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Beginning of the German kingdom One can begin the history of Germany with the partition of the Frankish kingdom. The Frankish kingdom has grown immensely during the regency of Karl der Große. It now consisted of the main parts of todays France, Germany, Italy and nearly any other country in Central Europe. After his death the kingdom was split up into two parts: the west-Frankish kingdom, which is the predecessor of todays France and the east-Frankish kingdom which became Germany. This process was done in 3 steps, the so called Reichsteilungen. They were in Verdun (843), Meerssen (870) and Ribemont (880). In 911 the east-Frankish tribes (they were not known as German or Deutsch at that moment) elect a king: Konrad I.. With this action the part from the Frankish kingdom was complete, and it was said that the east-Frankish kingdom is inseperable. Since the 11. century there has been the concept of a German Kingdom (Deutsches Reich, later referred to by the Nazis to name their " Reich" the third one). If any of the given information is wrong please / msg me. I checked them but there still might be some errors. Where Kingdom is said you can replace it with Empire, as the translation could not be exact. But I thought Empire fits better for Great Britain, so I choose Kingdom. The term "Reich" isn't a invention of the Nazis, but it is a normal German term used to describe a monarchy. The Nazis borrowed it, to give their regime a historical touch.
Find the word definition Crossword clues for snags n. (plural of snag English) vb. (en-third-person singular of: snag) Usage examples of "snags". As through a template of wrapped and spun wire, Dakar saw his own handiwork laced into the mesh, clumsy weavings like botched snags of string clumped within the fiercely clean elegance of Fellowship crafting. Despite reeling distress, he turned aside, left the invidious snags without giving way. The dilemma appeared minor when compared to the overall scope of the meteorite, and yet, as an intel analyst, Rachel had witnessed the collapse of entire theories based on smaller snags than this. Sand bars divided the river into five or six different channels and it required careful paddling to avoid the countless snags which stuck out of the water, sullen and threatening. Shortly afterward, the river narrowed considerably and they were forced to paddle through a field of snags close to the west shore. The presence of the snags was explained by the hundreds of beaver slides which were worn in the muddy slopes, showing that that industrious little animal was far from extinct as commonly reported. After midnight it was found that mud sucks and snags were so thick as to render further progress in the dark extremely hazardous, so the voyagers landed under a mud cliff and built a camp fire. A number of prairie fires threw some light on the water, but barely enough to make the passage among snags and sand bars feasible. If he could only keep it clear of snags and reefs it would also bear him in safety down the river, to some place where there were suppers and breakfasts to be had. Grim snags lay in wait for it, but it nimbly avoided them, and as the hours passed each one of them saw the drifting skiff some miles farther away from the island at which this strange voyage was begun. They were obliged to maintain a constant lookout for bars, reefs, snags, and up-bound river craft, and by means of the long sweeps at either end of the raft head it this way or that to avoid these obstacles and keep the channel.
WEBVTT 00:00:00.910 --> 00:00:13.870 An object with a charge, lowercase 𝑞, negative 2.0 microcoulombs is initially at rest at a distance of 2.0 meters from a fixed charge, capital 𝑄, positive 6.0 microcoulombs. 00:00:14.250 --> 00:00:20.490 What is the kinetic energy of the object when it is at a distance of 1.0 meters from capital 𝑄? 00:00:21.150 --> 00:00:22.740 Let’s consider this setup then. 00:00:22.970 --> 00:00:27.770 We have a fixed charge, which we’re told is capital 𝑄, and we’re given that charge value. 00:00:28.310 --> 00:00:36.180 Initially, another charge called lowercase 𝑞, which is not fixed in place, is located a given distance away from capital 𝑄. 00:00:36.680 --> 00:00:39.620 That distance we’re told is 2.0 meters. 00:00:40.110 --> 00:00:46.640 At this point, we’re told that lowercase 𝑞 is at rest and capital 𝑄, being fixed in place, is also at rest. 00:00:47.110 --> 00:00:51.750 Now let’s consider the sign of these two charges, lowercase and uppercase 𝑄. 00:00:52.230 --> 00:00:58.620 Lowercase 𝑞 we know is a negative charge overall, while uppercase 𝑄 is overall a positive charge. 00:00:59.020 --> 00:01:01.500 And what do a negative and a positive charge do? 00:01:01.500 --> 00:01:02.730 They attract one another. 00:01:03.190 --> 00:01:08.540 We can expect then that, over time, lowercase 𝑞 will start to move towards uppercase 𝑄. 00:01:08.890 --> 00:01:10.960 And indeed, that’s exactly what happens. 00:01:11.070 --> 00:01:16.070 At some later time, these two charges are now only separated by a distance of 1.0 meters. 00:01:16.490 --> 00:01:18.300 And here’s the question we want to know. 00:01:18.520 --> 00:01:27.330 At this later point in time, when they’re separated by 1.0 meters, just what is the kinetic energy of this object which we’ve labeled lowercase 𝑞? 00:01:27.940 --> 00:01:33.120 We know the electric charge of this object — that’s given to us — but we want to solve for its kinetic energy. 00:01:33.610 --> 00:01:37.510 We can go about doing this using the principle of energy conservation. 00:01:37.790 --> 00:01:47.430 That is, the total energy of our system of charges initially, we’ll say, is equal to the total energy of our system finally when they’re separated by just 1.0 meters. 00:01:48.070 --> 00:01:55.660 Considering our initial state where our two objects are separated by 2.0 meters, let’s think about the total system energy here. 00:01:56.080 --> 00:02:01.340 Since both objects are at rest, that means there’s no kinetic energy or energy of motion involved. 00:02:01.660 --> 00:02:04.180 All the energy we might find is potential energy. 00:02:04.680 --> 00:02:06.870 We’ll give a name to this potential energy. 00:02:06.870 --> 00:02:10.360 We’ll call it PE sub one, the initial energy of our system. 00:02:10.890 --> 00:02:15.910 Now let’s consider the point in time when our two objects are separated by just 1.0 meter. 00:02:16.350 --> 00:02:20.060 In this case, there’s still potential energy between these two charges. 00:02:20.060 --> 00:02:27.290 They still continue to attract one another, but now we also have kinetic energy because our lowercase 𝑞 object is in motion. 00:02:27.770 --> 00:02:39.460 So the total energy of our system at this point is equal what we’ll call PE sub two, the final potential energy, plus KE sub 𝑞, the kinetic energy of this object, lowercase 𝑞. 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:44.550 And because energy is conserved, we can equate these two energy terms. 00:02:44.970 --> 00:02:50.160 We can write that PE sub one is equal to PE sub two plus KE sub 𝑞. 00:02:50.840 --> 00:02:54.380 And it’s this last term, KE sub 𝑞, that we want to solve for. 00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:58.910 Knowing that, we can rearrange the equation to solve for KE sub 𝑞. 00:02:58.980 --> 00:03:01.630 It’s equal to PE sub one minus PE sub two. 00:03:01.930 --> 00:03:06.500 Or another way to write this right side would be in terms of the change in potential energy. 00:03:06.990 --> 00:03:15.390 We could equivalently say that the kinetic energy of this object with charge lowercase 𝑞 is equal to the change in potential energy of our system. 00:03:16.100 --> 00:03:19.680 So now the question is, what is this change in potential energy? 00:03:19.810 --> 00:03:22.490 And moreover, what kind of energy are we talking of? 00:03:22.970 --> 00:03:31.880 Because we’re working with electrical charges whose masses we don’t know, we can say that this change in potential energy has to do with electrical potential energy. 00:03:32.290 --> 00:03:38.820 It’s helpful to know that because then we can recall the mathematical relationship for this particular type of potential energy. 00:03:39.350 --> 00:04:01.680 We can recall that the change in electrical potential energy between two charged objects with charges uppercase and lowercase 𝑞 is equal to the product of those charges multiplied by Coulomb’s constant, 𝐾, all multiplied by one over the initial distance separating these two charges minus one over the final distance separating the two charges. 00:04:02.150 --> 00:04:09.690 In our particular scenario, we know what capital 𝑄 is — that charge value is given — and we also know lowercase 𝑞 — that’s given as well. 00:04:09.940 --> 00:04:12.020 But what about 𝑟 one and 𝑟 two? 00:04:12.200 --> 00:04:13.920 What are those in our case? 00:04:14.310 --> 00:04:17.040 As we look at our diagram, that becomes more clear. 00:04:17.400 --> 00:04:21.180 𝑟 one is the initial separation distance between our two charges. 00:04:21.430 --> 00:04:23.220 That’s 2.0 meters. 00:04:23.630 --> 00:04:27.200 So we’ll write out that 𝑟 one is 2.0 meters. 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:29.170 Now what about 𝑟 two? 00:04:29.330 --> 00:04:35.020 Well, that’s the separation distance between or charges at the end, finally, which is 1.0 meters. 00:04:35.540 --> 00:04:40.470 So we now know 𝑟 two, 𝑟 one, lowercase 𝑞, and uppercase 𝑄. 00:04:40.690 --> 00:04:43.310 The one thing remaining is Coulomb’s constant, 𝐾. 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:50.400 That constant is approximately equal to 8.99 times 10 to the ninth newton meters squared per coulomb squared. 00:04:50.950 --> 00:04:57.810 Now in preparation to enter all this into our expression for ΔPE, let’s clear some space so we can write it all out. 00:04:58.380 --> 00:05:21.200 The kinetic energy of the object we want to solve for is equal to the change in electrical potential energy of our system, which is equal to the constant 𝐾 multiplied by capital 𝑄’s charge multiplied by negative 𝑄’s charge all multiplied by one over the initial separation distance of our two objects minus their final separation distance divided into one. 00:05:21.760 --> 00:05:27.940 It’s this big, long expression which is equivalent to the kinetic energy of our object with charge lowercase 𝑞. 00:05:28.450 --> 00:05:32.500 Before we calculate all this, look at what happens to the units in this expression. 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:42.340 The factors of coulomb squared in denominator and numerator cancel out, and one factor of meters cancels from numerator and denominator as well. 00:05:42.830 --> 00:05:47.980 We’re left with final units of newtons times meters, or joules, units of energy. 00:05:48.170 --> 00:05:50.100 That’s a good sign that we’re on the right track. 00:05:50.690 --> 00:05:55.530 When we calculate all this, we do find a result of 0.054 joules. 00:05:56.080 --> 00:06:02.870 That’s the kinetic energy of the object with charge lowercase 𝑞 when it’s 1.0 meters away from uppercase 𝑄.
Suppose you and a couple of friends enter a competition. Which of the following two outcomes would you prefer: (a) you win £1000 but both friends win £2000 each, OR (b) you win £500 but each friend only wins £100. It’s a no-brainer, right? Any half-sane person would choose (a). After all, you get twice the amount of money! Surprisingly, though, many studies show that most people prefer (b). Strange, but true. Actually, it’s not so strange: it’s a well-known phenomenon in the world of psychology. It’s an effect called ‘Loss aversion’, which means that there is a human tendency to hate losing more than we like winning. In the above example, you may get more money, but you perceive yourself to be ‘losing’ to your friends, so you opt for (b), where you ‘win’ – even though you get less money. It may seem weird, but loss aversion is very powerful. In fact, according to various studies, we find that losses hurt about twice as much as gains make us feel good. And it’s an effect which shows up in almost every aspect of life. In consumer behaviour, for example, shoppers react more negatively to a price increase (losing) than they react positively to a price decrease (winning). And in personal relationships, it generally takes at several kind comments (wins) to make up for one critical comment (loss). And loss aversion doesn’t just effect our behaviour, it affects our ability to perform, too. A good example of this is in golf. An analysis of millions of putts has shown that golfers are roughly twice as likely to hole a putt for par (missing would represent a loss) than they are to hole a birdie putt (which represents a gain). It’s estimated that, without loss aversion, Tiger Woods would have won approximately $3.5million more, over his career! Why are we so afraid of losing? Well, essentially, it’s an expression of fear that has its roots in human evolution. Millions of years ago, when proto-humans had few possessions, the main ‘loss’ they could sustain was that of their life. A bad decision (e.g. to attack an animal for food) could result in death, so they learned to be risk-averse and weigh decisions very carefully. Today, the result of that adaptive pressure is a negative emotional response to loss. As Charles Darwin once said, “Everyone feels blame more acutely than praise.” But if this is true (that loss aversion is a negative emotional response to loss), does it help if you’re wealthy? Answer – no. Being wealthy doesn’t help. For rich people, the pain of losing their fortune exceeds the emotional gain of getting additional wealth, so the rich often become vulnerable, anxious and over-cautious. Ironically, the more we have, the more vulnerable we are. Having accumulated wealth implies that we have more to lose than to gain. And yet, this is a misperception: a result of an unconscious cognitive bias (loss aversion) that is causing poor decision-making (like choosing option A at the beginning of this piece). The reality is that, often, we will be better off if we are aware of the emotional impact of loss aversion, and take action to counteract it. Loss aversion is not a rule that must be obeyed – it is an unconscious process to be overcome! And that’s the point of this article. It’s that we could all benefit from being aware of how loss aversion can pressure us to make a wrong decision. In the current context (Lifestyle Management), this particularly applies to relatively wealthy people. If you consider yourself among their number, it’s easy to leap to the conclusion (assisted by loss aversion) that taking on a personal Lifestyle Manager would lead to monetary losses and no significant gain. But, very often, the opposite is true: very significant gains in lifestyle quality are there to be had. So if you’ve been considering taking on a personal Lifestyle Manager, and have decided against, ask yourself: what’s the reality here? Am I a victim of loss aversion? Am I missing out? There’s a good chance that you are!
Tag Archives: Russia oggi Russian language is an East Slavic language Russian (ру́сский язы́к, russky yazyk, pronounced [ˈruskʲɪj jɪˈzɨk]) is an East Slavic language and an official language in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine,Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics of the Soviet Union and former participants of the Eastern Bloc. Russian belongs to the family of Indo-European languages and is one of the three living members of theEast Slavic languages. Written examples of Old East Slavonic are attested from the 10th century onwards.
Course Category: Programming Showing 1-9 of 44 results Theano in Python Theano is a Python library that lets you define mathematical expressions used in Machine Learning, optimize these expressions and evaluate those very efficiently by decisively using GPUs in critical areas. It can rival typical full C-implementations in most of the cases. Audience This course by Academy Europe is designed to… Computer Operating System An operating system (OS) is a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs. The operating system is a vital component of the system software in a computer system. This tutorial will take you through step by step approach while learning Operating System… Scikit in Machine Learning Scikit-learn (Sklearn) is the most useful and robust library for machine learning in Python. It provides a selection of efficient tools for machine learning and statistical modeling including classification, regression, clustering and dimensionality reduction via a consistence interface in Python. This library, which is largely written in Python, is built… Object Oriented Analysis & Design Object Oriented Analysis & Design This tutorial will help you understand the basics of object-oriented analysis and design along with its associated terminologies. Audience This tutorial has been designed to help beginners. After completing this tutorial, you will find yourself at a moderate level of expertise from where you can take yourself to next levels.… Human Computer Interface This course by Academy Europe provides the basic knowledge on human computer interface and designing. It also throws a light on the current tools and practices and the future aspects of HCI designing. Free Certification Academy Europe presents high-quality formal diplomas, certificates and e-certificates which are formal proof and… Logistic Regression in Python Logistic Regression is a statistical method of classification of objects. In this tutorial, we will focus on solving binary classification problem using logistic regression technique. This course by Academy Europe also presents a case study that will let you learn how to code and apply Logistic Regression in Python.… Python Deep Learning Python is a general-purpose high level programming language that is widely used in data science and for producing deep learning algorithms. This brief course by Academy Europe introduces Python and its libraries like Numpy, Scipy, Pandas, Matplotlib; frameworks like Theano, TensorFlow, Keras. The tutorial explains how the different libraries… Extreme Programming Software Extreme programming (XP) is a software development methodology, which is intended to improve software quality and responsiveness to changing customer requirements. As a type of agile software development, it advocates frequent “releases” in short development cycles, to improve productivity and introduce checkpoints at which new customer requirements can be adopted.… Software Development Estimation Techniques Estimation techniques are of utmost importance in software development life cycle, where the time required to complete a particular task is estimated before a project begins. Estimation is the process of finding an estimate, or approximation, which is a value that can be used for some purpose even if input…
UA Team and NASA Team Up to Look at Life All for One: What Makes an Individual Life as we know it has certain properties that are consistent regardless whether you’re looking at a bacterial colony in a petri dish or a primate colony in South America. Rick Michod, UA professor and department head of ecology and evolutionary biology, has received $1.3 million from NASA to investigate what properties of biology define an individual organism. Many things in life are not fair. But some things are at least consistent. For example, all life as we know it has certain universal properties, which presumably define how life would be organized anywhere it evolved in the universe, said Richard Michod, professor and head of the department of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona. One such property is the hierarchical system by which life is organized. UA professor and department head of ecology and evolutionary biology Richard Michod received $1.3 million from NASA to study properties of life believed to be universal anywhere life could occur. (Photo by Patrick McArdle/UANews) “Genes in chromosomes, chromosomes in cells, cells in other cells, cells organized into multicellular organisms and multicellular organisms into societies,” Michod said. “This is the hierarchy of life.” From the smallest unicellular bacterium drifting through a pond to complex animals and social networks of societies, all life that we know follows a hierarchical system. This hierarchy presumably would be found anywhere life could occur in the universe. With $1.3 million from NASA, Michod’s lab team, including co-principal investigators Patrick Ferris, a UA research associate, and Pierre Durand, a former postdoctoral researcher in Michod’s lab and now a professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, will endeavor over the next four years to uncover the secrets of this hierarchy. Their research will focus on the largely microscopic, unassuming volvocine algae. These small organisms are nearly ubiquitous in their homesteading habits, appearing in lakes and streams from Japan to Arizona, and in nutrient-rich soils all over the world. Species of volvocine algae vary from the single-celled go-it-alone variety to multicellular colonies. “It’s a group of algae that exhibit a vast array of diverse multicellular, single-cellular and colonial forms,” Michod said. Their ubiquitous nature and the fact that their member species represent steps in the hierarchy of single-celled to multicellular organisms makes Volvocine algae an ideal study system for researchers seeking to understand the genetic steps that take place as life evolves from single-celled organisms to colonies. “They form simple clumps of two or four cells without any kind of division of labor and without much morphology,” Michod said. “Then there are groups of eight, 16 and 64 cells and they start developing more interesting morphological forms; cells start specializing and giving up their fitness in favor of the group. There’s kind of a continuous ray of steps to multicellularity that you can see in Volvocine algae.” “We use the grade of biological forms in the algae to imagine how these steps might be,” Michod explained. “Then we look for genes underlying each of the steps and we use molecular biology to try to find the genes and see what they’re doing in the different intermediate forms.” “We hope to test all these different steps that we’ve theorized exist in the transition from groups to individuals,” Michod said. “There are four or five steps that we think are critical. One is that there has to be ways for groups to form, there have to be mechanisms that keep units together in a structured way. Then you have to have a way of equalizing the fitness of everybody, and then you have to export fitness to the group, the multicellular organism.” An additional boon for the researchers: Two Volvocine species have had their genomes completely sequenced and the researchers will additionally sequence genomes from several key intermediate species. The main question that Michod and his team will tackle is when and how cells transition from functioning as individuals to functioning as part of a group, working for the benefit of the group rather than the benefit of the individual cell. For example, Michod said, “the cells in our body don’t exist by themselves anymore, they’re part of a new individual, a multicellular organism. But there weren’t always multicellular organisms,” he added. “Life was unicellular for billions of years, so what are the conditions under which cells relinquish their claim to fitness and devote their life to the larger unit?” The research problem begs the question of how we define an individual in the first place. In some cases, an individual is defined as indivisible, Michod said. “You can’t chop up an individual and get smaller individuals; they lose their wholeness,” he said. “Another notion is genetic similarity of the cells, and another is the uniqueness that it is different from other individuals. But the most general notion is that an individual can participate in the evolutionary process and adapt at its level of organization.” Specifically, Michod’s team is looking at the division between two types of cells that occur in multicellular organisms: germ cells and somatic cells. “A germ cell is basically a cell that specializes in reproduction and doesn’t do anything good for the body, or the group,” Michod said. “A somatic cell is basically a cell that specializes in helping the body survive and doesn’t do any reproducing itself.” Single-celled organisms need to perform both germ and somatic cell functions, whereas cells that exist as part of a multicellular organism don’t need to reproduce themselves – they’re more interested in helping the group survive. “Basically a somatic cell is turning off reproduction and it’s expressing all its genes in terms of helping the other cells survive,” Michod said. Michod’s lab team is investigating a group of genes called regA-like genes, which are responsible for turning off the reproductive capabilities of single-celled organisms during times of environmental stress, such as a drought, when nourishment may be scarce and the energy expenditure of reproduction would be unwise for survival of the cell. The team has theorized that these genes may be inherently activated in somatic cells that function as part of a multicellular organism, thus permanently preventing reproduction and enabling all cell processes to focus on benefiting the group. “We hope by the end of the project to have concrete examples in this group of algae of each of those steps that lead from single-celled organisms to multicellular individuals,” Michod said. “The theory that’s being tested in the algae is a very general theory that applies to any living system. We think the genes will be different, the traits will be different, and if it’s on Mars everything’s going to be different – except, perhaps, for these steps.” Posted in AZBio News.
Knee Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a type of arthritis in the knee which is a degenerative condition where the cartilage between the end of the thigh bone and the top of the calf bone wear away, which cushions the impact on walking. It also produces a natural lubricant to help the joints glide smoothly thus the loss of cartilage will force the bones to rub painfully against each other, leading to inflammation and pain. Swelling, stiffness and pain are the common primary symptoms of someone with an OA knee. Osteoarthrities Knee Treatment Singapore There are three key factors that leads to OA knee developing: In Singapore, OA knee usually affects the older population as our cartilage naturally thins as we age. However, degeneration may set in much earlier if you suffer from a previous knee injury or have a long history of activities that overloads the knee joint. Unfortunately, these events are irreversible, thus it is crucial that our knees are properly looked after during our early adult life. Physical Attributes There are several physical attributes that increases your chance of developing knee OA: Due to the excess weight, a heavier person will load their knee joints more and wear out their cartilages quicker. According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, for every 10 pounds of extra weight you carry, an additional 30 to 60 pounds of force is placed on the knees with each step taken. Knee alignment A knock-knee or bowlegged alignment will cause an uneven compression of the knee as the weight is not distributed and spread evenly on the joint. Unlike normal knee alignment which bears more body weight on the inner aspect, there is more strain placed on the outer knee ligament due to bowing of the knee and weight bearing. This increases the likelihood of knee sprains and discomfort. Foot type People with flat feet or whose feet overpronate tend to have their lower leg rotate inwards when the ankle rolls in the same direction. This places extra forces and weight on the knee, and excessive occurrence can affect the alignment of the knee. It will also lead to extra strain and rubbing on the knee joint, resulting in pain. The wrong type of footwear, such as high-heel shoes, can also contribute to degenerative changes to the knee. Muscular Causes The knee joint will take up the remaining forces of the impact of walking or running when the muscles around the knee do not contract strong and fast enough in a coordinated manner. Weak muscles. The quadriceps comprise of a four-muscle group that are the strongest and leanest in the entire body. They support the weight of the body under regular use. Because it performs the majority of the work to extend the knee, it is very common for this muscle to atrophy due to disuse. The knee pain deters the patient from loading the knee and this will gradually lead to weakness of the knee which will affect the ability to cushion the impact. Without treatment, this cycle of pain, disuse, and weakness will continue. Tight muscles. Tightness in the muscles and tendons pull joints closer to each other. In an OA knee where the joint space is already reduced, tight muscles change how forces go through the knee and increases the compression of the joint space. Such muscles also lack flexibility and limits the amount of movement at the knee, as well as be less coordinated. Muscles that tend to tight are hamstrings, quadriceps and calves. The glute medius muscle also plays a key role in moving your hips, keeping the hip joint stable and steadying the pelvis. If the muscle is weak, it can aggravate the degeneration of knee cartilage and affect the lower limbs to be unstable. This results in more weight placed on the knee joints, causing discomfort and pain. The best treatment for knee arthritis may involve seeking a specialist in physiology for treatment. This includes physical therapy that can help to reduce the pain, stiffness and swelling of knee osteoarthritis as well as improve knee joint function. Located in Singapore, our team at Core Concepts will work with patients in a multi-specialty setting to create a customised treatment plan best suited to your needs so you can increase your daily activities and restore your health in the long run.
Essay: What is Macroeconomics 12 Oct Essay: What is Macroeconomics Sample Essay Macroeconomics is one of the major branches of economics that is mainly concerned with the overall economic driving considerations namely decision making, behavior and the performance structure of the whole economy, either at a national, regional or even at global levels. (Heijdra & Ploeg 45). These parameters usually assist economists to comprehend the general trends of any given economy and thus they can come up with various policies whether to correct either budget or trade deficits. As much as macroeconomics may seem to be wide, two branches stand out very conspicuously. The first branch tries to investigate the causes and repercussions of short run changes in national income whereas the second branch investigates the determinants of long-run growth of the economy (arise in national income) (Phillips 11). Generally, the two branches of economy elaborate on how issues such as inflation, trade deficits, savings, and consumption among others integrate and affect the economy. Keynesian economics theory was formulated by john Maynard Keynes, a British economist who based his argument on the events of the 20th century in the cooperate world (Blinder 7). He argued that stands taken by then private sector might lead to poor or inefficient macroeconomic results. He therefore proposed active policy responses by the public sector, monetary policy actions by central banks and governments fiscal policy to stabilize the output over the business cycle (Blinder 11) This theory is more friendly to a mixed economy predominantly the private sector but flanked largely by the government and public sector.
Skip to main content Making Sense of the Censuses Question - “Do you think the census' of the Israelites is accurate or symbolic when they leave Egypt and the 2 times after that in Numbers? I read about this and had never heard about it before and would like your thoughts.” I found this to be an interesting question. I had never heard of any controversies regarding the accuracy of these censuses either. So, I contacted the Questioner to gain some insight as to what prompted this question. After that discussion and with a little checking of my own I was able to get a general understanding that, for one reason or another (which I believe all stems from the same source which I will disclose later), the accuracy of the number of Israelites that left Egypt after the 430 years of slavery, and/or entered into the Holy Land after the 40 years of wandering has sometimes been disputed or the cause of controversy. Rather than try to discover, discuss, and dispute all the different attacks against what Scripture says on this matter, I wanted to answer this by simply answering two very important questions: • How accurate were the censuses that were taken? Were the people of that time able to accurately count the people and does scripture support the number they came up with? Of course even this question leaves out the most important factor: the Divine, Omnipotent God who called for and oversaw, and preserved the numbers in Scripture. • Why the attacks against their accuracy? What would be the purpose of disputing these censuses? First, let’s look at what Scripture has to say about the accuracy of the numbers given. The first Israelite (son or descendant of Israel, who was formerly named Jacob, the grandson of Abraham) to enter Egypt was Joseph, Jacob’s son, as recorded in Genesis 37:36. So, the number of Israelites that started out in Egypt was: one. We understand from further reading in the Bible that this was all part of God’s plan to preserve the nation that He had chosen, when a time of great famine was going to come in the near future, and to prepare them to be a strong nation in the land He was giving them as an inheritance. In Genesis 46 the rest of Joseph’s family (the Israelites) go to Egypt. In verses 26 and 27 of that chapter, we find out that the direct descendants of Jacob (Israel) who came to Egypt were 66 people, not including the wives of his 11 sons who came with them. Including Joseph's two sons that were born in Egypt, the house of Israel in Egypt is given at 70. The number would have been greater with the inclusion of the wives of Jacob’s sons, and the husbands of his daughters (if they were married). It could have been closer to 100 people all together. Exodus 1:7 tells us that while the Israelites lived in Egypt they “were fruitful and increased greatly, and multiplied, and became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them.” What does the Bible say? There were so many that the Egyptians became concerned and started to afflict them with slave labor. But as Exodus 1:12 tells us, “the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied.” This was the reason behind the Pharaoh’s declaration that all the male Hebrew children were to be killed at birth; to stop them from multiplying. It is also the first chapter in the story of Moses. By the time the Israelites leave Egypt in the Exodus (430 years later according to Exodus 12:41) we are told in Exodus 12:37 that there were about 600,000 men aside from children. This number would not have included any women or even male children under a certain age (possibly under 20 years of age according to Numbers 1:45, leading me to believe that they had only numbered the men who could fight in battle). According to Ryrie's commentary on the Old Testament, if these 600,000 were about 1/4 to 1/3 of the total population of Israel who left, it would put the total number of Israel closer to 2,000,000 people in all. This number would be very realistic considering that if the original 70+ people experienced an annual growth rate of only 5% - remember, though that God multiplied them greatly - at the end of 430 years they would be over 2,000,000. We cannot know the exact percentage of their growth, so the number could be anywhere between 2 and 3 million for sure. The most accurate census probably comes from The Book of Numbers. In Numbers, we are told more than 150 times that the Lord spoke to Moses. This is God’s word, not something that Moses made up! In Numbers 1:2 – God commands Moses to take a census of all the males, 20 years of age and older, who are able to go out to war. Excluding those who were not able to go out to war for reason of age, infirmity, handicap, or whatever other reason. Numbers 1:46 gives us the number as 603,550. This supports the number we were given in Exodus 12:37 quite nicely! Once again, this would leave the entire population including women and children somewhere between 2 and 3 million. But, how accurate was this number? In Exodus 38:25-26, a few years after the Exodus from Egypt, as they are constructing the Tabernacle for the worship of God, there is mention of the silver used in accordance to those in the congregation who were numbered. The number of men who were 20 years old and older is given as 603,550. Coincidence? I don’t think so! Of course, the first generation of men defied God’s command to enter the Holy Land and was not allowed to enter. They would all die out in the desert as a result of their disobedience and lack of faith. All, except for two faithful men named Joshua and Caleb. In Numbers 26 – the New Generation of Israelites is now numbered in order to see once again how many fighting men there were who were over the age of 20. Numbers 26:2 once again shows us that this is a divinely initiated census. If you compare the two censuses, you see 603,550 in the first and 601,730 in the second (Numbers 26:51). This is about 38-40 years later. There is a difference of only 1,820. God still had them positioned at full strength to enter into the Holy Land. Now, while there are times in Scripture where numbers are given that are representative, symbolic, figurative, or allegorical (usually multiples of 7, 10, or 12, or rounded up or down to be even.), especially in Apocalyptic literature such as the Revelation. I do not believe that to be the case with these censuses. Here is why: • These counting’s were ordained by God and commanded for a purpose. God’s sovereignty and omnipotence would have assured that they were as accurate as humanly possible. Humans being the agents that counted. God preserved these numbers in His Word as they were and are. • The preservation, care, and feeding of this large of an amount of people also gives tangible witness to God’s ability to take care of and provide for us! • The person in charge of the census was no dummy. He was Moses, who had been educated in Egypt in the most prestigious and excellent schools in the world of that time. He would have been very exacting in carrying out God’s command. Could there have been 1 or 2 missed here or there…possibly, but only by human error, not divine. • I believe that the people of that time were just as, if not more, intelligent that we are today. So the system they would have used for counting would have been as precise as possible. It would be very important to them to know exactly how many fighting men they had when the time for battle came. And, at the second census the time for battle had come. Remember, men fought hand to hand in that day with swords, clubs, and spears. There were no machine guns, bombs, or tanks to make up for having a smaller infantry. I believe, in the case of the censuses, that what the Bible says is what the numbers were. I also believe that accordingly, there were definitely somewhere between 2 and 3 million Israelites who left Egypt. Almost the same amount entered into the Holy Land about 40 years later! Now, I am not a mathematician nor the most educated scholar or theologian. So, if it is plain to me…then why do others attack or try to attach doubt to these censuses? I believe the root of this attack on scripture is the same root that is always trying to weaken the truth of scripture and get us to doubt even a little or seemingly insignificant part of God’s Word. It is what Satan does! Try and get us to doubt God’s Word. Regardless of why people try to discredit or debunk even the small things in scripture, at the root is the Devil doing whatever he can to get us to doubt God! Revelation 12:10 gives us a clear statement of what Satan is all about... While many of us remember that Satan’s tactic is to tempt us into sinning and then run to God and tell on us as soon as we do. Many forget that Satan also tries to get us to doubt God’s character and word. Satan accuses us before God. And he also accuses God before us! Isn’t this the exact thing he did with Eve in the Garden? In the very beginning when the first sin was committed? In Genesis 3:1-5, Satan accuses God of not being truthful or honorable. And Eve falls for it! I believe that the attacks and debates about these censuses have the same purpose at their root. I can hear the serpent now… “If these numbers are incorrect. or have been changed or incorrectly translated, then what else is not right or inaccurate in the Bible?” I believe that there is great (godly) advice to be found in Paul's divinely inspired warnings to the following two young pastors, which we should all heed! Titus 3:9 – “…avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” (NASB) God's Word is a Treasure It’s great to study and discuss Scripture and all the treasures to be found there. It can be both fun and challenging to discover how precise, complex, and consistent God is in His divine design and plan. But time spent arguing about words, and numbers, and opinions is time wasted. Time that could have been spent declaring the good news of Jesus to a dead and dying world! In the end, the most important census will be how many people will live forever with God in His Heaven. How many of those counted will be there because you valued each individual person as much as Jesus did? Study hard. Stand firm in your faith. And never allow the enemy to take your focus off of what’s truly important! It’s not the five loaves that we focus on… it’s the One whose hands broke them and fed thousands! God Bless…P. Scott Rita said… Thank you for bringing the truth into the light and exposing the root of this debate! It totally does mirror the deception like in the garden of Eden. P. Scott said… Thanks Rita, the last sentence was a real inspiration from the Spirit and pretty much says it all. Popular Posts Prayer vs. Petition What is Salvation, Part 4 Q: What is salvation and can you lose it? There's the saying "once saved always saved". Using the scripture that no one is able to snatch them out of the Fathers hand. (John 10:29) but it says in verse 27 My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they follow me. So the no snatching is referring to those who hear and follow, in other words who are obedient to His Word. So, the ones that do not heed the call of the Lord and follow can be snatched? What about sin hardening the heart? (Hebrew 3:13) Shipwrecked faith? (1Tim 1:19) I have heard the saying - "It's not how you start the race but how you finish it." If you aren't a true follower of Christ then how can you have the strength on your own to even run the race. It is because of Christ and who He transforms you to be that you would even want to run the race at all. So… The Judgment Seat of Christ Q: If our sins are forgiven, what are we going to stand judgment for? A:Part of the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that "...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). This is great news indeed! How amazing that the Holy and Righteous Judge and Creator of the world has made a way for rebellious and wicked sinners to be reconciled to Him. Jesus the Christ, the one who became accursed by God so that all who believe in Him could be justly forgiven, and who rose from the dead and who is exalted at the right hand of God, has secured a victory over sin, death and the devil both now and forever. On the foundation of this completed work of Christ, believers can have assurance that they will be able to stand on the Day of Judgment. This is why it is good and right to sing the praises of Him who has overcome! Because of what Jesus has done, the Bible teaches very clearly that our salvation is not on the basis of deeds, but on the basis of… The Sign of Jonah According to John 19:31, it seems as though Jesus died on the "day of preparation" which was immediately followed by the sabbath, and then followed by the first day of the week. This leads us to when Mark 16:2 happened, the ladies went to the tomb "very early on the first day of the week". It was at this time that the empty tomb was discovered. My question is, according to history and maybe even Greek text, is there any explanation as to why Jesus said that He would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights when as I am reading the accounts, I am not coming up with three days and three nights? Thank you, as always! A: This question has been raised by many people. Numerous answers have been suggested. The reasons for asking this question are good ones. The r… Wondering about Signs and Wonders? Question –“What do you think about: gold dust, diamond dust and gems appearing in church services? Do you think they are from God?” A: I have to admit, when I first read this question I had no idea what the Questioner was talking about. I had not heard of these things or even similar things happening. So I figured I had better find out if in fact they were happening and under what circumstances. With a little surfing of the Internet, I was able to find several stories relating to this claimed phenomenon. Case One: A small church in San Juan, Puerto Rico, had reported that precious gems had miraculously appeared during their church services. These included what appeared to be diamonds, gold, silver, topaz, emeralds, and rubies. They also claimed that mysterious oil with the fragrance of roses began pouring from their ceiling and walls. They assert that the numbers of precious stones that appear are based on their worship and adoration as they praised God. They even claim that sometimes…
Society and social problems essay Cudzie jazyky » Angličtina Autor: verca123 Typ práce: Maturita Dátum: 24.03.2020 Jazyk: Angličtina Rozsah: 469 slov Počet zobrazení: 404 Tlačení: 22 Uložení: 17 Spoločnosť a sociálne problémy Society means a group of people who share the same geographical or social territory, and they have some common features. Multicultural society means that people of different nationalities live together and share their traditions. There are people of different races, nationalities and religions in the world. Although we all have to learn how to live in tolerance and peace together to make the world better place. Social problems have been here with people for ages. Some of them are poverty, lack of drinkable water, lack of food, drug addiction, racism, children’s labour, slavery, lack of political freedom and many others. Many of these problems are visible in underdeveloped countries. Those are countries with big industrial and agricultural problems. For example, India, China and almost all African countries. There is huge poverty. Although people are able to earn some money, it is enough only to a live healthy life. CHILD LABOUR – detská práca If you think that when you work, you have the right to be safe and paid fairly, it is not true for every country in the world. The minimum age for work in China is 16 but many children must work before that. They usually work in very dangerous places and they get injured very often. In India there are 10,1 million working children between 5 to 14 years. They need to work because their parents are not able to earn enough money for the whole family. The biggest problem is that children are not paid fairly. Products that we can buy in Europe cost usually more than 100% of child’s daily salary. POVERTY - chudoba The problem of poverty is usually connected with unemployment. People lose their job or people don’t earn enough money to take care of their family and home. Poverty leads to homelessness. People who became homeless usually wait for help from other people. They beg for money and food. Sometimes they work around church or they are accommodated in centres of charity were they need to keep the rules and become the part of community. For example, no alcohol and drugs, clean room, work on farm or in the garden. Some homeless people choose to stay in the streets. They are usually alcoholics and drug addicted. The biggest death rate is visible during the winter when homeless people die of freezing. DRUG ADDICTION – drogová závislosť Addiction can happen at any age, but it usually starts when a person is young. However, there is no special type of person who becomes addicted. It can happen to anyone. We can divide drugs into two categories, soft drugs and hard drugs. Soft drugs are those which don’t make people physically addicted for example, cannabis-marijuana or LSD. Whereas hard drugs as alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, and so many medical products make people physically addicted. Vyhľadaj ďalšie vhodné študentské práce pre tieto kľúčové slová: #Social problems #China #problems of society #social issue Cudzie jazyky » Angličtina :: Exchange Rates Euro :: KATEGÓRIE – Referáty, ťaháky, maturita:
The Development Of Traffic Lights The Development Of Traffic Lights The development of traffic lights Product Details The development of traffic lights According to the data, during the Kuomintang rule, there were 50 traffic command posts in Shenyang City, of which there was no traffic light, and 19 traffic lights (4 automatic signal lights, 15 manual light lights) and no lights were repaired and added. 15 booths. By the early 1960s, the city had reached 30 signal lights. In the early 1990s, Shenyang completed the construction of the first-loop traffic signal automatic control system and closed-circuit television monitoring system, speeding up the intelligent traffic process. Shenyang traffic lights develop and improve, reflecting the evolution of traffic lights. The industrial revolution that originated in the central England in the 18th century affected the entire continent of Europe and led to the industrial revolution in many countries at that time. In terms of production technology, the industrial revolution replaced the manual factory with a machine factory, creating enormous productivity, and human beings entered the steam era, and the UK became a "world factory." With the rumbling of the steam locomotive, the railway traffic signal came into being. Since the train was operated in a single train according to the fixed timetable, and the train was stopped, it was not very easy. Therefore, the signal used on the railway had only one command: pass. . At that time, the land transport vehicles in the United Kingdom were mainly carriages. Some people transplanted the train lights to the carriage carriage. In 1858, the main street of London, England, installed red and blue mechanical wrench-type signal lights with gas as the light source. Commanding the carriage, this is the world's first traffic light. In 1868, the British mechanical engineer Nayt applied it to road traffic. On the cast iron columns at the intersection of George Street and Hillic Street near the London Parliament Building, a red and green rotating square glass lantern appeared. Gas-fueled traffic lights. This type of traffic signal is manually manipulated to change color, red means "stop", green means "attention", mainly for the convenience of members of the House of Representatives to work safely. Unexpectedly, an accident occurred during the use, causing a police officer who was on duty to die on the spot. No one dared to use this traffic light. Until the end of the 19th century, Edison invented the electric light, providing a prerequisite for the birth of electric energy-based traffic lights. In 1914, the city of Cleveland in the United States took the lead in recovering the traffic lights, but at this time it was already an "electrical signal light." Later, cities such as New York and Chicago re-emerged as traffic lights. The signal consists of red, green, and yellow circular light projectors mounted on a tower in Fifth Avenue, New York City. A red light indicates a stop, and a green light indicates a pass. Later, controlled traffic lights and infrared lights appeared. In 1918, the Detroit traffic policeman William Potts invented the world's first artificially-operated electrical lighting "red, green, yellow" three-color traffic lights. The traffic signal is installed on the signal tower at the center of the intersection, and the circular emitters of red, green and yellow are installed on the four sides of the signal tower. The yellow light signal indicates passage, the red light signal indicates stop, and the green light signal indicates that it can turn left and right. With the development of automobiles, people realize that a car is a high-speed vehicle. If a green light is directly converted into a red light while driving, the passenger is easily injured by the sudden braking of the car. This three-color signal tower appeared on the street and was immediately welcomed. It was adopted by Japan two years later and adopted by the United Kingdom seven years later. The United Kingdom has three colour lights: the green light means traffic, the red light means no traffic, and the yellow light indicates warning. Traffic lights have also become an important part of our transportation composition. From a young teacher, we must educate us to stop at a red light, green light, yellow light, and follow the orderly rules. Urban traffic can leave the traffic lights without a moment. Even in the dead of night, the traffic lights still work as usual. Hot Tags: the development of traffic lights, China, suppliers, manufacturers, factory, customized, buy, bulk You Might Also Like
Friday, August 25, 2017 Responsible Business : The Rapid Growth of the B Corps In 2014 B Corps were emerging as a significant sustainability trend. As of August 2017 there are more than 22,220 B Corps certified businesses and almost three dozen states have passed legislation allowing companies to incorporate as public benefit corporations. The B Corp certification is the creation of a nonprofit organization called the B Lab. They have rigorous certification standards that include social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. They review all a company’s business practices from supply chain sustainability to labor practices and philanthropy. Katie Wallace is the assistant director of sustainability at New Belgium a certified B Corp. She asserts that sustainability is fundamental to survival. She makes the point that while her company got involved for values-based reasons they are finding that it is paying off financially. "If you’re running a business that’s not considering the impact that you have on the environment and society or the impact that those things have upon your business, then you’re not operating a business that’s really going to be in existence in the future," Wallace is quoted by PBS as saying. She added, "economically it was a really powerful business model and has been a key ingredient of our success over time." Green Mountain Power (GMP) recently celebrated its third anniversary as the first utility in the world to become a certified B Corp. GMP illustrates how a utility company can have a major impact on energy consumption. They help their customers reduce their carbon footprints by minimizing their energy usage. GMP offers energy savings through innovative techniques, heat pumps and home batteries. The most recent B Corp. certified company is Keap, the candle maker started by two ex-Googlers. These guys demonstrate responsible company conduct. They use sustainable raw material and they donate a portion of their revenue to the climate change charity SolarAid. 10 Reasons Why Patagonia is the World's Most Responsible Company No comments:
Plovdiv is the second-largest city of Bulgaria. It has a population of 346,893 as of 2018 and 675,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Plovdiv is the culture capital of Bulgaria. It is an important economic, transport, cultural, and educational center. There is evidence of habitation in Plovdiv dating back to the 6th millennium BCE, when the first Neolithic settlements were established. It has been considered to be one of the oldest cities in the world. During most of its recorded history, Plovdiv was known in the West by the name Philippopolis (Greek: Φιλιππούπολη; Turkish: Filibe; “Philip’s Town”) after Philip II of Macedon conquered the city in the 4th century BCE. The city was originally a Thracian settlement and subsequently was invaded by Persians, Greeks, Celts, Romans, Goths, Huns, Bulgars, Slavs, Rus people, Crusaders, and Turks. On 4 January 1878, at the end of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), Plovdiv was taken away from Ottoman rule by the Russian army. It remained within the borders of Bulgaria until July of the same year, when it became the capital of the autonomous Ottoman region of Eastern Rumelia. In 1885, Plovdiv and Eastern Rumelia joined Bulgaria.
Drug Policies Around the World & How They Affect Society United States Policies Image: Pixabay/TechPhotoGal In the 70s Richard Nixon began the “war on drugs” and ever since then the country has been spending billions in courts while hunting down drug traffickers at all borders as well as within the U.S. 21.5 million Americans 12 years or older battled substance abuse in 2014. The harsh penalties for possession or sale are reinforced by the statistic that a 80% of prisoners are either addicted or were incarcerated for drug-related crimes. Laws in Australia The laws in Australia concerning drugs are almost identical to those in the United States. The Australian government places emphasis on drug education in schools. However, Australia has been more outspoken in harm reduction measures like needle exchange programs, leading to drug offense statistics of roughly 20% of offenses in 2015-2016. Germany’s Stance on Drugs Although serious penalties are the result of possession or sale of large quantities, no criminal action is taken for small-scale possession and use. The German government has even allowed supervised “drug rooms” where individuals can safely use their drug of choice and receive counseling. They also offer opioid substitution treatments. The EMCDDA Country Drug Report 2017 reports 292, 227 drug law offenses. The most common drugs seized are cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, and heroin. Drug Policy in Switzerland Switzerland is home to the most liberal drug policies in the world, serving as a global model. Swiss government emphasizes “prevention, therapy, harm reduction and prohibition” — putting special attention towards helping drug addicts receive treatments. This has reduced deaths while also cutting crime rates. They were the first sponsors of “safe rooms,” allowing heroin users to shoot up with clean needles in a non-threatening environment. The progressive countries of Europe appear to be leading the way for the decriminalization of drug use and possession. Even though this attitude has captured lots of negative feedback, many claim it helps provide successful programs for the health and wellbeing of their citizens. As more policies begin to favor the positive treatment of addicts, jail systems may be steadily emptied of drug-addicted individuals, allowing tax dollars and government attention to be focused elsewhere. ShaeShae Holland is a professional copywriter and loves philosophical discussions. Visit her site here.
This is for the location named Tartarus. For the deity, see Tartarus (primordial) It's... the worst part of the Underworld, step foot and those no way out but to suffer eternal punishment. Tartarus, often called Hades itself is a world featured in Greek Mythology. It first appears in 700 B.C. in Hesiod's Greek myth story. Underworld is based on the location of the same name from Greek Mythology, and the Disney film Hercules. It is also based on the concept of Hell. Tartarus in Greek Mythology, is the deep abyss that is used as a dungeon of torment and suffering for the wicked and as the prison for the Titans. As far below Hades as the earth is below the heavens, Tartarus is the place where souls were judged after death and where the wicked received divine punishment. Like other primal entities (such as the Earth, Night and Time), Tartarus was also considered to be a primordial force or deity.In Greek Mythology, Tartarus is both a deity and a place in the underworld. In ancient Orphic sources and in the mystery schools, Tartarus is also the unbounded first-existing entity from which the Light and the cosmos are born. In the Greek poet Hesiod's Theogony, Tartarus was the third of the primordial deities, following after Chaos and Gaia (Earth), and preceding Eros and was the father, by Gaia, of his only son, the monstrous giant Typhon. According to Hyginus, Tartarus was the offspring of Aether and Gaia. As for the place, Hesiod asserts that a bronze anvil falling from heaven would fall nine days before it reached the earth. The anvil would take nine more days to fall from earth to Tartarus. In The Iliad, Zeus asserts that Tartarus is "as far beneath Hades as heaven is high above the earth." The rivers of the Underworld also ran through Tartarus, these rivers were: • The Styx: The blue river which is also the river of hatred. It is named after the goddess Styx. • The Acheron: The green river which is also the river of pain. Charon usually rowed past this river on most mythological accounts. But sometimes the Styx. It is also known as The River of Lost Souls. • The Lethe: The yellow river which is also the river of forgetfulness. Drinking it will make the user forget their past. • The Cocytus: The grey river which is also the river of wailing. • The Phlegethon: The fire river which puts you into eternal burning and is Hades' preferred river. • The Oceanus: The river that encircles the world and marks the east edge of the Underworld. The Underworld is considered to be a dark and gloomy counterpart to the bright and happy Mount Olympus. As to also which, Mount Olympus is the realm of the gods whereas the Underworld is the realm of the dead. Ixion,the king of Lapiths resided on Mount Olympus for a short time before he fell lustful for Zeus' wife, Hera, so Zeus banished him to Tartarus, which is down in the underworld and he was bind to a winged fiery wheel by Hermes that was always spinning. Inhabitants (Major)Edit • denotes the deceased. Modern AdaptionsEdit Tartarus has been in plenty of movies in our generation... Some of them include: Tartarus was featured on ABC's hit show Once Upon a Time. The door into Tartarus. They also gave us the inside of Tartarus... Inside of Tartarus Tartarus was also featured on the best recent Greek Mythology movie Clash of the Titans and Wrath of the Titans. On-Screen NotesEdit • The Underworld is located exactly nine days under Earth. • It would take a dropping anvil exactly nine days from Earth to reach the Underworld. • And another nine days from the Underworld to reach Tartarus.
