure out how exactly they're processing them. The impact of microplastics on human health—and some thoughts on that credit card study. There's concern that all these microplastics end up in our stomachs when we eat fish, but Almroth finds some flaws in that logic: We gut fish before serving them, in much of the Western world at least, which could help us avoid a fair amount of the microplastics that have accumulated. "You're eating plastics, but it's not necessarily through the marine food chain… We probably breathe more plastics than we eat," she argues. Yep, thanks to wind and water cycles, the simple act of breathing can expose us to microplastics—which is concerning since our lungs aren't as adept at filtering out toxins as our stomachs are. Well, that's terrifying. The semi-good news is that we're probably not eating or breathing a credit card's worth of microplastic every week, as that one study theorized. "I think there's a problem with those numbers. When you're making that kind of calculation you have to make a lot of assumptions," Almroth says, explaining that the microparticles studied were found in the ocean. Aquatic particles tend to be larger than the ones we'd realistically be ingesting on a day-to-day basis. As with fish, we still don't really know how microplastics affect humans in the long run. While the most recent report from the World Health Organization concludes that there's not enough evidence to show that the microplastics in drinking water are harmful to our health, for example, a lot more research still needs to be done. The scariest part: How microplastics are changing our environment as a whole. "We're finding microplastic everywhere. That in and of itself is problematic," Almroth says. "There's literally no clean environment left on the whole planet." While microplastics exist everywhere, freshwater ecosystems that are fed with sewage, like the ones outside urban areas, are hotspots for them. The most disturbing part of all is that we've been pumping plastics into the environment for at least 50 years—and all of them are still out there. The ones that we can't see have just settled to the ocean floor. "There are some studies indicating that 1% of ocean plastics are in the surface water, so it's a really small number. The sediment is the ultimate sink—that's where everything will end up." Think about that! The giant garbage patches accumulating in our oceans—one measured to be roughly four times the size of California—show only 1% of the plastics floating in our oceans. And unlike surface trash, which can maybe, eventually be cleaned up, Almroth thinks that they're going to be there forever. If we can't clean these microplastics up, what CAN we do? This massive problem will take equally epic solutions—and cutting back on the amount of plastic we send to the ocean will require action from consumers, businesses, and governments. The U.K. and Canada recently pledged to ban certain categories of single-use plastics, while brands like IKEA, G7, Athleta, Reformation, and Adidas are beginning to popularize products made out of recovered fishing nets. This is a good start, considering these nets would have eventually become a huge source of aquatic microplastics, but a lot more still needs to be done. Put simply, we need to decrease our dependency on plastic, but we can't stop there. As a society, we need to place more value on our stuff. "Instead of just replacing things, reuse things," Almroth recommends. "Instead of saying 'Instead of using a plastic fork I'm going to use a bamboo fork and throw that away'—stop playing into the throwaway culture." It's easier said than done, but you can start by buying clothes made to last, avoiding single-use packaging, and investing in furniture you'll have for a lifetime. 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Chapter 9. Solr and Cloud Computing In the last chapter, we have seen how Apache Solr can be optimized for better performance on a single node as well as a cluster of nodes. Apache Solr can be scaled horizontally or vertically. Horizontal scaling focuses on adding additional nodes for better distribution of search over multiple machines. Vertical scaling involves adding more resources to the current node setup, such as CPU cores, RAM, or other hardware components. Solr can be scaled in both cases. The IT industry today is keen to look for a way to increase capacity or add capabilities on the fly without investing in new infrastructure, or licensing new software. This requirement highlights the importance of Cloud computing, which provides a subscription-based ... Get Scaling Apache Solr now with O’Reilly online learning.
How Does a Refrigerator Work? If you’re like most consumers you don’t think about the components of a refrigerator unless it shuts down, or before it comes time to buy a new one. To ensure you get the most out of this important appliance it can be very nice to know exactly how it keeps food and drinks cold—and Pearson Appliance Repair is here to help. Continue reading to find out what you should understand about how a refrigerator runs, how it cools your food and drinks and if it’s the right time to connect with refrigerator repair CITY. Parts of a Refrigerator You won’t find too many homes that do not have a refrigerator inside the kitchen. It’s been a must-have kitchen appliance for many years. A residential refrigerator stores your food and drinks at the best temperature, to eliminate spoilage and limit harmful bacteria. The concept of refrigeration starts by distributing the heat from the inside of the unit to the exterior, by using the principles of condensation and evaporation. The standard components of a refrigerator are below. For questions or service call Pearson Appliance Repair: A refrigerator compressor is a combo of a pump and motor, and it is responsible for circulation of refrigerant throughout the cooling system. A compressor is an important part of a refrigerator. Homeowners should call a professional company if the compressor isn’t working. The condenser is found on the rear exterior wall of the appliance and will help to release the heat built-up from within the refrigerator then out into the air. A refrigerator evaporator is stored on the interior of the refrigerator where it absorbs heat trapped within it, thereby reducing the interior temperature. Once the evaporator isn’t working, it’s time to hire a professional. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Expansion Device Liquid refrigerant is transferred through a capillary tube that serves as an expansion device to cool the gas inside, transforming the gas into a liquid. A thermostat helps regulate the temperature in the interior of a refrigerator, starting the cooling period as required. The thermostat inside of a refrigerator is often prone to malfunction. Troubleshoot and call a technician in CITY for service the moment an issue happens. How Does Refrigeration Work? 1. When the temperature in the interior of a refrigerator goes higher than the set point sensors alert the refrigerator compressor to start, and the next cool down starts. The unit draws in the cold liquified refrigerant, condenses and pressurizes the refrigerant, and increases the temperature, turning it into a gas form. 2. The refrigerator compressor unit pushes the hot gas towards the refrigerator condenser coils located on the outside of the unit, where it comes into contact with the lower air temperature in the room and returns to a liquid state. 3. The cooled refrigerant continues its trip towards the evaporator, traveling through the many coils within the refrigerator and freezer compartment. 4. The liquid absorbs the hot air from inside the refrigerator, cooling the temperature until it has reached the best final point. 5. The refrigerant then evaporates, and turns back to a gas form, and then returns to the refrigerator compressor unit so it can then continue the cooling cycle. Refrigeration technology is found in several applications and household appliances, including heat pumps, AC units, refrigerators and freezers. By removing heat from a single area and then distributing it to another the cycle of refrigeration contributes in cooling a house, provides a optimal space for perishable food, and also helps with manufacturing and storage of many different everyday products and materials. Need Refrigerator Repair? Think your refrigerator need service? You can schedule repair with Pearson Appliance Repair. Pearson Appliance Repair can fix nearly all major brands of refrigerators – includes industrial models, stand-alone and side-by-side.Our appliance repairmen in CITY undergo training to repair problems with cooling, ice makers, problems with condensation, puddles and leaks, lighting, digital panels, smart technology and various problems. We know refrigerator repair! Schedule now!
Build Your Own Water Quality Monitoring Station with 5 Water Quality Sensors Water Quality is a complex concept, it related to too many parameters. Therefore constructing a water quality monitoring station is a systematic and complex project. The good news is that with the help of those 5 Grove Water Quality Sensors, you can build your own lightweight water quality monitoring station easily. No.1 Grove – PH Sensor As the name indicates, the PH Sensor can detect the PH value of a solution. People use PH to reflect the potential for hydrogen in a liquid. The pH range is 0-14. Acidic liquids have a low pH and alkaline liquids have a high pH. The Grove – PH Sensor is easy to use(nearly plug and play) and very cost-effective. At room temperature, the pH of pure water is approximately equal to 7. If you get a high or low PH value, then it’s likely that the water that was tested is contaminated. No.2 Grove - ORP Sensor ORP Sensor is the short for Oxidation Reduction Potential Sensor, it measures the activity of oxidizers and reducers in an aqueous solution. In the other words, OPR reflect the ability of a lake or river to cleanse itself or break down waste products. So if you want to know about the Water Quality, ORP sensor is definitely necessary. No.3 Grove - EC Sensor EC Sensor is the short for electrical conductivity sensor, it measures the electrical conductivity in a solution. Conductivity is an important parameter for measuring water quality, it indicates the concentration of electrolyte present in the water. Its value has a certain relationship with the amount of inorganic acids, alkalis, and salts it contains. It is proportional to the concentration of dissolved solids. The higher the solids concentration, the greater the conductivity. Pure water has very low conductivity. No.4 Grove - TDS Sensor TDS Sensor is the short for Total Dissolved Solids Sensor, it measures the dissolved combined content of all inorganic and organic substances present in water. Typically, the higher the TDS value, the more substances dissolved in water. Hence, higher levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) can indicate that water has more contaminants that can pose health risks. No.5 Grove - Turbidity Sensor The Grove turbidity sensor can measure the turbidity of the water (the number of suspended particles). The optical sensor of this module can measure the density of turbid water and the concentration of extraneous matter using the refraction of wavelength between photo transistor and diode. The higher the output value, the murkier the water. Water quality needs multiple dimensions to react, and using these common water quality sensors will basically reflect the quality of the water. It is worth noting that the TDS value is positively correlated with the EC value, and even proportionally in some intervals. So most of the time, you only need to choose one of the two sensors. Please follow and like us: Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. Wordpress Social Share Plugin powered by Ultimatelysocial
What is Radon & Should you be afraid of radon in your home? Nature Animals Should you be afraid of radon in your home? To sensitize the Belgian population to the dangers of radon, the federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) has launched a radon action. This initiative aims to encourage you to measure the radon in your home and take measures if necessary. Should you be afraid of radon in your home? What is Radon ? Radon is a radioactive gas that is normally present in (rough) substrate. When radon penetrates into buildings from the soil through cracks in the floor, joints between walls, the crawl space or through water pipes, it can pile up and reach high concentrations. It is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Is Radon Dangerous? Radon is the most dangerous carcinogenic substance in homes. In Belgium, radon is responsible for approximately 40% of irradiation cases among the population. Radon causes approximately 480 cases of lung cancer in Belgium each year. That is about 10% of all cases of lung cancer. Radon invades the lungs with the air you breathe. Once in the lungs, radon and its decay products irradiate the lung tissue, which can damage it and cause cancer. The danger of lung tumor relies upon two variables: • - The radon concentration in your home; - The time you spend in your home. The higher the radon concentration and the more time you spend indoors, the higher the cancer risk.Smokers and individuals who are regularly exposed to tobacco smoke have an extra high risk of lung malignancy on the off chance that they are additionally presented to radon. Where is radon in the soil? Radon is mainly found in the your back house because the substrate is rocky. However, radon concentrations can also be high outside these areas with increased exposure. In Flanders, too high radon concentrations in buildings are less predictable. However, recent studies show that the risk of lung cancer is already increasing in chronic introduction to a radon centralization of 100 Bq/m³ . Such radon concentration can occur throughout the territory. How can you know if there is too much radon in your house? In some country, the average radon concentration in dwellings is 53 Bq/m³. However, the radon concentration can vary significantly from one region to another and from one building to another. A simple way to know the radon level in your home is using a radon detector that you can find in this article. In some buildings, radon can penetrate from the substrate more easily than in other buildings. That depends on the type of structure. Moreover, building materials themselves also give radon, albeit much less than the substrate.A closed space, such as a dwelling, it can occur strongly concentrated. This is especially true for poorly ventilated areas. Estimation is the best way to know whether you and your family are at risk from radon. A simple test with a radon detector suffices to measure the amount of radon in your home. The radon detector is a cylinder-shaped jar in which a sensitive film is located that registers the radon radiation. After an analysis of the film, the radon concentration can be determined. Place this detector for a period of 3 months in the most used room of the house. Usually, this is the kitchen or the living room. The primary source of radon is the substrate. Especially in Wallonia high radon concentrations occur regularly because of the rocky substrate. In Flanders, soil concentrations are not so high. However, through cracks, crevices and openings at the bottom of the building, part of the radon from the depths comes inside the building. Building materials Radon occurs in almost every soil species and also in rocks. It is therefore also found in stony building materials such as concrete, natural stone, plaster, cement. Passive buildings and more insulated buildings increase the risk of insufficient ventilation and aeration. The radon that is released from the soil and building materials will then linger in the building. Proper ventilation is also essential for excellent indoor air quality (more info in the ventilation and aeration of the Fiche). What would you be able to do to avoid or decrease radon in your home When the radon concentration in your home is higher than 400 Bq/m³, the FANC recommends that you take measures to reduce this concentration below the 400 Bq/m³ and, if possible, under the 200 Bq/m³. As the concentration measured at you exceeds this value more and more, it is more appropriate to undertake something. Nonetheless, this does not imply that there is no hazard under this level. Be that as it may, the hazard is littler when the focus is lower. There are several ways to reduce the radon concentration in the home. These methods are usually designed to throw a barrier against radon or to carry out radon-contaminated air. Some are very simple and inexpensive. The main measures are to raise a barrier against radon and to drain with radon contaminated air. Improving the impermeability of the building to limit the ingress of radon (doors, cracks in the floor, places where pipes enter the house,...). Related Articles Around the Web Report this Content Keep Reading... Show less Keep Reading... Show less Keep Reading... Show less Keep Reading... Show less Keep Reading... Show less Keep Reading... Show less Keep Reading... Show less Keep Reading... Show less Facebook Comments
Heal Cancer By Correcting Cell pH Acid-Alkaline Levels To heal cancer, some alternative professionals believe that cancer patients will be benefit from adjust their body PH levels by adjusting their food intake to be Alkaline so cancerous cell cannot survive with the environment. Nobel Prize winner Dr. Otto Warburg discovered that cancer cells only thrive in a low-oxygen state. When your body cells and tissue are ACIDIC (below pH of 6.5 - 7.0), they lose their ability to exchange oxygen, and cancer cells are able to thrive. On the other hand, when your body cells and tissue are ALKALINE (above pH of 7.0) cancer cells find it difficult to survive because of the high amount of oxygen present. Alkaline tissue holds 20 times more oxygen than does acidic tissue and this oxygen rich environment prevents further cancer cell growth. In a pH of 8.0 or greater, cancer cells and cancer-causing pathogenic microbes (viruses, bacteria, fungus) cannot survive. Maintaining proper body cell and tissue pH is critical for staying healthy and creating an inhospitable environment for cancer cells and virus-bacteria-fungus to multiply. Most people are born into this world with a pH near or at (neutral pH). If you can keep your body tissue pH somewhere between 6.5 - 7.0 it is very difficult to get sick. A near neutral pH (bright blue range) is the goal. How Did My Body Become Acidic? Nearly all those with cancer have high acidity. There are two main reasons for a high acidic body environment. The first and most significant is prolonged stress. This causes a depletion of adrenaline in the body’s cells. It is the job of adrenaline to remove / utilize glucose (sugar) from the body’s cells for energy for the body. Depleted adrenaline results in a build up of glucose (sugar) in the body’s cells, and restricts oxygen to cells, causing a break in the krebs cycle of the cell and cell mutation. Pathogenic (harmful) microbes (virus, bacteria, fungus) inhabit cancer cells and feed on this glucose causing fermentation. The body becomes acidic (low pH) due to the waste by-products of these pathogenic microbes fermentating glucose in cancer cells and also fermentation of stress hormones. The second is poor nutrition / diet. Every food has a pH value from very acidic to very alkaline. Raw fruits and vegetables are very alkaline, while poor foods, beer, soda, coffee, etc are very acidic. This is why those who eat certain types of foods are more or less at risk of certain types of cancers. How Can I Make My Body Alkaline and Keep It That Way? There are 3 important steps you need to take to re-alkalize your body and its cells to alkaline levels to prevent further cancer cell mutations. It is not enough to do just one step - you must do ALL three, otherwise you will see little improvement. Step 1 of 3: Alkalizing the Body Quickly Excerpt from Diagnosis: Cancer - By Dr Waltraut Fryda[Dr. med. Waltraut Fryda studied medicine at the universities of Jena, Berlin and Innsbruck. For decades Dr Fryda has successfully administered to cancer patients the [below] therapy resulting from her hypothesis on the origins of cancer, restoring full health to many of her patients. Acid-Alkali Ratio [Re-Alkalising the Body in 5 Weeks] - By Dr Waltraut Fryda, Diagnosis: Cancer. "A cancer patient always suffers from over-acidification of the tissues. In order to deprive the tumor of a favorable environment, the tissue-pH value must be changed from acid to alkaline. This is easier said than done because all alkaline-forming nutrition loses its intended effect soon after entering the bloodstream, as it is used up in the blood for buffering, before it can reach the tissue. The organism (body) always endeavors via appropriate regulating mechanisms to maintain the blood-pH value at around 7.4, which is absolutely essential for the stability of hormones, in particular adrenaline. A brief recapitulation of the law of reversed proportionality of pH value changes in blood and tissue: if the blood-pH value drops, the tissue-pH value rises (and vice versa). This gives us a kind of lever: it should be possible to indirectly raise an unhealthy acid-tissue-pH value by lowering the slightly alkaline blood-pH value. Over-acidification of tissue is prevented in a healthy organism (body) by the dextrorotatory lactic acid that is constantly produced by movement and suitable nutrition. This, therefore, indicates that an input of optically dextrorotatory lactic acid is needed. This may seem like a contradiction to the layman, in that tissue is to be de-acidified by administering an acid. The paradox disappears, however, if all interrelations are kept in mind. Acidification of the blood by means of dextrorotatory lactic acid lowers the blood-pH value until it and the tissue-pH value reach the same level. This takes precisely five weeks in cancer patients who are administered an appropriate dose of dextrorotatory lactic acid (thirty drops, three times daily). This has been confirmed time and again by my own measurements over many years of the blood-pH value. During the period from the first until approximately the fourth day in week 6, the acid substances will be discharged from the tissue into the blood, the pH value of which drops for a short time to very low values. The excretion of the pathological substances of the tissue via blood, liver, kidneys, and skin during this period is apparent from an entirely pungent and acid smell. I am as yet unable to explain the reasons for the period of five weeks. However, the same physical and psychological symptoms occur after this (five week period). Feeling generally unwell, the patient is irritable, aggressive, and depressed at the same time. At the height of this “changeover reaction”, usually lasting for three days, the pH value of tissue and blood reach the same level. The continued supply of dextrorotatory lactic acid finally ensures an unproblematic and physiological restitution and maintenance of a blood-pH value of 7.4 and a tissue –pH value above that figure. This will remove a critical precondition for continued growth of a tumour in a cancer patient, namely the acid environment. Kidneys and liver are now capable of carrying out their full detoxification functions, thereby, laying the foundations for a safe removal of subsequently occurring disintegration products of a malignant tumour. Finally, dextrorotatory lactic acid also causes the biological neutralization of the toxic, levorotatory lactic acid of the tumour into a non-toxic, racemic form. This is of utmost importance, as it removes the stimulus for an increase in the cell division rate. Normalising the acid-alkali balance also stimulates adrenaline production and improves its effectiveness, an equally important precondition for a healthy (aerobic) metabolism. The therapy here introduced offers relatively great advantages to patients, because, the “changeover” reaction over three days excepted, they are not subjected to any stress. It is neither painful nor does it cause vomiting, loss of appetite, bleeding of the bladder, or other similar side effects that are well-known from aggressive therapies." Self-Administering Dextrorotatory Lactic Acid (Pleo-Sanuvis™) Self-administering dextrorotatory lactic acid (Pleo-Sanuvis™) is very easy. Simply take [exactly] 30 drops orally 3 times daily, on an empty stomach. There are no known side effects, however always consult your doctor for advice. A 100ml bottle of will cost around $27, which will last for 2 weeks. It is recommended that you remain on this therapy for 3 months, then follow with 30 drops daily for maintenance for rest of life or with the Budwig Diet that also contains dextrorotary lactic acid in the whey of the cottage cheese. Pleo-Sanuvis™ can be ordered from your local Homeopath or by visiting Dr. Zeischegg's website. Please note: The bottle you purchase will suggest a larger dose, please stick to 30 drops orally 3 times daily. Step 2 of 3: Healing Acid-Causing Internal Stress The body's pH becomes acidic (sick) as opposed to alkaline (healthy) primarily due to depleted adrenaline. Depleted adrenaline levels are primarily caused by prolonged internal stress, as a result of a strong negative emotional and mental reaction to a major stressful event or events in ones life. The resultant suppressed feelings of anger, hate, resentment, and grief that create a drain and eventual depletion of the adrenaline reserves, need to be expressed and permanently released, to prevent the body returning to a low adrenaline, acidic pH state. A tool must be utilized to allow for the weekly release of deeply repressed feelings of anger, hate, resentment and grief, to remove existing stressful feelings and to prevent a further build-up of stress. It is for this reason that the Mind-Body Self Hypnosis Cancer CD was created. It is also recommended that you seek out an experienced Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) practitioner to help remove existing emotional pain. Step 3 of 3: Replacing Acid Diet with Alkaline Diet Nutrition is the third step in re-alkalising the body. Stop consuming things that make acidity levels greater in the body. Cola soda pop is a 2.0! Coffee is a 4! Most beer is somewhere between 2.5-4.2 depending on the brand. People that consume huge amounts of soda pop, coffee and/or beer are usually acidic and are magnets for most illnesses including cancer. For this reason it is important to eat foods that are highly alkaline, and to also drink water that is highly alkaline. Foods are divided into those that are acidic producing and those that are alkaline producing. IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CANCER SURVIVOR TO EAT 80% OF ALKALINE FOODS (MINIMUM) AND 20% ONLY NEUTRAL FOODS. Lemons, Watermelon, Figs are extremely alkaline and raw fruit and vegetables especially are very alkaline forming. Alkalizing Foods and Drinks Vegetables: Alfalfa, Barley Grass, Beetroot, Beet Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard Greens, Chlorella, Collard Greens, Cucumber, Dandelions, Dulce, Edible Flowers, Eggplant, Fermented Veggies, Garlic, Green Beans, Green Peas, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Nightshade Veggies, Onions, Parsnips, Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Radish, Rutabaga, Sea Veggies, Spinach, Spirulina, Sprouts, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Watercress, Wheatgrass, Wild Greens. Fruits: Apple, Apricot, Avocado, Banana, Berries, Blackberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Coconut, Currants, Dates, Figs, Grapes, Grapefruit, Honeydew Melon, Lemon, Lime, Muskmelons, Nectarine, Orange, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Raison, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Strawberries, Tangerine, Tomato, Tropical Fruits, Watermelon. Other: Almonds, Chestnuts, Millet, Tempeh, Tofu, Whey, Cinnamon, Curry, Ginger, Mustard, Chili Pepper, Sea Salt, Miso, Tamari, All Herbs, Apple Cider Vinegar, Bee Pollen, Lecithin, Molasses, Probiotics, Soured Dairy Products, Green Juices, Veggie Juices, Fresh Fruit Juice, Mineral Water, Cesium: pH14, Potassium: pH14, Sodium: pH14, Calcium: pH12, Magnesium: pH9. Neutral Foods and Drinks Butter, Cheese, Honey, Eggs, Potatoes, Oils, Beans, Soy Milk, Corn, Lentils, Olives, Winter Squash, Blueberries, Cranberries, Plums, Prunes, Amaranth, Barley, Wheat Bran, Oat Bran, Cornstarch, Hemp Seed Flour, Kamut, Rolled Oats, Oatmeal, Quinoa, All Rice, Rice Cakes, Rye, Spelt, Wheat, Wheatgerm, Noodles, Macaroni, Spaghetti, Wheat Flour, Black Beans, Chick Peas, Kidney Beans, Lentils, Pinto Beans, Red Beans, Soy Beans, Soy Milk, White Beans, Rice Milk, Almond Milk. Highly Acidic Foods and Drinks Dairy/Fats/Meats/Fish: Ice Cream, Ice Milk, Cashews, Peanuts, Peanut Butter, Pecans, Tahini, Walnuts, Bacon, Beef, Carp, Clams, Cod, Corned Beef, Fish, Haddock, Lamb, Lobster, Mussels, Organ Meats, Oysters, Pike, Pork, Rabbit, Salmon, Sardines, Sausage, Scallops, Shrimp, Shellfish, Tuna, Turkey, Veal, Venison. Other: Sugar, Artificial Sweeteners, Brown Sugar, White Flour, Breads, Canned or Glazed Fruits, Pastries, Refined Cereals, Chocolate, Custard, Jams, Pasta White, Pickles, Seafood, Table Salt, Yogurt, Corn Syrup, Alcohol, Cocoa, Coffee, Vinegar, Mustard, Pepper, Soft Drinks, Aspirin, Chemicals, Drugs, Tobacco, Coco-Cola: pH2, Beer: pH2.5, Coffee: pH4. This article is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through this article should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider.
Doulas and midwives are both professionals who assist with childbirth and women’s reproductive health. A doula provides support to the mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth, but does not deliver the baby. A midwife may offer gynecological examinations, birth control counseling, prescriptions, and labour and delivery care. midwife with couple doula focuses on an expectant mother’s own needs, which enables her to have a memorable and empowering experience while giving birth. While in most cases the term “doula,” implies a professional who is present during the birth, there also are doulas who specialize in antepartum (before birth) care and postpartum care. A doula typically helps a woman prepare a birth plan. A birth doula remains with the mother during birth, offering relaxation and breathing technique support, as well as comforting services like massages, and assistance with labor positions; however, doulas are not medically trained, and cannot deliver babies. A doula is not a substitute for having a woman’s partner at the birth. Doulas encourage participation from the partner and offer support and reassurance to the partner as well. midwife is a health care professional. Depending upon the laws of the region in which the midwife practices, a midwife may perform gynecological examinations (for example, Pap smears, pelvic exams, and breast exams), write prescriptions, care for a woman during labor and delivery, perform fetal monitoring, and provide information about contraception. A midwife usually seeks to eliminate or minimize unnecessary technological interventions, believing that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes. You can choose to have a midwife ora doctor, not both. As midwives are experts in low-risk pregnancy and birth, midwifery clients will not see a physician unless there are concerns or complications. If complications arise, midwives can consult with physicians or, if necessary, transfer a client’s care to a physician. If care is transferred, midwives continue to support their clients and resume primary care when it is possible. Some midwives also are trained as nurses. A nurse-midwife usually can offer the greatest variety of health-care services to women. Since the two professions both offer benefits to expectant moms, you can have both a midwife and a doula to help you during the birthing process. Doula support is an amazing complement to the care you will receive from your midwife. There are many amazing midwives here in Toronto, and they certainly provide great support for your birth. However, their ultimate responsibility is the health and safety of you and baby. They need to be present, alert and at the top of their game during really active birth and pushing. Your doula will stay with and typically join you earlier than your midwife, from as early as you would like her there until after the birth of your baby. Something to consider: Doulas are not covered by any provincial health care plan. But doula services have started to be funded by some private insurance plans, which may be contributing to their increased use. However, Midwives are part of the Ontario health-care system and their services are completely funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Ontario residents who are not currently covered by OHIP can still receive midwifery care with no charge.
Open Library - открытая библиотека учебной информации Химия Answer the questions просмотров - 1033 Describe the functions of each piece of equipment. A laboratory method for the preparation of hydrogen chloride solution. Hydrogen chloride is most conveniently prepared in the laboratory by combining concentrated sulphuric acid and sodium chloride and then heating the mixture. We place the sodium chloride in the flask and the sulphuric acid is slowly added through the funnel. The flask is heated with a small flame. The reaction of the sulphuric acid and the sodium chloride yields sodium hydrosulphate and hydrogen chloride as represented by the equation NaCl + H2S04 → NaHS04 + HC1. The hydrogen chloride gas is collected in the first bottle as it displaces the air. When the bottle is filled, the gas will continue on to pour into the second bottle where it dissolves in water and forms hydrochloric acid. A laboratory method of preparing hydrogen. The usual laboratory method of preparing hydrogen is to replace the hydrogen in an acid by a metal. For example, if a metallic zinc is mixed with dilute hydrochloric acid, the zinc replaces the hydrogen in the hydrochloric acid (hydrogen chloride). This action produces zinc chloride and hydrogen as shown in the following equation: Zn + H2S04 → ZnS04 + H3 A small amount of granulated zinc is placed in the bottle. Dilute hydrochloric acid is poured into the bottle through the tube. The hydrogen which is freed passes through delivery tube to the collecting bottle. sulphuric acid - сірчана кислота hydrochloric acid - соляная кислота collecting bottle- склянка-колектор pour- лити, доливати combine - поєднувати preparation- приготування conveniently - зазвичай represent - представляти flame – полум’я solution- розчинення mix – змішувати 1. How is hydrogen chloride prepared in a laboratory? 2. Is the mixture cooled while preparing hydrogen chloride? 3. What does the reaction of the sulphuric acid and the sodium chloride yield? 4. Where is hydrogen chloride collected? 5. Is oxygen evolved in this reaction? 6. What does hydrogen chloride gas form when it is dissolved in water? 7. What is the usual laboratory method of preparing hydrogen? 8. How is hydrochloric acid prepared? 2. Give Ukrainian equivalents: 1. a small flame а. як показано 2. the usual method b. невелика кількість 3. as shown c. через трубку 4. a small amount d. звичайний метод 5. through the tube e. слабке полум’я 3. Translate the sentences: 1. We place the sodium chloride in the flask and add sulphuric acid through the funnel. 2. The hydrogen chloride gas displaces air from the bottle. 3. A metal replaces hydrogen in an acid. 4. If we mix metallic zinc with dilute hydrochloric acid, zinc replaces the hydrogen in the hydrogen chloride. 5. We know that thermonuclear fusion reactions can yield high temperatures. 6. Research on this matter may yield information useful to the construction of such a device. 7. The discovery of X-rays has yielded certain branches of medicine, radiology, radiotherapy and crystallography. 8. The experiment yielded no results. 9. The yield in this branch of industry contributed much to national economy. 10. The word laboratory is used to denote any room or building devoted to experimental investigation in techniques and sciences for purpose of advancing man's knowledge of special applications of natural laws. 4. Make the questions to the sentences: 1. Не usually carries out the experiments in the laboratory of inorganic chemistry. 2. She studied at school last year. 3. He will study English at the Institute. 4. I get up at 7 o'clock. It takes me 45 minutes to get to the Institute. 5. I lived far from the Institute last year. 6. He will not go to the theatre tomorrow. 7. They went to the theatre yesterday. 8. We go to the cinema on Sundays. 9. They study in the reading-hall every day. 10. We shall finish the experiment tomorrow. 11. The students passed all the exams in January. Читайте также • - Exercise 1. Answer the questions. • - Exercise 1. Answer the questions. • - Task 13. Answer the questions. • - Task 11. Answer the questions. • - Listen and answer the questions. • - I. Answer the questions. • - Ex. 2.Answer the questions.
Endtime Prophecy Net - Bible Tidbits The Vulgate, or Latin Vulgate, meaning commonly accepted, refers to the Latin version of the Bible produced by Jerome during the fourth century. At that time, there were various versions of the Bible which had been translated from Greek to Latin for the benefit of Western Christians who did not understand Greek. The most widely-circulated of these was called the 'Old Latin' or 'Itala'. Because of the confusion which resulted from the diversity between the various Latin translations, Pope Damasus requested that Jerome revise and correct the New Testament, in order to create one standard Latin version. After revising the four Gospels, it is said that he more hurriedly completed the remainder of the New Testament, finishing his work around 383-84 A.D. Following Damasus' death, Jerome went to Israel, where he spent the next thirty-four years. It was while there, that he spent some fifteen years revising and translating the Old Testament from Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic, to Latin. Being as it was a personal enterprise, Jerome was highly criticized, and accused of changing the text found in the earlier Latin versions. Despite these objections, centuries later, in 1546 the Council of Trent declared Jerome's work, now known as the Vulgate, the official version of the Roman Catholic Church. Realizing from the beginning that it was not error-free, a revision was published in 1592 under Pope Clement VIII. Modern English versions of the Roman Catholic Bible, of which there have been various, such as the Douay-Rheims, are indirectly derived from Jerome's Latin Vulgate version. Endtime Prophecy Net Key Site Links Home Page EPN Guestbook EPN Chatroom Our World Message Bible Study Tools Messageboard KJV Verse Lists KJV HTML Bible Contact Us
The Modifiability of Karma We are the heirs and owners of our karma. Through being present and awake to our intention at the beginning of an action, we can reshape and direct the patterns of our mind, and then change the karma in our life. More than two thousand and five hundred years ago, Buddha sent a hopeful message addressing the caste hierarchy of India : it is not your birth that decides if you are noble or lowly; it is your karma (kamma in Pali) that decides what you will be. Karma is a vast and profound topic in Buddha’s teaching. What is karma? The word karma comes from the Sanskrit verbal root kṛwhich means “to make, perform, accomplish, prepare, undertake.” The noun form ‘karman’ literally means “action, performance, activity.” or “religious act or rite”. To gain a better understanding of karma in Buddha’s teaching, it will be helpful to relate it to the cultural and historical context first. At the time of the Buddha, the notion that karma brings result and the doctrine of transmigration were deeply ingrained in Indian religion. According to the classic Vedic sacrificial religion, if the gods are pleased, they will grant good fortune. The fundamental rationale of the whole sacrificial system is that correct ritual actions will bring about desired results: the well-being of the individual, society and universe. The good or bad deed that one performs in this life will decide if one’s next life is fortunate or unfortunate. However, how to tell if the deeds are good or bad is based on correctly or incorrectly performing the ritual action. The Buddha assimilated the notion of rebirth in a series of lives, but transformed the concept of karma from the ritual level to the ethical level, from outer performance to inner power. In Anguttara-Nikaya Buddha gave this definition: “It is volition (cetana), monks, that I call kamma. For having willed, one performs an action through body, speech and mind.” Buddha said that karma is volition, because it is the motivation behind the action that directs the karmic result. Through our volition we can shape the patterns of our mind and perform the action of mind, the action of speech and the action of body In the context of Buddha’s teaching, karma is not only a single action, but also a dynamic process in our life. The law of karma is the law of cause and effect. Everything we do must produce results which we will have to experience sooner or later. Two twin verses indicate precisely the principle of karma in the opening sentences of the great Dhammapada : All the phenomena of existence have mind as their precursor, mind as their supreme leader, and of mind are they made. If with an impure mind one speaks or acts, suffering follows him in the same way as the wheel follows the foot of the drawer (of the chariot). All the phenomena of existence have mind as their precursor, mind as their supreme leader, and of mind are they made. If with a pure mind one speaks or acts, happiness follows him like his shadow that never leaves. The Buddha’s teaching inspires us to pay attention to how our mind creates our own world and shapes our destiny. Karma is certain and definite. The consequence of our actions will definitely be experienced. Thus, men become heirs of their own deeds. Is karma modifiable? When we consider the strict lawfulness of karma, another question arises. “Is karma fatalism?” “Is it modifiable?” I would like to answer this question by relating the following fable: In a small village lived two people. Because of their stealing, they were punished by having two big letters, “ST”, carved on their foreheads. One of them thought that he was doomed to failure all the time; then, he abandoned himself to drinking and committing more robberies. Consequently, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and was called “Super Thief”. However, another one believed that he could create a new life. Even though at first abuse rained down on him again and again, he didn’t resist it. He considered the scolding as an alarm to warn him to be benevolent diligently towards people. After ten years, people respected and loved him; they called him “SAINT”. The story shows us the law of cause and effect: in one short moment, an individual can respond poorly to a situation and begin a negative chain of karma. And in one short moment, he can make a wise choice through right mindfulness. The “saint” character took all the responsibility for what was happening to him (the karma of result), and did not form new ill intentions toward the people who insulted him nor did he underestimate himself (the karma of cause). On the contrary, he respected every new moment of his life (the karma of cause), and was able to find a path filled with opportunity (the karma of result). Thus, we can see two dimensions of karma: (1) Our past karma, which is unchangeable. (2) Our future new karma, which we can change by our present actions. Asserting that all the effect of the bad karma can be mitigated, Francis Story said “People believe in determinism, fatalism, merely because they see results, but do not see causes.” The Ven. Nyanaponika also states clearly that the lawfulness of karma is not rigid. Karma is modified as it ripens by both external and internal factors. Between the cause and effect, a lot of changeable conditions exist. A karma event may have its result strengthened by supportive karma, weakened by counteractive karma, or even abolished by destructive karma. If the combination of all the causes and conditions required has not ripened yet, the result can also be delayed. At the same time, the delay may give another opportunity for supportive karma, counteractive karma, and destructive karma to operate. In addition, the Ven. Nyanaponika said, “The ripening also reflects the kamma’s ‘internal field’ or internal conditions—that is, the total qualitative structure of the mind from which the action issues. To one rich in moral or spiritual qualities, a single offence may not entail the weighty results the same offence will have for one who is poor in such protective virtue.” The fact that karmic results are modifiable frees us from determinism and fatalism, and keeps the road to liberation constantly open before us. The Buddha’s interpretation of karma had the profound meaning of making us responsible for our own spiritual progress. We are the heirs and owners of our karma. Through being present and awake to our intention at the beginning of an action, we can reshape and direct the patterns of our mind, and then change the karma in our life. Therefore, through simple awareness of intention moment to moment, we can transform our personalities, overcome the limitation of our lives and create new patterns of well-being.
