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Monday, July 9, 2012 Pancreatic Cancer and Lycopene (Tomatoes) What is Lycopene? Image and video hosting by TinyPic What People Consume Lycopene for? Image and video hosting by TinyPic Tomatoes and Pancreatic Cancer Risks Although fruits and vegetables have been implicated in the etiology of pancreatic cancer, the role of phytochemicals in these food groups has received little attention to date. In this study, we investigated the possible association between dietary carotenoids and pancreatic cancer risk. A case-control study of 462 histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer cases and 4721 population-based controls in 8 Canadian provinces took place between 1994 and 1997. After adjustment for age, province, BMI, smoking, educational attainment, dietary folate, and total energy intake, lycopene, provided mainly by tomatoes, was associated with a 31% reduction in pancreatic cancer risk among men when comparing the highest and lowest quartiles of intake. Both beta-carotene and total carotenoids were associated with a significantly reduced risk among those who never smoked. The results of this study suggest that a diet rich in tomatoes and tomato-based products with high lycopene content may help reduce pancreatic cancer risk. This occurs when the pancreas doesn't make enough enzymes for adequate digestion. Pancreatic insufficiency isn't a disease but a sign of an underlying problem. It typically results from damage to the pancreas, such as due to chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or cystic fibrosis. So, tomatoes supposedly stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes, especially of the pancreas. Tomatoes and Other Cancers FDA Statement In spite of the certain evidence, that tomatoes can be considered as food, reducing the pancreatic cancer risk, the Food and Drug Administration has decided that the evidence is still inconclusive, and tomatoes, so rich in antioxidants and other good things such as beta carotene, may not offer substantial protection against many types of cancer. The agency responded July 2011 to applications from two tomato-product groups, including H.J. Heinz Co., which planned to tout the anticancer benefits of tomatoes on their product labels. After a review of dozens of studies, the FDA claimed that there was "very limited evidence" to support any association between tomato consumption and reduced risks of prostate, gastric and pancreatic cancers. As for the believed cancer-fighting effects of lycopene, the key anti-cancer fighting ingredient in tomatoes, the FDA was even more discouraging, saying there was "no credible evidence" to suggest that the chemical could reduce the risk of such cancers of the prostate, lung, colon, breast, ovaries or pancreas. The FDA statement has definitely cooled down all the lycopene related researches, however some scientists believe that that there is indeed a growing body of clinical evidence suggesting that food, rich in lycopene such as tomatoes, might have beneficial effects on the development of certain cancers, especially prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer. Although a clear cause–effect relationship between tomato products, lycopene and cancer risk has not yet been established, and further research is urgently needed to draw a definitive conclusion, many clinical researchers still strongly believe in the possibility that a higher consumption of tomato products or lycopene is safe and may have potential benefits for lowering the risk of cancer as well as of other severe pathologies (e.g., atherosclerosis). Image and video hosting by TinyPic Tomatoes are safe when used as a food. A specific tomato extract (Lyc-O-Mato) might also be safe when used for up to eight weeks. Tomato is also safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women in food amounts. The tomato leaf is UNSAFE. In large amounts, tomato leaves can cause poisoning. Symptoms of poisoning may include dizziness, stupor, headache, bradycardia, respiratory disturbances, mild spasms, and, in very severe cases, death through respiratory failure could occur. Signs of poisoning are not to be expected with less than 100 g of the fresh leaves (or green Tomatoes). It is recommended to cook tomatoes in olive oil to double the lycopene amount absorb, and to eat more cooked tomato products like sauces, which pack more lycopene than raw tomatoes. Image and video hosting by TinyPic Sources and Additional Information: Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Estimator and System Variables A distinction between estimator and system variables is made in the eyewitness research literature between two categories or types of variables that influence the accuracy of eyewitness accounts. System variables are those that are (or can be) under the control of the justice system, whereas estimator variables cannot be controlled by the justice system. Examples of system variables include factors such as the instructions given to eyewitnesses prior to their viewing a lineup or the number of people who are used in a lineup. Examples of estimator variables include factors such as how good a view the eyewitness had of the perpetrator during the crime or whether the witness and perpetrator were of the same or different race. The estimator versus system variable distinction tends to be tied to a temporal unfolding of events, in the sense that events that occur before or during the witnessing experience are necessarily relegated to estimator variable status whereas system variables begin to come into play later, once the investigation is under way. There is no presumption in the estimator variable versus system variable distinction that one category of variables has more impact on eyewitness accuracy than the other. Nevertheless, this distinction, first articulated in 1978 by Gary L. Wells, has tended to result in a higher premium being placed on system variables because these can be used to help minimize eyewitness errors in actual cases, whereas estimator variables can only be used to postdict how the variables might have influenced the eyewitness. The study of system variables has generally been tied to policy-related recommendations on ways to improve how crime investigators interview eyewitnesses and on ways to improve how lineups are constructed and conducted. The study of estimator variables, in contrast, has more often been tied to the development of expert testimony that can assist triers of fact (e.g., judges, juries) in deciding whether to accept the testimony of an eyewitness as having been accurate or mistaken. In fact, however, system variables are as relevant to expert testimony as are estimator variables, and in recent years, it has become more apparent that estimator variables and system variables are not independent. In general, the impact of system variables is likely to depend somewhat on the levels of the estimator variables. An obvious example of this dependence is when the estimator variables are highly favorable to the existence of an extremely deep, solid memory. If memory is strong enough, system variables would not likely have much impact. For instance, system variable research shows that it is critical for eyewitnesses to be warned prior to viewing a lineup that the actual perpetrator might not be present, because the absence of such a warning leads eyewitnesses to select someone from a lineup even if the actual perpetrator is not present. However, if the eyewitness’s memory is strong enough (e.g., attempting to pick one’s own mother from a lineup), the presence or absence of this warning is of little consequence. Hence, a complete understanding of eyewitness performance clearly requires research on both system and estimator variables. Generally, system variables can also serve the function of being estimator variables, but estimator variables cannot be system variables. In some cases, however, variables that traditionally have been considered estimator variables have taken on system-variable-like properties. The confidence of an eyewitness, for instance, has traditionally been considered an estimator variable because it was presumed to be beyond the control of the justice system, and the emphasis of the estimator variable research on eyewitness confidence was to find out how well or poorly it postdicted the accuracy of the eyewitness. Now, however, there is a great deal of research showing that procedures that are under the control of the justice system affect the confidence of the eyewitness and the magnitude of the confidence-accuracy relation. In this sense, eyewitness confidence, traditionally an estimator variable, has taken on some of the properties of a system variable. In eyewitness identification research, system and estimator variables have been further subdivided in recent years into two types—namely, suspect-bias variables and general-impairment variables. Suspect-bias variables are those that influence the eyewitness specifically toward identifying the suspect from a lineup, whereas general-impairment variables simply reduce the overall performance of the eyewitness. An example of a general-impairment system variable is when the lineup administrator fails to instruct the eyewitness that the perpetrator might not be in the lineup. In this case, the instruction failure impairs the eyewitness’s performance (by making the eyewitness insensitive to the possibility that the correct answer might be “not there”) but does not specifically bias the eyewitness toward the suspect any more than it biases the eyewitness toward the nonsuspects in the lineup. An example of a suspect-bias system variable is when a lineup is structured in such a way that the suspect stands out as the obvious choice (e.g., as the only one who fits the description of the culprit). An example of a general-impairment estimator variable is poor viewing conditions at the time of witnessing. Poor viewing conditions might impair the eyewitness’s performance on the lineup, but poor viewing conditions do not specifically bias the eyewitness toward the suspect any more than they bias the eyewitness toward the nonsuspects in the lineup. An example of a suspect-bias estimator variable is when the eyewitness has source confusion, such as when an innocent suspect is picked out of a lineup because he was familiar; but he was familiar because he had been a customer, not because he was the person who robbed the clerk. 1. Wells, G. L., Memon, A., & Penrod, S. (2006). Eyewitness evidence: Improving its probative value. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 7, 45-75. 2. Wells, G. L., & Olson, E. (2003). Eyewitness identification. Annual Review of Psychology, 54, 277-295. Return to the overview of Eyewitness Memory in Forensic Psychology.
From RationalWiki Jump to: navigation, search Sign declaring a South African beach for use by white persons only. Photographed in June 1985. The colorful pseudoscience Icon race.svg Hating thy neighbour Divide and conquer Apartheid[Note 1] was the codified system of racial segregation founded on principles of white supremacy that was in effect in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. The term has in recent years been used to describe situations outside of the South African context, notably by opponents of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. Its nature While similar in spirit to laws that limited the rights of African-Americans until the passing of the Civil Rights Act, apartheid encompassed a far stricter set of rules; it denied non-whites any sort of participation in the democratic process, limited where people could work and live, and went so far as to prohibit sexual liaisons across racial lines. Essentially antebellum America without the slavery. Official South African government policy during this time was to racially classify the South African population into four groups: whites, "coloured" (i.e. those of mixed ancestry), Indian, and "Bantu" (a Bantu language word meaning "people," but in apartheid parlance meaning all blacks). Only whites were allowed participation in the South African government,[Note 2] and the four groups were assigned separate neighbourhoods, beaches (and guess whose beaches got the shark nets), and so on. People had to have special permission or passes to enter areas assigned to another racial group, i.e. to work there. As blacks made up 3/4 of South Africa's population, starting in 1951 the government set aside Bantustans, or black homelands. Black people were then granted "citizenship" in their respective Bantustans, and their South African citizenship was revoked, as a way of codifying their lack of voting rights in South Africa. Indians and "coloured" were not assigned any homelands at all. Starting in the 1970s South Africa embarked on a policy which would grant national independence to the Bantustans, leaving the rest of South Africa sans the Bantustans for whites, who were only 10% of the population. They only got as far as declaring four of the Bantustans independent nations, none of which received any international recognition as such, before international pressure and tensions between the South African government and the four independent Bantustans (South Africa kept invading them to restore "order" after their governments had the nerve to actually act as independent nations instead of merely puppet governments) convinced them they really didn't want to continue to go down that route. During most of the apartheid era, South Africa's neighbors included countries friendly to their apartheid policies such as Mozambique (then a colony of the right-wing Portugese regime), Rhodesia (also ruled by a white minority government), and South-West Africa (a protectorate of South Africa, now Namibia). However, by 1980 both Mozambique and Zimbabwe were independent, followed by Namibia in 1990, and South Africa found itself increasingly isolated and fighting its neighbors, now ruled by post-colonial (in many cases Communist) governments. International pressure to end apartheid became a major issue in the 1980s. At the same time, Cuba fought a proxy war against South Africa in Angola and Namibia, which exposed the limits of South African power, culminating in the Battle of Cuito CuanavaleWikipedia's W.svg in 1987-88.[1] Jerry Falwell's good Christian response to apartheid, in 1985, was to declare Desmond Tutu a "phony," denounce the U.S. Congress's move to enact economic sanctions against South Africa, and encourage people to buy South African Krugerrand coins. This was in keeping with his earlier denunciations of the US Civil Rights movement (starting in the 1950s) and more liberal clergy who supported it (like many others, he did a quick about-face and recalled the newsletters in which he made these statements after the wind had firmly blown the other direction). Apartheid ended in 1994 thanks in large part to black leaders like Tutu and Nelson Mandela, as well as President F.W. de KlerkWikipedia's W.svg realising that the whole situation was untenable. Although of somewhat less significance to the anti-apartheid movement a few white South Africans also condemned apartheid, and a few, such as Manfred MannWikipedia's W.svg, left the country as a result of their disgust. The fact that Apartheid ended at the time it did is no coincidence. The Apartheid regime got caught up in the cold war and one of the first "white"[Note 3] allies of the ANC in their political struggle was the South African Communist Party, and hence several Western leaders feared that the Apartheid's collapse would result in a communist South Africa, just like the independence or majority rule in Angola, Zimbabwe and Mozambique had resulted in regimes mostly friendly to the Soviets. This also explains how P.W. BothaWikipedia's W.svg (who stepped down in 1989) was a hard line Apartheid supporter early in his reign yet enacted some token reforms later on, mostly due to the sanctions hurting the country. When after P.W. Botha suffered a stroke, de Klerk took over, he almost immediately started negotiations with Mandela about his release from prison and free elections. Curiously enough there was a whites only referendumWikipedia's W.svg in 1992 on whether to end Apartheid. The referendum was handily won by the reformist faction led by de Klerk and by 1994 Mandela was President with de Klerk as Vice President. Canadian self-congratulation moment One of Canada's first big moments as an independent actor on the international stage took place in 1960, when it played a determining role in ousting South Africa from the Commonwealth after the Sharpeville massacre, over the objections of the Aussies (this was at the tail end of the White Australia policy era), the Kiwis and the Brits (who themselves were having serious troubles adapting to an influx of Black folksWikipedia's W.svg). This was a huge foreign policy coup for Canada, helping to establish it as a middle power that could act independently of Britain (and maybe the U.S.) It was also a stopped clock moment for the Conservative Party of Canada. A second coup, and a second broken clock for the Tories, came in the 1980s, when Brian Mulroney, Canada's second-worst Prime Minister (the worst being Stephen Harper) was a constant thorn in the side of both Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher over apartheid policy. Apartheid and the American right Many prominent conservative and religious right figures supported the apartheid regime to varying degrees, including Ronald Reagan, Dick Cheney, Jesse Helms, Phyllis Schlafly, Jerry Falwell, P-Rob, and Grover Norquist.[2] A few others on the right, most notably Newt Gingrich, got on their colleagues for this atrocious lapse in judgment. Apartheid apologism persists in the American far right to this day, typically based on an argument that it was a just measure to protect the white minority from being overrun by the black majority. One fringe right group, Youth for Western Civilization, claimed that apartheid helped prevent homosexuality and moral decay.[3] Because, you know, seeing black people makes you gay. British supporters Apartheid South Africa was quite popular on the British right in the 1970s and 1980s. There were various reasons for this: anti-communism; support for the British empire and its (white) leaders; overt racism; annoying liberals. Among the prominent friends of white South Africa were: • The Freedom Association which lobbied on behalf of the South African cricket team and also supported Ian Smith's racist government in Rhodesia. • The Conservative Monday Club, which was founded to oppose Harold Macmillan's policy of decolonialism in Africa. It supported the apartheid regime and Ian Smith. Prominent members included Teddy Taylor, John Bercow (now speaker of the British House of Commons), Norman Tebbit, Harvey Proctor, Rhodes Boyson, Neil Hamilton, Peter Bottomley, Nicholas Winterton, and Alan Clark (who later left, declaring "They are all mad ... a prickly residue in the body politic, a nasty sort of gallstone.").[4] • The Western Goals Institute, originally anticommunist but from the mid 80s increasingly anti-immigrant and anti-black, with members including Antony Flew, Walter Walker, Patrick Wall, Nicholas Winterton, Neil Hamilton, and Bill Walker, as well as South African Conservative MP Clive Derby-Lewis. The WGI also supported the French Front National and had links to Italian neo/post-fascist politician Alessandra Mussolini.[5] • The British Conservative Party, with Margaret Thatcher a supporter of the government and opposed to sanctions.[6] David Cameron in his youth visited South Africa, paid for by a pro-apartheid group, but later admitted he and his party were wrong.[7] • Laurens van der Post, an Afrikaner writer and paedophile[8] who was friends with Prince Charles and knighted by Margaret Thatcher. He supported white Rhodesia and was closely involved with South Africa, promoting it to Thatcher. Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories Israel's system of separation between the Jewish settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank which entails occupation to protect its settlement-building through confiscation of Arab land,[9] as well as the occupation of the Gaza Strip, has been labeled as an example of modern apartheid by Archbishop Desmond Tutu,[10] ex-Israeli attorney general Michael Ben-Yair,[11] former president Jimmy Carter, and the head of the United Nations Human Rights Council.[12][13] The West Bank Arabs in the area live under military rule and law, while settlers live under Israeli civil law, despite both residing in the same area of land. Arabs are also segregated from the Israeli settlements. Palestinian Arabs are prevented from using certain Israeli-only and settler-only roads,[14][15] are severely restricted in their freedom of movement through military checkpoints,[16] must ride separate public transportation from that used by settlers,[17] have unequal water allocation compared to Israelis and settlers,[18] are restricted in their cell-phone coverage compared to that of the settlers (capacity 2G vs. 3G/4G networks),[19] need permits to enter certain areas of their territory (military zones), are ocassionally pulled from public areas (i.e. pools) for the benefit of the settlers[20] and are under threat of eviction because of discriminatory allocation of permits which impedes their development of buildings (which can include hospitals and schools alike).[21] As B'tselem concludes in its 2002 report Land Grab; The fundamental truth is that the growth of these settlements is fueled not only by neutral forces of supply and demand, but primarily by a sophisticated governmental system designed to encourage Israeli citizens to live in the settlements. In essence, the process of assimilation blurs the fact that the settlement enterprise in the Occupied Territories has created a system of legally sanctioned separation based on discrimination that has, perhaps, no parallel anywhere in the world since the apartheid regime in South Africa.[22] The Palestinian Authority, who exercise control over areas A and B that resemble enclaves, function as a kind of Bantustan government reliant on Israel[23] to suppress political resistance similar to the governments of Transkei and KwaZulu. "One of the meanings of Oslo," former Israeli foreign minister Shlomo Ben-Ami wrote, "was that the PLO was . . . Israel’s collaborator in the task of stiﬂing the first intifada and cutting short what was clearly an authentically democratic struggle for Palestinian independence.".[24] Gaza could also be said to be a Bantustan in terms of the blockade's restrictions which harm the economy and political autonomy of the Palestinians living there.[25] Gaza has been under an Israeli (and, to an extent, Egyptian) land, sea and air blockade since 2007, which has reduced Gaza's GDP by 50%. Nearly 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are ‘locked in’, denied access to the rest of occupied Palestinian territory as well as the greater, outside world. Indeed, they are barred from leaving Gaza even to attend their own wedding.[26] Less than 1% of construction materials required to rebuild houses destroyed and damaged during Israel's bombardment of Gaza in the summer of 2014 have been allowed to enter.[27] Why many call it apartheid Israeli de facto control of Palestinian lands share the same spirit of exclusion, appropriation and marginalization with South Africa's defunct apartheid regime; a smaller ethnic group rules over a larger ethnic group across a variety of factors, a rule enforced with a military occupation designed to protect this institutionalized system of domination. Even within Israel the fear is found that the country has become an illiberal democracy, or an ethnocracy. In October of 2015, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented his policy views to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and stated about the occupied territories: "Israel “must control the entire area for the foreseeable future.” The Israeli newspaper Haaretz editorialized that Netanyahu had: Notably, in a recently discovered 1976 interview, Israel's soon-to-be prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin, declared the then-nascent (now robust and entrenched) West Bank settlement movement “comparable to a cancer,” and warned that Israel would become an “apartheid” state if it annexed the West Bank’s Arab population.[29] Netanyahu's words and policies would seem to have realized Rabin's worries. But there are some differences between South African apartheid and the oppression of the Palestinians. For example, South Africa relied on black workers to sustain its economy. Israel, on the other hand, thanks to globalization does not necessarily need Palestinian workers in great numbers as they can rely on foreign nationals. South African views South Africans who lived under apartheid are somehwat divided about comparing their former oppression with that of the Palestinians, but the African National Congress strongly advocates that Israel is an apartheid state and supports the Boycott and Divestment and Sanctions (of Israel) movement.[30] To that end, it hosts events for the annual "Israeli Apartheid Week," stating; For South Africans and our liberation, people of the world mobilized in their hundreds of thousands – if not millions – during the 1980s: they held protests, rallies, concerts, free Mandela events, lectures, film screenings and a host of other events and campaigns to raise awareness of Apartheid South Africa’s racist policies and to build support for the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Apartheid SA. Today we have the opportunity to “give-back” by joining the international movement in solidarity with the indigenous Palestinian people (and their progressive Israeli allies) who are struggling against Israeli Apartheid – participating in Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is one such form of solidarity.[31] For context, bear in mind that this is the same bunch of geniuses who elected Mummar Ghadaffi king of kings. Nelson Mandela supported the two-state solution and declared that "we identify with the PLO because, just like ourselves, they are fighting for the right to self-determination."[Note 4] Mandela, at an the International Day of Solidarity for the Palestinians in 1997, said that "our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians".[32] According to Ronnie Kasrils, a Jewish minister of South Africa during Mandela's presidency, the Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza suffer from methods of control that are far worse than the ones that were used in South Africa. On the other hand, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Meshoe, another South African Member of Parliament and part of a Christian fundamentalist political party, eschews a comparison between South Africa and Palestine, arguing that See also External links 1. From Afrikaans "apart" = separate and the substantivizing suffix "-heid" roughly equivalent with "-ness", hence "separateness". 2. Although in the waning years of Apartheid a "tricameral parliamentWikipedia's W.svg" gave some token pseudo-representation to "Coloureds" and "Indians" while still excluding the vast black majority from even token representation. 3. Though officially multi-racial. 4. He added that although he believed Israel had a "right" to exist, "that we carefully define what we mean by secure borders. We do not mean that Israel has the right to retain the territories they conquered from the Arab world, like the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights and the West Bank. We don’t agree with that. Those territories should be returned to the Arab people."http://ushypocrisy.com/2014/05/19/nelson-mandela-faces-off-against-imperialists-on-the-ted-koppel-report-1990/ Mandela called the peace process "hollow if Israel continues to occupy Arab lands," while maintaining that he "[understood] completely well why Israel occupies these lands", and that he could not "conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel within secure borders." http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-Ed-Contributors/Mandela-and-Israel-334174 1. Apartheid's Last Stand, Jeremy Harding, London Review of Books, 2016 2. Brian Tashman, "Remembering The Religious Right's Attacks On Nelson Mandela," Right Wing Watch, 12/5/2013. 3. Right wing watch: Youth for Western Civilization: Apartheid Apologists 4. See the Wikipedia article on Conservative Monday Club. 5. See the Wikipedia article on Western Goals Institute. 6. Margaret Thatcher's shameful support for apartheid, Mail and Guardian, 2013 7. Cameron's freebie to apartheid South Africa, The Independent, 25 April 2009 8. See the Wikipedia article on Laurens van der Post. 9. http://www.btselem.org/topic/settlements 10. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/apr/29/comment 11. http://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-attorney-general-urges-eu-to-recognize-palestine/ 12. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/us-palestinians-israel-un-falk-idUSBREA1N19I20140224 13. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/CurrentMembers.aspx 14. http://www.btselem.org/freedom_of_movement/checkpoints_and_forbidden_roads 15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdLDv8JNnMA 16. http://www.btselem.org/topic/freedom_of_movement 17. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/9906113/Israel-launches-Palestinian-only-buses-amid-accusations-of-racial-segregation.html 18. http://www.btselem.org/topic/water 19. http://visualizingpalestine.org/visuals/3g-cellphone-coverage 20. http://www.btselem.org/south_hebron_hills/20150604_birkat_al_karmel 21. http://www.btselem.org/topic/planning_and_building 22. http://www.btselem.org/download/200205_land_grab_eng.pdf 23. http://visualizingpalestine.org/visuals/palestinian-authority-occupied?locale=en 24. Shlomo Ben-Ami, Scars of War, Wounds of Peace: The Israeli-Arab tragedy (New York: 2006), pp. 191, 211. 25. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/01/20131372925495458.html 26. http://972mag.com/israel-preventing-gaza-woman-from-attending-her-own-wedding/114007/ 27. http://gaza.ochaopt.org/2015/07/the-gaza-strip-the-humanitarian-impact-of-the-blockade/ 28. http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/1.682912 29. http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-1976-interview-rabin-likens-settlements-to-cancer-warns-of-apartheid/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter 30. http://www.bdssouthafrica.com/post/anc-ngc-affirms-support-for-boycott-of-israeli-linked-companies-and-solidarity-with-palestinians/ 31. http://www.bdssouthafrica.com/israeli-apartheid-week/ 32. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CD0QFjAGahUKEwiS9fr_5frIAhUJdh4KHX4mB0I&url=http%3A%2F%2Fanc.org.za%2Fshow.php%3Fid%3D3384&usg=AFQjCNHcxtF1JpgFqcnO0B5bnlYWTo7nFw&bvm=bv.106923889,d.cWw 33. http://removethewall.org/the-wall-is-the-moroccan-version-of-apartheid/
Stages of Worship Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as usual. When the festival was over, they started back home, but the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this; they thought that he was with the group, so they travelled a whole day and then started looking for him among their relatives and friends. They did not find him, so they went back to Jerusalem looking for him. On the third day they found him in the Temple, sitting with the Jewish teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his intelligent answers. His parents were astonished when they saw him, and his mother said to him, "My son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried trying to find you." He answered them, "Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand his answer. So Jesus went back with them to Nazareth, where he was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. Luke 2: 41-52a This very famous reading is the only story which tells us about Jesus as child. We learn that Jesus, even when he was very young, knew that there was special work to be done. The story also shows us how special Jesus was to his mother - and like so many mothers since she saw how special her child was and 'treasured all these things in her heart'. What do you think 'all these things' might include? Created with Spark and Bang
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Why is huck surprised by Jim's sad story? What is twains point? Chapter 24 I think Asked by Last updated by jill d #170087 Answers 1 Add Yours Twain makes several pointed comments about the general attitude towards blacks when Jim discusses his family. Huck comments that he is surprised to find that Jim is almost as concerned about his family as a white person. This prevailing attitude, often invoked to justify breaking up slave families, is something Huck is beginning to overcome. Jim's touching story about his daughter Elizabeth, in which he hits her for not obeying him, is a powerful indication to Huck that Jim is in fact more concerned about his children than Huck's father ever was about him.
Skip navigation Classical Civilisation Find a course A Level Classical Civilisation Classical Civilisation is the ultimate humanities subject, encompassing a huge variety of disciplines including literature, history, archaeology and art. You will learn about the foundations of Western culture and society and study the oldest surviving works of Western literature. What does the course involve? This is a new course for 2017. Please check the website regularly as the details about the components of study may be liable to change. The course consists of three components: The World of the Hero An in-depth study of Homer's Iliad (Year 1) and Virgil's Aeneid (Year 2). Texts are studied in English translation. Culture and the Arts Imperial Image - focusing on Augustus' public image and self presentation, including his representation in art and literature. Beliefs and Ideas Greek Religion - studying the practicalities of religious ritual, the role of religion in society, the layout and function of famous temple complexes and the nature of the gods and their relationship with mortals. What can you do after the course? During the course you will develop analytical and communication skills which will be relevant to a wide array of careers. In particular, it supports entry into careers in history, archaeology and heritage, literature and publishing.
Saw Blade Saber saw blade Saw Blade Abstract A saber saw blade having shearing teeth and cleaving teeth in combination wherein the shearing teeth alternatively cut the fiber on opposite sides of the kerf, and the cleaving teeth separate out the sheared fiber. The saw cuts on both portions of the reciprocating stroke. Saw Blade Claims 1. For cutting a kerf in wood composed of fibers, a saber saw metal blade in the form of a longitudinally extending web having teeth extending generally in the plane of the web along one side thereof, with means on the web to secure the blade at one end to a reciprocating motor-driven saw so that the blade reciprocates longitudinally of the saw; the improvement comprising a tooth combination of (1) shear teeth for shearing fibers at the side of the kerf, and (2) cleaving teeth for partially cleaving fibers cut on one side of the kerf, (1) a single cleaving tooth alternates with a single shear tooth; (2) the shear teeth have a set out of the plane of the web, with alternating shear teeth having opposite sets; and (3) the cleaving teeth lie in the plane of the web: whereby, when the saw blade reciprocates, a sawing action occurs wherein (1) a first shear tooth set to one side of the web first shears wood fibers at the side of the kerf of the set; (2) a cleaving tooth adjacent the first shear tooth partially cleaves the said first sheared fivers from the wood, the said cut fibers remaining intact at the side of the kerf opposite the cut made by the first shear tooth, and (3) a second shear tooth set opposite the first shear tooth shears the said partially cleaved fibers at the side of the kerf opposite the first shear; wherein the teeth are symmetrical, whereby the shearing and cleaving action set forth occurs in each direction of reciprocation. Saw Blade Description 1. Field of the Invention: The field of invention relates to portable jigsaws, sometimes called "saber saws." These saws are used to make straight or curved cuts, particularly in wood, plywood, hard board and laminates. The saws are used, for instance, to rip, cross-cut, bevel, miter, and make interior cuts. Saber saws consist essentially of a portable, hand-held, electric motor which is gear-connected to a reciprocating element which supports the blade. The blade is a thin, flat metal strip and has teeth along a long edge. The blade reciprocates longitudinally. The invention relates to the blade, and particularly to the teeth on the blade. 2. Description of the Prior Art: Prior art saber saw blades are well known and extensively used. The blades vary in length from, for instance, 21/2" to 4" or more. They are used extensively for cutting wood, plywood, hard wood, laminates and the like. A portable, hand-held electric motor drives the blade in a reciprocating fashion up to, for instance, 3200 strokes per minute with a stroke length of, for instance, approximately 7/8". The saws are generally operated in a manner whereby the blade extends transversely, or perpendicularly, through the material being sawed, wherein the material extends in a horizontal plane and the blade extends in a vertical plane and reciprocates therein. In operation, the saw blade reciprocates while the saw is being held and forced into the particular cut it is making the wood. Generally, the plane of the wood extends horizontally and the saw is held vertically while cutting the wood. The teeth conventionally extend forward of the operator when the saw is used and pushed forward by the operator. The teeth of the saw are such that the saw cuts only on the return movement of the blade as the blade reciprocates longitudinally upwardly toward the saw. As the blade reciprocates downwardly, o away from the saw motor, there is relatively little cutting action, since the teeth are designed specifically to cut on the upward or return stroke. Several problems exist with respect to such prior art blades: (1) A primary problem is that the prior art saber saw cutting action is grossly inefficient. The cutting action occurs only on one-half of the reciprocating strokes; namely, the upward stroke, and virtually all cutting is lost on the downward stroke. Much time and energy is lost in such cutting action, since the downward stroke is wasted. (2) A further problem is that the blade gets dull not from cutting the wood, but from the non-cutting, inefficient, downward stroke. The blade heats up from friction on the downward stroke, when the teeth are dragged under pressure across the wood. The blade is continuously being pushed against the wood in the cutting direction by the operator who does not distinguish in applying pressure between the upward and downward movements of the reciprocating blade. Movement is so rapid that selective pressure is impossible. The friction creates heat in the teeth, eventually causing the blade to lose its temper, and to develop dull rounded points. These dull points in turn produce more friction and heat, causing the teeth to become even more dull. (3) Another problem is that blades are used up relatively rapidly. Since the blades are generally originally tempered and relatively hard, it is extremely difficult for the average work man to sharpen the blade by refiling. The blade is generally thrown away. (4) Another problem is the relatively ragged finished cut that results from the blade action. The teeth on the prior art saber blade have a hook form, with the hooks pointed in an upward direction. These hook teeth exert a chiseling action on the upward stroke, ripping the fibers of the wood. Adequate force is available from the saw motor to overcome fiber resistance, and when necessary, the fibers are even torn and the wood splintered to accomplish the cutting effect. Such ragged cut is particularly prevalent when a crosscut is being made. (5) A further problem is that the saw itself, and particularly the motor is being intermittantly loaded on the upward stroke and unloaded on the downward stroke, resulting in uneven and harmful loading on the saw motor. Additionally, unwanted vibration occurs. (6) Since virtually all cutting takes place on an upward stroke, most of the sawdust from the cutting process is moved upwardly and deposited on the working surface of the board. This obscures the guidelines to a point where the operation of sawing must be periodically stopped and sawdust blown away either mechanically or manually. In summary, we have a blade in the prior art which is inefficient since it only cuts on one-half of its reciprocation, which creates friction on the downward stroke where there is very little cutting, causing the blade to dull and be discarded, which has a relatively rough tearing action in its cut, and which deposits most of the sawdust on the line of the cut. With the saber saw blade of the present invention, cutting action occurs on both the upward and downward movement in the reciprocating stroke. The cutting action is equally effective on both portions of the reciprocating stroke, whereby efficiency is increased, friction is minimized, cutting action is greatly enhanced, the volume of cut is significantly increased for a given time, a smoother cut results, blade life is extended, and there is less wear and tear on the saw itself since the cutting action is smoother and also more constant. There is less vibration in the machine. The operator pressure required is substantially less since the cut is smoother and the operator can better control the cut. The benefits of the present invention result from the particular teeth design on the saw blade. The present blade has a combination of teeth which include shearing teeth of a certain design, and cleaving teeth of a certain design. The shearing teeth have a set with respect to the body of the blade, whereas the cleaving teeth lie in the plane of the blade and have no set. The shearing teeth and cleaving teeth work in combination and sequentially, wherein the shearing teeth shear cut the wood fibers alternatively at the side of the kerf and cleaving teeth split, separate, and remove the sheared fiber. The teeth of the blade are equally effective in the direction of the grain as well as across the grain, as well as at any angle with respect to the grain. The teeth work particularly well in plywood or laminates wherein the wood is laminated to provide alternative layers of opposing grains so that the blade is simultaneously cutting with and against the grain, with equal effectiveness. The saw itself is easily held in contact with the wood while the blade is cutting on the downward stroke whereby there is reaction against the saw which has a tendency to push the saw upward. On the upward stroke, of course, there is no downward pressure necessary by the operator, since the weight of the machine as well as the shoes on the machine support the saw on the surface of the wood against the downward pull of the blade on the upward cutting movement. Additionally, in the present invention, the cutting sequence is spread over more teeth than in the prior art cutting sequence. A cutting sequence is defined as a number of teeth necessary in combination to create a cut. Hence, there is less tendency for the saw to lift or jump. Whereas in the prior art, one was hooking and tearing on the upward stroke, in the present invention one is shearing and cleaving sequentially to provide a great frequency of operations per movement of the blade. Specifically, in the present invention, a specific shearing action occurs on one side of the kerf from one shearing tooth after which an adjacent cleaving tooth cleaves the wood fibers in the kerf adjacent to the shearing cut in the kerf, after which the fiber is sheared on the opposite side of the first an adjacent shearing tooth. The same sequence occurs on the reciprocating movement, so one has repetitively on the upward and downward strokes a combination of shearing and cleaving actions. Cleaving action is best defined as separating by splitting. Considering that wood is comprised of hollow parallel grouped tubular fibers, the cleaving tooth splits these fibers from one another, or from themselves, both when the saber saw is sawing with the grain of the wood, or across the grain. A shearing tooth shear cuts the fibers on one side of the kerf before the cleaving action, and a shearing tooth cuts the fibers on the opposite side of the kerf after the cleavage action. The cleavage action takes place entirely across the width of the cleaving tooth which is of the same width as the body of the saw itself. The cleaving teeth h no set, whereas the shearing teeth do have alternative, opposing sets. The shearing teeth and cleaving teeth are symmetrical with respect to the reciprocating strokes; that is, the same teeth design applies on both the upward and downward stroke, and the same sawing action occurs in both strokes. The shearing action consists of a directed cutting stroke against the fibers at a fixed angle. The shearing action at the fixed angle provides a most efficient severance of the fiber at the side of the kerf, since the movement is such that rather than a vertical cut at the side o the kerf resulting from the vertical movement of the tooth, the tooth is such that it imparts an angle or shearing cut to the side. This is analogous to for instance a knife cut on a loaf of bread wherein you have movement of the blade at an angle rather than in a completely downward stroke. In this respect, this shearing action is different from the tearing action of a point on the well known prior art crosscut tooth. Basically, the prior art saber saw tooth is a crosscut configuration, exceptof course cutting occurs on the pull stroke rather than on the downward stroke. The cleavage action is in the form of a modified chiseling action which by virtue of the shape of the cleaving tooth, provides such modified chiseling effect on both the upward and downward portions of the stroke. Similarly, of course, the shearing teeth are of a form which provides equal shearing action on the upward and downward movement. The shearing teeth and cleaving teeth are of equal heighth. FIGS. 1 through 5 refer to the prior art. FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a typical saber saw blade of he prior art. FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the portion of the jigsaw blade of the FIG. 1 bordered by the dot-and-dash box and labeled "FIG. 2". FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2 showing further details of the tooth design. FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an empirical graph illustrating the cutting action of a conventional saber saw blade during one cycle. FIGS. 6 through 10 are views of the present invention corresponding to FIGS. 1 through 5 of the prior art described above. FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the saber saw blade of the invention. FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the portion of FIG. 6 enclosed by the dot-and-dash box and labeled "FIG. 7", showing in detail the tooth design and sequence. FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of FIG. 7 showing additional details of tooth design. FIG. 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 9--9 of FIG. 7 showing further details of tooth design and the tapering of the blade body. FIG. 10 is an empirical graph of the cutting action of my invention for a saber saw blade. FIG. 11 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the saber saw teeth included in a 1-stroke span showing the design and sequence of the tooth design incorporated in the invention. FIG. 12 is a plan view of FIG. 11. FIGS. 13 to 16 are sectional views taken on the lines 13--13, 14--14, 15--15, and 16--16, of FIG. 11. FIGS. 17 to 20 are schematic sequential views showing the cutting action of each tooth in sequence and relative depth of cut during a four-tooth sawing cycle. FIG. 21 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 11 but illustrating an embodiment having a three-tooth cutting sequence. FIG. 22 is a plan view of the saw of FIG. 21 corresponding to FIG. 12 showing another view of the alternative three-tooth embodiment. FIGS. 23 to 25 inclusivie show steps in the cutting sequence of the three-tooth embodiment corresponding to FIGS. 17 to 20 of the first embodiment shown and described. Prior Art Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is shown a prior art saber saw blade 20 with a blade body 22. Blade body 22 has extending at one end a saw insert portion 21 having therein suitable cavities which is inserted into the blade holder of the saber saw where it is secured with a set screw as well known. The blade length varies normally from, for instance, 21/2" to 4" or longer, and has thereon wood cutting teeth in the amount of, for instance, from 6 to 10 teeth per inch. The teeth 23 and 25 are set with respect to blade body 22 alternatively along the length of the saw. The cutting cycle consists of two teeth 23 and 25 which are essentially crosscut teeth which are filed for combination cutting either in the direction of the grain or across the grain of the wood fibers. The crosscut teeth are angled, as best seen in FIG. 2, in what is in effect a hook type of configuation, so that, as seen in FIG. 2, cutting takes place on the upward stroke by means of the hooked teeth which in effect tear out the fibers on a crosscut or a rip cut. Picturing the fibers as a bundle of parallel strands of hollow rope, the prior art saber saw blade actually grasps a fiber or fibers and pulls or breaks them away from the bundle to create the kerf. The teeth 23 and 25 have points 26 and 27 respectively, which are the tearing portions of the tooth. The tearing action itself occurs at the top of the teeth on edges 28 and 29. The tearing action occurs at this edge as the blade moves upward toward the saw. It will be observed often at the bottom of the kerf that the surface is in the form of an apex which conforms to the apex or shape as seen in FIG. 4 created by the projection of the edges 28 and 29. There is shown in FIG. 5 the depth of a cut made during a cycle. As seen on the horizontal axis, during the downstroke portion of the cycle, there is no cutting action, with only a cutting occurring on the upstroke second-half of the reciprocating cycle. Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 6 through 9 inclusive, views of the saw of the saw blade of the present invention corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the prior art. A saber saw blade 30 with body 32 has the prior art insert 31 with holes as used in the prior art. The body 32 of the blade of the invention can be of the same size and dimension as the prior art. The primary invention lies in the teeth configuration as will be described. With reference to the teeth of FIGS. 6 through 9, shearing teeth 35 and 36 have between them cleaving teeth 37. Shearing teeth 35 and 36 are identical except they are set in opposition to one another. Shearing teeth 35 and 36 are set with respect to the blade body 32 in the conventional prior art relationship in terms of the number of teeth per inch. In the teeth of the blade of the invention, a suitable setting would be a number 5 set on a standard saw set mechanism. A 5 setting on a standard hand set device, for hand saws, is well known, and is that setting normally used for a crosscut hand saw having 5 points, or teeth, per inch, which yields an angle B as seen in FIG. 14 of approximately to 71/ The function of set, as is well known, is that the saw will cut a path or kerf in the wood slightly wider than the thickness of the saw blade, to provide clearance. Normally this should give the blade of the saw a clearance of about 1/100 of an inch. A suitable tooth density may be 6 teeth to the inch, or 6 points to the inch, although this may vary--for instance, from 4 teeth oer inch to 10 teeth per inch, more or less. The choice is dependent on the wood material being cut and is a matter of choice to the operator. Generally speaking, the harder the material and/or the smoother cut desired, the more teeth per inch. A coarser cut results from the lesser number of teeth, but the cutting action is faster. In determining the teeth per inch, both the cleaving teeth as well as the shearing teeth are included. As seen for instance in FIG. 7, the distance 39 between the center lines of the cleaving teeth 37 and the shearing teeth 35 and 36 is equal. The topmost portions of each of the teeth 35, 36 and 37 are equal in height so that the teeth at the top are level with respect to one another. The cleaving teeth 37 as seen in FIGS. 7 and 11 form a symmetrical angle of with respect to the apex edge 38. The cleaving teeth 37 are left erect, with no set, so they remain in the plane of the saw body 32. The cleaving teeth 37 are filed perpendicular to the plane of the body of the blade, at an angle of . There results a symmetrical tooth having opposing sloping sides 40 and 41 disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the blade body. Reference is made particularly to FIGS. 12 through 15 to describe the shape of shearing teeth. The shape of the shearing teeth 35 and 36 will be described by reference to the filing of the teeth, by hand, with a small trianguar file. Of course, it should be understood that any other manufacturing method for achieving the shape shown and described can be used. In filing the shear tooth, the shear tooth 35 or 36 first taks initially the form of the cleaving tooth 37 described above. In other words, a blade can be formed by first repetitively forming identical cleaving teeth 37. Selected teeth are then set to begin forming shearing teeth 35 and 36. A first initially formed tooth is set to one side of the blade body 32, and then the next tooth is left remaining as a cleaving tooth 37, and then the next initially formed tooth is set opposite the first set tooth to begin forming the second shearing tooth in the cycle. The next initially formed tooth is left to remain as a cleaving tooth 37 to complete the four-tooth cycle. A small triangular file is then drawn across surface 42 of tooth 35 to form the surface. The file is drawn across the surface at an inclined angle of approximately to , as shown in FIG. 16 of the drawings. The file is also positioned to form an included horizontal angle of approximately with the blade body when the blade body is being so held vertically. The net result is that the file moves at an oblique angle on the vertically positioned saw body 32 up and to the left with reference to the blade 30, as seen in FIG. 11. Similarly, surface 43 of tooth 35 is formed with the file being inclined at an angle of to the horizontal and at included horizontal angle of approximately with respect to the vertially disposed blade body 32 when positioned as shown in FIG. 11. It should be clearly understood that although the construction of a saw blade of the present invention is described in terms of manually filing so that the angle relationships can be more clearly understood, any prior art process, such as stamping, die-cutting, grinding or the like can be used to form the blade. In fact, it is intended that the blade of the invention be generally mass produced by such methods. Shear edges 50 and 51 are formed on the shearing tooth 5, on the edges of the surfaces 42 and 43. Surfaces 42 and 43 intersect to form an edge 54 on tooth 35. With respect to shearing tooth 36, the same procedure is followed as tooth 35, but from the opposite side of the saw blade. The shearing teeth 35 and 36 then take the form as shown in the drawings in FIGS. 12 through 15. As seen in FIG. 15, the resulting edge 54 forms an angle of A of approximately to with the horizontal. Shear edges 50 and 51 form an angle of approximately with the vertical or, put another way, the edges 50 and 51 form an included angle of approximately symmetrically about a vertical, as seen in FIG. 11. It should be understood that the purpose of filing or shaping the shearing tooth in the manner described is to obtain the shear edges 50, and 51, since these are the edges that cut the wood fibers while the edge travels forward at an incline, much as a knife edge travels through a loaf of bread at an angle when a knife is used to cut the bread in a sawing action. While reference is made to an edge, it is the line formed by the meeting of two planes. The word is used in the sense that it is describing the line formed by the meeting of two planes, and not in the sense of for instance a plane such as the edge plane of a door. The cutting edges 50 and 51 respectively are lines formed by the meeting of the adjacent planes. In actual operation, it will be seen that only the immediate edge adjacent to the apex of the tooth is involved in the actual shearing operation and in some instance would be for instance 1/16" and would range to a deeper shear in soft woods and a more shallow shear in hard woods. In operation, the teeth act in sequence. In the above embodiment, two shearng teeth 35 and 36 oppositely set, and two cleaving teeth 37 act in combination, sequentially, to perform a kerf cut. For purposes of illustration only, the operation can be pictured as the shearing tooth first traveling for the length of the stroke to cut, by inclined shear means, a line into the wood along one side of the kerf much as an inclined sharp pocket knife run along a piece of wood would form a line cut, into the fiber. The wood is being cut by an inclined sharp surface; namely, shear edge 50 near the apex of the tooth whereby the fibers of the wood either longitudinally or transversely or obliquely, are either severed or separated. This is seen in FIG. 17. By virtue of this cutting through a shearing action, very little if any fiber is removed. As shearing tooth 35 moves through for this cutting effect with shearing action, there is virtually no resistance to movement through the wood since the tooth action is a sharp, shearing effect to cut or separate the fibers, as opposed for instance to the prior art teeth described above which is actually tearing and removing fiber simultaneously and thus creating substantial resistance to the blade movement. To further describe the saw blade action and teeth action in a given sequence, the reference is made to the subsequent movement of a cleaving tooth through the kerf as shown in FIG. 18. The cleaving tooth 37 in its movement in FIG. 18 results in a removal of the fibers from iss position with repect to the center of the kerf, in the center of the kerf, particularly separating and rendering free the fibers from the wood at substantially all points except at the edge of the kerf opposite the cut of FIG. 17. The cleaving tooth action is in the form of a modified chisel effect since the surface 41 or 42 of cleaving tooth 37 is at an angle other than perpendicular with respect to its movement through the kerf, as opposed to, for instance, the prior art rip tooth, which is a full chiseling effect, since its tooth face is at a right angle to the movement of the saw blade. This modified chisel effect provides a gentle separation of the fibers by means of a cleaving effect which damages the fibers and separates them but does not tear in its action. Again, such modified chiseling, or cleaving action, results in less resistance to blade movement. As seen in FIG. 19, a shearing tooth 36 then moves through the kerf at the side opposite the cut of FIG. 17 wherein the separated fibers caused by the teeth action of FIGS. 17 and 18 are cut by shearing action and dropped out of the kerf. Simultaneously the tooth also begins a new cut which is the equivalent of the cut referred to in FIG. 17. The effect is that the prior disturbed fibers are cut and removed and new fibers which have hitherto been intact, are now cut. In the described action, there is substantially less jarring and traumatic effect on the saw since the energy necessary in cutting the kerf is more equally distributed over what in any circumstances is a jarring action of the reciprocating saw since it starts and stops in such a short movement. The load imparted to the saw is a relatively evenout one and a gentler one during saw movement. In FIG. 20, the cleaving tooth 37 moves forward with the same action and performs essentially the same function as in FIG. 18. Although the actions have been described individually above, it is understood that the teeth being placed one adjacent another perform the several functions virtually simultaneously but, nevertheless, sequentially. The total effect is a clean, gentle, efficient action which results in a kerf which is relatively smooth since no tearing takes place. The present saw blade relies much more on efficiency and delicateness of fiber removal than does the rash tearing of the prior art. It will be seen in FIG. 9 particularly that the blade body 32 can take a tapered cross-sectional design or form, along the length of the blade as illustrated in FIG. 6. Such tapered blade body permits a smaller turning radius in a circular cut. The taper avoids as much interference with the side of the kerf than occurs in a parallel side blade, so that sharper turns can be made.
Stop highlighting! Psychologists identify the worse ways to study Like This! Want to pick up knowledge faster and more efficientyly? how to study Remember highlighting material in textbooks and notes when you were preparing for that history test? Well as it turns out, highlighting is inefficient. Sure, it’s simple and quick, but based on controlled studies, highlighting does little to improve performance. In fact, according to psychologists, it may actually hurt performance. One study found that underlining can reduce the ability to draw references since highlighting draws attention to individual items rather than to connections across items. Hmm… well what about Rereading? Does that work? 84% of undergraduates say they reread textbooks or notes during study. Although there are some benefits on recall and fill-in-the-blank-style tests, there is little evidence that rereading strengthens comprehension, and whether its effects depend on knowledge level or ability is underexplored. So what are the best ways to study? Test yourself. That’s right. Give yourself practice tests outside of class. Hundreds of experiments show that self-testing improves learning and retention. In one study, undergraduates were presented with Swahili-English word pairs, followed by either practice testing or review. Recall for items they had been repeatedly tested on was 80 percent, compared with only 36 percent for items they had restudied. One theory as to why self-testing works so well is that practice testing triggers a mental search of long-term memory that activates related information, forming multiple memory pathways that make the information easier to access. Anyone can self-test with flash cards, answering the sample questions at the end of a textbook chapter, or during in-class note taking, make a column on one edge of the page where you enter key terms or questions. You can test yourself later by covering the notes and answering the questions (or explaining the keywords) on the other side. Another great way to study is to spread your study over time. As opposed to cramming the night before, studying over time is much more effective. In one classic experiment, students learned the English equivalents of Spanish words, then reviewed the material in six sessions. One group did the review sessions back to back, another had them one day apart. The students in the 30-day group remembered the translations the best. In an analysis of 254 studies involving thousands of participants, students recalled more after spaced study than after massed study. So to score better on tests and gain knowledge more efficiently, stop highlighting and start quizzing yourself and spreading your study out over time! Original article “What Works, What Doesn’t”, appeared in Scientific American Mind, September-October 2013. Leave a Reply You are commenting using your account. Log Out / Change ) Twitter picture Facebook photo Google+ photo Connecting to %s
I know that Eliezer was very intelligent. I feel that this helped him not become completely hardened and a brute. One example I used was the incedent of him saying that he had fever so he would... I know that Eliezer was very intelligent. I feel that this helped him not become completely hardened and a brute. One example I used was the incedent of him saying that he had fever so he would not have his tooth pulled. He knew that he needed to save the gold tooth for future need. Can you help me think of some more examples that show his intelligence? 1 Answer akannan's profile pic Posted on I think that some clarification of terms are needed. Indeed, Eliezer was intelligent in his experiences in the camps. Yet, I think that Wiesel is deliberate in suggesting that life in the camps was not a survival narrative where individuals could rely on their natural intelligences in order to guarantee survival. It was not life in the wilderness. Rather, it was survival in the face of unspeakable evil. For example, the gold crown is a critical moment. While Eliezer is able to utilize intelligence in delaying the extraction of his crown, the reality is that he ends up losing his gold crown. Franek understands that manipulating Eliezer through his father will guarantee the gold crown. Intelligence is matched with manipulation. We can see specific instances of Eliezer's sense of intelligence to help his survival. For example, Eliezer's intelligence could be seen in how he tried to teach his father to march. Another was the moment during a selection when Eliezer ran as fast as he could to avoid being detected by the Nazi officials. Eliezer uses intelligence when he and his father determine that it is best to leave the camps as they believe that the infirmary is the first to be liquidated. Finally, Eliezer demonstrated intelligence in how he recognized that to say nothing and to do nothing except survive in the camps was a course of action that offered the greatest chance of escaping the brutality that surrounded him. Others who took action died. Eliezer uses his intelligence to deduce that saying and doing nothing could be the best course of action. It could even be said that ignoring his father's cries when he was dying was an act of intelligence. Using his intelligence to avoid answering the cries of another person's suffering helped him survive. In being silent, Eliezer survived as a result of his intelligence. Yet, it should be noted that Wiesel develops a compelling narrative that shows how intelligence did not alleviate suffering. Eliezer's use of intelligence does not enhance his quality of life. In each instant in which he uses intelligence, he finds that suffering continues. For example, as a result of teaching his father to march, futility results. Eliezer loses his crown and his father never really learns the necessary elements to march in keeping marching time. When Eliezer runs past the Nazi officials, it only perpetuates the suffering he endures. The intelligence he uses to leave the infirmary is actually counter- productive, as the infirmary was the first realm to be liberated by the Allied Forces. When Eliezer ignores his father's cries out of pain, he uses intelligence. Yet, in the process, he is cut off from all human connection, something that is shown to cause a irreparable breach in Eliezer's humanity. In these instances, Eliezer's "intelligence" is countered with brutality and dehumanization. It is important that Wiesel display the horror of the camps as one that lies beyond human comprehension. Those who were victimized in the process could not use intelligence to counter the terror of such an experience. There seemed to be a limit to human innovativeness, no such constraints on the amount of cruelty that one human being can inflict upon another.
In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," what is one unusual aspect of the Prince's set of rooms? 1 Answer kipling2448's profile pic kipling2448 \| (Level 3) Educator Emeritus Posted on One unusual aspect of the seven-room suite within the main living quarters of Prince Prospero's castle, in addition to the fact that each room was adorned in a different color, was their unique and highly unconventional shape. Poe's narrator in The Masque of the Red Death spends considerable time for so short a story on the details of these seven rooms. Contrasting Prince Prospero's suite with those of other, more conventional arrangements and architectural styles found in most other castles, Poe describes this particular castle as a reflection of its owner's character: ". . .as might have been expected from the duke’s love of the bizarre. The apartments were so irregularly disposed that the vision embraced but little more than one at a time." While six of these rooms are described in rather straightforward manner, although with each room's window panes made of glass the same color as the paint and curtains for each individual room, the narrator emphasizes the distinct nature of the seventh room. It is black, with black adornments. What makes it different from the other rooms, however, is its window panes. They are described as follows: "The panes here were scarlet—a deep blood color. . . in the western or black chamber the effect of the firelight that streamed upon the dark hangings through the blood-tinted panes, was ghastly in the extreme, and produced so wild a look upon the countenances of those who entered, that there were few of the company bold enough to set foot within its precincts at all." Adding to the foreboding characteristics of the black room is the presence inside its walls of a "gigantic clock of ebony," the pendulum of which "swung to and from with a dull, heavy, monotonous clang . . ." The chimes, or clanging, of this huge clock are such that, with their every toll, the whole of the castle becomes eerily quiet: Dancing and merriment ceases, faces grow pale and all inside this fortress are rendered mute. Edgar Allan Poe was a master of the macabre, among the first of his kind. The Masque of the Red Death is about Prince Prospero's efforts at cheating the horrific death that was sweeping across Europe. The plagues and epidemics that ravaged the continent's population during Medieval times, including smallpox and bubonic plague, are represented in Poe's story by the "Red Death," a reference to the former. Prospero has enclosed himself and one-thousand of his friends and assorted sycophants within the walls of his castle, believing himself secure from the disease destroying the world outside. He is a macabre figure, and his castle, especially the seven-room suite, is a manifestation of the prince's character. It, too, is macabre and unconventional.
I watched a BBC documentary on relocation of white rhinos from a Czech zoo fascinated. According to this documentary, there are only 4 white rhinos, all till recently in captivity in a Czech zoo. The documentary was about how preservationists airlifted these four rhinos, two mature adults, a male and a female, and two young ones, a male and a female, back to their homeland in Kenya. The reason was simple. These rhinos wouldn’t breed in captivity. The natural rhythm of the female attracting the male while in oestrus just didn’t work. The male was 35, pretty old for a rhino, born in Kenya and for some reason brought to a zoo. H weighed some 10 tons and could crush a human without breathing hard. The two young one’s were bred in captivity, but there the cycle stopped. Experts felt that the absence of space in a zoo had something to do with their reluctance to breed. Unlike humans who seem to be able to make do with any space including closets and toilets for mating, these large mammals are far more discerning and treat reproduction with the respect the act deserves. The documentary said that elephants and larger primates too behaved similarly. Finally, the preservationists crated the rhinos and airlifted them to Kenya, and released them in a reserve. The closing shots were of the older and younger ones parting off. The young female who wouldn’t leave her mother’s side was doing a two-step dance with the young male. As did the documentary commentators, the zoo keepers and the selfless preservationists who risked their lives caring for these rhinos, i too hoped that they would now mate in the expanses of their original home. Hopefully, the endangered species would become less endangered. To me this documentary raised a more fundamental question. What gives us the right to enslave animals, birds and reptiles in zoos? What is the purpose? If it is voyeurism, disguised as an educational activity, it’s outright criminal. It’s as bad as keeping dwarfs and giants in cages so that people can gawk at them for a cent each. If by law, we cannot do this to fellow humans, how can we do it to fellow living beings? If it’s disguised as an effort to help endangered species and breed them the news is out. They do not like sex in public. They don’t breed in zoos, period. These animals have a far greater probability of reproducing healthily in the African and other forests they come from. All that we need to do is to make these environs safer from poachers and curiosity mongers. All our fellow living beings deserve this.
Wednesday, 9 January 2013 Fremlin's Milk Stout This is just weird. If anyone can help explain it I'd be mightily grateful. Take a close look at the label to the right. "Brewed in Scotland" it says at the top of the label. Brewed in Scotland? The Fremlins brewery was in Maidstone, Kent. Which is quite a long way from Scotland. Why were they getting their Milk Stout in Scotland? And who was brewing it? It just seems too bizarre for words, a brewery in the southeast of England getting their Milk Stout brewed in Scotland. Especially as Milk Stout originally came from Kent. "Product of finest Scotch malt" made me smile. I've seen what Scottish beers were brewed from and quite often they contained not one grain of Scottish barley. I'd be very surprised if Fremlin's Milk Stout was brewed from all Scottish barley. I may not know who brewed it, but I do have some idea of what Fremlin's Milk Stout was like,. Courtesy of the Whitbread Gravity Book. The entry for the 1935 version even says "Brewed in Scotland". Whitbread must have found it pretty weird, too. Here are the analyses: Fremlin's Milk Stout 1931 - 1935 1931 Milk Stout pint bottled 0.05 1020.7 1047.4 3.44 56.33% 1931 Milk Stout 10d pint bottled 0.05 1019.9 1047.5 3.56 58.11% 1934 Milk Stout 8d pint bottled 0.05 1020.4 1048.7 3.65 58.11% 1935 Milk Stout 8d pint bottled 0.06 1020.2 1048.8 3.69 58.61% Note the quite respectable gravity in the high 1040's. Ed said... It was a big brand, maybe some was brewed under licence? Gary Gillman said... My guess would be Tennent or McEwan but there were numerous Scots breweries making a milk stout in the 1900's as you have tabulated earlier. I took a look at some early Fremlin stout labels (via Tavern Trove, etc.) and didn't see a milk stout there but did see other stout types from Fremlins, so possibly Fremlins never made one of its own and preferred to source it from a large producer with a good reputation. Or perhaps one of the dozen or so concerns Fremlins picked up in the decades before it lost its own independence had the recipe or a contract with a Scottish brewery. Americans have picked up on the style - Left Hand Brewing makes a well-known one - and a couple of Toronto craft brewers make a draft one too occasionally. Ron Pattinson said... Ed, with the thistle on the label and "brewed in Scotland" it sounds like they were proud of it, rather than it being brewed under licence.
Top 15 Greatest Composers Of All Time Top 15 Greatest Composers Of All Time we now present the greatest composers ever. Bach wrote universal masterpieces in every genre, including the 6 finest concerti grossi ever written, nicknamed the Brandenburg Concerti (clip above). He also wrote the finest single work of sacred music in history, the Mass in b minor, which has been argued by many musicologsts and composers to be the single greatest work of music of all time, in any genre, in any style. Whereas, most composers did not typically relish complexity, Bach was at home in it. The Sanctus from his b minor Mass is a 6-part chorus, including a 4-voiced fugue. In the annals of fugal composition, no composer as ever attempted what Bach accomplished, and he did so without difficulty: his monumental Art of Fugue, which is a thorough examination of all the methods by which fugues are written. Using one theme, Bach explains in music all the possibilities of contrapuntal composition inherent in a single musical subject: the fugue, the double fugue, the triple fugue, the quadruple fugue, the stretto fugue, the mirror fugue, canonizing the fugues, etc. If you were to turn the scores of the two mirror fugues upside down and play them, they would sound the same. List Verse Com Flash Cards * Comenta con tu padre, (madre, hermano, vecino, etc) o profesor(a) el contenido de esta entrada, ya sea imágenes o texto. Utiliza las siguientes frases en inglés: a) What's this? ¿Qué es esto? b) How do you say ______ in english? c) How do you say ______ in spanish? c) How do you say ______ in french? My Homework Network * Non-Profit Learning Ring * Prof JML * Mexico 15 Fascinating Facts About Ancient Egypt
Document Type Case Note In Alaska v. United States, the State of Alaska sued the federal government to quiet title to submerged lands underlying the waters of Glacier Bay National Monument (the Monument) and other marine areas of the storied southeastern region of the state. The State invoked the United States Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction over suits between a state and the United States, and was given leave to file a bill of complaint against the United States. After a Special Master appointed by the Court recommended summary judgment be granted for the United States, Alaska filed exceptions and the Court set oral argument. The principal question presented in this case was whether title to the submerged lands had passed to Alaska at statehood under the “equal footing” doctrine and the Submerged Lands Act (SLA), or whether the United States had successfully defeated conveyance of title at that time by a “very plain” showing of its intent to retain title for the United States. Among the counts in the complaint, the issue of title to lands under Glacier Bay proved particularly contentious as it posed the specific question of submerged lands ownership within federal reservations. On this issue, the Court overruled Alaska’s exceptions, holding that the United States held title to the submerged lands of Glacier Bay. This Note first reviews the development of the law of submerged lands ownership and the judicial approach to such questions arising within the context of federal reserves. After examining a prior application of this approach to other areas in Alaska, the Note discusses how the Court has set out to resolve the tension between state and federal claims of ownership by considering both the purposes of the federal reservations at issue and the state’s uses or possible uses. The Note explicates the Court’s test governing disputes over submerged lands in federal reservations and then considers the stated and unstated burdens borne by the parties in these cases. The provocative question illuminated by this case is: what must a party show to successfully claim title to submerged lands within a federal reservation? you may Download the file to your hard drive.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014 Eggshell Painting for Kids One of the great things about 4-H is that it challenges youth to do projects that they may not normally do in their day-to-day life. So, as Sophia and Olivia have been looking at Pinterest with for ideas, we came across a pin for Paint Filled Eggs on Canvas that led to Growing a Jeweled Rose. This is a wonderfully fun and easy process-oriented activity for children and young teens, and something that Sophia wanted to do the minute she saw the pin for it. To make her painting, Sophia used the following items: Emptied eggshells Paint (we used acrylic) Tissue paper A glue stick Canvas (you could also use poster board or paper that is taped to a hard surface) The process for making the painting is: Use a knife to gently crack the top of the egg shells and make a hole big enough for the yolk and white to pass through. Since we planned on using the contents of the eggs, we made sure that any loose shell fragments were cleared away before emptying the egg. Rinse the eggshells with warm water and anti-bacterial soap and place them back into the carton to dry. Fill the eggs with paint. Once the eggs are filled, seal them using tissue paper and glue. The easy way to do this is to cover one side of a tissue paper square and then gently stick that over each egg opening. Next, take a canvas and place it upright against a surface that you don't mind if it gets dirty with paint. And then the fun really begins! Toss an egg towards the canvas and watch it break open and some of the paint come out. Keep repeating with different colors. Once you use all the eggs, you can reuse the eggs that have already been tossed since there is paint still left in them. As you continue working, you can aim for particular areas that need more paint or paint of a different color. Eventually the canvas will become filled with paint and it's time to decide whether or not to add any more paint. When the painting is done, bring it inside to dry. We kept it upright so that if paint wanted to continue to drip down the canvas it could. Sophia enjoyed this project and is happy with how the colors match the walls of her room. Now every time that she looks at the painting on the wall, she can remember the fun she had making it. 1 comment: Rita said... Now that looks like an absolute blast!! :) :) Turned out really vibrant and pretty, too.
Article Text Karl Landsteiner (1868-1943) 1. L F Haas Statistics from In 1902 Landsteiner, an Austrian born American immunologist, announced one of the major medical discoveries of the century, that of the ABO blood group system. His work permitted successful blood transfusion, and the saving of so many lives. He was over 70 when in 1940 he announced the discovery of the rhesus (Rh) factor, then responsible for the serious illness or death of 1 in 200 white babies. Landsteiner also introduced dark field microscopy for the diagnosis of primary syphilis and with several associates worked on the characteristics of Spirochaeta pallida . They were able to describe the mechanism that resulted in the Wassermann reaction. Together with Ernest Finger and others he discovered that the antigen, previously extracted from a syphilitic human, could be replaced with an extract prepared from ox hearts for this test. For more than a decade between 1908 and 1922 Landsteiner performed research in poliomyelitis. He injected a preparation of brain and spinal cord tissue obtained from a polio victim into a Rhesus monkey, which later developed paralysis. Further work led him to conclude that a virus caused the disease. Later, in cooperation with the Pasteur Institute he developed a serological test for the diagnoses of the disorder. Landsteiner received the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 1930 for his discovery of human blood groups. Austria honoured him philatelically in 1968 on the 100th anniversary of his birth (Stanley Gibbons 1525, Scott 813). View Abstract Request permissions
Apceros Topics: ItemIcon006 Disclaimer: In-Game Information MHFU-Apceros Icon • Order: Ornithischia • Suborder: Clubbed Tail • Infraorder: Land Beast • Family: Ceros • Species: Apceros Apceros has adapted to live in much harsher climates and deal with much more threatening foes than the Aptonoth. Habitat Range Apceros are well adapted to life in rugged, arid landscapes. These creatures are most commonly seen in the Desert, or even venturing into subterranean caves. Apceros have also been sighted at the Volcanic Belt, grazing on hardy shrubs that cling to life on the fringes of the great mountains. Apceros will even venture to the inner regions of Volcano. Ecological Niche One of few large desert herbivores, Apceros are found living in some of the Old Worlds harshest environments. Living in hot, arid climates. Apceros commonly serve as prey for Genprey packs and larger Wyvern species, such as Lavasioth. The eggs of Apceros are commonly eaten by humans Biological Adaptations Apceros's most prominent feature is its thickly armored back and shell, its most useful defensive feature. This hard shell is tough, but it is still relatively weak when compared to the shell of others monsters. Apceros also has a thick skull plate and clubbed tail; useful for defending the beast from threats. Unusually aggressive for a herbivore; small herds of Apceros often will try to defend themselves from predators, and occasionally hunters. Apceros are much more territorial than other large grazing animals and are extremely protective of their eggs. This over-aggressive nature may deter small threats, such as raptors, but will do little to stop the might of desert hunters, such as Tigrex. Apceros is relatively docile when not defending its territory, much like other large herbivores. Ad blocker interference detected!
Kipling If (Doubleday 1910) If — If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you But make allowance for their doubting too, If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream'and not make dreams your master, If you can think'and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, If you can make one heap of all your winnings And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breath a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much, If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, Rudyard Kipling "If—'" is a poem written in 1895[1] by British Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling. It was first published in the "Brother Square Toes" chapter of Rewards and Fairies, Kipling's 1910 collection of short stories and poems. Like William Ernest Henley's "Invictus", "If-- is a memorable evocation of Victorian stoicism and the 'stiff upper lip' that popular culture has made into a traditional British virtue.[2] Its status is confirmed both by the number of parodies it has inspired, and by the widespread popularity it still enjoys amongst Britons. It is often voted Britain's favourite poem.[3][4] The poem's line, "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same" is written on the wall of the Centre Court players' entrance at the British tennis tournament, Wimbledon, and the entire poem was read in a promotional video for the Wimbledon 2008 gentleman's final by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.[5][6][7] Kipling himself noted in Something of Myself that the poem had been "printed as cards to hang up in offices and bedrooms; illuminated text-wise and anthologized to weariness".[9] T.S. Eliot in his essays on Kipling's work describes Kipling's verse as "great verse" that sometimes unintentionally changes into poetry. George Orwell - an ambivalent admirer of Kipling's work who hated the poet's politics - compared people who only knew "If-- "and some of his more sententious poems", to Colonel Blimp.[10] Khushwant Singh, an Indian writer, claims that Kipling's "If--" is "the essence of the message of The Gita in English".[11] The text Singh refers to is the Bhagavad Gita, the ancient Indian scripture. "If—" was voted the United Kingdom's favorite poem in a 1995 BBC opinion poll.[12] "If-- has been translated into many languages. It was translated by Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi.Template:Cn Another Nobel laureate to translate "If-- was Yugoslav writer Ivo AndriÄ‡.Template:Cn Some translations are: External linksEdit Audio / video This page uses content from Wikinfo . The original article was at Wikinfo:If-- / Rudyard Kipling. Ad blocker interference detected!