Quranic Verses on Science by Salah Zaimeche Published on: 1st September 2002 Votes 183 Whilst scientific truths are very regularly questioned and abandoned, the truths in the Quran are permanent and unchangeable. Summarised extracts from a full article: Islam and Science by Salah Zaimeche (sura 2, verse 22): (sura 2, verse 164): In the disparity of night and day, In the beasts of all kinds He scatters therein, Here are Signs for people who are wise.” (sura 13, verse 3): (sura 20, verses 53 and 54): (sura 79, verses 30-33): In these verses is shown the role and benefit of water in sustaining life on earth. The reference in the Qur’an however, as is pointed out by the author, goes far beyond this geographical detail. “According to scientific knowledge the character the Earth has of a planet that is rich in water is unique to the solar system, and this is exactly what is highlighted in the Qur’an. Without water, the Earth would be a dead planet like the Moon. The Qur’an gives first place to water among the natural phenomena of the Earth that it refers to. The water cycle is described with remarkable accuracy in the Qur’an. When the verses of the Qur’an concerning the role of water in man’s existence are read in succession today. they all appear to us to express ideas that are quite obvious. The reason for this is simple: in our day and age, we all, to a lesser or greater extent, know about the water cycle in nature.” Votes 183 Copy link Powered by Social Snap
“Bioplastics” aim to curb the environmental impacts plastic pollution causes, something we have all been made aware of. They’re one of the solutions touted by Canadian supermarkets who say they’ve taken steps to reduce the massive amounts of plastic waste they generate, after a CBC Marketplace report found they’ve been slow to act. Marketplace will share their update on plastic waste in supermarkets Friday. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about bioplastics. ‘Bioplastic’ can mean 3 different things. Plastics are moldable materials that are typically made from long chains of smaller molecules joined together, which is why their names often start with the prefix “poly” — for example polystyrene or polyethylene. Traditionally, they’ve been made from fossil fuels and take a very long time to break down in the environment — sometimes hundreds of years. Bioplastics are plastics that can be: • Biobased; that is, derived from biological sources such as corn, potatoes, wood, food waste or lobster shells. • Biodegradable, meaning they can be broken down by microbes into natural substances such as water, carbon dioxide and compost under certain conditions. • Both biobased and biodegradable (some examples in the first bullet point fall into this category). Many bioplastics aren’t biodegradable. And some are chemically identical to regular plastics. The only difference between biopolyethylene or bio-PET (used in Coke’s “PlantBottle”) and regular polyethylene or PET is they use a raw ingredient from plants (ethanol) instead of fossil fuels to make the same material. Those kinds of plastics are known as “drop-in” plastics because they can be dropped in as direct replacements for traditional plastics and mixed with them in any quantity (the PlantBottle originally included 30 per cent plant-based ingredients and 70 per cent regular PET that still represents 7 per cent of the company’s bottles sold around the world. Coca-Cola has since also made a 100 per cent bio-PET version). Because they’re identical, they take just as long as traditional plastics to break down. Other facts on bioplastics include: • Many bioplastics aren’t biodegradable. And some are chemically identical to regular plastics. • Plastics made mostly or entirely from fossil fuels can be called ‘biobased’ and ‘bioplastics’, respectively. • Bioplastics can help reduce carbon emissions. But not always a lot. • Compostable plastics often end their life in places where they don’t break down. • Bioplastics are often recyclable, but often aren’t recycled. • Bioplastics could potentially have environmental drawbacks. But bioplastics are only a tiny fraction of plastic in the world today. To learn more about bioplastics, Read the full and original article at CBC.ca
[VIDEO] Jupiter’s Red Spot Is Red Hot What Jupiter’s spot is not, is tranquil. New infrared images taken by Boston University scientists on a NASA telescope in Hawaii show that whereas Jupiter’s north and south poles are heated by strong magnetic fields, its large, stormy red spot generates its own heat by a different mechanism. Shock waves from turbulent winds in the spot and other storms help explain how the planet’s upper atmosphere stays warm so far from the sun. Read the rest of this entry » NASA’s Juno Spacecraft is Now in Orbit Around Jupiter Loren Grush reports: NASA’s Juno spacecraft has successfully entered Jupiter’s orbit, bringing it closer to the planet than any probe has come so far. The vehicle reached the gas giant’s north pole this evening, and NASA received confirmation that the vehicle had turned on its main engine at 11:18PM ET. The engine burned for 35 minutes, helping to slow the spacecraft down enough so that it was captured by Jupiter’s gravitational pull. NASA confirmed that the burn was successful at around 11:53PM ET and that Juno was in its intended 53-day orbit. The orbit insertion was a bit of a nail biter for NASA, as the spacecraft had to travel through regions of powerful radiation and rings of debris surrounding Jupiter. As an added precaution, the probe’s instruments were turned off for the maneuver so that nothing would interfere with the engine burn. But everything seemed to work flawlessly, and NASA received confirmation of the burn’s success almost exactly as expected. The timing only differed by 1 second from pre-burn predictions. That confirmation came 48 minutes after the event actually occurred, though. That’s because it currently takes 48 minutes to send a signal from Jupiter to Earth. Juno started its burn at around 10:30PM ET and finished at 11:05PM ET, but NASA didn’t confirm all of this until just before midnight. If something had gone wrong and stopped the burn too early, the space agency wouldn’t have been in a position to fix the problem. Read the rest of this entry » NASA’s Juno Mission Is About to Perform Its Most Dangerous Maneuvers — Juno project manager Scott Bolton
Skip to navigationSkip to content hands of a refugee boy grabbing the fence of a refugee camp in Turkey Reuters/Yannis Behrakis Turkey received the largest number of refugees in 2018. • Ana Campoy By Ana Campoy Latin America reporter The number of people fleeing their countries reached a record high of 25.5 million in 2018, the United Nations’ refugee agency said this week. Only a small fraction of them were living in rich countries, according to an annual report by the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees. Poorer countries are instead bearing the brunt of the growing global refugee crisis. Of the 20 million people or so under the agency’s mandate, only 16% were living in high-income countries. Here are the countries with the biggest refugee populations, according to UNHCR: Poorer countries, too, rank at the top when it comes to the number of refugees relative to the overall population. In Lebanon, for example, there are 156 refugees per 1,000 inhabitants, the highest such ratio in 2018. CountryRefugees per 1,000 inhabitants South Sudan23 Compare that to the refugee-to-population ratio in wealthier countries, where it averages 2.7 per 1,000, according to UNHCR. Part of the reason behind the concentration of refugees in poorer countries is geographic. People fleeing their homes usually settle in nearby countries. It makes sense that countries near Syria, the top refugee expeller, would be among the top hosts. Here are the five countries where most refugees come from: But the report also shows that it may make more sense for refugees to be spread more evenly around the world. In many cases, the countries getting the biggest numbers have the least resources available. For example, if you divide the number of refugees in Uganda by the country’s GDP, you get 41 per $1 million. The US’s GDP-to-refugee ratio, meanwhile, is .02 per $1 million, UNHCR data show.
Skip to main content Intense videos show Hurricane Sally hit the Gulf Coast hard Intense videos show Hurricane Sally hit the Gulf Coast hard Hurricane Sally — one of a record number of storms that have formed so far in the Atlantic this year — is pummeling parts of the Gulf Coast. After intensifying into a Category 2 hurricane, Sally made landfall on the Alabama coast Wednesday morning. It's a particularly problematic cyclone because it's moving relatively slow, which means the storm can dump profound amounts of rain on the region. What's more, Sally's winds are forcing surges of ocean water into the coast, resulting in major floods. "Historic and catastrophic flooding is unfolding along and just inland of the coast from west of Tallahassee, Florida, to Mobile Bay, Alabama," the National Weather Service wrote Wednesday morning. In inland areas, the agency warns of flash and urban flooding. Hurricane researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that tropical cyclones (which include hurricanes) have, on average, slowed down over the last seven decades, specifically between 1948 to 2017. This means more "crawling" or "stalling" storms capable of deluging regions, sometimes with historic rainfall. Researchers are studying the cause of this slowdown. "Nothing good can come of a slower storm," NOAA scientist James Kossin previously told Mashable. The imagery below from meteorologists and others show how Hurricane Sally is impacting areas like Pensacola, Fla. and Mobile, Ala. Hurricane Sally is forecast to crawl northeast through southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday, dumping up to a foot of rain in some areas.
A Unique Perspective on Syria Peter Azar Michael spending quality time with his cousins, grandfather, and brother in Syria in the summer of 2019. Often in the media, Syria is depicted as a country struggling with civil war, terrorism, mass disporia, and economic strife. While the Arab country has faced significant turmoil in the past decade, it does not mean that the Syrian culture and way of life in the region are extinct, as St. Edward senior Michael Azar can attest to. Michael was only two months old the first time he went to Syria. Michael and his brother Mayar lived in Syria for three years with their mother, going to school in Syria and returning to the US for the summer. In 2009, Michael permanently moved back to the States, and now spends the school years here and summers in Syria. Michael truly has a unique perspective on what it means to be Syrian-American, with a deep appreciation of the culture, language, and customs of both his homes. In an interview with Michael about his experiences in Syria and growing up in a household that embraced his culture, he explained some of the little differences between the US and Syria. For example, “Arabic culture has a much higher emphasis on social life, which makes things like manners and restrictions much more important in daily life. But Syria isn’t too different in other ways, Syria has McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, chains like that.” Michael is a true patriot to both countries, through and through, in speaking about Syria with him, it is evident how much pride he has in his ancestry and the Syrian culture. He said that it is very disheartening when Syria is depicted as corrupt and its customs overzealous. When asked about how the civil war has affected his view of Syria, he remained resilient in his assessment of the ancient nation, he explained that Syria claims the oldest inhabited capital, Damascus, and oldest city, Aleppo, in the world. “It was Christan for 1,000 years, Muslim for 1,500 years, but Syrian for 10,000 years. The people see themselves first as Syrians, above any other sect. It is not a sectarian or violent culture, it is just easy to look like that when all you see on the news are terrorist groups and civil war. I think that it is important for people to realize that there is so much more to the history of Syria than whats been on the news for the past ten years, the country is thousands of years old.” Michael noted that the amount of negative news about Syria drowns out a real understanding of the culture, “When I was younger I felt that my ‘American side’ and ‘Syrian side’ were at odds. It was hard to be the middle eastern kid when the news and even shows like Saturday Night Live depicted middle easterners as terrorists or backwards thinking religious freaks. As time went on, though, I learned to embrace my culture and tried to teach others around me about Syria, its culture, and all the positive things there are. Teach people that Arab people aren’t the stereotypes they see on TV, but just normal people from somewhere else in the world.” When Michael reminisces about his second home, it is easy to see how much he appreciates all the small differences. For example, Michael notes that Syrian culture is much more family-focused, much more relaxed, and much more community oriented, “In Syria, people take siestas during the day. Families eat all their meals together, worship together, and are overall much more engaged with each other. The pace of daily life is more relaxed, theres no rat race to be caught up in.” Michael Azar Michael Azar’s home town of Saidnaya This past summer, Michael spent a month and a half in Syria visiting relatives and just enjoying local life in his town of Saidnaya. Micheal summed up his experience this summer with beaming eyes, “It’s a really cool experience, having a second home that is different from your normal life, but just as inviting and comfortable. Going to Saidnaya for the summer is a lot like going to a family picnic or reunion, you get to see cousins and aunts and uncles that you rarely get to see. It feels less like a vacation and more like just living somewhere else, its just a really unique and great experience.”
Dec 13, 2017 in Literature Doll’s House The concept of male dominance and female subordination has pervaded literary works for a long time. The authors of literary works of different genres incessantly depicted these gender roles. In several literary works, women have been depicted as inferior to men in their thinking and acting. Male characters have taken up the major roles, while female characters have mainly taken a supporting role. Indeed, feminism has suffused literary works, and the drama “Doll’s House” by Henrick Ibsen could illustrate this no better. The characters in Henrick Ibsen’s work, “Doll’s House”, have aligned themselves to take up the gender roles traditionally associated with men and women respectively. They have proven the existing notions about male dominance and female subordination in literary works. Indeed, much like in Ibsen’s other writings, the concept of feminism comes out patently in “Doll’s House”. The female characters have been portrayed to take up traditionally feminine roles while the male characters have assumed their traditional dominating characters. Moreover, the female characters portray a distinctive feminine mode of subjective thinking, perceiving, and valuing. Indeed, the supporting characters in this play have been tasked with revealing the social institutions and norms that restrict the main characters. Indeed, even though some characters, such as Mrs. Linde, have come out in defiance of the traditional roles assigned to their gender, they still reflect vastly stereotyped views of women. The opening scene tells much about the gender roles that have been assigned to each gender in this play. Nora and Torvald explicitly depict the traditional gender roles. Nora has just come from a Christmas shopping spree, while her husband, Torvald, is in his study. This simple fact depicts the age-old notion that women should be assigned such duties as house-keeping, while men should commit themselves to “higher” duties such as gaining knowledge to enable the world move forward. Right from the outset, Ibsen delivers to the reader the concept of feminism in a distinctive fashion. The conversation that ensues in the opening scene also tells the reader much about the roles that men and women play by virtue of their genders. While Torvald speaks in an authoritative and commanding manner, the views of Nora are not taken with the seriousness they deserve. Nora seems to play the listening role more than the commanding role. This is manifested in the way Nora makes suggestions that Torvald accepts or dismisses at will. Even when the issue concerns Nora’s own health, it seems that Torvald has a greater say than Nora herself. The fact that Nora has to wipe her mouth hastily and hid the macaroons in her pocket before she goes to meet her husband is a testimony to this. Moreover, the fact that Torvald calls the act of going to buy confectionaries “breaking rules” clearly depicts the respective roles that Torvald and Nora play in their marriage. Torvald obviously plays the “chaperoning” role in the relationship, while Nora is a bystander, expected to bow to each and every whim of her husband. She is clearly not an equal in the relationship. Another hint in the opening conversation that convinces the reader that the society in the Ibsen’s play is highly patriarchal is the fact that Torvald associates certain characteristics with women. When Nora suggests that they should borrow some money from their friends to spend it on the months after Christmas, Torvald expressly exclaims, “That is like a woman!” This statement has a heavy bearing on the feminism within the play. Torvald’s response to Nora’s suggestion shows that Torvald holds the view that women are poor decision makers and that their suggestions are, more often than not, totally misplaced. Other aspects of the story that show the gender roles that Nora has taken are the mollycoddling names that her husband keeps calling her. Torvald calls her such names as “little squirrel”, “little featherhead”, and “little skylark”. These names are suggestive of a pampering attitude that parents often treat their children with. In essence, this suggests that Torvald treats Nora as a little child, or more appropriately, as a “doll”. Further, Torvald’s refusal to give Nora money instead of a Christmas gift suggests that he does not trust Nora to spend money wisely. All these are manifestations of a furiously paternal society that Ibsen portrays in his drama, “Doll’s House”. In a production of the play posted on “youtube”, Ibsen acts out his part by giving his wife a stern look and speaking to her with a strict tone. From their discourse, it comes out clearly that Torvald imposes his views upon his wife, lending credence to the assertion that the society in question is distinctively paternal (Ørjasæter). The supporting characters have also played an important role in asserting the gender roles that the main characters play. Krogstad, for instance, requests Nora to use her influence to prevent Torvald’s firing from work. This request puts the reader in a better position to understand the relationship between Torvald and Nora. When Nora pleads with Torvald so that he may not fire Krogstad from work, Torvald pays no attention to Nora’s pleas. This, in fact, shows that Torvald holds his wife in very low regard. By trivializing his wife’s request, he demonstrates his low regard for his wife. Moreover, even though Nora persistently pleads with him to consider retaining Krogstad, he does not budge. This proves that he does not consider the views of his wife to be any more important than those of a child. This is reinforced by the words that he tells Nora after receiving Krogstad’s letter cancelling the contract. He says, “I should not be a man if this womanly helplessness did not just give you a double attractiveness in my eyes” (Ibsen). This statement is the most apparent evidence of paternalism in this drama. The reader can also notice heavy feminism in the way Krogstad treats Nora. Krogstad fails to address his complaints directly to Torvald. Instead, he uses Nora as a proxy through which he can air his grievances to Torvald. Granted, there is a debt that binds Nora to Krogstad. However, the reader nevertheless expects Krogstad to face Trovald if he feels there is a need to do so. The fact that Krogstad chooses to blackmail Nora in order to press his case demonstrates the fact that he sees a weakness in Nora that he does not see in Trovald. Krogstad decides to exploit this weakness for his own gain. Nora gives a telling revelation to Mrs. Linde. She reveals that she had borrowed some money against her husband’s wish in order to take him to Italy so that he may recover from the serious illness that he was suffering from. The reader gets some insight into the decision-making skills of Nora. In fact, the reader judges Nora favorably when he learns that she took it upon herself to borrow money and work to pay it for the sake of her husband. Ibsen’s intention is probably to portray the fact that despite the weakness that has inherently been depicted in women, they can make thoughtful decisions. In the third act of the play, it is clear that Torvald’s disregard for his wife’s opinions is so deep-seated that it cannot be changed easily. When he finds out that Nora had borrowed the money for their trip to Italy, he is outraged. He does not care that Nora had borrowed the money for his own good. He chastises Nora and calls her demeaning names such as ‘hypocrite’ and ‘criminal’. Further, he laments that he cannot imagine the life that he will have to go through because of the debt in which Nora has placed him. The most telling statement that Torvald says is calling Nora a “thoughtless woman”. This conversation brings to the light the gist of the feminist theme that is such a prominent part of this story. Torvald goes ahead to say that what he hates most about the entire scheme is that people will most likely think that he is the one behind the scheme. This statement means that the society in which Torvald and Nora live expects the man to initiate all serious contracts while the women sit back and watch. Moreover, Torvald still offers to let Nora stay in his house without giving her the ‘privilege’ of raising their children. He says that appearances must be preserved. He implies that women serve only as “trophies” that should be displayed to the outside world. He treats Nora as a symbol of his status rather than as a human being and, more importantly, as an equal partner in their marriage. Mrs. Linde is somewhat a departure from the general norm. She rebels against the notion that a married woman should live as a doll. Indeed, a modern society cannot allow a woman to live in the image of a doll (Markussen 126). She strikes the reader as an independent, capable woman. Not only does she perform heavy duties such as taking care of her sick mother, but she also caters for her two younger brothers. She is the ultimate symbol of feminine independence. The fact that she has a lot of independence is an indication that some women in the society are becoming emancipated and they are beginning to take up roles that have traditionally been considered male roles. In addition to catering for her sick mother and her brothers, Mrs. Linde asserts that she needs to remain occupied. This is completely out of sync with the societal expectations of her time. While the society expects women to be passive onlookers in the happenings of their society, Mrs. Linde is a proactive participant in the goings-on of her society. This is exemplified by the way she takes a deliberate step to seek employment. Despite her prominent participation in societal issues that affect her, Mrs. Linde’s character still represents some stereotyped views of women in her society. First of all, the reader learns that she only takes a proactive role in matters after the death of her husband. This implies that before then, she had also taken a back seat, like all other women in her society of the time. The death of her husband seems to have jolted her to activity more than the other women in her society. Secondly, her conversation with Krogstad reveals that she left Krogstad to get married to a wealthier man who could cater for her family’s needs. This is the epitome feminism in Ibsen’s play. It shows that Mrs. Linde believes that she cannot cater for her family from her own sources and effort. Indeed, Henrick Ibsen’s drama “Doll’s House” is a perfect representation of a patriarchal society. The female characters live up to their roles of subordination. The men, on the other hand, are excessively dominant in their talks and actions. The supporting characters of this drama enable the reader to better understand the gender roles that the main characters play. Indeed, the character traits of each of the characters enable the reader of Ibsen’s “Doll’s House” to better understand the feminist theory. Related essays
The Easy Guide Understanding Tornado Alerts Tornado touching down from colorful storm cloud Posted in: Weather 101 By Steve LaNore, Certified Broadcast Meteorologist More from this author The Easy Guide Understanding Tornado Alerts Tornado watches and tornado warnings help you make the best decisions before and during dangerous storms to protect lives and property. There’s one set of concerns when a tornado watch is issued and a much more urgent list of actions for a tornado warning. In this article, we’ll help you understand the differences and how to respond, whether under a tornado watch or tornado warning. Tornado Watch vs. Tornado Warning To make the most of these types of alerts, you need to start with the basics: understanding the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. What is a Tornado Watch? Tornado watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) when it detects severe thunderstorms with the potential for tornadoes. It may be a beautiful sunny day when they are first issued — but probably won’t stay that way for long. Watches are usually issued for a six- to nine-hour period, may cover parts of more than one state and will always be given an expiration time. Tornado watches tell you the estimated storm setup and intensity — for example, “a few tornadoes” or, in more extreme cases, “strong tornadoes.” Information on hail size, straight-line wind speeds and average storm motion will also be included. If a watch includes the phrase “PDS” (particularly dangerous situation), look out: There’s a high risk of larger tornadoes. What is a Tornado Warning? A tornado warning means a tornado is indicated on Doppler radar, has been spotted by eyewitnesses or both. This is serious business; lives are at stake. Tornado warnings are “storm-based,” using polygons to outline the warned area. The warning text will tell you where the tornado is, along with its speed and direction of movement. If you’re within the tornado-warning polygon, the storm is less than an hour away. How to Prepare When Watches or Warnings are Issued What to Do When a Tornado Watch is Issued Tornado watches give you time to prepare for an incoming storm. So once one is issued, it is best to take the following actions. 1. Examine your surroundings and locate the best place to hide if a watch gets upgraded to a warning. Bathrooms are usually a good choice in public places like restaurants, and there’s no harm in asking an employee where to go during a tornado warning. 2. Frequently check your mobile weather app, National Weather Service (NWS) website or TV weather source to track developing tornado threats. 3. If you have travel plans, map them out against the predicted storm path and re-route or postpone your trip if necessary. 4. Stock your home with the survival supplies that you need to weather out any incoming storms. What to Do When a Tornado Warning is Issued A tornado warning is a call to immediate action, and much more serious than a tornado watch. Here’s what to do: 1. Take cover in your safe place when a tornado warning is issued. 2. Remain in place until the storms pass or until all warnings are canceled for your location. Storm Clouds over a field Stay Weather-Aware -Even Before Storms Show up The best way to be prepared in the event of a watch or warning is to monitor the situation from credible weather sources like your local TV station, your local NWS office, a mobile app or the SPC website. Checking these regularly will keep you from getting blindsided when rough weather shows up. If you live in tornado-prone areas this is essential, but remember, tornadoes can happen any month of the year and not just in Tornado Alley. Home Weather Monitoring System A home weather station can also help you stay ahead of changing local conditions. To ensure you have the most accurate representation of developing storms in your area, invest in a system like the AcuRite Atlas™. It is engineered to give you the information you need to monitor a storm’s progress. It is rugged, dependable and equipped to monitor the following: • Pressure Drops. Surface pressures fall as severe weather approaches because intense updrafts within storms cause a decrease in the downward force of air. A barometer can track this change; a sudden drop in the indicated reading is cause for concern. • Inflow Winds. Large, violent thunderstorms have huge updrafts that suck in surrounding air. This strong wind is called inflow. An anemometer can monitor trends of increasing inflow; a sudden increase of storm inflow wind is another sign of danger. • Heavy Rainfall. AcuRite weather stations that monitor rainfall all contain a wireless electronic rain gauge which continuously empties, so there is no need to go outside and get soaking wet to check. Flash flooding often occurs many miles away from the NWS reporting station, and a rain gauge helps you figure out whether it’s just raining cats and dogs or if you’re facing more sinister waters ahead. How do you stay prepared for tornado season? Share some of your best tornado stories below! March 26, 2020
National Emblem of Armenia National Symbolics of Armenia National symbolics of Armenia The law on national emblem of Armenia was approved on August 23, 1990. The modern coat of arms was designed on the basis of the first emblem of the Republic of Armenia (1918-1920), which was elaborated by architect Alexander Tamanyan and the artist Hagop Kodzhoyan. Armenian flag represents an image of an eagle and a lion supporting a shield. The shield itself consists of many components. In the center is a depiction of Mount Ararat with Noah's Ark sitting atop it. According to the legend, the ark is said to have finally rested on the mountain after the great flood. Ararat is considered the national symbol of Armenia and thus is of principal importance to the coat of arms. The shield is divided into 4 sections, which symbolize the four independent Armenian kingdoms in the history of Armenia: Arshakouniaty, Artashezianty, Bagratounianty and Rubinianty. The lion and the eagle, standing behind the shield, are the kings of the animal world and symbolize the wisdom, pride, patience and generosity. For centuries, they were symbols of royal families. In the lower part of the shield further five major characters are placed. Broken chain stands for freedom and independence, the sword - the power and strength of the nation, wheatears – hard-working nature of the Armenians, fountain pen - the intellectual and cultural heritage of the Armenian people. Three-coloured ribbon symbolizes the flag of the Republic of Armenia.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Information Module LXE-0002: Transnational Cultures Module Facts Run by School of Languages, Literatures, Linguistics and Media 10 Credits or 5 ECTS Credits Semester 2 Organiser: Dr Jonathan Ervine Overall aims and purpose How can knowledge of languages and cultures enhance our understanding of the key historical, political and social issues of our time? How do European and other world languages and cultures interact in the creation of key historical and sociocultural experiences? What critical skills do we develop through knowledge of modern languages to interpret history, culture and society over extensive periods of time and in the present day? This module will equip you with an understanding of how languages and language interaction have played a central role in key historical, political, and cultural themes and events. It will also show you how knowledge of languages helps us engage with the transnational dimension of culture. Following a thematic approach, rather than one based on traditional divisions between nations and nation states, this module will explore how broad concepts (including colonialism, travel, popular cultures, art, testimony) can be studied from the point of view of how they engage questions related to language. You will gain a solid foundation in critical analysis through exposure to five case studies related to Hispanic, Francophone, Italian, German and Chinese contexts from a transnational perspective. All selected case studies will be available in translation and will comprise a wide range of cultural genres – including film, literature, art, history and the media. Course content Through a weekly combination of lecture and seminar, this module will first introduce you to key concepts and methods in modern languages research (including questions such as language variation across time and space, language conflict, translation, intercultural communication and reading in the target language). The course will then cover five thematic blocks of two weeks each devoted to the following subjects in transnational cultural studies (colonialism, travel, popular cultures, art, testimony). During each thematic block, students will be first introduced to relevant key concepts and then shown, through a variety of applications and case studies, how engagement with language-related issues enhances our understanding of each these concepts and beyond. Assessment Criteria C- to B+ For the award of higher grades, students should demonstrate a solid comprehension of the various topics studied, with clear understanding of the correlations and interrelations highlighted, having also analysed and evaluated key sources. They should demonstrate a satisfactory grasp of theoretical issues. Submitted work should not contain large numbers of factual or typographical errors. D- to D+ For the award of credit, students should demonstrate a satisfactory comprehension of the various topics studied, with some understanding of the correlations and interrelations highlighted. They should demonstrate a limited awareness of theoretical issues. Submitted work should demonstrate an attempt to avoid major weakness in presentation. A- and above: For the award of the highest grade, students should demonstrate a detailed comprehension of the various topics studied, with a nuanced understanding of the correlations and interrelations highlighted, having also analysed and evaluated key sources thoroughly. They should demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of, and engagement with, key theoretical issues; submitted work must be presented to high standards. Learning outcomes 1. Comprehend how knowledge of modern languages helps us to understand cultural and historical phenomena from multiple disciplinary perspectives. 2. Engage with cutting-edge scholarship on cultural analysis and its applications to contexts across time and space 3. Use a range of theoretical and critical approaches that are key to modern language study 4. Recognise, value and work with linguistic and cultural diversity 5. Confidently analyse a wide range of cultural products in their historical context and from transnational perspectives Assessment Methods Type Name Description Weight ESSAY Reflective commentary Commentary on an extract from a historical text (written or visual), which should respond to the guiding questions set by the relevant lecturer. ESSAY Final essay Essay on one a topic relevant to one of the five main thematic blocks on the module. Students will be provided with a list of five potential essay questions from which to choose, and questions will be set and marked by the members of staff who coordinated each thematic block. Teaching and Learning Strategy One lecture and one seminar per week x 11 Private study Students will read set materials at home in preparation for the following week's classes, and research and write the assessed essay Transferable skills • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives Subject specific skills Resource implications for students Students will be able to access reading materials via the university library. Talis Reading list Reading list Essential General Reading: Gafaïti, Hafid; Patricia M. E Lorcin; David G Troyansky (2009) Transnational spaces and identities in the francophone world, Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. Horst, Carl Wolfgang and Doris Bachmann-Medick (2014) The Trans/National Study of Culture: A Translational Perspective, Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter. Koundoura, Maria (2012) Transnational culture, transnational identity: the politics and ethics of global culture exchange, London: I.B. Tauris. Maitland, Sarah (2017) What is Cultural Translation? London: Bloomsbury Spencer-Oatey, Helen (2009) Intercultural interaction: a multidisciplinary approach to intercultural communication, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Thiel, Rebecca Friedman Markus (2012) European Identity and Culture Narratives of Transnational Belonging. Farnham: Ashgate. Von Mossner, Alexa Weik (2014) Cosmopolitan minds: literature, emotion, and the transnational imagination, Austin: University of Texas Press First Edition. Courses including this module
Feng Yunshan Feng Yunshan, Wade-Giles romanization Feng Yün-shan, (born 1822, Huaxian, Guangdong province, China—died June 1852, Quanzhou, Guangxi province), Chinese missionary and social reformer, one of the original leaders of the Taiping Rebellion, an uprising that occupied most of South China between 1850 and 1864, brought death to an estimated 20,000,000 people, and radically altered governmental structure. Feng was a neighbour and schoolmate of Hong Xiuquan, the religious mystic who became the supreme Taiping leader. Feng was one of the first converts to Hong’s unique version of Christianity, and in 1844 he accompanied the mystic on a preaching mission into their neighbouring southern province of Guangxi. Hong returned home after a few months, but Feng remained to organize the Baishangdi Hui, or God Worshippers’ Society, which combined Hong’s religious ideas with a program of social reform. In 1847 Hong rejoined Feng and was accepted as the leader of the society. When government troops attacked the God Worshippers in July 1850, the Taiping Rebellion broke out. On Sept. 25, 1851, Hong proclaimed his new dynasty, the Taiping Tianguo (“Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace”). Hong became the Tianwang, or “Heavenly King,” and Feng was given the title of Nanwang, or “Southern King,” and was made the general of the advance guard. A short time later, however, he was mortally wounded in battle. This article was most recently revised and updated by Zhihou Xia.
A 'mini heatwave' has hit the UK, with temperatures set to peak at 31 degrees in some parts of the country on Tuesday, the Met Office have said. The last blast of summer has arrived in the UK due to warm winds from Spain and France. We've put together the latest information about the heatwave, including the forecast, and how to stay safe in the heat. When will the heatwave hit? Tuesday (September 15, 2020) is expected to be the hottest day in the south and south east of England, with a chance the temperatures could reach as high as 31C. John Griffiths, from the Met Office, said: “Across Scotland it will actually be a warmer day for many on Tuesday. WATCH: Here's the latest Met Office weather forecast for the UK Griffiths said that there could still be highs of 27C or 28C again on Wednesday (September 16), but as we move throughout the rest of the week, the heat will drop to the low 20C in the warmest parts. BBC meteorologist Tomasz Shafernaker said: “We’re going to see a current of warm air coming out of Spain and France engulfing much of the country.” What do the Met Office define to be a 'heatwave'? How to stay cool in a heatwave The main risks posed by heat waves are: • Dehydrating (not drinking enough water) • Heat exhaustion and heatstroke What is the advice from the NHS during a heatwave? The NHS recommends the following tips for coping in hot weather: • Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol • Avoid exercising in the hottest parts of the day
What is GDPR? What is GDPR and why was it introduced? A person’s personal information contains a lot of sensitive information which could, in the wrong hands, be used to cause harm. The personal information collected by companies can reveal a great deal about a person, and information such as health data and credit card numbers have considerable potential to be abused resulting in financial losses for the data subject. A great deal of information is now collected digitally, and without appropriate protections in place, that information could be accessed remotely by unauthorized individuals. There is no shortage of people trying to do just that. Cyberattacks are now an everyday occurrence. Cyberattacks aside, there are other potentially harmful uses of personal data. Many companies are collecting information on consumers and are using that information for purposes that the consumer is not aware of. Their personal data is being sold on to companies the consumer may not even be aware of. The Council of Europe and the European Union have taken steps to improve the rights of consumers to protect their privacy, put them in control of their personal data, and make sure that any company that collects the personal information of consumers or processes consumer data puts appropriate safeguards in place to make sure that information remains private and confidential. The need to protect personal data, control its use, and improve consumer rights led to the creation of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). GDPR established a number of principles that aim to minimize the risk to personal data and gave consumers more rights over their personal information. GDPR is based on earlier documents relating to data security within the EU (such as the Council of Europe’s Convention 108 for the Protection of Individuals with Regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data), but the new legislation is much more comprehensive and relevant to modern life and current data uses. GDPR came into effect on the 25th May 2018, replacing the national privacy laws of all EU member states. However, just a few months before that compliance date, a survey revealed that only 2% business leaders thought their company was “GDPR-ready”. Now, a year after the compliance date, there are still companies that are not fully compliant and are unaware of their responsibilities under GDPR. GDPR text is extensive, and for many people, a little complicated. In this article, we explain some of the most important elements of GDPR to improve understanding of this important EU law. Where and when does GDPR apply? All entities that collect or use the personal data of EU citizens must comply with GDPR, irrespective of where they are located and even if they do not have a base within the EU. GDPR classifies these entities as either controllers or processors. These entities can be individuals, companies, public authorities, charities, or other bodies. A controller is an entity that determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data, while a processor is an entity that processes personal data on behalf of a controller. Any controller or processor that operates within an EU member state (or deals with the personal information of EU data subjects) must be GDPR-compliant. This holds true even if the actual data processing it outsourced to operations in a non-EU country. GDPR applies in most cases where the personal data of a natural or legal person is involved. One of the cornerstones of the legislation is consent. Consent must be obtained before any personal data can be collected or processed. There are, however, a few notable exceptions. One is when there is a legitimate threat to national security, where qualified individuals may process data without all the necessary consent steps. Similarly, if data must be processed to prevent a crime, this is also allowed without consent. Information about the deceased also does not fall within the definition of personal data. What is data processing? As mentioned above, personal data can contain highly sensitive information. Anything that can be used to identify a person (termed the “data subject”), either directly or indirectly, is considered to be an “identifier” and thus must be protected under GDPR. Some possible identifiers are listed below: • Name (first, last, middle, maiden etc.) • Date of birth • Telephone numbers • Addresses • Photographs • Audio/visual recordings of the individual • Bank details • Opinions • Passport numbers • Location data After collection, this information is often “processed”. This means, either manually or automatically, it is organized, stored, analyzed, altered etc. Essentially, GDPR defines processing as any action or operation performed on personal data. The party that collects the data is known as the “controller”. The controller decides what kind of information is collected and what will be done with the information after collection. Data may be collected by social media firms via a registration form prior to use a website, by healthcare providers, retailers and many other entities. All must comply with GDPR. Often the controller will enlist a third party, the processor, to manage the data. They will be instructed by the controller as to how the data should be organized, analyzed, and stored. Any organization contracted by a controller to undertake such actions must also be GDPR-compliant. Article 5 of GDPR outlines six principles of data processing: 1. Lawfulness, fairness and transparency of data processing 2. Purpose limitation: Data collected for a specified purpose should only be used for that purpose unless used for public health or social/scientific research 3. Data minimization: Only the minimum amount of data for the task at hand should be collected 4. Accuracy: Ensuring all collected data is accurate and up to date 5. Storage limitation: Data must not be kept for more than the time necessary to properly process the data (except in the case of medical data) 6. Integrity and confidentiality: All necessary safeguards must be in place to protect data from unauthorized access. To ensure that these principles are met, it is advised that organizations employ a person in a role equivalent to the Information Security Officer or Privacy Officer in a hospital. The ISO is in charge of ensuring only the appropriate personnel have access to medical records or other health information. For example, someone in billing does not need a patient’s full medical history to send an invoice. In addition to these six principles, GDPR outlines six legal grounds for data processing. They are shown in Table 1. Table 1: Legal grounds for data processing. Consent must be obtained from the data subject. Legal contracts require data processing for fulfillment. Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation. Emergency situations where processing is in the vital interest of the data subject. Tasks of public interest or for official duties (e..g issues of national security). Other legitimate interests. Even if one or more of these conditions are met, controllers and data processors must still ensure that physical, administrative and technical safeguards are in place to protect personal data. What is consent in the context of GDPR? In all usual circumstances, for the processing of data to be lawful it must be done with the data subject’s prior consent. When consent is being solicited, the controller’s objectives must be clearly and unambiguously stated. By giving consent, data subjects are stating that they are happy for the controller to process data in the agreed manner. If the controller later wants to use the data for a different purpose, they must once again seek consent. This must be clearly distinguished from prior consent. After giving consent, data subjects retain the right to withdraw this approval. This right should be clearly stated in the initial document seeking consent. However, if the data has already been processed, this processing is considered to be lawful. All contracts or statements requesting consent from the data subject must be understandable to a non-professional. They should also be easily accessible. Once the agreement has been signed, consent is considered to have been “freely given”. If the data subject has no choice or cannot withdraw consent, consent is then not considered to have been freely given. Children are an increasingly prominent demographic when it comes to digital media and data. However, as they are legally minors, they cannot freely give consent for their data to be processed. Article 8, in particular, covers this area of consent. If a controller provides a service directly to a minor (an individual below the age of 16), processing is only considered lawful if consent is given by a parent or legal guardian of the minor. The EU already has laws regarding contracts involving children, and sets a general rule that the child involved must not be younger than 13 regardless of parental permissions. The onus is on the controller to ensure that consent is given by a parent or legal guardian. What rights does a data subject have? GDPR awards data subjects several rights. They are described below. Name Article Description Right to access 15 Right to obtain data from the controller or to otherwise access said data. Right to rectify 16 Right to change any personal data if it is determined to be incorrect. There should be no delays in amending data. Right to object 21 Right to prevent controllers and processors from further handling or storage of data. Right to restriction of processing 18 Right to prevent further processing of personal data. Right to erasure 17 Right to request that personal data held by controllers is erased as soon as possible. Right to data portability 20 Right to obtain personal data from controllers in a common, digital format. Right to complain 77 Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority in the nation in which they reside. Right to judicial remedy 78/79 Right to an effective judicial remedy against decisions of supervisory authorities and/or controllers and processors. Right to not be automatically processed 22 Right not to be subjected to a decision that is based only on automated processing, including profiling. Applicable profiling has legal consequences for an individual. Right to receive compensation 82 Right to be compensated by the controller or processor for material or non-material damage. Right to representation 80 Right to be represented by a not-for-profit body when lodging complaints or receiving compensation. What are the responsibilities of the controller and processor? First and foremost, the controller must show that they are legally GDPR-compliant. This means that the controller and processor must demonstrate that they have the technical and administrative safeguards in place that protect the rights of the data subject. Ideally, these measures will be implemented by design, i.e. the controller’s policies are set up to provide the maximum protection to the data subject. If, despite these measures, personal data is still accessed by unauthorized individuals, the controller must notify the supervisory authority without undue delay and within 72 hours of the discovery of a data breach. To help with this process, and to ensure general GDPR compliance, the controller may find it beneficial to appoint a Data Protection Officer. The controller also has a duty towards its data subjects to ensure that they can exercise their rights with ease. This applies to all levels of processing, from ensuring the data subject has adequate information when the data is being collected to notifying them of the length of time their data will be stored. Other obligations of the controller are listed below: • Maintain records of all types of processing carried out on the data • Cooperate with the supervisory authority • Ensure that adequate security is provided • Notify supervisory authorities if a data breach occurs • Carry out regular risk assessments • Specify procedures for the transfer of data outside of the EU Article 5 also lays out the so-called “Accountability Principle”, which means controllers should be able to demonstrate GDPR compliance and are responsible for ensuring their continued compliance. How can we collect personal data in a GDPR-compliant manner? It is imperative that, when collecting data, the data subject receives enough information for them to understand why the data is being collected and how it will be processed. They must also understand their rights (e.g. their right to access the data after collection, or the right to amend data if it has been discovered to be inaccurate). When asked for their personal data, the data subject must be provided with the following information: • Contact details of the controller • Contact details of the controller’s Data Protection Officer • Any legal basis for data processing • The purpose of data processing • Whether the controller intends to transfer the data outside of the EU • Why the data subject needs to provide information (e.g. statutory or contractual requirements) • Consequences for not providing data • The rights of the data subject (outlined above) • If automated processing is being used • Any other information relating to the handling or processing of data However, data may be collected indirectly. This does not mean the controller no longer has to provide any information to the data subject. Rather, one piece of extra information is needed: How the data was obtained. There are a few circumstances in which the controller does not need to supply details of processing etc. to the data subject: • If the data subject has already been informed • The provision of information would require disproportionate effort (e.g. in public health research) • The provision of information severely impairs the aims of processing • Member State law protects the interest of data subjects • Data must be confidential under Member State law. How can data be stored in a GDPR-compliant manner? GDPR stipulates that controllers and processors must maintain meticulous records of all processing activities carried out on the data (Article 30). These records must include the following: • Name and contact details of controller and DPO • Types of personal data included • Purposes of processing • Procedures for transferring data outside of the EU • Time limits for storage • Brief description of the technical and administrative safeguards used by the controller. All records must be in writing and available to the relevant supervisory authority upon request. If the controller has fewer than 250 employees, they can be exempt from this requirement unless their processing activities put the data subject’s rights at risk, the data concerns criminal offences or the data includes special types of personal data. We have mentioned “technical and administrative safeguards” many times throughout this piece without going into much detail. Essentially, they are any measure enacted by the controller to protect data from any risks. These risks can take the form of errors made by employees or attacks by cybercriminals. The controller must make sure their operating systems are completely secure, that data is encrypted and – where possible – anonymized. They must also carry out regular risk assessments to ensure the continued security of data in light of new technological advancements and changes to business operations, policies and procedures. Do processors have any obligations? As they are acting on behalf of the controller, processors have similar requirements regarding the protection of data privacy. If the processor breaches GDPR, they will be treated in the same way as a controller and can be prosecuted. There are some other legal requirements of data processors: • Comply with documented instructions as given by the controller • Maintain confidentiality and GDPR compliance • Ensure the controller has enough information to be GDPR-compliant • Ensure the security of data processing • Act on the decisions of the controller when processing data. What happens if there’s been a breach? In the unfortunate event of a data breach, the controller has just seventy-two hours after the discovery of the breach to notify the relevant supervisory authority. If there is a delay in notifying the authority, this must be justified by the controller. The controller should provide the supervisory authority with information regarding the nature of the breach, the type of data that has been breached, contact details of their DPO, the number of data subjects involved and their plan of action to mitigate any consequences. Of course, the controller also has a duty to notify the data subject of the breach. This should also be done without delay, especially if it concerns the rights of the data subject. In clear language, the same information must be provided to the data subject as is provided to the supervisory authority. If, however, it is deemed that appropriate measures have been implemented to protect the data (e.g. it has been encrypted) or that the effort to notify is disproportionate, the controller is exempt from notifying the data subject. What are the penalties for GDPR non-compliance? GDPR would have little effect if there were no negative consequences of non-compliance. If a breach occurs, or other damages result from data processing, it is the controller that is legally liable. If the data subject has suffered harm as a consequence of the controller’s actions, they retain the right to seek compensation. GDPR non-compliance can attract large fines: The maximum fine, depending on the penalty tier is either €10 or 20 million, or 2% of 4% of the controller’s annual global financial turnover based on the previous year. GDPR lays out the limits for fines, but it is down to the discretion of the supervisory authority to decide how much should be paid for specific violations. The fine should not be excessive, when considering the nature of the violation, but it should also be sufficiently dissuasive. Some breaches may also lead to legal action being taken against the controller. These will usually be resolved where the affected data subject has residency, even if the controller technically has no physical base in that country. Summary: GDPR Training After a grace period stretching two years, GDPR has finally become law. It is now imperative that all organizations are familiar with the new regulations and have adapted their practices accordingly. GDPR awards new rights to data subjects, as well as giving more responsibilities to controllers and processors. The latter parties must do their utmost to protect personal data, as well as helping data subjects exercise their rights. However, even recently, many controllers have said they are unsure if they are GDPR-compliant. It is strongly advisable to conduct an internal audit to check whether they are GDPR-compliant and thus avoid hefty fines. Some questions to consider include: • Who deals with personal data within the organization? • How is data physically safeguarded? • How is data safeguarded from an administrative standpoint? • What kind of data is collected? How? • How can we inform data subjects of their rights? By considering these questions and others, controllers can move forward with their GDPR compliance programs. GDPR Compliance Checklist Got customers in Europe? Thank You How we use your data Immediate Access. Confidentiality guaranteed. GDPR Compliance Checklist Got customers in Europe? Thank You How we use your data Immediate Access. Confidentiality guaranteed.
High Sheriff of Essex The High Sheriff of Essex was an ancient High Sheriff title originating in the time of the Angles, not long after the invasion of the Kingdom of England, which was in existence for around a thousand years. The High Shrievalties are the oldest secular titles under the Crown in England and Wales, their purpose being to represent the monarch at a local level, historically in the shires. The office was a powerful position in earlier times, as sheriffs were responsible for the maintenance of law and order and various other roles. It was only in 1908 under Edward VII of the United Kingdom that the Lord Lieutenant became more senior than the High Sheriff. Since then the position of High Sheriff has become more ceremonial, with many of its previous responsibilities transferred to High Court judges, magistrates, coroners, local authorities and the police. This is a list of High Sheriffs of Essex. Prior to 1567 the High Sheriff of Essex was also the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire. This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it. Read more about High Sheriff Of EssexWilliam I, William II, Henry I, Stephen, Henry II, Richard I, John, Henry III, Edward I, Edward II, Edward III, Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI, Edward IV, Edward V, Richard III, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary, Philip & Mary, Elizabeth, 1567–1599, 1600–1699, 1700–1799, 1800–1899, 1900–1999, 2000–date Famous quotes containing the words essex, high and/or sheriff: The unknown always seems unbelievable, Lucas. —Harry Essex (b. 1910) Tragedy is always a mistake; and the loneliness of the deepest thinker, the widest lover, ceases to be pathetic to us so soon as the sun is high enough above the mountains. Margaret Fuller (1810–1850)
On Valentine’s Day, we like to examine what’s new. There are all kinds of couples, but male homosexuality doesn’t make complete sense from an evolutionary point of view, because since gay men are much less likely to produce offspring than heterosexual men, shouldn’t the genes for this trait have been extinguished long ago? What value could this sexual orientation have, that it has persisted for eons even without any discernible reproductive advantage? There must be a REASON for it. One possible explanation is the “kin selection hypothesis,” which means is that homosexuality may convey an indirect benefit by enhancing the survival prospects of close relatives. The theory is that homosexual men might enhance their own genetic prospects by being “helpers in the nest.” By acting altruistically toward nieces and nephews, homosexual men would perpetuate the family genes, including some of their own. Evolutionary psychologists Paul Vasey and Doug VanderLaan tested this idea for the past several years on the Pacific island of Samoa. They chose Samoa because males who prefer men as sexual partners are widely recognized and accepted there as a distinct gender category, called fa’afafine, neither man nor woman. The fa’afafine tend to be effeminate, and exclusively attracted to adult men as sexual partners. Since they are out of the closet, this makes it easier to identify a sample for study. Past research has shown that the fa’afafine are much more altruistically inclined toward their nieces and nephews than either Samoan women or heterosexual men. They are willing to babysit a lot, tutor their nieces and nephews in art and music, and help out financially, paying for things like medical care and education. In a new study, the scientists set out to unravel the psychology of the fa’afafine, to see if their altruism is targeted specifically at kin rather than kids in general. They recruited a large sample of fa’afafine, and comparable samples of women and heterosexual men. They gave them all a series of questionnaires, measuring their willingness to help their nieces and nephews in various ways, and also their willingness to do these things for other, unrelated kids. The findings lend strong support to the kin selection idea: To compensate for being childless, each fa’afafine would have to somehow support the survival of two additional nieces or nephews who would otherwise not have existed, meaning that their genes get passed along even if they themselves do not sire children, because biologists now know that gayness is not a “choice,” it is genetic. Do these findings have any meaning outside of Samoa? Samoa’s culture may be more (not less) representative of the environment in which male same-sex sexuality evolved eons ago. In that sense, it’s not the “bachelor uncle” who is poorly adapted to the heterosexual world, but rather the modern Western world that has evolved into an unwelcoming place. If you’ve found a welcoming place here at unknowncountry.com, make sure we’ll be here tomorrow: Subscribe today! And please click on the “donate” tab on our homepage too. Art credit: Dreamstime.com
Chat with us, powered by LiveChat How DNS Records Work How DNS Records Work Have you ever wondered what happens when you click on a link or type an address in your browser? The page that loads doesn’t appear by magic. The web page you are looking for is just one of 4.6 billion stored on one of 75 million servers around the world and, somehow, it needs to be found and sent back to your screen in a fraction of a second. The reason this is possible is because of DNS. What is DNS? DNS or Domain Name System is a system that links domain names to physical IP addresses. For example, when you type in your browser, the DNS servers send your request to the IP address where the website is hosted. To understand this fully, you first need to understand the difference between a domain name and an IP address. A domain name,, is the internet address of the website you want to retrieve. However, before you can retrieve the page, you first need to locate the server where it is hosted and give it the instructions to send the right information. This is done through an IP or internet protocol address, a string of numbers and full stops that looks like this: DNS enables this to happen by storing records about every single website on what is the world’s largest database. There are two advantages to having both domain names and IP addresses. Firstly, domain names are people friendly and very useful for search engines whereas numerical IP addresses are perfect for sending instructions to computers. Secondly, as IP addresses are linked to a physical server, having a separate type of address allows website owners to swap web hosts without the need to change their domain name: instead, they only need to change the domain’s DNS entry so it points to the nameserver of their new host. What are DNS records? DNS records, also called zone files, are instructions for pointing domain names to IP addresses. All domains need a DNS record on the nameserver which controls its IP address. DNS records also enable the server to handle different requests from a user. The main types of requests received are web page requests (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol requests (FTP) and mail requests (MX). How DNS Records Work The role of the nameserver Every host has at least two nameservers, specialised servers which remain constantly online and deal with DNS requests from internet users. The process works like this: • You type a web address e.g. into a browser. • Your device uses DNS to find’s nameservers. • It then asks the nameservers for’s IP address. • The nameserver sends the IP address back to your device. • The device then sends a request to the IP address asking for the page you are looking for. • The server on which the website is hosted then sends the page to your browser. The main types of DNS record A and AAAA records A and AAAA records are the main DNS records that associate a domain name with a specific IP address. The difference between them is that they use different internet protocol versions: A uses IPv4 and AAAA uses IPv6. CNAME Records CNAME Records are used to show that a domain name is an alias for another domain name. This can be useful if you have changed domains and want to send users who visit your old website to your new one. It can also be used if you own range of top level domains (.com,, .net, etc.) and want all the users to visit the same website For example: Name ? CNAME ? Creating the CNAME record above in’s DNS records will send users to instead. MX Records MX records are mail exchange records. These are used to specify which mail server is handling the email for your domain. Usually this is done through your host’s mail servers, however, if you choose to use a third-party service, such as, you can create an MX record to ensure that mail sent and received by your domain is handled by the third-party mail servers instead. TXT Record TXT records are DNS resource records used to verify the authenticity of an email. Using a TXT record it is possible to verify whether an email purporting to come from a domain actually originated there or whether it had been maliciously sent by a spammer fraudulently using that domain name. This is done by using a DKIM (Domain Key Identified Mail) record which adds an encrypted key in outgoing mail so that receiving mail servers will know whether the mail is genuine or not. DNS Records are a key component in the infrastructure of the internet. In a way, they are the mappers of the internet, enabling your computer to navigate through the enormous number of domain in order to bring the right page to you screen or the right email to your inbox. From reading this post you should now have a clearer understanding of • What DNS is • The difference between domain names and IP addresses • What DNS records are • How DNS Works • The main types of DNS records and their functions At Web Hosting UK, we have a range of domain services for webmasters, these include domain registration, domain transfer and domain protection (including private nameservers, renewal reminders and theft protection). We can also have tools to help you search for and register unused domains for your business and website. For more information visit our homepage. Leave your comment Pin It on Pinterest Share This
El-Nadourah Fortress (Fort of Nadura) is an archeological site in Al Wadi Al Gadeed, just a little over a mile outside of the city of El Kharga. Dedicated to god Amoun (Amen or Amun) or his spouse, the fortress served as a check-point or a lookout in the Mamluk and Ottoman Periods. At the site, high on a hilltop about 1.5 km, archeologists found the ruins of a Roman temple once enclosed within a Roman fortification. This temple dates back to the reign of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius (2nd century AD). The southern entrance wall of the main temple can still be seen on top of the hill as well as the sandstone gate. It once comprised three rooms. Some depictions and paintings of female musicians playing percussion instruments can still be seen on the temple's remains. Decorating the uppermost portion of the lintel above the south-west entrance is a carving showing an unidentified male and female figure (now badly damaged) beneath a starry sky.
