august 7, 2003 : this hubble space telescope view of the core of one of the nearest globular star clusters, called ngc 6397, resembles a treasure chest of glittering jewels. the cluster is located 8, 200 light - years away in the constellation ara. here, the stars are jam - packed together. the stellar density is about a million times greater than in our sun ' s stellar neighborhood. the stars in ngc 6397 are also in constant motion, like a swarm of angry bees. the ancient stars are so crowded together that a few of them inevitably collide with each other once in a while. near misses are even more common. see the rest : the stellar density is about a million times greater than in our sun ' s stellar neighborhood. the stars are only a few light - weeks apart, while the nearest star to our sun is over four light - years away. the ancient stars are s o crowded together that a few of them inevitably collide with each other once in a while. near misses are even more common. even so, collisions only occur every few million years or so. that ' s thousands of collisions in the 14 - billion - year lifetime of the cluster. when direct collisions occur between two stars, they may merge to form a new star called a " blue straggler " ; these hot, bright, young stars stand out among the old stars that make up the vast majority of stars in a globular cluster. if two stars come close enough together without actually colliding, they may " capture " each other and become gravitationally bound. one type of binary that might form this way is a " cataclysmic variable " a pairing of a normal, hydrogen - burning star and a burned - out star called a white dwarf. in a binary system, the white dwarf will pull material off the surface of the normal star. this material encircles the wh ite dwarf in an " accretion disk, " and eventually falls onto it. the result of this accretion process is that cataclysmic variables are, as the name suggests, variable in brightness. the heat generated by the accreting material also generates unusual amounts of ultraviolet and blue light. to search for cataclysmic variables, the hubble program consisted of a series of 55 images of the cluster taken over a period of about 20 hours. most of the images were taken in ultraviolet and blue filters ; a few images were also taken at green and infrared wavelengths. by


history of jain sects the jain religion is one of the oldest religions in the world. the jain religion was also known as shraman dharma, nirgranth dharma, etc. it is not an offshoot of any other religion but is an independent religion recognized by these various names during different time periods. it was has been taught by tirthankaras also called jina. a follower of a jina is called a jain and the religion followed by jains is called jainism. each tirthankara revitalizes the jain order. the jain order is known as the jain sangh. the current jain sangh was reestablished by lord mahvira, who was the 24th and last tirthankar of the current time period. the jain sangh is composed of the following four groups : 1 ) sdhus ( monks ) 2 ) sdhvis ( nuns ) 3 ) shrvaks ( male householders ) 4 ) shrviks ( female householders ) the first tirthankar of the current time period was lord rushabhdev, who is also known as dinth. names of other popular tirthankars are lord shntinth ( the 16th tirthankar ), lord nemnth ( the 22nd tirthankar ), lord prshwnth ( the 23rd tirthankar ), and lord mahvira ( 24th tithankar ). lord mahvira is the most popular tirthankar of our time. mahvira attained nirvn ( liberated from the worldly existence ) in 527 b. c. he had eleven ganadharas ( disciples ). nine ganadharas attained liberation ( salvation ) during the lifetime of lord mahvira, while aother two gautamswmi and sudharmswmi survived him. gautamswmi attained perfect knowledge and perfect perception and became arihant the very night of lord mahavira ' s nirvn. the remaining ganadhar, sudharmswmi, was the next to attain perfect knowledge and perfect perception and became arihant. jambuswmi, the disciple of sudharmswmi was the last arihant of the present half time cycle. after jambuswmi none attained perfect knowledge and the knowledge declined slowly as time went on. lord mahavira ' s teachings were carried on by his ganadharas to us in the form of scriptures ( agams ). they were compiled into twelve


jambuswmi none attained perfect knowledge and the knowledge declined slowly as time went on. lord mahavira ' s teachings were carried on by his ganadharas to us in the form of scriptures ( agams ). they were compiled into twelve separate parts, known as the dwadashangi ( twelve parts ). these twelve compositions were acceptable to all followers. however, the dwadashangi were not put in writing for a long time. the jain pupils learned them by memorizing them. about 150 years after the nirvana of lord mahavira, there was a drought for 12 years. during this time, some monks along with bhadrabahuswami migrated to south. after the drought was over, some monks came back to north. they observed that there was some inconsistency in oral recollection of the jain scriptures by different monks. that made them to compile scriptures. to accomplish that, the first council ( conference ) of monks was held in patliputra about 160 years after lord mahaviras nirvana. monk bhadrabahu, who had the knowledge of all 12 angas, could not be present at that meeting. the rest of the monks could compile only the first eleven angas by recollection and thus, the twelfth anga was lost. the monks from the south did not agree with this compilation, and the first split in jainism started. jains divided into two main groups, svetmbaras and digambaras. svetmbara monks wore white clothes. digambara monks did not wore any clothes jain order had divided into two the digambara sect the svetambar sect the digambara sub - sects the digambara sect, in recent centuries, has been divided into the following sub - sects : taranapantha or samaiyapantha. the followers of bisapantha support the dharma - gurus, that is, religious authorities known as bhattarakas who are also the heads of jaina mathas, that is. religious monasteries. the bisapanthas, in their temples, worship the idols of tirthankaras and also the idols of ksetrapala, padmavati and other deities. they worship these idols with saffron, flowers, fruits, sweets, scented ' agara - battis ', i. e., incense sticks, etc. while performing these worships. the bisapanthis sit on the ground and do not stand


idols with saffron, flowers, fruits, sweets, scented ' agara - battis ', i. e., incense sticks, etc. while performing these worships. the bisapanthis sit on the ground and do not stand. they perform arati, i. e., waving of lights over the idol, in the temple even at night and distribute prasada, i. e., sweet things offered to the idols. the bisapantha, according to some, is the original form of the digambara sect and today practically all digambara jainas from maharashtra, karnataka and south india and a large number of digambara jainas from rajasthan and gujarat are the followers of terapantha arose in north india in the year 1683 of the vikram era as a revolt against the domination and conduct of the bhattarakas. i. e. religious authorities, of the digambara jainas. as a result in this sub - sect, the institution of bhattarakas lost respect in north india, however in south india the bhattarakas continue to play an importent role. in their temples, the terapanthis install the idols of tirthankaras and not of ksetrapala, padmavati and other deities. further. they worship the idols not with flowers, fruits and other green vegetables ( known as sachitta things ), but with sacred rice called ' aksata ', cloves, sandal, almonds, dry coconuts, dates, etc. as a rule they do not perform arah or distribute prasada in their temples. again, while worshipping they stand and do not sit. from these differences with the bisapanthis it is clear that the terapanthis appear to be reformers. they are opposed to various religious practices. as according to them. these are not real jaina practices. the terapantha had performed a valuable task of rescuing the digambaras from the clutches of wayward bhattarakas and hence the terapanthis occupy a peculiar position in the digambara jaina community. the terapanthis are more numerous in uttar pradesh, rajasthan and madhya pradesh. it is pertinent to note that even though the name terapantha sub - sect appears both among the digambara and the svetambara sects. still the two terapanthis are entirely different from each other. while the digambara terapanthis believe


though the name terapantha sub - sect appears both among the digambara and the svetambara sects. still the two terapanthis are entirely different from each other. while the digambara terapanthis believe in nudity and idol - worship, the svetambara terapanthis are quite opposed to both. the sub - sect taranapantha is known after its founder tarana - svami or tarana - tarana - svami ( 1448 - 1515 a. d. ). this sub - sect is also called samaiyapantha because its followers worship sarnaya, i. e., sacred books and not the idols. tarana - svami died at malharagarh, in former gwalior state in madhya pradesh, and this is the central place of pilgrimage of taranapanthis. the taranapanthis strongly refute idolatry but they have their own temples in which they keep their sacred books for worship. they do not offer articles like fruits and flowers at the time of worship. besides the sacred books of the digambaras, they also worship the fourteen sacred books written by their founder tarana - svami. further, taranapanthis give more importance to spiritual values and the study of sacred literature. that is why we find a complete absence of outward religious practices among them. moreover, tarana - svami ; was firmly against the caste - distinctions and in fact threw open the doors of his sub - sect even to muslims and low - caste people. these three main traits of the taranapanthis, namely, ( a ) the aversion to idol worship, ( b ) the absence of outward religious practices, and ( c ) the ban on caste distinctions, were evolved as a revolt against the religious beliefs and practices prevailing in the digambara jaina sect, and it appears that tarana - svami might have formulated these principles under the direct influence of islamic doctrines and the teachings of lonkashaha, the founder of the non - idolatrous sthanakvasi sub - sect of the svetambara sect. the taranapanthis are few in number and they are mostly confined to bundelkhand, malwa area of madhya pradesh and khandesh area of maharashtra. the gumanapantha is not so important and in fact very little is known about it. it is stated that this sub - sect was started by pandit gumani rama or