Microcosmology: Atom In Jain Philosophy & Modern Science: [] Atom in Modern Science - Unification of Physics and Philosophy - Inherent Unity of Physical Reality - Einstein VS. Bohr Published: 06.07.2007 Updated: 06.10.2008 Einstein asserted that no signal can be instantaneous i.e. faster than the speed of light. According to Bohr, the twin-particle system is an indivisible whole, even if they are separated by a great distance. But the connections are not 'signals' in the Einsteinian sense; they transcend our conventional notions of 'information-transfer'. EPR's thought experiment indicates that the signal between the two particles is transmitted at superluminal speed, i.e. faster than the speed of light. The concept of a "faster-than-light" communication between events, which cannot be connected by a signal (the definition of space- like), is as much a radical departure from current physical theory as Einstein's special Theory of Relativity was for the accepted (classical) physics of 1905. Nonetheless, it is logically consistent with canonical physical thought. In fact, it can be derived from the indivisibility of Planck's quantum for action, which is the basic clement of quantum theory. Relativity permits the hypothetical existence of particles called "tachyons", which come into existence already travelling faster than light. In the formalism of the special theory of relativity, tachyons have an imaginary rest mass. Unfortunately, 11 is difficult to interpret what an "imaginary rest-mass" means in Physical terms, or what the interaction forces would be between tachyons and the ordinary particles with real rest mass. Dr. Bell's (Dr. Bell is a physicist at the European Center for Nuclear Research (ECNR) in Switzerland.) theorem supports Bohr's position and proves rigorously that Einstein's view of physical reality as consisting of independent, specially separated elements is incompatible with the laws of quantum theory. Dr. Bell's theorem is a mathematical construct, which is indecipherable to the non-mathematician. It was reworked and refined over the following ten years, until it emerged in its present form which is dramatic, to say the least. Some physicists are convinced that it is the most important single work in the history of physics. One of the implications of Dr. Bell's theorem is that at a deep and fundamental level, "the separate parts" of the universe arc connected in an intimate and immediate way. It unambiguously proves that the Universe is fundamentally inter-connected, inter- dependent and inseparable system. • Jain Vishva Barati Institute, Ladnun, India • Edited by Muni Mahendra Kumar • 3rd Edition 1995 Get this book at shop.herenow4u.net Share this page on: Page glossary 1. Einstein 2. Quantum Theory Page statistics This page has been viewed 1387 times. © 1997-2020 HereNow4U, Version 4 Contact us Social Networking HN4U Deutsche Version Today's Counter:
Wednesday, November 14, 2018 Saving Belgium Learning more about my Belgian ancestry has led to greater interest in Belgium’s history. I knew Belgium had been overrun by Germany at the beginning of World War I, but I hadn’t known how bad the war was for Belgium until reading a new book about the Americans who went to Belgium to provide relief for the starving nation. Belgium became a country in 1830. It was a divided country of French-speaking Flemings and Dutch-speaking Walloons. By the time of World War I, Belgium was the most industrialized country in Europe, and the most densely populated. It imported 75% of its food. The Germans kicked off their war by marching through Belgium to get into France and capture Paris. They didn’t expect the Belgians to display nationalistic feeling when they were already divided ethnically. The Germans were shocked when the Belgians resisted their advance. They felt swindled by the Belgian endeavor to maintain independence, and their timetable for winning the war by Christmas was obliterated. Their occupation of Belgium turned brutal. Men, women, and children were executed for resisting. Belgian industries were dismantled and transported to Germany, leaving massive unemployment in Belgium. Forty million francs per month was demanded as a contribution to the war. Thousands of men were deported for slave labor in Germany. Movement outside of one’s town or village was forbidden without difficult-to-obtain passes. Imports and exports were stopped, which meant starvation. Belgian representatives traveled to London, looking for a way to avert the starvation of the country. Herbert Hoover, a wealthy American industrialist who was helping Americans stranded in Europe by the war, volunteered to lead the effort of getting food to Belgium. The British were against the neutral effort to feed the ten millions people of Belgium and northern France cut off by the German occupation. They believed the Germans were obligated to feed the conquered people. By allowing the Belgians to starve, more German troops would be required to stay in Belgium to subdue the inevitable revolts. By relieving the Germans of that duty, the Commission for Relief of Belgium prolonged the war. Little girl eating bread supplied by the Commission For Relief In Belgium. The Germans allowed the relief because they saw it as serving their interests. Belgium would remain peaceful if fed, making their occupation easier. As the war dragged on, they, too, put up resistance. The British blockaded the North Sea to starve the Germans. They would have to relax the blockade to save Belgium, but the CRB weakened the pressure to do so. They also came to resent the hero image the American delegates acquired for the Belgians. Belgium was their country now. It was the people’s duty to be submissive to them. Besides, the Americans were probably spying. (Yes, they did report on what they saw of Germany’s ability to carry on the war.) Both sides allowed the relief to continue because Herbert Hoover masterfully orchestrated a worldwide PR campaign to highlight the plight of the Belgians and gain universal sympathy that the belligerents couldn’t ignore. When the American relief delegates had to leave Belgium in 1917 upon the US entry into the war, the still-neutral Netherlands and Spain kept the relief going to feed Belgium. Further Reading: World War I Crusaders: A Band of Yanks in German-occupied Belgium Help Save Millions From Starvation as Civilians Resist the Harsh German Rule. By Jeffrey B. Miller Wednesday, November 7, 2018 My Belgian Roots For the longest time, I’ve known who all my great-great-grandparents were. For most of them, I knew their parents and beyond. One brick wall was my great-great-grandmother, Josephine Denis. She was born in 1848 in Belgium; her parents were Francis and Florence. In the 1860 census, she lived with a 48-year-old Belgian man and a 17-year-old Dutchman. That’s all I knew. Until this summer. I discovered a Belgian genealogical site and made contact with Ron, a knowledgeable genealogist who thrives on tearing down brick walls. Josephine’s mother died in 1854. Her father took her and her four surviving brothers to Wisconsin, where he sent away his children to four different homes. The two youngest brothers were placed with two elderly seamstresses. Why didn’t Josephine go there instead of ending up as a maid by the tender age of twelve? The women may have been much better at raising a young girl and taught her sewing. I don’t know anything else about Josephine until she married. Did she have contact with her father and brothers? Why did Francois Denis leave Belgium? Probably for economic improvement, but at the cost of breaking up his family. The young children had already lost their mother; now they were separated in a strange country. Apparently, Francois didn’t have family who would help him with his youngsters. In Wisconsin, he moved to another county, remarried, and had a second family. Ron says it was common for parents to put their children in what was basically foster care when they were in economic hardship. Being a single parent, mother or father, was very difficult for parent and children at that time. Still, I would like to know about Francois’ continued involvement with his first family. I didn’t know much about Belgium’s history other than its brutal occupation of the Congo. As I’ve learned more about the country’s experience in the twentieth century, I take more pride in my Belgian heritage. More on that later. Tuesday, August 7, 2018 The Saboteurs Who Wanted to Escape Germany Seventy-six years ago, on August 8, 1942, six German “spies” were executed in Washington. Eight German saboteurs were put ashore in Florida and New York during World War II. They were to destroy aspects of America’s war production, but most, apparently, had no intention of doing so. Herbert Haupt was a naïve young man interested in good times and ran away to Mexico to avoid responsibilities. He and his friend Wolfgang Wergin spent three weeks in Mexico until they ran out of money. They couldn’t return to the US unless they paid a duty on the car Wolfgang sold when they were broke. Since they were both naturalized Americans of German birth, the German consulate got them passage on a ship going to Japan. From there, they went to Germany. Herbie jumped at the chance to return to the US with the saboteurs; Wolfgang declined, believing the G-men would get them. He ended up fighting in the German army on the Russian front. Not until 1956 was Wergin able to return to the United States. Among the seven other saboteurs, one was a survivor of Gestapo torture and imprisonment; another was badly wounded in the Wehrmacht. George Dasch intended all along to turn them all in as his way of fighting the Nazi regime. The actions of Herbert Hoover and the FBI are disgusting. The saboteurs’ treatment and trial were never about justice, but about appearances and a moral victory over Germany. Six were executed. Dasch and Burger were repatriated to Germany in 1948, but their lives were ruined. And Hoover wanted glory. He was more guilty than the saboteurs, lying to them, trying to hide the fact that Dasch went to the FBI rather than the FBI discovering a nefarious plot afoot. Hoover should have been executed. A new book, Enemies: A War Story by Kenneth Rosenberg, is a fictionalized account of the saboteurs. I recommend it. Tuesday, July 17, 2018 Who Could Save the Czar? One hundred years ago, the Russian imperial family was murdered. Recommended reading: The Race to Save the Romanovs by Helen Rappaport Wednesday, June 13, 2018 On the Arizona In the local library’s semi-annual book sale, I found a prize: All the Gallant Men: Theh First Memoir by a USS Arizona Survivor. Everyone knows what happened at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. How much do you know about the sailors who manned the ships and what they experienced? The Arizona shouldn’t have been at Pearl. It was scheduled to leave for the Bremerton, Washington, shipyard for an overhaul in late November. In late October, however, the ships were out on maneuvers and, on a very foggy October 22nd, the USS Oklahoma got out of sync and collided with the Arizona. The result was a hole “big enough to drive a hay truck through.” Time in drydock to patch the hole delayed the trip to Bremerton and on December 7th, the Arizona was still at Pearl. Several bombs that hit the Arizona proved to be duds. But one bomb pierced four steel decks and exploded in an ammunition magazine. With a whoosh, the ship blew up in a series of explosions. Among the 1,177 sailors killed were all twenty-one members of the Arizona’s band. The band members had attended the U.S. Navy School of Music where they studied ear training, harmony, and music theory, and had private instruction on their instruments. Eight bands had been assembled, graduated in May of 1941, and assigned to ships. Band #22 drew the Arizona. Three of the other bands also headed to battleships at Pearl: the California, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Band #22 caught up with the Arizona on June 17 in San Pedro, California. Even before checking out their quarters, the band went topside and played a concert, stunning the ship’s crew. The previous band had been older and hadn’t trained to play jazz or modern dance music. The crew loved having a band that played music like the big bands back home. Up and down Battleship Row on December 7, bands assembled on their fantails to play the national anthem during the raising of the flag at eight o’clock. The band on the Nevada jumped the gun and was already playing when the attack began. After a slight hesitation when the bandmaster noticed enemy planes strafing them, the band completed the anthem, then ran for their battle stations. Battle station for the bandsmen was the ammunition hold. They manned the hoists to take ammunition to gun turret number two. Seamen placed cloth powder bags on the hoists and the bandsmen, standing in rows on each side of the hoists, made sure the 75-pound bags did not become dislodged or snagged. A spill of black powder would create a hazard if a spark ignited it. At 8:06, the bomb penetrated the magazine. The bandsmen and over a thousand other sailors never had a chance. Wednesday, May 30, 2018 A Sound From the Past While stopped on a bike ride to admire bleeding hearts, I heard a long-familiar sound. A brisk breeze caused waves to slap against a pontoon boat moored nearby. That tinny, hollow knock of water against boats is unmistakable. My grandparents had a summer home in a trailer park. Located on the shore of Green Lake in Wisconsin, the little community had a long boathouse divided into individual stalls. My grandfather rented one slip for his boat. One light bulb provided inadequate lighting. A narrow ledge across the front and along one side required nibble footing. The water was always black. Scary black. What was down there? And, of course, spiders inhabited the closed space. One year, the hoists didn’t let the boat down evenly and the back end of the boat sank into that dark water. The gas tank was undoubtedly contaminated. The way to empty the tank was to insert a hose and suck on it to siphon out the watered-down gas. The task left my dad with the taste of gasoline in his mouth. His remedy? Drink beer. Alcohol was never found in our home, so that made a lasting impression. All these thoughts come back to me when I hear waves beat against boats. What sounds from your past do you remember? Saturday, May 26, 2018 Linda Matchett's Story Sparks Welcome to the Story Sparks Multi-author Blog Tour. May 21-26, 2018 readers get a chance to enter and win ebooks from six different authors. Linda Shenton Matchett is today’s featured author. One lucky winner will receive a copy Love’s Harvest. Today, Linda will be talking about History, Mystery, and Faith. Read on to discover what sparks Linda’s creativity and to enter the rafflecopter to win her heartwarming retelling of the biblical book of Ruth. I’ve been making up stories since I was young. In fact, I recently found my notebooks from back then and had quite a laugh reading my childish scrawl and teenaged angst. Even then, my fertile imagination was apparent. During interviews and speaking engagements I’m often asked where I get my ideas. The short answer is: I find them everywhere. But that’s not very informative, so I’ll let you in on my secret. I’m constantly on the lookout for “what-if” kernels-sparks, if you will. For example, if I’m in a public location I people-watch. Not in a creepy, stalker kind of way, but rather “I wonder what those two people are talking about because one of them looks happy-sad-stressed-angry-insert-other-emotion.” In fact, I can usually lasso my husband into the game when he’s with me. Other things that spark my imagination are newspaper or magazine articles, books or movies I think should have ended or been written differently, historical events, and incidents that happen to me, my family, or friends. Here are the sparks for each of my books: Love’s Harvest: I got the idea to write a modern retelling of Ruth from Francine Rivers’ book Redeeming Love which is based on the book of Hosea. Love Found in Sherwood Forest: The Love Inspired line was open for submissions. They provided myriad locations and trios of objects from which authors could select. (e.g., England, arrows, flowers, and a secret passage or Virginia, a winery, an antique car, and a stolen painting). LI didn’t pick up my story, but another publisher did. On the Rails: We visited the Grand Canyon about ten years ago where I learned about the Harvey Girls-young women who traveled from the East to be waitresses for the Fred Harvey Restaurant Company during the late 1800s and early 1900s. I was intrigued and did a bunch of research which led me to some of the women’s memoirs. A Love Not Forgotten: I was asked by a publisher to write a story that culminated with a Spring wedding. While brainstorming, I saw a sitcom on which one of the characters was hit on the head resulting in amnesia. A Doctor in the House: I read a book about the English country homes that were requisitioned by the government for use as barracks, hospitals, evacuee centers, etc. Combined with learning about Dr. Margaret Craighill, the first female Army doctor during WWII and reading accounts where the Americans were criticized for “being late to the last war, and late to this one,” I knew I had my story. Under Fire: This is one of the first manuscripts I wrote, and it came about as a result of my coursework with Jerry Jenkins’ Christian Writers’ Guild and attendance at the Crimebake Mystery Writers’ Conference. Classes about brainstorming and panel discussions ignited several ideas that culminated in the eventual plot. See how easy it is? Take a look around today, and make a list of how many sparks you find. Linda Shenton Matchett is an author, journalist, and history geek. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry and has lived in historic places all her life. She is a member of ACFW, RWA, and Sisters in Crime. Linda is also a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and a trustee for her local public library. Love’s Harvest: Purchase Link: Wednesday, May 23, 2018 Creating a Family to Be Proud Of Welcome to the Story Sparks multi-Author Blog Tour. Between May 21-26, 2018, readers get a chance to enter and win ebooks from six different authors. Today, Terri Wangard is the featured author. A lucky winner will win her Friends & Enemies. Terri will be talking about “Creating a Family to be Proud Of.” Read on to discover what sparks Terri’s creativity and to enter the rafflecopter to win her heartwarming book. A batch of forgotten letters was found in my grandmother’s house. Written in 1947 and 1948, they came from distant cousins in Germany. My grandparents and other relatives had been sending them care packages. My great-great-grandfather immigrated to Wisconsin in the 1870s, as did two brothers. A fourth brother remained in Germany, and these letters came from his grandchildren. The family in the letters would be the perfect subject around which to craft a story. Research revealed life in Nazi Germany as increasingly grim before the war even started. The letters provide a fascinating glimpse of life in war torn Germany, but nothing about the war years. How had the family coped? I turned to the internet and searched on the family’s factory name. I found it all right, in a list of German companies that used slave labor. I wanted my family to be the good guys, but that hope grew shaky. Contact had ceased in 1948 after the German currency reform, and with their silence in the letters, many questions couldn’t be answered. Why had they refrained from any mention of their thoughts and activities during Hitler’s regime? Desire to forget? Shame of the vanquished? Concern the American family wouldn’t help if they knew the truth? The family consisted of a brother, his wife, and three young children, and a sister and her husband, and their “old gray mother,” who turned 66 in 1947. Another brother languished as a prisoner of war in Russia, not returning home until 1949, I learned from the German department for the notification of next of kin. The sister and her bridegroom had lived in Canada for five years, returning to Germany in 1937 because she was homesick. They were bombed out of their homes and lived in their former offices, temporarily fixed up as a residence. Before the war, they employed about one hundred men, but in 1947, had fewer than forty-five, with no coal, electricity, or raw materials to work with. My imagination took over. The family, not the newlyweds, came to Wisconsin. Because a critiquer scorned someone returning to Hitler’s Germany due to homesickness, I gave them a more compelling reason when I rewrote the story. The grandfather had died and the father had to return to take over the factory, much to the daughters’ dismay, who loved their new life in America. Of course, they did not support Hitler. Because their factory had to produce armaments and meet quotas imposed on them, they had no choice in accepting Eastern European forced laborers, Russian POWs, and Italian military internees. The older daughter (my main character) took pride in committing acts of passive resistance. Now a war widow, she hid a downed American airman, an act punishable by execution. When they were betrayed, a dangerous escape from Germany ensued. Maybe the family did support Hitler. Many did before realizing his true colors. My version probably doesn’t come close to the truth, especially concerning the daughter. The real daughter was twelve years old in 1947. No matter. This is fiction, and this is a family I can be proud of. Friends & Enemies Aiding downed enemy airmen is punishable by death in Nazi Germany, A World War II novel. Tuesday, May 22, 2018 Spies, Flutes, and Red-heads by Carole Brown Welcome to the Story Sparks multi-Author Blog Tour. Today I'm the featured author. A lucky winner will get her choice of a Kindle copy of With Music in Their Hearts or A Flute in the Willows. Developing my WWII Spies series came from two things: · Listening to my mother talk about her life during WWII and seeing the pictures she had · Encouragement · Mood enhancers · Spiritual uplifter · Healthy and so much more. The Red-headed Sisters: With Music in Their Hearts A Flute in the Willows Sing Until You Die (coming) The Spies of WWII, Book 2 A Flute in the Willows Chapter One Jerry Patterson stared out the yawning black hole in the side of the plane. Seconds to go before he dropped. Night time parachuting was always a risky thing, but the pilot was one of the best who’d keep this baby right on target, lessening the chances he’d have to hit water. Trees were another matter, but with any kind of luck, the landing would go smooth. Then to meet his contact and move into the German military high life. His pulse revved up. It was a dangerous game he was about to play. Josie’s face flashed in his mind, and Jerry felt his heart soften. How he loved his tomboy wife. She was a beautiful butterfly dancing on ice, but put her in a social setting, and she was like a wild creature let lose in a maiden aunt’s prim parlor. Three weeks of marital bliss. It’d been heaven on earth for him. One rapturous day—and night—after another. She’d cried the night before he’d left, but had been strength personified when he’d boarded the train the next morning. If—no, when—he got home, he’d wrap his arms around her and not let her out of his sight. Jerry stepped into the hole and dropped rapidly, counting. One thousand...One thousand one...One thousand two... With a jerk he pulled, the parachute opened above him, and he drifted earthward toward his assignment. Question for readers: What is your favorite musical instrument? Monday, May 21, 2018 125th Anniversary of the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893 Here’s what the back cover blurb says: Here’s the first scene: “Elmer Smith?” “Is that you, son?” Elsie nodded and bit back a retort. What time period/historical event draws your attention? Wednesday, May 9, 2018 America's First Unknown Have you visited Arlington Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns? Perhaps one of the biggest impressions made is the dedication of the honor guard, keeping watch no matter how bad the weather. But what about the men inside the tomb? Have you heard how the first man, killed in World War I, found his way to Washington? Other Allied countries honored an unknown. The French at the Arc de Triomphe, the British at Westminster Abby. A captain in the war, New York Representative Hamilton Fish, introduced legislation for a memorial in the United States, Army Chief of Staff General Peyton March dismissed the idea. Likewise, Secretary of War Newton Baker believed all dead would be identified, and advised the Senate not to take up the bill. Public support grew, however, and General Pershing lobbied for a tribute. Baker got on board. The Quartermaster Corps was ordered to select a body buried in France. Every detail of the selection process was planned to assure a body was chosen that could never be identified. From four cemeteries, a body was exhumed and carefully examined for any scrap that could reveal the man’s identity. After three years, he was badly decomposed, and his remains were carefully wrapped in a blanket and placed in a gleaming steel casket. The four cemeteries represented the four major battles the Americans had fought: Belleau Wood; Bony, in the Somme; Thiaucourt, in the St. Mihiel drive; and Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, in the Meuse-Argonne. The four identical caskets were taken to Chalons-sur-Marne, in the Champagne region of northeastern France. At the city hall, a French honor guard stood in formation as the caskets were carried inside. For two hours, French citizens passed through, paying final respects to the flag-draped caskets. That evening, the caskets were shifted around so no one knew which casket came from which cemetery. To further confound the mystery in a game of musical caskets, the remains were then removed from their original caskets and placed in one of the others. A wounded veteran, Sgt. Edward Younger, was selected to make the final choice. While a French military band played Chopin’s Funeral March, Younger entered the room with a bouquet of white roses. He walked around the caskets, wondering if any held a friend. Finally, he laid the roses on the casket second to his right upon entering the room. America’s Unknown was transferred to an ebony and silver casket, which was sealed and placed in the city hall lobby. He lay in state until evening, with a French honor guard on one side and Americans on the other, as the public passed through. A funeral cortege, with black horses pulling a caisson, took him to the train station for another hour of laying in state before boarding a train. After an overnight in Paris, the train arrived in Le Havre for another ceremony with another large crowd of French citizens bearing flowers. An elaborate funeral parade took the Unknown to the USS Olympia, which took him home. A French battleship fired a salute. More ceremony was accorded the Unknown as he was carried through the streets of Washington. He lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda on Thursday, November 10, 1921. Between 90,000 to 96,000 came to pay him their respects, leaving mounts of flowers. On Friday, Armistice Day, he proceeded to Arlington National Cemetery. Among those in the procession was a group of soldiers who had received the Medal of Honor, and a group of Gold Star Mothers, who had lost sons in battle. After speeches and prayers, church bells rang out the noon hour, signaling for two minutes of nationwide silence. President Harding then spoke to the nation, his words transmitted electrically for the first time to New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. Before the Unknown could finally rest in peace, he received awards. From the United States, he received the nation’s highest honors for military service: the Distinguished Service Cross and the Medal of Honor. He also received the Belgian Croix de Guerre, the Victoria Cross of Great Britain, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, the Italian gold medal for bravery, the Romanian Virtute Militară, the Czechoslovak War Cross, and the Polish Virtuti Militari. The Unknown Soldier is Unknown But to God. He died one hundred years ago.
Four Types of Corporate Social Responsibility TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read) The four types of Corporate Social Responsibility are environmental sustainability initiatives, direct philanthropic giving, ethical business practices and economic responsibility. Environmental Sustainability Initiatives Environmental sustainability initiatives enacted by businesses generally focus on two main areas: limiting pollution and reducing greenhouse gases. As the awareness of environmental issues grows, businesses that take steps to reduce air, land and water pollution can increase their standing as good corporate citizens while also benefiting society as a whole. For example, Cisco Systems, a multinational technology company, has taken a variety of steps to reduce its carbon footprint, including the installation of photovoltaic systems at production facilities and developing platforms that allow employees to work from remote locations rather than commuting to the office. Direct Philanthropic Giving Philanthropic initiatives include the donation of time, money or resources to charities and organizations at local, national or international levels. These donations can be directed to a variety of worthy causes including human rights, national disaster relief, clean water and education programs in underdeveloped countries. For example, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has donated billions of dollars to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which supports numerous causes including education, the eradication of malaria and agricultural development. In 2014, Bill Gates was the single largest giver in the world, donating $1.5 billion in Microsoft stock to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Ethical Business Practices The primary focus on ethics is to provide fair labor practices for businesses’ employees as well as the employees of their suppliers. Fair business practices for employees include equal pay for equal work and living wage compensation initiatives. Ethical labor practices for suppliers include the use of products that have been certified as meeting fair trade standards. For example, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream uses fair trade-certified ingredients like sugar, cocoa, vanilla, coffee and bananas. Focus on Economic Responsibility Economic responsibility focuses on practices that facilitate the long-term growth of the business, while also meeting the standards set for ethical, environmental and philanthropic practices. By balancing economic decisions with their overall effects on society, businesses can improve their operations while also engaging in sustainable practices. An example of economic responsibility is when a company modifies its manufacturing processes to include recycled products, which could benefit the company by potentially lowering the cost of materials and also benefit society by consuming fewer resources. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives will continue to be prevalent in years to come. About the Author
Tags Current Affairs Ice berg breaks off near Antarctica Date: 02 October 2019 Tags: Climate Change The iceberg, named D28, broke away from the Amery ice shelf, according to observations from European and American satellites. Iceberg production and destruction is part of the cycle of ice shelves, which are an extension of the ice cap. Scientists have said that the event is part of a normal cycle and is not related to climate change. • Iceberg production in Antarctica is part of the normal cycle of ice shelves, which are an extension of the ice cap. Importance of ice shelves • Glaciers store about 69 percent of the world's fresh water. • Glaciers are important indicators of global warming and climate change. • They keep the temperature of the earth under control through cooling action. Implications of ice melting • If all land ice melted, sea level would rise approximately 70 meters (230 feet) worldwide. • The glaciers are great reflector of solar radiation. They ensure that most of the sun rays are reflected back. Their reduction will result in more solar radiation and subsequent warming. • The polar ice contain large amount of carbon trapped underneath them. Their melting will emit the carbon back to the atmosphere. • The ancient polar ice has trapped some of the ancient microbes which are different from current pathogens. Their melting will release these pathogens back into the atmosphere and it can result in epidemics.