Encyclopedia > Russian Tsar Nicholas II Article Content Nicholas II of Russia Redirected from Russian Tsar Nicholas II Nicholas II, Nicholas Alexandrovich Romanov, Russian: Nikolai II (May 6, 1868 - July 16, 1918) was the last Emperor of Russia and of the Romanov Dynasty. He ruled from November 1, 1894 until his abdication on March 15, 1917, and was killed with his family in 1918. Though the title of Tsar was officially abolished in 1721 by Peter the Great, later monarchs up to Nicholas II still were referred to generally by the title. The son of Russian Tsar Alexander III and Empress Marie Romanova (born Princess Dagmar of Denmark), he was the grandson of Christian IX of Denmark through his mother, and of Tsar Alexander II through his father. Married in 1894 to Princess Alix of Hesse-Darmstadt (henceforth Empress Alexandra Romanova), a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, he was father to Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, and Tsarevich Alexei. Nicholas assumed the throne in 1894, on the death of his father. He had not been well prepared to rule, his father having been more concerned about finding him a good wife than in involving him in the details of state. His engagement to Princess Alix only slightly preceded his father's death, and his wedding came very shortly after the last ceremony of his father's funeral. He then faced the task of being autocrat of Russia in a time of major turmoil - a turmoil which would continue well beyond his death. He relied heavily on the advice of his wife's first cousin, Kaiser Wilhelm - advice which was not so much in his own best interest as in that of "cousin Willy", who hoped in particular to prevent closer relations between Russia and Britain. An ill-conceived war with Japan (1904-1905) cost Russia dearly, but fear of a wider conflagration contributed ironically to the very Anglo-Russian Entente which Wilhelm feared. In addition to a tumultuous international situation, Nicholas also faced deep domestic difficulties. His grandfather, Tsar Alexander II, had been assassinated by a bomb set by revolutionaries, and voices of change were growing louder, ranging from those who would democratize the existing system to those who sought its complete overthrow. Defeat by Japan emboldened the regime's internal opponents, unleashing the Russian Revolution of 1905 during which strikes and local uprisings forced Nicholas to concede an indirectly-elected national assembly or Duma. Further complicating domestic matters was the matter of succession. Alexandra bore him four daughters before their son, Aleksey, was born on August 12, 1904. The young heir proved to be afflicted with hemophilia, which, at that time was virtually untreatable and usually led to untimely death. With the fragility the autocracy was experiencing at this time, Nicholas and Alexandra chose to not divulge Aleksey's condition to anyone outside the royal household. In desperation, Alexandra sought help from a wandering mystic known as Grigori Rasputin. Rasputin seemed to be able to help when Aleksey was suffering from internal bleeding, and Alexandra became increasingly dependent on Rasputin and his advice (which she accepted as coming directly from God through him). The outbreak of war with Germany on August 1, 1914, found Russia grossly unprepared, and an early advance ended in staggering Russian losses. Nicholas felt it his duty to lead his army directly, assuming the role of commander-in-chief (September 1915) following the loss of the Russian-ruled part of Poland. His efforts to oversee the operations of the war left domestic issues essentially in the hands of Alexandra. But Nicholas did not understand (since he had little input from the common people) how suspicious the common people were of his wife, both because she was German by birth and because of her affiliation with Rasputin, who was widely seen as a lecherous charlatan and a harmful influence on state policy. Rasputin's death at the hands of a group of nobles (December 1916) removed "our friend" from the court, but came too late to restore the dynasty's fortunes. Mounting national hardship and the army's failure to maintain the temporary military success of June 1916 led to renewed strikes and riots in the following winter. After the "February Revolution" of March 1917 (February in the existing Russian calendar) Nicholas abdicated in favor of his brother, Michael, who abdicated after a matter of hours, ending three centuries of Romanov rule. Nicholas, Alexandra, and their five children remained in the royal residence The Alexander Palace[?], with decreasing staff until they were moved to Tobolsk[?] in Siberia in August 1917, an effort by the struggling Kerensky government to keep them safer than was possible in Tsarskoe Selo[?]. They remained there until after the Bolshevik Revolution in November 1917 (the "October Revolution"), but were moved to Soviet-controlled Ekaterinburg. They were killed in the basement of the Ipatiev House where they had been imprisoned in on the night of July 16 (or 17), 1918 by a band of Bolsheviks led by Yakov Yurovsky[?]. For a long time, the bodies were believed to have been disposed of down a mineshaft at a site called the Four Brothers. Initially, this was true - they had indeed been disposed of that way on the night of July 16/17. But Yurovsky , upon hearing the following morning that stories were abuzz in Ekaterinburg about the disposal site , went back to remove the bodies and conceal them elsewhere. He has initially intended to bury the bodies down another mineshaft some miles away, but when the vehicle carrying the bodies broke down on the way there, he made new arrangements. With two exceptions, the bodies were buried in a sealed and concealed pit on a portion of a since-abandoned cart track 12 miles north of Ekaterinburg called Koptyaki Road. In the early 1990s, the bodies were located, exhumed and formally identified, following the fall of the Soviet Union. A secret confession by Yurovsky, which came to light in the late 1970s, but did not become public knowledge until the 1990s, helped this to happen. DNA analysis was a key means of identifying them. Blood samples from Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh were used to identify Alexandra and her daughters through their mitrochondial genes. Other methods used included dental records and craniometric analysis. There were two bodies missing. These were Aleksey and one of the daughters - either Tatiana, Maria or Anastasia. According to Yurovsky's account, the bodies of Aleksey and one of the daughters, mistaken by Yurovsky's band for Alexandra, were burnt near the burial site and their ashes scattered and concealed. Following a long series of bureaucratic and political delays, the remains of the family were reinterred in the Romanov family crypt on the 80th anniversary of their murder - July 16, 1998. Preceded by: Alexander III List of Russian Tsars Nicholas abdicated in favour of his brother, who is sometimes referred to as Michael II but who did not reign. Nicholas was effectively the last Tsar. Search Encyclopedia Search over one million articles, find something about almost anything! Featured Article ... the mid-19th century; and indigenous people of Tupi and Guarani language stock. Intermarriage between the Portuguese and indigenous people or slaves was common. Althoug ... This page was created in 56.6 ms
We have seen in what sort of a home a Roman dwelt in town or country. Meanwhile it goes without saying that the non-Roman or non-Romanized populations of the empire were living in houses and amid furniture of their own special type - Greek, Syrian, Egyptian, or as the case might be. They were also living their lives after their own fashion in respect of dress, meals, occupations, and amusements. We may now look at the manner in which a typical Roman might spend an ordinary day in the metropolis, and endeavour to form some clear idea of the outward aspects of such a life. In the first instance our Roman shall be a man of the senatorial aristocracy, blessed with both high position and ample means, but one who, for the time being, holds no public office, whether as a governor, a military commander, a Minister of Roads or Water Supply, an officer of the Exchequer, or of Justice. Instead of referring to him awkwardly as "our citizen," we will call him Silius. The same name may be borne by a large number of other persons, for it is the name of an early Roman family which in course of time may have divided into several branches or "houses," answering to each other very much as the "Worcestershire" So-and-Sos may answer to the "Hampshire" So-and-Sos, except that the distinction in the Roman case is not territorial. Our Silius will therefore naturally bear further names to distinguish him. One will be the special appellation of his own "house" or branch, derived in all probability from its first distinguishing member. Let us assume, for instance, that he is a Silius Bassus. As, again, there are probably a number of other persons belonging to the same branch and entitled to the same two designations, he will possess a "front name," answering to our "Christian" name, and he shall be called for our purposes Quintus Silius Bassus. It is the middle name of the three which is regarded as the name, but when there is no danger of mistake our friend may be addressed or written of as either Silius or Bassus. In private life among his intimates he prefers to be called Quintus. The individual name, family name, and branch name were frequently followed by others, but at least these three are regularly owned by any Roman with claims to old descent. To us, however, he will be Silius. He lives, let us say, in one of the larger town-houses on the Caelian Hill, looking across the narrow valley towards the Palatine, somewhere near the modern church of SS. Giovanni e Paolo. It is before day-break that the loud bell has awakened the household slaves and set them to their work. In the road below and away in the city the carts, which are forbidden during the full daytime, are still rumbling with their loads of produce or building-material. All night long the less happily housed inhabitants have tolerated this noise, together with the droning and grating of the mills grinding the corn in the bakers' shops. It is however, now approaching dawn, and imperial Rome, which goes to sleep late, wakes early. No few Romans, even of the highest classes, have already been up for an hour or two, reading by lamplight, writing letters or dictating them to an amanuensis, who takes them down rapidly in a form of shorthand. Out in the streets the boys are on their way to school, the poorer ones carrying their own lanterns - at least if it is the time of year when the days are short - their writing-tablets and their reading-books, probably Virgil and Horace, who were standard authors serving in the Roman schools as Shakespeare and Pope do in our own. Boys of well-to-do parents are accompanied by an elderly slave of stern demeanour. In the distance are heard the sounds of the first hammers and the cries of the venders of early breakfasts. Silius rises, and with the help of a valet, who is of course a slave, dresses himself. His household barber - another slave - shaves him, trims his hair in the approved style and cleans his nails. At this date clean shaving was the rule. Every emperor from Augustus to Hadrian, fifty years later than Nero, was clean shaven, and the fashion set by emperors was followed as closely by the contemporary Roman as "imperials" and "ram's-horn" moustaches have been imitated in later times. The hair was kept carefully neither too long nor too short. Only in time of mourning was it permitted to grow to a negligent length. By preference it should be somewhat wavy, but there was no parting. Dandies had their hair curled with the tongs and perfumed, so at to smell "all over the theatre." If they were bald, they wore a wig; sometimes they actually had imitation hair painted across the bare part of the scalp. If nature had given them the wrong colour, they corrected it with dye. If the exposed parts of the body were hairy, they plucked out the growth with tweezers or used depilatories. But these were the dandies, and we need not assume Silius to have been one of them. It is to be a day of some formality, and Silius will therefore attire himself accordingly. In other words, he will put on the typical Roman garb. Of whatever else this may consist, it will comprise a band round the middle, a woolen - less often a linen - tunic with or without sleeves, and over this the voluminous woollen toga; on the feet will be shoes. Of further underwear a Roman used as much or as little as he chose. If, like the Emperor Augustus, he felt the cold, he might indulge in several shirts and also short hose. Such practices, however, were commonly regarded as coddling. Breeches were worn at this date only by soldiers serving in northern countries, where they had picked up the custom from the "barbarians." Mufflers were used by persons with a tender throat. Inasmuch as Silius is of senatorial rank, his tunic, which will show through the open front of his toga, bears the broad inwoven stripe of purple running down the middle, and his shoes - which otherwise might be of various colours, such as yellow with red laces - are black, fastened by cross straps running somewhat high up the leg and bearing a crescent of silver or ivory upon the instep. The stripe, the shoes, and the crescent mark his senatorial standing. That which marks him as a citizen at all is the toga - an article of dress forbidden to any inhabitant of the empire who could not call himself in the full sense " Civis Romanus." It was a cumbrous and heavy garment (when spread out it formed an oval of about 15 feet by 12), with which no man who wanted to work or travel or simply to be comfortable would hamper himself. St. Paul was a Roman citizen, but, if he ever wore a toga at all, it would only be when he desired to bring his citizenship home to a Roman court, and we should probably be quite mistaken in imagining that he travelled about with a toga in his baggage, or, as the Authorised Version calls it, his "carriage." When out of town, in his country-seat or when amusing himself at home in the city, especially in the warmer weather, the Roman cast off his toga with a sigh of relief. In the provincial towns of Italy, though theoretically as much in demand, this blanket-like covering was little used by any man except on the most formal public and religious occasions, and, as a poet says, "when dead," for then the toga was indispensable. Nevertheless at Rome it was the necessary dress for all men of position when appearing in any sort of public life. The Roman emperors insisted upon its use in all places of public amusement - the theatre, circus, or amphitheatre. In a court of justice the president certainly could not "see" a pleader unless he wore it. You cannot be present at a formal social ceremony - a wedding, a betrothal, a coming of age, a levee - without this outward and visible mark of respect. Nor was it sufficient that you should wear it. It must be properly draped and must fall to the right point, which, in front, was aslant over the lower part of the shin, while behind it fell to the heel. Your wardrobe slave must see that it has been kept properly folded and pressed. If you claimed to be a gentleman, and were not in mourning and not an official, it must be simply and scrupulously white. Poorer people might wear a toga of a duller or dark-grey wool, which would better conceal a stain and require to go less frequently to the fuller. The same dull hue was also worn in time of mourning, or as an ostentatious token of a gloomy spirit, as for example, when one of your friends was in peril of condemnation in the law-courts, or when you fancied that some serious injustice was being done or threatened to your social order. The only person privileged to wear a toga of true purple was the emperor. On the whole the Roman dress was very simple; far more so than in mediaeval times or the days of Elizabeth or Charles II. Velvet and satin were not yet known, furs hardly so, and there were very few changes of fashion. Silius will also wear at least one large signet-ring as well as his plain ring of gold, but he will leave it to the dandies to load their fingers with half-a-dozen and to keep separate sets for winter and summer. When Quintilian, in his Training of the Orator, touches upon the subject of rings, he recommends as requisite for good form that "the hand should not be covered with rings, and especially should they not come below the middle joint." A handkerchief will be carried, but only to wipe away perspiration. Having finished his dressing, he may choose this time for taking his morning "snack," corresponding to the coffee and roll or tea and bread-and-butter of modern times. It is but a light repast of wine or milk, with bread and honey, or a taste of olives or cheese or possibly an egg. Schoolboys seem to have often eaten a sort of suet dumpling. In the strength of this meat our friend will go till mid-day. As he has no very early call to the imperial court upon the Palatine, he will now proceed to hold his own reception of morning callers. For this purpose he will come out to the spacious hall, which has been already described as the most essential part of a Roman house, and will there establish himself in the opening of the recess or bay which has also been described as a kind of reception-room or parlour. Before he arrives, the hall has been swept and polished by the brooms and sponges of the slaves, under the direction of a foreman. The number of Silius' household slaves is very great. Very many Romans of course owned no slave at all; many had but one or two; but it was considered that a person of anything like respectable means could hardly do with less than ten. Silius will probably employ several times that number. We have mentioned the valet, the barber, the wardrobe-keeper, and the amanuensis. We must add to these the cooks, the pastry-makers, the waiters, the room-servants, the doorkeeper, the footmen, messengers, litter-carriers, the butler and pantrymen. Some of the superior slaves have drudges of their own. The librarian, accountant, and steward are all slaves. Even the family physician or architect may be a slave. Many of these men may be persons of education and talent. Their one deficiency is that they are not free. Many of them are in colour and feature indistinguishable from the people outside; most, however, show their origin in their foreign physique. They are Phrygians, Cappadocians, Syrians, Jews, Egyptians, Ethiopians, Numidians, Spaniards, Gauls, Germans, Thracians, and Greeks. Their master either inherited them from his father or friends, or he bought them in the slave-market. For whatever reason they became slaves - whether as prisoners of war, by birth, through debt, through condemnation for some offence, by kidnapping like that practised by the Corsairs or the modern Arabs, or through being sold by their own parents - they had become the Property of slave-dealers, who picked them up in the depots on the Black Sea or at Delos or Alexandria, and brought them to Rome. There they were stripped and exposed for sale, the choicer specimens in a select part of a fashionable shop, the more ordinary types in the auction mart, where they were placed upon a stand or stone bench, were labelled with their age, nationality, defects, and accomplishments, and were sold either under a guarantee or without one. For an ordinary room-slave Silius, or his agent for him, has paid perhaps L20; for a servant of more special skill, such as a particularly soft-handed barber, perhaps L50; the price of a muleteer who was "too deaf to overhear private conversation in a carriage" might thereby be enhanced to L150; for a slave with educational or artistic accomplishments - a good reader, reciter, secretary, musician, or actor - he may have paid some hundreds. If he is a man of morbid tastes, and affects a particular kind of dainty favourite, he may go as far as a thousand. Curly-haired pages and amusing dwarfs are generally dear. It is the business of the house-steward to see that each slave receives his daily or monthly rations of corn, a trifling sum of money for other needs, and perhaps an allowance of thin wine. Many a slave also received a considerable number of "tips" from guests, as well as perquisites and presents from his master. With economy he was thus enabled to purchase his own freedom. The master might also in some cases provide the slave with the essentials of his dress, to wit, a coarse tunic, a rough cloak, and a pair of shoes or sabots. Over all these persons, so long as they are slaves, the owner possesses absolute power. He can box their ears, or condemn them to hard labour - making them, for instance, work in chains upon his lands in the country or in a sort of prison-factory - or he may punish them with blows of the rod, the lash, or the knout; he can brand them upon the forehead if they are thieves or runaways, or in the end, if they prove irreclaimable, he can crucify them. Branded slaves who afterwards became free and rich sought to conceal the marks by wearing patches. There were inevitably some instances in which masters proved so intolerably cruel that their slaves were driven to murder them. To prevent any conspiracy of the kind the law ordained that, when a master was so killed, the slaves should one and all be put to death. It is gratifying to learn that in the reign of Nero the whole populace sided with a body of slaves in this predicament and prevented the law from being carried out. But, being a typical Roman, Silius has a strong sense of justice; moreover he values public opinion as well as his own. Also, being a typical Roman, he behaves with strictness and for the most part with a distinct haughtiness of manner, graduated, no doubt, according to the standing of the individual. When, as was often the case, he did not even know the name of a slave whom he came across in hall or peristyle, he frequently addressed him as "Sirrah" or "Sir" or "You, Sir." To the waiter at table and for ordinary commands, where the master affects no ceremony, the commonest term is "boy," precisely as that word is used in the East or garcon in French. If Silius knew the actual appellation assigned to the slave when bought and was disposed to be kindly, he accosted him by it, calling him "Syrian," or "Thracian," or "Croesus," or by his proper Greek or Egyptian name. The slave, unlike the Roman citizen, owned but one name, and the shorter the better. We meet, as is only natural, with many examples of great trust and confidence between master and slave, and, in the case of the superior types, no few instances of great kindness and consideration. Pliny speaks of his "long friendship" for a cultivated slave named Zosimus, whom he set free, and whom, because he was liable to consumption, he sent to Egypt and the Riviera for the good of his health. A faithful or very useful slave could make tolerably sure of being some day emancipated with all due form and ceremony, either during the master's lifetime or by his last will and testament. In such a case he became a Roman citizen of the rank known as "freedman," and after the second generation there was nothing to prevent his descendants from aspiring to any position open to any other Roman. Sometimes even his son attained to public office. On attaining his citizenship the freedman became entitled to "the three names," and it was the rule that he should adopt the family name of his master. A freedman of Silius is himself a Silius. Also by preference he will be a Quintus Silius; but he will not be a Bassus. The third name will still, for his own lifetime, be such as to mark him for what he is. Moreover, though free, he is himself still bound to pay a dutiful respect to his former master's family, but beyond this he is at his own disposal and in possession of every right in regard to person and property. Many such men were extremely skilful in trade and made themselves rich enough to vie with the Roman aristocracy in outward show. The freedmen of the Emperor, who occupied positions of influence at court as chamberlains, stewards, private secretaries and the like, and were the powers behind the throne, became enormously wealthy. Their houses were adorned with the finest marble columns, the most richly gilded ceilings, and the most costly works of art; the choicest fruits ripened under glass in their forcing-houses, and, when they died, their monuments were among the most sumptuous by the side of the great highways. "Freedmen's wealth" became a proverb. They were occasionally even appointed to those minor governorships held by "agents" of Caesar, and the Felix of the New Testament was himself a freedman of Nero's predecessor and brother to one of the richest and most influential of the class. In the provincial cities of Italy freedmen, though they were not themselves eligible for the ordinary offices, might in return for acts of munificence be admitted to what may be called an inferior grade of knighthood - a sort of C.M.G. - styled the "Order of Augustus." They thus became notables of their own town in a way of which they were sufficiently proud, as the Pompeian inscriptions show. It was part of the shrewdness of Augustus to kill two birds with one stone, by erecting a provincial order directly attached to the cult of the Emperor, and by encouraging the local self-made man to spend money liberally upon the embellishment and comfort of his own municipality. Well, Silius, meeting with or escorted by various slave attendants, passes from the inner rooms through the passage into the hall and finds waiting for him a throng of visitors known as his "clients" or dependants. The position of these persons is somewhat remarkable. They are commonly free Roman citizens of the "genteel" middle class, who openly admit that they depend for the bulk of their living upon the patronage of the noble or the rich. The custom arose from a very old condition of things, under which certain classes of citizens, not being entitled to appear in the law-courts or in public business on their own behalf, put themselves under the protection of a person so entitled, who, in return for certain acts of support and deference, appeared as their advocate and champion. At a later time, even though their rights had become complete, men might still seek counsel, legal advice, and advocacy from a person of influence and eloquence. In return they paid him the honour of escort in the streets, supported him in his candidature for public office, applauded his speeches, and exercised on his behalf such influence as they possessed. The standing of a prominent Roman was apt to be measured by the number and quality of the persons thus attaching themselves to him. If next it is remembered that very few money-making occupations were looked upon with favour by the Romans, and that the higher orders were for the most part very rich, it will be obvious that there would grow up the custom of the patron making liberal presents to his dependants - money gifts, or gifts of small properties and of useful articles - as well as of inviting them to his table. The clients themselves brought little presents on the patron's birthday or some other special occasion, but these were merely the sprats to catch the whale. It gradually resulted that the patronage extended by the aristocrat or plutocrat was mainly one of a direct pecuniary nature. As in other cases where a dubious custom develops gradually, there ceased to be any shame in this relation. Many members of the middle class, impoverished and earning practically no other income, lived the life of genteel paupers. They would attend the morning reception of a grandee, either bringing with them, or causing a slave to bring, a small basket, or even a portable cooking-stove, in which they carried off doles of food distributed through his servants. The scene must have borne no slight resemblance to that of the charity "soup-kitchen." In process of time, however, this practice became inconvenient for all parties, and most of the patrons compounded for such doles by making a fixed payment, still called the "little basket," amounting perhaps to a shilling in modern weight of money for each day of polite attention on the part of a recognised "client." If a client was acknowledged by more than one patron, so much the better for the amount of his "little baskets." In some cases the dole was paid to each visitor at the morning call; in others only after the work of the patron's day was done and when he had gone to the elaborate bath which preceded his dinner in the later part of the afternoon. By this means the complimentary escort duty was secured until that time. Among the dependants were nearly all the genteel unemployed of Rome, including the Grub-Street men of letters, who in those days could make little, if anything, by their books, and who therefore sought the same kind of assistance as did our own literary rank and file in the early eighteenth century. When we read the authors of the period we are inevitably reminded of Samuel Johnson waiting in the ante-chamber of Lord Chesterfield, and of the flattering dedications of books which were so liberally or illiberally paid for by the recipients of such compliments. From his little flat, often a single room and practically an attic, in the tenement-house, the client would emerge before daylight, dressed de rigueur in his toga, which was often sadly worn and thin. He would make his way for a mile or more through the carts, the cattle, an the schoolboys, sometimes in fine weather, sometimes through the rain and cold, when the streets were muddy and slippery, and would climb the hill to his patron's door, joined perhaps on the way by other citizens bent on the same errand. Gathering in that open space or vestibule which has already been described, they waited for the janitor to open the door. If the doorkeeper of Silius was like the generality of his kind, he would take a flunkey's pleasure in keeping them waiting, and also, except in the case of those who had been wise enough to ease his manners with a "tip," or who were known to be in special favour, a flunkey's pleasure in exhibiting his contempt. Brought into the hall, they stood or sat about and conversed until Silius appeared. Then, according to an established order of precedence - which apparently depended on seniority of acquaintance, while again it might be affected by a douceur - they were presented one by one to the patron. One must not expect a Roman noble to deign always to remember the names of humble persons - sometimes he actually did not - and therefore a slave, known as the "name-caller," announces each client in turn. The client says, "Good morning, Sir," and Silius replies, "Good morning, So-and-So," or "Good morning, Sir," or simply "Good morning." There is a shaking of hands, or, if the patron is a gracious gentleman and the client is of old standing, Silius may kiss him on the cheek and offer some polite inquiry or remark. A very haughty person might merely offer his hand to be kissed and perhaps not open his mouth at all, even if he condescended to look at you. But these habits were hardly so characteristic of our times as of a somewhat later date. The reception over, the client obtains information as to the movements of his patron during the day. On the present occasion it appears that Silius himself is to proceed at once to pay his own morning homage to a still higher patron, His Highness Nero, who is at home on the Palatine Hill, and whose levee calls imperatively for the attendance of certain members of the aristocracy. At the palace there exists a roll of persons known as the "friends of Caesar" - a roll which depends solely on the favour of the emperor. Naturally it contains the names of a number of the highest senators and of the chief officers of the state, but a place in it is not gained simply by such positions, nor is it restricted to them. There may be a few knights and others on the list. To be removed from the roll is to be socially a marked man and a person to be avoided. Silius is, at least for the time being, one of the "friends." Nero is not yet in sufficient financial straits to require that Silius should be squeezed or sacrificed, nor has he chosen to take offence at something which a spy or informer has reported of him. Our friend therefore enjoys the entree to the palace, and to the palace he goes. It is a clear fine morning, and he has plenty of time. He therefore perhaps elects to go on foot. Learning this, a number of his clients form a procession. Some are honoured by walking at his side, a few go in advance and so clear a way through the crowd - which is already moving at the top of the Sacred Way - to the point where you turn off on the left and ascend to the entrance to the Palatine Hill. Some of the clients will walk behind, where also will be a lackey or two in waiting. On the way Silius may perhaps meet with Manlius, another noble, whom he probably greets with "Good morning, brother," and a kiss upon the cheek. This kissing, it may be remarked, ultimately became an intolerable nuisance, particularly among the middle classes, and the epigrammatist, after complaining of the cold noses and wet osculations of the winter-time, pleads to have the business at least put off till the month of April. When it is a bad or sloppy day, Silius will decide to go in his litter, or Roman form of the palanquin. Being a senator he may use this conveyance, otherwise at this date he could not. There are also sedan chairs, but as yet there exists a prejudice against these as being somewhat effeminate. At this decision four, six, or eight tall fellows, slaves from Cappadocia or Germany by preference, clad in crimson liveries, thrust two long poles through the rings or the coloured leather straps which are to be found on the sides of the litter, and place these poles upon their shoulders. To all intents and purposes the litter is a couch with an arched roof above it, of the shape here indicated, but covered with cushions, which are often stuffed with down. Its woodwork is decorated with silver and ivory. The litter may either be carried open on all sides, or with curtains of coloured stuffs partially drawn, or it may be enclosed by windows of talc or glass. In the days when litters were in promiscuous use, persons who did not possess one, or perhaps the slaves to bear it, might hire such a vehicle from the "rank," after the modern manner of hiring a cab. In this receptacle Silius is carried amid the same procession as before. He will wear nothing on his head. On a journey, or when the sun was particularly strong in the roofless theatre or circus, he might put on a broad-brimmed hat, very much like that of the modern Italian priest. Instead of the hat it was common, when the weather so required, either to draw a fold of the toga over the head or to wear a hood closely resembling the monkish cowl. This might be either attached to a cloak or made separately for the purpose. The hood was also employed when, particularly in the evening, the wearer had either public or private reasons for concealing his identity as he moved abroad, commonly issuing in such cases from his side door. But on an ordinary day, and when attending a ceremony, the Roman head is bare. So also are the hands, for gloves are not yet in use. On arriving at the palace - outside which there is generally standing a crowd of the curious or the snobs - Silius passes through the guards, Roman or German, at the doors, is taken in hand by the court slave or freedman who acts as usher, and himself goes through a process similar to that which his own clients have undergone. There are times, and just now they may be frequent, at which he will have to submit to a search, for fear he may be carrying a concealed weapon. If he is high in favour or position, he belongs to the batch of "first admittance," or first entree. If not, he must be contented with "second." He will find that His Highness Nero, exacting as he may be concerning the costume of his callers, will not trouble to put on his own toga, as a more respectable emperor would have done, but will appear in anything he pleases, frequently a tunic or a wrapper of silk, relieved only by a handkerchief round the neck. Nor will his High Mightiness always condescend to lace his shoes. If he is in a good humour, he may bestow the kiss, remember your name, and call you "my very dear Silius." If he has been accustomed to do so, but omits the warmer greeting on this occasion, it may be taken as boding you no good. It is, however, very probable that in this year 64 he will refuse the kiss to almost every one of the senators, for he has already come openly to detest them. It will suffice if he so much as offers his hand to be saluted. Caligula, being a "god," had sometimes offered his foot, but only that crack-brained emperor had so far attempted this enormity. The day happens to be one on which the emperor has nothing further to say and requires no advice. Silius is therefore free to go his ways. There is also no meeting of the Senate, no festival, chariot-race, or show of gladiators. He has therefore only the ordinary day before him, and he proceeds, as practically every other caller does, towards the Forum and its neighbourhood. If on his way he meets with a great public official - a consul or a praetor - proceeding on duty, he politely makes way, and, if his head chances to be covered, he uncovers it. He loyally recognises the claims of that toga edged with purple, and of those lictors walking in front with the symbolic bundles of rods containing the symbolic axe. Whatever he may think of the men, he pays all respect to their office. The Forum is now full, the banking and money-changing are all aglow in the Basilica Aemilia, the loungers are playing their games of "three men in a row," or perhaps their backgammon, on the pavement of the outer colonnade of the Basilica of Julius. Groups are reading and discussing the columns of the "Daily News," which are either posted up or have been purchased from the professional copiers. This is an official, and therefore a censored, publication in clear manuscript, containing proclamations, resolutions of the senate, bulletins of the court, results of trials, the births and deaths registered in the city, announcements of public shows and sports, striking events, such as fires, earthquakes, and portents, and occasional advertisements. Silius may perhaps stop and read; more probably his slaves regularly purchase a copy for his private use. Criers are meanwhile bawling to you to come and see the Asiatic giant, or the mermen, or the two-headed baby. The old sailor who has been wrecked, or pretends to have been, is walking about with a harrowing picture of the scene painted on a board and is soliciting alms. The busybody is gossiping among little knots of people and telling, manufacturing, or magnifying the latest scandal, or the latest news from the frontier, from Antioch, from the racing-stables, the law-courts, or the palace. Perhaps Silius has a little banking business to do, and he enters the Basilica to give instructions as to sending a draft to Athens or Alexandria in favour of some friend or relative there who is in want of money, or whom he has instructed to make artistic or other purchases. In about seven days his correspondent will obtain the cash through a banker at Athens, or in about twelve or fourteen days at Alexandria. Perhaps, however, one of his clients has asked for his help in a case at law, which is being tried either over the way in the Basilica of Julius, or round the corner to the right in the Forum of Augustus. If a man of study and eloquence, he may have consented to act as pleader - taking no fee, because he is merely performing a patron's duty. Noblesse oblige. In the year 64 a pleader who has taken up a cause for some one else than a dependant is allowed by law to charge a fee not exceeding L100, but the law says nothing, or at least can do no thing, as to the liberal presents which are offered him under some other pretext. If he is not to plead, Silius may at any rate have been requested to lend moral support by seating himself beside the favoured party and perhaps appearing as a witness to character. If he pleads in any complicated or technical case, it will generally be after careful consultation with an attorney or professional lawyer. Round the apse or recess in which the court sits there will stand a ring of interested spectators, and among them will be distributed as many as possible of his own dependants, who will religiously applaud his finely-turned periods and his witticisms. There was generally little chance of missing a Roman forensic witticism; its character was for the most part highly elaborate and its edge broad. In a later generation it was not rare for chance bystanders to be hired on the spot as claqueurs. The court itself consists of a large body of jurymen of position empanelled, not for the particular case, but for particular kinds of cases and for a period of time, and over these there presides one of the public officials annually elected for the judicial administration of Rome. The president sees that the proceedings are in accordance with the law, but the verdict is given entirely by the jury. If there is no need for Silius to attend such a court, he may find many other demands upon his time. Among Romans of the higher classes etiquette was extremely exacting. Contemporaries themselves complain that social "duties" or "obligations" frittered away a large proportion of their day, and that they were kept perpetually "busy doing nothing." One man or woman is making a will, and asks you to be one of the witnesses to the signature and sealing; another is betrothing a son or daughter, and invites you to be present and attest the ceremony; another has a son of fifteen or sixteen concerning whom it is decided that he has now come of age, must put on the white toga of a man in the place of the purple-edged toga of the boy, and be led into the Forum in token of his new freedom; you must not omit the courtesy of attending. Another desires you to go with him before the magistrate while he emancipates a slave. Worst of all, perhaps, is the man who has written a poem or declamation, and who proposes to read it, or to get a professional elocutionist to read it, to his acquaintances. He has either hired a hall or borrowed a convenient room from a friend, and you are kindly invited to be present. We learn that these amateur authors did not permit their victims to forget the engagement, but sent them more than one reminder. At the reading or recitation it was your duty to applaud frequently, to throw complimentary kisses, and to exclaim in Greek, "excellent," "capital," "clever," "unapproachable," or "again," very much as we say "encore" in what we think is French, or "bravo" in Italian. The native Latin terms most commonly in use may perhaps be translated as "well said," "perfect," "good indeed," "divine," "a shrewd hit." On one occasion a certain Priscus was present at the reading of a poem, and it happened to open with an invocation to a Priscus. No sooner had the author begun, "Priscus, thou bidst me tell ..." than the man of that name called out "Indeed I don't." This "caused laughter" and "cast a chill over the proceedings." Pliny apologises for the man, as being a little light in the head, but he is manifestly tickled all the same. It is scarcely a wonder that the Roman was glad to escape from all these formalities of "toga'd Rome" to his country seat, or to the freer life of Baiae. His business in the Forum accomplished, Silius returns to his house on the Caelian. As, on the slope of the Sacred Way, he passes the rich shops of the jewellers, florists, and perfumers, he may be tempted to make some purchase, which the attendant slaves will carry to the house. Arrived there, he will take his luncheon, a fairly substantial though by no means a heavy meal. He may perhaps be a married man. If nothing has yet been said about his wife, it is because in the higher Roman households the husband and wife owned their separate property, lived their own lives, and were almost equally free to spend their time in their own way, since marriage at this date was rather a contract than a union. If, however, he is a benedict, it is probable that at this meal the family will meet, no outside company being present. Silius himself reclines on a couch, the children are seated, and the wife may adopt either attitude. After this our friend will probably take a siesta, precisely as he might take it in Italy to-day. The practice was indeed not universal; nevertheless it was general. He will not go to bed, but will sleep awhile upon a couch in some quiet and darkened room. If he cannot sleep, or when he wakes, he may perhaps read or be read to. Where he will spend the afternoon till the bath and dinner is a matter of his own choice.
The oxygen-carrying pigment that is present in red blood cells. Haemoglobin molecules, which are produced by bone marrow, are made up of 4 protein chains (2 alpha- and 2 betaglobin) and 4 haem (a red pigment that contains iron). Oxygen from the lungs enters red blood cells in the bloodstream. The oxygen then combines chemically with the haem within the haemoglobin to form oxyhaemoglobin, which gives blood in the arteries its distinctive bright red colour and is carried around the body. In areas that need oxygen, the oxyhaemoglobin releases its oxygen and reverts to haemoglobin, giving blood in the veins its distinctive darker colour. Some defects in haemoglobin production result from a genetic disorder; such defects are subdivided into errors of haem production, known as porphyrias, and those of globin production, known as haemoglobinopathies. Other defects, such as some types of anaemia, have a nongenetic cause.
This Toxic Lake of Black Sludge Is the Result of Mining to Create Our Tech Gadgets "It's just really disturbing," says a writer who visited the artificial lake. This lake is toxic -- made entirely of black sludge and dangerous chemicals. "The artificial lake is a creation of the waste byproducts of rare earth mining, which retrieves essential minerals needed to create a lot of our tech gadgets," British writer Tim Maughan told ABC News today. Maughan originally wrote about the lake in a feature for the BBC. Maughan said he discovered the lake last August while on an investigatory trip led by a group of "nomadic" architects and designers called Unknown Fields. Liam Young, who runs Unknown Fields along with Kate Davies, told ABC News the group goes on numerous expeditions because they "think it is critical to travel to these places and document them, so that in turn, we might be able to design or consume our gadgets differently." On this particular expedition, the group was travelling backwards through spots on the global supply chain for consumer goods made in China transported to our homes in the Western world, Maughan said, adding the Baogang Steel and Rare Earth complex was their last stop." "We drove along a dirt road which wasn't guarded, climbed a huge black mound about three to four stories high and got to the shore of the lake," Maughan said. "There were hundreds of these black pipes through which sludge was coming from." All one could see on the toxic lake's horizon were refineries and towers of factory buildings, Maughan added, saying that many of the factories in the area processed minerals such as the kinds needed to make microphones, earbuds and make our smartphone and tablet screens shiny. The vast sludge lake can even be seen on Google Maps. Maughan said the trip has made him feel conflicted about the constant technology being thrown at us. "I'm as guilty as anyone lusting after this stuff," he said. "Short-term, I think some ways to stop the demand for this is just not upgrading as frequently as we do. There's really no reason any of these devices shouldn't last us at least five years if not more, so we don't have to upgrade every year." Long-term, Maughan said he thinks we need to find a better way of producing these materials so they're less harmful to the people who make them and to the environment. "I just don't think it's right we're outsourcing this production to people who are willing to work 16-hour days at such low pay just so we can get this technology for cheap," he said.
The beginners guide to finding sustainable fashion in New South Wales The beginners guide to finding sustainable fashion in New South Wales Photo: Andersonrise, BS Behind the glitz and glamour of the fashion industry, there are some grave realities that people are unaware of. Tons of clothing is thrown away every year. The textile industries are responsible for 20% of water pollution. Then there are sweatshops in developing countries where workers are treated unethically. In amidst of all of that, there is a movement vying to end all of it: sustainable fashion. Sustainable fashion is not just a buzzword, it is a global movement of activists, designers, and retailers who want to save the planet. The problem is not just at the manufacturer’s end but also at consumer’s end. Mass fashion is cheap so it is easy for people to throw away a perfectly good clothing piece. Social media exposure and fast-changing trends supplement this fast consumerism. Clearly, the change needs to happen on all sides. Australia has been at the forefront of the sustainable fashion movement. In March, the country’s first ever sustainable fashion conference Australian Circular Fashion Conference took place in Sydney. Many designers and major retailers were present at the event. The same month Vogue Australia published their sustainability-themed edition. Many of the countries new brands are all about sustainability. As a consumer, it is your responsibility too to use clothing produced ethically. No animal deaths, carbon emissions or labor abuse is worth a stylish jacket or pair of jeans. So what should you do to find sustainable fashion, especially in New South Wales? Here are some tips to help you get on board: 1. Understand sustainable fashion Understand Sustainable Fashion Photo: Nastya_gepp, Pixabay The first step is education. You need to understand what sustainable fashion really means. There are many popular blogs on the internet that are dedicated to this subject. That can be a good start. Look at your current closet and evaluate your own choices. Do you wear a lot of furs? Are you hoarding on too many unused clothes? Start with yourself and you will know where you need to start working. 1. Look for sustainable brands Look for sustainable brands Photo: Nastya_gepp, Pixabay You need to be wary of the companies you shop from. Find brands that use sustainable fabrics. You should research their production facilities and whether the clothes are manufactured abroad or locally. Local brands that produce clothing in-house are more likely to follow ethical manufacturing practices. Avoid any brands that use animal fur. The good thing is there are many Australian brands and retailers that are focusing on sustainable fashion, many of which are located in New South Wales. For instance, Gorman is one such brand with multiple stores in New South Wales and all over Australia. 1. Second-hand clothing Second-hand clothing Photo: VadimGuzhva, BS There is a lot of stigmas attached to second-hand clothing. Second-hand clothing does not necessarily mean second best clothing. You would be surprised to see high-quality, expensive pieces in thrift shops. In New South Wales alone, there are a dozen recycled clothing brands. Some of these are purely charity. Even if you do not shop at these places, you can donate your old clothing. Rather than hoarding on clothes and shoes, or throwing them away, you can contribute them to the sustainable fashion movement and help the poor too. 1. Explore online buying clothes online Photo: Scanrail, BS Right now sustainable fashion options are somewhat limited. If you are someone who easily gets bored with the same brands, you can look up online. There are many ethical clothing brands in North America and Europe, especially in Scandinavia. Many of these brands deliver across the globe, including Australia. You can order your clothes online from these retailers and get them delivered at your door. 1. Invest in quality Invest in quality Photo: Geralt, Pixabay An important aspect of sustainable and ethical clothing is quality! You can shop at Dezzal for unconventional cuts and high-quality fabrics. Anything high-quality would obviously last longer which means you will not have to get clothes that often as you probably do now. Many of the manufacturers who produce sustainable fabrics invest heavily in quality. The clothing from these brands would definitely last long. When buying clothes, one should go for quality even if it means spending more money. In the long run, that would actually save you money. Besides, you can always use coupons and buy from sales to bring down the price. Sustainability starts from you and every choice you make no matter how small will have a ripple effect. And who says you cannot look stylish with sustainable clothes? There is a misconception that sustainability fashion means minimalist clothing. That is not true as many designs use a variety of fabrics, have vivid colors, and look downright amazing.