, malwa area of madhya pradesh and khandesh area of maharashtra. the gumanapantha is not so important and in fact very little is known about it. it is stated that this sub - sect was started by pandit gumani rama or gumani rai, who was a son of pandit todaramal, a resident of jaipur in rajasthan. according to this pantha, lighting of candles or lamps in the jaina temples is strictly prohibited, because it regards this as a violation of the fundamental doctrine of jaina religion, viz., non - violence. they only visit and view the image in the temples and do not make any offerings to them. this pantha became famous in the name of shuddha amnaya, that is pure or sacred tradition, because its followers always stressed the purity of conduct and self - discipline and strict adherence to the precepts. gumanapantha originated in the 18th. century a. d. and flourished mainly during that century. it was prevalent in several parts of rajasthan, and it is found now in some areas of rajasthan the totapantha came into existence as a result of differences between the bisapantha and terapantha sub - sects. many sincere efforts were made to strike a compromise between the bisa ( i. e. twenty ) pantha and the tera ( i. e.. thirteen ) pantha and the outcome was sadhesolaha ( i. e., sixteen and a half ) - pantha or ' totapantha '. that is why the followers of sadheso! aha pantha or totapantha believe to some extent in the doctrines of bisapantha and to some extent in those of the totapanthis are extremely few in number and are found in some pockets in madhya pradesh. in connection with the account of the major and minor sub - sects prevailing among the digambara sect. it is worth while to note that in recent years in the digambara sect a new major sub - sect known as ' kanji - pantha ', consisting of the followers of kanji swami is being formed and is getting popular especially among the educated sections. saint kanji swami ( from whom the name kanji - pantha ' is derived ), a svetambara - sthanakvasi by birth, largely succeeded in popularizing the old sacred texts of the great digambara jaina saint acharya kunda - kunda of south india. but kan


is derived ), a svetambara - sthanakvasi by birth, largely succeeded in popularizing the old sacred texts of the great digambara jaina saint acharya kunda - kunda of south india. but kanji swamis efforts, while interpreting acharya kunda kunda ' s writings, to give more prominence to nischaya - naya, that is, realistic point of view, in preference to vyavahara - naya, that is, practical view point, are not approved by the digambaras in general as they consider that both the view points are of equal importance. however, the influence of kanjipantha is steadily increasing and sonagarh town in gujarat and jaipur in rajasthan have become the centers of varied religious activities of the the svetambara sub - sects - like the digambara sect, the svetambara sect has also been split into three main sub - sects : the original stock of the svetambaras is known as murtipujaka svetambaras since they are the thorough worshippers of idols. they offer flowers, fruits, saffron, etc. to their idols and invariably adorn them with rich clothes and jeweled ornaments. their ascetics cover their mouth with strips of cloth while speaking, otherwise they keep them in their hands. they stay in temples or in the specially reserved buildings known as upasrayas. they collect food in their bowls from the sravakas or householders ' houses and eat at their place of stay. the murtipujaka sub - sect is also known by terms like ( i ) pujera ( worshippers ), ( ii ) deravasi ( temple residents ). ( iii ) chaityavasi ( temple residents ) and ( iv ) mandira - margi ( temple goers ) the murtipujaka svetambaras are found scattered all over india for business purposes in large urban centers, still they are concentrated mostly in gujarat. the sthanakvasi arose not directly from the svetambaras but as reformers of an older reforming sect, viz., the lonka sect of jainism. this lonka sect was founded in about 1474 a. d. by lonkashaha, a rich and well - read merchant of ahmedabad. the main principle of this sect was not to practice idol - worship. later on, some of the members of the lonka sect disapproved of the


d. by lonkashaha, a rich and well - read merchant of ahmedabad. the main principle of this sect was not to practice idol - worship. later on, some of the members of the lonka sect disapproved of the ways of life of their ascetics, declaring that they lived less strictly than mahavira would have wished. a lonka sect layman, viraji of surat, received initiation as a yati, i. e., an ascetic, and won great admiration on account of the strictness of his life. many people of the lonka sect joined this reformer and they took the name of sthanakvasi, meaning those who do not have their religious activities in temples but carry on their religious duties in places known as sthanakas which are like prayer - halls. the sthanakvasi are also called by terms as ( a ) dhundhiya ( searchers ) and ( b ) sadhumargi ( followers of sadhus, i. e., ascetics ). except on the crucial point of idol - worship, sthanakvasi do not differ much from other svetambara jainas and hence now - a - days they invariably call themselves as svetambara sthanakvasi. however, there are some differences between the sthanakvasi ; and the murtipujaka svetambaras in the observance of some religious practices. the sthanakvasi do not believe in idol - worship at all. as such they do not have temples but only sthanakas, that is, prayer halls, where they carry on their religious fasts, festivals, practices, prayers, discourses, etc. further, the ascetics of sthanakvasi cover their mouths with strips of cloth for all the time and they do not use the cloth of yellow or any other color ( of course, except white ). moreover, the sthanakvasi admit the authenticity of only 31 of the scriptures of svetambaras. furthermore, the sthanakvasi do not have faith in the places of pilgrimage and do not participate in the religious festivals of murtipujaka svetambaras. the svetambara sthanakvasi are also spread in different business centers in india but they are found mainly in gujarat, punjab, harayana and rajasthan. it is interesting to note that the two non - idolatrous sub - sects, viz


bh1kkanaji laid stress on the 13 religious principles, namely, ( i ) five mahavratas ( great vows ), ( ii ) five samitis ( regulations ) and ( iii ) three guptis ( controls or restraints ), his sub - sect was known as the tera ( meaning thirteen ) - pantha sub - sect. in this connection it is interesting to note that two other interpretations have been given for the use of the term terapantha for the sub - sect. according to one account, it is mentioned that as there were only 13 monks and 13 laymen in the pantha when it was founded, it was called as tera ( meaning thirteen ) - pantha. sometimes another interpretation of the term terapantha is given by its followers. tera means yours and pantha means path ; in other words, it means, " oh! lord mahavira! it is thy path ". the terapanthis are non - idolatrous and are very finely organized under the complete direction of one acharya, that is, religious head. in its history of little more than 200 years, the terapantha had a succession of only 9 acharyas from the founder acharya bhikkanaji as the first acharya to the present acharya tulasi as the 9th acharya. this practice of regulating the entire pantha by one acharya only has become a characteristic feature of the terapantha and an example for emulation by other panthas. it is noteworthy that all monks and nuns of the terapantha scrupulously follow the orders of their acharya, preach under his guidance and carry out all religious activities in accordance with his instructions. further, the terapantha regularly observes a remarkable festival known as maryada mahotasava. this distinctive festival is celebrated every year on the 7th day of the bright half of the month of magha when all ascetics and lay disciples, male and female, meet together at one predetermined place and discuss the various problems of terapanthis. the penance of terapanthis is considered to be very severe. the dress of terapanthi monks and nuns is akin to that of sthanakvasi monks and nuns. but there is a difference in the length of muhapatti, i. e., a piece of white cloth kept always on the mouth. the terapanthis believe that idol


to that of sthanakvasi monks and nuns. but there is a difference in the length of muhapatti, i. e., a piece of white cloth kept always on the mouth. the terapanthis believe that idolatry does not provide deliverance and attach importance to the practice of meditation. further, it may be stressed that the terapantha is known for its disciplined organization characterized by one acharya ( i. e., religious head ), one code of conduct and one line of thought. the terapanthis are considered reformists as they emphasize simplicity in religion. for example, the terapanthis do not even construct monasteries for their monks, who inhabit a part of the house which the householders build for themselves. recently their religious head, acharya tulasi, had started the anuvrata andolana, that is, the small vow movement. which attempts to utilize the spiritual doctrines of the jainas for moral uplift of the masses in india. the rise of terapantha is the last big schism in the svetambara sect and this pantha is becoming popular. the terapanthis are still limited in number and even though they are noticed in different cities in india, they are concentrated mainly in bikaner, jodhpur and mewar areas of rajasthan. sdhus ( monks ) and sdhvis ( nuns ) are people who have voluntarily given up their household lives and worldly affairs and have accepted the five major vows to uplift their souls on the spiritual path. they strictly follow the rules laid down for them. shrvaks and shrvikas, on the other hand, continue to lead worldly lives. they may observe in full or to a limited extent, twelve minor vows laid down


finding north jersey : exploring image and identity the thirteen counties of north jersey comprise a special geographic place. peopled with extraordinary achievers in business, professions, and the arts, most focus their attention on nearby manhattan. with a population of more than six million, north new jersey ( nnj ) would rank 100th among nations, alongside israel or laos ; its per capita income would rank nnj among the richest nations in the world. for all that, the region ’ s self - perception is confused and uncertain. common media images stress accounts of corruption, mob activity ( the sopranos ), or bad behavior ( jersey shore ) ; little is being done to counter that negativity. this project aims to produce alternatives by reviewing the history, debating alternatives, and promoting a healthier, more positive identity. image vs. identity image is how others perceive a person, entity, or community ; identity is how a person, organization, or city perceives and presents itself to others. to project a positive image requires conviction of a positive identity. what are the good things about nnj? why do people that live here tend to love it? when we fully understand that we can change the prevailing, uncomplimentary image. that would be very advantageous for attracting and retaining the talent and youth that will determine the prosperity and health of the region in the future. a major theme of the north jersey story is social change and transformation. the shifts from an agricultural to an industrial and then to a post - industrial economy occurred here more quickly than in most of the county. richard florida ’ s “ rise of the creative class ” ( 2002 ) illustrates the latest step in the process. educated, talented, and driven by goals of openness, collaboration, inclusiveness, and self - realization rather than materialism and competitiveness, the “ creative ” contingent appears to be less fully dedicated to the prevailing social - economic paradigm and more open to alternatives. this theory is compatible with david brooks ’ ( 2000 ) perceived “ bourgeois bohemians, ” a highly educated but mannerless new class of the children of the baby boomers. testing these theories in the thinking and reality of north jersey will be illustrative. the identity of a person, or a company, or town, or region, begins with fully understanding its history. what are the major events, personalities, and forces determining today ’ s situation? one must understand this before good plans can be made for how to proceed. discussions, surveys, and information gathering are a key to this