Bureaucrats and Dressing-Gowns - A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution: 1891-1924 II Unstable Pillars 1 Bureaucrats and Dressing-Gowns On the first morning of 1883 the readers of Government News (Pravitel'stvennyi vestnik) opened their newspaper to learn that A. A. Polovtsov had been appointed Imperial Secretary. It was hardly the sort of announcement to make anyone choke on their breakfast. At the age of fifty-one, Polovtsov had all the right credentials for this top Civil Service job. The son of a noble landowner, he had married the heiress to a banking fortune, graduated from the elite School of Law, and steadily risen through the ranks of the imperial bureaucracy. He was, by all accounts, refined, cultured and well mannered; Witte even diought him a little vain. Polovtsov was confident and perfectly at ease in the aristocratic circles of St Petersburg, counting several grand dukes among his closest friends. He even belonged to the Imperial Yacht Club, the after-hours headquarters of Russia's ruling elite, where on New Year's Eve he had been told of his promotion.In short, Alexander Alexandrovich was a model representative of that small and privileged tribe who administered the affairs of the imperial state. The Russian imperial bureaucracy was an elite caste set above the rest of society. In this sense it was not unlike the Communist bureaucracy that was to succeed it. The tsarist system was based upon a strict social hierarchy. At its apex was the court; below that, its pillars of support in the civil and military service, and the Church, made up by the members of the first two estates; and at the bottom of the social order, the peasantry. There was a close link between the autocracy and this rigid pyramid of social estates (nobles, clergy, merchantry and peasants), which were ranked in accordance with their service to the state. It was a fixed social hierarchy with each estate demarcated by specific legal rights and duties. Nicholas compared it with the patrimonial system. 'I conceive of Russia as a landed estate,' he declared in 1902, 'of which the proprietor is the Tsar, the administrator is the nobility, and the workers are the peasantry.' He could not have chosen a more archaic metaphor for society at the turn of the twentieth century. Despite the rapid progress of commerce and industry during the last decades of the nineteenth century, Russia's ruling elite still came predominantly from the old landed aristocracy. Noblemen accounted for 71 per cent of the top four Civil Service ranks (i.e. above the rank of civil councillor) in the census of 1897. True, the doors of the Civil Service were being opened to the sons of commoners, so long as they had a university degree or a high-school diploma with honours. True, too, the gap was growing, both in terms of social background and in terms of ethos, between the service nobles and the farming gentry. Many of the service nobles had sold their estates, moving permanently into the city, or indeed had never owned land, having been ennobled for their service to the state. In other words, the Civil Service was becoming just as much a path to nobility as nobility was to the Civil Service. It also had its own elite values, which only the crudest Marxist would seek to portray as synonymous with the 'class interests' of the landed nobles. Nevertheless, the aphorism of the writer Iurii Samarin, that 'the bureaucrat is just a nobleman in uniform, and the nobleman just a bureaucrat in a dressing-gown', remained generally true in 1900. Russia was still an old agrarian kingdom and its ruling elite was still dominated by the richest landowning families. These were the Stroganovs, the Dolgorukovs, the Sheremetevs, the Obolenskys, the Volkonskys, and so on, powerful dynasties which had stood near the summit of the Muscovite state during its great territorial expansion between the fifteenth and the eighteenth centuries and had been rewarded with lavish endowments of fertile land, mainly in the south of Russia and the Ukraine.2 Dependence on the state for their wealth, and indeed for most of their employment, had prevented the Russian aristocracy from developing into an independent landowning class counter-balancing the monarchy in the way that thev had done in most of Europe since the sixteenth century. As readers of Gogol will know, the imperial Civil Service was obsessed by rank and hierarchy. An elaborate set of rules, spelled out in 869 paragraphs of Volume I of the Code of Laws, distinguished between fourteen different Civil Service ranks, each with its own appropriate uniform and title (all of them translations from the German). Polovtsov, for example, on his appointment as Imperial Secretary, received the dark-blue ribbon and the silver star of the Order of the White Eagle. Like all Civil Servants in the top two ranks, he was to be addressed as 'Your High Excellency'; those in ranks 3 and 4 were to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'; and so on down the scale, with those in the bottom ranks (9 to 14) addressed simply as 'Your Honour'. The cbinovnik, or Civil Servant, was acutely aware of these status symbols. The progression from white to black trousers, the switch from a red to a blue ribbon, or the simple addition of a stripe, were ritual events of immense significance in his well-ordered life. Promotion was determined by the Table of Ranks established in 1722 by Peter the Great. An official could hold only those posts at or below his own personal rank. In 1856 standard intervals were set for promotion: one rank every three years from ranks 14 to 8; and one every four years from ranks 8 to 5. The top four ranks, which brought with them a hereditary title, were appointed directly by the Tsar. This meant that, barring some heinous sin, even the most average bureaucrat could expect to rise automatically with age, becoming, say, a civil councillor by the age of sixty-five. The system encouraged the sort of time-serving mediocrity which writers like Gogol portrayed as the essence of officialdom in nineteenth-century Russia. By the end of the century, however, this system of automatic advancement was falling into disuse as merit became more important than age.3 Still, the top ranks in St Petersburg were dominated by a very small elite of noble families. This was a tiny political world in which everyone knew each other. All the people who mattered lived in the fashionable residential streets around the Nevsky and the Liteiny Prospekts. They were closely connected through marriage and friendship. Most of them patronized the same elite schools (the Corps des Pages, the School of Guards Sub-Ensigns and Cavalry Junkers, the Alexander Lycee and the School of Law) and their sons joined the same elite regiments (the Chevaliers Gardes, the Horse Guards, the Emperors Own Life Guard Hussar Regiment and the Preobrazhensky), from which they could be certain of a fast lane to the top of the civil or military service. Social connections were essential in this world, as Polovtsov's diary reveals, for much of the real business of politics was done at balls and banquets, in private salons and drawing-rooms, in the restaurant of the Evropeiskaya Hotel and the bar of the Imperial Yacht Club. This was an exclusive world but not a stuffy one. The St Petersburg aristocracy was far too cosmopolitan to be really snobbish. 'Petersburg was not Vienna,' as Dominic Lieven reminds us in his magisterial study of the Russian ruling elite, and there was always a place in its aristocratic circles for charmers and eccentrics. Take, for example, Prince Alexei Lobanov-Rostovsky, one of Nicholas II's better foreign ministers, an octogenarian grand seigneur, collector of Hebrew books and French mistresses, who 'sparkled in salons' and 'attended church in his dressing-gown'; or Prince M. I. Khilkov, a 'scion of one of Russia's oldest aristocratic families', who worked for a number of years as an engine driver in South America and as a shipwright in Liverpool before becoming Russia's Minister of Communications.4 Despite its talents, the bureaucracy never really became an effective tool in the hands of the autocracy. There were three main reasons for this. First, its dependence on the nobility became a source of weakness as the noble estate fell into decline during the later nineteenth century. There was an increasing shortfall in expertise (especially in the industrial field) to meet the demands of the modern state. The gap might have been bridged by recruiting Civil Servants from the new industrial middle classes. But the ruling elite was far too committed to its own archaic vision of the tsarist order, in which the gentry had pride of place, and feared the democratic threat posed by these new classes. Second, the apparatus was too poorly financed (it was very difficult to collect enough taxes in such a vast and poor peasant country) so that the ministries, and still more local government, never really had the resources they needed either to control or reform society. Finally, there were too many overlapping jurisdictions and divisions between the different ministries. This was a result of the way the state had developed, with each ministry growing as a separate, almost ad hoc, extension of the autocrat's own powers. The agencies of government were never properly systematized, nor their work co-ordinated, arguably because it was in the Tsar's best interests to keep them weak and dependent upon him. Each Tsar would patronize a different set of agencies in a given policy field, often simply bypassing those set up by his predecessors. The result was bureaucratic chaos and confusion. Each ministry was left to develop on its own without a cabinet-like body to coordinate the work between them. The two major ministries (Finance and Interior) recruited people through their own clienteles in the elite families and schools. They competed with each other for resources, for control of policy and for influence over lesser ministries and local government. There was no clear distinction between the functions of the different agencies, nor between the status of different laws — nakaz, ukaz, ustav, zakon, polozhenie, ulozhenie, gramota and manifest, to name just a few — so that the Tsar's personal intervention was constantly required to unhook these knots of competing jurisdiction and legislation. From the perspective of the individual, the effect of this confusion was to make the regime appear arbitrary: it was never clear where the real power lay, whether one law would be overridden by special regulations from the Tsar, or whether the police would respect the law at all. Some complacent philosophers argued on this basis that there was in fact no real autocracy. 'There is an autocracy of policeman and land captains, of governors, department heads, and ministers,' wrote Prince Sergei Trubetskoi in 1900. 'But a unitary tsarist autocracy, in the proper sense of the word, does not and cannot exist.' To the less privileged it was this arbitrariness (what the Russians cursed as proizvol) that made the regime's power feel so oppressive. There were no clear principles or regulations which enabled the individual to challenge authority or the state.5 This was, in effect, a bureaucracy that failed to develop into a coherent political force which, like the Prussian bureaucracy analysed by Max Weber, was capable of serving as a tool of reform and modernization. Rather than a 'rational' bureaucratic system as distilled in Weber's ideal type — one based on fixed institutional relations, clear functional divisions, regular procedures, legal principles — Russia had a hybrid state which combined elements of the Prussian system with an older patrimonialism that left the Civil Service subject to the patronage and intervention of the court and thus prevented the complete emergence of a professional bureaucratic ethos. It did not have to be this way. There was a time, in the mid-nineteenth century, when the imperial bureaucracy could have fulfilled its potential as a creative and modernizing force. After all, the ideals of the 'enlightened bureaucrats', so aptly named by W Bruce Lincoln, shaped the Great Reforms of the 1860s. Here was a new class of career Civil Servants, mostly sons of landless nobles and mixed marriages (raznochintsy) who had entered the profession through the widening channels of higher education in the 1830s and 1840s. They were upright and serious-minded men, like Karenin in Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, who talked earnestly, if slightly pedantically, about 'progress' and statistics; scoffed at the amateur aristocrats in high office, such as Count Vronsky, Anna's lover, who encroached on their field of expertise; and believed in the bureaucracy's mission to civilize and reform Russia along Western lines. Most of them stopped short of the liberal demand for a state based upon the rule of law with civil liberties and a parliament: their understanding of the Rechtsstaat was really no more than a bureaucratic state functioning on the basis of rational procedures and general laws. But they called for greater openness in the work of government, what they termed glasnost, as a public check against the abuse of power and a means of involving experts from society in debates about reform. Progressive officials moved in the circles of the liberal intelligentsia in the capital and were dubbed the 'Party of St Petersburg Progress'. They were seen regularly at the salon of the Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, and enjoyed the patronage of the Grand Duke Konstantin, who, as President of the State Council, did much to promote reformist officials in the government circles of Alexander II. They also had close ties with public bodies, such as the Imperial Geographic Society, from which they commissioned statistical surveys in preparation for the great reforming legislation of the 1860s.6 The Great Reforms were the high-water mark of this bureaucratic enlightenment. They were conceived as a modernizing process — which in Russia meant a Westernizing one — with the aim of strengthening the state after its defeat in the Crimean War. Limited freedoms and reforms were granted in the hope of activating society and creating a dynamic economy without altering the basic political framework of the autocracy. In this sense they were similar in conception to the perestroika of Mikhail Gorbachev a century later. In 1861 the serfs were de jure (if not de facto) emancipated from their landlord's tyranny and given some of the rights of a citizen. They were still tied to the village commune, which enforced the old patriarchal order, deprived of the right to own the land individually, and remained legally inferior to the nobles and other estates. But the groundwork had at least been laid for the development of peasant agriculture. A second major reform of 1864 saw the establishment of local assemblies of self-government, called the zemstvos, in most Russian provinces. To preserve the domination of the landed nobles, they were set up only at the provincial and district level; below that, at the volost and the village level, the peasant communes were left to rule themselves with only minimal supervision by the gentry. The judicial reforms of the same year set up an independent legal system with public jury trials for all estates except the peasants (who remained under the jurisdiction of local customary law). There were also new laws relaxing censorship (1865), giving more autonomy to universities (1863), reforming primary schools (1864) and modernizing the military (1863—75). Boris Chicherin (with the benefit of hindsight) summed up their progressive ideals: to remodel completely the enormous state, which had been entrusted to [Alexander's] care, to abolish an age-old order founded on slavery, to replace it with civic decency and freedom, to establish justice in a country which had never known the meaning of legality, to redesign the entire administration, to introduce freedom of the press in the context of untrammelled authority, to call new forces to life at every turn and set them on firm legal foundations, to put a repressed and humiliated society on its feet and to give it the chance to flex its muscles.7 Had the liberal spirit of the 1860s continued to pervade the work of government, Russia might have become a Western-style society based upon individual property and liberty upheld by the rule of law. The revolution need not have occurred. To be sure, it would still have been a slow and painful progress. The peasantry, in particular, would have remained a revolutionary threat so long as they were excluded from property and civil rights. The old patriarchal system in the countryside, which even after Emancipation preserved the hegemony of the nobles, called out for replacement with a modern system in which the peasants had a greater stake. But there was at least, within the ruling elite, a growing awareness of what was needed — and indeed of what it would cost — for this social transformation to succeed. The problem was, however, that the elite was increasingly divided over the desirability of this transformation. And as a result of these divisions it failed to develop a coherent strategy to deal with the challenges of modernization. On the one hand were the reformists, the 'Men of 1864' like Polovtsov, who broadly accepted the need for a bourgeois social order (even at the expense of the nobility), the need for the concession of political freedoms (especially in local government), and the need for a Rechtsstaat (which increasingly they understood to mean not just a state based on universal laws but one based on the rule of law itself). By the end of the 1870s this reformist vision had developed into demands for a constitution. Enlightened statesmen openly argued that the tasks of government in the modern age had become too complex for the Tsar and his bureaucrats to tackle alone, and that the loyal and educated public had to be brought into the work of government. In January 1881 Alexander II instructed his Minister of the Interior, Count Loris-Melikov, to draw up plans for a limited constitution which would give invited figures from the public an advisory role in legislation. 'The throne', argued the Minister of Finance, A. A. Abaza, during the debates on these proposals, 'cannot rest exclusively on a million bayonets and an army of officials.' Such reformist sentiments were commonplace among the officials in the Ministry of Finance. Being responsible for industrialization, they were the first to see the need to sweep away obstacles to bourgeois enterprise and initiative. Many of them, moreover, like Polovtsov, who had married into a banking family, were themselves drawn from the 'new Russia' of commerce and industry. Witte, the great reforming Finance Minister of the 1890s, who had worked for twenty years in railroad management (to begin with as a lowly ticket clerk) before entering government service, argued that the tsarist system could avoid a revolution only by transforming Russia into a modern industrial society where 'personal and public initiatives' were encouraged by a rule-of-law state with guarantees of civil liberties.8 On the other hand were the supporters of the traditional tsarist order. It was no accident that their strongest base was the Ministry of the Interior, since its officials were drawn almost exclusively from 'old Russia', noble officers and landowners, who believed most rigidly in the Polizeistaat. The only way, they argued, to prevent a revolution was to rule Russia with an iron hand. This meant defending the autocratic principle (both in central and local government), the unchecked powers of the police, the hegemony of the nobility and the moral domination of the Church, against the liberal and secular challenges of the urban-industrial order. Conceding constitutions and political rights would only serve to weaken the state, argued P. N. Durnovo and Viacheslav von Plehve, the two great Ministers of the Interior during Witte's time at the Ministry of Finance, because the liberal middle classes who would come to power as a result had no authority among the masses and were even despised by them. Only when economic progress had removed the threat of a social revolution would the time be ripe for political reforms. Russia's backwardness necessitated such a strategy (economic liberalism plus autocracy). For as Durnovo argued (not without reason): 'One cannot in the course of a few weeks introduce North American or English systems into Russia.'9 That was to be one of the lessons of 1917. The arguments of the reactionaries were greatly strengthened by the tragic assassination of Alexander II in March 1881. The new Tsar was persuaded by his tutor and adviser, the Procurator of the Holy Synod, Konstantin Pobedonostsev, that continuing with the liberal reforms would only help to produce more revolutionaries like the ones who had murdered his father. Alexander III soon abandoned the project for a constitution, claiming he did not want a government of 'troublesome brawlers and lawyers'; forced the resignation of his reformist ministers (Abaza from Finance, Loris-Melikov from the Interior, and Dmitry Miliutin from War); and proclaimed a Manifesto reasserting the principles of autocracy.10 This was the signal for a series of counter-reforms during Alexander Ill's reign. Their purpose was to centralize control and roll back the rights of local government, to reassert the personal rule of the Tsar through the police and his direct agents, and to reinforce the patriarchal order — headed by the nobility — in the countryside. Nothing was more likely to bring about a revolution. For at the same time the liberal classes of provincial society were coming to the view that their common interests and identity entailed defending the rights of local government against the very centralizing bureaucracy upon which the new Tsar staked so much.
Should you use semicolons in JavaScript? In short: if you forget semicolons, JavaScript will try its best to figure out what you meant. It will usually get it right but not always, so the general consensus is to include them. This post was written for JavaScript beginners. No need to be a language expert! In JavaScript, you should end most statements with semicolons. This isn't just my stylistic preference—it's right there in the official language specification document: Most [JavaScript] statements and declarations must be terminated with a semicolon. You "must" end most statements with semicolons! But the spec goes on: So they're basically saying that you have to end statements with a semicolon...but if you don't, they'll try to put semicolons in there for you. When Brendan Eich built JavaScript, he added this kind of error correction to the language. In other words, if you don't do things quite right, the language will do its best to figure out what you really meant. You can see this ethos across JavaScript's foundation. You see it here, in the process of "automatic semicolon insertion". "Automatic semicolon insertion", sometimes shortened to "ASI", is the process JavaScript uses to append semicolons. Most of the time, it will get it right: // This... // ...gets "transformed" to this: But sometimes, it will do something that you probably didn't mean. // This... function myFunction() { 'Hello world!' // turns into this, which is probably not what you meant! function myFunction() { 'Hello world!'; The rules for ASI are pretty complicated. If you don't understand them perfectly, you might accidentally introduce a bug in your code! In contrast, if you always remember to put semicolons, the rules are pretty simple and your code will be more predictable. Because of this variability, most JavaScript developers use semicolons. There are tools that can check your code automatically so that you don't have to remember to do this yourself. Just like the debate of "tabs versus spaces", there is some controversy here. Most people (including me) think you should use semicolons, but a minority of developers omit them and rely on ASI. I can't recommend the no-semicolons approach, but I want to point out that some people disagree with my preference. This blog post does a great job explaining the technical details. In summary: if you omit semicolons, JavaScript will try to automatically insert them. But it might guess wrong, so you should probably just use semicolons. Posted on .
From Codex Gamicus Jump to: navigation, search A joystick, joyp ad or gamepad is a device used in the palm of your hands to play video and computer games. History[edit \| edit source] Prior to the birth or coin-op arcade machines, joysticks were first used for helicopters and other aviation vehicles. Subsequent to the rise of video games, flight simulators have been written for various computer systems and have used a variety of game controllers, including joysticks and flight yokes. Types of joysticks[edit \| edit source] Tilt-lever[edit \| edit source] The tilt lever joystick is the oldest, simplest and most primitive type joystick used for gaming and other applications. They often have more than just a tilt-lever and trigger buttons. They also have thorottles, POV hats, Z coordinates, etc. Joypad[edit \| edit source] A joypad uses a D-pad rather than a tilt-lever. Joypad for more modern consoles feature miniature analog sticks that act is if they were joystick levers, but in a more miniature scale.
Skip to Main Content Fixing dysregulated pathways The laboratory of Angélique Bordey has made important progress in understanding neurodevelopmental disorders associated with epilepsy. epilepsy representation. The human brain represents one of the last frontiers of medical research. Inaccessible due to physiological, practical, and ethical barriers, the brain has defied attempts to probe or understand it even while other organs have been mapped and analyzed. The laboratory of Angélique Bordey, PhD, professor of neurosurgery and of cellular and molecular physiology, has recently made strides in describing the neurological basis of a very old condition—epilepsy—and also the basis of autism, a disorder that entered the clinical lexicon much more recently. “We have made significant progress in understanding the cellular and molecular basis of seizures and epilepsy,” Bordey said. “We have a recent paper accepted at Science Translational Medicine describing a novel treatment for epilepsy based on this research.” Genetic dysregulation of a cell signaling pathway Bordey and her colleague Longbo Zhang, PhD, associate research scientist, replicated the impact of previously identified genetic mutations on the tuberous sclerosis complex-mechanistic target of rapamycin (TSC-mTOR) signaling pathway, and then traced some neurological disabilities to the resulting molecular deregulation. The TSC-mTOR pathway is a point of convergence in cell signaling, as mTOR, a protein, is a master regulator of such important functions as cell division and survival. When the genes that direct this pathway function normally, brain function and development proceed smoothly. When the pathways become dysregulated as a result of genetic mutations, however, neurological disorders known as mTORopathies can result. These mTORopathies include tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), epilepsy, autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). “Our goal was to understand autism and epilepsy,” Bordey said. “Examining TSC closely, we’ve been able to identify molecular players that we believe will lead to novel drug treatments for epilepsy.” The lab’s goal is to move promising drugs into clinical trials with humans. At the moment, experiments have been limited to animal models. Lena Nguyen, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Bordey Lab, said that treating an abnormality in a cellular pathway that regulates specific ion channels resulted in dramatically reduced incidents of seizures in tests. “We used genetic modifications to suppress abnormal cell signaling and target molecular components we think contribute to seizures. One treatment completely eliminated seizures. With another, a lot of the subjects—more than 35%—went from having daily seizures to having none during the period evaluated, and the other saw a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency,” said Nguyen. There are no effective drug-related treatments for epilepsy in individuals with TSC or other mTOR-related epilepsies; classical drugs don’t work in these patients. Currently, the most effective option for people suffering from this debilitating disorder is brain surgery, which permanently removes the lesions associated with epilepsy. Some keys to autism and COVID-19? Stephanie Getz, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow with expertise in autism, joined the Bordey Lab in August 2019. She said that her work has focused on manipulating genes and gauging the effect of those changes. “We have an ability to target a precise cell population so that we can say ‘This cell population is important for this behavioral phenotype,’” Getz said. Establishing the relationships between cell populations and autistic behavior is crucial to finding effective future treatments. While the Bordey Lab has clarified the vital role of the TSC-mTOR pathway in epilepsy and seizures, the researchers’ inquiry into the causes of autism is ongoing. While they hoped in the beginning of the year to have results ready for analysis and publication by May, the arrival of COVID-19 has complicated those plans. “COVID-19 abruptly arrested scientific studies that were unrelated to viral work,” said Bordey. “Our lab has hibernated, resulting in significant delays. However, we hope to soon contribute to COVID-19 work, considering that some of the molecular players involved in epilepsy are key players in SARS-CoV’s viral assembly.”
.30-06 Springfield - simple.LinkFang.org .30-06 Springfield The .30-06 Springfield cartridge, pronounced "thirty-aught-six", is a bullet used for guns made in the United States. It was first used for the M1903 Springfield rifle. The ".30" means that the bullet is .30 inches (7.62 millimeters) in diameter, and the "06" means it was first used in the US military in the year 1906 The .30-06 is known for having high stopping power (meaning it does a lot of damage to a human or animal body), high penetration power (it can pierce through thick layers), and a long effective range (it is accurate for a long distance). In the US military, it was the main bullet used for rifles and light machine guns for the first half of the 20th century. Guns that shot the .30-06 include the M1903 Springfield, the M1 Garand, the M1917, the M1919 Browning machine gun, and the BAR. However, when the US created NATO, it replaced all the .30-06 military weapons with those that used the 7.62 x 51mm NATO bullet. This is because NATO requires the militaries of all its member countries to use the same kinds of ammunition. However, there are still many American hunting and sporting rifles made today that fire the .30-06 because it is still very popular with hunters and competitive shooters. Categories: Ammunition Source: Wikipedia - https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/.30-06 Springfield (Authors [History]) License : CC-by-sa-3.0 See also: Imprint & Privacy policy.
WikiProject Macedonia/Macedonian place tagging From OpenStreetMap Wiki Jump to navigation Jump to search Tagging conventions for inhabited places The details can be found in WikiProject Macedonia/Places. The name tag should be used in the following way: name with Macedonian Cyrillic alphabet [1] int_name With transliteration of Macedonian Cyrillic alphabet [1] to Macedonian Latin Alphabet [2] name:en English name with transcription using just letters from the English language name:xx on some of the world languages where xx is a country code for the this language [3], for example name:de=Mazedonien for german language For transliteration to Macedonian Latin Alphabet[2] or for transcription to English you can use this table name int_name name:en Ѓ, ѓ Ǵ, ģ (not Đ, đ like in Serbian or Croatian) Gj, gj Ж, ж Ž, ž Zh, zh Ѕ, ѕ Dz, dz Dz, dz Љ Lj, lj или Ĺ, ĺ Lj, lj Њ Nj, nj, или Ń, ń Nj, nj Ќ, ќ Ḱ, ḱ (not Ć, ć like in Serbian or Croatian) Kj, kj Ч, ч Č, č Ch, ch Џ, џ Dž, dž Dj, dj Ш, ш Š, š Sh, sh When mapping, you should stick as much as possible to the 'reality on the ground' principle, i.e. as much as possible put the ground labeling (as observed) for a place in the name tag. This principle will help in resolving any dispute about possible naming issues. For example of place tagging we will take the town of Krushevo: More rules, details and examples can be found in Multilingual names.
Accountability for Sexual Violence Crimes Sexual and gender-based violence continues unaccounted for in moments of conflict without due justice. Friday, June 17th, marked the 22nd anniversary of International Justice Day, a day honoring the creation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). It is imperative that as we reflect on the progress that has been made, we also recognize there is still more work to be done in securing justice for the victims and survivors of the genocide. We cannot forget the women who were victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as a result of this conflict as well. In Sudan, nearly two decades of conflict has allowed for SGBV to be a common occurrence, despite recent ceasefires. There are reports of SGBV reported to RadioDabanga almost every day. The survivors of SGBV, especially when it occurs in conflict zones, are often left without justice due to the stigma attached to these crimes and often for fear of retaliation , women and families remain silent It is essential that as we continue the fight for justice, there is a dedicated effort to support the needs of survivors and hold the perpetrators of the SGBV accountable. There must be improved reporting mechanisms and protections for victims of SGBV and it is imperative that their needs are centered in the search for justice. Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) in Conflict and Why it’s an Issue Globally, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) impacts one in three women in their lifetime. The United Nations recently highlighted how insecurity and displacement often fuels an increase in SGBV. SGBV is widespread and often an integral part of conflict, but it is seldom talked about due to the stigma attached. Victims are often unable to come forward for fear of retaliation, as well as rejection from their community as a result of the crimes committed against them. Sexual violence is frequently used as a tactic of war and is a very effective strategy for smaller militias with less resources for other weapons. It is cheap and effective because the combatants can use their bodies as weapons with devastating impacts. It has lasting repercussions, often with the intent to destroy the fabric of the community in which it is wielded against. It perpetuates cycles of violence and the survivors are often left without access to resources and never see justice for the crimes committed against them. Survivors of SGBV in conflict are often too scared or ashamed to report what happened to them, making it difficult to find out actual numbers of incidents. Relevance to Sudan Sexual and gender-based violence, particularly systematic rape and sexual slavery, have been wielded against the people of Darfur during the long-standing crises. The Janjaweed are notorious for their brutal attacks against civilians, using kidnapping and rape as weapons of war. However, they are not the only group who have utilized SGBV during the conflict. Torture, rape and sexual harassment are seen as effective weapons against the enemy’s women, as it successfully demoralizes and terrorizes people, forcing them to flee their homes. Despite recent ceasefires, SGBV continues to happen, as new incidents are reported to RadioDabanga almost every day. Women from Fur, Zaghawa, Masalit, Berti, Tunjur, and other non-Arab ethnicities are targeted, although it is not exclusive to these groups. Given that the Sudanese government allowed Jajaweed fighters to infiltrate the security sector in the country, it is necessary for the transitional government to give reparations to the survivors of SGBV at the hands of the government and the government-backed militias. Women and girls are not only fearful of attacks by these groups, but also rebel groups fighting against the central government and their allies as well. Even in times of peace, women still had to be fearful of the threat of SGBV. Not only does rape occur during conflict, but women and girls living in internally-displaced persons (IDP) or refugee camps are vulnerable to SGBV there as well. For example, in June 2008, at a refugee camp in Chad, a group of women, aged 13 to 30, were tortured by other Sudanese refugees located inside the camp. Accused of prostitution, dozens of men took turns beating them with whips and sticks, in front of the entire camp, in an attempt to shame the women. As a result, the women of the camp crafted a document, a 14-point manifesto (known as the FARCHANA Manifesto), that calls for the empowerment of women within refugee camps. The women and girls in these camps (quote from woman at the Farchana camp in Chad) have said that, at times, it is safer for them back in Sudan, where they had “some freedoms” unlike in Farchana, where they have none. This is just one of the many examples that even after women make it to IDP or refugee camps, they are not suddenly immune to SGBV. There is social stigmatization that takes place, which combined with the lack of accountability for perpetrators of these attacks, make women fearful and distrusting of law enforcement, meaning they are unlikely to come forward. There is a veil of secrecy that surrounds reporting SGBV, which makes it difficult for aid workers to get accurate numbers of those impacted. Need for Accountability While there has been impunity for all of the perpetrators of the genocide in Darfur, women and girls who were victims of SGBV are even more likely to be denied justice. Similar to the systematic rape in Darfur, the Rapid Support Forces has also used rape against Sudanese women during the June 3rd 2019 , a famous incident to quell protest. During the thirty years of al-Bashir’s ruling Sudanese laws have been used to oppress women and the popular disciplinary act has been actively used to oppressed or commit violence against women in the capital Khartoum. Women were flogged for the simplest things such as wearing pants. Despite all the promises made, the current interim government of Sudan has failed to adequately integrate the voices of women or allow meaningful participation. This will make reforming institutions and laws to be favorable to women difficult when they are not at the table. Therefore, there is a desperate need to bolster the justice system’s ability to handle crimes related to SGBV, as the current system is ill-equipped to handle the needs of victims. There needs to be laws put in place that centers the needs of the victims and a firm commitment to increase the number of female police officers in the country who would be more equipped to respond to these crimes. In this regard, the International Criminal Court represents a unique opportunity that all actors and stakeholders need to leverage to ensure that accountability for crimes against women must not go unpunished. The Rome Statue has specific articles that deal with sexual and gender-based violence and in the case of Darfur, the ICC has confirmed that rape has been used as a tool of genocide. While empowering women in conflict to participate in decision making is crucial, without proper accountability for crimes committed against women, conflicts can’t be resolved sustainably. Resolving the problem of Sudan can’t be possible without accountability for crimes committed against women and effective participation of women at all levels of decision making. About: Darfur Women Action Group Women Action Group (DWAG) strives to empower and amplify the voices of women, the victims of genocide, and the historically excluded Sudanese. DWAG ultimately aim to enable them to fight for their rights, achieve justice, and to equally participate in the transformation of their society. Niemat Ahmadi, President Please reload Share this post: Follow Genocide Watch for more updates: • Grey Facebook Icon • Grey Twitter Icon • Grey YouTube Icon
How to Tune Your Guitar Using Relative Tuning Learn how to tune your guitar using relative tuning in this Howcast video. There is many ways to tune your guitar. Maybe your home and you don't have anyway to get a note to tune. So we're going to tune the guitar to something close alright but the guitar itself is going to be in tune. That is called relative tuning. So, how do I know my guitar is out of tune? Well, maybe I learned a chord, I learned G and I played it and it sounded like this. That can't be right so the standard way of doing this is your six string is probably not going to move too far out of tune. So what we're going to do is we're going to use that to start tuning the rest of the guitar. So that note is E and now I'm going to take that E and I'm going to try and tune the 5th string A to that. What I'm going to do is use a little pattern and the reason why it works is because this note is A on the 6th string. I'm going to use this A, which is in tune, to go ahead and tune my A string which is out of tune. So I play that one note and then I go ahead and play that string. That's not right. To me it sounds too low so I'm going to bring it up, slowly and barely turn this and now. It is still a little bit out. Maybe hold it down still and use your other hand to tune it. There you go. Now I got my 6th string, the E string, in tune and I got my A string in tune. Now I'm going to use my A string the 5th string to tune the 4th string. Your going to go the very same spot on the guitar but on the 5th string. Lets just recap. We went on the 5th threat of the 6th string in order to tune the 5th string. We're going to the 5th threat of the 5th string in order to tune the 4th string. We're going to go through the same thing. Here is my note in tune. There is my other note. Cant be right. To me that sounds lower, its getting worse. Go in different directions to see which way is it getting better. There it is, it is up to pitch. So now we have the 6th string in tune, the 5th string in tune, the 4th string in tune, now we are going to use the 4th string in order to tune the 3rd string. It is the exact same way. Your going to go to the 5th threat of the 4th string and play that note and then play the 3rd string by itself. To me that sounds higher so I am going to try and bring that down. This is a moment when your ears may fool you because these three strings, the bottom strings, have windings on them. These other three have no windings on them so they can sound a little thinner. What happens is your ear can fool you by saying this sounds higher but it is not higher it is a different sound, a different tone. We've tuned the 6th, we've tuned the 5th, we've tuned the 4th, we've tuned the 3rd and now we are going to tune the 2nd. You have to be careful because here I'm not going to go to the 5th thread, I'm going to go to the 4th thread. I'm going to play that note, to me it sounds lower so I will bring it up a little. Then finally the last string we are going to use the exact same method except I'm using the 5th threat. Now lets go back to that G chord and see if its tune. Much better. So that's how you tune a guitar. If you have no other way you can use your guitar to tune itself. Popular Categories
Breaking News More () » The Why: Voting on Tuesdays We turn to America's 19th century farmers for the answer. It's time to vote! But have you ever wondered...Why do we vote on Tuesdays? We turn to America's 19th century farmers for the answer. At that time, the United States was largely made of farms. Most citizens lived far from their polling place. It often took a full day to travel by horse-drawn vehicles to vote. Lawmakers needed to allow a two-day window for Election Day. Weekends were impractical, since most people spent Sundays in church. The middle of the week didn't work because Wednesday was market day for farmers. Farm culture also explains why Election Day always falls in November. A spring or early summer election would interfere with planting season, and late summer or early fall voting would overlap with the harvest. That left the late fall month of November, after the harvest was complete, but before the arrival of harsh winter weather as the best choice. In modern society, it seems like an arbitrary time to hold an election. But if you travel back in time to the 1800s - that specific placement on the calendar makes a lot more sense. RELATED: How to get your Minnesota absentee ballot RELATED: Want to take a ballot selfie in Minnesota? RELATED: How to change your vote in MN RELATED: How to track your vote in MN