A Quick Rundown of Async/Await in Rust Reading Time: 4 minutes As you all know the asyncawait syntax hits stable Rust, as part of the 1.39.0 release. So let’s leverage this stabilized feature to make our code-bases Asynchronous with Zero-cost futures. In this article, we’ll mainly look into the basics of Async/Await feature: • Async/Await: Quick Intro • Zero-cost futures • Quick Demonstration of Asynchronous Programming Before diving into our road-map let’s understand the behavior of the Asynchronous programming. In a nutshell, Asynchronous programming lets us run multiple tasks at the same time on a single OS thread. Multiple scenarios can be handled at the same time because when they are waiting for a response, then they are just idle, so we can let the other tasks keep working on their computations that aren’t waiting. Now let quickly have a look in the key-points of this article: Async/Await: Quick Intro Async/Await built-in tool of Rust Programming for writing asynchronous functions and they are special pieces of Rust syntax that make it possible to yield control of the current thread rather than blocking, then allowing other code to make progress while waiting on an operation to complete. Now let’s talk about both the features separately: Async transforms a block of code into a state machine that implements a trait called Future. There are two ways to use async are: • async fn • async block async fn add(a: u32, b: u32) -> u32 { a + b fn main() { let result: impl Furute<Output: u32> = add(2, 3); async { // some code This is how you can use the async in your program to make it asynchronous. Both the async fn & async block will return the value which implements a Future trait. Await is a mechanism to run a Future. It asynchronously waits for the future to complete. So what it does like when a Future is not ready then it yields the control of the current and allows other tasks to run and it doesn’t block the current thread. We can only use the .await built-in tool inside the async fn or async block. a + b fn main() { let result: impl Furute<Output=u32> = add(2, 3); // I've added the return type just for showing you the actual return type async { let data: u32 = result.await; // here it asynchronously waits for the Future to complete. // rest of the code This is how you can use the .await feature in your program. In the above example, you can see that we are using .await with the result variable because it implements Future trait. We’ve covered the quick intro part of the async/await, now let’s understand the concept of the Zero-cost futures in Rust Programming: Zero-cost futures: Rust’s futures are purely based on the ‘poll’ model which makes them zero-cost. As in other languages, invoking an async function immediately creates a future and schedules it for execution and awaiting the future isn’t necessary for it to execute. But in Rust, invoking an async function does not do any scheduling, and here the main thing you’ll notice is that futures feel “lazy”: they won’t do anything until you await them inside the async block. After awaiting the Future then the Future executor comes into the picture. The Future executor takes the Future and run them to completion by calling the poll whenever the Future can make progress. To know more about what happens with the Future under the hood please refer to this. Now let’s jump into our last but not least step which is to make an Asynchronous program using the Async/Await feature of Rust Programming. Quick Demonstration of Asynchronous Programming Let’s compile our whole topic into a piece of code : use futures::executor::block_on; use async_std::task; use std::time::Duration; async fn func_1() { for i in 1..10 { print!("f1 "); if i == 5 { async fn func_2() { for i in 1..10 { print!("f2 "); async fn compute() { let first = func_1(); let second = func_2(); futures::join!(first, second); fn main() { This code shows the concurrent behavior of the functions running on the same OS thread. Here we have functions func_1 & func_2 and both the running on the same thread but to check the asynchronous behavior of both the functions, we have used the async_std::task::sleep to halt the processing of one task which is intended to print the word “f1” and then will see the control passes to the next task which is intended to print the word “f2” or not because we have used .await with the sleep method inside the func_1. Let’s run this program… Running `target/debug/async-programming` f1 f1 f1 f1 f1 f2 f2 f2 f2 f2 f2 f2 f2 f2 f1 f1 f1 f1 This the output we got from our asynchronous code and as you can see when we stop processing our func_1 the control yields from task one and forwarded to another task which prints the “f2”. Here is the link of GitHub Gist. This is how we can implement the concept of asynchronous programming in Rust using the feature async/await. Hope you get acquainted with this feature. Thanks for reading!!! Written by
Museum Blog Just Grand Along the wall in the middle gallery of the museum stands a piano with carved cabriole legs and a hinged top. The piano was purchased by Gene Adams of Salida before being sold to Laura Huntley. Huntley donated her extensive collection to the museum in 1974, including this piano. The piano was made by the J. & C. Fischer Company in New York City. John and Charles Fischer were originally partnered with Robert Nunns at Nunns & Fischer in the 1830s. In 1840, the brothers left the partnership to open their own company. In 1896, they celebrated the making of their 100,000 piano. The company was known for their top-quality instruments and were very successful. Pianos produced by the company included square grand pianos, upright pianos, and traditional grand pianos. The pictured piano was made circa 1890 with a serial number of 9678. It is a square grand piano, one of the most popular styles in the 19th century made by American piano makers. Unfortunately for the square grand piano, the upright piano eventually overtook it in popularity as it was smaller and took up less floor space. Currently, the piano resides in the museum gallery featuring our World War I exhibit. The sheet music placed on the piano is “Round her Neck She Wears a Yeller Ribbon”, an old marching song. Scattered atop the piano are poppies, a symbol of World War I, largely due to the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae. Happy National Piano Month! Leave a Reply
Rare, ancient maps show how thousands of years ago, an advanced civilization mapped the Earth Some refer to this civilization—however, I’m more inclined to think that many civilizations could have existed—as the antediluvian predecessor of the most important ancient cultures on Earth. How can you explain—from a logical point of view— prehistoric, ancient maps, depicting regions of our planet like Antarctica without ice? By doing some simple research you’ll come across not one, but countless maps that depict the same thing: The continent of Antarctica presumably without ICE. But… how is this even possible? We’ve only ‘found’ Antarctica recently. So how can there be maps of the continent depicting it free of ice? According to experts, Antarctica separated around 160 million years ago from the Gondwana supercontinent, beginning to cool down again. By 23 million years ago, Antarctica was mostly icy and for the last 15 million years, it has been a frozen desert under a thick ice sheet. An ancient global-scale ‘mapping project’ A look at the ancient Piri Reis map Piri ReisThe fact that there are maps that depict Antarctica free of Ice, and other parts of the world that were not discovered until recently gives rise to MANY theories—some of them somewhat controversial. Interestingly, many authors—including myself—will venture out and say that these maps may very well prove that in the distant past, ancient explorers had an extremely well-developed cartography system comparable in precision to the one we have today. These maps could also ‘prove’ that ancient mankind knew the exact shape and size of the Earth, contrary to popular beliefs, and used spherical trigonometry, precise and elaborate mathematical calculations, as if thousands of years ago an unknown civilization undertook a global-scale project of mapping the entire planet like no one has ever done before. The result: numerous ancient maps that according to many prove our history is not what we’ve been told. The Zeno Map. Published around 1380, the enigmatic maps accurately depicts the coasts of modern-day countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Scotland. This ancient map also happens to depict—somehow—the EXACT latitude and longitude of a number of islands on our planet. The Camerio map, created in 1502 uses a spherical grid, even though people in the middle ages still believed our planet was in fact… flat. The Iehudi Ibn ben Zara map, drawn in 1487 displays remnants of glaciers in Britain. The map also includes extremely detailed depictions of islands in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. Today, these islands still exist, but due to rising water levels, these are now underwater. The Hadji Ahmed map, published in 1559, shows incredibly accurate delineations of the western coast of Northern America and Antarctica. The Buache map—created around 1737— is believed to be the result of much more ancient maps. This chart depicts Antarctica well before the ‘icy’ continent was in fact discovered. Interestingly, like many other ancient maps, this too accurately illustrates Antarctica without ice. Another shocking map is the King Jaime World Chart. Created in 1502, the map accurately depicts parts of the Sahara Desert displaying it much differently than it is today: with fertile land, huge lakes rivers and what appear to be ancient cities. 1534: The Oronce Finé World Map. An early cordiform projection which features the Antarctic continent splayed along its southern edge some 300 years before it is believed to have been discovered. An inscription spans the width of the continent, “Southern land newly discovered, but not yet fully explored.” Just as the Buache map, the Piri Reis Map—one of the most famous ancient charts—is supposedly a collection of even older maps, displaying the correct coastline of Antarctica as it was under the ice. The map was composed around 1520 and in addition to displaying Antarctica without ice, it accurately depicts the geography of the American Continent with such a precision that it looks as if it was put together with the aid of aerial photography. Is it possible that all of the above maps are the result of an advanced ancient civilization that somehow managed to map the entire planet thousands of years ago—perhaps before the last ice age? If so, who was this mysterious civilization and does this provide enough ground to venture out and say advanced ancient civilization—like Atlantis—may have existed on Earth, terns of thousands of years ago? Six Ancient Maps that should not exist according to mainstream Scholars Like it? Share with your friends! 1. Deception is what goes on here! More lies about Antarctica to distract from the fact that NASA can’t PROVE anything here in Modern 2017!! Where are the real pictures of earth, not CGI and Artist’s renderings?? 1. There are countless satellite maps of the world that prove it’s round. It’s pretty sad that so many people have no critical thinking skills. 1. And lest we forget, the countless number of images of planets in our own solar system taken by both professional and amateur astronomers which prove conclusively the spherical nature of most heavenly bodies. Flat earthers are the most egregious manifestation of information age mass paranoia. 2. Yes it is sad. All of those ‘images’ shown to us via ‘satellite’ are CGI, Composites and/or Artist’s Renderings….so, Fake. Oh, and the ‘Math’ they use to calculate the curvature of the earth, doesn’t prove a globe but does prove it’s flat, unmoving, with the same constellations in the sky for centuries which is not possible on a globe, yet we’ve used these same stars for navigation for thousands of years! Maybe you should re-think this whole “spinning ball in space” thing. Sounds like a bunch of science-fiction or that cult religion ‘scientism’ to me. Blessings! 3. Satellites, Please you are making me laugh so hard at your ignorance, critical thinking skills, I truly hope you learn some. I have been to many comment sections but this is one that is truly SAD, and the lack of intelligence is WAY over whelming. 1. Funny how here in 2017 we still don’t have an accurate map of the world and NASA is still putting people on harnesses in front of the green screen and almost drowning ‘Astro-NOTs’ in space! Why would we believe anything that NASA says when it’s so obvious they lie? The earth is flat and NASA can’t prove otherwise! NASA LIES. NASA fakes everything. NASA Steals $$$. NASA has nothing but CGI. Where is the real PROOF of this spinning ball you nassholes live on?? “Modern Technology” That makes me laugh!! 1. The Earth is not flat. Go down to the shore and watch a ship coming towards the coast. First you see the topsail and slowly the whole ship appears. That alone is proof the Earth is really round. 1. Modern cameras with zoom have disproved that old way of thinking as when you zoom in the ship is still there, there are numerous videos of that! The earth is not a ball spinning in space as NASA has NO PROOF of that at all! Nasa gives you CGI, Artist’s renderings and Composites…..No REAL pictures at all! They (NASA) give you people in front of green screens with harnesses on doing back-flips to ‘prove’ they’re in space, and people still buy it?! There is no proof of curvature even by their own math equations! Bridges, Lighthouses Railroad tracks all prove a flat earth, no curvature! Where is NASA’s proof of the globe? Who is the famous scientists that Proved Gravity? NASA has NO PROOF yet they continue to steal all that $$$$ and can’t give us ONE REAL PICTURE of earth when they have billions of $$$ in their budget and thousands and thousands of satellites ‘in space’ to use??? I ain’t buying it and I’m sure glad they ain’t stealing MY $$$$$ anymore!! The earth is flat….don’t believe me? Then go prove it’s round, I’ll bet you can’t! 1. Show me the one air route that’s at least 10,000 miles. Is it Australia to South America? Is it Japan to England? A flat earth map distorts air travel distances. Look it up. Also, take a powerful telescope to the top of the Sears Tower. Show me pictures of the Rocky Mountains. How come you can’t see the Sears Tower for more than 35 or 40 miles? Even when it’s toward a higher elevation? 1. Sounds like you need to do some more research as there are hundreds of videos already showing how plane routes work better on the AZ map and ‘Emergency landings’ have shown the same! Maybe you should do some traveling to the shores and visit a couple lighthouses, go up to the top and look out in every direction (360 view) the horizon is always at eye level. Take some binoculars with you to view the ships that have gone ‘over the curve’ and you’ll be amazed that they are still there, just out of your viewing distance. Research. Blessings. 2. First you must understand the bible was NOT written in English originally. Once you get past that we can get to the original meanings of the words and their context. The next step is to have an understanding of Hebrew. The Hebrew language is a very primitive language and does not have vowels or contractions and lacks technical granulated details like the Greek language does. The Hebrew language has what is called “Hebraisms” that take a Hebrew word that can have multiple meanings, that usually take multiple English words to define it and that can even contrast in definition depending on context of sentence structure. Let’s look at this bible verse: Isa 40:22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle(H2329) of the earth (H776), and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: Each word that is in the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts has a strongs number assigned to it so that we may look at the easily verifiable original definition of the Hebrew or Greek word used. Let’s look at the sentence structure and definition in the Hebrew of the word “circle (H2329)” here: H2329 ????chu^g khoog From H2328; a circle: – circle, circuit, compassive there really is no definition of compassive but its root word is clear and meaningful. Define compass/encompass en•com•pass en’kompos verb past tense: encompassed; past participle: encompassed 1. surround and have or hold within. “a vast halo encompassing the Milky Way galaxy” synonyms: surround, enclose, encircle, circumscribe, bound, border; More literary gird, engird; rare compass “the apartment buildings encompass common recreational grounds, complete with swimming pool and tennis court” include comprehensively. “no studies encompass all aspects of medical care” synonyms: cover, embrace, include, incorporate, take in, contain, comprise, involve, deal with, range across; formal comprehend “the debates encompassed a vast range of subjects” 2. archaic cause (something) to take place. “an act designed to encompass the death of the king” Now let’s look at the word “EARTH (H776)” in that verse: H776 ???’erets eh’-rets From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land): – X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X nations, way, + wilderness, world. The land of the earth is firm as opposed to all liquid, also meaning countries, fields, ground, and nations and you just can’t pick those things up and put them in your pocket and move them… no lesser god, angel or Satan can move them because our God Yehovah creator of the universe placed the earth here and no matter how hard satan tries, it’s here to stay in this orbit around the sun. I dare you to try and move the earth from its firm orbit, it’s unmovable. Read the verse and that is the Hebraism context of the verse. Circle meaning all to include all of the Earth ground and nations and the people on in. keep in mind we also need to take in the whole council of God in the bible and not just one word or verse here and there without understanding the context and meaning of the original text it was written in. The bible is not of private interpretation. “2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.“ Now let’s look at the more technical and granulated detailed language of Greek in the New Testament of the word “EARTH” keep in mind the BIBLE DOES NOT CONTRADICT…EVER! And if it seems to contradict in the English then we MUST return to the original language to straighten it out: Rev_20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth(G1093), Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. The Greek word for “EARTH” is: G1093 ??? ge¯ ghay Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application): – country, earth (-ly), ground, land, world. Earth is defined more accurately and detailed in the Greek as globe. Remember the bible does not contradict anywhere. The Bible says that unbelievers have no spiritual perspective: The movement of the stars, sun, moon look to our perspective as they are moving around us ONLY. It’s actually both as all planets including ours move and spin in space but to our perspective it seems as though we are standing still and everything revolves around us. Now that is perspective. Gen 1:8 And God called the firmament(H7549) Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. firmament H7549 ????ra^qi^ya? raw-kee’-ah From H7554; properly an expanse, that is, the firmament or (apparently) visible arch of the sky: – firmament. The firmament the bible speaks of is the spherical arch of the atmosphere around our planet because of its unique attributes it does many things for our well being including help keeping the dangerous parts of the suns radiation from reaching our skin and bodies by separating space from earth and so much more. If the sun was as close as flat earthers say it is, then we would all die from its radiation. 3. I own a Strong’s concordance and use it all the time! I also have read the bible and know God said he created the sun, moon and stars on the 4th day and set them in the firmament, so they are LIGHTS not planets! The sun is not made of radiation! God did not design the sun to kill you or you would not be able to absorb vitamins from the sun!! Maybe you’d better re-read the book of Genesis without all the ‘scientism religion’ in your head. The earth is God’s footstool and not a ball spinning in space like the satanists that teach this scientism! God’s word does not lie like NASA does. Oh and gravity has NEVER been proven! You are going around believing that people on the bottom of the ball are walking around upside down and because of gravity they think they are right side up? You believe that the planes/helicopters on the bottom of the ball can take off upside down? Geeez. 4. God’s word is truth and there are over 120 references to this flat, stationary, 4 cornered earth we live on. The bible says that one who mocks or argues a matter without research into it is a fool. The bible also tells of the firmament in Genesis 1 (that’s the first book of the bible) and how God made the sun, moon and stars on the 4th day and set them in the firmament, also in Joshua (that’s the 6th book of the bible) verse 10 tells of Joshua commanding the sun to be still and the moon to be still, because the earth does not move. God set the earth on pillars, also in the bible many times is mention of the foundations of earth and you can ask any builder, they’ll tell you all foundations are flat! I have yet to see ONE building built upon a spherical foundation, and you think I’m silly?? I am not the one believing (having ‘faith’ in) the false religion of scientism nor their fake ‘outer space’ stories. I know the truth and don’t need any bedtime sci-fi stories to pacify me, I have peace of mind in knowing the truth. 5. Many refer to it as a disc by cutting it off at the Ice wall that is the ‘bounds’ for the waters but there is more to it beyond the ice. The freemasons have a square and compass as their ‘symbol’ on everything because they know that the earth is a flat square with the circle of Ice within the square, they are not stupid. The bible tells us there are angels at the 4 corners. These angels will in the end times be holding back the winds so that they blow no more. God’s word is truth and even the devil knows that!! 6. You wouldn’t know how to debate even if someone gave you an outline to follow, I guess Twain was right ,” It is easier to fool someone than to tell them they have been fooled.” But for Fools I guess that is your nature.So Sad, Very Sad. 7. I guess they are right, some people can not type a cognitive sentence even with computer apps.Is the color of your hair the same as your little pony, if so, please just pick a color mate. 8. That’s funny at the sheer childishness of it all….here, pull my finger. 9. “…computer apps.Is the color…” And you can’t put proper spacing in between a period and the start of the next sentence. So what’s your excuse, Paul the Putrid Purveyor of Phony Ponies? His sentences are completely cognitive…maybe it’s your brain that isn’t. Go join a Clinton P-Hat convention…you’d fit right in there. 10. How do you see the sears tower for that far when the curvature science claims says you can’t see it from that far? 8′ of drop per mile squared!! Did you miss math class? 2. This site monitors all comments and only allows the ones they agree with….no free speech here. Maybe this one will be approved. Yes, the earth is flat, just the way God made it. There are many ways to prove that we don’t live on a round spinning globe. If you never were told the Biblical account of creation, you can find it at its his story dot com. Scroll down to the world that God made snow globe. 1. Me too….but the hilarity of it all would be wasted on us. So it has to stay so all may see and laugh with us. 2. Sigh. No it isn’t, even that ridiculous pamphlet you lot masturbate to states the earth is a sphere 1. If it has been proven to you that the earth is indeed a round spinning globe, then you could easily prove it to others. However, if you believe that only because you were told that it’s true, then you cannot. So….can you prove it? I have disproven it many ways on my site. 2. When bought my daughter a telescope for her birthday we took it out and looked at Venus. Can you guess what shape it was? 3. And this is somehow supposed to prove that the earth is a round spinning globe? What you most likely saw was a star because God didn’t make any planets. 4. Wow. No it was the planet Venus, we could see the various coloration in the clouds and it was spherical. Also looked at the moon which was also spherical. This is caused by something called gravity. Also I checked out your site……..seek help 5. Thank you for at least checking out my site. If you did so, you probably noticed that Jesus loves you and died in your place. He did this so you could go to heaven instead of the lake of fire. All you have to do is repent, ask him to forgive your sins, and start living for him. Hope you do….. 6. Why would an all loving God create a place where his most beloved creation is tortured for eternity? Look, it’s a free world so believe what you want. Peace 7. Peace to you too, but I would like to answer your question if you don’t mind. The Bible does NOT teach that. The only ones that spend eternity in the lake of fire are the devil and his angels, and those that take the mark during the coming Tribulation when the devil and his angels rule the earth for the last 3 1/2 years and force everyone to take a mark if they want to buy or sell. And right after they issue this decree, God warns the inhabitants of the earth by sending an angel to tell them not to take the mark. The rest of the people who do not want to believe in Jesus do not spend eternity in the lake of fire. They are judged in much the same way that our current court system works. Each gets a sentence based on the severity of their crime, so some spend a day there and others a year and so on. But they all perish after their sentence. I remember when I was an atheist I used to get so mad at God. I used to say “Its’s not fair, I have to do things your way or go to hell”. Then later, I realized that God’s ways were actually much better, and still do. God has given each of us a choice. Because we all have sinned, those sins need to be dealt with. In the same way as if we commit a crime here, that needs to be dealt with. So God sent his son, Jesus to die for our sins and pay the penalty required. Those who wish to have their sins forgiven can ask him for that and he will do so. If you choose not to, then you will have your day in God’s court to answer for them. I didn’t make the rules, God did. He wants everyone to repent and see that his ways are better and offers eternal life to those that do. Those that don’t would probably become rebellious troublemakers in heaven so it would not be fair to the rest of the inhabitants. Pretty much the same system as here. The troublemakers end up in jail. If you have any other questions I would be glad to answer them. I have studied the Bible intently and can give you a straight answer based on what the Bible teaches. What you want to believe is your business. Its not up to me to tell you what you should believe. You can also email me directly from my site if you like. God Bless…. 8. What is the name of the famous scientist that proved gravity?? I’ll wait. 9. No sir. Mr Newton ‘theorized’ about gravity and tried to prove it mathematically, but was unsuccessful his whole life. Newton has many a theory, but ZERO proof! Proof (real science) must be repeatable, observable and mathematically correct and his is none of those. Want to try again? I doubt it as I have looked for many a year and still have found not one scientist or anyone who actually has proved that gravity exists, only theory’s and hypothesis. Newton’s theoretical prediction of an oblate spheroid is only that a theory, as it has never been proven either. You are basing your life (and your beliefs) on theory and hypothesis and not facts. 10. The nonsense comes from the pseudo-science religion that everyone believes with ZERO proof! The prophecies of the bible have been proven, science has proved the flood and many others have found much proof of God’s word. There is much physical proof of Sodom and Gomorrah, the flood, and the proof of the firmament is in Antarctica, that’s why it is guarded and no one is allowed to go there with out government permission and even then to only approved locations. The Antarctic Treaty is the only treaty never broken and ALL nations agree to and guard it shores, Why? These nations can’t agree on anything but they ALL agree to this, why??? Are they hiding something? Ask any builder and they will tell you their foundations are always flat, never spherical! One cannot build on a sphere. 11. The flood most certainly has not been proven. Evidence of localised flooding in the Mediterranean has been hypothesised which was a sea level rise of meters and not on a global scale. Of course there will be places mentioned in the bible that existed and that we have and will find evidence for but what we will never find evidence for is God, angels, the devil and a myriad other things 12. It has yet to be proven by actual science and is still today only a theory. You are basing your beliefs (that’s a religion) on theory and hypothesis and not facts or repeatable proof. It’s 2017 and we have all sorts of ‘modern technologies’ with which prove things with so why has nothing been proven yet?? Why can’t NASA prove the earth is a globe and end this ‘silly’ idea of a flat earth?? They can’t because it is truth and they have nothing but theory and hypothesis and science-fiction tales to feed you. If the earth were a globe they would have some real proof, they have NONE. 13. Yes you are asleep in life and soon Jesus will come for those who love him and the sleeping ones like you will burn in the lake of fire! You have been told and now have no excuse when you stand before God, you can’t say you were never told because I told you. There is only ONE way to life eternal and that is JESUS! You have been forewarned. 14. I will, thanks! Make sure to stay asleep so you don’t have to grow-up and be a responsible person. You’ll be just one of many ‘zombies’ that will die first when the going gets rough. 15. Zombie = Zoned Out Masses Buying Into Everything. I haven’t owned a Tel-LIE-vision in 10 years at least, I don’t allow that device to turn me into a brainwashed boob! That’s why the masses are zombified boobs, from watching the boob tube and believing it tells truth, it doesn’t. The last laugh will be on the zoned out, brainwashed masses by those of us awake enough to see the truth and survive the coming nightmare. You on the other hand will not survive the dark days ahead so go ride your purple pony into the sunset of your death with the rest of the zombies. 16. Apparently you are. Ignorance is not so much a shame as being unwilling to learn–Benjamin Franklin. 17. I own no game systems, and I have no modern technology except this old laptop and an old flip phone, and that will be gone soon enough too! 18. It’s too bad that you think you are smarter than God because someday you will have to stand before him and be judged for your sins. However, you can ask Jesus to forgive you instead and then you won’t have to. Up to you…. 1. Usually I don’t bother responding to comments like yours, but God loves you as much as he loves everyone else. Jesus died for your sins just like everyone else’s. So I am telling you about the universe that God made. If you would rather believe in the universe that science created that is up to you. If you want to spend eternity with God in heaven then you may want to get to know him. 3. Actually that doesn’t really have to be a proof if you take into consideration a thing called ‘perspective’. 4. Ever hear of depth perception, when you go down to the shore ,make sure you bring a very good set of binoculars with you so you can see the whole ship before anyone else.That alone will tell you that Science’s phony earth curvature formula is a fraud.Debra the Deplorable in this comments section is dead on! 1. How original, maybe you should go back to your safe space.Idiots like you are plentiful, what a waste of our creators miracles. 1. I am laughing at the superior intellect, How you can remember to breathe when you get out of your puddle in the morning is truly a miracle of evolution. 2. If you know anything about Biology (and I’m guessing you are an expert at practically everything!! /s), breathing is a reflexive action controlled by the brain and is involuntary, which has nothing to do with memory. Nice try…play again later. 3. Lol. I love how they act all sage like. Then lose their shit and start insulting 2. Flat earthers claim there is some fantastic cooperative “conspiracy” that involves most people of power and such for the past so many years… unfortunately for flat earthers the Piri Reis Antarctica map is dated in the 1500s. Even Mr. Piri Reis was helped with many other older maps to make his complete map we see of his today. he sought out to sail around and map it out himself and not only does it show that the poles of the earth do wobble, tilt and move because his map shows that the south pole was alot warmer back then. His map is extremely accurate and according to flat earthers it would mean that this everyday layman was in on this fantastic cooperative conspiracy back in the 1500s for some odd reason to try and trick the entire world that the earth was globular…BUT IT DOESN’T EXPLAIN WHY… AND WHY WOULD HE DO IT? Mr. Piri Reis was no global elite illuminati ruler from NASA seeking world domination and had no money in on tricking the world into thinking the earth is globular. He was a common man, a sailor and a merchant that wanted to map all the land for future trade routes. For Goodness sakes flat earth people! The Piri map if anything proves fallen angel technology may have been used to help some people many years ago do things that amaze us like the pyramids and many other crazy large structures too big to build without modern technology. Piri map Most of flat earthers seem they will believe this theory from those that have NOT gone to this described “edge” of the earth to touch this “firmament glass” or sail to the east or west to videotape this ice edge or ledge depending on which flat earth theory you believe in. Even if the edge or ledge is “guarded” by the elite people, they wont show any video tape footage of these massive fleets of guardian ships guarding this so called edge or ledge. With all the money, time, and technology NOT ONE flat earther has video footage of this physical dome up close either…. supposedly guarded i guess… and no video of the guards either. There are logical questions that will prove that the bible is correct that says the earth is a globe. For example: Why are there NO pictures of this flat earth edge or the guardians of this edge guarding it? How do we get solar, lunar and other planet eclipses… impossible with a flat earth? How can we have 24 hours of light at the poles of the earth depending on the time of year …. impossible with a flat earth? Why are there different stars in the sky depending on the hemisphere you are in, when in a flat model we should all be able to see all the stars at some point. Depending on location you won’t see the opposite hemisphere stars ever! And depending on where you are you may see the different sets of the same stars (which is impossible in a flat earth model) all the time as in the circumpolar stars at each pole but then we should all see the same stars? Why do toilets spin in opposite directions depending on the hemisphere you are in (impossible in a flat earth model)? Why does a plum line eventually start to spin when you swing it straight… impossible on a flat unmovable earth? Some of these questions you can test with your very own hands and see with your very own eyes but flat earthers refuse to believe their own hands and only believe the opinions of other flat earth leaders when these people have NEVER seen this so called edge or dome, have pics of this edge or ledge or even the guardians of the edge… and you people don’t even think that is fishy at all? Here are some other experiments, explanations and documentations that you can do yourself. Please watch them they will enlighten you. 1. Nobly and intellectually stated, unfortunately Mr Reis did not have the authoritative restraint over him as we do ourselves to this day. Many of your examples of theory are debatable but I feel this is a topic in which would be very time consuming. 2. i hear ya buddy. I think many of the things we have been taught has been a lie. nasa is a lie, government is a lie and so much science has shifted from one peer reviewed fact to another its enough to make any sanes head spin. i get it… we have been lied to and it can be disappointing swimming in this world of lies and sifting through it with a fine toothed comb. we can not be mad or blame the flat earth people for questioning the main narrative of things and believe me i get it that you and others are searching for what you believe is truth. we have to take some fishy things from both sides and throw them out and always be critical and go where truth leads us not try and lead the truth. bless you buddy for your desire for truth, keep looking and try not to be biased even if a globular earth person shows you something and ill always keep my mind open to truth. 3. I could not have stated that more eloquently, I think we are on the same path.Truer words are hard to bear from mind. Keep the flags of discontent flying and may the truth be some where in the middle for all to view in astonishment and wonder. 4. at least you are willing to talk peacefully… i am not a grammar expert but i have seen very vial words of exchange from both sides and any of that cannot be positive for reality and search for truth on either side. 5. When you travel, do you keep words in a vial for safekeeping? I prefer a waterproof baggie….but that’s just me. At home though, in my medicine cabinet in the bathroom…in a vial I have some choice words I keep in there in case I nick myself shaving….but I’m running out and need to get some more….razors too because they are a vile invention made to slice human flesh. 3. As a former active duty Naval Officer I have used 40 power binoculars in the middle of the Pacific ocean. You see the conning tower or sail of an approaching ship first, then slowly the remainder appears. Sell your B.S. to someone else. I know you’re full of it. 1. Your active duty Naval experience must have been a waste of time then., Obviously spent too much time below, what a shame. My B.S. is free. I Don’t think you know much of anything, at least worth mentioning., Why don’t you try peddling your stupidity elsewhere. 2. Just because you signed up to be a Sol-DIE-r for the corporation means you know something?? You are far more deceived than I.You can even use your own eyes….they belong to the corporation now!! 3. Very Christ like, as the cold hard truth is a hard thing indeed. Many can not face it , it is to factual for them and they have no understanding. I am bound to tell truth, that sometimes brings pain as it is a painful thing to face oneself at times knowing we are sinners and facing that sin, that is a hard thing to do. The truth is never the easy path in a world full of lies! I admire all veterans because of their bravery, skills, dedication and more and have two brothers that served, it does not change the truth of the matter, that the Corporation of the United States owns the militaries and needs Sol-DIE-rs to fight their wars and protect their drugs. The truth is an eternal thing and never changes, just like God. 5. I’ve already been to the shores….on both coasts! Take a trip there yourself and be sure to take some binoculars or a good zoom camera as that has already been debunked many times! Go to the top of the nearest lighthouse and don’t forget you binoculars! Great flat earth and flat water observation! take the whole fam damily!! Blessings!! 2. Get in a jet airplane, fly in a straight line from west to east. You’ll eventually revisit the place you started at, and see the sun rise again in less than twelve hours. Need more proof? Get a powerful telescope, aim it at one of the planets in the solar system. Observe the spherical shape, then watch it spin on its axis. Take the same telescope, fit it with a time lapse camera, watch the stars move across the sky. Take the same telescope, aim it across the horizon, try to figure out why you can’t see beyond a certain distance.. 1. I’ve been up in airplanes and even worked at the airport (PIT) Marshaling and DE-icing planes from the boom. I’ve also driven from coast to coast as well as hiked to the tops of many mountains, I went to the roof of a castle in WV where you can see 3 states at once, been up to the top of several Lighthouses along the shores too! It’s flat as far as the eye can see. Oh, I’ve also been on a boat in the waters down in Florida for a week. I know exactly how my eyes work and about perspective! Funny how water always seeks it’s own LEVEL. Water proves the earth is flat. 1. Speaking of perspective…the one perspective you are disregarding is the perception of SIZE. You are teeny weeny….the Earth is hugey wugey. Get it? Teeny weeny human, extremely huge Earth. The reason you don’t see a curvature is because of how small and insignificant you are. As far as the argument that water seeks its own level, again….size perspective. You see a bathtub or a lake full of water….all at it’s own level. Fine…we’ll agree on that. What you don’t see is the whole of Earth from a distance. But with your limited perspective, just continue to see things the way you want, let that head of yours fill with gases…and perhaps one day, you can float high above your flat Earth plane and see for yourself. We know you refuse to entertain the thought of gravity holding water to the Earth as a sphere, but let me ask you: If this were a Flat Earth, how do you know which position on the plane in space does it lie? In other words if your flat Earth were tilted a degree to the South, would all the water find the level and spill over the sides? What you and all other Flat Earthers are proposing is that your pizza-land is perfectly aligned in space to disallow water spillage over the edge. You believe in this perfect alignment, but not in gravity. And that is the inherent falsity and HUGEY WUGEY HOLE in your argument. Good day. 1. Yes scientism’s religion wants us all to believe we are tiny weeny, but they themselves tell you you can see the curvature in a plane, I have flown and seen a flat earth below me! Today’s zoom cameras show that ships don’t disappear over a curve as well as zoom in on the sun and moon to show they are closer than we are told. You can believe the lies of their science religion but I’ll believe God and His word that is good forever and never changes! 3. NASA = NAZI Remember that for the Elite are vowels are interchangeable. When they say guy they mean gay. 4. You poor thing!! You believe everything they taught you in school and show you on TV!! You poor soul, you don’t know how to use your own brain and eyes!! Don’t you know anything about perspective, vanishing points? Have you the name of the famous scientists that proved Gravity??? 2. Pardon the intrusion, but having not personally been to the seemingly infinite, starry nesting grounds of space, it is only through reason, am I able to fully accept the fact that this beautiful, ancient and sentient Earth is neither round, nor flat, but BOTH, hidden and yet apparent, in the life-giving ALL of NOTHING. Forged between light and dark, good and evil, positive and negative, a consciousness, recycling all that is gained, or given by duality for the creation and/or destruction of energy. Polarity requires two forces in order to advance. Push, pull. Expand and contract. The reflection of a flat board would appear round atop a spherical surface. It is the perception of the EYE that creates the illusion of deception. What is real, is inconceivable and beyond the understanding of a mind, whom fighting with itself to find balance between its two sides. ALL, is in fact, NOTHING of the sort. 1. Bows deeply while long stemmed roses are thrown on stage 1. Joseph Farrell, in his book “Yahweh – The Two Faced God,” talks about how before Christianity, all over the world, it was one spirituality. That spirituality was that God was nothing… s/he was “no thing” in that one can’t define God. Excellent fascinating book of the beauty of the spirituality before the Elite made God into a man so, as Joseph Farrell said, they could create a debt that, like the Federal Reserve banking system, man/society could never pay the debt off. Fascinating as Joseph is truly an amazing historian. This book of his also clearly shows how our religions of today are used to balkanize us against each other and how Yahweh was clearly a psychopath which has resulted in our dysfunctional psychopathic society of today. 4. Heya! I know this is somewhat off-topic but I needed toask. Does operating a well-established blog like yours require a lot of work?I am completely new to blogging however I do write in my diary on a daily basis.I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my experience and thoughts online.Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations or tips for new aspiring blog owners.Appreciate it! Comments are closed.
For most of us procrastination has become an integral part of life. In spite of knowing that it is a negative trait, we take recourse to it, often involuntarily. Many people feel that putting off a task helps reduce immediate stress and tension. This can be beneficial as it helps one relax and provides ample time to complete the task which may significantly improve the quality of work. Often when you think about an instant decision you had taken, you realize that had you delayed your response, it could have been different – probably more collected and focused. Although procrastination does appeal many people, it may be a great idea to indulge in it more often. Motivation: The biggest incentive to complete any task is the sense of enjoyment and excitement that we derive from it. It could be because you like doing that particular task or just the sense of fulfillment you get on its completion or any other reason under the sun. So when there is a lack of motivation, there is delay. Priorities: With multitasking being the buzzword prioritizing tasks is crucial. Thus, subject to the priorities set, some tasks are postponed for a later date. Perfection: Sometimes the desire to meet high standards and expectations lead to apprehensions even before starting a given task. The resulting anxiety is a common reason for procrastination. Fear of evaluation: Fear of rejection of the fear of just being evaluated leads to delays in deliverables. In fact, there are times when people put off submitting a task even after having completed it on time. Time: Time consuming tasks are a major turn off. As self employed professional A says very often our estimation of the timeline is incorrect. Many a times, the task is completed much before anticipated, thus making her wonder why she had put it off for such a long time. Had she started it earlier, she would have been more relaxed and could have enjoyed free time without any guilty. Taking a chance: We often delay, delay and further delay a task presuming that everything will be fine even if it is completed in the last minute. But spare a minute to think what happens if everyone starts thinking alike or if something doesn’t work out at the last minute? Productivity suffers: Procrastinating beyond reasonable limits often leaves us with very little time to do a job well. It becomes a rushed affair and inevitable quality suffers. So, in spite of completing the job, a feeling of dissatisfied persists. Procrastination cases unnecessary tension, making it difficult for you to put in your best. The worst and the scariest thing about postponing task is that it can lead to a vicious circle. The more difficult you find a task, the more you put it off and the less time you have in hand to do it, the more difficult it seems. Mess up: Continually putting off work and lack of planning and organizing can lead to disorder and confusion. Team Player: Can a procrastinator be a good team player? If the procrastination is a result of priorities then the team is saved. If not the entire team will suffer. In fact, often the work has to be delegated to someone else at the last minute. A habitual procrastinator is a self oriented individual who is taken up by what works best for him /her and is unreliable. Dealing with delay: If procrastination becomes a habit, you are heading towards becoming the black sheep. While dealing with procrastination it’s important to keep in mind two things: getting started and staying on track till the end. One of the best ways to overcome procrastination is understanding the fact that even the most boring task can be made interesting if handled efficiently. This can be done by chalking out the possible big and small benefits that can be derived from it. For example, it might get you brownie points with your boss or you might just be able to step out early from work and catch a movie. Procrastinators need to make themselves get over, go around, or somewhere plough through their mental barriers in order to get on with it. This, however, is dependent on the nature of procrastination. As a final word, indulging in procrastination to some extent is fine. In fact, it is inevitable; however, it’s important to be discrete so that it does not start ruling your life.
ArgusLab 4.0.1 Scientists have discovered that thanks to computer programs they can advance in their projects a lot faster, due to the fact that they can speed up the calculations that would have previously taken weeks of work. In the case of chemistry, we have to highlight the applications that make it easier to design and analyze molecules by means of 3D drawings, like ArgusLab. This program is a 3D image editor that has been specifically developed to be able to form all kinds of molecules, thus making it easier to develop and study certain medicines, amino acids and chemical compounds. The program has a large library that includes various of the best known chemical and pharmaceutical compounds, allowing the user to analyze their structure and modify it. The interface is very similar to that of other simple 3D design tools, with the sole difference that in this case they have added utilities to insert chemical molecules. If you work in chemistry or in a pharmaceutical lab and you are looking for an application that will make it easier to analyze and design certain elements, download and install ArgusLab. Category:Educational Software 0 / 5 (Voted by 0 Compzetians) + 1 Upload Date:2012,08,07,02,34,38 Related Gadgets ChemSketch 12.01 Educational Software Highly Viewed Gadgets Under This Category Lingoes 2.8.1 Educational Software SciTE 3.2.2 Educational Software Code Blocks 10.05 Educational Software 3D Slicer 4.1.1 Educational Software Educational Software ChemSketch 12.01 Educational Software Voca 4.3 Educational Software Lincalc 1.1.4 Educational Software Microsoft Mathematics... Educational Software Download your software here blog comments powered by Disqus
• Sheri Colberg, PhD Exercising with Type 1 Diabetes: The Insulin-Food Balance Challenge Addressing how to balance blood glucose levels during (and after) exercise with type 1 diabetes is not new. In fact, it is likely the KEY topic to address to be successful at being physically active if you take exogenous insulin and want to prevent hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia during exercise. Strategies include changing in insulin doses and/or supplementing with food, either of which can be done in myriad ways depending on the activity, timing, and more. A recent 2020 study revisited whether it works better to supplement with carbohydrates or lower bolus (meal-time) insulin doses before exercise to prevent lows (1). Its conclusion—for this particular group of subjects doing continuous, moderate-intensity cycle ergometer exercise for ∼45 minutes—was that taking in 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrate when blood glucose levels decreased to 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) prevented hypoglycemia better. Okay, but…. My issue with these types of studies is not that they don’t prove a point—they do—but it’s that they prove a very, very narrow point. The results can only be generalized to people with the same physical fitness level, age, sex, and diet undertaking a specific type, intensity, duration, and timing of activity. Exercising with type 1 diabetes is so much broader than that. Moreover, it’s not just short-term insulin dosing or immediate carbohydrate intake that have an impact on balancing blood glucose and affecting how successful you are at being active. Whether participating in sports or physical activity on a recreational basis or striving to be a professional or Olympic athlete, anyone who takes insulin must pay attention to his or her unique nutritional and dietary patterns, including intake of macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein, and fat), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), fluids, and supplements like caffeine to maintain metabolic and glycemic balance (2). Athletic performance aside, nutritional recommendations may also differ on an individual basis relative to exercise, glycemic management, and body weight goals. Balancing all these dietary factors can be challenging for individuals with type 1 diabetes, and many related aspects have yet to be fully researched in this population. Carbohydrates undeniably have the most immediate impact on blood glucose and must be matched with adequate insulin doses to manage blood glucose peaks after eating (3), but protein and fat intake can impact insulin needs as well (4). When you’re an active individual with type 1 diabetes, you must balance all your dietary choices before, during, and after exercise to manage blood glucose levels not to just prevent lows or highs, but also for optimal performance and recovery from working out or competing. It’s possible to eat many different ways including low-carbohydrate (5), and the best nutritional practices to optimize performance may or may not be best for blood glucose management, optimal health, and body weight simultaneously, potentially making achievement of athletic and health goals difficult at times. As for insulin dosing, people vary so much with regard to their usual doses, insulin sensitivity, types of insulin used (basal and bolus choices), delivery (that is, insulin pump use vs. injections or inhalation), and more. It makes the whole balancing act that much more difficult, especially when blood glucose responses vary with the type of activity being done, including how long, how hard, how often, and under which environmental conditions. Even hydration status matters! Given how limited studies by nature must be to limit all these conditions, it takes individual trial-and-error to figure out what works best to maintain blood glucose levels in a fairly tight (and hopefully normal) range for each and every unique activity bout. Many insulin users have still managed to figure out how to compete athletically at the highest levels, although it is far from simple when balancing blood glucose levels with these many confounding variables (6). It’s certainly still worth it to be physically active with type 1 diabetes, just a challenge! 1. Eckstein ML, McCarthy O, Tripolt NJ, et al. Efficacy of carbohydrate supplementation compared with bolus insulin dose reduction around exercise in adults with type 1 diabetes: A retrospective, controlled analysis. Can J Diabetes, 2020 (in press), 2. Colberg SR, Nutrition and exercise performance in individuals with type 1 diabetes. Can J Diabetes, 2020 (in press), 3. Bell KJ, King BR, Shafat A, Smart CE. The relationship between carbohydrate and the mealtime insulin dose in type 1 diabetes. J Diabetes Complications. 2015;29(8):1323-9, 5. Scott SN, Anderson L, Morton JP, Wagenmakers AJM, Riddell MC. Carbohydrate restriction in type 1 diabetes: A realistic therapy for improved glycaemic control and athletic performance? Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1022, 6. Riddell MC, Scott SN, Fournier PA, et al. The competitive athlete with type 1 diabetes [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jun 12]. Diabetologia. 2020;10.1007/s00125-020-05183-8, © 2014-2020 by Diabetes Motion Academy, LLC
• By Jacob Teitelbaum,MD Help Out Your Hardworking Adrenals Our stress-fighting adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys, are actually two different glands in one. The center of the gland (adrenal medulla) manufactures adrenaline (epinephrine). The outer part of the gland (adrenal cortex) makes several hormones called corticosteroids. They include: • Cortisol. Pumped out in response to stress, cortisol regulates blood sugar and blood pressure, two key parts of our stress response, and also helps control immune function. • DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate … a great word for Scrabble players). The most abundant hormone produced by the adrenal gland, its function isn't clearly understood. But one fact is well-known: DHEA-S declines with age, and many people feel better when levels are brought up to the normal range for a 29-year-old. • Aldosterone. This regulates the balance of salt and water levels. • Testosterone. The adrenal glands produce 1/2 of a woman's testosterone, maintaining libido and decreasing the volume in our pain system. Adrenal Fatigue Chronic stress can exhaust your adrenals, leading to reduced levels of adrenal hormones. They can also impact many of your body's systems, including: • Energy levels. You're tired first thing in the morning — and maybe all day, every day. • Immune function. You seem to have recurrent infections that take a long time to clear up. • Response to stress. You feel overwhelmed and unable to deal with stress, and "crash" under too much stress. • Blood sugar levels. You have dropping blood sugars and intense irritability when hungry (i.e., "Feed me now — or I'll kill you!" is a thought you might be having). • Blood pressure. You may have a drop in blood pressure and dizziness when you stand up. Another sign of diminished adrenal function is that one or more of the above symptoms started suddenly after a viral infection. Unfortunately, adrenal exhaustion doesn't show up on standard blood tests until you're practically dead. But if you have one or more of the above concerns, here's what you can do about it. There are several easy and natural ways to help promote healthy adrenal function. They include: 1. Adrenal glandulars. This type of supplement supplies the raw materials your adrenal glands need for optimal functioning. My patients typically take 200-450 mg daily. 2. Vitamin C. The body's highest levels of vitamin C are found in the adrenal glands (and the brain), and this nutrient is a must for healthy adrenal function. Get at least 100 mg a day (an optimal intake is 500-750 mg daily). 3. Pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5. This nutrient also supports adrenal function. The optimum amount to take is 100-150 mg daily. 4. Licorice. This herb slows down the breakdown of adrenal hormones in your body, helping to maintain healthy levels. An excellent way to get licorice is to take 200-400 mg a day of licorice extract standardized to contain 5% glycyrrhizic acid, the active ingredient. (Caution: Don't take licorice if you have high blood pressure.) All 4 of the nutrients above, along with other adrenal supporters like tyrosine, can be found in Adrenal Stress End. I recommend 1-2 each morning. You can add an extra one at lunch if needed. To make an outstanding combination, also take the Energy Revitalization System vitamin powder, which also adds chromium and about 50 other key nutrients. 1. Chromium. This mineral helps keep blood sugar levels within a healthy normal range, a challenge when adrenal hormones are low. I recommend you take 200 micrograms (mcg) daily. 2. Cut out sugar. Sugary sweets first skyrocket and then crash your blood sugar levels, contributing to you feeling awful while exhausting your glucose-controlling adrenal glands. Special tip:When blood sugar levels are low (where you feel irritable and need to eat NOW) try eating just a little bit of sugar to help bring your blood sugar levels back up to normal. Have one-half packet (half a teaspoon) of table sugar, or the amount in one Life Saver or other hard candy. Place the sugar under your tongue for fast absorption. This little bit is enough to break the irritability caused by a drop in blood sugar levels without a ride on the roller coaster of glucose spikes and dips. 1. Cut caffeine. Like sugar, caffeine forces the adrenal glands into action and amplifies the irritability from fluctuating blood sugars. Limit yourself to one or two cups of coffee or tea a day, and then switch to decaf. 2. Have frequent, small meals. To stabilize blood sugar levels and rest your adrenals, eat five (or even six) smaller, high-protein, low-carbohydrate meals — a style of eating known as grazing. Good sources of protein include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, beans and nuts. 3. Drink more water and eat more salt. Your adrenal glands are responsible for regulating blood volume and blood pressure, tasks that require plenty of water and salt. But if your adrenals aren't functioning up to par, your body doesn't adequately retain either water or salt, and you may need more. How much is enough? If you're thirsty, drink. If you crave salt, add a dash of it to your foods. Generally, salt restriction is a really bad idea for those with exhausted adrenals. Listen to your body to see what feels best to you! 4. Control stress by asking yourself this one question! Ask yourself "Am I in imminent danger?" The answer will almost always be no. So you can relax. Other easy ways to decrease stress include: • Gratitude. Switch your mental channel to the positive by remembering what you're grateful for, such as a sunny day or someone you love. • Skip the daily news. Do you unusually feel good while watching the news? Inspired, uplifted, energized, or refreshed? I doubt it. In fact, most of us feel anywhere from irritated to powerless and overwhelmed. Sure, watch the news every now and then to stay informed. Or entertained. But there's no need for a daily dose of war, crime, disasters, and economic downturn. Basically, turn it off (or switch to a comedy channel) when it starts feeling bad. Think twice. If you have a thought that leaves you feeling badly, choose to focus instead on a thought that feels good, like a thought of a cute baby or pet. Our thoughts are a lot like a massive buffet table. Choose which thoughts you "put on your plate" by what you decide to pay attention to! © 2020 The Natural Way. Proudly created with Wix.com • b-facebook • Twitter Round • b-googleplus
The term electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) refers to the operation of electrical devices in an electromagnetic environment. Neither should the electromagnetic environment cause interferences in the device nor should the device cause interferences in said environment. EMC phenomena can also have a negative impact on the operation of pressure transmitters. Knowledge of these phenomena is valuable during the installation process in order to preclude electromagnetic interferences (EMI) in advance. EMC phenomena should always be taken into account when choosing installation locations where electrical devices of all types are present, especially those with high power consumption. These are, just to name a few examples, frequency converters, voltage transformers, pumps and generators. In general, EMC regulations are specified in various standards (for example EN 61000). Whether a pressure sensor complies with these standards is usually indicated in the product data sheets of the manufacturer, often under the heading “tests”. EMC phenomena associated with pressure transmitters Ideally, typical problems associated with EMC are already excluded during installation planning. After installation, electromagnetic interferences can be identified by unexpected measurement results (plausibility check) or an interrupted signal transmission. In our experience, disturbances are often caused by one of the three EMC phenomena capacitive coupling, inductive coupling or galvanic coupling, which are briefly described below. Capacitive coupling Capacitive coupling occurs when electrical conductors with different electrical potentials and a common reference conductor are installed close to each other (millimeters to centimeters). It is therefore a distance-dependent phenomenon in which an electrical charge transfer occurs from one electrical conductor to the other. Capacitive coupling can falsify the measurement results of analogue pressure transmitters when the interference occurs at the moment of measurement. The pressure transmitter’s electrical output signal is falsified and hence the user receives an incorrect pressure value. Inductive coupling If electrical conductors are installed close to each other, their magnetic fields are superimposed. The magnetic field strength of a conductor changes when a current change occurs. A typical example would be switching on a pump. The rule is: the larger the current, the stronger the magnetic field. The sudden change in the magnetic field strength manifests itself in an interference voltage in the adjacent electrical conductors. This phenomenon can also occur together with capacitive coupling. The resulting measurement errors are similar to those already described in the capacitive coupling section above. Galvanic coupling If several circuits are conductively connected or use the same conductor, galvanic coupling may occur. In practice, this can be observed when high and low power devices share the same power supply. Current changes in the device with high power consumption can cause a voltage drop in the common conductor and are coupled as a noise in the circuit of the device with low power consumption. This can lead to measurement errors in analog pressure transmitters. The phenomenon rarely occurs with digital measuring devices.