it ' s been 3 days since she got the results, but tina still can ' t believe her pregnancy test came out positive. she can ' t get it off her mind. it feels like her whole life has changed. she knows she has to tell her parents. but she ' s not sure she ' s prepared for how they might react. confused? you ' re not alone if you ' ve just learned you ' re pregnant, you ' re not alone. you might feel confused, scared, or shocked by the news. you might think, " this can ' t really be happening. " you promise yourself you ' ll be so much more careful in the future. and you know you ' ll probably have to tell your parents. preparing to talk to parents no matter how close you are to your parents, you ' re going to wonder how they ' ll react. it ' s one thing if your parents realize you ' re having sex and they ' re ok with that. but it ' s another thing if they ' ve forbidden you to date or if having premarital sex is completely against their values and beliefs. most parents fall somewhere in the middle. for example, some parents have pretty liberal values but they ' re still shocked to learn their teen had sex. even parents who know their teens are having sex can still be disappointed or worried about their future. your parents ' personalities also play a part in how they ' ll react. some parents are easy to talk to or calmer in a crisis. some are more emotional, more easily stressed out, more likely to get upset or angry, to yell or cry, or express themselves loudly. most parents want to be supportive of a daughter who is pregnant ( or a son who got a girl pregnant ), even if they are angry or upset at first. but a few may react violently to the news and let anger get out of control. if you think your parents might fall into this category — for example, if they have a history of physical violence — read the section on " protecting yourself " at the end of this article. some parents don ' t show how they feel at first. they may take time to absorb the news. others react quickly and there ' s no mistaking how they feel. some will listen and be sensitive to your feelings. some parents will spring into action, taking charge and telling you what to do. think about how your parents have reacted to other situations. try to imagine how they might respond — but remember it ' s impossible to really know for sure


to your feelings. some parents will spring into action, taking charge and telling you what to do. think about how your parents have reacted to other situations. try to imagine how they might respond — but remember it ' s impossible to really know for sure. still, thinking about what to expect can help you feel prepared for the conversation you plan to have. first, find the words. you might say, " i have something difficult to tell you. i found out that i ' m pregnant. " then wait. allow your parents to absorb what you said. be prepared to deal with the reaction. what happens next? will your parents be angry, stressed, or emotional? will they lecture you? use harsh words? ask a ton of questions? it ' s good to think ahead about what you might do and how you may feel. for instance, if a parent yells, you ' ll want to be prepared so you can keep the conversation productive and resist any urge to yell back. of course, not every parent yells. many don ' t. even if parents have a strong reaction at first, most want to help their children. lots of teens are surprised at how supportive their parents turn out to be. it can help to tell your parents that you understand their feelings and point of view. saying things like, " i know you ' re really mad, " " i know this isn ' t what you wanted for me, " or, " i know this isn ' t what you expected " can help your parents be more understanding. the key is to be honest and speak from the heart. if you say what you think parents want to hear or make statements just to calm them, it might sound fake. give your parents time to speak without jumping in. listen to what they say. let them vent if they have to. tell them how you feel. part of your conversation might involve telling parents how you feel. for example, if you know you ' ve disappointed them and you feel sorry about it, say that. let them know if you feel disappointed in yourself, too. you might say, " mom and dad, i know i ' ve disappointed you. i know you ' re upset. i ' m really sorry for putting you through this. i ' m disappointed in myself, too. " share your fears and worries, such as, " i ' m scared about how i ' m going to handle this, what my friends will think, and what it means about school. " or, " i can ' t believe this is


. " share your fears and worries, such as, " i ' m scared about how i ' m going to handle this, what my friends will think, and what it means about school. " or, " i can ' t believe this is happening to me and i ' m not sure what to do. " putting your feelings into words takes plenty of maturity and it ' s not easy to do. don ' t worry if the words don ' t come out perfectly or if you cry or get emotional as you ' re saying them. it can help to think about your feelings ahead of time. if you can ' t imagine expressing your feelings out loud, consider writing them down in a letter. if you need to, get help breaking the news. a visit to your doctor ' s office or a health clinic is a must — not just for your health, but to get more information and discuss the realities of your situation. you ' ll want to understand your choices and explore your feelings with an experienced professional. during your visit, the doctor, nurse, or health counselor also can help you think through how to tell your parents. if you want, they could even be there as you talk to your parents. now that you ' ve told your parents, you ' ll have some important decisions to make. talking decisions over with others can help. sometimes parents — including your boyfriend ' s parents — can offer a new angle or ideas. whatever you decide, it needs to be what you want, not what someone else wants you to do. that ' s especially true if you think most of the child - raising will fall to you. it ' s a big job. becoming a teen parent affects your education, job, and financial future — and often your boyfriend ' s too. over half of teen pregnancies end with the birth of the baby. some teens decide to keep the baby. others let someone adopt the child. some teen pregnancies end in miscarriage, and about one third end in abortion. talking about your options isn ' t easy, especially if none of them is what you had in mind. some families need the help of a counselor to talk about this difficult and complicated situation in a way that lets everyone be respected and heard. it ' s more than just breaking the news talking to a parent about your pregnancy takes more than just one conversation. in the coming months, you ' ll probably have many different feelings all at once. sometimes, you might feel shock and disbelief. other times, you may be scared or worried


news talking to a parent about your pregnancy takes more than just one conversation. in the coming months, you ' ll probably have many different feelings all at once. sometimes, you might feel shock and disbelief. other times, you may be scared or worried. you may feel sad, guilty, or angry at yourself. at times, you might also feel excited and happy. some days you might be ready for what ' s ahead. other days, you may feel totally unprepared and confused. you ' ll have many emotions to sort through and it will take time. it helps if you can talk to a parent about all these thoughts and feelings. to some parents, the news that you ' re having a baby will feel like a terrible crisis. depending on their beliefs, cultural values, or personalities, parents might feel shame, guilt, or embarrassment. they might feel angry and assign blame. sometimes parents scream, yell, and use putdowns. in some cases, anger can get out of control. you know your parent and you know your situation. if you need to tell your parents you ' re pregnant but think they might react in a way that could hurt you, have someone else with you when you tell them. if you ' re concerned about your safety, get advice. a teen health clinic, such as planned parenthood, or a teen pregnancy hotline can guide you and steer you toward resources to support you. of course, most parents won ' t react with extreme anger. the thing to remember is every parent is different and you know yours best. when parents have your back talking to parents whenever you can is a good way to sort through the many feelings and issues that arise. in the best of situations, parents can help you make important decisions and support your choices. they can be a source of guidance and encouragement. sometimes a difficult situation brings people closer and strengthens their bonds. sometimes, however unexpectedly, a difficult situation can help a family discover unconditional love, support, kindness, forgiveness, acceptance, teamwork, and optimism.


don ' t you love swimming in a cool, blue pool? splashing around in that clear water, floating like a lily pad, swimming like a shark. but imagine if the water wasn ' t clear or clean. what if it was filled with leaves, dirt, hair, and drowned bugs? yeeech! you ' d be one unhappy shark. you ' d probably want to clean it out before diving in. and you ' d want to make sure the pool has a filter that removes the dirt, leaves, and other uninvited guests. the kidneys and what they do that ' s kind of what your kidneys do for you. your kidneys are fist - sized organs, shaped like beans. they ' re below your ribs, toward the back. when waste that ' s left over from breaking down food and your body ' s other activities naturally builds up in your blood, your kidneys act like a filter to clean waste from your blood. then they mix the waste with a little water. that ' s what urine is — body waste mixed in water. the urine goes to your bladder, which you empty when you pee. goodbye, waste! when kidneys don ' t work right in addition to removing wastes from your bloodstream, the kidneys also make and regulate hormones and other chemicals in your body. when the kidneys aren ' t working correctly, your body can develop several problems, including : body aches and pains anemia ( say : uh - nee - mee - uh ), a problem in which the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood is too low what is dialysis? when someone ' s kidneys can no longer do their job and can ' t get better, a person has chronic kidney disease. a doctor might say the kidneys are failing. this means they are not working well and the person may need help. the person may be losing weight or feeling tired and sick. a medical treatment called dialysis ( say : dye - al - ih - sis ) can take over the job of filtering your blood. through dialysis, a person is hooked up to an artificial filtering system that removes waste from the blood. not that many people younger than 19 receive dialysis — about 2, 300 young people in the united states do. there are two dialysis methods : hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. hemodialysis ( say : hee - mo - dye - al - ih - sis ) uses a filtering


young people in the united states do. there are two dialysis methods : hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. hemodialysis ( say : hee - mo - dye - al - ih - sis ) uses a filtering machine to remove waste and extra fluid from your blood. in the second type, called peritoneal ( say : per - uh - tuh - nee - ul ) dialysis, the actual filtering is done by the lining of the person ' s belly! kids who need dialysis are most likely to get this type. with hemodialysis, the person ' s blood travels through tubes to the machine — called a dialyzer ( say : dye - uh - lye - zer ) — which removes extra fluids and waste. once the blood is cleaned, the machine sends it back to the person through another tube. this process typically takes about 4 hours and has to be done three times each week in a dialysis clinic. some clinics will train people so that they can perform their treatments at home. the most commonly used type of peritoneal dialysis for kids, called continuous cyclic dialysis, uses a machine to put a cleansing solution called dialysate ( say : dye - al - ih - sate ) in the person ' s belly, usually eight to 12 times each night. as blood flows naturally through the blood vessels in the belly, extra fluid and waste products in the blood seep out into the dialysate in the belly. meanwhile, the dialysate cleanses the blood and rebalances the blood ' s chemistry. after about an hour, the machine drains the dialysate from the belly. some kids can sleep through dialysis. others might find it uncomfortable and inconvenient, so a different type of peritoneal dialysis might be used. the good news is that afterward, body fluid levels are balanced and waste is gone. in some cases, a kid can get a new kidney. this is called a transplant, which means receiving an organ from another person ' s body. this operation can be a big help to kids with kidney disease because after the surgery they may no longer need dialysis treatments. but kids who need dialysis can benefit from improving technology. improvements to dialysis machines mean that the machines are smaller and that receiving dialysis is getting easier. this makes it easier for kids with kidney failure to do everyday things and enjoy activities, just like other kids. one doctor puts it this way to kids