What to do when the weather hits? Even a well-mounted solar array can sucumb to high winds as ReNew reader William Barnett’s system did a few years ago. There are a number of steps you can take to make your renewable energy systems safe in a natural disaster, writes Sasha Shtargot. It never rains but it pours. That was the unfortunate reality in many parts of Australia this summer. Cyclone Yasi struck Queensland weeks after floods cut a swathe across a large part of the state. In Victoria, record rainfall deluged communities in successive months. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, bushfires broke out in parts of southern WA, an area experiencing an extended dry spell. In the new era of climate change we are told to brace for a more erratic climate, so what can be done to protect household renewable energy systems in extreme weather? For Daryl Douglass, the ATA’s Cairns branch convenor, Yasi was the fourth cyclone he had experienced in far north Queensland. Fortunately, this time his home in Kuranda, near Cairns, was spared the full force of the category 5 storm. Daryl says the main concern for people in cyclone-prone areas is to have solar PV and hot water systems held down strongly enough to withstand extreme wind. People need to ensure installers fit their systems on cyclone-rated mounted frames with suitable brackets. ‘The last thing you need when you’re sheltering in your toilet from a cyclone is to have a solar hot water tank come down from the roof on top of you—those things weigh a ton,’ Daryl says. Equally important in preparing for a cyclone, Daryl says, is to clear vegetation away from the house. Falling trees and branches are one of the main hazards created by hurricane wind gusts. Mick Harris, an experienced installer and owner of the Enviro Shop in Melbourne, says grid-connected solar PV and hot water systems are very robust and generally safe in extreme weather. If grid power goes down, a grid interactive inverter will shut down. As a safety precaution before a flood or other extreme event, Mick says, the inverter AC mains isolator (usually in the meter box) and the PV array isolator (usually next to the inverter) can be manually switched off. ‘Inverters are very safe beasts. If anything goes wrong, they shut down,’ Mick says. Read the full article in ReNew 115 Tags: , , EOFY ReNew 2017
Stochastic expression of proteins in a single cell Every thought about how variable the expression of a particular gene is across an entire cell population? That’s what the Weissman lab described in a manuscript in a recent issue of Nature. Anytime you want to take on such a project – take my advice, you turn to yeast. The yeast field has created a library of strains, each containing a copy of GFP (Green fluorescent protein) fused to a particular gene within the genome. If you measure the fluorescence, you can quantify the level of protein expression. The next trick is to use flow cytometry to rapidly measure the brightness individual cells in a population. Brightness per cell = GFP per cell = expression of the tagged gene, per cell. Now you can record how a particular gene is expressed, in terms of protein levels, on a cell to cell level. In addition one can identify how cells alter their protein levels when exposed to various conditions. Note that this type of experiment has been done at the mRNA level using microarrays, yet until now no one has published any account of how to perform these measurements at the protein level. So what did they find? - For cells grown in rich media, 30% of their genes have elevated protein expression, 10% have decreased protein expression when compared to cells grown in minimal medium. Proteins with increaed levels in rich media, are those involved in cell division and cell wall biosynthesis. Proteins with increaed levels in minimal media, are biosynthetic genes (if the environment doesn’t have aminoacids and nucleotides, you’ve got to make them yourself.) - Importantly, the researchers asked whether protein levels reflected mRNA levels, or whether other post-translational events (such as protein degradation) played significant roles. To the relief of many microarray manufactures, changes in protein levels largely correlated with changes in mRNA fir most genes. There were some exceptions (like ribosomal RNA processing enzymes and enzymes involved in the Kreb cycle). But now comes the interesting part, proteins involved in core functions (i.e. ribosomal proteins, initiators of translcription, protein synthesis, protein degradation) have low variability in protein levels on a cell-to-cell basis. The output from these genes had low noise. Strangely, Golgi components have low noise as well, but mitochondrial and peroxisome proteins have high noise. Overall it seems like mRNA production is the greatest determinant of noise: …variation most likely originates from the stochastic production and destruction of mRNA molecules. Indeed, the magnitude of the variation observed here (CV 30% for low–medium abundant proteins) is entirely consistent with that expected if protein variation results from Poisson noise owing to small mRNA numbers (1–2 per cell) and is mitigated by a filtering effect that arises because proteins are typically far longer-lived than their messages. ... high noise is likely to be due, at least in part, to the introduction of a slow step into the production of mRNA, making the process more prone to bursts. Furthermore, noisy genes are regulated at the transcriptional level by similar transcription factors and chromatin remodeling enzymes. Stable genes tend to be regulated by another group of transcription factors. Stable genes are also less likely to be affected by fluctuating mRNA numbers. This is best achieved by have increased numbers of messages that turnover rapidly. The authors point out that noise (or the variability of expression) is an important consideration in how genes are regulated. Cells may want certain genes, such a those that respond to environmental stress, to have “noisy outputs”. for some proteins that permit cells to respond to environmental perturbations, excursions from the mean at the single-cell level might benefit populations. In the short term, such deviations might facilitate a cell's initial response to environmental variation. More generally, the capacity to vary might permit a population to sample multiple phenotypic states to maximize the chances of some, but not all, cells' survival in an adverse environment. Other genes, such as those involved in ribosomal maintenance and cell cycle regulation, need to have stable levels in order to ensure cellular homeostasis. The takehome message, forget about the average, the generation of variability or stability may be a crucial component to how a cell is hardwired. John R. S. Newman, Sina Ghaemmaghami, Jan Ihmels, David K. Breslow, Matthew Noble, Joseph L. DeRisi and Jonathan S. Weissman Nature (2006) 441:840-846 Cross posted at The Daily Transcript. Giving your mRNA a boost by increasing GC content Abstract from PLoS (the abstract says it all): Mammalian genes are highly heterogeneous with respect to their nucleotide composition, but the functional consequences of this heterogeneity are not clear. In the previous studies, weak positive or negative correlations have been found between the silent-site guanine and cytosine (GC) content and expression of mammalian genes. However, previous studies disregarded differences in the genomic context of genes, which could potentially obscure any correlation between GC content and expression. In the present work, we directly compared the expression of GC-rich and GC-poor genes placed in the context of identical promoters and UTR sequences. We performed transient and stable transfections of mammalian cells with GC-rich and GC-poor versions of Hsp70, green fluorescent protein, and IL2 genes. The GC-rich genes were expressed several-fold to over a 100-fold more efficiently than their GC-poor counterparts. This effect was not due to different translation rates of GC-rich and GC-poor mRNA. On the contrary, the efficient expression of GC-rich genes resulted from their increased steady-state mRNA levels. mRNA degradation rates were not correlated with GC content, suggesting that efficient transcription or mRNA processing is responsible for the high expression of GC-rich genes. We conclude that silent-site GC content correlates with gene expression efficiency in mammalian cells. Very Interesting. High GC content at codon position #3, led to higher protein content, higher mRNA content, but no change in mRNA degradation. Unfortunately the authors did not test whether the mRNAs were transcribed more efficiently. Other possibilities is that mRNA 3' processing is inefficient or mRNA export is compromised (with the unexported mRNA being degraded immediately). It's something to think about when designing your own genes. This finding also has implications for biologists who track mutations at synonymous sites ... although these mutations may be "silent" in how they change the coding of a protein, they may not be so silent (different use of the term) with regards to how they affect protein expression. This may also be a way of generating variability with regards to protein expression between different alleles. On the other hand, the effects of one point mutation may be very small. Is it too small to be selected on? We'll see. Kudla G, Lipinski L, Caffin F, Helwak A, Zylicz M (2006) High Guanine and Cytosine Content Increases mRNA Levels in Mammalian Cells. PLoS Biol 4(6): e180 Cross posted at Daily Transcript. Endosomal Transport in Fungi The recent paper by JH Lenz et al. describes the mechanism for early endosome trafficking in Ustilago maydis, a pathogenic fungus. A dynein loading zone for reterograde endosome motility at microtubule plus ends JH Lenz, I Schuchardt, A Straube and G Steinberg The EMBO Journal (2006) 25, 2275–2286 The trafficking they are concerned with is that to the hypha tip because polarized growth of the fungus in this area is an important factor controlling its ability to invade the host cell. Not surprisingly the endosomal trafficking is microtubule dependent and occurs via dynein/kinesin cooperation. The take-home message is that kinesin3 carries early endosomes to the hyphal apex where they can contribute to cell expansion before being carried reterogradly by dynein. They find that when they knock out kin3 the hypa are smaller and the early endosomes cluster near the nucleus. This is not surprising given that they use the +TIP EB1 to show that almost 90% of MTs are oriented with their plus end toward the hyphoid tip. Conversely if dynein is knocked out (conditionally) the early endosomes cluster at the hyphoid tip/MT plus-ends. Probably the nicest piece of data in the paper is the microscopy showing that early endosomes move toward the regions of concentrated dynein before reve rsing directions. I’ve taken their Figure 3E (left) where dynein is in green and the early endosomes are in red and you can see the red migrate into the green, then turn yellow and move in the opposite direction. They take their studies a step further and address the question of how dynein is itself regulated during this process. They find that depleting lis1 causes dynein to accumulate at the hyphal tip while depleting dynactin reduces dynein at the tip. Finally they show that kin1 transports dynein/dynactin to the hyphoid tip by showing that knocking out kin1 blocks their accumulation. They go the extra mile and show that dynein does not colocalize with early endosomes moving to the tip and additionally show that the early endosomes still accumulate in the absence of dynein. This data together supports the following model taken from their paper. Inactive dynein is carried to the hypoid tip/MT plus end by kin1. Early endosomes are then transported to the tip at which time lis1 is activated by a yet undetermined mechanism. Lis1 then stimulates dynein dependent reterograde transport of the endosomes for recycling. RNA decay Particles Ujwal Sheth from Roy Parker's lab details the molecular mechanism that targets RNAs with premature stop codons to processing-bodies (or p-bodies) via the non-sense mediated decay (NMD) pathway. P-bodies are dense cytoplasmic granule-like structures that serve as sites of mRNA storage/degradation. P-bodies contain decapping enzymes, RNAses and many other proteins of unkown function. In this paper the authors demonstrate that the NMD component, and RNA helicase, Upf1p, targets aberrant mRNA to granules. Upf1p's ATPase activity is then required to recruit Upf2p and Upf3p to p-bodies. Ujwal Sheth and Roy Parker, Targeting of Aberrant mRNAs to Cytoplasmic Processing Bodies. Cell (2006) 125:1095-1109 It remains unclear how premature stop codons are recognized in yeast. In higher eukaryotes, if a stop codon occurs before a splice site, ribosomes fall off the RNA before they can kick off exon junction complexes that mark sites along the RNA where splicing has occurred. The exon junction complex then recruits NMD components that target the mRNA for destruction. There has been much fuss lately with these p-bodies and the related structures termed "stress granules". Both structures are seen in most eukaryotes and play several seemingly incompatible roles. In general non-translating cytosolic mRNAs are shuffled into these structures. But why? Some facts about RNA bodies: - these cytosolic structures do not contain membranes yet are very dense and exclude large proteins - much of the maternal RNA in oocytes is stored in granules - a related structure, termed simply "RNA granules", transport RNA up dendrites in neurons - stress granules are thought to be formed by the aggregation of TIA1, a protein thought to have prion activities - neuronal RNA granules are thought to be regulated by CPEB (Cytioplasmic Polyadenylation Element Binder), another protein thought to have prion properties - RNAi components target RNAs to p-bodies, and proteins involved in RNAi are enriched in p-bodies The question is, why pack RNA so tightly into dense structures? And why form these particles with aggregating prions? Prions can exist in several forms, so perhaps RNA granules must adapt several roles? Some RNA granules, such as those in neurons and oocytes store RNA (i.e. a precious cargo), but in other cases RNA granules act as trash compactors. I'm sure that this story will get more interesting in the coming months/years. What are the side effects of your media? Just a brief mention of an interesting paper recently published in Neuromuscular Disorders. In this paper by Ian Holt in the laboratory of Glen Morris they explore the defects in nuclear morphology associated with lamin mutations resulting in emery dreifuss muscular dystrophy. The take home message is that nuclear morphology is more pronounced in growth media that allow for more rapid cell proliferation. This is clearly something to keep in mind for anyone studying the nucleus and probably macromolecular cellular assembly using standard tissue culture techniques. Lamin A/C assembly defects in Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy can be regulated by culture medium composition Ian Holt, Nguyen thi Man, Manfred Wehnert , Glenn E. Morris GPCR independent regulation of cell migration This is an interesting paper from the June 2006 issue of Developmental Cell by Dandan Shan et al. This is an important paper because it implicates G13 in regulating cell migration independent of the GPCR. They start by noting that G12/13 knockout MEFs do not migrate in response to PDGF like their wild type counterparts. Ectopic expression of G13 but not G12 rescues this defect. They find that this migration proceeds through Rac because constituitively active Rac induces migration of WT MEFs but not G13 knock-out MEFs. Although this suggests that Rac works upstream of G13, other data confuses this issue. Specifically, they find that constituitively active G13 does not induce migration and more importantly they find that Rac activation is normal in the G12/13 knockout cells with respect to wild type MEFs. The key experiment of this paper involves making a G13 construct that cannot couple to the GPCR. They find that this construct like wild type G13 can rescue cell migration in the knockout background indicating that this is a receptor independent process. Biochemical analysis indicates that Rac interacts with G13-GDP, PDGF induces complex formation, and if constituitively active Rac is used PDGF is not required to induce complex formation. These data lead to a mechanism where PDGF activates Rac (possibly through a GPCR) and this then stimulates the interaction between Rac and G13. The two proteins then together regulate cell migration. The G Protein Ga13 Is Required for Growth Factor-Induced Cell Migration Developmental Cell 10, 707–718, June, 2006 ª2006 Elsevier Inc. DOI 10.1016/j.devcel.2006.03.014 Myosin VI is an unusual motor Myosin VI Stabilizes an Actin Network during Drosophila Spermatid Individualization Tatsuhiko Noguchi, Marta Lenartowska, and Kathryn G. Miller Mol. Biol. Cell 2006 17: 2559-2571 Similar to other myosins, myosin VI contains an ATP-dependent motor domain, a coiled-coil domain, and a globular tail domain. However, myosin VI moves towards the pointed end as opposed to the barbed end of an actin filament. Previous work has implicated myosin VI as a motor for endosomal movement due localization studies and in vitro assays showing the ability for myosin VI to form dimers and move processively. However, myosin VI can also act as an actin dependent molecular crosslinker. When expressed in baculovirus, a majority of myosin VI is monomeric and shows no processive movement. This paper sheds light on the role of myosin VI in vivo during spermatogenesis in drosophila, specifically in the actin cone. The deletion of myosin VI decreases both the relative amount and density of F-actin as opposed to wild-type in actin cones, while overexpression of myosin VI has the opposite effect. These data combined with the effect of myosin VI deletion on actin cones by EM, and the persistence of GFP-myosin VI after FRAP, illustrates myosin VI's role as a crosslinker. The above cartoon shows, a role for myosin VI stabilization of the branched actin meshwork at the front of actin cones. No data obtained from this paper implicates myosin VI as a cargo transporter. Additionally, the structure of the actin cone is unique as the filaments in the cone are oriented with their barbed ends facing away from the direction of movement. This mechanism is opposite of that found in Listeria comet tails and lamellipodia where barbed ends face toward the direction of movement. This difference causes the authors to speculate on the actin polymerization mechanism which is also depicted in the cartoon. Why do baby neurons need LIS1? This time I picked an "old" paper. It was published last year on JCB and describes the effects of knocking down Lis1 during brain development. Tsai JW, Chen Y, Kriegstein AR, Vallee RB. J Cell Biol. 2005 Sep 12;170(6):935-45 Cortical neuron migrate from the ventricular region to the perifery of the brain during brain development. Cortical neurons originate from the division of radial glial cells. Prior to cell division, the nucleus from radial cells migrates, away from the ventricular region, then returns to the initial position. Only after this detour, known as nuclear oscilation, radial glial cells divide. The daugther cells migrate to the sub-ventrical zone where they stop and become multipolar. Then they start extending axonal processes, become bipolar, and resume migration. Lis1 mutations originate Lyssencephaly. Pacients with this mutations have severe defects on brain development and die 1-2 years after birth. Lis1 mutations are thought to interfere with neuronal migration required for brain development. In this paper, the authors provide clear evidence for a role of Lis1 in different stages of neuronal migration. They used a very powerfull technique (in utero electroporation) to introduce fluorescent siRNA or shRNA targeting Lis1 into cells at the ventricular region. Then they analised the position and shape of transfected cells, and most impressivelly, they followed neuronal migration in slices by timelapse microscopy, up to 18h. Using these approached they show that Lis1 is required for nuclear oscilations and cell division in astral glial cells, bipolar migration and axonal extension.
Monday, 26 January 2015 Higgs Boson Syndication (13-3) This post is remarkably posed on a flying carpet to take us around the universe to look at the spinning materials under the folded insulators which are already cited in “Higgs Boson Insulations” posts. There are five main materials in our universe which I am interested to indicate in this post and the aim from bringing them to your vision is strictly an abnormal idea to some people’s opinion; we have to remember that the abnormal is slowly becoming normal. I am sure that there are thousands and thousands of examples of spinning materials which could be seen on our planet earth. The first spinning material in our universe is the submitted quarks from Bose Einstein Condensate system (BECs) experiment; quarks spinning is equal to ½ spin that makes them integrated to Higgs boson of the first universe easily. My imagination to the total of the submitted quarks is real because it could be seen in the picture below The second spinning material in our universe is quarks assumption; the interconnection between universe (1) and our universe makes the quarks assumption horizontally then vertically, and also in this case the quarks half spin makes this assumption possible between the two universes. The picture below is showing how quarks assumption could be horizontally and vertically. The third spinning material in our universe is omega particles; I already noticed in “Higgs Boson Discovered” post that omega particles participate in the building of Higgs boson symmetry breaking second generation of fermions by (17/2); that means that omega particles obey to “Pauli Exclusion Principle”, by conclusion to the statement above we understand that omega particles have half spin which makes their integration to Higgs boson magnetism easily. The fourth spinning material in our universe is alpha particles; alpha particles are essential to the decomposing of our universe and to make it travelling back this is just because of their half spin which makes them integrating easily in Higgs boson magnetism. The last spinning material in our universe is beta particles; beta particles are a huge exception in the building of all sort of matter; their movement is similar to quarks movement and they have half spin too. Beta particles form a sinusoidal wave once released and they can easily integrating in Higgs boson magnetism. To conclude this post I think that human beings technologies are still very far to understand most of the particles' movement; my solution here is the production of High temperature Superconductor to innovate these technologies. NB: The image above is from accuweather.com Higgs Boson Speculation (2) We have already seen in “Higgs Boson Speculation (1)” post that the talk about Higgs boson is limited to the opinion of few people which is shown to the public; there are some videos and images explaining Higgs boson but they are sterile and non productive, and they are still the same from 2012. In this post I am here again to show to the world how Higgs boson could be productive through demonstrations in reality; these demonstrations are my proofs of my experiment on Higgs boson, and I am sure that the more time passes the more demonstrations will come up. Let’s talk about five of Higgs boson demonstrations. I am interested to talk about the first of Higgs boson demonstrations which is the splitting of the sun’s light; its a new phenomenon which has started to appear in some countries; this splitting of the sun is shown in the picture below; and there is only one explanation to this phenomenon which is hidden in the high density of alpha particles in the atmosphere; once the sun’s light achieves the atmosphere it gets separated in three lines to take a (π) shape or a circle; and once we look at the sun we can see three shining points depending on our position. The second of Higgs boson demonstrations which I can use as a proof of my experiment on Higgs boson is the moon’s light; this statement has to be proved and explained as follow: the moon’s light is becoming more shining because of the high density level of alpha particles in the sky, and also because the alpha particles acrobats makes the moon’s light more reflected. The second cause which hasn’t to be missed is the widening of the earth’s orbit; this widening makes the earth closer to the moon to make it’s light more intense. The picture below is showing the moon’s light intensity. The third of Higgs boson demonstrations to prove that my discovery to Higgs boson is perfect is the Northern light occurrence more in south countries most of the year; this Northern light is becoming numerously high because of the higher alpha particles density in the sky. The fourth of Higgs boson demonstrations which is a good proof to the rightness of my experiment on Higgs boson is the rotational sea waves; I think that I am bringing something so easy to be checked, and the specialized people in the seas’ waves analysis have to agree with me about what’s I am saying. The last of Higgs boson demonstrations is volcanoes' eruption; during the last two years the increase in volcanoes' eruption couldn't be denied. I am sure that methane combustion is behind this increase of volcanoes' eruption and the world will assist more increase in volcanoes' eruption in the future. To close this post I would like to notice that Higgs boson demonstrations are everywhere and they will be understood and linked to Higgs boson experiment very soon. Higgs Boson Butterfly Higgs boson butterfly is a complex of chemical reactions to produce mega systems with a butterfly shape, in this post I am interested to bring some images of butterfly shaping through natural systems, and to know what the reasons of these shapes to occur are? My imagination is gone too far to look at what is really happening to planet earth, and in another hand I am surprised of the world’s population ignorance to my imagination. Anyway I would like to show you five images of Higgs boson butterfly with the hope to catch your mind. The first of Higgs boson butterfly is seen in the image below which is showing a tomato grown to twelve times bigger than normal size. The super-sized tomatoes are so large one tomato alone can serve up to four people and grow up to 6ft tall The second of Higgs boson butterfly is shown in the image below which is a snowflake; this snowflake couldn’t be realised without Higgs boson quarks submission. Russian photographer Alexey Kljatov was able to snap high-resolution magnified images of snowflakes. (Photo/Alexey Kljatov) The third of Higgs boson butterfly is the kind of sea snake shown in the image below; this is one of Higgs boson first generation of sea snakes which will come up and dominate seas and oceans; from now up human being have to adapt to the gastronomy of the new era of life. Ichthyophis cardamomensis was found in Cambodia's southwest Cardamom Mountains, an area under threat from habitat loss The fourth of Higgs boson butterfly is the global weather system as shown in the image below; this image has all meaning that Higgs boson has already changed all streams around the world. Tokyo-based software engineer Cameron Beccario has created a weather map (main image) that looks like the infamous Star Wars character Jabba the Hutt (inset image). The animation shows wind speeds and weather patterns around the world. In the image Jabba's 'eyes' are represented by two vortices. His mouth is an area that circles Earth near the equator where northeast and southeast trade winds come together. Mr Beccario told MailOnline he 'couldn't stop laughing' when he saw the face appear in his visualisation The last of Higgs boson butterfly is the fast growing algae shown in the image below; this algae is also the work of Higgs boson mechanism. To close this post I would like to remind you about the changes occurring in natural phenomena are at their beginning and don’t be surprised in the future when you will see debates about these changes everywhere in the world. Higgs Boson Syndication (14-4) Higgs boson syndication (14-4) is one of the most important syndications as it has a direct impact on human being body; steroids are one of the important components in the building of living organisms, and their deficiency due to many causes leads to serious consequences which should be looked at immediately. This post’s subject which I am interested to talk about is the causes of steroids deficiency in human body. The first cause leading to steroids deficiency in human body is vortices or simply very cold weather; generally cold weather provokes infections at the respiratory level which leads to a laziness of the reproduction system to produce steroids. The second cause which leads to steroids deficiency in human body is the deficiency of oxygen in the atmosphere; after carbon atom the oxygen atom is the second in line which will be targeted by the sulphur high density in the atmosphere. I think that many people will be infected in their chests because of the lack of oxygen which leads to infections and causes steroids deficiency. The third cause leading to steroids deficiency in human body is the sulphur condensation inside the thorax glands; the relation between sulphur and the thorax glands is Higgs boson superlative, because sulphur will be abundant in the atmosphere in high density and this makes the thorax gland invaded by sulphur where to condensate. The result of this syndication is simply a sudden death. The fourth cause leading to steroids deficiency in human body is sea amino acids; we know that in seawater there are some amino acids which evaporate to be carried by clouds then fallen through rain to come on fruits and vegetables; once eaten they provoke steroids deficiency in human body. Amino acids + Water → Methane + Sulphur Oxide + Water CH4O5S2 + H2O → CH4 + O6S2 + 4HO7 The chemical equation above is showing how a sea amino acid is becoming steroids killer through sulphur oxide. The last cause which I would like to add of steroids deficiency in human body is the bridge between infected alimentation by high sulphur density and the human body; alimentation connects to sulphur atom due the abundance of this last one in the atmosphere, and steroids diminish due to the high level of sulphur in human body. I am sure that I will come back in the nearest future with more syndications linked to human being body. Sunday, 25 January 2015 Higgs Boson Syndication (14-3) Polar vortices should not be underestimated as they are one of the most influential syndications on the global weather system. In this post I am excited to put the light on the polar vortices work in the new era of life, because vortices spread cold towards the equatorial line; this cold is the interest of this post’s subject by highlighting five of it’s effects. The first interesting effect of polar vortices is animal death; not all animals support freezing temperatures, and just few hours of cold can provoke death to some animals such as butterflies, bees, and many of different kind of birds. One of the most dangerous effects of vortices is the wood decomposition; the cold makes the water molecule frozen inside the wood and changing it’s form from liquid to solid to give it more volume; by this process the wood as well increases in volume to break. The third effect of vortices is fish death; when a vortex travel to the equatorial it makes warm sea waters colder; so the change in temperature can kill fish easily. It is similarly when a vortex recedes back north it leaves fish in cold water, this last becomes warm and leads to the fish’s death. The fourth effect of vortices is when they move south into areas where there are no high mountains to stop them and such areas are the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans; the effect in this situation is so huge as vortices get connected to the South Pole streams; that means more warm air to the North Pole to get it’s ice melted. The last of the vortices effects is the cracks; most materials get used to high temperatures and when they get very cold they get shocked and cracked. I think that vortices will be usual to humans as they will be more frequent in the future. Tuesday, 20 January 2015 Higgs Boson Fun Fun, fun and fun because without fun everything become boring. In this post I really want to show you how we can have fun by making experiments on Higgs boson. Having fun with Higgs boson is something exceptional and magic; I would like to tell you five examples of how fun is by making experiments on Higgs boson. The first example of making Higgs boson experiment fun is by plying “cache-cache” with Higgs boson; don’t be surprised its a real “cache-cache” because Higgs boson has an unlimited unknown phenomena to us; this means is hiding them from us but we can discover them by making experiments on it. The second example of making Higgs boson experiment fun is when you discover a new phenomenon; this is the most exciting moment of the whole experiment, as you can see what was achieved by watching flowers, trees, clouds movements, sea waves and animals behaviour all these are a real exceptional fun. The third example of making Higgs boson experiment fun is the northern light effects which can be produced easily through quarks submission; by making experiments on Higgs boson quarks are submitted to the northern atmosphere to make it less dense that makes the sun’s light reflected into the atmosphere to be seen by humans, it is a magnificent phenomenon which is wished to be seen by many people. The fourth example of making Higgs boson experiment fun is the rivers’ burst; to make rivers burst is an easy fun to achieve by combining Higgs boson energy forms to pull clouds to condensate and produce heavy rain and through this rivers will burst. What a funny fun! But this fun can be dangerous as well as the rivers’ burst streams become strong and can take peoples' belongings with it. The last example which I am interested to talk about is the most exciting and the most difficult to achieve which is by making trees’ leaves growing in different seasons than they do in normal ones; these trees’ leaves could be grown in any time of the year by using Higgs boson experiment; its a whole combination of Higgs boson energy forms to make the weather system adapting to a new one instead of a normal one. I imagine manipulating the world’s weather system is a great fun. To have fun with Higgs boson action and reaction should be followed and understood and the biggest fun is to discover Higgs boson work every day; this work is in everything everywhere. Monday, 19 January 2015 Higgs Boson Syndication (13-2) Higgs boson syndication (13-2) has to come to explain why sea sponges are likely to increase in number during the next few months? It is known that sea sponges are animals growing in warm seawater and also they are grown by small marine industries around the world. In this post I would like to add to your knowledge five causes which are making sea sponges spreading everywhere on seas’ surface and occupying larger spaces on beaches. The first cause which is making sea sponges in huge quantity on beaches is the seawater rotations; quarks assumption is making the seawater rotating to eject sea sponges on it’s surface and carrying them to beaches. The picture below is showing one of them The second cause which is making sea sponges abundant on beaches is the abundance of Acetyl-coA in the seawater which is coming from trees’ leaves. The third cause which is making sea sponges in seawater is the chitin coming from the decomposing wood in land due the imposed weather cycle which has four key elements which are frost, heat, rain and humidity, the chitin is transported to sea by all kind of waters’ streams and once is in the seawater it finds the right conditions to grow very fast. Most of the important conditions to chitin to grow fast in seawater are warm seawater, less sodium density in seawater and high carbon density in seawater. The fourth cause which is making sea sponges growing and spreading faster to accumulate on beaches is Higgs boson magnetism; once starch, chitin and Acetyl-coA are in seawater their rotation increases and they are pulled up vertically by Higgs boson magnetism to give birth to sea sponges. I think that Higgs boson magnetism has it’s influence not only on sea sponges to grow but also on DNA in nature to grow up. The last cause which is making sea sponges accumulating on beaches is the seawater’s current; sea sponges are light and they can stay on the seawater surface while the seawater current pulls the deep seawater that makes sea sponges pushed out to beaches. Finally, I think that sea sponges will invade beaches with unbelievable quantities and they will be the main food to seabirds. Sunday, 18 January 2015 Higgs Boson Infinity (1) The magistrate of Wycombe came on his white horse to recommend Indian Apaches to leave their land or facing death. In the last post we have seen than Higgs boson sinusoidal waves introduce themselves to form their shape in all natural phenomena. What I wanted to say from what it has been said above is that my conception to two incidents in the same time has to be dispatched in two times; in the first time it should be with the magistrate and the Apaches and in the second time it should be with Higgs boson sinusoidal waves giving shape to a (x) phenomenon. In this post I am glad to write about Higgs boson infinity to make people understand Higgs boson in their real life. Higgs boson infinity is a matter of time, chemicals and speed; these three elements are the key to anything, I mean by this a deep and a full understanding to everything. I am sure that humans have a superficial understanding to the cited three elements because they should be understood all in once, and because time is the least understood element to humans I am sure that my conception to time is the most acceptable. It is important to understand the chemicals’ speed as they are the time particles holders; the more chemicals are walking, running or travelling faster into the past the more time particles are bigger and younger; that means that the chemicals as well become bigger and younger; what we understand from this statement is that more experiment on Higgs boson will lead to faster travel to our universe into the past and this will lead to faster, bigger and younger universe. Higgs boson infinity is not just a chemical transformation compared to time and speed but it is also a matter of inflation and depression; the chemicals during travel re-equilibrate their anatomy depending on how big Higgs boson sinusoidal waves are, so our universe’s chemicals are travelling back in order to achieve the fifth universe size through Higgs boson sinusoidal waves and this process is called the maximum inflation of our universe; this process is also the starting point of our universe depression to integrate into universe five. It’s better to close this post because Higgs boson infinity will not be understood in full; it is an ongoing process which comes up with new phenomena each second passes, and the continuity of this process and the continuity of the appearance of new phenomena makes the continuity of learning day after day. By this blog I am trying to cover the maximum of subjects to explain Higgs boson infinity. Saturday, 17 January 2015 Higgs Boson Sinusoidal Waves My compliments to Higgs boson for the huge done work through it’s sinusoidal waves; this work is to pull back our universe into the past. I am sure that our universe has already made one step backwards; this statement could be proven through many natural phenomena which are taking Higgs boson sinusoidal waves shape. The subject of this post is to put the light on five of these phenomena and they will be used as the mirror to an image to Higgs boson sinusoidal waves to prove that Higgs boson experiment is at it’s full work. The first phenomenon which is taking Higgs boson sinusoidal waves shape is the formation of sand on beaches; to have an idea about this shape of sand is by watching the video below: It is so obvious that sea waves also are taking a sinusoidal waves shape to make the drawing of a sin waves on the beach’s sand possible. The second phenomenon which is taking Higgs boson sinusoidal waves shape is the formation of clouds; clouds are more likely built vertically to form a sinusoidal waves shape and this is due to quarks assumption which is pulling them higher in the sky. The picture below is showing clouds in the shape of a sinusoidal wave: The third phenomenon which is taking Higgs boson sinusoidal waves shape is the snails’ shells; they have a very significant sinusoidal wave shape. The picture below has the meaning to this phenomenon: The fourth phenomenon which is taking Higgs boson sinusoidal waves shape is Majorana fermions; as we already know that Majorana fermions are produced inside Bose Einstein Condensate system (BECs) and their formation takes a sinusoidal waves shape. The picture below is the proof of this statement: The last phenomenon which is taking Higgs boson sinusoidal waves shape is the moon’s light; the moon takes a sinusoidal waves shape because of it’s high energy; we already know that the moon takes energy form number twelve that means it has a high quarks density and by reflecting the sun’s light the moon’s light takes more likely a sinusoidal waves shape. The picture below is showing a real significance of this statement: Higgs Boson Chronicles Higgs boson chronicles are suspended ideas waiting to be cleared, clarified and shared publicly; these ideas are about syndications under the shingle and are not visible to us yet. In this post I love to write about five chronicles which were fabricated during the last two years of my experiment on Higgs boson. The first of Higgs boson chronicle which I would like to write about is hidden treasures under the seashores; these treasures are artifacts made by humans in the far past, and they are covered under the seashores sand; they will be visible to us not for long. The second idea of Higgs boson chronicles which I would like to notice is the boats’ chronicles; in the life’s history an unlimited number of boats sank under the sea and some of them got covered by sand in seashores. Because of Higgs boson rotational sea waves; the seashores are uncovering from sand and this results to boats to come up to tell us their chronicles. The third of Higgs boson chronicles which is important to bring to this post is towns, cities and villages chronicles; towns, cities and villages were covered under the sand in seashores and they will be uncovered simply because the sea is swallowing the sand at a very high rate to make them uncovered very soon. One of the very interesting of Higgs boson chronicles is bottles; in the same circumstances seashores are loosing their sand to the bottom of the sea and this will result to many bottles to come up and start floating on the sea water surface. I think that the bottles chronicles will lead the Media headlines for so long and many people will become very rich just by selling very old bottles. The last of Higgs boson chronicles which is attracting my curiosity is the maps chronicles; I am sure that humans in history were very clever to draw their maps on impermeable materials and also to cover them with impermeable ones, possibly these maps were kept in empty bottles or impermeable boxes, anyway they will be uncovered and found by lucky people. To close this post rest to me to wish good luck to everybody to hunt some of Higgs boson chronicles and please remember Higgs boson when you find one as the big work of excavation is made by it’s mechanics. I remember when I started hunting for a treasure in seashore I wished I could excavate many places and now my dream of excavation is under work and I hope that my dream of discovering the treasure which I am looking for will be realized. Higgs Boson Algae My intention to write this post is to show you a frame of an image made of oceans, seas and algae; this frame has already started to take position within oceans’ and seas’ shores. Algae is one of the key elements to Higgs boson to show it’s domination on planet earth simply by using it’s mechanism to influence the weather system and create the right conditions to algae to grow at it’s maximum inside waters. I am willing to share with you four techniques used by Higgs boson to make algae suspended in any available water molecule on earth. The first technique used by Higgs boson to algae genesis is by rising temperature around the globe; there are so many provocative causes to rise temperature and some of them are: the widening in planet earth orbit, methane regeneration, clouds rotations, manipulation of wind direction, quarks submission and quarks assumption. By rising temperature on earth; algae will have ready warm waters where to grow. The second technique used by Higgs boson to algae genesis is methane combustion; there are so many chemical interactions in nature to form methane and make it combusting; one interesting of these chemical interactions is permafrost. Once methane is released from the defrosted raw materials conditions are built to algae to grow, and a good example of algae growing due to the methane combustion is in the north Atlantic and the north Pacific shores. The third technique used by Higgs boson to algae genesis is by the increase of sulphur density in oceans’ and seas’ waters; Higgs boson has enough power to manipulate the sulphur atom to participate in the creation of a ready bed to algae where to grow; the sulphur atom coming from heavy rains interlocks carbon and oxygen atoms to form sulphur carbonate (SCO5); this last is an element of production to algae. The fourth technique used by Higgs boson to algae genesis is by Higgs boson manipulation to the sun’s light; we already know that the new era of life clouds are rotational and that makes any area on earth covered by the sun’s light every two to three days; the option here is photosynthesis guaranteed whole year. Algae is lanced to it’s maximum of growth through photon carbon interaction. I would like to conclude this post by an advice to fisher men to switch their jobs to new ones as algae will be the biggest challenge to fish’s life by preventing it from oxygen and simply there will be no fish to fish. Wednesday, 14 January 2015 Higgs Boson Promotion After four years of experiments on the Rugosa Corals I learnt a lot about action-reaction; it is very similar to my posting in this blog; there is an action which results to a reaction. In this post I love to bring your imagination to a person who discovered Higgs boson and trying to convince the world about this discovery, the task is not only difficult but also is something like mission impossible. So I decided to show five proofs of Higgs boson discovery to make a high professional promotion to this blog. My first proof of my discovery to Higgs boson is my writing in this blog; I am sure that all articles in this blog are supporting proofs that the speaker has enough knowledge about what he is talking about, and also the images and the drawings inside this blog make it sufficient with alibis to be promoted. My second proof of my discovery to Higgs boson is all the cited results within this blog; these results are as follow: Majorana fermions, Glue balls, Electron density, new living organisms, diamond production, carbon nano-tube production, influence of the weather system, and DNA pro-approaching within the eradication of some animals and the appearance of others. My third proof of my discovery to Higgs boson is the mild air which is visiting the northern part of the planet earth whole year; who can ignore that depressions in the north Atlantic are bringing equatorial mild air to Scandinavia, Siberia and Canada. In the same context cold air is visiting Peru, Madagascar and New Zealand. The fourth proof of my discovery to Higgs boson is the growing grasses at your house door step; these grasses are just the Higgs boson’s first generation of grasses, and not for long you will assist the fast growing of the second generation of grasses and the third generation and the fourth generation; this last will grow up to 2 meters long. The fifth proof of my discovery to Higgs boson is that I am the only person in the world who is talking about Higgs boson in details; I am the only person in the world who is making real experiment on Higgs boson; and I am the only person in the world who is making a big noise about Higgs boson discovery. I would like to close this post by the following statement; "Many of us agree that the most difficult subject in particle physics is Higgs boson and it’s existence. I would like to introduce you to the discovery of Higgs boson by reminding you that when Sir Isaac Newton discovered the Gravity didn't use a so complicated technology as Tevatron or CERN, and when Albert Einstein discovered that travelling in maximum speed should be in the speed of light, he didn't use a complicated machine to measure this speed. For me the discovery of Higgs boson doesn't need a huge collider but a better understanding of the Higgs itself. Welcome to the discovery of Higgs boson www.spaceandhistory.blogspot.co.uk Note: The picture above is from BBC Higgs Boson Seagulls My love to the sea and to the sea waves is making me watching the seabirds everyday; in this post I would like to share few ideas about the new life of seagulls as they are my companions most of the time. Seagulls’ life is one of the seabirds’ life affected by Higgs boson experiment due to the introduction of the new weather system on planet earth. The first idea which I would like to share with you is the new seagulls’ diet or food; the seagulls’ food has changed from fish to sea sponges and this phenomenon has many causes such as the change in sea current, the change in sea waves and the change in sea water rotations; these three conditions has made the sea swallowing everything to it’s bottom in exception of light objects such as sea sponges. The second idea which I am interested to bring to this post is the accumulation of sea sponges on beaches; this accumulation makes seagulls more attracted to seas sponges to having them as a meal. I am sure that seagulls can’t find anything else to eat, so the diet of sea sponges is an obligation to them. Dead Seagull The third idea which I would like to talk about is the seagulls’ diminution in numbers; here also I am sure that I am accurate about the seagulls’ number which I was used to see two years ago and their number I am seeing now; this number of seagulls has dramatically decreased. Also I would like to bring your attention to other birds wherever where you live; surely you will notice the change in their number and their behaviour. The fourth idea which shouldn’t be neglected is food contamination; the abundant food in nature became poisonous because of the level of sulphur coming from heavy rains; it is a vicious circle starting from volcanoes to dead seagulls. Its likely that the seagulls future is morose and they finish to extinction. The last idea which I am adding to Higgs boson seagulls is seagulls’ extinction; seagulls extinction is at it’s way because their rate of breeding has diminished to it’s lowest level. I think that the new weather system of the new era of life has big effects on all birds’ breeding. Finally, I hope that many people are agreeing with me about what it has been said in this post, maybe the seagulls’ extinction phenomenon is not very clear for the moment but it will be visible to everybody after each day passing. Also adding seagulls’ extinction to Higgs boson experiment as a proof is a wise syndication which has not to be ignored. Video showing Seagulls fight for life Higgs Boson Australian Fire In this post I am willing to talk about the fires appearing in the world as a new phenomenon in the new era of life; these fires are occurring due to the new weather system, and one of the most interesting fires is the Australian fire. By bringing five causes of the Australian fire the subject of this post will be clarified and added to your knowledge. The first cause of Higgs Boson Australian fire is Quarks submission; this cause is purely physical because once quarks are submitted they make the fire higher and higher with their pulling energy. The second cause of Higgs Boson Australian fire is Higgs boson winds; these winds are stronger and their presence is longer which makes the fire spreading faster and faster to become uncontrollable. The third cause of Higgs Boson Australian fire is heat accumulation; due to the South Pole depressions heat waves are trapped inside the south east air waves’ stream; this makes Australia more heated than normal. Also movement northward of the south jet stream made the tropical's warm air moving south towards Australia; the cited two elements above created favorable conditions to fire to cover huge and numerous areas. The fourth cause of Higgs Boson Australian fire is the sun’s heat intensity; as we already know that planet earth took a new shape of orbit which is wider than the old one that makes planet earth closer to the sun; the consequence of this wider orbit is the intensification of the sun’s heat on planet earth; and this makes grasses and trees dryer and ready to burn quickly. The last cause of Higgs Boson Australian fire is the rise in temperature around the globe; nobody can ignore that the temperature on earth has risen by (1) to (2) degrees Celsius during the last two years; of course the rise in temperature makes everything warmer and ready to burn faster. To close this post it is important to notice that Higgs boson Australian fire is a new phenomenon which will be present most of the year and Australia has to prepare for bigger bush fires in the future. The intriguing point of what it has been said in this post is that also other areas will assist the same circumstances as Australia; these areas are California and India. Sunday, 11 January 2015 Higgs Boson Diversity Higgs boson diversity is a technique of presentation of an indefinite number of subjects concerning Higgs boson discovery; this technique is followed in this blog and it has five aims to achieve. Today’s post subject is here to explain these aims of presentation. I am sure that Higgs boson correctness made this blog diversified by it’s posts’ titles, and this variety of subjects made it’s standing up until today. The first aim of Higgs boson diversity is to show that Higgs boson is the powerful master of everything and here I should say that the theory of everything doesn’t exist without the existence of Higgs boson. Also it is not possible to say that I understand Higgs boson without having the knowledge of covering the meaning of all physical phenomena in reality, and here as well I should say that this reality is a result of Higgs boson experiment. The second aim of Higgs boson diversity is to show to ordinary people that Higgs boson discoverer is capable of writing about any subject simply because everything is one and one is everything; and moderately my imagination is the source of Higgs boson diversity and without this imagination Higgs boson itself couldn’t be discovered. The third aim of Higgs boson diversity is to bring information to all scientists and to most readers, and this could be achieved only by approaching and explaining most of the physical phenomena; such task could be ameliorated only by Higgs boson discoverer. The fourth aim of Higgs boson diversity is to understand the link between all phenomena through Higgs boson mechanism which is based on the formula of (-1, +1), also to expose my understanding to the changes occurring to the known phenomena and the understanding to the appearance of the new ones; this understanding is based on all sciences in order to integrate real scientific proofs to my discovery to Higgs boson. The last aim of Higgs boson diversity is to connect all available information to each other; that means that Higgs boson is a unique subject and it’s uniqueness is hidden in it’s characteristics cited in “Higgs Boson Manifesto” post; it is a three in one particle; a polymer, a boson and a living organism. Conditions, conditions and conditions are the key to push Higgs boson diversity to the extreme; it is understood that any energy form taken by Higgs boson inside Bose Einstein Condensate system (BECs) does affect planet earth and our universe. Finally to make Higgs boson diversity rich is something similar to when someone makes different sauces with the same stock. Further reading Monday, 5 January 2015 Higgs Boson Philosophy (2) This post comes due to the circumstances in which I am living; applying a new Philosophy to the absolute window to deal with Higgs boson discovery matters. My intention is to put the light on five points to cover completely the story of Higgs boson discovery; the first point is hidden in the Scientific Media which are ignoring the source of the change in all natural phenomena; simply this source is my experiment on Higgs boson represented in Bose Einstein Condensate system (BECs). The second point which I would like to add is the reversing of the chemical elements interaction in nature; this reversing is occurring because planet earth is taking a U-Turn direction. As we already know that everything is built on a sinusoidal wave, this last is turning gradually back on it’s paths. This point has already took effects on many phenomena such as; the Mongolian desert has become more green, Goanna lizards appearance in Australia, The big Sahara in Africa is becoming greener, Permafrost thawing in Siberia is increasing day after day and Peru is loosing it’s land to the sea faster and faster. The third point to add to Higgs boson Philosophy is Higgs boson Manipulation to all chemical elements of all universes; this manipulation is based on three key elements which are; magnetism, acoustic waves and energy. I think that Higgs boson philosophical manipulation is complicated because of it’s decision making and timing. A question which I would like to ask is how shall I deal with quarks submission? To answer to this question I have to put planet earth under my responsibility or under the responsibility of human being ignorance to my discovery. The fourth point of Higgs boson Philosophy takes a flash by the clearance of Higgs boson experiment and I go back to see my family, but the consequences of this decision are dramatic because Higgs boson experiment should be looked after continuously if not catastrophes on planet earth will be inevitable. I think the ideal solution to my situation, to Rugosa Corals situation and to Higgs boson situation is to find a sponsor to support us. The last point of Higgs boson Philosophy is insurrection to the end; I mean by this more experiments on Higgs boson through Bose Einstein Condensate system (BECS), and these experiments will lead to a significant change in the weather system; this change will have serious consequences in the world. It’s time to listen to my words and I am sure that my experiments on Higgs boson have perfect results, everyday I expect cooperation from your side and I am still waiting for this cooperation. Further reading Higgs Boson Sunderland (2) Higgs boson sunderland has to come to show off in this post; the meaning of sunderland in our subject is how Higgs boson can blend any material to it’s lowest form of energy, to understand this process a need to call the following four elements is essential. The first element is chemistry; it is so obvious that everything is build on a mixture of chemicals, at this point I would like to rise a question which is how can Higgs boson makes a mixture of chemicals to their lowest form of energy? Higgs boson has enough power through it’s acoustic waves to penetrate any form of energy and to decay it to it’s lowest one; the vibrating acoustic waves can even decay an electron, a proton or a neutron to their lowest energy, also even a group of quarks, gluons, majorana fermions, glue balls or a group of hadrons could be decayed to their lowest energy. So to conclude the statement above is by understanding the meaning of sunderland inside the first element which is chemistry. The second element which is supporting the idea of Higgs boson sunderland is quantum mechanics; we already know that Higgs boson mechanism works on (-1, +1) formula; this means in reality all what it is deduced to it’s lowest energy has to appear in another form of energy. The third element which is supporting the idea of Higgs boson sunderland is statistics; it is completely unbelievable that walls are shrinking faster and faster and the accumulation of their debris had already gave birth to the grasses’ first generation. Statistically the balance is equilibrated between the (-1) and the (+1). The last element which I would like to add to support Higgs boson sunderland is natural sciences such as environmental health science; the environment has already taken a new different shape than the existing shape of two years ago. We can see the (+1) of Higgs boson mechanism specially in the new growing green grasses, plants and trees’ leaves, also in rivers’ level and in sea tides. The most significant change is in clouds; they become higher, larger and bigger, and produce heavier rain. Higgs boson sunderland will be visible to us day after day until there will be no sand at all. The incredible manner of exposing my ideas is still not understood and here I am making another call to all scientists of the world to look deeper and deeper at what I am saying because the consequences are catastrophic and unbearable. Further reading Higgs Boson Acrobats In this post I am interested to talk about Higgs boson acrobats as the first stone to Higgs boson discovery, and what is the relation between the Rugosa Corals, Higgs boson and the acrobatic atoms inside Bose Einstein Condensate system (BECs)? My willing is not to exaggerate in the shaping of the atom’s acrobats but I am trying to make a good and easy explanation understandable by everyone. I think by bringing five of the atom’s acrobats scenes; these will allow us to have a clear vision about our subject, the first scene is shown on the drawing below and which explains how the atom’s acrobats are made of three pillars which are protons, neutrons and electrons. This first scene of the atom’s acrobats is a simple one and an atom has to acrobat three times to form it’s real shape, what I am trying to say here is that any atom has to have it’s anti atom, it’s magnetism and it’s correlation. The second scene of the atom’s acrobats is the correlation’s acrobats; correlation is equal to ¼th the space of an atom; this space is unique and reserved to the anti atom to move forward and this movement is called the correlation acrobat. The third scene of the atom’s acrobats is the magnetism’s acrobats; magnetism also is equal to ¼th the space of an atom; this space is filled with magnetism in an acrobatic manner and it has to change direction in each step made by an atom. The drawing below is showing magnetism changing direction after one step made by an atom. The fourth scene of the atom’s acrobats is the anti atom’s acrobat; it is the first step taken by an anti atom to move vertically or horizontally and this step takes ¼th of the atom space. The anti atom’s acrobats are the most important in all acrobats due to their important role in inflation, and without the anti atom’s acrobats there will be no extension and no expansion in the whole universe. The last scene of the atom’s acrobats is shown in the drawing below; my explanation to this drawing is as follow: the green colour is the atom which is constructed from electrons, protons and neutrons, the yellow colour is the anti atom, the orange colour is the correlation and the red colour is the magnetism. Now the acrobats start from left to right; from green to yellow and from red to orange but they should be crossed to form a (Z) shape; that means that acrobats have to take three steps inside an atom and these acrobats are repetitive to form the whole universe My conception to the atom’s acrobats is logic and real, and examples of these acrobats are everywhere; a good example to cite is the snails’ shell which is built on atom’s acrobats.
Duty Mark: Used in hallmarking in the United Kingdom and introduced in 1784, it is a mark to show that duty had been paid on an article of silver at the time of assay. Used from Dec. 1, 1784, to May 1, 1890. Deepsilver: A term applied to silverplate flatware where the points of flatware that would rest on a table had an extra layer of silver applied to it so that wear would be less visible. Date Letter: Used in hallmarking, it is a stamp assigned by an assay office which represents the year an item was assayed. Date Code: An alpha, numeric, or pictographic system given to a piece by a maker to designate when an article was made. Pictured are the date codes used by Gorham in 1930 and 1894. Die Rolled: A sheet of metal which has been passed through patterned steel rollers. Die Cutting/Sinking: The process by which a pattern or outline of an object is cut out of a piece of steel to form a Dish Cross: An item for the sideboard, a dish cross is a support of four movable arms radiating from a central point which contains a well to hold a spirit lamp. A platter or bowl of food would then be placed on top, the lamp lit, and food would be kept warm. Dinner Ware: See Holloware. Die Stamping: The process of stamping metal by the use of a die that forms the design. Dog-nose Spoon: A style of spoon handle that came after the Trefid spoon, giving way to smoother lines. Dog-nose spoons were produced c. 1690-1715. Dish Ring: A circular stand used to elevate and support hot serving dishes and to protect the surface of the table or sideboard. Also called a potato ring. Dot Repoussé: Repoussé work made in the form of dots massed together to form a pattern or design. Ductile: Capable of being drawn out or hammered thin. Dutch Silver: Silverware imported from Holland. Generally, it is very decorative and cast of silver metal very much lower than the sterling standard. Drop: An extension used on the underside of a spoon's bowl to strengthen the join between the bowl and the handle. The drop may also help prevent wear to the bowl. Dinner Bell: A small bell used to announce dinner being served. Decanter: A bottle with matching stopper used to decant, hold, and serve wine and spirits. Usually made of glass or crystal, many examples of decanters have decorative silver mounts. Dessert Service: A set of specialized dessert plates, comports, sweet sauce tureens, etc. for serving and eating desserts. Beginning around 1750, it became fashionable to have a special service for dessert, separate from the dinner service, sometimes to the extreme of setting a separate table for dessert. The practice died out by the end of the 19th century. Duty Dodger: An item of silver that has been given false or deceitful marks in order for an unscrupulous silversmith to escape paying duty. Dredger: See Caster. Drip Stand: A stand with an attached underplate onto which a used teaball or spout strainer is set, the underplate catching the drips. Dollars: A mark occasionally seen on silver meaning the item was made with melted down silver dollars. Has the same meaning as coin silver. Die: An engraved steel stamp used to impress a design. The die shown at right is of a sheaf of wheat, the pattern of which started showing up on flatware around 1825. Diaper: A pattern of contiguous diamonds. Darning Egg: An egg shape tool of wood, porcelain, or stone, sometimes with a silver handle used to darn socks. The darning egg is inserted into the toe or heel of a sock, allowing the knitted fabric to retain its shape during repair. Decanter Label: See Bottle Ticket. Dip Pen: A pen with a nib end for use with an inkwell. Drip Ring: A felt lined circular ring, with or without a hinge, which is placed upon the neck of a wine bottle to catch any drips.
How to Write Dates in English One element of writing that can often throw non-native speakers for a loop is how to write out dates. There are three different basic formats out there—Day-Month-Year is used in most of the world, including the United Kingdom; Year-Month-Day is very popular in East Asian countries like China and Japan while most of the United States insists on Month-Day-Year. Not knowing which format you’re supposed to use, or which format you’re actually reading, can lead to confusion about dates “8/6/16”—do you mean June 8th or August 6th? In general, it’s best to write out the name of the month if there’s any confusion. And that’s only the start of date- and year-related confusion—it can be a nightmare to cut through sometimes! Here are a few of the common pitfalls and traps people can fall into. The Year British English and American English tend to pronounce years differently. As I write this, it’s the year 2016, but how would you say that out loud, and how would you write that out? In Britain, you generally throw in an “and”—“two thousand and sixteen”—while in America, you generally don’t, and write “two thousand sixteen” with no “and”. There are some exceptions—Americans generally think that British English sounds more formal, so you’ll see the “and” popping up in things like wedding invitations and other important documents, but it’s very much an exception to the rule. You’ll also hear people say “twenty-sixteen”. That’s alright in casual speech, and it follows the pattern of how you’d write older dates like “nineteen eighty-five”, but it’s not the way that it’s generally written out when doing formal writing. Fortunately, you can skip around all of that mess by just typing out the year in numerals in most cases. You generally can’t start a sentence with Arabic numerals—you can’t write “1984 was a good year”, it would have to be “Nineteen eighty-four was a good year.” However, it’s perfectly fine to re-write the sentence so that the year appears somewhere in the middle, and write it like “My favorite year was 1984.” This is a grammatical convention that is changing—some style guides allow you to start a sentence with a number if and only if it’s a year. If you want to play it safe, however, avoid putting years at the start of your sentence if at all possible. January 1st or January 1? Another point of confusion comes when talking about how to write out dates. We use ordinal numbers when we’re talking—we mention “July nineteenth, not “July nineteen”, which would be a cardinal number. When writing, however, you generally use the cardinal number. So, if you were referring to a date in text, you’d write “November 5, 1605”, but you’d say “November fifth, sixteen-oh-five”. The exceptions to this rule, again, comes in more formal settings—for holidays like the fourth of July, or to announce you’re getting married on the fourteenth of December, it’s OK to use the ordinal number. Note that the day comes before the month there, even in American English—again, that’s because we tend to feel that British English feels more “formal”, so we use their rules there. Also note that I used “November 5” and not “5 November”—that’s another difference between American and British English. Americans write the month first, followed by the day, while it’s reversed in the United Kingdom—and, honestly, most of the rest of the world. As long as you write out the full name of the month, you’ll avoid confusion and readers will be able to understand what you’re trying to day, but to American speakers, putting the month first feels more natural. Dates can be tricky to punctuate, as well. When writing out a full date in the American style, you always put a comma between the day and the year. Different styles, however, have different rules about whether or not to put a comma after the year—AP and Chicago ask you to put a comma after the year, while others ask you to leave it out. Check your style guide to make sure you’re following the proper rules in formal writing; in casual writing, it doesn’t particularly matter which way you write. If you’re abbreviating a year or a decade, put an apostrophe to replace the initial two digits—so it’s ’16, and not just 16. If you’re writing about a decade, put an apostrophe at the beginning, but not before the final S—so ‘80s and not ‘80’s. If your writing is peppered with times and dates, and you’re not sure if you’ve written them all out right or punctuated them correctly, why not stop by Wordsmith Essays’ order page today? Our team of international editors will help you get the most out of your writing. Check us out today! Write a Comment Fields with * are required Time limit is exhausted. Please reload the CAPTCHA.
Is PPP the Future of Infrastructure Development in India? Is PPP the Future of Infrastructure Development in India? PPP or Public-Private-Partnership is a unique concept which involves coming together of public and private sector with a purpose to develop public assets or for provision of public services. It is an elaborate arrangement between a state body and a privately owned entity which serves to promote private capital investment in public projects, especially those connected with infrastructure development. The agreement also includes sharing of assets and skills between state and privately owned bodies to be able to achieve the best possible outcome. The private entity receives performance linked payments based on a specific set of criteria. A basic feature of any PPP scheme is that the project under consideration is usually a high priority one and is well-planned by the government. Another essential aspect is that both the sides assume some amount of risk and mutual value for the project. Some of the infrastructure projects usually covered under PPP model include building of highways, ports, airports, developing railways infrastructure, telecom facilities, power generation projects, sanitation, water and waste management projects. In India, the PPP model was introduced by UPA Government at the Centre for developing some of the major facilities including airports and metros. The model worked well in some cases but in some others, there arose a number of issues which could not be addressed properly. Considering the infrastructural growth needed to drive the economy further, the newly formed NDA Government has also come up with a number of proposals in the current Union Budget in which PPP model would be implemented to help achieve better and faster results. Finance Minister laid stress that with more than 900 infrastructure projects are underway in the country, PPP model holds great potential for us but we must work to remove the inefficiencies in its implementation and develop a responsive dispute redressal mechanism. To this end, he announced the setting up of an exclusive institution called 3P India with a budget allocation of Rs 500 crore which would be responsible for resolving any disputes and issues arising in the planning and implementation of Public-Private-Partnership model. There are several areas in which the government is looking forward to implement this model including high-end metro projects, rural and urban development projects. The main issues faced with proper implementation of this model is that infrastructure projects are usually long-term ones and a number of factors including cost of materials, policies and even economic conditions can change while the project is underway. If the initiative to set up a sophisticated mechanism for resolving such issues in implementation of PPP model is successful, it can attract big investments from private sector and lead to fast-paced development of infrastructure.
This content shows Simple View sonic hours Ice Cream to Increase Immune System Because of containing milk which is rich in lactoferrin and cytokines, consuming ice cream can actually boost our immunity against illness, including influenza. Milk in ice cream is composed of Lactoferrin, which has a role as a non-specific body defense substance against pathogens. Lactoferrin also has antiviral activity, especially against cytomegalovirus, influenza, and HIV. Thus, when looking for something to cool you down on a hot day, a cup of ice cream will be the best choice. You can check out the Sonic Ice Cream Prices before buying it. Ironically, all this time ice cream is considered as the cause of flu, cough, and colds. In fact, when you eat ice cream, melted ice cream into the mouth is affected by body temperature, so the temperature is not cold anymore. Prohibition of eating ice cream at the time of illness also includes the wrong assumption. In times of illness, your body needs plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Ice cream is one dish that can provide plenty of fluids for your body. Exceptions are for people with a sore throat, asthma, or tonsils because of the potential for relapse.
sin emociones no hay democracia No emotions, no democracy The barometer of the CIS of February 2017 reconfirms politics and politicians as one of the main problems for the Spaniards. Behind it are unemployment, corruption or the economic situation. The disconnect between citizenship and political class is total and without emotion, there is no democracy. For a large majority of Spaniards, politicians do not care about what people want but only seek their personal interests. This deep disaffection by politicians also translates into a deep disaffection for democracy. There is a lack of trust in institutions. These do not even get approved. The assessment of the political situation remains bad or very bad for more than 71% of the respondents. Divorce between politicians and citizens The disaffection of Spanish citizens by politicians is not very different from the disaffection they also feel for the elites of power. There has been a profound divorce between the established and the citizens. There are different causes but, without doubt, the most important are that the current society is subject to changes so deep and fast that make the foundations of ideas falter. Today’s society has questioned even the main emotional processes that a person has. The rupture between citizenship and politics has parallels with that which has occurred in the three main emotional processes. The lack of trust in politicians and institutions, as in a relationship, is the consequence of the lack of an emotional component in their relations with citizens. The recovery of the emotional component The current political situation in which four major parties compete for the electorate makes emotions a fundamental component. It must be taken into account when designing campaigns and recovering citizen support. This can be seen more prominently in the campaigns of the new formations, especially on the part of Podemos. This formation has used the emotional component of 15M to design all their campaigns. It can be seen in the campaign of the European Elections of 2014 and its motto was “When was the last time that you voted with hope?”. It is also present in the last campaign for the generals with the motto “The smile of a country”. Likewise, Ciudadanos in their two campaigns to the general election has used the motto “Vote with hope”. This message distances them from their previous campaigns which were more traditional and had worse results. For its part, PSOE and PP have used the speech that appeals to the emotion of fear focusing on the new formations, especially against Podemos. Emotional Democracy The use of emotions helps judge the current world. It also helps to connect political institutions and representatives with the electorate. The human being lacks control over his emotions. This absence does not make them unthinking since they influence decisively in the decisions of the voters. The search for support through emotional strategies is what is called Emotional Democracy. However, old and new parties must take into account the consequences of using this powerful tool. Enthusiastic emotions around political objects can have unexpected consequences. It is not the same to encourage the illusion that the fear or the love that the hatred. In this way, emotional democracy poses new challenges to politics. These are not just about emotions but about political objects where they are focused. Without emotion there is no democracy One of the first things that emotional democracy must take into account is that emotions focused on political leaders can trigger narcissism and selfishness. The followers of the leader become mere instruments for their own vainglory. This becomes an object of worship that must be worshiped. The promotion of the emotions towards the leader causes to suspend the own judgment. The decisions taken make it irrational what threatens the very meaning of democratic plurality. In this sense, Partido Popular and Podemos are the less personalistic parties in the campaigns. Both Ciudadanos and PSOE focus their campaign more on the candidate. In the last Galician and Basque elections, the face of Albert Rivera was omnipresent although this one did not appear in either election. On the other hand, the object of the emotions in the emotional democracy can also be focused in reference to the ideological construction. Concepts little defined as homeland are associated with an emotion of pride. This encourages a great difference between patriots and unpatriotic. In the same way, other terms like town or class produce the same effects. The emotional use of these terms generates polarization. This favors the parties at the extremes of the ideological scale. They make them gain support because it set out politics as a confrontation between two groups that emotionally arouse negativity. Construct politics with emotions Emotional construction is made of political objects to polarize politics. Also noteworthy are the relationships that are established between militants of different ideologies. Of special importance is the cultivation of emotion that generates political friendship in the face of enmity. Hence polarization arises. This essential component not only includes tolerance but also the health of the democratic system itself. The attention of the new policy for Emotional Democracy is clear. This emotiveness can make the search for bridges between citizenship and politics be transformed. We run the risk of opening a gap even deeper than the current one. It will depend on the use of the politics of emotions. The question that arises now is what use is being given to emotions?
Thursday, February 23, 2017 Ten Great Economic Myths By Murray N. Rothbard Our country is beset by a large number of economic myths that distort public thinking on important problems and lead us to accept unsound and dangerous government policies. Here are ten of the most dangerous of these myths and an analysis of what is wrong with them. Myth #1 Deficits are the cause of inflation; deficits have nothing to do with inflation. In recent decades we always have had federal deficits. The invariable response of the party out of power, whichever it may be, is to denounce those deficits as being the cause of our chronic inflation. And the invariable response of whatever party is in power has been to claim that deficits have nothing to do with inflation. Both opposing statements are myths. Some policymakers point to the 1982–83 period, when deficits were accelerating and inflation was abating, as a statistical "proof" that deficits and inflation have no relation to each other. This is no proof at all. General price changes are determined by two factors: the supply of, and the demand for, money. During 1982–83 the Fed created new money at a very high rate, approximately at 15 percent per annum. Much of this went to finance the expanding deficit. But on the other hand, the severe depression of those two years increased the demand for money (i.e. lowered the desire to spend money on goods), in response to the severe business losses. This temporarily compensating increase in the demand for money does not make deficits any the less inflationary. In fact, as recovery proceeds, spending will pick up and the demand for money will fall, and the spending of the new money will accelerate inflation. Myth #2 Deficits do not have a crowding-out effect on private investment. In recent years there has been an understandable worry over the low rate of saving and investment in the United States. One worry is that the enormous federal deficits will divert savings to unproductive government spending and thereby crowd out productive investment, generating ever, greater long-run problems in advancing or even maintaining the living standards of the public. Some policymakers have once again attempted to rebut this charge by statistics. In 1982–83, they declare, deficits were high and increasing, while interest rates fell, thereby indicating that deficits have no crowding,out effect. This argument once again shows the fallacy of trying to refute logic with statistics. Interest rates fell because of the drop of business borrowing in a recession. "Real" interest rates (interest rates minus the inflation rate) stayed unprecedentedly high, however — partly because most of us expect renewed heavy inflation, partly because of the crowding,out effect. In any case, statistics cannot refute logic; and logic tells us that if savings go into government bonds, there will necessarily be less savings available for productive investment than there would have been, and interest rates will be higher than they would have been without the deficits. If deficits are financed by the public, then this diversion of savings into government projects is direct and palpable. If the deficits are financed by bank inflation, then the diversion is indirect, the crowding-out now taking place by the new money "printed" by the government competing for resources with old money saved by the public. Milton Friedman tries to rebut the crowding-out effect of deficits by claiming that all government spending, not just deficits, equally crowds out private savings and investment. It is true that money siphoned off by taxes could also have gone into private savings and investment. But deficits have a far greater crowding,out effect than overall spending, since deficits financed by the public obviously tap savings and savings alone, whereas taxes reduce the public's consumption as well as savings. Thus, deficits, whichever way you look at them, cause. grave economic problems. If they are financed by the banking system, they are inflationary. But even if they are financed by the public, they will still cause severe crowding-out effects, diverting much-needed savings from productive private investment to wasteful government projects. And, furthermore, the greater the deficits the greater the permanent income tax burden on the American people to pay for the mounting interest payments, a problem aggravated by the high interest rates brought about by inflationary deficits. Myth #3 Tax increases are a cure for deficits. Those people who are properly worried about the deficit unfortunately offer an unacceptable solution: increasing taxes. Curing deficits by raising taxes is equivalent to curing someone's bronchitis by shooting him. The "cure" is far worse than the disease. For one reason, as many critics have pointed out, raising taxes simply gives the government more money, and so the politicians and bureaucrats are likely to react by raising expenditures still further. Parkinson said it all in his famous "Law": "Expenditures rise to meet income:' If the government is willing to have, say, a 20 percent deficit, it will handle high revenues by raising spending still more to maintain the same proportion of deficit. But even apart from this shrewd judgment in political psychology, why should anyone believe that a tax is better than a higher price? It is true that inflation is a form of taxation, in which the government and other early receivers of new money are able to expropriate the members of the public whose income rises later in the process of inflation. But, at least with inflation, people are still reaping some of the benefits of exchange. If bread rises to $10 a loaf, this is unfortunate, but at least you can still eat the bread. But if taxes go up, your money is expropriated for the benefit of politicians and bureaucrats, and you are left with no service or benefit. The only result is that the producers' money is confiscated for the benefit of a bureaucracy that adds insult to injury by using part of that confiscated money to push the public around. Myth #4 Myth #5 Myth #6 There is a tradeoff between unemployment and inflation. In fact, inflation now, even if it reduces unemployment in the short-run by inducing prices to spurt ahead of wage rates (thereby reducing real wage rates), will only create more unemployment in the long run. Eventually, wage rates catch up with inflation, and inflation brings recession and unemployment inevitably in its wake. After more than two decades of inflation, we are all now living in that "long run." Myth #7 Deflation — falling prices — is unthinkable, and would cause a catastrophic depression. We can see how free market capitalism, unburdened by governmental or central bank inflation, works if we look at what has happened in the last few years to the prices of computers. A computer used to have to be enormous, costing millions of dollars. Now, in a remarkable surge of productivity brought about by the microchip revolution, computers are falling in price even as I write. Computer firms are successful despite the falling prices because their costs have been falling, and productivity rising. In fact, these falling costs and prices have enabled them to tap a mass market characteristic of the dynamic growth of free market capitalism. "Deflation" has brought no disaster to this industry. The same is true of other high-growth industries, such as electronic calculators, plastics, TV sets, and VCRs. Deflation, far from bringing catastrophe, is the hallmark of sound and dynamic economic growth. Myth #8 It is supposed that the tax system should be roughly that of pricing or incomes on the market. But market pricing is not. proportional to incomes. It would be a peculiar world, for example, if Rockefeller were forced to pay $1,000 for a loaf of bread — that is, a payment proportionate to his income relative to the average man. That would mean a world in which equality of incomes was enforced in a particularly bizarre and inefficient manner. If a tax were levied like a market price, it would be equal to every "customer," not proportionate to each customer's income. Myth #9 An income tax cut helps everyone because not only the taxpayer but also the government will benefit, since tax revenues will rise when the rate is cut. This is the so-called "Laffer curve; set forth by California economist Arthur Laffer. It was advanced as a means of allowing politicians to square the circle; to come out for tax cuts, keeping spending at the current level, and balance the budget all at the same time. In that way, the public would enjoy their tax cuts, be happy at the balanced budget, and still receive the same level of subsidies from the government. It is true that if tax rates are 99 percent, and they are cut to 95 percent, tax revenue will go up. But there is no reason to assume such simple connections at any other time. In fact, this relationship works much better for a local excise tax than for a national income tax. A few years ago, the government of the District of Columbia decided to procure some revenue by sharply raising the District's gasoline tax. But, then, drivers could simply nip over the border to Virginia or Maryland and fill up at a much cheaper price. D.C. gasoline tax revenues fell, and much to their chagrin and confusion, they had to repeal the tax. There are some problems with the Laffer curve. The amount of time it is supposed to take for the Laffer effect to work is never specified. But still more important: Laffer assumes that what all of us want is to maximize tax revenue to the government. If — a big if — we are really at the upper half of the Laffer Curve, we should then all want to set tax rates at that "optimum" point. But why? Why should it be the objective of every one of us to maximize government revenue? To push to the maximum, in short, the share of private product that gets siphoned off to the activities of government? I should think we would be more interested in minimizing government revenue by pushing tax rates far, far below whatever the Laffer Optimum might happen to be. Myth #10 But what of certain industries in the U.S. that complain loudly and chronically about the "unfair" competition of products from low-wage countries? Here, we must realize that wages in each country are interconnected from one industry and occupation and region to another. All workers compete with each other, and if wages in industry A are far lower than in other industries, workers — spearheaded by young workers starting their careers — would leave or refuse to enter industry A and move to other firms or industries where the wage rate is higher. (Originally published at Free Market Special Issue 1984 via
What Does a Low Stock Price Mean? Bookmark and Share NEW! Try out our free Stock Analysis Spreadsheet. When many people begin investing in stocks, they don't have a lot of money to invest. Therefore, they tend to gravitate toward stocks with a low share price. After all, doesn't it sound more appealing to be able to to buy 10 shares of a $10 stock than 1 share of a $100 stock? But this type of thinking can lead to bad investment decisions. Here's why. Let's imagine that two people, Jane and Joe, are both selling their cars. Both cars are the same make, model, and year and were purchased new five years ago at the same dealership. Jane has taken great care of her car. She kept it parked in her garage when she wasn't using it, changed the oil every three months, and washed it often. She drove only a short distance to work every day, and had never been in an accident. Joe's car, on the other hand, is a different story. He used the car to deliver pizzas and in the process racked up a lot of miles. He's been involved in a few accidents, and the car has accumulated a number of visible dings and scratches. On top of that, he has only changed his oil once since he bought the car five years ago and hasn't kept up with the recommended maintenance. Now, let's imagine you have to choose between the two cars. Which car would you buy? No brainer, right? If you're like most people you would buy Jane's car. It has less miles and is in better shape. If you are like me, you would probably even be willing to pay more for Jane's car than Joe's because you deduce that it is more likely, given its history, to be reliable and to function for a longer period of time than Joe's car. The same basic pricing principle holds true for stocks. Usually, there is a reason why a $10 stock costs $10 and not $100. The stock market is fairly efficient and usually prices stocks close to their true value. Check Out Our New Stock Ideas Blog! If you're interested in hearing about exciting new investment opportunities on a regular basis, check out our blog, StockZoom!, where we analyze several new stocks per week. Understanding How a Stock Is Valued by the Market To gain a better understanding of how stocks are priced by the market, let's first briefly look at how stock is issued. When a company first makes the decision to become a publicly traded corporation, it then takes steps to issue stock shares. This initial stock sale is commonly referred to as the IPO, or initial public offering. Once the initial shares are sold, they are then available to the general public to be traded. Depending on the circumstances, the stock might be initially sold somewhere between $10 to $20 per share. As time goes by, the price of the stock will go up or down for a number of reasons. Most people would agree that the basic driver of stock price is company performance. If the company does well and its profits increase year after year, the stock's price will generally go up over time. On the other hand, if the company doesn't fare well and its profits remain stagnant or decrease, the price of the stock will likely go down as well. Because of this, stocks with a lower share price are typically riskier than stocks with higher-priced shares. Since the likely reason the company's stock price is so low is that it hasn't performed well, when you buy a low priced stock, you are essentially betting that it is going to change its course and start to perform well. For this reason, larger companies with a consistent history of profitability are seen as less risky and are therefore usually priced higher per share than their lower-priced counterparts. For example, Berkshire Hathaway's A shares are currently trading above $100,000 per share. While this is an extreme example and most investors probably can't afford to buy even a single share of Berkshire's stock, it helps to illustrate the point. Berkshire Hathaway is actually run by billionaire investor Warren Buffett who has managed the company extremely well over time. As profits have increased over time, the share price of Berkshire Hathaway's stock has followed suit. Stock Splits Although a high share price is often a sign of past profitability, it is not necessarily a good idea to only look for stocks with high share prices. The reason is that if a stock splits, its price per share will almost always decrease following the split. For example, as a result of its recent acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad, Berkshire Hathaway announced that its B shares would be split 50 to 1. This means that each 1 share of stock that was previously priced at over $3,000 per share will be split into 50 pieces, and will consequently be worth around $60 per share. In this case, due to the stock split, the lower share price will not reflect the company's past performance. So before you buy a stock, make sure to not only look at the current share price, but also research its history of stock splits. This will give you a better idea of the company's performance over time. In Conclusion Let's recap. We've established that it's not necessarily a good idea to hastily buy a stock only because it has a low share price. Doing some research and understanding the past performance of the company as reflected in its share price can help to provide some insight into how well a company has been run over time and if it is likely to be a good investment. But how can you determine if you're paying the right price for a stock? 1. First, make sure that you're not overpaying for stock trades. The price you pay for trades is important and adds up over the long run. One of our partners, TradeKing, offers both low cost trades and quality customer service. today to take advantage of their low per trade costs award winning tools and customer service. 2. You also need to be able to objectively analyze the company's financials. We have developed a free and easy-to-use stock analysis spreadsheet to help you with this. 3. Another great way to improve your investing ability is by taking the time and learn more about how to value a stock. There are many good books, like those listed below, that can help you learn the basic concepts. 4. The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. A Book of Practical Counsel is considered by many to be the original book on value investing. It was written by Benjamin Graham, who is considered to be the father of value investing. It outlines how to analyze a stock and the company behind the stock to determine if it is likely to be a good investment. Warren Buffett claims that this book is "the best book about investing ever written". SENSIBLE STOCK INVESTING: How to Pick, Value, and Manage Stocks This book is written by David Van Knapp, and is a fantastic book that beginners can read to learn how to invest. The book covers all aspects of investing, and assumes no prior knowledge of investing. On top of all this, it is a very easy read (which is an extremely rare feature in books covering the topic of investing). Bookmark and Share Feedback Privacy Policy Sitemap Copyright © SmartStockResearch.com. All rights reserved.