Difference between Up-selling and Cross-selling Up-selling and cross-selling are important aspects of building customer relationships and increasing customer lifetime value. Primarily they are both sales functions, but can occur with direct and digital marketing techniques as well. What is up-selling? Up-selling is changing the consumer’s decision from a lower priced product to a higher priced product. In other words, the consumer “ups” the amount of money that they spent on the transaction. up-selling example Examples of up-selling Some examples of up-selling would include: • Airline consumers selecting “premium economy” seating, rather than normal economy class • Banking customers taking out a platinum credit card, as opposed to a standard everyday credit card • Diners in a restaurant ordering a more expensive meal at the suggestion of the serving staff • A car buyer buying a new car with more options and extras then they were planning to, due to the advice of the salesperson • A computer customer buying the next laptop level up, as persuaded by the in-store salesperson • McDonald’s selling a medium-sized drink for $4.50, whereas the large -sized drink is only $5 • And so on Up-selling is still a win/win transaction As you can see, in all of these examples, there is a single transaction of one product purchase. In each of these cases, the consumer has been “up-sold” to a higher priced product, which would generate a greater profit margin for the business. However, the consumer has been willing to engage in this transaction, because they have perceived greater value in the more expensive purchase. This could be due to the products: higher quality, better value over time, better fit to their needs, and so on. Therefore, the consumer gains additional benefits as a result of being up-sold. Marketing tools for up-selling There are various methods of influencing consumers to spend more on a better quality and better value product. Some of these include: • A salesperson interaction • A comparison table of products and their features • Pricing in a manner to encourage a higher purchase • Increase promotion for high-value products • Use of in-store displays to promote these products • Direct marketing that only offers the higher value products • Effective use of sales promotions and special deals • And, in some circumstances, high-pressure selling What is cross-selling? Like up-selling, cross-selling is designed to generate more revenue from the customer. But in this circumstance, instead of selling more expensive products, the business seeks to sell additional products or a greater volume of products to the same consumer. Cross-selling is very effective in strengthening customer relationships, as the business gains a higher “share-of-customer” with less opportunities for competitors to win customer’s business. cross-selling example Examples of cross-selling • “Would you like fries with that?” – is a classic example from McDonald’s in cross-selling • A bank selling a credit card to a home loan customer • Special discounts for larger purchases – e.g. “buy three, get one free” • A restaurant selling additional beverages and dessert to their diners • A fashion store persuading its customers to buy accessories and other clothing to match • Car dealers selling ongoing car repair services to a new car buyer • Retailers of more expensive products selling insurance for the product • Retailers that provide finance to the consumer • And so on As you can see, these tend to be related purchases that are designed to add increase value overall to the consumers purchase. So like up-selling, cross-selling should also result in a win/win transaction for the consumer. Marketing tools for Cross-selling Similar to the list above, the marketing approaches for effective cross selling include: • Salespeople interaction and suggestion • Related product recommendations, as seen on Amazon and eBay • Sales promotions that bundle related products together • Sales promotions that have an incentive for a greater purchase • Offering additional products for a free trial period • Direct marketing offers and incentives • Plus several of the approaches used in up-selling above Why engage in up-Selling and cross-selling? There are multiple reasons for trying to enhance the revenue stream from the customer: • It generally increases profitability for the firm • It is challenging and costly to acquire a new customer, so it is more often more efficient from a marketing-spend perspective to focus on existing customers • Different customers have different needs, and other product offerings may be a better fit to their needs • Increased cross-selling generally results in stronger customer loyalty, as the consumer has more ties to the brand • Increased up-selling and cross-selling reduces the opportunities for competitors to win market share from your customer base Why NOT up-sell and cross-sell? There are risks in being too aggressive in marketing activities, especially to the existing customer base. Up- selling and cross-selling targets are sometimes a KPI for sales and service staff. This may result in high-pressure or aggressive sales tactics. This is often known as “transactional” marketing, where the goal is to maximize the income from a customer from one transaction, rather than over their lifetime. It is possible that this may result in customer dissatisfaction as they believe they were “tricked” into spending much more money than they originally intended. The end result of this would be the loss of the potential customer. The other minor risk associated with these marketing practices is the cost time and effort involved. Care needs to be exercise that the investment in up-selling and cross-selling is an effective use of marketing money and sales staff time. That is, we need to consider the marketing return on investment. Related Topics How to increase customer profitability Academic Reading Cross-Selling: Offering the Right Product to the Right Customer at the Right Time
Genesis Chapter 19 PDF MSWord Go to Chapter: Go to verse: Go to Bible: Genesis 19 Gen 19:1 “was sitting in the gate.” This is more than just a “fact,” it reflects a biblical custom and part of the culture. Kings, judges, and local elders sat in the gate. The phrase, “in the gate” is usually accurate. Many of the towns that had a gate had a “double gate” for protection. An enemy would have to break down the first gate to get to the second, but then could be attacked from above. Archaeological excavations have revealed some very well fortified double gates. The text is telling us that Lot has taken a position of authority in the city, which is why the people said he appointed himself as a judge (Gen. 19:9). The reason Wisdom can be found at the city gates is the city elders and judges were there (Prov. 1:21. Cp. Deut. 21:19; 22:15; 25:7; Josh. 20:4; Ruth 4:11; Lam. 5:14). Gen 19:2 “my lords.” This is the use of “lord” as a customary greeting of respect, like we would say, “Sir,” when we do not know the person. “city square.” The open place associated with the gate complex of the city, if the city was a walled city, which Sodom was since it had a gate. It would be customary for these strangers to not accept such an invitation immediately, but to wait until they were pressed upon to accept. Gen 19:3 “pressed...hard.” Lot pressed the angels to come into his house. Later in the story, the men of the city would “press hard” (same words in Hebrew) to get to the men. The double use of the word in these two contrasting situations highlights the different motives of the men involved. Gen 19:4 “all the people even from the outskirts.” The word “outskirts” is the Hebrew for “end, extremity,” and some translators think it means, “to the last man” (ESV; NAB), but we feel “to the end of the city” is the more logical meaning (CJB; NASB; NET; NIV; YLT). In either case, this verse explains why God could not find ten righteous people in the city, especially after Lot and his family left Sodom (Gen. 18:32). Gen 19:5 “know.” This is the common idiomatic use of “know” for sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse gives the most intimate and personal “knowledge” of the other, so “know” was used throughout the biblical world as an idiom for sexual intercourse, including rape, as here and in Judges 19:25 (Gen. 4:1, 17, 25; Matt. 1:25). Gen 19:6(top) Gen 19:7(top) Gen 19:8 “not known a man.” Idiomatic: have not had sexual relations with a man. See commentary on Genesis 19:5. “what is good in your eyes.” An idiomatic phrase meaning whatever seems good to you. Gen 19:9 “he appoints himself as a judge.” Lot demonstrated this when he sat in the gate of the city (cp. Gen. 19:1; Prov. 1:21). Gen 19:10(top) Gen 19:11 “blindness.” This is a kind of mental blindness. Mental blindness manifests itself in different ways. A bribe “blinds” the mind of a judge so he cannot think clearly (Exod. 23:8; Deut. 16:19). Similarly, a person bent on following false doctrine is “blind” to the truth. He cannot see it (Isa. 6:10; 43:8; Matt. 15:14). There are two cases in the Word of God where the blindness is not physical, it is mental, but it is a different quality of mental blindness than simply being blind to the truth of something. Here in Genesis 19:11, and in 2 Kings 6:18, people were struck with a kind of blindness that blinded them to their physical surroundings. The blindness was not physical, for in that case in both Genesis and 2 Kings the people would have been so debilitated that they would have discontinued what they were doing. Instead, the blindness was a kind of mental confusion such that they continued what they were attempting to do, but completely without success or any real awareness of what they were actually doing. The blindness of these men of Sodom here in Genesis, and the Aramean soldiers in 2 Kings, is somewhat similar to what is referred to as “highway hypnosis.” Highway hypnosis occurs when a person is so stupefied by driving for a long time without a break, or so mentally distracted, that he drives right past the place he wanted to go and never “saw” it. Usually in the case of highway hypnosis, after a while the person “wakes up” mentally and notices that something is wrong, and then has to figure out where he is and what has happened. Although the Bible never specifically says the men of Sodom came out of their stupor before being consumed in the fire, the Aramean soldiers “woke up” and realized they were actually in the city of Samaria. Gen 19:12(top) Gen 19:13(top) Gen 19:14(top) Gen 19:15(top) Gen 19:16 “merciful.” The Hebrew word is chemlah (#02551 חֶמְלָה), and it means “mercy, pity, compassion.” Gen 19:17 “one of them.” Literally, “he,” referring to one of the angels. “look.” The word “look” in this verse does not refer to a passing glance, but rather to a fixed gaze. Given Lot’s hesitation to leave, the angels were warning the family not to stop and take time to longingly look back; after all, they were leaving their home and possessions. Gen 19:18 “my lord.” Lot spoke to the two angels, thus the word “them,” but spoke directly to the one who had spoken to him, thus the singular “lord.” Gen 19:19 “overtake.” The Hebrew is more literally, “cling to, stick to, cleave to.” The essence is that Lot will not be able to escape the destruction and it will cling to him and destroy him too. Gen 19:20 “my soul will live.” The meaning is, “my life will be spared. The rhythm of the verse suggests the begging nature of Lot’s request. Gen 19:21 “I will lift up your face.” The Hebrew is more literally, “I have lifted up your face,” but understood as a request that will be granted, “I will lift up your face” is perhaps clearer in English. The Hebrew language is very concrete and graphic, and this is a perfect example. Lot was sad and hurt over the destruction of his city and his house, and the loss of the men who were engaged to his daughters. His face was downcast and sad. The angels, in granting his request, “lifted up his face,” a beautiful idiom. The simple meaning is, “I have granted your request.” Gen 19:22 “Zoar.” The Hebrew means “little, tiny” and perhaps “insignificant.” Gen 19:23 “sun had just risen over the earth.” Genesis 19:15 says it was dawn when the angels told Lot to leave, so it was an hour or perhaps a little more before the sun came up. When Lot and his daughters reached Zoar, the sun was up upon the earth, but not very high in the sky. Thus Lot had indeed hurried and Zoar was quite close to Sodom, so God did spare Zoar in His mercy. The sense of the sun “just” rising over the earth is in the structure of the Hebrew text, which reads more literally, “The sun, he had gone forth over the earth; Lot, he had reached Zoar.” Gen 19:24 (Rotherham) “And, Yahweh, rained, upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah, brimstone and fire,—from Yahweh, out of the heavens.” Some Trinitarians say this verse proves that “Yahweh” is a compound God made of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It does not. Yahweh is the one God of Israel, and the form of the verse is typically Semitic in saying something two different ways for clarity and emphasis. The fire and sulfur came from Yahweh. This verse is similar to 1 Kings 8:1 (Rotherham) “Then, did Solomon call together the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, chiefs of the fathers of the sons of Israel, unto King Solomon in Jerusalem.” “Solomon” is mentioned twice for emphasis. Gen 19:25(top) Gen 19:26 “looked back from behind him.” It was customary for the woman to walk behind her husband, so it is quite possible that Lot never noticed that his wife was not following, but had stopped to reminisce over all they had left behind, and she was caught up in the destruction. Gen 19:27(top) Gen 19:28(top) Gen 19:29(top) Gen 19:30 “lived in a cave.” Southern Judea is hilly and has many caves, and Lot chose one rather than build a house. The Bible never says why he did not rejoin Abraham, who had haggled so earnestly so that he would be spared. Gen 19:31 “not a man on the earth.” The daughter uses hyperbole (exaggeration) to make it seem like she and her sister were being forced to have incest. Her exaggeration is a lie. At a time when a man could have multiple wives, the city of Zoar that they had just left no doubt had men. Furthermore, there were many other men available, such as in Abraham’s camp, which was not very far away—perhaps about a day’s journey. Life in Sodom had apparently skewed the daughter’s morality. “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” (1 Cor. 15:33 HCSB). “come into us.” The graphic but common way of speaking of sexual intercourse. Gen 19:32(top) Gen 19:33(top) Gen 19:34(top) Gen 19:35(top) Gen 19:36(top) Gen 19:37 “Moab.” Or Mo-ab; sounds like “From [my] father.” Gen 19:38 “Ben Ammi.” “Son of my people.” prev top next
Français Français Français Smaller page more readable page General Epistemology Chapter I-8 Many will have noticed that, until now, I thoroughly avoided to use words like «objective» or «rational», that however many were expecting. There is a reason for this, and this chapter is to explain this in details. Indeed our modern Aristotelian and scientific world claims to have developed the notion of rationality: to make exact logical reasonings starting from verified facts, and to concretely apply the resulting conclusions. This modern world also claims to have developed the notion of objectivity: to draw exact conclusions, which really describe reality, and not ideological or cultural a priori, personal attachment or aversion. If we dispute the very ground of these intentions, then it is useless to speak about logic, nor of reasoning and not even of truth. Useless to criticize modern science, and even useless to further read this book. However we are forced to note that words such as «rational» or «objective» are often used to label things which are at the opposite of them. The typical case was, in the 1970 years, that nuclear power would be «rational», while ecology would be «irrational». Since (or before) many other blatant propaganda used the same trick: anti-ecology, atheism, materialism, capitalism, marxism, utilitarianism, technocracy, egocentricity, anti-morals, etc. all claim to be «objective», «rational», «realistic»! Similar lies are about defending war or bull fights as «realistic», while the arguments against them would be «sentimentality»... not to speak of all the morals or spiritual domain, rejected as a whole as «subjective», thus opening a free path for all kinds of exploitation and abuses! Of course I am not the first to note this bias. However we have to admit that the opposite bias also exists: pseudo-science theories, astrology, cults, fanatic groups, immoral people, often claim some sort of «a right to subjectivity», placing arbitrary beliefs, desires and personal interests at an equal, see higher level than objectively proved facts. Must we, for this reason, reject all the ethics and spiritual values which are the basis of our societies? But we have now four points, two being right, and two being false. So that it is enough to give a quadripolar diagram, and place these words in, so that all their definitions appear clearly: Quadripolar Diagram of rationality and intuition We have in (1) an attitude based on reasoning and verifiable facts. Especially we have here the classical science, which uses exact reasoning (mostly Aristotelian) and material observation, to discover the physical world as it is. This brought us the technical progress, but also organized societies. We have in (2) an attitude based on sensitivity to basic human needs and feelings, in order to discover our inner world as it is. This brings us the basic values funding an humanly and socially fair behaviour, such as the human rights. We could build here a true spiritual science (often non-Aristotelian). Psychology, and some spiritual teachings (especially buddhist) can, with some cautions, be considered as starting points of such a spiritual science. In (4) we have the arbitrary beliefs, or dogmatism which claim to be human, but which are not based on an observation of consciousness, even not on intuition or sensitivity. Many social, political and religious statements are in this case, and all the cults. In (3) at last we have scientific or rational looking speech, but which do arbitrary statements (4) into the domain of consciousness, such as the negation of ethics or happiness. This is the scientistism, deviation of classical science, but which in fact serves ideological ends or private interests.This is also called «rationalism» or «scientism», but both are used for naming (1) as well as (3). This is why I preferred the rare «Scientistism», which is the only one clearly pejorative. So I use it strictly in this meaning. This quadripolar diagram is very interesting, as it enlightens many ongoing disputes. For instance, in the 1970 years, science was often opposed to environment. It was in facts scientistism (3) opposed to a sane conduct (2). Ecology as a science is obviously in (1), when environmentalism as a social or political action is the collaboration of (1) and (2). However today (2010) climate deniers (4) are directly attacking (1). This is a serious threat to our organized societies, but at least they force science to move away from (3). A Similar opposition is found into all the sadomasochistic «budget cuts» and other «economy constrains» (3) which directly attack human values (2), for the only purpose of allowing personal interests (4) to grow fat. Pseudo-sciences are theoretically in (4), but we need to carefully think in a case by case basis: sometimes the scientistism (3) rejects true issues which are in (1) or (2). For instance there are serious UFO studiers in (1), while all the noisy conspiracy morons are obviously in (4). At last the recent noisy debate «evolution versus creation» is obviously a dogmatic (4) attack against knowledge (1), although we need to reply with care: many scientists lowered themselves to an atheist crusade (3), and this is definitively not needed. Further in this book, this will be discussed correctly: in a (1) AND (2) synergy. As for me, I follow the opinion of the Century of Enlightenment, or of great scientists like Einstein, who were dreaming of an universal science which would study physics (1) and mind (2) as well. They were unable to do so, from the lack of suitable tools in their epoch (or because of the bias (3) of classical science, that we shall see this in the second part on epistemology). Symmetrically, the exact spiritual science (2) of ancient India was unable to study material realities (1), and it comes today encumbered with cosmological or astrological beliefs (4), that His Holiness the Dalai Lama demands to abandon if they do not match the discoveries of physics or astronomy (1). This synthesis is the stake of an universal science which is still to be created. Non-Aristotelian logics are as worthy as others (Permalink) So it is a mistake, and often a purposeful manipulation, to confuse rationality with the only Aristotelian reasoning, or with the only materialistic ideologies, anti-life or anti-morals. To be «rationnal» or «objective» don't mean that we are pronuclear, broker or vivisector. The exact meaning of these words is that we want to understand reality, whatever it is material or about consciousness, starting from observation of facts, using reasoning, whatever they are Aristotelian, Yin-Yang, non duality or quadripolar, and that those reasoning are exact, on objects for which they are valid. So all the logics are rational and objective, in the exact meaning of these words, explained in this chapter: understand that they always are means to reason on objects, and discover things into real situations. Physics does not have a monopoly on reason. Material science has no right to edict moral rules, neither to dispute our motivations or our hopes. It is nor its role, neither its domain. The aspirations of human beings, or ethics, are not beliefs. They are the realities of the domain of consciousness, which have as much relevance, and even more, than technical realisations. I shall even state that it is the technical realizations which are void of any meaning if they are not into the service of consciousness. We shall correct in chapter III-7 and further, the astounding statement of some materialistic scientistists as what consciousness would not exist, and when we shall create ethic in chapter V-5 we shall nab the incredible fascist pretention of scientistism as what consciousness would be irrelevant or worthless. Sane vocabulary and ambiguous vocabulary (Permalink) Rational (1) is the fact of using reasoning, on every subject, with any relevant logic, and, in the case of a given subject, to accept to correctly apply the valid logic rules, to consciously accept their result and if requested to accept to accomplish the corresponding actions in our lives. (Even if we don't like them. At the expense of our lives? And even at the expense of OUR PRIDE???). Logic is universal, it applies to every subject, and I, at will, in this part on logic, considered examples in physics, ethics, politics, religion, sometimes rather polemical. All these subjects can be legitimately examined as soon as we find a valuable premise to do Aristotelian reasoning, or a problem which can be put into a quadripolar diagram. Especially a really rational person will accept as well to think about topics of the experience of the world (1) or about topics of the inner experience (2). But this word was dishonestly used for a rationalist, (3) who limits his study to the material world (1) and refuses the world of consciousness (2). A difficulty here is that the words «rational» and «rationalism» are used as well for the legitimate meaning and for the perverted meaning. They are two homonymous situations, as seen in chapter I-5, and confusing them always leads to serious mistakes. In this book, I use «rational» for the legitimate meaning, and «rationalism» for the perverted meaning. But there is no consensus on this. Inevitably. Intuitive (2) is the fact of using the human sensitivity we are ALL gifted with, in order to know the facts of the inner life (2). An immediate application of (1) working with (2) is to use compassion (2) to understand human suffering and build an ethics, and even laws (1) which protect us from this suffering. A shameless mind control trick (3) is to say that ethics has no «rational» basement, by persons who simply refuse to see its foundation from their own inner experience (2). The word «intuition» sometimes refers to an extrasensory perception. This is however not the case in this first part. We shall study intuition more in details in the fifth part on consciousness, and its role in the building of a scientific ethics in the sixth part. Objective (1) is a person who does not try to make false statements look like true, to his eyes or to the eyes of others, whereas he has the elements (information on the objects which he speaks, logical reasonings) which would enable him to deduce the truth (or at least to recognise his ignorance). This word is often dishonestly used to mean a person who rejects the inner experience (2), and more generally for all the sadistic politicians who find their pleasure at imposing us budget restrictions, pollutions, destruction of nature, wars, useless work, etc. Science is traditionally known as the fact of studying objectively (1) material facts (physics). I say (it is the main claim of this book, see part 2 on epistemology) that science can also study human/spiritual facts (2) such as ethics or spirituality. Irrational (4) is a confused mind who accepts like truths assertions proven nor by observation neither by reasoning. But this word was dishonestly used to name the inner experience (2) so that we cannot use it without precautions. Rationalism (3) is an irrational mind (4) who dishonestly claims for a material basis (1) or so-called rational motives. Subjective is even more tricky, as this word is often used to nab a person (4) who does not satisfy the criterion of objectivity. But the legitimate meaning would rather be (2), for the inner experience: dreams, consciousness, emotions, feelings, desires, which are legitimate experiences of life, but not errors. This is a newspeak type mind control attempt, to elude (2) an confuse it with (4). Thus this word is now too pejorative to use it in its legitimate meaning. The meaning of these words, their tendentious nuances and interpretations, cannot be completely discussed here, without referring to the epistemology. Therefore this discussion will be supplemented in the second part on epistemology, in chapter II-6. For now I shall avoid to use these words, to remove any confusion with the distorted or newspeak meaning. For instance I shall say «world experience» (1) or «inner experience» (2) to avoid the confusions attached to «objective» or «subjective». But if I say «this newspaper is not objective», the meaning is clear: they are liars! Psychological bias (Permalink) But now, we can say of a person who endeavours in every domain to find reality by avoiding reasoning mistakes and false presuppositions, hey, quite simply that this person is sincere. Sincere here means that the person reasons sincerely, that he looks for truth sincerely, excerting for this a methodical attention and honesty. This is of course not the self-apologising «sincerity» that some criminals use for their defence! This is unfortunately not an absolute warranty that inattention errors will not happen, errors made sincerely in spite of all the necessary precautions taken. This is why sciences recognizes a result only if it is checked by several teams. However this sincerity is efficient only if there is not another kind of unconscious error I want to point at now, such as an aversion which makes us more or less consciously refuse a true result from our reasoning, in spite of the evidences we possess. Or that an attachment makes us adhere to a false result, in spite of the troubles which will result from this. If such things happen, then we simply have to recognise that it is our mind which played us a trick, that its operation betrayed our will. Then let us call this with the name of psychological bias©. There is of course a gradation between sincerity and psychological bias: -A very sincere, meticulous and concentrated person should not make any error. We can only approach this ideal, especially in subtle or hardly known fields. Here we find the great scientists and the great mystics. -A sincere but little motivated person will allow errors like not to accept a small observation which does not match with his ideas, or to neglect non-Aristotelian subtleties. It is often the case of the nowadays scientists. -A halfway person will tend to believe what is said to him without reflection. The majority of persons share between this case and the previous. -A person who thinks without sincerity, but with still an appearance of honesty, will invent stories and will have improbable speeches. -Finally at the other end of the spectrum, we deal with scientific frauds, sects, mind control... sometimes accompanied with speeches on the absence of absolute truth or morals, sometimes in silence, without being discovered for years. The dishonesty is here conscious and deliberated, but it is only the extreme case of an omnipresent process, usually unconscious. Psychological bias can appear many ways and for many reasons, because human mind is vast and with many disturbances. Also see the chapter V-12 and chapter V-13, about mind control methods. The psychological bias is not a reasoning mistake; it is a much more profound defect of our mind itself, an unconscious process which makes us lie to ourselves, and this far before we start to consciously lie to others. The causes of psychological bias are not to be searched for into logics, but in psychology: the unfortunately ill working of our minds, which makes us prefer false conclusions despite the evidences, despite the suffering they will produce. Science was able to completely eliminate psychological bias from mathematics, and to efficiently limit its effects in physics, with various methods (This is all the scientific methodology and epistemology, see the second part. But these methods are inoperant when the studied object is interior, for example the human mind (politics, economy, morals, spirituality...). So there is no other alternative than to become sincere to build a spiritual science, and to control our psychological bias, therefore to control our mind. It is foreseeable that for this we must undertake a suitable spiritual training, so that our mind really obeys our will, without being taken away by psychological stuff. But it is also obvious that this initially and first of all requires that this will make the good choice of really seeking truth! There too this discussion will be continued in the second part on epistemology, in chapter II-4 and further when we try to establish an ethics (chapter V-5). (Permalink) Historically, the rational and non-dualistic minds appeared gradually, in different places. In particular rationality is the result of a slow ripening process; it did not appeared abruptly with modern science, but it was already a little present in ancient civilisations on the whole Earth. Its ripening passed through antic Greece, but we can also trace it in India. More subtle logics as Yin-Yang dialectics or non-duality were to appear especially in China, but they did not missed completely among other peoples, for example the North America Indians. No more than Aristotelian logic, the quadripolar logic, applied correctly to objects for which it is valid, does not allow to draw conclusions which depend on our mood, of the direction of the wind, the age of the captain, the bust measurement of our interlocutress, our race, our genes, our religion, our financial interests... What is really a lie or a confusion, even for Aristotelian logic, is to arbitrarily make statements according to personal preferences or other psychological biases, as practise all together dogmatic religious leaders, partisans of a clan, egocentric persons and other perverse sensualists, financial interests, some members of New age, and all those who, in the name of rationality, bawl against ecology, for nuclear power and «rational Western civilisation». Let us remind here, independently of the psychological bias problem, in order to be efficiently used, quadripolar logic, just like Aristotelian logic, requires a special training of the mind. Aristotelian logic requires to develop analytic reasoning. Quadripolar logic requires to master meditation, synthetic thought, and especially non-duality (chapter I-3), which is more subtle. Both require to be sincere and honest. And things must be done in the right order. In traditional Buddhist monastic studies, even if the purpose is essentially meditation, an important part of the training is about Aristotelian logic, dialectics, debate, epistemology. Symmetrically, western universities should feature basic training in meditation and non-dual thinking, besides matters such as mathematics, physics, economy, law, computer programming. To master only one of the two produces unbalanced individuals, unable to completely understand reality. When meditation sessions in civil servant high schools? One could be tempted to think that science would be based on Aristotelian reasoning, while non-Aristotelian reasoning would be art. However a non-Aristotelian reasoning is still objective, while art is not necessarily objective. And how to refer to art in a world where one can state without being punished that rap and tags are art? With my opinion, if the interest of quadripolar logic is confirmed, then everyone has right to learn it for example at school, together with some bases of Eastern philosophy which are now part of the stock of general knowledge for the gentleman of the third millennium. All that is within reach for secondary school pupils, and can be introduced as soon as primary school. Just like maths. General Epistemology Chapter I-8 Ideas, texts, drawings and realization: Richard Trigaux.
Busy. Please wait. show password Forgot Password? Don't have an account? Sign up Username is available taken show password Already a StudyStack user? Log In Reset Password Don't know remaining cards Pass complete! "Know" box contains: Time elapsed: restart all cards Normal Size Small Size show me how RADT 334- UNIT 3 A material that can conduct an electric current or not, depending on the voltage applied across that material. semiconductor An electronic device designed to terminate x-ray exposure after properly exposing an image receptor. AEC A method of adjusting the voltage to the x-ray imaging system to a constant value, in response to changes in voltage supplied by the power company. line compensation An electrical circuit device that stores electric charge. capacitor Place in the tube circuit, connected at the center of the secondary winding of the high-voltage step-up transformer in series with the x-ray tube. This reduces the possibility of shock. mA meter location An electrical device that contains two electrodes. diode The fluctuation in the voltage applied to the x-ray tube expressed as a percentage of peak kilovoltage. voltage ripple The process of changing alternating current and voltage into direct current and voltage. rectification A type of transformer having a single winding. autotransformer The product of voltage and current; Watt. power 220 V is supplied across 1200 windings of the primary coil of the autotransformer. If 1650 windings are tapped, what voltage will be supplied to the primary coil of the high-voltage transformer? 302.5 V A kVp meter reads 86 kVp and the turns ratio of the high-voltage step-up transformer is 1200. What is the true voltage across the meter? 71.7 volt peak The supply voltage from the autotransformer to the filament transformer is 60 V. If the turns ratio of the filament transformer is 1/12, what is the filament voltage? 5 V If the current in the primary of the filament transformer was 0.5 A with a turns ratio of 1/12, what would be the filament current? 6 amps The supply to a high-voltage step-up transformer with a turns ratio of 550 is 190 V. What is the voltage across the x-ray tube? 104.5 kV Allows relatively undiminished intensity of x-rays through the tabletop. 90/20 table List the 5 major controls on the operator's console. On/off control, kVp selection, mAs selection, time (mAs) selection, and automatic-exposure controls. Purpose of the autotransformers. to vary and control the amplitude of the voltage supplied to the high-voltage step-up transformer and the filament transformer. Primary/secondary voltage relationship in autotransformers. Direct relation to the number of turns of the transformer. What the prereading kVp meter allows. The precise adjustment of the supply voltage and monitoring the kVp before the x-ray exposure. 200 mA and 1/60 of a second equals what mAs? 3.3 600 mA and 30 milliseconds equals what mAs? 18 What is the difference between high voltage transformer and high voltage generator? The high-voltage transformer is just one component of a high-voltage generator. In order that a reverse voltage is not applied across the x-ray tube and that the tube operates most efficiently, x-ray tubes use ____ current. direct Direct current is archived in the x-ray circuit through? rectification Voltage ripple of single-phase generator. 100% Voltage ripple of three-phase, six-pulse generator. 14% Voltage ripple of three-phase, twelve-pulse generator. 4% Voltage ripple of high-frequency generator. 1% 0.7(mA)(kVp)/1000 is the equation for computing _____ power rating. single-phase (mA)(kVp)/1000 is the equation for computing ____ or ____ power ratings. three-phase, high-frequency Graph showing the cooling rate of an x-ray tube housing. housing cooling chart Radiation emitted through the x-ray tube housing (other than the primary beam). leakage radiation Measure of heat capacity (1HU=1AVs=1Ws=1J). heat unit Shroud inside the x-ray tube surrounding the cathode to concentrate electrons on the focal spot. focusing cup Anode rotation speed. 3400 rpm or 10,000 rpm Tungsten alloyed with thorium. Thoriated tungsten Cathode to anode electron flow. x-ray tube current X-ray tube capable of high speed switching. Voltage applied to the focusing cup is the switch. grid-controlled x-ray tube Method of heat transfer by a moving fluid medium(liquid or gas). convection Electron cloud in the vicinity of the filament. space charge. Three methods used to support the x-ray tube. Floor, wall, or ceiling mounted. Where thoriated tungsten would be used in a x-ray imaging system. cathode and anode When all available electrons are projected from the cathode to the anode. saturation current Why are arcing and tube failure no longer a problem in modern x-ray tube design? heavy filaments and high capacity anodes Pass an electric current to heat a conductor and cause outer-shell electrons to be released from the conductor. thermionic emission Principal cause of tube failure. broken filament What addition to the filament material prolongs tube life? thorium Why is the filament embedded in the focusing cup? To electrostatically shape the beam Why would an x-ray tube need a large focal spot? high intensity radiation Why would an x-ray tube need a small focal spot? better spatial resolution Negative side of the x-ray tube. cathode positive side of the x-ray tube anode Name 2 types of anodes. Fixed and rotating Three functions of the anode. X-ray tube target, electrical and thermal conductor, and mechanical support. How does atomic number affect the selection of anode target materials? high atomic number=efficient x-ray production. How does thermal conductivity affect the selection of anode target material? thermal conductivity=heat dissipation How does melting point affect the selection of anode target material? melting point=heat capacity How does the anode rotate inside a glass enclosure with no mechanical connection to the outside? induction motor Higher x-ray intensity on the cathode side. Anode heel effect How can anode heel effect be used advantageously? positioning thicker anatomy on cathode side Name three causes of tube failure. cracked or pitted anode, induction motor failure, and open filament. How can space charge be removed? increase kVp X-ray tube locking-in at center and at a given SID. detent position a material that transmits x-rays and appears dark on a radiograph. radiolucent Created by: 1438932103
Top tips for clean eating Three Top Tips For Clean Eating What is clean eating? There’s a lot of media exposure and talk about “clean eating” but what is it exactly? The widely accepted definition is that clean eating means avoiding highly processed foods, refined sugars, and eating a diet rich in whole foods in their most natural state. For fruits and vegetables that means buying organic for The Dirty Dozen. When it comes to animal products, it means buying free-range or pastured with no antibiotics, pesticides, or added hormones. For some people a clean eating diet also means no gluten. The challenge with going gluten-free (whether on a clean eating diet or not) is that you need to avoid the gluten-free crutch foods that are scattered all over the grocery store shelves. These highly processed gluten alternatives are not a healthy choice. 1. Start with breakfast Many people often skip breakfast, possibly because they’re running late or they’re too busy to stop and have a meal. But breakfast is how you fuel your body for the day ahead. If you are going to have breakfast, don’t just choose simple carbohydrates or a fast food option. You want a real food breakfast that will provide healthy fats, protein, and complex carbohydrates. 2. Simple Swaps • Hummus is a great alternative to mayonnaise. But instead of being mostly fat, it’s mostly protein. And it has a similar consistency to mayo making it perfect for wraps, dressings, and spreads. If you’re buying it in the store be sure to read the label in order to make sure you are getting the cleanest possible option. Or make it really clean by simply making your own at home. • If you’re looking for yogurt it’s easy to be distracted by the fruit-flavored varieties on the dairy case shelves. But the prepared fruit yogurts tend to come with excessively high levels of sugar and may also have other artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, none of which you want on a clean eating plan. Instead choose plain, whole milk yogurt, either regular or Greek-style and add your own sweeteners and flavoring. Options could include fruit, honey, chopped nuts, or delicious spices like cinnamon. • Our modern diet has led us to feel that we have to have rice or potatoes or pasta with a meal. We’ve been taught that you “need” a starch. If you feel you still want that to make your meal complete, choose more complex carbohydrates like riced cauliflower, sweet potatoes, or simply double up on your veggies. Cauliflower can also be used as a substitute for mashed potatoes without too much extra effort. • Salad and dressing seem to naturally go together. Unfortunately, if you take the time to read the label on the back of the bottle it’s not good news. Filled with loads of preservatives and artificial ingredients, these are definitely not part of the clean eating ideal. Instead make your own vinaigrette by combining 1/2 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice, salt, pepper, and the herbs or seasonings of your choice. 3. Don’t Do This Just as important as all the things listed above that you want to do, there are few things that you need to keep in mind to not do: • An easy way to clean up your diet is to skip those foods that are most highly processed and offer the least nutrition. That includes white rice, pasta, cookies, crackers, and chips. Choose nutrient-dense foods that will actually support your health like raw nuts, veggies, and quality proteins. • Juices, juice drinks, and soft drinks are empty calories. Truthfully they’re nothing more than liquid candy bars. They provide little to no nutritional value and should be avoided. Eat those fruits instead of juicing them so you can enjoy the fiber which helps to slow down how quickly the sugars hit your bloodstream. If you’re thirsty choose water, herbal teas, or home-made green juices instead. • We’ve been misled to believe that artificial fats like margarine are good for us. We’ve also been guided towards vegetable fats like canola or corn oil. What you really want is healthy fats like butter, ghee, or beneficial oils like avocado, olive, and coconut. These are nourishing, satiating, and supportive. As you start your clean eating journey it can be helpful to use a food journal so that you can see the progress that you're making. It's also important to remember that it's not easy to make all of these changes at once. Baby steps are the key to success here. Start with one thing, like eating breakfast or making a healthy swap. Master that and then move on to the next thing. Before you know it you'll be well versed in what those clean eating choices are and you'll be focused on your health goals. Clean eating is a good step towards a healthy life. In fact, it's one of the #IngredientsForAHealthyLife. If you're looking to do even more and learn how to really understand what's in your food, be sure to read The Pantry Principle. About Mira
Disambiguating Cash Budget Most people plan expenditures for food, clothing, and other needs on the basis of expected income. Along with these short-term plans, many individuals and families use income estimates to plan for long-term activities, such as college expenses, the purchase of a house or car. This process of planning for the financial needs of the future is called budgeting. A budget, whether formal or informal, is a plan for utilization of anticipated resources. The budget of a business serves much the same function as an individual or family budget. Like a personal or family budget, a business budget plans the expenditure of anticipated funds for immediate and long-term goals. One budget common to both large and small businesses is called the cash budget. The cash budget is a detailed plan showing how cash resources will be acquired and used over a specific time period. For many companies, this time period is monthly for the first three months of the budget period, then quarterly for the remainder of the year. A typical cash budget is composed of four major sections: 1. The receipts section. This section consists of the sum of the opening cash balance and estimated cash receipts for the budget period. For many firms, the major source of cash receipts is sales. 2. The disbursement section. This section consists of all estimated cash payments for the budget period. Examples are payments for labor and materials, taxes, equipment purchases, and advertising. 3. The cash excess or cash deficiency section. The entries in this section represent the difference between the totals of the receipts section and the disbursements section. If receipts are greater than disbursements, there is an excess of cash. If receipts are less than disbursements, there is a cash deficiency. 4. The financing section. This section gives an account of any borrowing or loan repayments projected to take place during the budget period. While the cash budget is useful to all companies, it is especially helpful to small firms because management can exercise more control in matching income with disbursements, in negotiating loans with the most favorable interest rates and terms, and in planning investments when there is an excess of cash.