scabies ( pronounced : skay - beez ) is a common skin infestation of tiny mites called sarcoptes scabiei. the mites burrow into the top layer of human skin to lay their eggs, causing small itchy bumps and blisters. someone with scabies might notice a bumpy red rash. occasionally, raised wavy lines where the mites have burrowed may appear, especially on the inner part of the wrist or between the fingers or toes. how do people get scabies? scabies is contagious from person to person. scabies mites ( so tiny they need a microscope to be seen ) are usually transmitted by prolonged skin - to - skin contact ( especially among family members ) and also by sexual partners. mites can live for about 2 to 3 days in clothing, bedding, or dust, making it possible to catch scabies from people who share the same infected bed, linens, or towels. scabies spreads more easily in crowded conditions — like within a household, childcare centers, and college dorms — where people tend to be in close contact with each other. it may take up to 4 to 6 weeks after infection for symptoms to appear in a person who ' s never had scabies before. in people who have had scabies previously, symptoms may appear in just a few days. what are the signs and symptoms? the most common symptom of scabies is severe itching, which may be worse at night or after a hot bath. a scabies infection begins as small, itchy bumps, blisters, or pus - filled bumps that break when you scratch them. itchy skin may become thick, scaly, scabbed, and crisscrossed with scratch marks. the itching is due to a reaction of your body to the mite and / or its feces and eggs. the areas of the body most commonly affected by scabies are the hands and feet ( especially the webs of skin between the fingers and toes ), the inner part of the wrists, and the folds under the arms. it may also affect other areas of the body, particularly the elbows and the areas around the breasts, genitals, navel, and buttocks. if a person with scabies scratches the itchy areas of skin, it increases the chance that the injured skin will also be infected by bacteria. impetigo, a bacterial skin infection,


genitals, navel, and buttocks. if a person with scabies scratches the itchy areas of skin, it increases the chance that the injured skin will also be infected by bacteria. impetigo, a bacterial skin infection, may occur in skin that is already affected by scabies. scabies infections need to be treated by a doctor. call your doctor or dermatologist any time you have a skin itch that will not go away, especially if the itch is worse at night and seems to center around the wrists or the webbed part of the fingers. if your doctor suspects you have scabies, he or she may scrape a small part of the affected skin and examine the scrapings under a microscope for signs of scabies mites. doctors treat scabies by prescribing a medicated cream or lotion. the cream will need to be applied all over the body ( except the face, eyes, and mouth ), and usually must remain on the skin for 8 to 12 hours before it can be washed off. after applying it, don ' t wash your hands — scabies mites love the area between the fingers! most often, the treatment needs to be repeated in 1 week. because scabies can be sexually transmitted, sexually active teens with scabies should be examined for other sexually transmitted diseases ( stds ), too. any sexual partners will also need to be treated for scabies. since scabies is highly contagious and can cause re - infestations, the other members of your household should also be treated for scabies, even if they have no symptoms. if you develop a bacterial skin infection such as impetigo in addition to the scabies infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics and, to treat the itching, antihistamines. the itching can, however, last for a few weeks even if you no longer have scabies. if you still have a lot of itching after the infection has resolved, the doctor may prescribe a topical steroid cream like hydrocortisone. such a steroid cream should only be used if recommended by your doctor because certain infections can become worse with its use. you can return to school or work the day after the treatment is complete. can i avoid getting scabies? practicing good hygiene is the best way to prevent getting scabies. take showers or baths daily ; wash your hands frequently, especially before eating ; and wear clean


sooner or later, many families face the prospect of moving. disruptive as moving can be for parents, the experience can be even more traumatic for kids, who may not be a part of the decision to move and might not understand it. kids can need some time and special attention during the transition. try these tips to make the process less stressful for everyone. making the decision to move many kids thrive on familiarity and routine. so as you consider a move, weigh the benefits of that change against the comfort that established surroundings, school, and social life give your kids. if your family has recently dealt with a major life change, such as divorce or death, you may want to postpone a move, if possible, to give kids time to adjust. the decision to move may be out of your hands, perhaps due to a job transfer or financial issues. even if you ' re not happy about the move, try to maintain a positive attitude about it. during times of transition, a parent ' s moods and attitudes can greatly affect kids, who may be looking for reassurance. discussing the move with kids no matter what the circumstances, the most important way to prepare kids to move is to talk about it. try to give them as much information about the move as soon as possible. answer questions completely and truthfully, and be receptive to both positive and negative reactions. even if the move means an improvement in family life, kids don ' t always understand that and may be focused on the frightening aspects of the change. involving kids in the planning as much as possible makes them feel like participants in the house - hunting process or the search for a new school. this can make the change feel less like it ' s being forced on them. if you ' re moving across town, try to take your kids to visit the new house ( or see it being built ) and explore the new neighborhood. for distant moves, provide as much information as you can about the new home, city, and state ( or country ). access the internet to learn about the community. learn where kids can participate in favorite activities. see if a relative, friend, or even a real estate agent can take pictures of the new house and new school for your child. kids younger than 6 may be the easiest to move, as they have a limited capacity to understand the changes involved. still, your guidance is crucial. here are ways to ease the transition for young kids : keep explanations clear and simple. use a story to explain the move, or use toy trucks


move, as they have a limited capacity to understand the changes involved. still, your guidance is crucial. here are ways to ease the transition for young kids : keep explanations clear and simple. use a story to explain the move, or use toy trucks and furniture to act it out. when you pack your toddler ' s toys in boxes, make sure to explain that you aren ' t throwing them away. if your new home is nearby and vacant, go there to visit before the move and take a few toys over each time. hold off on getting rid of your child ' s old bedroom furniture, which may provide a sense of comfort in the new house. it might even be a good idea to arrange furniture in a similar way in the new bedroom. avoid making other big changes during the move, like toilet training or advancing a toddler to a bed from a crib. arrange for your toddler or preschooler to stay with a babysitter on moving day. moving with school - age kids kids in elementary school may be relatively open to a move, but still need serious consideration and help throughout the transition. there are two schools of thought about " the right time to move. " some experts say that summer is the best time because it avoids disrupting the school year. others say that midyear is better because a child can meet other kids right away. to avoid glitches that would add stress, gather any information the new school will need to process the transfer. that may include the most recent report card or transcript, birth certificate, and medical records. it ' s common for teens to actively rebel against a move. your teen has probably invested considerable energy in a particular social group and might be involved in a romantic relationship. a move may mean that your teen will miss a long - awaited event, like a prom. it ' s particularly important to let teens know that you want to hear their concerns and that you respect them. while blanket assurances may sound dismissive, it ' s legitimate to suggest that the move can serve as rehearsal for future changes, like college or a new job. however, also be sure to let them know that you hear their concerns. after the move, consider planning a visit back to the old neighborhood, if it ' s feasible. also, see if if the teen can return for events like prom or homecoming. if you ' re moving midway through a school year, you might want to consider letting an older teen stay in the old location with a friend or relative, if that ' s an option


follicle stimulating hormone ( fsh ) is produced by the pituitary gland, a pea - sized gland near the brain that plays an important role in sexual development. an fsh test measures the level of this hormone in the bloodstream. in kids, fsh levels are normally low. as puberty approaches ( usually between ages 10 and 14 ), the brain produces gonadotropin - releasing hormone ( gnrh ), which starts the changes toward sexual maturity. gnrh signals the pituitary gland to release two more puberty hormones into the bloodstream : fsh and luteinizing hormone ( lh ). doctors often order a test for lh when ordering a blood test for fsh. in boys, fsh and lh work together to get the testes to begin producing testosterone, the hormone responsible for the physical changes of puberty and the production of sperm. in girls, fsh and lh prompt the ovaries to begin producing the hormone estrogen, which causes a girl ' s body to mature and prepares her for menstruation. because fsh and lh work so closely with each other, doctors often order these tests together, as well tests for testosterone ( the male sex hormone ) and estradiol ( a form of estrogen, the female sex hormone ). taken together, the results can often provide a more complete picture of a child ' s sexual maturation. why it ' s done doctors may order an fsh test if a boy or girl appears to be entering puberty earlier or later than expected. high levels are associated with precocious ( early ) puberty, while low levels may indicate a delay in sexual development. the test may also be used to check for damage or disease of the testes or ovaries, pituitary gland, or hypothalamus, an almond - sized area of the brain that links the nervous system with the hormone - producing endocrine system. in adults, fsh levels can also help doctors evaluate fertility issues and menstrual problems. no special preparations are needed for this test. it may help to have your child wear a short - sleeve shirt on the day of the test to allow easier access for the technician who will be drawing the blood. a health professional will clean the skin surface with antiseptic, and place an elastic band ( tourniquet ) around the upper arm to apply pressure and cause the vein to swell with blood. then a needle is inserted into a vein (


blood. a health professional will clean the skin surface with antiseptic, and place an elastic band ( tourniquet ) around the upper arm to apply pressure and cause the vein to swell with blood. then a needle is inserted into a vein ( usually in the arm inside of the elbow or on the back of the hand ) and blood is withdrawn and collected in a vial or syringe. after the procedure, the elastic band is removed. once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed and the area is covered with cotton or a bandage to stop the bleeding. collecting the blood for this test will only take a few minutes. what to expect collecting a sample of blood is only temporarily uncomfortable and can feel like a quick pinprick. afterward, there may be some mild bruising, which should go away in a few days. the blood sample will be processed by a machine. the results usually are available after a day or two. the fsh test is considered a safe procedure. however, as with many medical tests, some problems can occur with having blood drawn : fainting or feeling lightheaded hematoma ( blood accumulating under the skin causing a lump or bruise ) pain associated with multiple punctures to locate a vein helping your child having a blood test is relatively painless. still, many children are afraid of needles. explaining the test in terms your child can understand might help ease some of the fear. allow your child to ask the technician any questions he or she might have. tell your child to try to relax and stay still during the procedure, as tensing muscles and moving can make it harder and more painful to draw blood. it also may help if your child looks away when the needle is being inserted into the skin. if you have questions if you have questions about the fsh test, speak with your doctor.