City Guide Hotels Tours Share Font Print Send to Friend HomeChinese Culture Guide Fire Cupping An Introduction to Fire Cupping It sounds like a military interrogation method. Even the sight of the body of a person who has been fire cupped will make you want to ask a few probing questions. However, before you demand to know what military prison camp they had just been released from, you should know that fire cupping is a form of alternative medicine that has been safely practiced for thousands of years. Fire cupping is a type of acupressure therapy; that is pressure applied to acupuncture points on the body. Specially designed glass cups are heated in such a way that when they are applied to the body a vacuum is created and the skin is gently pulled up into the cup. Although the origins of fire cupping remain a mystery, the earliest recorded use of the procedure was in a book called: A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies by Ge Hong, a Taoist alchemist and herbalist. Mostly it was used to drain the toxins out of snake bites. Back then fire cupping was still fairly primitive and instead of the pretty glass cups you see today, people back then had to make do with animal horns. As time passed by and fire cupping matured into a popular way to treat various diseases, people started making the cups out of better materials. For awhile bamboo and pottery were popular but the pottery cups broke too easily and bamboo cups fell apart after a few uses. Brass and iron were used for a time but the invention of glass cups quickly made them obsolete. Glass is now the preferred medium for fire cups because it is durable and allows the practitioner to see the skin through the cup. In its simplest form, fire cupping is a type of deep tissue massage that promotes stress relief and relaxation. As a medicinal therapy, though, cupping has been used to treat a variety of diseases such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, colds, digestive diseases, musculoskeletal pain and some gynecological disorders. Thoughts about the ability of fire cupping to treat disease vary widely. The American Cancer Society states that there is no scientific evidence that fire cupping is an effective treatment for cancer or any other disease. Instead Western medicine thinks that fire cupping helps stimulate circulation which in turn brings oxygen, white blood cells and lymph to affected areas which may alleviate symptoms of a disease rather than cure it. On the other hand, practitioners of Traditional Chinese medicine believe that a person’s chi, or vital energy, gets thrown out of balance when they are ill or have been injured. In Eastern society, it is thought that fire cupping pulls out blockages in the patient’s chi which allows energy to flow more freely and promote healing. Patients who have had fire cupping done report benefits that range from feelings of deep relaxation and pain relief to the actual curing of the common cold. How is Fire Cupping done? The aim of fire cupping is to get the cups to suction to the body of the patient. This vacuum created by the cups is thought to draw out impurities and balance the body’s chi. In ancient times, creating this vacuum was done by holding the cup over an open flame and then quickly attaching it to the body. One had to be very careful, though, to avoid heating the cup itself lest it burn the patient. More modern techniques include swabbing the inside of the cup with rubbing alcohol and setting fire to it before placing the cup on the body. The vacuum created by the cup cuts off the fire’s oxygen causing it to burn out quickly. Some practitioners use kerosene instead of alcohol citing that kerosene’s ease of ignition produces a greater vacuum in the cup. Another technique involves putting a cotton ball soaked in alcohol on a small leather pad which is then placed directly on the skin. The cotton ball is lit and the glass is placed on top of the whole thing. How quickly the flame extinguishes depends on the size and shape of the cup but, as you can imagine, the chance for getting burned is pretty high and not too many people use this method any more. Luckily, cups are now made with a small crank or pump which is used to create the vacuum effect. Not only does this alleviate the dangers of using fire, it also allows the practitioner to control just how much suction is created in the cup. Sometimes oil is applied to the skin which promotes greater suction and allows the cups to be easily moved around the body. A cup is removed by pressing the skin around its lip. This releases the built up pressure by gradually letting air inside. A typical cupping session lasts around 15 minutes. 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Organisational work conditions The conditions of a workplace are different physical and psychological factors. Physical work conditions This includes lighting, temperature, noise, vibration/motion, pollution, location, space, ventilation and aesthetics. 1. Location and space: The layout of work offices will influence the way that people in the workplace interact with each other. Extreme physical separation (e.g. separate cubicles for each employee) would result in very low communication and poor interpersonal skills. However, it may result in a higher level of productivity because workers will be less distracted. If the building itself is small, there will be more personalised interaction between people while a larger building might have more private employees. Many offices use a landscape design; this has no walls. Employees in landscaped offices are grouped according to their position and function and are only separated by landscaping, such as potted plants, cabinets, low screens and bookcases. 1. Illumination: There is no one answer to what constitutes ideal lighting for maximum efficiency and productivity. The light should not be distracting or inadequate for the employee. 1. Noise: Intermittent noise has been found to be more disturbing than constant noise. While there is no concrete evidence linking low productivity with noise, one study did find that productivity decreased after noise was introduced in a previously quiet environment. Noise reduction methods can be employed in noisy workplaces, like quieter machinery and soundproof rooms. 1. Temperature: If the temperature and humidity of a work environment are kept as comfortable as possible, productivity will not be disturbed. Hot and humid conditions have been shown to decrease productivity. Studies have also shown that mental labour is not as affected by high temperature as much as physical labour. 1. Colour and music: In the workforce, colour has been used for various things, such as: coding, preventing eye strain, creating illusions and improving aesthetic qualities. However, colour does not seem to have any obvious effects on the level of productivity in employees. Music also has no visible effects on productivity, but some employees tend to prefer working with music playing, especially if their job is slightly monotonous or dull. Colour and music, while not affecting the workplace greatly, are able to greatly increase and improve aesthetic quality. Psychological work conditions This includes feelings of privacy or crowding, excessive or lacking social interaction, boredom, a sense of status, and importance or anonymity. 1. Boredom: Boredom is usually the result of dull and repetitive work; therefore it is assembly-line workers who are largely affected. Boredom results in restlessness, tiredness, low motivation and low productivity. Absenteeism (employees are absent from work without an actual reason) may even be a result of this. To reduce boredom, employees should be given more active roles or their motivation must be addressed. 1. Social interactions: While social interaction is healthy and should be encouraged, its effect on productivity would depend on the job. While certain jobs would benefit from excessive interaction, a more balanced amount of interaction may be more appropriate for others. To improve social interaction between employees, the management could arrange social events. To decrease social interaction, more independence and privacy could be encouraged with independent activities and opportunities. 1. Status and recognition: A person who has no status, little recognition and no importance in the workplace may feel less appreciated for their work and result in low satisfaction and motivation. The management should aim to recognise all employees’ achievements in the workplace and allow them to work towards gaining more status, depending on their effort and productivity. Healthy competition could occur. Temporal conditions refer to the pattern of a worker’s hours spent at work. Certain temporal factors may be taken into consideration for increased productivity, for example: 1. Permanent part-time employment 2. Shorter work weeks 3. Flexible working hours 4. Rest pauses 5. Shift work Shift work: Rapid rotation theory and slow rotation theory Shift work refers to having different patterns of work. For example, some workers have day shifts and others have night shifts. This allows organisations to continue working for 24 hours. There are three main shift types: 1. Day shift (around 6am to 2pm) 2. Afternoon-evening shift (around 2pm to 10pm) 3. Night shift (around 10pm to 6am) The rapid rotation theory refers to rapid and frequent shift changes. There are two types of rapid rotation: metropolitation rotation and continental rotation. • Metropolitan rota: Two day shifts, two twilight shifts, two night shifts, then two days off. Repeat. • Continental rota: Two day shifts, two twilight shifts, three night shifts, two days off, two day shifts, three twilight shifts, two night shifts, three days off. Repeat. The slow rotation theory refers to infrequent shift changes. This is beneficial because it allows workers to adapt to a specific routine. For example, an employee may have one month of day shifts and the next month of night shifts with the weekends off. Compressed work weeks This refers to weeks in which work is “compressed”. Workers usually work three 12-hour shifts every week with four days off. They will still be working for 36 hours per week, but all their work will be compressed within the first three days, allowing them four full days of no work. However, the longer shifts may be tiring and this could lead to a reduction in the quality of work being done or in the levels of productivity. Still, research shows that workers are happier with compressed work weeks. This may be because it allows them to spend full days doing things other than work, such as spending time with their family and indulging in their hobbies – or even just relaxing at home all day! Flexitime refers to when employers give employees a contract of specific work hours that must be completed (e.g. employee must work 24 hours per week). However, the employee is allowed to choose their own work hours and timings. For example, an employee may choose to complete their hours within the first four days of the week (six hours each day) or they may spread their hours out for the whole week (six hours on Monday, two hours on Tuesday, eight hours on Wednesday… etc.). Flexitime gives workers the chance to create a professional and personal balance. Their presence may still be required without fail on certain days, such as on days of important group meetings. The term ergonomics is derived from two Greek words: “ergon” meaning work and “nomoi” meaning laws. It is the scientific discipline concerned with interactions between humans, machines and the environment and how to maximise human well-being and comfort and the efficiency of system performance. In other words, it is the science of work. It is a human-centred technological development. Operator-machine systems: visual and auditory displays and controls Operator-machine systems, also called human-machine systems, refer to the systems in which the functions of human operators and machines are integrated. There are three types of visual displays. 1. Quantitative (displays that give numerical data, such as a digital clock that shows it is 10:00). 2. Qualitative (displays that give descriptive data, such as “hot” or “cold”). 3. Check-reading (displays that are simple and give limited but very important or useful information, such as ON/OFF switches). Visual displays are best in the following situations: • When a message is complex or descriptive • When workers are expecting regular written updates • When a workplace is too noisy There are also different types of auditory displays, such as buzzers and alarms. Riggio (1999) said that auditory alarms should be “psychologically effective” in order to catch the attention of employees. For example, a fire alarm is psychologically effective as we associate it with a “warning”. Auditory displays are best in the following situations: • When lighting or layout is inadequate for visual messages • When workers are constantly moving around the workplace • When a message is urgent and requires immediate reaction The controls for visual and auditory displays may be in the form of buttons, levels, switches, etc. Errors and accidents in operator-machine systems Operator-machine systems may have certain errors or possible accidents. Riggio (1991) outlined four possible OMS-related errors: 1. Error of omission (failure to do something – e.g. switch off something) 2. Error of commission (failure to follow instructions or do something correctly) 3. Error of sequence (failure to follow the correct procedure or sequence) 4. Error of timing (failure to do something at the correct time or pace) Reducing errors (Theory A and Theory B: Reason, 2000) Reason (2000) differentiated between two main types of workplace errors: Theory A and Theory B. • Theory A = the worker is to blame for error • Theory B = the system is to blame for error 20 thoughts on “Organisational work conditions • Evaluate what psychologists have found out about organisational work conditions and include a discussion about ecological validity.(12) Thank you! 🙂 • Evaluation is all about the theories, research and debates/issues. You should ideally pick 2-3 relevant issues (e.g. individual differences debate, ethnocentrism and strengths/weaknesses of research methods) along with the named issue (i.e. ecological validity). You then have to evaluate the different information (such as theories and studies) about organisational work conditions with the help of your evaluation choices. For example, discuss how most studies conducted to test optimal work conditions ignore individual differences between employees (e.g. some people prefer to work in silence while others prefer music in the background). You need to use named research to support your points. If you are discussing reductionism, for example, you can use Reason (2002)’s study as an example because errors have been grouped into two (either it’s the human’s fault or the machine’s fault) without recognising that some errors are caused by other factors. Just a brief example. Finally, your named issue is ecological validity so that would definitely refer to research methods. You have to discuss the research methods used to study organisational work conditions. If a study is conducted in a lab, it would have low eco-validity. If a study is conducted in the workplace or work-related environments then eco-validity would be high. You just have to name examples.and describe how they fit in to the debate. I hope this helps. 🙂 Maryam X 1. Hey maryam these notes are great but you may want to eleaborate on the study given in the end by Reason. Thanks. ^_^ Leave your comments below! You are commenting using your account. Log Out / Change ) Twitter picture Facebook photo Google+ photo Connecting to %s
Plant diversity changes associated to <i>Gunnera tinctoria</i> invasion in Irish grasslands 2017-06-20T00:03:55Z (GMT) by Cristina Armstrong Javier Atalah <p>In this study we have assessed and quantify the impacts of the invasive species <i>Gunnera tinctoria</i> on vegetation biodiversity at three different habitats, namely grasslands, riparian and coastal cliffs. Habitat selection was based on the extent and dominance of <i>G. tinctoria</i> invasion, e.g. grasslands and riparian habitats. Coastal cliffs were chosen as they are one of the few habitats which have little to no human influences. We hypothesis that alpha and beta vegetation diversity will be significantly reduced at all habitat types, irrespective if the habitats are highly disturbed, human influenced or semi-natural. Additionally, we hypothesized that changes in plant assemblage structure and composition will be associated to the invasion of <i>G. tinctoria</i>.</p><p>Plant assemblages were sampled in July 2009 at twelve sites in three different habitats (grassland, coastal cliff and waterways), differing in the invasion status by the <i>Gunnera tinctoria</i>, in Achill Island, Co. Mayo, West Ireland. </p><p>Within each habitat two locations were selected and within each location one invaded and one non-invaded site were sampled. The two locations in the grassland habitat were Dooega (53° 57.2’ N, 9°57.9’ W) and Sraheens (53° 57.2’ N, 9°57.9’ W), the two locations in the coastal cliff habitat were Dooega and Keel, and in the waterways the two sampled locations were Ashleam and Dooega River.</p><p> </p><p>In each habitat, invaded and non-invaded sites were chosen so that they were geographically interspersed. When possible, sites were chosen randomly from a larger pool of candidate sites and based on monitoring programme in the area. At each site, an area of 100 x 100 m was randomly selected were 4 replicated 1 m<sup>2</sup> quadrats were sampled. Percentage cover was estimated using the point-intercept method with a quadrat of 1 m<sup>2</sup> and 144 intersection points. Most conspicuous taxa were identified to species level, while others were grouped into functional-form groups. The intersection data was then transformed into percentage cover. Plants present in the quadrat not recorded by this method were given a cover of 1%. In the case of multi-strata growth, total percentage cover exceeded 100%.</p>
5 Steps To Changing Any Behavior by Alex Lickerman From quitting smoking to eating healthier to exercising regularly to getting more organized, most of us have a list of behaviors we’d like to begin (or end) that resist our attempts to do so. As a physician, I find myself giving advice about changing habits on a daily basis. Even though many of my patients are able to succeed in making desired changes in the short term, most of them revert to their original behaviors in the long term. What, then, are effective ways to alter behavior on a permanent basis? The psychology that underlies the changing of behaviors is complex. Two researchers named Prochaska and DiClemente developed a way of describing it they called theStages of Change Model. Though originally developed in the context of smoking cessation, it’s five stages actually describe the process by which all behaviors change. 1. Precontemplation. In this stage, we’ve either literally never thought about needing to change a particular behavior or we’ve never thought about itseriously. Often we receive ideas about things we might need to change from others—family, friends, doctors—but react negatively by reflex. After all, we’re usually quite happy with our current stable of habits (if we weren’t, we wouldn’t have them in the first place). However, if we can find our way to react more openly to these messages, we might find some value in them. Remember, they aren’t sent with the intent to harm. 2. Contemplation. Here we’ve begun to actively think about the need to change a behavior, to fully wrap our minds around the idea. This stage can last anywhere from a moment—to an entire lifetime. What exactly causes us to move from this stage to the next is always, in my view, the change of an idea (“exercise is important”) into a deeply held belief (“I need to exercise”), as I discussed in an earlier post, Cigarette Smoking Is Caused By A Delusion. What exactly causes this change, however, is different for everyone and largely unpredictable. What we think will produce this change isn’t often what does. For example, it may not be the high cholesterol that gets the overweight man to begin exercising but rather his inability to keep up with his wife when they go shopping. This is the stage in which obstacles to change tend to rear their ugly heads. If you get stuck here, as many often do, seek another way to think about the value of the change you’re contemplating. Remember, it’s all about finding and activating a motivating belief. 3. Determination. In this stage, we begin preparing ourselves mentally and often physically for action. The smoker may throw out all her cigarettes. The couch potato may join a gym. We pick quit days. We schedule start days. This mustering of a determination is the culmination of the decision to change and fuels the engine that drives you to your goal. I firmly believe that human beings possess the ability to manifest an unlimited amount of determination when properly motivated by a deeply held belief. 4. Action. And then we start. We wake up and take a power walk. Or go to the gym. Or stop smoking. Wisdom—in the form of behavior—finally manifests. 5. Maintenance. This is continuing abstinence from smoking. Continuing to get to the gym every day. Continuing to control your intake of calories. Because initiating a new behavior usually seems like the hardest part of the process of change, we often fail to adequately prepare for the final phase of Maintenance. Yet without a doubt, maintaining a new behavior is the most challenging part of any behavior change. One of the reasons we so often fail at Maintenance is because we mistakenly believe the strategies we used to initiate the change will be equally as effective in helping us continue the change. But they won’t. Where changing a strongly entrenched habit requires changing our belief about that habit that penetrates deeply into our lives, continually manifesting that wisdom (and therefore that habit) requires that we maintain a high life-condition. If our mood is low, the wisdom to behave differently seems to disappear and we go back to eating more and exercising less (this isn’t, of course, equally true for all behaviors, especially for addictive behaviors we’ve long ago abandoned). In a high life-condition, however, that changed belief will continue to manifest as action. When you’re feeling good, getting yourself to exercise, for example, is easier because the belief that you should exercise remains powerfully stirred up and therefore motivating. The key, then, to maintaining new behaviors…is to be happy! Which is why it’s so hard to maintain new behaviors. The true power of this model really becomes apparent when we recognize these stages are sequential and conditional. In my medical practice, I first identify the stage in which a patient sits with respect to the behavior I want them to change. A smoker who’s never seriously considered giving up tobacco would be in the stage of Precontemplation—and if I expected them to jump from that stage over Contemplation and Determination directly to Action, they’d almost certainly fail to change and frustrate us both. If, however, I focus on ways to move them from one stage to thenext, I can “ripen” them at a pace with which they’re comfortable: from Contemplation to Determination to Action to Maintenance. As an example, I often give patients in the stage of Precontemplation a simple assignment: I ask them to think about how the change I want them to make would improve their lives. That doesn’t seem like such a difficult step, but if they do it, I’ve just moved them into Contemplation! That may seem like insignificant progress, but it’s actually 1/5 of the work that needs to be done. Most people (though certainly not all) seem to be more comfortable embracing change in a step-wise fashion. The utility of the Stages of Change Model isn’t restricted to the medical arena but in fact extends to almost every area of life. As an example, my wife used it on me to get me to try sushi (which I now love!). It could be used in business perhaps on employees to yield changes like improved productivity or cooperation, or even on potential clients to get them to hire you! The potential applications are limited only by your imagination. Finally, and most importantly, you can use this model on yourself. By recognizing which of the five stages of change you find yourself in at any one time with respect to any one behavior you’re trying to change, you can maintain realistic expectations and minimize your frustration. Focus on reaching the next stage rather than on the end goal, which may seem too far away and therefore discourage you from even starting on the path towards it. The final stage of any process leading to behavior change is one extremely difficult to avoid: relapse. Though it may sometimes be inevitable, if you train yourself to view relapse as only one more stage in the process of change rather than as a failure, you’re much more likely to be able to quickly return to your desired behavior. Alternatively, when you allow yourself to view relapse as a complete failure, that assessment typically becomes self-fulfilling. Just because you fell off the diet wagon during a holiday doesn’t mean you’re doomed to return permanently to poor eating habits—unless you think you are and allow yourself to become discouraged, in which case you will. Long term weight gain or loss, it turns out, isn’t correlated to calorie intake on any one day but rather to calorie intake over a period of time, which essentially means if you overeat here or there on a few days only, it won’t actually affect your long-term ability to lose weight. The same is true, in fact, with any behavior you want to change. Never let a few days, or even weeks, of falling back into bad habits discourage you from fighting to reestablish the good habits you want. Always remember: none of us was born with any habits at all. They were all learned, and can all, therefore, be unlearned. The question is: how badly do you really want to change? Why Are You Here? by Robert M. Sherfield, Ph.D. Do you sit around thinking of an answer to this question on a daily basis? Probably not. It is not a question that many people ponder on a daily or even yearly basis, but it is a question that needs to be examined when searching for purpose. Earlier, the ancient Sanskrit word dharma was mentioned. Dharma means purpose in life. According to this word, you have a rare gift, a unique talent, and an uncommon way of bringing that gift to life. Have you discovered your dharma? Have you given thought to why you are here? Discovering your gifts can very well lead you to your purpose, which in turn can lead you to healthier self-esteem. Ask yourself a few questions. What are your unique talents? What are your unique abilities? What do you do that you don’t see anyone else doing? What can you do that you see others doing but not as well as you do? What aptitudes and powers do you have that you simply don’t see exercised every day? Answering these questions can help you find your purpose. Let’s turn this around for a moment and look at it from the negative side. Sometimes, finding your purpose, and indeed your esteem, comes from looking at what you do not do well, and then changing your actions accordingly. “Everyone has a purpose in life … a unique gift or special talent to give others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.” — Deepak Chopra So, what is it that you do on a daily basis that you do not do very well? What do you do on a daily basis that you do not enjoy doing? What do you do that does not bring you joy? What do you do that does not serve humanity and make the world a better place? Answering those questions can help you better identify the things that you do well, enjoy doing, and the things that bring goodness into the world. Overcoming The Fear Of Death In January of 2007, I developed a mild stomach ache and general feeling of being unwell while at a Sunday brunch. Initially, the pain sat in the center of my abdomen just above my belly button, but gradually over the course of the day inched its way down into my right lower quadrant, causing me to wonder briefly if I’d developed acute appendicitis. However, by evening the pain had actually begun to improve so I dismissed the possibility; I’d never heard of a case of appendicitis resolving on its own without surgery. But mindful of the adage that the physician who treats himself has a fool for a patient, the next day I asked one of my physician friends to examine me. When he did, he found a fullness he didn’t like in my right lower quadrant and ordered a CT scan. To our mutual surprise, it showed that I had, in fact, developed acute appendicitis. Later that afternoon, I saw a surgeon who began me on antibiotics and scheduled an elective laparscopic appendectomy, which he performed two days later. The surgery went well and I was back at home that night with a bloated stomach but minimal discomfort. At 3 a.m., however, I awoke with projectile vomiting, and after a particularly violent episode, briefly lost consciousness. Panicked, my wife called 911 and an ambulance delivered me back to the hospital where I was found to be anemic. My surgeon diagnosed an intra-abdominal bleed and began following my red blood cell count every few hours, hoping the bleeding would stop on its own. By late afternoon, however, it became clear that it wasn’t, so I was taken back to the operating room where the surgeon found and evacuated approximately 1.5 liters of free-flowing blood from inside my abdomen. All told, I’d bled out half of my blood volume over the course of sixteen hours. Over the next few days, however, my blood count stabilized and my strength returned, so I was sent home four days after I’d been admitted, slightly less bloated than I’d been after the first surgery but four units more full of a stranger’s blood. Three weeks later, my wife and I took a four-hour flight to Mexico—a vacation we’d planned to take in Cabo San Lucas prior to my illness—spent three days on the beach, and then flew back home. Two days later, I developed diarrhea. Because I’d only had bottled water while in Mexico, I thought I’d contracted a viral gastroenteritis that would resolve on its own within a few days. While driving home a few days later, however, I developed right-sided chest pain. I called my physician friend who asked me to return immediately to the hospital to have a chest CT, which in short order showed I’d thrown a largepulmonary embolism. I was taken immediately to the emergency room and placed on intravenous blood thinners to prevent another clot from traveling to my lung and possibly killing me. Luckily, this time my hospital stay was uneventful, and I was ultimately discharged on an oral anti-coagulant called coumadin. A week later, the diarrhea still hadn’t resolved, however, so a stool culture was sent forclostridium difficile. It came back positive, undoubtedly as a result of the antibiotics I’d been given prior to my first surgery, so I was started on Vancomycin. Then I developed an allergic reaction to the Vancomycin, so I was switched to Flagyl. Within a week the diarrhea resolved, but then a week later it returned. Relapses are common with clostridium difficile colitis, so I tried Flagyl again, this time with a probiotic called Florastor. The diarrhea resolved and never came back. A week later, however, the nausea did. It was absolutely crippling—as was the anxiety that accompanied it. What could possibly be wrong now? I longed for the blissful ignorance of a non-medical mind that had no knowledge of all the terrible diseases I now thought I might have. I called my physician friend who suggested, after listening to my symptoms, that the nausea might be due to anxiety. I told him that idea hadn’t occurred to me, that I’d supposed the anxiety was present as a result of the nausea, not as its cause, but that I was open to the possibility he was right. The next day I had a conversation with a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with mild Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I’m always surprised by people who say they’re not afraid to die. Most are usually quick to point out they are afraid to die painfully—but not of the idea of no longer being alive. I continue to be mystified not only by this answer but by the number of people who give it. Though I can imagine there are indeed people who, because of their age, character, or religious beliefs, truly do feel this way, I’ve always wondered if that answer hides a denial so deeply seated it cannot be faced by most. Certainly, this has been the case with me. I love being here and don’t want to leave. I’ve always spoken openly of my fear of death to anyone who’s ever asked (not that many have—I suppose even the question is uncomfortable for most), but I’ve rarely experienced moments where I actually felt afraid. Whenever I’ve tried wrapping my mind around the concept of my own demise—truly envisioned the world continuing on without me, the essence of what I am utterly gone forever—I’ve unearthed a fear so overwhelming my mind has been turned aside as if my imagination and the idea of my own end were two magnets of identical polarity, unwilling to meet no matter how hard I tried to make them. The true significance of my denial wasn’t made clear to me, however, until I was diagnosed with PTSD. The anxiety that began to envelop me at that point was of an entirely different order than I’d ever experienced before. It began to interfere with my ability to function, which made plain to me that what my brush with death—twice—had taken from me was my ability to believe I would never die. Knowing intellectuallythat death awaits us is quite clearly a different thing from believing it, much in the same way knowing intellectually gravity will make you fall is a different experience from actually swooning at the edge of a parapet at the top of a tall building. Ultimately, being ill brought me to the realization, contrary to what I’d always believed in my heart, that there was nothing special about me at all. Like everyone else, I was only a piece of meat that would eventually spoil. From that point forward, whenever I’d feel a minor twinge in my chest or develop a rash on my arms or my hand would shake for no reason I would become paralyzed with anxiety. Even though I recognized intellectually that my reaction was overblown, every new random symptom I felt caused my doctor’s brain to leap to horrifying conclusions simply because I now knew in a way I hadn’t before that bad things could actually happen to me. I felt like one of my long-time patients who for as long as I’ve known him has been consumed by an anxiety so great he’d become like a child in his need for constant reassurance that he would be all right. His anxiety had made him inconsolable and his life a joyless nightmare. PTSD is often diagnosed in men (and now women) who return from the battlefield, women who’ve been raped, people who witnessed the Twin Towers come down on 9/11—in short, in anyone who either has an intense traumatic experience themselves or witnesses one occurring to someone else. In my view—completely unsubstantiated by any psychiatric literature, I should point out—PTSD results when a person has their deluded belief that they’re going to live forever stripped away from them. I’d always considered the shattering of delusion in my life to be a good thing, something that’s always brought me more happiness rather than less. And yet here seemed to be an example that contradicted that rule, for around the time I was diagnosed with PTSD I was surely suffering to a degree I never had. Frankly, I was happier before living in denial. Over time, though, the crippling anxiety of PTSD resolved and I returned to my previous level of functioning. However, even minor injuries or transient symptoms that I would have ignored before now stir up vague feelings of worry. I remain acutely aware to this day that my ability to believe in my invulnerability has been irrevocably ruined. I’ve decided, however, that this is a good thing: I’ve been given the opportunity to challenge my fear of death without actually having to be actively dying. Many others aren’t so lucky. I began practicing Nichiren Buddhism 20 years ago because I was intrigued by the notion that enlightenment might actually be a real thing, attainable if only the correct path was followed. I’ve continued because I’ve had experiences with the practice that have convinced me it has real power to shatter delusions about life. But now more than an intellectual curiosity, my desire for enlightenment has become synonymous with my desire to relieve myself of delusions about death. For me, three things are certain: First, my experiences with Buddhism so far have inclined me to think that enlightenment is a real thing, and that it might be the solution to my problem with fear of death. But, second, for me to become convinced that life is eternal (“there is no beginning called birth or ending called death”), I must have an experience that proves it to me beyond a shadow of a doubt. I need to know it the way I know gravity is real. I must confess I can’t today even conceive of what that experience could be. Yet I must remember that every time I’ve gained real wisdom from my Buddhist practice and become genuinely happier, it’s always come as a result of having an experience I could never have predicted. And lastly, because I hope the establishment of indestructible happiness based on a belief in the eternity of life is possible, I must remain on guard against the seductive tendency to convince myself of it. Belief that arises from a desire to believe is usually, in my experience, too flimsy to withstand a genuine challenge. And I can think of no more genuine a challenge to a belief in life after death (whether through reincarnation or an ascension to Heaven or anything else) than the actual imminent approach of death itself. I fully recognize that my current belief about death—that it is truly the final end of the self—is likely to be correct. Which makes me wonder if I wouldn’t be better off throwing my energies into re-embracing denial and simply accepting that when it comes my time to die, if I’m given the chance to see it coming, I’ll suffer however many moments, hours, days, or weeks of fear there are to suffer and then be granted a final release. If only I could. Once a delusion has been shattered, I’ve found there’s no going back. And even if there were, at some point I’m certain to be re-confronted with a denial-eradicating sickness or injury. Everyone will. Depending on your current life stage this might not seem like a pressing issue. But shouldn’t it be? An experience like mine could become yours at any moment. And even more desirable than being able to die peacefully is being able to live fearlessly. In fact, one of the supposed benefits of manifesting the life-condition of the Buddha is freedom from all fear. I’ve tried to resolve my fear of death intellectually and come to the conclusion that it can’t be done, at least not by me. Some kind of practice that actually has the power to awaken me to the truth is required (assuming, of course, the truth ends up being what I hope it to be). Knowing What You Need by Robert M. Sherfield, Ph.D. Finding your purpose in life may rest in that one question: What do you need — not what do you want, but what do you need? Your needs are quite powerful and they may hold the key to helping you discover your purpose. There is a difference between need and want. To need is to require, to want is to desire something greatly. Needs are stronger than wants. Many people confuse the two. Needs involve things that are required to actually help you live, but they also involve things that are required to help you live well. Psychologist Abraham Maslow identified several levels of needs in every human, including basic needs such as air, water, safety, love, and esteem, higher-level intellectual needs, and finally, the need for self-actualization or self-fulfillment. So, what do you really need in your life? Do you need happiness? Do you need passion? Do you need love? Do you need caffeine? Do you need to have purpose? “If you deliberately plan to be less than you are capable of being, then I want to warn you that you’ll be deeply unhappy the rest of your life.” — Abraham Maslow Stop reading for a moment and make two lists — one list should be the things you need to actuallysurvive, and the other list should involve things you need to live in true self. Do not include wants. Make your list now. Survival and True SelfWas that a hard task? Look at your list and see if there are any “wants” listed? Can you tell the difference? If you have listed things like a new car, a luxurious home, a supercomputer, you are listing “wants” instead of needs. If your needs list for survival includes things like food, shelter, clothing, safety, and some money, you are on the right track. If your needs list for “true self” includes things like family, friends, passion, and intimacy, you are on the right track. What is the lowest common denominator in the list of “true self” needs? It is people. So, it can be said that a part of your needs for “true self” is an association with people. Take a moment and think about your list of needs for “true self.” After you review your list, look for the common denominators such as people, power, the need to be outdoors, the need to have creative access, or the need to feel needed. This will help you begin to define and refine your purpose. The Case of GloriaGloria felt lost, absolutely lost. She felt alone, empty, and unfulfilled in her home life, her career, and in her heart. She knew that her life was not in sync with her purpose, but she did not know what her purpose really was. She had tried to find her purpose while in college. She majored in office administration and had become a very successful executive assistant. While the people she worked with loved how she did her job, she did not love her career. She sat down one weekend and tried to think about the things in her life that brought her joy. She listed her friends, her two cats, food, music, going to the movies, and reading. But she wondered how her purpose could be found in a hot dog and Gone With the Wind. She began to list the things that she really needed in her life. Her list revealed that she needed to feel loved and give love, she needed to feel safe, both in terms of physical safety and in terms of monetary safety, and she listed that she needed her two pets. That was a very strange and unexpected thing for her to find on her list. She knew that she loved her pets and cared for them deeply, but she never dreamed that pets would appear on an honest list of basic “true self” needs. But there they were, larger than life. What does this mean, she thought? So, she began to explore further and realized that she not only loved her pets dearly, but that she had always loved others’ pets as well. She thought back across her life and realized that she had always taken in stray cats and dogs, and on occasion, she had volunteered to pet sit for friends going out of town. “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose, the whole aim and end of human existence.” — Aristotle She made a decision to take a step. She went to the computer, created several flyers and some business cards, and decided that on Monday, she would begin to let people know that she was available to “pet sit” on a limited basis. She wondered if she would enjoy it as much as she had in the past. She knew that she had the skills, knowledge, and desire to do it, but she wondered if this new part-time job would bring her joy. She booked a few jobs and found that she was in love with being around animals and caring for them in their owner’s absence. She was giving love and feeling love. She began to book more sitting jobs in the early mornings, walks during lunch, and feeding in the evening. She could not believe how much elation this had brought to her life. Her friends could not believe it either and thought that she had gone overboard with the number of bookings. She knew that she had not. She knew that bigger things were on the horizon. She knew that in one month, she would quit her job and become a professional pet sitter. She had found her passion, her calling, and her joy. There it was written on a strange little list during a weekend of soul-searching. There it was, in the face of her two cats, her purpose. The True Cause Of Depression by Alex Lickerman Murray’s Theory of Psychogenic Needs Henry Murray and Psychogenic Needs American psychologist Henry Murray (1893-1988) developed a theory of personality that was organized in terms of motives, presses, and needs. Murray described a needs as a, “potentiality or readiness to respond in a certain way under certain given circumstances” (1938). Theories of personality based upon needs and motives suggest that our personalities are a reflection of behaviors controlled by needs. While some needs are temporary and changing, other needs are more deeply seated in our nature. According to Murray, these psychogenic needs function mostly on the unconscious level, but play a major role in our personality. Murray’s Types of Needs Murray identified needs as one of two types: 1. Primary Needs Primary needs are based upon biological demands, such as the need for oxygen, food, and water. 1. Secondary Needs List of Psychogenic Needs The following is a partial list of 24 needs identified by Murray and his colleagues. According to Murray, all people have these needs, but each individual tends to have a certain level of each need. 1. Ambition Needs • Achievement: Success, accomplishment, and overcoming obstacles. • Exhibition: Shocking or thrilling other people. • Recognition: Displaying achievements and gaining social status. 2. Materialistic Needs • Acquisition: Obtaining things. • Construction: Creating things. • Order: Making things neat and organized. • Retention: Keeping things. 3. Power Needs • Abasement: Confessing and apologizing. • Autonomy: Independence and resistance. • Aggression: Attacking or ridiculing others. • Blame Avoidance: Following the rules and avoiding blame. • Deference: Obeying and cooperating with others. • Dominance: Controlling others. 4. Affection Needs • Affiliation: Spending time with other people. • Nurturance: Taking care of another person. • Play: Having fun with others. • Rejection: Rejecting other people. • Succorance: Being helped or protected by others. 5. Information Needs • Cognizance: Seeking knowledge and asking questions. • Exposition: Education others. Influences on Psychogenic Needs Each need is important in and of itself, but Murray also believed that needs can be interrelated, can support other needs, and can conflict with other needs. For example, the need for dominance may conflict with the need for affiliation when overly controlling behavior drives away friends, family, and romantic partners. Murray also believed that environmental factors play a role in how these psychogenic needs are displayed in behavior. Murray called these environmental forces “presses.” Research on Psychogenic Needs Other psychologists have subjected Murray’s psychogenic needs to considerable research. For example, research on the need for achievement has revealed that people with a high need for achievement tend to select more challenging tasks. Studies on the need for affiliation have found that people who rate high on affiliation needs tend to have larger social groups, spend more time in social interaction, and more likely to suffer loneliness when faced with little social contact. 3. Positive feelings that make you want to celebrate. 4. Boredom. 5. Getting high on any drug. 6. Physical pain. 8. Suddenly having a lot of cash. 10. Believing that you no longer have to worry (complacent). That is, that you are no longer stimulated to crave drugs/alcohol by any of the above situations, or by anything else – and therefore maybe it’s safe for you to use occasionally. Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries
Grade 1 Mathematics Module 1, Topic D \| EngageNY Grade 1 Mathematics Module 1, Topic D girl drawing Topic D affords students the opportunity to solve problems within the simplicity of equations, moving on from the context of story problems. Continuing on the momentum gained with counting on as it relates to addition in Topic C, students begin Topic D with tracking the number of counts on from a given number by using their fingers and 5-group cards (1.OA.5). In Lessons 14 and 15, students begin with an embedded quantity represented by both a picture and a numeral, and then tap pictures, tap the dots on their 5-group cards, draw more, and finally, replace these pictorial strategies to extending their fingers as an effective strategy for keeping track of the change. They apply these strategies to track changes of 0, 1, 2, and 3, thus limiting their use of tracking to quantities that will maintain efficiency. Students use these same strategies in Lesson 16, in both result unknown and the more complex change unknown equations, solving problems such as 4 + ___ = 7 as they say, “5, 6, 7” (1.OA.8). Downloadable Resources Common Core Learning Standards CCLS State Standard 1.OA.5 Relate counting to addition and subtraction (e.g., by counting on 2 to add 2). 1.OA.8 Determine the unknown whole number in an addition or subtraction equation relating three whole... Curriculum Map
This mammal has the world’s slowest metabolism \| Science News for Students This mammal has the world’s slowest metabolism Three-toed sloths compensate by moving little and using the environment for heat Jul 6, 2016 — 7:00 am EST three-toed sloth The brown-throated sloth is a type of three-toed sloth. It has the lowest rate of daily energy use of any mammal, a new study finds. Christian Mehlführer, User:Chmehl/Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY 2.5) There are degrees of slothfulness, even when it comes to sloths. And three-toed sloths may be the most slothful of all, new data show. Researchers studied two species of sloth in Costa Rica. They measured the rate at which these animals’ bodies operate, converting food to fuel and growth. And this metabolic rate in one species of three-toed sloth was the lowest ever recorded — not just for a sloth, but for any mammal. Six species make up the category of animals that most people call sloths. All fall into one of two families — either the two-toed or three-toed sloths. Both families live in trees throughout Central and South America where they eat leaves. But millions of years of evolution separate the families. Three-toed sloths tend to have smaller ranges and eat a more restricted diet than do their two-toed cousins. That means they prefer to dine on fewer species of trees. And they’ll usually eat from only a few individual trees. two-toed slothJonathan Pauli is an ecologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He got interested in sloths not because they’re adorable, he explains, but because “other things eat them.” And Pauli has kept his interest in these slow moving animals because he also finds them “biologically fascinating.” Studies had shown that three-toed sloths have a very slow metabolic rate. But how slow? To find out, Pauli and his colleagues captured 10 brown-throated sloths. They are a three-toed species. The scientists also collected 12 Hoffmann’s sloths, which are a two-toed type. All came from a study site in northeastern Costa Rica. Here, the sloths live among a variety of habitats. These range from pristine forest and cacao (Ka-KOW) agroforest to fields of banana and pineapple. “It’s really a quilt of different habitat types,” Pauli says. And it’s one that allowed the researchers not only to study many habitats at once but also to more easily capture and track sloths than if they were in dense jungle. Many elements come in more than one form, or isotope (EYE-so-toap). The researchers injected the sloths with water labeled with specific isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen, then released the animals back to the wild. After 7 to 10 days, the scientists again captured the sloths and sampled their blood. By seeing how much of the isotope labels remained, they could calculate the sloths’ field metabolic rate. This is the energy that an organism uses throughout the day. The field metabolic rate for the three-toed sloths was 31 percent lower than that for two-toed sloths. It also was lower than that found in any mammal that was not hibernating. The researchers reported this May 25 in the American Naturalist. tree sloth“There seems to be kind of a cool combination of behavior and physiological characteristics that lead to these tremendous cost savings for three-toed sloths,” Pauli says. (By physiological traits, he means those relating to the animals' bodies.) Three-toed sloths spend a lot of time in the forest canopy eating and sleeping. They don’t move much. Their two-toed cousins “are much more mobile,” he notes. “They’re moving around a lot more.” But there’s more to it than that, Pauli observes. “Three-toed sloths have the capacity to fluctuate their body temperature,” he points out. People need to keep their temperature within a few degrees of normal to stay healthy. But not sloths. They can let theirs rise and fall with the outdoor temperature. This is a bit like how a lizard or snake might regulate its body temperature. “Those are big cost savings to let your body change with your surroundings.” Arboreal folivores (AR-bo-REE-ul FO-li-vors) are vertebrates that live in trees and eat only leaves. The new data help to explain why there aren’t more types of sloths and other arboreal folivores, Pauli and his colleagues argue. More than one-third of Earth’s land is forested. That means there is lots of treetop space for these critters. Yet few vertebrate species choose to subsist on tree leaves. In contrast, other types of animals have heavily diversified throughout habitats that take up much less space globally. For instance, there are 15 species of finch on just the Galapagos Islands. And there are hundreds of species of cichlid fish in Africa. But there are constraints on being a leaf eater that lives in a tree. Leaf eaters tend to be big. The elephant and giraffe are good examples. They need a body big enough to accommodate a large digestive system that can process all of the leaf matter they need to survive. But an animal that lives in the trees can’t be too big. It needs lots of special adaptations for an arboreal life. And that might prevent the rapid diversification seen among other groups, such as Darwin’s finches, Pauli says. Indeed, this might be why arboreal folivory is one of the world’s rarest lifestyles, says Pauli. It “is really tough living.” Power Words (for more about Power Words, click here) agroforestry A type of agriculture that incorporates trees into the landscape. arboreal Living in the trees. Often this term refers to an animal. cichlids A freshwater fish that has become popular in the aquarium trade. This animal’s family is large and diverse. It includes at least 1,650 species, many of which are eaten. Although found all over the world, they are most diverse in Africa and South America. cocoa A powder derived from the solids (not the fats) of beans that grow on the Theobroma cacao plant, also known as the cocoa tree or cacao. Cocoa is also the name of a hot beverage made from cocoa powder (and sometimes other materials) mixed with water or milk. diverse (in biology) A range of species that differ broadly. The breadth of their differences may occur in a limited region (such as a local ecosystem) or as measured overa wide zone (such as across the planet). diversify (n. diversification) To make or become more diverse. In the environment, it would refer to an ecosystem that has a wider array of species. fluctuate Conditions that can change dramatically over a fairly short period of time, usually due to outside influences. For instance, temperatures fluctuate (rise and fall) throughout the course of a day. Average rainfall or snow rates can fluctuate from year to year. folivore A plant eater that specializes in eating leaves. folivory A term for a lifestyle that includes or depends on leaf-eating. isotopes Different forms of an element that vary somewhat in weight (and potentially in lifetime). All have the same number of protons but different numbers neutrons in their nucleus. As a result, they also differ in mass. hibernation A state of inactivity that some animals enter to save energy at certain times of year. Bears and bats, for example, may hibernate through the winter. During this time, the animal does not move very much, and the use of energy by its body slows down. This eliminates the need to feed for months at a time. sloth A slow moving, plant-eating mammal that lives in tropical rainforests in the Western Hemisphere. Most of these tree dwellers sleep all but four to nine hours a day. species A group of organisms that share similar traits and ancestry, and can usually breed to produce fertile offspring. It is also the basic rank in a classification system called taxonomy. A species name (such as sapiens) is usually given with the next highest rank, the genus (such as Homo). • HS-LS1-2 • HS-LS1-3 • MS-LS1-3 • HS-LS2-8 J.N. Pauli et al. Arboreal folivores limit their energetic output, all the way to slothfulness. American Naturalist. Published online May 25, 2016. doi: 10.1086/687032. Further Reading S. Ornes. “Jet lag slows hamster brains.” Science News for Students. November 29, 2010.
Medication & Treatment How Your Brain Can Physically Change Based on How You’re Feeling Author\| Ben Bobrow, MD In many ways, your brain is similar to your computer's central processing unit, or CPU. It’s where all sensory inputs from the body are received, interpreted and stored, and it gives instructions on what to do with this information. There's one major way, however, that your brain is different from a CPU: your brain can physically change based on what it learns. “Chronic pain is defined as a state of continued suffering, sustained long after the initial inciting injury has healed. In terms of learning and memory, one could recast this definition as: Chronic pain is a persistence of the memory of pain and/or the inability to extinguish the memory of pain evoked by an initial inciting injury.”1 Thoughts and emotions directly affect your level of pain Pain has long been viewed as the simple sum of things like tissue injury and inflammation. Doctors are just beginning to understand how it's more complicated than that—how pain is a sensory and emotional experience. We now appreciate that pain is heavily influenced by previous experiences and expectations. Recent improvements in neuroimaging (such as MRI scans of the brain) have allowed us to see for the first time structural and chemical changes associated with both acute and chronic pain. These scans provide visual evidence that our thoughts and emotions (such as attention, anticipation and particularly fear of pain) can dramatically change how we feel. It's also clear that we can learn how to modify our thinking and by doing so, alleviate a lot of pain. How neuroplasticity affects chronic pain Neuroplasticity is the ability of the human nervous system to modify its configuration and function in response to certain stimuli. This concept can help explain the pain-to-thoughts/emotions connection. You're probably already familiar with the brain’s amazing ability to reorganize itself by learning from its environment: think of visually impaired people who develop a heightened sense of hearing or increased sense of touch. This is the same thing. Making chronic pain feel more intense Remarkably, studies have shown that certain areas of the brain known as the pain matrix are triggered in response to pain. The pain matrix is believed to include parts of the cortex (outer portion) of the brain, as well as other areas such as the amygdala, which deals with processing emotions. These other areas help us determine how “serious” or how “dangerous” a stimulus may be. When bombarded with pain signals over time, these areas of the brain actually change (grow or shrink), and so do levels of the neurochemicals controlling your mood. Neuroplasticity may be the nervous system's attempt to adapt to injury in a positive way. But in the case of chronic pain, neuroplasticity can go awry and make the chronic pain worse. While it is not yet entirely clear why, when or to whom these nervous system changes occur, the brain interprets what used to be minor pain signals as much more intense. As a result, chronic pain can feel much, much worse. What's happening now There are reasons for hope and things you can try to help alleviate chronic pain. • First, neuroplasticity is by nature malleable, meaning that although changes to the nervous system can occur, they are not irreversible. • In addition, the latest research gives us a better idea of the role psychological factors play in pain and the enormous potential for improvement. There is no room for the idea that pain is purely "psychological." That is an obsolete concept. The truth is that all pain is real. We just need a more widespread understanding of how psychological features impact neuroplasticity and therefore affect the pain experience. This is how shifting the views on pain and our reactions to it can help effectively manage pain and even reverse the counterproductive neurobiological changes. Things, like staying active, engaged, positive, motivated, purposeful and focused on what you can do as opposed to what you can't do, will all help deal with chronic pain. 1. Chronic pain: The role of learning and brain plasticity.
New Drugs for Gout and Ulcerative Colitis Identifying the Signs of Breast Cancer Full Body Detox Lose 10 - 50lbs in 3 week with detox! Do I Have Healthy Prostate Gland? Saturday, September 30, 2006 Weight Gain Between Pregnancies Raises Health Risks Doctors have long advised women that are overweight and plan to become pregnant to lose their weight because a number of studies has been conducted and shows that there is a link between obesity and pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure or hypertension), gestational diabetes and stillbirth. But recent study, as published in the British medical journal, The Lancet, found that an increase in body mass index or BMI between your first and second pregnancies also may increase the risks of above pregnancy complications. The results showed that weight gain between first and second pregnancies was associated with an increased risk of all these overweight and obesity-related adverse outcomes. A gain of one to two BMI units increased the risk of gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension or large-for-gestational age birth an average of 20 to 40 percent. A gain of three or more BMI units showed a 63 percent greater chance of stillbirth compared to a gain of less than one BMI unit and also a greater effect on all other complications. Additionally, the researchers found that the risk of adverse outcomes increased even in women who were not overweight, but who gained a modest amount of weight between pregnancies. For example, if a woman who was 5 ft., 5 in., tall and weighed 139 lbs. (giving her a BMI of 23, not considered overweight) gained 6.6 lbs. (1 BMI unit) between her first and second pregnancies, her average risk of gestational diabetes would increase by more than 30 percent. If she gained 12.2 pounds (2 BMI units), her risk would increase 100 percent. The risk would continue to climb if she gained more weight and became obese. So, it turns out that even only a relatively modest increase in weight between pregnancies would lead to serious illness. And of course the only key to prevent the risks is that women of normal weight should avoid gaining weight between their pregnancies, while obese and overweight women is highly recommended to lose weight if they have a plan on getting pregnant. Acid Reflux May Cause Esophageal Cancer New research has proven that there is a connection between acid reflux and esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus. Mayo Clinic's gastroenterologists, G. Richard Locke III, M.D., and Yvonne Romero, M.D., say that only five percent of individulas who experience acid reflux will develop Barett's esophagus and once it is diagnosed, the patients will have a 30- to 125-fold increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. Barrett's esophagus is a condition which damage to the cells that line the esophagus and causes these cells to become abnormal. The damage is mostly caused by chronic acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or inflamed esophagus. Acid reflux is a common and one of the most frequent causes of indigestion. If you have Barrett's esophagus symptoms, such as heartburn pain at night, blood in the stools, swallowing problems and vomiting, please visit your doctor and tell him or her your symptoms before it get worse. Saturday, September 23, 2006 LASEK or LASIK is Better to Correct Your Vision? LASIK surgery is a very popular eye surgery among people who wear contact lenses or glasses. LASIK eye surgery has been proved to successfully correct common vision problems (myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness, astigmatism and a combination thereof) in most of LASIK patients. Studies on LASIK outcomes reported that at least 90% of LASIK patients achieve 20/40 or better visual acuity after LASIK surgery. This means that only 1% or less of LASIK patients that experience complications after the surgery and even most of the complications are treatable with enhancement surgery. LASEK is a relatively new eye surgery, developed for patients that will not do very well with LASIK. The condition is probably because they have too thin or too flat of cornea. LASEK is an abbreviation of Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis. It is basically a variation of PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy). PRK is an eye surgery that has existed before LASIK eye surgery. Studies show that LASEK procedure may helps in reducing risk of LASIK complications that usually occur when cutting the corneal flap during the LASIK surgery - not ideal in thickness and diameter. The Procedure of LASEK Eye Surgery The procedure of LASEK eye surgery consists of three steps: 1. There is no hinged corneal flap created with microkeratome blade or laser as in LASIK surgery. Instead, a finer blade called trephine and an alcohol solution is used to loosen the edges of epithelium. Then, the surgeon used a tiny hoe to gently lift the edge of epithelium and hold it back out of the way. 2. Excimer laser is used to remove the underlying corneal tissue. 3. The last step is to place back the epithelial flap into its original position by using a kind of spatula. What you can expect from LASEK is almost similar to what you can expect from LASIK, only with some differences. The epithelial flap heals in about a day, but you will have to wear a bandage contact lens for about four days. Eye irritation is something that is avoidable for a day or two. The time for LASEK patients to recover good vision is often longer than LASIK patient, but of course it may vary from one person to another. Usually, it takes four to seven days. Lina Lee is a successful webmaster and publisher of, a website that provides complete guide and infomation about LASIK Surgery and Custom LASIK. Monday, September 04, 2006 Cured Meats Reduce Your Lung Function Cured meats, hmm... delicious! But don't eat cured meats in large portions. Recent study shows that people who consume large amounts of cured meats have about 3% reduction in lung function compared to those who never eat cured meats. The study conducted by Graham Barr at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, U.S. surveyed more than 7500 people - 20% of them never ate cured meats, while another 20% were regular consumers of cured meats at least 14 times a month. During the study, participants breathed into a machine that is used to measure lung function and test on how quickly they could blow out air. Participants who were regular consumers of cured meats blew out 115 milliliters of air less per second than those who never ate cured meats. A healthy person usually is able to expel about 2.5 litres to 3.0 litres of air from lungs per second. According to Graham Barr, a link between processed meats and cancer has been found on previous studies and this is the first study to show an affect on lung function in humans. The nitrogen-containing compounds that food producers use to cure meats may become reactive in the body and attack proteins that give lungs their elasticity. A 3% drop in lung function may not be noticed by average person, but it is a significant and noticeable reduction for those with lung disease. However, more researches need to be done and this preliminary analysis should not stop you from eating cured meats, just watch out your portion, please! FDA to Ban Skin Lightening Products FDA is going to ban several counter skin lightening products that contain hydroquinone because studies on rodents has shown that hydroquinone, a kind of bleaching agent that may cause cancer. While the actual risk of hydroquinone is still unknown, FDA said the products should be restricted to prescription use under medical supervision. Before hydroquinone, another skin bleaching drug, ammoniated mercury, has been declared unsafe in 1990. The fact that hydroquinone links to a disfiguring condition called ochronosis has been widely documented since 1975 in black women and men in South Africa, Britain and the U.S. The ochronosis is a condition marked by the darkening and thickening of the skin and appearance of tiny dome-shaped and grayish-brown spots. Skin lighteners are usually used to treat skin problems such as freckles, blemishes, sun spots or age spots. While in some countries skin lighteners are not very popular, in other countries skin lighteners have been over used to gain a whiter complexion. Hydroquinone has been banned in some European countries, Australia and Japan. FDA has published the proposed rule on August 29th, 2006 in the Federal Register and will accept public comments through December 26th, 2006. It has not confirmed when the rule will become permanent.
Kievan Rus Pick up a map of Europe. We recommend the National Geographic Visual Atlas of the World, pg 142-3. You will notice how Sweden dominates the Baltic Sea, particularly if you consider that Finland was part of Sweden until 1809 CE. In fact, the Gulf of Finland looks like an inviting gateway for Swedish Vikings to sail right into northern Russia. So, they did. While the Danes and Norwegians headed west to Britain, France and even America, the Swedes headed east. The story goes that the Rus people invited Rurik the Swede to be their king. Viktor M. Vasnetsov [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons The story as we know it comes from The Primary Chronicle of the Rus people, who came from Sweden, settled the Veliky Novgorod region south of current-day St. Petersburg, and began the first of the two major Russian dynasties, led by Prince Rurik of Novgorod, in 864 CE. They called themselves “Varangians” and they started to make a big impression on the Slavic world. The transformation of this Viking foothold into Tsarist Russia is a story full of colorful characters, force of arms and will, and the basics of trade economics. It is tough to find reading dedicated to this part of Russian history, except for history text books. It may be better to get a book with wider scope. For background on the development of Kievan Rus and Imperial Russia, pick up The Russian Chronicles: A Thousand Years That Changed the World and Medieval Russia’s Epics, Chronicles, and Tales. For a concise, if that is possible, view of the complete Russian history, see A Short History Of Russia, or Russia, New Edition: A Short History. Getting back to our map, focusing now on Russia, you will note that the sources of the Volga and Dnieper rivers are not far south of the lake near Veliky Novgorod. These massive and important rivers flow southward to the Caspian and Black Seas. They are highways through the heartland of the Russian and Belarus/Ukrainian countryside. In the Ninth Century, anyone with a boat could have easily made it from Novgorod to Persia or Byzantium. The Varangians traveled the rivers in classic Viking fashion, trading and raiding, until they dominated the territories all the way to the river deltas and Constantinople. The expansion of the Rurik Swedes was very fast. They established settlements along both rivers and dominated the Slavic residents. Thirty years after Rurik took charge, there was sufficient activity on the Dnieper for Rurik’s successor, Oleg the Seer, to move the capital to Kiev, in today’s Ukraine, founding Kievan Rus. The Dnieper flows into the north shore of the Black Sea, which offered immediate access to Constantinople and the Mediterranean. That made it a very important trade route. The Varangians first dominated the river and then the Black Sea. With control of the Black Sea, they also controlled the delta of the Danube, with its trade access into Central Europe. The Volga trade routes led to Persia and the Abbasid Empire. So, in very short order, this relatively new political power became a commercial power, as well. That can only lead to one thing, which it did, and 28 years after Kievan Rus was born, Oleg was attacking Constantinople, one of the largest, most powerful cities in the world. That’s audacity! Vladimir the Great brought Christianity to Kievan Rus and was annointed a Saint. Wikimedia Commons Commerce along the three trade routes continued to grow. Sviatoslav the Brave expanded the empire eastward by conquering the strategic Khazar Khaganate, along the Volga River north of the Caspian Sea. Then he marched westward in to the Danube Valley of present-day Romania and Bulgaria. Though no one probably knew it, Sviatoslav actually had the largest European nation of his time. He even briefly moved the Rus Capital to the Danube Delta. After a dose of fratricidal bickering, Vladimir the Great took the stage in 980 CE. Lest you fear he had forgotten his Viking heritage, he fled the perils of his ambitious brother and went back to Norway. He returned with a Varangian army, put his brother to flight and then death, and proceeded to “unite” the disparate realms of his kingdom through brute force. Once things settled down, he actually turned out to be a pretty able leader. At this time, the Eastern Slavic countries had been visited by two Christian monks from Constantinople, Brothers Cyril and Methodius. They spread the good word in the vernacular Slavic languages and even translated the New Testament to make it easier to understand. At a time when the Roman church was still exclusively preached in Latin, the vernacular approach would win out. The brothers earned their sainthoods for their efforts. This is not the only time we have seen the vernacular carry the ecclesiastic day. Martin Luther’s Protestant message won popular support in the same manner in northern Germany. Both developments would have huge implications for the Christian religions throughout history. Vladimir noticed that his tradition of Slavic pagan gods were not very useful. His grandmother, Olga, had converted to Christianity in Constantinople. According the Primary Chronicle, or Nestor’s Chronicle (after the monk thought to have written it in 1113 CE), Vladimir sent envoys around Europe to weigh the pros and cons of religious observance and to report back. When the envoys returned from their fact-finding, their analysis went something like this: • The Muslims were too serious, and didn’t even drink. • The Jews had no country of their own. Being kicked out of Jerusalem meant they were no longer in God’s good graces. • The Roman Catholics spoke in Latin and their churches had no beauty. (This was obviously before the great Gothic and Italian cathedrals had been built.) • The magnificence of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople suggested the Eastern Catholics were on to something. (This was before the Great Schism) The envoys recommended the Eastern Church. Vladimir agreed, got himself baptized, married the daughter of Emperor Basil II of Constantinople, and arranged mass baptisms of his subjects. While some historians have judged his conversion to be expedient, rather than heartfelt, they generally all agree that he made his entrance as a heathen king and his exit as a Christian king. For that, he earned his own sainthood, and another one for his grandmother Olga for good measure. Emperor Basil, noting the resiliency of the Rus, hired a bunch of them for his personal Varangian Guards, sort of like the Pope’s Swiss Guards, only four hundred years earlier. So, Vikings provided the bodyguard for the Byzantine emperor, 1,500 miles away from their original turf. Vladimir and his son, Yaroslav the Wise, built a number of large churches in Kiev and Novgorod. The establishment of the Christian church in Russia would have significant importance after the Great Schism of Catholicism and Orthodoxy and the subsequent fall of Constantinople to the OttomanTurks in 1453. Yaroslav the Wise, was clearly a lover, not a fighter. To form alliances throughout Europe, he married the grand-daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor. Then, he married his sister and three daughters off to the kings of Poland, Hungary, France and Norway. His son married the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor. It would be an interesting project to chart the resulting family tree throughout the royal families of Europe. Batu Khan ruled the Golden Horde and conquered Russia. By Rashid-al-Din [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons The Crusades opened new trade routes between east and west, loosening the grip held by the Rus. The kingdom went into a decline after several decades of family feuds and political infighting. Then, the unthinkable happened. Out of the unknown eastern lands, arriving almost unannounced, came the Golden Horde of Genghis Khan. Their armies were enormous. Their demands were not negotiable. They arrived, and they ruled. All of Russia succumbed. Between 1237 and 1240, every Russian prince became a vassal. A remarkable story of its own, the Mongol Horde fashioned the largest empire on earth, from eastern Europe to China, encompassing and encouraging the development of the Silk Road. (For a fascinating history based on recent, post-Soviet journalism, see Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World.) The Horde would rule almost like an absentee landlord for over 200 years. During this time, their presence in the southern Russian territories near the Black Sea was stronger than up north. The balance of influence among the Russian princes shifted from Kiev to Moscow and Tver (near Novgorod). In 1327, the prince of Tver staged a small revolt. The prince of Moscow allied himself with the Horde and helped put down the rebellion. For this, he was elevated to Grand Prince, and that is how Moscow rose to be the pre-eminent Russian city. Finally, in 1476, Ivan III the Great stopped paying his tribute and stared down his Mongol rival, Akhmat, Khan of the Great Horde, at the “Stand-off at the Ugra River”. The Ugra River is the border between Lithuania and Russia. The Great Khan was approaching from the west. Ivan held him off, and though no decisive battle was fought, the mutual retreat is still celebrated in Russia today because the Khan left and never came back. Ivan proceeded to fill the power vacuum and collected most of the former Russian territories back together. As the Mongol Horde wilted from their historic apogee, retreating back towards the east, Ivan’s grandson, Ivan IV the Terrible, took the opportunity to conquer the Kazan Khaganate in central Asia. Then, with the assistance of the Cossacks of the southern Slavic regions, he took over Siberia. At the age of 16, he anointed himself the first “Tsar” (Russian for “Caesar”) of Russia. Historians pretty much agree this guy was nasty, in the tradition of Russian leaders. By the time he passed on, in 1584, he was the leader of the largest nation on earth. (Ivan the Terrible, by Henri Troyat)
Nations and Empires Well, time flies when you’re a hunter/gatherer. So many nuts and berries, so little time! Thousands of years passed. Populations grew. Settlements coalesced. City states developed. In China, the first dynasties or empires started to form around 2000 BCE, finally unifying around 200 BCE. The teachings of Confucius and Lao Tzu were widely taught. In India, the Mauryans ruled most of the subcontinent by 300 BCE. Hinduism was dominant, though Buddhism was gathering a following. Singapore Sri Mariamman Temple The Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple in Singapore At a time when the Romans were dealing with the confusing case of a Jewish preacher named Jesus, things were just starting to happen in some of the river valleys of Southeast Asia. Turning back to your handy-dandy National Geographic Visual Atlas of the World, page 25, you can see the extensive common borders between China and Myanmar and North Vietnam. Chinese influence in both areas was quite natural. The Pagan and Dai Viet Kingdoms The Yunnan Hans from mountainous south-central China migrated south into the Irrawaddy valley (Myanmar). Some of the earliest bronze tool making has been found here. They began to set up the Pyu city states that would squabble among themselves for a thousand years before finally unifying to become the Pagan Dynasty around 1060 CE. Unfortunately, those voracious Mongols from Kublai Khan’s China would take down the Pagan Empire by 1300 CE. It would be 240 years before Burma was united again. The process for growing rice hasn't changed much in hundreds of years. The process for growing rice hasn’t changed much in hundreds of years. In Northern Vietnam, along the Hong (Red) River, settlers thought to have migrated from the Austronesian islands cultivated rice and organized into the Hong Bang Dynasty as early as 1200 BCE. Over time, there was a short succession of dynasties. By 111 BCE, the Hong valley was known as Au Lac and was part of the Nanyue state ranging north to Guang Dong. The Hans united China, including Nanyue, and Au Lac remained under Chinese domination for almost a thousand years. While the Hong Vietnamese may not have liked being a vassal state to the Chinese emperors, it did give them the opportunity to develop into one of the strongest nations in Southeast Asia. You’ll find an excellent compilation of the highlights of Vietnamese history in Vietnam History: Stories Retold For A New Generation – Expanded Edition. Much of Vietnamese history is defined by their contentious relationship with the Chinese. Some of the earliest resistance was led by women. Around 40 CE, a briefly successful insurrection was led by the Trung Sisters. Avenging the murder of one of their husbands, the ladies led a revolt against the oppressive Hans. The Emperor sent overwhelming forces and the Trungs committed suicide in 43 CE. Their moxie is still celebrated by the Vietnamese. The second distaff heroine of Viet history was Lady Trieu. Historians on both sides recorded that she had breasts that were four feet long. We’ll trust that was an exaggeration. Around 248 CE, she inspired a singularly unsuccessful revolt against Chinese authority. The legend of her charisma was bolstered by her steed. She was reputed to ride into battle on a single tusked white elephant. Though she didn’t last long, her quoted disdain of the conventional has remained a rallying cry for feminism down through the ages: “I want to ride strong winds, trample wicked waves, slay the whales of the Eastern Sea, and not to imitate the common people, bowing my head, stooping over to become someone’s servant or concubine!” Travel Vietnam The stakes that stopped the Mongols and the painting of the battle It took until 938 CE for the Vietnamese to take advantage of the waning power of the Tang Dynasty and gain independence. The Chinese sent a large naval force to subdue the restless Viets. In an ingenious stroke, General Ngo Guyen had pointed stakes pounded into the river bed of the Bach Dang River, near Ha Long Bay. The small boats of the Vietnamese navy sailed out to confront the larger Chinese ships. At low tide, the lighter Vietnamese boats with shallower drafts retreated quickly, passing over the embedded spikes. The heavier Chinese ships chased the enemy boats and plowed right into the stakes. The impaled ships were sitting ducks for the returning Vietnamese, who promptly showered their adversaries with fiery arrows and destroyed the invading fleet. At last, the Vietnamese were free. The Chinese took every opportunity in succeeding centuries to try to regain the Hong River valley. Against amazingly poor odds, the Viets managed to defeat them each time. The Mongols, of course, took their turn. With Myanmar in the bag, they sent invasion forces three times to conquer “Dai Viet”. In the last attempt, in 1288, the Mongols sent forces by land and sea. Defense against the Mongol cavalry was not effective. However, borrowing from the 250 year old playbook of Ngo Guyen, the Viet general, Tran Hung Dao, impaled and destroyed the Chinese fleet on pointed stakes embedded in the Bach Dang River. The isolated Mongol army retreated and Dai Viet remained free. Victory over the Mongols is celebrated in art and custom as one of the greatest events in Vietnamese military history. The wide, expansive river deltas of the Hong and the Mekong rivers are separated by a narrow stretch of mountainous seaside. Indian Hindu traders set up early trading ports near areas with beautiful beaches. This tiny population base developed into the Kingdom of Champa. Geography kept them separate from their lowland neighbors, at least most of the time. Khmer, Ayutthaya, and Taungoo Empires The Khmer Empire was the first to dominate SE Asia. By Javierfv1212, via Wikimedia Commons While the Chinese had a big impact on developments in Myanmar and Vietnam, the mountains seem to have limited the Chinese influence in the Mekong Valley (Cambodia/Laos/South Vietnam). Here, around the 1st century CE, the Funan Empire arose, followed by the Chenla, around 550 CE. These two smaller empires were centered in the Mekong Valley and adjoining coastlines. There was far more interaction with India. By the 7th Century CE, a large Hindu nation, stretching from the base of the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra and Java, was established, called the Srivijaya Empire. Much of its history has vanished, even though it lasted into the 13th Century CE. It was ultimately vanquished by the even larger Majapahit Empire that rose across much of Indonesia and Malaysia, roughly 1290-1525. The Srivijaya Empire had two important legacies. First, a leader from Java, named Jayavarman II, arrived in the Mekong valley, unified the Mekong groups into the Khmer Kingdom, and declared himself to be Universal Monarch around 800 CE. This set the foundation for the Khmer Empire. The second legacy of the Srivijaya Empire was attributed to Prince Parameswara, a descendent of the last Srivijaya monarch. Chased up the Malayan Peninsula by the Majapahit, he settled on the western coast and founded Malacca in about 1400 CE. He formed an alliance with the Ming Chinese emperor that kept his rivals at bay. Then, he married an Islamic princess and founded the Sultanate of Malacca. This was the predecessor to the Sultanate of Johor, which became a primary piece of current-day Malaysia. The Mekong River Delta, recently described by a Cambodian tour guide as “like a frying pan”, is surrounded by mountains, except for its coastline. The massive braided river, flowing out of the Himalayas through Laos, is about 8 miles across all channels when it drops about 70 feet over the complex of cataracts at the Cambodian border known as Khong Falls, the widest set of falls in the world. It flows to the sea after combining with the Tonle Sab river which drains the Tonle Sap lake in central Cambodia. During the summer monsoon season, the flow of the Mekong is so strong, it reverses the Tonle Sab and swells the Tonle Sap lake by a factor of ten, creating one of the most abundant fish breeding sites in the world. This climatic pattern defines the agrarian and fishing culture of the Mekong Delta. Cruise SE Asia The famous Hindu temple of Angkor Wat By about 800 CE, the Khmer empire of Jayavarman II, with its capital at Angkor in the central Mekong valley, became the first dominant empire of mainland Southeast Asia. At its most extensive, it covered an area that is now Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and southern Vietnam. (The word, “Khmer,” is pronounced “ca-MEER”.) The stunning achievement of the Khmer Empire was the massive city of Angkor. Located north of the Tonle Sap, (“Great Lake”), in central Cambodia, the city is estimated to have covered almost 400 square miles, ten times larger than any other pre-industrial city in the world. Its population may have reached a million people. The archeological site is one of the premier attractions in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a concise history, pick up Angkor and the Khmer Civilization (Ancient Peoples and Places). For an introduction to local folklore, see Khmer Legends. Its signature temple, Angkor Wat, was completed by 1150 CE, by King Suryavarman II and was originally dedicated to the Travel SE Asia Every temple needs its dancing girls Hindu god Vishnu. Its five towers represent the five peaks of Mount Meru, the spiritual home of the Hindu gods. The steps and walls are carved with other divine themes and, of course, the life and victories of the king. Over time, the state religion alternated between Hinduism and Buddhism. The temple site is maintained by Buddhist monks today. It has been described as the “world’s largest religious structure.” It is one of many significant temples and structures spanning several square miles. For a recently updated guide to the Angkor temples, see Angkor: Cambodia’s Wondrous Khmer Temples (Sixth Edition) (Odyssey Illustrated Guides). The original definitive archeological description of the entire Angkor complex was written in 1944 by French archaeologist, Maurice Glaize. It is available free on the Internet, with updated notations, at A separate article follows with a number of pictures from a recent trip to the huge archaeological site. By the 1300’s, the Khmer Empire started to weaken. One of its princes, Fa Ngum, decided to leave the court in Angkor and to stake his own claim in the upper reaches of the Mekong River above Khong Falls in what is now northern Laos. His Lan Xang dynasty took hold in Vientiane on the shores of the river. The strong connection between the Khmer people of Laos and Cambodia has persisted through the times of empires, colonialism and communism. By 1400, the Ayutthaya (Purple) had pushed the Khmer (red) back into the Mekong Valley. SE Asia was fragmented. By Javierfv1212, via Wikimedia Commons At about the same time, the mid-1300’s, Hindu kings in the Chao Phraya River valley (pronounced “chow-FREE-ya), established a city north of present-day Bangkok, called Ayutthaya. (On the back beat: “a-YUT-tea-Ya.”) They rebelled from the Khmer, pushing them back to their own valley. By 1405, the map looked something like this: The old capitol of Ayutthaya is just north of Bangkok. The name of the city is a derivation of Ayodhya, India, the birthplace of the important Hindu hero/semi-deity, Rama. Most guidebooks will tell you it sits on an island formed by the confluence of three rivers. In fact, a study of ancient maps suggests the resourceful, defense-minded Siamese dug canals that redirected the waters of three rivers to create a moat around the city. An informative website that includes an essay on the waterworks of the ancient city is found at There is also an excellent essay on the history and significance of elephants in Thai culture. Alternatively, pick up Ayutthaya-Venice of the East. The site of Ayutthaya contains some well-preserved structures, including a miniature version of Angkor Wat. Though less extensive than Angkor, it is as historically important as the capital of one of the dominant empires and enduring cultures of Southeast Asia. If you’ve already seen the major temples of Bangkok, consider an excursion to the ruins of Ayutthaya. You’ll notice on the 1400 map above that Northern and Central Vietnam continue to be separate, thanks to mountains. By 1471, the Mac Dynasty in Northern Vietnam had conquered the Champa Dynasty in Central Vietnam and extended down the coast. For the time, the Khmer kept them out of the Mekong valley. Meanwhile, back in the Irrawaddy valley, (Myanmar), an eager little king of Taungoo in northern Burma, Tabinshwehti, unified the valley by conquering his much stronger southern rivals. His successor, Bayinnaung, not to be outdone, swept across Southeast Asia, and, by 1580, established the largest empire that would ever exist in the region, covering Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos. All Hell breaks Loose! It proved to be a flash in the pan. The Siamese in Ayutthaya beat the Taungoo back to their own valley and then subdued the Khmer. Vietnam still managed to stay separate and, in the midst of its own civil war, began to creep into the lower Mekong valley. The southern part of the Malay Peninsula had unified during this time and was ruled by the Sultan of Johor. By 1605, the map looked like this: The furthest extent of the Ayutthaya Empire, 1605. By Xailang, via Wikimedia Commons Now things get interesting. • In Burma, the Konbaung overthrew the Taungoo and unified the Irrawaddy valley, (1759). • Feeling their oats, the Konbaung overran Ayutthaya, (1765-67), completely destroying the city. • Luckily for the Ayutthaya kingdom, the Chinese invaded Burma, completely distracting the Konbaung who were forced to retreat to defend their home turf, (1767). • A smaller Ayutthaya empire survived in the Chao Phraya valley as Siam. • Civil war in Vietnam, 1771-1802, resulted in a united Vietnam, from the Hong valley in the north to the Mekong valley in the south. • The Burmese, having fended off the Chinese, headed west and invaded the Brahmaputra valley of India, 1800-26. • The British in India got even by taking back the Indian provinces, 1826. • The Khmer and Laotians were bounced back and forth like ping pong balls, mostly between Siam and Vietnam, leading to war between the two larger powers, 1831-34. All this upheaval swung the doors wide open for Europeans to invite themselves in for a feast.