Skip to main content Effects of post-scenario debriefing versus stop-and-go debriefing in medical simulation training on skill acquisition and learning experience: a randomized controlled trial Debriefing is a critical component to promote effective learning during simulation-based training. Traditionally, debriefing is provided only after the end of a scenario. A possible alternative is to debrief specific portions during an ongoing simulation session (stop-and-go debriefing). While this alternative has theoretical advantages, it is not commonly used due to concerns that interruptions disturb the fidelity and adversely affect learning. However, both approaches have not been rigorously compared, and effects on skill acquisition and learning experience are unknown. We randomly assigned 50 medical students participating in a simulation-based cardiopulmonary resuscitation training to either a post-scenario debriefing or stop-and-go debriefing. After four weeks, participants performed a repeat scenario, and their performance was assessed using a generic performance score (primary outcome). A difference of 3 or more points was considered meaningful. A 5-item questionnaire was used to assess the subjective learning experience and the perceived stress level (secondary outcomes). There was no significant difference between the groups for the performance score (mean difference: -0.35, 95%CI: -2.46 to 1.77, P = 0.748, n = 48). The confidence limits excluding the specified relevant 3-point difference suggest equivalence of both techniques with respect to the primary outcome. No significant differences were observed for secondary outcomes. Stop-and-go debriefing does not adversely affect skill acquisition compared to the classic post-scenario debriefing strategy. This finding is reassuring when interruptions are deemed necessary and gives simulation instructors the latitude to tailor the timing of the debriefing individually, rather than adhering to the unsupported dogma that scenarios should not be interrupted. Trial registration As this study is not a clinical trial, it was not registered in a clinical trials register. Peer Review reports Simulation-based learning is widely used in the education of medical personnel to train skills, knowledge, and teamwork in a safe environment [1]. Herein, debriefing is considered a critical component to promote effective learning [2, 3]. Traditionally, a debriefing session is provided only after the end of a scenario. A possible alternative could be to time-out the scenario to debrief specific portions or events during an ongoing simulation session. There are two potential advantages of this in-scenario or stop-and-go approach. One, the participants might be better able to recall the events during the debrief sessions when the simulation is paused immediately after the event. Two, the repetitive short debriefings may be more easily “digestible” and could lead to an enhanced acquisition of skills and knowledge than one extensive debriefing at the end of the session. Moreover, errors can be corrected in a more timely manner before they occur repeatedly and consolidate during a scenario. The disadvantage of interrupting a scenario is an inherent reduction in the level of fidelity, and it might affect the participant’s engagement in the scenario [4]. Differences between stop-and-go debriefing and post-scenario debriefing have not been rigorously studied, and the net effects of the potential advantages and disadvantages on the learning experience are largely unknown. To our knowledge, only one study previously compared these debriefing approaches [5]. Based on the questionnaire responses, these authors reported that post-scenario debriefing was more effective compared to debriefing that occurred during the scenario. However, the authors only studied self-reported outcomes, but did not objectively measure skill or knowledge acquisition. Moreover, it was not only the timing, but also the type of debriefing that was different between the groups. Participants in the in-scenario group were instructed on what they should do whenever there was an error or when an action was omitted, whereas the participants of the post-scenario group received a debriefing that stimulated a reflection of their actions and included supportive encouragement. Hence, the results of this study are likely confounded by the type of debriefing and provide limited information on differences between stop-and-go versus post-scenario debriefing. We therefore aimed to determine whether one of the approaches results in better skill acquisition after the training of a cardiopulmonary arrest scenario and tested the null hypothesis of no difference between the groups. As a secondary aim, we assessed the subjective perception of the participants’ learning experience. This study was performed at the clinical ADAM (“Anesthesiology Directed to Acute Medicine”) simulation center of the Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location VUmc, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. A written informed consent was obtained from all the participants. This study did not involve patients and did not subject volunteers to any conditions other than a standard training situation and does not fall under the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO). Therefore, formal approval of the Institutional Review Board was not required by Dutch law. As this investigation is not a clinical trial, it was not registered in a clinical trials register. Fifty medical students who had previously attended basic life support (BLS) training were recruited to participate in a scenario-based cardiopulmonary resuscitation training using a patient simulator (ALS simulator, Laerdal Medical Corporation, Stavanger, Norway). Participants were informed that the study involved two scenarios: one scenario served as a training scenario and involved debriefing, and the second without debriefing served to assess their performance. Both scenarios involved simulations separated by a four-week period. All participants were oriented to the patient simulator and the simulation environment, including the available automatic external defibrillator (AED), before the initiation of the study. They also watched a BLS instruction video provided by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) as a refresher, to ensure a uniform level of theoretical knowledge at the beginning of the study. Thereafter, students were randomly assigned to the either of the two possible debriefing techniques using a sealed envelope technique. While the students were aware that different teaching techniques would be compared, they were not aware of the specific differences between the approaches and did not know to which group they had been assigned. Clinical simulation scenario The scenario included a patient with a history of unstable angina pectoris, who is found unresponsive on the ward by a nurse (played by a member of the research team). The participant was unaware that the patient was in cardiac arrest. The nurse called the participant for immediate assistance, who was then expected to assess the patient, detect absence of circulation, and to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (including the use of the AED) according to current resuscitation guidelines [6]. The nurse was instructed to provide assistance with necessary measures on the student’s request (e.g., to call the resuscitation team, retrieve and attach the AED, or take over chest compressions). At one minute after the AED’s second rhythm analysis, the resuscitation team arrived. The scenario ended with a handover of the patient from the participant to the resuscitation team. The participants were debriefed after or during the training scenario by one of the two experienced instructors of our simulation center (RK or PS). Both have several years of experience using different debriefing and feedback techniques. For this study, the learning conversation was used [7, 8]. This technique is a learner-centered dialogue that stimulates reflection by allowing the learner to identify and explore issues of particular interest, and in which the instructor uses the ‘advocacy with inquiry’ technique to share his or her thoughts on learning points that have not been raised by the learner [9]. According to the group allocation, participants were debriefed either after the end of the scenario (post-scenario group), or during the scenario (stop-and-go group) at three prespecified time points: 1. 1. Before the initiation of the hands-on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BLS): This debriefing addressed the initial patient assessment and the proper recognition of cardiac arrest, the need to notify the resuscitation team and to retrieve a defibrillator, and non-technical aspects such as team communication and task allocation. 2. 2. After the initial defibrillation with the AED: Participants were debriefed to discuss the technical aspects of chest compressions and ventilations, as well as the proper and safe use of the defibrillator. 3. 3. After the end of the scenario: Participants were debriefed to reinforce technical and non-technical aspects of the resuscitation, to discuss differences in the treatment of a shockable versus non-shockable heart rhythm, and to review communication strategies to effectively hand over a patient to the resuscitation team. The targeted overall time for the debriefings was comparable in both groups (approximately 15 min post-scenario versus 3 times 5 min during stop-and go). The instructor was present in the simulation room in both groups. Outcome measures A summative assessment of the participants’ performance was conducted using a second scenario at four weeks after the initial training scenario. The scenario was identical to the first, with the exception that the instructors were not present in the simulation room and that participants were not debriefed. As no validated instrument exists to assess performance during BLS, we developed a scoring protocol to summarize the participants’ performance for the purpose of this study, based on the experience with previous studies of our research group in which a similar scoring protocol was developed [10, 11]. The present score ranges from − 28 to + 32 points and represents the weighted sum of a number of elements that are considered crucial for a safe and efficient resuscitation [6]. Based on a scoring sheet, points were added for appropriate actions (e.g., activation of the resuscitation team on the detection of cardiac arrest: + 1 point) or subtracted for inappropriate actions. Inappropriate actions were the omission of indicated actions (e.g., omission of AED use: − 4 points), inappropriate execution of indicated actions (e.g., chest compressions to shallow or outside the target rate, points assigned depending on number, depth and frequency), or time delays (e.g., delays in initiating chest compressions, points assigned depending on the delay). Two members of the research group (KK, FS) reviewed video recordings and scored the participant’s performance. As the aim of the study was not the validation of the score but rather to obtain a score that most accurately reflected the participant’s performance, the raters discussed any disagreements and videos were re-reviewed until a consensus on the participant’s performance was reached. A difference in the performance scores between the groups was the primary outcome of this study. The subjective learning experience (secondary outcome) was assessed by a questionnaire distributed to the participants immediately after the training session. The questionnaire was developed by the research team for the purpose of this study and consisted of four Likert-type questions, with answer options ranging from 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree). A fifth question asked about the perceived stress level during the scenario, ranging from 1 (absolutely no stress) to 5 (maximum stress level). Statistical analysis The study was powered to detect a 3-point difference of the performance score between the groups with 90% power at a 0.05 alpha level and assuming a common standard deviation of 3. A 3-point difference or larger was considered clinically relevant as it corresponds to approximately a 5% difference across the range of possible scores. The calculated sample size of 46 (23 per study arm) was inflated to 50 to account for possible dropouts. Data were analyzed with STATA 15.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). To adjust for possible differences between the two instructors who conducted the debriefings, performance scores were compared between the groups using linear regression, in which the group allocation and debriefer were the binary independent variables and the performance score was the dependent variable. As a Q-Q plot suggested a non-normal distribution of the performance score, standard errors were bootstrapped using 10,000 replications. A group-by-instructor interaction was considered, but was dropped from the model, as it was not significant. For a sensitivity analysis, the aforementioned model was additionally adjusted for baseline imbalances (absolute standardized differences > 0.1, Table 1). A non-parametric group comparison using the Mann-Whitney U test served as a second sensitivity analysis, and the shift in the location parameter was estimated with the Hodges-Lehmann estimator. Ordinal outcomes (Likert scale items) were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Two-sided P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Table 1 Baseline characteristics of participants in both groups Of the 50 participants, two were excluded (one in each group) due to technical problems with the video recording, since their performance scores could not be assessed. The participants were mostly female (n = 33/48, 69%) had a median (quartiles) age of 21 (20; 22) years and were in their second (2nd; 4th) study year (Table 1). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups for the performance score in the main analysis (post-scenario debriefing: 24.10; stop-and-go debriefing: 23.75; mean difference: − 0.35, 95% confidence interval: − 2.46 to 1.77, P = 0.75, model R2 = 0.003). The confidence limits did not cross the specified clinically relevant 3-point difference mark in any direction, suggesting a clinical equivalence of both debriefing techniques with respect to the primary outcome. Sensitivity analyses showed consistent results (P = 0.97 and P = 0.95, respectively, with 95% confidence intervals of mean difference and location shift within − 3 to + 3). With respect to the secondary outcomes, there were no significant differences between the groups for any questionnaire items of personal learning experience or perceived stress level (Table 2). Table 2 Secondary outcomes In this study, we compared the skill acquisition and learning experience after post-scenario debriefing versus stop-and-go debriefing in medical students and found no evidence for a difference between both approaches. A variety of debriefing and feedback approaches have been described in literature, including the Pendleton technique [7], the sandwich method [8], the diamond structure [12], the blended PEARLS approach [13], and the learning conversation [7,8,9]. Debriefing can be instructor-led or peer-led [14], can be video-assisted or not [15], and can focus on different aspects of performance such as technical skills or nontechnical performance, including task management, situational awareness, leadership, communication, and decision-making. An extensive discussion of the differences and relative advantages of each technique is beyond the scope of this manuscript. However, it is important to realize that the differences refer to the manner in which the debriefing is provided, not to the timing of the debriefing. While a number of studies have compared different debriefing techniques [16, 17], literature on different approaches for timing of the debriefing is virtually lacking. Yet, the timing could substantially influence the learning experience and knowledge acquisition, and therefore warrants an investigation. Although a debriefing is usually conducted at the end of a scenario, it may be necessary to suspend a scenario when the performance is seriously flawed [2]. Independent of the debriefing technique, errors can then be corrected early, before they are repeated continually. Routine interruptions to debrief portions of the scenario could also be useful, as participants may better recall the events being debriefed, and acquisition of learning points might theoretically be improved when ingested in smaller quantities. Interruptions of a scenario potentially also have negative effects, including a reduction in fidelity and altered engagement of the participant in the scenario [4]. In this context, a novel learning approach termed “Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice” (RCDB) has increasingly been advocated in the last few years, particularly in the fields of pediatric and neonatal resuscitation [18,19,20]. This approach focuses on mastery learning in which the learners cycle back and forth between deliberate skill practice and brief corrective feedback until a skill is mastered. Data on the effects of this approach on skill acquisition are yet scarce, and this repetitive alternation between directed corrective feedback and skill practice is clearly different from the reflective feedback techniques traditionally used in medical simulation debriefing [21, 22]. Nonetheless, this approach and stop-and-go debriefing have in common a skill practice or scenario that is interrupted, and promising initial experiences with RCDB underline the potential usefulness of the repetitive interruptions of a scenario in a stop-and-go debriefing approach. In this present study, we did not observe any significant differences between both debriefing techniques with respect to skill acquisition, learning experience or perceived stress. This study was not designed as an equivalence trial. However, the narrow confidence interval around the mean difference does not include clinically important differences, suggesting that the choice of stop-and-go versus post-scenario debriefing has no relevant effect on skill acquisition at 4 weeks after the training [23]. Similarly, the R2-value of the regression model of virtually zero suggests that the timing of debriefing explains none of the observed variability of the performance scores [24, 25]. In addition, no evidence for differences of any secondary outcomes was observed. Oriot and Alinier suggest that in-scenario debriefing is not appropriate for scenario-based learning [4], and from our experience, instructors often view it as a dogma not to interrupt a scenario unless strictly necessary. In contrast, our results suggest that both approaches can be used interchangeably with equivalent effects on learning. We think that this finding is an important discovery because it gives instructors more latitude to decide how, and especially when, to engage participants in a learning discussion and allows instructors to tailor the debriefing individually to the scenario and its participants. Moreover, the results of our study give instructors the freedom to alternate post-scenario and stop-and-go debriefing when several scenarios are played in sequence. Previously, Carr advocated the use of a variety of different feedback techniques to avoid that the experience becomes predictable [26]. We speculate that diversification and alternation not only in the debriefing techniques, but also in their timing, may increase the participant’s attention and enhance the simulation learning experience. This diversification and alternation, in turn, may favorably contribute to the learning experience. This study has several limitations. First, we used the learning conversation as a debriefing technique, and the results cannot necessarily be extrapolated to other techniques. Second, the study was performed with medical students as participants, and results do not necessarily apply to other participant groups. Third, no validated instrument was available to score the participants’ performance during the second scenario. Available checklists to measure BLS performance, such as the High Quality BLS Skills Testing Checklist by the American Heart Association, have binary checkboxes but do not provide a score and do not allow assessing the performance on a continuous scale. For example, chest compressions with a frequency of 95/min are below the target range, but are clearly better than a compression frequency of 70/min or not performing any chest compressions at all. However, in all of these cases, the respective check box would not be checked thereby precluding the ability to differentiate between different gradations of performance. Further, checkboxes weight all items equally, irrespective of their relative importance. We therefore created a scoring protocol from scratch that provides a continuous score, based on current resuscitation guidelines and based on the prior experience of our research groups with similar scoring systems. While the score has face validity, a complete formal validation and assessment of psychometric properties including reliability and criterion validity has not yet been performed. However, the scoring technique was used in both groups. We believe that the between-group’s score difference should give a valid assessment of performance differences between in-scenario versus post-scenario debriefing. Fourth, differences in skills were only assessed at 4 weeks after the initial training scenario, such that the data does not allow conclusions on long-term skill retention. Finally, we did not measure the baseline performance of the participants. Therefore, we can only draw conclusions on the differences between the groups in the second scenario. Future studies should examine how different debriefing techniques affect performance over time. Stop-and-go debriefing does not adversely affect skill acquisition or subjective learning experiences as compared to the classic post-scenario debriefing strategy. This finding should encourage simulation instructors to tailor the timing of the debriefing to the specific needs of the participants rather than adhering to a protocol. Availability of data and materials The dataset used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. 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Article Google Scholar 26. 26. Carr S. The Foundation Programme assessment tools: an opportunity to enhance feedback to trainees? Postgrad Med J. 2006;82:576–9. Article Google Scholar Download references This study was funded by the Department of Anesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Author information PS participated in the study design and data collection, analyzed and interpreted the data, drafted and revised the manuscript. KK participated in the study design, collected data, assisted with data analysis, and revised the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. FS collected data, assisted with data analysis, and revised the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. LAS participated in the study design, provided logistic support, helped in data interpretation and drafting of the manuscript, and revised the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. DvG participated in the study design, provided logistic support, helped in data interpretation and drafting of the manuscript, and revised the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. RK participated in the study design and data collection, helped in data interpretation and drafting of the manuscript, and revised the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. All the authors approved the final version of the manuscript, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work and in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. Corresponding author Correspondence to Patrick Schober. Ethics declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate This study does not involve any patients or subjecting volunteers to any conditions other than a standard training situation and does not fall under the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO), such that formal approval of the Institutional Review Board was not required by Dutch law. All volunteer participants gave a written informed consent to participate in this study. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Additional information Publisher’s Note Rights and permissions Reprints and Permissions About this article Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark Cite this article Schober, P., Kistemaker, K.R.J., Sijani, F. et al. Effects of post-scenario debriefing versus stop-and-go debriefing in medical simulation training on skill acquisition and learning experience: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Med Educ 19, 334 (2019). 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Page images Kar-bo-roo is the sage counsellor of the aborigines in all their difficulties. When bent on a dangerous expedition, the men will seek help from this clumsy creature, but in what way his opinions are made known is nowhere recorded.” H. R. Schoolcraft mentions a Red Indian story explaining how “the bear does not die,” but this tale Schoolcraft (like Herodotus in Egypt) “cannot bring himself to relate.” He also gives examples of Iowa conversing with serpents. These may serve as examples of the savage belief in the human intelligence of animals. Man is on an even footing with them, and with them can interchange his ideas. But savages carry this opinion much further. Man in their view is actually, and in no figurative sense, akin to the beasts. Certain tribes in Java “believe that women when delivered of a child are frequently delivered at the same time of a young crocodile.” The common European story of a queen accused of giving birth to puppies shows the survival of the belief in the possibility of such births among civilized races, while the Aztecs had the idea that women who saw the moon in certain circumstances would produce mice. But the chief evidence for the savage theory of man's close kinship with the lower animals is found in the institution called totemism (q.v.) -the belief that certain stocks of men in the various tribes are descended by blood descent from, or are developed out of, or otherwise connected with, certain objects animate or inanimate, but especially with beasts. The strength of the opinion is proved by its connexion with very stringent marriage laws. No man (according to the rigour of the custom) may marry a woman who bears the same kin name as himself, that is, who is descended from the same inanimate object or animal. Nor may people (if they can possibly avoid it) eat the flesh of animals who are their kindred. Savage man also believes that many of his own tribe-fellows have the power of assuming the shapes of animals, and that the souls of his dead kinsfolk revert to animal forms. E. W. Lane, in his introduction to the Arabian Nights (i. 58), says he found the belief in these transmigrations accepted seriously in Cairo. H. H. Bancroft brings evidence to prove that the Mexicans sup pregnant women would turn into beasts, and sleeping children into mice, if things went wrong in the ritual of a certain solemn sacrifice. There is a £ legend to the effect that a certain old witch was once fired at in her shape as a hare, and that where the hare was hit there the old woman was found to be wounded. J. F. Lafitau tells the same story as current among his Red Indian flock, except that the old witch and her son took the form of birds, not of hares. A Scandinavian witch does the same in the Egil saga. . In Lafitau's tale the birds were wounded by the magic arrows of a medicine man, and the arrow-heads were found in the bodies of the human culprits. In Japan” people chiefly transform themselves into badgers. e sorcerers of Honduras (Bancroft, i,740)." the power of transforming men into wild beasts.” I. F. Regnard, the French dramatist, found in Lapland (1681) that witchcs could turn men into cats, and could themselves assume the forms of swans, crows, falcons and geese. Amon the Bushmen.'" sorcerers assume the form of beasts and jackals. M. Dobrizhofer, a missionary in Paraguay ### learned that "sorcerers arrogate to themselves the power of changing men into tigers" (Eng. trans., i. 63). He was present at a conversion of this sort, though the miracle beheld by the people was invisible to the missionary. Near Loanda Livingstone noted that “a chief may metamorphose himself into a lion, kill any one he chooses, and resume his proper form." The same accomplishments distinguish the Barotse and Balonda.” Among the Mayas of Central America sorcerers could transform themselves “into dogs, pigs and other animals; their glance was death to a victim ' (Bancroft, ii. 797). The Thlinkeets hold that their shamans have the same powers." A bamboo in Sarawak is known to have been a man. Metamorphoses into stones are as common among Red Indians and Australians as in Greek mythology. Compare the cases of Niobe and the victims of the Gorgon's head. Zulus, Red Indians, Aztecs,” Andaman Islanders and other races believe that their dead assume the shapes of scrpents and of other creatures, often reverting to the form of the animal from which they originally descended. In ancient Egypt [ocr errors] “the usual prayers demand for the deceased the power of going and coming from and to everywhere under any form they like.” a trace of this opinion may be noticed in the Aeneid. The serpent that appeared at the sacrifice of Aeneas was regarded as possibly a "manifestation" of the soul of Anchises (Aeneid, v. 84)"Dixerat haec, adytis quum lubricus anguis ab imis Septem ingens gyros, septena volumina, traxit,” and Aeneas is “Incertus, geniumne loci, famulumne parentis putet." On the death of Plotinus, as he gave up the ghost, a snake glided from under his bed into a hole in the wall." Compare Pliny" on the cave "in quo manes Scipionis Africani majoris custodire draco dicitur." The last peculiarity in savage philosophy to which we need call attention here is the belief in spirits and in human intercourse with the shades of the dead. With the savage natural death is not a universal and inevitable ordinance. “All men must die” is a generalization which he has scarcely reached;. in his philosophy the proposition is more like this—“all men who die die by violence.” A natural death is explained as the result of a sorcerer's spiritual violence, and the disease is attributed to magic or to the action of hostile spirits. After death the man survives as a spirit, sometimes taking an animal form, sometimes invisible, sometimes to be observed “in his habit as he lived ” (see APPARITIONs). The philosophy of the subject is shortly put in the speech of Achilles (Iliad, xxiii. 103) after he has beheld the dead Patroclus in a dream: “Ay me, there remaineth then even in the house of Hades a spirit and phantom of the dead, for all night long hath the ghost of hapless Patroclus stood over me, wailing and making moan.” It is almost superfluous to quote here the voluminous evidence for the intercourse with spirits which savage chiefs and medicine men are believed to maintain. They can call up ghosts, or can go to the ghosts, in Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, North America, Zululand, among the Eskimo, and generally in every quarter of the globe. The men who enjoy this power are the same as they who can change themselves and others into animals. They too command the weather, and, says an old French missionary, “are regarded as very Jupiters, having in their hands the lightning and the thunder" (Relations, loc. cit.). They make good or bad seasons, and control the vast animals who, among ancient Persians and Aryans of India, as among Zulus and Iroquois, are supposed to grant or withhold the rain, and to thunder with their enormous wings in the region of the clouds. Another fertile source of myth is magic, especially the magic designed to produce fertility, vegetable and animal. From the natives of northern and central Australia to the actors in the ritual of Adonis, or the folk among whom arose the customs of crowning the May king or the king of the May, all peoples have done magic to encourage the breeding of animals as part of the food supply, and to stimulate the growth of plants, wild or cultivated. In the opinion of J. G. Frazer, the human representatives or animal representatives, in the rites, of the spirit of vegetation; of the corn spirit; of the changing seasons, winter or summer, have been developed into many forms of gods, with appropriate myths, explanatory of the magic, and of the sacrifice of the chief performer. In the same way the adoration of living human beings, the deification of living kings—whose title survives in our king or queen of the May, and in the rex nemorensis, the priest of Diana in the grove of Aricia—has been most fruitful in myths of divine beings. These human beings are often sacrificed, for various reasons, actual or hypothetical, and gods and heroes are almost as likely to be explained as spirits of vegetation now, as they were likely to become solar mythological figures in the system of Max Müller. It is certainly true that divine beings in most mythologies are apt to acquire solar with other elemental attributes, including vegetable attributes. But that the origins of such mythical beings were, ab initio, either solar or vegetable, or, for that matter, animal, it would often be hard to prove. Frazer's ideas are to be found in a work of immense erudition, The Golden Bough (London, 1900). Two studies by him, pursuing [merged small][ocr errors] the same set of ideas in more detail, are Adonis, Attis, Osiris (1906) and Lectures on the Early History of the Kingship (1905). See A. Lang, Magic and Religion (London, 1901), for a criticism in detail of the general theory as set forth in The Golden Bough. hatever may be said, Frazer has certainly made the most important of recent contributions to the study of mythology. He has fixed the attention of students on a mass of early ideas, previously much neglected save by W. Mannhardt, and on the facts of ritual, which preserve these ideas and represent them in a kind of mystery plays. We are now in a position to sum up the ideas of savages about man's relations to the world. We started on this inquiry because we found that savages regarded sky, wind, sun, earth and so forth as practically men, and we had then to ask, what sort of men, men with what powers ? The result of our examination, so far, is that in savage opinion sky, wind, sun, sea and many other phenomena have, being personal, all the powers attributed to real human persons. These powers and qualities are: (1) relationship to animals and ability to be transformed and to transform others into animals and other objects; (2) magical accomplishments, as-(a) power to visit or to procure the visits of the dead; (b) other magical powers, such as control over the weather and over the fertility of nature in all departments. Once more, the great forces of nature, considered as persons, are involved in that inextricable confusion in which men, beasts, plants, stones, stars, are all on one level of personality and animated existence. This is the philosophy of savage life, and it is on these principles that the savage constructs his myths, while these, again, are all the scientific explanations of the universe with which he has been able to supply himself. Examples of Mythology.—Myths of the origin of the world and man are naturally most widely diffused. Man has everywhere asked himself whence things came and how, and his myths are his earliest extant form of answer to this question. So confused and inconsistent are the mythical answers that it is very difficult to classify them according to any system. If we try beginning with myths of creative gods, we find that the world is sometimes represented as pre-existent to the divine race. If we try beginning with myths of the origin of the world, we frequently find that it owes its origin to the activity of preexistent supernatural beings. According to all modern views of creation, the creative mind is prior to the universe which it created. There is no such consistency of opinion in myths, whether of civilized or savage races. Perhaps the plan least open to objection is to begin with myths of the gods. But when we speak of gods, we must not give to the word a modern significance. As used here, gods merely mean non-natural and powerful beings, sometimes “magnified non-natural men,” sometimes beasts, birds or insects, sometimes the larger forces and phenomena of the universe conceived of as endowed with human personality and passions. When Plutarch examined the Osirian myth (De Isid. xxv.) he saw that the “gods” in the tale were really “demons,” “stronger than men, but having the divine part not wholly unalloyed ”—“magnifica nonnatural men,” in short. And such are the gods of mythology. In examining the myths of the gods we shall begin with the conceptions of the most backward tribes, and advance to the divine legends of the ancient civilized races. It will appear that, while the non-civilized gods are often theriomorphic, made in accordance with the ideas of non-civilized men, the civilized gods retain many characteristics of the savage gods, and these characteristics are the “irrational element" in the divine myths. Myths of Gods: Savage Ideas.-It is not easy to separate the discussion of savage myths of gods from the problem, Whence and how arose the savage belief in ### The orthodox anthropological explanation has been that of E. B., Tylor, which closely resembles Herbert Spencer's, “ghost theory.” By reflection on dreams, in which the self, or “spirit," of the savage seems to wander free from the bounds of time and space, to see things remote, and to meet and recognize dead friends or foes; by speculation on the experiences of trance and of phantasms of the dead or living, beheld with wakin eyes; by pondering on the phenomena of shadows, of breath, o death and life, the savage evolved the idea of a separable soul or spirit capable of surviving bodily death. The spirit of the dead may tenant a material object, a “fetish,” or may roam hungry and comfortless and need propitiation by food, for unpropitiated it is dangerous, or may be reincarnated, or may “go to its own herd” in another world. Again, it is naturally kind to its living kinsfolk, and so may be addr in prayer. These are the doctrines of animism. (q.v.), and, according to the usual anthropological theory, these spirits come to thrive to god's cstate in favourable circumstances, as where the dead man, when alive, had great mana or wakan, a great share of the ether, so to speak, which, in savage metaphysics, is the viewless vehicle of magical influences. Thus the ghost of the hero or medicine man of a kin or tribe may be raised to divine rank, while again-the doctrine of spirits once developed, and spirits once allotted to the great elemental forces and phenomena of naturc, sky, thunder, the sea, the forests—we have the beginnings of departmental deities, such as Agni, god of fire; Poseidon, god of the sea: Zeus, god of the £ in recent theories Zeus appears to be regarded as primarily the god of the oak tree, a spirit #: On this theory animism, the doctrine of spirits, is the source of all belief in gods. But it is found that among the lowest or least cultured races, such as the south-eastern tribes of Australia, who do not propitiate ancestral spirits by offerings of food, or address them in prayer, there often exists a belief in an “All-Father,” to use. Howitt's convenient expression. This being cannot have becn evolved out of the cult of ancestors, where ancestors are not worshipped; and he is not even regarded as a spirit, but, in Matthew Arnold's phrase, as “a magnified non-natural man.” He cxisted before death came into the world, and he still exists. His home is in or above the sky, but there was a time when he walked the carth, a potent magic-worker; endowed mankind with such arts and institutions as they possess; and left to them certain rules of life, ethics and ritual. Often he is regarded as the maker of things, or of most ...things, and of mankind; or mankind are his children, descended from disobedient sons of his, whom he cast out of heaven. Very frequently he is the judge of souls, and sends the good and bad to their own places of reward and punishment. He is usually supposed to watch over human conduct, but this is by no means invariably the case. Sometimes he, like the Atnatu of the Kaitish tribe of central Australia, is only vigilant in matters of ritual, such as circumcision, subincision and the use of the sacred bull-roarer, the Greek an almost universal rule, in the lowest culture, no prayers are addressed to this being; he has no sacrifices, no dwelling made with hands; and the images of him, in clay, that are made and danced round with invocations of his name at the tribal ceremonies of initiation, are destroyed at the close of the performances. If the name of “god" is denied to such beings because they receive little cult, it may still be admitted that the belief might easily develop into a form of theism, independent of and underived from animism, or the ghost theory. he best account of this All-Father belief in the lowest culture is to be read in R. Howitt's Native Races of South-East Australia. Under the names of Baiame, Pundjel, Mulkari, Daramulun and many others, the south-eastern tribes (both those Australian who reckon descent in the female and those who reckon Savages. by the male line) have this faith in an All-Father, the attributes varying in various communities. The most highly developed All-Father is the Baiame or Byamee of the Euahlayi tribe of north-western New South Wales, to whom prayers for the welfare of the souls of the dead are, or recently were, addressed—the tribe dwelling a hundred miles away from the nearest missionary station (Protestant)." In the centre of Australia, Atnatu, self-created, is known, as has been said, to the Kaitish tribe, next neighbours of the Arunta of the Macdonnell Hills. Among the Arunta, Mr Strehlow (Globus, May 1997) finds such a being as Atnatu, and also among some other adjacent tribes, as the Luritja. See, too, Strehlow and von Leonhardi, in Veröffentlichungen aus dem stadtischen Völker-Museum (Frankfurt-am-Main, 1907, vol. i.). But Messrs B. Spencer and F.J. Gillen, who discovered Atnatu, did not find any trace of an All-Father among the Arunta, or any other of the tribes to the north and north-east of the centre. Mr Strehlow's branch of the Arunta they did not examine. It is # that the All-Father belief, in favourable circumstances, especially if ghost worship remained undeveloped, might be evolved into theism. But all over the savage world, especially in Africa, spirit worship has sprung up and choked the All-Father, who, however, in most savage regions, abides as a name, receiving no sacrifice, and, save among the Masai, scloom being addressed in prayer. A list of such otiose t beings in the background of religion is given in Lang's The Making of Religion (1898). Since the publication of that book much additional evidence has accrued from Africa and Melanesia, where the belief occurs in a few islands, but, in the majority, is absent or unrecorded. Most of the fresh evidence is iven in La Notion de l'être suprême chez les peuples non-civilisés, y René Hoffmann (Geneva, 1907). See also the Journal of the Anthropological Institute £: vols. xxix., xxxii., xxxiv., xxxv., and the works of Miss Mary Kingsley, and Spieth, Die EweStamme, Reimer (Berlin, 1906), and Sundermann in Warneck's Allgemeine Missionszeitschrift, vol. xi. An excellent statement is that of Père Schmidt, S.V.D., in Anthropos, Bd. III., Hit. 3 (1908), pp. 559-61.1. Tylor's efforts to show that these All-Fathers were derived from missionary or other European influences (Ni "See Mrs Langloh Parker's The Euahlayi Tribe. , 1892) have not been successful (see Lang, Magic and Religion, “The Theory of Loan Gods”) and N.W.Thomas in Man (1905), v., 49 set seq. The All-Father belief is most potent among the lowest races, and always tends to me obsolete under the competition of serviceable ancestral spirits, or gods made in the image of such spirits, who can be bribed by sacrifices or induced by prayers to help man in his various needs. The belief in the All-Father in south-eastern Australia is concealed from the women and children who, at most, know his exoteric name, often meaning “Our Father," and is revealed only to the initiate, among whom are a very few white men, like Howitt. Mrs Langloh Parker, of course, was not initiated (indeed, no white man has gone through the actual and very painful rites), but confidences were made to her with great secrecy. The All-Father, even at his best, among the Kurnai, Kamilaroi and Euahlayi, is the centre of many grotesque and sportive myths. He usually has a wife and children, not in all cases born, but rather they are emanations. One of these children is often his mediator with men, and has the charge of the rites and the mystic bull-roarer. The relation is that of Apollo to Zeus in Greek myth. Many of the wilder myths are the expressions of the sportive and humorous faculties. Some arise naturally thus: Baiame, say, originated everything, therefore he originated the grotesque mummeries and dances of the mysteries. o explain these, myths have been developed to show that they arose in some grotesque incident of Baiame's personal existence on earth. Many Greek myths, most derogatory to the dignity of Demeter, Dionysus, Zeus or Hera, arose in the same way, as explanations of buffooneries in the Eleusinian or other mysteries. In medieval literature the most sacred persons of our religion have grotesque associations attached to them in the same manner. While the All-Father belief is common in the tribes of southeastern Australia, the tribes round , the Arunta (as known to Messrs Spencer and Gillen), and the other central and northern tribes, are credited with no germs of belief in what is called a supreme, and may truly be styled a superior being. That being, in many cases, but not so commonly in Australia, has a malevolent opposite who thwarts his work, an Ahriman to his Ormuzd. In one district, where the superior being is a crow, his opposite is an eagle-hawk. These two birds in many tribes give names to the two great exogamous and intermarrying divisions; in their case there is a va et vient of divine, human and theriomorphic elements, just as in the Greek myths of Zeus. As a rule, however, the Australian AllFather is anthropomorphic, and fairly well descri in the native term when they speak English as “the Big Man,” powerful, deathless, friendly, "able to go everywhere and do everything,” “to see whatever you do." The existence of the belief in this being was accepted by T. Waitz, and, though disputed by many squatters and most anthropologists, is now admitted on the strength of the evidence of Howitt, Cameron, Mrs Langloh Parker, Dawson, W. E. Roth in Ethnological Studies, and many other close observers. The belief being esoteric, a secret of the initiated, necessarily escaped casual induirers. eanwhile, among some of the Arunta of the centre, among the Dieri and Urabunna tribes near Lake Eyre and their congeners, and among the tribes north by east of the Arunta, no such belief has been discovered by Messrs Spencer and Gillen, from whom the tribes kept no secrets, or by Mr Siebert, a missionary among the now all but extinct Dieri... There is just a trace of a dim sky-dwellin being, Arawotja, possibly an all but obliterated survival of an AllFather. Howitt speaks too of the Dieri Kutchi, who inspires medicine-men with ideas, but about him our information is scanty. Among all these tribes religion now takes another line, the belief in a supernormal race of Titanic beings, with no superior, who were the first dwellers on earth; who possessed powers far exceeding those of the medicine-men of to-day; and who, in one way or another, were connected with, or developed from, the totem animals, vegetables and other objects. These beings modified the face of the country; in Arunta # rocks and trees arose to mark the places where # finally “went into the ground" (Oknanikilla), and their spirits still haunt certain places such