power sector in american politics, was an important causal factor in enabling jfk ’ s assassination is not founded in historical fact. read more a lot of people at the scene of the crime thought so. but don ’ t take my word for it. in the latest installment of len osanic ’ s “ 50 reasons for 50 years ” video series, jfk photo expert robert groden compiles photographic imagery from the first few minutes after the assassination of president kennedy. view the pictures and decide for yourself. the pittsburgh tribune review recently asked dr. cyril wecht of duquesne university a question : the oni, according to researacher bill kelly, is withholding records of its own internal investigations of oswald after he defected to the soviet union in 1959 and after jfk was killed in 1963. the latter reports would be explosive if they showed that u. s. marine corps investigators doubted that oswald acted alone in killing kennedy. oni representatives assert that america ’ s oldest intelligence service doesn ’ t have any such records. that claim is dubious, for a number of reasons. no. read this unpersuasive ( some would say nutty ) article and you will find proof that even the piously paulite advocates of this theory have no actual evidence for it. robert f. kennedy jr. ’ s comments that his father did not believe that a “ lone - gunman ” killed his uncle, president john f. kennedy, have now been covered by all four television networks ( cbs, nbc, fox, and abc ), and gone viral on the internet. the remarks marked the first time a kennedy family member has publicly questioned the official theory that jfk was killed by a lone gunman. were rfk jr. ’ s remarks factually accurate? read more yes. the tape was probably destroyed in january 1986. this question, prompted by a comment from reader jsa, is a natural follow up to yesterday ’ s question, “ did the cia track oswald before jfk was killed? ” and there is a lot of evidence to support our answer. read more yes, closely and constantly. this is one of the biggest jfk revelations of the past 20 years, and one that we need talk up in social and news media the 50th anniversary of jfk ’ s assassination. while the cia assured congress in the 1970s that its interest in lee harvey oswald before jfk was killed was “ routine, ” the newest documents tell a very different story : oswald was monitored closely and constantly by an supersecret office


s assassination. while the cia assured congress in the 1970s that its interest in lee harvey oswald before jfk was killed was “ routine, ” the newest documents tell a very different story : oswald was monitored closely and constantly by an supersecret office within the cia ’ s counterintelligence staff from 1959 to 1963, known as the special investigations group. somebody did talk. his name was john martino. in 1963 he was an anti - castro militant who mixed with organized crime figures and cia officers. his story is one of the clearest indicators that opponents of jfk ’ s cuba policy had foreknowledge that president kennedy might be assassinated in dallas. to put it another way, those who doubt there was a conspiracy, need to address john martino ’ s story. it is corroborated in multiple ways. martino, a native of new jersey, was a petty racketeer as a young man with arrests for gambling and loan sharking. in the 1950s, he developed an expertise in electronic equipment related to gambling. he gravitated to south florida and then to havana where his skills won him a security job at the casino in the new deauville hotel in the cuban capital. havana was then dominated by organized crime syndicates who reaped big profits from gambling and related tourist attractions. in this balanced, if breathless, 1998 history channel video entitled “ missing files, ” we learn what the government sought to hide from public view. the approach is skeptical without crazy conspiracy mongering. operation northwoods was a pentagon plan to provoke a u. s. invasion of cuba in 1963 through the use of deception operations. first disclosed by the assassination records review board in 1997, the northwoods plans are among the most significant new jfk documents to emerge since oliver stone ’ s “ jfk ” movie. operation northwoods envisioned u. s. intelligence operatives staging violent attacks on u. s. targets and arranging for the blame for the mayhem to fall on fidel castro and his communist government. the idea, wrote one planner, was to creates a “ justification for u. s. intervention in cuba, ” by orchestrating a crime that placed the u. s. government “ in the apparent position of suffering defensible grievances from a rash and irresponsible government ” in cuba. these plans included the use of violence on american soil against american citizens. the question is still “ hotly debated ” says the jfk library and museum, not the least because the question has become part of


what is tetanus? tetanus is a bacterial infection that attacks the nervous system. tetanus may result in severe muscle spasms, and this can lead to a condition known as lockjaw, which prevents the mouth from opening and closing. tetanus can be fatal. tetanus is caused when the bacterium, clostridium tetani, enters the body through a break in the skin. the bacterium can come from soil, dust, or manure. it produces a toxin that causes the illness. in the united states and other countries with tetanus vaccination programs, the condition is rare. what is the tetanus vaccine? the tetanus vaccine is an inactivated toxoid ( a substance that can create an antitoxin ). there are different types of the vaccines to prevent tetanus, including : who should get vaccinated and when? the dtap vaccine is generally required before starting school. the regular immunization schedule is to give the vaccine at : - 2 months - 4 months - 6 months - 15 - 18 months - 4 - 6 years tdap is routinely recommended for children aged 11 - 12 years who have completed the dtap series. tdap can also be given to : - children aged 7 - 10 years who have not been fully vaccinated - children and teens aged 13 - 18 years who did not get the tdap when they were 11 - 12 years old - adults under 65 years who have never received tdap - pregnant women after 20 weeks gestation who have not previously received tdap - adults who have not been previously vaccinated and who have contact with babies aged 12 months or younger - healthcare providers who have not previously received tdap td is given as a booster shot every 10 years. the vaccine may also be given if you have a severe cut or burn. if you or your child has not been fully vaccinated against tetanus, talk to the doctor. what are the risks associated with the tetanus vaccine? most people tolerate the tetanus - containing vaccines without any trouble. the most common side effects are pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, mild fever, headache, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomachache. rarely, a fever of more than 102ºf, severe gastrointestinal problems, or severe headache may occur. nervous system problems and severe allergic reactions are extremely rare. localized allergic reactions ( redness and swelling ) at the injection site may occur


rarely, a fever of more than 102ºf, severe gastrointestinal problems, or severe headache may occur. nervous system problems and severe allergic reactions are extremely rare. localized allergic reactions ( redness and swelling ) at the injection site may occur, while anaphylaxis ( life - threatening, widespread allergic reaction ) is extremely rare. acetaminophen ( eg, tylenol ) is sometimes given to reduce pain and fever that may occur after getting a vaccine. in infants, the medicine may weaken the vaccine ' s effectiveness. however, in children at risk for siezures, a fever lowering medicine may be important to take. discuss the risks and benefits of taking acetaminophen with the doctor. who should not get vaccinated? the vast majority of people should receive their tetanus - containing vaccinations on schedule. however, individuals in whom the risks of vaccination outweigh the benefits include those who : - have had a life - threatening allergic reaction to dtp, dtap, dt, tdap, or td vaccine - have had a severe allergy to any component of the vaccine to be given - have gone into a coma or long seizure within seven days after a dose of dtp or dtap talk with your doctor before getting the vaccine if you have : - allergy to latex - epilepsy or other nervous system problem - severe swelling or severe pain after a previous dose of any component of the vaccination to be given - guillain - barre syndrome wait until you recover to get the vaccine if you have moderate or severe illness on the day your shot is scheduled. what other ways can tetanus be prevented besides vaccination? caring properly for wounds, including promptly cleaning them and seeing a doctor for medical care, can prevent a tetanus infection. - reviewer : lawrence frisch, md, mph - review date : 06 / 2012 - - update date : 00 / 61 / 2012 -


web and book design, copyright, kellscraft studio ( return to web text - ures ) chapter 15. observations of the gudgeon, the ruffe, and the bleak, and how to fish for them piscator. the gudgeon is reputed a fish of excellent taste, and to be very wholesome : he is of a fine shape, of a silver color, and beautified with black spots both on his body and tail. he breeds two or three times in the year, and always in summer. he is com mended for a fish of excellent nourishment : the germans call him groundling, by reason of his feeding on the ground ; and he there feasts himself in sharp streams, and on the gravel. he and the barbel both feed so, and do not hunt for flies at any time, as most other fishes do : he is an excellent fish to enter a young angler, being easy to be taken with a small red - worm, on or very near to the ground. he is one of those leather - mouthed fish that has his teeth in his throat, and will hardly be lost from off the hook if he be once strucken. they be usually scattered up and down every river in the shallows, in the heat of summer ; but in autumn, when the weeds begin to grow sour or rot, and the weather colder, then they gather together, and get into the deeper parts of the water. and are to be fished for there, with your hook always touching the ground, if you fish for him with a float, or with a cork. but many will fish for the gudgeon by hand, with a running - line upon the ground, without a cork, as a trout is fished for, and it is an excel lent way, if you have a gentle rod and as gentle a hand. there is also another fish called a pope, and by some a ruffe ; a fish that is not known to be in some rivers : he is much like the pearch for his shape, and taken to be better than the pearch, but will not grow to be bigger than a gudgeon : he is an excellent fish, no fish that swims is of a pleasanter taste, and he is also excellent to enter a young angler, for he is a greedy biter, and they will usually lie, abundance of them together, in one reserved place, where the water is deep, and runs quietly ; and an easy angler,