Variable valve timing-cam phasing-VVT- how does it work Variable valve timing-cam phasing-VVT- how does it work ? Valve overlap. Valve overlap is the amount of time the intake and exhaust valves are both open at the same time. Less overlap produces a smooth idle and more slow speed torque. But poor high speed performance because there is not enough time for complete scavenging to occur. More valve overlap allows better engine breathing at high speeds. But poor performance at low speeds, rough idling, and higher exhaust emissions. Also with hydraulically-actuated cam phasers, the VVT system is usually not active until the engine reaches normal operating temperature. As engine speed and/or load change, the PCM looks at its various sensor inputs and commands the oil flow control valve solenoids to open. There are two types of variable valve timing, or VVT – cam phasing and cam changing. Cam phasing VVT varies valve timing by shifting the phase angle of the camshaft. Consequently this will increase the amount of valve overlap. This is controlled by the engine management system, and actuated by hydraulic valve gears. Continuous or fixed phasing change – What is the difference. • Continuous systems normally vary the phasing angle between 0 and 40 or more degrees according to engine load and speed requirements. • Fixed phasing systems alter phasing by a specific angular value at a specific speed and load condition. Single overhead camshaft engines can use cam phasing. However double overhead camshaft engines can receive greater benefits from phasing change VVT. Separately controlling the intake and exhaust camshafts is a definite advantage. Some manufacturers choose to alter phasing on both intake and exhaust camshafts. Other might have the inlet camshaft phase controlled with the exhaust camshaft being fixed. Cam changing VVT uses different cam profiles to lift the valves depending on engine load and speed. One common system uses two rocker arms for normal operation on its two intake valves, with a third, higher profile, rocker arm between the other two arms. At engine speeds above 5000 to 6000 rpm, the engine ECU activates an oil pressure controlled pin that locks the three rocker arms together. The center rocker arm follows a larger and more aggressive profile, transferring its movement to the intake valves which now open further and for longer. How does it work ? • When engine speeds fall below the threshold speed, oil pressure is removed from the pin and a spring deactivates the pin. • As a result the rocker arms are no longer locked together and the valves are controlled by the less aggressive outer lobes. Cam changing VVT can also be used in a similar way to, deactivate a second intake valve at low engine speeds. This will increase the velocity and swirl of the air/fuel mixture as it enters the combustion chamber. Other Benefits of Variable Valve Timing. • Internal exhaust gas recirculation. By allowing for more direction for internal gases, the variable valve timing system can cut down on emissions, which is critical for auto makers working to get their cars and trucks in compliance with federal or state emissions controls. • Increased torque.Variable valve timing systems can provide better torque for an engine. • Better fuel economy. With more precise handling of engine valves, some automakers have shown that VVT can produce better fuel economy for vehicles. Consequently never reuse a bad cam phaser. It is no different than reusing a worn oil pump. It will cause problems and end up costing you money and possibly a new engine. About Danny Bender 102 Articles The premier engine troubleshooting resource site. We offer information on Engine Rebuilding, Tech Info, Engine Testing, Machine Operations, Engine Repair and possible solutions. 1 Trackback / Pingback 1. Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve- (EGR)- FAQ Leave a Reply
Friday, September 21, 2012 Niagara Falls' Lesser Known Wonders I sometimes think the image of Niagara Falls is so iconic it has become mundane. While it is beautiful, there is a lot more to the falls than big water falling over a cliff. Take the cliff itself. The Niagara Escarpment The Niagara Escarpment tracks across the Great Lakes, threading in and out of Canada and the US and back again. Niagara Falls is the point at which the Niagara River falls over a rock face which is part of a 725 km (450 miles) long geological formation known as the Niagara Escarpment. A natural wonder of the world like Niagara Falls itself, the Niagara Escarpment is recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve because the residents in the region of the escarpment are working to balance conservation and preservation with surrounding development. What are they preserving exactly? The escarpment encompasses farms, recreation areas, sweeping scenic views, towering cliffs, clear streams, wetlands, pebbled beaches, rolling hills, pristine waterfalls, wildlife habitats, historic sites, villages, towns and cities. I can tell you it's an eerie thing to travel along beside it, follow it to Tobermory on the edge of Georgian Bay and watch it submerge under the surface of the lake and just continue on its way, under water and out of sight without even holding its breath. Clearly visible, the escarpment divides farmland (including land owned by Smuckers for the purpose of fruit processing) from developed areas in Grimsby, Ontario, near Hamilton. Lake Ontario is bottom right corner The escarpment is sedimentary rock, composed mainly of magnesium-rich limestone and shale Niagara Escarpment [The Bruce Trail Conservancy] At the beginning of one of the underwater legs of the escarpment's journey around the Great Lakes. This lighthouse is in Tobermory, Ontario, on Georgian Bay. The escarpment's limestone outcroppings at Newport State Park in Door County, Wisconsin. The photograph is taken around 10 feet from Lake Michigan. Looking west from Georgian Bay at the submerged Niagara escarpment [source] The Falls Superlatives fail when trying to describe Niagara Falls. They're loud. They're misty. You can feel the vibration of the water rumbling in your chest. They're jewel coloured. They're fear inspiring. Some people even feel a pull toward the water as if something were compelling them to jump in. As tall as the falls are, did you know the depth of the water at the base of the falls is equal to or greater than the height of the falls? That's about 51m (167 feet). About 500 other waterfalls in the world are "taller" than Niagara. The Angel Falls in Venezuela is tallest at 979 m (3,212 ft). However, some of the tallest falls in the world have very little water flowing over them. It’s the combination of height and volume that makes Niagara Falls so beautiful. Niagara Parks Geology Facts The Niagara River is a mere 42 km (26 miles) long. A long time ago, the Niagara River fell straight over a cliff that butted neatly against Lake Ontario's shore. Since that time, the river has cut its way through the land between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie like someone slicing through a cake. Niagara Falls has moved back 11.25 kms (7 miles) as the bird flies, in 12,500 years and may be the fastest moving waterfall in the world. Approximately 25 miles from Erie to Ontario, the Niagara River is slicing its way across at a very quick rate Did you know that the elevation between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie is about 99 m (326 ft), and only half of that occurs at the Falls themselves? The Welland Canal was built to help ships bypass the falls as well as all the other rapids (because Niagara Falls is considered a class VI rapid!) and requires a series of eight locks to facilitate passage from one lake to the next starting with Lock 1 at Lake Ontario in St. Cathrines. Since 1678 The Horseshoe Falls have grown from a gentle arc to the present extreme 'U' shape Niagara Parks Geology Facts The Whirlpool The Niagara Whirlpool formed nearly 4,200 years ago when the erosion and recession of Niagara Falls, which up to this point was a sluggish process, reached a soft spot in the landscape. Saint David's Buried Gorge was an ancient, pre-glacial river valley filled in with soft glacial silt and stone. When Niagara Falls eroded its way into this hidden gorge, it rapidly began washing away the gorge's soft filling. It is speculated that when the Falls hit the buried gorge, it was just a matter of weeks, perhaps even days of violent erosion while it carved out the Whirlpool basin. It was a swift and powerful geological event considering the Falls had taken nearly 8000 years to get to this point. The following Whirlpool photo series by Matthew Conheady Saint David's Buried Gorge ran perpendicular to the current path of the Fall's erosion, and resulted in a 90 degree turn in the river. Just upstream the narrow Niagara Gorge at the Whirlpool rapids sends water jetting into the Whirlpool basin. It hits the solid rock basin across the Whirlpool at Niagara Glen. Thousand of years of these forces has resulted in a dimpling of the basin; giving it an oval shape that juts past the turn in the river. When the Niagara River is at full flow the Whirlpool will flow in a counterclockwise direction. When the river flow drops, usually when more flow is diverted to the power plants, the flow of the whirlpool reverses (clockwise). This usually happens during the tourist off-season (November 1 through April 1). Just upstream from the Whirlpool is the narrowest section of the Niagara: the Eddy Basin. This pinch in the gorge is not sufficient for the normal flow of the river to pass through, so some of the water is pushed backward. The water at the shore actually flows backward at this location. The Niagara River reaches depths of 125 ft (38 m) [source] Cable car rides over the Whirlpool Niagara River is a beautiful emerald green colour An interesting point is that the Upper and Lower Niagara River, including the falls, includes examples of all six classifications of rapids with both American Falls and Horseshoe Falls being considered class VI ( Unrunnable. You will probably die) [NYF Niagara Falls FAQ] Quick Facts Anonymous said... I can see my house!!!! Lovely post Frimmy. The falls are fascinating aren't they? I have seen Angel Falls, it was a trickle at the time (summer season) impressive in height - but not readily accessible like Niagara Falls is. Derek Warren said... I remember going to Niagara Falls as a kid. (We lived in Buffalo) and thinking it wasn't impressive. I love reading thoughts from places though. MuserMommy said... Great post as usual. I have taken the cable car across the Whirlpool and it is one hell of a rush. On the opposite end was the walk along the river, which I would recommend. Walking along the rushing Niagara is indescribable. Definitely something on the bucket list. Frimmy said... I could never bring myself to cross the whirlpool. Way outside my comfort zone. But it was always a goal. So cool your house is in the photo, Ann! You've seen Angel Falls?! How nice is that! My sister has seen Iguazu falls in Brazil? Argentina? My memory fails me at this moment. I must live vicariously through my friends and family. ;) I think I know about all the other things around the falls because the falls are so fearsome to me that I don't really enjoy them. I can't stare at them roaring over the cliff and NOT think about how much water is roaring under water at the same time. I went on an 'over the falls in a barrel' simulator - Ride Niagara - and was completely sick when it was done. I'm a weenie. lol @Derek, it might be different seeing it as an adult, now that you know more about geology and water and physics. As a kid, the falls are just a bunch of water falling over a cliff. Big deal. Bring on the Power Rangers! Angie said... I'm just gobsmacked here. For my entire life, I thought the falls faced the west. Every picture I've ever seen, must have been taken from the Canadian side. I feel very special ed right now. Frimmy said... You only know what you've been shown and the Canadian Horseshoe Falls are always shown for most news/articles on Niagara Falls and usually from the Canadian side. They are the most dramatic/news worthy I guess.
Mandate for Palestine - July 24, 1922 Mandate for Palestine - July 24, 1922 Sunday, August 17, 2008 Clinton, Carter, Condoleezza and Candour [Published October 2007] State Department spokesman Sean McCormack revealed this week that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been talking to ex-Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton about their experiences in trying to negotiate peace between Israel and its Arab enemies. Carter successfully brokered a peace treaty at Camp David in 1978 between Egypt and Israel, which has endured for 29 years surviving many strains that could have permanently ended the relationship during this period. Clinton walked away empty handed in 2000 at Camp David after two weeks of intense one on one diplomacy with Ehud Barak and Yasser Arafat. Ms Rice certainly needs all the advice and help she can get as she struggles to get her planned international meeting in Annapolis off the ground. Even if she succeeds it could end in so much bitterness and enmity that it could signal the end of President Bush’s vision to create a new democratic Arab State between Israel and Jordan. Why then did Carter succeed and Clinton fail and what lessons are there to be learnt by Ms Rice? Three critical differences marked the negotiations that were undertaken by each President: 1. Two sovereign States - Israel and Egypt - were the parties in the Carter negotiations. One sovereign State - Israel - and one non sovereign entity - the Palestinian Authority - were the parties in the Clinton negotiations. 2. Egyptian sovereign territory - the Sinai - was the territorial issue at the Carter negotiations. Territory belonging to no sovereign State - the West Bank and Gaza - was the territorial issue at the Clinton negotiations. 3. Up to 7000 Jews faced removal from the Sinai to successfully conclude the Carter negotiations, whilst up to 200000 Jews faced removal from the West Bank and Gaza if the Clinton negotiations were to succeed. Additionally, highly emotive issues concerning refugees and Jerusalem were the sting in the tail for Clinton’s negotiations once the territorial issue had been resolved. Israel had no historic territorial claims on Sinai. Israel returned every square metre of the Sinai and removed all 7000 Jews living there to secure peace with Egypt. In the process Israel also handed over the Alma Oil Field it had discovered valued at over $100 billion - which would have secured energy independence for Israel if it had been retained - as well as military bases and airfields. 100% of Egyptian sovereign territory captured by Israel in the Six Day War was thus returned to Egypt by Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Begin - for solemn promises of peace contained on a piece of paper. Arafat similarly demanded the return of every square metre of the West Bank and Gaza in the Clinton negotiations which would have necessitated all 200000 Jews living there being uprooted. If it had worked for Egypt’s President Anwar Sadat - Arafat probably reasoned -why would it not work for him? There was one great difference. The land Arafat sought exclusively for himself was “no man’s land “- territory in which sovereignty remained unallocated between Jews and Arabs and whose last sovereign ruler was Great Britain under the League of Nations Mandate for Palestine from 1920-1948. Following Britain’s withdrawal in May 1948, Jordan had seized and occupied the West Bank - dispossessing those Jews then living there - until losing it to Israel in the Six Day War in 1967. Jews - who had been entitled to settle in the West Bank from 1922 under Article 6 of the Mandate as later confirmed by article 80 of the United Nations Charter - started returning to live there after 1967. Arafat was offered 90% of the West Bank and all of Gaza, refused to take it and ended up with nothing. 450000 Jews currently living in the West Bank complicate any such offer being renewed again. Condolezza Rice has hopefully learnt the following four lessons from these two Presidential negotiations : 1. Israel has valid territorial claims in the West Bank - the biblical heartland of the Jewish people - created by the League of Nations and the United Nations, that will not be ceded in their entirety. 2. Removing 450000 Jews to satisfy the territorial demands of a non-sovereign claimant with an inferior claim in international law to Israel is a certain recipe for negotiations to fail. 3. Negotiations between Sovereign States are easier to successfully conclude - especially where territorial disputes are involved that have a linkage to those States historically, geographically and demographically as is the case with Israel, Jordan and the West Bank. 4. Negotiations that have failed are not likely to succeed in the future if the same demands continue to be made without any real change by the party who caused the original negotiations to fail. Sean McCormack said Ms. Rice: “is a student of history and has a keen appreciation for how we can apply the lessons of history, what we can learn from those who have gone before us” Her discussions with Presidents Carter and Clinton should have convinced her that further negotiations on President Bush’s two state vision have the hallmark of Clinton failure stamped all over them. Ms Rice needs to have the candour to tell the President just that and to formulate a policy which can lead to negotiations between Israel and Jordan on the future of the West Bank which can have successful outcomes like those achieved between Israel and Egypt in the Carter negotiations. President Bush can still leave the Oval Office a winner and avoid being buried in the diplomatic graveyard among those who tried - and failed - to resolve any aspect of the Arab-Israel conflict. To do so he needs to quickly jettison his two state vision which has gone nowhere in five years. His decision - either way - will become history too. 1 comment: Anonymous said... I believe two states for both the Israelies and Palestinians can still be reached. Hamas is the only faction that is preventing this, and something needs to be done. Perhaps, we should label them Supporters of War and Antagonists of Peace. It's not fair to those Palestinians and Jews who want peace and security.
Monday, December 8, 2014 Three-phase rotating fields , induction motors , single-phase induction motors , shaded-pole induction motors and summary of alternating current motors A1. Series, synchronous, induction. A2. To power small appliances. A3. They operate on either ac or dc. A4. The number of phases in the applied voltage. A5. 90°. A6. Number and location of field poles. A7. Constant speed required by some loads. A8. They are simple and inexpensive to make. A9. Slip. A10. Load. A11. Single-phase induction motor. A12. By using combinations of inductance and capacitance to apply out-of phase currents in starting windings. A13. They have very weak starting torques. Figure 4-4. - Three-phase, Y-connected stator. Figure 4-5. - Three-phase rotating-field polarities and input voltages. Q.6 What is the major difference between a two-phase and a three-phase stator? Figure 4-6. - Revolving-field synchronous motor. This causes a magnetic field that interacts with the rotating field of the stator. Because of the interaction, the rotor begins to turn, following the stator field; the motor starts. We will run into squirrel cages again in other applications, where they will be covered in more detail. Figure 4-7. - Self-starting synchronous ac motor. Q.7 What requirement is the synchronous motor specifically designed to meet? Figure 4-8. - Induction motor. Figure 4-9. - Types of ac induction motor rotors. The rotating magnetic field generated in the stator induces a magnetic field in the rotor. The two fields interact and cause the rotor to turn. To obtain maximum interaction between the fields, the air gap between the rotor and stator is very small. As you know from Lenz's law, any induced emf tries to oppose the changing field that induces it. In the case of an induction motor, the changing field is the motion of the resultant stator field. A force is exerted on the rotor by the induced emf and the resultant magnetic field. This force tends to cancel the relative motion between the rotor and the stator field. The rotor, as a result, moves in the same direction as the rotating stator field. It is impossible for the rotor of an induction motor to turn at the same speed as the rotating magnetic field. If the speeds were the same, there would be no relative motion between the stator and rotor fields; without relative motion there would be no induced voltage in the rotor. In order for relative motion to exist between the two, the rotor must rotate at a speed slower than that of the rotating magnetic field. The. difference between the speed of the rotating stator field and the rotor speed is called slip. The smaller the slip, the closer the rotor speed approaches the stator field speed. The speed of the rotor depends upon the torque requirements of the load. The bigger the load, the stronger the turning force needed to rotate the rotor. The turning force can increase only if the rotor-induced emf increases. This emf can increase only if the magnetic field cuts through the rotor at a faster rate. To increase the relative speed between the field and rotor, the rotor must slow down. Therefore, for heavier loads the induction motor turns slower than for lighter loads. You can see from the previous statement that slip is directly proportional to the load on the motor. Actually only a slight change in speed is necessary to produce the usual current changes required for normal changes in load. This is because the rotor windings have such a low resistance. As a result, induction motors are called constant-speed motors. Q.8 Why is the ac induction motor used more often than other types? Q.9 The speed of the rotor is always somewhat less than the speed of the rotating field. What is the difference called? Q.10 What determines the amount of slip in an induction motor? There are probably more single-phase ac induction motors in use today than the total of all the other types put together. It is logical that the least expensive, lowest maintenance type of ac motor should be used most often. The single-phase ac induction motor fits that description. Unlike polyphase induction motors, the stator field in the single-phase motor does not rotate. Instead it simply alternates polarity between poles as the ac voltage changes polarity. Voltage is induced in the rotor as a result of magnetic induction, and a magnetic field is produced around the rotor. This field will always be in opposition to the stator field (Lenz's law applies). The interaction between the rotor and stator fields will not produce rotation, however. The interaction is shown by the double-ended arrow in figure 4-10, view A. Because this force is across the rotor and through the pole pieces, there is no rotary motion, just a push and/or pull along this line. Figure 4-10. - Rotor currents in a single-phase ac induction motor. Now, if the rotor is rotated by some outside force (a twist of your hand, or something), the push-pull along the line in figure 4-10, view A, is disturbed. Look at the fields as shown in figure 4-10, view B. At this instant the south pole on the rotor is being attracted by the left-hand pole. The north rotor pole is being attracted to the right-hand pole. All of this is a result of the rotor being rotated 90° by the outside force. The pull that now exists between the two fields becomes a rotary force, turning the rotor toward magnetic correspondence with the stator. Because the two fields continuously alternate, they will never actually line up, and the rotor will continue to turn once started. It remains for us to learn practical methods of getting the rotor to start. There are several types of single-phase induction motors in use today. Basically they are identical except for the means of starting. In this chapter we will discuss the split-phase and shaded-pole motors; so named because of the methods employed to get them started. Once they are up to operating speed, all single-phase induction motors operate the same. Q.11 What type of ac motor is most widely used? Split-Phase Induction Motors One type of induction motor, which incorporates a starting device, is called a split-phase induction motor. Split-phase motors are designed to use inductance, capacitance, or resistance to develop a starting torque. The principles are those that you learned in your study of alternating current. CAPACITOR-START. - The first type of split-phase induction motor that will be covered is the capacitor-start type. Figure 4-11 shows a simplified schematic of a typical capacitor-start motor. The stator consists of the main winding and a starting winding (auxiliary). The starting winding is connected in parallel with the main winding and is placed physically at right angles to it. A 90-degree electrical phase difference between the two windings is obtained by connecting the auxiliary winding in series with a capacitor and starting switch. When the motor is first energized, the starting switch is closed. This places the capacitor in series with the auxiliary winding. The capacitor is of such value that the auxiliary circuit is effectively a resistive-capacitive circuit (referred to as capacitive reactance and expressed as XC). In this circuit the current leads the line voltage by about 45° (because XC about equals R). The main winding has enough resistance-inductance (referred to as inductive reactance and expressed as XL) to cause the current to lag the line voltage by about 45° (because XL about equals R). The currents in each winding are therefore 90° out of phase - so are the magnetic fields that are generated. The effect is that the two windings act like a two-phase stator and produce the rotating field required to start the motor. Figure 4-11. - Capacitor-start, ac induction motor. When nearly full speed is obtained, a centrifugal device (the starting switch) cuts out the starting winding. The motor then runs as a plain single-phase induction motor. Since the auxiliary winding is only a light winding, the motor does not develop sufficient torque to start heavy loads. Split-phase motors, therefore, come only in small sizes. RESISTANCE-START. - Another type of split-phase induction motor is the resistance-start motor. This motor also has a starting winding (shown in fig. 4-12) in addition to the main winding. It is switched in and out of the circuit just as it was in the capacitor-start motor. The starting winding is positioned at right angles to the main winding. The electrical phase shift between the currents in the two windings is obtained by making the impedance of the windings unequal. The main winding has a high inductance and a low resistance. The current, therefore, lags the voltage by a large angle. The starting winding is designed to have a fairly low inductance and a high resistance. Here the current lags the voltage by a smaller angle. For example, suppose the current in the main winding lags the voltage by 70°. The current in the auxiliary winding lags the voltage by 40°. The currents are, therefore, out of phase by 30°. The magnetic fields are out of phase by the same amount. Although the ideal angular phase difference is 90° for maximum starting torque, the 30-degree phase difference still generates a rotating field. This supplies enough torque to start the motor. When the motor comes up to speed, a speed-controlled switch disconnects the starting winding from the line, and the motor continues to run as an induction motor. The starting torque is not as great as it is in the capacitor-start. Figure 4-12. - Resistance-start ac induction motor. Q.12 How do split-phase induction motors become self-starting? Shaded-Pole Induction Motors The shaded-pole induction motor is another single-phase motor. It uses a unique method to start the rotor turning. The effect of a moving magnetic field is produced by constructing the stator in a special way. This motor has projecting pole pieces just like some dc motors. In addition, portions of the pole piece surfaces are surrounded by a copper strap called a shading coil. A pole piece with the strap in place is shown in figure 4-13. The strap causes the field to move back and forth across the face of the pole piece. Note the numbered sequence and points on the magnetization curve in the figure. As the alternating stator field starts increasing from zero (1), the lines of force expand across the face of the pole piece and cut through the strap. A voltage is induced in the strap. The current that results generates a field that opposes the cutting action (and decreases the strength) of the main field. This produces the following actions: As the field increases from zero to a maximum at 90°, a large portion of the magnetic lines of force are concentrated in the unshaded portion of the pole (1). At 90° the field reaches its maximum value. Since the lines of force have stopped expanding, no emf is induced in the strap, and no opposing magnetic field is generated. As a result, the main field is uniformly distributed across the pole (2). From 90° to 180°, the main field starts decreasing or collapsing inward. The field generated in the strap opposes the collapsing field. The effect is to concentrate the lines of force in the shaded portion of the pole face (3). You can see that from 0° to 180°, the main field has shifted across the pole face from the unshaded to the shaded portion. From 180° to 360°, the main field goes through the same change as it did from 0° to 180°; however, it is now in the opposite direction (4). The direction of the field does not affect the way the shaded pole works. The motion of the field is the same during the second half-cycle as it was during the first half of the cycle. Figure 4-13. - Shaded poles as used in shaded-pole ac induction motors. Q.13 Why are shaded-pole motors used to drive only very small devices? Speed of Single-Phase Induction Motors Common synchronous speeds for 60-hertz motors are 3600, 1800, 1200, and 900 rpm, depending on the number of poles in the original design. As we have seen before, the rotor is never able to reach synchronous speed. If it did, there would be no voltage induced in the rotor. No torque would be developed. The motor would not operate. The difference between rotor speed and synchronous speed is called slip. The difference between these two speeds is not great. For example, a rotor speed of 3400 to 3500 rpm can be expected from a synchronous speed of 3600 rpm. This chapter introduced you to the basic principles concerning ac motors. While many variations of types exist, the three types presented provide you with background for further study if you require more extensive knowledge of the subject. The following information provides a summary of the major subjects of this chapter for your review. The three AC MOTOR TYPES presented are the series, synchronous, and induction ac motors. AC SERIES MOTORS are nearly identical to the dc series motors. Special construction techniques allow ac series motors to be used as UNIVERSAL MOTORS, operating on either ac or dc power. ROTATING FIELDS are developed by applying multiphase voltages to stator windings, which consist of multiple field coils. This rotating magnetic field causes the rotor to be pushed and pulled because of interaction between it and the rotor's own field. TWO-PHASE ROTATING FIELDS require two pairs of field coils displaced by 90°. They must be energized by voltages that also have a phase displacement of 90°. THREE-PHASE ROTATING FIELDS require three pairs of windings 120° apart, energized by voltages that also have a 120-degree phase displacement. SYNCHRONOUS MOTORS are specifically designed to maintain constant speed, with the rotor synchronous to the rotating field. Synchronous motors require modification (such as squirrel-cage windings) to be self-starting. INDUCTION MOTORS are the most commonly used of all electric motors due to their simplicity and low cost. Induction motors may be single-phase or multiphase. They do not require electrical rotor connection. Split-phase motors with special starting windings, and shaded-pole motors, are types of single-phase induction motors. SYNCHRONOUS SPEED is the speed of stator field rotation. It is determined by the number of poles and the frequency of the input voltage. Thus, for a given motor, synchronous speed is constant. SLIP is the difference between actual rotor speed and the synchronous speed in induction motors. Slip must exist for there to be torque at the rotor shaft.
Thursday, August 11, 2011 The Dangerous Outdoors Have you ever watched a cat stalk its prey through the tall grass, looking so much like its wild, big cat cousins? Seeing this image, it's easy to believe that being outside is the best life for a cat. However, an outdoor cat lives a more stressful life than an indoor cat, and stress leads to a myriad of physical and psychological disorders. Outdoor cats on the street, or even in the country, are faced every day with territorial disputes, threats from other animals, people or cars, and environmental noises that can cause panic. In addition, the physical threats, illnesses and parasites outside can put free-roaming cats in immediate jeopardy. As a result, indoor cats generally live longer and healthier lives than outdoor cats. It is a myth that cats easily return to a wild existence and are able to care for themselves after having been pets. Although all cats retain the instinct to hunt, they are no longer adapted to life in the wild. Domestication has suppressed or even silenced many of the wild skills necessary for survival. As such, feral cat populations are most commonly found in and around well-populated human areas because even feral cats require human intervention to survive. There are many threats to an outdoor cat, including other cats, dogs, and even predators such as birds of prey and coyotes. The latter become especially hazardous if the outdoor cat is hunting the predator's natu ral prey such as rabbits. Fights with other cats over territory and food can lead to scratches and bites that can easily become infected, to say nothing of passing infectious diseases. Many dog breeds kept as pets have a high "prey drive", meaning they will see your free-roaming cat as something to attack. Not every cat will be able to get out of the way quickly enough, especially if there is more than one dog. Sadly, another very real threat to your cat is intolerant neighbors. Not everyone is fond of cats. Avid bird watchers may be angry that your cat is stalking the birds at their feeders. Others may not appreciate muddy paw prints on their cars. Animal care and control agencies have numerous cases of cats that have been deliberately burned, stabbed, kicked and even poisoned by humans (see this recent blog posting from The Phoenix New Times). Even if your neighbor doesn't have it out for Fluffy, normal parts of human lifestyle s can pose tremendous hazards to your cat. Grooming after walking across treated landscaping can lead to poisoning. Another possible danger is fluid spilled from a car, such as oil or antifreeze. These every-day car essentials are poisonous to animals and can cause them to become incredibly ill. Outdoor cats are especially drawn to this hazard as they are naturally curious and tend to explore unfamiliar fluids tongue first. Cats may also scavenge in garbage when something smells too enticing to pass up. Small bones, plastic wrappers or even some medications can be found in neighborhood trash, all of which could threaten a cat's health. The number one killer and crippler of outdoor cats is cars. Even a quiet residential street has enough traffic to pose the danger. It only takes a moment for even a street-wise cat to lose concentration and dash into oncoming traffic when being chased by a dog, pursuing prey, or distracted by other kitty delights. Even parked cars can pose a risk if it's a cold day and the cat goes inside a warm engine block for shelter. The cat can be injured, if not killed, the next time the engine is started. Cats who roam in the great outdoors are at much greater risk of exposure to diseases and parasites, some of which they can pass on to their human owners. The Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) compromises a cat's immune system. While there is an effective vaccine against FeLV, no vaccine can be 100% effective. Once a cat is in fected with FeLV, his or her immune system is compromised, and the cat will have difficulty fighting off any other type of infection and can even develop cancer. The virus is shed in bodily fluids and is primarily spread through biting, although there is a small risk from grooming and sharing dishes. Kittens can be infected by their mother while in the womb or during nursing after birth. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) also affects a cat's immune system and is ultimately fatal. There is no cure for this virus or for FeLV. There is a vaccine for FIV but it is not proven effective and will always cause any tests for the virus to come up as "positive" making it impossible to know if the cat is really infected. FIV leads to chronic infections and can affect organs and bone marrow. The most common transmission of the virus is through bite wounds and the carriers are most commonly un-neutered, free-roaming males. Rabies is a caused by virus, which can infect warm-blooded mammals, including cat s, people, wildlife, and farm animals, and is always fatal. Outdoor cats are at risk of contact with rabid wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. As noted in a previous blog, in Maricopa County one of the most common carriers of rabies is bats. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cats are the domestic animal most commonly found to be rabid. Cats are closely associated with people and rabid cats often become aggressive. These two factors increase the risk of human exposure. Bites are the most common means of transmission. Rabies is lethal if not detected and treated immediately. Rabies attacks the central nervous system, resulting in paralysis and death. Plague is cause by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis, and is transmitted primarily by wild rodent fleas mainly in the states of NM, AZ, CO and CA. Cats can become infected from flea bites or from eating infected small mammals. In 2011, a barn cat in Oregon tested positive for plague. The most frequent route of transmission to humans is via the bite of an infected flea. People can also contract the illness by direct contact with the secretions of an infected animal or person through scratches or bites, or from inhalation of infective droplets released by coughing or sneezing. In recent years, almost all human cases of the most lethal form of the disease, pneumonic plague, have been linked to domestic cats. There are additional parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, Giardia, toxoplasmosis and bacteria that cats can become exposed to while roaming outside. Most of these are zoonotic, which means they can be transmitted to humans. For more information about zoonotic parasites, visit the Companion Animal Parasite Council website. So while it may seem that allowing your cat to indulge his or her "wild side" by roaming free outside is the natural thing to do, the reality is that it can be dangerous and stressful for both your cat and your family. Coming up in future blogs: how to transition an outdoor cat to an indoor cat; how to enrich an indoor cat's life No comments:
Step 2 guides you in HOW TO help your learners to cope with the challenging task they have been offered and HOW TO scaffold your learners activities/actions while building an algorithm for solving the challenging task they are offered. So now you have a task (from step 1) you would like the students to tackle! What next?…FIRST - before you start - (recommended!) do the task yourself and see what steps you go through in order to complete the challenge. This trial run really helps and can turn up some surprises! Write down all the steps/processes followed and make notes on; 1. the skills (& knowledge) you expect the kids to be using while working on this task 2. the resources (or information) they will need/or be allowed to use or access 3. skills or processes you'll need to directly teach students while working on/attempting the task 4. the thinking skills they will need to use/be introduced to (click here for lists), (click here for an example). 5. where your kids are likely to get stuck (which is a good thing!) Keep the list in a table format like this (with example of working through the analysis form). Step 2 is divided into three SUB-STEPS which are described below. SUB-STEP 2.1. Build a generic description of the task Essentially this means generalising the problem. At first you won't be able to do this with your students (you'll just tell them) because they will need to learn how. Over time and with practice you will be able to transfer responsibility for this step to your students. I want to know more… SUB-STEP 2.2. Introduce (or remind students about) thinking models to apply to the task A first you will need to teach students the skills associated with the thinking model you've chosen to deal with the task and teach them how to apply it. Over time students will become familiar with and be able to apply a variety of thinking models and you will transfer to them the responsibility for choosing the model to apply. I want to know more… SUB-STEP 2.3. Building the algorithms Building algorithms means writing out the series of steps followed in order to complete the task, in essence making the steps in the students' thinking processes visible to them (and you). Over time this allows the students to become more able, agile and systematic thinkers. I want to know more… I want to know more... SUB-STEP 2.1 Build a generic description of the task When solving a non-typical problem/doing a challenging task one has to be able to abstract from the context the problem is wrapped in and to see this problem on a higher level – the level of a super system. It allows you to switch from ‘comparing 4 famous people’ (specific task) to ‘compare and contrast’ (generic task)…. When you offer learners a challenging task, they start seeking the solution on the level of your context-wrapped problem. By building a generic description of the task you open your learners up to a new perspective on the problem and, thus, a new perspective on possible solutions. Possible procedure: Support resources: SUB-STEP 2.2. Introduce (or remind students about) thinking models for coping with this generic task/challenge Possible procedure: SUB-STEP 2.3 (in progress) # Edgar Lasevich 2012-02-14 16:59 At the generic level, I would split the complex tasks into elementary units. To my mind the level of "compare" is a bit too complex, as it does not really reveal the "kitchen" of the process. "Compare" itself consistes of (at least): make description (one or many elements), group descriptions, name each group (optional: match names and values), compare by filling in the comparative grid (so that all features (descriptions) are listed under the same names. I belive that this is a minimum level wich is intstrumentally applicable. It is also necessary to complete the table of possible "tasks" split into such elementary actions as an additional document. # Edgar Lasevich 2012-02-14 17:08 For my liking the document is a little too long, and hard to overview. Do yoou think, for example, that initial table example can also be placed in final "example section" and just a link? Iif this framework is not obligatory and demonstrates a table, rather than the table and teachers are free to develop their own samples... Joomla SEF URLs by Artio
1. (biology) The separation of a group of organisms by a geographic barrier, resulting in differentiation of the original group into new varieties or species 2. (geology) The geological event which produces such a barrier (volcano, earthquake, etc) 3. (psychology, colloquial) The act of experiencing an event by proxy through an empathic link with the person who is experiencing the event firsthand.
Wordsmith Essay’s Pet Peeves: Part I We here at Wordsmith Essays read dozens upon dozens of essays, correcting grammatical mistakes, adjusting spelling and phrasing, fixing punctuation, and generally giving advice as how to improve writing. While doing so, we’ve come across the same errors made time after time. It doesn’t seem to matter the grade level of the writer, or whether they’re a native English speaker or not—some mistakes just seem to reoccur time and again. Here are a few of our recurring pet peeves: This, That, These and Those I like these those over there. English has two types of demonstrative adjectives. “This” and “These” are used when the object you’re referring to is close to the speaker; generally speaking, within reach. For anything further away, use “that” or “those”. For intangible things—these feelings, those ideas, and so forth—you have more wriggle room, but “these” or “this” is generally preferred when talking about intangible things that you’re currently feeling or experiencing, while “those” or “that” is preferred for more distant intangible ideas. So “this feeling” would likely refer to a feeling that you are experiencing, while “that feeling” would be if you’re describing something someone else is feeling. You can get away with either based on you want what you’re saying to sound, though; it’s less of a strict rule here. Myself, Himself, Itself, Themselves… The party nominated Bob and myself me. Many people seem to assume that using reflexive pronouns like “myself” or “herself” makes them sound more intelligent or otherwise more formal in their writing, but using them improperly has precisely the opposite effect. Reflexive pronouns are always the object of the sentence—they are the one having an action done to it. So, you can see yourself in a mirror, because you are the object being seen. But yourself can’t go through a door; you’re the subject of the sentence there, doing the action, and so “you” have to go through the door. Most people get caught up when there are multiple people involved in a sentence (The party was hosted by John, Captain Ahab and me). The quick-and-dirty tip to make sure you’re taking care of that properly is to think about how you would phrase the sentence with only the reflexive pronoun in it—“The party was hosted by myself” sounds odd to most people, and so you can figure out that you shouldn’t use the reflexive pronoun. Slightly complicating matters is the issue of intensive pronouns. To add extra emphasis to a sentence, you can add one of these words, as in “I painted that picture myself”. The added word doesn’t change the meaning of the sentence; it just adds extra emphasis to your sentence. If the sentence works grammatically even after removing the pronoun, that you’re probably safe in using it. Split Infinitives To boldly go, or to go boldly? There’s a split among our editors on this one. Some insist that splitting an infinitive—adding an adverb in the middle of a “to blank” verb—is bad, because that’s been a rule of thumb for nearly 200 years in English writing. They feel that it makes sentences ugly and unwieldy and hard to read, and sometimes, that’s definitely true. “To scientifically illustrate my point” or “To energetically change your mind” can look odd to some readers. On the other hand, many great writers have used split infinitives for effect, from poets to novelists to sci-fi TV shows. There is no grammatical reason to avoid split infinitives; no secret rule that keeps you from placing adverbs in the middle of clauses. Splitting an infinitive is not going to unduly tax your readers, but it may annoy your professor. The best thing to do is to check with them before submitting your essay, in case they’re a stickler for this archaic “rule”. As always, if you want to ensure that everything in your essay is correct and flows well, stop by Wordsmith Essays’ order page today. Our team of international editors will help you get the most out of your writing. Write a Comment Fields with * are required Time limit is exhausted. Please reload the CAPTCHA.
Abarim Publications' Biblical Dictionary: The Hebrew word: יסף Source: http://www.abarim-publications.com/Dictionary/y/y-sa-pfin.html Abarim Publications' online Biblical Hebrew Dictionary The verb יסף (yasap) means to add, increase or do again. This verb is the common word to use when something is simply added, such as a son for Rachel (Genesis 30:24; hence the name Joseph), or a fifth to a certain value (Leviticus 27:13), or fifteen years to a life (Isaiah 38:5). But it's also quite commonly used to mean repeat, such as marrying again (Genesis 25:1), or doing something on top of something else, "also," such as hardening one's heart on top of sinning again (Exodus 9:34), or praise some and then praise some more (Psalm 71:14). Sometimes this verb used to indicate a gradual increase, such as people to a nation (Exodus 1:10) but sometimes the text treats increase as an autonomous concept. This doesn't occur in English, so translating this curious phenomenon takes a trick or two. In Psalm 115:14 for instance, Israel is wished increase, "you and your children". Associated Biblical names
UV-Protected Clothing vs. Non-Protected Clothing Like if this Guide is helpful UV-Protected Clothing vs. Non-Protected Clothing Science has linked certain types of skin cancers to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Most doctors agree that UV radiation is a big contributor to melanoma skin cancers. As medical researchers learn more about the effects of sun exposure on unprotected skin, consumers are taking greater interest in products that aid in sun protection. Clothing manufacturers have recognised the need for UV-protected clothing and are producing garments that fit this market niche. Instead of applying messy sun block products directly to the skin, many consumers prefer to cover limbs with light and airy clothing that provides protection from the sun. An understanding of the UV-protection ratings and the advantages of UV-protected fabric is important when purchasing this type of clothing. Although major retail outlets offer clothing with UV protection, sellers on eBay also make a wide selection available. Understanding UV Protection Ratings The amount of protection that clothing can provide in stopping UV rays is dependent upon a number of factors. Certain material blends are more effective at providing UV protection, and clothing manufacturers treat fabric with compounds to improve the degree of sun block. To gauge the effectiveness of the different levels of sun protection, the Australian government has established a testing and rating system to inform consumers of the ability of items of clothing to block UV rays. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) tests products and assigns an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating based on the percentage of UV rays a garment blocks. The following chart captures the main points in the UPF rating system. UPF Rating Percentage of Ultraviolet Radiation Blocked Protection Classification 15, 20 93.3 to 95.9 percent 25, 30, 35 96.0 to 97.4 percent Very Good 40, 45, 50, 50+ 97.5 percent or more The higher the UPF rating of 25, the better the protection offered by a fabric. In addition to the testing, ARPANSA provides labels to garment manufacturers who use tested fabrics. Manufacturers affix these labels to their clothing lines to inform consumers of the amount of protection their garments provide. Why UV Protection is Important Australians receive high levels of UV radiation due to the country’s position on the globe, and this is evidenced by the fact that a high percentage of its population develop skin cancer, in comparison to other parts of the world. A climate that produces clear skies and bright sunshine, along with the angle at which UV rays strike, gives Australia additional exposure to this harmful by-product of the sun’s illumination. On a bright summer day, a fair-skinned person without some form of UV protection can quickly exceed safe exposure levels and experience sunburn within 15 minutes. Over a lifetime, this constant exposure to UV radiation can lead to the development of skin cancer as well as eye problems associated with the failure to properly protect eyes with UV protective sunglasses. Clothing That is Not UV Protected Many consumers might assume that they are being protected from UV rays, as long as they have their arms and legs covered with some form of clothing. However, many factors have a bearing on the effectiveness of a fabric in blocking UV radiation. ■ Weave: Tightly woven fabric like denim or twill provide more protection than crepe or voile styles. ■ Weight: This translates to thickness of fabric, and thicker fabrics block more UV radiation. ■ Color: Darker fabrics absorb UV radiation better than lighter-colored or un-dyed fabrics. ■ Elasticity: Fabric that stretches opens tiny holes for UV radiation to pass through. Test a fabric by stretching it in front of a light source, and see how much visible light passes through. ■ Moisture Repellent: Water absorbed into a fabric reduces the material's effectiveness to block UV rays. In addition to the above factors, the type of fabric from which an article of clothing is manufactured also determines the effectiveness of the material in absorbing or blocking UV rays. For example, wool is a good UV-blocking fabric, but it is not very comfortable to wear in the summer. Cotton is a popular summer fabric that stays cool in warm weather. However, cotton that is not treated with UV protectors is one of the more UV-porous fabrics. Synthetic materials, such as nylon and polyester, are more protective of UV radiation, due to the chemical composition of these fabrics. Advantages of UV-Protected Clothing Besides the benefit of blocking UV radiation, there are some other advantages that clothing treated with UV protectors provide. Heavy denim jeans effectively block UV radiation, but if the temperature is 35 degrees Celsius, those jeans are not likely to feel very comfortable in the heat. Keeping Cool Cotton treated for UV protection is a comfortable summer fabric. Some of the newer fabrics developed with synthetic blends allow air in but keep UV radiation out. If a fabric also has moisture-wicking properties, it keeps the wearer cooler and more comfortable. Repelling Water When the fabric repels water instead of absorbing it, the UV-protective abilities of the material are retained. Clothing such as swimsuits that shed water quickly when one gets out of the pool or ocean are also more comfortable to wear than walking around in wet and sticky material. Longer Lasting Clothing treated with UV protectors generally retains its wearability longer. Colors stay brighter, and the composition of the fabrics used does not deteriorate as quickly as untreated or natural fabrics. UV-protected clothing generally carries a higher price tag than clothing that does not feature added UV radiation-blocking properties. However, considering the protection that UV-treated fabrics provide to the skin and the other advantages they offer, the long-term value of these fabrics justifies the additional cost. Buying UV-Protected or Non-Protected Clothing on eBay Sellers on eBay offer competitive deals on both UV-protected and non-protected clothing. Shopping on eBay is easy and convenient. With the click of a mouse you can browse through listings of the clothing items you are considering. Remember to check the eBay deals page for great buys on clothing and other merchandise. Just enter the applicable keywords, such as "linen dresses", into the eBay search bar, and look at the listings of all products that match the keyword description you entered. You can narrow the search results by using eBay's filter menu to select the dress size or brand name and see only those listings that match your selections. Find UV-blocking clothes by searching for UV-protection clothing or UPF clothing, and then select the appropriate category filter, such as clothing listed by gender, from the menu. After selecting the item you want to buy, complete the purchase on eBay by using any of the options for secure methods of online payment that eBay provides. The process of selecting clothing is based on one's own preferences, and selecting wearables for another person is often difficult. Fashion is a personal statement that many people spend considerable time and money on to achieve just the right looks that accommodate their sense of style. However, buying UPF clothing for loved ones is a nice way to show concern for their well-being. When selecting clothing for an extended period of outdoor activity, it is advisable to consider the UV protection that a shirt or a pair of slacks that one wants to wear can provide. Keeping a selection of UV-protected clothing items for those lengthy excursions in the sun is a health-conscious decision, even if it means sacrificing some style for the benefit of obtaining protection for one's skin. Utilising the many resources on eBay is a great way to enhance the wardrobe with these useful items of clothing. Explore more Guides
Young Dinosaur Fossils? Mary Schweitzer 2Original Work of Mary Schweitzer: Back in 2005, Dr. Mary Schweitzer absolutely shocked the scientific community when she published her discovery of exquisitely preserved soft tissues in dinosaur bones that even remained elastic (Link). There were also intact blood vessels and individual dinosaur cells. Beyond this, there were intact original dinosaur proteins as well as evidence of fragments of DNA that were discovered sometime later in 2013 (Link). The evidence of DNA fragments is particularly interesting. The minimum requirement for antibody binding to DNA is about 35-45 bp (Link). And, this isn’t really the first time that DNA fragments have been detected in dinosaur bones. In fact, according to Jack Horner back in 1995 (some ten years before Schweitzer’s discoveries) DNA fragments from dinosaur bones wasn’t exactly uncommon: So, now there is clear evidence of not only intact dinosaur soft tissues and cellular structures, but subcellular structures, sequenceable proteins and even sizable fragments of DNA (see image below). At first the scientific community was extremely incredulous and skeptical of Schweitzer’s claims – and rightly so. After all, there was very good scientific evidence in hand that soft tissues decay fairly rapidly over time so that protein and DNA sequences cannot remain intact, at ambient temperatures, longer than a few tens of thousands of years. A: T.rex; D, B. canadensis; G: Ostrich cells showing small localized region of binding of anti-DNA antibodies interior to the cell membrane. Reactivity of antibodies to ostrich cells is enhanced, consistent with the presence of a greater quantity of immunoreactive material in these extant cells. B: Trex; E: B. canadensis; and H, ostrich osteocytes showing positive response to propidium iodide (PI), a DNA intercalating dye, to a similar small region of material internal to cell. C: T.rex; F: B. canadensis; and I, ostrich cellular response to 4′,6′-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI), another DNA-specific stain. (Link) Alternative Explanations: So, all kinds of alternative explanations were forwarded in literature as a possible explanation for Schweitzer’s findings. The argument of “biofilms” produced by bacteria was quite popular for a while as I recall. However, each counterargument failed to hold water as Schweitzer published more and more evidence as to the original nature of the soft tissues within the dinosaur bones she was studying. In fact, protein fragments were actually sequenced by Schweitzer (actin, tubulin and histone4 to be specific), leaving little doubt that these proteins were in fact original to the dinosaur in which they were found. dinosaur-soft-tissues3Protein and DNA Decay Rates by Kinetic Chemistry: Since Schweitzer’s original discoveries in 2005, many such discoveries have been made to include studies that indicate that soft tissue is probably quite common in dinosaur fossils (Link). Yet, how could this be? It is obviously very hard to understand how such soft tissue could remain in a fossil for millions of years without complete decay. So, those who are forced to believe that these fossils are millions of years old have tried to find some reasonable chemical mechanism that would prevent the decay of tissue over such incredibly long periods of time – which appears to be a very daunting challenge indeed! For example, as far as the various factors that might impact decay over time, certainly numerous studies have taken many of these into account – to include temperature (which seems to be the primary factor in setting the rate of decay), as well as pH, amino acid composition of the protein, water concentration of the environment, size of the macromolecule, ionic strength of the environment, cross linking or covalent bonding within the molecules (as in the case of formaldehyde or iron preservation), etc. Could there be other as yet unknown factors that might contribute to protein/DNA preservation? Certainly! However, these have yet to be found as far as I’m aware – at least not to the point of explaining how tens of millions of years of protein/DNA preservation could tenably be achieved. For example, Allentoft, M.E. et al. (2012) argued that no intact DNA bonds can be expected at 22,000 years at 25°C, 131,000 years at 15°C, 882,000 years at 5°C; and even if it could somehow be kept continually below freezing point at –5°C, it could survive only 6.83 Ma. Basically, DNA has about a “521 year half-life” (Link). To determine this rate, an international team of paleo-geneticists examined DNA samples from 158 well preserved leg bones of Moas (an extinct giant birds from New Zealand). The bones ranged from “600 to 8,000 years old,” but all had been preserved in almost identical conditions, which meant the researchers could make comparisons between the ages of the specimens and the state of the DNA. And, this statement was published well after Schweitzer made her discoveries of sequenceable proteins and shortly before her discovery of fragments of DNA within dinosaur soft tissues. This statement is also interesting because dinosaur bones are generally believed to have experienced greater than 20°C temperatures for tens of millions of years (Buckley, et al., 2008). And, the higher the temperature, the more molecules like proteins and DNA vibrate and move and fall apart over time. Other features, such as rapid desiccation and high salt concentrations, may prolong DNA survival (Lindahl 1993). However, kinetic calculations still predict that small fragments of DNA (100–500 bp) will survive for no more than 10,000 years in temperate regions and for a maximum of 100,000 years at colder latitudes (Poinar et al. 1996; Smith et al. 2001). And, the half-life for the average protein is similar since the “peptide bond has a half-life of 400 years” (Adv Exp Med Biol. 2009; 611: xci–xcviii). However, some proteins, such as collagen in particular, appear to have somewhat longer half-lives of ~2,000 years at ambient temperatures (Buckley, et al., 2008). Of course, this is nowhere close to the required half-life time needed to preserve proteins and/or DNA fragments for tens of millions of years. oxy-radicalsSchweitzer’s Solution (Iron and Oxy Radicals): So, what is the solution to this seemingly difficult problem for the entire neo-Darwinian perspective? Well, again it’s Mary Schweitzer to the rescue. In November, 2013 she published a paper (Link) showing that iron from hemoglobin can increase the preservation time of soft tissues more than 200 fold at ambient temperatures. What happens is that iron facilitates the production of highly reactive “oxy radicals” which “facilitate protein cross-linking in a manner analogous to the actions of tissue fixatives (e.g. formaldehyde), thus increasing resistance of these ‘fixed’ biomolecules to enzymatic or microbial digestion.” So, there we have it. The problem has been solved! Unfortunately, however, there are just a few fundamental problems with extrapolating these findings to soft tissue preservation for millions of years. Problems with Schweitzer’s Solution: formaldehyde-fixationPreservation by a Formaldehyde-like Process is Limited: To start with, even formalin-preserved tissue, even in paraffin-embedded blocks, is known decay over time. As with formaldehyde-based embalming, preservation is not permanent. It is also known that the decay rate for formalin-fixed tissues is primarily influenced by both temperature and humidity, with both acting independent of the other (Xie, 2012; Broek, 2000; and Cronin, 2007). In fact, tissue sections from paraffin blocks may show a considerable diminution of antigenicity, even after a short time (i.e., a few months). Degradation of RNA within paraffin blocks over periods of months to years is well documented (Cronin et al. 2004; Hewitt et al. 2008). In short, the fundamental decay problems that kinetic chemistry highlights so clearly are not resolved to any significant degree by Schweitzer’s experiments with oxy-radical producing iron molecules. Oxy-Radicals would have Destroyed Existing Molecules: Another problem is that the mechanism proposed by Schweitzer (iron-generated oxy-radicals for producing protein cross links) would have destroyed some of the chemicals that Schweitzer’s team found intact within their samples. For example, in some of the fossils analyzed by Schweitzer, chemical analysis revealed fragments of proteins that included an amino acid known as asparagine (known to be unstable in water). However, in order for Schweitzer’s proposed mechanism to work, water must deliver the iron and other key ingredients to the dinosaur tissues after death. If that had actually occurred, asparagine would not have survived within the same tissues. In short, one can’t have it both ways. If water is needed for the preservation of the tissue (and her mechanism does require water), then chemicals that are unstable in water cannot be preserved at the same time. In addition, there are three additional amino acids in Schweitzer’s samples that should have been altered in the presence of the proposed free radicals as part of the protein cross-linking process – in order for Schweitzer’s proposed mechanism to work. Yet, they are found intact and unaltered in the tissue samples. These particular problems were highlighted in a 2015 paper (Link) by Dr. John M. DeMassa (Ph.D. in organic chemistry with a full-time job designing antioxidants) and Dr. Edward Boudreaux (Ph.D. in theoretical chemistry). Their conclusion is also quite interesting as well: “We lastly note perhaps the most disappointing absence in Dr. Schweitzer’s analysis. Assuming that the protein substances discussed are indeed dinosaurian soft tissue, it is also true that the C,H,N,O elemental makeup of the proteins are endogenous [they come from the dinosaur itself]. As such, the samples are highly qualified for a carbon-14 analysis. C-14 should help further the discussion on the possible age of the organic material. If this genuine protein matter is 68 million years old, C-14 should be absent. If the tissue is 50,000 years or younger, C-14 will be detected. We also note in passing that C-14 presence if found and not interpreted as a young age must be interpreted as contamination making unreliable the mass spec data presented by Schweitzer.” (See also the relevant thoughts of Jay L. Wile, Ph.D. in Chemistry: Link) dinosaur-osteocytesIron non-existent in various soft tissue samples: Another problem is that many of the soft tissue remains are not associated with significant if any hemoglobin or iron – examples to include original dinosaur biological material in skin and eggshells, the horn of a Triceratops., and even in Archaeopteryx feathers. Clearly then, Schweitzer’s iron-solution cannot be a true solution to the problem of well preserved dinosaur soft tissues, cells, proteins, and DNA fragments. High Levels of Carbon-14 in Dinosaur Bones: Carbon-14 Half Life: The observations of Drs. DeMassa and Boudreaux bring up another interesting problem. If dinosaur bones really are many tens of millions of years old, there should be absolutely no residual carbon-14 (14C) remaining within these bones since 14C has a half-life of just 5,730 years. That means, of course, that if 14C is found within these dinosaur proteins that either the bones are young, or the soft tissues really aren’t from the dinosaur after all (i.e., they are contaminant proteins). And, since it seems quite clear at this point that these soft tissues really are original to the dinosaur bones, the finding of significant levels of 14C within these tissues should leave one with the conclusion that they are in fact quite young. Carbon-14 has been Found in Dinosaur Bones: Surprisingly then, 14C has actually been discovered in the soft tissues of all dinosaur bones examined thus far, producing ages ranging from 16,000 to 41,000 years before present – essentially the same as the radiocarbon ages reported for large Pleistocene mammals such as mammoths, mastodons, dire wolves, etc. (LinkLinkLink). Also, as an interesting aside, all organically-derived coal samples contain fairly significant quantities of radiocarbon. triceratops“Recently Triceratops and Hadrosaur femur bones in excellent condition were discovered in Glendive Montana and our group received permission to saw them in half and collect samples for Carbon 14 testing. Both bones were tested by a licensed lab for presence of collagen. Both bones did in fact contain some collagen! The best process ( Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ) was used. Total organic carbon and dinosaur bio-apatite was then extracted and pretreated to remove potential contaminants and concordant radiocarbon dates were obtained, all of which were similar to radiocarbon dates for ice age megafauna such as Siberian mammoths, saber tooth tigers of the Los Angeles LaBrea Tarpits, sloth dung and giant bison.” (Link) So far, every dinosaur bone tested, as far as I’m aware, has yielded radiocarbon ages in the range of 16,000 to 41,000 years before present (BP) – with most dating less than 30,000 years BP. This degree of consistency for significant levels of 14C seems at leas somewhat problematic for the argument of “contamination”. Even so, Schweitzer and her colleagues have consistently refused to subject their own specimens to radiocarbon testing by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry techniques (AMS). What is there to be afraid of? – having to publish results that completely counter the Darwinian notion of the origin of life on this planet? – or at the very least evidence that the dinosaur tissues that they claim are original to the dinosaur are possibly contaminated by more modern organic material? Either way, its only good science to investigate and get as much data as possible from every means possible. It seems strange, then, for certain popular scientists to avoid doing certain scientific tests for fear of what the tests might show… Carbon 14 CycleProduction and Incorporation of Carbon-14: Common Counterarguments: Of course very small amounts of 14C can be produced by the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium in rocks close by. That’s not the problem or the relevant question. The real question is, how much 14C can be produced by this method? And, why would this source of 14C production be so uniform throughout the world? – high enough to explain very high 14C levels within dinosaur bones equivalent to ages of 15-35 kyrs? Is there remotely enough uranium and thorium scattered in a fairly uniform manner all over the world to generate that much 14C underground? The clear answer is “No”, there isn’t – especially given that a level of less than 20 parts per million of uranium and thorium was detected in the dinosaur bones that contain large quantities of radiocarbon (Link). Beyond this, turning 13C into 14C by neutron capture isn’t very easy to do. In fact, 14N captures neutrons 110,000 times more easily than does 13C. This dramatically increases the amount of uranium and thorium that would be needed to produce all the necessary 14C via this particular mechanism (Link). For example, to produce a 14C age of 40,000 years we need a ratio of 14C/12C equal to about 1e-14. As best as I can tell, producing this ratio would require 125 atoms of uranium per carbon atom, which is a concentration by weight of 99.96% uranium (Link). Also, according to these arguments, 14C dating would be pretty much worthless beyond about 10,000 years due to all the extra 14C being produced by uranium and thorium underground. No one believes that. So, how then can 14C be used on the one hand to “reliably” date mammoths and mastodons and the like as living some 10-35 kyrs ago, but when these same levels of 14C are discovered uniformly throughout thick coal beds or all dinosaur bones examined thus far it must have been the result of non-atmospheric 14C production? A 14C/12C ratio of only 1e-15 corresponds to a ~60,000 yr age for a specimen. We’re talking about less than half that age or more than twice as much 14C. In short, it seems like these arguments are rather self-defeating – even without knowing how much uranium and thorium would be needed. We aren’t talking about 14C dating beyond 80,000 years here. We’re talking 14C dates that are well within the detection spectrum of AMS techniques. And, as Dr. Giem noted back in 2010: paul giem “It is difficult to imagine a nature process contaminating wood, whale bone, petroleum and coal, all roughly to the same extent. It is especially difficult to imagine all parts of a coal seam being contaminated equally.” (Link) (See also my 2010 discussion with Dr. Erv Taylor on the potential and limitations of radiocarbon dating here: Link). It seems undeniable, at this point, that non-fossilized soft tissue remains are quite common within dinosaur bones. These soft tissue remains include remains of collagen, blood vessels, cellular structures, subcellular structures, sequenceable proteins, and even fragments of recognizable antigenically active DNA. Given the strong evidence of rapid decay rates of such structures through the mechanism of kinetic chemistry (well less than 100k years at ambient temperatures) how can the existence of such soft tissue remains be explained from the neo-Darwinian perspective where tens of millions of years are required? Mary Schweitzer arguments for the potential of iron-generated oxy-radical protein crosslinking fall significantly short with soft tissue preservation improvements measured in the thousands, not tens of thousands much less millions of years (even when iron-produced oxy-radicals are produced – which isn’t consistently the case). Add to this the current evidence of levels of in situ radiocarbon within dinosaur tissues at very similar levels to those found in Pleistocene animal remains (mammoths, sabre-tooth tigers, etc), and neo-Darwinists appear to have a fairly significant problem on their hands. After all, how can radiocarbon dating techniques be considered reliable on the one hand (i.e., when dating Pleistocene remains) while judged to be completely meaningless on the other (i.e., when the same levels are found in dinosaur remains)? It’s like trying to have your cake and eat it too… on the back of an ardent belief that much less reliable radiometric dating techniques must trump everything else (Link)? So, given the weight of the empirical evidence that is currently in hand, the most rational conclusion is that the dinosaur remains that we have today are in fact quite young – well less than 50,000 years old. For many, especially neo-Darwinists, this concept is completely unthinkable – beyond any serious consideration. However, the scientific evidence is piling up and all true scientists should work to prevent their pre-established biases from completely blinding them to where the current weight of evidence appears to be leading… Share on Facebook17Pin on Pinterest1Share on LinkedIn0Tweet about this on TwitterDigg thisShare on Google+4Share on Tumblr0Share on StumbleUpon0Share on Reddit0Print this pageEmail this to someone 3 thoughts on “Young Dinosaur Fossils? 1. Sadly, many paleontologists, including Mary Schweitzer and Jack Horner, refuse to subject dinosaur bones to C14 dating. Why are they refusing? What is to be gained? If creationists are wrong in their use of this data, is it not in the interest of science to expose the fallacy? Perhaps a valid alternate explanation for this data can be developed. But Lyell should not be propped up with ignorance! Blatantly refusing to test the fossils for radiocarbon is antiscience and smacks of fear. As a matter of fact, dinosaurs are the most popular of all extinct animals, especially with children, and the public has a right to know when they really lived. View Comment Comments are closed.