as these; and are reincarnated in native women who pass by... These beings, in Arunta called * the ple of the Alcheringa, or dream time” (but cf. Strehlow in £ ut supra), originated the tribal rites of initiation. In Dieri they are called Mura-Mura, and to them prayers are made for rain, accompanied by rain-making magic ceremonies, which in this case may be a symbolical expression of the prayers. There is a large body of myths about the Alcheringa folk, or Mura-Mura (see. Spencer and Gillen, Native Tribes of Central Australia, Native Tribes of Northern Australia, and Howitt, Native Tribes of SouthEastern Australia), and the myths of their wanderings, prodigies and institution of rites and magic are represented in the dances of the mysteries. Most of the magic is worked (Intichiuma in Arunta) by the members of each totem kin or group for the behoof of the totem as an article of food supply. These rites are common in North America, but are worked by members of gilds or societies, not by totem kins. The belief in these Mura-Mura or Alcheringa folk may obviously develop, in favourable circumstances, into a polytheism like that of Greece, or of Egypt, or of the Maoris. The old Irish gods in the ic romances a to have the same origin and shade away into the fairies. he baser Greek myths of the wanderings, amours and adventures of the gods, myths ignored by Homer, are parallel to the adventures of the Alcheringa people, and the fable of the mutilation of Osiris and the search £ the lost : by Isi actually occurs among the Alcheringa tales of Messrs Spencer an Gillen. Among the Arunta, the Alcheringa folk are part of a strangely elaborate theory of evolution and of animism, which leaves no room for a creative being, or for a future life of the spirit, which is merely reincarnated at intervals. Thus the doctrines of evolution and of creation, or the making of things, stand apart, or blend, in the metaphysics and religion of the lowest and least progressive of known : The question as to which theory came first, whether Alcheringaism is a scientific effort that swept away All-Fatherism, or whether All-Fatherism is a religious reaction in despair of science and of the evolutionary doctrine, is settled by each inquirer in accordance with his personal bias. It has been argued that All-Fatherism is an advance, conditioned by coastal influences—more rain and more food-concomitant with a social advance to individual marriage, and reckoning of kin in the male line. But tribes far from the sea, as in northern New South Wales and Queensland, have the All-Father belief, with individual marriage and female descent, while tribes of the north coast, with male descent, are credited with no All-Father; and the Arunta, as far as possible from the sca, have no All-Father (save in Strehlow's district), and have individual marriage and male reckoning of descent in matters of inheritance; while the Urabunna and Dieri, with female descent and the custom of pirrauru (called “grou marriage" by Howitt), are not credited with the All-Father belief. Thus coastal conditions have clearly no causal influence on the development of the All-Father £ If they had, the natives of central Queensland, remote from the sea, should not have their All-Father (Mulkari), and the natives of the northern and northeastern coasts should have an All-Father, who is still to seek. The Arunta of Messrs Spencer and Gillen may have possessed and £ the Altjira superior being of the Arunta known to Mr. Strehlow, like the Atnatu of the adjacent Kaitish, or the All-Father of the neighbouring Luritja; or these beings may be more recent diverences of doctrine, departures from pure Ak' with no Allather. At present, at least, it is premature to dogmatize on these problems." The chief being among the supernatural characters of Bushman mythology is the insect called the Mantis.” Cagn or Ikaggen, the Mantis, is sometimes regarded with religious respect as A. a benevolent, god... But his adventures are the merest #: nightmares of puerile fancy. He has a wife, an adopted wages. daughter, whose real father is the “swallower” in Bushman swallowing myths, and the daughter has a son, who is the Ichneumon. The Mantis made an eland out of the shoe of his son-in-law. The moon was also created by the Mantis out of his shoe, and it is red, because the shoe was covered with the red dust of Bushman-land. The Mantis is defeated in an encounter with a cat which happened to be £ a song about a lynx. The Mantis (like Poseidon, Hades, Metis and other Greek gods)was once swallowed, but dis# alive. The swallower was the monster Ilkhwāi-hemm. ike Heracles when he leaped into the belly of the monster which was about to swallow Hesione, the Mantis once jumped down the throat of a hostile elephant, and so destroyed him. The heavenly bodies are gods among the Bushmen, but their nature and adventures must be discussed among other myths of sun, moon and stars. As a creator Cagn is sometimes said to have “given orders, and caused all things to appear to be made.” He struck snakes with his staff and turned them into men, as Zeus did with the ants in Aegina. But the Bushmen's mythical theory of the origin of things must, as far as possible, t apart from the fables of the Mantis, the Ichneumon and other divine beings. Though animals, these gods have human passions and character, and possess the usual magical powers attributed to sorcerers. Concerning the mythology of the Hottentots and Namas, we have a great deal of information in a book named Tsumi-Goam, the Supreme ##### (1881), by Dr T. Hahn. This author collected the old notices of Hottentot myths, and added material from his own researches. The chief god of the Hottentots is a being named - who is universally regarded by his worshippers as a deceased sorcerer. rding to one old believer, “Tsui-Goab." (an alternative reading of the god's name)" was a great, powerful chief of the Khoi-Khoi—in fact, he was the first Khoi-Khoib from whom all the Khoi-Khoi tribes took their name.” He is always The drawback to knowledge is the rarity of full acquaintance with native languages. Strehlow, Roth and Ridley seem best equipped on the linguistic side. Spencer and Gillen do not tell us that they have a colloquial knowledge of any Australian language. Gason, author of a work on the Dieri tribe, knew their language well, but several of his statements appcar to be inaccurate. Mrs Langloh Parker describes her methods of checking and controlling native statements made in English. Accounts of the Mantis and of his performances will be found in the Cape Monthly Magazine(July 1874), and in Dr Bleek's Brief Account of Bushmón Folk-Lore. represented as at war (in the usual crude dualism of savages) with “another chief" named Gaunab. The prayers addressed to TsuiGoab are simple and natural in character, the “private ejaculations” of men in moments of need or distress. As usual, religion is more advanced than mythology. It appears that, by some accounts, Tsui-Goab lives in the red sky and Gaunab in the dark sky. The neighbouring race of Namas have another old chief for god, a being £ Heitsi Eibib. His graves are shown in many places, like those of Osiris, which, says Plutarch, abounded in Egypt. He is propitiated by passers-by at his sepulchres. He has intimate relations in peace and war with a variety of animals whose habits are sometimes explained (like those of the serpent in Genesis) as the result of the curse of Heitsi Fibib. Heitsi Eibib was born in a mysterious way from a cow, as Indira in the Black Yajur-Veda entered into and was born from the womb of a being who also bore a cow. The Rig-Veda (iv. 18, 1) remarks, “His mother, a cow, bore Indra, an £ calf”-probably a metaphorical way of speaking. Heitsi Eibib, like countless other gods and heroes, is also said to have been the son of a virgin who tasted a particular plant, and so became pregnant, as in the German and Gallophrygian marchen of the almond tree, given by Grimm and Pausanias. Incest is one of the feats of Heitsi Eibib. Tsui-Goab, in the opinion of his worshippers, as we have seen, is a deified dead sorcerer, whose name means Wounded Knee, the sorcerer having been injured in the knee by an enemy. Dr Hahn tries to prove (by philology's “artful aid") that the name really means “red dawn,” and is a Hottentot way of speaking of the infinite, . The philological arguments advanced are extremely weak, and by no means convincing. If we grant, however, for the sake of argument, that the early Hottentots worshipped the infinite under the figure of the dawn, and that, by forgetting their own meaning, they came to believe that the words which really meant “red dawn” meant “wounded knee "we must still admit that the devout have assigned to their deity all the attributes of an ancestral sorcerer. In short, “their Red Dawn,” if red dawn he be, is a person, and a savage person, adored exactly as the actual fathers and grandfathers of the Hottentots are adored. We must explain this legend, then, on these principles, and not as an allegory of the dawn as the dawn appears to civilized# About Gaunab (the Ahriman to Tsui-Goab's Ormuzd) Dr Hahn gives two distinct opinions. “Gaunab was at first a ghost, a mischief-maker and evil-doer." (op. cit. p. °W, But Gaunab he declares to be “ the night-sky' £ 126). ether we regard Gaunab, Heitsi Eibib and Tsui-Goab as originally £ representations of natural phenomena, or as deified dead men, it is plain that they are now venerated as non-natural human beings, £ the customary attributes of sorcerers. Thus of Tsui-Goab it is said, “He could do wonderful things which no other man could do, because he was very wise. He could tell what would happen in future times. He died several times, and several times he rose again" (statement of old Kxarab in Hahn, p.61). The mythology of the #sreported by H. Callaway (Unkülunillu, 1868-1870) is very thin and uninteresting. The Zulus are great worshippers of ancestors (who appear to men in the form of snakes), and they regard a being called Unkülunkülu as their first ancestor, and sometimes as the creator, or at least as the maker of men. It does not appear they identify Unkülunkülu, as a rule, with “the lord of heaven,” who, like Indra, causes the thunder. The word answering to our lord is also applied,” even to beasts, as the lion and the boa." The Zulus, like many distant races, sometimes attribute thundcr to the “thunder-bird,” which, as in North America, is occasionally seen and even killed by men. " It is said to have a red bill, red legs and a short red tail like fire. The bird is boiled for the sake of the fat, which is used by the heavendoctors to puff on their bodies, and to anoint their lightning-rods." The Zulus are so absorbed in propitiating the shades of their dead (who, though in serpentine bodies, have human dispositions) that they appear to take little pleasure in mythological narratives. At the same time, the Zulus have many “nursery tales," the plots and incidents of which often bear the closest resemblance to the heroic myths of Greece, and to the marchen of European peoples. These indications will give a general idea of African divine myths. On the west coast the “ananzi" or spider takes the place of the mantis insect among the Bushmen. For some of his exploits Dasent's Tales from the Norse (2nd ed., Appendix) may be consulted. For South African religion see Lang. Magic and Religion; Dennett, At the Back of the Black Man's Mind; Junod, Les Barotsa; Spicth, Die Ewe-Stämme; Frazer, The Golden Bough. Turning from the natives of Australia, and from African races of various degrees of culture, to the Papuan inhabitants of Melanesia, Melanesia, we find that mythological ideas are scarcely on a higher £"level. An excellent account of the myths of the Banks - Islanders and Solomon Islanders was given in Journ. Anthropol. Inst. (Feb. 1881) by the Rev. R. H. Codrington. The article contains a critical description of the difficulty with which missionaries obtain information about the prior creeds. The people of the * These are collected by Callaway, Zulu Nursery Tales (1868). Similar Kafir stories, also closely resembling the popular fictions of European races, have been published by Theal. Many other examples are published in the South African Folk-Lore Journal (1879, 1880). Banks Islands are chiefly £ but they also believe in, and occasionally pray to, a being nam Qat, one of the prehuman race endowed with supernatural powers who here, as elsewhere, do duty as gods. Here is an example of a prayer to Qat-the devotee is supposed to be in danger with his canoe: “Qate! Marawa! look down on me, smooth the sea for us two that I may go safely on the sea. Beat down for me the crests of the tide-rip; let the tide-rip settle down away from me, beat it down level that it may sink and roll away, and I may come to a quiet landing-place.” Compare the prayer of Odysseus to the river, whose mouth he had reached after three days' swimming on the tempestuous sea. “‘Hear me, O king, whosoever thou art, unto thee I am come as to one to whom prayer is made . . . nay, pity me, O king, for I avow myself thy suppliant.' So spake he, and the god stayed his stream, and withheld his waves, and made the water smooth before him" (Odyssey V. # The prayer of the Melanesian is on rather a higher religious level than that of the Homeric hero. The myths of Qat's adventures, however, are very crude, though not so wild as some of the Scandinavian myths about Odin and Loki, while they are less immoral than the adventures of Indra and Zeus. Qat was born in the isle of Vanua Levu; his mother was either a stone at the time of his birth, or was turned into a stone afterwards, like Niobe. The mother of Apollo, according to Aelian, had the misfortune to be changed into a wolf. Qat had eleven brothers, not much more reputable than the Osbaldistones in Rob Roy. The youngest brother was “Tangaro Loloqong, the Fool.”. His pastime was to make wrong all that Qat made right, and he is sometimes the Ahriman to Qat's Ormuzd. The creative achievements of Qat must be treated of in the next section. Here it may be mentioned that, like the hero in the Breton märchen, £ “brought the dawn" by introducing birds whose notes proclaimed the coming of morning. Before Qat's time there had been no night, but he purchased a sufficient allowance of darkness from I Qong, that is, night considered as a person in accordance with the law of savage thought already explained. Night is a person in Greek mythology, and in the fourteenth book of the Iliad we read that Zeus abstained from punishin Sleep “because he feared to offend swift Night.” Qat produ dawn, for the first time, by cutting the darkness with a knife of red obsidian. Afterwards “the fowls and birds showed the morning." On one occasion an evil power (Vui) slew all Qat's brothers, and hid them in a food-chest. As in the common “swallowing-myths' which we have met among bushmen and Australians, and will find among the Greeks, Qat restored his brethren to life. Qat is always accompanied by a powerful supernatural spider named Marawa. He first made Marawa's acquaintance when he was cutting down a tree for a canoe. Every night (as in the common European story about bridge-building and church-building) the work was all undone by Marawa, whom Qat found means to conciliate. In all his future adventures the spider was as serviceable as the cat in Puss in Boots or the other grateful animals in European legend. Qat's great enemy, Qasavara, was dashed against the hard sky; and was turned into stone, like the foes of Perseus. The stone is still shown in Vanua Levu, like the stone which was Zeus in Laconia. Qat, like so many other “culture-heroes,” disappeared mysteriously, and white men arriving in the island have been mistaken for Qat. His departure is sometimes connected with the myth of the delu In the New Hebrides, Tagar takes the rôle of Qat, and Suqe of the bad principle, Loki, Ahriman, Tangaro Loloqong, the Australian Crow and so forth. These are the best known divine myths of the Melanesians. For their All-Fathers see Holmes, J.A.I., vol.xxxv., and O'Farrell, J. A. I., vol. xxxiv., with Sundermann in Warneck's Allgemeine Missionszeitschrift, vol. xi. 1884. It is “a far cry" from Vanua Levu to Vancouver Island, and, ethnologically, the Ahts of the latter region are extremely remote from the Papuans with their mixture of Malay and American Polynesian £ The Ahts, however, differ but little Savages. in their mythological beliefs from the races of the Banks Islands or of the New Hebrides. In Sproat's Scenes from Savage Life (1868) there is a good account of Aht opinions by a settler who had won the confidence of the natives between 1860 and 1868. “There is no end to the stories which an old Indian will relate,” says Mr Sproat, when “one quite possesses his confidence.” “The first Indian who ever lived" is a divine # something of a creator. something of a first father, like Unkülunkülu among the Zulus. His name is Quawteaht. He married a pre-existent bird, the thunderbird Tootah (we have met him among the Zulus), and by the bird, he became the father of Indians. Wispohahp is the Aht Noah, who, with his wife, his two brothers and their wives escaped from the deluge in a canoe. Quawteaht is inferior as a deity to the Sun and Moon. He is the Yama of an Aht paradise, or home of the dead, where “everything is beautiful and abundant.” From all that is told of Quawteaht he seems to be an ideal and powerful Aht, imaginatively placed at the beginning of things, and quite capable of intermarriage with a bird. His creative exploits must be considered later. Quawteaht is the Aht Prometheus Purphoros, or fire-stealer. Passing down the American continent from the north-west, we find Yehl the chief hero-god and mythical personage among the Tlingits. Like many other heroes or gods, Yehl had a miraculous birth. His mother, a Tlingit woman, whose sons had all been slain, met a friendly dolphin, which advised her to swallow a pebble and a little sea-water. The birth of Yehl was the result. In his outh he shot a supernatural crane, and can always fly about in its eathers, like Odin and Loki in Scandinavian £ #: is usually, however, regarded as a raven, and holds, the same relation to men and the world as the eagle-hawk Pund-jel does in Australia. His great opponent (for the eternal dualism comes in) is Khanukh, who is a wolf, and the ancestor or totem of the wolf-race of men as Yehl is of the raven. The opposition between the Crow and Eagle-hawk in Australia will be remembered. Both animals or men or gods take part in creation. . Yehl is the Prometheus Purphoros of the Tlingits, but myths of the fire-stealer would form matter for a separate section. Yehl also stole water, in his bird-shape, exactly as Odin stole “Suttung's mead” when in the shape of an eagle." Yehl's powers of metamorphosis and of flying into the air are the common accomplishments of sorcerers, and he is a rather crude form of first father, “culture-hero” and creator.” Among the Karok Indians we find the great hero and divine benefactor in the shape of, not a raven, nor an eagle-hawk, nor a mantis insect, nor a spider, but a coyote. Among both Karok and Navaho the coyote is the £ Purphoros, or, as the Aryans of India call him, Matarisvan, the fire-stealer. Among the Papagos, on the eastern side of the Gulf of California, the coyote or rairie wolf is the creative hero and chief supernatural being. In regon the coyote is also the “demiurge,” but most of the myths about him refer to his creative exploits, and will be more appropriately treated in the next section. Moving up the Pacific coast to British Columbia, we find the musk-rat, taking the part played by Vishnu, when in his avatar as a boar he fished up the earth from the waters. Among the Tinneh a miraculous dog, who, like an enchanted fairy prince, could assume the form of a handsome young man, is the chief divine being of the myths. He too is chiefly a creative or demiurgic being, answering to Purusha in the Rig Veda. So far the peculiar mark of the wilder American tribe legends is the bestial character of the divine beings, which is also illustrated in Australia and Africa, while the bestial clothing, feathers or fur, drops but slowly off Indra, Zeus and the Egyptian Ammon, and the Scandinavian Odin. All these are more or £ anthropomorphic, but retain, as will be seen, numerous relics of a theriomorphic condition. See C. Hill-Tout and F. Boas in various publications, and, generally, the volumes of the Bureau of American Ethnology, Washington, U.S.A. For Ti-ra-wa, “the Ruler of the Universe,” also styled A-ti-us, “father,” among the Pawnees, see G. B. Grinnell, Pawnee Hero Stories (1893). Maori and Polynesian Beliefs.-Passing from the lower savage myths, of which space does not permit us to offer a larger selection, we turn to races in the upper strata of barbarism. Among these the Maoris of New Zealand, and the Polynesian people generally, are remarkable for a mythol largely intermixed with £ attempts at more , philosophical speculation. The Maoris and Mangaians, and other peoples, have had speculators among them not very far removed from the mental condition of the earliest Greek philosophers, Empedocles, Anaximander, and the rest. In fact the process from the view of nature which we call personalism to the crudest theories of the physicists was apparently begun in New Zealand before the arrival of Europeans. In Maori mythology it is more than usually difficult to keep apart the origin of the world and the origin and nature of the gods, Long traditional hymns give an account of the “becoming out of nothing” which resulted in the evolution of the gods and the world. In the beginning (as in the Greek myths of Uranus and Gaea), Heaven (Rangi, conceived of as a person) was indissolubly united to his wife Eart £ ), and between them they begat gods which necessarily dwelt, in darkness. These gods were some in vegetable, some in animal form; some traditions place among these gods Tiki, the demiurge, who (like Prometheus) made men out of clay. The offspring of Rangi and Papa (kept in the dark as they were) held a council to determine how they should treat their parents, “Shall we slay them, or shall we separate them?" In the Hesiodic fable, Cronus separates the heavenly pair # mutilating his oppressive father Uranus. Among the Maoris the god Tutenganahan cut the sinews which united Earth and Heaven, and Tane Mahuta wrenched them apart and kept, them eternally asunder. The new dynasty now ha earth to themselves, but Tawhiramatea, the wind, abode aloft with his father. Some of the gods were in the forms of lizards and fishes; some went to the land, some to the water. As among the gods and Asuras of the Vedas, there were many wars in the divine race, and as the incantations of the Indian Brahmanas are derived from those old experiences of the Vedic gods, so are the incantations of the Maoris. The gods of New Zealand, the greater gods at least, may be called “departmental"; each person who is an elementa force is also the god of that force. As Te Heu, a powerful chief, said, there is division of labour among men, and so there is among gods. "One made this, another that; Tane made trees, Ru mountains, Tanga-roa fish, and so forth.”.”. The "departmental" arrangement prevails among the polytheism of civilized peoples, [ocr errors] and is familiar to all from the Greek examples. Leaving the high # whose functions are so large, while their forms (as of lizard, sh and tree) are often so mean, we come to Maui, the great divine hero of the supernatural race in Polynesia. Maui in some respects answers to the chief of the Adityas in Vedic mythology; in others he answers to Qat, Quawteaht, and other savage divine personages. Like the son of the Vedic Aditi, Maui is a rejected and abortive child of his mother, but afterwards attains to the highest reputation. As Qat brought the hitherto unknown night, so Maui settled the sun and moon in their proper courses. He induced the sun to move orderly by giving him a violent beating. A similar feat was performed by the Sun-trapper, a famous Red Indian chief. £ tales belong properly to the department of solar myths. Maui himself is thought by E. B. Tylor to be a myth of the sun, but the sun could hardly give the sun a drubbing. Maui slew monsters, invented barbs for fish-hooks, frequently adopted the form of various birds, acted as Prometheus Purphoros the fire-stealer, drew a whole island # from the bottom of the deep; he was a great sorcerer and magician. ad Maui succeeded in his attempt to pass through the body of Night (considered as a woman) men would have n immortal. But a little bird which sings at sunset wakened Night, she snapped up Maui, and men die. This has been called a myth of sunset, but the sun does what Maui failed to do, he passes through the body of Night unharmed. The adventure is one of the myths of the origin of death, which are almost universally diffused. Maui, though regarded as a god, is not often addressed in prayer." The whole system, as far as it can be called a system, of Maori mythology is obviously based on the savage conceptions of the world which have already been explained. e Polynesian system differs '. in detail; we have the separation of heaven and earth, the animal-shaped gods, the fire-stealing, the exploits of Maui, and scores of minor myths in W. W. Gill's Myths and Songs of the South Pacific, in the researches of W. Ellis, of Williams, in G. Turner's Polynesia, and in many other accessible works. Mexican and Peruvian Beliefs—The Maoris and other Polynesian peoples are perhaps the best examples of a race which has risen far above the savagery of Bushmen and Australians, but has not yet arrived at the stage in which great centralized monarchies appear. The Mexican and Peruvian civilizations were far ahead of £i culture, in so far as they the elements of a much more settled and £ society. Their religion had its fine lucid intervals, but their mythol and ritual were little better than savage ideas, elaborately worked up by the imagination of a cruel and superstitious priesthood. In cruelty the Aztecs surpassed £ all peoples of the Old World, except certain Semitic stocks, and their gods, of course, surpassed almost all other gods in bloodthirstiness. But in grotesque and savage points of faith the ancient Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Vedic Indians ran even the Aztecs pretty close. Bernal Diaz, the old “conquistador,” has described the hideous aspect of the idols which Cortes destroyed, “idols in the shape of hideous dragons as big as calves,” idols half in the form of men, half of dogs, and serpents which were worshipped as divine. The old contemporary missionary Sahagun has left one of the earliest detailed accounts of the natures and myths of these gods, but, though Sahagun took great pains in collecting facts, his speculations must be accepted with caution. He was convinced (like Caxton in his Destruction of Troy, and like St Augustine) that the heathen gods were only dead men worshipped. Ancestor-worship is a great force in early religion, and the qualities of dead chiefs and sorcerers are freely attributed to gods, but it does not follow that each god was once a real man, as Sahagun supposes. Euemerism cannot be judiciously carried so far as this. Of Huitzilopochtli, the famed god, Sahagun says that he was a, necromancer, loved "shapeshifting,” like Odin, metamorphosed himself into animal forms, was miraculously conceived, and, among animals, is confused with the humming-bird, whose feathers adorned his statues."" This humming-bird god should be compared with the Roman Picus (Servius, ''' That the humming-bird (Nuitziton), which was the god's old shape, should become merely his attendant (like the owl of Pallas, the mouse of Apollo, the goose of Priapus, the cuckoo of Hera), when the god received £ form, is an example of a process common in all mythologies. Plutarch observes that the Greeks, though accustomed to the conceptions of the animal attendants of their own gods, were amazed when they found animals worshipped as gods by # Egyptians. Müller mentions the view that the humming-bird, as the most beautiful flying thing, is a £ symbol of the heaven, and so of the heaven-god, Huitzilopochtli. . This vein of symbolism is so easy to work that it must be regarded with distrust. Perhaps it is safer to attribute theriomorphic shapes of Rig Veda, x. 72, 1, 8; Muir, Sanskrit Texts, iv. 13, where the fable from #: Saipaiha-brahmāna is given. The best authorities for the New Zealand myths are the old traditional priestly hymns, collected and translated in the works of Sir George Grey, in Taylor's New Zealand, in Shortland's Traditions of New # in Bastian's Heilige Sage der Polynesier, and in White's Ancient History of the Maori, i. 8-13. See also Bancroft, iii. 288-290, and Acosta, pp. 352-361. * Geschichte der amerikanischen Urreligionen, p. 592. ' « ՆախորդըՇարունակել »
Based on various passages in the Bible, Christian tradition holds that there are many types of angels. According to Emanuel Swedenborg, if God did not create angels as a separate race, and humans become angels after they die, 1. Why are there different types of angels? 2. What kind of person becomes the highest ranking angel? 3. Does God decide who should become a seraph, cherub, and so on? How does God make the decision? For instance, Revelation 10 mentions a giant angel. I wonder who was this angel when he was a human. In line with his (Swedish) Lutheran roots, Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) gave little weight to the Christian traditions that had grown up over the centuries, including traditions about a hierarchy of angels. He considered the Bible itself to be the only valid authority for Christian doctrine throughout Christianity as a whole. As outlined in the question's linked Wikipedia article on the Christian angelic hierarchy, the idea of hierarchies of angels was originated by various Christian theologians over the centuries, and is based only loosely on the Bible. For example: • Though figures such as seraphim and cherubim do appear in the Bible, they are never identified as angels in the biblical text. • There is no biblical warrant for interpreting "thrones or powers or rulers or authorities" in Colossians 1:16 and elsewhere as referring to angelic beings, ranked or otherwise. • The Greek word commonly translated "archangel" simply means "lead messenger." The Bible never says anything about "archangels" as a separately created race or rank of angels. It merely implies through this term that some angels have higher authority or are more powerful than others, similar to leaders and followers among human beings. Swedenborg did, however, draw heavily on his (claimed) experiences in the spiritual world over the last twenty-seven years of his life in interpreting what the Bible means when it refers to angels and heavens. Based on his reading of the Bible and on his spiritual world experiences, Swedenborg stated that although there are higher and lower angels, there are no archangels, and no separate races of angels. Angels are higher or lower in heaven based on how fully they accept God (or Christ) into their lives. This is a function of how thoroughly, fully, and willingly they undergo the process of rebirth, or regeneration, through believing in God and following God's commandments during their lifetimes on earth. Swedenborg agreed with Paul (2 Corinthians 12:2) in saying that there are three heavens (see Heaven and Hell #29-40). These heavens are: • The central, highest, third, or "heavenly" (traditionally "celestial") heaven • The middle, second, or "spiritual" heaven • The outmost, lowest, first, or "natural" heaven The angels in the highest heaven are in that heaven because they receive God's love and truth directly into their hearts, or intentions, and act on it immediately and in complete innocence. They do not have to think about it and consider whether or not it is good and true. They trust in the Lord, and in everything that comes from the Lord, simply and completely--and they have a very clear and instantaneous perception of what does and does not come from the Lord. They are therefore the wisest and most powerful angels. However, at a distance they appear like little children because of their full innocence and trust in the Lord. (Compare Jesus' saying in Matthew 18:3: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.") These angels are the beating heart of heaven. The angels in the middle heaven are in that heaven because they receive God's love and truth in a more indirect and intellectual fashion. Before they act on some idea or feeling that enters their mind or heart, they must first think about it, examine it in their minds, research it further, and come to a rational conclusion that it is indeed good and true, and therefore from God, based on what they have learned. They are therefore less innocent and trusting in God, and more intellectual in their approach to life. These angels are the teachers and intellectual leaders of heaven. The angels in the lowest heaven are in that heaven because they are moved neither by a sense of God's love flowing directly into their hearts, nor by an intellectual understanding of God's truth flowing into their minds, but by simple obedience to what they are taught about God, faith, and right living. They have no particular interest in learning about spiritual things or growing in love and innocence as the higher angels do. However, they do believe in God and are willing to follow God's commandments as they are taught. These angels are the working class of heaven. In Swedenborg's system of angels, then, angels are higher and lower not based on some pre-created nature, but based on how fully and directly they accept God (or Christ) into their lives. This is a factor of how fully they were willing to go through a lifelong process of being born again, or regenerated, into the image and likeness of God during their lifetimes on earth. Here is a quote about higher and lower angels from one of Swedenborg's unpublished manuscripts, which was an unfinished explanation of the book of Revelation. (He later published a complete explanation of Revelation called Apocalypse Revealed) Unfortunately, the earlier manuscript is available in print only in a rather archaic translation: But by those angels that are mentioned in the Word, as "Michael" and "Raphael," administrations and functions are meant, and in general, limited and certain departments of the administration and function of all the angels. (Apocalypse Explained #735) In general, Swedenborg interprets the angels mentioned by name in the Bible, such as "Michael" and "Gabriel," not as individual angels, but as whole communities (or "societies") of angels dedicated to particular functions or jobs assigned to them by the Lord. These angelic communities may act through an emissary angel. It is also possible, Swedenborg says, for a whole community of angels to appear as a single powerful angel to human eyes. (A material-world parallel to this is the personification of whole nations as a single figure, such as the figure of "Uncle Sam" representing the USA.) Swedenborg interprets the mighty angel in Revelation 10:1 as being the Lord (Jesus Christ) himself filling an angel with his divine presence, similar to the angels who spoke for the Lord in various encounters with angels in the Old Testament, such as the three visitors to Abraham, Sarah, and Lot in Genesis 18-19. For Swedenborg's explanation of the mighty angel in Revelation 10:1, see Apocalypse Revealed #465. \| improve this answer \| \| Your Answer
The Makerspace movement has been sweeping through the education world over the last few years. Many images of these Makerspaces have been populating Pinterest and making appearances at conferences, but does everyone fully understand their purpose? Recently, Jennifer Gonzalez from The Cult of Pedagogy, shared a blog post and podcast called “What is the Point of a Makerspace?” In the post, Jennifer describes a lack of initial clarity with these spaces and their general purpose within education. Jennifer brings in a good friend and expert in Makerspaces, John Spencer, a former classroom teacher turned author and now online instructor of Project Based Learning, Design Thinking and Makerspaces. John gives a detailed explanation of the purpose of Makerspaces and the benefits these spaces have on student learning. How does a Makerspace look and function in different disciplines within education, what goes into a space and the management of the Makerspace. Most importantly, John takes a deep dive into how to start a Makerspace within your own classroom and beyond. To find out more details on their discussion and what are Makerspaces, head over to the article and podcast on The Cult of Pedagogy. About tosastalkingtech
How many lives is hospitalization saving in the pandemic? Do we have evidence that hospitalization of COVID19 patients is actually saving significant numbers of lives? I’ve now seen multiple studies suggesting that up to 80 or 90 percent of patients who end up on ventilators ultimately die. At this point, I guess there’s no way to know if the other 10 percent would have lived without the ventilators. From what I can tell, most other hospitalized patients are getting supplemental oxygen, IV fluids and antibiotics. I have not seen any evidence on the effectiveness of these treatments. Many of those patients live, but we don’t know whether they would have recovered without hospitalization. It would obviously be impossible to do a RCT on that at the moment. Answering the question about the efficacy of hospitalization would seem to be critical, though, since, as best I can tell, the main justification for shutting down society now is to prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed – especially the supply of ventilators. If our hospitals are overwhelmed, not only COVID19 patients, but others with treatable injuries/diseases might die. But if hospitalization is not actually saving COVID19 patients in large numbers, then all the costly social interventions we are implementing now are mostly just delaying the spread of infection. Still, I recognize that it’s possible that this delay could save lives in one of two ways (or maybe there are more I’m not thinking of?). 1. We use the time to get better at testing. Then, when we lift the social distancing measures in a month or two, we have the ability to quickly test and isolate infected individuals and their close contacts. Maybe we also have anti-body tests so we can avoid quarantining immune individuals. This keeps the rate of spread relatively low until we have better treatments or a vaccine for those who haven’t been infected yet. It’s possible that “at-risk” groups will have to stay isolated during this time until we get effective treatments/vaccine. I haven’t seen any estimates of how effective this kind of strategy might be – i.e., over a course of 18 months (the time to develop/deploy a vaccine) how many infections would this prevent? 2. We could keep the social distancing policies in place until we get a vaccine/treatment. But if estimates of 18+ months to a vaccine are correct, I suspect the economic costs will be too high to bear to wait it out this way. So this is probably not in the cards. If the number of lives we can save with #1 is relatively low (I have no idea what the number is), and if #2 is off the table, then we are really just delaying most deaths, at great social cost. It might be better to prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed by doing better triage for admission – especially to ICU beds and ventilators (what percent of people over age 75 survive after going on a ventilator?), and working on getting people other treatments (oxygen, etc.) at home. At a minimum, it seems like the intense energy and resources focused on ventilators now might be misplaced. For what it is worth, I’m not a skeptic of the current social distancing policies. I’m pretty sure I’d be doing all this and more if I were in charge. But I’d also be looking for evidence that what we are doing is the best course of action, given the massive costs. That is an email from a very smart person. To that tally we also must add the negative that hospitals often become a vector for the further spread of the virus. So what does the best evidence say here? We can't randomize covid patients who need hospitalization to either being hospitalized or not. This doesn't meet the standard of clinical equipoise. If this person is very smart, they can find the evidence themselves. If the current processes are trying to save people, we can evaluate them by their outcomes. So if those who have been identified as needing ventilators are dying after being put on ventilators, that should adjust how strongly we believe ventilators will help. If they are not really helping now should we expect that trend to continue in a regime of more ventilators? That's probably one of the most important questions of the current crisis because the working assumption has been that expanding hospital and ventilator capacity will be effective and we should shut the economy down so that we can expand the capacity. If that's not true, then lots of resources are being wasted. This exact criticism could be applied to any deadly disease. Lung cancer is a death notice but we still treat those who have it and after six months or so they die. Some who choose to not take the expensive and uncomfortable treatment also die after six months. So why even have hospitals??? Good point. We should distinguish between palliative care (which is what we have for most terminal deceases) and "regular" care (which at least aims at recovery). So the question is: what sort of palliative care is available for covid19? I don't know if adding a respirator actually improves the quality of remaining life - it might actually worsen it. So I think the conversation is still worth it. The main problem it seems is that we cannot clearly define which cases of covid19 are terminal and which are not. In that case, our only option is to assume they all can recover and eat the costs... Non-invasive ventilation using a CPAP or BiPap machine with a strap-on mask + Oxygen would be more pleasant palliative/hospice care for a Coronavirus patient than having a tube stuck down their throat - I am sure they would be more likely to die though. I am not a doctor - just a CPAP user for sleep apnea. CPAPs and BiPaps can still be had for $200 om craigslist btw - picked up an extra one just in case hospitals get overloaded and a family member gets covid and can't get in. the Death conversation needs to shift perspectives...fear based ethics and science in past 70 years has left us hanging onto the inevitable moral and economic cliff. Death is not something to be afraid except for the people involved. Medical intervention that pumps you up with with life saving methods is what needs a new perspective Take a look at traditional civilizations, people lived long lives in many societies. Healthy rituals and ceremonies are missing. Healthcare has lost its way. Is this how you want to leave your body? I'm not sure it's a critique of all disease treatments, but it is how one should begin to analyze treatments (especially if no RCT is available). If the treatment is ineffective, it shouldn't be performed. How is that even controversial? If it's only effective for a small percentage of patients, applying the same treatment to all probably doesn't pass a cost-benefit test. Also, in the lung cancer case (for someone with private coverage), it is that person's dollars (plus those others who have freely chosen that insurance) going to the treatment. I doubt these numbers are true, but let's assume they are - only 10% of people who require a ventilator survive. And let's say we have enough observational data to accurately predict which patients would make up that 10%. How would you implement that into actual policy? 1) Would you be willing to tell society that based on best evidence, only people with/without variables A,B...C would be allowed to receive full life-sustaining therapy? 2) Do you think society would accept this policy, no matter how finely the message was crafted? 3) If you were included in the population that was deemed "low priority" b/c you have medical condition X (or are older than age Y), would you accept this protocol if you became ill? 4) If you were critically ill and the only way to survive, even for just a few days, was to go on a ventilator, would you say, oh not me? As a palliative care physician who treats adults and children, I can say without a doubt that most people who have not been critically ill or seriously-ill for a prolonged period of time, would not be willing to do so. As ANON points out, people with terminal cancer continue to seek therapy, even when their own oncologists recommend against it. Families with patients on ventilators (non-COVID) choose to not withdraw care, even when medical providers explain there is no possibility of recovery. So, unless our social and cultural mores drastically change over the next couple of weeks, and US society at large becomes willing to accept federal dictates about who can and can't receive life-sustaining therapy, this line of questioning seems silly to me. If 10% of people survive, everyone is going to think they should be given a shot of being those 1 in 10. 1) yes 2) yes 3) probably not, but that's why it probably shouldn't be left up to the patient who has nothing to lose 4) what do those few days cost me and those I am leaving behind? "people with terminal cancer continue to seek therapy, even when their own oncologists recommend against it. Families with patients on ventilators (non-COVID) choose to not withdraw care, even when medical providers explain there is no possibility of recovery." Well, how much are all these decisions costing other people. I get people want to hold on to hope, but maybe when the costs on others is excessive, the patient or her family shouldn't have a large say in the decision. Many people would agree with you that perhaps pts/families should not be the ones deciding. I think I would fall into that camp. But I totally disagree that US society would all of a sudden be ok with "experts" telling them what they can and cannot receive bc of statistics. If you disagree with that, I would like to know a) what makes u convinced people would accept a national rationing policy, and 2) what would your message be? If u were DJTs speech writer, and he actually stuck to your script, what would you have him say? It's not what's right or wrong, it's about what's politically feasible. Americans, for better and for worse, is a hyper individualistic society. You think you could convince a 50yo affluent small business owner with hypertension, who has 2 kids, that they should forgoe life-sustaining therapy so that an unemployed 25yo with no children can receive tx? Our experiences in expanding Medicaid seem to say otherwise. Crap... Misread the question...that's what happened on my macro comp. I will say that we have a lot of people sheltering in place on the advice of experts. Maybe now's the time to go for it. Death panels! Death panels! I'm 74, active ,and have no underlying conditions.. GUESS what I want for myself? Alex Berenson is saying similar things "main justification for shutting down society now is to prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed" is wrong. We are shutting down society to lower the number of cases to a level where we can feasibly monitor/trace/etc. individual cases to keep R<1. If not, we will have Npd deaths, where N is population, p is the herd immunity level (which just means enough people are immune that R<1 naturally) and d is the death rate. At p=.7 and d=.005 (probably on the low end), we have 1.15 million US deaths. To say nothing of millions more with permanent lung damage. That's slightly more than the US per capita death total in all 4 years of US involvement in WW2. We clearly are not going to let that happen. We know from Taiwan and Korea and others that it possible to keep deaths low with test and trace without massive distancing. It is very labor intensive, and can't realistically be done with 100000s of cases. With hundreds of cases and quick testing, we now have many examples of it working. That is to say, there is not only no tradeoff between getting the economy back and the social distancing we are doing now, but the social distancing we are doing and the ability to keep deaths low a month from now with much less severe policies are complements, not substitutes. Way to move the goalposts. The entire justification for the lockdown was to #flattenthecurve. No one knows if contact tracing scales to non island nations. We did not shutdown the economy of the world for your science experiment. We shut it down since the medical establishment and the media scared the populace that hospitals would be overwhelmed and the costs would be ‘dire’. We should have questioned the ‘experts’. By the time you finish questioning the experts, the virus would have decimated the country. Innumerate statement. +1, more accurate Centimated is probably a worst case scenario. 