is also excellent to enter a young angler, for he is a greedy biter, and they will usually lie, abundance of them together, in one reserved place, where the water is deep, and runs quietly ; and an easy angler, if he has found where they lie, may catch forty or fifty, or sometimes twice so many, at a standing. you must fish for him with a small red worm, and if you bait the ground with earth, it is excellent. there is also a bleak, or fresh - water sprat, a fish that is ever in motion, and therefore called by some the river - swallow ; for just as you shall observe the swallow to be, most evenings in summer, ever in motion, making short and quick turns when he flies to catch flies in the air, by which he lives, so does the bleak at the top of the water. ausonius would have him called bleak, from his whit ish color : his back is of a pleasant sad or sea - water - green, his belly white and shining as the mountain snow. and, doubtless, though he have the fortune, which virtue has in poor people, to be neglected, yet the bleak ought to be much valued, though we want allamot - salt, and the skill that the italians have to turn them into anchovies. this fish may be caught with a pater - noster line ; that is, six or eight very small hooks tied along the line, one half a foot above the other : i have seen five caught thus at one time, and the bait has been gentles, than which none is better. or this fish may be caught with a fine small artificial fly, which is to be of a very sad brown color, and very small, and the hook answerable. there is no better sport than whipping for bleaks in a boat, or on a bank in the swift water in a summer ' s evening, with a hazel top about five or six foot long, and a line twice the length of the rod. i have heard sir henry wotton say, that there be many that in italy will catch swallows so, or especially martins, this bird - angler standing on the top of a steeple to do it, and with a line twice so long as i have spoken of : and let me tell you, scholar, that both martins and bleaks be most excellent meat. and let me tell you, that i have known a hern that did constantly frequent one place


according to the national program for playground safety ( npps ), a nonprofit organization that funds efforts to reduce playground injuries, more than 200, 000 preschool and elementary aged children are injured on playgrounds every year to the extent that they require hospital care. what ’ s more, while many of us assume that such dangers lurk only on public playgrounds, the reality is that private playgrounds – the ones in our own backyards – also pose a hazard and, consequently, potential legal liability. in fact, at least 19 % of playground injuries occur on home playground equipment. however, with just a bit more awareness and increased diligence, we can ensure that our children get the most out of their playtime and that we aren ’ t unwittingly placing ourselves in legal jeopardy. npps recommends using the acronym s. a. f. e. to guide us in our playground safety mission. supervise : children should never be left alone while playing on playground equipment. parents who supervise are able to better assess situations that children can ’ t and are consequently able to prevent injuries. age - appropriate : consider the level of difficulty in maneuvering the playground your child is using. are the tasks and movements those that your child is capable of mastering? taking kids to age - appropriate play sets drastically reduce the likelihood of injury. fall surface : a vast majority of playground injuries result directly from falls. as a result, playground owners should always use a fall surface material that takes into account equipment height, durability, surface depth, and american society for testing & materials standards. recommended materials include shredded rubber, sand, pea gravel, and hardwood fiber. equipment maintenance : playgrounds that are kept free of splinters, rust, cracks, structural weaknesses, and openings in which children could become stuck are much safer for children to play on. maintenance should be a routine endeavor. if a play set is visibly deteriorated, don ’ t go near it! by following these basic guidelines, we can reduce the number of annual injuries our children sustain from playgrounds. after all, many of such unfortunate incidents are completely preventable. what ’ s more, by applying such recommendations to the play sets in our own backyards, we can minimize our liability and keep our personal assets out of jeopardy. author : paul b. harding ; martin, harding & mazzotti llp ®


if you ' ve ever been sick to your stomach while riding in a car, train, airplane, or boat, you know exactly what motion sickness feels like. it ' s no fun. to understand motion sickness, it helps to understand a few parts of your body and how they affect the way you feel movement : inner ears : liquid in the semicircular canals of the inner ear allows you to sense if you ' re moving, and, if you are, which way you ' re moving — up, down, side to side, round and round, forward, or backward. eyes : what you see also lets your body know whether you ' re moving and in which direction. skin receptors : these receptors tell your brain which parts of your body are touching the ground. muscles and joint sensory receptors : these sensing receptors tell your brain if you ' re moving your muscles and which position your body is in. the brain gets an instant report from these different parts of your body and tries to put together a total picture about what you are doing just at that moment. but if any of the pieces of this picture don ' t match, you can get motion sickness. for example, if you ' re riding in a car and reading a book, your inner ears and skin receptors will detect that you are moving forward. however, your eyes are looking at a book that isn ' t moving, and your muscle receptors are telling your brain that you ' re sitting still. so the brain gets a little confused. things may begin to feel a little scrambled inside your head at that point. when this happens, you might feel really tired, dizzy, or sick to your stomach. sometimes you might even throw up. and if you ' re feeling scared or anxious, your motion sickness might get even worse. put your best face forward. always sit facing forward. don ' t face backward in your seat or sit in a seat that faces backward. sitting forward helps keep the motion sensed by your eyes and ears the same. examine the great outdoors. look outside. from inside a car, look at stuff far away, like the barn up ahead or a mountain. if you ' re seasick on a boat, go to the top deck ( in the middle of the boat ) and look far out into the horizon — where the sea and sky meet. on an airplane, try looking out the window. this way, your eyes won ' t be fooled into thinking you ' re not moving when you actually are. get to the middle of things. whatever you ' re


where the sea and sky meet. on an airplane, try looking out the window. this way, your eyes won ' t be fooled into thinking you ' re not moving when you actually are. get to the middle of things. whatever you ' re riding in, find the place with the least amount of movement. this means sitting closer to the center of a plane ( in the aisle seats over the wings ) or in the middle of a boat — rather than at the sides or the front, where you ' re more likely to feel seasick. if you feel this way easily during any kind of movement, it ' s a good idea to go to the doctor. he or she will want to make sure there ' s nothing wrong with your inner ears or any of the other body parts that sense movement. but for typical motion sickness, your parent may be able to give you medicine before you travel. for some kids, it may help to wear pressure bracelets that can be bought at the drugstore. if you feel yourself getting sick while you ' re traveling in a car, it might help if the driver finds a safe spot where you can get out and walk around a little bit. if you can ' t pull over, make sure you have a plastic bag in the car — just in case!


with warm weather and family events, the fourth of july can be a fun time with great memories. but before your family celebrates, make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety. if not handled properly, fireworks can cause burn and eye injuries in kids and adults. the best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home — period. attend public fireworks displays, and leave the lighting to the professionals. lighting fireworks at home isn ' t even legal in many areas, so if you still want to use them, be sure to check with your local police department first. if they ' re legal where you live, keep these safety tips in mind : kids should never play with fireworks. things like firecrackers, rockets, and sparklers are just too dangerous. if you give kids sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from the face, clothing, and hair. sparklers can reach 1, 800° fahrenheit ( 982° celsius ) — hot enough to melt gold. buy only legal fireworks ( legal fireworks have a label with the manufacturer ' s name and directions ; illegal ones are unlabeled ), and store them in a cool, dry place. illegal fireworks usually go by the names m - 80, m100, blockbuster, or quarterpounder. these explosives were banned in 1966, but still account for many fireworks injuries. never try to make your own fireworks. always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of accidents. steer clear of others — fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest. don ' t hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting. wear some sort of eye protection, and avoid carrying fireworks in your pocket — the friction could set them off. point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush and leaves and flammable substances. the national fire protection association estimates that local fire departments respond to more 50, 000 fires caused by fireworks each year. light one firework at a time ( not in glass or metal containers ), and never relight a dud. don ' t allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. some may still be ignited and can explode at any time. soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can. think about your pet. animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the fourth of


kawasaki disease is an illness that involves the skin, mouth, and lymph nodes, and most often affects kids under age 5. the cause is unknown, but if the symptoms are recognized early, kids with kawasaki disease can fully recover within a few days. untreated, it can lead to serious complications that can affect the heart. kawasaki disease occurs in 19 out of every 100, 000 kids in the united states. it is most common among children of japanese and korean descent, but can affect all ethnic groups. signs and symptoms kawasaki disease can ' t be prevented, but usually has telltale symptoms and signs that appear in phases. the first phase, which can last for up to 2 weeks, usually involves a persistent fever higher than 104°f ( 39°c ) and lasts for at least 5 days. other symptoms that typically develop include : severe redness in the eyes a rash on the stomach, chest, and genitals red, dry, cracked lips swollen tongue with a white coating and big red bumps sore, irritated throat swollen palms of the hands and soles of the feet with a purple - red color swollen lymph nodes during the second phase, which usually begins within 2 weeks of when the fever started, the skin on the hands and feet may begin to peel in large pieces. the child also may experience joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. if your child shows any of these symptoms, call your doctor. doctors can manage the symptoms of kawasaki disease if they catch it early. symptoms often disappear within just 2 days of the start of treatment. if kawasaki disease is treated within 10 days of the onset of symptoms, heart problems usually do not develop. cases that go untreated can lead to more serious complications, such as vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels. this can be particularly dangerous because it can affect the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. in addition to the coronary arteries, the heart muscle, lining, valves, and the outer membrane that surrounds the heart can become inflamed. arrhythmias ( changes in the normal pattern of the heartbeat ) or abnormal functioning of some heart valves also can occur. no single test can detect kawasaki disease, so doctors usually diagnose it by evaluating the symptoms and ruling out other conditions. most kids diagnosed with kawasaki disease will have a fever lasting 5 or more days and at least four of these symptoms : redness in both eyes changes around the lips, tongue, or mouth changes in the