fri march 1, 2013 researchers connect rats ' minds via internet an experiment that used rats to create a " brain - to - brain interface " shows that instructions can be transferred between animals via electronic signals and the internet, according to scientists who studied how rats can use brain implants to share problem - solving information. the research could be used to create " novel types of social interaction and for biological computing devices, " lead scientist miguel nicolelis of duke university writes in his summary of the study, published in scientific reports. in the study, researchers trained rats to perform simple tasks to receive a reward based on either visual or physical stimuli. scientists then implanted microelectrodes in the brains of the animals, which were split into " encoder " and " decoder " groups. in one experiment, rats were shown a single light that indicated which of two levers to press for a drink of water. when it performed the task, signals were sent to another rat ' s brain in an identical cage, where the animal was shown two lights and two levers. the " decoding " rats were able to make the right choice more than 60 percent of the time. a similar test was conducted using an " encoder " rat in brazil, paired with a " decoder " rat in durham, n. c., via an internet connection. the " rat mind - meld " experiment has met with some skepticism. for instance, neuroscientist bijan pesaran of new york university tells wired that he ' d " really be impressed " if the rats learned how to achieve a better success rate. a similar idea occurs to university of pittsburgh neurobiologist andrew schwartz, who tells science writer ed yong, " although this may sound like ' mental telemetry ', it was a very simple demonstration of binary detection and binary decision - making. " that ' s not quite the same, he says, as a continuous mind - to - mind connection. if that thought makes you worry that rats might someday use the technology to work against humankind, professor christopher james, from britain ' s university of warwick, says you can relax. " we are far from a scenario of well - networked rats around the world uniting to take us over, the stimulation is crude and specific, " he tells the daily mail. the lead researcher, nicolelis, tells ed yong that he ' s working to link together the brains of more than two animals — and that he ' ll soon begin experimenting with monkeys, which could


pub. date : 2008 | online pub. date : april 25, 2008 | doi : 10. 4135 / 9781412963893 | print isbn : 9781412958783 | online isbn : 9781412963893 | publisher : sage publications, inc. about this encyclopedia gordon p. rands & pamela rands environmental defense ( ed ), an environmental advocacy group headquartered in new york, began when a group of scientists teamed up with a lawyer, went to court, won a battle to ban the pesticide ddt, and incorporated as the environmental defense fund in 1967. environmental defense now prefers to work creatively, without confrontation, for solutions to environmental challenges, the most serious of which it views as global warming, “ through partnership with powerful market leaders. ” ed prides itself on having on staff “ more ph. d. scientists and economists than any similar group ” and is noted for its “ rigorous scientific approach. ” it seeks not only to oppose policies that it deems detrimental to the environment, but also to propose workable, innovative alternatives. in 2007, environmental defense was a founder and organizer of the u. s. climate action partnership ( uscap ), a coalition of environmental organizations and corporations advocating legislative action to address global warming. most of...


men fail, real men learn from it! transform others ’ work into your success. this week a recruit questioned one of the revolutionary figures we honor in our work. rather than dwell on the certain flaws, our focus will always be to choose the virtue in history. great works meet with near universal approval. it generally goes unquestioned that some works stand as examples of man ’ s potential. think of works as varied as “ starry night, ” “ beethoven ’ s 5th, ” “ the pieta, ” or the “ cathedral at notre dame. ” we carefully examine the application of van gogh ’ s close and deliberate lines, beethoven ’ s ominous knock of fate ’ s four notes at the door, michelangelo ’ s chiseling of the lamentation in marble, or the centuries – long creation of the gothic cathedral beneath montparnasse. we lift our eyes and bend our ears to discern the greatness of the work. there is value in measuring the producers of these works in greater depth. we can learn from examining their flaws, many, or few, but when we focus on the grandeur of the works they crafted we find inspiration. when we evaluate the works we can even find partial blueprints to build greatness in our own endeavors. we often value a person ’ s labor by comparing it to the impact it has on society. the great works often provide a basis for much comity among societies. the art of good governing and great engineering is no less challenging or worthy of our appreciation than a great piece of music or an oil painting. it is in this light we seek to uplift the great artwork of this country. the art takes the form of the declaration of independence, the brooklyn bridge, the light bulb, or the incredible exploits of courage and exploration. each artist passes to us from history complete with flaws. they leave legacies as great artists and as imperfect men. we can hold them accountable for their flaws, based mainly on our opinions. but, rule 48 says, when “ … you reprove another be unblameable yourself. ” at 16 george washington wrote 110 rules of civility. this civility towards others then becomes a virtue. thomas aquinas said in his ‘ summa theologica ’ that virtue is not a habit. tom concluded that we exercise virtue, indicating choice and free will. we must choose to exercise our virtue and find things to emulate in our passed artists. so instead of seeing haym salomon as a crown loyalist while interpreting for the hess


. tom concluded that we exercise virtue, indicating choice and free will. we must choose to exercise our virtue and find things to emulate in our passed artists. so instead of seeing haym salomon as a crown loyalist while interpreting for the hessians, we study his clandestine work as a sons of liberty spy who was captured, tortured and carried under the pretense of his own death to his escape. from philadelphia, he raised money and loaned it, along with his personal wealth to robert morris and the us government. he helped fund the revolution and later when peals of the liberty bell echoed throughout philadelphia men hailed him as a hero. at 22, a week after general cornwallis surrendered in yorktown noah webster opened a school. it closed three months later. noah failed as a lawyer, a teacher, and a businessman first. than he completed his revolutionary works of education that culminated with his 1828 dictionary. his work was profound due, in part, to his efforts to standardize grammar and spelling in the new world. we can compare it, in some respects, to charlemagne ’ s attempt to encourage literacy through standards. beforecharlemagnetherewerenospacesbetweenwords, and befour webster meny of our werds had awful and varyus spellings, with which to contend. accounts of how great works came to be inspire us to persevere through challenges. discerning minds attribute failure and success properly and learn from each. maybe we find it easier reduce some great men by only seeing their failures. sam clemens used a somewhat cynical puddn ’ head to say “ few things are as annoying to put up with as a good example. ” we at the underground movement like to lift our eyes to great works and good examples americans left to us. we hope to find our own ways to use their blueprints to build our own legacies. in this, we choose to be revolutionary.


common laboratory tests most utis are detected by performing a urinalysis and then confirmed with a urine culture. if there are pathogenic bacteria present, then susceptibility testing is done to make sure that the antibiotic that the doctor chooses will effectively treat the microorganism causing the infection. - urinalysis. a clean catch ( midstream ) sample collection is important to minimize sample contamination. white blood cells ( wbc, leukocytes ), red blood cells ( rbc ), nitrites, and bacteria in the urinalysis may indicate a uti. - urine culture. urine is streaked on a thin layer of nutrient gel ( agar plate ), then incubated for 24 - 48 hours. any bacteria that grow on the agar are counted and identified. usually, if a person has a uti, there will be a high colony count of one type of bacterium that will be present. if there are three or more types of bacteria present ( or, in a woman, if there are vaginal bacteria such as lactobacillus or diphtheroids ), then it is considered to be a contaminated sample and no further work is done on the culture. a repeat sample may need to be submitted if the person ' s symptoms persist. if there is a predominant growth of one type of bacterium present in high number, then susceptibility testing is done ( sometimes the doctor may refer to it as " sensitivity " testing ). the ability of different antibiotics to inhibit the growth of the bacteria in a test tube or on an agar plate helps predict which antibiotics are likely to be effective treatments. follow - up laboratory tests if a doctor suspects that a uti may have spread into the bloodstream, the doctor may order a blood culture. if a doctor suspects that a person ' s symptoms may be due to a sexually transmitted disease, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, then the doctor may test for one or more stds. - blood culture. two samples of blood are taken to look for any bacteria in the blood, which is normally sterile. the blood samples are incubated in a broth medium at body temperature and examined at regular intervals for bacterial growth. when a person is septic from a urinary tract infection, the same microorganism is found in both the blood and the urine cultures. susceptibility testing will provide information on which antibiotic is likely to eradicate the pathogen from both the blood and the urine.


urinary tract infection, the same microorganism is found in both the blood and the urine cultures. susceptibility testing will provide information on which antibiotic is likely to eradicate the pathogen from both the blood and the urine. imaging scans and special x - rays may be used to look for anatomical problems and / or signs of an underlying disease or condition. if a person has recurrent or chronic utis, one or more of the following procedures may be ordered. each gives the doctor different information. - kidney and bladder ultrasound – uses sound waves to determine the structures of the bladder and the kidney ; they can be seen as light and shadowed areas. - voiding cystourethrogram ( vcug ) – an x - ray test that examines the urethra and bladder while the bladder fills and empties - nuclear scans – several types may be used to examine the function and shape of the bladder and kidneys. for each scan type, a radioactive dye is injected into a vein. the dye is carried to the bladder and kidney, allowing the visualization of any structural abnormalities. - cystoscopy – a flexible tube about the diameter of a straw is threaded up the urethra and into the bladder. it allows a doctor to look at the surface of the inside of urethra and bladder. it can help identify blockages and abnormalities. if a stone is present, other instruments can be inserted up through the cystoscope that may allow a stone to be removed or broken into smaller pieces with a laser. the crushing of these stones is called lithotripsy. urine and tissue sample can also be taken using the cystoscope. - intravenous pyelogram ( ivp ) – used to look at the whole urinary tract. an opaque dye is injected into a vein, then travels to the kidney and bladder. a series of x - rays are taken, which may reveal obstructions or structural abnormalities.