3 million dead, 2/3rds of them over 60. To be clear I'm not really picking sides in this debate. There's not enough good information to swing my opinion one way or the other. There's probably a good case to be made for true lock downs in the hardest hit areas. I'm not sure half assed lock downs for 2/3rds of the country make sense. But they might be better than doing nothing, or they might be a lot worse. I do know that within 4-6 weeks, your median person will be ignoring lock down orders on a routine basis through sheer boredom and being broke. So, we'd better pick our starting week carefully. Just look at Northern Italy. The US is on par or even a worse path currently. With inaction hospitals will be overwhelmed for sure. Bergamo had 4-5 times above the average amount of deaths, but only 30% due to covid19. The rest where other causes / illnesses, which could not be treated as usual (due to overload of the health system with covid19 patients). If you let this run, good look. You will not save the economy, as mid term, much drastic measures will be needed, as the public will not tolerate the amounts of victims. You can't assume that the remaining 70% in Bergamo were all due to other causes or illnesses. Probably most of those were also COVID-19, but there wasn't any time to test them, and not much point in doing so after they died. Oddly enough, apparently the Italians are testing everyone who dies with respiratory symptoms to have a precise number of those with covid19. This might be because the Italians have been cremating such dead for a couple of weeks at this point. This contrasts with the Germans, who are not spending any effort on testing the dead, as they believe that if testing is necessary, they can dig up the bodies for samples. That was information from just a couple of days ago - it may not be accurate today. I have had a biopsy postponed because of COVID-19. I had an MRI postpone due to COVID-19. Is there a place with data on the progression of coronavirus in Lombardia, and not Italy as a whole? "The US is on par or even a worse path currently." Maybe in # of cases but since Italy's rapid rise they have had a pretty steady 10% death rate (currently a little higher) and the US is between 2-3%. Death lag infections by 2 to 3 weeks. You can not compare the current death rates to Italy. The US will very likely exceed the Italy death rates in 2 to 3 weeks. And the next time a duck farmer in India sneezes…we do this all again? But with bravado! After all, Trump did not close the borders soon enough! We did not go into lockdowns soon enough! Halt commerce prophylactically or be accused of negligent mass manslaughter! I understand hysteria. But hysteria as institutionalized policy? See post 9/11. Because Americans are hysterical. Asians are clinical. They did the job necessary to contain the pandemic without shutting down their economy. Western leaders have a lot to learn. S.Korea, Taiwan, HK, had experience with SARS and other recent epidemics, therefore have built systems that allowed a more rapid & robust response. Also S.Korea, for example, has imposed tracking, quarantine and penalties that would likely to be found unconstitutional in the US. The dichotomy is not "clinical" vs "hysterical". Should the US prepare for every improbable contingency in advance ? That is a formula for a failed economy too. Pestilence, war and famine brought down the Qing Dynasty. Chernobyl and oil price wars brought down the USSR. You don't have to prepare for every possible contingency. Just the ones that will bring down your society :-) Not at all, clinic requires data or what's the buzxward now "data-driven decision making". Your cherry picked darlings simply got lucky compounded by positive factors in this case, i.e. Western medicine level, small population, authoritarian governments, easily isolateable terrain, and docile fearful citizens. Get back to me when we see how Mongolia and Burma handle it once it starts to community spread or the easy Asian counterexample, Iran. otoh so far it looks like South Korea has probly had the most effective response to a viral pandemic in the history of viral pandemics. in the future it will be studied & copied The data is whatever they collected during the SARS epidemic and the lived experience of seeing it destroy their communities. The West should have learned from this but apparently did not. There probably are 100000s cases right now in the US, if not millions. The hope is then that lockdown can reduce this number over time to something which is manageable to track and trace. But this will need lots of time for existing cases to recover and stop transmission, plus ongoing large scale testing probably well beyond SK, and lots of surveillance. Although that said, breaking news (2 hour) - "Singapore to close most workplaces except for essential services and key economic sectors in "circuit breaker" move to curb spread of #COVID19 spread, says PM Lee " Aka "If you're not a 'key worker', house arrest for you' comes to Sing. Welp, maybe "Competent East Asian authoritarian technocratic track and trace" (paraphrasing MR admirers of 'efficient' pro-business authoritarianism) isn't really such and alternative to lockdown after all, and we need a new model for what comes after the the next two months... First, we need to get to the point where the disease is not spreading before talking about the next couple of months. Singapore clearly wants to do everything possible to avoid turning into Italy or Germany or South Korea, which had 86 new cases today, according to If you read Robin Hanson's post to which Tyler linked today, or just look at the effects of total lock down re slowing the virus, it appears it's correct to say that lock down is an alternative, but "effective"? Immunity level is way too low. At equilibrium the ratio is about 40 immune to 1 infected, assuming we all see the virus eventually. An immunity level of .98 is better. This is seasonal immunity vs two week incubation. And they expect immunity to last more than one season for many. How does Immunity level relate to the equilibrium ratio? Just realized that I do not know. Sorry A Fine Theorem, the whole justification (as others have pointed out) of all this social distancing was to "flatten the curve" so that hospitals wouldn't be overwhelmed. It was explicitly a mitigation (not a suppression) strategy. The worry about suppression is whether there will be a resurgence (like in the Spanish flu case). If you want to make the case for suppression, go ahead, but social distancing has always been about flattening the curve. Test and trace was never sufficient (though it does has its place). Singapore is shutting down offices, and South Korea has had its schools shut down for a month and (though there has been no massive government ordered closures) there have been reports of drastic reduction in economic activity due to people staying home ( You must also consider what the excess deaths from the disease is. How many of the people who will die would have died in the next year or two anyway? I've pointed this out several times, but this basic concept (thinking at the margin) seems to have alluded many people. Regarding the point of the email to Tyler, it seems a lot of resources are currently going into how to increase ventilator production. IF people who are put on ventilators are going to die anyway, we should rethink diverting resources away from that towards more productive uses. Great question. One of the many questions (eg: life expectancy of those saved) that has to be asked and should have been asked before starting this policy. Another question is: Do we have evidence that hospitalization of COVID19 patients will actually end up costing significant numbers of lives? And could this cost actually be higher than the benefit in terms of QALY? For example if you save an elderly COVID-19 patient now but lose a middle-aged person a year from now because chemotherapy and "elective" tumor removal surgery are now interrupted. By the time you set up a 5000 bed hospital like in Madrid, the entire point is to keep the infected in one place. It also makes it much easier to deal with those who die in an efficient fashion. +1 to Lukas since back in Jan/Feb many fringe sites and rumors were saying the Wuhan field hospitals were just death camps. Keep them all in one place so they don't become vectors for infection elsewhere. Harsh but true. Bonus trivia: I think the de facto effect of "flatten the curve" will be to kill off the poor rather than the rich. After all, the rich like 1% me can afford home delivery, servants to cater to their needs (I have some now!), and a sheltered life in the countryside away from the maddening crowds (ditto for me)... speaking of maddening crowds, "28 Days Later" was a good movie, saw it the other day, and not scary either (I hate scary movies with fake blood, and this coming from a guy who slaughters farm animals) A frequent literary faux pas: From Wikipedia: Hardy took the title from Thomas Gray's poem "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" (1751): Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife Their sober wishes never learn'd to stray; Along the cool sequester'd vale of life They kept the noiseless tenor of their way. "Madding" here means "frenzied".[5], or, actually, "maddening". I love it when a blowhard makes an elementary mistake and is taken down a peg. Good on you, Chuck Don't celebrate too quickly. It was a mere typo. Even geniuses like me ocassionally make typos. Are you testing your servants for COVID-19? Bingo plus an increase in causes of death from bored people watched Netflix 18 hours a day for months. Alcohol and recreational drug sales are through the roof, my guess is pulmonary embolisms going to skyrocket, and ditto both maternal deaths and abortions. Wouldn't be surprised in the aggravate we lose more lives from secondary causes that had we did nothing. My understanding is that hospitalization is primarily for patients who need supplemental oxygen (not a ventilator). This is quite important. Aren't there portable oxygen devices that can be used at home? Yes, but isolation is currently the only way to stop the spread of the pandemoc. It is much easier to have all the contagious people in one place than to attempt to support them spread out everywhere. Isn’t it also to prevent people who are sick who then go to the ER? Those people have to be tested and that takes time and manpower. Lowering those numbers helps relieve the burden on the hospitals as well. Also, is it really true they’re only admitting patients who need ventilators? And even if only 80-90% are dying, that still means there are patients who recover after being admitted and does anyone know if they would have lived without being admitted? There are stages depending on disease severity/progression, something the person seems unaware of. A number of around 10% of confirmed infected persons need medical care, keeping a fever under control, being fed, being isolated until no longer contagious, etc. The number requiring any sort of breathing assistance is considerably less, though the disease can cause severe breathing problems. Such people are the ones that are truly hospitalised. Depending on age, and the state of the health care system, if they are over 80 or have other condition, it has been 10 days or more since such people have been provided breathing assistance in Lombardia. Grimly, the death rate of those put on ventilators in Italy has probably decreased at this point, due to that simple fact alone. And the French still seem to believe that it is worthwhile to keep 30-50 year olds on ventilators, as they send them to Germany or use a special TGV to send them to Bretagne. Seems like this message has been lost in the shuffle. You should spread the word to GM before they become a ventilator manufacturer. Well put.. great questions. But if it were my mom or my wife or my son or my daughter or my sister or my brother??? Screw dad... haha, j/k. Per American society, I seem to have forgotten dad. My kid would be sad for a month or two. We’ll need to see more data. The Seattle article in NEJM suggests that at least 33% will live. While China did better in many ways, generally critical care is better in the US. I'd add the following way a delay could save lives: 3. We get sufficiently many surgical masks / convince people to make their own, so that when the lockdowns are lifted the vast majority of people can wear masks everywhere. I've read that a major benefit of masks is that they help protect everyone else from the wearer (more so than the other way 'round). If the vast majority can be persuaded to wear masks everywhere, transmission rates might be lowered. I also heard that Czechia is trying this strategy, so in a few months we'll see if it is effective. This is the dismal science I signed up for! Dismal pseudo-science. Yeah...Dismal Pseudo-Science. Or Pseudo-dismal science? Also, while vaccines will indeed be 12+ months away, April will see a lot of results of pharmacotherapy clinical trials and possibly more data on convalescent plasma. Those we could ramp up quicker. Yes, in Bale they are already testing this, to see how effective it is. The ratio is reported to be two convalescent patients are required for one infected patient. No results have been reported yet, but the testing is being expanded to other Swiss medical centers capable of doing such treatment. If immunity lets you work and earn, this might backfire. You'll see people infecting themselves hoping for a mild illness. Maybe even antibody doping to cheat the test by buying plasma from a recovered person. Isn't "antibody doping" a way to _actually_ create immunity? (I am less enthusiastic about self-infection but at least it's conscious and calculated risk.) Yes and the "libertarian solution" is to either transfuse sanitized blood with antigens into your body, or practice variolation by infecting yourself with Covid-19 virus, and then being "immune" to the disease and offering your services to society at a premium. Solve for the equilibrium, perhaps some company will figure this out, and with government approval (ha) market this to people? Transfusing blood from those with antibodies is a method to fight an infection by pumping up the level of antibodies quicker than your own body is capable of. Adding antibodies to your blood does not train your immune system to make those antibodies, however. So a transfusion from a person who is immune does not "teach" the recipient's body immunity. It's a short term measure to help fight the infection. Pulmonary/Critical Care doctor here. That is an absurdly high mortality for ARDS and also, from my so far limited but growing experience, for this disease. Hospitalization and medical intervention so obviously saves lives that any randomized trial would be unethical. Medical intervention in the ICU is so obviously life-saving, that when we withdraw it, say because the patient or family requests it, death usually follows in minutes to hours. COVID-19 is not that much different from other diseases that we routinely deal with. Overwhelming the medical system will rapidly increase mortality though. The data to back this up will come from the post hoc analysis of the case fatality rate under different care regimes (early, overwhelmed, controlled) Here are some numbers from the UK Of 165 patients admitted to ICUs, 79 (48%) died. Of the 98 patients who received advanced respiratory support—defined as invasive ventilation, BPAP or CPAP via endotracheal tube, or tracheostomy, or extracorporeal respiratory support—66% died. I think In Wuhan, the statistics were worse. What about the patients with covid who aren't admitted to the ICU? What are their mortality rates? First of all, you're assuming that ICU=being on a ventilator. There is more that goes on in an ICU than that. Those who go onto a ventilator are some fraction of those in the hospital receiving something ranging from supportive care (without which they would have a significant mortality) to experiment medications to routine breathing treatments/supplemental oxygen, and so on. To answer your question (which properly phrased would be, "What is the fatality rate for patients so sick they need to be hospitalized, but who don't end up on a ventilator?"): Much, much lower than 80-90%, and much, much lower than 66%. Here at Marginal Revolution, the smart folks seem oddly unable to understand the nuances of illness. Thanks for the data you provided, which can take this discussion forward and provides information useful for policy formulation. Not treating a disorder that in normal times is highly treatable seems wrong... but if there were instead a time limit, i.e. after 1 day or 10 days, 20 etc that mortality increased I could see that being not only effective but ethical. Is there any indication that the studies have done any time sensitivity analysis? Why would we need to wash our hands, obviously from our observation people are dying from something else. A randomized trial of hand washing is absurd. Yes, as being on a ventilator is the last stage of being hospitalized. Keeping a fever under control, for example, is no less important with this infection than with any other. Maybe such treatment is not hospitalization for this person, but it is certainly medical care. And the main justification for shutting down society now is to prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed has to include how to handle 100,000 pandemic victims in the span of a few months. This may not be what most people consider the health care system, but morgues are also part of the total chain. It is odd that the one country which has been fairly successful (up to now) at keeping deaths low is using extensive hospitalization for those sick enough to require it. The difficulty in making such judgments about hospitalization is the age profile - many young people put on ventilators do end up recovering, whereas many old people won't. The pandemic is basically compressing years worth of fatalities into a short time frame. That is what the health care system needs to deal with, along with thousands and thousands of contagious patients needing to be isolated while not able to care for themselves, a number that seems to be an order of magnitude higher than those put on ventilators. A number made up of a majority of those under 50 or so everywhere with a major outbreak. The giant 1000+ bed hospitals set up in conference centers in various European capitals do not appear to have ventilators, they are simply designed to keep people isolated (in the center, not from each other) from further spreading the disease and from dying due to a lack of basic medical care. The pandemic is basically compressing year worth of fatalities into a short time frame. Fixed that for you. And that is, by far, the upper case of estimates. Likely much lower. You are welcome. Reported death rate in several EU countries from 2016 - At the opposite end of the scale, the lowest death rate across the EU Member States was recorded in Spain (829 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants), ahead of France (838), Italy (843), Malta (882), Luxembourg (905) and Sweden (913). Current death rate from covid19 alone in 4 weeks or so from worldometer - Spain - 22.1/deaths per 100 000 inhabitants Italy - 23/deaths per 100 000 inhabitants A total that rises every day. And weren't you one of the ones claiming just a week or two or so ago how Spain and Italy had clearly peaked? One certainly assumes as stricter public health measures are followed in both countries, the number of newly infected and dead will decline - cause and effect does actually have an impact on how a virus spreads though a population. I was one of those, and it does look like they have cleared peak. Italy is still on course to have more deaths than a bad flu season, but it doesn't look (at the moment) as if it will be more than twice as many. To justify the policy response, the "natural" progression of the disease would have to be significantly worse than that (given the costs we undoubtedly will suffer in terms of number of deaths from impoverishment). The stock response is, "yes, but without the extreme measures Italy took, it would have been MUCH worse." I have yet to see the evidence for this. Robin Hanson has suggested that these extreme measures are so leaky that they don't really have a significant effect on the spread of the virus (it slows down a bit, but, ultimately, most people who would have gotten infected anyway will get infected). The question of whether "the cure is worse than the disease" is far from a stupid question. Using the above data, about 2.27 people out of 100,000 die each day in Spain. Though there is an overlap we will ignore it. The cases designated in Spain as caused by covif19 has been a total of 9,000 in two weeks, so let us be a bit sloppy, and use 20 deaths per 100,000. In that two weeks, 1.4 people per 100,000 per day has died from covid19. Do you reasonably expect that the current death rate in Spain has dropped to .8 people per 100,000 per day? I expect the IFR to be less than 0.9 percent. Further I expect less than 100% of the population to get the disease. The normal fatality rate of the population in on the order of 0.9 percent per year. -all ventilator treatment is not equal -while patients are being ventilated they are also receiving other treatment along with the mechanical ventilation the listed studies don't detail the other medical treatments given to the ventilated patients -this is part is sorta important this email from the very smart person says in the context of a viral pandemic/full hospitals we would bet bigly that not too many patients are being admitted to the hospital unless it is necessary. respiratory failure/death happens very quickly. if anything we need to guard against not admitting patients who need hospitalization After a shamefully slow start, Australia appears to be on track to contain the virus. However, the numbers do jump around a bit, so it's not possible to be certain. Assuming the trend is correct it will mostly be contained in a month and deaths will hopefully be below 200. So in a month or two restrictions can be eased but vigilance will have to be maintained due to the possibility of new outbreaks. The odds are good there will be an effective vaccine in sufficient quantities for mass use in 15+ months which will bring the crisis to a close. If we hadn't shown such incompetence at the start our death toll wouldn't be so high and the economic costs would be less as it would have taken less time to contain the virus and we could have kept some geographic regions virus free. But, given that we're idiots, that's how the economic cost of COVID-19 is limited. Containment. Elimination. Vigilance. There's no better alternative. Having visited Australia once (Sydney and Melbourne) if any country can practice "social distancing" it has to be Australia, which, with the exception of the two cities above, seems to me to be sparsely populated and at the far end of the world. I got the same impression when I lived in Arizona. Nice places to visit though. Cheery-o mate (they need to do another Crocodile Dundee movie, updated somehow, sure some script writer has written one). Bonus trivia: looking at new cases at the John Hopkins site for Australia,, indeed they seem to have peaked, unless this is measurement error in that, like in the USA, the number of new cases depends on the number of tests being conducted (since tests are limited to only sick people due to supply constraints). Crikey mate, there is no way Australia will have below 200 deaths. Yeah, that's probably way too optimistic. Realistically we would need majorly improved treatments to pull that off. Australia will easily have less than 200 deaths, if indeed they have passed the peak as the John Hopkins statistics say. Covid-19 has a 2.5% death rate, extrapolate to 7k cases and do the math. They only have 28 deaths and they've already passed the peak. Bonus trivia: Australia has the most violent crime rate of all OECD countries. When I was there, there was an undercurrent of menace. Saw a woman with a bloody nose and a pram, probably a domestic violence case. There were Lebanese riots in Sydney about the same time I visited. Possibly the convict roots of the native Australians showing? Good looking girls though, which they call "Sheilas" in their native slang. Today's figures are pretty good, so maybe we can keep it to under 200 deaths. But other countries have had temporary improvements which haven't panned out, so we may not be that fortunate. It also remains to be seen how deadly it will turn out to be here. But, yeah, I'll cross my fingers and hope for under 200 deaths. (Or should I be social distancing those fingers?) i think it is too hard with limited data to answer these questions in real time. Is it worth it ? How many lives saved ? how many years of life saved, how effective are the treatments. How costly is a shutdown ? How many other excess deaths are incurred from this shutdown ? What is the cost benefit? By the time we can offer an answer, we have chosen a course of action lest we shall be seen as indecisive. After that it’s hard to change course. Any politician doing the cost benefit calculus with lives on one side, will be accused of being callous and sociopathic. As a result, we err too much on the side of let’s do all we can to save these people and we’ll figure out all later. later , the touted answer will probably be : without the shutdown , 2 M would have died but the true answer might not be forthcoming for many years. Undoubtedly lives will be saved. Lives would be saved if we all stopped driving but we choose not to. I think poorer countries have an easier choice , daily life is precarious for many citizens and the extra risk from Covid isn’t worth making life even more precarious with a serious disturbance of. economic life Arrogance is too mild a word for one who assumes that life is less important for a poor person than for himself. Or lack of real life experience. Nobody has ever claimed that eugenicists are humble. Irrelevant straw man. It’s not life that’s less important to a poor person in a poor country. . It’s Covid-19 and its exaggerated risks. It pales vs other risks they routinely face. In Africa they call it the “ white man virus “. We all manage risk in our lives and to a poor person in a poor country, Covid is hardly a bigger threat than lack of income needed for daily survival. See the daily laborers in India now deprived of income. Please, surely you're not one of those poor people advocates like they have in the US/UK? So you propose infecting us 1% so some ignorant daily laborer can continue to make their minimum wage? There has to be a better solution, like a 30 day lockdown across the USA to flatten the curve to South Korean levels, then test test test. For the poor, you can have drone-delivered bread and soup lines. Ray, the curve was at the South Korean level at the beginning, we let it run away. What will be different next time ? Will the infected running around by May 1st be manageable/traceable or will it be another mess with more quarantines? what's the endgame ? Lots of smart ppl say and think stupid things. Even fucking China was forced to shut down an entire province. Maybe Smarty is missing some important data. Or maybe he's worried about his portfolio. But he's miles off the mark. This is the same ignoramus bullshit that caused this mess in the first place Not really ignorant lower-case jim. Let me educate you. Italy tried "total lockdown" and if you do the math you get 528 Italians per infected Covid-19 person, while Singapore tried "partial lockdown then business as usual" and has 5433 citizens/infected (10 times better, higher is better). Do the math yourself. Which country is better off? Singapore. And they're closer to China than Italy, and presumably also had daily flights to China (though perhaps not like Milan to Wuhan). After three weeks here, the grocery stores are getting slow. Mortgages and rents, and a couple weeks of grocery purchases and people are starting to get very tight with money, either because it ran out, or they are seeing that it is going to have to last till the middle of May at the earliest. There is the beginnings of an underground service economy starting to be established. People needing services and people needing money. I watched a public health official check a grocery store the other day. They are limiting the number of people in the store, making sure there are hand cleaners everywhere, making sure there are marks on the floors to keep people separated, and making sure that the signage for all this is made of materials that keep the virus active for 3 days. Because if there is one people do with fine signage, it is run there bare hands over it. And just wait until you learn how the virus lives on all surfaces, including the item you just picked from the shelf and will bring home. @ Fine Corinthian signage - you're almost as ignorant as lowercase jim above, see how I kept him in their lower class place. FYI the C-19 virus lives on plastic, like Rich Corinthian Leather, only for a few days (paper only a few hours). So if you wash your hands there's nary a risk in catching the disease say the experts. And you do trust the experts don't ya? Bonus trivia: Rich Corinthian Leather...what a classic marketing phrase that was. Who here is old enough to remember? Da plane, da plane! And surprisingly affordable. That economy has always existed. Those that have been members in the past will have a leg up on the newcomers. It appears that the incredibly complex society that now dominates most of North America may well be unable to persist in the face of multiple challenges. The most inventive humans will take advantage of the situation to not only survive but prosper. The longer the elites fail to come to grips, the more likely dramatic changes will occur. We have medical experts in charge of this. Their bias is to talk in terms of people cured, of lives saved, period. None of them will do a cost benefit analysis and say : how many lives saved for what economic cost.? Economists do this but they’re not in charge of pandemic response. Do you honestly think medical experts are in charge in Italy or Spain? Or that at this point, they are talking about people cured and lives saved, as separate from stopping the ongoing spread of a pandemic? I would have said "great social and economic cost." And even so, there is an abyss, a chasm and a gulf between people who are thrown out of work, and the relatively protected class that is making public policy and commenting on it. If a vaccine is 18 months away and perhaps two years, then I say we voluntarily sequester old people and and the rest of us run the gauntlet. By the way, I am 65. Public policy is not always what you want to do, sometimes it is what you have to do. Weren't you in your 50's last week? I’m confused by this...being put on a ventilator isn’t the only treatment these patients are getting right? What about the patients who receive other treatments and recover? These patients are certainly taking up beds and other valuable medical equipment. I somehow don't trust these P(death\|ventilator) numbers. Because the decision to put someone on a ventilator is based on different criteria in each case and is dependent on the situation in the particular hospital/city/country. Nobody over 80 has been put on a ventilator since March 21 at one major Strasbourg hospital, according to various media reports. Death rate from such cases? 100% of course. Likely increasing the survival chances of the people (under 40 years old and no pre-existing conditions, of which there are now hundreds in ICU in France) still being put on ventilators, or being transported to regions where ventilators are still available. The worldometer number that is useful is the in the overview - which in France is 6,399 (15%) in serious or critical condition, a percentage that seems quite constant over all countries with tens of thousands of cases in Europe. And at least in Strasbourg, a number that basically includes no one over 80. They are in another category, and it is very rarely recovered/discharged. Smartest blog post I read here in a long time But in a couple of weeks, the sheer ignorance of the actual effects of the disease on patients and how they are treated will be plain, and no one will remember this. +1. If people here scanned back through the last two months of MR posts, and comments, about this pandemic, they would read a lot that they would like to forget. Like today's post and most of the the comments. From my experience here, most people will pull-a-Sumner and claim their words in the past actually mean something else. The Tyler Cowen Progress Studies Prize in Straussian Historical Interpretation Anyone remember Tyler's initial soothing post about the Chinese Virus (as it was known at the time... back when you were racist for being concerned about it)? He basically said "the good thing is, it only seems to be killing the elderly." Well now -- that fact is still true. Even more true, actually. But you won't find him soothing anyone with this truth any more. Not when there are political motivations to suppress it. Part of the answer is viral load. If we just let it spread and did nothing, the proportion of people who would die would be much higher than with periods of social distancing. With high viral load a healthy 40 year old will have a profile of a 70 year old. 60 somethings who used public transit everyday and went to crowded places would die in high quantities due to the high viral load they get from everyone. Second the doctors and nurses would get it and our healthcare system wouldn’t function. And a huge number of people would die. The providers would truly be at risk, because they’re exposed to highest viral load. And even if you are callous and don’t care too much about their lives, training new RNs and MDs takes enough time that we would go several years without a functioning healthcare system. Mortality would skyrocket that’s what happened initially in Wuhan). Remember that without social distancing the demand for PPE would be much greater leading to even more vulnerable medical providers. Third, what someone above said: lots of super ill patients who cannot care for themselves until they somewhat recover. They’re not in the ICU. But without a hospital, they’d die. Anyone who is put on a ventilator would die if they weren’t. (My parents are doctors, and they don’t have any doubts about this). How many would eventually die if they were? Which is why no one over 80 is being put on a ventilator in Strasbourg, they are being used to keep those more likely to recover alive. Our artificial suppression of R is measurable but still insignificant. In NYC we are near equilibrium, heading into the downward phase of the tall sharp spike. This all happened before our debate even started. It is chaos in the hospitals, unmeasurable chaos. It will be chaos in the remaining large second tier cities starting almost tomorrow. Nature is mostly driving R down, hospitals are paying a huge price in chaos. Watch the numbers tested and numbers confirmed in California. That number has been holding for a few days at about 15%. Same as NYC. Already our immunity levels ill be .85, day after tomorrow, or the day following, in NYC. In two weeks, California's immunity level will be .85, and NYC closer to .65. The numbers are biased toward the symptomatic, but over the days testing becomes more random and widespread, not less. That number should increase in accuracy. But equilibrium is coming to a town near you. You say the numbers are biased toward the symptomatic, but aren't they so biased to be useless for determining general population immunity? The best analogy for death and hospitalization is the Civil War. Next week all 20 of the second tier cities will be facing a triage level akin to being in the thick of the Civil War. It will be over in a quarter, and then what remains are some skirmishes in the suburbs. If you live in Wyoming, lucky you, your environment is sparse, R is small to begin with. It will take over a year to equilibriate Wyoming and Montana, sparse outbreaks in the small towns here and there. And the pandemic industry will be all scaled up for the rural states, treatments a lot cheaper. 'In NYC we are near equilibrium' Keep telling yourself that for the next few weeks, it might be comforting. Prior_approval, ladies and gentlemen. Misanthropy personified Also, hey Ken, remember when you went full ad hominem to defend this shit? This is you. Good times. Someone who believes that even the skeptical cannot deny reality eternally. NYC is not even close to the peak of its pandemic, but why trust projections concerning NY, considering the variations - "As for New York, the worst days are near. Deaths per day are predicted to max out on April 10, according to UW scientists; Gov. Andrew Cuomo predicts deaths peaking at the end of the month." But don't stop making a catastrophic situation fit into whatever personal dramas seem to be constantly playing out in your head. Deaths lag diagnoses which lag new infections. The time lag is significant. In a sophisticated forum like this, you'd think people would say which "peak" they are talking about. We need to isolate the Covid-19 patients from other patients and everyone else. We need separate hospitals, in the UK they are converting exhibition centres into huge covid-19 hospitals. Until you can test everyone and particular the suspecting people who have covid-19 it's impossible to stop the spread. Isolation and social distancing is buying time until testing is ramped up. The article on lessons learnt from Italy seems the minimum template countries should be using The differences in approach to the Covid19 in regions of italy Current leadership seems reactive and is being outpaced by the speed of the virus. In a crises situation, speed of reaction is vital and practically all countries did nothing in the early phases and is paying a huge cost now Just an 'uptick' - "Authorities in the Paris region have converted a portion of the sprawling Rungis food market outside the city into a temporary morgue to accommodate the uptick in patients who succumb to covid-19." "Spain’s coronavirus death toll rose to a total of 10,935 from 10,003 on the previous day, the health ministry said on Friday, but showed the first fall in a daily death toll since 26 March." Spain's death toll on March 25 was 656, so the 'drop' represents an increase of almost 50% in one week between those two numbers, and means around a thousand more dead than if the number had remained flat at 650 per day, causing a total of 4250 deaths. GIGO. Your cited reference is from the first month of the pandemic, and involves 191 cases. You jump from a low survival rate for patients who go on ventilators, to discounting the utility of in-hospital treatment. "So what does the best evidence say here?" The best evidence says that there is much more to treating severe cases of COVID-19 than ventilators. Here's something from a Physiciansweekly article a few days ago: "I posed the following question on Twitter: “What is the mortality rate for [COVID-19] patients who require mechanical ventilation?” and received answers ranging from 25% to 70% from people who have personal knowledge of outcomes in their hospitals. Probably the best published information we have so far is from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Center (ICNARC) in the UK. Of 165 patients admitted to ICUs, 79 (48%) died. Of the 98 patients who received advanced respiratory support—defined as invasive ventilation, BPAP or CPAP via endotracheal tube, or tracheostomy, or extracorporeal respiratory support—66% died." This is my personal experience as well. Our N is still small, but we are not seeing 80% death rates on vents. The professional figures I am seeing suggest that about 5% of Covid patients are "critical", which typically means respiratory failure, shock, or multiorgan dysfunction, and the same places are reporting CFRs of around 2.5%. In general, 0% of people in respiratory failure survive without hospital care, shock is exceedingly low, and multi-organ failure also has a brutal survival rate without hospital care. And remember it is not just the vent. If you go into shock you may need volume repletion, pressers, antibiotics (all pneumonias can turn into bacteremia too easily), and a variety of other things that may be required, and we have had patients who needed all of that without needing a vent. Frankly the biggest thing I see are patients whose O2 sats suck and, so far, are not doing too horrible on oxygen. If you can think of a better place for mass oxygen therapy than a hospital with oxygen literally piped through the walls, do let me know. In any event, going from the Italian figures in mid-March, about 12% of their Covid patients needed to be hospitalized. At the time, their CFR was around 7 - 7.5%. This suggests that 46% of hospitalized patients, in an overwhelmed system, were surviving. The other way I look at this things is that we have a lot of docs out there. If treatment were futile on average, I suspect you might be able to tell me that 95% of clinicians are stubborn, emotionally invested, or whatever; but in a time a of limited data I am not hearing this position from anyone, at all, on the ground. And, again, going from the Italian data we saw what happened when they began turning patients away, a giant spike in the death rate. You would need an awful lot of contortions to make hospital care as a whole a net negative and still match the reported numbers for CFR, percentage with respiratory failure, etc. Remember, the normal ICU death rate for influenza patients is 30-40%. So if this thing is twice as bad, most of the arguments about how dangerous the hospital system are would also apply to annual flu deaths. Now maybe, when we run out of PPE and everything else is social distanced like crazy, then the hospital is the only major vector left. I could potentially buy that. But the numbers from everywhere but China do not look quite that grim, suggesting, once again, that Chinese data was intentionally manipulated. Always good to see reality checks from the field. Thanks for taking the time to write this. Where we have good data, perhaps the question is, at what age is ventilation no longer an effective treatment option? Aggregating lots of age data obscures determining this useful heuristic for the labour it could free up. Why would we do that? Lungs are vastly more viable within age cohorts than between them. For instance, if you smoked and have COPD, your lungs will be terrible at oxygenation and it is quite likely that you are oxygen dependent at baseline. A 60-year-old COPD patient is likely going to have vastly worse lungs than an 80-year-old with otherwise healthy lungs. Likewise, if your immune system sucks or if you have heart failure, your odds of dying even on the vent are vastly higher than people older than you without such morbidities at your age. Most of the time, we judge this by clinical values. How bad is the consolidation on CXR or CT? What is their PFT? What is their ejection fraction? Is the axis deviation on the EKG? What is their presenting O2 sat? What is their minute ventilation? We can pretty well predict who is going to be low odds on a vent from a lot of clinical data far better than using age as a proxy for that clinical data. When you start using age, is when you literally cannot get that clinical data. When provider time is so precious (due to the patient count) that you cannot properly triage, then you use age because it is quick and cheap to find. Better to guess wrong a bunch of time than to have all the patients die while you do even a couple minutes of workup. Of course when you are in those situations, the unfortunate truth is that an experienced physician's (or experienced nurse's) gut is likely better even than age. A thirty second size-up is likely to beat a strict age criterion easily. But we do not like having physicians literally deciding who lives and who dies so we use age because it provides a rationale rather than just being somebody's gut telling us they should die. I appreciate there are always judgements involved, often with many factors. I was expecting, based upon some of the papers I've scanned, that there is an age after which the likelihood of survival is so low as to not be worth pursuing, when the overall system is under strain. In engineering, we commonly employ 'load shedding' when the demand exceeds capacity. Consider an aircraft taking off, when power is a premium. On modern aircraft (specifically the 787) designers ensure power is not applied to galley ovens during takeoff. I'm merely arguing there should be a form of 'triage' applied as system load approaches capacity, and this might be an example of one of those. It is better to have such policy decisions thought out in advance than in the heat of an emergency. The media is full of stories about doctors and other health care workers being laid off or furloughed. This is supposed to be because treatments that can be postponed are and the space is being taken by Covid-19 victims. Wait a minute. What were the health care workers now serving in the fight against the virus doing before it arrived? How is it that hospital personnel, trained medical professionals, can't be employed in this situation? Something doesn't add up in those whole scenario. An example of healthcare workers being laid off is a freestanding same day surgery center. Those centers cannot get their normal supply of PPE, drugs, or other supplies. However, the employees are not trained to work in ICUs, ERs, or acute care wards. Eventually some of them will be move to such facilities but one of the most underreported stories is how Covid-19 has totally overwhelmed the management abilities of healthcare. Before Covid-19 managers were rewarded for controlling costs and keeping patient satisfaction scores high. Now the job is one of logistics, emergency planning, being flexible, and not worrying about costs. Not the same skill set. What does opening up the economy really mean? Does that mean everyone just goes back to work and accepts the 1% chance of dying a horrible death. Or maybe that everyone who can work from home, stays home. That the education systems stays shut. That masks and distancing are used to open up any closed factories and the as much of the supply chain as possible. However, is anyone's life worth going to the movies or hanging out at a bar. Is a fund raiser for the private school really worth 50 people being infected with Covid-19. There are many things that can be done to help the economy without killing a couple of million people. People are bad at isolation. You see them in groups on the street. You see them picking up just a couple things at the store. Running to In-n-Out. My fear at this point is that if people don't know how to lock down, we won't ever see R < 1. In that case opening up with limited protection, masks for people who will wear them, isolation for the stubborn, might be what we get. And NY won't be the only run-away situation. As you know if "the gubment" hadn't shut these things down, everyone would blissfully be piling into them like nothing was going on because they don't give a shit about dying, getting permanent lung damage, or transmitting those same risks to family and friends. No, the economy would be EXACTLY the same as it was before the plague if only "the gubmint" would get out of the way. It's not like an uncontrolled deadly plague would shut down the economy all on its own no matter what "the gubmint" did and trying to control it is actually the only sane way to keep the economy from collapsing. It was the private sector that responded first not the government. Many meetings and events like SXSW were shut down because the private sector refused to send their employees. The NBA shut down on its own without being prompted by the government. Disneyworld and Disneyland shut down well before any idiot governor or mayor was telling companies to shut down. That is why all of the idiots who say that we can "open the economy" are fools. Many people would refuse to do it and many companies that tried to forced their employees back to work would eventually be sued our of existence, have employees quit and will have a few employees attack their idiot bosses. Does anyone think that any employers will send their employees to a convention while the number of Covid-19 infections is increasing? Does anyone really want to get on a cruise ship or commercial aircraft while depending on the flight crew to wear masks correctly and maintain a very high level of cleanliness? Also, if someone gets Covid-19 at work, what will that do to the workman' comp premiums, liability insurance rates of the employers, and the legal risks. My guess is that the plaintiffs attorneys are just waiting for the pandemic to claim down so that they can start suing every stupid employer or organization. Aka the "the government needs to shutdown the economy because otherwise the private sector would shut down the economy anyway" argument. We could compare the up and coming hotspot map to the government action map: I don't have a feel for the areas other than Colorado, but the "Hot Spots #2" that are weighted toward population are calling out a bunch of sparsely populated mountain towns. Most of the cases are not locals but people who brought the disease with them on ski trips. For God's sakes, they list Hinsdale County as a HOT SPOT and it has, no joking, 794 residents over 1,100 square miles! 