sickle cell disease. it ' s a strange sounding name — and, no, the word " sickle " isn ' t related to " sick. " the disease got this name because it causes blood cells to be curved or c - shaped, like the shape of an old - fashioned farm tool called a sickle. normally, blood cells are round and look a bit like donuts. in people with sickle cell disease, some of the red blood cells harden and curve. they also break down faster than healthy red blood cells and can clog a person ' s small blood vessels. sickle cell disease is inherited. you can ' t catch it from someone. it ' s most common among people of african or hispanic descent, but it can occur in many different ethnic groups. there ' s no easy cure for sickle cell disease. in rare cases, it is possible to get sick enough to die, but most teens and kids are able to manage sickle cell disease by eating carefully and taking vitamins ( especially folic acid ), getting enough rest, and scheduling regular visits to the doctor — and by having supportive friends like you who let them just be themselves! what ' s my friend going through? your friend may be tired more often than you are or have trouble fighting infections. people with sickle cell disease can develop. they also may have some. your friend also might have bouts of severe pain, caused by the red blood cells restricting blood flow. these are called " pain crises " and they can happen anywhere in the body. pain crises can last anywhere from a few moments to several days or even longer. right now, there ' s no cure, but doctors can give a person medications to help lessen the pain. if you want to know what it ' s like to have sickle cell disease, ask your friend : your gentle curiosity may help your friend feel less self - conscious or less embarrassed ( after all, we all can feel awkward about the things that make us feel different from our friends ). if your friend doesn ' t feel like talking, though, don ' t press. doing a little research online can help you get a sense of what it ' s like to live with sickle cell disease. most teens with sickle cell disease have to pay extra attention to diet, exercise, and watching how their bodies respond to common infections. some may take antibiotics to help fight off common bacteria. they might need to have frequent doctor ' s appointments to stay well. first, be there for your friend. ok


attention to diet, exercise, and watching how their bodies respond to common infections. some may take antibiotics to help fight off common bacteria. they might need to have frequent doctor ' s appointments to stay well. first, be there for your friend. ok, so this is obvious. but sometimes a friend may not realize how important it can be. people with chronic illnesses often feel isolated and alone, especially if their symptoms keep them out of school for stretches of time. visit your friend as often as you can. even if you aren ' t sure what to say, just being there to listen to music, share some quiet time together, and show your support will mean a lot. if you can ' t be there in person, take a moment to text, call, or im. set up a social network group so your friend can stay connected to a bunch of people. or surprise your friend by sending a card or note through the mail. talk about it — and listen. most of us like to talk with people we love and trust when we ' re going through tough times. listen, ask questions, and do some basic research on your own so you can understand more about the condition and what your friend might be feeling. don ' t be afraid to ask questions of your friend ' s family, the doctors, and other people with sickle cell disease. your friend might have to limit some of activities, especially sports, and may feel self - conscious about having sickle cell disease. try to be understanding and remind your friend of the skills that make him or her shine — like a great singing voice or debating skills. having a chronic illness is only a part of who your friend is. encourage healthy habits. eating well and staying hydrated is important for all of us, but it ' s especially important for someone with sickle cell disease. help your friend avoid alcohol and smoking, both of which can aggravate the condition. it ' s a huge help to a friend ( not to mention your own health! ) when you don ' t drink or smoke, since people who feel like they ' re " different " may think they have to drink or smoke in order to fit in. know the warning signs. talk to your friend if you notice any of these symptoms. they may be signs of a serious problem : severe chest pain shortness of breath ( difficulty breathing ) abdominal swelling or pain any sudden weakness or loss of feeling, slurring of speech sudden changes in vision sickle cell disease carries a ( small ) risk of, so


of a serious problem : severe chest pain shortness of breath ( difficulty breathing ) abdominal swelling or pain any sudden weakness or loss of feeling, slurring of speech sudden changes in vision sickle cell disease carries a ( small ) risk of, so it ' s a good idea to know the signs so your friend can get medical attention if he or she needs it. but don ' t panic, and don ' t let watching for danger signs get in the way of having fun together. most problems won ' t be serious. be the go - to person. managing a chronic disease takes a lot of energy and your friend may tire more easily than you do. if your friend has to miss school or starts to fall behind, nominate yourself to be the point person in charge of bringing books and assignments, and keeping him or her up to date on what classmates and friends are doing. take care of yourself. when a close friend has a disease like sickle cell, it can take a toll on you, too. so try to be aware of your own emotional needs. it ' s particularly hard to watch someone you care about endure a pain crisis — it can feel helpless and scary. think about how you want to respond and talk to your friend about what ' s most helpful. talk with a trusted adult about the impact this has on you, or keep a journal or write poetry or songs to get your feelings out. it can feel good to be there for your friend, in whatever way feels natural, so that the disease doesn ' t take center stage. more than anything, just focus on having fun together.


you have probably seen people who have down syndrome. they have certain physical features, such as a flatter face and upward slanting eyes. they may have medical problems, too, such as heart defects. kids with down syndrome usually have trouble learning and are slower to learn how to talk and take care of themselves. but despite their challenges, kids with down syndrome can go to regular schools, make friends, enjoy life, and get jobs when they ' re older. getting special help early — often when they are just babies and toddlers — can be the key to healthier, happier, more independent lives. chromosomes are the cause to understand why down syndrome happens, you need to understand a little about chromosomes. what are chromosomes? they ' re thread - like structures within each cell and are made up of genes. genes provide the information that determines everything about people, from hair color to whether they are girls or boys. most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46. but a baby with down syndrome has an extra chromosome ( 47 instead of 46 ) or one chromosome has an extra part. this extra genetic material causes problems with the way their bodies develop. health problems are common about half of babies with down syndrome are born with heart defects, which means their hearts developed differently and don ' t work as they should. usually, these problems can be corrected by surgery. some babies may have intestinal problems that also require surgery to fix. kids with down syndrome are more likely to get infections that affect their lungs and breathing. when they do get infections, they often last longer. they may have eye or ear problems or digestion problems like constipation. some may develop leukemia, a type of cancer. each person with down syndrome is different and may have one, several, or all of these problems. kids with down syndrome tend to grow and develop more slowly than other children do. they may start walking or talking later than other babies. special help, such as physical therapy and speech therapy, can give kids a boost with their walking and talking skills. about 1 out of every 800 babies born in the united states has down syndrome, no matter what race or nationality the parents are. it is not contagious, so you can ' t catch it from someone else. you are born with it. no one gets down syndrome later in life. now you know that down syndrome is caused by a problem with a chromosome. you might already know that we get our chromosomes from our mother and father. remember the 23 pairs of chromosomes —


born with it. no one gets down syndrome later in life. now you know that down syndrome is caused by a problem with a chromosome. you might already know that we get our chromosomes from our mother and father. remember the 23 pairs of chromosomes — half are from your mom and half are from your dad. but doctors aren ' t sure why this chromosome problem happens to some babies. it ' s nothing the mom or dad did before the child was born. anyone can have a baby with down syndrome. but the older the mother, the greater the risk. times have changed at one time, most kids with down syndrome did not live past childhood. many would often become sick from infections. others would die from their heart problems or other problems they had at birth. today, most of these health problems can be treated and most kids who have it will grow into adulthood. medicines can help with infections and surgery can correct heart, intestinal, and other problems. if the person gets leukemia, medical treatments can be very successful. down syndrome is something a person will have all of his or her life. but scientists continue to do research in the hope of finding ways to prevent down syndrome or at least improve the health and lives of people who have it. what ' s life like for kids with down syndrome? many kids with down syndrome go to regular schools and may attend regular classes. some need special classes to help them in areas where they have more trouble learning. their parents work with teachers and others to come up with a plan for the best way for each child to learn. kids with down syndrome like their playtime, too. they play sports and participate in activities, such as music lessons or dance classes. kids with down syndrome may look different, but they want to be treated the same way all kids want to be treated — with respect, fairness, and friendship.


the complete solution for ant control. 1. search - the queens of most species remain in the nest producing eggs and only venture out when moving to set up a new nest. the queens of argentine ants are an exception in that they will also forage for food with the workers. this makes argentines more invasive, as the queens can be spread by being transported on vehicles, plants, boxes and goods of all sorts. a single queen can set up a new colony with as few as 20 workers. in most cases the nest ( s ) will be in warm, dry sandy soil, often under a rock, paving stone, driveway etc. the position of the nest might be given away by a stream of worker ants going back and forth into a hole in the ground. do not spray this entrance with insecticide yet. spraying might serve only to induce the colony to leave and set up a nest or nests elsewhere and spread the problem. 2. ' kill the queen / s ' - first use no ants gel bait. workers feed on the bait and take it back to the nest to feed the queen ( s ), other workers and larvae. use many small amounts of bait where you see ants or have seen them in the past. ants change their feeding habits depending on the requirements of the nest. no ants gel bait contains a high level of protein and carbohydrate to attract a wide range of pest species and to satisfy their needs for both protein and sugar. squeeze a small ( pea sized ) amount of no ants gel bait into the base of each of the 3 bait stations. fold over lid and insert the 4 nibs into the corresponding holes with a pen or pencil. place the bait stations containing bait where ants are seen or have been seen in the past. additional baits can be placed on dishes, clean foil or other containers if there are many trails of ants. ants are very sensitive to strong chemicals. all dishes or containers used to hold bait should be rinsed well with clean water and dried before use ( this should not be necessary with the included bait stations ). replenish the bait regularly until you see no more ( or very few ) insects feeding. only then should you use spray insecticide to eradicate the nests and to act as a barrier to further infestation. note : white footed ants are less susceptible to baits as they do not feed it directly to rest of the colony. they process food and produce a sweet secretion which they feed queens and larvae with. thus they may have filtered out the toxin