canadian language benchmarks ( version 2000 ) the canadian language benchmarks 2000 : english as a second language for adults provides a set of descriptors of what learners can do with english at various levels, expressed as 12 benchmarks for each of the four skill areas : listening, speaking, reading and writing. the purpose of the clb is to describe accurately where the learner ' s ability to use english places him or her within the national descriptive framework of communicative language. the clb describe a personis ability to use the english language to accomplish a set of tasks at 12 benchmark levels, in four language skill areas : each benchmark contains : - a global performance, or a short benchmark performance profile - four selected competencies in social interaction, instructions, suasion and information - examples of communication tasks that may be used to demonstrate the required standard of proficiency clb 2000 : chart overview the following table illustrates how similar competencies require increasing complexity of performance across the three stages of proficiency. competency : reading instructional texts follow very simple short everyday instructions in a predictable context. | follow short common instructions and instructional texts. | | follow extensive, very complex | and / or specialized instructions and instructional texts. follow one - step instructions in educational materials in a classroom situation ( e. g., print, copy, circle and underline, fill in, check and draw ). explain / convey to someone health and safety warnings and instructions for use that are printed on chemical product labels ( e. g., on dishwasher detergent containers ). read selected personnel policy regulations and instructions, and apply the information to a specific case study situation. | competency : writing recording information | | copy words and phrases to record short information for personal use. | reproduce and record simple to medium complexity information for various purposes ( e. g., notes, summaries, main points and other formats ). select and reproduce very complex information from multiple sources in a variety of appropriate formats. copy information from an appointment note into a calendar ( e. g., name, address, time ). | take point - form notes from onepage written text or from a 10 - to 15 - minute oral presentation on a practical topic. | write an article or paper for a public forum, presenting a synthesis or overview of an area of knowledge, based on multiple pieces of research or other publications. note : competencies and tasks are only samples indicative of the range of a personis language ability at a particular benchmark level.


veterans day 2010, the history and obama ' s words to future veterans serving in korea veterans day didn ' t start out that way. originally, which was 91 years ago, it was called armistice day to mark the official cessation of hostilities in world war i, a. k. a. the great war until that time. that ceasefire came on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. ( see photo below of u. s. troops in france waiting out literally the last two minutes of world war i. ) the actual peace treaty, the treaty of versailles, wasn ' t signed until the following june 28. but that ensuing first fall of peace, president woodrow wilson proclaimed nov. 11 armistice day, a time for prayer, thanksgiving and appreciation for the sacrifices of those lost. parades and civic observances were involved, but normal business was to cease only for a few minutes around the armistice time. nineteen years later congress turned nov. 11 into a federal holiday, primarily to.... not coincidentally, president obama, fresh from an overnight stop in his childhood homeland of indonesia, spoke ( full text, as usual, below ) to about 1, 400 american troops and guests in korea. he talked about the enduring u. s. and korean military and political alliance - - never mind the trouble getting an enhanced bilateral trade agreement. as sen. john mccain, himself a veteran, awkwardly noted during the 2008 presidential campaign, the u. s. continues to maintain about 28, 000 troops on that divided peninsula. in fact, nearly 60 years after fighting ceased in that lumpy land, there still is no formal peace treaty. somehow, if you can imagine such a thing, the original meaning of veterans ( armistice ) day got lost in the burning desire of u. s. federal employees to get another three - day weekend. so as with the inconvenient birthdays of presidents washington and lincoln, veterans day was observed on a nearby monday. however, it turns out this twisting of the honored day for the convenience of modern - day folks offended many people. so in 1975, president ford, whose july 14 birthday is celebrated in france as bastille day, signed legislation mandating that veterans day be celebrated on the actual nov. 11, whatever darned day of the week it is. president obama appropriately marked veterans day this year on thursday, nov. 11, in korea, which was actually wednesday, nov. 10, back home. - - andrew malcolm whatever the day, click here to follow the


day of the week it is. president obama appropriately marked veterans day this year on thursday, nov. 11, in korea, which was actually wednesday, nov. 10, back home. - - andrew malcolm whatever the day, click here to follow the ticket via twitter alerts of each new ticket item. or follow us @ latimestot. our facebook like page is over here. we ' re also available on kindle now. use the retweet buttons below to share this item with family and friends. hello, yongsan! let ’ s give another round of applause to army specialist courtney newby. thank you for that introduction, and thank you for your service. i also want to thank our outstanding representatives here in the republic of korea : ambassador kathleen stephens and general skip sharp. congressman peter roskam from the great state of illinois is here with us today. and our great friend and ally from the republic of korea is here, general jung. it is an honor to be here at yongsan garrison. as president of the united states, i have no greater privilege than serving as commander - in - chief of the finest military the world has ever known. and on this veterans ’ day, there ’ s no place i ’ d rather be than right here with u. s. forces korea. we ’ ve got the 8th army in the house. we ’ ve got members of the 7th air force. we ’ ve got u. s. navy forces korea. we ’ ve got just about every marine in south korea here today. and we ’ ve got a whole lot of dod civilians, too. it ’ s also good to see some spouses and family members in the audience. you bear the burdens of your loved one ’ s service in ways that are often immeasurable – an empty chair at the dinner table or another holiday when mom or dad is some place far away. so i want you to know that this nation recognizes your sacrifice, and we are grateful for your service, too. on this day, we honor every man and woman who has ever worn the uniform of the united states of america. we salute fallen heroes, and keep in our prayers those who are still in harm ’ s way – like the men and women serving in iraq and afghanistan. we recall acts of uncommon bravery and selflessness, but we also remember that honoring those who ’ ve served is about more than the words we say on veterans ’ day or memorial day. it ’ s about how we treat our veterans every single day of


we recall acts of uncommon bravery and selflessness, but we also remember that honoring those who ’ ve served is about more than the words we say on veterans ’ day or memorial day. it ’ s about how we treat our veterans every single day of the year. it ’ s about making sure they have the care they need and the benefits they have earned. it ’ s about serving all of you as well as you ’ ve served the united states of america. this has been one of my highest priorities since taking office. it ’ s why i asked for one of the largest increases in the va budget in the past thirty years. it ’ s why we ’ ve dramatically increased funding for veterans ’ health care. it ’ s why we ’ re improving care for wounded warriors, especially those with post - traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. it ’ s why we ’ re working to eliminate the backlog at the va and reforming the entire process with electronic claims and medical records. it ’ s why there are fewer homeless veterans on the streets than there were two years ago, and why there are nearly 400, 000 veterans and their families who are going to college because of the post - 9 / 11 gi bill. so i want all of you to know that when you come home, your country will be there be for you. that is the commitment i make as your commander - in - chief. that is the sacred trust between the united states of america and all who defend its ideals. it ’ s a trust that ’ s been forged in places far from our shores : from the beaches of europe to the jungles of vietnam ; from the deserts of iraq and the mountains of afghanistan to the peninsula where we stand today. sixty years have come and gone since the communist armies first crossed the 38th parallel. within three days, they had captured seoul. by the end of the next month, they had driven the korean army all the way south, to pusan. and from where things stood in the summer of 1950, it didn ’ t appear that the republic of korea would survive much longer. at the time, many americans had probably never heard of korea. and it had only been five years since we finished fighting the last war. but we knew that if we allowed the unprovoked invasion of a free nation, all free nations would be threatened. and so, for the first time since its creation, the united nations voted to use armed force to repel the attack from north korea. on september 15th, 1950, american forces landed at inchon


free nation, all free nations would be threatened. and so, for the first time since its creation, the united nations voted to use armed force to repel the attack from north korea. on september 15th, 1950, american forces landed at inchon. the conditions they fought under were some of the worst that americans had ever experienced. the temperature reached more than thirty below in the winter and over one hundred degrees in the summer. in many places, americans and our korean allies were outgunned and outmanned, sometimes by as much as 20 to 1. at one point, they were hit with 24, 000 artillery shells a day. by the end, the fighting had sometimes devolved into trench warfare, waged on hands and knees in the middle of the night. and still, our soldiers fought on. nearly 37, 000 americans would give their lives in korea. but after three years of fighting, our forces finally succeeded in driving the invading armies back over the 38th parallel. one war historian said that while he believed korea was “ the greatest of all trials ” for american troops, their performance was “ nothing short of miraculous. ” many of the men responsible for this miracle were only teenagers. others had just finished fighting in the second world war. most would go home to raise their families and live out their lives. and sixty - two veterans of the korean war have returned to be with us today. gentlemen, we are honored by your presence. we are grateful for your service. and the world is better off because of what you did here. and for those who can, i would ask you to stand and accept the thanks of a grateful nation. i also want to recognize the korean soldiers who battled side by side with our own. these men fought bravely and sacrificed greatly for their country, and some of them have joined us here as well. thank you, friends. katchi kapshida. we go together. the veterans who have traveled here today saw battle at the inchon landing and the pusan perimeter. you survived the bloodshed at heartbreak ridge and the ambush at the chosin reservoir. at one point in that battle, the enemy tossed a grenade into a trench where multiple marines lay wounded. that ’ s when private hector cafferata, ran into that trench, picked up that grenade, and threw it back. it detonated in his hand, severely injuring his arm. but because of what he did, private cafferata saved the lives of his fellow marines. he received the medal of honor for his heroism,