Advantages of Recycling Ink Cartridges The inkjet printer has quickly become a standard piece of equipment in homes and offices, in today's modern world. The ink cartridges that are used in the printers need replacing regularly and if they are thrown away in the general waste, it would create a huge environmental impact. Image result for Ink Cartridges The plastic components found in a single ink cartridge can take thousands of years to decompose, but it is not the only adverse environmental effect caused by throwing empty cartridges into landfill. The noxious chemicals inside the cartridges will leak out into the soil which would ultimately pollute the earth and water sources. You may save the environment by buying recycled cartridges via Another important point to consider here is the amount of raw materials which is required to manufacture an ink cartridge. It takes between 2 and 3.5 oz of oil to make the outer shell of a brand new cartridge, which may not sound a lot on its own, but when the scale of production is taken into consideration, this equates to over 4 million gallons of oil used in the production of new ink cartridge casings every year. If we take these facts into consideration, it is better to recycle and reuse ink cartridges rather than throwing them away and manufacturing new ones. Recycling of an ink cartridge is done by refilling the shell with fresh ink, so the plastic casing is reused and does not end up in polluting the environment. The recycling process uses 80% less energy than making new cartridges and hence, reducing waste. Companies especially made for recycling the cartridges collect empty cartridges, fill them with ink and sell them on at around 30% less price than a brand new cartridge. This allows consumers to save money and encourages people to buy recycled cartridges rather than new ones.
subscribe: Posts \| Comments Microchips Identify Medical Devices For Easy Microchips Identify Medical Devices For Easy Microchips will offer information about devices and implants in the body… When it comes to implanting objects in the body a substantial amount of research must be conducted to ensure the materials are safe. Unfortunately they don’t always get it right, take the recent PIP breast implant scare for example, which affected tens of thousands of European women. Incidents like these stress the importance of maintenance on objects implanted in the body, and company called VeriChip is putting their hopes on a microchip known as a unique device identifier, or UDI, to provide important information about these implanted devices. Veriteq is responsible for the current usage of tracking microchips in pets, and in 2004 the company was given the FDA’s approval to use these chips in humans. In 2009 the company entered an agreement to implant its 8mm chips in Medcomp’s vascular access catheters. Scott Silverman, CEO of Veriteq, said, “These microchips are the only microchips that are approved to live safely in the human body,” “Back seven, eight years at this point, this product was only a unique identification device. Today it has become a diagnostic device.” [Fox News] The chip is small enough that it can simply be injected into the skin, no invasive surgery necessary. Once the chip is implanted it can be scanned to reveal an identification number, which is logged in a database. So if there are any device recalls, the patient will know immediately if they are at risk. Silverman told reporters how the company’s microchips are completely safe and have the potential to be put in any medial device, or cosmetic implant in the body. Veriteq envisions microchips being the future of medicine, and is working on microchip sensors that can detect vital signs such as body temperature, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels. Comments are closed.
Saga rune This neo-rune is about the Northern story, the Saga. As with almost all epics throughout history they were all part of a greater oral traditons first. In Iceland where the day is sunken in darkness for over half the year and winter when the sun never rises. The only thing to do would be telling stories in the mead halls or around the hearth. Surely the Germanic peoples would have had a rune for this, or something like it. For this reason I wan’t to create one to serve the purpose of the story telling tradition. But it is also the book in physical form, that is traded or bought. The great work of a prolific writer who has put down on vellum or paper his translation of a story to retell it. Or an epic work of semi-historical fiction, like Beowulf, or A Song of Fire and Ice. The message of the story is one of the most dynamic in people’s psyche, so the Saga rune is one of conveying imagination, and visual pictures from the written word. It is the narrative, and mythos of a tale or great event or persons life. The saga rune is a sign of a ‘civilized’ and more importantly cultural age, when the dire need of survival was easier, and left room for more creative endeavours like writing literature. Saga rune can be intoned before starting a book (more typically Scandinavian fiction, or Teutonic folk legendry) or writing one of your own to ensure to yourself you will also finish it. It is translatable, like the oral story passed down from one person to the next, thus one story can have many versions, because of the saga rune influence. Associated with women, who were the main compilers of the Sagas, they stayed at home and maintained the hof and household while the men went to hunt, or go a viking. The women would then hear their stories and scribe them, during the 11th and 12th centuries. Still today though there is a balance of male and female writers from the increase in leisure time, it is usually women who are considered more pensive and creative. The karls, and Jarls, who were the heroes and noblemen are the most repeated subjects of the old stories. A practicing Vitki who lives off the grid, and is self sustainable, or has highborn blood in their family may find sense in this Saga rune. The glyph is made up of the pages of a book and the ase-mouth. Use for endeavors of writing, reading and the spoken word (oral tradition). As with my other ‘neo-runes’ they are part of an inventive mythology, which as a heathen who both lives in the 3rd millennium and embrace the 1st. The raidho wheels of creation don’t halt or reverse it’s tracks. Feel free to use this rune for your workings or magic, and like any decent heathen, give some credit. Leave a Reply You are commenting using your account. Log Out / Change ) Twitter picture Facebook photo Google+ photo Connecting to %s
It took just 70 years for the Muslims to roll from Egypt into Spain. But it took 60 years for the same Arabs to move from Persia into the next, Sind. But the fact is that their armies were broken in a decade and they were not able to gain a foothold for the next 200 years. There were three kingdoms blocking the entry into India – Sind(fell 712), Zabul(fell 870), Kabul(became ineffective by 1000 AD). The below is a proof of their frustration where the legendary bird of gold became something not worth the time spent. O Commander of the faithful! It’s a land where the plains are stony; Where water is scanty; Where the fruits are unsavory; Where men are known for treachery; Where plenty is unknown; Where virtue is held of little account; And where evil is dominant; A large army is less for there; And a less army is use-less there; The land beyond it, is even worst.
Thought extinct in the mid 1800’s, Cornish has undergone a remarkable reformation. It has recently pulled itself off the list of the languages endangered zone as more and more people have shown interest in reviving the language. The Cornish language, even older than English, is spoken by the Cornish people in Cornwell, in the south west of the U.K. It was a language that dominated Cornwell before being pushed away by the use of English. Did you know? A thorn or a bramble in Cornish is known as ‘Dumbledore’, incorporated into modern English meaning bumblebee, inspiring the name of JK Rowling’s famous professor in Harry Potter.
Saturday, March 31, 2012 Bacteria in canned food Looking through the search terms that produced hits on Safe Food this month, I came across "Listeria in canned food". Is canned food hazardous from the point of view of Listeria? In my opinion, the answer is "No" with just one small caveat: "unless the food has been grossly underprocessed, or post- processing contamination has occurred". Canned foods are divided into two main categories: Low Acid (LACF) and Acid Canned foods (ACF). The dividing line is pH 4.6, low acid foods having a pH greater than this, and acid food having a pH lower than 4.6. The significance of this pH value is that Clostridium botulinum can grow at pH above 4.6. C. botulinum is able to form very heat resistant spores and can grow in the anaerobic conditions in canned food. Since C. botulinum also produces a lethal toxin, it is essential to destroy the spores. So we heat the food in the cans to temperatures above boiling point (in fact we heat to the equivalent of 121.1C for 2.52 minutes and this is called a 12D process). Properly processed LACF is safe. When we look at acid foods, we find that C. botulinum is incapable of growth under these acid conditions and so no toxin can be produced. Since we don't need to deliver a 12D process, we can heat for a shorter time or at lower temperature. This has the advantage that the food is changed less and it costs less to deliver the process. Depending on the food and the degree of acidity, we really need only destroy vegetative (i.e. non-sporulating) pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. This will then destroy Listeria. What about my conditional clause above? If the food canner doesn't properly control the process, it might be possible for cans to be underprocessed. This might occur if the steam supply to the retort (pressure cooker) is lacking or turned off too soon. Another possibility is that cans might by-pass the retort altogether. Post-processing contamination could occur if the cooling water is contaminated. The can seals are not 100% watertight while they are still hot, so using contaminated water may allow a few bacteria to enter the can during cooling. This resulted in a typhoid outbreak in Aberdeen in 1964, when people consumed imported Argentinian canned corned beef that was cooled in untreated, sewage-contaminated river water. Damage to the can seams caused by rough handling can also allow contamination, as there is a partial vacuum in the can. Momentary opening of the seam caused by a blow can permit bacteria to be drawn into the can. In summary, providing cans are properly processed and handled with reasonable care, LACF are essentially sterile, so all bacteria, including Listeria will have been killed; ACF are pasteurised and this process will also kill Listeria. Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Giving bacteria a cold I hope that title got your attention. I could equally have used "Fight fire with fire" or "Biological warfare". Food Standards Australia New Zealand is calling for submissions on an application to use viruses to aid in the control of Listeria monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes is a bacterium found in the environment that can infect food and may cause listeriosis. The majority of the population is unaffected by Listeria, but it is a hazard for pregnant women, young children and the elderly, in addition to those who are immunocompromised. Note that you don't have to have had an organ transplant to be immunocompromised - you might just have another infection stressing your immune system. You might think that deliberately putting viruses into foods is crazy. However, these viruses are special. They exclusively target bacteria and are called bacteriophages. Bacteriophages (or "phages") are extremely common; they occur at levels up to 9×108 per mL in bacterial mats at the surface of the sea. They were first identified in 1915 by Frederick Twort in England and, independently, in 1917 by Felix d'Herelle in France. Bacteriophages are deceptively simple - essentially a piece of nucleic acid contained within a protein coat called a capsid. They can't reproduce independently and have to have a means of infecting a living cell. Perhaps the most famous phage is the T4 phage that infects Escherichia coli and always reminds me of the lunar lander(I sometimes wonder how something like this could have evolved by chance). See image from Wikipedia below. When a phage infects a bacterial cell, it injects its DNA into the cell. The viral nucleic acid then takes over the bacterial synthetic machinery and makes copies of itself, and synthesises new phage coat and other components. The components are then assembled into new phage particles, whereupon the bacterial cell is lysed and releases the phage. Burst sizes may be around 100 viruses per bacterial cell. Since these are all infective, the infection of the population proceeds rapidly, resulting in the death of the majority of the bacterial cells. Phages cause the cheese-making industry a lot of trouble, because they kill the starter bacteria. The application currently under consideration is for the use of a mixed bacteriophage preparation, sold commercially as LISTEX™ P100, as a processing aid. This preparation was the first phage product to be classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA and USDA. A number of scientific papers have been published on the efficacy of the P100 preparation, showing that the phage significantly reduces the population of L. monocytogenes on foods, such as salmon fillets or surface-ripened cheeses. The use of bacteriophage to control pathogens, such as Listeria and Salmonella, can reduce the risk of food poisoning, though it is unlikly that it can be a total solution, as the pathogen population may not be totally destroyed. However, when used in an integrated food safety programme, the processing aid can be a valuable tool, reducing the reliance on chemicals to inhibit the bacteria. See: doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2005.08.005 Electron micrograph of T4 phage adsorbed to a bacterial cell. Image by Elizabeth Kutter, Bacteriophage Ecology Group Odd Spot: When I was researching this post, I searched on "Listeria virus". I got many hits, predominantly in popular press and websites, where the Listeria bacteria were described as "viruses". In modern microbiology terms, this is totally wrong. However, "virus" is derived from the Latin word for poison and this apparently appeared in the English lexicon in 1392. "Virus" was also used in 1728 to describe an "agent that causes infectious diseases". I'm sure that most of those press writers didn't know this, but, strictly, they were correct. Friday, March 2, 2012 Toxic salt in Poland? Anonymous sent me a comment after I posted "Is Vinegar just for Fish and Chips?". In fact, the comment was not relevant to the original post, but I followed up on the quote Anonymous sent me. It appears that an investigation has been broadcast by an independent Polish television station, TVN. In the report, the reporter presented evidence of industrial salt - obtained as a waste by-product of calcium chloride production and claimed to contain dangerous carcinogens - being sold wholesale to the food industry as edible salt. I have been unable to verify this report, because the commentary is, presumably, in Polish, but it has also been reported on CNN iReport, labelled as "Not vetted by CNN". The programme claimed that up to 1000 tons per month of the waste product, labelled as being intended only for de-icing of roads or as a chemical industry raw material, has been purchased over the last 10 years. The salt was made as a by-product by a fertiliser company in Poland. Three Polish businesses have repackaged and on-sold the salt to numerous food processing plants as edible. The Polish government has made some arrests of those thought to be responsible, but has not published the identities of any food processors who received the salt. The concern is that toxins and potential carcinogens have been incorporated into the Polish food supply and, by implication, to some exported foodstuffs. Food fraud is by no means a new thing and knows no national bounds. Where there's a fast buck to be made, you can bet that someone will try it. Unfortunately, this is not a victimless crime - those who suffer are often the unwitting consumers or their children, as we saw in the melamine milk scandal. Only the vigilance of regulatory authorities and investigative reporters can hope to reduce our exposure to food fraud. Can I build a business around Mum's secret recipe? I am often asked this question. On the face of it, this is a simple question. Mum has for years made a special dish or sauce and the whole family enjoys it. Perhaps it is a traditional dish made back in "the old country" and an enterprising emigrant wants to make it commercially in the adopted country. All that is necessary is to scale up production, right? In some cases, this might be so. However, there may be hidden pitfalls. Perhaps the most important difference between Mum's cooking and a commercial operation is the timing - Mum cooked the dish or sauce and served it straight from the kitchen, whereas commercial manufacture involves packaging, storage, transport, retail display and purchase. The shelf life must also leave time for the consumer to store it at home before consumption. How about putting the sauce into a glass jar or a plastic pouch? This introduces a new variable not present in the original. This is exactly the scenario presented to me recently and I want answers to some additional questions before I'll agree that the product is safe. For example: what is the pH of the product - acid or low acid? This is not just about flavour. If Mum poured a low acid sauce over your food and you ate it straight away, there was no problem. But if we now wish to sell it in an hermetically sealed container, it may support the growth of Clostridium botulinumEven if the raw materials are heated during preparation, spores will have survived and can germinate and grow, producing botulin toxin during storage. There may be no apparent change in the product, but it could be lethal. In the case of a low acid product, a full 12D process must be applied and this process must be filed with the regulatory authority, must be followed for every batch and under the control of a registered person and full records kept. Special equipment, capable of heating the product to well over 100C is needed to deliver a 12D process. What about stability? Will the sauce separate during storage and transport? It may need a stabiliser to be added to prevent separation and thus ensure that it looks good to the consumer. It's not a safety issue, but dissatisfied customers are unlikely to be repeat purchasers. What shelf life should we put on the label? Properly conducted storage trials are essential. For that matter, what are the requirements for labelling? You can't just put a picture of the product onto the label and call it "Mum's special pasta sauce"; in most jurisdictions, there are very specific requirements, including name and address of the manufacturer and a list of ingredients, possibly with warnings about potential allergens like peanuts. These requirements extend to specifying the size of type required for the nutritional information label. Not least is the requirement for the product to be manufactured in a suitable premises. These premises must be inspected and it is unlikely that the home kitchen can be approved for even minor commercial production. In New Zealand, food manufacturers must have a suitable food safety programme in place. New legislation will require this programme to be based on an assessment of risk posed by the product and process, and the programme must be documented and detailed records kept, so that premises and process can be audited. There are many wonderful products on the market today that had their origins in Mum's kitchen in some part of the world. To avoid tears, the budding entrepreneur should seek the advice of a professional food technologist before putting the product on the market.
Oklahoma Acts To Innovate – In Executions On Friday the Governor of Oklahoma signed into law a bill that would establish nitrogen-induced hypoxia as a means of executing prisoners, should circumstances prevent lethal injection from being used. The bill does not get into specifics, it simply modifies the existing law on the order of preference for methods of execution (Oklahoma now has four). The law would take effect November 1, 2015. Oklahoma does not currently have any executions scheduled, and the executions of three men are currently stayed pending a Supreme Court case. While gas chambers have been used for executions in the United States (inmates in three states still have the option of death by gas), the active gas used to suffocate the condemned was never nitrogen. The general principle is the same, a gas is pumped into a sealed chamber, and the condemned dies after breathing it. Hydrogen cyanide was the most common gas used in the United States for executions, and it is considered a chemical warfare agent. Using nitrogen for execution could be very different as it is not toxic, and could cause much less pain and suffering for the condemned. It would likely be easier to use than hydrogen cyanide. But it is an untested method. Oklahoma has no experience with a gas chamber, and with its challenges in administering lethal injections, I can understand why some would doubt the state’s ability to effectively innovate in executions. However, should the Supreme Court rule against the state’s lethal injection protocols later this year, Oklahoma may well set an example for other states seeking ways around the roadblocks to lethal injection. Sidebar – While the Supreme Court case on Oklahoma’s methods may make this moot, the federal death penalty may force a more definitive legal stance on lethal injection. The federal government’s preferred method of execution defers to the state in which the crime took place. Should there be no death penalty in that state, the judge must choose a state with a death penalty to carry out the execution. While this typically means lethal injection, it is plausible that the recent turmoil in the states may affect how the federal government conducts its executions. However, no federal execution has been carried out since 2003, and none are scheduled at the time of this writing. Leave a Reply WordPress.com Logo Twitter picture Facebook photo Google+ photo Connecting to %s
What are some lesser-known facts about how to attract deer? Quick Answer Some lesser-known techniques to attract deer are covering human tracks from the area, not letting dogs roam the area and making artificial water sources. Other more common ways to attract deer are the use of baits and salt licks and adding deer food-bearing plants to an area. Continue Reading Full Answer To prevent human scent from warning deer of the presence of a human predator, hunters can treat their clothes, boots and gloves with a masking agent, such as scents that mimic fox, raccoon, acorns, dirt or deer urine. Washing clothes and bathing with baking soda also remove the human scent. Dogs threaten and harass deer, forcing them to run and burn precious energy that they need to fight cold and starvation. Farm owners can request that visitors and contractors prevent their dogs from roaming freely. Some county jurisdictions allow for the shooting of dogs that harass wildlife. Rain turns artificially made depressions on the ground into water troughs that attract deer, especially during the dry season when their water needs peak. Their water requirements are lowest in the spring when rain is abundant and the foraging vegetation is laden with water. Learn more about Outdoor Adventure Related Questions
The root causes of a poor security culture within the workplace The psychology of human behaviour should be considered as well Image by txmx 2 ‘Wicked’ problems in information security 2. The ambiguity rule: design thinkers must preserve ambiguity. 3. The redesign rule: all design is redesign Image by Paloma Baytelman Security and Usability Using mental models Image by Rosenfeld Media How employees react to security policies Information security can often be a secondary consideration for many employees, which leaves their company vulnerable to cyber attacks. Leron Zinatullin, author of The Psychology of Information Security, discusses how organisations can address this. First, security professionals should understand that people’s resources are limited. Moreover, people tend to struggle with making effective decisions when they are tired. To test the validity of this argument, psychologists designed an experiment in which they divided participants into two groups: the first group was asked to memorise a two-digit number (e.g. 54) and the second was asked to remember a seven-digit number (e.g. 4509672).[1] They then asked the participants to go down the hall to another room to collect their reward for participating. This payment, however, could be only received if the number was recalled correctly. While they were making their way down the corridor, the participants encountered another experimenter, who offered them either fruit or chocolate. They were told that they could collect their chosen snack after they finished the experiment, but they had to make a decision there and then. The results demonstrated that people who were given the easier task of remembering a two-digit number mostly chose the healthy option, while people overburdened by the more challenging task of recalling a longer string of digits succumbed to the more gratifying chocolate. The implications of these findings, however, are not limited to dieting. A study looked at the decision-making patterns that can be observed in the behaviour of judges when considering inmates for parole during different stages of the day.[2] Despite the default position being to reject parole, judges had more cognitive capacity and energy to fully consider the details of the case and make an informed decision in the mornings and after lunch, resulting in more frequently granted paroles. In the evenings, judges tended to reject parole far more frequently, which is believed to be due to the mental strain they endure throughout the day. They simply ran out of energy and defaulted to the safest option. How can this be applied to the information security context? Security professionals should bear in mind that if people are stressed at work, making difficult decisions, performing productive tasks, they get tired. This might affect their ability or willingness to maintain compliance. In a corporate context, this cognitive depletion may result in staff defaulting to core business activities at the expense of secondary security tasks. Security mechanisms must be aligned with individual primary tasks in order to ensure effective implementation, by factoring in an individual’s perspective, knowledge and awareness, and a modern, flexible and adaptable information security approach. The aim should therefore be to correct employee misunderstandings and misconceptions that result in non-compliant behaviour, because, in the end, people are a company’s best asset. [1] B. Shiv and A. Fedorikhin, “Heart and Mind in Conflict: The Interplay of Affect and Cognition in Consumer Decision Making”, Journal of Consumer Research, 1999, 278–292. [2] Shai Danziger, Jonathan Levav and Liora Avnaim-Pesso, “Extraneous Factors in Judicial Decisions”, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(17), 2011, 6889–6892. Photo by CrossfitPaleoDietFitnessClasses Secure by design Have you seen security controls being implemented just to comply with legal and regulatory requirements? Just like this fence. I’m sure it will pass all the audits: it is functioning as designed, it blocks the path (at least on paper) and it has a bright yellow colour just as specified in the documentation. But is it fit for purpose? It turns out that many security problems arise from this eager drive to comply: if the regulator needs a fence – it will be added! Sometimes controls are introduced later, when the project is well passed the design stage. It might be the case that they just don’t align with the real world anymore. Safety measures, unfortunately, are no exception. The solution may be poorly designed, but more often, safety requirements are included later on with the implementation not fit for purpose. Same holds for privacy as well. Privacy professionals encourage to adopt the Privacy by Design principle. Is it considered on the image below? Password Policies: Security vs Productivity Password complexity and usability explained in one comic.
Education Contributes to a Successful Career Building a successful and diversified career always begins from a great education. With today's emergence of digital economies worldwide, striving for career achievement matters to everyone especially for those who seek advancement and reasonable compensation. Looking for a higher degree of education does not stop in one place or in a local country. People are now aspiring to create impressive credentials by acquiring substantial knowledge and skills from prestigious universities abroad. In fact, education has truly evolved from the conventional way of teaching to digitalized form. With people starting to learn new languages, they can offer services and training to anyone through online technology and social media sites. Online schools start to grow in numbers and interested people who want to learn other languages increase as well. Imagine how great the benefit of acquiring new languages is by means of transcription and translation. The benefits of digital learning for education Learning has evolved remarkably from printed materials to visual forms. Multimedia companies related to education also enhanced their capacity to distribute new learning techniques and advancements through internet videos and educational websites. Creating new learning materials is now faster, reliable, and cost-efficient while making it more accessible for educators and students at any given time. From research documentaries, recorded speeches, and personal educational videos, there is always a rising need for translation. If you need to have your video material translated to another language, you definitely need a voice over translation, subtitling or captioning services. By converting your sources to multilingual approach, a greater possibility of reaching more viewers awaits your video presentations. Document translation and multimedia transcription create more innovative ways to enhance learning materials for education use. Medical resources like journals, textbooks, and research studies are translated to make them accessible for foreign students and educators. That is why it is important to make digital learning fun and enjoyable for kids while informative for a mature audience. Education system works through adaptability Effective learning is primarily achieved through appropriate teaching technique and material adaptability to all users. The need of every individual varies when it comes to the basics of learning. Some may need to adapt through video captioning or sub-tiling in the case of foreign students. Language connection and its proper usage is the best form of an education tool. When it comes to information, translation services can help make documents accessible to all educators and professionals. A great combination of voice over translation and subtitling can even reach more potential viewers. Though every material used for education varies according to the subject matter, language conversion can bridge all language issues and other learning difficulties. Modern-day education is now versatile, flexible, and comprehensive. You can almost find different valuable sources from the internet in your own spoken language at your convenient time. People will continue to learn and will keep moving forward as time progresses. Working process of digital services for education Digital services deliver fast, reliable, and convincing results in cost-efficient ways. In pursuance to a greater success, clients seek for more advanced education to access learning materials through websites and online publications. Online technology simply connects professional translators, typists, transcribers, voice talents, and video experts all in one place. Academic learning becomes unlimited because of the availability of quality sources whether in the form of videos, audio files, or translated documents. However, the success of a learning material may not come easy. Document translation, for instance, requires a specific field of expertise to translate the document according to the nature of the language and subject matter. Service companies will either outsource the translation job to another professional or use in-house translators to save time and resources. Once completed, the initial document will go through strict quality control before considering it as a final document. Acquiring quality education is an essential investment to reach a greater platform of success. Make use of online service companies to make learning conducive and adaptable. The influence of language on education Language is an important factor for education. It may affect learning capacity for students since language is primarily bounded by historical and cultural backgrounds. In some cases, language may also influence the social and cultural behavior of the recipients resulted in the changing of times. For this matter, the role of professional translators and transcribers is valuable to make learning easy and conformable to the standards of the original language. Video materials, for example, require experienced voice artists who are sensitive enough to the needs of the viewers. They are expected to deliver the lines in perfection and they should be appropriate to the language standards of another country. With the right ingredients of talents, professionalism, and dedication, language translation, and transcription will be a great learning tool.Online transcription and translation services can help scale your learning success. In line with the times, these services adjust to the seamless changing education requirements for all members of the academe, students and educators alike. Upgrade your academic potentials using these compact education solutions that vendors provide.
Jet engine Jet engine Simulation of a low-bypass turbofan's airflow. Jet engine airflow during take-off. (Click on picture for bigger view.) A jet engine is a reaction engine discharging a fast moving jet that generates thrust by jet propulsion in accordance with Newton's laws of motion. This broad definition of jet engines includes turbojets, turbofans, rockets, ramjets, and pulse jets. In general, jet engines are combustion engines but non-combusting forms also exist. In common parlance, the term jet engine loosely refers to an internal combustion airbreathing jet engine (a duct engine). These typically consist of an engine with a rotary (rotating) air compressor powered by a turbine ("Brayton cycle"), with the leftover power providing thrust via a propelling nozzle. Jet aircraft use these types of engines for long-distance travel. Early jet aircraft used turbojet engines which were relatively inefficient for subsonic flight. Modern subsonic jet aircraft usually use high-bypass turbofan engines. These engines offer high speed and greater fuel efficiency than piston and propeller aeroengines over long distances.[1] • History 1 • Uses 2 • Types 3 • Airbreathing 3.1 • Turbine powered 3.1.1 • Turbojet • Turbofan • Turboprop and turboshaft • Propfan • Ram powered 3.1.2 • Ramjet • Scramjet • Non-continuous combustion 3.1.3 • Rocket 3.2 • Hybrid 3.3 • Water jet 3.4 • General physical principles 4 • Propelling nozzle 4.1 • Thrust 4.2 • Thrust augmentation 4.2.1 • Energy efficiency 4.3 • Consumption of fuel or propellant 4.4 • Thrust-to-weight ratio 4.5 • Comparison of types 4.6 • Altitude and speed 4.7 • Noise 4.8 • See also 5 • References 6 • Notes 6.1 • Bibliography 6.2 • External links 7 Jet propulsion only took off, literally and figuratively, with the invention of the gunpowder-powered rocket by the Chinese in the 13th century as a type of fireworks, and gradually progressed to propel formidable weaponry. However, although very powerful, at reasonable flight speeds rockets are very inefficient and so jet propulsion technology stalled for hundreds of years. Albert Fonó's ramjet-cannonball from 1915 The first patent for using a gas turbine to power an aircraft was filed in 1921 by Frenchman Maxime Guillaume.[3] His engine was an axial-flow turbojet. Alan Arnold Griffith published An Aerodynamic Theory of Turbine Design in 1926 leading to experimental work at the RAE. In 1928, RAF College Cranwell cadet[4] Frank Whittle formally submitted his ideas for a turbojet to his superiors. In October 1929 he developed his ideas further.[5] On 16 January 1930 in England, Whittle submitted his first patent (granted in 1932).[6] The patent showed a two-stage axial compressor feeding a single-sided centrifugal compressor. Practical axial compressors were made possible by ideas from A.A.Griffith in a seminal paper in 1926 ("An Aerodynamic Theory of Turbine Design"). Whittle would later concentrate on the simpler centrifugal compressor only, for a variety of practical reasons. Whittle had his first engine running in April 1937. It was liquid-fuelled, and included a self-contained fuel pump. Whittle's team experienced near-panic when the engine would not stop, accelerating even after the fuel was switched off. It turned out that fuel had leaked into the engine and accumulated in pools, so the engine would not stop until all the leaked fuel had burned off. Whittle was unable to interest the government in his invention, and development continued at a slow pace. A cutaway of the Junkers Jumo 004 engine The efficiency of turbojet engines was still rather worse than piston engines, but by the 1970s, with the advent of high-bypass turbofan jet engines, (an innovation not foreseen by the early commentators such as Edgar Buckingham, at high speeds and high altitudes that seemed absurd to them), fuel efficiency was about the same as the best piston and propeller engines.[1] A JT9D turbofan jet engine installed on a Boeing 747 aircraft. Turbine powered Gas turbines are rotary engines that extract energy from a flow of combustion gas. They have an upstream compressor coupled to a downstream turbine with a combustion chamber in-between. In aircraft engines, those three core components are often called the "gas generator."[9] There are many different variations of gas turbines, but they all use a gas generator system of some type. Turbojet engine A turbofan engine is a gas turbine engine that is very similar to a turbojet. Like a turbojet, it uses the gas generator core (compressor, combustor, turbine) to convert internal energy in fuel to kinetic energy in the exhaust. Turbofans differ from turbojets in that they have an additional component, a fan. Like the compressor, the fan is powered by the turbine section of the engine. Unlike the turbojet, some of the flow accelerated by the fan bypasses the gas generator core of the engine and is exhausted through a nozzle. The bypassed flow is at lower velocities, but a higher mass, making thrust produced by the fan more efficient than thrust produced by the core. Turbofans are generally more efficient than turbojets at subsonic speeds, but they have a larger frontal area which generates more drag.[11] There are two general types of turbofan engines, low-bypass and high-bypass. Low-bypass turbofans have a bypass ratio of around 2:1 or less, meaning that for each kilogram of air that passes through the core of the engine, two kilograms or less of air bypass the core. Low-bypass turbofans often used a mixed exhaust nozzle meaning that the bypassed flow and the core flow exit from the same nozzle.[12] High-bypass turbofans have larger bypass ratios, sometimes on the order of 5:1 or 6:1. These turbofans can produce much more thrust than low-bypass turbofans or turbojets because of the large mass of air that the fan can accelerate, and are often more fuel efficient than low-bypass turbofans or turbojets. Turboprop and turboshaft Turboprop engine In turboprop engines, a portion of the engine's thrust is produced by spinning a propeller, rather than relying solely on high-speed jet exhaust. As their jet thrust is augmented by a propeller, turboprops are occasionally referred to as a type of hybrid jet engine. While many turboprops generate the majority of their thrust with the propeller, the hot-jet exhaust is an important design point, and maximum thrust is obtained by matching thrust contributions of the propeller to the hot jet.[13] Turboprops generally have better performance than turbojets or turbofans at low speeds where propeller efficiency is high, but become increasingly noisy and inefficient at high speeds.[14] A propfan engine Ram powered Scramjet engine operation Non-continuous combustion Type Description Advantages Disadvantages Rocket engine propulsion However, the high exhaust speed and the heavier, oxidizer-rich propellant results in far more propellant use than turbofans although, even so, at extremely high speeds they become energy-efficient. F_N = \dot m\, g_0\, I_{sp-vac} - A_e\, p \; Where F_N is the net thrust, I_{sp(vac)} is the specific impulse, g_0 is a standard gravity, \dot m is the propellant flow in kg/s, A_e is the cross-sectional area at the exit of the exhaust nozzle, and p is the atmospheric pressure. Type Description Advantages Disadvantages Rocket Carries all propellants and oxidants on board, emits jet for propulsion[21] Very few moving parts, Mach 0 to Mach 25+, efficient at very high speed (> Mach 5.0 or so), thrust/weight ratio over 100, no complex air inlet, high compression ratio, very high speed (hypersonic) exhaust, good cost/thrust ratio, fairly easy to test, works in a vacuum-indeed works best exoatmospheric which is kinder on vehicle structure at high speed, fairly small surface area to keep cool, and no turbine in hot exhaust stream. Very high temperature combustion and high expansion ratio nozzle gives very high efficiency- at very high speeds. Needs lots of propellant- very low specific impulse—typically 100–450 seconds. Extreme thermal stresses of combustion chamber can make reuse harder. Typically requires carrying oxidizer on-board which increases risks. Extraordinarily noisy. Type Description Advantages Disadvantages Water jet A pump jet schematic. Type Description Advantages Disadvantages General physical principles Propelling nozzle The propelling nozzle is the key component of all jet engines as it creates the exhaust jet. Propelling nozzles turn pressurized, slow moving, usually hot gas, into lower pressure, fast moving, colder gas by adiabatic expansion.[22] Propelling nozzles can be subsonic, sonic, or supersonic,[23] but in normal operation nozzles are usually sonic or supersonic. Nozzles operate to constrict the flow, and hence help raise the pressure in the engine, and physically the nozzles are very typically convergent, or convergent-divergent. Convergent-divergent nozzles can give supersonic jet velocity within the divergent section, whereas in a convergent nozzle the exhaust fluid cannot exceed the speed of sound of the gas within the nozzle. The net thrust (FN) of a turbojet is given by:[24] F_N =( \dot{m}_{air} + \dot{m}_{fuel}) v_e - \dot{m}_{air} v air = the mass rate of air flow through the engine fuel = the mass rate of fuel flow entering the engine air v = the ram drag of the intake air The rate of flow of fuel entering the engine is very small compared with the rate of flow of air.[24] If the contribution of fuel to the nozzle gross thrust is ignored, the net thrust is: F_N = \dot{m}_{air} (v_e - v) Thrust augmentation Jet thrust can be increased by injecting additional fluids and it is then called wet thrust. Early engines and some current non-afterburning engines use water injection to temporarily increase thrust. Water is injected at the air compressor inlet or the diffuser to cool the compressing air which permits an increase in pressure for higher burning. A 10 to 30% additional thrust can thus be gained. Methyl or ethyl alcohol (or a mixture of one or both of these with water) has been used in the past for injection. However, water has a higher heat of evaporation, and is therefore the only liquid generally used for thrust augmentation today. Today's military combat engines use an afterburner for increased thrust. Energy efficiency The energy efficiency (\eta) of jet engines installed in vehicles has two main components: • propulsive efficiency (\eta_p): how much of the energy of the jet ends up in the vehicle body rather than being carried away as kinetic energy of the jet. • cycle efficiency (\eta_{v_e}): how efficiently the engine can accelerate the jet Even though overall energy efficiency \eta is simply: \eta= \eta_p \eta_{v_e} For all jet engines the propulsive efficiency is highest when the engine emits an exhaust jet at a velocity that is the same as, or nearly the same as, the vehicle speed as this gives the smallest residual kinetic energy.[26] The formula for air-breathing engines moving at speed v with an exhaust velocity v_e, and neglecting fuel flow, is:[27] \eta_p = \frac{2}{1 + \frac{v_e}{v}} And for a rocket:[28] \eta_p= \frac {2\, (\frac {v} {v_e})} {1 + ( \frac {v} {v_e} )^2 } In addition to propulsive efficiency, another factor is cycle efficiency; essentially a jet engine is typically a form of heat engine. Heat engine efficiency is determined by the ratio of temperatures reached in the engine to that exhausted at the nozzle, which in turn is limited by the overall pressure ratio that can be achieved. Cycle efficiency is highest in rocket engines (~60+%), as they can achieve extremely high combustion temperatures. Cycle efficiency in turbojet and similar is nearer to 30%, due to much lower peak cycle temperatures. Typical combustion stability limits of an aircraft gas turbine. In aircraft turbines, the regular fuel ratio is less than the most efficient fuel ratio of 15%. Therefore, only a part of the air is being used in the combustion process. Part of the fuel isn't completely burned, leaving a mix of carbon monoxide, soot, and hydrocarbon behind. At idle these amount to 50-2000 ppm, and decreases during cruising to 1-50 ppm. That is why the air around airports is bad.[30] Specific impulse as a function of speed for different jet types with kerosene fuel (hydrogen Isp would be about twice as high). Although efficiency plummets with speed, greater distances are covered, it turns out that efficiency per unit distance (per km or mile) is roughly independent of speed for jet engines as a group; however airframes become inefficient at supersonic speeds Consumption of fuel or propellant Engine type Scenario SFC in lb/(lbf·h) SFC in g/(kN·s) Specific impulse (s) Effective exhaust velocity (m/s) NK-33 rocket engine Vacuum 10.9 309 331[31] 3,240 SSME rocket engine Space shuttle vacuum 7.95 225 453[32] 4,423 Ramjet Mach 1 4.5 127 800 7,877 J-58 turbojet SR-71 at Mach 3.2 (Wet) 1.9 53.8 1,900 18,587 Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 Concorde Mach 2 cruise (Dry) 1.195[33] 33.8 3,012 29,553 CF6-80C2B1F turbofan Boeing 747-400 cruise 0.605[33] 17.1 5,950 58,400 General Electric CF6 turbofan Sea level 0.307[33] 8.696 11,700 115,000 Thrust-to-weight ratio The thrust-to-weight ratio of jet engines of similar principles varies somewhat with scale, but is mostly a function of engine construction technology. Clearly for a given engine, the lighter the engine, the better the thrust-to-weight is, the less fuel is used to compensate for drag due to the lift needed to carry the engine weight, or to accelerate the mass of the engine. As can be seen in the following table, rocket engines generally achieve very much higher thrust-to-weight ratios than duct engines such as turbojet and turbofan engines. This is primarily because rockets almost universally use dense liquid or solid reaction mass which gives a much smaller volume and hence the pressurisation system that supplies the nozzle is much smaller and lighter for the same performance. Duct engines have to deal with air which is two to three orders of magnitude less dense and this gives pressures over much larger areas, which in turn results in more engineering materials being needed to hold the engine together and for the air compressor. Jet or Rocket engine Mass Thrust-to-weight ratio RD-0410 nuclear rocket engine[34][35] 2,000 4,400 35.2 7,900 1.8 J58 jet engine (SR-71 Blackbird)[36][37] 2,722 6,001 150 34,000 5.2 Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojet with reheat (Concorde)[38] 3,175 7,000 169.2 38,000 5.4 Pratt & Whitney F119[39] 1,800 3,900 91 20,500 7.95 RD-0750 rocket engine, three-propellant mode[40] 4,621 10,188 1,413 318,000 31.2 RD-0146 rocket engine[34] 260 570 98 22,000 38.4 SSME rocket engine (Space Shuttle)[41] 3,177 7,004 2,278 512,000 73.1 RD-180 rocket engine[42] 5,393 11,890 4,152 933,000 78.5 RD-170 rocket engine 9,750 21,500 7,887 1,773,000 82.5 F-1 (Saturn V first stage)[43] 8,391 18,499 7,740.5 1,740,100 94.1 NK-33 rocket engine[44] 1,222 2,694 1,638 368,000 136.7 Merlin 1D rocket engine 440 970 690 160,000 159.9 Rocket thrusts are vacuum thrusts unless otherwise noted Comparison of types Comparative suitability for (left to right) turboshaft, low bypass and turbojet to fly at 10 km altitude in various speeds. Horizontal axis - speed, m/s. Vertical axis displays engine efficiency. Propeller engines are useful for comparison. They accelerate a large mass of air but by a relatively small maximum change in speed. This low speed limits the maximum thrust of any propeller driven airplane. However, because they accelerate a large mass of air, propeller engines, such as turboprops, can be very efficient. On the other hand, turbojets accelerate a much smaller mass of intake air and burned fuel, but they emit it at the much higher speeds which are made possible by using a de Laval nozzle to accelerate the engine exhaust. This is why they are suitable for aircraft traveling at supersonic and higher speeds. While a turbojet engine uses all of the engine's output to produce thrust in the form of a hot high-velocity exhaust gas jet, a turbofan's cool low-velocity bypass air yields between 30 percent and 70 percent of the total thrust produced by a turbofan system.[45] The net thrust (FN) generated by a turbofan is:[46] F_N = \dot{m}_e v_e - \dot{m}_o v_o + BPR\, (\dot{m}_c v_f) BPR = Bypass Ratio Altitude and speed The propelling jet produces jet noise which is caused by the violent mixing action of the high speed jet with the surrounding air. In the subsonic case the noise is produced by eddies and in the supersonic case by Mach waves.[50] The sound power radiated from a jet varies with the jet velocity raised to the eighth power for velocities up to 2,000 ft/sec and varies with the velocity cubed above 2,000 ft/sec.[51] Thus, the lower speed exhaust jets emitted from engines such as high bypass turbofans are the quietest, whereas the fastest jets, such as rockets, turbojets, and ramjets, are the loudest. For commercial jet aircraft the jet noise has reduced from the turbojet through bypass engines to turbofans as a result of a progressive reduction in propelling jet velocities. For example the JT8D, a bypass engine, has a jet velocity of 1450 ft/sec whereas the JT9D, a turbofan, has jet velocities of 885 ft/sec (cold) and 1190 ft/sec (hot).[52] See also 1. ^ a b "ch10-3". Retrieved 2010-03-26. 2. ^ propeller efficiency 8. ^ Warsitz, Lutz: (p. 125), Pen and Sword Books Ltd., England, 2009THE FIRST JET PILOT - The Story of German Test Pilot Erich Warsitz 10. ^ Mattingly, pp. 6-8 11. ^ Mattingly, pp. 9-11 12. ^ a b Mattingly, p. 12 13. ^ Hill & Peterson 1992, pp. 190. 14. ^ Mattingly 2006, pp. 12-14. 16. ^ a b Mattingly, p. 14 22. ^ GFC Rogers, and Cohen, H. Gas Turbine Theory, p.108 (5th Edition), HIH Saravanamuttoo 23. ^ Rocket propulsion elements, Sutton, Biblarz- table 3-1 27. ^ "Jet Propulsion" Nicholas Cumpsty ISBN 0 521 59674 2 p24 28. ^ George P. Sutton and Oscar Biblarz (2001). Rocket Propulsion Elements (7th Edition ed.). John Wiley & Sons. pp. 37–38. 30. ^ Klaus Huenecke, "Die Technik des modernen Verkehrsflugzeuges", pp. 111-117. 31. ^ Astronautix NK33 32. ^ Astronautix SSME 33. ^ a b c "Data on Large Turbofan Engines". Aircraft Aerodynamics and Design Group. Stanford University. Retrieved 22 December 2009. 34. ^ a b Wade, Mark. "RD-0410". 36. ^ Aircraft: Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird 37. ^ "Factsheets : Pratt & Whitney J58 Turbojet". National Museum of the United States Air Force. Retrieved 2010-04-15. 38. ^ "Rolls-Royce SNECMA Olympus - Jane's Transport News". Retrieved 2009-09-25. With afterburner, reverser and nozzle ... 3,175 kg ... Afterburner ... 169.2 kN 39. ^ Military Jet Engine Acquisition, RAND, 2002. 40. ^ "«Konstruktorskoe Buro Khimavtomatiky» - Scientific-Research Complex / RD0750.". KBKhA - 41. ^ SSME 42. ^ "RD-180". Retrieved 2009-09-25. 43. ^ Encyclopedia Astronautica: F-1 44. ^ Astronautix NK-33 entry 45. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (2004). FAA-H-8083-3B Airplane Flying Handbook Handbook. Federal Aviation Administration. 46. ^ Turbofan Thrust, Glenn Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 51. ^ "Noise" I.C. Cheeseman Flight International 16 April 1970 p639 External links • Media about jet engines from Rolls-Royce • How Stuff Works article on how a Gas Turbine Engine works • Influence of the Jet Engine on the Aerospace Industry • An Overview of Military Jet Engine History, Appendix B, pp. 97–120, in Military Jet Engine Acquisition (Rand Corp., 24 pgs, PDF) • Basic jet engine tutorial (QuickTime Video)
Google open-sources JPEG encoder that reduces file sizes by 35% EnlargeHarry Langdon Getty Images EnlargeHarry Langdon Getty Images Other methods mostly get the job done by leaving out minor details, while Guetzli compresses the image without compromising on the quality. It hopes that web site designers will use this new tool to cut down on image file sizes and thus improve load times on their sites, especially on mobile browsers. Google has several other projects to reduce image sizes on the web, including its Zopfli encoder (which similarly creates smaller PNG files without breaking format compatibility) and WebP (a new image format that supports both lossless and lossy compression for improved file sizes). Google has announced the release of Guetzli, an open source JPEG encoder that creates high quality JPEG images with file sizes 35% smaller than now available methods. According to Google, this makes the slower compression a "worthy tradeoff". "This implies the Butteraugli psychovisual image similarity metric which guides Guetzli is reasonably close to human perception at high-quality levels". "However, while Guetzli creates smaller image file sizes, the tradeoff is that these search algorithms take significantly longer to create compressed images than now available methods", the company notes in a blog. Guetzli focuses on compression at the quantization stage as that is where more visual degeneration of the image occurs. It would be interesting to see if Guetzli scores a wider acceptance. You can view Guetzli's repository on GitHub here. Therefore any compression technique needs to downsample in a manner which leads to the highest perceptual image quality possible, since there is no "way back". Guetzli may indeed produce better perceived quality at a given file size, but note for example how some green areas are washed out in the eye comparison image above. Right, Guetzli compression. Credit: Google. Slower compression is likely to be an insignificant factor for desktop design environments, but has far bigger usage and resource ramifications for the millions of process threads which run every day over the internet, converting selfies, food shots and other user-generated content into optimised formats for viewing. Right: Guetzli. Google claims that Guetzli has fewer artifacts without a larger file size. Google says it asked people whether they preferred libjpeg-encoded JPEGs or Guetzli JPEGs and most picked the latter. Ultimas noticias
When Your Sinuses Fail Sinus problems begin when the sinus pathways become obstructed as a result of inflammation, which causes the nasal membranes to swell, narrowing the air’s pathway Inflammation in the breathing system occurs when you are exposed to an infection (stemming from bacteria, a virus, or mold), allergens, or other irritants (such as pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, or perfumes). Many of these substances are in the air all the time, yet some people are more affected by them than others. The inflammatory cycle is triggered by these and other irritants when they are coupled with a genetic predisposition, causing certain people to react. For instance, why are some people sensidve to cigarette smoke while others are not bothered by it? Why are some people sensitive to specific allergens, and others not? Why do some people develop an infection, while others are equally exposed, but not affected? The answers are still not known. But what we do know is that these phenomena are determined by the genetic makeup of each person. And, although research in human genetics has made great strides, there is still much about individual differences in our immune system that we don’t understand. So currently, we have to treat these phenomena, and the related symptoms and conditions on a case-by-case basis. Your airway can also be compromised because of your unique anatomical structure. Sinus and nasal narrowing can occur if you were born with a physical defect within the nose. For example, the nasal cavity can be narrowed by a deviated septum or sinuses that never developed properly. Just as some people are short and others tall, some small and others large, the sinus pathways among individuals also vary. The passageways may be intrinsically narrow or small. Often, the turbinates can develop with an air cell within them, or they may be large or positioned in the middle of the airway. In the worst case, rare tumors like papilloma (nasal or sinus warts) or cancer can cause blockage of the nose or sinuses. Any of these anomalies can prevent air from optimally passing through the nose and sinuses. Trauma, or a blow to the head, can also cause a narrowing of the passageways. A fall taken at a young age could have caused your septum to deviate, growing along a crooked line as you developed. You might have even fractured your nose on your way out of the birth canal, and you may not even know that it was traumatized. On the other hand, you may be acutely aware of a nose injury, such as getting elbowed playing sports. No matter what the initial cause or when the air pathway was altered, the air currently passing through your nose circulates with abnormal motion that can cause erosion of the membranes, leading to drying, crusting, and/or scabbing. It can even lead to bleeding as the erosion becomes more significant. Polyps, which are benign growths or tumors, can form within the nose and sinus cavities from any of the irritants that cause inflammation. Some scientists believe that any inflammation in the nasal passages leads to swelling and then to infection, which ultimately causes polyp formation. Once the cycle of inflammation begins, it is very difficult to correct it. The initial inflammation leads to obstruction. As this obstruction worsens, it causes more inflammation around the obstructed area. This causes stagnation of the mucus and crusting and/or scabbing, all which create an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and molds to grow. This growth of infection causes more inflammation and swelling and more obstruction. Ultimately, both inflammation and blockage create a cycle that worsens with every breath you take. Caustic agents like chemicals, pollution and/or smoking can also damage the normal movement of the ciliated hair cells - for example, smoking can cause these hair cells to become singed from the heat of the ingested cigarette. Nicotine also causes the nose’s blood vessels to constrict to the point that the hair cells can become damaged or paralyzed. Metals that are present in air pollution from car exhaust or chemicals in new carpeting can damage the cilia as well. As a result, the sinuses stop draining properly: The mucus backup exacerbates and worsens the inflammation and the obstruction, all making the initial infection worse. This cycle will continue to get worse until it is broken. Meanwhile, your normal mucus production has also changed. What was once clear running fluid is now thick and static. There is also a change in its acidity (pH). Ironically, the body’s natural reaction to airway inflammation is to produce more mucus to wash the inflammation and infection away. This mucus continues to pool and starts to thicken as its water content evaporates. This is worsened when your body raises its temperature to fight off the infection. At this point, the body’s defenses start to release white blood cells into the mucus to fight the bacteria, viruses, or molds, all of which can further change the pH and consistency. The white blood cells release toxic substances and enzymes to kill the infection. Some of these cells start “eating” the infection to kill it, a process called phagocytosis. These toxic substances cause damage to the cilia, more inflammation and swelling, and chronically can cause thickening of the membranes. As each sinus cavity closes due to swelling, the oxygen in the cavity itself decreases, making each of these closed cavities more prone to infection. All of this leads to sinus disease, and ultimately to chronic airway-digestive inflammatory disease (CAID) (5). Chronic problems occur when there are breaks in the nasal membranes that should be keeping infection out of the body. When these membranes are broken, an infection can enter the body. Bacteria pass into the bloodstream, and when their levels are sufficient, your body reacts again by raising its temperature to kill the infection. This rise in body temperature can occur for short periods of time as a result of spiking bacteria levels in the bloodstream or may occur over longer periods of time when the infection is bad enough to cause a higher, more constant level of bacteria. The fever may be low grade as a result of exposure to constant chronic infection or it may be higher in reaction to an acute infection, or a sudden high exposure to bacteria. Sinus Tips:
One of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past 40 years is the development and use of dental implants. Implants are an effective and increasingly popular way to replace one or more missing teeth. U.S. dentists place more than 5.5 million implants annually. A dental implant is a screw or cylinder-type device made of a strong, lightweight material, usually titanium, that is surgically implanted into the jaw. By using a bone coating on the titanium–which biochemically joins to bone–to replace the root, you get a bond that more accurately replicates the one found in nature. This provides a sturdy anchor for artificial replacement teeth, or crowns. Implants can be used for single teeth, bridges and dentures. Implants are typically done in three steps: First, a local Plymouth dentist or oral surgeon will surgically place the implant into your jaw bone. Second, the implant and jaw bone are allowed to bond together over about a three-month period. During this healing process, called osseointegration, the bone actually grows around the implant and firmly holds it in place. Third, when the area for treatment is ready, a small metal cylinder called an abutment is screwed on top of the implant. A permanent crown is created based on size, shape, color and fit, and put in place on the abutment. The crown is designed to blend in with your other teeth and function like any other natural tooth. Dr. Gary Feucht, your local Plymouth dentist, at Plymouth Dentistry is happy to answer your questions about dental implants or any other of our services. Either give us a call or ask Dr. Feucht at your next appointment if you’d like to know more about this option for tooth replacement.
Animal Cruelty Regina Humane Society Animal Protection Services enforce animal protection laws that pertain to animal cruelty. Animal cruelty generally falls into two categories: neglect or intentional cruelty. Neglect is the failure to provide adequate water, food, shelter, or necessary care. Examples of neglect include: starvation; dehydration; inadequate shelter; parasite infestations; failure to seek veterinary care when an animal is in need of medical attention; allowing a collar to grow into an animal’s skin; or confinement without adequate light, ventilation, space or in unsanitary conditions. The objective of every investigation is to relieve and prevent the distress of an animal through education, cooperation, and, if necessary, prosecution under the law. Initially, in some cases, enforcement authorities like Regina Humane Society Animal Protection Officers can educate the owner and issue orders to improve the animal’s living conditions. Orders may include mandating veterinary care for sick animals or requiring a dog owner to build a proper, raised and insulated shelter for a dog housed outdoors. The Regina Humane Society has a legal obligation to provide the animal owner with “an opportunity to relieve the animal’s distress.” As such, orders are issued and time for compliance is given. If an animal owner fails to comply with orders, the investigator can either issue further orders allowing the owner more time, or apply for a search warrant to seize the animal. The Regina Humane Society is not empowered to enter and remove animals from private property without a search warrant unless those animals are in “critical” distress, which means they would not survive without immediate medical intervention. Animals may be lacking adequate food, shelter and veterinary care, or even be sick and in pain, but unless they are in immediate danger of dying they are not in critical distress under the law. Saskatchewan’s animal cruelty laws require strengthening primarily with regard to standards of basic care for companion animals including recognition of psychological harm. While the Animal Protection Act of Saskatchewan was traditionally created for livestock, today, the majority of complaints regarding animal cruelty involve companion animals, specifically dogs and cats. The authority of Animal Protection Officers to enforce care or remove animals is limited by lacking legislative regulations for companion animals under Saskatchewan’s antiquated Animal Protection Act. If you would like to join us in seeking stronger Animal Protection laws, contact your MLA as well as Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Minister and ask them to make improved animal welfare legislation a priority. How to recognize animal cruelty: • Wounds on the body • Severely overgrown nails (often curling under) • Patches of missing hair or extremely matted hair • Extremely thin, starving animals with ribs or backbone protruding • Infected eyes that have been left untreated • Limping • Animals who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions • An owner kicking, hitting or physically abusing an animal • Severe flea or tick infestations left untreated • Animals left in a car on a hot or cold day • Animals crammed into tiny cages in overcrowded conditions • Abandonment • Chronic diarrhea or vomiting • Swellings, such as tumors or abscesses, left untreated
Use of knee height as a surrogate measure of height in older South Africans Marais D. ; Marais M.L. ; Labadarios D. (2007) The study aimed to determine whether knee height would be a more appropriate surrogate measurement than armspan in determining height and body mass index (BMI) in a group of South African older people (≥ 60 years). A random sample of adults (older than 18 years) who attended selected clinics or who lived in selected old-age homes in the Western Cape volunteered to participate in the study. Subjects were divided into a study group of older people (≥ 60 years of age, N = 1 233) and a comparative group of younger adults (18-59 years, N = 1 038). Armspan, knee height, standing height and weight were measured using standardised techniques. The standing height measurements were significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.0001), with a mean for adults of 1.61 m (standard deviation (SD) 0.09) compared with that of older people (1.57 m (SD 0.09)). Mean standing height decreased with age. Knee-height measurements were not significantly different between the two groups, but when used to calculate height, the adults were significantly taller (p = 0.0001), with a mean height of 1.67 m (SD 0.06) compared with that of the older people (1.59 m (SD 0.08)). Mean armspan also decreased with age, and derived standing height was significantly different (p = 0.0001) between the two groups, with adults being taller (1.67 m (SD 0.11)) than the older people (1.63 m (SD 0.11)). In this study group, the knee-height measurements were more closely related to the standing height than the armspan. The BMI calculated from armspan-derived height tended to classify the older people towards underweight. Knee-height measurement would appear to be a more accurate and appropriate method to determine height in older people in South Africa. This item appears in the following collections:
scary GMOs gmo-orange-kiwiFrankenfoods is the popular name for GMOs or genetically modified organisms. GMOs can actually be either plants or animals bred for food, but also plants for biofuel or fiber. GMOs involve the deliberate manipulation of genetic material, usually through introduction of DNA foreign to the original organism, to force the alteration of the plant or animal’s genetic make-up. Brave New World, here we come. Make no mistake, GMO technology is being used as a solution to agricultural and environmental challenges we have been unable (or dare I say unwilling) to resolve otherwise, such as eradicating world hunger, or agricultural challenges arising from climate change like the need for more drought tolerant crops. The consequences of introducing these questionable man-made creations into nature and our bodies have not been thoroughly enough researched (the time frame has been too short), yet, eager for profit, their launching has been hastened. Some effects are known, some can be anticipated, others will take the population at large by surprise, although already predicted by scientists, but in short they are all worrisome. Based on research and case studies health consequences may encompass increased exposure to allergens, elevated cancer risks, increased resistance to antibiotics, risks of neurobehavioral defects, doubling the risk of miscarriages in advanced pregnancies, and disruption of the endocrine system.Fish-and-Tomato Environmental effects are loss of biodiversity, pollen spreading from genetically engineered to non-genetically engineered plants, and interbreeding not only with wild species but also adjacent non-GMO crops. This disrupts the natural ecology and weakens the plants by genetically forcing characteristics external to their own ecosystem on them, which in turn stresses the plants and makes them unfit in the long term. Puerto Rican journalist Carmelo Ruiz-Marrero has written about the large scale environmental problems caused by herbicide-resistant GMO soybeans that have led to deforestation, soil degradation, and pesticide and genetic contamination. This is huge! Ricarda Steinbrecher, a molecular geneticist, has documented the scarily unpredictable side effects of genetically modified salmon reared in Scotland that was engineered to grow fast, but which also unpredictably turned green. Oops. And we are finding out that the genes of such Frankensteinian organisms are unstable in later generations. So who knows what would happen if these green salmon were to escape and mate with nature made salmon. Scary…. A serious ethical concern, that has farmers already up in arms, is the biochemical companies’ profit driven and complete control over the never ending, and of course unsustainable, dependency cycle on herbicides and pesticides, fertilizers and GMO seeds (Monsanto and others sell them all and require farmers to certify that they will not save seeds from one year to the next!). gmo-freeTake note that many countries have either never adopted or already banned GMO crops. Our best bet is to refrain from buying, and thus promoting the further use of GMO crops, and supporting GMO labeling. Did you know that open produce in supermarkets is already labeled? A 4-digit fruit label (say #4011) means “conventionally grown banana,” a 5-digit code starting with a 9 (say #94011) means “organically grown banana,” and a 5-digit number with an 8 (say #84011) means “genetically modified banana.” Organic certification forbids the use of GMOs, but almost all conventional soy and corn crops in the US, and much rice and cotton, are now GMO. Why not refrain from buying anything with high fructose corn syrup, and no supermarket cereal – better for your health anyways. And when you buy local corn in late summer ask the farmer – many of our local farmers are aware and don’t grow GMO corn. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Responses to scary GMOs 1. Russ says: Hi Susanne, This is good on the health and some of the environmental effects of GMOs and their affiliated poisons, but why does it lead off repeating three of the biggest lies of all, that GMOs can help “feed the world”, that they can help with climate change, and that there’s such a thing as “drought resistant GMOs”? Industrial agriculture itself is the worst GHG emitter and destroyer of carbon sinks, and GMO cultivation does nothing but double down on every pathology of industrial agriculture. Meanwhile so-called drought resistant GMOs” are nothing but conventionally bred varieties which then have the Roundup Ready and/or Bt-expressing transgenes inserted. The very concept is a typical industry hoax. As for the industry-driven notion that there’s a shortage of food, that’s a classical Big Lie. Right now agriculture produces far more than enough food for everyone on earth (and more than would be needed for even the highest projections of future population). There’s zero problem with the amount of food produced , and zero problem need to produce “more”. 100% of the problem is the distribution system, that people can’t afford the abundant food which already exists. The quality of this food is a different story, but again this is inherent to corporate industrial ag as such. It’s designed to produce high calories, high protein, and low nutritional quality. To the extent GMOs have anything to do with food production, they’re to intensify this system based on CAFOs and processed junk food. Therefore, strictly speaking GMOs have nothing to do with food at all, they’re strictly commodities. But then we know as a long-established historical fact that corporate-controlled agriculture and food systems cannot end hunger and don’t want to. I wrote this because the “Feed the World” Big Lie is by far the most potent lie Monsanto has going, and lots of people who rightfully fear for the safety of their food and would otherwise think it’s worth fighting give up because they surrender to this false idea. Therefore, if there’s to be any hope of victory, all knowledgeable people must make combating this Big Lie a priority, until the lie is fully exposed and routed. At that point the rest of the fight will be much easier, since all the facts and science are on the side of the people and against the poison peddlers. Really the only thing that gives most people pause is the sense of fatalism and futility, including when they falsely think the cause of world hunger is that there’s not enough food. Leave a Reply • Announcement
Fractal Geometry of Tumors Rachel Lew University of California, Berkeley How certain scientists use fractal models to understand tumors and develop treatments From flowers to faces, nature is abound with symmetry. Most natural objects tend to form according to patterns, a tendency which mathematicians readily exploit in order to create theoretical models of the world around us. The height of a cliff, for instance, could be modeled by a one-dimensional line; a snake’s path through the sand could be modeled across a two-dimensional surface; a block of ice, as a mass extending into three dimensions. But what about objects in between dimensions? In fact, between the 1-D and the 2-D there exist objects known as fractals. These mathematical objects are infinitely self-similar, which means that upon magnification of a certain part of a fractal, one sees the figure of the overall fractal, and so on unto infinity. Self-symmetry allows a fractal to have fractional dimensions in that a fractal cannot be traced along its border, making it nonlinear; however, this lack of boundedness also means that the fractal never encircles a defined area. Imagine a tree whose branches branch out infinitely, or a snowflake with six tips, each of which looks like the original snowflake, and so on and so forth. Clearly, in fractal models, as in all models of nature, there is a difference between the mathematical and the natural. Natural fractal objects are composed of discrete units and are not infinitely divisible--the fractal pattern must end somewhere, or else, for instance, one might find tiny branches at the cellular level of a tree branch. To correct for this quality, scientists define natural fractal objects as having statistical self-similarity, or when “the statistical properties of the pieces [of an object] are proportional to the statistical properties of the whole."5 Tumor vasculature can in fact be described by a fractal model, and is often distinguished from normal vasculature by either an abnormally high or abnormally low fractal dimension In the human body, statistically self-similar models are most commonly applied to branching structures in the lung and in networks of blood vessels. The latter application has had particular importance in medical studies of cancer, as there is evidence that understanding the fractal geometry of tumor vasculature may aid in identification and targeted treatment of cancers. Tumor vasculature can in fact be described by a fractal model, and is often distinguished from normal vasculature by either an abnormally high or abnormally low fractal dimension.6 An object’s fractal dimension is a constant between the integers 1 and 2, and might be described as how ‘proliferative’ the object looks; i.e., an object with a higher fractal dimension looks more like an object with true area than like a curve whose ends never meet. Baish and Jain observed that blood vessels in the tumors of mice had higher fractal dimensions than the mice’s normal arteries and veins, claiming that “the fractal dimension quantified the degree of randomness to the vascular distribution, a characteristic not easily captured by the vascular density.1 Moreover, the researchers noted that tumor vessels tended to be more twisted than normal vessels, having “many smaller bends upon each larger bend."1 They also found that the way tumor vessels grew and branched closely matched a type of statistical growth called invasive percolation. In invasive percolation, a substance moves through a medium which has varying degrees of strength, penetrating the weakest areas of the medium and thus branching out to form a network. Picture, for example, water trickling through only the most loosely packed areas of soil in a pot; in the same way, the blood vessels of a tumor grow into the weakest areas of the tissue around it. On the other hand, normal capillaries are traditionally modeled by the Krogh cylinder model, which assumes that the capillaries are straight, relatively spaced, and only reach a cylindrical volume of tissue immediately surrounding each linear capillary. Given that the Krogh model idealizes even the most organized vasculature, it is clear that a statistical fractal model is better suited for tumor vasculature, which lacks arterioles, venules and capillaries, and whose irregularly shaped vessels often do not even interconnect.4 In the early 1990s, a series of studies concluded that tumor microvessel density (MVD), or the degree to which the cancerous tumor has established its own vasculature, is associated with metastasis of that cancer.4 Since then, knowledge of tumor vasculature has been applied in attempting antiangiogenesis, or prevention of blood vessel growth, as a proposed way to control tumor growth. However, antiangiogenesis has historically had limited success in treating cancer. Some scientists hypothesize that the irregular geometry of tumor vasculature--given by an abnormal degree of self-symmetry--results in two problems that mirror each other. First, while disorganized vasculature makes it difficult for tumor cells to receive nutrients, it also makes it harder for drugs targeting the tumor to reach a good proportion of the tumor.3 Second, if an antiangiogenic drug does succeed in spreading to most of the tumor, the tumor might then develop relatively normal vasculature that then allows for nutrients to be better transported to tumor cells, speeding up the growth of the tumor. Knowing where the tumor vasculature reaches is akin to knowing where in the tumor the treatment can reach Nevertheless, understanding tumor vasculature is still useful since many cancer treatments utilize drugs which flow through the tumor’s blood vessels. Knowing where the tumor vasculature reaches is akin to knowing where in the tumor the treatment can reach. To test this reach, Baish and Jain performed another study in 2012 in which a tracer transport model was coupled to a model of blood flow based on invasive percolation--essentially, the researchers created a fractal model of tracer movement through a tumor, by which the tracer represented a potential drug. This model predicted “highly heterogeneous transport in the tumor,” which the researchers deemed “clinically significant because some ‘out of the way’ regions of tumor may receive low concentrations of [the drug]."1 In an article examining medulloblastoma in children, Grizzi, Weber and Di Ieva also support the use of a fractal model for tumor vasculature, and go even further to say that this fractality implies a level of irregularity in blood vessel organization that renders MVD a poor measure of the degree to which the tumor has established its vasculature. The article concludes that greater focus should be placed on modeling tumor vessel networks as fractal objects, so that scientists might better understand where in the tumor the drug cannot reach, and possibly devise drug delivery methods that work around this difficulty. Interestingly, Brú et al. used a fractal model to discount antiangiogenesis entirely as a treatment for cancer. These researchers focused their attention on the growth of the tumor as a whole, observing fractal geometry in the way the cells proliferate around the edge, or the contour, of the tumor. According to their article in Biophysical journal, such fractal growth is an indication that the tumor always maintains a layer of actively proliferating tumor cells about its contour. Their article challenges the belief that decreasing vascularization--i.e. antiangiogenesis--to effect cell necrosis could effectively combat tumor growth, on the basis of the idea that it is not poor vascularization that prohibits cell proliferation toward the center of the tumor, but rather “pressure effects."2 Thus, poorly vascularized tumor cells could hypothetically still proliferate actively, as long as they are near the contour of the tumor, where pressure is lower. In sum, examination of the fractal geometry of tumors reveals a similarity between the way fractals are infinitely proliferated within themselves through self-symmetry, and the way a tumor grows through intense proliferation of its tissue and vasculature. Treatment methods aside, fractal geometry is useful in approximating the pattern and number of blood vessels present around or in a cancerous tumor, and as such is a good way to track tumor progression. Though fully effective drug delivery to tumors remains elusive, fractal models can in the meantime be used to help physicians in predicting the course of a tumor’s growth, and thus in forming more accurate prognoses for the health of patients with cancer. [1] Baish, J. W.; and Jain, R. K. Fractals and Cancer. Cancer Res. 2000, 60, 3683 [2] Brú, A.; Albertos S.; Subiza J. L.; García-Asenjo, J. L.; and Brú, I. The Universal Dynamics of Tumor Growth. Biophys J. 2003, 85(5), 2948-2961. [3] Chauhan. D.; Tian. Z.; Nicholson, B.; Kumar, K. G.; Zhou, B.; Carrasco, R.; McDermott, J. L.; Leach, C. A.; Fulcinniti, M.; Kodrasov, M. P.; Weinstock, J.; Kingsbury, W. D.; Hideshima, T.; Shah, P. K.; Minvielle, S.; Altun, M.; Kessler, B. M.; Orlowski, R.; Richardson, P.; Munshi, N.; Anderson, K. C. A small molecule inhibitor of ubiquitin-specific protease-7 induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells and overcomes bortezomib resistance. Cancer Cell. 2012, 22(3), 354-358. [4] Folkman, J. Role of angiogenesis in tumor growth and metastasis. Semin. Oncol. 2002, 29(6), 15-18. [5] Grizzi F., Weber C., and Di Ieva A. Antiangiogenic strategies in medulloblastoma: reality or mystery. Pediatr. Res. 2008, 63(5), 584-590. [6] Zook, J. M., and Iftekharuddin, K. Statistical analysis of fractal-based brain tumor detection algorithms. Magn. Reson. Imaging. 2005, 23(5), 671-678.
updated 2/4/2014 12:16:40 PM ET 2014-02-04T17:16:40 In his new book, Smart People Should Build Things (HarperBusiness, 2014), the "recovering lawyer" and founder of Venture for America Andrew Yang offers up his opinion on how our country can rectify our current economic problems – have smart people build things. His book delves into an innovative model on how entrepreneurs and our youth can launch small businesses and revolutionize industries. Yang also touches on what policy makers and individuals looking for jobs should do to ensure entrepreneurship is both attainable and realistic. In this edited excerpt, Yang explains why entrepreneurs spend too much time focusing on creativity and not enough on organizing and implementing a strategy to achieve their dreams. People focus too much on the inspiration, but, like conception, having a good idea isn’t much of an accomplishment. You need the action and follow through, which involves the right people, know-how, money, resources, and years of hard work. Related: Richard Branson on Knowing When to Quit Your Day Job While you're still working a full-time job, here is a list of things you can do on the side to explore an idea for a great new business: 1. Research your idea. Figure out the market, talk to prospective customers about what they would like, see who your competitors are, and so forth. 2. Undertake legal incorporation and trademark protection. 3. Claim a web URL, build a website (or have it built) and get company email accounts. 4. Get a bank account and credit card (most likely you'll have to use personal credit at first). 5. If appropriate, initiate a Facebook page, a blog and a Twitter account. 6. Develop branding. 7. Talk it up to your network. Try to find interested parties as co-founders, staff, investors and advisers. 8. If necessary, build financial projections and draft a business plan. 9. Engage in personal financial planning, including cutting back on expenses and budgeting for startup costs. 10. Create a mock prototype and presentation for potential investors or customers. If all of this sounds like a lot of work, you’re right. Getting this done while holding down a job is a significant commitment. Yet, you’re just getting started. There’s a big jump in difficulty when it comes to the next things. 1. Raise money. In my experience, fledgling entrepreneurs focus way too much on the money -- you can get most things done and figure out a lot without spending much. That said, most businesses require money to launch and get off the ground. Finding initial funds is the primary barrier most entrepreneurs face, as many people don’t have three or six months’ worth of savings to free themselves up to do months of unpaid legwork. Related: Venture for America and Its Quest to Spread Entrepreneurship Beyond Silicon Valley 2. Develop the product. Product development is a significant endeavor. Even if you’re hiring someone to build your product, managing them to specifications is a huge task in itself. You can expect vendors to take twice as long and cost twice as much as you planned. This phase might require raising additional money as well. 3. Build a team. Most people don’t build a business alone and finding quality partners or employees can be time consuming and unpredictable. Your first employee is going to look to you for guidance and her productivity is going to depend on your ability to manage. With partners, you’ll need to make sure you can work well with them, since they’re going to be with you from the ground up and for years afterward. 4. Get customers. Going to trade shows or trying to get your first handful of paying customers is typically a major time investment. This can involve web marketing, producing content and search engine optimization -- all of which take significant energy and resources to generate a return. Related: Can You Afford to Quit Your Day Job? Copyright © 2013, Inc. Discussion comments Most active discussions 1. votes comments 2. votes comments 3. votes comments 4. votes comments Data: Latest rates in the US Home equity rates View rates in your area Home equity type Today +/- Chart $30K HELOC FICO 5.04% $30K home equity loan FICO 5.20% $75K home equity loan FICO 4.65% Credit card rates View more rates Card type Today +/- Last Week Low Interest Cards 13.28% Cash Back Cards 17.77% Rewards Cards 17.03%
how to play guitar chords, easy guitar chords, free guitar chords, acoustic guitar chords, ultimate guitar chords How to Play Guitar Chords - How To Change Between Chords How to Play Guitar Chords - Learn the Tips and Secrets To Quickly And Easily Change From One Chord To Another Without Missing A Beat Georgia Luthier Supply Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook Bookmark and Share Subscribe How to Play Chords on the Guitar - Transitioning Between G and D7: Learning to change smoothly between chords is called transitioning or making chord transitions. Take a look at the G and the D7 chords in the diagram below:. Try to change between these two chords very smoothly (called a chord transition), while holding your rhythm rock-solid. The thing you cannot do is play the G smoothly and on the beat until you reach the D7 chord and then pause to change chords. Key to practicing chord transitions is to start out really slowly and make sure you don't pause or skip a beat when you change chords. How to Play Chords on the Guitar - Transitioning Between Dm and G7: Our next example steps it up a notch. Now we will change between 4 different chords - the Dm and G. In order to skillfully change between 2 different chords, you will need to learn the principle of common notes, or common fingering. This simply means looking for shared notes that are used in common between the 2 chords - or the chord you are playing and the chord you wish to transition to. Most guitarists use this technique because it allows them to be as efficient as possible - in other words, it keeps your hand movements to a minimum, and with that comes speed and ease of playing. First let's analyze the differences between the Dm and G7 chords. Note that there are 2 notes that these chords have in common. They are the 1st string and 4th string. To transition between them, finger the G7 chord, then move your 2nd finger to the2nd fret of the 3rd string and move your 3rd finger from to the 2nd string, 3rd fret. Your first finger acts like an anchor and does not move at all. This is a great way to move between chords. So by this method you can see that it saves wasted motion and make chord changes a lot more efficient. How to Play Chords on the Guitar - Transitioning Between C and Am: In the next example we will change between the C and Am chords. Set the fingering of the C Major chord. Next, in order to form the Am chord, you only need to move one finger - that being the 3rd finger. Move it to the 3rd string, 2nd fret and you are done How to Play Chords on the Guitar - Additional Tricks You Can Use: Here are some additional methods to make your chord changes go smoother. Sliding an anchor finger: This is a common method that I use to move very efficiently. You do this by releasing downward pressure on an already fingered note, slide that finger into a new position and apply enough pressure to sound the new note clearly. This method allows to to very easily to keep track of your fret positions and gives you a great deal of efficiency Moving Fingers In Tandem: Moving fingers in tandem means to move your fingers as a group - all at one time. Usually this is done with 2 fingers at a time, but sometimes you can use as many as three fingers. Lets look at changing from a D7 chord to a G chord, which employed both of these methods: Finger the D7th and strum it. To go the to G, lift the 1st and 2nd fingers about 1/4 inch above the strings and smoothly move both the 1st and 2nd fingers to their new locations. Next, (and at the same time), release a bit of pressure from the 3rd finger and slide it into position on the 3rd fret without actually lifting if from the string. Strum the G7. You should move them together, to use as little effort as possible. Guitar Pro 5 Strumming Pattern
Protein Requirements for Athletes Protein pic A former award-winning varsity athlete, Cody Saltsman now focuses on rebuilding his strength after surgery. Cody Saltsman attends carefully to his diet and ensures that he takes in enough protein to fuel his body. According to a review that appears in the Journal of Sports Medicine, athletes need more protein than the amount recommended for the average individual. An athlete’s body relies on protein to rebuild muscle and connective tissue, which a key process particularly for those seeking to increase muscle mass. Athletes also require sufficient amounts of protein to partially fulfill energy requirements during exercise, to keep the immune system working efficiently, and to bring vital nutrients to the cells. Furthermore, proteins are essential in the potassium and sodium transport process that balances electrolyte levels. To keep all of these functions running optimally, athletes need to maintain a protein intake level commensurate with their levels of activity and strain on the muscles. Experts suggest 1.2 to 1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight for athletes in light to moderate endurance training and slightly less for those with a purely recreational workout schedule. Athletes who participate in power sports and endurance training need a bit more, while resistance athletes in early stages of training generally require the most protein to compensate for wear on the muscles.