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes individuals to alternate between episodes of mania and depression. There are two types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I and bipolar II. Bipolar I is associated with severe manic episodes, while bipolar II is typically characterized by hypomania. People living with bipolar II tend to experience less severe symptoms than those with bipolar I. Could you or someone you know be one of the 3 percent of Americans that have a bipolar disorder? If you suspect that you or a loved one is exhibiting symptoms of bipolar disorder, take a self-assessment. Assessing Your Risk of Bipolar Disorder While these assessments can help you evaluate the likelihood of having a mental health disorder, they are not official diagnoses. Only mental health professionals can diagnose a mental health disorder. Discuss the results of these quizzes with a physician to determine if treatment is necessary.
detail explanation with real life example of how company would use it Paper details: Explain == explain in your own words. No copying from book or internet 1. List and explain four challenges commonly encountered by businesses when trying to use big data and analytics to add value to their operations. 2. Consider a business that generates big data from one or more sources. a. Pick two sources, and describe the data using terms that you have learned in this class (e.g. source, volume, variety, velocity) b. List appropriate dimensions of data quality that are relevant for this business / data. c. Formulate a question / insight that you could gain from analyzing this set. d. Present two cases for a proof of concept to validate the previous analysis: One from the point of view of a business evangelist, and the other from the point of view of a technical evangelist. e. Elaborate what type of transformations or augmentation you would need to do to the data in order to obtain results for point c). 3. Explain the difference between Mean, Median and Mode. For each, come up with an example where you would use it over the others, and explain why. 4. Explain two key differences between traditional RDBMs and NoSQL / other novel data stores. Describe a business problem / application that would fit each of the two data stores better. Explain why. 5. Explain the difference between serial and parallelizable algorithms. Pick an algorithm, and show how you it could be implemented each way. People choose us because we provide: Essays written from scratch, 100% original, Delivery within deadlines, Competitive prices and excellent quality, 24/7 customer support, Priority on their privacy, Unlimited free revisions upon request, and Plagiarism free work, Order Similar Assignment Now! • Our Support Staff are online 24/7 • Our Writers are available 24/7 • Most Urgent order is delivered within 4 Hrs Type of paper Academic level Subject area Number of pages Paper urgency Cost per page:
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: “People may feel reassured about eating organic food. However, organic food products are usually expensive due to which people may limit eating fresh vegetables and fruits because of their prices. Therefore, we recommend diversification of food sources without the need to focus on consuming only organic food”, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting an expert on food science and nutrition at Kuwait University Dr Dalal Al- Kazemi. She advised people to buy seasonal fruits and vegetables from local farmers or those closest to Kuwait, and ensure they are washed well, and any crusts and leaves that are most contaminated with pesticides are removed even though this will reduce the important nutrients in the produce that are required for the body. Dr Al-Kazemi stressed the need to avoid buying candies and organic chips because processed foods are not healthy, and could be high in sugar and salt, which the body does not need. She explained that there are some health benefits from consuming organic foods compared to others. The differences are that organic foods contain a greater percentage of nutrients and essential omega-3 fatty acids. They contain a lower percentage of agricultural pesticide residues and bacteria resistant to treatments with conventional antibiotics and cadmium, which is a toxic metal in traditional fertilizers. Despite some studies that concluded these differences, the specialists agree that there is not enough information on the differences in terms of the overall health benefits. And, there is no need to spread panic among people because these differences are variable with different areas, seasons and crops in the mentioned studies. Fertilizers and hormones in organic agricultural methods prevent many traditional methods and techniques of production such as the use of artificial fertilizers that feed the soil and most pesticides, the use of wastewater as fertilizer, genetic engineering, and the use of antibiotics or hormones to increase the growth of livestock and poultry, and radiation treatment against diseases and food preservation. This type of food includes organic practices of using use plant wastes and livestock to enhance production and improve soil quality as well as use of natural methods of insects, plants and weeds to reduce epidemics and control pests. Dr Al-Kazemi noted, “However, authorized pesticides may be used for organic farming, while animals are raised in environmentally friendly health conditions with the possibility of going out for natural grazing, and providing organic food to them”. Source: Arab Times
By Arthur H. Gunther III On this Labor Day of late sleeping, barbecues, beach trips and general laziness for many but the same-old, same-old for those who are not “honored” but must toil, a memory trip back more than 100 years recalls a man, Hugh Bonner, who created an example of the best of any who do “labor.” Bonner, the ever-demanding New York City fire commissioner who docked two subordinates’ pay for being a few minutes’ late, established standards and a sense of responsibility in the FDNY. An immigrant who survived the notorious Five Points hellhole in Manhattan to become the first Irish-born chief of department and whose fire prevention writings, still in the Library of Congress, include “Tenement House Fire Escapes in New York and Brooklyn,” Bonner demanded and got excellence in meeting fire safety standards. His modus operandi was to prevent fires, not just fight them. Firefighting was an ever-growing science, and he preached it by example. He and fellow immigrant John Bresnan were firefighter heroes, each having saved lives on several occasions, according to the excellent work, “So Others Might Live, A History of New York’s Bravest” (Terry Golway, Basic Books 2002). They were inventors and perfectors of equipment still in use today, such as the sliding pole, water tower and the life-saving net. Bonner formed the first true training school for firefighters. These two never missed a major blaze, directing individually at the scene and setting an example for the ranks. Most of all, they emphasized the necessity of establishing a more scientific firefighting force, the need for building design changes and the use of ever-more sophisticated fire response apparatus and on-site water supply, such as standpipes. Day after day, and more accurately night after night, Bonner would review what happened at a fire scene so as to learn from the experience. He noted how light and air shafts in tenements served as treacherous flues in terrible blazes and pushed legislation to require changes in design. On March 17, 1899, St. Patrick’s Day, a very holy one for an Irishman, he and fellow firefighters left the line of march after a blaze began at the seven-story Hotel Windsor. The Fifth Avenue scene quickly became one of great disaster as guests jumped from windows, though some used safety ropes, a requirement pushed by the likes of Chief Bonner. He took “personal command of the fire at an early stage,” as Golway puts it, Bonner noting later, “There was not a fire-proof thing in the place, and absolutely nothing to check the spread of flames all over the building once they gained a certain amount of headway.” The chief blamed outdated construction and was quick to incorporate that message in his dealings with the city and Albany. Bonner, as chief of department, as fire academy leader, as fire commissioner, would fight a never-ending battle with politicians and profit-oriented developers to secure better fire safety in buildings. His political fight would cost him his job as department chief, with President Theodore Roosevelt sending him to Manila to set up that city’s fire department. When Bonner returned to become the sixth NYC fire commissioner in 1908, he had a clear agenda in mind: fire safety, no ifs, ands or buts. That in these 100 years since there have been tragic fires caused by poor building design and shoddy construction; that the great FDNY itself has not always kept to standards insisted upon by such pioneers as Bonner and Bresnan; that the best equipment (radios, ropes, GPS locators) has been denied the Bravest cannot be tied to Bonner’s legacy. If he were alive today, Bonner would personally look out for his men. He would know what dangers any building presented, since he made a habit of watching their construction. And there is no way a standpipe would have been severed, as happened in the Deutsche Bank fire that claimed two firefighter’s lives in 2007 as the 9/11–damaged building was being torn down. Bonner held to personal, on-the-job responsibility to the end, succumbing to pneumonia, “the result of exposure at his post, while devising new methods and establishing new standards of efficiency demanded by the city’s increasing fire hazards,” as a March 14, 1908, New York Times editorial put it. Chief/Commissioner Bonner demanded accountability and learned from experience, perfecting the art of firefighting so that both civilians and the Bravest even today are less likely to be slaughtered by irresponsibility and neglect.   That makes the man one to be well respected on this Labor Day 2008. The writer, a retired newspaperman, is a descendant of Hugh Bonner. This essay first appeared in 2008. By Arthur H. Gunther III By Arthur H. Gunther III By Arthur H. Gunther III Any village, USA — Times change, people do, communities certainly. “You can’t go home again,” literally, as Thomas Wolfe put it. Yet, the pull of one’s childhood place is mighty strong, despite the “better” land you may now live in, some memories you might want to forget, the effect of the mind’s eye looking through rose-colored glasses and despite feeling alien in what was once your territory. Any village, any town where your being was formed is an extension of the womb, that particular place from that particular mother. So it was with some goosebumps that I recently drove through my old haunts, on a volunteer errand to install a coat rack for a non-profit. My childhood village, which was also my father’s and to which my grandfather came in young adulthood, has changed so very much, the combined and continuing effects of suburbia eating up downtowns as strip and mall shopping rises; no planning for renewal and growth; older housing neglected, turned into rentals that often gouge immigrants and the poor; a population increasingly of self-interest and exclusion; and a government proving dysfunctional and charging high taxes for the privilege. Actually, I am in my hometown every Tuesday, but my 2:30 a.m. entry to cook in a breakfast program is as focused on that task as a horse with blinders is on the race. So, I see little of the streets where I walked and rode my bike; the four schools I attended; my friends’ homes; and the country lanes where young adult emotions began to take hold. I do not see my grandparents going to work at the smoking pipe factory, or, if I had been there, my Dad running the 440-yard dash at the high school track. I cannot find my old teachers or great-grandparents; the hardware stores, the many druggists, the movie theater, the soda fountain. I do not grasp the sense of what was my shared community in the space of my time there. But when I came later in the week, in the daylight to install the coat rack, I saw life on the streets. I saw so many new buildings, encountered heavy traffic, recognized no one. I saw change, and I felt alienated, though I had no right to be affected, for this was no longer the exact place where I grew up, where life literally formed for me and those around me. I then drove through the 1860 tunnel under the old Erie, the line that brought my grandfather to town and through which my father took us to swim in a nearby village. I continued on this road and another, taking a route back to my present home 10 miles away that I had not used for 20 years. I passed this house or that, the remnant of a farm, a hill where I picked flowers for my mother’s birthday when I was 10. I saw my past. It was then that while I realized you can never go home again, emotions set deeply inside always tug at your senses when you are close to your roots. It is like a mother’s reassurance to her child, no matter how old you become. Flanders, Before Blood Flanders fields, before the bloo(painting by author) By Arthur H. Gunther III If, at the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month of each year, from 1918 on when “The War to End All Wars” was over, you would toll a bell 20 times a minute for the 37,468,904 total in casualties, it would take more than 30,000 years to somberly do so. Today, on the 100th anniversary of Great Britain’s declaration of war against Germany, and also the date that the United States said it would not get involved, but eventually did, the dead, the wounded, those with “shell shock” must not be recalled simply as numbers. Why didn’t this First World War prevent all others? In one of the costliest battles of the 1914-1918 conflict, the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916, the British suffered 60,000 casualties on the first day. When it was all over and just six miles gained for the Brits, there were 1,219,000 dead and wounded. And that does not include the emotionally afflicted, people who in World War II we would term suffering from “battle fatigue” and now, as the wars continue, “post-traumatic stress syndrome.” War does not end because greed is always with us, greed of nations, individuals, the military-industrial complex that profits so well. War does not end because of power and false pride, nations who are really little children taking affront in what begins as a playground insult and escalates into utter horror, as happened when the dominoes toppled in 1914. The entangling alliances of that time over Belgian neutrality and world trade, culture, ethnicity, old hatreds, were the excuses to rally patriotism. Soon enough, the voices of the eager volunteers became the shrill cries of the brave as they went over the top, and as quickly, the deep stillness of the forever graveyard. War is folly, and in the end it creates little that could not have been gained by compromise and common sense, long before madmen such as Hitler have a foothold that can only be broken by war. In “All Quiet On the Western Front,” the famous post-war novel by Erich Maria Remarque, which details his fellow German soldiers’ physical and mental harm during the war and the isolation and detachment from ordinary life when back home, the character “Kropp” says, “”It’s queer, when one thinks about it … we are here to protect our fatherland. And the French are over there to protect their fatherland. Now who’s in the right?” Fladers, Before Blood
Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D. For decades ADHD has been recognized as a disorder that affects young children, mostly boys, who are inattentive and hyperactive. Research over the past decade has made it increasingly clear that ADHD also impacts children who are not hyperactive and that it affects girls as well as boys. Current research suggests that this disorder occurs in about 7% of school-aged children, affecting one girl for every three boys. Research also demonstrates that ADHD is a disorder that usually persists into adulthood. Does ADHD continue after childhood? For decades it was assumed that children outgrow ADHD as they reach the middle of their teenage years. Research has now shown that 70% of children who have ADHD in childhood continue to suffer from significant ADHD impairments into adulthood. Why did everyone assume that ADHD went away during adolescence? In earlier years it was assumed that hyperactivity was the primary symptom of ADHD. Often the hyperactive symptoms of this disorder do improve a lot during adolescence. It is the inattention symptoms that tend to persist into adulthood, These symptoms were not recognized as important in ADHD until more recent years. How does ADHD affect adults? Usually adults with ADHD suffer most from problems with inattention. Even when they want to focus on a task, they become excessively distracted. Frequently they are unable to remember what they have just heard or read. They have difficulty organizing their work tasks and are often excessively forgetful about what they intended to do. These and other related problems can cause great difficulty for adults in their work, driving, social relationships, parenting and family life. Are adults with ADHD ever able to be successful? Yes, many adults with ADHD are very intelligent, creative, likeable people who can accomplish good things. Yet for many, living with ADHD as an adult is like running a long race while carrying a knapsack of bricks on one’s back. You can do it, but you have to work very hard and the results are not usually as good as for others with the same ability and effort who are not carrying such a heavy load. Does ADHD run in families? ADHD definitely runs in families. Out of every four children with ADHD, one has a parent who has ADHD, whether they know this or not. And the other three usually have a grandparent, an uncle, an aunt, or a brother or sister who has ADHD. ADHD is as inheritable as height. Can ADHD occur with other psychiatric problems? It is not only possible for someone to have ADHD with another disorder, it is very likely. It is two to five times more likely. ADHD in an inherited disorder often accompanied by depression, anxiety, substance abuse, mood problems or another disorder. Often doctors helping adults can recognize and treat their other problems, but do not recognize or know how to treat their ADHD. What help is available for adults with ADHD? The most important help for adults with ADHD is a careful evaluation, diagnosis, and scientifically accurate education about the nature and course of ADHD. Good information about ADHD is available from Adana and from The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication. Research has shown that 80% of adults with ADHD experience significant improvement when they are taking a carefully tailored regimen of appropriate medication. These medications cure nothing, but they can alleviate ADHD symptoms much as eyeglasses do not cure, but can improve vision when they are properly fitted and while they are worn. Dr. Brown is a clinical psychologist who is Associate Director of the Yale Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders in the Department of Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine in the U.S. This article was originally published in Spanish in adananews nº 3 in 2003. Dr. Brown sent us this English text, which was translated into Spanish by us and published in the newsletter nº 3 issued by the Asociación Peruana de Déficit de Atención (APDA), on March 22, 2004.
Cost of Goods Sold Accounting Dictionary Cost of Goods Sold Cost of Goods sold is the price you paid for inventory that was purchased by customers. Let’s say a shoe store bought $10,000 worth of shoes and sold $4,000 of those shoes to customers. They also spent $2,000 for taxes and $6,000 for salaries. The cost of goods sold would be $4,000, the actual cost of the shoes the customers bought. Cost of Goods sold does not include the cost of the shoes that weren’t sold or other costs unrelated to actual product costs. Cost of Goods Sold is commonly abbreviated COGS. Sign Up to Learn More!
Skip to main content Hydrogen safety and public perception For over 40 years, industry has used hydrogen in vast quantities as an industrial chemical (50 million T/year[1]) and fuel for space exploration. During that time, industry has developed an infrastructure to produce, store, transport and utilize hydrogen safely. In many cases, hydrogen is safer than the fuel we currently use to power our cars. Carbon-based fuels tend to spread as liquids. When it burns, conventional fuel produces hot ash, creating radiant heat. This isn't the case with hydrogen. In its pure form, hydrogen burns no carbon and produces no hot ash and very little radiant heat. Hydrogen is being used for a long time already and has been produced, stored and transported all across Europe for decades. Several thousand customer sites are supplied with bottled hydrogen and thousands semi-trailers deliver several 100s million cubic meters a year with an accident rate that is no different from that of any other gas transported. Unfortunately, there are still misperceptions that spring from the absence of knowledge that hydrogen is already on the market and a promising energy carrier that could help decarbonize industry and transport. Safety of hydrogen vs other fuels We gathered some information compiled by experts comparing hydrogen to other fuels. Refueling stations More than a century of gasoline reliance has bred a natural public familiarity and comfort with this fuel. Yet gasoline is far more flammable and dangerous than hydrogen fuel. When petrol or diesel fuels leak, these fuels pool close to the ground, increasing ignition likelihood. When ignition does occur, it can result in a dangerous and long-lasting fire. Between 2004 and 2008, 1 in every 13 conventional service stations experienced a fire[2]. In contrast, between 2007 and 2010, the US Department of Energy has only recorded one hydrogen fuelling station incident resulting in an ignition (the Emeryville incident) and no injuries or fatalities have been recorded. If a leak in a hydrogen tank or fuel cell were to occur, the gas disperses rapidly, rising upwards at a speed of 72 km/hr, minimizing the likelihood for ignition. In the event that hydrogen does ignite, hydrogen flames generate a low radiant heat due to the absence of carbon and the fire will quickly burn out.[3] Concerning vehicles, for the first time since its creation in 1997, the Euro NCAP independent organism tested a FCEV, using the same crash-tests than for the thermic vehicles. The new Hyundai NEXO got the maximum rating of 5 stars (2018)[4]. Further sources You can find further information here: Safety standards and what more can be done Concerning refueling stations, there is a standard widely used at global level (norm ISO 19880) that recommends the minimum design characteristics for safety and, where appropriate, for performance of public and non-public fuelling stations that dispense gaseous hydrogen to light duty land vehicles (e.g. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles). Source: Hydrogen is a hazardous substance. Gasoline, diesel and natural gas, are too. When handled correctly, however, hydrogen is just as safe as the other mentioned fuels, but less toxic, and an indispensable component in achieving our climate goals (storage for renewable electricity and fuel for emission-free long-distance vehicles). Now, the hydrogen sector needs to work even harder on its – already high – safety standards. Once more details will be available on the cause of the specific incident in Norway, further investigations will be made to improve the safety measures currently applied. Despite the unfortunate incident, this is an opportunity to learn and further improve the safety measures to apply. Lastly, there is also HyResponse, a project – funded by the Fuel Cells and Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) – which aims to establish the world's first comprehensive training programme for first responders to facilitate safer deployment of FCH systems and infrastructure. The sector takes this very seriously, so much so, that also in this year’s FCH JU Annual Work Plan there is a call for the continuation of such project and funds have been foreseen for further training or responders[5].
What’s A Craze Line? questionanswerpuzzleHave you recently noticed you have what looks like a crack in one of your front teeth? Are you completely unsure about what’s going on because you can only faintly see the crack that, surprisingly, is not resulting in any pain? When it comes to tooth cracks, it’s important that you can differentiate between a cracked tooth and a craze line. Allow us to explain a bit further, so you know what to expect and how to respond. It May Not Be A True Crack You may not actually be dealing with a truly cracked tooth but with something we refer to as a craze line. This is a minor crack in your tooth’s very strong, outermost tissue layer called enamel. The crack is often the result of pressure – commonly simply due to wear and tear over the course of your life. It poses no serious threat to your tooth or your overall over health. However, you may feel embarrassed by its appearance, particularly if it has become discolored. If this is the case, we may suggest a cosmetic treatment to improve the beauty of your tooth, whether that includes whitening, dental bonding, or porcelain veneers. If It’s A Cracked Tooth When we refer to your tooth as “cracked” we are referring to a problem that affects your oral health. A legitimate crack will compromise the structure of your tooth, damaging your enamel and your dentin (the deeper tissue layer). As a result, your tooth becomes vulnerable to bacteria making their way inside, at which point an infection may occur. You are also prone to the further breakage of that tooth. In these instances, we will need to rely on restorative treatments (unlike craze lines that require cosmetic care), such as a dental crown, to address the problem.
Have you ever experienced pain at the top of the buttock and or low back pain? You might have been experiencing a condition called “Thoracolumbar Syndrome” The thoracolumbar region is where our mid back (thoracic spine) meets our low back (lumbar spine). This area is what we call a “transitional zone” within the spine which means a large amount of forces need to be absorbed and distributed around this area. We particularly see high loading through this area in activities that require spinal extension. This is due to the fact that the thoracic region above has limited extension and our low back and pelvic region with our hips flexed experiences similar limitations, thus we overextend at the T/L junction. The vertebral segments involved within this section of the spine span from T12-L2 and the joints that connect our vertebrae are called facet joints The structures causing the symptoms are actually the facet joints between T12-L2, most commonly T12-L1 facet. The irritated or inflamed facet joints usually will lead to irritated spinal nerves at the same levels T12-L1. These levels contain three main nerve groups: • Subcostal (T12) • Iliohypogastric (L1) • Cluneal Nerves (L1-3) • In most cases we see the irritation and referral pain from these groups of nerves called the Cluneal nerves which tend to refer to the back top of our gluteal region. In other cases, we may also see irritation of subcostal and iliohypogastric nerves which can get referral pain to the outside of our hip and down into the thigh and around the groin. Symptpms may range from altered sensation, hypersensitivity to deep aching over the associated areas. Patient who may be more susceptible to this condition typically will have more repetitive loading through the T/L region. Some examples include: 1. Weightlifters 2. Football players 3. Hockey players 4. Equestrian 5. Desk workers(sustained load) In conclusion, if you have ever had low back and or hip/gluteal pain and found that symptoms returned shortly after treatment the issue may actually be originating at the thoracolumbar region and not the low back or gluteals. A combination of needling, soft tissue and adjustments to the associated areas tend to be the best for correcting the dysfunction. Coupled with specific thoracic, lumbar and hip mobility and strengthening. By Braeden Melmer – Chiropractor – Neurohealth Chiropractic
The scientific method tells us that the first step to creating or finding new scientific knowledge is to begin with an observation. Now the fact that this observation has embedded itself in the physical reality means that an application already exists. So suppose we observe that objects of different masses reached the Earth at the same time instant. We would then hypothesize an explanation for this theory which would then be tested experimentally. We find out that this occurs because Energy in a closed system is always conserved and hence we coin a new law called "Conservation of Energy." Now the very fact that Conservation of Energy is derived from a physical phenomenon means that it has an application (it explains why a feather and an elephant in a vacuum will reach the ground at the same time). Applying this kind of reasoning inclines me to believe that perhaps all scientific knowledge is applicable, although I would still like to read some counter examples (maybe some kind of theory that exists almost independently of anything else and has absolutely no application within or outside the domain of science). Science aims at explaining our observations in the world. Hence the input comes from outside science. The explanation is given in the form of theories, often formalized by mathematics. The theory allows to make predicitions which can be confirmed or refuted by observation. In this sense - input from observation and prediction of further observations - science is linked to the real world. But to predict observations does not necessarily mean to apply science. Application of the results of science is named technology. Here one has the aim to get some benefit from science. An important confirmation of Maxwell's electrodynamics was the discovery of electromagnetic waves by Hertz. The technical application of this discovery is wireless communication. Aside: That all masses fall with equal velocity in vacuum is due to the equality of gravitational and inert mass. I think conservation of energy is not relevant here. \| improve this answer \| \| • Thank you for your reply. I recall having done a proof which uses Conservation of Energy to explain why velocity is independent of masses and therefore, wrote that. Besides this, isn't explanation of phenomena, an application of scientific theory? – model_checker Feb 29 '16 at 7:05 • @Shrey Aryan I tried to expand what discriminates scientific confirmation and technical application. Broadly speaking, the aim of science is knowledge, the aim of application is benefit. But I will not dispute about the wording. – Jo Wehler Feb 29 '16 at 7:10 • Is there something fundamentally flawed in my argument? Some assumption that I making perhaps... – model_checker Feb 29 '16 at 7:13 • @Shrey Aryan As I told you I would raise objections against mixing confirmation and application on one hand and against the explanation with the law of conservation of energy on the other hand. Of course you are right that free falling bodies convert potential energy into kinetic energy. – Jo Wehler Feb 29 '16 at 7:43 I can think of two examples of questions which fall under the general category of science but yet would not be applicable to anything per your description: • As it stands currently, string theory has no applications, since it cannot be tested, yet it is an active area of research, with symposiums, government funding, etc,... • Speculation about other universes in multiverse cosmologies, and questions about what happened before the big bang, are frequently discussed by working scientists, and so would qualify as "science", but they have no application in the sense that you described. That being said, most solutions to the demarcation problem (the problem of what constitutes science and what doesn't) tend to limit science to that which is applicable to the real world, almost by definition. \| improve this answer \| \| Your Answer
RationalWiki's 2020 Fundraiser Fighting pseudoscience isn't free. Donations so far: $2120Goal: $3500 Modus tollens From RationalWiki Jump to: navigation, search Cogito ergo sum Logic and rhetoric Icon logic.svg Key articles General logic Bad logic Modus tollens ("mode of taking") is a logical argument, or rule of inference. (Compare with modus ponens, or "mode of putting.") It is also known as indirect proof or proof by contrapositive, and is a valid form of argument in formal logic.[1] As an argument[edit] A modus tollens argument has the following form: P1: If X, then Y. (i. e. Either not X or Y) P2: Not Y. C: Therefore, not X. For example: P1: If it is raining, the ground is wet. (i. e. It is not raining or the ground is wet.) P2: The ground is not wet. C: Therefore, it is not raining. The contrapositive of "if X then Y" is "if not Y then not X"; if a proposition is true, then so is its contrapositive.[2] As a rule of inference[edit] In propositional logic: \left\{X\rightarrow Y,\neg Y\right\} \models \neg X In first-order logic: \models_{\mathfrak{A}}\forall x.\left(X(x)\rightarrow Y(x)\right) \wedge \models_{\mathfrak{A}}\exists x.\left(\neg Y(x)\right) \implies \models_{\mathfrak{A}}\exists x.\left(\neg X(x)\right) Denying the antecedent[edit] See the main article on this topic: Denying the antecedent It can be contrasted with the fallacy of denying the antecedent, for instance (using the above example) "it is not raining, therefore the ground is not wet" (obviously untrue if you're standing in a lake). Denying the antecedent asserts not-X rather than not-Y. See also[edit] 1. Modus Tollens, Jordan Bell, Wolfram Mathworld 2. Converse and Contrapositive, CS381 Discrete Structures/Discrete Mathematics Web Course Material, Old Dominion University
by Michael Vold, DDS, JD Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is a physical condition caused by the deterioration of your jaw joints. It is also known as TMJ, which is an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint. There are two temporomandibular joints, one on each side of the face. The temporomandibular name comes from the two bones that create the joint, the temporal bone and the mandible. The temporal bone is part of your skull, and the mandible is your lower jaw bone. A small disc made of cartilage is positioned between the bones to form the joint. TMD is often painful and can result in congested ears, ringing in the ears, facial swelling, headaches and breathing problems; as well as back, neck and shoulder pain. TMD can also make it difficult to chew, cause odd clicking or popping sounds when the jaw joint is opened or closed, and result in hearing loss. The discomfort can last for short or long periods of time. Both the jaw bone and surrounding areas are usually affected by the disorder, such as muscles, tissues, blood vessels and tendons. TMD is frequently caused by the misalignment of teeth. This misalignment can occur due to stress, auto accidents, arthritis and many other ailments that affect body joints in general. If the disorder isn?t corrected, the jaw bone will continue to erode and your teeth will begin to loosen. TMD can also lead to tooth loss. Many times TMD can be successfully treated by a dentist. First, a thorough examination is conducted to determine the reason for the problems you are having. Any areas of pain will be looked at, and your bite will be studied. Muscle and jaw functionality will be evaluated, along with any difficulties you are having opening and closing your mouth. X-rays may be necessary to get a full and detailed view of your jaw joints and teeth. Sometimes symptoms similar to TMD are caused by gum disease, tooth decay and other health issues. A knowledgeable dentist will be able to diagnose the real source of your pain and discomfort. In cases involving TMD, various methods can be used to manage the disorder, including orthodontics, bite adjustments, crowns, implant teeth, and bite appliances. Other remedies include heat and cold packs, mild medication to reduce pain and relax the muscles, physical therapy and changes in behavior. A conservative approach to TMD can be taken, working with patients to correct any habits that may be contributing to the disorder and apply a gradient scale of remedies to resolve the situation, including dietary changes such as eating softer foods. Sometimes several different types of treatment are conducted at the same time. It doesn?t necessarily require oral dental surgery to correct it. It has been reported that 25% of the population has some type of jaw malfunction. If you are experiencing any type of jaw problem, seek advice from a dentist with TMD training and experience. There is software called Bite FX which demonstrates and explains about TMD. Proper evaluation and treatment can restore your health and prevent future tooth loss. Analytics Plugin created by Web Hosting
Chapter 5 –Economic Systems download report Transcript Chapter 5 –Economic Systems Chapter 5 Economics: The social science that examines how societies use scare resources to produce and distribute goods and services that satisfy peoples’ wants and Economic System: The way a society uses resources to satisfy its people’s needs and wants. Macroeconomics- Economics on a national and global scale. This concerns economic decisions made by the governments. Microeconomics—focuses on economic decisions made by individual people and businesses. Economic Resources Societies vary in the Quality and Quantity of resources they have , but all have economic resources. •Land and Natural Resources •Factories and Equipment •Productive Workers •Money to fund government programs, or to trade with other Scarcity and Opportunity Cost •Because society’s wants are unlimited and resources are limited, it cannot supply everything its people desire. •This is called scarcity and it is the fundamental problem that all economic systems try to solve. •Every economic choice has an Opportunity •(When resources are used for one economic option, they cannot be used for other options.) In establishing an economic system a society must answer the following three questions…. •What goods and services will we produced? •How will these goods and services be produced? •Who should share the goods and services that are produced? Traditional Economy •The three economic questions are answered based on traditional customs and beliefs. •Families or groups live the way their ancestors did. •There is little technology and industry. --These societies are very rare today. A few still exist in rural, nonindustrial areas in various parts of the world. Command Economy In this system, decisions about what to produce, how and for whom are decided by a central government, causing this to be know also as a controlled economy. ---The government control all the economic resources and make all decisions. ---Individuals that live in Command Economies have nothing to say about what is produced or how it is produced. Market Economy In this system, decisions about what to produce, how, and for whom are decided by individuals acting in their own self-interest. Individual and private companies own and control economic resources such as businesses, factories, and farms. They decide for themselves what goods to make and what services to offer. -- The idea of free market is essential. Mixed Economy A mixed economy is a combination of the command and market economic systems. There is limited governmental control. The idea of a free market is combined with some degree of government control. Most of the world’s economies fall into this category. Economic goals of the U.S. •Growth- an increase in the amount of goods and services produced over time. •Efficiency- Wise use of limited resources. •Stability- A steady level of economic well being, without wild up and downs. •Justice—An economic system that treats all citizens fairly. •Security– Support systems for citizens who face economic hardships through no fault of their own. Fundamental Characteristics of the U.S. Economy •Private Property. Individuals and groups are allowed to own economic resources such as land and businesses. Consumers own the goods that they purchase. •Freedom of choice. In the US economy, consumers freely choose how to spend their money. •Free Enterprise. The US economy is often called a system of private enterprise or free enterprise. Individuals are free to own and control business enterprises. •Limited government control Helps motive competition. In a free enterprise system, businesses are allowed to compare for profit with a minimum of government regulation. Limited governmental control over economic matters is because individual economic freedom is so highly valued.
The Inferno: Novel Summary: Canto 23 At first Dante and Virgil go on quietly, presumably hoping to get to the bridge over the next bolgia (the sixth) that the chief devil had told them was unbroken. But then Dante starts thinking about how the devils are going to be feeling after being fooled and humiliated, and suggests they hide. Virgil has already seen what hes thinking and totally agrees, but before they can do anything, they see the devils flying after them. Then, as a mother wakes up to see flames threatening and picks up her child and runs, not waiting to put on any clothes, so Virgil picks up Dante and slides down the bank into the next bolgia. There they are safe, since no devil can leave the bolgia to which it has been assigned. In this ditch they find people walking around the circle very slowly, wearing cloaks and hoods of the kinds monks wear. These garments are gilded and bright on the outside, but made of lead and unbearably heavy. “O weary mantle for eternity!” (line 68). The sinners Dante talks to tell him that all these souls were hypocrites; they themselves had been appointed joint rulers of Florence to bring about peace, but had actually been corrupt and caused destruction. Stretched across the path of the hypocrites (so that each must walk on him) and crucified with three stakes is Caiaphas, the high priest who contributed to the crucifixion of Christ by arguing that it was expedient for one man to be executed for the sake of the people. Virgil asks if there is any place where its easy to climb out of the ditch, and is told that the next bridge is broken in such a way that they can climb up on its ruins. That is the bridge that the chief of the devils had said they could cross by, and Virgil is so upset at finding out hes been lied to he moves ahead quickly, and Dante follows, in the track of “the print of the dear feet” (line 148). Virgil is usually so dignified, but here he puts all his dignity aside to save Dante. Some see here how completely Dante had to commit himself to his conscience to escape the charge against him; others emphasize that this touch that brings out Virgils full humanity. The human beings in Dantes work may stand for something more than themselves, but part of what makes the Inferno a great poem is the full human relationship between Dante and Virgil, so different from the “relationships” between the souls they meet. If you have ever deliberately tried to appear to be something you werent for a prolonged period of time in order to get what you wanted, you may have some idea how perfectly this punishment reveals not only the essence of the sin, but at least one aspect of the price one pays for it. What a burden!
Home » News » Valve Knowledge How does a pneumatic valve operate correctly? Posted by Bundor valve Compared with ordinary valves, pneumatic valves have one more pneumatic piston actuator. Its components are: adjusting bolt, actuator box, crank arm, cylinder block, cylinder shaft, piston, connecting rod, and universal shaft. Different from manual operation, it uses compressed air as the power source, and the crank arm is rotated by 90 degrees through the movement of the piston to achieve automatic opening and closing of the valve. Pneumatic valve is divided into two types: switch type and adjustment type according to the control method. One switch is controlled by two positions and one is proportional adjustment. The pneumatic butterfly valves and gate valves of Bundor Valve are popular with many customers because of their high quality. They are widely used in the pipelines of corrosive media such as metallurgy, power, petroleum, chemical industry, air and water supply and drainage. Pneumatic valves must not only be purchased in good quality, but also operated correctly in order to effectively extend their life. So how should the pneumatic valve operate correctly? 1. Pneumatic valves are opened and closed in accordance with clockwise during operation. 2. The opening and closing speed of the pneumatic valve in the artificial opening and closing pipe network should not be too much, and the large-caliber valve can be within 200-600 rpm. 3. The larger opening and closing torque should be 240N-m under the condition of pipeline common pressure, which is to facilitate the opening and closing operation when one person. 4. The opening and closing operation end of the pneumatic valve should be a square vertebra with standardized dimensions and face the ground so that people can operate directly from the ground. Valves with roulette are not suitable for underground pipe networks. 5. In order to ensure that there is no excessive opening and closing, the scale of the opening and closing degree should be strikingly cast on the cover of the gearbox or the shell of the display panel after the direction is changed, and all of them should face the ground. Once the adjustment standard is opened and closed, it should be locked with rivets. 6. If the pneumatic valve is buried deeper, it is necessary to set up a solid and reliable extension rod facility for personnel observation and operation. The pneumatic valve in the official website is not suitable for downhole operation. The above are some suggestions provided by BAND Valve on "the correct operation method of pneumatic valve". If you need to buy some pneumatic valves, you may wish to know about Bundor's pneumatic valve products!
Clifford, Nathan (1803–1881) views updated CLIFFORD, NATHAN (1803–1881) Nathan Clifford came to the Supreme Court in 1858 after an active political career. He served in the Maine legislature in the 1830s and in the House of Representatives in the early 1840s. He was james k. polk's attorney general, and during his term he represented (in a private capacity) the rebellious Dorr faction before the Supreme Court in luther v. borden (1849). Clifford's most significant political achievement came in 1848 when Polk dispatched him to persuade Mexico to accept the treaty of guadalupe hidalgo as amended by Congress. A decade later, President james buchanan selected him to succeed Justice benjamin r. curtis. At a time when the Court was perceived in many quarters as an instrument of southern and Democratic party interests, the choice of a Northerner with southern principles was viewed as blatant partisanship. After a lengthy confirmation battle, the senate narrowly approved him. Clifford, a "doughface" in politics, regarded himself as a Jeffersonian "strict constructionist" in constitutional matters. He resolutely opposed the centralization of governmental power during the 1860s and early 1870s. But in ableman v. booth (1859) he voted to affirm federal judicial supremacy. During the war, Clifford generally supported the government. He wrote opinions upholding the seizure of slave-trading ships; he joined his colleagues in declining to decide any constitutional questions involving the legal tender laws; and he supported the Court's refusal to consider the martial law issues in ex parte vallandigham (1864). In the prize cases (1863), however, Clifford joined the dissenters who questioned the legality of President abraham lincoln's blockade of southern ports. Following the war, Clifford consistently opposed Republican reconstruction policy. He joined the majority opinion in ex parte milligan (1866), which struck down trials by military commissions where the civil courts were functioning; he supported the majority in the test oath cases (1867); he agreed with the majority's narrow construction of the fourteenth amendment in the slaughterhouse cases (1873); and in separate opinions in several voting rights cases, including united states v. reese (1876) and united states v. cruikshank (1876), he went beyond the majority opinions to condemn federal interference with state elections. Finally, he joined the Court's majority that overturned the legal tender laws in Hepburn v. Griswold (1870), but when that decision was reversed a year later in Knox v. Lee (1871), he dissented in a strict construction of Congress's power to regulate currency. (See legal tender cases.) In hall v. decuir (1878) Clifford wrote for the Court, nullifying a Louisiana law prohibiting segregation of steamboat passengers. "Governed by the laws of Congress," he wrote, "it is clear that a steamer carrying passengers may have separate cabins and dining saloons for white persons and persons of color, for the plain reason that the laws of Congress contain nothing to prohibit such an arrangement." In short, the absence of federal policy negated state policy—a strange position for an old states ' rights Democrat. Clifford generally supported state regulatory policies. His concurrence in Slaughterhouse signified his unwillingness to embrace a nationalizing interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment; likewise, it reflected Clifford's traditionalist views of the state police power. In Munn v. Illinois (1877), for example, he joined the majority to sustain Illinois's regulation of grain elevators. (See granger cases.) Clifford's most articulate statements on state powers came in his dissent in loan association v. topeka (1875). Rejecting the majority's invalidation of a state bonding authorization, Clifford struck at the Court's invocation of natural law doctrine and notions of judicial superintendence. Contending that state legislative power was "practically absolute," subject only to specific state and federal constitutional prohibitions, Clifford protested against judicial review that went beyond such limitations in tones reminiscent of older Jeffersonian doctrine: such power, he said, "would be to make the courts sovereign over both the constitution and the people, and convert the government into a judicial despotism." Clifford dissented ninety-one times during his tenure, an extraordinarily high figure for the time. To some extent, it reflected his isolation and his archaic views. Throughout his judicial career, he consistently was perceived as a partisan Democrat. He served as president of the Electoral Commission to resolve the disputed election of 1876, and most accounts generally credit him with fairness in his conduct of the meetings. Nevertheless, the political purpose of his appointment in 1858 shadowed his work. He did not disappoint his benefactors; yet it was a career best characterized as dull and mediocre. Stanley I. Kutler Clifford, Philip Q. 1922 Nathan Clifford, Democrat. New York: Putnam's. Fairman, Charles 1939 Mr. Justice Miller and the Supreme Court, 1862–1890. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. About this article Clifford, Nathan (1803–1881) Updated About content Print Article
Overslaan en naar de inhoud gaan Dealing with Potato Cyst nematodes in East Africa Dealing with Potato Cyst nematodes in East Africa Demand for potatoes in eastern Africa has been growing steadily , achieving an annual growth of 3.1% between 1993 and 2020. This growth is driven in part by rising demand from the fast food industry and for processing into high value products such as crisps, chips and starch. Despite an increase of 60% in the area of cultivated land, production has been declining from an average of 20 tonnes a hectare to around 9.1 in Rwanda, 8.6 in Kenya and 4.3 in Uganda. This is way below the potential production of 40 tonnes a hectare. Farmers are thus being denied much-needed income and food. The factors contributing to the low and declining yields include losses due to attack by a range of pests and diseases. A second main reason is the repeated cropping of potato on the same land without rotation. Third is the use of poor quality or substandard seed, partly due to limited availability of certified high quality seed. Potato cyst nematodes are the most recent pest threat to emerge in the region. These are parasitic worms that are microscopic, and therefore invisible to the farmer. They infect potato roots, suppressing crop growth and can cause huge yield losses of up to 80%, and even total crop failure. Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida, both found in East Africa, are among the most important pests of potatoes globally. They are particularly lethal because the hundreds of eggs produced by the female nematode can remain dormant in the soil for years, awaiting the next potato crop host. The eggs remain protected in a hardened, protective cyst long after the nematodes die. Chemical signals from newly planted potato roots trigger the eggs to hatch and start the life cycle again. Some of our current research is focused on disrupting this life cycle. When the newly hatched juvenile nematode leaves its protective cyst it is guided to the potato root by different chemical signals emitted from the roots. High levels of infection lead to thousands upon thousands of nematodes infecting each potato plant. They are therefore a difficult pest to control. Finding new ways to control them is a challenge, but a challenge we have strongly embraced, across collaborating institutes. We are working on a number of potential avenues, including the assessment of new resistant varieties, alternative trap crop hosts and interfering with the chemical signals between potato roots and the pests. Identifying these chemicals and synthetically producing them may offer possibilities for manipulating nematode hatch and host location. This includes working out when they are most vulnerable. Trick the nematodes Originating from South America, where potatoes also come from, potato cyst nematodes have spread across many potato growing regions of the world. Following the detection of Globodera rostochiensis in Kenya in 2015, we together with numerous institutional partners set out to determine the true extent of its occurrence in the country. This was the first step towards developing control efforts. We established that the pest is widely distributed across Kenya. In some places there were extremely high levels of up to 985 cysts in 200 grammes of soil. We found that it is also present in neighbouring Uganda . Colleagues in Rwanda have also detected these nematode pests there. Given the complex nature of cyst nematode biology and that the eggs are protected by the cyst, targeting the nematode during the hatching and just before it invades host roots, stands out as the most vulnerable life stage to target for their management. We therefore set out to assess the potato root chemicals that signal the nematodes to hatch, with the aim of identifying those that could possibly be used to stimulate them to hatch . The idea would be to trick the nematodes into 'suicidal hatch' as a new innovative approach to control them. If used in farmers' fields before potatoes are planted, they will 'think' that potato plants are present and hatch. But then the nematodes have no roots to feed on and therefore starve and die – hence the 'suicide hatch'. Our study identified several classes of chemicals present in potato roots. Some of these demonstrated a striking ability to stimulate hatch. We also found that some chemicals may stimulate hatch but in order for the hatched juveniles to locate potato roots, they need additional chemical cues. Without them they remain in the cyst and consequently starve. Some chemicals therefore offer promise to induce 'suicide hatch', which can be used to treat fields before planting potatoes. At the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology we are also assessing some non-host plants to see if they produce these chemical compounds. These could then be incorporated in a crop rotation system offering an environmentally benign management method. New suitable varieties Similar to other plant parasitic nematodes, potato cyst nematodes are often overlooked due to a lack of clear symptoms and low levels of awareness. There is therefore a need to create more awareness among farmers so they understand the pest and know how to deal with the problem. Measures include the use of healthy, disease-free seed and crop rotation to reduce the build-up of the pests. One effective control measure is to identify and promote new varieties of potato cultivars, which have resistance to the nematodes and have similar attributes to farmers' preferred varieties. Together with a range of partners, we are currently assessing resistant varieties received from James Hutton Institute in the UK , which resemble the most popular local variety called Shangi, to identify a resistant variety most suitable for farmers. Another approach being investigated together with North Carolina State University is to place potato seed into a banana fibre paper pouch that appears to interfere with the chemical signals between the nematode and the potato root. This offers more exciting possibilities to manage these pests using environmentally sensitive options. Danny Coyne (MENAFN)
When a thermodynamic process occurs the change of state will happen. the process will Change from initial state to final state. the change in state in the process occurs in two ways. Here, the thermodynamic properties will undergo some changes to change the state or to complete the process. there are two ways of the thermodynamic process and these are the reversible or irreversible process. Reversible process or Reversibility A reversible process is a thermodynamic process which is capable of attaining its initial state by following the same path by which the process reaches to final state of the process from its initial state to complete the process. Reversible process in thermodynamics Reversible process As shown in the graph the initial state of the system is A. when the thermodynamic process changes its state from A to B to complete the process the system will follow the path A-O-B. If the process is reversible then it will have the capability to get its initial state by following the same path B-O-A. this is called reversibility of a thermodynamic process. The reversible process is not a practical phenomenon because there is always some deviations in the process So it is a theoretical consideration. Quasi-Static process is an example of reversible process, but one thing should be kept in mind that Quasi-static process is itself an assumption. To understand the reversible process and thermodynamics equilibrium quasi static process it is analyzed. Irreversible process or Irreversibility Irreversible process is different from a reversible process. The system will be able to regain its initial state after a process but it has to take a different path than the process is completed previously. Irreversible process in thermodynamics Irreversible process In the graph, an Irreversible process shown. In the system When the state is changed from state A to state B the process is completed. To complete this process the path which is taken is A-O-B. When the system will try to attain its initial state A, it has to follow a different path A-Q-B. this makes this process an Irreversible process and This is called irreversibility of a process. There is a lot depends on the properties of the system because thermodynamic properties of the system decide reversibility and irreversibility of the thermodynamic process. This is a short description of the reversible process and irreversible process. Thermodynamic analysis largely depends on these phenomena. 1. hey dear,
Purifying water in the field I am familiar with using a solar still to purify and/or capture water from urine, vegetation, sea water, etc. Is there a field expedient method for purifying water that has been contaminated by, for example, gasoline? I realize that you are unlikely to encounter that in a survival situation, but it is possible. Petrol products will not mix with water so it is a matter of separation. It would seem to be one of the easiest ways to get water, if needed just stick your head below the gas level and drink. Maybe not. Gasoline in the US and in Europe has around 1% benzene added as an octane booster. Benzene is soluble in water, to the tune of around 0.8 g/L. There are probably other water soluble toxins in gasoline as well, but the benzene alone will render it undrinkable. Chemical contamination is probably not solvable by the unequipped person. Biological contamination is fairly straight forward. Either boil, treat with iodine (drops/tablets), or chlorine (bleach). Time, quantities, and dilutions will be left to the reader as an exercise. Are filters suitable for removing chemical contamination? I would think a reverse-osmosis filter would do the trick, but I am not sure if things like Katadyn filters do that. Is there a field expedient means of fractional distillation? If a substance like benzene is dissolved in the water, can it be separated through distillation through a solar still? Is there a way to deal with suspended solids or heavy metals? Activated charcoal will adsorb most organic compounds. It’s quite good at grabbing benzene, for instance. Suspended solids (or turbidity) are usually handled by sand filtration. I’d go with several levels of activated charcoal. Reverse Osmosis can get rid of a lot as well. I would go: coarse filter -> fine filter -> ion exchange resin -> charcoal 1 -> charcoal 2 -> RO At the bottom of the Grand Canyon, we simply had a little pump filter. It may even have been a hand pumped RO unit. Supposedly, it took anything nasty out. I have no idea how well it would work with urine. I think it would be sanitary, but not tasty. So, if I’m reading this right… Filter through a bed of activated charcoal, and sand. Probably best in layers? This removes solids, and organic compounds. Filter and/or treat to remove bacterial/fungal/parasitic nasties?
Ancient Patriarchy & Modern Feminism: Two Sides of the Same Coin Ancient Patriarchy & Modern Feminism: Two Sides of the Same Coin by Lil Tuttle “How can you not be a feminist?” is a question many women are asked. The answer is a straightforward one for most: We want legal and economic equality with men, but we want no part in the current feminist effort to replace the ancient patriarchal system with a retaliatory modern matriarchal system. The Patriarchy Throughout most of early human history, women were treated as little more than property of men. Women couldn’t leave the home unaccompanied, make decisions for themselves, or inherit or own property. They were subservient to their fathers until handed off to their husbands. (Under certain religious influences in some parts of the world today, that ancient patriarchal system is still in effect.) Women in the Victorian era came up a peg or two. While their lives remained largely controlled by familial males, the rationale changed from an attitude of ownership to one of safeguarding the weaker sex. The female mind was deemed “too fragile” to be educated, or to understand the complexity of personal finance, business commerce, and public policy. Women who dared to “devote themselves too enthusiastically to intellectual pursuits” were derided as “blue stockings. Blue-stockings were considered unfeminine and off-putting in the way that they attempted to usurp men’s ‘natural’ intellectual superiority. Some doctors reported that too much study actually had a damaging effect on the ovaries, turning attractive young women into dried-up prunes. Later in the century, when Oxford and Cambridge opened their doors to women, many families refused to let their clever daughters attend for fear that they would make themselves unmarriageable. The “rights” women enjoyed during this era were limited solely to the realm of husband, home, and family, as expressed by the 19th Century card below. Source: British Library, UK Under the ancient patriarchal system, men decreed; women were obliged to acquiesce. Modern Feminism To many women, modern feminism is the flip side of the ancient patriarchal coin. Much of what feminism has demanded over the past half century is retaliatory, and its ultimate aim appears to be to make men subservient to women. Feminists have long sought to label ordinary masculine characteristics, such as rough-and-tumble play, as violent and toxic. Feminist theorists in education tried for years to retrain little boys to behave and play like little girls. The effort failed, as Christina Hoff Sommers, author of the 2001 book, The War Against Boys: How Misguided Feminism is Harming Our Young Men, explains in the short video clip below. When feminists couldn’t get the upper hand through social engineering, they turned to other means. Title IX Title IX, enforced by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, was enacted to eliminate discrimination against women in education programs and activities funded by the federal government. By anyone’s measure, Title IX has succeeded so well that today more women than men earn higher education degrees. But feminists used Title IX under the Obama administration to go where no one ever intended, turning it into a feminist witch hunt against males for sexual harassment. Under Obama’s guidelines, sexual harassment was defined as any unwelcome conduct including unwanted verbal, nonverbal, or physical advances of a sexual nature. In many colleges and universities, legal rights ordinarily afforded an accused and rules of evidence were tossed aside, and the word of a woman against a man was treated as sacrosanct. This past November, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos introduced long-overdue reforms to the federal Title IX policy. Yet colleges and universities will remain hostile territory for young men until those new policies are fully implemented. #MeToo Movement Billed as social justice for women, the #MeToo movement didn’t seek justice as much as it sought revenge and punishment, often for offenses in the long distant past. Some of those offenses were real, serious, and well-documented; others were imagined, fallacious, and lacked any evidence. Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court was nearly derailed on the basis of a single woman’s vague and unsubstantiated allegation, despite countless other women’s testimony of a life lived in honor. Thankfully, Judge Kavanaugh fought back, and the general public eventually saw the allegation for what it was: an empty, ruthless scheme to destroy a man. Under the broad brush portrayed by feminists’ new matriarchy, men are universally evil and must be brought under the control of women. Such is the subtle message of the new Gillette razor ad campaign, “We Believe: the Best Men Can Be.” The ad begins by defining masculinity in the most negative terms possible: Of course these descriptors aren’t ‘the best a man can get’. Nor are these descriptors typical of the vast majority of men in our nation today. APA Guidelines: Redefining Traditional as Toxic Feminists’ matriarchal designs were carried one grand leap forward this August when new American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines for the Psychological Practice with Boys and Men were released. In its press release, the APA asserted that “traditional masculinity – marked by stoicism, competitiveness, dominance and aggression – is on the whole, harmful.” Psychotherapist Erica Komisar warns in an article in the Wall Street Journal that the guidelines, which she describes as “defining ‘traditional masculinity’ as a pathological state,” will only make matters worse. The APA claims that masculinity is to blame for the oppression and abuse of women. The report encourages clinicians to evaluate masculinity as an evil to be tamed, rather than a force to be integrated. “Although the majority of young men may not identify with explicit sexist beliefs,” it states, “for some men, sexism may become deeply engrained in their construction of masculinity.” The association urges therapists to help men “identify how they have been harmed by discrimination against those who are gender nonconforming”—an ideological claim transformed into a clinical treatment recommendation. The truth is that masculine traits such as aggression, competitiveness and protective vigilance not only can be positive, but also have a biological basis. Boys and men produce far more testosterone, which is associated biologically and behaviorally with increased aggression and competitiveness. They also produce more vasopressin, a hormone originating in the brain that makes men aggressively protective of their loved ones. Komisar acknowledges that the “cult of manhood can be harmful when taken to extremes,” as can the harsh judging of women “who choose to stay home with their children.” Teaching boys—or girls, for that matter—that they should always be stoic, keep their feelings inside and never allow themselves to be vulnerable is a recipe for mental illness. But so is telling boys that aggression, competitiveness and protectiveness is a sign of sickness. The same is true of telling girls that their desire to nurture children is shameful. No Thank You The assertion by some psychologists today that normal masculinity is “toxic” is as absurd as the assertion by some physicians in the 19th century that “too much study actually had a damaging effect on [women’s] ovaries, turning attractive young women into dried up prunes.” The ancient patriarch’s treatment of women was abhorrent. So, too, is modern feminism’s treatment of men. Most rational women want no association with either.