. note : white footed ants are less susceptible to baits as they do not feed it directly to rest of the colony. they process food and produce a sweet secretion which they feed queens and larvae with. thus they may have filtered out the toxin or have died before having a chance to pass it on. however, it is still worthwhile baiting first when treating for white footed ants. 3. stop them with barriers – make up no ants super spray. mix 20 ml of no ants super concentrate into 1 litre of clean water or total contents into 5 litres of water ( once diluted use the entire preparation ). it is the trails of worker ants getting into your home, other building or onto your deck that are usually the nuisance caused by ants. no ants super spray concentrate can be used to spray the nest sites after baiting and to spray around your house to prevent ants pestering you. no ants super surface spray will kill ants that cross the treated surfaces but will also act as a barrier. many trailing ant species will detect the insecticide and avoid it. ants inside : cover or remove food, food utensils and food preparation surfaces. spray or paint skirtings, cupboards bases, inlet and outlet water pipes, and anywhere ants are moving or where you have seen them in the past. wash down food preparation surfaces after treatment. ants outside : thoroughly spray the base of walls, paths, vents, gaps around pipes and cables and other points of entry to buildings. we recommend using kiwicare no ants bait before spraying nest sites to prevent spreading ant problems by nest budding ( colonies splitting and forming multiple new nests ). note : some ant species, particularly white footed ants climb trees and walls, so check for trails going up surfaces and spray or paint no ants super around the trunks of trees and plants close to the building and walls. note : some ants such as argentine ants ' farm ' aphids and scale insects for sweet secretions and it worth treating your plants with no insects or disease spectrum to control these sap sucking plant pests and deny the ants their food supply. 4. deny the ants a nest site – no ants super should be sprayed at the entrance to previously identified nest sites, even if there is now no activity. also spray all the cracks and crevices around paving, driveways, stones, and the bases of walls to prevent new ant nest being set up. note : kiwicare no ants outdoors or no insects lawngard prills can be useful in areas of garden where ants are a


“ chasing venus is [ a ] thrilling adventure story.... wulf ’ s marvelous eye for detail and talent for simplifying complex science make the book, timed for release a month before the last transit of this century, well worth reading before june. ” — the denver post the author of the highly acclaimed founding gardeners now gives us an enlightening chronicle of the first truly international scientific endeavor — the eighteenth - century quest to observe the transit of venus and measure the solar system. on june 6, 1761, the world paused to observe a momentous occasion : the first transit of venus between the earth and the sun in more than a century. through that observation, astronomers could calculate the size of the solar system — but only if they could compile data from many different points of the globe, all recorded during the short period of the transit. overcoming incredible odds and political strife, astronomers from britain, france, russia, germany, sweden, and the american colonies set up observatories in remote corners of the world, only to have their efforts thwarted by unpredictable weather and warring armies. fortunately, transits of venus occur in pairs : eight years later, the scientists would have another opportunity to succeed. chasing venus brings to life the personalities of the eighteenth - century astronomers who embarked upon this complex and essential scientific venture, painting a vivid portrait of the collaborations, the rivalries, and the volatile international politics that hindered them at every turn. in the end, what they accomplished would change our conception of the universe and would forever alter the nature of scientific research. andrea wulf was born in india and moved to germany as a child. she trained as a design historian at the royal college of art and is the author of founding gardeners, the brother gardeners and, most recently, chasing venus, as well as the coauthor ( with emma gieben - gamal ) of this other eden : seven great gardens and 300 years of english history. she has written for the sunday times, financial times, the wall street journal and the los angeles times, and she regularly reviews for several newspapers, including the new york times, the guardian and the times literary supplement.


| " if i only had a brain! " | the brain is usually referred to as if it were a single organ. however, the brain is a system with multiple and distinct components performing certain tasks for the body and mind. one such component, the amygdala ( amygdaloid nucleus ), plays an important part in our emotional processes. it can jolt our bodies in fear, form emotional memories, helps us feel our dreams and can shape the effects of certain stress disorders and phobias. indeed, the amygdala is where the excitement is at in our bodies. amygdala is the latin word for almond. anatomically, it is part of our limbic system including the hippocampus and basal ganglia. this group of structures deals with motivation, learning and memory. the amygdala is a mass of gray matter reaching into each hemisphere of the brain. the two amygdale sit on the horn - like tips of the hippocampus. they work with our sympathetic nervous system to put the body in a state of “ fight - or - flight ”. this means the body puts all its resources towards surviving a threat. the amygdala assesses stimuli extremely fast and that is how we get excited – information on a potential threat is sent directly from the thalamus and our body reacts with increased heart rate and better vision among other effects, such as processes of the bowels being stopped. while this is occuring, the thalamus sends information about the stimulus to the cortex which, to put it loosely, takes a while to think about it. this dual appraisal system gets us on our feet to aid in survival. however, the cortex could determine the stimulus was only a harmless spooking thus signaling the amygdala an all - clear so our body can relax. the amygdala has an important role in memory. it reminds us, for better or worse, of past situations. since it is so emotional, the amygdala is responsible for those persistent thoughts we wish we would forget ( schacter, gilbert, wegner 6. 5. 7 ). it nags us with recollections of painful or shocking events. flash bulb memories are vivid in our minds where we can remember where we were and what we were doing at the moment bad news came. now when i hear someone say, “ i still get worked up over that old situation ”, i know it is the amygdala causing physiological


minds where we can remember where we were and what we were doing at the moment bad news came. now when i hear someone say, “ i still get worked up over that old situation ”, i know it is the amygdala causing physiological reactions. we need not fret too much however, as we can deal with persistence in memory and reframe things to help cope with lingering emotional pain ( 16. 3. 1 ). it ’ s about looking at the past in a new way that can facilitate emotional healing. the amygdala is central in fear conditioning. rats who were conditioned to associate a tone with pain reacted with freezing, which is a natural response to a threat where they crouch down motionless. the animal ’ s appraisal of the tone caused its amygdala to activate the sympathetic nervous system ’ s physiological effects. rats were conditioned in a lab experiment to get physically stressed out by a tone. but some people get stressed at the mere thought of rats! a quick trip to the phobia list site tells us this is referred to as zemmiphobia. while this is a pseudo - medical term, the real fear could be based in preparedness theory, which means there is a natural reason to be afraid of rats who can bite and spread disease. as a result of adaptation, humans could be predisposed to fear rats. i have seen a person shriek at the sight of a rat – an example of the amygdala in action! phobias are also linked to high levels of activity in the amygdala ( 14. 2. 2 ). a phobic disorder is persistent and excessive fear of specific objects. for example, this means some people can be really afraid of rats in a way that is irrational. the size of the amygdala can also affect our behavior. japanese researchers have evidence produced by brain scans that a smaller amygdala is associated with anxiety in patients with panic disorder ( hayano, et al., 2009 ). the researchers first diagnosed the patients using the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders ( dsm - iv ). anxiety disorders are number 7 on the dsm - iv list. the research states, “ the basic conception of pd [ panic disorder ] is fear of panic attack and anticipatory anxiety, ‘ panic attack may happen to me ’. fear and anxiety are inseparably connected the function of the amygdala, and the sense of fear is stored in the hippocampus


of panic attack and anticipatory anxiety, ‘ panic attack may happen to me ’. fear and anxiety are inseparably connected the function of the amygdala, and the sense of fear is stored in the hippocampus area ( 267 ). ” it is that nagging, persistent memory that creates the vicious circle of the fear of a panic attack causing an attack itself. the research suggests a smaller amygdala could indicate a dysfunctional aspect of that region of the brain ( 274 ). in other words, the little amygdala is causing big worries that lead to negative physical reactions. being an excitable part of the brain, the amygdala works day and night to even affect our sleep. this is how we intensely feel emotion in our dreams, whether it is bliss, terror, love or awe ( schacter, gilbert, wegner 5. 2. 2 ). the amygdala is acting with the visual association area of the brain, conjuring emotionally stirring images that can result in a nightmare and waking up from a scary dream. why am i compelled by the amygdala? i suppose it is my frequent interaction with it. certain emotional memories persist in my mind. some are good but i can ’ t seem to shake many that are bad. recollections of painful events and personal losses come back to me every now and then. i still feel these events and that is my amygdala at work. personally, hard life experiences have almost always resulted in hard lessons. it is not like dr. b. f. skinner experimenting on a rat, but it can be fear conditioning of sorts. the term, “ once bitten, twice shy ” could be about reacting to memories of real pain stored in the amygdala. sometimes, with those persistent memories, i wonder if i only knew then what i know now? it is not about so much about knowledge but rather it is wisdom and that is something time and experience can produce – or i would at least hope so! the amygdala is there to remind us of what experiences felt like so we can avoid them if possible. those little “ almonds ” strung together in the middle of our brain could be the roots of our own wisdom – which means knowing how to go about current situations because we are frequently reminded by feeling similar past experiences. hayano, f., nakamura, m., asami, t., uehara, k., yo


at a glance why get tested? to screen for or diagnose a chlamydia infection when to get tested? for screening : may be recommended if you are sexually active, pregnant or considering pregnancy, or at increased risk for this sexually transmitted disease ( std ) for diagnosis : when you have symptoms of this std, such as such as vaginal discharge and abdominal pain ( for women ) or unusual discharge from the penis or pain on urination ( for men ) ; when a newborn has conjunctivitis a swab or brush of cells or secretion from the infected area or a first - catch urine sample test preparation needed? tell your doctor about use of antibiotics or, for women, douches or vaginal creams within 24 hours before testing vaginal samples, as they may affect test results. you may be instructed to wait one to two hours after you last urinated before collecting a urine sample. follow any instructions you are given. the test sample what is being tested? this test is looking for evidence of infection by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis. chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease ( std ) in the united states and is especially common among people 15 to 25 years of age. the centers for disease control and prevention ( cdc ) estimates that 2. 8 million americans are infected with chlamydia each year and notes that women are frequently re - infected if their partners don ' t get treatment. actual incidence may be higher since many people do not experience any symptoms and their cases go undiagnosed and unreported. still, over one million new cases are reported each year. diagnosing and treating chlamydia is very important to prevent long - term complications and spread of the infection to others. chlamydia is generally transmitted through sexual contact ( oral, vaginal, or anal ) with an infected partner. risk factors include having multiple sex partners, coinfection or previous infection with another std, and not using barrier contraception consistently. an infected mother can pass the infection to her baby during childbirth. these babies are in danger of developing conjunctivitis, an inflammation that can threaten eyesight, and pneumonia. about 75 % of infected women and 50 % of infected men have no symptoms ; some may experience only mild symptoms. for women, symptoms, if they occur, include bleeding between menstrual periods and after sexual intercourse, abdominal pain, painful intercourse, and an abnormal vaginal discharge. for