picked up that grenade, and threw it back. it detonated in his hand, severely injuring his arm. but because of what he did, private cafferata saved the lives of his fellow marines. he received the medal of honor for his heroism, and he is here with us today. so many of you served your nation with such courage and commitment. you left your homes and your families and you risked your lives in what has often been called “ the forgotten war. ” well today, i want you to know this : we remember. we remember your courage. we remember your sacrifice. and the legacy of your service lives on in a free and prosperous republic of korea. real change comes slowly, and many people don ’ t live to see the difference they ’ ve made in the lives of others. for the men and women who have served on this peninsula, all you have to do is look around. whether you ’ re a veteran who landed in 1950 or one of the troops at yongsan today, the security you ’ ve provided has made possible one of the greatest success stories of our time. there are koreans today who can still remember when this country was little more than rice paddies and villages that would flood during monsoon season. not two generations later, highways and skyscrapers line the horizon of one of the fastest - growing, most prosperous democracies in all the world – progress that has transformed the lives of millions. one of these people is a man who went from grinding poverty to the presidency of this country. when i visited last year, president lee shared with me his story of what it was like to grow up poor as a child in korea. and he said, “ i hope the american people understand how grateful we are for what you ’ ve done, because we would not be the extraordinarily strong, prosperous nation we are were it not for the sacrifices made by the men and women of the united states military. ” because the korean war ended where it began geographically, some used the phrase “ die for a tie ” to describe the sacrifice of those who fought here. but as we look around at this thriving democracy and its grateful, hopeful citizens, one thing is clear : this was no tie. this was a victory. it was a victory then, and it is a victory today. sixty years later, a friendship that was forged in war has become an alliance that has led to greater security and untold progress – not only in the republic of korea, but throughout asia. and that is something for everyone here to be


victory today. sixty years later, a friendship that was forged in war has become an alliance that has led to greater security and untold progress – not only in the republic of korea, but throughout asia. and that is something for everyone here to be extraordinarily proud of. but it is also a reminder of what still lies on the other side of the 38th parallel. today, the korean peninsula provides the world ’ s clearest contrast between a society that is open and one that is closed ; between a nation that is dynamic and growing, and a government that would rather starve its people than change. it ’ s a contrast so stark you can see it from space, as the brilliant lights of seoul give way to utter darkness in the north. this is not an accident of history. it is a direct result of the path that has been taken by north korea – a path of confrontation and provocation ; one that includes the pursuit of nuclear weapons and the attack on the cheonan last march. in the wake of this aggression, pyongyang should not be mistaken : the united states will never waver in our commitment to the security of the republic of korea. the alliance between our two nations has never been stronger, and along the with the rest of the world, we have made it clear that north korea ’ s continued pursuit of nuclear weapons will only lead to more isolation and less security. but there is another path available to north korea. if they choose to fulfill their international obligations and commitments to the international community, they will have the chance to offer their people lives of growing opportunity instead of crushing poverty – a future of greater security and greater respect ; a future that includes the prosperity and opportunity available to citizens on this end of the korean peninsula. until that day comes, the world can take comfort in knowing that the men and women of the u. s. armed forces are standing watch on freedom ’ s frontier. in doing so, you carry on the legacy of service and sacrifice we saw from those who landed here all those years ago – a legacy we honor and cherish on this veterans ’ day. at the korean war memorial in washington, there is a plaque right near the inscription that lists the number of americans who were killed, wounded, mission in action, and held as prisoners of war. it says “ our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met. ” a country they never knew and a people they never met. i know of no better


march 10, 2006 secret of the bees an article by fontaine, et al., published earlier this year in plos biology provided the first experimental evidence that the persistence of a plant community can be affected by a loss of diversity of its pollinating fauna. pollinator / plant diversity the full text is found below. functional diversity of plant – pollinator interaction webs enhances the persistence of plant communities 1 umr 7618 : biogeochimie et ecologie des milieux continentaux ( bioemco ), ecole normale superieure, paris, france, 2 umr 7625 : fonctionnement et evolution des systemes ecologiques, ecole normale superieure, paris, france, 3 department of biology, mcgill university, montreal, quebec, canada pollination is exclusively or mainly animal mediated for 70 % to 90 % of angiosperm species. thus, pollinators provide an essential ecosystem service to humankind. however, the impact of human - induced biodiversity loss on the functioning of plant – pollinator interactions has not been tested experimentally. to understand how plant communities respond to diversity changes in their pollinating fauna, we manipulated the functional diversity of both plants and pollinators under natural conditions. increasing the functional diversity of both plants and pollinators led to the recruitment of more diverse plant communities. after two years the plant communities pollinated by the most functionally diverse pollinator assemblage contained about 50 % more plant species than did plant communities pollinated by less - diverse pollinator assemblages. moreover, the positive effect of functional diversity was explained by a complementarity between functional groups of pollinators and plants. thus, the functional diversity of pollination networks may be critical to ecosystem sustainability. received : may 23, 2005 ; accepted : october 11, 2005 ; published : december 13, 2005 copyright : © 2006 fontaine et al. this is an open - access article distributed under the terms of the creative commons attribution license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. abbreviations : a, syrphid group ; anova, analysis of variance ; b, bumble bee group ; c, combined ( syrphid and bumble bee ) group ; df, degrees of freedom ; group 1, open flower ; group 2, tubular flower ; group 3, combined ( open and tubular ) flower ; se, standard error * to whom correspondence should be addressed. e -


bumble bee ) group ; df, degrees of freedom ; group 1, open flower ; group 2, tubular flower ; group 3, combined ( open and tubular ) flower ; se, standard error * to whom correspondence should be addressed. e - mail : firstname. lastname @ example. org citation : fontaine c, dajoz i, meriguet j, loreau m ( 2006 ) functional diversity of plant – pollinator interaction webs enhances the persistence of plant communities. plos biol 4 ( 1 ) : e1 understanding the consequences of biodiversity loss for ecosystem functioning and services is currently a major aim of ecology [ 1, 2 ]. animal - mediated pollination is one of the essential ecosystem services provided to humankind [ 3, 4 ]. the negative impact of pollinator decline on the reproductive success of flowering plants has been documented at the species level [ 5 – 7 ], but little information is available at the community level. increasing the scale of study to the community level is essential to account for potential competitive or facilitative effects among species that belong to the plant – pollinator network. such effects, which are often linked to diversity [ 9, 10 ], are known to have large influences on ecological processes such as community productivity and stability [ 11, 12 ]. experimental evidence for diversity effects on the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems is mainly available for plants. as primary producers, plants play a central role in the flow of energy within ecosystems [ 13, 14 ]. animal - pollinated angiosperms represent up to 70 % of plant species in numerous communities and ecosystems. mutualistic interactions between animals and plants form several intricate interaction webs. recent analysis of plant – pollinator and plant – frugivore interaction webs demonstrates that these contain a continuum from fully specialist to fully generalist species [ 17, 18 ]. however, these networks are structured in a nested way [ 19, 20 ], with specialists mainly interacting with generalists. such a pattern might have important consequences for ecosystem functioning, because it might confer resilience to perturbations such as the extinction of species if, for example, generalist pollinators buffer the loss of specialist pollinators [ 18, 22 – 24 ]. furthermore, this hypothesis does not take into account the dynamical properties of these networks. in a plant – pollinator community, variations in species diversity at different trophic levels may lead to an adaptation of interaction strengths, which may in turn affect the total effectiveness of pollination


not take into account the dynamical properties of these networks. in a plant – pollinator community, variations in species diversity at different trophic levels may lead to an adaptation of interaction strengths, which may in turn affect the total effectiveness of pollination. we conclude that more information is urgently needed concerning the impacts of biodiversity loss on multispecies and multitrophic interactions. to experimentally test the effect of functional diversity on the functioning and persistence of plant – pollinator communities, we defined functional groups of plants and pollinators based on morphological traits. for plants, two functional groups with three species each were defined according to accessibility of floral rewards ( pollen and nectar ; see figure 1 ). the first group ( group 1 ) included matricaria officinalis, erodium cicutarium, and raphanus raphanistrum, which have easily accessible floral rewards and will be called “ open flowers. ” the second group ( group 2 ), called “ tubular flowers, ” included mimulus guttatus, medicago sativa, and lotus corniculatus, all of which present floral rewards hidden at the bottom of a tubular corolla. for pollinators, two functional groups were defined according to mouthparts length ( figure 1 ). the first group ( group a ) included three species of syrphid flies ( diptera ) with short mouthparts : saephoria sp., episyrphus balteatus, and eristalis tenax. the second group ( group b ) included three species of bumble bees with longer mouthparts : bombus terrestris, b, pascuorum, and b, lapidarius. note that in this case a functional trait ( long mouthparts ) and a phylogenetic group are confounded. preliminary observations showed that these six insect species contribute up to 70 % of all pollinating visits to flowers in our study area in france. constructing a plant – pollinator network with these four functional groups leads to a nested structure with specialists interacting with generalists ( figure 1, third column ). in principle, syrphid flies cannot efficiently pollinate tubular flowers because their mouthparts are too short. figure 1. experimental pollination web summary of the characteristics upon which functional groups of pollinators ( left ) and plants ( right ) were based. in the middle, the arrows linking insect heads to flower types show the theoretical pollination network when all functional groups are present. at the beginning of spring 2003, we set up 36 4 -