Insomnia Causes, Symptoms and Treatment – Having A Difficult Time Sleeping? Do you have a difficult time going to sleep at night?Insomnia causes symptoms and treatment. How many times have you woken up throughout the night or day? Insomnia is a sleep disorder can affect how your perform throughout the day and you may also be worried about how little sleep you are getting. If you answer yes to the first two questions. Then there is a chance that you are suffering from insomnia. You could potentially have insomnia if you experience one or more of these three sleep disturbances on a regular basis: 1. Struggle going to sleep. 2. Struggle staying asleep. 3. Waking up earlier than expected. In addition to having disrupted sleep, insomnia is a sleep disorder that has been known to lead to other daytime symptoms such as having a difficult time concentrating on tasks, irritable moods, and feelings of daytime sleepiness. In this post, you will learn more about insomnia in addition to the causes, symptoms and treatment options. In addition, there are methods the are self help methods that are available. Here are some interesting facts about insomnia: Library of books. • The treatments for insomnia can either be behavioral or medical. • Some causes of insomnia include factors such as medications, the level of hormones in the body and your psychological state. • Insomnia can also be caused by other secondary factors such as the lifestyle that you are leading and other illnesses. • There are approximately 60 million people in the United States that are affected by insomnia. • The causes of insomnia can vary. Table of Contents 1. Is Insomnia Common? 2. The Different Types Of Insomnia. 3. Causes. 4. Symptoms. 5. Diagnosis and Treatment. 6. Self Help Methods. 7. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Prior To Sleeping Pills. 8. Medical Treatments. 9. Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Is Insomnia Common? Sleep researchers know that insomnia is a common sleep disorder in medical practice. The Amercian Academy of Sleep Medicine states that between 30 to 35% of adults have some form of insomnia. Yet, only 10% of adults have chronic insomnia. According to the National Public Radio there are approximately 60 million Americans that suffer from being sleep deprived. There are certain factors that place people in a higher risk for developing insomnia such as: 1. Physical or mental health conditions. 2. Feeling a lot of stress. 3. Irregularities in your normal schedule such as jet lag and shift work. 4. If you are an older adult. 5. Women have a higher chance than men to have insomnia when certain factors are taken into account such as menstrual cycles, menopause, and pregnancies. The Different Types of Insomnia There are two different main types of insomnia. The difference between the two types is the frequency of the experience and the duration of the issue. Short Term Insomnia Sleep disruptions and daytime symptoms usually do not last more than three months. The duration can range from a few nights to a few weeks to three months. According to WebMD, many people suffer from short term insomnia from time to time because of factors such as stress or traveling. Short term insomnia is usually a problem when it lasts longer than expected and how it affects your performance on a daily basis. Keep in mind that there are exceptions to the time frame stated above. There are people who experience insomnia for a few weeks at a time and that can last for several years. An example is that even if they did not reach the three-month mark every time, it can still be chronic insomnia. Chronic Insomnia 1. Sleep is disrupted and daytime symptoms occur for at least three months. 2. Happens a minimum of three times a week. Interesting Fact The method of how insomnia have been classified have been altered in recent times. There will be times when you will see insomnia described as “primary” and “secondary”. Insomnia was separated into these two main types for several years and some medical professional and organizations still have these classifications. Yet, the newest edition of the “International Classification of Sleep Disorders 3rd Edition (ICSD-3)” made the necessary changes to the method of how insomnia is classified. The ICSD-3 is one of the top manuals used by sleep experts to diagnose the many sleep disorders that are present. These alterations mean that the revised types are now “short term insomnia” and “chronic insomnia”. These terms are more widely now. An important aspect to remember is that insomnia can be caused by or can be related to a different condition. Although, if a different condition is present it will help you out greatly if you take care of insomnia on its own. Take depression for example, taking care of both depression and insomnia simultaneously will help both conditions improve for the better. Learn more about International Classification of Sleep Disorders here In addition to having difficulty sleeping at night, there are also daytime symptoms that follow as well. The symptoms of insomnia are abundant, however each person will not experience the same symptoms as the next person. This is a short list of symptoms for short term and chronic insomnia: 1. Feeling anxiety about sleep. 2. Feeling worried or concern about your sleep issues. 3. Prone to accidents or making mistakes more than usual. 4. Behavioral issues such as aggression, hyperactivity, or impulsiveness. 5. Low energy levels. 6. Decreased motivation for activities. 7. Lower performance in work, school, and other daily activities. 8. Having a difficult time pay attention, concentrating and retaining information. 9. Decrease in positive mood. 10. Feeling irritable. 11. Gastrointestinal issues. 12. Feeling fatigue or unsettled. 13. Having a sleepy feeling throughout the day. Tired banner. If you are feeling anxiety and need some advice on how to unwind at night you should read this article. Night Time Routine For Adults – 10 Methods To Unwind At Night Important Note The International Classification of Sleep Disorders 3rd Edition makes a valid point that insomnia is not always an appropriate diagnosis. Certain conditions such as acute pain and grief can cause the same issues as shown in insomnia. However, a diagnosis might not be necessary if the sleep problem is not causing you any stress. The prospect of how some have insomnia and others do not have been greatly debated over the years. This debate will continue to go on for many years. Some interesting research has discovered seven genes that are common in people with insomnia. The notion of “it is all in your mind” is one that can be debated upon. However, in many cases of short term insomnia. There is the possibility to identify what first caused your insomnia. The primary causes of insomnia can include: 1. Bad sleep habits also referred to “sleep hygiene”. Factors such as not getting exercise, watching television before going to sleep, using electronic devices close to your scheduled bedtime, having an inconsistent sleep schedule, and eating fatty, spicy, or fried foods close to bedtime can all contribute towards insomnia. 2. Factors of your sleeping environment – such as being too hot or cold, a noisy person living with you, too much light entering your bedroom and a snoring person who has other health conditions or sleep disorders can disrupt your sleep. 3. Shift work with varying times and jet lag. 4. Any use of substances – alcohol can cause nocturnal awakenings, consuming any form of caffeine can make it difficult to go to sleep. Other substances such as ecstasy and cocaine can disrupt normal sleeping patterns and make it a challenge going to sleep at night. 5. Medications – over the counter and prescription medications have the potential to cause sleep issues. An example of this are medications that are used to treat sexual dysfunction, high blood pressure, asthma, allergies, ADHD, pain killers that have caffeine in them, and antidepressants. 6. Medical Conditions – after being diagnosed or have an illness that is starting. Adults who are up there in age have a higher chance to have medical conditions as their cause due to taking more medications and having other health conditions as well. 7. Feeling pain or discomfort when in bed. 8. Mental Health Issues – Anxiety and depression correspond with insomnia. 9. Having other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea which causes difficulty breathing and can wake you up in the middle of the night. Restless Leg Syndrome causes your legs to move around and can make it difficult to fall asleep. 10. Traumatic experiences – such as the death of person who was close to you, accidents, job loss, divorces, and other traumatic experiences that you have experienced in the past or in recent times. 11. Stress from life such as concerns over matters of finances, education, work, health, and family situations. All of these factors can keep awake at night as you overthink one or many of these aspects that cause your mind unnecessary strain. There are instances where people find that once cause is no longer present, they will have a much easier time going to sleep. Yet, the statement above is not 100% definite because insomnia can be present and stay even after the issue has been taken care of. Diagnosis and Treatment The right time to seek medical assistance The majority of medical organizations recommended that you first attempt to remedy the sleep issue yourself. If the issue becomes ongoing, then that is the right time to seek out assistance from a sleep expert or a medical doctor. A great example is that the National Sleep Foundation recommends: The American Academy of Sleep recommends: “If you have had insomnia for fewer than three months, you may have short term insomnia. Try to follow good sleep hygiene, and if the problem does not go away in three months, then talk to a sleep physician”. Self Help Methods There are methods out there that can help you successfully improve your sleep without any medical assistance. The two methods are: Make an attempt to work through any factors that you know that might cause insomnia 1. Work through and solve anything issue that causes you to feel anxiety or stress. 2. Examine any medication, substances, and remedies that you are currently taking. This can be a potential cause. 3. Seek out the proper medical professional if you have any mental or physical condition. Stress and anxiety banner. Alter your sleep habits There are many strategies and points of advice on how to improve your sleep. These are important points of advice to keep in mind: 1. Maintain a cool, dark, and quiet bedroom. 2. Do not eat any fatty, fried, or greasy foods before going to bed. 3. Use the last hour of the day to unwind and relax. 4. Do not use any electronic devices one hour before going to bed. 5. Exercise on a consistent basis. 6. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. 7. Stay on a consistent sleep schedule. Learn more about healthy sleep habits. What A Medical Professional Might Do For You A medical professional will work through the cause of your sleep problem and they will help you search for the correct treatment. In some instances, they will refer you to a sleep specialist center so that you can conduct what is known as a “sleep study”. They can also run some tests if they believe that you might have other health conditions. They will also give you advice about changing your current sleep habits, provide you with resources that you can use to help yourself, and advise you that this is the first step that you need to take. If all of that does not help, then they will have suggestions for future treatments. Future treatments can include psychotherapy for conditions such as anxiety and depression. There is another form of therapy that is known as “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia” (CBT-I). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Insomnia Prior To Sleeping Pills The Mayoclinic states an important point about sleeping pills. They recommended that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia should be the first line of treatment instead of medication. “Sleep Medications can be an effective short-term treatment – for example, they can provide immediate relief during a period of high stress or grief. Some newer sleeping medications have been approved for longer use. But they may not be the best long-term insomnia treatment. Unlike pills, CBT-I addresses the underlying causes of insomnia rather than just relieving symptoms. But it takes time – and effort to make it work. In some cases, a combination of sleep medication and CBT-I maybe the best approach.” The move away from using medication is becoming more mainstream with other countries accepting this practice. CBT-I works because it is a fusion of practical treatments that include: 1. Sleep hygiene (eliminating bad habits, replacing bad habits with good habits) 2. Stimulus control (conditioning your bedroom with sleep) 3. Relaxation training (mindfulness and relaxation techniques) 4. Sleep restriction (being in bed for the correct amount of time) 5. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (helping you think about the way you view sleep) These practical treatments can be performed on the phone, online, one on one group sessions, and there are even self-help books on this topic. However, the most effective way is believed to be with professional guidance. Medical Treatments The majority of doctors will only prescribe sleeping pills if other treatments failed to work and your insomnia is in a bad condition. At this point, the NHS recommends that they are likely to prescribe sleeping pills for a few days or a few weeks only. In our world today, there are many different types of over the counter sleep aids and prescription medications that are available. However, there are side effects if the sleep aids are taken for longer than recommended. Those sleep aids and prescription medication include: • Over the counter sleep aids that contain herbal ingredients that are found in nature, melatonin, and anti-histamines. • Anti-Depressants that include trazodone, mirtazapane, and amitriptyline. • Prescription medication such as zolpidem, zaleplon, and eszopiclone. Colorful medication. The important thing you need to do is to consult your doctor when taking any sleeping pills and only use them for a short duration of time. This article written by the Mayoclinic goes into more detail about the types of prescription sleep pills, their side effects, and any safety concerns. Complementary and Alternative Medicine If taking sleep aids and prescription medications are not for you. Fortunately, there are herbal remedies for insomnia that are available online and in physical locations. The effectiveness of each ingredient varies from one to another. There is scientific research that back up the sedative effects in valerian root. This root is a common ingredient in a lot of teas that help promote sleep and is contained in many sleep aids that are available today. The other ingredients which are thought by some to aid in relaxation and sleep are: 1. Lemon Balm. 2. Chamomile. 3. Hops. 4. Lavender. 5. Peppermint. Prior to trying a remedy that contains these ingredients, you should consult a medical professional first. I recommend that you go see your doctor as well if you taking any other types of medication at the same time. Keep an eye out for respectable brands and also look for those with one primary ingredient rather than a mixture of many ingredients. Peppermint leaves in a teapot. In addition, there are other techniques that help promote relaxation and sleep that include: 1. Acupuncture. 2. Tai Chi. 3. Yoga. 4. Mindfulness and Meditation (This is one that I highly recommend especially in our fast paced modern lifestyle). Final Thoughts Everything from bad sleep habits to stress can cause insomnia. Feeling anxiety about going to sleep should not stop you from getting a good night’s sleep. There are many different ways to treat insomnia and with some effort you can remedy this issue and end daytime sleepiness. What was your experience with insomnia? Please feel free to share your story in the comments section below. Please like, share and subscribe: 4 Comments on “Insomnia Causes, Symptoms and Treatment – Having A Difficult Time Sleeping?” 1. Hello Julia, Yes, struggling with waking up at night when you having a lot of thoughts in the mind is very common. I have had this very same issue as well so I can relate. That is interesting that you listen to podcasts, talks and stories in bed. Who says that adults cannot have bedtime stories as well? Hahaha That is a great option that I should consider in the future. If listening to this type of media helps you relax enough to help you go to sleep, then I encourage the behavior. The trick with using electronics to help you go to sleep is to not constantly look at the screen of your device, which from your comment sounds like you do not. The light that is emitted from most if not all electronic devices lowers your melatonin production and makes it more difficult for your brain and body to relax enough to fall asleep. If you are struggling with an overactive mind at night, you should take a look at my article about relaxation techniques for sleep. 5 Relaxation Techniques For Sleep: Quieting Your Overactive Mind Best regards, Kenny Tang 2. Hello Danny, Not using any electronics during the first hour of the day is an excellent rule to follow. It is a positive thing to have that rule set in place. Most people produce their peak amount of cortisol early in the morning. This is a hormone that your body produces to help you wake up and it gives you the energy you need to get going through the day. Your brain needs time to process all of the cortisol that is being produced. I suspect that using electronics in the morning somehow blocks the cortisol that is being produced and causes most people to feel sluggish instead of feeling energized and ready to go. You are on the right track. Using electronics when you wake up first thing in the morning overstimulates the mind because these devices are very distracting. This causes most if not all people to divert their attention away from what they were originally doing. By eliminating this action, you will achieve much more mental clarity. Yes, I do personally set aside the last hour of everyday to not use anything electronics. This has helped me feel much more relaxed. Using electronics at night can waste a lot of time and can causes many people to lose out on their sleep time. I also do my best to avoid using my phone first thing when I wake up as well. It is one of the best sleep habits that you can form because the blue light from emitted from these devices can throw off your brain’s melatonin production. If you want more good healthy sleep habits, please check out my page about sleep hygiene in the sleep advice category. Best regards, Kenny Tang 3. Hi, this is a very detailed article. I have struggled with waking up in the night usually when I have things on my mind. I suspect this is fairly normal. My present means of dealing with this is to listen to podcasts, talks or stories in bed. This is a bit like a child having a bedtime story. I really like doing this and I generally fall asleep very quickly. Usually within about 5 minutes. My device turns itself off after a set number of minutes. I do the same if I wake up in the night. I can imagine people thinking that this is not a good idea, but I really enjoy it. All the best, 4. Great guide! This had some really useful info in it. I know that I need to apply the information myself. I am halfway there on a few of them. For example, you mention not using electronic devices an hour before you go to bed. I currently have that rule for when I wake up. I do not look at anything electronic for the first hour I am awake. That has really helped my head feel clearer. This helps me start the day properly. I imagine doing the same thing on a night would be really useful too. I definitely need to get into the habit of doing that. Do you personally do this too? Leave a Reply
ALIMOV D.E. Gothicism in Croatia: From the Middle Ages to Modern Time Denis E. Alimov Candidate of Sciences (History), Associate Professor, Department of History of Slavic and Balkan Countries, Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Emb., 7/9, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, Abstract. The article deals with the genesis and evolution of the notion of the supposed Gothic origins of the Croats or their close bonds with the Goths, which existed in medieval and early modern historiography. While examining this complex of ideas in the context of the so-called Gothicism, that is ideologically motivated apellation to the Goths and their legacy that was characteristic for medieval and early modern Europe, the author focuses on the historical specificity of the Croatian Gothicism and changes it has undergone in the course of its evolution from the Middle Ages to the late 17th century. The author concludes that the Croatian Gothicism was not a stable ideological construction, but a complex phenomenon, not connected exclusively with the tasks of glorification of a nation or a state. The emergence of Gothicism in this region in the early Middle Ages was connected with the ethnic discourse of Roman-speaking urban inhabitants of the Adriatic coast who ascribed the Gothic origin to the Slavs of the hinterland. In the late Middle Ages the idea of the Gothic origins was adopted by the Croats themselves for the political legitimization of the Croatian kingdom. However, in the framework of this concept the Croats were considered as autochthonous inhabitants who were under the rule of the Gothic dynasty. In the Renaissance the idea of the Gothic origins was conceptualized in the categories of the proto-national discourse. In the Dalmatian historiography the Goths began to be interpreted as a Slavic nation, and their past, along with the history of ancient Illyricum, was used to glorify the Slavs. In the 17th century the proto-national interpretation of the Goths served as a basis for the integration of the “Gothic legacy” into the Croatian national ideology in the true sense of the word. Key words: Dalmatia, Croatian kingdom, Gothicism, Illyrianism, proto-national discourse. Citation. Alimov D.E. Gothicism in Croatia: from the Middle ages to Modern time. Vestnik Volgogradskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Serija 4, Istorija. Regionovedenie. Mezhdunarodnye otnoshenija [Science Journal of Volgograd State University. History. Area Studies. International Relations], 2017, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 25-34. (in Russian). Лицензия Creative Commons Gothicism in Croatia: From the Middle Ages to Modern Time by Alimov D.E. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Download this file (1_Alimov.pmd.pdf) 1_Alimov.pmd.pdf
1819 - Byron begins Don Juan; Keats writes La Belle Dame sans Merci, The Eve of St. Agnes; Géricault paints The Raft of the Medusa In 1819 Byron published the first two cantos of Don Juan. The long, digressive poem was based on the legend of Don Juan, yet in this version Byron reverses the story to portray the Spaniard as the victim of the advances of women, rather than his traditional portrayal as a womaniser. Upon publication the ‘immoral content’ of the cantos was denounced as ‘an insult and an outrage’ and the work ‘a filthy and impious poem’ yet it found great favour with the general public and became very popular. Also in this year John Keats wrote two of his most famous poems, "La Belle Dame sans Merci" and "The Eve of Saint Agnes". "La Belle Dame sans Merci", a ballad describing a knight who is fatally enchanted by an ethereal woman was lightly dismissed by Keats himself, and yet has stimulated much discussion amongst generations of writers and critics. "The Eve of Saint Agnes" is a narrative poem about the events leading up to the flight of a pair of lovers, Madeline and Porphyro. The poem’s rich and vivid imagery and atmosphere of excitement and passion has rendered the poem one of Keats’s most successful and appreciated works. The Raft of the Medusa was completed by the artist Théodore Géricault when he was aged just 27, and became an icon of French Romanticism. The painting depicts a moment in the aftermath of the wreck of the frigate Medusa, which ran aground near Mauritania on the 5th of July 1816. 147 people were set adrift on a raft, which was only retrieved 13 days later, by which time only 15 survivors remained. Reports of cannibalism, murder and savagery created a scandal in the press, further inflamed by the fact that the French government had not made sufficient efforts to find the missing sailors. Exhibited at the Paris salon in 1819, the painting attracted equally acclaim and condemnation and it became a seminal work of early French Romanticism. The Raft of the Medusa, Théodore Géricault, 1818-1819
Quality Assurance Assessments take a variety of forms in an IT project and can range from very informal to very formal in nature. This week we will discuss HOW to do a QA Assessment now that we have completed an explanation of WHY to do Assessment in a past blog. HOW Quality Assurance Assessments are Done: The following needs to be done in order to complete a Quality Assurance Assessment: 1. Determine the objective of the assessment. (Refer to Why Quality Assurance Assessments are Done in a past blog). 2. Set up a team (may be a team of 1) to do the assessment. 3. Determine the targeted group who are going to provide information to the team. 4. Determine the method of getting the information (questionnaire; in person interviews; survey). 5. Using the method selected above, carry out the assessment. 6. Collate the results. 7. Provide a report. The above is a general methodology. The following is a short example of a very basic QA Assessment. 1. The objective is to determine how well the Software Testing Process worked on the last project. 2. The team will be the Quality Assurance department (not involved in the particular project). 3. Target audience: Software Testers, Developers, Project Manager(s), End Users, Management, all other interested stakeholders. 4. Methodology: Individual interviews using a questionnaire. Some sample questions follow • What went right with the project in terms of Software Testing? • What went wrong with the project in terms of Software Testing? • What expectations were and were not met? • How could the process be improved? This is a very small sample of questions to be answered. From there: 1. Compile the answers into a report removing the names and any identifying comments. 2. Create a set of recommendations based on the results. If you are having trouble working this out, contact us and we can help guide you and your team in the right direction. Finally, we’ll leave you with a few questions and ask you to post your answers. 1. Have you participated in a Test Process Assessment? 2. What was the justification for the Assessment? 3. Were the results used for Process Improvement? Next Week: KWSQA, TASSQ and London Peer-to-Peer
Research output: Contribution to conferenceOther The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD, 1994) addressed desertification as a global problem defining it as “land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, resulting from various factors, including climate variations and human activity”. In the Mediterranean areas, this phenomenon results from the interaction of various factors such as climate, lithology, vegetation and land use. The study of the predisposing factors allows the time/space assessment of the phenomenon and a continuous field monitoring allows to quantify the data in terms of vulnerability degree and to develop decision-making tools for integrated land use planning. One of the most fragile ecosystems are the badlands areas in Sicily. Their geological and climatic features (erosive rocks and marginal soils, and highly variable rainfall) and often a negative human impacts (inadequate land use and agricultural practices) led to increasing soil erosion and vegetation degradation, predisposing the terrain to the badlands. Moreover, the slope topography can be considered as a driver factor for the inception and the evolution of the badlands, in particular if we considered the badlands as miniature drainage systems, fully comparable to small river basins. The present work focused on the role of the pre-incision slope topography on the typologies and characteristics of the Sicilian badlands. The badlands areas of the entire Sicily were mapped in order to create an inventory of landforms based on morphological criteria. The digital orthophotos (2007-2008) at a nominal scale of 1:10.000 available in the WebGIS server of the Regione Sicilia and the Google Earth images of the same periods were closely examined. The landforms were digitized as polygons by means of a GIS software and recorded into a geo-database. The channel networks of each badland were traced and their drainage density (D) were calculated. The numbers of furrows directly tributary to the external drainage network were measured by using the index Gully Tributary (GT). This allowed to distinguish two typologies of badlands drainage pattern: dendritic for GT=1 (with only one main furrow) and parallel for GT>1 (with several parallel furrows). For each landform, the pre-erosion topography was reconstructed by filling the incision, using the heights of the watershed divide as point values in a topography interpolation tool in GIS. It represented the slope topography prior to the development of the current drainage network. The pre-incision slope morphometry of each landform was characterized by calculating the Morphometric Slope Index (MSI) considered as general index for slope morphometry. MSI, GT and D were compared via statistics in order to detect the influence of pre-erosion slope morphometry on the typology and the arrangement of the badlands drainage networks. Original languageEnglish Number of pages1 Publication statusPublished - 2015 Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'INVENTORY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SICILIAN BADLANDS'. Together they form a unique fingerprint. • Cite this
Home > Health & Fitness > Want To Stay Healthy, Happy And Wealthy? Quality Sleep Is The Answer! happy sleep apnea patient Good and sound sleep is necessary to keep you healthy. Lack of sleep can give way to many health issues such as insomnia, dizziness, and obesity. Even if you try to sleep after you get up midway, you might not be able to do that. Have you ever wondered why you cannot sleep? There are a number of reasons why you are not getting enough sleep. Your daily routine and unhealthy lifestyles can be pointed as a major reason for lack of sleep. If you start changing your lifestyle it can help you to get good sleep. Here are some reasons which are responsible for not getting enough sleep. Gadgets are made to help people reduce their work. However, overuse of anything can cause danger. Taking your mobile phones and laptops to bed is not a healthy habit if you want a good night’s sleep. When you go through the mobiles and laptops, it could bring a lot of stress to the eyes. The light from these gadgets can make your brain think that it is still daytime. Also, the radiation from mobiles can adversely affect your health and can affect your eyesight later in your life. Melatonin is a hormone that can help you get good sleep. If your body fails to produce this hormone, then there are high chances that you get insomnia. Not everyone goes to bed and gets up at the same time every day. But when you compare the sleep quality, people who follow a routine gets deep and sound sleep than people who do not have a fixed nap time. So it is important that you adjust the body’s internal clock so that every day at the same time the body will give you signs to prepare for a good sleep. Too much intake of caffeine can be a culprit when it comes to poor sleep. Caffeine blocks the substance Adenosine in the body which helps in promoting sleep. If you drink coffee just before bed, the caffeine can make you stay awake for a good 2-3 hours which can interrupt your sleep routine. The only fix for this is to limit the intake of beverages that has a good amount of caffeine in it. Sleeping on a poor quality bed can adversely affect your sleep quality. Back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain can get developed if you sleep on a low- quality bed and mattress. Try to invest in a memory foam mattress, so that you can get a good sleep without developing any physical pain. Another factor that affects sleep is the lighting in the room. When you go to sleep, it is advised to have a dark and quiet environment so that the body can prepare to take rest. If you are a person who cannot sleep in dark, then you might want to use nightlight which will not interrupt your sleep. One of the major reasons why you are not getting enough sleep is because you are taking stress to your bedroom. The balance of sleep and wakefulness will get affected if you do not let the stress out before you go to bed. Start practising breathing exercises, taking showers, reading books, meditation or even listening to light music before you prepare for sleep. When you sleep, if you get affected by your partner’s snoring then it is better to talk to them about how it is affecting your sleep. Sleeping is a natural process and a much- needed rest for your body. If you have any sleeping issues, it is necessary that you find a fix for it before it gets too late and affects your health. Companies like Wakefit offer high quality mattresses which can aid sleep. Buy them and ensure that you get the much needed shut-eye every single day.
Physician, playwright, philander, short story author, and prison reform advocate, Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860–1904) lived a life full of paradoxes. He had a religious education but became an atheist; he wrote literature initially for money for which he later became immortalized; he was trained as a physician but treated peasants without pay; he was promiscuous as a bachelor only to be cuckolded when he became a husband; and his plays were initially booed off stage only to be admired ever since. What does one make of such a rich biography? If there is any possible common thread among the various aspects of Chekhov’s life, it might be his unbroken and uninterrupted work for the alleviation of his patients’ suffering. In fact, Chekhov considered himself first and foremost a doctor. As he wrote his publisher: “Medicine is my lawful wife and literature is my mistress.” However, he made little money from his profession, often treating the poor for free and spending his own money for their drugs. Chekhov saw patients from early morning to late night and even organized relief for victims of famine and cholera outbreaks. The continual, almost punishing, pace of his work as a physician often led to bouts of exhaustion and tuberculosis, which contributed to his early death. Besides seeing to the sick, Chekhov spent three months in the far east of Russia at the Sakhalin Island penal colony, for reasons that are still being debated: Was it for a literary project? Was it to escape from Moscow’s politicized literary scene? Was he trying to forget a failed love affair? When Chekhov arrived at Sakhalin he claimed to be taking a census for the government, which allowed him to interview the convicts and settlers on the island. He witnessed floggings, forced prostitution, and other degrading behavior, ultimately concluding that the government had a duty to finance the humane treatment of convicts. Chekhov published his findings, The Island of Sakhalin, as a work of social science (he would publish a literary account of his visit a year later in his short story “The Murder”). Working to help his fellow human beings not only characterized Chekhov’s profession as a physician and prison reform advocate but also as an artist. At the end of the play Uncle Vanya, Sonya answers the question why one lives: “Fate sends us; we will labor for others both now and in our old age, knowing no rest; but when our time comes, we will die meekly, and beyond the grave we will tell how we suffered, how we wept, how bitter we felt, and God will take pity on us.” Although Chekhov did not believe in God, he did believe that humans had a responsibility to work for the betterment of others. But this responsibility to work for others, he believed, was not ours because of self-interest or spiritual obligations but because of the instinctive humaneness that humans could possess in the hope that they will become civilized, compassionate, and benevolent to others. However, this humaneness must be cultivated through constant work, as Chekhov wrote to his brother: “You need to work continually day and night, to read ceaselessly, to study, to exercise your will. . . . Each hour is precious.” Chekhov’s morality could be described as Christianity stripped of revelation. “There are no lower or higher or median moralities. There is only one morality, and it is precisely the one that was given to us during the time of Jesus Christ and stops me . . . from stealing, offending others, lying, etc.” Helping one’s fellow humans as one could was the preeminent ethical teaching for Chekhov as a physician. Philosophical and theological debates about doctrines and dogmas were of no interest to him. He was concerned with the practical rather than the theoretical, and, as a physician, he wanted to contribute what he could to enhancing the humaneness of life. Chekhov was not a political activist or ideologue. He did not seek abstract or political solutions to human problems but instead contributed what he could, as a physician, to the specific and particular needs of his time and place. As he himself admitted, “I still lack a political, religious and philosophical world view—I change it every month—and so I’ll have to limit myself to descriptions of how my heroes love, marry, give birth, die, and how they speak.” For Chekhov, it is not the artist’s “job to solve such problems as God, pessimism, etc.; his job is merely to record who, under what conditions, said or thought what about God or pessimism. The artist is not meant to be a judge of his characters and what they say; his only job is to be an impartial witness. I heard two Russians in a muddled conversation about pessimism, a conversation that solved nothing; all I am bound to do is reproduce that conversation exactly as I heard it.” This difference between art and life that Chekhov recognized—the difference between describing the world and practicing good within it—is perhaps best captured by the self-assessment of his own work. A few months before he died, Chekhov told writer Ivan Bunin that people might go on reading him for seven more years. “Why seven?” asked Bunin. “Well, seven and a half,” Chekhov replied. “That’s not bad. I’ve got six years to live.” The quip reveals that Chekhov understood that doing good in the world is more important than writing or thinking about it. This humaneness, a residual of his Christian education, is what motivated Chekhov as a physician and informed his art. Although literature, his mistress, may have been his love, it was his medicine, his lawful wife, where he had made his mark. A Few Links Letters of Anton Chekhov to His Family and Friends: Plays by Anton Chekhov: Stories by Anton Chekhov: Anton Chekhov’s Biography: Lee Trepanier’s “The Problem of Stupidity in Chekhov’s Three Sisters”: Lee Trepanier is Professor of Political Science at Saginaw Valley State University. He is the author or editor of several books, the latest being The Political Companion to Saul Bellow (University of Kentucky Press, 2013) and Teaching in an Age of Ideology (Lexington Books, 2013). Local Culture Local Culture Local Culture Local Culture 1. Most of what I know of Chekhov is from watching Russian movies based on his work. This article reminds me that it’s time to watch Nikita Mikhalkov’s “Unfinished Piece for Player Piano” again. Many of the points made in the article come out very clearly in that film, which I happen to think is Mikhalkov’s best. Unfortunately Mikhalkov is a rotten and dangerous person, a toady of President Putin, descended (I am told) from one of Stalin’s toadies. As an actor in his own movies or those of others he is usually just annoying. But he did well in this Chekhov adaptation, both as director and actor. And some of his other work is good too. The article inspired me to 1) reset my Wikipedia password so I can add some very minor touchups to articles about Russian films, and 2) learn about the existence of, where I have found some very perceptive English language reviews of Russian films, including a couple about Karen Shakhnazarov’s version of Chekhov’s “Ward No. 6”. I see that Mosfilm’s upload of that film still has its English subtitles. (A lot of English-subtitled Russian films seem to have disappeared from YouTube over the past few years, while the unsubtitled ones remain.) 2. I think of Chekhov as the supreme artist of disappointment and resignation. His stories and plays often deal with people who feel themselves to be thwarted by life or defeated by their mediocrity, whose experiences do not live up to the exalted aspirations that made them feel exceptional when young. In that sense, Chekhov might be the nineteenth century artist who is closest in spirit to quotidian realities of contemporary affluent society. In contrast to Dostoevsky, there are no overwrought scenes of spiritual drama, but rather a focus on the mild disturbances of day to day life. He gives an eloquent voice to lives lived out in quiet despair. Comments are closed.
What is Skin Cancer? No one wants a skin cancer, least of all one on the face, yet most people will develop skin cancer because it accounts for 80% of all new cancers. There are genetic factors for skin cancer but we can’t choose to have better genes; there are also environmental factors like injury, medications and UV light exposure, and we can reduce these risks. Australia has consistently one of the highest UV indices in the world, and because the face both absorbs and reflects UV light around our eyes, skin cancers are common around the eyes. So how do you remove skin cancers from around the eyes and face? Think of a mine field and how you would make it safe; first detect the mines, then clear the mines. In the same way, we treat skin cancer by first detecting skin cancer cells with a microscope and then clearing them. This is the principle of Mohs surgery, targeting abnormal cancer cells and preserving normal skin tissue. In other words, only what is necessary to be removed, is removed. Traditional surgery doesn’t look for skin cancer cells but instead tries to clear the skin cancer by removing lots of normal skin and tissue around the cancer. This is still a valid option if there is excess skin tissue, like on the belly, but not suitable on the face where the skin is precious. Who wants to have facial skin removed unnecessarily? Mohs surgery has dual advantages of maximising skin cancer clearance whilst minimising the sacrifice of normal skin and tissue, giving you the highest chance of a great aesthetic result after reconstruction.
Curled Dock - Rumex crispus Medium to tall plant. Leaves narrow-lanceolate with very wavy margins, short stalked. Flowerheads dense, in branched spikes, branches rather upright. Fruit valves heart shaped, 1 -3 swollen tubercles. Similar Species Other docks Identification difficulty ID guidance Tubercles oblong, one (or rarely all 3) well-developed, valves triangular, rounded, no lateral teeth. Leaves with wavy margins. Recording advice The fruits have a central part, triangular in cross-section, with three membraneous valves surrounding a small, hard 'tubercle'. The shape and arrangement of valves and tubercles is diagnostic, and close-up photos of fruits and leaves/general habit are needed. Disturbed and cultivated land, waste places, hedge banks. When to see it June to October. Life History UK Status Quite common in much of Britain, but less so in the north. VC55 Status Very common in Leicestershire and Rutland. In the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire it was found in 596 of the 617 tetrads. In the current Checklist (Jeeves, 20111) it is listed as subsp crispus, and is Native, frequent Leicestershire & Rutland Map MAP KEY: Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data) UK Map
First Arm, Doubtful Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand First Arm, Doubtful Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand Description: Maori legend tells that the fiords were created by a godly figure or atua who came wielding a magical adze and uttering incantations. Tu-Te-Raki-Whanoa, the creator of the fiords, aimed to create long winding inlets that would serve as refuges from the sea. When Tu created Doubtful Sound (Patea) he was helped by four young sea gods named Taipari who created the arms, First Arm / Taipari-poto (short), Crooked Arm / Taipari-nui (big) and Hall Arm / Taipari-roa (long), and Deep Cove / Taipari-tiki (little). [display photography on the map] Keywords: Doubtful Sound, Fiordland, National Park, New Zealand, Real Journeys, Te Wahipounamu, World Heritage site, fiord, fjord, mountains, First Arm, water, sunset, dusk, twilight Exif: Exposure: 1/125, Aperture: 14.0, ISO: 100 Views: 7665 ×
NCERT Solutions for Class 7th: Ch 4 Air Geography Social Studies Our Enviroment Page No: 27 1. Answer the following questions. (i) What is atmosphere? The earth is surrounded by a huge blanket of air called atmosphere. (ii) Which two gases make the bulk of the atmosphere? Nitrogen and oxygen make the bulk of the atmosphere. (iii) Which gas creates green house effect in the atmosphere? Carbon dioxide creates the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere. (iv) What is weather? Weather is short-term state of the atmosphere whether it is hot or cold, wet or dry. It is the hour to hour, day to day condition of the atmosphere. (v) Name three types of rainfall? Three types of rainfall are: (i) Convectional rainfall (ii) Orographic rainfall (iii) Cyclonic rainfall (vi) What is air pressure? The pressure exerted by the weight of air on the surface of the earth is called air pressure. 2. Tick the correct answer. (i) Which of the following gases protects us from harmful sun rays? (c) Ozone (ii) The most important layer of the atmosphere is (a) Troposphere (b) Thermosphere (c) Mesosphere (a) Troposphere (a) Troposphere (b) Stratosphere (c) Mesosphere (b) Stratosphere (iv) As we go up the layers of the atmosphere, the pressure (a) Increases (b) Decreases (c) Remains the same (b) Decreases (v) When precipitation comes down to the earth in the liquid form, it is called (a) Cloud (b) Rain (c) Snow (b) Rain 3. Match the following. (i) Trade Winds (a) Incoming solar energy (ii) Loo (b) Seasonal wind (iii) Monsoon (c) Horizontal movement of Air (iv) Wind (d) Layer of ozone gas - (e) Permanent wind - (f) Local wind (i) Trade Winds (e) Permanent wind (ii) Loo (f) Local wind (iii) Monsoon (b) Seasonal wind (iv) Wind (c) Horizontal movement of Air 4. Give reasons. (i) Wet clothes take longer time to dry on a humid day? (ii) Amount of insolation decreases from equator towards poles? (i) In humid day, the humidity is very high that is the level water vapour in atmosphere is high. Due to this, air is not able carry away more water vapour with it and thus the clothes take longer time to dry on a humid day. (ii) Insolation is the incoming solar energy intercepted by the earth. Sunlight falls almost vertically on the equator whereas it falls at some angle on the poles. Due to this, amount of insolation decreases from equator towards poles. Notes of Chapter 4 Air Go to Chapters Previous Post Next Post Free Study Rankers App Download Now
The different PBR maps (Overview) If you download an archive from CC0 Textures you will see that it contains a variety of different PBR maps. This article lists all maps (commonly) used by CC0 Textures, using Manhole Cover 004 as an example. The color map of the material. Some programs also call it “Albedo”, “Diffuse”, or “Base Color”. This map describes the roughness of the material. If this image is closer to black that means that the material appears to be very shiny. Consequently an almost white image means that the material has a very diffuse look. It defines the height/displacement of the material. Using this in combination with very-high-poly geometry allows for more detailed surfaces. The normal map defines the normal vector of the surface at a given point. A normal map works by telling the render engine to behave as if the surface had a given normal vector at this point. Through this process your amount of detail on a surface is no longer limited by the amount of geometry but rather by the number of pixels in a texture which is delivers much better performance. Please note that the normal maps on CC0 Textures are in the DirectX-format. This may require manual changes depending on your softare. See DirectX- vs. OpenGL-Style normal maps for more details. Ambient Occlusion Ambient occlusion serves to fake the tiny, soft shadows that the material is throwing onto itself. This causes crevices to be a little bit darker. The ambient occlusion map simply gets multiplied with the color map. Therefore the dark parts of the map also darken the final color map while the white parts leave it untouched. Metalness (met) Defines whether a part of the surface is metallic or dielectric. This is just a generic black and white image, usually used for opacity. Please note that some older textures use the _mask suffix for otehr purposes. In that case you can ignore them. Less Common Maps This map defines the light that a material emits. Variants (var1,var2,...) Some surface imperfection materials use these suffixes to indicate different versions of the map, these are often inverted versions or versions with increased contrast. CC0 Textures CC0 Textures Material Creation Guide CC0 Textures on Patreon CC0 Textures on Twitter CC0 Textures on Instagram User Tools
Pace Needs to Increase Amount of Outdoor Outlets Outside of the Kessel Student Center, there is lots of opportunities for students to sit and enjoy the weather. Katie Walsh, Managing Editor With finals season upon us, students are sticking to their laptops and their textbooks to prepare for the year’s last assignments and exams. Although, the outdoor spaces and workplaces Pace offers are getting their use and many students can be seen taking their work outdoors, their time is limited by the battery life on their devices. Technology is a necessity for college students with online courses, blackboard assignments and typed presentations and papers to create. Many students even utilize their laptops during classes to take notes and follow along with the lectures posted on blackboard. However, these devices need to be constantly charged and the demand for outlets everywhere is high. The university has created beautiful sitting areas for students to eat, do work and hang out with their friends near the Kessel Student Center, library and dorm buildings like Alumni and Elm Halls. However, these sitting areas don’t have enough outlets and extension cords connected to them where students can plug in their devices to continue working. For students, it’s extremely frustrating when a laptop dies mid-way through writing a report or having to skip-out on the already-limited sunlight hours because there isn’t an outlet available to charge a device. A decision should not have to be made between the outdoors or finalizing homework. Being outdoors and having exposure to fresh air and sunlight has scientifically been proven to help the mental and physical health of one’s well-being. A BBC article unveiled that spending time in nature can help limit the impacts of depression and reduce stress. Furthermore, studies have shown that the outdoors can help improve one’s focus and memory, which is critical for long studying days and end-of-the semester blues. The university should take an initiative to insert outdoor outlets around various spots on campus to help improve student satisfaction, along with the mental and physical well-being of the students. Mental health awareness is a topic of concern and is very prevalent among college campuses. To that extent, this would be one step in the right direction towards improving and helping students maintain their well-being and limit side effects from mental illnesses. Furthermore, this would increase the amount of students spending time outdoors, thus creating a more lively atmosphere on campus. The conglomeration of students studying and socializing outdoors would help campus life at Pace become alive and improve the well-being of students, especially after a long winter of being indoors and running to class through the frigid temperatures.
您所在的位置：首页 \| AMC \| 2015AMC12B真题及答案解析免费留学咨询表（趣考不是留学中介，能给你客观建议！） Question 1 What is the value of ? Question 2 Marie does three equally time-consuming tasks in a row without taking breaks. She begins the first task at 1:00 PM and finishes the second task at 2:40 PM. When does she finish the third task? Question 3 Isaac has written down one integer two times and another integer three times. The sum of the five numbers is 100, and one of the numbers is 28. What is the other number? Question 4 David, Hikmet, Jack, Marta, Rand, and Todd were in a 12-person race with 6 other people. Rand finished 6 places ahead of Hikmet. Marta finished 1 place behind Jack. David finished 2 places behind Hikmet. Jack finished 2 places behind Todd. Todd finished 1 place behind Rand. Marta finished in 6th place. Who finished in 8th place? Question 5 The Tigers beat the Sharks 2 out of the 3 times they played. They then played more times, and the Sharks ended up winning at least 95% of all the games played. What is the minimum possible value for ? Question 6 Back in 1930, Tillie had to memorize her multiplication facts from to . The multiplication table she was given had rows and columns labeled with the factors, and the products formed the body of the table. To the nearest hundredth, what fraction of the numbers in the body of the table are odd? Question 7 A regular 15-gon has lines of symmetry, and the smallest positive angle for which it has rotational symmetry is degrees. What is ? The eighth problem What is the value of ? Question 9 Larry and Julius are playing a game, taking turns throwing a ball at a bottle sitting on a ledge. Larry throws first. The winner is the first person to knock the bottle off the ledge. At each turn the probability that a player knocks the bottle off the ledge is , independently of what has happened before. What is the probability that Larry wins the game? Question 10 How many noncongruent integer-sided triangles with positive area and perimeter less than 15 are neither equilateral, isosceles, nor right triangles? Question 11 The line forms a triangle with the coordinate axes. What is the sum of the lengths of the altitudes of this triangle? Question 12 Let , , and be three distinct one-digit numbers. What is the maximum value of the sum of the roots of the equation ? 13 questions Quadrilateral is inscribed in a circle with and . What is ? Question 14 A circle of radius 2 is centered at . An equilateral triangle with side 4 has a vertex at . What is the difference between the area of the region that lies inside the circle but outside the triangle and the area of the region that lies inside the triangle but outside the circle? 15 questions At Rachelle’s school an A counts 4 points, a B 3 points, a C 2 points, and a D 1 point. Her GPA on the four classes she is taking is computed as the total sum of points divided by 4. She is certain that she will get As in both Mathematics and Science, and at least a C in each of English and History. She thinks she has a chance of getting an A in English, and a chance of getting a B. In History, she has a chance of getting an A, and a chance of getting a B, independently of what she gets in English. What is the probability that Rachelle will get a GPA of at least 3.5? 16 items A regular hexagon with sides of length 6 has an isosceles triangle attached to each side. Each of these triangles has two sides of length 8. The isosceles triangles are folded to make a pyramid with the hexagon as the base of the pyramid. What is the volume of the pyramid? 17 the topic An unfair coin lands on heads with a probability of . When tossed times, the probability of exactly two heads is the same as the probability of exactly three heads. What is the value of ? Question 18 For every composite positive integer , define to be the sum of the factors in the prime factorization of . For example, because the prime factorization of is , and . What is the range of the function , ? Question 19 In , and . Squares and are constructed outside of the triangle. The points , , , and lie on a circle. What is the perimeter of the triangle? Question 20 For every positive integer , let be the remainder obtained when is divided by 5. Define a function recursively as follows: What is? Question 21 Cozy the Cat and Dash the Dog are going up a staircase with a certain number of steps. However, instead of walking up the steps one at a time, both Cozy and Dash jump. Cozy goes two steps up with each jump (though if necessary, he will just jump the last step). Dash goes five steps up with each jump (though if necessary, he will just jump the last steps if there are fewer than 5 steps left). Suppose that Dash takes 19 fewer jumps than Cozy to reach the top of the staircase. Let denote the sum of all possible numbers of steps this staircase can have. What is the sum of the digits of ? Question 22 Six chairs are evenly spaced around a circular table. One person is seated in each chair. Each person gets up and sits down in a chair that is not the same chair and is not adjacent to the chair he or she originally occupied, so that again one person is seated in each chair. In how many ways can this be done? Question 23 A rectangular box measures , where , , and are integers and . The volume and the surface area of the box are numerically equal. How many ordered triples are possible? Question 24 Four circles, no two of which are congruent, have centers at , , , and , and points and lie on all four circles. The radius of circle is times the radius of circle , and the radius of circle is times the radius of circle . Furthermore, and . Let be the midpoint of . What is ? Question 25 A bee starts flying from point . She flies inch due east to point . For , once the bee reaches point , she turns counterclockwise and then flies inches straight to point . When the bee reaches she is exactly inches away from , where ,, and are positive integers and and are not divisible by the square of any prime. What is ?
Home > About Allergies > Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Kids Allergies? Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Kids Allergies? By: Matt Chittock - Updated: 9 Dec 2012 \| comments*Discuss Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Kids Allergies? Whether your child already suffers from an allergy - or just knows someone who does - it pays to have all the facts about allergies to hand. Searching this site is a great way to gather today all the necessary information that you'll need for the future. But how much do you know already? It's time to take our easy quiz and find out. Answer each question and then scroll to the end for the answers. Some are simple - others might surprise you! Part One: Allergy Facts and Figures 1. What percentage of UK residents currently suffer from an allergy? 2. How many people in the UK suffer from hay fever? • a. 2 million • b. 100,000 • c. 15 million 3. How many children currently suffer from food allergies? • a. One in a 100 • b. 25 in a hundred • c. Four out of 100 Part Two: True or False? 4. If you suffer from hay fever the best time to go outdoors is early in the morning. True or false? 5. People who claim they are allergic to dust are really reacting to microscopic mites. True or false? 6. Young children are more vulnerable to allergic reactions than adults. True or false? 7. Children are far more likely to develop an active allergy to a long-haired dog or cat than one with short hair. True or false? Part Three: Surprising Facts 8. Just how many individual dust mites (which can work to spark allergic reactions) do you share your bed with every night of the week? • a. Five • b. 10,000 • c. Four million 9. Which of the following common fruits widely available in the UK causes the most common allergic reaction? • a. Tomato • b. Kiwi • c. Apple • d. Banana • 10. Just how fast does a sneeze propel real bacteria out of your nose? • a. 12 mph • b. 50 mph • c. 100 mph Allergy Answers So how well did you do? Total up your scores and find out... 1. Research suggests that 25% of people in the UK currently suffer from some form of allergy. 2. The answer is c - making hay fever the UK's most common form of allergy. 3. The answer is c. 4. False. The pollen count tends to dip later on in the day between mid and late afternoon, so leave going outdoors for as long as practical! 5. True. Research suggests that between 100 and 500 mites live on each gramme of dust - and its these that cause an allergic reaction. 6. Sadly, it's true. Children can be more prone to allergic reactions than adults. 7. False. Most allergic reactions are caused by the saliva of cats and dogs and have nothing to do with the length of an animal's hair. 8. The answer is b. So make sure you change the sheets and hoover your mattress regularly. 9. The answer is a. The humble tomato is the main offender, so be careful of placing it on guests' plates without asking first! 10. The answer is c. Scientists have measured each sneeze going at the speed of 100 miles per hour. You might also like... Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice.. (never shown) (never shown) (never shown) (never shown) Enter word:
major events and dates from1763-1776 Timeline created by Fitzgerald Holm In History • Period: to Major events and dates from 1763 to 1776 The Treaty of Paris (1763) to the Declaration of Independence that influenced the 13 Colonies to Rebel. • Treaty of Paris Treaty of Paris At the end of the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years War, in North America. France was able to have all mainland in North American territories, but New Orleans was able to keep their Caribbean sugar islands. Britain was able to gained all territory east of the Mississippi River. Spain kept the territory west of the Mississippi river, but this was exchanged for East and West Florida for Cuba. • Proclamation Act Proclamation Act The Proclamation Act was declared by King George lll, This was after the French and Indian Was in North America, British were intended to conciliate the Native Americans by checking the encroachment for the settlers on their land. • Sugar Act Sugar Act The Sugar Act also The Plantation Act, This was the first law pasted by parliament to raise revenue for the crown from colonies. This increased the price and duty on sugar from the West indies. • Stamp Tax Stamp Tax This aimed to raise money or revenue to support the new military force, this also made people pay taxes on stamped paper or affixing stamps. But people in England had to pay a higher tax then the people in the colonies. • Quartering Act Quartering Act The Quartering Act required colonies to provide food and quarters for the British soldiers. After the colonies heard this they were very anger with the British. If the people didn't let the soldiers in there homes they had to go to admiralty courts • Townshend Act Townshend Act The township Act imposted a light import duty on glass, white lead, paper, paint, and tea. The British government also took some freedom from the colonist. • Boston Massacre Boston Massacre The colonist were taking the new taxes less seriously, this was because they found out they could get cheap tea by smuggling it. The Boston Massacre happened because of the Townshend Duties, the british soldiers fired at unarmed colonies and killed eight of the unarmed colonies. Nobody knows really what happened to start the soldiers to shoot but one rumor is that they were yelling fire because there was an actual fire right next to the colonest. • Tea Act Tea Act This act didn't raise any new taxes. This was to help out East India Company, this was a very big mess in a financial mess. The Company had a lot of left over tax and needed to sell it. So what they did was sell it to the colonies for a low price. The colonists were mad because the lower price hurt their own econome. • Boston Tea Party Boston Tea Party The Colonists had already refused shipment of the Company's tea. so a group of Colonist dressed up as Indians and boarded a British vessel and threw hundreds of chests of Tea into the harbor. • Intolerable Act Intolerable Act This was in response to the Boston Tea Party, the king passes more laws like, the Boston Harbor would be closed, The courts cases dealing with the British soldiers would take place in Britain. Massachusetts would be places under military Rule. • First Continental Congress First Continental Congress This started with 12 out of the 13 Colonies that met to discuss the Intolerable Act and to make sure that King George lll understood how they felt about the new laws. They pledged to meet in 1775 if their needs were not met. • Lexington and Conord Lexington and Conord The British regulars and Minuteman exchange fire at the two cities after the British discovered that the Colonists were storing ammunition. No one knows who fired the first shot this was seen as the point of no returning. • Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence was were Thomas Jefferson writes an inspiring document that summarizes the feelings of the Colonies toward the King. It also lists the reasons for which they declare their sovereignty.