of infected men have no symptoms ; some may experience only mild symptoms. for women, symptoms, if they occur, include bleeding between menstrual periods and after sexual intercourse, abdominal pain, painful intercourse, and an abnormal vaginal discharge. for men, symptoms include pus or milky discharge from the penis and inflammation of the prostate ( prostatitis ) or of the rectal area ( proctitis ). both sexes can experience painful or frequent urination. chlamydia is easily treated with a course of antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can cause severe reproductive and other health problems. if left untreated, women may develop pelvic inflammatory disease ( pid ) from infections that start on the cervix but that can spread to the fallopian tubes and ovaries. this can cause infertility and increase the risk of tubal ( ectopic ) pregnancy, which is often fatal. women who are infected and pregnant may experience heavy bleeding before delivery and premature rupture of the membranes. men may become sterile. both sexes may develop rectal itching and red, swollen, itchy eyes. how is the sample collected for testing? many different kinds of samples may be used for testing, but not all laboratories can test every kind of sample. a doctor may use a swab or brush to collect a sample of cells or secretion from the infected area, such as the urethra, penis, anus, throat, cervix or vagina. sometimes a vaginal sample may be collected with a swab by the woman who is undergoing testing ( self - collection ). a first - catch urine sample may be collected in a container provided by the doctor or laboratory. note : if undergoing medical tests makes you or someone you care for anxious, embarrassed, or even difficult to manage, you might consider reading one or more of the following articles : coping with test pain, discomfort, and anxiety, tips on blood testing, tips to help children through their medical tests, and tips to help the elderly through their medical tests. another article, follow that sample, provides a glimpse at the collection and processing of a blood sample and throat culture. is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample? tell your doctor about use of antibiotics or, if you are a woman, douches or vaginal creams within 24 hours before testing vaginal samples, as they may affect test results. you may be instructed to wait one to two hours after you


your doctor about use of antibiotics or, if you are a woman, douches or vaginal creams within 24 hours before testing vaginal samples, as they may affect test results. you may be instructed to wait one to two hours after you last urinated before collecting a urine sample. follow any instructions you are given. ask a laboratory scientist this form enables you to ask specific questions about your tests. your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, american society for clinical laboratory science. if your questions are not related to your lab tests, please submit them via our contact us form. thank you. * indicates a required field note : this article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the lab tests online editorial review board. this article is periodically reviewed by the editorial board and may be updated as a result of the review. any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used. sources used in current review kimberly a. workowski and stuart berman. sexually transmitted diseases guidelines, 2010. morbidity and mortality weekly report. pdf available for download at http : / / www. cdc. gov / std / treatment / 2010 / std - treatment - 2010 - rr5912. pdf through http : / / www. cdc. gov. published december 27, 2010. accessed july 2, 2012. united states preventive service task force. uspstf recommendations for sti screening. available online at http : / / www. uspreventiveservicestaskforce. org / uspstf08 / methods / stinfections. htm through http : / / www. uspreventiveservicestaskforce. org. last updated march 2008. accessed july 2, 2012. laboratory procedure manual. centers for disease control and prevention. pdf available for download at http : / / www. cdc. gov / nchs / data / nhanes / nhanes _ 05 _ 06 / chlmda _ d _ met _ chlamydia. pdf through http : / / www. cdc. gov. published october 2007. accessed july 2, 2012. sexual conditions health center : chlamydia tests. medscape. available online at http : / / www. webmd. com / sexual - conditions / chlamydia - tests? page = 3 through http : / / www. webmd. com. last updated : december


tests. medscape. available online at http : / / www. webmd. com / sexual - conditions / chlamydia - tests? page = 3 through http : / / www. webmd. com. last updated : december 15, 2010. accessed jul 2, 2012. centers for disease control and prevention. chlamydia - cdc fact sheet. available online at http : / / www. cdc. gov / std / chlamydia / stdfact - chlamydia. htm through http : / / www. cdc. gov. last updated february 8, 2012. accessed july 2, 2012. centers for disease control and prevention. chlamydia and gonorrhea — two most commonly reported infectious diseases in the united states. available online at http : / / www. cdc. gov / features / dsstddata / through http : / / www. cdc. gov. last updated april 22, 2011. accessed july 2, 2012. centers for disease control and prevention. 2010 treatment guidelines, special populations. available online at http : / / www. cdc. gov / std / treatment / 2010 / specialpops. htm # msm through http : / / www. cdc. gov. accessed september 2012. ( january 13, 2009 ) association for public health laboratories. expert consultation meeting summary report, laboratory diagnostic testing for chlamydia trachomatis and neisseria gonorrhoeae. pdf available for download at http : / / www. aphl. org / aphlprograms / infectious / std / documents / ctgclabguidelinesmeetingreport. pdf through http : / / www. aphl. org. accessed sept 2012. sources used in previous reviews centers for disease control and prevention. chlamydia fact sheet. available online at http : / / www. cdc. gov / std / chlamydia / stdfact - chlamydia. htm through http : / / www. cdc. gov. arnot ogden medical center. chlamydia. available online at http : / / www. aomc. org / chlamydia. html through http : / / www. aomc. org. american social health association. learn chlamydia facts. available online at http : / / www. ashastd. org / learn / learn _ chlamydia _ facts. cfm through http : / / www. asha


org. american social health association. learn chlamydia facts. available online at http : / / www. ashastd. org / learn / learn _ chlamydia _ facts. cfm through http : / / www. ashastd. org. centers for disease control and prevention. sexually transitted diseases treatment guidelines 2002. mmwr 2002 ; 51 ( no. rr - 6 ) [ 32 - 41 ]. planned parenthood. chlamydia. available online at http : / / www. plannedparenthood. org / health - topics / stds - hiv - safer - sex / chlamydia - 4266. htm through http : / / www. plannedparenthood. org. accessed february 2009. centers for disease control and prevention. chlamydia - cdc fact sheet. available online at http : / / www. cdc. gov / std / chlamydia / stdfact - chlamydia. htm through http : / / www. cdc. gov. accessed february 2009. teenshealth. chlamydia. available online at http : / / kidshealth. org / teen / sexual _ health / stds / std _ chlamydia. html through http : / / kidshealth. org. accessed february 2009. arup consult. sexually transmitted infections, bacteria. available online at http : / / www. arupconsult. com / topics / infectiousdz / bacteria / stis. html # through http : / / www. arupconsult. com. accessed february 2009. webmd. chlamydia tests. available online at http : / / www. webmd. com / sexual - conditions / chlamydia - tests through http : / / www. webmd. com. accessed february 2009.


growth hormone ( gh ) controls the growth of soft tissue and bone. elevated gh causes an excess of bone and soft tissue growth. in adults, this can cause a rare disorder called acromegaly. it can cause serious complications and early death if not treated. in young children, bone fusion and growth is still occurring. excess gh can cause a similar condition called gigantism. the pituitary gland is a small gland located at the base of the brain. it produces many hormones, including gh. in most cases, the elevation of gh is caused by a benign tumor of this gland. in a small number of cases, malignant tumors of other organs ( pancreas, adrenal, lung ) may be the source of excess gh. risk factors that increase your chance of developing acromegaly include : - family history ( rare ) - age : 40 - 45 years old symptoms usually develop slowly over time. in children, the bones are elongated and cause soft tissue swelling. if not treated, children can grow to a height of 7 - 8 feet. symptoms and complications in adults may include : abnormally large growth and deformity of the : - hands ( rings no longer fit ) - feet ( need a bigger size shoe ) - face ( protrusion of brow and lower jaw ) - jaw ( teeth do not line up correctly when the mouth is closed ) - carpal tunnel syndrome skin changes, such as : - thickened, oily, and sometimes darkened skin - severe acne - excessive sweating and unpleasant body order due to enlargement of the sweat glands - deepening voice due to enlarged sinuses, vocal cords, and soft tissues of the throat - fatigue and weakness in legs and arms - sleep apnea - arthritis and other joint problems, especially in the jaw - abnormally large liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, and / or other internal organs, which can lead to : - irregular menstrual cycles - galactorrhea ( abnormal production of breast milk ) in about 50 % of cases - impotence in about 50 % of cases the doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. a physical exam will be done. acromegaly is often not diagnosed until years after its onset. blood tests will be done to measure the level of : - insulin - like growth factor ( igf - i ) - growth hormone releasing hormone ( ghrh ) - other pituitary hormones a glucose tolerance test may also be given to see if