1 confirmed case. They've got to filter out the low volume noise. I guess there would be some level of idiot bosses and owners who decide to alienate their employees and ruin their reputation in their own comunity to try to make a few dollars. Have you not noticed how many businesses have been shamed into doing the right thing? What happens when some employees shoots their idiot boss when the boss tries to use threats and force to "open the economy" back up. It is all the U.S. can do to keep food distribution and emergency healthcare open. Their are no cleaming supplies or PPE to try to get everything open quickly. The problem with using early data is, the earlier it is on the learning curve. But other than that, a lot of commoners seem to think that institution should easily abandon their missions, and unilaterally and individually adopt extreme triage. They can't. In most cases it would be a crime. Maybe you want acting president Jared kushner to institute martial law. lol, "commenters" Let’s not pretend you didn’t mean commoners ;) Very Smart Person sees 2 possible reasons to "shut down society" if not mitigate hospital overload. 1. Get better at testing 2. Develop "vaccine/treatment" But VSP only discusses vaccine ("18 months" though I'd offer 4-1 odds on sooner). What about treatment? Hasn't evidence moved even in past week towards Plaquenil as a treatment? Won't coming 4 weeks offer decent shot of additional treatments, ramped up production distribution of HCQ, and edits/updates to exactly when/dosage/alternate formulations for HCQ? Why isn't "buy some time, even weeks, to develop off-label treatments and then produce/distribute those pills widely" a good rationale? Right. I stumbled over my phone typing above, but this is learning curve I was talking about. For treatment. I did mention this 28Mar: A related economic claim: "Wearing a cloth mask when you go out is probably worth $5,000 to the economy. Shocked? You shouldn’t be. Now go read this whole thread!"- @EggersMatt No judgement one way or another on the cloth mask claim and $ saved. Could be true, potentially. But his paper literally cites a tweet as evidence that N95 respirators don’t prevent infection. Scott Alexander walker through the evidence. That combined with what we know about Covid and viral load and the conclusion is obvious. I mean, it’s a free country. More N95 masks for me I guess or the fashion and textile industries start retooling to produce a new line of business suit/clothes that integrate PPE functions. That creates the effected social distancing via a personal "environment" an allows normal working to resume largely eliminating the economic costs of avoiding infection. These do not have to be level 4 bio quality things, just reasonable isolation and production costs, with some ability to for simple decontamination similar to what we do with our normal clothing (washable as we know soap will kill the virus). In a lot of industries we already have a distribution channel for such things as uniforms and uniform cleaning services. too bad there is not edit period/function.... I should also add it seems to be the case that we want to control two factors: length of time being exposed and the quantity in any initial exposure. Not confirmed but it does make sense and some evidence seems to be pointing towards this. Even homemade masks may serve the purpose of limiting both the initial "viral load" as well as the flow rate of virus during exposure to a contaminated environment. So we don't need N95 type solutions here. We do need some work on getting a sense on just what flow rates and load sizes define the thresholds. Some bad inferences here. Nearly all (inevitable) deaths go down a pathway which includes a ventilator. Doesn't mean ventilator wasn't critical in the 20% of ventilator survivors. Plus Wuhan comorbidity issues. Western ventilator survivor rates likely to be higher. And this is a very smart person? Really Tyler? He has no idea whether this will work and knows that this has massive costs and he will do more of it? What has the world come to? Where has all the courage gone? A good primer is how the decision for ventilators is handle, one can watch Extremis (2016) on Netflix It was nominated for an Academy Award. It includes a discussion about the use of ventilators for people who are probably never going to recover. The film also covers how people need to make decisions about how they want to be treated now rather than forcing it on relatives/others later. If the writer of the e-mail is "very smart" he'd have sent it two or three weeks ago. So why have you been sitting on it, Mr Cowen? Robin Hanson's great book "Elephant In the Brain" has a couple of chapters devoted to this very topic. Hint: Futile interventions are a feature, not a bug. They tell the rest of us (family, friends, community) we are willing to do anything, especially when its futile. I commented on this before - what is the price of turning hospitals into hospice centers for the contagious dying - rather timidly a few days ago because I was not sure it was something one could say aloud - and I assure you it isn't - elsewhere than a blog like this ... But one other result of the current policy is it seems it will kill a lot of frontline doctors and nurses, and near as I can tell that suits the media and the Greek chorus just fine. They can feel they are making a sacrifice, an effort, while displacing the real sacrifice onto "heroes" that they support with their homemade mask-making and their "let's light a candle at our houses tonight to make a beautiful display of light to support our medical professionals" stuff. I guess it's not axiomatic to me that doctors should have to die for this. Yesterday, an acquaintance walked by and hailed me. She was very steeped in coronavirus news, as I suppose all but the strongest characters among us are. She also seemed very energized by it. We chatted pleasantly, trading, no doubt, our mis-conceptions and fake news and imperfectly-recalled facts. I alluded to the dosage effect I learned about here. She knew all about it. I said, it seems like it might partially explain why doctors are falling ill and dying - their prolonged exposure. No, she assured me, that was not why that was happening - that was because they lack enough masks, or have to use the same one all day. That was interesting to me that she thought that; her own father headed a MASH unit ... Important questions but you don't get to ask questions for free. Questions take time to answer and time is done at this point. Studies at this point on death rates are unreliable. Were those put on ventilators given optimal care or were they made to wait for other patients to die to free up a ventilator? I've been debating with someone on Facebook whose been arguing the virus is only killing people over 80. After finally looking at his article, I saw it is several weeks old when Italy had only 6K deaths, now it has twice. If 5 people come in at 6 AM and go on a ventilator, one 90, one 80, one 70, one 60 and one 40....the fact that the 90 and 80 year old are dead at the end of the day doesn't tell you everything is fine for the ones 70 and under. S. Korea hints that given optimal conditions, the death rate could be 0.6% or lower making this about 6 times as bad as a rough flu, but that should be manageable. But evidence from other countries hints at death rates of 5% or worse. Long story short we don't know the death rate, the hospitalization rate under ideal conditions nor under varying conditions. More importantly we know we cannot reliability obtain this information until long after the dust has settled and a dozens of students have earned their PhD's in epidemiology by shifting thru the data. We must make decisions without this information. From my point of view everything has to remain shut until mask production, testing and ventilator production is scaled up. We are now 3 months into this and tests are still being rationed and $0.94 masks are unavailable. Stewart Brand say 66% dies: The mortality odds on ventilator for Covid patients: "Of the 98 patients who received advanced respiratory support...66% died," reports a UK study cited in a paper linked below. Dying on ventilator also means dying alone and speechless in the ICU. Discussion... It is becoming increasingly apparent Tyler's doctor friends are outpatient plastic surgeons or something. The 'smart person' email is insipid. And its funny that right here we get actual informed comments debunking the 'facts' and assumptions of that email, and regulars here keep right on using those facts and assumptions. A good perspective on their comments on other topics. Yes, Cuomo prattling on about ventilators is so much public square bloviation. If you're sick enough to need a ventilator, you're already f**cked. Not so near term, plasma treatment; longer term, vaccine. We need to be ready when the next virus hits. >So what does the best evidence say here? Oh, I dunno..... Trump's fault? 22% at most of the people under ventilator died... by March 31. Since they do not tell us the number of discharged people, the death rate might be significantly higher. Anyway, just another data point: Considering that the number of deaths per capita appears to be much higher in areas where the hospital system is overwhelmed, I'm inclined to conclude that hospitalization appears to be helpful to a significant degree. For example compare NYC, New Orleans and Detroit to other large cities in the US like Chicago or LA which are not yet overwhelmed and the number of fatalities per capita is in the 20/100k range for the former while it's in the low single digits for the latter. I picked US cities because the level of service is likely to be similar. You could make a similar case for Germany, Austria and Switzerland as compared to Italy, Spain and France, or Wuhan vs the rest of China. Of course there are confounders - later start of infection, deaths of other causes being lumped in with Corona-related deaths and test capacity being limited to severe cases are three of them - but it seems to me that they would have to be unreasonably big to explain the whole effect. Googling the topic it seems that between 50 and 95% of people die even though they get respirator treatment, so let's put it at maybe a 25% survival rate. So yes, respirators may get too much spotlight and we need better data, but overall the evidence I see points to the availability of hospital care still being quite helpful in reducing the number of fatalities. I think the problem here is too many economists are looking at spot measurements as if they were fixed constants they could plug into their models when in fact they are variables. The mortality rate, for example, varies with whether you're going to get high quality care or if you're in a hospital where the system is collapsing. There is evidence if you catch the virus in a hospital with a lot of very sick people the disease is worse than catching it 'normally'. That means mortality is going to be lower where there are ample PPE supplies and strict infection control is able to be maintained versus a free for all where people are using coffee filters and rubber bands as substitutes for PPE while trying to care for overcrowded wards of people coughing. The same probably applies to ventilators. Are you being checked on every 15 minutes and a respiratory specialist updating settings frequently or are you hooked to a machine that's hooked to 2 or 3 other people? Even with all this the rates are probably not static over time. As more and more patients move through the system HCPs will notice patterns and are likely to be able to tease out better results with respirators (assuming they don't collapse first). The type of static calculation Tyler is trying to do here is not going to work in a dynamic system. If I were in charge, I would be strongly recommend that everyone going out of their home in close proximity to other people should wear washable gloves and some sort of mask or multi-wrap scarf. I'd further recommend that they wash those gloves and scarves or cloth masks every night. I'd also recommend that if they were frequently in close contact with people, they should also buy and wear a head sock/balaclava and face visor (or glasses). I'd recommend that nursing home might want to consider even stronger measures. And then I'd comment every day on what percentage of people appeared to be following my advice, based on videos from around the country. It's a valid question to ask but it's based on wrong data. To conclude that mortality is 80%-90% amongst the hospitalised cohort, the "very smart person" uses a tiny data set out of China based on only c. 100 people. Here's a better study from the UK. About 50% of those admitted to intensive care survive. This is highly influenced by age as well - for under 50-yos, 75% of those admitted to intensive care survive. Just came back 4 days later to tell the UK PM is hospitalized with supplemental oxygen. I'd love to read the comments of the smart person on this event since there's no evidence on the effectiveness of these treatments (supplemental oxygen, IV fluids and antibiotics). Comments for this post are closed
I've found that when playing the last four bars of the 12 bar blues (V IV I I) with triads (in a typical 70s rock fashion) that inserting a major triad on the flatted third sounds really good as a kind of a fill (playing it for one beat, is that the right word for it?). I wonder why is that? Both flatted third and flatted seventh are blue notes, but my guess is that that's not why it's good, but because it toys with switching to the minor scale. I've found that it sounds a bit more tense if I then use Isus4 as a fill in the last bar, because it puts emphasis on the third degree of the scale in I, which supports my theory. My questions: 1. How is this use of the major triad on the flatted third degree called? What is the Roman numeral notation for it? 2. Where do I learn more about this kind of tricks? • If you use Isus4 over a bar of I, there is no third degree to emphasise. It gets taken out by the 4. – Tim Dec 25 '14 at 12:24 • @Tim I mean if I play it like I - Isus4 - I – Alexei Averchenko Dec 25 '14 at 13:16 You were right on when you said that this chord "toys with switching to the minor scale." In classical musical analysis, the major chord built on the flattened third is considered a "borrowed chord", a chord that is borrowed from the minor version of the key. In Roman numberal analysis, it is written exactly as you would expect: ♭III. Like many other things in music, there can be multiple interpretations for why this sounds "good" in this context. I think, as you pointed out, the fact that this chord contains all blue notes is one reason why this particular borrowed chord seems to fit so well. It can also serve as a passing chord: I don't know if you've used it in this way, but one really intuitive function for a ♭III is leading into V, as the ♭3 scale degree pulls down to 2, and the ♭7 pulls up to 7. Here is a chart (courtesy of Wikipedia) that show some of the common classical borrowed chords for C major: enter image description here You'll notice that all of the other chords in this list rely on the flatted 6th scale degree, which is not a "blue note", so these chords will probably sound a little less closely related to your key than ♭III; however, you may want to experiment and see if any of them give you the sound you like. Another borrowed chord you may want to experiement with is the ♭VII, the major chord built off of the flattened 7th scale degree (B♭ in C Major.) \| improve this answer \| \| Adding to @Casey Rule's answer: the set of chords that generally works with a key are (in C) C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and Bo, with their 7ths if appropriate. There is also, in theory, the set of chords from the 'parallel' minor.In this case, Cm - (relative major being Eb). This gives the chords from Eb major - Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb, Cm and Do.There's now a far wider choice of chords that will 'work' in C.The blue notes of (in C) Eb and Bb are included in the second set.Even the flat 5 blue note appears if one uses Ab7.Actually, including these extras doesn't leave out much from the whole chromatic scale! So the old adage 'if it sounds good, it probably is' still rules! \| improve this answer \| \| Adding an ♭III on top of a I will give you the same notes as (albeit spelled differently from, and, i.m.h.o. more correctly than) the "Hendrix chord", or, more officially, the Dominant seventh sharp ninth chord, a chord that is used a lot by rock guitarists. An example: C + Eb = C7#9 Because it has both a minor and a major third, it sounds very "bluesy", although it can be traced back a long time (but then only as a passing 'clash', like the middle of bar 7 of the Andante in Mozarts sinfonia concertante for violin and viola, which contains an F chord on top of an (inverted) D chord, hence an F♯ and F♮ at the same time): enter image description here \| improve this answer \| \| Your Answer
British parthanon marbles It also includes objects from other buildings on the Acropolis: Above the architrave of the entablature is a frieze of carved pictorial panels metopesseparated by formal architectural triglyphstypical of the Doric order. This platform was smaller and slightly to the north of the final Parthenon, indicating that it was built for a wholly different building, now completely covered over. Of the original ninety-two metopes, thirty-nine are in Athens and fifteen are in London. This element of the architecture is Ionic in style rather than Doric. The columns might therefore be supposed to lean outwards, but they actually lean slightly inwards so that if they carried on, they would meet almost exactly a mile above the centre of the Parthenon; since they are all the same height, the curvature of the outer stylobate edge is transmitted to the architrave and roof above: However, the British Museum is not a government body. In Elgin published a defense of his actions that silenced most of his detractors. No one has the right to hold its monuments. Though partially reconstructed, the Parthenon is a ruin. It says the Parthenon sculptures in London are "an important representation of ancient Athenian civilisation in the context of world history". Mrs Clooney, who is part of the legal team advising the Greek government on possible action in the international courts to force the return of the marbles, claimed Britain should be embarrassed for retaining them. Why are the Elgin marbles so controversial – and everything else you need to know This statue was damaged by fire as early as BC and it is thought that a new statue replaced it in BC. The statue of Poseidon was the largest sculpture in the pediment until it broke into pieces during Francesco Morosini 's effort to remove it in It was previously presumed that the missing metopes were destroyed during the Morosini explosion of the Parthenon in In this case, the ceiling and floor of the temple may seem to bow in the presence of the surrounding angles of the building. It also implies that the Greeks are not capable of preserving the sculptures and that the British can better protect them. Bringing the Parthenon sculptures back together into a unified whole is impossible. The Parhenon Marbles It is a cultural crime to keep half of the marbles in Athens and the rest in London. Around the cella and across the lintels of the inner columns runs a continuous sculptured frieze in low relief. The Parthenon had 46 outer columns and 23 inner columns in total, each column containing 20 flutes. The collection remained private for the next 10 years. An outcry arose over the affair, and Elgin was assailed for rapacity, vandalism, and dishonesty in hauling the Grecian treasures to London. Pediments of the Parthenon The traveller Pausaniaswhen he visited the Acropolis at the end of the 2nd century AD, only mentioned briefly the sculptures of the pediments gable ends of the temple, reserving the majority of his description for the gold and ivory statue of the goddess inside. There were 92 metopes, 32 on each side and 14 at each end and each metope was separated from its neighbours by a simple archtitectural decoration called a triglyph, The metopes were placed around the building, above the outside row of columns and showed various mythical battles. The metopes were individual sculptures in high relief. Tag: Parthenon Marbles The New Acropolis Museum in Athens, which is adjacent to the ancient site, was completed in ; a large space in the museum is devoted to the Parthenon, and the pieces removed by Elgin are represented by veiled plaster casts. Metopes 13—21 are missing, but drawings from attributed to Jaques Carrey indicate a series of humans; these have been variously interpreted as scenes from the Lapith wedding, scenes from the early history of Athens and various myths. When did the row begin. In the opisthodomus the back room of the cella were stored the monetary contributions of the Delian League, of which Athens was the leading member. We are left with a very heated, very emotional argument which seems unlikely to be resolved so long as both teh Greeks and the British Museum insist on a kind of public battle for popular opinion. · The Elgin Marbles are a source of controversy between modern Britain and Greece, being a collection of stone pieces rescued/removed from the ruins of the Ancient Greek Parthenon in the nineteenth century, and now in demand to be sent back from their home in the British Museum. In many ways, the Marbles, are emblematic of the development of · Many share this view, including members of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, or BCRPM – one of the key groups formed in the UK to press for the sculptures to · The Parthenon once housed a collection of hundreds of marble works of art, known as the Elgin Marbles or the Parthenon Sculptures. Elgin Marbles As time passed, ownership of the Parthenon The Parthenon Marbles The Parthenon was built on the Acropolis of Athens, Greece between and B.C. as a testament to the glory and pride of the Athenian state. Greece drops option of legal action in British Museum Parthenon marbles row The Parthenon stands on the Acropolis of Athens which in ancient times, as it does today, dominates the city of Athens. The Acropolis is an extremely rocky outcrop [ ] /parthenon-marbles. The article in the comment below was published in New York Times. The author is missing the whole point of the looting and vandalism and pretends the British have the marbles in some legitimate way! Category:Frieze of the Parthenon in the British Museum · Greece’s government has demanded Britain open negotiations over the return of the Parthenon Marbles, the set of disputed classical sculptures held in the British British parthanon marbles Rated 5/5 based on 47 review BCRPM - History of the Marbles
The World Wide Water Crisis All around the world there are millions of people everyday that struggle to have fresh clean water for drinking and cooking. In America we have thousands of homeless veterans who do not have access to fresh drinking water daily. In Nepal a great earthquake killed thousands of people and destroyed the clean water facilities that delivered fresh water to towns and villages. East African villages suffer from the lack of access to clean water and many African children die of water borne diseases everyday. More than 3.4 million people die each year from water, sanitation, and hygiene-related causes. Nearly all deaths, 99 percent, occur in the developing world. Every 21 seconds, a child dies from a water related illness. 780 million people lack access to an improved water source; approximately one in nine people.The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns.An American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than the average person in a developing country slum uses for an entire day. An estimated 200 million hours are spent each day globally collecting water. Surveys from 45 developing countries show that women and children bear the primary responsibility for water collection in the majority of households. This is time not spent working at an income-generating job, caring for family members, or attending school. In just one day, it is estimated that more than 152 million hours of women and girls’ time is consumed for the most basic of human needs — collecting water for domestic use In the rainy season of Africa, water is often collected in large tanks from the runoff from the roofs. Although this is rainwater and might appear to be a great source of drinking water, it becomes contaminated very quickly sitting in the tanks. This water would need to be boiled before it is safe to consume. Boiling water will make it drinkable and safe to drink. However, it may remove some of the essential vitamins and minerals that give water life. Without these important nutrients, water becomes “dead water”. Without electricity, it takes time to build a fire, boil the water and let it cool down before it can be consumed.
a societal shift in attitude beginning in the mid to late 20th century away from the "Enlightenment" reliance on human reason and scientific proof and acceptance of objective truth to a belief that truth is relative and determined by the community to which one belongs and by that community's experience and feelings. » Defining Religion
Aircraft Rain Control Systems \| Aircraft Systems Aircraft Rain Control Systems There are several different ways to remove the rain from the windshields. Most aircraft use one or a combination of the following systems: windshield wipers, chemical rain repellent, pneumatic rain removal (jet blast), or windshields treated with a hydrophobic surface seal coating. Windshield Wiper Systems In an electrical windshield wiper system, the wiper blades are driven by an electric motor(s) that receive (s) power from the aircraft’s electrical system. On some aircraft, the pilot’s and copilot’s windshield wipers are operated by separate systems to ensure that clear vision is maintained through one of the windows should one system fail. Each windshield wiper assembly consists of a wiper, wiper arm, and a wiper motor/converter. Almost all windshield wiper systems use electrical motors. Some older aircraft might be equipped with hydraulic wiper motors. [Figure 1] Aircraft Rain Control Systems Figure 1. Windshield wiper assembly/installation on a transport catgory aircraft. The motor-converter is mountd under the aircraft skin. Maintenance performed on windshield wiper systems consists of operational checks, adjustments, and troubleshooting. An operational check should be performed whenever a system component is replaced or whenever the system is suspected of not working properly. During the check, make sure that the windshield area covered by the wipers is free of foreign matter and is kept wet with water. Adjustment of a windshield wiper system consists of adjusting the wiper blade tension, the angle at which the blade sweeps across the windshield, and proper parking of the wiper blades. Chemical Rain Repellant Water poured onto clean glass spreads out evenly. Even when the glass is held at a steep angle or subjected to air velocity, the glass remains wetted by a thin film of water. However, when glass is treated with certain chemicals, a transparent film is formed that causes the water to behave very much like mercury on glass. The water draws up into beads that cover only a portion of the glass and the area between beads is dry. The water is readily removed from the glass. This principle lends itself quite naturally to removing rain from aircraft windshields. The high-velocity slipstream continually removes the water beads, leaving a large part of the window dry. A rain repellant system permits application of the chemical repellant by a switch or push button in the cockpit. The proper amount of repellant is applied regardless of how long the switch is held. On some systems, a solenoid valve controlled by a time delay module meters the repellent to a nozzle which sprays it on the outside of the windshield. Two such units exist — one each for the forward glass of the pilot and copilot. [Figure 2] Aircraft Rain Control Systems Figure 2. Cockpit rain repellant canister and reservoir This system should only be used in very wet conditions. The rain repellant system should not be operated on dry windows because heavy undiluted repellant restricts window visibility. Should the system be operated inadvertently, do not operate the windshield wipers or rain clearing system as this tends to increase smearing. Also, the rain repellant residues caused by application in dry weather or very light rain can cause staining or minor corrosion of the aircraft skin. To prevent this, any concentrated repellant or residue should be removed by a thorough fresh water rinse at the earliest opportunity. After application, the repellant film slowly deteriorates with continuing rain impingement. This makes periodic reapplication necessary. The length of time between applications depends upon rain intensity, the type of repellant used, and whether windshield wipers are used. Windshield Surface Seal Coating Some aircraft models use a surface seal coating, also called hydrophobic coating that is on the outside of the pilot’s/ copilot’s windshield. [Figure 3] The word hydrophobic means to repel or not absorb water. The windshield hydrophobic coating is on the external surface of the windows (windshields). The coatings cause raindrops to bead up and roll off, allowing the flight crew to see through the windshield with very little distortion. The hydrophobic windshield coating reduces the need for wipers and gives the flight crew better visibility during heavy rain. Aircraft Rain Control Systems Figure 3. Hydrophobic coating on windshield Most new aircraft windshields are treated with surface seal coating. The manufacturer’s coating process deeply penetrates the windshield surface providing hydrophobic action for quite some time. When effectiveness declines, products made to be applied in the field are used. These liquid treatments rubbed onto the surface of the windshield maintain the beading action of rain water. They must be applied periodically or as needed. Pneumatic Rain Removal Systems Windshield wipers characteristically have two basic problem areas. One is the tendency of the slipstream aerodynamic forces to reduce the wiper blade loading pressure on the window, causing ineffective wiping or streaking. The other is in achieving fast enough wiper oscillation to keep up with high rain impingement rates during heavy rain falls. As a result, most aircraft wiper systems fail to provide satisfactory vision in heavy rain. The rain removal system shown in Figure 4 controls windshield icing and removes rain by directing a flow of heated air over the windshield. This heated air serves two purposes. First, the air breaks the rain drops into small particles that are then blown away. Secondly, the air heats the windshield to prevent the moisture from freezing. The air can be supplied by an electric blower or by bleed air.
Aung San Suu Kyi, the recently released Burmese dissident, has become an international symbol of peaceful resistance in the face of oppression and human rights violations in Myanmar. The 65-year-old has spent most of the last 20 years in some form of detention because of her efforts to bring democracy to military-ruled Burma. In 1991, one year after her party, the National League for Democracy, won an overwhelming victory in an election the junta later nullified, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Now she talks to Al Jazeera about the country's future, the need for change, and why she believes that national reconciliation is the road Myanmar has to take to get the country out of the present state of economic stagnation and political unfreedom. She speaks about democracy, development, a strong civil society, and the humanitarian situation in Myanmar - and how change and progress could be achieved. To put the challenges facing Myanmar into global context we are joined by a distinguished panel of experts: Helping us facilitate the dialogue is Maung Zarni, a Burmese dissident and an academic research fellow at the London School of Economis. His first-hand knowledge of Burma allows him to share his insights of armed conflicts, resistance, and the Burmese military. Mary Kaldor is professor and co-director of Gobal Governance. She has written extensively on global civil society, how ordinary people organise to change the way their countries and global institutions are run. Timothy Garton Ash is a historian, political commentator and regular colomnist for the UK newspaper The Guardian. He is professor of European studies at Oxford University. His main interest is civil resistance and the role of Europe and the old West in an increasingly western world. In 2000, Aung San Suu Kyi invited Professor Garton Ash to Burma to speak to members of her party, the National League for Democracy, about transitions to democracies. At the Crossroads: a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi can be seen from Wednesday, December 22, at the following times GMT: Wednesday: 0030, 0730; Thursday: 1230, 1900. Source: Al Jazeera
Pandas row in printing whole structure instead of value. 0 votes I am trying to interate over each row in Pandas: import pandas as pd df = pd.read_csv(“/home/user/data1”) for row in df.iterrows(): print (row) I want to print only the value of the row but it is printing the whole structure like this (1, Email Name: 229, dtype: object) Mar 28, 2019 in Python by Shri 1 answer to this question. 0 votes Try this code, it should print only the value: import pandas as pd for index, row in df.iterrows(): print (row[‘Email’]) answered Mar 28, 2019 by Siri Related Questions In Python 0 votes 1 answer Pandas iloc printing whole row instead of cell value. The syntax you are using is wrong. ...READ MORE answered Apr 8, 2019 in Python by Hari 0 votes 1 answer Add header row in pandas dataframe while printing Refer to this code: import pandas as pd col_name=['Name', ...READ MORE answered Jul 5, 2019 in Python by Suri 0 votes 1 answer answered Apr 16, 2018 in Python by charlie_brown • 7,780 points 0 votes 1 answer How can I reformat value_counts() analysis in Pandas for large number of columns? If I were you, I'd do it ...READ MORE answered Apr 17, 2018 in Python by anonymous +1 vote 2 answers how can i count the items in a list? answered Jul 6, 2019 in Python by Neha • 330 points edited Jul 8, 2019 by Kalgi 1,182 views 0 votes 0 answers +4 votes 6 answers 0 votes 1 answer How to find the value of a row in a csv file in python? If you want to find the value ...READ MORE answered May 20, 2019 in Python by Sanam 0 votes 2 answers In List of Dicts, find min() value of a common Dict field lst = [{'price': 99, 'barcode': '2342355'}, {'price': ...READ MORE answered Aug 31, 2018 in Python by Omkar • 69,040 points
Fact Sheet: National Origin Discrimination Whether an individual (or her ancestors) is from China, Russia, or Nigeria, or belongs to an ethnic group, such as Hispanic or Arab, she is entitled to the same employment opportunities as anyone else. EEOC enforces the federal prohibition against national origin discrimination in employment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which covers private sector employers with fifteen or more employees, federal government employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations. About National Origin Discrimination It is unlawful to discriminate against any employee or job applicant because of the individual's national origin. No one can be denied equal employment opportunity because of birthplace, ancestry, culture, or linguistic characteristics closely associated with an ethnic group. Equal employment opportunity cannot be denied because of marriage or association with persons of a national origin group; membership or association with specific ethnic promotion groups; attendance or participation in schools, churches, temples or mosques generally associated with a national origin group; or a surname associated with a national origin group. Examples of violations covered under Title VII include: Employment Decisions Title VII prohibits employment decisions, including those involving recruitment, hiring, promotion, segregation, and firing or layoffs, that have the purpose or effect of discriminating based on national origin. Title VII prohibits national origin harassment when it is so severe or pervasive that it creates a hostile work environment. A hostile work environment based on national origin can take different forms, including ethnic slurs, workplace graffiti, physical violence, or other offensive conduct directed towards an individual because of birthplace, ethnicity, culture, language, dress, or foreign accent. Employers are required to take appropriate steps to prevent and correct unlawful harassment. Likewise, employees are responsible for reporting harassment at an early stage to prevent its escalation. • Accent discrimination An employer may not base a decision on an employee's foreign accent unless effective spoken communication in English is required to perform job duties and the individual's accent materially interferes with her ability to communicate in English. • Fluency requirements An English (or foreign language) fluency requirement is only permissible if it is required for the effective performance of the position for which it is imposed. • English-only rules English-only rules must be adopted for nondiscriminatory reasons. An English-only rule may be used if it is needed to promote safe and efficient job performance or safe and efficient business operations. Employers must provide adequate notice of English-only rules. Citizenship Issues • U.S. citizenship requirements Title VII does not prohibit citizenship discrimination. Title VII is violated, however, whenever citizenship discrimination has the purpose or effect of discriminating on the basis of national origin. The anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, enforced by the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, prohibits employers with four or more employees from discriminating because of citizenship status against U.S. citizens and certain classes of foreign nationals authorized to work in the United States with respect to hiring, firing, and recruitment or referral for a fee. • Coverage of foreign nationals Title VII and the other antidiscrimination laws prohibit discrimination against individuals employed in the United States, regardless of immigration status or authorization to work.
Home Page Home Page Greenfield Primary School Imagine, Believe, Succeed Thursday 16th July Good morning, here are some fairy houses we made in school yesterday: Right, it’s Thursday and time for us to find our inner dinosaurs, with this dinosaur stomp dance! For today’s learning we have… Remember to practise your sounds daily. RWI will be holding daily virtual lessons for children to practise their sounds: Set 1 sounds at 9:30am Set 2 sounds at 10:00am Set 3 sounds at 10:30am They have updated these lessons to include word time for set 1 speed sounds and spelling for set 2 and 3. There is also “Storytime with Nick” three times a week (Mon, Wed & Fri at 2pm) and some poems that your child can learn and perform. Today we are going to play a game, we have got Picnic on Pluto for you to feed the two alien’s Obb and Bob. Obb eats nonsense words and Bob eats real words. Read each word carefully using your Fred talk and feed it to the right alien. The story of Baboon on the Moon has quite a sad ending. He has been on the moon a while doing his job with no one for company. It ends with Baboon staring at Earth. I think he is missing home, his family and his friends. I wonder if we could think of a happier ending to this story for Baboon? What might happen to baboon? will Baboon get back to earth? How will this happen? I would like you to draw set of pictures like the comic strip you did for Traction Man to show me what happens. Then write your story. The end of the story starts with: Baboon sat and got out his trumpet. He looked at Planet Earth. How he missed his family and friends! He began to play a sad tune. Remember you need to use a capital letter to start a sentence and a full stop at the end of a sentence. You may need to use an exclamation mark (!) at the end of a sentence to show how someone is feeling. (angry, happy, sad, scared, excited) Send me your stories. I can’t wait to read your new ending to Baboon on the Moon. This morning we have a maths warm up to get our brains working, try to complete this independently. ALL groups: Today we are going to be learning about data, data is information that we collect. There are lots of different ways we can show data. We can use pictographs, line graphs, tally charts and block graphs. I want you to click on the worksheet and answer the questions about these graphs. Now have a go at this game where you help the farmer collect the fruit and answer questions about how many you have collected. Remember to practise your times tables with Times Tables Rock Stars. In our RE learning we have learnt a lot about the Islamic festival, Eid. Today I want you to think about a festival or celebration you and your family celebrate. What is it called? What do you enjoy about it? Is there something you do to help prepare for it? At the top of your worksheet there is a box for you to draw a picture of you celebrating! I look forward to seeing which festival or celebration you choose and why you enjoy it! In our PSHE learning we have been learning about different feelings. This week we are going to link our learning to reflect on how we are feeling at the end of this school year. It has been a very different school year! Think back to when you were in school. Who were your best friends this year? (They are still your best friends!) What did you enjoy about this year? Was there a lesson you really loved? What are your goals for next year? What would you like to carry on doing or get better at? What are you proud of this year? There are 2 activity sheets, you can do both, or just one - you choose! I look forward to reading your end of year reflections.
UT Dallas Professor Designing 'Smart' Material That Changes Shape To Heal Wounds \| KERA News Aug 15, 2018 A bio-engineering professor at the University of Texas at Dallas has received a half-a-million-dollar grant to further his research into material that could help with human healing. Taylor Ware is designing “smart” adhesive that changes shape to stick to human cuts or wounds without the need for glue. It relies on mechanical bonding, similar to hook-and-loop fasteners, such as Velcro. His research will receive nearly $500,000 over the next five years through an award from the National Science Foundation. Interview Highlights On how the "smart" material works If we think about living organisms, one of the key aspects of those organisms is that they're capable of responding to their environment. Most materials don't respond to their environment, at least not in a controlled way. What we're after is creating a series of plastics that change in response to some sort of environmental cue. Oftentimes, we talk about physical cues, something like temperature, the presence of moisture, and in that case, what that triggers is a change in shape or stiffness in the material. How the material adheres to human skin If you try to use chemical bonds to adhere to skin or another tissue when it's wet, you form chemical bonds with the water — not with the tissue or the skin underneath. We're interested in using shape. Most of the time we think of shape as being set during manufacturing of a material. You have a chair, you don't really want that chair to change shape, it holds its shape the rest of its life. In this case, we have something that goes onto the skin, and in the presence of moisture or heat from the body, actually undergoes a controlled deformation, so you might have something that latches on, kind of like Velcro. On where the idea came from In my lab over the last several years we've become very interested in shape-changing materials. And so there is a variety of different things that have inspired us for using shape change. One of them is the parasite that adheres to intestines. Parasites these are actually things you don't want adhering to you, but one of the ways they do it is they deploy little teeth into the tissue and they're actually able to hold in ways that synthetic materials simply can't. So, we're inspired not only by some of the good things we see in nature but sometimes by the bad things as well. Why doctors would be interested in the material Standard patch with adhesive either permanently adheres for a very long time or perhaps only adheres for a few minutes or hours and then it passes through the system. We can control when that adhesion comes on and comes off; we build in these on/off switches. You can also imagine using things like drug delivery, where you have a reservoir of a drug within the material and have that on a pre-programmed time scale. Interview responses have been lightly edited for clarity.
Space & Innovation Baby-Like Robot Is a Companion for Elderly at Risk of Depression The Babyloid wants to be comforted and that can make others feel needed. For people at risk of depression, loneliness can play a role. That's why one man created the Babyloid, a baby-like robot that is designed to be a companion for the elderly. If the robot doesn't look quite human, that's because it's not supposed to. The robot's designer, Masayoshi Kanoh of Japan's Chukyo University in Aichi, said he went with the simple, Teletubby-ish face "to avoid the creepiness a realistic baby face can have," according to New Scientist. The Babyloid makes more than 100 sounds, for which Kanoh recorded his infant daughter. It has LED lights that can indicate tears or happily rose cheeks, and eyelids that open and close. Interior sensors respond to touch and rocking motions, giving the robot's caretaker the job of keeping it happy and getting it to sleep. It's unclear so far how much of an impact the Babyloid's use has on preventing depression, but early tests show that retirement home residents respond well to it. Follow Alex on Twitter.

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