Choosing POV (point of view) for your book. Writer's Blog Choosing POV (point of view) for your book. Choosing POV (point of view) for your book. POV is the point of view dealing with the narration of the story. Think of it as playing it as a movie in your head and you are going to pick scenes for your book, in which point of view you want to tell it from. There are four types of point views: First person pronoun “I” “me” “my” Second Person pronoun “you”, “you’re” Third Person Pronoun “He” “She” “her” “his” Third Person (omniscient) Choosing POV (point of view) for your book can be tricky and you have to pick the one you think is best for your story. You have to make sure; you carry on with the POV you have chosen. Meaning you don’t start with first person and then switch to second person as it can be confusing to follow along . Also your editor won’t be happy. Let discuss examples of Point of Views. First Person Choosing POV (point of view) for your book in first Person this most probably is the “easiest” and most common in fiction. If you haven’t encountered a book with this point of view, I don’t know what on earth you had been reading. Here your character is narrating the story and recounting directly what is happening. The reader will know what that character is thinking, feeling, and expressing his/herself in their unique way. Think of it as if you’re writing on a dairy. Here is an example from the masterpiece Catcher in the Rye. First person is limited. When you write in this narrative, keep my mind that your character will only say what he/she experienced. They can’t be everywhere so they can’t tell all sides of the story. The first person is basied. The reader will sympathize with the character even if he/she is an anti-hero. Keep in mind, there is the unreliable narrator, where the character choices not to say examples like Catcher in the Rye, Lolita or Gone girl. To Avoid. Because you decide to write in this point view it doesn’t mean your character has to be perfect or likable. Far from it. Take Lolita’s Humbert Humbert, I wouldn’t consider him likable at all but he is interesting. Anti-hero’s make a great first-person narrator’s. Make sure you “show” and not “ tell “ with the first person. This can be tricky is that you start writing I did this I did that I went there and met so-so. Remember, to use the five senses when it comes to writing: Second Person. Choosing POV (point of view) for your book in the second person. I’ve hardly read any Fiction in this point view, usually, it’s used when you compose an email, lyrics, and in nonfiction. Yet, when I read, two books in this perspective, which made me realize, how interesting it is. This gives a unique experience to the reader and the story feels more personal. It’s like the character is talking directly to the reader. This can effective for thrillers/mysteries, to increase the creepy element. Here is an example of what a second person narrative looks like from the amazing book that blew my mind called You “You are classic and compact, my own little Natalie Portman circa the end of the movie Closer, when she’s fresh-faced and done with the bad British guys and going home to America. You’ve come home to me, delivered at last, on a Tuesday, 10:06 A.M. Every day I commute to this shop on the Lower East Side from my place in Bed-Stuy. Every day I close up without finding anyone like you. Look at you, born into my world today. I’m shaking and I’d pop an Ativan but they’re downstairs and I don’t want to pop an Ativan. I don’t want to come down. I want to be here, fully, watching you bite your unpainted nails and turn your head to the left, no, bite that pinky, widen those eyes, to the right, no, reject biographies, self-help (thank God), and slow down when you make it to fiction.” I’m currently working on a book with this narrative and it’s so much fun you should try it 😉 Third Person (limited) Choosing POV (point of view) for your book in third person limited is when the narrator is recounting the story and is not present in it. Mainly it focuses on one particular character like in the Harry Potter books. JK Rowling focused only on Harry. “When he was dressed he went down the hall into the kitchen. The table was almost hidden beneath all Dudley’s birthday presents. It looked as though Dudley had gotten the new computer he wanted, not to mention the second television and the racing bike. Exactly why Dudley wanted a racing bike was a mystery to Harry, as Dudley was very fat and hated exercise — unless of course, it involved punching somebody. Dudley’s favorite punching bag was Harry, but he couldn’t often catch him. Harry didn’t look it, but he was very fast.” Third Person Omniscient This can be tricky to write but suitable if you have lots of characters. This gives the reader the experience to know what’s happening everywhere, and what your characters are thinking and feeling. I wrote a brief example here ‘What is taking you so long?’ Sarah yelled tapping her feet as anger began to rise through her belly. ‘In a minute,’ Jack said, thinking, why have I married this horrid monster of a wife. As he put on his jacket. Be careful to make your narration sound different from each other. It can be confusing to write in third person omniscient, not recommended for writers starting out. What is best is to use the method that J.R.R Martin uses in the Game of Thrones each character have separated scenes and chapter. There is no guide to pick which narrative to use for your story. The most common are the First person and Third person Limited. The trick is to experiment when it comes to writing. The more you write, the more you will learn, and enhance your craft. Happy writing xx You can also check out my other posts Basic methods of outlining a novel Nano Wrimo five tips to get started Stalk me on these other accounts Leave a Reply
Humming a Tune DATELINE: Tiny Speedster The littlest birdie in the world is the hummingbird, and you have David Attenborough ready to spill the beans in the heartbeat in this documentary from 2012 called, Hummingbirds. When in flight, their hearts beat around 1200 beats per minute. When they sleep at night, they go into a suspended animation that leaves their hearts beating 40 times per minute. It takes them half an hour in morning to wake up—and they are prime choice for predators in this condition. They must eat every fifteen minutes to keep their prodigious lifestyle. Besides flower nectar, they go after little bugs. They avoid bees whose sting could kill them. These remarkable mammals are the fastest, smallest, and most amazing of creatures: they came about ten million years after flowers and adapted to become the cold morning pollinator. Insects could not do the job. The hummingbird also is the most acrobatic flier in the world: he can fly backwards and upside down, unlike any other bird. Though they seemed to be most closely tied to South America and Brazil, they moved into the Andes Mountains soon thereafter—and a micro-version went to North America. They must eat every 15 minutes to keep up their energy, but there are so many mysteries about how they live, no scientist can say for sure. They migrate thousands of miles to Texas each year—and then must fatten up to make a flight across the Gulf of Mexico where there is no rest, no food, and no information on how they do it. But this film is stunning for the beauty of the birds that have iridescent feathers that explode in color when they are combative. Slow motion photography grants an opportunity to see what is too fast for the human eye normally.
Seed Banks and Molecular Maps: Unlocking Genetic Potential from the Wild See allHide authors and affiliations Science 22 Aug 1997: Vol. 277, Issue 5329, pp. 1063-1066 DOI: 10.1126/science.277.5329.1063 Nearly a century has been spent collecting and preserving genetic diversity in plants. Germplasm banks—living seed collections that serve as repositories of genetic variation—have been established as a source of genes for improving agricultural crops. Genetic linkage maps have made it possible to study the chromosomal locations of genes for improving yield and other complex traits important to agriculture. The tools of genome research may finally unleash the genetic potential of our wild and cultivated germplasm resources for the benefit of society. As we head into the next millennium, the world faces a greater demand on agricultural output than at any time in history. Despite efforts to curb birthrates, the Earth's human population is expected to rise to 8.9 billion by the year 2030, corresponding to more than a 50% increase from the current population of 5.7 billion (1). In the past, we have met the demand for increased agricultural productivity by a combination of genetic improvements, greater farming inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, and water), and cultivation of more land. With dwindling freshwater reserves and petroleum resources (on which fertilizers and pesticides are based) and increased problems caused by agricultural pollution, we can hardly expect to increase or even maintain our current levels of agricultural inputs. Similarly, much existing farmland is falling victim to urban expansion, and it is unlikely that new farmland will become available in the near future. That leaves the genetic improvement of crops as the most viable approach by which food production can attempt to keep pace with the anticipated growth of the human population. For the genetic approach to succeed, we must harness the wealth of genetic variation provided by nature and currently warehoused in our seed repositories. Until now we have been only modestly successful in utilizing these resources for plant improvement. New findings from genome research indicate that there is tremendous genetic potential locked up in seed banks that can be released only by shifting the paradigm from searching for phenotypes to searching for superior genes with the aid of molecular linkage maps. The Narrow Genetic Base of Crop Plants Today, modern agriculture—and, for that matter, human existence—is dependent on the cultivation of a few highly productive crop species. These food crops were first domesticated from wild species about 10,000 years ago during the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherers to life in agrarian societies. Considering that flowering plants first evolved over 150 million years ago, crop plants as we know them have existed for the mere blink of an evolutionary eye. Although the exact series of steps by which plants were domesticated is unknown, it is likely that strong selection pressure exerted by humans on the genetic diversity found in the wild resulted in rapid and radical changes in plant species (2). Certain traits, such as nonshattering of seeds, compact growth habit, or loss of germination inhibition, would have been selected by early agriculturists (3). Selective propagation of lines containing these favorable mutations would have resulted in a progressive narrowing of the genetic base of subsequent populations (Fig.1). Figure 1 Genetic bottlenecks imposed on crop plants during domestication and through modern plant-breeding practices. Boxes represent allelic variations of genes originally found in the wild, but gradually lost through domestication and breeding. Such lost alleles can be recovered only by going back to the wild ancestors of our crop species. Following domestication, the genetic variation in crop plants has continued to be reduced by another force—modern plant breeding. Over the past century, the development and successful application of plant-breeding methodologies has produced the high-yielding crop varieties on which modern agriculture is based. Yet, ironically, it is the plant-breeding process itself that threatens the genetic base on which breeding depends. Because new varieties are usually derived from crosses among genetically related modern varieties, genetically more variable, but less productive, primitive ancestors are excluded. Soybeans and wheat are good examples of crops with very narrow genetic bases. Virtually all modern U.S. soybean varieties can be traced back to a dozen strains from a small area in northeastern China, and the majority of hard red winter wheat varieties in the United States originated from just two lines imported from Poland and Russia (4, 5). The limited genetic diversity of crops renders them more vulnerable to disease and insect epidemics and jeopardizes the potential for sustained genetic improvement over the long term (5). This risk was brought sharply into focus in 1970 with the outbreak of Southern corn leaf blight. This disease drastically reduced corn yields in the United States and was attributed to extensive use of a single genetic male sterility factor that, unfortunately, was genetically linked to disease susceptibility (6). World Germplasm Resources Over six decades ago, Vavilov (2) first called attention to the potential of crop relatives as a source of genes for improving agriculture. It was this promise that motivated the establishment of gene banks, living seed collections focused primarily on races and species that are closely related to crop plants (collectively referred to as “exotics”). In addition, a report commissioned by the National Academy of Sciences in response to the Southern corn leaf blight disaster recommended placing much greater emphasis on collecting and preserving the genetic diversity in crop species, especially that present in the remaining populations of wild ancestors (7). One result of that report was the formation of the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, which was charged with overseeing worldwide efforts in plant collection and preservation (8). Worldwide, there are more than 700 documented seed collections holding an estimated 2.5 million entries including many exotics (Table1) (8). The United States alone spends about $20 million per year on germplasm acquisition and preservation, a testament to the importance of these collections (Fig.2). While it is important to collect and preserve genetic variation in seed banks, these activities are not sufficient to ensure the future productivity of agriculture. The establishment and maintenance of seed banks must be coupled with the ability to actively utilize the materials in those collections. In this regard, we have fallen far short of expectations. While there is a general belief that genes useful for improving crops are contained in these seed banks, the reality is that plant scientists have been largely unsuccessful in finding and extracting such genes. The vast majority of the accessions in gene banks make no contribution to modern varieties, particularly with respect to complex traits such as yield and nutritional quality. As a result, crop improvement is still practiced on a narrow genetic base. DNA-based genetic comparisons of modern cultivars and ancestral wild types found in germplasm banks reflect this situation (Fig. 3). Figure 2 Cryopreservation of seed stocks at USDA–Agricultural Research Service (ARS) National Seed Storage Laboratory, Fort Collins, Colorado. [Photo courtesy of USDA-ARS Information Services] Figure 3 Pie diagrams depicting proportion of genetic variation (as measured through DNA polymorphisms) found in cultivated rice [Oryza sativa spp. indica (blue) and japonica (yellow)] (9) and cultivated tomato (L. esculentum) (10) versus their wild relatives (exotics, green). Exotics include only those lines that cross readily with their domesticated counterparts. Table 1 Estimated number of seed bank entries worldwide for selected crops [reprinted from (8)]. View this table: As we look toward the future, we must reflect upon the rationale for collecting and maintaining germplasm and reexamine the ways in which we are using these genetic resources. Recent applications of genome mapping suggest that the genetic diversity stored in germplasm banks can be utilized with a much higher level of efficiency than previously imagined. However, if we are to discover the true potential of the seeds carefully locked away in gene banks, we must change the way we think about our germplasm resources and be willing to approach the utilization of these living collections in new and innovative ways. Strategies for the Evaluation and Utilization of Germplasm The old paradigm: Looking for the phenotype. The traditional approach to the utilization of exotic germplasm is to screen entries from a gene bank for a clearly defined character, recognizable in the phenotype (physical appearance). Once a line with the desired characteristic has been identified, it is crossed with an elite cultivar in order to introduce the genes from the exotic donor into the cultivated type. This approach works well when the trait of interest is controlled by one or a few genes. For example, wild germplasm has been used with great success in breeding for simply inherited resistance to diseases and insects (8). The resistance characters selected by means of this approach are almost always conditioned by single, dominant genes that can be readily transferred into elite cultivars through established breeding procedures. Generally, resistance screening requires inoculating hundreds or thousands of entries with a given pathogen or insect. One or more highly resistant lines are identified and used as donors of the trait in subsequent crossing experiments. Though effective for certain specific characters, only a small proportion of the genetic variation inherent in exotic germplasm will ever be exploited for crop improvement as a result of this strategy. Most traits important to agriculture, such as yield, are conditioned not by single genes, but by many genes. The yield of wild and unadapted accessions found in germplasm banks is invariably much lower than that of modern elite cultivars. For example, in rice, an accession of the wild ancestor Oryza rufipogon yields only a fraction of that of a modern Chinese hybrid (Fig.4). Crop domestication and plant breeding have been extremely successful at increasing the frequency of beneficial alleles for yield at many loci. As a result, breeders have persisted in making crosses among closely related, high-yielding varieties, unable to rationalize a search for yield-enhancing genes in low-yielding ancestral types. Yet, considering how many genes are likely to influence yield, it is unlikely that modern cultivars have the best alleles for yield at all yield-related loci. Many beneficial alleles have undoubtedly been left behind because of the bottlenecks imposed by domestication coupled with years of modern breeding and selection within adapted gene pools. Thus, although wild and exotic germplasm is perceived to be a poor bet for the improvement of most traits based on phenotypic examination, it is quite possible that some favorable genes (alleles) lie buried amidst the thousands of accessions maintained in gene banks which, if they could be found, might be of great value to crop improvement. Implementing strategies for finding those genes requires a major shift in the paradigm for using our genetic resources. Figure 4 (Left) Wild rice species O. rufipogonfrom Malaysia. [Photo courtesy of C. Martinez, Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical] (Right) Modern rice variety from China. Although wild species are low yielding, they contain genes that can significantly increase the yield of modern rice varieties and provide much needed enrichment of the domestic gene pool. The new paradigm: Looking for the genes. Genetic linkage maps based on molecular markers have now been developed for most major crop species, as well as for a number of minor species ( These maps have been important in a number of applications in plant science including the localization of genetic loci that condition agronomically important traits, positional gene cloning, comparative mapping, and marker-assisted selection in breeding (12). Perhaps their most profound impact has been in the study of complex, or quantitatively inherited, traits. Molecular linkage maps have made it possible to identify, map, and study the effects of the individual loci that control a quantitatively inherited trait (quantitative trait loci, or QTLs) (13). Studies from plants (mainly crop plants) have led to several interesting discoveries. Before the QTL era of quantitative genetics, it was assumed that complex traits were determined by a large number of genes of relatively small and equal effect (14). However, QTL analysis has revealed that while most complex traits are controlled by a number of loci, the effects of those loci are not equal. Often a substantial portion of the genetic variation in a population can be explained by a few QTLs of moderately large effects. The second significant discovery was that the phenotype of a plant is, at best, only a modest predictor of its genetic potential. For example, if one line of rice is high yielding and another low yielding, one might assume that the high-yielding type possesses most, if not all, of the genes for high yield and that the low-yielding parent has little or nothing to offer in this regard. However, when populations derived from such crosses are examined with molecular markers and the loci controlling yield are identified, a much different picture emerges. While the high-yielding line often does contain a great number of positive alleles at the loci associated with yield, there are almost always some loci for which the inferior parent contributes a superior allele (11, 15). The implications of these findings are profound with respect to germplasm utilization. They suggest that using phenotypic evaluation to determine the breeding value of an accession is likely to be misleading, especially with respect to quantitative traits. Thus, we have been screening germplasm in a way that fails to expose its potential. A corollary is that exotic germplasm is a likely source of new and valuable genes capable of increasing yield and other complex traits important to agriculture and that molecular linkage maps will enable us to find them. The paradigm needs to shift away from selecting potential parents on the basis of phenotype to evaluating them directly for the presence of useful genes. The tools that make such an analysis possible are molecular maps and the integrative power of QTL analysis. Exploitation of Genetic Resources Based on Molecular Maps Rice and tomato are representatives of the two major classifications of flowering plants. A monocot and member of the grass family, rice is one of a large number of staple cereal crops including wheat, barley, oat, maize, sorghum, and millet. Tomato is a dicot, a classification it shares with a varied assortment of other crops such as potato, cassava, soybeans, sugarbeet, cotton, lettuce, and sunflower. A gene-based approach to screening exotic germplasm has been tested in these two species. The strategy involves the use of molecular linkage maps and a breeding technique, referred as to the advanced backcross QTL method, that allows a subset of alleles from the wild or exotic plant to be examined in the genetic background of an elite cultivar (16). The molecular linkage map is used to identify the chromosomal position of “wild” alleles that have been transmitted into the progeny, to determine which of the wild species introgressions are associated with superior performance of lines, and to purify lines so that they contain only a specific “wild QTL” in an elite genetic background. The prediction is that the modified elite lines will perform even better than the original elite cultivar. In tomato, where the most extensive experiments have been conducted, lines have been created that contain specific QTLs from the wild species Lycopersicon hirsutum and that outperform the original elite variety by 48, 22, and 33% for yield, soluble solids content, and fruit color, respectively (17). Moreover, the performance of these lines has been confirmed under different growing conditions around the world (17). The magnitude of these improvements is substantial if we consider that the normal yearly improvement for these traits achieved through traditional breeding is less than 1% per year (18). The dramatic improvement in red fruit color (attributable to the pigment lycopene) is especially remarkable considering that the wild tomato lacks an active enzyme for the last step in the pathway and cannot synthesize lycopene (fruits remain green even when ripe) (Fig. 5A). Apparently, the wild tomato contains genes (alleles) that can enhance earlier steps in the biosynthetic pathway leading to lycopene which, when combined with an active form of the gene for lycopene synthesis from cultivated tomato, leads to even higher levels of pigment production in the interspecific offspring (Fig. 5B). Similarly, fruit size has been increased in cultivated tomato lines by the introduction of genes, identified through molecular mapping from the small-fruited ancestor L. pimpinellifolium (19) (Fig. 5C). These results serve to underscore the point that exotic germplasm often contains genes that are capable of improving traits important to humans. This could not have been predicted from phenotypic evaluation alone, nor could the useful genes be readily discovered without the aid of QTL mapping. Figure 5 (A) Wild tomato species L. hirsutum from Peru that produces small, inedible fruit that does not turn red upon ripening. (B) (Left) Fruit from modern processing tomato cultivar E6203. (Right) Fruit from nearly isogenic line (NIL) into which QTL for increased red pigment has been transferred from L. hirsutum by the advanced backcross QTL method (17). (C) (Top left) Fruit from L. pimpinellifolium from Peru that produces small berries typical of most fruit-bearing wild species. (Top right) Fruit from modern processing tomato cultivar E6203. (Bottom center) Fruit from NIL into which QTL for increased fruit size has been transferred from L. pimpinellifolium by the advanced backcross QTL method. Fruit of this NIL are significantly larger (∼10%) than the original E6203 variety (19). The superior lines described above were created in a two-step process. The QTLs were discovered in an advanced backcross generation (BC2) and, on the basis of that information, new lines were selected containing specific QTL alleles from the wild species. The odds of such favorable genetic combinations occurring by chance and without marker-assisted selection are extremely low. Thus far in tomato, the genomes of four wild species have been screened by means of the advanced backcross QTL method. While some putatively allelic QTLs have been identified in comparisons among these species, more than 50% of the beneficial QTLs discovered in each experiment appear to be unique to the species tested (20). This suggests that continued sampling of wild germplasm is likely to be rewarded with new gene discoveries. It also raises the possibility of creating new crop varieties with a mixture of beneficial genes coming from several different wild ancestors—genotypes that can be efficiently created through molecular breeding. In rice, conventional hybrid varieties developed at the National Hybrid Rice Research Center (NHRRC) in China outyield the best Chinese inbreds and are among the most productive rice varieties in the world. Experiments were recently conducted to determine whether genes from the low-yielding wild ancestor O. rufipogon could significantly enhance yields of one of China's most productive rice hybrids. When the advanced backcross method was used to examine alleles from the wild species in the genetic background of the elite Chinese hybrid, two QTLs were identified that each increased yield ∼17% compared with the original hybrid. Moreover, the wild alleles identified in this study appear to be free of many of the negative effects often associated with yield enhancement in cultivated germplasm (21). Similar results have been observed in three other experiments conducted independently in Korea and Colombia (21). The results from both tomato and rice indicate that exotic germplasm does contain many new and useful genes that can significantly enhance agricultural production, even for complex traits like yield. They also demonstrate that the phenotype of exotic germplasm is a poor predictor of its genetic potential and that, until we begin applying molecular mapping techniques like the advanced backcross QTL method that allow us to identify genes, it is unlikely that we will realize the benefits to agriculture of most genetic resources. Strategies for Sampling Exotic Germplasm Considering the large number of exotic accessions in seed banks and the limited amount of time and resources available, how do we decide which accessions to sample in order to maximize the chance of finding new and useful genes? Realistically, this question can be answered only after further studies have been conducted involving molecular maps and exotic germplasm. However, one principle seems likely to emerge: The sampling of exotic germplasm should emphasize the genetic composition rather than appearance of exotic accessions. With the use of DNA profiles, the genetic uniqueness of each accession in a seed bank, relative to all other accessions, can be determined and quantified (22). Accessions with DNA profiles most distinct from that of modern germplasm are likely to contain the greatest number of novel alleles. It is in these accessions that one is most likely to uncover the largest number of unique and potentially agronomically useful alleles. The DNA profiling necessary to make such sampling decisions has already been accomplished or is underway in most crops (22). In tomato and rice, exotic germplasm accessions for use with the advanced backcross QTL method have been selected on the basis of genetic uniqueness with the following two criteria: (i) the exotic accession had to possess a significant number of unique DNA polymorphisms (throughout the genome) relative to modern cultivars and (ii) each new exotic had to be genetically dissimilar (on the basis of DNA profiling) to previously sampled exotics. This strategy has resulted in the sampling of accessions representing the broadest possible spectrum of wild species and races present in the seed banks. With each sampling of a new exotic accession, a high proportion (∼50%) of new and useful QTL alleles has been identified (20). As the results accumulate from molecular mapping studies in crop plants, patterns are likely to emerge concerning the chromosomal positions of key loci controlling yield and other important traits. Once this information becomes available, one can imagine sampling exotic germplasm for targeted areas of the genome through backcross breeding and the generation of allelic series in nearly isogenic lines that could then be evaluated agronomically. Such targeted studies can be conducted more rapidly and at less expense than whole-genome studies. Eventually, the genes underlying yield-enhancing QTLs will be cloned, and at that time we can imagine that methods like the polymerase chain reaction will allow allelic variants at these loci to be selectively amplified and sequenced from large numbers of exotic accessions. We can expect that such gene-based searches will ultimately be extended beyond the realm of sexually compatible species so that homologous genes from other genera and families can be tested for optimum performance by a transgenic approach. Molecular Breeding and Germplasm Utilization in the Future We are fortunate to be living at a time when genetic engineering holds much promise for modifying crop performance. However, most of the advances thus far in genetic engineering have been directed toward traits other than yield, largely because of the complexity of this trait. The wide repertoire of genetic variants created and selected by nature over hundreds of millions of years is contained in our germplasm banks in the form of exotic accessions. More than 50 years ago, Vavilov predicted the value to agriculture of collecting and maintaining the wild relatives of crop plants in gene banks. Owing to the advent of molecular mapping and the ability to scan the genomes of wild species for new and useful genes, we may now be in a position to unlock the genetic potential of these germplasm resources. View Abstract Stay Connected to Science Navigate This Article
Britain’s Desperate Response to U-Boats Short decks and Swordfish Air & Space Magazine \| Subscribe Barely two hours after Great Britain declared war on Germany at the start of World War II, a U-boat torpedoed the British ocean liner SS Athenia, killing more than 60 of the 1,500 aboard and beginning the long, harrowing Battle of the Atlantic. From that sinking on September 3, 1939, until three weeks before the German surrender in May 1945, the U-boats struck. The worst year was 1942, when more than 1,000 Allied ships were lost, along with their cargoes of fuel, food, and materiel on which Britain depended for survival. The British had a shocking answer to the submarine menace: a 1934 open-cockpit biplane with fixed landing gear and a cruise speed of around 100 mph. The bigger shock: It worked. The Fairey Swordfish prototype bore the initials TSR for torpedo, spotter, reconnaissance. It had a crew of three: pilot, observer (navigator), and telegraphist–air gunner. A load hauler for the time, it could carry a 1,600-pound torpedo or 1,500 pounds of depth charges, rockets, or mines. So various were the stores loaded on the airplane that it got the nickname “Stringbag” for the British housewife’s shopping sack, which could expand to carry almost anything. But its chief virtue was its easy handling. The landing approach speed of about 65 mph made it ideal for the small carriers from which many had to operate: merchant ships rigged with flight decks, called merchant aircraft carriers, or MACships. “There was a well-worn jest amongst Swordfish pilots that the enemy had no speed settings on their gunsights as low as the Stringbag’s cruising speed of 90 knots,” writes pilot Charles Lamb in To War in a Stringbag, “and therefore a Swordfish could only be hit by shells aimed at a flight astern. This was an exaggeration, of course, yet there was an element of uneasy truth in the statement.” The biplane’s sluggishness was beneficial in other circumstances. During his training as a pilot in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Jack Thomas was practicing a night rocket attack on a dummy U-boat target when the engine on his Swordfish failed. At an altitude of 1,000 feet over a dark English bay, he shouted, “The engine’s stopped!” to which his new observer replied, “That’s your department.” It was a moonless, starlit night and the sea could just be seen as a dark shining surface. Thomas slowed and tried to ditch as close to the shore as possible. His observer had started to say they had 300 feet to go, when they hit the water—all one-half inch of it. The wheels ripped off, then the wings in a cloud of spray and mud. The rest of the Swordfish slid for 200 feet before coming to a halt in the wet sand of a tidal flat. Realizing they were safe, the crew broke into a fit of giggling. Landing a Swordfish on a MACship in the Atlantic could be almost as violent an experience, with every trap accompanied by the same sense of giddy relief. In his book Achtung! Swordfish! Stanley Brand recalls his experience as a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. On patrol to find stragglers that had become lost during a storm so he could lead them back to the convoy, he had been flying for three hours—the final one spent struggling against gale-force winds to get back to his ship. In the open cockpit of the Swordfish, Brand was numb with cold and fatigue. As he flew closer to his small carrier, he could see the batsman, or deck landing control officer, on his tiny platform with his arms raised, disks in his hands, ready to signal him aboard. The ship was pitching and rolling in the heavy Atlantic swells. It would take all of the batsman’s skills, all of Brand’s flying ability, and a dose of good luck to land safely. Timing was everything. The aircraft had to be descending steadily to arrive as the stern of the ship was sinking to about three feet above the ship’s lowest point. There was usually a steady moment at the lowest point before the stern started to rise again; it was then that the “cut” signal was given: Pull the engine to idle and drop the nose. The uphill slope of the deck helped bring the aircraft to a halt and reduced the load on the arrester wire. It would have been very difficult at this point to go around because the Swordfish was at its lowest, and obstructions forward were highest. The ship’s roll also had to be considered. The best touchdown coincided with the middle of a roll from starboard to port so that the left side was going down and an escape route free from obstruction—except for the batsman on his platform—was available to the pilot who could swing violently left over the side of the ship, gun it, and with luck stay airborne. Brand landed safely. Months later, his aircraft emerged from heavy fog just in time for him to see his ship and, in the same instant, the batsman waving him off. With no time to react, he bore down on the batsman, who hurled himself over the side to land in the safety net, hanging just below his station. More than one batsman had to leap for the net, according to pilot John Beresford. The Swordfish’s radar antenna hung from the lower wingtip, “like a carving knife about 18 inches long,” he says. “You couldn’t duck if it came too close. You had to jump into the net.” Unlike American landing signal officers, DLCOs were responsible for aircraft launching, refueling, and overall flight deck discipline. Sub-Lieutenant Jack Thomas flew the Swordfish from November 1943 to February 1945, when he was ordered to train as a batsman. “I wasn’t too pleased at first but found that I had a natural ability and really began to enjoy the job,” he recalled in a recent e-mail. In order to make himself more visible to the pilots, Thomas created a new “batting rig” of a red rugby shirt, a blue and white cap, and a fluorescent disk on his chest. Batsmen were not permitted to fly although they were pilots; some, in fact, had so many hours flying in combat that they suffered from battle fatigue. “Often the best DLCO’s were pilots of long flying experience who developed a nervous disposition because of stress caused by over-exposure to dangerous activity without relief,” Stanley Brand wrote in notes for a series of lectures he gave on his Royal Navy experience. “Unlike the RAF which gave seven days leave every eight weeks to operational aircrew with a second-line posting after 30 operational flights, the Fleet Air Arm had insufficient manpower, or willpower, to adopt a similar policy. “Men of great experience, living on their nerves but with the courage to carry on in spite of their misgivings were ideal subjects to become DLCOs and an inappropriate comment sometimes made by the insensitive was ‘He may be a new DLCO, but it is obvious that he has been bats for ages.’ ” On the 460-foot deck of an oil tanker turned aircraft carrier, two Swordfishes rest, one with wings folded. (Courtesy Reichsmarine Forum) Somewhere over England in the 1930s, a pilot and observer train in a Fairey Swordfish for a war they don’t know is coming. (NASM (1A43540)) A 1,600-pound torpedo could make a sizable splash. (Nigel Clarke / Alamy) Britain’s Royal Navy Historic Flight’s Swordfish, pushed and pulled at a 2001 airshow in Scotland, is a Blackfish, the name for those built by Blackburn Aircraft. (Gerry Hill) Thomas’ training group was among 450 airmen at Royal Naval Air Station Maydown, in Northern Ireland, home of 836 Squadron. (Courtesy Robert Powell) Jack Thomas in June 1944. (Courtesy Robert Powell) Swordfishes being positioned on the narrow deck of a grainer MAC. (Courtesy Robert Powell) HMS Empire MacAlpine was the first MAC to be commissioned, in April 1943. (Imperial War Museum) Vintage Wings of Canada offers joyrides in the only airworthy Swordfish in North America: $1,000 for 20 minutes. (Richard Mallory Allnutt) Facing rearward, a telegraphist–air gunner was responsible for sending and receiving Morse code as well as protecting the Swordfish from enemy fighters. (Fleet Air Arm Archive) So dire was the supply shortage in 1942 that the British had no time to wait for escort carriers to be built from the keel up. Instead, the admiralty directed ship makers to transform oil tankers and grain haulers into carriers by building flight decks atop them. These types of ships were selected because of their size and because oil and grain were both pumped on and off instead of being lowered by crane into a hold. The MACships could continue to carry grain and oil while operating aircraft. Nineteen MACships went into service between April 1943 and April 1944 and operated throughout the war. Thirteen were tankers weighing 8,000 tons and having flight decks 460 feet long. Six were grain ships whose decks were 40 feet shorter. Grain-carrying MACs had a hangar below the flight deck into which airplanes could be lowered for storage and maintenance, but the tanker MACs did not. On an oiler MACship, when one aircraft was landing, the other had to be moved forward of the barrier abeam the island, the ship’s command center. All maintenance had to be done on deck as well. Since convoys were routed as far north as possible, there was only four hours of daylight much of the year. The only lights permitted on deck were flashlights, and those had cardboard over the lamps, with quarter-inch holes for light to shine through. In his lecture notes, Stanley Brand wrote, “Refueling, rearming, and correction of electrical and mechanical defects had to be carried out largely by feel.” Both ships were narrow, a mere 62 feet wide. The Swordfish’s wings, with a span of 45 feet, were eight feet from the deck edges—when the aircraft was on the centerline—except beside the island where the clearance was only 27 inches. MACships were poor sea-keepers. They “rolled like a pig with waves from abeam,” wrote Brand, due to the weight, much of it 30 feet above the waterline, added during conversion. A mix of Merchant and Royal Navy personnel set to sea on a MACship. The captain (who had been through a rushed, two-week training course) and ship’s crew were civilian. The aviation detachment, which came from 836 Squadron, based at Maydown in Northern Ireland, typically consisted of four Royal Navy pilots, four observers, and a DLCO—all commissioned officers. Enlisted men included four telegraphist–air gunners, a chief petty officer in charge of maintenance, two fitters (for engines), two riggers (for airframes), one electrician, and a radio-and-radar technician. Flight operations with three or four Swordfish were run by an air staff officer, usually an observer with the rank of lieutenant commander. The Swordfish telegraphist–air gunner, or TAG, monitored Morse code coming in on the radio. He was not allowed to transmit except in an emergency or when in contact with the enemy. Royal Navy rules prevented him, as an enlisted man, from associating with officers—including during flight briefings. He met with his pilot and observer only at the airplane. According to Jack Thomas, the Swordfishes were sent to patrol various areas, based on intelligence received by the commodore of the convoy. Encrypted radio messages between U-boats and their command centers, intercepted and decoded by British technicians, gave away the positions of the submarines. “The successful use of aircraft patrols was not only to sink the U‑boats,” Thomas adds, “but to deter them by keeping them submerged, where they were slower than the convoy—a case of preventative medicine.” Comment on this Story comments powered by Disqus
Ambergris - Gastro Obscura Ingredients & Condiments Whale excrement once flavored ice cream. Occasionally, a rogue squid beak gets lodged in a sperm whale’s intestines. To protect its soft innards against the sharp irritant, the animal produces a waxy secretion called ambergris (“gray amber”), much like an oyster forming a pearl. Excreted ambergris is turned into a rock-like mass by saltwater and sunshine. By the time the weather-beaten clump reaches shore, it may be worth thousands of dollars. Unlike a pearl, this protective material isn’t much to look at, but its odor is something to behold. According to one molecular biologist who studies the substance, ambergris evokes “leaf litter on a forest floor” as well as “the delicate, frilly undersides of mushrooms that grow in damp and shaded places.” Throughout history, ambergris has been most prized in perfumery, but cooks began publishing recipes using the substance around 1660. The English valued ambergris not only for its sweet and earthy fragrance, but because cooking with a luxury ingredient felt, well, luxurious. Early recipes skewed toward desserts and decadent dishes. Sweet and savory bread puddings were particularly popular: One recipe called for sweetened almonds, rose water, bread, cream, egg, sugar, nutmeg, bone marrow, and “muske and amber grease.” As the trend of ambergris-enhanced recipes continued into the 18th century, medicinal drinks, gelatins, and posset (an ale-spiked hot custard drink) all featured the substance. Eventually, perfume-y scents fell out of food fashion and were replaced by flavors such as vanilla. Today, the substance once known as “gray amber” exists in a legal gray area. In the United Kingdom and European Union, beachcombers can safely scavenge for ambergris and sell it online. But in the United States, even though the Food and Drug Administration recognizes ambergris as safe, it’s illegal to possess or trade because sperm whales are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. However, because ambergris scavenging isn’t harmful to whales—and because the product is viewed as excrement—users aren’t typically prosecuted. Recently, food historian Sarah Lohman made multiple attempts at recreating a 17th-century recipe for ambergris ice cream. Tasters thought the better batch was pleasantly floral and mossy, while the lesser one evoked barnyard and armpit. Need to Know Ambergris is technically illegal to possess or trade in the United States and Australia. This technicality doesn't seem to incite enforcement or stop people from possessing and trading it. Where to Try It • No Locations Yet Community Discussion Contributed by rachelrummel rachelrummel Add your photos
Bill Gates Has a Positive Impact on Society 945 Words4 Pages Without a society integrated with technology, communication and productivity would be hindered not only on a person level, but a global and commercial scale. Bill Gates, an American entrepreneur, found success from being the co-founder of Microsoft and designing and developing software for the Personal Computer (How to be a Billionaire). William Henry Gates III was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. He was the second child and only son of William Henry Gates Jr. and Mary Maxwell Gates. His father, being a Seattle attorney and his mother being a schoolteacher helped him achieve his brilliant state. In middle school, Gates developed an interest in computer science, a path which allowed him to explicate the smarts he obtained…show more content… The relationships behind the data are so extreme that it is expected that humans could not pick up on them. None of this would be possible without the advances of computer technology over the past few decades. And Bill Gates, with his advances in the personal computer industry, was a significant contributor to scientific research. Bill Gates not only brought the scientific revolution into existence, his software helped make information available to a more informed public. Staying abreast with current events and news is essential to keeping updated with human affairs. News allows two people to come together in support or in opposition of events, helping us Americans express our first amendment right of freedom of speech. To many it would seem plausible that such an important matter needed to be accessed at any time; Bill Gates and Microsoft’s software were driving factors in making this a reality. Having access to the internet is vital for staying updated in our world’s constantly changing news. Obtaining all viewpoints is difficult when watching television or listening to the radio, while with the internet, the quantity of viewpoints is abundant. On a typical of American people “23% (…) get their news online” (Where do we get our news?). Of the twenty three percent of people who get their news online, “56% get their news from a personal computer” (Distribution, 27 Percent). Without a Open Document
In Defence of Human Rights. Updated: Feb 12 Recent events in current affairs have shown how world leaders have failed to uphold human right regulations per the UN human rights charter, on the basis that they are culturally inappropriate, or eroding the sovereignty of their respective nation-states. As such, I feel it necessary to remind my readers, and myself above all (!), why such actions are morally wrong and how human rights are logically, and morally, justifiable. The following essay argues that we should institutionalise a set of universal human rights even if they are not universally accepted. This assertion is made because there is a moral obligation for all states to provide their citizens with an institutionalized set of human rights. To prove this, I will evaluate cultural relativist arguments through a cosmopolitan lens with reference to specific concepts outlined by John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Immanuel Kant. I conclude that a set of human rights should be institutionalised and universally applied regardless of cultural relativists objections. To argue for an institutionalized set of universal human rights, with reference to cosmopolitanism on the one hand, and the criticisms posed by cultural relativists on the other, definitions of these two concepts are required. Cultural relativism is an important concept and an appropriate focus for this essay because it provides a key challenge to the notion of institutionalisation of a universal set of human rights. For the purposes of this assessment, cultural relativism is understood to refer to the recognition that social understandings of morals, ethics, and social practices, are dependent on the immediate surrounding culture, and therefore vary according to a given culture. Cosmopolitanism believes that moral values are universal to all, regardless of individual differences because we are all citizens of the world, due to the shared biological fact that we are all humans. With these definitions in mind, I can critically assess cultural relativist claims opposing the concept of institutionalising a universally applicable set of human rights, and this can be compared to the cosmopolitan perspective which takes essentially the contrary view. The concept of a universally institutionalised set of human rights for moral reasons is challenged by cultural relativism. This challenge usually revolves around the claim that one culture cannot impose its own ethics and morals on another, because these morals or ethics may not be relevant or appropriate to the culture they are imposed. This idea has a certain logic when framed by the work of John Locke. Locke discusses how humans have a right to a set of natural “inalienable” human rights, rights independent of a social structure/civic society. In addition, he says these inalienable rights cannot be determined by individual states because each state will have a different view of civic rights. Locke makes a clear distinction between what morally constitutes and makes a human right morally binding by focusing on the concept of social structure. From the perspective of a cultural relativist, Locke appears to endorse their approach in opposing the notion that one society can define or impose their human rights on another when referring to civic rights. To better highlight this relationship between cultural relativism and the theory of human rights presented by Locke, let us consider the hypothetical situation of Country A and Country B. Country A provides certain rights for its citizens that fall within the Lockean concept of natural rights. However, as a consequence of ethnic and religious discrimination, it does not provide large portions of its population with the right to vote. In contrast, Country B not only provides natural human rights but also voting rights for all members of its society, regardless of ethnic or religious differences. Lockean thought would suggest that neither country has violated a human right because both countries provide natural rights for their citizens. So, Country B is wrong to assume that Country A is morally obliged to provide all its citizens with the right to vote, nor would it be correct in claiming Country A is violating the human rights of its citizens because, per Locke, the right to vote is not a natural right, rather a civic right dependent on the social structure of that society. Therefore, cultural relativists could argue how a set of civic rights in any country cannot be subject to criticism from other countries because they are not natural rights. Yet by Lockean’s theory of inalienable natural rights, it would be implied that countries arguing from a cultural relativist perspective would still have to provide natural rights, which would be universal rather than dependent on particular social structures. This logic is furthered by the cosmopolitan view of natural human rights being universally morally binding due to the biological nature of being humans. Cultural relativists, therefore, are morally wrong because there remains a moral obligation for states to provide a set of natural human rights for their citizens, as emphasised by Locke. In fact, there is an inherent unfairness in granting certain states the benefit of the doubt regarding their civic rights, so long as they provide citizens with their natural rights per the Lockean concept of inalienable rights. To prevent the danger of allowing certain societies, embracing the cultural relativist perspective, from determining their cultural interpretation of rights for their citizens, I offer the ‘Social Contract theory’ of Jean-Jacques Rousseau as a solution. The Social Contract theory of Rousseau argues how humans are easily corrupted due to human nature. To prevent this, they willingly enter a Social Contract with a sovereign authority (eg the state). The contract would legitimize state power over the individual, by seeing those same individuals voluntarily sacrifice certain liberties for the common goal of a society which, in return, sustains and supports certain fundamental individual freedoms. Furthermore, Rousseau claims any coercive state power should be viewed as illegitimate because it jeopardizes individual freedoms guaranteed by the voluntarily signed Social Contract between the state and the citizen. Since Rousseau viewed coercive power as illegitimate, citizens were morally justified to rebel against such a state to ensure those guaranteed liberties. I propose the implementation of the Social Contract theory on a global scale, by changing the notion of citizenship from a state level to an international level as suggested by cosmopolitanism. This reinforces the validity of the cosmopolitan argument that posits a universal set of human rights for all. From a cultural relativist perspective, however, this proposal could be rejected, including with reference to Rousseau, since he did not originally intend for a universal Social Contract. As such, this concept could be argued to be state-dependent, rather than universal proving problematic for the cosmopolitan basis of my argument. Conversely, however, this argument has been shown, by both Sen and Donnelly, to be a justification for authoritarian rule. Since authoritarian regimes typically coerce their citizens to conform to their society’s principles; they are therefore illegitimate by the standards of Rousseau. Consequently, according to Rousseau, cultural relativists cannot justify their lack of an institutionalised set of universal human rights based on culture, because they risk violating the Social Contract entered into between the citizens and the state. Therefore, this defeats the challenge posed by cultural relativists that a universal Social Contract is not justifiable because cultural relativists have been shown to frequently seek justification for authoritarian rule which conflicts with the rules of Rousseau’s Social Contract. With reference to Kant’s concept of the categorical imperative, it is possible to extend and elaborate Rousseau’s argument which in itself reinforces the cosmopolitan view that it is morally justified to bind all states to an institutionalised universal set of human rights. According to Kant, morality is determined by the intellect of an individual and the consideration of others, and it should thus be made universal. Morality could not be universal if dependent on religion as this would cause a variance as to what constitutes a moral right between two individuals of different faiths. To argue for a universal moral law, Kant refers to his four categorical imperatives. I have chosen to select the “Formula of Humanity” (FoH) principle as it directly correlates and supplements the cosmopolitan emphasis of my argument. In FoH, Kant states that only by considering how everyone is an “end[s] in themselves” people can rely on others for personal advancement. Treating someone as an “end in themselves” means sympathizing with their personal freedoms. In addition, a recognition that they must agree to be used in a certain way for the treatment to be considered moral is also necessary to establish. Simply put, for Person A to adhere to a universal moral rule they must not use Person B for their own gain, Person B must agree to be used. Failing to adhere to this logic is immoral by Kantian morally universal rule. FoH focuses on the idea we can never use individuals in a way that conflicts with their personal freedoms. This is related to Social Contract theory, as states are unable to coerce their citizens as this would conflict with the personal freedoms of said citizens. This too reiterates Locke’s natural rights theory that all humans have an “inalienable” set of natural rights. The direct link between FoH and the cosmopolitan premise outlined above means this argument is justifiable in any context. This is highlighted by Sen’s criticism of cultural relativists where he suggests that regardless of cultural differences any individual can recognize when a person has their personal “liberties … violated.” His justification for this criticism can be proven correct both logically and morally because, according to Kant’s FoH, under no circumstances can we ignore the personal freedoms of individuals. Similarly, under the Social Contract and Natural Rights theories, a person cannot have their personal liberties violated. Kant submits the categorical imperative to emphasize how moral principles are indeed universal, thereby lending credence to the cosmopolitan basis of my moral argument regarding the need for all states to implement a universal set of human rights, due to the existing moral obligation they all have to their citizens. As explained in this essay, a set of universal human rights should be institutionalised despite cultural differences that suggest they may not necessarily be universally accepted. This position was framed by a moral argument heavily rooted in cosmopolitanism including with reference to concepts posited by Locke, Rousseau, and Kant. Regarding Locke, it was noted that a division between civic and natural rights did not justify cultural relativist arguments against universal human right implementation. Rousseau’s Social Contract theory emphasised the need for all states to grant citizens their personal liberties in exchange for certain rights and protections conferred by the state. I also noted that cultural relativist arguments have been deployed to justify authoritarian regimes including with a view to constrain human rights and eschew their institutionalisation because of different cultural norms and references. This is in violation of Rousseau’s Social Contract theory regarding his conclusion that coercive power is illegitimate and thus immoral. Finally, I referred to Kant’s categorical imperative FoH to further reinforce the overarching argument that all states must abide by a universal moral rule, which in itself applies to citizens regardless of which state they live in, thereby lending support to the cosmopolitan perspective. Thus, although culture may appear at first to be a relevant factor to consider, its proponents are unable to persuasively explain why there should not be an institutionalised and universal set of human rights, despite their not being universally agreed. Although I put much effort into originality when articulating the above ideas, I could not have achieved the level of output in writing without the following sources: Brown, Garrett W., Iain McLean, and Alistair McMillan. “Cultural Relativism.” In Oxford Concise Dictionary of Politics and International Relations. Fourth ed. Dall, WM. H., and Franz Boas. “Museums of Ethnology and Their Classification.” Science 9, no. 228 (June 17, 1887): 587-89. Donnelly, Jack. “Cultural Relativism and Universal Human Rights.” Human Rights Quarterly 6, no. 4 (November 1984): 400-19. Kant, Immanuel. Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals. Translated by James W. Ellington. 3rd ed. Indianapolis, US: Hackett Publishing Company, 1993. Kwame, Appiah. Cosmopolitanism. Ethics in a World of Strangers. London, United Kingdom: Penguin Books, 2006. Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. The Social Contract (Classics of World Literature). Edited by Tom Griffith. Ware, United Kingdom: Woodsworth Editions, 1998. Sen, Amartya. Human Rights and Asian Values. New York, USA: Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs, 1997. Tharoor, Shashi. “Are Human Rights Universal.” World Policy Journal XVI, no. 4 (Winter 200): 1-6. Tuckness, Alex. “Locke’s Political Philosophy.” Edited by Edward N. Zalta. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Last modified January 11, 2016. Accessed November 1, 2018. Subscribe to Our Newsletter • Instagram • Spotify © BSWink - London