blood tests will be done to measure the level of : - insulin - like growth factor ( igf - i ) - growth hormone releasing hormone ( ghrh ) - other pituitary hormones a glucose tolerance test may also be given to see if the gh level drops. it will not drop in cases of acromegaly. if these tests confirm acromegaly, the following may be done to locate the tumor that is causing the disorder : the goals of treatment are to : - reduce production of gh to normal levels - stop and reverse the symptoms caused by excess gh - correct other endocrine abnormalities ( thyroid, adrenal, sex organs ) - reduce the tumor size treatment may include : the tumor that is believed to be causing acromegaly may be removed. in most cases, this is the preferred treatment. however, drug treatment is becoming more popular as the primary treatment approach. external beams of radiation are used to shrink the tumor. it is most often used when surgery cannot be used or when medications have failed. drugs may be given to reduce the level of gh. these include : - cabergoline ( dostinex ) — given orally - pergolide ( permax ) — given orally - bromocriptine ( parlodel ) — may be given before surgery to shrink tumor - octreotide ( sandostatin ) — given by injections ( may be the most effective medication for this condition ) - pegvisomant — given by injections if not responding to other forms of treatment there are no known steps to prevent acromegaly. early treatment will help to prevent serious complications. - reviewer : kari kassir, md - review date : 10 / 2012 - - update date : 10 / 30 / 2012 -


healthy eating will take center stage as scotland county joins the rest of the nation in recognizing “ national nutrition month ” this march. sponsored by the academy of nutrition and dietetics, the national nutrition month program was created to encourage consumers to develop a healthy eating plan. promoting the theme “ eat right, your way, every day, ” cardra e. burns of the scotland county department of public health said that healthy eating does not have to be painful. “ eating healthy doesn ’ t mean taste is compromised and most favorite foods can fit ( within a healthy diet pattern ), ” burns said. advising locals to choose foods packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients, the wic program director said that it is also important to choose foods that are low in calories. asked what foods should be included in a healthy diet, burns praised “ fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat - free or low - fat dairy ” as healthy meal choices. included in burns ’ recommendation was a warning : “ be aware of portion sizes. even low - calorie foods can add up when portions are larger than you need. the key to eating right, your way is moderation with appropriate portion size … combined with physical activity. ” according to the academy of nutrition and dietetics, there are several ways to “ eat right, your way, every day. ” the personalization of a diet plan is among the most important steps that must be taken to achieve a balanced dietary plan. according to the academy, the easiest way to eat healthy is to find healthy foods that you enjoy. eating foods appropriate for your lifestyle is also important. whether you live a sedentary lifestyle or the lifestyle of an athlete, each person has unique nutritional requirements. the academy also recommends the incorporation of cultural and ethnic foods into the diet, as a way to keep traditions alive and to make eating enjoyable. national nutrition month comes just a month after a study was published linking the southern diet with the american south ’ s elevated stroke risk. over the past several decades medical science has observed that residents of the southeastern united states are approximately 20 percent more likely to suffer stroke than the rest of the country. using data from a national survey university of alabama at birmingham researchers learned that those most likely to eat the typical southern diet, including fried foods and sweet tea, were at a 41 % increased risk of stroke compared with those less likely to observe the southern diet. as part of this public education campaign, the scotland county department of public health ’ s website has been set up to include


in recent years, the state of georgia has been faced with a new crisis : the deadly surge of prescription ( rx ) drug abuse. the centers for disease control and prevention ( cdc ) has labeled this emerging form of drug abuse a “ national epidemic, ” and reports that rx drugs are the cause of more deaths by overdose than “ street drugs ” such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. a recent cdc study found that in 2009 more americans died from rx drugs than motor vehicle accidents, marking the first time drug - related deaths have outnumbered motor vehicle - related deaths since 1979, when the government started tracking drug - related deaths. the 2010 national survey on drug use and health found that about 7 million people regularly use rx drugs for non - medical purposes. unfortunately, georgia has not been immune to this growing problem. in 2010 alone, the georgia bureau of investigation ( gbi ) medical examiner ’ s office reported there were 560 rx drug related deaths in the 152 of 159 counties for which it performs autopsies, at least a 10 percent increase since 2009. what is extremely troubling is that the abuse is particularly prevalent among teens. in fact, the cdc reports that one in five high school students school has taken a rx drug without a doctor ’ s prescription. even more alarming, many teens are getting these drugs from friends and family.


how lcls x - ray pulses can be used to determine the atomic structure of a complicated molecule. a new kind of laser slac ' s two - mile - long linear accelerator ( or linac ) has begun a new phase of its career, with the creation of the linac coherent light source ( lcls ). for nearly 50 years, slac ' s linac has produced high - energy electrons for cutting - edge physics experiments. now, scientists continue this tradition of discovery by using the linac to drive a new kind of laser, creating x - ray pulses of unprecedented brilliance. lcls produces pulses of x - rays more than a billion times brighter than the most powerful existing sources, the so - called synchrotron sources which are also based on large electron accelerators. the ultrafast x - ray pulses are used much like flashes from a high - speed strobe light, enabling scientists to take stop - motion pictures of atoms and molecules in motion, shedding light on the fundamental processes of chemistry, technology, and life itself. probing the ultrasmall the diameter of a human hair is about 1 / 1000 of an inch. the wavelength of visible light is about 50 times smaller than this, so ordinary microscopes can easily resolve a hair. but a molecule, about 10, 000 times smaller than a hair, is too small to be resolved with visible light. x - rays, with wavelengths that are even smaller than a molecule, are ideal for imaging at the atomic scale. capturing the ultrafast the atomic and molecular world is abuzz with frenetic motion. because they are so small and light, molecules and atoms react incredibly quickly to forces that act on them. chemical reactions, in which molecules join or split, can take place in mere quadrillionths of a second. the ultrafast lcls x - ray flash captures images of these events with a “ shutter speed ” of less than 100 femtoseconds ( 100 femtoseconds = 1 / 10 of a trillionth of a second ). a long history of imaging breakthroughs the lcls photographs atomic motion much as a “ strobe ” flash is used to photograph the motion of a bullet in flight. this latest advance in stop - action imaging at stanford has roots going back more than 100 years. around 1872, eadweard muybridge started making stop - motion photographs of people, animals, and trains in motion on leland stanford ’ s farm. he is famous for showing that all four of a horse ’ s feet


properties of water life would not have existed on earth without water. water molecules are composed of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. together, the hydrogen and oxygen molecules form a shape that resembles the head of while water molecules seem to be simple compounds, their properties have profound impact on life. because of the arrangement of hydrogen and oxygen atoms, water molecules have polarized charges ( one end is positive and the other end is negative ). due to their polarized nature, 2 adjacent water molecules can form a linkage via a hydrogen bond. the polarized nature of water causes other molecules to be either hydrophilic ( like water ) or hydrophobic ( afraid of water ). this property allows certain molecules to dissolve in water while preventing others from entering the cell. for example, hydrophobic interaction can hold molecules together. another important property of water is its ability to facilitate the transfer of molecules through osmosis. when 2 aqueous solutions are separated by a membrane that only allows the passage of water molecules, water will move from the less concentrated to the more concentrated side ( shown in the diagram below ). hydrophobic interactions can hold molecules together : 2 or more hydrophobic groups surrounded by water will tend to coalesce since they thereby cause less disruption to the hydrogen - bonded structure of water ( shown in the diagram below. red hexagons represent hydrophobic material and blue dots represent water molecules. ).


thank you for signing up! about eco - friendly mattresses as adults, we should spend 7 - 8 hours each day sleeping in bed, or one - third of our day. therefore, the mattress we sleep on may affect our everyday health. unfortunately, most mattress makers use petrochemicals in their production, as well as synthetic foam products and chemical protective layers in the construction of our beds. as we breathe through the night, sleeping in our skin, these chemicals off - gas are absorbed into our bodies unknowingly. documented in the book toxic bedrooms by walter bader, several mattresses were sent to an atlanta - based lab revealing chemical emissions from up to 61 chemicals in a memory - foam mattress. switching to an eco - friendly mattress will support healthy sleeping and eliminate the unseen pollutants from your bedroom. chemicals in conventional mattresses the cpsc ( consumer product safety commission ) requires conventional mattresses to undergo a 70 - second open flame test in an effort to save lives, compelling most mattress manufacturers to use polybrominated diphenyl ethers ( pbdes ) as a flame retardant. pbdes slow the rate of open fire spreading and lower the temperature of combustion. according to environmental defence, an active canadian non - profit organization dedicated to protecting people and the environment, pbdes may cause reproductive and developmental disorders, and can cause cancer. there are still a lot of questions regarding the long - term effects to pbde exposure, reports the epa ' s experimental toxicology division. most conventional mattresses in the us ( reported by mark strobel, founder of strobel technologies, which manufactures toxin - free matresses ) also contain the chemicals boric acid, antimony trioxide, formaldehyde and ammonium polyphosphate to meet flammability tests and standards. the us consumer products safety commission ( cpsc ) proves these poisonous chemicals may leach to the surface of our beds and are consequently absorbed by our skin into our bodies, but has not restricted or regulated their usage. what are eco - friendly mattresses made of? a smart alternative to the nonrenewable and chemical materials used in conventional mattresses is the eco - friendly ( and human friendly ) mattress. eco - friendly mattresses generally contain sustainable and natural materials such as organic cotton, humanely produced wool, kapok filling and natural rubber. wool is naturally flame retardant and also regulates moisture, making it ideal for peaceful slumber without worrying about mildew and mold buildup. organic cotton is


such as organic cotton, humanely produced wool, kapok filling and natural rubber. wool is naturally flame retardant and also regulates moisture, making it ideal for peaceful slumber without worrying about mildew and mold buildup. organic cotton is grown and produced without the harmful pesticides and chemicals used in conventionally produced cotton. kapok is a natural, renewable alternative to down from the sustainably harvested seed pods of kapok trees. many eco - friendly mattresses are made from natural rubber or latex, which comes from tapping the wood of rubber trees for sap used for production. these environmentally preferable materials are free of chemical components and are responsibly farmed and harvested. choosing an eco - friendly mattress fortunately, natural and eco - friendly mattresses are more available on the market now. you can find many retailers and ordering options on the internet or find an organic mattress in a bed store near you. you may expect the price of these mattresses to be higher than conventional mattresses, but remember that your investment helps the health of your family. additionally, some eco - friendly mattresses are even biodegradable. eco - friendly foam mattresses are made from natural latex or rubber which can be made into different densities depending on your preference. eco - friendly foam mattresses conform to your body, supporting peaceful and comfortable sleep. the natural rubber in eco - friendly foam mattresses comes from the sap of rubber trees. natural rubber or latex is inherently resistant to bacteria, mildew and mold. if you ' re in love with memory foam, there are now natural alternatives to the memory foam mattress called naturapedic. regardless of your mattress preferences, it ' s important to decide what your priorities are in relation to your comfort, budget and health, and commit to these values prior to shopping and before you purchase any eco - friendly mattress. eco - friendly mattress toppers are also available to consumers. eco - friendly toppers are the most economical way to healthier bed health. these can be added on top of your existing mattress, providing extra comfort and keeping natural materials closest to your skin as you sleep. eco - friendly toppers are produced without harmful petrochemical additives, most frequently replacing man - made products with natural fibers such as wool and organic cotton. wool is absorbent and breathable, making it a perfect layer to put between your skin and your mattress. to care for this organic product, simply expose to air and sun on each side every two months.