was a higher fruit production in bumble bee – pollinated communities than in those pollinated by syrphids. moreover, the breakdown of the interaction of pollination and plant treatments into the orthogonal contrasts a1 versus b1 and a2 versus b2 indicates that the two plant functional groups responded differently to the identity of the pollinator functional group. tubular 3 flowers ( group 2 ) produced significantly fewer fruits in the syrphid treatment, whereas open flowers ( group 1 ) produced the same amount of fruits whatever the identity of the pollinator functional group ( figure 2a ). this supports our hypothesis that bumble bees were able to pollinate both plant functional groups whereas syrphids could only efficiently pollinate open flowers. although the functional diversity of plant or pollinator treatment alone had no significant effect, fruit production tended to increase with both plant and pollinator functional diversity ( contrast [ a1 + a2 + b1 + b2 ] versus c3 ; figure 2b ). figure 2. effects of pollinator identity and diversity on plant reproductive success the left panels show the effects of pollinator guild identity ( s indicates syrphid flies, b indicates bumble bees ) on the reproductive success of the two plant guilds ( open circle indicates open - flowers [ group 1 ], closed circle indicates tubular - flowers [ group 2 ] ). reproductive success was measured by ( a ) the standardized number of fruits per plant and ( b ) the standardized number of seeds per fruit. the right panels show the effects of the functional diversity of pollination treatments ( triangle ), plant treatment ( inverted triangle ) and both ( diamond ) on the standardized numbers of fruits per plant ( c ) and seeds per fruit ( d ). lines connecting symbols indicate significant effects ( solid indicates p < 0. 001, dashed indicates p < 0. 08 ). error bars represent one standard error. see table 1 for statistical analysis. table 1. analysis of plant reproductive success with respect to seed set per fruit, the interaction between plant and pollination treatment was marginally significant ( table 1, right ). as with fruit production, the contrasts a1 versus b1 and a2 versus b2 indicate that the two plant functional groups responded differently to pollinator functional group identity. the pattern, however, was different : open flowers produced significantly fewer seeds per fruit in the bumble bee treatment than in the syrphid treatment ( figure 2c ). this means that bumblebees were less - efficient pollinators than syrphids for open flowers. this could be due to the higher rate of


the bumble bee treatment than in the syrphid treatment ( figure 2c ). this means that bumblebees were less - efficient pollinators than syrphids for open flowers. this could be due to the higher rate of geitonogamous visits ( i. e., consecutive visits to different flowers of the same plant, resulting in self - fertilization ) by bumblebees. indeed, preliminary observations using a similar experimental design showed that bumble bees perform a higher percentage of geitonogamous visits than do syrphids ( i. dajoz, unpublished data ). finally, the mean number of seeds per fruit in the plant communities tended to increase with functional diversity of pollination treatments ( contrast [ a + b ] versus c ; figure 2d ). effects on natural recruitment we analysed the long - term effects of our pollination treatments on the natural recruitment of our experimental plant treatments after the first and second pollination seasons. the results are presented in table 2. there was a significant effect of year on recruitment richness with a higher richness after the second pollination season ( mean ± se : 1. 916 ± 0. 075 in 2004, and 2. 291 ± 0. 0856 in 2005 ). among the possible causes was a severe drought in 2003, which likely affected both plant and insect populations. such a drought did not occur in 2004. this difference in climate between years may account for a large part of the year effect. table 2. analysis of plant recruitment richness and density recruitment richness was significantly different among plant treatments, with fewer species recruiting in tubular communities ( figure 3 ). this is very likely due to two perennial species ( whereas all species are annuals in the other group ) which may have different reproductive traits and create differences in competitive intensity among the plant treatments. there was a significant effect of pollination treatment, with a higher recruitment richness when both groups of pollinators were present ( means ± se : syrphid 1. 854 ± 0. 973, bumble bee 2. 052 ± 0. 826, and both 2. 406 ± 1. 062 ). however, as suggested by the significant interaction between plant and pollination treatments, the pattern was more complex ( figure 3a ). in fact, pollination treatments had no effect on recruitment richness in open - flower plant treatment ( figure 3a, left ). in the tubular - flower plant treatment, recruitment in the syrphid fly


pattern was more complex ( figure 3a ). in fact, pollination treatments had no effect on recruitment richness in open - flower plant treatment ( figure 3a, left ). in the tubular - flower plant treatment, recruitment in the syrphid fly treatment tended to be lower than in the other pollination treatments ( figure 3a, centre ). but the positive effect of pollinator functional diversity was obvious in the plant treatment that contained both plant functional groups ( figure 3a, right ). in the mixed plant treatment, recruitment richness under the most functionally diverse pollination treatment was substantially above that in the two other treatments. figure 3. effects of pollination treatments on plant recruitment effects of pollination by syrphid flies ( s ), bumble bees ( b ), or both ( s + b ) on ( a ) recruitment richness ( mean number of plant species present as seedlings in a quadrat ) and ( b ) recruitment density ( mean number of plant individuals present as seedlings in a quadrat ) in the various plant treatments. error bars represent one standard error. lower - case letters indicate statistically significant differences among pollination treatments within a plant treatment ( bonferroni - adjusted t - test, p < 0. 05 ). considering recruitment density, there was also a significant effect of year, with a higher density after the second pollination season ( mean ± se : 26. 784 ± 2. 324 in 2004 and 31. 319 ± 1. 937 in 2005 ), and a significant effect of plant treatment, with fewer individuals recruiting in tubular communities ( figure 3b, centre ). these year and plant - treatment effects can be explained in the same way as for recruitment richness ( see above ). there was also a significant effect of pollination treatment, with a lower recruitment density when plant communities were pollinated by syrphid flies alone ( means ± se : syrphids : 24. 104 ± 20. 464, bumble bees : 34. 364 ± 32. 781, and both 28. 688 ± 21. 459 ). this is congruent with our results on the number of fruits produced per plant ( see table 1, contrast a versus b ). as for recruitment richness, there was a significant interaction between plant and pollination treatments ( figure 3b ). in the open - flower plant treatment, recruitment density was not significantly different among pollination treatments ( figure 3b, left ). but in the tubular - flower plant treatment, recruitment


significant interaction between plant and pollination treatments ( figure 3b ). in the open - flower plant treatment, recruitment density was not significantly different among pollination treatments ( figure 3b, left ). but in the tubular - flower plant treatment, recruitment density was significantly higher in the bumble bee treatment than in the other pollination treatments ( figure 3b, centre ). finally, in the mixed plant treatment, the same pattern as for recruitment richness was observed : there was a higher density in the mixed pollination treatment than in single - guild pollination treatments ( figure 3b, right ). note that these results on natural recruitment are not an artefact caused by sampling small quadrats in heterogeneous experimental plots since the same patterns were observed when data from all quadrats in a plot were pooled. pollination visitation web in the mixed plant treatment to explain the strong effect of pollinator functional diversity on the persistence of mixed plant communities, we carried out a log - linear analysis on the visitation rate of each insect species in a given pollination treatment, for the six plant species of the mixed plant treatment. data from the year 2003 are illustrated in figure 4, and the results of the analysis on both years are presented in table 3. in the second year, there was a significant effect of plant functional group identity : tubular flowers received a higher number of visits than did open flowers ( mean visitation frequency ± se : for open flowers 0. 236 ± 0. 097 and for tubular flowers 0. 763 ± 0. 097 ). this is very likely due to the two well - established perennial species, which produced a more attractive floral display during the second year of the experiment. for the two years of the experiment, there was a significant interaction between plant functional group and pollinator functional group. this indicates that the two pollinator functional groups were specialised on different plant functional groups ( mean visitation frequency ± se on open flowers and tubular flowers, respectively : in 2003, for bumble bees 0. 128 ± 0. 058 and 0. 433 ± 0. 075 ; for syrphids 0. 327 ± 0. 043 and 0. 113 ± 0. 052 ; in 2004, for bumble bees 0. 01 ± 0. 005 and 0. 58 ± 0. 075 ; for syrphids 0. 23 ± 0. 055 and 0. 18 ± 0. 087 ). syrphids mainly visited open flowers whereas bumble bees preferentially


]. to our knowledge, this is the first experimental evidence that the persistence of a plant community can be affected by a loss of diversity of its pollinating fauna. of course, our experimental communities differed from natural ones in several respects. among other things, the interaction networks we studied were much simpler than those occurring in nature ; in particular, they contained fewer species in each trophic level. but such simplifications from natural situations are often necessary to carry out controlled experiments. in plant communities that contained only open flowers, plants produced fewer seeds per fruit in the bumblebee treatment than in the syrphid treatment ( figure 2c ), but this was compensated by a sufficiently high fruit production, leading to a richness and density of natural recruitment that was similar to the other pollination treatments ( figure 3a and 3b left ). thus, in these communities, all pollination treatments were equally effective in the long term. in plant communities that contained only tubular flowers, syrphids were inefficient pollinators ; fruit production was very low ( figure 2a ) and insufficient to allow a good natural recruitment. bumble bees were the most effective pollinators ( figure 3a and 3c, centre ). note that in the bumble bee treatment, the very high value of average recruitment density was due to three measurements in two replicates, in which only m. guttatus seedlings were recorded at a very high density ( more than 150 seedlings per quadrat ). to test the effect of these outliers, we removed them and repeated our analysis. the same significant effects were observed, except for the effect of pollination treatment, which became marginally significant ( p = 0. 0645 ). the new mean number of seedlings per quadrat for this experimental treatment was 32. 17 ± 4. 55 ( se ), which is still slightly above the value for the pollination treatment with both pollinator groups. for plant communities that contained only tubular flowers, recruitment richness in the two pollination treatments that contained bumblebees was similar. these results are in agreement with our theoretical pollination network presented in figure 1. in our experimental system, syrphids can be considered as specialist pollinators since they efficiently pollinate only open flowers. bumble bees were potentially generalists as they induced an important fruit production of the two plant types and a good recruitment in the open - and tubular - flower plant treatments. our results on the reproductive success and recruitment of single - guild plant