Skip to main content Accessibility feedback What Did Mary Know? The less someone speaks in Scripture, it seems the more people want to know about that person. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to answer apologetics questions with “Scripture doesn’t say.” Two New Testament figures that garner this kind of interest are St. Joseph and St. John the Baptist. But the number one Person of Interest is the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially at Christmastime. So, let’s look at a few of the questions the apologetics department ordinarily receives. Is the Christmas song titled Mary, Did You Know? appropriate for Catholics? Some of the lyrics suggest that Mary needed to be delivered from sin. The song “Mary, Did You Know?” can be understood in an orthodox manner. Catholics believe that Mary did indeed need to be delivered from sin. She was delivered from ever having any stain of sin on her soul from the very moment of her conception. That is the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. That deliverance was done in anticipation of her Son’s sacrificial death on Calvary. If we think of Mary at the moment in history when she was cradling the Child Jesus, which is the moment at which the song describes her, then she had already been immaculately conceived but the sacrificial death that her deliverance anticipated was still in the future at that point in time. It was the sacrificial death that would fully accomplish her deliverance and the deliverance of all mankind. So it is technically correct from a historical perspective for the lyrics to say “soon deliver you.” That said, the lyrics are ambiguous and their authors probably did not have this theological explanation in mind. For that reason, although it is certainly fine for Catholics to listen to the song on the radio or on a CD at home, the ambiguity of the song’s lyrics makes it imprudent for the song to be presented during a Mass or any other public liturgy. Catholics who do not understand the theological implications may be left confused on the matter of Mary’s Immaculate Conception. Zechariah was punished for not believing the Archangel Gabriel’s announcement that Elizabeth would bear a child. Why wasn’t Mary also punished for doubting? Zechariah was chastised because he had no reason not to understand the angel’s promise. Note his reasoning to the angel that “I [Zechariah] am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” Zechariah, a religiously-educated Jew and indeed a priest of the Temple, should have known that this exact same miracle of late-in-life fertility had been granted to Abraham and Sarah, the founding patriarch and matriarch of the Jewish people. Abraham and Sarah’s miraculous baby Isaac should have been the sign for him that God could and would provide him and Elizabeth with their own son. Instead he asks for another sign. That demonstrated a lack of faith. The miracle promised Mary, on the other hand, was entirely different. By her question, “How shall this be?” she implies that she was not expecting to have marital relations with Joseph. (Had she expected to do so, she would have assumed that the pregnancy would take place within her upcoming marriage.) So she needs information about how it is possible for a woman to have a baby without the participation of her husband. After Gabriel explains that the Holy Spirit would accomplish the task, she accepts without further question. Once her real need for information is satisfied, Mary does not ask for any further assurances. Did Mary suffer pain in childbirth? I have always heard that because Mary was sinless she was free from labor pain. The Church is officially silent on the issue of whether or not Mary suffered pain in childbirth, although some Fathers, Doctors, and theologians assume that her immaculate state rendered her free from it. Strictly speaking, we need not assume that Mary was free from labor pains. Christ too was sinless and went through hideous suffering on the cross. If Mary’s labor to bring Christ into the world was painful, just as is ordinary childbirth, it may have been so in order to allow her to be in greater conformity to the life of her Son, who also would suffer. Even so, it is also true that she could have been free from childbirth pain. Absent a ruling from the Church, we just don’t know for certain. How could Jesus be the Son of David if he was not the biological son of St. Joseph? And why is St. Joseph’s genealogy given by St. Matthew instead of the Virgin Mary’s? St. Joseph’s geneaology is listed because, by Joseph’s marriage to Mary and by his acceptance of Jesus as his own child (cf. Matt. 1:18–25), Joseph became Jesus’ legal father. Thus, Joseph’s ancestors became Jesus’ ancestors. For an example of the Old Testament precedent for this, see the story of Jacob’s adoption of Joseph’s sons Manasseh and Ephraim (cf. Gen. 48:3–6). Jacob claims these sons of Joseph as his own and states that they are equal in standing as his sons to his blood sons Reuben and Simeon (his firstborn and secondborn sons). Christian scholars have long thought, however, that because the prophesied relationship between David and Jesus appeared to be much more than a legal relationship (cf. Rom. 1:3), that the Virgin Mary must also have been of the house of David. This is certainly possible, although we do not know for certain. However, it is interesting that Mary is specifically named in the Matthean geneaology alongside Joseph (cf. Matt. 1:16). Along with the other mentions of women in Jesus’ geneaology, this was unusual as Jewish mothers were generally not counted among ancestors at that time. If both Mary and Joseph were descendants of David, then Jesus would have been the Son of David both by his legal relationship to Joseph and by the blood relationship he received through his Mother. However, by the laws of the time, the legal relationship would have sufficed to count Jesus as the Son of David. Anti-Catholics have told me that Catholics are wrong when the Church says that the Magi found Jesus in the manger. They are using a passage in Matthew that says “house.” How should I answer this? With a shrug. The Church has no position on whether the Magi found the Infant Jesus in a manger or in a house. The passage in question is as follows: When they [the Magi] saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh (Matt. 2:10-11). It is very possible that by the time the Magi found the Holy Family, they had indeed been able to find accommodations in town. Mary and Joseph would hardly have wanted to stay in a stable with a newborn any longer than absolutely necessary. I suspect that your inquirers are hoping to score points because nativity scenes often include the Magi at the manger of Christ. Such crèches are not a strictly factual depiction of historical events but artistic representations of the major figures in the Christmas story gathered around the Infant Jesus. Why wasn’t Jesus named “Emmanuel,” since that is what the angel said he should be named (Matt. 1:23)? The word Emmanuel translates to “God is with us.” Matthew recalls the messianic prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 and states that its ultimate fulfillment is found in Mary’s Son: “Name,” in this sense, does not refer to the actual name Joseph and Mary were to give to their Son (cf. Matt. 1:21, Luke 1:31); “name,” in this case, is used in the sense of “to call” (i.e., “they shall call him Emmanuel”). Analogously, one could say of baseball legend, Babe Ruth, “They called him the Sultan of Swat,” without intending to mean that “the Sultan of Swat” was George Herman Ruth Jr.’s given name. Emmanuel, “God is with us,” also calls to mind the last verse in Matthew, in which Christ says, “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matt. 28:20). From the very beginning of her Son’s life, the cross was always in view for Mary—from the scandal surrounding her pregnancy to the arduous journey to Bethlehem; from the birth in the stable to the flight into Egypt; from Simeon’s prophesy to the loss of her Son for three days in his youth. Each step from the Annunciation to the cross, and beyond, was one of sorrow. But the Virgin never, ever, even in the darkest of times, lost faith. That is, in itself, a Christmas miracle. Enjoying this content? 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Please wait... Please wait... Navaratri - An Ode to Our Goddesses Download this article Festivals of India - Book Festivals of India - Book "Sarva mangala maangalye Shive sarvaartha saadhike Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Naaraayani namostute" You are the all-auspicious Shivaa, the Shakti aspect. You grant all my wishes. O Triyambake, the Three-eyed one, you are also Gauri, the fair One and Naraayani, Vishnu's Sister. I humbly bow at your Lotus Feet. India is a land of many religions, cultures, and hence, many festivals too. Among these, the Hindu culture is probably the most diverse, encompassing several crores of Gods and Goddesses, their legends, epic tales and folklore. Along with that come many festivals associated with these deities. Notable among Hindu festivals is Navratri, a major, very colourful, ten-day festival. Navratri is a unique festival which includes ritual worship, dance and music. The word "Navratri" comes from the terms "Nava", meaning, "Nine" and "Ratri", meaning "Nights". The festival, which goes on for a period of nine nights and ten days, ends with the Dusshera or the Vijayadashami, on the tenth day. The nine forms of the Mother Goddess, Shakti/Devi, are worshipped during these ten days. Yet another aspect unique to Navratri is that it differs in significance in the different provinces of India and is celebrated in different ways all across the length and breadth of India. Let us now go into the details of the significance of this wonderful festival. Significance of Navratri Both the start of spring and the start of autumn are considered very auspicious and important intersections of solar and climatic influences. Hindus worship the Divine Mother Goddess during these periods in time. The dates of these festivals are decided as per the Hindu almanac. The tenth day of the Navratri festival, which is also referred to as the Vijayadashami, signifies the culmination of the colourful festival. The various aspects of Sri Mahishasura Mardhini (Devi Durga) are worshipped throughout all these ten days. Various Navratri traditions There are actually five different Navratris dedicated to the worship of Goddess Shakti in all her aspects. Out of these, only three traditions of Navratri are most popularly upheld today. 1. Sharad Navratri The Sharad Navratri, which is considered the prime Navratri, is also simply referred to as Navratri and sometimes, Maha Navratri (the Great Navratri). As the name suggests, the Sharad Navratri is celebrated during the Sharad Ritu, or the commencement of the winter season. This festival usually comes during September-October period. This year (2009), the Navratri festival commences on September 19 and concludes with the Vijayadashami on the 28th of September. This Navratri commences on the first day and ends on the tenth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Aswayuja/Ashwin. According to the Dhaumya-vachana, 'The Navaratri festival has to be celebrated during the bright fortnight of the month of Asvina, in the order of pratipada, etc, until the navami ends.' This festival is celebrated with great fervour and devotion, commemorating the slaying of the mighty Mahishasura by Goddess Durga. This festival is celebrated in most parts of India, in fact, in almost all parts of the country. 2. Vasant Navratri This type of Navratri is celebrated during the Vasant Ritu, or during the start of spring/summer, in the month of March/April. This festival, also known as Chaitra Navratri, falls during the lunar month of Chitra and is mostly celebrated in North India. The famous Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu celebrates Navratri during this time. 3. Ashaada Navratri This variety of Navratri is most auspicious for all Varahi Upasakas (devotees of Devi Varahi, yet another aspect of the Goddess, who took an avatar to slay the powerful demon, Pandasura). Varahi, a rather dark deity, is also one among the seven mighty Matrikas of Hindu Tantra Shastra. This Navratri is observed in July-August. This Navratri is also known as Guhya Navratri in Himachal Pradesh. The Navadurga - the nine forms of Devi Shakti Nava Durga - Nine Forms of Goddess Durga - Glitter Poster Nava Durga - Nine Forms of Goddess Durga - Glitter Poster Hindus worship nine forms of Shakti during the Navratri festival. The Puja Vidhis (types of prayers and offerings) largely depend on the tradition and culture of that particular province. The Navadurgas include the following Sacred Feminine Energies: Mahishasuramardini Durga - Glitter Poster Mahishasuramardini Durga - Glitter Poster Maa Durga, the inaccessible one or the invincible one, is believed to be the "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress". The supremely radiant Mother Goddess is portrayed as having ten arms, riding a lion or tiger, holding several weapons like Shiva's Trident, Rama's bow, Vishnu's Conch and Discus, Indra's Vajra (lightning bolt) and Kubera's mace. She additionally holds a Kamandalu (water pot) given to her by Brahma and a lotus flower. She wears a meditative smile and practices Mudras or symbolic hand gestures. A complete embodiment of the Sacred Feminine, Durga is forever in a state of svaatantrya (self sufficient; independent of all other things in the Universe). Hindu philosophy considers the Warrior Goddess Durga as an aspect of Kali. She undertakes a severe Vrata (penance) for nine days and on the tenth, she faces the terrible Mahishasura, the demon who could turn himself into a man or buffalo at will. When the Devas realized that they would be no match for the Asura's strength, they approach the Devi, who then manifests as Durga, taking her strength from the combined energies of all the Gods mentioned above. Durga slayed Mahisha and hence, is known as Mahishasura Mardhini. Mahakali - Glitter Poster Mahakali - Glitter Poster Devi Bhadrakali (or the "Beautiful Kali") is worshipped in Kerala and is one aspect of Goddess Kali. This consort of Virabhadra, it is believed, was born out of the Devi Sati's anger when her husband, Shiva, was insulted by her father, Daksha, during the Ashwamedha Yagna. Kali is a terrible aspect of Devi and is shown having blue-colored skin, with three eyes and four, twelve or eighteen hands. Flames emanate from her head and she has deep fangs protruding from her mouth. She is often portrayed with a garland of skulls around her neck, holding a severed human head in her hands, with her tongue hanging out. Kodavas and Nairs mainly worship the deity. Amba or Jagadamba Amba or Jagadamba, yet another of the Devi's aspects, is venerated as the Mother of the Universe, who immediately protects those who come to her for succor. Annapurna Giving Alms to Lord Shiva - Poster Annapurna Giving Alms to Lord Shiva - Poster Devi Annapurna, the literal meaning of which is "Full of Food", is also considered to be the Goddess of Harvests, fertility and agriculture. This Goddess of Kashi (now, Varanasi) is symbolic of One who grants complete nourishment. Legend has it that she once even gave bhiksha (alms) to her own consort, Lord Shiva. Sarvamangala literally means "the One who gives all auspiciousness and joy". This aspect of the Devi is venerated as the Bestower of all good, all prosperity and all happiness. Bhairavi is the terrible consort of the Wrathful Bhairava, an aspect of Shiva. Almost indistinguishable from Kali, Bhairavi is associated with Kaal Ratri (literally, "black night of destruction"), a dark force, often identified with Kali. Bhairavi is also associated with the Mahapralaya, the great dissolution of the universe at the conclusion of each cosmic cycle. Bhairavi is also called Shubamkari, the Mother to the Good People and the Terrible One to the bad ones. In the battlefield, she kills the terrible asuras (demons), Chanda and Munda, and drinks their blood. Hence, she is also referred to as Chamundeshwari. Though associated with destruction, Bhairavi is portrayed as a young, beautiful Goddess. Chandi or Chandika Chandi or Chandika, is also known as Durga Sapthashati. Chandi is believed to be a combination of Mahakali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati. The Murti Rahasya hails her as Ashtadasa Bhuja Maha Lakshmi (the Lakshmi with eighteen arms), bearing weapons. While the Devi Mahatmya (a Hindu text, which describes the true power of the Mother Goddess, Durga) gives the origin of the Goddess in the second chapter, some other scriptures portray her as an "assistant" to Kali; helping her in her battle with the demon, Raktabija. He was an asura who had a boon of generating a duplicate of himself from each drop of blood he shed in the battlefield. When Kali was busy drinking his blood, Chandi destroyed the many several demons created from his blood, before finally killing Raktabija himself. Lalita (the 'She' Who Plays), who is also called Tripura Sundari, Rajarajeshwari and Shodashi, is one of the group of ten Goddesses in Hindu tradition, which is collectively known as the Mahavidyas. The other nine Mahavidyas are Tara, Bhuvaneshwari, Kali, Bhairavi, Dhumavati, Chhinnamasta, Bagalamukhi, Kamalatmika and Matangi. Sri Vidya fiercely guards the panchadashakshari mantra vidya. As the Lalita Sahasranama says, "Na shathaya na dushtaya na vishwasaya karhichith sri mathra bhakti yuktaya sri vidya raja vediney", which means, that the vidya or divine knowledge should be bestowed only on someone truly deserving, as this is the king of all vidyas. It should not be given away arbitrarily to the wicked or sinful. Lalita holds in her hands five flower arrows, bow, goad and noose. Lalita is described as being very attractive, sensuous and also erotically inclined. Bhagawati - Glitter Poster Bhagawati - Glitter Poster Bhawani is again a powerful aspect of the Devi. Her name literally means, "The Giver of life", and so, she is considered to be the very source of all creative energy. This aspect of Parvati is vastly worshipped in Maharashtra. She was said to be the guiding force behind Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha leader, to whom she even presented a sword. Goddess Mookambika - Laminated Poster Goddess Mookambika - Laminated Poster Mookambika prominently features in the states of Kerala and Karnataka. It is said that Adi Shankara himself installed her idol at the temple in Kollur, about 12 centuries ago. The Mookambika Devi is revered as one of the most powerful goddesses. The Temple of Mookambika is considered to be one of the "Seven Muktisthala" sites. Devi Mookambika is also worshipped for developing better learning abilities and to beget knowledge. Navratri rituals Each day of the Navratri is dedicated to the Puja one particular aspect of the Devi, as mentioned below: 1. The first day is the day of Kalash Puja or the Ghatasthapana. This is also the day of the Shailaputri Puja. 2. The second day is the Preeti Dwitiya, which includes the Brahmacharini Puja 3. The third day is the day for Chandrakanta Puja or Chandraghanta Puja 4. The fourth day is for the Kushmanda Puja 5. On the fifth day, the Lalita Panchami, the Skandamata Puja is performed 6. Katyayani Puja is performed on the sixth day, the Maha Shashti or the Durga Shashti 7. The seventh day of the Navratri is known as the Durga Saptami or Maha Saptami and includes the Kaalratri Puja 8. On the eighth day or the Maha Ashtami, the Mahagauri Puja is performed. It is also called Durgashtami Puja or Veerashtami Puja 9. The ninth day is the Mahanavami or the Maharnavami and includes the Siddhidatri Puja, also called the Durga Navami Puja 10. The tenth and final day of Navratri is the Vijaya Dashami or the Dusshera. On this day the Shami Puja or Aparajitha Puja is performed The festival of Navratri is split into three sets of three days each, each set being assigned to the worship of different aspects of the Supreme Mother Goddess. Ganesha Sitting in the Lap of Mother Parvati - Terracotta Sculpture Ganesha Sitting in the Lap of Mother Parvati - Terracotta Sculpture The first three days The power of Goddess Durga is worshipped on the first three days of Navratri. This is done in order to attain spiritual power, which would destroy the devotee's impurities and dissolve all his sins. On the very first day of Navratri, a tiny bed of mud is prepared in the puja room and some barley seeds are sown therein. By the tenth day, the seeds sprout to about 3-5 inches long shoots. These little sprouts are then pulled out and given to all devotees as a blessing from the Goddess. The forms of Durga, including Kumari, Parvati and Kali are prayed to during this time. They represent the three stages of womanhood respectively, namely, childhood, youth and womanhood. The second set of three days Dhana Lakshmi - Nirmal Painting on Wood Dhana Lakshmi - Nirmal Painting on Wood Goddess Lakshmi is paid obeisance on the fourth, fifth and sixth days of Navratri. Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, is considered to be the giver of both spiritual and material wealth, peace, prosperity and ultimately, bliss. Lakshmi is also said to bestow fame and all types of good fortune on all her devotees. Hence, the Lakshmi Puja is one of the most auspicious rituals performed during Navratri. Many people also conduct elaborate homas (fire rituals) to please and appease the Goddess of Wealth. This is also followed by offering food to all the devotees attending the homa. This ritual is particularly auspicious during the Navratri period. The fifth day, commonly referred to as Lalita Panchami is yet another very auspicious day. On this day, children place their books and study materials in front of Goddess Saraswati's idol, light the holy lamp and prostrate before the Goddess. This day is also considered vishesha (important) for artisans and artists, who plays all their tools and beseech the Deity, seeking her benediction. The final three days of Navratri The last three days of the festival are spent in the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge and Learning. It is believed that Ma Saraswati's wisdom would free devotees from their material bondage and lead them on a path towards spirituality. On the eighth and ninth days of this festival, various yagnas (sacrificial rituals) are performed so as to give a fitting farewell to the Mother Goddesses. Ghee or clarified butter, kheer or paayas (rice and sugar cooked in condensed milk) and sesame seeds are offered in the yagna's agni (holy fire), along with mantras (chants). Goddess Saraswati - Papier Mache Statue Goddess Saraswati - Papier Mache Statue The ninth day - the Saraswati Puja and the Mahanavami The ninth day is the Saraswati Puja. It is believed that Goddess Saraswati rests on this day, and so, all students, artisans and artists lay down their books and tools in front of the Goddess. In spiritual terms, this ritual is carried out in order to remain in complete contemplation of the Sacred Feminine Energy called Saraswati and gain spiritual wealth from her. The ninth day also marks the Mahanavami, when the Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls, who have still not attained puberty, are invited to attend the function. These girls represent the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Women wash and wipe the girls' feet and offer them various gifts and new clothes. This ritual is performed almost throughout India. Ayudha Puja The ninth day of Navratri is also the day of the Ayudha Puja. This ritual is especially vital to Maharashtrians. Like the traditional Saraswati Puja, the Ayudha Puja too involves worshipping all implements one uses for one's livelihood. This is done so that the seeker learns to see the Divine in all his tools as well, so as to motivate him to do better in his work and surrender his work at the feet of the Goddess, treating it as an offer to the Mother. In Indian culture, it is common practice to prostrate before one's tools each day, as a mark of respect to those very tools that help the seeker earn his daily bread. No other work or study is normally undertaken on the day of the Ayudha Puja. The tenth day, Vijayadashami or the Dusshera The tenth day is the Vijayadashami or the Dusshera. This day marks the culmination of the Navratri festival. While artists and artisans bow down before the Goddess and take to their work yet again. Artists and artisans prostrate in front of their tools and take up regular practice yet again, while students respectfully put their books to their eyes and then start studying as usual. Students also visit their teachers on this day and pay their respects to them. This is done as a mark of gratitude to the teacher, for having taken the trouble to teach them their subject. What makes Vijayadashami unique As the name, 'Vijayadashami', suggests, this is an auspicious day for beginning anything new, be it academics, art, skill or work. This is the reason why Vijayadashami is also termed as Vidyarambham. "Vidyarambham" is a combination of "vidya" (knowledge) and "arambham" (commencement), thereby literally meaning, "starting the process of acquiring knowledge". The unique thing about Vijayadashami is that every minute of this day is a 'Shubha Muhurat', meaning, the day is entirely auspicious. One does not have to be limited by Rahu Kaalam. The Rahu Kaalam occurs for a period of one and half hours every day, the timing varying each day of the week. This is considered an inauspicious time to start anything new, so people generally avoid undertaking auspicious activities during this time. On Vijayadashami day, one is not bound by the limitations of Rahu Kalam and such other influences. One can freely commence whatever they wish to do on this day. This day is also invaluable to the business communities, which start off new businesses and open their annual books of account. Other Navratri rituals Copper Kalash for Holy Water Copper Kalash for Holy Water Some people undergo rigorous fasts during the Navratras. Some others, who regularly consume non-vegetarian food, give it up completely during the Navratras. Seekers offer prayers for their protection, good health and happiness. The Navratras is a time for introspection and purification of the seeker. Another ritual performed during this festival is that of the Ghatasthapana or the Kalashsthapana, which literally means, "installing a pot". The Ghata or the Kalash is usually embossed with the image of the Goddess Durga and symbolizes the Universe. This pot, filled with holy water, is also called the Purnakumbha and is covered with mango leaves, placed on top of which is a coconut. Sometimes, an uninterrupted lamp is lit inside the pot. This symbolizes the effulgent form of the Supreme Adi Parashakti. Legends surrounding Navratri and how it is celebrated around India As mentioned earlier, Navratri is celebrated in different ways all over the country. All three Navratris are celebrated with great fervour and devotion in North India. Many people here undertake fasts on all nine days and spend their entire day in the worship of the Mother Goddess. The Chaitra Navratri concludes with the Ram Navami and the Sharad Navratri ends with the fabulous Durga Puja and Dusshera. There are many and varied legends surrounding Navratri. They are almost as diverse as India herself. Here are some interesting stories about how the Navratri festival came to be: Durga Slaying Mahishasura - Brass Dhokra Statue Durga Slaying Mahishasura - Brass Dhokra Statue North India Mahisha, the buffalo demon, was blessed with a boon from the Divine Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) that no man would ever be able to win against him and kill him. Empowered by the boon, the egoistic demon proceeded to attack the heavens and laid siege on the Devas (Gods). Indra, the King of Devas, approached the Trinity for help. They jointly created Durga, through their own Shakti (power). Durga turned out to be a formidable opponent for Mahisha. She relentlessly fought him for nine days and, on the tenth day, she finally managed to behead him. Here, the Vijayadashami marks the ultimate victory of good over evil. In places like Delhi and Punjab, people observe the Navratras, when they undertake fasts for a period of seven days. The devotees break their fast on the eighth day and invite young girls home, treating the girls as manifestations of Durga Mata herself. These girls, called "Kanjak Devis", are offered the traditional food of "Puri", "Halwa" and "Chana". They are then offered red bangles and chunnis (veils) to wear, along with some money, known as "Shagun". Rama's victory against Ravana Battle Scene Between Lord Rama and Ravana From Ramayana - Orissa Pattachitra Painting Many North Indians also celebrate Vijayadashami as the day Rama fought and won against the terrible demon king, Ravana. It was on this very 10th day after Ashwina, during the Satyuga, that Dusshera is celebrated with great fervour in the North. The name, "Dusshera" is indicative of the ten-headed demon being vanquished by Lord Rama ("Dus" in Hindi means "ten" and "Haran" means "defeat"). Ravana had abducted Rama's wife, Sita Devi and the latter, along with his Vanara Sena (army of monkeys), fought a great ten-day battle against the demon king. He finally won and brought home his beloved Sita. In order to commemorate this day, huge effigies of Ravana are erected in open lawns and other public places. These giant Ravana dummies are stuffed with fireworks and are shot with arrows, unitl they blow up in the presence of a large, applauding audience. Ram Darbar - Glitter Poster Ram Darbar - Glitter Poster The Ramlila Ramlilas are an integral part of Dusshera celebrations in many parts of North India. The Ramlila is an enactment of Rama's story and, indeed, the entire Ramayana epic. Huge pandals and stages are erected and Ramlila artists are invited to perform at the event. The Ramlila starts on the first day of Navratri and is designed to end exactly on the eve of the Dusshera. The enactment of the Rama-Ravana battle takes place on the tenth day, after which, the effigies of Ravana and those of his brother, Kumbhakarna and son, Meghanath, are burnt to ashes. There is also an abhishek (bathing ritual) of Rama's idol taking place at Ayodhya at the same time. Most of the Ramlilas in North India are based on 16th Century Avadhi versions of the Ramayana, including Ramacharitamanas given to us by Gosvami Tulsidas. The entire 10-day function is financed by local Ramlila committees, as also the local community itself. The Ramlila here is very similar to the other folk theatre form, the Raas Lila, which depicts the life and times of Lord Krishna. The Ramlila, which encompasses the Avadh, Braj, Madhubani and Ayodhya traditions, is popular globally for its diversity and colourful presentation. Some Ramlilas staged in Lucknow even include Muslim youths playing the lead roles in the epic. This proves that this festival goes beyond religious and communal boundaries. In the times of yore, Dusshera was regarded as the start of the war season. According to legend, Arjuna, one of the Pandavas princes, had gone back to fetch his hidden weapons after the Pandavas' one-year Agyaat Vaas (living in anonymity). This is how the custom of worshipping weapons started. Eastern India Shiva with Sati's Corpse on His Shoulders - Poster Shiva with Sati's Corpse on His Shoulders - Poster Those living in Eastern India believe in Ma Shakti as the Ultimate Supreme Being. According to legend, Daksha (the king of the Himalayas) and his wife, Menaka, have a lovely daughter by the name of Uma. The girl adores and worships Shiva right from her childhood and mentally treats him like her husband. Pleased with her one-pointed devotion, Shiva comes to her and wishes to marry her. But Daksha takes one look at Shiva's ash-smeared, tiger-skin-clad appearance and is unhappy at his daughter's choice of groom. Uma gets married to Shiva anyway. Daksha then conducts a yagna, where he invites everyone but Shiva. Uma desires to visit her father and leaves for his abode in spite of Shiva's obvious displeasure. When she reaches Daksha's palace, though, her father insults both her and Shiva. Unable to bear the insult and hurt, Uma commits Sati by jumping into a burning pyre. Shiva is furious when he comes to know Sati died. He visits the site, takes Uma on his shoulder and dances madly. This angry Tandava (cosmic dance) created an imbalance in nature, which resulted in the world being on the verge of destruction. Narayana then came forward as the saviour and used his Chakra (discus) to cut Uma's body into pieces. Those pieces slipped off Shiva's shoulders and fell in different parts of the world. Narayana then revived Uma and granted her a new life. The places where the pieces fell are known today as the "Shakti Piths". Ever since then, Uma is said to visit her parents' home during the Sharad Ritu, when the Durga Puja is celebrated. Navratri celebrations in West Bengal In West Bengal, the last four days of Sharad Navratri take on a dramatic form. Devotees conduct the Durga Puja during this time - a festival that is famous all over the world for its sheer grandeur. Beautifully crafted larger-than-life clay idols of Goddess Durga, killing the demon Mahisha, are set up in equally huge public pandals, temples and so on. Various pujas and cultural programmes, including dance and music shows, are performed during this period. These Durga idols are worshipped for five days and then immersed in the river on the fifth day. The Durga Puja is one of the biggest festivals in West Bengal; in fact, it is a festival that brings crowds of devotees and tourists from many parts of India and abroad. Huge idols of the Devi are worshipped through the ten days and different manifestations of the Devi are worshipped each night. The Durga pandals are decorated brightly and the Devi herself is adorned with the finest silks and jewellery. Prayers, bhajans (singing of hyms) and homas (fire rituals) are conducted, after which there is also the Annadaan (mass feeding). People Playing Dandiya Raas - Photographic Print People Playing Dandiya Raas - Photographic Print Western India In Western India, the festival of Navratri is celebrated in a unique way, that sets it apart from all the other regions of the country. The most important feature of the Navratri here is the Dandiya Raas, also known as Garba. Garba is the traditional folk dance of Gujarat, but it has now become popular all over the country, with many Raas Pandals being set up in many parts of the country, during Navratri. An ornamented pot is placed in the centre, with a bright diya (lamp) kept inside it. Womenfolk dance around it in a circle, singing traditional garba songs. Mother Durga, who is referred to "Ambe Maa", is worshipped for joy, prosperity and happiness. Certain schools of thought believe that the word, "Garba" might have come from "Garbha", which means the womb of a woman. In this sense, the lamp inside the pot represents life within the womb. The Dandiya Raas is a vibrant, joyous dance that is played with dandiyas or wooden sticks. The dancers, both male and female, dress up in colourful traditional costumes and spin around forming patterns, while also dancing to the rhythm of the music. While the men wear churidar-kurtas or the traditional Gujarati apparel, the women wear colourfully embroidered, mirror-work ghagra-cholis (flare-skirt-and-blouse sets). The Dandiya Raas is now popular in almost all Indian cities, especially in Ahmedabad, Vadodra, Surat and Mumbai. South India South India too has its own unique way of celebrating Navratri. In Tamil Nadu, women traditionally display a Kolu, also called Bommai Kolu and Golu. They erect a series of "padis" or steps in tiers, usually of an odd number (like 3, 5, 7, 9 and so on) and placed various dolls on them. The women coming to visit the Golu are asked to sing a song or two, after which they are handed the Prasad, kumkum (vermilion) and haldi (turmeric) sachets, coconut, betel leaves, flowers and, many times, a small packet of gifts. This is largely a ladies' festival. In the evenings, a Kuthuvilakku (lamp) and is placed in the centre of a kolam (rangoli) drawn before the Golu. Devotional hyms and bhajans are then sung in praise of the Goddess. After performing the puja that day, Naivedyam (or food) is offered to the Goddess. Navratri is celebrated with great pomp and show in Mysore. The whole of the Mysore Palace is lit up brilliantly during this time. Women exchange haldi-kumkum, coconuts and sweets here as well. Musician Ganesha - Terracotta Statue Musician Ganesha - Terracotta Statue Zamindar Couple in a Palki - Kondapalli Doll Zamindar Couple in a Palki - Kondapalli Doll 3 Musicians - Kondapalli Doll 3 Musicians - Kondapalli Doll The arrangement of the Golu dolls Though there is no hard and fast rules as to the placing of the dolls in a Golu, idols of Gods and Goddesses and scenes from mythology are predominantly exhibited in a Golu. Usually, the topmost steps include all the major Devatas, the Dasavatars of Vishnu and so on. The next steps are dedicated to saints and Gurus from all religions. The lower steps depict various social functions such as weddings and so on; business activities; families and so on. Some women use new dolls each year, while others add just a couple of new ones. Some follow theme Golus, such as portraying just a single story from mythology. It is necessary to have a pair of wooden dolls in any Golu. They include one male and one female doll and are called "Marapaachis". Additionally, dolls of a Chettiyar (businessman) and his wife have to be placed together too. Fruits, vegetables and pulses are also played in front of the Golu. This is symbolic of the devotee praying for prosperity. The Golu dolls are then finally "put to sleep" on the tenth day, after a final aarati and thanksgiving to the Goddess for having successfully completed the Golu. The Golu is dismantled the very next day and the dolls are neatly packed back into their respective boxes. The spiritual significance of Navratri Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswati - Poster Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswati - Poster Today, the Navratri festival has lost much of its spiritual significance and exists merely as a social festival - a reason for people to get together and spend quality time in a busy, unrelenting world. What most people do not realize is that the Navratri festival has a deep spiritual connotation as well. The festival celebrates Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, the Goddesses of Power, Wealth and Knowledge respectively. Praying to them gives the seeker all material good and also the inner strength to triumph against all odds of life and fight against social evils that plague our society today. Mahishasura symbolically represents the vast darkness or Tamas of ego and arrogance within a human being. So do the other demons like Chanda, Munda, Shumbha and Nishumbha. These Tamasic forces come in the way of higher spiritual development, thereby creating a veritable tussle of good and evil within the mind of the seeker. The victory of the Devi over these demons represents the ultimate triumph of the Satvik (good) forces within, finally leading the true seeker towards moksha or liberation. Navratri - The common factor that binds Hindus of the world together No matter how Hindus all over the world celebrate Navratri, there are some common ties that bind them together. Firstly, Navratri is closely associated with fertility. The Mother Goddess is likened to Mother Earth, who always feeds and nourishes all her children. Secondly and more importantly, Navratri is considered to be symbolic of the victory of good over evil. Sri Rama killed Ravana on this very day. Durga slayed the terrible Mahishasura. Both these stories reflect the final triumph of the good forces over the evil ones. That is the most vital implication of the wonderful festival of Navratri. It teaches the seeker that no matter how tough the going gets, he always stands to win if he sticks on to the path of good. Our Youtube video collection Click here for discounts Thank you so much for your prompt response. 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Interest Earned What is Interest Earned? Interest is a fee charged by a lender to a borrower for lending money. For a business, interest earned usually arises on money deposited with a financial institution such as a bank, and can be simple or compound interest. Interest earned is usually reported in the financial statements of a business in the accounting period in which it is earned under the accounting categories of interest income, interest revenue, or investment revenue. The amount of interest earned depends on the amount invested, the interest rate, and the length of time over which it is invested. For example, if a business has deposited 10,000 with a bank earning 5% simple interest, at the end of the year, the interest earned is 10,000 x 5% = 500. If the interest is deposited in the bank account of the business, the accounting journal to post this interest earned to the accounting records would be as follows. Interest earned journal entry Account Debit Credit Cash 500 Interest income 500 Total 500 500 The Accounting Equation The Accounting Equation, Assets = Liabilities + Owners Equity means that the total assets of the business are always equal to the total liabilities plus the equity of the business. This is true at any time and applies to each transaction. For this transaction the Accounting equation is shown in the following table. interest earned accounting equation In this case one asset (cash) increases representing money received in respect of interest earned, this increase is balanced by the increase in owners equity. The credit to the income statement for the interest income increases the net income which increases the retained earnings and therefore the owners equity in the business. Last modified January 13th, 2020 by Michael Brown About the Author You May Also Like
Skip to main content 8110 Gatehouse Road, Falls Church, VA 22042 Stroke is a Medical Emergency. Call 911. Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. Time is critical in stroke treatment. The faster you are taken to an emergency room, the better your chance for a positive outcome. Stroke Strikes BE FAST Not sure whether a person's symptoms are a stroke? B.E.F.A.S.T. and quickly check for any of these signs of stroke:. • B = Balance – Is the person suddenly having trouble with balance or coordination? • E = Eyes – Is the person experiencing blurred or double vision or a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes? • F = Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? • T = Time – If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately. Call 911 now! If you experience or see someone with these warning signs, call 911 immediately. Identifying and reacting to stroke symptoms quickly is crucial to obtaining proper treatment for an individual experiencing a stroke. What Is a Stroke? Strokes are aptly referred to as a "brain attack." When there is an interruption of blood flow to the brain, either because of a clot or ruptured blood vessel, sudden brain damage occurs. A person who is having a stroke requires immediate medical attention. The longer it takes to receive care, the more brain cells will die and the greater the risk of disability or even death. Two Types of Stroke Ischemic StrokeIschemic stroke is most common and accounts for 87 percent of strokes. Ischemic stroke is caused by a clot that prevents blood flow to the brain. The clot can either travel to the brain from another part of the body or can develop in an artery. Hemorrhagic StrokeHemorrhagic stroke is a second type of stroke which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain breaks or ruptures. Hemorrhagic stroke is less common, but it's more deadly. Because stroke is a life-threatening condition, treatment must be initiated as quickly as possible. The sooner a patient is transported to an emergency room where treatment can begin, the better the odds for a positive outcome. Treatment for stroke can include one or more of the following: Rehabilitation is often part of the recovery process for stroke patients. Inova Rehabilitation Center at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital is regionally known for its rehabilitation program for patients recovering from stroke and other cerebrovascular conditions. The Inova Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease Program specializes in treatment for stroke and other vascular disease. For more information, call 703-776-4700. Support Groups Inova offers several stroke support groups to help stroke survivors and their family members during and after the rehabilitation process. The support groups are free. Learn more about Inova's stroke support groups
Mind the Brain Posted : 22 May 2018 Lauren Gordon, who has recently joined the Behaviour Change Team, shares her day at the Mind the Brain Conference, held by the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience. This event was an excellent opportunity to hear from experts in the social sciences field and learn about current research. It brought together speakers from a range of institutions and domains, covering a variety of topics; the audience being anyone with an interest in understanding more about the brain!mind the brain.jpg The day was split into three topic blocks: from childhood to adulthood, the effect of health and disease on the brain, and how we can change our brain. From each section something different could be learned to help people live longer, healthier, happier lives. The first block began with a talk from Katerina Fotopolou, from UCL’s Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology Department. She presented evidence on the importance of something called the ‘embodied relationship’. She explained this to be the link between the physical body and the mental mind, such as how we experience our own feelings and sense of self. This idea is of great importance for good mental health and is the premise behind mindfulness practices. Another talk relevant to the healthcare industry was by Emrah Duzel, who spoke about the problems that ageing populations present. As we age, our brains change physically, resulting in cognitive decline and memory problems; increasingly leading to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Thinking about this, is it possible that everyone would get Alzheimer’s if we lived long enough? If so, what can be done to prevent this? It could be that answer for healthy brain ageing may lie in lifestyle factors such as a healthy diet, exercise and seeing friends and family. The next block focused the effect of disease on the brain. Anxiety disorders are increasingly common, with over 1 in 3 people in the UK suffering from an anxiety disorder in their lifetime and 50% not recovering from it. Oliver Robinson from the ICN proposed that this is because the causes of mental illness are not well understood, and that current treatments are based only on managing the symptoms. He presented his research of using computational models to improve patient outcomes, which use the cause of a symptom (e.g. being biased towards thinking negatively) to inform the treatment of anxious behaviours. This seems a promising line of research for the treatment of mental health issues. Other talks in this section discussed how anxiety can alter perceptions of chronic pain, and that learning from unique case studies in addition to using modern brain scanners can be useful in understanding the relationship between the brain and behaviour. The final part of the day examined the idea that the brain can be changed and developed, such as using techniques like education and training in specific working memory tasks. One speaker mentioned that brains are limited compared to Artificial Intelligence (AI doesn’t need sleep, is not influenced by social factors and doesn’t forget things). But on the other hand, the brain is also incredibly adaptable. Tamar Makin spoke about how brain resources can be recruited to work for other body parts, as is the case for amputees and those with artificial limbs. A fascinating case study of a man born without arms showed how he learned to use his toes as if they were fingers to paint beautiful pictures! For Lauren, the most relevant talk to her role as a Behaviour Change Adviser, was by Elliott Wimmer, from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging. He spoke about how we learn from our experiences, both positive and negative to shape our future behaviour, decisions and habits. The key point was that habitual behaviours are the result of small positive experiences over time. But it only takes one really negative experience for that behaviour to change immediately (e.g. eating something unpleasant that you had previously liked), demonstrating the influence that the experience of disappointment has on our future behaviour compared to happy experiences. Overall, the UCL Mind the Brain conference was a great day with many thinking points and take-aways for the healthcare industry. It is continuous learning about current thinking that can really make the difference to Bupa’s products and services and improve people’s health and wellbeing. Related Articles Support for those delivering health and care services across Bupa UK
Earth's Mantle © iStock/Getty Images Plus In particular they looked at variations in isotopes of neodymium and strontium, which can indicate different chemistries of mantle material that come from different types of rocks. Results showed that the amount of isotope variability in the minerals was seven times greater than that in the mid-ocean ridge lavas. The team believe that this variability could be linked to the process whereby old ocean crust spreads away from mid-ocean ridges until it's shoved beneath a continent and sinks back into the mantle. "Our results show that recycled oceanic crust is much more abundant in the mantle than we thought," said principal investigator of the study Dr Johan Lissenberg from Cardiff University's School of Earth and Ocean Sciences. "This recycled crust melts again, along with the surrounding mantle, but the chemically different melts remain isolated during their transport to the crust. Only after they reach magma chambers in the crust do they mix to produce the homogeneous lavas we observe on the seafloor." So rather than a gradient of yellow and orange that we regularly see represented as the mantle in textbooks, the true picture could be quite different. "If you look at a painting from Jackson Pollock, you have a lot of different colours," said lead author of the study Dr Sarah Lambart, who undertook the work at Cardiff University and is now based at the University of Utah. "Those colours represent different mantle components and the lines are lava produced by these components and transported to the surface." The study has gone some way to helping the scientists understand the processes that are taking place below our feet, and trying to explain the chemical composition of the rocks that we see today. The study has been funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program and the US National Science Foundation.
Boost your brain Try these 10 eating tips in 2014 to stay sharp food for brainContributed by Angela Fitch, MD, ABOM It’s time to ring out the old and bring in the new. This year, consider adding some foods to your “to-try” list that are good for more than just your body—these super foods will help “age-proof” your brain. 1. Eat more (soluble) fiber. Incorporating more soluble fiber into every meal helps fight against insulin resistance. And insulin resistance can create brain-chemical imbalances, like those often seen in Alzheimer’s patients. So, at your next meal, be sure your plate has some kind of soluble fiber like beans, peas, barley or apples. 2. Don’t skip meals. Not eating for about 12 hours, including the time you sleep, may help put your body in a very mild ketosis. Ketosis is a state when your brain uses ketone for energy. 3. Add seeds to more meals. Sprinkling pumpkin, sunflower, sesame or flax seeds on salads, cereals or yogurt to boost your vitamin E levels, and help protect your brain against free-radical damage. A Dutch study found that participants who ate more vitamin E had a 25 percent lower chance of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. 5. Eat more eggs. Eggs contain key nutrients for brain health: protein, iron, vitamin D, zinc and even choline. Researchers at the Boston School of Medicine found that adults who had a diet rich in choline had higher scores on verbal and visual memory tests, and were “less likely to show changes on brain scans that are associated with dementia.” 6. Eat more Mediterranean-style dishes. Rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats, Mediterranean diets have long been associated with slowing cognitive decline. 7. Be sure to get adequate amounts of vitamin B. Foods rich in vitamin B can help prevent against temporary dementia (caused by low-levels of this critical vitamin) and improved cognitive function. At every meal, load up with foods rich in folate and all B vitamins to keep your brain running smoothly. 8. Spice things up-with cinnamon. Cinnamon can offer many benefits to your brain, including anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants and reduced blood sugar levels—all of which help keep you mentally sharp and ward off neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. So next time you’re getting ready to enjoy a nice, healthy bowl of oatmeal, add a little cinnamon. 9. Snack on blueberries and strawberries. These popular fruits are more than just tasty treats. They can help you learn more quickly and keep your memory sharp. The on-going Nurses’ Health Study showed that older adults who ate more of these super-berries had slower rates of cognitive decline as they aged. 10. Eat fatty fish twice a week. Researchers at Columbia University found that healthy adults who eat more omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in fatty fish, had lower levels of a protein associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline.
Clifford Carnicom has posted new information about possible military programs that may result in the appearance of the persistent and tainted jet contrails known as chemtrails. Mr. Carnicom is a leading chemtrails researcher and, like Will Thomas, is noted for his persistence in attempting to uncover these programs. Mr. Carnicom’s latest report identifies four military projects that affect the atmosphere across the U.S. The first, unnamed project, is based on a proposal by Dr. Edward Teller to reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the earth by ejecting aerosols of reflective particles into the upper atmosphere. Teller has claimed that he has no knowledge of his idea being implemented, and there is no definite documentation that points to such an implementation. However, both Carnicom and Thomas have found extensive circumstantial evidence of this–more, in fact, than was ever discovered about the Manhattan Project before its official announcement in 1945. The other programs are more clearly identified. The first of these is the US Navy’s Radio Freqency Mission Planner (RFMP) program, which enables the development of battlefield imagery in three dimensions. It uses a Variable Terrain Radio Parabolic Equation that requires atmospheric ‘ducting’ of radar waves to operate properly. To induce this ducting over land masses, it is necessary to increase the radar reflectivity of the atmosphere. This is done by releasing aerosols of barium from aircraft. It is also theoretically possible to use barium salts to control weather by, for example, releasing them along storm fronts in order to cause droplets of moisture to form around the barium particles, increasing the moisture level and thus the intensity of a front. Whether or not there are organized programs to do this is unknown. According to Carnicom’s new report, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has released various aeorsols into the atmosphere to aid in developing programs related to germ warfare, both to understand how aerosols of various biological weapons may proliferate, and to determine how to neutralize them. The projects have been shielded under the umbrella of national security in order to avoid the many national and state laws that would prohibit release of foriegn matter and possible contaminants into the atmosphere. Whether or not any environmental impact assesments have been made is unknown, as is the degree to which these projects have been implemented. For Carnicom’s full report, click here. To read Will Thomas’s book and get his videotape, click here.
About Corneal transplantation: Cornea transplantation is a surgery used to replace a damaged cornea with a healthy, donated one. Some surgeries remove the entire cornea, while others only remove a few parts. The surgery is used to treat a few different corneal diseases. It is often the best way to treat infection and save sight. In most cases, the surgery is very successful. Why is the corneal transplant done? The cornea may be severely damaged by: • Keratoconus (Forward bulging of the cornea) • Cornea infection or injuries • Corneal ulcers (Keratitis) About the Surgery: The surgery usually is finished within 1 hour. An anesthetic will be used so patients don’t feel any pain. In corneal transplant, 1. The eye is held open with a speculum (A) 2. A laser is used to make an initial cut in the existing cornea (B) 3. The surgeon uses scissors to remove it (C) 4. Donor cornea is placed (D) 5. It is stitched with very fine sutures (E) Picture Courtesy: Surgery Encyclopedia Types of Corneal Transplantation Surgery There are two main types of corneal transplantation surgery: 1. Therapeutic Keratoplasty: for corneal ulcers 2. Penetrating Keratoplasty: for keratoconus Risks & Complications Cornea transplant is a serious surgery. Even though it is safe, it does have a low risk of complications, including: • Eye infection • Glaucoma • Problems with the stitches • Rejection of the donor cornea Rejection occurs when patient’s body attacks the donor’s cornea tissue. Symptoms of rejection include red eye, sensitivity to light, cloudy vision, and eye pain. Tell an eye doctor right away if you notice these symptoms. With early detection, it can be treated with steroid eye drops. Preparing for Surgery: Before Surgery: 1. Get an eye exam from an eye doctor to make sure the surgery is safe 2. Inform the doctor of all the medicines and treatments you are taking After the Surgery: 1. Follow the doctor and counsellor’s instructions closely. Take eye drops or medicines as advised. 2. Protect your eye from injury 3. Return for follow-ups with an eye doctor 4. Avoid bathing in unclean river water The results will depend on what damaged your cornea. Most people will have at least some vision improvement. It is important that you come for follow-ups to make sure that your eye is healing properly. Why do I need a corneal transplant? The cornea is the clear cover on the surface of your eye. Your cornea may be cloudy, causing you to lose vision. If this is the case, a clear donor cornea should fix the problem. Your cornea can also be damaged by other diseases, infections, and injuries. After the surgery, will I have any pain or irritation? How long will it take for these side effects to go away? You will only have a little bit of pain and it should only last for a few days after the surgery. To control the pain, you will take painkillers. In a few cases, the stitches/sutures may break. This will irritate the eye. The sutures may need to be replaced. How many days will I have to stay in the hospital after the cornea transplant? This depends on the type of transplant. • Therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (TPK): 5 days • Penetrating Keratoplasty (PKP): 4 days How many days until my vision gets better? Vision should get batter within 3 months of the surgery. If your doctor tells you to wear glasses, you will need to wear them for vision to improve. How many months will I need to take medications? You will need to take them for at least 6 months. Depending on the doctor’s advice, you may need to continue them past the 6 months. When do I have to come for a follow-up? You will need to visit your eye doctor after 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Sometimes, the doctor may ask you to come back more frequently. When can I take a head bath? Usually after 1 month. You should wait for the doctor to tell you that the wound has healed. Also, avoid bathing in river water.
3 ways technology is helping mental wellbeing right now Posted on 18th February 2020 woman sitting next to happy place sign Written by Emily Sexton Brown, Mental Health Content Manager, 87% In this day and age, technology’s impact on our mental wellbeing is both feared and revered. It can’t do right for doing wrong, but it is a must in our everyday lives. Many of us don’t go less than an hour without using some form of technology to enhance our day in some way. We probe into the different ways technology can be used for a force of mental wellbeing good. 1. Accessibility Technology (be it an app, or the internet in general) provides much easier access to signposting and care for those who live in areas with limited resources, or might have mobility issues themselves. As well as that, asking a professional questions about your own mental health can sometimes for some be a little daunting. Technology enables people to ask these kinds of questions in a more anonymous, and informal way. A great starting point is to provide high quality, clinically validated sources of information through easy-to-use, trusted websites and systems. 2. Using data smartly Analysing large groups of people through apps will provide valuable insights into various different health behaviours. It’s even possible that through specific keywords that are used some patterns can emerge in people more likely to have depression for example. Once a large group start to engage with the app, or platform they start to build an understanding of their own mental wellbeing, and are able to monitor it themselves. The likes of the 87% app does entirely this, it allows you to build daily mental health habits in a tailored way that entirely suits you and your needs. 3. Influencing the masses By embracing the power and the level of communication that technology offers this can be used to help the majority of society. Public health initiatives on social media networks can reach wider or targeted audiences for particular risk factors or messaging, such as online community groups that discuss depression or alcoholism, or particular age groups at risk for a whole range of different conditions. Being able to share personal stories can help reduce stigma and enhance people’s understanding of what really happens within their own minds, and finding people that relate to them can be so powerful. Originally posted here 87% are a finalist in the Business Transformation category of the DigitalAgenda Impact Awards. Vote for them here. whois: Andy White Freelance WordPress Developer London
As Naomi sets out to go back to her homeland, her daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah set out with her. They are native Moabites, and it is unlikely that they have ever been to Israel. However, several times, the account points out they are "returning" to Israel. Ruth 1:10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. [KJV] Ultimately, Orpah turns back to her ancestral household in Moab, but Ruth continues on with Naomi. The Hebrew word here is shub. Is there a greater meaning in the word than simply moving from one geographic place to another (at least in this context)? • You probably know it's etymology better than the rest of us. Have you done any study on the "Ruth Test"(ie: the process by which one converts to Judaism)? – Tau Aug 9 '14 at 1:26 • @user2479, I actually did a whole paper on proselytism while in seminary and repentance in the OT (which uses shub) for part of another. I'm hoping for other insights to shub. – Frank Luke Aug 9 '14 at 2:45 • I've touched on this already, but give me a couple of days and I'll try to get to giving you a full answer. – Bruce James Aug 10 '14 at 3:39 • @BruceJames, I look forward to it. – Frank Luke Aug 11 '14 at 13:53 Your question is not a new one, but was asked centuries ago by the rabbis. The answer depends upon whether you are looking for a literal or metaphoric meaning. Ruth 1:22 says: וַתָּשָׁב נָעֳמִי וְרוּת הַמּוֹאֲבִיָּה כַלָּתָהּ עִמָּהּ הַשָּׁבָה מִשְּׂדֵי מוֹאָב וְהֵמָּה בָּאוּ בֵּית לֶחֶם בִּתְחִלַּת קְצִיר שְׂעֹרִים "So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in- law, with her, who returned from the fields of Moab-and they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest." The question focuses on the second use of the verb "to return" (highlighted in the text), which has a literal meaning -- as to return to the place you once lived -- or a metaphorical meaning -- as to repent, and thereby return to God. Rav Avraham Ibn Ezra (known in Jewish texts as the "Ibn Ezra") (Toledo, Spain 1089-1164), in his commentary cleaves to the literal meaning of the word and says that the second use of the verb must apply to Naomi, since Ruth had never been to the Land of Israel. His commentaries, however, tend to rely on literal translations. But he is supported by the Midrash which suggests that the second reference is the people of Israel commenting about Naomi, pointing to her saying (according to the Midrashic tradition) "this is the one who returned from the fields of Moab." See Ruth 1:19. Rav Shmuel de Uzeda, the 16th century Kabbalist from Safed, and author of the encyclopedic commentary on Ruth called Iggeres Shmuel, says that the second "return" refers in fact to Ruth. As a Moabite, Ruth was a descendant of Lot who had a level of righteousness, from his connection to Abraham, that was sufficient to spare him from the destruction of Sodom, but he gave in to lust and fathered children with his daughters. Her ancestors also refused to trade with the Israelites of the Exodus as they were returning to Israel. So in this case, "who returned" should be translated as "who repented" for the sins of her ancestors. Moreover, following the logic that the souls of all righteous converts to Judaism had been present with those of the Jewish people at Mt. Sinai, Iggeres Shmuel says that the literal meaning of "who returned" can also be understood to apply to Ruth because her desire to be part of the Jewish people was so great, it was as if she was born in Israel. From Rav Shmuel's perspective, Ruth's sincere conversion to Judaism caused the reunification of the families of Israel and Lot, making possible the kingship of David. \| improve this answer \| \| Shub appears over a thousand times in the Old Testement. Much like our own word "return," it has many, many meanings, both literal and figurative. This is what Strong's Concordance has to say: (7725) A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again -- ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer (+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, + continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back, fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, + say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, X surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. So we need not think of the verses as reading that Ruth physically returned to a place that she had physically been to before. Notably, in Joshua 1:10, the word is used to refer to the Israelites "returning" to the Holy Land, where almost none of them had ever been before. Most likely, the use of the word is intended to be a read in a similar manner as someone saying "My friend Johannes returned to Germany for his mother's funeral, and I returned with him." The actual "returning" is being done by my friend, but I'm a party to the journey, so I'm also "returning." \| improve this answer \| \| Your Answer

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