Last Updated: Jan 19, 2017 @ 7:38 am What is a cookie? A cookie is a little piece of data stored in your web browser. When you visit a website, it sends a cookie to your computer to remember your surfing behavior, like what buttons you click and what items you add to your shopping cart, as well as your log-in information. Cookies are not software and cannot destroy your computer or mobile device, but they can track your browsing activity. How does a cookie work? Cookies exist in many forms and usually serve to improve the convenience of browsing the web. Normal cookies only remain active while the browser is on the website that created the cookie. In some countries, websites are required to disclose their use of cookies to users. In other countries this is not the case, including the United States. Tracking cookies, however, remain active and collect information even after the user has navigated to another website. This information, which includes websites visited and time spent on each one, is often used to target the user with customized advertisement. Back to Glossary
Accessibility links Poles who Hid Jews From Nazis Honored in Warsaw A U.S.-based Jewish foundation Sunday honored more than 60 elderly Polish Christians who risked their lives hiding Jews from the occupying Nazis in World War II. The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous gives Poles financial aid to help bolster their small government pensions. Some of the honorees told their stories during a ceremony in Warsaw. They spoke of hiding entire Jewish families in their homes while the Nazis prowled the streets. If the Germans had discovered the Jews, it would have meant death for the Poles hiding them. Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial has presented about 6,000 Poles with its Righteous Among Nations medal for saving Jewish lives - more than any other country.
Freeman Field Dig While several of our members are aware of what the present Freeman Field Research Project is all about, I'm sure that there are several that may be hearing about it for the first time. In the summer of 1945, an ambitious effort was made in the ETO (European Theatre of Operations), to obtain as many German aircraft as possible, selecting the most airworthy examples of each type, to send them to the USA for testing and evaluation. The code name for this project was LUSTY. It was under the command of Col. Harold E. Watson, and the pilots and the men involved became known as Watson's Whizzers. Over several months, they collected whatever aircraft the Luftwaffe had left at overrun airfields and ferried them to ports in France. There they were loaded on board several ships. Among them were the HMS Reaper and the liberty ship, Richard J. Gattling. On arrival at Newark, the crated aircraft were put on railway flat cars and the many tons of spare parts were loaded into box cars for the trip west to Wright Field at Dayton, Ohio. One of the requirements when collecting the German aircraft was that they had to be accompanied by a year's supply of spare parts to support the flight-testing program. This included spare engines, tires, landing gear, control surfaces, instruments and any other parts that could not be readily available at Wright Field. Therefore, many crates of parts came over with the aircraft. By the time the material was arriving at Wright Field, it had been decided to use Freeman Field, Seymour, Indiana, as the evaluation site. Freeman was about 90 miles northwest of Dayton. Freeman field had been built as a twin engine training field and had been used to train over 4000 pilots in the AT-10 "Wichita". Freeman was also used for a short time as the first training field for the R-4B Sikorsky helicopter. This was a brand new and radical type of aircraft in those days. Several of the crated war prizes were assembled and a test flight program was initiated in the late summer of 1945. Not only were there Luftwaffe machines on had at Freeman, but a similar project had been undertaken with Japanese, Italian and even a few English aircraft. The list of German types on hand was extensive and included the very familiar Bf-109, FW-190, JU-88, Ju-87's plus jets such as the Me-262, He-162, Ar-234 and even V-1 and V-2 rockets. There were also many trainer, bomber and transport types on hand. Now keep in mind that all these types came over accompanied with many crates of spare parts. Even though the war in Europe had come to an end and the bombs were being dropped in Japan, they had managed to make almost 2000 flights from Freeman in the aircraft that had been made airworthy. However, with the end of the war, there was no need or budget for the evaluation program and it rather quickly came to an end. Some of the planes were transferred to Davis-Monthan Air Base in Tucson Arizona, some to Wright Field and some to Orchard Place Army AirField just northwest of Chicago. Need I explain to anyone what became of Orchard Place? By early 1946, the mission of Freeman Field was over and all the military material was being disposed of by selling it, giving it away, or by the easiest way digging a hole and burying it. Now, for you German aircraft fans, think about all the existing Luftwaffe machines that still reside in various museums today in the USA. That would include the ones in the Smithsonian, the JU-87 hanging in the Science Museum in Chicago, the ones in the Planes of Fame-West at Chino and the other few scattered around the country. All of these were from the collection at Freeman Field. By April 30th, 1947 the military had finished their disposals and clean up of Freeman, and had officially returned it to the City of Seymour, and it became the civil airport for Seymour and Jackson County, Indiana. Now, if we do a little inventory here, we find that several of the "War Prize". aircraft had found new homes in museums, Only a handful could be accounted for in that manner. We are sure that some of them were actually scrapped, meaning cut apart into small pieces and melted down. However, scrapping took on another meaning to some people in those days. It meant simply getting rid of it by whatever means were available. In addition to the several dozen aircraft remaining on hand, there were dozens of railroad box cars still on hand that had been used to store the hundreds of tons of spare parts that had never been used. When an individual aircraft was given to a museum, it didn't necessarily have all its spares with it. Many of the spares were still crated and stored. Since there had been a fair amount of Luftwaffe's Jet and Rocket powered aircraft there. They were of great interest to the US military in the early post-war years. Much of the flyable and new or like-new jet/rocket equipment was taken away and a lot of it ended up with the US Navy and US Air Force for further evaluation. Even with that, the inventory list left a lot of material unaccounted for at the time of the turnover of Freeman to the City of Seymour. From 1947 until 1992, little or no interest was given to the items that were buried at the airfield. The runways were still there and it remains an active airport. Although, a couple of the runways had been closed. The ramps and hangers remain. A fixed base operator runs the fuel sales, hanger rental and flight instruction that goes along with most any civil airport. Rhodes International, a small cargo-hauling airline flying C-47s and Convair 240's had a facility and maintenance hanger and a few corporate aircraft were based there. The main part of the base that had contained the barracks, mess halls, offices and all the buildings found on a busy military base, had become a giant industrial park. In 1992, Charles Osborn of Louisville, Kentucky, heading a group named "Blue Sky Aviation", made some contacts and received permission to do some digging for the "treasure" rumored for many years to be buried there. After several months of exploratory holes and many pits and trenches dug, they had nothing other than plain trash to show for it. And, I'm not saying plane trash. Blue Sky decided to abandon the project, feeling that little or no aircraft material was there, only the trash typical of any normal dumping site. Now enters "Salvage 1", run by a Northwest Airlines mechanic, Lex Cralley. Lex has successfully retrieved WW2 aircraft from lakes, rivers, swamps, and other final resting-places that others have given up on. Lex watched the progress of Blue Sky at Freeman and formed his own ideas of how to and how not to go about looking for the "buried treasure". Probably the most important thing was to gain the confidence and respect of the local authorities at Freeman, the City of Seymour, Jackson County, the State of Indiana, the FAA and the United States Air Force Museum. With this done, he poured over maps, vintage aerial photos of the field, interviewed the few old timers still living in the local area that either worked at Freeman in those closing days or knew people who had been there. By the summer of 1995, Salvage 1 was ready to do a little digging of its own. By this time, I had sort of talked my way into the project as official photographer and historian, even though there was another excellent historian and author from Cincinnati who had been researching Freeman Field for many years. He is Lou Thole, who recently published a soft cover book named "Forgotten Fields of America." The first dig of 1995 was a site in the middle of a corn field. That dig showed some promise based on the study of several aerial photos that showed a large X shaped disturbance in the topsoil. It had been said that bulldozers had cut large X's in open areas and set some of the larger aircraft in the trenches. They may well have done just that, but not at the point where we labored that day. In 1996, we had run ground radar soundings and checked the ground adjacent to the one lone rail siding on the field, figuring that had they wanted to empty those box cars quickly, a long trench beside the siding would be just the answer. The radar images tended to reinforce that thinking. Another full day of digging along the tracks drew another blank. If nothing else, we were learning what the radar could and could not show after it penetrated a couple feet of hard blue clay and soil and sand full of natural ferrous material. That day while digging by the tracks, we walked over about 200 yards to the place Blue Sky had been digging in the base dumping ground and where they had put the ash from the base incinerator, in the military days. Even though the ground was now covered with a layer of broken glass from thousands of soda bottles left on the surface by a pop bottling plant which had operated in the industrial park in the past, we thought the site was worth a more thorough search than Blue Sky had given it. Thus, after a lot more radar searching and the taking on of a new business partner, Tidewater Tech of Virginia Beach, VA, it was decided to look into that dump again. In August 1997 after a full day of digging right next to the Blue Sky site, the back hoe pulled up a load of soil and out rolled a beautiful German radial engine cylinder head. The next bucket full brought up several more. Some were identical to the first and several other types and sizes. Eureka! We had found something! In the next few days we brought up about 3 tons of other German aircraft parts, along with a scattering of some AT-10 parts and a very curious pair of Spitfire Mk. 9 gear doors. In addition ot the cylinders, there was one bank of DB605 V-12 engines (they were used in the Bf-109), several turbine wheel sections from a JUMO engine of the Me-262, a couple dozen prop blades, some wooden and mostly metal, about 50 various landing gear struts, several wheels, some with tires still on them, a dozen or so radiators for liquid cooled engines, hundreds of odd pieces of sheet metal and aircraft framework. One of the airframe parts was what appeared to be a very sturdily built wing tip, obviously of jet or rocket quality. A comparison of the part with some photos and interestingly enough a 1/32 scale plastic model of a Me-262, show it to be the outer two feet of the left horizontal stabilizer of a 262. Possibly the largest single piece brought up was the entire vertical stabilizer of a FW190 still showing the camouflage paint scheme and the swastika on each side. We have the full story on one FW-190D-9, W/Nr211016, (FE-119), that crashed at Freeman on September 22nd 1945 and the tail was ripped off the aircraft on impact. The rest of the plane bounced, cartwheeled, and came to a rest a quarter of a mile beyond the impact point. It is said that the pilots body was removed from the wreckage and the plane was buried right where it came to rest. It appears that the tail, which was some distance from that site, did not get buried and somehow ended up in the dump site which we were now digging up. However, our tail was from an earlier FW-190A model and it is not the D-9 that we thought it might be. That site is now pretty well played out of aircraft parts. Our next target will be some other known dumping areas on other parts of the field. As I mentioned earlier, one of the old LINK Trainer buildings that still stands on the base has been turned into a mini-museum to hold not only some of the German parts we have found, but also the USAAF historical items that the airport manager has obtained. A local aircraft modelers club has built dozens of models of all types of planes associated with Freeman Field over the years. On October 29, 1997, the Indiana State Historical Society recognized Freeman Field as an Indiana Historical Site by placing a bronze plaque at the field entrance. This event was undoubtedly brought on by the findings and work we have done over the past few years. The digging has ceased for this season. But when the ground dries out in the spring, we will be back to check out the area that the radar has shown to be promising. THE SEARCH CONTINUES!
Saturday, November 14, 2015 A Character a Day 门 Video script: Good morning my friend. In today's video, we are going to talk about this character . It has the meaning like 'gate, door, entrance, opening'. First I'll show you how to write it. The traditional writing style looks more like a door . In history many famous calligrapher wrote in cursive script, like this. Later it became the simplified writing style that we are using today. Character is part of many words. You can always find those words have certain relation to an entrance. For example, 门口 entrance, doorway. door or gate, mouth, open end; 门口 is composed of two characters which have the similar meaning. let's see more examples: 学校门口 school entrance ; 学校 school 医院门口 hospital entrance; 医院 hospital At some theater or museum, ticket is required for admission. Ticket 门票, which literally means entrance ticket. is also an important radical. So you will find working as part of many other characters, such as, to ask. There is a , mouth in the entrance. When you ask, you will need your mouth, and you will find the entrance to the information or knowledge you need. to hear. I feel this character depicts a person putting his ear between the gap of the door to eavesdrop on something, that is, to hear. That's all for today. Thanks for watching. I will see you soon.
20 September 2014 Reflections on "The Battle of the Sexes" Bobby Riggs was a pro tennis star who was at the of his game in the late 1930s and the 1940s. But Riggs is most remembered for his battle of the sexes. In 1973, the 55 year old Riggs came out of retirement to play a couple of matches against much younger female tennis stars. Originally, Riggs wanted to play Billie Jean King but King initially refused. So Riggs arranged a match with Margaret Cox, who was at the time the top female player in the world. Riggs achieved easy victory in what was dubbed "the Mother's Day Massacre" by using lots of drop shots and lobs which kept the 30 year old Cox off balance. In the national limelight, Riggs played up his chauvinism and taunted female players over his victory over "the lesser sex". The Mother's Day Massacre caused the 29 year old King to change her mind and agree to play Riggs. The Battle of the Sexes was played on September 20th, 1973 at the Houston Astrodome before a record setting crowd of 30,472 spectators and a television audience estimated at 90 million. King won the $100,000 winner take all prize on 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. This Battle of the Sexes elevated Women's Tennis in America , fueled the politically correct womens' liberation movement and highlighted the Title IX law. But there was more to the story than athletic prowess on the court. The Battle of the Sexes was lots of show business. Billie Jean King entered the Astrodome in a chair held by four bare-chested muscle men dressed like Egyptian slaves, ala Cleopatra. Not to be outdown, Bobby Riggs entered the Astrodome on a rickshaw drawn by scantily dressed models. Before the match, Riggs gave King a giant lollypop and King offered rigs a piglet. This spectacle seems akin to the WWF rather than the noble sport of Wimbledon. Behind the scenes, there were efforts to augment the women's liberation propaganda. Billie Jean King insisted that ABC Sports drop tennis color commentator Jack Kramer because he was critical of King and the 26 year age advantage. Prior to the match, King proclaimed: "He [Kramer] doesn't believe in women's tennis. Why should he be part of this match? He doesn't believe in half of the match. I'm not playing. Either he goes – or I go." There has been some speculation through a 2013 ESPN Outside the Lines feature which alleged that Bobby Riggs might have thrown the match in exchange for the mob cancelling Rigg's debts. Rigg's history as a hustler lends some credence to the gambling connection, as Riggs won a tremendous sum in 1939 by betting on himself to win at Wimbledon. But Riggs supposedly took a polygraph to prove that he did not prove the match. Ironically, Jack Kramer, the tennis voice that King silenced for the "Battle of the Sexes", insisted that Billie Jean King won the match fair and square. The spectacle, the underlying themes and the promotion of "the Battle of the Sexes" should be instructive to understand how sports are marketing themselves through controversy, guided messaging and chasing a profit as much as excellence on the field of play. No comments:
Monday, December 22, 2014 Fast PWM on Arduino Leonardo Today I will talk about PWM generation. Arduino Leonardo Board PWM Signal Stock PWM on Arduino Leonardo PWM Timers in Arduino Leonardo Single Slope PWM Single slope PWM Dual Slope PWM Dual Slope PWM Fast PWM on Timer 1 Prescaler and PWM options All the above tables habe been taken from the ATmega32u4 datasheet. Fast PWM on Timer 4 The available options are: The available options are: Mode 00 is Single Slope while mode 01 is Dual Slope. Similar tables can be found for channels B and D. Fast PWM Test Code Timer 1 Code Timer 4 Code Setup and Loop Code Generated Waveforms Wednesday, December 10, 2014 Low level GPIO on Arduino Leonardo The Arduino boards provide an easy entry in the microcontroller (MCU) world. With practically no knowledge on electronics and in no time yo can have a little project up and running. The Arduino way to do coding builds over an extensive set of pre-coded libraries that hides the complexities of interfacing a MCU. That's all OK if don't need to go to the limits of what the MCU can do or if you don't mind to know about how the MCU does its things. But it you need to cut corners or if you want to learn about MCUs, you should try to depart a little from the Arduino way. One good and bad thing about Arduinos is their uniformity. All arduinos use the same digitalWrite, digitalRead, analogRead and analogWrite functions. And they work the same, more or less, if you are using an Arduino UNO with an ATmega328 or an Arduino Galileo with an Intel Quark SoC X1000. But, as the MCUs used are different, they really don't work exactly the same. If you want to go beyond the Arduino way, the uniformity falls off as the methods change depending on the MCU the board uses. If two boards use the same kind of MCU, the internal procedures will be similar, although not always equal. If two boards use a different MCU, the internal procedures can be quite different. In this article I will target the Arduino Leonardo. This is a quite capable board that comes to substitute the old Arduino UNO. It includes an ATmega 32u4 MCU. This is part of the megaAVR familly of MCUs. Most classic arduino boards like the UNO (ATmega328), Mega 2560 (ATmega2560), Mini (ATmega168) are in this family. In fact, the Arduinos Micro and Esplora use the very same 32u4 MCU that uses the Leonardo. Arduino Leonardo The Arduino Leonardo don't need to use an additional chip to provide the USB communication because the MCU that includes can manage that itself. For the same reason, the board can emulate an USB peripheral like a mouse or a keyboard. Using an Arduino to learn the insides of the ATmega 32u4 MCU has advantages and inconvenients. On one hand, the Arduino IDE provides all kinds of functions and libraries to do complex operations so you can do low level coding of only one part of the system. For instance you can leave the serial over USB communication to the Arduino libraries and do manual control of GPIO lines. On the other hand, the Arduino IDE tries to hide the low level sintax of the MCU and the bootloader method used to load the program don't provide any hardware debugging of your code. To make things a little worse, the Arduino libraries make some use of the MCU internal resources and it's not always easy to know what libraries will you break if you take a step out of the Arduino way. In this first article about the insides of the Arduino Leonardo I will talk about how the digital GPIO works. That is, I will talk about how to do low level operations equivalent, but faster, to the use of the pinMode, digitalRead and digitalWrite functions. Arduino pins and Leonardo ports The ATmega 32u4 MCU that powers the Arduino Leonardo features 5 digital GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) ports. Each one is labeled with a leter, so we have ports B, C, D, E and F. Each port can have up to 8 digital lines (numbered from 0 to 7) associated with pins of the MCU package. ATmega 32u4 pinout As you can see in the above pinout, most package pins include references like PE6 (Line 6 of port E) and PB0 (Line 0 of port B). As the MCU package has 44 pins and as each of the 5 ports could have up to 8 lines, you can see that you could get out of pins if you include power supplies, Xtal and USB connections. I you obseve the pinout you will see, for instance, that there is no PD5 and that the port E includes only two lines. In fact, only ports B and D are complete (8 lines each). The line distribution is: • Port B : 8 lines PB0 to PB7 • Port C : 2 lines PC6 and PC7 • Port D : 8 lines PD0 to PD7 • Port E : 2 lines PE2 and PE6 • Port F : 6 lines PF0, PF1 and PF4 to PF7 So you have 26 GPIO lines in total. You can also see this line distribution in the MCU internal block diagram description. Internal ATmega 32u4 structure The 26 GPIO lines are relabeled, in the Arduino functions, as lines 0 to 23. You can see that there are two lines missing. That's because PD5 and PE2 are not available as digital or analog lines in the Leonardo board. If you look at the board you will only see the numbers of 14 of the lines (0 to 13). The lines 14 to 17 are located on the male 6 pin ISP/SPI header and the lines 18 to 23 are alias names for the analog A0 to A5 lines that can also be used as digital I/O. Top view of the Leonardo Board The ATmega 32u4 features 12 analog inputs. That's more that the 6 A0 to A5 marked on the board. Those inputs are avalilable as the lines 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12 and you can use the alias names A6, A7, A8, A9, A10 and A11 for those lines. Why aren't all the extra analog lines marked as A6 to A11? Well, because the original Arduino, with PDIP package, only had 6 lines and keeping the pin form factor of the board is important to provide board to board compatibility. In other words, the Leonardo, with its 32u4 MCU is different from the UNO with its 328 MCU but the board is marked to use the same pin names. Arduino UNO top view The different port lines are not related to the standard Arduino pin names. That's because, to keep the board pinout compatibility, the lines that can give PWM signals using the analogWrite function need to be associated to lines 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 13. In the UNO board the pin numbering is easy, digital pins 0 to 7 go to lines 0 to 7 of port D, lines 8 to 13 go to lines 0 to 5 of port B and analog lines 0 to 5 go to lines 0 to 5 of port C. In the Leonardo, to keep things compatible, there is a mess of lines. Digital lines 0 and up are connected to PD2, PD3, PD1, PD0, PD4, PC6, PD7, PE6.... All messed up. The only way to know with Arduino line relates to which port line on the Leonardo is using a written list as there is no logical distribution as it was on the Arduino UNO. I you want to see which line goes with what, you can use the Arduino Leonardo Spreadsheet I wrote on Google Drive from the link below. Bitwise variables and registers Every digital port B, C, D, E and F has three related 8 bit registers. You can access those registers in a similar way that accessing byte variables. You only have to know their names. Every register has one pin associated to each port line. So, for instance, bit 3 (with weight 2^3 = 8), is related to the line 3 of the port. You can think of port registers as sets of 8 boolean values. If you want to set bits 0, 4 and 6 of a 8 bit variable you can add its weights: VARIABLE = 2^0 + 2^4 + 2^6; That is: VARIABLE = 1 + 16 + 64; Or, in a more "C" style: VARIABLE = 1 \| (1 << 4) \| (1 << 6); To ease the naming of bits you can use the bit( ) macro that is defined in Arduino.h. Using this macro you can use an easier bit assignment: VARIABLE = bit(0) + bit(4) + bit(6); To set one bit of a variable you can use the bitwise OR operator: VARIABLE = VARIABLE \| bit(3); // Sets bit 3 of VARIABLE To clear one bit of a variable you can use the bitwise AND and complement ~ operators. VARIABLE = VARIABLE & (~bit(3)); // Clears bit 3 of VARIABLE To ease clear and set of variable you can define two macros: So, you can use: SET_FLAG(VARIABLE,bit(3)); // Sets bit 3 of VARIABLE CLEAR_FLAG(VARIABLE,bit(3); // Clears bit 3 of VARIABLE You can also set several bits at the same time: SET_FLAG(VARIABLE,bit(2)\|bit(3)); // Sets bits 2 and 3 of VARIABLE CLEAR_FLAG(VARIABLE,bit(2)\|bit(3)); // Clears bits 2 and 3 of VARIABLE If you want, you can use the stock bitRead, bitSet, bitClear and bitWrite macros defined in Arduino.h: It is important to know which are the Arduino macros as they are compliled in place and, because of that, they don't have the overhead associated to a function call. Observe that, using the stock Arduino macros, you should not use the bit( ) macro in the calls: if (bitRead(VARIABLE,3) // Do something if bit 3 of VARIABLE is set bitSet(VARIABLE,3); // Sets bit 3 of VARIABLE bitClear(VARIABLE,3); // Clears bit 3 of VARIABLE bitWrite(VARIABLE,3,value); // Sets or Clears bit 3 of // VARIABLE depending on value Beware that you cannot use the bitSet and bitClear macros to set or clear several bits at the same time. Low level digital I/O The three registers associated to each port controls the port direction (similar to pinMode) the port output (similar to digitalWrite) and the port input (similar to digitalRead). Let's see the one by one. Port Data Direction Registers (DDRB, DDRC, DDRD, DDRE, DDRF) Those registers indicate, for each line, if it is an input or an output. Each bit on the register can only have two values: • "0" Indicates that the line is an input • "1" Indicates that the line is an output So, for instance, to set Arduino pins 10 and 11, associated to PB6 and PB7 in output mode you can write: This way, the above line is equivalent to: But ocupies less program space and requires less time to execute. Port Output Registers (PORTB, PORTC, PORTD, PORTE, PORTF) When a port line is in output mode, as set with a DDRx register, this register holds the value that will be seen at the output line. • "0" Indicates a low value (next to 0 Volts) • "1" Indicates a high value (next to 5 Volts) For instance: Is equivalent to: The low and high output values can be obtained from the datasheet of the ATmega 42u4. DC Voltage Data You can see that the low level output voltage Vol is guaranteed to be below 0.7V up to 10mA of sink current when the supply is 5V. In a similar way, you can see that the high level voltage is guaranteed to be over 4.2V up to 10mA of source current. When a port line is in input mode, however, the PORTx register indicates if the port will feature or not a pull-up resistor. • "0" Indicates that no Pull-Up will be used • "1" Indicates that a Pull-Up will be used It is important to note that when you configure one port from output to input mode, the previous value on the Port Output Register determine if it will feature or not a Pull-Up. Pull-Up resistor data As you can see from the data obtained from the MCU datasheet the Pull-Up resistors on the I/O ports are guaranteed to be between 20kOhm and 50kOhm. That way: Configures the Arduino pin 10, associated to PB6, in input mode. And is equivalent to: Configures the Arduino pin 10, in input mode with a Pull-Up resistor to Vdd. And is equivalent to: Port Input Registers (PINB, PINC, PIND, PINE, PINF) This register always returns, when read, the logic state at the related port pin. This is independendent on the Input or Output configuration of the port. This register is normally read for input pins to determine the state of the related lines, but it can also be read for output pins to verify that no external element is forcing a different logic state that the one we set. Each bit reads: • "0" If the related line is at low level (Voltage below Vil_max) • "1" If the related line is at high level (Voltage above Vih_min) For instance: if (PINB&bit(6)) { // Do something Is equivalent to: if (digitalRead(10)) { // Do something You can find the Vil_max and Vih_min thresholds in the table shown before from the ATmega 32u4 datasheet. As you can see they are: • Vil max = 0,2Vcc - 0,1V = 0.9V at Vcc = 5V • Voh min = 0,2Vcc + 0,9V = 1.9V at Vcc = 5V Writing to the PINx registers have not relation with reading them. In fact, writing to a PINx register bit to "1" affects the corresponding Output Register PORTx bit toggling its value. Writting a bit to "0" doesn't make any effect. For instance, the line: PINB=BIT(6); // Toggles PORTB bit 6 Is much faster than the equivalent line: digitalWrite(10,!digitalRead(10)); // Toggles Arduino pin 10 The following code implements two functions: highLevelToggle and lowLevelTogge. The first one uses standard Arduino calls and the second uses low level port accesses. Testing the functions you can see that the high level one gives an output frequency of about 43kHz whereas the low level one gives a frequency of about 2.5MHz. The low level function is 58 times faster than the high level one so, when you need to get all the available speed from the MCU, nothing beats low level programming. The next step will be using assembler, but the gain wont be so big in this case. Monday, December 1, 2014 Interfacing a MC122032B6W Graphic LCD Sometime ago I bought a graphic LCD.I leaved it in corner until I had time to test it. Now it is the time and I will post the low level interface details. In this case I have used an Arduino Leonardo because nothing beats the Arduino platform to get a program up and running in no time. Advertisement image of the LCD LCD Information Details The LCD features 122 (horizontal) x 32 (vertical) dots. The interface uses 20 connections for data and power. So it is not a low pin count serial SPI LCD. We would need a lot of lines to make it work. In the following figure I show with a red dot the origin position on the LCD below the pin #1. 0,0 coordinate on the LCD To start working with the LCD we need its datasheet. It should include all the required information although, in this case it is not the case. The following figure shows the LCD pinout on the datasheet. LCD Pinout Pins 1, 2 and 3 correspond to Vss, Vdd (5V) and the contrast adjustment V0. These pins follow the usual connections in Character LCDs: Supply and Contrast The backlight LED is associated to pins 19R and 20. Although the LCD board includes the LED current limiting resistor, I had found it to be too bright for indoor use, so I added a 150 Ohm resistor in series with the LED+ line before connecting to the 5V line. A0 is used to select if the data sent goes to configuration "A0=Low" or data "A0=High". CS1 and CS2 are two chip enable signals. We need two because one driver chip alone is not able to drive all the screen points. It is important to note that the datasheet makes no indication that these lines are active LOW. On pin 7 there is a Clock Input (CL) line were we must feed a 2kHz signal. I its a hassle needing to provide an external clock signal but that's how this LCD works. The R/W signal determines if the data goes to the LCD (Write) or from the LCD (Read). This signal should be called R/W, R/W# or something like that to indicate that "0" means Write and "1" means "Read". As with character LCDs, we don't need to use the read feature if we don't want to so we can connect this line to GND. That also prevents the potential destructive problems that we could have if we incorrectly try to write on the LCD when it is configured in read mode. There are 8 data bits DB0 to DB7 because this is a parallel device where we write a Byte at a time. Finally there is a RST ti reset the LCD. It is important to know that the use of this signal is very important to the operation of the LCD, something that the datasheet doesn't explain. To obtain the information associated to this signal we need to obtain the SED1520DAA driver chip datasheet. Signal data on the SED1520DAA datasheet We can see that the LCD can interface two kinds of MCUs, 68-series or 80-series. The kind of MCU that interfaces is determined bye the RES signal. If it is a LOW pulse the 68-series communication is selected, if it is a HIGH pulse, a 80-series is selected. Observe that the R/W only has separates Read from Write in 68 mode. In 80 mode the R/W signal acts as a WR* write enable strobe whereas the E signal acts as a RD* read enable strobe. In our case we will use the 68-series mode so we must provide a proper reset signal (High level idle state with a low level reset pulse). To send a Byte to the LCD we must: • Set A0 to "0" Command or "1" Data mode • Activate CS1 or CS2 at "0" to select te chip that we are adressing • Set R/W to "0" to set write mode • Send a positive pulse to E to send the data In order to know the needed timings we can check the LCD datasheet: We can see that is enough to have the E signal high during 80 ns to write the data to the LCD. As the data set up time is equal to the E pulse width and, as the data is captured when E falls, we could send the data at the same time that E goes high. All in all we could operate with up to a 5MHz (200ns) cycle time so, using an Arduino Leonardo and stock digitalWrite functions, it is difficult not to meet the correct timings. Screen Layout The screen layout is badly explained in the datasheet. This is bad beacuse in order to write graphical data on the LCD we need proper information about the correspondence between the framebuffer memory and the screen. After some experiments I can confirm the following layout: Screen Layout There are two driver chips on the LCD board U1 and U2. U1, selected with a low CS1 signal, controls the left half of the screen (columns 0 to 60) and U2, selected with a low CS2 signal, controls the right half of the screen (columns 61 to 121). Each chip features 240 Bytes of memory distributed in 4 pages of 80 Bytes. Each page is associated to 8 display rows. Page 0 goes from row 0 to row 7, page 2 goes from row 8 to row 15 and so on... As there are only 61 columns associated to each chip, we only use 61 bytes in each page. We could use the 19 extra Bytes on each page as a temporal storage as those bytes are not shown on screen. The LSB of the Bytes correspond to the lower row associated to the page, so, for instance, bit 0 of page 0 Bytes are associated to the first 0 row. A bit set will light white showing the backlight. Writes feature an auto-increment, so to fill one page, we can select it and write all bytes from the first to the last column in order. Test program I have developed an TestGLCD sketch to test the LCD. The setup function configures all pins and provides the 2kHz signal to the clock line using the tone function. The loop function initializes and rewrites the LCD 20 times. In each iteration, the image is changed so we get some sort of diagonal lines animation.After the animation, there is a pause and the process repeats. There are several commands associated to the possible Bytes we can write with the A0 signal at "0". I have included in the code some defines to give an easier access to those commands. Any Byte sent while A0 is "1" will go to the current position on the frame buffer. After each write, the frame buffer position autoincrements. Putting all together To test the program I have connected an Arduino Leonardo to the LCD. As the interface is parallel there are a lot of wires to connect. All the LCD connections During the program loading the LCD shows some random lines but, after that, the program runs as it should. Program Running That's all for now. I'm not sure what will I make in the future with this LCD but I will probably write a C library file from the foundations of the test sketch. Wednesday, November 26, 2014 New Firmware for the IR Trigger Some days ago I posted an article about a RC-1 clone infrared remote trigger for Canon SLR cameras. You can find it in this link. The design included a quick and dirty firmware developed using Energia, an Arduino like environment for the MPS430 MCUs. This firmware was enough for testing most of the hardware but it could be improved. Mainly: • It didn't used the 32768 Hz watch crystal • It didn't used the resistors included to measure the battery voltage • It consumed 3.2mA in idle state so it was not efficient at all Before talking about the code I should comment that there were a pair of errors in the schematic of the previous article. There are two changes that are indicated in blue in the following figure: The 22k resistors to measure the battery voltage were at incorrect pins. When soldering the components I changed the pins on the fly to ease the connections and I forget to update the schematic. In the same way the resistor and IR LED diode are swapped to ease, also, the connections. IR Trigger Schematic v1.4 GCC Firmware The new firmware was developed on the Portable MSP320 Environment I set up some days ago. The Texas Instruments sponsored Red Hat MSP430 GCC I used is a mixed bag. On one hand it provides an easy setup and an up to date selection of MCUs but on the other hand is not fully compatible with previous MSP430 code I developed for the MSP430 GCC at Sourceforge The firmware code is distributed in three files: This file includes some macros to ease the acces to bit fields on the MCU hardware registers. I developed this file long time ago but I needed to do some modifications for this project due to the change of toolchain. Due to that, it is not guaranteed that all this file works in a particular toolchain. This is the main file for the firmware. It practically contains all the code. It also includes some test code not used in the final firmware but that was left behind. This is the makefile that coordinates the build of all the firmware. The code starts stopping the Watchdog and configuring the I/O ports. In particular it is very important to leave guarantee than there is no I/O floating as they will ruin the low power figures. In order to tie the unused lines to GND, the pull-downs are enabled on these lines. Next, the 32768 Hz ACLK clock is configured and set as SMCLK. Then the main DCO clock is configured to operate at 16MHz using the Flash stored factory calibrated values. After that, the push buttons SW1 and SW2 are configured to generate an interrupt when pressed. The configuration ends with the Timer0A that is connected to the 32768 Hz ACLK as input and associated with a capture interrupt RSI. At the end of the initialization the red LED gives two blinks to indicate that the system is ready to operate. After the initialization there is an infinite event loop. There are two possible events, each one associated to a function. If there is no event to process, the system enters in deep sleep LPM4 mode. The Port 1 RSI associated to the pushbuttons generates the two possible events and gets out of LPM4 mode if needed so that the main event loop can process them. As it was indicated there are two kinds of events. The SW1 button generates Normal Trigger Events that sends through the IR LED the signal that makes the camera shoot immediately. The SW2 button generates the Delayed Trigger Event that sends a similar signal that makes the camera shoot with a 2 seconds delay. The signals associated to each event are composed on two 32768 Hz 16 cycles square wave bursts separated with some delay. That delay is used by the camera to identify both signals. The Normal Trigger signal has both bursts starts separated 7.82ms whereas the Delayed Trigger signal uses a 5.86ms separation. The signals associated to those events are generated with an state machine associated to the Timer. An ISR execution associated to the Capture channel 0 of the Timer 0 provides the change from one state to the following one. The entry point to the state machine for the Normal Trigger Event is the Normal First Burst (NFB) state that connects the ACLK to the P1.4 pin during 16 cycles. After the state times out, the following Normal Delay (ND) state waits during 240 clock cycles. Then the Second Burst (SB) state outputs the second burst of 16 clock cycles to the IR LED. That ends the state machine for the Normal Trigger. There is a sencod path in the state machine for the Delayed Trigger signal that starts with the Delayed First Burst (DFB) state. The only difference is this path is the second Delayed Delay (DD) state that is 176 cycles long instead of the 240 cycles associated to the ND state. To provide some security against random errors, any undefined state goes to the NONE estate that stops the machine and also the associated timer. Timer State Machine The use of an state machine is an efficient way to sequence the operations associated to the generation of the IR signal. At the start of the first state NFB, the SMCLK clock is sent to the P1.4 pin, the Compare register TACCR0 is set to 16 cycles in the future and the timer counter TAR is started in countinuous up mode. Timer 0 TAR evolution and States When the TAR counter reaches the TACCR0 value, an interrupt is generated. That changes the state from NFB to ND. The P1.4 pin is disconnected from the SMCLK clock and the TACCR0 Compare register is set 176 cycles in the future. When TAR reaches the 256 cycle mark a new interrupt is generated giving start to the SB state. A new burst is generated and TACCR0 is set 16 cycles in the future. Finally, at the 272 cycle mark, we enter in the NONE state where the burst ends and the TAR timer counter is stopped. I have made some measurements to test the operation of the system. The following image shows the voltage at the IR LED diode during the first burst. We can see that there are 16 pulses. Burst signal at the IR LED To measure the clock frequency we can zoom in the burst pulses at the LED. We can see from it that the period is 30.6us so that the frequency is about 32680 Hz. As the start of the signal is not synchronized with the clock, the first pulse is not equal to the rest. In practice this is not a problem but, if it were, we could add another state in the machine to synchronize the burst start. Burst pulse detail The following figure shows the IR LED voltage for the full signal in normal non delayed camera trigger mode. We can measure a 7.81ms delay time between the start of both bursts. This is just the desired value. Normal Trigger Full signal In the same way we can see that the delayed mode trigger features a 5.86 ms time between the start of the two bursts. So everything is ok. Delayed Trigger Full signal The above signals indicate that the IR LED has a non zero offset voltage. This is true but it doesn't affect its current. As the IR LED is a diode, it features an exponential relationship between its voltage and its current so by the time its voltage falls below 1V the current is practically zero. To test the real current on the diode we can measure the voltage on the current limiting 6.8Ohm resistor that is in series with the LED. We can see that the peak pulse voltage goes from 560mV at the start of the burst to about 470mV at its end. That means that the peak current goes from 82mA to 69mA. We planned for 100mA current and we could lower the current limiting resistor to increase the current, but in the end the CR2032 battery that powers the system could produce system resets due to the fall in the supply during the bursts. Voltage at 6.8 Ohm resistor Idle current One of the most important drawbacks in the Energia firmware was the 3.2mA idle current. Using the GCC firmware we can use the low power LPM4 mode to significantly reduce this current. From the information provided on the MSP430G2553 we know that the LPM4 current can be as low as 0.1uA. Low Power figures in the MSP430G2553 Going to currents as low as that is not easy. 0.1uA at 3V means an equivalent resitance of 30 MOhm. Just touching the battery terminals will give a much greater current. That means that we must take care that no current in wasted during the sleep time. As we have commented, all unused pins are tied down to GND using the integrated pull-down resistors. That includes the port 3 lines that are not used in the DIP20 package. Using this method I obtained in practice the datasheet indicated value of 0.1uA for the typical scenario at 25ºC as you can see in the image below. 0.1uA is so low that we don't need to power down the circuit at all as the battery will live ages with that current. 0.1uA current at LPM4 mode Power supply measurement The firmware also includes a measurement of the power supply after each signal sent. The ADC uses the 1.5V internal reference because the 2.5V one cannot be used below 2.8V. That means that our resistor divider used to measure the supply will get just the maximum 1023 10 bit count at 3V. The system detects the low voltage condition when the voltage falls below 2.6V, that means that the voltage at the divider is 1.3V so that the ADC gives about 890 counts. The firmware lights the red LED during 400ms after each transmited signal. When it detects a low battery voltage condition the LED is not turned on so that the user can see that the battery is nearly depleted. Last words That's all for now. The code currently ocupies about 2500 bytes with no optimization and with debug enabled. Disabling the debug and turning on the compiler optimizations its size falles to about 2000 bytes. That leaves a lot of room for future firmwares improvements as the MSP430G2553 features 16KB of flash memory. In fact, the project could be developed in a smaller MCU but given the price differences in the MSP3250G budget line at low volumes there is little to gain in costs selecting another MCU. Gist Update (30/11/2014) Thanks to Gist, now the code, with syntax highlighting, is now included inside the blog entry.
Date of Original Version Abstract or Description Environmental resources -- the atmosphere, land. oceans, rivers and lakes -- provide us with many services, one of which is to serve as a sink for the disposal of wastes. Several disciplines have provided frameworks for examining the change in the environment due to energy extraction, generation, transmission and use. For example, ecologists have attempted to trace through the effects of each plant and animal species of adding given amounts of effluents. Our viewpoint is economic. and we attempt to investigate why quantities of effluents are discharged and what leads to the medium and place of discharge. Furthermore, we discuss procedures to quantify the economic cost of discharging effluents and trace out methods by which society could achieve a desirable balance between environmental quality and other social and economic objectives. The next sections briefly review the economic theory of environmental resources and the use of benefit-cost analysis in environmental decision-making. Section IV reviews methods for determining the social cost of air and water pollutants stemming from energy extraction, generation, and use and provides some estimates of these costs. A final section presents a brief summary. Published In Materials and Society , 3, 115-126.
Back to The Front Page Letters & Opinion A critique of THE BALL: Discovering the Object of the Game by Bob Alman posted April 12, 2013 Related Links Balls! Balls! Balls! Balls! from Croquet World Online The Mayan Ball Game: A spectacle mixing sport, religion, and politics One ball. Opposing teams. A goal. Passionate spectators. Hard play and fast action. Consequences for winning and losing. These primal elements of the most popular spectator ball games have changed little over the last 3,000 years, whether played by "ordinary" citizens in remote British villages with the opposing goals ranging from the bishop's doorstep on the hill to the dock on the harbor; or by professional athletes with multi-million-dollar contracts for games played in huge stadiums and televised around the world. A simple question of the seven-year-old son of John Fox prompted his years-long odyssey around the world and over eons of time to find an answer: "Why do we play ball, Dad?" Fox seemed to enjoy his ensuing global rambles in search of an answer a little too much. He lost focus. He would have been better advised to limit his inquiry to just one kind of ball-game--the kind played by gladiatorial teams contesting territory and focused on one ball as the single "object" of the game for both opposing sides. Fox could have begun with the ancient game of ulama in central America, progressed to "street-ball" in medieval times and still passionately contested by different neighborhoods on the isle of Orkney, and continued with the modern development of football, soccer, hockey, and lacrosse And he could have justified including basketball and box lacrosse, both invented in modern times to be played indoors in cold weather. Lacrosse was perfected by the North American Indians long before Europeans arrived, partly as a method of settling inter-tribal disputes. Their wooden stick with a pocket for the ball added velocity. Until well into the 20th Century, the native American Indians most expert in the game were not allowed to play in the major leagues in the U.S. and Canada. So like the African-Americans, they formed their own sports leagues. But he didn't do that. Instead, he included all sorts of ball games which do not encourage or permit contact--such as baseball--and some which have no element of team activity and no trace of primordial roots in tribal warfare, such as tennis. He included baseball, I think, because when you write a book in America about THE BALL, how could you justify leaving out what is considered by many the quintessential American sport? (That's what I guess his editor might have asked.) The reason for including tennis is probably his self-confessed love of the game, from early childhood. To his credit, he did not include golf or any form of lawn bowls, or croquet, but in an appendix labeled "Outtakes" (presumably because it didn't fit into his scheme for the book) he does describe bocce, beginning with this single--and insulting--comment on our favorite sport: "To be honest, I'd never taken bocce seriously as a sport. Like croquet and horseshoes, it always seemed like a social activity designed to keep your other hand occupied while drinking beer." Horseshoes! With that absurd comparison, Mr. Fox proves that he is unaware that unlike baseball, mostly confined to the Americas, croquet is now a well-organized and regulated worldwide sport, and one that most certainly cannot be played well with one hand! American exceptionalism certainly plays a part in the Fox selection of coverage, because not only does he devote much space to the "American" game of baseball, actually derived from stick-and-ball games in Britain including cricket, but he also dwells on the particularly violent and dangerous form of American football similarly unseen in most other countries of world, where soccer is overwhelmingly the "football" of choice. "Why do we play ball?" Although Fox has achieved eloquence in describing how balls have been made in the past and how they are made today; and how ball games divide and bring us together, ground us in timeless traditions and connect us across generations, bringing out the best and the worst--love and loyalty, violence, deception; and although his research across the globe has yielded some interesting stories about all those games as they have evolved over millennia, he doesn't offer a really satisfying answer to his son's question. Finally, it's left to his son, seven years later, to answer the question himself: "We play ball for the fun of it." Soccer improved upon the ancient Mayan game by enlarging the target and having it defended by a human goalie who, however, cannot be legally put to death for failing to defend the net against the enemy's winning point. And so do all the higher primates, apparently, and many of the mammal species, including dogs who instinctively seem to "enjoy" retrieving ball, and dolphins who can do amazing tricks with soccer-like balls to entertain human audiences. For the most part, Fox does limit the scope of his inquiry to one kind of ball game: in which the ball, as the central focus, is contested by teams facing each other in a territorial contest scored by one team reaching a target in the enemy's territory. Games in which the balls are struck with sticks are also included, allowing for baseball, lacrosse, and hockey. The best speculation is that these games and many others were first contested by innumerable "players" on either side, on unmarked territory or grounds circumscribed only by natural boundaries. It's only in fairly modern times that the "courts" or "fields" were standardized (often to facilitate spectator galleries) and the opposing players limited to an equal number on both sides. The joy of professional footballers everywhere after a big win is as well justified as that of the fans: bonuses and renewed contracts. These Liverpool players are not faking ecstasy in the moments after a significant 2005 victory. Despite the gaffe on croquet, the Fox book appears to be well researched, documenting the ubiquity of ball play throughout the known and imagined history and the prehistory of our species. In dutifully researching his topic in the other sciences, Fox is willing to leap heroically to sweeping and sometimes astonishing conclusions. He convincingly advances the theory that the development of a human's ability to throw a rock, in order to hunt more efficiently, was the first step of early man towards the modern world of homo sapiens. He even cites the research of the evolutionary biologist William Calvin, who believes "The motion itself may have promoted the first lateralization of a function to the left brain, a spark that set in motion the development of language, tool use, and much more." No kidding! Fox sums up that analysis with his own comment, "Now you've got a not-so-smart, mostly upright, well-fed primate with a killer fastball and reproductive advantage. Add a lump of chaw and you've got your average major-league pitcher!" But that's baseball, and not all balls are thrown like a well-aimed rock that kills a wild boar, or batted with a stick into the outfield stands. The major focus of THE BALL is on huge spectator sports that involve a ball of some kind as the central focus (the "object" of the book's title) in active and often violent contention between opposing teams over some patch of territory. It's easy to imagine, as Fox posits, that such games evolved from hunting contests of competing tribes on the same territory. Creation myths vs evolutionary processes The stories that persist about the day and time and place a particular sport was invented are mostly myths. And as the baseball-loving evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould has pointed out, most people, given the choice, will choose the creation myth over the real history every time. The truth is that evolutionary processes do not easily yield symbols for reverence, worship, or patriotism, and these elements are needed to feed the popular lust for heroes in sports which, for the most part, actually evolved slowly, over centuries, beginning invisibly and untraceably in prehistory. Even though the "invention" of baseball is attributed to Abner Doubleday, fixed in time to the year 1839 and memorialized with a plaque on the mythic spot, in Cooperstown, New York, at the Baseball Hall of Fame, it has been well established that this information is hearsay generated from a single unreliable and thoroughly discredited source. The truth--without a doubt--is that American baseball evolved slowly from an old English children's game played by hitting a ball with a stick and racing to a "base" before being tagged. A clear exception to the creation myth is basketball, undeniably an American game, named for the peach baskets nailed to the walls exactly ten feet above the floor at either end of a YMCA gym in Springfield, Massachusetts at the end of an assigned 12-day search for a game that could be played indoors in a gym, in limited space, in the winter-time. That was the assignment given in 1891 to one James Naismith, a 30-year-old theologian and gym instructor. Basketball is without doubt an American invention, but unlike American football and baseball, it has become an international sport, largely through the agency of its inventors in the worldwide YMCA. With basketball a favorite cold-season, indoor sport played around the world in the 21st century, it's hard to imagine that it was invented by a YMCA coach in just 12 days on order from his boss in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891. Who would have guessed that only a century later, the game of basketball would be played by 200 million worldwide, defy the limits of race and gender, providing a fast track out of poverty (along with football) and into glamour and riches for countless sports heroes--many of them very big and strong, some more than seven feet tall--idols set on even higher pedestals who otherwise might today be flipping patties at Burger King? When sport, religion, and politics merge in a single spectacle When his son asked the seminal question, "Why do we play ball?" Fox immediately recalled his undergraduate work in Central American on the Mayan ruins where he helped to excavate well-preserved ball-courts banked with spectator seating on both sides. The astonishing prevalence of these ball courts throughout the Mayan empire as well as among the Aztecs clearly indicated that these courts occupied a very important position throughout pre-Columbian Central America. Wall carvings suggested that the penalty for losing the ball game--played by teams focused on putting a single ball through a hoop projecting from the wall in the midcourt--was quite severe. Heads were lost, presumably sacrificed to the gods. There is evidence that the severed heads were themselves sometimes used as balls, which makes perfect sense, because they are somewhat malleable, and roundish in shape. Moreover, the heads with long hair enable a kind of sling-shot effect that increases velocity and distance--a characteristic put to use with the extension aids in modern sports like tennis and lacrosse. But the Mayans didn't really need to use human heads as balls, because they discovered rubber as an ideal material for a ball, and by including in the recipe a local vine which made the polymers bind together in a process resembling vulcanization (not discovered until the 19th Century), their ball, large and heavy, was amazingly resilient and ideally suited for the ball game so immensely popular in prehistoric Central America. Ball courts throughout the Mayan world, like this one in Honduras, showcased teams of competing athletes 3,000 years before the first super bowl. Their game was the first recorded organized team sport in history, watched by thousands of spectators cheering their champions. Two teams of up to four players each would pass the large rubber ball around, without having it touch their hands, and try to make it pass through one of the elevated stone rings projecting from the sides of the court about the size of a basketball goal but turned 90 degrees. The glory of winning the difficult game was more than balanced by a potentially severe penalty for losing: beheading. There is abundant evidence that these ball games might have been used as a practical way of resolving disputes between neighboring city-states within the Mayan empire, providing an exciting, gladiatorial style of entertainment to the populace--which helps to justify lopping off the heads of the losers. If this kind of sacrifice pleased the gods sufficiently to ensure an abundant maize harvest, so much the better. So the Mayans actually perfectly an ideal combination of religion, politics, and sport many centuries before European arrived to "civilize" the Americas. What might we learn from their example, in the 21st Century? Choosing between sport and religion "Football" in most countries outside the USA is the game called soccer on the west side of the Atlantic. But the fans are indistinguishable. These Brazilian soccer fans celebrate by removing their clothes and painting their bodies. My widowed mother visited me often in San Francisco, where on Sundays she would come with me to watch croquet, because Sunday was typically the finals day. Seated at courtside, she once asked me, rather sharply, "Don't these croquet players ever go to church?" I said something like, "Some of them do, but for most of us, croquet takes the place of religion." Of course I said that to annoy my mother, but the truth is that I actually believe that witnessing a sporting contest on Sunday morning is a healthier way to exorcise the demons, vent the passions, and refresh the spirits than listening to sermons, singing hymns, or speaking in tongues. In the words of John Fox, such sporting contests can be "irrational, violent, utterly pointless, and absolutely thrilling!" In fact, stadium-style sports today can be likened to religious experience in the violence and passion of the spectators surrounding whatever contest is being played to control whatever ball is being used, and whatever goals or targets have been established to determine who wins and who loses. In the 21st Century, neither the winner nor the loser of the contest will suffer the consequences of a lost head. But to many athletes and their coaches, the bonuses paid for winning, or the failure of a contract renewal as a result of losing, can seem just as consequential. Another book is needed, with a sharper focus The Fox book, as noted, is entertaining and readable, especially when it concentrates its inquiry on the way the balls were constructed historically--sometimes very expensively and painstakingly, from materials we wouldn't think of using today: human and animal hair to stuff inside sewn circles of leather; inflated pig bladders; crushed cork, and the like; and especially when it details the in-person investigation of exotic sporting contests in remote regions of the world, all of them hangovers from the pre-industrial age. The modern form of tennis requires competing players or doubles teams to get the ball over the net on each stroke, without sending it out of the court. This photo shows the advantage of "covering" the full court in doubles with one player at the net and one on the back line. The next book could deal with the kind of ball games only made possible by the industrial revolution, calling for the direct interaction of "balls" with particular well-engineered standardized qualities, which stand in for the person--balls that are actually proxies for the players. These games include lawn bowling in all its forms, croquet in all its forms, and the entire family of billiards, pool, and snooker. One of those games--croquet--actually belongs in a category all to itself; it's the only sport played in the out-of-doors that permits and actually encourages as a necessity for winning the player's "capture" and use the opponent to accomplish his own ends. So in a way, the violence in croquet is more cruel and deliberate than the furious action seen in grand stadia witnessed by thousands of screaming fans on opposing sides. Our croquet literature is full of instances in which a hapless novice, eager to play, spends the entire duration of the croquet game--except for a few minutes--watching himself (as his proxy balls) be deliberately and cruelly (or so it seems) used by the opponent. Surely there is no more exquisitely terrible damage to be done an opponent than by such bloodlessly psychic violence, accentuated by the comparatively slow pace of the game! Only in this lawn sport can the balls of the opponent be "attacked" and moved around to the advantage of the opponent. But many other games--from chess to bocce to billiards to monopoly--also employ "proxy" elements with which the players are identified. Photo by Johnny Mitchell. Lawn sports were not developed until the Industrial Revolution also made possible the manufacture not only of standardized balls, but also efficient turf-clipping machines, so references to "early golf" or "prehistoric croquet" are fairly far-fetched. And even if such lawns existed in prehistory, what remains would there be to prove it? So for the next book, no expensive international archeological junkets will be required to Central America or seaside British villages. Only by Googling "croquet" in his Boston office, Fox might have discovered a sport worth his investigating, if only for the unique position of croquet among all the other sports he tackles as the one in which the player most strongly identifies his ball as himself. He could do sufficient anthropological field work at Cheltenham in Britain or Palm Beach in the United States. If Mr. Fox ever played monopoly, he would remember that he got a chance to choose to be the Top Hat or the Scottie Dog, for example. The piece he chose for himself really was a stand-in for his physical body on the monopoly board. Everything that happened to that Scottie Dog, usually as a consequence of the volatility of the marketplace or the bad luck of the draw, or his own over-confidence in developing a property too much, too soon, was deeply felt as a personal achievement....or failure. Like basketball, croquet in its essential elements--despite all the murky and dubious accounts given for its "true origins"--was also created as a popular sport almost overnight, when John Jaques discovered a primitive form of it in Ireland, brought it back to England, put together a sensible set of rules, figured out what the equipment should be, and packaged it all into a fairly inexpensive set for sale to the general public. It caught on like wildfire, and soon became a highly regulated and rigorous sport, at the top level, now played throughout the world. I believe croquet is disparaged--not just by Fox but in the media generally-- mostly because the easiest response to something you don't understand is to denigrate it. An adequate and compelling description of croquet has not yet been made to the general public, and perhaps can never be. In describing or explaining top-level croquet as it has evolved over the last 150 years, you would have to recommend the intense focus and drill of a Reg Bamford; the finely-honed risk-versus-gain calculations of a Chris Clarke; and the near-insane self-belief and confidence of a Mark McInerney. But how can you talk about these elements to someone who doesn't understand the game itself? I'd like to see it attempted. But it's not going to be done by me, and it won't be done by Mr. Fox, unless he subjects himself to a radical change of focus, and is willing to content himself with a very small print run for "The Anthropology of Croquet." In the meantime, consider the happy results of that portion of our species who have mastered mere survival sufficiently to adapt hunting, capturing and killing tools to other uses. Examine the goods in a modern sporting goods store, and you clearly see, squinting just a little, the primitive roots of most sports in the implements of ancient hunts: spears and clubs (and mallets), nets to catch an animal (or a ball?); stones (or balls) to throw; and most of all the balls themselves--the most animate of inanimate objects in our material world--and especially the balls on Mayan courts, made entirely of rubber; and 21st century croquet balls manufactured with an impressive degree of uniformity in rebound and circumference. So far, you and your species have survived. Congratulations! Shall we have a game of croquet now? After earning a degree in archeology, John Fox went on to get a doctorate in anthropology, and now lives near Boston with his wife, two children, and a half-retriever. His new book, "THE BALL--Discovering the Object of the Game," is published by Harper Perennial and available from multiple sources on the internet from prices ranging from a few dollars to the original publisher's list price of $14.95.