lisa g kahle therapy horses for the use of animals to provide service and therapy to enhance people ’ s health and lives and to provide greater independence has been practiced throughout recorded history. today, many different types of animals – monkeys, birds, pigs, dogs, and horses, to name a few – provide therapeutic benefits to humans with physical and mental illnesses as well as providing assistance to people with disabilities. for deaf people of all ages, animals can provide love, protection, and companionship. while the most commonly recognized therapy and / or service animals are dogs, the use of horses as therapy animals for people who are deaf is becoming increasingly popular. the emphasis here on the use of horses for therapy rather than is important since the research suggests that horses are not well - suited as service animals. in fact, the guide horse foundation ( 2005 ), states the following : 1. the guide horse foundation is against the use of riding - size horses indoors because of the risk of injury to the horses, the... handler and the general public. while our research has indicated that miniature horses make suitable guide animals, large guide animals of any species can create a hazard for the public when used in an inappropriate setting for an animal of that size. 2. miniature horses are not well suited for assisting [ people who are deaf ]. horses do not possess the " watch dog " instinct which is important for a hearing assistance animal. horses are known to possess a particular ability to break through the wall of isolation and frustration which can be frequently present in the lives of people who are deaf. according to the professional association of therapeutic horsemanship ( path ), an international organization dedicated to serve as a resource and advocate for equine - assisted activities and therapies, “ people who are deaf or hard of hearing may experience improved self - esteem and a sense of independence and empowerment by becoming an independent equestrian. people with hearing impairments will develop unique ways to communicate with their instructor and equine partner while learning riding or driving. ” ( 2012 ) britton ( 1991 ) identified additional benefits of horse therapy to balance and coordination ; communication with a horse, which responds to actions, is often easier than communicating with another person, who responds to words. for example, when a rider pulls on the right rein, the horse turns to the right. if they pull both reins, the horse stops. if they don ’ t do anything at all, the horse usually will not do deaf person will need to be taught how to interpret the language of the horse, the horse


horse turns to the right. if they pull both reins, the horse stops. if they don ’ t do anything at all, the horse usually will not do deaf person will need to be taught how to interpret the language of the horse, the horse can still compensate for sensory deficits of the rider. for example, if a horse hears something, like a loud noise, dog barking, or people laughing, they are able to alert the rider by responding with different body signals ; such as, raising of the head, tensing of the body, turning towards of the sound. as a deaf rider becomes more astute at recognizing these types of signals, it will contribute to developing an increased sensory awareness. there are also unique challenges to teaching the deaf to ride. robin hulsey writes, “ since effective communication is the key in teaching riding to anyone, regardless of disability, it is especially important in the case of a deaf child ”. ( 1979 ). the author offers person can ’ t see the instructor, they can ’ t " hear " the instructor. an instructor will need to place themselves in the arena such that the person can see them as they ride. anything that can be done to promote more effective communication with deaf students will make learning to ride easier and more enjoyable. persons may have a diminished sense of rhythm, teaching them concepts, such as posting to a trot, should be taught at a walk before moving to the next level. demonstration is one of the most effective techniques to introduce and reiterate riding concepts. it ’ s important for the instructor to establish new techniques by direct communication with the deaf rider before they then try it on their own. i had the privilege of meeting and observing a session with a local individual who provides horse therapy to the disabled. deb amidon, owner of edgecort farms has been providing therapeutic services with horses since 1996. the service is offered to several different organizations in the cortland county, new york area. there are two thirty - minute sessions conducted a day, twice a week. the students range widely including those who are severely autistic, mentally disabled, blind, hard of hearing, and deaf. several of her students have gone to the special olympics with horses from her stable. in speaking with ms. amidon about her experiences with deaf persons she reiterated positively all of the areas identified by vanessa britton above. students who are deaf achieve a sense of well - being, independence, and freedom through interacting with her horses. she also agreed that as an instructor teaching a


her experiences with deaf persons she reiterated positively all of the areas identified by vanessa britton above. students who are deaf achieve a sense of well - being, independence, and freedom through interacting with her horses. she also agreed that as an instructor teaching a deaf student to ride, it ’ s important that they see you and that you develop a language you both understand. one of the things she strives to do with all her students is to have them “ be as independent as they can be. ” ( amidon, a riding instructor does not need to be someone well - versed in american sign language, but they should be well - versed in the knowledge and techniques of teaching riding. it will be important for the instructor to establish a means of communication with a deaf or hard of hearing person, learning the basics of sign language and additional signs unique to riding instruction. when an instructor is able to develop a connection between the student and the therapy horse, the benefits of teaching the deaf to ride far outweigh the challenges. adams, k. & rice, s. ( 2011, sept. 19 ). a brief information resource on assistance animals for the disabled. animal welfare information center, u. s. department of agriculture. retrieved june 27, 2012 : http : / / www. nal. usda. gov / awic / companimals / assist. htm amidon, d. ( 2012 ). edgecort horse farm. route 11, cortland, ny 13045. interview conducted july 11, 2012 britton, v. ( 1991 ). riding for the disabled. london : b. t. hulsey, r. ( 1979 ). horseback riding for the hearing impaired. chesterfield, missouri : riding high, inc. professional association of therapeutic horsemanship ( path ) international. ( 2012 ). benefits - deafness. resources, industry links, equine welfare. retrieved july 5, 2012 : the guide horse foundation. ( 2005 ). main web page and frequently asked miniature horse questions. retrieved july 1, u. s. department of justice. ( 2008, jan. 14 ). commonly asked questions about service animals in places of business. civil rights division, disability rights section. retrieved july 4, websites of additional articles on therapy horses & service animals : bragg, r. ( nd ). animals that help deaf people. retrieved july 1, 2012 : http : / / www. ehow. com / list _ 6851997 _ animals - deaf - people


horses & service animals : bragg, r. ( nd ). animals that help deaf people. retrieved july 1, 2012 : http : / / www. ehow. com / list _ 6851997 _ animals - deaf - people. html national technical institute for the deaf. ( nd ). success stories : dacia anastasia hirsch. rochester institute of technology. rochester, ny 14623. retrieved june 28, 2012 : dogs for the deaf, inc. an organization dedicated to rescuing and professional dogs to assist with hearing loss, autism, panic / anxiety, and other challenges. http : / / www. dogsforthedeaf. org / interview conducted with ms. deb amidon owner of edge - cort horse how long have you been providing horse therapy to the overall what has been your experience doing this type of have you ever had a deaf or hearing impaired person? if yes, what are the unique challenges of these individuals? what has been the positive to teaching these individuals can i meet them? anything else you would like to share? notes : observed 4 different riders, some who had to be assisted, one who was able to ride by himself and understood direction and could guide the horse independently. you can learn american sign language ( asl ) online at american sign language university ™ asl resources by lifeprint. com © dr. william vicars


akkadian is a cover term for the semitic languages of ancient mesopotamia, constituting the eastern branch of the semitic family. akkadian, the most ancient semitic linguistic continuum attested, was written in the cuneiform script, mainly on clay tablets. it is attested from the third millennium bce to the third century ce. linguistic research of akkadian has been relatively scanty, and grammatical descriptions of any of the attested languages and dialects were intended primarily for didactic purposes. research has concentrated on phonology, and, especially, on morphology, which is typically semitic. syntactic structures have remained the grammatical description offered in lw / m is based on the language of mythological narratives from the old babylonian period ( the first half of the second millennium bce ). considering the state of the art and the frame and goals of this series, the authors have confined themselves to a brief model of the language and to defining the basic linguistic strategies of akkadian. as such, it may also serve as a guide to semitic grammatical all levels of the grammar of this language are treated together for the first time : phonology, morphology, micro - and macro - syntax. some attention is given to linguistic variation, acknowledging the ( relatively small ) diversity within the time - space continuum of the texts which constitute this corpus. a short description of the cuneiform script will aim at giving some idea of the problems one encounters in attempting to elicit the linguistic data of akkadian. this grammatical description is written with a systemic, structural conception of language in mind. it is intended first and foremost for linguists for whom the language is inaccessible for various reasons, and for semitists whose expertise is not in akkadian. however, assyriologists will benefit from it as well, as this description is unique in its linguistic presentation, revealing important details hitherto unknown. shlomo izre ' el is professor of semitic linguistics at tel - aviv university. eran cohen is lecturer in linguistics at the hebrew university of jerusalem. a provisional list of corrections to literary old babylonian by shlomo izre ' el and eran cohen ( languages of the world / materials, 81, munchen : lincom, 2004 ) can be found at