Articles‎ > ‎ Religious Pluralism Dialogue Cultic Studies Journal, 1985, Volume 2, Number 2, pages 329-339 Religious Pluralism, Dialogue, and the Ethics of Social Influence Eugene C. Kreider Religious Pluralism: The Scope of a Problem Religious diversity is an acknowledged cultural and historical fact today. This diversity, however, does not consist of a variety of independent religious and faith systems existing side by side. Rather, it consists of a multiplicity of commitments, which constitutes the matrix of a broad religious pluralism Within this matrix different and often conflicting religious commitments struggle for identity as they coexist and strive to find a hermeneutical principle through which to interpret meaningfully the interrelationship of differing beliefs and life patterns. That pluralism has spawned many areas of interest. One area is diversity of impart upon the traditional religious enterprise. Another area is the appraisal of the truth-claims and religious exclusiveness represented in the differing religious experiences. Still another area of interest lies in evaluating differing views about God, the world, and the way of salvation. Also, there is an interest in the effect of pluralism upon the internal and external structures of individual religious systems. Underlying all these areas of interest, however, is a concern for the impact pluralism has on the questions of identity and the motivating of religious commitment. These interests have led to a variety of approaches and strategies for investigating the complexity of religious phenomena today (1). Such approaches and strategies range from descriptions of different sorts of independent religious experiences to suggestions about consensus within the differences. Nevertheless, in all approaches and strategies can be found either an intuitive urge or some recognized need that leads to a form of “interfaith dialogue.” The stated purposes of interfaith dialogue vary according to those involved in this dialogue. In the main, however, there are five purposes, each of which has underlying or subpurposes supporting it. First, dialogue provides a way of understanding someone else’s religious commitment. This purpose helps to satisfy an informational interest. It allows one to give and receive information, to “get the facts” and thereby to understand. Second, dialogue seeks consensus. With this purpose dialogue attempts to find common ground mutuality, if not agreement in the different religious groups. That common ground could be any number of elements within given religious systems. Third, dialogue invites conversation about differences in such a way that the integrity of all elements in the religious system can be established more firmly and the believer’s identity established more concretely. Fourth, dialogue affords opportunity for reconciliation among people and groups that have conflicting beliefs, lifestyles, and rituals. This purpose, like the second, may find expression both practically and theoretically in the conjunction of religious symbols and in their cultural expression. Fifth, dialogue assumes that a vital religious pluralism is the matrix in which truth is sought, claimed, and translated into historically and culturally defined beliefs and patterns of life. These purposes for dialogue between and among religious groups are not listed here in an order of priority, nor are they mutually exclusive in their functions. Nevertheless, each represents an emphasis and makes its own claim for usefulness. In this paper I will argue that it is the fifth purpose for dialogue that provides a way for understanding and dealing with problems about the ethics of social influence that have emerged and are continuing to emerge in contemporary society. In homogeneous settings where religious/cultural values are held in common, ethicality is primarily a question of the clarity of perception. In such settings, the clearer one perceives the determinants of lifestyle, die more ethical can one’s actions be in respect to self and others. In heterogeneous settings where pluralism describes the religious values, ethicality is more a matter of the sobriety of judgment. Clarity about the ethicality of any action may be severely limited or totally wanting. In either case, the course of action must be determined by the best judgments one can make. I view the concern about the ethics of social influence in a religiously plural society under discussion here to be essentially a hermeneutical matter bringing to bear the best judgments possible descriptively and prescriptively about the character and effect of religious forms of social influence. An Imbalance in the Tripartite Structure of Contemporary Religious Experience: The Focus of a Problem Religious experience is always characterized by a set of beliefs or teachings, rituals for expressing these beliefs in the community of faith, and lifestyle patterns for living out beliefs and rituals in the broader social community. Usually the beliefs are understood to come from the object of one’s religious orientation, a supreme being or value, and are described as a revelation. Rituals are the result of human ways of perceiving, organizing, and interpreting revelation, and thereby offer primary anthropological and sociological data for studying and knowing about the religious experience. The lifestyle patterns involve an intersection of the religious commitment of one community with society in general in such a way as to raise the question of norms for social intercourse broadly conceived. Such patterns describe the question of ethics. The inner vitality of any religious experience and the way it is viewed by society in general depend on how its beliefs, rituals, and lifestyles come together to give it character and definition. It is important that these three characteristics of religious experience be balanced and converge supportively, exercising corrective influence over each other. The psychosocial health of the religious community needs such balance, and adequate public discourse about religious experience depends upon a full account of its characteristics. Historically, an imbalance in attention to belief, ritual and lifestyle has produced distortion of the religious experience both in the inner circle of that experience and in the judgment society makes about that experience. When belief outweighs attention to ritual and lifestyle, the Holy War is often the result, or a mild form of it in aggressive tactics motivated by convictions of superiority. All is done for the sake of perceived dogmatic good. The doctrinal end justifies any ritual or ethical means available. When ethics outweighs attention to belief and ritual, uncritical or unreflective lifestyle patterns often emerge out of the peculiarities of the inner vitality of the religious experience usually dominated by forceful leadership. When ritual outweighs attention to belief and lifestyle, the practice of the religious experience often is the cause of its demise in the destruction of individuals and the religious system within the broader society. Any imbalance affects both the religious group itself and its social context. The contemporary religious movements that have achieved public visibility in the last two decades, and before, are examples of various imbalances in beliefs, rituals and lifestyles. The imbalance, especially in the late 1960s and early 1970s, was one of over-attention to lifestyle and ritual. The mid-sixties in America were the years that experienced a mushrooming of religious activity and fervor, producing many of the more recent contemporary religious movements and stimulating further growth in movements that had their beginnings earlier. That activity and fervor answered a need of the moment, namely, a way of renewal out of the bankruptcy of the hippie experiment in the decade of the 1960s. Public knowledge about the rise of the new movements and their activities depended largely upon what was available in the media and upon what could be gleaned from word-of-mouth reporting. It would be fair to say that more was learned about the activities and rituals of these movements than about what they taught or about what their devotees believed. Moreover, there is very little evidence in what we have learned about the groups emerging in the 1960s that beliefs played a critical role in the recruitment of members or in the overall development of the group. Furthermore, public knowledge seems to indicate that as the dominant fear of the new religions had to do with lifestyle matters, so the beliefs of the groups exercised little corrective influence, if any, over ethics and ritual. Interestingly, and appropriately, the public response to these early expressions of the new religions was an attempt to restore the critical and collective function of belief within the religious experience by challenging what were perceived as extremes in lifestyle and ritual and by calling attention to the content of belief and its importance in the whole religious experience. The public got to know this challenge best through voluntary and involuntary deprogramming and other forms of "exit counseling.” Aside from the judgment one might make about the appropriateness or inappropriateness of deprogramming and the questions of civil and religious liberties raised in the wake of this phenomenon, it is clear that those attempts to deal with “the problem of the cults” were essentially attempts to give proper attention to the place of beliefs in a person’s experience and thereby to restore a balance between lifestyle, ritual and belief. Reactions to deprogramming were varied. Supporters, of course, claimed that such activity was a valid way to counter the alleged manipulative and fraudulent recruitment practices of some religious groups and the socialization techniques by which these groups controlled members, not to mention the extreme form of total control over individuals in the destructive cults. Those who opposed deprogramming claimed that this activity violated an individual’s religious liberty and the right of fine choice in respect to involvement in any religious organization or group. Moreover, those who championed the right of free choice in determining religious affiliation have interpreted such affiliation by the so-called “role theory,” which focuses on how and not why people join new religious groups. This motivational model identifies a “match” between the needs or motive of the new recruit and the offerings of the new religious group. Religious affiliation is, then, construed as “a social process whereby the group functions to meet both the individual’s needs and to shape those needs" (2). In such a sociological perspective is further evidence of the imbalance of belief and lifestyle resulting from over-attention to lifestyle. Empirical evidence in a study of the Unification Church shows that “the assumption of active membership most often led to dramatic changes in the new recruits behavior prior to belief changes and the development of commitment..” (3). Deprogramming emphasized the importance of beliefs in any religious system and the necessity of a balance between beliefs, lifestyle, and ritual. But the significant thing in this emphasis was the highlighting and use by deprogrammers of the former beliefs of those who became involved in the new religious movements. The corrective for what deprogrammers saw as aberrations in the lifestyle and ritual patterns of the new group was in no way constitutive of the beliefs of the new religions. In fact, the opposite was assumed, namely, that the beliefs of the new religions had little or nothing to do with the acceptance of new lifestyles and rituals by devotees of the new groups and that those beliefs could not, therefore, be invoked as corrective influences for lifestyles and rituals. The approach in deprogramming activities has been to discredit the new beliefs and to call new lifestyle and ritual patterns into question by restoring the credibility of former beliefs. The assumption in this approach has been that the beliefs of the new religions, even when taken seriously by group members, could not stand the tests of rational analysis and public understanding. A Transitional Development: New Concern for Balance The public debate in support or denunciation of deprogramming, in addition to focusing upon the legality or illegality of this practice, produced a transitional development in the discussion of the new religious groups that has had an effect on the present-day concern about the ethics of social influence. That development came essentially as a result of the insistence that deprogramming was illegal and that the assumptions of the deprogrammers needed to be modified. That modification produced a different view of the new religious movements. For some who study the new religious movements today, the belief systems of those groups are important either because they have in fact helped determine and shape the lifestyle and ritual patterns of devotees and, therefore, could function as a corrective influence upon those patterns, or because their truth-claims have religious value in themselves that cannot be dismissed too quickly from the realm of public discussion. The result has been a shift in the perception of and attitudes toward the beliefs of the new religious movements issuing into a concern for finding new ways to generate public interest in these movements and new forms of public discussion about them. This shift has been accompanied by a growing literature defending the right of the new religious groups to exist and to be represented in the phenomenon of religious pluralism in this country without bias or prejudice, stereotype or reductionism (4). This literature argues for distinctions its authors claim need to be made between the so-called destructive cults that control the total environment of the devotee in the extreme and the other religious groups that respect the free choice and integrity of individuals who join them. Moreover, the debate in the literature surrounding this shift has been concerned with the pressing need to differentiate the continuum on which these groups lie and to seek language and concepts that can adequately describe the complexity of the religious experience itself and the multiplicity of the phenomenon of new religious groups. This shift in attitude toward the importance of religious belief vis-a-vis the cults, by the pro-cult reaction in our society today, is the first dimension of this transitional development. It affirms the integrity of beliefs and seeks to give them fair exposure in the broad cultural religious conversation. “Mere is, however, a second dimension in the transitional development It is represented by voices calling attention to a new imbalance, one in which there is an over-attention paid to belief to the neglect of lifestyle patterns and ritual, and to the way that imbalance is manifested within religious systems and in the interaction of religious groups. On the one hand, there is more than abundant evidence in the public press today that when beliefs are given more attention than lifestyle patterns and rituals, distortions and aberrations result internally. Witness, for example, the cases of child abuse in groups whose fundamentalist orientation toward the Bible takes precedence over any religious or humanitarian concerns that place high value on individual human life (5). On the other hand, there is a growing concern about the effect belief systems have upon ethics in the public arena. In a pluralistic society, religious systems inevitably affect each other, especially if they are involved in some form of public discourse and more especially if they are conversionary in outlook and purpose. In such instances, overattention to beliefs may affect other religious groups adversely. When, for example, convictions about religious particularity or divine election are the primary motivations for conversionary religious groups, there is a high potential for distortion in the lifestyle relationships such groups have with other groups. There is a clear tendency among conversionary groups to teach their beliefs to other people and thus "win them over." That tendency in itself may represent open discussion in a free society and intend no ill effects or unjust treatment of others. But it may also be the source of interpersonal improbities in which any means used to convert another person are justified by the end, namely “winning others over.” More often than not, such tendencies occur in religious groups whose heightened sense of commitment to beliefs overshadows judgments about lifestyle and ritual, producing perceived distortions within the style of the group itself and eventually an attitude of condescension on the part of such a group toward others. That attitude quickly engenders a “we-they” mentality that can lead to a posture of superiority and its resultant devaluing of the other person’s position and right to that position. Today we are witnessing new activity among the conversionary or transformational groups represented by some fundamentalist and evangelical organizations to “win others over” with apparent disregard for methods used in the process. The result has been a bungling outreach at best and interpersonal foul play and moral turpitude at worst. In light of this situation, the needed new balance in the pluralistically religious scene is twofold. it involves not only the former need to balance carefully and intentionally the belief, lifestyle, and ritual within the group’s own experience so that belief will not overshadow lifestyle and ritual or vice versa, but also the contemporary need to seek a carefully and intentionally balanced relationship in the intercourse of a plurality of religious groups. This is essentially a matter of social influence. Religious groups can no longer be satisfied to seek balance internally. They need to seek balance externally by the way they coincide or clash with other groups. This need for new balance, then, emerges as a concern for ethics, the ethics of social influence. The parameters of that concern are the public domain of beliefs in a pluralistic society and the expression of those beliefs in a lifestyle inevitably touching people of different religious commitments. The Context and Process for a New Balance: A Proposal The concern for a new balance emerges as an ethical issue in the relationship of religious groups, broadens the context for inquiring about the sanctions for ethics. Hence, the source of ethical sanctions is not limited to the internal structure of a religious system but is located in the interaction and social influence of one religious group upon another. Broadly speaking, ethical sanctions must come out of the context of human interaction and not out of the internally defined beliefs, lifestyle, and ritual patterns of any one group, if the Holy War mentality is to be avoided and something more than unthinking congeniality between different groups is to be achieved. Moreover, the process for seeking a new balance is defined by the potentialities of that interaction. One way of getting at this concern for a new balance is through the question: How do lifestyle and ritual inform the public domain of beliefs? This question implies the existence of correctives over beliefs through lifestyle and ritual activities, in the arena of human interaction. The question seeks answers to relational problems among religious groups in the nature of the interaction itself. The interaction reveals the human potential for finding a new balance and defines the process for reaching it. I would argue that, because the need for a new balance of beliefs, lifestyle, and ritual is both internal and external, the interaction of any given pair of religious groups defames a dialogical process for finding the new balance and a human Potential that is open to mutual understanding and growth developing from the dialogue. The chief aim of " dialogical process is the recovery of conversation over beliefs in such a way that lifestyle patterns can be scrutinized and find further definition and appropriateness through mutual understanding and growth. “This means that social influence in the public arena is always subject to correction for the sake of all parties and groups involved. The claim that dialogue is the answer to problems in interpersonal relations is easily made. What is not so easy is to understand is what constitutes dialogue and how dialogue functions to ameliorate interpersonal relations. Those who have studied dialogue and the way it functions as constitutive of human community have rightly insisted that dialogue means much more than language. Language is not a neutral or objective ingredient in human experience. It is a symbol system and, therefore, embodies layers of meaning that are not apparent in the words themselves or in the syntax that gives structured meaning to the words. Terminological congruence, for example, may embody wide semantic divergence and vice versa. "“Me language we use tends to build in to our analyses certain theories which become a priori premises” (6). Moreover, attitudes about the function of dialogue greatly affect the usefulness of dialogue in addressing problems in interpersonal relations. Dialogue is intended to be a creative process in which open discussion is the arena for mutual understanding and growth. And yet the opposite effect often results, and interpersonal problems intensify instead of improve, because of personal attitudes that are contrary to the mutuality of the dialogical process. Henri J. M. Nouwen illustrates the negative effect a discussion or dialogue can have because of the attitudes one has about the process involved. Quite often the process goes like this: A student enters into the discussion ... As soon as someone states an opinion, the most common reaction is not the internal question: “How can I understand his opinion better?” but "What is my opinion?" So, too, does silence often mean more than an occasion to prepare an answer than to enter the train of thought of the other. And once two, three, or more opinions are stated the primary concern becomes defense of the chosen, even when it is hardly worth defending (7). A dialogical process that aims at recovering conversations over beliefs in such a way that lifestyle patterns are affected through mutual understanding and growth has several important characteristics. It involves the interaction of personal commitments with an openness on the part of individuals and groups to learn from each other without relinquishing the structures of meaning within their own commitments. This process calls into question any personal commitment that is viewed as either historically absolute or religiously unimportant in the presence of another’s commitment. Furthermore, this process is one that neither drives toward consensus in a pluralistic context nor allows that context to be designated as a multiplicity of religious options. This dialogical process describes a journey in faith. In that journey growth takes place in the interaction of beliefs, lifestyles, and rituals within religious systems and across religious lines. Those interactions are the context for social influence, but that influence is measurably different from the influence experienced in a setting in which religious absolutes preclude mutual learning and growth and where imbalances and their attendant distortions in one religious system adversely affect other religious systems. A person’s journey in faith is not so much a continual reaffirmation of commitment as it is a context in which one searches for the meaning of faith. It is an experience in which critical judgments come to bear upon the tradition in which one was nurtured. It is a journey of questioning and growing, of experimentation and risk. Because that is so, the journey is a way of knowing even before it becomes the content of commitment. Faith is a disposition of the heart, the perception by which we experience God. It is an awareness of the grace of God that helps a person see and understand the world in a faithful way (8). An example of the dialogical process I describe is the interfaith experience of Franz Rosenzweig, a Jew, and Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy, a Christian(9). They call dialogue “speech "king,” a process by which truth is revealed through speech that expresses the intercommunication of one mind with another. It is conversation, speech set against speech, that was the method wherein they discovered their respective identities and a common framework. Of the method, Rosenzweig noted: "In the course of dialogue he who happens to be listening also speaks, but he does not speak merely when he is uttering words, nor even mainly when he is uttering words, but just as much when through his eager attention, through the assent or dissent expressed in his glances, he conjures words to his lips and the lips of the current speaker” (IO). Rosenstock-Huessy's motto was: “I respond although I will be changed." By that he meant that as he spoke and another spoke, in his response he opened himself up to change. This mono captures "the element of risk to each partner that is involved when two people place themselves under the spell of speech that is, when a truly dialogical relationship develops” (I 1). This kind of dialogue suggests that the important thing is not what is in the individual speakers in the dialogue but what together they find between them. Such dialogue further suggests that individuals do not find self-understanding and self-identity in themselves but in the dialogical process. When people place themselves under the "spell of speech,” they discover who they are. Individuals discover their self-understanding and self-identity in the process of talking about themselves to each other. Meaning emerges through this kind of dialogue, the kind I suggested above that assumes the vitality of religious pluralism as the matrix in which truth is sought, claimed and translated into historically and culturally defined beliefs and patterns of life. Such dialogue supports Goethe's claim: Zwischen uns sei Wahrheit (between us is truth). “This is not to deny that truth can be spoken about or that the truth-claims of individuals and groups can be documented in writings from which others can learn. But it is to assert that religious truth is not limited to, nor primarily, a body of belief statements or propositions to which individuals and groups give assent. The meaning of religious truth is never exhausted until it comes alive in the faithfulness by which believers seek it in dialogue with each other. When dialogue is understood this way it is an intentional human activity aiming at the recovery of conversation over beliefs and thereby offering individuals and groups an understanding of religious commitment as affirmation of identity within a multiple faith experience. Furthermore, such affirmation of identity is never just one option among others but one that has attained its value as a faith-claim because of the interaction of different experiences. It is an affirmation coming from the kind of growth that is essentially qualitative and that results in new personal dimensions in the journey in faith. Bernard Loomer, formerly of the theological faculty at the University of Chicago, says that such growth can best be understood as a category of largeness or size. He explains: By size I mean the stature of a person’s soul, the range and depth of his love, his capacity for relationships. I mean the volume of life you can take into your being and still maintain your integrity and individuality, the intensity and variety of outlook you can entertain in the unity of your being without feeling defensive or insecure. I mean the strength of your spirit to encourage others to become freer in the development of their diversity and uniqueness. I mean the power to sustain more complex and enriching tensions, I mean the magnanimity of concern to provide conditions that enable others to increase in stature (I 2). Dialogue as I speak of it here is an experience that can lead one to make a religious claim for absolutes instead of making absolute claims historically and culturally in the improbities of social influence among religious groups. Understood this way, dialogue can lead from a description of the contemporary religious scene to a prescriptive response to that scene by framing the question of the ethics of social influence in the balance of beliefs, lifestyles, and rituals within a religious system and among religious groups. That framing provides for the continuing discussion about contemporary religious groups toward an ever-unfolding definition of their interaction in a religiously pluralistic society. 1. Coward, H.G. “Panikkar's Approach to Interreligious Dialogue," Cross Currents, 29 (Summer 1979): 183-189; Coward, H.G. Pluralism: Challenge to World Religions (Maryknoll: Orbis, 1985); Hick, J. Truth and Dialogue in World Religions: Conflicting Truth-Claims (Philadelphia: Wesminster, 1974); Knitter, P. F. No Other Name?: A Critical Survey of Christian Attitudes Toward the World Religions, American Society of Missionary Series, no. 7 (Maryknoll: Orbis, 1985); Panikkar, R. “Response to Howard Coward,” Cross Currents, 29 (Summer 1979): 190-192; Raschke, C.A. “Religious Pluralism and Truth: From Theology to a Hermeneutical Dialogy,” Journal of the American Academy of Religion , 50 (March 1982): 3548; Smith, W.C. Religious Diversity, ed. Willard G. Ostoby (New York: Crossroad, 1982). 2. Kilbourne, B.K., and Richardson, J.T. “Cult Versus Families: A Case of Misattribution of Cause?" Cults and the Family, Marriage & Family Review, vol. 4, nos. 3/4 (New York: Haworth, 1982), p. 85. 3. Ibid. 4. Bromley, D.G., and Shupe, A.S. Jr., Strange Gods: The Great American Cult Scare (Boston: Beacon, 198 1) and Melton, J.G., and Moom R.L. The Cult Experience: Respondng to the New Religious Pluralism (New York: Pilgrim, 1982). 5. See articles in American Family Foundation: Cultic Studies Newsletter, 2 (March 1983 & December 1983) and articles in Cultic Studies Journal, I (May 1984 & Fall/Winter 1984). 6. Robbins, T. “Cults, Coercion, and Dialogue,” Cultic Studies Newsletter, 2 (March 1983): 3. 7. Creative Minisoy (Garden City: Doubleday, 197 1), p. 7. 8. Kreider, E.G. "A Triangle of Affections: “Me Shaping of Commitment in Contemporary Religious Experience,” WORD & WORLD, 4 (Summer 1984): 297. 9. Rosenstock-Huessy, E., ed. Judaism Despite Christianity: The "Letters on Christianity and Judaism" between Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy and Franz Rosenzweig (University, Ala.: University of Alabama, 1969). 10. Glatzer, N.N. Franz Rosenzweig: His Life and Thought (New York: Shocken, 1953), p. 308. 11. Rosenstock-Huessy, Judaism Despite Christianity pp. 4-5. 12. “S-I-Z-E,” Criterion, 13 (Spring 1974): 6. Eugene C. Kreider, Ph.D., is Professor of Pastoral Theology and Ministry and Director of Graduate Studies at Lutheran Northwestern Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota.
About us The Holocaust Education and Genocide Prevention Foundation (HEGP) is a non-profit organization mandated in 1995 by the Canadian government to educate the public about the dangers of prejudice and discrimination. In the late 1980s, Peter Kleinmann retired from his Montreal, Quebec business and began to relate his experiences as a young man during the Holocaust. His aim was to warn young people about the dangers of racism, bigotry, stereotyping, and discrimination. Until his untimely death in February 2000, Peter dedicated his prodigious energies to this mission of education for a better world. 1. to be a resource centre housing artifacts, photographs, memorabilia, text materials, oral histories, and educational videos relating to life in pre-war Europe and under the rise of the Nazi bureaucracy as well as contemporary examples of genocide. 2. to coordinate ongoing lectures for students of Europe and North America. 3. to sponsor field trips and provide academic facilitators for visits to various Holocaust museums in Canada and the United States. 4. to educate and promote public understanding in and knowledge of discrimination. 5. to produce, distribute, and use educational videos and survivor testimony amongst schools, cultural organizations, and academic conferences. 6. to publish the proceedings of such conferences in cooperation with university press. 7. to curate and exhibit travelling exhibitions thematically designed, to Increase within multi-cultural settings, public awareness of the need to assume moral responsibility and think critically.
SitNews - Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska Money Matters June 15, 2017 Thursday PM jpg Money Matters by Mary Lynn Dahl Mary Lynn Dahl (SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Kids as young as 3 and 4 are surprisingly savvy when it comes to their understanding that money can buy candy, gum and toys. By age 7, a child has already formed his or her basic attitude about money. Yet we grossly underestimate how easy it is to teach them about money and many parents do not approach the subject, ever. Why? Studies show that the main reason why parents do not teach their kids how to handle money is that they themselves do not know how to handle money. So the cycle continues from generation to generation. The result is that the US has too many people who are financially illiterate, in debt and unable to teach their children how to save, invest and be financially responsible. There are remedies, however. There are very effective ways raise financially literate kids, with the financial savvy to become responsible and successful in managing their own money. This article will explore some great ideas for teaching your kids how to be good money managers. The first thing to know is that it is ok to start when a child is very young, as young as 3 or 4 years old. In fact, if the lessons are simple, this is the ideal time to start. The second thing to know is that young children can work. This is important to understand because the best way for them to learn about money is by associating it with working to earn that money. A 3 year old child can carry kindling, as an example of work, and be paid for her “work”. By doing so, she learns very quickly and easily that work results in money, and this is powerful for a child to understand. If the work is age appropriate, the lesson will be successful. The third thing to know is that “chores” are not work and a child should not be paid to do his chores. Chores are separate from work. They are part of being in a family. The danger in paying for chores is that it becomes a negotiation, as in “how much will you give me if I clean my room?” The answer is: “nothing; you will clean your room because you are part of our family and your room needs to be cleaned”. As an example, taking out the garbage and emptying the dishwasher is nor more “work” for a child than is cleaning the garage or removing a dead tree from the yard “work” for the parents; both are chores that are necessary for the family and everybody pitches in. Work is separate from chores. Make that a firm rule. A fourth key to be aware of is that you can teach your children to be generous. Studies show that when kids are taught to be generous as young children, they have a much higher incidence of being financially successful as adults. Generous adults tend to have better jobs, better salaries and a higher standard of living and studies indicate that one of the main reasons for this is that they have learned at an early age how to save, invest and share their money. The lessons learned in childhood prepared these adults for a financially secure adulthood. An effective way to teach kids how to save, invest and share money is the “3 jar method”. This involves keeping 3 glass jars (so the child can see the money in them), one labeled “Save”, one labeled “Spend” and one labeled “Give”, or labels similar to those words. The idea is that when a child receives money, from work or as a birthday present etc., she should divide the money into 3 portions and put some in each jar. The “Save” jar is for long term, such as college or a major purchase such as a car. The “Spend” jar is for stuff the child wants to buy now. The “Spend” jar should never go empty, so that the child can see that he always has some spending money. Seeing this visually has a lot of impact on the child, especially a younger child. The lesson is not to spend it all every chance he gets and that it feels good to avoid running out of money. The third jar, labeled “Give” is for charity, preferably one that the child can understand and support, such as an animal rescue organization or a community food program. Sometimes it is useful to add a little bit of community service to the effort of giving money to charity by volunteering in the charity for a day, to show the child that real people are helped personally by her gift of money. Seeing in person does drive the point home and connects the child’s generosity to real people with real problems that your child is now working to solve. A great example of this is to volunteer in a soup kitchen with your child and suggest she might like to put money in her “Give” jar for food for this soup kitchen. Your child will instantly understand she is feeding people who need help and feel very good about being able to do this. Her resolve to be generous will be made much more solid with personal experiences. It is important to allow your child to decide himself how much of his money to put in each jar each time he receives money from any source. He should be given the right to decide for himself, even if you need to help him think it through, whether or not to divide his $12 up as $4 to each jar or $2 to charity, $4 to spend and $6 to save. Making this decision is another major lesson that happens internally in your child’s mind as he thinks about it and considers his reasons for his decision. He is learning to prioritize and make value judgements about money, a valuable skill to have and which will serve him well as an adult. Another interesting lesson to offer a child, from age 5 or 6 all the way up to teenagers is to ask the question of “what can you do with money?” You will initially get a lot of different answers, such as “buy a bike”, “go to Disneyland” and “download a bunch of games”, among others. Then rephrase the question to “Can you spend the money? Can you save the money? Can you eat the money? Can you burn the money?” When you rephrase it this way, a child gets it. All you can effectively do with money is save or spend it; there is no usefulness in eating it or burning it. That brings the issue down to way to save and ways to spend, and now you are in a conversation with your child that becomes important and meaningful….to both of you. This conversation opens a door that you and your child can go through and benefit from in many ways. Are there some things NOT to do? You bet! For starters, do not argue about money in front of your kids. They will get that it is a source of anger in your home, which will set them up for all kinds of wrong ideas about money. Do not refer to your family as “rich” or “poor” and do not compare your finances to others; this sends a subtle message that having more makes you better or worse in some way than others, which is not true. Do not tell your kids how much you have in savings or retirement plans and do not tell them your salary or income from self-employment. Instead, answer these questions by telling them what you do for a living and how your savings and retirement plan accounts are invested. Explain that the value of invested accounts changes daily and that you add to these accounts regularly (if you do). In other words, give them information but do not let them put you on the defensive or be the subject of an inquiry that they should not conduct. It is also generally accepted as not a good idea to give a kid a credit card, buy her a car, co-sign on a loan or pay for her smart phone extras, like the data plan and apps that cost money. Many families want their teenager to be able to drive, but this does not mean it is ok to buy them a car, even a used car. Instead, either allow them to drive your car or encourage them to buy their own car by working for it. You may disagree with this, but study after study shows that kids who are given cars by their parents do not understand or appreciate the cost, the responsibility or the significance of having that car. Instead, they view is as their right and just one of many big ticket items mom and dad will pay for. If you allow your kid to drive your car, require that she pay for her own gas and if she works, contribute towards the cost of putting her on your insurance plan. Also teach her to check the oil and tire pressure regularly, not just drive the car. If she has responsibilities attached to using the car, she will be more careful and appreciative of her driving privilege. According to studies conducted by Carol Dweck, a psychologist at Stanford University, another mistake to avoid is telling your kid how smart and brilliant he is. According to Dweck’s studies, telling your child how smart or brilliant he is hampers development of a strong work ethic and ends up as a source of real frustration to your “really smart” kid when he discovers how hard it is to work out there in the real world. She explains that it is ok to praise his efforts but not his intellect or perceived brilliance. Likewise, most experts on the subject agree that you should not assist your child in her efforts to do paid work. If your child wants to deliver newspapers, let her do it on her own. Do not get up at 4:00 a.m. and drive her around to deliver the papers. If he wants to pick up and recycle cans, let him do it without your help. Do not participate in the work your kid does in order to be paid; give him the benefit of doing it all by himself. This builds the work ethic that he will need to be successful throughout his life, with other things as well as with money. I should not have to say so here, but it goes without question that you should also not allow your child to shop online. Especially not for music and games! Experts warn that this kind of instant gratification is very harmful to a child’s understanding of how to manage money wisely. It is almost like magic; you press the keys for the items you want, they show up or get downloaded and suddenly she has all the stuff she wanted so badly. This kind of shopping is dangerous and you should not allow it. If your child wants to download music, require it be free (not pirated) or require she pay for it herself, which she generally will not be able to do. It also should not be necessary to say that you should not allow your child to demand fashion brands when you buy clothing for him. He will not wear his fashion clothing long enough to get enough value out of it and if he does get it, you are teaching him the social illness of keeping up with the Joneses, something that will dog him his entire life and usually creates so much pressure to spend unwisely that the result is debt, a lot of debt. Save your child from this sickness by putting her on school clothing budget and keep it lean so that fashion wear is not possible. Speaking of budgets, a good way to teach your child how to manage money wisely is to have a family budget session several times per year and include your kids in the discussions. Many kids are very interested in this subject, so take advantage of this and bring them into the picture when your family budget is discussed. You can also suggest to your child that he have his own budget, if he is earning money from working, and show him yours as an example. Don’t have a budget? Better get one started. A key to being successful with your son or daughter’s financial education is to teach them that restraint is good. A famous example to start with is a study called “the marshmallow test”. It is used on fairly young kids, not teenagers (generally). In this experiment, young kids were offered a marshmallow now or 2 marshmallows if they would wait 15 minutes. This test was part of a study that tracked the kids it had tested, for decades. The researchers found that the kids who waited for the second marshmallow ended up with better relationships and were more financially secure as adults than the other group. Statistically, the 2 marshmallow group had attained better educations, including scoring 210 points higher on their SAT exams (on average) and had better jobs with higher salaries than the 1 marshmallow group. The point is not that one group got more stuff than the other. The point is that one group enjoyed more success because they had learned restraint at an early age. Teaching your kids to restrain themselves will help them become very good money managers. A good way to do this is to offer them a choice that results in more, or better, if they wait. This is not hard to do, especially if they ask for things. For example, you are at the grocery store with your 8 year son, who asks for a pack of gum at the checkout counter. You say “I can buy you 1 pack of gum today or you can come back to the store with me on Tuesday and I will buy you 2 packs of gum”. If he opts for 1 pack of gum now, remind him when you and he return to the store on Tuesday that he cannot have gum because he chose the 1 pack earlier. Repeat this with him until he decides to restrain himself, then buy him 2 packs and tell him it is a reward for waiting. He will get it. Another easy way to teach restraint is what I call the “5-day rule”. Here is how this works: your child wants something badly, now. She has the money to buy this item she wants so badly. But instead of buying it now, tell her to wait 5 days. At the end of 5 days, tell her to ask herself “do I still want this thing badly?” Statistically, the chances are pretty good she will no longer want it. For whatever reasons, waiting and practicing restraint stops the intense desire to have something badly that is not needed. In this case, you will not have to lecture her; she will learn not to impulse buy all by herself. This, too, is a powerful lesson. Keep in mind that this does not always work that your kid will decide not to buy the item, but when it does, it is golden. Your child is learning to be patient about getting the things he wants and is willing to work for. This is a very good habit to develop. It is also easy to teach your child several other valuable financial rules, but you do not have to refer to them as rules. Just share the information with your curious kid. One is the “rule of 72”. Lots of kids love this, especially if they like math as well. The rule of 72 is how to calculate how long to invest your money to make it double in value, or conversely, how much you will have to earn on your invested money to make it double in a certain number of years. For example, if you earn 10% per year on your money, the rule of 72 says that your money will double in 7.2 years (72 divided by 10). Or, if you want to double your money in 4 years, you will have to earn 18% per year (72 divided by 4), every year, on your investment, which is much harder to do. This rule demonstrates how money can compound with investment earnings and often opens up the child’s mind to the magic of long term saving and investing. For many parents, taking their child to work for a day is also a valuable way to teach about money and earning it. I recall when my own kids were little that I took each of them to work with me one day. Upon coming home that day, his father asked my son “what did you do today”, to which my son said that he went to work with mommy and announced that mommy gets paid to talk on the phone and drink coffee. My son also related to his father that he, too, had worked that day. He was 5 and was dressed in a suit he had been given by grandma, so he looked pretty sharp. While at work with me (I was drinking coffee and talking on the phone), he suddenly was not in my office area. I looked up and not seeing him, went looking for him in a panic. I soon found him in the hall, in the elevator of my 5th floor office, running the elevator up and down, accepting quarters for pushing the buttons for people riding up and down in the elevator. Relieved that he had not been kidnapped or hurt, I hurried him back to my office, where I found his pockets full of quarters from “working”. Somehow, he had gotten the message that we were there to work. Although scary, taking my son to work was a success! When your child becomes a teenager, allow and encourage her to work. The ideal circumstance is to work all summer long, but no more than 15 hours per week during the school year. Summer jobs are possible in many communities and there are shortages of workers for summer jobs that many adults will not do. Working for pay is good for kids. According to Ron Lieber, author of The Opposite of Spoiled, studies show that part-time jobs correlate positively with good GPAs and higher college expectations. Studies also show a zero-sum trade-off between working and studying. The trade-off will be TV, hanging out with friends and online entertainment, not studying. In addition, work experience greatly helps with college admission applications and interviews. Starting with jobs at home (not regular chores), your grade school child can work at small jobs, then move to working for the neighbors, then eventually get a real job, with a written paycheck, based on having some prior experience at showing up on time, doing the assigned tasks, completing the job and doing it properly. In a fascinating report on kids who work, author Ron Lieber tells the story in his book that in Japan, school children as young as 6 work in their school lunch program on a scheduled basis, taking turns. At lunchtime each school day, those kids scheduled for lunch duty that day march off to the school kitchen and serve lunch to the rest of the student body, then clean up afterwards. The adults do not assist and are not present. When some American kids attended a Japanese school where this was the norm, they told the Japanese kids that in America, grownups are paid to cook, serve and clean up lunch for the kids, but nobody believed this. The Japanese were shocked that adults would cook, serve and do K-P for kids who were capable of doing it for themselves. Finally, another valuable lesson that that builds resourcefulness and reduces the blatant materialism of today is to subject your child to an experience called “symbolic deprivation”. This is a situation you allow your child to experience that removes all of the luxuries of their lives at home and puts them into an environment where they have to take care of themselves, under adult supervision. Although many parents would never let their precious children experience the discomfort of any kind of deprivation, it can, as an experience, teach them powerful lessons about money and their own resourceful capabilities. One way to achieve this is at a summer camp that is very basic, perhaps primitive, sometimes with no electricity, no tap water, no hot showers, no internet, no tennis courts or swimming pool, no team sports, no cell service and no indoor toilets. These places are often the most fun, where kids are busy with camp chores, are allowed to swim and paddle for hours, can create their own homemade entertainment with skits, storytelling and music they perform for each other and where they can gain personal skills by learning to cook, serve, create ,build, repair and invent. Most of them will remember those camp days and nights for their entire lives, fondly. You can also simply take your child into the wilderness hiking or camping, if you are capable, for the same experiences, if you prefer. Either way, the goal is to allow your child to experience “symbolic deprivation”. You may or may not be able to provide your son or daughter with all of these tools and experiences, but if you can see the logic in them, you can apply enough of them to do a good job of giving your child the chance to learn how to work, save, invest, share and be totally capable of managing his or her own financial lives successfully. The road to raising kids with money smarts is not complicated; like everything else, it just requires effort and some ideas. I hope this article gives you some ideas worth trying. Good luck! Books on the subject that may be helpful to readers are: Make Your Kid a Money Genius, by Beth Kobeliner The Opposite of Spoiled, by Ron Lieber On the Web: Read More Money Matters Columns by Mary Lynn Dahl Mary Lynne Dahl©2017 Mary Lynn Dahl can be reached at E-mail your news, photos & letters to SitNews ©2017 Stories In The News Ketchikan, Alaska Articles & photographs that appear in SitNews may be protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without written permission and/or payment of any required fees to the proper sources.
Italian Immigration Only available on StudyMode • Download(s) : 262 • Published : July 8, 2009 Open Document Text Preview The reason my family and I live in America today is due largely to my great-grandparents, from both my mother and fathers side. They immigrated here from the towns of Naples and Calabria both located in the southern part of Italy. From the many stories I heard about my great-grandparents, I learned that the main reason for them coming to this country, as for many of the immigrants, was to start a better life for their families. It was between 1880 and 1920 that over four million Italians were recorded as immigrating to the United States. During this vast emigration it wa the U.S. that was the largest recipient of Italian Immigrants in the world. The year 1871 can be considered as the starting point of many Italians migrating from the southern part of Italy to America. This is due to the fact that in the year 1871 Italy had become a unified nation with a democratic constitution. Although it was a major turning point for the country as a whole the southern part of Italy reaped no benefits but actually became worse. Taxes increased, land was left untended, little was done to stop floods and improve the soil, and disease took its toll on the people and crops. This resulted in thousands of farmers unable to make a living and support their families even skilled workers could no longer find employment. Through out this time period the majority of immigrants were males between the ages of 24 and 45. Most Italian Immigrants never really planned to stay permanently in America. Those with the intent of being migratory laborers earned themselves a special name they were called “Birds of Passage”. Their expectations were to only stay as long as it took to earn enough money to help improve their families situations back home. While others came with the intent of earning enough money to be able to bring their families to come live with them in America. The trip to America was not an easy one for any immigrant coming to America from over seas. In the early 1800’s the average amount of time it took by boat to get to America was 40 days which depended greatly on the weather. It was not until the 1900’s that conditions approved somewhat and the average amount of time reduced greatly to about one week by boat with a steerage fare around thirty dollars. During this time more and more of the immigrants coming to the country were women and children. Immigrants who entered the United States between 1892 and 1924 went through the Ellis Island immigration station. “Isola Della Lacrime” (island of tears) was what many Italians called Ellis Island. It was built on a small island in New York Harbor. Although it was originally suggested that an immigration facility be built on Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty stands. This idea came with much opposition many complaid that the immigrants would taint the Statue of Liberty this ended any effort built Liberty Island. The entire Process at Ellis Island took around three or more hours depending on if everything went smoothly. Fear struck the hearts of many immigrants with the name Ellis Island because it was there that many families had either got sent back to their countries or separated , thus the name “Island of tears”. Once they were finally able to set foot in America many Italian immigrants were than faced with many challenges. Most came with hardly any money in their pockets and did not have the means to afford room and board. It did not take long before many Italian Immigrants faced prejudice, poverty, and the isolation of being in a new country. The Hositliy that was aimed toward the Italian immigrants came out of the rising concern with large scale immigration into America. It was also the unfriendly attitude of the press that helped to spreas and fuel the prejudice towards Italian... tracking img
로그인하지 않았습니다 관련 소식을 놓치지 마세요. 일정 보기. 게시물 보기 "SAVE WATER" for life, with life, after life....! Social realities in my country: India has only 1,000 cubic meters of water per person for one year, it is the higher estimate. A country is considered water-stressed if it has less than 1,700 cubic meters per person per year. India’s future economic growth is also a concern with water because it cannot expand irrigation or increase agricultural productivity by other means. In India most of population depends upon agriculture. This is because groundwater is an open-access resource and anyone can pump water from under his own land. We are also not conscious about save water in day to day activities. Water in most rivers in India is largely not fit for drinking and even in some river not fit for bathing also. Water involves not only in every aspect of life but also after life as Death rituals. Because India is a growing economy and population, competing demands for this limited resource coming from households, industry, and agriculture have wide-ranging implications for the country’s future. So, each and every person should not only think for it but have to do everything for it. Thank You! E-mail address Get exclusive access to news, events and specials. 현재 작성된 댓글이 없습니다. 게시물 웹 공유 부적절한 게시물 신고 부적절하거나 요건을 준수하지 않은 게시물, 또는 부정행위가 의심되는 경우입니다. 게시물 신고 본 사이트의 사용은 Strutta의 개인정보 취급 정책의 적용을 받습니다.
God's Righteousness Upheld 1Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, "That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged." 5But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 7But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just. No One Is Righteous 9What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." 13 "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." 14 "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." 15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known." 19Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. The Righteousness of God Through Faith 27Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Published on: Heat-Related Personal Injuries are a Common Threat in the Summer In the summer, the heat can be a serious cause for concern. While most of us are happy to see more sunshine and nice weather, the high temperatures that are common in a Florida summer can be a serious hazard, especially to the young and the elderly. Very hot summer days can cause heat stroke, sun stroke, skin blistering, dehydration, and even death. Here’s how to stay safe this summer: 1) Never leave an elderly person, a child, or a pet alone in a car. Even with the windows open slightly, the heat inside a car can climb rapidly in just a few minutes. Being left alone in a car on a hot day is a common injury to children and children have died after being left alone in a car on a hot day. 2) Burn injuries are common in the summer. Keep in mind that seat belt buckles, playground equipment, toys left outdoors, car seats, chair surfaces, tables, and other items left outdoors can be hot enough to burn. 3) Know the signs of heat distress. Red, dry, and hot skin with no sweat is a sign of heat stroke, as is a high body temperature, strong pulse, headache, nausea, dizziness, and confusion. Anyone who appears to be in distress or who feels unwell because of the heat should get medical help immediately. 4) Stay hydrated. Even if you are not thirsty, sip water throughout the day. You may be dehydrated even if you show no symptoms. Keep in mind that caffeine and alcohol can cause you to become more dehydrated. If you drink caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, drink more water or avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks completely on very hot days. 5) Make sure you and your loved ones wear sun block. A sun block, hat, and sunglasses all offer protection from the heat and sun. If you are sensitive to the sun, consider staying out of the sun between the late morning and early afternoon, when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Also, check your medications. Some medications make you more susceptible to sunburn or heat-related illness.
The right words in a text can calm a crisis Designed for people who prefer texting to talking, these services generate large datasets of anonymous counseling sessions—raw material that computer scientists can study to identify the words and techniques that seem to improve outcomes. “If you talk about the future, I will be more likely to talk about the future. If I talk positively, you’ll be more likely to talk positively.” “Until now, most research on counseling has remained small-scale, looking at voice transcripts of only a few dozen sessions,” says Jure Leskovec, an associate professor of computer science at Stanford University. Leskovec and colleagues analyzed 660,000 text messages from 15,000 crisis counseling sessions. In a paper in Transactions of the Association for Computational Linguistics, the researchers identify several techniques associated with successful sessions, such as personalizing exchanges, quickly getting to the root of the problem, and using words and phrases to steer conversations onto a positive track. Is rude texting just the new normal? Leskovec says he believes such findings could be used to train counselors how to respond most effectively when a person in the midst of a crisis reaches out for help. “We can look at orders of magnitude more data than previous studies allowed, to gain new insights and precisely quantify which counseling strategies worked,” he says. From start to finish For this study, the researchers developed new methods of natural language analysis to determine how the words and phrases that counselors used influenced whether distressed texters reported feeling better at the end of the conversation. In particular, they contrasted the language used by counselors who are very successful at getting texters to report feeling better with the language of those counselors who were generally less successful. Stigma stops people from googling the word ‘counseling’ Researchers discovered that all counseling conversations followed five stages: introduction, problem setting, problem exploration, problem solving, and wrap-up. Each stage can be characterized by the words counselors as well as texters use. For example, the introduction stage was marked by greetings on both sides and the wrap-up stage showed texters expressing appreciation and counselors using words like “any time,” “good night,” and “appreciate.” How to draw people out These stages were independent of the topic, which could be anything from relationship troubles to thoughts of suicide. But by analyzing and comparing how the most successful and least successful counselors progressed through the stages, the researchers discovered one key difference. “Successful counselors quickly got to the heart of the issue and spent more of the conversation dealing with the problem,” Althoff says. “The less successful counselors took a lot more time to get to know the problem.” This finding is related to another interesting pattern: successful counselors tend to respond more effectively to ambiguous messages. Presented with exactly the same situation—a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend, for example—a successful counselor typically asks more clarifying questions. They paraphrase responses to make sure they understand, and they thank the texter for reaching out. In short, successful counselors do more to draw out the terse texter and get to the crux of the person’s problem. As Althoff explains, this means that successful counselors tend to talk more. They personalize their messages to the specific texter and situation so their comments sound natural. The study showed that texters tended to talk more about certain topics once counselors broached those topics. So counselors can put texters in a better frame of mind by making subtle changes to their own language. “If you talk about the future, I will be more likely to talk about the future,” as Althoff says. “If I talk positively, you’ll be more likely to talk positively.” This type of analysis can be applied to training crisis counselors in the short run and, as the language analysis techniques improve, perhaps even lead to the development of automated conversational agents that support counselors during training and actual conversations. “These sorts of applications become possible when we bring the power of natural language analysis and artificial intelligence to bear on extremely large datasets of real crisis conversations,” Leskovec says. Source: Marina Krakovsky for Stanford University The post The right words in a text can calm a crisis appeared first on Futurity. Source: Futurity
Wednesday, 6 January 2010 Race and Singaporeans, what’s all the fuss about? The Singapore government requires that a child's race be registered at birth. Not to worry, the race is 'changeable' until the first national identity card (NRIC) is issued! It's true, one can go from being Malay to a Chinese overnight; just like I went from being a Pakistani to a Singaporean overnight. Is a legalistic and explicit definition of race a positive or negative contributor to social integration? To what extent does a legalistic notion of race define an individual? It can be a great tool for organizing society. But so is orthodox Hinduism's caste system, another way of 'boxing' people into categories. A sweeper is always a sweeper and a warrior always a warrior. Everyone knows their place and function in society. Society functions smoothly. The dangers associated with stereotyping are real. The Chinese can't speak English well, hence the large number of Indian lawyers. The Malays are not economically ambitious. And so on. These same stereotypes play a part in individual self-perceptions, negative and positive. A Malay child may grow up thinking a career in Singapore's armed forces is not a wise choice as advancement is limited for religious reasons. Repeat a mantra often enough and people will believe it. To be fair, 'racial profiling' helps Singapore's housing policy. Racial quotas are implemented by the authorities in assigning public housing. The quotas ensure that there is an adequate racial mix in public housing estates. In turn, mixed housing estates encourage, nay force, integration. Racial enclaves are avoided. In 2008, mixed marriages between persons of different races were almost 17% of all registered marriages. Put another way, almost one in five marriages last year was a 'mixed' marriage. In 1990, the same number was approximately 8%. The doubling corroborates a slow but steady breakdown of thinking in terms of race. To date, Singapore has adopted a conscious top down strategy in addressing racial sensitivities. As a result, people are super aware of racial (and religious) sensitivities. However, as Singapore becomes a more cohesive nation with its own national identity an easing of the policy is in order. For starters, race should not be mentioned on one's NRIC. I fail to understand how printing the information on an NRIC helps to achieve any public policy goals. Race on a national identity document is a relic of yesteryear. A diversified gene pool is a healthy gene pool Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority records have almost 100 distinct race categories registered in Singapore. I did not know so many races exist – perhaps some of them are fakes? On the flip side, at least we can look forward to a becoming a nation of decent mutts! 1. Hi, I agree with your views regarding racial stereotyping. It may be already too late to stop it, as it is already widely "practiced". For instance, as far as jobs are concerned, there's a general perception that Malays are always "relaxing at void decks playing guitars", working as technicians or despatch riders, and are always taking things too easy (read: lazy). There's another problem with registering one's race: a person of a particular race may not be fully connected, if at all, to the cultures and languages to that race. Russell Peters, a world-famous comedian from Canada, used himself as an example. He is Indian by descent, but being brought up and having lived in Canada nearly all his life, he does not speak any of the Indian dialects, nor practice any of the Indian traditions. Does that still make him Indian? Or anyone else in the same boat? 2. The perception that 'Malays are lazy' is significantly contributed to by its contrast with the Chinese 'life as a means to work' perspective. That which is predominant tends to simultaneously serve as the preferred paradigm from whence all good and evil is identified. Personally, I've said for quite some time to my chinese mates, 'the malays aren't lazy, they just have a more balanced view of the work-life interrelationship'. 3. Hi Mustafa, Thanks for visiting and taking the time to write a comment. I hope it is not to late to break down stereotypes. Each one of us has to fight the profiling in our own small way. It may not change the entire world but it may change our own world - and make us feel better in the process. Your point about the relevance of race to a person's background is extremely pertinent. In the Singapore context, the race may be chosen more on the basis of practical implications (e.g. mother tongue at school) than relevance to identity. I am sure there are many people in situations similar to Russell Peters. (I have not heard of him before but will be looking him up in the future.) I hope to hear from you again soon. Kind regards, 4. Hi Ed, It's great to hear from you. Thanks for taking the time to pen a comment. You are so right in highlighting the relevance of paradigm in defining the positive and negative - which is relative. Like in most things, too much work or too much play is not a good place to be. I speak for myself as a Libran, it is really difficult trying to find a balance! We seem to always be swinging from one extreme to another. I look forward to hearing from you again soon. Kind regards,
Well's thesis on Darwinism Edit Design chance dichotomy Edit @....As the advocates of Mr. Darwin's theory defend and applaud it because it excludes design, and as its opponents make that the main ground of their objection to it, there can be no reasonable doubt as to its real character. The question is, How are the contrivances in nature to be accounted for? One answer is, They are due to the purpose of God. Mr. Darwin says, They are due to the gradual and undesigned accumulation of slight variations. The Duke's first objection to that doctrine is, that the evidence of design in the organs of plants and animals is so clear that Mr. Darwin himself cannot avoid using teleological language.....@ What is Darwinism? Edit Hodge quoted four pages out of OoS where Darwin defined NS, he unfortunately left out Darwin's interpretation of Aristotle. Aristotle DArwin correctly identified as having a principle, but then he went on and said process of natural selection. NS can't be both a process and principle , just like d/dx can't be both differentiation and integration. These are subtle ques few seem to pick up on : Here are the 6 pages out of OoS, I added the Aristotle section as well: "As Natural Selection which works so slowly is a main element in Mr. Darwin's theory, it is necessary to understand distinctly what he means by it. On this point he leaves us no room for doubt. On p. 92, he says: "This preservation of favorable variations, and the destruction of injurious variations, I call Natural Selection, or, the Survival of the Fittest." "Owing to the struggle (for life) variations, however slight and from whatever cause proceeding, if they be in any degree profitable to the individuals of a species, in their infinitely complex relations to other organic beings and to their physical conditions of life, will tend to the preservation of such individuals, and will generally be inherited by their offspring. The offspring also will thus have a better chance of surviving, for, of the many individuals of any species which are periodically born, but a small number can survive. I have called this principle, by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved, by the term Natural Selection, in order to mark its relation to man's power of selection. But the expression often used by Mr. Herbert Spencer of the Survival of the Fit[Pg 32]test, is more accurate, and sometimes is equally convenient." (p. 72)." "Slow though the progress of selection may be, if feeble man can do so much by artificial selection, I can see no limit to the amount of change, to the beauty and infinite complexity of the co-adaptations between all organic beings, one with another, and with their physical conditions of life, which may be effected in the long course of time by nature's power of selection, or the survival of the fittest." (p. 125)." "It may be objected that if organic beings thus tend to rise in the scale, how is it that throughout the world a multitude of the lowest forms still exist; and how is it that in each great class some forms are far more highly developed than others?... On our theory the continuous existence of lowly forms offers no difficulty; for natural selection, or the survival of the fittest, does not necessarily include progressive development, it only takes advantage of such variations as arise and are beneficial to each creature under its complex relations of life.... Geology tells us that some of the lowest forms, the infusoria and rhizopods, have remained for an enormous period in nearly their present state." (p. 145). "The fact of little or no modifica[Pg 33]tion having been effected since the glacial period would be of some avail against those who believe in an innate and necessary law of development, but is powerless against the doctrine of natural selection, or the survival of the fittest, which implies only that variations or individual differences of a favorable nature occasionally arise in a few species and are then preserved." (p. 149) ns defined Edit p.111 In his volume of "Lay Sermons, Reviews," etc., Professor Huxley has a very severe critique on M. Flourens's book. He says little, however, in reference to teleology, except in one paragraph, in which we read: "M. Flourens cannot imagine an unconscious selection; it is for him a contradiction in terms." Huxley's answer is, "The winds and waves of the Bay of Biscay have not much consciousness, and yet they have with great care 'selected,' from an infinity of masses of silex, all grains of sand below a certain size and have heaped them by themselves over a great area.... A frosty night selects[Pg 111] the hardy plants in a plantation from among the tender ones as effectually as if the intelligence of the gardener had been operative in cutting the weaker ones down."[35] If this means anything, it means that as the winds and waves of the Bay of Biscay can make heaps of sand, so similar unconscious agencies can, if you only give them time enough, make an elephant or a man; for this is what Mr. Darwin says natural selection has done. - Lay Sermons, p. 347. Epicurean Theory. Edit Epicurus assumed the existence of matter, force and motion,—Stoff und Kraft. He held that all space was filled with molecules of matter in a state of rapid motion in every direction. These molecules were subject to gravity and endowed with properties or forces. One combination of molecules gave rise to unorganized matter, another to life, another to mind; and from the various combinations, guided by unintelligent physical laws, all the wonderful organisms of plants and animals have arisen. To these combinations also all the phenomena of life, instinct, and intelligence in the world are to be referred. This theory has been adopted in our day by a large class of scientific men, especially in Germany. The modern advocates of the theory are immeasurably superior to the ancient Epicureans in their knowledge of astronomy, botany, zoölogy, and biology; but in their theory of the universe, and in their mode of accounting for all the phenomena of life and intelligence, they are precisely on the same level. They have not added an idea to the system, which has ever been regarded as the opprobrium of human[Pg 11] thought. Büchner, Moleschott, Vogt, hold that matter is eternal and indestructible; that matter and force are inseparable: the one cannot exist without the other. What, it is asked, is motion without something moving? What is electricity without an electrified body? What is attraction without molecules attracting each other? What is contractibility without muscular fibre, or secretion without a secreting gland? One combination of molecules exhibits the phenomena of life, another combination exhibits the phenomena of mind. All this was taught by the old heathen philosopher more than two thousand years ago. That this system denies the existence of God, of mind as a thinking substance distinct from matter, and of the possibility of the conscious existence of man after death, are not inferences drawn by opponents, but conclusions openly avowed by its advocates. NOTES: ...What, it is asked, is motion without something moving?..... is a tautological question. kjkj Edit COMMENT ON THIS SECTION affinity ,selection etc. PALSIMONY WIKIPEDIA Others have objected that the term selection implies conscious choice in the animals which become modified; and it has even been urged that, as plants have no volition, natural selection is not applicable to them! In the literal sense of the word, no doubt, natural selection is a misnomer; but who ever objected to chemists speaking of the elective affinities of the various elements? -and yet an acid cannot strictly be said to elect the base with which it will in preference combine. It has been said that I speak of natural selection as an active power or Deity; but who objects to an author speaking of the attraction of gravity as ruling the movements of the planets? Every one knows what is meant and is implied by such metaphorical expressions; and they are almost necessary for brevity.[8] Pantheism Edit _The Pantheistic Theory_. This has been one of the most widely diffused and persistent forms of human thought on this whole subject. It has been for thousands of years not only the philosophy, but the religion of India, and, to a great extent, of China. It underlies all the forms of Greek philosophy. It crept into the Church, concealed under the disguise of Scriptural terminology, in the form of Neo-Platonism. It was constantly reappearing during the Middle Ages, sometimes in a philosophical, and sometimes a mystical form. It was revived by Spinoza in the seventeenth century, and subsequently became dominant in the philosophy and literature of Europe. It is coming up again. Some distinguished naturalists are swinging round from one pole to the opposite; from saying there is no God, to teaching that everything is God. Sometimes, one and the same book in one half teaches materialism, in the other half idealism: the one affirming that everything is matter, the other that matter is nothing, but that everything is mind, and mind is God. adsf Edit Mystery Surrounds Solar Flare Event Are mysterious particles shooting through Earth during solar flare events? Enough to disrupt the decay rate of radioactive material previously assumed to be constant? Discovery News' Ian O'Neill explains why scientists think that may be the case. Ad blocker interference detected!
Team Building Questionnaire June 9, 2011 Team building questionnaire is a sequence of questions which are devised to analyze people’s aptitude towards working in a team. This is done at workplaces, offices and companies in a view to improve team skills among employees and also designate positions to individuals in a team. Team Building Questionnaire Sample 1. What do you understand by co-operative learning? How would you assess its importance in building an effective team? 2. Have you ever used co-operative learning as a tool in your trainings or working experience? 3. What do you think are the similarities and differences (if any) between group work and team work? 4. Asses how a team can work efficiently than a group of individuals? 5. How does proper co-ordination effects team work according to you? 6. Is there any aspect of team work that you do not like? 7. Do you think that working in a team allows others to interfere in your work? 8. What are the general roles that are there in a team? 9. What characteristics do you think should an efficient team leader, must have? 10. What are the duties of a team leader? 11. What are the ideal characteristics a team member must have? 12. According to you, what are the best ways to manage conflicts and ego-clashes in a team? 13. What is Maslow’s theory? What is self-fulfilling prophecy? Explain. 14. How much time do you think it takes to develop good teams? 15. What is the role of interpersonal and communicational skills in good team building? 16. Do you think it’s fair for a team leader to be rude to his team-mate? If so, when? Download Sample Team Building Questionnaire in Word Format Top Sample Questionnaire: Leave a Comment Previous post: Next post:
Vomiting blood may be caused by: 1. Acute liver failure 2. Aspirin 3. Benign tumors of the stomach or esophagus 4. Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) 5. Defects in gastrointestinal tract blood vessels 6. Dieulafoy's lesion (an artery that protrudes through the stomach wall) 7. Duodenitis (inflammation in the first part of the small intestine) 8. Esophageal cancer 9. Esophageal varices (enlarged veins in the esophagus) 10. Esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) 11. Gastric erosions (breakdown of tissue lining the stomach) 12. Gastric varices (enlarged veins in the stomach) 13. Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) 15. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 16. Pancreatic cancer 17. Pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation) 18. Peptic ulcer 19. Portal hypertension (high blood pressure in the portal vein) 20. Prolonged or vigorous vomiting 21. Stomach cancer 1. Conditions present at birth and caused by a glitch in fetal development 2. Blood clotting disorders 3. Milk allergy 4. Swallowed blood, such as from the nose 5. Swallowed object 6. Vitamin K deficiency June 16, 2017
Travel Tour Group Inca Trail Small Tour Groups +51 984 004 472 Peru Travel Groups Peru offers a huge variety of tours for its historical, cultural and natural wealth!!! Peru is considered as one of the cradles of civilisation!!! The first evidence of settlement of the current Peru date back to 17 500 BC and it is related to the Paccaicasa civilization located in the Piquimachay Cave, 12 kilometres north of the today’s city of Ayacucho. First city states were founded in the first half of the 3rd millennium! The most known of them – Caral was a contemporary of ancient civilisations of China, Egypt, Mesopotamia and India! In addition, Caral was surrounded by other ancient cultures such as Vicus, Virú, Chavín and Paracas, which were still formed by tribal unions. In the course of time, the Chavin culture surpassed the others, but its influence gradually fell, which consequently prompted development of civilizations with better knowledge of then newly discovered skills such as the Moche, the Lima, the Nazca, the Wari and the Tiwanaku!. The Wari and the Tiwanaku took control over the area until the end of the 9th century, when Inca civilization began to excel. In the 15th century, the Inca Empire conquered all the Andean nations between the rivers of Maule and Ancasmayo and took an area of about 3,000,000 km²! This area now forms a large part of the territory of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. The capital of the Inca Empire was Cusco located in Peruvian Andes. In addition to its military power, the Incas excelled in architecture, which best example is Machu Picchu!!! Peru is divided into 3 north-south areas. There is a dessert coast on the west, the dessert is the widest on the north and involves many sand dunes. Further south, the coast is mostly rocky with continuous range of Andean mountains. Andes are rising toward the inland to a height of over 5,000 meters having Huascaran as the highest mountain (6,768 masl). The two main mountain ranges of the Cordilleras (Andes), which are still active volcanoes with seismic activity, are divided by highland plateau, on which Titicaca Lake (6,900 km²) is located. On the eastern side of the Andes, peaks slowly slope down into the Amazon Basin occupying 62% of the country! If you like to get to know the country the most, try some larger Peru tours that show you around the capital of Lima. From there, you can go to the nearby Islas Ballestas and/or Nazca to enjoy Nazca Lines over-flight seeing the famous geoglyphs of the Nazca culture! After that, you can continue to Arequipa to see this lovely “White City” made of volcanic stone “sillar” as well as to observe flying condors during a Colca Canyon Tour. Then, you can go to the nearby city of Puno, considered as the “Folkloric Capital of America”, to visit the picturesque islands of Uros (Floating Islands), Amantani and Taquile during a 1 day or a 2 day Titicaca Lake Tour. After that, you should not wait more and continue to the former capital of the Inca Empire – Cusco to start hiking to Machu Picchu included in our Inca Trail tours! Our Peru tours also involve a visit and exploration of the Amazon Rainforest where you can see its typical wild animals, 500 hundred year old trees and other amazing plants! If you like to explore more than “only” the southern part of Peru, you can choose one of our Peru tours that start with a flight to the city of Chiclayo where you can enjoy learning about the Moche civilization during our Moche Tour. On the following day, you go to Chachapoyas to visit the overwhelming fortress of Kuelap and learn about this ancient culture of so called People of the Clouds living in high Andes cloud forest! This part is included in our Chachapoyas Tour and you can do either only this part or combine it with the Inca Trail hike and a visit of Machu Picchu afterwards (the Chachapoyas - Inca Trail Tour)! In this case, you can see the most impressive monuments of the country in only tour!!! What to do in Peru? Trekking is a great way to see the country. The most widely known route is the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Other popular routes include Cordillera Blanca - Huaraz, Colca Canyon - Arequipa, Ausangate Trek, Salkantay Trek, Choquequirao trek and Inka Jungle trek to Machu Picchu - an adrenaline trip to Machu Picchu. Trek prices can vary considerably between companies, as can their respective porters' working conditions (no pack animals are allowed, hence equipment is carried by human porters). Although there is a minimum porter wage (PEN42/day, about USD15) and maximum load porters can carry (25kg/55 lb), not all companies keep to their claims! Peru offers a big variety of adrenaline sport such as rafting, kayaking, biking, zip line, horseback riding, surfing, ATV, motocross, paragliding, canopy, canoing, sandboarding, etc. Another popular activity to do in Peru is to visit its wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest that can be also considered as an adrenaline sport thanks to spending time among wild animals. Peru have differents activites and experiences: Travel Tour Group is specialist in holidays to Peru Request information Date of travel: Number of people: How did you hear about us: Most Popular Trips Quick Escapes Responsible Travel Before You Go Contact us Why Travel Tour Group? Travel Blog Write a review Write a review in Tripadvisor Inca Trail Tour Operator Inca Trail Hiking Tours Salkantay Tours Inca Trail Machu Picchu Tours travel tour group inca trail salkantay inca trail travel tour group twitter travel tour groups
The Future of Computers Is the Mind of a Toddler Facebook and Google are trying to create artificial intelligence that mimics the human brain. First, they need to figure out how our own minds work Photographer: Adrian Lourie/Evening Standard/Redux Machines contain the breadth of human knowledge, yet they have the common sense of a newborn. The problem is that computers don't act enough like toddlers. Yann LeCun, director of artificial intelligence research at Facebook, demonstrates this by standing a pen on the table and then holding his phone in front of it. He performs a sleight of hand, and when he picks the phone up—ta-da! The pen is gone. It’s a trick that’ll elicit a gasp from any one-year-old child, but today's cutting-edge artificial intelligence software—and most months-old babies—can’t appreciate that the disappearing act isn’t normal. “Before they’re a few months old, you play this trick on them, and they don’t care,” says LeCun, a 54-year-old father of three. “After a few months, they figure out this is not normal.” One reason to love computers is that, unlike many kids, they do as they’re told. Just about everything a computer is capable of was put there by a person, and they've rarely been able to discover new techniques or learn on their own. Instead, computers rely on scenarios created by software programmers: If this happens, then do that. Unless it's explicitly told that pens aren't supposed to disappear into thin air, a computer just goes with it. The big piece missing in the crusade for the thinking machine is to give computers a memory that works like the grey gunk in our own heads. An AI with something resembling brain memory would be able to discern the highlights of what it sees, and use the information to shape its understanding of things over time. To do that, the world's top researchers are rethinking how machines store information, and they're turning to neuroscience for inspiration. This change in thinking has spurred an AI arms race among technology companies such as Facebook, Google, and China’s Baidu. They’re spending billions of dollars to create machines that may one day possess common sense and to help create software that responds more naturally to users’ requests and requires less hand-holding. A facsimile of biological memory, the theory goes, should let AI not only spot patterns in the world, but reason about them with the logic we associate with young children. They’re doing this by pairing brain-aping bits of software, known as neural networks, with the ability to store longer sequences of information, inspired by the long-term memory component of our brain called the hippocampus. This combination allows for an implicit understanding of the world to get “fried in” to the patterns computers detect from moment to moment, says Jason Weston, an AI researcher at Facebook. On June 9, Facebook plans to publish a research paper detailing a system that can chew through several million pieces of data, remember the key points, and answer complicated questions about them. A system like this might let a person one day ask Facebook to find photos of themselves wearing pink at a friend's birthday party, or ask broader, fuzzier questions, like whether they seemed happier than usual last year, or appeared to spend more time with friends. While AI has long been an area of interest for Hollywood and novelists, companies hadn't paid much attention to it until about five years ago. That's when research institutions and academics, aided by new techniques for crunching reams of data, started breaking records in speech recognition and image analysis at an unexpected rate. Venture capitalists took notice and invested $309.2 million in AI startups last year, a twentyfold increase from 2010, according to research firm CB Insights. Some of these startups are helping to break new ground. One in Silicon Valley, called MetaMind, has developed improvements to computers' understanding of everyday speech. Clarifai, an AI startup in New York, is doing complex video analysis and selling the service to businesses. AI funding Corporate research labs now rival those in academia in terms of staffing and funding. They have surpassed them in access to proprietary data and computing power to run experiments on. That's attracting some of the field's most prominent researchers. LeCun, former director of New York University's Center for Data Science, joined Facebook in December 2013 to run its AI group. While still teaching a day a week at NYU, he has hired nearly 50 researchers; on June 2, Facebook said it is opening an AI lab in Paris, its third such facility. Google says its own AI team numbers in the “hundreds,” declining to be more specific. Baidu's Silicon Valley AI lab opened in May 2014, and now has around 25 researchers led by Andrew Ng, a former AI head at Google. The Chinese search giant employs about 200 AI specialists globally. The interest from deep-pocketed consumer Internet companies kickstarted a research boom creating “one of the biggest advances” in decades, says Bruno Olshausen, head of the Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience at the University of California-Berkeley. “The work going on in these labs is unprecedented in the novelty of the research, the pioneering aspect.” As far as tech money has pushed AI in recent years, computers are still pretty dumb. When talking to friends in a loud bar, you pick up what they're saying, based on context and what you remember about their interests, even if you can't hear every word. Computers can't do that. “Memory is central to cognition,” says Olshausen. The human brain doesn't store a complete log of each day's events; it compiles a summation and bubbles up the highlights when relevant, he says. Or at least, that's what scientists think. The problem with trying to create AI in our own image is that we don't fully comprehend how our minds work. “From a neuroscience perspective, where we are in terms of our understanding of the brain—and what it takes to build an intelligent system—is kind of pre-Newton,” Olshausen says. “If you're in physics and pre-Newtonian, you're not even close to building a rocket ship.” Modern AI systems analyze images, transcribe texts, and translate languages using a system called neural networks, inspired by the brain's neocortex. Over the past year, virtually the entire AI community has begun shifting to a new approach to solve tough-to-crack problems: adding a memory component to the neuron jumble. Each company uses a different technique to accomplish this, but they share the same emphasis on memory. The speed of this change has taken some experts by surprise. “Just a few months ago, we thought we were the only people doing something a bit like that," says Weston, who co-authored Facebook's first major journal article about memory-based AI last fall. Days later, a similar paper appeared from researchers at Google DeepMind. Since then, AI equipped with a sort of short-term memory has helped Google set records in video and image analysis, as well as create a machine that can figure out how to play video games without instructions. (They share more in common with kids than you probably thought.) Baidu has also made significant strides in image and speech recognition, including answering questions about images, such as, “What is in the center of the hand?” IBM says its Watson system can interpret conversations with an impressive 8 percent error rate. With Facebook's ongoing work on memory-based AI software that can read articles and then intelligently answer questions about their content, the social networking giant aims to create “a computer that can talk to you,” says Weston. The next step is to create an accompanying framework more akin to long-term memory, which could lead to machines capable of reasoning, he explains. If a talking, learning, thinking machine sounds a little terrifying to you, you're not alone. “With artificial intelligence, we're summoning the demon,” Elon Musk said last year. The chief executive officer of Tesla Motors has a team working on AI that will let its electric cars drive themselves. Musk is also an investor in an AI startup named Vicarious. After some apparent self-reflection, Musk donated $10 million to the Future of Life Institute, an organization set up by Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Max Tegmark and his wife Meia to spur discussions about the possibilities and risks associated with AI. The organization brings together the world's top academics, researchers, and experts in economics, law, ethics, and AI to discuss how to develop brainy computers that will give us a future bearing more resemblance to The Jetsons than to Terminator. “Little serious research has been devoted to the issues, outside of a few small nonprofit institutes. Fortunately, this is now changing,” Stephen Hawking, who serves on the institute's advisory board, said at a Google event in May. “The healthy culture of risk assessment and the awareness of societal implications is beginning to take root in the AI community.” AI teams from competing companies are working together to advance research, with an eye toward doing so in a responsible way. The field still operates with an academic fervor reminiscent of the early days of the semiconductor industry—sharing ideas, collaborating on experiments, and publishing peer-reviewed papers. Google and Facebook are developing parallel research schemes focused on memory-based AI, and they're publishing their papers to free academic repositories. Google's cutting-edge Neural Turing Machine “can learn really complicated programs” without direction and can operate them pretty well, Peter Norvig, a director of research at Google, said in a talk in March. Like a cubicle dweller wrestling with Excel, the machine makes occasional mistakes. And that's all right, says Norvig. “It's like a dog that walks on its rear legs. Can you do it at all? That's the exciting thing.” Technological progress within corporate AI labs has begun to make its way back to universities. Students at Stanford University and other schools have built versions of Google's AI systems and published the source code online for anyone to use or modify. Facebook is fielding similar interest from academics. Weston delivered a lecture at Stanford on May 11 to more than 70 attending students—with many more tuning in online—who were interested in learning more about Facebook's Memory Networks project. LeCun, the Facebook AI boss, says, “We see ourselves as not having a monopoly on good ideas.” LeCun co-wrote a paper in the science journal Nature on May 28, along with Google's Geoff Hinton and University of Montreal Professor Yoshua Bengio, saying memory systems are key to giving computers the ability to reason about the world by adjusting their understanding as they see things change over time. To illustrate how people use memory to respond to an event, LeCun grabs his magic pen from earlier and tosses it at a colleague. A machine without a memory or an understanding of time doesn't know how to predict where an object will land or how to respond to it. People, on the other hand, use memory and common sense to almost instinctively catch or get out of the way of what's coming at them. Weston, the Facebook AI researcher, watches the pen arc through the air and then hit him in the arm. “He's terrible at catching stuff,” LeCun says, with a laugh, “but he can predict!” Weston reassures him: “I knew it was going to hit me.”
Writing Deep Effective writing means going deep. Effective writing means going deep. I attended an informal writing workshop, and found this nugget of wisdom. Imagine you’re on a beach (or some other land mass) and two people are looking for treasure. One person is looking using a metal detector, maneuvering it back and forth, covering great distances. That person is most likely to stumble across small nuggets of treasures (such as coins), only. Another person, takes an archeological approach, and digs deep. Instead of covering a wide surface, this person expends their energy digging further down into the land. This person is more likely to come across large, impactful treasures (such as fossils). The one treasure hunter, using the metal detector, would use moments or stories to tell a tale. The other, using the archeological approach, would use ideas, concepts, or issues to tale their tale. I’m not sure who authored this metaphor but it spoke to me! As a writer, the idea is to go deep — explore an idea, concept, or issue further than you ever have. Give it the full complement of your time, attention, and energies. That is what makes for impactful writing. Write like an archeologist. Write deep. Leave a Reply %d bloggers like this:
Until new nano lithium technology comes in later in 2009, mobile phone batteries are still notoriously flaky. Just when you need to make an important call the battery indicator tells you the charge is all but extinct. You may have conditioned your battery in line with all of the advice and old wives tales floating around but still have to re-charge yours every day. Short of buying a spare and keeping that charged what can you do? There are several types of battery in use at the present time and each must be treated differently. There are Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cad), Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium-ion. Ni-Cad is old technology and hence only found in ancient handsets, so I will not be covering them in this article. NiMH batteries perform much better than Ni-Cad, typically giving 30% more talk time, but Lithium are thinner and give even higher performance. I will be concentrating on Lithium-ion as it is the most used modern mobile phone battery to date. Check which type of battery your phone has before following any of the following. First of all let me dispel some battery charging myths. o Memory effect will reduce the life of a battery. Modern Lithium-ion batteries do not suffer from memory effect, although it does occur in Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) units when charged from levels other than 0% of battery capacity. If the (NiMH) unit was fully charged when initially at say 20% capacity, the resulting available capacity would only be 80% of the factory original. Of course every time you charged the battery, the total available capacity would reduce and eventually your mobile phone would prove to be increasingly useless. Nearly all new electronic devices are now powered by Lithium batteries. You should always condition your (NiMH) battery from new. o If you interrupt the charging process it will damage the battery. You can interrupt the charge without damaging the lithium cell. o You can not use the phone whilst initially charging. You can use the phone whilst charging even during the initial charge with no damage to the battery. o You need to fully charge the battery each time. In fact the battery life-cycle will be extended if only partially charged each time. The battery will be placed under stress if fully charged each time. o You do not need to fully charge the battery first time. New or dormant batteries can have reduced capacity, so fully charge the battery initially. In fact all new batteries should be fully charged and fully discharged the first few cycles to give optimal performance – even Lithium-ion. o The battery will over-charge if left attached to the charger. The battery stops charging automatically when full, so it will not over charge. If the battery is left on charge too long it is possible that heat will damage the battery. o The battery will re-charge a little if placed on a hot surface, like a radiator. Never place a mobile phone battery on a hot surface! There is a significant chance of explosion with extreme heat. A modern Lithium battery becomes less efficient the warmer it gets. So from the points I have raised above we can see that we no longer need to condition the battery in the way we did with the older Ni-MH cells. Having said all of that, you should always check your manual for battery advice and especially initial charge times. Here are ten ways of improving your battery capacity. You do not have to implement them all, but the more you do effect the less time you will spend with your valuable mobile phone plugged into the wall. ۱٫ Using your mobile phone in 3G or Dual Mode drains the battery much quicker than just GSM mode. Somewhere in the manual for your phone will be listed the battery times separately for GSM and 3G. On modern mobile phones, the GSM only life-cycle can be up to 50% more efficient. ۲٫ Turn off all off all unnecessary sounds (key tones, alerts etc). ۳٫ Decrease your screen brightness setting to 50%. ۴٫ Turn your backlight setting down. ۵٫ Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not using them. ۶٫ Close applications when you're not using them. ۷٫ Keep your phone / battery at cool temperatures. If storing, make sure it is at 40% charge for best results. ۸٫ Do not let your battery fully discharge. If you let your battery die frequently, you are putting extra strain on the battery. Most companies recommend discharging the battery once in every 20 charges or so. ۹٫ Always charge new phone batteries for at least 16 hours for the first charge ۱۰٫ Do not use the vibrate function on your phone as it's a huge on power. I actually prefer to turn the ringtone off and have the phone on vibrate; it makes a noise on a hard surface and you can feel the buzz when in your pocket. But vibrate definitely uses more of that precious battery power. All power to you my friend. مطالب پیشنهادی ما
The Song Dynasty (960–1279) of China was a period of Chinese history marked by commercial expansion, economic prosperity, and revolutionary new economic concepts. Private trade grew and a market economy began to link the coastal provinces with the interior. The enormous population growth rate from increased agricultural cultivation in the 10th to 11th centuries doubled China's overall population, which rose above 100 million people (compared to the earlier Tang, with some 50 million people).[1] Beyond domestic profits made in China, merchants engaged in overseas trade by investing money in trading vessels that docked at foreign ports as far away as East Africa. The world's first development of the banknote, or printed paper money (see Jiaozi, Huizi), was established on a massive scale. Combined with a unified tax system and an efficient canal and roadways, this meant the development of a true nationwide market system in China. Although much of the revenue in the central government's treasury was consumed by the needs of the military defense budget, government taxes imposed on the rising commercial base in China refilled the monetary coffers of the Song government.[2] For certain production items and marketed goods, the Song government imposed monopolies in order to boost revenues and secure resources that were vital to the empire's security, such as steel, iron, and chemical components for gunpowder. Organization, investment, and tradeEditar During the Song Dynasty, the merchant class became more sophisticated, well-respected and organized than in earlier periods of China. Their accumulated wealth often rivaled that of the scholar-officials who administered the affairs of government. For their organizational skills, Ebrey, Walthall, and Palais state that Song Dynasty merchants: ...set up partnerships and joint stock companies, with a separation of owners (shareholders) and managers. In the large cities, merchants were organized into guilds according to the type of product sold; they periodically set prices and arranged sales from wholesalers to shop owners. When the government requisitioned goods or assessed taxes, it dealt with the guild heads.[3] Although large government run industries and large privately-owned enterprises dominated the market system of urban China during the Song period, there was a plethora of small private businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the large suburbs and rural areas that thrived off the economic boom of the period. There was even a large black market in China during the Song period, which was actually enhanced once the Jurchens conquered northern China and established the Jin Dynasty. For example, around 1160 AD there was an annual black market smuggling of some 70 to 80 thousand cattle.[4] There were multitudes of successful small kilns and pottery shops owned by local families, along with oil presses, wine-making shops, small local paper-making businesses, etc.[5] There was also room for small economic success with the "inn keeper, the petty diviner, the drug seller, the cloth trader," and many others.[6] Archivo:Song Dynasty Hydraulic Mill for Grain.JPG Rural families that sold a large agricultural surplus to the market not only could afford to buy more charcoal, tea, oil, and wine, but they could also amass enough funds to establish secondary means of production for generating more wealth.[7] Besides necessary agricultural foodstuffs, farming families could often produce wine, charcoal, paper, textiles, and other goods they sold through brokers.[7] Farmers in Suzhou often specialized in raising bombyx mori to produce silk wares, while in Fujian, Sichuan, and Guangdong farmers often grew sugarcane.[7] In order to ensure the prosperity of rural areas, technical applications for public works projects and improved agricultural techniques were essential. The vast irrigation system of China had to be furnished with multitudes of wheelwrights mass-producing standardized waterwheels and square-pallet chain pumps that could lift water from lower planes to higher irrigation planes.[8] For clothing, silken robes were worn by the wealthy and elite while hemp and ramie was worn by the poor; by the late Song period cotton clothes were also in use.[7] Shipment of all these materials and goods was aided by the 10th century innovation of the canal pound lock in China; the Song scientist and statesman Shen Kuo (1031ndash;1095) wrote that the building of pound lock gates at Zhenzhou (presumably Kuozhou along the Yangtze) during the 1020s and 1030s freed up the use of five hundred working laborers at the canal each year, amounting to the saving of up to 1,250,000 strings of cash annually.[9] He wrote that the old method of hauling boats over limited the size of the cargo to 300 tan of rice per vessel (roughly 21 tons/21337 kg), but after the pound locks were introduced, boats carrying 400 tan (roughly 28 tons/28449 kg) could then be used.[9] Shen wrote that by his time (c. 1080) government boats could carry cargo weights of up to 700 tan (49½ tons/50294 kg), while private boats could hold as much as 800 bags, each weighing 2 tan (i.e. a total of 113 tons/114813 kg).[9] Archivo:IMG 0307 Sng.JPG Sea trade abroad to the South East Pacific, the Hindu world, the Islamic world, and the East African world brought merchants great fortune.[10] Although the massive amount of indigenous trade along the Grand Canal, the Yangzi River, its tributaries and lakes, and other canal systems trumped the commercial gains of overseas trade,[11] there were still many large seaports during the Song period that bolstered the economy, such as Quanzhou, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, and Xiamen. These seaports, now heavily connected to the hinterland via canal, lake, and river traffic, acted as a long string of large market centers for the sale of cash crops produced in the interior.[12] The high demand in China for foreign luxury goods and spices coming from the East Indies facilitated the growth of Chinese maritime trade abroad during the Song period.[13] Along with the mining industry, the shipbuilding industry of Fujian province during the Song period increased its production exponentially as maritime trade was given more importance and as the province's population growth began to increase dramatically.[4] The Song capital at Hangzhou had a large canal that connected its waterways directly to the seaport at Mingzhou (modern Ningbo), the center where many of the foreign imported goods were shipped out to the rest of the country.[14] Despite the installation of fire stations and a large fire fighting force, fires continued to threaten the city of Hangzhou and the various businesses within it.[15] In safeguarding stored supplies and providing rented space for merchants and shopkeepers to keep their surplus goods safe from city fires, the rich families of Hangzhou, palace eunuchs, and empresses had large warehouses built near the northeast walls; these warehouses were surrounded by channels of water on all sides and were heavily guarded by hired night watchmen.[16] Shipbuilders generated means of employment for many skilled craftsmen, while sailors for ship crews found many opportunities of employment as more families had enough capital to purchase boats and invest in commercial trading abroad.[17] Foreigners and merchants from abroad had an impact on the economy from within China as well. For example, many Muslims went to Song China not only to trade, but dominated the import and export industry and in some cases became officials of economic regulations.[18][19] For Chinese maritime merchants, however, there was risk involved in such long overseas ventures to foreign trade posts and seaports as far away as Egypt.[20] In order to reduce the risk of losing money instead of gaining it on maritime trade missions abroad: Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst Dahlem Berlin Mai 2006 043.jpg A 10th or 11th century Longquan stoneware vase from Zhejiang province, Song Dynasty. [Song era] investors usually divided their investment among many ships, and each ship had many investors behind it. One observer thought eagerness to invest in overseas trade was leading to an outflow of copper cash. He wrote, "People along the coast are on intimate terms with the merchants who engage in overseas trade, either because they are fellow-countrymen or personal acquaintances...[They give the merchants] money to take with them on their ships for purchase and return conveyance of foreign goods. They invest from ten to a hundred strings of cash, and regularly make profits of several hundred percent."[21] Wealthy landholders were still typically those who were able to educate their sons to the highest degree. Hence small groups of prominent families in any given local county would gain national spotlight for having sons travel far off to be educated and appointed as ministers of the state. Yet downward social mobility was always an issue with the matter of divided inheritance. Suggesting ways to increase a family's property, Yuan Cai (1140–1190) wrote in the late 12th century that those who obtained office with decent salaries shouldn't convert it to gold and silver, but instead could watch their values grow with investment: For instance, if he had 100,000 strings worth of gold and silver and used this money to buy productive property, in a year he would gain 10,000 strings; after ten years or so, he would have regained the 100,000 strings and what would be divided among the family would be interest. If it were invested in a pawn broking business, in three years the interest would equal the capital. He would still have the 100,000 strings, and the rest, being interest, could be divided. Moreover, it could be doubled again in another three years, ad infinitum.[22] Shen Kuo (1031–1095), a minister of finance, was of the same opinion; in his understanding of the velocity of circulation, he stated in 1077: The utility of money derives from circulation and loan-making. A village of ten households may have 100,000 coins. If the cash is stored in the household of one individual, even after a century, the sum remains 100,000. If the coins are circulated through business transactions so that every individual of the ten households can enjoy the utility of the 100,000 coins, then the utility will amount to that of 1,000,000 cash. If circulation continues without stop, the utility of the cash will be beyond enumeration.[23] Porcelaine chinoise Guimet 231102.jpg A celadon plate from Yaozhou, Shaanxi, 10th to 11th century. The author Zhu Yu wrote in his Pingzhou Ketan (萍洲可談; Pingzhou Table Talks) of 1119 AD about the organization, maritime practices, and government standards of seagoing vessels, their merchants, and sailing crews. His book stated: According to government regulations concerning seagoing ships, the larger ones can carry several hundred men, and the smaller ones may have more than a hundred men on board. One of the most important merchants is chosen to be Leader (Gang Shou), another is Deputy Leader (Fu Gang Shou), and a third is Business Manager (Za Shi). The Superintendent of Merchant Shipping gives them an unofficially sealed red certificate permitting them to use the light bamboo for punishing their company when necessary. Should anyone die at sea, his property becomes forfeit to the government...The ship's pilots are acquainted with the configuration of the coasts; at night they steer by the stars, and in the day-time by the sun. In dark weather they look at the south-pointing needle (i.e. the magnetic compass). They also use a line a hundred feet long with a hook at the end which they let down to take samples of mud from the sea-bottom; by its (appearance and) smell they can determine their whereabouts.[24] Foreign travelers to China often made remarks on the economic strength of the country. The later Muslim Moroccan Berber traveler Ibn Batutta (1304–1377) wrote about many of his travel experiences in places across the Eurasian world, including China at the farthest eastern extremity. After describing lavish Chinese ships holding palatial cabins and saloons, along with the life of Chinese ship crews and captains, Batutta wrote: Among the inhabitants of China there are those who own numerous ships, on which they send their agents to foreign places. For nowhere in the world are there to be found people richer than the Chinese.[25] Production and employment Editar Steel and iron industriesEditar Archivo:Chinese Puddle and Blast Furnace.jpg Accompanying the widespread printing of paper money was the beginnings of what one might term an early Chinese industrial revolution. For example the historian Robert Hartwell has estimated that per capita iron output rose sixfold between 806 and 1078, such that, by 1078 China was producing 127000000 kg (125,000 t) in weight of iron per year.[26] In the smelting process of using huge bellows driven by waterwheels, massive amounts of charcoal were used in the production process, leading to a wide range of deforestation in northern China.[26] However, by the end of the 11th century the Chinese discovered that using bituminous coke could replace the role of charcoal, hence many acres of forested land in northern China were spared by the steel and iron industry with this switch of resources.[26][11] Iron and steel of this period were used to mass produce ploughs, hammers, needles, pins, nails for ships, musical cymbals, chains for suspension bridges, Buddhist statues, and other routine items for an indigenous mass market.[27] Iron was also a necessary manufacturing component for the production processes of salt and copper.[27] Many newly constructed canals linked the major iron and steel production centers to the capital city's main market.[5] This was also extended to trade with the outside world, which greatly expanded with the high level of Chinese maritime activity abroad during the Southern Song period. Through many written petitions to the central government by regional administrators of the Song Empire, historical scholars can piece evidence together to appropriate the size and scope of the Chinese iron industry during the Song era. The famed magistrate Bao Qingtian (999–1062) wrote of the iron industry at Hancheng, Tongzhou Prefecture, along the Yellow River in what is today eastern Shaanxi province, with iron smelting households that were overseen by government regulators.[28] He wrote that 700 such households were acting as iron smelters, with 200 having the most adequate amount of government support, such as charcoal supplies and skilled craftsmen (the iron households hired local unskilled labor themselves).[28] Bao's complaint to the throne was that government laws against private smelting in Shaanxi hindered profits of the industry, so the government finally heeded his plea and lifted the ban on private smelting for Shaanxi in 1055.[28][29] The result of this was an increase in profit (with lower prices for iron) as well as production; 100,000 jin (60 tonnes) of iron was produced annually in Shaanxi in the 1040s AD, increasing to 600,000 jin (360 tonnes) produced annually by the 1110s, furbished by the revival of the Shaanxi mining industry in 1112.[30] Although the iron smelters of Shaanxi were managed and supplied by the government, there were many independent smelters operated and owned by rich families.[31] While acting as governor of Xuzhou in 1078, the famous Song poet and statesman Su Shi (1037–1101) wrote that in the Liguo Industrial Prefecture under his administered region, there were 36 iron smelters run by different local families, each employing a work force of several hundred people to mine ore, produce their own charcoal, and smelt iron.[31] Free trade and state monopoliesEditar Yuan Dynasty - waterwheels and smelting.png A blast furnace smelting cast iron, with bellows operated by waterwheel and mechanical device, from the Nong Shu by Wang Zhen, 1313 AD This arrangement of allowing competitive industry to flourish in some regions while setting up its opposite of strict government-regulated and monopolized production and trade in others was not exclusive to iron manufacturing.[32] In the beginning of the Song Dynasty, the government supported competitive silk mills and brocade workshops in the eastern provinces and in the capital city of Kaifeng.[32] However, at the same time the government established strict legal prohibition on the merchant trade of privately produced silk in Sichuan province.[32] This prohibition dealt an economic blow to Sichuan that caused a small rebellion (which was subdued), yet in the Song Dynasty Sichuan was well-known for its independent industries producing timber and cultivated oranges.[32] The reforms of the Chancellor Wang Anshi (1021–1086) sparked heated debate amongst ministers of court when he nationalized the industries manufacturing, processing, and distributing tea, salt, and wine.[33] The state monopoly on Sichuan tea was the prime source of revenue for the state's purchase of horses in Qinghai for the Song army's cavalry forecs.[34] The restrictions on the private manufacture and trade of salt were even criticized in a famous poem by Su Shi, and while the opposing politically-charged faction at court gained advantage and lost favor, Wang Anshi's reforms were continually abandoned and reinstated.[33] Despite this political quarrel, the Song Empire's main source of revenue continued to come from state-managed monopolies and indirect taxes.[35] As for private entrepreneurship, great profits could still be pursued by the merchants in the luxury item trades and specialized regional production. For example, the silk producers of Raoyang County, Shenzhou Prefecture, southern Hebei province were especially known for producing silken headwear for the Song emperor and high court officials in the capital.[36] Gunpowder productionEditar Archivo:Chinese Gunpowder Formula.JPG During the Song period, there was a great deal of organized labor and bureaucracy involved in the extraction of resources from the various provinces in China. The production of sulfur, which the Chinese called 'vitriol liquid', was extracted from pyrite and used for pharmaceutical purposes as well as for the creation of gunpowder.[37] This was done by roasting iron pyrites, converting the sulphide to oxide, as the ore was piled up with coal briquettes in an earthenware furnace with a type of still-head to send the sulphur over as vapour, after which it would solidify and crystallize.[38] The historical text of the Song Shi (History of the Song, compiled in 1345 AD) stated that the major producer of sulfur in the Tang and Song dynasties was the Jin Zhou sub-provincial administrative region (modern Linfen in southern Shanxi).[39] The bureaucrats appointed to the region managed the industrial processing and sale of it, and the amount created and distributed from the years 996 to 997 alone was 405,000 jin (roughly 200 tons).[39] It was recorded that in 1076 AD the Song Dynasty government held a strict commercial monopoly on sulfur production, and if dye houses and government workshops sold their products to private dealers in the black market, they were subject to meted penalties by government authorities.[39][38] Even before this point, in 1067 AD, the Song government had issued an edict that the people living in Shanxi and Hebei were forbidden to sell foreigners any products containing saltpetre and sulfur. This act by the Song government displayed their fears of the grave potential of gunpowder weapons being developed by Song China's territorial enemies as well (i.e. the Tanguts and Khitans).[38] Since Jin Zhou was in close proximity to the Song capital at Kaifeng, the latter became the largest producer of gunpowder during the Northern Song period.[39] With enhanced sulfur from pyrite instead of natural sulfur (along with ehanced potassium nitrate), the Chinese were able to shift the use of gunpowder from an incendiary use into an explosive one for early artillery.[40] There were large manufacturing plants in the Song Dynasty for the purpose of making 'fire-weapons' employing the use of gunpowder, such as fire lances and fire arrows. While engaged in a war with the Mongols, in the year 1259 the official Li Zengbo wrote in his Ko Zhai Za Gao, Xu Gao Hou that the city of Qingzhou was manufacturing one to two thousand strong iron-cased bomb shells a month, dispatching to Xiangyang and Yingzhou about ten to twenty thousand such bombs at a time.[41] One of the main armories and arsenals for the storage of gunpowder and weapons was located at Weiyang, which accidentally caught fire and produced a massive explosion in 1280 AD.[42] Urban employment and businessesEditar Archivo:Qingming Festival Detail 1.jpg Within the cities there were a multitude of professions and places of work to choose from, if one weren't strictly inheriting a profession of his paternal line. Sinologist historians are fortunate enough to have a wide variety of written sources describing minute details about each location and the businesses within the cities of Song China. For example, in the alleys and avenues around the East Gate of the Xiangguo Temple in Kaifeng, historian Stephen H. West quotes one source: Along the Temple Eastgate Avenue...are to be found shops specializing in cloth caps with pointed tails, belts and waiststraps, books, caps and flowers as well as the vegetarian tea meal of the Ding family...South of the temple are the brothels of Manager's Alley...The nuns and the brocade workers live in Embroidery Alley...On the north is Small Sweetwater Alley...There are a particularly large number of of Southern restaurants inside the alley, as well as a plethora of brothels.[43] Similarly, in the "Pleasure District"[44] along the Horse Guild Avenue, near a Zoroastrian temple in Kaifeng, West quotes the same source, Dongjing meng Hua lu: In addition to the household gates and shops that line the two sides of New Fengqiu Gate Street...military encampments of the various brigades and columns [of the Imperial Guard] are situated in facing pairs along approximately ten li of the approach to the gate. Other wards, alleys, and confined open spaces crisscross the area, numbering in the tens of thousands—none knows their real number. In every single place, the gates are squeezed up against each other, each with its own tea wards, wineshops, stages, and food and drink. Normally the small business households of the marketplace simply purchase [prepared] food and drink at food stores; they do not cook at home. For northern food there are the Shi Feng style dried meat cubes...made of various stewed items...for southern food, the House of Jin at Temple Bridge...and the House of Zhou at Ninebends...are acknowledged to be the finest. The night markets close after the third watch only to reopen at the fifth.[45] West points out that Kaifeng shopkeepers rarely had time to eat at home, so they chose to go out and eat at a variety of places such as restaurants, temples, and food stalls.[46] Restaurant businesses thrived on this new clientele,[46] while restaurants that catered to regional cooking targeted customers such as merchants and officials who came from regions of China where cuisine styles and flavors were drastically different than those commonly served in the capital.[47][48] The pleasure district mentioned above—where stunts, games, theatrical stage performances, taverns and singing girl houses were located—was teeming with food stalls where business could be had virtually all night.[49][46] West makes a direct connection between the success of the theatre industry and the food industry in the cities.[46] Of the fifty some theatres within the pleasure districts of Kaifeng, four of these could entertain audiences of several thousand each, drawing huge crowds which would then give nearby businesses an enormous potential customer base.[50] Besides food, traders in eagles and hawks, precious paintings, as well as shops selling bolts of silk and cloth, jewelry of pearls, jade, rhinocerous horn, gold and silver, hair ornaments, combs, caps, scarves, and aromatic incense thrived in the marketplaces.[51] Paper currencyEditar Copper resources and receipts of depositEditar Archivo:Jiao zi.jpg The root of the development of the banknote goes back to the earlier Tang Dynasty (618–907), when the government outlawed the use of bolts of silk as currency, which increased the use of copper coinage as money.[1] By the year 1085 the output of copper currency was driven to a rate of 6 billion coins a year.[1] This displayed evidence of remarkable and unprecedented expansion of Song China's economic power, in consideration of the output of coinage currency in the earlier year of 997 AD, which was only 800 million coins a year.[52] In the year 1120 alone, the Song government collected 18,000,000 ounces of silver in taxes.[17] With many 9th century Tang era merchants avoiding the weight and bulk of so many copper coins in each transaction, this led them to using trading receipts from deposit shops where goods or money were left previously.[52] Merchants would deposit copper currency into the stores of wealthy families and prominent wholesalers, whereupon they would receive receipts that could be cashed in a number of nearby towns by accredited persons.[53] Since the 10th century, the early Song government began issuing their own receipts of deposit, yet this was restricted mainly to their monopolized salt industry and trade.[53] China's first official regional paper-printed money can be traced back to the year 1024, in Sichuan province.[54][55] Although the output of copper currency had expanded immensely by 1085, some fifty copper mines were shut down between the years 1078 and 1085.[56] Although there were on average more copper mines found in Northern Song China than in the previous Tang Dynasty, this case was reversed during the Southern Song with a sharp decline and depletion of mined copper deposits by 1165.[57] Even though copper cash was abundant in the late 11th century, Chancellor Wang Anshi's tax substitution for corvée labor and government takeover of agricultural finance loans meant that people now had to find additional cash, driving up the price of copper money which would become scarce.[58] To make matters worse, large amounts of government-issued copper currency exited the country via international trade, while the Liao Dynasty and Western Xia actively pursued the exchange of their iron-minted coins for Song copper coins.[59] The government attempted to prohibit the use of copper currency in border regions and in seaports, but the Song-issued copper coin became common in the Liao, Western Xia, Japanese, and Southeast Asian economies.[59] The Song government would turn to other types of material for its currency in order to ease the demand on the government mint, including the issuing of iron coinage and paper banknotes.[1][60] In the year 976, the percentage of issued currency using copper coinage was 65%; after 1135, this had dropped significantly to 54%, a government attempt to debase the copper currency.[60] The world's first paper moneyEditar Archivo:Hui zi.jpg The central government soon observed the economic advantages of printing paper money, issuing a monopoly right of several of the deposit shops to the issuance of these certificates of deposit.[1] By the early 12th century, the amount of banknotes issued in a single year amounted to an annual rate of 26 million strings of cash coins.[53] By the 1120s the central government officially stepped in and produced their own state-issued paper money (using woodblock printing).[1] Even before this point, the Song government was amassing large amounts of paper tribute. It was recorded that each year before 1101 AD, the prefecture of Xinan (modern Xi-xian, Anhui) alone would send 1,500,000 sheets of paper in seven different varieties to the capital at Kaifeng.[61] In that year of 1101, the Emperor Huizong of Song decided to lessen the amount of paper taken in the tribute quota, because it was causing detrimental effects and creating heavy burdens on the people of the region.[62] However, the government still needed masses of paper product for the exchange certificates and the state's new issuing of paper money. For the printing of paper money alone, the Song court established several government-run factories in the cities of Huizhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Anqi.[62] The size of the workforce employed in these paper money factories were quite large, as it was recorded in 1175 AD that the factory at Hangzhou alone employed more than a thousand workers a day.[62] However, the government issues of paper money were not yet nationwide standards of currency at that point; issues of banknotes were limited to regional zones of the empire, and were valid for use only in a designated and temprorary limit of time.[53] This changed between the years 1265 and 1274, when the late Southern Song government finally produced a nationwide standard currency of paper money, once its widespread circulation was backed by gold or silver.[53] The range of varying values for these banknotes was perhaps from one string of cash to one hundred at the most.[53] The subsequent Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties would issue their own paper money as well. Even the Southern Song's contemporary of the Jin Dynasty to the north caught on to this trend and issued their own paper money.[53] At the archeological dig at Jehol there was a printing plate found that dated to the year 1214, which produced notes that measured 10 cm by 19 cm in size and were worth a hundred strings of 80 cash coins.[53] This Jurchen-Jin issued paper money bore a serial number, the number of the series, and a warning label that counterfeiters would be decapitated, and the denouncer rewarded with three hundred strings of cash.[63] See also Editar 1. 1,0 1,1 1,2 1,3 1,4 1,5 Ebrey, 156. 2. Ebrey, 167. 3. Ebrey et al., 157. 4. 4,0 4,1 Golas, Peter (1980). "Rural China in the Song". The Journal of Asian Studies: 291-325. 5. 5,0 5,1 Embree, 339. 6. Embree, 339-340. 7. 7,0 7,1 7,2 7,3 Ebrey, Cambridge Illustrated History of China, 141. 8. Needham, Volume 4, Part 2, 347. 9. 9,0 9,1 9,2 Needham, Volume 4, Part 3, 352. 10. Rossabi, 77–78. 11. 11,0 11,1 Fairbank, 89. 12. Rossabi, 79. 13. Fairbank, 92. 14. Walton, 89. 15. Gernet, 34-37. 16. Gernet, 37. 17. 17,0 17,1 Ebrey, Cambridge Illustrated History of China, 142. 18. BBC article about Islam in China 19. Needham, Volume 4, Part 3, 465. 20. Shen, 158. 21. Ebrey et al., 159. 22. Ebrey et al., 162. 23. Yang, 47. 24. Needham, Volume 4, Part 1, 279. 25. Needham, Volume 4, Part 3, 470. 26. 26,0 26,1 26,2 Ebrey et al., 158. 27. 27,0 27,1 Ebrey, Cambridge Illustrated History of China, 144. 28. 28,0 28,1 28,2 Wagner, 181. 29. Wagner, 182. 30. Wagner 182-183. 31. 31,0 31,1 Wagner, 178-179. 32. 32,0 32,1 32,2 32,3 Needham, Volume 4, Part 2, 23. 33. 33,0 33,1 Ebrey, 164. 34. Smith, 77. 35. Gernet, 18. 36. Friedman et al., 3. 37. Yunming, 487-489. 38. 38,0 38,1 38,2 Needham, Volume 5, Part 7, 126. 39. 39,0 39,1 39,2 39,3 Yunming, 489. 40. Yunming, 489-490. 41. Needham, Volume 5, Part 7, 173-174. 42. Needham, Volume 5, Part 7, 209-210. 43. West, 71. 44. West, 72. 45. West, 72–73. 46. 46,0 46,1 46,2 46,3 West, 74. 47. Gernet, 133. 48. West, 70. 49. Gernet, 184. 50. West, 76. 51. West, 75–76. 52. 52,0 52,1 Bowman, 105. 53. 53,0 53,1 53,2 53,3 53,4 53,5 53,6 53,7 Gernet, 80. 54. Morton, 97. 55. Benn, 55. 56. Ch'en, 615. 57. Ch'en, 615–616. 58. Ch'en, 619. 59. 59,0 59,1 Ch'en, 621. 60. 60,0 60,1 Ch'en, 620. 61. Needham, Volume 5, Part 1, 47. 62. 62,0 62,1 62,2 Needham, Volume 5, Part 1, 48. 63. Gernet, 80-81. • Ch'en, Jerome. "Sung Bronzes--An Economic Analysis," Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies (Volume 28, Number 3, 1965): 613–626. • Friedman, Edward, Paul G. Pickowicz, Mark Selden. (1991). Chinese Village, Socialist State. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-05428-9. • Needham, Joseph (1986). Science and Civilization in China: Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 1, Physics.. Taipei: Caves Books Ltd. • Smith, Paul J. (1993) "State Power and Economic Activism during the New Policies, 1068–1085' The Tea and Horse Trade and the 'Green Sprouts' Loan Policy," in Ordering the World : Approaches to State and Society in Sung Dynasty China, ed. Robert P. Hymes, 76–128. Berkeley: Berkeley University of California Press. ISBN 9780520076914. • Yang, Lien-sheng. "Economic Justification for Spending-An Uncommon Idea in Traditional China," Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies (Volume 20, Number 1/2, 1957): 36–52. • Yunming, Zhang (1986). Isis: The History of Science Society: Ancient Chinese Sulfur Manufacturing Processes. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. External linksEditar ¡Interferencia de bloqueo de anuncios detectada! También en FANDOM Wiki al azar
* One exception: short stories. Monday, 20 February 2012 That very vocal sound HOW CAN YOU TELL? part three. Judging a violin performance. A violin has a range of nearly four octaves which – believe me – goes from very deep to very high. The bow’s function is obvious, otherwise notes are created by stopping the four strings with the finger tips against the 27 cm long fingerboard (usually ebony). There are no frets (raised bars as on a guitar) to indicate the stopping points and the process gets harder as the notes rise in pitch because the stops get closer and closer together. An imperfectly stopped note is blurred and the violinist’s intonation is said to be suffering. It happens to famous players. Reviews of Yehudi Menuhin’s later recordings regularly referred to faulty intonation though his interpretations might well be praised. Critics are less forgiving about the intonation of younger players these days and most of us can expect to hear sharply defined notes when the violin is being played staccato – ie, where the notes are separate and not blended together There is of course no substitute for familiarity with a piece, especially works for the unaccompanied violin. And especially with Bach. Some works attempt the impossible. Denied the left-hand accompaniment to a melody that a piano allows, composers for violin sometimes write chunks of melody alternating with chunks of accompaniment and expect the listener’s ear to “combine” these two voices on what is essentially a one-voice instrument. It works but it helps if you are aware that this is the aim. Think of the violin as a voice rather than an instrument. Are you being “sung” to? In violin concerti keep an eye on the first violins (to the left of the conductor) and especially the leader. Their reaction may indicate a great performance by the soloist. Julia said... Precision work on violin is commonplace now, technique is drilled into players from a very early age. I definitely agree with you - what makes a technically great performance something more is when the performer makes her instrument sing. That's magic! Lorenzo da Ponte said... Julia: A week or so ago we heard the Tchaikovsky violin concerto by a Japanese woman (name now forgotten). Far too showy a piece for my tastes and yet it was easy to see (a) she was note perfect, and (b) her performance was masterly. Julia said... Do you have a favorite violin concerto? Brahms is masterful and I do also like Tchaikovsky as I've played parts of it (all that time spent on a piece means you either hate or love it). The Bruch though, that's my top choice. Lorenzo da Ponte said... Julia: I've been waiting for someone to ask me that question for years, and it took me years to arrive at the decision. I hope it's not going to sound pretentious but the answer's Sibelius. There's also the matter of whose performance. The first version we owned, an LP, was David Oistrakh (orchestra forgotten). Eventually it got so battered I bought a CD (Perlman, Previn, Pittsburgh SO) and thus didn't bother with David when I did my enormous LP to CD conversion. Now I wish I had. What seems essential in retrospect is a Slavic voice from the violin even though the Finns aren't Slavs. Only Slavs seem able to to flirt with that barrier between pain and pleasure that Sibelius requires. Oh Julia, I can hear it now in my head but Mrs LdP is still abed and although the Perlman is a file on my computer it would be too noisy to play it. I'm glad to see you only played parts of the Tchaikovsky. Whatever my feelings towards it, it is clearly a virtuoso piece and I realise there's a question I've never put to you: how would you rate your violin playing? What level? Julia said... When I was in school I was quite decent, but I lost my chops when I developed tendonitis and couldn't pick up even a pencil for six months. I've never been able to play for longer than 30 minutes since then, which relegated me to amateur status and saved me for the business world ;-). Sibelius' dark tones matches Oistrakh's breadth of sound so well. Just listened to Oistrakh and the Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra on Youtube, and am struck as always by the way he pulls sound out of his instrument. It's almost as if he has double the hair on his bow as anyone else. Lorenzo da Ponte said... Julia: Oh gosh. You've never given me even a hint of that beforehand. I suppose that does leave most quartets; I hope the little breaks between movements provide blessed surcease for those tendons. Your news becomes even more poignant given that yesterday afernoon I was revising Blest Redeemer (thinking gloomily of reconstructing it) but sustained by good ol' Itzhak with the partitas and sonatas. Boy was he singing and he reminded me of you. But then came the little weevil of doubt. I don't suppose the scores are over-endowed with interpretive instructions and I wondered if Bach really intended them to be so musical. In fact the fifth (?) came with the chaconne attached and the contrast with the performance I recently posted about (Vengerov at Auschwitz) couldn't have been more marked: IP as lyrical as Strauss's Four Last Songs, MV as spiky as the Berg concerto. I asked myself whether I should (Morally? Musically? Intellectually?) be able to enjoy both these extremes. Fact is I do. "Pulls sound out of his instrument". "Double the hair". As I've said before, you should be writing Tone Deaf. But given your family needs to eat, I am satisfied if I can squeeze comments like that out of you every so often. You do me much honour, PP.
Sound Technology Schools and Degree Programs By studying sound technology, also known as music technology, recording technology or sound engineering, you'll be able find career opportunities working in recording studios, as well as for broadcast and live music venues. To learn more about certificate and degree programs in this field, keep reading. Explore typical coursework in a sound technology program, and get info on selecting a school. Schools offering Biology degrees can also be found in these popular choices. What You Need to Know Those seeking a career as a music producer or recording engineer can choose from many sound technology programs. You can find programs for everything from a certificate that qualifies you for an entry-level position to a bachelor's degree in sound recording or music technology. Schools Look for schools with modern recording equipment for hands-on experience Degrees Certificate, diploma, associate's and bachelor's degrees are available Courses Recording technology, music production,mixing techniques What Sound Technology Degree Programs Are Available? Sound technology certificate programs can be completed in as little as one semester and can prepare you for entry-level positions or can add additional specializations to your pre-existing work and educational experiences. Diploma programs can take up to two years to complete and could lead to entry-level positions in system installation, recording, mixing or recording equipment repair. Associate's degree programs allow you to expand on basic technical competencies into advanced topics, like artist management and musical performance. You can also complete general education courses at this level that might make it easy to transfer into bachelor's degree programs. Earning a bachelor's degree program might be preferable if you're interested in working as a producer, agent or recording engineer. Programs focusing on sound technology are offered under a variety of titles and you could find relevant coursework through programs that include: • Certificate in Sound Systems Technology • Certificate in Music Technology • Diploma in Audio Technology • Diploma in Music Production • Associate of Applied Science in Recording Technology • Associate of Science in Music Technology • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Technology • Bachelor of Science in Sound Recording Technology What Courses Will I Take? Through certificate programs you can take courses in subjects like audio production, sound reinforcement, music technology and sound design. Diploma programs can allow you to study more complex technical issues like multitrack recording, music production, mix techniques, digital recording and audio electronics. Associate's degree programs may also allow you to pursue coursework in management, the business of music, music theory, history of music and performance. Bachelor's degree programs may offer more advanced courses in areas like physics of sound, composition on computers, mixing techniques and psychoacoustics. How Should I Choose a School? If you have specific interests in the field of sound technology, such as system installation, producing, performance or marketing, you should consider enrolling in a program with both classroom study and hands-on experiences that support your interests. The projects and internships in a school's curriculum can help you gain hands-on experience which may provide you with an advantage when seeking employment after graduation. Schools with sound technology programs should have on-site, up-to-date recording facilities with modern equipment. You might prefer a school that has active music and theater departments, as well as radio or television studios, as these facilities provide additional access to hands-on recording opportunities. • 1. Degree Options: Popular Schools
Tongue Twisters 02 • 1. Sounding by Sound is a Sound Method of Sounding Sounds. 2. If Two Witches were Watching Two Watches, which Witch would Watch which Watch? 3. A Sailor went to Sea to See, what He could See. And all He could See was Sea, Sea, Sea. 4. The Owner of the Inside Inn was Inside his Inside Inn with his Inside Outside His Inside Inn. Wacky Definitions • Father: A banker provided by nature. School: A place where Parents pays and Son plays. Atom Bomb: An invention to end all inventions. Experience: The name men give to their mistakes. Dictionary: A place where success comes before work. Intersting Facts 02 • )-> A Pregnant Goldfish is called a Twit. )-> Donald Duck's middle name is Fauntleroy. )-> A Goldfish has a Memory Span of Three Seconds. )-> Tigers have Striped Skin, not just Striped Fur. )-> The letters KGB stand for Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti. )-> The word "Checkmate" in Chess comes from the Persian phrase "Shah Mat", which means "the King is Dead." )-> There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: "Abstemious" and "Facetious." )-> The longest place-name still in use is Taumatawhakatangiha ngakoauauotamate aturipukakapikim aungahoronukup okaiwe-nuakit natahu, a New Zealand hill. )-> There is a Seven-letter Word in the English language that contains Ten Words without rearranging any of its letters, "therein": the, there, he, her, here, ere, rein, in, therein, herein. Samuel Smiles's Quote • "We learn Wisdom from Failure much more than Success. We often Discover what We will do, by finding out What We will Not Do. and Probably He who Never made a Mistake Never made a Discovery". IQ Test - Questions with Answers • 1. Take 2 Apples from 3 Apples. What do You have? 2. Divide 30 by Half and Add Ten. What do You get? 3. How many Animals of each Species did Moses take with him in the Ark? 4. A Farmer had 17 Sheep. All but 9 Died. How many live Sheep were left? 5. Some Months have 30 Days, some Months have 31 Days. How many Months have 28 Days? 6. If a Doctor gives You 3 Pills and tells You to take One Pill every Half Hour, how long would it be before all the Pills had been taken? 7. If You had only One Match and entered a Cold and Dark room, where there was an oil heater, an oil lamp and a candle, which would You Light First? 8. A Man builds a House with Four Sides of Rectangular Construction, each side having a Southern Exposure. A Big Bear comes along. What Color is the bear? 9. I went to Bed at 8 O'Clock in the Evening and wound up My Clock and Set the Alarm to Sound at 9 'Clock in the Morning. How Many Hours Sleep would I get before being Awoken by the Alarm? 10. If You drove a Bus with 43 people on Board from Chicago and Stopped at Pittsburgh to pick up 7 More People and Drop off 5 Passengers and at Cleveland to Drop Off 8 Passengers and Pick Up 4 More and eventually arrive at Philadelphia 20 hours Later, What's the Name of the Driver? 1. "2" Apples. 2. "70". (Dividing by half is the Same as multiplying by 2). 3. None. It was Noah, not Moses. 4. "9" Live Sheep. 5. All of them. Every Month has at least 28 Days. 6. "1" Hour. If You take a Pill at 1 O'Clock, then another at 1.30 and the last at 2 O'Clock, they will be taken in 1 Hour. 7. The Match. 8. White. 9. "1" Hour. It is a Wind Up Alarm Clock which cannot discriminate between A.M. and P.M. 10. You are the Driver. Intelligence over Strength • A wealthy Man decided to go on a safari in Africa . He took his faithful pet Dachshund along for company. One day, the Dachshund starts chasing butterflies and before long the dachshund discovers that he is lost. But, the dachshund saw him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figured that something must be up. "Where's that darn monkey? I sent him off half an hour ago to bring me another leopard." Lesson: Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing those You hold, Well! Cool Calculation • 1 x 8 + 1 = 9; 12 x 8 + 2 = 98; 123 x 8 + 3 = 987; 1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876; 12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765; 123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654; 1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543; 12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432; 123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321. Funny Logic Questions • 1. When will a Horse have 6 Legs? 2. When does Monday come before Sunday? 3. Where do You find a lot of Cities, but not a Single House? 4. How can You double Your Money? Answers for the above Questions: 1. When Some One Ride a Horse. 2. In a Dictionary. 3. In a Map. 4. Show it infront of a Mirror. Disable Internet Options in Internet Explorer • Sometimes when on a shared PC You Own, You Don't want Others to change the Settings of Your Internet Explorer. This is a very effective Trick to prevent Others from Modifying Your Internet Options. To Disable the Internet Options for Your Internet Explorer, follow these steps: Go to Start -> Run . In the box that comes up type in "gpedit.msc". In the Window that pops up, navigate to User Configuration\Administrator Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Browser menus Double click "tools menu:disable internet options" in the Right Window Pane. Choose Enable and click Ok. Now Open up another Internet Explorer Window and try to access the internet options from the Tools menu. See? You can't Access the Internet Options anymore. To Revert it, just Choose 'Disable' from the above Option. This Trick is purely for Educational Purposes. Napoleon Hill's Quote • Every Failure Brings with It the Seed of an Equivalent Success. ~ Napoleon Hill Tongue Twisters 01 • 1. Road Roller,Load Roller 2. Nine Nice Night Nurses Nursing Nicely. 3. She Sells Sea Shells on the Sea Shore, but the Sea Shells that She Sells on the Sea Shore are not the Real Ones. 4. I Wish to Wish the Wish you Wish to Wish, but if You Wish the Wish the Witch Wishes, I won”t Wish the Wish You Wish to Wish. 5. If You Understand, say "Understand", If You don't Understand, say "Don't Understand", But, if You Understand and say "Don't Understand", How do I Understand that You Understand? Multiply Upto "20X20" in Your Head • In just Five Minutes, You should learn to quickly Multiply upto "20x20" in Your Head. With this Trick, You will be able to Multiply any Two Numbers from 11 to 19 in Your Head Quickly, without the use of a Calculator. I will assume that You know Your Multiplication Table reasonably well upto '10x10'. Try this: * Take "15(x)13" for an Example. * Always Place the Larger Number of the Two on Top in Your Mind. * Then, Draw the shape of Africa Mentally So it covers the 15 and the 3 from the 13 below. Those covered numbers are all you need. * First add 15 + 3 = 18 * Add a zero behind it (multiply by 10) to get 180. * Add 180 + 15 = 195. That is It! Wasn't that easy? Practice it on Paper First! Intersting Facts • )-> Ingrown toenails are hereditary. )-> The dot over the letter 'i' is called a Tittle. )-> Almonds are members of the peach family. )-> The symbol on the "pound" key (#) is called an octothorpe. )-> "Dreamt" is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt". )-> The longest one-syllable word in the English language is "Screeched". )-> The word "Set" has more definitions than any other word in the English Language. )-> The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is "uncopyrightable". )-> "Underground" is the only word in the English language that Begins and Ends with the letters "und." )-> There are only four words in the English language which end in "dous": Tremendous, Horrendous, Stupendous, and Hazardous. IQ Test 01 • Answers the following Questions in 10 Seconds. 1. If You Drop an Yellow Stone in Red Sea, How Would the Stone Be? 2. How many '4's are there if You Count from 1 to 50? 3. On Which Side of a Tea Cup the Handle Is? Scroll Down for Answers 1. It will be wet. 2. Totally 15. 3. It is on the Outerside. Life's Truisms • * Worrying does not take away tomorrow's Troubles; it takes away today’s Peace. * Friendship is like a Book. It takes few Seconds to Burn, but it takes Years to Write. * A Blindperson asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything Worse than losing Eye Sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing Your Vision." * When God solves Your Problems, You have faith in His Abilities; when God doesn't Solve Your Problems He has Faith in Your Abilities. * Often when We lose hope and think this is the End, God smiles from above and says, "Relax, Sweetheart, it's just a Bend, not the End! * Prayer is not a "Spare Wheel" that You pull out when in Trouble; it is a "Steering Wheel" that directs us in the Right Path throughout life. * All things in Life are temporary. If going well enjoy it, they will not Last Forever. If going Wrong don’t worry, they can't Last Long either. * When You pray for Others, God listens to You and blesses them; and sometimes,when You are Safe and Happy, remember that Someone has prayed for You. * Old Friends are like Gold! New friends are Diamonds! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, You always need a base of Gold! * Do You know why a Car's Windshield is so large and the rear view Mirror is so small? Because our Past is not as important as our Future. So, look Ahead and move on. God has Something Great for Us • Once there was a small girl. One fine day she got to know that God is distributing apples to all human in heaven. She was so happy to receive the news. She went merrily to heaven to receive an apple from God. On reaching heaven, she saw a big queue of people awaiting their turn to receive apples from God. She also joined the queue. The little girl was joyful because she was going to receive an apple from God. Finally it was her turn to receive an apple and she stretched out her hand in anticipation. God gave the girl an apple. However, her tiny hands were unable to hold the apple and it fell down. The girl felt disappointed as she would then be expected to wait in the queue once again to receive the gift of an apple. As she did not want to go back empty handed, she turned around and joined the long queue once again. This time the queue was longer than the previous time. Waiting in the queue she watched people who had received their apples and were leaving the place happily. She wondered as to why only she could not get a grip on the apple God tried to place in her hands. She was worried for she should not lose the apple once more. Finally once again it was her turn to receive the apple God spoke to her, “My dear child, last time after giving you the apple, I observed that the apple was a rotten one and therefore, I made you drop it. Having realised this, I wanted you to have the best apple of all. At that time, the best apple was still growing on the tree and so I made you wait for a long time. Here is the apple for you, the very best available. Enjoy it!” Sometimes we put in our best efforts in doing our tasks. However the outcome is delayed or contrary to our expectations. Remember always that God has something great in store for us and therefore, the delay. The Happiest People • The Happiest People in the World are not those Who have No Problems, but those Who Learn to Live With Things That are Less than Perfect. True Value of Doing Business • Mr. A and Mrs. A are flying to Australia for a Two Week vacation to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. Suddenly, over the public address system, the Captain announces, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am afraid I have some very bad news. Our engines have ceased functioning and we will attempt an emergency landing. Luckily, I see an uncharted Island below us and we should be able to land on the beach. However, the odds are that we may never be rescued and will have to live on the island for the rest of our lives!" Thanks to the skill of the flight crew, the Plane lands safely on the Island. An hour later, Mr. A turns to his wife and asks, "Did We Pay Our Rs.10 Lakhs deposit Cheque yet to Bank?" "No, Sweetheart," She responds. Mr.A, still shaken from the crash landing, then asks, "Did We Pay our Bank Master Card yet?" "Oh No! I'm Sorry. I forgot to send the Cheque," She says. "One last thing, Did You remember to send Cheques for the Auto Loan to them too this Month?" Mr. A asks. "Oh, Forgive Me" begged Mrs. A. "I didn't Send that One, Either." Mr. A grabs her and gives her the Biggest Hug in 50 Years. Mrs. A pulls away and asks him, "So, Why did You Hug Me?" Mr. A answers, "They'll Find Us!!!!" Life is Beautiful • Once a Fisherman was sitting near a pond, under the shadow of a tree smoking his cigar. To this the poor Fisherman replied that "he had caught enough fishes for the day". Hearing this the rich Man got angry and said: Why don’t You catch more fishes instead of sitting in shadow wasting your time? Fisherman asked: What would I do by catching more Fishes? Fisherman: What would I do then? Businessman: You could go Fishing in deep waters and catch even more fishes and earn even more money. Fisherman: What would I do then? Fisherman: What would I do then? Businessman: You could become a rich Businessman like Me. Fisherman: What would I do then? Businessman: You could then enjoy Your Life Peacefully. Fisherman: What do you think I’m doing Right Now? You don’t need to wait for Tomorrow to be Happy and Enjoy Your Life. You don’t even need to be More Rich, More Powerful to Enjoy Life. Life is at this Moment, Enjoy It Fully. One Best Way to Reduce Alcohol Consumption • One Good Way to Reduce Alcohol Consumption: Before Marriage -Drink Whenever You are SAD, After Marriage- -Drink Whenever You are HAPPY. Brain Teasers- Amazing Questions with Answers • 1. A Man went to a Party and Drank some of the Punch. He then left early. Everyone else at the Party who drank the Punch subsequently died of Poisoning. Why did the Man not Die? 2. A Man and his Son are in a Car Accident. The Father dies on the scene, but the Child is rushed to the Hospital. When he arrives the Surgeon says,"I can't operate on this Boy, he is My Son! " How can this be? 3. A Man is wearing Black. Black Shoes, Socks, Trousers, Gloves and Balaclava. He is walking down a black street with all the Street Lamps off. A Black Car is coming towards him with its light off but somehow manages to stop in time. How did the Driver see the Man? 4. Why is it better to have Round Manhole covers than Square ones? This is logical rather than lateral, but it is a good puzzle that can be solved by lateral thinking techniques. It is supposedly used by a very well-known software company as an interview question for prospective Employees. 5. A Man walks into a Bar and asks the barman for a glass of Water. The barman pulls out a Gun and points it at the man. The Man says 'Thank you' and Walks out. (This puzzle claims to be the best of the genre. It is simple in its statement, absolutely baffling and yet with a completely satisfying solution. Most people struggle very hard to solve this one yet they like the answer when they hear it or have the satisfaction of figuring it out.) 6. There is a Man who lives on the Top Floor of a very Tall Building. Everyday He gets the elevator down to the Ground Floor to leave the building to go to work. Upon returning from Work though, he can only travel half way up in the Lift and has to Walk the rest of the way unless it's raining! Why? (This is probably the best known and most celebrated of all lateral thinking puzzles. It is a true classic. Although there are many possible solutions which fit the initial conditions, only the canonical answer is truly satisfying.) 1. The Poison in the Punch came from the Ice Cubes. When the Man Drank the Punch, the Ice was fully Frozen. Gradually it melted, Poisoning the Punch. 2. The Surgeon was his Mother. 3. It was Day time. 4. A Square Manhole cover can be turned and dropped down the diagonal of the manhole. A Round Manhole cannot be dropped down the Manhole. So for Safety and Practicality, all Manhole Covers should be Round. 5. The Man had Hiccups. The Barman recognized this from his Speech and drew the Gun in order to give him a Shock. It worked and cured the Hiccups- so the Man no longer needed the Water. 6. The Man is very, very Short and can only reach Halfway up the Elevator Buttons. However, if it is Raining then, he will have his Umbrella with him and can press the Higher Buttons with it. • Be~~~~~~~~> Confident Work~~~~~~> Hard Plan~~~~~~> Perfect Dream~~~~~> More Think~~~~~> High Excuse~~~~> All Choose~~~~> Best Analyse~~~> Twice Then, Success is Ur's Life. The Barber Who Didn't Believe in God.. • A Man went to a Barber Shop to have his hair and his beard cut as always. He started to have a good conversation with the Barber who attended him. They talked about so many things and various subjects. Suddenly, they touched the subject of God. The Barber said: "Look Man, I don't believe that God exists as You say so." "Why do you say that?" asked the client. The Client stopped for a moment thinking but, he didn't want to respond so as to prevent an argument. The Barber finished his job and the Client went out of the shop. Just after he left the Barber Shop, he saw a Man in the street with a long hair and beard (it seems that it had been a long time since he had his hair cut and he looked so untidy). Then the Client again entered the Barber Shop and He said to the Barber: "Know what? Barbers do not exist." "How come they don't exist?" asked the Barber. "Well I am here and I am a barber." "No!" the Client exclaimed. "They don't exist because if they did there would be no people with long hair and beards like that man who walks in the street." "Ah, Barbers do exist, what happens is that People do not come to Us." Fascinating Informations • * DOLPHINS sleep with 1 eye open. * The SWAN has over 25,000 feathers in its body. * KIWIS are the only birds, which hunt by sense of smell. * OWL is the only bird, which can rotate its head to 270 degrees. * OSTRICH eats pebbles to help digestion by grinding up the ingested food. * POLAR BEAR can look clumsy and slow but during chase on ice, can reach 25 miles/hr of speed. Your Shoe Size Can Tell Your Age • Your Shoe Size Can Tell Your Age Try this and See: 1. Take Your Shoe Size. 2. Multiply it by '5'. 3. Add '50'. 4. Multiply it by '20'. 5. Add '1012'. 6. Subtract the Year You were Born. The 1st digit is Your Shoe Size while the Last 2 Digits is Your Age. Notepad Trick- Use as Personal Diary • 1. Open a blank Notepad file 2. Write .LOG as the first line of the file, followed by a Enter 3. Save the file and close it. 5. Type your notes and then save and close the file. 6. After that open the file and see the changes. John F. Kennedy's Quote • Our Problems are Man-Made, therefore, they May be Solved by Man. No Problem of Human Destiny is beyond Human Beings. ~~~~~>> John F. Kennedy Confusing Maths? • Let, A=B Let, A=1 Therefore, Result: 1=2 Better Change Yourself • Once upon a time, there was a King who ruled a prosperous country. Moral of the Story: There is actually a valuable lesson of life in this story: To make this World a Happy Place to Live, You better Change Yourself - Your Heart; and Not the World. Dad told Me to give up My Seat • Son: Mom, when I was on the bus with Dad this morning, he told me to give up My seat to a Lady. Mom: Well, You have done the right thing. Son: But Mom, I was sitting on Daddy's Lap. Think of a Number & Your Answer is? • Think of a Number. Double It. Add Six. Half It. Take away the Number You Started With. Your Answer is THREE. Isn't it. Puzzle- Is a married person looking at an unmarried person? (a) Yes (b) No (c) Can not be determined The Answer is Option (a). Here is why, Anne is either married or unmarried. If she is unmarried then married Jack is looking at her, and if she is married then she is looking at unmarried George! Three(3) Things in Life • 3 Things in Life are Never Sure: -> Dreams -> Success -> Fortune 3 Things in Life must Not be Lost: -> Peace -> Hope -> Honesty 3 Things in Life are most Valuable: -> Love -> Self Respect -> Time 3 Things in Life that Destroy a Person: -> Greed -> Pride -> Anger 3 Things in Life Once Gone Never Come Back: -> Words -> Opportunity -> Time 3 Things in Life that make You a Great Person: -> Hardwork -> Sincerity -> Success Eleanor Roosevelt's Quote • He who loses Money, loses Much; He who loses a Friend, loses Much More; He who loses Faith, loses All. ~> Eleanor Roosevelt The True King In due course, Birbal arrived in Iran. Overjoyed, the King embraced Birbal and showered him with Gifts. Mathematics Magic • Simple and Amazing...... Mathematics Magic with Your Age 259 X (Your Age) X 39 = ? Try it and you will be surprised to see the result. Who used Your PC in Your Absence? • Who used Your PC and what did He do in Your absence. To know, follow the Process(Steps) as below: Click: Start Then : Run Type : eventvwr.msc and hit Enter. (ie., " Start ~> Run ~> eventvwr.msc ") Events are Stored in Three Log Files: Security and These logs can be reviewed and archived. For our purposes we want the System log. Click on "System" in the Left-Hand Column for a list of events. Look for a Date and Time when you weren't home and your computer should have been off.Double Click on the eg: info n it will show u the detail.You can also use this log to see how long someone was on the computer. Just look at the time the computer was turned on and off for that day. The Milkmaid and her Pail • Patty the Milkmaid was going to Market carrying her Milk in a Pail on her head. As She went along, She began calculating what She would do with the Money She would get for the Milk. I'll buy some fowls from Farmer Brown," said she, "and they will lay eggs each morning, which I will sell to the parson's wife. With the money that I get from the sale of these eggs, I'll buy myself a new dimity frock and a chip hat; and when I go to market, won't all the young men come up and speak to me! Polly Shaw will be so jealous; but I don't care. I shall just look at her and toss my head like this." As she spoke that, she tossed her head back and the pail fell off it, and all the milk was spilt!So she had to go home and tell her mother what had occurred. "Ah, My Child," said the mother: Moral: Do Not Count Your Chickens Before they are Hatched. Interesting but True • My Teacher pointed at Me with a Ruler and said: 'At the End of this Ruler is an Idiot', I still don’t get Why I got rusticated. I only asked him, “Which End Sir?” College and School are the Nickname of HEAVEN That's why it is said that 'Couples are made in HEAVEN'. One Stone is enough to Break a Glass. One Sentence is enough to Break a Heart. One Second is enough to Fall in Love. But, why the hell One Chapter is Not enough to Pass in Exam?? Who said English is Easy? • Fill in the blank with YES or No. 1. _____, I don't have Brain. 2. _____, I don't have Sense. 3. _____, I am Stupid. Why English Is So Difficult • We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes; but the plural of ox became oxen not oxes. One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese, yet the plural of moose should never be meese. yet the plural of house is houses, not hice. If the plural of man is always called men, why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen? If I spoke of my foot and show you my feet, If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth, why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth? Then one may be that, and three would be those, yet hat in the plural would never be hose, and the plural of cat is cats, not cose. We speak of a brother and also of brethren, but though we say mother we never say methren. Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him, but imagine the feminine, she, shis and shim. Maths Miracle • 111/(1+1+1) = 37 222/(2+2+2) = 37 333/(3+3+3) = 37 444/(4+4+4) = 37 555/(5+5+5) = 37 666/(6+6+6) = 37 777/(7+7+7) = 37 888/(8+8+8) = 37 999/(9+9+9) = 37 The Corporate Language • * "We will do it" means "You will do it" * "All the Best" means "You are in trouble" * "We are a team" means "I am not the only one to be blamed" * "There was a slight miscommunication" means "We had actually lied" * "We had slight differences of opinion" means "We had actually fought" * "Tomorrow first thing in the morning" means "Its not getting done..At least not tomorrow !". * "Well.. family is important, your leave is always granted. Just ensure that the work is not affected" means "Well you know.." Interesting Confusions 03 • * Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard? * Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets? * Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV? Difference between a Girl and a Boy • Girl: Which Computer do You have? Boy : I have a Computer with Intel Core xx Processor at x.x ghz, Windows x, xx bit, x gb ram and nvidia xxx Graphics card. Boy : Which Computer do You have? Girl: A Black One !! Nine Strange Things • ~-> The dot over the letter "i" is called a tittle. ~-> Bats always turn left when exiting a cave! ~-> The original name for butterfly was flutterby. ~-> A rat can last longer without water than a camel. ~-> A duck's quack doesn't echo. No one knows why. ~-> There are no words in the dictionary that rhyme with orange, purple and silver. ~-> Donald Duck comics were banned from Finland because he doesn't wear pants. ~-> Because metal was scarce, the Oscars given out during World War II were made of wood. ~-> The number of possible ways of playing the first four moves per side in a game of chess is 318,979,564,000. Leo Buscaglia's Quote • Our Talents are the Gift that God Gives to Us.. What We Make of Our Talents is Our Gift Back to God. ~ Leo Buscaglia The Fox and the Grapes Finally, giving up, the fox turned up his nose and said, "They're probably sour anyway," and proceeded to walk away. It's easy to despise what you cannot have. Cross Bridge Puzzle • There are Four(4) Women who want to cross a bridge. They all begin on the same side. It is night. There is one flashlight. A maximum of two people can cross at one time. Each woman walks at a different speed. Woman 1: 1 minute to cross Woman 2: 2 minutes to cross Woman 3: 5 minutes to cross Woman 4: 10 minutes to cross What is the order required to get all women across in 17 minutes? Now, what's the Other Way? Woman 1 and Woman 2 go and Woman 1 comes back. Total Time Taken= 3 Minutes. Then, Woman 3 and Woman 4 go and Woman 2 comes back. Total Time Taken= 12 Minutes. Lastly Woman 1 and Woman 2 go. Total Time Taken= 2 Minutes. Grand Total Time Taken to Cross a Bridge= 3+12+2= 17 Minutes. The Goose that laid the Golden Eggs Moral: Think before You Act Interesting Confusions 02 • 1. What does OK actually Mean? 2. Who Copyrighted the Copyright Symbol? 3. Can You get Cornered in a Round Room? 4. Can You Blow a Balloon Up under Water? 5. Why do Birds Not Fall Out of Trees When They Sleep? 6. Why are the Numbers on a Calculator and a Phone reversed? 7. Why do People say, "You've been Working like a Dog" when Dogs just Sit around All Day? 8. Why do Most Cars have Speedometers that Go Up to Atleast 120 when You Legally can't go That Fast on any Road? I don't have any Worries • Girl: When We get Married, I want to Share all Your Worries, Troubles and Lighten Your Burden. Boy: It's Very Kind of You, Darling, But I don't have any Worries or Troubles. Girl: Well that's because We aren't Married Yet. Grandpa's Letter Dear Ronny, Most important of all, never give up on yourself. The person that ends up a winner is the one who resolves to win. Give life everything you’ve got, and life will give its best back to you. Love always, Ten More Interesting Infos • * Ruth Handler is the inventor of Barbie Doll. * Fingernails grow nearly 4 times faster than toenails! * The First Novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer. * Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair. * The World's Youngest Parents were 8 and 9 and lived in China in 1910. * Name of Four queens in Playing Cards are Juno, Judith, Rachel and Pallas Anthena. * The Series is 1, 11, 21, 1211, 111221, 312211, 13112221.Description of previous number in the series ( occurence of 3, one occurence of one). * Dancing MahaRaja is the japanese version of the Tamil feature film Muthu and it's second part is Dancing Maharaja 2 which is the dubbing of Yejamaan. Both the movies are Super Star Rajinikanth's. Spades - King David Hearts - Charlemagne Clubs -Alexander, the Great Diamonds - Julius Caesar How to Identify an Auditor • Once upon a time, there was a Shepherd looking after his sheep on the side of a deserted road. Suddenly a brand new Porsche screeches to a halt. The driver, a man dressed in an Armani Suit, Cerutti Shoes, Ray-Ban Sunglasses, TAG-Heuer Wrist-Watch, and a Pierre Cardin Tie gets out and asks the shepherd, "If I can tell You How many Sheep You have, will You give Me One of them?" The Shepherd looks at the Young Man, then looks at the large flock of grazing sheep and replies,"Okay." The Young Man parks the car, connects his Laptop to the mobile-fax, enters a NASA Website, scans the ground using his GPS, opens a database and 60 Excel tables filled with algorithms and pivot tables. He then prints out a 150-page report on his high-tech mini-printer, turns to the shepherd and says, "You have exactly 1,586 sheep." The Shepherd cheers, "That's correct, You can have Your Sheep." The Young Man takes an animal and puts it in the back of his Porsche. The Shepherd looks at him and asks, "If I guess your profession, will you return My animal to Me?" The Young Man answers, "Yes,why not?" The Shepherd says, "You are an Auditor." "How did You know?" asks the Young Man. "Very simple," answers the Shepherd. "Firstly, You came here without being wanted. Secondly, You charged Me a fee to tell Me something I already knew, and Thirdly, You don't understand anything about my Business.." " can I have My Sheep back?" Images- Mind Jumble • 11 Ships or 3 Ships and 8 Arches ? Do You see Faces or all Houses ? How many Horses in this picture? Should find 5. People or Faces ? A Picture Puzzle ! How many People ? See More than One Deer ? Look at the Middle Column.Where does it end? Do You See Four People? Who is the Tallest? A Face? Or the word 'Liar' ? What do You See Here? Do You see the word 'LIFT'? Or, a bunch of Black Splotches ? Find the Faces: If You can't see the Baby in the picture, don't give up. Do you see the Baby? The Last One: Solve the following Puzzles • 01. You are given two threads which takes 1hour to burn from one end to the other. Using these 2 threads and a matchbox(or lighter) how will you measure 45 minutes You are not allowed to break these threads. 02. A man is condemned to death. He is given to say a last statement; if it is truth he is hanged to death and if it is false he is poisoned. He uttered his last sentence from which he escaped. What is the last statement ? 03. There are 3 settlers and 3 Indians on one side of the creek. How can you get them all over to the other side by using a boat that holds two(they can only get there by boat). You can never have more Indians than settlers on one side at a time because the Indians will kill the settler. 04. There are 4 people that need to cross a bridge. Only two can go across at a time and one has to come back with the flashlight each time. They take 1 minute, 2 minutes, 4 minutes and 5 minutes. They only walk as fast as the slowest one. They are able to all cross the bridge in 12 minutes. How? 05. X number of cards are placed on table A. Out of X, Y number of them are face down.You have to move cards (one at a time) from table A to table B. After the move both tables should have equal number of cards face down. You are blind folded and sit in the middle of table A and table B.(means you can touch the cards but you cannot see whether they are face up or down) You are given the values of X and Y. How do you accomplish this ? 06. In a 3 way junction there is a house in which there are 2 brothers. Elder one always tell the TRUTH and the younger one always LIE. Here a man comes from one road and wanted to go for a particular city (say city A) and he don't know which way to take out of the two. He knows that in that house there are 2 brothers who always made TRUE and FALSE statements but he do not know who is who. At one time there is one one brother at home. The traveller asks only one question from one of the brothers who is there at that moment and chooses the correct way for his destination. What is that question and whats the road he chooses ? 07. A warden of a prison comes back to the prison from a party very drunk. In his state, he accidentally turns the key to open all 100 of the jail cells.He realizes what he's done, so he goes back and turns the key on every other cell (thus, now cell 1 is open, cell 2 is closed, cell three is open, etc.). He realizes that he hasn't closed all of them, so he goes back and turns the key on every third cell (thus, now cell 3 is closed, and cell 6, which he closed when he turned every other key, is now open). Still drunk, he goes back and turns the key on every 4th, then every 5th, 6th, 7th, etc. until he turns the key on every 100th cell (thus, only on cell #100). After all this,which cells remain open? 01. Burn both ends of one thread and one end of the other. After the first thread is burnt completely burn the other end of the second thread. The total time taken by threads to burn will be 45 minutes. 02."I should be poisoned" think a bit and analyze. Still if you don't get keep on reading. Explanation : If "I should be poisoned" is TRUE(by sentence) you have to poison him. But according to the rule of the riddle "He should be hanged". Because of the contradiction no one can hang him or poison him. This solves by CONTRADICTION. 03. Any number could be ended in four which always has four letters only. 04. 1 & 2 : 2mins, 1 back : 1min, 4 & 5 : 5mins, 2 back : 2mins, 1 & 2 : 2mins Total= 2+1+5+2+2= 12mins 05. Pick a card from table A , flip the side and place on table B. You do this until you reach Y. 06. "If your brother is here instead of you what would he say for the question "What is the correct way to city A" ? " Then he chooses the other road whatever the brother say. 07. All the cells that are perfect squares (1,4,9,16,25,36,49,64,81,100) remain open because they have an odd number of multiples so the key will be turned an odd number of times on them, making them open at the end. All others have an even number of multiples and will stay closed. Do You Know Your Value • A well-known Speaker started off his Seminar by holding up a Rupees(Rs.) 500 Note. In the Room of 300, he asked, "Who would like this Rs.500 Note?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this Note to One of You but First let me do this." He proceeded to Crumple the Note up. "Well," he replied, "What If I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all Crumpled and Dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air."My friends, you have all learned a very Valuable Lesson. No Matter what I did to the money, You still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth Rs. 500. Many times in Our Lives, We are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions We make and the Circumstances that come our way. We feel as though We are Worthless. But No Matter What has happened or What will happen, You will Never Lose Your Value. You are Special. Don't ever Forget it! Never Let Yesterday's Disappointments Overshadow Tomorrow's Dreams. The Lion and the Mouse MORAL: Little Friends May Prove Great Friends Life is a Big Canvas • Life is a Great Big Canvas, You Should Throw All the Paint on It You Can. ~ Danny Kaye. Astonishing 3 Google Tricks • Go to Google and Type the following Words and See What Happens 1. Type "Tilt" and Press Enter Button. 2. Then, Type "Straight" and Press Enter Button. 3. Then, Type "Do a Barrel Roll" and Press Enter Button. Some Interesting Confusions • 1. Can You Cry under Water? 2. Do Fish ever get Thirsty? 3. What do You call a Male Lady Bird? 4. Why doesn’t Glue, Stick to its Bottle ? 5. Why does a Round Pizza come in Square Box? 6. Why is it called Building when it’s already Built? 7. Why don’t Birds fall out of Trees when they Sleep? 8. If Money doesn’t Grow on Trees then, Why Banks have Branches? 9. When they say Dog Food is New and Improved in taste, Who Tastes it? Guess- What Are They? • 1) You Can Never Wet It. 2) What Goes Up and Never Comes Down. 3) Patches over Patches but No Stitches. 4) What Goes Up and Down a Hill, but Never Moves. 5) What is that We Cannot See, but is Always Before You. 6) What Belongs to You, but used by Your Friends More Often You do. 7) If We say 'MUMMY', they Come Together and Go Apart When We Say 'DADDY'. 1) SHADOW 2) AGE 3) CABBAGE 4) ROAD 5) FUTURE 6) YOUR NAME 7) LIPS Crazy Not Equal to Stupid • One Truck Driver was doing his usual delivery to IMH (Institute of Mental Health). He discovered a flat tire when he was about to go home. He jacked up the truck and took the flat tire down. When he was about to fix the spare tire, he accidentally dropped all the bolts into the drain. As he can't fish the bolts out, he started to panic. The patient laughed at him said "can't even fix such a simple problem.... no wonder you are destined to be a truck driver..." Here's what you can do, "Take one bolt each from the other 3 tires and fix it onto this tire. Then, drive to the nearest workshop and replace the missing ones, easy as that". The driver was very impressed and asked "You're so smart but why are you here at the IMH"? Patient replied: "Hello, I stay here because I am Crazy Not Stupid". Interviewer and Millionaire • Interviewer to Millionaire: To Whom do You owe Your Success as a Millionaire?" Millionaire: "I owe everything to My Wife." Interviewer: "Wow, She must be some Woman. What were You before You Married Her?" Millionaire: " Billionaire". Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger... Copyright 2010 GURURAJ.N.
Traditional Form - Intermediate (Displaying 41 - 50 of 69 lessons) Legends: Heaven Lake 1/1+ This lesson describes Heaven Lake, the beautiful Chinese tourist attraction. Legends: Hou Yi the Archer 1/1+ This lesson tells the folktale of Hou Yi, the famous archer who saves the ancient world from catastrophe and is given a gift that will ensure his immortality. Legends: Meng Jiang Nü 1/1+ This text tells the famous Chinese folktale of Meng Jiangnu. Legends: Mulan 1/1+ This text summarizes a folk story about a young girl who went to war. Legends: Story of A Clever Child 1/1+ This is a story about an exemplary child who is often recounted in Chinese elementary school texts and storybooks. Literature: Confucian Canon: The Four Books and Five Classics 1/1+ The Four Books and Five Classics are important works of the Confucian Canon. This text lists the titles of Confucian Classics in Chinese. Literature: Four Great Chinese Masterpieces 1/1+ This list of the Four Great Chinese Masterpieces, their authors, and the time periods when they were written, provides information about some of the most famous novels in all of Chinese literature. Locations 1/1+ This text is a message from the Chinese colleague of an American moving to Shanghai, making suggestions for where she should live. Magazine Survey 1/1+ This section of a survey is modeled from other surveys distributed to magazine readers. Names: Chinese Names 1/1+ This is a highly-contextualized short text on how Chinese names are formed. It contains certain common discourse structures, plus high-frequency characters, while teaching a brief historical and cultural lesson about Chinese names.
Saturday, May 13, 2006 Where is Noah’s Ark today? Kaitlin said... I don't think that there are any remains of the Ark. It was made of completely biodegradable materials. Elizabeth Ellen Moore said... Good job. That is a fascinating fact about the snake! It would be easier to search the mountains in Turkey if access was not so severely limited! I hope it is still out there. David Ketter said... Actually, Mt. Ararat in Turkey is NOT the mountain that the Ark landed on. Let's go back to the original verse you have here: "upon the mountains of Ararat" This tells us enough to conclude against it because Mt. Ararat is a lone mountain with no other mountains in the area for miles upon miles. So, where did it land? Let's go to Genesis 11:1-2: We know where Shinar is located: modern-day Iraq, ancient Babylon. Look where mankind came from to get there: from the east. If you took out a map of the world and found Mt. Ararat in reference to Iraq, you would see that this supposed location is actually north-west of Shinar. I propose that the Ark, in fact, landed in one of Iran's many mountain ranges. Based on the research of Robert Carnuke, I would venture to say that it is STILL on Mt. Sabalon in Iran. Why would it deteriorate? You have to remember that this entire area is very dry and arid - perfect for the preservation of wood and other biodegradeable materials. And being on the top of a mountain, it would have less exposure to moisture. No, I think the Ark is still there...everyone's just looking in the wrong place. :D Wholesome Works said... Thanks for comments everyone. :-) It is possible that the Ark deteriorated or was preserved, and that we're looking the wrong places. Personally, though, I think the Ark served as habitation for Noah and his family, until they got settled in this completely new world. After that, I think they probably broke it down for building materials. We just don't know what happened to the Ark.

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