by jeannine stein for takepart. com a new study discovered just how much stress in the workplace increases your risk of a heart attack. having a job that ’ s high in stress but low in power could be bad for your heart. a study released this week in the lancet found that people who experience job strain have a 23 percent increased risk of having a heart attack compared to their peers who have it easier at work. researchers analyzed 13 studies that included 197, 473 people who were followed for an average 7. 5 years. even after controlling for age, gender, lifestyle and other factors, the increased risk remained. the study didn ’ t find a cause and effect between stress and heart attack. but if there were a direct link, by reducing workplace stress, the authors said, heart attacks would come down in number too. what we already know : stress is a factor in heart disease, along with usual suspects such as smoking, diet and lack of activity. how does stress affect the heart? stress prompts the production of adrenaline and cortisol, which can boost blood pressure and give you energy, the mayo clinic says. but if that surge surges stays elevated, over time it can result in damage to the body ’ s systems and organs. a 2010 study in the journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism linked high cortisol levels to a substantial increase in death rates from heart attack and stroke. how stressed are we? a 2010galluppoll found that when americans were asked to rate aspects of their job environments, they were least happy about workplace stress. a 2011 stress in the workplace report from the american psychological association found that 36 percent of people surveyed said they usually feel stressed out or tense during the workday, and 49 percent said their low pay has a pretty strong influence on that stress. since stress is so prevalent and is linked with a number of health problems, many health experts argue that it ’ s become a public health issue. what this means for you : although factors like smoking and being a couch potato may have a bigger impact on heart disease than stress, stress shouldn ’ t be ignored. the mayo clinic recommends being proactive about stressors such as lack of time and finding ways to alleviate them. even taking a five or 10 - minute break to clear your head and shake off some anxiety can go a long way in easing tension. environmental news from living green magazine – where green is read


| u. s. naval observatory | | earth orientation department | in 1956, following several years of work, two astronomers at the u. s. naval observatory ( usno ) and two astronomers at the national physical laboratory ( teddington, england ) determined the relationship between the frequency of the cesium atom ( the standard of time ) and the rotation of the earth at a particular epoch. as a result, they defined the second of atomic time as the length of time required for 9 192 631 770 cycles of the cesium atom at zero magnetic field. the second thus defined was equivalent to the second defined by the fraction 1 / 31 556 925. 9747 of the year 1900. the atomic second was set equal, then, to an average second of earth rotation time near the end of the 19th century. the rapid service / prediction center of the international earth rotation service ( iers ), located at the u. s. naval observatory, monitors the earth ' s rotation. part of its mission involves the determination of a time scale based on the current rate of the rotation of the earth. ut1 is the non - uniform time based on the earth ' s rotation. the earth is constantly undergoing a deceleration caused by the braking action of the ocean tides. through the use of ancient observations of eclipses, it is possible to determine the deceleration of the earth to be roughly 2 milliseconds per day per century. this is an effect which causes the earth ' s rotational time to slow with respect to the atomic clock time. since it has been about 1 century since the defining epoch ( i. e., the duration since 1900 ), the difference has accumulated to roughly 2 milliseconds per day. other factors also affect the earth ' s dynamics, some in unpredictable ways, so that it is necessary to monitor the earth ' s rotation continuously. in order to keep the cumulative difference in ut1 - utc less than 0. 9 seconds, a leap second is inserted periodically in the atomic utc time scale to decrease the difference between the two. this leap second can be either positive or negative depending on the earth ' s rotation. since the first leap second in 1972, all leap seconds have been positive ( click here for a list of all announced leap seconds ). this reflects the general slowing trend of the earth due to tidal braking. confusion sometimes arises over the misconception that the occasional insertion of leap seconds every few years indicates that the earth should stop rotating within a few millennia. the confusion arises


seconds ). this reflects the general slowing trend of the earth due to tidal braking. confusion sometimes arises over the misconception that the occasional insertion of leap seconds every few years indicates that the earth should stop rotating within a few millennia. the confusion arises because some mistake leap seconds as a measure of the rate at which the earth is slowing. the one - second increments are, however, indications of the accumulated difference in time between the two systems. as an example, the situation is similar to what would happen if a person owned a watch that lost two seconds per day. if it were set to a perfect clock today, the watch would be found to be slow by two seconds tomorrow. at the end of a month, the watch will be roughly a minute in error ( thirty days of the two second error accumulated each day ). the person would then find it convenient to reset the watch by one minute to have the correct time again. this scenario is analogous to that encountered with the leap second. the difference is that instead of resetting the clock that is running slow, we choose to adjust the clock that is keeping a uniform, precise time. the reason for this is that we can change the time of an atomic clock while it is not possible to alter the earth ' s rotational speed to match the atomic clocks. currently the earth runs slow at roughly 2 milliseconds per day. after 500 days, the difference between the earth rotation time and the atomic time would be one second. instead of allowing this to happen a leap second is inserted to bring the two times closer together. the decision of when to introduce a leap second in utc is the responsibility of the international earth rotation service ( iers ). according to international agreements, first preference is given to the opportunities at the end of december and june, and second preference to those at the end of march and september. since the system was introduced in 1972, only dates in june and december have been used. the official united states time is determined by the master clock at the u. s. naval observatory ( usno ). the observatory is charged with the responsibility for precise time determination and management of time dissemination. modern electronic systems, such as electronic navigation or communication systems, depend increasingly on precise time and time interval ( ptti ). examples are the ground - based loran - c navigation system and the satellite - based global positioning system ( gps ). navigation systems are the most critical application for precise time. gps, in particular, is widely used for navigating ships, planes,


are the ground - based loran - c navigation system and the satellite - based global positioning system ( gps ). navigation systems are the most critical application for precise time. gps, in particular, is widely used for navigating ships, planes, missiles, trucks, and cars anywhere on earth. these systems are all based on the travel time of electromagnetic signals : an accuracy of 10 nanoseconds ( 10 one - billionths of a second ) corresponds to a position accuracy of about 3 meters ( or 10 feet ). precise time measurements are needed for the synchronization of clocks at two or more sites. such synchronization is necessary, for example, for high - speed communications systems. power companies use precise time to control power distribution grids and reduce power loss. radio and television stations require precise time ( the time of day ) and precise frequencies in order to broadcast their transmissions. many programs are transmitted from coast to coast to affiliate stations around the country. without precise timing the stations would not be able to synchronize the transmission of these programs to local audiences. all of these systems are referenced to the usno master clock. very precise time is kept by using atomic clocks. the principle of operation of the atomic clock is based on measuring the microwave resonance frequency ( 9, 192, 631, 770 cycles per seconds ) of the cesium atom. at the observatory, the atomic time scale ( at ) is determined by averaging 60 to 70 atomic clocks placed in separate, environmentally controlled vaults. atomic time is a very uniform measure of time ( one tenth of one billionth of a second per day ). the usno must maintain and continually improve its clock system so that it can stay one step ahead of the demands made on its accuracy, stability and reliability. the present master clock of the usno is based on a system of some 60 independently operating cesium atomic clocks and 7 to 10 hydrogen maser atomic clocks. these clocks are distributed over 20 environmentally controlled clock vaults, to ensure their stability. by automatic inter - comparison of all clocks every 100 seconds, a time scale is computed which is not only reliable but also extremely stable. its rate does not change by more than about 100 picoseconds (. 0000000001 seconds ) per day from day to day. on the basis of this computed time scale, a clock reference system is steered to produce clock signals which serve as the usno master clock. the clock reference system is driven by a hydrogen maser atomic clock. hydrogen masers


from day to day. on the basis of this computed time scale, a clock reference system is steered to produce clock signals which serve as the usno master clock. the clock reference system is driven by a hydrogen maser atomic clock. hydrogen masers are extremely stable clocks over short time periods ( less than one week ). they provide the stability and reliability needed to maintain the accuracy of the master clock system. very long baseline interferometry ( vlbi ) is used to determine universal time ( ut1 ) based on the rotation of the earth about its axis. vlbi is an advanced astronomical technique of observing extra - galactic sources ( typically quasars ) with radio telescopes. the information gained using vlbi can be used to generate images of the distant radio sources, measure the rotation rate of the earth, the motions of the earth in space, or even measure how the tectonic plates where the telescopes are located are moving on the surface of the earth. measuring the earth ' s rotational motion is critical for navigation. the most accurate navigation systems rely on measurements using satellite systems which are not tied to the earth ' s surface. these systems can provide a position accurate to a about a meter ( few feet ), but the position of the earth relative to the satellites must also be known to avoid potentially far larger errors. the u. s. naval observatory has been in the forefront of timekeeping since the early 1800s. in 1845, the observatory offered its first time service to the public : a time ball was dropped at noon. beginning in 1865 time signals were sent daily by telegraph to western union and others. in 1904, a u. s. navy station broadcast the first worldwide radio time signals based on a clock provided and controlled by the observatory. a time of day announcement can be obtained by calling 202 - 762 - 1401 locally in the washington area. for long distance callers the number is 900 - 410 - time. the latter number is a commercial service for which the telephone company charges 50 cents for the first minute and 45 cents for each additional minute. australia, hong kong, and bermuda can also access this service at international direct dialing rates. you can also get time for your computer by calling 202 - 762 - 1594. use 1200 baud, no parity, 8 bit ascii. | last modified : 24 october 2001 | | approved by eo dept. head, usno |